In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox (8)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at the Story Siren, a book blogger that I think all bloggers look up to. In my mailbox not only explores what books that you got in your mailbox, but books that you have gotten from anywhere like the ones you bought or borrowed from the library. It lets the readers know what possible books may be coming up with the blogger's reviews.
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This week was a rare week. I actually got books! My Wal-Mart was havign their anniversary sale and the books were on an amazing deal! Depending on the book, you could get 2 for $15, 2 for $20, or 2 for $30! I couldn't pass it up! Especially for what books I got! I basically got four books! For twenty bucks!


I love Ellen Hopkins books, and I love that they are written in verse, because I have not read a lot of books that are written in verse, so when I found Ellen's books, I was so excited. I have read Crank and Glass, and I loved them, so I can't wait to see if Impulse has the same effect on me. I am currently reading Impulse now, and so far i am not getting into it as much as I got into Crank and Glass, but I am giving it a chance, just a very slow chance! I hope I can have is done as soon as possible, though.


I was told by somebody that I should read this series so when I saw it I picked it up and ran to the cash! I didn't want anybody else to have it! It was MINE!

Anyways, that is all for In My Mailbox this week! What did you get in yours?

Vampires... do they really suck?

Vampires... do they really suck?

I will probably really be giving the third degree here. I just thought that I would try something new and exciting.

Vampires Suck. A movie made to make fun of the highly acclaimed and popular Twilight Saga. My friends had this movie on DVD and we had been talking for ages about watching it all together, although they had already seen it. One night, we actually sat down and watched the movie.

Vampires Suck. Let's start off with the title. Do you know how unnatural that sounds? Say it out loud. Vam-pires Su-ck. I keep wanting to say Vampires Sucks. I have no idea why, but I keep wanting to say Vampires Sucks.

Before I watched this movie, I was expecting to have a movie that was more like a movie that was unintentionally than a movie that was like laugh... NOW or something like that. I really didn't know that Vampires Suck was going to be one of those movies.

As you can tell, this movie wasn't at all what I expected. Not at all. I guess some movies you are really going to like, and some movies... not so much.

So, if you have seen Vampires Suck, what did you think of it? All opinions are welcome. If you didn't see it, tell me why not. I would love to hear you third degree!

Until next time...

Beastly by Alex Flinn

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly.

Released: October 1st, 2007
Published by: HarperTeen
Series: -
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Page Amount: 300

Plot 10/10
Likable Characters 9/10
Problem Development 10/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 10/10
Character Development 10/10
Cover 10/10
Setting 10/10
Ending 10/10
Beginning 9/10
=
98%

BEASTLY is the modern re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, told in the Beast’s point of view. It was interesting to read it with the point of view not of the person who falls in love with the beast. But, I will admit, what made me pick up this novel recently in the book store was that the movie is being released in March and I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie, and I didn’t want to get the movie cover. Overall, I am very impressed with this novel.

This plot is unlike any other plot that I have ever read. I have never read a modern re-telling of another famous novel or story, so I honestly can say that I didn’t know what to expect at all.

Kyle, or Adrian, in the majority of this novel, is a very likeable character. It’s just the behaviour that he showed in the first little bit of this novel, he was nothing but a stuck-up, rich snob.

I like how the problem developed during this novel. It didn’t go too fast, or too slow. I just didn’t like that it went BAM, right into the problem, but I guess that is what happen, and I can’t do anything about it.

I LOVED the solution in this novel, so solution effectiveness struck high in this book. I can’t give too much away, since I could go on and on about how much I loved the ending of this novel, but all I can say is that it was truly amazing and I think Kyle got what he deserved in the end.

Flinn’s writing style is not like any other book that I have ever read. I loved the internet chats with Mr. Anderson from a sudden changes group online, I think that it was an amazing element that Flinn pulled into this already amazing writing style. I liked how it was simple, and it seemed as if a real teenage boy had actually said what Flinn wrote for Kyle to say. It just felt very realistic to me, as if Kyle was telling me the story personally. I really love when a author does that, and it usually makes me love that certain novel. This is defiantly not an exception.

I was truly amazed of how Kyle grew up in this novel, so character development is one of the most favourite things about this novel. I can’t tell too much about it, because that would give away too much about the novel, I’ll just say that if you are a sucker for amazing character development, this novel is defiantly for you.

I personally think that this cover is absolutely beautiful, and it is one of my favourites. I think that it is just simple and elegant, and is an amazing way to define what this novel is all about, like all covers should.

I love that this novel was set in upstate New York City, because although New York is a very populated city, I have not read many books that are set there. It was a nice refresher for me, since all novels are set in in small towns and the protagonists are always typical small town kids that want to break out from their town to do something big. This novel was a nice refresher to me.

Like I said about the solution effectiveness, I loved the ending for this novel. I think that it was all what Kyle deserved in the end.

The beginning of this novel started off a little slow in the first couple of pages, but quickly picked up within a few sentences.

I am very impressed with Alex Flinn, and I will be reading her other novels, because I truly did love BEASTLY, and I can’t wait to see the movie and see how they portrayed BEASTLY’S awesomeness.

In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, a book blogger who I think every minor blogger looks up to. IMM explores what bloggers not only recives via their mailbox, but books that you bought or books you got for review, for example. It is a great way for readers to know what books bloggers got in their mailboxes.

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Sadly, my mailbox was very lonely this whole week. I did take a trip up to my local Chapters, but struck out as far as getting books. But, I guess I have enought books to read that are still sitting on my bookshelf, waiting for me to pick them up.

Well, that was week 7 of in my mailbox, I am Sierra with The Reading Chic, and what did you get in you mailbox this week? I would love to know!

In My Mailbox (6)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, a book blogging guru who I think all minor bloggers look up to. IMM lets readers explore what other readers got in their mailboxes and add new books to their to-read lists. IMM not only explores what readers received via their mailbox but also books you have bought, borrowed from the libaray, borrowed from a friend... ect, the list can go on and on.



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I know I have been gone for awhile, but I am back, and yes I am fully aware that this is really late and that I should have done this on Sunday. But, here you go. IMM time.



By the way, yes, I did get books in my mailbox this week! I am so excited!



Drum roll please! *hears crickets*



I am not going to share the summary, because it does give away a lot for people who have not read the Hunger Games Trilogy. (By the way, if you haven't, you really should.) I am not going to risk the chance of somebody seeing this who hasn't read them before and them getting really mad at me because I spoiled them. I really don't want that to happen.

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I know, it is not a lot this week, but most weeks I don't get anything so I'll take what I can get. I guess that is all you can do, eh?

So, this is Sierra from the Reading Chic, this is the sixth week of In My Mailbox, what did you get in yours?

Author Interview with Julie Kagawa!

Hey guys, I have a new interview for you guys! This time, Julie Kagawa, the author of the Iron Fey Series, was nice enough to answer a few questions for me, so, Iron King fans, I hope you enjoy.

*Warning, some of the things included in this interview is placed under the category of spoilers. Please, I warn you, if you don't want to know what happens, please do not continue reading this interview.*


What was your inspiration to write, The Iron King?


Faeries, the old, ancient fey, not the glittery winged sprites, have always fascinated me. But I wanted to write a book that was different than other faery books. So I began thinking: what are the fey afraid of? The answer, in most ancient mythos, is iron. Faeries can't stand the touch of iron and steel. So, what if there was a new type of fey that had evolved with progress over the years? What if they weren't only immune to iron, their existence was slowly poisoning and corrupting the lands of the traditional fey? And I realized we already have “monsters” in machines: gremlins, bugs, viruses, ect. And from that thought, the Iron fey were born.




2. How long did it take you to write The Iron King?


A little less then two months. I did the first draft for NaNo WriMo, where you have to write 50,000 words in 30 days.


3. How long did it take you to write The Iron Daughter?


A bit longer then Iron King, about 5 months.


4. In your own words, summarize The Iron King.


A young girl must rescue her brother from faeries. Along the way, she discovers her own faery heritage, falls in love with a dark prince of the Unseelie court, and faces an ancient evil bent on destroyed everything she now holds dear.

5. Other than the Iron Fey series, are there any other novels you would like to write?


At the moment, I'm getting ready to start a new series about vampires. After that, who knows?


6. All the covers of the Iron Fey series are beautiful. Did you have any say in the cover of these novels?


Lol, my only input when I saw the covers were “ooh, pretty!” and that was about it.


7. Why did you pick the name Megan for you main character?


I was going through a baby name site for a name for my protagonist. None of them seemed to fit until I came upon “Meghan” and thought: that's perfect.


8. What is your favourite colour?


Black.


9. How long was the publishing cycle for you?


About 18 months. That's how long it took from the time Harlequin Teen made the offer, to see The Iron King on the shelves. It seems like a long time, but its actually pretty normal.


10. What was your biggest dream when you started writing?


To be published. To walk into a store and see my book on the shelves. Guess you can say I'm living the dream now.


11. What gave you the idea for the Iron that the Megan is immune to but the faeries are not?


In most myths and legends, faeries have a weakness to cold iron. As a half-human, Meghan is protected from those effects.


12. Thank you so much for the interview. One last question, what is your biggest advice for aspiring authors?


Persist, persist, persist. Keep writing, and never give up.

Thank you so much, Julie! I had so much fun thinking up questions to ask you. I can't wait to read the Iron Daughter.

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren with some insperation by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. It explores what readers have recived not only via your mailbox but you have recived for review, bought, borrowed from a friend or borrowed from the library. It lets readers explore new boks that they may not have heard of other wise.

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Again, no books in my mailbox this week, sadly. I will have books next week, though, because my dad promised to buy me Mockingjay if I didn't find it at Wal-Mart, which, obviously I didn't. But, for now, I am Sierra from The Reading Chic, this was week five of my In My Mailbox, what did you get in your Mailbox?

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

*To avoid any spoilers, please do not continue reading this review until you have read: The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols.*

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can't wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wake boarding and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she's always been just one of the guys. Now that she's turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that's not going to happen—not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori's romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

Released: May 25th 2010
Published by: Simon Pulse
Series: Endless Summer, 2
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Page Amount: 270

Plot 10/10
Likable Characters 9/10
Problem Development 10/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 9/10
Character Development 10/10
Cover 10/10
Setting 10/10
Ending 10/10
Beginning 10/10
=
98%

I didn’t like ENDLESS SUMMER and much as I liked THE BOYS NEXT DOOR. I still loved ENDLESS SUMMER, but I guess that I didn’t like it as much was because Adam wasn’t in it as much as I would have liked him to be.

Like for the plot of THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, I loved the plot for ENDLESS SUMMER. I love the whole idea of being on the lake all summer, and I have been growing up going to my trailer on the lake and living there all summer long, so I really connected with the plot of it thoroughly.

Again, a point for likable characters were knocked off because of really disliked characters. Like the first book, Lori was very annoying at times, but, in this book that wasn’t like the first book was that I really disliked Lori’s father. We was being overly protective of Lori and it got very annoying after a little bit of childish behaviour.

In this novel, the problem development didn’t go too fast or too slow. I liked how it wasn’t like: here comes the problem (an hour later) oh! Our happily ever after! We figured it out! I really enjoyed that, and because of that, it kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.

Because I liked how the problem developed, I loved the solution. I don’t think that Echols could have ended the novel in any other way for it to be that amazing.

Like the first novel, Jennifer’s writing style didn’t let me down at all. The only reason that the point was knocked off was because, in this novel, Echols switched between Lori and Adam’s point of view, which I actually like in novels, but what made me knock off the point was that she didn’t say which point of view it was. Like, it would say CHAPTER TEN, but then it would just go into who ever was going to tell this part of the story, I would have liked it to specify who was talking, like, for example, it to say under the chapter ADAM or LORI.

