Solid

Solid by Shelley Workinger

Publisher: CreateSpace
Release date: July 9th 2010
Pages: 221
Source: eBook for review from author
Summary (from Goodreads): Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified site where they forge new friendships, find love, develop "super-abilities," and even unearth a conspiracy.

 My review:

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started Solid.  The cover gave off a sort of dark vibe, and so did the prologue, but once I started getting into it I found that it wasn't.  The setting,I thought, was great.  I liked the campus a lot because, like the main character Clio, I love the outdoors.  Most of the time, they were in the fresh air for their lessons, or out in the forest.

I enjoyed reading about each of the characters. I really liked Clio, mostly because she was very easy to relate to.  Jack was great, too, and really sweet!  He even made a constellation out of lights in his bedroom for Clio. The other main characters, other friends of Clio's, were really good too.  They had believable personalities, and although one was a bit of a snob, I liked her because there are people like her in life and normally they have something nicer underneath.

The plot was a little bit slow in the beginning, but I was really enjoying Shelley's style of writing, so I got through the first two chapters and started to get quite interested.  By the end I could barely put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen. Some parts of the ending were surprises and other parts confirmed what I had been suspecting for a little while. As long as there's some sort unexpected twist at the end I'll be happy, so that was perfect for me.


Solid is definitely a book that I would recommend, so even if you aren't enjoying it in the start, make sure to just keep reading and you'll hopefully end up loving it like I did!

My rating:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

In total,

You Wish

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 272
Realease date: August 5th 2010
Summary (from Goodreads): Kayla McHenry's sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla's secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin' do.
Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year's supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla's wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.



My review: 

Okay, you're probably thinking that the cover for this one looks like it's for 7-year-olds, but it's not.  I think the whole boyfriends-girlfriends problem gives that away a bit.  Believe me, I was a little skeptical too as I started the book.

I'm happy to say that I was very impressed by Mandy Hubbard's writing.  There was just the right amount of humor to keep it a light book, but not too fluffy that there wasn't a real point in writing it.  The plot made me want to know what was happening next all the time.  I wanted to know what the next problem entering Kayla's life would be. My only problem was that it seemed to be just a little bit too cute in some bits, like it would be something for younger young adults.  It seems like a good one maybe for newbies to the young adult genre to look at; it's not very intense in romance and is just a sweet tale.

As for Kayla as the main character, I liked her a lot.  She was easy to relate to, because of all her ordinary high school problems.  There's nothing particularly weird or abnormal about her, and she has always been okay with that.  I'm glad of her reaction when the wishes start coming true, which is freaking out.  It seems like the most regular and expected thing to do that is completely easy to relate to. She is definitely a favourite character of mine, though I did find her to be slightly annoying at times.

All the wishes I found were really good.  Each one of them was something that made me laugh, especially the guy named Ken stalking her and calling her Barbie.  That seemed like a good thing to wish for when she was into that sort of thing, maybe, but when she's16, not so much.

I haven't read anything else by Mandy Hubbard before, but she's got quite a few that might be worth looking into, including her debut, Prada and Prejudice, Ripple, and But I Love Him. I look forward to reading more from her!

Questions

I'm thinking about buying some sort of digital book device, but I'm not really experienced in this sort of thing.  There are so many different types out there, but I'm not sure which one I want.  Do any of you have any experience with a kindle/eReader/Kobo/anything like that?  If you do, can you tell me what you think about it in the comments?  That would be much appreciated! 

*Sorry for the lack of reviews recently!  I haven't been reading too much in the last few weeks, but I just finished a couple of books, so expect some up soon!*

WoW - June 22nd

WoW is a weekly meme I participate in, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  It stands for Waiting on Wednesday, and the point is to share to the Blogging world what book you're most looking forward to that week!  This week, I can't wait to read The Siren's Cry, by Jennifer Ann Kogler!

Summary (from Goodreads): Not just an Otherworldly...
an Unusual.
Fern is not like other girls. She has strange and vivid visions and has the ability to teleport—anywhere, anytime. Fern is an Otherworldly, a special kind of vampire that lives in the human world. What's more, Fern is one of the Unusual Eleven, a group of Otherworldlies all born on the same day with extraordinary powers, prophesied to change the fate of Otherworldlies and humans alike.
On a school trip to Washington, DC, Fern has a dramatic vision that reveals another Unusual in grave danger. Now it's up to Fern to put together the pieces of where he is and why he's been taken. Can Fern solve the puzzle and free the boy in time to defeat the darkness that threatens? 

Why I want to read it:  As a general rule (as long as it's well written), I like vampire books, and this sounds like a particularly good one!

Anastasia's Secret

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
Release date: 320
Pages: March 2nd 2010
Summary (from Goodreads):  For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia's last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family's future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death?
Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap's new novel is a haunting vision of the life-and love story-of Russia's last princess.



My review: 

I don't have too much to compare Anastasia's Secret to, as I don't know much about the Russian Revolution, and I'm sorry to say that I still don't.


I loved the idea of the book.  Reading the epilogue, I saw that the author wanted to believe that Anastasia, the youngest of the Grand Duchesses, found love before she died.  I want to believe that, as well, but I did have a few problems with the book.  The first thing were the characters.  I liked Anastasia well enough, but I never really got to know the other characters.  They were just. . . There. I wish I could have gotten to know them better, but they were never just in the same scene for very long.  


Speaking of which, there was no plot.  I was never sure what was happening, and there was no pacing.  The story was here. . . And suddenly it was over there.  At the end, it seemed as though the author just decided that she didn't want to write anymore and would just tell us what historically happened.  I found this rather abrupt.  


This isn't a very long review, but I've said all that there is to say.  In all, it wasn't really a bad book, but it just wasn't one that was particularly great.


My rating:
Characters: 2.5/5
Plot: 1.5/5
Writing: 4/5
Originality: 4.5/5

In total,

In My Mailbox - June 19th

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren, in which you show the books you got that week.  They can be borrowed from friends, bought, or been taken out from the library.  This week, I got two books from the library:

1. You Wish - Mandy Hubbard
2. Between a Rock and a Hard Place - Aron Ralston

What did you get in you mailbox?  Leave a link in the comments!

WoW - June 15th

WoW is a weekly meme I participate in, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  It stands for Waiting on Wednesday, and the point is to share to the Blogging world what book you're most looking forward to that week!  This week, I can't wait to read Eve by Anna Carey!

Summary (from Goodreads):  The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Why I want to read it:  Easy.   I love dystopian. This sounds like a great one to read, judging by the summary.

What happens. . .

When I am given too much time on Photoshop:

Notice anything wrong with this picture?  Here's the original:

And here's the second in the series, the one I based the colours on:

Hmm. . . Shouldn't I be posting reviews instead of messing around on Photoshop?  :)

In My Mailbox - June 12th

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren, in which you show the books you got that week.  They can be borrowed from friends, bought, or been taken out from the library.  This week, I only got one book, from the library:

The Evil Within - Nancy Holder

What did you get in your mailbox?  Leave a link in the comments!

City of Glass Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Abhishek Duggal for winning my 100 followers giveaway!  He has responded back to me, and the book is shipping right now.  Many thanks to everyone who participated!

The Gathering

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper (HarperCollins)
Pages: 359
Source: Received as gift
Summary (from Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.
...moreSixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet. 


My review: There is so much I can say about Kelley Armstrong's writing, but I can sum it up in one word: amazing.  There's so much I like about it.


The thing that really stands out to me in Kelley's books is the humor cleverly weaved in.  It doesn't come across as a particularly funny book as your reading it, then suddenly you realize that your laughing in in the most serious parts.  This reminded me a lot of her last book trilogy.  I'm having a hard time deciding which one I liked more, but I think I am leaning towards her last one, but just barely.  The only reason I say that is because I loved Derek, and I don't particularly like Daniel or Rafe.


Having said that, though, I admit that the characters really jumped out to me.  While I never found some of them, like Sam and Rafe, particularly likable it was made up by their realism.  Maya was an excellent main character, with the just the right mix of great and annoying things about her.  Every step she took was like one of my own.


I'm very indecisive about the plot of the book.  At some points I thought it was too fast, at some points I thought it was too slow.  In the end though, I hadn't even considered putting it down at all, so it endedi up being fine.  The main climax at the end of the book was well-paced; not too short, not too long.


All I can say is that if you haven't read anything by Kelley Armstrong, I suggest that you do that now!


My rating:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

In total,

WoW - June 8th

WoW is a weekly meme I participate in, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  It stands for Waiting on Wednesday, and the point is to share to the Blogging world what book you're most looking forward to that week!  This week, I can't wait to read Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore!

Summary (from Goodreads): For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren—the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood—a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Why I want to read it: It sounds like just the type of book I would like to read, and I love the colours on the cover!

What Happened to Goodbye

What happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Pages: 402
Release date: May 10th 2011
Source: received as gift
Summary (from Goodreads): In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce. Sarah Dessen's novel about a teenager and her restaurant manager father captures the vulnerability that young people often experience after the dissolution of their family. A compelling story; strong characterization; and with a touch of romance.




 My review: 

I love Sarah Dessen.  This is the sixth book I've read by her, and it definitely won't be the last.  I love everything in her books; however, I'm starting to feel as though they're a little repetitive.

In every single one of her books that I've read so far, the plot is basically the same.  In each one, either the girl's parents are divorced, or one is dead.  She therefore does not believe in love and won't let herself get attache to anyone.  Also, haven't we seen the food storyline before, in The Truth About Forever?

That aside, I loved the book.  What isn't to love?  The characters are not only was easy to relate to, but seem real as well.  The story is told in just the right amount of pages, which was perfect.  It didn't trail off, keeping me waiting and bored, but it wasn't told to quickly with the climax stuffed in at the end. 

There's not much I can say other than that.  I thought that once again Sarah Dessen had mastered the descriptions in the book so that it wasn't too long and there's wasn't too little.  My only complaint is that the end seemed to jump too much and wasn't really explained.

I have no more words, other than that What Happened to Goodbye was amazing, just like all her other books.  Definitely one I would recommend!

Reminder!

Don't forget to enter my contest for a signed copy of City of Glass!  Tomorrow is the last day to enter for it!  http://thebookbubble.blogspot.com/2011/05/100-followers-giveaway.html

WoW - June 1st

WoW is a weekly meme I participate in, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  It stands for Waiting on Wednesday, and the point is to share to the Blogging world what book you're most looking forward to that week!  This week, I can't wait to read The Unbecoming of Mary Dyer!

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.

Why I want to read it: It sounds just like the type of book I would like to read, judging by the summary!

What are you waiting on? Leave a link in the comments!



*Don't forget to enter my 100 followers giveaway for a signed copy of City of Glass by Cassandra Clare!*