Review: All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Published: May 2014

Pages: 530-Hardcover

Synopsis:

Marie-Laure lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where he works as the master of its thousands of locks. When she is six, Marie-Laure goes blind and her father builds a perfect miniature of their neighborhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great-uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel.

In a mining town in Germany, the orphan Werner grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments, a talent that wins him a place at a brutal academy for Hitler Youth, then a special assignment to track the resistance. More and more aware of the human cost of his intelligence, Werner travels through the heart of the war and, finally, into Saint-Malo, where his story and Marie-Laure’s converge.

My Review: 

All the Light We Cannot See was a story that was both heartbreaking and beautiful. I had heard many good things about this story going into it and although it took me quite a while to get into, I'm glad I did. First off, the writing was one of the best parts of this book. The vivid imagery, metaphors, and similes were wonderful and completed the story. The characters were lovable and realistic. I loved the two different main characters: Marie-Laure and Werner. Marie-Laure was one of the most enjoyable main characters I have ever encountered. Her blindness often requires others help, but I love that she still seeks adventures on her own and finds passions that excite her. Werner was an interesting character to me. His desire to please others and his ability to question what is going on around him often conflicted. I do not think that Werner was a bad guy, I thnk he just became more of an accomplice to some pretty awful things. The way I look at it is that he knew what was going on was wrong but yet could not get himself to turn away from it. In the end, it is his desire to protect and help others that I will remember Werner for.

What is so heartbreaking about this book is it shows just how awful and horrifying war can be for all sides: civilians and soldiers. This book broke my heart in more ways than one and left me feeling content with the ending yet left me with a sense of sorrow for some of these fictional characters. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in World War II historical fiction, if you are looking for a beautifully written book or you want to try something new. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

 

Review: Eleanor&Park

Eleanor&Park by Rainbow Rowell

Published by:St.Martin's Press

Released on:February 26th,20 13

Pages:325 hardcover

Buy here

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love—and just how hard it pulled you under. 



This book had a lot of great reviews and of course when some book is supposed to be amazing, I have to check it out. The description given on goodreads isn't very specific so I shall elaborate. The book begins with Park sitting on the bus and in walks a vibrant and different looking girl who is unlike any other girl at their school. Immediately Park feels disdain for Eleanor as she is obviously putting herself in the position to be bullied. There arent't any seats available as people are not allowing her to sit with them. Park becomes furious at Eleanor and tells her to sit down. She obliges and the point of view switches to her. She's thankful that he let her sit down but she's smart enough to realize he's not a friend and he doesn't even want her to sit there.
Days pass and they still sit together in silence. Park loves comics and pulls them out to read while on the bus and he notices that Eleanor reads along with him. He doesn't mind and eventually offers her one to take home. That scene was so cute by the way. Eleanor's family life is not picturesque as Park's. Her mom married this man who abhors Eleanor and even sent her away for a year. Parks parents are married and he has a little brother. Life is perfect compared to Eleanor's.
They eventually start talking on the bus about comics and music and start walking with each other to their lockers. You know exactly where their relationship is going and you can't help but get butterflies when they share moments.
The book was as perfect as it could be. I could've read about them for years. It was so amazing to see the direction their relationship progressed. I think some people had issues with this book because it seemed non realistic but I would disagree with that because every relationship is different. I won't spoil anything but the ending made me cry just a little. Overall this book is one of the best I've read in 2013! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading,

Ashlinn

Review: Stolen

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Published by:Chicken House Ltd

Released on:May 4th, 2009

Pages:301 paperback

Buy here

It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him.
This is my story.
A letter from nowhere.

Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back?

The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don't exist - almost.

My thoughts:

 Wow. This book was wonderful. I feel like I say that about a lot of books but it's quite true. We meet Ty within the first few pages and you can't help but want to scream to Gemma, "no, you can't sit with him! He's going to take you from everything you know and expect you to love him!!Don't do it." But what would this story have been if that didn't happen?
 It's guaranteed you will despise Ty for a long time because Gemma does and he's a hooligan for taking her and expecting her to love him. Like mmm boy, you are crazy. Ty in the beginning came off arrogant, manipulative, and cunning. I hated him so much and even until the end I still hated him but not as much. Things started to change though, we saw a much more vulnerable and almost sweet side to him. Gemma eventually warms up to him and genuinely sees him as a better person. I think this story is an example of when you get to know someone, and I mean you really get to know them: weakness, strengths, secrets, triumphs, deepest wishes, and their scars, you can fall for them.That person is much more than their appearance at that point.
 The writing was phenomenal and makes you feel like you are right there on Gemma's journey. The ending was not exactly what I expected. It gives the reader a sense of closure but it's up to you to decide which direction Gemma took, and feel okay about the decision. This book was fantastic and I recommend it to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

Ashlinn

Review: The Maze Runer

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Published by:Delacorte Press

Released on:October 6th, 2009

Pages:374 hardcover

Buy here

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

My thoughts: 
  Wow, this book was just absolutely amazing. I had heard a lot of great things about the series and with The Maze Runner movie coming out February 14th, 2014 with one of my favorite actors playing Thomas, I knew I had to read it ASAP. 
  The book was slow and a little hard to understand in the beginning. Everything is confusing because the main character doesn't even have a clue about what has happened or about the way the Glade works. After a while, things become more clear and you start to really get into it because you want to know why Thomas is there and suddenly why this girl has appeared. 
  The setting in The Maze Runner was incredible (at least in my head lol). The characters were so different and interesting in their own way. My favorite characters are Newt and Chuck. Newt is one of the Keepers. The Keepers are the ones in charge basically because they all the decisions for all the Gladers. Newt was level-headed and so sweet. Chuck was awesome and seemed like a genuine friend. 
  The ending was a good way to wrap it up but still leave lots of questions unanswered. I've already read the first two chapters of The Scorch Trials(2nd book) and it left me with a huge cliff hanger I was like what the heck??!! Overall this book was really great and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. 

Let me know your thoughts if you've read it or plan to!

Happy reading,

Ashlinn 

Book Haul #1

Hello everyone,
Today I had the pleasure of going to Barnes&Noble to buy myself some books! My 16th birthday was on the 18th of July and yesterday was my birthday party. I was blessed with some funds to spend and thus decided to buy some books.
Alright here is the haul:
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Super excited to read this! I've heard really good things about this book. Gives me a Criminal Minds, mystery vibe.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
I already started reading this and so far it's pretty good. It's proved interesting to me and I just hope it keeps getting better. You guys might laugh about this but I actually decided to start reading it because one of my man crushes will star in the movie. Dylan O'Brien if you all are wondering who it is.

Eleanor&Park by Rainbow Rowell
Who hasn't heard about this book? I did a happy dance when I saw it in Barnes&Noble. Looks super cute and I'm hoping it is as great as everyone says it is!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
This book has been out for quite a while and I totally missed the bandwagon for it but oh well it's never too late. I'm not a fan for anything that's creepy, or scary but who knows this book might not be like that. But one of my friends said it was creepy so we shall see. Kinda reminds me of the show American Horror Story for some reaason.

That's all for now and I'm super excited for all of these books!

Happy Reading,

Ashlinn

Review: Paper Towns

Paper Towns by John Green

Published by:Dutton Juvenile

Released on:October 16th, 2008

Pages:305 hardcover

Buy here 

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life - dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues - and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer Q gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew.

 

My Thoughts:

  I decided to get this book at the library after looking for a new book to read by an author that I knew wrote great books. Thus comes along John Green. This book was excellent and I'm not exactly sure what else I could say besides that. It's not the type that I would fangirl over and recommend to everyone but at the same time if someone mentioned it or something reminded me of this story I wouldn't hesitate to talk about it.

  I liked Quentin, or Q, a lot. He was a cool dude. I could see myself being friends with him in real life. Q was real and you could relate to him on many different levels, and I appreciated that John Green made him that way. I really loved the whole adventure awaits, live free, do your thing, attitude Margo carried. Margo is a crazy soul and there was no stopping her from day one that's for sure. I'd say the majority of the story is Q searching for Margo and trying to decipher the clues left for him. Which was fun, because as the reader you're solving it along with him and coming up with your own theories. As time went on, Q became more desperate and desperate to find her, which I admire. I think until you're in a situation where the person you like or love has left, seemingly run away from your life, you never really know the lengths you will take to get them back or get an answer. And I'm still trying to figure out if you always do get that answer you're searching for, whether it be closure from that person or from yourself. Or if some things are meant to be left a mystery and we must move on with our lives and hope one day we will forget it and them.

  Overall, I'm happy I decided to read it and share my thoughts with you all. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Favorite Quotes of Paper Towns:
“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.”

“That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste.”

“When did we see each other face-to-face? Not until you saw into my cracks and I saw into yours. Before that, we were just looking at ideas of each other, like looking at your window shade but never seeing inside. But once the vessel cracks, the light can get in. The light can get out.” 

“The town was paper, but the memories were not.” 

 “Radar threw his books into his locker and shut it. Then the din of conversation around us quieted just a bit as he turned his eyes toward the heavens and shouted, "IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT MY PARENTS OWN THE WORLD'S LARGEST COLLECTION OF BLACK SANTAS.” Oh, how much I loved Radar. He was flawless. Let's be real.

That's all for now!

Comment please and Happy Reading,

Ashlinn

Catching Up!

Hello everyone who is reading this :). I'm sure many of you who follow totally forgot about my blog as it has been more than a year since my last post, but I just wanted to talk about the few amazing books I read during the year hiatus.
First off, I just finished my sophomore year, 10th grade, and as much as it was stressful it had many amazing moments and I'm thankful for all the people I got close to and everything I learned about myself and others. However I have 3 weeks until I start my junior year, so it's not the most convenient time to try to start blogging again so I probably won't be posting a lot but my hope is to review books that I had the great pleasure of reading. I've been trying to catch up on the latest and greatest books right now and reading my favorite book blogs which I have greatly missed.
Alright, onto the books I read:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I read this back in September of last year and yes it does indeed stack up to everyone's hype as anyone who has read it can confirm. I bought it during the summer and my friend who had read Divergent and Insurgent at the time told me I had to read it immediately. It was fabulous and is one of my favorite books, I honestly recommend it to anyone who I'm chatting with about books. I even got my little brother to read it(he loved it, keeps begging me to buy Insurgent) and he is not the type to love reading. My cousin Olivia, who basically is my double and fellow book nerd, finished it in a day and bugged me as well about getting Insurgent! And finally, the movie will be coming out in 2014!!Stoked.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Second book in the Divergent trilogy. I devoured this one and I liked it as much as Divergent. But I'm sure as all of you know second books don't always have the same spark as the first one did. The ending though, it was fabulous. Who's excited for Allegiant??Cause I sure am.

Review:The Fine Art of Truth or Dare

The Fine Art of Truth Or Dare

by Melissa Jensen

Published by: Speak

Released on: February 16th,2012

Pages:380 paperback

Buy here

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

 

    The Fine Art of Truth or Dare sounds like a cute read and it was but it just wasn't as good as I expected. The first couple chapters we're introduced to Ella an art junkie who is in love with Edward Willing who happens to be dead. And her two best friends; Frankie and Sadie. I loved Frankie he was one of those characters you can't help but want to be friends with them in real life. Sadie I felt like we didn't get to know her as much as Frankie but I still liked her. Ella's like any other love struck teenage girl. She likes this guy Alex Bainbridge one of the most popular guys at Willing. I didn't really think much of Alex because I was sort of in and out of the book but in the end I neither liked him or disliked him. He was just kind of blah. He's pretty much like another stereotypical athletic-boy-who-is-dating-the-most-popular-girl-but-who-then-starts-to-fall-in-love-with-the-quiet-invisible-girl-and-makes-her-feel-special. Not that there's anything wrong with that but it's just so overused. Overall this book was ok it was pretty long for my taste but I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Happy Reading,

Ashlinn

Review: Perdition

Perdition

(Goddess of Night Novella:Book Two)

by Ley Mesina

Released on:March 8th 2012

Pages:45 PDF

Buy here

In the second installment of the Goddess of Night series, Lily ventures out into the Underworld determined to find Nyx and finally get the answers she’s been looking for.

Xander, Drew, and Roxy head out on a mission to rescue Roxy’s parents from the secret facility hidden below Devlond University.

The time has come. Secrets will finally be revealed and the world they once knew will change…  Forever.

   Perdition was a great second installment to the Goddess of Night Series. Immediately I connected with the characters again. I had forgotten some of the story because I read Reborn last summer but I immediately caught on. 

  I felt like I got to know Lily a lot better and I'm glad the book answered some remaining questions from the first book. Also I'm very happy that Xander and Lily's romantic relationship progressed. Overall I enjoyed the book very much and I'm looking forward to the third book. I rate this 4 out of 5 stars.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Ashlinn

P.s. I will be out of town for a couple days so I plan to 

read some great books!

Review:Freshman Year&Other Unatural Diasters

Freshman Year&Other Unnatural Diasters

by Meredith Zeitlin

Published by:Putnam Juvenile

Released on:March 1st,2012

Pages:288 hardcover

Buy here

Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

    This was such a cute and fun read! Kelsey is a relatable character to any teenage girl out there. Her friends were also so funny! I mean every teenage girls has gone through at least one of the embarrassing moments in life. I mean I have my fair share, I embarrass myself daily. No joke. I loved that it started off just when she was starting high school and then her first day because I'm a freshman too! Although none of the crazy stuff has happened to me yet it did make for some exciting moments. I can relate to Kelsey so well because going into high school is such a scary thing, I was scared out of my pants the first week! But high school is awesome and super fun if you make it that way.


   I thought this book was very well written and is a must read for incoming freshman or girls in high school. I rate this 4 out of 5 stars! Check it out.

Happy reading y'all!

Ashlinn

Review:The Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

(#2 The Heroes of Olympus)

Published by:Hyperion Books

Released on:October 4th,2011

Pages:513 Hardcover

Buy here

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa tol him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth 

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes od Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven

I reviewed the Lost Hero here

My Review-

         I had many predictions coming into this because at the end of The Lost Hero there was a huge cliffhanger. I think because it has been a while since I had read the first book I forgot some things but that's ok. We were introduced to two new demigods; Hazel and Frank. Each chapter switched to a different character so Percy, Hazel then Frank. I really do enjoy reading from different points of views because you get the picture from different angles.Anyways I truly do like Frank and Hazel maybe more so than Jason, Piper, and Leo. I felt like these two characters were more etched out and had more depth to them. Ahhh Frank was awesome he is that sweet boy who you always smile and laugh at because their adorable. As I was thinking about the ending I couldn't help but feel the last 50 pages or so were completely rushed. Like Riordan spent 400+ pages on descriptions and backgrounds stories but when it came to the interesting dramatic part he blew over it. Regardless of that blurp I liked the book a lot and rate it 4/5 stars! The next book The Mark of Athena is scheduled to come out October 2nd,2012!

Review:Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You by Brian Rowe

(#3 Birthday Trilogy)

Released on:December 2nd,2011

Pages:293 PDF

Buy here

Newlyweds Cameron and Liesel Martin aren't able to celebrate their wedding bliss for long. Not only is Liesel unexpectedly pregnant... they're also facing the end of humanity!

Liesel's evil witch sister Hannah has cast a spell to make all humans on Earth age a whole year with every day. It's up to Cameron and Liesel to stop her... and save the world! Who will survive? And who will perish?

Here it is at last... the third and final epic chapter of the Birthday trilogy... Happy Birthday to You!

   This is the third and final story in the Birthday trilogy. This one was especially emotional because everything was coming to a close and the world could've possibly ended. Cameron has been through aging to 80 and almost dying and almost dying at the age of 1. Now everyone else is aging a year each day and Lisel and Cameron are the only one who can stop it. I wish I could tell you all what happens in the end but I don't want to ruin it. This was not my perfect ending but it was still a good ending. I rate this 4 out of 5 stars because it made me cry my eyes out.Thanks Mr.Rowe for the copy and all the other books!

Happy Reading y'all!

Ashlinn

Review: The Beautiful Code

The Beautiful Code by Sadie Hayes

(#3 Start-Up Series)

Published by:Backlit Fiction

Released on:December 20th,2011

Pages:64 kindle

Buy here

Set against the fast-paced, winner-take-all world of Silicon Valley, where today’s software geek is tomorrow’s billionaire, The Start-Up chronicles the meteoric rise of Adam and Amelia Dory, a talented brother and sister team. With only each other to rely on, the naive eighteen-year-olds must make their way through a treacherous world of money, power, and envy.

This suspenseful and exciting episode is the third installment in an ongoing serial story.

  

     This is the third installment of the Start-Up series about two siblings who are making it big in the tech world. I was excited too read this one because book 2 had a cliffhanger at the end. And boy does this one have as well. Amelia and Adam Dory travel to the beautiful Hawaii to do some business. During this time they meet competitors,learn about their business and learn about everyone's love life. Overall I enjoyed the book and I like the series well enough to keep on reading but I don't discourage you to try them out. I rate this 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you Ms.Hayes for a copy!

Happy reading,

Ashlinn

Review: Wildefire

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

(#1 Wildefire Series)

Published by:Simon&Schuster

Released on:July 26th,2011

Pages:393 Hardcover

Buy here

Every flame begins with a spark.
Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.


  I know I am totally late on the Wildefire boat but better late than never:
Ashline Wilde or commonly known as Ash(which I think is better fit for her) is our main character. Her older sister Eve comes back into her life and shakes up her semi-normal life. Something terrible happens and Ash has to transfer to a boarding school in the middle of the Californian forest. Finally finding peace at school after making the tennis team and making new friends Ash thinks life is is perfect now. After a terrifying encounter along with some of her new friends she finds out that are all mythology characters being reincarnated after their deaths.WOW!


I thought the idea of this book was really interesting and also because the main character and I share the same name!I also think its kind of interesting because Ashline is an Irish name and shes Polynesian. I really like Ash mainly because of her kick-assness and sarcasm. And the other supporting characters as well, they all added amazingness to the story. Also Colt,her love interest sound amazingly wonderful! And man can I say that last chapter was freaking amazing, wow what a bunch of cliffhangers! I am so excited for Embers&Echoes which comes this summer. Hopefully it will be published around my birthday!I rated this 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Happy reading and have a good week!

Ashlinn

In My Mailbox #9

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **

This week I bought 6 books and got 1 book for review. You can find the goodreads link by clicking on the title.

Bought:

Switched by Amanda Hocking  

#1 Trylle Trilogy,love the cover!

Pretty Little Secrets by Sara Shepard 

 Takes place between Book 4 and 5, short story collection.

Ruthless by Sara Shepard

#10 Pretty Little Liars series

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

#1 Wolves of Mercy Halls Trilogy, I know I finally got this!

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

Sounds amazing and a tear jerker!

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

#2 Heist Society Series, can't wait to read!

For Review:

Sweetness by Lindsay Paige

#1 Bold as Love Series

So question for my readers, what book would you like to see me review first

because I'm totally stumped!?

Have a great week and happy reading!

Ashlinn

Review:Where She Went

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

(#2 If I Stay)

Published by:Dutton Juvenile

Released on:April 5th,2011

Pages:260 Hardcover

Buy here

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.


 Sorry for the hiatus but when its close to the end of the year I'm a busy girl. Anyways about a week ago I finished Where She Went which is the sequel to If I Stay by Gayle Forman. I loved it, even more than If I Stay. Instead of Mia's point of view we get a look inside Adam Wildes "crazy celebrity" life. We learn that things aren't so,what's the saying?Cherry?Peachy?As it all seems. One night while both in New York they meet and wander across New York where things are discussed about where their relationship went and where it stands now. Adam is furious that Mia left but yet still understands. Mia is of course sorry and wants to reconnect and talk about his life. Adam isn't even talking to the band,his girlfriend is always off doing her own thing. And when he's alone all he can think about it her and what happened. Overall it was a great book I rate it 5 out of 5 stars!

Have a Happy New Year!

Ashlinn

In My Mailbox #8

** In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. **

These past two weeks I've gotten 2 books for review and I bought 1 book.

I got from Barnes and Noble The Iliad and The Odyssey collection book.

They also had a lot of others such as Grimm's fairytale, Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia. My English class just finished up our Greek Mythology unit and I've always wanted to read the Odyssey.

Review Books:

 Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer

Contemporary!!!

Happy Birthday to You by Brian Rowe

Final book in birthday trilogy!

Review: The Start-Up and Anti-Social Network

The Start-Up&The Anti-Social Network

by Sadie Hayes

Published by:Backlit Fiction, LLC

Released on:October 17th,2011

Pages:

Buy here

When a college freshman's breakthrough software program catapults her into the limelight, she and her twin brother must navigate a treacherous world of money, power, and envy: Silicon Valley.

In a world of tweets, apps, and mobile games, The Start-Up is a fast-paced and exciting serial story with a new episode released each month.

 The Dory twins grew up with nothing. Now on the verge of having everything, their fledgling company—built on Amelia’s intellect and Adam’s ambition—threatens to be torn apart by new, powerful enemies and old, malicious ones.

The Anti-Social Network is the second episode in The Start-Up series, a fast-paced and exciting serial story.

* The author sent me copies to review these books but opinions are all my own*

                Since these both are short novellas I thought I might just combine the reviews together. Basically this is about two siblings in college who are trying to make it big in the world while still living the normal college life. I liked Adam and Amelia they were independent and somewhat driven. They came from very hard backgrounds; foster homes and never having much money to do and buy things. When they get the scholarship to attend one of the most prestigious schools in the US you can't help but be happy that the bad days are over. Its hard for these young CEO's to make their mark but we all know they can. These books were good I rate them 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Happy Reading!

Ashlinn

Review:Tallen

Tallen by M.L. Saywer

(Quest of the Demon Aftermath)

Published by:Equilibrium Books

Released on:December 1st,2011

Pages:251

Buy here

Growing up not far from the road to Chinta on the edge of the Jungle Dragon, Tallen is excited to have her two brothers home. Recent times have been hard, Tallen herself barely surviving an attack by a derelict stranger in their very own barn.

The war that never was has relieved them of their duty at Chinta, so much so, that her father, the Sergeant of the Guard, is able to return for a visit, bringing news of a possible suitor for Tallen, given that she is almost of that age.

Tallen is not sure what she wants, and the man her father brings home is not what anyone expected. But at least she knows that her family has her best interests at heart when the pompous, self-interested merchant's son is sent back to Chinta.

The aftermath of the Offworlder's quest remains uncertain, the battle apparently lost. But for a reluctant Tallen, the journey is only just beginning, upon a path from which there may be no return.

Thank you Ms.Sawyer for a copy!

 I reviewed Quest of the Demon the first book a while back here is the link. I liked Quest of the Demon and I think I liked Tallen even more. We were introduced to Tallen in Quest of the Demon when Darby and her were attacked by a man in Tallen's barn. I like Tallen a lot. In QOD I thought she was very young and naive but she really is a strong young lady. I just want to say that Ms.Sawyers writing has improved since her first novel! If your looking for a fun and adventurous read this is your calling....I rate this 4 out of 5 stars!Check it out.

Review:Spirits of Glory

Spirits of Glory 

by Emily Devenport

Published by:Smashwords

Released on:October 24th,2010

Pages:

Buy here

One morning the people of the North woke up and the people of the South were gone. That s the first thing every child learns on the colony world of Jigsaw. But for one girl, knowing about The Disappearance is not enough. Hawkeye wants to know why.

That's why she spent half her life researching The Disappearance. And that's also why eight Neighbors show up on her doorstep, demanding that she accompany them into the Forbidden Cities ruled by the Southern gods to speak with the Spirits of Glory. Everyone thinks Hawkeye is an expert on Neighbors, these almost-humans who move, talk, and think as if they were born inside one of the Time Fractures. But she can't imagine what they want to ask the ghosts of their ancestors, or why they need her to go along. The Southern gods caused every human inhabitant of the Southern cities to disappear overnight : what else might they do?


But the Northern gods say Hawkeye should go and her curiosity won't let her refuse, even though she's going into more danger than she can imagine. Pain and puzzlement wait along the broken interstate, along with scavengers who want to kill them all. Hawkeye's questions only generate more questions as they move farther and farther into the South, right into the heart of the Disappearance, until Hawkeye's questions have all been answered.

Even the ones she was afraid to ask.
*I received a copy for review, thank you Ms.Devenport!*


The main character is Hawkeye as everyone calls her. The one thing I admire about her is her selflessness. I love that she looks out for her animal friends and I thought it was incredibly adorable. There was also some romance and I approve of the guy Hawkeye likes. I also liked the spiritual aspect.The Neighbors are a huge role in the story. And no they're not actually like next door neighbors. They're kind of like messengers for the gods.  Anyways this story was really good and I rate it 4 out of 5 stars! Ms.Devenport has a nice writing style where you don't have to add in 10 words to a sentence to be more descriptive.Check it out on smashwords.