I think Lori grew up a lot during this novel, so the character development was spectacular for me. At the beginning of this novel, considering it took place right after the first one ended, she went back to the childish kid that just whined around and moped all the time. But by the end, she grew all up again and was like a full grown adult.

Again, I am judging by the bind-up version because that is the version I have. I guess I have to say the same thing that I did about the first book, because it is the same cover. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Again, like I said in the plot, I connected with the setting very well. Since I grew up going to my cottage and having the lake by my side I guess that’s one of the main reason that I loved these novels so much.

If you are team Adam, you will not be disappointed in the ending. Enough said.

I liked the that this novel picked right up were the last one ended, so there was no massive detail about what happened in between the two books that wasn’t necessarily specified. I really enjoyed that.

Overall, bravo, Jennifer! You have crafted a beautiful novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL! I will be checking out your other novels, because I loved this one so much.

20+ Followers!

Oh... my... gosh! I just flipped out a second ago! You want to know why? Shh... it's a secret!

You ready?

1...
2...
3...

I HAVE OVER TWENTY FOLLOWERS!

I love you guys! I seriously flipped out when I re-loaded my blog and I saw how many followers I had! I seriously love you guys to death! I couldn't even imagine having this many followers after I have only been blogging for a little over three months. I can't believe it!

Did I say I love you guys?

Thank you so much you guys! I love you! Okay, I need to stop saying that.

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Sierra

The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols

Cute, available, and one cabin over....

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.

But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girl friend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard....

Released: June 26th 2007
Published by: Simon Pulse
Series: Endless Summer, 1
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Page Amount: 317

Plot 10/10
Likable Characters 9/10
Problem Development 10/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 10/10
Character Development 10/10
Cover 10/10
Setting 10/10
Ending 10/10
Beginning 10/10
=
99%

This book is all you need when you are craving a summer of boys, water, and some twist and turns along the way. Before I started this novel, I can honestly say that I didn’t know much about these novels, only that I have seen some reviews on Goodreads and these people that are reading this were raving on and on about this novel, so when I saw it in the bookstore, I decided to pick it up, because recently I had been craving that beach read for a while now, because I haven’t had a perfect beach read in awhile now. Well, I have found all that I was looking for right in the pages of this novel.

This plot was the typical based plot, but it had some twists and flavours added into it to pack it to a non-typical beach read.

I loved the characters in this novel. I fell in love with Adam, the youngest Vander boy with ADHD, and I think most readers will fall in love with him. He was just that sweet guy that every girl dreams about, but never really exists. The only reason that the point got knocked off was because Lori would be annoying at times during this novel. All she was like was like.. Sean… I WANT SEAN! She got on my last nerves sometimes.

I liked how the problem developed. It didn’t go too fast, or too slow.

I loved the solution effectiveness. That’s honestly all how I can explain it. I think it’s how I felt about certain characters!

I loved Jennifer Echol’s writing style. I will be checking out her other novels for that sole reason. I can’t wait to read more of Jennifer’s books because I loved her writing style so much.

I think, by the end of this novel, Lori’s character development was spectacular. She was a total different person at the end of this novel.

I am judging the bind-up novel’s cover on this, because that is the book I have. I think, personally, the cover is beautiful. Some people may think that the idea for this cover is over-used, (the whole kissing couple idea) but I personally think it is genius. It drew me right into the novel.

I love the whole idea of the houses on the lake. I grew up where in the summer I would go to my trailer on a lake and live there for the whole summer. So, with the whole lake thing, I totally connected with, and with novels I like to connect with in in some way or another because to me it makes it all the more realistic.

With me being a Adam fan, I loved the ending of this novel.

I also loved the beginning of this novel.

Let’s just say, to me, this novel is pure perfectness. If you have not already, PICK UP THIS NOVEL!