Review: Guitar Notes by Mary Amato

Title: Guitar Notes by Mary Amato

Published: July 24^th, 2012 by Egmont

Source: Library

Format: Hardback

Challenge(s): Library, Debut Author

Grade rate: B+

On odd days, Tripp Broody uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar. Eyes closed, strumming that beat-up instrument, Tripp escapes to a world where only the music matters.

On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she’s trying to become even more perfect—she’s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes for him in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.

What starts as a series of snippy notes quickly blossoms into the sharing of interests and secrets and dreams, and the forging of a very unlikely friendship.

Challenging each other to write songs, they begin to connect, even though circumstances threaten to tear them apart.

From beloved author Mary Amato comes a YA novel of wit and wisdom, both heartfelt and heart­breaking, about the power of music and the unexpected chords that draw us together. (From the Egmont Website).

My Review

Oh, how I love this book!  Don’t get fooled by the B+ grade, it is an awesome read.  I just had a minor issue with the ending.

This story starts by Lyla and Tripp sharing the same high school music room, but on different days.  As a way to communicate with each other they start leaving notes in the guitar case.  What starts as harmless and fun banter turns into a true meeting of the minds and a beautiful friendship.

Lyla seems perfect to others, but she is far from it.  Yes, she is pretty, smart, very talented, but she has allowed her dad and her best friend to push her into a life she really doesn’t want for herself.  Ironically, she sort of pushes Tripp into things that are out of he’s comfort zone; however, in Tripp’s case that it’s a good thing.  Tripp is so funny!  He is (as he is fond and proud to say) odd. Tripp loves music to the point that it’s the only thing that holds an interest to him.  I loved Tripp’s relationship with his mom and how he took revenge on her for everything she did to him (hilarious!)

Tripp’s mom cares deeply for him and it’s trying to get him to be more social, the only way she knows how.  Anna, Lyla’s best and only friend, is no friend at all. She is always jealous of her, full of envy, and pushes (aka bullies) Lyla to do things she has no desire of doing and prevents her from doing what she loves.  I don’t understand why Lyla allowed this to go on for so long. Lyla’s dad is extremely protective (with good reason) and also expects too much from her.

The plot is well thought out and the reading is quick since the book is a combination of notes, texts, emails, and conversations. I really enjoyed the writing style and the story, but I have a minor issue with the end.  First, I know that what Tripp and Lyla have is really special, they have a connection of minds and they understand each other in a way few people can.  I was a little disappointed that their relationship didn’t develop into something more (and really, this is my problem I guess). Second, the ending was quite abrupt.  I mean, everything was going fine and then, BAM!  Something really horrible (and cliché) happens, and it seems like the story ends so fast.

Here are some great quotes from the book:

“The Termite storms out. He sticks out his tongue at the door as it slams. Is he immature? Yes.  If maturity means you can grow up and take away the one and only thing that gives meaning to your son’s life, then why would anyone strive for maturity?” - Tripp

“She sings, ‘I like the sound of your name in my ear’. She stops and blushes. ‘I didn’t mean you you. I mean it doesn’t have to be based on anything true, right?” – Lyla

“’Here’s my Thrum Theory. I think every soul vibrates at a certain frequency’, he explains. ‘It’s sort of like each soul has a sound that is its signature – and your soul just wants to feel the vibrations of this sound. I think the vibrations of my soul and the vibrations of the guitar match each other, which is why it feels so right for me to play it’.” - Tripp

One of the things that I find the most amazing is that Ms. Amato and her writing partner Bill Williams wrote and recorded all the songs (they can be found here) that Tripp and Lyla wrote together.

About the cover:  I find the cover very appropriate and really pretty.

Have you read Guitar Notes?  Have you read a similar book? 

Review: Destined by Aprilynne Pike (Wings #4)

Title: Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Published: May 1^st, 2012 by HarperTeen

Source: Library

Format: Hardcover

Challenge(s): Support Local Library

Grade rate: B+

Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.

