Cress

Cress

Marissa Meyer

437 pages

Lunar Chronicles

Summary: Marissa Meyer's website

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.
Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker – unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Opinion:
This book is so good. It had me on pens and needles. Once one crisis ended, another began. It went from heartjerker to heartjerker. I am always a fan of Marissa Meyer. Her parodies on classical Grimm fairytales are the best. Cinder seemed to have reached that phase of a hero's journey where they blame themselves. It was interesting to see her go through this, especially when the team goes through all these trials. More secrets are brought to life about shells, Queen Levana, and Cinder. The real history of the disease came out. The romance is so cute. Cress and Captain is now a new ship of mine; I hope it happens. I loved how we started getting chapters from Kai's perspective. It was interesting to see how he truly felt about Cinder and to feel his emotions about whats happening with the wedding plans and imminent invasion.This whole book had me on the edge of my seat. I speed through the whole book. I cant wait til Winter comes out in November.

P.S. Leave comments below. How well am I doing on this site? Please tell me

Book Count 2

It's that time of year again. My birthday (April 16th) has come and gone; it is now time to count up the number of books i have read for this entire year of 365 days. 
*Drumroll please*

175 books!!!!

That's a little sucky I know, compared to previous numbers which were in the high 300's. I blame school plus the beautiful meeting of fanfiction and I. Next year (April 16,2015-April 16,2016) will be so much better I know it. I will break my record of 397 books.

P.S. Leave a comment below please.

The Story of Awkward

The Story of Awkward
R.K. Ryals
157 pages

Summary: Barnes & Noble's website (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-story-of-awkward-rk-ryals/1119169852?ean=2940046381894)

If you are looking for a happy book about beautiful people, this is the wrong story.
If you are looking for a narrative without emotion, without regrets, and without mistakes, this is definitely the wrong story.
This is by no means an uncomplicated tale about uncomplicated people. It is by no means sweet or light.
This story is ugly.
This story is complicated.
This story is emotional.
This story is tragic.
In short, this story is about being awkward.
Peregrine Storke is an artist with an odd sketchbook full of pictures she’s drawn since she was a child. It is a book full of strange sketches and awkward characters, for there is no better way to hide from bullying and life than to create a world of your own. With a stroke of her pencil, she has given life to a spectacled princess, a freckle-nosed king, a candy loving troll, a two-horned unicorn, and a graceless fairy.
At nineteen, Peregrine leaves her home, her sketchbook, and awkwardness behind. But what happens when something goes wrong in the world of Awkward? Trapped inside of her complex realm with the bully she thought to leave behind, Peregrine discovers there is nothing worse than falling for your own villain.

My Opinion:
I really enjoyed this Nook book. Its one in a million. Who isn't awkward? And I know I am more than others. This book looked like it was made for me. It was super cute. I could relate to all the characters, even the "made-up" ones. Peregrine seemed to suffer from a horrible childhood, which I couldn't fully relate to, but creating a whole world of art to escape to; that is what I understand. The inclusion of her bully  into the story was one of the best parts. The villain is a true real-life villain; that the world needs to slay. The book has a message to relay to people: It is okay to be awkward & that perfection is overrated. After reading the book, I felt all warm and bubbly inside. If you have low-self esteem or know someone who does, I think you should read this book. Same for if you don't. This is a book for all ages & everyone who is just a little awkward. Its a free Nook book from Barnes & Noble. What do you have to lose?


P.S. Please leave a comment below. I want to know what you think of this site. English not required.

The Loop

The Loop

Shandy Lawson

198 pages

Summary: Shandy Llwason's website (http://www.shandylawson.com/)

Ben and Maggie have met, fallen in love, and died together countless times. Over the course of two pivotal days—both the best and worst of their lives—they struggle again and again to resist the pull of fate and the force of time itself. With each failure, they return to the beginning of their end, a wild road trip that brings them to the scene of their own murders and into the hands of the man destined to kill them.

