Sunday, January 30, 2011

Book Review: Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Title: Cloaked
Author: Alex Flinn
Pages: 337
Publisher: Harperteen
Source: ARC from publisher

Summary: Johnny’s not your average hero. But a little magic changes everything. There isn’t a fairy godmother or any of that. It all starts with a curse. And a frognapping. And one hot-looking princess. And before Johnny knows it, he is on a mission in the Everglades, with only a flock of swans and a talking fox named Joe to help guide him against the forces of an evil witch.

Review: This was a pretty entertaining book. I am a fan of Alex Flinn's books, so this book didn't disappoint much.

Johnny works at a shop repairing shoes. He doesn't make much, so he is poor. When Princess Victoriana shows up offering him a reward for finding her long lost brother (who had turned into a frog), Johnny accepts the offer and goes on a search. A bit into the journey, Johnny's best friend, Meg, comes and helps him. Along the way they encounter a talking fox, swans, and an evil witch trying to stop them in their tracks.

Before Johnny leaves for his journey, the princess gives him a magical cloak. The cloak can transport him anywhere he wants to go. The thing is, he has to be specific about where he wants to go. Otherwise he might end up in the middle of the road. This makes me wish that I had a magical cloak!

I wan't a huge fan of this book. Don't get me wrong, It was still pretty good. It was just too fantasy for me. I like a little bit of fantasy, like Alex Flinn's other books Beastly and A Kiss In Time. The good thing, is that it was written well, so it wasn't hard to follow.

If you like fantasy, then I would recommend reading this book. I thought the romance was super cute. I gave this book three and a half coffee cups. It was a decent book.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Book Review: Babe In Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Title: Babe in Boyland
Author: Jody Gehrman
Pages: 304
Publisher: Dial
Source: ARC from Publisher
Release Date: February 17, 2011

Summary: When high school junior Natalie--or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper--is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover


Review: This book was really good! It made me laugh. It was so funny at times!

Natalie was trying to get an inside scoop on boys and how they think for her school newspaper, but she couldn't get any information out of the guys when they knew her as a girl. So she decided to go undercover--as a boy--to an all boys school. Calling herself "Nat" and chopping her hair off, she was able to convince the boys that she was one of them.

This reminded me a lot of the movie She's The Man. But it was also a bit different.

There was some tender moments between Natalie (as Nat) and her roommate Emilio. I found myself cheering for them saying in my head "kiss him! kiss him!" then I remembered that Emilio didn't know that she was a girl, and that would be quite awkward.

I always thought it would be fun to pretend to be a guy for a while. But I don't think I could do it for more than a day! Natalie held out for an entire week. It wasn't very easy. She had lots of troubles and made many mistakes. She even had to put some of her friendships on the line to keep her cover.

I gave this book four coffee cups. It was really good. I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend reading this book. It's a fun, interesting book with some romance.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Unearthly Fantasy Cast

In honor of the book Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, I decided to make a partial cast list (just the main two male characters) for it. The main character's love interests, Tucker and Christian.

Tucker could be played by Garret Hedlund. Didn't he just look gorgeous in Tron? (I haven't seen it yet, but I have seen the previews!) He could totally be a rough, country boy (like in Country Strong!)
For Christian, I was thinking Adam Gregory. He's got the rich, popular, sweet, perfect boyfriend look to him I think.
Another guy I thought could be Christian is Christian Cooke. Such a cutie.
So, what do you think of my choices? If you haven't read Unearthly yet, I would highly recommend reading it. It was really good!! And by the way, I am definitely Team Tucker!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

In My Mailbox (8)

It's been a while since i've made an IMM post, sadly. So, here it is!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

From the Library I got:
  • Virals by Kathy Reichs
  • The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
  • Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn David Levithan
  • The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Bought from Barnes and Noble:
  • Echoes by Melinda Metz
  • Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen (so excited to read it! I've been waiting for a while!)

From Publisher for review:

  • The Water Wars by Cameron Stratcher
Won from Melina from Reading Vacation (thanks so much!)
  • Across the Universe by Beth Revis (eep! So glad i won it! I've heard it's so good!)

Currently I am reading Cloaked by Alex Flinn.

And last but not least for review: Babe In Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Thats about it! I'd love to know your opinions on these books. What's in your mailbox?

Friday, January 21, 2011

Book Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Pages: 435
Publisher: Harperteen
Source: ARC from publisher

Summary: In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Review: Wow. Amazing book! I don't know if there are words to describe it! It is one of my new favorites.

I am absolutely in love with Tucker! He's sweet, caring, and very, very attractive. Such a gentleman! He's more of a rough, country boy. At first, he is a bit of a jerk to Clara. But that was only because he liked her. When Clara was left alone with Tucker becuase all her friends were leaving town, she had nothing to do but fall for him. I mean, how could she not?

Christian, on the other hand, is adorable. He's kind, and has a thing for Clara. When Clara first met him, he had a girlfriend and he was popular. But he was also drop dead gorgeous. She never thought she'd have a chance with him until little miss popular (his girlfriend) broke up with him.

The thing is, Clara has a purpose. She has visions of a boy and a fire and she doesn't know what it means. All she knows it that she needs to save him. That boy, is Christian. Clara is part angel, so she has to learn how to use her abilities.

I really like Clara's character. She was easy to relate to. I wish I could be in her situation! Two guys, two best friends and super powers!

This book was so good, it kept me up reading. It was so cute! At times I it made me laugh and sigh. The romance was so sweet. I am Team Tucker! I gave this book five coffee cups for sure!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Giveaway Winner!!

And the winner is.....

Brooke!

She won an ARC of Wither by Lauren DeStefano and some awesome swag!

Thanks everyone for entering and look for more giveaways in the future!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop


This is my first blog hop! This is part of the Dreaming of Books giveaway hop hosted by Martha's Bookshelf and I Am A Reader, Not a Writer. I am giving away an ARC of Wither by Lauren DeStefano. I haven't read this book yet, but I plan on reading it soon! It looks so good!

Here's the link to Wither on Goodreads You can win:
ARC of Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Some awesome swag!

Giveaway rules:

You must be at least 13 years old
Please only fill out the form ONCE.
You can have a total of 4 entries (all on the one form).
US only!!
Ends January 17 at Midnight


Enter Here

Dont forget to enter all these amazing giveaways!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday (7)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: July 12th, 2011

I can't wait to read this book! I hope that is is better than the first two books. I love the cover. It's red! My favorite color. I'm excited!

Summary: The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 398
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Summary: My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

Review:
I feel like i'm the last person to read Mockingjay! I wish I would've read it earlier. It was amazing! I admit, I did put it down for a few months after I read about 75 pages. I had a lot of other books to read and the beginning was pretty slow. When I picked it up again, I couldn't believe I had put it down. It was so good! Once I got through the beginning I couldn't put it down.

This is the third book in the Hunger Games series. I don't think this book was a good as the first two but it was still pretty awesome! I liked the action in the first two better since they were in the arena fighting for their lives. This book still had a lot of action in it though. And deaths. So many deaths. It was so sad but I just knew they were coming. Without all the deaths the book wouldn't have been as good. They gave Katniss a reason to stay fighting.

I love the plot! Katniss is rebelling against the capitol along with Gale. In the previous book, Peeta was captured. Katniss tries to save him and take over the capitol. I can not express how much I absolutely adored the ending! I wasn't expecting it at all.

If you haven't read The Hunger Games series yet, you really need to! There's romance, action, violence (eh, kinda gross at first but you get used to it). I would totally recommend reading Mockingjay. I loved it!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Win a NOOK!


Over at Bookalicious you can win a NOOK! I was really excited when I heard about it. Here's a link to Barnes and Noble's NOOK: http://bklc.us/2y