tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234096890305798302024-03-14T02:24:57.099-07:00Nap. Snack. Read. Three essentials for life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-32103247143495096292013-11-21T15:30:00.000-08:002013-11-21T20:38:35.294-08:00Allegiant by Veronica Roth <!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHe_shKGsJU9Eu0FGJUYjFPPiyM3RYy4VXUHd2UhXeelqB9ZZ5P7clYEbkrPpoBepQavRpLQ5IqnGW8ntxG6VKjaMC6MMjaOorCL0kzOdVqNdYRFEoVjaTK4ZhhQuNxDueBEZNnD-OZ4Q/s1600/allegiant-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHe_shKGsJU9Eu0FGJUYjFPPiyM3RYy4VXUHd2UhXeelqB9ZZ5P7clYEbkrPpoBepQavRpLQ5IqnGW8ntxG6VKjaMC6MMjaOorCL0kzOdVqNdYRFEoVjaTK4ZhhQuNxDueBEZNnD-OZ4Q/s320/allegiant-copy.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Summary</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in
is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and
betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s
known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a
simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangles loyalties, and
painful memories. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one
she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive
new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must
battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while
facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of Pages: </b>526</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Review</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I write to you now in mourning of this series, a series that
lived a great life in the dark of my room and through my most vivid
imagination. I travelled along this city and beyond its walls with a girl with
a love so great and the courage to preserve that love for all, no matter the
cost. I mourn because there is no more for me left to follow and these
characters must now move on with their untold stories. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider me melodramatic if you will, but do not think me
insincere. I disclose complete honesty my book reviews, so believe me when I
tell you that I finished this book five minutes ago and I still can’t stop
crying. This book was the wrap up that no one wanted yet was inevitable. I will
not give away any information for those of you who want to start the series of
Divergent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I created a joint review of the first two books in my
previous post. I wrote of how great it was, out of the norm, and completely
believable in its characters. What was true then is true now. But here is where
I write less with emotion and more with facts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Fact one</u>: This is a great series.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Fact two:</u> This book is slower paced than the rest. (Patience
is required)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Fact three: </u>The end is inevitable, but leaves you—the reader—knowing
for certain how all the beloved characters end, which is a comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember starting this book with immense anticipation, but
was slowed down to a duller pace in the beginning. There is a lot of
information given and a lot of planning where there is less action taking
place. But once you start this series you need to see how it ends, and the
ending is what makes it all worth reading whether it be the ending you wanted
or not. I really enjoyed the dual perspective between Tris and Tobias. The first
two books are completely under Tris point of view, so it is interesting to see
how the author manages to change voices without disrupting what the reader is
already use to. In total it was a series worth reading, and I recommend the
series to you all. Stick it out in the last book. From 1-10? I give this book a
6, but the series in all is an 8.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-27508673669937411312013-10-01T20:23:00.000-07:002013-10-01T22:07:13.754-07:00Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth Joint Review<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa22O15X6WhYeiqkNNSuMYYsDkUnmTSoh34qqoyBna3mQOYAbqWB6-6eaHCe_UT_x_pn5nqoj2_6gVdcqM3kE7TR2A3DjXKMzu_3HW3T_uLaM6pxgBDfJLhfAEIEtSV56rH86xIGj1CXH/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa22O15X6WhYeiqkNNSuMYYsDkUnmTSoh34qqoyBna3mQOYAbqWB6-6eaHCe_UT_x_pn5nqoj2_6gVdcqM3kE7TR2A3DjXKMzu_3HW3T_uLaM6pxgBDfJLhfAEIEtSV56rH86xIGj1CXH/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Divergent Summary</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Beatrice Prior’s Dystopian Chicago, society is divided
into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular
virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave),
Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). ON an appointed day of
every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will
devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the Decision is between staying
with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a
choice that surprises everyone, including herself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the highly competitive initiation that follows,
Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really
are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes
infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret,
one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean
death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her
seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save
those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages:</b> 487</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnsiIAjuPTgeFHF0YYt59GtdQUKFDKWV2gNhxsFUzVseipzlqSEOdnUuPbx1uNayCqAKLML1iplj1C0arL-DLpK2aUgzdHFcoMFjpPYi_LgoTl5fdB2IlrQ9Na9jrxTK8yvQ6RI-XBkSU/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnsiIAjuPTgeFHF0YYt59GtdQUKFDKWV2gNhxsFUzVseipzlqSEOdnUuPbx1uNayCqAKLML1iplj1C0arL-DLpK2aUgzdHFcoMFjpPYi_LgoTl5fdB2IlrQ9Na9jrxTK8yvQ6RI-XBkSU/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Insurgent
Summary </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But
every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around
her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while
grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity, and
loyalty, politics and love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration
and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable
horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies
grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and
choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed
by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guild, radical new
discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her
Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages</b>: 525</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Joint Review</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Completely different from what you would expect from a
dystopian series about to be made into a movie with enough buzz to almost catch
up to the Hunger Game Movies. Completely different in a good way, that is. I
read Divergent and became instantly entranced in this new societal world where
the best virtues are separated into different societies within a society, and
how each virtue standing alone could corrupt the very system they were trying
to protect. The way this system of factions was set up was absolutely
incredible with the amount of detail and surprisingly believability. The
characters only served to cement that world into reality with the profoundness
of the characters, their depth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I get carried away with the admiration of the
characters and their stories, I was to distinguish the assets of this series as
a whole because this is a joint review after all. I am writing a joint review
because I loved the first book so much that I barely left enough time to drive
to Barnes & Noble to get book 2, Insurgent, and start reading. By the time
I finished I slowed down enough to realize that the best parts of both books
became mashed together in my mind and I ended up seeing it as one really big
book. Probably not my best idea for blogging purposes, but it had its perks. In
conclusion, this series captured me enough to feel it was absolutely necessary
to read it continuously. That’s got to be saying something, right? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tris is a rock star. I am not even exaggerating that. She
was everything a protagonist should be: BELIEVABLE. I think that’s why I liked
this book so much. Although completely improbable and we all know that this
will never happen in real life, there was reality interwoven between all
aspects of it. A huge part of that were Tris and the other characters. They
were not too strong, nor were they too weak but miraculously reached their
goals or whatever. That kind of stuff happens too often in Young Adult fiction,
unfortunately. Tri, for instance, was strong willed but not untouchable. And
she was not the weepy-damsel-in-distress-heroine, yet real enough to show
emotions, tears, fears, and etc. Very admirable, yet very <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relatable. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally, if I had to say which book was my favorite so
far, I would have to say Insurgent (book 2). Which I think is great, my reason
being that many times in series like this one sequel sometimes do not live up
to the original installment and can leave fans unsatisfied. Insurgent totally
satisfies and does much more. Both books alone were great and had great
aspects, but Insurgent just seemed to have more depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book one, to me, was very much a set up
of everything to come. This world is so complex that I think it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">needed </i>a whole book to break out the
characters and situation, which is clearly does with the amount of information
on the initiation and different ways of the factions. Book two really seemed to
break the shell set up in the first book and bring the true conflict. There was
more variety in scenes and situation, and I was always left on the edge of my
seat. Yeah, it was one of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those. </i>Amazing.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I looked up the summary for Divergent for my post, I came
across the information for the Divergent movie premiering March of next year. I
can definitely say I got chills from the trailers. If those are any indication
then I believe that this will fortunately be one of those book adaption movies
that stay true to the book’s plot. I CAN’T WAIT. This series was honestly
great, and comes highly recommended from me. From 1-10 as a whole? Divergent
series (Divergent and Insurgent) gets a 9. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-18165283771534974472013-10-01T20:21:00.000-07:002013-10-01T20:21:02.816-07:00Wrap Up of New York Trip Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-77741624578073209362013-07-08T21:39:00.001-07:002013-07-09T21:08:25.126-07:00New York City Experience: Day 3I got my ID! I am an official NYU student according to my new purple shiny card. The process to get that took a while. I took the subway to the NYU district, but I had a little complication on the subway. My parents were testing me to see if I would know what I had to do if I were to go on the subway by myself. I did pretty good until we started nearing the destination. I had been aware of each stop we made and was ready to go, but my dad started to talk to me and I got distracted. We almost missed getting off at the right stop. Lesson of the day: New York City isn't a place where you should get distracted.<br />
<br />
I also learned a little something about the New York attitude, too. The guy was really rude and grouchy. At first it made me really defensive, but I started thinking . . . this is the kind of mentality I have to adapt to. This city is no joke. I went to Milos Greek restaurant that night with my parents, aunts, and grandmother. The majority of the conversation was about city safety and how I have to be aware of everything surrounding me. I would be lying if I said I'm a little nervous of living here, but I am sure I'll adapt.<br />
<br />
That's all for now,<br />
<br />
Camila (Nap. Snack. Read.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-2243466171836943882013-07-07T20:19:00.003-07:002013-07-09T03:54:44.667-07:00New York City Experience: Day 2<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am titling this post as “Day 2” because this technically
was my second day in the city even though I have been in New York for three
days. The reason being is that I spent the whole morning yesterday in a car
driving up to somewhere in the wonderful state of New York. I visited family up
there and had a good time, but I think I can count that day and today’s day as
one. An exciting part of yesterday that I can proudly inform you all is that I
shot my uncle’s really big shot gun. He used this catapult to launch small
flying discs into the air as targets. It is way harder than it looks, but you
will be surprised to hear that I successfully hit TWO targets! I lost compared
to my family, but whatever even hitting one was an accomplishment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to leave bright and early from the farm because
orientation was today. NYU did require it mandatory to all precollege students
so it was a must. I was really nervous that I wasn’t going to make it, but
lucky that wasn’t the case. We drove past all the beautiful greens of New York.
