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andye_reads's reviews
914 reviews
Need by Carrie Jones
3.0
Zara is really into phobias, like didaskaleinophobia, the fear of going to school, or arachibutyrophobia, the fear of having peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth. But one of her biggest fears has already happened. Her dad suddenly died of a heart attack, right in front of her. After this tragedy, Zara sinks into a depression and her mother sends her to live with her grandmother, to see if she can help bring Zara back to herself. Moving from sunny South Carolina, to miserable, freezing cold Maine. is not what Zara wants. Did I mention one of her fears is frigophobia (the fear of being cold)?
Zara immediately starts school, in her new town, and soon starts to meet “the usual suspects”: The mean girl, the fun upbeat outsider, and, of course, two cute guys that are fighting over her attention. But something strange is happening around this remote town. Zara keeps seeing this bizarre man in different places, a man that keeps pointing at her and leaving strange trails of gold dust wherever he goes. She and her friends soon come to the conclusion that he is a Pixie, and not just any old Pixie….he’s the Pixie King, and for some reason, he’s after Zara. Luckily for Zara, though, "Here there be Tygers."
Need reminded me a lot of the storyline of Twilight, (girl leaves mom to live in a remote town, strange pale students who end up being supernatural, being attracted to, but scared of a boy that has supernatural abilities, etc) but without Stephenie Meyer’s fantastic ability to draw the reader in. This book had points that I loved, that were exciting and romantic, then points that were really cheesy and worthy of eye rolling. I thought Zara acted more like a 14-year-old than a 17-year-old most of the time. I was also very distracted by the author’s obvious attempt to insert her political sympathies, especially since it just didn’t fit with the storyline. Her agenda is embedded into the entire book. I’m all for good causes, but it just seemed forced and out of place. However!! If you like faerie books, and were creatures, you’ll probably like this book well enough. I’ve read that a lot of other people really loved it.
~Andye
Parents should know: There are over 50 “minor” curse words and religious exclamations, and one major one. There’s some pretty passionate kissing and some talk about sex (between Zara’s parents). There's also some violence, but nothing very graphic. For the full content review, go to Parental Book Reviews.
Good things: Zara is a pretty respectful teen who treats her gram and friends really well, and she wants to save the world through Amnesty International.
Zara immediately starts school, in her new town, and soon starts to meet “the usual suspects”: The mean girl, the fun upbeat outsider, and, of course, two cute guys that are fighting over her attention. But something strange is happening around this remote town. Zara keeps seeing this bizarre man in different places, a man that keeps pointing at her and leaving strange trails of gold dust wherever he goes. She and her friends soon come to the conclusion that he is a Pixie, and not just any old Pixie….he’s the Pixie King, and for some reason, he’s after Zara. Luckily for Zara, though, "Here there be Tygers."
Need reminded me a lot of the storyline of Twilight, (girl leaves mom to live in a remote town, strange pale students who end up being supernatural, being attracted to, but scared of a boy that has supernatural abilities, etc) but without Stephenie Meyer’s fantastic ability to draw the reader in. This book had points that I loved, that were exciting and romantic, then points that were really cheesy and worthy of eye rolling. I thought Zara acted more like a 14-year-old than a 17-year-old most of the time. I was also very distracted by the author’s obvious attempt to insert her political sympathies, especially since it just didn’t fit with the storyline. Her agenda is embedded into the entire book. I’m all for good causes, but it just seemed forced and out of place. However!! If you like faerie books, and were creatures, you’ll probably like this book well enough. I’ve read that a lot of other people really loved it.
~Andye
Parents should know: There are over 50 “minor” curse words and religious exclamations, and one major one. There’s some pretty passionate kissing and some talk about sex (between Zara’s parents). There's also some violence, but nothing very graphic. For the full content review, go to Parental Book Reviews.
Good things: Zara is a pretty respectful teen who treats her gram and friends really well, and she wants to save the world through Amnesty International.
