Book Review: Soundless by Richelle Mead

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead
PUBLISHER: Razorbill
PAGES: 272
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
In a village without sound…

For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink. Many go hungry. Fei and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation.

One girl hears a call to action…

Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon.

She sets out to uncover what’s happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever…

And unlocks a power that will save her people. 

MY THOUGHTS
This is VERY different then Richelle's other books. If you get one thing from this review, it's this don't go into this thinking it will be a typical Mead book. IT'S NOT! I can't stress this enough. I love how Mead portrayed the soundless-ness of the village in the book by letting us know when they were talking. I loved the concept of the idea, and I believe up until the end it was an interesting idea. I would of loved if this was maybe a duolgy or something because we're left with some many un-answered questions I think.

SETTING
I love that this takes place someplace very different then most books I read. I love the tiny village feel, and how everyone knows everyone. Mead did a good job at this setting and place she created.

CHARACTERS
I really loved Fei. I think Mead does an excellent job with her main characters, and making them enjoyable and kick-ass. I know that Fei and Rose are WAY different, and they come from VERY different backgrounds but they have a lot of the same qualities I love when reading. I love that these girls can be kick-ass and yet still have this heart of gold. The family connection between Fei and her sister is one of the qualities I loved. Fei would do anything for her sister and it shows through show much in this story. Fei tries to keep her sister from becoming something less.
Then we have Li Wei, who is a miner and going by their social standing is at the bottom of the chain. He was Fei's friend when they were little, and you could tell that they has chemistry from the start, but Fei kept denying her feelings because she was promised to someone else, but we all know how stories change, and once both them were in situations that they could be killed things change. I'm pretty happy that this was one of those stories where we know the love situation. Sometimes it better to have one love than many. :)

ENDING
It was way to easily tied up with a bow, and just seemed to quick and thrown together. There isn't much I can say without giving away the ending, but something about it kinda says cheesy. I kind of wish it had another story coming because I would have loved to see what happens with the characters more.

Review: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

AUTHOR: Mary Pearson
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and CO
PAGES: 266
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Ok, I've been told that a second one is coming out so I'm not sure. Apparently there is. It's called The Fox Inheritance.

OUTLINE: Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?

STARTED: Jan 24,2011
FINISHED: Feb 2, 2011




MY THOUGHTS:
This review has been kind of sitting here waiting for me to write it, and I'm not sure what exactly to say about it without giving away some of the story's main twists and things. I will say this it had a few good twists, and wow moments. It did take me quite awhile to actually finish it. I think the main reason for that is I'm not much of a sci-fi, dystopian reader. Just like the few before this one that I've read namely The Hunger Games I just can't get into them. Still I keep trying hoping one book will change my mind. This is not to say I won't still read them. Once I start a series I like to finish it.

I liked Jenna as a character and I really felt bad for her waking up after a year in a coma, and not knowing anything about yourself. All she had to go on was what her parents told her and the videos of the "old Jenna Fox" that she watched. How would you feel if you just woke up and nothing seemed real? You don't know your parents, your grandmother, who your old friends were, nothing...not a thing. Not only that, but you weren't allowed outside your own home for reasons unknown to you. Pretty scarey huh? Then throughout the book she slowly learns and figures things out about herself. Where she use to live, why they moved, who her friends were. During the book she makes some new friends when her parents decide that it might be ok to let her go to school. This school isn't an ordinary school though. The kids there all have their own problems. She becomes close with a few like Allys and Ethan.

You know from reading that something is different about Jenna, but you don't actually learn what that is until later on. I'm sitting here looking at the cover, and now I get the puzzled cover too. I understand the coloring behind it. Sorry it's like it just clicked.

  
What to say about Ethan. Hum? I wasn't moved by him either way really. You know how there are some potential crushes in books that you get attached to. Well I didn't really feel that way about him or I think Dane maybe. Which ever I didn't care for either. There were a few lines, and "moments" in the book that I thought how cute (like when the were gardening with each other...flicking dirt on each other.) other then that nothing.
Then there's Allys to me she seemed kind of snobby and better then everyone else. I know..I know I should have felt bad for her or something because of what happened to her, but I couldn't she wanted to blame everyone else. Maybe it was or wasn't their fault who knows I just didn't like her. I would have much rather learned more about Kara and Locke, Jenna's old friends.

I did like the way the book wasn't actually written in chapters but kind of like time periods. When there was a chapter break it had instead poem like writing, or Jenna's thoughts that tied in with what was going to happen next. I don't how to explain it, but it was different.

I'll definitely read the next book just because of the way this one ended.
QUOTES:


OTHER BOOK COVER:

The other cover. I don't really like this one as much as the puzzle one!
This one does have a meaning behind it though when you read the book you understand.

BOOK TRAILER: I don't think this is an official one, but it's a really good one. It's creepy as hell too.

3 OF 5 STARS: Mainly because I couldn't get into it. 

Night Star Review

AUTHOR: Alyson Noel
PUBLISHER: St Martins Griffin
PAGES: 302
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series Book #5 (Evermore #1, Blue Moon #2, Shadowland #3, Dark flame #4)

OUTLINE: After fighting for centuries to be together, Ever and Damen’s future hinges on one final showdown that will leave readers gasping for breath. (Sorry this isn't a full on outline. If you want to know more go to good reads. I only took the top part because the other gave away to much if you haven't read the series)

STARTED: 12-13-2010
FINISHED: 12-16-2010


*SPOILERS POSSIBLY BELOW*

MY THOUGHTS:
I have very conflicting thoughts about this one actually. While I love the series, I'm not sure this was my absolute favorite. Sorry if any of this isn't very helpful. Hum?

A few things I liked about the book were that Haven actually got a bigger part in this one, granted I didn't like who she became in it. Still she had a major part. I guess in a way it's good to see characters develop differently, and not stay weak and the same throughout the series. Haven remained her own..yes, she was a bitch. She could have easily used the elixir for the better, and been a better person. This little twist is what made me like this book had it not been that way I'm not sure that I could have taken much more of Ever and Damen's weird-ass romance. I kind of wanted to just give up on them. I mean don't get me wrong I really do love the characters and stories, but after 4 books of it..well a little tiring.

I love how Miles stayed neutral to all the fighting between his two best friends, and when he learned of the secrets and was offered the same..he turned it down. Yea! Go Miles!

Then being able to see more of Ever's past lives with Damen, and learn some of the not so happy moments that Damen dilberately hid from her was another highlight of the book.

I was sad to see the way it ended not something I really wanted to happen, but what's done is done.

I'm ready, ready for the last book Everlasting to be out. :)

If you haven't read the series. I would recommend it. It's not vampire or werewolf related, but it's got the paranormal aspect down. Also has some good otherworlds in it. I love summerland (the magical realm) It actually has a darker part to it which I'm dying to know about. :)

I know this is short compared to some other reviews, but I couldn't think of much. :(


QUOTES:
-So are we good here? Did I pass? Can I collect my gold star now and go home? (Jude)
-It's like an infinite show set on permenant repeat, taunting me with all that I could've been, if only I'd chosen differently. If only I followed my heart instead of my head. (Ever)

TTYL Review

AUTHOR: Lauren Myracle
PUBLISHER: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
PAGES: 221
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series (TTFN book2) (L8R,G8R book3)

OUTLINE: An epistolary novel for the 21st century, this sharp, funny, and true-to-life breakout hit about friendship is told entirely in instant messages. And Internet-savvy teens have fallen in love with flirty Angela (SnowAngel), moody Maddie (mad maddie), and good girl Zoe (zoegirl) and their frank perceptions about a tumultuous tenth-grade semester.

STARTED: 12-4-10
FINISHED: 12-5-10

MY THOUGHTS:
I saw this at Half Price Books and figured I'd get it. One it's a very easy read as you can tell. Two it's VERY differently written then every other book I've read, or even seen actually. As stated above it's told in complete IM chat form. It's told between 3 best friends. When I first started I wasn't quite sure if I'd like it, but it turns out I did. I mean it wasn't super, but told from 3 teenage girls POVs it was good. I was able to relate to them rather well. (Not that I had any of those kind of problems when I was in 10th grade but still) Their emotions were pretty well conveyed. You knew what they were feeling, and all of this through IM's. That shows me right there that the author knew how to write believable characters at least to me.

After I read the book I did a little research. (don't ask why because I don't know) I found that this book was actually being banned from schools because of some of the graphic wording it had in it. I mean okay I was alittle stunned to see some of stuff the girls talked about too. Let's be honest with ourselves here though it's high school, and believe it or not worse things have been done and said then the things in the book. A little bit of sex talk, and partying, and drinking. (and probably the whole student/teacher relationship thing) will happen. I'm pretty sure that keeping this book, or anthing like it out of schools is not going to do a damn thing. I'm sorry but it won't.

Each of the girls had their own little problems.

Maddie made the mistake of becoming friends with "the queen bee Jana" which led to some partying, and other interesting things happening to her. Okay, I was a little upset when Maddie acted the way she did towards her friends. I mean all they wanted to do was help her, and she blew them off. That sadly though is how friends sometimes are. In the end everything was okay.

Angela was going out with some guy, and when it was over she couldn't believe it. She wanted to know why. She was a little whiney about it too. (Like I said 10th grade girl)

Zoey was supposely the "good christian girl" who got caught up with her teacher. Did that catch your attention?

Anyways, to learn about their daily life and struggles. Pick up a copy of the book.


I know I don't have to much to say about the book, but I just wanted to put this out here.
If you haven't read then read it. It really isn't all that bad of a book, and you can probably find it for cheap somewhere like I did. :)

QUOTES:
I might add some a little later.

The Hunger Games Review

AUTHOR: Suzanne Collins
PUBLISHER: Scholastic
PAGES: 374
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series (Hunger games 1,Catching fire 2,Mockinjay 3)

OUTLINE:
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

STARTED: In October
FINISHED: 11-21-2010

MY THOUGHTS:
Alright I know I started this back in October sometime and it's taking me this long to finish. I will say this after I picked it back up again I stayed with it til the end and it only took me a week or so to finish it after my intial start.

