Title : The Wishing Spell Series : The Land of Stories #1 Author : Chris Colfer Pages : 448 Release Date : July 17th 2012 Publisher : Little, Brown for YR...moreTitle : The Wishing Spell Series : The Land of Stories #1 Author : Chris Colfer Pages : 448 Release Date : July 17th 2012 Publisher : Little, Brown for YR / HBG Canada Format : ARC Source : *Thanks to HBG Canada for the review copy in exchange of an honest review*
My Opinion :
I have been a huge Gleek (or Glee fan) since the beginning, and I would be lying if I said that Kurt Hummel (played by Chris Colfer, the author of THE WISHING SPELL, his wonderful debut novel) wasn't my favorte character. I love him as an actor, and I was really happy to find out that I like him as an author too!
I'm not one for Middle Grade novels. I do really enjoy Rick Riordan's novels, but otherwise, I don't read Middle Grade. But, as you can see, I dug into The Wishing Spell pretty quickly and enjoyed it a lot!
The Wishing Spell follows twins Alex and Conner Bailey's story as they discover The Land of Stories' magical world where fairy tale characters actually exist. But, they have to find a way back home, and so they start on a quest to get the seven items needed for the Wishing Spell, a spell that can give you any wish you want. But, the Evil Queen, Snow White's stepmother, wants the Wishing Spell too. And the problem is; the Wishing Spell can only be used two times... and there is only one left.
Near the end, I was sweating, turning the pages as fast as I could so that I could see how it ended.
After a while, though, the quest to finding all the objects got kind of long, but then the best part of the book came by ;D
Although I do like series, I'm seriously wondering where Colfer will takes us next.
Seriously adorable!
If you get the book, look closely at the cover; it's just so beautiful, and represents the book perfectly!
One thing I hated was how the author portrayed the twins; they are 12. I'm 13, so let's say we're the same. And I am not at all like that. They seemed like they were 9 or 10 or something! (less)
Title : Croak Series : Croak #1 Author : Gina Damico Pages : 311 Release Date : March 20th 2012 Publisher : Graphia / Thomas Allen & Son Format : Paperb...moreTitle : Croak Series : Croak #1 Author : Gina Damico Pages : 311 Release Date : March 20th 2012 Publisher : Graphia / Thomas Allen & Son Format : Paperback Source : *Thank you to T. A. & Son for providing this!*
My Opinion :
I have to admit, and although I am now ashamed to admit it, that I wasn't planning on buying the book or anything. It didn't sound my kind of book, and I thought the cover... was weird. But, in person, it's wicked cool. What I mean is, that I, was, again, stubborn. And that I really enjoyed this book, WAY MORE than how much I taught I would.
Croak is about Lex (or Lexington... and that'S a weird name. I kept thinking about a town or something when I saw her whole name... anyways, moving on!), and Lex has been angry for a few years. Angry at nothing in particular, just.... angry. And, she's violent. I mean, she made her school's whole hockey team cry. But now her parents have had enough, and they send her to her uncle.That's when she discovers she is actually a Grim Reaper. Or a Killer. Which means she takes a person's soul from Earth to transport it to the Afterlife.
I think that my favorite thing about the book was Lex's... charms. Okay, not charms, because she's not exactly the charming type. But... I think it was more of her snarky and witty personality that made me love her as a character, and made me enjoy the book way more.
Also, something that always made me grin and/or snort unladylike was when there were some times about the Afterlife, and that there was someone previously famous, like Edgar Allan Poe. It was just so hilarious!
The writing style definitely is one that I like a lot! I love to have a good laugh when reading a book, and this book was just like that!
As I said, Lex was my favorite aspect of the book. But Diggs falls into that category too. Their 'romance-although-not-really-romance-more-kind-of-something-else' was just so funny. I loved it. And... when he said who was on his precious picture.... I was like this : 0.0 D'AAWW
An incredibly funny debut that I liked a lot!(less)
Title : A Midsummer's Nightmare Series : - Author : Kody Keplinger Pages : 304 Release Date : June 5th 2012 Publisher : Poppy / Hachette Book Group Canada F...moreTitle : A Midsummer's Nightmare Series : - Author : Kody Keplinger Pages : 304 Release Date : June 5th 2012 Publisher : Poppy / Hachette Book Group Canada Format : Hardcover Source : * An HC copy was provided by HBG Canada in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
My Opinion :
At first, when I heard of this book, I though it was the sequel to another that I hadn't really liked. Obviously, I hadn't checked the author's name, otherwise I would have known better. But, when I learned that A Midsummer's Nightmare was written by Kody Keplinger, I laughed at myself and added it to my to-be-read pile. I was really thrilled to get it for review, especially since I am always curious about contemporaries, and this one sounded really special.
