Fun Fiction

Coming up in 2010

2010-01-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Here are some things coming up in 2010 at Fun Fiction!

So I am about halfway through this book so far. It's pretty good but I'm not giving anything away. Buying this book was bitter-sweet. It was 75% off which was lovely. However, it was 75% off because the bookstore was closing. The only bookstore within 30 miles is (or was) a B. Dalton in our little mall. There is going to be a new outdoor shopping center built in my town, with a Barns & Noble, but not for a couple years. It's sad. The good thing is that there are tons of bookstores around my college!

So, I went to New York recently to visit my Grandparents on Long Island. My Aunt, sister, and I decided to go out shopping in Huntington, NY on pretty much the coldest day in New York. I'm from Louisiana so I was all bundled up with a scarf around my face, shivering my butt off ....miserable. I saw this cute little book store and had to pop in! It was called Book Revue. The prices were very good. I bought The Help, and I'm very excited to read it. I have been wanting it for a while. My Grandma actually read part of it before I left to go back to Louisiana, and she loved it and said she was going to buy a copy to finish it. So I am optimistic.

This book has been on my reading list for quite a while. The summery looks good so I think I'm going to make the trek out to the Barns & Noble 30 miles away to buy it next week. I know it's sad but the cover draws me in too. I often pick up books because I like the cover, even though I know your supposed to "never judge a book by it's cover." haha. One time in high school, I even made my mom bring back a book to the bookstore and buy another publisher's version because I hated the cover. I think it was a copy of The Scarlet Letter. I still can't believe I did that!

I normally don't pick up dog books but this one looked too good too pass up. (It was also 75% off at the bookstore that was closing) It seems to be from the dog's point of view which really intrigued me. It should be an interesting read. Can't wait!

Make sure to stay tuned for the Reviews, and follow me on twitter! I am always open to book suggestions!

The Lost Symbol

2009-12-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

By: Dan Brown
2.5/5 Stars

Summary: Robert Langdon gets a call from the assistant of his friend and mentor, Peter Solomon. Soon he is whisked away to D.C. to give a speech at the U.S. Capitol. However, what awaits Robert in D.C. is not what he thinks. When he reaches the Capitol building instead of finding the party he is supposed to give a speech at he finds his dear friend Peter Solomon’s severed hand in the middle of the Rotunda room floor. This hand is the beginning of a journey that will reveal secrets to Robert that he only thought of as myth. He soon joins forces with Peter’s sister, Katherine Solomon, in an effort to catch Peter’s captor and save Peter. Katherine is a known scientist who is making ground breaking discoveries in the field of Neotics, a revolutionary new science that meshes the ancient teachings with modern science. Katherine science is on the brink of bringing about a new period of enlightenment. However she and her brother are not the only ones who know about her experiments. Peter’s captor is on a mission to destroy Katherine’s work and steal one of the most guarded secrets in the world, from a very old society. Can Robert and Katherine save Peter and stop this madman in time?

What this book made me think about: Well once again Dan Brown does a very good job of meshing science a religion together. This book also talks about some interesting theories about what the human mind is capable of and the power of human thought, such as distance healing. It makes you wonder.

What I liked: Well I liked the intricacy of the plotline. Dan Brown, I think, always does a good job with that. Also, you have to admire the obvious amount of research that goes into his books. I like that his books are very thought provoking and can inspire personal reflection. This book sheds light on many interesting topics.

What I disliked: At times I found myself getting frustrated with the book and the characters. The only thing I can compare it to is if you have watched any shows like the bachelor or survivor. You know when they are giving out roses or reading the names of the people who have been voted for? U know that feeling of suspense that at first is exciting but then you just wish they would get it over with!!! That’s what this whole book is like!!!!!! I though the suspense was a bit overboard. It made me want to skip pages at times because I knew they would keep teasing for at least five pages.

Who I would recommend this book to: My dad, a history professor, someone who enjoys suspense thrillers.

