Review: Victory by Carla Jablonski; Illustrated by Leland Purvis

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

The final installment in Carla Jablonski’s Sydney Taylor Honor-winning Resistance trilogy.

World War II thunders to a conclusion in this third and final installment of Jablonski and Purvis’ critically-acclaimed historical trilogy. As the Allied Forces move to retake France from its Nazi invaders, siblings Sophie, Paul, and Marie Tessier must risk their lives once more and journey into the belly of the beast: Paris. They are on a mission to deliver top-secret intel for the Resistance movement . . . they are its youngest agents.

A perfect mix of deft emotional storytelling and hairraising, historically accurate wartime adventure make this final chapter of the Resistance Trilogy the most satisfying yet.

MY TAKE:

I wasn't born yet during World War II, so what I know of the war is from the things taught to us in school and told to me by my parents and grandparents.

Victory is the third book in Carla Jablonski's Resistance trilogy. This book chronicles the adventures of Sylvie, Paul and Marie as they fight for the French Resistance. I was a little disoriented at first when I was reading because I was looking for "Sophie", the girl mentioned in the marketing copy. In the book, however, Paul and Marie's older sister is named Sylvie. I haven't read the first two books, though, so I'm not sure if she was Sophie before.

Anyway, while it helps to read the first two books, Victory is still easy enough to follow. The characters explain the things that you might have missed, without resorting to info dumps.

It's action-packed, informative and very realistic. The illustrations are like sketches, so if you like that style, then this is definitely your cup of tea.

Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for the e-ARC. Publication date of Victory is on July 17, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. The book is very informative.
2. The story is realistic.
3. You don't have to have read the first books to understand this one.

THE BAD:

1. There are some misaligned speech bubbles.
2. The illustration style may not appeal to everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Stop fraternizing with the enemy and maybe I'll treat you with more respect.

READ IT IF:

1. You want to know what life was like in wartime France.
2. You're looking for a realistic comic book trilogy.
3. You want to learn more about the Resistance in World War II France.

RATING:


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Review: Swipe by Evan Angler

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

MY TAKE:

I don't usually read YA dystopian novels but the premise of this book was very interesting.

In Swipe, most people are Marked when they turn 13. Most kids would be excited by this. Logan isn't, especially after what happened to his sister.

The idea of people having barcodes is not a new idea. It sounds like a cool idea, technology-wise. Of course, it has a lot of issues.

The book's concept is brilliant. The plot was interesting although I could occasionally tell where it was going. Logan is a perfect hero. He's kind of a weakling, but not completely incapable of functioning. Erin is my kind of heroine. She's bad-ass but not overly so. You can definitely imagine her doing what she does, without rolling your eyes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for the e-ARC. Publication date of Swipe is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Interesting concept.
2. Strong characters.
3. Lots of potential.

THE BAD:

1. Still lacks a little something.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

There weren't windows in the traditional sense, but the walls were indeed lined with glass, behind which were simulated, three-dimensional video projections of vistas from all over the world- a reminder to the students of how thigns once were.

READ IT IF:

1. You like YA dystopian novels.
2. You've thought about a world with unified ID systems.
3. You like mysteries.

RATING:

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Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

MY VAMPIRE CREATOR TOLD ME THIS:

"Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?"

I didn't then, not really.

I DO NOW.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

MY TAKE:

I don't usually read vampire novels, but considering that this was written by Julie Kagawa, I figured I'd give it a try.

In The Immortal Rules, a virus has killed a lot of humans and has left the rest to be servants of vampires. There's more than just vampires to worry about, though. Rabids and other humans are also a threat to the existence of humans who just want to survive.

This world is very chaotic and is basically a war zone. As you would expect, the humans and vampires in this book aren't weaklings or sparkly. Most of them, anyway. That is, they aren't weaklings. Nobody sparkles here.

Allie is a tough girl, which is great. She did get on my nerves, occasionally, though. The other characters did annoy me sometimes, too. There were very few characters in the book that I liked.

What kept me going was the plot. It reads like an episode of The Walking Dead or something. It's gruesome and gross and you definitely get the picture. I don't know if I'd read the next book in the series, but if you like vampire books, you'll like this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarlequinTeen for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Immortal Rules is on April 24, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Class A world-building.
2. No sparkly vampires.
3. Excellent writing.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the characters can be annoying.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Because within the pages of every book, there was information of another world - a world before this one, where humans didn't live in fear of vampires and walls and monsters in the night.

