Born at Midnight by C.C Hunter

Born at Midnight

By: C.C Hunter

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Rating: 4

Werewolves? Sick of them. Vampires? Not a fan. This book? I surprisingly liked it. While it had a mix of witches, vampires, werewolves, fairies ect, it didnt focus to much on one particular species. The book drops you off right in the middle of a fight between kylie Galen's parents giving it an interesting beginning. When Kylie enters Shadow Falls camp she is unaware of what is really going on. It is quite delightful to see her grow as a character. I loved everyone she met at the camp. This includes Derek and Lucas. Yes, there is a love triangle.
Theres Lucas. He is in my mind so hot I could use him to melt the butter on my pancakes. Then Derek. So sweet he could be the syrup. Kylie is obviously the pancakes that tie it all together. Kylie's room mates add a humor aspect to the story and become Kylies close friends. The story is also delightfully mysterious. I'm definately a fan and would be quick to recommend! Check it out!

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange

By: Lesley Livingston

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Rating: 3

I'm not going to lie. I was pretty disappointed with this book. I was at first so excited to read it. It was highly recommended by some of my favorite authors and publishers. However throughout the book all I could do was compare it to one of my favorite book "The Iron King" Fairy king and Queen Oberon, Mab, and Titania? Check. Major character daughter of fairy king? Check. Fall in love with a boy who is pretty much inaccessible? Check. Even some of the small things were the same. The dance, the celebrations, the mind sucking? All there.

I don't mean to pick it completely apart. The book was well written and had many interesting aspects but I wish the story was a bit more original in ideas. One thing I did like was the pony Lucky. He had a very interesting part in the story. Also I liked the aspect of her being a cross between Auberon and (spoiler) Mabh. Overall the most appealing part of the story was Sonny Flannery. Sonny is a very sweet guy who treats Kelley like a princess before knowing she is one. The next books include darklight and tempestious. While I might not be first in line to purchase it I will likely check them out and get back to you. I recommend this for an easy read and for fans of The iron king, twilight and other supernatural/fantasy/romance!

Envy By Anna Godberson

                                                  Envy

                                      By: Anna Godberson

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                                        Rating: 4.5  

  

                 The third installment of the luxe series, Envy, was laced with enough scandal to drive the calmest readers to the edge. I was horrified and angry when I discovered the ending of rumors and was excited to pick up the next book. This had the same characters we fell in love with from the luxe, well, besides one. (((insert tears))) It had all the scandal we've grown to devour and it had the romance and schemes from the previous. However, I was a little disappointed. In a way I think its because I like stories to have semi-happy endings and this book definitely let those stay in fairy-tales.

Henry Schoonmaker, married to a woman he does not love while Diana watches from the side, heartbroken, drinks constantly to dull the pain. The new Penelope Schoonmaker is watching Henry and Diana with hawk-like eyes. She is no fool and she can see the way the pair of them still look at each other. It makes her sick to the stomach to think of her husband’s eyes searching for someone else in the crowd, but honestly, what did she expect? She bribed him into marrying her in the first place. (Does anyone else detest  Penelope.) Penelope knows all too well that the only way she will keep her man is by bribing and manipulating him further. But will Henry put up with it for much longer?

Elizabeth, possibly more heartbroken then her sister, is grieving the death of her husband. She has once again attracted the affections of Teddy Cutting and we all eagerly await to see how that will play out. I personally was heartbroken over Will, as well, but i suppose as suitors go Teddy is my favorite choice.

Finally there is Carolina Broud. Bribery and double-crossing has her in a interesting predicament. However I hate Carolina so much, (possibly as much as Penelope) that I have not a single good thing to say about her.

Anna Godberson has created an incredible third installment to the Luxe. I recommend this book if you enjoyed the first two and liked them. Enjoy!



All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

                                   

All these Things I've Done

By: Gabrielle Zevin

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Rating: 4

All These Things I’ve Done is a novel told from the point of view of Anya Balanchine. It takes place in the far future. Anya is responsible for her older brother, sister, and grandmother after her parents were murdered. The Balanchines are part of a mafia family who produce chocolate and in the future caffeine is illegal. Leo, her brother was in an accident that left him mentally challenged and she has to find a balance in how to take care of him but also not upset him. Anya also knows that she and her siblings must stay out of trouble because neither her brother nor her grandmothers are suitable guardians.

While juggling taking care of her family and finishing school the unexpected happens. Anya finds a guy who she is crazy about and who doesn’t know about her family. While she might be smitten with Win he happens to be the son of the DA. His father is not happy with the fact that his son is dating a mafia princess. He even goes as far as to ask Anya to stay away from his son or he could make her life difficult.

This book took a while for me to get into but once I did I was fascinated with the story. Anya is a strong character with a lot of responsibility. Often I relate to a character easily. Anya and I are nothing alike. My personal favorite character would be Win. I adore him. Then i would probably choose between Anya and her little sister. i happen to relate a little more with her little sis. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes futuristic novels with a little romance. let me know what you thought of this book!

The Goose Girl By Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl

By: Shannon Hale

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Rating: 5+

I just finished my second read by Shannon Hale and I must say, WOW! This book was even more enchanting then my previous read by her. (Princess Academy) The story caught my attention immediately and sucked me in until I was finished.

Ani, the crown princess, is a very well developed character who evolved very nicely through-out the story. She starts out not knowing anything about herself. She ends up embracing not only herself but all the townspeople. Her mother was a very difficult character. Although I hated her I wanted desperately to like her. Let's not forget Enna, one of Ani's new friends. She is a bit mischievous but remains loyal and just plain awesome.

My favorite fairy-tale story was always the goose girl so I might be a bit biased because of that. The novel follows the fairytale well but still adds enough in for a surprise. This book is part of a series. I will definitely be going to my library for the sequel today. I don't want to spoil the book to much if you haven't read it so I'll stop now. I definitely recommend this book.

The Luxe by Anna Godberson

The Luxe

By: Anna Godberson

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Rating: 5

I had  hard time putting this book down. On the first chapter I was a bit confused but as I got further into the book I began to feel a strong connection and love for the characters. This had everything I look for in a book: Romance, mystery, manipulation, and a gorgeous narration by the author.

The story takes place in 1899, New York. The story is in 3rd person and takes place from several characters point of view. Elizabeth is a lovely complex character. Although she is seen as the stiff, perfect, and beautiful eligible lady of New York, we see first hand all of her troubles. She is filled with a endless battle to do what she knows is best or what she truly wants to do. When Henry Schoonmaker (the party boy and most eligible bachelor) asks for her hand she has no choice but to accept. Secretly however, she is madly in love with the stable boy Will. Will is one of my favorites. He makes his feelings for Elizabeth clear but says he won't stick around to watch the woman he loves marry someone else. He leaves for California in search of oil during the book.

Diana, Elizabeth's younger sister, is another of my favorites. She is wild and wonderful in the exact opposite that Elizabeth is. Lina Broud and Penelope would be considered the "evil" characters. Although i personally hate them each for different reasons I must give kudos to the author. It is rare to find a book that depicts wicked characters so vividly. During the hate there is also I twinge of sympathy for each character and even understanding.

I would definitely recommend this book to young adults and adults.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy

By: Shannon Hale

Get the book: Anderson's Books, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Borders, or your local library!

Rating: 4.5

This book was a wonderful tale. It was likely meant for pre-teens or young adolescents but I enjoyed it anyway. Shannon Hale always infuses a certain quality to her writing that everyone can relate to.

The main Character, Miri, is by far my favorite. She and I would be friends. She's always trying to make people laugh, her laugh is contagious, she is kind and positive. She has a head on her shoulders that makes her able to deal with whatever comes her way, although she is small for her age she is very witty! Though she appears giddy and happy on the outside she feels a bit insecure on the inside. Miri feels useless and doesn't know what she is to do with her life. That's why the Academy is a great aspect of the story. At the end, she gets more of her life sorted out and complete. Peder, her best friend in the village is also a charming and unique character. Although there is a love connection between them, it is more of a side story rather then the full focus.

I appreciated the story between Miri and her father. I feel like it really shaped and formed the story in a lovely way.  I loved the setting, which was the mountains and I really liked the 'quarry speech' aspect to it. I thought that was an original idea and it added a new element to the story. The ending was wonderful and well written.

I recommend this book to those of you who enjoy fairy-tales and happy endings. I read this book quickly so it won't be one you'll struggle through. This is the kind of story every young girl would benefit from reading.
Shannon Hale is an excellent author and I completely enjoyed this book.

Note: I gave this book a 4.5 because it is meant for younger children and was a fairly short book. Other then that the book was incredible!