Book Talk: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

AUTHOR: Kasie West

PUBLISHED: February 5th 2019
PUBLISHER:  HarperTeen

PAGES: 384

SERIES/STAND ALONE: Standalone

SOURCE: won and arc

CHALLENGES: None

OUTLINE:

Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn’t involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donavan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.

As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script.

Video

I adored this book. The only reason it was 4 stars and not 5 is because I was all ready for a big reveal on who was sabotaging the set, and it didn't happen. I know this is mainly contemporary so I set myself up. Loved Donovan Lacey has all of her family. Mom/Dad/ Siblings Loved the movie aspect (parts were scenes from the movie) No love triangle with main characters

March 13, 2019 – Finished Reading March 8, 2019 – page 100  26.04% March 7, 2019 – page 50  13.02% "So far it's good, and we even see some characters from her other book." March 7, 2019 – Started Reading February 22, 2019 – Shelved as: arcs February 22, 2019 – Shelved as: books-i-own-not-read December 7, 2018 – Shelved as: to-read (Hardcover Edition) December 7, 2018 – Shelved (Hardcover Edition) April 30, 2018 – Shelved as: to-read April 30, 2018 – Shelved

Book Review: Scored by Lauren Mclaughlin

AUTHOR: Lauren McLaughlin
PUBLISHER:  Random House Children
PAGES: 234
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Stand Alone
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above.Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.

MY THOUGHTS

 As much as I use to hate Dystopian books when I started reading YA awhile back now I can't get enough of them. It seems like lately that's what interests me. Maybe, I'm just burned out with paranormal right now. You know us readers can be a fickle person. :)

I started reading Scored back when I was more into the paranormal books so I only got 30 pages in and gave up. It honestly didn't seem like it was going anywhere. Now go back a couple of days from today and I picked it up again to see what I thought. I really enjoyed it. 

The concept really doesn't seem to far off from something that's possible. I'm talking way, WAY in the future, but still. Technology has come so far from what is use to be that microchips and the government using technology to keep up with us and watch us isn't so unbelievable.

Characters

Imani is the MC in Scored and like all dystopians MCs she believed in what her government was doing. So when one of her teachers assigns the class a writing project to go against what you believe (so if you were unscored you would say why the score system works and vice versa) she had a hard time with it, but she also found her self working with Diego an unscored later on going against everything she believed. We all know what happens in these kind of situations.

I believe as the story went on, and Imani spent more time with Diego she learned that not everything is always black and white, governments don't always have the people best interests at heart. Sometimes you have to go against what you believe in order to find who you really are. I love characters who learn things and grow.

Diego was absolutely adorable as well, and if I was scored I would have found a way to see him too. He started off as a conceded know it all, but I think he just had strong beliefs that being scored was crap (my words totally).

In the end I really enjoyed the book like I said and kind of hoped that it would have a second one, but I don't think that will happen.

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

AUTHOR(S): Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
PUBLISHER: Little Brown Books
PAGES: 562
SERIES/STANDALONE: Series book 1 (Beautiful Darkness #2) (Beautiful Chaos #3)

OUTLINE:
There were no surprises in Gatlin County. We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.At least, that's what I thought.Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.There was a curse.There was a girl.And in the end, there was a grave.
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

STARTED: 9-27-10
FINISHED: 10-09-10

MY THOUGHTS:
(This is an updated version of my review from my older blog)

When I started this, it was before I actually had the book I went online and read the first 200 and something pages from the website. After reading those I was like I have to buy this book and see what happens. So it took me a good month to find the book. Which I finally found at B & N. (Now I see it everywhere)

When I did get it I admit it took me awhile to actually get into it.  Don't get me wrong once I did I loved it. It just seemed a little slow at first. It seemed like it took awhile for things to start happening, but that's ok. (I love fast-paced books but sometimes slow is good) The book described alot of stuff at the beginning. It built up the characters which I loved. I'm one for knowing the characters quick it lets you kinda build a relationship with them throughout the book I guess you could say. You feel like you know them better and you can connect with them. I definitely felt that way with Ethan and Lena. It was also nice to see a "Romance like novel" in the point of view of a guy. I loved learning about Lena's world of Casters.

Honestly, if I had to choose between paranormals I think I'd go with witches because they're more human then anything else. (Not to mention the first cool story I ever wrote were witches, and that was back in 10th grade when a friend and I started writing a "never-ending" story about fairies/witches. Yes, my characters were the witches. I loved my Blackcrow family. *sigh*)

I must admit I was sad near the end of the book. I hate when things happen, but it makes the story more interesting when things do happen so it's all good.

