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August 30, 2013

Review: Wrestling with Tom Sawyer by L.L. Samson

Wrestling with Tom Sawyer (The Enchanted Attic #4)
Title: Wrestling With Tom Sawyer (The Enchanted Attic, #4)
Author: L.L Samson
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Publication date: August 6, 2013
Genre(s): Middle Grade (Fantasy)
Source: Publisher 
Format: ARC
Pages: 180
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indigo
There's no one under the sun like Tom Sawyer! School is back in session, and all of Kingscross is abuzz with news of a burglar specializing in fine antiques and rare books. Seven Hills Rare Books has battened down the hatches. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the monthly party, 'Bare Feet and a Straw Hat Never Hurt Anybody.' For the 'evening with Mark Twain, ' Ophelia has set to reading Tom Sawyer, and the gang agrees that the mischievous boy should be brought into Real World. He'd be a refreshing change, much easier to handle, and they could easily pass him off as a student. However, Tom immediately picks a fight with Walter, falls in love with Ophelia, and tries to one-up Linus's scientific discoveries with tales of treasure hunting and cave exploring. When Ophelia is kidnapped by the thief, Tom is determined to save her like he did Becky Thatcher. The question is, will it be too late?
Ophelia and Linus the twins, and their good friend Walter decided that they need another adventure right at the beginning of the semester, and they decided they should bring out Tom Sawyer out of his book. But the twins have an annoying cousin named Cato who plans to do whatever it takes to mess with them. When Cato brings out Injun (pronounced like "engine" ) Joe, a ruthless man who wants revenge so bad he'd kill for it, and has him kidnap Ophelia and Tom, its up to Tom's cleverness and Linus and Walter's quick wits to help Ophelia and Tom escape a (possible) murderer. 
This book is great! Ophelia was a bit annoying in this book, what with correcting every grammar mistake that Tom makes. I understand the problem with people who have horrible grammar, but I would have quickly realized that there was no point in even trying. I kinda dragged my way through the majority of the book, as it was a bit boring with some interesting bits thrown in. Thankfully, the book became more interesting when Ophelia and Tom were kidnapped. 
Nothing except the beginning of the book bothered me. The flow was great, and the writing was nice. I like how the author explains how each character is feeling, but not in a very confusing way. The book is the fourth in a series, and by the way it ended, I'm guessing there will be a 5th, which I'm excited for. I would recommend this series to tweens ages 11-16.

August 27, 2013

Review: Eternity by Elizabeth Miles

Eternity (Fury, #3)
Title: Eternity (Fury, #3)
Author: Elizabeth Miles
Publisher:
 Simon Pulse
Publication date: September 3, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Greek Mythology)
Source: Publisher (Simon & Schuster Canada)
Format: ARC
Pages: 336
Secrets and revenge make for desperate measures and fateful choices in this gripping conclusion to the Fury trilogy.The weather is mild in Ascension…but beneath the surface, everything is burning up.

The nightmare Emily Winters has been living through for months shows no sign of ending, as the Furies stay on the peripheral, slowly driving her crazy. Em feels...different. She’s angry, and never cold, and too strong. It’s only a matter of time before she turns into the thing she hates the most. Em needs to take her fate into her own hands, but without Drea’s help, or anyone to turn to, Em is quickly running out of options.

Crow’s involvement with Em has grown more complicated. His visions are taking shape—and it doesn’t look good for Em. But Crow has a plan, and he will do anything to save her. Anything.

JD misses the Em he used to know...and love. She doesn’t seem like herself; it’s like she’s hiding something. When JD begins to learn the truth, he is as scared as he is determined to help her. And Em’s survival may be dependent on his actions.

The Furies love to play games, but this time they’re deadly serious…and they hate to lose.
Eternity is the much anticipated finale to the Fury trilogy which I highly enjoyed. If you read my review of Fury, you would know I wasn't that excited about it, but Envy? I really loved that book. So it is an understatement when I say I was excited for Eternity. I have to say, I wasn't disappointed with the way Elizabeth Miles wrapped up the story, even though it felt a bit rushed towards the end. 
As with the previous two books, we get interchanging POVs.. this time there is Em, JD, and even Crow, the last two being the two love interests, though this trilogy doesn't really center around the romance. By the time I was getting so frustrated with the three furies, but the good kind. The kind that makes me want to read the novel faster trying to reach the end and find out how to defeat those three damned girls/furies. I'm glad we got to see more of Crow because he was such an intriguing character to me. As for JD, I am just not a fan of him because he felt a little bit too desperate for me. However both characters grow on you and even though they are different, you do like them both. As for Em, she had her ups and downs but she also really grew on me. 
I have to point out that what makes this trilogy is the creepy factor which is incorporated in creepy descriptions and settings. I loved the way Elizabeth Miles describes everything and I have to admit I was spooked from time to time reading these books. I've read a couple of greek mythology novels and in all honesty this trilogy is the only one that I actually really enjoyed. I definitely recommend it to greek mythology fans. Only pass the verdict after you read Fury AND Envy because I was about to give up the trilogy but I picked up Envy, and I am glad I did! 
        Other books by Kiersten White:
        Fury (Fury, #1)
        Envy (Fury, #2)

August 25, 2013

Review: Fire With Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian


Title: Fire With Fire (Burn for Burn, #2)
Author: Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian 
Publisher:
 Simon & Schuster
Publication date: August 13, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Simon & Schuster Canada
Format: ARC
Pages: 528
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.

For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.

And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.

It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...
May contain spoilers if you have not read Burn for Burn  
If you've been following our blog for a while, then you should already know how OBSESSED I was with Burn for Burn last year. I literally devoured it in ONE day. Anyways, I squealed when I got this book for review, because Burn for Burn ended in such a major cliffhanger! Fire with Fire starts off exactly where Burn for Burn left off. I kind of had to skim through my copy of Burn for Burn to refresh my memory because I kind of forgot a lot of stuff. This book is also told from the three girls point of views, so we still get to read about each and every one of their personal feelings! The story immediately starts off with a fast pace. After the three girls took their revenge, they think they're done. Not with how badly things ended with one of their target. Things kind of start to collapse for each girl. Lillia is on the verge of losing her friends, Kat is confused, and Mary doesn't know what's wrong with her. Things have totally gone crazy!
My favorite thing about this book is probably the characters. All of them are unique and different. Also, there are a LOT of characters in this book that are important, so it never gets boring. Everyone has their share of secrets and crushes and whatnot, so you never really get bored of reading. In my opinion, I felt like Lillia was the one who suffered the most from the outcome of their revenge. I felt sorry for her that she lost most of her friends, but she still had Mary and Kat so I wasn't too upset. I feel like Kat doesn't really have a major part in this book, even though she's the middle of the cover. This book did make the reader's learn more about her, and I like her even more, but I still want more. Mary.. What can I say about Mary? Her life is a roller coaster. Things aren't great with her aunt, she keeps doing weird things that she doesn't understand herself, and she still isn't over Reeve. Not that I'm complaining, but I think this book was mostly about Mary. 
Overall, this book was so MUCH FUN!! Oh, and if you thought that Burn for Burn ended in a cliffhanger, wait until you read this! We got to know so much more about each character and all the characters grow so much for me! I honestly love them and I don't think I ever want their story to end. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian created such a brilliant story that is full of love, revenge, friendship, and trust. The writing is great, and you just feel like you never want to stop reading. Now I have to wait for the third book, Ashes to Ashes, to come out. I suggest you wait for the third one to come out because you do not want to torture yourself by waiting to find out more. 

Other books by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian:

August 23, 2013

Review: Confessions of a Hater by Caprice Crane

Confessions of a Hater.
Title: Confessions of a Hater
Author: Caprice Crane
Publisher:
 Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: August 27, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher (Raincoast)
Format: ARC
Pages: 368
Mean girls are always the haters - Right?

Hailey Harper has always felt invisible. Now her dad has a new job and the family is moving to Hollywood. Just what Hailey needs: starting a new high school.

As she's packing, Hailey finds a journal that belonged to her older sister, Noel, who is away at college. Called "How to Be a Hater," it's full of info Hailey can really use. Has Hailey found the Bible of Coolness? Will it help her reinvent herself at her new school? Will her crush notice her? Will she and the other Invisibles dethrone the popular mean girls? After all, they deserve it. Don't they?

Caprice Crane's funny--and deeply felt--observations about high school, bullies, popularity, friendship, and romance will leave teens thinking...and talking.
Confessions of a Hater is another book I picked up without knowing much about other than it being a contemporary. I have to say, while the synopsis sounds like a fun read, I didn't know how much I'll enjoy it or if the main protagonist will be another shallow one I can't stand. However the progression of the plot line as well as the main protagonist actually having a guilty conscious, made this book very enjoyable and resulted in minimal frustration from such a topic. 
Hailey Harper has always been in the shadows of her older sister, who is now away at college. Her older sister is the opposite of her, popular, overly pretty, with a great fashion sense. Hailey on the other hand, while not a complete loner, has her small clique of friends but always wished her high school life was more enjoyable and effortless. Little did she know that popularity is reached with a ton of effort and an initiation where you squeeze your heart of any compassion or sympathy for anyone that isn't worth your time (sigh). When Hailey ends up moving with her family, she stumbles upon her sister's journal which is titled "How to Be a Hater" A.K.A popular. That's when Hailey realizes that she has a clean slate with the move and starts following her sister's steps. 
I understood Hailey's desire to be popular, to feel like she mattered the same way her sister was. It is kind of sad when all you're known for is your sibling, as if that is a big achievement in itself. Even though Hailey became part of the popular group, I loved that she questioned everything they did and that most of it didn't sit well with her. She didn't brush it off and blame their heartless actions on the victims because they asked for it. She ends up switching sides soon in the book and I'm happy for that. I find it painful when protagonists don't have the guts to stand up against the popular students. The plot doesn't end here but we get a ton of laugh out loud scenes when both sides try to prank each other. Something that I really enjoyed reading about. 
Crane's writing is like a comedy skit. The dialogue between the characters was always full of humor and sarcasm and I loved all the real friends Hailey ended up making. Also, while this is a lighthearted and funny book, there are actual messages in this book that all high schoolers should know. I also loved the intro of each chapter that starts with a popular song title. Confessions of a Hater is a contemporary book that I would definitely recommend to readers, especially ones in need of a humors one. 
 

August 21, 2013

Mini Reviews: The Enchanted Attic series, the first three books




Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame (The Enchanted Attic #1)Facing The Hunchback of Notre Dame by L.L. Samson
Zonderkidz
May 8, 2012
3.5/5 stars

Ophelia and Linus Easterday are two twins that have been left in Kingscross with their aunt and uncle, who own a bookstore, for 5 years, due to the fact that their parents left to study butterflies on a small island. So when Linus and Ophelia find a secret passage into the attic that holds many secrets, they are quick to notice a white circle in the middle of the floor. After meeting Walter, a boy from London who attended the school next door, a coincidence lands the trio in a mess. The hunchback of Notre Dame has appeared in the middle of the attic, right out of the storybook! Now they have to safely get the hunchback back into his own book. The plot was interesting, the characters were quirky, and the flow was good.  I liked how the author used lots of unusual words, and defined them in parenthesis. This cute fantasy read is a great book overall.



Saving Moby Dick (The Enchanted Attic #2)
 Saving Moby Dick by L.L Samson
Zonderkidz
 2012
3.5/5 stars

The second book in the Enchanted Attic series, Ophelia, Linus and Walter are back! After bringing Captain Ahab out of "Moby Dick", they quickly realize that Captain Ahab is crazier than expected. Trying to control a revenge seeking captain is not as easy as it sounds! And with a crazy cousin trying to cause trouble along the way, it makes it even harder to control the situation. One thing I like about this series is that each book uses the same characters, but have a different plot and problem, which makes them all the more interesting. The ending is wrapped up nicely, and
I love how even though this is third person writing, the author picks one character and tells you what they are thinking, and moves on to another. The transition between characters went by almost unnoticeable. This book was just as great as the first, and even though the books are thin, the details and writing is great.




Dueling with the Three Musketeers (The Enchanted Attic #3) Dueling with the Three Musketeers by L.L Samson 
Zonderkidz
January 20, 2013
3.5/5 stars

The third book in the Enchanted Attic series, twins Ophelia and Linus, along with their British friend Walter, have decided that they would bring out D'Artagnan, the main character in "The Three Musketeers". Unfortunately, Ophelia also brought Lady
DeWinter, the villain and a thief who can't stand D'Artagnan. But that is the least of their worries. The Pierce School For Young People, (a school that the twins' dear friend Walter attends and lives in) is threatened to be closed by Madrigal Peirces' evil brother. As the owner of the school, Madrigal Pierce must find a way to keep her greedy brother from selling the school. Ophelia and Linus think up a plan that could work, but the storybook people must cooperate or else Walter will have to move back to London! Just like the other two books, the story is compelling, and the characters are well described. I really liked this series, and the writing was really entertaining!

August 19, 2013

Guest Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #2)
Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #2)
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Publisher:
 Simon & Schuster
Publication date: October 23, 2012
Genre(s): Young Adult (Mystery/Supernatural)
Source: Own
Pages: 544
Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?
"Our guest reviewer here is my close friend Amani. She is a fantastic writer and she agreed to help me when I wasn't able to form the words to write a review for The Evolution of Mara Dyer. Let me just say that I agree 100% with everything in her review. We spent long skype-chats and twitter conversations fangirl-ing over Noah and dying because of the cliffhanger and just how amazing this book series is. I am hoping that you'll be seeing more of Amani's reviews because they are fantastic! I will leave the links to her Twitter and Goodreads." - Juhina





I thought The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer had a frustrating cliffhanger, until I read The Evolution of Mara Dyer and felt my heart breaking into a million little pieces. I was, and maybe still am, in denial about how The Evolution ended. It's all going to be okay, it has to be. And if it's all real, then I don't know what I'm going to do with my life.
The story starts off with Mara at the hospital, after freaking out about seeing Jude, her ex-boyfriend, who was supposed to be dead. She constantly blames herself for the death of her friends, even in this book. She blames herself for her father's shooting. But Noah's always there for her, saving the day with his hot accent and disheveled look: "this was the boy I loved. A little bit messy. A little bit ruined. A beautiful disaster. Just like me." Yes, that's the Noah Shaw we all love. Their relationship in this book is stronger than ever.
When Mara leaves the hospital, she's forced into attending the Horizons Outpatient Program, where she finds her old her Jewish, bisexual, black friend - Jamie. Jamie always manages to put a smile on my face. Noah spends most of his time at Mara's house and everyone loves him and you think it's all going to be okay. Until Jude starts haunting Mara again, and she finds herself in the messiest situation. Fortunately though, thanks to Noah's powers, he was able to see everything that happened between Mara and Jude. He was the only one who knew what really happened.
Everyone thinks she tried to kill herself, so she gets shipped off to the Horizons Residential Treatment Center. And then you think, okay maybe she'll manage to make everyone believe she's okay and she'll be with Noah again.
Wrong again.
Mara's roommate, Phoebe, is a psycho lunatic. She seriously creeped me out! She always made things harder for Mara. But you always think, it’s because she’s a psycho, there’s nothing more to it. But once again, Michelle Hodkin was able to fool you with her mind-blowing plots and unexpected turn of events. You’ll put this book down and wonder how you’re going to survive the next few months waiting for the third book.

I could spend forever swooning over the Mara-Noah scenes in this book. Like when Noah gave her his mother’s jewelry with a note that said “this belonged to my mother, but it was meant for you”.
Or when she finds his journal, where one of the entries say “sharing a bed with her is its own exquisite torture. I twine around her like a moss on a limb; our heartbeats synchronize and we become one twisted, codependent thing. She brings me to heel with one look and I hear an aching violin, a cello’s low swell. It hums beneath my skin; I want nothing more than to devour her, yet I do nothing but clench my jaw…”

How could you NOT fall in love with Noah?!
 
           Other books by Michelle Hodkin: