Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

from goodreads


I was really excited when I found out about this book. I ended up getting it through my nook ASAP, and finished it in a couple of hours. This novel has made me feel extremely fluffy and good, even though it's not so much of a fluffy sort of young adult novel. This is the kind of book that I want to buy a hardback cover for.

Kiersten White also wrote the Paranormalcy series, which I've heard about, but never really wanted to read because it was in the whole craze of paranormal romance, and I just couldn't handle anymore than I already read, previously. As I started reading the novel, I noticed that the writing was really simple, but the action in it was written wonderfully. I haven't read a really action packed novel is forever, not really, but still, I liked it. Something to take note of is that the novel is written between the two main character's points of views. Also, when you read Mind Games you jump write into the madness, and then you get pulled back to the past-which is as much action packed as the present. At first, that really got on my nerves, but I ended up liking the buffering motion it gave, while still giving you something to chew on.

Fia and Anna are two very different main characters, but they work well with each other. I, personally, favor Fia so much more than Anna. Probably because we see in side her brain first, and I'm just more used to her throughout the series. The idea of the novel to me, doesn't seem very light and girly, but Mind Games makes me feel like Kiersten White took a page out of my very close group of friends' party, and added a bunch of these crazy aspects.

I like the fact that I'm suspicious of pretty much everyone. You're always kept on your toes, and when I read it I felt like I was floating through this world, and just kept wanting to read more, constantly. I will definitely look into more of Kiersten White's novel. BTW this novel just came out last week, and I believe her next novel comes out in September of this year. Mind Games is the first of it's own series, which doesn't continue until the winter of 2014, which sounds far away, but that's just because I still can't believe it's the year 2013. To stop the rambles that keep spilling out, I'd tell my best friend to read this book and give it a head nods, thumbs up, and smiling like there's no tomorrow. (5 out of 5)

Author Interview: Sahana Epari

Last week, I review Sahana Epari's debut novel, Pure at Heart. I was lucky enough to also have the chance to ask her some questions for an interview:

How did you come up with the concept for Pure at Heart?

I don't really remember. I guess I was just in that phase where I was obsessing over urban fantasy and paranormal novels. I still am :) Anyways, I guess the supernatural being that got to me the most was the werewolf. No matter what book I read, if there was a werewolf in it, the character would automatically be my favorite. As for the plot itself, it took a while to come up with something that I would read myself. Pure at Heart is basically everything I, as a person, would want in a book.


What was the toughest part of writing the novel?

The toughest part would be the conclusion. To be truthful, when I started, I wasn't completely sure I wanted a sequel. I was thinking I could write maybe one of those single novels. Then, I realized that it would be a really big book, because there were so many things I wanted to introduce. The conclusion of Pure at Heart was hard to write because I had to conclude things, but leave a lot of room for questions. I wanted the readers to think, "What happens next?" and want to read the next book.


Is there anything you would want to change about Pure at Heart?

I actually like it the way it is. I elaborated the characters enough, the plot, the setting. Everything is the way I need it to be. If I did have the chance, however, I would want to be a little more descriptive in some scenes.


Who is your favorite author?

Cassandra Clare.

What is your favorite book(s)?

City of Bones, or the Mortal Instruments series.

Many authors tell aspiring young writers to wait until they are older to publish because they haven't lived much and their writing is great for their age, but don't compare to older authors. What do you say about that topic?

I completely disagree. Now that there are self-publishing companies, like CreateSpace, it allows anyone to publish anything they want. Everyone knows that young authors are still growing, and haven't experienced a lot, but that makes it all the better. There's a surprise when you read a really good book, and then discover that it wasn't an adult who wrote it but a young person. Yes, novels written by young authors like myself, shouldn't be compared to books written by older, more experienced, and more educated adults. However, that shouldn't be a restriction to publish something.

What can you tell us about the sequel to Pure at Heart?

It will continue a few days after the end of Pure at Heart. I haven't really decided on the name yet, but it will definitely summarize the novel. I'm hoping to add a big surprise, so hold on. Not sure about the release date as of now.



Where can readers contact you?
  You can go to my blog:

evalineandthepack.blogspot.com

Don't Quote Me (#16)

This is from one of my favorite books. btw, I won't be getting into Cassandra Clare's first series. I don't have enough love for the prequels to continue. :(

Mark Twain was a hipster...

I want to do this so badly, but I'm afraid of screwing it up. 

Breaking Dawn Part 2 Movie + the series Review

Over the weekend, I saw the newest and last Twilight movie in the saga. Now to set this review in perspective, I am a Twilight fan. I think that in a world where Twilight is a phenomenon you expect only the fans to watch the movie, and everyone else to not. I see where you're thinking, and I am a bit biased, but here are my thoughts anyways.

The acting from the actors were making me wanting to do a face palm every time they spoke. I, for some reason, did not notice this in the other movies this prominent, but there is some sucky acting in this movie. It's mostly from the Cullen family, but the Volteri and the vampires that had all came to Forks were way more interesting, and the acting was terrific. I kind of wanted to jump for joy when they introduced Alistair.

The first part of the movie was... boring. It was a happy la di da moment, and you can feel all warm inside. That wasn't what I wanted per se, but I did read the books, and they did not make me feel warm and fluffy inside. The thing is, the whole movie in my opinion is only good until the last thirty minutes of the movie. Everything else is filled with pointless mommy daughter time, discovering things that don't make sense, and in the end they live happily ever after. I think you saw that coming, because that's what most people hate about Twilight. It's because it is a happily ever after story, not a tragic ending like true vampire films/stories.

If you didn't see the movie, you are going to be for one heck of a ride at the end. The ending blew my mind a bit. If you read the books then you'll get angry like I did. I won't say why, but if you want to talk about the movie with me feel free to email me at Clarareads@gmail.com . There we can talk spoilers!! :)

As a series, I will still love it, because it got me into reading. That sounds really weird to some people, but I was not the reading girl I was before Twilight, as I am now. As I have read Twilight some good years ago, I don't see the series as I did then. Back then, I was really naive, and childish, and just soaked up all of this. The series, made me like reading, so I see it as a fall back plan when every other book in the world fails me-which will never happen. It's that book that for you might be Harry Potter, it was there from the beginning, and you thank it for that.

To answer some of the questions you might have:
No, I don't like the fact that they sparkle in the sunlight.
I don't think vampires should sparkle in the sunlight, Who does?
Can someone just do something with the whole sparkle thing? It gets distracting, why can't there blood boil under the sun? UGH!!
I hate obsessing over celebrity love lives, so I don't.
I am on Team Edward, but if Jasper didn't have Alice, totally Team Jasper.
I don't believe that Bella Swan will be a good mother.
I do sometimes wish that the series continued, but it would be redundant at the end.
I do want to slap Bella in New Moon.
*spoilerish* Of course, I think that Jacob imprinted on Renessme is strange. *spoilerish*
I wish so much that they get better special effects, but the movies are over so...

I'd love to know what you think about the newest and last movie. Leave a comment below, or if you want a full blown fan girl fest. Email me at Clarareads@gmail.com or tweet me @Clarareads

Review: The Forgotten by Claudia Carozza

Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks?

from goodreads

I read the first novel of this series a few months back, I can't even remember when now. Ahhh! Where has 2012 gone? Anyways, I started reading The Forgotten about a week or so ago, and because I was in a reading rut, I didn't finish it until recently. Though, the novel could be read in a matter of hours.

Claudia Carozza really peaked my interest a little more in the sequel, so that was a really good improvement. I was more excited for a lot of things to come in this novel, and surprises are everywhere. Since the last novel ended in a cliff hanger, I'd say that you'll have to read about twenty pages in, an then the cliff hanger continues. The middle was lagging for me, and that's when  I usually loose interest. I skimmed some parts, and things still made sense, so that wasn't something I appreciated I can do when reading a novel.

Hazel really stepped it up a notch in this novel. I think I like her a bit more than in the first novel, because she's becoming more of herself and a strong heroine. She changes quite drastically in the novel, and if you're ready for the character development, then you'll love The Forgotten.

There are some soap opera scenes during this novel, but don't worry, it gets better, and unlike soap operas the drama ends, in a way.

This is kind of a spoiler, so if you want to be absolutely spoiler free, then skip this paragraph. Like the first novel, there is a death. I won't say who, but it's someone that is quite present in most of the novel. The death for me felt strained, and just away to kill off a character, at first. Later reading,  I did noticed that the death was for something huge for Hazel. If you liked this character a lot-I didn't- then you'd be devastated at her fast leave in the novel.

Pigeons were a huge symbol in this novel, and because of that I look at pigeons in a different way then before. Unlike thinking about them as the pesky fat birds that wander the city, I think of them as quite courageous creatures. I know that pigeons have developed a friendly term with humans, so they don't find the need to fly away when someone comes in a foot radius of them. The small birds with blue bellies I see around my town, they are cowards, in their way. I guess we're all like that at the beginning. Finding food, and then flying away when danger approaches, but Pigeons are the opposite.

All in all, to wrap things up in a nice little package, The Forgotten won't be forgotten in my mind, and some serious character battles support the novel, and the novel goes to a more violent side. Near the end, it actually gets vulgar, and that was something I didn't expect one of the characters to say. I love the story, as its world fascinates me, so I'll give The Forgotten by Claudia Carozza a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5)

The Thing About Series.

So, here’s the thing about series. I, personally, start out reading series whether I want to or not. It’s really rare, lately, to find a single book. I can count on one hand how many books that I've read this year, that doesn't have a sequel, or counterpart. It’s quite obsessive to me how authors want to write so much of the same characters. I could never right a nine book series about the same people, and setting. It’s just too much of the same thing for me to write about, and sometimes it’s too much for me to read.

Series can be difficult. Recently I've read a lot of debut author’s first novel in a trilogy, or series. I know that I’ll have to wait a year, or maybe two to read the second novel. That’s quite difficult, and I've learned to not think about books, so I don’t get disappointed when I do read the sequel. That, there, is what scares me. I want to read a novel, and have it in my thoughts, and what I think about when I go to bed, but when I know there’s going to be a sequel to a novel, my mind shuts that off so I wait. I think that I’m the only one that does that, but please tell me if you do too.

The plus side of series, is that you don’t have to be introduced to a completely different cast of characters, and their setting. It’s like a family reunion, you see them every year, and have an adventure. Then sometimes, I think that authors write novels just to keep a committed fan base to only read their series. I can understand that some stories need that extra four novels, but then there are series that are just published to be franchised. Can someone explain to me why publishers would do that when they know readers are pick, especially in the young adult community. I know I’m generalizing, and you may be not one of those picky readers, but most people I know are.

I just want to get this golden age of paranormal romance series out of the way soon. That sounds really arrogant, but I can’t stand anymore of those books. It’s great once in a while, but when the only young adult novels that are being published are those, it’s down right awful. Again, I have to say that this is all my opinion and you can respond or not, but please be nice to one another.

Blog Tour: Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive.

Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.
But she was wrong.

Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive.

Welcome to Shadows, the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters.

From goodreads

Shadows may be the only book that has got me sucked in a the beginning. I've talked about this book for about a month on the blog and all I could say was the prologue was intense. I have to say a fair warning now that I didn't read the first novel yet, but I'm planning to read the entire series all at once soon.

Ilsa J. Bick is a new author to me and boy do I want to meet her now. I usually like to keep wanting to meet an author at a distance because sometimes your role models or heroes let you down. Ilsa, though, really made reading a sequel to a novel you've never read a bit more bearable than I thought. I especially love how she manages to write incredibly detailed actions scenes with out slowing everything down. It seemed incredibly life like.

