Jellicoe Road

Jellicoe Road
Melina Marchetta
**** 4 Stars

At age eleven Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor's the reluctant leader of her schools underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are lead by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can't avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.

This book was interesting, it was very emotional and sad. I personally liked it, with all the territory and scrimmage stuff. But at times, it got very confusing, very confusing. Like the names would get mixed up or they might switch from the present to the past. Because thats how the story was set up, it was the past and present, the events tied together, so close until they finally collided.
But I thought It was still very good and I strongly recommend it.

Dark Secrets #1

Dark Secrets #1
Elizabeth Chandler
***** 5 Stars

Legacy of Lies

Megan has to stay with the uptight grandmother she wants nothing to do with. She's determined to get through the visit without any drama, but when she falls into a twisted love triangle with potentially fatal consequences, Megan may be caught up in her family's legacy in more ways than she realizes.

Don't Tell

Lauren knows that by returning to the town where her mother drowned seven years ago, she'll be reliving one of her most haunting memories. When she arrives, she is propelled into a series of mysterious events that mimic the days leading up to her mothers death. Maybe her mother's drowning wasn't an accident after all...
and maybe Lauren is next.

I Was Obsessed With This Book!!!!! I wasn't that surprised though at how good it was. Because Elizabeths Chandlers books are always so unique and amazing.
The point is, GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

Raised By Wolves

Raised By Wolves
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
***** 5 Stars

At the age of four, Bryn watched a rogue werewolf brutally murder her parents. Alone in the world, she was rescued and taken in by the mysterious Callum, the alpha of his werewolf pack. Now fifteen, Bryn's been raised as a human among werewolves, adhering to pack rule (mostly). Little fazes her.

But the pack's been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring against Callum's direct orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen Were locked in a cage. Terrifying memories of the attack on her mom and dad come flooding back. Bryn needs answers, and she needs Chase to get them. Suddenly, all allegiances to the pack no longer matter. It's Bryn and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.

This book was soooo good. I didn't think it would be though. You know with all the werewolf stuff already in the reading world, I just thought it would be the same thing. But somehow, Jennifer was able to give it a unique element, by making the werewolves equal parts of man and wolf. Not just in appearance, but also in personality. Which made it extremely interesting. So please, don't judge this book by its cover.

Unearthly

Unearthly
Cynthia Hand
***** 5 Stars

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel blood run through her veins not only make her smarter, stronger, and faster and humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place- and out of place at the same time. Because theres another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make- between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

This book surprisingly had a very dark edge to it. Considering it was about angels, but that is what made it so good, and so unique. It kept me reading the whole time. I don't really know how to describe it, I guess its just that they thought of everything, the author seemingly tricked me into believing it was real. Which I think is something not a lot of fantasy authors can do.

Other

Other
Karen Kincy
*****5 Stars

Gwen Williams has been hiding a strange and fantastic secret: she's a shapeshifter. Although society may tolerate vampires, centaurs, and "Others" like Gwen, there are plenty of folks in her small Washington town who don't care for her kind.
When a new werewolf pack moves into the area, tensions rise- and Others start showing up dead, including someone close to Gwen. Despite the methodical murders, the police are ignoring evidence that suggests a serial killer. In the midst of terrible loss and danger, Gwen- along with a mysterious and sexy guy who happens to be a Japanese fox spirit- risks her life to find the murderer. But Gwen is already the killers next target.......

I know, I know this sounds almost exactly like Paranormalcy, but for some reason its better, maybe its because the main character isn't a Sharpay wannabe. I don't know.
Just read the book, you'll love it.

Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy

Kiersten White

***** 5 Stars

Weird as it is working for the Intrernational Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfreind is a faerie, she's falling for a
shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals glamours, but still. Normal.
Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
  
      So much for normal.

I really liked this book, it was chock full of paranormal stuff. I have to admit though, it was kind of the same old, same old. There was nothing different about it. And her character was kind of annoying. She's one of those girly girl types that be-glitters her taser and wears zebra mini dresses.
But it was good. So if you'r not sick of werewolves, vampires, faeries, and shape shifters, I would put this book on your list. 

Darkness Becomes Her

Darkness Becomes Her
Kelly Keaton
***** 5 Stars

Ari can't help felling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can't be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.
Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run.
Ari can sense that someone, or something is getting too close. But its impossible to protect herself when she doesn't know what she's running from or why she is being pursued.
She knows only one thing: She must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush, rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very... different.
Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.
Ari won't stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying to ever be revealed.

I loved this book, I know I say that about every book i'v done so far, but I have a nasty habit of picking just the right books. Anyway, this book is very unique and different from any other YA Paranormal Romance I have ever read before. I am in love with this book. the details, the twisted logic of the plot. It all fit together perfectly.

Blue Is For Nightmares

Blue Is For Nightmares
Laurie Faria Stolarz
*****5 Stars

"I Know Your Secret......"


Stacy Brown has lots of secrets - her crush on her best friend Drea's boyfriend, the spells she casts, and the nightmares that come true. Now she's dreaming about Drea and a psycho stalker. And signs are showing that the nightmares of her dreams may come true. Saving Drea will take all the magic and courage Stacy's got. And everyones secrets will have to come out. And if she doesn't save Drea in time, the horrors of the past may come back in a terrifying relapse that will leave someone dead......

I was obsessed with this book. It was amazing.
The heart pounding suspense, and descriptions, and rising dread. You felt all of these things right along with the characters.
This book was absolutely, utterly terrifying, in an extremely good way.
Just, read it.

-Olli

Jonas~ Beautiful Dead

Jonas~ Beautiful Dead
Eden Maguire
*****5 Stars

not alive. not dead.
somewhere in between lie
the Beautiful Dead.


Something strange is happening in Ellerton High.
Jonas, Arizona, Summer, Phoenix.
All dead within a year.

Jonas Jonson is the first to die, in a motorcycle accident.
But there are many unanswered questions,
and the three deaths that follow are equally mysterious.

Grief-stricken Darina can't escape her heartache or visions of her dead boyfriend,
Phoenix, and the others who died. And all the while, the sound of beating
wings echoes inside her head......

Are the visions real? Or do the beautiful dead only exist
in Darina's traumatized imagination?


This was one of the best books i'v ever read!!!!! It was really, really sad. I actually cried during this book. You can really see how much Darina loved her boyfriend, and what makes it even sadder is that you know in the end they will never be together. That this book won't have a happy ending.

A Certain Slant Of Light

A Certain Slant Of Light
Laura Whitcomb
**** 4 1/2 Stars

In the class of the high school english teacher she has been haunting. Helen fells them: for the first time in 130 years human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen, terrified, but intrigued, is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents an unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

I liked this book a lot, it is very deep and emotional with a dark edge to the whole story. Also, the whole time it seems rushed, like time is running out, and you can almost hear the clock ticking.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was kind of slow. It could get boring at certain times.
You should still read it though, the book itself seemed to alter my perspective on the world of ghosts once I set it down.

-Ollie

Carrie Jones Series

                    
                              

WARNING!  WARNING!! MAIJOR SPOILER
This next review reveals Everything!!!


Entice
Carrie Jones
***** 5 Star

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is gone. He's been taken to some mythic place for warriors called Valhalla, where Zara and her friends Might be able to get him back. It's just not going to be easy. Meanwhile, Bedford needs its warriors more than ever, since a group of evil pixies is devastating the place, with teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent. But even if Zara and her friends can find a way to Valhalla, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to leave with her? Especially considering she hasn't turned into just any pixie.....
she's Astley's queen.


Really good book, I like that it starts where Captivate left off. Just as good as the others, just as
obsessive as the others. You definitely learn more about Astley in this book. And his past, (which by the way is very shocking). So anyway its pretty sad at some points, but I can say it sorta has a happy ending. But they leave you hanging so that you can totally tell there's gonna be another one. So BUY this book!!!


This was originally gonna be the cover but it got changed at the last minute~














-OLLIE

Nevermore

Nevermore
Kelly Creagh
***** 5 Star


Nevermore is the story of Varen a Poe fan and goth, and Isobel a cheerleader and unlikely heroine. When an English project pairs the two together, Isobel finds herself steadily swept into Varens world, one that he has created in his notebook and in his mind, one where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allen Poe come to life. Unwillingly, Isobel is drawn to Varen, finding that she has feelings for him and would do anything for him. Even if it may cost her, her friends, her family, or her life.

I LOVED this book, i'm now obsessed with Edgar Allen Poe's stuff, I even have a little book now I scribble poetry and story ideas in. Also Varens made my Top dream guys from stories list! Which is a big accomplishment, considering there are "only" 50 guys on it. But seriously, YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS BOOK!!!!! This is probably the first paranormal romance i'v ever read that doesn't have a love triangle in it, (but i'm still obsessed with it). The descriptions are awesome, and the characters are just as amazing. But seriously this isn't your typical Cheerleader and the Goth story. This is better.


-Ollie

Overreactions

I started this blog when I was 8 or 9 I think. I had NO idea how to do book reviews or any of that stuff. If you go back to my first couple, you could see that. I hated violence and all that, I HATED blood, I used to faint if I saw too much blood or the insides of something living. Thats when I did the Sisters Of The Sword book review, that was just over the edge. I'm 13 now and i'm better with that kind of stuff. When I reviewed that book I didn't even know the definition of constructive criticism. So I apologize to all those martial art obsesso's out there who happened to read this. I overreacted and shouldn't have gone crazy over a book. I was kind of offended back then that it was in the kids section, "luring little kids over with its pretty cover then filling their heads with "horrors". Quoted from my 8 year old mind. but I have learned to control my thoughts and If I have an opinion about something that Is different from another persons opinion that might be considered offensive. I will not write it out as a comment or post. I mean really CQ, its just A BOOK.

THE ANYBODIES

The Anybodies
N.E. Bode
****4 Star

Once there was a wonderfully imaginative girl named Fern who was switched at birth and raised by a tragically dull couple, the Drudgers. Fern learns of the mix-up one evening when the Bone (er, her real father) and his "son" show up at her front door. The families decide to unswap the kids for the summer, and Fern sets off on a wild adventure involving thousands of books, giant peaches, lickable wallpaper, and a magical organization called the Anybodies.

This is a great book, It's a big comedy, thats all. It is really creative, I read it a long time ago but still love the fantasy of it all. It's definitely got some random things in it. It has great pictures and you can imagine their faces when there aren't. I would recommend this book for all ages, "I now proclaim thee a classic~."


-OLIVIA

Radiance

Radiance
Alyson Noel
*****5 Star

Riley Bloom left her sister Ever in the world of the living and crossed the bridge into the afterlife, a place called Here were the time is always Now. Riley and her dog Buttercup have been reunited with her parents  and are just settling into a nice relaxing death when she's summoned before the council. They let her in on a secret, the afterlife isn't just an eternity of leisure, Riley has to work. She's been assigned a job Soul Catcher, and a teacher Bodhi, a curious boy she can't quite figure out.
Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup return to earth for her first assignment, a Radiant Boy who's been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed.
But all that was before he met Riley...

I really liked this book, it had a significant lesson hidden in its pages, my favorite character was Bodhi, he was funny, trying to act like a nerd and all. I can't tell you why or what seems off about him to Riley but I can tell you this is a MUST Read. Its one of those nice short book you can curl up with at any time you want and read in one sitting. I recommend this for all ages, its sad but happy at the same time so get up off your computer and go buy this 178 page book, you'll be glad you did.

Characters I like

Character Wannabe

I think it would be pretty cool to be one of those people who dye their hair and protest for human and animal rights. People involved in Amnesty International. Or a striving artist who believes in self expression. That is why I really admire the main characters from two books I just recently read, they are exactly how I want to be,
in a sense "role models".

Need
Carrie Jones
*****5 Star

 Zara White suspects a freaky guy is semi-stalking her. She memorizes phobias and chants them when she's nervous. And, okay, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But moving to a shivery Main town to stay with her grandmother is supposed to be the perfect fix-so her mom says.
Except this new plan of getting away to help Zara stay sane? Yeah, not working.
Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's imagination. He's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right — not human — in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs are pointing to Zara. "(Summary from book cover).

I really liked this book, but what I'm really going to be talking about is Zara, one of my favorite characters out of all the books I have read.  Zara is kind of "in the back".  She isn't shy but she doesn't put herself out there. That sounds like shy though, but it's not, very hard to describe. Its kind of like she doesn't care enough to try and get noticed or melt into the shadows, she's just there. She loves to run, used to be very athletic.  She would take morning jogs with her dad. She would tend to wear hand-me-down clothes thrift shop stuff, usually with hippie logos, kind of a "love not war" theme (I have always wanted to dress like that).
She is a dedicated member of Amnesty International, and can list every phobia known to man. I really admire her in many other ways, but if I told you it would give away the book.  I recommend "Need" for ages 12 and up.


All American Girl
Meg Cabot
*****5 Star

TOP TEN REASONS
Samantha Madison
IS IN DEEP TROUBLE

10. Her big sister is the most popular girl in school
9. Her little sister is a certified genius
8. She's in love with her big sisters boyfriend
7. She got caught selling celebrity portraits in school
6. And now she's being forced to take art classes
5. She's just saved the president of the United States from an assassination attempt
4. So the whole world thinks she's a hero.
3. Even though Sam knows she is far, far from being a hero
2. And now she's been appointed teen ambassador to the UN

AND THE NUMBER-ONE REASON Sam's LIFE IS OVER?

1.The president's son just might be in love with her
(Summary from book cover).

This book was really good, some of the jokes cracked me up.
But what I liked the most about this book was the characters, especially the main character, Sam.
Sam is the kind of person who doesn't care what other people think.
A year or two ago, she dyed her entire wardrobe black as sign of mourning for the crudeness of our generation.
She is a dedicated artist and idolizes Gwen Stefani and other bands and singers of that genre. She is also left handed and has a huge dog, who's name sounds somewhat female. She is flunking German and is never without her combat boots. I really admire this character and can't wait to read the sequel,
she has her own spunk that is hard to find these days.  I recommend this book, "All American Girl" for ages 10 and up.

~Olivia

Polo

You probably know that the brand Polo, most likely found in Ralph Lauren, is not just a made up name. But for those of you who do not know, it is actually based on a real sport by the name of Polo. Until today, I didn't know this. I thought that the little man on a horse holding a stick was just a pose created for that line of clothing. But actually its a real thing.
Here is the definition I found on Wikipedia:
POLO~

Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet. The traditional sport of polo is played at speed on a large grass field up to 300 yards in length, and each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.

Anyway, for the first time I went to a Polo match with my Mom, Dad and part turkey dog. It was really interesting to watch, the riders made it look so easy, whacking the mallet and riding their horses at the same time.








I think it would be a really cool sport to learn.

                         -Olivia

Immortal

Immortal
Gillian Shields
**** 4 Stars

"Wyldcliffe Abbey School for young ladies is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn from her home near the sea to become the newest scholarship student, strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave her drowning in loneliness.
Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a mysterious and attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian blaze with each secret meeting, she begins to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl - a girl who is so eerily like Evie she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present she cannot control. As the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate." (summary from book jacket.)

Immortal is a very good book, though the story line is typical there is something twisted and dark about this secret romance.  Like darkness is hiding in the shadows of every page turned, ready to leap out, out of the text and drape you in an opaque blackness. It is a great story to read by the sea because there are a lot of watery images from her memories of the ocean.  It is very descriptive and seemingly more vivid when by a big puddle of water yourself.
But the reasons I gave it a four star, were because some times you knew what was coming next. You don't want that in a book, you want a surprise at every turn.  It gave you the sense you had read the book before. Another thing, was some parts of the text were too cheesy. The main character would get too poetic, I mean if someone you care about is about to die, for example, you don't add cheesy similes in with your thoughts of panic and horror. She's only 16, I don't know any typical teens who are poetic in their thoughts, let alone their every day lives(i am sorry to those poetic teens out there this is very stereotypical) . Also the love scenes were way too cheesy, she fell in love with him too fast. And the way she thinks of him gives me headaches.
But other than that it was a pretty good book, even though it looks and sounds like I gave it a harsh rating, I found it very refreshing a guarantee you will too. Its like a modern version of Romeo and Juliet mashed with Pride and Prejudice than mixed together with some random elemental fantasy. So I recommend Immortal, no matter how cheesy.
                                                             -Olivia

The Significance Of 463

I think you should know by now i'm a big reader (having a book review blog and all that). That usually means one has a big collection, (at least in my case) . Because I have 463 books in my room.

I know it doesn't look like much, I took the picture weird because its like 6:00 in the morning right now (when I typed this) plus I used my laptop to take the picture. But it is in the hundreds, and it takes some serious hard core reading and access to the money bank to develop this collection in only 2-3 years. Still, these are the only ones my mom let me buy in the first place. I mean I can see why she would say no once in a while. Because I could guarantee, that if we sold all these books for the same price that I bought them at. With the total amount of money, we could probably buy a car (i'm not joking, 8 of these books equals a $100.98).

Say No To Life Size Celebrity Stand ups

Eclipse, Gives Me The Creeps

I have never favored Edward Cullen, he is good looking in a strange way. Except he isn't good enough (in my opinion) to play Edward from the book. Stephanie Myers set her bar high for actors in the movie making of Twilight. Some of you may not agree with me, except Robert Patterson is only the best of the worst.
But that is not my point right now. Anyway I never favored "Edward," and I think he knew that. Because he gets his revenge through life size stand-ups of himself and other cutouts of the Twilight crew. Example:
 I was in an iparty store, browsing around by myself, and I wandered into the back. I turned a corner to find Edward standing in front of me! But it was a life-size stand up, but I hadn't realized that yet and ran screaming into a shelf. Ever since, I have disliked Twilight stand ups. Until I got one in the mail, from my aunt and cousin. So now whenever I walk into my room, I jump because it looks like Jacob is standing right there.

But it is useful in a way, if you position it just right in a dark room, it will scare your victim right out of the living. Examples: grandmothers, mothers, aunts, cousins-grandpas are usually off limits for they may be faint of heart. I also suggest to keep them away from fathers, men usually do not shriek and run away like the above. They tend to defend themselves against "threats" like that, usually physically.

                                                                    -Olivia