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.

First Impressions: Hush Hush

I seriously think I'm at the half way point of my book. So basically I'm at 200 or so pages.

I'm addicted to this book right now... This could be bad. The next thing I know I'll be heading back to Walden at the end of the weekend picking up the second book in the series. Haha

Nora is a very focused high school student, who happens to be stuck next to a second year senior named Patch. Patch seems to know every little detail of Nora's life including how to keep her coming back. Lately Nora feels as if she's being followed by someone and she can't prove it even when someone attacks her on her way home one night. After that everyone is quick to find that Patch seems to be the one who's not safe, but Nora feels that something else or someone else is to blame.

Okay so first of all, I think Becca Fitzpatrick, the author of this book, could seriously become my favorite author yet with her very unique writing style and idea. I mean really a book about fallen angels and a superhuman race? I wouldn't have thought to write a book about such a thing. Secondly, I love all of the main characters in this book. Nora is a very understandable character who doesn't over complicate a situation. Patch is addicting even though I haven't met him. He is mysterious and intriguing. Vee is the typical sex driven high school teenager, who seems to know everything about makeup and fashion. She can be a tad bit annoying, but I honestly think that's kind of the point. Lastly Eliot scares the crap out of me and I can think of quite a few people that are just as creepy and overly nice as he is, as if he's hiding something that you really would rather not find out.

I think there might be a possibility I will finish this tonight. Since I'm half way there, I have to assume. Haha
Until next time, happy reading.

First Impressions: Along for the Ride

Auden is a daughter to two very intelligent, very successful divorced professors. Her brother hasn't been home in years, travelling the globe far from his parent's strict and demanding lives. Auden, inspired by her brother's carefree lifestyle, decides to spend her last summer before college in Colby with her father, Stepmother, Heidi, and her new born stepsister, Thisbe.

When Auden begrudgingly helps Heidi with Thisbe and the accounting at Heidi's shop, named Clementine's, she finds herself in the middle of one the employee's boy drama.

100 pages in and I have not a clue how I feel about this book. You see, Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors for when I was in high school. My favorite book was This Lullaby. Where this book has a very interesting plot and intriguing characters, I don't know when this book is going to "begin" so to speak. The first hundred pages has been nothing, but the back story. It's starting to get into the back story, but I've been wrong before about that. I'm know this is a short first impression, but in all reality this is all I've gotten so far... Maybe the mid book review will come in handy with this book.

Until next time, happy reading.

First Impressions: Iron King

Okay so far I've been slacking on this book, but NOT because it is bad. This book is based for a younger crowd then I would like, so there tends to be some cheesy parts or things that I read and I want to question the validity of the writer, but other then that it's very intriguing.
The book is about a girl named Meghan who's turning 16 years old. Her family seems to be more into their farm then they are in their daughter's birthday. To top all of that off she starts seeing somethings that would even make me question my sanity. Her quirky best friend is the only person who seems to be there for Meghan, even if he loves to play some pretty cruel practical jokes on her.
This book is great for teens. The only thing I found that could be displeasing to parents is some very colorful language that is occasionally used. I will update again once I've gotten farther into the plot, this way you can get a better idea of what I feel.
Until next time, happy reading.

First Impressions: Shiver

I can't stop reading this book. I'm almost done it because, well, I can't stop reading. That's why it's taken me this long to post this update. I have to tear myself away from the book. Haha I like the three main conflicts that present themselves in the plot line. The main struggles make the book emotional and very intriguing. All of the characters are so well written, that one might start thinking they're real.

So far I would so recommend this book to all of my friends. It's a breath of fresh air. A new and exciting way to look at the tragic lives of werewolves and who really are the monsters in this world. Until next time, happy reading.

First Impressions: Before I Fall

Pages read so far: 100

First Impressions: So the fist hundred pages are over with. I feel like I should throw a party. But the book I feel is some sort of cross of mean girls and that Chris Rock movie about the comedian that dies and gets a second chance to live his life as a wealthy millionaire. Where the book as witty and well written, I feel the plot is very generic. It's a plot line you see in movie after movie where the main character has to relive the day that so many things go wrong to find the true meaning in life.

Other than that I really like the book, so far. Sam, the main character, is written in such a way that you envy her, hate her, and feel sorry for her all at once, if you can get through the one minor flaw I find in the book that is. Where the characters are all well written, I find they're treatment to the less popular students at their school is unrealistic. When I went to high school I didn't once see a kid arrive at a party and end up leaving drenched in alcohol, let alone any beverage what-so-ever. On top of that there was never a major rager ever Friday, of every week, of every month. It just doesn't happen. I think so of the characteristics are very school orientated, but there are some that leave me shaking my head in disbelief.

For instance one school being named one of "the top ten booziest public schools" and "Suicide High" is very unlikely. I mean really.


So the reading continues. We'll see how the book continues. My opinion is sure to change frequently between now and the end of the book. But until tomorrow, happy reading. :D