The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew #3) by Carolyn Keene‏

Description:

While trying to help a friend out of a difficulty, teenage detective Nancy Drew has a perilous experience in and around a deserted bungalow. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

This is book three in Nancy Drew mystery; another one from the library. Nancy ventures yet on another mystery solving adventure, this time to help her father on the case that he is working on and to help a friend as well. Unknown to her at the beginning the mystery that her father and her friend have are interlinked. I read this book in one sitting, it was a fast and easy read. 

I enjoyed this book, but each time I read a new book in this series I have to tell myself to get over the writing and the stereotyping of the time period that these books were written in. Once I get over those two things I am good with treading the book. For the most part this book is intended for a young audience, and I wonder how many kids today read Nancy Drew books and what they think of them. Can they relate to them?

One thing that I get annoyed with this series is the mystery part (which is the pretty much whole part of the book), and how easily everything in done. All the clues fall into places, you know that the next clue is always on the next page even though Nancy is saying “I wish there is another clue.” The whole book feels very set up and outlines, there is no room for surprise. But I still enjoyed reading it, and I just need to stop thinking too much about it. My goal is to read all the Nancy Drew book and I do not want to get discouraged. I give this book 3/5 STARS. I gave four start to the first two books in the series but now that I think about it, its three stars. 

Nancy Drew Series:

1. The Secret of the Old Clock

2. The Hidden Staircase

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor‏

Description:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

This is my second book by this author, I’ve read Lips Touch Three Times and reviewed it. I have to say that I was not sure what expect from this book. I see a lot of great and raving reviews about this book, but that does not always mean that I’ll enjoy it. I been there done that and got disappointed. I read the description of the book and it sounded very interesting and intriguing.

I have to say that I enjoyed reading this book very much and I was sorry to see it end. I loved the setting of the book in Prague, loved the characters Karou and Akiva. Prague sounds like a beautiful city from Karuo’s description and I would love to visit it. There was a lot of character development and growth in this book. Both Karou and Akiva are well thought out characters and there was a lot of chemistry between them. The romance between the two characters develops slowly but you as reader are dying to know what will happen next. I wanted to know who Karou was, what the marks on her palms meant and the wishbone. There were some theories running though my head as I was reading and for the most part I was able to guess some of it.   

The world build that Taylor did is fantactic, however I would not call it unique. It is different from other others who write about angels and Demons (if that’s what you want to call them), but still there is that underlining similarity to the other books. But that is OK, because Taylor manages to distinguish her work from all other books that are along the same lines. I love the history of Karou and her people and I wanted to know more. I wanted to know more about Akiva and his culture as well. But we will have to wait for the next book.

One thing that I found is that Karou, even though she is smart, beautiful and independent, she was also very naïve. She has this attitude of being indestructible and that nothing can happen to her. She also goes into situations head on without thinking what might happen. She almost careless.

Overall this was an excellent read and I am looking forward to book two, which apparently does not come out till September 2012. This book was well written, lovable and entertaining characters. Very interesting setting , Prague. I enjoyed the reincarnation aspect of the story and the lore about angels and demons. Also some of the secondary characters, such Brimstone and few other, were among my favourites. At first I was not sure what Brimstone’s intentions were. But towards the end of the book we find out more about Brimstone and what he has done. If you have not read this book and if you enjoy reading books about angels and demon lore than you might enjoy this book. It is very entertaining and interesting. I give this book 5/5 STARS. Happy Reading. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series:

1. Daughter of smoke and Bone

2. Days of Blood and Starlight – Coming September 18^th, 2012

The Girl With Glass Feet by Ali Shaw‏

Description:

Strange things are happening on the remote and snowbound archipelago of St. Hauda’s Land. Magical winged creatures flit around the icy bogland, albino animals hide themselves in the snow-glazed woods, and Ida Maclaird is slowly turning into glass. Ida is an outsider in these parts who has only visited the islands once before. Yet during that one fateful visit the glass transformation began to take hold, and now she has returned in search of a cure (Goodreads).

My thoughts:

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now. Ever since I saw it in the bookstore when it first came out. But I really did not want to pay full price for the hardcover – so I waited. Recently I discovered that they had a copy of this book at my local library. I was so happy.

So what do I think of this book? Man, I do not know where to start. It not good. I read this book and closed the book and I said to myself I’ve never been this confused by reading a book in a long time. I read it and I felt lost. Half the time I had a hard time following what the author was trying to accomplish. One minute story would be flowing nicely and I would be on top of it. Next minute I would be confused because the story line would get all confusing.

Some of the characters and the story around them I did not understand what the author was getting at. For example the flying miniature cows – what’s with them. Were they suppose to symbolise something. Ida and her illness, glass feet and literally turning into glass. That whole part of the story was not well described. Also I felt that Ida was not trying that hard to find the cure for her illness. I felt that she was looking for the cure because she was expected too than anything else. Another thing that seemed unnatural and forced was the relationship between Ida and Midas. I felt that Midas was more a child than an adult. He acted and behaved like a child. It was hard to take him seriously. Who knows maybe I missed the whole point of this book.

Overall this was not a good read for me. I did not enjoy it because half the time I was lost and did not understand if there was some kind of underling message that I was not getting. In a way the author is trying to write , in some parts of the book, the stream of conciseness type of writing style. This style no one does it better than Virginia Woolf. So no this book did not work for me. I was really disappointed with it.  I give this book 1/5 STARS. 

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Description:

It's hard to be the new girl--especially when she's filling the spot at an exclusive boarding school that was formerly held by perfect Becca, the girl everyone loved. Becca--the girl who disappeared, and who may or may not be really gone. Original (Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

I requested this book from NetGalley; it took me a while to read it.  It's not that the book was a bad book it just that I personally was having a heard time getting into the story.  I started reading this book with the assumption that it would another paranormal YA story, but this is not so.  It is a contemporary YA.

Story follows a new girl, who just started a going to school at Manderly.  As soon she starts at the new school she is thrown into the shadows of Becca, missing girl.  Since Becca is missing a new spot opened up in Manderly and here she is a  new girl.  One strange about this book also intriguing is that we do not know the main protagonists name.  We do not find out what the "new girls" name is till the end of the book.  This drove me crazy, because I wanted to know what her name was.  One other thing that bothered me about this story is attempt at retelling of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and it was not very well done.  I would have prefered that Manderly was completly left out of this story.  If you are going to retell a classic like Rebecca, you have to be prepared to do a very good and convincing job with the the retelling.  As somene who is a big fan of Rebecca this was not a a good retelling of the original story.  I grant a point to the author that she was not retelling the entire story but rather using bits and peaces of the original story.  But still it would have been better it Rebecca was left alone. 

The plot line that new girl is taking Becca's place was bit over the top.  Even the reaction of some of the teens that attend the school was unreasonable and to tell you the trueth annoying.  But than that's what makes this story entertaining and infuriating at the same time.  I really like the romantic aspect of the story between the new girl and Max.  It was entertaining, even thought there were number of times that I just wanted to shake them.  Or lock them in a room and not let them out until they talk to each other. 

Book was well written, aside the attempt at retelling of Rebecca, and story line was good and entertaining.  But for some reason I could not read more than one or two chapters at one sitting.  Book was interesting and it was done differently; actually we get to read the story from Becca's point of view as well.  Before she went missing that is.  Overall I give this books 3/5 STARS.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Description:

Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.

Debut author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit (Goodreads). 
My Thoughts:

Another one of my library finds.  Actually I've picked up this book at least ten times before I decide to take it with me.  I really liked the cover of this book it was simple yet very true to the story. 

Calpurnia was such a refreshing character, she is funny, sarcastic, smart, headstrong and independent.  She is a twelve year old girl who starts to realise what it means to be a girl in 1899, the limitations that the time that she lives in puts on her gender.  But that never stops her from going on adventures of scientific discovery.  It is refreshing to read about a girl who is interested in something other than dresses and dolls.  There is one passage that stuck out for in this book, and felt bad and sad for Calpurnia:

"I had never classified myself with other girls.  I was not of their species; I was different.  I had never thought my future would be like their.  But now I knew that was untrue, and that I was exactly like other girls.  I was expected to hand over my life to a house, a husband, children."

Page 220 



Calpurnia and her grandfather were my two favourite characters, I like how their relationship develops thought the book.  Her grandfather was funny and interesting character, I though it was so funny that he does not even know the name of his granchildren, except for Calpurnia. 

Overall this was a very good read, it was fast and entertaining and i wished that I read it sooner.  I give this book 5/5 STARS. 

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley‏

Description:

"Like all of the other doors I had met in the castle, this one opened at my approach. The room it revealed was a large, warm, and gracious one. On one wall to my left a first was burning in a fireplace; two armchairs were drawn up before it. One chair was empty. In the other a massive shadow sat. I caught a gleam of dark-green velvet on what might have been a knee in the shadowed armchair.

"'Good evening, Beauty,' said a great harsh voice."

A young woman, well educated and honorable, accepts responsibility for her father's act and leaves her family to enter the enchanted world of castle and Beast. The Beast she finds is not the one she imagined, but can she stay with him?

A gifted storyteller embellishes the classic tale, developing a new and very real world of her own in a love story that has all the wonder and magic of the fairy tale (Goodreads).

　
My Thoughts:

I’ve always wanted to read something by Robin McKinley, I’ve seen her books around in the book stores and libraries but I never read any of them. It one of those things where you say to yourself I will pick up her book next time I am here. This time I was at the library and I saw this book on a display and I thought why not I will read this book today and not wait for the next time.

Beauty and the Beast has been one of my favorite stories, and I do not think that I have read any books that retell this story. At least I do not think that I have; but then again I read so many books it is hard to remember what I read sometimes. I really enjoyed this story, it was very well done, excellent pacing, and excellently written. I really like the pace of the story, it was not too slow but rather just right. I sometimes get frustrated with books that are either too slow and the author never gets to a point or they move too fast for my liking. But it pacing of the story line depends on the type of books you are reading as well. Pacing of the story is different in Action/Thriller then is different from Romance or Fiction for example, but still they all have that commonality.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, especially the Beast, Beauty second. I actually wished that the story was from the Beast’s POV but that the story is about Beauty and the Beast and not The Beast and Beauty. I was bit frustrated with Beauty and her low self-esteem about her looks. I never understood why she thinks she is not beautiful (ugly is too strong of a word) and also insists on dressing up to make herself look even less attractive. Wouldn’t you do the opposite in fact. I mean I am not Cindy Crawford by any means but that does not mean that I wear unattractive clothing. I wear what looks good on me rather than hide behind the clothing and make myself less attractive than I am. Anyway I think I’m getting of the topic now. I really liked Beauties family, they were such a nice family and I felt bad for them when Beauty had to leave. One thing that bothered me about this story is the romance between Beauty and the Beast. For the first part Beauty fears the Beast and that is understandable. Then that fear turns into sort of a friendship. But there was no transition from friendship to love. Rather love just happens, all of sudden Beauty is in love with the Beast. I really did not feel that transition happen. It felt that the author run out of time and just wrote the next chapter and voila she is in love with him. This is hard a hard part for me to overcome even though I know how the story would end. Secretly I was hoping for a twist at the end but it did not happen.

Overall this was good read and enjoyed it very much. It was easy and a fast read and I will be definitely checking some other books by this author. It was very well written there were no awkward sentences that make you pause and contemplate what does author mean by this.  If you enjoy retelling of fairy tales with a modern twist to them then this might appeal to you. I give this book 3/5 STARS.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

Description:

An epic story of family, love, and unavoidable tragedy from the two-time Man Booker Prize finalist

Sebastian Barry 's novels have been hugely admired by readers and critics, and in 2005 his novel A Long Long Way was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. In The Secret Scripture, Barry revisits County Sligo, Ireland, the setting for his previous three books, to tell the unforgettable story of Roseanne McNulty. Once one of the most beguiling women in Sligo, she is now a resident of Roscommon Regional Mental Hospital and nearing her hundredth year. Set against an Ireland besieged by conflict, The Secret Scripture is an engrossing tale of one woman's life, and a vivid reminder of the stranglehold that the Catholic church had on individuals throughout much of the twentieth century (Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

I got this book from work, someone left it for taking.  I read the back of the book and it sounded very interesting.  I stated to read this book right away but at much slower pace than I usually do when I read books.  Not because I did not enjoy it or anything like that, for some reason I just did not want to rush through this book. 

This was such a sad story, it makes you heart hurt just thinking about Roseanne McNulty and all the things she went thought in her life.  You want to rage at how life can be unfair and cruel to some individuals.  Roseanne is such an interesting character, she suck you in, into her life and you can not stop wondering what will happen.  You read about Roseanne's life and all the men in her life.  Her father of whom she was very found of and really did not have a clear picture of who he was and what he did.  Her husband, who I believed to be a weak man personally, mommas boy.  Priest (I can not remember his name right now) whom I despised from the start of the book. 

Story was narrated by Roseanne herself, she secretly writes down the account of her life and hoping that one day after she dies someone will find the writing.  On the other hand story is also narrated by Dr. Grene, psychiatrist.  This book was so beautifully written, the sentences that the author has put together are amazing.  It is very lyrical and poetic.   Here we have this lyrical voice that is narrating the story set in twentieth century Ireland, the landscape that is beautiful and comforting at the same time.  But on the other hand very dangerous and dreary.

I was bit surprised by the ending and Dr. Grene's discovery.  Actually not too surprised because half way thought the book I kind asked myself would it not be funny if Dr. Grene turned out to be....  Still it was beautiful ending that brought tears to my eyes. 
I have to say that Mr. Barry has done a beautiful job with this book, it was beautifully written.  I will definitely checking out some of his other books.  I give this book 5/5 STARS.  This story has everything, brilliantly constructed characters, character growth and development are constant, and plot line was well though out.  Happy Reading everyone.

The Secret History by Donna Tart

Description:

Truly deserving of the accolade a modern classic, Donna Tartt’s novel is a remarkable achievement—both compelling and elegant, dramatic and playful.

Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever, and they discover how hard it can be to truly live and how easy it is to kill (Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

I saw this book on one of the blogs (don't ask me which one). When I saw that my local library had this book I put it on hold and when it came in I started to read it right away. I have to say that this book was not what I expected. When I was done reading I had mixed feelings about it, on one hand I liked the book but on other I did not.

Six friends, misfits, who study Classics with a eccentric professor at an elite New England college.  Donna Tart knows how to write, I have to say that it was not the actual plot that drew me in but rather it was her writing.  There was just something about it that urged me to keep reading the book.  She has a way with sentences and characters.  Even though  the plot line was not the best (in my opinion), but it was not bad either. 

I do not want to talk much about storyline because I do not want to give much away.  But there was a lot of character buildup and all the characters were very complex.  Not everything was black and white, there where a lot of shades of gray.  Some of the events really disturbed me and made it hard to look at the characters the same way again.  Richard, story narrator, even his description of the events is almost lukewarm.  I did not feel a lot of regret on their part but rather worry that they will be caught.  Six Friends who are completely isolated from the rest of the college by their own doing.  They are also eccentric and spoiled in many ways; live in their own world.  Even after they do wrong against their friend I did not feel that they were very much remorseful for what they did. 

I do have to say that I was surprised about the ending and Harry, it was not what I expected.  Harry was never one of my favourite characters, actually none of them were my favourite characters.  In one way I almost felt sorry for them because they are so messed up and in a way removed from rest of the world.  But on the other hand I did not feel sorry for them because of what they did, they were all equally guilty.  But than again I do not think author intended for us as readers to be the judge and jury.  They make their own world and rules pretty much.  In a way I wished that the story was told from multiple points of view, that way we, as readers, would have a chance to get to know rest of the characters.  Rather than just seeing them through narrators eyes. 

Overall this was a good book and it was extremely well written.  I was more impressed with authors writing abilities than with the story line.  If you have not read this book but planning to, do not get discouraged because the book does start out slowly, but it does get better.  I believe that this book deserves 4/5 SRARS just for the writing.  Plot was alright, but not the greatest.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Author), Siobhan Dowd, Jim Kay (Illustrator)

Description:

This is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss. The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. . . .
This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults (Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

I have to say WOW – I love this book. Day after I finished reading this book I went to the books story and bought this book. I want to have it on my bookshelf and be able to reread it whenever I want to.  I think that I fell in love with this book from the first page. It was extremely well written and very engaging, so much so that I was not able to put the book down. I finished it in one sitting. 

Conor, a young teenage boy who is living with his mother and trying to come to terms with his mothers illness and loss. A monster shows up at his window just after midnight every night and they go through series of events. Also story is also accompanied by beautiful illustrations which very well done. Loved the black and white illustrations I thought it fit the story line so well. This story has the raw emotion beneath the words that the author wrote, they suck you in and you feel all the emotions that Conor is feeling. You understand and feel his anger and you are angry on his behalf too. Story was entertaining, but sad in a lot of ways. There were several times that I cried – tears streaming down my face. Not a lot of books make me cry but this one did.

Relationship between Conor and his mother was well written and thought out. Conor is your everyday teen struggling with school (bulling) but in this case he welcomes being bullied. Conor wants to feel the pain that the bully causes him whether that is emotional or physical pain, he welcomes both. It is an escape for him.

Monster yew tree was my favourite part of the book. Personally I think that the monster was a metaphor for Conor’s mom’s illness. There were passages that the monster mentions in the book and I thought I should share with you.

“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”

“You do not write your life with words, the monster said. You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do.”

Overall this was a excellent books and I'm having a hard time writing a review because I am afraid that I will not do it any justice. So if you have not read this book do far, you should, you will not regret it.   I give this book 5/5 STARS - Happy Reading. 

Matched (Matched, #1) by Ally Condie‏

Description:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow (Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

One of the reasons t hat I’ve wanted to read this book was because I heard so many good things about it. I got this book from the library and read in few days and I have to say that I did enjoy reading this book but I did not find to be any different from any other dystopian YA books that are currently out there. Well at least ones that I have read. I liked the premises of the society that Cassia lives in, but the more I read the more I thought this book is not about dystopian society but rather this is just another YA romance, nothing more nothing less. Dystopian society, that our characters live in, just a background story that was not well developed at all. It does have a lot of potential. 

Dystopian world that Cassie lives in is very constrictive, people cannot make their own decisions, everything is scheduled and very controlling. As I was reading I thought to myself why do authors pretty much always write about dystopian society as controlling, ridged. Why not write a dystopian novel where this is not the case. Anyways, when Cassie was matched to Xander, I thought to myself this makes dating life much easier – but then where is the fun, right. 

Here we have another love triangle… Xander and Cassia or Ky and Cassia. Why another love triangle I asked myself as I was reading the book description? It seem that you cannot pick up a YA books (or adult book – its bit better with adult books) that does not have love triangle. Anyways, romance between Ky and Cassia was not working for me, it was poorly done and there was no chemistry between the two. I actually likes Xander much better, I hope we see more of him in future books. Interaction between Ky and Cassia seemed very forced and the part about poems was just almost juvenile – it just did not fit the story line. Yes I get the fact that your society is very censored as to what you read, actually literally controls what you read. But the way author uses the poems to show that is bit ridiculous. There were much better ways to do this part – but hey I am not the one who wrote this.

Book was OK written but there were lot questions statements. Cassie spends the whole books questioning thing. Why this is happening? How can it happen like this? The whole book was like this – it felt that she was constantly going in a circle with her questions. Also all the characters felt very monotonous and two dimensional; there was not a lot of character development or growth. I felt that Cassia has not changed from page one to the very last page in the book, but rather stayed the same. I hope that the next book in the series, Crossed, is an improvement. 

However there were good things about this book two that I really liked. I liked the idea of the dystopian society Ally Condie mapped out for us, but I do wish that dystopian worlds was the main storyline rather than the romance. One thing that I found really intriguing the concept of the pills that the people were caring around, especially red pill.

Overall this was an OK read for me – like I already there was nothing that made it stand out among the other dystopian books that are currently out there (the ones that I have read of course). If you like to read dystopian book that is an easy read this might be books for you. I am not going to say do not read it because it's not a bad book – I just feel that this was more like second draft that needs a lot more work done to it. Not a bad start. I give this book 3/5 STARS - Happy Reading. 

Matched Series:

1. Matched

2. Crossed

3. Untitled - Coming Soon November 13th, 2012

Paper Towns by John Green

Description:

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life--dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge--he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues--and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

Printz medalist John Green returns with the brilliant wit and searing emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers (Goodreads). 

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by John Green; I seen Looking for Alaska on the bookshelves around the library and bookstores but I never really thought about picking it up and reading it. Not sure why. On this trip to the library I saw this book on the table, it was just sitting there and I liked the title so I picked it up and checked it out.

Paper Towns is an interesting book, it is not the best book that I’ve read so far but it is a good book. Quentin Jacobsen, out main protagonist was very interesting character and I liked him a lot. It was different reading this book, because I find that a lot of books that I read are from the POV of a woman or teenage girl. That is not to say that I never read a book from POV of male character. It took me four of five hours in total to read this book across span of two days.

First part of t he book was, in my opinion, bit dry and slow. But towards the end of the book it gets more interesting and humorous. The scene in the car, where one of the characters has to pie all the time. That was funny and disgusting at the same time – you have to read the book to know why it is disgusting. All I could think of while that scene was going on was of Dumb and Dumber movie. Margo’s character did not sit well with me because I really did not understand her. I found that her running away tendencies were more so attention seeking than anything else. Maybe if I got a chance to read the book from Margo’s POV than I might have understood her better and why she does things that she does. However I was very happy with the ending because I was dredging the opposite and I did not want that for Quentin.

Overall this was good read, it was entertaining, humorous, and fun. I think that I will give Looking for Alaska a try to see if I like that even better. With Paper Towns I liked it but I did not think it was wow worthy. I give this book 3/5 STARS – Happy Reading everyone. Let me know what you thought of this book.

The Day of the Djinn Warriors (Children of the Lamp #4) y P. B. Kerr‏

Description:
From the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author P. B. Kerr, comes the fourth volume in this exceptional, imaginative adventure series about a brother and sister who discover they are djinns.

Djinn twins John and Philippa are off on another whirlwind adventure that takes them around the globe and into unknown worlds. And it's a race against time as they attempt to rescue their mother from her fate as the Blue Djinn of Babylon. An aging curse has been placed on their father and if the twins are gone too long, he'll rapidly become an old man.

Meanwhile, museums all over the world are reporting robberies of valuable jade from their collections, as well as bizarre haunting.(Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

This is book four in the Children of the Lamps series and I have to say that this series is just getting better and better. This time John and Philippa are taken to Italy and China on their adventures.

I felt bad for the twins about their mother and really hoped that they could help her. In this book most of the characters from the previous books make appearance, Nimrod, Groanin, Mr. Rakshasas, Iblis, and of course twins mother and father. Also Buck makes an appearance in this book. I was very sad for Buck in this book and what happened to him. I hope that we see more of Buck and his problem.

This was interesting twist to the story line, it was fast paced, entertaining and very humorous. I love Nimrod and Groanin, they are very funny characters. I also enjoy the relationship that the twins have with Nimrod, Gronin and Mr. Rakshasas; they are great together. They have a lot of chemistry and I just love reading about them. I do not want to talk much about the plot because I do not want to give much away – but it kept me entertaining from page one to the end of the book. 

Twins have grown a lot as characters thought the books, they are more mature but they are still children and do things children do. They are brave, smart, kind, funny and considerate ( I might have already said this about the twins in the previous reviews of this series). I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series, I have already put them on hold at the library – now just waiting till they arrive.

Overall this was an excellent read and I do not give five stars easily. This is five stars – it has everything entertainment factor, originality, humor, friendship, adventure, villains and much more. It you like Harry Potter than you will probably like this series as well – it is similar but it very original. So you do not have to worry about this book trying to become like HP. I give this book 5/5 STARS – Happy Reading.  

 

Children of the Lamp series:

1. The Akhenaten Adventure

2. The Blue Djinn of Babylon

3. The Cobra King of Kathmandu

4. The Day of the Djinn Warriors

5. The Eye Of The Forest

6. The Five Fakirs of Faizabad

7. The Grave Robbers Of Genghis Khan

Shade (Shade, #1) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Description:

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift. (Goodreads)


My Thoughts:

I started to read this book before Christmas, read more than half of it and than stopped.  Not sure why I stopped, it just sat there on my bedside table for two weeks before I picked it up again.  Actually it was due back to be returned to the library and I wanted to finish it before I returned and I only had hundred pages left. 

I liked this book, but I did not love it.  I would not be opposed to reading book two, Shift and book three Shine (once book three comes out that is).  Book was very well written and there was a lot of character development; I do wish that the pre-shift and post-shift world was little bit better described.  Probably we will find more of this information in the future books.  However, I find that there was not enough information about the world in this book.  Actually I finds this with a lot of YA (and other genera) authors, its like they are withholding this information back so that they can series.  I liked that the book touches on the topic of sex, and actually thinking of having sex.  A lot of YA books (at least once that I read) do not do that.  I mean lets face it, a lot of teenagers think about sex and are sexually active already. 

I liked Aura, she was very well thought out female character, she is strong, smart, pretty, and very mature for her age.  I liked Logan too, but I thought he was not as mature as Aura, he was more fearless and careless I suppose.  One thing that I did not like as much about this book it is the love triangle.  Yes another one - please please stop with love triangles.  They are driving me crazy, but I still read these books.  Sigh.   

Overall this was a good read and I did enjoy it, and I will check to see if my library has book two, Shift.  I give this book 4/5 STARS - Happy Reading. 

Shift Series:

1. Shade
2. Shift
3. Shine - Coming MAy 1st, 2012