He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face close to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.

She hated how much it felt like good-bye.

Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful - and deadly - of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea's reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon's final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series.

My Review

It is always sad when I’m opening the last book in a series.  It’s like knowing that I would soon have to say goodbye characters and a world that I’ve come to love.  I think this is so true for Destined, the last book in the Wings series.

To say that Destined is action packed is an understatement.  The whole story takes place in a little over 24 hours, stating right where Illusions ended.  Klea, Yuki and the trolls attack Avalon and it’s a war for survival among beings that are stronger and the power of chemical warfare that Klea unleashes.  It is really hard to do this review without spoiling it for you, but I’ll do my best :)

We finally see all the characters we’ve come to love shine and others, as it happens in wars, don’t make it.  Laurel’s actions and decisions are crucial at the end, and even Chelsea and especially David have their moment of glory and fame.  Avalon rises to the occasion and they fight as best as they can. 

So, by know you must be asking: Who ends up with Laurel?  Well, I’m not telling… let me just say that I was ever so happy about it.  There is a particular scene towards the end that is golden (*big sigh*).

Queen Marion is despicable, and I’m glad that Jamison knows how to play the game of power and put all his pieces in place years before.  I am also happy that all of Avalon was there to witness her treachery. 

The plot of the story is intricate, with many surprising turns.  Ms. Pike is a masterful storyteller, and Destined was able to capture the magic that started with Wings. The ending was a big of a disappointment for me.  I know that Ms. Pike warns us not to read the last part if we liked the ending, but I did any way and it made me so sad.  I think also that the ending was kind of abrupt and I didn’t have a chance to savor it.  I would love to see more of Laurel and ‘mystery lover’ (my lips are sealed!), and what their live together was like.  Also, there is a big opportunity for a companion series after Jasmine becomes queen (*hint*).

The Wings series is a wonderful and vivid addition to the fairy worlds and I hope you give it a try.

About the cover:  I like the cover of Destined best, after Wings.  I like the color blue of the flower and the font too.

Have you read the Wings series?  Do you like books about fairies?  Do you like alternate endings?

Remember to enter my Follower Appreciation Giveaway – Here 

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Review: Croak by Gina Damico (Croak #1)

Title: Croak by Gina Damico

Published: March 20^th, 2012 by Houghton Miffin Hartcourt

Source: Library

Format: Paperback

Challenge(s): Debut Author, Support Local Library

Grade rate: A

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.
He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.
Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.
Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?

My Review

Amazing! Croak was SO awesome.  Do you want to know how awesome?  Let me count the ways:

Great characters: Lex is hilarious, pragmatic, confident (most of the time), brave and loyal. I fell instantly in love with Driggs, he was also funny, handsome, and loyal.  All the ‘juniors’, Lex’s family, especially uncle Mort; and all the people of Croak are amazing!  These characters become alive within the pages of the book.

Great story:  The story is so original and unlike anything I’ve read before.  The plot is wonderful, including enough background information that you understand what is going on and with many twists and turns, although I have to confess that I had my suspicions on who the ‘bad guy’ was.  Yes, the story is a little creepy, but just enough to keep it interesting.

Great writing: Ms. Damico is hilarious!  She writes an amazing story that is performed by amazing characters.  The pace of the story was great too, with enough action to keep me on the edge of my seat.

The ending was a big surprise to me and somewhat painful to read, but that is just a testament to the great writing.  I cannot wait for Scorch, the sequel, due to be published in September of this year.

About the cover:  I have to say that if I didn’t read the synopsis of Croak, I would have never picked it up. Even hubby and ‘A’were a bit surprised when they saw me reading it.  The cover is silver metallic (reflective even) and is just bizarre and creepy (and Lex looks like a guy too!)

Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons (Article 5 #1)

Title: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Published:  January 31^st, 20152 by Tor Teen

Source: Library

Format: Audio book

Challenge(s): Support Local Library, ABC Challenge, Debut Challenge

Grade rate: B

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.
That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

My Review

Well, Article 5 is a very different dystopian, actually the worst imaginable future.  I did enjoy the story though.

Overall I liked Ember’s character.  She was resourceful, brave, and loyal, BUT I had a few issue with her.  She was impulsive and did things without thinking that nearly got her killed and certainly got her in deep trouble.  The inner workings of her mind were strange.  I mean, anyone could see from a hundred miles away that Chase was crazy in love with her (but her, of course!)  I don’t want to spoil the book for you, thus I will restrain myself of telling you the specifics of the dumb decisions she made.  I am glad that she seemed to be more mature by the ending of the book.

On the other hand, I LOVE Chase.  Ember and Chase were next door neighbors and have more or less been in love with each other forever.  For reasons unknown Ember figures out that he stopped loving her after being drafted; I don’t think she ever thought of what poor Chase had to go through.  Chase is loyal, loving, practical, capable and gorgeous, his one and only focus is Ember and how to keep her safe.  I love knights in shining armor, and Chase did not disappoint.  Other characters are transient and minor, but very well crafted.

The story is disconcerting.  From all the dystopian books that I’ve read this is by far the worst imagined post-war ever.  I’m not exactly sure about the war itself, but the world after is awful.  There is a president that seems to think that reverting back about 100 years ago (in mentality, family structure, and women’s attire) and talking away all the citizen’s liberties was a good idea.  This new world is violent, full of injustice, starvation, want, need, and dictatorial.  I do hope that the resistance can do something about it and I’m looking forward to that.  The plot is really good, and the story is full of action.  The writing is very good, well paced, with enough background for us to understand and follow the story. 

About the cover: Yep, that’s about right.  All major cities are gone; here we see a ravaged city with Ember and Chase looking down.  I love the red elements of the title and Chase’s shirt. 

Review: Perception by Kim Harrington (Clarity #2)

Title: Perception by Kim Harrington

Published: March 1^st, 2012 by Scholastic Point

Format: Hardback

Source: Library

Challenge(s): 

Grade rate: A

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

My Review

Perception is the highly awaited sequel to Kim Harrington’s Clarity (at least highly awaited by me!) Without a doubt I loved Clarity and Perception did not disappoint.

If you haven’t read Clarity, I recommend that you do, although you can probably understand the sequel without it.  Clare is a great protagonist, she is funny, witty, brave (even when she is afraid), loving and loyal.  She also comes from a psychic family that has different abilities and Clare’s is to be able to see images of the past when she touches an object. 

Clare’s family is great; they are very close to each other and really enjoy that.  Oh Justin!  I don’t know what happened to you in Perception!  Can I change teams now?  I am officially in team Gabriel now ;) I was disappointed in Justin, he claims to still be in love with Clare (and something I suspected in the previous book, was indeed the truth*hint, hint*), but he doesn’t understands her like Gabriel does.  Other characters old and now were well developed and creepy, odious, or ambivalent.

I love the storyline in this book!  The plot was so well crafted that I did not guess who the culprit was at all.  It seems like trouble is always looking for Clare, is a good thing she is so level headed, right?  Kim Harrington’s writing as easy to read, straight forward and well paced.  I love the humor that makes an appearance at the most unexpected places, interlaced with the mystery that underlines the plot.   I was ecstatic with the ending and I hope we have Clarity #3 soon!

About the cover:  I have to say that I liked the cover of Clarity better than this one, for some reason the airy summer feel (and I liked the model better, and for some reason I don’t think Clare has such long hair) worked better for me.  In Perception, we have Clare looking over her shoulder in the woods, which is very appropriate for the story.  

Review: The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey (The Monstrumologist #2)

Title: The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey

Published: October 12, 2010 by Simon & Schuster

Source: Library

Format: Audio book

Challenge(s): Support Local Library,  ABC Challenge

Grade rate: A+

NOTE: This book falls in the genre of horror, I would recommend it to an older reader

While Dr. Warthrop is attempting to disprove that Homo vampiris, the vampire, could exist, his former fiancée asks him to rescue her husband, who has been captured by a Wendigo—a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh. Although Dr. Warthrop considers the Wendigo to be fictitious, he relents and performs the rescue—and then sees the man transform into a Wendigo. Can the doctor and Will Henry hunt down the ultimate predator, who, like the legendary vampire, is neither living nor dead, and whose hunger for human flesh is never satisfied? This second book in The Monstrumologist series explores the line between myth and reality, love and hate, genius and madness.

My Review

I’m sure that it doesn’t matter how hard I try I can never do this series justice.  The Monstrumologist is a masterpiece and it was hard to imagine that Mr. Yancey would be able to match it, but indeed he did.

The Curse of the Wendigo starts very soon after the end of The Monstrumologist with brave Will Henry as our narrator and protagonist. 

The book can be divided in two parts: first, the expedition to the Canadian forest in search for Dr. John Chandler, and second, the trip to New York City for the monstrumologist’s annual convention.  Both parts have their up and downs and we get introduced to many new characters and a new and perfectly horrid “monster”.  We learn in this book about Dr. Warthrop’s ex-fiancé and one of the reasons why he behaves the way he does (coupled with a very un-loving childhood).  We also meet many of Warthrop’s colleagues in the search for the “Wendigo”.

One of the most fascinating things about this series is not only its mesmerizing story line and plot, but the brilliant writing by Mr. Yancey.   He makes images and pictures come to life just by stringing words together.  He makes a forest comes to life and be another living character, he describes monsters and the monstrosities they commit in a way that had me cringing in disgust and despair.  Take the following paragraph for example:

“There is no future in it, Will Henry,” he said pensively. “The future belongs to science. The fate of our species will be determined by the likes of Edison and Tesla, not Wordsworth or Whitman. The poets will lie upon the shores of Babylon and weep, poisoned by the fruit that grows from the ground where the Muses’ corpses rot. The poets’ voices will be drowned out by the gears of progress. I foresee the day when all sentiment is reduced to a chemical equation in our brains—hope, faith, even love—their exact locations pinned down and mapped out, so we may point to it and say, ‘Here, in this region of our cerebral cortex, lies the soul.’”

Needless to say, I cannot wait to read The Isle of Blood, the third installment in the series.   This series is not for the faint of heart, but it is so, so good.  If you like horror movies (which I do not) give The Monstrumologist a try.

About the cover:  The cover is a lot less scary than The Monstrumologist’s was, and still there is a scary face in the background, kind of sneaking on you.  We can also see the forest and the red symbolizing death and blood.

Review: Illuminated by Erica Orloff

Title: Illuminated by Erica Orloff

Published: December 8^th, 2011 by Speak

Source: Library

Format:  Paperback

Challenge(s):  Support Local Library, ABC Challenge

Grade rate: C-

An epic romance full of mysteries that transcend time—fans of Romeo and Juliet and The Time Traveler’s Wife will rejoice!

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

My Review

Let me put it this way:

Did the book have romance?  Yes, of the instant, all consuming kind.

Did the book have a mystery?  Yes, one that was interesting, but kind of estrange and with historical / paranormal undertones.

Do I believe in soul mates?  Of course I do!  After all I married mine almost 20 years ago!

Did I like the book?  Yes, just not as much as I was expecting to like it.

I think one of the big issues that I have is that the characters were easy to identify with.  We have Callie, which is a sweet and very smart teenager that has many problems with her dad and who enjoys her time with her uncle and his partner a lot more.  Her mother’s past is a mystery and I felt like there were a lot of loose ends.

The story of Heloise and Abelard was new to me and I appreciate the historical undertones of the novel, BUT (you saw that one coming, right?) I feel like the story was all over the place.  There were little details that didn’t make sense to me.  For example,  a ‘book thief’ is introduced and linked to a certain event and there was no follow up; another example is Callie’s mother’s story, it felt disjointed for some reason as well as August’s taking off after what happened to his dad.  The writing was fine.  I don’t know how to express how much I hope to like the story and how disappointed I was that I didn’t.

About the cover:  The cover is truly beautiful, I think it’s the best thing about the book J

Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young (Dust Lands #1)

Title: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Published: June 7^th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

Source: Library

Format: Audiobook

Challenge(s): Support Local Library, 2012 ABC Challenge

Grade Rate: B-

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization. 

My Review

 

First, let me start by saying that I listened to Blood Red Road.  I clarify that because I have seen some comments about the dialect used in the book, but since I listed,  not read the book and from my point of view it was perfect.  Although there are some parts of this book that I didn’t like, I really enjoyed Blood Red Road.

Saba is our protagonist and she is not very likeable.  She is rude, has no manners, is stubborn, opinionated, violent, ungrateful and more.  Saba’s fixation with Lugh was a little hard for me to identify with.  I have siblings and I love them dearly, but Saba’s feelings for Lugh seem extreme (then again I don’t have a twin.)  It seems to me that Saba was a mix of Katniss from The Hunger Games and Katsa from Graceling, but not getting quite there yet.  I found hard to believe that a girl that was so sheltered and isolated could be this violent and resilient.  Some of her faults can be attributed to said isolation, I mean when you live with only three other people as companions, I guess manners are not necessary.  On the other hand Saba is strong and inspiring to others, and she did changed and grew up a little.

Emmi is Saba’s little sister and she is very sweet and a saint to put up with Saba!  Lugh doesn’t take a big part of the book, so I’ll reserve my judgment for the sequel.  Other characters were very well developed and are abundant.  Now it’s Jack’s turn.  Jack is kind of hard to figure out.  He is a handsome dare-devil and knows a lot about everything (I think he thinks he knows it all).  He is very easy going and doesn’t know what to do with Saba, but he is very good with people and especially with Emmi.  I really liked Jack and I hope we can see more of him in the series.

Other than my few issues with Saba’s character the story is fantastic.  It takes place somewhere in a distant future, where people don’t read (can you imagine?) and where people are very violent and life is hard and short (sort of like living in the wild west).  The writing is beautiful, well paced, with enough for us to know the setting and background information, but keeping an air of mystery at the same time.  I really enjoyed Blood Red Road and I am looking forward to book two, Rebel Heart, to be published in October of this year.

Have you read Blood Red Road?  Did the dialect bother you?

About the Cover:  The cover is okay for me, nothing exceptional about it. What do you think?

Remember to enter my 600 Follower giveaway here!

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Published: January 2^nd, 2012 by Poppy/Little Brown

Source: Library

Challenge(s): Support Local Library, ABC

Grade rate: A-

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

My Review

Even though it wasn’t what I was expecting, I really liked The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.  It was a quick, but satisfying read; sort of like wearing your favorite jammies and sipping a cup of hot cocoa.

Hadley is a sarcastic, full of phobias, opinionated, and pretty girl that has been irrevocably affected by her parents’ divorce.  I think that in her mind the problems grew out of proportion (like they do for every teenager!) at a point that it affected her more than either her mom or dad.  The divorce changed her view of the world and turned her a little bitter.  I am not saying that what she went through was not real and painful, only that it took her longer to overcome it.  

Oliver is a handsome, British (have to love the accent, right?) student that happens to be headed to London in the same plane with Hadley.  I wish I liked Oliver more, he had all the right ingredients for a great character, but for some reason I didn’t like him as much.  He was obviously raised very differently and he bottled everything up and it wasn’t easy for him to share his feelings. 

Other characters in the book, Hadley’s parents and the future Mrs. Professor were quirky and likeable.  The plot was simple and great; it is amazing that so much happens in so little amount of time!  From Hadley’s change of heart and view of the wedding, to her attachment to Oliver, to the adventure to the unknown, it has all the makings of a good story.  It is a rollercoaster of feelings, attachments, friendships and love.  Do I believe in love at first sight?  Absolutely!  

