Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Book Review: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

by Chris Grabenstein



Why Did I Pick It Up:

It was recommended to me, it was about the library, it looked exciting ... why wouldn't I pick up this book?


The Good:

After spending much of my childhood within the walls of a library, I've always felt that it was a pretty magical place. Mr Lemoncello, a world famous game maker, feels much the same way. He spent is younger years learning, reading, enjoying the library … then catastrophe struck, they tore down the library and turned it into a parking lot or some other such nonsense. For twelve years Mr. Lemoncello's home town did not enjoy the enchanted space that is the library.

Mr. Lemoncello, now a very wealthily man, has built a very secret, very wonderful, very mysterious new library and has invited twelve, twelve-year-olds to come and have a very special sneak peek. Their sneak peek is about to turn incredible as this oh, so cool library is really the setting for a super awesome game and the best prize they could imagine!

The Bad:

There were some "draggy" parts, there were quite a few characters to keep track of, and the end felt a little rushed. 

The Ugly: 

I want to see this, go there, spend more time. I'd like detailed plans or whole chapters describing what is in the library. I want more!

Who will love this book? 

Did you love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Do you like adventure stories? Do you want to avoid romance? Do you love the library? This is a great read for you! 

How much did I like it? 9/10

Will I read more?

Sadly, this is a standalone novel (at least for now)

Monday, April 28, 2014

Book Review: Cress

Cress
by Marissa Meyer

There may be spoilers if you haven't read Cress or Scarlet yet - proceed with caution!


Why Did I Pick It Up:

The previous two books, Cinder and Scarlet, were utterly brilliant, I couldn't NOT read this one ;) I recommend this series so much people have started telling me I've already told them about it. 

The Good:

Where do I start? At the end of the last book I actually wanted Cinder to end up with Captain Thorne. I actually liked his pompous attitude and jerkiness. However, at the start of this book we meet Cress, a poor girl locked in a satellite all alone doing whatever her-jerky-lunar-highness bids. Cress is totally fan-girling all over Throne. Which is funny, because he is a jerk and doesn't get it, or maybe doesn't care. I'm not giving anything away, this is all like the first chapter. There are two things I really love about Meyer's books: 1. Although they are all kinda the same thing, the stories are totally different and the characters are absolutely unique and so real. 2. I can't decide if these are love stories where they go on adventures or adventure stories where people fall in love (which is a good thing, the heavy-handed YA author is never my favorite). 

The Bad:

I don't want to say anything bad. I guess what I don't like is that someone who is totally trusted turns on someone else (is that vague enough for you) - but, if I were totally honest, that is what makes stories good. 

The Ugly: 

It ends. That is what is terrible about this. It is too short and it ends. When is Winter coming out? Not until Feburary 2015? I might die a sad fangirl death. 

Who will love this book? 

If you like to read, you'll like this. Okay, that isn't a good recommendation. If you've liked the first two, you'll like this. If you like YA Romance, you'll like this. If you like a fairy-tale retelling, you'll like this. Don't tell me if you don't like this - because then we can't be friends. 

How much did I like it? 9.5/10 (too short)

Will I read more?

I'm counting down the days to Winter (this is not a Game of Thrones reference). 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Book Review: Frozen

Frozen
by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston



Why Did I Pick It Up:

I read a review on Good Reads that compelled me to get the book. I actually and to interlibrary loan it. I usually don't read books by authors that so prolific (quantity-quality). 

The Good:

It's a pretty unique plot and the characters are fairly interesting. I actually like Natasha a lot - she is powerful, knows what she wants, and is brave (that is, she is scared, but she keeps moving forward). She helps people when she can, but doesn't always that crazy risks to help people - even when it's hard. She is smart. 

The Bad:

Wes and his gang are a little too predictable for me. They act how I expect them to act - and I like when something unexpected happens. Plus, the whole thing with the ship and having to win it back - that was a little too Captain Jack in Pirates of the Caribbean for me. 

The Ugly: 

It's only been about a month and for the life of me I can't remember how the book ended ... which means it wasn't memorable ... which is disappointing. 

Who will love this book? 

If you like pirates (although they aren't pirates, don't get confused), dystopian fiction, or need a book to read when it is SO HOT outside ... pick this one up!

How much did I like it? 7/10

Will I read more?

Probably not, I obviously wasn't that invented in the ending. 

Bingo Update


A Book with a Blue Cover
2. Leader's Eat last by Simon Sinek
A Book of Non-Fiction
A Book with a One Word Title
A Book You Heard About Online
A Book with a Mystery
A Book by a Female Author
A Book Written by an Author Under Thirty

Book Review: Legend

Legend
by Marie Lu


Why Did I Pick It Up:

I suppose people have recommended it to me so many times that when I saw it on the shelving cart this week I just picked it up out of curiosity. 

The Good:

Marie Lu knows how to enthrall the reader from the moment a book begins. I thought I'd read a couple chapters in this book before I went to bed and soon it was two hours later and I was half way through. This book has the most compelling characters, who live in a world that is not unlike ours (although, this is dystopian fiction, so there are some obvious differences). I love that there are so many twists and turns with the plot and the characters that the reader is kept on their toes. 

The Bad:

I typically don't like when an author switches back and forth between two narrators, but here is seemed to work okay. As long as they weren't sharing the information it wasn't too bad. The ending was almost too predictable for me. And, I would have liked to get to know his brothers better, especially John.

The Ugly: 

The ending ties up in a pretty predictable package, which I would have rather had it be messier or a little more surprising (since there were so many twists in the book, I expected it to be more surprising). The font color that is used for "Day's" point of view was hard to read late and night when I was trying to finish the book ;)

Who will love this book? 

Dystopian fans will enjoy this - if you liked the Hunger Games this is a great read for you. I also think boys will like this one since the main character is male, which is so uncommon. 

How much did I like it? 8/10

Will I read more?

Probably not. The ending was pretty neat and there are so many others. But if they make this into a movie, then I'll be forced to read the series :) 


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Bingo Update

Okay, I'm starting to like my Bingo Card now that things are moving along :) Check out the update!


2. Leader's Eat last by Simon Sinek

Book Review: Starling

Starling
By Lesley Livingston

Why Did I Pick It Up:

Um, I'm not sure, it was there, I was there ... it spoke to me I guess. No, really, who am I kidding, I totally pick books by their covers.

The Good:

At first I was going to say it moved a little slow, but I think I was reading too short of chunks at a time (ie. I didn't spend time to read it all in one sitting). The book starts and no one knows that is going on, the characters haven't any clue and, as a result, neither does the reader. This isn't my favorite style, but it worked to hook you in. Mason is a pretty likable character.

The Bad:

The book is totally plot driven, this isn't actually bad, it is just person preference that I like character drive novels. Mason is awesome, and Roth's character is also pretty interesting, I wish we would have spent more time getting to know his driving force. I felt like the book was trying to get to the end so hard that I missed out on some character development. Has anyone changed/grown by the end of the book? I'm inclined to say no.

The Ugly: 

The book ends in the middle of a sentence. Seriuosly. Lesley Livingston hates us (not really, I'm sure she LOVES all of her readers, but still).

Who will love this book? 

Readers of Meg Cabot's Abandon books will like this, as will anyone who enjoys a modern retelling of Greek literature (think Percy Jackson for an older set ... and girls, I don't think this one would appeal to boys).

How much did I like it? 6.7/10

Will I read more?

The book ended in the MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE ... I mean, yes.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Bingo Card

While I'm aiming for blackout, I'm not making quick progress on my Bingo Card.

2. Leader's Eat last by Simon Sinek

Book Review: Etiquette and Espionage


Etiquette & Espionage
by Gail Carriger

First, let me read you a quote from the back flap of Ms. Carriger's book, "New York Times Bestselling Author GAIL CARRIGER writes to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She survived her early years by reading most of her local library and memorizing Greek battles." Let me just say, she sounds as exciting one of her characters!!

Whoever said "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover" had never read any YA fiction - you can tell so much from the covers and this title is no exception. The cover grabbed by attention and the first chapter did the rest.

It would appear that Sophronia is a bit of a disappointment to her mother, so when the opportunity arrises to send her off to finishing school, her mother jumps at the chance with no more than a wave goodbye.

As the title would suggest, this is not simply a finishing school - and Sophronia had no idea what she was in for. Turns out Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has some tricks up its sleeve, since it is flying, a werwolf gets them in, and there is a vampire instructor. This isn't even the most complicated thing that Sophronia is having to deal with. There is a prototype that never made it back to the safety of the school (what is it? I have no idea) and there is this crazy group after it and Sophronia, being the awesome adventurer that she is, is determined to find it.

What I love about this book: Sophorina is an awesome character with flaws and personality. She is truly three dimensional. Plus, the awesome school, interesting characters, and the whole steampunk vibe make this a fun and different read (who is getting burnt out on dystopian novels - this girl!).

Who will like this book: Anyone who loves Cassandra Clare will find many similiaries in style and character types - plus if you like Steampunk fiction this is a fun choice.

How much did I like it: Well, I'm a couple of chapters from the end, but right now I'm going to say 7.5/10

Will I read more: Yes, both of this series and this author. Her other series sounds quite intriguing as well!