Breakdown:

Likes:
-Characters (Lena and Ethan)
-POV from a guy
-The World of the Casters

Dislike:
-The ending because it made me a little sad.
-The beginning pace was slow

QUOTES:

Review: The Body Finder

AUTHOR: Kimberly Derting
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
PAGES: 336
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Series (Desires of the Dead book 2)

OUTLINE:
Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.
Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. (Want more of the synposis go to Good Reads)

STARTED:
FINISHED:

MY THOUGHTS:
I'm dying to read Desires of the Dead now that I finally got around to reading this one.

I liked how this one wasn't focused on the paranormal creatures like alot are lately. It has a different take on ones "special abilities" I liked the fact that Violet could sense/feel the dead through her sense/taste/smell. It was interesting to read what the "killer's" taste was like to Violet. Then the way each of the dead had a specific sound to them, or as she calls them echoes. The mystery part of the story was the best part of the book--mystery/YA/supernatural=awesomeness! I'm definitely going to look for more mystery YAs.

The author also wrote in short little chapters of what the killer was thinking, and how the killings made him feel. It was like a euphoric feeling to him. I would say something else, but I'll leave it at that. :) I had a fun time trying to guess the killer, and let me tell you I was wrong.

I enjoyed everyone of the characters as well. You know how sometimes you have that one character you kind of hate? Well I didn't really have one of those in the story besides the killer of course.  Violet was an awesome character not to whiney like most. Then Jay, Violets Best Friend, who just happens to be a boy. Hum? He apparently gets hot over the summer break and well I will let your mind wander the rest. Chelsea was funny in a mean way. She had me cracking up. Jules was the anti-girly girl and Claire was pretty much in my view ditzy. Some of the conversations betweeen Claire and Chelsea funny stuff. It's nice when you can have friends that are your complete opposites. (Even though sometimes it doesn't work well it usually is balanced out) Also I liked the whole family dynamic the way her mom and dad were there to support her when something did happen, and to let her know that no matter they were with her. Does the sound right? Her uncle is also in it which I thought was cool because you rarely see other family members and if you do they don't really have a big part.


So basically my likes:
-The short chapters with the killers thoughts
-The fact that Violet could sense/feel the dead through sense/taste/smell
-Both her parents were involved in some way in her life even her uncle was.
-Her friends, Jay, Chelsea, Jules, and Claire.
-The mystery

Dislikes:
-maybe a little slow to begin with but it picked up rather quick
-Don't get me wrong like I said LOVED all the characters, but the stubborn-ness of a few got to me (you'll see what I mean. At least I think you will)

QUOTES:
-  I didn't say I wouldn't skip school. You just have to ask me first. (Jay)
-What are you doing here? (Violet)
I couldn't sleep . What about you? (Jay)
She opted for the obvious and filled her voice with as much sarcasm as she could. I live here actually. (Violet)
Ha-ha smart-ass. I was asking if maybe you couldn't sleep too. (Jay)
-You even use to make up funny stories about those poor little lost creatures of yours. Remember Bob the Squirrel banker who forgot to pay his electric bill and froze to death. (Greg Ambrose-Violets dad)
-For a smart girl, you're a little dense Vi. (Jay)
-Knock it off, you guys. Get a room, for God sakes! (Chelsea)
-I'd offer to take you for a test-drive, but I'm afraid supercop over there would probably Taser me with his stun gun. (Jay) (I think because of taser I completely thought of Paranormalcy)
-I'm just saying, Jules, he'd better watch his back tonight, or I might be trying to take you away from him. -Chelsea loved playing the bi-curious card, even though everyone knew she liked boys far too much to go bat for the other team-(Chelsea)
Gross! (Claire)
Don't worry Claire-Bear. I'm not going to hook up with Jules. I'm much more likely to make a move on you.
Ewww. Get away from me! (Claire)
Leave her alone, Chels, Or you're gonna make her start her It's Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve speech. And, sorry Claire but none of us want to hear that. (Jules)
-I swear Claire-bear, I am going to call your mom and tell her you need to start riding the short bus. You really need to start practicing your bitchy comments. What are you gonna do when we're not around here to get your back? (Chelsea)
Geez, Chels, I don't even ride the short bus. (Claire)

BOOK TRAILER: I don't know if this was an official one, but I liked it all the same.




Sorry my reviews have different things in them. I'm trying different things out. :)

Video Review: Hate List

AUTHOR: Jennifer Brown
PUBLISHER: Little Brown and Company
PAGES: 405
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Stand alone
SOURCE: Library

OUTLINE: Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

STARTED: Feb 26, 2011
FINISHED: Mar 2,2011


MY THOUGHTS:

I did this review in Vlog format. Hope it's enjoyable.

Oops I just realized there's 4 parts to the book. When I was looking through it at my quotes.


MY QUOTES:

-People do it all the time--assume that they "know" what's going on in someone else's head. That's impossible. And to think it's possible is a mistake. A really big mistake. A life-ruining one if you're not careful.
-Because who you are is supposed to be the easiest question in the world to answer, right? Only for me it hadn't been easy for a very long time. maybe it never was. (Val)
-Being my friend would be a tough risk to take. (Val)
- A little edward Scissorhands or something, but in a cool way. (Stacey)
-Pretending my heart wasn't breaking, Pretending I wasn't angry, confused, scared. (Val)
-Life isn't fair. A fair is a place where you eat corndogs and ride the ferris Wheel. (Dr Heiler)
I hate when you say that. (Val)
-So do my kids. (Dr)
- It's the sunrise that gets people's attention. Rebirth always does. (Bea)
- Being pretty isn't everything, but sometimes being ugly. (Val)
-Now that I knew who I wasn't, I was determined to remember who I was. Who I would become. (Val)

BOOK TRAILER: I liked.

North of Beautiful Review

AUTHOR: Justina Chen Headley
PUBLISHER: Little, Brown Young
PAGES: 373
SERIES/STAND ALONE: stand alone



OUTLINE:
She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?




STARTED: 2-14-11
FINISHED: 2-18-11

MY THOUGHTS:
This might not be a long or helpful review, but I'm going to write it anyway. :) The way I see this book is it's about loving yourself (looks and beyond) and being true to who you are. Something I think alot of people have a hard time doing. Whether they want to admit openly or not is a different story. Myself personally I've always had a picture in my mind of how I look, and I don't like it. I've never liked the way I look. I always saw all my others friends growing up, and I still do...as being close to perfect. At least better then me. Is it sad for me to say that? Yes, because I know that no one is perfect, and no one is 100% satisfied with themselves. (or maybe they are. Who knows.)  That is just my way of thinking though. I have low self-esteem and it's something I've learned to deal with.

I loved this book just flat out loved it. I will admit it did take me a bit to get into it which for me is usually the case with most books, unless it's a series I've started and I know something about it.  I love books that are able to teach me something new. Ones that teach me things I didn't know about, or make me want to go google it to find out more. (Yes I said google it! I love google!) What exactly did I google? You'll have to keep reading. :)

It's through the eyes of Terra who was born with a port wine stain on her cheek. So if you saw her on one side she would seem like any other teenager the whole blonde hair, beautiful, and what not. If she turned to her other cheek that's when she would get the stares. The adults who just look and don't say anything, or the children who stare, and ask mommy or daddy what's wrong with that girl? Children are much more outspoken then adults. They say what's on their mind.  That is just one thing about her though. I loved her character so much. In the beginning she wasn't as strong of a character, but she grew into herself. She became strong. That is always a good thing when you can see a character change from beginning to end. She began with a super cute, athletic boyfriend. She was only with him because she was afraid she wouldn't find anyone to like her for her. Don't alot of girls do this same exact thing? She was stuck at home with a mom who coward down to her husband.Two brothers who moved away as soon as possible. (One moved as far away as China) I have to say I hated the dad with a passion. I wanted to hit him. Tell him he was worthless, but then I would have looked stupid yelling at my book.

Then there's Jacob, the Asian goth  kid, who Terra almost ran over. Who like Terra had a few issues. (I won't tell you those) The friendship that grows between them is so cute. He teaches her about geocaching. Which sounds like so much fun to do. He also shows her how to be herself. He seems to know her better then the people she's lived with all her life. I loved Jacob!

So the book was broken up into 3 parts I believe. (Sorry I had to return it to the library so I don't it to look back on) On of the parts was Terra and her mom going to China to visit one of Terra's brothers. I enjoyed this part so much because the author took you on a journey through China, and what it's like over there. You got to see..okay read about some of the well-known structures there like the Great wall  when Terra and her mom on it. Then there was the gardens I believe. (I should have done this while I had the book. Whoops) Then she took you through some of the markets, and what those were like, and then down the regular housing editions. The descriptions were awesome. Then at the end they went to a few other places, and met people who I think also helped Terra to see the beauty in herself.

I enjoyed the end just as much, but that's all you're going to get from me. I've rattle on enough about the book.


QUOTES:
-Wondering is just a breath away from hoping- Terra

-Why would I when I knew how precarious words could be, how betraying they were, how vulnerable they made you. -Terra

-Could you aim your light somewhere else...unless you plan on blinding me too. -Jacob

FAN MADE TRAILER: It's pretty good, and I love some of the quotes that were used. :)

I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you Review

AUTHOR: Ally Carter
PUBLISHER: Disney Hyperion
PAGES: 288
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Series book 1 (Cross my heart and hope to spy #2, Don't judge a girl by her cover #3, Only the good spy young #4)

OUTLINE:Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her? Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.

STARTED: 12-28-10
FINISHED: 12-31-10

MY THOUGHTS:
As the outline says the book follows Cammie (and friends Bex, Liz, and later in the book Macey) on an undercover mission to find out if the boy Cam likes is what they call a Honeycutt. In between following the boy Cammie and friends deal with going to classes, lying to the adults, fake cov-ops missions, learning to accept new friends, and more events in the life of a Gallagher Girl/Spy. The beginning of the book is basically telling you that this is going to be like a report the main character is doing. (it's not written like a report just parts are)

This was a first for spy books I've read, but it was great. I loved the whole private school for girls that's really a spy school thing. I adored the writing too. I guess because in a way it reminded me of how I write my reviews and other stuff on here. (Lots of paraenthesis and other little quirks that make writing fun for me) Also it reminded me of Kiersten White's writing in Paranormalcy (which I also LOVED by the way). The same kind of fun and bouncy style. If there's one thing about books that will keep my attention it's that they can actually make me laugh out loud while reading them, and people asking what's funny. The characters were fun too. Another I liked about it was there really wasn't a romantic triangle like most books. It was just the one boy. Which I liked because you could get a feel for a relationship that could have been developed, and not have some girl whining over who she likes better. Hopefully the books stay this way, but who knows since it's only book one.

Cammie (the chameleon) was the MC. She was a sweet (but dangerous) 15 year old ( I think maybe 16. I can't remember) whose mom was the headmistress of the school. When it came to her friends she would do almost anything for them. (Not telling her friend something she found out to keep her from getting hurt, may have seemed mean but it wasn't.)
Bex (Rebecca) was Cammie's in your face kind of friend. Strong-willed and also would fight for her friends.
Liz (elizabeth) was the brainy, always wanting to do extra credit work, and teacher pet type girl. She seemed like maybe more of the innocent, shy girl. (But we know these girls are a deadly force)
Macey was the new girl that came in a little later, and was the prom-type girl only more gothic-y. If that makes sense. Once the other 3 girls got use to her she helped them on their "boy mission" to learn about Josh and see how he reacted to Cammie.
All the teachers seemed fun and at times a little weird, but I guess if you spent all your time in the CIA, FBI, whatever other spy like agency there is you'd be a little nut-so too. The teacher (Professor Smith) that always had a different disguise come a new school was fun because he thought he was being followed. Dr. Fibs wasn't in it much, but from was was told about him he was a genius who could make almost anything. I told you I loved just about every character.

There was one thing that I'm not sure I liked about the book, but I can't say because then it kind of ruins some parts of the book. If you must know though...*Highlight the next few* *There wasn't really a villian that I could tell from the story. Which I guess is fine, but I'm use to all my books having someone be kind of mean. Maybe that was Macey's job before the girls started liking her. Other than that it seemed like at first maybe the boy would be, but turns out he wasn't really. That's all*

QUOTES:
-Oopsy daisy.(Liz)
Sure she knows cuss words in 14 different languages, but when faced with a minor catastrophe Liz says oopsy daisy. (Cammie)
-Is it true he killed a Turkish ambassador with a thong. (Tina)
I wasn't sure if she was talking about the sandals or the panties.(Cammie)
-You girls are pretty smart, but you're also kind of stupid. (Joe Solomon-teacher)
-See you don't even have to answer that, because I know all the trash cans in town, and while this is a very nice trash can, it doesn't look like the kind of trash a girl like you would normally scavange from. (Josh)
I opened my mouth to protest but he went on--(Cammie)
Now, the trash cans on Seventh street, those are some very nice trash cans. (Josh)
-Be sure you write down the steering wheel is round. She seriously had the W H E of wheel in her notebook before she realized I was joking (Cammie)
Cammie don't make fun. (Liz)
-When people like Josh look at you like you're a cross between Charles Manson and Paris Hilton, it hurts a little- even for a spy. (Cammie)
-Did you bake that for me? You shouldn't have? (Dillion)
Josh punched him hard on the shoulder.
-Welcome to the science of garbology. (Joe Solomon)
-Oh no. I think we have a flat. (Madame Dabney)
Oh do we now. Normal friends probably don't go around blowing up Driver's ed cars--well not intentionally anyway. (Cammie)
-Where are we putting paper towels again? (Bex)
Depends. What's on it? (Liz)
Spaghetti Sauce ...I think or blood? (Bex)
So either they love pasta or are a family of axe murders? (Cammie)
-If the communists and the capitalist could fight together to take down the nazis. If spike could fight alongside Buffy to rid the world of demons...if lemon could join forces with lime to create something as delicious and refreshing as sprite, then I surely can work alongside Macey McHenry for the cuase of true love. (Cammie)
-This is it I've killed the only man I could ever love, and now I'm about to hear his deathbed (deathstreet?) confession. (Cammie)

Once A Witch Review

AUTHOR: Carolyn MacCullough
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books
PAGES: 292

SERIES/STAND ALONE: Series (Always a witch #2 2011)

OUTLINE:
Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

STARTED: 12-21-10
FINISHED: 12-25-10

MY THOUGHTS:
Now it's time to review the first book, since I've already reviewed the second one. :)

FYI: I have the hardback and paperback. Since they are different looking. :) I liked both of them. One I got from Amazon the other from HPB.