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a great, easy to read contemporary read, which is romantic without being sappy or corny.  Love it!

About the cover:  I really like the cover and the font.  It portraits that feeling, when you are with your one and only and you feel like you are the only two people in the world.  Remember that feeling?  I know I do!

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Review: Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton (Goblin Wars #1)

Title:  Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Published: November 15^th, 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source:  Library audio book

Challenge(s):  Support Local Library, ABC

Grade rate: C+

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

 Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming

My Review

Tyger Tyger was my introduction to Celtic mythology, of which I knew nothing about.  It has to do with goblins which are mentioned in some paranormal/fantasy books in passing, and in Tyger Tyger we get to really learn about them.

Let me start by saying that this was perhaps not the best audio book to listen to.  The names were very difficult to understand and the story (especially the Celtic myths) is hard to follow.  Another thing was that the Irish accents didn’t seem believable either. 

Teagan is loyal, brave, smart, but somehow she was not likeable or easy to identify with. It is curious that she is not aware of anything strange surrounding her until she meets Finn.  Finn is what is expected of a main male character: handsome, brave, selfless, loyal, funny, but still he falls short to me.  I think he is a little too “detached” to everything and it’s amazing to me that he had to live in the streets by himself for most of his life.  He is too “old-fashioned” and too accepting of his heritage that the loneliness that it brings.  

I found Teagan’s friend Abby the character with the most unique voice and I really liked her.  Teagan’s mother death is brushed over; when I know it should have felt as devastating as it was.  Aiden is a little too “know-it-all” for a five year old, he is a human GPS and has both the sight and special abilities that help him in the Goblin realm.  It doesn’t feel as this story is centered on Teagan and Finn, since Aiden is ever present (and I mean, all the time!)

Tyger Tyger was an okay read for me.  The plot was original, but a bit too confusing.  The ending was a total cliffhanger which means, of course, that I will read its sequel:  In the Forests of the Night.

About the cover:  The three might be the entrance to Mag Mel, I still don’t understand the title of the book either.  The cover is mysterious, but not particular pretty.

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Published: September 29th 2011 by Dutton

Source: Library

Challenge(s): ABC Reading Challenge, Support your Local Library

Grade rate: A

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.

My Review

I have to confess that I was a little apprehensive to read Lola and the Boy Next Door.  Why you ask?  Because Anna and the French Kiss is hands down one of my favorite books EVER.  Thus, I rationalized that Ms. Perkins couldn’t possibly write anything better than Anna.  I was, (as I often are) wrong.  There are several similarities between the two books, like great characters and an amazing romance, but there are enough differences that made reading Lola a unique experience for me. 

Lola is quirky, exceptional, original, funny and a little snarky and this makes her a great character to read about.  She is a loving daughter and a loyal friend.  And she has a “thing” for the boy next door.  How can I start to describe Cricket Bell?  He is insecure, nerdy, trendy, also loyal, observant, and has the patience of a saint.  I really loved Cricket (even if that sounds disloyal to St. Clair) even tough he lacks the same innate charm and charisma, he makes up for it in other ways. 

Another aspect of the story that I loved is that Anna and St. Clair are Lola’s friends.  This is not a sequel for Anna, but rather we take a peek at what their lives together are now and it adds a layer of depth to the story.  I enjoyed Lola’s dads, their dynamics were different and they were extremely overprotective.  I did not like Max, he is one of the biggest jerks ever to grace the pages of a book.  Calliope didn’t warm my heart either.

The story is flawless, the descriptions of San Francisco make the setting another character to enjoy and get acquainted with.  The plot is simple and expertly executed.  I adore Ms. Perkins writing, she takes romance and character building to a whole new level.  My only issue with the story (as well as with Anna) is that in a romantic relationship three is a multitude.  Why must there always be “cheating” involved?  I wished that Lola would have ended things with Max as soon as she realized that she still had feelings for Cricket. 

Ms. Perkins next book, Isla and the Happily Ever After (BTW, Isla means "island" in Spanish) will be published next year and I am already pinning for it. 

About the cover:  I like the cover of the book.  It portraits Cricket and Lola with San Francisco in the background and it is colorful and unique.

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire (Hourglass #1)

Title: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Published: June 14^th, 2011 by Egmont USA

Source: Library

Challenge(s): Support Your Local Library

Grade rate: A-

 One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

My Review

I really enjoyed Hourglass.  It was an unexpected read with many twists and turns, but I loved the ride!

Emerson is a great heroine.  I loved that although she is short and is beautiful and looks delicate, she is everything but.  She has lived through tragedy, depression and the burden of an unusual “gift” and has conquered it all.  That doesn’t mean that it was easy, but she has a very strong character and it’s open to possibilities.  Emerson is funny, snarky, loyal and very stubborn.  I really loved Michael and I trusted him instinctively from the beginning, even though it looked like he was forever holding back part of himself and a lot of information.  The chemistry between Michael and Emerson was understandable given the premise of the book, but a little to instant for my taste. 

I really like that Emerson had family that cared about her.  Thomas and Dee are two characters that were attentive and loving and not MIA like so many parents seem to be in YA lately.  I hope we learn more about Kaleb and the other members of the Hourglass in the next installment.  One word about Jack: BOOO!

The plot is very original, even if you have read about time travel before.  It was unexpected, interesting and difficult to put down.  The writing was easy to read, straightforward and fairly fast paced, a lot happened in a short amount of time.  I really hope to get a better sense of the work that the Hourglass does (and how) and that they can find Jack soon.   I will eagerly await the publication of Timepiece, due in June.  

About the cover: It is breathtaking, is it not?  It portraits Emerson and gives the illusion of traveling, of movement and flow. 

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Review: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Published: June 21^st 2011 by Walker Children

Source:  Library

Challenge(s): Support your Local Library

Grade rate: A-

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

My Review

Haunting Violet is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Harvey and I think I can now say I’m a big fan as I loved this book.  It definitely falls in the “can’t put it down category”.  Maybe my fascination has to do with my love of historical romance novels, and this book almost qualifies as one.  I felt like I was wearing a familiar and comfortable pair of slippers. *sigh*

On with the review… Violet is a charming character.  She is beautiful, pragmatic, not conceited and with a strong sense of morals and self-preservation.  Violet had a difficult life and an abominable mother, I don’t know how she turned out to be such a good person with such a bad role model, but then again, she had Colin.  I loved Colin.  He is not only handsome, but resourceful, loyal, and he really cares for Violet and more important, he accepts her the way she is.  I really enjoy Violet’s best friend, Elizabeth (lovely name, right?).  She is also very loyal and open minded about the “Spiritualism” and loves a good adventure as well.  I really came to hate Violet’s mother and I don’t know what it is about Lord Jasper that I quite can’t trust.

The plot was excellent and unpredictable.  I certainly didn’t suspect any of it (although I have to admit I usually don’t!).  It is a combination of paranormal / historical romance / mystery, it actually reminded me a little of both Amanda Quick and Julia Quinn writing style and plot building.  The writing was easy to read and follow, the story line and setting was introduced nicely and the pacing was perfect.  I only problem was that the ending was kind of abrupt and it left the story wide open for a sequel.  What happens now with Violet and Colin?  Can they have a future together? How would Violet handle her new-found ability?  I can’t find any indication that Haunting Violet has a sequel, but it certainly should.  Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top?  I know I will start reading The Drake Chronicles soon!

About the Cover:  I really like the cover, the significance of the river and the lilies is evident in the story.  The girl in the cover looks “haunted”, I liked how delicate she looks and the colors as well.

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