28 Oct 11

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio RacesThe Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this story, about a girl and a boy and a couple of horses. [Didn't love one of the characters who was so, so savage. It still makes me ache thinking of those moments.] It was also a relief that this was a novel, and not a series, as we actually got to see the whole story resolve.

The writing was clear and concise yet had the standard Maggie descriptive flourishes. The setting was alive, our senses were tantalized, everything felt so real. It was one of those stories that my mind won’t let go long after the last page has been read and one that I will return to reread soon. Read it, you can’t go wrong.

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Happy Readings!
Kate

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18 Oct 10

Book Review: Evermore by Alyson Noel

If the car accident killing her entire family wasn’t bad enough, she found she could read everyone’s thoughts as a result. You would think that’d be great until you realize how chaotic and intense the constant onslaught of thoughts could be without any way of turning it off. This is Ever’s story, until someone walks into her life who does just that – turns off the noise and changes her life again. But is her new life really any better than before? Will Ever ever be ok again? (I couldn’t resist.)

I liked the varied plot line, but that was only to a certain extent. Halfway through and I was confused and really just wasn’t feeling it. The story turned into a predictable tale about old jealous girlfriends, and the ending was all wrong too.

The author had the chance to make a great novel, but I guess the idea of turning it into a series was too great and she (Ever/author) chose wrong. You will have to let me know if you agree or not. You will know the choice I am talking about when you read the story and I don’t want to spoil it.

I loved the character of Riley, the sister who is caught in between worlds. The definitive bratty little sister who is around at all the wrong times. I also loved the hoodie drama.

I would recommend this depending on who’s asking.

Enjoyment Level: 3/5 – enjoyed it a lot until the last bit
Beginning: 4/5
Middle: 5/5
Ending: 1/5

The writing was just alright. It was very pop/teenage with realistic banter, but the plot didn’t proceed logically.

“His eyes dark and smoldering, his fingers seeking the scar on my fact. / The one on my forehead/ The one that’s hidden under my bangs/. The one he has no way of knowing about.”

Happy Readings!
Kate

Evermore: The Immortals by Alyson Noel
(c) 2009, St. Martin’s Griffin
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0312532758
320 Pages

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13 Oct 10

Book Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Oh, wow. First of all, I read this story five days ago and can’t remember the main character’s name… a book should be more memorable than that. Second of all, I seem to be in the minority in my opinion of this book, but I have no idea what others saw in it!

After two-years of running, two best friends, Rose (I had to look it up) and Lissa, are caught and brought back to the very last place they wished to be, the place where Lissa’s life may be threatened – the Academy. Will Rose buckle down and become the guardian her best friend, a mortal vampire princess, needs? Will that be enough to save Lissa’s life?

I thought I would love a story about best friends, but it wasn’t about that. It was about a bodyguard and her guy problems. Please market a book for what it is. Maybe I would have had a better opinion of the book, if I had expected what it was actually about going in.

Side note: I am not into blood at all, so the whole vampire world is totally not my thing. Usually however, the story isn’t extremely detailed, but I would say that the author definitely made the vampire feedings feel real… Gross to me, but kudos for the clear writing.

I was about to put the book down less than halfway in, so I just skipped to the last few pages to be able to mentally escape. I thought the ending twist was interesting enough to finish the story, but I dont think it was worth my time in the end.

I thought the characters weren’t well developed. I liked Lissa half way through the book, while despising the main character Rose. Just when I thought I could handle the main character and sort of “get” her, I really didn’t like Lissa.

I wouldn’t recommend this book.

Enjoyment Level: 2/5
Beginning: 4/5
Middle: 1/5
Ending: 3/5 – good twist. The only thing keeping me going.

The writing was erratic. And personally, I thought Rose was too selfish and daft, not at all a character I sympathized with.

“I snapped into her mind. Once again seeing and directly experiencing what went on around her. She was sneaking into the chapel’s attic, confirming my worst fears.”

The main character does this several times even while knowing she is violating her best friend in an intimate way. Seriously, I don’t get it.

What did you think?
Kate

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1)by Richelle Mead
(c) 2007, Razorbill
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1595141743
336 pages

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11 Oct 10

Book Review: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

Holly Short, the only female Recon officer of LEP, uncovers a threat to the entire underground society possibly involving the infamous Artemis Fowl. Meanwhile, Artemis Fowl finally gets a lead on the location of his missing (if not dead) father. Can the two work together to discover the truth and possibly rescue everyone, including the dad? Who is to blame really?

I loved the light-weight mystery and light-hearted humor. I really really loved the relationships that were developed throughout the story.

I would love to imitate a similarly smooth book – a book like leaves that slight refreshing aftertaste. I also loved that the writing was never distracting.

This comment isn’t really against the book at all, just a general fuss against our world, but I find it really sad how unkind people can be and how often small digs lead to grave decisions and boiling hatred.

I would definitely recommend this book and series to anyone. Unless of course, they have no sense of humor and hate unrealistic stories. :)

Enjoyment Level: 5/5
Beginning: 4/5
Middle: 4/5
Ending: 4/5

Happy Readings!
Kate

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
(c) 2004, Disney-Hyperion
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
416 pages
ISBN: 0786851473

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7 Oct 10

Lotta Links: 27 Links for Readers and Writers

Blogs:

  • Dear Author — romance reviews
  • Book Nerds
  • Windowpane Memoirs
  • A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
  • The Compulsive Reader
  • Three Guys One Book
  • Books at Midnight
  • *Fiction Groupie*
  • Laura and Lisa White
  • YA Booknerd
  • Say Yes to Salad — about food & yoga, not books, but still interesting

    • For Readers:

  • NetGalley – bloggers can request book galleys here!
  • Nortion Anthology of Children’s Literature
  • Teens Read Too –a lot of information here
  • The Book Depository — another place to find books
  • Chapters — another place to find books
  • Read Books Online — great except I’ve noticed some ad pop-ups with this site sadly

    • Writing Resources/Blogs:

  • Linda Formichelli
  • National Novel Writing Month
  • Writing Conferences
  • Janet Reid, Literary Agent
  • Maggie Stiefvater — hilarious words of wisdom about writing
  • 1000 words a day Project
  • Litopia Writer’s Colony
  • Anne R. Allen’s Blog
  • Guide to Literary Agents
  • Online Technical Writing Info
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    7 Oct 10

    Site Update…

    Hi All,

    A little update. I am doing a freelancing illustrating gig that picked up big time around two weeks ago. I have been focusing my freetime in that direction. Blogging is still a priority, so I will still be trying to throw a few reviews this direction when I need or just take a break. :)

    And last but definitely not least, I wanted to give a shoutout to a blog that I have recently stumbled upon that I am totally digging. I honestly am not entirely sure what the story is behind the name, so please let me know if you figure it out. It’s an awesome site featuring artists, illustrations, interviews and more! Here it is, and for some reason I feel like being melodramatic, so drumroll please!

    ThunderChunky

    Happy Readings and please let me know what you think of that site!

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    4 Oct 10

    Book Review: Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

    Deirdre falling in love with her would-be assassin Luke is not the weirdest thing that was happening in the story and definitely not the worst. The Faerie Queen is threatened by her burgeoning powers and wants her dead. Will Luke finish what he started and kill Deirdre or will someone else? How many people in her life need to be hurt for her to give herself in?

    I liked the believability of the emotions and hormones happened, and I really enjoyed the story/plot development. I didn’t like the language and really couldn’t call this a young adult book. Some of the inferences were a bit too forward for my tastes.

    I would love to imitate how true and close the main character was to the reader, but I would improve upon the story’s pace and ending. I felt there were still some loose ends too that I doubt would be resolved in the next book.

    I would recommend this book depending on who was asking.

    Enjoyment Level: 3.5/5
    Beginning: 4/5
    Middle: 5/5
    Ending: 4/5

    I loved the style of writing in this book. It was personable, easy to picture, and had varied, lovely sentences.

    “I got up and he took my hand, easy and natural. I wondered if my touch gave him the same electric reaction I got from his… “Here’s my secret…” He leaned over to my shoulder and said in a low voice, “I can’t you my secrets.”

