Tempest by Julie Cross

1521 ratings later, I finally realize that I should actually start reading a book that's been on my shelves for over three months. 706 reviews later, I finally post my own. Now I actually finished it! 4.25 out of 5 stars!

Tempest by Julie Cross
4.25 out of 5 stars
Published in 2012
Summary from Goodreads: The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

I've waited a long time to read Tempest and an even longer time to finally read another book about time travel. As for the time travel in this novel, all I will say is that it's not exactly what you'd expect. You see, no matter what he does when he is time traveling does not change the present. I thought that was pretty cool, so I was even more cooled out when even more action started pouring in. When Holly got shot, I was shocked even though it was already in the summary. Still, that's not even the most exciting! It's just the beginning! In other words, this plot is filled with ACTION AND TWISTS. It's just that amazing!
Plus, there's a bit of the spy stuff going on. You have the CIA, science nerds, some hardcore ninja moves and, I repeat, a ton of action!

Jackson is okay. I personally do not think he's that crush-worthy, but he's still a decent guy. Sure he might have some issues like being secretive and being easily forgetful, but no one's perfect. The reason why I don't love isn't because of those issues, it's just that he isn't exactly what you would call a bad boy. Half of me really loves how he loves Holly and is really loyal to her. The other half kind of hates him because he actually seems kind of normal. With Jackson, I'm on the fence. Nothing else to say now.

Another thing that happened with Tempest is that I kept on putting this book down. The first day I read it, I only got to page twenty. I then put it down for two more days. Finally, I started reading a bit. Basically, with Tempest, you can't really guarantee that you'll ever finish it. It's not that it's a bad book, it's just that it's kind of forgetful in my opinion. I kept on getting distracted by other books for some odd reason, and I honestly do not think I will be the only one who ends up distracted.

It's not that the writing is bad. In fact, it was great. I loved the first-person writing and how I was not lost as the setting kept on changing. I loved how I could be sucked into the story, if only for a few minutes. I loved how I could understand 2009 and 2007 quite easily. There goes the college setting! In other words, no matter what the author is writing about, you will love it!

Warning: there are some parts that will offend younger and Christian readers. If you do not like swearing or some innappropriate topics, do not read this book. Remember that these kids are college students, so of course it is not for all readers. Keep this in mind!

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

It's been a long, long time since I've read a book by Ally Carter. It's been an even longer time since I've read a book about stealing, and I've missed it! I have honestly missed the wit and humor of Ally Carter! So yes, 5 out of 5 stars!

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
5 out of 5 stars!
Published in 2011!
Summary from Goodreads: Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

Whenever Hale pops into my mind, and trust me, he does that a lot, I always think, SWOOOOOOOOOON! Yes, I am so in love with him! Hale's epic. He's loyal, cute, and charming! I love how his name is W.W. Hale! I love how he always says the awesomest to Kat and how he is always hugging Kat! I love him! Yes, he's so on my crush list. And yes, if he were real, I would so be stalking him.
Maybe it's just the name, but Hale's that smooth guy that all the girls, including me, just happen to stalk and fall in love with him!

Of course, Kat comes next. Kat, like Hale, is epic. She's clever, tiny, smart, sassy and of course, catty! In Uncommon Criminals, Kat goes through something called CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. You see, she's drunk on stealing. She's taking the credit all for herself and doing all the missions herself. She is addicted to stealing and needs to get out of it. So of course, the fabulous Ally Carter makes her learn. By the end, Kat is a much better person. She's also a much better thief and acknowledges her team. Not to mention that this development is also plausible. You see, usually characters develop too much or too little. However, Kat develops just the right amount.

As for the plot, I have one word: FANTABULOUS! I love this plot! There are so many twists, not to mention the entrance of a new jewel to steal, the Cleopatra! The Cleopatra has a dark history and an even darker shine. I am literally lusting after the Cleopatra, not to mention hating the so-called villian. Her name just might be Maggie. She's a great, twisted character at the least. I think I admire her as a villain, but let me just say that she's sly and clever. A bit too sly and clever, if you know what I mean. She's a mutant monster with a bit of ninja! Crazy!

I'm in love with the cover! I love it. Maybe it's the pearls or the Cleopatra or the model, but I'm obsessing over it! I can not stop looking at this cover. I will literally go blind looking at it over and over again. It's honestly glued to my side, and I'm totally not exaggerating!

I love the idea of stealing stuff. If I could be a theif, I so totally would! Stealing stuff is just so appealing to anyone and everyone; adults and kids alike will love it! I am so lusting after stealing, if that makes sense at all. Of course, that's expected from the genius Ally Carter. She's so clever, even more sly and clever than Maggie and Kat combined!

Waiting on Wednesday: Gravity

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill over at Breaking the Spine that features upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week's not-yet-published "need-to-read-now" selection is:

Gravity by Melissa West
Publishing 10.28.12

Summary from Goodreads: In the future, only one rule will matter: Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed--arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know--especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

I admit, I'm definitely not the biggest fan of science fiction. In fact, I am definitely the opposite. However, I can't wait to read Gravity! I want to try this sci-fi novel out!

