"Darklandia" (A Different Lexi Review)

Readers,

Here's another review to make up for the lack of my abilities to click buttons on here recently! :P

Darklandia by T.S. Welti

Summary: "Manhattan, 2147

Seventeen-year-old Sera Fisk gleefully celebrates the death of her 114-year-old great-grandmother, the last Atraxian alive who still remembers what New York was like before Felicity.

There is only one principle of Felicity: Suffering is optional. Those who disagree or forget this principle, as Sera's father did, are detained and “purified”. Through the use of the Darklandia virtual reality and mandatory water rations, the Department of Felicity has transformed metropolises all over the country into happy, obedient communities.
Inspired by her great-grandmother's last words, Sera stops drinking the water rations and is soon recruited by Nyx into a rebel organization in the midst of planning a full-scale attack on Darklandia. When Nyx attempts to override the Darklandia system, he stumbles upon shocking information about Sera and her family. After years of living in a haze of virtual reality and drugs, Sera finds herself running from a powerful surge of raw emotions and a government agency intent on keeping reality a secret."


Another cute guy. They're always in these novels, aren't they?

I needed a dystopian novel for today. It was too perfect. See, today, my dad sanded the floors in our house, and there was dust all over everything. (For some reason, tarps and blankets don't exist in our house, loljk. He didn't think to use them.) Walking out to it, I felt like I was in this novel. Then nobody in the living room or game room? I thought there was a bomb that went off or something, omg. Yes, I know; let's get back to that novel I'm talking about, shall we?

This is a novel that makes you think, makes you nervous. You'll be on the edge of your seat all over again with this one, and again, till the very end. Jennifer Rush shows in her story instead of constantly being told what the past was. It shows what the future could be in such a freaky way. You'll be amazed and questioning everything by the end of the novel! (Unneeded bonus points for the cover coming from an artist on deviantart!)

Becoming "purified," and hearing anybody even just mutter the words "sweet felicity" (or just "sweet" or "felicity" in any way) will make you cringe. This novel is amazing, and I love the characters being so realistic, as well as the lives they live, as well as where they live. The whole novel will keep your attention after the first few pages. Keep with it at all points. Just trust me on this one.

In Conclusion: Read it. Relish in the great storytelling. If you're like me, you'll love a novel like this. And if you're here reading this, you're like me.


Rating:

5/5 water splashes


Doing early posts on Monday for Tuesday and this week, hoping to be back and much better the week after. Just a head's up!


Love,

Lexi

"Altered" (A Smexy Review by Lexi)

Readers,

I'm becoming a reading fiend. It's gotten bad. Two novels, two days. Just wait; I've read waaaaay more than that before. But still; a fiend I am becoming again. TV does nada for me. Perfect for the days of rest I have coming up!!! And perfect since yesterday, I went to a waterpark for seven hours with a friend, and then came home and literally crawled into pajamas and then bed. The rest of my family went to a movie, but I was out by the time they were leaving... at about seven p.m. lol! I have this awesome tan though!

Anywho, even though I didn't get to post yesterday because of my impromptu sleep session that lasted till 11 a.m. today, I've been reading and thinking about the blog like one who's obsessed. So let's hit my first review, which is a book I'm now in love with: Altered by Jennifer Rush.

Summary (Goodreads, thank you): "When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them. 

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away."

Ooooh, the four guys in that lab? Sexy as hell. No matter what type of guy you like, you'll get him right here in this book. (Sam is mine, but that's for a later discussion, lol.)

This novel will have you on the edge of your seat till the very, very end. Why are these guys in the lab in the first place? What exactly is going on with them? And, if you were in Anna's position, would you do the same things she does in the novel? Do you have enough stamina and guts to know what you'd do? You just have no blue until you're reading this novel, and see how strong Anna is, which is another reason I love this novel. Not only are there hott guys, there's a girl who is just like us, who would rather be reading, and yet is ready to face the new life that she's pushed into. She's actually strong, and chooses -- time and again -- not to back down. This is the female we've needed in teen lit, and lit all the same.

