In My Mailbox (3)

LINGER

The Wolves of Mercy Falls

by Maggie Stiefvater

ARC (Available July 20, 2010)

The sequel to Shiver follows the story of Grace and the wolves of Mercy Falls. Maggie says: "It's about after. What happens after you discover there are werewolves in the wood, after you've fallen in love for the first time, after you've lost what you think you can't live without, after you've become someone you can't live with."

ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod (Book #4)

by Heather Brewer

ARC (Available February 9th, 2010)

The penultimate chapter in the thrilling vampire series!
Things have taken a darker turn for the half-human teenager with an appetite for blood. Joss, a vampire slayer and Vlad’s former friend, has moved back to Bathory. A mysterious and powerful new vampire, Dorian, appears with a shocking secret and an overwhelming desire to drink Vlad’s blood. And Vlad’s arch enemy, D’Ablo, has a sinister plan to eliminate Vlad once and for all. With death threatening from every angle, Vlad will have to use every ounce of his skill and training to survive, but nothing can prepare him for what awaits him in the end.

~Angel

Happy Holidays!

Whatever you celebrate -- have a great holiday, everybody!


~Angel

Wanting on Wednesday: Darklight by Lesley Livingston

The sequel to Wondrous Strange..

Book Description:

Faerie can't lie . . . or can they?

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt. Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power. Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in darklight, the second novel in the trilogy that began with wondrous strange.

Angel's Thoughts:

I love Lesley Livingston, and loved the idea of Wondrous Strange. Besides -- who wouldn't want that GORGEOUS book!

~Angel

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

I’ve got to say, I am 100% addicted to these books, and have been for some time now. I decided to wait to post my review until AFTER I finally got to finish City of Glass, the third book in the series. If it wasn’t for the fact my mother took off with my copy of City of Glass before I had the chance to read it, I would’ve had it finished quite some time back. I finished it not too long ago, but never got around to posting my review of the series thus far.

City of Bones:

It has been a long time since a book has captured me quite like the Harry Potter books did, and I believe the only other book series to come close was the Vampire Kisses series. But when I began City of Bones, I knew I had fallen in love again.
In City of Bones, we are introduced to the concept that there are, in fact, real creatures and monsters and angels. We come to know some of the most amazing characters I’ve ever read -- some of which are Clary, Jace, and Simon. Clary stumbles upon a world she’d never imagined could exist, and her life changes forever. Especially when there’s a handsome yet mysterious (not to mention egotistical) Shadowhunter named Jace, who instantly clashes with Clary’s best friend, Simon, who has been in love with Clary for years.
I really hated putting City of Bones down, and once I finished it, I immediately arranged to go to Borders, which is an hour and something away, to purchase City of Ashes.

City of Ashes:

I always fear the books that come after the first, especially if I really loved the first book. Luckily for me, City of Ashes did not disappoint.
Clary’s story continues as she learns more about the world of the Shadowhunters -- the world she had never existed before her very eyes. You see more into the fascinating world created so skillfully by Cassandra Clare, and learn about all the different creatures that are out there.
Really, there isn’t a lot of detail I can add about City of Ashes with spoiling anything. But I will say the end of this book is the kind of cliffhanger that makes you ache to read the next book. Unfortunately for me, when I finished City of Ashes, City of Glass had yet to be published.

City of Glass:

Though it wasn’t that much of a wait, I was still eager to pick up my copy of City of Glass when I finally got the chance. If it weren’t for an arc I had to read at the time, I would’ve dove into it immediately. So, of course, my mom ran off with City of Glass, because she had borrowed the first two from me.
But when I finally got to read City of Glass -- I could not stop. I was so hooked, I read at every single free moment I could manage. I’d stay up late and wake up early. And it was all worth it, every single page. I laughed, I cried, and I felt like the series was being done justice. One of my biggest peeves is when characters stop being themselves to be whatever the author wants them to be. I was very pleased Cassandra Clare hasn’t turned out to be one of those authors.

