Review: Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

 On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: 1) She was the last person to see her parents alive. 2) The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings. 3) She can't trust anyone--maybe not even herself. Having grown up under Malcolm and Maud's intense perfectionist demands, no child comes away undamaged. Tandy decides that she will have to clear the family name, but digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs is a dangerous-and revealing-game. Who knows what the Angels are truly capable of?

I love murder mysteries so I was excited to read Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson. I found the book to be intriguing and I kept flipping through the pages because I wanted to see how the mystery would end. The writing was okay and I wasn’t all that amazed by it considering that James Patterson is supposed to be a best-selling author.

I liked the relationship between Tandy and her siblings because it seemed real. They wanted to protect each other and at times were annoyed by each other. I think that I would’ve liked the book more if there had been more back-story on the siblings though.

The detectives in this book bothered the heck out of me. They kept on trying to get Tandy to confess that she killed her parents (she didn’t) even though there were others that had motive to kill them. In the end I suppose it didn’t matter though. There was a big twist at the end which I didn’t see coming.

Overall, Confessions of a Murder Suspect was an enjoyable murder mystery that I think teens of all ages will enjoy. 3 Stars!

Review: Rift by Andrea Cremer

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

I really enjoyed Andrea Cremer’s Nightshade series so when I heard there was going to be a prequel, I jumped around giddily. Rift was an amazing book and I think I even liked more than the Nightshade series.

I felt like I was living in the 1400’s with Ember because the setting was so real. The language was pretty true to heart but yet easy to understand. Ember was a great female protagonist and totally kick-butt. She was true to herself and followed her heart to become who she wanted to be. Ember is officially one of my favorite female characters.

The action in this book was plentiful and I loved reading them because they were real and sometimes gory. I wish there would’ve been more magic and dark creatures because I loved learning about them; I hope Andrea Cremer puts more information in book two.

Another reason I really enjoyed Rift is because of the romance. It was very subtle and there was yet wasn’t a love triangle. The relationship between Ember and Barrow was well-paced easy to read about. I LOVED Barrow…and I think that everyone who reads this book will love him too.

Rift reminded me of Angelfire because both the main characters wielded cool weapons and had hotties helping them fight. I think that readers of Angelfire and Cremer’s previous series will really enjoy Rift because it’s action packed, has a great romance in it, and will make you want more. 5 Stars!

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Book: Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Pages: 370 Pages
Release Date: January 24, 2012
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Source: Won

Synopsis:
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

My Thoughts:

Everneath was the first book in awhile that I read very quickly because I needed to know what happened. I was very happy to win this book and I’ve already pre-ordered my finished copy. 

Nikki Becket (or “Becks”) was a very interesting character and I found that I could relate to her a lot (and not just because I live in Utah). I’m glad that there are stronger female characters being written. Nikki was definitely not a damsel in distress. 

 I really liked the mythology in this book. I felt that the author did a good job tying in the myth of Persephone and Hades without ruining it. The Daughters of Persephone were a nice touch and I really wanted to know more about them. Looks like I’ll have to wait for the second book.

I’m personally on team Cole because I feel bad for him (well that and in my head he’s hot), but I think by the end of the book I was siding with Jack. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that Nikki forgave Jack (If you read the book, you’ll know what I’m talking about). 

All in all, I can’t wait for the second book. I especially can’t wait to see its cover because the first one is gorgeous. I can’t wait to meet the author next year at her signing!

Review: Delirium

Book: Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Pages: 441 Pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Source: Bought
Grade: 4.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

My Thoughts:

I read and loved Before I Fall right when it came out, so you could only imagine the hopes I had for Delirium. Most of those hopes were fulfilled, but I did get a little disappointed.

Each chapter started with little quotes from The Health and Safety Handbook which was really cool. The world of Delirium is a unique one and I was awestruck with how much Lauren Oliver’s writing developed from her first book to Delirium. I really liked her MC Lena because she shared all of her feelings in the book in a way that I could relate to it. Alex was a great character too. I loved how his and Lena’s relationship started at strangers, then friends, and so forth.

The one thing that I didn’t like about Delirium was that I didn’t feel connected to it. The characters, writing, and settings were pretty amazing, but there was something missing. I just can’t put my finger on it.

I really liked reading this book and I’m totally going to get the sequel. Oliver has created a sad yet beautiful world that I want to read about over and over again. You should buy this book if you enjoy dystopian and romance.

Grade: 4.5 Stars

Review: XVI

Book: XVI by Julia Karr
Pages: 325 Pages
Publisher: Speak
Date Released: January 6, 2011
Source: Bought
Grade: 4.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

My Thoughts:

I really liked XVI. Why? Because of the characters, the plot, and it’s dystopian.

First of all, I think a lot of people think this book is all about sex when a girl turns sixteen. It isn’t, although there is a lot of talk about it so if you’re uncomfortable about sex, this book isn’t really for you. Now that I’ve got that out, I can talk about the characters. I thought Nina was a marvelous MC. I could really relate to her because she had her own thoughts and opinions. Also, when her mother was murdered, she took it how I think most people would. She cried and still was strong for her little sister. Ugh, her little sister…I kinda hated her for the most part; probably because she was so ignorant of the things happening around her. 