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
3.0
Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
Laurel discovers she is a faerie, sent among humans to protect the gateway to Avalon. Thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to each world. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
Laurel has never fit in. She was abandoned on a doorstep at the age of three, and now, at the age of fifteen, is going to a new school after being home schooled her entire life. So it's even more disturbing when something incredibly strange starts happening to her. Something that looks, at first, like wings is growing on her back. With very few friends, Laurel turns to the only one she can, a boy named David from her science class. David helps Laurel to figure out what these strange wing-like appendages are, and before long, they develop a relationship that goes beyond friendship.
David, however, is not the only boy in Laurel's life. Laurel soon meets Tamani, another faerie, who she finds herself inexplicably drawn to. When Laurel and her family are threatened, along with the entire faerie world, both boys do what they can to help Laurel in her struggle. But which world will Laurel choose?
This faeirie book is different than any I've read, it might also be one of the cleanest. It was a fast, pretty fun read, but I could have done without the sexual innuendo from Tamani (and the one bad word that just had to be thrown in there). It will be interesting to see where this story goes in her next book! I'll be finding out soon!
~Andye
Parents need to know: This book contains one "minor" curse word, and one "major" one. It also has some sexual innuendo and some kissing. For the full content review, check out ParentalBookReviews.com
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
Laurel discovers she is a faerie, sent among humans to protect the gateway to Avalon. Thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to each world. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
Laurel has never fit in. She was abandoned on a doorstep at the age of three, and now, at the age of fifteen, is going to a new school after being home schooled her entire life. So it's even more disturbing when something incredibly strange starts happening to her. Something that looks, at first, like wings is growing on her back. With very few friends, Laurel turns to the only one she can, a boy named David from her science class. David helps Laurel to figure out what these strange wing-like appendages are, and before long, they develop a relationship that goes beyond friendship.
David, however, is not the only boy in Laurel's life. Laurel soon meets Tamani, another faerie, who she finds herself inexplicably drawn to. When Laurel and her family are threatened, along with the entire faerie world, both boys do what they can to help Laurel in her struggle. But which world will Laurel choose?
This faeirie book is different than any I've read, it might also be one of the cleanest. It was a fast, pretty fun read, but I could have done without the sexual innuendo from Tamani (and the one bad word that just had to be thrown in there). It will be interesting to see where this story goes in her next book! I'll be finding out soon!
~Andye
Parents need to know: This book contains one "minor" curse word, and one "major" one. It also has some sexual innuendo and some kissing. For the full content review, check out ParentalBookReviews.com
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
3.0
So what are the chances that my daughter and I would both be reading about a girl that had to move from NYC to Hog's Hollow at the same time? (Mine was The Cupcake Queen) Maybe it's a sign? Here's her review of Hope Was Here.
Hope is a sixteen year old New Yorker who has to move to the middle-of-nowhere, Hog's Hollow. She's living with her aunt who is the best diner cook in the USA. After she gives it a chance, she realizes that the town has a charm that she never found in NYC. Hope ends up trying to help the diner owner, who has Leukemia, to get elected as mayor. He is trying to save the town from Mayor Eli Millstone, who has pretty much let the town go. There are pot-holes all over the street, a run-down community center, and the cheese factory (his sponsor) which hasn't payed taxes for 5 years. But no one wants to vote for a mayor who's time is so limited.
This is a very quick, clean read. It did get a little slow in the middle, but it picks back up after a little bit. It wasn't my favorite book, but I did enjoy it, and finished it quickly. I would definitely recommend Hope to tweens/young teens.
~Kit
Parents need to know that this book was very clean. There was a small amount of kissing (nothing detailed), and a couple of religious exclamations. For the full content review, go to Parental Book Reviews.
Hope is a sixteen year old New Yorker who has to move to the middle-of-nowhere, Hog's Hollow. She's living with her aunt who is the best diner cook in the USA. After she gives it a chance, she realizes that the town has a charm that she never found in NYC. Hope ends up trying to help the diner owner, who has Leukemia, to get elected as mayor. He is trying to save the town from Mayor Eli Millstone, who has pretty much let the town go. There are pot-holes all over the street, a run-down community center, and the cheese factory (his sponsor) which hasn't payed taxes for 5 years. But no one wants to vote for a mayor who's time is so limited.
This is a very quick, clean read. It did get a little slow in the middle, but it picks back up after a little bit. It wasn't my favorite book, but I did enjoy it, and finished it quickly. I would definitely recommend Hope to tweens/young teens.
~Kit
Parents need to know that this book was very clean. There was a small amount of kissing (nothing detailed), and a couple of religious exclamations. For the full content review, go to Parental Book Reviews.
Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti
4.0
DEREK:
Friendly & popular
Style: Cali surfer boy
Awesome at flirting
Future career: Landscape architect
Boyfriend potential: HIGH
NASH:
Shy but sweet
Style: Totally geeked out
Only talks to girls when forced to
Future career: robotics engineer
Boyfriend potential: NONE
Derek's clearly the love of Marisa's been waiting for, but there's only one problem: he has a girlfriend. Nash is clearly wrong for Marisa, but he's crushing on her. And, as if life wasn't complicated enough, Marisa's also contending with her best friend who won't stop falling for older guys, a family that's acting totally bizarre, and a secret crush on a guy whose identity is a mystery--even to her. Sophomore year is going to be intense.
I really liked this book! I thought it was super cute. Sometimes I felt like it was predictable, but it was funny and I felt like I could relate to the way Marisa thinks about situations. I wanted more when I was finished with it. I will definitely will be reading Susane Colasanti's other books!
Parents need to know that this book contains some kissing between couples, and a moderate amount of language. For the full content, go to Parental Book Reviews.
~Abigaile
Friendly & popular
Style: Cali surfer boy
Awesome at flirting
Future career: Landscape architect
Boyfriend potential: HIGH
NASH:
Shy but sweet
Style: Totally geeked out
Only talks to girls when forced to
Future career: robotics engineer
Boyfriend potential: NONE
Derek's clearly the love of Marisa's been waiting for, but there's only one problem: he has a girlfriend. Nash is clearly wrong for Marisa, but he's crushing on her. And, as if life wasn't complicated enough, Marisa's also contending with her best friend who won't stop falling for older guys, a family that's acting totally bizarre, and a secret crush on a guy whose identity is a mystery--even to her. Sophomore year is going to be intense.
I really liked this book! I thought it was super cute. Sometimes I felt like it was predictable, but it was funny and I felt like I could relate to the way Marisa thinks about situations. I wanted more when I was finished with it. I will definitely will be reading Susane Colasanti's other books!
Parents need to know that this book contains some kissing between couples, and a moderate amount of language. For the full content, go to Parental Book Reviews.
~Abigaile
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3.0
THE COLD.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf- her wolf-watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.
THE HEAT.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves, And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace... until now.
THE SHIVER.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human- and Grace must fight to keep him- even if it means taking on the scars of the past the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.
Debuted at #9 on the New York Times best seller list! It has stayed that way for 28 weeks so far. Obviously, there are a lot of teens reading this novel. I wouldn't say that this book is extreme, the language doesn't cross the line in my opinion, nor does the violence. There are several inappropriate moments that keep my children from reading this book though. You can read my full review. There have also been talks about a movie in the works.
-Shiver was picked as an ALA 2010 best pick for young adults.
-Shiver was picked as an ALA/YALSA 2010 Quick Pick for reluctant readers.
-Shiver was selected as one of Publishers Weekly best books of 2009 and is also one of Amazons top ten books for teens.
-Shiver was selected as a Borders' Original Voices Pick and as a Junior Library Guild Selection.
Well, we can see everyone else loves this book. I, however, just didn't see the brilliance. I felt like after all the kissing and staring into each others eyes, Grace and Sam didn't have much time for anything else. But, like I said in my full review, I will give Maggie Stiefvater another chance by reading the sequel.
Parents need to know that this book contains some language, and pretty serious sexual content. For the full review, check out Parental Book Reviews.
~Amy
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf- her wolf-watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.
THE HEAT.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves, And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace... until now.
THE SHIVER.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human- and Grace must fight to keep him- even if it means taking on the scars of the past the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.
Debuted at #9 on the New York Times best seller list! It has stayed that way for 28 weeks so far. Obviously, there are a lot of teens reading this novel. I wouldn't say that this book is extreme, the language doesn't cross the line in my opinion, nor does the violence. There are several inappropriate moments that keep my children from reading this book though. You can read my full review. There have also been talks about a movie in the works.
-Shiver was picked as an ALA 2010 best pick for young adults.
-Shiver was picked as an ALA/YALSA 2010 Quick Pick for reluctant readers.
-Shiver was selected as one of Publishers Weekly best books of 2009 and is also one of Amazons top ten books for teens.
-Shiver was selected as a Borders' Original Voices Pick and as a Junior Library Guild Selection.
Well, we can see everyone else loves this book. I, however, just didn't see the brilliance. I felt like after all the kissing and staring into each others eyes, Grace and Sam didn't have much time for anything else. But, like I said in my full review, I will give Maggie Stiefvater another chance by reading the sequel.
Parents need to know that this book contains some language, and pretty serious sexual content. For the full review, check out Parental Book Reviews.
~Amy
The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
4.0
Kit picked up this book for me to read because she wants the OK from me that it's a clean book, and I'm so glad I get to pass it on. It was a quick read, only 2 semi-committed days, but a good one! I loved Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, and Dream Factory, so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed this book, too.
The Cupcake Queen is narrated by a girl named Penny Lane (Beatles reference). How strange is it that I've read two books with a main character named Penny Lane in the last month (The Lonely Hearts Club)? Penny is an almost fourteen-year-old who has just moved from the big city (Manhattan) to the tiny town of Hog's Hollow, following her parents separation. As if things aren't hard enough already, Penny finds herself immediately hated and bullied by the popular girl in school, for reasons she doesn't even know, and practically ignored by her mother who doesn't know how to tell Penny that the separation is moving toward divorce. As Penny tries to figure out life in this strange town (that actually crowns a "Hog Queen" ever year) she finds herself meeting new friends, and a cute boy, who help her to overcome her problems, and help her look past herself at the problems of those she loves. Ultimately Penny has to make a choice: does she stay in Hog's Hollow with her mom and her new friends, or does she return to NYC and the life she knew and loved.
Parents need to know that this was a very clean book! The only issues are the bullying of Penny, Penny's parents divorce, and a blossoming relationship with a boy (clean). For the full content review, check out Parental Book Reviews.
The Cupcake Queen is narrated by a girl named Penny Lane (Beatles reference). How strange is it that I've read two books with a main character named Penny Lane in the last month (The Lonely Hearts Club)? Penny is an almost fourteen-year-old who has just moved from the big city (Manhattan) to the tiny town of Hog's Hollow, following her parents separation. As if things aren't hard enough already, Penny finds herself immediately hated and bullied by the popular girl in school, for reasons she doesn't even know, and practically ignored by her mother who doesn't know how to tell Penny that the separation is moving toward divorce. As Penny tries to figure out life in this strange town (that actually crowns a "Hog Queen" ever year) she finds herself meeting new friends, and a cute boy, who help her to overcome her problems, and help her look past herself at the problems of those she loves. Ultimately Penny has to make a choice: does she stay in Hog's Hollow with her mom and her new friends, or does she return to NYC and the life she knew and loved.
Parents need to know that this was a very clean book! The only issues are the bullying of Penny, Penny's parents divorce, and a blossoming relationship with a boy (clean). For the full content review, check out Parental Book Reviews.
Eighth Grade Bites by Z Brewer
4.0
Vlad has to keep his vampire urges under control while dealing with the pressures of middle school.Thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod really hates junior high. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: His mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: He’s being hunted by a vampire killer.
I really liked this book. I don't know if I would have normally read it because Vlad is kind of young, but there are more books in this series and with each one, he gets a year older. I'm looking forward to the next books! Oh yeah, and it's a shorter, easier read.
Parents need to know that there is a lot of blood in this story, although most of it comes from a blood bank. Three people are killed, but it's not detailed. For full content review check out Parental Book Reviews.
~Kit
I really liked this book. I don't know if I would have normally read it because Vlad is kind of young, but there are more books in this series and with each one, he gets a year older. I'm looking forward to the next books! Oh yeah, and it's a shorter, easier read.
Parents need to know that there is a lot of blood in this story, although most of it comes from a blood bank. Three people are killed, but it's not detailed. For full content review check out Parental Book Reviews.
~Kit