Book Reviews

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral – Print Version

 in Book Reviews / Books / Creative / Hot Off The Press / Interesting / Young Adult by

This was extremely interesting. Not what I expected at all, and talk about sad. But what beautiful pictures. This is one of the first interactive graphic novels but they also do it in book form (which is what I read.) There is more I believe to the iPad, iPod, and iPhone version. I will be purchasing that because I am curious to see how the two compare but this book was amazing. Such beautiful colors and they presented the book in such an amazing way, just so interesting. The cover of this book was also so cute.

So simple yet so elegant. Also notice with the color how it is not a true color. It is off-color. That was the effect throughout the entire book and it was really a nice touch to the graphic novel.

It was a little confusing because through the entire novel they kept referring to each other as G and F and it got a little confusing during some parts as to who was who but it was quite easy to pick again.

This is a definite checker-outer (if that is a word) and a HOT OFF THE PRESS.

But this book is definitely for older readers as there is some bad language and some sexual topics. But that was like 5 pages in a 200 page book so really minimal.

Also I read this book, wait for it, in 25 minutes flat. That is my all time record. Admittedly,  it was all pictures.

So go and purchase it here for your “i” stuff or go to your local book store/local library or shop around online.

Hope that you enjoy.

And once again, thank you to Omar, my local YA librarian for having it ready to go.

Thanks.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

 in Adventure / Book Reviews / Books / Interesting / Older Readers / Series / Young Adult by

Summary

“Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight–she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace–or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.”

– Amazon.com

Graceling

Image via Wikipedia

Review

Before I even start about this book I would like to thank Omar my YA librarian for finding and giving me this book. Thank you so much because without you I don’t think I would have ever found this amazing book! 🙂

This was absolutely amazing. This is going to be on my top 5 favorite books of this year (unless I come across something more amazing which I highly doubt). The story had everything possible. It had romance, action, it was set in historical times, it was exciting, it was captivating, and it was overall amazing.

The story was about this girl named Katsa. She is Graced with killing but she did not want to have to use her grace. She does not like killing. The book follows her journey from when she meet Po, says no to her Uncle, and then follows her journey of finding a Princess and helping save people who need to be saved, and hurting those who need to be hurt.

I thought that the description in this books were very good. The author, Kristin Cashore, really painted a mental image of the scenery and what these places looked like. I enjoyed reading this book at night because I was kind of in that la-la land and I would go to bed with pretty scenery in my head (yes, I know, I am strange.) I just loved this book’s imagery. It was one of the highlights of the book.

There were not too many characters so you did not get confused as to what was going on. You always knew who was present and you always knew where they were which was helpful as there was a lot of traveling.

There are two more books like this called Fire and Butterblue. Fire happens 30 years before Graceling (even though Graceling was the first book published) and Butterblue takes place 8 years after Graceling.

I am going to be checking out these other two books and I hope that they will be as good as the first one.

If you would like to visit Kristin Cashore’s blog, please click here.

Her blog is great and have a look around.

This book was rated in my library PG-13 because there is some violence in it and there is some blood mentioned but I believe anyone 12/13 and older can read this book.

So happy reading.

Fracture by Megan Miranda

 in Book Reviews / Books / Hot Off The Press / Older Readers / Otherworldly / Young Adult by

* Note: This book is an Advance Reading Copy and it will not be out until January 2012.

Summary

“A lot can happen in eleven minutes. Decker can run two miles easily in eleven minutes. I once wrote an English essay in ten. No lie. And God knows Carson Levine can talk a girl out of her clothes in half that time.

Elven minutes might as well be an eternity under water. It only takes three minutes without air for loss of consciousness. Permanent brain damage begins at four minutes. And then, when the oxygen runs out, full cardiac arrest occurs. Death is possible at five minutes. Probably at seven. Definite at then.

Decker pulled me out at eleven.”

-From the back of the book.

Review

Quite a good book. I still have not figured out how the title fits in with the story but you never judge a book by its cover. I thought that the synopsis on the back of the book was quite intriguing. I read it and was instantly intrigued and I wanted to know what happened.

There is not a lot of say about this book just because it was not one of those stories where there were action. The characters were described pretty well and I could visualize them. But it is hard to describe this book. The story was fiction and it was more magical than anything. It was based on earth, but there was a magical quality to it. But I have to say, when this book comes out in January, it is a must read.

The exact date that it comes out (according to the book cover) is January 3rd, 2012 – but this may change.

Obviously,  this cover is not the final one…not too interesting. Hopefully when it is published they will have some great cover art that might link the title to story. This one doesn’t give a clue!

So, when the book comes out get it and give it a read. Hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Tiger’s Voyage by Colleen Houck

 in Adventure / At the Library / Book Reviews / Books / Fantasy / Fiction / Hot Off The Press / Interesting / Young Adult by

Summary

The third book in the gripping Tiger’s Curse series!
With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections–leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.
Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, Tiger’s Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.
-From Amazon.com
Review
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!!! This book was AMAZING. The story was so captivating and I just could not put it down. There was so much romance, humor, and action and everything else that a great book should need. IT WAS AMAZING. I cannot wait for the next book Tiger’s Destiny which I believe is coming out in the Summer of 2012. The ending of the book kind of left you wondering and wanting to, no, needing to know what happened next. I am currently dying. I have to know what happens next in the story ASAP. But I know I said the same thing for Tiger’s Curse and Tiger’s Quest but this book tops them all. I liked this one the best out of them all. I just cannot describe it other than saying GET OUT TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. This is a must read series and if you don’t, you are missing out one something great.
Tell me what you think once you read it.
Also if you would like to read an interview I did with Colleen Houck, click here.


Lyrec by Gregory Frost

 in Book Reviews / Books by

Summary

Lovelorn Lyrec and wise-cracking Borregad have been companions through world after world, adventure after adventure.

They seek Lyrec’s lost lady, and vengeance for the obliteration of their homeworld. But the evil Miradomon is always one step ahead, leaving a dark trail of destruction behind him.

Crossing a chain of parallel universes, our heroes must take on new identities in each new world. In his latest incarnation, Lyrec has done quite well for himself. He is young, strong, handsome, skilled in the arts of war and song. Poor Borregad blew it. He’s stuck in the body of a cat. And Miradomon?

This time, he’s a god.

-From Amazon.com

Review

This was a strange book. I did not get very far with it as it was just so weird. This was a e-book which also added to the effect of not reading it. I hate reading e-books so I was instantly turned off. I would not have an e-book except for the fact I won it so that was the only reason why I had one.

There is not much that I can say about the book because I did not get very far into it, but from what I could tell it was very strange. This is also an old book as it came out in the mid-1900’s.

If you want you can give it a try but I would give this one a miss.