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

ARC Review: Jackaby

Title: Jackaby

Author: William Ritter

Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal

Format: ARC Paperback

Pages: 304

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Published: Releases on Sep. 16 2014

Source: Own

Description: “Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.

Review: Jackaby did remind me of Sherlock, to his trench coat, his hat, and weird personality, love him. I really like Abigail Rook, she wants adventure, she wants do to something that isn't boring and then she finds it by becoming the assistant. Now about the plot, I loved it. I wasn't expecting that plot twist. I don't if it was just me but I felt that the color Red was Symbol to the creature who was killing people. Besides Supernatural creatures there is a ghost and a duck with an interesting background. I really want to read more with these characters. More of there Supernatural adventures and more on their backgrounds.

4.5 ouf of 5 Stars

Mini Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Genre: glbt, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction, historical fiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 359

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Published: April 1st 2014

Source: Library

Description: Dante can swim. Ari can't. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari's features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself.

But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other―and the power of their friendship―can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.

Review: I don't know how to review this book without talking about spoilers so here is a short crappy version. I love the characters. They are so real and the problems they had were real to which makes the book amazing but I didn't like how the characters repeated each other. I love the writing. Its very Quotable. I recommend it. If you have any doubts just give it a try.

Quotes: 

• “I wanted to tell them that I'd never had a friend, not ever, not a real one. Until Dante. I wanted to tell them that I never knew that people like Dante existed in the world, people who looked at the stars, and knew the mysteries of water, and knew enough to know that birds belonged to the heavens and weren't meant to be shot down from their graceful flights by mean and stupid boys. I wanted to tell them that he had changed my life and that I would never be the same, not ever. And that somehow it felt like it was Dante who had saved my life and not the other way around. I wanted to tell them that he was the first human being aside from my mother who had ever made me want to talk about the things that scared me. I wanted to tell them so many things and yet I didn't have the words. So I just stupidly repeated myself. "Dante's my friend.” (I wish I had a friend like Dante)
• “I had a feeling there was something wrong with me. I guess I was a mystery even to myself.” 
• “Senior year. And then life. Maybe that's the way it worked. High school was just a prologue to the real novel. Everybody got to write you -- but when you graduated, you got to write yourself. At graduation you got to collect your teacher's pens and your parents' pens and you got your own pen. And you could do all the writing. Yeah. Wouldn't that be sweet?”
• "What ever happened to reading a book because you liked it?"
• "But I'm not good at making friends. I'm okay with that." (I can relate with this)

4 out of 5 Stars

Mini Review: Two Boys Kissing

Title: Two Boys Kissing

Author: David Levithan

Genre: glbt, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 200

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Published: August. 27, 2013

Source: Library

Description: New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. 

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

Review: I love this book. love the writing, the words are so deep and real. You can feel what these characters are going through or been through. Its just an Amazing book, I gave it 5 stars and If you love GLBT or is Gay, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Quotes (there are so many good ones)

• “Love is so painful, how could you ever wish it on anybody? And love is so essential, how could you ever stand in its way?”
• “Things are not magical because they've been conjured for us by some outside force. They are magical because we create them.” 
• “Freedom isn't just about voting and marrying and kissing on the street, although all of these things are important. Freedom is also about what you will allow yourself to do.” 
• “There are all these moments you don't think you will survive. And then you survive.”
• “It is hard to stop seeing your son as a son and to start seeing him as a human being.
  It is hard to stop seeing your parents as parents and to start seeing them as human beings.
  It's a two-sided transition, and very few people manage it gracefully.” 
• “There is no reason that we should ever be ashamed of our bodies or ashamed of our love.”
• “Pink is female - but why? Are girls any more pink than boys? Are boys any more blue than girls? It's something that has been sold to us, mostly so other things can be sold to us.” 
• “We know that some of you are still scared. We know that some of you are still silent. Just because it's better now doesn't mean that it's always good.” 
• “Then he picks up the first book and holds it so Peter can read the title.
  I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This
  
  Peter quiets. Watches as Neil holds up the books one by one.
  
  Just Listen
  Stay
  You’re the One That I Want
  So Much Closer
  Where I Want to Be
  The Difference Between You and Me
  Positively
  Matched
  Perfect
  Wonder
  You Are Here
  Where I Belong
  I’ll Be There
  Along for the Ride
  The Future of Us
  Real Live Boyfriends
  Keep Holding On
  
  When Neil is through, Peter smiles and holds up his hand, gesturing Neil to wait there, to not say a word. He picks out two books from the YA section, then runs to the fiction section for a third. He is still smiling when he returns to Neil and shows his selections one by one.
  
  Take a Bow
  A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You
  Keep Holding On”

  (I love how he put the book titles into a poem message)

              5 out of 5 stars

Review: OCD, The DUDE, and ME by Lauren Roedy Vaughn

Title: OCD, The DUDE, and ME

Author: Lauren Roedy Vaughn

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Humor

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 240

Publisher: Dial

Published: March. 21, 2013

Source: Library

Description: With frizzy orange hair, a plus-sized body, sarcastic demeanor, and "unique learning profile," Danielle Levine doesn't fit in even at her alternative high school. While navigating her doomed social life, she writes scathing, self-aware, and sometimes downright raunchy essays for English class. As a result of her unfiltered writing style, she is forced to see the school psychologist and enroll in a "social skills" class. But when she meets Daniel, another social misfit who is obsessed with the cult classic film The Big Lebowski, Danielle's resolve to keep everyone at arm's length starts to crumble.

My Review: A must read. This book is written in essay, email, journal form. Its funny and a little sad. Danille is always putting herself down and think she doesn't deserves to be loved. Towards the end you will see she went through something tragic that made her the way she is now. 

Likes: 

• The Characters are likable and funny.
• Danielle likes to read and dress up as characters
• It took me awhile to get used to the way its written, but now I can't imagine it any other way.
• Daniel was a funny character, I wasn't expecting him to be what he is (sorry I don't want to say it and spoil it) It never crossed my mind until he said it. 

Dislike:

• Danielle crush was a jerk.

Quotes I like:

• "The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms..." -George Santayana
• According to her "libraries have shelves." I told her shelves are not included in the technical definition of "library" (pg. 3)
• ...to lose myself in a fantasy, where I convince myself that someday I will be somewhere other than right here. (pg. 9)
• They want me to socialize, not have my head in a book the entire time. (pg. 15)
• But unlike life, which is why it's great to read books, everything works out for the two of them in the end. (Danielle was talking about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. pg. 19)
• There is no barrier strong enough to protect you from life. It finds you. Friends come even if you are not looking for them. Loss finds you even if you aren't ready. (pg. 199)

4 out of 5 stars

Review: A Crack in the Sky by Mark Peter Hughes

Title: A Crack in the Sky

Author: Mark Peter Hughes

Genre: SF-Dystopia, Adventure, Action

Format: Paperback

Pages: 416

Publisher: Yearling

Published: August. 9, 2011

Source: Library

Description: Thirteen-year-old Eli Papadapoulous is worried. Even though he's part of in the most powerful family in the world. Even though his grandfather founded InfiniCorp, the massive corporation that runs everything in the bustling dome-cities. Even though InfiniCorp ads and billboards are plastered everywhere, proclaiming: DON'T WORRY! INFINICORP IS TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING!
Recently, Eli noticed there's something wrong with the artificial sky. It keeps shorting out, displaying strange colors and random, pixellated images. And though the Department of Cool and Comfortable Air is working overtime, the dome-city is hotter than it's ever been. Eli has been raised to believe that the dome-cities are safe and comfortable; that the important thing is to keep working, keep consuming; that InfiniCorp knows better than he, and he should leave everything in their hands. But now he begins asking questions.

My Review: A Great Dystopian book about what is the truth and what is a lie. It has propaganda, conspiracy, brain-washing, terrorist, and a talking animal. It was a great read.

Like: 

• I like how everything was coming together at the end and the way the truth came out about the domes and InfiniCorp.
• Writing, very Detailed

Dislike:

• Eli didn't really do anything until the end. Even when he was givin the truth about his family he still didn't want to believe. I understand why he didn't want to because everything he knew about his family would be a lie and he always grew up thinking his family was helping people. But how much do you need convincing?
• The Ending. Eli knows the truth but nothing was solved. The way it ended made it seem like it is just the beginning. I don't know if there is another book, I didn't see it on goodreads. But I would love to read more.

4 out of 5 stars

Review: Save the Enemy by Arin Greenwood

Title: Save the Enemy

Author: Arin Greenwood

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 288

Publisher: Soho Teen

Published: November. 13, 2013

Source: Own

Description: Everything has been downhill since Zoey Trask’s mother was murdered in a random mugging. Her younger brother, Ben, is on the autistic spectrum and needs constant supervision. It’s senior year, and she’s the new girl at a weird private school in Old Town Alexandria, VA, full of kids who seem too nice to be true—including a very cute boy named Pete. Aside from half-forgotten martial arts and survivalist skills that her widowed father insisted on teaching her (because that is excellent for her social life), Zoey has nothing to offer Pete or anyone else.  

Then Dad is kidnapped. Zoey suddenly finds herself sole caretaker of a younger brother she barely understands. Worse, Ben seems to hold the key to their father’s disappearance in his Dream Diary, a bizarre journal of names and places Ben claims that their mother shares from beyond the grave. And as if Zoey doesn’t have enough on her plate, there’s Pete, who stubbornly refuses to leave her side.

Relying on the skills she never wanted to learn—Dad might have had his reasons after all—Zoey is plunged into a lethal battle to rescue her father, protect her brother, and determine the identity of her family’s true enemy.

My Review: This whole book the main character, Zoey is doing nothing. She letting these people randomly lead her somewhere. She would of been dead already. She is not that smart. I thought she was going to be this kick ass girl who was going to save her dad who was kidnapped. Talking about things that I did not care for and a lot randomness. All of a sudden she starts talking about her clothes, your dad is kidnapped and your thinking about something else. There was no thriller to this or action. She didn't have much contact with the kidnappers. They texted her twice to get something for them and she met someone once who she kicked untill he was down. She mets that person later on again and somehow knocked him out, she did think why is he trying to kill her but never thought to tie him up and ask him. This whole book she doesn't even know if her father is even alive. I got tired of hearing her 'dad says this, dad says that' I don't know what was going on in Peters head, what kind of person is he?. Is he cool, funny, etc. He doesn't even feel mystrious to me. I did not understand the releationship between Zoey and peter. The Author writes a lot of 'she says, he says, I say, peter said, ben said' Its just Plain. The author kept writing four ???? when zoey is asking questions in her head. (Ex. who are the hell is P.F???? who are any of the P.F.s????)

This Quote "I look for Roscoe. I miss my parents. I have this crazy feeling of wanting to make babies with pete." WHAT!? That last sentence is so random.

"as if P.F. is really fucking dumb." The Cursing comes out of nowhere. There was no cursing in the beginning and it just seemed out of place.

She splet with her best friend, Molly's ex boyfriend. Molly was mad at her and she wasn't speaking with her. I guess she still had feeling for her ex. Then her friend gets thrown in to all this mess but then she just disappears. she could be dead. Then at the end pete says he's going to look for her. That whole thing with Molly was confusing.

A lot of Unnesscesary things like a metorite, zoey having to take a diarrhea. She says "I think I might have diarrhea" that was just random. A lot of stuff could of been left out.

I'm only giving it 2 stars because of the plot twist. I didn't like the way it ended.

1 out of the 5 Stars

Read: May. 16, 2014 - May. 17, 2014

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: Saving Fancesca by Melina Marchetta

Description: Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys’ school that’s pretends it’s coed by giving the girls their own bathroom. Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can’t seem to stop thinking about.
Then there’s Francesca’s mother, who always thinks she knows what’s best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.

Review: It was OK. I wasn’t really felling this book, but I pushed myself to read it because I wanted to know how it ended. I got confused at times who was talking and what the conversation was about. The Romance was kinda boring. Her Mom depression, Idk everything was just solved towards the end. It seemed rushed to me. I really wanted to read this, glad I did. But it just wasn’t the right one for me.

2 out of 5 Stars

Read: September. 15, 2013 - September. 24, 2013

Review: Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

Description: Josh Mendel has a secret. Unfortunately, everyone knows what it is.
Five years ago, Josh’s life changed. Drastically. And everyone in his school, his town—seems like the world—thinks they understand. But they don’t—they can’t. And now, about to graduate from high school, Josh is still trying to sort through the pieces. First there’s Rachel, the girl he thought he’d lost years ago. She’s back, and she’s determined to be part of his life, whether he wants her there or not.Then there are college decisions to make, and the toughest baseball game of his life coming up, and a coach who won’t stop pushing Josh all the way to the brink. And then there’s Eve. Her return brings with it all the memories of Josh’s past. It’s time for Josh to face the truth about what happened.
If only he knew what the truth was …

Review: The Book was well written. It talks about a major issue that happens in real life. I read this a day and finished at 1am. Could not put it down. I can’t believe Josh was worrying about this teacher who molested him, about what she’s doing after she got out of jail. And that he still blames himself even though it wasn’t his fault. He was young boy going through puberty and had a crush on his teacher, she saw that and took advantage of that. She manipulated him into thinking that he loved her and she loved him. She took his teen years from him and a lot more. I can’t believe his parents, they made me mad, all they would do is yell and his mom was seeing someone else. They didn’t find it weird that their son was spending time at his teacher house. I also hear about teachers having sex with kids and it makes me cringe, I don’t understand why they do that. Never Want too. I was annoyed when Josh kept boosting about his batting average and other baseball numbers. Disappointed he lost his friendship with Zik and how it just ended. I was more interested to read the past about Josh and Eve and how everyone found out their secret. When he last saw Eve, I’m glad that nothing happened. I was scared because he wanted her to touch him. I’m glad he found closure and found love for Rachel. I didn’t really like Rachel in the beggining, but I she lost a friend and someone she liked. In the end I liked her because she was trying to encourage Josh. I was annoyed when Josh kept boosting about his batting average and other baseball numbers. I’m also glad he choose to follow his dream.

4 out of 5 Stars
Read: August. 22, 2013 - August. 23, 2013 1:20am

Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Description: In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret…

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

My Review:

I won an ARC copy from randombuzzers.com

(A little Spoilers)

This is my first time reading from this author and I LOVE Stacey Jay writing in this. I love the way it is written. I Loved the plot. I loved the Characters and different POV’s. I loved reading Gem’s POV more than Isra. Sometimes she annoyed me but I still love her. She wants to change her City and help the Banished people. She realizes that the real monsters is her and the people in the dome. I wanted her to speak up for herself, in a part when she was talking to Junjie he just treated her like a child still even if she is the Queen. She didn’t even try to defend herself and make him listen to her because he should follow her orders. I hated that part. And when she let’s everyone talk behind her back. She always talked about how no one listens to her, but she doesn’t make them listen to her. I was so happy when she said “I’ll make them listen” Then she got her sight back. Bo, he confused me, he wants to be a great king and make his father proud. He don’t care for Isra but he doesn’t want her to die because that would mean his future children would die too. He said he wants to be king, but doesn’t. I felt sorry for him, because of his father. His father manipulated him like he did with eveyone else. Junjie wanted whats best for Yuan but he didn’t listen and did many things wrong. I loved Gem, he tries to be Cruel but he’s not like that. I love that in a guy, a guy who acts cold but they really care. Sometimes I wanted Gem and Isra to say what they was thinking, to stop lying and tell the truth. I loved there arguements and when they first kissed. I don’t want to say much but I LOVE IT!! (sorry if I rambled)

5 out of 5 Stars
Read: August. 8 - August. 10 11:31pm

(Side Note) I really read this whole book in one day. I started on the 8th at 11pm till the morning of the 9th. I stopped at chapter 10 or 11. Went to sleep. I didn’t read for that whole day because of stupid reasons. Then today, the 10th at around 12am I read and the when I woke up at 4 or 5pm I started reading until I finshed at around 11pm. I ignored my dog and I didn’t even care about eating. This is the first book where I really would not stop reading until I finished it. My heart is pounding.

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Description: Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. Having missed her flight, she’s stuck at JFK airport and late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s sitting in her row. 

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it. 

My Review: I really liked it. Hadley grew on me. She felt abandoned by her father who never came back from a buisness trip in England and falling in love with a another women while still being married. That was wrong. Charlotte was nice, for some reason I knew she wasn’t going to be mean. I was surprised by Oliver going to his Dad’s funeral and about what his dad did. That was a sad moment. I loved the moments between Hadley and Oliver, but I wish there was more. Now I need to go to the Airport and maybe find the Love of my life :)

4 out of 5 stars

Read: August. 5 - August. 7 2013 2:42 am

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: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Description: It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved--that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt--among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life--and love--in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?

