Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Lorein Legacies

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9 of us came here. We look like you, talk like you. We even act like you. But we are not you. We are stronger, faster and can do things you never imagined. We fled our dying planet to hide and regroup hoping to one-day return. The problem is they know we're here. They are here to do the same to Earth as they did to our planet, but they have to kill us first.

They caught Number One in Malaysia,
Number Two in England,
and Number Three in Kenya.

I am Number Four,
I am next.

I love this series mostly because there are so many twist you can't predict what happens next. It may be a typical alien invasion story in some aspects, but there is soooooo much more. I also really like all of the characters (even Five).

I didn't like some of the dialogue (especially in the first book). The dialogue was okay unless it was supposed to be romantic, then it was just cheesy. Also, because all of the books have numbers in the title it is kind of hard to figure out the order to read them in. Because of this I have included the below list of the core books in chronological order:
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I am Number Four
The Power of Six
The Rise of Nine
The Fall of Five
The Revenge of Seven
The Fate of Ten
United as One

There are other books that are short stories about the characters which I have not personally read but you may want to.

Overall I give this series 5 out of 5 stars.

Green Angel By: Alice Hoffman

Green can grow anything. Her garden yields the greatest plants and her vegetables are renowned. Other than her knack for growing, Green is nondescript. Not like the rest of her family who seem to shine. No one remembers Green. Then after one fateful day, Green forgets herself.
The girl who once was Green is now Ash. She inks darkness into her skin and chops off her hair. Half blind, Ash is alone in this world with nothing but her dog and a garden that won't grow. With the help of a few chance encounters can Ash transform back into Green before she completely looses herself.




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The main thing I liked about this book was the sense of fantasy that runs through it. There is no blatant magic, but the story is mystical all the same. Also, the book is really short. If you aren't looking for a major commitment I suggest this book.

The main thing that I did not like about this book was that it is severely depressing. You watch the main character completely loose herself and curl up into a ball of sorrow. If you are looking for a feel good story DO NOT read this book.

Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

The Naming By: Alison Croggon

I am going to review The Naming by Alison Croggon. This book is fantasy and set back in time.
Image from Goodreads.com


Maerad is a slave in a horrible settlement. She never knew that she possessed a powerful gift . . . until Cadvan. When Cadvan, a Bard of Lirigon, discovers Maerad, her true destiny and heritage finally unfolds. She can see the world in a way that no one else could ever experience. Her newfound power isn’t the only thing that Maerad recently discovers about herself. Maerad is the Fated One. In a prophecy, she is named as the hero to bring down the villain so evil and atrocious he is Nameless. Cadvan and Maerad must embark on a journey through treacherous places and time to where darkness stirs most.


There are two more books after this one. The next one is called The Riddle.


I didn’t like how since it is set back in medieval times, there were a lot of things and words that I didn’t know. Almost every 5 minutes I would have to look up something about the book.


I liked how the author was really descriptive of everything. The author describes it in a way that you could almost smell and hear something as if it’s in arms’ reach.


I would give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Fall of Five: Pittacus Lore

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   The Fall of Five is the 4th book in the Lorien Legacies series where the Garde meets a new addition to the team and it is surprise, surprise its number Five!! As the story progresses we learn that five is not quite as innocent as he seems when he nearly knocks nine out with a single punch. Later in the story, something very unfortunate happens to John and Ella (will not say due to spoilers!) where they are "removed" from the story for a while and we discover that the Garde are hopeless without John. As the story progresses the group splits up to recover fives hidden chest but then something horrible goes wrong, will John ever wake up? Will the group survive? Will Sam ever get his moment with Six? All these questions and more maybe answered in the next book: The Revenge Of Seven

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Split Second By: Kasie West

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I am reviewing Split Second by Kasie West. This is the sequel to Pivot Point.


Addison’s life isn’t the best right now. Her best friend went behind her back and made out with her boyfriend. Said boyfriend was only using her. Addie’s father gives her the chance to escape, and she immediately snatches up the offer.


Now Addie’s off to live in the Norm world for winter break. There she meets Trevor who is, for some unknown reason, very familiar. How could her heart jump at the sight at him when she barely knows him? Secrets become exposed and Trevor is left feeling more and more suspicious of Addie. Being mindful of the CC practically breathing down her neck, Addie does her best to disperse Trevor’s suspicions.


Laila, Addie’s best friend, also has a secret. She has the power to restore Addison’s memories . . . as soon as she learns how. Laila tries to manipulate the school’s bad boy, but he seems to be somehow immune to her charms. Normally, she would move on the someone else, but he is the only one who can help her.


I liked how this book switched between Laila and Addison because it made it suspenseful and made me craving for more every time.


I didn’t like how it wasn’t exactly detailed on their surroundings because it was hard to know how to imagine it. Sometimes the author would say something about the surroundings and that’s not exactly what I imagined and it’s hard to change your views after you’re used to seeing it like that.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The Ghost Bird Series: The Academy: Introductions By: C.L. Stone

I am reviewing ‘The Academy: Introductions’ by C.L Stone.
Image from www.amazon.com


Sang a girl who moves to a new district with her agoraphobic mother and her father that is hardly there. She severely hates the way her mother tries to constantly keep her in isolation. In this new district, Sang meets a group of boys who seem to be hiding more than they’re saying.


These boys bring new adventures with their secrets that they so desperately try to keep it from Sang. She soon learns more about them bit by bit. Will Sang stay loyal to this band of misfits or will this new information have her running in the other direction?


This book is in a series. The next one is called First Days.


What I liked about this book was that it was really descriptive and I could easily imagine what was happening.


I didn’t like how it introduced the characters so quickly because there are nine characters  and it was harder to remember what they looked like and which one was which when they’re like thrown into your face.


I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.



Monday, February 8, 2016

"Boost"-- A Great Book for Basketball Lovers!

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I'm a hard sell on books about sports. Sports aren't generally in my interests, but a good author can boost my interests (see what I did there?!). This is certainly true about Boost by Kathy Makel.
 certainly

Savannah "Savvy" Christopher and her family have had some seriously rotten luck over that last few year. After an accident ruins her father's professional golf career, Savvy and her family must move in with her great aunt halfway across the country from home. She has to make all new friends, cope with sharing a tiny room with her older sister Callie, and learn to work on her aunt's sheep farm. Things appear to get easier when Savvy makes in onto the 16 and under basketball team (she's only 14!), but her innate talent for the game and heigh make her not exactly welcome on her team.

To top off all of these problems, Savvy's sister starts acting strangely. One minute she's eating way too much, but then she's taking vitamin supplement to help her trim down for cheerleading. Will Savvy and her family ever get back to normal?

I'd give boost a 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked the story line, but sometimes I wished that the author could have been a little more descriptive. I really enjoyed the dialogue that Makel writes! Overall, it was a good read, and I'd recommend it to anyone-- especially those wanting to try a genre outside of what they might normally read.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

In Real Life: A Great Graphic Novel!

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I'm a huge fan of graphic novels, and In Real Life is a new addition to the Bode library that I just loved! The book is a fun and quick read, has beautiful art, and discusses the real consequences of our online interactions in the virtual world.

Anda, usually a little shy and self-conscious, falls in love with the online world of Coarsegold Online, an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game). She loves the feeling of power and heroics that the game gives her-- it's an escape from her seemingly boring world. However, the "fake" world of Coarsegold become increasingly "real" when Anda is forced to face the reality of her online interactions. When she meets Raymond, an impoverished boy from China who plays Coarsegold Online 12 hours a day as his job, she begins to question the morality of her playing. It's up to Anda to sort out her feelings about what is right and what is wrong.

Overall, In Real Life is a great read. Anda is a super-relatable character, and her experiences in the book will open your eyes to some of the unfortunate sides of the video games that have become so popular in today's society. I'd give In Real Life a 5 out of 5 stars, and I'd recommend it to any audience who doesn't mind a few swear words in their book.  The cover recommends the book to "gamer girls," but I'd say that anyone who enjoys video games could enjoy this book.