The Selection by Kiera Cass Review

Summary from Goodreads:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Review:

This is a post-apocalyptic version of "The Bachelor" which I am not a fan of that show at all but I loved this book.

America is struggling to do what she thinks is best for her family, the boy she loves and the prince she could love if she let herself. And just when she thinks she knows what she needs to do and what she wants to do are actually becoming the same, Aspen is back in her life to throw a wrench into all of it.

She learns that things are not always as they seem and learns so much about her self and they way the world works in such a short time. No wonder she's so confused on what to do.

By the end she realizes she needs to do what works best for her which is something I can completely relate right now! Lets just wait and see (again) for what happens next!

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa Review

Summary from Goodreads:

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.

My Review:

Julie Kagawa is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I have only read two of her books but they have been amazing!

I loved this one for the great characters and the struggle of Allie to stay human in spite of being turned into the thing she hates the most. And as always I love to see how people survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Characters like Zeke bring so much hope to the world that there are good people out there in spite of the horrible circumstances they have to live with.

Another sequel I have to be patient for. Getting harder and harder!!

Kids Book Corner #13

Just a few books this time. As I said before I really need to start remembering books I've seen for the kids. Never write them down!!

"Dark Night" by Dorothee de Monfreid



This weeks favorite for my 5 year old. Read it a few times. A little boy afraid of monsters in the woods and a rabbit that helps get home.

"Finklehopper Frog" and "Finklehopper Frog Cheers" by Irene Livingston



We weren't too impressed with these two. The stories had good morals and beautiful illustrations but some of the rhymes I seemed to stumble on.

"Super-Dragon" by Steven Kroll



Fun story about a dragon whose family though he was too little to do anything and of course he proves them wrong.

"Bats at the Ballgame" by Brian Lies



Great illustrations and cute story about bats that come out to play baseball.

"Mr. Prickles: A Quill-fated Love Story" by Kara LaReau



Porcupine can't find a friend because he's too prickly. I liked the names Mr Prickles and Miss Pointypants.

"My Truck is Stuck" by Kevin Lewis



My 2-year-olds favorite. Poor truck gets stuck and other cars have to come help him out.

Hope you check them out!

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Review

Summary from Goodreads:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My Review:

What an amazing take on the cinderella story!! So imaginative and creative. I can only dream of creating something like this! Cinder is a great character. No matter how many rotten things happen to her or what she finds out about herself, she remains strong, unselfish, caring. Of course I hope Kai realizes all that once he gets over the things he learned about. And I don't have any doubts about it happening in the future installments.

Yet another great story I have to sit and wait to find out. Sigh...

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Summary from Goodreads:

Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.

Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

My Review:

Such a good book! Nothing gets me riled up like starcrossed lovers especially knowing more than they do. I just want to yell at them "It's not true. You CAN be together"
I also love reading books with characters that have such supportive friends and family, people to help them at no cost. Everyone needs to feel that in order to get through trying times in their lives and to find a true soulmate is just the icing on the cake.
I loved the transformation of Helen from a wallflower to being full bloom and more confident in herself. Soemthing I can relate to and still struggle with! Seeing Helen and Lucas's mindset change was great. They went from hating the original Paris and Helen for being so selfish and running off and now, with that kind of decision before them they start getting a better understanding, more empathy for what people go through. Many people never learn such a valuable lesson.

Loved this book and can't wait to get a hold of #2

Kids Book Corner #12

Not a big selection from the library this week. I'm running out of ideas. When I choose books I try to get ideas from my son and when that fails I might pick a shelf and start from there. I do like having a theme or a certain author to look for didn't have any this week so skimpy pickings.

"Dancing With the Dinosaurs" by Jane Clark



I chose this one mainly for the dinosaurs. Usually can't go wrong there. It was a cute story about dinosaurs having a dance contest.

"The Story of the Little Mole Who Went in Search for Whodunit" by Werner Holzwarth



This was the hit of the week and I only say that because we read it twice. I was hoping for a bigger hit with my boys. Boys and potty humor usually go hand in hand. He did laugh more the second time around. Its about a mole who got pooped on. What could be funnier for a boy?

"Dragon is Coming" by Valeri Gorbachev



Kind of a Chicken Little story about a mouse who thinks a thunderstorm is a dragon and gets all the animals to hide only to find out it was just a torm... or was it?

"The Art Treasure Hunt: I Spy With My Little Eye" by Doris Kutschbach



This book really was the hit of the week. We actually kept it for another week. I love that my son likes looking at art pictures. I feel like I giving him a little culture that way!

"Where's My Mummy?" by Carolyn Crimi



A very cute story and I think my favorite of the week. The boys liked it because of the monsters and the scary factor.

Hope you check them out!

Partials by Dane Wells Review

Summary from Goodreads:

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question—one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.

Review:

I think I need to purposely read a crappy book just so I can stop saying how much I love everybook I've read lately.

This one is no different. I love it!!! I find it fascinating how people pull together to survive yet still tear each other apart and add  to the mix semi-human enemies makes it all the better. Some great plot twists and of course the almost ineveitable love triangle that may be coming in the book.

Definately another favorite of mine!

Scarlett by A.C. Gaughen Review

Summary from Goodreads:

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Review:

It took me a little bit to get into this book. I don't think it was the books fault but after reading so many dystopian novels in a row I had to get into the right mindset and once that happened... I loved this book!

Great characters and great twist to the Robin Hood legends. *spoiler alert* I was slightly disapponted in the ending just because I was waiting for the big kiss to happen between Rob and Scar but alas.... Maybe he is just slightly too mhigh and mighty because she is technically married but still!!

I do hope to see more of this story in the future!

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda Reviews

Summary from Goodreads:

Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

My Review:

This book was high on my must-read list and I'm so happy it didn't let me down. Another great dysopian read! I can't imagine having to hide in plain sight worrying everyday that I'd be found out for what I really was. Almost sad the Gene and Ashley June had to spend most of their lives not knowing they were the same.

Waiting until  next year for "The Prey" just seems unacceptable!! especially with such an ending! I just get the feeling Gene and Ashley June's lottery numbers were rigged on purpose, to get them away and hopefully to a safe place. And of course, by the time book 2 comes out I'll have forgotten everything and mixed in all the others stories I read but it'll be worth it I hope. Now to just sit and wait...

Kid's Book Corner #11

This week I chose a few books by the same author Kevin O'Malley. A few months ago we had a borrowed a couple of his books "Once Upon A Motorcycle Dude" and "Once Upon a Royal Superbaby" which my son loved! He laughed everytime we read them so I decided to check out some of the other books:

"The Great Race"



A fun take on "THe Tortoise and the Hare" fable.

"Carl Caught a Flying Fish"

My son argued there were no such things as flying fish so we had to google it for him. Silly kid. This story is set to the rhyme of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" but I forgot to go back and try it :(

"The Lucky Leaf"



My son decided he need a lucky leaf so he could win Angry Birds :/

"Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share"



This was a funny book to me filled with "corny" jokes which my son didn't quite get but made me laugh.

I will definately be looking for his other books. Enjoyable by kids and parents! Now on to the rest of our haul for this week:

"The Pig is in The Pantry, the Cat is on the Shelf" by Shirley Mozelle



The farm animals take over the house so youi can imagine! Not a very momorable book from this week.

"Alphabet Mystery" by Audrey Wood



Both my boys liked this book. Great pictures and cute story about find ing the missing little "x"

"Night Cars" by Teddy Jam



My toddler liked this one and reminded me very much of him. He loves his cars so this one was perfect for him!

"Friends and Pals and Brothers Too" by Sara Wilson



My attempt at making my boys remember they are brothers and to be nice to each other. We'll see if it works ;)

Thats it for this week. Hope you check them out!

THe Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Summary from Goodreads:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart

My Review:

Very excited to start a new series and this one was a great one to choose. It remeinded me of movies and stories I enjoyed when I was younger like the movie "labryinth" and Shakespeare's "A Misummer's Night Dream" I love the blending of real world people and fantasy characters. I can't wait to start "The Iron Daughter"

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Summary from Goodreads:

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's "Persuasion", "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

My Review:

I loved this book!!! It was a unique take on a dystopian society. I like that it focused on a small group of people, trying to survive but not fighting off any mutants or anything. I do enjoy the mutants but this was a refreshing break from that. There was no real evil in the story which there always seems to be. It was just a girl and a boy and their decisions on how they thought it best to survive, sacrificing each other for the better of others.

And if you want more of this great story HarperCollins has a PDF of a short story about Kai!! Just saved my copy :) http://files.harpercollins.com/HCChildrens/OMM/Media/Among%20the%20Nameless%20Stars.pdf 


I need to re-read Persuasion by Jane Austen now. Thanks for adding to my TBR list :/