Reckless

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: S.C Stephens
Pages: 544 (give or take)
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 10 out of 10

** This is the third of a series. Reviews for Thoughtless and Effortless found here! **

Summary (thanks Goodreads): Can love survive when life gets Reckless?

When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other survive the constant pressures of superstardom? The friendships they've formed, the new family they've found, and the history they've forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band's exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price-but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?

My Thoughts: Oh my fan girl heart. I don't even know how I'm supposed to write you guys a coherent review after finishing this gem. I seriously adore, adore, adore the characters that S.C Stephens created! In this book, we get to know more and more about the characters that, I promise, you will love. Even Griffin, and who woulda thunk I'd say that?! I feel like if I gush too much, I'll either turn you guys off of the book, or spoil something, so I will end with THAT ENDING. THAT GOD DAMN BEAUTIFULLY TORTUROUS ENDING. Guys, get this book. Please. For my sake, and sanity, and for yours as well. Let's just say, S.C Stephens ends this series strong. 

(Does the cover not look like an erotica.. I had to explain to my mother more than once that I was not, in fact, reading the next Fifty Shades... awkward!) 


Final Thoughts: Kiera and Kellan. I love you, and I'm very sorry to be saying goodbye to you. Is it too much to ask to have an indefinitely long series?!

Since my review was so jumbled and not coherent and boring and short, and what have you, I've decided to post some music that just screams DBags in my head. So take a listen, and tell me what you think the DBags sound like! 

Start A Fire by Ryan Star

You and Me by Ryan Star (I totally picture this as Kiera and Kellan's song)

A Beautiful Lie by 30 Seconds to Mars 

Basically, I picture all of 30 Seconds to Mars for our lovable DBags because Jared Leto has a voice that just screams sexy, which is what Kellan is! Okay. Okay! 

Splintered

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: A. G. Howard
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 371
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (Where would we be without Goodreads?): This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

My Thoughts: This is one of those books that I was willing to stay up all night reading just so that I could get to the almost end. Sadly, I couldn't stay up all night and finish it. This is definitely a world you can get sucked into. It is much darker than Alice in Wonderland but that adds to the interest. 

This novel works at all kinds of emotions. At times you think that the main character is crazy but soon you find that you get pulled into this crazy world in which she lives. You are happy when she is happy, confused when she is confused, and sad when she is sad. Parts had me teary eyed. Other moments had me excited. The story is also very good at confusing one's feelings and emotions. Do you want her to be with guy A or guy B? You go back and forth. It hurt my head. This is because of how confused the main character is. It's good to have a little bit of this.

The characters are amazing. They all have depth, thank god. Sometimes they make you so angry then, moments later, they make your heart melt. One part of this story absolutely devastated me. Alyssa has to make a choice and chooses to save someone she loves. This choice has some sad consequences that I prayed would be undone but they weren't. Luckily, it all turns out okay. On the other hand, I realized that someone else would be saved. Figuring this out of my own took away from the plot a bit when it actually happened but, trust me, I was happy nonetheless! 

I have to be honest, I pretty much threw out what Alyssa looked like in my mind. I couldn't help it but I found that, every time there was a description of her, I had been imaging something else. The other characters, however, have descriptions that are hard to ignore, especially the Wonderland characters. They are so creative that they really capture you. I loved that they were the perfect, pretty characters from Alice in Wonderland. The author was very smart to add an explanation as to why the characters looked different than they did in Alice in Wonderland. I like that; it makes it more real to me. It also makes sense. 

In Closing: I think that you should give this book a shot but I definitely think it would be a good idea to read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass before this novel because, if you do, you can make connections that would otherwise be lost on you. One of the best parts of this story is that the author clearly did their homework. I love when I see a reference and notice it. I love being in the loop that way. I think that you should read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and Splintered, that's the moral of the story. 

Check out the author's blog for more information on this outstanding novel: http://anita-authoraghoward.blogspot.ca/

Sever (Chemical Garden #3)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Format: Paperback
Pages: 371
Rating: 7 out of 10

** Spoiler Warning**

Wither (Chemical Garden #1): Review

Fever (Chemical Garden #2): Review

Summary (Goodreads version): With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

What I Think: Well, obviously, since I read the first two novels in this series, I must have liked it. I'll keep it short and too the point.