My Review: I love everything about it, how its about games from the 80's, the whole plot, the characters, the romance, the humor, the details, the information (the was a lot of info, but to me it wasn't useless info), the author because he must of had to research all this 80's stuff unless he already knew stuff. Love the Game Action. I love when Aech and Wade met. And when Wade and Art3mis met, that was cute. Love the happy ending. I love the Oasis (being inside a game would be cool plus virtual school and all that other stuff that was mentioned in OASIS) but it's was kinda crazy how Wade can just lock himself inside all day without going out in the real world but people do, do that in real life too. But he found Love so he wouldn't spend all his time in OASIS anymore. Anyways, If you are a game nerd or just a nerd, this book is for you. Again, I LOVE THIS BOOK!

5 out of 5 stars

Read: July. 17 - July. 22 , 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: Rebel Fire (Young Sherlock Holmes #2)

Desription: Fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes knows that Amyus Crowe, his mysterious American tutor, has some dark secrets. But he didn’t expect to find John Wilkes Booth, the notorious assassin, apparently alive and well in England—and Crowe somehow mixed up in it. When no one will tell you the truth, sometimes you have to risk all to discover it for yourself. And so begins an adventure that will take Sherlock across the Atlantic, to the center of a deadly web—where a friend is in peril and a defeated army threatens to rise again.

Andrew Lane’s exciting second case for the teenage Sherlock leads the young detective to America, straight into the heart of a shocking conspiracy.

My Review: I'm giving it 4.5 Stars. A lot of action which I liked and the different Scenery. Great details on whats going on at certain scenes and on different objects like the design of the S.S. Scotia. Like the first book, I love how the evil guy is disfigured or something like that. (SPOILERS) Baron Maupertuis bones was broken and he used these things to be pull like a puppet to move around. Duke Balthassar used leeches to stay alive from an illnes. They both used animals, Bees & Cougars as weapons. They are insteresting characters and I hope there are more like them in the other books. I thought this book was going to be more about John Wilkes Booth, but I liked how it ended up. I would of liked to know if they found balthassar body or if Sherlock told Crowe? But I think Crowe know something happened?

4.5 out of 5 stars

Read: July. 10 - July. 14, 2013 2:45am

Review: Death Cloud (Young Sherlock Holmes #1)

Description - The year is 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. His life is that of a perfectly ordinary army officer’s son: boarding school, good manners, a classical education – the backbone of the British Empire. But all that is about to change. With his father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously ‘unwell’, Sherlock is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire. So begins a summer that leads Sherlock to uncover his first murder, a kidnap, corruption and a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent . . . The Death Cloud is the first in a series of novels in which the iconic detective is reimagined as a brilliant, troubled and engaging teenager – creating unputdownable detective adventures that remain true to the spirit of the original books.

My Review - I really like it, the whole idea of a teenage Sherlock Holmes, to see how he was and what made him become the man he is. I love how the author got approval from the Doyle Estate and Family. That shows that they believe in the author to give Sherlock a good background on his teenage years and not mess it up. 

As for the book, it has good writing, great characters, great plot and a good pace. The ending left me wanting more. And it's a book I would like to own (book from the library) and re-read. 

One thing that got me wondering is the housekeeper, Mrs Eglantine. I thought she was in on these mysterious death and Mycroft said "she is no friend to the Holmes family" then why do she work for them? And what is the next plans for the Baron? What happens to Matty? Well I guess I got to keep reading to find out.

4 out of 5 Stars

Read: June. 27 - May. 7, 2013

Review: Friends With Boys

Description: After years of homeschooling, Maggie is starting high school. It's pretty terrifying.

Maggie's big brothers are there to watch her back, but ever since Mom left it just hasn't been the same.

Besides her brothers, Maggie's never had any real friends before. Lucy and Alistair don't have lots of friends either. But they eat lunch with her at school and bring her along on their small-town adventures.

Missing mothers...distant brothers...high school...new friends... It's a lot to deal with. But there's just one more thing.

MAGGIE IS HAUNTED.

My Review: My first Graphic Novel this year. I really liked it. The drawing was cool. At times I got scared of the shading, I didn't really that. I liked the story. I didn't get why Maggie was being haunted by a Ghost and what did that ghost wanted and why can her brothers see it too?

4 out of 5 Stars

Read: June. 7 - June. 8, 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: Golden Boy

Description: The Walker family is good at keeping secrets from the world. They are even better at keeping them from each other.

Max Walker is a golden boy. Attractive, intelligent, and athletic, he's the perfect son, the perfect friend, and the perfect crush for the girls in his school. He's even really nice to his little brother. Karen, Max's mother, is a highly successful criminal lawyer, determined to maintain the façade of effortless excellence she has constructed through the years. Now that the boys are getting older, now that she won’t have as much control, she worries that the façade might soon begin to crumble. Adding to the tension, her husband, Steve, has chosen this moment to stand for election to Parliament. The spotlight of the media is about to encircle their lives.

The Walkers are hiding something, you see. Max is special. Max is different. Max is intersex. When an enigmatic childhood friend named Hunter steps out of his past and abuses his trust in the worst possible way, Max is forced to consider the nature of his well-kept secret. Why won't his parents talk about it? What else are they hiding from Max about his condition and from each other? The deeper Max goes, the more questions emerge about where it all leaves him and what his future holds, especially now that he's starting to fall head over heels for someone for the first time in his life. Will his friends accept him if he is no longer the Golden Boy? Will anyone ever want him — desire him — once they know? And the biggest one of all, the question he has to look inside himself to answer: Who is Max Walker, really?

Written by twenty-five-year-old rising star Abigail Tarttelin, Golden Boy is a novel you'll read in one sitting but will never forget; at once a riveting tale of a family in crisis, a fascinating exploration of identity and a coming-of-age story like no other.

My Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH I HATE IT. I JUST WANTED TO SKIP TO THE END TO READ WHAT HAPPENS TO MAX, BUT I KNOW I COULDN'T BECAUSE I WILL MISS SO MUCH. ALSO I JUST WANTED TO TELL THE CHARACTERS, LIKE MAX TO TELL HIS PARENTS AND KAREN TO STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE MEDIA. THAT'S HOW INTO THE BOOK I WAS.

I HATE THE SITUATION, ABOUT WHAT MAX AND HIS FAMILY HAS TO GO THROUGH, BUT I LOVE IT BECAUSE IT WAS GOOD. I LOVE THE CHARACTERS BUT KAREN ANNOYED ME IN THE BEGINING (SEE MY COMMENTS) I LOVE THE POV'S OF THE CHARACTERS. THE DIFFERENT PERSONALITY. DANIEL'S 10 YEAR OLD TO ARCHIE A DOCTOR TO MAX ETC.. IT IS WELL WRITTEN.

THIS REALLY HIT ME DEEP INSIDE. I THINK BECAUSE INTERSEX HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE AND PEOPLE GO THROUGH IT. BOOKS LIKE THIS (GBLT, DRUGS, CANCER) REALLY GETS ME THINKING BECAUSE LIKE I SAID THESE SITUATIONS HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE AND I'M ALWAYS CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH.

*EDIT* THE ONE THING ON MY MIND IS WHY ARE THEY HAVING SEX SO YOUNG? SYLVIE IS 16 AND SHE ALREADY HAD SEX, SO SHE HAD TO BE 15 OR YOUNGER. MAX WAS 14 WHEN HE WAS MAKING OUT WITH A GIRL AND SHE ALMOST TOUCHED HIM. (ITS JUST ME BUT I REALLY HATE BOOKS ABOUT TEENAGE SEX AND PREGNACY, BUT THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT. I LOVE IT)

My thoughts while reading

• "Amazing start. A perfect family but they secrets or problems of there own. Love the details, I can imagine what's going on at the moment or what is in the room/outside."
• "*spoiler* I find Karen annoying. She worrys to much about being a good parent or a bad parent. She babies Max because of his condition. She doesn't give Daniel enough attention and she wonders why he acts up. I just want to tell her that Kids act up even if you are a good or bad parent. She also worries about to much of her and steve reputation to much. I know she want's to look good for the media but family is first"
• Max should tell his parents. His parents needs to stop pushing things aside. They need to tell him about intersex. He deserves to know what he is, wheater its good or bad."
• "OMG! It just got even better, I LOVE IT. I just want to skip everything and read the ending to see what happens. Poor MAX. And his mother Karen I don't like her. I said it before all she worries about the media finding out and she blames herself about Max. Like its not her fault her son is intersex. It happens to people. Also like Steve said she needs to stop protecting Max, she can't do it forever."
• all I can say is WOW. I started reading where I left off (pg.12-something at 2am and I just finshed at 6am. I couldn't put it down. I LOVED IT. 

5 out of 5 Stars!

Read: June.7 - June.10, 2013