Num8ers by Rachel Ward

Summary

Since the day her mother did, Jem has known about the numbers.

Numberes that pop into her head when she looks into someone’s eyes. They’re dates, the numbers. Dates predicting with brute accuracy each person’s death.

Burdened by such grim knowledge, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. Maybe they can find happiness together, if only in the brief time that remains before his expiration date. But on a trip to London, Jem forsees a chilling chain of events.

The city’s a target.

The clock;s running out.

The countdown is on to a blowup.

Number of pages: 325

Review

Just like the cover, this story is intense. From the very beginning actually. Jem has the unfortunate circumstance of having the knowledge of everyone’s death in her head. She just has to look at them in the eye and the numbers that flash in her head are the dates of their last day. She hates it, and fears it which makes her to keep those around her at arms length, so as not to care when eventually the numbers come true and they are taken from her. Living on the fringes of society, she is a loner until the day that she starts to make a friend in the equally lonely, but much more jumpy and excited, Spider. This is their adventure of running from the law when they are suspected of being terrorists when seen leaving an attack moments before, finding a true and unique love in each other, and Jem trying to figure out a way to save Spider from his number that's in her head that is fast approaching.

Like I said this book is very intense. I don’t mean it in the “action in every corner” sort of way; it’s more of a “brings out your emotions” sort of way. That doesn’t mean it is not a good book, it just means that this is a tough book to swallow if you are looking for a happy ending. I will admit it, I cried. This book got me so frustrated! Yet, it was good enough that I couldn’t put it down until I knew how a unique book like this could end. I was expecting a little more action and excitement from what I read from the summary, but otherwise it was good. The ending was the most exciting part in this book. So from 1-10? I give Num8ers a 5.5.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Summary

A HIDDEN TRUTH.

MORTAL ENEMIES.

DOOMED LOVE.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human for.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to like. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as human forever. She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

Number of Pages: 323

Summary

Dragons are something completely new to me, but from what I’ve read from Firelight I find them awesome. Ok, so from the beginning: a draki colony, who are descendants of dragons, have a rare draki in their midst. Jacinda is the only fire-breathing draki. Now I know that when people think “dragon” they automatically think of fire, but apparently in this story the fire-breathers are not common at all. Jacinda of course has to break one of their biggest rules, which eventually leads her mother to make the decision to take her and her twin sister away from the others and fling them in the real world in a whirlwind. You think that what her mother was trying to do was good, but at the cost of killing Jacindas draki spirit? Seems kind of harsh to me. Still, Jacinda starts to learn that the other drakis aren’t what she always thought they were, and her family doesn’t understand her at all. So when handsome and extremely off limits, Will, comes into the picture she discovers that he is the only thing in that godforsaken desert that can keep her draki alive, but at the cost of revealing the ultimate secret of drakis everywhere. Or will her love for Will overcome the fact that she is a draki and he and his family hunts them? Oh did I forget to mention that? Well yeah, he is a draki hunter. Go figure right. But of course he is a good guy so not to worry!

I found this book to be interesting, and captivating. I find it very entertaining that instead of blushing when her crush comes in like other girls, she starts to breathe fire. Honestly I can’t wait for the next book. The characters were nicely created, and the setting was very descriptive. I could feel when the heat of that desert drained the moisture from Jacinda’s skin trying to kill her draki. The romance was touched on nicely, and unlike most books where the girl flings herself at the guys, Jacinda tries to keep him away. Even though that technique doesn’t exactly work out it is still and interesting twist. So from 1-10? I give this book an 8! Not bad, eh?

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Summary

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at Sword & Cross boarding school in Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Except Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce—he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Number of Pages: 452

Review

Have you ever had that moment when you spot someone that you know, but have no freaking clue who they are or how you know them? I know i have. This story is about a troubled girl named Luce that has one of the BIGGEST déjà voo moments ever when she is sent to Sword & Cross reform school, and meets the mysterious, cold, and extremely familiar Daniel Grigori. Drawn to him from the start, Luce tries to get to know him more. When Daniel clearly shows that he is not interested Luce obviously has to start snooping a bit to find out what is this guys problem! What she begins to discover doesn’t even come close to what she could ever have thought of. Of course there is also friendly, handsome Cam. It is clear that he’s into her from the start, and she likes him. Really she does, but is what she feeling for Cam enough to trample the feelings she has for Daniel? With the help of her fellow semi-crazy reform school friends, she is out to sort out her feelings and choose between easy and safe, or intense and longing?

This romance story is unconventional . . . and attention grabbing. Turning away from the clichés of paranormal romances, I loved how in the beginning Daniel wanted nothing to do with Luce at first. It was intriguing, and so frustrating! I guess that is why I considered Fallen a good read. It brings out your reaction easily. Of course my favorite part of the books—the characters—were so created so good. They were people I liked from the start yet complex in their own ways. There was a time somewhere around the middle of the book that slowed to a crawl. I admit that the excitement wore off a bit in that section. That did make me take off a point or two from me absolutely loving this book. Of course when I pushed through that part the ending was good. I was a tiny bit confused at the end because of the epilogue, but the ending is enough to make me want to read the next book. I also just want to note that the cover came out so amazing. Loved it! Well now to tally up the points I have to say that from 1-10? I give this book a . . . 7.5!

Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

Summary:

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

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

• Number of Pages: 296

Review

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

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

Summary

READER,

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

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

Number of pages: 419

Review

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

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

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

9/11 Tribute

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

The Day The Towers Fell

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

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


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

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


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

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

~ Author Unknown ~

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


You hit the Pentagon, 
Again you missed America


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


but like a poor marksman, you still missed America

Why? Because of somethings you guys will never understand


America isn't about a building or two,

not about financial centers

not about military centers


America isn't about a place,

American isn't about a bunch of bodies


America is about an IDEA.

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

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

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

-Anonymous-

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,


We became one color.


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


We became one class.


As we lit candles of waiting and hope


We became one generation.


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


We became one gender.


as we fell to our knees in prayer for strength


We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,


We spoke one language.


As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,


We became one body.


As we mourned together the great loss


We became one family.


As we cried tears of grief and loss


We became one soul


As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes


We became one people.

- Unknown Author

NEVER FORGET

The End of Publishing Video

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