A great new and fresh contemporary!
A Midsummer's Nightmare's title was obviously inspired by William Shakespeare's A Midsummer'S Night's Dream, but I'm pretty sure that the story wasn't inspired by it. Hopefully.
The book is about Whitley, who's parents are divorced. But, each summer she goes to her dad's condo and has fun with him. She lives with her mom, who is always bitching about everything on her dad, and she loves spending the summer with her dad. But then, the nightmare begins. Her dad is about to marry someone new, and JACKPOT! the woman's son is the person she... you know, did it with... at the graduation party. Talk about awkward! But, throughout the book, Whitley learns a few things about her dad. And none of them are pretty.
I had really enjoyed Kody Keplinger's SHUT OUT, but A Midsummer's Nightmare was even better. I think it's because her writing evolved and changed, which I really liked.
The characters were really believable; with real problems and real personalities. At first, I thought Whitley was just a whore, but I just knew there had to be something else to her. And there was. (less)
Title : Snow White and the Huntsman Series : - Author : Various Pages : 240 Release Date : June 5th Publisher : Poppy / HBG Canada Format : Paperback Source...moreTitle : Snow White and the Huntsman Series : - Author : Various Pages : 240 Release Date : June 5th Publisher : Poppy / HBG Canada Format : Paperback Source : *Thanks to HBG Canada for providing a PB copy to review in exchange of an honest review*
My Opinion :
The book definitely spiked my interest in the movie!
Snow White and the Huntsman was a good book, although it lacked romance too much for me, and the storyline didn't have enough content to it to make the book a 3.5 roses.
Snow White and the Huntsman is obviously a retelling of Snow White, and while other retellings don't have much to do with the fairytale they 'retell', this one was a lot like the original, but more... raw... or maybe violent! Also, it was too quick, and I felt it didn't have a proper ending! I needed more romance, because... you know, romance is awesome!
Snow White and the Huntsman is about Snow White and her evil step mother that killed her father. Snow White has been imprisoned in a prison for ten years. But then, the evil step-mother learns that she can be immortal if she kills Snow White and gets her heart... but then Snow White runs away. And, she may be the only bit of hope that citizens of the kingdom have of killing the evil step-mother a.k.a. evil queen.
While I do enjoy a good fast-paced story, this book was just too quick. Not in the 'oh-I-wish-there-were-more-I-loved-this-book-so-much-and-I-need-more' way but in the 'ummm-this-feels-uncomplete-to-me' way. I don't like these kind of stories... at all.
I thought Snow White didn't have ANY personality. I hated her (as a character). But I did like the (almost non-existent) romance between her and the Huntsman, and I wish there was more development to it!
One good thing (and the main thing that is keeping me from giving it a 2 roses), is that it brought me some nostalgia, because it is a fairytale retelling. At least they got that right!
Although it wasn't the best book ever, I did enjoy some parts thoroughly, but others not at all.(less)
Title : Wicked Jealous Series : - Author : Robin Palmer Pages : 272 Release Date : July 19th 2012 Publisher : Speak / Penguin Canada Format : ARC Source : *A...moreTitle : Wicked Jealous Series : - Author : Robin Palmer Pages : 272 Release Date : July 19th 2012 Publisher : Speak / Penguin Canada Format : ARC Source : *A copy was provided by Penguin Canada for an honest review*
My Opinion :
Wicked Jealous is an updated take on the popular fairy tale Snow White, but not many aspect of Snow White, one of my favorite tales, were in the book, apart from the evil-stepmother trying to feel the main character apple even though she was allergic to it.
To say that Wicked Jealous was a very great book would be a too far of a stretch, but it definitely was an entertaining book that you should add to your (ever-growing) summer reading pile.
Wicked Jealous is the perfect summer book that has you grinning and laughing out loud. It definitely has a summer feel to it, and even though (while I am writing this review) summer has not yet started for me (D:), it made me more eager for it and had me relax even if I still have a couple exams left.
Wicked Jealous is Simone's story. Simone is NOT your typical teenager. She loves old French movies, and music, hates popular shows. And she eats when she's stressed; hence her being more... roundish, let's say. But then, she starts this Zumba dancing class and starts losing weight. Then, there's the murderous, evil and bee-atche step-mother (or well, supposedly-soon-to-be... and if you have read the book, you know all about the murderous part), Hillary.
