Review: Beautiful: Jonas by Eden Maguire

Something strange is happening in Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. Rumours of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss.
Darina, Phoenix’s grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can’t escape her intense heartache, or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echo inside her head …

I have mixed feelings about this book, as a zombie novel, I would have liked there to be a bit more blood and guts and violence, but I didnt really expect that. As a regular supernatural, it was a very good book. It was an inventive new spin on zombies, with a bit of romance, that in some parts was a bit overdone, but for most parts it was good. It was a bit slow in the first part of the book, but it picked up in the second half.

I couldnt really relate Darina very well, but I did admire her as a character. She was brave and strong, and was a very well developed character. I liked Arizona for her snappy comments, and I am looking forward to her story. Hunter was scary. The secondary characters added well to the plot.

Overall, this was a good book, it held my interest and Darina's 'voice' was strong and realistic. It was a good addition to the genre, which ever that may be. The characters had interesting names, and I really like the cover.

★★★

Review: Maximum Ride: Saving The World And Other Extreme Sports

The exhilarating third novel in James Patterson's exciting adventure series for 9-15 year olds. You’re about to join the adventures of Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel, six extraordinary kids who have powers like no other: they can fly, and they’re being chased—no, hunted—across America and around the world. THIS IS THE END, MY FRIENDS. But I promise that you’ll fly higher than ever before in this wild adventure, witness battles worthy of multiplex movie screens, and laugh until your sides hurt. Believe it or not, there’s even a little romance. But all good things - and even terrible, unspeakable ones - must come to an end. This is that moment in time, I’m afraid. Either we save the world, or we crash and burn. And I mean all of us - even you, faithful reader, because you play a very big part in this story. Max The Flock needs your help. Yes, you. Join us at http://www.maximumride.com/.

This started out a little strange, and had it been any other book I would have tossed aside. However, as it was a library book and a Maximum Ride novel I did not do that. I think I have sniffed out a plot trait for The Final Warning: Global Warming...No comment. I did enjoy it, because it had a good amount violence, romance (Max and Fang finally made out!) adventure and humour.

Fang still remains my favourite character, but Max deserves a special mention. Even in the hardest of situations she (mostly) manages to keep her cool. She probably is one of the most spunky heriones that I have read about. The supporting characters added to the plot which was already excellent. And what was so excellent about these characters? They kicked ass.

I felt the ending was a little under-developed, but that didnt really matter. And I didnt like it when The Flock split up-it just didnt feel right. And I hate that this review sucks, because it does. Sorry.

In My Mailbox: 28/11/09

I had a really good book week. Yep.

From The Library:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Maximum Ride: Saving the world and other extreme sports by James Patterson
Maximum Ride: The Final Warning by James Patterson (I am prepared for disaster)

Bought:

Beautiful Dead: Jonas by Eden Maguire
The Morganville Vampires: The Dead Girls Dance by Rachel Caine (review here)
The Morganville Vampires: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine

For Review:

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolarmore (another spontaneous arrival)

I have nearly finished Saving The World And Other Extreme Sports, my review should be up tommorow. I dont want it to end- The Final Warning looks awful, but I will still read it.

Review: The Dead Girls Dance by Rachel Caine

Claire has her share of challenges. Like being a genius in a school that favours beauty over brains; homicidal girls in her dorm, and finding out that her college town is overrun with the living dead. On the up side, she has a new boyfriend with a vampire-hunting dad. But when a local fraternity throws the Dead Girls' Dance, hell is really going to break loose.

The more Urban Fantasy I read, the more I love it. The Dead Girls Dance is sequel to The Morganville Vampires: Glass House and picks up where that heads of. I really like this series, they are such fun, light reads. They may not be the most well written series, but they have everything else that a good book needs: Humour, romance, adventure, violence, twisty plots... And the vamps are evil.

Michael made a stupid decision toward the end, if you have read this book, you will probably know what I'm talking about. I'm trying really hard not give spoilers, but really, we don't want another Edward Cullen in town do we? Oops, just ruined it for you sorry. Shane spent the majority of the book in a cage...no comment. Eve was still as amusing, she cracked me up. Claire was so strange, one minute she was strong, the next she was cowering in a corner. Amelie, the founder, was probably my favourite Vampire character.

The romance was HOT, granted there was much of it, but what there was was excellent. I have to admit that I'm not too found of the Eve/Michael thing, but it was kind of sweet, and usually I'm not a fan of romances. Yes I just did say that. And yes I am myself.

So yes, I really like this book. I would even goes as far to say that it would be one of my favourites (I have been using that term rather loosely at the moment, but I have read some really good books at the moment). Highly recommended. Plus the cover is really pretty.

Review: Prom nights From Hell

In this exciting collection, bestselling authors Meg Cabot (How to Be Popular), Kim Harrison (A Fistful of Charms), Michele Jaffe (Bad Kitty), Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) take bad prom nights to a whole new level—a paranormally bad level. Wardrobe malfunctions and two left feet don't hold a candle to discovering your date is the Grim Reaper—and he isn't here to tell you how hot you look.

From angels fighting demons to a creepy take on getting what you wish for, these five stories will entertain better than any DJ in a bad tux. No corsage or limo rental necessary. Just good, scary fun.

I have absolutely no idea how to review this. I really enjoyed it, and it was quite different from what I would normally read. I hadnt read anythin by most of the authors, so it was a nice suprise. I think Meg Cabots (The Exterminater;'s Daughter) had to be my favourite, because it was so funny and gripping. Adams perspective made me laugh so much. Or maybe it was Lauren Myracle's (The Corsage), which was freaky, but great nonetheless. Stephanie Meyers story (Hell On Earth) conveyed emotions in such a great way and gave a new spin on the angels/demons genres. They were all extremely inventive and fun, I would reccomend this book for lovers of paranormal romances who want a quick read. (I so need to get Vacations from hell!)

Mary Naylus Interview!

Mary Naylus author of The Dresskeeper (which is an awesome read, you can read my review here) kindly offered to do an interview, and naturally, I accepted, so here it is:

TBB:Where did you get the idea for The Dresskeeper?

MN:The idea came to me when reading a 16th century history of London. Fashion was such a huge part of the culture of the time, so I thought it made a cute way to get the character to and from old and new London.

TBB:How long did it take you to write it?

MN:First draft about six months. The whole book was completed in about a year.

TBB:Can you describe The Dresskeeper in three words?

MN:Teenage time travel.

TBB:What are you writing at the moment?

MN:The Plaguemaker, which is about a 15-year-old girl who has ghostly visions of young plague victims. I am also working on plot points for my third novel, in which Picky may make a comeback.

Thanks Mary!

Review: Maximum Ride: Schools out-forever.

The Angel Experiment was just a test drive... Now, brace yourself for the MAXIMUM ride! James Patterson shifts high action into overdrive in this eagerly awaited follow-up to his #1 New York Times bestseller. Brave bird-kid Max and her flock fly south on a perilous quest to find their parents, after having rescued Angel and recovered secret documents about their origins. But just when they think they've finally escaped the hungry claws of evil Erasers, they're discovered by an FBI agent and forced to face perhaps an even worse nightmare: going to school. There's no such thing as an ordinary day when Max's "homework" includes decoding documents, deciphering when (and how) she's supposed to save the world, and learning to face what may her greatest enemy: herself. A clone. Max II.

This book was pretty good. Though it was not as good as its prequel, I still liked it. It was mindless and fast. I was suprised to find that most of my friends dont like this series (Twihards, most of them).This may sound narrow-minded, but who could not like this series? There awesome! Sure, they may not be the most well written books in the world, but they are fun.

Max and Fang...WELL DUUH THEY LIKE EACHOVER! It is just so obvious, but both seem oblivious to the fact. Angel is staring to freak me out. That kid can control minds, its just not normal. I felt very sorry for Iggy, when he found his parents and all they wanted to do was make money of him. Frankly, Ari confused me, I mean he was just so angry, and I wasnt sure if he hated Max or liked liked Max. If so, thats making for a very good (and very violent, I like violent) love triangle.

The plot was very exciting and adventurous, and Max's narrative is addictive and relatable, well except from the part about having wings. It was so gripping and had me constantly on the edge of my seat.

All in all, this was a enjoyable read, and I would reccomend it for lovers of Angel Fiction who are looking for a light read with a twist. Five stars.

PS: I just saw New moon it was absolutely awesome- Yay for The Volturi! (Dont ask why I like the villains, I just do)