Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

This book has very big spoilers!!!! If you are really looking forward to reading this book, I suggest you don't read the review because I would hate to ruin the book for you.

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Unraveling (Unraveling, #1) by Elizabeth Norris
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Finished on 16/7/2013
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy
Goodreads page

Motivation to Read It: I saw this on my Goodreads feed one day, and the cover and title made me hit the "Want to Read" button.

Review: This book had me ensnared after a very short period of reading. I remember when Janelle died I was just like, "OMG.
Yes. Ghost story!" Of course, all that was ruined when Ben brought her back to life, but oh well.

Janelle and Ben were really great characters to me. Janelle was another determined heroine. She had a lot to deal with mentally, especially with her dad dying in the middle of all the craziness. Ben was mysterious but didn't start as one of those "You're not on my level" types of people. He cared so much for humanity, unlike his buddies, and was very far from not blaming himself.

The book's occurrences were great, too. Unraveling will definitely be one novel that keeps you guessing the answers to the questions until the very end. It was action-packed in a mental sense, by which I mean that there weren't a billion fights or battles, but as I stated previously Janelle had a lot to deal with -- what happened to her dad, how does she feel about Ben, the radioactivity. So much and so little time, and counting.

This novel was a marvelous series opener and author debut! I will most assuredly be getting Unbreakable as soon as possible to continue the mystery (and the romance!).

Satisfying eBook/Shelf-Worthy

Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan (Leviathan, #1) by Scott Westerfeld
500 minutes, audiobook
Finished on 30/3/2013
Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Some Adventure, Some Action
Goodreads page

Motivation to Read It: After falling in love with the Uglies series, I've been wanting to read this series simply because I had previously loved Westerfeld's work.

Review: Three months. That's how long it took me to listen to this book. (Actually it only took about a week, but you know -- time span.) Anyway, I really enjoyed this novel! Overall it probably has to do with the fact that the time setting was World War I (love me some history), but besides that it was a great read listen.

Shout-out to Alan Cumming for the awesome narration!

Let's start with plot. Intriguing is the first word that comes to mind. There's never really a moment of calm with Deryn or Alek. As soon as one problem has been solved, another presents itself at their feet. Of course, this is not entirely true because I'm sure there were times during the novel that I got distracted and wasn't paying attention; so don't rely on my word completely :). Anyhow, it kept me very entertained. I enjoyed the battle scenes themost. Lots of action; plus, the defense systems of both the Leviathan and the Stormwalkers were quite interesting because, obviously, it's not something I'm familiar with.

Alek and Deryn themselves were awesome charries. Alek was just trying to keep himself safe after his parent's death. He couldn't just go around be friendly to people and telling them who he was, even when doing so might have actually helped him. He was very amiable, I think, because to me it seemed that he took an automatic liking t oDeryn and the other "Darwinists," seeing as he'd never been around them before. Deryn herself was quite the character. She simply wanted to serve her country (really, I think she just wanted to fly), and she had no remorse for lying her way through the system if that's what it would call for. I thought she was abubbly charrie, in a way, when it got time for battle, she wasn't necessarily elated, but she loved being in the air with the Huxleys and other fabricated creatures. Oh, and y my favorite swear of hers? "Barking spiders!"

I really loved Leviathan. I hate that it took me so long to listen to the whole thing, but luckily I have the next two books in the series! :D

Satisfying eBook

Review: Earth Sim by Jade Kerrion

Earth Sim by Jade Kerrion
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Finished on 30/3/2013
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Goodreads page

Motivation to Read It: I was contacted by Ms. Kerrion asking if I would be interested in reviewing her book. I took an interest to the synopsis and things went from there!

Review: I absolutely loved this book! It didn't take me very long to realize where the title came from, and I really enjoyed being carried through the Earth's history. (Noted history nerd here. Now if only textbooks could be written like this.)

Jem and Kir (unique names ♥) will definitely be going on my favorite characters list. Jem's constant sarcasm and overall seriousness were marched very well with Kir's ever-present good mood and humour. One thing that I didn't notice until the end of the story (and is still kind of surprising -- but in a good way) is that there was barely any romance. During the entire novel my brain just assumed that Jam and Kir would end up together. And so when it didn't happen, my mind was momentarily shocked. At the same time, I'm glad the romance was unobtrusive because I feel as if it might have taken away from the main aspect of the story.

The plot was really magnificent. Kir and Jem messed up the progress of the simulation so many times that it was truthfully kind of funny reading about Europe's suffering from the Black Death. (Yes, very inhumane.) I also liked how Kerrion mixed in the plot with Lukas and Jem's true form I suppose you could call it. The situation even had an effect, albeit a small one, on the Earth simulation that made it an even more interesting part of the story.

All in all, Earth-Sim was a great read. It really makes you think about how the Earth actually got here, and while that probably wasn't Kerrion's purpose for writing it, it's quite appealing to the human mind.

Shelf-Worthy

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Second Review!)

The top part of this review, the rating, and the quotes haven't been changed at all. I didn't reread it at all. Wrote this review for Banned Book Week from my memory of what happened in the novel. The review is completely different.

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The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, #1)

By Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2008

374 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 25/6/2010

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Futuristic, Action, Coming of Age

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "When I wake, the other side of the bed is cold."
~Last Line: "I take his hand, holding on tightly, preparing for the cameras, and dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go."

Review: First - Why in the world is this book being challenged to be banned? Yes, the gore, etc. sometimes might not be suitable for younger kids, but it really isn't that bad!

I had heard a lot of things about this book before I started reading it. It was the latest series, and I was tired of being left behind. I'm really glad I bought it!

The main character, Katniss, lives in a post-apocalyptic America, hunts illegally, and takes her sister's place in the infamous Hunger Games. No way is she risking Prim's life when it could be saved. Katniss's world gets both better and worse from there.

The Hunger Games is definitely a gory, battle-filled event. Nobody wants to die. The plot in this book was pretty awesome. It was something I'd never heard of before. I like how Suzanne Collins had each district specializing in something different. Each was significant, which showed in the people they sent to the Games.

The characters were unquestionably fabulous! I liked all of them. I really can't just pick one. Peeta and Katniss are definitely the first two, though. It was so easy for Peeta to speak to people; everyone was always charmed by him. I'm sure he saved Katniss more than we can all realize. But that's probably more in Catching Fire. . .

Katniss was a really good character as well. She knew what she wanted; she was gonna get it as soon as she could, any way she could. Her constant objectiveness to the Capitol always makes me want to laugh at the way she chooses to show it. Like the shooting of the arrow into the apple in the pig's mouth. Although that was in Catching Fire, too, lol :).

This book . . . WOW. I can't say anything other than that. You really are missing out if you haven't read this yet. Not to mention the movie coming out in 5 months! WHY on bloody EARTH is this book being challenged to be banned!?

I have Catching Fire, obviously, and have Mockingjay, but still haven't read the latter. Let's all hope that I do very soon! As in before the movie comes out!

Zakiya LadyWings recommends this novel to everyone. Read it, love it, and go see the movie next year. Still can't believe The Hunger Games was challenged.

Plot Rating: 5
Character Rating: 5
Cover Rating: 4
GoodReads Rating: 5

Overall rating:
and three-fourths :)

Quotes from the Book:

"Just then, Haymitch staggers into the compartment. 'I miss supper?' he says in a slurred voice. Then he vomits all over the expensive carpet and falls in the mess."

"One time my mother told me that I always eat like I'll never see food again. And I said, 'I won't unless I bring it home.' That shut her up."

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

This book counts toward the following challenges:


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I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1)
By Pittacus Lore
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books, 2010
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Date Finished: 25/2/2011
Genres: Action, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "The door starts shaking."
~Last Line: "Wherever that might be."

Review: I originally wanted this novel after I read a co-blogger's review of it. Then my anxiousness grew once I saw the movie being advertised. I got the book only half a month ago; I've read it and have to say: I wasn't expecting what I got.

The first thing that pulled me in is probably the story line that I had heard on the movie commercial: "There were nine of us. Three are dead. I am Number Four." I mean, who wouldn't be drawn in by something like that?! Sure enough, of course, that was the plot. That alone really did make it interesting for me. I hadn't read anything like it in a while, if I'd ever read anything like it.

There was definitely some action. There's a HUGE battle at the end, at which someone very close to John (a.k.a. Number Four) dies. I cried, once again, like a baby. There is romance, as to be expected; John falls in love with Sarah Hart, the daughter of the realtor that sells John and his "father" Henri the house they stay in. Their love for each other was, at some points, a little cliche, but I was able to deal with it.

I have to say that this really was a well thought out book, the same as all these other books that have been taking up my time. I am glad that I bought this and had a chance to read it. Next goal: See the movie! :P



Quotes from the Book:

"I pull the gloves from my back pocket and slip them on. Leather gardening gloves. I couldn't look more foolish if I were wearing clown shoes with yellow pants."

"I have home economics after lunch -- not because I necessarily care about cooking, but because it was either that or choir. And while I have many strengths and powers that are considered exceptional on Earth, singing is not one of them."

"The price of a memory is the memory of the sorrow it brings."

The Final Warning by James Patterson

This book counts toward te following challenges:


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The Final Warning (Maximum Ride, #4; The Protectors, #1)
By James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2008
256 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 10/2/2011
Genres: Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Science Fiction

In this breathtaking new story from the astonishing imagination of James Patterson, a girl has to save herself from an army assembled just to capture her-and maybe save the planet while she's at it.

Maximum Ride is a perfectly normal teenager who just happens to be able to fly, the result of an out-of-control government experiment.

Max and the other members of the Flock-six kids who share her remarkable ability-have been asked to aid a group of environmental scientists studying the causes of global warming. The expedition seems like a perfect combination of adventure, activism--and escaping government forces who watch the Flock like a hawk.

But even in Antarctica, trapped in the harshest weather on our planet, Maximum Ride is an irresistible target in constant danger. For whoever controls her powers could also control the world. Maximum Ride is James Patterson's greatest character, a heroine who manages to be human and fearless at once.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Ssssss."
~Last Line: "My heart was so full of freedom that I felt like it mught burst."

Review: Leanne and several others forewarned me that The Final Warning wasn't nearly as entertaining as the preceding novels in the series. However, it was an ill forewarning. I enjoyed the Maximum Ride installation more than the other books, really.

In this book Max and the flock go to Antarctica to help save the world ... from global warming. I have to say, even though the world needs to save itself before it's too late, I definitely wasn't expecting them to travel to the South Pole. The flock enjoyed it down there, actually; they were free to fly around and got to see some penguins :). *Oh, how I do love penguins!*

As to be expected if you've started this series, there was unquestionably some action. Butt-kicking, "you better leave us alone" action at that. Obviously there's a little adventure involved since they are going to the bottom of the Earth. Max and Fang are having trouble with their relationship; to make it even worse for Max, Fang is falling for one of the scientists that they are working with. I LOVE Max, but she needs to make up her mind already! One minute she doesn't want Fang being all lovey-dovey with her, but then the next she can't stand seeing him flirting with other women, in this case the scientist previously mentioned.

But anywho, this is a really good addition to the Maximum Ride series. What makes it my favorite (so far) is that Max, after a lot of calamities, gets to speak in front of Congress about how they seriously need to start taking action to help save the world from global warming. Honestly, everything she tells them is true, and we need to pay attention to that. Max even provides some ways for the real world (which is us) to help out; you can find those at the very bottom of this post.

I really do hope that you get a chance to read this novel. I know that you will at least enjoy it a little!



Quotes from the Book:

"My eyes flickered when I heard the Voice inside my head. (You mean you don't have one? You can get 'em at Target.)"

"A teen magazine would have encouraged me to get in touch with my inner feelings. So I searched deep within myself and realized that my inner feelings were telling me to punch all of them in the face. Which is why teen magazines just don't seem to apply to my life."

" 'I am Gozen,' the big thing said.
Nudge's brow wrinkled. 'Like Japanese dumplings?'
'That woujld be gyoza,' Fang murmured at Nudge."


Save the World. Wings not required.

Did you know:

1. Every three months Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the entire US air fleet.

2. Americans trash 700 plastic bottles every second. It's enough to make 2 million fleece sweaters every day.

3. A water faucet that leaks one drop per second will drip 165 gallons a month.

4. Recycling just one aluminum can saves enogh energy to operate a TV for three hours.

5. Americans use almost 100 billion plastic bags every year. Their use is banned in several countries.

What are you waiting for?

School's Out - Forever by James Patterson

School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride, #2; The Fugitives, #2)
By James Patterson
Publisher: Little, brown and Company, 2006
409 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 9/6/2010
Genres: Action, Adventure, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult

First Line of Book: "Sweeping, swooping, soaring, air-current thrill rides -- there's nothing better."
Last Line of Book: "Fang and I leaned against each other and laughed and laughed, unable to speak, for the longest time."

Review: This book was amazing! After waiting a whole month to read the sequel to The Angel Experiment, I was more than happy to to start this novel. There was more action, adventure, and more humans that make Max and the flock feel normal. More battles with Erasers -- wo've been upgraded; they now have wings -- and more romacne. Tere seems to be quite a few people kissing in School's Out - Forever, but it didn't go any farther so it's pretty clean :). I am definitely recommending this book and series. If you hven't read School's Out Forever, you should start ASAP. If you have even read The Angel Experiment: what are you waiting for?!!

Rating:


Quotes from the Book:

"Compared to the Erasers, we were nimble little stinging wasps, and they were cluinky, slow, awkward flying cows."

" 'Boy, you just can't kill people like you used to,' said Fang."

"Later I sat at the table doing my homework, which is just anotehr term for "grown-up-imposed yet self-inflicted torture," IMHO." {IMHO = in my humble opinion}

"In less than a minute I had to angle out of it and swoop up again so I didn't squish like a mosquito on the windshield of the world.
Who said poetry was dead?"

" 'I'll be second-in-command,' Total offered.
'Oh yeah, you'd be so focused on the job,' Gazzy sneered. 'Until a rabbit ran across your path.' "

" 'How?' I persisted. 'We look identical. She even had indentical scars and scratches. She was wearing my clothes. How could you tell us apart?'

Fang turned to me and grinned, making my world brighter. 'She offered to cook breakfast.' "

Celebrate the Holidays!

Hello to everyone! I thought I could make something a little special out of this post so that we could "Celebrate the Holidays!" The following books that I'm reviewing are related to some fall holidays. Maybe you'll jump in and read some seasonal books as well,

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

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Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House, #27)
By Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: Random House, 2002
73 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 9/19/2010
Genres: Reference, Fantasy, Childrens'

~First Line of Book: "One summer day in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, a mmysterious tree house appeared in the woods."
~Last Line of Book: "And they were."

Review: I read this book for a challenge on GoodReads. I've rated it only 2 wings, because it is more of a kindergarten/ first grade book, and it wasn't as advanced for me as the boks I usually read nowadays. I did like, though, that Mrs. Osborne put some facts in the book that the main characters, Jack and Annie, learned when they went back in time to the first Thanksgiving. I liked the book; maybe not a lot, but it was still good. :)

Rating:



Attack of the Jack-o'-lanterns (Goosebumps book)
By R.L. Stine
Publisher: Scholastic, 1996
113 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 9/20/2010
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

~First Line of Book: " 'Where are you going, Elf?' Dad called from the den."
~Last Line of Book: " 'That's a joke. Right? Right?' "

Review: I also read this book for a GoodReads challenge. As you can see below, I rated it 3 wings; it was better than Thanksgiving on Thursday, but that was because I like scary stuff. Drew, Walker, Shane, and Shana are determined to scare the pants, socks, and shoes off of Tabby and Lee, who have ruined their favorite holiday, Halloween, for the last 2 years. They came up with a really scary plan, ans it definitely works; it even scared me! There was a lot of repetitive-ness from the jack-o'-=lanterns, but I easily overlooked that. This is a great book for people that like scary books, Goosebumps stories, and/or R.L. Stine's work :D.

Rating:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (the Hunger Games, #2)
By Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2009
391 pages, Hardcover
Date Finished: 9/17/2010
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Coming of Age, Adventure, Action, Futuristic

~First Line of Book: "I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air."
~Last Line of Book: " 'Katniss, there is no District Twelve.' "

Review: Catching Fire was/ is an amazing sequel to The Hunger Games! There was more action, adventure, and romance -- with more than just Peeta (nothing sexual, parents!). Katniss is devestated that she must return to the arena for th e Quarter Quell (aka, the Seventy-fifth Hunger Games), but she has no choice. Can she start a true rebellion against the Capitol?

Awesome book! Anyone who doesn't read this series, is truly missing out on some ah-mazing books! Recommended to everyone who can get their hands on it! :D

Rating:


Quotes from the Book:

"I act delighted, but I have zero interest in these Capitol people. They are only distractions from the food."

"I'm filled with awe, as I always am, as I watch her transform from a woman who calls me to kill a spider to a woman immune to fear."

"Finnick recites a poem he wrote to his one true love in the Capitol, and about a hundred people faint because they're sure he means them."

"I bet only a handful of the victors can swim. And there was no pool in the Training Center, no chance to learn. Either you came in a swimmer or you'd better be a really fast learner."

"Like everything here, the water's on the warm side, but this is no time to be picky."

"Our jumpsuits are no help at all. We may as well be dressed in tissue paper, for all the protection they give."


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly