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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Between the Lines
Author: Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer
Hardcover
Pages: 358
Published: June 26, 2012
Simon Pulse
Overview:
Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.
And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.
Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.
My Review:
I grabbed this book as the title caught my attention. I read the the tidbit about what the book was and decided to give it a go. Well when I started it was okay but when I got further into the story, it seemed slow and a bit confusing from the different point of views that were going on. Each chapter or sub chapter would be from the charter's point of view (mostly Delilah's or Oliver's). You would have to concentrate a bit on the story to keep up with it.
Fairy tale story with a modern twist. Of course this story has a prince, love, friends, creatures..the usual aspects that fairy tales consist of. Then there's the heartbreaking part of losing someone. The modern twist is at the end of the book which I thought was pretty amazing!
The fun thing about this book was the sketches. I loved seeing the sketches with the story in this book. You could actually get a feel for what was going on better.
The two characters that are mentioned in this book mostly is Oliver and Delilah. Delilah is a gal who is a loner and loves to read. She wants to get lost in a story and not deal with real life. What teenager wants to get lost in a different world at times? Oliver is a character in the book who wants not to be in a book anymore. He is curious of what is outside of this story and book. He wants to be free. Freedom is something everyone treasures and dares to be explored! Delilah identifies with Oliver and see him as a friend. They both are likable characters. Who could not like them? I thought they were a good match for each other.
So one day Oliver ends up trying to talk to Delilah and she hears him! Their worlds collide as they chat to one another. Can you imagine a book talking to you one day? This was pretty neat. They both like each other and yet the mission was to figure out how to get Oliver out of the book! I liked how they come up with hypothesis and then test them out! Some go well and some do not. Each one is an adventure. At times both Oliver and Delilah get frustrated in dealing with figuring things out along with reality that hits them in their own worlds but they still try to figure out a way. Will they succeed in getting Oliver out of the book?
As I mentioned up above, it was kind of confusing for me a bit on what was going on and seemed a bit slow. It was an okay story. To those who like fairy tales, I'd give it a shot if you are into that genre! I'm glad I read it just to try something different and new.
Cover Rating: B
Story Rating: C
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Ruined
Author: Paula Morris
Pages: 304
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Overview:
Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her Aunt Claudia, who reads Tarot cards for a living. And at the snooty prep school, a pack of filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city.
My Review:
The story takes place with Rebecca, who comes from New York ending up in New Orleans to live with her Aunt while her father goes travels for work. Rebecca gets thrown into a new setting and has to adjust as best as she can be. She learns of how society functions down in New Orleans. At first she doesn't seem to be interested in it and has a hard time making friends but eventually that changes as she meets Lisette helps her by being her friend and tells her a story.
I found myself more fascinated in the story as it progressed. The history captured my attention mostly. The story made me wonder what was going to happen next. Rebecca found herself in an adventure and mystery. As for the ghost aspect of this book, it was rich with history. There were many ghosts mentioned but mainly focuses on one ghost which I will not give away. You need to read the book to find that out. It surprised me who it was!
There is some romance between Anton and Rebecca but the book mostly focuses on the history and ghost aspect. The romance was sweet as usual. The whole book made me feel like I was on an adventure with Rebecca. Great book for those who want something filled with adventure, mystery, history, a bit of romance and a ghost character! I recommend it for all ages.
The cover is stunning! I totally love the cover how it goes a gothic and ghostly feel to it.
Story Rating: B
Cover Rating: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Whisper by Alyson Noel
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: 4/24/2012
Pages: 240
Overview
This time, Riley might really have bitten off more than she’s ready for. After practically begging the Council for a more challenging Soul Catch, she is assigned an actual Roman gladiator—Theocoles, the Pillar of Doom. How is Riley, a skinny twelve-year-old, supposed to get through to him? Then she meets the beautiful Messalina, who convinces her that her only chance is to become part of this world. To accomplish this, Messalina helps Riley through a dramatic, mystical makeover, transforming her into the beautiful and mature teen she’s always wanted to be. Finally, Riley can experience her first boyfriend and her first kiss. With a dream this enchanting, will she ever want to leave?
My Take
I love the Riley Bloom series. Each book that I've read about Riley Bloom are adventures filled with various stories of her being a Soul Catcher and adjusting to it. This book was sweet and well paced! Riley learns to deal with Theocoles as it ties in with Messalina. A few themes sprouted out of the adventure that Riley goes on such as forgiveness, romance/crushes and a bit of history (after all it does relate to Roman times).
Even though these series are geared towards 9-12 year olds. I enjoyed them. This is a great way for tweens to read! The writing is smooth as silk. Reading about Riley always makes a smile upon my lips to see how she is doing and what she learns. All the covers are so stunning and the colors that are placed on them..wow!
So pick up the series today. Be sure to check out the links below.
(Short Review)
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Publisher: HarperCollins Publisher
Publication Date: 9/13/2011
Pages: 336
Overview:
Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.
Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .
Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.
My Take
So I bought this book because it was related to Titanic and for some reason any Titanic stories catch my attention quite easily. The cover of the book that I have is the blue one. I posted both cover styles because they are both amazing. Anyways, I barely even saw the review that this book had werewolves in it until I actually read the book. That's a first for me not to see the supernatural elements in the book until I read it and it was fun! I actually read this book in one day, I just could not put it down.
The beginning of book caught my attention right away with Tess! I love how the book revolves around Tess's adventure on the Titanic as a servant and woman. I could empathize with her and how her reactions were realistic. Of course, Tess finds out that Alec is a werewolf and somehow feels naturally bonded to him. Love blossoms between Alec and Tess considering Alec is wealthy class and Tess isn't. Will it survive? They both go through stages of adventures of good and bad.
Other than Alec fighting to be a werewolf, Mikhail who is from the Brotherhood wants Alec to turn to the dark side of being a werewolf which is one of the stages that Alec goes through in the book. Mikhail also threatens Tess as well. This is the one of the dark aspects in the book other than knowing that the ship will sink. I love that there are supernatural elements aboard the Titanic!
The book mainly focuses on Tess and Alec but other characters come into play! Myriam who's Tess's bunkmate plays a nice character as well as George who fancies Myriam and works for the Titanic. Then there are Alec's father, the Lisle's and Ned. All the characters in the book are compelling and powerful!
As you know the Titanic sinks, but it is interesting to see who lives or dies! Another fantastic read! Pick it up today and you won't be sorry you read it.
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: A
