"A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe." — Madeleine L'Engle

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Book Blogger Hop (29)

Book Blogger Hop is a fun meme hosted by Crazy For Books. Enter your link and go hop around other blogs that are out there, ready to be discovered!

I'm proud of myself! I actually did my homework all week without waiting until the very last moment! And, I did good in the game I played this week. For those asking what sport I play, it's golf. It's a great sport even though many don't think it is.

This week's question: I try to comment on other blogs as much as I can. I'm also trying to join some social networking sites but I just need to find the time. One social network that I've joined is Twitter.

If you're visiting from the hop make sure you leave your link and I'll make sure to visit your blog!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer

Title: Half-Moon Investigations
Author: Eoin Colfer
Published: 2006
Pages: 290
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was a baby, he's had a nose for sniffing out mysteries. And after graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective's badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town's most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.


As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name, he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party--or he is the guilty party.
 
Review: Fletcher Moon isn't like most kids his age. He's the youngest detective of the world, complete with a silver-plated badge. He doesn't get big cases and everything seems to go on as normal until he's hired by a classmate and everything changes.
 
I loved the idea of having a detective as the protagonist, especially one so young as Fletcher. He's just a kid but is trying to act as the detective that his badge says he is.I liked how he didn't give up and solved the case as he was supposed to.
 
I loved the Sharkeys! They were just like any other family but like every family they were different.  The reputation they had made them want to act the way they did so that others would keep thinking the things they did. The relationship that they had with each other was that of any sibling.
 
This was definitively a good book. It's a middle grade book but I think that older readers would also enjoy the light mood that it has. If you are thinking of maybe reading it, you should!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: 2008
Pages: 453
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: A murderer is loose in New York City ...
... and the victims are Downworlder children. Clary Fray and her fellow Shadowhunters have a strong suspicion that Valentine, Clary's father, may be behind the killings. But if he is the murderer, then what's his true motive? To make matters worse, the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, has been stolen, and the mysterious Inquisitor has arrived to investigate, with his eyes vigilantly targeted on Clary's brother, Jace.

Clary will need to face some terrifying demons and even more terrifying family decisions. No one said that the life of a Shadowhunter would be easy.

Review: Things are changeling. Downworlder children are being killed. Clary is trying to sort out her feelings, which are complicated. Everybody wants know what to expect next from Valentine. Jace seems to be getting in trouble, which only worries everyone else.

Clary wants to help her mother but can't seem to find a way. She wants to control her feelings and know what she's feeling for Jace and Simon. She's viewed as the good daughter of Valentine and not the bas son, which I think only made her feel worse.

I love Jace!! I loved how at the beginning he was looking for trouble. He has so many things going on that I felt that he had a right to feel the way he did. The Shadowhunters are seeing him as someone who could help their worst enemy.

I agree with others who say that this series is really good. All the characters are changing in ways that will them accomplish what they want. I can't wait to read the next book!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Book Blogger Hop (28)

Book Blogger Hop is a fun meme hosted by Crazy For Books. Enter your link and go hop around other blogs that are out there, ready to be discovered!

I had a game every day this week! I'm trying to get everything done in the very little hours that I have left, though it's been kind of hard. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

This week's question: I write my reviews after I've read the books. I think this helps me to think and know more about the story. I can remember things that happened in the book a month after I read so I don't have the need to write my review right after I finish reading.

If you're visiting from the hop make sure you leave your link and I'll make sure to visit your blog!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Awakening
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: 2009
Pages: 357
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Cloe Saunders is a living science experiment--not only can she see ghosts, but she was genetically astered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. She's a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control, which means she can raise the dead without even trying. Now Cloe's running for her life with three of her supernatural friends--a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch--and they have to find someone who can help them before the Edison Group catches them.
Or die trying.

Review: The story starts exactly were it left off. Cloe is trying to escape from the place that they took her to. She's faced with some choices that they give her and could also help her find Derek and Simon. She finds herself with someone who was unexpected but that soon becomes someone who will stay.

Cloe is a character that has flaws like everyone else and that also wants to help others. She's trying to sort out her feelings but is also trying to stay alive. She goes through many difficult times were she needs saving and trying to hide from those who want to take them.

I liked how we got to know more about the characters that we didn't get to see a lot of in the first one. Some characters showed a different side of them and were also part of the reason they got to the point that they did.

I really want to read the next book and see what happens. This series is one that I'm really enjoying and I'm glad that it's not so alike to what there is out there.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

In My Mailbox (27)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. This week I had to buy some books for school and I also got another book in the mail.

Bought:
Animal Farm by George Orwell
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I had to buy these two books for school. I had heard of To Kill a Mockingbird before but not so much of Animal Farm. I hope they're good!

Other:
Branded by Keary Taylor
I got this book for a blog tour. It seems that I'm right now I'm really into books that have angels in them. I can't wait to read it!

What did you get this week?

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Book Blogger Hop (27)

Book Blogger Hop is a fun meme hosted by Crazy For Books. Enter your link and go hop around other blogs that are out there, ready to be discovered!

Taking a sport in high school is a lot of work! I like it though so I'm not giving up on it. I'm starting to get the hang of school so hopefully I'll have some reviews up very soon!  I'm also trying to find time to read but soon I will be back to how I used to be!

This week's question: There are so many blogs that I enjoy reading. One of them is In the Hammock. I just really like visiting her blog and reading the reviews that Carrie has. Some others that I like is Tynga's Reviews, Pure Imagination and Confessions of a Bookaholic.

If you're visiting from the hop make sure you leave your link and I'll make sure to visit your blog!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Splendor by Anna Godbersen

Title: Splendor
Author: Anna Godbersen
Published: November 2009
Pages: 391
Rating: 4/5
Summary:
New beginnings.

Shocking revelations.

Unexpected endings.

A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

Review: All the characters had to go through dificult things to the ending that was waiting for them. Those who think that they can go through life without paying what they have done to others will get a big surprise. And those who are just trying to move on in live will finally get what they deserve.

As the book continued it took turns that I think some of the characters dexerved for making the life of others impossible. Penelope got a taste of her own mean ways and because of this she was left hurt and talked about. Carolina thought she could live the life that she had always dreamed of and at the end saw that it wasn't all that it seemed like.

All the characters that had suffered from the beginning finally got the ending they needed. Elixabeth had to go through some difficult times before she could finally end up with Teddy. At the beginning it looked like she had finally found a place to be until she finds out some stuff that had been kept from her.

Diana's story was one that was kind of expecting but not quite. She goes on a journey to find Henry and when she finally does she thinks the world is finally where it's supposed to be. They both have to go through some thinking and at the end Diana realizes that maybe Henry isn't what's meant for her.

This book was the last of the series. I think it ended well and closed the stories that each character had. I really enjoyed reading the series and know that the ending the characters had was probably the best they could have. I can't wait to read Anna's new series!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

In My Mailbox (26)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. It had been a while since I had gotten any books in the mail so I was really happy when I finally got my books!

Bought:
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
I've been wanting to read this one for a long time so I was so excited when I got it! Let me just say that it was amazing!!

Won:
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
I won these two books from Kirthi @ Pages. Thank you Kirthi!

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt
I won this book from Carrie @ In the Hammock. Thank you Carrie!

Other:
Freefall by Anna Levine
This is for a tour that I'm participating in. I decided to join since this book is different than what I usually read.

So what did you get this week?

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Tempted by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast

Title: Tempted
Author: P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
Published: October 2009
Pages: 319
Rating: 4/5
Summary: So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul?

Review: I was first introduced to this series by someone else who said that they were good.

The book basically continues the story of Zoey Redbird. She has to deal with trying to lead everyone to a victory against the bad guys (and girl). They have travel to other places and keep trying to stay alive so that  they can help those that don't know what is happening.

I'll admit that at times Zoey annoyed me because of her boy problems. I kept thinking that she should do something about it rather than let them keep on doing what they did, which was why I was glad when she kind of started to do that. I think that I started to like her a bit more this time around.

Since we got to see more of the world of the red fledglings we also got to see the secrets that their High Priestess is keeping. I understood that she didn't want to keep secrets from Zoey but that she felt that is was necessary. I was actually glad that Stevie Rae was interacting with one of the bad guys (or birds).

I will read the next book, Burned, to see what happens next after the ending that this one had. I was actually saying that if that happened it would make the books so much better. If you really, really like vampires then I guess this is your kind of book but if you're tired of them don't read this one!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Book Blogger Hop (26)

Book Blogger Hop is a fun meme hosted by Crazy For Books. Enter your link and go hop around other blogs that are out there, ready to be discovered!

Sorry that I haven't posted any review but I'm working on it so expect them soon! I've been trying to get adjusted to having to go to school, doing homework going to practice and games that are sometimes 3 hours long!

This week's question: This link is of The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima. I really enjoyed this book and would like others to hear about it.

If you're visiting from the hop make sure you leave your link and I'll make sure to visit your blog!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Book Blogger Hop (25)

Book Blogger Hop is a fun meme hosted by Crazy For Books. Enter your link and go hop around other blogs that are out there, ready to be discovered!

I started school this week! I didn't get lost so I think that was good. I never thought that I would be so tired on the fisrt day of school! I think it was because I played a game even though my score didn't count, though I was doing good.

This week's question: Just as the title of my blog says, I don't like judging a book by its cover. I prefer to read a book before I say anything about it.

If you're visiting from the hop make sure you leave your link and I'll make sure to visit your blog!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Title: Devoured
Author: Amanda Marrone
Published: September 2009
Pages: 287
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed.
Megan wants to keep her distance from Luke, but when Remy’s visions get crazy violent; she knows she needs his help. Because someone’s definitely in danger...the only question is who?
 
Review: The reason that I decided to read this one was because I had seen it around.
 
The story starts off with Megan who gets a job to be closer to her boyfriends who is spending more time with another girl. She gets the job and while she's there her twin sister, who died when they were small, makes an appearance and freaks Megan out. Things start to happen and soon she will need help to know what her sister is trying to tell her.
 
Megan is trying to be a normal teen who has problems like others. Her problems start to become bigger when she gets her job and her sister starts to appear more often. What I enjoyed was the relationship she had with Luke and how he helped her. Luke was a great character and overall I enjoyed his role in the story.
 
I thought it was different to put the story of Snow White in this book. I thought that the story the author put as Snow White was so different to what we all know. One part that I really liked was the mirror. I never thought that mirrors could be so mean!
 
The end was something that I liked even if I didn't like some parts that led up to it. I enjoyed reading it and I will sure look out for more books by this author.