Waiting on Wednesday (45)

Forget You by Jennifer Echols (July 20th 2010--MTV)

"There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug."

Her other MTV novel, Going Too Far, left a huge impression on me!

The Mark

The Mark by Jen Nadol (January 19th 2010—Bloomsbury)

Grade: 2.5 stars out of 5

Summary: “Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?”

Review: And since I am currently on an ice-skating binge I thought I would add some analogies from them. I expected a quad, got a triple…with a two-foot landing. Expected a wonderful performance, but instead received a meek substitution.

The Mark for me was less about the actual mark, but rather a somewhat coming-of-age story rather than this fantasy book. Cassie is basically trying to understand who she is and what her purpose is with The Mark. Throughout the book Cassie delivers several soliloquies (sorry reading Hamlet right now) that question if she should prevent death or accept it. In the book she does both that results in more questioning if she should continue the path. Both options have good and bad consequences. With such a heavy topic it’s no wonder that Nadol incorporates famous philosophers.

Okay first off I have to mention that I took a philosophy class last semester. Why? Because I wanted Calculus, but they gave me philosophy instead for some apparent reason! Anyhow…. A lot of the names mentioned, scenarios given, and possible answers I’ve already dealt with in class. Aristotle, Kant, and all that good stuff. For me I ended up skimming those scenes. I already knew the point and counterpoint arguments, but I believe that this was a highlight of the novel. Readers unfamiliar with these people will find the bantering interesting. I’m not sure if euphemism is specifically mentioned, but that’s one topic I felt really fits into this situation. That was one positive aspect of the book; a negative would have to be the romance.

The romance between Lucas and Cassie was so heavy and so fast that I felt brought the book so down. Even though it mentioned that they spent a few weeks together before “the thing” happened the readers can’t understand what Cassie is feeling. We get a few pages of her swooning and a sentence of how long they spent together.

The ending is bittersweet. While I do love the open-ended feel I also despise it. It felt incomplete.

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Traveling to Teens: Thomas Fahy

So this interview is well overdue. We did a T2T tour all the way back in September '09 for SLEEPLESS and I finally found my interview that was supposed to go with it! Here's my review for SLEEPLESS

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1. How much of voodoo do you believe in?

Well, I believe that things happen in the world that can't be explained and that we're all susceptible to forces beyond our control. So in this sense, I'm very open to the power of voodoo. Dreams and trances are a significant part of voodoo, and these things play a big role in Sleepless. I find those aspects of voodoo very compelling.

2. Would you like to conscious or subconscious when you murder someone?

I can't speak for my subconscious desires, but I have no conscious desire to harm anyone. :) I'm drawn to the horror genre because it's fun. It's exciting to create characters that have to solve a problem or series of crimes in the face of danger. Part of the fun of horror is that it gives us the opportunity to confront our fears, and at the end of the story we realize that we're okay, that we've survived.

3. Aside from writing do you have any other careers you would like to have?

I already have another career. I'm a professor, and I love teaching!

4. Favorite horror movie?

Silence of the Lambs

500 Business Cards Giveaway Winner

Contest ended early for reasons I won't mention. Thankfully there wasn't anyone new entering after the first week it was open.

Melanie

was the winner for the business cards!

Percy Jackson Series

Series Order: The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Summary: No summaries as some may contain spoilers.

Review: I’m going to be as vague as possible in this review as I’ll be covering the entire PERCY JACKSON series without leaving you guys going ‘huh?’ So do bear with me as you’ll probably notice some names you might be familiar with and some names that will most likely come up later in the series.

I had high hopes for this series. For one thing, the movie is going to be released very, very soon so getting a movie deal speaks millions on its own. Because this series is shelved with the other middle grade novels it might explain the perfection of Percy Jackson or vice versa. And by sheer perfection I did not mean I was awe-inspired, jaw-slacked with stars in my eyes for his glorious aura surrounding had naming my first born son after him. No by perfection I call him indestructible, invincible, and frankly, a Gary Stu. Before the screams of ‘what about his dyslexia and ADHD’ comes hurling towards me I do recall Riordan stating that Percy is this way because he is might to be a hero. Dyslexia=able to read ancient Greek. ADHD=his natural instinct to not get killed by monsters. With that said and done I will admit that I did enjoy this series as a nice way to kick back and relax for the day:

