Just One Wish by Janette Rallison Review

"Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it's all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.

But Annika's plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?

Janette Rallison's proven talent for laugh-out-loud humor, teen romance, and deep-hearted storytelling shines in a novel that will have readers laughing and crying at the same time."

Just One Wish is a hilarious and snarky book. Although it not crying material (not really because crying isn't crying unless you are the sibling of a cancer patient), Just One Wish is totally wish worthy. (But I don't recommend doing all those things Annika Truman has done because it is just too crazy, unless you actually have a genie.) Just One Wish is unbelievable, yet also beautiful and gorgeous. (I know, I haven't call recent books that, but truly Just One Wish is). 

I can't help but reread my favorite parts of Just One Wish. Kissing scene. Reread. Jeremy and his television idol (a Robin Hood) scene. Reread. The last few sentences in Just One Wish. Reread. I want to know what happens after Just One Wish. I need a sequel because it is just so good. (Maybe a little more about the new couple in town.) 

Just One Wish is perfectly paced, if you are after a quick book. It's crazy, downright crazy. With a missing snake, a cancer patient, and a determined Annika Truman, along with a hunky, but hot actor, who by the way plays Robin Hood, Just One Wish is destined to go wrong. The plot goes nuts; sometimes I wonder what is going to happen next and what happens in the end. (Duh, Annika gets the boy.) But some other parts are quite surprising. (Like Jeremy asking for the real live Robin Hood visit him and teach him how to shoot arrows.) 

The writing of Janette Rallison is perfect. I love how humorous and homey Ms. Rallison's writing is, despite the seriousness of the situation. (Hello? Jeremy has cancer, don't tell me you forgot about that.) I'm addicted to the way she writes because I can't help but soak into the storyline. 

The ending is beautiful. I love how old yet young Jeremy seems to be; he's only six years old and is about to go under surgery. 

I have no problem with Annika's character (other than how crazy and dangerous she is). Don't forget about Robin Hood. The real live Robin Hood is sweet and wonderful, but I don't understand why he likes Annika. Don't forget that Annika's seventeen and therefore underaged. 

Rating: Four out of Five 

United We Spy by Ally Carter Review

"Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever."

United We Spy is the end of a humorous and delightful series by Ally Carter. (Goodbye. I'll miss you forever and ever and ever. I love you so much, all of you six little sweet books.) <- Ignore that. It's my farewell message to the entire series.

United We Spy is as awesome as the first and second and fourth book in the Gallagher Girls series. (I wonder if there's going to be a Blackthorne Boys series or something like that. It would be totally awesome, right?) United We Spy is a great book, but not as great as Out of Sight, Out of Time. To me, United We Spy digs through the personalities of other character (other than Cammie and Zach). Out of Sight, Out of Time pays more attention to Cammie and Zach. I say Cammie's and Zach relationship grew the most in Out of Sight, Out of Time, more than in United We Spy.

(BTW, the cover looks absolutely awesome. I love it.)

Okay, United We Spy is about three hundredish pages, but it's amazing. I love every moment (especially Catherine moments with Zach). Ohhh! I wish I could tell you the greatest spoiler in all of history. (Actually, I have a change of heart, I will.) The plot is crazy. I swear that if I ever see this book in paperback, I will rip it up into pieces. Wow, this is just a hard plot to follow. Cammie was there and there and there, but now here and there, there and here. Yep, it's as confusing as my wording.

The writing of the author is as fantastic as ever. (Remember all that humor? Well, yeah. It's pretty much in there, except in Out of Sight, Out of Time. Out of Sight, Out of Time is pretty much the most serious book of all the Gallagher Girls Books.) It's addicting and the humor with words is pretty much one of the reasons I stick around with the series.

The ending nearly made me sob with joy. There's a lot of good messages in the end. But I'm so full of feelings. It's a sad thing to be leaving a series I've been reading for quite awhile. (And I love how Catherine tells everyone that Zach's father was Agent Townsend, aka Aunt Abby's boyfriend.) Maybe I should add some quotes. I'll add them here:

"She looked at him [Zach] and shook her head, smiled a little as she told him, “You are so like your father.” 

Then she looked past me and Zach, past Bex and Abby, to where Agent Townsend stood by the door with his arms crossed.

“What do you think, Townsend, darling? Isn't he like you?” She looked at Zach again. “I think he’s just like you."

Yeah, that's the big moment of revealing of Zach's biological father.  (Catherine is under truth serum, so she can't be lying, guys.)

The Couples: Cammie Morgan and Zach is pretty much the boring couple in this book. Yeah, even Joe Solomon's and Cammie's mom has more excitement. (I don't know about Townsend and Abby. And I don't even want to know).

Rating: Four out of Five

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi Review

"It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first. Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure-and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable."

I rarely do this but I must talk about the cover. HOT! Although quite inaccurate. Perry's hair, according to the book, is long and woven into braids (I believe, I'm not sure on the braids part). Where's his Blood Lord necklace? Where's his bow and arrow (although it doesn't have to in the cover, because Perry is mentioned no carrying his bow and arrow)?

Through the Ever Night will make readers go *Facepalm*. Yup, there's some slap-this-character-in-the-face-then-dump-their-bodies-into-the-river moments. Overall, Through the Ever Night makes me want to pump my fist up towards the never blue sky. (Yes, pun intended). Through the Ever Night is the sequel to the hot new book, Under the Never Sky. If you haven't read Under the Never Sky, then I suggest you to read Under the Never Sky before trying here.

The beginning start off awesome. I was like "Eeee!" and "Ohmygod. Ohmygod." I love how the beginning opens up with the rekindled romance between Aria and Perry. (And then, of course, something will go very, very wrong; I smelt it.)

