The Summer I Became a Nerd
Comtemporary fiction has become my new obsessions these past few months. It started with Pushing the Limits at the beginning of the year. This then lead on to other novels within the genre, which then lead to The Summer I Became a Nerd. The Summer I Became a Nerd is the story of Maddie, a popular, fashionable, outgoing girl. Underneath the exterior though, Maddie’s a nerd. She loves comic books, conventions and roleplay, but since an incident a few years back, she’s hidden behind the popular girl exterior. Well, until she meets Logan.
With Logan, Maddie begins to accept that he likes her for who she is. The thing is, can her frinds accept her? More importantly, can Maddie accept who she truly is?
The Summer I Became a Nerd was one of those reads that I flew through, devouring page after page. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, but I mostly appreciated that Maddie was scared of showing who she truly was. I really connected with that, mainly due to the fact that I had issues about who I was back in highschool.
Overall, a fun and quirky read, that’s just right for those long summer days and endless reading hours.
The Rules for Disappearing
4.5/5Two words. Witness Protection.
Just those two words among the others in the summary meant I seriously had to get my hands on a copy of this debut novel. Add to that mystery, suspense, romance and a killer, and I was totally gone.
I’ve always been interested in the Witness Protection programme, but there’s very few books out there that deals with the subject. Until now.
The Rules of Disappearing is the story of Meg and her family, who’ve moved numerous times over the past year. The latest placement is Louisiana and this time, Meg is determined that one thing is gonna happen; she’s going to find out the truth about why her family is under protection.
The Rules of Disappearing is one of those books that have such a good story arc that you barely put it down until you’ve finished the final page. As a debut, it’s immensely good as the plot is driven by things you don’t know until right at the end; and even when you do know there’s so much left unanswered.
The characters in this story are also very well written. Each character has so many layers to them that The Rules of Disappearing barely starches the surface. Just as you’re beginning to think you know the main characters, Ashley Elston begins trickling in new threads of back-story to make you re-evaluate if you ever knew the characters at all!
The Rules of Disappearing has so many twists and turns within its pages, it’s sometimes hard to keep up; but you just can’t help yourself as the plot sucks you in, transporting you further and further into the world of Witness Protection. A must read for any YA fan.
Out of Sync
Out of Sync by Amanda Humann is the story of a young girl named Madison who is a football fanatic. She has dreams of turning professional along with her best friend Dayton, but when things begin to change between the two girls, will their friendship survive?To be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of Out of Sync. It had it’s good parts and the story arc was pretty good, as it followed Maddie trying to get into a Divison 1 soccor team, but I just didn’t seem to click with the story overall. I found myself getting really bored with parts and that made me not to read on for a while. Some of the story I just really didn’t understand either, and I think the book could do with a bit more clarification of terms and such, to make it more accessible.
Overall, I think certain people will enjoy Out of Sync, but I just wasn’t one of them. Would probably suit a more middle grade audience than a young adult audience, in my opinion.
The Lost Hero
The Lost Hero is the first book in a spin off series from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books. Three new demigods, Piper, Leo and Jason, have been brought to Camp Half Blood to undertake the prophecy given in the final Olympian book, The Last Olympian. I must admit, I had my doubts about The Lost Hero. It was a whole new start to a whole new series, with new characters to get to know. I was really nervous about having to make new attachments to characters I didn't know, when I'd come to love certain ones from the Olympian books.
I need not have worried though. Though certainly different from Percy, Annabeth and Grover, our three new main characters are just as kick-ass as our old ones.
Though a little dubious at first about learning Roman mythology alongside Greek mythology, I soon found myself getting sucked into the plot of the book and soon enough, I was learning all about Roman mythology without really even knowing I was! The Lost Hero is just so action packed and non stop, you really don't register that you're learning all about the myths until you stop and think about it.
Our beloved characters from the previous books by Riordan, mentioned above, also make small appearances in these books, which will hopefully make things a little easier for all those who fell in love with them (namely, me). Though not central characters in this book, they still have important roles to play within its pages and in upcoming novels further in the series.
Overall, The Lost Hero is a satisfying start to a new series by Rick Riordan, full with action and adventure. I must read for all Riiordan fans and those who love mythology.
Dead Man's Land
When asked to review Dead Man’s Land by Ryan Roberts, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I’m a big history lover and love anything fiction or not about the two World Wars. Heartbreakingly, I was very disappointed.Though initially drawn into the book, due to its premise, I soon found myself becoming bored and not wanting to pick it up again. Plot wise, I found that there just was not one. Or maybe there was and I just didn’t find it within the sixty or so pages I made myself read. If there was a plot, there just wasn’t enough of one to keep me reading; the descriptions were not exciting or enthralling and the story didn’t really seem to be going anywhere.
Character wise, I did enjoy how Watson was written. I’ve not read any Sherlock Holmes books, so I can’t really compare the two, but I found that Watson was very likable and easy to read, unlike other characters within the book. Perhaps, I’ll switch and read Sherlock Holmes...
Overall, I can see why this book will suit some and not others. I’m just in the ‘others’ category and can’t give it a good rating.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
On picking up Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, I’d heard many good reviews from bloggers whom I trust. Despite these reviews, I was still a little hesitant and decided to get a copy from my local library “just in case I didn’t like it.”Well, let’s just say that I more than liked it. I loved it.
The Detour begins soon after the death of Amy’s father. Her mother has decided to relocate to Connecticut, her brother’s in rehab and her childhood home is for sale.
How to overcome all that? Take a road trip with an old childhood acquaintance across America.
The initial goal of the trip is to take the family car from California to Connecticut, using the itinerary and route set out my Amy’s mother. However, they throw the planned route, rules and time scale out of the window and decide to take a detour. Hello road trip!
From there, Amy and Roger go where they want to go. Throughout this, they each have personal problems to overcome and situations to face. Laughter and sadness come in hints within the pages alongside flashbacks of the past.
Interspersed within, there are playlists, drawings and scrapbook pages giving information of where Amy and Roger are. On a side note, Morgan Matson, the author herself went on this road trip across America. What fun she must of had!
Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour was a wonderful read that I will pick up again and again. I wish I could go on a road trip!
Before I Wake
How to write a review for the Soul Screamers series? I really don’t know how! Like my fellow blogger Amber, I am becoming absolutely horrendous at writing reviews for this series.However, I will try.
What did I love? Well, I loved Kaylee and Tod. As always. I am so sorry for all those Nash lovers but.. I mean, TOD! <3. I also think that Nash and Sabine suit each other. You know, since they both have ‘problems’. <br/>
I also really enjoyed the action. This time, it did not seem to be all at once though. In my opinion, it was a smooth (ish) ride to the huge finale and the.. er, event that happened. Oh and that event was majorly epic and tear worthy and so much more. *grabs tissues*
So, overall, this gushy review ends with a mega thumbs up and a shout out to book seven for next year. The last book. How will I cope?
Stray
Well, I love Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series, so I thought I'd better add her other series to my TBR as well! Amber will be SO happy!
World of Downton Abbey
A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series "Downton Abbey""" "April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't."Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of "Downton Abbey," the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history
In preparation for the third series of Downton Abbey this autumn I delved into The World of Downton Abbey which much anticipation of good things to read.
I certainly was not disappointed. This TV companion is a high quality tie in to the much-loved English drama written by the writer of Gosford Park, Julian Fellowes. It gives the reader an inside look into the making of the period piece as well as background information into the main characters.
The companion itself is split into several different chapters; Family Life, Society and Romance, just being a few of the issues covered. Each chapter includes many original photographs as well as photos from the filming of the first two series. Tidbits are also interspersed in-between the pages throughout.
This companion book was a wonderful read and will be for any Downton Abbey fan. Full of wonderful high quality photos, insights and much more.
New Girl
A contemporary young-adult retelling inspired by the classic 1938 romantic suspense bestseller Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.They call me 'New Girl'...
Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.
Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.
Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.
And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.
I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier about three years ago and really enjoyed it. Therefore, when I saw that New Girl was a modern retelling of the story, I jumped at the chance to read it.
I truly was not disappointed.
New Girl is set at Manderley Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire. When New Girl receives a place at the Academy, what she does not know is that Becca, the girl who she is taking the place of, is... missing.
I totally devoured this book from start to finish. As I said previously, I really enjoyed Rebecca, so I was so glad to read a modern retelling of the story that, in my opinion, did a good job of keeping the story itself faithful to the original version. The pace within the pages was good and I loved the dual narrative throughout as it kept it fresh and engaging.
I also really enjoyed the spooky aspect of the story. Though I knew how the story itself would probably go, I still found myself being a little freaked out over certain aspects of the plot and storytelling. Minor details were thrown in to freak the reader out and golly, they did just that!
As a young adult retelling, New Girl is a good one. Full of mystery, suspense and drama, you do not need to have read Rebecca previously to appreciate this book.
Bloodlines: The Golden Lily
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.
But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.
When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.
Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?
I have always really, totally enjoyed the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. The Golden Lily was just the same... sort of.
Do not get me wrong - it was epic, just like all the other books are. However, I did not enjoy the second book in the Bloodlines series as much as I did the first.
It is not like there was not much going on. There was. Lots of feelings, action, drama and so much more. There were places in the book that I was sat on the edge of my chair, the adrenaline rushing through my veins - but there were also places I wished for more action.
And then we have the love pairing; Sydney and Adrian. They are so lovely together, even though Sydney seems a little niave to the comments and signs Adrian gives her throughout the book. I really hope something major happens with these two soon!
In a little nutshell, the Golden Lily was great, though lacking enough action for my liking. I'm so excited for The Indigo Spell, which is set to release in February 2013. So long to wait!