I didn't meet these characters in Shadows before hand in the first novel because I didn't read the first novel like I said at the start. My perception of all the characters are different then most and not completely sure about any. I find that I miss so much history between characters that I skim. It's going to be my duty to read Ashes soon.

I learned a lot about guns. That's a simple statement that I'm not sure that I wanted to say or not. I was completely clueless about guns before, and somehow I've came out a better? person knowing so much about a weapon that killed millions. It's hard to say, but I think that if you're into that kind of deal Shadows is made for you. This being stated again: I need to read the first novel to get the full effect; I'm going to give Shadows a head nods and thumbs up. (4 out of 5)

It's Monday! What are you Reading? (#7)

meme started by bookjourney

What I Read:

I read and reviewed this book on Thursday. Had an amazing time putting all my emotions and thoughts while reading the novel on to the review. Please check it out here.

It's three weeks into the school year when music junkie Casey Barnes gets a second chance with her mysterious, heartbreaking ex-boyfriend. She comes up with a plan to win him back, but it soon spins out of control as rivalries, revelations about him, and music itself all start to collide. For Casey the newfound attention means learning the difference between wanting center stage and actually being on it.

from goodreads

What I'm Currently Reading:

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.

“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.

I am that girl.

I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.

I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

from goodreads

Bought this book on Tuesday and couldn't wait to read it I read about sixty or so pages. If you want to check out my progress, it's on goodreads. 

What I Hope To Read Next:

Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks

from goodreads

Having gotten this novel this week, I saw that it was quite a quick read that can go by in one sitting. Hopefully I'll get that one sitting. *fingers crossed*

P.S. Who ever left the comment about having a review on Pure at Heart by Sahara Epari asap, I'm going to have to postpone that review for a week or two. I hope who ever you are are reading this, and that you read a wonderful book in the mean time. 

In My Mailbox (#9)

This week in my mailbox I got two books. Two of which I'm very excited about and both of them are quick reads that I hope to review soon. Also to the anonymous commenter on my It's Monday! What are you Reading? meme on Monday who said encouraged me to read Pure at Heart and review it as quickly as possible, I am in the middle of reading it now, and hope to have the review up on Thursday. :) (Hopefully you are reading this)

Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks?

from goodreads

I was very excited when  received an email from Claudia. I was dearly awaiting the second installment in the trilogy and I can't wait to delve into The Forgotten. Here is the link for my review on The Twenty. 

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.


from goodreads

I have read two other novels from Laurie Halse Anderson, and I really like the other novels. You can check out my review of Speak, and The Catalyst.

Series I'm Currently Reading or Waiting For

Since there are just so many covers for this novel, I'm not sure which one is the actual cover. I'll just say the Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess. I have the first two books in the series, and I hope to read the last one soon when it comes out.

The next series is one of my most recent favorites, the Shades of London series by Maureen Johnson. The next novel comes out in January and I'm extremely eager to read it. I have know doubts that I won't like it, but there is always a chance.

Days of Blood and Starlight is also the second novel in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor. I don't know how long I can wait for the book to come out, but I maybe the few who love the first novel.

Please comment below and tell me some of your favorites series, or series you are reading/waiting for. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (#3)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is started by bookjourney. 

What I Read:

I thoroughly enjoyed Hotblood and can't wait 'till the second installment comes out!! Here's the link to my review.

What I'm Currently Reading:

I didn't read much more of Solid this last week, but it is my goal to finish it for a review this week. 

What I hope to read in the future:

I started this novel months ago, and put it down, but I have a craving for something a little bit dark right now. 

In My Mailbox (#2)

So this week in my "mailbox" I got one book

After her adventures with the Key of Amatahns, sixteen-year-old Janir Caersynn Argetallam returns home to find Brevia on the brink of war with a neighboring country, Stlaven. Her foster-father and even Saoven—a brave young elf warrior—think it will be safe at the castle where Janir grew up. However, while trying to unravel a looming mystery, Karile—self-taught wizard and Janir’s self-appointed best friend—becomes certain that there is danger in the mountains surrounding Janir’s childhood home and that it has something to do with Stlaven’s most powerful family, the Vanmars…

from  goodreads 

Review: Hotblood by Juliann Whicker

Hotblood by Juliann Whicker lingers in my mind and I hope I don't forget the wonderful and magical characters. All 298 pages have made me felt pain, sorrow, hope, and giddy in all then less than 24 hours. I can tell you I spent the night reading through morning, and I don't regret it. When I found out about this novel, I thought that it was just another paranormal romance, cheesy, not really well thought out, and a fairy tale sort of charm to it. Boy was I wrong! This novel was nothing that I expected, and something more, I dare say.               

Juliann Whicker's writing made me really happy reading whatever she wrote. The way she wrote the novel just flowed smoothly and realistically on the screen in my mind. I read that I should be open minded about this novel, and I didn't have to because it opened my mind for me without me noticing. Weird, right? I loved and hated the different point of views from the two main characters. I love how the author created this whole different paranormal aspect of what we expect from today's young adult novels. I honestly loved the dark, and deathly frighting scenes and couldn't get enough. 

 Dari, or Dariana was a very interesting main protagonist from the get-go. She didn't bore me, or maybe because of the wide span of lovable characters made it seem so. I can't say this to every novel, maybe The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, but Hotblood in particular I had no problems with any characters. I love all of them "good" and "bad". They all contributed something, and had a soul of there own. I of course love Lewis with all of his faults and mystery that shrouds the outcome of the novel. I don't think there could be a more enjoyable love interest for Dari.

Blog Tour: Determinant by A.M. Hargrove Review + Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago I read the first novel of The Guardians of Vesturon series. Survival was okay, the characters really stood out to me, but I didn't love the whole idea of the Guardians. Determinant is the third installment of the series, and I'd still say the same thing if I was telling someone about this series. I love all the detail and the weirdness of all the characters, but the whole E.T. like people just didn't make sense, for me anyways.

The beginning of the novel, like the first novel in the series starts out in a world where we see everything the main character has ever experiences and continues on to their college life. Then something drastic occurs, which turns the whole miserable story into a charming one, in my opinion.

I admire A.M. Hargrove for her creativity and gumption to have something in a novel  that is a pressing topic, which most would like to get rid of but don't want to talk about. If that made sense. I love how A.M. Hargrove makes her characters realistic and their own, one of a kind. The way she moves a story along really is something that I wish I could do. Then there are times when I'd think I should be crying, when I'm not in reality. It's just the reader in my head is bawling her eyes out and giving my heart out to these characters, especially January. Ugh! I can't start to believe how A.M. Hargrove wrote such a broken main character without breaking down from all of her hardships. I also love how she pushes the boundaries of the "aliens" in this novel. It's quite interesting how this is the third installment of a series, but can be read independently.

Review: Survival by A.M. Hargrove

 

Book: Goodreads Amazon Website
Author: Website Twitter Amazon Smashwords 

As you may know from the list of book reviews I have done that I love young adult/paranormal romance novels. This is exactly what I thought I wanted to get myself into after I finished Nevermore by Kelly Creagh because I just love the genre. I didn't know though that I'd come out in a faze and wondering is this really the future of young adult novels. I'm ashamed to say that I could not finish this book because it was just too unreal to me. It was like watching ice melt, you knew exactly what was going to happen.

A.M. Hargrove, I loved the effort in creating the Vesturon aliens and the background knowledge of everything. I love how the author didn't really shy away from issues that are in their world true to ours in a way and how she took the novel step by step at a time. Most of the time I was confused by the pacing of the book and how things went. I love the first part of the book, Maddie's story. Then later the novel fell short on the big things that I wanted to happen or thought I wanted to. The author's writing was very strange to me. The dialogue felt very stiff, I didn't flow like a normal conversation and maybe it's just because aliens were speaking English and that was intentional? I don't know. I do love how she incorporated the slang and differences from the humans and the Vesturon. I was very interested in their species and felt like she could have added more, though I love all the tech stuff the author added.

Playlist: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

So I had a better timeish finding songs for the second installment in the series, but there is still not as much as other playlists I've done. I hope you like this playlist and please leave a comment for a song you think I should add.

Here's the link:


Simple Song by Better Than Ezra
For Will's overcoming his faults

Breathless by Better Than Ezra
I imagined what Tessa would say to Will if she could

Tightrope by Walk The Moon
"Easy now with my heart" I think Tessa should take that advice w/ Jem & Will :)

Lost Kitten by Metric
Tessa:" I can't say no" to Jem

Jessica by Regina Spektor
"Jessica, wake up" should be for Will when he got high

Portions For Foxes by Rilo Kiley (covered by Cara Salimando)
There's a probability that they are all doomed;)

Here's to Goodbye by Cara Salimando
"Kill the lights because it's all over"

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

Book: Amazon Goodreads Website
Author: Website Goodreads

Heist Society was called the teenage version of Oceans 11, and I think that is a great way to sum it up. A group of teens stealing priceless items from big head buildings. This was my first Ally Carter novel and I've heard of her before because I think we all have seen her Gallagher Academy series because honestly it's everywhere. I felt like this was more of a summer read, than anything, but it was wonderful none the less.

Kat. I feel like there are a lot of new books coming out that have a variation of the Hunger Games protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. Am I right? Well, anyways they both have their similarities. For example, they both have the same distinct way of get in and then get out. Strangely both of them have a habit of not wanting to be open with people and think through things in technical ways.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545123267
• ISBN-13: 978-0545123266
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches

Summary

To break it down to the simplest form there is a girl named Grace and she has this "wolf" she interacts with since she was a kid. All her life she sees this wolf, but only in the winter. This particular wolf has yellow eyes and when she meets a boy with yellow eyes she finds herself meeting her "wolf" in person. 
Haha I know that that summary really sucks but, that is what it really is about. Maggie Stiefvater is probably one of my favorite authors because she sets this mood of coziness and the relationship between Grace and Sam is just amazingly sweet. 


Shiver has been compared to the werewolf version of Twilight and I can see that to an extent because there is paranormal creatures and there is romance, but that's it. Shiver's characters are extremely different from Twilight and the story has nothing that compares with each other. In Shiver, Sam the "wolf" is trying to not become a wolf every time the weather gets cold, while in Twilight Bella's convinced that she must become a vampire to live her life the way it should be. Also there is no love triangle in Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, so I thank her for not accepting this popular trend? of a love triangle will sell to any young adult reader. 


Something that I thought was neat, but I'm not sure that it is in all of the book's editions, but my blue book was printed in blue ink, which was pretty cool detail that I like. Also I think that the cover is beautiful in every way possible. 


So Grace is not one of my favorite characters, but she's bearable, unlike Isabel. Isabel was throughout the novel an iffy character for me. I always felt like she would back stab Grace or do something drastic, but she kept to her place as a side character and will be a bigger stronger character in the second installment. Though, Isabel is the incredibly popular girl in Grace's school, she has some problems that does come with popularity and especially when her brother dies. Isabel is not one of my favorites, but she is defiantly needed in the novel, or else everything else would fall apart. 


In the end, Shiver was a great book for me, but not the best. It's the kind of book that I'd like to reread if it was snowing outside and I had a hot cup of tea next to me, while a bath and body works candle is burning. Shiver is the kind of book that I would not recommend because one) a lot of people already  know about this book and would have read it by now and two) it's not that great of a story that I'd want to follow a whole three books through, but my mistake I already bought the whole series. Maggie Stiefvater is still one of my favorite authors and I'd like to read her other series about homicidal faeries. :)  

Divergent by Veronica Roth Review

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English

Summary 

So to break it down to you. Beatrice lives in a dystopian Chicago and she is sixteen. At age sixteen you decide your life, whatever you want to do you you choose on this one day and you will do that for the rest of your life. These jobs are called factions: Erudite, Amity, Dauntless, Abnegation, and Candor. When Beatrice takes her aptitude test to help her decide what she wants to be in comes out inconclusive. The aptitude assistant explains to her that her choices in the simulation has made her Divergent, meaning she doesn't belong to any one faction. This creates a multitude of confusion, frustration, and caution Beatrice has to deal with. Not that she knows any better than the people around her, Beatrice will be in for a long and difficult ride on Choosing Day: the day when she chooses her life. 

Over all I am obsessed with this book. Divergent is just everything I thought it would be and a lot more. I was recommended this book by a friend. I have seen this book on bookstore shelves and it has caught my eye a few times, but it never stood out to me. Just the other day my friend bought this book as a birthday present she spent on and came back in a few days raving about how spectacular it is. I read this book in I'd say a little less than two days. I was a sitting couch for most of the weekend and nonstop reading for hours non ending. 

I really enjoy the main character Beatrice because she is just plain ol' awesome. She's one of those classic characters that I won't get bored with and she has nothing that is spectacularly different from everyone else. Though the story does takes place where the majority of the people are not open-minded. Also another character I really enjoyed is Four he's quite the mysterious guy in the corner, but through out the novel he progresses immensely and I'm just thrilled with his wit and over all character. 

A plus for me is that this novel, unlike so many out there does not have a love triangle. I don't think I have to dive in to each much more, but it was a relaxing calming affect knowing that there won't be "teams" for these two characters that have feelings for the main character. 

The main character Beatrice really drives and forces the events in the order they come and the novel is mainly driven by her and it was a different style of writing that I really love. Veronica Roth has an easy flow to her writing and the dialogue is just incredible. Leave it up to a debut author to blow all the experienced authors out with the wind. 

In conclusion, Veronica Roth's Divergent will be on my top list of favorite books for I'm hoping two at least two weeks because the second book Insurgent will becoming out on May 1st which I am so excited to hopefully buy and review that Friday. 

Uglies by David Westerfield Review

Uglies by David Westerfield

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (February 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689865384
• ISBN-13: 978-0689865381
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces

Summary

Tally lives in this dystopian world were you are 'ugly', until you turn sixteen and become 'pretty'. The technology in this world is extremely advance. It takes place centuries after the current time. They look back at us like we were extremely dumb, but that just happens after a few centuries because humans learn from their mistakes. As Tally has lost her best friend when he turned pretty, she meets Shay. Shay has the same birthday as Tally,so Tally would expect that she would want to be turned pretty together. Not at all. Instead Shay is the exact opposite. She's claiming that there is a better place outside the little 'ugly' town they have grown up all there lives. A place where there are people that ran away from turning 'pretty'. Shay's the rebel that will not rest or care if she gets caught, because honestly they wouldn't do anything to her. Tally on the other hand has waited for years, like every other 'pretty' has. She doesn't see anything wrong with the government because it has been like that for years. You turn 'pretty' on your sixteenth birthday and you won't have to do anything the rest of your life, except have fun at parties every night and day.

I personally love the world Scott Westerfield builds through out the novel and I just feel like there are so many endless possibilities that he could add. At first glance I was very hesitant with reading this book. The idea of 'pretties' and 'uglies' caught me, bewildered. Though it was tough in the beginning, I grew with the book as I progressed through it. The suspense did not keep me up much and Tally's character was hard for me to mold my mind and thoughts around to go through this journey with her. My favorite part of this book was mostly the dystopian points of the advanced technologies like hoverboards. How they described change 'pretties' freaked me out and I think about the actions they take. For example the flawless skin, stretching bones, and putting plastic inside your nose and checks, instead of cartilage was the opposite of the pretty fluffy stuff in paranormal young adults.

Wrapped up all in one I did not enjoy this book as I would like. I guess I have learned my lesson of not believing the hype. I might review Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky next week. Until then, I tip my hat off to you.