Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Title: Starters
Author: Lissa Price
Published March 13th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Goodreads | Amazon
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There’s too many books out there about old people wanting to take over young people’s bodies, and it’s starting to freak me out. (For exemple, I can recall the ‘Airhead’ series by Meg Cabot) But anyway, we’re talking about ‘Starters’ here.

So the deal is, all adults have been killed by the Spore Wars, which was a war –duh- that used some kind of virus that cause the deaths of the middle-aged population, which means only the kids and the grandparents are left. And grandpas have became sort of inmortal but not really, they age but really slow so they are coming up with ways to enjoy the prime of their lives again.

aww I love seniors!

So this company invented a way to make it happen and now old people can “rent” the bodies of those young, unprotected minors who need money to survive. And Callie needed it for her brother who is young and sick. But something goes wrong and now Callie and her renter are connected, both of them in the same body, and the renter wants Callie to help her uncover the real evilness behind the company.

This leads Callie to meet Blake, and that people, is where my problems started. I absolutely hate insta-love, H-A-T-E it. And there’s not other way to describe this relationship, so that bugged me. But it doesn’t even come close to the rage fit I had at the end of this book, when the truth behind “the relationship” gets out. I wish I could say I wanted Callie to end up with the other one, Michael, the best friend, but both male characters were so incredibly bland that I just wanted them to get the heck out of the book.

DÉJÀ VU: People were not kidding when they compared this book to The Hunger Games. But it was too Hunger Gameish for my taste, really Callie had a different personality than Katniss but most of her actions and the situations she was thrown into, mimic (almost to perfection) the ones that Katniss went through. Just to name some examples: Callie has a best friend that comes from the same background and who might have feelings for her, but (of course) there’s another boy, and she has to choose. (-.-) Also, Sara was the Rue of this book, little girl befriends the heroine then gets killed for helping her out (-.-‘).

I am really sorry but what I am about to say but I have to be honest: I think the relationship between Blake and Callie was waaaay unbelievable (to put it nicely). I can’t explain without spoiling you but REALLY?! I will just say that after I finish the book I kept thinking I would find a way to get back all the time I invested reading their stupid relationship.

But even though I seem to have a lot of complains about this book, even though so much about it bugged me to infinity and beyond, I cannot say it was a bad book. It was well-written, and had its moments were I’d be all surprised or curious. Perhaps the sequel will be better; I certainly hope so, because it has potential. And some parts of it were really good and it’s certainly not a boring read, it moved fast enough to make me –queen of abandoning books- finish it, so yes I would recommend it for sure, who knows what bothered me might not bother you at all!

By the way. I adore the book trailers for this book! it's amazing and so true to the story!

Waiting on Wednesday: What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

WoW is weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT by Colleen Clayton

How can you talk about something you can't remember?
Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy "Sid" Murphy was a cheerleader, a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she's thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid - including a lock of her perfect red curls - and she can't remember any of it.

Back home and alienated by her friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey "The Living Stoner" Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.

Humorous and thoughtful, Colleen Clayton's stunning debut is a moving exploration of one girl's triumph over tragedy

Goodreads | Amazon

I adore the sound of this book, I love stories where previously "perfect" girl goes through some though stuff that changes her way of living. And I particularly adore the sweet, outcast boy that always helps them.

 

 

So yeah I'm sold on Ms Clayton's story, and for the looks of it, the whole funny and deep combination, it is set to be amazing!

The Hunger Games Movie... awesome or boresome?

I think it's safe to say that, hmm, pretty much everyone who has read the books, really loved the movie. I did, I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and think it did a good job of transforming an amazing book into a fairly good movie (although what's with the shaking camera? I got so dizzy, and I am sorry to say but Jennifer Lawence is so not Katniss) but nevertheless I still want to see it again (the art was amazing! straight out of my head)

my face all through the movie

So anyway, I really thought the movie started off amazing, I was really into it as soon as they showed Distric 12 and it looked exactly like I thought it would, but then I overheard this guy a few rows down:

"Hey, how come all those people are dressed in rags and Katniss has a really nice leather jacket?"

true that! O:

So yeah they missed that, and it definitely made Katniss' part less believable, but WHO CARES?! GIMME MORE!...

*movie continues*

ABSULUTELY LOVED all Gale/Katniss parts

I'm really excited and I'm really paying attention and suddenly...

*MASSIVE YAWN*

What?! who did that?!... so I look around and EVERYONE was like either yawning or chatting with their friends, or mocking Peeta's chin D:

That made me sad, I wish everyone had liked it as much as I did; was it because maybe the movie version wasn't very clear?

take my mother for exemple, she agreed to go with me because I've been telling her about the book ever since I read it in 2008 and it's grown on her, and I saw that she was trying to get into the movie but sometimes she would look so bored ):

at the end she told me she loved it but some parts were confusing, like why was Katniss so fond of Rue if she've only known her for a day? and where did the tributes got the mines? and how come Rue survived for so long after she was wounded so bad, and what does the three-fingered signal mean?; minor (or major) details that people who have not read the books might have not find clear.

But at the end, I hope most people were satisfied (my mom was, she says she can't wait for Catching Fire) and I didn't hear any more complains between the people there ;)

so what did you think? have you read the books? was the movie confusing to you?

Waiting on Wednesday: Waiting

WoW is weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)

WAITING
by Carol Lynck Williams

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

After her brother’s death, a teen struggles to rediscover love and find redemption in this gripping novel.
Growing up, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Was it London’s fault?
Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.

Show Less

 Goodreads | Amazon

I am so freaking excited for this book. Sounds like something I would love.

And even though I'm not that into sad books, this one is more on the recovery side I think

PS. What an ironic title ;)

Review: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Title: The sky is everywhere

Author: Jandy Nelson

Published March 9th 2010 by Dial (first published March 1st 2010)

Goodreads | Amazon

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since this books is supposed to become a movie somewhen this year (starring Selena Gomez, ugh) I thought I'd post my review of it:

Although I had HIGH expectations for this one, and I still think it doesn't live up to the hype, I found myself smiling as I read the last words. And it's because despite of it all, I think... I kind of enjoyed some parts.

But the characters, oh the characters, I didn't get them (no wait, I did get Joe, I think he's awesome) even though they were very three-dimensional, (I'm talking about Lennie here) I just couldn't swallow her, to me she was just a pathetic, little selfish brat with no life or personality at all.

But she kind of makes up for her flaws in the 2nd half, but everything about her bothered me in the first half, to the point that I couldn't believe a guy as perfect as Joe, would ever fall for someone like her.

Just as much as I didn't believe she really loved Joe, how could she love someone if she didn't know herself?, she didn't know who she was, she didn't know where she was going, she didn't know ANYTHING. And I hate it when a girl just goes out with a boy because he's there *cough* Katniss/Peeta *cough*. That was kind of the case here, we see Lennie making out with her dead sister's boyfriend because she feels they're the only ones who are feeling the same right now -barfs-. That plotline was so sick I would never get it, I mean if my beloved sister just died, making out (much less with her fiance) will be the last thing on my mind. But I guess horny teenagers cannot be changed, even through tough times.

But the romance in part 2 was good, and that was what made me finish this book (but I must confess I skipped a lot of paragraphs, if they didn't have the word 'Joe' on them I just went pass them) because Joe, the fiance's little brother, was the cutest thing in this book.

So, needless to say I'm not a big fan of it, but I'll try Jandy Nelson again if she publishes something in the future.

Waiting On Wednesday: MEANT TO BE

WoW is weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)

MEANT TO BE by Lauren Morril

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

goodreads | amazon

The first time I read this book's description I went like this:

I swear.

