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Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
My Rating: 10

Summary:
In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

My Review: This book was amazing. Only words could possibly describe it.affect, alarm, astonish, astound, bewilder, blow away, blow one's mind, bowl over, daze, dumbfound, electrify, flabbergast*, impress, move, perplex, put one away, shock, stagger, startle, strike, stun, stupefy activity, agility, alacrity, alertness, animation, bag*, ballgame, big idea, bit*, business, bustle, commotion, dash, deal, energy, enterprise, flurry, force, functioning, game, going, happening, haste, hoopla*, hopper, in the works, industry, life, liveliness, motion, movement, occupation, operation, plan, power, process, proposition, racket, reaction, response, rush, scene, spirit, stir, stunt, trip, turmoil, vigor, vim, vitality, vivacityassume, await, bargain for, be afraid, conjecture, count chickens, count on, cross the bridge, divine, entertain*, figure, forecast, foresee, foretaste, foretell, have a hunch, hope for, jump the gun, look for, look forward to, plan on, prepare for, prevision, prognosticate, promise oneself, prophesy, see, see coming, see in the cards, suppose, visualize, wait, wait for

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I Am Currently Reading...

LAMENT: The Faerie Queen's Deception
by Maggie Stiefvater
Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind .

Captivate Review

Captivate by Carrie Jones
Rating: 7.5

Summary:Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town. A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

My Review: All in all, I thought Captivate was a really good book. Though it could have been a little more dramatic or exiting in some parts (It literary told you what was happening in the boo!). Unlike Need, Captivate branched farther away from it. Becoming more unlike the Twilight Saga. Some characters I thought didn't really matter, but they will probably play a greater role in books 3 and 4. I thought the characters were good and could feel some of the emotions going on in Captivate. I sometimes got lost though and had to reread those parts. I could also see a movie going on in my head. I liked this book a lot, but thought it could have been better. Captivate was also kind of cheesy with the way the characters were talking and everything, but there were also many twists and turns in this book.

New Design

I have finally found a blog background that I love and suits me. My goal is to post more and read at least one to two books a week. I also have a new format for grading. Not one-five, but one-ten. This goes into action today, March 16, 2010.

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Stars I'll Give: Infinite
Summary from Amazon

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.


My Review: This book was so incredibly amazing only words can describe it. affect, alarm, astonish, astound, bewilder, blow away, blow one's mind, bowl over, daze, dumbfound, electrify, flabbergast*, impress, move, perplex, put one away, shock, stagger, startle, strike, stun, stupefy, touch. This book is a real read-under-the-bed-at-two-in-the-morning-trying-to-finish-book.
Note: This book may seem to start out real slow, but DO NOT STOP. I did am still am regretting it. IT will get better!

Note: I have read the Last Song, Lock and Key, and Just Listen(Remy and Dexter were in a part of the book. I think there the main characters in This Lullaby.) I loved,liked, and loved these books. I suggest you read them if you like romance or not. Be prepared to cry a little in the Last Song.

Books I Have to Read on My Reading List

I saw the Lightning Thief this weekend and it was a good movie, but It was hardly anything like the book. The storyline was still the same though.

Persephone was in it with Hades

Ares wasn't in there

Hermes wasn't in there either

Clarisse wasn't in the movie

Percy knew he was Poseidon's son BECAUSE his mom told him

gods weren't allowed contact at all with their children

Annabeth didn't have her invisible baseball cap!!!

Need
by Carrie Jones
stars I'll give: 4
summary from Amazon

It's not hard to see Twilight in the DNA of this novel: Zara's stepfather has died, her mother isn't capable of caring for her, and she has been sent to live with her grandmother in a small remote town in Maine. When her car spins out of control (Calling Stephenie Meyer!), she's rescued by sexy Nick (who turns out to be a werewolf), and something might be cooking with her overachieving classmate Ian. Too bad she's being followed by someone dark and dangerous—a pixie king. This pixie is no harmless sprite: when not mated with a queen for an unspecified amount of time, Zara learns, the pixie kings will demand... young human men, who they kill after using them for their blood-hungry pleasures. Will Zara sacrifice herself to this vampire stand-in or let him destroy everything she loves? Jones (Love {and Other Uses for Duct Tape]) easily wins readers to Zara's side, portraying her as a funny, globally conscious teen who also collect[s} fears like other people collect stamps (obscure phobias serve as chapter titles). Genre fans will enjoy the sizzle between Nick and Zara as well as the paranormal cast. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

• This really seemed like a Twilight knock-off. I will not list reasons because some people may want to read it and I hate spoiling endings for myself and others.
• This book was good and I've heard the next one was even better!
  

