Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Austenland by Shannon Hale 

Release Date: May 29^th, 2007 

Publisher: Bloomsbuy USA 

Age Group: Adult 

Pages: 197 

Source: Borrowed from Library 

Series: Austenland (#1) 

Other Titles in the Series: Midnight in Austenland (#2) 

Summary (goodreads.com): Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

My Review:

I’m really not sure how I feel about this book. It was okay, but definitely not what I expected. I think the main reason this isn’t my favorite book is that I really disliked the main character Jane. She complained all the time about how much she wanted to stop liking Mr. Darcy. I think the plot and Jane’s character would have benefited from her learning to accept herself for who she was early on in the book instead of just complaining about it ever other page.

The premise of Austenland is for Jane to go to this Austen themed resort to kick her Darcy habit. I could tell that the author was trying to make Austenland seem as horrible as possible so that no one would ever want to go there and to ensure that Jane would hate all things Austen by the time she leaves. Austenland sounded horrible. Actors were paid to make customers fall in love with them, which is so cruel. I’ve always thought that something like Austenland would be fun, but I never imagined the gentlemen to be paid actors, I thought they would be guys looking for their Elizabeth Bennets just like girls go looking for their Mr. Darcys (and those guys DO exist).

However, I really did like that last few chapters. I liked who Jane ended up with. I wish that Jane could have ended up with him halfway through or that the book was longer so that we could have seen more of their relationship outside of Austenland. I liked that Hale didn’t just reference Austen in the novel either. A few times she mentions the Bronte Sisters’ works as well which because I have read them I understood and appreciated (however, if I hadn’t read those books and was reading Austenland solely for Austen I might have thought I had somehow missed a few of her novels).

From a slightly different perspective I think I would have really liked this book. You should read it though because this is all just my opinion and I can’t speak for you, dear reader. I would recommend this to fans of romantic comedy, Regency England, and of course Austen. If you’ve read Austenland and liked it comment below and tell me your favorite parts!

~Laura!

Review: Twilight- The Graphic Novel, Volume One by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim (illustrator)

Hi!

I really don’t like Graphic Novels, but because this one is on Twilight I had to check it out.

Title: Twilight- The Graphic Novel Volume One

Author: Stephenie Meyer/ Young Kim (illustrator)

Summary (B&N.com): When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret...

My Review: I have this thing against graphic novels. I only read ones that were actual novels first (ex. Meg Cabot’s Avalon High, JRR Tolkien‘s The Hobbit) or ones based on a tv show or something (ex. That one based on John Winchester from Supernatural). That’s because in traditional graphic novels, I find the drawings just plain sad. I think that’s because my dad’s an artist so I know quality work when I see it. The drawings in Twilight are not bad even though there are seriously random sweat drops on Bella that make absolutely no sense what so ever at all that bugged the heck out of me. I really liked the meadow scene drawings because Edward sparkled right. I was curious about how the illustrator may have done this so I asked my dad. He said she probably erased the sparkle parts to create that effect (I don’t know if this is true but it certainly sounds good). Anyway I would not buy this book, but if your library does have it check it out. I was disappointed though because I didn’t realize this was Volume One until it ended and I was like…um? that’s really not where it ended. Also there are HUGE chunks of the plot taken out. I think that if I hadn’t read Twilight (the novel) first I would have been a little confused.

Review: Swoon by Nina Malkin

Hi!

The cover drew me in…

Title: Swoon

Author: Nina Malkin

Summary (B&N.com): SIN IS COMING...PREPARE TO SWOON

Torn from her native New York City and dumped in the land of cookie-cutter preps, Candice is resigned to accept her posh, dull fate. Nothing even happens in Swoon, Connecticut...until Dice's perfect, privileged cousin Penelope nearly dies in a fall from an old tree and her spirit intertwines with that of a ghost. His name? Sinclair Youngblood Powers. His mission? Revenge and while Pen is obvious to the possession, Dice is all too aware of Sin. She's intensely drawn to him—but not at all crazy abolut the havoc he's wreaking.

Determined to exorcise the demon, Dice accidentally sets Sin loose, gives him flesh, makes him formidable. Now she must destroy an even more potent—and irresistible—adversary before the whole town succumbs to Sin's will. Only trouble is, she's in love with him.

What do you do when the boy of your dreams is too bad to be true?

My Review: The voice of this book is very unique; Dice definitely has an attitude, what kind I’m not sure (its hard to describe). Swoon is a very dark novel, full of sex, drugs, and violence. And I gotta say it wasn't my type of book. I thought that the book was too long. There is so much in there that didn’t need to be. The story was kind of interesting, but after a hundred pages or so my mind drifted and I had a very hard time going back to it, maybe if it had been split in two? I didn’t really like the setting or the characters and after Part I, the plot was not adding up. All in all, it's not my favorite but maybe it will be yours!

Review: Evernight by Claudia Gray

Hi!

Just finished this book about five minutes ago and I wanted to review it while its still fresh in my mind!

Title: Evernight

Author: Claudia Gray

Summary (B&N.com): Bianca wants to escape.

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

My Review: I feel like I was backstabbed by this book! There are twists, then there are turns, then there are twists AND turns within a book. Then there’s EVERNIGHT and that’s not a good thing. How hard is it to keep a book on one maybe two tracks?! There are so many twists and turns and flips and stuff that if it was a roller coaster, a month’s worth of food would have been thrown up! That’s how long it took me to finish this book. At 327 pages I only started to really like it at page 319 and that’s the only reason I am not completely going to dismiss this book. Now that all the huge twists and turns have been revealed, I’m convinced that the next book in the Evernight series will be better. I liked the characters, but the plot of Evernight needed a lot of work. I like to know what sort of fantasy book I’m reading, whether it's witches, fairies or in this case Vampires. I have never been a complete fan of them. I read them sure, but I would rather know I’m about to and have the option to turn it down. There are a lot of vampire books that I just don’t feel the need to read. And if I had known that this was one of those vampire books, I probably would have put it right back. I do admire Gray’s ability to hide the vampires for a large chunk of the book though…I definitely hadn’t seen it coming. One of the very good parts of this book was one of the supporting characters, Vic. He had a free lancing surfer dude attitude that was just so out of place at the dark, gloomy Evernight boarding school that it made the whole entire book work despite the crazy plot. Over all, I will check out the next book in the series but I wouldn’t recommend it if you want a steady read.

Review: Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Hi!

I read this one because of a review I read on Chelsea‘s blog, The Page Flipper!

Title: Strange Angels

Author: Lili St. Crow

Summary (B&N.com): Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?

My Review: I read this book because Chelsea over at The Page Flipper said it was like the TV show Supernatural. And in a way it is. But it's really not. Yes, they have the similar aspect of people fighting the things that go bump in the night and I love that. However, I had a hard time wrenching myself away from the whole Supernatural parts. I found myself having to remind myself “This is NOT Supernatural, so stop comparing it…stop saying they’re doing it wrong!“ or “You use rock salt, jeez!…No, no stop comparing.” I couldn’t do it though. My mind is just to hardwired to that TV show. It's sad that I’m so close minded, but I just can’t help it. I’m going to try to read more of the series, but I’m not sure how far I will get before I will start comparing it again.

Another thing that irked me was that the main character Dru just would not shut up. I know that sounds weird, but as readers we KNOW what happened to her father (as does she so its not like there’s any irony to that) and the author didn’t need to say it on every single page! Oh and the fact that I could not for the life of me figure out why the book was called Strange Angels. I just don’t understand it at all. Other than that it was an ok book.

Review: Alyzon Whitestarr By Isobelle Carmody

Hello,

I just finished this about an hour ago...

Title: Alyzon Whitestarr

Author: Isobelle Carmody

Summary @ http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Alyzon-Whitestarr/Isobelle-Carmody/e/9780375839382/?itm=2&usri=alyzon+whitestarr

My Review:
I have very mixed opinions on this book, partly because it took me so long to finish it. In my mind, the better the book the faster I read it. I started this book around December 16th give or take a few days. True, this book is 501 pages, but for me that's nothing. The plot was at times extremely confusing, at school people asked me "Hey, what's that about?" (usually my friends just grab the book and read the summary on the back/front inside cover...but nope there wasn't a summary [except that one on the copyright page which is the one I usually read, but it failed to deliver] just a quote from the novel which was vague), even halfway through the book I could not answer that question. I'm actually still at a loss when it comes right down to it.

The plot changed direction several times very quickly while never fully summing up what it just left. More than once, a character was mentioned and I couldn't remember what they had done before in the plot or if they were even mentioned before. The plot when it was steady seemed to drag on a bit.

I followed the most major plot line to an extent...where Alyzon has extended senses..."OK...I get that, but why are you making such a huge deal about it...calm it down there." The other line with this whole sickness that she could smell...just no. It wasn't thought out. The author had it going in so many different directions at one time, the characters had 'finally understood the sickness/wrongness' about 3 times every other chapter, the theories getting more ridiculous and harder to understand by the chapter.

The only bright spots was Harrison and Da. They made me keep reading. Da because he was such a good father to his children...always worried when he needed to be and loved his kids above and beyond. Harrison was a funny, sweet, and kind character who looked out for Alyzon.

Overall I give this book two hearts because it wasn't Steller, but I didn't throw it at the wall which is saying a lot.

Review: Betrayed- P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Hey!~

I don't have school today so I'm going to try to catch up with reviews.

Title: Betrayed

Author(s): P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Summary: Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.
Night Owl Romance

My Review: Quite frankly, I'm disappointed with this sequel to Marked. Marked was amazing and I should have know that it couldn't continue. Zoey repeats the same thing at least twice a page, it's just too redundant. I was so excited when I finally got this book, I was really looking forward to reading it. I actually started it in the car on the way home. It started off well enough, but as the plot progressed it just got stupid. I didn't like the characters as much in this...their attitudes were not at all believable. I can't say much more without ruining the plot, but I just didn't feel this book like Marked. I may read the rest of the series to find out what happens, but probably not until summer.

Sorry, Its so short, but it is what it is.

~Read More,

Talk Less,

Rory!

Review: The Graveyard Book- Neil Gaiman

Hey!~

Well, I finished this book last week, but I'm just posting the review now.

Title: The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman

Summary: Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . . Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

My Review: I was so disappointed in this book. It had so much potential, I mean how many books are set in graveyards? Yeah, not many. This book was just so...boring. I found myself wandering quite a bit thinking "this would be so much better if it was filled with more [insert something cool here]." I had first heard about it on Meg Cabot's Blog in November (check it out here) She boasted that it was funny and yeah it should have been, but there was only one funny bit with the poet at the almost the very end. I trust Meg Cabot and all her advice, but this book wasn't Spectacular, it was just plain old okay. Just before I started reading it I looked up some previous reviews and it seemed everyone couldn't give it enough praise. The only impression it left on me was...jeez I hope he doesn't write anymore about him, I think I'd die. it's also supposed to be a rather haunting novel, but the only truly exciting or 'scary' part was the first ten pages or so. This book really let me down. I really thought that this would be the novel I would rave about turns out I can only rant.

If you've read this book and liked it or just wasn't in to it like me. Comment I'd love to see your Point of View!

~Read More,

Talk Less,

Rory!

(Edited on 1-2-14: Looking back at this review I find the part where I say it didn't leave an impression ironic because since I read this book in 2009 it has haunted me. One day I might reread it and re-review it but for now I'll just leave it as it is.)

Review: The Lost Queen- Frewin Jones

Hey!~

I finished this book a couple weeks ago but I'm just posting the review now. I'm really behind in reviews so there's going to be a couple posts today.

Title: The Lost Queen

Author: Frewin Jones

Summary: Tania is a princess of Faerie.
And now she must return to the Mortal World.
Once upon a time, Tania was an ordinary girl. But then she was swept into another world, where she was the long-lost princess of the elegant and magical court of Faerie, and only she could save the court from great peril.
Now Tania—and her true love, Edric—will go back to the Mortal Realm to seek Queen Titania, lost hundreds of years ago while searching for Tania.
Their return leads to struggles with Tania's much-loved mortal parents and friends as she and Edric try to conceal their secret. But much more serious dangers lurk: The sinister Lord Drake is not yet defeated, they are pursued by dark supernatural forces, and Tania's two worlds are about to collide in amazing and frightening ways she never could have anticipated.

My Review: I liked this second installment of the Faerie Path series, but I didn't love it. I will continue reading the series because I want to find out what happens, but I don't think I will re-read them. It's just not as exciting as the first one, rather predictable. It didn't pull me in like the first one. It also didn't really have an ending, it kind of just stopped without warning. So I will read the third one because I still want to know what happens. The Lost Queen was mainly in the mortal world and I think thats why I didn't really like it as much as the first, the next one The Sorcerer King is to be set back in Faerie so hopefully it gets better.

Okay thats it, on to the next one. Please comment!

~Read More,

Talk Less,

Rory!