Book: Into The Still Blue

As many of you know I did not like this series when I started it. But I found myself over the moon with happiness when I got a E-Galley of the book.
And while this book has it's many ups and downs -which I will get into in a moment- I have to say that this was the strongest book in the series all around. The story did nothing of what I thought it was going to do and it was over all very well planned and played out.
I loved how much the characters have changed and grown from start of the series. And how natural all the changes really feel. It's not forced or quick. it comes as it should.  I loved watching how things slowly changed between the characters. And the little bits of deep insight that I found with in their thoughts and feelings.
Also something that must be noted as a high light of the book was the use and attention payed to deal. Something that so many writers either over do and make their plans way too clear to the reader or something that is under done, leaving you going " huh?".
The only thing I had a hard time with was how rough the book was to read at times. For many reasons which I will not go into for fear of giving even the smallest of spoilers.
This book really was an epic ending to the series and on that I feel every author should look at for how you wrap up a series. Tight strong and fat free!
Over all it was a wonderful read that had me dreading putting the book down.

( YA - 15 and up)
Stars:  * * *  3.8       LEVEL: NIGHT CRAWLER



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: Divergent

I have heard so many wonderful things about this and read so many great reviews about it. But I never felt like it was my kind of book. I thought that like the hunger games I would find it to violent to like it or enjoy it. But when I saw the the movie trailer I knew that I had to read the book.

Reading the book I found myself torn right down the middle. As a reader thought I found it violent and hard to read I still fell in love with the book. As a reviewer I had a hard time looking past how violent the story was. I know that I should not be both reader and reviewer but I feel as a reviewer I can not look past the way that the book seems to justify violence. As a reviewer I always think about how I like the book and how others will like the book. And in doing that I always find myself thinking about how it will affect other people and their lives. A great book should make you want to do good and make you think about something you never have before. 

Where as a reader I'm not thinking about anyone else but myself.  I might think of a friend who would love the book but that's it. I never stop to think if it will change someone for the worsted. 

But as both reader and reviewer I really loved the setting and the world building of the story. I was able to get lost in it fully without every questioning things that the author did ( I only questioned the normal things is what I'm trying to say here).

Tris.I found that I really liked Tris. She was strong but not because she could fight but she was strong because she was willing to give to others. And when she would break she always got right back up again. For me that is what a strong character does. Tris is in many ways the ideal YA main character - female or otherwise. As for the other characters they were all good and added to the story nicely.  But the one character  I did not care for was Jeanine.  There was nothing that made her stand out and I felt like we were never told anything about her. It made a lot of scenes about her and with her fall flat.  

Again as both reader and reviewer I also would have liked the love story to either be cut out or had the timing on it be better. The one of the most important part of the book is happening and all Tris can think about is how hot this one character is! I was like are you joking? If I or anyone I knows was there we would be way to busy thinking about anything but how hot that guy is. It drove me crazy. 

Another think that bothered me as a person was the almost rape/murder scene. Without going in to detail about it pissed me off.  What really got to me was how little was said about it. It was like it was no big deal. No matter if they were only going to kill her. It felt like there was going to happen to her first. This is a really big problem in YA for me. Everyone wants to do a rap scene but they never want to really deal with the problem. People just get over the rap or almost rap the next day like nothing happened.Whatever it is that writer is trying to do is not helping the reader understand what a terrible thing rap really is.   Sorry for the rant there but I feel like this is something that needs to be addressed. 

Over all I really did like the book. It was hard to put down. I got lost in easily, and fell in love with many points to it. I felt like the flaws with this book are never talked about. I know that this review seems like I did not but I wanted to point out the flaws in the book. Because I did feel that those things stopped me from giving it a higher review and from wanting to tell some of friends to read it. 

( YA - 14 and up - for violence) 

Book: * * * 3.8           Level: Read With A Thoughtful Mind

Book: Under The Never Sky

I have heard many really good things about this book. Things like finally a girl in YA who can hold her own. A love story that did not over power the story.
These to things I am happy to say are very true. Aria was a strong main character that also had a soft side. She was a very well thought out character with many layers.  Her character development was very well done and one of the best that I have seen from a YA author in a long time.
I also  liked how it was not love at first sight. The love story and friendships took a lot of time.  They came from two different worlds and they did not like one other at first. But they slowly had to learn to be open to the other one and their different ways  of life.  And the love story for one had a more natural feel to it. Things went a little fast at the end, but worked with story I felt.
So as far as the characters go the book was really really well done.
As for the story I was much more mixed and let down over all.  The idea and the setting were good. As for the way things played out and how much gore there was I was not happy. Yes, I did say gore. I got every tired of the killing and fighting.  The savage ways that many of  the characters had or gain through out the course of the book. I would have liked it toned down or not as harsh. At times many of the savage actions over powered the characters and at times even seemed a little out of character.
Over all I felt that the book is strong read as far as characters go. As for some of the actions or  choices the characters make, I did't like them. But I feel that fans of Graceling and Breathe will love this Dystopian novel.
Also I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

