Cats On The Shelf

Wake (Dream Catcher #1) by Lisa McMann

2010-06-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

Wake

Author: Lisa McMann

Publication: March 4th 2008 by Simon Pulse (first published 2008)

Goodreads Review:

Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power.

My Review: So sorry for being MEGA late with my blog but I was out of state for all of last week and too busy having fun with my family to update :P

But I digress, At first, this book really irritated me because it's set up diary style with the entries as times of the day then it was in third person. Throughout the first half of the book it seemed mechanic "Janie woke up" "Janie did this" "Janie saw that" "The girls are mean to Janie". Lame everyday-ish ordinary stuff no real story line development. Then the entries got longer and actually morphed into a real story, that wasn't half-bad. For some reason though, I don't feel a great need to read the next one but I will and see how it develops anyways.

The Reckoning (Darkest Powers #3) by Kelley Armstrong

2010-05-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

WARNING!!! Spoilers for the previous two books and all that jazz.

The Reckoning (Darkest Powers #3)

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Publication: April 6th 2010 by Orbit (first published March 19th 2010)

Goodreads Summary:

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.

My Review:

Yeah sorry I missed my appointed update time but I just forgot, with all the plans to go on Vacation and all. The Reckoning was almost as good as its predecessors, but there were some key things that bothered me about it. First of all there wasn't as much excitement and adventure like the other books, probably because they're mostly stuck in one spot and lacking motivation of immediate danger. And another thing is, it's like Armstrong wanted to make more books at first but later decided to just close it all at one time leaving plot holes everywhere. I heard this is the last one so that doesn't make me too happy. One plot hole that particularly annoyed me (warning just in case you might feel I spoiled something) was she introduced a character and a problem for like a paragraph and it just suddenly disappeared; that really bugged me. So with all that happening I think I would give it a 3.5/5 but my mother read the same book and loved it so for her sake I'll bump it up to a 4.5 because it did end in pretty much the way I wanted it to. So an extra point for emotional happiness (pfft who needs logic when you can have the happy emotion? Stupid Spock!) but I digress This book is still good and I do recommend it for anyone who likes the previous novels.

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

2010-05-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

WARNING!!! Spoiler Alert! This post will give away secrets from the first book: The Summoning be advised!!

The Awakening

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Publication: May 1st 2009 by HarperCollins

Goodreads Summary:

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

My Review:

The summary doesn't really do the book much justice but anywho! This book was absolutely fabulous!! and the series gets better and better as it goes along, alas, the next book is the last and I haven't bought it yet. But darn it I will! I just don't really know when lol. I most definitely give this book a 5/5 like it's predecessor because not only is Kelley Armstrong brilliant in her writing, she makes her books original and engaging. I can't wait to read the next one! YAY!

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

2010-05-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

The Summoning

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Publication: July 1st 2008 by HarperTeen

Goodreads Summary:

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

My Review:

You know, I've passed this book many, many times and I was always like: "Eh I don't know" and skipped over it with out a backwards glance. I found it again the other day and decided to give it another shot and boy am I glad I did. I guess the reason I didn't pick it up was because of the cover and the main character is a 15 year old girl. By the cover I was thinking, for some reason, it was going to be a period piece about witches. I don't know why but I just did. And I thought the character was a little young so I thought it was aimed for earlier teens. ANYWAYS!!! I ended up buying the second one by mistake, and buying the first later. As soon as I read through the first, I instantly started the second and breezed them in two days. Not that they were short or anything (the first one alone is nearly 400 pages), they were just THAT good! I think on goodreads, I gave it a 4/5 but I think I'll reconsider and give it a 5/5 just cause I haven't read many of this kind and it was awesomely original. The closest related book I can think of is The Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton. But her series it heavily based on sex. Not that there isn't any romance in these (I'm for Derek's team btw), it's just not a HUGE part of it (and not very explicit, few cuss word here and there no biggie). And believe me I like the break from all the ~insert suggestive hand signals here~. Anyways good book, I recommend and I'll post the second book review, The Awakening, some other time.

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

2010-04-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hawksong

Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Publication: September 28th 2004 by Laurel Leaf (first published 2003)

Goodreads Summary:
In a land that has been at war so long that no one remembers the reason for fighting, the shapeshifters who rule the two factions agree to marry in the hope of bringing peace, despite deep-seated fear and distrust of each other.