Now, with City of Fallen Angels in the works, plus a new series in the same universe, The Infernal Devices (the first book is The Clockwork Angel) coming out in the future -- I expect a great deal from Cassandra Clare and her writing. I hope to see more fantastic books that I can’t put down, books that capture me just like Harry Potter did, from Ms. Clare.
With Christmas just around the corner, I recommend this series for the avid reader in your life. I’ve never recommended it to someone who didn’t love it, so far.

~Angel

Top Five Choices for Christmas Gifts

I figured since my comback week was Christmas week, I'd start things off for those of you that are last minute shoppers -- my Top Five Choices for Books that make AWESOME Christmas presents. Now, anyone can copy and paste the bestsellers out there just because that's something they know a lot of people buy. But I went through and picked some of my favorite novels that I consider worthy of Bestseller status and wrote why I thought they'd be great.

These are in no particular order, so don't assume I'm rating them according to which is my favorite:

1. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink -- This book is the start to what I feel will be a spectacular series. It's filled with mystery, love, and lyrical writing, and is sure to be a favorite of anyone that reads it.

2. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King -- One of my favorite books of all time. Perfect for those that love a good adventure. Filled with Irish history, pirates, dogs, and a world full of other things I love -- this book is even loved by boyfriends. (Mine is reading it right now and loves it!)

3. I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone and Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert -- Okay, this is TWO books, but really -- I couldn't choose between the two. I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone is perfect for the punk rockers of your life, as well as anyone else. And Ballads of Suburbia is just about the most perfect book you could ask for -- it fills you with hope, makes you ball your eyes out, and really breaks your heart when you finish because you just want to keep reading. Stephanie Kuehnert is one of my favorite authors of all time. And that is REALLY saying something.

4. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb -- This book really haunted me. The writing is beautiful, and the idea is very original. It might be my favorite book of all time, if not one of my top favorites. Either way -- this book is an ideal gift for anyone in your life.

And, last but not least --

5. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev -- A FANTASTIC book, perfect for the theatre lovers in your life. It's another example of an ideal blend -- adventure, love, humor, heartbreak, and hope. I'm dying to read the next book in the series -- and so will whoever you give this book to.

Hoepfully, this helps you in your quest for last minute gifts for that avid reader in your life!

~Angel

Forgive me.

Hey, all!

I am a million and thirteen kinds of sorry for my absence, and beg your forgiveness. Life has been a bit... crazy? Long story short: Stress. College stuff. Injured knee. Writing. To get a more detailed version of exactly what all was going on (and pics of my new puppy!!) go to my OTHER blog: http://writersmadnesswithin.blogspot.com/

Granted, it's no excuse for my long absence entirely. I should've stuck to my duties as a blogger and been posting at least some. So, again -- my apologies.

To make up for it, I'll be getting things ready to start posting again regularly, begining with my review for The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, among other things. And since I only have, like, two weeks of college left, so then I'll have a bunch of time to get a lot of blogs pre-planned out.

See you around!

~Angel

Recently Purchased

The Van Alen Legacy ( A Blue Bloods Novel ) by Melissa De La Cruz

Night's Child (Sweep, Book 15)

The Face by Dean Koontz

Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout

The Eternal Kiss

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Ash by Malinda Lo

Willow by Julia Hoban

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Austen and Winters

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

~Angel

Wanting on Wednesday: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

{Description:}


Falling from grace has never been more tempting


For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan.
She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her.
Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.


{My Thoughts:}

I was actually reading a review for this earlier, and that's what inspired me to use it for this week's WoW. I have heard quite the buzz about this book, and really have been wanting it. Can't wait to read it!

Has anyone else heard of this one? Do you share my feelings?

~Angel

Wanting on Wednesday -- Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives (Volume Three)

{Description:}

Raven's romance with her dreamy vampire boyfriend, Alexander, has been complicated once again by Alexander's menacing half-vamp cousin. Now that Claude and his fearless gang have been tricked out of the blood-filled vials that can turn them into full vampires, Claude will stop at nothing to find the real vials. Raven's family and friends could be in danger. When Claude teams up with Raven's longtime nemesis, Trevor, invitations soon go out for a vampire-themed masquerade party. Could Claude be scheming to turn all of the students at Dullsville High into vampires if he doesn't get what he wants? Raven and Alexander must try to stop Claude - but also ask themselves what really matters most in the end.

{My Thoughts:}

Okay, I know this isn't EXACTLY a book -- but as a lover of books, manga, and comics -- I'll end up throwing in a mix of the three. Besides -- this is VAMPIRE KISSES! The Vampire Kisses books are of my favorite books ever written! And the manga is just as great. So of course I'm excited to go on even more adventures with Raven and Alexander! And look at that STUNNING cover! Irresistible!

Ah, this is on my Must Buy list next time I go to Borders!

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

[Description:]


An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-


One good...




One evil...


Who will prevail?


Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.


Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.


They just know they can't trust each other.


[Info:]

{Title} Prophecy of the Sisters


{By} Michelle Zink


{Publisher} Little, Brown Young Readers

{Release Date} August 1, 2009

{Pages} 352


[Angel's Thought's:]




The first thing you notice when you begin reading Prophecy of the Sisters is just how beautifully it’s written. Michelle Zink has captured the story, setting, and characters all within this gorgeous and lyrical prose that draws you in from cover to cover. This is really one of those books I LOVE, because once you think you know what’s going to happen -- everything gets flipped around and keeps you guessing.

I’ve been wanting to read this book for some time, and was unspeakably excited when my ARC arrived in the mail. At first, I read only a chapter a night when I could, partially because of college limiting my reading time, and partially because it was just so good, I wanted to take my time and not rush through. But this became an impossible task after some time, because I simply HAD to know what was going to happen next.

So, I started to take the book with me to class. I’d read in between classes, before classes, and every night. Finally, I just ignored everything else one night and finished it. And OH MY GOD -- it was stunning!

Michelle Zink blends romance and mystery, sorrow and adventure, into an exquisite gothic novel that will chill you even after the final pages. It’s no surprise that I went and bought the hardback edition, because of it’s fantastic cover and because it’s one of those books that I have just fallen in love with. I’m ecstatic there will be more!

I highly recommend you go buy, read, and reread Prophecy of the Sisters ASAP!

~Angel

Wanting On Wednesday: Fire by Kristin Cashore

{Description:}

It is not a perfect time in the Dells.Young King Nash clings to the throne, while rebel lords, in the north and south, build armies to unseat him. War is coming. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves.This is where Fire lives, a girl whose startling appearance is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.Everyone...except Prince Brigan.

{My Thoughts:}

I LOVE Kristin Cashore's first book, Graceling, and am DYING to read Fire. There is this perfect blend of adventure, romance, fantasy, and so much more in her first novel, I can't imagine any less from Fire. Has anyone else read Graceling besides me and agree on the excitement about this book?

~Angel

I'm Moving! Well, the blog is.

Actually, that may or may not be completely true. You see, my friend and I are starting our own blog called Lights, Camera, Fiction! in which we review books AND movies. If I can, I'll try to keep up BOTH blogs equally, possibly even double posting. But never fear -- my blogging about books is NOT about to end! If anything, it's all going to get BETTER!

Here's the link: http://lightscamerafiction.blogspot.com/

Oh, and expect my review for the AMAZING Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink in the next few days, as well as another "Recent Purchases" post.

~Angel

*NEW Feature* -- Recently Purchased

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

The Den of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Dean Koontz "Frankenstein" Trilogy

Catching Fire by Suzanna Collins

Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

Wicked: Resurrection by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (even though I have the ARC, I HAD to have this gorgeous hardback!)

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gundenkauf

Thist (No 1.) by Christopher Pike

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

~Angel

Wanting On Wednesday!

Alright, this may evolve and change over time, but here it is -- my first Wanting On Wednesday!

---

{Description:}

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn't outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don't scare her. They don't keep her away. In fact, they don't make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she's just a girl who needs love just like he does.

{My Thoughts:}

Doesn't that just sound AMAZING! This is one of those books I really look forward to getting my hands on. It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, and I think I read in an interview with her earlier that it actually is like her version of Beauty and the Beast. Totally awesome!

Anyway, check it out if you get a chance! I know I will!

~Angel

Hey Readers!

Hey all!
First of all, I want to thank those of you that are following me for doing so! It means a lot to me that you've taken the time to look around my little book blog. Thanks!

Now, on to the reason I'm posting this:

Life's a Story needs some lovin', as well as changes. So, what are some things you'd like to see added to the blog? What are things you like about my blog? You're input is greatly appreciated.

Here are some things I plan to add to the blog soon:

- Recent Purchases
- Books To Movies (Maybe)
- Releases
- Wanting on Wednesday

And probably a few others.
What do you all think? After all, you guys are the readers!

~Angel

Review: I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert

[Description:]

Punk rock is in Emily Black's blood. Her mother, Louisa, hit the road to follow the incendiary music scene when Emily was four months old and never came back. Now Emily's all grown up with a punk band of her own, determined to find the tune that will bring her mother home. Because if Louisa really is following the music, shouldn't it lead her right back to Emily?

[Info:]

{Title} I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

{By} Stephanie Kuehnert

{Publisher} MTV Books

{Release Date} July 8, 2008

{Pages} 352

[Angel's Thoughts:]

Now this, my dear readers, is the book I'm always pleased to find when I buy new books. Stephanie Kuehnert has a gift when it comes to writing. Especially writing books that feel unbelievably real. In her debut novel, I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, Stephanie introduces us to Emily Black, a girl born to rock. You journey through her life, the formation of her band -- She Laughs -- and her desire to find her mother again, and understand just why she left in the first place.

When I started reading I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, I was working the 9 to 5 life as a volunteer in a medical clinic. I would take books in to read on my break. Needless to say, I hid out whenever I could once I began reading, and somehow managed to read every page in one day. There were times in which I completely forgot I was reading fiction because it felt so absolutely real and raw. There were times that I felt like I knew exactly what the characters felt, and times where I felt like I was being shown a life unlike my own. All the while, I still couldn't get a grasp on the fact I was reading a fictional story about a fictional girl, though I'm sure her story is likely to be lived out somewhere.

If I could, I'd kick Twilight off the "Bestseller" list and place I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE where it should be -- on the Bestseller list. This is a book for the young, and the old. For the reader, and for the one that is searching for something that really speaks out to them about the chaos in their life.

So, if you haven't read I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, do so. Stephanie Kuehnert does not disappoint. Look forward to my review of her second novel, BALLADS OF SUBURBIA, as soon as I get it read. I've got to tell you, I was so excited to buy it, I went to Borders on my VACATION in Boston to pick up my copy.

And if you want to read my interview with Stephanie Kuehnert, go here:

http://angelyoungreviews.blogspot.com/2008/09/interview-stephanie-kuehnert.html

~Angel

Ladies and gents, we have ourselves a WINNER!

AND THE WINNING MARK IS....

I have contacted our winner and will be sending her info to Michelle Zink ASAP!

Congrats to my winner! And expect more to come soon, folks!



(P.S. Have I mentioned I just started college? If I'm a little late on posting reviews, forgive me. My schedule is C-R-A-Z-Y!)



~Angel

Review: A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen--terrified, but intrigued--is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

This is one of my all time favorite books. Ever. I actually read A Certain Slant of Light a while back and can say honestly -- it completely blows Twilight out of the water. In my eyes, this should be a HUGE bestseller, as well as it's author -- the delightful and talented Laura Whitcomb.

In A Certain Slant of Light, you see through the eyes of a ghost that cannot move on -- Helen. You see the life of the dead in a beautifully written masterpiece. And life as a ghost is an unseen life, until, after 130 years of being invisible, human eyes finally see Helen as she drifts around in an English class. Though this frightens Helen a bit, she still feels drawn to the young man that sees her.

This haunting novel will make you feel like it's all real. And with such a powerful ending... well, you'll just have to see.

~Angel

Review: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She's not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.
Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Let me tell you something right now -- if you have yet to read this book, or haven't even heard of it -- you're missing out on something spectacular. And by the end of this review, you'll be dying to get your hands on a copy. Like, for instance, I was supposed to post this review before I left for my trip to Boston and Salem. But I took my sweet time reading this book because I didn't want to rush it. I savored each and every page, just as I hope everyone that reads it will.

Bertie, the lead role in Eyes Like Stars, is quite the character. I always love a book with strong main characters that you just have to fall in love with, and Bertie is just such a character. She's different, and flawed. Most everything she does seems to backfire somehow. Teamed with her ever present (and mischievous) comrades -- the fairies Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed -- she usually gets into trouble.

There are others that add to the delightfully diverse cast. One of my favorites was Nate, a pirate from The Little Mermaid. Or Ariel, an airy spirit from The Tempest. You admire Nate and how he treats Bertie. And Ariel -- well, he is just one of the most memorable characters ever.

The Théâtre Illuminata, Book One: Eyes Like Stars is a book for everyone -- young or old; actors or readers; lovers or fighters. I highly reccomend you purchase Eyes Like Stars now. You'll be begging for the sequel, just as I am now.

~Angel

CONTEST! Design-Your-Own Mark

In honor of the gorgeous book, Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, I'm holding a contest! And Michelle Zink is providing the prizes! Trust me, you're going to want these, because I want them!

Here's what you've got to do:
Design a mark using markers on the inside of your wrists and take a picture. Then email it to me (with subject line as CONTEST) at angel_young13@yahoo.com or upload it somewhere and link it to me. Once I get all the pictures in, I'll pick a winner. Simple, right?!

Now, here's what you could win:
Prophecy playlist CD, Girl with a Pearl Earring DVD, craft store gift card (Joann Fabric, AC Moore, or Michaels), Prophecy bookmark, Prophecy magnet, signed Prophecy poster, lip gloss, candy.

Let's put a Due Date on this of... Friday, August 28th. I'll annouce the winner on August 29th.

So, get to it! I want to see your marks!

~Angel

In My Mailbox (2)

I have returned, my lovelies! And so, I shall share with you what I've recieved in my mailbox!

- "Eyes Like Stars" by Lisa Mantchev (ARC) -- A FANTASTIC book! Expect my review later this week.

- "Shrinking Violet" by Danielle Joseph

- "Prophecy of the Sisters" Michelle Zink (ARC)


And I'm thinking about posting about recent books I've purchased, but it's still up in the air for me.

~Angel

I'll miss you all. *sniffle*

I'm going out of town Thursday, and won't be back for a week. I shall be in Boston and then Salem. =]

I shall return, and when I do, I'll gossip all about it.


~Angel

Review: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Movie)

Okay, since Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the 6th installment of the Harry Potter series, came out yesterday, I thought I'd review that this week. I'm a HUGE hardcore Harry Potter fan, and have been since the first book came out. Granted, I love the books a million times more, the movies are still pretty good.

With the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie, we watch as young Harry has to learn to live as The Chosen One in the public eye. But it is obvious within the first few moments that Harry is also growing up, and with that, he is focusing on more than just Hogwarts and death and Voldemort. He's thinking about life and girls. He's showing his youthful side, the side of him that is occasionally overshadowed by his duty to protect himself and those he loves.

And Harry isn't the only one -- Ron and Hermione return in this movie, too. This time, we see more of the romantic side from the characters. There's snogging (making out) and love potions involved. Not to mention, the occasional broken heart.

Ron is trying out for Keeper on the Quidditch team, all the while being obsessed over by a girl, which stirs up jealousy, and also provides some of the much needed comic relief in the movie. And while we start to see the more confident side of Ron, we begin to see just how close Hermione and Harry are. When one is hurting, the other is right there for them.

Another important piece of both the movie and the book is Draco Malfoy. Personally, I am a huge fan of Draco, and everything he brings to the table in the Harry Potter books. So, of course, Half Blood Prince is one of my favorites because Draco is such a key character in it.

We start to see just what Draco is made of, and just how dedicated he is to Voldemort and the Death Eaters. While Harry is the Chosen one for the good guys, Draco is the Chosen one for the dark wizards. He is given a specific task to accomplish, which worries his mother. So, to ensure her son's safety, she requests a professor to protect Draco while he is away at Hogwarts: Snape.

This is one of the darkest and more heartbreaking of the installments. Though the movie was very good, and I did enjoy it, I was also somewhat disappointed. Several important things to the final story were replaced with romance. Though I understand it's place in the movie, I still wish they would have given more to the idea of the Half Blood Prince. But the acting was phenomenal -- each actor provided their best performances yet. Daniel Radcliffe showed just how much he has grown as an actor, providing the amazing range Harry needed to go through during the movie.

Though I wish some more of the story could have been in it, I understand you can only fit in SO much. So, all in all, I really loved it, and highly suggest you go see it, especially if you are a fan. =]

~Angel

Review: Monster's Proof by Richard Lewis

Livey Ell is the only normal person in a family of geniuses. She's a cheerleader with an absentminded professor father and a math genius of a little brother, and she's sure that life couldn't get any weirder than it already is.
But when her little brother, Darby, brings his childhood imaginary friend Bob to life through a mathematical proof, things start to get really strange. Bob, a creature of pure math, hates chaos and disorder in any form. And as his power grows stronger, he becomes determined to fix our disorderly world in any way possible.
But that's not the only danger. People know that Bob is in our world -- including a top-secret government organization that wants to control him, and a cult of Pythagoreans who worship him.
Now Livey and Darby will need all the help they can get to stop him -- before the world as we know it is changed forever.
Monster's Proof is a horror novel that brings together pure mathematics with adventure, humor, romance, and some of the most original characters you'll ever meet.

What can I say about this book -- other than it is intelligent, beautifully written, and very original.

Being a horrid math student myself, the concept of Algebra itself sometimes seems like a horror novel to me all in itself. Now, Richard Lewis has made my worst mathematical fears into a novel.

I’m quite pleased with the wonderful flow of MONSTER’S PROOF. Every time I sat down with MONSTER’S PROOF, I was sucked in, sitting and easily reading a ton of pages -- really, two nights of solid reading is all it took. It is so absolutely fascinating!

The July 7th release of MONSTER’S PROOF is exciting because a new book in YA horror has emerged as a formidable novel foe.

Check it out!

~Angel

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Several words come to mind when I think of Jay Asher's debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why: Haunting. Powerful. Breathtaking. Chilling. Moving.

If you have yet to read TRW for yourself, I suggest you do so immediately.

In Thirteen Reasons Why, you follow Clay through the worst night of his life after discovering a package on his porch. Inside are seven tapes that contain thirteen stories -- thirteen reasons -- that he will never forget. Especially since Hannah Baker, his recently deceased crush, is the one telling these stories.

Armed with the tapes, a Walkman, and a map, Clay journies through the town, discovering just why Hannah Baker commited suicide.

This book grips onto you and does not believe in letting go. I know there were several instances in which I forgot I was reading and became so drawn in it was as though I was living it out.

I can promise you -- you'll be begging to know the Thirteen Reasons Why once you start reading it.

~Angel