Monday, May 28, 2012

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini


Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Released: May 31, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen 
Series: Starcrossed, Book 1

Followed By: Dreamless
Page Amount: 487, US Hardback
POV: 3rd Person
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon


OVERALL:
Plot-17/20
Characters-16/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-18/20
Pace-6/10
Ending-7/10
=84/100  B
/5




SUMMARY:
Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
This was one different book. The plot consisted of the Three Fates and other aspects of mythology, which I found uber-intriguing. It was a unique concept that I enjoyed immensely. Overall, this book had a pretty slow pace, with the exception of the ending. The repeated frenzy of Helen trying to date Lucas seemed to repeat every 100 pages. Nothing really added to the plot until about halfway through. I think this series has a ton of potentional though for the next two books.            

The characters in Starcrossed were pretty interesting. Helen had a lot of depth. She was three-dimensional, but whiny at times. Lucas could hurt her so bad emotionally, but then the next minute she'd go running back to him all lovey dovey. I obviously had a few problems with their relationship. Lucas is a great guy. I understood all of his motives throughout the book. I wish Helen could just understand that he couldn't be around her. The other Delos family member were just like Lucas: likable and believable. They all had distinct personalities that fit their backstories. The secendary characters and Lucas were probably one of my favorite parts of this book.       

The ending was really intriguing, but I think it happened a bit quickly. This was a fairly slow-paced book, but the ending flew right by. I kind of wish the ending was dragged out longer instead of the rest of the book. The ending just seemed a bit rushed. It had one big even after another. All in all, this book was pretty good. It had a unique plot, centering on mythology. It's like Percy Jackson for teens.   

My Favorite Part: The mythology behind the plot.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's pretty unique.
Will I be reading the next book? I think so, I want to see how this series is going to continue.

Happy Memorial Day! Be sure to check out my Contact page to follow this blog on Twitter and on Facebook! Also, if you have read Dreamless yet, let me know if it's better than Starcrossed!


It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Top Ten: Books to Read in One Day

Top Ten is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish
Top Ten Books to Read in One Day

1. Twilight: I love this series more than any other. The romance is something that everybody needs to experience.

2. Wither: This book is fantastic! The unique plot will keep you reading until the last word! 

3. Forgive My Fins: This is such a cute, little, fun book. It's really addicting. You really can't get enough of Quince.

4. The Hunger Games: Need I say more?

5. Clarity: This mysterious novel was such a fast, easy read! I read it in a few hours. Thy plot intrigued me so much that  I couldn't put it down!

6. Twisted (or any other Pretty Little Liar book): This series is the bomb! The mystery is so jaw-dropping. Once I start a book in this series, I can't stop. My guilty pleasure.

7. The Fault in Our Stars: Awww. This is an amazing, super-great book. Get your tissues ready folks! You're going to need them.

8. If I Stay: I loved this book. It's a heartbreaker, but it's so great. Just be sure to have tissues near by. 

9. Divergent: This book is long but so good that you won't be able to stop once you start!

10. The Summoning: The fast pace of this book keeps it moving. The action is so jaw-dropping that you can't wait to find out what happens!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Divergent by Veronica Roth


Divergent by Veronica Roth

Released: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Series: Divergent, Book 1

Followed By: Insurgent
Page Amount: 487, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Tris)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon


OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-20/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-20/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-9/10
=99/100  A+
/5



SUMMARY:
In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
I loved this book! Absolutely, positively LOVED it! I picked up this book not believing all the hype it was getting. I thought it was just a Hunger Games rip-off, but boy was I wrong! I devoured this book in a really short amount of time. It was a long book, but I tore right through it. The plot was a lot different from the Hunger Games and very unique in the dystopian genre. Everyone is divided into one of the 5 factions, which can separate them from their families. This unique concept was truly intriguing throughout the whole book. In reality, this book had something for everyone. It had romance, action, blood, sacrifice, and amazingly vivid characters. This entire book read like a movie. I really cannot stress how much I loved this book, just go out and read it for yourself!          

The characters were awesome! Roth did an amazing job at creating every type of character. Tris, the strong, tough protagonist, was super likable and enjoyable to read the book from. I really loved how much Tris loved her family. You don't see that in YA all that much. It was really realistic how she put her family before herself, even though it is "faction before blood." However, my favorite character did end up being the swoon worthy Four. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Four's history of which faction he came from. I understood Tris and Four's difficulty with being with each other. Their budding romance was a big factor of what made this book so great. The minor characters like Christina and Will were also good. Christina was a really good friend to Tris. I also liked the cut-throat competition to be #1. Peter, Molly, Drew, and even Al all had determined personalities and were quite violent. This book had a very vast array of characters.        

The ending was WOW, just plain WOW. It was surprising, but practical. It was actually kind of creepy. It was violent, but not gross. It was entertaining in a gruesome kind of way. There were some deaths, but it hit me more emotionally then anything. I felt for Tris and what she was going for. All in all, I thought it was a very creative ending that made me super excited for the sequel. I really think I'm going to buy Insurgent later today!  

My Favorite Part: The mix of action and romance, especially what Four brought to the book. 

ALL iN ALL:

Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's AH-MAZING!
Will I be reading the next book? ABSOLUTELY! 

Thank you for reading! 
I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I did! If you haven't read it already, check this book out now!

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Friday, May 18, 2012

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter


Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Released: July 4, 2011
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: Lost Voices, Book 1

Followed By: Waking Storms
Page Amount: 291, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Luce)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon


OVERALL:
Plot-16/20
Characters-17/20
Creativity-18/20
Writing-18/20
Pace-6/10
Ending-7/10
=82/100  B
/5



SUMMARY:
Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder? The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
Let me begin by saying that Forgive My Fins was the first mermaid book I had ever read and set the bar pretty high for all YA mermaid books in mind. I have to admit that although this book wasn't A grade, it still has a lot of potential to turn into an intriguing series. This book had a unique plot where the people who become mermaids are all girls who were abused or treated badly in their human life. I thought that twist was a nice touch and really impacted the uniqueness of the story as a whole. Unfortunately that was the only bit of substance to the plot. I really hate to say that, but I want my reviews to be 100% honest. I felt that this book didn't have a strong plot. I mean I got the whole Bad-girl mermaid thing going on, but come on! It was weak. The mean girl didn't come into the picture until I was 3/4 done with the book. Even then she didn't really do all that much. She was just a whiny little princess.         

The characters were alright. Luce was a pretty good character. She was likable and had a personality that was easily relatable. I liked that she still felt pain from what her uncle and father did to her. I also really liked Catarina. She was tough and an awesome, lifelike character. She was a leader and it showed. I thought her temper got a little bit annoying at times, but it wasn't too bad. Anais...oh I don't even like her name that much. She was the "mean-girl". It was obvious that she was brought into the book just to stir up trouble. I don't really see what the other mer-girls saw in her. I wish there was more of a backstory to her and that she wasn't so successful in her corruption. You know what this book is really lacking? Guys. They could bring drama and so much more to the plot. Luckily, the next book will definitely have guys in it. Yay!   

The ending was okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad either. It was majorly lacking that special wow factor. The ending did kind of excite me for the next book, but the things that I wanted to see more of didn't even seem all that important in the end. They were rushed and easily overlooked (aka "the guy" coming in sequel). Overall this book was good, but I expect a much better sequel. 

My Favorite Part: The unique concept of who becomes a mermaid. 

ALL iN ALL:

Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a pretty good mermaid book with a unique twist.
Will I be reading the next book? Maybe. Just because there is finally a guy in it!

Thanks for reading! 
Did you like this book? Comment and let me know! And don't forget to follow me on Facebook! Link on left of blog.

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Monday, May 14, 2012

Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs


Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

Released: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Series: Fins, Book 2

Preceded By: Forgive My Fins
Followed By: Just For Fins
Page Amount: 262, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Lily)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon


OVERALL:
Plot-19/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-18/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-10/10
=95/100  A
/5



SUMMARY:
On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mergirl, true, but signing the renunciation will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being-human thing once and for all.
Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, the waves start to get rough. Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the raging surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up—Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her own dreams?-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
This is another great book by Ms. Childs. Although this book did not knock my socks off like Forgive My Fins, this was a very pleasing sequel. The plot was unique, but was completely different from the first book. I loved the choices Lily had to make. I surely wouldn't be able to make half the decisions Lily had to. The plot involving Doe was pretty interesting. I really wanted to find out how that whole situation would end. Ultimately, I was happy with where the plot ended up going.      

One single complaint about the characters: I need more Quince! I absolutely love him. Lily is so lucky to have him in her life. Lily was the same as in the previous book. I kind of wish she would be a tiny bit more sympathetic towards Doe in the beginning. Doe was the typical mean girl. The whole mystery surrounding what she did to humans was really intriguing. Doe even fell for Brody, which added that so needed drama. Tellin with his other choice for Lily was SUPER awesome! The characters all had distinct, memorable personalities, which is always a plus to a good book.  

The ending was so just wow. No word can describe it better. I love books that surround a dramatic choice and this book had just that. It was a great ending for this book. It gave enough answers, yet left some mega questions to leave me wanting the last book of the series. Ah I just know the next book is going to be even more fantastic!  

My Favorite Part: Quince! 

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a super great series!
Will I be reading the next book? Yes, I am really excited for it to come out!

Thanks for reading!
Did you like this book? Comment and let me know! 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥
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