Thursday, September 8, 2011

Review: Haven by Kristi Cook


Haven  by Kristi Cook
Hardbound: 416 pages
Release date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Won
 Amazon││The Book Depository 

Goodreads Summary: Violet McKenna isn’t a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She’s had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.



At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic ‘gifts’—as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy’s death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical--and deadly--way. 



I've been waiting Haven for awhile now to read and it was fairly impressive. The writing of Kristin Cook was easy to grasp that I was engross on reading that I lost track of time. The thing that really lets me continually read the Haven was because of how Kristi Cook puts you into the story. I was captured by the exquisite visual rendering of Winterhaven. That I was envious of their school that it looks like from another period.
I love how readers could easily devour the story. The supernatural powers of the students in Winterhaven are really interesting and mind-boggling. Honestly I become a victim of ‘Aidan effect’, he is gorgeous, mysterious and every girl seems fascinated to him and our protagonist, Violet, is not an exception. He’s the one who supports Violet every time and he’s just tranquil whenever a problem comes.
On the contrary, I dislike some stuff about the story. First, Aidan’s “secret” identity, finding out about it, was kinda hackneyed especially nowadays his identity is really known to all readers. The second thing was their relationship, how they ‘re so absorbed in each other that sometimes they forgot to think of their private lives is somehow tedious. The third one, the story, sorry to say this but in some way I find the prose sort of banal and the anonymity that lies in the past life of Aidan, in some way it was just like on the Vampire Diaries. I’m not against with how the story goes, but if I’ll muse on if the Haven sends a new kind of flavor on the story these days, I would say no.

The story ends on a not cliffhanger note, but left questions to be answered—on what was the real truth about the Herculean gifts of the students and the love story of Aidan and Violet. The friends of Violet make the whole story interesting for me, how they handle to discover the mysteries and being with a newbie, who’s Violet. And Oh by the way, I’ll surely looking forward on its sequel, why?... Well it’s because of Dr. Byrne as in Byrne-ing hot, that I know will play a big part on the next story*wink*; p and because I know that the story will be more catchy, so check out the book!




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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: Second Chance Summer and Where It Began


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Second Chance Summer

Second Chance Summer  by Morgan Matson

Hardbound: 224 pages
Release date: May 8th, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Goodreads Summary: Taylor's family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it's stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains. 

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven't actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he's much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they've ever been before. But all of them very aware that they're battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.
I loved Morgan Matson's debut novel, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour. I know this one's going to be awesome.

Where It Began

Where It Began  by Ann Redisch Stampler 

Hardcover: 384 pages
Release date: March 6th, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Goodreads summary: Gabby Gardiner wakes up in a hospital bed looking like a cautionary ad for drunk driving and lacking a single memory of the accident that landed her there. What she can remember, in frank and sardonic detail, is the year leading up to the accident.

As she takes us through her transformation from invisible girl to on-trend Girl Who Dates Billy Nash (aka Most Desirable Boy Ever), she is left wondering: Why is Billy suddenly distancing himself from her? What do her classmates know that Gabby herself does not? Who exactly was in the car that night? And why is Gabby left alone to take the fall?
Putting the pieces together will take every ounce of Gabby's strength. As she peels back the layers of her life, she begins to realize that her climb up the status ladder has been as intoxicating as it has been morally complex...and that nothing about her life is what she has imagined it to be.
I was instantly inlove with this cover the moment I saw it on Goodreads.

What are you anxiously waiting on this week? Just leave a comment of the link to your WoW post!
Don't forget to enter our First Ever Giveaway if you haven't!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Review: Flawless by Lara Chapman


Flawless

Paperback: 255 pages
Release date: May 10th, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Won
Goodreads Summary: Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny-all right, enormous-flaw: her nose. But even that's not so bad. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame. 

On the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend, Kristen, falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together, it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do-she agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?

This hip retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is filled with hilariously misguided matchmaking, sweet romance, and a gentle reminder that we should all embrace our flaws.



I have a fixation for witty contemporary love stories and reading Flawless is quite impressive for a 2011 contemporary books. I’m not saying that I’m head over heels with Flawless as well as I’m not into it or I hate the book. Flawless is a story about love, friendship, and acceptance. It was a cushy read that you wouldn’t notice you’re halfway finished the novel. This is the book that I would recommend for the readers who just start off on YA contemporary. 


The characters were fantastic and they have those qualities that made them more true to life and mesmeric. Sarah, the protagonist is one of the personas that I liked most. She’s sharp-witted, amusing and I would definitely love her to be my friend. She is the kind of a girl who wants people to accept her for who she is, although there are times she also have doubts on herself. Her friend Kirsten, some would say she is self-centered, insensitive and annoying. But I managed to like her for she’s a true friend, she may not become aware of the feelings of Sarah, but Sarah knows that Kirsten would also do those things for her sake. And of course who would forget Rock—who ‘rocks’ the world of Sarah and Kirsten—as the love interest of our protagonist and her best best friend. Rock is of course an eye candy and a guy who is simple to be with, and who loves poetry/literature. But aside on his almost faultless appearance there are times when I hate Rock, when he would show interest for Sarah then on the next day he would be so into Kirsten, and vice versa. However as the story goes by Rock finally had his decision and that his true love is Sarah. 


Another beautiful thing that adds to the story was its prose. Chapman showed us the real thing that’s happening on a high school/teenage life. That there’s a competition everywhere, true friends that wouldn’t leave you and obstacles that may break your friendship, an indisputable love that will surely come into everybody’s life and could heal wounds from a misery. The story thought me one thing, that sometimes our flaws makes us beautiful, it may not be what we wanted but others may see it as the one that makes us glow. Overall I admire the book and I highly suggest it for you to check out! 


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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Friday Hops



Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee.
This week's question: 
If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?











Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Between Shades of Gray
I LOVE this book. It made me cry and all but I was kinda not satisfied with the ending. I wanted to find out the hows.. I can't really say it without revealing anything. But it's still a great book!
Book Blogger Hop


Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word and to connect with other bookworms, make new friends, support each other, share our love of books! 
This week's question:
What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation?


I can't wait for A Monster Calls, The Clockwork Prince, Lola and the Boy Next Door, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The Faerie Ring, and Silence. I've been looking forward to the release of these books all year. Unfortunately, we only have dry and wet season here and it's wet season until next year of February. I also can't wait for our semestral break on October!!





TGIF is a weekly feature for Fridays hosted by Ginger at GReads! to re-cap the week’s posts and that has a different question each week.
This week's question:
Which book(s) would you put in the hands of today's teenagers in hopes of making a difference in their lives?

These books have impacted me greatly after reading them. I think these are great examples of books that teenagers like me should spend their time reading.


The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
All Melina Marchetta books


The Truth about ForeverOn the Jellicoe RoadThe Piper's SonThe Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don't forget to enter our giveaway here if you haven't! Have a great weekend everyone!

Guest Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare


City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)

Hardcover: 485 pages
Release date: March 27th, 2007
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Bought
Goodreads Summary: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? 

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.... 


One of the best books I’ve read this year.

The story revolves on three major characters: Clary Fray, Jace Wayland, and Simon (I really don’t know Simon’s surname.). Book one mainly centres on Clary discovering her true nature as a Shadowhunter while she gets help from new friends to find her lost mother. While at first reluctantly acknowledges the world of Shadowhunters, she discovers things little by little what makes someone being so different good.

The book itself is great! It’s actually nice to read a new series other than HP (although I never get tired of re-reading it) and to focus my attention to more action-packed YA novels. The characters were often very credible, but on other scenes, they make me confused. The story is perfectly woven by Clare, and many new terms were introduced (like Mundane, Runes, and the like) so new to me it’s often confusing. Anyhow, the story depicts some serious butt-kicking scenes that make me want to jump, like the scene where they run on vampires on Hotel Dumort. The book also features many mythical creatures, not just vampires and werewolves, but also faeries and warlocks.

I think that the most relatable topic here on the book is the topic about friends falling in love with another. Clare takes a serious tone on this topic and managed to do well. Girls who are independent, strong and at the same time vulnerable, can relate well to Clary. The main theme the novel shows is being strong. Clare writes characters that are so bold and strong it’s so magnificent to read.

The factors that I liked the most in this book are the story and the characters. They blend so well that the vivid pictures form in my head when I read it. My favourite part of the book is the part where Clary managed to kill a Ravener demon by using Jace’s Sensor. On contrast with my favourite part, my least favourite part of the book is the part where Valentine and Jace reveal to Clary that Clary and Jace are siblings. So much for the romance.

The book intimidated me to read it because of the rave reviews written about it. And they were right. It’s so amazing. Have I already said that it’s one of the best books I’ve read so far? It blows my mind whenever I sit and read the spellbinding story Clare had written.
I surely recommend this book to all YA book lovers, and to those who want to switch to action-packed novels.



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