Sunday, June 26, 2011

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Summary: (from book jacket) When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic acid- infused food. Sixteen year old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody's doorstep. Up to now, the twins have have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way to short for the job. Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. but Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. When Melody is finally matched with the world famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could ever have imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
Review: I liked this book. it took me a while to get into the story but once I did I was hooked. I thought the premise of the story is really interesting and was carried out pretty well. the way the society operated was very believable and I enjoyed learning more about this world as the novel progressed. The plot wasn't all that action packed and since I went into the story with one of the major plot points already known it wasn't very surprising. I liked the fact that the story switched between both girl's perspectives. I don't think the book would have been as good if readers only experienced one sisters story. Personally, I enjoyed Melody's story better. I thought Harmony was kind of annoying at times. I am excited that there is going to be a sequel because I thought this one ended a little too suddenly. I thought the characters in the novel were really easy to relate to as they struggled with finding their place in a society where teenage sex is as common as breathing. It was a pretty interesting story. my only real problem was the slow and unsurprising plot but the stroy overall held my attention.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Summary: (from back of book) Meghan Chase has a secret destiny- one she could never have imagined... Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school... or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth- that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face... and to find love with a young prince who might rather her dead then let her touch his icy heart.
Review: I had mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the story but I felt like it was a bunch of overused ideas that were put together to make a new story. I wasn't really surprised by anything that happened and that took away from the excitement of the story. This book was really slow reading for me and I can't even really pinpoint exactly why. I just couldn't get entirely absorbed in the plot. On the other hand, I did like the message of technology corrupting and affecting the natural world. it made me think a little about the way technology is moving in our society. I didn't really have a connection with Meghan as a protagonist. She was a pretty cool character but wasn't really all that unique, and I thought she was just a little bit to trusting at times. My favorite characters were Grimalkin and Robbie aka Puck (see what I mean about being unoriginal now). I hope they will both make an appearance in the next book. despite the fact that this book was not one of my favoirtes I am interested to read the sequel because overall I did like the storyline and now that the buildup of this world is done the next book should be more action packed. Lucky for me the next two books have already been released.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Fade Out by Rachel Caine

This review may contain spoilers of previous books in the series.
Summary: (from back of book) In Morganville, Texas someone is always watching. Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, life has changed- dramatically. The resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their new found freedom, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again- almost. Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theater company. Yet, when one of eve's cast mates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. As she and Claire investigate, they soon realize that not only is the subject of the film the vampires themselves, but that this project is a whole lot bigger- and way more dangerous- than anyone suspected.
Review: This is just going to be a short little review to say that I thought the plot of this book was refreshing after spending so long focused on Bishop. Even if it was a little slower in parts. I read this book in a day, because I was so hooked. I am absolutely addicted to this series. Based on the the way this one ended I am really excited to find out what happens next. As always. The characters were amazing. I thought Morley was really annoying though. This is the seventh book in the series so I don't really have much else to say. I am so excited to continue with this series.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Summary: (from back of book) Matt's rules of survival. 1. Sometimes, the people who mean you harm are the ones who say they love you. 2. Fear is you friend. When you feel it, act. 3. Protect the little ones. 4. If you coped before, you can cope now. 5. Always remember: In the end, the survivor gets to tell the story.
Review: This is the third book by Nancy Werlin that I have read and it is by far my favorite. This  story is told in the form of Matt's letter to his youngest sister recounting everything that had happened at the hands of their abusive  mother. Even though, the story maybe would have been more emotionally direct if things were happening in the present tense, I thought that aspect made it more of a personal story. I felt really close to Matt as a character and I thought everything about his story and his decision to tell it, made me really like him. I also liked Callie and Emmy. They both had their own way of viewing the situation and I loved the way all three siblings stuck together no matter what. However, I was very frusterated with the adult characters in this book. Ben, Bobbie and Murdoch all knew what was going on in that house and no one tried to do anything. I understand they all had their reasons but why not at least try. Although the plot was a little slow at times I did enjoy this narrative a lot. It would have been a little more surprising and intense if it was present tense but overall, it didn't matter that much. This was another book by werlin that I enjoyed. I will continue to read more of her books.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Red Glove by Holly Black

This review may contain spoilers of previous book in the series.
Summary: (from book jacket) Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth- he's the most powerful curse worker around. a touch of his hand can transform anything- or anyone- into something else. That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when he actually tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does. When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue- crime scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too- they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone- least of all, himself? Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game to dangerous to lose.
Review: Well after that freakishly long summary you don't even need to read the actual books. Ok just kidding ,but it feels like it. I liked this book slightly better than White Cat, but not by much. There wasn't nearly as much build up in this book which was good. there were a few surprising plot twists that kept the story interesting, but at some points it was a little bit slow moving. For the most part, I did enjoy the plot and overall premise of the story. However, the ending left something to be desired and I feel like I already know where the story is going next. My biggest problem though, was Cassel himself. I just couldn't relate to him at all in this book. One person can only do so many stupid things before they learn from their mistakes. I didn't understand any of his motivation regarding some of the events toward the end of the book. I didn't think that any of the other characters were that much better either. I don't know I guess I'm just not that into organized crime mobs. Because honestly, I liked the fantasy aspects of the story a lot better the crime scene just became to involved. However, if this series sounds interesting you will probably enjoy it. It's just not one of my favorites.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Summary: (from back of book) Incarceron. It gives life. It deals death. It watches all. Finn cannot remember his childhood. he cannot remember his life before Incarceron- a prison that has been sealed for centuries, where inmates live in cells, dilapidated cities, and unbound wilderness. No one has ever escaped. But then he finds a crystal key and a girl named Claudia. Claudia's father is the Warden of Incarceron. And Claudia is about to become a kind of prisoner herself, doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn in his escape, she will need his help in return. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know...because Incarceron is alive.
Review: This book tells a pretty unique story that had me devouring this four hundred page book in only two days. From the first page this book jumps right into the action and it took some time for me to become used to this world. Even so, there were a few concepts and ideas that I wished had been explained better.  I also kind of thought that the resolution was a little anti climatic, after everything that had been leading up to it. Other than those few things I really enjoyed this book. the plot was steady and once I got into the story it never seemed boring or dull. I also liked the few plot twist that were thrown in to keep things interesting.   I'm not really sure how I felt about the two main characters. Overall, I liked them but both Claudia and Finn had small personality quirks that made them annoying despite that I still connected with them. But the two of them plus Jared and maybe Gildas were the only characters I could stand. Everyone else was just annoying. I liked the way this unique premise played out but the ending annoyed me. I am interested to see how the story will continue in the sequel. I'm not really sure how to classify this book in terms of genre, but anyone who wants a good and exciting read should start here.