My reason for stopping it was I couldn't really get into like the first 100 pages or so to me were extrememly boring. I know it told about the characters (mainly just Katniss)and some about Gale, but still I like my books to start off good, and it didn't happen til Part 2 which was the actual games. That was page 130 or something. After the games actually started though it became a little more interesting to me. I liked being able to see the Peeta/Katniss thing. It did irritate me to find things out about Peeta though. Reading through the games was actually really interesting how the tributes interacted with each other. Throughout the games I was cheering for Katniss and Peeta both though, even though I knew the outcome. One part made me sad though with one of the tributes. It shouldn't have suprised me because I watched the video that was made on youtube so it spoiled it for me but still. It was actually a very good video. This was actually my frist Dystopian book to read maybe I just need to read a few more to like them a little better. I don't know.

I liked the main character Katniss Everdeen. She was brave to take her younger sisters spot at the reaping. I honestly don't know if I could have done it. I'm a bit of a chicken. Would you have been able to sacrifice yourself for someone you loved? I like she's a very strong character and refuses to give up, and of course defies authority. What good character doesn't do that? Her emotions throughout the book jumped around too. From Gale to Peeta to her family to the tributes, her mentor and others. I like being able to see that characters can have emotion it makes you feel for them. All in all I'm not really sure who I want to see Katniss end up with. Humm? Guess I'll have to read on.

At first I wasn't really feeling Peeta just because alot of the stuff he did made me mad. How could he treat Katniss the way he did, but then I forgave him. That didn't really last long though because of the other stuff that happened. Stupid Peeta. I guess he had he's reasons though because who could compete with Gale a lifelong friend of Katniss'.

I can't really say much about Gale because he was only  in the book for a few chapters so it didn't give me a whole lot of time to like or dislike him, but from what was in the book I liked. He was apparently crushing on Katniss. :)

The other characters: Haymitch Katniss and Peeta's Mentor who was the only one to win the games from District 12. Effie who well I can't remember who she was but she was with them at the capitol, very snotty woman too. I kind of wanted to hit her. The Capitol, the authority, didn't like them at all. Rue, she seemed like a cute little character and a good friend to someone. That's about all the characters I can think of that
mattered.

FYI- This was cool I was sitting in the line for Harry Potter, and was about to read the book some, and some guy started asking me if I liked the book and what I thought about it. He said he needed to read it, or was going to I don't remember exactly. It kind of through me for a loop. I had to be honest with him though. I told him it was a little slow at first but ok. :) I know I'm a total dork.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:
-What's your name? (Gale)
Katniss. (Katniss)
Well catnip, stealings punishable by death, or hadn't you heard? (Gale)
-See, like this. I'm smiling at you even though you're aggravating me. (Effie)
Yes, it's very convincing. (Katniss)
-Then lie make something up (Haymitch)
I'm not good at lying. (katniss)
Well you better learn fast. You got as much charm as a dead slug. (Haymitch)
-Stupid people are dangerous (Katniss)
-How's everything with you? (Katniss,in a tree talking to other tributes below)
Well enough. Yourself? (District 2 boy)
It's been a bit warm for my taste, but the air's better up here. Why don't you come on up? (Katniss)
I think I will. (District 2 boy)
(I loved this little exchange between them because you can tell she's taunting them)

BOOKCOVER:
This is the german bookcover to the hunger games. I actually like this one alot better. :)

I gave it 3 out of 5. Just for the fact at I stopped at the beginning because like I said I was uniterested at first.

So I'm curious did anyone else fill the same way as me? Or am I the only one? I know alot of reviews I read everyone loves it. :(

Book Review: The Notebook by Nicholas Sarks

AUTHOR: Nicholas Sparks

PUBLISHER:  Warner Books
PAGES: 224
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Stand Alone

OUTLINE: A Southern-fried story of love-lost-and-found-again, revolves around a single time-honored romantic dilemma: will beautiful Allison Nelson stay with Mr. Respectability (to whom she happens to be engaged), or will she hook up with Noah, the romantic rascal she left so many years ago? We're not telling, but you have two guesses and the first one doesn't count. Decades later, after Allison develops Alzheimer's, her beau uses "the notebook" to read her the story of the great love she's plumb forgot.

STARTED: 2009
FINISHED: 2009

MY THOUGHTS: I read this book after the movie came out. I think I only read it then because my friend gave me the book. It was a good book I'm not a fan of it starting one way then flipping back to the past for most of it then going back. I thought the actual story was really sweet though for a man that you love to go through all that trouble to tell you a story. Knowing that you won't remember it.

I'm not really a big fan of Nicholas Sparks to begin with I guess it's not sci-fiy (Is that even a word sci fiy...LOL) enough for me, or it doesn't consist of the paranormal. :) I think I've found my true love in way of books.

I do however like most of the movies that come from his books. Maybe I should read The Last Song and Dear John because I liked well The Last Song movie. I haven't seen the other one.

Sorry this review wasn't more "in depth" like the others. Some books bring out the typer in me and some don't. :)


MOVIE:  I wasn't overly excited about this movie like I think alot people seemed to be. I like rachel mcadams and then other dude who played in it.