In Conclusion: An action-packed novel with hott guys and a female we can be proud of, all of which keeps you incessantly reading? Yes, please! NOW!!!


Rating:

5 bajillion/5 birch trees


Another review after this!



Love,

Lexi

"You Might Be A Zombie (and Other Bad News)" (Arrgalrghrrrrh by Lexi)

Oh, my my my.

Readers,

I am sick. I never wanted to write about it on here, because who wants to read drivel like this, right? Psh. But due to being in so much pain that I was nauseous made me miss reviewing on here, which sucked, by the way. And soon, I'm having 2 surgeries, but I'll have treats for y'all while I'm gone. :D Don't think I'm leaving y'all though, cuz that'll not ever happen. This blog is way too much fun!!!

Anywho, I'm going to go ahead and do a review of an fabulously fabulous book to make up for that. Ready? Let's get with it, then, shall we?


You Might Be A Zombie (and Other Bad News) from the editors of Cracked.com...

If you know cracked.com, that's what this novel is. It's things you may have never known, or learned in school that either will impress you or make you sick to your stomach, lol. Hypochondriacs, please don't read this. Or ever go on the Cracked site. Don't download their app or anything. Oh, just skip this post altogether!

Goodreads summary: "You're going to wish you never picked up this book. 

Some facts are too terrifying to teach in school. Unfortunately, Cracked.com is more than happy to fill you in:

* A zombie apocalypse? It could happen. 50% of humans are infected with a parasite that can take over your brain.
* The FDA wouldn't let you eat bugs, right? Actually, you might want to put down those jelly beans. And that apple. And that strawberry yogurt.
* Think dolphins are our friends? Then these sex-crazed thrill killers of the sea have you right where they want you.
* The most important discovery in the history of genetics? Francis Crick came up with it while on LSD.
* Think you're going to choose whether or not to buy this book? Scientists say your brain secretly makes all your decisions 10 seconds before you even know what they are.If you’re a fan of The Oatmeal or Frak.com and hate being wrong about stuff, you’ll love what you find in YOU MIGHT BE A ZOMBIE from the twisted minds at Cracked."

And they are quite twisted, y'all. But super fun if you're an info junkie like me. Wanna know the "true story" that's supposed to be behind the movie you love? or maybe scary foods from around the world? Maybe some bullshit statistics that everybody quotes?

That's all in this hilariously-commentated novel full of crazy things and awesome stuff that'll blow your head up. Yep. Right off your shoulders. Just one big kablam! loljkjkjk. That won't happen. You'll just be cooler than everybody else around you; that's all.


In Conclusion: Read a list out of here, and you'll be hooked. So go for it, my bug-eating friends!!!


Rating:

5/5 Presidents, laughing at how we amount to nothing compared to their kickassery. (Kickassery is now a word. Just accept it.)




Till next time,

Lexi

"Dream Girl" (a mystical review by Lexi)

Hello, Readers!

Anybody love cameos like I do? They go perfectly with my other love: pearls!!! Now, don't get me wrong here, I dress in jeans and tanks, but pearls? Psh, to me, they go with everything!!! Well, if you are into cameos, or into Agatha Christie, or a mystery, or, you know, YA books, you'll like this one: Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling!!!

I'm sorry to say that I hate the cover, and I think they should have chosen somebody who actually looks like the main character, and not have let a six-year-old loose on Photoshop (I'm pretty sure that's what happened). However, the novel? It's awesome.