My Opinion:
Wow! This is book. It's wild. Fate can be so cruel. I've never read a book about a time loop before so this was really interesting. The dynamics and the explanation of a time loop was beautifully done. Maggie is my favorite character. Steve comes as a close second. I really liked this book, though I took forever to read it. It's been sitting in my room for weeks. This is the author's first book and I think he did a great job. I just was a little confused when the loops started over (it happened 3 times) and the point-of-view changed from Ben to Maggie. It seemed a little pointless since the only thing that really changed was how that person's feelings were described. Out of the point-of-view change came more light on Maggie's past. That was really enjoyable, though I think i would have liked a little bit more about her other loops. The ending was really cute, though it kinda does give off the vibe of possibly a sequel. I recommend others to read this book.

P.S. Please leave a comment below. It doesn't have to be in English. Constructive criticism is encouraged.

Wicked Lovely

 
Wicked Lovely
Melissa Marr
328 pages
Wicked Lovely

 Summary: Direct from Goodreads.com ("Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)." Goodreads. Web. 21 Mar. 2015.)

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost — regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Review:

Wicked Lovely had an interesting take on the world of faery. A search for the Summer Queen is basically what the whole book and backstory is about. Keenan was under a curse of centuries that makes him go on a search to find his one and only, though Aislinn already has her's (Seth). My favorite character was Seth. He is so enamored with Aislinn, indepndent, and such a great friend to have. The Winter Queen was such a villian. I really have no words for this book, besides that it was interesting. I predicted a portion of the ending. The world she created seemed different from the world of faery I have grown up on. I liked the sensory words Marr used to describe the faery's. I can see them in my mind's eye. This book is a part of the Wicked Lovely series. Im not sure yet if i want to read the rest of the series. The rest of the series tells a different portion of the story in another perspective. The only ones I would really cared about is Seth's and Donia. Enjoy if u will.

P.S. Leave comments or questions below.
P.P.S. Happy Easter & Passover! Enjoy

For the King

 
For the King
Kiera Carpenter
228 pages

 Summary: Direct from Smashwords ("For the King." Smashwords – – a Book by Kiera Carpenter. Web. 21 Mar. 2015.)

Shiloh was supposed to die. The assassins meant to kill the entire royal family that cold winter morning. They tried to kill her, of course. The Fallen couldn't allow the king and queen's only daughter to survive. But Shiloh's heart kept beating. Left to die in the dirt, she was spirited away to safety by a woman and her grandson, Aden.

Ten years later, Shiloh is no longer the girl she once was. Trained for combat and in the powerful position of having nothing left to lose, she is determined to join the Redemption army formed to oppose Orjak and his followers—a regime he proudly calls the Fallen. How else will Shiloh be granted access to the men who murdered her parents? She intends to return the favor.

When Shiloh hears that Redemption recruiters are passing through a nearby village, she sets out with Aden and their trainer to enlist. But they soon find that their journey won’t be so simple. As the three of them fight to survive the treacherous path to Headquarters, Shiloh begins to see that their pasts refuse to be forgotten. That their histories are intertwined in a way she never expected. That the time has come to confront her feelings for Aden.

But reaching their destination is only half the battle. When situations suddenly threaten to expose her true identity as the lost princess, Shiloh learns that her role in the Redemption will require a strength she’s not sure she possesses. And as war finally descends upon the realm, Shiloh may be forced to put aside her thirst for revenge to ensure the survival of her parent’s kingdom, and perhaps even save the boy who first saved her.

Review:

I liked this book. Shiloh had a strong spirit. She was very stubborn and a great a heroine. The friendship and loyalty she had for others was nice. The feelings and reactions of the characters were very realistic. The world the author created was original. I couldn't understand the geography of the world though. I really loved learning about the Guardians and the history of Aden. I knew he was a special boy. I would like to see a sequel. It would be interesting to see how this war pans out and to view these other realms.

P.S. Leave comments or questions please.

The Peculiars

 
The Peculiars
Maureen Doyle McQuerry
359 pages

Summary: Direct from Maureen Doyle McQuerry's website
 ("Maureen Mcquerry." Maureen Mcquerry. Web. 21 Mar. 2015.)

On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

Review:
The world this author created was wonderful, but overall the book was confusing. A lot of the background wasn't explained like certain words used. I would have liked to see pictures of the Peculiars.  I think there might be a message in the book as well about your heritage not shaping you (Lena's goblinissum). I wouldn't recommend this book to others as it didn't really resonate with me.

P.S. Leave comments or questions below.

The Dragon of Trelian

 

The Dragon of Trelian

Michelle Knudsen

407 pages

Summary: Michelle Knudsen's website
("Michelle Knudsen." THE DRAGON OF TRELIAN -. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.<http://www.michelleknudsen.com/the_dragon_of_trelian_93100.htm>.)

Calen is a mage’s apprentice with a problem: he’s not especially skilled at magic. Meg is a princess with a secret: she found an orphaned dragon in the forest. They never expected to become friends. But when Meg begins to feel the dragon in her mind, calling to her, Calen is the only one she can turn to for help. And now, just as Meg’s sister is preparing to marry an enemy prince to end a hundred-year war, Meg and Calen
discover a deadly plot against the royal family. Will Calen’s magic, Meg’s dragon, and their unlikely friendship be enough to save the kingdom of Trelian?

My Opinion:
This book was good. I really liked it. Something seemed different about it, in a I have to read it kind-of-way. I feel that you should read it. No other words can be spoken. The characters were a breath of fresh air. Meg was a great princess, my favorite type. I wish Jakkel could talk. It would make the adventures that much more exciting. There was some amount of waiting, chill time before the actual action started, so that may deter some of you. Not much of a review, I'm sorry. This book is a part of a trilogy. So far, I have read the first two books and both are I can't out them down type of books.

P.S. Leave a comment below.

Athena the Brain

Athena the Brain
Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
160 pages
Goddess Girls

Summary: Barnes and Noble's website  (Athena the Brain (Goddess Girls Series #1). (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/athena-the-brain-joan-holub/1100329703?ean=9781416982715#product-commentaries-1)

 In Athena the Brain, Athena always knew she was smart and special, but she didn’t realize that she was a goddess! When she’s whisked away to Mount Olympus Academy, she worries about fitting in and dealing with her dad (Zeus). Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls and finds the best friends she’s ever had.

Opinion:
Now I advise you this book is for younger children possibly eight years old to twelve years old. That does not mean that anyone can't read the book though. Your local librarian might just give you a few weird looks though. I have been waiting to read this book for years and I finally got it. The concept/plot is fairly cute. I loved how the author made the gods and goddesses interact with the mortals. Also, the mannerisms of the gods were spot on. (I'm a bit of a Greek mythology buff.) The concept of who Athena's mother is, was my favorite part to be honest. I've never heard anything about it (no spoilers). Athena herself resembled me in how she took on multiple projects at once and seemed to excel. A really cute read, and appropriate for all ages.

P.S. #Blackout #Blackout all week #March 6th

P.P.S. Leave a comment below. Rate my review or opinion (whatever you want to call it). Tell me what you think about it or even recommend some books. Thanks for stopping by.

Things Fall Apart

HAPPY END OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!! I had this really cool post for black history about John Lewis's book "March", but i accidentally deleted it. Oops. So here is my 2nd best on the classic book: Things Fall Apart. Just remember black history is 365 days a year (same for other people of color).

Now on to the book review:





Things Fall Apart
209 pages
Chinua Achebe

Summary: Amazon.com ("Robot Check." Robot Check. Web. 2 Mar. 2015. <http://www.amazon.com/Things-Fall-Apart-Chinua-Achebe/dp/0385474547>.)

Things Fall Apart tells two intertwining stories, both centering on Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first, a powerful fable of the immemorial conflict between the individual and society, traces Okonkwo’s fall from grace with the tribal world. The second, as modern as the first is ancient, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world with the arrival of aggressive European missionaries. These perfectly harmonized twin dramas are informed by an awareness capable of encompassing at once the life of nature, human history, and the mysterious compulsions of the soul.

My Opinion:

*Start Rant*
This is another school reading book. I wonder who decides what high schooler's should read. Wouldn't it be important to take their tastes and interests into consideration plus can they read the books before they make us read them.
*End Rant*

I really didn't like this book. Maybe because of the historical accuracy and the characters' demeaning perspective roles on women during that time. Okonkwo was not a person, I would admire or even say was the smartest. He made the dummiest decisions and was very impulsive. Everything else, the character backstories especially, was on point. It was a fascinating look into the times before and during European imperialism. I loved learning about the Ibo culture more. Interesting fact is that we are learning about European imperialism in AP World History. After a while, around the times the Europeans (British) came and started converting the Ibo people, I began to appreciate the book, though that still doesn't mean I like it. The ending I tell you is most surprising. Actually the entire book is just pages of surprises. I can see why it is regarded as a classic, but it will not be a book I highly recommend to others.

P.S. Please leave a comment below. Tell me how I am doing with this book review business. Am I helpful or not? Ciao for now! 

The Shadow of Blackbirds

 
The Shadow of Blackbirds
Cat Winters
387 pages

 Summary: Blackbirdsnovel.com ("IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters: About the Novel." IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters: About the Novel. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. <http://www.blackbirdsnovel.com/p/about-novel.html>.)

 In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Opinion:
Wow. That's pretty much all i thought about this book once it was down. It jammed so much history and mysticism into its 387 pages. I learned about the fever during 1918. I'm a huge American and world history buff but i haven't heard anything about a fever during that time. The pictures included at the beginning of each new part of the story helped move it along. It was the perfect horror mystery. I never would have guessed who  the blackbirds were, at least the non-predictable one. The book gave off a harsh reality, which I believed was able to correctly represent the horrors of that time. A good read, maybe not at night though.

P.S. Here's an example of a real spirit photo from the 1900's:


P.P.S. My reading bowl team did not place in the 2nd round so we were eliminated, but next year watch out.

P.P.P.S Leave a comment please. Too many people read this for no one, not to have an opinion they want to say to me.

The Shadow of Blackbirds

 
The Shadow of Blackbirds
Cat Winters
387 pages

 Summary: Blackbirdsnovel.com ("IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters: About the Novel." IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters: About the Novel. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. <http://www.blackbirdsnovel.com/p/about-novel.html>.)

 In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Opinion:
Wow. That's pretty much all i thought about this book once it was down. It jammed so much history and mysticism into its 387 pages. I learned about the fever during 1918. I'm a huge American and world history buff but i haven't heard anything about a fever during that time. The pictures included at the beginning of each new part of the story helped move it along. It was the perfect horror mystery. I never would have guessed who  the blackbirds were, at least the non-predictable one. The book gave off a harsh reality, which I believed was able to correctly represent the horrors of that time. A good read, maybe not at night though.

P.S. Here's an example of a real spirit photo from the 1900's:


P.P.S The Arabia Mountain High School Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team won 1st place today at the competition. We aint never won first before. We get to continue on to Regionals. GOOO RAMCATS!!!

The Unnaturalists

The Unnaturalists
Tiffany Trent
308 pages

Summary:Tiffany Trent's website ("Novels." TL Trent. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. <http://tiffanytrent.com/novels/>.) 

In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.
Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.
As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

My Opinion:
This book was confusing. I really didnt understand the different types of magical creatures or even the world the story takes place in. I needed more background information or at least a better explanation. Besides that and semi-slowness in the beginning, I enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting to say the least. Vespa seemed like a very revolutionary type of girl. I liked the part where they divulged her true history. Things did seem sketchy about her heritage and her mother. Now Praetor Lumpin's whole personality seemed sketchy. Something about him made me think he was keeping a secret from the rest of us. Lastly, Syrus was just plain annoying to me. I cannot say this book was a favorite or that I will definitely read the second book (The Tinker King), but I liked it enough to do a semi-positive review on it though..

P.s. The cover of the book is fabulous. It gives off such a steampunk vibe. I would wear that outfit to a costume party.

Please leave a comment. Good review or nah?

Of Triton

Of Triton
Anna Banks
246 pages
Sequel to Of Poseidon

Summary: Anna Banks MacMillan website (http://us.macmillan.com/oftriton/annabanks)

Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm. Syrena law states all Half-Breeds should be put to death.
As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance in the Syrena world turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

My Opinion:
I read this book a couple of days ago, so these are my thoughts once I had analyzed the book.

This book was cute at best. I liked how it ended the series and everything worked out nice in the end. Not much of a review here, but Emma and Galen's relationship gets put to the test. Plus the revolt that was brewing was pretty interesting. I think the Syrena government needs a little re-arranging.The Archives and Elders don't seem to be working. Emma's mom, Niala, and Grom's  have been reunited, but I feel their story why this whole misunderstanding happened many years before was pretty stetchy. I also wanted them to do more in the story instead of being mushy gushy. They seemed to take a back-seat to the whole story, though it was mostly due to their past decisions. Then this rescue mission was okay at bet, I felt that it could have gone better.I liked it, but it wasnt anything amazing.I feel like the author Anna Banks could have done so much better with this book, but it feel flat.  It may or may not have also meet up to the standards of the first. Read it if you have read the first, but Im not sure how I feel at the moment of completely recommending them both.

Please leave a comment below. Was this review helpful or nah?

Kin

Kin
Holly Black & Ted Naiteh
117 pages
The Good Neighbors

Summary: Holly Black's Webiste ("Kin (Good Neighbors #1) - Holly Black." Kin (Good Neighbors #1) - Holly Black. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. <http://blackholly.com/books/kin-good-neighbors-1/>.)

Rue Silver’s mother has disappeared . . . and her father has been arrested, suspected of killing her. But it’s not as straightforward as that. Because Rue is a faerie, like her mother was. And her father didn’t kill her mother — instead, he broke a promise to Rue’s faerie king grandfather, which caused Rue’s mother to be flung back to the faerie world. Now Rue must go to save her — and must also defeat a dark faerie that threatens our very mortal world.

Opinion:
This book was confusing and interesting to say the least. It was confusing a little bit with the storyline. I understood the gist of it, but everything else went over my head. It was interesting well since the story is about fairies. I didn't really understand Rue as well. She was a mystery character to me, though technically Rue is the protagonist. This book was not a fav. I most likely am not going to continue reading the rest of the series, but if you do read them I want spoilers in the comments please.

The Shadow Society

 
The Shadow Society
Marie Rutkoski
408 pages
 
Summary: Macmillan publishing website ( "The Shadow Society | Marie Rutkoski | Macmillan." Macmillan. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. <http://us.macmillan.com/theshadowsociety/marierutkoski>.)

Darcy Jones doesn’t remember anything before the day she was abandoned as a child outside a Chicago firehouse. She has never really belonged anywhere—but she couldn’t have guessed that she comes from an alternate world where the Great Chicago Fire didn’t happen and deadly creatures called Shades terrorize the human population.
Memories begin to haunt Darcy when a new boy arrives at her high school, and he makes her feel both desire and desired in a way she hadn’t thought possible. But Conn’s interest in her is confusing. It doesn’t line up with the way he first looked at her.
As if she were his enemy.
When Conn betrays Darcy, she realizes that she can’t rely on anything—not herself, not the laws of nature, and certainly not him. Darcy decides to infiltrate the Shadow Society and uncover the Shades’ latest terrorist plot. What she finds out will change her world forever . . .

Opinion:
I  loved this book. The Shadow Society was so full of syfy, mystery, love, and tears.  It was hugely original and one of a kind.  The characters,, or at least the best friends were mildly refreshing as well. Darcy was cool too, but she had one flaw and that was Conn. Darcy suffered from typical predictable love interest syndrome. Sadly, there was no antidote. I liked the Shades most of all. The whole mystery surrounding them is interesting. Marie Rutkoski created this whole world parallel to ours and I loved it. She did a great job of crafting it. Only thing is I wished I understood the different type of energy she had that world using a little bit better. A must read. I definitely wasn't bored with this one. I would read it again.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It's 2015. A year of opportunities!! I hope you have a great year!
~Chante

The Blood of Olympus

  
The Blood of Olympus
Rick Riordan
516 pages
Heroes of Olympus

Summary: Rick Riordan's website ("The Blood of Olympus - Heroes of Olympus: The Online World of Rick Riordan." The Blood of Olympus - Heroes of Olympus: The Online World of Rick Riordan. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/heroes-of-olympus/The-Blood-of-Olympus.aspx>.)

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them, and they’re stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake. The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance
Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be able to stop a war between the two camps. The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea’s army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

My Opinion:
This book. OMG! The series is over. It just killed me, never saw this happening. Get ready for Spoilers ahead. I have to talk with people about this.






Words I've spoken to a friend about the book. She compared the book to what James Patterson did with the last Maximum Ride book (the James Patterson). This is my response.

• "It was awesome. I didnt see the James Patterson resemblance besides the Leo thing, but that was a cool sweet ending. And Nico needed to get it in with Will. "
• "It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. Like James Patterson's ending had me mad, this one had me satisfied with like he had a few loose ends. And now Ricky is doing Asgard. Bruh I'm not ready for Loki bae"

Now on to our regularly scheduled programming. I really liked this book. Most of the plot loose ends from other books were resolved. Some things like Leo being thought as dead needs to be resolved though. Ricky needs to do a short story to let the gang meet back up together again. I would love that.

These Percy Jackson books have been life to me. I look forward to each October when a new part of the series is unlocked. Now that story of my life is over. I cant wait though when  Rick Riordan does a new series on a new part of mythology (I hope Norse: Loki is fav or even Native American and Spanish). Only time will tell.




 

Siege and Storm

 

Siege and Storm

Leigh Bardugo

435 pages

The Grisha Trilogy

Summary: Leigh Bardugo's website ("Leigh Bardugo: Author of The Grisha Trilogy: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising." LeighBardugo. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://www.leighbardugo.com/siegeandstorm/>.)

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

My Opinion:
This book was just on 100. So much happened in its little 435 pages. I couldn't possibly keep up. There were lots of suprises in its pages. The characters were okay, but Alina and Mal got on my nerves. They were so stubborn and crazy. Now this book isnt on my top ten, twenty, or even thirty. It wasn't bad, but I felt that it could have been so much more. I do recommend reading it, but it is not a must read.  I will continue to read the series though; I need to know what happens.

Orleans

 
Orleans
Sherri L. Smith
324 pages

Synopsis: Sherri Smith's website ( "Orleans, A Young Adult Novel by Sherri L. Smith." Sherri L. Smith {writer}. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://www.sherrilsmith.com/books_main4.htm>.)

After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct…but in reality, a new primitive society has been born. Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen soon meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Navigating the Orleans wilderness, they form an unlikely bond and, in the end, may be each other’s last hope for survival.

Summary:
Wise words before you read this book. Don't have any predictions about the book, because it revels in the unexpected. I never would have thought most of the events would have happened before i first started reading it. Orleans is a really good book. I liked all the characters, especially Fen. Every single one had great character development and back-stories. I didn't want to change a thing, well maybe some parts in the ending and some stupid things Daniel did. Sometimes I wanted to knock some sense into Daniel. He certainly needed it. Orleans is a great book, a must read. I only wish this was a series.

P.S. Sorry for the long hiatus. I should be back to my every weekend posts now. I promise. Non-girl scout's honor.
 
P.P.S. Orleans is a Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl book. 

P.P.S Helen Ruffin died November 22, 2014. We have lost a great lady. Rest in peace.
P.P.P.S.  MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!