The Last Olympian
by Rick Riordan
stars I'll give:5+
Summary from Amazon

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos's army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan's power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

• My favorite part(s) was when Nico was trying to summon his mother from the dead and the image came up of her and Hades being together with Nico and Bianca. It showed how kind Hades was. Then when Hades helped and the other gods clapped for him. Next Percy and Annabeth finally being together.
• I hate Rachel! Especially what she tells them at the end.
  

The Battle of the Labyrinth
by Rick Riordan
stars I'll Give: 5+
summary from Amazon

*Note since practically everyone, but me has read this series I'll only put main things I liked and disliked. I am also feeling lazy so that's is another reason for no review.

As an incoming freshman, Percy isn't expecting his high school orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse.

In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends will set out on a quest through the Labyrinth-a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this fourth book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet.

This is weird maybe but this has been the best book out of all the series(for me). 5th coming in second, 1st third, 2nd fourth, and 3rd last.

• I LOVED THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK! IT WAS SO CUTE!
• I WAS SO GLAD WHEN ANNABETH FINALLY KISSED PERCY!

I am so exited! The Lightning Thief comes out THIS FRIDAY along with Valentines Day(which I am also exited about). Another thing is the Winter Olympics starts Friday too. I love watching the Olympics.Anyway the Lightning Thief is an amazing book and it got me really interested in Greek mythology. I have only read3/5 books in the series though. I need to buy the others, but I have to finish the books I have not read yet. Anyway I have just finished reading Need by Carrie Jones and I am still reading the Book Thief which is such an amazing book so far.

A LOT!

Review for Graceling
By Kristian Cashore
Stars I'll Give:4.8

Summary:

In Katsa's world, the "Graced," those gifted in a particular way, are marked by eyes that are different colors. Katsa's Grace is that she is a gifted fighter, and, as such, she is virtually invincible. She is in the service of her tyrannical uncle, king of one of the seven kingdoms, and she is forced to torture people for infractions against him. She has secretly formed the Council, which acts in the service of justice and fairness for those who have been accused and abused. Readers meet her as she is rescuing the father of the Lienid king, who has been abducted. The reasons for his capture are part of a tightening plot that Katsa unravels and resolves, with the help of Prince Po, the captive's grandson. He has his own particular Grace, and he becomes Katsa's lover and partner in what becomes a mortally dangerous mission. Cashore's style is exemplary: while each detail helps to paint a picture, the description is always in the service of the story, always helping readers to a greater understanding of what is happening and why. This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible. Fantasy and romance readers will be thrilled.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

My Review:
Graceling was a very very great book. The plot was good and I pictured the story perfectly. I like how you could tell if the people were Graced by their eyes. One of the reasons I chose this book was because my name was part of the title and the lady at the checkout in a local bookstore was almost forcing me to buy it. About five days later I started it and didn't understand what was happening so I stopped. Now three months later I'm writing a review on it. I liked the characters and their attitudes. They were very well developed. However, with Katsa, she really didn't act her complete age till about halfway through the book, but then progressed. I was also shocked with what happened at the end...

If I had to choose my grace it would be good luck. My eyes would be light blue and dark violet.

If you liked this book then read Savvy by Ingrid Law.


Reading Log
January 2010

The Prophecy of Sisters by Michelle Zink
Impossible bu Nancy Werlin
Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Rordan
The Titans Curse by Rick Rordan
The Seven Rays by Jessica Berdinger
Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Graceling by Kristian Cashore

BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY GOES TO IF I STAY!!! BEST BOOK! RUNNER UP IS ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

Re review on The Seven Rays
Stars:3.5

This book is really three, but the cover design is amazing. Now that I really think about it this book was only okay. The thing is I guess I wanted it to be good so I put in my mind it was good. The idea of the story was excellent, just the way it was written wasn't. The characters to perfect, and some inappropriate parts as well. Love at first sight? Get real! It also confused me a little bit. There were good parts though. I cannot say them without revealing the whole story though. I hope they make a movie because it probably would be better than the book.

THE END

MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF THE YEAR(THAT I KNOW OF)
(FOR ME AT LEAST)

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater- July 20th
Sleepless by Cyn Balog- July 13th
The Necromancer( Secrets of Immortal Nicholas Flamel) by Michael Scott- May 25th
Gone by Lisa McMann- February 9th
The Clique: These Boots Were Made For Stalking by Lisi Harrison- March 9th
Alphas: Movers and Fakers by Lisi Harrison- April 6th
Blue Bloods: Keys to the Repository by Melissa De La Cruz- June 29th

Oh My GOSH! Oh My GOSH! It finally worked. I've wanted a new template since the day I started blogging. Everyone had cool ones and I didn't because computer wasn't cooperating with me, but now I do. So exited! I am also currently reading Graceling (I got it because my name is Grace)!