A line from the book: “The revelation crashed over Langdon like a wave. I know why I’m here. Standing in the center of the Rotunda, Langdon felt a powerful urge to run away…from Peter’s hand, from the shinning gold ring from the suspicious eyes of Sato and Anderson. Instead he stood dead still, clinging more tightly to the leather daybag that hung on his shoulder. I’ve got to get out of here.”

Side note

2009-12-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

Ok...so I know I have not posted, for the most part since the summer, but I have my reasons! This semester I was required to read tons of books for school.

My list included....
The Liberal Hour
Inside the Victorian Home
The Haunted Land
Flapper
The King Took Flight
Taste of Paradise
The Devil's Gentlemen
All Quiet on the Western Front

I fell like I'm missing one...all non-fic by the way (except for the last one). I hardly had time for anything else. I thought about reviewing them but I really only want to do Fiction on this blog. Anyway so my load is a bit less demanding next semester. I think I only have four books. I am going to try and stay on top of things. I have reviewed The Shack a couple of posts before this one so make sure and look at it. Also I have a question.... What would you think about me doing "Short Story Saturdays" and "Sunday Updates"...?
I used to do short stories ...however I stopped cus I felt that people weren't reading them. What do you think?...and should I post reviews of the Non-fic books I'm reading for class next semester?

I am over halfway done with The Lost Symbol so it should be up by Wednesday. In a perfect world I would try and have all books up on Wednesdays... but some I finish faster and some I finish slower. I'm an going to try not to go over a week with posts.
Also, check out the post before this one to see a preview of the new Sookie Stackhouse book!

-Alli

Preview of the next Sookie Stackhouse

2009-12-21T23:05:00.001-08:00

I absolutely cannot wait for this book to come out! I have read all the ones that have come out so far and I think they are fantastic. The book is due to be released in May, so looks for it!

"Sookie Stackhouse has finally settled into a relationship with the Viking vampire Eric, and her errant brother Jason seems to have his life in order, too. But all the other people in Sookie’s life – Eric himself, her former lover Bill, her friend and boss Sam – are having family problems. Eric’s maker shows up with Eric’s ‘brother’ in tow, the ailing Bill can only be healed by a blood sibling, and Sam’s brother’s marriage is about to take place . . . or will it? The furor raised by the coming out of the two-natured has yet to settle; some people are just not ready to sit down to dinner with a man who turns into a dog. And Sookie herself is still recovering from her last ordeal. She’s definitely improving, physically and mentally, but she’s always going to have some dark moments now. The werewolves tell her that there have been strange and ominous passers-by in the Stackhouse woods; now Sookie is about to come face-to-face with one of her more distant relatives . . ."

The Shack

2009-12-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

by: William P. Young
3.5/5 stars

Summary- Mackenzie Phillips receives a note in the mail one day four years after The Great Sadness came to rest upon his shoulders. It is a note inviting him to go back to a shack in the Oregon wilderness where evidence suggests his youngest daughter Missy was brutally murdered four years earlier. It is signed “- Papa”. Mackenzie wonders who would write him such a hurtful note and sign it Papa, of all things. Who would try and remind Mack of the two most hurtful times in his life, his childhood with an abusive father and the death of his six-year-old child. Then he remembers that Papa is the name his wife Nan uses for God because of her close relationship with him. Could God really be out in the Oregon Wilderness waiting for him? Why would God want to talk to him, and does Mackenzie really want to talk to him after the horrible thing that happened to Missy?

This book made me think about – My relationships with other people. It made me look at my relationships from a different perceptive, and analyze the way we treat each other.

What I liked – Even though I am not a very religious person I appreciated the author’s views on God. The portrayal of God in this book and how God is and acts was different than anything I have ever read.

What I disliked – It was a bit corny

Who would I recommend this book too – My family or someone close to me.

