Croak : Book Review

              Click for the Summary!

Title : Croak

Series :  Croak #1

Author : Gina Damico

Pages : 311

Release Date : March 20th 2012

Publisher : Graphia / Thomas Allen & Son

Format : Paperback

Source :  
*Thank you to T. A. & Son for providing this!*

My Opinion :


I have to admit, and although I am now ashamed to admit it, that I wasn't planning on buying the book or anything. It didn't sound my kind of book, and I thought the cover... was weird. But, in person, it's wicked cool. What I mean is, that I, was, again, stubborn. And that I really enjoyed this book, WAY MORE than how much I taught I would.


Croak is about Lex (or Lexington... and that'S a weird name. I kept thinking about a town or something when I saw her whole name... anyways, moving on!), and Lex has been angry for a few years. Angry at nothing in particular, just.... angry. And, she's violent. I mean, she made her school's whole hockey team cry. But now her parents have had enough, and they send her to her uncle.That's when she discovers she is actually a Grim Reaper. Or a Killer. Which means she takes a person's soul from Earth to transport it to the Afterlife.


I think that my favorite thing about the book was Lex's... charms. Okay, not charms, because she's not exactly the charming type. But... I think it was more of her snarky and witty personality that made me love her as a character, and made me enjoy the book way more.

Also, something that always made me grin and/or snort unladylike was when there were some times about the Afterlife, and that there was someone previously famous, like Edgar Allan Poe. It was just so hilarious!

The writing style definitely is one that I like a lot! I love to have a good laugh when reading a book, and this book was just like that!

As I said, Lex was my favorite aspect of the book. But Diggs falls into that category too. Their 'romance-although-not-really-romance-more-kind-of-something-else' was just so funny. I loved it. And... when he said who was on his precious picture.... I was like this :

An incredibly funny debut that I liked a lot!

RATING

4 roses

Other book(s) in the series (if in a series):

Book Trailer :  

Author Bio : 


''I grew up under four feet of snow in Syracuse, New York. I received a degree in theater and sociology from Boston College, where I was active with the Committee for Creative Enactments, a murder mystery improv comedy troupe that may or may not have sparked my interest in wildly improbably bloodshed. I have since worked as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker, and breadmonger. I live in Boston with my husband, two cats, and a closet full of black hoodies.''

Illuminate : Book Review

 
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Title : Illuminate

Series :  Gilded Wings #1

Author : Aimee Agresti

Pages : 511

Release Date : March 6th 2012

Publisher : HMH / Thomas Allen & Son

Format : Hardcover

Source :  
*Thanks to Thomas Allen & Son for giving me the chance to read the HC in exchange of an honest review*

My Opinion :


Illuminate was a promising debut book. But, it just wasn't for me.


I know that quite a lot of people seemed to like or love Illuminate, and so, of course I was really anxious to read it, because... just LOOK at that cover. It'S SO pretty. And, I normally really like and enjoy angel books a lot.

Illuminate fell flat for me.


Illuminate is the story of Haven, a teenage girl, who's 'mother' is actually a nurse that adopted her after she was found at 5 years old with no memory of what had happened before. But now, she has been invited, along with her best friend (a guy) and another classmate to go to this hotel and help them with stuff. But, it turns out that that's not really what the hotel wants.

You could just tell that the book was going to be a series the way it was written!

Although the story seriously lacked in action (except for the few last hundred pages), saying that the writing sucked would be a total lie. Because, I liked it quite a lot. It just... there wasn't enough drama!

I think something else that made me NOT like the book at all is the main character, Haven. She didn't have a personality! AT ALL!

I know that the summary I made, and the one on Goodreads may sound mysterious, and that'S what I thought. I thought this book was going to be so good, but ti wasn't. BUT, it may be right up your alley, so don't just take my word for it! Go over to Goodreads to see other reviews :D


Meh....

RATING

.5
2.5 roses

Author Bio :


Aimee Agresti is an entertainment journalist with ten years of experience writing, editing, and chatting up celebrities. A former staff writer for Us Weekly magazine, she has interviewed everyone from Angelina Jolie and George Clooney to the stars of The Hills, and even penned the magazine’s coffee table book Inside Hollywood. 

In addition to Us, her work has appeared in People, Premiere, DC Magazine, The Washington Post, Boston magazine, Women’s Health, Mademoiselle, and the New York Observer. She lives in Washington, DC.

Never Eighteen : Book Review

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Title : Never Eighteen

Series :  -

Author : Megan Bostic

Pages : 200

Release Date : Jan. 17th 2012

Publisher : HMH Children's Book / Thomas Allen & Son

Format : Paperback

Source :  
*Thanks to T. A. & Son for providing a PB copy in exchange of an honest review! Thank you!*

My Opinion :
I was really surprised when I saw how little Never Eighteen was. It doesn't have many pages, AND the book is surprisingly small. I guess that's why I picked it up so soon after receiving it for review; I wanted a really quick read :D

Never Eighteen wasn't the best book I had ever read... but it WAS a good book. And, you may know that I didn't really enjoy The Fault in Our Stars that much... and Never Eighteen was about the same, except I liked it just a LITTLE more.

Never Eighteen is Megan Bostic's first novel (or debut novel), and I hope that, if she writes books in the future, I will enjoy them more than I did with Never Eighteen.

Never Eighteen deals with Austin. who will never turn eighteen (hence the book title). Because he has leukemia. But, he decides that he has to make things better with a few people. And so, on a weekend, he asks his best friend, and also love interest (he'S in love with her, but he doesn't know if she feels the same way) named Kaylee, to drive him to people's places. She agrees, and they start going around. And Austin changes people's lives.

The writing in Never Eighteen is really fast, and the book is actually two days worth of events (well, 180 pages of the 200 pages). Sometimes, when Austin went to people's house, I enjoyed it, but other times I found it boring.

The romance was only developed enough for me to enjoy it near the book's end. And then, it got killed off... which made me NOT happy. I really like romance, as you may have guessed.

Weirdly... I didn't cry. I'm not the biggest crier, but I do sometimes cry, especially when the book is sad (No shit, Sherlock *sarcastic*), but I guess it didn't get to me enough.

RATING

.5
3.5 roses ;D

Book Trailer :

Author Bio : 


Megan (that's with a long "e") Bostic is a mere human trying to find her place in the universe and an all-around great girl. Despite the rain and gray (she's truly solar powered) making her extremely angsty, she's lived in the Pacific Northwest her whole life, and still does, with her two crazy beautiful girls.

She thrives on the challenges faced in her journey to publication and has documented it vlog style. You can find her Chronicles of an Aspiring Writer on Youtube.

Her writing process she lovingly calls "organized chaos". She writes on her laptop at the kitchen table next to the sliding glass door so she can absorb as much sun as she can. The "organized" part of the process mostly takes place in her head and involves the beginning and the end of her work in progress. The "chaos" part is pretty much how she sits down and writes with reckless abandon, not stopping to fix, revise, edit, or even breathe until she's done.

When not writing, Megan is usually chauffeuring her teenage daughters and their friends, watching her girls play soccer, watching movies and TV shows on Netflix, hanging out with friends, spending time at the ocean, or walking the Narrows Bridge.

Megan loves the color black, monkeys, and is a notorious Facebook addict. She's a proud member of The Class of 2K12 and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. You can also find her on Twitter,Goodreads, Jacketflap, and anywhere else cool authors hang out.

Snow White and the Huntsman : Book Review

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Title : Snow White and the Huntsman

Series :  -

Author : Various

Pages : 240

Release Date : June 5th

Publisher : Poppy / HBG Canada

Format : Paperback

Source :  
*Thanks to HBG Canada for providing a PB copy to review in exchange of an honest review*

My Opinion :


The book definitely spiked my interest in the movie!


Snow White and the Huntsman was a good book, although it lacked romance too much for me, and the storyline didn't have enough content to it to make the book a 3.5 roses.

Snow White and the Huntsman is obviously a retelling of Snow White, and while other retellings don't have much to do with the fairytale they 'retell', this one was a lot like the original, but more... raw... or maybe violent! Also, it was too quick, and I felt it didn't have a proper ending! I needed more romance, because... you know, romance is awesome!

Snow White and the Huntsman is about Snow White and her evil step mother that killed her father. Snow White has been imprisoned in a prison for ten years. But then, the evil step-mother learns that she can be immortal if she kills Snow White and gets her heart... but then Snow White runs away. And, she may be the only bit of hope that citizens of the kingdom have of killing the evil step-mother a.k.a. evil queen.


While I do enjoy a good fast-paced story, this book was just too quick. Not in the 'oh-I-wish-there-were-more-I-loved-this-book-so-much-and-I-need-more' way but in the 'ummm-this-feels-uncomplete-to-me' way. I don't like these kind of stories... at all.


I thought Snow White didn't have ANY personality. I hated her (as a character). But I did like the (almost non-existent) romance between her and the Huntsman, and I wish there was more development to it!

One good thing (and the main thing that is keeping me from giving it a 2 roses), is that it brought me some nostalgia, because it is a fairytale retelling. At least they got that right!

Although it wasn't the best book ever, I did enjoy some parts thoroughly, but others not at all.

RATING

3 roses

Book Trailer :  

Just a Book Haul (22)

 I have decided to make a post like In My Mailbox. It's called Just a Book Haul... because that's what it is!

This was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! All the credit goes to her!

So, you can leave your links below to any meme that's the same (anything that's like an IMM)


I got 5 books this week. Not a lot, but I have so many books to read, so I won't complain too much ;D

From the Library : 

At Grave's End, Destined for an Early Grave & This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

For Review :

Sunken Earth & Fire Island (Books 1 & 2 in the ORACLE series) by C. W. Trisef

First Comes Love : Book Review

                           Click for the Summary!

Title : First Comes Love

Series :  -

Author : Katie Kacvinsky

Pages : 198

Release Date : May 8th 2012

Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / Thomas Allen & Son

Format : Hardcover

Source :  
*An hardcover copy was provided by TM & Son in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!*

My Opinion :

I was curious about this book because, for one, I had read the author's debut novel, Awaken, and it definitely was a great read. Second... well, don't you just love the cover? I find it... so pretty, and romantic; which represents the book.

First Comes Love wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be a fun and light, but still great and romantic kind of book. But boy, it was NOT. It was sad, even a bit dark at times, and it was not the kind of funny and light romance I was expecting. It was a punch-you-in-the-gut kind of romance.

In the book, there's Gray and Dylan. Gray... he's dark, almost in depression since his twin sister, Amanda, got killed by a serious car crash accident. And Dylan; she'S as bright as the sun and fun to be around. Now... why would they like each other? I guess opposites attract...

First comes love is a really short book, which makes it a really fast-paced read. Some authors can pull it off. Others... not. Fortunately, this one was the former! The writing was just fast-paced enough.

Although I found the book quite enjoyable, it just wasn't a big hit for me. It was between a 'Okay' and a 'Good'... although I'm leaning towards the good for a few reasons (the first one being GRAY :D Love him A LOT)

The romance was definitely the best aspect of the book (well, that'S good, Cathee, because it was one of the ONLY aspects! *sarcastic*)

The character building was really strong; the two main characters' personalities were well developped and didn't waver or become something else (well, Gray's did change a little, but it had something to do with the book :D)

RATING

4 roses

Other books by the author :

Author Bio : 


The first book I ever wrote: Was in third grade. It was titled: "The Book of Swear Words," where I wrote down every curse word I could think of, along with a carefully crafted definition. I showed it to my teacher, beaming with pride. He sent me to the principal's office and called my parents into school. I was banned from the playground for two weeks and my book was destroyed. It obviously didn't kill my writing ambitions.

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick : Book Review

                      Click for the Summary!

Title : Au Revoir Crazy European Chick

Series :  -

Author : Joe Schreiber

Pages : 

Release Date : Oct. 25th 2011

Publisher : HMH for Children / Thomas Allen & Son Canada

Format : Hardcover

Source :  
**An Hardcover copy was provided by Thomas Allen & Son Canada in exchange of an honest review**

My Opinion :

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick made me very curious with its weird and original, yet representative title. The title is, I guess, the thing that made me want to read the book.


It takes you on a roller coaster ride and doesn't let you get off until the very end!


Sometimes, short books (230 and less, for me, is little) just suck. You feel like the author just wrote a story, not a book. You feel like it just lacked of content.

But other (YES! THEY EXIST!) books aren't like that. The author writes the book so greatly, and entertains you, that the quickness is actually an ASSET to the book, not something to tear it down.

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick is a book that you can add to your To Be Read list and can be fit in easily. So.. why don't you go get it?

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick is about Perry, a normal high schooler. He gets this Lithuanian exchange student named Gobi, whom is really weird. But, now Perry has to take her to prom. And he doesn't want to, because the same night, he and his band have a gig at a cool New York club. But, he's his father'S goody-two-shoe and takes her to prom. But... is turns out that maybe Gobi isn't really shy. At all. Because she's an assassin.

Fast-paced and awesome.


Gobi was quite the character. And, my brain is FRIED from wondering if it was her at the end! AGHHH!

Perry was just the funny kind of guy you know that can make you laugh. But he also has an ass of a dad. And that pretty much sucks. But, he stands up to him at the end, and I was proud of him :D

Great character building!

RATING

4 roses!

Other books by the author :

Book Trailer :  

Author Bio : 

'I was born in Michigan in 1969 and lived all over: Alaska, California, Wyoming, all before age 10. The restlessness sank in -- after graduating from the University of Michigan, I just kept moving. I've lived in LA, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, and Martha's Vineyard. Constant relocation forced me to be creative in my employment: I've been a pet-sitter, an office boy in a DC law office, waited tables and worked at something like six different Borders Bookstores...which has to be a record. These days I work as an MRI tech at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA.

ReAwakened : Cover Reveal + ARC giveaway!

*Comment below with your email address to be entered in an ARC giveaway! One lucky commenter of all the cover reveal posts will win a signed REAWAKENED ARC!*

What you are all waiting for *drum rolls*

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Beautiful, right?

ReVamped website: http://www.revampedbook.com/

ReVamped Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/revampedbook

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13495198-revamped

Ada Adam's Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Ada_Adams

ReVamped on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ReVamped-Ada-Adams/dp/1470068982/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1?tag=vglnk-c498-20

ReVamped on B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revamped-ada-adams/1109594714?ean=9781620953105

Cover Designer: Juliana Kolesova @ www.julianakolesova.com

A Midsummer's Nightmare : Book Review

                            Click for the Summary!

Title : A Midsummer's Nightmare

Series :  -

Author : Kody Keplinger

Pages : 304

Release Date : June 5th 2012

Publisher : Poppy / Hachette Book Group Canada

Format : Hardcover

Source :  
* An HC copy was provided by HBG Canada in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!

My Opinion :


At first, when I heard of this book, I though it was the sequel to another that I hadn't really liked. Obviously, I hadn't checked the author's name, otherwise I would have known better. But, when I learned that A Midsummer's Nightmare was written by Kody Keplinger, I laughed at myself and added it to my to-be-read pile. I was really thrilled to get it for review, especially since I am always curious about contemporaries, and this one sounded really special.

A great new and fresh contemporary!


A Midsummer's Nightmare's title was obviously inspired by William Shakespeare's A Midsummer'S Night's Dream, but I'm pretty sure that the story wasn't inspired by it. Hopefully.

The book is about Whitley, who's parents are divorced. But, each summer she goes to her dad's condo and has fun with him. She lives with her mom, who is always bitching about everything on her dad, and she loves spending the summer with her dad. But then, the nightmare begins. Her dad is about to marry someone new, and JACKPOT! the woman's son is the person she... you know, did it with...  at the graduation party. Talk about awkward! But, throughout the book, Whitley learns a few things about her dad. And none of them are pretty.


I had really enjoyed Kody Keplinger's SHUT OUT, but A Midsummer's Nightmare was even better. I think it's because her writing evolved and changed, which I really liked.


The characters were really believable; with real problems and real personalities. At first, I thought Whitley was just a whore, but I just knew there had to be something else to her. And there was.

RATING

4 roses!

Other books by the author :

 

Check out my review of SHUT OUT!

Author Bio : 

''I'm a 19-year-old college student and young adult author. My first book, THE DUFF, debuted on September 7, 2010. I write books for teenagers and strive to be honest and true-to-life. For more info, check out my website. http://kodykeplinger.com ''

WWW(W) Wednesday (15)

 


Alright, so I decided to mix one of my favorite memes (Waiting on Wednesday) and a new and cool-looking meme called WWW Wednesday. It's basically three questions(always the same), but I'll be adding mine : what are you waiting for? So, 
let's get on with it! 

What did you recently finish?

 I FRAGGING LOVED IT! AHHH!

What are you currently reading?

 LOVE.

What do you think you'll be reading next?

 No idea. ONLY THE FUTURE WILL TELL.

Added question: What are you waiting for? 

 DAEEEEEEEEEMON! I NEED YOU! AGHHHHH!