Tuesday 18 September 2012

Review of Thirteen Reasons Why

Details about the book:
Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Page count: 288
First sentence: "Sir?" she repeats.

My Review
Thirteen Reasons Why is a realistic suicide book. Every little thing a person does counts.
The reason I read this book is because everyone is reading it at the moment, and I've been meaning to for a while.
The main plot is for Clay, the main character, to find out why Hannah Baker killed herself, through some tapes she left.
I liked the main character because he didn't let the little things bothered him, but allowed the big things to hit hard, not to push them down. I didn't like him because he didn't do enough to keep Hannah, to be with her.
I liked this book because I've never read anything like it, and I liked it because of the way it was written. I didn't like it because it's a sensitive topic for me at the moment.
The book was published in 2007.
Overall, I recommend this book for those of you who enjoy light easy reads, but quite serious topics.
I give it a 4/5.

Friday 14 September 2012

Review of Change of Heart

Details about the book:
Title: Change of Heart
Author: Jodi Picoult
Page count: 447
First sentence: In the beginning, I believed in second chances.

My Review
Change of Heart is a realistic book.
The reason I read this book is because I'm going through a Jodi Picoult phase.
The main plot is for Shay to do what he believes in, and for his lawyer to make it happen.
I liked the main character, Shay, because he truly thought he was doing the right thing, and he didn't get angry at unecessary things. I didn't like him because he kept the truth to himself, and didn't tell anyone about what really happened.
I liked this book because it shows what can really happen, how people can really get what they want if they put their heart into it (figuratively, but in the book's case, literally) and also because it was from the perspective of a few different people. I didn't like it because it seemed to drag a little bit in the middle, and also being from the perspective of a lot of people meant I needed to read it seriously, it wasn't a light read.
The book was published in 2008.
Overall, this book is recommended for those wanting to become lawyers, and for those who like happy endings.
I give this book a 4/5.

Saturday 8 September 2012

Review of Go Ask Alice

Details about the book:
Title: Go Ask Alice
Author: Anonymous
Page count: 159
First sentence: Yesterday I remember thinking I was the happiest person in the whole earth, in the whole galaxy, in all of God's creation.

My Review
Go Ask Alice is a truly-based diary of a girl on drugs, that's why the author's anonymous.
The reason I read this book is because someone on my blog recommended it. I'm glad I did. I read it all today. :D
The main plot is for the main character (I don't know her name) to get her life back in order without the temptation of drugs.
I liked the main character because she was responsible for all she did, but I didn't like her because she always ran away from home and thought herself worthless.
I liked this book because it was set out like a diary, and it was a short quick read, only 159 pages. I didn't like it though because it was quite repetitive, and her family were too tolerant in my opinion.
The book was published in 1997.
Overall, it's recommended for those who like books based on real people.
I give it a 3/5.

Thursday 6 September 2012

Review of The Killing

Details about the book:
Title: The Killing
Series: Cherub
Number in series: 4
Author: Robert Muchamore
Page count: 306
First sentence: Two thirteen year-olds wore nylon shorts, sleeveless tops and flip-flops.

My Review
The Killing is a spy book.
The reason I read this book is because I was seeing who could read it fastest out of me and my friend. It's my 4th time I've read it.
The main plot is for the Cherub agents to catch the criminal.
I liked the main character, James, because he stands up for himself, making the natural mistakes occassionally and making up for them somehow. I didn't like James because he's such a cheat on his girlfriend, Kerry. When he goes away on missions, every single mission he gets it off with a girl, and he's only 13! Over 16 months he's been with 6 girls. It's so annoying!
I liked this book because it has one of the most complex plots out of the four books so far, and it has nice short chapters. I didn't like this book because the mission was rather boring, but it did get better as it went on.
The book was published in 2005.
Overall, this book is very recommended, more for boys than girls, but if you like spy/action books then this is for you!
I give this book a 4/5.

Monday 3 September 2012

Review of Tricks

Details about the book:
Title: Tricks
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Page count: 626
First sentence: Eyes tell stories but do they know how to craft fiction?

My Review
Tricks is a realistic fiction book about the use of drugs, alcohol, sexualities and prostitution.
The reason I read Tricks is because I like the longness of it but the lack of words, which means I read it really fast. I've also read all of her books, which means I'm just waiting on her latest, Tilt, to come out.
The main plot is for the 5 main characters to find their feet again, and forgive those they've hurt in the process of their journies.
There were 5 main characters in this book, and each told the story through their eyes. Each chapter would swap people. I liked Seth because he came out to his dad, rather than keeping it a secret, but I dislike him because he wants his own way all the time, and expected his dad to accept it. I liked Whitney because she believes in true love, but I dislike her because she goes into drugs and prostitution, and runs away for the boy she 'loves'. But then they break up. I liked Cody because he'd do anything to get money to help his family, but disliked him because he gambled all the money away and he doesn't help Cory, his 13 year old brother, get off the booze. I liked Ginger because she helped run her family, and protected her half-siblings from their abusive mother, but I disliked her because she ran away from the responsibility with her boyfriend. I liked Eden because she is Catholic and believes in God, and she'd do anything for true love, but I disliked her because she resorted to sex with her house-father as her last way to freedom after being sent to an isolated Catholic rehabilitation home in the middle of nowhere.
I liked this book because of the way it was written, in verse, because it's different to what I'd normally read.
I disliked it because all of Ellen Hopkins's books, in my opinion, are the same, all about drugs and teen trouble.
The book was published in 2009.
Overall, it's recommended but not a best read.
I give it a 4/5.