Definitely beautiful, but I don’t think I could live anywhere like that. I was
excited when we started to see signs of the city. We passed through New Jersey
and stopped to have a snack at this small local plaza that was Korean. We went
in to what I took to be a Korean based grocery story and bakery. I’m starting
to think anything we do the Koreans do better . . . the fruit was absolutely
gorgeous. At the entrance there was a little stand where a worker had cut up
samples of the fruit and put little toothpicks so that people could try. It was
all the regular fruit I loved but Korean style. The kiwi was yellow the melons
were white and all of it was fresh. I was tempted to buy the fruit and take it
with me for the next half an hour ride back into the city. However, I decided
against that when I discovered the authentic Korean pastries. My parents and I
shared the most delicious cream filled pastries. It was a nice way to fill up
our stomachs before heading back to the Big Apple. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today was a big day because I had scheduled an orientation
mandated to all the incoming precollege students. I had to say I was a little
nervous at first because I knew that I would not know anyone there, but I’ve
never been too shy to talk to new people. So it was with mostly excitement that
I went with my parents in the afternoon to the Kimmel building. I was dropped
off there and began to follow the signs and people to the fourth floor waiting
area. It was literally not six minutes into arriving that a fellow student began
to talk to me. A friendly girl from Jersey with enough energy and excitement to
kill a horse began to excitedly speak to me about stairs, classes, and herself.
It eased my nerves a little bit after speaking to her. Clearly there were other
people like me that wanted to get to know others. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first half hour was a power point presentation on the
program and everything we could possibly need to know. The people in charge of
the program including the program director spoke to us and gave us a warm
welcome. I spoke to no one at this point was starting to feel a little awkward
again until we started to go off into assigned floor groups. My group appointed
to me was great, and I got the chance to speak with almost every single one of
its members. One girl in particular seemed nice, a Latina like me except she
said she came all the way from Puerto Rico! Hopefully I get to see more of them
as the program continues on. First day of class starts in two day!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Excitedly,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Camila (Nap. Snack. Read.)</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-18321024457406979262013-07-05T19:49:00.001-07:002013-07-05T21:10:27.487-07:00New York City Experience: Day 1<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been given the blessed opportunity to explore one of
the world’s most amazing cities . . . The Big Apple. I am currently sitting in
my new home for the rest of the summer and writing not only for my readers, but
also more as a documentation of my experience in New York City. I have decided
that a chance like this to explore the city life on my own and become
independent in the ways of the world should be remembered. With that in mind, I
have decided to record my experiences and such here, on my blog, every day if
possible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The decision to come to New York this summer was planned
earlier on in the year. During the school year I began too look for programs of
any kind that I could participate in that would allow me to do something that I
love, cultivate that, and also have an amazing cultural experience in the mean time.
New York University quickly drew my eye, as well as its incredible precollege
program. I have visited the city on numerous occasions, as my grandma and other
family members have lived here many years, but the idea of spending more than
just a few days studying in such a prestigious university would be absolutely
incredible. I spent some time researching which studies it offered and have
applied and been accepted into the Expository Writing Class and the Creative
Writing Workshop. This past year has been really focused on my academic studies, as well
as a business and marketing program competition called DECA that really wrung
most of my energy this school year. I thought to really center all my energy this
summer on my love of words and language before all the chaos of college
applications arrive in the fall. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today was the beginning of my journey, one that will
hopefully take me to some unexpected places and exciting experiences. I
traveled by plane with my parents. I am so grateful to them for the opportunity
they have given me. They have come with me for the first leg of my journey to
make sure I am settled in and help me learn the in’s and out’s of such a
complex and modernly exotic landscape. They themselves have walked these
streets and are familiar with everything—from the subway to the people to the
hotdog stands. I feel comfortable with them here, but I know that my time with
them is running low, and I have to learn as much as I can and adapt to whatever
they can’t teach me. They leave in 10 days time, but will be returning every
couple of weeks to check up on me. (Secretly, I know it’s because they’ll miss
me too much.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the moment we left LaGuardia Airport, I have been
soaking up details and places faster than I can process. Apparently, this
entire place is one long strip of land. I’m trying to familiarize myself with
the way the avenues and the streets work (i.e. the long streets and the smaller
ones that cut across.) I arrived early on and had time to settle my things down
at the apartment before going out to explore. Can I just say that I am one
lucky girl? The apartment is beautiful. My very gracious cousin has lent me her
home for the next 2 months, and I am so grateful to her. It is absolutely
incredible, and I can’t believe it’s all mine for the next 6 weeks! I spent the
first few hours exploring the surroundings. Everything I need is basically just
a few blocks away. Coming from the suburbs, I am not use to such close distances
for everything. It’s nice to think that for whatever food craving, whatever
need I have, I can just walk down the street or catch a subway to the nearest
accommodating store. The cutest bakeries and shops are within walking distance.
I had a late brunch with my parents at the most delicious organic French café
called Le Pain Quotidien. Absolutely amazing quality food can be found there. I
had the most delicious mixed berry tart that I practically had to battle for
with my mother. We are both suckers for fruit tarts. I guarantee that will not
be my last visit there, that’s for sure. We freshened up at the apartment and
continued on with mapping out my route to get to NYU.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The university consists of multiple buildings in a huge area
that takes a big chunk out of downtown. I geeked out a little when we passed
the NYU Bookstore. Like the typical student who goes crazy over NYU branded
merchandise, I became super excited over all the purple products. That place is a sucking vortex for any overly anxious new student
of any kind. I might have gone a little overboard, but there was no way I was
going to leave without an NYU cap, NYU t-shirt, and NYU hoodie. No. Way. In.
Hell. My parents indulged me in this and my dad even got his own cap, so it
wasn’t just me!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent the remainder of the day to check out where all the
buildings I would have to go to are located and such. It was too late in the
day to go get my id, but Monday I will have mine and become an official NYU
student! Everything nearby there is so urban-like. Typical college environment
with brewed coffee shops on every street and brick buildings. Walked down 3<sup>rd</sup>
avenue for a long while, and based on what I have observed today I have come
to the conclusion that I could spend a decade in the City and I will never be
able to eat at all the amazing places that are here. I can’t even put to words
the absolutely mouthwatering and amazing dinner I had. Momofuku is a noodle bar
in downtown that serves the most amazing—you guessed it—noodles I have ever had
so far. Personally, my favorite plate was this delicious pork bun that I had to order
twice because there was just no way I could leave without second helpings. If you are
ever by the city, look it up. Absolutely incredible. My tummy was satisfied, my
feet are currently sore, and I count this as a successful first day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have written a lot, and this is only just the beginning.
Most likely there will be days were I do not have much to say, and other where
I wont be able to stop. I look forward to many days, all different in their
experiences, and I hope you will keep up with them, too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New York City enthusiast,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Camila (Nap. Snack. Read.)</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-18002108585970132832013-06-08T19:57:00.001-07:002013-06-08T19:59:47.748-07:00The Fault In Our Stars by John Green <!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubmcw5dbOyLuHpJ_IEu_jPCAtCW0vJ55yQkKRFRxCTDVUPzRmvNiv3PQjwvDLcXGmPR21-99GM685VC_PxopibD3yByx38nuQce1rY8Uvjd-MEicyQRk8aNqx8KcG9JOY_GtG4-y0ApSD/s1600/200px-The_Fault_in_Our_Stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubmcw5dbOyLuHpJ_IEu_jPCAtCW0vJ55yQkKRFRxCTDVUPzRmvNiv3PQjwvDLcXGmPR21-99GM685VC_PxopibD3yByx38nuQce1rY8Uvjd-MEicyQRk8aNqx8KcG9JOY_GtG4-y0ApSD/s1600/200px-The_Fault_in_Our_Stars.jpg" /></a></div>
<h2>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought
her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter
inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters
suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be
completely rewritten. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of Pages: </b>313</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">
Review</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Augustus Waters. If there were anyone I would aspire to be
like it would be Augustus Waters. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was reading this book, I tweeted my feedback and a few
quotes on my personal Twitter account when a girl out of the blue asked me if
she should read it. So many though jumped into my mind, but the 140 characters restrained
me. In the end all I could do was warn her. I wrote “Prepare to fall in love
with heartbreak.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began with the misconception that this book, though raved
about to be unique and ultimately unlike anything else, would be cheesy
and absolutely tragic like all books that pertain to this selection of genre.
