Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters - Meredith Zeitlin

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin  
Date Released: March 1st 2012  
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons 
Pages: 288 pages
Date Read: March 07, 2012
Format: ARC
Source: Author

Summary: 
Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

From Goodreads

My Review:
This is one of the cutest and funniest books I've read! Kelsey is such a lovable character! I Loved every second I spend inside her head! You know, I actually had my doubts on this book since the main character -Kelsey- is only fourteen, and recently I've been reading YA with older characters [around nineteen] and I thought it would be somehow annoying to read this, but NO! Not at all! I recommend this book to everyone :3

 For those of us who already left our Freshman Year behind, you just can't help but take a look at Kelsey and laugh a LOT, it'll make you remember your Freshman Years, I guarantee! and those who have not reached Freshman year yet, lol, start getting ready :P

 I actually feel bad for the fact that I laughed at everything that happened to her, there were parts where she was about to burst out crying and I was doubled over laughing xD it's just every single unfortunate event after the other, and you would think this would be annoying but, again, NO! it's just you shaking your head because you can't believe how things can always go so bad xD... you know, now that I think about it, my freshman year was pretty similar to Kelsey's, not the same situations but, Oh God I will forever keep those memories locked in the back of my mind where no one can find them, along with the yearbook O_O

 Back to praising Kelsey, she was a great character, and she was so Brave! Knowing myself I would have bailed in many situations which Kelsey went trough. She was an adorable, charming and brave character indeed.

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters is a book for everyone. It guarantees you'll have the time of your life. Embarrassing parents, a fresh start, best friends, trouble, boys and sticky situations are all part of Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters :)

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Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Date Released: December 6th 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 498 pages
Date Read: January 16th 2012
Format: Hardcover
Source: Friend

Summary:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. 

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

From Goodreads

My Review:

This is not even a review, this is pure nonsense:

WOW, I MEAN, WOOOOOOW!!!!


Will is such an !$%$#^$%@$@


But Jem is sooo *Swoooon*


and then the Will situation! [Spoiler - Highlight] HE HAS A SISTER!!! and the other Will Situation!!!! [Spoiler - Highlight] HE IS CURSED!!!!!!


if you don't know about the Will situations you just need to read it and be prepared to die of shock.

and Jem is so Hot! and he and Tessa are so Cute! and I hate Jessamine! and I love Sophie! and then the Jem and Tessa situation! Soooo Cute! "Squeeeeal!" and then she says no to Will. O_O and then I also hate Tessa too. But I also understand her, and, and, and..... *sigh*



This review is rubbish. But on a more serious note, Clockwork Prince is by far the best Cassandra Clare book I've read, and I've read them all. I think the thing that makes Clockwork Prince ten times more great was the supportive characters, which I think a lot of us don't give much importance too, but what we don't realize is that there characters are the ones that make the main characters shine! and that details matter, and they are the details of books! and Cassandra Clare did and excellent job in taking all these characters from Clockwork Angel and giving them their own spotlight in Clockwork Prince.

I feel so connected to this novel in many ways right now that it's insane. It's one of those rare cases where the series gets better. More Action, More Romance -much  MUCH More Romance - More Mysteries and  a desperate need for the next book are all part of Clockwork Prince. if you have not read this series you are seriously missing out.

Oh! and as for if I am Team Jem or Team Will... well, I'm still loyal to Will, and will wait for him with arms wide open in case he decides to visit reality ♥

“They’re not hideous,” said Tessa.
Will blinked at her. “What?”
“Gideon and Gabriel,” said Tessa. “They’re really quite good-looking, not hideous at all.”
“I spoke,” said Will, in sepulchral tones, “of the pitch-black inner depths of their souls.”
Tessa snorted. “And what color do you suppose the inner depths of your soul are, Will Herondale?”
“Mauve,” said Will.”

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Date Released: May 1st 2011
Pages: 356 pages
Date Read: February 29, 2012
Format: Paperback
Source: Amazon

Summary:
The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

From Goodreads

My Review:

This book was so good, so so so good! and the ending was so Incredibly Happy and Good that it seemed unrealistic....

Let me explain my situation: I'm sure we've all had a friend when we were young that was in a relationship and swore they were going to get married and you were like "Pfft, yeah right, you'll break up eventually, you'll see." Something similar happened with me and this book, I was like "Pfft, yeah right, nobody gets such a happy ending. Pfft." Which really pisses me off! I used to be a hopeless romantic and now I've become un-romantic and disgustingly realistic. and it's not even realistic because Happy endings DO exist. We're just all too blind to see them. Society killed good romance and Happily Ever After >.<

But then I got to talking with lovely BF Jennifer from Some Like It Paranormal and I was ranting about how I was such a pessimist and she said [Quote] "Yeah I'm a big pessimist but I love my HEA! I don't care how unrealistic, an author should end things nicely otherwise I'm all upset and can't eat dinner!"

 

So Screw being a pessimist! Screw it I say!  I will enjoy this Happy Ending and give this book the 5 Stars it Deserves! It was a great and addicting story! I Loved it! and I want One Just like it! [well, we can keep a few situations out, I guess] 

The story was full of great elements, for example Abby mentions she has a troubled past, but you will never come close to guessing what she's running away from, I was very surprised and pleased when I found out, not your average situation. Moving on to Travis: Swoon worthy guy [Duh] Strong, with Tattoos and trouble trouble trouble. He was way to jealous at times for my taste and very violent [though never towards Abby] also very much of a jerk at times but, you can see he tries really hard to be better, which gives him bonus points. Abby was also driving me nuts at times, BOTH of them drove me nuts during the book, they were perfect for each other and they were both too stupid to see it, but it was never annoying and it only made me want to read faster! Spoiler Note, if you haven' read the book don't you dare see it! it'll ruin a really cool/cheesy/stupid part in the book! [Highlight]: "When he gets a tattoo with her name seemed stupid to me, waaaaaay beyond the valley of sanity. also when she gets one at the end.... Still, it was pretty cheesy/corny/stupid and I liked it x) also I love the ending when she reminds him never to bet against her, I really do think that gave the book a nice guarantee that they will get a happily ever after. After all, you simply don't bet against Lucky 13 ;)"

In conclusion: this book was Incredible. And the title could not describe it better, it's a Beautiful Disaster, because even though their relationship was, well, a Disaster, it was still Beautiful, Travis being the best version of himself he could be when he was with Abby, wanting to be the right guy and making the right choices, and Abby learning to take chances and also that sometimes life has other plans for you, and that this plans are often the best choice. An Amazing book that it's worth keeping and re-reading. You won't forget it. 

Caged Moon - Rachel Deagan

Caged Moon by Rachel Deagan
Pages: 260 pages
Format: e-book
Source: Author

Summary:

Haunted by an animal attack, seventeen year old Charlotte feels she is being followed. When she runs into a mysterious boy while camping, she’s afraid. Nothing seems right about him. Despite trying to stay away, there is an unmistakable draw to be near him. Even his scent smells familiar. But the closer she gets, the faster the secrets begin to unravel. Not only is he not human, he may have a link to her past. When Charlotte finds out someone wants her dead, she is torn between love and fear. Can she trust him to keep her safe?

From Goodreads

My Review:

Oh My God, I cannot express how much I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! One of the Best Werewolf books I have ever read!

Let me start by pointing out what I Loved most :3 <u>Charlotte</u>. She is one of the best characters I've read, it was so fun and just pure delight to live in her head! It actually reminded me of my own head x) I just fell in love with her.

Next, the guys. Liam is our main male character -I Love Him Too - but his friends! they were hilarious and as supportive characters they really added much to the story! Everything in the story was great but they made it awesome. [Not just the guys, everyone else! but, lol, I have a thing for those Wolfy guys :3] and back to Liam, who was so swoon-worthy. He always managed to make everything flirty and sexy x) He was also always there for Charlotte, protecting here and helping her figure out more about what she is and, and, and.... *sigh* yeah. that's it ^^

Then, The Story. At first it reminded me a lot of Shiver by Maggi Stiefvater [which is a book I also loved] but once I got more into it they were so different, especially by the character. and Oh God this book was awesome.

I'm jumping up and down and I want to tell you more, soooo much more! But I can't without spoiling so Arg!! >.<  Just read it!

I think the best thing about the book is just how good it is to read it. I felt happy the entire time, a smile playing on my lips while I read and it was just... a totally great and awesome read.

Thank You so much to Rachel Deaga! Your book is now one of my favorites! I will be re-reading this one, no doubt.

PS: Forgot to say I also love the cover :D!

Where She Went - Gayle Forman

Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Date Released: April 5th 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 264 pages
Date Read: February 6th 2012
Format:  Hardcover
Source:Borders

Summary:

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

From Goodreads

My Review:

You know, I had really high expectations for this book, I was expecting some epic romance or something. I'm sad to say that I didn't got that. Still, the book is worth 5 stars and more. So even though the story wasn't what I thought it would be, it was still one of the most amazing stories I've read, just like If I Stay, Where She Went blew me away. Gayle Forman is one of my all time favorite authors, no doubt.

If you haven't read If I Stay then Stop Right Here. Do NOT read past this point, jump to the last paragraph instead :3 For those of you who have read If I Stay, I'm sure you remember Adam's promise to Mia, which sadly, he had to keep, and it becomes a sad and bumpy road - for both of them. Where She Went is told in Adam's point of view, we can see just how hard it was for him to loose Mia and how much his life changed. What I liked was that even though the situation was depressing, the book didn't felt like a "Oh my life sucks *sigh* I shall go jump of a bridge" sorta thing. It was realistic and also relatable, even if you are nowhere near Adam's or Mia's situation.

I was warned that I would cry - I didn't [I still feel bad for that ^^] still, the book was really emotional and just plain Beautiful. I Loved it. I L-O-V-E-D IT! Especially the final chapters! The book ended in realistic way! I was actually worried about it having a ridiculously cliche happy ending. I'm just plain in Love with this Novel, Adam and how Gayle Forman creates amazing characters and she allows us to go deep into them, to a point where you just feel that everything is happening directly to you, and you hurt along with the characters.

This book was so good that *sigh* it makes me wanna go jump of a bridge x) lol.

If you haven't read Where She Went you Must! Like, now! and if you haven't read Where She Went or If I Stay then, Oh God O_O you have no idea what you've been missing. go get both. Like, NNW!

PS: I Love Adam <3 one of my biggest book crushes of all time :3

“You don’t share me. You own me.” 
-Adam

My Review of If I Stay

Swirls - F.A. Hershey. Review+Excerpt+Giveaway

Swirls by F.A. Hershey

Date Released: July 8th 2011
Pages:  254 pages
Date Read: 2/10/12
Format: PDF
Source: Author

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Julia finds herself leaving her London life behind to move with her parents to the Amazon jungle.

A native descendant, she becomes familiarized with her own roots for the first time in her life. However, she never imagines she is about to discover much more than her own past but also just how crowded our little planet is...

This is a present time sci-fi/ fantasy story about trust, friendship, love and self-discovery.

This book falls into the category of YA fiction, though not unsuitable for younger readers.

From Goodreads

My Review:

Swirls is one of the most intriguing books I've ever read. For starters, the summary doesn't give too much away, so the moment I started reading, the big question came to my mind: WHAT? lucky for me this wasn't annoying, it was more like a "What is going on? I want to know! I need to know!" sorta thing.

We start with Julia ready to leave London and go live in the Amazon - she's not too happy about this. Also, she's not too happy with the strange dreams she's been having, especially the part were they torture her... But along with her arrival to the Amazon, a new friend comes - Lola, I Looooved her as a character! - Family secrets, a mysterious tribe leader, a hot boy and a not-so-nice mother [that would be an understatement].

Julia has a very special gift, and soon she finds herself being a very important part of this secret world. I really enjoyed this book and I loved the original world that F.A. Hershey created.

A fitting title, an original story, and a great book with an ending that will leave you wanting for more!

Excerpt from Swirls by F. A. Hershey:

My feet were killing me by now. The twigs and protruded roots felt more like whips lashing on my legs and arms as we walked through the forest’s non-existent paths. Halola and the guide were just a few paces in front of me, and it was clear that walking through the jungle felt like home to them.

I struggled my way through with more determination I thought myself capable of. They often paused and waited for me to catch up, but I just waved them on. I wanted to make myself endure the challenge and overcome it.

When I woke up this morning, I knew that this was going to be a challenge, but that was a challenge I was glad to accept. I was also glad to have something else to think about rather than Gabriel. I’d put on Halola’s hiking boots, my old jeans and a long sleeved shirt to protect my arms from mosquito bites, put on my best courageous face and left my room to meet Halola by the Reception.

What I wasn’t too well prepared for was the weight I would have to carry. I had a load of what felt like a ton of lead strapped to my back, which sometimes made me lose my balance. I’d have fallen backwards to the floor if it wasn’t for trunks of trees, bless them, to hold me up.

‘I’m doing great, don’t worry about me. The view is fantastic!’ I lied, not very convincingly though because the lie didn’t match the straining look I’m sure I had on my face. But I wasn’t lying about the view. It was fantastic.

I felt infinitesimally small compared to the tall, ancient trees around me. I could barely see the sky above my head and the sun’s rays struggled to find their way through the branches.

‘How are you doing?’ Halola asked me every now and then. She pitied me, but her hands were tied. There was no way she could help me much, because she too was carrying a massive load of food on her back.

The more we walked, the trickier it became to walk a straight line. I wondered every now and then if the guide really knew where he was going or if he was just as clueless and lost as I was.

I knew we had walked quite a long way when my hair was matted with sweat and my clothes were so sticky with sweat and dirt and green mould I could have just gone for a swim in the river with my clothes on.

‘We’re almost there,’ Halola spoke over her shoulder, as if reading my worried thoughts.

‘How do you know?’

‘Do you see that giant Kapok tree over there?’ she pointed to a magnificently tall tree that seemed to have been purposefully arranged to be the centre of things, somehow outshining and towering the other trees around it. If Halola, the guide and I joined hands we wouldn’t be able to encircle it all the way, so thick it was.

‘Yes, but there are others like that all over the place.’

‘Yes and no,’ Halola said smiling, ‘This tree here is very special because it’s been here for a long time – much longer than the others of its kind.’

‘And it’s been protected by the Kanuayeds since they settled here,’ added the guide.

‘My grandmother said the tribe has lived here for more than a thousand years,’ I said, remembering what Gran had told me so many times since I was a little girl.

I remembered her stories about the tribe life she always cherished so much. Now walking the paths I’m sure she would be able to walk with her eyes closed, I could imagine more vividly what she always tried to make me visualise and feel about her life here as a young girl – about my age actually. She left for England as a young woman of twenty.

***

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