Review: White is for Magic by. Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: White is for Magic
Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publication Date: May 1, 2004
Pages: 301
Genre: Supernatural
Rating: 7/10

 Synopsis from Goodreads: I'm watching you . . .A year has passed since Stacey Brown saved her best friend from a horrible death. Now she's having nightmares again, haunted by ghosts of the brutally murdered . . . and by a crazed stalker. As she desperately casts healing spells, a new student named Jacob enters her world. Beautiful and mysterious, he reveals that he is also having dreams. To stop a killer, they must join together. But can Jacob be trusted? Or will this new love cause her darkest dreams to come true? 

Review: White is for Magic, the sequel to the first book in the series Blue is for Nightmares, is an interesting sequel that continues Stacey's journey as unintentional killer catcher.

I definitely thought this sequel was a little step up from the first book, but again the characters actually distracted me from the plot, and not in a good way. After what they had all been through in the first book, you would think that that experience would either strengthen their relationships, or at least give them a deeper understanding of what the next years of their lives could mean. But no. They completely dismiss the truth and what is in front of them. Ignorance is bliss I guess, but for a friend that is as distraught as Stacey, I would think they would be more sympathetic and knowledgeable, I thought wrong.

Stacey once again finds herself the victim of her own nightmares, but in this book, it is literally. As if having to see your best friend go through such horrible events from what is supposedly the safe haven of your dreams wasn't bad enough, now she has to go and see herself in the same position. And I hate to say it, but she was pretty much left on her own to figure out this one. The trauma is coming back at full force and Stacey feels more than alone. Even her new boyfriend Chad is dismissing her. But a new boy, Jacob, whom trusts her just as little as she trusts him seems to be the alone one that will believe her.

For me the book was like a "Who Done It?" movie. There are so many clues left and right in this book that let you make your own inferences on who you think it is. Each chapter something new is thrown into the bag of clues and you find yourself closer and closer to figuring out the mystery.

Recommendations: All those who enjoyed the first book will love this sequel!


Overall: 7/10

Characters: 5/10 
Plot: 8/10
Originality:7/10 
Entertainment: 8/10 
Ending: 8/10 
Writing Style: 7/10
Cover:  8/10

 

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Review: Sloppy Firsts by. Megan McCafferty

Title: Sloppy Firsts
Author: Megan McCafferty
Publication Date: August 28, 2001
Pages: 280
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 8/10

 Synopsis from Goodreads: “My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.” When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

Review: Few contemporary YA novels can hold my attention long, and I am glad to say this book definitely makes my top 10 YA contemporary books list. It was fun, attention holding, and REAL.

I have to admit, the first few pages of  the book were a little slow getting into, but once all of the characters are introduced the story really starts to pick up. Jessica's best friend has just moved away and now she is stuck with pretty much no one. Until an unusual junkie (I used the term loosely...kind of) starts to take an interest in her and get her mind off her best friend. I can see how many people might see Jessica's character as annoying. She is headstrong, and very opinionated, and somewhat judgmental, but hey, she has a personality that adds something fun to the book when reading it from her perspective. And at least she has a distinguishable personality.

Jessica and Marcus. Marcus and Jessica. Imagine the top of you class and the lowest of your class together, and that is the what we have with Jessica and Marcus. But Marcus isn't all drugs and girls, he actually has a deeper side that has got Jessica all muddled up. Jessica is so much fun to read about when it comes to her deciphering her interest in Marcus, everything seems so calculated but at the same time she has no idea what she is doing, which makes it much more fun. And she is definitely take no prisoners when it comes to who she wants, or think she wants, or should not but really does want when it comes to Marcus. She's doesn't want to be another name on his list.

I really liked the way the book ended. I feel like if it was any other character besides Jessica, it would have been a lot different and their wouldn't be a need for a sequel for this book. But I am really glad there is, I look forward to seeing what else Jessica has to deal with in high school.

Recommendations: Calling all fans of contemporary novels, this ones for you!!!


Overall: 8/10

Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 8/10
Originality:7/10 
Entertainment: 9/10 
Ending: 9/10 
Writing Style: 8/10
Cover:  7/10
 

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2011 YA Book Challenge

I am also participating in Jamie Loves YA's 2011 YA Reading Challenge. I am happy to say that I did complete this challenge last year, but I stopped recording the books after a certain period. Either I am very forgetful, or really lazy when it comes to recording books. I'll make sure to do better this year!!!

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.


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100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge!

Of course I have decided to do the 100+ books in a year challenge. I completely failed at this challenge last year since I stop recording the books I read after March, but I am determined to finish it this year. If you would like to join this challenge as well click here to head over to Book Chick City and sign up!!!
Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

• Rules - Read 100 or more books in 2011

• All books can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• Only print books and ebooks count (no audiobooks).

• You can join anytime.


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Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by. Jana Oliver

Title: The Demon Trapper's Daughter
Author: Jana Oliver
Publication Date: February 1st 2011
Pages: 340
Genre: Paranormal 
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on. Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen. But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?

Review: My first favorite of 2011!!! Way to bring back the kick butt teenage heroine! The Demon Trapper's Daughter is the first book in the trilogy by Jana Oliver and was a great way to kick off what I am positive is going to be an amazing series.

Riley Blackthorne is already dealing with a heavy load as the book begins. And that loads just seems to get bigger as the book goes on. It's hard enough being a girl and trying to become a demon trapper, put on top of that trying to go to school on a close to nothing income and dealing with your father's obnoxious, yet formerly crush-worthy assistant/partner really makes being a normal girl seem all the more appealing. But if Riley wanted to be a normal girl, she wouldn't be Riley. She welcomes a challenge.

Everything seems to be going against her. And when one of Lucifer's minions, whom Riley has a special deadly vendetta against,  takes a special out of the ordinary interest in her, and an underground demon conspiracy seems to be coming to cause a sudden shift in the ways the demon trappers handles their business, Riley has so much more to deal with than she ever expected. Riley needs to find a way to bring this conspiracy to the light, despite the fact that someone just wants her to be away from the mayhem. If it was any other girl besides Riley, they would run from the pain, the struggle, and the danger. But she runs towards it. And sometimes it works out, other times...

The book is told between the two perspectives of Riley and Beck (her father's partner) and this method completely worked with the book. The two perspectives really show you a lot about the characters and the situation they have been thrown in. It creates a he said, she said feel in the book and you makes you think if they would just talk to each-other everything would be so much easier for the both of them!

This is one of those first books in the series that sets up a great mystery, and leaves you to make your own inferences as to what is to come. There could be some much outcomes, there is so much foreshadowing for something big, that my mind was traveling in a million directions at the end of this book.

And of course to top it all off there is some romance in this book. And something that was a real refresher is that it wasn't the "we have to die to be together" or some other impossible romance, it was a nice natural romance that sprang up. It is the kind  that really helped the heroine, not hindered her. But of course something i.e. someone has to be thrown into the mix to raise a few eyebrows.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I know it's going to be a serious page turner!!!


Overall: 8/10

Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 910 
Ending: 8/10 
Writing Style: 8/10
Cover:  8/10

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I Would Like A Challenge!!!

As in all the challenges you guys are participating in. I am really stumped on what challenges I want to enter this year. Besides the ones I entered last year, I want so new ones that will really motivate me to venture out of my usual range of books. So go ahead and list all of the challenges you guys are thinking of joining!!! Thanks for you help. Oh, and I apologize in advance if I consecutively post challenges!!!

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CSN Desk Review!!!

Finally! It has taken forever but I am finally getting this review on this great Desk I got from CSN Office Furniture out! Here is the desk.

At CSN Office Furniture, this desk is 64.99. Here is the direct link to the desk's page. I have been looking for a good desk for a very long time. Since I started high school actually. And the only good ones I found were all hundreds of dollars, and I really didn't want to have to pay that much money for a desk. So I was very excited to get the chance to search CSN for a good affordable one; and I found one! It is perfect for what I need. If you are looking for a great desk that is really sturdy and allows all the storage you are going to need for your textbooks and papers, and has an extremely convenient laptop stand; this is the perfect one without being to bulky or too hard to build.

Assembly: I was perfectly able to assemble this whole desk by myself. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure it took about an hour and a half or two. It doesn't require any special electric tools or anything like that, and they give you extras of all of the small screws and things that are needed for assembly.

The desk is listed as a computer desk, as in for a desktop with a CPU and a keyboard. I have a laptop and I think it is even better for use with a laptop. From the picture you can see that it has about a 14 by 18 table stand connected to the desk. I think this is the best idea ever. If you are a student or just anyone who uses their computer often for work this is a great thing to for a desk to have.  Instead of having your laptop on the actual flat desk next to your textbook and your notebook while you are trying to write things down from your laptop all taking space on your desk, you can just move it on the separate elevated section of the table and so much space is freed and your laptop is at perfect eye level. That has to be my absolute favorite part of this desk.

Since my laptop does not use a CPU, the place where it would go it is the perfect place to stack up my textbooks for easy access and the open storage place on the bottom is great for storing papers of any other miscellaneous things.

There isn't really much bad I could say about this desk, the only thing would have to be that the roll out keyboard table isn't as secure as I would like. I use that table to put either the book I am trying to read while doing my homework or my notebook, and I find that if I lean my elbows on it too much, it snaps down and can't slide. Of course you can just easily pull it back into place but that is just something to note.

Overall I think this is a great desk for any high school or college student, or someone who wants a great desk that is not hard to assembly roomy, and really convenient!

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Happy New Years!!!

Happy New Years! I am so excited to jump right into the new year. There is so much I plan to do blog wise and otherwise this year and the whole prospect of a brand new year in my reach is so friggen exciting. I am currently posting on my little sister's miniature netbook because my computer is currently not functioning.  I can't wait to start posting all of the challenges and other things I plan to do this year. Oh and I would really really love to hear all of your guy's New Year's Resolutions!!! I love hearing what other people want to accomplish during the New Year!!!

Hope You All Have A Fun New Year and A Great Year!!!

And don't forget to tell us your new years resolutions and goals for the new year!

(I'm still working on mine!)  

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Review Sunday's At Tiffany's by. James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Title: Sundays at Tiffany's
Author: James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Publication Date: January 2009
Pages: 309 
Genre: Romance
Rating: 10/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother, the powerful head of a Broadway theater company, has no time for her. She does have one friend-a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael-but only she can see him.Years later, Jane is in her thirties and just as alone as ever. Then she meets Michael again-as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they've really been reunited.SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S is a love story with an irresistible twist, a novel about the child inside all of us-and the boundary-crossing power of love.

Review: My absolute favorite romance book ever. Absolutely, without a doubt, none can compare. Okay maybe a couple out there can compare really well, but this, in my opinion of course, is the most genuine, beautiful love story ever. And it's part fantasy to top it all off!

The story of an imaginary friend has never tugged at my heart as much as this one. Something I really loved about this book was the way the prologue really gave a feel of the characters. Since the book in a way, is playing off a sweet childhood relationship, the prologue had to introduce us to the characters while they were children. And even though I usually don't like prologues, this one set up the story beautifully. Whoever said children can't fall in love has never read this book. You can tell that as children the love was there it just took a little growing up on both of there sides for them to be able to realize it.

Jane and Michael, Michael and Jane. It's so amazing how people could be so d ifferent, but in more ways so much the same. Does that make sense? They both feel the same for each-other, feel the same about the world, look at things the same. But the way they were brought up, the ways they were taught to believe the world works really start to pull both of them in and out of their relationship. The whole this must be too good to be true is what really starts to take a toll on them. But none of them is willing to give up on the other, sacrifice a whole lot, yes. But never give up!

This book shows how easily a deep friendship can brew into love. After years of Jane and Michael being apart due to his "circumstances" they so quickly fall back into a friendly routine, both initially denying what they feel for each-other. But the reader can easily pick up that there is much more than just a little spark between the two main characters. And their relationship is so sweet and spontaneous. It's the kind where the love just leaps off the page and I found myself letting out a long  "awwwww" page after page. But all through the book you keep in mind, he left her once, could he do it again?

I thought this book was beyond incredible. The concept is so unique and executed in the best way possible. It is a truly beautiful book that really teaches thoughtful lessons about life, and love.


Overall: 10/10 

Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10

Recommendations: I recommend this book to all fans of a great love story. And fans of Nicholas Sparks books will quickly fall in love with this one also!

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