Review #9- The Enchantress: MiChael Scott

Title: The Enchantress

Author: Michael Scott

Pages: 517

Series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Summary: The two that are one must become the one that is all. One to save the world, one to destroy it.

San Francisco:

Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel have one day left to live, and one job left to do. They must defend San Francisco. The monsters gathered on Alcatraz Island have been released and are heading toward the city. If they are not stopped, they will destroy everyone and everything in their path.

But even with the help of two of the greatest warriors from history and myth, will the Sorceress and the legendary Alchemyst be able to defend the city? Or is it the beginning of the end of the human race?

Danu Talis:

Sophie and Josh Newman traveled ten thousand years into the past to Danu Talis when they followed Dr. John Dee and Virginia Dare. And it’s on this legendary island that the battle for the world begins and ends.

Scathach, Prometheus, Palamedes, Shakespeare, Saint-Germain, and Joan of Arc are also on the island. And no one is sure what—or who—the twins will be fighting for.

Today the battle for Danu Talis will be won or lost.

But will the twins of legend stand together?

Or will they stand apart—one to save the world and one to destroy it?

Review: This is the sixth book in the series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. I have loved this series up until now. I have to say that after reading this book "Thank God it's over"!!! This book was a complete shit show. It was sooooo boring and when parts did pick up I was so confused that I just wanted to give up anyways. This book took me forever to read ( well a week). I can't believe that people liked it!! Every chapter was about a different character; even if they were a "little" character, which left on a cliff hanger then you would have to wait to find out what happens, and by the time you get back to that character you have forgotten what had gone on in the first place. Plus Michael Scott killed of 3/4 if his characters because it was the end of the series, but then you read the next chapter and they are still alive, but back in time but in the future??? What?? Are you as lost as I am, because that is how the book went. What disappointed me the most was that I loved the series up until this final story ruined it for me. Also I found that the ending stirred up more questions then what it answered. I almost hope that a guidebook is published so I will know what the hell happened. This book was a complete mind fuck!!!!

Review #8: Bitterblue- Kristin Cashore

Title: Bitterblue

Author: Kristin Cashore

Pages: 547

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: I had really high expectations for this book, but after devouring the first two books this one fell short for me.

I felt that I was sucked in by the prologue, then the chapters afterwards sizzled out.then the book picked up again in the end when Bitterblue started learning that nothing in her kingdom was what it seemed and everyone lies. The code breaking and solving math problems were lost on me because that is not what I am into at all.

I did enjoy the character overlap from the previous books. My favorite character by far is Death, for obvious reasons (he is a librarian who's grace is he can read really fast and remember it all :)).

I feel that there will most likely be another book because I felt that there was so much that was left unanswered. For example I would like to know if they ever find out who all the bones belong to, what's up with the bridges? Are Bitterblue and Saf going to end up together? And there are so many more then that.

If and when the new book comes out I will definitely have to read it. And on another note I just want to say that I love all the art in the book.

This fufills one of my categories in the Quarterly Challenge 7: 8). A book that has over 500 pages.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren Let us know what books you've bought, borrowed or received for review!

So I actually had gone shopping on Monday but just got around to puttin these up now.

These covers all looked good. I saw a few of these books on other people blogs and during some of my challenges. I can't wait to start reading these!

These were my bargain finds. I'm excited about these too!!

THIS IS WHAT I AM MOST EXCITED FOR EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A BOOK!!!!!

I love True Blood and this was a awesome find.

All of these were found and purchased in Chapters.

Review #7: The Perks of Beaing a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky

Title: The Perks of Beian a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Pages: 213
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Review: WOW! Just wow! At first I didn't know if I would like this book because I didn't really know hat it was about, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down and devoured it in mere hours. It was a roller- coaster of emotions. At points I was laughing and other at the verge of tears. Charlie was such a sweet, innocent charcater; even when be influenced to do bad things, I couldn't help but to LOVE him.when I finally found out the reason he was they way he is I was heart- broken. The person that had hurt him the most was held on a pedastool by him, despite being a monster. 

I liked how Charlie being a "wallflower" shows you his point of view and shows how certain instances in people's lives can shape their whole being, whether good or bad. This story also shows that you shouldn't judge people on certain things because there is always a backstory.

Also I like how Stephen Chbosky uses letters as his narrative structure. It just makes that book that much more personal. It also makes me love Charlie more because he writes letters, even if we don't know who they are for.

If you haven't read this book you NEED to! I think that every child in high school and even middles hook should have to read this book that's how good it is.

This fits into my category from the Quarterly Challenge 7: #1- a banned or challenged book.

Review #6: Awake- Jessica Grey

Title: Awake
Author: Jessica Grey
Pages: 306
Series: Fairytale Trilogoy
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Review: First of all I just want to say that I really love this cover. 
This is a modern day re-telling of the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. Or should I say Sleeping Beauty brings her fairy tale to the modern day. The biggest twist of the story..... sleeping Beauty is half - fae.
I found this book a cute, fast paced easy to read book. I liked how it was based on a fairy tale but was made better by introducing the fae. It sort of a love story, sort of an action story and a girl finding herself story.
The characters were quite enjoyable. Alex and Becca, the two nerdy girls interning at them gem museum for the summer, who are actually babes but don't know it. Luke the hot jock who is in love with our main character Alex the nerdy girl, who have known each other since they were younger. Oh, and of course Lilia, the 900 year old sleeping princess who has finally woken up, just no where near her own time period.

Overall this was a fun, light read. You should read it if you want a break from the dark paranormal.

I am using this for the category in the September Reading Cahallenge #1: A book with a rose on the cover.

Also it fits into my other reading challenge for September: a Indie book.

Review #5: Wake- Amanda Hocking

Title: Wake
Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 309
Series: Watersong
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Review: Okay so this book I sent what I expected. I knew it was about sirens, but these sirens are way different from any sirens that ive heard of. The only similarities being the good looks and singing abilities. The story line was good but I felt like I had to read 2/3 of the book before anyone good happened. It did pick up in the last 3rd of the book and I actually enjoyed the ending. I hope that the next book is in Harper's POV.

I liked the characters. I like how Amanda Hocking portrays people. I felt like I would have fit right in haha. The biggest mystery for me is Daniel. I'm figuring that he must be some sort of supernatural being but we just haven't found out about it yet. Also I hope that we learn more about Brian and Natalie (Gemma and Harper's parents). I also can't wait to find out if Alex will still love Gemma after everything that has happened. I think/ hope that in Lullaby (the second book), that it will be Daniel, Harper and Alex sailing the seas in Daniel's boat to find Gemma.

Hopefully the next book is a bit more exciting and I look forward to reading it.

I also used this book to fill a category in the September Reading Challenge #3: A book about Sirens.

Review #4: Beauty Queens- Libba Bray

Title: Beauty Queens

Author: Libba Bray

Pages: 396

Rating 2/5 Stars 

Review: This book was not at all what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be beauty queens fighting to the death in order to survive after their plane crashes on a deserted island. Boy was I wrong.

I didn't really like this book but I kept reading to make sure that I wasn't missing anything. Nope, it never did get any better. I didn't find the book funny or witty. I hated the pointless commercial breaks and footnotes. I will give it to Libba that she can make a character stick in your mind. I enjoyed the stories behind each character, I just feel that the delivery of them could have been better.I really hope that the other books by Libba Bray are better then this one.

I have used this book in two categories for two different challenges. 1). Quarterly challenge for catergory #7 Book with a gay/ lesbian/ bisexual character. 2). September reading challenge for category #3 Book set in forest or jungle.

Review #3: The Morganville Vampires Volume 1- Rachel Caine

On a side note I just finished reading this book for a "pick it for me" challenge where a bunch of people join a challenge and we get assigned partners and then we each pick a book for the other person from our to read piles. This is the book I was assigned.
Title: The Morganville Vampires Volume 1
Author: Rachel Caine
Pages: 467
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Review: Part 1: Glass Houses

This is the beginning to the popular series by Rachel Caine about the Morganville Vampires. It starts off as our main character Claire goes off to college, two years early, in Morganville, Texas, not her first choice mind you. Claire quickly learns that this town is not what it seems. Claire makes friends and enemies very abruptly. She learns the towns dark secrets and has to find ways out of them.

I found the characters awesome. The good guys were easy to relate to and and became liie my own friends. The villains were made easy to hate. Thoughtout the story I became attached to the characters and can't wait to see where the series goes from here, especially after the cliffhanger ending.

Part 2: The Dead Girls' Dance
The second part of the book was even better then the first. It was action packed and fast paced. There were secrets, attempted murders, turnings, escapes, crashes, almost explosions, parties and near rapes. It had everything you want in a book and more.

The characters are evolving. Claire is becoming more and more kick ass as the series continues. I won't spoil what happens to the other characters but it's mind blowing.

This is quickly becoming one of my new favorite series and I can't wait to continue reading it with the next book.

September challenges

The first challenge that I am participating in is called the Quarterly challenge. It is already on the seventh one. These challenges happen every 3 months and are 4 times a year hence quarterly challenge.

Rules

Duration: September 2012-November 2012

We are a YA Book Club so all books should be young adult

1. In honor of banned book week which will be held this year from Sept 30th-Oct 6th, read a book that was banned or challenged. Find a list of challenged books here.

2. Read a book that is released in Sept, Oct, or Nov of this year. Here are some forSeptember,October,and November.

3. Read a young adult themed book from the 1980s (hope this one isn't too hard to find). You can find some examples here on goodreads.

4. Read a book that is the farthest down on your TBR pile that you keep putting off (you can find this by looking at your book list on goodreads and arranging it by date added).

Thanks to Emily for the following challenges!

5. Halloween (my favorite time of year!!)- read a book with a supernatural MC.

6.Columbus Day - Seeing as this day is a celebration for "discovering" the "new world", read a book that is set in an alternate world/universe.

7. October 11 is National Coming Out Day - so read a book with a gay/lesbian/bi character. You can find examples here.

8. Nanowrimo - National Novel Writing Month is about quantity rather than quality so read a book with over 500 pages.

9. Labor Day - read a book with a (mostly) white cover (before it's too late). Here are some ideas forwhite book covers. You will have to find the YA books though.

10. International Men's Day (Nov 19) - read a book with a male protagonist (unless this has already been done).

When I finish a book that counts for a categorie I will put it in the review.

- Another challenge is the September Reading Challenge: Indie books. Where you have to read as many Indie books as you can in the month time frame.

- and finally another challenge title the September Reading Challenge but this one has categories that you have to read.

1) Read a book with a rose in the cover
2) Read a book set on the ocean/sea
3) Read a book set on the forest/jungle
4) Read a book about sirens
5) Read a book with or based on a tragic dead
6) Read an interracial book
7) Read a book with a grey cover
8) Read a book about witches
9) Read a book where one of the main characters has a physical defect
10) Read a book set around sports

A new month brings forth new challenges

Okay so I'm a couple days behind but September has started and with that so have more challenges. I have entered a few. I will have to keep you up to date on those but for now it was just a quick note. Be back soon!!!