Review!! Dork Diaries 7: Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star

Title:  Dork Diaries 7: Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star

Author:  Rachel Renée Russell

Format/Source: Hardcover, Won

Age Range: 9-13

Publisher/Publication Date: Alladin, June 3, 2014

Genre: Fiction, Friendship

Amazon     Audible     Barnes & Noble     Book Depository  

Book Summary from Goodreads

    Everyone’s been rooting for Nikki Maxwell and her crush, Brandon—and fans will finally learn if they had their first kiss in this seventh book of theNew York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

    Nikki’s juggling a lot this month. A reality TV crew is following Nikki and her friends as they record their hit song together, plus there are voice lessons, dance practice, and little sister Brianna’s latest wacky hijinks. Nikki’s sure she can handle everything, but will all the excitement cause new problems for Nikki and Brandon, now that cameras are everywhere Nikki goes? Read More

My Thoughts

       OMG, where do I even start? After reading this book I’m sitting here wondering how could I miss six books of hilariousness? HOW!?

       This Dork Diaries book starts out as Nikki Maxwell is still drooling over prom night when she is interrupted by a call from Trevor Chase about recording a song. But wait, there’s more! She even gets her own reality show! However, with all the things she has to do including dealing with the cameras following her and Mackenzie who was out for revenge, Nikki starts to wonder if it’ll ruin her friendship with Brandon, the guy she has a crush on.

       The book was well written and kept me going without yawning once. Although I loved Nikki and her humor, there was another character—not mentioning names— introduced in this book that was so funny I cried.  I absolutely loved how Nikki solved her problems as well as the conclusion to the story.

       If you want to dork out this summer, you’ll definitely want to read Dork Diaries 7: Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star.

Review written by my teen, Adri

--Andrea M.

Review: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Mistborn
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Source/ Format: Purchased, Paperback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/ Publication Date: Tor (Tor Teen), May 13, 2014 (First Published July 17, 2006)
Barnes & Noble     Amazon      Goodreads      Book Depository      Audible

     Warning, there aren’t spoilers ahead. (I tried to contain my excitement, and willingness to spew spoilers left and right by numerous rounds of editing this review.)

     So where should I begin? I want to say with EVERYTHING, but I should start with one at a time, right? Well for starters, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson has become one of my favorite books ever, effectively earning its spot right beside the Rithmatist. With its interesting cast of characters, amazing world building, and plot that kept me reading despite the books length, Mistborn is easily a read I would recommend to just about anyone.

     The characters were interesting, all of them, one-dimensional doesn’t even describe them, not even a little. Vin was fantastic and I enjoyed seeing her change across the events that unfolded throughout the book. Kelsier was a character who was shrouded in an air of mystery, and I liked that his history was eventually revealed—so I could understand his motivation for what he did. Breeze, Ham, Dockson, and the rest of the crew were great as well, and I loved seeing their team work together. The Lord Ruler, the villain, he was so powerful that I was left wondering what they were going to do about him. Then there was Elend, he was interesting, but I don’t want to say much about him, otherwise I might end up putting in a massive spoiler…unintentionally. So to avoid doing so I think I’ll just stop talking about the characters now, moving on.

     The world building in Mistborn was executed nicely; the pacing was also excellent because despite the length, which I mentioned before, it was entertaining throughout. The Finale Empire and the system of magic, Allomancy, were both impressive concepts at the core of Mistborn, and I enjoyed learning more about both. The opening chapters really set up a nice beginning for the rest of the epic story. The descriptions really helped me get a sense of the setting, and I could really picture what was happening as it was happening. The ending was satisfying to say the least and wrapped up the plot quite nicely. Mistborn just sort of solidified my reasoning for why Brandon Sanderson is one of my all-time favorite authors. So, anyone that’s looking for a good fantasy read with strong characters, solid world building and plot, then you should definitely check out Mistborn.

Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Archived (Click on Title for Synopsis)
Author: Victoria Schwab
Source/Format: Purchased/ iTunes ebook edition
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Hyperion, January 22, 2013

My Thoughts:

     I’ve had my fair share of woes with the YA genre as of late, and I haven’t read much in a long time. But I finally sat down to read Victoria Schwab’s, The Archive, at last. I found the book to be highly entertaining, as well as refreshing with a cast of interesting characters, and a plot that kept me otherwise in the dark until the very end. I truly did enjoy The Archived.

