I read. I think about it. Eat an apple. I review.

If I stay/ Where She went by Gayle Forman (dual review)

2012-02-09T21:46:00.000-06:00

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces - to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful, Mia''s story will stay with you for a long, long time.

This is one of those books. It isn't the kind you store in the back of your bookcase because you feel it's an immature YA novel. It is the exact opposite. It's the kind of book you leave on the coffee table or in the prime spot of your bookcase. Mia's life has made a complete 180 in the span of 24hrs, and nothing will ever be the same. At this point, she has to make the biggest decision of her life. Bravery versus giving up. You witness Mia find out her life has been shattered, and watch her as she tries to figure out if it's worth picking up the pieces.

This is a one of a kind YA novel, it's a tragic story filled with love, so much love, passion, and realistic characters. We go back in time, reading of Mia's past, her regrets, the people she loved and everything in between. And the people who want her to stay.
It is a beautifully written captivating novel. If you have a chance, I definitely suggest you read it. It will stay with you, for a very long time.

*I was listening to my iTunes on shuffle and this song came on, music is a big part of the book and I thought it had a lot in common with Mia's story.

Where She Went (possible spoilers *scroll down to safety*)

It''s been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard''s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia''s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam''s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

I found myself liking Where She Went just as much as I liked If I Stay, if not more. You'd think it would be a little self-righteous, a bit too typical, but no. Forman stays true to her beautiful writing, Adam's point of view is lyrical, sad, and realistic. It's a great sequel to If I Stay, with the same vibe and flow. Where She Went wasn't a let down in any way.

These two novels are beautiful, tragic, sad but still inspiring, hopeful and passionate. It's a great read that you should definitely check out. Platinum for both of the novels.

Fever by Lauren Destefano

2012-01-05T19:50:00.000-06:00

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever

Fever picks upright after Whither. The surroundings are no longer beautiful sceneries, the mansion, no more forbidden kisses shared between Rhine and Gabriel. We are now in the real world, with real hostility, danger,and fear that the Rhine and Gabriel must face after escaping Linden's mansion.

Rhine and Gabriel's relationship suffers some trauma after being forced into a carnival that specializes in prostitution and trafficking. There, they meet new people that become pivotal to the story line, including a malformed baby. Rhine's main goal throughout everything is to reunite with her brother, Rowan but as usual...things don't go as planned. And the whole life Rhine has envisioned for Gabriel, Rowan, and herself, is now far from reality.

I enjoyed the book, probably not as much as Wither since I liked the idea of a forbidden romance, as well as the whole mansion but it wasn't bad. Now that Rhine and Gabriel's are out in the real world they have the chance to actually get to know each other, and not in the confines of Rhine's room.

I'm excited for the next installment in the Chemical Gardens trilogy since Fever kind of left us on a rather high cliff hanger. Although Fever lacked some of what I loved in Wither, including a gorgeous cover ( Fever's cover was an awkward looking hot mess), I still liked it and I'll continue to give these books the GOLD Seal of Approval.

Read my review for Wither here

Clockwork Prince

2011-12-30T13:19:00.000-06:00

Once again, Cassandra Clare did that thing where she makes you feel as if you're in the same century as her characters, all the mannerisms make sense to you - and you can still get the jokes even if they are written in "ancient" Victorian dialect. You've been what I like to call, Clarified.

Clockwork Prince was even better than Clockwork Angel in my opinion. There were a lot of questions left unresolved in Clockwork Angel, and Clockwork Prince answered most of them, so no frustrated grunts! In this book, there was a lot of "nothing is as it seems" going on. A lot of background info that is reveled about Will, Tessa, etc , and it's realllll juicy.

My heart broke into teeny tiny pieces while reading the book, mostly for Will, and I had to take a few breaks to pick up the morsels (the first time was right after reading the epilogue...). In that sense, the book is a bit more romantic.If you couldn't decide whether you were team Will or team Jem, you'll probably figure it out by reading Clockwork Prince.

The book was a little less action, a bit more character development and understanding why they do the things they do. It called for a brilliant ending, that shattered the already shattered pieces of my heart into teenier tinier pieces. I loved Cassandra Clare's imagination and creativity towards this book, remember folks, you don't need to read The Mortal Instruments novels (though I recommend you do because it's an extraordinary series) to get on with The Infernal Devices.

Clockwork Prince was my favorite book out of the two, it has solidified my fangirlism for The Infernal Devices. I'll be gluing my heart back together as I wait for Clockwork Princess, on sale September 2013 (OUCH)

Platinum for Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

2011-12-14T14:08:00.001-06:00

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Wolfsbane picks up right where Nightshade left off but both books couldn't be any more different. The story is darker, the characters are a bit more twisted and we learn a lot more about the Searchers. I loved Nightshade but I always felt like it was missing that ounce of...something. Although Wolfsbane wasn't perfect, it definetly did more for me than Nightshade did. There was more emotion, more conflicts, more everything. I loved all of the new characters that were introduced in Wolfsbane as well, definetly resolved for more witt as well!

I can't deny the fact that I was always team Ren because Shay was too much of a damsel in distress, but in Wolfsbane, Shay picks up his big boy pants and takes a bit more control. I gotta say, I'm team I-Can't-Really-Decide-Anymore-Oh-Well-I-Guess-I'll-Wait-For-Bloodrose-In-January. Despite my new found fondness for certain characters (SHAY), I can't say I feel a sense of aprecition for Calla like I did in Nightshade. She was more of a wallflower, making all the wrong mistakes, not asking the right questions and just being...annoying.

Nightshade was an interesting novel, but Wolfsbane had a lot more going on. I'm not sure if I liked it better than Nightshade, but I did like Wolfsbane enough to give it the GOLD Moody Seal of Approval.

**I still don't get the cover change...I wasn't too keen on the original cover but...this? It was embarassing to carry the book out in public.

Click here for my review of Nightshade

Click here for the author website.

Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-11-07T20:08:00.000-06:00

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

To put everything in context, Stephanie Perkins is the John Hughes of YA Fiction. You wish she was the one writing the story of your life.

Once again, Stephanie Perkins hit a home run with Lola. She has this way...of making every teenage girl fantasy about finding true love...into a book. Mind boggling, really. There wasn't a moment in the book that I hated reading and everything was unicorns and Nutella. Lola is a wonderful character, her life story is fascinating, her friends are great supporting roles and Cricket...ooooh Cricket. Cricket. Cricket. Cricket. The epitome of the "Boy next door".

The relationships, bonds, hardships, and the boy next door are the perfect combination for the perfect little YA Fomance (romance/fiction) novel. If you're hesitating to read this because of Anna, never fear, Anna and Etienne make quite a few appearances in the book, and Lola is just as good as Anna. The comparison between the two novels is inevitable, but both books are great in their own respective ways. Anna is the breathtakingly beautiful story that takes place in Paris and Lola is a more low-key, at home, simpler (but still heartbreaking). But both books are great, and will probably make a fan girl out of you.

I don't know what else I can say about Lola and The Boy Next Door to make you read it except....Platinum, just like Anna!

Click for my review of Anna and The French Kiss

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2011-10-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.

I actually enjoyed the novel very much. Michelle Hodkin's writing was swift and the plot was unheard of (for me at least) until now. Mara's sarcastic narration was a fun way to get to know her and her surroundings. It was easy to follow and humorous, exactly how a YA novel should be. I loved reading the book all the way up until the end, and even then I was hoping for more. The characters were great and can we mention the stunning cover, please?

The other reviews I usually read were either bashing the novel for the lack of a concrete ending or praising it for it's beautiful writing. Obviously, I have chosen the latter. The idea of a sequel makes me giddy, and I simply cannot wait!

I say, try the book out. I loved it, and I'm sure you will too! Gold for the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer!

Blogger Hop 08.07.2011

2011-10-07T19:02:00.000-05:00

It’s time to spread some love beyond the borders of the Book Blogger Hop! This week, we aren’t answering a question. We are spotlighting our fellow bloggers. Find your favorite(s) author interview(s), guest post(s), book review(s), or bookish article(s) that ANOTHER BOOK BLOGGER featured on their site recently and tell us why you love it/them! As an additional challenge, find your favorite one of EACH of the categories above and spotlight all 4 (interview, guest post, review, article).

Ah welll...honestly I've been SO out of the blogosphere loop lately. I have no idea what's going on in the book world, I've been living under a rock...or rather a massive load of homework. If YOU have any recommendations for bloggers, please let me know! I need to reintegrate.

Make sure to check out the rest of the blogs here.

Thank you for stopping by, hopefully I'll have a more thought out answer next week.
Until next Friday, have a lovely weekend!

Triangels by Ellen Hopkins

2011-10-03T06:27:00.000-05:00

In this first adult novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the unforgettable Crank trilogy, three female friends face midlife crises in a no holds-barred exploration of sex, marriage, and the fragility of life.
Ellen Hopkins has made her mark as the wildly popular author of several novels for young adults—every one of them a New York Times bestseller, and every one a hard-hitting exploration of tough-to-tackle topics. Now, in Triangles, Hopkins brings her storytelling mastery and fearlessness to take on the challenges of adult dramas.
In this emotionally powerful novel, three women face the age-old midlife question: If I’m halfway to death, is this all I’ve got to show for it? Holly, filled with regret for being a stay-at-home mom, sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Andrea, a single mom and avowed celibate, watches her friend Holly’s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for—a committed relationship with a decent guy. So what if Andrea picks up Holly’s castaway husband? Then there’s Marissa. She has more than her fair share of challenges—a gay teenage son, a terminally ill daughter, and a husband who buries himself in his work rather than face the facts. As one woman’s marriage unravels, another one’s rekindles. As one woman’s family comes apart at the seams, another’s is reconfigured into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman’s up is another one’s down, and all three of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness before it is through.

Now I'll be the first to say that this isn't the type of novel I usually review. This is definitely steered towards an older audience.

Holly is a mother of three and has been married for many years but her lack of interest in her husband leads her to find affection elsewhere, flings, a lesbian affair and a new beau. Staying faithfull is a constant struggle and a rebellious teenage daughter is alot to handle.

Andrea has been married and divorced. then again one isn't always as they seem in high school as she learns the hard way through her marriage. she has no luck with men and is a constant victim of her insecurities. And her daughter the only thing she's gotten right, barely wants to spend time with her , but rather her dead beat father.

Marissa has all the weight of the world oh her shoulders, with her rebellious gay son, her daughter dying of muscular disthophy and a distant husband who's interests lie solely on himself. His drinking and lack of communication is one thing but a five year affair is weight she can't take.

This story explores the difficulty of keeping our relationships healthy after a long period of time. It is easy to take things for granted and not invest as much time and as much of ourselves in maintaining the many ties with the people who surround us. This novel shows the importance of knowing what you want and doing everything in your power to get it. However it also shows that you never know what life has in store for you and the obstacles are not always easy to overcome. I believe it it a good book, her writing is always very engaging, you never want to put the book down, but i wish the ending revealed more about what resolution the women took moving forward in their lives.

It's kind of hard to decide which Seal of Approval to give Triangles. The writing was engaging and strong, but the lack of a conclusion really brought down my opinion of the book. Therefore, Triangle by Ellen Hoking is getting the Gold Moody Seal of Approval.

Visit Ellen Hopkins on the web.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

2011-09-24T18:01:00.000-05:00

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

Erin is basically the average teen-girl reader (minus the whole Kentucky drama back home). Going to school in New York to write is her dream, any takers? Ha. Anyways, I liked reading about Erin, her roommates and Hunter. Although it was set in a school environment, it had that Summer feeling, like most Jennifer Echols book. The word I would use to describe this book is...nice. It isn't the best Jennifer Echols book out there (in my opinion, of course) but it was decent.

Erin and Hunter's whole romance is entertaining, sometimes fun, but I wouldn't say passionate. Another part of the book that was a tad bit annoying was the abrupt ending. I remember being at the lest...40 pages and thinking of how on Earth Echols would be able to nip everything in the bud and still please the reader. I wouldn't ay she succeeded on pleasing me with the ending, although I was content with it. I still wanted more though, it definitely wasn't enough though.

All in all, this is a classic Jennifer Echols contemporary book, sweet and simple. It was a good read, although not her best. Love Story by Jennifer Echols gets the Golden Moody Seal of Approval.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy)

2011-09-04T18:16:00.000-05:00

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Forever was standing-ovation when you're done-heart pounding during that intense moment-that feeling in the pit of your stomach- worthy. It was every emotion you've ever felt in another book. A kaleidoscope of thoughts runs through your mind throughout this book and every one of them brings you back to Sam, Grace, Cole, and Isabelle.

Albeit, the book did have it's flaws, one of them being the intrusions of different storylines popping in between intense scenes - which I found a mildly annoying. This is of course the final book in the Mercy Falls trilogy, which is quite disappointing. This series has always been one that I've recommended, a staple in my library and after Forever, I don't feel any different.

Forever was filled with tension and anticipation (on my part) and yes it was everything I wanted it to be but the ending? The last few pages? Those were slightly underwhelming and vague. I kind of sat there with "Now what?" look on my face, expecting there to be a few more pages or at the very least a prologue. And although I found that to be a tad bit annoying, it didn't stop me from loving the book in it's entirety.

Definitely still recommend the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, with it's poetic writing on Maggie Stiefvater's part, and intense plot. Which is the reason I'm giving the entire series the Platinum Moody Seal of Approval.

Book Blogger Hop - 08.12.2011

2011-08-12T11:54:00.001-05:00

“Let’s talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles! If you can’t find any, feel free to find one on the internet!”

Hmm..well...ahh...at the moment there aren't any specific titles that are coming to mind except for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I really liked that title and thought it was very fitting for the book and..I dunno...I just liked it! :)

Check back to the blog hop for more awesome blogs!

Have a lovely weekend!

Book Blogger Hop: 7.29.11

2011-07-29T14:55:00.000-05:00

Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into!

I recently received Wolfsbane (sequel to Nightshade) and I'm so excited to read it! I purchased the first 3 Percy Jackson books last year and I still haven't had the time to read them. I've only read the first one over a year ago. AND I have the Zombie apocalypse survival guide just waiting for me!

Leave a comment here and I'll check out your blog. Follow/comment/etc.
Make sure to check out the hop, there are some amazing blogs just waiting for you to check them out.

CHOW! And have a great weekend!

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

2011-07-28T20:17:00.000-05:00

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...
Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.
Em and Chase have been chosen.

The core themes of this novel are basically betrayal and revenge. Now I'm all for revenge where it's due but the main reason you keep reading is the anticipation. You can't wait to find out what will happen to Em and Chase and even what got them in their little predicament in the first place.

There were certain aspects of the book that just didn't add up, one of them being the dynamics concerning parents. Elizabeth Miles made things little too easy for herself by shoving aside all other family members, making it pretty unbelievable. Otherwise, the betrayals were ok. Chase's story was more of a blah, you didn't actually know what he did until later on in the book so I couldn't help but sympathize with him and his mother. When you finally find out Chase's naughty deed it just didn't seem that big. Em's story was more of a fizzle, it was interesting enough, but nothing I haven't seen before. I definitely think that the punishments that Em and Chase received were a little extreme and uncalled for so I couldn't really enjoy the book.

The minor twists in the end concerning Em were transparent and easy to guess. And so the book was...merely...okay. I liked the idea of it, but I wasn't convinced with the route Elizabeth Miles followed.

The book was okay, therefore I give Fury by Elizabeth Miles the Silver Seal of Approval.

Blogger Hop......HARRY POTTER.

2011-07-15T14:04:00.003-05:00

You're a wizard, Harry!

How/Where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?

umm...honestly. I can't answer anything right now. My mind is still at Hogwarts. *CRIES*

follow...n stuff....*SOBBING*

Blogger hop - HAPPY CANADA DAY!

2011-07-01T09:08:00.001-05:00

Note: I'm about to leave for some festivities so I won't have time to answer the hop question, etc. But I'll do all of that tomorrow!

Happy Friday/ Canada day!
----

What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?

There are some books I've never managed to finish, but those are very scarce. I never back down without a fight though, if I'm going to finish a book (that sucks) it's probably because I'm still somewhat interested in the ending and the possibility of it finishing. But I never quit reading a book because I don't like it that much, I just sigh and keep going. There are a few authors that manage to make a beginning of a book interesting, but a lot of them fail. I don't want a few boring pages at the beginning of a book to stop me from reading the whole thing.

Abandon by Meg Cabot

2011-06-24T14:44:00.001-05:00

The Myth of Persephone, Darkly Reimagined
— Book One: Abandon —

She didn't fall into his world. She was taken.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce knows what happens to us when we die.
That's how she met John Hayden, the mysterious stranger who's made returning to normal life—or at least life as Pierce knew it before the accident—next to impossible.
Though she thought she escaped him—starting a new school in a whole new place—it turns out she was wrong. He finds her.
What does John want from her? Pierce thinks she knows... just like she knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven. But she can't stay away from him, either, especially since he's always there when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears the most.
And when Pierce discovers the shocking truth, that’s exactly where John sweeps her:
The Underworld.

The idea for Abandon was interesting, but it was hard to immerse myself in the world of Pierce and John. I kept saying to myself "It's Meg Cabot. It's going to get good. It's Meg Cabot. PRINCESS FRIKIN' Diaries!" and yeah, that got me through the first quarter of the book. I suppose the rest of my reading didn't need any chanting nor any encouragement.

Book blogger confession #1: I've never read a meg Cabot book. With Abandon being my first Cabot read, I can't really say I was impressed. The characters and writing style was pretty mediocre but the plot was very interesting. The story line was unique and I enjoyed that aspect of the book very much.

Despite the missing edge to the book, I pretty much enjoyed it and John was a fascinating person to read about. I could tell you I'm not that intrigued about the sequel, but I am curious to see where the story goes. If given the chance I would surely read the sequel.

Abandon is an interesting story, with a sequel that I can't wait to read which is why I'm giving Abandon by Meg Cabot the Gold Seal of Approval.

Check out the Meg Cabot website for more about Abandon

Blogger Hop - 6.17.2011

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?

My answer: hmm well not as many as Jennifer, that's for sure! I'd say I have about 20 books in my TBR REVIEW pile. My other books, that I purchased myself,won in a contest, etc well...I'd say 45 books in that case. I have about 3 bookshelves that are filled with books.

I feel a pressure to hurry up and read the books for review so I never get to read the books I buy. But the more books, the merrier!

Just and FYI, today the Ashes, Ashes blog tour stopped by my blog so take a look at it. There is also a chance for Canadian residents to win a copy of the book!

Alrighty, have a great weekend!

Ashes Ashes by Jo Treggiari - Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway!

2011-06-17T00:00:00.004-05:00

A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

Dun dun dunnnn!

Jo Treggiari has told a captivating story of a young girl named Lucy who is a part of the meager 1% who survived a series of freak natural disasters. Instead of banding with the survivors, like anybody else would do, Lucy decided to survive as an individual. Therefore Lucy was completely alone, no family, no friends, no human contact up until she meets Aidan, that's when everything changes.

Although the story was great, it was hard to get into the actual plot. I prefer learning about the main characters in a story at a slow pace but Lucy's past was kind of thrown at the reader. But once we got over the whole meet and greet, things didn't really start to pick up, not until Lucy decided to join the survivors. Amongst them is Aidan, the love interest you either love or (in my case) couldn't actually come to appreciate.

But I was able to ignore all of the imperfections because of the actual story Jo Treggiari was telling. It was fascinating to read about the utter destruction and chaos ensuing and how parts of the remaining human population was able survive and restore (somewhat). It's another dystopian novel that shows how easy society can crumble.

The ending did call for a sequel so hopefully this won't be the end of Lucy's story. I found Ashes, Ashes to be a very fascinating and compelling novel, that's why I'll be giving Ashes, Ashes the Gold Moody Seal of Approval!

You can enter to win a copy of Ashes, Ashes by filling out this form. (Canadian addresses only pwetty please)

Jo will be making the following in-person appearances in Nova Scotia:

June 18                         Atlantic Author Day, Woozles, Halifax NS, 11-12pm

June 18                         Atlantic Author Day, Chapters Bayers Lake, Halifax NS, 2-3pm

June 24                         Fables Club, Tatamagouche NS

Sept 25                        Halifax Word On the Street

Visit:

www.jotreggiari.com

Jo Treggiari on Facebook

Jo Treggiari on Twitter

And Chapter One of Ashes, Ashes Audiobook on Youtube

Interview with Jo Treggiari on YouTube

Feel free to check out the other blog stops:

	Tour Date
Midnight Bloom Reads	June 14^th
Rayment's Readings Blog	June 14^th
Lavender Lines Blog	June 15^th
21 Pages Blog	June 16^th
Geek Girl's Book Blog	June 16^th
The Moody Teenager	June 17^th
Dreaming of Books Blog	June 17^th
YA Bookshelf	June 17^th
ShelfElf Blog	June 18^th
SMS Reviews Blog	June 19^th
Crazy Book Worm	June 19^th
In the Next Room	June 20^th
Lost in the Library	June 20^th
He Followed Me Home…	June 20^th
Book Madam YA	June 21st

The Chaos (Numbers #2) by Rachel Ward

2011-06-12T18:25:00.000-05:00

Adam sees 'numbers' - when he looks in peoples' eyes he can see their death-dates, just like his mum Jem used to. Adam has trouble dealing with his awful gift, and when he realises that everyone around him has the same series of numbers, he becomes deeply afraid of what might happen in 2025.
Desperate to find out what could be about to go wrong, Adam spends hours researching possibilities - war, nuclear accidents, killer viruses. He knows something big is coming, but what? And is there anything he can possibly do about it?

Normally, the second book in a series is almost always a let down but in the case of The Chaos, I beg to differ. I actually preferred The Chaos to Numbers. For starters, I wasn't really enthusiastic about Numbers so there wasn't much competition between the two books, but I preferred the overall plot as well as the narration by Adam and Sarah. I found Jem and Spider's story to be somewhat stiff but Adam was a bit more loose.

But without comparing the two novels, I can't say I was actually captivated nor affected by Rachel Ward's writing. Of course she represented her characters dutifully, with a narration that leaves an echo in the mind of the reader, but I didn't see the appeal.

I found the books to be just okay, the build up took too long, and the actual event wasn't as explosive as you would have thought. Despite the fact that The Chaos was very well written, I just couldn't connect with Rachel Ward's writing.

Although I preferred The Chaos to Numbers, I'm still going to give it the same Seal. Silver for The Chaos by Rachel Ward.

Possession by Elana Johnson

2011-06-04T17:12:00.000-05:00

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Yet another dystopian novel to hit the YA circuit. But unlike this year's other dystopian novels, I can't say that Possession was all that. It was more of a let down.

The plot and storyline of the novel were intriguing and were the main reasons I was reading the book. The potential was there, but it didn't get very far. The characters were flat, the writing was okay but I couldn't actually connect with the story.

I didn't really like Vi. She was all talk, no action and I think she thought a bit too highly of herself at times (in the sense that "Oh yeah, I'm badddd" but really, she wasn't that bad), I didn't like the majority of the characters either. Jag was supposed to be the sexy bad boy, but I found myself getting majorly annoyed by him. I found him to be temperamental and prissy.

While reading the book, I sometimes felt like I was missing something. Did I miss an explanation there? Did I skip a page? No, the writing just seemed to leave out a lot of things. There was just something about the novel that irked me, and by the last 100 pages of the book I was sighing and counting down the pages, forcing myself to read them.

Possession really wasn't a novel that I liked reading and whenever I think about it, the only word that comes to mind is IRK. The idea and the plot had so much potential but finally, the writing just didn't cut it.

Possession by Elana Johnson will not be getting the Moody Seal of Approval.

Havoc by Chris Wooding

2011-06-01T11:18:00.000-05:00

Getting into the sinister comic-book world of Malice is just the beginning. Getting out of it is much, much harder--as is surviving while you make your attempt. Part novel, part comic book, all thrill--welcome to Malice.

Malice was my crack.
I started and finished it in one go. And once I got my hands on it, Havoc became my crack. I was absorbed in the book and yeah, just like my friends at school, maybe some of you will poke fun since this book it sort of veered toward a *cough*younger demographic*cough but I loved every second of Havoc.

The only negative things I can say about the book were that it was a little less scarier than the first book, the scare factor was sort of what drew me to love the series in the first place, although Havoc had it's moments, it was lacking. Also, Tall Jake became less creepier. Probably because he wasn't shown in the same light, but it sort of killed the vision.

But those were the only issues I had with the book. Yeah, it was flawed but it was FUN! It was juvenile, but it was refreshing! It was imaginative and of course, innovative with the whole half comic/ half novel aspect.

Gold for Havoc, because it's a book that isn't just for children

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman

2011-05-20T17:49:00.000-05:00

Wes and June do not "meet cute." They do not swoon with desire. They do not instantly feel like soul mates. This is not that kind of love story.

Instead, June and Wes hang around in each other''s orbits... until eventually they collide. And even after that happens, they''re still not sure where it will go. Especially after June starts to pity-date one of Wes''s friends. Especially after their orbits don''t align so closely anymore. This is a love story for readers not particularly biased toward romance. But it is romantic, in the same way that the truth can sometimes be romantic, and uncertainty can be a big come-on.

I could describe this novel with one word: realistic.

Pete Hautman, a YA author who relates to real life, ventured into the bad land's with The Big Crunch. He didn't write about a typical teenage love affair. Oh no, he wrote about the side effects. The realistic emotions felt throughout the relationship. He wrote about how fragile a relationship can actually be, as well as how difficult it can be to maintain it. Especially, when faced with obstacles.

But that was pretty much it.

A story, about a boy and a girl trying to beat the odds.

I liked it. I mean...it was okay. It's not memorable. It wasn't amazing, but it was honest, as well as different. It was sort of like a break between novels. Between reading these novels filled with damaged characters, people being hunted or just living in a different country, The Big Crunch was incredibly simple. Sort of Vanilla. Nothing really special, found in all of the other flavors of ice cream (butterscotch, cookie dough, oreo, peanut butter, etc). But there's nothing wrong with vanilla!

By always reading novels with these complicated/impossible relationships, it was interesting to see how even the most simples of situations could go from horrible, to amazing and plummet from amazing to car crash.

I have conflicting feelings about this book. It was good...but sometimes tiring. And sometimes the characters were annoying. But sometimes it was interesting, and sometimes it was cryptic.

You have to think about this book. You'll either think it was a waste of time, or it was a lovely, insightful book.

I thought it was insightful and thankfully realistic. The book centered around average teens, for once. Nothing special about either one, so I can't bring myself to say it was bad.

For me, the book is teetering between Silver and Gold. I barely even remember how the book ended, just some good bits. So I suppose, I'll give The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman, the Silver Moody Seal of Approval.

Visit Pete Hautman here and read my review for his other book, How To Steal a Car here.

Book Blogger Hop 05.20.2011

2011-05-20T17:38:00.000-05:00

If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?

Well so many to chose from really, the list could go on and on and on and on and on and....you get it. I'd love to be in Paris at SOAP (School of America in Paris), thanks to the world of Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins . Of course there are the way more ummm shall we say, dramatic world I can pick? Like being a Shadowhunter in The Mortal Instruments series would rock! Or even a fighting Moroi or Dhampir from the Vampire Academy series, the possibilities are endless.