( YA 14 and up )
Stars: * * * 3.4

Book:Breathe

I had heard many good things about this book and had seen a lot of buzz going around for the next book in the series. When I saw it at my local library I thought I should get it and give it a try.
When I read the blurb on goodreads it sounded just like that new CBS show under the dome. So I was pretty doubtful that this book would be really good.
But I really liked it. First off the three characters totally won me over. They all moved the story along and showed us many different points of what is going on. and they were all so different.
There was also lots of character growth and that I really liked.  And I also liked the green message that was worked in to the book. I'm a big sucker for that and this book did a really great job with that.
The only thing that got to me was I felt that there were a few small plot holes when it came to the world building. I wish that there would have been a little more set up about how things work in the pod. I just felt at time like it did not make sense how they would still have movies but then they only read  shakespeare. And then how they had people who worked inside breathe but they never talked about them again? I'm pretty sure once the end of the book came Quinn might have gone to some of them for help as well. Just little things like that did not add up and I found it hard to get lost in the book because of that.  I know that the author could have easily added just a few more details that would have fixed that problem. A little more careful thinking would have gone a long way. Over all I really really like the book. It was almost everything I'm looking for in a good Sci-FI book and a good YA book over all.  I would have to say its really a must read.
And I can not wait for the next book!

( YA - 14 and up )

Stars: * * * * 4.0

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: Data Runner

I am going to keep is review short and to the point.
I have to say that at first I was pretty doubtful about this book. But some how it really got me putted in to it. No most of the ideas are nothing new but its got that pull. Its a lot like an action movie you have seen the same thing 50 times but you still love the story and want to see it all over again just a little different. Thats pretty much this book. This book follows a lot of poplar ideas in si-fi right now. Like the problems have to do with climate change. Which I like I just wish that it would have either played a bigger part of the book or that the author would have come up with some new ideas and twists on it. This book was also not as thrilling as I had hoped it would be.
Still I think that this book does have some very good points that make it worth reading. This is not a book for most people. I think that boys and "geeks" will like it more than anyone else. Its
on the lighter side but it still has a story that ywill keep you reading.

(YA - 14 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: The Island

I was really excited to read this book the cover was cool and the story sounded great. I had hopes that it would be good.
But by page 3 I was already way let down. It felt like the story was trying so hard to be edgy. And there did not seem to be anything new or fresh to it.It was just another YA dystopa. I know it says it on the cover. But I was hoping for something more. Something really one of a kind about it.Now the book was good. I mean its a novella you so there is not a lot of time to really build up a world and characters. Its just that the first 20 pages could have used some cleaning up.And I feel that in a Novella that is a little bit more of big deal than it would be in a say five hundred page book.This book did keep me reading and wondering and it was nice to read something quick and to the point.But it did not thrill me.I feel this is a book that I did not find my self going back to and thinking about what happened. I just was like " so thats it".
I was interested to see how the Star wars thing was mixed in here and over all I have to say at times it was a little bit of pain but at others it worked really well i felt.Over all for me it was just another part of the story.  Would I read another book about these characters? Yes, I would like to see were the writer would take it if she wrote more.Would I read another book by this author? Yes, I think she is a pretty good writer just that this might not be her best work and I would like to give her other books a chance.

( YA - 13 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. 

Movie:Star Trek:In To Darkness

As some of you may know I'm a huge fan of the new star trek movies. I have seen the first one by J.J. way to many times and still love it. Plus Im a big fan of Sherlock so I was over the moon about the casting. And might I say that this movie blows it out of the park! its awesome. I would have liked more of Zoe but thats just me.

J.J. is a great. though it seems like the flares get stronger and stronger with every movie he makes. I can not tell you how many times I saw it in the movie. Not that I mind it I my self am  big fan of the look but I have had to yell that my aunt and uncle that there is nothing wrong with their TV it is the film way to many times during the first movie. Which I'm sure is likely to happen again with this one. 