The middle part of the book is so what-in-the-world-is-this-author-doing. There's random characters popping up and room for plenty of wondering. I have a difficult time of pasting one event to another chapter because there's so much rushing in this little amount of pages.

The ending is just as wonderful as the beginning. I see how the characters end up in a worse, yet also better position than they were in the beginning. (Whoops, big spoiler.) Anyway, the ending leaves plenty of room for questions and mysterious plots. (There's room for revenge). (Great, now the theme song of Revenge is coming on.)

Aria and Perry aren't very bright in this novel. Aria, I get that you're all under stress and everything, but Perry? What in the world are you doing? So what? That happens and this happens. You can do it; you had before. You freaking move on, Perry. Life goes on and you need to follow.

Rating: Three Point Five out of Five
Rounded to Four

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK by Betsy St. Amant Review

"Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tireless played the role of PK—preacher’s kid—her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. She isn’t so sure she wants to be the good girl anymore. Join Addison Blakely as she attempts to separate love from lust, facts from faith, and keep her head above water in her murky, fishbowl existence."

For all of those of you that are wondering what "PK" stands for, I'll give you the answer. "PK" stands for pastor's kid. It could stand for worse, so this one isn't exactly that bad. Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK is a ridiculously long title; I mean, who names their books like that because I'm not even sure if I'll remember this book two years from now. A short book title like Echo by Alyson Noel, now that's short and memorable. Ask me in two years, whether or not I remember this title. (Most likely, I will because I do remember titles pretty well, although I might get the wording wrong.) 

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK is a surprising and nice shock to me, because I don't read this types of book very often. If you look at my book list, you'll see dystopian, suspense, thriller, magic, paranormal, and other crazy fiction books. (Although, you may occasionally see nonfiction books because I do read books like that.) I can't really say how much I like Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK, because there's some parts I don't really like. It's not love, but it's not hate. It's a little more on the positive side of this colorful rainbow. 

The plot moves slowly; although it quickly picks up once we meet the German girl, who's also a pastor's kid, but doesn't tell Addison Blakely that because she wanted Addison "to figure things out" on her own. There's so many things going on in this book. There's a talent show, then there's the love triangle, and then there's a German girl shaking up everything in the town, and there's the English teacher dating Addison's pastor dad, and then there's the jock who's trying to get Addison's affections. Yeah, obviously there's so much going on in Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK. 

Then the ending is a great, powerful ending. It's a shame the author shoves everything good into the end; I wish she spread it out a little more, because I'm so surprised by how fast the author rushed through the book. All these happy endings, except one certain one, because someone is going away. I love how many people changed by Addison's bravery and strength to do what she ends up doing in the end. She questions and pushes to see where it will all lead.

Addison Blakely, obviously, is the person who changed the most of all. In the beginning, she's ignorant. She's good. She sees the world as black and white, never as gray or colorful. Sometimes I shake my head, wondering what exactly is going on in her subconscious. If she's not saying anything to me, then I would raise my eyebrows and ask, why did she do that? 

Wes Keegan has Twilight written all over. Other than the different names and all that stuff; I noticed some similarities between the hunky, sparkly vampire to this bad boy biker. One is a good boy. One is a bad boy. Guess, who's who. Anyway, they both play the piano. They both stay out of the limelight (although one does whatever the girl tells him to do). They have bad backgrounds (sort of). Actually, this is more related to another guy, but I'm not going to mention who it is. He does have many similarities to the vamp. 

Rating: Three Point Five out of Five
Rounded to Four. 

The Gathering by Michael Carroll Review

"The battle between superhero and villain escalates in this pulsepounding sequel!

Having thwarted Max Dalton's scheme to drain the world's superhumans of their powers, Colin Wagner has taken on the mantle of Titan and, with partner, Diamond, is using his newfound abilities to rid the London streets of crime. But our young heroes' lives are irrevocably changed when an unknown adversary leaks their secret identities to the world. Forced to flee to the United States with their friend Danny Cooper, who is coping with the loss of his arm and the dark prophecy surrounding his future, the trio must learn to master their powers and work together if their mysterious foe is to be defeated.

New heroes are introduced, old friends and enemies return, and life-changing choices will be made in this second installment of Michael Carroll's superhero saga that dares to ask the question: Will Quantum's Prophecy come to pass?" 

Now this is better. The sequel to the Awakening, The Gathering is a better tale than the woefully depressing book The Awakening. (Yeah remember me yelling at The Gathering for most of my review, well this is the happier side of this series.)

The Awakening is a fast paced book with tons of action, more than what's in the Gathering. It's a lot more satisfying than rolling eyes at the horrible plot of The Gathering. (Rolling eyes, after all hurts my mind after twitching all those muscles.) The Gathering should have been the first book of the superhero series, because this is way more awesome. 

The plot is obviously much better than The Gathering; it's less confusing and more fun. There's a stronger level of excitement here. With an kick-butts conflict and tormented characters, The Gathering is a fun ride to read. 

Then there's the ending. WOW. I love it. When everything goes so well, but the main character (Colin Wagner) has to make a big decision whether to save his best friend or save innocent lives. Every character has to make the "BIG decision" (ex: Percy Jackson giving Luke the knife, Percy Jackson deciding to fall with Annabeth [Yeah, Percy Jackson is a pretty good place to pick out examples]). 

Most of the characters didn't have big character changes (other than Colin and Danny). They seem to be normal and living, of course. 

Rating: Three out of Five

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate Review

"What is this prep school preparing them for?

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam—and readers—stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel."

The Last Academy is another ghost story with mixes of Greek mythology and high school drama. (And ghost stories, Greek Mythology, and high school drama should never ever ever mix together ever again unless it's written by Riordan.) There's a lot of references to places in the Greek mythology. (Whoops, spoiler). For example, Lethe is obviously referring to the river Lethe in the Underworld. And what else? Eh, disappearing girls, well that seems to be new. And an academy instead of the Percy Jackson waiting room in The Lightning Thief? Wow, this has to be the first. 

Yeah, you probably don't understand half of what I'm saying. And I don't expect you too, unless you already read The Last Academy. (Spoiler, without spoiling. That's interesting.) 

The Last Academy is exciting although I hate the middle and end parts of The Last Academy. There are parts where I want to scream "Damn it CAMDEN FISHER!!! You are such a lousy idiot of this world and I don't care which world are I am talking about." (Yeah, I'm in a pretty bad mood today. I don't plan to be this hilarious, usually.) 

The plot is incredibly slow like slower than a freaking turtle. And that's pretty slow. I notice that YA books tend to be quick and fast, but not too fast or else the readers will tend to get bored quickly enough (and maybe even get lost), but The Last Academy is... I don't even want to go any further. Then there's the writing. The writing is so much better than the plot. I love the web Anne Applegate created in the beginning because it truly is addicting and fun. There's a lot of sympathy for the main character before The Last Academy starts to go...

Wacko. That's the ending too. That's all I'm going to say for now. 

Now onto Camden Fisher. She's a damn idiot. Sometimes I just want to her to smack herself in the head and die. (Oh wait, she's already...) 

Rating: Two out of Five

The Awakening by Michael Carroll Review

"It has been ten years since the great battle that wiped out all the superhumans. Whether they all died that day or simply lost their powers and blended back into society, only one thing is certain: They are gone. Or are they? Thirteen-year-olds Danny and Colin have recently begun changing. How can they explain Dannys newfound ability to move at the speed of light, or Colins surprising strength? They can't, but their parents the lost generation of superhumans can. They have been watching and waiting for these changes. So have others and not everyone is happy about the boys new powers. Some will do anything to stop them.

Michael Carroll delivers an action-packed story in the tradition of the Alex Rider Adventures and the X-Men, with enough twists and intrigue to keep the pages flying by."

The Awakening is similar to X-Men, but I'm not so sure about Alex Rider. Alex Rider is an espionage book, not a superhuman power book. The characters aren't Alex Rider types so this isn't following the Alex Rider/James Bond type. 

The Awakening isn't very exciting for me. This is me for like the entire book: uh huh, uh huh, uh huh. Okay I'll just go along with that. That okay. Whatever. (And that's pretty much it). Truth is, when writers put this into words, instead of awesome comic books, the mutants (X-Mens, too) aren't as awesome as they used to be. Comic books should never be converted into regular old books. That is a huge no-no unless you're Tahereh Mafi and writing about a love triangle. 

The Awakening's plot is okay. I spend years reading comic books and Batman comic books, among other heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Zatanna, Supergirl. (There's a lot.) This was the time when I was pretty young and liked nothing better than to waste my time and drool over Bruce Wayne's muscular body (the abs) and pretty face (on film and in comics). It was before I found my one and true love (Long and anticipating series with awesome characters) Anyway, that's beside the point, but the point is that comic books are filled with action and thrills while this book is um...not filled with action and thrills? Wait, let me say this again. The Awakening is not exciting. It is not amazing. It is a X-Men wannabe book, that fails competely. 

The ending is even worse. At least, comic book writers could put an intriguing and curious ending in their books. This one in Awakening only made me fall asleep and sleep and sleep for a bit longer than usual. (Okay that was the weirdest sentence I'd ever typed). 

Since, I'm kind of bored, I decided to include a list of heroes in The Awakening and compared them to comic book heroes.

Colin and his dad: Superman's strength and hearing
Danny and his dad: Flash's speed and the future telling ability from Jedi from Star Wars
Diamond: (You should be able to guess this) Emma Frost's ability to turn her skin into diamond. 
Facade: Mystic (Who else?)
Energy: Hints of Storm
Paragon: Steel (DC) 

Rating: One out of Five

Dark Eyes by William Richter Review

"Wally was adopted from a Russian orphanage as a child and grew up in a wealthy New York City family. At fifteen, her obsessive need to rebel led her to life on the streets.

Now the sixteen-year-old is beautiful and hardened, and she's just stumbled across the possibility of discovering who she really is. She'll stop at nothing to find her birth mother before Klesko - her darkeyed father - finds her. Because Klesko will stop at nothing to reclaim the fortune Wally's mother stole from him long ago. Even if that means murdering his own blood. But Wally's had her own killer training, and she's hungry for justice."

Dark Eyes is one of those mafia books, where the heroine dabs into the wretched ways of murder and other gooey stuff. Yeah, this book sounds a bit like All the Things I've Done and the rest of the books in that series. (Wow, it's been a long time since I've read stuff like this.) Dark Eyes is a book where readers discover how much they know yet also find out how much they woefully don't know. For example...oh wait, that will be a huge spoiler alert.

Dark Eyes is a book recommended to fans of All the Things I've Done and other Russian mafia/American mafia books. It's recommended to fourteen or older, because there is some inappropriate scenes (and gooey) in that thick three hundred pages or so. 

Dark Eyes' plot is very active; although quite boring for like the middle parts of the book. It should had been very active and murderous, because of the interesting characters (like Klesko) in the book. But frankly, it's quite droll. The writing holds an ominous and thud-thud-thud tone. Readers know that something but will happen, but can't quite place where the feeling's coming from. 

The ending of Dark Eyes is okay. I don't see a reason to hate it; oh wait...I do have a reason to hate it. Damn it, that freaking guy survived the bullet. Yeah, this ending is totally pointless because...well mob guys, especially sons of assassins don't miss their targets. 

I don't see that much character growth in Dark Eyes. Everyone seem to be cruel, filthy, traitorous, evil, or all of the above. 

Rating: Two out of Five

Vortex by S.J. Kincaid Review

"The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom’s loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone that matters to him?

Filled with action and intelligence, camaraderie and humor, the second book in S.J. Kincaid’s futuristic World War III Insignia trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty, and friendship."

*Facepalm* Oh my goodness, Vortex is a nightmare. It's an utter disaster with me slamming the book into the ground and the book...Well, it has a better fate compared to me (I'm mentally scarred forever until a good book in this series arrives).

After highly anticipating the sequel of Insignia, I am sorely disappointed by the oh-so-whatever performance by Vortex. As the second book of Insignia, Vortex is expected to be better than Insignia (and there's a small chance that that is possible, although not very likely. Insignia is a great kick). No, Vortex has all the symptoms of a whiny middle child. The third child or the third book in the Insignia series better be kicking butts. Vortex is not even close to being on my top ten list of books I've read this year. No, it's closer to the middle. That's how bad Vortex performed.

Part of the problem is the characters (which I will explain later, especially Tom Raines). Another part is the plot and writing style of the author. And there's a third problem that is not so big. The ending. (And I'll explain all of these, of course.)

Okay, remember when we were kids, we used to do timelines in school because, well, we had to and our grades were going to die if we didn't do it. Do you remember that kid who doesn't care what he gets for a grade? That kid who throw random events in a random sequence? Yeah, that kid is the author, as the timeline is to the plot. Vortex is basically a story with a randomly placed plot. I mean, I don't understand why half of these characters appear at the oddest times. And sometimes Vortex seems so slow (it's about four hundred pages and it seems slow!).

Vortex starts off well, but then the writing style of the author is so disorganized. I feel like the author rushed everything (even though the plot is kind of slow) and didn't really edit/revise Vortex before sending it off to the publishers. What is the author working on that causes him to make some errors in Vortex? The next book in the Insignia series? It better me; and he better do the third book better. (Wow, all theses "better"s is going crazy.)

The ending is well...ruined too. Goodness cow! (LOL. COW, of all things?) I hate Tom. I hate Medusa. I hate Wyatt. I hate Blackburn. I hate Yuri. I hate Heather. Vik's cool...wait...that thing he said...actually no. Ya, I hate nearly everyone in this book except Elliot. He's awesome, like NPH (Neil Patrick Harris/Barney Stinson awesome). Mostly, the reason why the ending is ruined is because of Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom, and Tom. Yeah, Tom, I don't like you very much.

Now the characters, starting with the troublemaker. Tom, you are the stupidest person who ever lived. I don't like you very much. Tom reminds me of a soldier with a gun (in this case, his interface power), who has too much swagger. He thinks the world is going to stop for him. He thinks the world center around him. He thinks the world owes him something. (Well, guess what Tom? The world was here first, not your ungrateful pig butt!)

Now, there's the other characters. Blackburn, I thought he would be more of a father figure to Tom until I realize that there's no good left in him. Only darkness, anger, a computer, and revenge is all there's left. He is an abyss of darkness. Wyatt is a complete idiot; although her feelings are more revealed in Vortex, hinting a slightly more complicated character. She, apparently, has an okay EQ score after all. Then there's Vik, who is the biggest idiot in the world. That's all I need to say. Moving on, there's Yuri, who is well Yuri except mind controlled by the most powerful man in the world. (Oops, spoiler.)

The more major characters are Medusa and Elliot. Medusa, you are a true damsel in distress. And your appearances in the book are odd; but there's the idiotic problem. Here some free advice girl: Once a boy betrays you, he will betray you again. I guarantee it. Now on to book version NPH. (I wish it was NPH.) Elliot Ramirez (I may have misspelled his name, but I don't care) may not be good with computers, but he is good at handing out free advice. He's totally drool worthy until you realize...well, there's already someone in his life.

Rating: Two out of Five

Icecore: A Carl Hobbes Thriller by Matt Whyman Review

"He's a seventeen-year-old British computer hacker who penetrated the security systems at Fort Knox for a laugh. But the American government was less than amused. Since his prank, gold bars have been landing in the hands of terrorists across the globe.Now, Carl has found himself in a military prison deep in the Arctic and far off the grid. He's been caged alongside the world's most notorious terrorists, with no one to trust and no end in sight.Carl Hobbes may not be a criminal mastermind, but if he wants to escape this subzero prison with his life, he'll have to start thinking like one."

There's a few words that can correctly describe this book. And some of them are negative words while others are more positive and neutral. These words: Yawn, groan, boring, okay, yay-it's-over, whatever, bah. If you noticed, some of these words aren't exactly the describing type (adjectives, remember them?). There more describe what was I doing while I was reading Icecore. (But they also describe the books, because they are hints. Get it? No. Alright, then.)

Icecore is very interesting at first. In the beginning, it is so intriguing and mystifying. I wanted to know more and see more of the plot. How will Carl Hobbes escape? How will Carl Hobbes find a way out of the Arctic prison? How did Carl Hobbes hack Fort Knox, the treasury that is considered the most secured and safest in the entire world? The one where they keep The Declaration of Independence? (I hope I got this right, because it would be embarrassing if I didn't)

The plot moves slowly in the beginning. I spend most of the time skimming through the pages. Ya, ya, ya. Carl's complaining about this. Carl's getting beat up. Carl acts like a scared girl. Carl is going to die. Blah, blah, blah. Not very entertaining, for one point. Boring, for the second point.

Then, there's the ending. *Sign* I'm definitely not reading the next book, whatever the second book is good or not. I don't care. Once screwed, always screwed. I don't always believe in second impressions. Books are like a job interview. We're the interviewers. And the books and authors, well, they are on the other side of the table. Anyway, I really hate the ending. Maybe because of what a certain character has done, but mostly at the ending. Mostly the ending.

