Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Okay, this book is amazing. If you haven't read it yet, read it. Now. I'd seen it on other blogs but had always just overlooked it on the library shelf until a friend actually told me that I MUST read this book. (or something like that). It's definitely not something I normally read. After all, I tend to prefer books that could absolutely not be real. I'm a sucker for fantasy and dislike reading about reality. But this... This was definitely an eye opener.

Anna really is a typical teenager. I could really relate to her. The way she acted, the nervousness she felt, the relationships with her friends... Like her, I'd be a complete wimp when it first came to exploring Paris, and though I may not share some of her passions, I could completely imagine her emotions throughout the novel. 

Unlike a lot of novels, I didn't find the drama particularly stupid either. It wasn't really much about cliques or popularity, though there were mentions of it. It was about the new girl. Just a regular girl. And it wasn't presented in a cheesy way either, which I was kinda expecting. I mean the new girl with the hot, popular guy? Please. But Perkins showed different sides of the characters. Believable ones and for that she really deserves some credit.

The situations, the characters, all were amazing. Yes it's a happy book so obviously it's going to have a happy ending but really, that bit of predictability doesn't explain how they'll get there, what will happen in between. This definitely wasn't an action-packed book, or a suspenseful one but there's something really charming about it and I'd definitely recommend it. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week has a specific topic to which bloggers make a list of their top ten books in that category. 

This week's topic is Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters. I'm not positive as to what a secondary character is. So basically I'm just considering it as anyone who isn't the main character. As usual, in no particular order...

1) Grover from the Percy Jackson series - He's a protector. He's subconscious, a wimp at times, has history, he's loyal. What's not to love about him. He can be brave and he sticks to what's right. And he eats cans. 

2) Onua from Wild Magic - She's the first character Daine meets which already makes me remember her since the beginning is one of my favourite scenes. She's Daine's boss and has a gift with horses. I'm not really sure what makes her so memorable to me other than the fact that she's the one that introduces Daine to the people of Tortall.

3) Dumbledore from Harry Potter - Isn't this one self-explanatory? It's Dumbledore!!!

4) Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - He's a faun! And also the first person Lucy meets in Narnia, which makes him pretty memorable. The fact that he almost betrays her and then tries to help them makes him even more so. I like Mr. Tumnus.

5) Arya from Eragon - Eragon went out of his way to find her. She's a princess and she's literally the girl of Eragon's dreams. She's pretty memorable.

6) Aunt Elinor from Inkheart - She's a crabby old lady with an obsession for books. Yet at the same time she's pretty cool. And she's on the good side. That's always a good thing. The fact that nobody could stand her makes her pretty comical.

7) Claire from Starcrossed - I'm not really sure what makes her stick out in this book other than the fact that she's one kick ass friend. She's cool.

8) Rue from The Hunger Games - She's the small innocent one, thrown into chaos and destruction. She's the one Katniss connects with and she's also the one that made everyone sad when she died. Her death is really the beginning of the rebellion.

9) Four from Divergent - He's mysterious. And nice it seems. Brave, strong, a leader, a rebel. What's not to like about that? And he only has 4 fears? Wow.

10) Juliet Sykes from Before I fall - Before I fall is one of the saddest books I have ever read. And I love it for that. It's so enlightening on the effects our actions have on others. If it weren't for Juliet Sykes, Sam never would have understood how mean she was acting. I know it's just a book but since this is one of the few in this genre that I read and the end is so heartwrenching, I have to say, Juliet Sykes is one of the most memorable secondary characters in my mind.

So those are my top ten! Almost wasn't sure that I was going to get it up today because of internet problems. But it's working now! Tell me who your top ten most memorable secondary characters are! Or link me to your TTT in the comments below. :)

Have a nice Tuesday!

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

After a bunch of recommendations and a burst of motivation, I finally took this book out from the library and read it...  And I simply ADORED it. I loved Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls Series and I liked this one even more. There was a lot of awesome in it. The concept was definitely interesting. Criminals against criminals? Sure why not. I've heard of that before. It's a similar  but different concept from the spies in the Gallagher Girls Series. Yet Carter still found a way to keep it interesting. I read it in one sitting(then again, it was in a car on a short road trip so... that might be why). But it was definitely pretty good.

I found the writing simple and to the point, which I liked. It seemed a little more complex than the Gallagher Girls Series(I seem to be comparing it a lot...). But perhaps that's simply because Ally Carter's writing style has developed. But whatever happened, I definitely liked this a lot better than that series. There was just enough action and description to keep it fast-paced and interesting. There wasn't really any unnecessary events or information which kept the story really focused but at the same time, it was suspenseful and unpredictable(for the most part).

The ending was great as well. Not the sloppy cliffhanger that I was half expecting(because they seem to be all over the place in YA books lately). Everything was fully finalized and cleared up. A well done dénouement right there.

I do have to mention, however, that there is a bit of a love triangle, which I know a lot of people, including myself, have gotten just plain sick of. It's only slightly mentioned on the side but it's there. I found it okay this time for once. Maybe because it wasn't the focus of the book and they didn't all act stupid about it. Anyhow, whatever Ally Carter did, I was not at all upset that there was that bit of love triangle. It worked.

Overall, I'd give this a 5/5. For a quick, action-packed yet simple read, I definitely recommend Heist Society.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Things That Make My Life As A Reader/Book Blogger Easier

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week has a specific topic to which bloggers make a list of their top ten books in that category.

This week's category is Top Ten Things That Make Your Life as a Reader/Book Blogger Easier. Oooo, Long name. Let's see if I can do it, eh?

1) The Library - Okay this one's kind of obvious. It is where I get most of my books. Who doesn't get any of their books from the library?

2) Friends - I have this one friend who always has too many books for her room. I'd say she has some decent taste in books. Especially since we tend to like along the same lines of books. Hint? Find her here.

3) Used Bookstores/Thrift Shops - If I see one and I've got the time, I'll go in. More often than not, I'll find this really awesome bargain on a book that seems kind of interesting. At least 50% off the original price, or even less than $1 for a book still in great condition? Why not?

4) Online Bookstores - They tend to be cheaper than in an actual large bookstore. And a lot offer free shipping if you buy enough. Like Amazon. $25 free shipping. Or even better, the book depository. Free shipping everywhere.

5) Goodreads - What kind of insane book blogger doesn't use goodreads? Reviews, ratings, other book bloggers and readers. Best advice you can get there.

6) Audiobooks - Nothing like multitasking while you're reading. A book replaces music during chores easily enough. 

7) Other Book Blogs - Other people's opinions are always awesome(unless they're wrong. ;) ) Never hurts to look at other people's blogs for book suggestions, ideas, and just plain entertainment.

8) A Lack of Procrastination/Time - I have this bad habit of leaving things to the last minute. Or just not doing something I want to because I'm too lazy. (Such as the past two TTT's (I'm sorry.)) When I do manage to escape the spiraling hole of procrastination, I get a lot done. (Or end up procrastinating by using the blog) But hey! More attention to the blog and books!

Well, eight's the best I can get off the top of my head at the moment. Just spouting this off in a rush. (Procrastination ftw) Let's see your suggestions. Link your TTT's in the comments below and I'll get to them. Eventually. ;)

Review: Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: Flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star....

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined — and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for...and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is ­Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the ­illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall — together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of THE LUXE comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.

This is something different than I normally read but I gave it a shot after a friend showed this book to me. It's by Anna Godbersen, the same author who wrote The Luxe, which I remember to be a pretty good book. I had just read the prologue when I came across this quote: "They were all marching toward their own secret fates, and long before the next decade rolled around each would escape in her own way--one would be famous, one would be married, and one would be dead". After that line, I obviously HAD to find out.

And then... I'm sorry. I couldn't finish the book. After about a month of trying to convince myself to read it, it got the point where I was trying to get myself to finish Bright, Young Things by not reading other books until I was done. Needless to say, I stopped reading. (thus my large gap in reviews) 

It's not like it's a thick book, but it's simply because I'm not at all interested. I may be a bit(okay a lot) biased in this simply because I adore fantasy and am not a big fan about reading about reality. Maybe 1920s was just a little relatable? Not really. I don't know. I just know that I was either wanting to choke the characters to death, or just stop reading all together. Why did I want to choke the characters to death? 

They were just all so... superficial. Fame, crime, fortune. It was just too... I don't know, disgusting for me. Tacky almost. This is just my taste, but it simply was not my cup of tea. I've never been to Gossip Girls or that sort of thing and this was just a little too close to that for me. I felt almost like I'd been dumped into a high school drama. Just at a more historical larger level. 

Basically, I didn't like this book. Sorry.

Something Different: The Sea of Monsters

I'm sure most people have heard that the second movie of the Percy Jackson series is out. Whoopdidoo! So I went to watch it with a bunch of friends. I mean, yes, the first movie was absolutely disappointing. Normally they miss out on things but in that case, they completely twisted the plot. It was nothing like the first book. The characters were off, the whole storyline was off. So I didn't have high expectations for this one. And guess what! They did the same thing! Just to a slightly less extent. 

Let me clarify something first. The Percy Jackson series? One of my absolute favourite series. I love the wit, I love the awkwardness, and I'm a sucker for Greek mythology. So when a movie comes out about it, I'm bound to be more critical.

