Review: The Curse of the Romanovs By Staton Rabin

Privet! (Hello, in Russian….I hope)

Another old review…

Title: The Curse of the Romanovs

Author: Staton Rabin

Summary (B&N.com): Alexei Romanov, heir to the Russian throne, is in deadly danger.

It¹s 1916, the struggling Russian people are tired of war and are blaming their Romanov rulers for it, and some are secretly plotting to murder the young heir and his family. But nobody outside the palace knows that Alexei suffers from a terrible bleeding disease, hemophilia, which threatens to finish him off even before the family¹s enemies can. The only person able to help Alexei is the evil and powerful religious mystic Rasputin — and now Rasputin is trying to kill him too! Desperate, Alexei flees through time to New York City in 2010, using a method taught to him by the mad monk himself.

In New York, Alexei meets smart and sassy Varda Rosenberg, and discovers she is a distant cousin. Varda is working on a gene therapy cure for hemophilia, as the disease still runs in the family. When Alexei learns that history shows that his entire family will be assassinated in 1918, he and Varda travel back in time to the Russian Revolution, with Rasputin hot on their heels. Will they be able to rescue Alexei¹s family before it¹s too late?

Staton Rabin lets Alexei tell his own riveting story in a rousing adventure with stunning surprises — a movingly authentic look at royalty and revolution in the days of the tsars.

My Review: I've always had this great interest in historical mysteries. And this book is a new spin on the Romanov assassination. When most people my age think Romanov they think Anastasia and that Disney Cartoon with the singing or that conspiracy about how she survived, I used to as well but after reading this book I think of Anastasia’s little brother, Alexei Romanov. In reality, Alexei really did have Hemophilia, a hereditary disease where blood clotting factors don't work as they should, meaning they can’t help stop bleeding after a cut or injury. Alexei did not, however, time travel which is a part of the plot in this novel. I liked how the author explained how Rasputin was connected to the Romanov family and worked in the time travel so it didn’t cause eye rolling like other time traveling fiction. In the back of the book there’s also a section of the actual historical parts of the book so you don’t mix facts with fiction when you’re in history class and actually can report on something you know.

I recommend this book to all readers who want to learn about history with out a text book and have a little fun with it along the way.

Review: Shiver By Maggie Stiefvater

What’s Up?

So…I read this awhile ago and had a strong urge to finally post the review.

I switched up the colors in this review a bit because of the Shiver cover, which I loved by the way, so pretty.

Title: Shiver

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Summary (from back of book):

The Cold.

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf- her wolf- watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

The Heat.

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

The Shiver.

For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human- and Grace must fight to keep him- even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

My Review: Forget the Quileute tribe, I’ll take Sam, thanks. If you’re looking for a new spin on the werewolf legend but one that’s not so overpowering that you feel the need to burn all werewolf books because you're so sick of then Shiver is just right for you. In this tale, the wolves don’t change at will like in some other stories and it was nothing to do with the moon. The werewolves are only wolves in the cold weather hence the title Shiver, I assume. That was the key selling point for me. I read this in or around February and I love in Western New York where our winters are seriously cold. I was about half way through the book when I walked over to my friend’s house to study for something or other. It was snowing and the snow was already up to my shins and it was FREEZING! On that 3 block walk all I kept thinking about was Sam and how Grace must have felt when he caught the slightest of cool breezes.

This is a great book and one that I’m planning on buying so I can re read it again and again.

***Look for my Review of Linger, Shiver’s sequel, due out in bookstores July 2010.

Review: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover By Ally Carter

Hallo

Another review of a book I read a while ago… so it is unfortunately short :/ sorry guys.

Title: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover

Author: Ally Carter

Summary (B&N.com): When Cammie “The Chameleon” Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she’s in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she’s there to watch Macey’s father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world’s best school (for spies), “exciting” and “deadly” are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers’ plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.

As her junior year begins, Cammie can’t shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn’t feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion’s corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?

Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey’s private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth. . . .

My Review: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover is yet another great book from Ally Carter’s awesome series, The Gallagher Girls. I love this series because I always feel like a spy when I read them. Sometimes, I try to act like a spy, which is always funny because o happen to be the klutzyst person in Buffalo.

In this book, there’s a lot more mystery and I was on the edge of my seat. This plot follows Macey’s dad on his VP campaign trail where danger ensues. But the edge wasn’t all I liked that it was more in-depth on Cammie’s felling on being the Chameleon. Over all a great read even if I don’t build it up as well as it should be.

Review: Zombie Queen Of Newbury High By Amanda Ashby

Hey

So since prom season is upon us, I thought it was a good time to read a prom type book. And here is my review…

Title: Zombie Queen Of Newbury High

Author: Amanda Ashby

Summary (from back of book/B&N.com): Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha—cheerleading goddess and miss popularity— who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She's sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

My Review: I read this Friday during school, I couldn’t put it down, it was so funny. I love how there where references to Supernatural (the TV show, they also referenced Buffy but I don’t watch that so those were lost on me). It’s a zombie book, but not overpoweringly so. There isn’t a lot of gore so if you're squeamish don’t worry you’ll be fine, I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading this book, you’ll be fine. Read this! You will not be disappointed.

Review: The Last Song By Nicholas Sparks

Aloha!

So I have no witty thing to put here so….read on. :)

Title: The Last Song

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Summary (from B&N.com): Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside?down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.

My Review: This is the third Nicholas Sparks book, I’ve read and it definitely wasn’t the most romantic, in my opinion, but of course in the traditional Sparks’ manner I cried a bunch and couldn’t put it down. This was also the first time I’ve read the book before I saw the movie so I wasn’t let down. I think that if you like sea turtles and are interested in them this would be a great read. It's not like sea turtles consume the book, but they have a cute underlining meaning type of thing (look at cover, see the cute turtles?).

As much as this book made me cry, I also laughed. Ronnie’s little brother, Jonah was an absolute delight to read. Reading about him and his crazy ideas on the amount of cookies people are allowed to have as they age will have you rolling on the floor laughing. If you read this only for Jonah and his commentary it will be worth it.

Joint Review: A Walk to Remember and The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks (books v. movies)

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening,

So this is more of a review if you've see the movies and are confused as to whether or not you want to read the books.

Title: A Walk to Remember

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Summary: (since I can’t find a summary that doesn’t give away everything…I’ll write my own, forgive my shortness) Landon Carter found love in the most unexpected way in this heart wrenching story from beloved author Nicholas Sparks.

My Review: For the first time in the history of forever I actually like the movie better than the book. The book was so simple compared to the movie version. Landon wasn’t as sweet and Jamie didn't have a list. The book didn’t seem complete without a list of things Jamie wanted to do with her life. They both seemed kind of detached from the situation. Don’t get me wrong I cried. A lot. And in Nicholas Sparks in the prologue to this book even warned the reader to have a box of tissues with them as they neared the closing of this story.

Title: The Notebook

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Summary (from B&N.com): Every so often a love story so captures our hearts that it becomes more than a story-it becomes an experience to remember forever. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of how passion can be ageless and timeless, a tale that moves us to laughter and tears and makes us believe in true love all over again... At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...

My Review: One of my best friends forced me to watch this movie one night so she could see if I’d cry. I didn’t cry during the movie (she, however, started 23 minutes in) but oh boy when I read the book I bawled. The story is just so bittersweet that you cant help crying. If you’re a fan of the movie you know that you see in detail Allie and Noah’s first summer together, the book kind of glossed over it so there is more time to tell the amazing story of their lives.

I just wish that in the case of Nicholas Sparks movies they’d quit adding all this great stuff because then the books are, sad to say a let down. Either way I’d give both A Walk to Remember and The Notebook four hearts.

Bulk Review: Feeling Angelic? (Fallen, Hush,Hush and Coffeehouse Angel)

Welcome!

Lately, I’ve been reading what I like to call ‘Angel Books’. Ive decided to do a bulk review of Fallen, Hush, Hush, and Coffeehouse Angel. The latter is rather lighter in topic than the formers are. However, they are all equally angelic. :)

Title: Fallen

Author: Lauren Kate

Summary (from B&N.com/book sleeve): Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, WHERE every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

My Review: Fallen wasn’t what I expected. I had heard the hype and had to check it out. Let’s just say I’m not eagerly awaiting the squeal, but I will read it when ever I can get it at my library. I found this book extraordinarily hard to follow at times. For some reason theres these shadow type things that follow Luce around and those shadows confused me. The plot between Daniel and Luce was kind of unoriginal. Boy’s immortal, loves girl over and over again because she’s been reincarnated a million or so times. It just got old. The setting was cool though, it was a nice change being in a old reform school. It was just the characters that needed work. (The cover is beautiful though).

Title: Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Summary (from B&N.com/book sleeve): For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

My Review: Um…A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I immediately fell for Patch. He is reminiscent of Gilmore Girls’ Jess Mariano, adorable, bad boy who its really hard not to love. I have nothing bad to say about this book, except that it ended and the sequel isn’t out yet. I like the way it’s written, in first person so you only know what Nora knows, but it is fun to try to figure out what Patch’s agenda is. It's completely different from anything I’ve read this year. I highly recommend it. Especially if you feel the need to be swept up in someone else’s adventure.

Title: Coffeehouse Angel

Author: Suzanne Selfors

Summary (from book sleeve): When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother's coffee shop, she leaves him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over, never expecting this random act of kindness to turn her life upside down. The adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is actually a guardian angel on a break between missions, and now he won't leave until he can reward Katrina's selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Fame and fortune seem like the obvious requests, but after two botched wishes, Malcolm knows Katrina is hiding something from him. But how can she tell him the truth, when her heart's desire has become Malcolm himself?

My Review: HALLELUJAH! I adore this book! Malcolm, the angel in this book is super sweet and funny and I want a Malcolm of my own. It's also refreshing to see a Girl/Guy best friendship where they are really just friends, like that of Katrina and Vincent. The plot is so real that you forget that Malcolm is an angel. I felt as if I could really relate to Katrina and I love that in a story. I honestly don’t want to write anymore so I don’t give anything up. So, just read this! You will not be sorry.

Review: Forever Princess By Meg Cabot

HI! *waves*

So, I read this in I think January and here is my review of it. (yes it’s kinda small, but JUST READ IT! And, you know, the rest of the series) :D

Title: Forever Princess

Author: Meg Cabot

Summary (from borders.com): What's a Princess to do?

It's Mia's senior year, and things "seem" great. She aced her senior project, got accepted to her dream college(s), and has her eighteenth birthday gala coming up . . . not to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia's first-ever elections. What's not to love about her life? Well . . . "everyone" adores her dreamy boyfriend, J.P., but Mia is not sure he's "the" one. Her first love, Michael, is back from Japan . . . and back in her life. That senior project? It's a romance novel she secretly wrote, and no one wants to publish it. And her father is losing in the Genovian polls--to Mia's loathsome cousin Rene!

With not just Genovia's but her own future hanging in the balance, Mia's got some choices to make. And what she decides might determine not just the next four years but . . . forever!

My Review:

As sad as I am that this wonderful series is over, I’m so glad it ended the way it did. I won’t tell you what happened, but let me just say I was happy dancing like there was no tomorrow.

I’m kind of upset that there was a 2 year gap in the story line since #9 Princess Mia. Although on the other hand I’m glad I didn’t have to read it if Mia’s life was a tad boring during those years. I’m not sure I could have handled it, Mia was already a bit of a Downer in this book.

Overall a good ending to a long, amazing series. Another huge Thumbs Up for Meg Cabot!!

Review: Runaway By Meg Cabot

Hey there, People.

When I got this book in the mail I freaked out. She is one of my all time favorite authors ever. I follow her blog religiously. NOTE: this review has been a pain in butt to post, but i shall prevail!

Title: Runaway

Author: Meg Cabot

Summary(FROM B&N.COM/cover of actual book): Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.

My Review: I lost count of all the times I said the phrases "OH JEEZ!", "*gasp*" or "oh no OH NO!!", "wow, are YOU stupid?!". That may sound bad, but it's totally not. I think that it's great when your reading a book and it gets you so emotionally involved that you start to smack yourself in the head because you can't smack the character your frustrated with.

Runaway is the third book in Meg Cabot’s Airhead series. I didn’t realize it was a trilogy until I considered the SMASH-BANG-WOOT ending! That really is the only way I can describe this perfect ending to a great book. I love when things work out the way the reader thinks they should.

Em Watts AKA Nikki Howard had to face yet another challenge thrown at her by the evil Stark Enterprises and I love the way she handled the situation. She worked together with the people she loved to save many others.

Like all of Meg Cabot’s fabulous books Runaway is a fast pace, easy read that focuses on Girl Power!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FIVE HEARTS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE AGAIN!: apparently we can't move pictures anymore either. Blogger: i am fed up with you!

~Read More,

Talk Less,

Rory!