Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

Summary:

They’ve gotten good grades—but that’s not good enough. They’ve spent hours on community service—but that’s not good enough. Finn and Chloe’s advisor says that colleges have enough kids with good grades and perfect attendance, so Chloe decides they’ll have to attract attention another way. She an Finn will stage Chloe’s disappearance, and them when CNN is on their doorstep and the nation is riveted, Finn will find and save her. Is seems like the perfect plan—until things start to go wrong. Very wrong.

I was supposed to be a victimless crime. Finn was supposed to be the good accomplice, and Chloe was supposed to be the hidden object of attention. But when things intensify, situations become more and more extreme . . . and what once seemed victimless isn’t so innocent anymore.

• Number of Pages: 296

Review

Ok this is going to be a short review because, well, I didn’t like it. I’ll start from the beginning. I got this book because it sounded like a good mystery, and, too be honest, the cover looked pretty cool. It looks like that saying about not judging a book by its cover is correct because it turned out to be nothing like I thought it would be. Finn and Chloe irritate me to death. Chloe is sick thinking about this whole scheme, and stupid when it comes to thinking something through and doing the right thing. Finn is the brainless friend that goes along with Chloe no matter what. She takes the "if-you-were-told-to-jump-off-a-bridge-would-you-do-it" to a whole new leave. I couldn’t stand them. The thought that pretending to disappear is too weird. And on the other hand, the story became boring after a while. I got sick of it after about 90 pages into the book. I didn’t like the sequence of how things worked either I got confused at times. In the end, I never finished the whole book. So from 1 to 10 I am giving it a 1. Sorry, but that’s it.

A Cat Royal Adventure: The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding

Summary

READER,

You are set to embark on an adventure about one hidden treasure, two bare-knuckle boxers, three enemies, and four hundred and thirty-eight rioters. It is told by an ignorant and prejudiced author—me.

She’s Cat Royal, four foot four with long red hair and not a penny to call her own. She lives in the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, a place filled with dramatic characters, theatrical spectacles, and now, a secret treasure. Follow her into the streets of London, facing danger and adventure, to be the first to discover the diamond!

Number of pages: 419

Review

Julia Golding’s writing is pure gold (<-- hehehe get it? Pun intended!) She is amazing. The Cat Royal Adventure Series is one of my absolute favorites! I mean what’s not to like about them? The characters are beautifully created, the setting is rough and exciting, the inside look into one of the roughest, toughest place in London is thrilling, and it is all directed by one witty and feisty Miss Cat Royal. Cat is one of the best narrators ever! She’s funny, sarcastic, and never says no to a challenge. She is the heart of the story. All the characters are amazing, even that big bad Billy "Boil" Shepherd. The setting is fascinating, you get to weave through backstage and experience the heart of the theatre. It’s crazy in there, let me tell you. Let Cat lead you on a whirlwind adventure that will keep you occupied until you can get your hands on the next Cat Royal book. From 1-10 this book, and series for that matter, deserves a 9!

Mini reviews for the rest of this series books out so far (I'll try to review without any spoilers!):

• Cat Among the Pigeons-book 2 in this series is very dramatic. Out of all of them I think this one has the most suspense, but that doesn't mean Cat's wicked sense of humor is diminished.
• Den of Thieves: I really enjoyed Den of Thieves, book 3 in this series. Cat is getting older, and is branching out on her own. . . maybe even getting a few beaus ;). She has a new assignment. There are disguises, secrets, and spies everywhere, and Cat's got her hands full in this book! I think this is one of my favorites in this series!
• Cat O'Nine Tails: Cat Royal's life has been quiet for a while, but of course that can't last long. She is in a dangerous struggle to save her best friends life. She has to use her wit to free her friends from being held captive on His Majesty's ship, and land on her feet-- without getting too wet. (;

9/11 Tribute

No words could possibly describe or express what happened to America nine years ago on this day. Even so, writers and poets have done their best to express everyone's devastating loss for the people that were killed, and the loved ones they left behind. I wish to honor everyone's sacrifices on this day with some lovely poetry that I hope will give you a sense of peace, understanding, and will help us to remember. These are written by all kinds of people, but in the end we are all the same in our grief.

The Day The Towers Fell

A sad day for America
 As rejoicing rang from hell,
 Awakening a mighty giant
 On the day the towers fell.

Our hearts were saddened
 As we watched this vicious act unfold,


As innocence met a fiery death
 And seeds of war were sowed.

Shouts rang out from the middle east
 That Allah has done his good


But no god joys in faultless deaths
 through certain cowards could.

America just sort of glides along,
 But don't step on her toes ...
For her belief in right and justice
Will stomp out freedom's foes.

~ Author Unknown ~

Well you hit the World Trade Center, but you missed America


You hit the Pentagon, 
Again you missed America


You used helpless American bodies to take out other American bodies,


but like a poor marksman, you still missed America

Why? Because of somethings you guys will never understand


America isn't about a building or two,

not about financial centers

not about military centers


America isn't about a place,

American isn't about a bunch of bodies


America is about an IDEA.

An idea that you can go someplace where you can earn as much as you can figure out how to,

live for the most part, like you envisioned living, and pursue Happiness

(no guarantees that you'll reach it, but you can sure try)!

-Anonymous-

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,


We became one color.


As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building


We became one class.


As we lit candles of waiting and hope


We became one generation.


As the firefighters and police officers fought
their way into the inferno


We became one gender.


as we fell to our knees in prayer for strength


We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,


We spoke one language.


As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,


We became one body.


As we mourned together the great loss


We became one family.


As we cried tears of grief and loss


We became one soul


As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes


We became one people.

- Unknown Author

NEVER FORGET

The End of Publishing Video

Ever get those days when there is nothing you want to read at the moment, and you are too lazy to get up and do something. Yea, well, I was having one of those days. I was in bed surfing through the web when I came upon this video, and thought it was so good. It opened my mind, and I am pretty sure that it will do the same for you. What is said here is a radical concept to those who think that books and reading can be replaced with t.v., video games, and whatever else technology is shoving at us every couple of months to occupy our time. Well it can't substitute literature! Now you must watch the ENTIRE thing to understand it completely. So click play, and enjoy! :)

The Reluctant Heiress Eva Ibbotson

Summary

Being an heiress in 1920s Austria with nothing but a broken-down castle to your name and nary a penny in your purse could be frustrating for anyone but the Princess Theresa-Maria of Pfaffenstein. Tessa, however, is thrilled with her situation, as it allows her to concentrate on her love of the arts—and no one in the Viennese opera company need know that their delightful and charming under-wardrobe mistress is really a princess, but when the dashing self-made millionaire Guy Farne arrives at the opera in search of suitable entertainment for his high society guests, Tessa realized that there may be more to life—and love—than just music. And while the attraction between them is undeniable, Guy’s insufferable snob of a fiancée only solidifies Tessa’s determination to keep her true identity a secret. Yet, after a chance meeting with the handsome Englishman, Tessa’s reserve begins to melt, and she starts to wonder if it’s too late for a fairy-tale ending.

• Number of pages: 325

Review

This is a hard review for me. I am not exactly sure why that would be because I dove through this book in like three days max and I love all of the books by Eva Ibbotson. Ibbotson’s stories always have that affect on me: I love them, but they are hard to describe. But I will do my best so here it goes.

The characters Ibbotson creates in her stories are so interesting to read about, if not a bit unrealistic. Their characteristics and personalities are exaggerated a bit, but not that it’s not fun to read. My personal preference in a book is clean no-nonsense writing that has plenty of dialogue. Eva Ibbotson is a writer that I would put in the category of “flowery writing”, but she writes the stories so well that I can't help loving it. Her plots are always interesting romances that one would read when they are in the mood to live out a fairytale love story. Whether the attraction is thwarted by a vile fiancé (like it is in this story) or that the love can’t flourish because of a stupid misunderstanding by a one of the characters, the stories are captivating. I couldn’t help but worry when Guy gave Tessa the cold shoulder. Or find myself amused with the little boy who loved Tessa so much. I always felt some type of emotion throughout the book. What’s good is that Eva finds a way at the end to make every situation come together in a happy ending that always has a little surprising twist at the end. I would absolutely recommend people to read The Reluctant Heiress, but you have to give it your best try and let the story turn naturally and smoothly through your mind. From 1-10? I would give this lovely story a 7.5.