The story mainly consist of Tamsin trying to help a Professor find a missing heirloom (so he claims). The only problem is she lied to him. She wasn't the person whom he wanted the help from it was Tamsin's sister, Rowena. Not knowing what Rowena looked like he assumed that Tamsin was her. Tamsin wanting to prove to her Talented Family that she could do something was on a mission to find this artifact, and be someone. From there on the lies grew and with that so did problems. I liked that one of the talents was time traveling because from that you not only got to see what the present day lives of the families were like, but also the past lives of their family members.


I loved this book just as much as I loved the second one even though I knew what was gonna happen. (that was a my bad for reading it out of order) I adore the characters in this book.

Tamsin (The MC) kind of the odd-ball out in a family of Talented Witches. She was suppose to be the beacon of light for the family, but by the age of eight no talent had shown up. Poor Tam. :(
Gabriel (Tams childhood friend) His family had moved away because of his mortal dad I believe, and Tamsin had promised to write to him everyday, but never did. Now he's back with his momma, and his eyes are all on Tamsin. :) Humm could this mean something?
Agatha (Tam BFF) Okay, I love Agatha as a BF. I would have liked to see her more in the story,but since she's just a bestie. I understand there's not to much of a need for her.  
Just all the characters in the book are fun and enjoyable to read about. Tamsin's family is a pretty big one, but you still get the feel for each of the ones mentioned. Her mom who seems like a complete wreck, Rowena who's pretty much self-obsessed, the wise grandmother, and the uncles and aunts, and a few cousins. The talents range from fire to freezing, to traveling to reading the future, to changn g the state of things.

The book had quite a few witty, funny remarks.

I wouldn't say the end left a huge cliffhanger like some books do, but it does make you wonder what's in store for the future of this family, and others.

All in all if your looking for a witchy story that has a bit of a different take on witches this is definitely one of those.

QUOTES:
-Not a drop, not half of a drop, not even a quarter of a half of a half of magic runs through my apprently very pedestrian veins. (Tam)
-Don't you know how damaging that is to your health? (Ro)
Really I wish they printed warning or something on the package. So irresponsible of them. (Tam atsmoking Cigs)
-Just being here, a this is all that's expected, this is all I can be. Okay, now I'm starting to sound like an army slogan. (Tam)

MORE QUOTES TO COME

In A Heartbeat Review

AUTHOR: Loretta Ellsworth
PUBLISHER: Walker
PAGES: 212
SERIES/STANDALONE: Stand Alone

OUTLINE: Explores the ties of family and the weight of regret when a mistake costs Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition. Left in the afterlife, reflecting on what she could have done differently, Eagan's still-beating heart is given to Amelia who has been waiting patiently for a transplant. When their thought, feelings, and dreams begin to mysteriously overlap, Amelia knows she must search for Eagan's family and find a way to give them all the closure they need move on.

STARTED: 11-29-10
FINISHED: 12-10-10 (I had to read last sacrifice in bewteen)


MY THOUGHTS:
I picked up this book because the the back of it just sounded intriguing to me. Having gone through somewhat of a heart surgery myself when I was 6 I thought maybe I could relate to it. I mean in this story Amelia, the heart transplant patient, actually goes through a transplant because she has congestive heart failure. ( it was an aeorta valve in my heart that needed fixing is all) Still I felt like I could understand her somewhat. The book is told in two POV's, Amelia (a heart transplant patient)and Eagan (an ice skater, donor), Apparently I have a thing for books being told in different POVs lately. Hum. This was actually quite an easy read and you could follow along real well.

The begining of the book starts off for Amelia where the get a call. Once she gets the transplant she starts to notice that things she does aren't exactly the old her. She takes on the characteristics of her donor like eating grape lollipops (which she hated before), talking back to her parents,and a what seemed like a love for athletics. She met another heart transplant patient and his older brother. (which she became friends with. The older brother.) After having those things happen to her Ari and her set out to find her donors family. what happens when she does. You'll have to read it and see.

