Friday, June 7, 2013

Happy Summer!

     Good news! I'm officially out of school which means that I'll be able to blog more frequently. Sorry that I haven't posted since the beginning of May, I had a lot going on. So with that til it be morrow!

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Friday Finds (4)

Friday Finds is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

My Find:

Title: Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Synopsis:

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

My Thoughts:

     So far, I've completed this book and I am on the second in the series. It's not quite what I expected but it's still good. I expected it to be a sci-fi romance but it's lacking the romance part. Really good series as of now, hope it only gets better!

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Light (Gone #6)

Author: Michael Grant

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2013

Pages: 411

Synopsis: 

     In the time since every person over the age of fourteen disappeared from the town of Perdido Beach, California, countless battles have been fought: battles against hunger and lies and plague, and epic battles of good against evil. And now, the gaiaphage has been reborn as Diana's malicious mutant daughter, Gaia. Gaia is endlessly hungry for destruction. She yearns to conquer her Nemesis, Little Pete, and then bend the entire world to her warped will. As long-standing enemies become allies, secrets are revealed and unexpected sacrifices are made. Will their attempts to save themselves and one another matter in the end, or will the kids of Perdido Beach perish in this final power struggle?

Genre: Science Fiction

Review:

    Every feel like you're being suffocated just thinking of something super sad. That's the way I felt pretty much throughout this whole book. So stinkin' sad and depressing and heart-wrenching and it made me want to write Michael Grant hate mail. That was before I read the aftermath. Now I want to send Michael Grant love mail, he truly is a genius, he's not afraid to be different from other YA authors. That's why he's my favorite author.  I'm not just saying that either, I really believe that he is the best author of all time ever.  Love him, love him, love him!
     One thing I hated about this book was that Michael Grant decided to kill my favorite character. Why, why, why, why, why!!! When they died, I had to keep on reading the pages over and over to make sure that I had read it right.  I was too shocked to even cry, and I was on an airplane so it wasn't like I could randomly scream and have a fit, or curl up into a ball and cry in a corner. Nope, I had to have no expressions.  The book got sad 60% of the way through, exactly, because that was where my all time favorite character died.  Just after she was healed she had to go join the fight and defeat Gaia, only Gaia ended up defeating her, a hole right through the heart. Four people total of my favorite characters died. I never expected two of them to die, the other I could kind of see happening. But that doesn't mean that I was okay with it! I died four different times, that's an accomplishment.
     There were a couple of things that I did totally not expect to happen, and I congratulate you Michael Grant because I am the queen of knowing what's going to happen next. You caught me. Good job.
      This book was the perfect end to an amazing series, my favorite series for that matter. The love that I contain for this series is indescribable.  I laughed, cried, died right along with the series all while wanting to throw the book across the room.  I won't be able to live without this book series, I'm dead series. Every time I even think about it I die inside again.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.  Now, I really want to be able to actually say characters names so the rest of this review will be chock-full of spoilers. Do not read on if you haven't read this series.

DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE SERIES!
-SPOILERS-

     Commence the start of my real review!  The four people that I died with would have to be Brianna, Jack, Orc, and, and, and CAINE!!!!!!! WHY!!!!! The people that I saw dying were Jack and Caine. I never imagined in a million, trillion, gazillion years that Brianna or Orc would die. They were my top two favorite character. I loved Orc's character development, he started out so bad then he realized all of the things that he was doing wrong and went to being a Christian. Can you imagine the faith that it would take to believe in God in a place like the FAYZ where there was death everywhere and no place to escape. Even Astrid and Brittney lost their faith.  And Brianna, everybody loves The Breeze. The hardest part was Dekka. She did not deserve that, neither did Breeze for that matter. But they were just about to get out of the place and then Breeze up and DIES!!!!!! YOU KILLED MY FAVORITE CHARACTER MICHAEL GRANT!!!! But I love you all the same because I can tell a good author from a bad author by who he or she kills off. Just like how James Patterson never killed any of his characters, not a good author. That's beyond the point. Breeze, machete swingin', faster than a speeding bullet, fun lovin' Breeze. BREEZE. Breeze, my favorite character just had to die. I'm still mad at Michael Grant I know I've said all of this already and I know I'll probably say it again. My Breeze, The Breeze, everybody loves The Breeze. I'll never be able to describe the wind as a gentle breeze anymore because Breeze was anything but gentle. She was butt kickin', BA, cool as ice while still managing to be on fire. She will be in my heart forever, and I know that I could go on for the rest of this review just talking about Breeze and how much I miss her. How can I just leave the FAYZ? You may have said that I'm free to leave the FAYZ, Michael Grant, but I know I can't. I won't leave the FAYZ. I will honor the characters with the simple things I do in life. I will commemorate The Breeze, Orc, King Caine, Computer Jack, Justin, Dahra, E.Z., Cigar, Orsay, Bouncing Bette, Howard, Hunter, Alex, even Drake/Brittney, and everyone else. There is a time when one must go on with life, that time hasn't come yet maybe it won't ever. Who really knows? 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★(Out of my usual five stars...)

Happy Reading,
Alivia (No smiley face can explain my feelings right now.)

Waiting On Wednesday (4)

Waiting on Wednesdays are hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

Title: Transparent

Author: Natalie Whipple

Publication Date: May 21st, 2013

Synopsis:

    Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

    An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

     After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn’t giving up that easily.

     Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl.

My Thoughts:

     I don't know why this book looks good to me, it just does. I guess these kinds of books are the most appealing ones to me. The heroine is in a situation that she is nearly impossible to escape, though in the end she'll always escape no matter what.  That's just my kind of book.

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Girl Stolen

Author: April Henry

Date Published: December 1st, 2010

Pages: 213

Synopsis:


  Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen.

    Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne and once he finds out that not only does she have pneumonia, but that she's blind, he really doesn't know what to do. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes--now there's a reason to keep her. 

     How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare?

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Review:

     One of the only reasons that I read this book was because I wanted a book to red on the plane ride to California for Easter vacation. I wanted to read it before I got Light on the 2nd of April, I ended up getting done with it five days before Light came out.  It was a good stand alone book, nothing special but it was good.  I liked how it was about a blind girl who was sick and basically completely vulnerable.
     Cheyenne was a strong character, strong enough for a blind girl. She wasn't blind her whole life; she became blind the same moment her mother died, which I find really depressing.  But at least she still had a dad and an actually nice stepmom, I have had my share experiences with evil stepmothers, trust me.
     Griffin was nice in an Aladdin  way, a diamond in the ruff. Growing up stealing cars, but feeling bad when he accidentally kidnaps a girl and then making sure she doesn't get hurt by his comrades.  I liked Griffin, I didn't like his dad.
     I didn't like how badly he treated Cheyenne and how he pretended that she couldn't hear him because she was blind. So insolent. But I have to cut this review short because I'm afraid I'm writing this rather late at night. Til' it be tomorrow...

Rating:★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Alice in Wonderland

Author: Lewis Carroll

Date Published: 1865

Pages: 96

Synopsis:

     An uproarious and unique whimsical children story of Alice's confrontation with the world that is eccentric. The events that take place through Alice's visit in a bizarre "Wonderland" are spontaneous and fantastically unplanned. The characters are remarkably amusing and entertaining. Its language is highly figurative that takes the reader in the realm of true imagination. Enchanting!

Genre: Children's

Review:

  I pretty much only read this book because after reading Splintered, one can't help wanting to learn all about Alice in Wonderland. So I up and bought this pleasant book on my kindle. It was really cute and I 'm glad that. This is one of those books you think you know but then you read it and realize you knew nothing about it in the first place.
    I enjoyed this book immensely. Now, I realize that this was not the book that the movie was based off of, that would be Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Nevertheless, I still liked this book. 
     Sorry that the review is so short but I can't really talk about much more now.  I'll probably have a better review for Through the Looking-Glass. For now...

Rating: ★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Splintered (Splintered #1)

Author: A.G. Howard

Publication Date: January 1st, 2013

Pages: 371

Synopsis:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Genre: Fantasy

Review:
     
     Wow. I just realized, this is a series, and a new one at that! I guess I'll just have to wait for Unhinged to come out. I love the cover so much!!!! Morpheus!!! Okay, I should probably start the review shouldn't I? 
     First off, Splintered was amazingly beautiful, it made me want to cry then laugh then throw the book across the room. I loved it sooo much! I was expecting it to be an amateur book, nothing special.  I was so wrong. It was magical, spell-binding, mesmerizing, heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, and the most wild ride of a life time!
     Alyssa was a strong character, but at times I felt as if she were too much of a damsel in distress kind of character. At other times when Jeb or Morpheus weren't around she could take care of herself just fine. When she was around them, she was like a desperate preppy girl, only at times! I still loved the love triangle even if it's so cliche. I knew that Morpheus obviously wasn't going to end up with her even though I know he wanted to. Morpheus always gets his way, but not with Alyssa.
    I also really liked how Alyssa's mom was also a big part of this and her condition that was explained at the end of the book. She really gave some background information surrounding Alyssa's family's history.  All she wanted to do was protect Alyssa and Alyssa ended up protecting herself and her mom.
      I really liked how A.G. Howard reinvented Wonderland. Her idea for the Hatter was really clever, even though it was super creepy. It was creative. Speaking of creativity, I thought that the way she continued the story of Alice and all that happened to her. Really, truly, fabulous ingenuity.
     Lastly, I really, really liked Jeb. He's so sweet and caring and protective of Alyssa and I thought he was very smart for dumping his preppy girlfriend just so he could be with Alyssa.  So adorably cliche, but I like cliche.  Overall, this book was truly amazing, so with that...

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Third Sentence Thursday (5)


Thy loving smile will surely hail the love-gift of a fairy tale.
-Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

My Thoughts:
     After reading Splintered, I wanted to know more about Alice in Wonderland. So I decided to read this book along along with Alice in Wonderland, which are two completely different books. I have to say, I like this book a little bit better than the other.

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Fear (Gone #5)

Author: Michael Grant

Publication Date: April 3rd, 2012

Pages: 509

Synopsis:


It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost.

Fear, Michael Grant's fifth book in the bestselling dystopian Gone series, will thrill readers . . . even as it terrifies them.


Genre: Science Fiction

     Truth to be told, this review is a review after the second time I read this book, so it's going to be more about me saying how much I love this book.  Because, after all, Fear is my all time favorite book of all time. That's right, two all times.
    Firstly, this book was seriously a very, very dark book, in more ways than one.  I mean with everything that happened to Cigar, Penny, Caine, Gaia, Taylor, Diana, and Astrid this book is pretty messed up.  Especially, Cigar and Taylor. Whenever I think of them I just shudder.  Cigar did not deserve that bad of a punishment and Little Pete did not need to go around "perfecting" people. Shudder, shudder. 
     The ending was the best part ever!  I can read the last three chapters over and over and over and still have the same feeling of wanting to cry/laugh/scream/throw my book across my room.  It was that good.
      I mainly read this book again for Light, (I'm writing this after I read Light) and I'm glad I did because it turns out I forgot a lot. Like how  the coyote eat a bunch of kids and Howard... Anyways... I really love Orc.  He was such a bad person at the beginning of the series, the first to commit murder. Then as of Fear he was believing in God and repenting against all of the things he used to do.  I. Love. Orc.
      Since you know that I love this book so much the rating that I give it is probably pretty obvious. Catch ya later brah!

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

P.S. I usually do not say brah, but I wanted to make a reference to Quinn's talk.

The Kill Order (Maze Runner #0.5)

Author: James Dashner

Date Published: August 14th, 2012

Pages: 327

Synopsis:


     Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.
     Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.
     Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive


Genre: Dystopian

Review:

     I was very excited to read this book, one because I love James Dashner, and two because I loved the Maze Runner series(other than the really fast ending to The Death Cure).  I had very high hopes for this books, and my expectations were almost all met. Almost.  This may sound geeky, but I wish James would have delved deeper into the sciencey part behind the cure. Maybe it's just me...
     I really liked how James Dashner made a story of what happened with (almost) all new characters. Like always, he won me over, although I always have felt that he makes things a little too obvious in his writing. Maybe I'm just really good at guessing what's going to happen.
    I thought that the plot and the characters were excellently thought out and articulated.  At first, I was kind of disappointing that the book wasn't all about Thomas and Teresa before they went into the maze, but then I fell in love with Mark and the gang.  I felt so close to them; it was just like Thomas and Teresa.  Mark and Trina were so adorable together! It was like they were made for each other!
      One thing I wish James Dashner would have included was more on Thomas. We already find out a lot about Teresa, but I was not satisfied with the measly end chapter about Thomas.  I guess that was left to our imagination.
     The ending of the book was very sad, yet I expected it the whole time.  I was sad to lose the characters that were lost but they would have just ended up getting the Flare too. The was they died was much more gallant.  
     Because I just love James Dashner, and I love the Maz Runner Trilogy, and the story, and the characters, and most of the end of this book. I will give it...

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

Title: Invisibility

Author:  Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Publication Date: May 7th, 2013

Synopsis:

     Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

My Thoughts:

     Well, firstly, this book comes out on my older brother's birthday, so there's a plus.  This book just looks intriguing, and I'm really looking forward to reading this book when it comes out.  I can't really say what it'll be like because there was no book prior to this one. So for now...

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Sever (The Chemical Garden #3)

Author: Lauren Destefano

Date Published: February 12th, 2013

Pages: 371

Synopsis:

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

Genre: Dystopian Romance/ Science Fiction

Rewiew:

     First off, I was greatly disappointed with this book. I don't feel like it had the sense of closure that I think it needed.  I still love Lauren Destefano's writing but her  books aren't all that great. Personally, I think that she'd be a great stand-alone author, but that's besides the point.  
     One of the things that bothered me about this book was that Gabriel wasn't really a huge part of it.  He's pretty much my favorite character in the way he cares for Rhine even when she's sick and being, no offense, a little snobby.  Yep, I think Rhine is a tad bit (not a lot, not a lot at all) snobby.  Maybe whiny is a better word for it.  I mean seriously, first she complains about being eith Linden then she's sad that she can't find her brother. What did she think?  Her brother would be as she left him. No, now he's out and about bombing hospitals and research centers, no big deal.
     The thing that most bothered me was how fast she started believing Vaughn was telling the truth. After kidnapping her and killing Jenna, and everything else he did. I really thought he was evil. Then, out of nowhere, she decides that he's actually a person. He may be twisted and sick, but he's always been looking out for her. YUCK! That is the biggest stack of bologna I have ever heard.  Then as he continues to basically experiment on Rhine and Rowan she still puts her trust in him. *Sigh*
     One person I did like though was Vaughn's brother, Reed. He kind of reminded me of all my uncles combined. I have some weird uncles.  I guess in a way Reed was my favorite character, in a way. He just appealed to me like that.  He was like a big teddy bear, in a way, I guess.
     This whole next paragraph contains a HUGE SPOILER if you have not read the book please skip this paragraph, thank you.  
     Something that I thought was totally unnecessary was Linden dying.  I mean there was almost no point to it other than make Vaughn's life miserable, which I always enjoy.  But I just thought it was another way for Lauren Destefano to show us that author's can do whatever they want.  Sure, I know the symbolic meaning for it and everything but I really didn't like that he died.
      Spoiler Ends.
     This book, was really good aside from all of the things that were aforementioned  So, with that, I give it...

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Third Sentence Thursday (4)


"You have to believe in yourself, Nick's teachers had told him."
-Speeding Bullet by Neal Shusterman

My Thoughts:

     I just randomly picked this book out at the library because I've been reading pretty much all Neal Shusterman books for the past two weeks. I can't wait to start reading it!

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Monday, April 15, 2013

Musing Monday (6)

Musing Mondays are hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.

My Answer: 

     Right at this moment I'm reading Bruiser by Neal Shusterman.  It was recommended to me by one of my dearest friends who hates books, so you can tell why I would want to read it so badly. So far it's really, really good, I can't wait to go read some more of it after I finish this post.

What's your Musing Monday?

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Fever (#2 Chemical Garden Trilogy)

Author: Lauren Destefano

Date Published: February 21st, 2012

Pages: 341

Synopsis:


     Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

     The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

     In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.


Genre: Dystopian Romance

My Review:

     I was disappointed with Fever. I thought it was going to be as spectacular as Wither, boy was I wrong.  I guess I just wanted more out of it, I didn't get what I was expecting.  Don't get me wrong, it was beautifully written. I love Lauren Destefano's writing. It's like I'm reading poetry throughout the entire book; beautiful, flowing, majestic poetry.
     One of the things that bothered me about this book was that a lot of it centered around the scarlet district (which is a sort of place where older guys can take advantage of young girls.), I didn't like the idea, kinda creepy.  Also, I know that the name of the book is Fever,  but I kind of thought it weird that she was sick for pretty much the whole entire book.  She was basically only relieved when she finally went back to Vaughn, which I thought had a weird symbolism attached to it.  That he was the only one who could really save her and yet he was the one that was also killing her at the same time. Weird.
     From the moment that Madame told Rhine that she reminded her of her daughter I knew exactly who it was, I was just waiting for Rhine and Gabriel to figure it out. It's so obvious! (Of course I won't tell you who it is, I wouldn't want to spoil the book for you.)  I still can't believe that I took them so long to figure it out. I feel like, although her writing is beautiful, Lauren Desefano makes somethings a little too obvious.
      I was a little disappointed in Rhine, I mean really? Did she really think that her brother would have stayed their the whole time she was away? Keeping a vigil or her?  How could she seriously believe that?  The description of her brother throughout the whole first book told us that he was strong and that he was relentless.  So he obviously (sorry I'm using that word so much) wouldn't stay and wait for Rhine to return. He would go looking for her. That's the real Rowan.
     One thing that I thought was unbearably cute (in a good way) was Rhine and Gabriel's relationship.  I was just waiting for them to be together.  He's so much better for her than Linden was, in so many ways.  So... for now...

My Rating: ★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Update

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I went to San Diego to visit family for Easter.  I had a blast but now I have to get back into the swing of having a blog. I promise that I'll be posting reviews every other day and keep on posting my weekly memes.  See you Monday!

Happy Reading,
Alivia

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesdays are hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine


Title: Light (Gone #6)

Author: Michael Grant

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2013

Synopsis: 

It's been over a year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

In the time since every person over the age of fourteen disappeared from the town of Perdido Beach, California, countless battles have been fought: battles against hunger and lies and plague, and epic battles of good against evil. And now, the gaiaphage has been reborn as Diana's malicious mutant daughter, Gaia. Gaia is endlessly hungry for destruction. She yearns to conquer her Nemesis, Little Pete, and then bend the entire world to her warped will. As long-standing enemies become allies, secrets are revealed and unexpected sacrifices are made. Will their attempts to save themselves and one another matter in the end, or will the kids of Perdido Beach perish in this final power struggle?


My Thoughts:

   Words can not describe how much I want this book. I am literally restraining myself from putting this in all caps. I NEED THIS BOOK NOW!!!!!! Okay much better, I have been waiting for this book for a year and a half! This is my favorite series of all time, all time! I love this series! You can bet that I'll be getting up at midnight so that I can start reading it! April 2nd you can not come any faster!!!!!

Happy Reading,
Alivia

Wither (1# Chemical Garden Trilogy)

Author: Lauren Destefano

Date Published: March 22nd, 2011

Pages: 358

Synopsis:


     By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

     Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?


Genre: Dystopian Romance

My Review:

     Wither is another dystopian romance that have become oh-so-very popular, but Wither is not just another dystopian romance, it is a wonderful, dark, plot-twisting novel.  I greatly enjoyed Wither it fulfilled all my expectations and then more, the writing was beautiful and elegant.  Lauren Destefano definitely has the magic touch when it comes to writing.  But, there were some things that I wasn't too happy with.
     For example, the whole idea of polygamy never quite appealed to me.  I guess in this situation it was nice to have some other women characters to go with the main character Rhine.  Other than them, it's pretty much all guys, for the first book anyways. Another thing that bothered me was that the weather in the book never made sense. Two hurricanes within the span of a weeks while it's so cold you can see your breathe in between the two storms.  I don't know about you but, I always thought that hurricanes were a warm weather storm. Just saying. I'm done nit-picking now because this really is a great book.
     Rhine actually was a very nice character, I especially like her name. (It was funny because we were just learning about the Rhine River when I Wither) She was strong and well-developed. Though, at  times, she kind of got a little annoying with all talk of her home and how she just couldn't wait to see her brother again. I would want to see my brother too if I was kidnapped, but I feel that it was a little overplayed.
     Cecily and Jenna, Rhine's sisterwives, I actually liked, Jenna at least.  I felt bad for Cecily because their husband, Linden, was always taking advantage of her and not even caring that she was 13 years old and pregnant.  In all ways, Cecily was way too young to be in the place that she was, but that's just how it was.  
     Jenna was different. Both her and Rhine were always looking out for Cecily and advising her about things, helping her.  What happens to her is so cruel, it's that doctor's fault.  Speak of the devil,  Housemaster Vaughn was a deranged scientist bent of wreaking havoc for the sisterwives. All of his actions come to make sense in the last book, but I still don't like him.
     Last of all, Gabriel, my favorite. He's so sweet, and I love how him and Rhine fall for each other.  He was always such a good listener and then later in the book, he was all she wanted.  It's so adorable!  Again, with the sappy cliche relationships always get me.  And with that, I give this book the rating it rightfully deserves...

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia

Monday, March 18, 2013

Musing Monday (5)

Musing Mondays are hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).

My Answer:

     Just this past week I purchased the book Splintered by A. G. Howard at Barnes and Noble. I liked it so much that I finished it in two days.  The book itself was a modern Alice in Wonderland.  After I finished it, I dubbed it one of my favorites of all time.  Hope you can read it someday.

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Update

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been posting very much lately I've had National History Day at school, but that's over now. I'll be returning to blogging pretty much every other weekday!

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Eve and Adam

Author: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Date Published: October 2nd, 2012

Pages: 291

Synopsis:


And girl created boy…

In the beginning, there was an apple—
And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.

Just when Eve thinks she will die—not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.

Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won’t he?

Genre: Science Fiction

My Review:

     Eve and Adam was written by my favorite author of all time.  So, naturally I thought this book was going to be just as good as the other books that he wrote. I don't know why, I just didn't like this one as much. Don't get me wrong, this is a GREAT book, it just surprised me that it didn't match up with his other books.  Michael Grant can be, at times, a very graphic writer. The series Gone can be an example of this; one of the most descriptive books there is out there.  I give my thanks to Michael Grant for graphically describing what coughing up a lung and gouging out one's eyes really means. I didn't find that in Eve and Adam.
     I thought that Eve and Solo's relationship was actually really cute. He liked her even though he was plotting to take down her Mom, I like that kind of sappy cliche kind of stuff.  It was amusing to see Eve try to get away from Solo, but he was relentless always coming back even when she didn't want him to. As Eve was creating her "perfect" boy Solo was standing in the background watching inventively to her every move.  And even as her boy came to life, she chose Solo over him. I thought that was adorable.
    I also really enjoyed the part about learning all these thing about genetics, I'm a geek that way.  Genetics have always interested me, see how things work you know.  Even though it is pretty much impossible for a human to make another human being from scratch, I liked the idea.  Overall, very well written other than the fact that it was lacking Michael Grant's usual graphic descriptions. Job well done.

