Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins

Dear Vampa by Ross Collins
Illustrated by Ross Collins
Katherine Tegan Books
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780061355349
32 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

It's hard to find good neighbors. Though, when the Pires get the Wolfsons as new neighbors, they discover they are as different as day and night. They think the Wolfsons have strange rituals --- staying up all day, liking sunshine, and other non-nocturnal activities. What does this Vampire family do in response to this new neighbor problem?

Who doesn't have problems with new neighbors or neighbors in general? This book puts a new twist and outlook on neighbor problems by using vampires and what appears to be humans. Though, you will find out later that these humans are more than they appear to be. ;) The plot might seem very simple, but it really is very cute and a little bit funny --- it actually made me smile a couple of times.

You can also see/read the text pretty easily, but it gets a little bit hard to see/read when it is against a black background with little white lines on the black. And the type of font they used for the book matches the vampire/supernatural theme of the book very well, which I liked a lot. However, I just wish they made the font a little bigger or made it in bold to make it even more easier to see/read. The illustrations of the book are also very well done and cute.

Overall, I like the book very much, except the font could have used a little work. However, it is still a good read despite that, and I like the twist and supernatural use of the classic neighbor problem since it made the story a lot cuter than if it was just ordinary people. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Ross Collins
Goodreads: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
Library Thing: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
KinderScares: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
Maw Books: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

EDISON GROUP EXPERIMENTS SERIES BOOK 03
DARKEST POWERS BOOK 03
[LAST ONE IN DARKEST POWERS TRILOGY]

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Harper Collins Publishers

Published in 2010

ISBN 9780061662836

391 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (E-book)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



The gang think they have finally found someone who can help them remain hidden from the Edison Group, Andrew and his group. However, is everyone in the group really trustworthy? And will Chloe finally be able to show her true feelings toward Derek?

Okay, yet another supernatural book. I have one non-supernatural book, and I'm reading that one next, so be patient for it. ;)

This series, so far, has been every interesting in all the books, including this one --- even though the novels are similar to everything else I have read in the Young Adult Supernatural genre. The one thing that gets better in this book than in the other two books in the Darkest Powers Chloe's Story is that Chloe becomes a little less annoying. Why? She's not as wimpy and whinny in this book, and she actually learns something without being too annoying.

This book goes into a little bit more detail about the Lyle House, Edison Group, and the other characters' past, which makes it a little bit more interesting than the other two books. Also, it finally has something that the other two books didn't, which made it a little bit sweeter than the other two books. What made it more sweet? It was the romantic parts between Derek and Chloe at the end of the book.

Another thing I like about this book is that it ties in her other series, which is called Otherworld. However, I wish some of the characters in Otherworld would appear and has a some-what active part in this series, but the author said she won't do that. Oh, well. It would be nice if she did, but it's fine if she mentions it.

All in all, it is a great ending to Chloe's story for this series, but I wish there was a little bit more to it. Go ahead and read it.

Here is some more information about this series. There are a couple of short stories for this series, go to the author's website for more information and to read them. For the book order, I suggest looking on the author's website as well.

Also, this series, The Darkest Powers, is apparently separated by character. This is the last book in Chloe's story, but it is not the last book in The Darkest Powers series. The next book in The Darkest Powers series is The Gathering, which begins Maya's story.

I'll read the short stories and create a review on them later on. I have other books to read right now, which are due in a week. :(

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Kelley Armstrong
Goodreads: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Library Thing: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Lavender Lies: Review: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
Nebula: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES BOOK 03

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published in 2009
ISBN 9781416914303
541 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Clary Fray is very close to waking her mother up from her magically induced coma, all she has to do is travel to the Glass City and find the missing key to waking her up. However, traveling to the Glass City is easier said than done since going to the city without permission against the Law and is punishable by death. Not to mention, Jace doesn't even want Clary to go to the ancient Shadowhunter home. So, when an incident happens, Simon is taken to the Glass City along with Jace and the Lightwoods, but he is imprisoned later for being a vampire who can walk in sunlight. However, when Clary arrives in the Glass City, she finds out more about her family's past. While she is in the Glass City, she finds an ally in Sebastian, a Shadowhunter, after Jace abandons her. Then Valentine makes his presence known in the Glass City, and he gives all of the Shadowhunters a choice: surrender and serve him or be killed. Time is running out for Shadowhunters and Downworlders, will they all be able to work together to save themselves? Will Clary's powers be enough to help save them all?

Okay, another supernatural book, but this one that I don't really like that much. For the genre, this book has pretty much every kind known to me, so I just picked "Supernatural" and picked the subcategories that the book mentioned.

Like City of Bones and City of Ashes, this book is extremely slow-moving, which is good in the way of details of events, but bad if you want to read in a day. As I mentioned just now, the details in this book are well-written and there are a lot. The author of this books seems to value that the reader needs to know details of events, as well as what the characters look like. Most books I have read do not leave enough of an impression of how the characters look like. Though, I don't like how the page number jumped by about 100 pages. Zzzzz...

Although the descriptions of the characters are more well-written than other books, the character's personalities are kind of stereotypical. Though, having stereotypes for characters are frequent in most books, not just this one. However, I still found Clary's personality extremely annoying. She is very weak and spoiled, which kind of reminds me of most people who I know. :| Though, I'm kind of happy with Simon's development in both this book and City of Ashes. :) Also, I'm happy with the development between Magnas and Alec. :D

In this book, the plot of the series becomes a little bit better and more detailed. So, it is not as boring as the first one, but you have to have patience to read the extra 100 pages. Also, you start seeing more of a relationship between Magnas and Alec. To those of you who don't approve of boy x boy relationships, I don't care. ^^ Oh, spoiler, my favorite part is when Magnas and Alec kiss, and Maia goes, "Do we have to do that, too?"

And, I have noticed people accusing this author of plagiarism, but what book doesn't do a little bit of plagiarizing? Most books I read have so similar plots with similar characters that I forget which book is which. >.> So, please, do not comment or rant about this on my blog. It's mine, not yours. :(

I liked the ending of this book and series (?). However, when I looked on her website, there is another book to this series called City of Fallen Angels. Also, there is a prequel series called The Infernal Devices, though they are not published yet. I just hope that City of Fallen Angels won't ruin the ending of this book.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Cassandra Clare
Goodreads: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Library Thing: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
After Twilight: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
A Trillian Books: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES BOOK 02

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published in 2008
ISBN 9781416914297
453 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Clary Fray is suddenly thrown into the world of the Shadowhunters and Downworlders, and no matter how much she wishes, she can never go back to her normal life. With her mother still in a magically induced coma, Clary is left trying to find a way to wake her up. Though, the only way she can think of is the track down her father, a rogue Shadowhunter. However, new problems arise when someone is murdering Downwordler. Who is behind the killings? Is it her father, Valentine? If he is, what is he trying to do with the blood of those children? Also, what will happen to Jace when the Inquisitor zeros in on him and accuses him of helping his father, Valentine?

Okay, another supernatural book, but this one that I don't really like that much. For the genre, this book has pretty much every kind known to me, so I just picked "Supernatural" and picked the subcategories that the book mentioned.

Like City of Bones, this book is extremely slow-moving, which is good in the way of details of events, but bad if you want to read in a day. As I mentioned just now, the details in this book are well-written and there are a lot. The author of this books seems to value that the reader needs to know details of events, as well as what the characters look like. Most books I have read do not leave enough of an impression of how the characters look like.

Although the descriptions of the characters are more well-written than other books, the character's personalities are kind of stereotypical. Though, having stereotypes for characters are frequent in most books, not just this one. However, I still found Clary's personality extremely annoying. She is very weak and spoiled, which kind of reminds me of most people who I know. :| Though, I'm kind of happy with Simon's development towards the end of the book, instead of just waiting for the stupid girl, Clary. :)

In this book, the plot of the series becomes a little bit better. So, it is not as boring as the first one. Also, you start seeing more of a relationship between Magnas and Alec. To those of you who don't approve of boy x boy relationships, I don't care. ^^

And, I have noticed people accusing this author of plagiarism, but what book doesn't do a little bit of plagiarizing? Most books I read have so similar plots with similar characters that I forget which book is which. >.> So, please, do not comment or rant about this on my blog. It's mine, not yours. :(

Anyways, the ending is kind of unexpected, but I read the other books in this series already. So, don't freak at the ending parts --- the author kind of switches it in the other books. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Cassandra Clare
Goodreads: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Library Thing: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
After Twilight: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Finding the Magic in Books: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Book Love: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
A Trillian Books: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES BOOK 01

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published in 2007
ISBN 9781416914280
485 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Clary Fray has always thought she was an ordinary girl who lives with her mother, however, she finds out that her family is far from ordinary. At the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she sees some people murdering a boy, but then, the boy's body disappears. With no evidence to show the police, she is left confused and thinking that what she saw was just her imagination. Then, after her mother gets kidnapped, she meets the murderers again --- but this time they tell her about the secret world of the Shadowhunters, warriors who are dedicated to hunting demons on earth. Why does she have this Sight? Why did demons kidnapped her mother? And, why is she strangely attracted to this world? Clary wants to know this, and so do the Shadowhunters...

Okay, another supernatural book, but this one that I don't really like that much. For the genre, this book has pretty much every kind known to me, so I just picked "Supernatural" and picked the subcategories that the book mentioned.

City of Bones is extremely slow-moving, which is good in the way of details of events, but bad if you want to read in a day. As I mentioned just now, the details in this book are well-written and there are a lot. The author of this books seems to value that the reader needs to know details of events, as well as what the characters look like. Most books I have read do not leave enough of an impression of how the characters look like.

Although the descriptions of the characters are more well-written than other books, the character's personalities are kind of stereotypical. Though, having stereotypes for characters are frequent in most books, not just this one. However, I found Clary's personality extremely annoying. She is very weak and spoiled, which kind of reminds me of most people who I know. :|

In my opinion, the plot is okay, but it could have been a little bit better. And, I have noticed people accusing this author of plagiarism, but what book doesn't do a little bit of plagiarizing? Most books I read have so similar plots with similar characters that I forget which book is which. >.> So, please, do not comment or rant about this on my blog. It's mine, not yours. :(

Anyways, the ending is kind of unexpected, but I read the other books in this series already. So, don't freak at the ending parts --- the author kind of switches it in the other books. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Cassandra Clare
Goodreads: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Library Thing: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
After Twilight: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Consumed by Books: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Finding the Magic in Books: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Book Love: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
A Trillian Books: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

TANTALIZE SERIES BOOK 01

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Candlewick Press

Published in 2007

ISBN 9780763627911

311 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Quincie Morris was an ordinary girl, that is, as normal as you can get with a first love who's a werewolf. However, when someone murders the chief at a vampire-themed restaurant, which her family happens to own, things will change Quincie's life forever. Her uncle hires a new chief, but can she change him into the Dark Lord they need for opening night? However, there is more to this chief than what meets the eye, will Quincie notice the betrayal from someone close to her before it's too late? Or, will she be converted to the dark side and lose everything?

Another vampire and were-animal book. :) In case if you haven't noticed, I really love supernatural books. Oh, the review might contain some spoilers. Forgive me. :P

Tantalize is kind of different from other vampire and supernatural books I have read since most of them are like this: Girl meets vampire, girl falls in love with vampire, girl and vampire stay together forever against all odds.

With this book, you expect Quincie to pick one of the guys, but she doesn't really pick one in the end. Though, that's kind of disappointing for me. I was hoping she would pick to go with Kieren. Oh well, I guess that's why I like this book. The female character does her own thing and doesn't always pick the guy she wants in the end.

Anyways, that's the main reason why I kind of like this book. Also, it has a lot of details and events that keep you interested in the book. Though, I would really like to know what happens to Kieren and Bradley after Quincie kind of dumps them both. :) This vampire book is not as good as Eternal, which is also by Cynthia Leitich Smith, but it is still a great read

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Cynthia Leitich Smith
Goodreads: Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Library Thing: Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Reading for Refuge: Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
365 Days of Reading: Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Captivate by Carrie Jones

NEED SERIES BOOK 02

Captivate by Carrie Jones
Bloomsbury
Published in 2010
ISBN 9781599903422
276 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Zara White and her friends kind of solved the pixie problem by locking them away in the woods. However, as the king's needs grow stronger and his control weakens, it draws a new king to Zara's town. This new king, Astley, claims that he and his people are different -- that pixies and humans can live peacefully together without the violence and the needs taking them over. Zara believes this until he claims that she is fated to be his queen. Zara will never become a pixie, but when something threatens the most important thing in her life, she may be forced to make a decision she would have never made before...

Okay. Another supernatural book. :P Hopefully, I will make this review a short one because it takes longer to write a longer review of it. :( Oh, there may be some spoilers. :)

Like in the first book of this series, I liked some areas of the book, but in the others... bleh. :( Though, there are more interesting parts than "bleh" parts this time. Some things that are interesting about the book, in my opinion, were how the beginning of each chapter opened up with some kind of information about pixies, and also there is a little bit more "supernaturals" added to pixies and weres like Valhalla, Odin, and other Norse myths. With the Norse myths added into the plot line, it became a lot more interesting than the first book. :)

Like the first book, the things that I didn't like about the book were the lack of or very few descriptions of characters and events, though there was more descriptions in this book than in the first book. I can't wait for the sequel since this series has become more interesting now. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Carrie Jones
Goodreads: Captivate by Carrie Jones
Library Thing: Captivate by Carrie Jones
A Dream of Books: Captivate by Carrie Jones
Mindful Musings: Captivate by Carrie Jones