A line from the book – “The memories and horror of the last time he stood at this door came flooding back and he hesitated before pushing it open. ‘Hello?’ he called, not too loudly. Clearing his throat he called again, this time louder. ‘Hello? Anybody here?’”

The Blue Notebook

2009-07-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

by: James A. Levine
4/5 Stars

Summary – Batuk is a fifteen year old prostitute in Mumbai, India. Her father sold her into prostitution years earlier when the family fell on hard times. Batuk possesses a rare gift that is uncommon among prostitutes. She can read and write. The Blue Notebook is a memoir of her life. She intertwines the past with the present. Stories of her childhood, being sold into prostitution, and time spent in a brutal orphanage, are mixed in with her present life selling herself on the Common Street of Mumbai. This book is very graphic and exposes the reader to the harsh reality of child prostitutes in Mumbai.

This book made me think about - This book is just very sad. It made me feel grateful for where I was born. I can’t believe how hard of a decision it must be for a family to sell their children into prostitution. It is just heart breaking.

What I liked – I liked the realism. The author did not hold back. It makes for a better impact on the reader.

What I disliked – Batuk is almost too literate. She may read, but she did not have an education. The story is a bit graphic at times, so if you do not like that kind of thing, or you are looking for a light read you should not read it.

Who would I recommend this book to – I would recommend this to someone who is up for a heavy read. Its short so it would ,make a good plane book.

A line from the book- "As I observed the depth of my father’s weakness, our gazes touched and from him I felt the kiss of inner death. I was transfixed as I felt him draw me in with him in terror."

Side note

2009-07-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

So I just received The Blue Notebook in the mail...so I will get on the ASAP! I must admit I am a little nervous about this book considering the other reviews I have read. It is shorter than I thought it would be, about 200 pages.

I am going to try and get this review up before the end of the week. After that I will be preoccupied for a few days moving into my new apartment in Baton Rouge, LA (Geaux Tigers!). I am happy to be done with dorm life!

I am thinking about selling some of my books that I no longer read and maybe doing some giveaways. I am relatively new at blogging so I am going to have to figure out the best way to go about doing this. Let me know if you have any ideas/suggestions :) .

Award

2009-07-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

Heartfelt Blogger Award

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you’re relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family & friends?
You know that feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea ~ or a hot toddy?
That is what the Heartfelt award is all about feeling warm inside!
Diane @ The Book Resort, created this award to express that toasty feeling.

Thank you Suzanne from Chick with Books for this lovely award!

The Rules:
1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

My Nominees
1.Crazy for Books
2.Bookbroads
3.I Heart Monster
4.Bella's Novellas
5.Summer Travel and Reading Fun
6. A Book A Day

The Wave

2009-07-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

by Todd Strasser
3.5/5

Summary- Based on real events at a high school in California, The Wave was just supposed to be an experiment, or that’s what Ben Ross, a history teacher at Gordon High School, meant it to be when introduced it to his senior level class. A hands-on teacher, Mr. Ross preferred his students learn through doing and experiencing. When his class has questions he can’t answer, after watching a video on Nazi Germany, Ross sets up an experiment called The Wave to help everyone learn. Why did the Nazis follow Adolf Hitler so blindly? Why did they want to cover up their involvement with the movement after the war? And why wouldn’t they just quit when they knew it was wrong? Well, the students of Gordon High have their questions answered first hand, an experience they won’t soon forget. The question is, did the experiment to too far?

What this book made me think about – There is one student named Robert that is very taken in by The Wave. He is a loner in the book, overshadowed by his older brother’s success. He feels out of place. He is made fun of and has no friends to speak of. The Wave makes him feel like he belongs and perhaps he follows it most blindly, so desperate to belong to something. I always wondered how people could be so amazingly taken in by cults. They touch on that briefly in this book. It really made me think about the lengths people will go to to feel like they belong.

What I liked – This was a captivating book. It was fast passed and exciting. The theme is interesting, and this is a book people can learn from.

What I disliked – Too short. The author could have taken some time to analyze the situation going on at the school. He could have delved into some more of the students thoughts about the wave. He also didn’t talk about the effect the experiment had on the students after it was over. It defiantly had some room for some improvement being only 138 paged.

Who I would recommend this book to - Everyone. It’s a good lesson to be learned. It should be required in schools. It’s short, and a good book to read if you have a few hours to yourself.

A line from the book – “In one sense, if Owens was going to tell him that there had been complaints and that he should stop the experiment, Ross knew he would feel some relief. Honestly, he had never expected the wave to spread this far. The news that in other classes, kids in other grades even, had gotten into The Wave still amazed him. He simply hadn’t intended it to be anything like this.”

Side note

2009-07-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

So I am ordering The Blue Notebook cus my local store did not have it. But I am going to review a book called The Wave by Todd Strasser. Its only 150ish pages...sooo the review should be up soon!

The 19th Wife: A Novel

2009-07-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

by David Ebershoff
4/5 Stars

Summary – The 19th Wife is a book that tells two tales. One is the story of Ann Eliza Young, the “nineteenth wife” of the haled Mormon Prophet Brigham Young. The infamous Mrs. Young was a fierce crusader against polygamy in the United States in the late 1800s after she divorced her husband, and her efforts helped bring an end to polygamy in the Mormon church in 1890. Her fiery tale of heartache and the injustices of plural marriage, formed from experience, both rallied people to her cause and created fierce enemies. The other story is about Jordan Scott, a “lost boy,” he was kicked out of Mesadale a colony of the FLDS or the Firsts. This fraction broke off from the Mormon Church lead by Aaron Webb when the Mormons decided to put an end to their polygamy. Many boys are kicked out every year because they pose a threat to the older men who like to have all the young girls to themselves. Jordan’s mother the nineteenth wife of his father has been accused of his father’s murder. Jordan braves his contempt for his mother for abandoning him and goes to Utah to see her. There he is convinced of her innocence and sets out to solve the mystery.

This book made me think about - What it would be like to grow up completely isolated from the outside world. In this book both Ann Eliza and Jordan are constantly asked why they believed what they did, and why so many others continue to believe in polygamy. The Mormon Church, before 1890, and the Firsts believed and believe that polygamy is the will of God spoken through the founder and first prophet of the Mormons, Joseph Smith, and that only by following the Mormon faith, thereby accepting and practicing polygamy, may one find salvation. I found myself wondering, if I had grown up without any clue to what life was like outside what I knew, would I also follow with blind belief? No matter what?

What I liked – The different points-of-view. The story is mostly told from Anna Eliza and Jordan’s point-of-view. But, it also has some brief periods where other views are introduced, such as Ann’s brother Gilbert, her mother Elizabeth Webb, Her father Chauncey Webb, a scholar Kelly Dee, Brigham Young, and a few others. I thought the author was able to organize these many points-of-view effectively as to not leave the reader confused.

What I disliked – There were times where I though the story dragged on a bit, such as when I read the letter by Ann Eliza’s son Lorenzo Dee.

Who would I recommend this book to – Anyone interested in reading a historical and thought provoking book.

A line from the book - “My escape from Mormandom began with six men and a moving van. They dismantled my house and hauled the load to auction. One man asked if he should pry the stained-glass window from its casement. I told him to leave it for the next wife and the next wife, and the one after her.”

Poll

2009-07-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Right now I am currently about a fourth through The 19th Wife: A Novel which I started this weekend.
I also plan on trying out a new way to review my books, so make sure an look for my next review!

And...I can't decide between the two books I have in mind for my next read. Take the poll and help me out!