READ IT IF:

1. You like your vampires tough.
2. You like kick-butt heroines.
3. You're tired of watered-down, fairy tale young adult books.

RATING:

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Review: Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies by James Marshall

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

In a world where ZOMBIES control banks and governments, only one young man sees the way things are and emerges from the CHAOS and destruction: GUY BOY MAN. While he tries to end human suffering worldwide and in his high school, Guy Boy Man meets a cute PINK-HAIRED girl named BABY DOLL15 who has a UNICORN that follows her everywhere. An EPIC ROMANCE begins, but forces BEYOND THEIR CONTROL are intent on keeping the young couple apart. One of those FORCES may—or may not be!—Guy Boy Man’s closest friend, a handsome African-American NINJA named SWEETIE HONEY; another could be four EXOTICALLY BEAUTIFUL, genetically engineered and behaviourally modified EASTERN EUROPEAN girls; yet another, the principal of their HIGH SCHOOL . . . not to mention an impending standardized test known as the ZOMBIE ACCEPTANCE TEST! Will Guy Boy Man find a way to be with Baby Doll15 in a WORLD WHERE EVERYONE IS DOOMED to become either zombies or zombie food??!!

Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies is part Napoleon Dynamite, part The Matrix, and ALL AWESOME. It’s the first book in the How To End Human Suffering series.

MY TAKE:

In any ninja versus ____ scenario, I always root for the ninja. As such, I was very intrigued by the idea of this novel.

Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies by James Marshall is about Guy Boy Man, a self-proclaimed savior who takes it upon himself to save the world from zombies.

When I started reading the prologue, my first thought was "What the heck?!" The prologue is one very long run-on sentence. I thought about abandoning the book but since I try to finish NetGalley books, I decided to give it a few more chapters.

It's a good thing that the main chapters use proper punctuation. There are some paragraphs that read like a teenager's hyperactive mind, but for the most part, this book is quite readable. It's actually very humorous once you get into it. This book's strength is its dark humor and sarcastic take on everything. There were quite a few moments when I couldn't help but laugh out loud. It did get a little tired near the end, though. Less astute people might get outraged by the tongue-in-cheek statements found in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and ChiZine Publications for the e-ARC. Publication date of Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies is on May 15, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It's laugh-out-loud funny.
2. It's sarcastic and doesn't take itself too seriously.
3. It has ninjas, pirates and zombies!

THE BAD:

1. The run-on, rambling sentences can be very distracting.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Strangely, when the window breaks, it doesn't make a sound! Ninjas must be trained to jump through windows silently! And, on the way down, tehy probably grab the broken pieces of glass before they hit the ground! ninjas are so awesome!

READ IT IF:

1. You like ninjas, pirates and zombies.
2. You like dark humor.
3. You're not easily bothered by tongue-in-cheek statements.

RATING:

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Review: Cat Girl's Day Off by Kimberly Pauley

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Never listen to a cat. That will only get you in trouble.

Actually, scratch that. Listening to cats is one thing, but really I should never listen to my best friend Oscar. It's completely his fault (okay, and my aspiring actress friend Melly's too) that I got caught up in this crazy celebrity-kidnapping mess.

If you had asked me, I would have thought it would be one of my super-Talented sisters who'd get caught up in crime fighting. I definitely never thought it would be me and my Talent trying to save the day. Usually, all you get out of conversations with cats is requests for tummy rubs and tuna.

Wait . . . I go back to what I said first: Never listen to a cat. Because when the trouble starts and the kitty litter hits the fan, trust me, you don't want to be in the middle of it.

MY TAKE:

I'm not sure exactly why I chose to request this book, but I'm glad I did.

Cat Girl's Day Off is about Natalie Ng, a teenager with the ability to talk to cats. It seems like a useless Talent, but after stumbling into a kidnapping plot, her ability could very well save her.

This book is sort of Nancy Drew meets Sky High. Nat, along with her friends Oscar and Melly, sets out to find out who is behind the kidnapping of a famous blogger. I wouldn't say it was the best mystery I've ever read, but it was a pretty interesting plot and it did keep me guessing.

Nat is an interesting character, but I found her friends a little bit annoying sometimes. Her love interest Ian, though, is a charming guy.

My favorite characters in the book aren't the people, though. I like the cats. Rufus and Meep are hilarious. If you like cats, this is a definite must-read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tu Books for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. Creative story.
2. It's a fun, almost campy read.
3. The cats are funny.

THE BAD:

1. There are some cliche parts.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I am Purr Daddy. You can call me PD. The humans here call me Pebbles.

READ IT IF:

1. You are a cat person.
2. You are curious what cats might be thinking.
3. You like Nancy Drew books.

RATING:

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Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

MY TAKE:

I adore this book so much!

Grave Mercy is the story of Ismae, St. Mortain's daughter. As the daughter of the god of death, Ismae has talents and skills that will come in handy as she carries out the tasks given to her by her convent and St. Mortain himself.

I like this current trend of kick-butt heroines. Following in the tradition of Lady Alanna, Lady Keladry and Katniss, Ismae puts damsels-in-distress, who spend more time flirting than helping, to shame.

The story is set in Brittany, at the time when Anne was not yet formally the Duchess of Brittany. I really like historical fiction and this book was no exception. LaFevers artfully mixes fiction with reality, and I was thoroughly entertained and couldn't get enough.

Romance-wise, this book did not disappoint. I am a sucker for guys who can fight. Gavriel is not only an excellent fighter, he also has ideals and morals, which is very attractive in a guy. The tension between Gavriel and Ismae is so intense and had me screaming so many times at the screen so they would just get on with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin for the eARC.

THE GOOD:

1. It's historical fiction at its best.
2. Awesome world-building.
3. Hot love story.

THE BAD:

1. The next book doesn't come out until next year!

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

St. Arduinna, the patron saint of love. Is that what he thinks is between us?

READ IT IF:

1. You like historical fiction.
2. You like tough heroines.
3. You like war stories.

RATING:

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Review: Torn by Stephanie Guerra

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

Stella Chavez is your classic good girl: straight As, clean-cut boyfriends, and soccer trophies . You’d never guess that Stella’s dad was a drug addict who walked out when she was a kid. Or that inside, Stella wishes for something more.

New girl Ruby Caroline seems like Stella’s polar opposite: cursing, smoking, and teetering in sky-high heels . But with Ruby, Stella gets a taste of another world—a world in which parents act like roommates, college men are way more interesting than high school boys, and there is nothing that shouldn’t be tried once.

It’s not long before Stella finds herself torn: between the best friend she’s ever had and the friends she’s known forever, between her family and her own independence, between who she was and who she wants to be.

But Ruby has a darker side, a side she doesn’t show anyone—not even Stella. As Stella watches her friend slowly unravel, she will have to search deep inside herself for the strength to be a true friend, even if it means committing the ultimate betrayal.

MY TAKE:

When I read the blurb for Torn, the first thing that came to mind was an article I read about Nikki Reed writing the script for Thirteen.

Torn is about the story of a good girl, Stella, who becomes friends with Ruby. Ruby is wild and a bit of a troublemaker and Stella soon finds herself doing things she doesn't really like or is not like her at all.

I have read a lot of YA books so I wasn't really expecting much from this book. I mean, the plot sounds pretty cliche, right? Well, in a way it is. However, it does have its good moments. I particularly liked the ending. :D

I wasn't hooked by the book exactly, as I prefer YA books that have more introspection than this did. If Stella had more life-changing lessons or sort of took a step back and pondered a bit ala Sarah Dessen's characters, this might have been a 5-star book.

As is, the only thing I really hated about this book is Stella's love interest. The guy took away from the story. If the focus had been more on Stella and Ruby, it would have been more interesting and less forced.

Thanks to NetGalley and Children's for the e-ARC. Publication date for Torn is on April 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It has a kick-ass revenge scene against bullies.
2. It has some unexpected twists.
3. Ruby is an interesting character.

THE BAD:

1. The resolution came too easily.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

As she gave me a mock-princess wave, a word popped into my mind: unsinkable.

READ IT IF:

1. You have been bullied.
2. You have gossiped about someone you didn't know well.
3. You are feeling a lot of pressure in your life.

RATING:


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Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life (Secrets of My Hollywood Life #1) by Jen Calonita

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

Juicy Hollywood secrets are revealed throughout this novel about a young star, Kaitlin Burke, who goes undercover to high school. Could it be that high school is just as harsh as Hollywood?

MY TAKE:

Even though the plot is different, every now and then, while I was reading this, I kept thinking about Maria Slater from Sweet Valley.