Rating: ★★★★


Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Teaser Tuesday (2)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading


My Teaser:

    "You got her pregnant," Astrid said quite calmly. "I thought maybe that fact might make you consider something besides yourself."
     "Oh it does, Astrid," he said with savage sarcasm. "It makes me want to go toss the football around in the backyard. Maybe barbecue some steaks. Real daddy kind of stuff. Only slight problem is this darn darkness."

-Fear by Michael Grant

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Monday, March 4, 2013

Musing Mondays (4)

Musing Monday are hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.

My Answer:
     At this moment I am reading the book Fear by Michael Grant. Well, I'm actually rereading it because the last book in the series comes out April 2nd and I kind of forgot some of the things that happened in Fear.  So far, I am falling in love with this book all over again. After all, this is my favorite book.

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Third Sentence Thursday (3)


"Sandy brown hair, penetrating eyes and a constant look of contemplation - how could this kid ever be unfamiliar to her?"
- The Kill Order by James Dashner

     At the beginning of this book it gives an insight into the character Teresa's thoughts; she's basically watching her best friend forget her. That would be the hardest thing ever. All those memories that they had made together have just been flushed down the toilet - killed.

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Reached (Matched #3)

Author: Ally Condie

Date Published: November 13th, 2012

Pages: 512

Synopsis:

After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again.


Genre: Dystopian Romance

My Review:

     First off, this book was a mediocre ending to a mediocre series.  Really, I liked Matched but Crossed ruined it and Reached tried to revive the series and kind of failed. Kind of are the key words.  I mean the book was pretty cliche. A sickness starts, scientist frantically look for a cure, they find it, WHAM! Everyone's all better. Like really? People need to die.  I know some people did died, but were they the main characters? No. A book needs people to die, this may sound harsh, but I love a good book where my favorite character dies.  It's just so heart-wrenching that I immediately deem that book worthy of favorites list. Reached didn't even make it in anyway close to that list. I guess another main problem was that all the people who were needed were all immune to the cure.  I remember thinking, What is this a joke? They are both immune to the plague? Unreal. 
     So I guess I should go into why the book was good. Well, I thought the book was good because I really liked how Xander was excepting of Cassia's love for Ky.  That really showed me how much he loves her. When you love something you have to set it free. At the same time I kind of feel bad for Xander that he didn't get his dream girl that he's loved since he was little. Another example of this book's cliche-ness was how both Xander and Ky both loved Cassia since they first saw her. Then they wanted her when they grew up, one of them did, the other didn't. At least Xander ends up with a good person.
     This book displayed beautiful writing and wonderful poetry that I always fell in love with. With that I will leave this series on a good remark.

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday Finds (3)

Friday Finds is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

My Find:


Title: Wither (The Chemical Garden #1)

Author: Lauren Destefano

Synopsis:

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?


My Thoughts:

     This book was a surprise, I thought it was going to be average, nothing special.  Then I started reading it. I loved it by the first page and I'm already onto the 3rd book.  I'd recommend it to anybody.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday Finds (2)

Friday Finds are hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

My Find:

Title: Eve and Adam

Author: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Synopsis:


In the beginning, there was an apple—

And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.

Just when Eve thinks she will die—not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.

Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won’t he?


My Thoughts:

I've always loved Michael grant, he's my favorite author of all time.  While I'm waiting for the last book of his series Gone, I decided to start reading this at Barnes and Noble.