I'm a fan of the show, so a friend loaned me this book. It's a combo of the first two books in a four part series. I wont read the second two. Othe...moreI'm a fan of the show, so a friend loaned me this book. It's a combo of the first two books in a four part series. I wont read the second two. Other than similar names and a story involving vampires, the two are nothing alike. I kept reading, hoping the story or writing would take a turn for the better, and was disappointed. The characters were inconsistent and thus hard to relate to, the plot was cheesy and predictable. It felt like an empty shell of a story, riding on Stephanie Myer's success. Her fans will pick it up, hoping to find more of the same. They wont, it's not worth the cheap discounted price from Walmart.
Oh- and maybe it's just me, but the whole idea that a vampire feeding on you can be a sensual experience, is just plain repulsive, and definitely not romantic. (less)
The title of this book doesn't do it justice. I'm not clever enough to think of a new title, but this one isn't right. It's like a crinkled brown pa...moreThe title of this book doesn't do it justice. I'm not clever enough to think of a new title, but this one isn't right. It's like a crinkled brown paper cover, hiding a treasure of a book. Russ Roberts has managed the seemingly impossible. He teaches basic economic principles through story and plot, in a page turning novel you'll find hard to put down. It has a little bit, (yet not too much) of everything- love, drama, action, and intrigue. You wont realize you're learning until you've finished the book, and know it has changed how you think and view the world. Some titles entertain, some teach, some inspire. This one does all of the above. After reading this I was left with an intense desire to share it with others. Trust me, read it, you wont be dissapointed. (less)
I loved this book! I would have been so grateful to have friends like these girls in high school. Teenage girls take dating way too seriously, and a...moreI loved this book! I would have been so grateful to have friends like these girls in high school. Teenage girls take dating way too seriously, and are consistently and tragically shocked to find their beloved boyfriends don't share their same dedication of feelings. I'm proud of these girls for recognizing that, and enjoying their high school years just how they should be enjoyed! I only wish the story emphasized more it's not that boys aren't worth the time, but rather they're all too young for the kind of exclusive relationships they think they want. High school is the time to find lasting friendship, not true love! (less)
This book was delightful from start to finish. Callie Vee has the charm and innocence of Beverly Cleary's Ramona, and yet at the same time is a femin...moreThis book was delightful from start to finish. Callie Vee has the charm and innocence of Beverly Cleary's Ramona, and yet at the same time is a feminist heroine Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet would have been great friends with at eleven. The description of Callie's family is filled with life and humor reminiscent of the Gilbreth home in Cheaper By the Dozen. This is the perfect book for reading on a picnic blanket in the sunshine, curled up on the couch on a rainy day, or out loud to your daughters at the dinner table. It's not the kind of book to sit on a shelf and gather dust. I plan to see my copy happily worn, shared, and gently but well used. (less)
Stephenie's character development is so complete, I actually felt myself losing sympathy for the human race, and rationalizing a death or two to satis...moreStephenie's character development is so complete, I actually felt myself losing sympathy for the human race, and rationalizing a death or two to satisfy thirst. She truly made even small little Bree Tanner seem part of something strong, beautiful, and superior to us weak little humans. It puts the Cullens even more on a pedestal, for seeing the true worth of a human life. Complain all you want about Stephenie, but I think it's nothing short of talent to teach a human audience to enjoy thinking like a fictional being, a predatory one that would happily and guiltlessly kill the reader in a heartbeat- well maybe not a heartbeat . . . (less)
The first of a very intriguing series. One of the most original plots I've ever read, I never knew where it was going to go, and am impressed with th...moreThe first of a very intriguing series. One of the most original plots I've ever read, I never knew where it was going to go, and am impressed with the idea for the story. Coming from my limited experience in fanatasy and fiction, there's nothing else like it. (less)
**spoiler alert** I don't know how I expected such a dark series to end, but whatever I was imagining, it wasn't as sad and dark as the path our autho...more**spoiler alert** I don't know how I expected such a dark series to end, but whatever I was imagining, it wasn't as sad and dark as the path our author led poor Katniss. I felt desperately motivated to finish her story, because I was waiting for hope, joy, and comforting closure. There really wasn't any, unless closure can be defined as a one page epilogue. If I had known the series was going to start out depressing and violent, and end not much better, I'm not sure I would have started it. I definitly wont find myself picking up the books again for a fun re-read.
There are very obvious parallels in this story with the American Revolution. 13 districts, 13 colonies, all controlled by one tyrannical mother country/capital. I wonder if the author is trying to communicate that the avenging American colonists were led by just as corrupt leaders as those in this book. I hope not. That would knock a few more stars off my rating!
Sweet and innocently romantic. No trace or hint of typical "dirty romance" scenes. However it was very predictable, and tied up a little t...moreSweet and innocently romantic. No trace or hint of typical "dirty romance" scenes. However it was very predictable, and tied up a little too neatly. A good romance is one that feels believable from beginning to end. Life is messy, and at some point so should be the book if the reader is to feel a part of it. Eventually the reader must feel pain, and that all hope is lost. We want to feel desperate, because that makes the ending that much sweeter. We have to believe the good ending just may not come. In this book I never had any doubt, so the ending wasn't exciting or beautiful, but simply "as it should be". The noble characters were too noble, the bad too horrible, and the dramatic scenes were a little too familiar. I'd felt I'd read or seen all of this before, and knew how it ended. The entire thing was a bit of a yawn- but a sweet and clean yawn, which in a romantic novel written by a modern author, is rare. That isn't enough for me to give it more stars though. It is possible to write a book that is clean, original, dramatic, deep, romantic and exciting. This book only captured two out of the six, which means three out of five stars, is a generous rating. (less)
This was a fun and creative story, but a bit unoriginal. Riordan quite obviously piggybacked on the Harry Potter idea. The main character is a mistr...moreThis was a fun and creative story, but a bit unoriginal. Riordan quite obviously piggybacked on the Harry Potter idea. The main character is a mistreated adolescent who doesn't fit in, and odd events seem to follow. He soon discovers he isn't a miscreant after all, but truly a special child with special powers. Of course that means he gets to go to a special school/camp where he should fit in, but again doesn't, because even there he is unique in his abilities. Of course he befriends a dorky boy and smart girl with whom he takes on all his adventures. The smart girl loves to read, and is therefore the source of all background magical history to the tale, and the dorky male friend is the comedic relief and makes our main character look better. The major enemy is an old evil character who's previously been destroyed, but hopes to rise again. Through the whole story I felt as if I'd already heard it all before. However, I love the Harry Potter series, so that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If you can overlook how closely it fits into the Rowlings' template, and forgive that the writing isn't half as great, then you'll enjoy it. Despite all my complaints I still did, and plan to finish the series. (less)
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