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andye_reads's reviews
914 reviews
Raven by Allison Van Diepen
4.0
Zin dances with fire in every step, speaks with a honey-sweet voice, and sees with eyes that can peer into your soul. It's no wonder that Nicole is madly in love with him. Their friendship is the only thing that saves her from the boredom of school and the turmoil of her family life. But, she cannot understand why he keeps her at a distance, even though she can feel his soul reaching out for hers. Zin carries a very old secret. When Nicole uncovers the truth, her love may be the only thing that can save him from it.
I really liked this book from the very first line to the very last line. It was constantly an intriguing flow that wrapped around Zin and Nicole. The passion she had for him and the love he had for her and couldn't show it because he wanted to protect her - KILLED ME! Now I know what your thinking " hmmmmm, sounds a lot like Twilight. " But (even though I have not read Twilight) I can assure you it's not. For starters it's not a vampire book and unlike Bella, Nicole is strong and keeps control of her emotions.
Raven is one of those books that you don't quite know what to expect, but it will leave you breathless. The story is dark and mesmerizing. Mystical and full of romance. you will feel an attachment to each character, no matter how small of a role they play. This is a quick read and well worth it. Sadly, there is no sequel at this time. I'm still crossing my fingers though.
~Amy
A word to the parents ~ There is some intense language, violence and pretty hot-n-heavy kissing. For more detailed content, go to Raven on ParentalBookReviews.com
I really liked this book from the very first line to the very last line. It was constantly an intriguing flow that wrapped around Zin and Nicole. The passion she had for him and the love he had for her and couldn't show it because he wanted to protect her - KILLED ME! Now I know what your thinking " hmmmmm, sounds a lot like Twilight. " But (even though I have not read Twilight) I can assure you it's not. For starters it's not a vampire book and unlike Bella, Nicole is strong and keeps control of her emotions.
Raven is one of those books that you don't quite know what to expect, but it will leave you breathless. The story is dark and mesmerizing. Mystical and full of romance. you will feel an attachment to each character, no matter how small of a role they play. This is a quick read and well worth it. Sadly, there is no sequel at this time. I'm still crossing my fingers though.
~Amy
A word to the parents ~ There is some intense language, violence and pretty hot-n-heavy kissing. For more detailed content, go to Raven on ParentalBookReviews.com
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
4.0
I'm hoping that this blog post will be a discussion starter for teens and parents of teens and just people in general. Crank is a YA/Teen book written by Ellen Hopkins, based on her daughter's life and struggle with Meth addiction. I decided to pick it up because this book is HUGE in the middle schools right now. So many t(w)eens are reading it (as further evidenced by the tattered condition of my library copy) that I felt like I should get informed, so I picked it up.
"Life was good
before I
met
the monster
After,
life
was great,
At
least
for a little while."
When I started reading this book, I thought there was no way on earth that I would let my daughter (15) read this. The first half of the book is full of the excitement of drugs, language, sexual references/content/innuendo/experimentation, and even though you see the path of destruction that Kristina/Bree is on, the danger of it all is exciting. I don't know why destructive behavior is so attractive to some people, especially teens (or I should say it was to me as a teen), even when they see the ramifications played out in someone else's life, but it is. Maybe because they never believe the consequences will find them.
"And it occurred to me for one uneasy moment
that every move I had made lately might have
started a landslide."
I know that it is supposed to be "real" so that kids will relate. But how can I introduce my daughter to this world? You may be thinking, "You're so naive....she already knows about it!" but she doesn't. At least not in the kind of detail that Crank provides. HOWEVER.....
I kept reading. The second half of the book is absolutely loaded with the consequences of a life on drugs. Kristina's life spirals out of control. Her need for "the monster" leads to more drugs, which leads to theft, juvenile detention, alienation of family and friends, failing in school, cutting and drinking blood, hating herself, rape, and eventually pregnancy and having to make the choice of whether or not to keep her baby. I found myself thinking about Kristina, and what may have happened to her if she had come across this book when she was a teen. Would it have saved her? I think that is the hope of the author ("Kristina's" mother).
There are so many teens out there struggling with the things in this book. If just one of them picks up Crank and sees that there is hope, than this book has done it's job. I'd also recommend it to parents that are wanting to know what life can be like for teens. If your teen is reading this, you as a parent should be reading it too. There are so many things that you can talk about with your teen after reading this book, and if they are being introduced to this world of drugs, sex, and destruction, it shouldn't be alone.
So, I guess the bottom line is that I'm torn. I wish I could pass this on to my daughter, so that we could use it as a discussion starter, but there's just too much graphic detail about sex etc. for me to feel comfortable. But, I do understand that being so graphic helps people to understand just what an enormous impact that using drugs can have on your life. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book! Were the graphic details necessary, or could the same point be made without such detail?
If you're a teen, have you read Crank? What did you think? Do you know anyone going through these things?
If you're a parent, would you give your teen Crank? At what age? Have you read it?
~Andye
"Life was good
before I
met
the monster
After,
life
was great,
At
least
for a little while."
When I started reading this book, I thought there was no way on earth that I would let my daughter (15) read this. The first half of the book is full of the excitement of drugs, language, sexual references/content/innuendo/experimentation, and even though you see the path of destruction that Kristina/Bree is on, the danger of it all is exciting. I don't know why destructive behavior is so attractive to some people, especially teens (or I should say it was to me as a teen), even when they see the ramifications played out in someone else's life, but it is. Maybe because they never believe the consequences will find them.
"And it occurred to me for one uneasy moment
that every move I had made lately might have
started a landslide."
I know that it is supposed to be "real" so that kids will relate. But how can I introduce my daughter to this world? You may be thinking, "You're so naive....she already knows about it!" but she doesn't. At least not in the kind of detail that Crank provides. HOWEVER.....
I kept reading. The second half of the book is absolutely loaded with the consequences of a life on drugs. Kristina's life spirals out of control. Her need for "the monster" leads to more drugs, which leads to theft, juvenile detention, alienation of family and friends, failing in school, cutting and drinking blood, hating herself, rape, and eventually pregnancy and having to make the choice of whether or not to keep her baby. I found myself thinking about Kristina, and what may have happened to her if she had come across this book when she was a teen. Would it have saved her? I think that is the hope of the author ("Kristina's" mother).
There are so many teens out there struggling with the things in this book. If just one of them picks up Crank and sees that there is hope, than this book has done it's job. I'd also recommend it to parents that are wanting to know what life can be like for teens. If your teen is reading this, you as a parent should be reading it too. There are so many things that you can talk about with your teen after reading this book, and if they are being introduced to this world of drugs, sex, and destruction, it shouldn't be alone.
So, I guess the bottom line is that I'm torn. I wish I could pass this on to my daughter, so that we could use it as a discussion starter, but there's just too much graphic detail about sex etc. for me to feel comfortable. But, I do understand that being so graphic helps people to understand just what an enormous impact that using drugs can have on your life. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book! Were the graphic details necessary, or could the same point be made without such detail?
If you're a teen, have you read Crank? What did you think? Do you know anyone going through these things?
If you're a parent, would you give your teen Crank? At what age? Have you read it?
~Andye
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
4.0
I actually liked this book. The very first scene is intense. The author, to me, has a small problem not explaining herself entirely, but, I think I'm overly picky! I wasn't aware there was a sequel coming out or my review would have been entirely different. The ending had so much left to explain. The characters were all good throughout the book. She discussed each of them enough that you had a good handle on their purpose.
I enjoyed Fishers writing style and her characterization. Her wonderful description has this unique world dancing off the pages. It comes alive. Sadly, a few things were predictable. I figured out the mystery behind Finn's past. I like it, though, where it was going and why.
Incarceron is great for those who like intriguing, complex plots.
~Amy
Parents need to know: There is NO sex and very little language. So young readers would be fascinated as well! For more details about content, go to Incarceron on Parental Book Reviews.
I enjoyed Fishers writing style and her characterization. Her wonderful description has this unique world dancing off the pages. It comes alive. Sadly, a few things were predictable. I figured out the mystery behind Finn's past. I like it, though, where it was going and why.
Incarceron is great for those who like intriguing, complex plots.
~Amy
Parents need to know: There is NO sex and very little language. So young readers would be fascinated as well! For more details about content, go to Incarceron on Parental Book Reviews.
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
4.0
Meghan is a strong, though sometimes impulsive girl, who will do anything to find her brother and return him safely home. With the help of Robbie/Puck, her feisty and loveably guardian, Ash, the gorgeous prince of a rival Faery Kingdom, and Grimalkin, the sneaky, snarky Faery Cat, Meghan finds herself searching the mysterious Iron Kingdom and facing the most difficult decisions of her life.
When I first started this book, I have to say, I wasn't too impressed. It seemed like the typical girl-who-doesn't-fit-in-at-school template that I have read over and over in YA fiction. After the first couple of chapters, I actually put the book down for awhile and started reading something else. But there were so many good reviews of The Iron King that I decided to pick it back up and see where it lead. I'm really glad that I did.
I think my problem was that I was in the mood for a Faery book, and not a ("Mean Girls") high-school-stinks book. And it was just taking too long for her to get into it! But once she did, I found that this book was different than any Faery book I've ever read. The twist on the typical Faerie Realm, with the introduction of the Iron Kingdom, was so imaginative. It was like taking Alice in Wonderland (Grimalkin/Cheshire Cat), The Never Ending Story (our imaginations create the Nevernever) and Labyrinth (fighting strange characters to find her baby brother) and smashing them into the age of technology. Oh, and of course A Midsummer Night's Dream....with Oberon, Titania, and Puck! The love/hate relationship between Meghan and Ash was intense, and exciting! But my favorite character had to be Grim! I hope he continues to be part of the story in the future!
~Andye
Parents should know: There is quite a lot of language and violence in this book, as well as some sensuality and sexual innuendo. For more details, go to The Iron King on Parental Book Reviews.
When I first started this book, I have to say, I wasn't too impressed. It seemed like the typical girl-who-doesn't-fit-in-at-school template that I have read over and over in YA fiction. After the first couple of chapters, I actually put the book down for awhile and started reading something else. But there were so many good reviews of The Iron King that I decided to pick it back up and see where it lead. I'm really glad that I did.
I think my problem was that I was in the mood for a Faery book, and not a ("Mean Girls") high-school-stinks book. And it was just taking too long for her to get into it! But once she did, I found that this book was different than any Faery book I've ever read. The twist on the typical Faerie Realm, with the introduction of the Iron Kingdom, was so imaginative. It was like taking Alice in Wonderland (Grimalkin/Cheshire Cat), The Never Ending Story (our imaginations create the Nevernever) and Labyrinth (fighting strange characters to find her baby brother) and smashing them into the age of technology. Oh, and of course A Midsummer Night's Dream....with Oberon, Titania, and Puck! The love/hate relationship between Meghan and Ash was intense, and exciting! But my favorite character had to be Grim! I hope he continues to be part of the story in the future!
~Andye
Parents should know: There is quite a lot of language and violence in this book, as well as some sensuality and sexual innuendo. For more details, go to The Iron King on Parental Book Reviews.
Everlost by Neal Shusterman
4.0
Everlost is a fascinating tale of what happens to children, that somehow get off-track on their journey to the afterlife. The story begins with a fatal car accident, where Nick and Allie are thrust into the world of Everlost after bumping each other off course on the way to the "light". They are found by a long-time "Everlight" resident, who they nickname Leaf, because he lives alone in a forest. Leaf is content to live in this forest forever, but Nick and Allie want to find out what happened to them, and more importantly, what happened to their families.
But when they leave Leaf's safe forest, they find out that traveling is going to be harder than they think. Normal ground (where no one has died) is like quicksand and they must constantly keep moving or they will sink to the center of the earth. There are rogue groups of adolescents that bully any "green soul" (newcomer) to steal his or her possessions. But worst of all is the McGill. The McGill hates children and will "rip out your tongue if it hears you talk" or "tear out your lungs if it hears you breath".
Luckily they soon find Mary Hightower, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids. Nick feels like he he's found a home here with Mary and her followers, but Allie isn't satisfied with Mary's answers, or her way of life. Against all warnings, Allie begins her own search for answers and ends up learning the "Criminal Art" of haunting.
I thought this was a really fantastic book! I am actually surprised that I liked it so much. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. The kids and I listened to this on audiobook and all of us thought it was a great story, full of very interesting characters and clever plot twists! In the YA world of vampires and faerys, Everlost finds it's own unique way to immortality. I will be picking up the new audiobook Everwild ASAP!
~Andye
Parents should know: This was a pretty clean read, but there were a couple of "minor" curse words, and a moderate amount of violence, and a couple of kisses (nothing heavy). For the full content review, go to Everlost on Parental Book Reviews.
But when they leave Leaf's safe forest, they find out that traveling is going to be harder than they think. Normal ground (where no one has died) is like quicksand and they must constantly keep moving or they will sink to the center of the earth. There are rogue groups of adolescents that bully any "green soul" (newcomer) to steal his or her possessions. But worst of all is the McGill. The McGill hates children and will "rip out your tongue if it hears you talk" or "tear out your lungs if it hears you breath".
Luckily they soon find Mary Hightower, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids. Nick feels like he he's found a home here with Mary and her followers, but Allie isn't satisfied with Mary's answers, or her way of life. Against all warnings, Allie begins her own search for answers and ends up learning the "Criminal Art" of haunting.
I thought this was a really fantastic book! I am actually surprised that I liked it so much. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. The kids and I listened to this on audiobook and all of us thought it was a great story, full of very interesting characters and clever plot twists! In the YA world of vampires and faerys, Everlost finds it's own unique way to immortality. I will be picking up the new audiobook Everwild ASAP!
~Andye
Parents should know: This was a pretty clean read, but there were a couple of "minor" curse words, and a moderate amount of violence, and a couple of kisses (nothing heavy). For the full content review, go to Everlost on Parental Book Reviews.
Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater
2.0
by amy
Nuala is part muse, part psychic vampire. While the freedom to sing or write or create is denied her, her mark across history is unmistakable; a trail of brilliant poets, musicians, and artists who have died tragically young. She had no sympathy for their abbreviated life spans; every thirteen Halloweens she burns in a bonfire and rises from her ashes with no memories of what has come before other than the knowledge of how her end will come.
James is the best bagpiper in the state of Virginia - maybe in the country - plus he's young and good looking: just Nuala's thing. But James, extremely confident in his own abilities and in love with another girl, becomes the first to ever reject Nuala's offer. He's preoccupied with bigger things than Nuala: An enigmatic horned figure who appears at dusk and the downward spiral of Dee, his girlfriend-who-isn't.
It becomes obvious to James that Nuala's presence, the horned king of the dead, and Dee's slow self-destruction are all related, and that Dee is in the center of a very deadly faerie game. While James struggles to unwind the tangled threads of the story, Nuala shadows him, seeing her conflicted, dual nature reflected back at her in him. She finds herself lending him inspiration for nothing - for the hope of requited affection. But even as James begins to realize his feelings for both Dee and Nuala have changed, the thirteenth Halloween descends, with it's bonfires and rituals for the dead, one deadly for Nuala and the other for Dee. James can only save one.
I know there have got to be better faerie books out there. This book did not satisfy my desire for something faerie. First, I would like to say, not reading Ballad before reading Lament(even though many people/critics say it's a stand-alone). I read Lament and liked it (read my review). Thinking this was a sequel, it obviously bugged me when the main characters of Lament got very lost in translation. This may have been the most disappointing thing about this book. The main female character Dee and her love for Luke was very enticing in Lament. So, naturally, I was sad when Dee was hardly mention and Luke was nowhere to be found. Luke was my favorite in Lament - strong, good looking and Dee's rescuer. So, yes, I wanted to read about him again. Now, I would not have read these books back-to-back considering they really weren't a sequel (even though you couldn't read the second book first and fully understand it. Crazy, huh?) OK...so obviously I was disappointed.
If you must read the sequel to Lament (it is worth reading, if you like faerie books) - be open to new main characters, forget about the perfectly good ones from before, know enough about faeries to get by, cross your fingers and maybe if you don't have an impatient personality like I do, you might just like it.
~Amy
*Word to the parents- there is some kissing, crude behavior and moderate language in this book. If you want more information about content, go to Ballad on Parental Book Reviews.
Nuala is part muse, part psychic vampire. While the freedom to sing or write or create is denied her, her mark across history is unmistakable; a trail of brilliant poets, musicians, and artists who have died tragically young. She had no sympathy for their abbreviated life spans; every thirteen Halloweens she burns in a bonfire and rises from her ashes with no memories of what has come before other than the knowledge of how her end will come.
James is the best bagpiper in the state of Virginia - maybe in the country - plus he's young and good looking: just Nuala's thing. But James, extremely confident in his own abilities and in love with another girl, becomes the first to ever reject Nuala's offer. He's preoccupied with bigger things than Nuala: An enigmatic horned figure who appears at dusk and the downward spiral of Dee, his girlfriend-who-isn't.
It becomes obvious to James that Nuala's presence, the horned king of the dead, and Dee's slow self-destruction are all related, and that Dee is in the center of a very deadly faerie game. While James struggles to unwind the tangled threads of the story, Nuala shadows him, seeing her conflicted, dual nature reflected back at her in him. She finds herself lending him inspiration for nothing - for the hope of requited affection. But even as James begins to realize his feelings for both Dee and Nuala have changed, the thirteenth Halloween descends, with it's bonfires and rituals for the dead, one deadly for Nuala and the other for Dee. James can only save one.
I know there have got to be better faerie books out there. This book did not satisfy my desire for something faerie. First, I would like to say, not reading Ballad before reading Lament(even though many people/critics say it's a stand-alone). I read Lament and liked it (read my review). Thinking this was a sequel, it obviously bugged me when the main characters of Lament got very lost in translation. This may have been the most disappointing thing about this book. The main female character Dee and her love for Luke was very enticing in Lament. So, naturally, I was sad when Dee was hardly mention and Luke was nowhere to be found. Luke was my favorite in Lament - strong, good looking and Dee's rescuer. So, yes, I wanted to read about him again. Now, I would not have read these books back-to-back considering they really weren't a sequel (even though you couldn't read the second book first and fully understand it. Crazy, huh?) OK...so obviously I was disappointed.
If you must read the sequel to Lament (it is worth reading, if you like faerie books) - be open to new main characters, forget about the perfectly good ones from before, know enough about faeries to get by, cross your fingers and maybe if you don't have an impatient personality like I do, you might just like it.
~Amy
*Word to the parents- there is some kissing, crude behavior and moderate language in this book. If you want more information about content, go to Ballad on Parental Book Reviews.
Hannah by Kathryn Lasky
3.0
Living in 1899, fifteen-year-old Hannah is a strong, smart, hardworking girl, who is both self-aware and at the same time, completely naive and innocent. Even though she tries very hard to fit in, deep down she knows that she is different. From the strange sickness that she develops whenever she is away from the ocean, to the bizarre salt crystals that she sheds, and the constant longing to be in the water, Hannah realizes there is more to her life than what she is now. Meeting some very interesting characters along the way, including a sweet, headstrong little girl, her mad and possibly evil older sister (plus her creepy cat), and a very interesting, handsome young painter who seems to know more about her than she knows herself, Hannah finally realizes her unique gift. She is a mermaid. The question is, what should she do now?
I was hesitant to pick up this book because it just seemed odd, but I heard a lot of good things about it, and was looking for a book to fit the tween/young teen group, so I grabbed this at the library. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Although I did find it a little strange, (and it kind of seemed like a big long trailer for books to come) it was a fast, fun read, and I'm happy to say that I am now officially a mermaid fan! I'm looking forward to meeting the other Daughters of the Sea. To hear a preview of this book, go to Kathryn Lasky's Web site.
~Andye
Parents should know: Although this book is pretty tame, there are some mild instances of violence, language, and kissing. If you'd like more information on content, go to Hannah on Parental Book Reviews.
I was hesitant to pick up this book because it just seemed odd, but I heard a lot of good things about it, and was looking for a book to fit the tween/young teen group, so I grabbed this at the library. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Although I did find it a little strange, (and it kind of seemed like a big long trailer for books to come) it was a fast, fun read, and I'm happy to say that I am now officially a mermaid fan! I'm looking forward to meeting the other Daughters of the Sea. To hear a preview of this book, go to Kathryn Lasky's Web site.
~Andye
Parents should know: Although this book is pretty tame, there are some mild instances of violence, language, and kissing. If you'd like more information on content, go to Hannah on Parental Book Reviews.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith
2.0
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So begins PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton - and the dead are returning to life!
The main story of the classic Pride and Prejudice is contained in this book. It is the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her family, which consists of her parents and 4 sisters. The biggest issue facing the Bennet family is the fact that their estate doesn't belong to their father but will pass to the next male relative in the family line. This makes finding husbands for the 5 daughters of utmost importance...or almost. Avoiding the herds of zombies that roam the countryside comes first. It is helpful that the Mr. Bennet and his daughters have been trained in the Orient, spending many months learning martial arts.
Into this setting comes two rich and handsome men and Mrs. Bennet immediately sets her sights on Mr. Bingley for her oldest daughter, Jane. Mr. Bingley is warm, charming and instantly attracted to the beautiful Jane. Unfortunately, his friend, Mr. Darcy, is a proud, arrogant man who looks down on the country folks and in particular the somewhat wild and unruly Bennet family. Over the course of time, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are thrown into one another's company and a relationship of dislike and a grudging respect is formed. In fact, at their first party together it was Elizabeth's intent to "open his throat" with her dagger until a group of "Unmentionables" pour into the ballroom and begin feasting on some of the guests. Due to misunderstandings and lies told by other people, Elizabeth forms an opinion of Mr. Darcy, which causes her to hate him and vow to kill him at the first opportunity. Things come to a head when Mr. Darcy proclaims his love for her and desire to marry her in spite of her poor family connections. Elizabeth proclaims that she wouldn't marry him if he were the last man on earth. A letter from Mr. Darcy and events involving one of her sisters cause Elizabeth to begin to look at Mr. Darcy in a new light.
It isn't until she is faced with Mr. Darcy's aunt and her ninja guard that Elizabeth sees a glimmer of hope. Intertwined in all the drama of everyday life was the ever-present threat of the zombies, their constant desire for human flesh and the continuing fight to rid England of them
Sadly, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies didn't live up to expectations. I am so sorry to say that I did not enjoy this book. Perhaps because I like the original so much, I couldn't even enjoy this on a silly level. The whole zombie thing ruined it for me. I would not recommend it. If you like the story, read the original. If you want something funny and silly, read something completely different.
~Janeth
Parents should know: There is obviously a lot of violence, but there is also some sexual innuendo. If you want the full content review, check out Parental Book Reviews.
The main story of the classic Pride and Prejudice is contained in this book. It is the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her family, which consists of her parents and 4 sisters. The biggest issue facing the Bennet family is the fact that their estate doesn't belong to their father but will pass to the next male relative in the family line. This makes finding husbands for the 5 daughters of utmost importance...or almost. Avoiding the herds of zombies that roam the countryside comes first. It is helpful that the Mr. Bennet and his daughters have been trained in the Orient, spending many months learning martial arts.
Into this setting comes two rich and handsome men and Mrs. Bennet immediately sets her sights on Mr. Bingley for her oldest daughter, Jane. Mr. Bingley is warm, charming and instantly attracted to the beautiful Jane. Unfortunately, his friend, Mr. Darcy, is a proud, arrogant man who looks down on the country folks and in particular the somewhat wild and unruly Bennet family. Over the course of time, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are thrown into one another's company and a relationship of dislike and a grudging respect is formed. In fact, at their first party together it was Elizabeth's intent to "open his throat" with her dagger until a group of "Unmentionables" pour into the ballroom and begin feasting on some of the guests. Due to misunderstandings and lies told by other people, Elizabeth forms an opinion of Mr. Darcy, which causes her to hate him and vow to kill him at the first opportunity. Things come to a head when Mr. Darcy proclaims his love for her and desire to marry her in spite of her poor family connections. Elizabeth proclaims that she wouldn't marry him if he were the last man on earth. A letter from Mr. Darcy and events involving one of her sisters cause Elizabeth to begin to look at Mr. Darcy in a new light.
It isn't until she is faced with Mr. Darcy's aunt and her ninja guard that Elizabeth sees a glimmer of hope. Intertwined in all the drama of everyday life was the ever-present threat of the zombies, their constant desire for human flesh and the continuing fight to rid England of them
Sadly, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies didn't live up to expectations. I am so sorry to say that I did not enjoy this book. Perhaps because I like the original so much, I couldn't even enjoy this on a silly level. The whole zombie thing ruined it for me. I would not recommend it. If you like the story, read the original. If you want something funny and silly, read something completely different.
~Janeth
Parents should know: There is obviously a lot of violence, but there is also some sexual innuendo. If you want the full content review, check out Parental Book Reviews.
Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
4.0
I truly enjoyed this book. I would say it was a little slow at first- just because it was the first faerie book I've read. So, I totally had reservations reading this book. I thought I was actually going to be able to do a book review blog for teens and NEVER read a vampire or faerie/fey novel. Who am I kidding?
Lament blew all my expectations right out of the water. Having said that though, I will say that there are a few things I would like to remark about. Her best friend James is a funny, loyal and unique character who is way underdeveloped. Certain events would happen and not be explained, which was frustrating. So, while this book is flawed, I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel BALLED. Her descriptions are well-rehearsed and another chance to read her get even better at those rehearsals are a definite-yes! Example, her description of the faeries were AMAZING! You know you're not messing with some cute-little-winged-dainty-squeaky butterfly. They actually sound like something you wouldn't want to run into. Scary!
If you like a good romantic, suspenseful and imaginative young adult fantasy, this book is for you!
~Amy
A word to the parents: Personally, I would probably not let my child read this book until he/she was about seventeen (I'm pretty weird though) This book is pretty hot-n-heavy in the snogging department. Also, there are a few topics to discuss as far as female manipulation (sensually), suicide, telekinesis and violence, not to mention the language. For full content information see my full review at Parental Book Reviews.
Lament blew all my expectations right out of the water. Having said that though, I will say that there are a few things I would like to remark about. Her best friend James is a funny, loyal and unique character who is way underdeveloped. Certain events would happen and not be explained, which was frustrating. So, while this book is flawed, I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel BALLED. Her descriptions are well-rehearsed and another chance to read her get even better at those rehearsals are a definite-yes! Example, her description of the faeries were AMAZING! You know you're not messing with some cute-little-winged-dainty-squeaky butterfly. They actually sound like something you wouldn't want to run into. Scary!
If you like a good romantic, suspenseful and imaginative young adult fantasy, this book is for you!
~Amy
A word to the parents: Personally, I would probably not let my child read this book until he/she was about seventeen (I'm pretty weird though) This book is pretty hot-n-heavy in the snogging department. Also, there are a few topics to discuss as far as female manipulation (sensually), suicide, telekinesis and violence, not to mention the language. For full content information see my full review at Parental Book Reviews.