Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins Review

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Series:　The Hunger Games Trilogy Book 3
Publish Date: August 24th, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 390

Summary (from Goodreads)

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost. 


Read  my review of the first two books in this trilogy here and here. 

  Review may contain spoilers.

Review: 

          What a spectacular end to The Hunger Games trilogy. It makes me sad to know that the series is over and Katniss' revolution against the Capitol is over too. Although I cannot reveal all the craziness that concluded this phenomenal journey (no matter how much I want to), I can say that it ended with much tragedy and a new beginning for Panem. I am still coping with the ending after 3 days of reading it.

            Honestly I loved it and disliked it at the same time. It was a great way to end the series because it was a somewhat happy ending that i think everyone could agree with. Unfortunately, to get to that happy ending many tear jerking scenes had to occur. Fighting in a rebellion in no way guarantees everyone’s survival yes, I knew that, but that small information doesn’t make the deaths of some of my favorite characters hurt any less. When they faced their inevitable ends I immediately closed the book and had to take a break for fifteen minutes so that I could cope with what just happened. Thinking about it now still makes me upset. Although their deaths made this book all the more addicting and I needed to know whether or not Katniss would be able to avenge their deaths.

           The build up to the invasion of the Capitol was long but necessary. Katniss had to recover and prepare to get back into battle after suffering severe injuries from the Quarter Quell. It definitely wasn’t the most interesting beginning because everyone was just underground for a long period of time but we get to know a lot about how District 13 survived and their ways of life. It was interesting and almost humorous the amount of times Katniss was in the hospital. She seemed to be there more times than she has been anywhere else. I think one half of the book takes place inside the hospital.

            Finally the rebellion begins halfway through the book. It started off slow paced and began building up momentum into a thrilling climax. However, what seemed to be a great resolution to the rebellion was replaced with something that fell a little flat. What I anticipated most in this story was interrupted by Katniss waking up in the hospital (surprise surprise). We are told what happened to the Capitol through a brief story by one of District 13's important members. Nothing exciting and amazing there.

             I enjoyed the love triangle in this book more than others because it was subtle and did not compete with the main plot. Katniss was not conflicted with the knowledge that Gale and Peeta are in love with her because they did not push her to make a decision. I really loved that the author wrote Katniss as such a strong, independent character. The male leads in this story knew very well Katniss doesn’t rely on a man to help her. They knew very well they needed Katniss more than she needed them. In the end I’m glad that Katniss knew who she truly loved and I was happy with her decision. The author wrote of their romance briefly yet it effectively captured me. I smiled with happiness knowing that all will be okay with Katniss.  She found the little happiness she needed to give her reason to move on from all the tragedy she’s faced during the rebellion. She slowly picks herself up again after thinking she could never be happy. I’m glad the story concluded with a happy ending for  Katniss.
Overall this book has crushed me but I'm satisfied. It was a great conclusion to The Hunger Games trilogy. It's because of Suzanne Collin's amazing stories that I fell in love with the dystopian genre. I must now say goodbye to Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, but her memory will live on for a long time.

Rating: 4/5  

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale Review

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale

Published: February 2, 2012
Published by: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 485

Summary (From Goodreads):

When seventeen-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty-per-cent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when she tells her mum’s best friend, ‘Aunt Sarah’ that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie was not her biological mother after all...

Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, hitching along on her ex-boyfriend’s GAP year to follow her to Los Angeles. But all does not go to plan, and as Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply-buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonising decision of her own - one which will be the most heart-breaking and far-reaching of all..

Review: 

A stunning and tear-jerking novel by Katie Dale. This book was brilliant and memorable all the way.

Rosie just graduated high school.Unlike other teenagers her age who are preparing for college, she is trying to get over her mother's death. One she saw coming because of her rare Huntington's disease, but inevitably left Rosie miserable and on a mission. Instead of worrying whether or not she has contracted the disease, she goes out to America to find her biological father along with her ex-boyfriend. She hopes to seek out the truth about her life and find comfort in strange and new places. All the information that she gathers throughout her journey will hit readers like a ton of bricks but leave them happy as all sad stories end with a happy ending.
Rosie is lost and confused by the misery that clouds her judgment. She is brave yet impulsive, a trait that leads to unhappiness and conflict with those around Rosie. She turns other peoples world's upside down when she is trying to make her life right again, something that she does unintentionally.