1. The plot is simple enough that you won’t have to scratch your head or take notes to keep up, but it is well done enough that I was still left intrigued and in anticipation.
2. The various characters that Riordan was able to pack in. He does include an array of ethical characters without stressing so much on it that the reader becomes uncomfortable. Each character is unique enough that the reader can guess which action would best fit which character (aside from the 5th book because that was a slew of names).
3. The way he was able to incorporate the Greek mythology without cramming it down the readers’ throat while…cramming it down their throat.
4. The gradual shift from tweens to teens during his adolescent years. The sudden interest in female as well as the density of a typical male without leaving the reader concerned that things might have sped a little too quickly.
5. The humor for me was not as prominent as what others might believe. A classmate of mine was cracking up at one scene while I barely gave it a second thought. It’ll depend on your sense of humor.
6. The weaving of the prophecies. Yes those prophecies all the way back when. They come back to bite you in the ass.

What I felt lacked:

1. Proper editing. There were some blatant errors that gave me a permanent frown for 3 chapters straight.
2. The last book. I was really irritated by the entire pacing—too fast, too jumbled. The book, to me, was so crammed in 300 or so pages that could have easily stretched. This was not a roller coaster; this was the climb of doom. We went up, and up, and up, then plummeted from the 600th floor in the basement. Countless shifts of time—past, present, more past, further back in the past, wtf is this shit?, skim, headache, yay we’re finally back to where I understand what’s going on! The ending I will have to give kudos to. Wonderful twist.

Annabeth is someone you’ll learn to live with. Tyson reminds me so much of Cheese from FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS. Elizabeth Rachel Dare uhhh okay. Grover is my home skillet goat boy thing that plays a mean reed—I think—you’ll be annoyed in the beginning but it gets better. Thalia is the male version of Percy. Nico for some reason really resonated well with me.

Overall: The epitome of a middle grade series—perfect for nephews and maybe some nieces!

FTC: I was no where near paid for this review 'cause if I was it'll be a whole lot nicer and filled with better vocabulary and less grammar mistakes.

The Unwritten Rule

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott (March 16th 2010—Simon Pulse)

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Summary: Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...”

Review: Some of you may have noticed the eerie similarity between Something Like Fate and The Unwritten Rule that may have resulted in: O_O I know I was. So you’re thinking hopefully both books won’t be identical because that would just be awkward! And while I’m really tempted to do a van diagram to compare these two I won’t.

Elizabeth Scott has a knack for writing family tensions, meek protagonist, and so very squishy romances. I feel like poking the two lovebirds in the tummy and watching/listening to them giggle like the Pisbury Doughboy. Scott is very consistent in her style of writing, aside from Living Dead Girl, that readers can only expect greatness from her. I remember picking up her debut novel, Bloom, from the library reading it twice before returning it only to borrow it again the very next week. This was back when it first came out. Honestly if you haven’t checked scoot out I do recommend you do so. She’s very much like Sarah Dessen an author that I also happen to adore very much so.

The character development seems faint in the beginning and middle with hardly any progression except for letting the snake bites its own tail. A vicious never-ending cycle of one step forward, two steps back, three steps forward, one steps back. If you calculate the numbers you’ll realize there is movement, but very little. This equation represents Sarah and Ryan and Sarah and Brianna. You’ll eventually get there (like near the end where it starts to become five steps forward)!

For me what shines the most is the family in Scott’s novels. I read too many morbid, depressing, broken families to find relief n here. Granted it’s a win-lose situation in The Unwritten Rule, but I love one side of it!

The ending was another reason why I like The Unwritten Rule. And while I know I won’t compare Something Like Fate to The Unwritten Rule I feel as though I need to backtrack that. Scott isn’t afraid to take the road less traveled by. So often you see a book that does well just crash with the ending and I’m happy to report that that was not happened here.

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Button Me Up!

<a href="http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Books by Their Cover" src="http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt314/ylin0621/yaniconKopie-1.png" /></a>

All credit goes to Ka-Yam for allowing me to bully her into submission to make me this button! You may also have noticed the new header as well :)

EDIT: okay apparently google reader doesn't show the html code but rather the the button--twice. the html code is visible when you just visit the blog regularly. (plus then you can see my new header ;P)

P.S. Does anyone know how to track who grabs the button?

Waiting on Wednesday (44)

Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder: no summary...sadly. 3rd in the series though. UK cover

Click BOOKS, then SPY GLASS for the summary.

Undead Much

Undead Much by Stacey Jay (January 21st 2010—Razorbill)

Grade: 2.5 stars out of 5

Summary: “Even Zombie Settlers with Super Hot Boyfriends get the Blues...

A few months ago I was a normal girl with a normal life. But that was before my power to Settle the Undead returned and someone tried to kill me with zombies.

Now I work magic and practice kicking butt while trying to find time for pom squad and my boyfriend, Ethan, and trying NOT to think about how freaky my life has become. It can be tough. Still…things could be worse…

Oh yeah, right:

1. Feral new super-strong zombies. Check.

2. Undead psychic hottie predicting a zombie apocolypse. Check.

3. Earth-shattering secrets that could land me in Settler prison for life. Check.

4. Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening the end of the half time as we know it. Check.

I’m going to need therapy (and a cookie) if I live through the week. Unfortunately I’m learning that’s not something Zombie Queens can take for granted. “

Review: I enjoyed You Are So Undead to Me so much that I had to buy the next book. What made me love the prequel was its relatively cute and charming ways. The fact that it didn’t take itself so seriously made it all much more appealing to me. Undead Much went on a whole different route than what I was expecting. I was dandy the first few chapters. Had some laughs, some giggles, some swooning, a few fist-pumps, but then the zombies started appearing…

When I read a good book I find that I’m influenced by them. If they’re happy, I’m happy. If they’re sad, I’m sad. On the other hand a dull and not-so-great book is a reflection of my current state of emotions. I found myself yawning countless times (at 6 in the evening!) and finding my eyes glazing over passages on auto-pilot. That might give a general gist of how I felt about Undead Much.

Undead Much packs a lot. Relationship issues—both family and romantically—are questioned, new powers are discovered, new villains are uncovered. I was invigorated to dive in, drink like a zombie and be quenched, alas my mood swung the opposite way. I found myself irritated by almost every dialogue throughout the book. Imagine this scenario:

A: Hey guess what I found out!

B: I don’t know, what?

A: Com’ on! You HAVE to guess.

B: Ummm okay your sister went through your stuff?

A: As if.

B: You found out your dog peed all over your shoes?

A: Ewwwww!

Etc. etc. effin etc. Please get on with it! There’s a thing called tension, I understand, but when it’s dragged out through 200+ pages I can only rein in my annoyance to an extent. And Undead Much was pushing it.

Okay now that that’s out my system I know want to talk about Megan’s supernatural ability to NOT you know, die. Girl has been 5 times in one night but can still dance with the best of them. She’s been shoved to a freakin’ slab of concrete, beaten, lost about 2 pints of blood, a lot of skin, and holy freakin’ crap she still manages to defeat the bad guy! Um, okay. Okay, not really okay for me.

I’m so wholly disappointed in this book that I am just about to break down and cry because by golly this was supposed to be FANTASTICALLYAMAZING!

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Ummm does anyone else hate her flats?

In a Heartbeat Giveaway

Loretta has kindly offered one lucky winner a signed final copy of IN A HEARTBEAT.

US and Canada only peeps, sorry! You know it's the recession and whatnot ;P Contest ends in two weeks (hopefully I can remember....) Enter:

In a Heartbeat

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth (Feburary 2nd 2010—Walker )

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Summary: A touching novel of last regrets and second chances in

the tradition of Lurlene McDaniel and Gabrielle Zevin.

When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart.

When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different — dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy —her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life,meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.

Told in alternating viewpoints, In a Heartbeat tells the emotional and compelling story of two girls sharing one heart.”

Review: I was pleasantly surprised by how well I liked the book. I initially believed that…well I honestly did not know what I was getting myself into. I typically shy away from contemporary fictions after several bad run-ins because I find them a) too boring; b) too dramatic; c) just not my taste. While In a Heartbeat is not something I plan to reread 10 times a week (though I’ve done that with some books) I do foresee reading some scenes again by the end of the year.

In a Heartbeat had a rather slow start. I began reading the book sometime in late January and reached the high tens—70 of so pages. Then I just abruptly stopped. Something didn’t compel me enough to finish those last 110~ pages. With the deadline looming oh so very close (less than 24 hours!) I needed to finish the book and write my review. The novel eventually picked up fast enough for me to breeze through the rest in about an hour or so. I would definitely recommend sticking with it until the end for this book.

Eagan’s POV I struggled through with in the beginning. I had a hard time coping with the flashbacks. It was a shift from the limbo to Eagan’s past that that did not sit well with me. I also had a hard time with Eagan in the beginning. I felt disconnected and a bit weary of her. This changed as well from the middle to the end with the introduction of several other characters. She grew on me.

Amelia, for some reason, I’ve always like from the start. Case closed.

Overall: Like with a car in winter, it takes a while before you start driving, but once it warms up, you’re breezing by with your favorite radio on.

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What can I say, I love the typography.

ftc: review copy was provided in return for a review.

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go here for the schedule for Loretta's blog tour!

YES!

No school tomorrow!! Oh my god those 20+ inches of snow finally mean something! I am so happy 'cause this essay that I've been on for the past couple days STINKS/SUCKS so much and it's due tomorrow. Sadly I still have to attend 2 other classes outside of school from 12-3:15 which is ehhh. Anyway I typically never update about something like this BUT YES OMG I NEEDED THAT EXTRA DAY!

A Match Made in High School

This is a repost

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A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker (February 9th 2010--Razorbill)

Grade: 4.5 stars out of 5

Summary: “When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.”

Review: This book was hi-freaking-larious! The traded insults, the clever pranks, the laugh out loud rants! I spent the majority of the time actually laughing rather than reading, but of course I did love the words, plotlines, as well.

I love the way the characters were done. In the very beginning you just couldn’t help but hate Todd and fall over heals for Gabe, the perfect guy. The transition from hate, to tolerable, to almost, dare I say, liked of Todd was impeccably done. A smooth ride, without a single awkward phase. The other characters were also quite dimensional, the bad side and the good side. It never was this single label you could place on someone, a dumb blond cheerleader, a forever by your side best friend, and even a big awkward music loving, just, guy friend.

This book was so unpredictable! One minute I think I have everything figured out and who ends up with whom then WHAM! “Why didn’t I see this coming!?” Despite the subtle albeit huge hints dropped along the way, my one-tracked though I had it all figured out. I’m actually so happy I was wrong.

I also the ending was extremely well done! Everything pulled in together, a pleasing ending

Overall: An amazing, spectacular read!

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P.S. I read January '09 so my "voice" may sound different.

Business Card Giveaway

I'm giving away a chance for 1 lucky winner to get free 500 business cards! This awesome prize pack will include:

• Sizes: 2 x 3.5”, 2 x 3”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.5 x 3.5” (skinny card)
• Paper: 14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock
• Specifications: Full Color Both Sides; Offset Press; 3 Business Day Printing
  

The prize will be shipped via UPS Ground Shipping so sadly that means it's only for US residents. Contest will end on February 17th, 2010/

If you know you have awful luck then you might want to check UPrinting--print online--to get your own business cards!

To enter please fill the form out:

Night Huntress Series

Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost

Grade: 4 stars out of 5

Books in the series:

1. Halfway to the Grave
2. One Foot in the Grace
3. At Grave's End
4. Destined for an Early Grave

Review: I’m fairly new to review paranormal romance/adult novels, but I’m not new to the series. I won the first book to this series a while back, as in about 2 years, but did not read it. My friend had really enjoyed the 2nd book in the series (just don’t ask me why she read the 2nd one first) and I brought up that I had the 1st one—I gave it to her. Fast forward until January and I’m tired of reading teen novels, contemporary novels, school literature so I asked for the book back. I did not regret it in the least. The Night Huntress series is one of the better PRN books.

Jeaniene Frost, thank goodness, knew what she was doing, sometimes. She had a p-l-o-t throughout the series. So often I get sick of series because the author does not know where he/she is taking the characters. Instead they fill the pages without sex scenes. Copious amounts of sex scenes. If I wanted to read that I would’ve picked up an erotica novel or something! By the end of the novel/series all I have to ask is: what the hell did I just read and was there a point to the book besides wasting my time? I’m all in favor for adding some spice to the books, but just tone it down. I found Frost’s execution much classier; she hinted at the act, gave one or two for fan-service and that was all. The rest of the novel was all action, not like that perverts!

Though she sometimes stray from the general plot into subplots that drive the attention away.The plot can be a little simple, at times predictable but not all the time as I was pleasantly surprised along the way.

Cat and Bones, thank goodness that’s not his real name, had a natural sizzling chemistry. Sometimes I find their relationship a bit…odd. I believe in one book they fought each other, like with a marble table, and ended up having sex? Yeah…not going to say anything about that anymore. Cat, I found annoying at times—slightly hard-headed, a tad impulsive, and quick to jump the gun. Bones you will later find out to be promiscuous.

Overall: Definitely would recommend this series to new paranormal romance seekers.

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The model for Bones I have some problems with.

You Had Me At Halo

You Had Me At Halo by Amanda Ashby (August 7th 2007—NAL)

Grade: 2.5 stars out of 5

Summary: “Holly Evans has just seen her own body laid to rest. Now she would like to move onto the afterlife. But apparently she has some mortal baggage to unload first, starting with the matter of how she died. Her heavenly shrink isn't buying that she didn't kill herself- and says she must return to earth to straighten things out. The thing is, she needs to borrow the body of computer geek Vince Murphy to do it. Oh, and although Vince was supposed to have vacated the premises, he apparently never got the memo.

Now, Holly has forty-eight hours to resolve her issues while sharing arms, legs, and...other things...with a guy she barely noticed while she was alive. But the real surprise is what life has to offer when you have only two days to live it.”

Review: You Had Me at Halo failed to impress me on many levels. After reading her other novel, Zombie Queen of Newbury High, I went expecting something more than what I got. Her humor in Newbury High did not appear in Halo; the character attachment I felt in Newbury High did not appear in Halo; the overall enjoyment was not in Halo as it was in Newbury High.

The plot was very original; it’s something I have yet to be seen done before or even after. Ashby’s representation of heaven is comical yet interesting. A word of advice: study psychology, it seems as though heaven needs a few shrinks. However, the positives almost end there.

I found Holly Evans annoying many time throughout the novel. Her single-minded thinking and her ability to never stay quiet or listen to directions irked me. I found Vincent Murphy to be perfect, and by perfect I mean a Gary Sue. He had no flaws: handsome, intelligent, pretty good dresser, and kind. The fact that his co-workers in the company dislike/avoid him because of his job—a technician—did not merit as a type of flaw, it just symbolizes the narrow-mindedness of his colleges. I honestly couldn’t fathom as to why he was so infatuated by Holly.

The ending leaves a lot to be desired. Everything rushes in the end.

Overall: I would definitely call this book a chick-lit novel. It was fast paced, charming during the rare times, but oh so very predictable.

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This book is out of stock on amazon so you'll have to buy it from an independent seller/bookcloseouts. I received my copy from paperbackswap.

Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging DVD

You've all probably have heard of the series already. And maybe some of you have saw the premiere of the movie on Nickelodeon in the US. But if you missed it or if you LOVED it then you can buy the DVD of Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging! It released back in January 19th.

"Misunderstood by her “ancient” parents—but buoyed up by the love of her cat, Angus, and her bessie mates, the Ace Gang—Georgia Nicolson (GEORGIA GROOME) struggles through life seeking out her two main desires: 1. To get a gorgeous sex-god as her boyfriend. 2. To throw the greatest 15th birthday party ever.

When handsome brothers Tom (SEAN BOURKE) and Robbie (AARON JOHNSON) arrive at school, Georgia But when she sees Robbie with her arch rival, Slaggy Lindsay (KIMBERLEY NIXON), she devises a plan to show Robbie that she’s the mature, sophisticated girlfriend he deserves. Unfortunately Georgia’s plans - involving snogging lessons, dying her legs orange and stalking Slaggy Lindsay - don’t exactly run smoothly. thinks her boyfriend dreams have been answered.

In addition her own romance problems, Georgia's dad (ALAN DAVIES) is given an amazing job opportunity in New Zealand. This leaves Georgia’s mum (KAREN TAYLOR) open to the charms of builder Jem (STEVE JONES), a George Clooney look-a-like who’s ancient (mid 30’s) but still a fittie. The worry over her parents’ marriage is a huge pressure on Georgia, who feels that the responsibility for holding the family together rests on her shoulders.

In her quest to get Robbie and keep her family from splitting, Georgia transforms from a selfish girl into a young woman who’s grown beyond the valley of the fab and into the universe of marvy."

Waiting on Wednesday (43)

Zombies vs. Unicorns by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (September 14th 2010--Margaret K. McElderry)

"this teen anthology asks the question: which is better and badder, the zombie or the unicorn?"

Short summary, but that's all you really need to know about the book. I'm always torn between the two!

This meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Blood Feud Cover

Okay I am normally not one to just make a post about a new cover, but instead I use waiting on wednesday as a perfect opportunity to showcase them. However there are exceptions in life and this is one of them. I already posted a WoW for Blood Feud so I can't exactly repost it with the new cover. So here's the US cover that Alyxandra posted several days ago that I missed during my moody week! Can you guys tell that I'm excited by it yet? ;P

Dream Girl

Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling (July 22nd 2008—Delacorte)

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Summary: “CLAIRE VOYANTE HAS been having strange visions ever since she can remember. But the similarity between her name and her talents is purely coincidental. The name is French, and unlike the psychics on TV, she can’t solve crimes or talk to the dead. Whenever Claire follows her hunches, she comes up empty—or ends up in pretty awkward situations.

But that all changes on Claire’s 15th birthday, when her grandmother, Kiki—former socialite, fashion icon, and permanent fixture at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel—gives her something a little more extraordinary than one of her old cocktail dresses: a strange black-and-white onyx cameo on a gold chain. It’s not long before Claire’s world becomes a whole lot clearer. And a whole lot more dangerous.”

Review: Dream Life is a charming read that combines the best of both worlds: Nancy Drew and Gossip Girls. Okay so I ran out of analogies. At any rate Dream Life is a mesh of high socialite without all the snarky backstabbing and a mystery that has the decency to don on a gorgeous yet sensible pair of boots before running around New York.

One of the best things I found refreshing from Dream Life was the family relationship. I was pleasantly surprised how much effect Mechling put in to the mother, the father, and the little brother. A majority of books I’ve read have yet to include any mentions of neither siblings nor parents and if they had, it was not to par to his family. Each member is as whimsical as Claire and as every bit as lovable.

Mechling does a wonderful job at foreshadowing as well as not foreshadowing. See the readers go on this roller coaster of random dreams with Claire. So if she’s lost, we’re also pretty much lost. And by that, I mean we get off topic. While I do appreciate the attempt at making things realistic in an otherwise fantasy-like genre it seems as though the story strays from the plot at various moments only to center itself once again like a speeding bullet. Ouch. It is towards the end does much make sense, but by then I had forgotten the dreams and clues all the way from the beginning. That said, it might be me; I mean I’m pretty forgetful and dense rolled into one.

The other main issue would have to be the friendship between Becca and Claire. I had a really hard time accepting this friendship as just that. It seemed more of a follower and leader rather then each of equal footing. Claire is constantly looking up to Becca sometimes letting a bit of her sense be clouded and reducing her to a puppy state of nature aiming to please the master. But then again I began to warm up to the duo and found it a nice partnership. Oh! Just a small little shout-out to Ian for his kick-butt evil radish comic. I can only imagine how awesome it would be if a comic book artist drew a small section of it and somehow manage to weave it in the book.

Overall: Dream Life needed a bit of kick start, but once it started moving it was a wholesome enjoyable read.

Cover D

I’m sorry but I really do not like this cover. The ceramic doll makeup and poor choice of a hairstyle does not do the model justice to an otherwise hardly fair resemblance to Claire. I also don’t get the flowers, but again me=dense.

FTC: a copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for this review