My Review: I probably could not describe the depth of my love for this book when I first got a hold of it in Middle School. Man I read it so many times I could probably recite it. It's not so much for adults as for younger teens but it is still pretty amazing! I'll have to give it a 5/5 for being my favorite book many years ago (yeah I'm bias so what?)

Faefever (fever #3) by Karen Marie Moning

2010-04-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Faefever (fever #3)

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Warning!!! This book has adult content! And there will be spoilers pertaining the first two books (Darkfever (fever #1) and Bloodfever (fever #2))!

Publication: September 16th 2008 by Delacorte Press

Goodreads Summary:

He calls me his Queen of the Night. I’d die for him. I’d kill for him, too.

When MacKayla Lane receives a torn page from her dead sister’s journal, she is stunned by Alina’s desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister’s killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunt: For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil, it corrupts anyone who touches it. Mac’s quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shape-shifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V’lane, an insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes, and Jericho Barrons, a man of primal desires and untold secrets, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind, and soul.

My Review:

Wow this book pretty much rocks my socks. In fact this whole series is absolutely fabulous so far. Mac is in for an adventure and not the good kind. She's being forced to help two very powerful characters: V'lane the Seelie prince (mmmm gorgeous) and Barrons (infuriatingly delicious. What the heck is he!!!), both of which are selfish and dangerous. And I know I prattle on but What IS Barrons! He is seriously grating on my nerves with this secretive-ness he's got going on. Will we ever know? But I digress, this book re-inflamed my love for this series and I'm so fixed I just HAVE to know what happens next and I don't even have the next book! (NOOOOOOOO!!!) I'll just have to go out and buy it, no biggie. I highly recommend this book (for adults) and give it a 5 (yes 5) out of 5. READ IT!!! (if you're an adult).

P.S. I know I'm supposed to do YA reviews but this series is just so awesome I couldn't pass it up!

Yeah, yeah, I get it already!

2010-04-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Just so everyone knows, Kate, my sis, has directed me to read many of the books I've reviewed. She has brought it up on a recent post, in the form of a comment. If you haven't seen her site, it is theneverendingshelf.com, but I'm pretty sure everyone already knows. There, woman ya happy now! I gave you some credit where it was due BUT don't forget! I wrote my own reviews! MINE MINE! That's all ya get! I love you!

I'll post another book review in a few days, everyone so don't fret!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2010-04-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publication: October 1st 2008 by Scholastic Press (first published September 13th 2008)

Goodreads Summary:

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place

My Review: Wow Goodreads doesn't to this book a bit of justice, what a short summary. ANYWAYS! This book is absolutely wonderful and a bit dark. Many of the people that live in the twelve districts are starving and struggling, while the people in the capital have rich food, plastic surgery/amazing medical advancements, and high tech. technology. In district 12 it's pretty bad, the main character, Katniss, is often forced to break the law and go outside the gates to the forest to hunt, which is also illegal. Apparently there were thirteen districts and they started an uprising against the capital, which ended badly and results in now only twelve districts thanks to the thirteenth being obliterated by the capital. Also the capital created the Hunger Games, which forces each district to give up two competitors, ranging between the age of twelve to the age of eighteen. The capital forces them to fight to the death leaving only one standing to win the prizes and glory for their district. Back to Katniss, She becomes a competitor to save her little sister from having to compete when she is chosen.

There that's a little better sorry if it's a little messed up, I don't do summaries very well. Oh well, back to the review part! This book is absolutely AWESOME!!! It's an edge-of-your-seat-page -turner tat you won't be able to put down! Well at least I couldn't ha ha ;P I finished it in a day and it's not exactly the shortest book ever. I really, really, really recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet and I definitely give it a 5/5 my highest rating yet! 0_O I actually gave a full 5 out of 5... AMAZING!!! It's because this book truly deserves it and by the by:Yep I just did that!
(found this pic on google so don't say I made it or anything 'cause I didn't)

Happy Easter everybody!!!!

2010-04-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be a really cute idea to review The Tale of Peter Rabbit! (Eventhough The Page Flipper (thepageflipper.blogspot.com) already thought of it I just found out. She also has the link to the story so check that out.)