I read it and discovered how beautifully awful life could be. The true nature
of Cancer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent the majority of my hours over the past couple of
months in an AP English Language and Composition class, in which my teacher
drilled and drowned us in enough literature to be able to later dissect even
the deepest meaning from a newspaper cartoon or an obituary. Though Hell at
times, I now like to believe that as I read this book I understood it for its
true meaning. This isn’t a light read. It isn’t even all that interesting in
the beginning. It is life. It is the way that these two human beings of
infinitesimal proportions loved, lived, and died that makes this book raw and
real. Everything in this book is both a metaphor and not a metaphor. It is
straightforward and yet hidden with deeper meanings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could write an essay on each moment of Hazel’s days with
Augustus, the boy who represents all the good in the world and all the bad that
happens to the good in the world. It all amounts to nothing in the end because
the life that they and all of us live is filled with day to day moments that
shouldn’t be analyzed . . . they should just be LIVED. I don’t even think any
of this makes any sense, but that should be the reason that you read this. You
should read this just so that the logic and the way you look at life transforms
to a way where you see the joke in the tragedy and the hope in the
hopelessness. Read it for the laughs you'll gain and the tears you'll lose. Read it for Gus. From 1-10? I give it a 7. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-71138027219078188812013-06-08T19:22:00.000-07:002013-06-08T19:59:23.897-07:00Do Not Despair!<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For whatever it's worth and to whoever is still
reading . . . I'm baaaaaaaack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I say that with cheer and a light heart if only to deflect from the
extreme remorse I feel at believing that I have abandoned you all in this cyber
world I have created for you, my readers. I cannot say that
it was all for nothing considering that I shirked my duties as YA book reporter
in order to survive what I like to call Hell and many others refer to as
“Junior Year”. (I survived, in case you were wondering—and with a few gray
hairs.) As one of the most important years in high school, on of the most
scrutinized and looked at, I took it very seriously and can only look back with
a sad and knowing state of mind. It was in those months of sleepless nights and
headaches that I temporarily neglected my first love and our offspring, i.e.
Books and Nap. Snack. Read. respectively. I was so lost in a world of
textbooks, lectures, and disgusting cafeteria food that I did not read as much
as I would have like.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Who am I kidding? I didn’t even read one tenth of what I use to be able
to do, and it was as depressing as it could have been. I admit to feeling like
a starved animal only to gluttonously indulge in my favorite pass time when the
chance arouse and gave no thought to stopping in order to relay any of my
opinions to my blog. I was selfish, but, then again, I am fallible. In the past
two days since I have started my summer vacation I have read 3 books and
another one is well underway. Those along with any other that I read this year
will be blowing up this website in an attempt to make up for lost time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I mourn the loss of some of my viewers while rejoice in those of you I have
not lost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With love,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Camila (NapSnackRead)</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-27777445765104546212012-09-11T19:48:00.001-07:002012-09-11T19:48:37.743-07:00TEMP HOLDER Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-11943904894458402242012-08-11T23:47:00.000-07:002012-08-11T23:47:24.974-07:00The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF_iPp3SqnjH_BjW8WxzBMWOUkZvF44gm19Z5Ue9gDlxiDl5lf6AvyF2Utltp_IfJYrMvT0vaU231idqmdvTjuJDI45g2EFN9hxDS9zEeB0xNouShiRb3c08NOO4PxsiTkIzHEbO66oLw/s1600/the-storyteller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF_iPp3SqnjH_BjW8WxzBMWOUkZvF44gm19Z5Ue9gDlxiDl5lf6AvyF2Utltp_IfJYrMvT0vaU231idqmdvTjuJDI45g2EFN9hxDS9zEeB0xNouShiRb3c08NOO4PxsiTkIzHEbO66oLw/s320/the-storyteller.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A
good girl.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A bad boy.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A fairy tale that’s
true.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A truth that is no
fairy tale.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It begins the day Anna finds the child’s doll on the floor
of the student lounge. When it’s claimed by Abel, the school drug dealer, Anna
becomes determined to learn more about this mysterious boy with the military
haircut and deep blue eyes. She follows him after school and discovers a
secret: Abel is caring for his six-year-old sister, Micha, alone. Anna listens
in as he tells her a fairy tale, the story of a little orphan queen pursued by
hunters across the oceans for the treasure she carries: her pure, diamond
heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a story with parallels to reality. Social services and
Micha’s abusive father could take her from Abel if they discover the truth.
Despite friends’ warnings, Anna is drawn to Abel and Micha, and falls under the
spell of the story of the little queen and her desperate voyage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when people Abel has woven into his tale turns up dead,
it’s Anna whose heart is in danger. Is she in love with a killer? And has she
set out on a journey from which there is no return? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Number of pages</b>: 416</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never before have I read a story like that of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Storyteller. </i>In a way, Antonia’s
story went above and beyond everything that I expected considering nothing is
as expected in the lives of Anna, Abel, and Micha, but there was also a bit of
a let down. Call me a sucker for happy endings, I guess.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Storyteller’s </i>story in the book is
unlike any fairy tale I have ever encountered. I really feel like someone was
telling me the story rather than me just reading the words and absorbing them
on the paper. Abel tells the story to Micha and Anna part by part as the story
of their lives unfolds before them, inspiring the story of the little cliff
queen (Micha). As I read the story and compared it to the fairytale, Antonia
guided me through it, making me assume things and think that I had it all
figured out way ahead of time. It was incredible really how I felt and thought
exactly what the author wanted me to feel and think. There were parts where my
original reactions to things described in the story made me want to fling the
book far away, but then the author would describe something about the
characters and the actions and it would just make me go along with it. It was
as if she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">made </i>me feel empathy for
things that I would never usually feel for. She also made me think that I had
all the puzzle pieces together even though I knew some pieces were missing. In
reality, I had had all the pieces, just in a different order and waiting for
new fabricated pieces to arrive. This all probably sound confusing the way I am
explaining it, but this story is one that I can not explain in just simple
words. It’s all about feeling it as you go along. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The writing was simply beautiful. It was poetic . . .
lyrical even. Usually I tend to stray away from flowery writing because I get
distracted in the detailed descriptions and what not. In this book, that was
not the case (at least, not often). There was a slight change in writing style,
I thought, between the story of their lives and the fairytale story. I assume
it was because Abel was the one telling the fairytale story, not Antonia as the
author. Antonia also wrote about very different characters, ones whose
personalities and problems are not that of the ones I usually encounter. Take
Abel for instance: he is as unique a character as I have ever read, but I
didn’t even get to discover that until piece by piece the author revealed Abel
at the end as he was meant to be. And Anna: she was one of those main heroines
that you feel for and understand but also want to beat the crude out of her for
the way she handles things or the way she reacts. Some of her actions seemed so
naïve to me—or just stupid—but then the author was make me feel she was
justified by doing that whole empathy thing again. In the end, I didn’t know
whether to love or hate those two. Micha I adored, wholeheartedly. That little
queen captured my heart from the start, and I ached over the things she went
through and the things she saw during that cold winter in their little city in
Germany. I can’t blame the author for anything that happened in the end because
looking back I realized that I always knew this story of the little queen and
her friends was one of heartbreak, which is exactly how I was left feeling.
From 1-10? The brilliant work of tragedy is a 7 to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. I feel like a heads up is in order. While this book was
very good, I do not recommend it for those who are young. Many things happened
in this book that are not G rated, nor do I think that all of it is comfortable
reading about to some of you i.e. murder, drugs, rape etc. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-21302889015128374602012-07-25T22:53:00.000-07:002012-07-25T22:53:04.934-07:00Guardians: The Fallout by Lola St. Vil<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDIp0p6VQOMx-Ryx0s6NcWpXCyphFiaAywuNxUVBTJ7weZx9of2pDQMEA9EgEvoULZhjYFBDVSbj3M4zG86bIqIWZZNJNOEhaRtCafTmZngM2eeD1seDeXozLjtj-mWP_P5qDC6UNm1Bm/s1600/tf_667x1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDIp0p6VQOMx-Ryx0s6NcWpXCyphFiaAywuNxUVBTJ7weZx9of2pDQMEA9EgEvoULZhjYFBDVSbj3M4zG86bIqIWZZNJNOEhaRtCafTmZngM2eeD1seDeXozLjtj-mWP_P5qDC6UNm1Bm/s320/tf_667x1000.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt=":::Desktop:tf_667x1000.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2pt;
margin-top:0;width:216.35pt;height:324pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'
wrapcoords="-200 0 -200 21467 21565 21467 21565 0 -200 0">
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/camilachediak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="tf_667x1000.jpg"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Just
because she has wings, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">doesn’t
mean she’s an Angel…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">It's front
page news on every Angel gossip rag:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">“Marcus
& Ameana: Gone The Way Of “Brad & Jennifer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">So, Who Is
The “Angelina?” Emmy Baxter—a mere mortal!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Ameana
tries to avoid her ex and his new love by focusing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">on the
other evil out to destroy the team. But soon her pain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">turns to
fury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">And before
the end…a girl plots revenge, a leader is on the edge <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">and an
Angel falls.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages: </b>350</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh my god. I was just stopped cold. Like dead cold. The book
ended, and I was left<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . .
waiting. I honestly don’t know what to do now. The book is over and it’s going
to be quite some time before book THREE comes out considering this just came
out today and I was fortunate to coerce (*cough* begged) the author into giving
me an ARC. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we last saw our doomed characters, a big revelation
about one of the Guardian’s actions was reveled leaving you with a feeling of
unease. This book starts off in the point of view of Ameana, Marcus’ ex-girlfriend.
Boy does this girl have some serious issues. At times I couldn’t blame her, and
at others I just wanted to kick her. You do get to witness a more vulnerable
side to the girl, which is nice to see and to know that she isn’t a complete
robot. I’d have to say that two thirds of the book was in her point of view
where as one third is done in the point of view of our spunky and stubborn
human, Emmy. Most of the time Ameana tries to make Emmy seem like a real loser
and a complete waste of space. At times I had to agree with her because of some
pettiness I spotted, but when you took the time to look into the way Emmy
reacts and composes herself under pressure, you can’t help but feel admiration
for her. Honestly, after looking at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">both </i>girls
I felt admiration for both. And not only did I see a lot of different aspects
of them, but also from the other characters. Anger from those I didn’t think
were that capable, selflessness when I thought they were all hard, even love in
one case where there was no WAY there was before. Each book seems to open up a
different layer of everyone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plot line was interesting in this one as well. The same
goals to save the earth still apply, but there were very different obstacles
that I thought were great and nerve wracking at the same time.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>I don’t want to give out too much
information on book two so I will just say that this continuation of The
Guardians is not something that will disappoint. I read one chapter for every
math problem I completed (I like to think of it as a reward), and when it ended
I was left not only speechless, but also feeling slightly fainted. All I kept
thinking was that it COULDN’T end that way. I COULDN’T be left hanging that
bad. But I was, and not only does it frustrate me, but I am also dying to get
my hand on the 3<sup>rd</sup> book A.S.A.P. That isn’t likely to happen soon so
until then I will just have to be satisfied with rating it from 1-10? An 8.5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Side note: I understand that the given summary doesn’t really
tell you what this book is about, but I’ll post something different up if I find
it a little more specific or helpful. Either way read the first and then this
one! Trust. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-39284749711174968272012-07-25T22:33:00.000-07:002012-07-25T22:33:02.770-07:00Timepiece: An Hourglass Novel by Myra McEntire<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--StartFragment-->
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3ZG9l5OK99xzqQAYsj3MzbN0bBau67sB8lSzvHc9Y-e8uGbMW_DXnKfDnR-BanXBRhka4bt9JzoPmA9IyaKIY1CU7weV578GYOeZyOlndc8C195CxRupF4iuiXARBI9ICEh42OjsaFB4/s1600/Timepiece+Hi+res.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3ZG9l5OK99xzqQAYsj3MzbN0bBau67sB8lSzvHc9Y-e8uGbMW_DXnKfDnR-BanXBRhka4bt9JzoPmA9IyaKIY1CU7weV578GYOeZyOlndc8C195CxRupF4iuiXARBI9ICEh42OjsaFB4/s320/Timepiece+Hi+res.JPG.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kaleb Ballard was never supposed to be able to see
ripples—cracks in time. Are Kaleb’s powers expanding, or is something very
wrong? Before Kaleb can find out, Jonathan Landers, the man who tried to murder
his father, reappears. Why is he back, and what, or whom, does he want? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the wake of Lander’s return, the Hourglass organization
is offered an ultimatum by a mysterious man. Either they find Landers and the
research he has stolen on people who might carry the time gene, or time will be
altered—with devastating results for the people Kaleb loves most.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now Kaleb, Emersion, Michael, and the other Hourglass
recruits have no choice but to use their extraordinary powers to find Landers.
But where do they even start? And when? Even if they succeed, just finding him
may not be enough . . . </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages:</b> 336</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interesting story line. Interesting characters. It was all
very interesting, which makes it good. It was a good plot and I had a good time
reading it. But that doesn’t make it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really there is nothing bad I can say about this book. I
didn’t encounter any definite flaw, nor did I have a bad time reading, it just
ended up being average. The story itself is not average in the way that we see
lots of these time travelling and science fiction stories, but it wasn’t like I
was left with my mouth open and the adrenaline rush I get from a really great
book. Sure it wasn’t the best, but I’m glad I read it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first book in the Hourglass series is narrated by Em,
and Kaleb narrated this one. I can’t say which character I like better as the
lead, but it was very different between the two people. I found myself missing
having Em as the leader of the thought process. Anyway, their personalities,
their struggles, their connection to the happens of the book, but I found this
one a little bit more cliché than the last one. Honestly, I would be lying if I
told you that there was something wrong with this book, it’s just something
that I can’t put my finger on, and I don’t want anyone reading this thinking
that they shouldn’t read the book because of it. This is just the feeling that
I had, and I am sharing. Yours may be completely different than my own, and I
completely accept that. With that said, I am also going to write why I thought
this book was good. Kaleb has a strong personality and it was interesting
seeing how that played off in his inner thoughts. He is an empathy, which means
he can feel the emotions of people he is connected to or around him. Read this
I would continuously be thrown the different emotions of people around Kaleb,
and that was interesting seeing how he reacted to the different emotions. It
was also great to see how he changed for the better, though like I said before
it was a tad bit cliché. Then again, who doesn’t like a little cliché in their
lives? Your opinion is just as good as mine. I will say that I am looking
forward to the next book for two reasons: the story continues into a new
adventure, which will obviously not settle me until I find out how it is
resolved and I am looking forward to seeing who is the narrator of the next
book. Em the first, Kaleb the second, who is next? Michael? Lily? Someone new?
I wonder . . . I wonder . . . From 1-10? 5.5</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-26336070704641924512012-07-24T16:24:00.000-07:002012-07-24T16:24:39.050-07:00Two-Year Blogaversary & Guardians: The Girl Giveaway Winners!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post might end up being the cheesiest thing in the
world, but it must be done. It must be done because today marks Nap Snack
Read’s two-year blogaversary! 730 That’s right . . . 730 days where I have
written all my thoughts on the great acts of literature that I have read. I am
honestly so happy that my dad pushed me to start Nap Snack Read as a stupid
little hobby, which turned out being s lot more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, cheesiness is over! It’s time to announce the winners of
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians: The Girl </i>Giveaway!