    Happy Readings!
    Kate

    Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
    © 2008, Flux Llewellyn Publications
    978-0-73887-1370-0
    325 Pages

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    29 Sep 10

    Book Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

    Meghan Chase’s sixteenth birthday is far from sweet. Her baby brother kidnapped, mom injured, best friend was a bluff, and she’s brought into a fantasy world full of creatures who all want to eat oor use her. What choicce does she have but try to rescue her brother? Will she save her borther, find true love, or be lonely forever?

    The plot seemed tired and vaguely familiar. The characters also lacked development. Meghan was stubborn and pushy and never really changed. There was also a scene where she lost a SINGLE memory, but it turns into her forgetting all about her dad, which doesn’t make any sense at all to me. She has to have more than one memory of her father, right?

    I thought that the supporting cast was great though, including the various villains.

    Even with those complaints, it was an interesting read, and I would probably recommend this book to those who enjoy magical tales.

    Enjoyment Level: 4/5
    Beginning: 3/5
    Middle: 3/5
    Ending: 2/5

    “My day just isn’t complete without something trying to kill me.”

    What did you think?
    Kate

    The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
    © 2010, Harlequinn-Teen
    Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
    ISBN: 978-0-373-21008-4
    363 Pages

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    27 Sep 10

    Book Review: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

    Sophie’s the eldest child, meaning she’ll fail first and worst when she becomes independent. The thing is, she never goes out to make her fortune. She is stuck in her step-mother’s hat shop with only the hats for company. Until one day, she recieves a visitor – the Witch of the Waste, who puts a spell on Sophie. Sophie finds herself suddenly 90 years older. Afraid of what her step-mother will say, she stars on an arduous trek. A trek leading to her becoming the housemaid at a moving castle. The wizard Howl’s moving castle. Her fate, Howl’s, and the inhabitants of the castle and town are all closely tied together. Will the Witch win, defeating the wizard, Prince, and King? Will Sophie find friends or ever be young again? Will her sisters be happy?

    I loved the intricate tale and really couldn’t put together or guess everything that was going to happen. It was light, emotional, interesting, and suspenseful. I loved it even though there were so many characters that I got confused sometimes. My favorite part of the whole book was how everything unravels at the end completely yet leaving you scrambling to remember the various details.

    Yes, I would, of course, recommend this book.

    “I never realized before what old people had to put up with!” she panted as she labored uphill. “Still, I don’t think the wolves will eat me. I must be far too dry and tough. That’s one comfort.”

    Enjoyment Level: 5/5
    Beginning: 5/5
    Middle: 5/5
    Ending: 5/5

    Wow! A first!

    Happy Readings!
    Kate

    Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
    © 1986, Harper Collins
    Publisher Reading Level: Ages 9-12
    ISBN: 0-688-06233-4
    329 Pages

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    24 Sep 10

    Book Review: The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

    Lucinda Chapdelaine’s parents died when she was five, and they left her with nothing. She lived as a servant girl with her uncle and step-aunt until one day everything changed. A mysterious woman dropped off a stone at her uncle’s goldsmith shop. The Prince dropped by, a boy stole everything, and her uncle died. After being kicked out of her uncle’s home, the mysterious woman offered her her parent’s old home in exchange for her getting the stone back. Will she be able to manage that? Will she find true love? Will anything ever be right again?

    I really liked how the plot was a parody of the Cinderella story, using but not really following the standard storyline.

    I really didn’t like how everything was so cleanly tied up and almost unbelievably put together. I really felt like there should’ve been more hints added throughout the story to make the ending more believable. There was no “happily ever after” ending exactly, which bothered me because it was obviously a fairy tale. And, I really wanted to understand what was up with the dog-goat!

    I would love to imitate the true and realistic dialogue. I also liked her use of first person voice. As far as the writing, some details were skipped, some details were too thorough, but I was holding my breath to see what happened next. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of the five sense.

    All in all, I would recommend the book, because it was clean, the magic wasn’t too intrusive and the story was cute.

    Enjoyment Level: 4/5
    Beginning: 3/5 – bracelet incident was annoying
    Middle: 5/5 – couldn’t stop reading
    Ending: 2/5 – just eh

    What did you think of this book?
    Kate

    The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
    © 2009, Bloomsburg
    Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
    ISBN: 978-1-59990-334-7
    306 pages

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