Tehreem: She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

 Ally Ryan would rather be in Maryland. She would rather be anywhere, in fact, than Orchard Hill, site of her downfall. Well, not hers exactly—but when your father’s hedge fund goes south and all your friends lose their trust funds, things don’t look so sunny for you. Her mother moved her to Maryland to flee the shame, but now they’re moving back. Back to the country-club, new-car-every-year, my-family-came-over-on-the-Mayflower lifestyle that Ally has outgrown. One bright spot, however, is gorgeous, intense Jake Graydon. But it won’t be easy for the two of them to be together—not if his friends (her former friends) have anything to say about it. Is Ally ready to get thrown back into the drama of the life she left behind?

You know how when you hate the characters in a book, you tend to hate the book itself? Well, this book is not an example of that. Sorry.

I don't think someone could read this book, and not hate at least one character. All of them are snotty, stuck-up kids who don't care about anyone but themselves. They don't care about who gets hurt in the end. Even if that person who gets hurt is one of their closest friends. All they care about is their social status.

And whether or not they get the guy.

Ally, one of the main characters, is one of the only teenagers in the book I can sympathize with. She understands that some things she has done were wrong. She actually learns from her mistakes.

The other main character, Jake, is just a freakin' idiot.

Seriously! He is the man version of a slut. He is with a new girl every week, even though he has been pinning after Ally the entire time.

Apparently, the only way you can win a girl is by sucking face with all the other girls around you. 'Cos that totally makes a girl swoon over you.

“Oh, look at his amazing face sucking skills! I gotta get me some of that!”

Yeah, um... no.

Ally does some pretty annoying things too. She basically gets a boyfriend – who is really sweet and nice and ohmigodIwanthim – just to fill the “void in her heart.”

Please! Get over yourself, woman! Stuff happens in life. Build a bridge and get over it.

Overall, this book was very enjoyable, though I did throw it at a wall...

You will understand when you read it.

My rating:

Four out of Five Stars!

By the way, I don't normally harm books. This one was just asking for it.

Tehreem: Review of Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. 
   
Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only fifteen, and today her father is coming home from prison. 

Today her time has run out.

When I picked up this book, I expected something gripping. A tear-jerker would have been nice. However, that is not what I received.

This book did not make me sad. It made me livid.

Meredith had been through so much. Her own father hurt her in ways as a child that are unforgivable. She had loved him, and he had betrayed her.

He is sick, vile, and absolutely disgusting.

But Meredith's mother doesn't seem to think he is.

She praises him as if he were a god. Even when he is released from prison and interested in Meredith alone, her mother doesn't see a thing. She only sees the man that she loved when she was twelve, and he sixteen. When she was just a kid and he was a teenager.

She never seems to understand that her husband will only ever be interested in youth.

And she isn't young anymore.

But their daughter is.

Her mother almost seems to blame Meredith for being "too appealing." She doesn't care that her husband continues to leer at their daughter. She thinks it was all a mistake, and blames Meredith for tearing apart their family.

Inside, Meredith's mother is still a spoiled child.

I hate her for that.

A mother should always be there for her daughter. Meredith was crying out, but her mother continued to remain oblivious. Or perhaps she wasn't. Maybe she knew what was happening, but just refused to acknowledge it.

Just thinking that makes this book worse.

Maybe it's unfair of me to judge a book on one simple character. However, when that character is as messed up as the tormenter, it's hard not to. Meredith's mother just made the story seem too unrealistic. Everyone looked over Meredith's mother. They saw how sick she was, yet they continued to place Meredith in her care.

I still liked this book, but the characters made the plot seem distorted. I was disappointed, but not to the point where I would never pick up this book again.

My rating:

Three out of Five Stars!

Meredith: Why I Love YA

Let's face it. My friends and I - we're teenagers. Ninety percent of the population is pure idiocy to us. We see the world in cliques and drama, in hormones and food. Yes, definitely food.

 

So when you're in the group who is known for being nerdy and bookish (also known as us) you get a lot of condescending people thinking they're so much better than you. You get a lot of "Why do you read so much?" and "Don't you have a life?" You get weird looks and scoffing faces.

 

But we don't care. I love the world of literature so much... it's a dream. It's unlike anything you could possibly have known. It's falling into someone else's head. It's twists and turns and things that hurt and crash and burn. Strength, and love, and courage. And for that, I love it.

 

YA is such a perfect balance. The plot is thrilling, the romance is enticing, the action is enjoyable. The authors truly know how to relate it to teenagers; I call it magic.

Tehreem: Review of Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

  


What happens when happily ever after... isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

This book was a lot better than expected. I kind of assumed it would be a copy of a book I read recently, The Vampire Stalker, but it was nothing like it. The ideas presented in the book were original and refreshing. Almost everything ran along quite smoothly. Almost

While this book is good, there is little to no action. The book has other elements, such as romance and humor, but nothing to really keep a reader motivated. The whole story is just about Oliver trying to escape his world and find a way into Delilah's. Are there any hidden obstacles? No. Everything is easily foreshadowed.

Normally, I would give a book like this 1 to 2 stars. However, the writing is just so...enthralling. This is one of those books where the story telling is the element that keeps you going. You can't just stop when an author can twist such simple words into a wonderful sonnet. The story is breathing to you.

I also felt like this story deserved a better rating because, well, everyone deserves a happy ending.

 My rating:

Three out of Five Stars!

Tehreem: Review of Die For Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

This book was exactly as I thought it would be; cliche, cheesy, yet undeniably beautiful. Kate is your average fictional girl; thinks she is nothing special, has to deal with a terrible tragedy, and is extremely wimpy. Yep! That's her alright! But she is no "Bella Swan". While this character scheme is way overused, Kate is actually quite an enjoyable character. While she does have her flaws, she always somehow manages to come out (somewhat) strong.

Now, we all know the reason I picked up this book in the first place. Romance! *swoons*

Well, not for romance exactly, but for the steamy fictional guy. Yes, I have many fictional boyfriends. I love them and they love me. They just don't know it yet. Back to the real topic of the moment! The Swoon Worthy guy of this series is (drum roll please) Vincent! He is charming, sweet, and funny! He has absolutely no flaws! (Except for the fact that he follows Kate around. At least he has an explanation for it, which is explained later in the first book.) He doesn't attempt to control Kate. (Unlike someone...*coughEdwardCullencough*) He is kindhearted and loving! And he's dead! *crickets chirp*

Okay, maybe the last part wasn't so attractive....but you get my point! Anyway, it's now time for my thoughts on the book overall. Amy Plum has successfully created an indulgent world in which you can easily get lost in. I found myself practically hopping, bouncing, and squealing with excitement throughout the entire book. Die For Me is the perfect book to dive into and die for!

My Rating:

Four out of Five Stars!

Natalie: Nat, Not Gnat

Hi my name is Natalie. You may refer to me as Nat if you wish. Not gnat, as in the tiny flying insect; but Nat, as in the first three letters of my name.  For your convenience I have come up with a few things about myself you would do well to remember, sooner rather than later.

     I love to read. Yes I know, quite a shocker. I like to read a specific genre of books called Paranormal Romance. This means that I like books containing, but not limited to, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, shapeshifters, witches, sorcerers, angels, fairies, demons, dragons, mermaids and any person that has or developes mystical or magical powers including, telepathy, telekenisis, time travel, healing, premonition, or any other sort of scientific impossibility. Oh and they need to have romance. It is non-negotiable. I also enjoy Dystopian books, along with books about spies, mythology, and space travel (as long as they have romance).

Aside from reading, I love to play tennis, watch old movies, listen to both 60's and 80's music, sleep late into the afternoon, paint, draw, sing, watch sit-coms and crime shows, eat pasta and bread until I go into a food coma (wow, that's like me in one sentence).

Thank you for reading this get-to-know-natalie-post even though I'm sure you had better ways to spend the past few minutes of your life. I am really excited about this blog but have been told by a certain person *cough* Meredith *cough* that proper grammar is a must. Much to my chagrin.

NOTE: I don't like hugs. Yes, I know this is a blog and hugging me is a physical impossibility, but I felt obligated to mention it for your own safety. You would do well to remember I am also not liable for any injury that is caused as a result of hugging me or any psychological damage thereof.
Thank you. And have a nice life.

Tehreem: Sassiness Will Prevail

Hello there, Stranger! Why, aren't you looking good today? My name is Tehreem (Tha-her-eem), but you may call me Reemie if that is easier for you to remember (or you can combine them and call me Tehreemie). I, much like all the other members of this group, love books. I don't have a favorite book though. Probably because I feel terrible for choosing one amazing book over all of the other amazing books. I hope I'm not the only one like that out there...

Aside from loving books, I love chocolate. Particularly milk chocolate. Though all chocolate is good, I guess. Except for cinnamon chocolate. That stuff is disgusting (no offense if you like it).

I also love music, video games(The Legend of Zelda), movies, t.v, food, Boarders, the library, food, Tumblr, romance, drama, food, traveling, suspense, mystery, cooking, food, baking, the internet, Youtube, and food.

I feel as though I've said too much, so I'm going to stop here. It was nice speaking to you, Stranger. Have a nice day! :]

LOL (Lots Of Love),
     Tehreemie

Meredith: Review of Perfect Cover (The Squad #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

                                                                             

High school sophomore Toby Klein is an expert computer hacker - and a complete social outcast. So when Bayport High's top-of-the-food-chain cheerleaders invite her to try out, she knows something's up. Turns out the peppy airheads with the flawless appearances have a secret: Bayport High's varsity squad is an undercover team of elite government operatives. Who would suspect a cheerleader?

Saying this book is entertaining would be an understatement. At the beginning, we're introduced to the classic high school hierarchy. Our third-level-black belt, Pentagon-hacking, combat-boot-wearing protagonist is very near the bottom.

I loved Perfect Cover. Toby is the perfect mix of sarcasm and hilarity, which her cheerleader counterparts are actually not as shallow as we're lead to believe. The characters are wonderful: the word-building is even better. Jennifer Lynn Barnes managed to produce a fun book where the comedy doesn't override the plot, and the plot isn't completely predictible.

My rating:

five out of five stars

Andrea: ...and another post... :)

Ok, so you have just heard my two friends ramble on and on.

 Now I guess I should introduce myself.... but... I am currently eating Nutella on bread... that has been toasted by my amazing friend Abbie.

So, I shall just say that I love books, mainly books with dragons in them (Eragon).

I love sports, playing and watching, and I play the violin, (with my dear friend Abbie) but I want to play the cello! :) Now to eat my Nutella! Bye! (oh yeah, my name is Andrea... probably should have mentioned that!)

Meredith: Is This Thing On?

Greetings. So, this is a blog. My friends and I, we like books. So we made a blog about books. I find it awesome that you stumbled upon said blog, because, well, we created it about five seconds ago. Wait - now ten. Now fifteen. Now twenty.

Anyway, I like YA books with awesome romance and lots of action. I like movies with Johnny Depp and/or Robert Downey Jr. I don't think there's ever been a movie with both of them. I don't think it's possible. The world might implode from all the epic.

I don't think I introduced myself yet. Oops. I'm Meredith. 

Hi.

It's been roughly two hundred seconds now.