Fear Street Flashback (12)

Why? Because FEAR STREET was like, my favorite series growing up.

Originally released in December, 1995.

Timely, no?

Hmm. The New Year's Party was a little disappointing, to come right out and say it. Perhaps because New Year's eve is so full of hope and promise of a new year that it really wasn't scary. Or more likely, there was simply no tie between the two stories in the book. They seemed forced together for the sake of making it work, without justifying why the characters were who they said they were or explaining the paranormal elements. There was a very slow build up to the actual party on New Year's eve. And then when everyone got there, it was all very short and jumped to the conclusion. Boo, Mr. Stine! The cover is one of the creepier ones in the whole Fear Street series. It would have been great to stay at Liz's party a little longer and look around her gloomy decoration theme. The final ending might surprise some readers, but all in all I think most will feel let down.

Fear Rating: 1 out of 3 Screams

Best Books of 2010

It's that time of year when lots of lists are coming out, so I thought I would make a short one of my own. In no particular, below are ten of the most enjoyable books I read in 2010. How I wish I could discover these again for the first time!

Waiting on Wednesday 12/29/10

A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford

Synopsis:
Eden didn’t expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.

And that’s only the beginning of the end.

This one sounds so interesting, doesn't it? Something a little different for the paranormal fiction out there. And the cover is so pretty! Want to read!!!

Release Date: February 22, 2011

Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe

Jane Jonas has never really been a sociable or popular person. She takes comfort in being with her immediate family, like spending time with her younger sister Dot. Then a new boy named Evan starts at her school and suddenly she has not one, but TWO handsome boys after her. Evan's past is as mysterious as his good looks, but Jane can't shake the feeling that there is something darker to him. Luca is the only boy who's ever made Jane feel completely comfortable in her own skin... if only she knew exactly what he was. With so much confusion building in her mind, Jane has to figure out who she can trust. Before someone gets hurt.

This book is out in the UK, but the not the US. Which I only mention because as I was reading it, I kept thinking how it would probably never be released in the States. For one, there is quite a bit of casual underage drinking. Underage for the US, that is. Also, the main character drops out of school because of bullying and switches to a pretty relaxed homeschooling regimen. I'm not sure many teens out there would see this as plausible or be able to identify with it. And then the book itself was just ok. I never connected with any of the characters or felt invested in what was happening at all. I thought Jane made some terrible and naive choices. If it was so obvious to me which boy was the bad one, why couldn't Jane see it as well? I also felt the paranormal elements were thrown in haphazardly. It seemed Monroe wanted the focus to be on the two boys fighting for Jane's affection, and the paranormal bits were an after thought. Perhaps it would have been better to leave them out? Either way, it was interesting to read this debut and I will most likely check out the second in the series, called Dark Heart Rising.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell

Ellie Faneuil is a special girl. She can read people's thoughts and memories simply by touching them. It's a good life for her, despite having to hide her secret from everyone who knows her. Then a new boy, Michael, begins at her school and Ellie is instantly drawn to him. He is equally attracted to her, and as he moves closer to Ellie, they find they have unique powers in common. Plus more. A whole lot more, including Ellie's parents revealing secrets about her past, a mysterious man following her around, and the popular girls at school cooking up a cruel prank.

Even with all of the angel-themed books I have been reading lately, this one was not what I expected. It was a little slow to get to the real action, but I found that I didn't mind so much, as long as I could keep seeing more of Michael. My heart swelled seeing Ellie and Michael thrive in the comfort of having someone else like them. He was so alluring, especially in the beginning! I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the high school hoax already feels a little outdated. It might be relevant currently, but I am not sure it still will be when the next book in the series comes out. This is not Terrell's first book, but it is her debut YA novel, and it reads a little amateur. Even Ellie's friend Ruth seemed off somehow. I liked her for the most part, but thought she was undeveloped, even for a secondary character. Still, Fallen Angel serves mostly to set up the world Terrell has created, and successfully does so. Hopefully book two, called Eternity, will pick up the pace with some much needed action.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 12/22/10

DARKEST MERCY by Melissa Marr

Synopsis:
The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY this is the final installment in Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series, a set of stories that I fell in love with from the beginning and highly anticipate reading the ending. It will sad to see the characters go, but I have always liked seeing how authors wrap up a series. It is not easy to do!