REVIEW FOR IF I STAY
By: Gayle Forman
Stars I'll Give:5+
Summary from the Bookflap

"Just listen," Adam says with a voice that sounds like a sharpnel.

I open my eyes up wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And listen.

"Stay," he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Stay true to her first love-music-even i fit means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?


Then , one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's only one that matters.


My Review:
it? I think that may in fact be true. I could This books summary on the book flap may sound depressing, but the book is really not. If I Stay is not sad until the very last 6 or so pages(my eyes teared up for the first time while reading this book). I love the ending of the book, it's amazing. If I Stay is so beautifully written that the words fly write off the page. Its like having a puppy or something else you want it to be that cute and small forever, but eventually you'll have to let it go. Same thing with this book, you want to read it forever, but it eventually ends. If I Stay is about choices and how we have them everywhere. Some choices are big and some are small. Mia has a big choice: if she should live or die. It was also nice of the author to do flashbacks of Mia's life and the choices she had and others around her too. The details in the book are very descriptive, though maybe the appearance of the characters could have been better, but maybe this book is to amazing that you need to criticizedefinitely see Gayle Forman's If I Stay a classic book.

By the way it was nice, for a change not to have vampires, fairies, and werewolves in this book.
Also this book is only 196 pages(really 208 counting the thanks at the end).

Gayle Forman's Interview with Amazon:
Q: You started your career as a journalist and your first book is a travelogue about going around the world. Is YA literature a departure for you?

Gayle Forman: Actually, it’s more of a homecoming. My first writing job was at Seventeen, where I spent five years on staff and as a contributor reporting the magazine’s social-issues stories. I loved writing for teens then because—contrary to popular opinion—they really care about serious issues (from child soldiers in Africa to kids embroiled in the drug war here) and the engage in their reading with such passion. So, now that I’m writing young-adult literature, it feels like I’ve come full circle.

Q: This book explores some serious themes. Why is this a book for kids and not adults?

GF: It’s a book for kids precisely because it explores serious themes. Teenagers are grappling with choices about life and love as much as adults, so why shouldn’t their reading reflect that? I don’t set out to write YA. It just seems like I’m drawn to stories about young people. That said, I think If I Stay is for adults, too. I love the idea of teens reading this book and then handing it off to their parents.

Q: Many key characters are serious musicians, and songs are referenced throughout the book. Are you a musician?

GF: No. Except for piano lessons when I was a kid and a brief spate of guitar playing in my teens, I’ve never played an instrument. I am, however, a huge music fan. And my husband is a musician; he was playing in a punk band when we met, so I’ve spent a lot of my life ensconced in that scene. I seem drawn to writing about musicians, though I’ve never been all that interested in the cello until Mia popped into my head.

Q: What inspired you to write this book?

GF: Music. Oregon. People I have loved. And unfortunately, the book is inspired by a real-life tragedy that happened several years ago.

Q: This is a book about death, but it’s not depressing. Why is that?

GF: Maybe because it’s really about the power of love—of family, friends, music—and therefore it ultimately affirms life.

REVIEW FOR MASQUERADE
Stars I'll Give: 4.7

The second book of the Van Alen Legancy was soooo much better than the first. The first was more about the upper class life in New York rather than the vampires. I am also glad that the vampire stuff is not like the Twilight Saga vampires. They're immortal until they complete cycles and then they are allowed back to heaven, since the vamps are fallen angels. Masquerade was more about the vampires than the upper class life. I thought I could also picture the characters better too. I deducted .3 stars because I was a little confused about some parts. Overall I highly recommend people who like the vampires to read this book, after the first of course.

Review For The Percy Jackson Books 1-3
Stars I'll Give: 5+

I started the first book in November and read it on the side of other books I would have wanted to read instead, but one night I picked it up was hooked. I love this series(just finished the 3rd)!
I like how they used greek gods instead of the wizard fad going on at the time. This series made me more interested in greek gods and such. The characters were very well developed and the books I've read so far twist and turn in every direction making you want to find out what happens next. I do however have to admit that I am older for these books and are below my reading level, but I don't care(12 years old, me) I enjoy them so much. The plots are good to and I love how the characters change. So far my favorite has been the first one. You must read these if you haven't already!

I am now currently reading the second book in the Blue Blood Saga, its Masquerade. Here's the summary from amazon

Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help--her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city's wealthy, powerful, and unhuman--a true Blue Blood affair.

But it's at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

Rich with glamour, attitude, and vampire lore, this second installment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

THE SEVEN RAYS
STARS I"LL GIVE:5+

This book was amazing! I loved it and hope they're making a movie for it. I can really visulize the story and the powers Beth has are extroirdanery! Its neat how they put the other girls along with the tarot cards and the story had very unexpected twists in it. The romance between Richie Mac and Beth is really sweet too. The car chase and medical center place was an awesome part of the book. Although some parts were confusing to me like the meeting with Mary and Richie because at the end....I don't want to give it away. The writing and characters are exquisite. The descriptions are good also. I hope there's a sequel. I would definetly buy it! I love this book!

Emily Windsnap and the Sirens Secret by Liz Kessler
Stars I'll give 3.1
Description is from Amazon

Living on a magical island should be perfect - but Emily and her family and friends jump at the chance to go home to Brightport and carry out Neptune's orders to bring humans and merfolk together. There, thrown out of mermaid school and scorned by her old enemy Mandy Rushton, she goes in search of the lost sirens, banished by Neptune to a secret underground cavern. It's only when she uncovers their story that she can begin to reconcile her two worlds. But can she do it in time to save herself and her family from the wrath of Neptune?


I absoulutly hated this book although it had its sweet parts, but you could totally see it coming. Emily and whats-his-face getting together? Of course. I'll admit I am older than the reading level for this book, but I needed to finish this series. And another thing this book is only available in the UK. It took 5 weeks to get here with the cover bent. I also didn't like how they brought the enviorment together with this book. The enviorment is important, but I don't like reading about it in books it's just annoying to me. The ending was completely corney also. I won't give it away though. Enough about the negatives. This was also sweet and gave you the satisfied ending that everything was okay and everyone happy. I also love the cover of the book. Actually I like all the covers with the blue and purple watercolors!

Scooter J. was the big dog in town, the leader if you will. He controlled everything in this town. However, this dog had a secret he was actually a wimp. Spencer was the real brains in this town, but kept to himself and had Scooter J. as his lap dog.

Scooter J. or Scoot couldn't think for himself. He always had someone out there with him! Only he knew that the quiet dog was the big dog. Scooter only had the position because Spencer was aging. When Spence might not be with him he would not be the big dog because of his cowardness. It would go to snoopy.

One dreadful night Spencer passed. In his will he left Scooter the position saying I believe in you.

Right now I am currently reading the Seven Rays and there may a be a film adapation! So far it's pretty good. It started out slow, but got better and better along the way. Here's the summary for it from the book flap:


You are more than you think you are.

That is the anonymous message that Beth Michaels receives right before she starts seeing things. Not just a slept-through-my-alarm-clock, late-for-homeroom, haven't-had-my-caffeine-fix kind of seeing things. It all starts with some dots, annoying pink dots that pop up on and over her mom and her best friend's face. But then things get out of control and Beth is seeing people's past, their fears, their secrets, their desires. The images are coming at Beth in hi-def streaming video and she can't stop it. Everyone thinks she's crazy and she's pretty sure she agrees with them. But crazy doesn't explain the gold envelopes that have started arriving, containing seeing keys and tarot cards. To Beth, it all seems too weird to be true. You are more than you think you are? But here's the thing: What if she is?

I LOVE THE COVER OF THIS BOOK IT'S REALLY SHINEY

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen
Stars I'll give: 5
Summary is from the book flap


Riding a bike is only one of the many things Auden's missed out on. Even before her parents divorce, she was cast in the role of little adult, never making waves, focusing on academics to please her demanding mother.

Now she's spending the summer before college in the tiny beach town of Colby with her father and his new wife and baby. A job in a trendy boutique introduces her to the world of girls, friendships, conversations, romances. And then there's Eli, an intriguing loner. A former star on the bike circuit and a fellow insomniac, Eli introduces Auden to the nocturnal world of Colby. Together they embark on a quest: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to put the tragic episode behind him. Combine to lonely people with a charming beach town and an endless supply of long summer nights, and just about anything can happen.



First things first really loved this book. Before I never liked romance books, I was the avid sc-fi/horror reader that of course had a little romance in it, but not about romance. When I got this book I didn't read it until I basically had nothing left that I haven't read so I picked it up and it engaged on the first sentence. Pure magic. The main characters were very well shaped and the story created a little movie in your head. You could feel the emotion in this book. How akaward it was with Eli back, the emotion towards Jake, how her father was selfish, and her mother mean. Auden wrapped you around her finger you thought from her point of view and were surprised as her when Maggie was actually smart? The ending was sweet to and a little frighting.