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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!
Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach
Publisher: Penguin Group USA Incor
Date: 3/31/2011
Pages: 304
Overview
Caitlyn Monahan knows she belongs somewhere else. It's what her dead mother's note suggested, and it's what her recurring nightmares allude to. Desperate to flee these terrifying dreams-and her small town-she accepts a spot at a boarding school in France. Only, when she arrives, her nightmares get worse. But then there are her amazing dreams, so vivid and so real, with visits from an alluring, mysterious, and gorgeous Italian boy from the 1500s. Caitlyn knows they are soul mates, but how can she be in love with someone who exists only in her dreams? Then, as her reality and dream world collide, Caitlyn searches for the real reason why she was brought to this school. And what she discovers will change her life forever.
My Take
The main character Caitylyn was very realistic and likable character. I could understand how Caityln felt going to a new school, who hasn't felt like that? Get those butterflies of nervousness in our tummies and then slowly trying to make friends. I'm sure we all have been there. I know I have!
I loved how she connected with Raphel. I felt like this book had a bit of time traveling though Caitylyn dreams. If you like time traveling, ghost stories, treasure hunting, romance and a bit of gothic, then this book is for you. Yes there is a treasure hunting aspect in it which reminded me of Da Vinci Code movie a little bit feel like an adventure.
Love being in a different time and can't really savor it since of the time differences is heart wrenching. I love that! Gloom and doom of love and yet is there hope for it to survive?
Historical aspect was written very well with detail. The author did well with this. I hope to read more of her books down the road.
Cover Rating: B
Story Rating: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Randhom House Children's Books
3/13/2012
304 pages
Overview:
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.
My View:
Time traveling!!! This book had me wrapped around its finger. I read it in two days. I could feel what Michele, the main character was going through emotionally along the adventures she embarked on with time traveling. It was also interesting to see what family secrets Michele uncovered. Music is even mentioned in this book which is another thumbs up.
Other characters being mentioned in this book were amazing aw well. You could see and feel their personalities. I also enjoyed the characters, Philip and Lily. Great characters over all. I look forward to more!
The history that is mentioned in this book is awesome too. You get a feel for what it is like back then in the early 19th century. A great historical and supernatural book. Pick it up today to read.
The cover is stunning. I so cannot wait to see the second book's cover was well as the story. Keep up the fantastic work Alexandra!!
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: A
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So I have finished Wake Unto Me...a review will be coming soon!
Currently reading: The Immortal City....
Currently reading at the moment is: 
Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
When Rose Wakes by Christopher Golden
Publisher: Mtv Books
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Pages: 320
Overview:
Her terrifying dreams are nothing compared to the all-too-real nightmare that awaits. . . .Ever since sixteen-year-old Rose DuBois woke up from months in a coma with absolutely no memories, she’s had to start from scratch. She knows she loves her two aunts who take care of her, and that they all used to live in France, but everything else from her life before is a blank.Rose tries to push through the memory gaps and start her new life, attending high school and living in Boston with her aunts, who have seriously old world ideas. Especially when it comes to boys. But despite their seemingly irrational fears and odd superstitions, they insist Rose not worry about the eerie dreams she’s having, vivid nightmares that she comes to realize are strangely like the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. The evil witch, the friendly fairies, a curse that puts an entire town to sleep—Rose relives the frightening story every night. And when a mysterious raven-haired woman starts following her, Rose begins to wonder if she is the dormant princess. And now that she’s awake, she’s in terrible, terrible danger. . . .
My Take
Retelling of Sleeping Beauty in the modern times with a twist here and there! I enjoyed the book. Of course when Rose awakens and can't remember anything, she relearns everything on her own. I love how Rose is sweet but also learns to stand up for herself as well with the dealings of high school, her aunts and herself. She's a powerful character. Of course we know the prince usually rescues the princess but in this version he doesn't act like that. Rose and the character who is to be the prince actually have a relationship which was very nice to see. Each page was amazing. I rarely read fairytales that are retold and I"m glad I read this one. You got to pick up this book and read it today!
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: B
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Disclaimer: Read this book that was donated by Story Siren blogger before it was shipped off a book basket for a donation
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Publication Date: 4/26/2011
Pages: 320
Overview:
Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
My Take
This book was sent to me by Story Siren who donated it to the book baskets I"m putting together for the silent auction that I'm attending to! So when I saw the book out of the package, I knew this book was in to read pile and this was my chance to read it before it would be shipped off for the auction! I'm glad I got a chance to read it.
The book was filled with mystery and fantasy. Romance seems to pop up a bit but that becomes consistent later in the book, I think. I love how through out the book Pierce realizes there's something more than meets the eye of what is happening to her. Pierce is a character that draws danger to her as well as drawing John in.
Memories of Pierce come and go throughout the book which helped me to understand where Pierce is right now along with John in the picture. The relationship between John and Pierce seems be hot and cold which I dare wonder if it will meet up in the middle in the next book? And the danger that is after Pierce makes me wonder how that will go in the next book? Will she be safe or no?
John, I am curious of his past and how he came to be who he is. Hope to see that in the next book.
The book left me wanting to know what as going to happen to Pierce and John. Plus the description of the necklace sounds amazing which makes me want to have one! The second book is in my To Read Pile.
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Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: B+
