A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasle

"For too long, Kitsy has had to satisfy her dreams of becoming a real artist by giving her friends makeovers before prom. So when her best friend Corrinne's family offers to sponsor her for a summer art course in New York City, Kitsy bids a temporary good-bye to Texas to say hello to the West Village.

Between navigating the subway and the New Yorkers—namely, the Art Boy who has a nice trick of getting under her skin—Kitsy knows that this summer is going to be about a lot more than figure drawing."

You know that feeling of clicking when you read a good book? Like that feeling, that good connection with City of Bones. Or the click with Harry Potter. Or Shatter Me/Legend/Vampire Academy. 

I didn't feel it when I read A Long Way From You. Instead, I felt endlessly disappointed with the writing, the plot, the everything in A Long Way From You. I wasted precious days reading this book. If I had a time machine, I will...

Do something horrible to my younger self/rip the book/or something like that

The plot was so dreadful. I rolled my eyes at every page in this book. It's that horrible. Never, ever, ever read this book. Take it from me. I swear "I will never read this book again if I reincarnated into another book nerd girl." (Swear with me.) The writing faired a bit better than the plot, but was still as horrible as the plot.

Characters:

I hated Kitsy. I don't know how this girl could get under my skin within the first page, but she could. She irritated the good humor out of me. All I have left is bad humor, cruel jokes, sarcastic remarks, and the middle finger. It didn't help that her name Kitsy reminded me of Kristen Stewart, another name which could irk the good out of me and leave the dark, dark side behind. (Twilight was ruined because of her. All than blinking, more blinking, audible breaths, annoying gasps, and emotionless faces.) Kitsy was like a spoiled kid, who didn't care about her life. She just wanted to escape everything by running away to New York City. She didn't care about the boyfriend, friends, and family member she left behind in Texas. She was ignorant and just an annoying little kid.

The Art Boy. I liked him much more than Kitsy. I liked him in the same way I liked Tyler, who nearly ran over Bella in Twilight. (If his assassination attempt succeed, I wouldn't be tortured with Stewart's bad acting skills in the next few movies.) 

Rating: One out of Five

Witch World by Christopher Pike Review

"Heading off for a weekend in Las Vegas with her friends, Jessie Ralle has only one worry—how to make it through the road trip in the same car with her Ex, Jimmy Kelter. The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who’s finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.

But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.

In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.

To Witch World.

Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?"

 Witch World, in summary, is a very confusing and twisty book. I wouldn't recommend it to easily confused readers. I'm not usually confused by very confusing books, but Witch World pushed the limits of my mind. I just don't get it. 

Witch World doesn't involve witches. Not like the witches from Harry Potter and "witches" from the Salem Witch Trial.

Instead it involves people, 'witches,' from two different dimensions. I was too confused when Jessie/Jessica was told about two worlds. Is this series (I think it's a series) going to become like Earth Two and Earth One?

The plot: Too confusing.

The ending: At least the ending makes sense. Wow, that was some cliffhanger.

I like Jessica/Jessie. However, in my opinion, she understood the Witch World faster than possible. Jessie is torn between her sense of right and wrong. She is not a bad narrator  but I wish a better narrator was telling the story of Witch World. She made Witch World too confusing and odd. Her humor, however, was easily understood. At least I didn't suffer from not so funny jokes. Jessie could have been worse.

Jimmy is not very unpredictable. His feelings for Jessie is obvious and boring too. We need more chemistry between Jessie and Jimmy. 

The villain? Seriously? The villain is suppose to die in an assassination attempt, not live. 

Too confusing, don't bother to read it.

Rating: one out of five

Hollywood Hustle by Gordon Korman Review

"The fast-paced, funny sequel to the best-selling Son of the Mob.

Vince Luca is in heaven . . . he''s off to Los Angeles, to attend the University of Santa Monica''s film school. College should be fantastic, and he is more thrilled about being 3,000 miles away from his mob family.

But as it turns out, college brings its own problems: from other film students moving in on his girl, to a kleptomaniac roommate, to having to get a job on campus to help pay tuition. It''s a fair amount to handle, though nothing Vince couldn''t easily manage - if he didn''t keep finding himself with unexpected guests from the East Coast. It seems Vince''s dad may just be ready to expand operations to L.A.

With the popularity of shows such as "The Sopranos," the mafia is a topic of intrigue for young adults. The fast-paced plot, hilarious dialogue and Korman''s keen understanding of teen issues, made this a bestseller and a critical success."

Hollywood Hustle is a huge DISAPPOINTMENT. DON'T READ THIS BOOK. IT'S SUCH A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. DON'T EVEN BOTHER READING IT.

Why?

Problem #1: Less humor as the previous book. Son of The Mob was delightful and free-spirited. This book was more serious and a little more moodier.

Problem #2: I felt that this book wasn't as innocent as it use to be. In Son of the Mob, the innocence was one characteristic that made the book must more addicting to read. Now it just feels as if this book has gone from Children's Fiction to Adult's Fiction. Or at least Young Adult Fiction. The growth of inappropriateness has gone bananas.

Problem #3: Gordon Korman has let the character off the hook too easily. Vince was involved with the mob and he gets away with it. He's not exactly the type of person who is good at hiding secrets especially with FBI agents spying on him. Vince also cheated on his girlfriend, Kendra. Kendra let Vince off the hook way  to easily too. What kind of girl would let her boyfriend off the hook if the boyfriend has cheated with another woman? Where is the logic is this situation?

Problem #4: Vince went to college or "university" because of his website. All the sudden, this book starts with Vince abilities to do directing. What happen to creating a website? Where is the logic, Mr. Gordon?

Problem #5: The father... Seriously? You have children and you are still with the mob? Isn't that a little too dangerous. And you also butcher someone while your son's girlfriend is over for dinner. That's wonderful. Tortured screams while you drink orange juice. Imagine that.

Problem #6: The FBI... Over the events of the past two books, you should have received enough evidence to put Anthony Lucas in prison.

Problem #7: Tommy/Vince's stupidity... Vince has repeated this phrase over and over again that once you are in the mob, you are in for live. It's the Life. This applies to Tommy. Tommy, seemly quit mob Life, began to appear normal. Vince was stupid enough to actually believe his act. Once you are in the mob, you are in for life. What happen to your motto, Vince? Isn't it clear that Tommy was just trying to do something horrible and inhumane? Gosh, Vince, you are getting worse over the years.

Problem #8: The logic of Hollywood Hustle... I believe that is all I need to say.

The good stuff...

Goodie #1: The plot is good and smooth. It is easy to understand for young children.

Goodie #2: Movie Scripts in Hollywood Hustle... It is refreshing to see these scripts instead of the paragraphs I am used too.

Goodie #3: The mob. I love how the mobs just keeps on following Vince. With the mob coming over for dinner, things will never die down. It is so amusing to see or to hear them talk about their education. That was a good moment.

Hollywood Hustle receives a one out of five. What a disappointment.