Saturday, March 31, 2012

March Wrap-Up

MARCH WRAP-UP! 

March is over. It's such a shame because March is my favorite month and I didn't get to read all of the books I wanted. I bought a TON of new books though! Maybe I'll finally stop watching Project Runway long enough to make my YouTube channel. In March, I read 4 books, which is 2 less than my goal. That's still pretty good considering how busy I have been. I promise a better variety of posts in April! Pinky-promise! 


Books I Read in March:
1. Die for Me
2. Fins are Forever
4. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

I actually posted 3 of the 5 reviews I planned to post too! It was a good month! :)
This month was a good reading month, but hopefully next month will be even better!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Released: March 2, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Amount: 470, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (Samantha)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-19/20
Characters-17/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-9/10
Ending-10/10
=93/100  A
★/5




SUMMARY
:

What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.
The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.
-Goodreads.com


REViEW:This book was simply breathtaking. The story was deep, yet intriguing. The plot, although at first it seems simple, is really complex. I didn't know what was going to happen on the 7th day until it happened. Ms. Oliver tells this story with a really realistic teen voice. Her writing was so flawless and perfect for the narrator. This was a sad book, but I enjoyed it. At first I thought that I was not going to like this book because of the main character being so popular (more on this in next paragraph!), but this story was told so beautifully and the ending was so perfect that I fell in love with this book. I will definitely remember Samantha's story for a good while. It's one of those books you can't stop thinking about.

The characters, specifically Samantha, were stuck-up, little brats. I instantly didn't like Samantha and her friends because of this. Being an average girl, I usually don't relate well with the popular. From the start you are given hints as to there being more to Samantha than meets the eye. I thought that whole concept would come into play fairly early on. It didn't, but towards the last few chapters when she changed, wow. I really love how she had a change of heart. Aside from Samantha, all the other characters had a lot more depth too. Kent was probably my favorite in this book. He was sweet and nice and totally boyfriend material. I really felt for him, especially towards the end of this book.       


The ending was ah, just heartbreaking and amazing. It was simply beautiful. I can't say I saw that coming. I had to re-read the ending two times to fully grasp what happened because it was that much of a shock. I'm still breathless over it. By the ending, I really felt bad for Samantha. She gained a lot of respect from the beginning of this book. 

My Favorite Part: The ending. I'm still thinking about it...  

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a very enjoyable, deep read. It's hard to believe this is Ms. Oliver's first book.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this book just as much as I did! Comment and let me know! 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Released: May 10, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Revenants, Book 1
Followed By: Until I Die
Page Amount: 341, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Kate)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-10/10
=98/100  A+
★/5


SUMMARY:
In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity. When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent. Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
Die for Me was made up of everything that a good young adult book should have. When I began reading this book, I expected that this book would be a typical paranormal romance. I am so glad that this book was unique from all the others that I have read. The plot entranced me from the start with its historical backstory and beautiful writing. Paris, the setting of this book, was vividly portrayed throughout this book. The setting definitely evoked a romantic feel. Instead of the usual vampire and werewolf books that are dominating the shelves of Barnes & Noble, this book stars a new kind of supernatural being, the revenant. I spent the entire book trying to uncover the mystery of what a revenant truly is. Plum's writing was intriguing as she gradually relayed details on revenants throughout the novel.         

The characters in Die for Me were equally as amazing. Kate, the strong protagonist, was the narrator of this tale. Her perspective was enjoyable and relatable. I really enjoyed that fact that she made decisions on her own and had her own distinct personality. Most female characters nowadays are weak and depend on their romantic interest, but in Die for Me this was not a problem. Vincent, the revenant heartthrob of the book, blew me away. His wit and humor made me smile. Being from a different century, Vincent had that gentleman kind of charm. I can certainly see why Kate had her eyes on him.       


The ending was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. The action read like a movie. I could picture all of the fighting and all the different characters reactions to it. I especially liked Kate's role in the ending. I do not want to say too much to give anything away, but definitely give this book a chance. Whether you like mystery, paranormal, or romance books, this is a refreshing read that you should pick up.

My Favorite Part: The entire idea of revenants.  

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's amazing!
Will I be reading the next book? Of course! It's fantastic!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this book just as much as I did! Comment and let me know! 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Monday, March 19, 2012

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


Released: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic
Series: The Hunger Games, Book 2
Preceded By: The Hunger Games

Followed By: Mockingjay
Page Amount: 391, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Katniss)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-18/20
Characters-17/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-9/10
Ending-9/10
=91/100  A
★/5


SUMMARY:
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
As much as I loved Hunger Games, I didn't start this book until a year after I read the first. I just didn't think that there was any way that this book would be better than its predecessor. It wasn't, in my opinion. The things I didn't like about this book were not an issue in the first book. The plot seemed slow after the action packed Hunger Games. The plot in this book lacked a wow factor to me. In the last book. the Arena for the Games was so interesting and intriguing that I wanted to keep reading to find out the results. There wasn't much to look forward to in this book.    

The characters were what ticked me off. Specifically, Katniss was so whiny and bratty in this book, which really irritated me. I really didn't like how Katniss refused to like Peeta and always chose Gale. I mean, make up your mind woman! (TEAM PEETA!) I really wish that the characters were strong role models in this book like they were before. Not all characters were bad though. Finnick was an interesting new character that I look forward to seeing more off. Peeta... I felt bad for him. Katniss really treated him poorly.  


The ending was really kinda cool. It wasn't as amazing as I was hoping, but it still made me want to read the next book. Although I had some gripes about this book, it was a good addition to this amazing series. This book was good, but The Hunger Games was so flawless that it was hard for this book to stand up in comparison. 

My Favorite Part: Probably the Games portion of this book.

ALL iN ALL:

Do I recommend this book? Yes, but I'm sure most of you have already read it. 
Will I be reading the next book? Yes, this is an amazing series.

Thanks for reading! Are you ready for the Hunger Games movie? Is Mockingjay any better than this book?

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Released: October 1, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
Series: The Hunger Games, Book 1
Followed By: Catching Fire
Page Amount: 374, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Katniss)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-20/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-20/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-10/10
=100/100  A+
★/5


SUMMARY:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.  Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.-Goodreads.com


REViEW:
Honestly I held off on reading this book due to the violent, insane sounding summary. Once I entered the world of Katniss, Peeta, and Gale, I became victim to their world and devoured this book as fast as I could. The premise sounds kind of strange at first, but when you're actually reading the book, it all seems normal. Sure it's different and horrible, but it still made sense in the book. I really wish I would've picked up this series sooner. The writing is just perfect and the plot is intricately carved into the chapters and pages of this book. I could picture every little aspect of the Games through this compelling writing. If you haven't already, pick up this book.  

The characters were just perfect. I never thought a book could be perfect until The Hunger Games came around. Katniss was a strong female protagonist that made this book enjoyable. Peeta was the ultimate good guy that I really wish was real. I really loved seeing how Katniss and Peeta's relationship was strictly competitive, yet there was a twinge of wondering if any of the romantic feelings were real between them. Not just the main characters were, but even the minor characters were amazing. All of the Capitol people were quirky and realistic for the future. Katniss' hair stylists were so fun and stylish that I wish I had them in my life. Overall, every singly one of the characters were beautifully portrayed until the very last page.  



The ending was the perfect conclusion to such an intense, great book. I don't want to give too much away because I'm sure you have already read this book. Seriously, who hasn't? I really think this is about as perfect as a book can get. I couldn't find a single thing wrong with it and wouldn't have written it any other way!

My Favorite Part: The entire story was fantastic, I don't know what part I liked more.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, although I'm sure you have already! 

Will I be reading the next book? Yes, I already have! :)

Thanks for reading! Are you ready for the Hunger Games movie? 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥
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