I really enjoyed the bits of humor and romance amongst all the sadness as it was much needed. It reminded me that even though Rosie and her family's life may seem like hell right now, it doesn't mean that happiness is lost. Rosie's boyfriend Andy is the perfect companion with Rosie because he keeps her in check and supports her decisions even though he may not always be happy with her. He tries to leave multiple times because of Rosie's disregard for him and broken promises, but he always comes back knowing Rosie is at her most vulnerable and needs his shoulder to cry occasionally. A man that will support you at your hardest times is a man you keep, I say!

It was one big roller coaster ride in this book, although a ride I definitely enjoyed. If you're not sure whether or not you might like this book, at least pick it up for the cover. Because c'mon. It's beautiful.

Rating: 4/5    

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood Review

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles Book 1
Published: February 7th, 2012 
Published by: Putnam Juvenile

Summary: (from Goodreads)

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.  

 Review:

      I am always searching for books related to witches, because they're one of my favorite things to read about. Born Wicked was different than other books of witches that I've read because its set in the late 1800's, an era that I am not familiar with and rarely read books set in that time. With Born Wicked, I liked that it wasn't set in present day so that we not only get to know about Cate and her sisters powerful abilities but also the practices and traditions of the olden days. When girls were supposed to look pretty for their husbands and being smart was frowned upon.

      In Cate's home town of Chathum, the Brotherhood rules. Females of every age must be very careful of what they say or do for fear that the Brotherhood believes you are a witch and takes you away to an asylum or a prison ship. Thus, Cate is overprotective of her sisters and must protect them at all cost because that is what her mother told her to do. She must learn how to deal with the prophecy her and her sisters are most likely a part of, all the while juggling social gatherings and not fall for Finn Belastra.

     Cate's character starts off as timid and antisocial but very caring. The beginning of the book was a bit slow, as we get to know the characters and what happened when the Cahill sisters' mother died. Nothing too exciting happened. Later on, as Cate learns more about her role in the prophecy, she realizes she has a very difficult choice to make; get married or join the Sisterhood. This decision is difficult because all she thinks about is what's best for her sisters. As the story builds up, Cate's character changes as well. She becomes a feisty and mature young lady who owns up to her role of lady of the house and not afraid to speak her mind. This change in character was nice to see.

      There were plenty of plot twists and keep you on the edge events that occurred during three quarters of the book. It got good and addicting. Throughout this book you will put yourself in Cate's shoes and ask yourself; what would you do if you were Cate? I need to pick up the second book and find out what happens to Cate and her sisters!

Rating: 4/5  

The Liar Society by Lisa&Laura Roecker Review

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Series: The Liar Society (#1)
Release date: March 1st, 2011
Published by Sourcebooks Fire

Summary (from Goodreads)
Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)

                    Kate, 

                   I'm here,

                             sort of. 

                             Find Cameron.

                              He knows.

                             I shouldn't be writing.

                               Don't tell. 

                              They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder...

Review: 

The Liar Society is a mystery book around a socially recluse girl looking to solve the death of her best friend, Grace. The main character, Kate, has become antisocial and detached herself from everyone around her. Instead, she prefers to relive the memories she made with Grace, leading to her parents sending her to therapy. She is told to let Grace go and start living her life happily. As she tries to listen to her therapists advice, she gets an email from Grace. Or at least so she thinks. The emails leave clues disguised as riddles which leads Kate on a mission to find out the truth about Grace's death. The answers aren't easy, and she later finds help from her redhead neighobr, Seth who has an obvious crush on Kate, and the cute boy who makes her feel something again, Liam.
I enjoyed this book so much I stayed up until 6am to finish the whole thing in one night. I highly recommend this book to fans of Pretty Little Liars or anything similar. There was enough mystery to be suspenseful and engaging yet there was plenty of humor to balance out the overall depressing plot and chilling events. The book is written with several chapters of flashbacks so that readers can understand what happened during the past leading up to Grace's tragic death.

It was really nice seeing Kate's character progressing throughout the book. In the beginning she was the reserved girl who didn't want to socialize with others. People around her looked at with pity which Kate hated even more. As events happen and Kate is fueled by the possibility of seeing Grace again, she becomes this strong and daring girl willing to do anything to understand Grace's death. You also see her opening up to others and actually feeling happy again. Her new friends are characters that I really enjoyed reading about too. Seth, her neighbor is the typical nerd who is oblivious to the bullying directed towards him. That's what I admire about him, he doesn't let anything hurtful affect him and lives life as himself. Not to mention he's dorky and a clueless at times which makes him oh so hilarious and the perfect sidekick to Kate. Together with Liam, the boy who you can't help rooting for to get together with Kate, they become her two knights in shining armor.

As clues were given and pieces of the puzzle were put together, through every step of the way I enjoyed solving the mystery along with Kate. The plot turned into an unexpected twist which I really enjoyed and it suddenly became multiple problems that needed to be solved; how Grace, who was in on her death and why? The ending was something different too. Kate thinks she's solved Grace's death but then she is slammed right back to step 1. Nevertheless, in Kate's own thoughts, she knew that she had changed into a different and mature Kate, and the new Kate deserved a new start.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery, humor, and surprising events. I can't wait to read the second book to this trilogy.

Rating: 4/5

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins Review

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games (#2)

Release Date: September 1st, 2009
Published by Scholastic Press


SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Sparks are igniting.Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

REVIEW: 

Catching Fire was not as exciting as the first book, however it was still exciting and enjoyable near the end, as it was where the games started and she was quickly filled in on what happened to her home, district 12. In the beginning it started a lot slower compared to the first book, because it had to explain the situation of the districts that were currently rebelling and Katniss' fear of what she has caused. Personally I thought that the writing lacked emotion and impact. The author wrote so much detail about the rebellions and Katniss' thoughts and worries that she had rushed through the truly exciting part, the games itself. While reading about the dangerous adventures Katniss and Peeta had with their allies I felt that things ended as soon as it begun. Near death experiences were quickly followed after by the next morning, feelings were skipped through, making Katniss seem like she didn't even realize she almost died. Overall, the Games were not as exciting as the Games in the fIrst book.

My favorite thing about this book were the characters, I loved every one of them. Katniss was a three dimensional characters with many flaws. She is uncomfortable, awkward, and doesn't allow people in. But she is also fiercely loyal to her family and friends, brave, smart, and ultimately, good. Peeta is wonderful, kind, smart, well-spoken. He is everything that awkward Katniss is not; they play off one another perfectly. Their allies during the games, Finnick, Mags, Johanna, Beetee and others who were killed off early were the perfect combination of bravery, kookiness, and intelligence. Some of the characters made me laugh because of their unusual behaviour, and the death of others greatly saddened me. I was so deeply delved into the Hunger Games that I felt myself standing beside the characters and watching them die in front of me. Another thing that I loved about this book was the creativity and uniqueness of everything. Suzanne Collins really knows how to capture her audience and make them cling onto every word.

The plot twist and cliffhanger were the worst things to depart away with from this book. Both of these events just made me want to scream in frustration because I suddenly had questions that needed to be answered immediately. I was never a fan of books of the dystopian genre, however the Hunger Games trilogy is an exception because it's amazing. I cannot wait to go see Catching Fire in the theatres when it is released.

Rating: 4/5

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter ARC Review

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

Elemental Mysteries (#1)

Release Date: October 18th, 2011

Published by: E. Hunter (self-published)

Format: eBook, 293 pages

Source: An ARC copy provided by the author

Summary (from Goodreads):

"No secret stays hidden forever..."

A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mystery he'd abandoned years before. He beer expected a young librarian could hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would attract. Now he and Beatrice de Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads them from the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.

A Hidden Fire is a paranormal mystery/romance for adult readers. It is the first book in the Elemental Mysteries Series.

Review:

First off, thanks to the author for sending in a copy of A Hidden Fire for us to review.

At first, I didn't really know what to expect from this book since I've never read a lot of adult fiction. But honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. Adult fiction didn't have too many differences with YA novels except for some mild sexual content. But at the same time, I was also super excited to read this novel since it was a paranormal/fantasy novel. This book was a little bit of both fiction and non-fiction since it included a little bit about the history of the Italian Renaissance.

The beginning wasn't exactly exciting for me, in fact, it didn't spark any interest for me at all. But I knew I had to patient with it, since not all great books have great beginnings. As the story start to progress, and things started to happen, I started to really enjoy this book. The vocabulary and detail in each page was written so well, it was like watching a film instead of reading a book. The humor in this book lightened up the story and made it exciting AND fun. And who says the elders can't find love? Caspar and Isadora? By far the cutest couple in all the books I've read.

As for the characters... Beatrice wasn't my favorite character, but I didn't hate her either. She's clever, bold, yet she would let her emotions take the best of her. But I could see where she got her boldness and cleverness from. Isadora, Beatrice's grandmother was definitely an interesting and witty character. Beatrice and Giovanni had this sort of relationship that was frustrating. Because Giovanni was a vampire, he had to learn how to control his urges, which is why he couldn't get too close to Beatrice, even if it meant driving Beatrice insane. But then again, it's not everyday you see a 22-year old female being attracted to a vampire that was over 500 years old.

After all the action happened and the mystery started to unravel and things were explained and I was no longer confused, it was already close to the end of the book. With an ending like that, it's impossible to not read the second book of the Elemental Mysteries series. I had all these questions going through my mind after I finished reading A Hidden Fire; what's going to happen to Lorenzo? What about Beatrice and Giovanni's relationship? Ms. Hunter sure knows how to keep her reader's guessing.

Rating: 4/5

Cover: 8/10

Character(s) I liked: Carwyn, Caspar, Isadora

Character(s) I disliked: Lorenzo, Dr. Scalia

First Sentence: "The man stole down the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the dimly lit basement of the library."

What the Author's Up To: Goodreads//Blog

Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen REVIEW

Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

Demon Princess #1

Release Date: September 29th, 2009

Published by Walker Books for Young Readers

Format: Paperback, 274 pages

Source: Library

SUMMARY (from Goodreads): As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands-the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious-and surprisingly cute- messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her growing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew- what's a teenage demon princess to do?

REVIEW:

To be honest, I was very disappointed at the cover for this book. It wasn't good, appealing, eye-catching enough for a thrilling, exciting, fun, kept-you-off-your-seat read. I almost skipped this book and put it back on the shelves if it weren't for the summary. I am SO glad that I didn't move on to another book. Even at the beginning, things started to get interesting. I never wanted to put the book down! A book full of action, adventure, fantasy, mythical creatures, cute boys, betrayal, and forbidden love? Yes please!

Nikki finds out that she's a demon princess. Her father is the king of the Shadowlands, a land where there are dragons, and right beside it is the fairy realms...with unicorns. Nikki's reaction to the news was definitely one everyone would've felt. If Michael was to be following me in the middle of the night, and told me I was a demon princess, I would've thought he was crazy and ran away. But then again, after letting the news sink in, and seeing the Shadowlands with my own eyes, I would've thought it would be pretty awesome to be a demon princess. It was a pity that Michael and Nikki's relationship was forbidden, with a capital F. They made such a great couple. I can't wait to see how their relationship plays out in the next book.

I loved Nikki's personality. Brave, courageous, witty, smart, bold. She's definitely one of my favorite female lead characters. Reading this story from her point of view was definitely fun. She was caught between making two choices. One for her freedom but she forgets everything about her father and that she's a demon princess or becoming queen and never being able to step foot on the human world again. In the end, she chose to do what she thought was right, even if it meant regretting it. When Nikki transformed into her Darkling self, it was like I was right in front of her watching her change. The details of what she looked like were described so realistically.

This book taught me the power of love, and finding your happy ending isn't something that'll happen right away. After reading such a spectacular start of an exciting sequel, I'm very curious to find out what happens next in the second book!

Rating: 4/5

Cover: 4/10

Character(s) I liked: Nikki, Michael

Character(s) I disliked: Elizabeth, Chris, Dax, Robert

First Sentence: "That guy is staring at you."

What the Author's Up To: Goodreads//Blog//Facebook//Twitter

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt Review

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Not in series

Release Date: June 26th, 2007

Published by Simon Pulse

Format: Paperback, 288 pages

Source: Library

Summary:

A road trip with her ex? Danger ahead.

There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's go a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

Review

***NOTE. This review might be a little silly.

Two Way Street was a cute and humorous read! At first, I wasn't exactly thrilled to read this book after reading the summary. But I'm really glad I did though. I loved the whole idea of exes going on a road trip. It has DISASTER written all over it. Unless... they still have feelings for each other. DUN DUN DUN.

Applause to Ms. Barnholdt for the way she laid out the book. It was written in Courtney and Jordan's POV before, during and after the trip. That way the reader gets to know what happened before the trip and how these two lovebirds got together, how it all fell apart, and the outcome. Before the trip, Jordan was a major player and was only using Courtney to get other girls jealous. And I knew that I would hate him. But then something happened, and Jordan had a change of heart. Then I wasn't so sure whether to like Jordan or hate him. These two were definitely meant for each other if Courtney got the best out of him.

It was hilarious watching these two attack each other with their thoughts. Courtney was always trying to make Jordan jealous because he was the one who broke up with her. And Jordan was always trying to pretend like he didn't care about Courtney anymore. Just their thoughts alone was both hilarious and tragic. I thought that out of the whole relationship, it must have been the hardest on Jordan. Pretending he doesn't love Courtney anymore, when he still does, and watching her be intimate with other guys. I was so upset that they didn't get to be more intimate during the road trip, or SOMETHING that'll get them back together.

As we all know, the ending is where the story should end with a BANG. Unfortunately, I was terribly disappointed with this story's ending. It was resolved rather quickly and I felt like the author was rushing it. Unfortunately, because of the disappointing ending, this book doesn't get a perfect 5 for me.

Rating: 4/5

Cover: 4/10

First Sentence: I'm a traitor to my generation.

What the Author's Up To: Blog

Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4) by Sara Shepard REVIEW

SOURCE: FRIEND

*may contain spoilers since this is the 4th book in the series*

Out of all the books that I've read in the series, this one was probably the most suspenseful and mysterious, since they found out who -A is. I thought this book was a great read. I don't know why, but this book is a lot harder to review then the other books that I've read. I apologize in advance if this review is rather... boring.

The characters are backstabbing, selfish and devious. But its obviously their personality that really got to "A" to make her hate them so much. While I was reading each character, and how they act, I was always trying to give myself a reason not to hate them. But I don't know... Let's just say I wouldn't want them as my friends in real life.

If you read prologues, like I do, it started out really mysterious (Geez, I really need to use better adjectives), and it caught my attention, since it was a prologue that was meant to help you reflect on your own behaviour. And then it would be switch to a flashback, when Ali and her friends were still in Grade 7.

Overall, it was well written, and I think the author purposely made the characters the way they are just so it'll accompany the story better. I also loved how she would write it in each Pretty Little Liars perspective. Sometimes, I would want to read one persons perspective more then another, and that's what made it so anticipating for me. This was a great installment to the series, and I'm excited to read the 5th book and see what happens next.

RATING: 4/5

COVER: 5/10

FIRST LINE: Ever wish you could go back in time and undo your mistakes? - page 1

CHARACTER(S) I LIKED: Jenna, Lucas

CHARACTER(S) I LIKED: Mona, Hanna, Emily, Aria, Spencer, Melissa, Ali

SUMMARY: from Goodreads

Four pretty little liars' charmed lives have turned into living nightmare.

Emily's been shipped off to Iowa to liver with her uberconservative cousins. Aria's boyfriend is behind bars-because of her. Spencer's afraid she was involved in Ali's murder. But Hanna's fate is far worse: She's clinging to life in the hospital because she knew too much.

If these girls don't start listening to me, Hanna's going to look like the lucky one.

Pretty Little Devils by Nancy Holder REVIEW

SOURCE: LIBRARY

For those of you who thought this was another one of those chick-lit books that always only talk about high school drama like boyfriends and popular boys, then you're COMPLETELY wrong. This book was one of those that started off on a good note, and ended off with a dark twist. One that will surprise any reader. Many of the characters all hungered for one thing; popularity. To be the top girl of their high school. Too bad someone's out to get them...

I have to admit, when I read the prologue, I was a little confused, since it started off with a phone conversation, and ended off with a blog entry. A rather threatening blog entry... I considered skipping this book, since I thought it would just be one of those many clique books. Boy was I glad I stuck with it.

The characters were well written. The author describes their feelings clearly, and I felt just as terrified as Hazel! It was only written in Hazel's perspective. But I would've wanted it to be more then one person. Like maybe Sylvia and Hazel. There was a lot of drama going on in the story. Not enough that made me think this book was out of control. Just enough to keep me entertained in every page.

In the book, with the whole blog entries and threatening messages and murders, it definitely made me think who it was. I have to admit, I jumped from person to person, accusing them because it seemed the most likely thing. In the end, I would've never guessed the person whoreally was the murderer. I was actually terrified of the outcome!

After reading this book, I was so careful of my surroundings because I was

scared that someone was out to get me. That was the impact it had on me!

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a good

thriller that'll leave you paranoid, even at home!

RATING: 4/5

COVER: 4/10

FIRST LINE: By the end of the first week, everyone had their designated seats in the cafeteria. - page 8

CHARACTER(S) I LIKED: Charlie

CHARACTER(S) I DISLIKED: Sylvia, Breona

SUMMARY: from Goodreads

Hazel Stone wants nothing more than to be a part of the hottest clique in school, the Pretty Little Devils. She's got the style, she's cool enough, so how did she end up at a lunch table full of high school C-listers?

Hazel has resigned herself to life as a nobody, when suddenly everything changes. Sylvia, queen bee of PLDs, invites Hazel to one of the group's famous soirees-held at the site of their babysitting jobs.

Before Hazel knows it, she's in with the in crowd-and she couldn't be more thrilled!

But popularity comes with a price. Especially when on of Hazel's classmates becomes jealous of her newfound status-deadly jealous.

And you know how school gossip can just rip a girl to shreds...

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard REVIEW

SOURCE: OWN COPY

So recently i finished reading ' The Lying Game' by Sara Shepard, author of the bestseller series and now a successful TV show,Pretty Little Liars. I absolutely loved the Pretty Little Liars series, and that was really the reason why i decided to read Sara's next series. :)

So, The Lying Game really kept my attention. It was a real page turner. Personally, I really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it to you, if you're like me, and really like books that keep you guessing.

This book talks about how a teenage girl, named Emma, is a foster child. She watches a video of a girl who looks identical to her being somewhat hurt. She realizes that she has a long lost twin sister, named Sutton, who has gone missing for the past few years. Emma, desperate to find out what happened, pretends to be Sutton, to find out who killed her. The story contains many twists that will keep you on the edge!

The Lying Game is a fantastic read that will surely keep you wanting more. This book doesn't really have a full ending, because you need to read the second book in the series, Never Have I Ever, that is expected to come out around August 2nd, 2011, to find out what happens. This book really makes you think clearly about reality, and of all the different possibilities life can offer.

Overall, Sara Shepard's storyline, and the way she incorporated the language, made the book hard to put down. She really represented the essence of how the protagonist felt in ways which words cannot display.

Rating: 4/5

Cover: 5/10

~what if you had a long lost twin? what if she disappeared the day you were suppose to meet? how far would you go to find out what happened?~

Wish by Alexandra Bullen REVIEW

SOURCE: LIBRARY

Wish teaches you a important lesson; be careful of what you wish for. The beginning was somewhat dull. It made me bored and I even considered moving on. But of course, I wasn't going to give up on the book that easily. Everything gets interesting as soon as Violet is with Olivia again, something Olivia has always wanted since Violet died. Because Violet was Olivia's only true friend; and of course, sister.

Olivia and Violet have two completely different personalities; even though they are twins. Violet has more of a spontaneous personality, while Olivia is the opposite; quiet, and shy. Its all thanks to Violet's outgoing personality that Olivia has friends in her new school in San Francisco; and a forbidden boyfriend.

The plot is one of which people might think is cheesy. How an ordinary girl has magical dresses that can grant her any wish that she wants. But the way Alexandra wrote it, balanced it out. It was interesting, and not at all cheesy. The end was probably my favorite part where Olivia resolves everything and where she shows her anger for the first time since Violet's death. The ending was touching and shocking. Olivia makes a huge mistake, and by the time she realizes what she had done, it was already too late. And how she resolves things with her parents. It was touching enough to make me cry.

Alexandra's debut novel is definitely a wonderful read, and I'm looking forward to her future books.

Rating: 4/5

Cover: 8/10

Character(s) I liked: Violet, Calla, Bowie

Character(s) I disliked: None in this novel.

FIRST LINE: "You must be Olivia"

SUMMARY: For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back. With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

Girl Stays In The Picture by Melissa De La Cruz REVIEW

SOURCE: LIBRARY

I actually really enjoyed Girl Stays In the Picture By Melissa De La Cruz. It's one of those books that I thought I wouldn't have liked as much as I did. There were some flaws with the writing and the plot. Mostly in the end, and some parts started to get a little predictable. It's mainly about celebrities, and their lives, how they climb up to the top, and how they come crashing down, the good, the bad, and the tragically ugly in the life of stardom, and how the pressure of stardom can make you get out of control. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a good read. At some parts, I did feel it was getting a little dull, which made me hesitant to pick it up, but I'm glad I did, because it didn't take long for it to get interesting again.

The characters were fairly well written. Most of the characters do meet up with the same problem; complications with love. In the end, everything is resolved with their love life, and for most, it ends in a happy ending. But for Devon, I think she's the only one that doesn't have a happy ending, because, well, her world basically falls apart, when she just finished climbing up to the top of stardom. Also, the ending will leave you guessing: Who? And why?? It's one of those ending's that lets you make it into your own ending, especially since, it's kind of a cliff hanger, and there aren't any specific clues. Pretty intense story huh?

Rating: 4/5

Cover: 7/10

Character(s) I disliked: Summer, Miss Jodie (like mother like daughter I guess), Randall, Imogen, Eddie

Character(s) I liked: Casey, Bruno, Jamie

FIRST LINE: As far as Devon was concerned, there was only one way to arrive in Saint-Tropez: on board a magnificent seventy-five-foot yacht.

SUMMARY:

Devon -- one name only, please -- is the latest and jail-bait-est pop star to hit number one on the Billboard chart, and she's making her big-screen debut in Juicy. But after her stint in rehab, the studio isn't so sure she's their girl anymore. If they cut any more of her lines, she'll be a silent film actress! Can Devon regain her star status? She needs to watch her back and make sure that flash doesn't catch her causing a scene, and we don't mean the kind you can yell "Cut!" after.

Livia has lost the weight and gained the attitude in the Hollywood party scene. Her dad's an Oscar-winning producer, and with a hot Beverly Hills boyfriend on her arm as well as her photos all over the pages of Gosizzle.com, Livia looks like she has a perfect life. But looks can be perfectly deceiving....

And there's fresh-faced Casey, who left a job bagging groceries at the Piggly Wiggly to play personal assistant to her best friend...and Devon's rival. She's got the biggest crush on the biggest star of the film -- a hot Brit known for loving and leaving. Will Casey stay true to herself while trying to find a place in his universe?

Stars. They're just like us. But what does that mean for the rest of us? Stay tuned, people.