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:The Elite

I loved and adored The Selection. It was one of the most enjoyable  YA books I have read over all.
THis book was not like that. I was so let down with this book on the whole.
I felt like nothing really happened.  Two much of the book was spent on things that didn't matter. What would have been much better is if more of the  book had been on the been spent on the politics of the book. I would have liked to have learned more about the world. Or more about the the other girls. That would have been awesome. I would have liked it much more than america trying to find out who she loved and how she felt about things.
But stil there was something too the book that I liked. I did like how we learned more about some of the characters and how points in the plot got deeper. I did like the things that we learned about some of the characters. The added details about them really helped bring the world alive.
 But still I would loved so much more from the author. After being blown away by The Selection I was let down with this book.
Over all it could not live up to the selection but still was a good read and left me very excited for The One.

( YA - 13 and UP)
Stars: * * * 3.4                                   LEVEL: Reality TV

Book: Sapphire Blue

I was so happy to get my hands on this book! I loved the first one so much! If you have not read this first book stop reading this review and get it! Ruby Red is the first book that have truly loved since harry potter and The Narnia series. It was everything a book should be.
With this book I was very hopeful that it would be as good as the first. But I was also very worried that this book would be a huge let down. As I said this is the first book I have really felt that MAGIC spark.
 And I am proud to say that this book was just as good. Some how it is just the right mix of everything. Something that I love in this book is how that is not all about the love story. The love story is just kinda there. Which was nice because I have a guy friend ( who also blogs here from time to time) also read this book and liked that about it. It is so nice to read a book about that is about the story and not just the love story. Is it to much to ask of YA to be about the story and to have a good hero at the same time? Most of the time yes it is to much. But this book gives me just what I am missing. And believe me it is such a nice feeling. I like the love stories and all. But there is nothing quite so good as a book with a good story and flow to it. And that is something that this book has. I feel like anyone would read these books and like them. There is a reason that these are international best sellers.
Reading the book I have to say I really like Gwen. There is a very fine line to walk in YA when it comes to the main character. And though Gwen might not be the most original I still really liked her. She has a very normal way of looking at things. And she is very funny too.
And I love how with this book I never see what is going to happen next. The flow to it was so different from the other books I read.
There is just something so magical about the book.  If you have not read this series it is the only series that I think all my readers should good a chance.

( YA-  13 and up )

Stars: * * * *  4. 4                                                   LEVEL: Almost - not quite Harry Potter magic

Book: Timepiece

So for those of you who read the  Hourglass review know how much I loved that book. And while this book was good it did not have the same spark to it that Hourglass did. 

One high light of this book was that it was not from Em's point of view but from Kaleb's. Now while I did not like Kaleb all the time and I found that his character  flawed.  I liked how he was broken and because of that he spent a lot of time feeling for other people. I know it was part of his power but he spend much of his time thinking about other people. When things were hard for him he focused on the people around him rather than himself.  Did he lack something that makes him stand out from the other boys in YA.But what I liked was seeing Em from someone else's point of view and getting to know Lily better.  And I also really like to read books from the male point of view.

I liked how Kaleb's and Lily's story. Though it felt that things were a little weird with how Lily did not pick up on Kaleb having a crush on Em.  Being a girl and knowing what good friends Lily is with Em, I'm pretty sure that Em would have told Lily, that Kaleb was crushing on her. 

I had very mixed feelings on the rest of book over all. I liked the story of this book but found the pacing  to slow and to fast at the same time. It moved to slow for 3/4 of the book. Then at the very end right when I was getting in to it everything moved way to fast giving me way to little of what I really cared about. Without giving anything way I found the end twist, and then the finale scene/part with Kaleb's family moved way to fast. There are so  many things that I cared about and wanted to know from Kaleb's point of view! But the author did not give them to me! 

Over all the book was a bit of a let down but I'm still keeping my hopes up for the book.

( YA- 13 and up ) 

Stars: * * * 3.4                          Level: TIME RIP. 

Book:Percy Jackson and the Olympians book one: The Lightning Thief

by now you have already heard of these books or the movie based upon them. This book is the idea of what would happen if the Greek gods,goddesses, and mythology were real and lived in modern north America. and one of the highlights of the book is seeing what the author thinks these gods and  monsters  would look like in the modern world and all of them fit though its up for interpretation . also the book is a very fun, easy and enjoyable to read. it is written how a kid thinks not like an adult trying to write how a kid thinks and making it come off looking dumb. The characters are very good and the book flows nicely with a slow start but  once it gets started it rarely gets  dull throughout  book. Though it can be predicable and a bit cliché at times. But it captures a magic rare to find in kids books and can be easily compared to harry potter and comes the closest to topping potter  that i have seen but it is a lot fluffier and in some ways more enjoyable in the sense that there is no lasting  bully character  and that's nice as keeps Percy focused on the his enemies who are as fun to see in the modern world as the gods. the monsters in this book are pretty standard far with the likes of  the Furies. Also the action is very good not dull and does not get annoying.the humor in this book is very good not to much and pretty true to kids in real life. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun short and enjoyable book which will teach a few things without forcing it upon you.

9+
stars *** 3.7

 Reviewed by  The B "team"

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

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: Beautiful Creatures

(I read this book back in the fall but do to trouble with the blog have been unable to post it till now. I now post it as it was written).
I have heard so many good things about this book for so long and was very happy to finally read it. I had a feeling it would be a lame romance like twilight but darker. almost needless to say I was shocked to find that it was written from Ethan's point of view. something that I my self liked greatly. I love to get it from a guys point of view. And they did a very good job of making it seem like it was a guy telling the story. I found that I really liked Ethan and the way he handles different things in the book. It is nice to read about a strong guy who is also ... human. I liked how he was not some special witch or vampire. Just a normal guy like us. Who can't wait to leave his small town. well until Lena comes a long. And I have to say that I really liked Lena. She was in my eyes a good mix of strong,hero but with a soft side. I mean she is almost 16 I don't care who you are but if you were going through what she is you would want someone to lean on.The ideas in the book might not have been so new but the way that the story is told it has a very fresh new feel to it. Also liked the mix of witches and I guess kinda a witch doctor feel that the book had going for it.
There are many things in here that make me think of twilight but I have to say that I liked this one better in a lot of ways because it reminded me of Beastly. I really have to say that really liked many point in the book. It had a good mix of story,Humor and romance.
And I think the nice thing about it that even though it is romance if the movie is a big hit guys could always read it too.I found this to be a very enjoyable read and can not wait to see the movie and read the rest of the books.

( YA - 14 and Up )
Stars: * * *  3.5

Book:Wish ( Faerieground #1)

First off I would like to say that yes this is younger than YA. But I like to do younger reviews here and there.
I would like to say that the art in this book is beautiful and I have to say the best part of the book. It is was beautiful and creative.it was a very cool mix of different kinds of art and I think that readers will love it. The whole art of books and the way it is done makes me think of books like Hugo and Wonderstruck.I feel that many fans of those books will love this.I had read in some reviews that people found this book better than Wonderstuck or Hugo and I have to disagree. This book was very good but I think that those are beautiful masterpieces.BUt I really liked this one. It had a very real feeling behind it. I have to say that I love how its told from both girls point of views. It adds a nice almost poem like feel to the book.I liked a lot of things about this book and feel that younger readers would like it as well. It would be a great book for young readers who do not like to read yet and like darker fairy stories. There is something really cool here with the friendship and the way that the story is told. I think that it is one that girls will fall in love with. I find it so nice to read a story for young girls that tells them how much they can hurt a friend when they kiss or flirt with their friends crush. Its handled very nicely in this book.
But to tell the truth I was rather let down by the end. I was hoping for something ... different. I felt like the book had such a good start that I would have liked a good ending as well. And one that did not just lead in the next book.I wish that there might have been a little twist. Something that I did not see coming.
Still I feel like young readers will really like it. I know I would have when I was younger. It would make a wonderful gift.

( Kids - 8 and up)

Stars: * * 2.9



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 Boy Book

This is the next book in the ruby oliver series. and I have to say I was very happy when i saw that the library had this book, I thought it would be great to read and that it would be something that I would like. after the end of the last book I found my self wanting to see what happened next. Im not a fan of series because they get long and boring. but with these I found my self thinking that ruby is not like every other girl she is going to get her self in to much more fights and she is always going to be giving play -by-her-play updates that is just who she is.
so with that being said. I liked this book it was a lot like the first which I do not normally like but for once I really liked this one. and found my self laughing just as much as the first one.
Ruby is the same silly girl but I feel at points you can see how she has grown up a bit since the last book. which is good work on the authors part might I say. it is not easy to really do that and she did a good job of it.but one thing about these books is that they do not play out like all other books or movies. the guy does not get the girl. they do not kiss and make up. they friends aren't really good friends and have one anthers back. and the parents are never ever help full. never.
and in a way that is how some people find the books realistic. is because it plays out more like real life then some ones story. and to a point I like that. but I can not read her books back to back because of it.She is an author that writes her books so much like life that when you need a break her books are not the ones to go to. They are great books though done get me wrong. Just very life like.
Over i liked this book and look forward to reading more of her books soon.

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

Book:Ruby Red

I have wanted to read this book for a long time but have never had a chance to. So after one of my fellow bloggers  ( who is co-reviewing it with me) read it and really liked it i knew I had to give it a try. And truth be told it was a breath of fresh air to the both of us. For my Co-reviewer it was a good young adult book that boys could read as well.He has a very hard time finding non-girlie books to read and review. And it was something  I liked about it too. it was not all about finding true love. for once the book was about what it should be. which was time travel and Gwen. And I loved it. Gwen was just the right mix of funny,witty and normal teen with a little weird running through her. The book made me think of Harry Potter in some ways. Like that it was very enjoyable. I felt good reading it and I did not want to put it down. Both of us felt that way about the book. It was so different from these dark hard to read YA books that are everywhere. It was a book that I feel like almost anyone would like. It is something boys and girls will like. Its pretty clear so some of the younger readers can read it but I think that the older ( 15 and up) will like it just as much. Its clear why its an international best seller.
And I loved the time travel in this book. It was like the classic time travel stuff.And the time travel was the story. the writer did her job. I have not read it in german but I have to say that yes its not beautiful writing that melts your heart but does it really need to be? You are reading this book for fun.To get away.
It really was a very fun book to read full of everything a young adult book should be. And the best part was that after reading it you feel great ( and that you really should have the next book in your hands).I would say that this is a must read for just about everyone.

( YA-13 and up)
Stars: * * * * 4.5

Book:Bitterblue

As some of you may know I have a love hate thing going on with these books. and out of both love and hate I wanted to read this one. I was full of hope that maybe in this all the little bumps from the first two would be gone and all of the good points played up. Well with this book I have to say I neither hate it or love it. The book has many good points that i would like to talk about first. I like how since the book is about Bitterblue its also about her as Queen. And what that is like. Many might not like how much of the law and problems Bitterblue ( the book) covers. But I my self liked it a lot. because it does not tell us what is the right thing to do but slowly lets us think it over and weigh in the choices the same way that bitterblue does. which is very good storytellership by Cashore. I also liked how it showed us life for Po. Which is something that left me a little lost at the end of Graceling. I will not going saying what but if you read the book you know what I mean. Also I felt that Bitterblue was someone that I could see eye to eye with. Unlike Fire or Katsa she was human living in this strange world. She seemed very grounded and I like how her story was not as much of a love story as the other two. She kept her head on pretty straight and did her best to put her people before her heart for the most part, which I liked.And  I felt a closeness to her that I did not feel with the others- not to say I did not like them I did. I thought that Fire was a great girl and liked many points to her as a person. But a lot of the feelings that Bitterblue had were normal.Feelings that  most teenagers have had at some point. tht feeling of being lost in life and unsure what to do next. Though not because of being Queen and having one of the worlds creepest fathers. But teens feel it none the less. I did however have a very hard time keeping the storyline straight in this book. it was a little all over the place. I felt that maybe more could have been done to tighten it all up. either that or write another to finish most of what this had started. Not that I want to read another because that means that all these poor people have to have their lives thrown up in the air all over again.
Now on to the stuff I did not like. Lets start with the things that I have said from day one. The killing and the rape. I know its out there but this book is very unhappy and at times rather sick. I think that after many of the things we see in the news it would be nice to have it lightened up. and for it not to in someway make what Leck did look cool. I know that Cashore did not want it to seem this way but some how the way he could get people to do evil and so on makes him look cool. And it makes me sick. its sad that its this way.


( YA- 15 and up. This is a hard read for people how are sensitive to rape,abuse both human and animal and also murder)

Stars:* * * 3.2