Regardless, being in any book's world, granted that the book was good, would be pretty cool.

These are the last few days where you can enter to win my contests (some amazing books are up for grabs!) so scroll down and enter if you haven't.

Otherwise, have a great weekend!

Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.

2011-05-14T19:41:00.001-05:00

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

You don't understand the love I have for Paris. (I love Europe and everything about France).

You don't understand the love I have for boarding school love stories.

You don't understand the love I have for British guys.

You don't understand the love I have for his book.

I could just gush, and become an instant fangirl if I were to discuss this book (which is what I'm about to do right now...). This book was *sigh* everything a girl could dream of. The beautiful city, the beautiful boy, everything you need right there.

Although Anna was pissed about being shipped to Paris for school, I couldn't come to resent her for it. Personally, I would have been doing backflips and screaming for joy - but that's a different story. If it had been another book I probably would have called her a brat for complaining but all of Anna's reasons were all justified and understandable. There wasn't a point in the book where I decided hated Anna for doing something stupid or irrelevant, because I related with everything she did. For once.

Although I know over 3 guys named Etienne, Etienne St. Clair was the only Etienne I could picture. He was perfectly imperfect and I loved reading about him!

In school, I never speak French! I hate it, and that may be because Canadian French is influenced by Quebec French (no offence but....uhh), but because of this book I saw the beauty in my language and I'm sort of beginning to love it.

Stephanie Perkins novels have instantly moved into my wish list. I want to read them all now. She did a great job with this fantastic novel.

Anna and The French Kiss instantly fueled by yearning for YA romance as well as going to Paris. Clearly, I have a really sweet spot for books about Paris as well as Ya Romance. It's definitely a genre of books I'm going to have to investigate a lot more.

Anna and The French Kiss will be getting the Premium Moody Seal of Approval. It's a gem in the YA romance world.

Visit Stephanie Perkins here. Maybe even pick yourself up a copy of Anna And The French Kiss...or seven!

P.S (time to gush) I loved loved loved this book it was so urghhhh sooooo gooodddd. It was like an amazing latte! Just read! I have a pit in the middle of...well somewhere in my upper body when I think of Anna and The French Kiss! I have so much love for this book.

City Of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

2011-05-14T19:11:00.000-05:00

(Sorta late, sowwy)

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels,

Doesn't that make you want to rub you hands in anticipation? Well okay, maybe not anticipation since we've probably all read it by now. But still, you must have felt something like that IT'S CITY OF FALLEN FREAKIN ANGELS. Of course you did...

There is absolutely no point in writing a review for this novel. It is after all, Cassandra Clare. We know the book will be great. But was it slightly (just a hint) disappointing? Possibly...Here's why.

At first glance, COFA seemed low-key and simple, but there was actually a whole new plot arising. I liked the plot, but it was a little less stressful/all those cool engaging adjectives than the other books. But I think that's going to be the build up. The build up to an epic follow up novel, possibly named City Of Lost Souls. (<---JUST SAYIN).

I liked that the book included everybody else's story. It wasn't focused on Clary like before, now the plot rotated around Clary, Simon, Isabelle, Jace, Alec...etc. For those of us who read The Infernal Devices, there are a few ties (sort of like a brain teaser). The last 20-30 pages of the book were uh---shocking, to say the least.

If you haven't guessed already, the book was bomb. I expect it will be the low-key installment of the series, that invites an epic follow up. It royally sucks that we have to wait until May 2012 for another fix of The Mortal Instruments. But hey, it takes time for magic to happen!

It's hard for me to write about the book because there's nothing bad I can say about it! And all the good was to be expected!

I'm not giving COFA the seal, because its COFA. It's pretty obvious it will be above and beyond premium. I can't wait to see how Cassandra Clare continues the Mortal Instruments series

If you haven't read City Of Bones (the first installment in The Mortal Instrument series), I really recommend you do. It's one of the best YA books out there!