Don't get me wrong, the movie was pretty good. Good action, still Greek mythology. There were a few things that didn't make sense. Such as an extended hug scene when they probably should be doing something else. But overall, a decent movie. 

One thing though is the fact that they once again (not completely this time but quite a bit) disregarded the plot line. They mentioned things from the last book of the series(such as the big prophecy) and some situations were from the other books as well that weren't in the second book. They also left out a bunch, which I suppose is to be expected of a book to movie adaptation. 

So really, if you're looking for a decent movie, watch Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters. If you're looking for a good book to movie adaptation. Look elsewhere.

Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts...

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames...    

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed...

First thing I have to say is, from the beginning, I did not have high standards for this book. The main thing that got me to grab it off the shelf was the beautiful title page. Look at it! It's GORGEOUS. It's not that the synopsis was shoddy or didn't catch my interest. It's just that the ratings on goodreads didn't seem particularly good. I can see why now. The writing is shoddy, there are unrealistic situations and certain characters *cough*Vanessa*cough* are just plain stupid. Don't get me wrong. I LOVED the plot. There were twists, turns, and I found it quite unpredictable to the end. I found it a really unique idea too. 

 But now on to the bad... Let's talk about the (unrealistic) things I didn't like about the book. 

 THE MALE LEAD - So... Why exactly does nobody question the fact that Zep automatically gets the lead and Justin is the understudy? I mean, there are more guys at the school other than them but they automatically get the parts? What? And nobody's upset by this? 

 INSTA-FRIENDS - Vanessa's first day at a new school. She goes to her dorm room and Woo! 4 new friends! Just like that. Everyone's new but it almost seems like they've known each other for years. Minus actually knowing stuff about each other. 

A STUPID HEROINE - Okay. She's talented. She's pretty. (i think). Good for her. But if you judge someone while completely ignoring all their actions and secrets(which she does a lot), you are most likely going to be wrong. I wanted to kill her myself at some points during the book simply because she couldn't take a clue. 

Basically, there were a lot of things wrong with this book. Despite those, I still found it intriguing and action-packed. I liked it. If it weren't for those unrealities(is that a word?), it could have been a GREAT book. I loved the plot but at the same time, some things just didn't make sense. Overall, I'd rate it 3/5. It wasn't good. But it wasn't terrible either. I read through it in one sitting because of all the suspense and twists. But as fast as I read it, the plot wasn't good enough to account for some of the bad things I listed.

Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is -a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In THE CALLING, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of THE GATHERING clamoring for more.

Like most second books in a series, I was a bit disappointed by The Calling. These are the things that stood out. For better or for worst.

THE WRITING: Like I said in my review of The Gathering, I enjoy Kelley Armstrong's writing style. Her style in this novel was just as subtle and nice as the first book and I am beginning to see the consistency of her writing. I can't say that it's the most passionate writing style, but it's exactly that. A style. It's not my favourite, but it works.

THE BEGINNING: To put it straight? I hated it. It was just as abrupt as the ending of The Gathering, which annoyed me a lot.There was a lot of mention of different characters and references to events that occurred in the first book which, due to The Gathering not being one of the more memorable books I've read, I did not remember. With a lack of back story I found the chaos annoying, abrupt, and pointless.

THE PLOT: The plot is almost the exact same as The Gathering. Minus the mysterious new boy and in a forest as opposed to a small town. They're still confused and trying to figure out what the St. Clouds are up to as well as discovering a few other "projects" and "companies". Honestly, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. After all, it is a series but... I dunno. It just felt the same, just with more information.

THE END: Not much to say about the end other than the fact that I found it a LOT more interesting than the one in The Gathering. And it was a bit of a cliffhanger as well.

LACK OF... BASICS?: I don't know what to call them, but if you're stuck in a forest for who knows how long, you're gonna need stuff to survive. Problem is, they were only vaguely referenced in a novel that pretty much wholly takes place in a forest. There was a lot of complaining. that's for sure. But I'm not even sure if they ate anything in the whole novel other than a few granola bars. I get that those things weren't essential for the story progression but I still felt that there was barely any reference to them in a novel in which you'd expect them to be.

THE TITLE PAGE: Basically, I don't understand it. It's almost highlighting the earring, just like the title page of The Gathering(which I didn't understand either) There is still no significance to any earring. I'm confused.

Overall...

It was an okay book. It kept me interested. It got more suspenseful enough and clear throughout. The main issue I found with it was the abrupt beginning and the similarity to the previous novel. I'd even suggest that the first and second books could be lumped together into one. Though if that were the case, they may get boring, come to think of it, due to the lack of complete intensity. I dunno. Just wasn't as good as I expected it to be.