Release Date: February 22, 2011

Cover Colors Part 6

For someone who reads as many books as I do, covers are essential to capturing my attention. Sure, there can be an intriguing premise blurbed on the back, or tantalizing quotes from other authors I love on the front, but first and foremost, the cover has to take my breath away. In the last month, I read two books with cover art that was really not at all interesting to me. But the books turned out to be AMAZING and very enjoyable. Which led me to this month's Cover Colors. I loved Glimmerglass and was blown away by how awesome Across the Universe was. But the mirror image on the covers? BORING. Blah. For Split (can you see the faces in the keys?) and Minder, the stories weren't nearly as captivating, but they had the same style art on the covers. Maybe because the top two books dressed up the mirror images more? Maybe it's the vertical presentation versus the horizontal? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear from others who have also read these books!

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

There are angels that walk among humans, and Clara Gardner is one of them. She has wings, glowing hair, and a weird magnetism to birds. At sixteen, she begins to have visions and is given her purpose: to save a boy from a wildfire. Her mom and brother pack up and follow clues in the vision to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Clara enrolls in the local high school. Though she is an outsider, it doesn't take her long to make friends with two girls, Wendy and Angela. As well as two guys, Christian and Tucker. But as her visions come more and more frequently, Clara discovers not everyone is who they seem.

First I want to mention how much I totally love the cover. No angel wings or anything like that, but a very ethereal girl and a beautiful dress. Great job, design team! I really liked how there wasn't a whole lot of time to get to know Clara before she came into her powers. It is always fun to watch a character discover hidden powers and such, but in time when there are SO many angel stories out there, it was refreshing to be thrown into Clara's world without the wait. The mystery unravels at a snails pace, building a slow and powerful suspense. Cynthia Hand created great tension by having Clara recognize there are parts of her mission that she doesn't yet know but needs to find out in order to fulfill her purpose. Angela was an adorable secondary character, one with her own story worthy of it's own book! And I don't think I've liked a dude in YA paranormal this much since Jude from the Immortals series. But Tucker! He was rugged, handsome, and total swept me off my feet while he showed Clara around the area. I have my fingers crossed that we will see a lot more of him next time. This is a planned trilogy and I wait with baited breath for part two!

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 12/15/10

RAIDER'S HEART by MARCIA GRUVER

Synopsis:
Steal away to the Old South with Marcia Gruver’s Backwoods Buccaneers series. Two brothers—one violent and one gentle—belong to a family of bandits. While Duncan McRae can hardly stomach their raids, his brother Hooper revels in the violence perpetrated by the band of thieves. When they meet mild-mannered Dawsey Wilkes, the competition steps up a notch as the brothers vie for her hand. Which marauder will steal Dawsey’s heart? Meanwhile, Dawsey holds the key to Dilsey McRae’s past. What will Dilsey do when she discovers the truth?

I absolutely fell in love with Gruver's writing in her Texas Fortunes trilogy. Her writing had a way of sucking me in and holing on tight to my attention all the way through! I am a little hesitant to start this new series, but I am hopeful it is equally as amazing.

Release Date: February 1, 2011

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

For Celeste, living in Legend's Run means living with stories of werewolves in the woods. It's a way of life. Luckily, it's been many decades since the last time anyone has seen one. The sighting was so long ago, that Celeste and her friends Abby and Ivy have a hard time believing the rumors to be true. Then a mysterious outsider named Brandon comes to town and completely changes Celeste's life. Now she finds herself keeping two sets of secrets - her own and Brandon's - from everyone around them. As the entire town grows more suspicious, it is going to be difficult to know who to trust!

Since I'm part of Team Werewolf, this was the perfect Ellen Schreiber book to start with. I have yet to read any of her Vampire Kisses books, but I want to! The romance between Celeste and Brandon was very cute, though the drama felt a little contrite in some places. Brandon was a perfect blend of mystery and tough guy and softy. I liked that Celeste volunteered at a nursing home. It is always nice to see teens in books helping out and donating their time for free. Ivy and Abby were both funny and serious and ultimately very believable. Once in a Full Moon is a short book, but sets up the town of Legend's Run and it's key players for Schreiber to continue her series with. I look forward to more secrets being revealed in the next installment!

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

On the same day that Kelsa buries her father, she encounters a strange boy named Raven. Raven is a shapeshifting spirit who needs her help. The earth is suffering from a deadly tree virus and can only be healed by a human with special magic. Kelsa is not sure she is the right person for the job, but agrees to go with him because staying home with her depressed mother doesn't sound any better. So Kelsa and Raven set out on a long road trip, complete with amazing sights, an angry biker gang, and a little self-discovery.

At the start, this book was good. It captured my interest and introduced me to the poor, hurting Kelsa. I liked the mostly average world, with innovative bits such as floating cars and com pods subtly thrown in. Surprisingly futuristic and yet very understated. Kelsa had a tricky relationship with her mom that most teen girls will be able to identify with. However, as the novel went on, the plot became rather tedious. There were magical elements added that didn't make any sense and yet Kelsa was perfectly accepting of them and seemed to know exactly what to do. The long chapters created little time to relax from being chased and made for a tiresome read. And Raven's constant bashing of humans killing the earth felt too preachy to be enjoyable. I would have been willing to overlook some of the hard-pressed message if there was something redeemable in Raven, like a love interest. But there was none. This may make reader's turn away from the story early, but those who read to the end will find an exciting, action-packed ending.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 12/8/10

SHADOWSPELL by Jenna Black

Synopsis:
On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

I recently finished Glimmerglass, the first book in the series, and it impressed me more than I thought it would. Dana was multi-faceted and the action was well-written. Looking forward to this next installment, which seems much darker!

Release Date: January 4, 2011

Fear Street Flashback (11)

Why? Because FEAR STREET was like, my favorite series growing up.

Originally released in November 1991, December 1993 and December 1996.

What better time than now to cover some holiday horror? Christmas-themed books are usually not my thing, but I have enjoyed this particular trilogy on more than one occasion. The first Silent Night introduces us to the truly reprehensible Reva Dalby, spoiled rich brat and heir to Dalby's department stores. Still, such crazy bad things happen that I can't help but feel a little sorry for her! A needle in your lipstick is such a cringe-worthy visual. I liked that this book tapped into the weird phobia of mannequins. And it kept me guessing until the end!

The second book in the series always runs the risk of being the same old thing as the first book. But that is definitely NOT the case with this cast of characters! I loved that Reva was up to her usual bratty self. It made it harder to feel sorry for her again, but it was still funny to read about her terrible jokes on those around her. And I liked that she was back at the perfume counter, picking on people and talking back to her supervisor. The consistency made for a fast and delicious read!

The third Silent Night is probably the weakest in the trilogy, because it strays from the formula a little bit. It was great to see Reva take over her cousin Pam's scarf idea. She's so mean! It was good to see more of Reva's poor, neglected brother in the story too, even if he was super creepy. Which actually leads me to a question about what actually happened to Reva's mother. It may have redeemed her more if we saw more of Reva missing her mom. All of the alternating points of view between Reva and Pam kept things interesting. Sometimes I found myself wanting Pam to get a whole lot angrier! In her own spin-off book!

All-in-all, a fun trilogy to get you into the holiday spirit!