But that aside I have to say I loved Ben. He just was awesome. He is the next huge actor if you ask me. I think that after seeing this and sherlock and tinker taylor I could watch him in just about anything and be happy. Plus the clothes they had him wearing in the film was just awesome. it made him look tall and skinny and kinda creepy. Now at this point you are thinking I have a crush on him which I do not. He is not my type I am just a very big fan of someone that talented. actors like him aren't found everyday. And so far he seems to be a pretty level headed guy. Who we can only hope knows how lucky he is and does not lose it. Because that would really suck when it comes time to rewatch the movie in years to come. 

and of course Star Trek fans are going to be in love with him for years to come. 

PG-13 

Star: * * * 4.2

Book: Uglies

I tried to read this book about a year and a half ago but could not finish it. But this time it pulled me in and I'm very happy that I tried to read it again.
I really liked Tally and the way she is very human. She does things in the heat of the moment and does not always think it through. i think that is something that is either over done or missed a lot in books.And in this they really show you how she could make the mistakes. It felt very really and the author did a good job making her feel very real and bring her to life in the story. He also did the same with others in the books which really helped bring it to life and bring the read in to the world. A good author makes the reader believe in the people so that feel what - in this case Tally does.
 How ever I did find that there are many problems with the book. Like the fact that its just like all the other sy-fy books you read out there. The people and the message are the same. nothing new is really found in it. and in a way it felt like the author did not know what he was doing or were he was going with the story so he made it just like all the other ones out there. Maybe he will focus on that more in the next book but as far as this one goes it was lacking. And I did have a hard time with that because it is something so key in the sy-fy  genre. and it is something that would have really made this book pop.
over all a good book that I think many in the syfy world will love and have a good time reading. but not really a good book for those who are not big syfy fans.

( YA-13 and up)
Stars: * * * 3.4

Book: The Power Of Six ( A Lorien Legacies)

So this is book two of the Lorien Legacies or I Am Number Four. and I most say that I hated the movie but I liked the book. and when I got my hands on this one I feel in head first back in to the books. i like how we are learning more about the other ones and we learn more about Six.  I wish that it would have told us when it was going to change person but other then that I liked the book. it was a little better written then the  first. and there was a lot more going on which is the write way to do it with books like this. and I like how we see more of what Lorien might have been like. and we learn where Henri was right and wrong in what he told John.
 Now when it comes to number Seven I was very happy with it. I like her and how her story is unlike John's or Six's.what I did not like was how for such a long story we did not see John grow. I think that there would have been more from where the other books ended to now. and I feel that the writer did not always think about adding more to it. this book does not have a heart. and if it does it is well hided in stone. it is cold and there is no life to it. but what do you really want from a book like this? well it had been not be the world because thats not what your going to get from this. But I liked it and I think that fans of the first book and movie will too.  and if you have time and no other book to read give this a try ( well the first one or the movie first) and you might really like it.  This is a book boys might really like.

(YA-12 and Up)
Stars: * * * 3.4

Book:Matched

I have heard a lot if good things about this book.I have really wnated to read it but have not had the time. So when I saw this at the book store I had to get it. And I have to say that I loved the cover. But was sad to read that it had nothing to do with the cover.that really made me mad. I like the dress. but it had nothing to do with the green thing. I wish it would have been a scene from the book on the cover. the cover is cool. just not for the book its self.
as for the book. I liked it. but it was very slow book. the opening was awesome. but I was a little let down when the book stayed slow. I wanted more. I wanted to  more Si-Fi stuff. but there was none. yes it was really good Si-Fi. but it missed the high drama that comes with Si-fi. that is one of the keys to good Si-fi. it has to have lots of drama. it needs people fighting. love. anger, but this book missed that. other then I liked it okay. I liked the people in the story alright. they were good. need a little more to be good.
so really I was happy with the opening and mad at the end. it was to up in the air. and it did not leave me wanting to read the next one. I wish that this would have been just a little longer and that I could have had a good ending. what I would have also liked is that she write lots of books in the world she has made but that they are not about the people in this book.
 I think that teens will like this book because it shows us how we may feel powerless but be still make the choices that give us and other people the power. I like that in this book. I like how it shows us that some times we are alone. and that we have to do what is hard. and for a long time in the book that was not to talk not to tell any one what was going on.
also the book talks about how taking the choice away from the people will not take away the fact that they are people. and I like that. there is a lot of good in this book too.
so over all I liked and disliked this book. so this is a good  book for fans of slow  Si-Fi.

( YA- 13 and up. mostly for things that  younger kids do not get yet.)

Stars: * * *  3.7

Movie:The Fifth Element

I have heard  this movie is good. both from my family and from the book Classy.  I am not sure how I  ended up watching this movie but I did.  and I love this movie. that is all I can say. I love it. it rocks. it is funny but it has a good story. almost everything is done right. the only 3 things that are not is 1: the sets look like star wars way to much.  2: I hate what LeeLoo wears it is not cool at all. 3: the poster ( as seen here) sucks. it really does I would not have gone to see this movie with this poster. it  looks like crap.
but with that a side these movie is one you have to see if you have not seen it. it is to good to miss out on. it is one of those movies that you have to watch other wises you can not say you have seen Si-fi or a good movie. so what this movie it is good. take it from me. and if not from me then from Classy. and if not from him then from the si-fi world.  and if not from them then oh well you get the point. you should see this movie.



( PG-13- for sex, killing,blood, creepy images, being Si-Fi  and so on)




Stars: * * * * 5.0

Aliens On Vacation

this book is a little young to be YA. but it is so cute and fun and really what a nice kids book should be that I just love it. I can see why disney is going to make it in to a movie. just a really good book.
how did I find this book? well my library found it for me. she was going to read it with her daughter. how did she get the book? well the guy who wrote this, his mom lives in my home town. and knows my library. and my mom. so with  that a side this book is so cute and I just loved it. do you know how hard it is to find a good kids book like this? well there are a lot out there because more people right for kids then YA. and I can see why. books like this will have kids beging and crying and yelling for more. I know what I want to one of them to. and that I will go out of my way to see this movie when it comes out.  has a story like this been told before? yes. but not with aliens on VAK. and whats wrong with the fack that the story has been used before. It is very good with books like this one. when done right like this one is. so if you every want to read a kids book or have a little kid friend that is 8 and up give them this book. and tell them to just read it. they will love it. unless they hate aliens and to laught and all books. and everything that is good and beautiful. it they have any or all of these then you will never find a gift for them. If they love all that is good and beautiful and like aliens and to laught and have a good time then get them this book right here.

(kids- 8 and up)
Stars: * * * * 4.7

Movie:Tron legacy

I have not seen the first Tron. but I bet it was a lot better then this one. This one was great to look at.but it was not very good because of the screenplay.  Sam was lame. I'm sorry tron fans. but it is true. I did not know the guy so I did not care what happened to him. but   Quorra.She was cool. sweet smart. She was the only other good thing in the movie other them the CGI.So not that great. all because of bad story. they tried. really. but they did not do it. because they did not give us Sam. they gave us tron. which how can you care about tron with out sam? and the end was to fast. over all bad timing and story was the death of this movie. 


maybe in 10 years they can make a new and better one. 




PG-13


Stars: * *2.6

Book: Across the Universe

Now as geeky as it is to say I love Si-Fi. But not any. The good stuff that shows us what it is like to human. And what are we doing. Are we right? Are we wrong? Could we do it better? And this book did that. It ask so many things. An it did it right. Only thing is I don't know if in the wrong hands this book could make some bad things are. But anyway this book is great! Things are hard to read in this at points. it was great and just what Si-Fi should be. I have a feeling that Beth is going to be a great YA writer. this book is one of my New faves.  i just love this book. it was so good. it is a must read for any one who likes any thing Si-Fi. it is just great. I loove it so much!even though i saw the end coming.  still it is a have to read. just great. if it was not for the name i would say make it in to a movie. call it Amy or Godspeed. over great.really read it. it will change your life. the only down to this book is that is the wrong hands it could change the world in some every bad ways. but let us hope that will not happen.
Across The Universe (the Book).com

( YA- 13 and up)

Stars: * * * * * 5.0

Reread:Book: Gateway

I loved this book the first time I read it. and I have to say I was so happy to hear that with was going to be the club book pick for March.
And so yes there are things wrong with this book. but I love it. i think that this  great. it is  sweet story. but after talking about it with the group. the book could use some work. I would like to see more from the story and the writer  soon. hopefully we can see  a GateWay 2 some time soon.


Book Club Talk:   no one really fell in love with the book like me. but some liked it others hated. one thing we all thought is that there should be a book two.and in it they should  find out that the bad guy in this book is really working for  the Bad God. and so they have to go from world to world trying to find the works of the bad God. and The Main girl and Guy of this book also be looking for a world where they can get married and have kids!!! we all thought that would be the best idea there is.

( YA-11)
Group Stars:  * *  * 2.6
My Stars: * * * * 4.7

Book: Wish Upon A Time

 So I picked up this book for the cover. then the inside  cover stole my heart.I could not wait to read this book. And as I was reading I found my self in a book of greatness.  this is a sister book ( for me) too The Lion, The Witch and Harry Potter. this book is free. It is beautiful. it had me daydreaming about why not?  it had me crying at its Magic and dreams.  Eyelash is not like every other story book girl. and this is a story that should be read and love by the hole world. it is a book that will send kids in to the world of dreams. I love the way that  they match the really world and this world! I love this! This book is just great. I like  the story and the writing style. a lot. I like how it shows us war and how bad it really is. this is a book all of you must read! Top  of the list book. This is a book that kids will love years and years and years to come. This book is just great! when I say ever one should read it I mean every one! it is a must read! every should it will change your life. you will dream like never before! and the end was just as good as the rest! you have to give the good a try I really try! this book will steel you heart!
( YA-11 I guess but mostly 13 and up)
Stars: * * * * * * * * 5.0 but it should be more.

Book: I Am Number Four

I was very happy to find out that this was not just a movie but a book to. but some thing some one told me was that this is a book that was written only for muney. the really writer of the book can not make any muney off of it. he/she was payed like $15 to an hour to write the book. but has no writes to it.and as I was reading the book I thought that it might be true because the book was written like a screenplay, not a book. which is why Mr.Bay loved the book and made it in to a movie ( which I can not wait to see).The for a Screenplay was great! it was set up like a movie. and it was timed out like a movie. but as book I Am Number Four was not so great. things did not work right for a book. and it was not written like a book really. I like John/Four. I loved Henry. I thought Sarah and Sam were okay not great. but were good back ups when you look at it as a Screenplay not a book. as a Book I think that they were not so great and did not really make sence. i get that they had a part to play in the story but some thing was just off about them.
over all the book makes for a great Screenplay and should be read as a screenplay. as a book it is a fast read. not great.not really the Si-Fi I like. boys will like it. and it is fun.

(YA-13 and up)
Stars:(as a Book)* * 2.8
Stars:(as A Screenplay)* * * * 4.6






( I add this  pic because  I felt like I was reading a screenplay not a book so I had to add it. and it is so cool!)

Movie: Inception

This movie movie push movies to the cliff! this movie is just breathtaking. You feel for Cobb and you hope for him and you get mad. and you might get lost. I am happy to say that thanks to having a life lived in movies help me not to get lost and even to guess the ending. if you have seen the movie then you do not believe but it is true.  but any way this movie rock and it  should win the Oscar just for taking movies the next level ( Haha this movie really goes to level 5 if you know what I mean). If you love stories then you have to see this movie! even if you do not like movies. really it is a movie that every one has to see. it is great to talk about at parties when you can think of any thing else to say. the cast was great. I loved Leo's side-kick. he rocked! I did not like Ellen Page so much in this movie. I think that she was the best they could get but not the best for the part.This movie is every thing that Avatar should have been. now some of you might not like the movie but that is only because you do not get how breath taking! I love this movie! it is just dazzing! I love it! only downer was I felt that miss. Page was out of place. but other then that great movie! Nolan is a screenplay God!

( PG-13. for action, and very hard thought if you ask me also some images that might scare younger kids. or kjust kids,)
Stars:* * * * * 5.0

Movie: Prince Of Persia :The Sands Of Time

So if this was any other movie I would wait till it comes out on DVD. But this is not just any old movie!this movie kicks some big time butt! yes there was a lot of killing and I was not happy about that. but every thing else rocked! this movie had it all. so did  not push movie making to the cliff but it did do what movies should do. and that is making you forget every thing and have a good time! I am in love with every thing about this movie ( aside from all the killing that is). this is a movie what every one will love. great for girls and boys. really great to watch and to think about. this a movie you will want to see. this is a movie for almost any one. if you like Sherlock Holmes then you will like this movie. really its good!Over all hard not to love this movie.
( PG-13)


Stars: * * * * 4.7