Book Review #3: Pretty Little Liars: Wanted by Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars: Wanted by Sara Shepard

In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .

Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store.

My Take:

This is the last book in the series so naturally all loose ends were tied and all questions raised were answered. I won't say any spoilers but Sara Shepard would have you hanging at every word when the truth is revealed, and back read the series to look at all the 'clues'. The ending to the book is also great. Honestly, I pictured the whole scene even with music! haha.. Although that might be because after reading the series you get a sense of the writing style of the author and where she wants to take the story. I don't know if there will be a spin off but if there is I'll definitely be reading getting a copy of that! ;)

Book Review #2: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zin

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS BY MICHELLE ZINK

Without the Keys, something terrible will happen.

Something that cannot be undone.
And with them, I might bring an end to the riddle of the Prophecy and my strange part in it.

If Alice and I are on conflicting sides of the Prophecy,
the Keys would be dangerous in her hands.
Which means I have to find them.
And I have to do it before my sister.

Sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe has just recently lost her father, leaving her parentless. But when a strange mark appears on her wrist, she realizes she is being branded with much more than her newfound title of orphan. Lia and her twin sister Alice are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other.

Lia hides this discovery from Alice and even from her beloved James, but to escape from the burden this secret bestows she must end the prophecy-before her sister. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the mark on her wrist, the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her, and the impact the resolution of the prophecy could have.

With, haunting, lyrical prose, this multi-layered story of family, friendship, and romance explores the timeless question of predetermination versus free will. And it takes readers on an unforgettable coming-of-age journey where one sister's self-discovery could have an impact of Biblical proportion.

This is the first in a series about 2 sisters and an ancient prophecy that divides them. In the book, we are able to see Lia's point of view while her twin sister Alice remains a mystery. Despite this, we are still able to get a sense of who Lia and Alice are. The book has a gothic feel and adds an air of mystery with an ancient prophecy that needs to be solved. The author offers a couple of twists to the story that makes the reader more enthralled and invested in the mystery. There is also an element of romance between Lia and James that breaks the monotony of death and darkness that her character seems to face. The dynamic between the two sisters is also interesting to watch since the two seem not to share quite the ordinary twin relationship.

Since this is the first book, there are still a lot of mysteries that are left hanging and a couple of characters who play an important part in the plot has not yet been explored thoroughly. There are also major players in the story that has yet been introduced. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel.

Be sure to get a copy of this book and its sequel Guardian of the Gate out NOW!

52 book challenge

Hey guys! When I was in High School I used to read a new book every other week or at least once a month. Unfortunately when I reached college, leisure reading took a backseat as I was swamped with required readings, homework, papers, and exams. Now that I'm in the third year I realized how much I have missed reading books and how different I have become since stopping to read books. What do I mean? Well, I used to be able to pick any book and read it I would know what books to look forward to, what books are out in the market, which ones are getting good reviews which ones aren't. I used to stop by the bookstore EVERY TIME I go to the mall. I felt like I was just going about everyday, as if I had nothing to look forward to.

Which brings me to my challenge. Basically, I should read a new book every week. It doesn't matter what genre as long as its not required for class. I would then have to post a short review on my blog as proof that I have read it. One book a week isn't much but if I am able to this I can read 52 books in a year.

Book Review #1: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

HEX HALL BY RACHEL HAWKINS
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

MY TAKE:

After a love spell gone wrong, Sopie a half-witch raised by her human mother is sent to Hecate Hall, a reformatory magic school. Sophie's constant sarcastic remarks and pop culture reference gives a fresh take on a topic quite common nowadays. This is a story about witches, vampires ,werewolves and faeries and although it seems that you've heard of a story similar to Hex Hall, you definitely can't pass up an opportunity to grab and read this book. I love that the story does not take itself seriously and actually sort of pokes fun at the genre it is in(self-deprecating humor is a plus in my book!). The author succeeded in showing a really diverse crowd at Hex Hall the students range from witches to faeries to shifters to vampires and to... well you'll find that out on your own. I would have thought that after experiencing being an outcast in the human world they would have been more accepting of each other but just like any school there's a social hierarchy to be followed!

Rachel Hawkins succeeded in giving a concrete world that's well thought of and interesting. The characters are totally relatable and you might be surprised to see a bit of you in the characters. For a magic reform school it quite resembles a normal high school. Let's have a checklist shall we? Mean girls? Check! Hot Bad Boy? Check! Scary Gym Teacher? Check! Social Outcast? Check! Dance? Check! Murder? Check! WHAT? You don't have that in your school?

I loved reading this book and enjoyed seeing the world through Sophie's sarcastic eyes! This is a fun book perfect for those days when you want to escape the world and just relax. This is a fun and light book that will surely leave you wanting for more.

Be sure to grab a copy of the book and check out the second installment in the series Demonglass out in March 2011!

Do you have any book recommendations? Comment below!

Hey guys!

Sorry for the lack of updates! The month of August has been pretty hectic for me.. but no worries.. My schedules gonna free up next week so I'm going to post soon. I already have some ideas in the works.. If you know me (which I doubt! haha) you'll say Im the least creative person you know so I'm challenging myself with getting my creatuve juices flowing by writing, reading, doing some arts and crafts virtually and IRL! So get ready for that world!

First Post!

I finally decided to join Cyberspace! I got inspired by Michelle's post about her internship in CollegeFashion and finally decided to share with everyone the numerous thoughts in my head. This blog would basically be a review blog that talks about my passion for reading and stories. I might do reviews on other mediums as well like movies or television but mostly I'll be concentrating on books. I already have a couple of ideas for my next few posts so get ready for that!

Do you have any suggestions for future posts? Feel free to leave a comment! Thanks!