     To start, The Archived had an interesting premise: the dead supposedly being placed on shelves and you know, cataloged like you would books. Right from the beginning that premise caught my attention, and I wanted to know more about the Archive and the people who worked there. One such person associated with the Archive is none other than the main character, Mackenzie Bishop. She, unlike some YA characters, wasn’t perfect and made her own fair amount of mistakes. Mackenzie also grieved a great deal, but all of her faults made her a well-rounded character that I found relatively likable. And her parents weren’t cookie-cutter folks either they dealt with their emotions in their own way. They had separate…I guess you could say, identities, which made them stand out rather than blend right into the background. Then there was Wesley Ayers…hmmm, what should I say about him? Well for starters he was an interesting character with little quirks mentioned here and there—you could really tell that he cared. 

     The setting, which is something I rarely ever mention in reviews, was very fascinating. The Coronado was and old hotel that was renovated into apartments and you could almost say it was borderline dilapidated. And yet the place held on to its old world, mostly faded, charm. Would I visit the place? Um, no! With all of the trouble that Mackenzie experienced there in the Archive, I have to say no on that one. And by trouble, I mean the plot. The Archive’s opening chapter basically solidified my reason for finally reading this book, and from then on I blew through the rest. So without spoiling things, I’m just going to call it a day. But in my opinion The Archived was a solid opening to a series, and I intend to continue on with the next book as soon as I get my hands on a copy of The Unbound. Five birdcages. That is all.

ARC Review: The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw by Christopher Healy

Title: The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw
Author: Christopher Healy
Source/ Format: Won, Bound ARC
Age Range: Middle Grade
Publisher/Publication Date: Walden Pond Press, April 29, 2014



My Thoughts:    

     This must be the year of amazing trilogy enders, because The Hero’s Guide to Begin an Outlaw by Christopher Healy, was the perfect way for the epic middle grade series to end. All of my favorite characters were back and better than ever, as they raced against time to stop their kingdoms from being destroyed by a foe that was more known than not.

     The League of Princes is back at it again after the Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle, with things not quite how they thought they left them. Liam, Fredric, Gustav, and Duncan once again set out to save their kingdoms, as a threat they thought they defeated comes right back and stronger than ever. At times their situations were ugly and I just didn’t know if they would manage to get out of them, but nevertheless, their antics, plans, and mishaps were as hilariously refreshing as they always were. But Being an Outlaw wasn’t only about the princes and their quests, but the princess’s also got some attention. I liked how they banded together to try and save the day, ultimately forming the Ferocious Female Freedom Fighters. Val was also a nice addition to the series, and overall I liked her as a character.

     Ok, now the plot. It. Was. Awesome! I love it when a book manages to keep me entertained with the right mix of humor, emotion, and action sequences. And the Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw was in no shortage of any of it. The book had the right blend of everything that I think will grasp the attention of middle-grade readers who are fans of adventure novels with new twists on the classic tales we all know so well. So to be honest I can’t see myself giving the final book in The League of Princes trilogy anything other than five birdcages. All in all, it was a wonderful finish to an already humorous, adventure series.

TV Show Review: Disney Channel's New Comedy Series, Girl Meets World

First Check Out the Trailer!!!

My Thoughts

In this fast paced society, it is nice that Disney is producing shows filled with laughable moments and great messages that facilitate discussions between parents and children.

One such show is Girl Meets World, which is set to air June 27, 2014. My daughter and I had the opportunity to attend a live taping on May 15, 2014. And let me tell you….Boy Meets World fans this is a great spin off from the original series with Cory (Ben Savage) & Topanga (Danielle Fishel). Now, Cory and Topanga are all grown up and they experience the joy of parenting as their daughter, Riley (Rowan Blanchard), seeks to define her identity. There are lessons to be learned along the way as Riley begins to discover the meaning of friendship, loyalty, and being true to oneself.  And hey kids—there are even some teachable moments for parents as Cory has over-the-top reactions to his daughter’s quest to grow up—um, reflection time.  

My daughter loved being part of the live studio audience. Although, she wasn’t familiar with Boy Meets World, she loved this show and is looking forward to watching the series. In her words, “The experience was awesome. I loved learning about what happens behind the scenes. I really liked Robert and the DJ, they made it fun. I just can’t wait to see Girl Meets World on TV!”

So if my daughter likes it, I must say that this series definitely appears promising. Now, if you are curious and want to get a sneak peak at the premiere, it’s available now on the WATCH Disney app. 

ARC Review: The Warrior by Victoria Scott

Title: The Warrior
Author: Victoria Scott
Age Range: YA
Source/ Format: Publisher, E-ARC
Publisher/ Publication Date: Entangled Teen, May 6, 2014
Links:
Goodreads    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Book Depository





Summary From Goodreads

War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.
Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll. Read More Here

My Thoughts    

     All good things must come to an end and the same can be said for the Collector Series, which is coming to an end with the final installment, The Warrior. Dante Walker is back again with his usual wit and charm, and the compassion that’s always present for his girlfriend, Charlie. As far as finals in a trilogy go, The Warrior is one of my favorites. It was full of action, sadness, loss, and happiness with an outcome that left me nearly breathless.

     The Warrior basically picks up where The Liberator left off, as the final battle between the sides is drawing near. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the developing—and the few—dissolving relationships that happened throughout the book. I also liked seeing Dante Walker change so much. His development as a character was awesome, and Charlie was right along with him. Everyone changed a little bit, it just depended on if that change was good or bad, and I liked not knowing who was to be trusted and who wasn’t—it just made the book that much better. The other secondary characters were great as always, with each one having a different story to tell, which contributed nicely to the overall execution of the book.

     As far as the overall plot I have to say that I love it when I think a series has shown its all, but then turns right around and still has a few surprises left lurking around. With The Warrior, I thought I had just about everything figured out—I thought I knew who was who and what side they were on—but nope. The twists and turns were marvelous and kept me reading till the very end. All in all The Warrior was a fantastic finish to an already delightful series. While I am sad that The Collector Trilogy is over at the very least I have Salt & Stone to look forward to.

   This ARC was provided by the publisher (Entangled Teen) in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Don't forget to visit Victoria Scott!

Twitter    Website     Goodreads

ARC Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire & Flood
Author: Victoria Scott
Age Range: YA
Source/Format: Publisher (Scholastic Press), Bound ARC
Publisher/Publication Date: Scholastic Press, February 25, 2014
Links
Goodreads   Amazon  Barnes & Noble 

Summary from Goodreads:

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race. Read more here

My Thoughts:

     Ok, stop the boat. Let me lie down so I can get my thoughts in order. If you’re a fan of Victoria Scott’s writing then you’re in for a real treat. Fire and Flood was absolutely amazing and by far one of the best books I've read this year. I liked everything from the characters, to the Pandora’s, and even the whole premise of the Brimstone Bleed and the circumstances surrounding it. To say that I liked this book wouldn't be accurate, I absolutely loved this book, would be more like it. 

     Fire & Flood sported a whole host of interesting characters, from the MC to the secondary characters, each one was unique, and fleshed out with such precision and expertise that there was never a dull moment to be found. Fire & Flood focuses on Tella Holloway and her journey through the Brimstone Bleed, a race that could land her the cure for her brothers’ illness. But the race is not without danger, nor is it what it seems, it is essentially a test of one’s survival skills. I liked Tella well enough, and I could understand why she took the risk she did—her family was important to her after all. Tella was aided throughout the story by her adorable Pandora with a surprising talent. Overall, I felt like all of the Pandora's were a good addition to the story and kept the plot going at a steady pace. One thing I liked about the characters in Fire & Flood was that they all had a different story to tell, which I thought made the book all that more interesting. Guy was a mystery, he just held so many secrets throughout the book that I had a hard time trying to figure out if he was to be trusted or not. And when he finally revealed those secrets I felt like it provided a nice twist and some clarification on what was really going on. I’d love to go on and on about all the characters I liked and why I liked them, but then this review would never end, so, moving on.

     The plot, oh goodness, the plot. Its kind of one of those cases where things are revealed slowly and at the right time. The plot moved along quickly with the race starting off with a few minor complications, but once everything got started I had a hard time putting the book down. Rarely am I ever compelled—lately anyway—to finish a book in one sitting, but not with Fire and Flood. I had questions, lots of them and most of them happened to do with the Brimstone Bleed itself. Like why it was created, how did they have the cure Tella was looking for, and so on and so on. Some of those questioned were answered in Fire & Flood, but the race isn't over yet. So I'm really looking forward to seeing what Scott has planned next for this series. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! As for the sequel—and there has to be one—I can’t wait to read it. So to end this review: five freaking birdcages, because I absolutely loved it.

      This ARC was provided by the publisher (Scholastic Press) in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Don't forget to visit Victoria Scott!

Twitter    Website     Goodreads

MOVIE, BOOK, OR BOTH? The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Directed by Peter Jackson Review

So there's an occasional thing we like to do on Our Thoughts Precisely. We'll go see a movie and then read the book after to see if there are any differences, if it's more detailed and whatnot. All to see if we like the Movie, the Book, or Both. So it's only fitting that we call it: Movie, Book, or Both?  Now before I get to my thoughts on The Hobbit:  The Desolation of Smaug, take a look at the awesome trailer!

 

Title:The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson

Screenwriter(s): Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens & Guillermo del Toro

Rating: PG-13

Official Site: Click Here

Release Date: December 13, 2013

My Thoughts:

Thanks to 760 AM KFMB,  I attended an Advanced Screening of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I usually like to indicate if I liked the movie, book, or both. I haven’t read the book, so for now let me just say that The Desolation of Smaug is one of my favorite movies of 2013.

Although, I enjoyed The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. It was fairly slow paced and some of the scenes were drawn-out, so I was unsure of what to expect from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Was it slow paced? Absolutely not. The Desolation of Smaug was action packed early on. The battle scenes were epic and  somewhat graphic with disturbing images as indicated in the movies ratings; yet, skillfully depicted.  I don’t usually like to watch movies in 3D, but this was the perfect effect for this movie. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I found myself jumping off the seat during a couple of the unpredictable action sequences. The movie kept me glued to the screen. I was so captivated by the movie that I lost track of time. And just right smack at the height of the action, there’s a turning point—and then the end that left me saying, “Noooooo, you just can’t end the movie like this. A big cliffhanger??? Really???” Oh well, other than leaving me on the edge wanting answers, The Desolation of Smaug is an awesome must see movie.

*On a side note: Although I give all of the crew kudos, I should have known Guillermo del Toro had a hand in the creation of this movie because I loved it just as much as Pacific Rim, in which he was a director/producer/screenwriter.

     

ARC Review: Double Vision: Code Name 711 by F.T. Bradley

Title: Double Vision: Code Name 711 (Click Title for Synopsis)
Author: F.T. Bradley
Source/ Format: From Author, Bound ARC
Age Range: Middle Grade
Publisher/ Publication Date: HarperCollins, October 15, 2013
Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:

     F.T. Bradley has done it again, presenting us with yet another thrilling Linc Baker adventure!  This is one of those cases where the sequel lives up to the hype of the first book. With the perfect blend of mystery, spies, and a plot so big you’ll have a hard time figuring out who-is-who.  Double Vision: Code Name 711 is definitely one of my favorite books this year.

     Linc, Lincoln, Baker is back for his second mission from Pandora.  This time, he’s headed for D.C. to uncover a plot that has higher stakes than the one from the previous book.  Of course, Benjamin Green is back, sticking his nose into Linc’s plans, or what he thought was his.  One of my favorite characters was also back, Henry, the tech guy and his wacky, but useful inventions.  Henry is always a great addition to Linc’s adventures, and some of his antics in Code Name 711 had me laughing out loud.  Along the way, Linc met some interesting characters, who essentially proved vital to uncovering Dagger’s plot.

    It shouldn’t be hard to guess that I absolutely loved the way the story was executed.  In my eyes, this book had something about it—an appeal almost—that’s sure to grab the attention of children of all ages.  From nearly the first page, we were immediately given the details—that were a little sketchy—of Linc’s newest mission.  As the story progressed, we also found out a little more about Pandora and its iffy origins.  And by the time the book ended, there were still questions lingering in the air.  Needless to say I need the next book.  So five birdcages because not only did I absolutely love it, I also recommend this one to everyone!

ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Movie, Book, or Both: Pacific Rim

    So there's an occasional thing we like to do on Our Thoughts Precisely.  We'll go see a movie and then read the book after to see if there are any differnces, if it's more detailed, and whatnot.  All to see if we like the Movie, the Book, or Both.  This time around after reviewing Pacific Rim (the movie), and you can find the review HERE, I decided to give the novel version a try.  Read on to see what I thought about it.

Title:Pacific Rim: The Official Movie Novelization (Click title for Synopsis)

From Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Story by: Travis Beacham
 Screenplay by Travis Beacham & Guillermo Del Toro
Novelization by Alex Irvine

Source/ Format: Purchased, Mass market paperback

Publisher/ Publication Date: Titan Books, July 16, 2013

My thoughts:

 

     So you know, some time ago I reviewed Pacific Rim, well in recent times I read the novel adaption for it.  I liked the movie and it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that I enjoyed the novelization as well.  I feel like it goes into all the details that you miss when seeing the movie—there were more explanations to certain situations, and I have to say that I liked the answers I got.  Everything from how the first neural handshake between two pilots happened, to more about the characters themselves, as well as the effects that Drifting and piloting a Jaeger had on a person.  Such as the Drift Hangover, I found the theories about it fascinating that there was more to the Drift than what they originally thought.  Not only that, but we learned more about the Kaiju, and just what Newt’s drift with the piece of the brain had really done.  This book was fantastic, and I saw Pacific Rim from a whole new angle.  Oh, and don’t even get me started on the characters.  It’s one thing to watch the movie and see the characters as they experiencing these events.  But it’s another to actually be in their head and seeing all of the stuff left unsaid.  So in this case, I have to say that I enjoyed both the movie and the book about equally.  If you saw Pacific Rim and loved it, I definitely recommend reading the official novelization.

 

 

Favorite lines

“He’s a kaiju groupie,” Gottlieb said.  “He loves them.”—pg. 65
“Unscientific aside,” he said.  “Herman, if you’re listening to this, I’m either alive and proving what I’ve just done, in which case ha! I won!”—pg. 125
“Today, we are canceling the apocalypse.”—pg. 287

Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Title:The Rithmatist (Click title for Synopsis)

Source/Format: Won, Hardback

Age range: YA

Publishder/Publication Date: Tor Teen, May 13, 2013

My Thoughts:

     Let me just say that I will never ever look at chalk the same way I did before I read this book.  I can’t express to you how much I absolutely adored The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson.  I’ve read good things about his other books, so I was excited to start this one—his first young adult novel.  And let me just tell you, the world of The Rithmatist is just brilliant—it was so unlike anything I’ve read this year. 

     The characters were phenomenal in their respective roles.  On one hand we have Joel, someone who feels he missed his chance to become a Rithmatist.  And on another we have Melody, a Rithmatist with some questionable skills, and a few hidden talents.  I love the way Melody and Joel’s friendship developed throughout the book.  It developed over time, rather than all at once, and I liked seeing the interactions they had with each other.  There was also no shortage of character development present in The Rithmatist, with both Melody and Joel seemingly developing a sort of comfort with their own skills.  The secondary characters were also well-written, with Professor Fitch in particular being one of my favorite characters. 

    And then there was the story itself.  The plot was so good that I read The Rithmatist in a few hours, and I was left wanting the sequel more than ever.  Right from page one I found myself immersed in the wonderful world that Sanderson had created.  I can’t say much about the plot, because I don’t want to reveal any spoilers by accident.  But just know that the ending left me hanging, and now I wish that I’d taken more time to read The Rithmatist rather than speeding through it.  Part of my enjoyment of this book came from the fact that it was a YA book with no romance.  It makes me wish that there were more YA books like it out there.  And those are my thoughts precisely.  So, do I even need to say what my rating for this one will be?  Seriously, I recommend this one to everyone!

 

 

Check out the trailer below
 

 

ARC Review: Blurred by Tara Fuller

Title: Blurred (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Publisher, E-ARC
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Teen, July 2, 2013




My Thoughts:

    Oh Cash, oh Anaya…why?  Why, Tara Fuller, why?  This book pulled at my emotions like it was a piece of string being chased by a cat.  For me, Blurred was an emotional rollercoaster that had me wanting to get to the end as fast as possible.  It was the kind of book that made me root for the character’s happiness at the end, no matter what it was.  It shouldn’t be hard to guess that I absolutely loved this book! 

    I did not read the book prior to this one and I went into the story not knowing who the characters were, what their story was, or how things got to be the way they were.  What I did get from the start, Cash was struggling with the aftermath of the fire.  He was angry; he was hurt both emotionally and physically.  Throughout the book, the lies that were surrounding him began to unravel.  I just felt so bad for Cash as the story progressed that I wished something good would happen to him.  Anaya was also tortured; she longed to get back to those she loved.  Her loyalties were tested as she struggled to do what was right versus what would benefit her.  Though their troubles differed, Cash and Anaya still struggled throughout the book with their emotions, and everything else.  Emma, well, she was hurting and I could tell she cared about Cash and wanted to help him.  Finn was supportive in the whole situation, and I liked the way that he was there for Emma.

    The plot, oh my god, why?  Why did Cash have to suffer so much?  Why?  You know the saying, right?  How life’s not fair, well, this just tops the cake with a pretty cherry on top.  The plot was so unfair to the characters that I seriously questioned if there was going to be a good ending.  And then the end snuck up on me way too quickly, and then it was over.  Despite everything, I felt like the ending was just right for this book and wrapped everything up nicely.  I just have one more question.  So, um, yeah, is there another book and when’s it coming out?

 
This E-ARC was provided by the publisher, Entangled Teen, in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Review: The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy

Title:The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Won, Hardback
Age Range: Middle Grade
Publisher/Publication Date: Walden Pond Press, April 30, 2013



My Thoughts:


     So many times, the classic fairy tales have been remixed into all sorts of wonderful tales, but not like this.  The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle is on a whole other level—it’s hilarious, entertaining, and everything else in-between.  Healy did a fantastic job of taking the tales we know and love, and giving them a fresh take that anyone is bound to enjoy.  Personally, I loved this book, from the characters, to the setting, and even to the plot.  And I haven’t even read the first book yet, but I plan to since I want to know how the whole series started.

     In the Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle, the Prince Charmings—Liam, Duncan, Fredric, and Gustav—are yet again enveloped in a plot that quickly spirals out of control.  After having their reputation’s destroyed, they'd spent the months prior to the start of the story in hiding.  I’m not familiar with the characters, which were all different in personality and skill set, but they were well-written and I found their antics entertaining.  Briar Rose was just crazy.  Healy did a superb job of developing Briar Rose’s character, and inevitably illustrated all of the traits that made her spoiled-rotten. 

     The plot was really interesting with aspects that I found highly entertaining, as well as hilarious.  Almost from the first chapter, the princes are thrust into yet another dangerous, high-stakes adventure.  Throughout, there was a lot of character development and lessons learned, but I can’t say anything about it because that would be too big of a spoiler.  The end, oh the end, it left me wanting the next one already!  From the way it was written, I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen next.  In a nutshell, this book was awesome, and I definitely recommend to everyone!

 

Now, check out the trailer below...

Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Leviathan (Click title for Synopsis)
Illustrations by: Keith Thompson
Source/Format: Purchased, Paperback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Simon Pulse, October 6, 2009



My Thoughts:


    Oh, I just feel the need to get this out first: I just love the Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld!  It’s a wonderful mix of history and some very imaginative technology that combined living creatures with machines.  For someone like me who likes history, this is absolutely one of my favorite series.  Leviathan has it all action, an intriguing storyline, and a superbly built world.  Scott did an outstanding job crafting the Clanker the Darwinist societies, making the differences present from the beginning, and highlighting the tension between them.  Oh, and not to forget the beautiful illustration’s done by Keith Thompson, which captures the Clanker machines and Darwinist Beasties perfectly.

     In Leviathan we are introduced to Deryn Sharp who happens to be posing as a boy—Dylan Sharp—to gain entry into the Service/Military.  Due to a series of nail-biting events, Deryn as Dylan ends up aboard “the great hydrogen breather” Leviathan, as one of the middies.  And then there’s Alec, a prince on the run after the untimely death of his parents.  Poor Alec had a hard time with things, and I felt bad for him for how he found out about the whole thing.  There were a slew of highly interesting secondary characters as well, with Dr. Barlow being one of them.  As a boffin, which is a Darwinist fabricator, was one character that really held my interest throughout the book.  She was very secretive with what she was up to.

     There was never a point in the plot that was slow—there was a lot going on.  Once the war got rolling, everything just kind of unfolded from there.  Once Alec and Deryn finally met, well, their combined interactions just made the plot all that much better.  The science behind Leviathan was just marvelous!  The whole concept of the Beasties, and that having a living ecosystem to sustain the hydrogen breathers, just had me from page one.  Having started the trilogy right in the middle of it with Behemoth, I found that I really did miss all of the details and important events that happened in Leviathan.  Now, I just want to reread the entire trilogy from start to finish again. 

 

Now, check out Leviathan's book trailer below:

Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Title:Days of Blood & Starlight (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Purchased, Hardback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, November 6, 2012



My Thoughts:

     I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into Days of Blood and Starlight, but I sure as heck wasn’t disappointed.  Laini once again did a fanciful job on capturing the world Karou lives in.  The writing was just amazing, descriptive, and really kept the story going. 
 

     Days of Blood and Starlight, was a true sequel, which continues Karou’s story.  As always the characters were fantastic and their reactions to things were realistic.  This book was set up way different than Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  Zuzana was just awesome, and she kept right on looking for Karou, which just showed how much of a friend she was to her.  I’m glad that Zuzana found some happiness in Days of Blood and Starlight.  Then there was Karou and Akiva.  Both were facing major changes in their lives, and I’m glad that they were able to work through some of them.  Still, I was rooting for Karou and Akiva—and their complicated relationship—from the start.

     The plot moved at a fast past, and with each chapter I found out something new. It was a truly amazing story, and I definitely recommend this one to anyone.  Now I just have to wait for the next one to come out.

 

Review: Double Vision by F. T. Bradley



Title: Double Vision
(Click on the title link for synopsis)
Author:  F.T. Bradley
Publisher/Publication Date: 
HarperCollins Children's, October 16, 2012
Source/Format:  Borrowed from Library,
Hardback

Double Vision, Double agent, Double Fun and Excitement! That explains the debut novel Double Vision by F. T. Bradley in a nutshell. The cover appeared exciting enough and the synopsis drew me in, but I approached this book with reservations since I was unfamiliar with Bradley’s work.  Now, I suggest removing the caution tape and approaching the book full speed ahead. You will not be disappointed because this middle-grade spy novel provides non-stop action and adventure.

Lincoln (Linc) Baker is a mischievous twelve-year-old prone to causing trouble, and one wrong decision lands him and his family in a world of trouble.  With a lawsuit pending against his family, and not enough funds to cover it, Linc decides to take up an offer from a shadowy government agency called Pandora. F.T. Bradley did a phenomenal job on Double Vision as she transformed a mischievous kid who used the context of the world for knowledge into a not so skilled but effective spy.  Linc’s mission was to find the “evil Mona Lisa.”  It leads Linc on a whirlwind adventure in Paris, full of action, humor, cool gadgets, spies, betrayals, and a plot that had me guessing till the end.  Along the way Linc made a few interesting friends such as a cab driver with crazy driving skills that had me nervous for Linc, and then a girl from a bakery, a strong female character, who has mad-skills with a stick.  What’s not to like about that?

I would definitely recommend Double Vision by F.T. Bradley.  Ok, ok, ok, let’s just say that it was the perfect spy themed novel that needs to be adapted into a movie!  End of discussion.                                    – Review  written by Andrea M.  & Breana M.

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Watch as F. T. Bradley Discusses Double Vision

Early Movie Review: Fast and Furious 6

Title: Fast and Furious 6

Director: Justin Lin

Producer: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Clayton Townsend

Written by: Chris Morgan

Release Date: May 24, 2013

For more information about the movie, visit the official site here.

My Thoughts:

 
    Wow, oh holy action-packed, tank stealing, crap!  Fast and the Furious fans rejoice!  We’ve got another fast-paced installment into the series.  Out of all of the movies in the Fast and the Furious series I have to admit that I liked this one the most.  It had me gasping in shock the entire time, as secrets were uncovered, lies were undone, and the truth finally came to light.  The characters were as awesome as always, and I felt like the plot was more apparent than in the other films.  I was not disappointed by the way it turned out.  If you think that’s all, then you’ve got another thing coming.  Fast and Furious 6 was as funny as it was action-packed, with hilarious moments sneaking up out of nowhere.  In fact, Fast and Furious 6 is one movie that I’d like to go see again. 

     The old Crew from the previous movies—Dominic Toretto, Brian O’Conner, Roman Pearce, Tej Parker, Han Seoul-Oh, and Gisele Yashar—are back at it again.  Having seemingly moved on with their lives, and given up their old lifestyles for a quieter existence, I was looking forward to seeing what jumpstarted the conflict.  After being contacted by a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent, they once again lapse back into their old ways.    This time, the task presented from the beginning of the movie, is one that hits-home pretty hard.  Letty Ortiz, a former member of their Crew, who was thought to be dead, is seemingly working with the antagonists of the film. 

     When I first saw the trailer, I was like how the heck is she still alive?  Let me tell you, the truth behind the whole thing will leave you breathless.  Tough decisions were made, as the Crew goes up against one of their toughest adversaries ever.  Owen Shaw was just nuts, the guy was too smart for his own good, but it made seeing the movie all that much better.  As always there were the cars—although I miss the Nissan Skyline—the street races, the cool stunts, and the heartfelt mission at the core of the movie.  I really felt like Fast and Furious 6 bridged the gap between the other movies in the series, as well as answering many questions that I had after then end of Tokyo Drift.  It shouldn’t be hard to guess that I cannot wait till number 7 comes out.  Although, I don’t recommend sitting in the nose-bleed section of the movie theater.  You need a higher-up seat to fully enjoy the movie.

"I second this review!"—Andrea M.



Thank you to Universal Pictures for the Advanced Screening Passes!

Check out the trailer for Fast and Furious 6 below:

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title:The Immortal Rules (Click on title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Borrowed from library, Hardcover
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Harlequin Teen, April 24, 2012




My Thoughts:

     Ok, first off: Dystopian + Vampires= how can you go wrong with that?  Well, so many ways, but that’s not what happened here.  Wow, I have to say that I loved The Immortal Rules, and honestly it’s one of the better dystopian books I’ve read this year.  Kagawa has done it again.  She’s crafted another fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat, full of action novel with an extraordinarily twisted plot and finely honed characters.  Needless to say, I will be moving The Eternity Cure up on my list of things to read.

     The Immortal Rules follows Allison (Allie) Sekemoto, an unregistered, who is just trying to survive in a cruel world dominated by vampires.  She lives in a place called the Fringe with other unregistered's.  Soon, trouble plagues Allie, and she ends up making a decision that changes the course of her life.  As a vampire, she struggles with controlling herself, while clinging to the shreds of her old life.  She has Kanin, the vampire that turned her, to help her, but even then, nothing was stable, and soon she’s forced to leave the city she’s known since birth. I loved seeing Allie develop as a character, as she fit into her new role, as well as trying to do the right thing despite her new nature.

     As I said before, the plot had me on the edge-of-my-seat wondering what happened next.  There were some really intense fighting scenes that had me wondering if Allison was going to pull through.  From the way The Immortal Rules ended, I honestly have no clue what’s going to happen in The Eternity Cure, but I can’t wait to find out.   

 

Review: The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Title: The Summer I Became a Nerd (Click on the link for the synopsis)
Author: Leah Rae Miller
Source/Format: Publisher, ebook
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Publishing, May 7, 2013

Favorite Quote:

“Be true to yourself and others will be true to you, too” (17).

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love, love, love The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller. It’s the perfect book to start summer and for teens dealing with identity issues.  It’s a refreshing coming of age story in which Maddie, the main character, embraces her true self. The characters and plot are realistic and well-developed. First there’s Maddie, a cheerleader who wants to fit into the status quo; yet, she’s an undercover comic book lover. And the chemistry of her and her boyfriend, Eric, are questionable at best.  Then there is Logan, a nerd who has the same interests as Maddie.  But she has to keep her interests and friendship with Logan a secret to maintain her position within the in crowd. Throughout the book Maddie continued to deal with her inner conflict, even though at times she seemed to be increasingly comfortable with whom she was. Then there is Dan-the-man, Logan’s friend, he definitely needs his own story. His antics had me laughing out loud. He is so blunt and straightforward, it’s hilarious. The one theme that resonates throughout the book is that you shouldn’t try to fit into the role that everyone has created for you, you should just be yourself. I only wonder if “The Summer I Became Myself” would be a more suitable title.

I received a copy of The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you.

 

 Author Website     Goodreads  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  The Book Depository

Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Title:This Is What Happy Looks Like (Click on title for synopsis)
Source/ Formtat: borrowed from the library, Hardback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/ Publication Date: Poppy, April 2, 2013




My thoughts:

    Considering that I’ve never read anything by Jennifer E. Smith before, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book.  This Is What Happy Looks Like had all the components to it that I look for in a contemporary YA novel.  The romance was sweet, with the characters connecting on an emotional level, the plot was well thought-out, and the writing style was excellent.  To say that I liked this book would be an understatement, I absolutely loved it!  It’s one book that I’d like to add to my personal library.

     This is what Happy Looks Like is told from dual POV’s, Ellie O’Neill a normal girl trying to get her life in order, and Graham Larkin, a movie star.  I liked that prior to the start of the story, they already knew about each other.  So when they met in person for the first time, I felt like it was an important part of the story.  Ellie’s reaction to Graham was understandable, she had things to hide.  I was unsure of what she was hiding at the beginning, but then I found out what it was, and I felt so bad for her, having to live with what she knew.  Graham was also dealing with his own set of problems from his parents, to his career, and what being in the limelight was doing to him as a person.  As things unfolded, I felt like Ellie helped Graham, and in turn he helped her overcome some of her fears.  The relationship between Ellie and her mom was believable, and I understood where her mother was coming from.  She was only trying to look out for Ellie, and thought what she was doing was what was best. 

     I really liked the whole concept of this book, from the way Ellie and Graham first met, to the ending, which wrapped things up nicely.  In the end, I really enjoyed This Is What Happy Looks Like.  It was refreshing to read a contemporary novel like this one, and in a few short hours I’d read the entire thing.