Peaches

Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson

Summary: (back) This summer at Darlington Orchard, three very different girls will discover the secret to finding the right boy, making the truest of friends, and picking the perfect Georgia peach. But at the start of the season, things aren't so...peachy.

Review: The plot was predictable and the characters were somewhat cliched, but I loved it. Wild, casual, fun and very sweet, this read is perfect for the summer. Each character was unique in their cliched roles and they were multi-faceted making them more realistic. The drama was really the heart of this story and made it funny. Things were happening all the time and when they thought they had fixed their lives up a little, something else would come and surprise them. All in all, the novel is a story about the strength of friendship while overcoming personal obstacles.

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Contest! Win The Host

In celebration of the paperback release of Stephenie Meyer's book, The Host, I'm hosting a giveaway for it with Hachette Book Group as the awesome donater!

I have read this book before as well as the Twilight Series. I will say that I loved both.

The writing is good and engaging. The story is new and very emotional because it deals with perserverance. Although it was science-fiction, which I strongly dislike under most circumstances, I have to say that I loved this book. Even though it is an adult novel, I think that it would appeal to YA readers just the same.

Summary of the Book: (back cover) Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. But Wanderer, the invading "soul" who occupies Melanie's body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish posession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who has avoided invasion and lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie-reluctant allies-set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

If you like books about twisted reality, invasions, aliens, opressive governments, then you might like this book!

I'm giving away one copy. The guidelines only allow for US and Canada addresses. The publisher will get your address if you win and send the prize directly to you.

Contest ends June 15th.

Thanks and good luck!

Eragon

Author: Christopher Paolini

Summary: (alagaesia.com) When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. . . .

Review: For some reason I always thought Eragon was the name of the dragon. :) I've been meaning to read this book since it first came out, but its daunting size made it difficult for me to follow through....until now. Ha!

Amazing story in a fantasy world seemingly set in the time of kings and wagons. I loved it.

Eragon is an awesome main character (another awesome book with a guy for an MC!) and his development throughout the story was impressive, realistic and fun. The adventure in the story and all the different types of creatures Eragon meets make the story as good as it is. The fact that the fierce dragon is a female just makes it all the more cool!

Although there are quite a bit of descriptions, I think they are necessary and the detail adds imagery. The reader could not imagine the story as well without them and even the descriptions are interesting. The plot moves fairly quickly with things happening all over the place.

The writing of the fighting scenes is great. You see each character moving, dodging, stabbing, trying to defend themselves against this huge inhuman things.

I hadn't watched the movie before because I wanted to read the book first and now I watched it this weekend. I have reached the conclusion that the movie was a failure because the book was too long. There were too many things going on and events that were necessary to complete the plot.

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Dui Bu Qi

Artist: Wang Zi

Language: Mandarin

About: Wang Zi's name in English means Prince. He is about 25 or 26 I think and a very good artist for the most part. This song is really sweet and cute and althought a bit slow, I love it. Even though it doesn't really stand out I think the lyrics make up for the iffy singing. Awesomeness! :) Wang Zi is so cool! He is part of the band Bang Bang Tang and acted as himself in Brown Sugar Machiatto.

The rabbit toy in the music video it is adorable.

Waking Up In The Land Of Glitter

Author: Kathy Cano-Murillo

Summary: When Star goes a little crazy and ruins her "it's complicated" relationship with her boyfriend by spray painting over the mural he painted on La Pachanga's wall, she has to find a way to prove herself worthy of her family.

La Pachanga is their family business, but Star's lack of commitment is causing them all stress and she is forced to make a decision. Either she uses up all those 350 pounds of glitter she accidentally bought in an Art Show centerpiece thing or she'll have to move out and go "find herself" in some other place. Star dislikes crafting because she doesn't view it as true art, but this project will require some serious crafting skills.

She ends up working with her craft-obsessed friend, Ofie, and Crafty Chloe. Chloe is the queen of crafting in Phoenix and she is strongly disliked by Star. Chloe's life isn't as simple as it may seem and for all her success, she doesn't feel so good about how she's achieved it. Ofie's marriage could fall apart if she doesn't get her act together and start being a mother. This art show project will help them through the obstacles they face and allow them to make friends they never thought they would have.

Review: Definately creative and the characters were original. Or at least original to me. This is my first artish crafty novel. I liked it fairly well, but I think it would appeal more to adult book lovers. It was cute and actiony.

The pacing wasn't too fast or too slow. And I liked how it ended immensely. The climax was a little dramatic, but with the cast of characters, how could it not be? Ofie's obsession was kinda scary though. :)

I think that if you like glitter, Arizona, art and a little friendship and guy drama then this book might very well be a great fit. Enjoy it like I did! :)

Have a very nice day! Oh, did you like my summary? :D

Rating: 1 2 3 3.5 4 5

Montmorency: Thief? Liar? Gentleman?

Author: Eleanor Updale

Summary: (b and n) When a petty thief falls through a glass roof while fleeing from the police, it should have been the death of him. Instead, it marks the beginning of a whole new life. Soon he has become the most successful -- and elusive -- burglar in Victorian London, plotting daring raids and using London's new sewer system to escape. He adopts a dual existence to fit his new lifestyle, taking on the roles of a respectable, wealthy gentleman named Montmorency and his corrupt servant, Scarper.

Review: The character as two different persons is interesting and created in such a way that the two are not confused. Scarper is most definately a poor, but scruffy, tough man while Montmorency is such a gentleman. I even felt swayed by him! His sweet demeanor and cleanliness together with his wit and good nature (deep inside) made him the perfect man of high society.

The plot was fun. Who knew that sewers could be used in such a manner as to change Scarper's life. The tailor in the story is certainly a wonderful character and his open person made him a very likable addition to the story. Cissie is ridiculous and described in a manner that causes extreme dislike for her and Montmorency (as the gentleman he is) struggles to politely turn her disgusting affections for him away.

This book is set back in Queen Victoria's reign in England. The third person point of view gives a clear personification of both Scarper and Montmorency. The mysterious plot and ingenious plans make it a wonderful read and some of you may find that you love it.

I feel weird rating this book. I think it deserves a higher score, but I'm trying to keep my readers in mind and I'm not all too sure that many of you would like this type of story. It is a little dull as an adventure story for some of you and the lack of romance might not appeal to YA lovers although I felt that the story was wonderful. :) One of my favorites.

Rating: 1 2 3 3.5 4 5

Other Books In The Series:

1.Montmorency On The Rocks: Doctor, Aristrocat, Murderer?

2.Montmorency And The Assasins: Master, Criminal, Spy?

3.Montmorency's Revenge

Contest Alert

Who: Alexa!

Why: It's her birthday celebration contest.

What: A long list of books to choose from. There are six winners!

Where: HERE (hookedonyabooks.blogspot.com)

Happy birthday, Alexa~