It is just my kind of book, romantic, contemp, opposites attract, etc, etc.
My heart swells with so many emotions... I can't even... let's make a list:

- Straight A girl

- Class clown boy

- school trip to London

- TRUE LOVE

I wish I could express how excited I am. November 13th please get here soon!

I MUST HAVE THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS

Cover Reveal: My Super Sweet 16th Century by Rachel Harris

We got another awesome cover reveal today. This time for an awesome sounding contemp/paranormal book called My Super Sweet 16th Century. Don't judge me but I kind of enjoy those Sweet Sixteen shows on MTV. I always end up loosing strands of hair that I pull out myself while watching those, but I continue watching them so that tells you something.

But somehow I don't think this book will put me in the same situation. Check it out.

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Goodreads | Amazon


And the author also gave us an excerpt to make us excited for it:

Alessandra jerks back like I just suggested she prance around the square naked or something. “No! I believe I understand your meaning, and Lorenzo is certainly not my suitor. He is like a brother to me—the three of us grew up together.”

She resumes walking and I fall in step beside her, understanding there has to be more to the story. And as we near the end of the row, I finally ask, “If you’re not into the guy, then what’s the problem?”

At that same moment, a rich, deep chuckle hits my ears. My stomach involuntarily clenches and my gaze sharpens on the back of this mysterious Lorenzo.

Alessandra sighs. “That is the problem.” She places her hand on my arm and solemnly looks me in the eyes. “You must be careful. Lorenzo is beautiful, and it is not uncommon for a girl to walk away from meeting him with a piece of her heart left behind. But he is just eighteen, and not yet ready for marriage.”

I roll my eyes and laugh, then realize she’s serious. “Yeah, I assure you, there’s no danger on my end. I’m not exactly looking for marriage myself.” Because that would be crazy-town.

Alessandra wrinkles her nose as if she doesn’t believe me, but she removes her hand. We close the distance and Cipriano flashes me an open, honest to goodness, lighthearted smile.

“Lorenzo, this is the cousin I was telling you about.”

Slowly the guy turns and I fall head first into the richest chocolate-brown eyes I’ve ever seen. He blinks and long, luscious lashes feather across his bronzed cheeks. I can feel myself gawking, but I physically can’t drag my eyes away. Lorenzo doesn’t smirk or act all conceited, either. He simply stares back, his eyes casually skimming over me, causing my skin to warm and break out in a whole body tingle.

Time seems to stop, and the sounds of the market mute. Alessandra was right. This boy is beautiful.

And he’s looking at me.

Completely Contemporary Challenge Update

Remember CCC? I realized I haven't been really "participating", I mean I've been reading a lot of contemps but I forgot to keep track of it, so I'll do it now that I have a bit of time...

Just to keep up with the titles, I'm making a list of the books I've already read :D

So, the goal is:

3 contemporary books published in 2010:

- On the Jellicoe Road

-

-

5 contemporary books published in 2011:

- The Vincent Boys

- The One that I Want

-

-

-

10 contemporary books published in 2012:

- The Statistical Probability of Love at Fist Sight

- Don't Breathe a Word

- Bittersweet

- Graffiti Moon

- Virtuosity

- Such a Rush

- Something like Normal

- Pushing the Limits

- My Life Next Door

- In Honor

Extras:
- A Charmed Life re-published 2012
- Meant To Be published 2012
- A Girl Named Digit published 2012
- The Waiting Sky published 2012

*click on titles to see the reviews :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Earth Girl

WoW is  weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking The Spine in which bloggers can share books they're excited to get soon :)

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If you've read my 'about me' page, you know that one of my absolute obsessions is the universe. I love everything about it: the stars, the planets, the galaxies, EVERYTHING.

So obviously, I would immediately add any YA book that somehow includes descriptions of the unknown intergalactical space we can only imagine.

BUT I would especially add it if it sounds as amazing as this one! It has the universe and, if that weren't enough, it also comes out on my birthday! August 16th aka BEST DAY EVER.

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

2788. Only the handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else portals between worlds, 18-year-old Jarra is among the one in a thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, she has been abandoned by her parents. She can’t travel to other worlds, but she can watch their vids, and she knows all the jokes they make. She’s an ‘ape’, a ‘throwback’, but this is one ape girl who won’t give in.

Jarra invents a fake background for herself – as a normal child of Military parents – and joins a class of norms that is on Earth to excavate the ruins of the old cities. When an ancient skyscraper collapses, burying another research team, Jarra’s role in their rescue puts her in the spotlight. No hiding at back of class now. To make life more complicated, she finds herself falling in love with one of her classmates – a norm from another planet. Somehow, she has to keep the deception going.

A freak solar storm strikes the atmosphere, and the class is ordered to portal off-world for safety – no problem for a real child of military parents, but fatal for Jarra. The storm is so bad that the crews of the orbiting solar arrays have to escape to planet below: the first landing from space in 600 years. And one is on collision course with their shelter.

Goodreads | Amazon

Blog Tour: The Sphinx Project.

Hi there people. Today I have a very especial guest post by Kate Hawkings, author of The Spinx Project, the first book in a new dystopian trilogy, that sounds uh... AMAZING!

But don't take my word for it, check it out yourselves:

The Sphinx Project

Not many people can say their entire existence has been one big lab experiment: poked and prodded by scientists, genetically modified to be the best and endure the worst, subjected to daily tests and trials that would kill a normal human. All Michaela wants is her own life, to be able to go to school, flirt with boys, maybe eat ice cream now and then. So when the chance to escape finally comes, Michaela and her sister grab it, taking their friends with them.

But they weren't the only ones to find their way out of those labs. Following close behind are another breed of creature, one that doesn't know the difference between right and wrong, who exist only to feed their own hunger. The appearance of a strange boy who seems too much like them to be a coincidence makes things even more confusing. But as the world begins to literally fall apart around them, Michaela must accept his help, especially when she could lose the very thing she holds dearest: her sister.

Goodreads | Amazon

See? I told you it sounded great! and Now we have the guest post.

I asked Kate to write about something I'm sure we are all concerned: time managment. I'm sure 90% of book bloggers/avid readers want to someday get published and be a full time author, but while that happens, we need to learn to work around our daily schedules.

So here's how Kate does it (she's only 22 years old! btw):

Time management

It only seems fitting that, for a blog about time management, I'm writing this at the very last moment. With the book release, my real job, another manuscript due to my editor, searching for a new job and all of the little bits and pieces that make life more complicate, it feels like I have no time at all.

Until now, I've been one of the lucky ones, in the fact that I only work part time. When I first started writing I worked four hours a day at a book store, and now I do shifts in a nightclub. Both of these jobs have allowed me to basically treat writing as my full-time occupation. The thing is, for the last year and a half, my life has been nothing but writing. If I'm not at work, I'll be sitting on my laptop. There is a never-ending stream of things that need to be done, and it seems like I'm never any closer to climbing on top of it all.

I can be at my laptop for anything between eight and sixteen hours at a time, day after day. Usually it's at the upper end of the range. I sleep very little, and exercise even less. Both of which have been important factors in my life until recently.

The most difficult thing has been managing my relationships. It's hard balancing the deadlines and insane hours I need to finish the projects, with the time I should to be spending with my boyfriend. In the beginning, he seemed to think it was just a phase that would soon pass. But now, I think he's becoming sick of it. It has been especially tense in the last month as I have to spend more and more time promoting The Sphinx Project and preparing to submit The Gilded Blade to my editor. There is also the friend aspect. In the last three years we have uprooted and moved three times. I have difficulty meeting new people in the best circumstances, but my writing has just given me more of an excuse to abstain from the actual going out to meet people phase.

I'll be clear: I'm not complaining. Although I didn't quite know what I was getting into when I first started writing, it very quickly became apparent. I could have just stopped. I could have gone and figured out something else I could do with me life. But I didn't, and I won't. This is what I want to be doing. I have goals and dreams, which I'm willing to strive for even if it makes life tough for a while.

In another few months I'll hopefully be able to slow down a bit, but for now it feels like I'm constantly playing catch-up. I really should have prepared more books for publication before I released The Sphinx Project so I could send them out into the world at intervals, not losing momentum. I can't wait to sleep properly again, join an ice hockey team, and go on date nights with Andrew. And when I finally get to do it, it's going to be so much sweeter.

About the author

For as long as I can remember books have been a huge part of my life.

My début novel The Sphinx Project, the first novel of the Chimaera Chronicles, is to be released on December first. The Sphinx Project is the first in the series featuring Michaela, a genetically engineered young woman. Created to become the perfect weapon Michaela, along with her sister and friends, escapes the labs in which they were created. They must protect themselves from the scientists and their other 'experiments', whilst discovering who they really are in a world they don't know, which seems to be spiralling out of control.

Blog  | Twitter

Cover reveal: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Hola, amigos! ;)

today I'm participating on the cover reveal of Pretty Amy, a debut contemporary novel by Lisa Burstein. You know how much I love contemps, aaaaaand, I just adore the sound of this book so I had to join the excitement!

So without further ado, I present you the fabulous cover and synopsis:

Pretty Amy

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she's somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx, Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating rehabilitation techniques now filling up her summer.

Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it's worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Goodreads | Pre-order at Amazon | Pre-order at B&N

People, people, people. DON'T YOU LOVE THIS COVER?!

I do! I think it's so cool how she's in full prom attire while in jail! looks awesome, and blue is my favorite color, I would have loved to wear blue for prom :/...

Speaking of prom, Lisa (who is so cool and funny) will be hosting a Worst Prom Photo contest in the weeks leading up to AMY's release on May 15. And what better way to get people to join that sharing her own Prom Pic:

About the Author

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

She is still a lot like Amy.

Lisa's  Twitter | Blog | Facebook

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Published November 15th 2011 by Harper/HarperCollins

Goodreads | Amazon
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I’m having a hard time reviewing this book. When I love a book it’s real easy, when I hate a book it’s even easier, but when a book it’s just so-so I struggle.

It was not a bad book, about 1/3 in I was starting to get into the story but before that it was just a little too slow-paced for me. I mean I liked where it was coming from (Juliette is locked away because she accidentally killed someone with her bare hands) and were it was going (after almost 3 years of being alone she finally gets a cellmate and it casually turns out to be her elementary school crush). Interesting stuff, yet to get to know this, it took like 100 pages. I liked Juliette from sentence 1, but then at sentence 2 I was bored of her already, she was all “I’m so bad, my touch is evil, I hate myself, I’m so lonely, I want to see the birds, I want to see the outside world…” blah blah blah

It was good writing and I’m sure a lot of people loved the poeticness of it all, but I really don’t like it when the narrative drags on banal stuff not that important for the plot. Just take me to the action as soon as possible, please.

Now, leaving that out the book wasn’t so bad. I liked the storyline even though I’ve never been into X-Men stuff. You know Juliette has a superpower, and there might be other people who have superpowers too, so that was cool. The characters were my favorite part, although some of their actions and capacities were awfully convenient for the time/place if I say so myself.

I also didn’t like the potential love triangle, I'll kill the sequel if it dares to go there, -cause it will mean that either Juliette is pretty stupid messed up or the author thinks I’m stupid and will try to convince me for something I’m completely inconvincible of (but I don’t think so, Tahereh seems like a nice lady, I vote for option #1).

Now that I re-read this review I realize it doesn’t sound like I liked this book much, but I did. Believe me, if not, I wouldn’t have finished it. I haven’t read many GOOD dystopians but this is one of the best.