Goodreads Summary: "CLAIRE VOYANTE HAS been having strange visions ever since she can remember. But the similarity between her name and her talents is purely coincidental. The name is French, and unlike the psychics on TV, she can’t solve crimes or talk to the dead. Whenever Claire follows her hunches, she comes up empty—or ends up in pretty awkward situations.
But that all changes on Claire’s 15th birthday, when her grandmother, Kiki—former socialite, fashion icon, and permanent fixture at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel—gives her something a little more extraordinary than one of her old cocktail dresses: a strange black-and-white onyx cameo on a gold chain. It’s not long before Claire’s world becomes a whole lot clearer. And a whole lot more dangerous."

So a magical/enchanted/whatever cameo??? Bring it!!!

This novel was another one-night read, but it was because I needed to know how it was going to end, or else there would have been no sleep whatsoever.

Claire Voyante (get it? hehehe) is this lovable character who is fluent in sarcasm. She's not a Mary Sue, but instead this girl who wants to do right not only to herself and her new friend, but also to her grandmother and the legacy of her family. She seems like a fifteen-year-old who is worldly, but still seeing some things in a naive way. So, in other words, like a fifteen-year-old. However, the ages in this novel truly don't matter, so don't discriminate by the age of the main character.

The New York life that Claire lives sounds normal enough, and it makes me want to go live there right now, and find a guy to raise some kids with, cuz my kids would be awesome like Claire and her little brother, Henry. lol... Seriously though, it does want me to seek out the nice kind of life that Claire's family lives (especially her grandmother's, but at The Plaza Hotel in NYC, of course).

The whole story unravels at the perfect speed, and you have the chance to be able to connect certain things together when the mystery presents itself. You;ll love getting to know all of the characters, and following along in this cool girl's life in New York.

In Conclusion: The book reads and unrolls in this unique way, and it's definitely worth the read!

Rating: 

4.8/5 magic crystal balls due to the cover. I'm sorry, but it's seriously just that bad.

"Magic Under Glass" (A Fairy-filled Review by Lexi)

Readers,

For some reason, I'm feeling quite sickly today, so this is going to be a quick-y review.

Today's book is Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore! I got it at Half Price Books, and must write thank you to my mom for not only letting me go in, but paying for my four new books! It was a sweet blessing and gesture, and I truly appreciate it.

Now on to the review!

Summary (from Goodreads): "Nimira is a foreign music-hall girl forced to dance for pennies. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing with a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new and better life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets are beginning to stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumors swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry's involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. Then Nimira discovers the spirit of a fairy gentleman named Erris is trapped inside the clockwork automaton, waiting for someone to break his curse. The two fall into a love that seems hopeless, and breaking the curse becomes a race against time, as not just their love, but the fate of the entire magical world may be in peril."

This novel was sooooooo good! It kept me on my toes, and then developed like a child's fairy tale (but a bit creepier). All the mysteries, magic, and beauty just were phenomenal. I loved how it seemed so very realistic of a story! The characters, mannerisms, speech, and world all seemed completely possible, and you get yanked into the world that Namira is in. Then, you just don't want to leave it.

In the technicalities, like world building and character development and such, everything was spot on. The only thing is that you shouldn't attempt to read this novel in one night. You should let yourself absorb, enjoy, and ponder over all of the details and happenings, letting the story go into your brain and soul. It just has too many fun and interesting details and happenings for one to just gloss over the story without letting it into your heart and head. It is never ever boring though, and is very fast-paced with a great cast of characters, without provoking confusion. Perfection, in my opinion.

In Conclusion: If you loved fairy tale movies growing up (especially Disney), and you also have respect for the classics (whether you've read them or not), you will love this novel. Be sure to let yourself truly just experience the story, and you will love it!!!


Rating:

5/5 piano keys



Love,

Lexi

Post #102: Celebration!!!

Our beloved readers,


Well, today I was going to do both a review for yesterday, and then a fun post. Then I thought I'd talk about a book about an awesome dad. But then, noticing the number of posts, I decided celebrating the blog was perfect for today!!!

Okay, so this post is #102!!! We past the hundred mark, we did!!! And we would have given up long ago if it weren't for y'all reading about our passionate love of books. So let me say this to all of you:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

WE ADORE YOU!!!

So what shall we do for you? How about we let one of you blog for us for a day? If anybody's interested, contact me through the "Contact" tab. Send us a message, readers and authors, and we'll totally let you post one in July or August. :)


Love to all!

Lexi

"AngelMonster" (A Historic Review by Lexi)

Hello, friends,

So I read this book last night. I mean it took a few hours, and did it all last night. That's how good it is; it kept my attention like good books tend to do, enchanting me into their worlds.

Okay, the title is AngelMonster, and it's by Veronica Bennett.

Looks interesting, huh? Well, the novel doesn't disappoint!

Goodreads Summary: "In the spring of 1814, poet Percy Shelley enters the life of young Mary Godwin like an angel of deliverance. Seduced by his radical and romantic 

ideas, she flees with him and her stepsister to Europe, where they forge a hardscrabble life while mingling with other free-spirited artists and poets. Frowned on by family and society, persecuted by gossip, and plagued by jealousy, Mary becomes haunted by freakish imaginings and hideous visions. As tragedy strikes, not once but time and again, Mary begins to realize that her dreams have become nightmares, and her angel . . . a monster. Now the time has finally come for the young woman who would become Mary Shelley to set her monster free."

Mary Shelley, of course, is the author of Frankenstein, which, it doesn't mention in the novel, was a contest between she and her husband: which one could crank a book out faster and get fame. (Go, Mary! right?)

This novel does otherwise try to ensure the facts are straight, as detailed in the author's note at the end of her novel.

The world building was amazing, and I could picture each location spoken of. The characters? So multi-faceted that you have true feelings for all of the characters, loving them, then hating them, and overall sympathizing with Mary's amazing life.

This reads very easily, and doesn't feel like a biography, but more like a fiction novel for teens and adults! It's quickly-paced, easy to keep up with, and interesting enough to pull you in on Mary's journey/life. I learned a lot though, and it makes me appreciate Mary Shelley, and her novel Frankenstein, even more than I already had.

In Conclusion: The author certainly knows how to enchant with words! This novel is truly impressive, and I recommend this wholeheartedly!

Rating:

5/5 lightning strikes

"Temping Fate" (a magical Lexi review)

Hey, y'all!

I went to A-Kon (Anime Convention), and met the author of this novel, who has written many other YA books, including the Nobody's Princess series, the Sphinx Queen series, etc. It was last minute, right before we left, and I bought the novel, and got to spoke to Esther Friesner herself which, of course, for me, is a huge celebrity! It was an honor. She was so nice and sweet!

Anyways, let's get on to Temping Fate by Esther Friesner!

Goodreads Summary: "Until she stumbled upon the Divine relief temp Agency, Ilana Newhouse was having a hard time finding a summer job. Apparently, a t-shirt that reads "ORC: the other green Meat" isn't appropriate for an interview. but when she reports for her first day as a temp, Ilana discovers why Divine relief isn't shy about hiring someone a little left of ordinary. Ilana is temping for the extraordinary greek mythological goddesses, the Fates. the three Fates are responsible for spinning, measuring, and cutting all the life-threads on the planet. Ilana will be working—literally—with life and death. Now her summer is going to be less about surviving a stuffy office and more about avoiding a catastrophe!"

So, lemme say first that, in the end, you'll completely understand the awesome book cover.

This novel had me falling asleep at night with it in my hands, still sitting up, lol. I laughed a lot, and in the end, was thinking of all of this just completely normal. Temping for the Fates? Can you even imagine? Well, no worries either way because Friesner already has!

The characters are realistic, the plot is amazing, and the ending was superb. I honestly have no issues with this novel. If you need a laugh, or want to read something truly unique and imaginative, go for this novel! It's really a great book!

Rating:

5/5 Coffee Mugs!

Lexi's Favorite Artist...

Our beloved readers,

Hello! It's Lexi. Sick Lexi, actually, so I wanted to update to let y'all know I'm not going to be posting on some days if I feel way too sucky to write. So yeah.

Today though, I really wanted to focus on this awesome artist I love to death! I've been a fan of hers for years, and she's well-known among those who hit up deviantart.com. Her name is Brianna Garcia, and she used to be known under bri-chan on the site. She posts more on tumblr now, but her deviant site is briannacherrygarcia.deviantart.com. She now works in the Disney animation studios, as I've been told by another fan at ComicCon here in Dallas. (Tellin' ya, her fans are everywhere!) You can buy her work and such on her site at Society6 and other sites (all on her deviant homepage). She also helped animate a love story about a grown-up Alice and the Hatter... Just trust me, y'all, it's awesome.

The thing I like about her art is that it's original, amazing, imaginative, and beautiful. I love the details in each piece. The sass is awesome, and makes me smile and laugh. Then there are the lines. The lines in the art are just so... perfect, I guess. I can't describe how gorgeous they are. I recommend looking at her sketches where the lines aren't cleaned up. It's just gorgeous. I think that what gets me the most is the passion that you can see in her years of work.

So, without further ado, I wanna show you some pieces of hers... I'm limiting myself to five from the deviant site, lol...

She even has done shoes!!!

Okay, so go check her gallery out! She even has books with her art (so that's gonna be my excuse for writing about her on here... lol).

Sincerely,

Lexi

"Cryer's Cross" (a spooky review by Lexi)

Readers,

I'm writing so late tonight, and I'm so sorry. See, I was planning on finishing this novel I'm reading today, but awoke terribly late in the day, and still have sixty pages to go. Since it's 10 p.m., I decided to let myself watch TV instead, including a "Powerpuff Girl" episode where the bad guy was "Professor Dick." You have no clue how bad I was laughing!

Anywho, onto the book review of the night, which is for "Cryer's Cross" by Lisa McCann.

Goodreads Summary: "Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer's Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.

But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.
Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried..."


So if you want a creepy book, here you go! How about dark historical? Yeppers, read this. Just get that this is based on what used to happen to kids, exposed in the media, which is where the author yanked this idea from. She transformed it into a very engaging novel that will leave you feeling a mix of emotions, some happy, others sad.

The characters, scenes, and overall plot are all amazing, and this novel will truly keep you within its grasp. Also, the romance story is good as well, very well thought out, and even more believable. It was a great subplot in here.

Rating:

5/5 desks



Sincerely,

Lexi

"Cathy's Book" (Lexi's interactive review)

My lubs,

So today I'm reviewing a book that is not able to be digital. Just a warning there. I've also not seen it in a regular bookstore, but found it in my Half Price Books, where I am able to get ARCs and Brit Lit and more.

This book is an interactive novel. It interacts with things like phone numbers you can call, an a whole baggie of other things that "prove" the story to be real. It's called Cathy's Book: If Found Call 650-266-8233 (Cathy Vickers Trilogy #1) by Jordan Weisman and Sean Stewart, with Cathy Brigg as illustrator. (There are lots of drawings and such.)

Here's the summary from my beloved Goodreads: "Things weren’t so peachy in Cathy’s life before Victor broke up with her. Her father died unexpectedly, she’s failing school, and her best friend is mad at her. But when Cathy decides to investigate Victor’s reasons for ending their relationship, things suddenly go from bad to very, very, very bad as her findings produce more questions than answers. For instance, what does the death of Victor’s co-worker, the strange mark that appeared on Cathy’s arm, and the surreal behavior of several Chinese elders have to do with it?

Through Cathy’s unique and irresistible voice-and lots of proof in the form of letters, photographs, date book entries, telephone numbers readers can call, websites they can access, as well as secrets only a careful reader will be able to decipher-readers will enter a strange and fascinating world where things often aren’t how they appear. Two-color illustrations plus supplemental material."

Now, this is a really cool book. I love that you can follow up on all the evidence, even photos and stuff. I seriously think that more books should be this way. It certainly made me read the whole thing to find out where the evidence fits in in this mysterious, fantasy story.

The storyline is very interesting, and Cathy is a bit obsessive. I believe that to accept her character, you need to remember all the things that are out of control in her life, including her major losses, like her sucky grades and her father's death.

The only bad thing is that I had to force myself to get through this novel due to the main character, how confusing the story was for me at first, and how I was craving a different kind of novel. So I'm going to give this a 3/5.

I really hope y'all try it out anyways, because you may have a whole different view on this novel.

Till next time,

Lexi

Gloomy Sunday (Lexi's musings for this, a rainy Sunday)

Oh, readers,

It's all gloomy here from the storms we've been having. I love rain storms, but the gloom that hangs around is no fun. Of course, if I lived in London, I'd absolutely change my mind, lol. Could just be me.

Anywho, today, I want to share some stuff that makes me smile! I hope it brings smiles to you guys, too.

Twins talking translated... *bad language warning!!!*

Anything from http://www.youtube.com/user/PrankvsPrank. They're the most hilarious couple ever!

My favorite one is this one:

And, of course this drunk sorority chick from Oklahoma University who will sweep, and her best friend who recorded this, while trying not to laugh...

But the ultimate best one? Watch this and try not to die laughing. I love how the dad knows what's coming up at the end...

Hope you guys got some laughs!!!


Love y'all tons,

Lexi

"The Name of a Star" (a dashing Lexi review)

To our amazing and awesome readers,

Hello, again! It's been soooo long.

Okay, so I read an awesome book and thought today (Friday) was Thursday, so now I'm postponing this until Saturday. Then, you'll have a fun bunch of randomness on Sunday!

So this novel is The Name of a Star by Maureen Johnson, and it's the first book of "The Shades of London" trilogy. The first two are out, and the third will be coming in 2014. If you can't deal with a bit of blood and such, please do not read, as this novel mentions murder and Jack the Ripper and such.

First, look at this cover!!! Actually, there have been three, so I'll let you see them all!!!

  

All so pretty, huh? Okay, so read the summary before I decide to flip out and babble on about how flipping awesome this novel is!!!

Summary: "The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago. 

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man...  And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target?" (YAY FOR GOODREADS!!! YAAAAAAY!!!!!)

So right off the bat, I love the main character. She sounds like me and my inner thought process. The author honestly portrayed the characters as they would really speak. She doesn't go for useless slang, but instead had the character just as somebody would today. I know that this novel involves murders and such, but please understand that there's plenty of humor! Humor that's done very well.

Then there are the rest of the characters, who were all well-rounded. You got a chance of experiencing and seeing each character's true colors and lives. Each character is unique and is shown (and a little told, of course) to be a very realistic person that you could meet on the street.

Every happening in the novel seem so realistic. From going away to school in London to the Ripper coming back, there was not one ounce of fake; I could picture it all. Johnson totally took my mind into the novel, the story, the settings, that I absolutely saw it all as real. The plot is wonderful, and very unique. I loved the idea of Jack the Ripper coming back, and if anybody other than Maureen Johnson wrote it, it would not have been this amazing and flawless.

Little Bit of Dialogue from the Novel:

"You told him I have period fever," I replied. "There's no such thing as period fever."
...
"No, there is really no such thing as period fever. There's a difference between being a guy and being an idiot."


In Conclusion: Unless you can't stand any amount of gore, read this. Heck, if you do, skip the gore and go for it! This is one of my favorite novels now, and I'm so glad that I chose to read this novel next! It's going to be difficult to find a read as great as this to read next.

Rating:



7/5 Heart Cutters (Get it!?! Cutters??? Like the Ripper!!! Bahaha!)



Till Tomorrow (Sunday),

Lexi, she who is braving the storm

"Tiger's Curse" and Lions and Bears! Oh my! (a fun Lexi review)

Hello, you awesome (fellow) book nerds!

This is my awesome-lé-possum (stole that from my friend, Ashlynn) book review on Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.

The first thing to know is that this book is part of a series, but you can read this as a one-shot, and you'd still be satisfied. At least I was. (Oh, and if you're not aware, please read my other post from today, which should be right under this one. Thank you!)

The gorgeous book front looks like this:

Summary (from Goodreads, of course): "Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever."

This seriously is a great book! I was hesitant at first, but once you meet the characters and read the first chapter, you get yanked into the story. The further you go, the more and more attached you get. The author, Colleen Houck, seriously just keeps a hold of your attention this entire book, and she takes you on this amazing journey across the world!

The details she includes are very descriptive. She shows a lot, not just telling. This is shown especially when they end up at a hut. The details Houck includes makes you very able to picture everything in her novel. She makes sure that you are entangled in the entire story, and grabs your imagination. The story even feels like it's completely possible, not just a novel.

I really just love this book, and the characters. The plot is great as well.

In Conclusion: If you're into books that are like mature fairytales, especially ones with awesome, well-done love stories inside, read this book. Reading it for me felt like reading one of the stories from Arabian Nights, maybe a fairytale from childhood. It just made me comfortable and completely in the story.

Rating:

5/5 beautiful, blue-eyed white tigers (my favorite!!!)



Until Thursday, your book babe,

Lexi

Blame It on Dallas ComicCon!!! (an apology from Lexi)

Oooh, Readers, I so suck!

So we (Ash, my mom, my little brother, and me) did Dallas ComicCon this past weekend. All. Three. Days.

So imagine being so exhausted that you're out at 10 p.m. after finally collapsing into bed. That was me on Saturday. That's the long day where everything was going on. So, instead of doing Saturday or Sunday's blogs, I knocked out. I know Ash was exhausted as well. She had to work on Monday, opening! My poor sis.

Today, I'm at a hospital with my Papaw, and am watching him overnight. He's doing well, but prayers are always welcome.

So I promise I will do three times better, and will not ever skip unless there's a big reason, no matter how sleepy I am. I am very dedicated to this blog. It's my Sis's and I's baby, and you guys deserve the best, all the time.

Alrighty, I'm going to go start on the awesome-le-possum (stole that from my friend Ashlynn) book review on Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.


Sincerely, your book babe,

Alexis

"Shooting Stars" (a famous, glowing Lexi review)

Hello, loves!

Ever wanted to stalk a celeb? Like, you wonder how those people have the money and equipment and time to actually follow this person around? I couldn't imagine. (Well, Johnny Depp, okay, maybe...) Then there are paparazzi. Like Lady Gaga's song: "...I'm your biggest fan / I'll follow you until you love me / Papa-Paparazzi..." (Yes, I totally worked Lady Gaga into a review, lol.) Those people at least get paid for it.

Okay, anyways, this novel is about how far somebody would go to get a shot of a celeb... Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby.

Summary, thanks to the good folks at Goodreads: "Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn't know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment."

Basically, this novel is very interesting, and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. You'll be surprised how realistic the characters are, and how this story could honestly happen. It would be rather easy to set up this job, actually.

The characters were truly interesting, and this novel shows that not everybody leading a sunshine-looking life is happy or without issues. The situations and slow reveal of a bigger picture are all very well done. The scenes were very realistic, and sensory. You could just feel everything and picture every scene.

It's a great book that is a fun read, so I definitely recommend it.

Review

5/5 cameras

"The Chosen One" (A Review by Lexi)

Hello, readers!

I just got my brand new laptop! YAAAY! It's an HP Envy with a Core i5 Intel processor and 1 terabyte of memory, plus Kaspersky Security, Windows 8, Beats audio, and Microsoft Office 2013 all on it! Okay, I'll shut up now. I'm praying this will last me for forever... But more on another little guilty pleasure...

Do you ever watch "Sister Wives" on TLC? How about "19 Kids & Counting"? Maybe "The Hutterites"? Have you ever wondered what the horrors that could be hidden behind those shows? Ever wonder how a person like you would fit into one of these ways of life? Or do you just watch because it's a train wreck? Well, then you need to read The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams!

This novel took on some dark themes that are usually shown about these cults and "religions" on the news. We watch these shows on TLC, giggle that we'd never be able to stand it, and ignore the feeling that there's something wrong with these shows. We just blow off the issues, and only focus on what they show on TV -- falsely believing that they're just like us. I'm not dissing you guys, because I do the same. I also like pretending it's all like they have it on TV, and that this doesn't go on anywhere around us. It does though, and bad things can happen. Ever noticed how robotic the kids are on "19 Kids & Counting"? How they quickly avoid questions having to do with the outside world? Or how, on "Sister Wives," how the kids feel about the path their parents chose? Ever wonder what religion sect and what in the Bible Hutterites follow? (The last one: They were a sect of Amish that broke away. Mainly, the religion concentrates on keeping women lower than the men. Nothing else.)

Well, this novel shows you. Goodreads summarizes, "Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.

But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever."

This novel was very well done, and it'll make you pause and thank God that your parents never joined a cult where these things happen. Read this novel if you want to feel thankful for what you have, all the joys in your life.

Rating:

5/5  Hutterite women

An Apology and "Eloise" (love, Lexi)

So, obviously I'm missing Thursday's review, as y'all can see. I was in a lot of pain, and when I decided to take a pain pill, I was out like a light. In other words, I suck, and I'm very sorry. Today, I'm more used to the pain meds, so I'm back in the game!

Today will be a special book near and dear to my heart: Eloise by Kay Thompson. I blame my obsession with the books on the movies, and the movies I blame on Broadway star Gavin Creel, who was the love interest in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and in "Eloise at Christmastime." The love of that came from an ex-friend. So, see, I have my reasons for reading all of the Eloise books.

Summary (done by Lexi): Eloise is a little girl (opening line: "I am Eloise. I am six.") that lives in the most wonderful place in the world, The Plaza Hotel in New York City. This version of the hotel is the original Plaza, before it was made to look as it does now. Back then, it was so very beautiful and elegant (go watch "Home Alone 2" and you'll see). Now, not so much. However, this little girl causes mischief in the hotel, and to the workers, including the head of the Plaza, Mr. Salamoney. And, of course, Nanny, who is her nanny. However, this naughty little girl who loves to have fun also has a big heart, along with a pug and a turtle. Reading her daily routine is enough of an excuse for a nap.

This is a book marketed to children, but adults and teens should read it, as it is like comfort food in the form of a book. I see the live action movies until I hit about 18, the movies at 20 or so. Now I have an Eloise zip-up hoodie, door hanger, bracelet, keychain, cap, and collection of books (minus the "bawth" one, because Kay didn't ever want that published). My mother even has called me her "little Eloise" at times.

The girl is too much to love. She has a whole back story, a complete and outrageous personality (you would, too, if you grew up with such posh living quarters and so many adults as your friends). Her mother is never shown, but she is a complete character as well, background story and everything. The books are a bit long for kids to handle unless they're older, which is another reason I think this is too perfect for teens and adults. You'll feel like her "mostly companion" once you read the first page and see the little ragamuffin for yourself. This cast of characters and locations to see are all structured and captivating. You'll lose yourself in the book, and want to move to The Plaza and play with Eloise!

Conclusion: These books are actually written much better than many adult and teen novels! The structure, world-building, etc. are all done like a pro. So, if you want to have a fun time, go read Eloise and take some notes from her! After all, a tissue box "makes a good hat."

Rating:

5/5 flags over The Plaza Hotel in NYC, NY!!!!!




Till next time, yours truly,

Lexi