Thursday, August 25, 2011

Mockingjay

Mockingjay
Hunger Games #3
By Suzanne Collins
Published by Scholastics Press

This is the third and final installment of the Hunger Games trilogy.  In this novel we follow Katniss’ journey as she evolves into the face of rebellion.  The habitants of the 12 districts plus the secret district 13 worked towards a common cause; taking down the Capitol’s reign once and for all.  The Mockinjay is the symbol of rebellion because Katniss wore a Mockinjay pin when she was the first person to intervene subconsciously with the Capitol.  Throughout this novel we encounter themes like death, love and violence.  Who will Katniss choose: Gale or Peeta? The fight to freedom is a costly battle.  The question is will it be worth it?  Will they succeed?  What will Snow do?  Will Katniss be able to maintain her status?  Will Katniss survive?  What about Peeta and Gale?  This novel keeps the reader asking those questions right up to the end.  Almost all these questions are answered; a select few are left to the readers’ imagination.  When I read this book it was almost as if I was holding my breath because I could not believe what just happened.  It is full of surprises. 

I really liked this book.  I had a hard time putting it down, similar to its two precedent novels in captivation and wonder.  My favorite part of this novel was when Peeta started being his old self again, I was worried that what he went through would cause him to forget who he really was, the Peeta he was before he went into that first Hunger Game.  I was a bit disappointed with the end because there were still plenty of questions that were left unanswered.   If I could change anything in this book I think I would reduce some of the details and get to plot faster, I found the beginning to be rather slow.  Overall I would not touch it.  The details are to build anticipation and that is exactly what she did.   

I would recommend this book to anyone.  Although it’s meant for 14 – 17 year olds I think that even young adults maybe up to 25 would enjoy this novel.  It can be read without reading the two first ones but many details would be missing and it would not have the same effect if the two first novels had been read beforehand.   Anyone who is looking for an action book that as a lot of suspense when we wonder what will happen next would probably find what they are looking for in this novel.  Fortunately this novel as a bit of everything, that is what makes it an all around good book for both sexes to enjoy.




Monday, August 22, 2011

Catching Fire

Catching Fire
The Hunger Games Book #2
By Suzanne Collins
Published by Scholastic, Inc

This novel is a sequel to the well known novel titled the Hunger Games, from the Hunger Games series.  In this installment we mostly follow Katniss’ life after her first Hunger Games in which she was a victor along with Peeta.  Since Katniss is the main character the second is Peeta.   They embark on a journey together that is beyond expressions.  It is so captivating and riveting.  Their journey is not without bumps in the road.  She finds out that she represents something more to the people around her then she could have ever imagined.    

This author opened up her writing to allow the reader to feel like they have something in common with the characters even if it does not compare to the extent of what the characters are going through.  They worry about love and friendship.  They are concerned about their families and friends.  They ask themselves many questions that can be applied to almost anyone.  For example when they wonder what people will think if they so or do this. 

As a reader I really like this book.  I cannot really think of anything offhand that I would change about the novel; that’s how good it is.  Another thing I cannot think of offhand is what is my least or favorite parts of the novel; I loved the whole thing as a whole.  I can say that I liked the underlining meaning behind many things that happened.  The novel was unpredictable, witty and entertaining.   

I would recommend this book to male and female alike.  This is a perfect novel for young adults and even adults to get fully immersed into from the first page.  I give this book a 5 out of 5 rating.


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Ninth Summer

Ninth Summer
By Marjorie L. Anderson
Published by Dorrance Publishing.

As part of the Dorrance Publishing Review Team Program I received this complimentary copy of"Ninth Summer by Marjorie L. Anderson" Published by Dorrance Publishing

This story was about Clairie's life in her eyes.  She was not always perfect but who is.  At nine years old too much was expected from her.  She does what most nine year old girls do and she burden's herself with guilt.  She never meant to hurt anyone, whether it was through lies or accidents, she did not intend to hurt anyone when she committed them.

I did not really like this book.  I tried to appreciate it for what it is.  Unfortunately I found it dragged and it was really hard to get into.  It seemed all over the place and never really had any stable points of views; in the sense that the reader is looking through too many characters eyes and it was hard to keep track of what happened when and to who etc.  The author definitely as potential but the story itself could have been a lot better.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A Place Called Blessing

A Place Called Blessing
Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins 
By John Trent with Annette Smith
Published by Tomas Nelson

As part of a BookSneeze® registration I was given a complimentary copy of “A Place Called Blessing Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins by John Trent with Annette Smith” Published by Tomas Nelson

This novel is about a boy who unfortunately was not given the best chance to succeed.  By the age of five years old he had lost his parents, a couple of years later he lost his brothers.  Unfortunately the stars where not aligning for this little boy.  By the age of eighteen he decided to tough it out on his home and just when he was losing hope the stars started to align for me.  To go from having nothing to living under a roof is a big deal and with time he even got an education.  This story follows Josh’s life and his journey to unlikely success.  Along the way he as lost many things but with every loss he found something he could gain.  

I felt like I was really living the story, as if I was Josh.  John Trent writes with such passion that it is hard to put the book down.  This story made me so sad I cried and so happy I cried.   I cannot find fault in this novel.  It was so plausible and so heartwarming; I would not change a thing.  The message in this novel as definitely tested my faith.  I feel like I can believe again despite what I have went through.  Just like Josh as had the chance to.  This novel is so compelling that it has improved my faith and it will do the same for anyone who reads this novel.  I would recommend this novel to everyone.  It is a quick read that will forever change the readers’ perspective on life.  I'd give this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Final Summit

The Final Summit

A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity

By Andy Andrews    
Published by Thomas Nelson

As part of a BookSneeze® registration I was given a complimentarily copy of “The Final Summit – A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity by Andy Andrews”.  In part of the agreement I was to read the book in its entirety then write a review about it.

This story is about a man who is chosen to save humanity.  He experiences visions and epiphanies that will lead him into a whole new life style.  He becomes a Traveler and is the only Traveler still living.  The story follows his journey to answer a very complicated question.  The only way to find the answer is to look from within and look outside the box and inside the box at the same time.

This novel was alright.  I had a really hard time getting into it.  Nearly half way through was when I became interested.  Meeting the characters at the final summit is what caught my attention.  The story was meant to be suspenseful, wondering if David will figure out what he has been asked to reveal.  The author succeeded to make the readers wonder and really think about what could happen next.  The elements of the story flowed together. I was surprised with the outcome of the novel.  The message is heartwarming and inspiring.  The author made the readers think really hard about their own lives.  I would not say it challenged my faith but it made me grateful for my faith and what I do have.  I would recommend this novel to others if they are looking for a refreshing look on life. 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Kissed by an Angel trilogy

Novel information
Title:                                     
Kissed by an Angel trilogy

Author:                                               
Elizabeth Chandler
                                                                                                                 
Publisher:                            
Simon Pulse

Genre:                          
Romance

Number of pages:           
690 pages

Rating:                                  
5 of 5 points 
The Kissed by an Angel trilogy written by Elizabeth Chandler is a must read for all young adults.  It is my favorite novel.  Male or female readers can enjoy this novel.  The story is about the life changing events that occur in Ivy’s life.  She falls in love.  She struggles to maintain her friendships after she falls into a depressive state.  She struggles with family problems.  This novel incorporates love, hate, fear, thrill and trust.  There are life and death situations.  Elizabeth Chandler incorporates everything that makes a good book a good book. 
The first part of the book “Kissed by Angel” introduces the reader to a multiple amount of characters.  This part is mostly about friendship, high school and love.  The second part of the book “The Power of Love” is about friendship and the struggle her love has to overcome to protect her.  The third part of the book “Soulmates” is about survival, who will die and who will live.  
Ivy is a teenager.  She lives with her mother and younger brother.  They later move in with someone else.  Ivy has a passion for a particular belief that is based on her survival of an event that changed her life as a young child.  Again, as a teenager Ivy survives a life changing event, except this makes her lose the passion she had for a particular belief.  She finds out that someone she knows is not who they say they are.  Once she puts the pieces of the puzzle together she realizes that she is in trouble.  The problem is she as no one to turn too.  She is not the only character in trouble; her brother is also a target.  The question is can she fix everything?

Elizabeth Chandler words come to life in front of your eyes.  She captivates the reader from the first page.  She uses imagery effectively.  This novel is such a page turner; the reader cannot put it down.  When an author writes a novel they want the receptor to enjoy what they read.  They want their novel to captivate and inspire.  Elizabeth Chandler as accomplished her goal.  This novel is not like all other love stories, it is more than a romance, it is a life story.  It’s unforgettable and will stay with the reader for years to come.  The reader can read this book many times enjoy it even more every time.  Some parts a little bit unrealistic but it’s the bottom line that is important.  The values and morals of the novel are realistic and everyone can relate to them.
The author uses a third person narrative, a simple conversational style and she uses an informal tone.  This suits the audience intended very well, it is meant for the young adult audience.  When the characters speak they speak like young adults do.  For example: “But he’s totally hooked on you!” 
This is a work of fiction and the author incorporates many literary devices.  She uses allusions, metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, personification and puns.  The concepts and ideas in the novel are well developed and defined.  She covers all the basics and more.  She takes us on the journey of what true love is.  She shows us that no distance can come between a love so strong.  The book may be fictive and a bit unrealistic but the feeling the reader gets will reading this novel is genuine.  The characters in this novel are believable and loveable.  We have situations that many people go through.  Friendship and family problems, falling in love, falling out of love, fear, hate, etc. 
The plot is amazing.  It is not as predictable as she leads you to believe.  There are quite a few surprises that you don’t see coming. The climax is quite the turning point and sequence of events.  She makes good use of foreshadowing from the first chapter.  It is not a typical romance.  There is a whole sub plot that is a suspenseful thriller.  The setting of this novel is great the atmosphere and places of interest are real parts of everyone’s lives.  With all of that, the reader can find many aspects to relate to and get attached to.  As this is a fictive story the characters, setting and plot are not necessarily based on reality.  There are no images.  But the others write in a way that you can picture and image exactly what she is trying to show. 
On the back side of the novel there is a brief summary.  It is enticing.  The reader thinks they know the whole story but she only revealed a sixth of the events and situations.  It is not misleading.  It is inviting the reader to get comfortable and to start reading.  This book has accomplished to captivate the receptor.  It has brought us to a whole new world; a new world that could be plausible for some.  Many people wonder or strongly believe in guardian angels, so maybe it is not as paranormal as we think at least not to all readers.  The book as a satisfying ending but it can be followed, in 2011 by Evercrossed and that is followed in 2012 by Everlasting.

What else could you want in a book?  There is friendship, family, hardship, thrill, danger, death, fights etc.  There is something for everyone in this novel.  It can without a doubt be passed down for generations to come.  My favourite part is when Ivy starts to believe again.  My least favourite part is not a part but a character, Gregory disgusts me, but it would not be the great novel it is without him.  Elizabeth Chandler is a pseudonym for Mary Claire Helldorfer.  She lives in Baltimore Maryland.  She writes literature & Fiction, Children’s Books and Young Adult novels.  This novel is perfectly set up to be followed by another.  If you want to read something that will change your life and touch your soul, then the Kissed by an Angel trilogy by Elizabeth Chandler is a great book to get your hands on.  

Introduction

Hello,

My name is Amanda-Lynn

Welcome to my site.

I am a recent high school graduate but I will take one more year to refine my courses before proceeding into an English major at the local University.  I have been reading in French and in English since I was four years old.  I have read over 300 books.  I didn't write reviews for every book I ever read, because I never thought of it.   I created this site because I plan to write a review for every book I read from now on.
I am interested in fiction novels

  • Romance
  • Suspense
  • Comedy
I will start writing some very brief reviews on the books I have read in the past.