Shanghai Girls

2009-07-02T23:08:00.001-07:00

by Lisa See
3.5/5 stars

Pearl and May are privileged an modern girls of Shanghai in the late 1930s. They despise the old Chinese ways of their parents and love everything Western. Pearl, the narrator is stubborn and responsible. She is smart but feels neglected by her parents for her lack of beauty. May is beautiful. She is sweet and adventurous. They love their lives in Shanghai, the Paris of China, but that life comes to an end when their father sells them to Old Man Louie a merchant in America to be wives for his sons Sam and Vernon. He does this to repay his debts to the Green Gang of Shanghai when he gambles away all of the family's money. May and Pearl think they will be able to stay in China even though their husbands live in America but when the Japaneses go to war with China May and Pearl are forced to go to America under perilous circumstances that will change and forever shape their lives. This is the story of a family of Chinese Americans and what it meant to be a Chinese American in a time when they were unwelcome in the United States, what they had to do to survive, and what they were reduced to. This is also the story of two sisters and how there lives changed, how they grew from there experiences, and how they find comfort in each other trough good times and bad.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I am a history major so I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book. I loved how Pearl and her sister May, think of themselves as so modern and western but when they get to America are considered the backwards ones and how in America a, a place they idolized as girls, they found comfort in Chinese ways. I loved Lisa See's writing. I found myself frustrated when pearl was, and genuinely scared for the well being of the characters. The reason I gave it 3.5/5 stars ( and this may be a spoiler so proceed with caution) is I hated the ending, as much as I loved the rest of the book. I spent a few moments wondering if I had gotten a defective book that was missing a final chapter or something. It was too much of a cliffhanger. I could kind of see was the author was going for but I just wanted more.

Side note

2009-06-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ok so I went to the store yesterday and finally bought a new book! Yay! Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. I'm pretty excited about it. Sorry i haven't updated in a while. Hopefully the review will be soon.

The Sweet Far Thing

2009-06-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

By Libba Bray
3/5 Stars

*Spoiler* (if you have not read the previous books)

In the last and final book in the Gemma Doyle series, Gemma continues her quest to save the realms from the creatures of the Winterlands. Gemma bound the magic of the realms to herself in the previous book. She plans on making alliances with the tribes of the realms so all may have a share in the magic, much to the dismay of the order, who count Gemma as one of their own and have ruled the realms for generations. Gemma is also given new information in a vision, that an old tree of magical power lies somewhere inside the realms, the Tree of All Souls. She fears that the Winterlands creatures may use it to gain control of the realms. All of this is magnified by Gemma's impending debut, and her desire to use the magic to better the lives of the ones she loves.
*End Spoiler* (if you have not read the previous books)

I must admit that I expected more from this book because of the many glowing reviews I have read about it. It was a good read and parts of it were captivating but it was a very drawn out 800-and-something pages. Gemma makes many mistakes as always. Felicity is headstrong as always. Ann is shy and shows no self confidence as always. Its more of the same. I would read this book however if only to find out the fate of the realms. For that it is worth the read!

Short Stories

2009-06-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

She
by Charles Kaufmann

Check it out here!

2.5/5 Stars

Imagine your character realizing you are the author, and you are controlling her life. Well that's exactly what "She" does!

This short story was cute and humorous, but not really a story. One person commented that it reminded them of that movie "Stranger Than Fiction" and it does. But the story could have gone on a bit longer if you ask me. It ended pretty abruptly. Well anyway see what you think.

Short Stories

2009-06-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

If anyone has a short story, published or unpublished, and want me to review it, send me a link to it, or a copy of it at allikat313@yahoo.com
just put Short Story in the subject.

Let me know if you want me to post the story in full on my blog, or just post a link to it, or neither.

I'm always looking for a good read!

