Mini Reviews: The Promise of Amazing & Ninth Grade Slays

Title: The Promise of Amazing

Author: Robin Constantine

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 371

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Published: December. 31, 2013

Source: Own

Review: I loved the writing and the two main characters, Wren and Grayson were so cute together. I didn't like what had happened towards the end, how no one really got in trouble, like the so called best-friend. The drama could of been better.

4.5/5 Stars

Read: 9/1/14 - 9/3/14

Title: Ninth Grade Slays (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #2)

Author: Heather Brewer

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Horror, Vampires

Format: Kindle

Pages: 300

Publisher: Speak

Published: April. 17, 2008

Source: Libary 

Review: I didn't like it as much as the first book, Eighth Grade Bites. In this one, you learn more about Vlad and his vampire abilities. Josh, Henry's cousin comes to stay with them and we learn that he's keeping a secret. Vlad meets new vampires and encounters a vampire from the first book. He has to deal with bullies, the girl he likes, a photographer from the newspaper in school who finds out about him, and a vampire slayer who wants to kill him. The ending was where all the action happened, you learn about who the vampire slayer is, friendships are broken, someone almost dies. 

3.5/5 Stars

Read: 8/15/14 - 9/4/14

Review: (ARC) Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandell

Title: Summer on the Short Bus

Author: Bethany Crandell 

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic 

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 256

Publisher: Running Press Kids 

Published: April. 1, 2014

Source: Own (won from yabookscentral)

Description: Cricket Montgomery has been thrown under the short bus. Shipped off to a summer camp by her father, Cricket is forced to play babysitter to a bunch of whiny kids—or so she thinks. When she realizes this camp is actually for teens with special needs, Cricket doubts she has what it takes to endure twenty-four hours, let alone two weeks.

Thanks to her dangerously cute co-counselor, Quinn, there may be a slim chance for survival. However, between the campers’ unpredictability and disregard for personal space, Cricket’s limits get pushed. She will have to decide if suffering through her own handicapped hell is worth a summer romance—and losing her sanity.

My Review:

I'm really in between with this book. In the beginning you see Cricket as this spoiled brat who speaks her mind. Her dad forced her to go to this camp because of something she did. But as time goes she finds out more about the camp, herself, and the Counselors. I didn't really like the romance, I loved other books where the characters fall in love in one day but this didn't catch my attention. Cricket didn't want to be in the Camp and then Quinn finds outs. I don't want to spoil anything but in the end Cricket does change. It was funny, it had me laughing at some parts.

3 out of 5 Stars

Review: Love (Ai) Suilan Lee

Description: Kyo Tatsuya is a painter who has refused to see his lover for two months, while he prepares his final exhibition as a student of Geidai. He tries to reconcile his past,present and a future his family expects him to follow. While cherishing the love he has for Ryuu Shin. 

Kyo Tatsuya is a painter working his way through college and selling his paintings to earn a living. He grew up an orphan living in a foster home with two foster siblings, a brother and a sister.

And then he meets Ryuu Shin at an art exhibition who takes him to meet his real mother. Due to a bad experience in his past, Kyo doesn't believe Ryuu's claim that he has found Kyo's mother.

Ryuu's determination takes him back to his real mother's house, and a love he never would have found were it not for Ryuu Shin.

My Review: I liked Kyu and Ryuu. I liked how when they first met in the beginning. I liked Kyu attituded but it disappears in the end. I didn't like how he gave into his real family, how he took the family name. It was fast, I know it was about ten months but it was quick to me. The other family members was mentioned but was never in the story. I picture this as a Jdrama, it had that vibe to it. 

I got this for FREE on Amazon for Kindle.

3 ouf of 5 Stars

Read: December. 19, 2013 - December. 20, 2013

Review: Black Ice (Young Sherlock Holmes #3)

Description: A third case for teen Sherlock involves a heinous crime … and a brother with blood on his hands When Sherlock and Amyus Crowe, his American tutor, visit Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft, in London, all they are expecting is lunch and some polite conversation. What they find shocks both of them to the core: a locked room, a dead body, and Mycroft holding a knife. The police are convinced Mycroft is a vicious murderer, but Sherlock is just as convinced he is innocent. Threatened with the gallows, Mycroft needs Sherlock to save him. The search for the truth necessitates an incredible journey, from a railway station for dead bodies in London all the way to the frozen city of Moscow—where Sherlock is afoot in a world of secrets and danger.

My Review: I’m going to give it 3.5 stars. It was different from the first two books. It was still interesting with all the twists at the end and the little action. I felt the ending was kinda rushed. More new interesting characters to look out for in the future, Kyte’s Theatrical Company or Paradol Chamber members. If the author talks about them again. Looking forward to reading about Mrs. Eglantine in the next book.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Read: July. 31 - August. 5, 2013

Review: Howl's Moving Castle

Description: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

My Review: I seen the movie years ago and I love it, even own it. I just found out it was a book because back then I wasn't reading as much. It's sad to say, but I love the movie more than the book. I liked the book but it didn't 'WOW' me. I love the characters but sometimes Howl was annoying. In the movie he was childish and nice. In the book he is kinda mean. What I didn't like in the book was the lack of Sophie/Howl moments like in the movie. In the book, Sophie and Howl are always fighting or howl insults her. In the movie I can see the connection/Love from the beginning til the end. Somethings I was confused about which I'm not going to talk about. The last chapter was interesting, but in the ending Howl and sophie are together now. It mentions that sophie loved him, but Howl? I don't know what to say. I'm being Bias but I love the movie more. I'm scared to read book 2 because they are not the main characters and I want to read more about Sophie and Howl Life.

3 out of 5 Stars

Read: July. 14 - July. 17, 2013

Review: The Soul of All Living Creatures

Description - Based on the author’s twenty-five years of experience as a veterinarian and veterinary behaviorist, The Soul of All Living Creatures delves into the inner lives of animals – from whales, wolves, and leopards to mice, dogs, and cats – and explores the relationships we forge with them.

As an emergency room clinician four years out of veterinary school, Dr. Vint Virga had a life-changing experience: he witnessed the power of simple human contact and compassion to affect the recovery of a dog struggling to survive after being hit by a car.  Observing firsthand the remarkably strong connection between humans and animals inspired him to explore the world from the viewpoint of animals and taught him to respect the kinship that connects us.

With The Soul of All Living Creatures, Virga draws from his decades in veterinary practice to reveal how, by striving to perceive the world as animals do, we can enrich our own appreciation of life, enhance our character, nurture our relationships, improve our communication with others, reorder our values, and deepen our grasp of spirituality.  Virga discerningly illuminates basic traits shared by both humans and animals and makes animal behavior meaningful, relevant, and easy to understand.  Insightful and eloquent, The Soul of All Living Creaturesoffers an intimate journey into the lives of our fellow creatures and a thought-provoking promise of what we can learn from spending time with them.

My Review - I won this book from the goodreads first-reads giveaway.

I liked this book because there was some stuff I can agree on and agreed on. I even used post-its for the parts i like. Like people talking to there dogs or seeing them as part of the family. Thats how I see my dog, as family. Also I understand about that the one who listens to you best is your animal because thats how I feel sometimes. The stories was okay, it shows owners concern for there animals and that they would do anything for them.

3 out of 5 Stars

July. 1 - July. 7, 2013

Review: The World of the Hunger Games

Description: The definitive, richly illustrated, full-color guide to all the districts of Panem, all the participants in The Hunger Games, and the life and home of Katniss Everdeen.

Welcome to Panem, the world of The Hunger Games. This is the definitive, richly illustrated, full-color guide to all the districts of Panem, all the participants in The Hunger Games, and the life and home of Katniss Everdeen. A must-have for fans of both the Hunger Games novels and the new Hunger Games film.

My Review: Its a good book for someone who didn't read the Hunger Games book but seen the movie and didn't know what was going on or didn't know who was who.

3 out of 5 stars

Read: June.10 - June.10, 2013

Review: Immortal

Description: By some twist of fate thirteen people a year find themselves gifted with limited immortality, but when they start disappearing a four thousand year old woman named Dervy is tasked with finding out why. After receiving an anonymous tip, Dervy flies across the United States to gather a new immortal with a death wish, but can she find out what is happening to these newly “Taken” while still protecting one who doesn't want to live for a day, let alone forever? Written in a similar style to David Farland's "Nightingale" and Brandon Sanderson's "The Emperor's Soul", "Immortal" brings life to a place where ancients slowly manipulate the world we live in while remaining firmly outside of it.

My Review: I am a Goodreads "first-reads" winner. 

I'm still reading the book at the moment. But so far I like the characters, Dervy and Alex are interesting, the plot and the fact that they are immortal. And can regrow bones and all that. Good Details, I can imagine it.

*EDIT* I hope there will be a Book 2, because I will be looking forward to it.

3 out of 5 Stars

Read: April.20 - June.4, 2013

Review: Falling In Love With English Boys

Descrition:  Sixteen-year-old Catherine Vernon has been stranded in London for the summer-no friends, no ex-boyfriend Adam the Scum (good riddance!), and absolutely nothing to do but blog about her misery to her friends back home. Desperate for something-anything-to do in London while her (s)mother's off researching boring historical things, Cat starts reading the 1815 diary of Katherine Percival her mom gives her-and finds the similarities between their lives to be oddly close. But where Katherine has the whirls of the society, the parties and the gossip over who is engaged to who, Cat's only got some really excellent English chocolate. Then she meets William Percival-the uber-hot descendant of Katherine-and things start looking up . . .

My Review : ** spoiler alert ** The main character Catherine is so funny. I love how she’s freaking out over Will. When she’s trying to figure out what she would wear on there ‘date’, imagining what they will be doing on that date. Also when they stand close to each other. She’s thinking about him putting his arm over her shoulder. To me her blog-diary is so real, that when she writes “see pic” I really wanted to see it. I don't like how in the beginning she's not excited that she's going to London. WHAT? how can you not be excited about that. I would love to be in her situation. Being in London and falling in love.

The other Main character, Katherine, to me was boring in the beginning. It started getting good when she found out Mr. Baker, the one she loves marries someone else. Then her brother is in war and dies or disappears. Her Father storms out because she doesn't want to marry Lord Chilham. She gets closer to Nicholas and says "I have always been a little bit in love with him.

At Catherine last blog, she finds out william is descended from Charles and Luisa, meaning Charles did survive the war(?). Since Katherine is his great great....aunt. I thought that Katherine couldn't had been his great great....grandmother(?) because if she got married her, she would take the last name of her husband and William last name couldn't be Percival.

Last Questions:
Does Catherine goes back to London to be with William?
Did Katherine marry Nicholas?

I like to think they did.

3 out of 5 Stars

Read: March. 19 - March. 22, 2013