Audio Review: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

The Unwanteds
Lisa McMann
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Audio
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Unabridged Compact Disk, 7 disks
Narrator: Simon Jones

Rating: 4 stars

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

The Unwanteds was a really fun book - I quite enjoyed it. I listen to audio books as I walk around campus, to and from class, and whenever I had to stop listening, I just wanted to pick it back up again. I had only read Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann, but after this one, I am quite certain I need to read her Wake series soon!

I really enjoyed the narration of The Unwanteds. Simon Jones had so many different voices for the different characters. My particular favorite was Ms Octavia, I loved that she was southern. I thought the narration just made the book so much more interesting, I felt like I was simply in Artime.

I really liked a lot of the characters, but to me, it felt like there was at least one character driving me a bit crazy for a lot of the book. Lani really bothered me for the first half of the book, I thought she was annoying and simply a nusance. She got much better as the book went on. Ms. Octavia was one of my favorite characters of the book, I just loved her. Megan was another really great character.

The plot was a lot of fun - I loved the whole idea. Artsy, creative kids get the short end of the stick way too often, but taking that short end of the stick to the extremes was just super cool. The world was neat, I loved finding out all the details about Artime. I was always finding out something new about the world or some quirky thing that was allowed there.

The Unwanteds was a great read, it was simply just a ton of fun! With its great world and intriguing premise, The Unwanteds is definitely a book you do not want to miss. I love fantasy, and whenever I find more, it is just lovely.

Foiled by Taylor Morris

Foiled (Hello, Gorgeous #2)
Taylor Morris
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Release Date: April 14, 2011
Pages: 224

Rating: 4 stars

Mickey's thrilled to have some female friends for a change. But things get a little too close for comfort when her mom goes and hires Lizbeth to work at the salon. Mickey's worried that Lizbeth is stealing her thunder. After all, Lizbeth is everything Mickey isn't-outgoing, bubbly, and quick-on-her-feet. But when Mickey tries too hard to outshine her, things backfire in a hair-raising way!

This book was so cute! It was the fun mishaps and mayhems of a twelve year old girl. I was instantly transported back to when I was that age, and I remember going through so many of the same things, just not in a hair salon.

While this may be book 2 in the series, it is definitely not necessary to read them in order. I read Foiled before I read Blowout, and they both made perfect sense.

I loved Mickey's story. I definitely experienced so many of the same things when I was her age, and still today I find myself in those situations. I loved the message that it also told along the way. All the bumps in the road for Mickey led to an ultimatum that she realized, and it helped her grow closer to others.

I really enjoyed Morris's writing style. It really made Foiled fun to read. The characters were also a joy. I loved Jonah and Eve. Both of them were just really great characters.

I would definitely recommend this one! After reading Foiled, I am super excited to check out other works by Taylor Morris. I loved her writing style and this story was just too cute.

Cover Rating: A-  I think this cover is just too cute, just like the inside of the book :)

Interview with Taylor Morris

I am very excited to say that Taylor Morris has stopped by The Book Cellar for an interview today! Welcome Taylor :)

Taylor is the author of the Hello, Gorgeous series, BFF Breakup, Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President,  Class Favorite and Original Divas.

If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be?
I don’t mean for this to be all about HELLO, GORGEOUS, but I would spend the day with Mickey from the series. I need someone to help me style my hair in simple and fabulous ways. As I write the series I’m obviously getting more and more into good hair and am often trying out new styles, but I’d love to have someone like Mickey showing me exactly how to do it.

Should mayhem happen and your hair got highlighted a funky color, what color would you want?

Good question! I’ve always kept my hair color pretty tame but jumping to something funky sounds like a great idea. Since I’ve always wanted to be redhead, I think I’d go for a big, bright, true red.

If you had to choose one of the stylists are Hello, Gorgeous to do your hair, who would you choose?
Hmmm, this is a tough one. Chloe, Mickey’s mom, would style me to perfection. Devon would give me a funky cool retro ’do, like gorgeous finger waves or pin curls. Giancarlo would not only entertain me with his witty banter while he styled me, he’d also give me an unexpected look that even I hadn’t thought of.

I think I’d choose Devon, for a fun rockabilly look, something I wouldn’t do every day but that would really stand out.

What are 5 random facts about yourself?
I grew up in Texas with chickens, horses, donkeys, cows, dogs and cats.

I like scary movies but am often afraid to watch them.

I get anxiety before I begin a new book; sometimes even when I begin a new chapter.

I’m jealous of my friends who are good photographers.

I watch more reality TV than scripted shows.

Did you have a playlist you listened to while writing Blowout and Foiled?

I used to listen to music as I wrote but I’ve started doing that less and less. I’m finding it distracting especially since writing the HELLO, GORGEOUS series is so fast and furious—I really have to hunker down and concentrate on the story.

What is a book you read recently and loved?

ENDLESS SUMMER Jennifer Echols. Oh, I love it so much! It’s actually two books in one: “The Boys Next Door” and its sequel “Endless Summer.” I love a good summer romance. This is one of those books you don’t want to end and guess what? Just when you’re feeling that way, you’ve got another book to go!

Thanks Taylor for stopping by the blog. You can find Taylor on the web at her website, blog, and goodreads. Also, make sure to check out my reviews of Blowout, which went up earlier today, and Foiled, which is going up tomorrow.

Blowout by Taylor Morris

Blowout (Hello, Gorgeous 1)
Taylor Morris
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Release Date: April 14, 2011
Pages: 224

Rating: 3.5 stars

Now that she's had her thirteenth birthday, Mickey's finally old enough to work at her mother's super glam hair salon-Hello, Gorgeous! And true to the old cliche about people confiding in their hair stylists, Mickey starts getting an earful right off the bat. Customers love talking to her because she's so empathetic, but what happens when she starts getting overly involved in their dramas?

Blowout was a cute read, and a promising start to the series. I love the setting at the salon for so much of this book, it really makes for a fun read. Blowout is a fun read that you will simply breeze through.

I was not crazy about the choices Mickey was making in this one so she could ride the train to popularity. Stealing, telling people about private conversations at the salon? This was not the Mickey I had met in book 2, Foiled. Same goes with Lisabeth, she was an absolute monster to Mickey in this one, and I was just astounded. These 2 things aside, I really loved all the characters. Eve and Jonah are 2 characters that are particularly wonderful.

Mickey made some mistakes, but I did like that she went through amends to fix the, though some of those weren't the most honest choices either.

Blowout was a cute read, but definitely not my favorite. I much preferred Foiled to this one. These are the sort of books you read when you don't want to think a ton, but want a cute book to keep you entertained!

Cover Rating: A- I love the covers for this series. They are simply too cute! I love the design, the colors, and the actual picture itself :)

Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher

Knightley Academy
Violet Haberdasher
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Pages: 480

Rating: 5 stars

Henry Grim has never been in trouble for borrowing a sword from the headmaster's private stores. He has never discovered a forbidden room in a foreign castle, or received a death threat over breakfast.
All Henry knows is life as an orphaned servant boy at the Midsummer School, bullied by the privileged sons of aristocracy. But all that changes when Henry is the first commoner to pass the entrance exam for the prestigious Knightley Academy, where he will be trained as a modern-day knight alongside the cleverest and bravest fourteen-year-olds in the country.

Henry and his roommates, two other students from decidedly un-Knightley backgrounds, are not exactly greeted with open arms by their classmates. In fact, it soon becomes apparent that someone is going to great lengths to sabotage the trio's chances at becoming knights. But Henry soon learns that there is more at stake than his future at Knightley, and only he can sound the alarm. Is anyone going to believe a former servant on the brink of expulsion?

Brimming with wry humor, page-turning suspense, and surprising twists, this first adventure in a memorable new series is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

Knightley Academy is a hit. I could almost say it's the new age Harry Potter. Coming from a girl who has read the Harry Potter series quite literally at least 20 times, it is big. I simply fell in love with Knightley Academy, and I cannot express my feelings for it. I will be counting down the days for book 2.

Violet Haberdasher has filled the pages of Knightley Academy with the most interesting plot line. We've all read books with different types of schools, but this one is to be a knight - which is quite epic. It was so much fun to read. I really had no idea what to expect when I started, but I loved what I found.

The cast of characters in Knightley Academy was an awesome bunch, you loved them all right away! I loved Frankie - she's the girl who's been kicked out of three different schools and doesn't want to learn all the ladylike things such as embroidery. She was so spunky and determined. Professor Stratford was such a nice person, and you just loved him. Henry was so good - you kept waiting for him to finally lower himself to the level of those who disrespect him, but he didn't.

I would highly suggest this book to everyone. It's a fast read with fun story woven throughout the pages. You come to love the character and the stories they bring nearly right away.

The Light by D.J. MacHale

Morpheus Road: The Light
D.J. MacHale
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: April 20, 2010
Pages: 352

Rating: 3 stars

Marshall Seaver is being haunted. In the first installment of this chillingly compelling trilogy, sixteen-year-old Marshall discovers that something beyond our world is after him. The eerie clues pile up quickly, and when people start dying, it's clear whatever this is - it's huge.

Marshall has no idea what's happening to him, but he's soon convinced that it has something to do with his best friend Cooper, who's been missing for over a week. Together with Coop's sister, Marsh searches for the truth about what happened to his friend, ultimately uncovering something bigger than he could ever have imagined.

The Light is an interesting new series filled with wonderful characters. It's suspenseful, and will keep you on the edge of your chair.

The Light is filled with an abundance of well rounded characters. All the characters felt so real, and were unique in their own ways. I loved the development all the characters had throughout the book, particularly Sydney and Marsh. They started as basic characters, and by the end were these layered, complex characters.

The plot had a bit too much going on at times. There was so much description, you had to concentrate to understand exactly what was happening. This aside, the plot was very entertaining. I love ghost stories. MacHale did an awesome job playing up the eerie aspect of the horrors in this. I was continuously creeped out by all the different happenings in the book, as well as by Gravedigger. It was a dark book, and that added to the creepiness. After finishing it, I felt creeped out and had a need to keep lights on at all times.

The ending was my favorite part of the book. I am definately intrigued, and am interested to see what will happen next!

Check out the epic trailer for Morpheus Road. I think I'd have to say it is one of my favorite book trailers!