Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked lovely is not realistic fiction. (I’ve been told it’s urban fantasy or something like that) It is about a girl who can see faeries. However, these are not nice, pretty faeries. The faeries are disgusting, atrocious, evil beings and no mortal is suppose to be able to see them. So Aislinn, the main character, has been taught by her grandmother, because she can see them as well, how to live and ignore the faeries. Which is a stretch of words because they have to be constantly aware of the faeries. Some of the rules include: do not stare at the invisible faeries, don’t speak to invisible faeries, and don’t ever attract their attention. So what is Aislinn to do when a seemingly powerful faery starts to follow her? If she tells her grandmother she’ll get taken out of school and stuck at home in lockdown. (Faeries are ‘allergic’ to iron so their apartment is pretty safe). Then she finds out that the Summer King is the one who is following her and she begins to lose her mortality. Ouch. And the worst part is that this is a sort of game with the faeries, so Aislinn must feel sucky, losing her mortality to a game which she wasn’t allowed to decide if she wanted to join or not. The summer king has been looking for his queen for ages and as long as he doesn’t find her winter continues. The winter queen started this game by killing someone (read to find out who) and she’s the darkest character in the book. So what will happen between her best friend (a guy who everyone but Aislinn knows wants to be something more), the summer king, a faery formerly mortal named Donia, and a Winter queen?

This book was interesting and had a dark overtone. I like the idea of this dark faeries, it’s puts a twist on the faeries we grew up thinking about. The story progressed wonderfully and I was never bored. I enjoyed reading it and am reading the second right now.

If you enjoy reading this book I recommend reading Tithe by Holly Black which also takes place in a world with faeries like the ones in Wicked Lovely. Tell us what you think about it.

Hooked,

Rachel

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Ah. I love Sarah Dessen’s books. No, it isn’t an action book, or dark comedy. I suppose I should call it a romance but it’s not trashy. Not one bit. It deserves more than romance because everyone always puts romance down. Don’t do this to this book! Now, to begin the review. Auden’s parents are both university scholars/teachers and she got named after a poet (sorry it that’s incorrect). However, due to her parent’s academics they never really allowed Auden to be a kid. So she didn’t do things that normal kids did. She focused on her studies and was seen but not heard at their diner parties. Auden also has a brother who is traveling around Europe with no plan in mind, living off of their parents. Only, her parents got divorced. Her mother is somewhat pushy and opiniated. Her father got remarried shortly and a baby is on the way. When the novel begins Auden decides to spend the summer with her father and his new wife (Auden’s mother doesn’t like the new wife, Hiedi) in Colby. (a small beach city). When Auden arrives, she realizes that she’s in for a summer different than what she imagined. The baby, Thisbie, won’t stop crying and Hiedi isn’t her normal, outgoing, girlie (pardon for no other adjective) self. Auden’s father doesn’t help with the baby because he’s working on his book. So on the first night Auden goes out to hang out with the locals, something she has never done, remember, she lacked a childish childhood along with a social life. Only, whooops, Auden makes out with a guy who turns out to be the ex-boyfriend of a worker at Hiedi’s shop which she so awkwardly runs into the next day. There begins a dilema.

But also, Auden can’t sleep at nights, insomniac. So instead of sleeping she just gets coffee and drives around town. One night she sees a boy, Eli, doing bike tricks on the road and just watches for a while. Only, when she sees him again he ignores her, which is fine by her, but then she hears that he’s stopped riding since …..( yup, you have to read to find that one out) But then they get connected (you gotta read to find out how) and he helps her have the childhood that she lost. I loved reading about Auden’s night adventures, like going bowling and avoiding crazies at supermarkets late at night. Also the friendships she made were realistic and I loved them and the adventures they had, like going to a party and Auden having a hilarious, for the reader not her, incounter with an ex- of Eli. There’s family conflict, ‘romance’ conflict, and just great relationships. This book is entertaining and I hope you read it. I wish, as always, I could keep the story going so it would never have to end. (I read too fast for my own good) Please go read this book. (Or any of her other books like Lock and Key, The truth about forever, This Lullaby, or others. Now I’m just going to sit back and think about the book.

Wishing books never had to end,

Rachel

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

I hold good my promises. And – bonus! – I beat Rachel to reviewing this book. Huzzah! And without further ado… my review.

As a girl, albeit an extremely nerdy and strange one, I’m not immune to the habits that most girls fall  prey to, like painting my toenails and eating huge quanities of chocolate. So sometimes when I’m in need of some girl time, I read an excessively girly book, usually accompanied with fuzzy socks, pajamas, and ice cream. So it’s no wonder that when I saw Suite Scarlett – and I am ashamed to say I judged this book by it’s [friggin’ awesome] cover – and broke out the ice cream. Just by looking at it, I was confident I’d found the mecca of girly reads. And while it was sugar coated in cliches, it had enough eccentricies to keep me entertained and laughing out loud.
We meet Scarlett Martin, who lives with her family in their down-on-its-luck hotel in NYC. We learn that their hotel business has been somewhat strained by Scarlett’s little sister Marlene’s leukemia. So, Scarlett is subject to an unusual set of chores, which include taking care of the oh-so art deco guest rooms, complete with scratchy towels. Somewhere along the misadventures of her summer, Scarlett finds herself entangled with her new long-term hotel guest Mrs. Amberson, who brings all the drama and wealth a once-was Broadway star can, her brother’s role in a VERY off-broadway production of Hamlet, and a could-be boyfriend, Eric. [Who, by the way, is excessively southern]
My only complaints about the books are that only the relationships between Eric and Scarlett and then Scarlett and her brother Spencer and emphasized, and dominate the book and soon the world. All other characters are neglected like sad puppies. But since the book is part of a trilogy, I will overlook these problems, in hope that Scarlett’s parents actually get names.  [Just kidding, kind of. I really am looking forward to the second.]
Overall, Suite Scarlett is a lot like Dr. Pepper. It has a set of tastily flavored characters. It has humor that will make said Dr. Pepper come out through your nose [guaranteed] from laughing. It has enough caffine to keep you up all night long reading, and an aftertaste that’s delicious and memorable.
*Thirsty,
Caitlyn

Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter

Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover is the third book in the Gallagher Girls series. So IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST TWO DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW! But wait!, before I begin, Ally Carter says she’s hoping to have six books in the series! And if you are reading this review and haven’t read the other books, which makes me mad, I’ll just let you know that the series is about girls who go to a school that trains them to become spies or go into the espianoge feild in their future. Thank you so much Miss. Ally Carter (sorry if I used the incorrect form of Mrs., Miss.) Now I am uber excited! I just don’t want to wait for them. But back on topic. In Don’t Judge a Girl by her Cover Macy’s dad is a vice president candidate and Macey has to go to all of the rally’s with him, her mom, and the presidential candidate and his family. Cammie is invited to spend some time with them in Boston at one of the rally’s and of course, she agrees. Only, something bad happens. The girls and the presidential candidates son are almost kidnapped! Macey and Cammie are kind of frightened and instead of letting Macey rest, her family takes her back on the campaign trail. Why? Because with her broken body part she’ll get more voters. In this book you will read about Sublevel two, a new spy, maybe a boy or two, and a familiar symbol. READ IT! I love the Gallagher Girl series. I read this in one day and still want to be a Gallagher girl. (By the way, Gallagher Academy has gone public – it’s on every news channel since Macey has gotten such recognition)

I love how these books are fast paced but not choppy. You get to know the characters and you like them. (Or at least I do) She writes it realisticly, like this could happen. Or at least, It’s closer to happening than a book about dragons. I always enjoy reading the series because of the realistic conversations and actions. (Well maybe not the going out to practice spy tecniques in Roseville but you get the idea) A point in the book for me was that the Gallagher Girls are just like normal girls in their conversations and gossip and boys. I always imagine the situation taking place infront of me.

Wishing to be a Gallagher Girl,

Rachel

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Hmm… Well…. Okay… Wintergirls is about an anorexic girl, Lia, who loses her ex-best friend. (As in the ex-best friend dies) And no, I didn’t spoil anything because this is stated on the first page of the book, in the first chapter. But here’s the catch – the friend isn’t gone for, Lia. In fact, she seems to be haunting her, but not in the boo I’m in the closet haunting. As in, encouraging Lia to continue getting thinner. This would go with the girl suffering a real life issue archetype. I did love the book, it just wasn’t like what I expected it to be. (Like when I picked up Twilight and thought it took place in the 18th century – this was back in 2006 or 05, so no one was talking about it yet) Laurie Halse Anderson did help me understand Lia’s perspective. I was ate the beach and still got chills reading some sections. I do recommend reading it and I did appreciate reading it. I preferred Speak over this though but that’s just me.

The writing was choppy but it adds to the tone and the adrenaline rushes you may get if you get really into the book. I loved they way she emphasized some events. (1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15 . 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. was the most effective thing to me) You see, Lia has already been in a rehab for eating but she’s back out when the book starts. The title does have a meaning after you read the book and I was drawn into the story. It somehow reminded me of Crank b/c of the choppy sentences but our Lia isn’t on drugs. The conflict is Lia against herself, anorexia, and Cassie along with some family problems as well. It was a short read but if you’re in the mood for some seriousness, read this book.

Chilled,

Rachel

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks Review

The first book review to be on this site! *Alleluia Alleluia in the background* Okay. So here it goes.

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Laureen Myracle

P,L, and BD is one of those short stores about life. It takes place over a short period of less than a year in highschool. This book has sisterly love, regular crushes/love, family, friends, and an odd housemaid. The main character, Carly, lives in a wealthy (rich) neighborhood, and goes to an uptighit, wealthy (do we see a repeating adjective here) Christian highschool. But out protagonist doesn’t want to conform herself to the wealthy people and lifestyles around her. Now ad in a new cute boy, a growing too fast in all the right but wrong places sister, a haircut, and a youtube video and there you ahve a good book. Of course, after you read, go ahead and find yourself some symbolizm and report your findings. If you love this book or find it amusing, go and join peacelovebabyducks.ning.com

The ‘official’  contest is over but the site is amazing and the fans keep the contests going. I won a song from Carly’s groovy playlist. Did I forget to mention Carly is a sixties finatic? So go get yourself a ‘heart of gold’ and go join the site. IMPORTANT – There are signed copies out there! Yes, you heard me right, SIGNED COPIES! In fact, I stumbled upon a store that had 10 yesterday. Pity I bought mine already. But you still stand a chance! Go get those signed copies!

Reminiscently,

Rachel