Perfect Chemistry

Review: Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles

Release Date: December 23, 2009
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368

Rating: ★★★★★

A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist. At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

    Let me start by apoligizing for the fact that I've literally fallen off the face of the Earth! You're going to laugh when I tell you this, but I couldn't get on because I forgot my password :$. Or maybe you didn't even crack a smile and you think I'm stupid...Anyways, I requested that they send it to my e-mail, but for some reason that didn't work. Whatever, I'm back and ready for action!

   I went into this book expecting a lot. When I say a lot, I really mean it. Everywhere I turned, there was raving reviews about this novel and guess what? Here's another one. I loved it. No, I adored it. I finished it the day I bought it because even though it isn't fantasy or supernatural, or something like that (because I've been reading quite a bit of those lately) it was immensely engrossing.

  I could feel everything between the characters, I could feel the passion and the pain and the wanting and the hatred. The feelings and emotions all blended together to create a medley of perfection. (Wow, nice words there, Dominique.) It was wonderful.

   It was a book told from two perspectives, so I got to see Brittany and Alex's relationship develop from both point of views. I couldn't ask for anything more that a book where everything comes to life. Elkeles writing was so raw and true, that you were sucked into this world that was so much like your own, yet it was still fun to be there.

   One of the best aspects of this books was that you could see that the "perfect characters" weren't so perfect after all. Brittany had a certain depth and personality that you can't find in too many books. She takes charge in situations, but sometimes she still feels helpless and ugly and flawed and insecure and I love that about her.

   Elkeles also demonstrated something else that you can't find too much in the love world: a relationship that grew over time. She didn't just thrust Alex and Britanny together and have them fall in love with eachother, because that doesn't happen in the real world. They have to over come the words of everyone around them, the hateful eyes, the discouraging glares. Whether they do overcome it or not will remain a secret, for those of you who haven't read it.

   It was entertaining to see both characters struggle in a life that seemed so easy on the outside. Alex was feared, Brittany was loved but they weren't being who they wanted to be.

   This story may be a love story, but it is still about so much more. It's about highschool, friends, love, violence...It's about life.

   Incase you didn't realize it, I definitely recommend this one.

Book Haul #2 :)

Okay I know it's only two books, but they are the two books I wanted foreeeever!
Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles
Rules of Attraction - Simone Elkeles

I'm actually so excited right now I could cry...okay, not that excited, but I'm pretty darn close! I'm on page 134 of Perfect Chemistry and it has 357 pages (in the trade paperback). Luckily for me, I snatched it for eleven bucks at my local Chapters. (Well, I shouldn't say local...It's a 45 minute walk from my house, but it takes like ten minutes to drive there!)

   They, sadly, didn't have The Iron Daughter, which I was pretty bummed about but at least I got these two :)

   My sister Kianna is reading Rules of Attraction as I type, she was going to go on the computer but she said the book is getting too good!
   Incase you were wondering, I'm adoring this book so far! It's amazing<3. I love how...wait, nevermind. I'll explain everything I love about it once I post the review which should be here in a few days.

Anyways, Happy reading.
Until next time, xoxo.

Hush, Hush

Review: Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 13, 2009

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Rating: ★★★★

   

    For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

    But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
    For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
 
    Despite what many people had to say about this, it wasn't really a wow book for me. I mean, it was really good but it wasn't something I'd sit up at night thinking about. Fitzpatrick has an amazing ability to paint pictures with her words and I felt as if I was alongside the characters. 

   It didn't seem to me, however, that it was really thought out. It was one of those everything-is-predictable books. I knew what would happen in the end as I was reading it, so there really wasn't much of the suspense factor.
 
   The romance between Nora and Patch was cute, but at times Patch was very...I don't know...creepy. It sometimes got to the point where it was like "why is this our love interest again?" Many people really loved this book, and I wanted to, but I ended up merely liking it.
   Then again, I'm really picky with the books I read and I felt like this wasn't as "punch-in-the-gut" as it could have been, or as it should have been. Though I definitely still recommend it, because it was a good book. It was. It just wasn't you know, the best book ever or something.

   Nora was a great character, but I found Vee to be the "typical best friend" in a lot of YA novels... but at sometimes she made me laugh because of her stupid decisions ;P

    Anyways, this book gets four stars and I think I'll pick up Crescendo as well :)

xoxo, until next time.

Rules of Attraction Book Trailer :)

I can't stop watching this...Carlos is beautiful. I haven't read this yet, or Perfect Chemistry, but trust me, when I read them I'll post the reviews for you guys to read.
Ah! Can't wait to read them!

The Iron King: Team Puck or Team Ash?

So of course, like most fantasy written for YA, the Iron King supports in the art of something called "A Love Triangle". It's a smart thing to do in novels, because like I said in this post, it creates tension between two characters and everybody likes some good tension.
     Guess what? I am a proud supporter of Team Puck, thank-you very much. I hink almost everybody I've seen has been team Ash, but I guess it's based solely on preference. Why do I like Puck better? Well I like him better mainly because I'm thinking about who's a better person to be with. Sure Ash is hot and cold as stone, but Puck seems like a funner person to be around. Plus, he has "a grin like a fox" and there's nothing more attractive than a fox-like grin. 

 It's wierd, because I was expecting to like Ash more but in my opinion, Ash is a little bland. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not curious about him; I want to see under his thick layer of protection and get to know the real him, but I don't know. I just love Puck so much. He's always looking out for her, you know?  I do like Ash, though. Don't get me wrong. He's just a very typical sort of love interest, and being handsome just makes him all the more typical.

I have a petpeeve, though and I'm guessing it comes in to play when I'm deciding who to like better of the two boys. I absolutely hate when guys are perfect looking. Is that bad? I'm sorry, but I can't deal with it. I'd think a red head with a mouth too small for his face is cuter than a blonde with the perfect nose, lips and eyes. (As long as the red head had nice lips). It's so wierd. I could care less about physical stuff (once again other than lips) although I'm in love with jawlines, noses and lips. Still. I'm team PUCK!

Are you Team Ash? Get a cute little "Team Ash" picture here! :)

xoxo.

Until next time.

Shiver

Review: Shiver - Maggie Stievfater

Release Date: August 1, 2009

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 400
Rating: ★★★★★
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

    Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Wow.

Need I say more?

I think I'll say more to avoid pissed off comments ;).

Let's just start by saying Steivfater has created an extraordinary werewolf novel. Although, the werewolf element is secondary to the romance element of it, which I liked seeing as I love romance with a good struggle. I think Sam turning into a wolf in the winter is a pretty big struggle. 

   This is one of those novels that really do make you feel like you are there in the flesh. Every setting, to me, felt real. Everything from Grace's home, to Sam's bookstore, to the little candy shop they went to. I loved it all. 

   I love when books are written from two points of views, in this case, Sam and Grace. It lets you see both of their emotions, and you can see their relationships develop from both point of views. It's amazing really. The chemistry between Sam and Grace is evident, even when Sam is the wolf. I could feel everything they felt and that is really all you can ask for in a book. 

   It is honestly a beautifully written novel. The imagery and dialogue is fantastic. Oh, I just adored this novel and I think you'll love it too.

Yes, you. And you and you, too.

Pick up a copy soon, lovelies! I loved it!

Xoxo, until next time.

Reading Wishlist

Hey guys!
     I'm going to feature four books here (and summaries) that I am literally dying to read. If you have read any of them, you can tell me what you thought. :)

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 496 pages   

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.

 Is love a great enough power against evil?I don't know, I just really want to read this book. The cover is beautiful, from the lighting to the text. Also, it sounds pretty original. Can't wait to get my hands on that one! :)

   

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback: 304 pages

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

    Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.   I can't even express how much I want to read this book. I loved Iron King so much, so my need for this book is rapidy increasing every day. I actually went to go get it a few days ago, but it wasn't even in the store! I know right! Anyways, next time I go to the bookstore, guess which book I'm getting? THIS ONE! Not to mention the beautiful cover. Haha, a beautiful cover for something that is sure to be a beautiful story, I'd say :) If you've read this let me know how it is!

Reading Age: Young Adult
Paperback: 368 pages
  

 When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

    In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

    I'm not even sure why I feel such a great need for this story but I do. It's been a long time since I've sat down and read a teen romance (the last one was The Last Song in like January) so to me, this book is exactly what I need right now. It's like a fresh breath of air, to temporarily get away from fantasy and supernatural stuff. Also, I've heard from just about every review I read on this book, that it was amazing. The cover didn't really captivate me, but for some reason now that I know it's bound to be a good book, it looks a whole lot better (the cover, that is.)

Reading Age: Young Adult
Hardcover: 480 pages

 

What if you had only 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: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

    Instead, it turns out to be her last.
    Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day 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 actually have this book, but my sister is reading it right now! Do you know how difficult it is to see the book right there on your nightstand on not being able to read it?! Lol, well she's almost done so I'm going to let her do a review on it once she finishes :) (And then I will read it and edit her review to fit my needs...no, I'm joking ;D). Anyways, the cover of this book is beautiful. It's one of those books you like having on your bookshelf, for sure. Then again, that's like every book. Oh you know what I mean. I like the idea of this book and am very, very excited to start reading!

Well, until next time. Xoxo.

Weekly Rant One - Love Interests :)

Hey there, bloggers!


    For this week I wanted to discuss YA love interests and what makes them good or bad. If you're thinking about writing a YA that does include romance, you should read this :).

    I think we all know that we had a phase where we thought Edward Cullen was the perfect guy, like ever. Why did we think that though? It’s fair to say that Edward didn’t really have a personality, and most of his life and thoughts and actions were just based off of Bella’s life and thoughts and actions. So why is it that we, at one point, were so infatuated with him? (You know you were, don’t lie ;D).

    The answer is easy: mystery. Edward was dark, edgy, mysterious and he didn’t like Bella right off the back. (Or he did, he just didn’t show it.) We don’t want a love interest we can read like an open book, because why would we read the rest if we already know everything? We don’t want a love interest that openly admits he/she will kiss the ground the MC walks on. We want it to start off on the hate level and build it’s way up.

Love trianges create amazing tension, as well. It's realistic, too because in real life you don't know what you're going to do with yourself if you like two people :)

    Also, forbidden love is an amazing way to create tension in romance situations. You know that whole “if it’s so wrong, why does it feel so right?” thing? Well, yeah. It does feel right…to us readers. We keep reading that stuff because we want to see if they will follow their hearts of their heads (and we hope all the while for their hearts!)

    We do not want the MC to like the love interest for no reason (except his face). It’s exhausting to read about someone tripping over their own feet because they are so in love. Why are they in love? They don’t know the person! It’s fine to use the whole mystery thing as something to lure in the MC because humans are curious creatures, but to have your main character love another person because of their physical features is not okay. In real life, that wouldn’t happen. Physical traits attract people momentarily, while personality is the key to keeping someone for the long run. This is one reason why in real life, Bella and Edward would not have worked out. He would have ate her. But they are both drawn to each other by curiosity. Bella likes being in constant danger, because she’s been a boring wreck her whole life and Edward likes that he can’t read Bella’s mind. Other than that, they have nothing except Edward’s ability to never fall out of love that would keep them together.

    Patch (Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick) is one example of someone that, realistically, you probably wouldn’t love all too much. He admittedly stalked her, all the while wanting to kill her. If I was Nora, I would have said “Bye bye” and cried my eyes out. (No, I wouldn’t cry, but I would hyperventilate or something. I don’t know). We all like Patch because he’s mysterious and hot but it’s safe to say that in real life, he would have lost me when I found out he really was stalking me.

    My point is, when you are writing romance in your novels, please do make the characters like each other for a reason other than physical beauty and a mysterious vibe. I want them to feel something when they are together, feel something when they are a part. Just make sure your MC has a life other than the love interest and vice versa. (We all know the no-life-without-my-lover thing from Twilight. Seriously, was it even healthy that she stopped speaking to ALL her friends once she was with Edward? No. It wasn’t. So don’t do that -___-).

Xoxo, Until next time :).

Mockingjay

Review: Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Release Date: August 24, 2010

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Rating: ★★★★

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

   
   Even though this book wasn't the best one to many people, it was my favourite. I absolutely loved it. I think that Suzanne Collins did a wonderful job finishing the series up, although the ending could have been edited a time or ten. I read many reviews on this one before I started reading it and they all didn't like it too much, saying that it had a much different "feel and tone" than the first two books. While this is true, I think that's why I liked it better. 

   To tell the truth, I wasn't all that wowed by The Hunger Games (first book) because many reviews were stating that it would be the best book in the world! Well, no. I didn't think that...I didn't think that about Catching Fire either. Well, as I was saying, I read the reviews that this book disappointed many people so I went into it with not-so-high expectations.

   Do you know what happens when you go into a book with low expectations? ....You end up loving the book! I seriously loved Mockingjay, I loved Gale so much more in this book...but he didn't seem like the same person that he was in the first two, in some way. Peeta officially got to me in this book too! :)

   But, there were also some things off about this book. I didn't feel a connection to many of the secondary characters that I was supposed to love, but I did enjoy Finnick. Also, Collins wasn't very successful in establishing relationships between Katniss and her two love interests. It was more like the two boys liked Katniss and she didn't like either of them. She would kiss someone and it would literally say "I kissed him on the lips"...Uh, that's great Katniss honey, but how did you feel when you kissed him? How did he react? How did you react on the inside? None of that was expressed in the novel and I seriously think that is one thing that prevented me from caring too much about their relationships. I found myself saying "those boys could do better than Katniss" and I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to think that.

   Also, the ending made me flip through the novel, thinking I missed something. (You'll see what I mean when you read it). I must admit though, Katniss can kick serious butt!

   I definitely recommend this novel, to everyone who liked the series or maybe even those who didn't. Who knows? Just pick up a copy and start reading, lovelies :)

Xoxo, until next time.

Book Haul #1 :)

Book Haul Number One :)

    So I bought all of these books myself this week!I live in Canada so I went to Cole's and picked these up. I don't really have much of a taste for Coles, I prefer Indigo/Chapters as they have a much bigger selection and they have seats ;).
   My twin sister and I actually went to buy Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction and The Iron Daughter, but since the mall we went to only had a Cole's, they didn't have ANY of those books. (I know right, unbelievable :P).
   And don't think I'm kidding when I say that this particular Coles store only had one bookshelf of YA books!
Well, anyhow, the books I got this week are:
Before I Fall - Lauren KateI am Number Four - Pittacus LoreShiver - Maggie StievfaterLeviathan - Scott Westerfeld

 I'm still happy with all of them! What did you get this week?

Xoxo, until next time.

The Iron King - Review

Review: The Iron King - Julie Kagawa
Release Date: February 1, 2010

Age Group: Young Adult
Page Numbers: 368
Rating: ★★★★★

     Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

    Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

   When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

    But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.



   I actually loved this book. Julie Kagawa really did an amazing job at crafting a character that I could actually allow myself to care for. Meghan was an awesome character, she was strong, independent, but she still had feelings. It wasn't like absolutely nothing got to her, so she seemed real. I loved her. 

   I was blown away, and considering I didn'
 t have expectations (It was the first fairy book I read) I loved it even more. 

    

    It was an exceptional debut from Julie. She constructed an immensely compelling group of characters, all the way from Ethan to Ash to Puck to Grimalkin. I adored them all! I'm not lying when I say that there wasn't a single dull moment in this novel! There was always some sort of struggle, which I loved :) Every time you thought something was okay, something else would pop up. Not to mention that this author is amazing at painting a scene and still fitting in dialogue.


  I suggest whole heartedly that you pick up your own copy of this 5 STAR book! :)

xoxo, until next time.

Beautiful Creatures

Review: Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Review: Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Release Date: December 1, 2009
Age Group: Young Adult

Page Numbers: 563

Rating: ★★★
 
There were no surprises in Gatlin County.

We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.

At least, that's what I thought.

Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.

There was a curse.

There was a girl.

And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.


Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.


    I might get hate mail for this (Lol, let's hope not) but I have to be completely honest. For me, Beautiful Creatures was not very original at all. I mean, there were parts of course where I was hooked, and the pages kept turning, but I really did have to push myself to get through this one.


    Ethan Wate was supposedly a teenage boy but for a vast majority of the book I thought I was reading from a young girl's point of view...He didn't seem like a guy, to me.


    And the visions...did anybody else realize that Ethan and Lena knew who the people in the visions were without actually finding out? The vision's narrator basically told them!


    I didn't feel any chemistry between Ethan and Lena, either. I really didn't. They both liked eachother, I know that...but I know that because I was told. When I read romance (yes, even paranormal/supernatural romance) I want to be able to see that the characters like eachother by the way they act, not what they say. I want to be able to feel the chemistry between them, I want to see the sparks lighting up the room. Unfortunately, that didn't happen with this book.


    I feel like the whole Light and Dark Caster idea was a tad immature...I don't know, maybe I'm too picky. I just feel like the story concept has been done before...many times. The guy has a dream about a girl, he finds the girl, they fall in love, one of them is evil. You know?


   But on a brighter note, I liked the feel of the book, if that makes sense. In other words, I liked the southern feel. I also enjoyed some of the ideas that the authors had, the more fantastical ideas that I won't state here just because it would be more enjoyable if you didn't know it going in to the book. There was a respectable amount of twists, also. I also have to give a thumbs up to the authors, for weaving their work together almost seamlessly! :)


    There were only a few parts when I could really tell the difference.


    All in all, I would give this book a three. I still recommend it, but just don't have super high expectations (like me) because you might get disappointed. If you're wondering, yes, I am getting the sequel Beautiful Darkness because I feel that this series has big potential :).






Until next time, xoxo.