Same Difference

Same Difference
written by Siobhan Vivian



I started out completely disliking this book. The main character came off as completely shallow, describing and judging peoples' clothing obnoxiously, discussing her rich kid life as if it was no big deal. It was only later that I found out that the book is designed to make you hate her, and in a way, to make her hate herself, setting up for all the big changes she goes through. One thing that struck me from the beginning was the setting--an art camp. I believe I've read other books set at art camps, but this is the first that actually describes their exercises and not just life at camp. It's written in a way that both experienced artists and complete novices would understand what is going on in her art world. It's just incredibly unique as a book. The characters, too, are extremely three dimensional. I have jotted down in my notes "Fiona would have been a good main character", but going back, I don't know, I kind of feel like she already was. The book was more about her than anything, and I love that. This is why I was disappointed by the ending, where Fiona, the character that so much revolved around, got no resolution whatsoever. The book clearly has its ups and downs, but overall, it's one worth picking up.

Rating: 4/5

The Secret of Platform 13

The Secret of Platform 13
written by Eva Ibbotson



The Secret of Platform 13 is the book everyone reads once they've finished Harry Potter and are dying for more. I first read it in a 4th grade book club, complete with brownies and all, in which I thought it was a good read, but entirely too forgettable. I still do think that Which Witch? is Ibbotson's best work by far, but this story is an engaging one as well. I could go on and on with the plentiful and slightly obvious Harry Potter parallels, so I'll spare you for now. I recommend this quirky read for children, but with slight caution. The description gets heavy at times. There is almost no in-depth characterization, with a large cast of characters that can get confusing. Worst of all, though, is the extreme predictability. The other things are minor aspects, they are obstacles that are easy to get past. It's just slightly disappointing to see that what you thought would happen from the very begin, does end up happening, no twists or anything to make it even the slightest bit more interesting than you thought it would be. This isn't to say that it's not a good read, or a boring one, just that there are minor things that might get irritating.

Rating: 3.5/5

What's Your Story: The Postcard Collection

currently reading: Such a Pretty Girl
want to read: Jaclyn Moriarty's just-finished new ghost story! But, y'know, it has to be edited and published and all that. *sigh*
reading next: Touching Darkness

What's Your Story: The Postcard Collection
contributions from various authors, Waterstone's workers, and Waterstone's customers.



While the What's Your Story? collection is a great collection of stories, I doubt many people actually used the stories as postcards. I would imagine most bought their copies for the same reason I did--J.K. Rowling's little HP-Prequel-That-Isn't. While I enjoyed the stories, I have to say, my enjoyment was severely limited by some of the authors' atrocious handwriting (YES, JKR, I am looking at you!). If you're going to write a widely-hyped story, make it legible, won't you? I was highly surprised by some of the other stories. Rowling's was great, but so was say, Lauren Child's. I'm not familiar with any of her other work, but her mini "story" was adorable, and a postcard that one could easily see themselves sending. Most amazing of all, dare I say more amazing than Rowling's Marauderlicious tale, were the Waterstone's employee/customer submitted ones. While the others were good stories, these were the ones that really had me laughing and crying and rolling madly on the floor.

Rating: 4/5

There's No Place Like Here

There's no Place Like Here
written by Cecelia Ahern



I regret to say that I received this book two years ago and just now managed to actually read it. It was my first ARC and I put it aside and it sat at the very bottom of my TBR pile for the longest time. Until this time of year, when I've been trying desperately to get everything out of that box and I finally decided to give this seemingly thick, impossible-to-get-through book a shot. Boy, do I hate myself for waiting so long to read such a literary work of genius. Remember in your school days, when teachers always told you to "show, not tell"? Cecelia Ahern does this, and does it flawlessly, with writing that is not at all awkward like much "good" writing seems to be, nor is it childish. Everything flows. All the words fit together as if they were each handpicked to play the part they are assigned. Coupled together with crazy good characterization, a plot as unique and captivating as they get, this contemporary fantasy should be a must-read for anyone considering themselves a true reader. As long as it is, I got through this book in one long sitting, absolutely refusing to put it down. Cecelia Ahern is the literary genius I have been searching for.

Rating: 5/5

I Was a Teenage Fairy

I Was a Teenage Fairy
written by Francesca Lia Block



Getting into I Was a Teenage Fairy was a hard task. At the very beginning, the reader is suffocated by a mass of description and plunged right into a confusing, out-of-focus, plot. Soon, though, the haze clears out and a message begins to form. You'll find yourself wondering pretty existential questions throughout this read. Who--or what--is Mab? Is she a figment of Barbie's imagination? Is she Barbie herself? Is she supposed to symbolize all or none of us at all? While there doesn't seem to be much other than a rough outline of a plot in this book, it's still an enjoyable read--far better than Block's Weetzie Bat series. It's still filled with the same kind of hazy wording, but there appears to actually have a point, while Weetzie really didn't. There is a point to the stories that are being told, and it is a hauntingly poignant one.

Rating: 4/5

Love from London

Oh, you guys, I've been so eager to post a review for Wintergirls, but I've managed to misplace the piece of paper I took notes on. I'll find it, I know I will, and I really hope I can get a review up for that spectacular book sometime soon. In the meantime, I've got plenty of other reviews lined up ready to be written, so here goes :)

Love from London
written by Emily Franklin



The spirit is the same in yet another installment of Emily Franklin's fantastic Principles of Love series, but something's just a bit off about this one. While the new hints about Love's mother are certainly intriguing, they were the best part of the book. Love predictably gets another guy, and as well-developed as a character he is, in the end, he's just another one of Love's revolving door of random guys. Love's snobbish side seems to come out full-force in this one and it just wasn't the same. Something was just off, different about this book. It was annoying, really, since it's a series and one book shouldn't stick out as different from the rest of the series, but that's what this book does. Maybe if it were a stand-alone, or a companion novel, it wouldn't feel like filler. Who knows, maybe some of the filler plays a significant part in the other books and was necessary, but something tells me that isn't the case. Looking forward to obtaining All You Need is Love!

Rating: 3/5

Confessions of a Teenage Hollywood Star

Confessions of a Teenage Hollywood Star
written by Dyan Sheldon



I was stunned when I found out that Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen actually had a sequel, but the shock continued once I kept reading. Hollywood Star had none of the same charm that Drama Queen had, and the plot was completely dull and repetitive. I honestly think the best part of the book was the chapter titles. The book was entirely too plot-driven, with no character development, and you know why? Because all of the character development was done in Drama Queen! Once you actually get your way through this book, the ending is rushed and hectic and the whole book just feels like a disappointment. Sheldon should have just stopped at Drama Queen, because I can call this nothing more than a pathetic flop.

Rating: 1/5

Marked

Marked
written by P.C. and Kristin Cast



I read Marked after seeing many bloggers review it, many saying it is the only series out of this new batch of YA vampire books that is worth reading. I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised. I was under the impression that all of the new vamp books were Twilight ripoffs, but this had almost no similarities. The writing was awkward and not at all fresh, but the plot was pretty awesome. While I often complain of overexposition in books, I felt like this one just hastily jumped right in, giving almost no exposition at all. Parts are preachy, others are crude, but it is truly a unique book. Most vampire novels have the vampires living in complete isolation and secrecy, but in the Casts' world, everyone knows of their existance. The first book sets up what appears to be shaping up to be a really great story, and I will eagerly seek out the sequels for the plot, not for the writing itself.

Rating:
I'm going to say 5/5 for plot,
3/5 for writing.

The House of the Scorpion

The House of the Scorpion
written by Nancy Farmer



While the plot is a well-crafted one, this sometimes frustratingly long book is one best enjoyed in short bursts. There are passages of long, dry description that hinder the reader and make the story less interesting than it is. The characters are all well-developed, particularly Tam Lin, with unique individual personalities (or, with the case of the eejits, a lack of one). It's not a book I would ordinarily read, but I did enjoy it nevertheless, although it's not something completely stunning and breathtaking as many other books out there are. The ending seemed extraordinarily rushed to me, and the chapters with Matt and the other kids working were awkward somehow, didn't seem to fit with the story all that well, and felt completely unnecessary. I thought the ending was powerful, though I felt like Maria and Esperanza should have been there to see the final outcome. Overall, a good book, but not a "must-read, go out and buy it NOW" one.

Rating: 4/5

The Name of this Book is Secret
written by Pseudonymous Bosch



This was like something directly out of an adventurous questing dream put down in words. While found in the children's section of libraries and bookstores, it's a book that plenty should read. Pseudonymous Bosch, whoever they are, is the next Lemony Snicket. It's an engaging, real-life topic (synesthesia) blended with fantastic mysteries. Two ordinary children give it a lifelike surrealism, with surprisingly deeper characterization than an adult book would give. The author talks back to the reader with quirky, hilarious footnotes and in-dialogue intermissions, adding a whole new dimension of incredulous amazement. The story ends on an open note, leaving room for the sequels to come (and one already has and is just as great!)