This was my first giveaway, and I appreciate those who participated. It meant a
lot. I also want to thank the author, Lola St. Vil, for all her help on this
little project. Thanks Lola! Well here are the winners! Congratulations to . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Jesse</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Adriana D. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lindsay C. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you read this, you will be receiving an email with your
prizes tonight. I hope you guys enjoy the books!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-5753782563853781992012-07-22T22:11:00.000-07:002012-07-22T22:42:42.111-07:00Seeds of War by Rachel Fisher<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaa_2N4fKgd2LwBseg0jWueFqpBhkqLPi5-mtJhRoJVg0f3uYE2rG_wr0z2tgSwzfJn5szdZ-nLYJljebd43NS5b9GD_7bYGpd1ziXwFhUdtsv2j6KbcRl_RbtEFpKxdoyrZSXGbOxjwI/s1600/ref-sow-cover-front-mid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaa_2N4fKgd2LwBseg0jWueFqpBhkqLPi5-mtJhRoJVg0f3uYE2rG_wr0z2tgSwzfJn5szdZ-nLYJljebd43NS5b9GD_7bYGpd1ziXwFhUdtsv2j6KbcRl_RbtEFpKxdoyrZSXGbOxjwI/s320/ref-sow-cover-front-mid.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The mission
of Eden must be fulfilled and Eden’s best Seekers are needed. Forming a new
group they dub the Seeders, Fi, Asher, and Sean are joined by a new addition as
they set out to bring hope and support to the Topsiders in the form of radios and
heirloom seeds. As radio broadcasts begin to reconnect the survivors, the
Seeders stumble upon mysterious broadcasts from unknown stations. When two of
their own new radio stations go silent within days of each other, Fi and her
companions realize that something is terribly wrong. Eden finds itself pitted
against a growing and unknown force as their very mission lights the flames of
war.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of
pages</b>: 262</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off, if you haven’t read book one in this trilogy then read it. Once you are finished go <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">straight </i>to
this one. Book two picks up right in the moment where it ended in book one, and
there is lots of information in both books so you wouldn’t want to miss
anything, trust me. I had to reread the first book in its entirety because
there was no way that I was going to remember all the little details that were
present, but then again that could be just me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have read my post on the first book then you will have noticed
that I emphasized that book as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">survival
</i>book. So what does that make book two, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seeds
of War</i>? For that I will have to steal a word from the book itself, and that
word is “Reconnection”. What does that mean exactly? Well, Fi and her Family
have made it to Eden, they have settled in, they have revived their strengths,
and now Fi is out to reconnect with the people living in the world, the
“Topsiders”, and to replant the original plants and grasses that were first
created when the Earth was young, before humans tampered with it. Sorry if that gave away a few spoilers of book one, but there is no other way for
me to describe what is going on in this one. So mainly, Fi, Asher, Sean, and a new friend
named Sara are off to save the world by helping the scientists of Eden recreate
the Earth’s original properties, but along the way trouble starts to brew.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After reading both books, I feel like I have traveled Topside right
along Fi. The characters were amazingly created by Rachel Fisher, who seems to
have a real talent for making a story real. The plot has always been amazing,
intricately created with points that make it seem like everything that has
happened to these people in 2030 something is very possible in our future, but what I found
most interesting was the characters. And what I love about this author is that
although Fi is the main character that we usually follow, we still jump from
character to character to character depending on the scene. I really got to
know all of them in a deeper way, which was great for my nerdy side. And they
felt believable because of it in a sense that if I was tromping in the forest
with three other people with the weight of the world sort of literally on my
shoulders, this is how I would feel. These would be my concerns, if that makes
any sense. I also got the sense that unlike book one, this was more of a moral
or ethical book. I loved how these moral and religious questions popped up in
Fi’s mind because I would think that is normal. What if God was punishing them?
What if killing someone meant saving someone else? What are your choices? It
all heightened the sense of survival and the problems they were all facing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I again found Rachel’s work great. I thoroughly enjoyed the
story, and I am just dying to get my greedy little hands on book three. (Hope
it doesn’t take too long!) It was an excellent story, but it is also a "thinking" kind of book. Lots of scientific stuff and theories. At times confusing, but never unbearably so. Something I do think I should warn you about is that
this book may not be for the faint hearted. This is still survival of the
fittest, kill or be killed. There were parts where it may be a little bit
bloody or scary and pretty intense, but it was all done to heighten the sense of danger that the
author was giving off. At least, that’s what I felt. Either way I feel like
this was a wonderful book, and the series is turning out to be a real mind opener,
not just some silly little love story. I really like that. (Though the love story in this book is amazingly sweet, just saying.) So from 1-10? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seeds of War </i>is a definite 8.5</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-2876303616578480802012-07-20T12:42:00.001-07:002012-07-20T12:42:33.189-07:00Guardians: The Girl Giveaway! Info & Rules<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The time has come for me to try something new. It was bound
to happen, to try to spice things up a bit and give you guys a chance to
interact with me and win an awesome prize. So what better time to do that other
than on Nap Snack Read’s two-year blogaversary? The day is coming and it is my
wish to celebrate it with my first special giveaway!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQb98vYdYXhP38PAaLnueTCQfS2IlibaanXmPEPhzHL7h0xzKG4wYPejN5B4r5Tk4cP3_2fIypRyTrvJ-VLzbAm4ZcEyvi0Yq9lQUdBDxqGdQ9Q6FCt1lZNMyswLGKUUIui3cO7vkZtT0/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQb98vYdYXhP38PAaLnueTCQfS2IlibaanXmPEPhzHL7h0xzKG4wYPejN5B4r5Tk4cP3_2fIypRyTrvJ-VLzbAm4ZcEyvi0Yq9lQUdBDxqGdQ9Q6FCt1lZNMyswLGKUUIui3cO7vkZtT0/s200/securedownload.jpeg" width="132" /></a>So here are the details. The author who has agreed to
partner up with me for this special event it Lola St. Vil. She is the author of
Guardians series, and has agreed to present the winners with a free copy of the
first book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians: The Girl </i>in kindle format, nook format, and pdf format. If a different format is needed, just let me know which type you'd need and I'll see what I can do. For
those of you who aren’t familiar with this book, click <a href="http://napsnackread.blogspot.com/2012/02/guardians-girl-by-lola-st-vil.html">here</a> to see my review on
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians: The Girl </i>and a full summary of the story<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>Trust me on
this, I highly, highly recommend this book, so you might as well try to win a
copy here, right? So take the chance, and apply to win on July 24, which is
five days from now. Set your alarms . .
. take note of it in your calendar . . . because this is one book you
will want to try to win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Giveaway Rules</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1. Contestant must be a follower of Nap Snack Read (follow the steps indicated on the right hand side, above <i>B</i><i>log Archive</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
2. Contestant must send an email to napsnackread@yahoo.com with your name and follower profile name or comment on this post with the information</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
3. Email/comment must also include the type of book format you prefer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The winners of this giveaway will be announced on the 24th of July and be given their prize accordingly. Good luck to you all! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-70368026989304375012012-07-16T22:26:00.000-07:002012-07-16T22:26:27.102-07:00The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyziT0_TdMXixGbKQeI4G58P3nHGFZx0T3elh2tIIqEKOOD3wrxVGYvGQIi7c0_gpMtU5t3uGJGoFWlKkQ_isuGKsFAVebnCkZBeKtTPZFZEwZ8DH-pC3Rq6kj7Z7LltAKNOo_k1ogjYR/s1600/lightkeepers-daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyziT0_TdMXixGbKQeI4G58P3nHGFZx0T3elh2tIIqEKOOD3wrxVGYvGQIi7c0_gpMtU5t3uGJGoFWlKkQ_isuGKsFAVebnCkZBeKtTPZFZEwZ8DH-pC3Rq6kj7Z7LltAKNOo_k1ogjYR/s320/lightkeepers-daughter.jpg" width="205" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Addie Sullivan leads a quiet life in a northern California
lighthouse. She mourns the death of her father and endured her mother’s
bitterness, until the night a storm brings an inured stranger and a dark secret
to her home. The man insists she is not who she thinks she is, but rather
“Julia Eaton”—the child long lost and feared dead by her wealthy family.
Seizing the chance to be reunited with the Eatons, Addie leaves her lighthouse
home but decides to keep her true identity a secret until they can unravel the
mystery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Addie loves the Eaton’s palatial home tucked away among the
California redwood forests. She feels secure with the jovial family, adores the
young boy who is her charge as a governess, and finds romance with his father
John, a young widower. But sinister shadows overtake Addie’s joy. As dusty
rooms and secret compartments give up their clues about her past, Addie finds a
faith and a love she could never have guessed. To embrace this new world of
promise is to risk her life; but to run away is to risk losing the greatest
love she’s ever known. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages: </b>306</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have read the summary to this book then you will
understand that this is a Christian book with lots of spiritual messages
intertwined with each word. Being a Christian, I myself enjoyed this book
thoroughly as it opened up a few points in my faith. Books like this one tends
to remind me of things I’ve either overlooked in my faith or never
acknowledged. That how it works for me, but, understandably, that is not how it
works for every, and I respect that. Which means I also appreciate respect back
on my own views. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that said, I will get on with my review of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lightkeeper’s Daughter. </i>This is just
the kind of book that I use to read when I was younger, when I first started
opening myself up to the love of reading. It reminded me of that time because
it was sweet in nature, mystery to decipher, a simple love story, and is takes
place in the past. I have always had a special sweet spot for historical fictions,
and this one happened to take place in one of my favorite times. A time of
ladies gowns, bowler hats, and manners is where I found Addie. The time gave
the characters a charming nature where I really felt the differences between my
time and theirs. That has always interested me, and it was especially
highlighted in this book. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plot itself was interesting enough. Don’t you just hate
when a mystery’s answers seem obvious? That wasn’t the case with this book.
Well, to be honest, when the mystery was coming to a close I found myself
anticipating the answer before it was revealed, which was kind of disappointing
in a way but didn’t ruin the whole book’s experience at the same time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the religion aspect of this story, I found it subtly yet
firm in its beliefs. I liked that. I didn’t feel like the main character, or in
this case the author, was shoving her beliefs down my throat, but being a
Christian who was looking for the religiousness of the story was intrigued by
the little lessons I received from it. I found that while there were obvious
religious feelings, I do believe that if you aren’t of the same faith you could
still pick up the book and enjoy the story. It was a sweet story if that is
what you might decide to do. So from 1-10? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Lightkeeper’s Daughters </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a
6.5</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-80899801990593258802012-07-15T18:34:00.001-07:002012-07-15T18:34:26.150-07:00Dreamless by Josephine Angelini<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHfkagTZfIIq6snp6H9UYVnKw-PU7-jgDF8x_FwZs3KyPc6U-rlxqThIE-1lJGL0nvBLC5G_SkzCOjD6LhMiWYjZRT2W24mvPaSJA-0D89p3l42PcxcXO5Jfd8NZl3VwgVWRwVOoUgw6J/s1600/dreamless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHfkagTZfIIq6snp6H9UYVnKw-PU7-jgDF8x_FwZs3KyPc6U-rlxqThIE-1lJGL0nvBLC5G_SkzCOjD6LhMiWYjZRT2W24mvPaSJA-0D89p3l42PcxcXO5Jfd8NZl3VwgVWRwVOoUgw6J/s320/dreamless.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the only
scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a
nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the
endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to
overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her
side, Helen is not sure she ahs the strength to go on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious
new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the
dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against
them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one,
Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into the chaos. But the hardest
task of all with be forgetting Lucas Delos. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages:</b> 487</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember reading the first book in this sage, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Starcrossed, </i>and saying it was such an
amazing book. I read it so long ago, and yet I can still remember how excited I
was by it. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dreamless, </i>I’d say, was
very good as well. I really like how the story was picked up from the last one,
and yet the whole plot was completely different—different goals, different
struggles, different sides of the well-loved characters. If I were to compare
the two books, I would have to say I like the first one better. But I will say
that this book, if it were to stand on its own, was very, very good. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
The whole point in this book was
for Helen to do the impossible and break the curse that plagues all Scion
Houses. The adventure was great in the sense that I had no idea what was going
to happen, and I was thrilled by the surprises that were in store. Honestly,
the end was the best part for me because it set up perfectly for the next book,
and made me look forward to it (even though it won’t come out for another <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">YEAR</i>)!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
Now, maybe not every one is very familiar
with Greek legends and stories, but if you are then this book in particular
would be exciting to read. I got a thrill every time a character or a story
from ancient Greece popped up. I would stop and grin because I knew who they
were, they were familiar. I think the way that Josephine Angelini incorporated
all those stories and people was incredible. It wasn’t an overload, but it was
enough to notice her extensive knowledge on the subject. She definitely did her
homework! I think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dreamless </i>was a
good follow up as book 2, and I am really looking forward to seeing what comes
up in book 3. From 1-10? I give it a 7!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-65281263090898196432012-07-15T14:15:00.000-07:002012-07-15T14:15:51.625-07:00A Bite's Tale: A Furry Fable by Veronica Blade<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQ7pCWlljRj27L55RgXdEcJ4Mq2QQ-u6JJf1JJ9EkCy1C3QhRUIU6t5IzNZxd9HQKMK8_9k85ncmkVS4ymmjqw6nAo9ALxMJhNR39EJ2vCMTIvp35qg6jKnCVeR-1k5srrO8XZ2X2WOmy/s1600/13350762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQ7pCWlljRj27L55RgXdEcJ4Mq2QQ-u6JJf1JJ9EkCy1C3QhRUIU6t5IzNZxd9HQKMK8_9k85ncmkVS4ymmjqw6nAo9ALxMJhNR39EJ2vCMTIvp35qg6jKnCVeR-1k5srrO8XZ2X2WOmy/s320/13350762.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="Macintosh HD:Users:camilachediak:Desktop:13350762.jpg" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:0;margin-top:-17.95pt;width:130.7pt;height:198pt;z-index:1;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text' wrapcoords="-331 0 -331 21382 21484 21382 21484 0 -331 0">
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/camilachediak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="13350762.jpg"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Summary </b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">A
Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood.</span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Seventeen
year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, trying to keep everyone
around her safe. No way will she risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball,
no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her. As she attempts to carve out
some semblance of a life, Cydney can’t forget the boy she loved three summers
ago — or what she did to him after losing control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Turned into
a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties.
He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit
him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must
choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another?
He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of
pages:</b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> 165</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">It’s short
stories like this one right here that just makes me wish that it were longer. I
was saddened by how fast I polished off this quick read because of how much I
enjoyed reading about Cydney and Remy. They were just too cute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I think
short stories are far more difficult to write than the average length books
because there is only some much time for the author to squeeze in the
introduction of the characters, set up the plot line, and wrap up all the loose
ends. Now, if the book is a bit lengthier then the author has enough leisure
the do it with enough time. Short stories are to the point, and they can’t lose
you attention for a minute. Personally, I think that this particular short
story was very well proportioned. Proportion in the way that the intro didn’t
take too much time or the climax was too short. It all fit. The plot itself was
unique, I thought. The country that they live in is the only one to harbor and
protect the super naturals. I loved how it seemed like that average thing, no
big deal. Remy and Cydney were the perfect combo of attitude and love and
sarcasm and all the rest befitted as roles of main characters. I thought it was
great altogether. From 1-10? It’s a definite 8. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-29897507763465372522012-07-08T19:16:00.000-07:002012-07-08T19:16:31.782-07:00Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="::Desktop:137425197.JPG.jpeg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2pt;
margin-top:0;width:178pt;height:270pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'
wrapcoords="-243 0 -243 21440 21600 21440 21600 0 -243 0">
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/camilachediak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="137425197.JPG.jpeg"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKssehFVNJT34ko6QMcWJnXKg3G9jBce-4_LuTJ8ZMxm0gou-TA40d2kaKvIpDDjZ55TENRjpBB0ICmhRvQgPRxuw-2wR_4jfAn-NnaunkndzW-2UdXMVK5ZIpA5ajFJ_N715_cbiFD3h/s1600/137425197.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKssehFVNJT34ko6QMcWJnXKg3G9jBce-4_LuTJ8ZMxm0gou-TA40d2kaKvIpDDjZ55TENRjpBB0ICmhRvQgPRxuw-2wR_4jfAn-NnaunkndzW-2UdXMVK5ZIpA5ajFJ_N715_cbiFD3h/s320/137425197.JPG.jpeg" width="210" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Summary</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the wake of the Second Wave, the angel menace has
exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow has a prophetic dream that
points them to Mexico City, where they connect with a fledgling group of angel
killers, Alex takes the team in hand, training them for a rush attach on the
Seraphic Council, an elite group already under watch by Willow’s angel-father,
Raziel, who wants “The Twelve” dead for the sinister reasons of his own and
will stop at nothing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What Alex doesn’t know is that there was also a boy in
Willow’s dream, one she felt overpoweringly attracted to. and when enigmatic
Seb shows up in the flesh, he turns out to be another—possibly the world’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only </i>other—half angel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seb’s been searching for Willow all his life . . . and as the
team prepares for grim warfare against a divine enemy, Willow must weigh her
love for Alex against the truth of her nature, with everything to lose. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Number of pages: </b>638</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am emotionally drained from this book . . . in a definitely
good way. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Angel Burn </i>was everything I
expected from book 2 of this trilogy. In fact, I think it was even better than
the first book. Mainly I think it’s better because in the first book, the only
characters that really get viewed is Alex, Willow, the bad guy, and a handful
of people that pass by. Most of the time it was just Alex and Willow. In this
book, you see a wide range of characters. My favorite of those new characters
being Seb. I loved him. The whole chemistry between Seb and Willow, even the
chemistry between Seb and Alex who were always at odds was extremely
entertaining. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I liked how it ended a lot. Sometimes in a series like this,
the ending either leaves you unsatisfied or so satisfied that you don’t want
the next book to come out because it ended off just the way you want it. This book
ended in a way that left me with all the loose ends lied up . . . for now. But then
it also left a whole new plot to open up in the next book. I found the way L.A.
did that was just great. The story did seem a little drawn out to me in the
middle, but overall enjoyable. From 1-10? It’s a definite 7.5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quick opinion on the cover . . . I didn’t like it at all.
Honestly, I understand it after I read it, but it looks completely demonic to
me, and I didn’t much care for it. If it weren’t for the fact that I have book
one in the hardcover format I probably would have gotten book 2 in kindle
because the cover really bugs me. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-68554724259946883982012-06-28T12:15:00.000-07:002012-06-28T12:15:11.531-07:00Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV212iT8fJX853kmkMV3PUiYj3vZNQg9Bo81euk4sI5caAqzn7xIEiigJn-eNXYIF3UrnXbJKynVcBuKGpnyXyLBxVYA1Cq3S5JxVKB2_4Mwe0frdOzPQvVAe7HYF74EsUyYKYLTL600sN/s1600/13400912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV212iT8fJX853kmkMV3PUiYj3vZNQg9Bo81euk4sI5caAqzn7xIEiigJn-eNXYIF3UrnXbJKynVcBuKGpnyXyLBxVYA1Cq3S5JxVKB2_4Mwe0frdOzPQvVAe7HYF74EsUyYKYLTL600sN/s320/13400912.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is 2033, and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as
unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. Is the United
States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every
family. Thirteen-year-old Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own
family, toughening her at a young age. But when her dying father makes a
shocking confession, Fi realizes that her toughness will be pushed to its
absolute limits.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saddled with an impossible secret and mission of saving her
little sister, Fi gets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must
become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that
evil can be accidental . . . and that love can be intentional. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages:</b> 376</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eden’s Roots deserves a round of applause and a cheer or
two. If any other bloggers have read and reviewed this book along with me, then
I hope it is safe to assume that they were just as equally captivated by this
amazing sci-fi story as I was, but I would love to put my two cents in as well.
Fi is a narrator and Leader like no other. I followed her like a member of her
Family would, and I am proud to say I survived this journey right along side
her. The world is coming to an end in the ways of the normal every day-to-day
life. To be honest the details as to what exactly is going on left me a little
fuzzy, but I will try to summarize and explain the details without giving too
much away. Food, regular food, has been contaminated over the years, processed
and manipulated so many times that over eventually it has generated so much
disease and created the “Sickness”. The “Sickness” in this book refers to
cancerous diseases, though I believe other kinds of diseases are considered as
well. The amount of Sickfood soon starts to kill all forms of vegetation, and
basically the world is in for a global Famine. Anyway, no one really knows
about the Sickfood, except a selected few such as scientists who are preparing
for the worst and have created a safe haven where they can reconstruct and
rebuild. One of those few people is Fi’s dad who is one of the main scientists
working on the effort to build this haven, Eden. When he becomes Sick, he and
his family are crossed off from the list of candidates allowed to join this new
colony and have a better chance of survival. Before his death he gives all he knowledge
to his daughter in the hopes that she can lead her sister and mother to safety.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was incredible seeing how a girl that is pictured as
normal, as ordinary, is transformed into this character with the burden of much
older and wiser people, a person who leads many souls to safety. The process
written in which she does become a warrior with all the fighting and toughness
included was a bit lengthy, but overall created a picture of complete and utter
dedication. Fi is really no average girl, but then again isn’t there something
more than average in all of us? Along the way she meets and connects with a
group of people that I have come to love as well. Each and every individual was
spectacularly created to contribute and share some love with me, as the reader.
The journey was arduous, the conditions frightening, and I felt it all first
hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really want to focus on how this book was written in
regards to point of views. It had a switching view from Fi, to her best friend
Sean, to another boy that you meet along the way. They all tie together,
obviously, but it was Fi’s mind that was kept dominant. She was the core of the
story, as well as the core of her Family being Leader. I felt her burden, her
determination, and her uncontrollable rage. That’s what really made the story
amazing. It made it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i>, you know?
It wasn’t a story about a girl who become a super hero and a hard ass and
overall seems untouchable, neither about a girl who is weak and in the end
shows her true colors. This was a book of survival, and it emanated off of Fi
like an odor. She felt pain, fear, and worry along with happiness, excitement, even
peace. I admit to some well-deserved tears on my part (much to my families
amusement). It wasn’t laugh out loud funny, but I also felt humor and love
written between words. I found it a great experience. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also loved how real the situation all seemed. This book
frightened me in that aspect a bit. The Famine, the Sickfood, the fact that a
lot of the things that we have and do today were portrayed in a different light
to show how terribly it could all go wrong. It seemed possible. I do have to
warn my readers that this book is mild in many ways, but it could get very
graphic in many others. Like I said, this is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">survival </i>story, and the things done in this book were things that
may seem out of hand, but it was done in order to survive. It brought up some
serious questions that I found interesting to think about. What would you do to
survive? What would you give, sacrifice for the good of yourself and loved
ones? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I look over my review I realize that it is a bit long,
and I am pleased with that. Why? Because it means that this book opened my
brain a bit more, and had me thinking, reaaaally thinking. It wasn’t a book to
just follow along. I really thought if that makes any sense. It was . . . and
“intelligent” book, I guess. Like food for thought! From 1-10? Eden’s Roots
gets an 8.5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-84952492604676571662012-06-28T12:11:00.000-07:002012-06-28T12:11:01.080-07:00The Siren by Kiera Cass<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="::Desktop:40793957.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2.4pt;
margin-top:0;width:184.4pt;height:278.4pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'
wrapcoords="-234 0 -234 21569 21553 21569 21553 0 -234 0">
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/camilachediak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="40793957.jpg"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-kw9KsLb-nSuX9CH4LM5q36Sq4u87RJalcRdT4y7aw1le-njJ9RxwEWKkyE_QJkUOhmHxGuqWUMiz5CYXGdnIEwi05NuZgsI9TXOyreI_2-4OaCEi9OI6MZUw4Bm0gFLDdMBerEZ4cku/s1600/40793957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-kw9KsLb-nSuX9CH4LM5q36Sq4u87RJalcRdT4y7aw1le-njJ9RxwEWKkyE_QJkUOhmHxGuqWUMiz5CYXGdnIEwi05NuZgsI9TXOyreI_2-4OaCEi9OI6MZUw4Bm0gFLDdMBerEZ4cku/s1600/40793957.jpg" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You must never do anything that might expose our secret.
This means that, in general, you cannot form close bonds with humans. You can
speak to us, and you can always commune with the Ocean, but you are,
essentially, a weapon. I won’t like to you, it can be a lonely existence, but
once you are done, you get to live. All you have to give, for now, is obedience
and time . . .”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The same speech has been given hundreds of times to hundreds
of beautiful girls who enter the sisterhood of sirens. Kahlen has lived by
these rules for years now, patiently waiting for the life she can call her own.
But when Akinli, a human, enters her world, she can’t bring herself to live by
the rules anymore. Suddenly the life she’s been waiting for doesn’t seem nearly
as important as the one she’s living now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages:</b> 276</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Siren </i>was a
new kind of story, with some flair of the usual. I can’t say it was the average
story either because the plot line was very interesting to follow along. It’s
the story about Kahlen’s sentence as a siren. She takes you through each of the
biggest episodes in her 100 years as siren, and how, along the way, she
discovers a person who she is willing to risk anything and everything for. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said, the story was interesting, but I couldn’t help
but get tired eyes as I read the book. It was long and it was monotonous at
times. It’s not that the story was boring, only that many parts were extended
and it made me tired to read it at times. It’s like she kept ranting in her
head or something. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something that I found <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">extremely
</i>great was how the author gave life to the Ocean. She was real, and She felt
and loved and thought as well. I can’t really explain it, only that I felt
connected to the Ocean. I thought that was just amazing. So adding all the
qualities together, from 1-10? I’d say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Siren </i>gets a 6. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-59078576446536535422012-06-28T12:06:00.003-07:002012-06-28T12:06:46.347-07:00My Life in Black & White by Natasha Friend<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="::Desktop:12925379.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2.4pt;
margin-top:0;width:183.6pt;height:275.2pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'
wrapcoords="-235 0 -235 21506 21647 21506 21647 0 -235 0">
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/camilachediak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="12925379.jpg"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBXILnTtobyWUSnmXhSYvzskUi7NkOhcxrVtQAeyTi6Hqg07mcUhpeVDUUlf5PNwL1JiVK1XcM4-8ZFlZ6e0DwM-BE7wTIijt78u2YkJOdROd7ouCBS3Fc9BNlafED0r0S5UUU0uH5wE5/s1600/12925379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBXILnTtobyWUSnmXhSYvzskUi7NkOhcxrVtQAeyTi6Hqg07mcUhpeVDUUlf5PNwL1JiVK1XcM4-8ZFlZ6e0DwM-BE7wTIijt78u2YkJOdROd7ouCBS3Fc9BNlafED0r0S5UUU0uH5wE5/s1600/12925379.jpg" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>What if you lost the thing that made you who you are? Lexi
has always been stunning. Her butter-colored hair and perfect features have
helped her attract friends, a boyfriend, and the attention of a modeling scout.
