Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

This is the 30th book I've read this year. (Hopefully, I will spell everything right.)

Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves  that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.

Christian beliefs: Nope.

Other belief systems: There are mermaids, or Syerna. And what they believe in and such. Poseidon in this book wasn't a god, but a mermaid, or Syerna.

Language: There wasn't very much swearing in this book, which I was glad. And they only swore when they were mad, and it was funny how the Syerna didn't know swear words, so they had no idea when Emma would call them one. xD 

Romance: Kissing, and the Syerna have to get mated to each other, it's like getting married. And when they get mated, they have to go find a island and finish the mating. But it's just the Syerna's way of getting married. :) But they mention that a lot.

Any other bad things: I'm pretty sure this doesn't count as a spoiler, but in the beginning, someone dies, and it's super sad. :( And it has to do with a shark FYI.

Comments:

Good points:

I love mermaids. And my little sister loves Ariel, and the Little Mermaid. And of course, I watched those movies with her. (all three acutally.) and it was fun to read about mermaids YA style.

I read this book in 2 days. Which means I really liked this book. Like a lot. And since I'd never read a mermaid YA book before, I was glad that I liked it.

I loved how the book was from Emma's point of view, than it skipped to Galen's point of view, but in second/third person. I think it was a good idea to do that. :)

I love Emma. She's strong, but she can be weak at times. And it was cool to see her try and get along with the Syerna. She took to being different quite well I thought.

Galen is hilarous. He has no idea how highschool is like. And it was fun for him to understand girls in the highschool. ;) My favorite line from him was: "All the females were sending him mating calls." xD Too funny. And though he was 20, he acted like a teenager still. Which I thought was cool.

I loved seeing Toraf's and Ryane's love story fold out. It was good to have two love stories going at once.

Rachel was awesome. She was good at playing Galen's "mom". And her past was very interesting. I hope Anna writes more about Rachel's past.

Negative points:

Again, this book had one of those mom's I'm glad I don't have. Emma's mom didn't trust her at all, and it drove me nuts. I told my mom I was glad that she's not like that. XD

Also, the writing was a bit confusing sometimes, like I didn't know who was talking. But I got through it pretty well.

All in all, I LOVED this book, and where it ended, you will be very angry with Anna Banks. 

2013 has to come quicker!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

-Maddi

My New Bookshelf!

Since it looks like a bookshelf threw up on my floor, I got a used bookself. And here it is!

It needs painted and all that great stuff, so I won't be bored for most of the summer. O.o

I've already planned on how I'll organize the books on it. hehe

-Maddi

Waiting on Wednesday 5/30/12

Today I am waiting for...

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. Coming July 31st 2012 from HarlequinTeen.

Goodreads page.

-Maddi

Review: PRETTY AMY by Lisa Burstein

This is the 29th book I've read this year.

“A coming-of-age story without the comfort of padding…a relatable and compelling character [with] a lot of wonderful snark.” —New York Journal of Books
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.


Christian beliefs: Amy goes to a prayer circle at a Christian church.


Other belief systems: Amy is Jewish, Amy mentions Atheist once.


Language: the F word, the A word the H word. But only when Amy was around Cassie did you hear them over and over. lol


Romance: Amy kisses two people in this book. One of them makes her take off her bra and he's touching her. Which I just found awkward....But...the other kissing is sweet, and I totally expected it. :)


Violence: Amy hurts herself by falling, nothing else really, I don't want to spoil the the book for you guys though.


Any other bad things: Amy is charged with selling drugs, and the book is about her not really getting the point about jail. So I guess she hurts herself, her parents, her friends. So she keeps not getting it, so she hurts herself quite a lot.


Comments:


Good points:


Such a great story! If you just keep pulling through to the end, it's all worth it at the end. :) 
I don't read much of those kind of books, but this one I enjoyed. I know some teens out there cope with what Amy was going through. I totally understood the whole friend thing she was dealing with. I have a lot of friend drama, so I understood that.
I understood Amy's relationship with Joe from the start. (hehe;)) He cared about her, she did too, she just didn't admit it. So it was cool to see her get through that, me knowing the truth. Does anyone else like knowing something the MC doesn't?? Or is it just me? (I think it's just me.)

The writing was super easy, not a lot of description, which I like, I like to use my brain to think of what the place looks like. It was a quick read.

I hated Amy's mom. Well...not hated, I really didn't like her. I thought she was being mean to Amy, but I knew Amy just wasn't getting it, but it was no reason to be so mean to her also. I always cry and clam up when someone is mean to me, so if I was Amy, I probably would never have talked to my mom again. O.o.

I liked her dad though, he seemed to get it, he wasn't like those clueless dads you watch on TV, he seemed to get it, unlike Amy's mom who just yelled and cried all the time...

I liked Lila and Cassie too, well...Cassie the most I think. She's someone I would want to be like, stand up for myself. (minus the cussing etc...) But I will probably never be like her though, I'm a nice person, I would probably say anything mean like that, or beat someone up like her. XD.

All the other adults drove me nuts, they just didn't get what it was like to be a teen, some adults just don't. Some adults think teens don't know how to do anything, and we aren't 'mature' enough until we turn 18 and we're magically an mature. (how does that make any sense??) 

But in the end, they got to her, and Amy got a little more mature, and she got it. And I was very proud of her at the end. :)

Negative points:

I think what really bothered me was how the Christian church was described...I mean, my church isn't like that. So it was a bit insulting. But I'm sure some churches out there are like that, just not mine. (hehe)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Can't wait for Dear Cassie!

-Maddi

In My Mail Box #1

Here's what's IMM!

(this is my first IMM, so I'll try and not do things wrong. :P lol)

Goodreads page

 Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock.

Goodreads page

 Insurgent Veronica Roth.

Goodreads page

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein (when I saw this book at the store, I almost yelled outloud. I went over and grabbed it really fast. I am so excited...)

Goodreads page

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks.

Add caption

 Torn and Ascend by Amanda Hocking.

Goodreads page

and, Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

*lets out breath* WHEW! That was fun. ;)

-Maddi

Review: ASCEND by Amanda Hocking

This is the 28th book I've read this year.

Amanda Hocking is an indie publishing sensation whose self-published novels have sold millions of copies all over the world.  Ascend is the final chapter in her bestselling Trylle trilogy—and you’ll never guess how it ends!


Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself.  If she doesn’t surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe.  But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind…even if it’s the only way to save them?
The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn’t the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice…who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end.  
Everything has been leading to this moment.  The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it.

Christian beliefs: None.

Other belief systems: Magic, trolls.

Language: It wasn't heavy at all. And when Amanda wrote the word, or words, they seemed like they were needed. (not saying they were good words, but it wasn't like they were swearing just to swear.)

Violence: They're at war, so blood, people dying, people getting hurt.

Romance: I was very upset that Wendy and you-know-who had sex right in the middle of the story. I was rather upset. And Wendy was married. And not to you-know-who. I was considering stopping just becuase of it, but I held on. And the ending was awesome. People also kiss, and Wendy and her husband have a wedding night, but they just go to sleep, considering they don't love each other at all.

Any other bad things: Nope.

Comments:

Good points:

I loved the ending. I think it was the best part. I loved who Wendy picked, and I loved where the other guy ended up. (make sure you get the 2nd edition so you can read the short story at the end!!) 

I loved how smart Wendy was, and how Amanda planned everything out. 

I loved how much her characters changed, they went from totally different people by the end of the story. And I was sad to  have to leave the Tyrlle world. :(
Also, Amanda made the BEST love triangle EVER. It so isn't what you expected. 

Negative points:

First off, the fact that someone and Wendy had sex when she was married. My mom even suggested I stop reading, but I kept going, because I really wanted to see what happened with the Vittra King, and who Wendy picked to love forever. Also, towards the end, everything went really fast, but I kept holding on. And I was pleasantly surprised at the ending.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

-Maddi

Review: TORN by Amanda Hocking

This is the 27th book I've read this year.

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “One Day, Three Ways,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

Christian beliefs: None.

Other belief systems: They're trolls. Magic.

Violence: Wendy gets hurt, and starts coughing up blood. And someone else gets sick too. But otherwise than throwing people against walls, nothing else.

Romance: I was really glad that the kissing was thin. Of course, people who have read the first book, Switched, you know that Wendy and Finn had kissed before. So of course, they kiss in his book first. And as read in the description, the love tilange is forming, Wendy has this thing for Loki, a Vittra prince. And she has to marry someone before she can become queen. But that's all I'm saying. ;)

Language: the P word is used, and dick, and the D word maybe, I can't remember. Amanda is really good about not swearing all the time. You can enjoy the book way better when they're not swearing.

Any other bad things: Nope! :)

Comments:

Good points

I was so happy when I saw this book sitting in my Walmart when I was just walking by the book section. And that I had money. (cough...) I had finished Switched back in Feb., and since my library doesn't have these books, I was super happy I got a chance to buy it. :D

I was very excited to get back in the world of the Tyrlle. I missed Wendy, Finn, Willa etc...Heck, I missed everyone!

It was a very quick read, and that was just reading at night, before bed time. It usually takes me a long time to read a book when I only read during night. And I think you enjoy and remember the book way better when you take your time. Like eating slowly, you enjoy it better. (says my mom anyway.)

Amanda writes like she tweets. (hehe) If I didn't know who wrote this, I would have probably guessed Amanda Hocking.

Ok, now onto the review part. :p

I loved where it started, Wendy had just ran away to see her host brother Matt, but she gets kidnapped by the Vittra. Then she escapes and goes back with the Tyrlle, where she starts training again. 

Wendy can use persuasion and move things with her mind. It was cool to see her grow. :)

Negative points

The writing was a little iffy, but I've been reading classics out loud with my mom. :P

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

I'm going to start Ascend super soon!!

-Maddi