Review: Death of a Kleptomaniac

Death of a Kleptomaniac

Kristen Tracy

Hyperion Book

 

 

  This year Molly is finally popular. Her life is finally on the right track. She has everything she has ever wanted  and one thing she doesn't, kleptomania. Molly does not know why but she steals from everybody and anybody. She is only sixteen so she can fix that later right......Wrong. Molly's life is cut short by a tragic accident. Now she has to face her death and what is going to happen to her soul???

 

I enjoyed this book. Molly's character acts, how I think most people would behave when first presented with the fact that they have died, very self-centered and distressed over thier final destination. I was glad to see her character grow as she did later in the book. The other character in the book are not as well defined in the book but that is because we are seeing things through Molly's eyes. They do add substance to the story and are very important to the end result.

Molly's struggles with the choice of moving on or staying with her family. Trying to fix what she has done so she ends up where she wants to be. I thought this did it job wonderfully, dealing with life, loss, grief and what happens next.

 

 

 

Review: Secondhand Charm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secondhand Charm

Julie Berry

Bloomsbury USA Children

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Evie is a young woman to go to University and become a doctor like her parents. Orphaned at a young age she lives in a small village with her grandfather. Her dream is soon realized when the King visits her village with a sick member of his party . Evie helps heal him and as a reward is granted admittance to University in the capital.

             On the journey to the capital Evie is faced with a series of bad luck and dangerous situations. She also discovers some unusual facts about herself. When she reaches the capital the soon to be Queen befriends her and her life seem to improve with the help of this new and powerful friend. Then again, maybe not. After learning the truth about herself and the people around her she must find the courage to overcome her fears and help save a Kingdom.

 

             I enjoyed this book. Evie was a likable and believable character. A young girl who believes she knows what she wants but gets sidetracked by her surroundings and her heart. I was entertained by the richly described landscape and supporting characters that help build this story. This book shows Evie going from a sheltered life to standing up for herself, I found that quite empowering and a lesson for everyone young and old .

 

 

Review: The Shadows : The Books of Elsewhere

 

The Shadows ( The Books of Elsewhere # 1)

Jacqueline West

Dial book For Young

 

     Olive's family just bought and moved into a house on Linden Street. From the moment she walks in Olive knows things are not right. From the antiques and paintings, left from the last owner, this place is creepy. Olive decides to explore the vast house. She finds a pair of old glasses and come to the conclusion she should try them on. WOW!!! Did something just move in the painting?? These are no ordinary glasses. Using them Olive can climb into the paintings. She travels to Elsewhere a bizarre world with even darker secrets. With the help of three mysterious cats. Olive must protect herself and her family from danger that is trying to leave Elsewhere to claim the house for itself.

 

     This was a wonderful and creative book filled with magical characters and many mysteries. With twist and turns on every page that keeps you. Who can Olive trust and what is going to happen next. This is an engaging and entertaining book to introduce younger kids to mysteries.

 

 

                         



 

 

 



Watch for it Wednesday

The Farm

Emily McKay

Berkley Trade

Pub Date 12/04/2012

 

 

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

 

 

The Believing Game

Eireann Corrigan

Scholastic

Pub Date 12/1/2012

 

A private academy. A cult leader. A girl caught in the middle.

After Greer Cannon discovers that shoplifting can be a sport and sex can be a superpower, her parents pack her up and send her off to McCracken Hill-a cloistered academy for troubled teens. At McCracken, Greer chafes under the elaborate systems and self-help lingo of therapeutic education. Then Greer meets Addison Bradley. A handsome, charismatic local, Addison seems almost as devoted to Greer as he is to the 12 steps. When he introduces Greer to his mentor Joshua, she finds herself captivated by the older man's calm wisdom. Finally, Greer feels understood.