Teaser Tuesday: Uncommon Criminals

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at ShouldBeReading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

My Teasers:

"I for one like chaos. Chaos looks good on me." -pg. 145

"I think you should apologize to my ship first." -pg. 151
(This is on the ship....)

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Do you know what sucker-punches are? They're short books that pack a lot of punch. They can change a person within a matter of pages. They are epic and amazing and beyond awesome.... and Becoming Naomi Leon is one! 5 out of 5 stars!

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2004
Summary from Goodreads: The highly anticipated new novel from the Pura Belpre and Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author of ESPERANZA RISING.Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw has had a lot to contend with in her young life, her name for one. Then there are her clothes (sewn in polyester by Gram), her difficulty speaking up, & her status at school as "nobody special." But according to Gram's self-prophecies, most problems can be overcome with positive thinking. Luckily, Naomi also has her carving to strengthen her spirit. And life with Gram & her little brother, Owen, is happy & peaceful. That is, until their mother reappears after 7 years of being gone, stirring up all sorts of questions & challenging Naomi to discover who she really is.

Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw is a girl of many layers. She's quiet, mousy and boring at first sight. Get to know her, and you'll realize she is actually so much more. She has the heart of a lion. She has a mind of courage. She is so much more than what you expect. She might only be in fifth grade, but she seems so much more mature. She is Naomi, and she is worthy of being called a heroine.

Owen is cute. What else can you expect from a little brother? He is called deformed by his mother, but I call him sweet and precious and optimistic and truly nice. Some brothers are annoying, but this brother is truly not! He has a heart of gold and a smart mind. I love how optimistic he is; he does not let anything or anyone get to him. He truly is nice by the way he thinks about people. While they might make fun of him, he still loves them. He truly loves his enemies.

As for Naomi's mother, I'm just going to say she has issues. I really dislike her to the point where it is almost hating. I honestly can not believe anyone could be as evil as her. She's the villain that at first seems like the good guy. At first I thought she would have a heart of gold, but I was wrong. She is a wretched monster, and everyone should dislike her. She is so selfish and messed up and mean, and did I mention messed up? I hate her to the point that I would probably start yelling stuff to her face...

This story is a quilt. Like a quilt, there are so many layers woven together flawlessly. Every event blends into each other to the point where you can not tell them apart. Every single event is tied to another, and it is done perfectly. I love how it is overwhelming, but not to the point where I get a headache.

The author probably is a poet. Every single word can be a single poem; it's just that beautiful and raw and full of emotion. I felt like crying during some parts, and the writing helped a lot. It is tense and broken and sad. Then it gets cheerful and truly happy and amazingly beautiful. It is a mirage of creativity and wonder. It is a masterpiece.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I normally don't review a book until at least two days have past. Time to break that tradition! Today I finished the Goose Girl, and today I will review it! People might wonder why, but all I will say is why not? It's a definite 5 out of 5 stars!

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2005
Summary from Goodreads: She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm.

I don't know how Shannon Hale does it. She conquers that problem that most authors writing in third-person have- the dreaded problem in which the reader can not relate to the main character. However, Shannon Hale totally gets rid of that problem! I felt as if I could totally relate to Ani without being bogged down by the third-person. Also, with third-person tends to come something called flowers. I absolutely loathe flowers, so it's a good thing the Goose Girl was not overflowery! I was so glad that the writing was UNDERSTANDABLE and great!

Ani is a great example of a believable character. In the beginning, she is a plain, boring girl. She follows everyone's directions and orders. She worries constantly about what others think of her. She is weak, and she knows it as well. However, throughout the story, she really develops. She learns to speak her mind (at least a little bit), become a bit braver and trust people. She becomes less shy and more amazing! She gets a bit bolder and more humorous. She's not afraid to be herself.

I thought fairy tales were boring and full of romance and mushiness. I thought wrong. While the Goose Girl has a bit of romance, it's not entirely centered around that. It's also about speaking and talking to animals and loving animals and truly caring for them with all your heart. It's about that special feeling you feel when caring for a pet or looking at the cutest animal ever. It's also full of action and a bit of fantasy! I liked how I could get interested in the fights just as quickly as I got into talking with Falada! I loved it all!
One thing I will say is that this plot, the flow and ease of it all, is totally unexpected. There are characters that aren't your average villains. There are some who you will fall in love with and others you will hate with passion. Everyone is created with a purpose, and it's either to make you hate them or love them. There really is no in between, which is what I love even more.

As for this cover, I will just say to judge the Goose Girl by its cover. The girl on the cover is so pretty! I just love her dress and the geese in the background. If possible, the cover is just as good as the writing itself! Which is kind of impossible, but it's totally theoretical!

So, just keep in mind that the Goose Girl is not entirely your light, average, fairy tale read! It's that and so much more! Just read it and find out how epic it is for yourself!

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

I love this series! With most series, I don't bother to read the sequels until about a year later. However, with the Mythos Academy series, I CAN'T NOT read it! I also can't not obsess over it. It's like a disease of obsession! 4 out of 5 stars!

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

One thing I'm questioning is the author's choice to wait until the middle of the book to put Logan in the story. To tell you the truth, I kind of missed him. I really missed his loyalty and how he cared for Gwen. I wanted him and Gwen to be together! In other words, Logan kind of won me over. I really like him now! (The power of bad boys!)

Gwen, as usual, is your average stubborn, strong, great heroine! She's blunt, sharp and smart! I love how smart she is! She always uses her brain, even when she does not want to. Even when she is close to dying, she tries to get out of the situations and survive. She really has the mind of a heroine; I admire her character and ability to survive swords.
As for her psychometry, I'm just glad that Gwen used it well. You see, her powers grow, but she does not use them selfishly, well not in the end. She uses them for good reasons.

I could tell who the villain was the first time I read about her or him. While this time it was kind of obvious, the whole story behind it is not. I did not know the true identity of the villain until it was explained. In the end, the author still manages to surprise you. Yay! Anyways the part with the Reapers is explained in more complexity, so I feel as if I understand that part better.

I like Gwen's grandma. She is epic! I like how she can the future. However, I like her goodies and baking even more! Every time I read about what food she is whipping up, my mouth literally starts drooling. I was covered in drool by the end of the book! (Well, maybe not covered...)
Plus, I thought she had some great advice. Gwen's grandma is your light that helps you see when it's black and dark out. She's that loving character every book needs!

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

I think I've missed out on ranting about the book by about two years. You see, two years ago, I could have read this book. I actually had it! However, for some reason, I did not. That's where my missing out comes in. Why? It's an all-time-favorite! 5 out of 5 stars!

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
5 out of 5 stars!
Published in 1961
Summary from Goodreads: A Journey to the Lands Beyond...

For Milo, everything's a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams...

I absolutely love puns. Puns, if you ask me, are amazing. I obsess over books as well. (Everyone should know that...) So when you combine puns and books, you obviously get a book I should love, such as the Phantom Tollbooth. The Phantom Tollbooth brings puns to a new level! The wordplay is epic! I love how the author played with the words to get some downright hilarious and sometimes silly results!

With great puns come great characters! Well, by great I mean interesting and unique and totally out of this world! For example, you meet a guy named Alec Bings, who is always three feet above the ground. He's a great thinker (maybe...) and all, but still, he's not my favorite! My personal favorite is .58, who is .58 of the total child! .58 can drive the .3 of a car, so I could not stop laughing! You also meet Rhyme and Reason, the two sisters who also happen to be majestic princesses in a land far, far away...
Speaking of Rhyme and Reason, I love their advice. They give phenomenal advice that can help everyone of all ages. It's easy enough to read for a five year old, but it's still helpful for everyone older!

It's a journey, it's a mega fantasy land, it's a totally travel-packed plot with some action! I liked everything about the plot; the totally unexpected characters and surprises, the way the setting interacted with the plot, and the fast-paced rhythm to it all! (Not only that, but my mouth literally dropped when I got to the demons... I so did not expect them to be like THAT... in other words totally true and odd!)

At first I thought Milo was boring, but throughout the novel, he really develops. He gets a new view on the world. At first he was incredibly bored with the world, but now he is excited for whatever life is bringing him! He can't wait to try things out and overcome whatever life's obstacles come. In other words, amazing character development.

I just wish The Phantom Tollbooth had a sequel; now I'm in search of an equally imaginative novel.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

I admit it, at first I HATED Before I Fall. I first read it in August and got to page fifty. I recently reread it, and that's when I realized the parts that I hated before were done on PURPOSE, aka Sam's selfishness and others. 5 OUT OF 5 STARS~!!!!!!!!

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2010
Summary from Goodreads: What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

I think what really hit me was Samantha. She's your average mean girl- the one who everyone is jealous of. And she knows you're jealous, which can kind of cause her to act like an arrogant jerk.
Then she dies. She has to relive her last day seven times until she finally realizes the reasons for the events that day has brought.
I was hit by how much Sam developed throughout the novel. In the beginning, she is this really self-centered, annoying person. However, every time she relives that day, she finds out how annoying she truly is. Every time she relives her life, she grows a little more. She gets rid of her problems bit by bit and finally gets a heart until in the end, her actions truly show how much of a heroine she truly is.
I would probably not have the heart to do what Sam did; I do not think anyone would have. I am honestly impressed with Sam. She truly is a heroine in the end.

I guess what really hits the readers is the harsh truth Before I Falls shines into high school popularity. The bullying, the cliques, the cattiness of it all. Lauren Oliver portrays it truly. She doesn't overdo it. (Is it possible that she spied on a high school to make it so real? JK!)
I honestly can't believe how real the events seem. What Sam and her friends do to other people is so mean, but unfortunately it is happening all over the world.

3 word review of the plot: Unique and beautiful. Amazing and inspiring. Reliving a day seven times has really not been done before. If that does not seem unique, then the ending definitely is. It is so unique that you literally want to tear the book and cry. As for the beauty, I found it beautiful how carefully death was talked about. It seemed almost like a friend in Before I Fall, as if it could take everything painful away. Not only that, but there were so times that the words were so heartwrenchingly graceful that it made me cry.

And I honestly did cry.

My Apologies

Google took my email away for a bit, so that's why you couldn't access it today if you tried. :(
Anyways, I'm sorry, but I'm back! (Yay!)



(Hope that makes up for it!)

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Aliens are the one species totally banned by me. I can't read about them. I just can't. I really have no idea why I decided to read I am Number Four, since it is about aliens. Well, it was not bad! 4 out of 5 stars.

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2010
Summary from Goodreads: There were nine. Three are dead. I Am Number Four.

Nine teenagers and their guardians are hiding on Earth... protected by a charm that means they can only be killed in numeric order, three are already dead. John Smith is Number Four. And his mortal enemies, the Mogadorian, are hunting him down.

The only way to keep off radar is to keep moving, never staying in one place for long. Finally in the firing line, all he can do is adopt the guise of a student and pray his unusual gifts—his legacies home; Planet Lorien—stay hidden long enough for him to settle into this new community.

But others seem to sense his otherness and when small-town life sucks him into its intrigues, it’s only a matter of time before his true nature is revealed. And that means there’s no space for love, friendship or a future if it means protecting not only himself, but the other five...

His name is John Smith. (Seriously!) Sorry to say, but he is kind of boring. While he does a variety of crazily scary things involving putting fire on himself, I still felt as if he was boring. He just does not have that spark that most characters have. He wants to fit in and be normal and all, but he just does not realize how incredibly annoyed that makes the reader. No offense intended!
That was what I also felt for Sarah. Like John, she is a little boring. Sure she's pretty, but I could not tell why John liked her. He just did.

The only character I actually liked was Henri. He is that father presence throughout the novel, that constant flame burning with love, that character that makes you smile. He is just incredibly caring and loving, unbelievably kind and loyal to John. I liked how he respects John no matter what and always wants the best for him.

This plot is more action-driven than character-driven. Honestly, that kind of works! If it were character-driven, I would die of boredom. However, since it was action-driven, I got to read about these action scenes involving swords and burning things and a lot of other exciting things! Translation: there was a lot of fighting.
The whole alien aspect is pretty impressive. John came from the planet Lorien, but that's only the beginning of the story...
Since I cannot give anything away, I'll just say that it is definitely not what you expect. The whole story is actually pretty complex. I was definitely impressed by how it all unfurled!

I liked the setting. Paradise, Ohio is just your average small town, but I felt as if the town was alive! I could not believe how complex the relations were within the town. Everything is described wonderfully; I felt as if I could draw out the whole town. Not only that, but I did not feel bogged down by descriptions. There is a perfect balance, and it definitely shows.

All in all, while there are slightly boring characters, I am Number Four is still a great read!

Gotta Be Epic!

Yes I am a Directioner! This is my favorite song. It's amazing! Just pure magic!

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

There are countless reasons why I love this book. If I listed them all, the world would explode because of how OBSESSED I am. In other words, I will not list all of the reasons. Make your own! 5 out of 5 stars.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

I'm obsessed with a guy. His name is Sam Henry, and I think know I am in love with him. Well, why wouldn't I be in love with him? He's so sweet and nice and HYSTERICALLY FUNNY! Honestly, I was kind of flipping through the pages just for HIM. He literally made me laugh like a maniac and gag on my laughs! I loved how he really cared for Jordan; he was so loyal to her and let her be, even though it ended up breaking his heart.
SAM HENRY, YOU ARE AMAZING! (If I were slightly more girly, I would ask him to marry me....)

Jordan is incredibly inspiring. While some people might just call her a rock, I call her inspiring and strong and true to herself. I like how she did not really change her thoughts just because she was worried about her image; she had confidence in herself. However, she was not bratty or obnoxious about it either! Nor was she perfect. What changed in the end was her understanding of things around her. Basically, I could totally RELATE to her because she was a NORMAL person other than the whole girl-playing-football aspect of it all...

I hated Ty. Well, I disliked him. I think the word that best describes him is controlling. Honestly, I hated how he wanted to control Jordan all the time and how he treated her like trash. He was annoying, bossy and totally self-centered. While I really do not want to go on a rant about him, I will say that he has ISSUES. He needs to cool it!

Let me just say that the plot is not exactly as clean-cut as you might think it is. The guy she chooses is not immediately evident; it takes some time before he, whoever he is, comes. I guess I can not say anymore, but I will say that he is kind of unexpected. (Cue creepy music)
As for the whole college aspect of it, I was TICKED. I could not believe how some colleges treated her! (However, the college she ended up thinking about is AWESOME!)

I will admit that I am not exactly your fan of football. However, with Catching Jordan, I felt as if that did not matter. I was not TOO confused with the football action going on; the author did something sneaky to make me clarified. So yay! I officially love this book!

Waiting on Wednesday: Defiance

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill over at Breaking the Spine that features upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week's not-yet-published "need-to-read-now" selection is:

Defiance by C. J. Redwine
Publishing 8.28.12

Summary from Goodreads: Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Well, I don't know about you, but the whole girl-in-a-purple-dress-and-red-hair thing has kind of made me interested. Not only that, but the summary seems just impressive! I like my girls able to wield swords and fight! As for Logan, he seems intriguing! I want to read about him. Especially him and Rachel together...

Yes, this has brought obsession to a whole level!

Teaser Tuesday: I am Number Four

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at ShouldBeReading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

My Teasers:

"No. Don't give up hope just yet. It's the last thing to go. When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope." -Kindle pg. 124

"Is Earth going to curdle?" -Kindle pg. 129

First Date by Krista McGee

Once again, I have read one of those books where an ordinary girl catches the eye of a celebrity, in this case the President's son, and they basically fall in love and live happily ever after with lots of ponies prancing around. Or something like that. Of course, I liked it a lot. (Especially when the title is First Date!) 4 out of 5 stars!

First Date by Krista McGee
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2012
Recieved from Netgalley
Summary from Goodreads: Addy Davidson discovers God's unexpected plans for her life when a reality TV show turns her quiet existence on its head.

The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight.

The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

I am kind of confused as to how I truly feel about First Date. At times, I felt as if the writing was stiff and unbearable, but I still was sucked in by it. I was addicted by the overdone writing, which totally does not seem possible. The third-person was a terrible choice, as it was written terribly, but I still kept on reading and reading because I could not stop! That situation is not supposed to happen, but it totally did! I guess I can't complain about that; it is my own inability to decide if I truly like the writing or not.

One major thing to note about First Date is that it is a Christian novel. However, even non-Christians can be hooked right away without feeling uncomfortable. I'm a Christian, but I don't tend to read strictly Christian novels. With this book though, the religious part was pretty light and not too forced. I like how people of all religions can read First Date. In other words, it's a jewel for everyone!

Addy was okay.... actually she was more than okay. At first she was kind of annoying and fake at parts, but eventually she realized her mistakes and patched them up and APOLOGIZED FOR THEM. She developed quite a bit throughout the book, both in character and in faith. While she was not the most realistic teen, she was definitely an enjoyable one. I hope to read another story about her.

As for the setting, that's the first time where the main character is on a reality show. I have no idea if reality shows are actually like how they were described, but if they are, I can't believe they are that catty! (Well, I guess that's Hollywood!) Anyways, I like how the reality show helped to tie in with Addy's relationship with God. All in all, well done. I kind of want to be on that reality show now...

Since First Date is a Christian novel, the romance is clean, and there are no swear words. I am so glad to find a light, refreshing read that does not offend anyone. If you want a nice, fresh Christian read, be sure to check out First Date! It will not make you bash your head into a wall. At least I hope not...

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I've been saying the first sentence of this book over and over again since last year. Of course, it has definitely driven everyone around me crazy but not like I care! However, I've driven everyone even more crazy BECAUSE I FINALLY READ IT! And I'm pretty speechless right now... 4.5 out of 5 stars!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
4.5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

I have a very distinct taste in books, especially when they are about ------. (Hint... synonym to killing, begins with m.) While I can't say that I loved the plot, I liked it a lot. Some of the times it was too fast-paced, especially the ending, but overall it was pretty good. I was pretty surprised by how exactly the ending turned out, but I can't say much. I will say that it is totally not your average twist. It's so much more than a twist, especially because it kind of messes up all your predictions and makes you think again. It also makes you reread it to finally get the gist of what happened. I think that's a bad thing though...

As for Mara, I'm just glad I could finally find another main character who loves drawing. You see, Mara's great at drawing and she loves it. I guess that's why many people call her artsy...
She's also famous for her rejoinders! (Witty comebacks... per say.) I loved how quickly she could come up with these super offensive biting remarks that really ticked people off. She is also pretty strong, not that it I would notice if she wasn't...
I really had some trouble understanding her visions. I could not tell what was real and what was not. I do think it will be clarified in the next book though.
Even through this all, she was pretty relatable. Mara is bogged down by tragedy, and I could not help but feel terrible for her as she tried to reason why it would happen.

Noah... some people think he's like Jace Lightwood, but I think he's in his own class. Cocky? Yes. Arrogant? Yes. A bad boy? Yes! A smoker? Yes, unfortunately. However, what people don't include is that he is incredibly loyal to Mara and that he really loves her and her family. For me I was struck by how realistic he is. You see, at times I thought he was too good to be true, but then he would make a mistake and I would be happy for his flaws. He did open up incredibly, which may or may not be normal. Not that I care, because I'm basically in love with him!

I always judge books by the last paragraph of every chapter. As for this book, it is basically always a single sentence that is super impressive. Every last sentence is catchy, true and sometimes incredibly heartfelt and funny. Of course, that makes you want to flip the page and read even more, so you end of finishing the book super quickly. Not that I care though... I'm still awed by Noah.

Why I'm Having Shivers Right Now

I literally got shivers listening to that last sentence. However, do not watch this if you have not read the first 4 Gallagher Girl books!

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The sky truly is everywhere, but I did not realize that until I finished reading The Sky is Everywhere. As of right now, I am staring at my book shocked because of how breathtaking and striking it is. It made me awestruck. 5 out of 5 stars!!!!!!!!

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2010
Summary from Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

I think the raw, real emotion totally sold me. The Sky is Everywhere did not make me scoff at how cliche I thought it was; it shattered me heart and put it back together again. I could not believe the sheer emotion and heartbreak that is contained in such a small little book. It did not turn out to be a mini cheesy sob story I initially thought it to be. It turned out to be a gem of a novel that made me cry and later laugh through my tears. It had me bawling! (Well kind of...)

I absolutely loved the poetry Lennie wrote and ended up dropping. You see, Lennie has this amazing poetry with a pulse. What I loved about it was how it did not need to rhyme to make total harmony. (Well kind of...) It's explosive and magical and fiery. It is wistful, sad, hopeful, happy and everything good poetry is. It's also deadly and lethal because you can't stop reading it. You can really tell why the author is also a published poet. With poetry like this, I'm surprised that I did not read this before.

Quirky characters are definitely present, and I'm so glad that I got to meet them. Usually you cannot find very many good books with weirdly awesome characters. As for The Sky is Everywhere, it is a marvelous exception. I liked how Joe had some swoon-worthy smiles, Lennie's grandmother used a plant to determine Lennie's life, Big's weird fascination with bringing things back to life and Hannah's tendency to shout animals instead of swearing. In other words, these characters are totally amazing and have some cool habits! They are real and unique and smile-inducing! I fell in love with all the characters!

I like how the author made music pretty important. Music is a part of everyone's life, and Jandy Nelson did not forget. It is so inspiring the way she talks about it. Every time I read about Lennie's clarinet or Joe's playing, I got shivers down my back. I could not stop staring at the book because of how true the sentences are. I was amazed; I still am amazed. How can anyone not read this book?

As for the cover, I fell in love with it the day I saw it. While love at first sight might not occur in books, it occurs for me with covers. I love how the bold colors pop with each other and how the heart and also a rose petal. With The Sky is Everywhere, the cover alone communicates just how much you need the read it.

So.... stop reading this review! Start reading the book!

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

I honestly feel super bad. I really wanted to love Strange Angels, but for some reason I could not get into it. I could tell the author tried hard to make it appealing, but I just did not like it. 2 out of 5 pitiful stars.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
2 out of 5 stars
Published in 2009
Summary from Goodreads: Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever—is hunting her?

I usually read most books because I can't help not reading it. With Strange Angels, however, I read it just to say I read it and could not get into it. For me, the writing was extremely bland and boring. It was as if there was nothing interesting, even though Dru had a really dark sense of humor. I feel really bad now because I know the author tried. It's just that the writing's not for me.

I really did not understand why there were so many swear words. There was at least one per page, and that's not including how many times Jesus' name was taken in vain. I usually try not to get too offended with how many swear words there are, but this was overboard. It seemed kind of out of place how she kept how using them over and over again in even the least annoying situations. I was surprised at how Strange Angels was aimed at a younger audience.

The other thing was how Dru described Graves. I thought it was really racist of her to just call him a half-breed and then think he'd be a "real looker" one day. While only once would not have me so worked up, she mentioned it constantly. What also confused me was how she actually called him kid as well even though they were they same age...

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I thought the plot was boring or anything, it's just that I thought it was a little unsettling. There were all these really weird things going on, and I was more than a little weirded out...
I was kind of surprised by the reactions of the characters. There reactions were totally not relatable or plausible at all. I could not imagine myself in this situation. (Hence the 2 stars....)

Dru was totally mean. While I like characters who are snarky and all, she was just plain mean. I did not like how terribly she treated Graves in the beginning and how she was so ungrateful. I was shocked by overall how she was okay with just being one of the most selfish characters. I hated how she acted, but that's just me.

All in all, you might like this book. It's just that for some reason I didn't. Maybe I didn't have the patience or something, but I could not get into it. However, I did finish it to make the review fair and honest. So go ahead and try Strange Angels out. I hope you like it.

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill over at Breaking the Spine that features upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week's not-yet-published "need-to-read-now" selection is:

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
Publishing 10.9.12

Summary from Goodreads: Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate—and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.

Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, TIME BETWEEN US is a stunning and spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new talent in YA fiction.

... A ticking clock... what a marvelous summary! I absolutely cannot wait!

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

One of my close friends suggested this to me. If it weren't for her, I probably would have missed this chick-lit novel. It's sweet, sassy and a cute retelling of Pride and Prejudice, which I am reading now! 3.75 out of 5 stars! Go Lizzie Bennet!

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
3.75 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: From the much-buzzed-about author of THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB (already blurbed by Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle, and Jen Calonita), a prom-season delight of Jane Austen proportions.It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date. After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn't interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London. Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles's friend, Will Darcy, who's snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk - so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Like I just wrote, Prom and Prejudice is cute and sassy. It's a nice light read without any deep themes or anything, but it's super fun to read anyways! What I love about it is that it is super clean. There are no swear words or inappropriate scenes, just an incredibly nice read for anyone who likes a cute romance. Plus it is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice- an amazing classic so far. As you can tell, Prom and Prejudice makes everyone smile!

Lizzie Bennet was great, quite like the original Elizabeth Bennet. They were both pretty smart and clever, something I greatly admire in a character. While they were flawed, they ended up patching their mistakes and realizing they actually made mistakes. I was impressed by the spot-on recreation of her. The whole idea of making her a scholarship kid was genius! (Quite clever if you ask me...)
Will Darcy. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Still the same guy through and through. They both gave a terrible first impression, seen through the "pompous jerk" thought. I liked how the author was not afraid to make him seem like the original Darcy. Of course, I loved how his secret related to Lizzie greatly- it was so cute and sweet and awesome!

Making Lizzie love music was genius! I loved how the author added that in. I was impressed by all the great composers mentioned and how she described playing the piano. I was awestruck. I love music, so it was pretty easy to relate. While otherwise I would not have related to Lizzie, I did through the music. (Yes classical music!)

The ending had me swooning! It was so creative! While I can't say exactly what happened, I will say that it is unexpected but in a great way! I loved how funny and humorous and explosive it was! It added the perfect concluding sentence to it all and left the reader feeling satisfied and aching for more of the author's work.
So in other words, it was GENIUS! It was a total work of art! (The cover might hint to what happens in the end...)

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Just reading the title gives me shivers... even after I've finished the book! I guess I'd call this obsession with it title-lust, but I'm not so sure...
This title is amazing! 4 out of 5 dead stars.

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2010
Summary from Goodreads: On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.

Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.

Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.

Just as a warning, Dead Beautiful is not a contemporary read. It's more paranormal than the summary makes it out to be. I had no idea, so I did not expect things to be so paranormal. Of course, not that I mind the paranormal, it's just that I did not know. *****POSSIBLE SPOILER!!********Haters of the undead beware! You will fall in love with a certain paranormal creature and change your mind about the undead! END SPOILER!!

Not only that, but you'll be laughing like a maniac, especially when Renee and Dante first meet! I could not believe how funny and awkward it was! I like how the humor ends up balancing all the tension and stress throughout the book, so the reader does not end up feeling overloaded. Besides, who'd pass up a good laugh? I like funny books!

Renee was rebellious and fun and snarky! I loved her attitude. She did not put up with bad treatment. She stood up to people and was not afraid of being herself! I liked how she tried to solve a certain mystery and not wait for things just to happen. She was brave and actually USED HER BRAIN. Of course, I admire characters like that!

As for Dante... let me just say he was smoldering and mysterious. No book is complete without a love interest, but Dante trumped my expectations. I did not expect him to be that interesting. He actually had a personality! I actually kind of fell in love with him! He was a pretty good bad boy! It makes many love interests pale in comparison!

There is a twist that leaves you appalled. I'm not kidding! I was literally unable to function. While the first part of the plot was relatively predictable and average, the ending totally makes up for it! The beginning might be a little boring and slow, but keep on reading until the end! It is totally worth the wait! I guarantee it!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

I like books with girls in dresses on the covers. For me it's the sign of a very good book. As for Starcrossed, it totally surpasses my girl in a dress theory. The pink kind of adds to it... 4 out of 5 stars!

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is--no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together--and trying to tear them apart.

The first thing that made me happy: no insta-love! I absolutely loathe love at first sight or anything related to falling in love more than humanly possible. Somehow the author knew that and wrote a book with zero insta-love! Instead when Helen and Lucas met, they wanted to kill each other... literally! While it was kind of unsettling, I was glad that the love at first sight situation was averted. Plus, the reason they almost killed each other gets explained, so all is more than okay!

I love how the ancient ideas of the Furies and Greek mythology mold perfectly into a contemporary tale. It's so astonishing how flawless it is. Furthermore, the island of Nantucket was pure genius! (Not going to say why...) I kind of liked Nantucket. It was cute and fabulous in that small town sort of way.
As for the plot, I was impressed. Of course plots involving Greek mythology always impress, but Starcrossed was unique. There were also a lot of twists, major and minor, that I did not see. I loved how I actually could not figure anything out. Instead, I actually had to read the book to find out! For me, that's quite impressive. Basically, I loved it all!

**********SPOILER ALERT********* Helen's necklace was pretty awesome! I so want it! Plus I so did not see that it had a power.... majorly impressed! ****END SPOILER**************

I didn't exactly fall in love with Lucas. I unfortunately really only like bad boys, so it's hard for me to love other guys. While I liked Lucas, I did not like him to that extent. Sure he was pretty smart and good-looking, but he did not win me over entirely.
However, he sure won Helen over! Helen was an incredibly interesting character. I like how she thought of herself as shy and did not lie to herself about her true character. She was pretty smart and all.

So yay for awesome books with no insta-love!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I've been putting off this review for about two weeks now, which is pretty long for me. I do not know why I waited so long to even start writing about it! You see, I loved it! 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
4.25 out of 5 stars
Published in 2008
Summary from Goodreads: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

The first thing I thought about when reading Graceling was PO. When I thought of Po, I thought of that panda in the hit movies, which probably isn't what the author wanted us to think of. I think I just wanted his name to be changed. Honestly, I just don't like that name! I mean, other than his name, he was pretty awesome and charming and totally cool! I loved his witty banter with Katsa; it was really entertaining! Most of all, he was incredibly smart and loyal. I could not believe how caring he was and how much he was willing to sacrifice for Katsa and Bitterblue. (If you've read this book, you'll know what he lost. I can't believe how brave he was in order to let that happen discretely. Just amazing and inspiring...)

Katsa. If anything, she was strong. More precisely, she was fearless and respected for being a killer. She was not exactly ruthless, but she was kind of menacing and scary. I was kind of scared to her in the beginning, but I began to warm up to her as the story developed. Not only that, but she also developed. Katsa got feelings. She fell in love! She actually got caring! So you see, there was some major character development throughout the story. I admire that in a character, and when you have a main character that strong, it works even better.

The plot is pretty intense. While I can't say much, I will say that it has you turning the pages until you only see blurs. It has you gasping for breath in your room while people gape at your emotions. It makes you go crazy, which is a totally good thing in this case. It gets you worked up. I liked it that way! Plus, the villain was pretty well thought out to. He or she was not obvious or cheesy. It was actually really hard to figure out and definitely worthy of my praise!
I like how there was a ton of action. The fight scenes were written really well. I was definitely interested in how Katsa fought and how Po blocked her. It was totally worth my time!

One thing to note is that it might offend some readers. There are some inappropriate situations mentions. Also, the idea of having a relationship without marriage might offend some readers. If you are not okay with that, don't read this book.

Owls are cool

Just another music video because today I have no time to write a review...




I really love this!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I wonder, is it possible to not love Delirium? No, it isn't. Is it possible to not want to read Pandemonium? No, it isn't. Is it possible not to think about Delirium or obsess over it? No. Is it possible to love Delirium? YES IT FREAKING IS! 5 out of 5 stars.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

I think saying "I was touched" seems really cheesy, but I honestly was touched by Lauren Oliver's writing. There's just something utterly beautiful and poetic and perfect about her writing. Somehow every word is magical and captivating without seeming forced or brittle. Every phrase is a drug that gets you more and more addicted. Somehow I got it on the first page and I still can't find the cure...

As for the actual disease, amor deliria nervosa, I could not believe how addicting it was. Before I read Delirium, I thought it would be cheesy and disgusting. I thought the whole idea of having love as a disease would be incredibly boring and annoying, but it wasn't. I don't know how Lauren Oliver does it. Not only did she make it really interesting, she made me feel feelings of hatred, love and anger throughout. I could not believe how awestruck I felt by how gorgeous Delirium was. Simply marvelous!
Some people say that Delirium started out slow, but I liked it that way. Only the beginning was slow, but that ended up helping the book overall. I actually could pay attention to all the characters and the events. Towards the end of the book things started getting really fast-paced. There were lots of revelations made, many twists which led to a bombshell ending.

THE ENDING. I basically bashed my head into a wall after reading it. I was thinking, Alex, Alex! Don't do this on me! Why are cliffhangers so common? I'm honestly dying here! It drove me crazy. I could not believe how incredibly mad this made me. It tore my heart apart. As for Lena, I can't even imagine how she must have felt as it occured. It must have been like the end of the world for her.

Lena was epic. She totally surpassed my expectations. She was actually aware of her flaws, which surprised me in a good way. She was a lot stronger than she thought she was. While she was plain and simple, I could not believe how well I could relate to her. She was brought thinking that love was terrible, but then she learned how truly awesome it was. I could not believe how close I felt to her as she developed. Not only that, but what I really loved about her was how honest she was. She was simply real and true with everything.

As for the other main character, I wish Alex were real! He was so understanding and mature and perfect and... golden. I'm usually not one for the golden boys, but I totally fell in love with Alex. He was just so caring and nice and real! He was amazing to epic proportions! I absolutely adored him! I loved how much chemistry he and Lena had. While it definitely was not love at first sight, it was a much better relationship. I liked how they actually got to know each other before falling in love.

But when they did, I was totally zonked out. I literally could not focus on anything besides the book. Whatever else that occured was simply not important anymore.
So yes, I'm just one of the people who totally love Delirium! But you can't blame me for loving such a perfect book!