Wicked Jealous is a good contemporary book, but I didn't really enjoy its writing, mainly because the book was too slow-paced for me at times. The writing isn't anything special, even though it is pretty much enjoyable.
Simone was a good character, and I would have liked her better if it had not been for her problem of self-esteem
I think the best part of the book was when she started living with Max, her brother, and his friends.
I was so thrilled when the blog tour host accepted for me to be on the blog tour. I had heard quite a few good things about this book, and...moreMy Opinion :
I was so thrilled when the blog tour host accepted for me to be on the blog tour. I had heard quite a few good things about this book, and the premise really sounded interesting to me.
Contemporary - and fantasy - fans will love KNEE DEEP
Jolene Perry takes you into the world of Ronnie Bird and Shawn, Ronnie's boyfriend. Shawn is what Ronnie calls 'her soulmate'- or so she believes. The book begins with them all lovey-dovey and nice, until Shawn starts getting more jealous of anything and everything. It starts affecting the way Ronnie does everything, and she begins being afraid of him. And then he starts hurting her. But... could he really do that? Ronnie believes it'S just because things aren't going well at home. But should she let him? And Luke, her lifelong friend, is starting to worry for her.
I loved that the book has different aspects to it; the Romeo and Juliet play, Luke, even Ronnie's best friend.
The love between Ronnie and Shawn was really heart-breaking. But, I thought Luke and Ronnie's forming love throughout the book was beautifully crafted! Bravo to Perry!
I know that this book deals with a harsh issue, and I find that more people should read books that discuss it, so that it never happens, and that if it does, that people react faster.
Knee Deep hypnotized me from start to finish.
This book may be really short, but sometimes the quality beats the quantity; as it did for this book. I felt connected to the book in a weird way; I cheered for the main character, Ronnie, to find a way to get away from Shawn. I just wanted her to be safe.
A great read I'd recommend to anyone looking for a great contemporary.
Series : - Author : Joe Schreiber Pages : Release Date : Oct. 25th 2011 Publisher : HMH for Children / Thomas Allen...moreTitle : Au Revoir Crazy European Chick
Series : - Author : Joe Schreiber Pages : Release Date : Oct. 25th 2011 Publisher : HMH for Children / Thomas Allen & Son Canada Format : Hardcover Source : **An Hardcover copy was provided by Thomas Allen & Son Canada in exchange of an honest review**
My Opinion :
Au Revoir Crazy European Chick made me very curious with its weird and original, yet representative title. The title is, I guess, the thing that made me want to read the book.
It takes you on a roller coaster ride and doesn't let you get off until the very end!
Sometimes, short books (230 and less, for me, is little) just suck. You feel like the author just wrote a story, not a book. You feel like it just lacked of content.
But other (YES! THEY EXIST!) books aren't like that. The author writes the book so greatly, and entertains you, that the quickness is actually an ASSET to the book, not something to tear it down.
Au Revoir Crazy European Chick is a book that you can add to your To Be Read list and can be fit in easily. So.. why don't you go get it?
Au Revoir Crazy European Chick is about Perry, a normal high schooler. He gets this Lithuanian exchange student named Gobi, whom is really weird. But, now Perry has to take her to prom. And he doesn't want to, because the same night, he and his band have a gig at a cool New York club. But, he's his father'S goody-two-shoe and takes her to prom. But... is turns out that maybe Gobi isn't really shy. At all. Because she's an assassin.
Fast-paced and awesome.
Gobi was quite the character. And, my brain is FRIED from wondering if it was her at the end! AGHHH!
Perry was just the funny kind of guy you know that can make you laugh. But he also has an ass of a dad. And that pretty much sucks. But, he stands up to him at the end, and I was proud of him :D
Title : Never Eighteen Series : - Author : Megan Bostic Pages : 200 Release Date : Jan. 17th 2012 Publisher : HMH Children's Book / Thomas Allen & Son F...moreTitle : Never Eighteen Series : - Author : Megan Bostic Pages : 200 Release Date : Jan. 17th 2012 Publisher : HMH Children's Book / Thomas Allen & Son Format : Paperback Source : *Thanks to T. A. & Son for providing a PB copy in exchange of an honest review! Thank you!*
My Opinion : I was really surprised when I saw how little Never Eighteen was. It doesn't have many pages, AND the book is surprisingly small. I guess that's why I picked it up so soon after receiving it for review; I wanted a really quick read :D
Never Eighteen wasn't the best book I had ever read... but it WAS a good book. And, you may know that I didn't really enjoy The Fault in Our Stars that much... and Never Eighteen was about the same, except I liked it just a LITTLE more.