But Greer starts to question: Where has Joshua come from? What does he want in return for his guidance? The more she digs, the more his lies are exposed. When Joshua's influence over Addison edges them all closer to danger, Greer decides to confront them both. Suddenly, she finds herself on the outside of Joshua's circle. And swiftly, she discovers it's not safe there.

 

 

 I also got an ARC copy of

Death of a Kleptomaniac

Kristen Tracy

Hyperion Book CH

Pub Date 10/30/2012

I will have my review up on Sept 30th of this upcoming book

 

At sixteen, Molly is a girl who's just started living--at last she's popular. But for a girl who has everything, Molly feels like she never has enough. So she steals. At least there's plenty of time to fix this last little problem. Except Fate has other plans for Molly. Like death. Suddenly dead and in denial, how can Molly move on when life was just looking up? Can she abandon her earthly ties or will she jeopardize her soul to stay close to her loved ones?

 

 

TBR Tuesday

     I did not post yesterday because I am trying to stop buying books for a while. Till I clear some space on my book cases.  This week I have done good no new books. I am in contact with a couple of publisher hoping to get ARC of books. I will see how that turns out.


 Okay now on to business

       I am reading

 

 

What I will read after

I have had luck with this author so I think I will read the fifth in the Alex Cross series


As for Sunday I will be reviewing

 

Review: Fear Itself

Fear Itself

Jonathan Nasaw

Pocket Star Books

 

 



       When a man afraid of heights fall to his death and a woman afraid of blood bleeds to death, FBI Special Agent E. L. Pender asks himself, "Can you be scared to death?" Pender has to track down a killer who uses fear to kill his victims. Along with his new partner and replacement Investigative Specialist Linda Abruzzi, he must stop him before they face their own worst fears.


     First let me say this is a new author to me. I bought this book not knowing what to expect and not hoping for a lot. I was shocked. This was an amazing book. Mr. Nasaw has a new fan and I devoured this book. I was compelled to finish it in two days. I could not put this down. Every page was better than the last. I will now read anything he writes. The characters were well developed and complete. The killer was wonderfully written too. I was breathless as I read the last few pages so intense I was amazed that I have not heard more of this author but now I know and he is now one of my favorites.

   

Review: Jack & Jill

Jack & Jill

James Patterson

Grand Central Publishing

    This is the third installment in the Alex Cross Series. In this book he is on the hunt for two killers. The first is a person who is killing kids from the Sojourn Truth School. The second is a high profile killer going after the rich and famous of Washington D.C. who taunts the police with poems always starting with"Jack and Jill" . Alex must solve both cases before more kids are killed and the most famous person in D.C is killed.
    I thought this was the best book yet. With fast paced, nonstop action in this book had me up all night reading. James Patterson amazes me with his plot twist and awe-inspiring plots I find it hard to put the book down. My pulse quickens as I turn the page being drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery until the heart racing ending. Then I wait for my heart to slow down and all I can say is Wow. The book ending was perfect and I can't wait for another crime to take the world by storm so Alex Cross can save us again .

Review: The Killing Hour

 

The Killing Hour

Lisa Gardner

Bantum

 

     After being dormant for year, a killer is on the hunt again. He takes two victims at a time when the first body is discovered with clues to discover the other the clock starts ticking. The police have never beaten the clock before this time is going to be different if aspiring FBI agent Kimberly Quincy has anything to do with it.

 

      I really enjoyed the continuing saga of Quincy and Raine.I have read the other books in the series.  This picks up where they left off. This is book four in the series. Quincy's daughter Kimberly want to be an FBI agent. Like the last book she is added in but takes a bigger role in this book. It was interesting to see how the author made her a main character after being a supporting one in the other book. I like Kimberly a tough girl because of her past ( in book 3) but she is becoming more human. Kimberly growth in this book has made her a sympathetic heroine. Facing her emotions and dealing with living in daddy's shadow. I will read the rest of the series and I hope it continues for years to come.

 

 



Review: Solitary

Solitary

Alexander Gordon Smith

Square Fish

    Solitary starts off second after Lock down ended in it terrific cliff hanger. Alex and company have blown up the wall and jump into a river to there escape, or so they thought. The river that was their salvation has in fact thrust them deeper into the bowels of the prison , and ultimately to their capture.

   So it is to solitary Alex and Zee go ( Gary's fate you will have to read about). Now being locked away and forgotten for days on end make Furnace look like paradise. Hope though never dies and another escape plan is rapidly hatched.

    The master story telling skills of Alexander Gordon Smith made this a nail-biting gut-wrenching tale. This book was another page turning adventure that was adrenaline pumping, heart racing detail and keep you reading. The vivid characters and the revelation of new secrets works well. The introduction of new characters gives fresh directions to a wonderful bone chilling story. Looking forward to reading the next chapter in the story.

Review : Lockdown : Escape from Furnace

 

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace

Alexander Gordon Smith

Square Fish

Alex is a 14 year old boy who was going down the wrong path. Starting with small time theft Alex and his friend have moved to house burglary. Everything is going well until one night when they come. While robbing a house Alex and his best friend are cornered by strange silver-eyed men. Alex is even more shocked when these men kill his best friend and frame him for the murder. Sentence to life in prison Alex is sent to the Furnace, a prison one mile under ground. Ruled by violent gangs and even worse prison guards. Alex tries to survive and with a few new friends and enemies plans his escape from Hell.

This was a fast paced book and thriller to the end. Action packed from the first page. You really feel sorry for Alex and his friends and question the justice system. The writing made you flinch with every new creature that was described in this book. This is an adrenaline rush like I have never had from a YA book. With a cliff hanger ending that made me run to buy the next book in the series.

 

 

 



Review : Airhead

Airhead

Meg Cabot
Point


       The story was about an average girl, who because of a horrible accident becomes another person. (A full body transplant) Imagine one day being yourself and waking up as a super model. Every ones dream to become famous and rich over night. There is just one problem. Your Dead. The life you lead up until you wake up in the hospital is gone. Friends, loves and family all gone. Now your thrown into a life you never wanted and have no idea about. New friends who think they have known you for years and loves you never knew. This was a look into the life we all want but don't quite understand.

      I thought this book was great. I found the plot unique and unusual. The character of Em Watts is great I could relate to her tom-boyish ways and it was nice and funny to see her stumble through the life she had been given . Em' s struggle to be true to herself and want to remain herself was both heart-warming and refreshing. I also love the fact that she wanted to stay close to her family. I think this book shows the true meaning of family values. Now we have to see what she does about her best friend.

 



Review: Infinity: Chronicles of Nick

 

 

 

 

Infinity : Chronicles of Nick

Sherrilyn Kenyon

St. Martin's Griffin

 

  In this book we are introduced to Nick Gautier, as most teens do, he knows everything there is to know. When he gets in a life and death situation with one of his friends thinks change. Saved by a mysterious stranger, Nick see the world is not all he thought. For instance his class mates are all turning into zombies. Nick has to find out how to save himself and his friends with out getting in trouble at school or with his mother.    

 

 I really enjoyed this book. I thought it started slow but when it picked up it was off and running. The action was well written and fun to read. I loved Nick and his sarcastic nature and his vivid personality pulled me into this book . I also liked Nick's relationship with his mother. He respects her and wants to protect her at the same time I found that heartwarming and authentic. The world is dark and amazingly memorable I felt like I was there . I will be reading the rest of the series and seeing what happens to Nick in the future. I also liked that the supporting characters were fun and added to the adventure too. Not just waiting for Nick to protect them but helping him figure out what is going on.

 

 When I started reading this book I did not know it was a continuation of the Dark - Hunters series or a spin off. If you have not read the Dark - Hunters series do not worry  for this book can stand on its own.

Watch For Wednesday

 

Mystic City

Theo Lawrence

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Oct 9th

 

 

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Shadow Society

Marie Rutkoski

Oct. 16th

Darcy Jones doesn’t remember anything before the day she was abandoned as a child outside a Chicago firehouse. She has never really belonged anywhere—but she couldn’t have guessed that she comes from an alternate world where the Great Chicago Fire didn’t happen and deadly creatures called Shades terrorize the human population.

Memories begin to haunt Darcy when a new boy arrives at her high school, and he makes her feel both desire and desired in a way she hadn’t thought possible. But Conn’s interest in her is confusing. It doesn’t line up with the way he first looked at her.

As if she were his enemy.

When Conn betrays Darcy, she realizes that she can’t rely on anything—not herself, not the laws of nature, and certainly not him. Darcy decides to infiltrate the Shadow Society and uncover the Shades’ latest terrorist plot. What she finds out will change her world forever . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Pretties

 

Pretties

Scott Westerfeld

Simon Pulse

 

      Transformed, by the operation, into a pretty Tally is starting to adjust to her dreamy new life. Until one party hat brings her perfect world tumbling down. An "Ugly" as they are called crashes to find Tally and gives her a message. Confused by his appearance into her ideal life, Tally followers the clues he left behind to find the Cure for being pretty-minded.

     Scott Westerfeld followed up the "Uglies" is a fast paced story, that has you asking yourself "What happens next" as you turn the pages. The characters are again well written and believable.With all the elements of the first book still in play. The sequel loose nothing, and gains new characters and interesting society.The book grabs hold of the reader and does not let go until the last page. When you do finish you find yourself rushing to the store to get the next in the series.

 

    I am looking forward to reading more from Mr. Westerfeld and will for years to come. Any teen that thinks life would be perfect if they looked better should be given this book and see the truth.

 

 

Review : Surviving the Applewhites

 

Surviving the Applewhites

Stephanie S. Tolan

HarperCollins

 

 

    Meet the Applewhites. All artist in their own way. A writer, poet, sculptor, furniture makers and organizer... Organizer. That is E. D Applewhite. She is the one who feel like the outcast in the family. She is also the one who hates the idea of Jake Semple going to school with her at the family run home school. Jake has his own set of problems. A bad boy who has been thrown out of every school in the state. Even being accused of burning down one of his past schools. This is Jake's last hope for at school. E. D. wants him gone before he starts. Thinking he will destroy her chance at an education, or will he? Is he really as bad as they say? What ensues is a cute and funny story children will love.

     This book really explores the family dynamic from two points of view. Someone who feel like and outsider in her own family. Someone who is an outsider who want to be part of the family and the conflict that occurs when these two people are faced with each other. This book did that wonderfully as a newcomer to a blended family it is nice to see this addressed. The way the author did it was touching and loving.

 

 

 

Review : Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go

Heck : Where the Bad Kids Go

Dale E. Basye

Yearling 

   This book was good . Even the way they die is creative and funny. Milton and Marlo Fauster are a brother and sister who die in a marshmallow bear explosion. The team of Milton and Marlo work well together because of the complete opposite personality of the two children. Marlo is the hellion. Petty crimes and a goth look she drags her younger brother Milton with her on her last heist. Milton is the quiet studious type who is never in trouble until now. They are cast down to Heck.

    You see heck is for kids and there are several levels. The first level is where they start to be sent on to the level they belong. The problem, Milton does not belong there. But no mistakes are made here so here is where they will stay. Milton and Marlo plan to escape back to the surface and return to the living. That is where their adventure begins. This is a fun book to read. Reminded me of "The Shawshank Redemption" at one point ( if you read it you'll know what I am talking about.)That affected the rating I give it, because I think it went on a little too long.

    This book is a fast paced fun romp that has action and adventure. You also see the growth of these two characters. When they arrive in Heck they are mad at each other, but as the story goes on they realize as a team they will get further in their escape plan. Their bond grows and it is wonderful to see the sacrifices they go thru for each other.