Eagan is the other POV in the story she is the ice skater, who lived her life very pessimisticly (word?). She bought tons of bottle water, granola bars, and batteries with her birthday money thinking that the world might end. Little did she know it would only end for her. During a skating routine she twisted the wrong way and ended up hitting her head on the side. When she came to she was in a gray mist. The in-betwen. This is where she stayed  pretty much throughout the whole book, and only was in half way through the book did she finally have someone to talk to who she called Miki, a little girl. The begining of her chapters are of her telling about the mist and stuff, and then she immediately goes into one of her memories that relates to what she talks about. (Kind of confusing)

I think is definitely worth a read, or you want something a little different n the paranormal. :)


QUOTES:
-Half an inch. It's enough too cause dreams to fall apart..enough to make the difference between life and death. (Eagan)
-It's ironic that when I was alive all I thought about was death, and now all I can think about is my life (Eagan)
-Don't put it on to thick (E's Grandpa)
I'm not an old man. I'm doing it just right. (Eagan)
Our first project, maybe our last young lady. (E's Grandpa)
-They're praying for you. Here, on Earth. Do you feel it? (Miki)
Is that was this feeling is? I thought it was gas. (Eagan)
-Life. It's being able to use all your wood, not just the good,straight pieces. (Eagan's Grandpa)
-Ameliastein. Part me and part gross experiment. (Amelia)
So do you have any other borrowed body parts besides the heart? (Ari)
Nope not yet. (Amelia)
Then your not Ameliastien. (Ari)
-

Have any of you read the book. If so tell me what you thought.

Shiver Review

AUTHOR: Maggie Stiefvater
PUBLISHER: Scholastic
PAGES: 392
STANDALONE/SERIES: Series Book1 (Linger book 2, Forever book3)

OUTLINE: the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future. (less)

STARTED: 2009
FINISHED: 2009

MY THOUGHTS


I'll be putting up a written review soon!

Personal Demons Review

AUTHOR: Lisa Desrochers
PUBLISHER: Tor Teen
PAGES: 364
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Series (Original Sin #2, Hellbent #3)

OUTLINE: Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them

STARTED: 11-24-10
FINISHED: 11-28-10

MY THOUGHTS:
OMG! I mean what else is there to say. I know it took me a bit to read this, (it usually take 2 or 3 days I haven't been in my reading mode Sorry!) I finally sat down earlier, and thought okay I'm going to read a few chapters. That didn't happen I read the whole thing from page 170 (that's where I left off a few days ago) I think it was just that after reading some I wanted to finish the book and see what happened with Luc, Gabe, and Frannie. I'm so happy I did too. I loved it mucho.

The little outline-y thing pretty much tells you what the story is about. I don't see a need to go into details on that because usually if I do that. I pretty much make a spoiler review, and I hate that.

The book is told in two perspectives (I like big words, POV just sounds boring. lol) those being Lucifer aka Luc, our darling demon from the fiery pits, and our not-so catholic school girl, Mary Frances better known as Frannie. I'm usually not fond of this just because I find that it's hard to read, but Lisa's way worked really well. I actually could follow along quite well. You got to feel what both the characters were feeling about the same thing at the same time, but not so much. Does that make sense? If not sorry you just have to read it to know I guess. 

I liked Frannie as a character most the time (sometimes I did get mad at her for not just picking Luc or Gabe because truthfully I probably couldn't either) I wished at times she would just say why she was feeling so guilty and let it go, but that was part of the story so all is well. :)

Luc he started off as a bad-ass, cocky, know it all demon. Later down the pages he softened some not much. I wanna demon like him! I can't say to much because I don't wanna give much away about him, and what happens.

Gabe was the angel and I was actually sad to see that he didn't have a bigger part then he did. I really would have liked to know more about him. At times he did kind of seem like a butt-head, but he's an angel so he knew where his place was, and knew not to get mixed up to much with Frannie. Just enough to try and keep her "safe". Here's to hoping he'll have a bigger part in the next book.

The other characters were pretty good too. Although I really wanted to hit Taylor sometimes. She was definitely a "B". Riley on the other was the complete and total opposite. Like they say though opposites attract. (It's funny cause my friend and I are like that) (Oh also it's funny too I have two cousins that are sisters whose names happen to be Taylor and Riley. Just a sidenote)

The ending I was thrilled with although it was not what I was expecting it most definitely was a plus. :) If you're confused or don't know if you want to read this. I whole heartly suggest it. You'll be wanting your own Angel and Demon after you meet these two. :)  I know I do. There's no way in Hell  (pun SO intended) I could choose between these two. I know in some books you can somewhat form a side you like better. I can honestly say I can't do that in this one.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:
-If there's hell on Earth, it's High school. (Luc) This was the opening line to the book.

-She's got more wrinkles then a shar-pei (Luc)

-So maybe that's my problem I need pink hair. (Luc)

-There's no crying in baseball, and no love in Hell. (Luc)

-Unholy Hell (Luc) He says this alot I thought it was cute. :)

-Because I love her, but can't have her (Luc) Poor Lucifer!

-If you have power to transform shit-for-brains over here (Gabe) For an angel he's awesome.

-So all those kids digging to China are in for one Hell of a suprise (Frannie)
Literally (Luc)

-That's like saying I beat you in poker cause I stacked the deck, but you're glad I have all you're money. (Frannie)

-You've got archangels quaking in their boots (Gabe) This reminded me of Supernatural for some reason.

