Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Ghostgirl: Homecoming

Author: Tonya Hurley

Publisher: Hachette Group
Release Day: July 1st!

Summary: Charlotte made it to the other side. YEY! Not really. It's kinda lonely over there with all her friends off to meet their long dead relatives. It's hard for them to find time for Charlotte, but Maddy has time. Lots of it. But is Maddy really such a great friend? When Scarlet comes looking for Charlotte in the hopes of helping her sister, Maddy seems to be purposelly screwing things up.

Review: The first one was cute. This one actually made it onto a better level of quality. I really enjoyed it and it was much more real and better executed.

The imagery was wonderfully placed. Not too much, but just right. I saw the landscape of Heaven and descriptions like that are vital for a fun story. The author really grew in her writing. Congrats, Tonya Hurley! I think I'm more apt to recommend this one since I find that it does have quality and it's pretty cute! Really light and fast read.
Again, I have to comment on how pretty the cover is! Love it. :)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Millenium Snow

Author: Bisco Hatori

Publisher: Shojo Beat Manga
Favorite Character: Yamimaru-He is super cute! If you don't like him, then don't talk to me. JUST KIDDING! :D

Summary: A girl wanting more life crosses paths with a sour vampire who hates his longevity. How can she make him see his imortality as enviable?

Review: Yeah I know it's another Hot Vampire goes for Poor Girl story, but this one gets original. How is it possible you ask? Well it's positively hilarious in the coldness of the jokes. I actually enjoyed the realness of the vampire dude. The girl was a little flat to me, but not too shabby. This is actually a nice enough manga to pick up if you want something quick and ironic. Check it out guys!

Rating: 4/5

You Might Also Like:
1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
2. Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino

Hello!!!!

Yup. Ive only been gone about seven days and already that seems like an eternity. Ive noted all your comments and when I dont have to pay for my internet use then Ill be sure to comment back! (insert smiley face here). THis post probably looks a lil weird because i cant figure out how to use half the symbols on the keyboard! I had to ask google about the @ sign. (insert sad face here). Hope all your guys summer is going good! And hope to be back reviewing soon. I have summer homework so I will be reading and right when i get back ill have reviews up. <

Thank You!!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Last Day of School Tomorrow!

Yup, tomorrow is the last day I have to go into my chemistry or P.E. class for the rest of my Highschool term. And also I'm leaving tomorrow. If you missed my earlier post then go here. Thanks for being such great peeps and talk to you in September!!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Ghostgirl

Author: Tonya Hurley

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Favorite Character: Scarlet-She was described more at length and had a really human personality plus she likes music like me!

Summary: Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is. Even worse; she's dead. And all because of a guy and a gummy bear.

In this satirical yet heartfelt novel, Tonya Hurley explores the invisibility we all feel at times and the lengths we'll go to be seen.

Review: This story wasn't really sad. It was more ironic and some of it was way phsychotic, but real at the same time. Charlotte's death makes her feel even more invisible when craves the attention of her classmates. The way she dies just seems too cruel to her, so she won't let go.

Her resolve to cling on to life when she's already gone isn't the smartest choice. Her selfishness causes problems for people who actually care for her. These being her Dead classmates. Even though I didn't like Charlotte all that much, her beyond-help-self is pretty well-developed. She's not an unknown which I think is important in a story especially if written in third person. I could connect to her and I could also connect to Goth-Princess Scarlet Kensington. Yeah, she's my favorite character! The story kept pretty much to highschool drama level and used funny as in uh...okay language to keep the flow up. I liked this one! And don't even get me started on the cover. I'm totally AmAZeD by it!

I also forgot to mention that at the beginning of each chapter there are a little life lesson blurbs. My favorite part was those since they really got me thinking. The sequel is coming out soon!

Rating: 4/5

other books in the series:
2. Ghostgirl: Homecoming (comes out June 1 !!)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Once Dead, Twice Shy

It's my lil sister reviewing once more. I got this book from a contest at The Shady Glade! Thanks!

Author: Kim Harrison

Publisher: Harper Teen

Favorite Character: Grace-hilarious!!!!

Summary: Madison's prom was killer-literally. For some reason she's been targeted by a dark reaper-yeah, that kind of reaper-intent on getting rid of her, body and soul. But Madison realizes she has to take control of her own fate once and for all, before it takes control of her. Well, if she believed in that stuff.

Review: I think that this book was cool!. Why, you ask ? Well there was suspense. This book was also funny! One person's nick name was Barney! lol:] oh talking about names I will list some names. There was Ron; head person there was... oh yes, Grace she is sooo funny!, and Madison she was funny too, Barnabas AKA barney, then the loveable Josh (he's a nice guy,.) Here come the evil villains., Nakita thought to be an angel from hell yah I know=] and her masster sir kairos yah not thee most beautiful name everXD also the seraph he's the angel of... um something hm lets see any one else thats important oh yes the mom well not really i mean she sent madison with her dad so the dad is more important ok so the dad is nice and you dont really hear about him ok ah Amy shes evil she's human but she's evil or mean in other words then Len he's mean to Parker he just hangs around but hes not popular. well thats every one (that is important) . XD wow thats long

READ or DIE!!!!!! XD tee hee

Rating: 5/5

Her choice of colors hurt my eyes. Uh, I think I need to help my sister work on her reviews, but I agree with her rating. Am looking forward to a sequel. Here's mine with an intsy more substance. (Don't tell her...)

Kim Harrison did a great job at creating a world inhabited by immortal creatures who pose as something as harmless as a crow. I loved the main character because she was different from other people, but wasn't like unnatural. Her feelings and emotions weren't stereotyped, but good-natured. The other characters were well developed and the description of fear was very well-done.

The entire story's backdrop is about fate vs. choice. It doesn't really tell you whether one is good and the other bad although the ones that work for each have difficulty understanding that. I really thought out the message of the book. My conclusion is that fate leads you to a choice. It's really an interesting plot with something to think about.

I'm Going On Vacation!

That would be good, except that it's just to Mexico. We're visiting relatives. After the first month it stops being fun. Yeah. I'm spending ALL summer over there where internet is practically unheard of. But wait, I did schedule some posts. There will be at least one per week although most probably aren't going to be actual book reviews. I'm really dissapointed about this since I was planning on reading all summer, but that's not gonna work. Anyway, if you have questions then please e-mail me before Wednesday for a reply cuz I'm leaving the day after. You can still e-mail me after that, but take note that I may only check my e-mail like once a month at a cyber. Sorry!

Anyway, have a great summer!!!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Take The Dare

So a bit back, I posted up a WOW on Paris Pan Takes The Dare. I found the author's site and there's some thingy where some of the books proceeds go to helping an elementary school in Oklahoma which is the state where the author is from. I think that education is really important and just by telling people about this you also win prizes! Again, this is a elementary to middle school book which might mean you have no interest in it, but I still kind of like them. ^.^ hehe

Thursday, June 11, 2009

SuperMan

Artist: Nesse (Alex Nese Ni)

Language: Chinese

About: This was one of the OST songs in the drama Hot Shot. The review will be up soon! I love it, even though the actual music video is pretty boring after a minute or so. It's not so bad, but if you prefer I think you should watch the dance one first 'cause that one has the scene from the actual drama and of course Show and Jerry are dancing which means that it's amazing...

Rating: 7/10

(songs rated out of ten and books out of five)

The official one...




The cool one with dancing!!!


Xie Xie Ni De Wen Rou

Artist: Fahrenheit and S.H.E

Language: Chinese

About: In this picture, both bands are posing for a really cute ad. I might post it up later. Anyway, S.H.E. is the three girls, Selina, Hebe and Ella from left to right.. Fei Lun Hai (fahrenheit) is made up of Calvin, Jiro, Aaron and Wu Chun from left to right.This is one of my current obsessions. I love this song because of the amazing vocals by S.H.E and also Fahrenheit. I discovered them when I watched Hana Kimi Taiwan Version on my friend'd insistence. :) Glad I did. Thay rock! The english title is "Thank You For Your Gentleness"

Rating: 4/5

English Subbed!


Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Note

So I think that you've probably seen my new header! I'm really grateful to Laina who made it for me and it's really cute! I love it. So Laina...

~Thank You!~

Princess Academy

Author: Shannon Hale

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Summary: Mount Eskel has always been a small territory which survives on Lander-a stone from the quarry. Miri has never been aloud to work in it, even though she wishes she could.

Her lonely life changes when the Prince is told to go to Mount Eskel in search of his bride, the Princess. To prepare the mountain girls for life at the royal court, they are taken to a makeshift academy in the lowland. Miri's competitiveness earns her unfriendly faces, but also a couple of good friends.

Miri doesn't really know if she wants to be chosen, but she sure knows that she wants to stop being useless. Miri gets her chance to prove her worth when all the academy girls fall in to terrible danger.

Review: Miri was a great character! She was actually very real to me, even in the more dramatic scenes. The story line was pretty interesting as well, even if a bit predictable. The academy teacher annoyed me a lot and her dishonesty was cruel. I wish there had been more about the cleaning dude. He seemed like a really nice person. Britta was harder to get a hold of, but her actions made sense later on.

The writing was good. It kept me interested throughout the entire story with it's consistency and almost fast-pacedness. :) I think my favorite part was the description of the actual academy just because I like buildings with that feel. The names really helped set the scene in the story as well as the cultural things like the singing. Before each chapter, there was about a stanza of some Eskelian song. Most didn't make sense to me, but I thought that they added just that much more to the book. It was pretty close to amazing, so if you find that you need a book check this one out!

Rating: 5/5

You Might Also Like:
1. A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
2. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Monday, June 8, 2009

Who Made You A Princess?

Author: Shelley Adina

Publisher: Hachette Group
Favorite Character: None :( Couldn't connect to any of them
Summary: Shani met someone during the summer break with her friends. His name: Danyel Johnstone. Things get complicated when she's singled out by the new exchange student. Yeah. He had to be a prince.
Rashid is getting to Shani, but what will she choose? To be princess to a guy she doesn't know she even likes while Danyel still figures that Shani and him are on to something?
Unfortunately, her parents ain't got her back. After all, this Rashid isn't a coincidence and they put it simple as to what can happen if she doesn't agree to it. Shani might just realize that she needs little more than Divine Intervention.

Review: Really drama-filled, but all that sparkle made the book. The writing was again really effortless and again the author came up with a different character. In this one, though, I couldn't connect to any of the other characters. It was like Shani Hanna was too self-absorbed to even come close to understanding others. Her principles were too screwed and her fight with religion was really conflicting. She hung out with all-christians yet she wasn't into any of the religion part. And sometimes she'd get mad 'cause her friends would say something about it!

Rating: 3/5

other books in the series:
1. it's all about us
2. the fruit of my lipstick
3. be strong and curvaceous

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Be Strong And Curvaceous

Author: Shelley Adina

Publisher: Hachette Group

Summary: (back) After spending spring break in Mexico with her grandparents, Carly Aragon can't wait to get back to school at Spencer Academy in San Francisco. With Lissa Mansfield and Gillian Change by her side, she's ready for anything...except a new roommate.

Lady Lindsay MacPheil, flamboyant daughter of the Earl of Strathcaim, quickly becomes Carly's worst nightmare. "Mac" not only swoops in and steals Carly's privacy, she also sets her sights on Brett Loyola--Carly's biggest crush!

But when Mac starts receiving strange, threatening e-mails, she and Carly must come together to figure out who's behind them and why. In the end, the fate of one girl will be in the other's hands. Will the two learn to trust one another and trust God?

Review: Nice and quick read. Great for a summer day when you are out looking for adventure.

It was pretty glamorous in the sense that this would probably never happen, but still cool to think about. All the girls are in really high society so it really is no wonder that Carly feels left out. She's on a scholarship and she's too nice. I like that even a girl like Carly can have attitude when it's called for which was a bit different from other protaganists.

I could totally relate to her since I'm hispanic myself. She didn't feel like she could compare to her friends because of her heritage (being a fruitpicker's grandaughter). She also liked a guy that she felt was impossible to attain (reminds me of me..lol).

The writing was a lot better with this book. I think it's my favorite from this series. Again, the God angle wasn't stressed too much to make it unrealistic. I feel like I do that stuff too. You might not like this if praying isn't your thing because there is still some of it. Carly converts so yeah. Still, this one had adventure, a good guy, romance and the clash of cultures! Yey!


Rating: (: 4/5 :)

other books in the series:
1. It's All About Us
2. The Fruit of My Lipstick
4. Who Made You Princess

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Waiting On Wednesday (6)


Title: Paris Pan Takes the Dare

Author: Cynthea Liu

Publisher: Penguin Group

Release Date: June 11, 2009

Summary: (B & N) So what if it's a rite of passage for every seventh grade girl in town to spend a night in the woods? Paris Pan only just moved here, the woods are supercreepy, and she has enough weirdness to deal with in her own family. Finding out a girl died mysteriously years ago while on the Dare-right near Paris's new house, no less-is bad enough, but the unmistakably ghostlike noises coming out of the broken-down shed at the edge of the Pan's property? Definite deal breaker.All Paris wants is to make friends, try to fit in, and not have to deal with a dead girl. But everyone has to take the Dare, and the new girl's turn is up. . .

Response: It is a tween-aimed book, but I really want to read it. I remember the time when dares where like the rules of elementary and middle school. . :)