Fear Rating: 2 out of 3 Screams

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

As Amy's father prepares to be cryogenically frozen, he offers her a chance to opt-out and continue living her life as normal on Earth. She chooses to be frozen herself, and follow her parents aboard the Godspeed, to be woken up 300 years in the future on another planet. When she is thawed out, it is extremely painful and 50 years too soon. She quickly makes a friend in Elder, a boy roughly the same age as she is and second in command on the ship. But Amy is from Earth, and her different appearance and behavior does not fit into society on the ship at all. Before long, sinister acts begin happening around Amy, turning allies into suspects. With lies being revealed and secrets being overturned, Amy and Elder hold on whatever truths they hold in themselves.

Across the Universe is breathtaking science fiction, the kind where I feverishly turn the pages to find out what happens next. One of those books where immediately after the last page is turned, I want to start over from the beginning and read it again. It really is that good. I was hooked right from the start, with the detailed process of being frozen. I am usually pretty squeamish but I could not stop reading. I felt every inch of Amy's claustrophobia and every ounce of Elder's frustration. The futuristic swearing is reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica and works well with Elder's character. Revis goes to great lengths in order to let the reader discover what is what in the world she has created. There are no lengthy passages of exposition. Some aspects are very cool (grav tubes) and others are a little far-fetched (mono ethnicity), but overall the concepts are deeply thought out and well executed. Fans of Maria V. Snyder's Inside Out and Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games will love this book. I eagerly look forward to more from this author!

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 12/1/10

SLICE OF CHERRY by Dia Reeves

Synopsis:
Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters of the best kind: best friends, best confidantes, and best accomplices. The daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy are used to feeling like outsiders, and that’s just the way they like it. But in Portero, where the weird and wild run rampant, the Cordelle sisters are hardly the oddest or most dangerous creatures around.

It’s no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire—the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren’t killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from the mistakes of their father, and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities….

Omigosh that cover is so tantalizing. The pretty colors... the drip of blood... MUST READ! I was totally taken by surprise with how good Dia Reeves' Bleeding Violet was, so I am glad this one is coming out soon.

Release Date: January 4, 2011

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman

The first time Wes meets June, he thinks her mouth is too wide and her eyes are too far apart. June, in return, thinks his hair is shaggy. It would seem these two were not meant to be together right from the start. And yet, against all odds, their paths continue to cross. Thus begins a romance where nothing is easy to explain or simple to figure out. Navigating through friends, family, and their own heads, Wes and June fumble towards a unique happy ending.

Wow, this book was incredible. It's funny, sad, tender, and exciting. The only other book by Pete Hautman I have read was Sweetblood, which I also enjoyed very much. Still, this one was above and beyond good. The characters, the emotions, the situations were all so raw and realistic. It showed the honest side of love - that it always isn't the clean-cut, love-at-first-sight other books make it out to be. On the contrary, Hautman creates a rather messy situation for these poor characters. I found it difficult to sympathize with June sometimes, as she wasn't very nice a lot of the time. But Hautman gives her a viable back story to explain her reserve. Readers won't be able to help but root for Wes, especially the males out there. Which brings me to one last comment: this book is equally great for girls and boys. Each will have someone to identify with, and the scenarios are common enough to speak to just about anyone. Hautman writes all of his secondary characters excellent too, with Wes' friends supporting him and June's acquaintances having their own agendas. I'll say it one last time - this book was amazing. A short read that's highly recommended!

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Emma is shocked speechless when her foster brother shows her a video from the internet of a girl who looks exactly like her. Emma's never had a real family before, only foster ones. So she's super excited at the thought that she might have a long lost twin out there named Sutton. The only trouble is, Sutton is dead. As Emma leaves her world behind in search of Sutton, things quickly become dark and twisted. No one seems to realize that Sutton is gone- not her friends, her boyfriend, or even her family. Then the threatening notes begin to arrive, and Emma has no choice but to play along.

