Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Brandon Mull

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Source: bought

Publication date: March 14th, 2017

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

In the long-awaited sequel to Fablehaven, the dragons who have been kept at the dragon sanctuaries no longer consider them safe havens, but prisons and they want their freedom. The dragons are no longer our allies....

In the hidden dragon sanctuary of Wyrmroost, Celebrant the Just, King of the Dragons, plots his revenge. He has long seen the sanctuaries as prisons, and he wants nothing more than to overthrow his captors and return the world to the Age of Dragons, when he and his kind ruled and reigned without borders. The time has come to break free and reclaim his power.

No one person is capable of stopping Celebrant and his dragon horde. It will take the ancient order of Dragonwatch to gather again if there is any chance of saving the world from destruction. In ancient times, Dragonwatch was a group of wizards, enchantresses, dragon slayers, and others who originally confined the majority of dragons into sanctuaries. But nearly all of the original Dragonwatch members are gone, and so the wizard Agad reaches out to Grandpa Sorenson for help.

As Kendra and Seth confront this new danger, they must draw upon all their skills, talents, and knowledge as only they have the ability to function together as a powerful dragon tamer. Together they must battle against forces with superior supernatural powers and breathtaking magical abilities.

How will the epic dragon showdown end? Will dragons overthrow humans and change the world as we know it?

REVIEW:

I am so happy that Brandon Mull finally returned to the Fablehaven universe. I first read the Fablehaven series when I was in junior high, and it easily became one of my most favorite book series of all time. Now that I am in college, it is safe to say that I still love them now!

It was so great to see all of the old characters, and also get introduced to some new ones. Kendra and Seth were as great as ever, and the new plot dragged me in from the very first page. I am a sucker when it comes to anything dealing with dragons, so when most of the book took place in a dragon sanctuary, I knew I was going to love it. Mull's imagination was still running rampant, making this an extremely unique and wonderful fantasy story. 

Overall, DRAGONWATCH is a fantastic follow-up to the Fablehaven series! I cannot wait to see what is next!

The Sun is Also s Star by Nicola Yoon: Review

RATING: 4/5 stars!

Author: Nicola Yoon

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Source: ARC from publisher

Publication date: November 1, 2016

Find it on goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from goodreads)

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

REVIEW:

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR was such an interesting read. For one, the cover is totally beautiful. But the story inside was good enough to live up to the amazing cover. 

This story was so beautifully written, and even though there were two points of views, you could tell which character was who without having to constantly flip back to the beginning of the chapter. Daniel, the male lead, is a poet, and you could definitely tell when you were reading from his point of view. There were many passages that were so lyrical, and you couldn't help but be sucked in. Natasha, on the other hand, was so sassy and so blunt. Definitely a great female lead. 

The only criticism I had of the book was the way it ended. I do not want to give anything away, but it did not seem to make much sense to me. I could not wrap my head around why the things played out the way they did, and I was rather confused for most of it. 

Overall, THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR is a great read. I highly recommend it!

Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard: Review

RATING: 4/5 stars!

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: bought

Publication date: February 10th, 2015

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

REVIEW:

Going into RED QUEEN, I had heard nothing but amazing things. I always enjoy a good dystopia story, and RED QUEEN definitely delivered. But, like every book, it still had its flaws. Even though I found it enjoyable, there were still some things that I was disappointed in. 

While the concept was extremely original (people separated by the color of their blood? How freaking cool is that!), I found the story line to be somewhat lacking and predictable. It reminded me of so many other YA dystopias; it felt like I had read everything before. Because of this, I could clearly see where the story was going, and it definitely took away from the enjoyment of the novel. 

The book was extremely well written. The writing flowed nicely, and it gave the book a very fast pace. This made up for the predictability of the story. I knew what was going to happen, but because it was written so nicely, I wanted to keep reading. It was definitely the saving grace of the novel. 

Overall, I very much enjoyed RED QUEEN. If you are a fan of dystopia, I suggest you give it a try!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter #8)by J.K. Rowling: Review

RATING: 3/5 stars!

Author: J.K. Rowling

 Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Source: Bought

Publication date: July 31st, 2016

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

REVIEW:

Alas, the first Harry Potter book that has gotten less than 5 stars. I will not lie, I was very disappointed when I found out that this story was going to be a play. I love plays...but I love books more. I tried to go into it with an open mind, and I did not think it was bad; but I was definitely disappointed in many ways. 

I feel like this book would have been better if it was an actual book. The thing I loved the most about the Harry Potter series was getting inside Harry's head; because this book was a play, you totally miss that aspect of the story. It did not feel complete. If I had seen this onstage instead of reading it, I may have felt differently; but when I finished it, I did not feel satisfied. It felt like something was missing, and I think it was all of the characters thoughts. 

I do not want to go into many details so I can avoid spoilers, but there was one twist in the story that I could not wrap my head around. For one, the timeline did not make sense; and second, it seemed extremely out of character. It did not make any sense to me whatsoever. It seemed more like a fan fiction than a story from J.K. Rowling.  

But, even with its faults, I still enjoyed being back in the Harry Potter world. If you are a fan of the series, I suggest you give it a try!

Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle #4) by Christopher Paolini: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: Bought

Publication date: November 8th, 2011

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

It began with Eragon... It ends with Inheritance.

Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini's worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

REVIEW:

Oh, what a series. I am so glad that I finally chose to read it this summer. An epic, absolute thrill ride of a series. 

But what exactly makes this series so good? 

The story line is very basic. Boy is a nobody, finds a mysterious object in the woods, turns out to be a dragon egg, becomes a dragon rider, finds out he's the last of the dragon riders and must defeat a bad guy. You've probably heard of a story similar to this before. But it is the language that Paolini uses that gives this series its character.

"Who is it who decides that one man should live and another should die? My life wasn't worth any more than his, but he's the one who's buried, while I get to enjoy at least a few more hours above the ground. Is it chance, random and cruel, or is there some purpose or pattern to all this, even if it lies beyond our ken?”

 He uses a style similar to Tolkien, but it is still his own. This series is so beautifully written. I found myself highlighting passages and sentences (which I never do) so I could come back and read them later. It's hard to believe that Paolini was 15 when he started to write this series. His writing shows a maturity that some authors never achieve. 

He also did an amazing job wrapping up the series. I felt so satisfied with the ending...but it left enough open that I'm still hoping there will be a spin-off series at this point. Do not know if it will ever happen...but I can still hope, right?

Overall, THE INHERITANCE CYCLE was an absolutely epic series. I highly recommend it!

Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle #3) by Christopher Paolini: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: Bought

Publication date: September 20th, 2008

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

Oaths sworn... loyalties tested... forces collide.

It's been only months since Eragon first uttered "brisingr", an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he's not only learned to create magic with words — he's been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon's oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran's beloved from King Galbatorix's clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

REVIEW:

I have no words to express how much I love this book. So I will express my feelings in gifs.

In short, you should read this book. You will not regret it!

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: series review

SERIES RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: C.S. Lewis

Publisher: Collier Books

Source: Bought

Find The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (from Goodreads):

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, completed in the winter of 1949 & published in 1950, tells the story of four ordinary children: Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy Pevensie. They discover a wardrobe in Prof. Digory Kirke's house that leads to the magical land of Narnia, which is currently under the spell of a witch. The four children fulfill an ancient, mysterious prophecy while in Narnia. The Pevensie children help Aslan (the Turkish word for lion) & his army save Narnia from the evil White Witch, who's reigned over the Narnia in winter for 100 years.

REVIEW:

After 20 years of life, I finally read this series. And, needless to say, I was not disappointed. 

The way C.S. Lewis crafted the story was amazing. It was really very simple, and was told very simply; but there was an extremely complex aspect to it. I have gone to Catholic school my whole life: grade school, middle school, high school, and now college. In all of my years of Catholic school, I have had to take many theology classes, whether I wanted to or not. But in reading this series, I can definitely see the Catholic influence in these books. There were so many little references to the Catholic faith and theology, and it was so cool to be able to recognize them. I am glad that I waited until college to read them, because if I hadn't had that knowledge, I wouldn't have enjoyed them near as much.

But, even if you have no knowledge of religion, you will definitely still enjoy the books. The story is complex enough to keep adult readers entertained, but simple enough for young children to read. It is a great series to read to kids!

Each of the books had their own unique story, but also connected to each other. I read them in  the original publication order (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, The Last Battle), and I highly suggest reading them in that order. Recently they rearranged them so that the books were in chronological order, and you can totally read them that way. There's nothing wrong with it. But reading them in the order that he originally wrote them made more sense in the way that certain aspects of Narnia were revealed. 

 In short, I highly recommend this series!

Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini: Review

REVIEW: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: bought

Publication date: August 23rd, 2005

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Darkness falls... Swords clash... Evil reigns.

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall – one that puts Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life...

REVIEW:

Even better than Eragon!

Everything about Eldest was great. I could go on forever about what I love about this book, but I am going to focus on one single character that really made the book for me: Roran.

Roran, Eragon's cousin, wasn't really present in the first book. But he REALLY came into his own in Eldest. He was absolutely bad-ass! He has such a fierce loyalty to his family, and his leadership skills when it came to getting his men to fight were amazing. The outcome of the story would be totally different if not for Roran and his hammer. The chapters from his point of view were my absolute favorite to read; he is no doubt my favorite character in this series. Christopher Paolini, you know how to craft amazing characters. 

If you have not read this series, I highly suggest you do so soon!

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: bought

Publication date: August 26th, 2003

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.

REVIEW:

If you are like me and have let this series sit on your shelf for years, I have a message for you:


Do not be intimidated by the size of this book. Do not be intimidated that it is just like all of the other high fantasy dragon books out there; because it is not. Do not worry that because this book was written by a fifteen-year-old, it is going to suck; because it doesn't. Do not worry that the book is going to be as bad as the movie, Eragon, was, because the book is so different and sooo much better. And, most importantly, do not let this book gather any more dust; read it. Right now. You will not regret it!

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Source: bought

Release date: November 10th, 2015

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

REVIEW:

A farewell letter to the Lunar Chronicles:

I will miss you dearly. Each book in the series has been better than the last, and I have fallen in love with the way all of the different fairytales were weaved together. It is rare in today's books that you find a story so unique; I can say, with certainty, that I will never read another series like you again.

I have fallen in love with all of your characters. Cinder is such a great female lead; Kai is extremely swoon-worthy; Scarlet is sassy, independent, and no-nonsense, which is everything I love in a female character; Wolf is so rough and tough, but so sweet and gentle at the same time; Cress is absolutely adorable; Thorne is sassy and hilarious and loyal and attractive and sooooo swoon-worthy (he is my favorite character, if you could not tell); Jacin is everything any girl would want in a boyfriend; and Winter is crazy, but completely endearing. She will win your heart in no time. They are the things that I will miss the most from this series.

And I will not forget to mention, that your ending was one of the best series endings I have ever read. It was suspenseful, intriguing, and wrapped everything up perfectly. It left me completely satisfied.

Also, a thank you to Marissa Meyer, for creating such an amazing series. Your imagination and ability to weave all of the different fairytales together is unparalleled; I loved it so much! I cannot wait to see what you write next.

Lastly, to all the other readers out there who have not read this series: do so as soon as possible. You will not regret it!

CONTENT: Kissing, and lots more violence than the first few books. 

The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice by Andrew S. Chilton: Early Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Andrew S. Chilton

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: Publisher sent in exchange for honest review

Release date: January 19th, 2016

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Brimming with dragons, goblins, and logic puzzles, this middle-grade fantasy adventure is perfect for readers who enjoyed The Princess Bride or Rump.

THE BOY is a nameless slave on a mission to uncover his true destiny.
THE GOBLIN holds all the answers, but he’s too tricky to be trusted.
PLAIN ALICE is a bookish peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon.
And PRINCESS ALICE is the lucky girl who wasn’t kidnapped.

All four are tangled up in a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, and together they must face kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. They’re a ragtag bunch, but with strength, courage, and plenty of deductive reasoning, they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle. 

REVIEW:

THE GOBLIN'S PUZZLE caught me totally by surprise. It is an absolute gem. 

I know that if I was a 10-12 year old I would have absolutely loved this book. Heck, I am a 19 year old and I absolutely loved this book. It brought me back to my grade school days, where I was reading Harry Potter and The Magic Treehouse. 

I always loved books with subtle humor in it, and THE GOBLIN’S PUZZLE was no exception. Some parts were SO FUNNY. The beginning when we are introduced to the boy with no name was so amusing, and when the dragon stole the wrong girl named Alice I about lost it. It was hilarious. 

The story was extremely clever. Not many middle grade books have a decent story line; the story was complex enough that it kept me interested, but yet simple enough that a 10 or 12 year old would understand some of the cleverness. It made the book something both parents and children will both enjoy. 

With subtle humor and an incredible clever story line, THE GOBLIN'S PUZZLE is not one to miss!

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas: Review

RATING: 3/5 stars

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's

Source: bought

Release date: May 5th, 2015

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beastwith faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down! 

REVIEW:

I have been struggling with reviewing a lot lately; I have been very busy with school, and all of the books that I have been able to read have not really captured my attention. I finished A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES back in October, and I sat on it for a while just to figure out exactly what I wanted to say. 

I liked this book a lot, but there were some things that didn't sit well with me. And in the two months since I have finished this book...I do not remember what they are. I hardly remember anything about this book. It was totally and completely unmemorable to me. So I apologize that I cannot give all of my readers (if any of you are still there!) a proper review. 

The only thing I do remember is the beginning of the book. Feyre kills a wolf (that was actually a faerie, unbeknownst to her) and is taken by Tamlin, who is also a faerie, to his home as punishment for killing his friend. It was absolutely riveting. But after that, everything just kind of blurs together. The story fell totally flat. 

Overall, A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES was great to start out, but very unmemorable. 

CONTENT: Some moderately explicit sex scenes. I skipped over them, so I don't know how much detail went into it. Moderate swearing, but very heavy on the violence and gore.

The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: library

Release date: April 24th, 2012

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.  

REVIEW:

This review may contain minor spoilers. Nothing major, but read at your own risk.

Why I waited three years after this book came out to read it I have no idea. But I am definitely regretting not reading it sooner.

I am a huge fan of the TV show, The Bachelor, and this book reminded me so much of that. But THE SELECTION was soooo much better than the TV show. The drama created in this book is way more interesting and much more entertaining.

I liked everything about this book. Maxon was a great male lead, and America, though frustrating at times, was a great protagonist. I wasn't crazy about the love triangle, but it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

The only thing I didn't like about this book...is Aspen. He drove me absolutely insane. When America bought dinner for the two of them in the beginning, and he refused to accept it because the "male is supposed to provide for the female" type thing, I wanted to slap him. This book takes place in the future. I thought we'd have gotten over this by now. America was trying to do something nice for you. The least you can do is accept it. And when he refused to leave her alone EVEN AFTER they broke up, I wanted to slap him again. Multiple times. He broke up with her, broke her heart, and now he follows her to the castle. JUST GO AWAY!!

Ok, mini rant over.

Overall, THE SELECTION was an absolutely fantastic book. I highly recommend reading it!!

