Follow Friday (10)

 

It's Follow Friday time again! This week's feature is Starcrossed (@ Alison Can Read) and The Bookaholic (@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

Q. What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

Xavier Samuel

OOO. I would love to see The Iron King by Julie Kagawa turned into a movie! I think it would be lovely, especially if it was done by Tim Burton. (Think the style of his Alice in Wonderland movie!) And, thanks to Nicki @ Word for Teens, I would totally cast Xavier Samuel as Puck. :D I loved Xavier before he starred at Riley in New Moon, so I don't associate him with the Twilight series. And you shouldn't either, 'cuz he's just so hot. 

Jake Gyllenhaul

I also would LOVE to see The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor turned into a movie. (It actually is in the process of that. They're currently holding casting calls for Young Dodge and Young Alyss. ;D) I would love to see Jake Gyllenhaul as Dodge, because he is so yummy. <3 Just look at 'im.....

Anywhooo, what did you pick!?

Review: The Explosionist

 

Title: The Explosionist

Author: Jenny Davidson

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Release Date:  July 1st 2008

Format: Hardcover (Library)

The Explosionist (formerly known as Dynamite No. 1) is the story of a 15-year-old girl growing up in an alternate version of 1930s Edinburgh. There, the legacy of Napoleon's victory a century earlier at Waterloo is a standoff between a totalitarian Federation of European States and a group of independent northern countries called the New Hanseatic League. This world is preoccupied with technology (everything from electric cookers to high explosives) but also with spiritualism, a movement our world largely abandoned in the early 20th Century; Sigmund Freud is a radio talk-show crank, cars run on hydrogen and the most prominent scientists experiment with new ways of contacting the dead.

 

 
 The Explosionist was not quite what I expected when I checked it out of my library. However, I was rewarded with a different and, most certainly, interesting story.

The description for the book definitely caught my attention, but for some reason, I was expecting something totally different. For one thing, the book is littered with psychics and seances and etc. I'm not a fan of seances and psychics are neutral ground for me - I have no opinion on them. The story also failed to set a time period. I obviously could tell it wasn't modern, so I was thinking 1800s, but then they referred to commodities and inventions that didn't coincide with the time period. It took quite awhile until they mentioned someone's birth year and age when I was then able to calculate the year being 1936. That was a little careless. (Please note that the description I am referring to is the one that appears on the jacket of the actual book. Goodreads supplies a different description that dissolves all doubt -- which is the description above.)

Second, the story is full of European and Hanseatic history. Super in depth history. It was a little too much for a novel like this, and I even had to read the author's biography to see if it was a YA book. (Turns out, she normally writes non-fiction and such. This is the first YA book she's written, and it shows.) It made the story very dry and un-enjoyable, because if you don't pay attention to the history and politics, then you won't understand what's happening.

However, I did like Sophie (the main character) and Mikael (her best friend) very much. They were both interesting and diverse, but not completely formed. I would have liked more flesh to Mikael's character since he was so special to Sophie.

The plot, underneath the crazy history and politics, was pretty good. I loved the whole deal with IRYLNS (pronounced 'irons'). It gave the story a very Sci-Fi feel to it. I think that a lot of readers will be fascinated with IRYLNS and I believe it was one of the more interesting aspects of the storing.

All in all, I enjoyed the book but its not a favourite. I would only suggest this to those who want a read a story that's a bit off the beaten path. I may pick up the second book..who knows? 

I gave it THREE out of FIVE sporks

[[My spork images don't seem to be working with Blogger lately, but they'll be back up and running soon. Sorry for the blurp. D:]]

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Slide

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Slide

by Jill Hathaway

Release Date: March 27th 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins

From Goodreads;

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

Comments;

Slide sounds like very original and interesting read. It's description is simple, yet it's plot sounds good. And the cover is really pretty. :D

What do you think?

Teaser Tuesday

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &amp; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's Tuesday again! Here's my teaser: (I usually don't do just two sentences. Whatever it takes to finish the blurb.)

"It was reawlly Mikael Sophie had been in love with all along! Oh, how awful, how shameful; it was the most humiliating -- the most unforgivable -- thing she had ever done. Falling in love with her best friend!" - pg 338 of The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 

Title:Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Release Date:June 7th 2011

Format: Hardcover (Bought) 

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was one of those books that I kept seeing reviews for everywhere. The best part? All the reviews were good and included the word 'creepy'. Those two things made me want to read it even more than I already had. So, naturally, I was ecstatic when I received it as a birthday present. (Not that I could read it right away, since a family member decided to take it and read it fist. :d)

That being said, when I finally was able to get my hot little hands on a copy of this book, I was instantly hooked. I LOVE books that grab you right from the beginning. There was no suspension that had to be built up for me to become interested. Not to mention the floating little girl on the cover...who could turn this book away and not want to know what the heck a floating girl is doing on the cover to begin with and WHY exactly she is floating!? I couldn't.

Character wise, they were brilliant. All the characters were unique and easy to distinguish. Another major thing that I liked about this book, was how the author kept the language confined - for lack of a better term - to the time area the person was from. The language also made certain situations laughable. (For instance, the scene where Millard is wounded. Bahaha.)

Plot wise...EPIC. I don't think I really need to discuss this. Its pretty obvious that the plot is going to be big, based off the prologue. Also, I don't think I SHOULD discuss it. Too many spoilery-spoils!

Lastly...the author. His name is Ransom Riggs (EPIC NAME!) and he has successfully gained a humongous new fan. Why? 1. His story is really good. Really, really good. 2. He managed to pull off the combination two of my favourite things; photography and a good book.
Photography is a passion of mine, and so is writing. So, naturally, I love books too. I don't know why its taken so long to find a book with a plot that also included pictures. I'm seriously fan-girling over here about it. Its not something that's easily explained, so you should just go read this book. Like now. Go. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it. Squee.

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks

Follow Friday (9)

 

Hey guys! It's Follow Friday time, and guess who the feature is!? ME!!! I am SO excited for this, and SO happy they decided to feature me. :D So if you're following me, I LOVE YOU! If you're not, that's cool, but I think you might like it here. ;D

Anywho...onward with the question!

Q. Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep on revisiting it?

 Okay, I obviously have more than one favourite series. So I'm going to make a LIST. Because lists are fun, and organized, and cool looking.

• The Harry Potter Series

   I think this one is at the top of most people's lists, and it's really no wonder why. The series is so great. It was the most imaginative and unique world, (IMO), and it can be read by ALL ages! No racey subjects or anything. Yes, there's always that zealot who damns it because of witchcraft, but guess what!? Disney has "witchcraft"! Mickey Mouse is a wizard! Oh, I should stop here. I'll get all fired up and go on forever about that. Anyway, my love of this series is really hard to put into words and if I did, it would go on forever. But my main reasons are the world, Hermione, the magical air of it (see, I don't know how to say it! Don't judge me.), the plots, and the depth of characters.  I re-read this series because I enjoy it and it serves as an inspiration in more than just a writing aspect.

• The Lord of the Rings Series

  I haven't re-read this series completely, but I refer back to it all the time! I use it as my backup for arguments, or ideas for writing...things of that sort. I'm mainly obsessive over the elves and their clothes and their living places. Like Rivendale. GAH. I just want to jump into that book and be a part of it. :D

•  The Inheritance Cycle

  This series inspired me to write stories. I wrote a lot before, but it was Eragon that made me want to put my mind to creating stories. I found a beautiful world of writing, my best friend (Nicole @ Word for Teens), and passion that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I owe a lot to this series and it's amazing author, Christopher Paolini. II re-read this many times so I can analyze how Paolini built such a diverse and detailed world, including its creatures and plots.  It's sorta my reference book. :D

   

  So, what did you pick!? 

Follow Friday (8)

 

It's Friday again, and you know what that means...;D

This Friday's feature is Alaskan Book Cafe on Alison Can Read's blog!

Q. It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality?

Oh jeez. I...no, I just can't....I just can't limit myself to one world. So I'm going to answer with all the ones I would do almost anyting to go see. (Though, if they existed, I might be pretty scared of the bad guys...)


(not in order)

1. Harry Potter's world. Duh. Though London actually does exist, I mean the world...XD Yeah.
2. Alagaesia. I want to be a dragon Rider! :DD OH. And I want to see the ELVES. <3
3. MIDDLE EARTH.
4. The other world thing in The Iron Fey series. I'm really tired and I cant think of what its called...wait..is it Netherworld!? No, I think that's Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series. Anyway. I just Puck. Whatever it takes to get to the Summer Court. :]

And that is all that I can think of... What did YOU pick?

Review: Ruined

 

Title: Ruined

Author: Paula Morris

Publisher: Point

Release Date:   August 1st 2009

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost.   A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.   As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend -- and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey -- she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Ruined is a ghost story, and being so, is different from what I normally read. I was a tad bit worried if I'd like it or not, but I wanted to give it a shot.

I loved it.

Rebecca Brown is a great character, and SO easy to relate to. She's a bit of a rebel when she gets to New Orleans, and goes places and sees people she's told to stay away from. Her personality is great, and she doesn't fall head over heels for the story's hottie, Anton Grey. She's completely grounded in the romantic relationship with him and I really liked that. I didn't feel like reading it was turning my brain to mush.

My only problem with the characters was Lizette the ghost. She's portrayed in the beginning as a 'little' girl. Yet, we later learn (much later), that she was sixteen when she died. So, I had a really hard time imagining her as a full grown teen and not a little eight year old bouncing along with Rebecca. Plus, the cover image is not at all how Lizette is described. That was a little bothersome.

Aside from the characters, the material was great. It pulled me in, and I didn't want to stop at the end of a chapter, because Morris pulled some pretty awesome cliff-hangers.

At the beginning, it was a tad bit slow, but as I got to the middle, the pieces began to fall together and the real mystery began. It really shined a light on New Orleans' beautiful and dangerous history, the culture, and the reality of the people in that city.

At the end, I was already a big fan of this book. Then I read the acknowledgments, and I now am a big fan of the author, Paula Morris:
 

"Readers interested in learning more about the rich and complex history of New Orleans might want to start with Ned Sublette's 'The World that Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square'. And anyone keen to help rebuild and renew this unique American city should visit www.makeitrightnola.org or www.habitat-nola.org."

 
Look at that! The author did some research! That. Is. Awesome. And she supports the help of the real city this story is based on. Total bonus points.

So, when I closed this book, and marked it as finished, I felt satisfied and happy. It's a good story, easy to read, and a great book to suggest to friends. 

I gave it FOUR out of FIVE sporks

The Godddess Test Giveaway Winner Announced!

 

So, The Goddess Test giveaway ended August 31st and 92 people entered, for a combined total of 163 entries! I was blown away! (And yes...I counted every 163. By hand. o.o)


Then, after pouring all those names into random.org, I found the winner! Are you ready!?


The winner of The Goddess Test giveaway is.....


.......

*drum roll*

Michael @ The Bookshelf Reviewer !

Congratulations, Michael, on being the winner of a shiny signed copy of The Goddess Test! :D Look for an email from me soon!

Didn't win? Don't worry! I'll be having some more giveaways soon! 

IMM (2 )

 

In My Mailbox is an awesome meme hosted by Kristin at The Story Siren!

 Hey there! It's time for that amazing In My Mailbox thing again. :D I got some wonderful books again this time around. Also, I really wanted to do a vlog again, but my webcam still fails. Maybe it'll work next time! :D

Bought:

None

Arrived in the Mail:

The Inheritance Almanac by Michael Macauley (From Nicole @ WORD For Teens)
LOVE. I took a picture of this book in B&N on my phone and sent it to her and then she bought it for me. Talk about being awesome. :D
Secret Society by Tom Dolby (ARC) (From Nicole @ WORD For Teens)
I've had this on my to-read list for awhile and then I saw Nicki's mass cleaning project. Bahaha.

Digital Scrapbooking for Dummies by Jeanne Wines-Reed & Joan Wines (From Nicole @ WORD For Teens)
From Nicki's mass cleaning. Its a gift for my mom. ;D Shhh.
Speed Decorating by Jill Vegas (From Nicole @ Word For Teens)
From Nicki's mass cleaning. And it came at the right time...I'm redecorating my room right now. XD

R.A.K.

When I first opened the box! So cute!

There was this awesome little Spork presentation! <3 <3

And the book she sent me! :DDD

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (From Amelia @ The Authoress)
This book has also been on my to-read list for the longest time so I was really excited to receive this. Even more exciting, was that this was SO unexpected, hence R.A.K. Even MORE exciting, was that she included this awesome little Spork presentation in the box. In case you're wondering, the the little note card with the Spork and plate said "This place of awesomness is reserved for: The Spork Master." I love this girl! <3 <3 <3

What did YOU get in your mailbox?

News?

 

Hi there! So as you know...Senior year is busy. And I haven't had time to read more than five pages in a book that's not school related. I'll be posting some reviews to take up space since I don't want you guys going 'Well, she just ditched her blog. Not cool.' 'cause I'm not ditching my blog. :D I'm just SUPER busy. 


Also, The Goddess Test giveaway ended the 31st and I shall be drawing and announcing the winner soon! I can hear the drum rolls. 


Lastly, if you haven't already, go enter the Fabulous Favourites I put up last month. No entries so far! If I don't have any, than I'll have to go on talking about MY favourites while we all want to hear about YOURS. So get to it! :D