Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins

Yes... Yet another teenage romance  novel... I seem to be reading a lot of these these days... Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins is the first in a trilogy. Seriously, I don't even know why I started this trilogy. Maybe for a book to read? Maybe for a lack of things to do? Eh. I don't even know... All I can say is... I wish I hadn't.

If you read my review on The City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare, you would know that I have a thing about having to finish a series that I start. That got me in trouble with the Mortal Instruments series, and it did with this series as well. Okay let's get this straight: I don't particularly love romance novels. I have no clue what came over me to get me to take this book out of the library, but I did. And now I am suffering the consequences. Too much lovey-dovey makes me want to puke, to be honest. And seriously? This series has exactly that. Ugh ick.

I'm sure someone out there really loves reading cheesy romance that you know the outcome of without even finishing the series. For gods' sakes, people even read Twilight and like it! For the record, this series is way better than Twilight. That doesn't mean it's good, it just means it's better than Twilight, which is not saying much. If you think you might like it, go ahead. Read it. If you don't like overly romantic novels that don't even make sense because the characters go through ridiculous problems that make themselves dig themselves into their own graves, don't. Karen Ann Hopkins is a lovely writer for romance lovers... Just not for me. I'll stick with my Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl, thanks. Better the magician hunted by a guy with no nose, and a criminal mastermind than some soppy romance story. That's the way to go...

I just didn't really enjoy the book. The end. I recommend this book to teens and older, and to people who enjoy lots and lots of romance. Knock yourself out.

***I rate this book a 7.6 out of 10.***

A Girl, A Ghost, and the Hollywood Hills by Lizabeth Zindel

This book is slightly weird. Not bad weird, just.... Interesting weird. It tells of a girl named Holly who vows to avenge the death of her mother. Her reason? She sees the ghost of her mother, who appears and states that it was Claudia, her mother's sister and Holly's aunt, that killed her. To make things worse, Claudia has taken over her sister's movie production company, her house, and now is even Holly's dad's girlfriend. What does Holly think about this? Gross.

Lizabeth Zindel wrote a book that will make you feel extremely sorry at Holly and laugh at her at the same time. This girl's imagination? Borderline crazy. This book takes on a nearly Hamlet-like twist, full of ghosts, stepmothers, a cute guy, and teenage romance. It's a highly entertaining story, and one even Shakespeare fans will enjoy, as there are many parallels with Hamlet. In Zindel's book, venture the meaning of family, love, and forgiveness.

Like any other book with stepmothers, the stepmother is portrayed as evil. In this book, Claudia is portrayed by Holly to be a thieving knock-out gorgeous person with an affinity for drinking and 'chilling'. Holly thinks she's crazy and also, that she poisoned her mom. After all, her mother's ghost came and told her, and whatever ghosts say is always right. ....Right?

"I know brides are supposed to be angelic, and usually they are, but she looked like a monster in lace."

~ Holly describing her aunt in a wedding dress

Well, that gives an insight into exactly what Holly thinks of her aunt as, doesn't it? She's really just kind of messed up... Then again, something's twisted in the state of Cali!

I recommend this book to teens. In general. It's a hilarious book, especially if you have a family member you just cannot bring yourself to like...

***I give this book a 8.5 out of 10!***

Ao No Exorcist/ Blue Exorcist

Ahhh... Ao No Exorcist. A rather beautiful manga in my opinion, and an even better anime. I like it. You should like it. Haven't read it? Go read it. Haven't watched it? Go watch it. Seriously, it's actually really good.

Kazue Kato weaves a parallel universe of Exorcists and demons. Meet Rin Okumura, a hybrid between a mortal woman and Satan. Due to this, Rin has powers that, quite frankly, he has no idea how to use. Also, he has a tail that he tries to keep concealed. I can't give too much information about Rin without spoiling the series, but he plans to become an Exorcist as well.

Yukio Okumura is Rin's brother, and a downright genius. He's the youngest student to become an instructor at the Exorcism Cram School, which Rin goes to. He's a pretty great exorcist, and usually is cool headed and thinks things out, unlike Rin who enjoys blinding rushing in to save everyone. Although he often talks to Rin like an older brother, he is Rin's younger brother.

Blue Exorcist is a series, so I suggest that you read it in order. Especially with this manga-- Rin develops his powers and himself as a person in every volume, so I suggest that you read in order, or else you may not recognize him, because he changed so much. Also, it's important to read from the beginning because you get introduced to characters and you also will get the flashbacks when they happen in later chapters.

I suggest Ao No Exorcist to anyone who enjoys supernatural fantasy books, and anyone who enjoys anime or manga! I would say that this would be a bit bloody and filled with coarse language for children, so I recommend it to teens and older people.

***I rate this series a 9.7 out of 10!!***

Bone Out from Boneville

If it isn't our favourite comic book character. Bone. As the first book of the Bone series, it starts off with the three Bones: Phoney Bone, Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone, getting stuck in a desert. Fun. We can safely say it all started when Phoney Bone is run out of Boneville and the three cousins seek refuge in the desert. Great place. Not water, plenty of sun, no shade what so ever. Not to mention that it never seems to end. However, when they finally get to a deep, forested valley where Grandma Ben and Thorn live, they seem to be saved. Yet in every place, there's something. And here, dangerous rat creatures haunt this valley and there is always more than one way to get caught and killed. Also, as Phoney Bone is apparently wanted by the enemy (Kingdok, his minions, and the Hooded One), the Bones have a lot on their mind to think about. They have to run away from countless amounts of dangers, all the while Phoney is brewing up more trouble. Yet in one way, Grandma Ben, Thorn, Phoney, Smiley, and Fone are one tight family- they care for each other and they try to make it better for one another. Even when they are all nearly killed again and again by Phoney's schemes, they never stop caring for one another!

Phoney Bone is the trouble maker of the group. Constantly looking for things to get money off of, Phoney is always on the loose.

Smiley Bone always has on a huge smile, with a carefree air around him. If anyone acts stupid, it's Smiley.

Fone Bone is our main character. With a certain crush for Thorn, he has a severe sense of what's wrong and right. He likes to stand up for himself and his friends.

Thorn is a strong figure and one everyone wants to be friends with. Especially Fone Bone.

Grandma Ben takes care of everyone, from the three troublesome Bone cousins, to Thorn. She's the mother hen in this equation.

Jeff Smith creates a whole new world of the Bones and their fight to get back home. Will they make it? Don't miss the next books! Jeff Smith is an excellent weaver of both a story, and an excellent drawer. His drawing come to life on the page, with an equally artistic plot to follow!

*** I give this book a 9.8 out of 10***

"You were th' richest bone in Boneville! An' it was your money-grubbin' schemes that got us into this mess, remember?" (Fone Bone)

"Do you have to keep bringing that up?! So I got us run out of Boneville, and a lynch mob chased us for two weeks! Jeez! One little mistake and I gotta hear about it th' rest of my life?!" (Phoney)

"Maybe you'll think twice next time before you build an ORPHANAGE on a HAZARDOUS LANDFILL!!" (Fone)

"What is wrong with that?! That's two community services rolled into one!! It was th' ULTIMATE TAX SHELTER!" (Phoney)

"You never learn, do you?" (Fone)

" I shoulda stuck with my first idea!" (Phoney)

"What? Combining a slaughterhouse with a petting zoo?! Oh, yeah! That was brilliant!" (Fone)

"AHH! What do you know?" (Phoney)

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen-- the author of countless numbers of young adult fiction on relationships, romance, and love. I personally have read almost all of her books. However, I believe that of them all, Just Listen is by far the best. However, I am proud to admit to you that I personally think that Sarah Dessen is definitely one of the best, if not the best, writers for teenage romances. She never looses her touch... I'm extremely jealous.

The thing I find amazing out about Sarah Dessen is that she never seems to over exert her ideas-- she knows how to start, and when to stop. She's amazing at knowing just when you are craving a bit of romance, or a bit of hurt, and she tries to keep away from perfect. she's a great writer, and her books are always highly entertaining.

In The Moon and More, our main character is Emaline, a teenage girl who just wants the moon and more. She's on her last year of high school, and on the summer before college, everything will change from her normal. Enter Theo. Theo is a super-ambitious outsider, from New York. he is assisting a documentary film on a reclusive local artist by the name of Clyde. Theo is sophisticated, exciting, and thinking Emaline is too good for Colby, her home town by the beach. Meanwhile, Luke is her boyfriend-- perfect, handsome, kind, and fun. As things progress between Emaline and Theo, Emaline starts to wonder if perfect is good enough...

The Moon and More is filled with romance, adventure, and the thrill of something new. Emaline wants to make her way through the world, and with that brings change. This may be the summer where everything changes, for the better or the worse. How can she balance where she comes from with where she's going? She wants to move on, expand her horizons, but at the same time, clings tot he deeps roots of her loving mother, stepfather and sisters. How much is enough?

Sarah Dessen weaves yet another novel for teenagers to read and enjoy. Follow Emaline as she greets tough decisions, and lives out her life.

*** I give this book a 8.34 out of 10. I still think Just Listen is a better read...***

The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp



One of my more recent reads, The Girl's Guide to Homelessness is actually quite a good book, I found. I was really surprised that this was a memoir-- it really doesn't seem like something that would happen to someone. It's so realistic that it's scary... However, I do think that it's just that much better because it's that real-- the whole thing about her being homeless, her adventure, and her struggles really get to you because you know that it's a memoir- that this actually happened, and that it wasn't fiction. To be honest, I don't really like reading memoirs. They bore me, and honestly, I'm busy enough trying to get a hold of my life... However, I picked this one up because I decided that I would try it out.

It didn't disappoint. Brianna Karp really is a great writer with an amazing story to tell. Whether she had a happy ending or not, it was highly entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It's an amazing tale that shows a little insight to life on the road, and life in general. It's not all unicorns and rainbows; it's full of hardships, loss, and heartbreak as well. Even then, the strongest of all will find a way to cope through everything. They are the survivors. Brianna Karp is a survivor. She takes everything that happens to her, and keep moving on.

"If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn't assume I live in a parking lot. I am just like you, except without the convenience of a permanent address."

The Girl's Guide to Homelessness tell a touching tale of a girl from an abusing family who had a good life, until she didn't. It's a very good book/ memoir thing, and I recommend it to anyone who thinks their life is bad, and all teens. I think it was an eye opener to me, because of the amount of things that I take for granted... However, I don't recommend this to children-- there's crude language, dark themes, and mature things in the story. After all, who said life wasn't dark...

***I give this book/memoir a 9.5 out of 10***

Witch and Wizard: The Fire by James Patterson

It's that time of year again for daily reviews. Today's book review is The Fire from the Witch and Wizard series. This is the third book in the series, and I do suggest that you read at least the first book before anything, because well... you'll be extremely confused at the whole witch and wizard things. 

The first thing that I have to say about this book is that I need to note the author-- James Patterson, also wrote the Maximum Ride series (a series that had me entertained for a very long time, I can tell you), and is actually a very good teen/ older children writer. He has a knack for being able to bring a story, especially an action story, to life. I enjoy his writing a lot. However, I can't say that this was one of his finer works. I found the book to be slightly really confusing, seeing how the point of view changes inconsistently between Whit and Wisty, who both have 'W' names, mind you, and it's very utterly confusing. While I read the book, I had to keep flipping back to see exactly who I have reading about...

Whit and Wisty are a bit bland of characters-- they don't change much. I do enjoy character development, but they seem to have a particular lack of it... In fact, most characters in this book don't have much character development... Talk about Dickens style... It was the worst of times, it was the best of times...

That being said, it was much better than Twilight, or City of Heavenly Fire, so I am happy. It actually had a plot! I was ecstatic at the characters in the story, and even more at the plot development... Sincerely, I thoroughly liked this book, just got lost a few times...

I recommend this book to teens and older children, because there's quite a bit of action. Also, if you like your action books with absolutely no romance, don't go for this one...

*** I give this book a 8.2 out of 10.***

City of Heavenly Fire

Ahhhh.... The last book in the Mortal Instruments series (I hope...), I decided to give it one last try, and bought it. My advice? Don't. It's really not worth the money. The plot already basically exerted itself by City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels if I try to be nice. By now, this series has kind of lost all it's value as a novel, but has become this kind of fanfiction for people who really really want to get all the really weird details about Jace and Clary's love life... errrr ick? I still think that this series has been dragging on for wayyyy to long, but for the sake of finishing what I started, I'll see it through.

I am glad, however, that Cassandra Clare managed to kill off a character without reviving it in the next paragraph. I applaud you. *slow clap* If you want to start this series, number one, don't if you're like me and need to finish some series that you start. Number two, just stop reading at around City of Fallen Angels. Number three, just don't trouble yourself... I hardly ever say this, but this book was 725 pages ( I read every single one of them... ) of absolute fluff, and bull. Terrifying. I think I just found the book to match the terrible-ness of Twilight. Almost. At least it's decent writing though... Then again, at least Twilight actually kind of had a plot...

Cassandra Clare is loosing her touch quickly on the Mortal Instruments series. It's good that she was able to wrap it up. Now, she is beginning yet another new series-- The Dark Artifices. We'll see how good that series will turn out to be!

In City of Heavenly Fire, we are again faced with our very favourite characters: Clary Fray, the Jace's one weakness, Jace Herondale/Lightwood/whatever, who never seems to die when he should have died a LONG time ago, Alec Lightwood, the gay one, Isabella Lightwood, the bad girl who has a thing for vampires with glasses, and much more. Oh, can't forget Simon Lewis of the 'I-should-be-dead-but-I'm-a-sparkly-vampire ohwaitwhat, and Magnus Bane. Not really sure how to describe Magnus, so I'll leave it at that. All together, they make a slightly ridiculous group, to be quite frank. Along with this gaggle of characters comes lots and lots of kissing, fighting (of course), and angry disputes with adults, whether that be the Clave, or the parents. Last but not least, meet the antagonist of basically the whole series, except not really because for the first few books Valentine was the antagonist: Sebastian Morgenstern. Ahhh.... The beautiful evil of this guy never ends to astound me. He is overall a very confusing and apparently very evil character? I think? 

I recommend this book to... Actually I don't recommend this book to anyone, unless somebody out there really likes reading plotless stuff about love lives that kind of got old already. Okay! 'Till next time!

*** I give this book a 6.7 out of 10. The 6 coming from its ability to make me entertained, and the 0.7 going to the semi-decent writing.***

The Fault in Our Stars ( Movie )

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep:

slowly, then all at once."

Four words. Just go see it. It's an amazing movie that makes you want to sob and laugh at the same time. Based off of the novel The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, this movie will move you to tears, due to the totally sad yet beautiful and amazing story line. Really just GO WATCH IT. I really enjoyed this movie especially because it didn't stray from the book, unlike *ahem* Percy Jackson. At first, when I walked in the movie theater, 10 at night, I had my misgivings. 'Could they actually do a good job of making such a great book into a movie???' I'm glad to say that they brought it to justice!

John Green. One of my favourite, if not favourite, authors. He's an amazing writer that can make pretty much anyone sob and clutch at their stomachs in laughter at the same time. I guarantee that by the end of the movie, you'll have cried at LEAST once. For me, I'm not ashamed to say that I practically cried the whole half of the movie. It's just so *sniffle* sad!! Welcome to Hazel Lancaster Grace (played by Shailene Woodley), and Augustus Water's (played by Ansel Elgort) world. It's full of oblivion, cancer, and love. While we're at it, welcome to the land of the saddest teen love story ever. I won't spoil ANY of this amazing movie for you, because you WILL. GO. AND WATCH. IT. However, did you know that Augustus and Hazel are played by the actors who played Tris and Caleb in Divergent? Siblings in one movie, lovers in the next... That's how the movie world goes! 

I recommend this movie to teens and adults alike. Not really to children, due to some scenes in the movie, and seeing that one of the main themes in this book/movie are love and death... This is a movie any romance lover has to watch, actually make that all teens. It's a great movie based on an even BETTER book that has amazing quotes that never get old. Seriously.

*** I give this movie a 10 out of 10! Spectacular!***

"You say you're not special because the world doesn't know about you, but that's an insult to me.

 I know about you."