I found that this novel was kind of depressing. I understand that some bad things happened because it furthered the plot and character development. I also understand that one character needed to die to force other characters to take action that became the to the point, if not short, climax of the novel. Sometimes characters need a push before they will do something. It only makes sense for this to be true since it is true in real life also. I was just sad that it had to be who it was. It was very dramatic but sudden too. The suddenness of the death gave me quite a shock. It made me almost cry too. 

Another reason that this novel gave me a feeling of hopelessness is that I felt like it was the other two books in reverse. It was almost like she was going back in time. Things that had already happened to her, came back to haunt her. What she went through was similar to the last two books but in opposite order. I didn't notice this until I was finished. In the end, it doesn't matter that this happened; I just feel like I should point it out.

I must complain: Bowen and Rowen, in the same novel. Worst name choice ever! I kept getting them confused. It sucked. It's really the only thing I'd change. Actually, that's a lie. I thought there would be more action but now, thinking on it, there really couldn't be. Rash action is not how any of these characters worked. They play heavy on the mind games and plotting. Everything is twisted together to make Vaughn the perfect villain. He even manage to convince people that he is good.

I, in part, saw the end coming. In this case, it made me very happy. I got at least one thing I wanted in the end (I got more than one thing...).

To Finish: Read the series but a piece of advice: don't grow attached to any of the characters. Enjoy that fun thought, readers!

A Shade of Vampire

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Bella Forrest
Pages: 147
Format: eBook
My Rating: 8½ out of 10

*** This book was sent to us by the author for a honest review. ***

Summary: On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood. 
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains. 
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince. 
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

My Thoughts: I'm going to be completely honest with you - when I first got this, I thought "Ughhh, not vampires!" I thought that I had read everything that could be done with vampires, and that this was just going to lump together with all other vampire stories I've read. Was I wrong? You bet your bottom dollar. This was a breath of fresh air in a world where vampires are everywhere. I was hooked, once I started, I did not put this down. Oh Derek, how I love thee. Seriously, why can't I walk down a beach, meet a creepy looking pale guy, go to this beautiful island, and fall in love with a vampire who happens to not want my blood?! Is that too much to ask!? And oh my God, Lucas. What a creep. Seriously. How Sofia was so strong and determined with him, I will never know. But then again, she had amazing strength for what she was going through, throughout the novel, and for that I definitely admire her. I'd probably have a heartattack a few "pages" in, but I suppose that's why I'm not the protagonist. Oh. My. God. The end. That ending. I just, I can't. Not without spoiling, and I've taken a vow! ;) The main characters were so amazing, and I will definitely remember them for a long time to come. I will be counting down the days till I can get my hands on the next one! 

"No. In my eyes, she was most beautiful because at a time when she had every right to be terrified, she managed to show comfort to another person who needed it."

My only complaint is the length, I got to the end and wished that it was longer! Closed my eyes, counted to ten and willed more pages... but alas, there was not. Sad! 

Final Thoughts: Fantastic read! One of my new favourites! Bella Forrest will not disappoint. 

SNEAK PREVIEW: 

Excerpt from A Shade of Vampire

I’d been meandering along the shore for about an hour when I suddenly sensed that I wasn’t alone. Someone was approaching me from behind. My heart leapt. I was so sure it was Ben, that when a stranger showed up beside me, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

He must have noticed, because a smirk formed on his lips. “Were you expecting someone else, love?”

I eyed him suspiciously, remembering how many times my father had told me not to talk to strangers. I looked him over, taking in his appearance. My eyes widened. I couldn’t find words to describe how fine a man he was. He was almost beautiful. The first thing I took notice of was how his blue eyes were about three shades brighter than any I’d ever seen before. It was such a stark contrast to his pale – almost white – skin and dark hair. Standing beside me, he was easily more than half a foot taller. His height, broad shoulders and lean build reminded me of Ben, but he had a presence that was far more imposing than my best friend’s.

My gaze settled on his face.

I realized that he was inspecting me just as closely as I was him. His eyes on me suddenly made me feel uncomfortably vulnerable. I gave my father’s advice a second thought, but quickly canceled out all notions of heeding to his counsel when I reminded myself that he stopped caring a long time ago.

I straightened to my full height and mustered all the courage I had to keep myself from running away from this stranger.

Big mistake.

The confident smirk didn’t leave his face for even a moment.

“Like what you see?”

“A bit full of yourself, aren’t you?” I scoffed, annoyed by his audacity.

He stepped forward, closer to me, and leaned his head toward mine.

“Don’t I have the right to be?”

He knew he looked good and wasn’t about to act like he didn’t.

“Whatever,” was my oh-so-brilliant comeback.

My shoulders sagged with defeat as I took a step back, unsettled by how close he was now. I rolled my eyes and did a one-eighty, not quite in the mood to play whatever game this stranger was proposing.

I would soon realize that I was about to play his game whether I liked it or not.

He grabbed my arm and turned my body to face him. This motion alone made every single internal alarm I had within me go off in a frenzy.

This man was danger and I knew it. I tried to wriggle away from his touch, but I was no match for his strength.

“Tell me your name,” he commanded.

I was about to refuse, but was horrified to find myself blurting out my name in response.

“Sofia Claremont.”

As soon as I revealed my name, his eyes lit up with a kind of sinister approval. Then he reached for my face and traced his thumb over my jaw line.

“Hello, Sofia Claremont. You’re one stupid girl for taking a walk alone at this time of night. You never know what kind of evil a pretty little thing like you could happen to come by.”

I found myself wondering exactly what kind of evil he was. But I was suddenly overcome by the sensations that were surrounding me. My senses took in everything at once. I heard the waves, felt the sand, smelled the ocean salt, tasted the flavor of cherry and saw the stranger’s manic appearance as he stuck a needle to my neck. The effect was instant. I was barely able to gasp, much less scream. I went from sensing everything to sensing absolutely nothing.

My last conscious thought was that I may never see Ben again.

You can also get an exclusive FREE “sneak preview” of the first 6 chapters by clicking here!: http://forrestbooks.com/sneakpeek.html

(Make sure you check it out now because this preview will not be available for long). 

Look, we've even made getting your hands on this amazing piece easy ;) 

Buy A Shade of Vampire from Amazon:

USA, paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Shade-Of-Vampire-Bella-Forrest/dp/1481280767

USA, eBook: http://www.amazon.com/A-Shade-Of-Vampire-ebook/dp/B00AOHDMFE

UK, paperback:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shade-Of-Vampire-Bella-Forrest/dp/1481280767

UK, eBook: http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Shade-Of-Vampire-ebook/dp/B00AOHDMFE

Add A Shade of Vampire to your Goodreads shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17255435-a-shade-of-vampire

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The Time Keeper

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Mitch Albom
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (via Goodreads): In this fable, the first man on earth to count the hours becomes Father Time. The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time.

He returns to our world--now dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began--and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so.

My Take (quickly because this is a funny book to review): I really loved this book. It has an incredible premise. It really forces you to think about your view of time. You question whether or not you waste time. You wonder if you live life to the fullest. You also have to question what you think about death. I could understand each characters side of the story. I could follow why they would make certain choices or say certain things. The characters used in this book could be any person in the world.

In Closing: You should just read this book because you just should. It's pretty incredible and life changing. Give it a try.

The Choice

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Rating: 8½ out of 10

Summary (love you Goodreads): Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life -- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heart-wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

My Thoughts: We will start with the sad truth that while flying home from Florida, reading this book on the plane, I cried. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is? Only Nicholas Sparks would be this cruel to his audience. 

I was unhappy to find out that the novel is set in 2007 only to then to shot the reader back to 1996. Finding out, later, that it was just a flashback and meant to explain the relationship of the main characters made me feel better about the whole thing. It is also fairly original so you can't let the flashback be the reason that you hate this book. 

I love animals so Travis loving animals made me love him right away. He was also hilarious and adorable and perfect. I'm sorry. I'll stop. 

I hate the name Gabby but she was pretty awesome too so I'll over look the awful choice of name. 

The Choice is a perfect name for this book. Both main characters have huge choices that they need to make. This is a great example on how life gets complicated. I think it's only fair for books to show the world as it is. I understood right away what choice Gabby was going to have to make but I really didn't see what Travis was going to have to go through or what choice he was going to have to make. That's the choice that killed me and I'm not going to spoil it for you! So ha! Suffer like I did.

Final Thoughts: This book was quick, witty, entertaining, full of romance and animals, and was "practically perfect in every way" as Mary Poppins would say. If was are looking for a quick love story that will force you to choke on every emotion in the book from anger to happiness or from causing you to laugh then cry than this book is for you. Classic Sparks for you! He's the best, what can I say.

P.S. I've heard people mention that all of Sparks' novels are the same but, after reading a few, I can't believe this. Yes, they all share elements like love and heart break but don't most good novels? I think that each of his books is different. So far, I think they are all worth a read through at least once. I've enjoyed his novels and I think that you should give them a chance too.

Follow Friday

This weeks Question:

Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture.

Well, today is quite an ugly day here in good old Canada, so I'm not going to take a picture. Still cold (sometimes, two days ago it was beautiful, now we're in the negatives again! grrr), so my favourite outside spot isn't out yet. But it's pretty easy to describe. Our backyard has lots of trees, so it feels pretty private. So, when the outside furniture is out (especially the lounge chair), I love love love reading on my deck with the sun, and the birds, and the trees, and you know, all that good stuff! That's my spot, what's yours?!

EDIT: I found a picture of my second favourite spot, so here it is! Out at the cottage, with the lake and the trees. Plus The Hunger Games... doesn't get better!

- Kristen 

Mine is out in my backyard too. I have a picnic table that I like to sit on top of. It's under a big tree and is never too hot or too cold. Sadly, my neighbors have like six screaming children so I usually pull and old chair or blanket to the other side of my garage and sit in the empty lot there. It's warm, sunny, and has a great breeze. Another place, during the summer, is at my grandma's house. We read together outside sometimes. I guess the moral of this story is that I don't have just one place. I do love reading outside though because the extra space and fresh air makes it easier for me to imagine I'm in the book. I look forward to the nasty cold being gone for good so I can get some fresh air.

(Sometimes I'm that lazy person who just sits in their room with the window open all the way)

<---- view I had reading in Florida

The flowers that I get to look at while reading ---------->

No pictures of my actual spot though!

Requiem (Delirium #3)

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Lauren Oliver 
Pages: 391
Format: Hardcover 
My Rating: ummmmmm, ahhhhhhhhh 6 out of 10 

**SPOILER ALERT: This is the third of a series. Reviews of Delirium and Pandemonium here! **

Summary (Goodreads): They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

My Thoughts: This one I'm going to keep short. I know that this quite literally just got released, and that it's not even out in some countries yet (hang in there guys!). I was disappointed, to say the least. Honestly, while reading it, I was getting closer and closer to the end, and the feeling that I wasn't going to get the ending I wanted/expected kept getting stronger and stronger. I didn't get the ending I wanted, or expected to say the least. But I don't think many people did. The ending was left open, and that's a little bit of an understatement. While I like that I can draw my own conclusions, I'd like a little guidance as to how these conclusions should be drawn. When I finished, I turned to the end and expected there to be an announcement of a fourth book. It just really doesn't feel like that was the end. It felt like a cliffhanger to me, and seeing as it's the final installment, I hate that I feel that way. Enough with the negative, though. 

I really liked how Lauren Oliver wrote this book. I loved the switching perspectives. Again, I wish we got to know a little bit more about Hana. Especially at the end, but I said that I was done being negative. I liked how we saw the contrast between the cured and the uncured. I like that it was obvious, and that we could see why there was a fight, but at the same time, it made me stop to think... Why are they fighting? That life seems so much better, kind of thing. There were definitely some moments in the book that I had my jaw on the floor and I just couldn't believe. I grew to love characters I didn't expect to, and I grew to (totally rationally!) hate characters too. I'm really not sure what I think of this book yet. What did you guys think?

Side note about the TV series: Usually after seeing people cast as characters, when I read the novel, they are who I think of. I didn't with this series, at all. I still see Lena, and Alex, and Julian and Hana how I pictured them the first time around. Now, I don't know if this is a testament to Lauren Oliver's writing, or if the casting directors were just really off point... but anyways, that's my rambling for you. 

Final Thoughts: One thing is for certain, I wasn't satisfied with the ending of this book. I just thought the characters deserved so much more! What did you guys think?

-----------------------------------------------------------

Reviewer: Kelsey
Rating: 6 out of 10

My Thoughts: I'm going to be short because I agree with Kristen's review. The writing is really good but I just didn't get into this novel. I looked forward to Hana's point of view a little more than I did Lena's. This made me sad because in the other novels in this series I was so into Lena's story. I wanted to know how it ended and what would happen in the end. Don't me wrong, I still cared for many of the characters and there were characters that I loved to hate but still. I thought it could have been so much more. 

Also, I think this book could have used an epilogue. I think the ending, though alright, was more suited for the second in a series not the final book. We don't really get any glimpse into the future and in this case I think it would have been a great idea. 

On another note, I am so tired of love triangles...Can't we just have one romance to fight for? I'm tired of all the tension and hurt feelings and being confused as to which person I want the girl to be with. I know that this is practically a genre in itself but I don't care anymore! Can't we get a book where they are both happy in the end?

Final Thoughts: If you read the others in this series, you need to know how it ends. I wish it had had an epilogue as an extra three pages from the future will have better concluded everything that was left hanging in the story. 

Bossypants

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Tina Fey
Format: Paperback
Pages: 277
Rating: 7.9 out of 10

Summary (from Goodreads): Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon -- from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

(Includes Special, Never-Before-Solicited Opinions on Breastfeeding, Princesses, Photoshop, the Electoral Process, and Italian Rum Cake!)

Thoughts: I thought this book was hilarious. If my rating was purely based on comedy than it would have received a 9.9 instead of the 7.9. The reason it got a 7.9 was that this isn't really the kind of book that you would read twice...unless you are her stalker, I don't judge. I thought she had a great way of telling her stories and explaining things to the reader. I found this look at improv, show business, and motherhood fascinating. Sure, saying that sounds lame but having her view on the world was actually interesting for me. It's encouraging to know that famous people have the same problems and worries that normal people do. They are, after all, just normal people!

Tina Fey is simply perfect. She is sharp, funny, and straightforward. She knows just how to explain things and when it's useful to know things. I found myself impressed with her willingness to share stories about herself. I would never have the guts to share myself like she does.

Beware of a bit of swearing; it that bothers you, be warned. There is some other slightly...off material. Be warned about that too. It wasn't too offensive and if it does offend you. You need to pause, take a breath, and remember that it's all in good fun. Stop taking things so personally!!

My Thinking Finale: If you want a good laugh then you should look into this book. The same goes for if you have any interest in Saturday Night Live or 30 Rock. I mean, even if you don't you might still like it. I still found the 30 Rock stuff quite interesting. She has some interesting mothering tips too... Anyway, enjoy the great read. It made me chuckle.

Wake (Watersong #1)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Amanda Hocking
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 309
Rating: 5 out of 10

Summary (thanks Goodreads): Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they've taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

My Thoughts: I really love Amanda Hocking. I do, I swear it! Her other series was outstanding. This one, however, didn't really strike me in the right way. 

First, I felt that nothing happened until the end. I mean, something happened but I didn't feel like it was worth a whole book. Someone might say that I just got lost in the story and lot track of the pages but no. It was dragging. I didn't like that.

Second, I'm not sure it's necessary for this to be a trilogy. There better be something extraordinary in the second one to keep it going.

Third, why wasn't Daniel affected by the song Lexi sung? He was the only one and there wasn't even a hint at explanation. 

I didn't like that this book couldn't stand alone. I know that when an author writes a book for a trilogy  it's assumed that you will read the next two but why can't the first one be semi-stand alone. I believe that this could still have ended the same way but also have wrapped up the story a little bit better.

In Conclusion: This book was not my thing at all. I wouldn't judge Amanda Hocking's other works because of this one; the others are better. I'm not sure if I will buy the next book in this series and if I do, it'll be in the hopes of changing my mind about this book. Unless you are desperately in love with mermaids (sirens really), swimming, people finding dead bodies, or unanswered questions, I wouldn't recommend this novel to you. If you like these things...have at it!

Someone Like You

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: Sarah Dessen 
Pages: 281
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (you da best, GR): Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break--because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever

My Thoughts: My first Sarah Dessen book! Seeing as Sarah Dessen is literally everywhere nowadays, I figured that I needed to just bite the bullet and pick one up. I'm glad that I did! This book was a tale of two best friends both struggling in their own way to find who they really are. Ultimately, despite some strain and some bitter comments, they come out stronger. There are some obvious set backs, and there are obvious problems (aka Scarlett carrying her dead sort of boyfriends baby), but they're best friends, and they get through it, as they should. I did a bone to pick with this book. Throughout majority of the book, basically from the point that Scarlett found out that she was pregnant, I didn't like how Halley reacted. Or treated Scarlett really. I think that Scarlett needed her best friend, but Halley was a little too involved in her own head and more involved with her new boy toy. Personally, I just think she could have been a better friend. I mean, technically I know she was there for Scarlett whenever she called, but there was something about it that just bothered me. Who knows. Other than that, I really enjoyed the ending of this novel. It was a cute, somewhat light read, and it kept me entertained at the  airport!

Final Thoughts: Cute read, I'll probably most likely read another Sarah Dessen novel. 

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Format: Paperback
Pages: 341
Rating: 7 out of 10

**Spoiler Alert**Stop reading here if reading WITHER**

Summary (from Goodreads): Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

What I Think: Soooooo...I'm glad that they got away and I know I would have given up but COME ON. I was so mad to find out that their luck hadn't improved! Of course, I was aware that this was a trilogy but that doesn't make me feel any better. I had hoped that they would at least fine some kind of happiness but alas! 

I found that I had a big problem with the timing of this novel. It said that weeks went by and that months went by but consider that...something happens to Rhine close to the end of the novel the timing seemed off. I think this might have been one of those things that the author seems to overlook without being aware of it. The timing just doesn't make sense. If she was being figurative and not literal with the time that makes sense but I'm not so sure about that. You may notice this if you read this novel. Then, thinking that the timing may have been off, I was even more confused as to why one of the largest, most important parts (I believe) of the novel was only a small portion of the book. I suppose I should defend the author by saying that she spent most of it unconscious so I guess I wouldn't want too much detail on that anyway. 

Linden is a...jerk.

Gabriel makes me feel bad.

Cant was used far too often even though the book mentions that awesome vocabulary.

But: Don't misunderstand me! I find that I only mention negatives with novels even if I really like it. I really did love this book. I will be buying the third book for certain. I think that if you like dystopian that you should try this one out but start with Wither.

Forget You

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Jennifer Echols
Pages: 292
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (via Goodreads): WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . .  AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER?

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.  But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all--the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug--of all people-- suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life--a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug. 

My Thoughts: This isn't the first Jennifer Echols novel that I've read, but I do think that it's my favourite. There were so many cute little things that I appreciated with this novel, that it almost made me overlook what I didn't like about it. Almost. I hate starting off so negatively because I really did enjoy the novel, but I just can't shake the thought. What the hell Zoey? Just because you slept with Brandon (which was a little bit more than stupid), does not mean you're in a relationship. I don't know if I missed the point where they decided that they would be exclusive (at least in Zoey's mind, because they sure as hell weren't in Brandon's), but comon! You don't have to pine for a guy, especially when you have cute, somewhat unrightfully dubbed bad ass, Doug waiting in the stands for you. I hate it when the main character is needy/ naive, and Zoey was a bit of both. I also don't like it when the guy pines for the girl for years, and the girls oblivious blah blah blah because that, in my no way professional opinion, is a little too overdone. So that's what annoyed me. What I liked was the constant twists and turns and coming to an understanding for everything that was happening. I liked that Doug was rough, and raw, and emotional and didn't let Zoey pull the same crap she pulled with everyone else. I liked that even though she appeared to have the perfect life, she really didn't. Hello, why was her father such an asshole? Excuse my French, but really! What a jerk. To Zoey's credit, she tried her best to keep it together, and even though it didn't always work, she came out stronger and didn't always need to lean on someone else to get through her problems. I loved Doug, but how could you not. This was a really good, really quick read and I recommend it for any of you suckers who are looking for a romance!

Final Thoughts: Wow, that sounded harsh. Don't let that deter you, I really enjoyed it!