Vacation...

I will be absent from this blog until July 5th. The reason is I'm going on vacation to lovely Boulder, CO to visit family and so will not have much access to a computer. I will be hopefully finishing up a bunch of books to review that week though:
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Gilda Joyce 4: The Dead Drop by Jennifer Allison
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Sunshine by Robin McKinley

So I hope everyone has a great fourth of July weekend!

Book Review: Wake

TITLE: Wake
PART IN SERIES: Book 1 in the Wake Trilogy
AUTHOR: Lisa McMann
PUBLISHED: 2008
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: paranormal, romance, trilogy
PREMISE: Janie has the annoying (in her opinion) gift of visiting people's dreams. Whether she wants to see the dreams or not.
MY REVIEW: Perhaps it's a bit unfair, but I was expecting a lot more from this book then what I actually got so I was a bit disappointed. But I did like it. I liked the idea which for once was different then what is going on in YA (no vampires, or werewolves, or love triangles! YAY!). Janie was an interesting heroine and some of the lines and scenes in it were hysterical.
My issue is that one) I didn't care for the writing style. It doesn't even have to do with my annoyance about presant tence usage. It has to do with the way the beginning jumped around a lot. Two) It was rushed. I wished the author had taken time to flesh out more details and give us more info. I mean, why does Janie get this power? Is she the only one? Are there other people like her? What? Perhaps more will be explained in the rest of the trilogy though so I'm not extremely disappointed.
So my feelings on this book are a little mixed. I did enjoy it and will be reading the rest, but I felt more could have been done with it and would have appreciated a less awkward way to tell the story. But I still do recomend it if you're in the mood for good old fashioned paranormal things that don't include vampires or werewolves or a love triangle.
WHO SHOULD READ: paranormal fans
MY RATING: Three and a half out of Five pillows

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In My Mailbox (2)

This is a weekly meme started by The Story Siren showing what new books you've gotten in the week.
Well, I only have one book this week:

Wake Trilogy Book 1: Wake by Lisa McMann.
Got this one from the library and it's the only new one I got as I'll be going on vacation this coming Wednesday and I don't bring library books with me on vacation for fear of losing said library book or something happening to said library book. I'm equally paranoid about this one as it's a brand new one that they just got in (brand new as in I'm pretty sure I'm the first to check it out). Anyway, real excited about this as I've heard some good things about this trilogy.

MOVIE REVIEW: Toy Story 3

TITLE: Toy Story 3
DISTRIBUTER: Pixar/Disney
PEOPLE INVOLVED: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Whoopi Goldberg and many many others.
CATEGORY: family movie
GENRE: animated, adventure, comedy
PREMISE: Woody and Buzz are back and dealing with the fact that Andy has grown up. Now faced with a uncertain future, what will become of them?
MY REVIEW: I have a big fondness for the Toy Story movies. Some have argued it's actually not Pixar's best work but I don't think that really matters. Pretty much everything Pixar does is good in my (completely biased, I'll admit) opinion. But anyway, back to my fondness, Toy Story is the first computer generated animated feature and introduced me (and others) to Pixar. So while my favorite Pixar movie will probably always be The Incredibles (seriously guys WHEN ARE YOU DOING THE SEQUEL TO THIS?), Toy Story will always be special to me. I also have to commend them too, because I watched the first two movies recently before seeing it yesterday and you know what? It still holds up. I still love it and I'm in my mid-twenties now!
Luckily, Toy Story 3 continues the idea the Pixar makes excellent sequels. It opens with the toys trying to get Andy's attention. See, he's now grown up and their future is uncertain. The once toy cluttered room is now just down to a few toys. Then through a series of events, the toys almost get thrown out. So they decide instead to get themselves donated to the local daycare.
I won't give away the rest of the plot or where they end up but just know the third movie is just as wonderful and heartfelt as the other two. One of the highlights for me in this though were the Ken and Barbie moments. I just love the fun Pixar has with these two (Michael Keaton is incidently the voice of Ken. I'll pause to let you adults giggle over that for a minute). Oh, and did anyone else notice the My Neighbor Totoro doll? As always with Pixar, the animation is georgeous and pays great attention to detail. There are also great jokes in there (spanish Buzz=great love from me) as well as the great heart that Pixar always puts in their films.
Now, Pixar? Please get on that fantasy film you were talking about making. Because you doing fantasy equals me in total heaven. I also wouldn't mind an Incredibles 2 or a Monsters Inc 2. Just saying. We can skip that Cars 2 film you said you were doing though. Cars is quite frankly my least favorite of the films you've done. I still liked it and everything, it's just...I don't really want a sequel for it as much as I do the other two I mentioned.
WHO SHOULD SEE: Pixar fans, those who have seen the first two films
MY RATING: Five out of Five toys (yes, you saw that. There is nothing wrong with this film whatsoever in my opinion)

Book Review: The Amaranth Enchantment

TITLE: The Amaranth Enchantment
PART IN SERIES: standalone novel
AUTHOR: Julie Berry
PUBLISHED: 2009
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: fairy-tale retelling
PREMISE: Lucinda is down on her luck. She's gotten booted out of her home and now finds herself involved with a theif and a witch called the Amaranth witch...
MY REVIEW: While I appreciated that this was a different take on the Cinderella story...I didn't absolutely love it. I didn't see why Lucinda fell for Gregor, I actually would have preferred she got with Peter. I also didn't understand why the author did a old-fashioned story in the telling of a modern story because present tence storytelling is a very modern thing and it felt out of place for a fairy tale retelling and for a story taking place in a medieval like setting.
It's not a horrible book. Peter cracked me up and there were enjoyable bits. But honestly, this was just ho hum for me. But I do reccomend it for those looking for a different take on Cinderella.
WHO SHOULD READ: fairy tale retelling fans
MY RATING: Three out of Five amaranth flowers

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
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Book Review: Frostbite (may contain spoilers for those new to the series)

TITLE: Frostbite
PART IN SERIES: Book 2 in the Vampire Academy series
AUTHOR: Richelle Mead
PUBLISHED: 2008
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: series, vampires, romance, paranormal
PREMISE: Rose's life gets hectic when Strigoi go on a killing rampage and it looks as though morai royals are their targets...
MY REVIEW: Aside from the constant summarizing that Mead felt she needed to do for some reason, I loved this as much as I loved the first vampire academy novel. She starts off fast with the main idea: rogue strigoi, cools down for character and world development and then goes back with interesting plot again up until an exciting finale that will leave you dying for the next book.
I really felt for Rose in this book. She's dealing with the fallout of her thing with Dimitri but she doesn't wallow. She deals with it and tries to be happy for him as well as move on herself (oh how I wish Bella Swann had taken a page from Rose's book...it might have made New Moon more bearable). We also get introduced to new characters who are just as great as the ones in the first book: Rose's mother (lets just say, we learn where Rose gets her stubborness from...),Tasha (I liked her, I'm sorry, and I'm glad Mead didn't try and make her into this she-devil out to ruin Dimitri and Rose's relationship), and Adrian (MY FAVORITE! I am still all for Dimitri and Rose but I really wouldn't mind if these two get together instead, plus it would give us more spectacular hilarious banter/snarkiness). Then we get cute moments with Christian and Lissa (Christian is still my absolute favorite in this, Lissa you lucky woman you) and all the wonderful character interaction that just makes this series for me. I was also pleasantly pleased by the turnaround of Mia. It shows how much these two have grown and been through that by the end of the book they're able have a civil conversation. Just one thing though: MASON! ;goes to sob in a corner;
So in short: just as good as the first. Cannot wait to read the next one. Oh and in case you Vampire Academy fans have been living under a rock, Spirit Bound came out just this past month and Blood Sacrifice comes out later this year (I hope to have caught up with the series by then).
WHO SHOULD READ: those who have read the first book in the series
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five silver stakes

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in June
One Hundred Plus Books
Finish that series!
YA Challenge

Book Review: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

TITLE: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
PART IN SERIES: standalone
AUTHOR: Mary E. Pearson
PUBLISHED: 2008
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: Science Fiction, drama,
PREMISE: Jenna is told she is Jenna Fox yet she doesn't remember anything before the accident and coma she was told she was in that she wasn't supposed to have survived...
MY REVIEW: Some of you may or may not recall a movie Steven Speilberg did back in the nineties called A.I. If you don't, this is not a movie reccomend (really, avoid the movie at all costs, it's in no way as interesting as it sounds in the summary). This book reminds me a lot of the questions asked in that movie. But whereas that movie bored me to tears, this book is actually interesting and thought provoking and reminds me about why I don't give up on the YA genre despite the Twilights and the Cliques that are popular nowadays.
Casual readers and teens probably won't look twice at this book which is a shame because it's well written, has suspense, and is an interesting look at what the future may or may not bring in terms of science, healthcare, ethics, even school. There were interesting characters aside from Jenna and the story progressed naturally. But because it's not all action and romance it's probably overlooked in favor of the fluffier stuff. Sigh.
My only annoyance is the present tence style is used yet again (but written well and I see why it's used...just it's not my preference) and why did they feel the need put in discussion questions? I hate it when publishers put in discussion questions at the back of the book. It's like they're saying "well, you're probably not intelligent enough to catch all the ideas thrown around in the book so I'll just provide the questions for you." Again, this isn't really anything that takes away from the story, it's just a personal grievance. I also would have appreciated a less abrupt feeling ending and I felt like some stuff could have been explored more (more background on minor characters like Ethan and Allys for instance would have been nice). But other that that, the book is wonderful. So please, if you're willing give this book a chance. It's well worth the time.
WHO SHOULD READ: anyone inclined to pick it up
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five mechanical robots

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in June
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
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In My Mailbox

Trying to get back into the swing of memes as I've been horribly lax about them this past month...So for a start the return of my participation of In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi over at the Story Siren. Here's what I've got in to review:

This Week's library loot:
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson.

Books I've snagged at the stores/book fair:
Gilda Joyce series Book 4: The Dead Drop by Jennifer Allison.
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
Vampire Academy Book 2: Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Womens Murder Club Book 1: 1rst to Die by James Patterson
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Never Trust a Dead Man by Vivian Vande Velde

Ones I'm most excited about are the Meg Cabot one (I've been dying to read it since I first heard the synopsis of it), Vampire Academy 2 (I've been holding off on this since I've had other books but now that my list is pared down I'm going to catch up on this series), Sunshine (which I was going to buy eventually anyway but then they recently released it in that GORGEOUS cover. So that one was a pure impulse buy), and Gilda Joyce 4 (my favorite kooky girl in my old hometown of D.C? Words do not describe how this pleases me).

Book Review: Fragile Eternity

TITLE: Fragile Eternity
PART IN SERIES: Book 3 in the Wicked Lovely series
AUTHOR: Melissa Marr
PUBLISHED: 2009
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: series, faeries, urban fantasy, romance
PREMISE: Aislinn is torn between her duties as Queen of the Summer Court and her love for Seth. Seth is feeling inferior around all these faeries and realizes he's a danger to his girlfriend and new friends...
MY REVIEW: I have to say, I'm loving what Marr is doing with this series. She doesn't shy away from the complicated and dark emotions of the faerie court. All the conflicts that arose from the first and second books she deals with effectively and realistically. Things are not happily ever after and rosy for these guys. There are consequences for their actions.
This is just as absorbing as Wicked Lovely, though maybe the melodrama is a bit more then the first. I also think there's going to be something big in the future books. Probably a major conflict of some kind because it sort of feels like a chess game. Marr is setting up all the major players and letting us get a feel for them all the while their actions are moving towards something...big that is going to go down. Or that could be me just reading to much into it all...
Either way, the series continues to be fantastic. Can't wait to get my hands on Radient Darkness and for the next book which is apparently going to be called Darkest Mercy. The paperback copy I got also includes a short story with the characters from Ink Exchange and that's just as good and resolves some of the issues left unsolved in Ink Exchange (though some people may be squacked by the implications Marr put in...I don't particularly care myself and loved that she had nerve to put it in there).
WHO SHOULD READ: those who read and loved the first two books, faerie book fans, fans of Tithe
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five faerie charms

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in June
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
Finish That Series!

Book Review: East

TITLE: East
PART IN SERIES: Standalone
AUTHOR: Edith Pattou
PUBLISHED: 2003
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: Fairy tale retelling, fantasy, romance
PREMISE: A retelling of the tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon.
MY REVIEW: This book was just okay for me. There wasn't anything OMG fantastic about it, nor were there any real complaints about it. It was just your standard retelling. About the only thing that stands out to me is that this is one of those tales that I don't actually know much about. So in that aspect it was nice.
The writing is average but had a nice fairy tale quality to it, characters were okay (though Rose's Mother I wanted to STRANGLE), and while it was interesting getting the other POVs of the characters, I really think the book would have been better served by just sticking to Rose and the Polar Bear.
So if you're in the mood for a fairy tale that's not as well known as say...Cinderella. You're in luck with this book. It actually goes by rather quick and is a nice retelling. Other than that though...can't say much else about it.
WHO SHOULD READ: fairy tale retelling junkies
MY RATING: Three out of Five Polar Bears

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in June
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
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