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Author: Beatrix Potter

Publication: September 16th 2002 by Warne (first published 1901

My Summary: Peter Rabbit gets in all kinds of trouble when he strays into Mr. McGregor's garden...

My Review: This is such a cute book! I love it! I mean, come on, who doesn't love mischievous clothes-wearing bunnies? This book has been here for over a century and it is STILL a children's favorite. I know I loved it when I was little. If you haven't read it, then I suggest you do. Even if you are a full grown adult, I'm pretty sure will enjoy it.

Bloodfever (Fever #2) by Karen Marie Moning

2010-03-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

WARNING!!! This book is for ADULTS!!! (18+ I'd say) So be warned and all that. Also there may be spoilers if you didn't read the first book.

Bloodfever (Fever, #2)

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Publication: October 16th 2007 by Delacorte Press (first published 2007)

Goodreads summary:

I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who'd get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.

When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I've learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it....

MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.

In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh-a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them....

My Review:

This book is just plain awesome. Enough said, but I'll say more anyways. Bloodfever is the second in the fever series (The first is Darkfever that I also reviewed). Mac is faced with new and old adversaries in this book and she totally rocks! Mac is probably one of the best heroines that I have followed in a book. Karen Marie Moning did a wonderful job of making Mac a believable character. She wasn't infallible or perfect at what she does. I think her character make-up is wondermous (although I don't care much for bright pink :P)! (Yes Wondermous is my new made up word so there). One thing that I am dieing to know is What the HELL is Jericho Barrons!!! I'm in the middle of the third book and i still don't know but I do have a prospective that I do not feel like sharing just in case. This book is the shiz and I recommend it to any ADULTS out there who like action and adventure (with a little romance thrown into the fold).

P.S. Sorry it's taking me so long to post but I started a new job and it sucks, so forgive me please!!

Marked (House of Night #1)

2010-03-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

Marked (House of Night #1)

Authors: P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Publication: May 1st 2007 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published 2007)

Goodreads Summary: The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends

My Review: I really liked this book even though it's ANOTHER Vampire finishing school type deal. I still can't get enough Ha Ha. The main character is super exceptional and humble which is definitely NOT new but I like that they counter balanced it with attitude and sarcasm. (After all sarcasm is my middle name). Usually with the exceptional/humble types, a lot of the time you see them as kind of a push over or easily taken advantage of (kind of like Lissa in Vampire Academy). So that's one thing I really liked about this book is that she could take charge and think for herself.

There was some problems I had with this book too, there was a lot of convenient things that happen in the end. Like people just HAPPENED to be there at the right time and someone just HAPPENED to make a huge mistake at the end when it seems like they had been training and doing the thing they made a mistake on for a few years. But you know it is what it is and you'll understand what I'm talking about it read/have read it. One other thing is that I could tell sometimes when it was the mother writing and the daughter writing and boy does the mother hate saggers and tight-jeaned emos lol it was pretty funny, but that also made it hard to sting the story along properly; It was very hard for me to see and hold onto the images while the writing style changed.

Over all though I really enjoyed this book and recommend it, you just have to kind of smooth over the seams so to speak. I'm currently reading the second one called Betrayed so once I finish that one I'll also put it up on here. So far it's good but I haven't read that far. I give Marked a good 3.75/5 (yeah three quarters, what!) love you guys!

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

2010-03-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Howl's Moving Castle

Author: Diana Wynne Jones

Publication: August 1st 2001 by Eos (first published 1986)

Goodreads Summary: In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter.

After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the Witch. The castle, however, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls.

The Hatter sisters--Sophie, Lettie, and Martha--and all the other girls were warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning.

In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle?

My Review: Howl's Moving Castle is not only a totally amazing movie but a book as well! In fact I kind of like the book better but the movie was fantastic as well. I watched the movie first but when my sis bought the book I just HAD to read it. It's a wonderful mix of Magic, romance and adventure. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes those qualities. P.S. my sis (theneverendingshelf.com) has a Recommend Me post about it over at her blog (but she's crazy, because she likes the movie better.) Ha Ha but I digress, Both the book and movie are splendid and I recommend both. I give the book a 4/5

2010-03-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

Vampire Academy

Author: Richelle Mead

Publication: August 16th 2007 by Razorbill

Back of Book Summary:

ONLY A TRUE BEST FRIEND CAN PROTECT YOU FROM YOUR MORTAL ENEMIES...

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi Princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires-the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedication to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger... and Strigoi are always close by.

Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever...

My review:

First of all I just want to say the back of book summary is a little off.

I don't know if this is considered a spoiler or not but , well, just be warned lest you feel the book will be ruined.

First of all, in the book, element magic among Moroi is not rare. In fact all of the Moroi have an element connection, they can use all but they really only specialize in one (most of the time. There are few exceptions but I would not want to give away). Second, the school is for any Moroi not just royals like the back of the book said.
Third and last, the Strigoi weren't even in the book that much I only remember reading how one was in there (in the present time) but other then that, none. They just talked about them a lot and also the Srigoi were hell-bent on getting any Moroi not just Lissa sooo... a little over exaggeration there.

End of what might be a spoiler but I still don't think so. Just making sure you guys know. I was told more stuff than this from my sis and it didn't ruin the book. ANYWAYS! time for the real review:

I really really liked this book. When my sis (www.theneverendingshelf.com) told me about it I was kind of skeptical. Not because of the story line but because it was Vampires AGAIN. I'm definitely glad I read it though. I could barely put it down and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Besides who can ever REALLY get enough of vampires? I was just expecting this to be similar to twilight with different vampire categories. But it was better than that. The main character Rose protects her full Vampire best friend, instead of cowering like a pansy, and she takes more risks and tries to have fun (Though I don't completely agree with her idea of fun). Plus Rose's personal trainer is completely hot! You'll find out about him in the book if you read it OR if you already read it, you know what I'm talking about! Over all I'll only give it a 4/5 because there are some things that bother me in the book, like the way Lissa deals with her problems, that irritates me.

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

2010-03-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger #1)

Author: V.C. Andrews

Publication: November 10th 2009 by Simon Pulse (first published 2005) (Flowers in the Attic first Published in 1979) (Petals on the Wind first published in 1980)

Goodreads Summary: (of Flowers in the Attic)
It was a case of tender, loving murder.

The four children had perfect lives. They lived in a golden family filled with happiness. But when their father dies suddenly, their mother throws themselves on the mercy of her parents - who had disowned her long ago.

Their mother promised they would stay only long enough to inherit the fortune. But gradually she forgot how much she adored her family. Kept hidden in the airless attic, the children now lived alone except for fleeting visits from their mother. Visits that became increasing infrequent... and increasingly deadly...

Flowers in the Attic: the compelling story of a family's betrayal and heartbreak, love and revenge.

(I corrected some errors in the above Summary spelling only)

My Review:

Wow Flowers in the Attic was a mix of amazing, heartbreaking, and revolting. It was a really good, well written book. It makes a lot of sad scenes in new YA books look like the happiest moments ever! I'm not saying all, just some. This book made me cry quite a few times and if you know me then you know that I don't cry about every sad little thing I read or see. I've heard there are five books in the Dollanganger series and I just don't know if I CAN read the rest. It was really good but REALLY sad. I bought an edition that came with the second book as well but I've only the heart so far to read the first one. This is a really good book and I'm going to TRY to read the rest in the series just so I can see if it at least ends up somewhat happy. I'll give it a nice 4.5/5

Need by Carrie Jones

2010-02-25T16:33:00.000-08:00

Need

Author: Carrie Jones

Publication: December 23rd 2008 by Bloomsbury USA

Goodreads summary: Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life's been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother's pretty much checked out. Now Zara's living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays & safe. Zara doesn't think she's in danger; she thinks her mother can't deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn't a figment of her imagination. He's a pixie and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He's the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he's trailing Zara.

My review: I got SOOO much hype about this book and it didn't measure up to being half as good as I heard. Oh well to each her own right? Not that I'm saying it was bad, truthfully it was really good. I liked it very much honest, I'm not lying. It just didn't live up, much like the Twilight books which were more bad than good. Yeah, the first was okay but it went down hill from there. BUT! I'm not reviewing Twilight so too bad. Need was original-ish I mean evil pixies? Never heard it before but she pulled it off quite well. One thing that irritated me a little was the super hero complex that like EVERYONE (who was supposed to be good) had. "I NEED to save everyone I NEED to be the hero. Need need need!" no wonder that's the books title. "Oh no I can't have a car because there are people in the world who don't have them!" They didn't actually say these things but it felt like it. Still with that mentality you might as well starve or get AIDS. If you have what others don't and you need it then don't feel bad, be happy you were lucky at all. Caring about people is great, really, I admired it a bit but it was a little over zealous. Like a bunch of teens writing to dictators to set free prisoners is going to make a difference but I understand the need to help even a little. I love heroes as well but I don't like selfish heroes which were BIG in this book. Yeah it's a nice thought but come on everyone needs help, take it willingly and love the people who offer it (unless they are psycho then you don't have to love or take they're advice lol). All in all I enjoyed this book and I will most likely read the next in the series which you may know is Captivate. Besides what is a little constructive criticism? I'll give it an even 4/5

In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

2010-02-22T22:35:00.000-08:00

In the Forests of the Night

Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Publication: May 9th 2000 by Laurel Leaf (first published 1999)

Goodreads summary: Three-hundred-year-old Risika looks darn good for her age. Thanks to her "blood mother," a vampire named Ather who turned Risika into one of the undead back in 1684, she will always look as fresh as a 17-year-old. Now Risika is a world weary night stalker who sleeps in Concord, Massachusetts, by day and prowls New York City by night, in search of fresh blood to slake her inhuman thirst. One of the benefits of living such a long life has been discovering that most of the popular myths about vampires are not true: "Holy water and crosses do not bother me... and silver does not burn me. If someone hammered a stake through my heart, I suppose I would die, but I do not play with humans, stakes or mallets." In fact, there is little in the mortal world that surprises Risika anymore, until she returns from a hunt one night to find a black rose on her pillow--the same flower she was given on the eve of her mortal death. Knowing that the rose is a taunt from Aubrey, a vampire she believes murdered her human brother, Risika decides to confront her nemesis. In a bloody battle with Aubrey, Risika finally unearths her brother's true fate.

My Review: Let me just say AMAZING for a 14 year old to write (yep she wrote it at 14!). BUT!! one problem is I read the second in the Den of shadows series first (or so they're called now) called Demon in my View which was freaking amazing. So by comparison this one was less awesome but still good. I'd say these are geared more toward the young to middle teens but still pretty sweet. I'd say give them a try anyways go get them at the library that's where I first got them (though i did by them after :D lols). Besides it was less than 200 pages an easy read in my book I'd say 3 - 3.5/5 just cause I'm not feeling particularly generous tonight. There are like 4 or 5 in the series, I can't be sure but I think I read them all. Truthfully it doesn't have to be read in order I didn't read them that way ha ha!

2010-02-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

Closest book: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
P56, 5th sentence:

“Heidi Anderson was drunk. She probably died of alcohol poisoning.”

Happy Friday!!!

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* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Link to Storytime with Tonya and Friends: http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/

BUT! I got this from Cherry Mischievous: http://www.cherrymischievous.com/2010/02/friday-56-six-sacred-stones.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CherryMischievous+%28Cherry+Mischievous%29

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent

2010-02-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

My Soul to Take

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publication: August 1st 2009 by Harlequin Teen

Goodreads Summary:

Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh

She doesn't see dead people, but…

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

My Review:

My Soul to Take was an over all good book about a topic I hadn't read about before (at least not as the focal point of a story). I will give it points for being original. I didn't catch onto the topic until it was shoved into my face about 100 or so pages into the story because I'd never even thought of using that kind of mythical creature. Before I learned of what was going on, I thought Kaylee's condition to be kind of moronic, but as soon as I found out it snapped into place and became a way better book than I was anticipating. I really like how it turned out and I can't wait to read the next one to see what will happen. The series could probably ended with the first book if Vincent had wanted it too so I am interested to see what will happen in the next book which is titled: My Soul to Save. I'd probably say this book gets a 4/5 at best.

Giveaway at Frenetic Reader!!!

2010-02-15T21:30:00.000-08:00

Frenetic Reader is having a contest for Wherever Nina Lies over at her blog, go check it out!!

http://www.freneticreader.com/2010/02/wherever-nina-lies-giveaway.html

Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz

2010-02-15T14:18:00.000-08:00

Blue is for Nightmare

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Publication:
November 1st 2003 by Llewellyn Publications

Goodreads summary:

"I Know Your Secret . . ."

Stacey's junior year at boarding school isn't easy. She's not the most popular girl at school, or the smartest, or the prettiest. She's got a crush on her best friend's boyfriend, and an even darker secret that threatens to ruin her friendships for good. And now she's having nightmares again. Not just any nightmares – these dreams are too real to ignore, like she did three years ago. The last time she ignored them, a little girl died. This time they're about Drea, her best friend who's become the target of one seriously psycho stalker. It started with weird e-mails and freaky phone calls. Now someone's leaving Drea white lilies – the same death lilies that have been showing up in Stacey's dreams. Everybody thinks it's just a twisted game . . . until another girl at school is brutally murdered. There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust – the folk magic taught to her by her grandmother. Will Stacey's magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true?

My Review:

Blue is for Nightmares was a good book. I can't say it was the best but it was defiantly not bad. It was pretty predictable but it was still cute, funny, and interesting. It's one of those books you read to relax because the style is simple and easy to understand. It's defiantly for the young to mid teens. It was still good though I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

DARKFEVER by Karen Marie Moning

2010-02-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

WARNING!!! THIS BOOK IS FOR ADULTS*!!!
*Recommended for readers 18 (in some states it maybe 21) and up
I in no way will take blame for you reading this book and getting offended. This is all up to you if you read it or not.

DARKFEVER

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Publication: August 28th 2007 by Dell Publishing Company (first published October 31st 2006)

Good reads summary:

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

My Review:

I absolutely fell in love with this book, it is completely awesome! Moning is really good at keeping you guessing throughout the book. I started out trying to guess who was the killer, who was good/ bad, ect. and just when I thought I had a good guess for everything BOOM! Moning shattered it by pulling out something completely unexpected! This is good to me because I don't like a too predictable book. With her's it's like walking around in the dark the whole book while catching pinpricks of the truth that can dash what you think will happen next. This book was simply AMAZING!! It kept me on the edge of my seat and surprised me again and again! Even though the book went away from what I predicted, it turned out how I hoped it would (weird I know) but you'll have to read to find out. I sooo cannot wait until I can get the next one I believe there are four in all so far. This book rules!

THE FRIDAY 56: DARKFEVER by Karen Marie Moning

2010-02-12T00:17:00.000-08:00

WARNING!!! THIS BOOK IS FOR ADULTS*!!!
*Recommended for readers 18 (in some states it maybe 21) and up
I in no way will take blame for you reading this book and getting offended. This is all up to you if you read it or not.

Cherry Mischievous recommended doing this and I thought it looked pretty cool so there you can go to her blog and see it as well:
http://www.cherrymischievous.com

and she got it from:
http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com

and now ME!!

THE FRIDAY 56: DARKFEVER by Karen Marie Moning

Pg 56 5th sentence:

I glanced at him sharply, almost able to believe he would.

Happy Friday everybody!
Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

The links didn't work so just copy paste them into the internet browser. Thanks have fun!

2010-02-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

Hello my three wonderful followers, just in case you didn't know there is some awesome V-day give-aways on

http://darkfaerietales.com/valentines-day-book-massacre-giveaway.html

which is awesome and there are tons to choose so go and enter!

Beauty by Robin McKinley

2010-02-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

Author: Robing McKinley

Published: August 1st 2005 by Eos (first published 1978)

Back of Book Summary:

A strange imprisonment

Beaut has never liked her nickname. She is thin awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.

When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go but she answers, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?"

Robin McKinley's beloved telling illuminates the unusual love story of a most unlikely couple: Beauty and the Beast.

My Review: As the title states, Beauty is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast and is an extreamly wonderful version. This book shows that you don't have to be beautiful to be a good person. Beauty often helps her sisters and they often share their secrets with her and ask advice. They end up having to move to the country (due to unforseen circumstances), this is how the castle and the beast comes in. Beauty sacrifices her happiness to protect her father and sister from having to go to the castle. Of course there is way more to the story and the end but you'll have to read the book. I can't give everything away. This book must be read!! Well at least my mother, sis, and I liked it bunches. I definantly recommend it.

Bones of Faerie

2010-02-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

Bones of Faerie

Author: Janni Lee Simner

Publication: January 27th 2009 by Random House Books for Young Readers (info from Goodreads)

Back of the book Summary:

Magic was never meant for our world, Father said, and of course I'd agreed, though the War had ended and the faerie folk returned to their own places before I was born. We knew the rules. Don't touch any stone that glows with faerie light. Don't venture out alone into the dark. And cast out the magic born among you, before it can turn on its parents.

Towns had died for not understanding that much. But the memory of my sister's bones, cracked and bloody in the moonlight, haunts me still.

My Review:

I really, really enjoyed this book. Though I will admit at first the main character, Liza, annoyed me with her denial of what's going on. She gets a whole lot better so don't get to discouraged. This book is set after the faerie and the humans have a huge war. During the war, the faerie made it so that the plants will attack people (hence don't walk alone at night). That's not the only magic that was released; some of the children that were born after the war start gaining magical abilities as well.

Liza's mother leaves, after her new born was cast out and subsequently killed, and Liza ends up searching for her. Liza meets some interesting characters along the way, including some people who know about her mother and about what's happening to Liza herself.

This book is simply amazing, Simner did a wonderful job catching my attention. I could hardly put the book down! It was weird reading how Liza never saw a paved road or a car until she found them abandoned and broken on her journey. Every post apocalyptic book I have read occurred during or shortly after the book had started, or so far in the future such things seemed to never have existed. I believe this is a MUST read because it was simply brilliant and original, yet similar like a twist on an old fairy tale(pun intended :P). Faeries might not be new but you've probably never seen them like this!

The Unseen Part 1 (It Begins) By Richie Tankersley Cusick

2010-02-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

The Unseen Part 1 It Begins

Author: Richie Tankersley Cusick

Publication: 2003 Speak (An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.)

Back of the book summary:

What is happening to Lucy?

Overwhelmed with grief over the death of her mother, Lucy spends her days sleeping, her nights out walking aimlessly. One rainy night, she becomes convinced that someone is following her, and frantically ducks into a cemetery to try to lose the stalker. Panicking, she slips and stumbles into an open grave, only to discover she is not alone in there....
Almost immediately, Lucy begins having terrifying visions and dreams-as though someone, somewhere, were trying to tell her something-and she can't shake the feeling of an unseen presence, always watching, waiting to make its move....

My Review:

I was a bit skeptic when I read the back myself, but I decided to give it a try. I was pleasntly surprised, however, to find that it was a really good read. I believe that it is one of those books that is easy to skip over on the shelf and is highly underestimated. Even so I think that it should be given a chance (if you're unsure, check at your local library first). It is a first in a series and I myself am quite interested in how it will end.

Cusick writes in a simple yet colorful way so that the reader can understand circumstances and picture the story vividly, like watching a movie. There were times where I would think about a smell she was describing or the feel and believe it to be almost tangible myself. I very much enjoy books like this.The end left me on edge and wanting to know what happened next, did the main characters live or did they not? Cusick sets it up so you will want more as good writers should.

New Beginnings!

2010-02-05T00:11:00.000-08:00

Hello people in blog land! I am quite pleased to announce my new hobby: Book reviews for the Young Adult Genre! YAY! To forewarn I may sneak in other genres that are above or below YA. but I will put out warnings so do not fret my dears! Now for my first review:

Author: Alice Hoffman

Publication: May 1st 2004 by Scholastic Paperbacks (first published 2003)

Goodreads summery:

Left on her own when her family dies in a terrible disaster, fifteen-year-old Green is haunted by loss and by the past. Struggling to survive physically and emotionally in a place where nothing seems to grow and ashes are everywhere, Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. But in destroying her feelings, she also begins to destroy herself, erasing the girl she'd once been as she inks darkness into her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters that Green can relearn the lessons of love and begin to heal enough to tell her story.

My Review:

Green Angel is an easy read consisting of about 128 pages (give or take). Though it may take only a few hours to read, it is sure to captivate. The way Green loses and subsequently finds herself is inspiring; Especially after losing her whole family and having to live in a world without almost any joy or life left. This book made me appreciate my life and all of my friends and family just a little more. I would definitely recommend it to be read at least once.