Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tiger’s Quest (The Tiger Saga #2) by Colleen Houck

Tiger’s Quest (The Tiger Saga #2) by Colleen Houck
Hardcover, 457 pages
Published June 7th 2011 by Splinter
Source: Library
Kelsey Hayes is no ordinary college freshman. In fact, the eighteen-year-old girl has just returned from India, where she risked her life—and her heart—to rescue a handsome Indian prince from a terrible curse. Back home in Oregon, Kelsey is determined to move on, despite the lingering feelings she has for the man she left behind. She meets Li, a completely average guy who offers the promise of an ordinary, curse-free life. But just when Kelsey is ready to move on, Ren reenters her life, on a quest to reclaim her heart. Danger threatens their newly rekindled love and to save him, Kelsey must journey with someone else—a man who wants her for himself. The saga begun in Tiger’s Curse continues in Tiger’s Quest, as Kelsey finds herself in an epic battle between good and evil. From the shores of the Pacific Northwest to the jungles of India, the mountains of Nepal and Tibet, and the mystical realm of Shangri-la, this suspenseful tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption is not to be missed. – Goodreads
My Opinion:I have to say that even though i wasn’t in love with Kishan before I am now. I like this coloring more anyways. I like the Black tiger more. If you read my review of Tiger’s Curse you probably saw that pictures I have posted of the two tigers and I have to say, that Kishan looks better.
I have to say that the plot was really interesting. I was a little freaked out that Ren gets kidnapped but it opened up the possibilities between Kishan and Kelsey so thats not bad. We get to learn morea bout Kishan and who is as a person and tiger. I really liked the locations that Colleen Houck used this time around. We talks about the Dalai Lama, and we also visit Tibet and Paradise… it was just amazing. I love this series and can’t wait for the next installment, tiger’s Voyage.
One thing that I really loved was Kishan’s impression of Durga! LOVE IT! He is such a charmer and flirt.
If you want to read the beginning of Tiger’s Voyage, you can do so HERE its on the side of the page but you can read an excerpt of the book and see what to anticipate. Enjoy!
Overall: 5 out of 5!

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Audio CD, Abridged, 5 CDs
Published September 12th 2006 by Random House Audio
Source: Library
“The end was near.” —Voices from the Zombie WarThe Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time. World War Zis the result. Never before have we had access to a document that so powerfully conveys the depth of fear and horror, and also the ineradicable spirit of resistance, that gripped human society through the plague years.Ranging from the now infamous village of New Dachang in the United Federation of China, where the epidemiological trail began with the twelve-year-old Patient Zero, to the unnamed northern forests where untold numbers sought a terrible and temporary refuge in the cold, to the United States of Southern Africa, where the Redeker Plan provided hope for humanity at an unspeakable price, to the west-of-the-Rockies redoubt where the North American tide finally started to turn, this invaluable chronicle reflects the full scope and duration of the Zombie War.Most of all, the book captures with haunting immediacy the human dimension of this epochal event. Facing the often raw and vivid nature of these personal accounts requires a degree of courage on the part of the reader, but the effort is invaluable because, as Mr. Brooks says in his introduction, “By excluding the human factor, aren’t we risking the kind of personal detachment from history that may, heaven forbid, lead us one day to repeat it? And in the end, isn’t the human factor the only true difference between us and the enemy we now refer to as ‘the living dead’?” Note: Some of the numerical and factual material contained in this edition was previously published under the auspices of the United Nations Postwar Commission.
Eyewitness reports from the first truly global war
“I found ‘Patient Zero’ behind the locked door of an abandoned apartment across town. . . . His wrists and feet were bound with plastic packing twine. Although he’d rubbed off the skin around his bonds, there was no blood. There was also no blood on his other wounds. . . . He was writhing like an animal; a gag muffled his growls. At first the villagers tried to hold me back. They warned me not to touch him, that he was ‘cursed.’ I shrugged them off and reached for my mask and gloves. The boy’s skin was . . . cold and gray . . . I could find neither his heartbeat nor his pulse.” —Dr. Kwang Jingshu, Greater Chongqing, United Federation of China
“‘Shock and Awe’? Perfect name. . . . But what if the enemy can’t be shocked and awed? Not just won’t, but biologically can’t! That’s what happened that day outside New York City, that’s the failure that almost lost us the whole damn war. The fact that we couldn’t shock and awe Zack boomeranged right back in our faces and actually allowed Zack to shock and awe us! They’re not afraid! No matter what we do, no matter how many we kill, they will never, ever be afraid!” —Todd Wainio, former U.S. Army infantryman and veteran of the Battle of Yonkers
“Two hundred million zombies. Who can even visualize that type of number, let alone combat it? . . . For the first time in history, we faced an enemy that was actively waging total war. They had no limits of endurance. They would never negotiate, never surrender. They would fight until the very end because, unlike us, every single one of them, every second of every day, was devoted to consuming all life on Earth.” —General Travis D’Ambrosia, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. – Goodreads
My Opinion: This was pretty interesting. It sort of reminded me of Resident Evil. If you are considering reading this I definitely suggest listening to it because it is “an oral history” and there are many readers. The readers have different voice and accents that add to the story. This was really cool. I liked that Max Brooks also participated in the reading. I really liked that there were so many different perspectives on how the World War Z happened and how people reacted in a time of crisis.
Something that I found really cool was that this is currently being made into a movie, and Bradd Pitt is one of the main actors for the movie. I thought that was pretty cool. I think more zombie movies need to be made.
Overall: 4 out of 5

Tantalize: Kieren’s Story (Tantalize #1) by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ming Doyle

Tantalize: Kieren’s Story (Tantalize #1) by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ming Doyle
Paperback, 192 pages
Published August 23rd 2011 by Candlewick Press
Source: Library
Illustrated by hot new talent Ming Doyle, Cynthia Leitich Smith’s TANTALIZE is reimagined as a graphic novel— seen through Kieren’s werewolf eyes.As a hybrid werewolf, Kieren is destined to join an urban Wolf pack and learn to master his shift. Soon, he’ll leave everything behind: home, school, his family, and Quincie, his human best friend . . . who’s beginning to be a whole lot more than a friend. For years, Kieren has managed to keep his desires— and his wolf— at bay. But when the chef at Quincie’ s family restaurant is brutally murdered, Kieren resolves to be there for her, even if it means being framed. Even if it means watching Quincie’s beloved restaurant morph into a vampire lair. But when the new chef begins wooing her, how long can Kieren control his claws? How long can he protect Quincie— and himself? In an elegant graphic edition featuring cinematic sequential art by debut artist Ming Doyle and lush, romantic cover art by Sam Weber , bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith re-envisions her delicious dark fantasy through wolfish eyes. – Goodreads
My Opinion: This was an interesting read. I haven’t read the book series that this graphic novel is based on but it was interesting. I might read the books now. I though that the art was really cool. The cover is GORGEOUS. I love the hair in the background, it makes Kieren look like he has wings.
Anyways, the novel is about a guy that is a werewolf and about how he tries to figure out what is happening to his town because people are disappearing all over the place. And because he knows some of the victims, he is one of the top suspects. However, everything changes for him when his girlfriend starts acting weird around the new chef at her restaurant and her behavior changes.
The plot was intriguing and interesting. Something that I didn’t like however was that he knew who it was and he didn’t really act on it. Especially when in the end it turned out that he was right and that what he had thought was true and as a result, people and his girlfriend ended up being hurt.
Overall: 3.75 out of 5

Twilight Graphic Novel Volume 2 by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim

Twilight Graphic Novel Volume 2 by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published October 11th 2011 by Yen Press
Source: Library
Having uncovered the dark secret of her enigmatic classmate, Edward Cullen, Bella Swan embraces her feelings for him, trusting Edward to keep her safe despite the risks. When a rival clan of vampires makes its way into Forks, though, the danger to Bella has never been more real. Will she make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the people dearest to her?The second volume of Twilight: The Graphic Novelcompletes the visual adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s worldwide bestselling debut novel and is a must-have for any collector’s library. – Goodreads
My Opinion: The art work was amazing just as in the first volume. I am also really glad the story/plot was kept the same as the book. I even think that it connected the movie to the books very well. The line that James says to Bella when they are at the dance studio is included in here and I thought that was pretty cool. The dialogue flowed and was well written. Most of it was dialogue straight from the book which was pretty cool.
I hope that thy continue with the graphic novels. The are is very beautiful and I would love to see the wedding, not the movie version, but the version in which Stephenie Meyer envisioned it. It would be brilliant to see I think, because we can draw thing that don’t exist.
Overall: 4 out of 5

Isle of Night (Watchers, #1) by Veronica Wolff

Isle of Night (Watchers, #1) by Veronica Wolff
Paperback, 302 pages
Published September 6th 2011 by NAL Trade
Source: Library
Is life offering fewer and fewer options? Then join the dead.
When Annelise meets dark and seductive Ronan, he promises her a new life-if she has the courage to chance the unknown. Now, she’s whisked away to a mysterious island and pitted against other female recruits to become a Watcher-girls who are partnered with vampires and assist them in their missions. To survive and become a Watcher, Annelise has to beat out every other girl, but she’s determined to do so, because to fail doesn’t mean dishonor-it means death. – Goodreads
My opinion: The plot was interesting it had promise. The only thing I did not like was that Drew kept saying how smart she was over and over again and thinking that being smart made her better than everyone else in a way. Something else that bothered  me was that she was so willing to jump into situations. For such a smart girl… she is not very smart. However, I liked her. After all that she has been through in life, she wanted an escape maybe that is why she didn’t really question Ronan.
Anyways, my favorite character had to be Master Alcantara. He is my sort of vampire, alluring, smart. The interesting thing about him was that it appears that he is the chooser of the girls. As well as that he was really smart. I like that.
I also sort of liked how the story ended. I will be reading the second book in the series. Even though the books were about the vampires, it seemed as though the story wasn’t based on the actually vampires. It was basically about Drew and these students and the way that they have to survive. It was an interesting idea, it reminded me a little of Vampire Academy, but more blood thirsty and vicious, with a little more edge.
Overall: 4 out of 5

The Hunger Games Official Trailer 2012 HD

Friday, November 4, 2011

Once In a Full Moon (Full Moon, #1) by Ellen Schreiber

Once In a Full Moon (Full Moon, #1) by Ellen Schreiber
Hardcover, 292 pages
Published December 28th 2010 by Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Copy won in giveaway
Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.
Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. She’s used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend’s Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.
Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who’s from the wrong side of town. But she can’t deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.
Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon. – Goodreads
My Opinion: I have to say… the concept of this was interesting… the writing… not so much. Ellen Schreiber had me hooked on Vampire Kisses books, and when I found out that there was going to be a series on werewolves, I was really excited and I have had this on my shelves for a while now waiting for the perfect time when I can read this and just relax and enjoy it. I have been anticipating this. But now I am sad to report that it wasn’t all that. It was just a simple read, REALLY simple. There wasn’t really any thinking involved in this one the only big thing that made me think in the whole story was who was impersonating the werewolf on the news.
Thee really is nothing else to say about the book. I might read the second in the series but it very doubtful. I would most likely read it just to see that it gets better, I am hoping, just hoping that it gets better.
Overall: 2.5 out of 5

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa
Paperback, 361 pages
Published October 25th 2011 by Harlequin
Source: eARC from NetGalley
My name- my True Name- is Ashallyn’darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining song of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court.And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…
To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing gentler feelings the Winter Prince might have had. Or so he thought.
Then Meghan Chase- a half-human, half-fey slip of a girl- smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer faery can survive,
With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through its end- a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan’s side.
To survive the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way, Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice. -Goodreads
My opinion: Wow… I think I have a new favorite character in the series. I is not Ash, it is the Big Bad Wolf. I have always been a dog person but this wolf totally rocked. I can’t believe what he was willing to do for Ash, or to have this story told about his part.

Anyways, the plot was really cool, I really liked the village of the Forgotten and the mayor was seriously freaky and the Spider woman. I liked the challenges that Ash had to face on his journey, it kept me on my toes just as he was kept on his toes. It was fun going through everything with him and experience it as he did. I’m glad that he learned what it means to be a human. Another character that I really liked was the Guardian, even though he technically plays an antagonist because he is in the way of Ash and his goal of becoming human, he teaches Ash something that I think is very important.

But overall, I’m glad with who was on the quest with him and I am also very happy that Meghan made a couple of cameos throughout the novel.

Overall: The novel rocked and I give it a 4.75 out of 5 stars!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Hardcover, 338 pages
Published September 29th 2011 by Dutton
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit — more sparkly, more fun, more wild — the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.When Cricket — a gifted inventor — steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. – Goodreads
My Opinion: I have to say that although the location was not as interesting as Anna and the French Kiss because this was a suburb and not Paris but I liked Lola. She was quirky and i liked that about her. She was easy to relate to because of her personality, she was just so loveable, I would trade her for Anna. The guy, Cricket, however I would trade for Ettiene. So both books had something I loved about each of them but put together they rock.
I also really liked that Anna and Ettiene made appearances in the novel. It brought the books closer together as a continuation sort because it showed how they were getting more serious and that made me smile and be happy. I liked knowing how the relationship was going. I also really liked Max. Even though he was mean in the end and the relationship ended badly, there was just something about his bad boy image that was very appealing, especially when she talked about what he read and the topics he liked to talk about in the beginning of the book.
Anyways, I loved Lola just because of how fun she  is. I love that she dresses. It shows a lot about a person that they are willing to show off their alter egos to the world.
Overall: 4.5 out of 5