-Are you done beating me up? (Luc)
Are you done pissing me off? (Frannie) Ok so this one was within a scene that I literally laughed out loud at. They were pulled over on the side of the road from something that Frannie had told him. Some car had stopped to see if she was okay having just pushed Luc down it looked like they were fighting. Its just funny cause Luc smiles and laughs through it all and then Frannie realizes it looks funny and starts laughing too. Poor guy in the car was confused. Anyways, loved this scene. 

-Tag you're it (Frannie) This was by far my favorite quote. You have to read to find out why. :P

Here are my little scribbley notes I took while reading it. Mostly the quotes I like. I'm weird. Yes!

BOOK TRAILER:

So have you read the book? What did you think of it? Let me know I always comment back.

Frostbite review

AUTHOR: Richelle Mead
PUBLISHER: Razorbill
PAGES: 327
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series book 2 (Vampire Academy 1, Shadow Kissed 3, Spirit bound 4, Blood Promise 5)
OUTLINE:
Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…
It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand to hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks….This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…(Goodreads)

STARTED: 2009
FINISHED: 2009

MY THOUGHTS:
I'm slowly but surely working on the VA reviews :)
As you can see the next book in this awesomenss of a series is Frostbite. Yes I said awesomeness. I've read it at least 3 times.
The book starts off with Rose and Dimitri getting ready to go for some training with an awesome gaurdian out at one of the rich moroi's family homes. When they get there though, it's anything but cool. A family and guardians gone. So what happened? Strigoi attacks in mid daylight? How's that possible that's what Rose and the others guardians and everyone want to know. Now that the academy and everyone are on high alert the ski trip is mandatory. They think it's the safest place for everyone to be, but is it really?

I love this book, and I hated it.

Let me explain a little as to not give away a whole lot from the book.

I love the book more then I hated it just to clear that up.

In this book we get to meet a few new characters ones which I love. First one Adrian Ivashkov, a spoiled rich kid, whose related to Queen Tatiana. Oh but is he awesome. He might be just as nutty as Rose is, someone who could actually put up with her. Needless to say when he meets Rose he is definitely hooked I guess you could say. Later throughout the book we learn a couple more things about him. Sorry can't tell you. Just read it. Now that he's in the picture who do we choose Adrian or Dimitri? What a hard choice. I want a little bit of both please. Second, character Tasha Ozera, Christians Aunt, I started to like her then I hated her so I don't know which it is. She's kind of one of the characters you love to hate. She does a few things that irritate me, but I just told myself it's okay everything will work out. The third Character is the great Janine Hathaway, Rose's Guardian mom, the scenes between her and her daughter are hilarious. The fighting, the sarcasm, it's great. Those were my main fave new characters. So if there were others I don't remember. Sorry.

Once Rose finds somethings out from Dimitri at the ski resort about where the Strigoi might be she's mad enough at him to go and tell some of her guardians-in-training friends the locations. What happens after that well what do you think? A bunch of teenagers ready to kick butt. We know exactly what's going to happen. Hunting time! So as 3 of them (Mia,Mason,Eddie) set out to find the undead dead vampires, Rose and Christian have to set off to find them 3 and what happens in that house is anyones guess. Let's just that's where my hate comes in. :)

I like to try and leave a little guessing for people in my reviews I hate telling so much that something might be said so if this review seems weird. My bad!

MEMORABLE QUOTES:
- I sometimes act before I think. I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something sets me off I tend to punch first and then find out who I actually hit later. When it comes to those I care about being in danger well rules seem opitional (Rose)
-If you would turn off this crap music and put on something that came out after the berlin wall came down (Rose)
Your worst class is history yet somehow you know everything about eastern europe (Dimitri)
Hey gotta have material for my jokes Comrade. (Rose)
-Canadian geese are deadlier then Vipers (rose)
You ever try to fee those little bastards. They're vicious. You get thrown to vipers you die quickly, but the geese that'll go on for days. (Mason)
Wow I don't know whether I should be impressed or frightened you've thought about this. (Rose)
-If you teach me to swear in russian I might have a new appreciation for it. (Rose)
You swear to much already (Dimitri)
I just want to express myself (rose)
-Don't you think this time of the year is for forgiveness (Dimitri)
 This isn't a christmas special. This is my life. In the real world miracles and goodness just don't happen. (rose)
-okay just stop this for once(rose)
Stop what (dimitri)
The whole profound zen crap thing.  You don't talk to me like a real person. Everything you say is just some wise life lesson nonsense. You really do sound like a christmas special (Rose)
- Some of the best things in life happen while sweating (adrian)
- You're one of those people who either have soulmates or mortal enemies aren't you? No in betweens. (adrian)
- I might as well have been working the corner as far as she was concerned. (Rose)

There you have it. Book 2 in the VA series.

What do you think?

If I Stay Review

AUTHOR: Gayle Forman
PUBLISHER: Penguin Young Readers
PAGES: 288
STANDALONE/SERIES: Series (Book 2 is titled Where she went)

OUTLINE: What if you had everything:

A gorgeous boyfriend who was madly in love with you?
Quirky hip parents who totally got you?
A musical talent that could take you anywhere?
What if your biggest problem in life was choosing which path to take?
Follow your first love--music-- to New York City?
Or stay with your boyfriend, friends, and family?

STARTED:  End of October
FINISHED: 11-7-10

MY OVERVIEW;
The story is about Mia who seems to have an awesome family a younger brother and both parents. Yes it's a story with both parents in it, and they're both equally involved.  Although they die early on Mia has flashbacks to when they were alive. Making them a big part of the book I think. Also in the story are Mia's boyfriend, Adam and her best friend, Kim. Among others are her grandparents/family and friends of her parents.

If I Stay starts off with Mia's family waking up to find it snowing and schools canceled. They decide that it would be nice to go and visit Mia's grandparents. That is when the wreck happens. That is when this family's lives change forever. Mia wakes up in a ditch thinking everything is fine, but as she comes up from the bankment and sees her parents lying on the ground she realizes it's not all ok. She goes to find her brother Teddy and finds much more in the way of the car like herself. How could that be, she was standing there and she seemed fine. Her first thoughts are am I dead. Which she already knows the answer too. From then on she's in the hospital wondering the halls watching and listening to everyone: the nurses, doctors, her family, her friends. All while having flashbacks of happier times.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is kind of a hard review for me to write. I'm not sure why exactly I think it's just that this book really does bring out alot of emotions in people. It makes you stop and think, what if something like this happened to me, or to someone I cared deeply about. How would I react in that situation? Honestly I don't think I'd know. Just the first couple of pages that described what happened and everything is surreal. The whole book takes course in a 24 hour period so it's not really a chapter book. It's kind like a diaryof that day. It had time frames that broke it down, and then if didn't have a time over it. It was Mia's flashbacks.

I loved this book it had so many "make me wanna cry parts in it."There's one part where Mia's grandpa goes into her hospital room and talks to her, telling her it's ok to let go. *He looks like he's about to leave, but then he doubles back to my bedside, bends so that his face is level with my ear, and whisper in to it. It's okay, he tells me. If you want to go. Everyone wants you to stay. I want you to stay more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. But that's what I want and I could see why it might not be what you want. So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It's okay if you have to leave us.  It's okay if you want to stop fighting. (Grandpa) This was the first time today that anyone has acknowledged what I have lost. (Mia)*  I'm telling you just typing that little bit made my eyes tear up.I mean how hard would that be to tell someone you loved that it's ok to move on to somewhere better. That you understand it's their choice. I also loved the realtionship between Mia and Adam when she flashbacks to it. Even though their different except for their love of music. Adam genuiely cares about her, and that shows up numerous times.

There were a few things at first I thought I wouldn't like. The whole flipping from the hospital back to older memories would usually annoy me. I'm not really a fan of that kind of thing, but it worked well for me in this book because it showed us Mia's feelings towards her family that's no longer alive. It showed us the kind of interaction that they normally would of had. It let's us see her realtionship with Adam. Mia's fondness of her little brother, and a little bit of her friendship with Kim.

Also it kind of reminded me of the movie Awake. The whole out of body experience and being able to see yourself lying there and then walking around the hospital ghostly like. Not the surgery and backstabbing parts. That's just me though.

The ending could have used more I think I wasn't thrilled with it. I would have like to known a little bit more of what happened afterwards. There is another book coming which is set 3 years after the accident so will see. :0)

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

-But the you who you are tonight is the same you I was in love with yesterday, the same you I'll be in love with tomorrow. I love that your fragile , tough, quiet, and kick-ass. (Adam to Mia)

-If you turn into one of those girls, I'll shoot you (Kim)
If I turn into one of those girls, I'll hand you the gun (Mia) (Talking about the kind of girls that talk boyfriends nonstop)

-Adam eyed me with furrowed brows, like I was a math problem on a black board that he was trying to figure out (Mia)

-Whoever decides these matters, when the decider is too confused to choose between the elevator and the stairs. (Mia)

-I'm not sure this is a world I want to live in anymore. I'm not sure that I want to wake up. (Mia)

-I just think that funerals are alot like death itself. You can have you wishes, your plans, but at the end of the day it's out of your control (Mia's dad)

BOOK TRAILER:

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Sorry this review was a little longer than anticipated, but that's what a good book does to me. Tell me what you think about the review, or the book if you've read it. Leave some comments.