This is the first time I've read anything by Sara Shepard, though I have been wanting to start the Pretty Little Liars series for a while now. At first it was a little tricky to navigate the tenses of Sutton narrating Emma's story, but after a few chapters it gets easier. I was skeptical in a few places at how Emma managed to fit in so easily, but it was such an absorbing mystery that I was willing to overlook some of these details. She's such a brave girl! Reading about mean girls has a tendency to be so scary, with their acts of cruelty and harsh words. Overall, the chapters move quickly and the story is breezy but intense. Fans of Veronica Mars and Desperate Housewives will like the way this series starts.

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 11/24/10

BOUND BY GUILT by C.J. Darlington

Synopsis:
Roxi Gold has been shuttled from one foster home to another for most her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in even if it's against the law. Soon she's traveling the country in an RV, stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. She knows it's wrong, but if she refuses, she'll be put out on the streets.

Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society, and not just at work. Her ex-husband wrested her daughter away from her in a bitter custody battle. The job she once loved has become a chore, the world isn't any safer, and there's no joy in her life.

One fateful night a man's innocent blood changes both Roxi's and Abby's lives forever. One searches for justice; the other finds herself on the run until a first edition of The Great Gatsby catches up with her. Will the power of forgiveness set them free, or will they both remain bound by guilt?

I fell in love with Darlington in her first book Thicker Than Blood. Her writing was soft and suspenseful and kept me turning the pages late into the night. Plus, I'm a sucker for books where a rare book is central to the plot. Books about books! I have been waiting and waiting for this next one to come out!

Release Date: March 1, 2011

Angel by L.A. Weatherly

The only life Alex has known is being an Angel Knight, sworn to hunt and kill horrible creatures commonly identified as angels. Real angels that walk among us, blending in with humans. The Church of Angels is a group created for people who have had encounters with angels. But once a human has been touched by an angle, they are left worse off than before. It is up to Alex to track down these Angels and dispose of them so that they can't continue to hurt people. Everything is going fine, until he receives orders to kill an angel that happens to be half human. Willow Fields is not your typical high school teenager. She loves to fix cars, she buys all of her clothes second-hand, and she can predict a person's future just by holding their hand. Until the day she meets Alex, she is completely unaware of the other side of her. Going against everything he has ever known, Alex is somehow drawn to her. And despite their initial distrust of each other, they know they will have to work together if humanity has any hopes of survival.

With a market that is quickly becoming overstuffed with angel stories, this one stands out as being refreshingly different. I mean, BAD angels?! That is not something you normally hear. They were almost vampiric in nature and I thought it was rather unique. Plus, how about that semi-creepy cover? I really liked the character of Alex - how he was only a teenager but had seen so much of the world. Willow was interesting too, but I felt we didn't get to learn as much about her past as we did with Alex. I would have liked to hear more about how she lived with her incapable mother. I also liked how Weatherly switched between Willow's POV and Alex's story. It gave me time with each character to really get to know them better. Despite an exciting start and a lot of build up, however, there's not very much action in the book. Just over 500 pages and a total of three short edge-of your seat scenes. There was a little twist at the end made my heart beat faster, but Weatherly rushed through it. Perhaps this is all just part of the world-building though, which leaves me wanting to read more! Next up is Angel Fire, coming to the UK next year.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Cover Colors Part 5

This installment of Cover Colors features Christian Fiction War Time Pilots. I have noticed a surge of stories based around these stories lately, and I like the retro/vintage looks to the covers. This isn't a genre I am normally interested in reading, but it's hard not to get sucked in by some of these gorgeous images. Will probably read Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA first, and then I am looking forward to getting into Sarah Sundin's Wings of Glory series.































What are your thoughts?

The Ruby Notebook by Laura Resau

Leeta and her mom Layla travel to a new place every year. That's sixteen different homes in sixteen years. As an English teacher obsessed with water rituals, it's simply what her mom does. This year, it's Aix-en-Provence, France. At first, the only thing that excites Leeta is the thought of her boyfriend Wendall coming to stay with her for two months. But then she meets a traveling theater group who call themselves Illusion, and her priorities change. She finds herself spending more time with the troupe than with Wendall. Especially the charming Jean-Claude and the whimsical Amandine. She also meets an old man and woman who entice her with talk of legendary sacred healing waters, somewhere nearby. To top it all off, someone- a fantome- is leaving her baffling gifts... or perhaps clues. With so many strange pieces to Zeeta's life, she hurries to find meaning in them all.

I was totally caught off guard by how much this book sucked me in. The rich, vivid images of the French lifestyle pulled me into the world effortlessly. I admit I have not read The Indigo Notebook, but there was no trouble catching up to the story. And now I definitely want to go back and learn about Zeeta and Wendall some more! Other characters, like VIncent and his lovely pigeon Maude, were so much fun! I felt the troubles and personal struggles Zeeta went through were very rewarding in the end. Zeeta and her mother have a unique relationship with each other and life style that is sure to interest even the pickiest reader. Laura Resau has a sensual, moving style to her writing. The whole experience will leave readers enchantee. And if you liked this one, be sure to check out Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly!

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 11/17/10

ARRANGED by Catherine McKenzie

Synopsis:
Anne Blythe is lucky. She's got a brand new book contract, a great newspaper job and a steadfast best friend, and she can land just about any man she sets her sights on - and the ones that appeal are typically tall, dark and handsome.

Problem is, the men she chooses never last. Shortly after yet another relationship goes down in flames, Anne comes across a card for what she believes is a dating service, and pockets it just in case. If she's so unlucky in love, maybe she could use a little assistance. Then her best friend announces she's engaged, and envy gets the better of Anne. Now's the time, she decides, to give the service a try - and she is shocked to discover that what the company specializes in are exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriages. After learning of the company's success rate, however, she overcomes her reluctance and signs on. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, and she's not done so well selecting a mate on her own. So why not use a professional service that claims it can produce the perfect match?

Some time later, Anne is traveling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack, the man they have chosen for her. And against all odds, it seems to be working out, until Anne learns that Jack and the company who arranged their marriage are not what they seem at all.

Not a typical choice for me, but I am intrigued nonetheless. What's the mystery? I must know!!! Looking forward to checking this one out.

Release Date: January 8, 2011

Fear Street Flashback (10)

Why? Because FEAR STREET was like, my favorite series growing up.

Originally released in February, 1995.

What fun! A Truth or Dare game gone bad! What potential this premise has! Unfortunately, RL Stine doesn't quite measure up to all of the possibilities. I immediately liked all of the characters, even bad boy Tony, who wasn't supposed to be at the house. Dara was great and had a little trouble-maker streak in her too... I wished we could have spent more time with her! I also liked the setting of a ski lodge with no adults around and only friends to keep you company. How fun is that?? Of course, things did go bad, but still the thought of all the snow and beautykept me glued to the pages. And I was definitely surprised by the ending. Totally did not see that one coming. A good book and fun to read, but there just wasn't enough evidence of a threat to really have me spooked anywhere.

Fear Rating: 1 out of 3 Screams

Teenage Waistland by Lynn Biederman and Lisa Pazer

Marcie Mandlebaum knows she is grossly overweight, and can't help feeling as though her mother would love her more if only she was thinner. Bobby is a mediocre football player with dreams of being a star, but he has his "moobies" and his father's expectations to hurdle first. Annie "East" Itou feels sad all the time since her brother moved away and her mother refuses to leave her bedroom. The only time she feels half normal is when she is pigging out with Char. Char is East's best friend who is also hiding a huge secret, one that could unravel East's entire life. On the inside, these four teens are seemingly very different. On the outside, however, they are all morbidly obese. After going through a series of tests and interviews, they all qualify for a controversial Lap-Band clinical trial, a surgery that will help them lose large amounts of weight. It also means drastically changing their lifestyles, though, and the four friends will get to know themselves and each other better than they ever have before.

Teenage Waistland is a surprisingly good book. I was snagged right at the beginning from the incredibly raw voices each character had. But be warned: this book is not full of happy scenes and feel-good moments. On the contrary, the stories are all quite tragic and sad, each in their own unique way. I admit I got a little squeamish over some of the details, but it was fascinating to read about the Lap-Band. Who hasn't seen those ads and wondered what it was? I thought there wasn't enough about the eating habits or requirements after the surgery though, as it was mainly about the emotional impact of the weight and the baggage each teen had in their life. This almost glorified the surgery, showing the teens losing a ton of weight and overcoming their emotional baggage, without paying tribute to the intense eating lifestyle changes. Lynn Bierderman and Lisa Pazer are fantastic writers, creating some really touching moments and a few downright hilarious ones. Buying a certain item for Marcie's sister's party CRACKED me up! And though it felt rushed, the ending wrap-up for all of the characters was rewarding.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday 11/10/10

MAD LOVE by Suzanne Selfors

Synopsis:
When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

I am a big fan of Selfors' writing, both her teen books and her stories for younger kids. She writes great premises with the perfect twinge of the paranormal. It took a while for the cover of this one to be released, and now I can't wait to read it!

Release Date: January 4, 2011

Bound by Book-to-Movie Law: Percy Jackson

Book-to-Movie Law states that once you have read the book, you are bound to go see the movie based on said book, and therefor compare to two.

Oh man, the movie was terrible. Terrible for me perhaps, as I am not specifically the target audience. I can see where younger boys might like it a lot more. I was surprised by how different it was from the book. The Lightning Thief read like it was made for the big screen, but the actually movie changed around a lot of smaller details to make it feel almost like it's own entity. The main points of action were still the same, sure. But there were a lot of minor details that were changed for the movie, perhaps unnecessarily. Some were simple character changes, some chronological, others were teeny references in plot. I didn't think these changes worked to make the movie version more palatable for movie-going audiences, but maybe they did. The special effects were a little cheesy at times, too, though it was very cool to see some of those mythical creatures comes to life. Anyone know if they are working on making the second book?

Bottom line: While the movie was fun, I think boy readers would enjoy reading the book and imagining it in their own head first.

Holidays: Time for Tomes

Ahhhh, the holidays. Time to see the family, eat yummy food, and spend lots of time with books. If you're anything like me, the upcoming holidays represent time off and relaxing with a good book. Sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace with quiet music in the background and a good book open on my lap. This year, I am making it a goal to use the days off to tackle some larger books. Books too long in length to squeeze into the normally busy schedule. It would be super nice to finish at least one on my list, but it would be even more awesome to finish these four:
































What are the tomes on your holiday reading list?

My First Love by Callie West

Amy Wyse lives with her busy mom and her busy schedule. It is her junior year of school and she is studying for the SATs, getting involved in tons of extra-curricular activities, and working hard to keep her grades as high as possible. There is no room for boyfriends in her life. But all that changes when in a moment when her long time friend unexpectedly kisses her. To add to this unknown territory, Amy realizes she is not attracted to her friend, but rather to Chris Shepherd from swim team. As luck would have it, he is interested in her too, and a relationship soon blossoms. However, spending time with Chris means Amy is spending less time on her school work, and her grades start to slip. Amy needs to quickly figure out how to balance these new feelings with her already full life if she wants to continue to succeed!

This novel is short in length, and I read it in one sitting. The first thing I did when I finished was close my eyes and revel in the romance. SO ROMANTIC! It only took a few pages for me to fully dive into the plot. Chris is completely dreamy. The perfect balance of bad boy and total gentleman. Amy is very easy to identify with. Callie West writes a raw teen voice complete with confusion and hope. The details in her mom being both a comfort to her and a burden on her existence will ring true for many readers. It may even help teens cope with the stress of wanting it all in high school - the great boyfriend, the sports super-star, and the college career. Though readers may be disappointed with the sudden ending, this is a tender-hearted book sure to speak to every girl out there who's ever been in love before.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars