Book: Etiquette & Espionage

This is a book that has long been on my To Read list. So when I saw it at the library I knew I had to grab it. As soon as I opened the book I was drawn in by it. The steampunk setting, humor, and of course the vastly interesting Sophronia made the book a delightful read.

Was there flaws with it? Yes, of course. However I felt that the level of enjoyment I got out of the book was so high that I hardly saw them. 

The first flaw was of course the writing. It was very standard ( other than the humor and character crafting of course).  At other points in the story things as far as the setting didn't add up or make sense. While some of the steampunk elements felt a little off.  It felt like the author was having a hard time getting the image she saw in her minds eye on paper. It always felt like at the least one or two key details were missing. Maybe it was that she forget to fill the reader in on details that had already been stated in her other series ( which I have not had the pleasure of reading yet).  But as far as the rest of the writing I found it clever, charming and as stated before a joy to read. 

As for everything else I was very pleased with it all. The book was full of sass and spunk. 

The thing I loved most about the book was how creative the book was. Things like the vampire and werewolf details were fun and refreshing. 

The characters were a very nice mix and blend. Sophronia was great hero. She had so many things going for her, and she never once let me down in the book. 

The thing that younger readers will like best about this book is of course the pace of the book. I found that it moved quickly and before I knew what happened it was over. 

Over all I think that is a charming book that I would highly recommend for many of the younger readers or readers that want a nice change of pace. 

( YA 12 and up) 

Stars: * * * 3.8        LEVEL: FLYWAY MEN

Book:The Time-Traveling Fashionista: At The Palace Of Marie Antoinette

 I first feel in love with  The Time-Traveling Fashionista ( on board the Titanic). It was once of the best Young Teen books I have ever read. And this book was much the same I'm happy to say. It was full of so many things that Young Teen books are missing these days. One of those things is how Louise is caught between being a tween on her way to being a teenager and still feeling like a little kid. Though I'm 16 I still remember really clearly how hard that was for me. And I loved how in this books Louise still wants to play with dolls but is afraid of being made fun of. That was really hard for me when I was Louise's age. Lucky for me I had a few friends and my mom who still would play with me and never made fun of me. I wish that I would have had these books around when I was going through it. They would have not only been one of my favorite books but they would have been a big help in getting me through that time.

Beautiful art from the book

As many of you know I loved
And as far as the history goes it might not have been 100% right but it made me want to learn more about Marie Antoinette.
Over all a really fun read. It's worth getting the book from the library just to look at the art to tell the truth.  If you know a tween or young teen girl that has even a little bit of interest in fashion or history it's a must read.

( 11 and up - though it's marketed to 9 and up I disagree with this)

Stars: * * * * 4.0

Book: Forevermore

will start off by saying that the storyline of the book seemed right up my alley from the get-go. A girl in scotland with a ghost. Sounds like my kinda read.
And as I started to read the book my first thoughts on it proved to be even more true than I thought they would be.  I took this book for what it is. And that it a fun ghost love story for the younger YA readers and taking it as that it's a very good book. I like Ivy and felt that though she was a lot like the other main characters I see in YA it worked. And the same thing goes for the other characters in the book. They are not that different. But they made the story fun and gave it a light feel. I really liked how Ivy did not make a big deal about her stepdad or the family. She just took it as it is and tried to think about more useful things.IT did seem a little odd how she was never really scared of anything . Maybe it was the writer trying not to creep the reader out I don't know. But I think it would have been more realistic if she had been just a little more scared and freaked out by the whole thing.
Also I would have liked to feel a little more of her passion for music. But after reading Revolution ( a must read)  it will always be hard for me to find a book that has music in it that I feel is truly has passion.
What was different about this book and really made it worth the read for me was the setting. The creep castle and it being in Scotland was the biggest seller for me. I would have liked the book a little better to tell the truth if I got to read more about the castle and scotland. It was nice to see Ivy learning about it and trying to fit in.
The only real down side to the book was that the ending. I would have liked that to have been rewritten to seem a little more realistic.But over all I found this to be pretty good. I would say that this is a read that some of the younger YA fans.

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

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

Book: Manifest

I have wanted to read this book since it first came out in 2010. I feel in love with the cover and when i saw it at the library I just had to give it a try.
The book was very pretty good. I think the best way to put it is that younger YA readers will like it better even though its got a dark storyline ( for more info on that see bottom of post). As I am 16 and reading it I do not think that I liked it as much I would have if I was younger.
There was not to much about this book that I have not read before in books. It made me think of the The Gifted Books a little. I think that fans of those books will also like this one.
I also think that a lot of us will see eye to eye Krystal.She is going through a rough time and though she has some paranormal problems she also is going through a lot of the same things we are. Trying to find her place in the world and feeling powerless to do anything to change the problems in her life.
Over all a pretty good book. I think that if I get the chance I will give the next one a try.


( YA-12 and Up. Note that the story is about a guy who is killed and there is some internet stalking and underage porn in the book but not by the main characters. Its a good book to read and then talk  about internet safety and so on. I do think that some 12 year olds can handle this book over all but it might be a good idea to talk to them about while and even after they are done reading it)

Stars:  * * * 3.0

Book:Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance

 This book is okay. But nothing more. Jenna and Jonah did not seem to real. They  fell a little flat for me. In a book like this they are very thing. Yes there were good parts and parts of the book that I liked but I felt that they changed so fast at the end of the book it was hard to believe.But as a fun light book it was nice to read. Some fans of Secrets Of My Hollywood Life and  The Daughters I think will like this. Not all fans of just a small group.This book unlike My Hollywood and Daughters did not tell you any big secret. The only thing was it showed you what it was like to fake dating in hollywood.And in a lot of ways it did not feel very real. The other two books gave you a feeling like you were in hollywood seeing something that the rest of the work does not. In the case of the Daughters it made you see fame a different way.But here are somethings other things I liked and did not like about the book. I did not like how the they ran off to his house so much. I liked the play thing. Did not love or really like the love story.  it was okay but not great. I would have liked to seen more from them. There was a lot that could have been done with the book to make it better. Over all okay not great. But its a fun read that I'm sure tweens and young teens will love. 

(YA-12 and up)

Stars: * * * 2.9

Book: The Daughters Take The Stage

It took me a long time to read this book but from page one I knew it would be just as good as the other two and would be one that fans of the series would love. Its so nice to read a light book about a girl just trying to find her way in life. I feel that sometimes the young adult books are over loaded with drama,syfy,vampires and sex. Here was a book about a girl who yes her mom is rich and known world wide but the story is really just about a teenager trying to find her voice when the world is talking over it. And I think that is something that all teenagers are going through in different ways. And how does not know the feeling of someone trying to change you to suit them. Even if its not your mom like in this book you most likely know the feeling. The book is written with so much real feeling that reading it is a lot like talking to a friend. You feel for them and understand everything. And you also sit there with your fingers crossed hoping that story would take the right turns. And I think that it shows us ( teens)  that we can speak up and take power in our lives without hurting the people we love. 

Its the little things like that, that make this book truly great and keeps the reader coming back for more.
Also I feel like the author has really grown in to her own since the first book. She has really found her style and her voice. She has also found a good way to make this book stand out and be different from the others while still staying true to the other books and to her self.  I think that this book is a great one for young girls who just want to know they are normal. that they are not the only ones who are trying to find their voice. But this book is also great to take your mind off of problems going on at home or school. Over all I have to say I'm a pretty big fan of this book.