The plot was genius too. The MC’s main goal was still a main goal while the romance was a side plot (like it’s supposed to be, but how it sometimes doesn’t turn out). The romance in this book was…fun to watch. I liked how Sal and Nina became friends first and then they developed into a couple. Sal was cute and protective over Nina and I really liked that. Really, the only thing I didn’t like was all the feminism in it. I mean, I liked it, but there was just a little too much.

Julia Karr is an author to watch and I’m glad I bought this book. If you get it, I hope you’ll like it too!

Grade: 4.5 Stars

Review: The Darlings Are Forever

Book: The Darlings Are Forever by Melissa Kantor
Pages: 336 Pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Source: Publisher
Grade: 3.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Jane, Victoria, and Natalya. Together, they are the Darlings. Best friends forever. They have matching necklaces, their own table at Ga Ga Noodle, and even a shared motto: May you always do what you’re afraid of doing.
When the friends begin freshman year at three different high schools in distant corners of New York City, they promise to live by their motto and stay as close as ever. The Darlings know they can get through anything as long as they have each other. But doing scary new things is a lot easier with your friends beside you. And now that the girls aren’t spending all their time together, everything they took for granted about their friendship starts to feel less certain. They can’t help but wonder, will they really be the Darlings forever?

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read any of Melissa Kantor’s books, but I have wanted to for a while so I was glad to receive a copy for review.

The Darlings are three best friends (Jane, Victoria, and Natalya) who are about to start high school. The thing is that they’re going to different high schools! I found it enjoyable how even though they were going to different schools, they still found time to be best friends. I think that my favorite character was Victoria. I could relate to her because she was the “goody two shoes” in the group.

There was a little budding romance in this book and I really liked that it didn’t interfere with the big picture. It added zing while still being tasteful. I loved Colin and Jack. Colin was the cute nerdish boy that Natalya liked while Jack was the photograph hottie Victoria liked. I felt bad for Jane because there wasn’t really a boy that she had a crush on.

The changing POVS for every chapter got me a little confused at times and the idea of this story wasn’t very original, but overall I liked it. This is definitely a friend bonding story that girls of every age will enjoy.

Grade:3.5 Stars

Review: Angelfire

Book: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Pages: 464 Pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Grade: 5 Stars
Source: Courtney's Publicist (Thanks Marisa!)

Synopsis:
When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.
A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.
While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

My Thoughts:

One word: Wow. I seriously couldn’t stop reading this book and when it ended, I wanted to cry because I didn’t have the second book.

I loved that this book wasn’t your average story where the main character finds out that he/she is suppose to save the world and tries to ignore it altogether. Ellie denied it at first, but it wasn’t anything major, she accepted it and went on to train with Will.

Let me just say that I loved Will and Ellie’s interactions. If you go onto Courtney’s blog, you can see a few hilarious pictures that she drew of the book. They match the descriptions perfectly. Another thing I loved about Will and Ellie was that they weren’t obsessed with each other in the first fifty pages. Ellie actually wanted to punch Will if he thought about kissing her.

The mythology in Angelfire was like a breath of fresh air. I loved how Courtney took an old legend and made it seem brand new. Everything was connected, but it did get confusing sometimes with hearing about all the new monster names and stuff.

I am definitely getting myself a finished copy of this book and I rarely buy books that I already have ARCs for. I’m in love and I can’t wait to see where Courtney takes the rest of the series. This book aced my test.
Grade: 5 Stars

Review: The Girl Who Became a Beatle

Book: The Girl Who Became A Beatle by Greg Taylor
Pages: 288 Pages
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Grade: 4.5 Stars
Source: Publisher

Synopsis:
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah!
When Regina Bloomsbury’s band, the Caverns, breaks up, she thinks it’s all over. And then she makes a wish—
“I wish I could be as famous as the Beatles.”
The Beatles are her music idols. The next day, she gets up to find that the Caverns are not just as famous as the Beatles, they have replaced them in history! Regina is living like a rock star, and loving it. There are talk shows, music videos, and live concerts with thousands of screaming fans. And Regina is the star of it all.
But fame is getting the better of Regina, and she has a decision to make. Does she want to replace the Beatles forever?

My Thoughts:

I liked the Beatles so that’s why I wanted to read this book and I’m glad I did.

Regina Bloomsbury has a band, The Caverns, that breaks up and she can’t believe it and thinks everything is going to go downhill from there. She then wishes that she could be as famous as the Beatles. Her wish comes true except that her band has replaced the Beatles in history! All the Beatles songs are now “written by Regina” and everyone loves her and The Caverns. What could go wrong?

The idea of the story and Greg’s writing was like a breath of fresh air. I’m a big music lover so I just had to read this story because the Beatles were one of the best artists in the world. I do think that the beginning went a little too fast though. It started out with Regina waking up to worrying if her bassist and drummer would quit to join another band and I really wanted it to start with the band having a rehearsal or something that could introduce the characters a little bit better.

The characters were great and my favorite would have to be Julian, the lead guitarist in The Caverns. He’s been Regina’s best friend ever since they started the band and he really cares about her and music. Another thing I liked about the characters was that Regina’s parents didn’t “disappear”. I hate it when main characters parents rarely show their faces in books so having her dad all over the place had me feeling even more relatable to her.

The Girl Who Became a Beatle was a magnificent story and it had a happy ending (for all of you who like happy endings). It kicked butt and I can’t wait to read some more Greg Taylor books!

Grade: 4.5 Stars