Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Spellcaster By: Claudia Gray

amazon.com
Nadia is a witch. Or she would be if her mother hadn't left her before she could complete her training. Now her father decides to pack up and move out to the seaside town of Captives Sound thinking that a change of scenery will do them all good but Nadia soon discovers that Captives Sound has its share of magic. Dark magic.Nadia must find out what it is.....without revealing herself as a witch in the process.

Mateo has lived in Captives Sound all his life. He would probably be a well loved person in the town if rumors of his family's "curse" and hereditary madness didn't follow him everywhere he went. So when the odd dreams start he tries to play them off as just what they are, dreams. But when he dreams repeatedly about a beautiful girl and his dreams start coming true, he realizes that there might be some truth to the family curse after all.

 The main thing I liked about this book was that there were set rules as to what the witches could do and not due. The reader's knowledge of these rules really helped them understand what was going on.

 Honestly, I read this book like a year ago so I don't remember anything that I really disliked. The one thing I can think of was that it was gruesome at some parts but that's it.

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

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Everlost-- An Awesome Beginning!

Screenshot taken from Amazon.com
Have you ever wondered what happens after you die? After an unfortunate car accident, teenagers Nick and Allie find out... and they aren't very happy about it.

In Everlost by Neal Shusterman, the two teens' souls are stuck in a state of "limbo" after they are stuck between life and death called Everlost. In Everlost, there are many dangers that the souls of children can face-- monsters from legends that may or may not be real, the possibility of sinking into the Earth if you stand to still, or even the fear of being stuck in Everlost forever.

Determined to find a way out, Allie begins to try out haunting living beings to get clues about how to leave Everlost. Nick begins to think that Everlost is a better place to live that the living world. And the terrifying monster only known as the "McGill" threatens them both.

Overall, Everlost is a great book with a unique view of what it's like to live in limbo. Its interesting and dynamic characters make it a fun and fast-paced read. I really enjoyed the way that it incorporates journal entries and pamphlets from those living in the world of Everlost along with the storyline. It's also part of a series-- though I haven't read past the first one! I'd give the book a 5 out of 5 stars.


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Lorein Legacies

source
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:
Source

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

bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com
   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

Image from Goodreads.com
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.