(YA-12 and up)
Stars: * * * 3.5

Book:Drake's Quest

I would like to start off this review by jumping head first in to what it was I liked about the book.
I liked the feel of the book. I really liked Charlie and I felt that by the end of the book he had changed and grown- up in every really ways.At times the book was fun to read and I found my self liking it.
I liked how it worked history in there so it felt again very real. and there was good mix of pirate slang. it had a good cast. reading the words I could see that everyone in the book was different. and I thought that was somthing you don't see alot. and this is book older boys will love. its rich with history. it had lots of book points. but sadly in this case I feel like the bad out weighed the good.
what I did not like first off was the way the book was made. the pages fell out which could be a problem for library or if you are traveling with the book.And the pictures. that was a pain. This book should not be read by ten year olds. it should be 15 year olds. They are trying to sell the book to kids that can not handle this. no kid over the age of ten will read this book.
And there are somethings in here that should have then been cut out if they are trying to sell it to that age group. the Writers or the editor someone should have done something. this book could have been great and there are a lot of people I wanted to read it but after finshing it I know that either the kids will not like it or the parents will be very up set over them reading it.
This book does have many good points and I think that kids 12 and up would like it. but with the pages trying to look like maps and old paper it feels like a they are trying to sell you something to much and not letting the book speak for its self. if they were to rerelease the book and sell it to the older kids I would give it much better reviews.
would I still be unhappy by one of the parts and want that cut out of the story. yes but other things I would not have a problem with.
So if you are 12 and up and don't mind the pictures all that much I say this is great read.
(YA- 12 and up)

Stars: * * * 3.0




Fun Fact:Brighter Books plants one tree for every book soled.

And Thanks to Brighter books and Adam Slutsky for sending me a copy of this book.

Book: Entwined

I have wanted to read this book because I love the cover and I saw the book at the library and I had to get it because on the back The writer of East praised the book. and I loved East so much that I just had to take the book. I did not read the inside cover so when i read it and it started to sound like the 12 dancing princess ( which is one of my most loved childhood fairy tale) I fell head over heels for the book.One thing I love about books like this one is that is it gives the people in it that little push it tells us about them. it gave the girls a hobby and we see how that changed who they were and what they did with their time. I loved the people in the book to. and so much of the book made me think of the book East. In a good way. I also loved the hole thing with the king. But I found that the keeper and the end was all but to easy to see coming from the start. it was good and all but if you are going to change the story and what happens then you might want to add a good twist to. I like how all of the girls had flower names. and I like how they all where so one of a kind. what I did not like was how unclear the ages where and all of that. I thought a lot of the girl where the wrong ages and got a little lost. I think it would have been nice to say which girl would come out in what year or found some way to tell you how old they where a little faster. but other then that I liked the book. I liked why they had to go dancing. I did get a little mad at them for the way they where so dumb about things here and there.Sometimes I ask my self is it so hard to write someone who is smart and who some what really knows whats going on. and its like with the keeper there are so many little things that could have been done to better play out what happened. but again other then that I liked this book. I felt it was a great YA story of the 12 dancing princess.  A must read book if you liked East or the 12 dancing princess.

(YA 12 and up)

Stars: * * * * 4.5

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

I have been told to read this book since it came out and I never did. and where I do like the book i am glad I did not read it any sooner. This book is great for younger teens but I liked it because I felt I could see what Frankie meant by her boyfriend not getting her always. and I know what she meant by not wanting to be a little kid anymore. I feel i could see how she changed and how she changed so fast. and I liked it. where this book is not as funny and nuts as some people might think it is, it is a YA book with a mind and a heart. it tells us what it is like to be a teen ager and they changes we make in both our world and in our selfs. so they might be as big as the ones Frankie made but they are changes none the less. I really like how the book is set. and I may self am really in to the slow one thing at a time changes that we all go through. and I think this book is great for all of us who have wanted to do things like this but have never had the guts or the need to. Thats why I liked the book. I would like to do some thing like in the book (see the photo blow).
So this book is like her other books. its not really one kind of book its a little bit of everything. and I think that it is a good book to read. I liked it a lot. and would like to read her other books.
(YA-12 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:Extraordinary by Adam Selzer

When I saw this book at the library i thought it was funny how the cover looked the movie poster for Enchanted. I don't know maybe it was just me.But I saw that this book was by the guy who wrote I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked it . and I have to say I did like it. and I liked this book to. it was funny and witty. I love his I-hate-everything-well-almost kind of girls. and I liked the idea of this book. but sad to say i did not know until half way in to the book that it was set three years after I Kissed a Zombie and I liked it. And I should have known but I did not. and if you have not read his other book read it first so you don't find out the ending before hand. and as for this books ending about half in to it I was ready to put it down and read something else because it was just getting idiotic what was going on and had it not been for Alley I would have stopped. I loved Alley. and so I read on. and I loved the end.the twist was good. this is a nice book to read if you like me has had your fill of zombies and vampires and just about everything else paranormal.  I like how this book is fun and witty but it is not lame like some books the jokes are not pushed down you mouth like some books these days. and the book leaves you happy and full, with the need for a like nap. which is a good thing! these days I want a book like that.you read all of these hard core books  on vamps and zombies and  it is just lame. and yes , this book is not "extraordinary" but it is a good but and fun to read. not every book you read has to awesome. And if you any of his other books read this one. I  over all i liked this book and found it fun and sweet with a bit of salt.


(YA-12 and up)
Stars: * * * 3.5

Book:Hourglass

I found this book at the library and wanted to read it because of the cover, which I think is awesome. and as for the story it have been along time since I have read something like this. I don't normally read things that have to do with ghosts or time-travel. I find it hard to do a good job with ghost or time-travel because it is a hard thing to do.  But this book does a good job. I like the the characters, which is what kept me reading. the story was not always the strong point of the book. but that was okay because Em was. and I think that worked out fine. my only thing with Em is that at points she seems like every other girl you read about in YA books. she had me thinking of girls from Meg Cabot's books.  and I think that the feeling went on as she started to hang out with mike it started to feel like like manny of Ms.Cabot's books. I like that feel and all I  would like to see some thing that is not the same from these YA writers. I mean is it so hard to write a girl that is not like ever one you read about. but on up side with this one was at least the bad guy was not like all of the ones you read about. and  I liked Dru. she was pretty cool and I liked how she loved Em so much and was so nice and how she would stop Thomas doing things because she was believe it is just like the same thing. And I have to say I liked everyone else in the book and I really liked the story. I thought it was well done. One thing I did not like was how people call this book a mystery.  I think it had mystery in the book but it is not a mystery. if we call every book that a little mystery then there would be more mystery book out there then anyone could even think of. I liked the story and the idea. I liked the way that kept you want more.  I think that it was smart how the whole time travel thing worked in the book and I thought the whole idea of the way that she did it was awesome.This book did the was slow but  i think it worked better for it to be that way. normally i think that the timing in a book is so hard to get right. but I found that this one did it right.  the the time went with the book and very thing happened in the story at the right time. And since the book is about time it was a good thing everything was  on time.
Over all a really good book. I think that it is a good read.

(YA -12 )
Stars: * * * 3.4

Book: Wounderstruck

This is a book that I read because of a book club and well it might not live up to  the Invention of Hugo Cabret , it still delivers the same "Wounder" ( :] ) of Hugo Cabret. But this time Brian Selznick goes even further with his new way of writing and style  by making one of his two main characters story tolled through words the other through pictures. Which I  think it is a great novel very compelling story that makes you want to read it all in one day. Very well written, the crafters are great and again so far in both of his books Selznick has made a single image (that are shown in both books) defines the story and it is something that I have not seen before in books. This book is for you should read trust me i think Hugo is better but just by a little. also the level of detail and research that his does for these books if amazing. The way the story comes together like in Hugo is also a delight to read.  i am vary interested to see what other authors might do with this new way of writing a book and I hope Brian will do more books- hopefully in this style again. (but this kind of book takes  a long time to write so fans we have to wait a while till the next book.)

( Tweens/12 and up)

* * * * 4.5

Book:Paranormalcy

I have heard really good things about this book when it first  came out. I  did not have time to read it at the time. But I was so happy to  read this book.  I have to say I was very happy when the book started, and it was funny.  I like how the  book was more of a joke of all the paranormal books coming out. I liked how Evie was a girlie-girl its so hard to find a lead female in any books theses days. girls have to be tom boys-whichs is fine but it has gotten over the top.
I also like the way that this book did not try to be something it was not. it was what it was. that was all.
 I like lend but I thought that he was just to fake.  I felt at times that  evie was a little weird. and how she felt about lend was odd. but other then that the book was good. I think that it is a nice break from all of the other paranormal books out there of right now.
and sadly there is not much else to say about the book it was cute nice,funny, odd. it is not great novel but it is good.


(YA- 12 and Up)

Stars: * * * 3.4

Book: Sequins, secrets, and Silver linings

I found this book at the library as always and had to read it when I found out it was from the UK. It can be so hard to find books from other countries some times. and this looked cute.
And I have to say it was. I liked how this was like the UK's The Daughters. and I found it really fun and easy to read. I loved the how story with Crow and how she.... well read it for your self to know the awesome story that is hide in in side the book.
what I did not always like was how it was just like every other book i had read like it. the fact that it showed  3 girls that are just like every non-teen thinks teen-agers are. we are not  either fake in want to be an actor. we are not young workers and we are not the young girl trying to find her self in cloths. we are more then that and I wish the book would have tried harder to show us that. but other then that it was all good. I liked how it was cute it was. and how it was just a nice story of teen age friendship and how it is always changing and how you can still stay friends if you try.


(Tween/YA 11 and up)

Stars: * * * 3.7

Book: Uncommon Criminals

I loved the first book so I was over the moon to hear about this one. I and how could I know when the news was going nuts that that these books where going to be made in to a movie. and that Drew Barrymore  was going to be a part of it. I have a good friend how has also read these books and would love to play Kat in the movies so I had to read a lot about what the plans are for the movie and stuff.
But anyway on to the book. I have to say I really liked it. It was not  like the first in a lot of ways. In the first one it was more like  a spy movie. They way the group comes together. This one is more like  the not so hot  movie that follows. It was a lot like you would think the sequel to Heist society would be. it should us more of the ups and downs. the things you have to give up to be in this kind of job. and in that way it was like the downer end of a sequel. But that does not mean I did not like it.I really liked it. I thought it was well down. But what I am saying is that I think more people are going to say it is okay. where as with the first everyone was like " I love this book!" and everyone was going nuts for it. I hope that that the unlucky 3 does not hit on the next book though because that would kill the series.
but one thing that happened a lot in the book was some times I would I liked it and sometimes loved it. It was very funny and it was very hard core at times. And we got to see a much harder side of Kat. We also got to see her when she thought she had messed up big time.  I also liked to see her and Hale and how things went down with them.and how they had to act about it when there was a job going on.  At times I found my self forgetting how old she was. she is 15. and yes she did have a lot of hard things and yes she did have to grow up a lot. but she seemed more like 16 to me. one year might not seem like a lot to the every day reader but one year can make or make some one. like look at what happens to you in a year. you grew up more. I think Kat should have been just one year older. but maybe that is just me. I really liked the book over all. I thought the case was really cool. and not something I have read about before. What I wish there would have been more of  is having Kat have to lean on her team a little more. but I am  very happy with the way everyone has there own voice. So many times you see  in sequel every one starts to have the same voice. I liked how it made it clear that everyone was who they are. and as always who does not love Kat? she is strong,smart, and well a lot like a Cat. she likes to be on her own but when she finds some one she can trust she trys to stay with them. I that this book does a good job of  showing us more of this world. I  also love all of the code names. Jack and Jill. I would like to know what they are though. hopefully that will be in the next book. that in a one thing I did miss was a note from the the writer. In the last one she had a note to the reader telling you about the case and what true what was not and why she picked it to be the case. I feel that is was lame on her part not to do that for the readers. it is always nice when the writer of a book takes the time to write us ( the reader ) a note.
Over all it was great. it was not all around the best book I have ever read but it was not trying to be. and I like that.

(YA- 12 and up)

Stars: * * * * 4.7

Movie:Kinky Boots

when a friend said I should watch this movie I laughed in her face. I did not want to see this small weird creep of a movie. but when my family wanted to watch it. I went with it. and I have to say that this movie may look weird and even maybe a little weird it rock. one of the best movies I have seen in a long long time. I love this movie.  it is not the best movie ever made but it is good. it is a movie that was not made with a ton of money so i does not look as great as other studio films. it sounds crazy and it is a little crazy but this is a movie everyone should see. it shows us our lives now and from now one. I like how it shows us that just because some of us are gay or drag queens does not mean we are not human and that they are not good people to. I like this one because it is not pushy. it is just a story of life. that is what is nice about a movie like this. and I hope you all like it to. because if you don't I don't know what is wrong with you.over all very good.

(PG-13)

Stars:  * * * * * 4.7

Book: The Time Traveling Fashionista

So I saw this book at the library and grabbed it because I thought it looked cuted. Then I fell in love with the art in the book. This book is good for older kids. But it is also  great for kids 11 and up. The age where you are not kids and not really a full teen. in other worlds you are a tween. If I had read this when I was a tween it would have been my fave book. It has fashion and time travel two of my fave things in the world. It makes for great fun. I love the people in it.And the feel was so cool. Miss.Turetsky really got the feeling down at times I felt like I was right there with her. I could see the cloths. and thats something that I loved.
the idea was so fresh and clean it was just lovely to read.

Beautiful art from the book

The only thing with them was that they some times were a little to dumb for my liking. I like it better when they are smart and can take care of them selfs a little more.I wish she would have been just a little stronger. b But other then that I really liked. It was sweet and fun and over all good. Its one that I think a lot of young ladies are going to never want to put it down once they see it. And its a great summer/fall read.

Star:**** 4.0

( YA- 12 and up -Mostly an older Tween book. Over all pretty clean. I think that most parents wouldn't find anything wrong with it)

Book: Stork

I when I saw the book at the library I thought "stork?" I had seen some reviews of it and thought that I should read it. I did not have high hopes for the book. but was very happy when I found that it was really good. not great but good.I like Kat and the hole LA to Small no where town. I thought she was very funny. and I love how she looked at everything like a really LA beach girl. I thought she had a lot going for her. I think that with out her sass and witt the book would not have been any were as good as it was.I thought that it was cool to read about her. The writer did a lot of thinking about her story. which was good because it made Kat feel and sound pretty really as I read it. One thing I did not like was jake. I know I know jake was great for some of you. but I did not lke him at all. I thought he was all wrong for Kat.I'm sorry I know a lot of you might have liked him but I really did not. I did not like he asked her to change her stlye. or how she will not go to the school of her dreams for him.if he loves her them he would get it not ask her to change for him. so with that aside I thought the book was good. not great but it was nice not to read about Vamps or Werewolfs. after reading this I could see my self reading more books about storks. I think it would be cool to see some books for Teens about storks for a change.
Over all a good book. I would change something but thats just me

( YA-12 and up)
 Star:* * * 3.4

Book: The Daughters Break The Rules (#2)

I really liked the first book ( The Daughters ) and could not wait for this one. This book was not the way I thought it would be.this book had too messages to the readers. One is not to jug. I thought it was great how it was shown to us. you really got to see what it was like to jug and to be the one who gets jug.  you also saw how some one can change. I thought it was great how we saw that. you mostly see that stuff in movies because it does not work in books right. but it really worked. oh but back to the message of the book. Two was never to lie it only makes telling the truth harder and it only gets you hart.  this was also done like in the movies. but it was done very well.This book is like a Rom-Com in a book. fun with a little downer but great fun to read. I think this is a book for the fans of Secrets Of My Hollywood Life  books. Over  all pretty good very happy I read it.


( YA-12 and up)
 Stars: * * * * 4.5