Saturday 1 September 2012

Review of Private

Details about the book:
Title: Private
Series: Private
Number in series: 1
Author: Kate Brian
Page count: 227
First sentence: Where I come from everything is gray.

My Review
Private is a reality book, about a 15 year old girl who goes to the boarding school she's dreamed of.
The reason I read this book was because it was recommended by a girl in my class. I'm so glad I read it! It's amazing because this is probably what it's like for new girls at boarding school, wanting to fit in and understand things.
The main plot is for Reed Brennan, the main character, to somehow make it into the popular group called the Billings Girls, and to work out her relationship with a senior she met on the first day of boarding school.
I like Reed because she's no different from the average teenager, and acts like it. She keeps to herself, but follows her dreams, whether she needs to do the right or wrong thing to achieve them. I don't like her though because she knows when she does the wrong thing, and then later on wonders why she's been rejected.
I liked this book because it was just awesome, and it's also the first in a series of 14 books, that are all apparently filled with mystery and intrigue. This series also has prequels and a series where one of the Billings Girls is the main character.
I didn't like this book because it was too short!
This book was published in 2006.
Overall, this book is recommended for those who aren't that into reading, or who are looking for a short and easy read.
I give it a 5/5.

Friday 31 August 2012

Review of The Hunt

Details about the book:
Title: The Hunt
Author: Andrew Fukuda
Page count: 293
First sentence: There used to be more of us.

Review
The Hunt is a dystopian fantasy book.
The reason I read this book was because I was browsing my library's new books and the cover and name just looked appealing.
The main plot is for Gene, a 17 year old boy, to stop the Heper Hunt, a tournament where all of the humans are kept in captivity until the day where they get released into an arena and the lucky chosen vampires get to go and eat them. Only problem is Gene, who's pretending to be a vampire so as not to get eaten, gets chosen to go into the Heper Hunt.
I like Gene because he's very self-controlled and always likes to do the right thing. He doesn't like to attract attention to himself because it could mean death.
I didn't like Gene because he thought he'd never get caught-out.
I liked this book because it was a complete utter page-turner. One of the most action-packed books I've ever read. It was amazing.
I didn't like this book because of the awfully long chapters. And also how Andrew drew out the first few pages.
The book was published this year.
Overall, this book is definitely recommended, more so for the guys, but if girls like action/fantasy, this books has it!
I give it a 5/5.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Review of The Spook's Blood

Details about the book:
Title: The Spook's Blood
Series: The Wardstone Chronicles (recently renamed the Last Apprentice)
Number in series: 10
Author: Joseph Delaney
Page count: 275
First sentence: The Spook was perched on a log in his garden at Chipenden, the sun singing through the trees and the air bright with birdsong.

My Review:
The Spook's Blood is a medieval fantasy book.
The reason I read this book is because I had already started the series after being recommended it, and I just loved it, so I've followed the books and looked forward to the new releases for a long time.
The main plot is for Tom, the Spook's apprentice, to destroy Siscoi, the old god who the witches are trying to raise. He does this by persevering with hardship, the long nights and the horror.
Tomas Ward, a 15 year old who turns 16, is a Spook's apprentice, and being a Spook's apprentice means not having many friends, having people cross the road when they see you, having people become scared of you, but it's all for a good cause; to fight the denizens of the dark, the demons that cross through. I like Tom because I feel I can relate to him because I'm only a year younger than him, and I would never be able to do all that he does. I don't like him because he always thinks what other people would think of him before he does anything.
I didn't like this book because it was too short! It needed to be longer! :( And also because it seemed like the least action-packed book in the series. I loved this book because it was the kind of story I like; dark, creepy, gory and suspenseful. It kept me thinking, and gave me shocks at times.
The book was published this year.
Overall, this book is definitely recommended, more so to guys than girls, but yeah...
I give it a 5/5.

Monday 27 August 2012

Review of Beautiful Malice

Details about the book:
Title: Beautiful Malice
Author: Rebecca James
Page count: 291
First sentence: I didn't go to Alice's funeral.

My Review
Beautiful Malice is a romance/thriller/mystery book.
The reason I read this book is because it was recommended to me, and I've always meant to read it because of it's alluring front cover.
The main plot is for Katherine to stop Alice from hurting people emotionally, and she does this by talking to Alice and telling her to leave her alone, but at the end you see why she really goes away.
Katherine Patterson's real name is Katie Boydell, but after the murder of her 14-year-old sister Rachel, nothing was ever the same. Although Katie was only 18 months older than Rachel, everyone blames Katie for Rachel's murder. I liked Katherine because she's stubborn and always does what she thinks is right. I didn't like her because she always ran away from her problems.
The thing I didn't like about this book was that it didn't tell you how people just died, it just said that this person was dead.
The thing I liked about this book was all of the twists, and all of the romance that ended badly. It was a really sad and shocking book.
The book was published in 2011
Overall, this book is definitely recommended.
I give it a 5/5.

Friday 24 August 2012

Review of Maximum Security

Details about the book:
Title: Maximum Security
Series: Cherub
Number in series: 3
Author: Robert Muchamore
Page count: 277
First sentence: It looked the same in every direction.

My Review
Maximum Security is an action spy book based in Arizona.
The reason I read this book is because I was reading it with a friend on another forum. I'm so glad I read it for the 4th time because it jogged my memory before reading the next 11 books in the series.
The main plot in this book is to catch a wanted weapons-dealer Jane Oxford, and they do this by sending in CHERUB agents, minors who are trained to escape capture and lure out criminals through their innocent appearance.
James Adams is a 13-year-old boy who goes undercover as James Rose, a 14-year-old male who gets sentences to a few years in prison for the supposed murder of a homeless lady. I liked James because he's a quick thinker and sticks to the plan. I didn't like him because he took unnecessary risks occassionally.
There was nothing I didn't like about this book. It was perfectly written and resolved all issues, mostly through the epilogue at the back which tells you about all of the minor characters in the book and where they ended up.
The book was published in 2005, and it is superb.
Overall, this book is definitely recommended to the average boy. It's not too lengthy, and is easy to follow. The only slightly confusing thing is all of the characters, and also the background of the mission. I give it a 5/5.

Monday 20 August 2012

Review of The Messenger

Details about the book:
Title: The Messenger
Author: Leah Rose
Page count: 269
First sentence: Jeilin was six years old when she first saw a messenger.

My Review
The Messenger is a historical novel based in a made-up world but without fantasy creatures.
The reason I read this book is because I was browsing through my library's new books and it just popped out at me. I'm glad I read it because it had the right hint of suspense and romance.
The main plot in this book is for Jeilin to fulfil her dream of becoming a messenger for King Darnasius and carrying his messages across the country. But along the way she encounters some romance, and some surprise and heartbreak.
Jeilin is a 16-year-old girl who will do anything to achieve her dreams, and she always thinks before she acts. I liked her because she stuck up for herself, and, even though there is only one other female messenger besides her, she didn't allow that to put her off her dream. I didn't like her because she keeps to herself, and doesn't really socialise with the opposite sex.
I didn't like this book because the author made the book stereotypical, what with Jeilin winning the race to become a new messenger, and also with the love between her, a farm girl turned messenger, and Prince Rhainin.
But I did like it because it was just engulfing, a major page-turner.
This book was published this year, and I found it really enjoyable. I liked the cover because it actually related to the book, not like some others I've read.
Overall, this is definitely a recommended book. In my opinion, it's a book for those who like historical fiction, and also horses because it's about her and her horse, and how she feels about him. I give it a 4/5.

Friday 17 August 2012

Review of Forgotten

Details about the book:
Title: Forgotten
Author: Cat Patrick
Page count: 277
First sentence: Aren't Fridays supposed to be good?

My Review
Forgotten is a young adult paranormal romance.
The reason I read this book is because it was recommended to me by a girl in my class, and boy am I glad I read it! It's amazing! It had just the right touch of betrayal, twists and romance.
The main plot in this book is for London Lane (main character) to figure out why the new guy Luke isn't in her future.
London is a 16-year-old girl who can't remember her past, but can 'remember' the future. At 4:33am each morning London's memory resets, and in the morning she needs to read through her notes to find out what happened the day before. I liked London because she took things at face value, and only at time was she pushy and moody. I didn't like her because she kept secrets from everyone about the future.
The things I didn't like about this book was the lack of detail and explanation as to why London had lost her past, and also why she couldn't remember Luke. I was also really annoyed at the ending, how it seemed in my opinion to end as a chapter would end, not as a book. It didn't resolve any issues, didn't explain why Luke wasn't in her memory, or what she thought of Jonas, or how her dad found her. It's just slightly annoying.
I did like how it was an easy read, and I didn't have to concentrate to get into it. I could just pick it up and read for 5 mins, then put it back down again.
This book was published in 2011, and it's pretty popular at my school. I will definitely be reading more books by this author in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's recommended for those looking for a quick and easy read, and who like romance. I give it a 4/5.

Monday 13 August 2012

Review of Berlin Olympics

Details about the book:
Title: Berlin Olympics
Series: My Story
Author: Vince Cross

My Review
Berlin Olympics is a fictional story of an Olympic Swimmer in the Berlin Olympics in 1939. Some of the main character's competitors really went to the Berlin Olympics in 1939, so you learn a little about them.
The reason I read this book was because I find historical fiction fascinating, and I love to read about the times before I was born. It takes place in Britain in 1935-1936 and also in Berlin when the main character and her best friend compete in the Olympics.
The main plot is for the main character to become a good enough swimmer to compete in the Berlin Olympics.
The main character is a 14-15 year old girl called Ellie Rhys Davies, and she is very true to herself. She always speaks her mind, and I think that's what made her a very strong character in my mind. She also stood up for herself and was a very mature character.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the short length; only 155 pages. But I did like how it was all written as a diary, and we saw things from Ellie's perspective, and how she thought of things, how she reacted to certain news. I liked the way I also gained some insight to the Berlin Olympics before the Second World War stopped the next 3 from existing.
This book was published this year, and I found it quite educational, also because Ellie's best friend Sarah was a Jew, so I saw a little bit more into how Hitler treated Jews.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's recommended for those who like historical fiction. I give it a 4/5.

Friday 10 August 2012

Review of The Catswold Portal

Details about the book:
Title: The Catswold Portal
Author: Shirley Rosseau Murphy
Page Count: 404
First Sentence: He ran pounding through the forest, his tennis shoes snapping dry branches as he stretched out in a long lope.

My Review:The Catswold Portal is a fantasy book.
The reason I read this book is for a reading competition/buddy read with someone on another forum. I wasn't too keen on the cover, but once I got into it, it was just fabulous. It takes place in two dimensions, the Netherworld and the upperworld, the upperworld being where the humans live, and the Netherworld being the place where strange beasts roam and magic is present.
The main plot is to overthrow Queen Siddonie, who is trying to take control of the Netherworld for power. The upperworld have no clue there is a Netherworld, but the Netherworld do know there is an upperworld.
The main character, a 17-year-old girl called Melissa, is stubborn, and I like that because it means she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the format size. Seeing it was published in 1992, it was a very small pocket-size book, and the font was quite small. Also another thing I came across was the chapters were in the middle of the page. So when a new chapter started, it wouldn't start a new page.
Overall, for a book published in 1992, it was exceptional! I loved it so much, and it is definitely recommended. Don't let the cover put you off!

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Reason for current background

The background I have when you read my blog is the cover or a picture from the last book I've reviewed.

Review of Dune

Details about the book:
Title: Dune
Number in series: 1
Author: Frank Herbert
Page count: 608
First sentence: In the week before their departure to Arrakis, when all the final scurrying about had reached a nearly unbearable frenzy, an old crone came to visit the mother of the boy, Paul.

My Review
Dune is a blatant sci-fi book. I wouldn't put it under any other genre apart from maybe fantasy
. Dune is a book for my extended english class, and it took place on a planet called Arrakis, which they moved to after evacuating Caladan, their former planet. It is set in the distant future, and takes place over a 3-year-time span.
The main plot in the novel is to overthrow the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, who is trying to take control of Arrakis because of it's precious spice. Arrakis is also called Dune, because the whole surface of the planet contains no water. The planet's natives conserve body water by wearing a stillsuit, which is something that collects the body's moisture once it has been expelled to then be re-drunk.
The main character, a boy of 15 years of age, is Paul Atreides, so I felt I could relate to him well because he's only a year older than me.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the length, descriptive language, lack of chapters and how it didn't indicate how much time had passed when it did.
Overall, for a book published in 1965, it was quite good, but compared to the books published today, was very complex and hard to understand.


Saturday 4 August 2012

Review of Spirit Wolf


Details about the book
Series: Wolves of the Beyond
Number in series: 5
Title: Spirit Wolf     
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Page count: 238 

MY OVERVIEW
I decided to read this book because I had read the first 4 in the series, and when I read more than the first two books of a series, I like to continue until the end.

PROS
I really like Gwynneth, the rogue smith owl, because of her sensibility and intelligence. She's also very practical, and I love the way she helps the wolves when need be, and doesn't give up.

I liked how the book was an easy read, and how it was short, so I could read in one sitting.

CONS
The thing I didn't like about this book is that there was no action, it was all background information.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
As the fifth book in the series, I thought it quite a let-down, due to the boringness of it. I mean, the book did only have 240 pages in it, so there wasn't much that could happen, but there could have been some action. I really enjoyed the twists, how they were really not expected.