10.31.2010

Book review: The Juliet Club

The Juliet ClubThe Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Fun and exciting book. I was pulled into modern day Verona and couldn't climb back out until the end of the book thrust me back into reality.

Well, the descriptions of the town weren't that extensive and didn't really pull me into Verona, but I was definitely pulled into the story.

Lovely, lovely leading man... Italian Hearthrob all the way!

This book was well written and was a really fun read. Worth the time it takes to read it for sure.

It's especially fun because Ms. Harper brings in plot elements from a number of Shakespeare's plays and fits them neatly into a wonderful story full of tricks, and romance, and embittered shrews, and of course... play boys (in the strictly NOT bunny kind of way: This book was wonderfully clean).



If you enjoy Shakespeare this is a book you will definitely enjoy.



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10.30.2010

Book review: Gimme a Call

Gimme a CallGimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


meh.

I mean, the book kept me reading. And was sort of entertaining... I wouldn't call it a waste of time.

But I just came away feeling... meh. That's all. I can't really describe it any other way.

If you decide to read it, fine. But in my opinion, don't be expecting anything spectacular.

Fun enough.

But that's it.



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9.13.2010

Review for 'Princess of Glass" by Jessica Day George

Princess of GlassPrincess of Glass by Jessica Day George

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Here's the thing: I LOVE Jessica Day George. And this books wasn't bad. It just was disappointing. Her love stories and the action in her books have always been so enthralling but the book ended quickly. Everything was wrapped up but in a way that was too fast to be satisfactory.

I wouldn't consider it a waste of time to read this book, but I highly suggest her other books instead.

Read it if you are interested. It's another 'coming of age'/ young girl 'coming into her own' princess story that is also a fun take on the Cinderella story. It was cute and everything worked out at the end just don't go into it expecting it to be as great as her other books!



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9.01.2010

link for a giveaway

giveaway!
Check out the giveaway on my pile of books!

8.30.2010

Last Olympian Book Review

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ACK! This is such a good series. SUCH a good series. Coming of age: check. Love story: check. Thrilling action: check. Lovable/relate-able characters: check.

This book was definitely good. The whole series was good. I didn't like how much of this book was taken up in the fight scenes (not my cup o' tea) but I get it. Everything in the books was leading up to this final battle and it made sense that it would take a while. Still. Still I got bored with the fighting.

Nevertheless: VERY good series. Worth the time it takes to read them. GET OUT THERE AND GET THESE BOOKS!!!



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8.24.2010

Fablehaven Review

Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5)Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Since this is the final book in the series I will briefly review the whole series here.

Enjoyable? Definitely. Gripping? Frequently. Would I read it again? Surely.

Here's the thing. I am convinced that a lot of contemporary male authors can't truly write a love story. I realize that this series is sort of a children's series, but it is also a YA series in my eyes. Kendra's 15. I don't know what it would really be classified as. I was as disappointed with the love story in the Pretties and Uglies series.

At times I got very hopeful to see Kendra find love. I know, I know. Idealistic and irrelevant. But not in my eyes. I am a romantic TO THE CORE and love a good love story. Overcoming challenges, loving someone no matter the difference (expect for like more than 10 years apart in real life)... etc. I love it. I eat it up. I gobble it and want more. So after a few potential interests were added to the story starting in the 2nd book I got very hopeful. It was sad when Kendra was betrayed but really I was not attached seeing as no time was spent on the development of the relationship. Whenever Kendra was having something develop with a character it was usually seen through Seth's eyes so there was no detail, no excitement, no "will he won't he"... And in the end there was sort of a love story (lacking many details and excruciating bits) though it was left on a note of friendship that Kendra felt deep down would grow into something more and remain. I am glad he said it... at least it offers some closure... but not enough.

That being said for the romantic in me...

The action was awesome. The book well written except for a few parts where the larger words seemed forced into the book. (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing since I am all for getting kids to read books with big words so they'll understand them and incorporate them into their vocabulary.)

It just... read awkwardly at some points. But that's okay.

I stayed up too late multiple nights to finish the series. With every book I was draw in, nervous, excited, and definitely entertained.

Very glad I gave the series a chance. It was surely worth the time it took to read.



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8.20.2010

What makes you YOU as a writer?

I have a lot of projects I cycle through. I cannot focus on one and so I think I may never finish a single book. YET. I know they are in me. These stories. Stories that could change the world. Or at least a life. I feel it. I know it . I AM SUPPOSED TO WRITE.
Here's my main problem. When I write I am so focused on the publishing aspect that I focus from the beginning on what I need to put in my story to get it published. Problem: it isn't me and my story gets lost or I get lost and exit my story.
This has happened twice and both times it has happened on stories that came to me like I stuck my finger in a socket, but instead of my hair popping all over the place my whole insides filled up with the story. The feeling that I want to come off the page when it's read, the characters. I feel inside how I want readers to feel while they read it but especially at the end.
It's like a drug.
I read endless books searching for that feeling
but I don't ever find exactly what I am looking for.
Because it isn't out there.
It isn't.
It's already inside ziping around, my fingers tingling with the will to put it out there.
On paper.
So I guess through all of that I am saying that regardless of being published I think it makes you a writer to put your words down. How you want them.
And even if my books never got published, the being finished is the important thing
because if they are my words on the page
and they mean a lot to me
and it sounds and feels and is how I want it
then THAT is what matters.
I am not talking about having a problem if publishers want changes to make it sell better. They aren't always going to be bad.
BUT if you, in your heart, know that the changes they WANT to make, or you think they might TRY to make don't hold true to your story look elsewhere (if that's the stage you are in) or just write it without regards to publishing.
Because maybe. Just maybe. They want to hear what you have to say how you have to say it.
You are the artist afterall.