John Belushi is Dead by Kathy Charles

John Belushi is Dead
Kathy Charles
Publisher: MTV
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 320

Rating: 4.5 stars

IN THE END WE ALL FADE TO BLACK.

Pink-haired Hilda and oddball loner Benji are not your typical teenagers. Instead of going to parties or hanging out at the mall, they comb the city streets and suburban culs-de-sac of Los Angeles for sites of celebrity murder and suicide. Bound by their interest in the macabre, Hilda and Benji neglect their schoolwork and their social lives in favor of prowling the most notorious crime scenes in Hollywood history and collecting odd mementos of celebrity death.
 

Hilda and Benji’s morbid pastime takes an unexpected turn when they meet Hank, the elderly, reclusive tenant of a dilapidated Echo Park apartment where a silent movie star once stabbed himself to death with a pair of scissors. Hilda feels a strange connection with Hank and comes to care deeply for her paranoid new friend as they watch old movies together and chat the sweltering afternoons away. But when Hank’s downstairs neighbor Jake, a handsome screenwriter, inserts himself into the equation and begins to hint at Hank’s terrible secrets, Hilda must decide what it is she’s come to Echo Park searching for . . . and whether her fascination with death is worth missing out on life.

John Belushi is Dead is an awesome read. I hadn't heard a lot about it, but I am super happy I decided to read it. I was charmed by the characters and fell in love with the story.

John Belushi is Dead has a slower start, but don't let that throw you! Soon you will be so captivated by the story that you won't put it down til the last page is turned. Thestory was so fascinating - it was a bit morbid and definitely off the beaten trail. I loved all the random celebrity tidbits it included, even though many of them were about their deaths.

John Belushi is Dead dealt with a lot of emotions and was quite thought provoking. All the characters had a very different story to tell, and they all brought aspects and emotions from each to the story. There was a nice mix between the more serious scenes and the lighter scenes.

The characters were really well written. I really liked Hilda. She grew a lot throughout the book, which was nice. Benji kind of gave me the creeps. Justin and Hank were my 2 favorites characters of the book - they both had their charms and brought a lot to the story.

I wholeheartedly suggest this one. It was a book I will now be suggesting to everyone.  I had so much fun reading, as I got so caught up in the story. I am very excited to see what Kathy Charles will come up with next.

Cover Rating: B-

Five Challenge: 5 Great Debuts

The Five Challenge is hosted by Adele over at Persnickety Snark. I'm catching up on yesterdays, and posting about five great debuts this year.

In no particular order, they are

Sea by Heidi R Kling (My review)

Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (My review)

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (My review)

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna — and readers — have long awaited?

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (My review)

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.




Salvaged by Stefne Miller (My review)

'My body was being torn apart, and my stomach felt as if it exploded. The pain was excruciating, and I was aware that I was dying... 'Mom?' My vision was murky, but I could see her face. It was bloody, and her eyes were large and full of fear. Her voice calmed. 'Get out of the car, Attie.' Her words sounded crisp and clear. I looked into the backseat in search of Melody and found her lying covered in blood in a twisted heap on the floor. I turned my attention back to my mother and out of the corner of my eye saw fire. 'Get out, Attie!' 'Mom?' Everything went dark.'

Attie Reed should have died in the wreck that stole the lives of her mother and best friend. But her life was spared. Why?

When Attie moves to Oklahoma to stay with the Bennetts for the summer, she hopes she has left her nightmares behind. But her battle is far from over, and Riley Bennett steps forward to help her fight the nighttime monsters. As the battle wears on, Riley begins fighting monsters of his own: his feelings for Attie. And Attie realizes she must begin to face the monsters of the night herself if she wants to conquer them for good. Can Attie's life be Salvaged?

What would you guys say 5 great debuts of 2010 are?

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss
Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: December 2, 2010
Pages: 384

Rating: 5 stars

A contemporary romance set in the City of Light, guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna — and readers — have long awaited?

Anna and the French Kiss is a book like any other that will melt your heart and demand your constant attention until you are finished. It's a book that latches on to your life, and you carry with you every where to sneak in a few more pages of reading time. I loved every single page of it. It's smart, funny, set IN PARIS, and very down to earth. Every page makes you love the story more and more.

I loved the characters. Every single one of them. They were all flawed and made mistakes. Better yet, they even made note of these and learned from them! Now on to the characters themselves... I'll start with Etienne St. Clair. He was just lovely and he stole my heart. He is an American who lives in France AND has an AWESOME English accent. What's not to love? He's also fairly short, which is something brought up many many a' time. Anna Oliphant has one of the best names ever. She was funny and I liked how no matter what was thrown at her, she still kept her self respect.

Stephanie Perkins has a serious way with words. Not a single word in Anna and the French Kiss is wasted. Anna and the French Kiss is very real. While romance is a big idea, the story is so down to earth and all the characters have many different issues. I hate when characters have perfect lives, and that is not the case in Anna and the French Kiss. With all the characters having trying matters in their lives, it made it really easy to connect with each and every one of them. There was also a lot of variety in emotion in Anna and the French Kiss. Parts of the book had me laughing so hard I was almost crying and others were very touching and emotional and sad.

Another awesome thing about Anna and the French Kiss was how the story didn't just talk about the main character's relationship. You had the romance problems of other characters, whether it be relationship issues or something else. I liked that it wasn't just centered around the main characters.

Basically to sum this all up, I say: This book is perfect beyond anything you can imagine. Stephanie Perkins is a gold star author, and I am very excited for her next book, Lola and the Boy Next Door, for if Anna and the French Kiss was any indicator, it shall be amazing. Stephanie Perkins is the next big thing.

I made a list way back in July when I read this, about my Top 8 Reasons for reading Anna and the French Kiss

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

The Mockingbirds
Daisy Whitney
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Pages: 352
Source: BookExpo of America

Rating: 5 stars

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

The Mockingbirds is a book I had been hearing about for months. Every time I heard someone mention it, I got a little bit more excited about it. Now that I've read it, everytime I hear someone mention it, I think I love The Mockingbirds a little bit more. It is a simply amazing book that deals with such powerful subject matter. Daisy Whitney throws it all out there and will leaving readers shocked by this absolutely amazing story.

Once you start reading, you will not be able to put this book down. Daisy Whitney will lock you into the story, and you will have to keep reading until the finish, for you are desparate to know how the story ends.

The style of The Mockingbirds is very interesting. Alex recalls the events of that night in little flashbacks. That is part of what makes The Mockingbirds so good. You never know quite what happened, and are right alongside Alex figuring it out, piecce by piece. The writing is that final cherry on the cake. The story and the characters had already made the book for me, and the writing just made both a thousand times better.

Every part of this book felt so real. The characters brought so much to the story, even the small characters. Martin was so perfect, and I wish he was real so bad! I haven't gone anything like Alex had, but Daisy Whitney really made it easy for readers to imagine what it'd be like in her shoes.

This is one of the best books of 2010 for me. This book is nothing but perfection. Between the characters, the awesome writing, and the fantastic characters, The Mockingbirds will be a book you will not want to miss.

Do YOU love Alexandra Bracken's Brightly Woven?

I am really excited to announce that sekrit project that several bloggers have been working on, started by Harmony, has bes been released! The product is this lovely site http://brightlywovenfan.com/ It's an all new fan site dedicated to Brightly Woven and Alexandra Bracken!! There's a forum and all sorts of other really snazzy things on there!

I just love this site. I think it's such a great thing. Every time I see it, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Anyone who's read my blog, knows I'm absolutely in love with Brightly Woven - so basically I'm prone to love it. Another great thing I love about it is how Brightly Woven Fan will help spread the words to other people. I've had a harder time finding it in stores, only once have I seen it in a store that I didn't personally asked for the book to be stocked, and the idea that the word can be spread about this fabulous book makes me smile. It's kind of hard for a book to gain popularity when it can't be found anywhere, ya know?

Basically what I'm trying to say is if you like Brightly Woven, check out Brightly Woven Fan! Even if you haven't heard about it, or haven't read it yet, be sure to stop buy! There is a petition running trying to get a sequel, which I am absolutely dying to have. Another tip, which isn't on the site, but post your review of Brightly Woven everywhere you can. Postive reviews help, so cross posting it will help Brightly Woven. Plus it has links to all sorts of different sites where you can buy Brightly Woven, which is the simplest way to get a sequel. I already know lots of people are getting Brightly Woven for Christmas, and the ones that aren't are getting other books!

If you want to link to Brightly Woven Fan and help spread the word, feel free to grab one of these super fab buttons:

You could toss it in your side bar, put it on a profile, or like 324327 others things :)

YAY Brightly Woven!

BBAW: Forgotten Treasures

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is upon us, and it's a week full of festivities and book talk! Today we're discussing books that are forgotten treasures, books that kind of get swept under the rador so to say. I'd like to bring three very awesome books to your attention.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Brightly Woven is the perfect fantasy in every way. The best fantasy I have read
in 5 years to be exact! It has an epic world and a character by the name of
North. Who is the most swoonworthy guy, EVER. You all should get it, and then
hopefuollly there will be a SEQUEL, which is necessary.

Sea by Heidi R Kling

Sea is just a perfect book in every way, and it so heartwarming and sweet. I can
scarely come up with the words to describe it. I loved every page of it! It really just brings to life another culture and filled with a sweet story after disaster.

The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson

This is a book I read ages and ages ago, but absolutely love. It is an amazing
historical fiction and I am very excited for the sequel that comes out this
fall, Invisible Things. For some odd reason, basically no one I know has read
it?

What are your guys' "forgotten treasures"?

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Everlasting
Angie Frazier
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Pages: 336

Rating: 4.5 stars

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

Everlasting was a book I really had a hard time getting in to. I had picked it up, read a few pages and it just wasn't keeping my interest. So I set it down for a bit, read a few more page on and off. Then all at once, everything clicked about 50 or 60 pages in and I couldn't put it down.

The plot was very intriguing, especially with the time period it was set in. That was one of the things that made me so excited about Everlasting. A good portion of the book took place on various ships, and I thought that was so interesting. You don't read about life of ships very much. I also loved the the whole mysterious aspect of the adventure. It made Everlasting that much greater of a read.

I absolutely loved the characters. I loved Camille. She was spunky and fun. I loved Oscar right off the bat. Angie Frazier has a way with words, and even the minor characters stood out to you, with none of them fading into the wallpaper. Right away, I was intrigued by the romance, waiting to see how it would spin out.

I would definately read this one. It's got a gorgeous cover (which for some reason reminds me of The Little Mermaid...), wonderful characters and an awesome plot! It's action packed and will be one you'll be sorry to miss.

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

Harmonic Feedback
Tara Kelly
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: May 25, 2010
Pages: 278

Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old music and sound design obsessed Drea doesn't have friends. She has, as she's often reminded, issues. Drea's mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on "a touch of Asperger's."

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a trip-hop band after an impromptu jam session. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea's preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.

It's obvious that Drea can't hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she's found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?

This book was pure magic. Tara Kelley delivered a simply stunning debut. I honestly don't know what words to describe this book. This review has been waiting to written for weeks, yet every time I go to write my review, the words I have don't seem to do it justice.

Music is a huge part of my own life, and I loved reading a book that music was so central to the plot. It was just wonderful! Tara Kelly's writing was wonderful. This was a very memorable book.

I love the characters. Every one of them was very well writte and seemed so down to earth and real. Tara Kelly did an awesome job with her characters in the fact that none of them were sterotypical and cliche. Every character was very memorable in their own ways. Each had a past that really helped you identify with them. I loved how Drea didn't just let her mental illness rule her life.

This is definately a book you will not want to miss. Tara Kelly wasted no words in Harmonic Feedback, and every page draws you in. Tara Kelly is definately an author to watch; I personally cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

Sea by Heidi R Kling (T2T Tour)

Sea
Heidi R Kling
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: June 10th, 2010
Pages: 336

Rating: 5 stars

Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins.

Heidi R Kling has written a breath-taking debut with Sea! Readers are plunged head first into a heartbreaking story of loss, hope, and new experiences. Sea is a book that speaks to everyone, but everyone can take something a little different away.

Sea is a touching story that helps a person connect with themselves. It is a book to make you think, and think deep. You look at the situation these characters are in, and it makes you look at the world around you in an entirely different way.

The characters were wonderfully written. I fell in love with Elli - I wanted to pull her off the page and just give her a hug. She was a little ball of sunshine even after all the horrors she had been through. Sienna was a wonderful main character. She was compassionate, and had drive - she had experienced horrors in her past and wanted to help others work through their horrors. She fit no cliches and was her own person. One of my favorite things about Sea was there were so many characters you may have only heard from once or twice, and they stuck with you throughout the entire book. And with all the characters, it almost seemed like you could hear their voices in your head.

When I first read this description of Sea and heard there was this relationship between Deni and Sienna I was excited. As I read, I found out Sienna would be in India only 2 weeks, and for a moment I remember thinking, "Oh no! Will that connection be real? I mean, can something that awesome believably build in that short of a time?" I was worried for a minute that that connection they had would fall flat, and not live up to my expectations, but Heidi R Kling left no room for doubts or anything with the strong connection Sea and Deni had. It was so intense and beautiful, you were simply drawn to it. Their relationship was so involved, and blew you away.

As you read, you get this feel of Indonesian culture. You saw the characters' struggles, and that presence of culture just intensified the reality of them. I also loved the setting - it was unique. I had never read a story in this setting, and everything was new. That made Sea a hundred times better, as you didn't just feel like you were along side the main character discovering this new world to them. In Sea you literally were along side Sienna discovering Indonesia and its culture.

When you are reading Sea, you would by no means guess that it is a debut novel. The story leaps off the page and speaks to you. It's a journey of the heart and emotions. Once I started reading, I had troubles putting it down. Sea is a book for all types of people, it is one you don't want to miss.

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: May 4th, 2010
Pages: 352

Rating: 5 stars

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

This was a simply amazing novel. I loved every page of it. Road trip books are always fun, and road trip books even more fun! Amy and Roger's Epic Detour bypassed all expections I had set for it by leaps and bounds. It was an amazing story of self-growth and moving on in life.

The characters were wonderful. Amy was a complex character, who had been through so much. While I have never experienced anything close to the tragedy Amy had suffered, Matson made it very easy to relate with Amy. Roger was another character that Matson made very easy to relate to. I fell for him the moment he walked onto the page. I was I loved how the characters growth was in time with the road trip. Each step Amy and Roger made across the country, the more they grew as characters.

The story was wonderful. The dialogue between Amy and Roger was always a joy to read. There was always a great balance in the dialogue between the two. I loved the extra things - like receipts, postcards, and post-it notes - that were added into the chapters. I thought they really added to the book, and gave us a bit more insight as to who Amy and Roger really were. My favorite extra in the book was the playlists. I loved seeing the music they were listening to in each state.

This is a book I would suggest you pick up without a second thought. It's a sweet story of two teens and their story as they cross the U.S. of A. I was swept up in the story with page one, and wasn't let go until the last page. It's a stunning debut.

About the Author
Morgan Matson received her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School. A road-trip veteran, she has driven cross-country three times...so far. She currently lives in Venice, California. Follow Morgan on Twitter at @morgan_m.

Read the first chapter!
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson


Source: Big Honcho Media

A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

A Match Made In High School
Kristin Walker
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: February 4, 2010
Pages: 277

Rating: 4.5 stars

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

I. Loved. This. Book. A Match Made In High School is one of the funniest books I've ever read. It was absolutely hilarious, I was almost crying I was laughing so hard at parts. It was cute and just an overall great read!

I loved the characters in A Match Made In High School. At several points different characters did begin to get slightly on my nerves, but they redeemed themselves later in the story. The main character, Fiona, was a bit too self centered at times. I loved Todd, he was hilarious.

A Match Made In High School wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't thinking it was a book that would really make you think, but it really got you thinking about different lessons you can learn through high school. Everything that went down between Todd and Fiona had me laughing. You'll have a hard time putting down A Match Made In High School, once you start reading!

This is a must read! I cannot believe I didn't read it sooner, it is that great!

The Snowball Effect by Holly Nicole Hoxter

The Snowball Effect
Holly Nicole Hoxter
Publisher: Laura Geringer Book
Release Date: March 23, 2010
Pages: 368

Rating: 4.5 stars

18-year-old Lainey Pike can tell you everything you need to know about the people in her family just by telling you how they died. Her reckless stepfather drove his motorcycle off the highway and caused the biggest traffic jam in years. Her long-suffering grandmother lived through cancer and a heart attack before finally succumbing to a stroke. And Lainey's mother, still devastated over her husband's death, hung herself in the basement just days after Lainey's high school graduation. Now Lainey's five-year-old brother is an orphan and her estranged older sister moves back home to act as his guardian. Dealing with her brother has always been a struggle, but sharing the responsibility with her sister is proving to be just as challenging.

Lainey knows that this is all her mother's fault, but she also knows that she eventually has to move out of the "anger" phase of the grieving process. What she can't figure out, though, is how to make peace with a dead woman.

How I loved this book! It was a really great story and a quick read. The story was so believable, despite all the crazy things that happened to poor Lainey. Despite the serious tone of parts of the book, it had a light feel to it and parts were filled with humor.

The Snowball Effect was fairly predictable, but that was part of its charm. I loved the basis of the plot. As tragic as it is, it provides for a wonderfully written story and how one girl copes with it. The first few pages, I was a little confused as to what was going on. Though once I got 2 or 3 chapters in, I was hooked and there was no putting it down.

The Snow Effect featured a cast of beautifully written characters. Every character had their own unique personality, and it was really refreshing. As a reader, you can really sympathize with Lainey. She had a really pleasant voice, though at parts I wanted to yell at her, and tell her what she should be doing. Hoxter did a wonderful job writing Lainey. Riley had to be my favorite character of the book. Riley was the guy every girl wishes she had. He was just perfect. Kara and Christine were my other 2 favorites. Kara was perfectly understanding, and Christina just cracked me up.

I loved Lainey, Collin, and Valery's dysfunctional family and how they made it work. It was lovely reading about them as they worked through all the problems, and watch them grow closer and closer to each other.

The ending didn't leave me completely satisfied. The ending felt a bit abrupt, and just going a bit more into story would have done the story more justice.

Overall, The Snowball Effect just really clicked with me, and I absolutely loved it.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Brightly Woven
Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: March 23, 2010
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 354

Rating: 5 stars

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

Brightly Woven is a stay-up-reading-late-into-the-night worthy book! I was up half the night reading it, as I couldn't stand to put down the perfection Brightly Woven is. It is one of my absolute favorites!

Some fantasy can be overbearing, but Brightly Woven was a perfect mix of everything a good book needs. Bracken drew me in with page one, and didn't let me go until the last page. Brightly Woven really puts a new spin on wizards and the magical abilities that come with a world like that. The world that Brightly Woven was set in, was absolutely enchanting. It was the perfect place to escape! With the first SENTENCE, Ms. Bracken had already made the real world disappear, and taken me to Sydelle's world.

The writing is Brightly Woven is absolutely fantastic. It's pure magic. There were so many scenes where I was just captivated. Bracken managed to paint vivid pictures in your mind. The romance in Brightly Woven is pretty magical itself. It was absolutely adorable!

The characters were fantastic! All the character continued to grow as the story went on! All the characters had numerous layers, and every time you thought you'd figured out a character, you discovered something else about them. Another thing I loved about the characters was that none of them were perfect, they all had some flaw. I loved North. He was so swoon-worthy. Sydelle was a wonderfully developed character. She wasn't weak and frail.

Brightly Woven is a book for everyone. It's filled with a magical world, is original, has wonderful characters, and phenomonal writing. I can't even express my words for this book with a simple review, it is that amazing. If you like fantasy, definately read this! If you're not a fan of fantasy, still give this a try, as it is mind-blowing! This is a book that will stick out in your mind, and remain memorable. I desparately am awaiting a sequel, as I am dying for more of North and Sydelle's story!

***I also feel I must mention Brightly Woven stunningly, beautiful cover. I am in love with it! It's gorgeous.

Check out my INTERVIEW with Alexandra Bracken! :)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall
Lauren Oliver
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 480

Rating: 4 stars

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.

Before I Fall was a book I really really enjoyed. Before I Fall took you on a roller coaster of emotions. I was captivated by the idea of the plot, but it fell flat for me. What Lauren Oliver wrote was great, but I think certain aspects of the plot could've been played up a bit more and blown the roof off!

Now let's talk characters. At first, I was not a fan of Sam at all, but as the book went on she grew on me. The other characters were all amazingly written. Lauren Oliver's writing was absolutely fantastic, even more so for a debut author!

Before I Fall was one of those books that will stick with you. I didn't absolutely love it, but I enjoyed it quite a lot.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder
Kimberly Derting
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 16, 2010
Pages: 336

Rating: 4.5 stars

"A serial killer on the loose. A girl with a morbid ability. And the boy who would never let anything happen to her.

Violet Ambrose can find the dead. Or at least, those who have been murdered. She can sense the echoes they leave behind... and the imprints they leave on their killers. As if that weren't enough to deal with during junior year, she also has a sudden, inexplicable, and consuming crush on her best friend since childhood, Jay Heaton.

Now a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town... and she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him."
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Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

The Body Finder is an original story that will captivate readers from page 1. It's thrilling and exciting. Violet's ability gives the book an overall eerie feeling. The Body Finder has a perfect blend of romance, suspense and mystery. The Body Finder is a book that will keep you up, late into the night, glued to the pages.

I was completely sumersed in Violet's world from page 1. Kimberly Derting created a world that was so believable. I would absolutely love to revisit it! The plot is completely original, unlike anything I've ever read before. I always love when paranomal aspects of books are brand new, then there's no expectations and it's never been done before.

Another stunning element of The Body Finder was it's characters. I found Violet to be relatable and fun. She was a smart, strong protagaist, and had a pleasant voice. Jay was definately swoon worthy and a total sweetheart. It was also interesting reading about the character of the serial killer. You had the regular story, then you'd have little snippets from the serial killer, and then you knew SOMETHING was going to happen.

I loved the romance in The Body Finder - it was 100% believable! There was a build-up to the romance, making readers wait for it to happen. Another thing I loved was how there were several scenes that were just filled with tension between Jay and Violet, making it that much more realistic!

Basically I loved this book to an absurd degree. It was so wonderful. I would never have guessed this was Kimberly Derting's debut. The Body Finder was just fantastic overall, and one you do not want to miss reading. I am eagerly awaiting book 2, Desires of the Dead which comes out in 2011.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky Is Everywhere
Jandy Nelson
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Pages: 272

Rating: 4.5 stars

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey
dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in
town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

The Sky is Everywhere is an incredible story of grief. It loved every aspect of it. The story was incredible, and the characters were real.

The characters were wonderfully written. Lennie was an outstanding character. She had this insane amount of grief going on in her life, and even though I've never experienced something like that, I felt like I was there with her. Joe was a joy to read about. He brightened up every page he was on. I loved Jandy Nelson's writing, the voice flowed so well.

Lennie's emotions took me on a ride. I felt so consumed by the plot. Throughout The Sky Is Everywhere, Lennie wrote various poems about Bailey. I loved these, as they were so insightful into Bailey and Lennie's relationship. This intensified the plot and what Lennie was feeling.

The only thing I wasn't crazy about in The Sky Is Everywhere was the fact of Lennie and Toby having a sort-of relationship. It weirded me out, as Bailey and Toby were dating, and now Bailey is dead.

The cover for The Sky Is Everywhere is absolutely gorgeous. I feel it really connects with the story inside. I look forward to future novels by Jandy Nelson. This was a wonderful read.

The Line by Teri Hall

The Line
Teri Hall
Release Date: March 4, 2010
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 192

Rating: 3.5 stars

Set in the near future, THE LINE chronicles the adventures of fifteen year old Rachel Quillen. Since her father died in a war, Rachel and her mother, Vivian, have lived in relative isolation on a place called The Property. It's the home of Ms. Moore, a taciturn woman who makes her living growing orchids. She hired Rachel’s mother as a housekeeper, even though she sensed Vivian was in some sort of trouble. Ms. Moore couldn’t be too picky, for there are reasons that good help is hard to find when you live too near the Line.

The National Border Defense System is an impenetrable barrier intended to protect the Unified States from invasion. Because of an impending attack, construction of the System had to be rushed, and the last section—called the Line—was built inside the U.S. border. When it was hastily activated, it created a permanent division between those lucky enough to be on the U.S. side and those who were not. Families were ripped apart, lovers separated. The territory left unprotected became known as Away; the abandoned unfortunates who survived the enemy attack became the Others. Over the years frightening stories circulated about the Others, stories about strange abilities and evil intentions. The Line became a place to avoid.

For Rachel, the activation of the Line is just a history lesson; it happened long before she was born. Life on The Property has been good, if rather dull, and the Line is just something that has always been there. But things are about to change in ways she never imagined and suddenly the world outside The Property—a world of government control and corruption, where people without power or influence have few choices—begins to intrude.

I really enjoyed The Line. With it, I have found a wonderful new author. The plot is intriguing - dealing with a futuristic society in what used to be the United States.

I absolutely loved the idea of the dystopian society. The plot was wonderful. My only complaint about the plot was that the beginning was slower and, to me, was almost like a prologue to build up to an amazing end.

I loved the characters Teri Hall casted in the story. All the females in the book were strong, which was something I loved. Ms Moore was a wonderful character. She seemed simply a cranky old lady at first, but you really get to know her as the story goes on. Rachel was adorable, and I loved her determination.

The Line ends with an ending to make readers gasp. I cannot wait for book 2, as I am desparate to know what'll happen next! Is it next year yet? This is a wonderful debut you do not want to miss.

Interview with The Naughty List's Tessa

Today I'm lucky to have Tessa, the main character of The Naughy List, here to answer a few questions! She's a cheerleader by day and an active member of SOS by night. Check out SOS's blog here!. Tessa stopped by The Frenetic Reader earlier this week to answer a few questions about her day to day life, but today she's answering a few questions about SOS and her role in it!

How did you meet Kira? You two seem really close. How did she get involved with SOS?

Well, every approved member of the Smitten Kittens cheer squad is also inducted into SOS. When I met Kira, she had quite a rep. But I never held that against her. I could tell she was sweet as molasses. And we are very close. She’s always got my backside.

What spy-related things do you always keep with you no matter what?

I always have a camera. I usually have a few adhesive-backed listening devices, a lock pick. Just the usual.

Do you see yourself as being a spy for the real deal in the future?

Definitely not. I think my services would be much better suited in the cheering industry. I’m hoping to one day open a cheer camp for the pep-impaired.

How much do your cheerleading moves help you on missions?

Oh, tons! The human pyramid has saved our rears on a number of occasions. And just last week, Leona had to high kick her way out a back door. She nearly died in there!

What spy gagdet are you dying to get for future missions?

I’d like to find some great disguise wear. Rubber masks, putty noses, even a wig or two. I think it’d be a lot of fun and much more helpful when we’re undercover at Applebee’s.

Thanks Tessa!

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Make sure to visit Suzanne's blog and Twitter! Also check out The Cheater Report, The Naughty List's OFFICIAL blog!

Don't forget to go enter the contest at The Frenetic Reader for a The Naughty List ARC, a tote, and stickers here!

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

The Naughty List
Suzanne Young
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: February 4, 2010
Pages: 256

Rating: 5 stars

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility!

Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!

When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?

This book was awesome - there's no other way to put it. It had a enticing plot, spectaluar writing, and fabulous characters you can connect with. Every moment of it is fast paced and a total page turner. It's a book as cute as it's cover!

I loved the Smitten Kittens. The attitude and commitment they had to their cause took guts, and it was great to read about. All the expressions Suzanne Young throws in The Naughty List were great. Tessa, the main character, frequently deems things "so strawberry smoothie!" or when things don't go quite right "sugarplum fairies" - they're so catchy! I wouldn't be suprised if I start using them everyday! Tessa, Kira and Leona are the three you here from the most, and I loved the depth they all had. They weren't just the perky cheerleaders who help other girls out. They weren't perfect and each had their own battle to face.

The first time I read the summary for The Naughty List, I thought the plot sounded adorable and it was! There were so many moments I was laughing as the girls went on their cheater exposing missions.

The Naughty List is a book to make you smile and feel good about yourself. This is definately a series you don't want to miss!

Interview with The Naughty List's Christian

Yesterday I had the opportunity to interview the author of The Naughty List, Suzanne Young, and today I have an interview with the one of the guys from the book, Christian. He's the new guy at school this year who is a total hottie and is rather mysterious. So without further ado... Christian!

How are you truly dealing with the divorce? How was your relationship with your sister before the divorce?

Wow. Don’t waste any time, do you? Um… what should I say? Divorce sucks. Chloe and I were not really that close before, but when you lose a parent, you have to compensate. Let’s just say I’m better at coping.

What is your favorite quality in a girl?

Smart, fun. Although recently, I’ve taken interest in girls of the sweet variety.

Can you tell us about some of your past girlfriends?

As long as you promise not to track them down. Not sure they’d have nice things to say about me. There was Marissa—class president at East Washington. She was pretty—a little dull. Then there was the time I dated Rena. She was a blast, but she was too passive. I like a girl with a little spunk.

What are some hobbies you have?

I work on cars sometimes. Nothing too involved, but I like using my hands. Figuring things out. I’m also great at chess.

What holiday do you think is overrated?

Valentine’s day. It’s completely useless and just a scam to get to people to spend money.

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Make sure to visit Suzanne's blog and Twitter! Also check out The Cheater Report, The Naughty List's OFFICIAL blog!

Don't forget to go enter the contest at The Frenetic Reader for a The Naughty List ARC, a tote, and stickers here!