tests!

On Monday I'm taking the AP Government test and I hope I do well. I've actually been studying a little and I almost never study for anything. :) Then I have a health test to make up and the past two times I got the highest score (without trying), so I'm going to feel really bad if I don't do as well this time. The AP Eng Comp test is on the thirteenth too and that one looks really hard. Anyways, although I have this going on, I also have to catch up on blogging. I'm sorry for not posting more often, but I have been reading. It just takes a little work to set out a time to post a review instead of going on to the next book in the pile! =D Have a nice day people and tomorrow is Friday! Yey! Enjoy the weekend.

Green Witch

Author: Alice Hoffman

Summary: What is loss?The echo that surrounds the word gone.
What is love?The deepest of your heart’s desires.
Green lives every day with feelings of loss. Her family is gone, the boy she loves is missing, and the world she once knew is transformed by tragedy. In order to rediscover the truth about love, hope, and magic, she must venture away from her home, collecting the stories of a group of women who have been branded as witches because of their mysterious powers. Only through their stories will Green find her heart’s desire.


Review: I can't get over the way this author writes! It is captivating and very dream-like. The entire time, it is like floating through the main character's memories and reliving them from the outside. It's slow, but relaxing and subtle. Loved this book.

The dialogue, instead of being within quotation marks, is actually italicized so it is read as if it were a thought exchange between the characters. You don't hear a distinct voice or conversation, but more poetry like and I'm not even a big fan of poetry or verse writing. I just like this. The book was short too, so it adds to the relaxation factor. Things are happening and there is a good plot to follow, but it is all like through the main character's mind and emotional. I hope I've been able to somewhat describe it! :)

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

This is the sequel to Green Angel, but can be read alone.

Jaguar Stones: Middleworld

Author: J & P Voelkel

Summary: (from back) Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy, video-gamer extraordinaire, is furious when his archaeologist parents cancel the family vacation to go on a dig in Central America. But things go from bad to worse when Max is summoned to join them, only to discover that his parents have vanished. With the help of Lola, a fast-talking, quick-thinking Maya girl, Max embarks on a quest to find out just what’s going on. Soon Max and Lola are running for their lives in the perilous rainforest, as they unlock ancient secrets, meet mysterious strangers, and begin to understand that, in San Xavier, nothing is ever as it seems.

Fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to Max Murphy. But can a teen whose biggest talent is for video games rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save himself from the villainous Lords of Death?

Review: Another story from a boy's point of view. Weird, I'm not even looking out for them and here they are! I had always thought they were pretty rare, but you just need to look.

Anyway, it is written in third person, but the main character is Max, a fourteen year old boy. He actually sounds like he's younger, in my opinion.

I have to say that I love Mayan culture and learning about their history. That probably made the book a lot more attractive to me. The story concentrates on five Jaguar Stones which can prevent the destruction of the world, or cause it depending on who has them, as predicted by the Maya. December 2012 is when the third world is set to end.

The characters were well developed. I understood them and I liked how Uncle Ted wasn't portrayed as evil. Humans have a lot of complicated emotions and reasons for doing what they do, but it doesn't make a person good or bad. I felt Uncle Ted was a human with flaws he wished to correct. Lola is a pretty funny and tough girl and I hope to see more development between Max and her relationship in the next book! :)

I would recommend this book for younger readers, like middle grade, because I feel that YA lovers tend to enjoy the romance of a story more. This book is cleaner as it concentrates on the Mayan history and is a great book to read if your interested in it. Hope you guys enjoy it like I did! :)

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

My favorite song as of right now...

Language: Mandarin

Artist: Da Mouth

Song: Tongue

About: Da Mouth is a really interesting band that I really like. This song is weird as is it's title, but it is so catchy! Haha, I can't get enough of it. And don't you think the guy in the blue is just so cute!? ^^

MV: (Isn't it colorful? I'm not sure I like their outfits...)

Contest Alert

There is a very big giveaway going on over at Juiciliciousss Reviews for something like nine books. There are three winners and is open to anyone anywhere. :) It is kinda a sad one though, because she's not going to blog anymore and yeah. Well, I'll miss her! :)

Click HERE to enter!

The Dark Hunters Vol. 2

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Artist: Claudia Campos

Summary: In the war against vampires, mankind has only one hope: The Dark Hunters. Ancient warriors who dies of brutal betrayal, the Dark-Hunters have sworn themselves into the service of the goddess Artemis to protect us.

It's a pact with pretty good perks-immortality, power, psychic abilities, wealth, and a cool wardrobe. But it comes with a few drawbacks: fatal sun poisoning and a new, irreparable dental problem. But aside from the fangs and nocturnal lifestyle, it's not so bad.

Kyrian is an immortal Dark-Hunter who just lost his Dark-Hunter powers and along with it, his immortality. Now he is faced with the chance to regain not only his humanity, but his very soul. The problem is that it couldn't have happened at a worse time. Desiderius is closing in, and if Kyrian and Amanda are going to save humanity, Kyrian must take the war to his enemy-or it may be too late.

Review: This is the second book in the manga adaptation of The Dark Hunters. I liked it pretty well. Graphic novels are harder to review for me because there's less to base the review on.

The art was nice for the most part and original. There are lots of emotions portrayed and there were instances when I could feel the attraction between the two characters, but they were scattered. The book's plot can get a little confusing because a lot of little things happen which need to be taken into account. Overall, it was an action-packed tall tale! :) Sorry that it is a little short today.

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Review of: The Dark Hunters Vol. 1

Efrain's Secret

Author: Sofia Quintero

Summary: (from here) Ambitious high school senior Efrain Rodriguez dreams of escaping the South Bronx for an Ivy League college like Harvard or Yale. But how is his family going to afford to pay for a prestigious university when Moms has to work insane hours to put food on the table as it is? And Efrain wouldn’t dare ask that good-for-nothing father of his who has traded his family in for younger models. Left with few options, Efrain chooses to do something he never thought he would. He embarks on a double life—honor student by day, drug peddler at night—convinced that by temporarily capitulating to society’s negative expectations of a boy like him, he can eventually defy them.Sofia Quintero makes a stunning debut writing for young adults with this gritty, complex, and real exploration of the life of an urban teen whose attempt to leave one world behind for a better one could cost him everything.

Review: The story is written by a guy's point of view which I've been reading lately although I usually shy away from it. The story was really interesting because of the reality. Efrain was an honest guy who wanted something that was very difficult to attain. He worked hard at school studying, but of course that wasn't enough. So he got into the drug-selling business. His way in was completely real. No outlandish scene or set-up was made and it wasn't "too convenient" or "perfect". He had an old buddy who he talked to throughout the book. It was a natural part of the story. It sounded like a narrative not some unrealistic scenario. That's why I liked it so much.

The slang was perfect. It wasn't overused, but used enough to make sure the reader understood the character and the setting. It was another thing I liked. The author kept it real and the ending worked. Reality. :)

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Brand New Key

Artist: SUPERCUTE!

About: I suscribe to the iheartdaily newsletter and they sent a post about this band. I must say that I was dubious about how good two 13 year olds and a 15 year old could be, but I'm addicted. I cannot lie. They are a mix of bubblegum pop and indie rock music with all sorts of instruments and of course hula-hoops. This song is my favorite so far and the style is so interesting and cute! Haha. Hope you guys agree with me. :)

Vid:



Here is the link to the iheartdaily post for more information!

The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin

Author: Josh Berk




Summary: (back cover)


Review: The mc is funny! The book is full of Will's witty remarks and also his experiences as a deaf teenager. He isn't your typical main character and is actually more realistic. Full of imperfections just like us, William Halpin can easily be related to. Although it is from a guy's point of view (usually I shy away from those), I found myself laughing a lot and really enjoying the story. Did I tell you I love mysteries?


The plot was a little predictable and the mystery wasn't exactly taking center stage. I think the story was more revolved on coming-of-age and acceptance of yourself. I liked it though, so I didn't mind it too much. After all, there are fewer and fewer YA mysteries out there as paranormal takes the spotlight! :) Extra points for being funny!


Rating: 1 2 3 4 4.5 5

(: Happy April Fools Day bloggers! :)