But everything changes the night Lexi’s face goes through a windshield. Now
she’s not sure what’s worse: the scares she’ll have to live with forever, or
what she saw going on between her best friend and her boyfriend right before
the accident. With the help of her trombone-playing, defiantly uncool older
sister and a guy at school recovering from his own recent trauma, Lexi learns
she’s much more than just a pretty face.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages:</b> 304</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Short and to the point, this book started off depicting an average,
beautiful girl and showed to process she went through to become someone who
accepts herself for who she is. And the process to get there wasn’t pretty let
me tell you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story was cute in and of itself. Personally I found
parts to be a bit overplayed, but it really got the connection through as to
how she was hurting. I can’t say that a lot of the things that happened
surprised me. There was an undertone of cliché moments, to be sure, but it was
nice to see how it ended. It was definitely an “okay book” if not “good”, but I
can’t say that I was on the edge of my seat or anything. It was a classic “bad
thing happens-disaster-everything turns out okay” story, and there is nothing
wrong with that. I did like how in the end, when Lexi starts getting a clue and
finally starts fixing her life, the tone of the book became very . . .
philosophical. From 1-10? I deem it a 5. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-43404823186017025902012-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:002012-06-28T11:59:20.659-07:00Of Poseidon by Anna Banks<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="::Desktop:9781250003324.jpg" style='position:absolute;margin-left:2.4pt;
margin-top:0;width:123.6pt;height:185.05pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'
wrapcoords="-350 0 -350 21477 21670 21477 21670 0 -350 0">
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/camilachediak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="9781250003324.jpg"/>
<v:textbox style='mso-rotate-with-shape:t'/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p8jEhOp0bKeSfrggMh97_l19ercN7i5NrdYnAX8WlC0rXyZD2OazJ_8loiJtmI9QVUSWWve2jPn6VkC1f2JYk0cSjESVZA5Hf3OUMJBcKhWAE8fjuYWBbls6AJIa6JC142VeiZ8FXLlu/s1600/9781250003324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p8jEhOp0bKeSfrggMh97_l19ercN7i5NrdYnAX8WlC0rXyZD2OazJ_8loiJtmI9QVUSWWve2jPn6VkC1f2JYk0cSjESVZA5Hf3OUMJBcKhWAE8fjuYWBbls6AJIa6JC142VeiZ8FXLlu/s320/9781250003324.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Summary</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he’s heard
can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she
meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen’s not
fully convinced that Emma’s the one he’s been looking for. That is, until a
deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma and her Gift may ne the only
thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help—no matter the risk. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages: </b>336</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charming and laugh out loud funny, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of Poseidon </i>was truly a special treat. As I sit on a recliner in
the middle of a spectacular ocean view, I fantasize that I can see Emma and
Galen as they try to discover more about Emma’s past and Gifts right on the
ocean floor. What mostly captured me about the whole book was the dialogue and
interaction of the characters. It was charming and super realistic . . . funny
too. When I said laugh out loud funny I wasn’t joking. My whole family probably
heard my peals of laughter around the house. The plot and story line was
particularly interesting. It’s not a typical story. The whole mystery about
what exactly Emma is and the wonder of how Emma and Galen’s love for each other
can actually survive their trials was captivating. All the characters in this
story were created in a way that you know they were real, in a sense. Like they
could actually be the kind of people I would find in my high school . . .
except for the fins. I didn’t put the book down once. In fact, this is the
second time I read it in less than four days! That’s got to say something
right? Overall, I have to say that I enjoyed myself. From 1-10? I give it a
good, solid 8 </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-42014145888037768182012-06-28T11:51:00.000-07:002012-06-28T11:59:44.977-07:00The Selection by Kiera Cass<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgQNX9qvIATcBIK3em74Ahu1kxdu0p1urvgkCHQoIsoZuvEASwXxo4waXQ3gxiRruV5WSyjMKMBUeDlK4IwuJCgq65_pTWg8khSKHYOO2SXE-tbxRtOb0LfUzK-aD3YuiISEyy3sxvPev/s1600/The+Selection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgQNX9qvIATcBIK3em74Ahu1kxdu0p1urvgkCHQoIsoZuvEASwXxo4waXQ3gxiRruV5WSyjMKMBUeDlK4IwuJCgq65_pTWg8khSKHYOO2SXE-tbxRtOb0LfUzK-aD3YuiISEyy3sxvPev/s320/The+Selection.jpg" width="211" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Summary
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a
lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To
be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a
palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It
means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her.
Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want.
Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to
question all the plans she’s made for herself and realizes that the life she’s
always dreamed of may not compare to the future she never imagined. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Number of pages: </b>336</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Review</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Originality to the max! Not only was the whole Selection
competition completely creative, but also the whole kingdom where this book
takes place is so unique and yet so familiar! Basically this all takes place
who knows how much into the future where the United States of America is now a
kingdom after two more world wars and who knows what else. All of history was
rewritten, but it all seemed familiar to me what with planes and phones and
such. The biggest difference had to be the new caste system. It was weird to
think that that was how my country would function into the future, but
interesting to think about. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I thought the whole book to be completely original
from the usually love triangles I read about, so there are definitely huge
brownie points because of that! The characters were nicely created if not a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bit</i> predictable. It was enjoyable
nonetheless. I had a great time reading the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bachelor</i>-like” competition, seeing girls swoon for the prince and
get eliminated in the mean time. I loved BOTH Aspen and Maxon, it was so hard
not to! What did kind of irk me was how the story closed off. This is a
trilogy, but I didn’t like how it just stopped. Nothing big happened leaving me
wondering, or anything like that . . . it just seem to “pause”. I think that
ending could have set me up for the next book in a better way. But what do I
know? It was just a feeling that I thought I would share. I do want to look up
the next and see what’s going to happen, but, for now, from 1-10? I’ll give it
a 6.5</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823409689030579830.post-26746706516775115412012-06-12T18:04:00.000-07:002012-07-01T20:14:47.201-07:00Mortal Instrument Series Book 5: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3Xfo405D5hJG19Djhyfw3kmlXEDTbtCO2vpdIcjM43_da-ngyRgB-omwp6CZYDfQBfurfGPxngM1U3Qbr80-6Q7tOKMLqBl7cLFyAPk7uaaEncepY_4y-0AhAY-NJmytRILhUpduwOXW/s1600/8755776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3Xfo405D5hJG19Djhyfw3kmlXEDTbtCO2vpdIcjM43_da-ngyRgB-omwp6CZYDfQBfurfGPxngM1U3Qbr80-6Q7tOKMLqBl7cLFyAPk7uaaEncepY_4y-0AhAY-NJmytRILhUpduwOXW/s320/8755776.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Summary</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace freed from
captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive, they find only blood and broken
glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing, so is the boy she hates: her
brother Sebastian, who is determined to bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Clave’s magic cannot locate either boy, but Jace can’t
stay away from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s
magic has wrought—Jace and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has
become a servant of evil.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only a few people believe that Jace can still be saved.
Together, Alec, Magnus,, Simon, and Isabelle bargain with the sinister Seelie
Queen, contemplate deals with demons, and turn at last to the merciless,
weapon-making Iron Sisters, who might be able to gorge a weapon that can sever
the bond between Sebastian and Jace. If the Iron Sister’s can’t help, their
only hope is to challenge Heaven <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and </i>Hell—a
risk that could claim their lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And they must do it without Clary. For Clary is playing a
dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing is not just her own life, but
Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust
him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Number of pages: </b>534</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Review </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not sure what to say. If you’ve read my reviews on the
Mortal Instruments series, even the Infernal Devices series that is also by the
same author, you know that I adore these books. The writing, the characters,
the plot line, all of it is constructed in a way that leaves you literally on
the edge of your seat (in my case it’s my bed) and hooked on every word that is
written between the very detailed covers of the book. City of Lost Souls, book
five in the Mortal Instruments series, has all those aspects as well, but I
can’t help feel that the whole plot line is being dragged on a bit. There are
so many added twists and dramas and conflicts . . . why can’t they have an
ending, preferably a happy one? I would go into detail as to why, but that would
be a direct violation of my no spoilers motto. Trust me on this one, if you
haven’t read the series and you want to start, you won’t want me ruining
anything by giving up any info. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than feeling like Clary and her friends’ story will
never end, the book was all right. The characters were magnificently played
out, as always. I fell in love with Simon in this book, no biggie. I laughed so
hard in this book, and yelled with excitement a few times. There were some
creepy and disturbing parts, so I do not recommend any of my younger readers to
get a hold of this book, at least not until they are ready. I rate it a strong
PG-13. I felt like new sides of each of the characters were shown. Those you
never thought would do anything bad ended up betraying people, while those who
are hard and stoic half the time were surprisingly tender and sincere. I feel
like the conflict in this book was a little much. Like I said I want to know
the ending (ahh!), even if I don’t want this series to end. Then again . . .
that’s what rereading is for. Anyway, not only did read a book that I really
like though it was drawn out, I also have to wait until who knows how long for
the next and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">final </i>book in the series
to come out to see how everyone ends up even though I am going to have to
RE-re-read all five books again to remember how things left off. Tedious, I
know. After all this, they better end up in a good place, or else I am going to
go crazy. From 1-10? I’ll give it an 8. Mostly because I am a bit biased, not
going to lie. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0