Kaitlin is a Hollywood starlet who stars in a popular soap opera. As it happens in a lot of these kinds of books, Kaitlin wants to get away from the pressures of Hollywood and enrols in a normal high school.

It's cliche, in parts, but what makes this book extra special are the Hollywood secrets that pepper the book. You can easily imagine that this is a real Hollywood actress telling her story.

THE GOOD:

1. It's a rollicking good read.
2. Hollywood teenager-style.
3. Great supporting characters.

THE BAD:

1. It's cliche sometimes.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

HOLLYWOOD SECRET NUMBER TWELVE: A star’s home is never as fabulous as it appears in the pages of a magazine.

READ IT IF:

1. You dream of making it big in Hollywood.
2. You are fascinated with Hollywood celebrities.
3. You're looking for a light read.

RATING:


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Review: Silver Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia #1) by Cindy Pon

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

MY TAKE:

I like strong heroines and wuxia, so I was really excited to read this book.

Silver Phoenix tells the story of Ai Ling, a girl in search of her missing father. As she travels to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams, Ai Ling is hunted by various paranormal creatures who want her dead.

There were moments that I felt like Ai Ling was channeling Mulan, but instead of a guardian dragon and cricket, Ai Ling has supernatural powers. I thought her ability was pretty cool. It's not the most original, but the way it was described and how it was tweaked just a little bit from the usual mind-reading thing makes it a less boring ability.

I like the use of mythology but there were too many monsters that attacked that it felt like they were just thrown in there. If it had taken maybe a little bit longer for the monsters to be defeated, it might have been more interesting.

As for the love story, I think Chen Yong is interesting, but something was missing in Ai Ling and Chen Yong's interactions. In Tagalog, we call it the kilig factor. :P I guess if I were to translate it, the closest approximation is chemistry. Perhaps it gets better in the sequel, so I definitely look forward to that.

THE GOOD:

1. Good use of mythology.
2. Descriptive and interesting wuxia scenes.
3. It has potential.

THE BAD:

1. The romance isn't completely there.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

“A plate of the roast duck, steamed dumplings, spicy noodles with beef gravy, pickled cucumbers, stewed tongue and eggs if you have them, cold please, and sticky rice pearls, too,” Ai Ling said, before the server girl could open her mouth. “I don’t know what he wants.” Ai Ling nodded toward Chen Yong.

“I’m not sure I have enough coins to order anything more,” he said, laughing.

READ IT IF:

1. You like wuxia books.
2. You like mythology-based books.
3. You like Mulan.

RATING:


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Review: PUTTING BOYS ON THE LEDGE (Book 1, A Girlfriend's Guide to Boys Series) by Stephanie Rowe

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Meet Blueberry Waller, whose name is the only interesting thing about her life. Until now.

Not only is Blue dealing with the worst name in the world, crazy parents and a clingy younger sister, she just got a part in the school play. And now she’s acting with Heath Cavendish, total crush-worthy senior. He would never give a second look to a girl like Blue. Except he has.

Her friends say Blue should play it cool, put Heath on the Ledge so she can keep the upper hand. Trouble is, she doesn’t know how to be clever around boys. Thankfully her pal Colin offers his help in teaching her how to get the guy. But he’s just being a good friend. Isn’t he?

Suddenly the wallflower is getting all the attention. But will being in the spotlight keep Blue from making the right decisions...for her?

A Girlfriend’s Guide to Boys: For these four friends, understanding the world of boys is only half the battle.

MY TAKE:

This book has a lot of potential, but Blue rubbed me the wrong way at the start of the book.

Basically, Blue has her eye on Heath, a really cute senior. Her friends advice her to keep him on the Ledge, a.k.a. play hard to get. To help her prepare to deal with dating an older guy like Heath, her friends enlist the help of Colin, a nice guy who helps her out with her chores while she's acting in the play.

Blue annoyed me so much during the first few chapters of the book. She was so over the top into Heath to the point that it was pathetic. If it weren't for Blue's friends, especially Frances, I would have stopped reading after chapter 2. Allie, Frances and Natalie are very interesting characters, and provide a great complement to Blue's personality.

The plot is kinda obvious and cliche but it has its interesting moments and gets better as it progresses. By the end of the book, I was definitely rooting for Blue.

Thanks to NetGalley and TKA Distribution for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The girls' rapport is very organic.
2. It's a quick and romantic read.
3. Cute love story.

THE BAD:

1. Blue's obsession with Heath.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I felt like I could kiss him and no one else would ever know, and we'd never mention it again. It would be our little secret.

READ IT IF:

1. You want to read a quick romance novel.
2. You miss the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.
3. You like nice guys.

RATING:


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Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

MY TAKE:

Where do I begin? This book is awesome!

In a world wherein most men have a lifespan of 25 years and women only have 20 years of life to live, procreation and finding an antidote is the order of the day. Here, Rhine Ellery and her twin only have each other. When Rhine is forced to become one of the wives of a young rich man, she will do everything in her power to be reunited with her twin once again.

I won this book from Jessie Harrell (author of Destined) during the Mid-Winters Giveaway Hop. What drew me to this story instead of the other choices that were given to me by Ms. Harrell was the science factor. Yes, I am a science nerd... and a former medical student. The premise intrigued me. How far should science go and if we let it go too far, what could be the consequences? I enjoyed this so much that I began to speculate what could be causing the problem. I mean, it is fiction, but I think if there was a mutation in the mitochondria, cell nucleus or DNA, it's plausible.

I didn't really choose this book for the romance, but the romance bits of the story were nicely done and not heavy-handed. While I was a little grossed out at the thought of the harem-like arrangement, this is important to the advancement of the story and the society in Wither.

As for the characters in the story, my favorites are Rhine and her sister wife Jenna. I like Rhine. She has a mind of her own and she can be manipulative but because I get where she's coming from, it doesn't really irk me. I feel like I can relate more with Jenna, though. She's quiet and rebels in a silent way, kinda like me. :P

THE GOOD:

1. Rhine is flawed and occasionally makes not-so-smart choices but not in that she's-so-stupid-I-want-to-hit-her way.
2. Poetic (but not distracting) writing style.
3. Believable world.

THE BAD:

1. The concept of polygamy may not appeal to everyone.
2. Rhine can be a bit manipulative, though her heart's in the right place.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I suppose she means for me to learn to love him. But she's young yet. She has plenty of years to learn what true love is, or at the very least what it isn't.

READ IT IF:

1. You like strong yet believable heroines.
2. You've imagined what it's like if scientific advances go out of control.
3. You like well-thought-out worlds and stories.

RATING:



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Review: Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriel

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

MY TAKE:

I wasn't too optimistic while I was reading the first few chapters of Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe. I found Chloe to be a bit needy and insecure, and I thought that her (former) friends were kind of shallow and extremely mean. By the 5th chapter, though, I was hooked.

From being one of the more popular girls at school, Chloe suddenly finds herself a loser. Her former friend Brie has smeared her reputation with baseless lies. Adding to her woes is her new guidance counselor who vetoes her independent study program and urges her to do her independent study program on the school's radio station.

Chloe's voice was very authentic, and I had no trouble imagining this high school junior and her life. The neediness and insecurity that Chloe showed is typical of most teenage girls, and thankfully, by the end of the book, she had already learned to control it. Her growth made it easier to like her and sympathize with the events that happen in her life.

Another thing that the novel had going for it was the way that Ms. Coriell portrayed the characters' relationships. The dynamics between the characters felt unforced and genuine. Trust me, I know what it's like to have an ill grandmother and a worried mother who would simultaneously want to help my grandmother and want to freak out, and what it's like to have best friends turn on you. Ms. Coriell definitely got it right. I'm also very glad that Chloe didn't go Bella (read: co-dependent) on Duncan, although there were a couple of moments when it felt like she was on the verge of it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for providing me with an e-copy. Publication date of Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Believable characters. The characters were so well-fleshed-out that it felt like there were no minor characters.
2. Cute love story.
3. Chloe. Chloe was a character that might annoy you at first, but she's actually quite loveable. Think Polyanna, but less saccharine-sweet.

THE BAD:

1. Chloe's shoe obsession. I'm not a fan of shoes, so I didn't really get the whole shoe love that Chloe had going on. If you're a shoe fan, though, I think you might find Chloe's observations accurate and her shoes envy-worthy.
2. There was a twist near the end of the story that felt unnecessary.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I raised Duncan's hands to my lips. First I kissed one palm, then the other. "When you feel lonely, I'll be there."

Duncan stared at his palms and wrapped his fingers around my kisses.

READ IT IF:

1. You like YA novels with a believable cast of characters.
2. You like YA novels were it's not just about the lead female character getting a boyfriend.
3. You like fashionable heroines.

RATING:

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Review: How to Slay a Dragon by Bill Allen

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

Ruuan is a very large dragon. Twelve-year-old Greg Hart can't slay a dragon. He'd be lucky to win a fight against one of the smaller girls at school.

Now the magicians of Myrth have mistaken him for a legendary warrior, so they've yanked Greg into their world of sorcery and danger. Nothing will stop the people of Myrth from believing Greg will rescue King Peter's daughter from Ruuan the dragon. After all, Greg has been named in a prophecy, and no prophecy has ever been wrong before.

Until now.

MY TAKE:

My first thought when I opened my copy of How To Slay A Dragon was "Wow, this is longer than I expected." I guess I kind of expected that since this book was aimed at the younger set, that it would be the typical big-font, 100+ page book. This book clocks in at around 212 pages plus a sneak peek at the second book The Hero Who Slayed Ruann.

Greg Hart is your typical 100-pound weakling, the type that gets bullied a lot. Definitely not what you'd expect a hero to look like. However, by fate, he's transported to the kingdom of Myrth wherein he's expected to slay a dragon to fulfill a prophecy.

The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was its witty, snarky tone. Even the characters' names had a tongue-in-cheek theme (Lucky Day, Witch Hazel, etc.)

I definitely enjoyed the characters and their relationships. My favorite character would have to be Greg or Lucky. Princess Priscilla has a lot of promise as a character but I felt like she didn't get as much screen time and responsibility as she could have so I didn't connect with her as much.

The plot was definitely entertaining. It has all the elements we've come to expect from medieval stories (quests, dragons, princesses, heroes, and monsters), but the book doesn't take itself too seriously and so nothing feels as cliche as it should.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bell bridge Books for providing me with an e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. Lucky's magic backpack ala Mary Poppin's magic bag. Awesomeness, enough said.
2. Characters. The characters were interesting. The group that is eventually formed had a very The-Fellowship-of-the-Rings-meets-Friends feel to it. :)
3. Writing style. The style and tone of the book is very conversational, and it feels like it was being narrated by a sarcastic guy friend.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the characters weren't as well-developed as I would like. Of course, there's gonna be a second book, so maybe we'll get to know more about them there.
2. There were parts where I found it hard to focus on the book because the action slowed down a bit.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

True, Manny was in Greg's grade, but he seemed bigger than all the other boys at school combined. Surely he'd have graduated high school by now if he hadn't been let back so often - perhaps even got a good star on a technical vocation, provided he found one where he didn't need to think.

READ IT IF:

1. You like action-adventure books.
2. You enjoyed the Harry Potter series and other similar book series.
3. You like your characters and books snarky. :)

RATING:

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Review: Destiny (Rogue Angel #1) by Alex Archer

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

An ancient order tied to the Vatican . . . A blood fortune buried in the caves of France . . . A conspiracy of power, greed and darkest evil . . .

Archaeologist and explorer Annja Creed's fascination with the myths and mysteries of the past leads her to a crypt in the caves of France, where the terrifying legend of the Beast of Gevaudin hints at the unimaginable. What she discovers is shattering: an artifact that will seal her destiny: a brotherhood of monks willing to murder to protect their secret; and a powerful black-market occultist desperate to put his own claim to centuries-old blood money. Annja embarks on a high-tension race across Europe and history itself, intent on linking the unholy treachery of the ages with the staggering revelations of the present. But she must survive the shadow figures determined to silence her threat to their existence.

MY TAKE:

I'm a huge fan of young adult books or any fiction book, for that matter, where I learn something new. Destiny certainly fits the bill.

Annja Creed is an archaeologist and part-time TV personality who hosts Chasing History's Monsters. While on assignment for the show, Annja stumbles upon an incredible secret that a lot of dangerous men are after. No problem, of course, for kick-butt Annja, if only she knew every piece of the puzzle.

Annja is like the Lara Croft of the archaeology world. Not exactly the most believable character, but if you're willing to suspend reality for a moment, she's an okay heroine.

What's great about this book, for me, is all the historical details and facts. I've always been fascinated with history so this book was perfect for me. Of course, with all the details and stories, it's sometimes hard to tell which is truth and which is fiction.

The book is also action-packed, which is great and would translate well onscreen. However, it's much too gory for my taste. The guys would probably like this, though.

All in all, this book is a page-turner. I'm eager to read the next book in the series.

THE GOOD:

1. You'll learn a lot of new things.
2. It reads like an action movie.
3. Annja makes you wanna kick some butt.

THE BAD:

1. The language and writing style is very simple, definitely meant for a younger audience.
2. The action scenes are not for the faint of heart.
3. Some readers may find the constant history lessons distracting or even condescending.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"You're probably right. The world has forgotten more than anyone alive today will ever know." Roux talked as if he were an authority on that line of thinking.

READ IT IF:

• You like thrillers.
• You like history.
• You like strong (almost perfect) heroines.

RATING:

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Review: Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

MY TAKE:

The first time I read the blurb, I knew I had to read this book.

Jordan and Courtney are a former couple who are now forced to travel together to their future college for orientation. Along the way, there's a lot of tension, hilarious moments and secrets that are revealed.

The story is told from both Courtney and Jordan's points-of-view, and the story jumps back and forth from the present to the start of their relationship and how it progressed. It's not as confusing as it sounds because each chapter is clearly labelled with who is speaking and when that chapter happened. I liked how believable Courtney and Jordan's "voices" were. They were teenagers and it shows, in a good way.

To my surprise, the book was actually pretty funny. I had assumed that it would be a drama type of YA book, but it's not as dramatic and as much of a tearjerker as I expected. It had its cute and sweet moments, though, and the resolution of the story was satisfactory, if not a little bit open-ended.

THE GOOD:

1. Courtney and Jordan are interesting characters.
2. Their love story is cute. :)
3. It's a fun and easy summer read.

THE BAD:

1. The reason for Jordan breaking up with Courtney was kind of flimsy for me. I don't think that the breakup was necessary. Although, it could just be a way to show Jordan's immaturity.
2. Courtney's dad was just a really weird, almost one-dimensional character for me.
3. The plot is predictable.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"That was a booty call!" he can be like, “No, it wasn’t, we had breakfast.” Like a modified booty call. It’s probably the new trend in dating.

READ IT IF:

• You're looking for an easy read.
• You're not over your ex and you think he/she might still be into you too.
• You're about to start college.

RATING:

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Review: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

Who is the real McLean?

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combing Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

MY TAKE:

Ever since I first read "Just Listen", I've been a fan of Sarah Dessen. She writes well and her characters are always well-fleshed-out. So how does this one compare?

For the past two years, Mclean has been living with her dad who regularly travels to different places in order to fix up restaurants. With each new move, she creates a new persona, sort of as a coping mechanism to deal with the move and the fallout of her parents' bitter divorce. Their latest move to Lakeview, however, presents a problem when she finds herself making friends and feeling more and more attached to the place.

I'll admit that I might not be the best person to judge this book. When it comes to Sarah Dessen's books, my peg is, and probably always will be, "Just Listen". In that sense, "What Happened to Goodbye" just doesn't measure up.

Mclean, in parts, seemed totally real and I felt that I could relate to her. She's a former basketball freak, and growing up in a basketball-crazed country, I can definitely relate to life in a basketball-crazy town. However, there were moments too that I felt like I didn't know her that well. I'm not sure why, though, since her history was discussed quite well.

I adored Mclean's romance with Dave, though. I liked that the romance was just in the background, and that the story was mostly about exploring family ties and finding your own identity. For me, that's the strength of this book. Mclean's relationship with her mother, whether you admit it or not, is very realistic.

Like any Sarah Dessen novel, there were also some very good dramatic moments in this book and I couldn't help but tear up a few times while reading. Overall, this is a perfect summer read.

THE GOOD:

1. The characters are mostly relate-able.
2. Cameos by your favorite characters, places and objects from past books.
3. If you're a basketball fanatic and/or a restaurant/food enthusiast, you'll enjoy this book.

THE BAD:

1. If you have a very good relationship with your mother, you might feel uncomfortable with Mclean's relationship with her mom.
2. I wanted more restaurant moments and more Dave and Mclean moments. :P

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"Once you love something, you always love it in some way. You have to. It's, like, part of you for good."

"We make such messes in this life, both accidentally and on purpose. But wiping the surface clean doesn't really make anything any neater. It just masks what is below. It's only when you really dig down deep, go underground, that you can see who you really are."

READ IT IF:

• You're a basketball fanatic or foodie.
• You know what it feels like to want to reinvent yourself.
• You have a tenuous relationship with your mother/father.
  
  

RATING: