Book Review: The Pact; by Jodi Picoult

   This has been on my shelves for a bit, until Lifetime Channel showed the movie version of this book. I was incredibly hook and armed with the knowledge, the book version must be better and of course, it is Jodi Picoult, so that means it ran differently. I was right.

   The book is frustratingly good. (Yes, using the word “frustrating”). Regardless, reading this book throughout 3 months (I was busy with work and life), I found it kind of riveting. (Yep) I found myself wanting to slap Emily. Is it bad, I actually want to know more about Emily, her life, her view. Chris is, however, a typical athletic partner her Emily, pushed to the wall, I’m pretty much frustrated about that. Then the parents. Gosh, the connections, the obvious jealousy, the obvious expectancy, typical parents.

   Suicide is a serious subject and this book made sure how it affects the people around the victim, and what the victim is going through up to the event. What it lack of it depth on Emily’s character. Jodi left the mystery in the air for me. Otherwise, it is frustratingly good.

Quote:
“I love you," he whispered, and that was the moment he knew what he was going to do. When you loved someone, you put their needs before your own. No matter how inconceivable those needs were; no matter how fucked up; no matter how much it made you feel like you were ripping yourself into pieces.”

The Pact
By Jodi Picoult

For eighteen years the Hartes and the Golds have lived next door to each other, sharing everything from Chinese food to chicken pox to carpool duty-- they've grown so close it seems they have always been a part of each other's lives. Parents and children alike have been best friends, so it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. They've been soul mates since they were born.
So when midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the appalling truth: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot wound to the head. There's a single unspent bullet in the gun that Chris took from his father's cabinet-- a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. But a local detective has doubts about the suicide pact that Chris has described.

Finished Reading: 22nd December 2014
Acquire: 26th April 2014
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Romance | Mystery | Young Adult
List } 100 Books in a Year 2014 | TBR Challenge | TBR Pile Challenge (i) | Tbr Pile Challenge (ii)
Release Day }  29th August 2006
Publisher } Avon
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780061150142
Pages } 512 pages
Source } Bought for BND $13.25
Age Group } PG 18 yo +
Get your own copy } Paperback | Kindle

Read More

Book Review: The Night She Disappeared; by April Henry

   I had a taste of one of April Henry’s books (Girl, Stolen) a few months back, and I immediately love her work. Naturally, I look for more of her books up and this peaked my interests. Little I know, she be taking me through another emotional, end of the seat experience. and I am happy that she did. (I was in a reading slump and her books brought me back)

   Honestly, the cover and the title itself intrigued me, the storyline just grab me from the beginning. That first quote is quite heart gripping (points at quote). The chapters are titles as the number of days. That’s kind of cool. Characters are at times a bit confusing, I couldn’t figure out who is who at first, but it work out in the end.

Bottomline, the thing about this book is, it can happened to anyone. my regret is, I wish the book could last a bit longer. I do wish April would give more development to Kayla, her family and her kidnapper characters POV though. But yeah overall, It was a total nail biting experience.

Quote:
It was me who took the order. It could have been anyone. I don’t know why I feel guilty. But it was me.

The Night She Disappeared
By April Henry

Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.

Finished Reading: 28th February 2014
Acquire: 21st November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Teens | Mystery | Realistic Fiction
List } 100 Books in a Year 2014 | TBR Challenge | TBR Pile Challenge (i) | Tbr Pile Challenge (ii) 
Release Day }  13th March 2012
Publisher } Henry Holt and Co.
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780805092622
Pages } 240 pages
Source } Bought for BND $13.00
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Support my reading by getting your copy } Paperback | Kindle

Read More

Book Review: Girl, Stolen; by April Henry

So many friends and readers had refer me this book for quite a time now, and I had put it off because I refused to be peer pressured into reading anything. (Yeah that was weird).

Wow.. unintentional kidnapped teenager in the backseat, throw in the twist that she is blind and sick with pneumonia. This is why you don’t leave kids unattended in a car, even for a bit while! You probably have your kid kidnapped and ransomed! Or even dead! Cheyenne, despite, sick and blind is quite brave. She formed a bond with her unintended kidnapper, Griffin, ironically from his father and the other two blockheads who worked with his father.

I still don’t get why a parent would leave a sick blind teenager alone in a car (even for a little while!). I actually expected to be on the edge of my seat for this one, but it wasn’t so. Griffin was obviously not going to harm her of any way after reading 2-3 chapters. Of course the rest of the character was doing a cliché. It wasn’t that bad, but it would have been a better read. it does show me the insides of being blind, feelings and such.

For a fan of tragedies, crime, mystery realistic fiction, as I said, it didn’t really put me at the edge of my seat, but enough to get me keep reading till the end. That was a good try. and honestly, it could really need an edge or two. (it feels like Hallmark)

Girl, Stolen
By April Henry

Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen.
Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne and once he finds out that not only does she have pneumonia, but that she's blind, he really doesn't know what to do. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes--now there's a reason to keep her.
How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare?

Finished Reading: 07th December 2013
Acquire: 11th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Teens 
Release Day }  01st October 2012
Publisher } Henry Holt and Co.
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780805090055
Pages } 213 pages
Source } BookSwap
Age Group } pg 15 yo +
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

Read More

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 +
Support my reading by getting your copy }

Read More

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. 
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

Read More

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. 
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

Read More

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. 
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

Read More

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 }
Support my reading by getting your copy }

 

Read More

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 }
Support my reading by getting your copy }

Read More

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 }
Support my reading by getting your copy }

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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 } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

Read More

Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades 01) By E. L. James

What can I say, except that, this is one of those, every book blogger… well almost all book blogger… must have in their reading list. Why? It’s the “in” thing, non-reader wouldn’t understand that. It’s like you must have an iPhone 5 because it’s an in thing. Ok.. not a really good example, but you know what I mean. right?

I must admit, as you can see I’ve bought it months before I’ve read it. It took me a while to pick it up. I didn’t really know what the hype was all about. It just sat there on my ‘TBR Pile’ for ages. What tip the scale was, a friend of mine, who have NEVER read this sort of genre, told me she has the interest to read it (because everybody else was reading it). So, I finally pick it up…

Ok, I agree, Christian Grey is hot. Extremely hot. Except the fact that he stalk… alot! But I would consider hat as “caring”. Anastasia however, is umm..  well she is quite the submissive, if I dare to say.

So, let’s keep in mind before hand that I read ebooks from Ellora’s Cave.

Considering the hype of book burning, let me say this book is quite tame. It’s like a thickened plot of a Harlequin book. Hotter than Harlequin, but still, BDSM erotica but yeah tame. That particular part is kind of frustrating to read. But in the same time, I just can’t stop reading it. What in heavens?! So yeah, if you like tame stuff (no quite vanilla), pick it up.

Cover. It doesn’t really show what genre it is offering. It actually shocked me to see it placed in the midst of teens section of bookstores (because Stephanie Meyer “likes"' it).

First Words. I scowl with frustration at myself in the mirror.

Quote. “Why don’t you like to be touched?” “Because I’m fifty shades of fucked-up, Anastasia”

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1)
By E. L. James
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.
This book is intended for mature audiences.

Finished Reading: 05th October 2012
Acquire: 30th June 2011
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Adult | Erotica| Book Club | Chick Lit
Release Day }  May 2011
Publisher } Vintage
Format } ebook 
ISBN } 9781612130293
Pages } 385 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 18+ SX
Interests } adult   
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

Read More

Book Review The Serpent’s Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) By Rick Riordan

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠ ♥
genre } young adult | fantasy | mythology | supernatural
release day }  1st May 2012
acquired } 1st March 2012
publisher } Hyperion Books for Children
format } hardcover
isbn } 9781423140573
pages } 416 pages
source } bought @ Fenix Indie Online Bookstore, Brunei
age group } 12+
interest } Folks who love mythology
awards } -

The Serpent’s Shadow
(Kane Chronicles #3)
By Rick Riordan

He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can’t seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos.
To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent’s shadow... or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld...

My 2 cents
It’s over… IT’s OVER?!!!! Trilogy?? THAT’S IT?! WHYYY?!!!

That was my reaction when I finished reading this book.  I can’t accept it just ended like that. I can’t believe it but I actually be missing the annoying sudden popping of sibling squabbling (the parts where they keep saying they are taping the whole ordeal). I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I’d finished reading the 2nd book to the series. Yes! It’s that long! and when it’s over it’s just so sad it’s over… *hopes for a new set of this series like Riordan did with Percy Jackson.”

There.. Now I got that out of the way….

I have a confession. It’s not enough. The ending left me feeling like, “Oh my that’s all??? i need more!” But I was disappointed. Do you want to know how good this book is?

It was riveting. Even the cover looks amazing. The shadow of the serpent’s soul and the all mighty obelisk. Oh please read it so you know exactly what that was about. That part of my favorite. Carter and Sadie really grew up in this one. It tugged my heart when Sadie had that emotional conflict about Walt being dying and she also loves Anubis. That awkward thing where Ra and Carter.. well… *ahem* kiss. 

God! It’s hard to actually do a review on this book without telling the whole story!!! If I say anything else, it be the spoilers for the whole trilogy! *grunts!* GAH! Read it!

Oh by the way.. I think the Kanes will be  meeting Percy in their next series. Sadie did said she knows people from Aphrodite's cabin and Carter saw the flying horse over Manhattan *Hint: read Percy Jackson!* If that’s true. I am so looking forward to the series! ♥♥♥

Oh well, that means now I will have to find another book to satisfy my reading needs until The Mark of Athena popped out. The AGONYYYY!!

Oh! Before I leave you off, I think this would be a fitting soundtrack to this book.

Read More

Book Review: The Girl in the Mirror By Cathy Glass

rate } ♠♠♠
genre } Non-fiction | Biography | Abuse
release day } 1st April 2005
acquired } 11th March 2012
publisher } Harper
format } paperback
isbn } 9781780880334
pages } 320 pages
source } bought
age group } 18+
interest } Anybody who has read The Child called IT
awards } -
Buy @ Nolly Book | D BookHaus

The Girl in the Mirror
By Cathy Glass

Via Goodreads
When Mandy learns her much-loved Grandpa is dying, she returns to the house where she spent so many wonderful summers as a child. But she has long since lost touch with the rest of her family, and Mandy returns as a virtual stranger. As memories come back to her, Mandy begins to remember why events brought a sudden end to her visits.

My 2 Cents.
I have been reading alot of books in regards of abuse recently, so I guess, it is not a surprise that I actually picked this one up for read this time. All I could say about this book is, it was a slow agonizing read, yet I knew what was happening, there were hints but I just have to stay and see it true in hopes somebody say something, do something, just something!

It felt emotionally empty reading it. It’s like Mandy, the main character, had disassociate herself from the event. Yet, I was sucked into the wait of anticipation to read. I have to say the only time I felt it actually started was about at the 3/4 through the book. I was bored after that few rounds with the grandfather. I give it a bravo for misleading me.

It was a good read nonetheless, an ok plot, plus an easy read. But I must say, I’m pretty much annoyed at the end! I was emotional too!

Read More