Old Birdcages vs. New Birdcages

    Hey, you remember those pretty birdcages at the bottom of each review, right? Yeah, well, they've just been changed.  No, we haven't been taken over by aliens, it's just that as it stands I’ve gotten tired already of our old ratings.  Sure, the birdcages were elegant and relatively nice, but they’re a bit plain—so I decided to revamp them.  Of course, sticking with the whole silhouette theme for Our Thoughts Precisely, I needed to find something that would look good, as, well, a silhouette. I eventually came up with a tree, which the birdcages could hang from.  Low-and-behold, here is our rating system's new look:

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all, I think they look pretty neat.  In other news, our Giveaway Policy page has finally been finished, and our Review Policy page has been updated. So, what do you think—old or new?



Review: The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban

Title: The Tragedy Paper (Click on the link for the synopsis)
Author: Elizabeth Laban
Publisher/Publication Date: Knopf Books for Young Readers, January 8, 2013
Source/Format:  Library, Hardback
Age Range:  YA

 

“SOMETIMES IT’S HARD—IMPOSSIBLE, EVEN—TO KNOW HOW MUCH MAGNITUDE A CHOICE HOLDS UNTIL IT IS ALL OVER” (Laban, 246)
My Thoughts:

       The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban is a moving and thought-provoking YA novel. It captures many of the issues associated with coming of age such as relationships, self-esteem, choices, and underage drinking/prescription drug use.

       The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Tim, an alumnus, and Duncan, a senior in high school.  As a gift to Duncan, Tim left him CDs detailing his senior experience. Both characters were well-developed and dealt with self-esteem issues.  I was moved by this story because Tim’s revelations about his senior year at the Irving Boarding School facilitated Duncan’s introspection and personal growth.

       I recommend The Tragedy Paper, because it’s a YA novel with a unique storyline that has shifted away from the current trend.

I absolutely loved it.  I would recommend it to everyone.

 

 Author Website  Goodreads  Amazon Barnes & Noble

Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Title:Poison (Click on title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Purchased, Hardcover
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Disney Hyperion, March 12, 2013



My thoughts:


     Poison by Bridget Zinn was honestly a lovely story about potions, a piglet, and what one would be willing to do to save their kingdom.  It was captivating, well written, and full of characters that were likable.  Zinn crafted a story with mystery, intrigue, as well as an adorable piglet.  I really liked Poison as a whole.  It was the kind of book that had a good flow to it—one that I would read a second time, and recommend to others.

     Kyra, a potion’s master, was a good main character with a strong will.  Despite her strong bonds with her friends, she was determined to do what was right—even if it meant going on the run for committing a crime.  I liked seeing her develop as a character.  Hal, well, I really hated him.  Honestly, I’m glad Kyra found out what she did about him before things could escalate between them.  Fred was a good addition to the plot; he was funny, carefree, and likable.  Poison also had a really good cast of supporting characters.

      I liked the story.  At first I didn’t really get some of the details, but when everything was revealed at the end, I understood.  I liked the fact that everything in Poison had to do with the plot, and there weren’t any miscellaneous details floating around just because.  Overall, Poison was quick enjoyable read, and my only wish is there were would have been a sequel.

I really like it.  I would recommend it.

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Title: Pivot Point (Click link for synopsis)

Author: Kasie West

Age Range: YA

Source/Format: Borrowed From Library, Hardback
Publisher/Publication Date Harper Teen/ February 12, 2013

My Thoughts:  

       As we go through life, we all have to make decisions in which we have to contemplate which choice will have the better outcome. Now just imagine if you had the power of divergence that allows you to have insight regarding the outcome of each choice. Would you make the decision that was most beneficial to you personally or those around you? In Pivot Point by Kasie West, Addison Coleman (Addie), who has the power of divergence, is faced with a major life decision. She must decide whether she wants to remain in the paranormal community with her mother or relocate to a norm community with her father after her parents get a divorce. So she uses her power to examine what each path has to offer. 

       The plot was well developed as West presents Addie’s life in a paranormal versus normal society.  The twists in the plot never ceased and at times I was unsure of what decision Addie should make. Addie had a love interest in each society. First, there was Trevor who was such an amiable character that I wanted to be on Team Norm. Then there was Duke who seemed a little self-centered, but could be just as charming, so I also wanted to root for Team Paranormal. It was hard to decide because I just couldn’t get the following statement by Mrs. Stockbridge, Addie’s teacher, out of my mind: “Sometimes perfection reveals the lie, Addie, not the truth” (57). Addie’s love interests in both societies had imperfections and there were well developed conflicts in both. Considering that some of the paranormal characters had the ability to persuade and affect emotions, it was hard to decipher who Addie could trust. Her friends Laila and Duke appeared to be self-centered; whereas, Trevor simply seemed to be hiding something.  As such, the complexity of the problems presented left me contemplating Addie’s best course of action. Just when I thought that I knew how the story would end, there was a slight twist that left me pleasantly surprised. 

I really liked it. I would recommend it.

 

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Purchased, Paperback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers September 27, 2011



My Thoughts:

     Wow, I think this book goes beyond the meaning of fantastic.  I admit that I was hesitant on reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone, because the last book I read that had a lot of hype about it fell kind of flat for me.  But I got the book, and I loved it.  Taylor presented a book that was about angels and demons, but the way she did it just set Daughter of Smoke and Bone apart from all the others.

   We are introduced to Karou, a girl with blue hair, and a sketchbook full of monsters.  What no one knows is that the creatures in her sketchbooks are all too real.  Brimstone by far was one of my most favorite secondary characters, along with Zuzana.  Brimstone was a real mystery from the start, and it isn’t until later in the book that we find out what he really did.  Akiva was also mysterious, from the moment he first appeared; you got the feel that he was tortured and conflicted by something that happened in his past.

   The concept of the story showed how awesome Taylor is when it comes to making up plots, and twists.  I also found the usage of bones and teeth and the meaning that they held fascinating.  I really liked this book and I can’t wait to read Days of Blood and Starlight.

I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to everyone.