{Review}: Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Title: Dead Beautiful
Author: Yvonne Woon
Genre: YA Fiction/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children (September, 2010)
Hardcover: 480 pages
ISBN: 9781423119562
Source: Borrowed from Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 4/5

Description from GoodReads:
On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.

Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.

Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.

My Review:


Renée lives a normal life until the day she discovers the lifeless bodies of her parents. She is then sent to Gottfried Academy a place where Renée feels like she is out of place. That is until she meets Dante and realizes that Gottfried Academy might be where she belongs.

I began reading this book without having a clue what it was about. I have no idea why I didn't read the summary but for some reason I did not. I was pulled in from the first pages. The way Renée discovers the death of her parents was horrible. This is where the mystery begins. How did her parents die? Was it an accident of where they killed? There are a few mysteries to be solved in this book and I enjoyed solving them along with Renée.

The paranormal lore was incredibly interesting. Not only did I get my romance fix but also an amazing legend. I don't want to go into details but trust me it was entertaining. It ends in a sort of cliffhanger so we are left waiting anxiously for the next in the series.

Yvonne Woon does a great job bringing together the mystery, the love story, and the supernatural elements. I definitely recommend this book to any one who enjoys reading YA paranormal romance.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (8) Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Dutton
Expected Date of Publication: September 29th, 2011
ISBN: 9780525423287
Pre-Order on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday (5) Top Ten Books Tackling "Tough" Issues

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by the The Broke and the Bookish

1. Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks- The diary of a teenage girl that is seduced by the world of drugs.

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - When Melinda Sordino's friends discover she called the police to quiet a party, they ostracize her, turning her into an outcast -- even among kids she barely knows. But even worse than the harsh conformity of high-school cliques is a secret that you have to hide.

3. Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel - A harrowing story of breakdowns, suicide attempts, drug therapy, and an eventual journey back to living, this poignant & often hilarious book gives voice to the high incidence of depression among America's youth.

4. Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia by Marya Hornbacher - This vivid and emotionally wrenching memoir of the author's lifelong love affair with bulimia and anorexia offers a devastating critique of the American obsession with food and body image.

5. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - The story of a family devastated by a gruesome murder -- a murder recounted by the teenage victim.

6. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank- One of the most moving and eloquent accounts of the Holocaust, read by tens of millions of people around the world since its publication in 1947.

7. A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks -  This book made me cry like no other. It is about losing the one you love.

8. Shindler's List by Thomas Keneally- Schindler's List recreates the true story of Oskar Schindler, the Czech-born southern German industrialist who risked his life to save over 1,100 of his Jewish factory workers from the death camps in Nazi-occupied Poland.

9. Room by Emma Donoghue- Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years.

10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak-Narrated by Death, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany.

{Review: ARC The Last Archangel by Michael D. Young

Title: The Last Archangel
Author: Michael D. Young
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Bonneville Books (July, 2011)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN: 9781599558943
Source: NetGalley
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 3/5

Description from GoodReads:
Xandir has been exiled to earth until the end of time. But when his cherub trainee disappears, Xandir makes a deal with rogue angels and giants that could restore life to the mortal woman he loves and end his assignment as a destroying angel in exchange for helping them bring about the end of the world and all of mankind.

My Review:


The Last Archangel follows Xandir a rebel angel and Eden a women having marital problems. Their stories come together briefly a throughout the book.

Let's begin with Eden's story. Her husband  becomes angry and aggressive out of no where. Then just disappears with the only explanation that he found another woman. Eden gets her friend Judy to help her find her husband. On her journey she encounters demons, other scary things, and learns things about herself.

Now for Xandir, his job is distribute mercy and justice as a punishment for something he did in the past. Then for some unexplained reason he is reassigned to be Eden's guardian angel. Then he decides to work for a Giant and steal a seed from a tree in the island of Atlantis to save the woman he believed dead.

There were a few times when I wanted additional information. Examples: Why is Xandir reassigned? They tell Xandir that he must protect Eden at all costs and he just leaves. Shouldn't he get into a little bit of trouble?

I liked how Michael D. Young's writing takes the reader into a behind the scenes on the life of angels and how some are punished for their sins. I enjoyed the mythology and the subject matter.

I would have liked a little more on Xandir love story. I would have liked to understand why he was so willing to give up everything for her. This book was a little hard for me to get through. I was not able to get into the story and care for the characters. I am not saying that the book was bad it was just not for me. I need  more romance and better character development.

I recommend this book to those who would like to learn more about angels, an adventure to Atlantis and few demonic battles. If you are looking for romance then this is not the book for you. It does contain an angel risking everything for the woman he loves but it is more about his adventure not about how they love each other.

Let's talk about: From Books to Big Screen

I love great stories and I am more than happy when I hear that one of my favorite books is being turned into a movie. Yes, like most of you I am a little scared that they will be able to capture and recreate the emotions I felt when reading the book.

The last one I saw was Harry Potter and just like with the book, I cried and cried. Was it as good as the book? No, not in my opinion. Was it a good adaptation  Yes, I believe it was. I am sad that it was the end of a great series and I am no longer looking forward to the next Harry Potter movie that will come out next year. :(

But alas there will be other great series... I hope.

Since HP7 made me reflect on other book to big screen adaptations here are my rambling thoughts. Hope you enjoy!


Growing up I was not a dedicated reader. Yes, I know sad but true. I did however enjoy watching movies and that lead me to reading a few books. Let's begin with my childhood favorites. I loved the Secret Garden and The Little Princess so when I discovered that these were based on books I went to my local library and read them and realized that they are better than the movies.

That was how I discovered the joy of reading. Thanks to movie adaptations. The movies create exposure and convert many to readers. I have heard many people who say that they read the book after loving the movie and realizing that the book was even better. Example: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. There were many teens and not teens that after hearing all the hype decided to pick up the book.

List of some of my favorite book to film adaptation (not in any particular order):

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

2. Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

3. Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

4. The Notebook by Nicholas Spark

5. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

6. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

7. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson

Why these are some of my favorites and What is needed for a good adaptation according to me:

The movie needs to stay true to the story and the main message. Why change it? If it is a best seller as a book why rewrite and make all the loyal fans angry. I understand that there are money and time constraints but if it is an important part of the story I would rather they not venture into it than they make a horrible movie.

The characters must match the ones in the book. It's not just about looks but about the actor being able to portray the character correctly. I must like/hate them just like I did in the book. They must be able to be funny, clumsy, arrogant, etc... just like the character they are portraying.

The overall mood of the book needs to be captured in the movie. If the book made me laugh and cry, I expect the same from the movie.

These sound like common sense but there are so many movies that fail to this. Hopefully, they will learn and future adaptations will be magnificent.


I am really looking forward to The Hunger Games and City of Bones and hope they do a great job. *crossing fingers*

What are your favorite book to film adaptations? Are you looking forward to any upcoming film adaptation?

{Review}: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Title: Insatiable
Author: Meg Cabot
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: William Morrow (June, 2010)
Hardcover: 451 pages
ISBN: 9780061735066
Source: Borrowed from Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 4/5


Description from GoodReads:

Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one.

My Review:

Why haven't I read more from Meg Cabot? I read Princess Diaries back in the day and for some incomprehensible reason have not picked up another until Insatiable. Meg Cabot is magnificent! Insatiable kept me entertained and laughing. I was not able to put the book down.

Meena is not your everyday girl, she can foresee the death of everyone around her. (Not a power I would want.) She has not had the best experience with relationships. Apparently, telling your boyfriend how he is going to die is a no-no. Then on a midnight stroll Meena is saved by a mysterious but obviously handsome stranger. Her world is turned upside down and begins to resemble a paranormal soap opera when this mysterious stranger enters her life.

I loved how Meg Cabot manages to poke fun of popular obsession with vampires and at the same time write a great vampire book. Meena doesn't understand people's fascination with vampires and why a girl would find a guy struggling not to eat you attractive. She calls it monster misogyny because vampires always prey on young, beautiful, defenseless girls. Being one who loves reading paranormal romance especially vampires, I could not help but laugh because when put that way it sounds ridiculous.  

The plot is predictable but 100% entertaining. The characters are great, the different POV allowed me to get to know and love all of them. It has romance, a love triangle, mystery and plenty of action. A great read for any paranormal romance lover.

I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a romantic fun time.

Blog Update: Sorry for not being able to post!

As some of you might already know, I am trying to plan a wedding for this upcoming September. Let's just say that it is taking most of my free time. I am reading but I just haven't been able to write reviews for the books I read. I just finished The Iron King by Julie Kagawa and I loved it! I can't wait to continue the series. I will work on my reviews tonight and hopefully have some posted tomorrow.

Thanks for being understanding! 

{Review}: Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Title: Darkest Mercy
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: YA Fiction/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: HarperCollins
Hardcover: 327 pages
ISBN: 9780061659256
Source: Borrowed from Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 4/5

Description from GoodReads:

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

My Review:                         

*Contains Spoilers of Previous Books in the Series*

We finally discover where the love triangles and fairy politics take the lovely characters of this series.

In the final installment Aislinn, the normal girl that is taken, turned into the Summer Court queen of the fae and placed into a world of magic, politics, friendship and danger has to make decisions in this book that could mean the destruction of her court and losing the man/fae she loves. The Summer King is missing and she needs to step up and rule her court without his guidance. Yet, it is hard for her to embody the joy and carefree of Summer and strengthen her court because she is worried about Keenan and the impeding battle with War and is also missing Seth.

This book was about the struggle about doing what is best for their court and what is best for them. Keenan wants to be with Donia but needs to be with Aislinn for the completeness of their Summer Court. Aislinn is missing both Keenan and Seth and in this book and has to decide who she will be with. Donia understand that Keenan and her could not be together but cannot help but hope. Niall is dealing with pain, anger and despair and the loss of a loved one is causing him to lose himself. Can the four courts come together after all that has occurred between them to fight War and save their courts.

Did I like how it all ended? Yes, I am happy with the ending Melissa Marr gave these amazing characters. I should have foreseen the simple way they solved their love problems, but I didn't.

If you haven't read this series you should if you like the fae and want to read about some that love piercings and tattoos. Faeries that take you on an emotional ride and show you that their world is full of darkness and despair just as much as joy and happiness.

Blog Update: Reading in the Dark!

I've been without electricity for most of the week due to an insane storm and was not able to blog or write reviews. I was however able to read since I couldn't do much else. As soon as my power went out I prepared my trusted book light and got ready for a reading marathon. I read about the undead, romantic vampires and seasonal faeries. I promise next week will be full of great reviews. That is if the crazy Chicago weather doesn't decide to mess up my plans once again.

Happy Reading!

Follow Friday #15

Follow Friday! Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!

This weeks featured blog is Angela's Anxious Life

Q. What do I do when I are not reading?

A: When I am not reading I am planning a fast approaching wedding. September 2nd is just around the corner and I am trying to get everything ready. I am really looking forward to having everything ready, not only because I will live happily ever after but also because I will have more time to read. 

What do you do when you are not reading?

{Review}: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Title: Beastly
Author: Alex Flinn
Genre: Fairy Tale/YA Fiction
Publisher: HarperTeen (Oct,2007)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN: 9780060874162
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 5/5

Description from GoodReads:

I am a beast.
A beast!
Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll, stay this way forever ruined unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly...beastly.

My Review:
Before you read this review let me inform you that I am 100% biased because I absolutely love Beauty and the Beast and everything to do with it. So, by this being a retelling of that story I was sure to love it. Let me just tell you what I liked and you be the judge as to whether it is something you might enjoy.

The story is told from the Beast's perspective. We get to see how he was before he became a beast. I also liked the setting of New York City and how the characters and the story line were changed to match the present setting. It was as believable as you can get in a fairy tale.

I also liked beast's friends, what can I say, I just love fairy tales. There were also a few references to great books and movies which made it more enjoyable for me. Even though I already had a basic idea of what was going to happen it was still a joy to read. It had nice changes and additions that made this a fresh take on Beauty and the Beast.

I could not help but picture Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingsbury because of the movie preview I saw before reading the book. The combination of Alex's looks and the romantic personality described in the book resulted in me falling in love with the beast once again. Who wouldn't love a guy that reads books that he knows you are reading just so he can talk to you about them?

I won't say more because it might ruin the story. If you like Beauty and the Beast then this is a must read.

I have not watched the movie and I am looking forward to it. Has anyone seen it and read the book? What were your thoughts on the movie?

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by The Story Siren, held usually on Sundays that encourages bloggers to share what they bought, borrowed, or begged for this week.

Borrowed from the Library

Title: Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fiction/ Fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen  (Feb, 2010)
ISBN: 9780373210084
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

 Received from NetGalley

Title: Cold Kiss

Author: Amy Garvey

Genre: YA Fiction/Paranormal

Publisher: HarperTeen (September 20th 2011)

ISBN: 9780061996221

Pre-Order on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

“It seemed so right. Danny was mine, I was his, and that wasn’t going to work if he was dead. So I would make him not dead, not anymore. I didn’t think any further than what it would feel like to kiss him again, to wrap my arms around him and bury my head against his shoulder.
That was my first mistake. It also turned out to be the biggest.”

When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can’t turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart.

Amy Garvey’s transcendent teen debut is perfect for fans of Shiver and Beautiful Creatures. Wren’s unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

Title: Vanish
Author: Sophie Jordan
Genre: YA Fiction/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 6th 2011)
ISBN: 9780061935107
Pre-Order on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Author: Rae Carson

Genre: YA Fiction

Publisher: Greenwillow/HarperCollins (September 20th 2011)

ISBN: 9780062026484

Pre-Order on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who needs her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do

Title: A Beautiful Dark
Author: Jocelyn Davies
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 27th 2011)
ISBN: 9780061990656
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

Skye never questioned the story of her life. Her Aunt Jo adopted her after the death of her parents when she was just a child, and together they flip through memories the way some people flip through photo albums.

She never questioned if the stories were true.

Until the night of her 17th birthday, when the arrival of two strangers intrudes on her cozy life. Polar opposites, like fire and ice, Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair, cold, and aloof. Skye has no idea what they want—only that their presence coincides with the beginning of some shockingly strange events. Events that Skye, if she dares to think it, might be responsible for causing.

High up in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, Skye finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient battle, one that began untold millennia ago. Torn between unpredictable Asher, whom she loves, and the infuriating Devin, who she can’t stay away from, her fate is murky as a starless night. And as the secrets of her true identity are revealed, Skye realizes that her destiny may reside in the Heavens—or somewhere darker.

Title: Tris and Izzy

Author: Mette Ivie Harrison

Genre: YA Fiction

Publisher: EgmontUSA (October 11th 2011)

ISBN: 9781606841730

Pre-Order on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

Description from GoodReads:

A modern retelling of the German fairytale "Tristan and Isolde", Tris and Izzie is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until -- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.

What's in your Mailbox?

Follow Friday #14

Follow Friday! Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!

This weeks featured blog is Read, Breathe, Relax.

Q. Let's step away from besties...What is the worst book that you've ever read and actually finished?

A: I am not sure of the worst book I have read but The Magicians by Lev Grossman is certainly in the list of the not so  great books. I read this book because it was supposed to be a grownup Harry Potter and it was not. I just could not get into this book.  

What's the worst book that you've ever read?

{Review}: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Genre: Contemporary YA Fiction
Publisher: Dutton (December, 2010)
Hardcover: 372 pages
ISBN: 9780525423270
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 5/5

Description from GoodReads:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My Review:
After hearing wonders about this book, I finally decided to give it a chance. I cannot be more happy and thankful because I love this book.

If you want to remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time, then this is the book for you. Anna takes us on her journey. You will feel the butterflies, the random smiling and the emotional roller coaster.

I love the realistic characters. All of the characters in this book behaved like real people not perfect story characters. I loved that the main characters made mistakes and learned their lessons. This book does not have a complicated plot, it is more about teenagers dealing with getting to know themselves and understanding other and finding their place in life, their home.

France was just perfect and added a delicious ambiance to the whole thing. I really wanted to go sit in France, drink a cappuccino and finish reading this book.

The best part of this book was how I felt when I finished reading it. Yes, I was sitting there with a big grin on my face.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a sweet love story about a girl trying to find a place to call home.

"Waiting On" Wednesday (7): Everblue by Brenda Pandos

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Everblue (Mer Tales, #1)
Author: Brenda Pandos
Genre: YA Fiction/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Expected Publication Date: July 31st 2011
ISBN: 9780982903391

Description from GoodReads:

Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.

Ashlyn is about to discover what she’d thought to be true her whole life, wasn’t, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.

What are you waiting on?

{Review}: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA Fiction/Dystopian
Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers (Oct, 2009)
Hardcover: 379 pages
ISBN: 9780385737944
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 4.5/5

Description from GoodReads:

Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You're in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids -- the Runners -- venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.
Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he's unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out?

My Review
I cannot imagine waking up and not having my memories. The Maze Runner is an amazing book. I enjoyed solving the mystery along with Thomas and the rest of the boys. The made up language was a little hard to understand at first but after a few chapters I grew used to it. The adventure is the best part, it keeps you turning pages all the way to the last page. It definitely reminded me of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because in both of these books children are put in a place where they have to fight to survive.

I would have liked for Thomas to be more of a hero and less of an extra addition to the maze. I'll keep my review short because I don't want to give away parts of the story. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to solve a mystery and enjoy reading dystopian novels.

{Review}: Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Title: Sleepless
Author: Cyn Balog
Genre: YA Fiction/ Fantasy
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (July, 2010)
Hardcover: 215 pages
ISBN: 9780385738484
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository

My Rating: 3/5

Description from GoodReads:

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.
But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .
Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?
Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

My Review:
The idea of a handsome Sandman that falls in love with his charge was amazing. I admit the idea of a guy that watches you sleep every night is a tid bit freaky but Cyn Balog made it work. Eron and Julia's relationship was very cute. In the beginning Julia is shocked with the news that her boyfriend died in a car crash. Then a mysterious guy that makes her feel like she has known him forever appears in her life. Is she ready to let this mysterious guy into her life?

Sleepless is a small book with an entertaining story. It is told from both Eron and Julia's perspectives. I enjoyed reading about Eron's adaption to the 21st century. It was also great that it was explained why Julia feels like she has known Eron forever and feels safe around him.

I would have loved this story if it had explained a little more about the sandman life and folklore. The ending also seemed a little strange, all of their problems seemed to get fixed just because I was in the final pages. I would have liked a little more explanation as to the change of mind of some of the characters.

I recommend this book if you want to read a light sweet story about a sandman that falls in love.