-Alli

Rebel Angels

2009-06-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

By Libba Bray

4.5/5 Stars

*Spoiler If you have not read the 1st book

As Christmas approaches Gemma and her friends, Felicity and Anne, begin to find the lure of the realms irresistible. Having just destroyed the runes that held the magic, Gemma is unsure of what she will find. But when the girls finally arrive all is as it was, or so it seems to be. And the are overjoyed to find Pippa there and waiting for them. However Gemmma soon finds that the realms hide many dark secrets of rivalries and power struggles past and present. She can trust no one while the magic is free from the runes. Even Kartik, who tells Gemma she must bind the magic to a mysterious temple hidden deep inside the realms to restore order and once again allow the spirits to pass into the world beyond, seems to be hiding something. A new teacher comes to Spence academy and Gemma fears that she may not be what she says. To complicate matters even more Gemma is still dealing with her alcoholic father and is experiencing London for the first time over her holiday. Gemma seems unusual to everybody yet attracts one of Londons most eligible young men. And so the story of Gemma Doyle continues bringing adventure, sadness, and possibly love!
* End Spoilers

The second book in the trilogy, Rebel Angels was even more exciting than the first. Though I found myself quite frustrated with Gemma who seems to do everything wrong, and Felicity's brash decision making, the story was enchanting and adventurous. I just bought the last book in the series today and I intend to sit down with it as soon as I finish this review. I love how the realms make mythology come alive. If you are a fan of Greek mythology I would definitely recommend this series. I love books that tie in other subject matter and try to explain it. Maybe that's also why I am such a fan of the Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz. Anyway, give this one a read. Check out my review of the first book A Great and Terrible Beauty.

Good Books

2009-06-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

So, there are a lot of books I wish I could review that I just read before I made this blog. Or, I read them a long time ago and I can't remember enough detail to review them. I'd like to share a few of my favorite books!
The Sookie Stackhouse Novels
Night
The Harry Potter Series
The Phantom Tollbooth (my favorite kids book ever!)
The Giver
Angels and Demons
The Twilight Series
Kite Runner
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Lovely Bones
And Then There Were None
The Little House Books (Another of my favorite childhood series)

However, I owe the way I love to read to the Nancy Drew books! In elementary school I went though about 1 a week. I don't think there is one I haven't read.

A Great and Terrible Beauty

2009-06-02T00:57:00.000-07:00

by Libba Bray

4/5 stars
Gemma Doyle lives in India, but she yearns to live in England her homeland. On her 16th birthday Gemma's life changes forever. She begins having visions,her mother is gone, dead, and she fears it is her fault. She is soon of to England and finds herself attending the prestigious boarding school Spence. Suddenly he is surrounded by secrets of the occult and a once powerful group known as the Order. She and her three friends set out on a journey that will change the rest of their lives as Gemma begins to embrace her power. But Gemma is in danger and it is up to her to save herself, her friends, and the magic of the realms.

I just finished this book at around 2 a.m. the last 100 or so pages were such page turners. I could not put the book down. However it was a slow start. The plot is interesting but I thought the author should have explained more earlier in the book. I found myself almost as frustrated as Gemma. I found the historical aspects of the book interesting aswell. Its always interesting to me to read about how women lived in different time periods (this book takes place around the turn of the 20th century). Pick it up for a read!

Short Stories

2009-05-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

I've had alot going on this week, so I picked another short story to review. I'm about halfway done with the next book I'll review.

The Star
by Esther Claes
Read it here!
3.5/5 stars

Its the end of the world and you cannot believe it. This is the short story of Hollywood star coping with the end of the world!

I thought this was rather funny but sad. Kind of how you would expect a stereotypical celebrity to cope with the fact that there is a major disaster that is affecting the world they live in, and the fact that she is no longer a star but just like everyone else dealing with the same tragedy. It can't be happening to me I'm a star! It's cute and worth a read. Only 3 pages long and fast paced.

Short Stories

2009-05-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

So since it may take me anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks to read a book i though it might be an cool idea to review some short stories from the web. So I searched a bit and found a site that has some user submitted stories. Here is my first one let me know what you think and if I should continue reviewing short stories between books.

The Wicker Husband

by Ursula Wills-Jones
read it here!
4/5 stars

The Ugly Girl is in need of a husband so she goes to a local basket maker to make her one. When he turns out to be pretty perfect (with the exception of being able to sit with he by the fire) she is "in heaven." But the towns people are less than happy. Why don't their husbands help them around the house? Why are their wives complaining? This is the Wicker husbands fault! What will the towns people do to get revenge?

This story reminded me a bit of a fairy tale. It was cute and I wanted to keep reading. Very creative aswell. Make sure to give it a read!

What is your favorite book?

2009-05-28T02:19:00.000-07:00

Tell me what your favorite book is and maybe I'll review it. Also post the link to you blog if you have one!!

Prep

2009-05-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

3/5 stars

Lee Fiora leaves her family in the mid-west to attend the Ault School in Massachusetts. Tough her family cannot afford boarding school receives a scholarship that pays most of her tuition. Lee is soon thrown into a world much different from her own where money is not spoken of but can be seen everywhere. Lee feels like an outcast and the once outgoing girl becomes reclusive and friendless. Prep follows her though her four years at Ault and highlights her relationships with fellow students and boys.

Lee is a person anyone who was ever left out can relate to on certain levels. She is self conscious and afraid of how her actions will affect peoples perceptions of her. However, the way she chooses or doesn't choose to interact with people at her school can be troubling sometimes. She makes up rules for her self. For instance: she avoids anyone she has talked to recently so that she can savor the conversation, and avoid ruining it by talking to them and possibly having a bad one. Moreover, she feels the most comfortable around people when she is cutting their hair. She is impossibly shy and at times a very unlikable character. I also found her to be somewhat static. I wanted her to grow out of the shyness more and gain some confidence in her self.

The Blue Bloods Series

2009-05-27T21:06:00.001-07:00

3.5/5 stars

I finished reading the first three books of this series a couple of weeks ago. These books by Melissa de la Cruz have yet another interesting twist on the vampire. Schuyler Van Alen attends Duchesne a prep school in New York City. She is a rebel and unpopular along with her best friend Oliver and their new friend Dylan. Her family comes from Old money, though the fortune has dwindled. She lives with her grandmother in their once-grand mansion while her mother lies in a hospital bed in a coma. Though unpopular, Schuyler has a crush on the most popular boy in school Jack Force, sister of Mimi Force (the most popular girl). The Force twins are beautiful, powerful, and rich! Many students of Duchesne are junior members of The Committee, a charity that many of the New York elite belong to and is dedicated to the eradication of blood diseases. When Schuyler is invited to join she wonders why, and why is her grandmother so pleased? Simultaneously a local girl is drained of her blood and killed at the popular nightclub and Dylan is charged with the murder. Schuyler goes to The Committee meeting and finds out she is a vampire, a blue blood, along with many of the New York elite. Now the question is who killed her classmate? How much are the Blue Bloods hiding about the murder? And why is her mother, a powerful blue blood in a hospital when they are supposedly invincible?

For the most part I liked these books. I was intrigued by the way De la Cruz portrays the vampires. In this book they are the Fallen Angles. Santan's Followers that were cast out of heaven. They are doomed to walk the earth and drink blood. They are trying to regain god's favor and return to paradise. The New York vampires came across on the Mayflower and have now amassed much wealth and prestige. They live among the elite heading up societies and businesses. They reincarnate and live 100 years. They regain there memories of their past life as the grow up and into there powers. So in that aspect the book is very original.

However, parts of the plot are very predictable, the forbidden love of Schuyler and Jack. The popular girl Mimi who is resentful of Schuyler and her best friend Oliver who is in love with her, though she doesn't know it. The drama of prep school rich kids. Kind of twist between Gossip Girl and The Sookie Stack House Novels.

The plot is catchy and a page turner. I would recommend these books to people who like a mystery, vampires, and high school drama all rolled into one! :)

hi

2009-05-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

My name is Alli and i like to read so I decided to start a blog about the books I'm reading.
My focus will mostly be young adult books probably geared to ages 15-25.
Thanks!