Evernight (book review)

In the suspenseful novel Evernight, Bianca finds herself attending the eerie Evernight Academy. She thinks her life is over...that is, until she meets Lucas. He's handsome, smart, and kind. But the school, and Bianca, are hiding a big secret from him. Except for a select few students, everyone at Evernight is a vampire. Evernight is one of the only places where they can relax and be themselves. Born to two vampires, Bianca is destined to become one herself someday. But it turns out Lucas is hiding a secret just as big, one that threatens to destroy the magical world of Evernight...and those in it...forever.

This was a great book. It wasn't as good as the Twilight saga, but then again it's hard to beat that series. At times it was a little confusing. For example, about halfway through the book, I learned that Evernight was a vampire school. Then, it was revealed that Bianca had known about the vampires all along. Overall, however, it was excellent. The characters were complex and realistic, and I felt like I actually knew them. I will definitely look for the next Evernight book, Stargazer.

This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.

Gothic Lolita (book review)

Gothic Lolita, by Dakota Lane, is the story of two girls in two separate countries with a supernatural connection. Miya lives in Japan. Chelsea lives in California. They're both half Japanese, dress like Gothic lolitas, and love reading a manga series called, "Shonen Rainbow Warrior". But they have more in common than that, as they will soon realize...

They got to know each other through their blogs, but three years ago tragedy struck Chelsea's family, and she stopped writing. Miya has experienced tragedy as well, but she keeps posting and checking Chelsea's blog in the hopes that one day Chelsea will write back. Soon, Chelsea realizes she can't avoid Miya any longer. She goes back online and tells Miya everything. And both girls' lives will drastically change because of it...

I loved this book! It was a bittersweet story of tragedy, love, and triumph with a bit of mystery and fantasy thrown in as well. It was a very quick read, and I'm definitely glad I bought it!

This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.

Warriors: Cats of the Clans (book review)

Warriors: Cats of the Clans, by Erin Hunter, is an overview of the lives of the cats from the Warriors series, which is also by this author. With beautiful illustrations and short but fact-filled descriptions of the cats' lives, the book presents well-known cats from each of the clans (ThunderClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, and WindClan).

This is a must-read for fans of the series, and a good introduction for new readers as well. It was very quick, and very enjoyable. I loved it!

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Bliss (book review)

Bliss, by Lauren Myracle, is the story of fourteen-year-old Bliss, who's spent most of her life on a commune with her hippie parents. But that's behind her, and now she's going to school at stately Crestview Academy. She's excited at first, but soon she begins to hear a voice...a voice that speaks of ghastly things. Bliss soon learns that something terrible is lurking on campus, and that it thirsts for blood...possibly hers. Her fellow classmates seem oblivious to the horrors around them, but, as Bliss soon learns, they are hiding secrets as well. And Bliss will soon be caught in the center of a grisly conflict that will inevitably end in somebody's death.

I really enjoyed this book at the beginning, but near the end it just got too disturbing for my taste. I stuck with it, though. I know the author, Lauren Myracle, has written many other books, and I bet they're probably pretty good. She just went a bit too far for my tastes in this book.

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Don't Know Where, Don't Know When (book review)

Don't Know Where, Don't Know When, by Annette Laing, is the story of three children and their time-travel adventure. For Hannah Dias and her brother Alex, life couldn't get any worse. They've moved from their home in California to boring Snipesville, Georgia, where nothing ever happens. Nothing changes when they meet Brandon, a weird kid whom Alex befriends.

But before they know it, the three kids are catapulted into World War II England. The food is gross, the adults are strict, and overall it's not much fun...at first. Hannah longs to return home, but Alex is slowly warming to this new environment. Brandon, meanwhile, is swept backwards in time to 1915. Why is he here? He doesn't know for sure, but what Brandon DOES know is that it has something to do with a person named George Braithwaite. And none of the kids can return home until they solve the mystery and find this boy.

I enjoyed this story overall. It hit a little bit of a drag in the middle, but it soon picked up again. This book made me eager to read the next in this series, called The Snipesville Chronicles.

Werewolves (book review)

Werewolves, edited by Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg, is a collection of stories about, well, werewolves. The stories in this book are incredibly varied. In "Bad Blood", by Debra Doyle and J.D. Macdonald, a group of young backpackers is terrorized by a bloodthirsty werewolf in the middle of the night. Who would suspect that the one to save them would be...another werewolf? This was one of my favorite stories.

In "The Werewolf's Gift", by Ru Emerson, an old werewolf, stuck as an animal for the rest of his life, is given the choice to turn back into a man, but throws it away in order to save a young child. This was a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed it as well.

"The White Wolf", by Leigh Ann Hussey, is the story of a young boy, Kagwai, who wants nothing more than to earn an animal totem and learn the ability to change shape...that is, until he spends a few nights away from his village. He meets his grandfather, who has become totally obsessed with the change and spends most of his time in the shape of a wolf, and learns that shapeshifting can have its downsides. But in the end, when the fate of his entire village hangs in the balance, will Kagwai decide to embrace his destiny and his animal totem? This story was okay, but I didn't think it was great.

In "Not all Wolves" by Harry Turtledove, a thirteen-year-old werewolf tired of persecution finds solitude in a Jewish ghetto, living with a man who has been persecuted just as many times as he has. This story was also okay, but not great.

"Wolfskin", by Mary K. Whittington, is a futuristic werewolf story about a young boy named Gwehr, who has finally been admitted to the Hall of Shapeshifting! In this building, one can put on the "skin" of a creature (kraken, dragon, vampire, etc.) and, for a time, be transported into a virtual world where one IS that creature. Gwehr has been waiting forever for this day, but unfortunately the only creature left is a werewolf. But, once he's tried it, Gwehr decides that he loves roaming as a wolf, and he secretly takes the skin home with him. He slips it back on in his room, not expecting himself to actually change...but he does. He enters the enchanted world of the werewolf, and decides that he will never turn back into a boy...but when the sun rises, the magic fades, and in the end Gwehr has no choice but to part with the skin. I really enjoyed this story.

"Night Calls", by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel, is the story of a young girl whose village is being plagued by bloodthirsty werewolves. She longs to go out and fight them with her father, but, unfortunately, she's expected to stay home with her mother while her older brothers fight. Soon, all the werewolves are killed except one. But she never expected that werewolf would be...her brother. I didn't like this story that much.

"Wolf from the Door", by Elizabeth Scarborough, is the humorous story of a young girl, Lucy Garou, conducting a study on wolves. The only problem is--in the term paper she's trying to complete, Life Cycle of the Wolf, she's completely personified all the wolves she studied. And, as her professor reminds her, this is a scientific class, not a creative writing one. Basically, he's given her an F, and she isn't too happy, no matter how much Professor Forrest thinks she might deserve it. Because Lucy Garou has a good reason for personifying the wolves--she's one of them! And it's not wise to draw the wrath of a werewolf...we're left wondering what unhappy fate Professor Forrest will meet. This was a very funny story that left me hanging.

In "Monster Mash", by Sherwood Smith, a girl named Cat is a drummer in a school rock band called The Nerds...when she isn't running free in the shape of a wolf. But one night, a big concert coincides with the full moon. Good thing it's Halloween, because Cat has a plan. She'll pretend to be dressed in a costume the whole time! Can she be clever and resourceful enough to pull this off, or will the night end in disaster? This story was okay.

"The Passing of the Pack", by Bruce Coville, was the story of a young boy who's always had a strange connection with wolves. They seem to be there watching him whenever he turns around. And one day, when he is prosecuted and thrown in jail along with his friend, Wandis, the wolves come to rescue him, and take him to his mysterious father, who just happens to be a werewolf! And his father wants to pass the responsibility of leader of the wolf pack on to him! Will he accept his destiny, or will he remain human forever? This was an excellent story.

In "Flesh and Blood", by Marguerite W. Davol, Sally's spending her whole summer in a boring European village called Krev. But things start to get exciting when she discovers a chest full of clothes...along with a mysterious furry belt that seems to fit her just right. But when she tries the clothes on, she experiences an intense bloodlust and a painful change from a human to something in between human and wolf. The problem is that she can't seem to get the clothes off! Is she doomed to life as a bloody monster forever? This story was okay.

In "Green Messiah", by Jane Yolen, the ultimate science experiment is attempted as a girl is transformed into a wolf in order to gain important data that she couldn't have otherwise. But, once experiencing the wonderful change, she decides to throw her responsibilities to the wind and run free as a wolf forever. I loved this story!

"The Wolf's Flock", by Susan Shwartz, is the story of a young werewolf who wants to rid himself of his curse forever. He embarks on an incredibly long journey, accompanied by a group of children who are heading for the same place that he is. He grows to feel at home among them, and when their lives are threatened, he must reveal his secret in order to save them. I liked this story.

In "Met by Moonlight", by Anne E. Crompton, teenager Len wanders off on his snowmobile and gets lost in the snow. He meets a strange girl, who asks him about his life, and in turn tells him about hers. Len has come to the conclusion that she's crazy, babbling on and on about wolves, hunting, and blood...until she saves him from an angry wolf...by transforming into one herself! I didn't really enjoy this story.

"A Winter's Night", by Esther M. Friesner, is the tale of a lone Gypsy, whose companions were killed by Nazis, hiding out alone in a cemetery. At least, he thinks he's alone...until he finds a mysterious boy with a big secret...I did not like this story at all. It was very confusing and hard to understand. However, I have read Esther Friesner's book, Nobody's Princess, and I enjoyed that a great deal.

The final story in this book was "One Chance" by Charles de Lint. It is the story of a girl, Susanna, and her friend Billy. They are both unpopular at school, and they hate their lives. But Billy thinks he knows a way to get away from all this...using a bronze wolf figurine, he summons a mysterious wolf that beckons them to follow it to a better world. Billy gladly agrees, but Susanna pulls away at the last second, knowing she's doing the right thing, but feeling great pain inside to see Billy frolicking away with the wolf to a magical world. She knows that she'll never see him again, that this was her one chance...and now it was gone. This was a bittersweet story, and a good end to the book.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Saving the World and other Extreme Sports (book review)

Saving the World and other Extreme Sports, by James Patterson, is the third installment in the Maximum Ride series. Max and her friends, Fang, Iggy, the Gasman (or Gazzy), Nudge, and Angel, are six kids who have escaped from a horrible laboratory called the School. Bird DNA was grafted into their bodies when they were infants, so now they have wings and can fly. Max and the "flock" were happy to sit back and relax after their escape, but they soon found out that the School was in league with an organization called Itex, who planned to wipe out almost everyone on Earth and create a new, better "super-race". As it turned out, Max and her friends were the only ones who could stop them.

Now Max and her friends have been captured, and are back at the horrible School once again. And it turns out one of them just might be a traitor. But who? Have Max and her friends finally met their end?

I thought this book was really good. It was action-packed, and the plot was intricately developed. There were a ton of cliffhangers, and it kept me guessing at every turn.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Sci-Fi Experience.

A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (book review)

In A Bottle in the Gaza Sea, by Valerie Zenatti, 17-year-old Tal Levine, who lives in Israel, decides to ask her brother to throw a bottle into the Gaza Sea, with a message inside of it. She expects a Palestinian girl about her age to discover it. What she doesn't expect is Gazaman, a witty twenty-year-old boy who mocks Tal at first, but gradually begins to befriend her. They begin exchanging emails, learning not only about each other but also a great deal about themselves.

This was a very moving book. I was sad when it was over. I learned a lot about the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians while reading it, too. As it says on the jacket of the book, this was "a modern-day Romeo-and-Juliet tale for the third millennium."

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

The Dog with Golden Eyes (book review)

The Dog With Golden Eyes, by Frances Wilbur, is the story of Cassie, a girl who has always wanted a dog. But her mother is too busy to take care of a dog, and besides, who would pay for it? Feed it? Care for it? With Cassie away at school and her mother away at work, there would be no one left to watch the dog. But one day, when Cassie is sitting in her backyard, a beautiful snow-white dog wanders into her yard. Cassie immediately decides that she will be the one to take care of him. even if she has to get a job (or two) to pay for all the food he eats.

But soon Cassie learns that Toklata, as she has named him, is not a dog at all--he's a runaway Arctic wolf! Can Cassie afford to take care of a wolf? And can she protect Toklata from animal control and the hunters who want to kill him?

This was a quick read, but it was very good. I think children who are interested in animals would love reading this book. It was filled with facts about wolves and their behavior.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Sweethearts (book review)

Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr, is the story of two childhood friends, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick. When they were younger, Jennifer and Cameron were both outcasts, and all they had was each other. Then one day, Cameron disappeared without a word, and Jennifer was led to believe that he was dead. She had no choice but to move on.

Now, in high school, Jennifer--now known as Jenna Vaughn--is popular, dating, and completely happy--that is, until Cameron returns. His decision to come back causes Jenna to think about a part of her life she always tried to ignore--something that happened, long ago, on her ninth birthday. Something horrible that only she, Cameron, and his father were a part of. The return of her once-best friend means something much, much more to Jenna--and it forces her to bring back a part of the past that was better left forgotten.

I loved this book. It was quick, suspenseful, and bittersweet. It kept me reading down to the very last page. It's a good thing I have another book by Sara Zarr to read!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Breaking Dawn (book review)

*The following review contains SPOILERS.*

Breaking Dawn, the final book in the famous Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer, chronicles the story of Bella, and of her werewolf friend, Jacob. Bella and her husband Edward, a vampire, sail away to a remote island to spend their honeymoon, but their time there is cut short when it is revealed that Bella is pregnant. Neither Edward nor anyone in his family has seen anything like the creature growing in Bella's stomach--half-human, half-vampire. Its heart beats, but it thirsts for blood.

Jacob is alarmed and disgusted by Bella's unborn child--and so is his pack. The alpha wolf, Sam, plans a surprise attack on Edward's family, bent on destroying the baby--as well as Bella. Jacob, along with two loyal companions, rushes to warn the vampires, thwarting the werewolves' ambush and forcing him to break his bond with the pack--for good. But it becomes clearer and clearer that if the baby survives, Bella will die. This forces Edward to make the ultimate decision--a decision that will change the lives of everyone, vampire and werewolf alike, forever, and a decision that will awaken the wrath of the Volturi, the most powerful vampire family in the world.

I thought this was a great end to the series. I know some people thought it was disappointing, but I enjoyed it right down to the very last word. I'm very sad that this series is over, and I'm sure I'll be rereading these books in the future!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.

New Challenge

I am joining the Support Your Local Library Challenge. It sounds so fun! All you have to do is read at least 12 books from your local library! I just picked up my first three to read!

Quick Update

I am going to read a different book than Scholastic Book of World Records 2009 for the Dewey Decimal Challenge, because it was just too boring to read straight through.

Manga Challenge Wrap-up Post

I had so much fun doing the Manga Challenge! I read a lot of great books. Thank you, Rhinoa, and I hope you host it again next year!

I read six manga books for this challenge:

Tokyo Mew Mew books 1 and 2
Fruits Basket 2
Dream Saga 3
Vampire Kisses 1
Avalon High 1

Again, I enjoyed this so much! My favorite read was the first Tokyo Mew Mew book, and my least favorite was Dream Saga 3.

Tokyo Mew Mew Books 1 and 2 (book review)

Tokyo Mew Mew, by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida, is a manga series about five young female superheroes. In the first book, we are introduced to the main character, Ichigo. While she is on a date with the guy of her dreams, she (and four other girls) are involved in a freak accident that merges their DNA with the DNA of five endangered species. These five girls have become the Mew Mews, and their job is to fight evil aliens that are trying to take over the world by infecting Earth's animals with deadly parasites, turning them into rampaging monsters called kirema animas.

Ichigo has been fused with the genes of an iriomote cat. Now, she can turn into an alien-fighting superhero with cat ears and a cat tail whenever she wants! But it's Ichigo's job to find the other four Mew Mews. One is a super-rich snob, named Mint, who wants nothing to do with Ichigo. She has fused with an ultramarine lorakeet. The other is a lonely girl who will take her anger out on Mint and Ichigo when in her Mew Mew form (she merged with a finless porpoise). Could these three ever join together as a team?

In book two, the other characters' identities are revealed. One is Pudding, an acrobatic, friendly girl who loves to make money and whose genes were fused with a golden lion tamarin's. The other is a beautiful model, Zakuro, who is fused with a gray wolf. The problem is, Zakuro wants nothing to do with the rest of the Mew Mews. Can the four girls convince their final partner to join them in time to save the world?

I really enjoyed these books. They went very fast, and they were exciting and engaging. I think I liked the first one better than the second, however. I give the first book 4 out of 5 stars, and the second 3.5 out of 5 stars.

These books were both for the Manga Challenge and for the Sci-Fi Experience.

Dream Saga #3 (book review)

Dream Saga #3, by Megumi Tachikawa, is the story of fifth-grader Yuuki, and five of her friends, who are destined to save the dream world (known as Takamagahara) from destruction. Yuuki and four of the others have "magic stones", which allow them to remember their time in Takamagahara even while they are in our world. The fifth boy, Takaomi, although he does not have a magic stone and therefore doesn't remember his time in the dream world (and in the same way his dream-self doesn't remember the time spent in the normal world), has been told of the events that are transpiring, and knows the secrets of the magic stones.

In this book, Yuuki and her friends are at the palace of Shinoukyu, trying to convince intrepid Miss Kaya (who happens to be their teacher in the real world) to join their quest. She has something that they need, and would be a useful addition to the group. But when Kaya is kidnapped by giant, angry insects, Takaomi finds himself bribed by her wicked father into going to rescue her alone. Because Kaya's father happens to have a sixth magic stone, and according to him, Takaomi can have it if he rescues Kaya. Takaomi, who longs to fit in, accepts. But can he save Kaya all alone? And even if he can, will her father pay up?

I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was suspenseful, interesting, and unique. But the drawings were confusing, and they often blended into one another. Sometimes I had to read a section over once or twice to understand what was going on. That is why I only give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Fruits Basket Book Two (book review)

Fruits Basket Book Two, by Natsuki Takaya, is the story of orphan Tohru Honda, and the enigmatic Sohma family. Three of the Sohmas-- Shigure, Kyo, and Yuki--have taken Tohru in, and they have let her know their terrible secret. Several of the members of the family are possessed with the vengeful spirits of the animals of the Zodiac, and whenever one of those people is weak or is hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they transform. Tohru has promised to keep their power a secret, but will she be able to when her best friends come over to spend the night? Especially when one of them is a psychic?

I enjoyed this book a great deal, but not as much as the first one. It was a bit more confusing, but other than that it was a wonderful story!

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Gods and Generals (book review)

Gods and Generals, by Jeff Shaara, is a prequel of sorts to The Killer Angels. Although it is a fiction book, the historical information is factual. It delves into the lives of famous Civil War leaders such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Joshua Chamberlain. Although there are many Civil War books that describe these characters in detail, none are like Gods and Generals...within the pages of this book, these men come alive.

In this book, Jeff Shaara studies the lives of the men in a time range beginning in 1858 and ending in June of 1863. The Killer Angels, his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, picks up right where Gods and Generals left off (though they were written in reverse). The battles in these pages--Williamsburg, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville--seem vividly real. The reader is present, breathing in the smoke and hearing the sounds of dying men on the battlefield. This was overall a great book, and it made me eager to reread The Killer Angels .

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.

The United States Constitution (book review)

The United States Constitution, by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell, is the story of our US Constitution, from the Preamble right down to the twenty-seventh amendment. With fantastic illustrations and wonderful prose, this book gives the reader an in-depth look at the powers and responsibilities of the government. In great detail it describes the three branches of federal government, and their duties. The power of the state government is outlined as well. This is a wonderful guide to the Constitution and the United States government, and anybody can read it. It is quick, easy to understand, and packed full of useful information!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.

Young Adult Challenge 2009

I am joining the Young Adult Challenge 2009! I know this one will be fun! Here is a list of possibilities:

Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey

Hunted by N.M. Browne

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Mariller

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane

Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson

Part of Me by Kimberly Willis Holt

Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman