Books of Before (2)

Books of Before is going to be random books that I want to read and are available to read whenever I want to. They could have been published last week or last year or even more! =)

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Why: I've read the books on the Fuentes brothers and I absolutely loved them all so I think I will really enjoy reading her other books. Plus, I think I should give them a try seeing as it's Simone Elkeles.

The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
Why: I don't really know. It's just one of those books that I have the need to pick up and read. The idea of someone trying to make the universe right with karma sounds interesting, especially if it's a girl.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Why: I've heard so much about this book so I feel like I should read it. From what I hear it's a good book and fantasy which I love reading about! Definitely one I think I would really enjoy.

Have you read any of these? What did you think of it? =)

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Title: Chain Reaction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Published: August 16 2011
Pages: 308
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

Review: Now that I've read all 3 of the books of the Fuentes I can say that I absolutely love the Fuentes brothers!

Luis is the good brother who knows what he wants how to get it. His story starts at the wedding of his older brother, Alex. There he meets Nikki and doesn't see her again until he has to go back to the place where he grew up. Being the good brother, makes Luis understand that he needs to stay away from gangs and get good grades but the more he explores and meets people the, more he gets closer to the dark side of the Fuentes brothers

Despite having Luis as the good brother who doesn't get in trouble he still manages to have the appeal that his 2 older brothers did. Luis had grown in the south side of Fairfield but he had never been exposed to the gang. After returning everything seems like it has changed but it doesn't mean that everything has stopped. After Luis finds some things out he feels like he's been betrayed and does some very bad decisions.

Nikki was different from Brittany and Kiara. After going through some hard stuff with a boy who just played with her, she is hesitant to trust any boy she meets. I loved how she refused to like any guy but at the same time you could see that she was scared that it would happen. She might have been a hard person to get to but knowing what she went through makes the reader more understanding of her.

I loved seeing Alex and Carlos back in this book. You get to see how their lives are going after their story was finished. They are both now good boys who don't want to go back to the way they were but when they see that Luis is in some trouble they are willing to help him. And also, I loved seeing the chemistry teacher back in this one!

I'm sad to see the stories of the Fuentes brothers end but I know I enjoyed reading all 3 books. Simone's books have something that makes me not want to stop reading them because I always want to know what happens next. I would definitely recommend this book and the first 2 to anyone!

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

Title: Chain Reaction

Author: Simone Elkeles

Release: August 16th 2011

Goodreads Summary: Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn't live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he's never known, and just when he thinks he's got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?

Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys.

I can't wait to finally read this! After reading about the other 2 Fuentes brothers I know that I just have to read this the minute I buy it! Especially after having to wait so long for it. =)

Top 10 of 2010

Here are my top 10 books of 2010!! Some books were released this year, others were released last year and some of the books were released many years ago! The last one was my favorite! All links go to Goodread.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This was a book that I really enjoyed. There were some things that happened that made me think of similar things that had happened in my life a few years ago. I loved Anne's character, especially since she was just acting the way she was! It's was a really good book that I recomend to others.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This was one of those books that made me think of the world that we live in. It talks about some things that are still happening even though this book was published a long time ago. Everyone should definitively read it!

 

  

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

I know this book was published last year but I read it this year. It's no wonder that I loved this book since I love fantasy! I loved the world that Cinda Williams Chima created and can't wait to read The Exiled Queen.

Fire by Kristin Cashore 

I loved this book! I loved how Fire was a character who fought for what she believed in. She had to deal with what others thought of but she didn't give up. Who doesn't like it when the heroine doesn't depend on others?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I loved how this book was different than most. It's told from the perspective of a boy and that alone could make me love it. It's not the only thing though, I loved the characters and the writing doesn't show that two are writing the book! It really was a good book!

The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins

I can't believe that it took me such a long time to read this amazing book! Maybe it was because I had been hearing so many good things about it that I didn't want to be disappointed. It didn't matter because this book was simply great!

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

This book was one that I was most looking forward to this year. Let me say that I loved it! Simone Elkeles is simply an amazing writer. Plus we get to read about hot boys who speak Spanish! An added bonus is that I can understand perfectly what they're saying without having to look it up!

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

All my life I've heard of Edgar Allen Poe but I had never read a book that used him. This was a unique book that made me want to know more about him and read more of his poems. And Varen! I loved that he wasn't the typical boy that are in most books! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

I love when authors write books with magic in them. So this was one book that I couldn't wait to read. It had everything that I like: magic and a handsome wizard! I loved how the relationship between Sydelle and North changes from hate to love!

Last Sacrifice Richelle Mead

The whole series really but I thought I should just put the last book. Since I first read Vampire Academy I knew I would love the rest of the books and I'm happy to say that I did. Everything about the books is great! The characters, the plot and everything else it has! I can officially say that it's my second favorite series, after Harry Potter of course!

So what do you guys think? =)

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Published: 2010
Pages: 324
Rating: 5/5
Summary: When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Review: When I found out that there would be a sequel to Perfect Chemistry I couldn't wait to read it. I'm glad that it was amazing!

This story is different than the one from Perfect Chemistry but it's just as good! After coming back from Mexico Carlos is unhappy because of what his brother, Alex, wants him to do. He goes out of his way to do things he knows his brother would disagree with. After something goes wrong he is forced to move in with a professor.

Carlos seems to be a lot like his brother but at the same time he's different from him. Unlike his brother he doesn't really want the life that his brother has. The things he said made me laugh and at times it also made me want to cry. He tries to deny that he loves Kiara but at the end he realizes the truth.

I loved Kiara! Her personality was awesome! She didn't get in trouble but also knew what to do when she wanted to get back at someone. She knows how to let free and enjoys stuff that may not be so common. Her reactions to Carlos were great, at times they made me laugh!

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and I'm glad that I read it! Now I just have to wait for the next book! Hopefully it comes out soon!