The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Book: The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern) by Shannon Hale

Acquired: Border's Books before it closed

Retail Price: $8.99

Sale Price: N/A

Number of Pages: 383

Synopsis: Some people are born with the first word of a language resting on their tongue, though it may take some time before they can taste it.

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue. She spent the early years of her life listening to her aunt's stories and learning the language of the swans. then, a colt was born with a word on his tongue-his name, Falada-and when Ani spoke it, she found the key to his language, too. But as Ani's gift grew, so did other's mistrust of it, and soon her mother felt she had no choice but to send her away to be queen of a foreign land...

Stars: ★★★★★

Review: This was one of those books that make you care about the characters and what is happening to them. I loved this book so much and can't wait to tell you why.

The Goose Girl is based off of a Brother Grimm fairy tale. In the fairy tale a young princess is sent to be married to a prince far off. Her mother sends her with a talking horse, a handkerchief with three drops of blood her blood on it, a dowry fit for a queen, and lastly a chambermaid to assist the princess in the long journey. Essentially the chambermaid takes advantage of the princesses good heart and threatens her life. The chambermaid and the princess arrive to the far off home of the prince and everyone believes that the chambermaid is the true princess.

Now the book stays very true to the old fairy tale, which always doubles my happiness. The book very much embellishes the story a bit. Firstly, Ani is the first born to a modest king. She loves her aunt and her aunt's stories dearly. As a child she tells her that there are three kinds of people. People who are gifted with "people-speaking", which is the power to say things and have people believe what is said. People-speaking can be used for good and bad and is just as rare as any talent. People who are gifted with "animal-speaking" which clearly can speak to animals. You do learn that each animal does have it's own language, just because you can speak to one animal does not mean you can speak to all. Falada and Ani speak to each other mentally. Lastly are the people who are gifted with "nature-speaking". Nature-speaking is very rare and is believed to no longer exist. People that were gifted with this could speak to the elements like fire and wind.

Secondly Ani's Aunt teaches her to speak to the swans. Everyday they would go to the pond when no one was around and practiced speaking to the swans. Her aunt in forms us that two very important people have people-speaking: her mother and the key-mistress' daughter, Selia.

Ani is supposed to become queen one day, but when her father dies, her mother informs her that against her and her father's knowledge betrothed her to a far away kingdom's prince. A large kingdom with many resources.

Alright so from her Selia heads a band of soldiers on the long travel against Ani. I wont go further other then to say I really love prince Geric. I think he is a sweetheart who needs to follow his heart and is allowed that with Ani in the end. I love how the king and Geric find out that Ani is the true princess. Shannon Hale does take a lot of creative license with the story, but it is wonderfully done. I think every thing fits together and Ani is a true heroine. She does not fall apart when everything is stripped from her. She never sulks when she is given a job well below her status. She loses everything and tries to find happiness in life. She is strong and a wonderful role model for young girls and that for me, is a wonderful change to books these days.

Now this is a series. There are three other books: Enna Burning, River Secrets, and Forest Born. They are not all about Ani, although they do have her in them. The two of the books are based off of characters that Ani befriended while she was known as Isi the goose girl. I have not read them as of yet, but I have wanted to. I'm a little disappointed I haven't read them. This was a book a read quite some time ago and I thought I did a review, however looking everything over on the site I realized there was nothing for a review. I was appalled with myself, but better late then never. :) I hope you love the book as much as I did.

The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

Book: The Book of Awesome by Nail Pasricha

Acquired: Border's Books before it closed

Retail Price: $15.00

Sale Price: $12.00

Number of Pages: 390

Synopsis: Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that make us smile. Sometimes it's tempting to feel that the world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us:
Popping Bubble wrap
The smell of rain on hot sidewalk
Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row
Waking up and realizing it's Saturday
Fixing electronics by smacking it
Picking the perfect nacho off someone else's plate

The Book of Awesome reminds us that the best things in life are free. Based on the award-winning blog 1000awesomethings.com, it's a high five for humanity and a big celebration of life's little moments. With wise, witty observations, The Book of Awesome is filed with smile-inducing musings that make you feel like a kid looking at the world for the first time.

Stars: ★★★★★

Review: I think that this is one of the most charming books I have read in a really long time. I love that you can pick it up whenever you want, you can open the book to any page and read something short and sweet that makes you smile. Now there isn't a whole lot I can tell you beyond the book besides it's a must read. It's something that I found sitting with a bunch of friends and randomly opening the book, everyone taking turns to read a page is now one of the best past times that I can think of now. That memories that people begin to share reading the book. It's not a book you squander. It's something you share with as many people as you know and watch their reaction.

My personal favorite is Neighbors with pools. Who doesn't love people that live close to you with pools. The best part everyone has a different reason as to why they love a neighbor with a pool. Me, it's because we used to go yard hoping as kids and who doesn't hoping into a yard with a big section of blue to jump into. :)

So my challenge to you? Go to a book store, pick up the book, and open it to a random page. Who knows what you'll get, and even more who knows what memories that will be triggered. If you enjoy it, buy it, bring it home, share it with friends and family. Share those memories with as many people as you can. It's fun to hear about other people's experiences and this book is a great way to get everyone talking. It's a treasure and I have enjoyed it so much.

Happy reading!

Matched by Ally Condie

Book: Matched by Ally Condie

Acquired: Border's Books before it closed

Retail Price: $17.99

Sale Price: $14.50

Number of Pages: 366

Synopsis: In the society officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices. It's hardly  any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one...until she see another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow-between perfection and passion.
Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

Stars: ★★★★

Review: During the year some turns seventeen they are called to be matched to their mate. Seems odd considering today you can marry pretty much anybody, you just need to be in love. In the world of Matched, it's a futuristic version of Earth, or so it seems. Everything is regulated in a person's life. School, eating, exercising. They match you with a person based on genetics and statistics. Esentially someone you can get along with and still have the ideal children that could be practically engineered.

Cassia, our main character, is introduced on the night of her Matching Banquet. She's excited and nervous just like the rest of the kids. Her best friend, Xander, and she are on the air train talking about the night to come. From the beginning you are given an example as to how different life is. You find that beloved items heir loomed through families are very rare and are referred to as artifacts. Only one is allowed per person. You find that the lavish banquet is a big deal and extremely rare for everyone to be able to enjoy. The description of the banquet is wonderful. You find that Cassia is a very caring and loving individual. She want's to bring food home for her brother and is upset he couldn't go since he was to young. You find Xander is a very strong minded friend. He cares deeply about Cassia. There are limitations to their contact since they never know who they will be matched with as they get older. As the matching process proceeds it is the strangest feeling you get. It's like you get nervous with each individual. When it's Cassia's turn to go and Xander pops onto the screen there is the big moment of wonderment. It's rare for people from the same borough to be matched since they compare individuals across all cities. It's truly a magical scene.

The writing in the book is truly  amazing. It gets your feelings very much involved. As you can see the banquet scene is one that has stuck with me. It uses all the sense in this one spot. Smells, tastes, vision, touch, sounds. Everything is tied into this one big moment for the character and you can feel how big it is for her. It's almost as if it's starting at a different moment on the plot line; rather then starting at the beginning of the story it starts some where on the upward tensity, building to the climax.

Cassia, Xander and Ky are all such strong characters. You can see them and feel for them. They each have such different personalities and relationships and that is a big part of what make the book special. Xander is that friend, who has always loved Cassia, he's humble and would just about anything for her, even break the rules. Ky is an outsider in disguise. He's complex and a devoted worker. He loves Cassia  because she dares to dream and she is different because it's natural for her to question authority even if she doesn't act on it all the time. Cassia is the loyal daughter and friend. She's keeps peoples secrets on top of her own, however that's what becomes so problematic for her. Everyone is telling her their secrets, hoping that she wont divulge the information that could ruin life as they know it, but when it comes to her secrets she can't bare to burden anyone else.

I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to continue to read the series and find what else is in store for
Cassia and if she will find Ky. It truly depicts what people would put on the line for the ones they love. It's magical and different. I think it's a must read for everyone!

Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs

Book: Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs

Acquired: Books-A-Million

Retail Price: $16.99

Sale Price: $14.50

Number of Pages: 388

Synopsis:  To embrace passion and power, she relinquished her home. To save her people, she buried her feelings and her past. Torn between two loves, her heart is no longer her own. As war beneath the ocean brews, a tempest will be unleashed.

In the depths of the ocean...
Eight months have passed since Tempest Maguire embraced her mermaid heritage and her mother's clan. As the future merQueen, Tempest holds dominion over the entire ocean and has access to more magic than she had ever dreamed possible. More important, she has Kona, the selkie prince whose passion and power kindle her own.

On land...
But when Tempest receives word that her brother has been gravely injured, she rushes to his side-once again facing a choice. Her father and brothers have barely survived her absence, and the intense connection she once felt for her old flame, Mark, has only strengthened with time.

Caught between two worlds...
But Tempest's life is not the only one at stake. The sea witch Tiamat still desires to control all who live among the ocean depths-and Tempest alone has enough power to face her. As a deadly battle looms beneath the waves, Tempest once again finds herself caught-between Kona and Mark, sea and land- and this time she may not survive her choice.

Stars: ★★★

Review: I like the first book better. Far better. Tempest's character does a 180. She becomes really wishy-washy with her decision that she made. Firstly the books starts our with her swimming home to see Mark. And thus we set the tone for the book! She's already unhappy and claims to not see Kona frequently because she is training to fight Tiamat. Now the synopsis is a little misleading because it claims that Tempest is training to be merQueen. I think this is a little questionable. She is training to be the champion of the merpeople, but not really to be queen.

One thing you find really quick is that people are not as they seem in this book. the initial impression you get from the merQueen, Hailana, is that she is an old and feeble woman, who needs assistance to rule her kingdom. She's just as crazy as Tiamat is though. Sabyn was a character I did like in this book. He always gave you conflicting emotions. I liked him or didn't, or didn't like him and wanted to. He was always going back and forth as to who he was in the book and it gave the book a different dimension.

I still dislike Mark, with an undying passion. the love triangle is much like Twilight for those of you who haven't read this book. Now I am not a Twilight fan by any means like I have said in the past, however it is the only book with a similar triangle with a wishy-washy girl who can't make up her mind as to who she apparently loves. To me, if you have to question who you are in love with, then you most definitely have not  and are not in love with anyone. Love is something you would never question if you felt it and there is no mistaking it for something else, like they attempt to justify in the book.

With that said its a YA book, so I understand most people reading the book wouldn't have a clue yet, so it's easily brushed under the rug. My biggest problem is children and YA books are meant to have a bigger picture or a morale that can be learned from the characters. You follow the characters journey to becoming some thing special and love them as you journey with them. For me, it was backwards. I loved the character in the first book and I see her back tracking in her learning experience, making me dislike her as she went.

Just so we are clear, I didn't absolutely hate the book. There is redeeming aspects. I like the battle scenes although they are a little difficult to follow. I truly love Kona's character he's loyal and loving. He's a true character I can visualize and I have to prevent myself from thinking he is similar to people around me. the ocean scenes are always wonderful. The descriptions of the plants and life around her is beautiful and cohesive.

I have yet to find out what the next book name will be, but I will let you know as soon as I learn it. Happy Reading everyone!

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Book: Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Acquired: Borders Books before it closed down

Retail Price: $16.99

Sale Price: $12.30

Number of Pages: 344

Synopsis:  The land is her comfort, yet it can't satisfy her. The ocean is dark and dangerous, yet it beckons her home. Her heart is torn in two, yet it pulses stronger  than ever. Better take cover. A tempest is brewing...

On land...
Tempest Maguire loves her California coastline home. Surfing the killer waves. taking care of her brothers and dad. Loving her longtime boyfriend, Mark. But the weight of her secret is pulling her under, toward the ocean's ever-growing call.

Among the waves...
Tempest's secret? She is half mermaid, a legacy left by her absent mother, who returned to the ocean many years ago. And now Tempest has her own choice to make. Complicating matters is Kona, an enigmatic newcomer whose otherwordly abilities hint at a shared passion and common secrets.

Beyond the sea...
but there is more at stake besides Tempest's heart and her identity-her life may be in danger too. Because the waters hide a mysterious and dark secret world of their own, one full of sweeping romance and thrilling adventure-but one where nobody, least of all Tempest, is safe.


Stars: ★★★★★

Review: Sooooo.... I loved this book. Really loved this book. I didn't like this book at first... I feel like I say that about a lot of books. It's rare when I like a book right off. It needs to be intriguing and beautifully written from the first word for me to absolutely love it from the beginning. Lately there is only one book that I have read that qualifies, however books can redeem themselves. It just means I have to read a couple of pages before I can get into it. I diverted. :) Well, to say the least once I read a few pages in, I loved it. Now, with that said, there were a few things that irritated me about the book.

Tempest's character is very interesting, but I did not think they would just come right out with that little mermaid bit. I thought they would drag it out a little while before anything was explained. I guess I was wrong. I was actually prepared for a little of a build up before that scene came to play. I think it kind of took away a little from the plot. I know it was something in the synopsis, but it's something that I think is important to build up for. It's the main part of the story line and it was like "Poof".

Secondly, I hate Mark. I really do. I think he's a jerk and I don't like how the book attempts to down play the jerkiness. Yes, jerkiness. There is something about his aloofness and possessiveness that just irritates me. Now let me be clear. A man being possessive over the one he loves, I find adorable, but when he gets animalistic about it? That's just irritating.

With that said, you can probably guess what team I root for. Kona! I love Kona. He's special. Literally. He has a secret to him similar to Tempest's. He does get possessive like Mark, but he's a little more suave about it.

Now let me tell you a story of while I was reading this book. So I had been reading for a few hours on a pretty quite Saturday, when I got to page 159. Now in the book, nothing special about this page, unless your reading my book. HALF OF THE PAGE WAS RIPPED OUT!!! Do you know how much I freaked out. It went from silent to my yelling on the top of my lungs. To top it off this is where everything is starting to build up to the big scene. I wasn't happy. This would mean I bought the book ripped. Moral of the story is check your books before buying them. Learn from my mistakes please!

"Bathed in shades of violet, she comes in the dark.

Power unrecognized, half human, half mar.

Born in lightning, anointed in tears,

Magic abounds, while its painful heat sears.

The battle draws ever closer and one side will fall.

Good and evil collide, once and for all,

The victor uncertain, as fate evens the scales.

A winter storm's coming, a dark night's tale-

A Tempest rising, without fail."

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Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

Book: Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

Acquired: Goodreads First Reads

Retail Price: Retails between $17.00 to $35.00

Sale Price: N/A

Number of Pages: 579


Synopsis: The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great, Nicholas and Alexandra, and The Romanovs returns with another masterpiece of narrative biography, the extraordinary story of an obscure young German princess who traveled to Russia at fourteen and rose to become one of the most remarkable, powerful, and captivating women in history.

Born into a minor noble family, Catherine transformed herself into Empress of Russia by sheer determination. Possessing a brilliant mind and an insatiable curiosity as a young woman, she devoured the works of Enlightenment philosophers and, when she reached the throne, attempted to use their principles to guide her rule of the vast and backward Russian empire. She knew or corresponded with the preeminent historical figures of her time: Voltaire, Diderot, Frederick the Great, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, Marie Antoinette, and, surprisingly, the American naval hero, John Paul Jones.

Reaching the throne fired by Enlightenment philosophy and determined to become the embodiment of the “benevolent despot” idealized by Montesquieu, she found herself always contending with the deeply ingrained realities of Russian life, including serfdom. She persevered, and for thirty-four years the government, foreign policy, cultural development, and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands. She dealt with domestic rebellion, foreign wars, and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned up by the French Revolution that swept across Europe. Her reputation depended entirely on the perspective of the speaker. She was praised by Voltaire as the equal of the greatest of classical philosophers; she was condemned by her enemies, mostly foreign, as “the Messalina of the north.”

Catherine’s family, friends, ministers, generals, lovers, and enemies—all are here, vividly described. These included her ambitious, perpetually scheming mother; her weak, bullying husband, Peter (who left her lying untouched beside him for nine years after their marriage); her unhappy son and heir, Paul; her beloved grandchildren; and her “favorites”—the parade of young men from whom she sought companionship and the recapture of youth as well as sex. Here, too, is the giant figure of Gregory Potemkin, her most significant lover and possible husband, with whom she shared a passionate correspondence of love and separation, followed by seventeen years of unparalleled mutual achievement.

The story is superbly told. All the special qualities that Robert K. Massie brought to Nicholas and Alexandra and Peter the Great are present here: historical accuracy, depth of understanding, felicity of style, mastery of detail, ability to shatter myth, and a rare genius for finding and expressing the human drama in extraordinary lives.

History offers few stories richer in drama than that of Catherine the Great. In this book, this eternally fascinating woman is returned to life.
Stars: ★★★★★

Review: Catherine the Great has always been one of the most inspirational stories in history. This woman came to Russia very much disliked for her German roots and became Empress of all of Russia and beloved by all off her subjects. The book did go into the childhood of both Sophia and Peter, as well as the in depth relationships that Catherine had with her Favorites. I'm pretty sure that most people are aware of the story of Princess Sophia Augusta Fredericka, so I am mostly going to speak about how the book was written and my reaction to it.

Firstly, the book is so intimidating. It's a huge book. When I first received the book, I didn't even want to start reading it. The language on the first page was deterring. It's a bunch of really long names that I have never heard before. After a while, I was able to get into the style of the writing and could really enjoy the story. It's a lot more fact driven then I thought it would be. Now I didn't expect it to be historical fiction, but I thought it would be more about her memoirs. Now I should probably explain that I have never read a Robert Massie book before, so I wasn't used to his style.

I really loved the little bits of letters that were quoted from Catherine, Voltaire, Elizabeth, and many others. There was much more about her life that I was able to learn from this book. It wasn't boring like sitting in a history lecture can sometimes be. After getting used to reading the style of writing I was able to bust out the book in three days. I thought it would take me much more then that. I truly enjoyed this book, more so then most books in a very long time. If you really love history and learning more about it then you should really pick up this book.

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

I was going to post this yesterday, but in light of not only my birthday, but 9/11 I didn't find it fit to make a post.

Book:  The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Acquired: Walden Books

Retail Price: $9.95

Sale Price: $7.85

Number of Pages: 289

Synopsis: Cursed by a magical legacy

When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed Donna Underwood's father and drove her mother mad. Her own nearly fatal injuries were fixed by alchemy-the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. Now seventeen, Donna feels like a freak, doomed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. Only her relationship with her best friend, Navin, is keeping her sane.

But when vicious wood elves abduct Navin, Donna is forced to accept her role in the centuries-old war between human alchemists and these darkest outcasts of Faerie, Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous guy with faery blood running through his veins and secrets of his own. Donna races to save Navin-even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to the death.


Summary: The Iron Witch is about Donna, the daughter of two of the strongest alchemists in her clan. After her father was killed and her mother was institutionalized, Donna was sent to live with her aunt. She is home schooled by the clan ever since a particularly bad indecent of being bullied at her old school. The only friend she's had since that horrible day is her best friend Navin, who has a tendency of pushing her to do things out of her comfort zone.

Donna knows what the fey look like and has seen them once upon a time in her past, but since then she hasn't had a run in with the horrid creatures. When she realizes that Navin and Maker have been taken by the Fey, she sets out to find the old path leading to the Wood Queen. She is prepared to make a deal that could break every code that she has learned in her training with the Alchemists. However, people don't just simply slip in to the Elflands. She needs the help of a born Fey to get her in. Lucky for her, Xan, a charismatic guy just happens to have the information that she is looking for.

Stars: ★★★★

Review: This book was a little different than most of the books I've read recently. It was wonderful, however it took me a little bit before I was able to get into the concept of not only what was happening, but the writing style of the book. The book skips back and forth between the present, Donna's journal, and flashbacks. The flashbacks slow down towards the end of the book, which I was personally thankful for since they only seemed to slow down the pace of the book and weren't entirely necessary to the plot line.

I have mixed feelings about the way Donna was written as the main character. She seems to find he backbone after a while, however it seems she content just costing by in life. It isn't until her best friend is kidnapped that she starts to question if the alchemists are doing what they claim to be doing and are they really "good people". The book seems to jump back and forth in this concept; are alchemists good or bad? Reflecting on the stories of alchemists I don't think it's that straight forward of a concept. They are a little of both. They are people who contribute to modern chemistry and science, however they are greedy and greed can cloud judgement. To me, it's not as black and white as the book presents it.

The one thing that really frustrated me in regards to the plot line was how long it took to explain the characters and their relationships. Not to mention, the tension building to the final even in the book. It was finally mere pages from the end that they are confronting the main issue, and to me by the time it got there everything in the peak of the book was rushed. In books, a lot can be assumed in relationships and appearances. That's the lovely thing about books. When I read a book it's a completely if my husband was to also read it. That's because so much in a book is supposed to be left to the imaginations of readers. When you take an entire book explaining how a person reacts to one situation in their life, it become dull and draws a lot of the magic out of the story. I feel that the book could have been used better to delve more into the events of the actual big issue that the book left twenty pages to actually delve into. There was only a few paragraphs of Donna confronting the Skriker. I figured since that was a huge part of Donna's problems and would be a larger part of the book, but I guess I was mistaken.

Now after all I have explained, you probably think I didn't like the book. Although I find there was a lot of problems with the writing of the book, I did like the concept. I was able to put my feelings aside in regards to the way it was written enough to enjoy the book and I'm glad I was. It's much different then many books i have read lately. Most books these days are about vampires, werewolves, and yes about good fey. But not much is written about alchemy and the long battle that has been existing in myths for years. I enjoyed myself lots and plan on reading the sequel The Wood Queen.

Choosing a quote was difficult, but I decided the quote explaining the beautiful marks that mar Donna's arms:

"From mid-forearm to the tips of her fingers, Donna's arms and 

hands were covered with swirling silver artwork. It was as if a

tattoo artist had created a spectacular silver pigment and used

it to ink her arms with intricate whorls and curves; curls that 

extend down to her wrists, and then across the backs of her 

hands and down each finger. If you looked quickly, there

was an illusion that her hands and arms were made of metal-

it was only when you looked properly that you realized a

delicate pattern enclosed her flesh."

Entwined by Heather Dixon Complete Review

Book:  Entwined by Heather Dixon


Acquired: Walden Books

Retail Price: $17.99

Sale Price: $10.79

Number of Pages: 472

Synopsis: Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her...beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing...it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the  palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

"Entwined is a riveting read--a delectable fairy tale with everything a good story should have: breathtaking magic; a rich beautiful setting; and, of course, dancing!"
--APRILYNNE PIKE, nationally best-selling author of Wings


"Graceful and enthralling...a fully original world, brimming with romance, enchantment, even a healthy does of humor."
--EDITH PATTOU, author of the acclaimed East

"Fresh and lively... A thoroughly enjoyable read."
--ELIZABETH C. BUNCE, author of William C. Morris Award winner A Curse Dark as Gold

Summary: Entwined mostly takes place after the death of the Queen and mother of Azalea and her eleven younger sisters. Azalea and her sisters must enter mourning where all the windows are draped stifling every bit of light, the clothes dyed black, confinement is to the palace walls, and, worst of all, there are no balls and no dancing. Azalea is also forced out of royal duty to meet visiting suitors who are pinning more for the crown than for her, since she is the Princess Royal and will someday inherit the thrown.

After mistakenly finding a secret passage way, the princesses fancy themselves in a fairy world made of silver and pearls, guarded by a man named Keeper. Keeper invites the little princesses to return every night to dance as much as they wish where the King may never find them. But trouble, ensues when Azalea finds Mr. Keeper seems to not be everything he says himself to be.

With the help of her eleven little sisters and a few people along the way, can Azalea discover the truth behind the Keeper and the stories that haunt the castle of the Evil High King's Oath from so many centuries ago?


Stars:★★★★★

Review: I initially picked up this book because it was such nice eye candy. The cover is exquisite. I figured I'd at least check to see what the book was about. The sad part is, I wasn't even shopping for myself. No I was shopping for Sean's birthday present, but once I get into a book store good luck dragging me out without a book for me to begin reading immediately. Sometimes I can be quite impossible. After reading the inside cover I decided, "What the heck, one more book wont break the bank." After the end of my purchase, Entwined happened to be the least expensive book I bought. The second I got home, I began reading and was hooked instantly. I bought this book 48 hours ago, almost exactly. I haven't read as shraight through as I have wanted, because of work and what-not. I was truly captivated by this story. It reminded me so much of a classic fairy tale. The magical scenes are breathtaking and leave you dreaming of the princesses little world beyond the palace.

Azalea is easily related to and all of her younger sisters, so different from each other combine for a beautiful dynamic. Their sisterly bond and love for each other is truly inspirational and their passion for dance will make anyone smile. I especially love Clover, the third eldest of the twelve children. She's shy and enough care for the entire world, but deep down has the determination that can equal an entire army in the end. Each sister's personality is completely intriguing and they always seem to fit right in with each other like puzzle pieces.

The only real annoyance with this book was the abbreviations for Royal Business being R.B. and what I'm assuming is Member of Parliament as "M. P.". I'm not entirely sure why these are placed through out the book, but I find them very distracting sometimes, disrupting the flow of the book.

It's been quite sometime where I have read a book I loved so much that it consumes my life. I truly flew through this book and the second I put down the book I opened up the laptop to begin writing my review. I loved it and I do feel that it is worth 5 stars. The concept is different and fairy tale like. It's uplifting, but still holds enough darkness that you may dream about it at night. It looks like a long read, but is easy enough where most people could read it casually in free time between classes or on the beach this summer. I warn you though, once you pick it up you may not want to put it down.


