Movie: Mini review: The Decoy Bride

I saw this on netflix and on a whim thought I would watch it. How bad could it be? well truth be told not  bad at all! Its one of the best chick-flicks I have seen in a long time. The story is fun and goes places I did not think it would( while still staying true to the chick-flick). I really loved the cast. They made the film I have to say. For those of you who do not know who Kelly Macdonald is that she is the voice of  Princess Merida in Brave. So listening to her talk is a joy ( until you try to talk like her).  And add to it she is very very funny. Really the whole movie is funny. I laughed and laughed. and when it was over I wanted to watch it again. Which never happens with me and chick-flicks.  To like this movie you have to take it for what it is. No this movie will not change your life or make you rethink the worlds problems. But it is a funny sweet movie that will be great for any movie night or sleep over. Plus the jokes that you will be quoting are never ending. So the next time you see this on netflix or that the dvd store its total worth the buy.

( PG-13)
Stars: * * * 3.5 

Book: The Rose Throne

I saw this book at the library and was pulled in by the simple and beautiful cover. It seemed like just what I was in need of.  As I started to read this book I got the feeling that some of the ideas and story were taken from history. The king made me thing of King Henry VII.  Which I did kind of liked.  I do think its nice when these kinds of fairy tale books take a page from the real world a little bit. For me it helps the book seem more real.
And I also really liked how the story was about two girls and told from their point of views. I really loved getting to see what the girls thought of each other.  But sadly this book just did not do much for me.  Its really a hit or miss book. And for me the pace of the book was terrible. I could not get in to it. Because it seemed that there was no end. It just went on at the same pace.  The girls did not do very much to change the world around them and there was little to no growth between them. And to be honest I was never sure if the two girls were going to fall in love with each other. But that might just have been me thinking that way.  And I found the way that pretty much everything was put off until the next book really a pain because there could have been more action in this book than there was.
Over all not a book I really liked but I think that there are some out there who will love it or like it.

( YA - 13 and Up )

Stars:  * * 2.6

Book: Sweetest Dark

I read this book a while back and never posted a review. But with the next book coming out soon I thought that a late review is better than no review.
This book was both wonderful and a little bit of a let down at the same time for me. First off there are many things about it that are wonderful and it made me think the Gemma Doyle series. Which is one of my favorite series of books ( though I have not read the last one).  This was a lot like those books both in writing and time. But I feel that this might have had less action than those books. Some how Libba turns every little thing in to a huge deal.
First off I love the time in which this is set mostly because of Downton Abbey.  But something that I love is how they deal with the how hard life was back then. And in a lot of ways I felt like the book should have been a little longer. I liked the book and I was never bored reading it but the story did not really seem to go anywhere very fast. and even looking back on it there was no huge change in the book. Yet , none of it bothered me which normally it does. I think it was because of the honesty of the characters. Which I loved them all by the way and would have liked to learn more about any and all of them. I loved the story and its twist and turns.
For me the only down side of this book was that the love story was to rushed. it  was to fast. And I would have really love to see them fall in love slowly over time because I think that the character had so much to give us the reader.

( YA - 13 and up )

Stars: * * * 3.4

Book: The Diviners

So I'm a big fan of Libba Bray. Though I have not had a chance to read the last Gemma Doyle book.  But when I saw this at the library I put everything I could on hold so I could read it. And I was blown away. This book had everything that a YA book should have. For the first time in a long time I can say that the book was wonderfully written. The first few pages had me. I did not want to put the book down. And I am not a fan of the creepy books. At all. I hate them normally. But some how Libba Bray got me with this one. I has me going crazy. And I loved almost every minute of the book. This is the first book that I can see becoming a YA classic. A book that I will give my kids to read. That is something that rarely happens with me and the books that I read.

The only  two down sides of the book was at times it was a little hard to keep track of everyone and their story line. Though Libba Bray made up for it greatly by having great and smooth character view changes. They seemed so natural. And the creepy violent parts. I know that they were part of the story but some parts of it really did bother me and I did not like them.

Over all  Libba Bray did nothing short of wonderful with this book. I will not waste all of our time with a long review of how wonderful this book is. I would say this is a must read for anyone who can handle the violent and creep parts of the book.

( YA - 15 and up )

Stars: * * * * 4.2

Book:Beta

I am a big Si-Fi fan. And I think that robots and clones make for really good stories. So when I saw this beautiful cover I knew I was in for something good. And i have to say it was very good. I was worried that the book would be lame and rip off of al kinds of si-fi stuff. But this did not really do that.
There were many things that i really liked about this book. First of all the main character. I found her not only interesting but it was so cool to read about her trying to figure out if she was really feeling things. And watch her grow and find her way was very well done. I also loved the other characters.Each one felt very really.Everyone played there part in the best way. Also all the little twists in the book. I did not see a few of them coming which was really nice for a change.
And the way that Rachel Cohn makes every little detail count is wonderful. It makes for a very deep read. One that pulls you in and has you up all night reading.I had a very hard time putting the book down.And when I was not reading it  I was thinking about it.
Plus the ending of the book? It was pretty dang awesome!

( YA - 15 and up - Warning to those who are sensitive to  rape,murder, and bombings )

Stars: * * * 3.8

Book: Hush ( Mini review)

This book sounded right up my alley. I mean I'm a huge fan of these kinds of stories. Princess. That one word gets me every time.  But I have to say that this book was mixed feelings for me. Though I liked it a lot and found it to be a really fun read I did not fall in love with it. It was good but it never went past that for me. I did not love the story here but I found the rest of the story to be pretty good. I liked the characters in the book. My only problem with them was that they felt and sounded like everyone else in YA. That is something that is really starting to bother me with YA. if you want us to like the book give us something different not just in story but in characters as well.
None the less I liked this book. I think its really cool that its was written for Ms.Campbell's daughter.  I think that many fans of fairy tales or stories of lost princess will want to read this book. As for everyone else I think that you will want to pass on this for something else that is more up your alley.

( YA 13 and Up )

Stars: * * * 3.0

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Save The Enemy

The cover and title of this book caught my eye and I thought it would be a good idea to give it a try.
This book was on the so so side from the start. The plot was pretty unbelievable and I did not really like Zoey. I felt like there was something missing about her. She just fell flat for me. I really wanted to like this book and tried to be opened minded but the more I read the more out of hand it got. I don't mean to be mean but if the bad guys wanted info they would not take the father they would take one of the children. That being said I did like Ben. He was just the right sidekick. and he really carried the book.I just could not get in to it. And I did not really like the ending which for me is a little bit of a big deal. A good ending makes or breaks a book.
I am not going write along review because I do not want to trash the book. I think that many people will like this book and it has a place. Just not with me.

( YA - 13 and up )
Stars: * * 2.6

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Screwed

I really wanted to read this book because its about something that is ripping and has been ripping our world apart. I have known people who would turn their backs on their children if they found out they had had sex before marriage.

As far as the book goes I liked some parts and did not like others. The book for me moved a little to fast. I would have liked it to be a little longer and have it give us a look at Grace's life before it all changed.
But other than that I liked it. I have to say that I did like the way Nick was an ass whole but he was human too. He did think about Grace a little bit and feel for her which I thought was really cool. Though it was not done the best at time I liked the way that we got to see other peoples point of view as well as Grace's. It was a really great use of third person.
As far as Grace's family goes they are pretty crazy and hard to believe yet sadly I know people just like them that would have done the same thing in their place. And that is what I like about this book. I hope that parents will read it and think about what they would do if their child got pregnant. It is also interesting as far as pro-choice and pro-life goes. And I will not get in to my views on that. And I think that best thing that the book taught me is not to judge young girls who are pregnant - not until you know their story and see how hard it is.Sometime we are to harsh on them. So many teens are having sex and even with birth control it does not always work so don't jump to judge.They have it hard enough right now without you. But I think that this book has some good points to it and it well worth the read.  I even think that maybe it might be a good book for children who's parents were teenagers or young when they were born or children who are adopted.Now I make my self clear that not all people would like the book or would want to read it but I think that for most it is worth a try. and if your life story is similar its really worth looking in to.

( YA - 14 and up)
Stars: * * * 3.2


I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book:Chameleon: Awaking

This book has a little bit of a rough opening for me. I am not really a fan of childbirth scenes my self. Never have I  been a fan of them, and  doubt I will anytime soon.
The over all start of the book like the first 50 pages were rough and not the best. But after that I was shocked to say I found my self liking it and getting in to the story. I really started to like the characters. And I also liked the way I was not sure what was going to happen next. But then around page 80 I felt my self slipping back in to the not liking part. Which is sadly were I stayed for the rest of the book. I really wanted to like this and I have high hopes for the writer in the future. But this book is short and does not go anywhere fast. There are to many holes in the story and it sounded just like every YA book I read. There was nothing here that pulled it away from the pack.When I stopped reading it I did not find my self wanting to pick it up again. I was fine with leaving the book were it was.
I would like to read the next book because I think that there is hope out there for these books and for the writer.  I am a true lover of the indie writers but this book is just not doing it for me.I do not write these reviews to make money I write them in hopes that more great books will be written and read.
Over all not really feeling this one.

( YA -13 and up)

Stars: * * 2.4

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Movie: The Lone Ranger

I like everyone else was so looking forward to this movie. And I was so let down. I don't even know where to start with this review. This is the worst film I have seen in so long. The worst since John Carter.  And to be honest I think this  is the only  movie that comes close to the train wreck known as John Carter. How this script got picked up I don't know.How the script was not fix I don't know.What the writers were thinking? The film was all over the place. Was it a crazy,gross, violent film were the bad guy eats the hearts of the people he kills. Really? oh and don't get me started on the part were people get beheaded. The film was way to dark for family fun. and as far as the native americans go it was pretty mixed up. I'm glad to a point that they tried to do something and say how terrible they were treated and how they were nothing. But it just did not seem to go with the rest of the story. And the killer rabbits? where does that come from other than being a total waste of screen time. There was so much that should have been cut out of the film all together or cut out.At many times I felt like walking out because I had so little interest in the five different movies this was trying to be.What story were they trying to tell? Is this a family movie? Is it a true western? Because I would not take anyone to see this movie.Its not a family fun movie. And its not really a very good western. It was a waste of time.
The only good thing about the movie was Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, The white horse and the finale train bit. Other than that the movie was a train wreck its self. Armie Hammer tried his best but his character was just not there at all.There was no growth to the lone ranger as a person.
I kind of liked that how the lone ranger would not kill anyone because I think it is about time we have that in movies but this was not the movie to do it in. He is a TEXAS ranger. And after all the things he has seen in the movie like watching a man cut out another's beating heart and eat it in front of him I think that the rangers views on not killing would be very different.
Over all Tonto says it best at the end of the movie " Don't ever do that again", that is how I feel about watching this movie or the lone ranger 2. Save your money and see something else.

( PG -13 very violent and gross)
Stars: * 1.3 really it should be an hour long film of Tonto and the finale train bit.

Book: Awaken

First off this is a bittersweet read. I have loved these books so much and as happy as I am to see what happens and I hope for a happy ever after I'm a little sad to say good-bye. As you can tell from my many Meg Cabot reviews I love her work and find her to be a great writer. Her stories are always just the right mix of love story, humor, action, and character. No matter what her books are going to be worth the read,which is why I love her so much. No matter what I know I'm in for a treat. and being a review that is something I don't get a lot. I open the book and hope for the best. With her I know that there is going to be something good about the book without a doubt.
And let me just say that this book is in no ways a let down to fans of first two.It was wonderful.
But before I really get in to the heart of the review I would like to take this moment to yet again bring up how tired I am of all the silly god loving nut cases in the books are homeschooled. It is a really bad joke and poorly done. Homeschooled people are not losers and saying these things about them just gives them a bad rep and makes life ten times harder for them. Like getting ask the worlds stupidest questions.I know its one line in the book but it is still.
As for the characters and story of the book they were pretty good. The characters were much the same as in all of Meg's books - I liked it though and I think that some how she makes it work were a lot of other writers don't. When you look at these books over all you do see a lot of slow and sometimes fast changes in the characters.Each character seems very realistic and well thought out when it comes to their action and personal changes. And all of them make sense. I understand the part that they play in each story.
As for the story I love how in this book it is all about the girl saving the guy but it not done in that over the top pushy way. I love the mix of greek myth in the book as well.It is not over powering and its not under played and half done. Which is something that a lot of YA books do wrong.Only real down side to the book? as great as it is and as much as I like it there was just something missing to give it that "I'm in love"factor. I think that I would have liked a few more little twist and for the book to have pushed the edge a little. Now I'm not saying Edgy. But I love how with the airhead novels it felt like nothing was held back and I would have liked the same from this a little more.
Over all a very fitting end to the series. And though its not a 5 star book I still would have to pick this as one of the best books I have read this year and in a long time!I would highly recommend this series to anyone.Another well done book by Meg Cabot!

( YA -14 and up )
Stars:  * * * * 4.0


I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Books: My Most Excellent Year

This book would not have been my first  pick. But the Mary Popins thing  got me. First off the book is good. It is not great it is just your bite of life book. Sweet,insightful  and all.  Just life. Nothing out of this world. No Magic. No space ships. Nothing that does not happen.Nothing that could never happen to the rest of us. I did not like every thing in the book.But I did in no way hate it. 

The writing was odd.And I could not see it being written any other way. odd or not it worked. I also like all the odd movie stuff.It add to the books realness in a lot of ways.I also liked the way the you could just see the plays in your head. And feel what it was like to be up there with them. So that was very fun for me to read about. I think it was fun to have all the baseball stuff. even if I did not know what I was reading.I know nothing about baseball.

And the best part of the book was by far the end.I love the end of this book.I love it! In a lot of ways it made the book well worth reading. it was the kind of ending that almost made you forget everything that you did not like. So  over all this book really rocked once you read the end.

! I think that a lot of you will like it ( and a lot of you will not like it so much those of you who do not like these real kind of books). Its a sweet story of high school. and how we do not know it but we can change lives in so many great ways. I think that any young teenager who wants to see life the way other people live it  will love this book. Really a good book when you take the time for it.and take it for what it is.

( YA-13 and up)

Stars:  * * * * 3.7