Book Review: Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent; by Bill Peet

   I was attracted by the cute.. I mean handsome illustration of the green serpent, who turned out to be Cyrus, the main character of this picture book. Yup, I have weird cute level taste. Anyhoo, honestly, it horrifies me Cyrus was pressured into being violent by the other creatures. And of course, *click* excellent teaching tool for the kids while having fun reading this one.
   I am in love with the beautiful illustrations, and I actually feel for Cyrus in the book. It is beautifully written and the kids would love to read this with their parents or by themselves. 

Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent
By Bill Peet

A shark accuses Cyrus of cowardice because he won't sink any ships. The kindly sea serpent almost succumbs to peer pressure, but learns at last to be himself.

Finished Reading: 13th December 2014
Acquire: 16th August 2014
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Release Day }  26thth April 1982
Publisher } HMH Books for Young Readers 
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780395313893
Pages } 48 pages
Source } Borrowed
Age Group } Children
Get your own copy } Paperback

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Book Review: The Haunted Library; by Dori Hillestad Butler

   I was looking for a new series to indulge for the kids at work, and I’ve bumped up onto this. Cute, it’s about a library and it happens to be haunted. Sorry, can’t get the job pun off my system in this one. It’s like reading Casper meets Ghost Whisperer, except Kaz (the ghost) is wee afraid to learn most of the ghostly abilities, like going through a wall, which is kind of ridiculous. See? If I am emotional about that part, the kids might actually enjoy this book.
   Plot is easy to follow and pretty much attached to any reader who picked it up. Characters are real enough that it pulled you into the story. The illustrations. What can I say about them. I love it! It’s a wonderful start for this series, and I would love to follow through this series. Can’t wait for the next one!
The Haunted Library
(Haunted Library #1)
By Dori Hillestad Butler

When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other humans cannot and she and Kaz quickly form a friendship. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost that’s haunting the library. Could it be one of Kaz’s lost family members?

Finished Reading: 23rd December 2014
Acquire: 16th August 2014
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Children | Mystery | Supernatural
Release Day }  14th August 2014
Publisher } Grosset & Dunlap
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780448462424
Pages } 128 pages
Source } Bought for BND $8.00
Age Group } Middle Schooler
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Book Review: The School Is Alive; by Jack Chabert

I was intrigue. Come on, it sounded like RL Stine all over. If you grow up reading these you would understand why. I just got to pick this one up! It’s a worth fit read. Hey, I just spent 3 months reading the same book, I needed a quick read, to rush the last one down.

Plot is fast and the characters are.. how do I say.. cute? Even the location is a character on it’s own. the storyline ran fast and kept the short attention span kids to actually read it to the end. I can only say, it’s like Hogwarts.. a homicidal Hogwarts, minus the magic ingredient. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I refer you back to Harry Potter.

To top this one off, I am so.. looking forward to the next book; (and trying to get a copy for my school library).

The School Is Alive!
By Jack Chabert

Eerie Elementary is one scary school!
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In this first book in the series, Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is ALIVE! Sam finds this out on his first day as the school hall monitor. Sam must defend himself and his fellow students against the evil school! Is Sam up to the challenge? He'll find out soon enough: the class play is just around the corner. Sam teams up with friends Lucy and Antonio to stop this scary school before it's too late!

Finished Reading: 22nd December 2014
Acquire: 21st December 2014
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Children | Mystery | Supernatural
Release Day }  24th June 2014
Publisher } Scholastic
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780545623926
Pages } 96 pages
Source } Bought for BND $8.00
Age Group } Middle Schooler
Get your own copy } Paperback Kindle

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Book Review: No Way Back; By Chloe Adams

Wow. Just WOW. I am quite overwhelmed now. I am not sure how to go around this one, plus I don’t really know where to start. 

Oh! before I start, I guess I should warn you, this book is highly descriptive and might trigger anybody who are on the survivor list.

Now on to my thoughts.

The cover caught me from first sight. The model did right job in posing for it. It’s just pure perfect. Then, the blurb is just heart tugging. I honestly feel sorry for the main character. The author did an awesome job in humanizing Mia Abbott-Renou throughout this book.

Everybody said, don’t drink from the glass a stranger bought you. Nor drink from your own glass which you has left for a while. Why? Your drink might get spike with drugs by strangers. This book is all about that.

I must say, for some, it’s pretty much graphic, the event, and her post-trauma. It’s a hard book to read. It’s really heart wrenching on what Mia have gone through. I’m afraid to put the book down because I didn’t want to leave Mia alone in her troubles.

How people who are supposed to protect her, support her ended up making her feel alone. It sad how she blamed herself for what happened, especially when another victim died. I do wish her father showed her much support instead of just running around doing "”damage control” and running his election campaign. Her uncle Chris however, regardless how “profession front he has been showing, I’m glad he actually showed a bit of compassion to Mia of what she went through.

Ari has been an awesome, wonderful good friend for Mia. That was an upside of things. And then there's Dom. He was her personal rock who reminded her of her grandfather. He just made you go.. aww…. (I’m not kidding)

Personally, Jenna deserved it. *hehe*

What pissed me off, the way it left me hanging at the end. Grr cliffhangers! I seriously need to stop reading cliffhangers books!  Otherwise It has been a good emotional read. God, this book is amazing!

No Way Back (Mia’s Way #1)
By Chloe Adams

Sometimes bad things happen to beautiful people.
The wealthy daughter of a high-ranking politician, seventeen year old Mia Abbott-Renou has everything: designer clothes, wealth, spring breaks in Monte Carlo. She lives blissfully unaware of her family’s secrets, until the night she is raped by the son of her father’s greatest political ally.
Her father forbids her from going to the police and threatens to throw her out if she does. It’s a critical election year, one that his party might lose, if the public sours on his doting father image when they realize his daughter is an underage lush and party girl. He can’t risk splintering the party in a nasty court battle that’s certain to draw way too much press, even if that means sacrificing his daughter.
Mia’s world is shattered twice, once by the men who hurt her, and once by the betrayal of her family. She does what her father says. But the rapists strike again and beat their next victim near death.
With the help of her best friend and a couple of unlikely allies, Mia must decide: does she risk losing everything to do what’s right? Or does she turn her back on the truth and preserve the family name?
What’s privileged girl to do, when her perfect little world isn't so perfect anymore?

Finished Reading: 14th April 2013
Acquire: 23th March 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Abuse | Young Adult | Teens
Release Day }  27th October 2012
Publisher }
Format } e-book
ISBN } B009Y8D9R0
Pages } 179 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } pg 15 yo +
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Book Review: Poseidon and the Sea of Fury (Heroes in Training 2); By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Yeah, as you can see, I’m on a Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams reading roll! Being sick, these series seems to be my comfort read. It’s a delightful wonderfulness for me.

This is a fast pace, page turning next in line of the adventures of our teens Olympians to defeat the Titans and trying to find the Goose! (Pst it’s actually Zeus, but he doesn’t know yet.) But of course, it’s Poseidon turn to get his Trident. It is quite umm.. there was a huge "angry” moment when Hera left the troupe. I do wish she didn’t leave the boys on their own!

Oh well.

Snapping crab claws *chuckles*

Ok one thing I don’t like about this book is, much different to the Goddess Girls series, much to old tradition when it comes to Zeus, everything orbits around him… *again*. Well. most of it. I was expecting more of like the other mainstream series, ie the book is suppose to be about the feature character. This don’t really happen here. I was expecting to read Poseidon thoughts and character development, and less ion Zeus, but that um.. oh you see when you read it. 

But plot is good, setting is awesome, but yeah. I still miss Hera! Waiting for Hades turn!     

Poseidon and the Sea of Fury (Heroes in Training #2)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

A young Poseidon must triumph over aquatic terrors in this Heroes in Training adventure. The merciless Cronus and his Titan buddies are in hot pursuit of Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon, who plan to travel across the treacherous boiling sea in order to save a fellow Olympian. They have a boat, but they also have a problem: Poseidon can’t swim and is terrified of the water (well, really of the creatures that lurk in its depths). The group faces danger after danger as they battle singing sirens, a fishy and ferocious Titan named Oceanus, and people-eating monsters sent by Cronus himself. Can Poseidon overcome his fears and help his fellow heroes escape Cronus and his cronies?

Finished Reading: 21th March 2013
Acquire: 19th March 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mythology | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  04th December 2012
Publisher } Aladdin
Format } Paperbook
ISBN } 9781442452657
Pages } 128 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Mythological junkies like me. 
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Book Review: Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training 1); By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Zeus. The King of the Olympians.. Well... not yet. But he’s the start of this series. Meet the Olympian in their teens! It’s not enough to read about the second generation Olympians in their teens, I have to get my paws on the original Olympians teens.

Let me state forth that Zeus isn’t in my “like” list of characters, but he *again in a Holub & Williams state of mind* has turned him.. oh.. adorable. Especially when he is in a quest of looking for a guy name Goose to return the Thunderbolt. Hera is always classy bossy, Hades as always moody, and of course, Poseidon is so cute when he’s afraid of water! Oh I would melt!

I wish I have a thunderbolt of a pet now.

I must say, if you love the Goddess Girls, you would love this series. I’m so sorry I had this book as one of my “Filler Reads”, I ended up hooked on this series. That is such good news for me, to find a new series to enjoy and to look forward to, *sighs* The agony of waiting for the next book. Oh boy!

Look, here’s the deal. Why aren’t you picking this up?! Read it! =3

The secret is, I actually got both versions of e-book and paperback for this one.

Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training #1)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

After pulling a magical thunderbolt from a stone, ten-year-old Zeus goes on the adventure of a lifetime in this thrilling start to a brand-new series! The terrible Titans—merciless giants who enjoy snacking on humans—have dominated the earth and put the world into chaos. But their rule is about to be put to the test as a group of young Olympians discover their powers and prepare to righteously rule the universe....      Ten-year-old Zeus is mystified (and super-annoyed) by the fact that he keeps getting hit by lightening. Every. Single. Year. He also longs for adventure, as he has never been far from the cave where he grew up.      Zeus gets his wish—and a lot more than he bargained for—when he is kidnapped by dangerous, giant Titans! In self-defense, Zeus grabs the first thing he sees—an actual thunderbolt he pulls from a stone that is covered in mysterious markings. Zeus is the only one who can decipher the markings, and sets off on a quest to rescue his fellow Olympians from the evil Cronus. Armed with his trusty thunderbolt (named Bolt, of course), Zeus is on an adventure of a lifetime—and a journey to fulfill his destiny as King of the Gods.

Finished Reading: 12th March 2013
Acquire: 25th February 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mythology | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  04th December 2012
Publisher } Aladdin
Format } Paperbook
ISBN } 9781442452633
Pages } 112 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Mythological junkies like me. 
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Book Review; Pandora the Curious, by Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Yes! Another excellent Greek Mythology retelling read. I will NEVER, EVER get enough of these… hopefully this will be a lengthy series! I must confess, the first book I’d picked out from this series was a “filler read”, but I ended up gobbling these like hot cakes. This was also my “comfort read” when I was sick and bedbound that whole week, hence the reason for the late review. 

Here’s the thing, I used to hate Pandora. She annoyed me the most amongst the all of the mythological characters, and I mean all!

I said, used to. This book made her lovable. Pandora is so adorable that I’m willing to get past her busybodyness and absolute total unnecessary curiosity. I love the way they represent the “evils” from the box as “Bubbles”, popping and whispered what evil it unleashed… of course, only Pandora could hear it. After a bit while of popping, I feel for her when alot of her friends had been bubble-bumped, and she’s left alone to save everybody. Oh dear.

My verdict? So, so, so, so, so, so, so reading another one! Brilliant! Just Brilliant! Oh yeah, I actually bought the e-book and paperback for this one, because I couldn’t stand to wait for the paperback to arrive. Yes, I’m geeky that way.

Pandora the Curious (Goddess Girls #9)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Is Pandora about to open up a box of trouble?
One of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy, Pandora is famous for her mega quizzical nature—not that she thinks there’s anything wrong with being curious, of course!
Her curiosity kicks into high gear when a godboy named Epimetheus brings a mysterious box to school. Epimetheus is the nephew of an MOA teacher in whose class Pandora once opened another box that sent a few weather disasters to earth. Still, Pandora can’t help but take a peek inside this new box when it unexpectedly lands in her lap. What could be the harm in that, right? Little does she know that opening the box will open up far more trouble than she ever expected!
Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic myths with the Goddess Girls series. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

Finished Reading: 10th March 2013
Acquire: 06th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mythology | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  04th December 2012
Publisher } Aladdin
Format } Paperbook
ISBN } 9781442449350
Pages } 256 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Mythological junkies like me. 
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Book Review: Mick Harte Was Here; by Barbara Park

I never thought I be sad for a book character.

And yes.. the narrator lied when she said, “this isn’t the kind of book where you meet the main character and you get to like him real well.” She made sure she fall in love with this character… only to tell us he died. No spoilers there.

This is a story about remembering Mick Harte. And this is the story how the people who left cope post-event.

It’s an emotional read, it shows how different people deals and cope with the death of a person they know. 

P/S Get tissues ready before you start reading this one.

Quote. “The upside to grief is it takes away your appetite. When people say you look good they really mean it. Nature's thoughtful that way.”

Mick Harte Was Here
By Barbara Park

How could someone like Mick die? He was the kid who freaked out his mom by putting a ceramic eye in a defrosted chicken, the kid who did a wild dance in front of the whole school--and the kid who, if only he had worn his bicycle helmet, would still be alive today. But now Phoebe Harte's twelve-year-old brother is gone, and Phoebe's world has turned upside down. With her trademark candor and compassion, beloved middle-grade writer Barbara Park tells how Phoebe copes with her painful loss in this story filled with sadness, humor--and hope. Chosen by Publishers Weekly as one of their Best Books of 1996. "A full-fledged and fully convincing drama

Finished Reading: 01st March 2013
Acquire: 06th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  26th January 2011
Publisher } Yearling
Format } eBook
ISBN } 9780307786821
Pages } 96 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Realistic Fiction Readers 
Awards }
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Book Review: The Wide-Awake Princess; By E. D. Baker

So it turned out, Sleeping Beauty has a little sister and she has been bestowed the gift of “Anti-Magic”. Now that a killer plot. We know they love baby sister Annie that’s why they let the fairy bestow her that magical gift, but in the same time, everybody is treating her like she’s unwanted, because when she’s near them, their magical gifts weakened and show them their real self.

Pst.. in this version Sleeping Beauty not really that beautiful at all when Annie comes close.

I am so happy Liam is there for her. (ohh spoilers tsk tsk)

And to my friends and fellow bloggers who has read this, don’t you just wish there’s a Disney tv series/movie about this? Cause man this would be so darn cute to past!

I must admit, it took me  a while to finish reading this book. It’s not that it’s boring or anything, that I could only blame my hectic work schedule. (Yes, you heard that right, a librarian has a hectic schedule.) 

Forewarn, the characters in this book includes characters we all know and not that quite familiar with, so I suggest, you have a back up knowledge on your fairy tales before you pick this book up. or maybe this is the reason why you want to know the background stories of the characters involved.

By the way… “Princess and the Pea” reference is such a cute fit in that particular scene!

Quote. More than anything, Annie wanted to feel as if she belonged. But instead she felt as if she were a remote and not-too-fondly regarded cousin who was allowed to live in the castle.

The Wide-Awake Princess (Wide-Awake Princess #1)
by E. D. Baker

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie, blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic, can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake.
But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

Finished Reading: 28th February 2013
Acquire: 07th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Fairy Tales | Children | Teens | Fantasy
Release Day }  15th March 2011
Publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children
Format } eBook
ISBN } B004PGMHUQ
Pages } 270 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Fairy Tale Retellings 
Awards }
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Book Review: Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles 03); by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

I didn’t expect that ending. Maybe I did. But that ending came down hard. The authors did sort of put hints, and yet I fall for the red herring.

I am still trying to sink this in after reading it for the whole night till morning. That was my mistake. Reading this at night. This book has the tendency, where when you’ve reached a point where you are supposed to put it down, you can’t. It was horrible (good kind of horrible). It happened all suddenly the realization… the sacrifice.

Though James Breed hiding in Ravenwood was kind off expected, though I didn’t expect that little twist with Ridley. I feel so much sadness for Amma and Aunt Prud. I cried when Ethan cried in his mother’s ghostly arms. That’s just so sad. I found myself feeling sorry for Sarafine. My heart poured out to that dark hearted woman. And then there’s Aunt Mirian. *sigh*

It is crazy how good this series is. Still sinking in… Come back later maybe …

Quote. I’ll love you until the day after forever.

Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3)
By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Finished Reading: 1st January 2013
Acquire: 02nd November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  18th October 2011
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780316123525
Pages } 518 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal
Awards }
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eBook Review: Dream Dark (Caster Chronicles 2.5) by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

As a new acclaimed fan to this series, it was obligatory to get and read this e-book. before I go on to the next book. Here, we get to know about Link (or should we call him Linkabus now *tongue in cheek*), after his um.. incident, and his transition turning into an incubus. It’s funny when his mother thought he was on steroids and demand a urine test. Made me actually wonder how the result come out as. I love the Link & Ridley scenes in this. What annoyed me was, when things just get going, only to turn and read the author’s biography on the next page.  Yes That was annoying! 

It’s pretty much a short read, but if I have had read the next book without reading this one, I probably be lost in plot. Yup, it was that essential. Get this ebook!    
 
Dream Dark (Caster Chronicles #2.5)
by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

When Link joined his best friend, Ethan Wate, on a quest through a mysterious network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, he knew the journey would be dangerous. But returning home to Gatlin, South Carolina was just the beginning...

Wounded during a climactic battle, Link discovers that tending his injuries won't be as simple as visiting a doctor and that healing his arm should be the least of his worries. For being bitten by a Supernatural does more than break the skin -- it changes a person, inside and out, turning Link into someone more and more like the dark creature who injured him.

In this never-before-seen short story by New York Times bestselling authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, listeners witness Link's heart-racing transformation. Dream Dark is set before the much-anticipated third Beautiful Creatures novel, Beautiful Chaos, and as a special bonus includes an exclusive sneak peek at the first five chapters.

Finished Reading: 28rd December 2012
Acquire: 27th December 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  02nd August 2011
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } ebook
ISBN } 9780316077057
Pages } 75 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal 
Awards }
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Book Review: Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles 02) by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Wow… that was an unexpected turn of events to this book. I actually was up till morning reading this book. It’s that sort of a page turner. The book itself, is beautiful in writing, setting, characters and plot. So much drama that I was stuck reading it. It bound me at page one. That’s something different from the first book. Well, that actually explained why they chose the dark lit stairs on the cover. That was brilliant. though it was quite a turn off for me from reading this book for quite a while, but it was brilliant.

This time, the authors didn’t just focus the first person narration with Ethan, but through the visions he has, we finally get the glimpse of what’s going on on the other side of the story. You know, the side where the story is about what’s going on with Lena, and other characters like Abraham Ravenwood (oh yes, he has appeared) and Macon Ravenwood.

This book finally shed a bit of light on Ravenwood’s history, relationships and on both Lena and Ethan’s side of family and friends. The sisters are not as ignorant as they were first depicted in the beginning of the series.

And then there’s Lucille Bell… The cat. The cat!


They finally tell us what exactly Ethan’s role in to the Casters lives. He is a Wayward! I can’t believe Lena actually….






****Spoilers!****

…ran away with Ridley and that hunky James guy and left Ethan on his own. I think she gave up!. Yup it was an emotional read for me. I was pissed at Lena Duchannes, especially after the stunt she pulled at the fair. Poor Ethan, m heart just poured out for him.. especially when he finally knew why. Oh dear. Not just that, Macon… oh my God… with Ethan’s mom?! That wasn’t something I was expecting. I was entirely emotional when Lila was summoned as a ghost to meet up with Ethan. How sad was that?  

I absolutely love this book! Why are you picking up this series yet?

First Quote. I used to think our town, buried in the South Carolina backwood, stuck in the muddy bottom of the muddy bottom of the Santee River Valley, was the middle of nowhere

Quote. Liv. I couldn’t look at her. I’d been jealous and hurt, and I had dragged Liv into the middle of my own broken mess of a life. All because I thought Lena didn’t love me anymore.

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #02)
By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Finished Reading: 28rd December 2012
Acquire: 17st October 2010
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  12th October 2010
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780316077057
Pages } 503 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal  
Awards } Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2010)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon | Kindle

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Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Well, typical me. Hears a movie adaption of a novel is coming out soon, then rush to read it before the movie came out. I can’t say it enough, how long this has been in my “To Be Read” pile, and I just picked it up due to a movie! 2009. Wow, that was a big bump up!

It’s a typical boy dreamt of girl, boy meets girl, boy fall hard for girl kind of book… with the cliche paranormal romance in the air. *sighs dreamingly*

*refrains from bashing the  other novel*

I avoided reading this book because of those mixed reviews my fellow book bloggers has been giving through out the years. When I finally pick it up, it really did live up its hype. It’s true. It is quite slow pace at the first 100’s pages. Hence why I gave it  four spades rating. As slow as it was, it kept me grip on. It sunk its teeth into me and I just can’t put it down. The characters are strong and the settings are extremely memorable.

People are afraid of what’s different. That’s my take into how they have treated Lena Duchannes. the new kid in town, just because her uncle doesn’t really care much into mixing with the crowd of stereotype towners. Especially teens. Teens can be cruel. That popped out clearly as a concept in this book, and it be fine when you have people you love by your side along the way.

Let me forewarn you, this book is 99% entirely in the first person view of Ethan (who for some unknown reason I picture and sounded like Drake Bell in my head), the main character of this novel. You won’t be reading through the eyes of another character for quite a while until… um.. much much later. I must say, this part is much too annoying at times while reading through cause I be asking alot of what’s going on with the other characters? What are they thinking? What are they plotting? What they think about this and that?

If you are like me and still haven’t pick up this book and read yet, why? Pick it up dammit! You’re missing alot! Well not alot, but you know what I mean. That is how much you’re missing out. If you’re into Harry Potter (nah… not quite the  example…). If you love reading Twilight, this book will blow your mind.



****SPOILERS! (Kind of) ****

Holy crap. I can’t believe Larkin is… *argh!* I mean I suspected with his powers he was, but I think I was I in denial or something. I must say when Ridley “help” Lena during the dance was some sort of sweet. Personally, those girls deserved it after what they did to Lena. Hell yeah on “Stephen King’s Carrie” prom scene! I do think Ridley still care about Lena at that point. All together now… Aww…..

First Words. There were only two kinds of people in our town.

Quotes.
“The right thing and the easy thing are never the same.”

”Even lost in the darkness, my heart will find you.”

”In one moment I was feeling everything and I was feeling nothing.”

”What is the opposite of two? A lonely me and a lonely you.”

”I never loved you any more than I do, right this second. And I’ll never love you any less than I do, right this second.”

Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles #1)
By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Finished Reading: 23rd December 2012
Acquire: 01st December 2009
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  1st December 2009
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780316042673
Pages } 563 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal   
Awards } ALA Teens Top Ten (2010) | Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2009)
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Book Review: After by Amy Efaw

It has been awhile since I’ve actually posted a book review (or anything really). I apologize. I had a very hectic end of year, with work and life… (and not really reliable internet connection). Even reading took its toll, but I assure you, I will try not to stop reading. Anyway… I’ve seen this book around the book blogsphere for a while now, and I haven’t quite have the time to pick it up until now. I have alot in my “to be read” pile and it will take a while before I actually able to finish reading them all. (how scary).

If you have been living under a coconut shell or a rock, you wouldn’t have heard the news about how almost to frequent news of trash babies and door babies.. let’s keep it simple, babies left by people in the trash, in the wild, in places, in bags etc in the news. Most of us heard about it, yet there’s hardly any news of “After”. What happened to the parents? f course, there’s alot of horror movies about babies haunting their parents, but face it, there’s no after news.

Until now…

Somebody offered to read this books years ago. I wasn’t really into the genre  back then, but I’ve revisited the reference after we had this Teens Awareness week at work. It was an eye opener.

Let’s talk about this book. The main character, Devon, had a baby, threw the baby into the trash like a piece of nothing. Heartless, people say (the normal reaction we have after listening to the same kind of news in the medias). Here’s the twist… she didn’t know she was pregnant, she didn’t realize it was her baby until a few months later. Wow… yup bullshit. That was my reaction. Then, the author brings us walking into the characters state of mind. her memories, her feelings, her thoughts, her fears, her aspirations. I actually feel sorry for her, regardless what she did.

Amy Efaw did an excellent job in writing Devon’s story. I actually learn a lot, and somewhat empathize with the character.

Cover. If you hadn’t notice, the model on the cover has the reflection of a pregnant woman on the back of the leaning model



****SPOILER****



The only reason why I gave it a 4 spades, was the ending. It was a major twist, but I was hoping for more. I wanted to know about the boy. The baby’s father. How about the baby? I do hope Amy Efaw would do a “follow up” sort of books regarding this one. It would be awesome. I hate being left hanging like that.     

Quote: She can paint a pretty picture but this story has a twist. The paintbrush is a razor and the canvas is her wrist

After
By Amy Efaw

An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .
Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made. Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there's only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.
And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible. She turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon's unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption.

Finished Reading: 13th December 2012
Acquire: 24th November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult
Release Day }  11 August 2009
Publisher } Viking Juvenile
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780670011834
Pages } 350 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Realistic Fiction    
Awards } Borders Original Voices Award for Kids & Teens (2009)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Book Review: Suicide Notes; By Michael Thomas Ford

What can I say about this book. It was daunting. The depth the main character brought you under his skin, his thoughts. to sum it up. it was triggering, if you have a cutting problem, do NOT read this book.

But it is also kind of hilarious.....yet in the same time heartbreaking to read.

It isn't as depressing as it sounds. this book consisted of 45 days presenting every single day and thoughts of Jeff while he's in the hospital. He cope with his smartass remarks and just "blah" personality.

Personally, it was a good read. I actually went through it with all the emotions and actually relate, laugh and feel what the characters and his mates are feeling, not to mention going through.

I wouldn't really expect to see this in any school libraries due to the "harsh" content (but heck) it would be nice read outside school and during their own personal time.

"Seven little crazy kids chopping up sticks;
one burnt her daddy up and then there were six.
Six little crazy kids playing with a hive;
One tattooed himself to death and then there were five.
Five little crazy kids going out to sea;
One wouldn't say a word and then there were three.
Three little crazy kids playing in the zoo;
One jerked himself too much and then there were two.
Two little crazy kids playing in the sun;
One took a bunch of pills and then there was one.
One little crazy kid left all alone;
He went and slit his wrists and then there were none."

Quote. "That's what people do. Kill the things they're afraid off."

Suicide Note
By Michael Thomas Ford

Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year's Day to find himself in the hospital. Make that the psychiatric ward. With the nutjobs. Never mind the bandages on his wrists, clearly this is all a huge mistake. Jeff is perfectly fine, perfectly normal--not like the other kids in the hospital with him. They've got problems. But a funny thing happens as Jeff's forty-five-day sentence drags on: the crazies start to seem less crazy. . . .
Compelling, witty, and refreshingly real, "Suicide Notes" is a darkly comic novel that examines that fuzzy line between "normal" and the rest of us.

Finished Reading: 15th November 2012
Acquire: 31th March 2011
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult
Release Day }  7 September 2010
Publisher } HarperTeen
Format } Paperback 
ISBN } 9780060737573
Pages } 304 pages
Source } Borrowed
Age Group } 18 yo +
Interests } Survivor Books    
Awards } Ala Rainbow List (Young Adult Fiction, 2009)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com

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Book Review: The Maze of Bones (The 39th Clues 1); By Rick Riordan

I had my eye on this book for a long while now. I heard about the contest but that really didn’t tempt me (since it’s not applicable for me to join either). I broke down one day, when a friend offered me the book to read as he told me, it would be popular amongst my middle grade students. As method goes, I usually take a dash of spice and read some books before actually agreeing on adding them in the school library collection.

My verdict… it somewhat reminded me of Lemony Snicket’s A Series Unfortunate Events. Orphans in an adventure off to win their inheritance. Dan and Amy Cahill are two strong characters, facing their greedy relatives, who seemed to want to get rid of them so they be out of the way of money! A total page turner. I guess some of the middle grader I cater might like reading this sort. Personally, I thought it had a good plot.

Not in my usual sort of read, but yeah I’m looking forward to read the next book in this series.

Quote: “She led the way. Eyeless sockets of the dead seemed to stare at them as they passed.

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1)
By Rick Riordan

Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue.

Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

Finished Reading: 04th November 2012
Acquire: 02th November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mystery | Realistic Fiction | Middle Grade
Release Day }  1 October 2008
Publisher } Scholastic Press
Format } Hardcover 
ISBN } 9780545060394
Pages } 220 pages
Source } Swapped
Age Group } 10 yo +
Interests } Adventure and mystery lovers    
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon | Kindle

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Book Review: The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus 3) By Rick Riordan

Oh the Agony!!! The agony!! AGONY! Oh come on! Cliffhanger?! Why cliffhanger?? I have to wait another whole year to read what’s happening next? AHHHHH!!!

I have had lingered my way through this book so I reach to the end slowly. But my urge to read through it overcame all that. I have finished reading this book for a while not but I have been busy with work and life, but in the same time I was trying to sink in the ending of this book. Oh agony!  This book is all what I’ve expected, I miss Ares though. Be warn, Athena is a bit loco here. The adventure, the chase, the suspense, strong testosterone between Percy and Jason, the quirk…. and of course the kiss *wink* is the package.

The cliffhanger agony! Percy.. Annabeth! Why?!!

Okay, I have come down to a point where I say, if anybody… ANYBODY… wants to turn this series into a movie. Let me be the first to say I hate you! Don’t EVER turn this series into movies.

However!

Please turn this into a series, or anime sort of a series. That would be PERFECT! Don’t get me wrong, but seriously, The Lightning Thief movie came out terrible. I like it… (yes back to that argument) but as a fan to Rick Riordan’s series, I don’t love it. Yes, it’s a movie, they have cut some things, let’s be honest, the movie cut alot of of the good parts. Oh dear, that’s just too much. I remember growing up watching BBC TV series version of the Narnia chronicles and Alice in Wonderland, that are far more alike of the books themselves, and had minimal scene cuts that are far more better than the ones they remake as movies nowadays.

So yeah, if you need to, turn this into a anime, or TV series. It would be awesome.

Regressing!

I absolutely love this book. Can’t wait for the next book. Now.. I go and sink the agony of a cliffhanger in my corner.



Quote. “We are staying together,” he promised. “You’re not getting away from me. Never again.”

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3)
By Rick Riordan
In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven? The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery. . . . With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

Finished Reading: 31th October 2012
Acquire: 04th October 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Fantasy | Mythology | Young Adult
Release Day }  2 October 2012
Publisher } Puffin
Format } Hardcover 
ISBN } 9780141335742
Pages } 572 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 15+
Interests } Mythology lovers    
Awards } -
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