CONTENT: Kissing, making out, talk of sex, but it is mostly pretty clean.

Another Kind of Hurricane by Tamara Ellis Smith: Review

RATING: 3/5 stars!

Author: Tamara Ellis Smith

Publisher: Schwartz and Wade

Source: Publisher

Release date: July 14th, 2015

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 In this stunning debut novel, two very different characters—a black boy who loses his home in Hurricane Katrina and a white boy in Vermont who loses his best friend in a tragic accident—come together to find healing. 
 
A hurricane, a tragic death, two boys, one marble. How they intertwine is at the heart of this beautiful, poignant book. When ten-year-old Zavion loses his home in Hurricane Katrina, he and his father are forced to flee to Baton Rouge. And when Henry, a ten-year-old boy in northern Vermont, tragically loses his best friend, Wayne, he flees to ravaged New Orleans to help with hurricane relief efforts—and to search for a marble that was in the pocket of a pair of jeans donated to the Red Cross. 
 
Rich with imagery and crackling with hope, this is the unforgettable story of how lives connect in unexpected, even magical, ways.
 
“In Smith’s poetic hands, this poignant story barrels across the pages and into the reader’s heart, reminding us that magic can arise from the deepest tragedy.” —Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor Award winner and two-time National Book Award Finalist

REVIEW:

Thank you to Penguin Random House, who sent me this book in exchange for an honest review!

There were many things I liked about this book. The writing was absolutely gorgeous. It flowed so nicely, which made the book an extremely easy read. The beginning of the novel was very strong, and, like a rip tide, pulled you into the story. 

The current, sadly, was not strong enough to keep me though. 

After the beginning, the story lost its grip. I know it's supposed to be a story of coincidence, but it relied so heavily on this that I felt like it lost something. One thing led to another, and the story became so unbelievable that I almost had to put the book down. What should have taken me a day to read drew out into a week because the story became so bland and boring. No twists. No turns. Stuff just happened and it wasn't enough to keep me interested.

Overall, ANOTHER KIND OF HURRICANE was not a bad book. But, unless you are a die-hard middle grade fan, I would suggest skipping this one. 

CONTENT: Clean



The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale: Review

RATING: 4/5 stars!

 

Author: Shannon Hale

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Source: Bought

Release date: September 1st, 2007

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

When Dashti, a maid, and Lady Saren, her mistress, are shut in a tower for seven years because of Saren's refusal to marry a man she despises, the two prepare for a very long and dark imprisonment.

As food runs low and the days go from broiling hot to freezing cold, it is all Dashti can do to keep them fed and comfortable. With the arrival outside the tower of Saren's two suitors--one welcome, the other decidedly less so--the girls are confronted with both hope and great danger, and Dashti must make the desperate choices of a girl whose life is worth more than she knows.

With Shannon Hale's lyrical language, this little-known classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm is reimagined and reset on the central Asian steppes; it is a completely unique retelling filled with adventure and romance, drama and disguise.

 

REVIEW:

 

Before reading THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS, I did not read the summary. I went in totally blind, and I had no idea what to expect.

 

I wasn't quite sure what to think at first. I did not expect it to be told from the POV of the maid, Dashti, and the first part of the book was SO BORING. Dashti and the princess, Saren, were shut in a tower, and besides the few interludes with a cat and a prince, almost nothing happened. I was getting so fed up with them being in the tower that I almost put the book down. But I kept reading, and I am so glad that I did.

 

The story took a total turn, and it was absolutely wonderful. I don't want to give anything away, but I loved the way Shannon Hale took the story. It was so beautifully written, and I was pretty giddy by the time I finished the book. SO GOOD!

 

Overall, THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS is not one to miss! 

 

CONTENT: Clean 



Nightborn (Thrones & Bones #2) by Lou Anders: Early Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 

Author: Lou Anders

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Source: ARC from publisher

Release date: July 14th, 2015

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

From the author of Frostborn comes Book 2 in the acclaimed Thrones and Bones fantasy-adventure trilogy for fans of Lloyd Alexander and Brandon Mull.

Karn Korlundsson is a gamer. Not a riddle solver. But in order to rescue his best friend, Thianna Frostborn, he will need to travel to the faraway city of Castlebriar (by wyvern), learn how to play a new board game called Charioteers (not a problem), decipher the Riddle of the Horn, and tangle with mysterious elves.

Meet Desstra. She’s in training to join the Underhand—the elite agents of the dark elves. When she crosses paths with Karn, she is not all that she appears to be.

Everyone is chasing after the horn of Osius, an ancient artifact with the power to change the world. The lengths to which Karn will go in the name of friendship will be sorely tested. Who knew that solving a riddle could be so deadly?

The novel includes instructions for playing the board game Charioteers. Visit ThronesandBones.com for additional games, maps, character profiles, and more!

REVIEW:

First off, I want to say thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book blew my mind. It took the expectations I had and completely shattered them into a gazillion little pieces. I loved it so so so much!!

All of the old characters were back, still as awesome as ever...but I think the new characters were my absolute favorite. Desstra, a dark elf, dethroned Thianna as my favorite character. I loved how she was made out to be a villain, but knew she should be good. I don't want to give anything away, but her character development was flawless.

I also loved the way that Anders took the story. Karn was able to use his gamer skills yet again to solve riddles, and even Thianna had her moments.

The world that Anders created is so cool. We got to see a lot more of it in this book, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to see more!

Overall, NIGHTBORN is a fabulous addition to the THRONES & BONES series! I highly recommend starting this trilogy!

CONTENT: Mild violence.



Frostborn (Thrones & Bones #1) by Lou Anders: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 

Author: Lou Anders

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Source: Publisher in exchange for honest review

Release date: August 5th, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Meet Karn. He is destined to take over the family farm in Norrøngard. His only problem? He’d rather be playing the board game Thrones and Bones.

Enter Thianna. Half human, half frost giantess. She’s too tall to blend in with other humans but too short to be taken seriously as a giant.

When family intrigues force Karn and Thianna to flee into the wilderness, they have to keep their sense of humor and their wits about them. But survival can be challenging when you’re being chased by a 1,500-year-old dragon, Helltoppr the undead warrior and his undead minions, an evil uncle, wyverns, and an assortment of trolls and giants.

 

REVIEW:

*Thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for honest review!*

 

At first, I was a little worried about reading FROSTBORN. I don't normally have a lot of luck when it comes to reading middle grade books, and I was worried that I would not be able to connect with this one. I usually have difficulties reading from the POV of preteens, but when I heard that there was Norse mythology involved, I couldn't not give it a try.

 

I should not have worried though. FROSTBORN was absolutely fabulous. Karn's and Thianna's POVs were so entertaining to read from, and even though I'm 19 now, I was still able to connect with both of them. It brought me back to my awkward grade school years when I first fell in love with reading. Even though I was never put in a situation like Karn and Thianna were in, I could still identify with the feelings they were experiencing: trying to find themselves in the world and dealing with responsibility that arises when you get older.

Their friendship is also a highlight of this book. It is what every friendship should strive to be. They are both so different from each other, but they accept each other and their differences, and would sacrifice anything for each other.

 

I've also never read anything quite like this book. The story was so unique, and The Norse mythology weaved into it was absolutely fabulous. When I first found out there were frost giants in this book, I immediately thought of this:

But the frost giants in this book were not quite as ruthless as the ones of the Marvel universe. Most of them were kind and hospitable to the humans, and their skin was much less blue.

And there were dragons. Who doesn't love a book with dragons in it?

Overall, FROSTBORN was a unique and fantastic read! I highly recommend it to all ages!

CONTENT: Some minor violence.

Crash (The Game #3) by Eve Silver: Early Review

RATING: 3/5 stars!

 

Author: Eve Silver

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Won

Release date: June 9th, 2015

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

A thrilling action/suspense novel for fans of The Fifth Wave about contemporary teens pulled in and out of an alternate reality where battling aliens is more than a game—it's life and death.

Miki’s life is falling apart around her. Her dad and best friend are lying in the hospital. The Game is glitching, making missions more frequent and more deadly. And someone close to her is waiting for the right moment to betray her.

Miki feels like she’s hanging on by a thread and the only thing keeping her tethered is Jackson’s hand in hers. Yet telling him how much she needs him, how much she loves him, feels like the biggest challenge of all. And if Miki really wants the missions to end for everyone, she’ll have to let go and be ready to fight when the walls between the Game and reality come crashing down. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that she’s got a whole lot left to lose.

Crash is the pulse-pounding conclusion to the Game trilogy fans won’t want to miss.

 

REVIEW:

 

Just as thrilling and action-packed as the first two! This trilogy is so much fun!

But this book disappointed me slightly. It wasn't bad, but I didn't care for the way that Silver took the story. For me, it made the series lose a lot of its uniqueness. I don't want to give anything away, but it felt like every other alien story that I've read.

It's no secret that I've never really liked Jackson, but I could not stand him in this book. He was being less of an ass, but Eve Silver did not portray him in a way that appealed to me. He's always described as "hot" and "sexy", and I feel like that cheapened him a lot.

All in all, CRASH wasn't bad, but it was not my favorite series ending. The first two books were still fabulous, so I suggest giving this trilogy a try.

CONTENT: Heavy kissing, moderate swearing (a**hole is the worst used), and lots of gorey and descriptive violence.

Push (The Game #2) by Eve Silver: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 

Author: Eve Silver

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: library

Release date: June 10th, 2014

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

So so so so much love for this trilogy. I really liked how Silver picked up right where RUSH left off. Just like in the first book, she wasted no time throwing us back into the story. PUSH was just as action-packed and thrilling as the first book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

The characters were still all fabulous. Miki is fantastic (even though she has some major control issues), Luka is still my book boyfriend, and all of the other supporting characters were great as well. I still didn't like Jackson though. At all. (LUKA ALL THE WAY!!)

Overall, PUSH is a fantastic addition to THE GAME trilogy. I highly recommend this to sci-fi fans!!

CONTENT: The same as the first one. 

Rush (The Game #1) by Eve Silver: Review

 

RATING: 5/5 stars!

 

Author: Eve Slver

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books

Source: Bought

Release date: June 11th, 2013

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 



So what's the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

Miki Jones's carefully controlled life spins into chaos after she's run down in the street, left broken and bloody. She wakes up fully healed in a place called the lobby - pulled from her life, through tiime and space into some kind of game in which she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures.

There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Every moment of the game is kill or be killed, and Miki has only the questionable guidance of Jackson Tate, the team's alluring and secretive leader. He evades her questions, holds himself aloof from the others, and claims it's every player for himself. But when he puts himself at risk to watch Miki's back, he leaves her both frustrated and fascinated. Jackson says the game isn't really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival. And the survival of every other person on the planet. She laughs. He doesn't. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

REVIEW:

RUSH was an absolute thrill ride. Eve Silver does not waste any time. By page 20 she throws the reader in the middle of battle, and I honestly had no idea what was going for a while. But it was so interesting that I didn't really mind. I've read lots of alien books, but I've never read anything quite like this. The concept of the game was so cool, and I loved learning about it.

The characters were pretty awesome too. Miki was kick-butt, Luka was my absolute favorite, but, honestly, I really didn't like Jackson all that much. He was such an arrogant jerk all the time, and I just didn't see the appeal. I felt like Luka was a much better choice ;)

Overall, RUSH is a must-read for sci-fi fans!

CONTENT: Kissing, moderate swearing (a**hole is the worst), and lots of violence.