Rating: 5/5

Regarding the Bathrooms

Regarding the Bathrooms
written by Kate Klise, Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise



Nobody does sequels quite like Kate Klise! While the target age for these books is actually 9-12, it's one of those instances where I think slapping an age range is fully idiotic. I read the first Klise book at the age of 11, and the sequels have been so great that I just never thought to stop. These books are amazing examples of stories that can be treasured at any age. They're written as epistolary novels, entirely in letters, notes, and newspaper articles. The older reader will see foreshadowing throughout the entire novel, but will still never be able to guess the surprise ending until they've read it. And once they've read it, they'll want to read it again, and again, and again. They never get old and were made for rereads. Now, ordinarily, with the reintroduction of Sally Mander and Dee Eel (and don't you just love those names? They're all like that, too!) I would say sloppy writing, too lazy to come up with new characters, but it worked, it really worked. I'd been wondering what had happened to our favourite criminal duo and was glad to see the jail wasn't strong enough to keep their nefarious plots from continuing. I continued to love seeing the kids (and, one could argue, the adults) growing up and learning new things, leading up to a satisfying conclusion in both this book, and, in its sequel, the series as a whole.

Rating: 5/5

Five Minutes More

I've really been looking forward to reviewing this one! Hope you enjoy :)

Five Minutes More
written by Darlene Ryan



Darlene Ryan's Five Minutes More is just another example of edgy teen literature that is ready to dive right in and make a splash to change the genre for the better. The raw honesty in D'Arcy's narration will make the reader sympathize with all of the horrible, rotten things she has to go through, at the same time thanking the powers that be that you're not the one dealing with it. It's painfully obvious that Darlene Ryan wrote this book from the heart. It's such a unique, but relevant, topic, dealt with a heartbreakingly real way. It almost seems like each and every word was handpicked to create a haunting poignance. The characters, just like the writing, is honest to humans, and I particularly enjoyed reading about Seth's breakdown aimed at D'Arcy, veering sharply away from the 'cute and cuddly' typical love interest stereotype found in young adult fiction. While I felt that the ending was somewhat rushed, I also found it reverberating for days after I finished the book in it's raw power. Everything comes full circle in this amazingly written snapshot of D'Arcy's life. I am ranking this book with the likes of Thirteen Reasons Why and Just Listen in that I believe every teen should, at some point, read and fully appreciate this wonderful piece of literature.

Rating: 5/5

Being Nikki

Being Nikki
written by Meg Cabot



I was not a fan of Airhead, let me say that straight out. I liked the characters just fine, but felt like nothing much really happened. Being Nikki changed all that. In this book, Meg Cabot manages to push the story along at the perfect pace, bringing all the different storylines and parts of Em's life together. What was really great about this was that while Nikki was a sequel, Cabot spent very little time going over what happened in Airhead, unlike other authors who feel the need to recap everything for a chapter or two before actually getting into the story. It all flows wonderfully with Airhead. Airhead also really ticked me off because most of the time, it just seemed like Emerson was making out with complete strangers. She's still got some of that in this book, but it's sparsely sprinkled throughout the book without being overwhelming. There's so much more time that went into plot-development, rather than exposition, which is an awesome thing for those of us who just want the story to move along. The ending could be a whole other review. Without saying too much, Christopher's story and the role he plays is greatly expanded, and readers will completely love and adore this fact. It's mindblowing how much Meg Cabot's storytelling style has changed. She ends Being Nikki in a way that will be a complete shock for Meg Cabot's longtime readers (and I'm sure newer fans will be enthralled as well). She's somehow found a way to completely captivate her readers with more plot twists than you could ever imagine, and a story that will leave you speechless and begging for more. Way to bring the A-game!

Rating: 5/5

Ransom My Heart

Ransom My Heart
written by Meg Cabot



I am neither a historical fiction reader, nor a romance reader. The sole reason I wanted to read this book was because of the fact that it was written by the great Meg Cabot. Cabot has written young adult historical romances (Nicola and the Viscount, Victoria and the Rogue) and I was not a fan of those. For the most part, I was completely enchanted by Finnula's story. It's great to see a romance novel that breaks romance novel stereotypes of weak, helpless women waiting for strong burly men to do everything for them. Things like this (and minor anachronisms) remind the reader that this is theoretically being written by a girl in her senior year of high school. It's a fun read, though not entirely suitable for young adults (but you just know Princess Diaries fans are going to ignore this fact and read it anyways). Everything's great until the end approaches. The wedding is skipped over, and then a weird storyline begins. I honestly believe the wedding should have been an ending with an elaborate wedding scene, and then anything after that could have served as either an epilogue or as a sequel. It felt as though it were two entirely different books, and read pretty awkwardly. There's no main idea throughout the entire book, it's two different ones (the first being 'falling in love', the second 'death threats, oh no!').

Rating: 4/5

Susane Colasanti/Melissa Walker Contest!

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