Review: Being Nikki by. Meg Cabot

Title: Being Nikki (Airhead, #2)
Author: Meg Cabot
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: May 5, 2009, Point
Pages: 336
Genre: Contemporary, Science Fiction
Rating: 8.5/10 

 Synopsis from Goodreads: Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenage supermodel.But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts. How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns — especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side... Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular. But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

Review: I was really intrigued with the first book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series. I can honestly say my expectations of this series (since I was expecting a chick lit novel) were eliminated after reading the first book, and completely demolished after reading Being Nikki. This book brings out more of the science fiction and harsh side of the novels and this new life Emma Watts or the "new" Nikki Howard is forced to deal with, while still trying to hold on to a shred of her "past life".

I think this book surpassed the first in whole new ways. And for me that is exactly what I look forward to when reading the second book in a series. What I loved about this book was Emma's growth. I hate to say it but becoming a model, or puppet if you prefer, finally gave Emma the backbone she needed if she was going to push forward despite her new life holding her back. I loved the new role Christopher played  in this book which I was really excited about.  And thank gosh he wasn't so totally annoyingly oblivious in this book as he was in the first book. 

I was content with the book being about the struggles of being transported into a supermodel's body, trying to uncover the truth about Stark Enterprises, and figuring a way for your former best friend to believe that she is still his best friend whom he is in love with. That whole plot was enough to leave me on the edge of anticipation throughout the book. But at the end of the book, throw all of those in and a huge twist that even I didn't see coming (despite the numerous foreshadowing), and you have a series that just keeps on giving more. 

I love this series. I think Meg Cabot never disappoints no matter what genre she decides to venture into for each of her books. I can't wait to read Runaway since I suspect it to be just as good as the rest of her books!

Recommendations:  Those who read the first book, whether you liked it or not, should read this since I think it step up over the first in a big way. All fan of Meg Cabot's other books should also give this series a try!

Overall: 8.5/10 

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

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Mini-Review Moonlight by. Rachel Hawthorne

 
Title: Moonlight    
Author: Rachel Hawthorne
Age Range: 12+
Publication Date: March 3, 2009
Pages: 263
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 9/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: I see him and knows what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever. KAYLA is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying-and thrilling-gene that will change her life forever. LUCAS is dangerous, gorgeous ... and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way. As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.

Mini-Review: When I first heard Rachel Hawthorne was dabbling in the brook of the paranormal, I immediately became excited. I love Rachel Hawthorne for her romantic comedies, and was eager to see how she would channel her romance writing ways into the paranormal. And she did it masterfully. I considered Moonlight to have that "light read" aspect that I love in romantic comedies with the same impact, intensity, mysterious aspect of what makes a great paranormal read. 

The romance and the paranormal blended so nicely in this book I can't even analyze them separately. Lucas was the bad boy authority figure, but something different about Lucas is that he wasn't a complete jerk. He was reserved and quiet, and always around that dark corner, but didn't fit the mean or rude stereotype of the bad boy. 

All together, I love this book and really really can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. I have to admit the plot line was a little bit predictable, but not to the point that the book got boring. The other books in the series focus on the other characters that were featured in the book which is something I am starting to love in series. The romance was perfect, the plot line was great, and the characters were fun. Overall, great paranormal book!

Recommendations:  I recommend this book to all paranormal romance lovers, or those who are just fans of romance. And if you have read any other of Rachel Hawthorne's books, you must read this one because in my opinion it tops them all!!!
  

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

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Review: Claire de Lune by. Christine Johnson

Title: Claire de Lune   
Author: Christine Johnson
Age Range: 11+
Publication Date: May 18, 2010, Simon Pulse
Pages: 336
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 7/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Torn between two destinies? Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf. As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

Initial Reaction: "Will I ever get tired of werewolf books, I seriously doubt it!"
Ending Reaction: "Gosh, it took forever to get into this book. At least the ending made it worth it!"

Review: The whole premise of Claire de Lune really intrigued me to no end when I first heard of it. A book about werewolves, that are only female claimed a place on my wish list before I even saw the cover. But I'm sorry to say this book fell flat of my expectations. 

The book starts off with Claire discovering she and her mother are werewolves. She immediately feels animosity towards her mother for keeping such a huge secret from her, but finds solace in her new guy friend Matthew. I loved the idea of this book entirely, but to me, the execution felt just too slow for my liking. I feel like the majority of the book was one long prologue and introduction. That was good in the way that it helped some of the characters develop more, and increased the anticipation I suppose, but nothing really happened. The plot and the wonder of who was doing the killings just kept spreading further and further throughout the book with little progress. But towards the end when the book finally kicked into action, it was well worth the wait. Though I feel like the book was a bit stretched and went at a really slow pace.

The romance I hate to say, was also not all I wanted it to be. Matthew seemed the play the generic great boyfriend, understanding type, but really there was nothing quite distinguishable about him. He sort of blandly fit the role of the male love interest, without being his own character.

The ending I have to say was when the book finally kicked into high gear. There were the fight scenes I had been waiting for, and the action, and the ending that really put a satisfied grin on my face. Loyalties were testing, schemes were planned and it was everything I expected of this book from the beginning. 

All in all I think this book was okay. I could see it going on the have a sequel as well as it staying as a stand alone.

Recommendations: I recommend this book to werewolf lovers!

Overall: 7/10 
Characters: 5/10 
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 7/10 
Entertainment: 8/10 
Ending: 9/10 
Writing Style: 7/10 
Cover: 9/10

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Once Upon A Read-A-Thon Wrap Up

Today marks the end of the Once Upon A Read-A-Thon, since yesterday was the last day to get all your last minute reading done. I am sad to say that I did not reach my goal of 7 books since I sort of a lot FAILED the last day of the Read-A-Thon. But I still read 5 books which I thought was pretty friggen awesome within 2 days. I finished:

1. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (Confessions of Georgia   Nicolson, #1) by Louise Rennison 

2. Fruits Basket, Volume 4 by Natsuki Takaya

3. Don't Die, Dragonfly (The Seer, #1) by Linda Joy Singleton

4. Forbidden Boy by Hailey Abbott
5. Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Total Books: 5
Total Pages: 1249
Favorite Book Read: Don't Die Dragonfly - this book exceeded my expectations x10!

Pretty Good if I do say so myself! But I'm shocked to see that some who participated in this read-a-thon read over ten books. I can't imagine the attention span I would need to uncover to be able to read 10 books in 3 days. But it could really come in handy when reading those boring school books teachers force upon us. Anyways, congrats to those who succeeded and did well in this read-a-thon. Hope you all had loads of fun and made dents in your TBR shelf!!!

Thank You!!! 

 

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Waiting on Wednesday #15- Unearthly

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Unearthly by. Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 4th 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Paranormal Romance

In this first book of a thrilling trilogy about angels, one girl must choose between fulfilling her Purpose and following her heart.Clara has known she was part–angel ever since she turned fourteen two years ago. But now she is finally getting visions of what her Purpose—a rite of passage for every part–angel—is to be, and it happens to involve a gorgeous guy. Of course, there is the raging forest fire surrounding them, too. When Clara’s Purpose leads her family to Wyoming, Clara finds the boy of her visions, Christian, but complicating her mission are her growing feelings for another guy, Tucker. As the day in her visions draws closer, Clara discovers that her Purpose may play into a larger struggle between angels and Black Wings—fallen angels who spread sadness and misery wherever they go. But when the fire erupts and both Christian and Tucker are in danger, who will she choose to save?From debut novelist Cynthia Hand comes a riveting tale full of supernatural powers, forbidden romance, and the choice between fulfilling your destiny or following your heart.

Pretty colors, fancy fonts, incredible synopsis, equals perfect candidate for a WoW . Even though love triangles are not my favorite-at all. I always get attached the the first guy then I end up hating the second guy or the other way around and it ends with my hurtling the book across the room a couple times. I'll give this one a try just because it sounds and looks amazing!

What are you guys waiting for this week? 

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Posted in: angels,love triangle,Waiting On Wednesday