Never Eighteen is Megan Bostic's first novel (or debut novel), and I hope that, if she writes books in the future, I will enjoy them more than I did with Never Eighteen.
Never Eighteen deals with Austin. who will never turn eighteen (hence the book title). Because he has leukemia. But, he decides that he has to make things better with a few people. And so, on a weekend, he asks his best friend, and also love interest (he'S in love with her, but he doesn't know if she feels the same way) named Kaylee, to drive him to people's places. She agrees, and they start going around. And Austin changes people's lives.
The writing in Never Eighteen is really fast, and the book is actually two days worth of events (well, 180 pages of the 200 pages). Sometimes, when Austin went to people's house, I enjoyed it, but other times I found it boring.
The romance was only developed enough for me to enjoy it near the book's end. And then, it got killed off... which made me NOT happy. I really like romance, as you may have guessed.
Weirdly... I didn't cry. I'm not the biggest crier, but I do sometimes cry, especially when the book is sad (No shit, Sherlock *sarcastic*), but I guess it didn't get to me enough.
Title : Soulbound Series : Legacy of Tril #1 Author : Heather Brewer Pages : 304 Release Date : June 19th 2012 Publisher : Dial / Penguin Canada Format : AR...moreTitle : Soulbound Series : Legacy of Tril #1 Author : Heather Brewer Pages : 304 Release Date : June 19th 2012 Publisher : Dial / Penguin Canada Format : ARC Source : **An ARC was provided from Penguin Canada in exchange of an honest review**
My Opinion :
Soulbound is one of the best books I have read in 2012.
I loved Soulbound so much. I was immersed in the story every time I reopened the book to continue into the adventurous adventures of Kaya.
Soulbound is action-packed and doesn't let your mind alone until you have finished it. And even then; you just want the sequel (I NEEEEEED THE SEQUEL NOW!)!
Soulbound is about Kaya, a young Healer that lives in Kessler with her two Barron (fighter) parents. Two Barrons together is illegal. So, that'S why she lives in an Unskilled village. But then. she gets this letter that she has to go Shadow Academy to train as a Healer. Of course, she doesn't want to, but she does so to protect her parents. She finds out that the the Barron she was Soulbound to is dead, and that now she has to be Bound to a total stranger. But... maybe she'll like him. But... what if something else got in the way?
The writing is not fast-paced, nor slow-paced. It just goes perfectly with the story and flows easily and beautifully.
Kaya is a strong lead female character. The 'Rose-of-Vampire-Academy-badassy' kind of strong. And I loved her! And... I'm really wondering why she is that strong, if she is a Healer.... maybe we'll know in the next book :D
I am DEFINITELY Team Darius. He is hot as hell, and my type of guy ;D He feels kind of like Dimitri in Vampire Academy :D
Fans of Vampire Academy will LOVE Soulbound!(less)
Title : The Vindico Series : - Author : Wesley King Pages : 272 Release Date : June 14th 2012 Publisher : Putnam Juvenile / Penguin Canada Format : ARC Sourc...moreTitle : The Vindico Series : - Author : Wesley King Pages : 272 Release Date : June 14th 2012 Publisher : Putnam Juvenile / Penguin Canada Format : ARC Source : *An ARC was provided by Penguin Canada in exchange of an honest review*
My Opinion :
The Vindico is Wesley Chang's debut novel, and he has done it with uniqueness and originality.
You know, when you were a kid, you used to watch superhero and villains fight in animated TV Shows. Well, now you can READ it in a book! How cool is that?
In The Vindico, you find 5 teens, most of angsty, and now they have been kidnapped by The Vindico; supervillains, so they can become the next generation of Villains to fight the war against The League of Heroes. They are trained, get powers... but what if it all ended... not like The Vindico planned? After all, the student will always get better than the master :D
I have to say, The Vindico got me nostalgic with all the memories of watching superhero shows on the TV. I remember wanting to have powers... ahhhh.... innocence.
The Vindico is written with a fast-pace style of writing, and you can't help but want to see what happens next! And, you root for the teenagers, just like you did with your favorite superheroes!
The characters, even if there were MANY, all had different and unique well-written personalities, and they didn't waver throughout the book, which is a BIG PLUS!
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