Rating: One out of Five (yeah, I've been giving a lot of these.)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau Review

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same? 

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career. 

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one. 

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust."

The Testing is a combination of the Divergent Trilogy and The Hunger Games Trilogy. The Testing is worth reading while we wait for the next book of Divergent and next movie of The Hunger Games to be released. (I predict The Testing might be the next Hunger Games, if people are really interested. But there's a good chance most people aren't interested into seeing The Testing become the next great movie.) The Testing involves history and testing, but there's a fair amount of action (murder, killings, attempted murders, bombs, dogs, mutation, what else is there to name?)

The Testing is amazing, with all the nasty and hot stuff combined into one delicious package. The Testing is definitely worth reading, especially to the YA audience and the NA audience. With a fast moving plot and killer conflict, The Testing is guarantee to delight everyone (except probably some of the older folks, after all they usually don't like violence). The writing is addicting and sounds like a bomb, threatening to explode all its secrets in your face.

The beginning of The Testing eases the readers into the plot. We are placed in the area where it was once called The Great Lakes. Some parts of the story takes place in Chicago (Oh, here's the chunk of Divergent). Cia Vale is part of the graduating class at her city. There's few of them, and even fewer are chosen to be part of The Testing. (And of course, Cia is part of them.)

The Testing's ending is awesome. I wish I could spoil everything and tell all its secrets, but I can't. There's no clear enemy for Cia, but she's determined to find the truth. (Reminds us of Cold Case, huh? Find the Truth? That quote from Cold Case?) 

Cia is intelligent, but sometimes she has to take her father's advice. (But she didn't). Her father is a seasoned victim of The Testing, so he know exactly what happened, even if he was brain wiped. Cia (ha, Central Intelligence Agency. Sorry, small joke.) is sometimes a little slow, but she's quite intelligent. She's Erudite, Dauntless, and Amity, whenever the situation arises. 

Tomas is dangerous. That's what I think, Cia. Stay far, far away from him.

Rating: Five out of Five

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike Review

"Moving to a new high school sucks. Especially a rich-kid private school. With uniforms. But nothing is worse than finding out the first girl you meet is dead. And a klepto. 

No one can see or hear Kimberlee except Jeff, so--in hopes of bringing an end to the snarkiest haunting in history--he agrees to help her complete her "unfinished business." But when the enmity between Kimberlee and Jeff's new crush, Sera, manages to continue posthumously, Jeff wonders if he's made the right choice."

Life After Theft reminds me of The Ghost and the Goth. Without the romance between the ghost and the goth. And without the goth, himself. 

Life After Theft is an okay book. I don't hate; I don't like it. It's not the worse, but it could have been much better. Life After Theft is humorous; although has too much of a panicky feeling. The characters, well some of them, spends much of the time worrying rather than doing. Life After Theft isn't a book you meet before, under a different name or place. It's unique, but the uniqueness could have improved some more. Other books by Aprilynne Pike are far better than Life After Theft.

The beginning starts off with Jeff noticing the invisible dead girl, Kimberlee. Nice start, jumping to the story right away. I like that. (I hate intermission.) 

The plot is slow, for me. I was mostly bored for most of the book. Jeff goes to rob someone. Yawn. Jeff goes to find his girlfriend. Yawn. Kimberlee said something horrible. Yawn. Sera's brother is gay. Yawn. Sera does drugs. Yawn. Nothing I've never seen before. The thing is, after reading so many books, you get used to books. It's hard trying to find something that's new and stays new. Many books fall off the wagon by copying the trends of another book. Most of the time, when I read the book, I go "Seen it before. Seen it before. Oh, a case of deja vu! Oh, wait that in ______ by______" Yeah, it's unfortunately like that. Now let's move on. 

The ending is actually pretty startling. "And I never saw her again." Or something like that. I'm not the superstar on quotes. Kimberlee moved on (yes, this is a spoiler.), leaving behind blue flip flops to Jeff (giving a Cinderella spark at the ending). The ending is a great opening for a discussion. What happened to Kimberlee? Did she really moved on or she lied? 

Rating: Two Point Five out of Five (Rounded to a Two) 

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen Review

"Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?"

I'm a fan of Sarah Dessen. I love her books. Everyone of them is special and unique in its own way, like fingerprints. But this? Maybe it's because it's been awhile since I've read Sarah Dessen's books. Or it is truly not just me. I don't like the Moon and More. I found myself frequently mimicking/mouthing the voice and tone of Emaline.

Anyway, The Moon and More has some good messages to the teen folks (and the older folks), but I found The Moon and More lacked some chemistry and character. The cool and awesomeness, too. The Moon and More is quite different than other books. While the other books...Oh wait, I'm getting ahead of myself and revealing the spoilers. Never mind. 

The beginning of The Moon and More is addicting and connecting. Bam! Instant connection, just like that. When I read the description of Luke, I'm like "What!?! Emaline, you idiot! He's the most awesomest boyfriend in the whole wide world. How could you not like him?" Yeah, well, Emaline is an idiot sometimes. And Luke is a hottie. 

The plot is awesome. It totally went up and down, side to side. It moves quickly to the point of the readers trying to stay on Emaline's heel. Yeah, it gets annoying, not knowing where you are in the fiction world. (Done it way too many times.) 

The ending makes me want to smack Emaline's head to the concrete. Yeah, I'm pretty upset and pretty bored by the events that happened in The Moon and More. Dang nabbit. I didn't even like the stuff that happened after the one hundred pages mark.

Rating: One out of Five

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo Review

"Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm."

Yes! The second book in the Grisha series (or is it trilogy?) is Siege and Storm. I was so excited when I got it in my hands, which was a few days ago. Remember Shadow and Bone? Well, that was a pretty awesome and killer book. I love it when it was so dark and crazy. Shadow and Bone totally takes everything to limits and beyond! I can't say the same for Siege and Storm. It went beyond Shadow and Bone! I hope the third book will be even better.

Fangirl Moment: (Yes, I'm doing another one of these.) Eeee! Oh...my...goodness. This is one book of deliciousness. Priceless. Priceless. Priceless. I can't believe I'm still on the Darkling's side even after all he has done to everyone. Even to his mother!

Now onto the review. Siege and Storm is basically a chase-the-dog book, then dog-chase-the-chaser book, and then back to chase-the-dog book, and then back to...yeah. The point is that hunter can become the hunted quickly enough. The plot moves quickly, but gives the reader enough time to connect the places and journeys together. (Thankfully.) Like before, Siege and Storm is as addicting as ever. It's exciting to go through the ups and downs with Alina (sometimes I want to get off the ride though, Mal somehow foresaw this before me).

The beginning of Siege and Storm seems cowardly and sigh-"You're making a big mistake"-sigh. I hate how petty and scared Alina seems to be in the beginning. (Obviously I cheer for strong leading characters like Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy or Artemis Fowl from The Artemis Fowl Series.) But that's what always happen in books. Weak characters become strong after being kicked by a big, big bully. (Although I wouldn't call the Darkling a bullying. The Darkling is a formidable archenemy who is not to be underestimated.)

The ending of Siege of Storm makes me pump my fist into the air. Yes, yes, yes! I will never get over these moments of stand and bravery. (I'm not going to reveal anything of course). I love this moment. I nearly cried (but I didn't) with sheer happiness.

Alina, Alina, Alina is crazy character. I can never get enough of her, because she is of light of pure awesomeness. It's amazing to see all Alina has to go through to finally see what she is like in the end. She was humiliated and embarrassed and on the fence and lost. For her country, she realized that she must end this at once and for all.

The second prince is a complete dork. Any chance of Alina and him hooking up? They seem to be very close to each other, but then again, Alina may be suffering from Mal-withdrawal.

Rating: Four out of Five

Elemental by Antony John Review

"A lost colony is reborn in this heart-pounding fantasy adventure set in the near future . . .

Sixteen-year-old Thomas has always been an outsider. The first child born without the power of an Element—earth, water, wind or fire—he has little to offer his tiny, remote Outer Banks colony. Or so the Guardians would have him believe.

In the wake of an unforeseen storm, desperate pirates kidnap the Guardians, intent on claiming the island as their own. Caught between the plague-ridden mainland and the advancing pirates, Thomas and his friends fight for survival in the battered remains of a mysterious abandoned settlement. But the secrets they unearth will turn Thomas’ world upside-down, and bring to light not only a treacherous past but also a future more dangerous than he can possibly imagine."

Elemental is exactly what it sounds like. The lost colony of the broken island comes again. In the originally lost colony, it's 1585. (Yes, I'm giving you all a free history lecture. [I lecture classes sometimes.] If you're a pretty lazy student, you can chew gum in 'class' and sleep till you pass this paragraph.) The lost Roanoke Colony is an attempt by our every so redhead queen, the infamous and scandalous Elizabeth the First, to create a British settlement/colony that will earn cold hard pounds for the England. Now, years went by and all is horrible with every year that comes by. Eventually, one fateful boat arrive in Roanoke Island to find all of its inhabitants gone. And missing. The only clue they left behind is in the bark of a tree. On it is the word "Croatoan." (Now I won't go any farther because you'll be so bored that you will fall asleep after a few more paragraphs.)

Elemental is a fast paced book, with understandable descriptions and events. The conflict is mostly people (in this case, the children) versus big, scary pirates, who will certainly kill people at any chance possible if 1) they are expendable and/or 2) they are alive. But either way, pirates kill anyone that's alive unless there's a Captain in command. The writing is so-so, regular (with a spanish accent).

The beginning is awesome. I love how the authors use the opportunity to show how ridiculous and stupid Thomas looks to other people. Thomas is one of the most defiant and challenging characters. Not exactly defiant, but in more of a challenging authority way. But when a Guardian tells Thomas to, whether with his body language or words, shut up, he doesn't. Instead he continue to poking his question until the Guardian gets upset. Then it just goes too far.

The ending isn't very 'awesome'. What that supposed to be a cliffhanger? Well, that ending is horrible. Spoiler: The evil villain is a relative. Ooo! Yeah, that's not very exciting. That's not very cliffy. My archenemy is a distant relative, so what? (like cousins; pretty distant) What do I care?

Am I supposed to be excited by this book? Yes, but the only time I'm actually excited is when Thomas uses his existent power. The other times, I simply nod along as if listening to a child in Kindergarten chatting about his/her oh so wonderful day.  

Rating: Two Point Five out of Five. (I'll round to three.)

Towering by Alex Flinn Review

"At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her. 

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now."

Okay. Towering isn't the best of Alex Flinn. It definitely isn't the worse (unless I was really tired and sleepy and didn't process this book as well as I usually did. I was reading this book when it was really late and when I should had been nice and tucked into bed).

Towering is a relatively short book with a couple and two POVs. (The couple and the two POVs are one and the same. It's Rachel and Wyatt. Hello?) Towering is quick to read, assuming you can read a two hundred to three hundred page book in an hour and a half (I'm assuming more, not less) and then rereading it over again. (Yes, I can do that. Especially late at night when I'm in a hurry and desperate to sleep.) Towering is awesome, although I'm left with a whole bunch of questions and concerns for some of the characters like Rachel (not Wyatt, he's cool.)

In the beginning, there's a girl locked in a Tower who isn't very curious about the outside world. (She's seems to only be interested in the date.) That's Rachel. Meanwhile, there is a boy who is trying to escape his hideous past which involves his best friend's (Tyler's) suicide. Boy and girl meet and sparks fly, as usual. The question is how they meet?

The plot of Towering goes by quickly. I'm always trying to figure out how Wyatt ended up from Point A to Point C or D. It gets annoying to chase Wyatt back and forth in the book. At least RACHEL stays in her prison, the TOWER. And they say girls run around a lot. *Sigh.* Anyway, back to the plot. The plot is very fast, like I said before. I'm left wondering how events lead up to the ending.

And the ending. Wow, the ending. The ending (is a huge spoiler if I tell, but I won't) is a killer. I liked the ending, but I'm so confused by how the author puts two and two together to make four. (Great, I'm going math nerd again.) I need a map or timeline to pinpoint everything.

Characters:

Rachel is the one of the most oddest characters I've ever met. (Yes, I'm going to say met.) She's more interested in her books than the outside world. She's wants to know the date, but didn't asked Wyatt what was the date. (Definitely not eighteen something.) Okay, Rachel is the complete opposite of a regular Rapunzel, but she reminded me of that girl from Tangled (the Disney movie, yes).

Wyatt is no Flynn Rider. He's no thief, but he is a sort of loner. He's in his grieving state, trying to get over with his best friend's death. He's well, boring. He's like that prince from Snow White, with ridiculously red red lips. (With a little more personality, of course.)

Rating: Two out of Five

Icons by Margaret Stohl Review

"Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future."

Icons has to be great. That was my thinking in the beginning. After Margaret Stohl is the author who co-written Beautiful Creatures. (Remember how horrible Beautiful Darkness and Beautiful Chaos was.) Well, Icons turn out to be similar to Beautiful Creatures. There's differences, of course (like the main character being a girl [Dol] instead of a boy [Ethan] and Icons is mainly technology while Beautiful Creatures is magic). 

Icons is blah! (It totally reminds me of Beautiful Creatures. It's like a combination of Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, and Beautiful Chaos all combined into one.) Icons is somewhat different than futuristic books. I know, I know. Men in Black come and kill all the aliens. Aliens come and try to make peace with humans. Humans killed all aliens. Aliens take over. Blah, blah, blah. There's a lot of plots with books involving aliens. Icons is mostly an "aliens take over the world" book. And it's...well, let me break it down for you.

In the beginning, Icons is an exhilarating book, with logical details and statement. Occasionally, the descriptions of Icons get out of hand, but it isn't too serious. (Like when you end up asking way too many questions because the author didn't explain the story well enough.) The writing in the beginning is addicting and holds a mysterious tone, giving a book that makes readers ask, "What will happen next? To Dol? To Ro?" 

The middle starts drying. Yes, drying. The hot stuff in the beginning of the book starts to fade and readers end up with questions like "What's the difference between Icons and Icon Children?" and "Who exactly are the Lords?" Yep, there's a lot more question and very little answers. I guess, this calls for a "Buckle Up" yell because there's no more answers. 

Then the ending. Well, there's some answers, but not enough. What happen to the dead people. How do people survive a suicide bomb without killing themselves? How do certain characters survive? And please don't say it was became of the holy light from Dol.

The plot is quick and thrilling, but there isn't a lot of answers to the questions the book leaves unanswered. It's a great pain to not know yet only know so little. (Okay, I'll admit it, that previous sentence is bogus.) I hate the unanswered questions and I am most likely not reading the next book. 

Rating: Two out of Five

Torn by K.A. Robinson Review

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.

"Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past. 

On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it.

Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place.

Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?

Long hidden feelings are revealed and friendships tested to the brink."

This will be a short review. (Because of how much I despise this book and the little time I left.)

I don't know how people can read this book. I don't know how this book is perfect. Is it me or I'm the only person who wants to gag after reading this book? I hope it isn't just me cause that will be sad. 

Torn is an okay book. I don't like; but it's not the worse of the worse I've read before. (Other than the fact I want to gag and puke and gag some more.) I don't understand. Again, why do people like this book so much? Why? Why? WHY? This question is killing me. 

Torn's plot is good and wonderful; I don't really care very much about it. Then again, I don't care about plots unless they have terrible plot holes. Minor ones, I'll let them go, but major ones, well, they aren't as lucky. (Whatever. I don't care, says my subconscious.) The writing is addicting. That's a good part of Torn because I never manage to stop reading unless I really have to. 

The ending of Torn is awesome. The ending ends with a good cliffhanger that will all leave us interested for more.

Torn is a horrible book. I'll admit it. (The writing and ending and plot may be good, but I don't care.) I hate how the characters abuse drugs and alcohol to control themselves and get wild. I don't get it. Hopefully some of the readers won't have the wrong idea. (Especially the young ones. Oh yeah, I forgot. Torn is totally not recommended to thirteen year olds. That means this book isn't PG-13. I says, sixteen and up. Seventeen at the oldest.)

Characters:

I don't know what Drake sees in Chloe. He's hot. He's in a Rock n Roll band. (Someone give me a fan!) I don't know why, but he reminds me of Patch from Hush, Hush.

Chloe, now there's an idiot. I don't like her. She definitely deserves a slap in the face. No, not just a slap, a few punches as well. (In the mouth, in the nose, and in the stomach.) She can't see things that are in front of her very well. What a disappointing character.

Rating: Two out of Five

Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye Review

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.

"From Edgar-nominated author Lyndsay Faye comes the next book in what Gillian Flynn calls "a brilliant new mystery series.”

Six months after the formation of the NYPD, its most reluctant and talented officer, Timothy Wilde, thinks himself well versed in his city’s dark practices—until he learns of the gruesome underworld of lies and corruption ruled by the "blackbirders,” who snatch free Northerners of color from their homes, masquerade them as slaves, and sell them South to toil as plantation property.

The abolitionist Timothy is horrified by these traders in human flesh. But in 1846, slave catching isn’t just legal—it’s law enforcement.

When the beautiful and terrified Lucy Adams staggers into Timothy’s office to report a robbery and is asked what was stolen, her reply is, "My family.” Their search for her mixed-race sister and son will plunge Timothy and his feral brother, Valentine, into a world where police are complicit and politics savage, and corpses appear in the most shocking of places. Timothy finds himself caught between power and principles, desperate to protect his only brother and to unravel the puzzle before all he cares for is lost."

Seven for a Secret is a long book. Long. Very long. I'll admit it: There's a few times I nearly doze off in boredom and words. Seven for a Secret is the second book of the Timothy Wilde, but it isn't necessary to read the first book to understand the second. Just read the synopsis of the first book, and then you should be able to understand this book. Should be able. I'll admit I got lost a few times before finding my footing again. 

Seven for a Secret is definitely not appropriate for children (because, well, parents, you don't really want to know, but know this: your children will ask the question, "Why is Mom reading this book?"). 

Seven for a Secret, in summary, is a pretty awesome book, with gruesome details, crazy history, and blood. (I'll never be bored of blood and blood and more blood. I'm a blood thirsty creature, or at least when I read a book.) However, there are times where you just get bored with the details, the thinking of Timothy Wilde, and the little-action times. Yeah, that sounds about right. 

Seven for a Secret's plot is active, and active enough for me to not complain about the plot. I love most of the minutes and hours of Seven for a Secret. (It took me two days to read Seven for a Secrets, longer than usual.) The writing is awesome. I love how the author uses the dialects and words to bring me back into time. I do wish the author added a little more details and descriptions. It is difficult to visualize Seven for a Secret without strong details and noticeable features. 

The ending is different. It's interesting and puzzling. I have no strong words to describe it without spoiling the entire book. The twist at the end is perfect. 

Mystery and History mixes well in Seven for a Secret. Reminding of Sherlock Holmes without the British accent, Seven for a Secret is a dangerous ride, with darkness, laws, war, politics, and blood at every turn.

Rating: Three out of Five

The Fire King by Amber Jaeger Review

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

"From the author of The Cold King comes a dark tale of passion, vengeance and redemption. 

Revenge can be its own poison…

Katiyana Nix was a princess but only wanted what every other little girl had—a mother to love and teach her and a father to care for her. Instead, she grew up lonely in the shadow of her mother’s death while her father was absent in his grief.

When she finally thought she’d found hope for herself and her father, it was in the form of her beautiful new stepmother. But Sula committed the most evil of betrayals, leaving Katiyana more lost than she had ever been. Alone and scared, she fled to the forest to live amongst the trees with other lost souls searching for their own safety.

When she crosses paths with the fiery King Lian, a man whose thirst for revenge against the evil queen has no end, her time of quiet peace is ended. His anger untamed, he aims to use the lost princess as a weapon to achieve his dark goals.

Katiyana must battle her own demons, as well as his, while she tries to save him from himself and her kingdom from the clutches of her stepmother. 

Can she succeed in ridding the world of the evil queen or will Lian’s temper cause them all to burn?"

The Fire King is, chronologically, the second book, if this book was part of a series. It isn't necessary to read the first book, The Cold King. (But I recommended it. The events of The Cold King will help readers understand The Fire King a little bit better.) The Fire King is recommended to thirteen and up, because of the suggestive language and hint-hints (no language/verbal included, just pure body language and intimate moments).

First of all, The Fire King does include some of our favorite characters. I have to mention a few (I love old characters), so if you don't want to know, skip a few lines. Drum roll, please. (You're not doing it. Get your hands off the mouse and clap.) Calia Thorn (although talked about in a fashion I disgust), The Cold King (yay! Hottie from previous book coming over!), and the horse mistress (she's a good character). That's the plus side of The Fire King.

(I'm going to start from the beginning.) Okay, the beginning of The Fire King start off, reminding me of a Snow White tale. (And The Fire King is a retelling of the tale of Snow White.) It seems promising so far, and I love it. Katiyana is "Snow White", with a name that is thankfully not Snow White. (It annoys me how authors pointlessly name their characters "Snow White." It doesn't do well since there are stories, Disney movies, plays, poems, another tale with her name, and etc. Using "Snow White" shows the author in a light that suggest unoriginality and boringness.)

The plot moves quickly, so don't play surprise if you're wondering how Katiyana starts off from Point A to Point B. (The book in told in two hundred pages, I estimate. Perhaps more or less.) 

The chemistry between Lian and Katiyana is obvious, although I wish Amber added a little more humor and kissing scenes (because I'll never get enough of it). Fire and fire burns everything until there isn't anything left to burn. (Most likely, you'll read the previous sentence without completely understanding it.) 

The ending reminds me of Snow White. (Duh, it's a Snow White retelling. Idiot.) Anyway, it's nice to see a happy ending, even though The Fire King's ending is a little bit too 'Disney.' (But I never tire of watching too many Disney movies.) 

The Fire King isn't very wonderful, though. The words and language is a little shady. The Fire King can really use a good editor and good editing. The Fire King isn't perfect, but there's plenty of room for improvement. 

Characters: 

Katiyana, or should I say Princess Katiyana, is pretty much a wild girl through and through. She's not a true Royal, and perhaps never be. (Because her wild side is too wild to be tame.) Katiyana does have a thirst for revenge, but that disappears in The Fire King for a while before flaring up again. I guess feelings never die. Katiyana is unlike Calia Thorn. 

Unlike The Cold King, The Sun King/Fire King is filled with fire. His own thirst for revenge and blood because of the brutal deaths of his beloved family. He practically oozes revenge and fire. He's the complete opposite of The Cold King. Did I mention how cute and sweet he is?

Rating: Four out of Five