A quote that sums the book quite well:

"How daintily the butterfly

Flits to the spider's lace

Entranced by glimm'ring silver strings

Entwined with glist'ning grace.

How craftily the spider speaks

And whispers, "All is well,"

Caresses it with poisn'd feet

And sucks it to a shell."

Well, until next time, happy reading.

Darkest Mercy Complete Review

Book: Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Acquired: Amazon.com

Retail Price: $16.99

Sale Price: $9.95

Number of Pages: 327

Synopsis: Aislinn took a steadying breath. "I need to find out where Keenan is. If he's not home, I'm going into war without him...which is not ideal. Someone knowns where he is."
"I do not, my queen. I give you my word that I will find out, though." Tavish's restrained facade slipped, and she saw the faery-cruel expression as he asked, "Are there limits to the methods?"
At that, she faltered, "Don't ask me to be a monster."
Affectionately, he reached out and squeezed her forearm. "You are a faery regent, Aislinn, and we are fast approaching war. Monstrosity will be called for. How far will you go to protect your court?"


The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win...and some will lose everything.


The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

Stars:★★★★

Review: Have you ever read a series you loved so much that by the last book you try to stretch the reading process for as long as you possibly can because you don't want it to end? Yeah, well...I definitely just had a cases of the never-ending-book because of that. I think I began reading this a month ago. I'd read ten or so pages and then find a reason to do something else. When I was asked why I was still carrying around the book I told them that it was a sacred book that could never leave the inside of my purse and whose pages would eventually flower into a tree if I was faithful to the god of books....needless to say they didn't appreciate my sarcasm. 


Darkest Mercy is the final book in the Wicked Lovely series. I remember when I read the first book. I had reread the first three pages, who knows how many times, over the course of a month. I was convinced that since the first couple of pages didn't catch my attention it was awful. After that initial introduction to the book, it sat on my book shelf for nearly a year before I picked it back up and forced myself to continue reading it. Two days later, I returned to the store to pick up Ink Exchange, the second installment. Ever since, I have loved the series. It's different and leaves you wishing you could walk right into the story to experience it first hand. 


There are a number of characters that are heavily focused on throughout the series, but the some characters already have their ending from the previous books. The main characters focused on are: Aislinn, Keenan, Seth, Irial, Niall, and Donia. Then there is the antaganist: Bananach. And who could forget out supporting characters: Sorcha, Gabriel, Chela, Tavish, Far Dorcha, and Evan. However, no matter how minor some of these characters are in this book, they are all important in some way. 


In Darkest Mercy, all the faery courts that haven't been closed off in faery are preparing for a battle against Bananach, the embodiment of war, that is destined to come; it's just a matter of when and will they be prepared. Keenan, the Summer King, is still missing and Aislinn, the Summer Queen, is trying to keep the court strong with the on coming changing of seasons with out her coregent or Seth, who returned to faery after a fight that lost many members of the Dark Court. With Irial, deathly injured, Niall is losing his sanity little by little, leaving a very weakened Dark Court with out anyone to balance him out since the High Court is now and forever sealed off with the new Shadow Court to balance it in Faery. 


The courts must work together against Bananach if they ever hope to fight her in the possible end of fey as they know it.


This book just screws with all the characters. We have the previous Dark King dying, and conflict with Aislinn and Seth's relationship because of Keenan. To top it all off Bananach is rallying faeries to her new "Dark Court" from all the different courts and anyone not open to leaving their court for her's, she kills. Left and right there are people dying, people fighting for love, and courts on the verge of extinction. This book flips around everything you knew from the previous book, and it keeps you hanging trying to figure out what in the hell is going to happen to resolve the conflicts, if it even were to be resolved. The characters are so well developed and complex, just like reality. People aren't just good or evil, black or white; they are all complex a little of good with a dash of bad. When you think you know how one character will react they complete flip on you and your left going, "How did that happen?" I think that's what is important about these books. People are never how they seem. They change depending on the situations and decisions they make in life. Each decision each character makes has consequences, good and bad.


I adored this book, really the entire series in general, but to see the outcome for everyone in the end, was great. I think the end couldn't have been any better. I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves fantasy. They are easy to read young adult books that are written incredibly well. I wouldn't rate them on the same level as Harry Potter or the Narnia series, both of which have become wonderful young adult fantasy books, but I think that if you loved those books you should at least give this series a chance.


Quote to love:

"There is a way to change that, my Queen."

"He's not even here, and he doesn't... Keenan and I don't..." Her words faded.

"I suspected the news would reach him if we were to let word be known you were still willing to consider being his queen in all ways--"

"If that's what it takes to get him back here, do it." She did not avert her gaze. "Perhaps it's time I was the one doing the manipulating."

 "As you will," Tavish said.

Naked Pictures of Famous People Complete Review

Stars:★★

Review: It was funny, but I honestly think that's the only thing I can say about this book. It had no real impact, but then again that wasn't the purpose of this read. The stories were amusing and short, so ideally it's easy for anyone to read. I don't suggest this book for younger audiences particularly for the chapter's that include Martha Stewart's vagina advice (I'm not joking...) and possibly for the completely implied chapter that involves chat rooms.


I wont lie, my two favorite chapters happened to be a cult based on Captain Crunch and one of Da Vinci's lost notebooks. Oh and how could I forget the chapter that was a series of letters from Princess Diana to Mother Teresa. I should warn, this book may be offensive to some people. The first chapter includes a story about a very racist prejudice "side" of the Kennedys. I was somewhat put off when I read that chapter, but hey I pushed through it and laughed in every other chapter after that.


I think that this book was great for lightening the mood and a good laugh, but let's be honest, what can I honestly take from this book other then Hitler remade himself into one of those people who sit on their front porch for the rest of their lives doing nothing. Oh yeah, hard hitting reading here.


Oh so funny quote:

"As my former disciples descend upon me like hungry hyenas, tearing me limb from limb, I think of only two things: I'm going to lose my security deposit and sugared cereals are a death sentence."

The Quantum Thief Review

This is the cover of my book up close and personal: 

But really here is the gold. I love this one so much more:

Seriously how amazing is this cover? I love it!

The Quantum Thief, May 10th

Blink Complete Review

Book: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Acquired: Walden's Books

Retail Price: $15.99

Sale Price: $13.75

Number of Pages: 276

Synopsis: In his #1 bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. In BLINK, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. How do we make decisions--good and bad--and why are some people so much better at it than others? That the question Malcolm Gladwell asks and answers in BLINK. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology, examining case studies as diverse as speed dating, pop music, and the New Coke, Gladwell shows how the difference between food decision making and bad has nothing to do with how much information we can process quickly, but rather with the few particular details on which we focus. BLINK displays all of the brilliance that has made Malcolm Galdwell's journalism so popular and his books such a perennial bestsellers as it reveals how all of us can become better decision makers--in our homes, our offices, and in everyday life.

Stars:★★★

Review: This book is crazy to read. If you like books that make you think about everything and anything this is totally the book for you. Malcolm Gladwell is amazingly detailed in every aspect of this book. Of how people's unconscious "thin slice". The book talks about how the human brain processes slight amounts of information and how we make decisions without realizing it just from the information we gathered. And all of this happens without even knowing that we are making these conclusions. There are many examples about the good effects of thin slicing, but Malcolm Gladwell doesn't forget to include how horribly things can go wrong if you evaluate a situation to quickly or if you don't absorb all the information that is given to you. Thin slicing is broken down and thoroughly explained by many studies, interviews, and quirky examples that make you laugh and smile and really make you want to learn more.

Blink has studies that include: married couples, pop culture, malpractice lawsuits, Pepsi/Coke taste test, and the Millennium Challenge (a study done by the United States armed forces that involved a computer simulation that broke down an enemy's weaknesses and strengths). There are relatable examples from medicine to improve theater; he even refers to speed dating in one chapter. The book itself holds many thought provoking stories from history that many or most people may have heard or learned about, but he breaks this history down. He reexplains these historic events in the eyes of someone who is in the process of thin slicing and how important this skill came into play on that very day.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the human brain and how we process and evaluate a situation. The cool thing about Blink is that not only did I learn from this book, the information was presented in an entertaining manner. I was never bored and I haven't been seen these past two weeks without the book in arm's reach of me. It may have taken me much longer to read than most books, but it was only because this book was so jammed packed with information. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I most certainly learned a whole lot from it. Malcolm Gladwell also has written: The Tipping Point, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures.

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Ringworld Review

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YouTube - Divine Misfortune Book Review: ""

Linger Complete Review

Okay Holidays are really the worst time to read a book in my life. But hey oh well. I finished Linger and let me tell you I'm so pumped for Forever.


Stars:★★★★★

Summary: Grace and Sam have finally found their cure and are living semi-normal lives or what they can at least consider normal. With Beck now a wolf for the rest of his life and Olivia a wolf until the summer comes Grace and Sam form a friendship with the only other person that understands the lives of the wolf pack, Isabel. 


Isabel hasn't been the same since her brother Jack died from what they had hoped would cure him of the "wolf" in him. She blames herself and continues to put up a cold front to deter people from getting to close. When she meets Cole, a new wolf that Beck had hoped would continue to take care of the pack, she realizes that some people can be more broken then she is. 


In one night, everything changes. Grace always wondered what it felt like to be part of the pack, but when she begins to feel the wolf inside of her trying to break free what else is there to do, but scream.
With every day Grace becomes more and more ill and no doctor can seem to help her let alone give her any clue into what could be wrong. Just when Sam and Grace seem to have their lives ahead of themselves will everything come tumbling down?


Review: I really love Maggie Stiefvater. She's an amazing writer. She puts so much time and thought and emotion into the story and characters that you feel as if you know them. Linger leaves you in such a HUGE freak out though. It ends in a spot that you want to yell and question why you read the book in the first place. It's not because the book has a bad ending, but because its a massive cliffhanger. 


Cole and Isabel add a whole different dynamic to the books. Where Sam and Grace are the quintessential teenage love, Cole and Isabel are the quintessential teenage hormones. They don't really care for each other in the way that the love or even like each other. They are just attracted to each others looks. Add in how blunt and sarcastic the two of them are and your bound to laugh through out most of their conversations. I like how you see different sides of them though. The two of them remind you that teenagers aren't just a ball of hormones, but people trying to find who they really are. That's exactly what Isabel and Cole are trying to do in their lives. They are trying to figure out who they are and how to live with that or in some cases run from it.


I think that the book is a amazing and I'm counting down till Forever!


I really liked this moment.... Quote:

I bent my head and started to fold.

"You and those cranes!" She laughed as she saw I was folding the tidier of the two sandwich papers into a big floppy bird printed with the Subway logo. "What is it with you and them?"

 "I used to make them for good times. To remember the moment." I waved the subway crane at her; it flapped its loose wrinkled wings. "You know you'll never forget where this crane came from."

Grace studied it. "I think that's a pretty safe assumption."

And this enters into this lovely adorable moment: 

I turned off the light, anyway- in the sudden darkness, Grace made an annoyed noise- and then I leaned down to hit a switch, turning on a string of Christmas lights stapled around the ceiling. They sparkled through the strange shapes made by the slowly spinning birds, and cast moving shadows, like firelight, across Grace's face. Her noise of annoyance changed to one of wonder... I lay down beside her, our hands still in a knot on her stomach, shoulder to shoulder, and together we looked up through the flock of happy memories flying above us, caught in this room. the Christmas lights winked above us; when the swaying wings eclipsed the bulbs, it made me feel like we were moving, rocking on a giant boat, looking up at unfamiliar constellations.

 Forever by Maggie Stiefvater releases July 12th 2011. 

I Am Not A Serial Killer Complete Review

Please don't kill me! I know it's been a while, but this book was... Interesting? I finally forced myself to finish it and write this review. In my defense, my computer has been kind of incapacitated. I had to restore it to factory settings. I finally have it back though and that's all that matters. Okay so on to the review.

Stars:★★

Summary: John is a fifteen year old sociopath. He struggles with every day interaction with regular people. His mother and aunt own and run a mortuary and his father he's never known. But the most irregular and disturbed thing about John's life is not that he's obsessed with serial killers, it's that he believes himself to be a potential serial killer.
When John finds out one day that there is a real life serial killer loose in his town, he's almost giddy with excitement. John soon finds himself trying to find out the strange differences with these small town killings opposed to the "normal serial killers" that kill because of emotional instability. These killings seem to have a reason to them.

Review: Not my favorite book I can most definitely say that. I can deal with grotesque. I can deal with deranged. But put the two together and throw in a mix of pure preposterousness and I can't handle it. This book was.... Interesting. My only thoughts on this book is, I guess it's REALLY not my style. The book was alright until the author threw in a si-fi aspect to it and then I felt like the life was drain from the book.

The writing style was pretty awesome and when it came to realism in the first third of the book.
Okay well no really. This book is well written and has a very different concept. I think there are probably a lot of people that would like this book, but I'm not one of them.

I forgot to add up the typos I found. I found a couple and that's the important part, right?

Interesting and weird quote time:

"Think about a cowboy movie." I said, grasping at straws. "They're all the same-a cowboy in a white hat rides around shooting cowboys with black hats. You know who's good, you know who's bad, and you know exactly what's going to happen."

 "So?"

 "So when a cowboy kills somebody you don't even blink, because it happens every day. But when a clown kills somebody, that's new-that's something you've never seen before. Here's someone you thought was good, and he's doing something so terrible that normal human emotion can't even deal with it-and then he turns around and does something good again. That's fascinating, Mom. It's not weird to be obsessed with that, it's weird not to be."

Hush Hush Compete Review

This book was very addicting. I hope everyone loved it as much as I did! :D

Stars:★★★★★


Summary: Nora feels as if she may be going crazy. She has the feeling that someone is following her and possibly trying to do her harm. Then there's Patch who seems dangerous, but is he dangerous enough to do her harm. When everyone begins to tells Nora to stay away from Patch and there are more threats on her life, she starts to wonder if it really is Patch she should be scared of. Could it really be the charming new senior transfer, Elliot, who could really be the threat? Or could it be Jules, Elliot's disinterested friend who always seems to disappear on her and her friends. For Nora it's a fight to stay alive and to find out why someone would be trying to hurt her.

Review: So like I said before, this book is so well written. The characters are amazing and the plot line is well thought out. I love how Nora's and Patch's personalitys are so conflicting. This book really has become one of my new favorite books. It sucks you right in and makes you feel like your right there with Nora running from gunshots (I'm serious). Patch is seriously one of the most addicting characters I've read in so long. He's feels dangerous and yet he makes you want to find this kid yourself and meet him. Elliot is so smooth and cocky that he's creepy. I can most definitely think of a couple people he reminds me of.
Over all this book is so amazing and the characters are so relate-able. I think the important thing about this book is that, you feel as if you now the characters and your part of the story.

Ps... I found no typos. Haha

Quote time:

"Put the knife down," I instructed quietly.  

Patch looked from me to the knife and back again. After a minute he laid it down in front of him. "I'm not going to hurt you, Nora."

"That's... reassuring," I managed to say, but my throat was tight and dry.

He spun the knife, handle pointing toward me. "Come here. I'll teach you how to make tacos."

I didn't move. There was a glint to his eye that made me think I should be frightened of him...and I was. But that fright was equal part allure. There was something extremely unsettling about being near him, In his presence, I didn't trust myself. 

 Next book: I am not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells