Cinder: The Lunar Chronicles

The first book in The Lunar Chronicles, Cinder, was a brilliant first novel by Marissa Meyer. After forcing myself through the first chapter, which wasn't exactly intriguing, (although, it could be that I just finished another book prior to starting this one, and have a hard time focusing on a new story line so soon), I ended up getting sucked right into the world of New Beijing, set far into the future, where the world is filled with Androids and humans who are half-android, including the main character, named Cinder. There's a plague that is killing people in all the countries, that was transmitted unknowingly by Lunar escapees from the Moon.

The story has a lot of Cinderella qualities . . . Cinder has an evil step-mother and sister, she's not allowed to attend the ball, she works and cleans for her step-mother and has a dead father, who is actually her adoptive father. Other than a few details here and there, it's actually quite different than the classic story of Cinderella. 

To me, some parts were quite predictable, but what's great is the fact that it's still a really amazingly written book. Even though I knew some parts of the story, the way it was told made me keep reading and reading. Marissa Meyer's did such a wonderful job making readers FEEL for Cinder. My heart cringed every time she interacted with her "family", it was written so believably yet it's hard to believe some people are so cruel (yet people are.)

The love story is really good too, however I would have liked it if Cinder flirted with Prince Kai a bit more, I found her a bit stand-offish a lot of times when they interacted. I understand why, but she could have been softer with him.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Cinder and am excited to read the rest of The Lunar Chronicles, especially because Meyer's wrote the ending spectacularly. Keep checking my blog for future reviews on the rest of series!

Love,
Elle Marie

Love You, Hate You, Miss You/Leftovers

Love You, Hate You, Miss You is about a high school girl who's best friend died on the last day of the school year. Amy comes home from a psychiatric hospital at the end of summer,three months after the accident, and the story begins. Parts of the book are letters Amy writes to Julia, her friend who died in a car accident. When she gets to school she feels alone with no friends and feeling like everyone blames her for Julia's death, and of course, she blames herself. 

Though sad and well written, it's almost a little far fetched. It just seems like Elizabeth Scott was trying too hard to make this story as emotional as possible but almost seems insincere. 

It's also predictable which is weird for this kind of book. There should be twists, but the reveal of what little twists there were was lacking shock value. I give a lot of credit to writers of YA Fiction because a lot of them realize that kids are growing up fast and can deal with issues like death and other subjects that can be controversial. Love You, Hate You, Miss You could have been another fantastic novel showing a great insight of teenagers dealing with loss, but unfortunately it fell short.

It is a short book, however, and an easy read. It may not have been my cup of tea (wow, I really said my cup of tea... how OLD am I?), but some may like the subtleness of the book. If you're looking for a darker story that is a fast read and well written (besides the whole reveal of plots lacking shock) then you won't want to miss this story written by Scott. 

Yet another darker novel with even worse shock value. By time I got to the end I realized what a waste the story was. All the things that go on between best friends Ardeth and Blair are intense and very real. I believe that these girls are out there somewhere and it's sad to think girls really go things like this. It deals with sex, abuse, and bullying. But when the story wraps up and the big part of the plot is revealed, what they do doesn't seem that bad. I mean, what they do is messed up, but it's not as crazy as the other things that happen in the book. 

Also, it's hard to believe how close they are to the cop they're telling the story to, because there aren't many interactions between the three of them. I wouldn't recommend this book to people who can't deal with tough subjects. I wouldn't suggest it for other reasons too, mainly for the fact  that the ending was really stupid. That may not be the most eloquent description of an ending to a book, but really--- it was just stupid. Had Leftovers had a different/better ending, this book would have been pretty great.

Charlie All Night Book Review

Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie is a really great read. (The title of this book is actually the title of the radio segment that Allie produces and Charlie stars). Romance novels like this aren't usually what I go for, but I did enjoy it very much. The characters are realistic, fun, and very solid. The story line is cute and the mystery in the story actually kept me guessing. Though it's kind of naughty, it's not erotica or something. It's sexy but not wild. They don't use gross words that make me cringe, so that was a plus.

This is the kind of book I like to read in-between the science-fiction, mystery, action, thriller, and tragedy type books I read. It's like the kind of book you read to relax you mind, where you don't have to think too much, but yet you get a good read and a romantic story.

If you're into books that are about falling in love in the least expected place, then you must read Charlie All Night. There are some funny, touching, and sweet moments. You'll root for Charlie, Allie, and their friends, and you'll want to punch Allie's ex, Mark, because he's such a douche. The ending is as happy as any fairytale book ending and it will satisfy any hopelessly romantic hearts.

Pretty Little Devils Book Review

image via www.amazon.com

Don't get Pretty Little Devils confused with the amazing book series Pretty Little Liars, because honestly, it has many, many differences. Yes, they're both set in High School, there's murder in the plot, and those murderers use the same method of communicating with those they're torturing- by texts, calls, and emails. But other than that, the characters and their relationships to one another is very different, as are the plots.

Pretty Little Devils was a pretty decent read. It kept me hooked and in suspense the whole time. While reading this book I kept changing my mind as to who I believed to be the killer. I thought four different people could have been it, which makes it obvious that it's the kind of book that will keep you on your toes.

I think a few characters lacked depth, but those usually were the ones who were killed. Also, the way the teenagers spoke at times wasn't very realistic. It seems some authors just don't get how younger people talk, and that can really ruin moments in books. It can make a character, whom you start to feel could be a real person, not seem so real anymore.

Pretty Little Devils was an easy, suspenseful, and interesting book. The ending left it open for a sequel, but since the book was written in '06, and Nancy Holder is busy with many other projects, it's hard to believe there will ever be another PLD book. I find that very disappointing. It sucks when a good book ends with a cliffhanger and then there's no follow up. It would have been awesome to see the author develop the characters even more and to see what happens to the group of girls involved. 

I guess I'm just very mixed about it. Had there been a sequel or a complete closing to the story, I would have been jumping for joy over this book. But the always wondering of what the author could have written after is really irking me!

I would recommend this book to those who don't mind slight cliffhangers, because it's worth the read. Plus, if you read fast like me, it can be read in a day or two. Oh and by the way, if you've seen the movie Legacy (also known by the title of Pretty Little Devils), don't be fooled, the book and the movie are nothing alike.

xoxo

e.m.

For book description:

Pretty Little Devils-Amazon

Uh-Oh Jane Green!

Jane Green is one of my favorite authors. Jemima J and Switching Lives were absolutely fabulous. In fact, you should read those books as soon as you can (especially Jemima J!!!). However, I was quite disappointed in her novel Straight Talking.

It's one of those books that was hard to get into, but once I was so far into the book, I just had to finish. Most books make me think about them long after, and if they're really good, I suggest that all my friends read them. But when it comes to Straight Talking I'd suggest saving your time and money. It's definitely not the worst book I've ever read, and I guess I can honestly say it was somewhat enjoyable. But is that what you want when you read a book? To finish it and think "eh, that was... okay"?

Maybe my standards were too high because I just love her other books, but, that's the point right? When you find an author you like, you expect all their books to be written with the same kind of feeling. To be entranced just like you have before. And I just wasn't. In fact, had I read this book before some of her others, I wouldn't even have bothered picking up another one of her books.

image via www.amazon.com

Tash, the leading lady of Straight Talking was not only stuck-up, but not at all relatable. What's funny about it especially, is that Tash talks directly to the reader and says, quite often, things like "Don't judge me, you know you 'd do it too". Which is supposed to make you feel like, yes, I do that too, I relate to you. But, it makes her come off as a bitch. And don't get me started at the way she talks about her friends. It's unbelievable. She says she loves them dearly, but I just can't get over the fact that she does talk a lot of mad shiz about them.

And the way she treats the lead male, Adam, is horrendous. (SPOILER)---How Adam could take her back and still love her after she cheated on him and treated him, is beyond me. Also, she's kind of a skank. I mean, yea, we females may sleep around at times, but she does it in a very slutty way, not a (again) "relatable" way. The fact that she is going to keep that huge lie from Adam for the rest of their relationship, is despicable.

After a book ends and it's the happy ever after kind of end, I usually assume that they (duh) live happily ever after. Not with Straight Talking. I am going to assume that Adam eventually finds out about stupid slutty Tasha and breaks up with her and all her friends leave her in the dust because, really, they're better off without her. Mwuahahaha <---evil laugh.

xoxo
e.m.

Never trust a pretty girl with an ugly secret!

image via www.eonline.com

Holy S-word!!! The promo poster for Pretty Little Liars is so freakin' dope! PLL is a new series coming soon to ABC Family. It's based on the book series of the same name. I am a huge fan of these books, because they're perfectly written, with just the right amount of drama and suspense. Even though the story goes on longer than I thought they could actually drag it on, it never seems too much of the same storyline. There are already six books in the series and another coming out in a couple months. Pretty Little Liars is a MUST READ!!!! It'll keep you guessing and shock you with the twists and turns. PPL is the kind of series that when I don't have the book with me, I'm thinking of it and wondering when I'll get the chance to start reading it again. I cannot express deeply enough about how stoked I am for this show to start!!!!

(Check out Amazon.com or B&N.com for the plot of Pretty Little Liars book series.)

xoxo
e.m.