"Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes--Bella is one skinny mocha frapp away from total meltdown. When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple. She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer. Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk."
I take Bella's side on the fight between Luke vs. Bella. Honestly, I don't blame her and Luke could be a bit more understanding. Then again, there is a reason why no character is made just to perfect to the heroine. 1) Because it is boring, 2) boring makes lack of sales, 3) too much Edward Cullen-ish, and 4) Cullen isn't perfect.
Anyway, So Over My Head finally has a murder case. Nancy Drew (Bella Kirkwood) is finally in play once again. After two books, there is finally a murder case. And Bella gets to find the body. And Luke breaks up with her. Well, it is actually Bella who breaks up with him. Let's all admit it. Bella always had a bit of mixed signal when it comes to Luke while Luke always struggles from being professional or play personal. Bella is one of those gray areas for him.
Well, So Over My Head manages to keep its upbeat tone despite the death of the hairy lady at the circus. Oh, yes. Hairy bearded lady, I should add. She is quite good at games. At least the simple games. The other games are quite okay, but that isn't the point. Nancy Drew (my nickname for Bella Kirkwood, in case you haven't picked it up by now) is here to solve the murder of the bearded lady and find whatever treasure that lady hid. Plus, there is also a minor white collar-ish subplot involving Bella's dad.
The plot is very exciting. I enjoyed every bit of the book. The last installment is perhaps the best out of them all. Out of the entire series. I think. If you disagree, then I would say the first is the best. First and third. They are tied for the same place. The beginning and the ending is always the most beautiful parts of a trilogy.
My favorite parts are whenever Bella interacts with Luke. Luke and Bella are complicated. Together or apart. Bella has boyfriend issues while Luke is too attractive and always get other girls' attentions which in turns drives Bella nuts. So it is all a circle. Anyway, it is all very adorable and cute. Beginning puppy love.
Overall, I enjoyed the trilogy/series. A Charmed Life is a delicious book full of twists and turns. The entire series is exciting. Even the first book alone would satisfy readers. It is that good and complete. The touch of religious matters shouldn't bother most people very much. I think it is all very adorable and sweet. Plus, it provides insight into the characters.
Rating: Four out of Five
"In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."
Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.
Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life."
Seraphina mixes dragons and humans together. Now, I read a few dragon books/shapeshifter books before, but I haven't read one (at least not one I remember) that mixes dragons, medieval times, and humans. And shapeshifters. Anyway, I think Seraphina is a good book, but it is a bit dry in the beginning. Or at least the second chapter and third was a bit dry.
I first began Seraphina on a airplane (Boeing 787 for those of you who are airplane nerds like me). They had one of those little touch screens that can access books from a certain book publishing company. And free samples! Anyway, I read the first chapter and thought that Seraphina had a really strong and potential start. So I spent a few weeks trying to find it until I found a copy. Then I read it.
The beginning is a bit sour. Like sour dough. I guess. Anyway, it gets better towards the ending. And that is when the plot finally picks up.
Oh, yes. The plot is a bit slow for my taste. I remember leaving off at Chapter Twelve or something like that, because nothing was really happening. Then I finally go back to the book after finishing some other books. (Yeah, I'm So Sure is one of them). And as I mentioned before, the plot thankfully picks up in the end. However, by the the ending of the book, I'm left confused. There are so many questions to be answered! And I totally hate that! But am I going to read the sequel? Fifty-fifty. There is no guarantee.
Seraphina, the character, is a smart though very nosy girl. She always snoops into other people's business including Prince Lucian Kiggs, who may or may not be engaged with her best friend, Princess Gliss. Well, Gliss isn't her full name, but that is what I keep on calling her. Anyway, I hope they aren't engaged. I will tell you that I'm not going to reread Seraphina (the book) just to figure out if that fact is correct or incorrect. I'm done with Seraphina (talking about the book). Officially.
Overall, I think Seraphina is a good book if it is your piece of cake. For me, it was a bit slow and annoying. The exposition went on forever, or at least that is what it seems to me. Anyway, I won't recommend it.
Rating: Three out of Five (I liked the ending)
""Think you're having a rough week? Bella's stepdad, a semi-pro wrestler, just signed the entire family up for a reality TV show. Bella's first thought: Kill. Me. Now."
Living in Truman, Oklahoma wasn't 100% miserable for Bella. Sure, she misses Manhattan, couture clothes, and her dad. But she was making new friends at Truman High and almost enjoying her work at the school newspaper. Then the whole stepdad-wrestler-reality-show issue hit and her life is now being splashed across weekly tabloids and broadcast news.As if having a camera crew following her around isn't bad enough, Bella soon discovers a conspiracy against the Truman High prom queen candidates. And the closer she gets to the answer, the more danger she's in.
As her relationship with Luke teeters between friendship and romance, Bella's ex-boyfriend Hunter reappears and vies for Bella's attention. Denying allegations of a love triangle, working to solve the prom queen mystery, and trying to keep her cool on national television finally motivate Bella to start talking--and listening--to God more.
But what comes next has Bella once again screaming: "I'M. SO. SURE.""
I'm So Sure is an amusing story containing the many wild adventures of Bella Kirkwood. She is the classic Lois Lane. The difference? She also is Jimmy Olsen, but that is not the point here. She can take pictures instead of having another red-haired boy be a photographer. That is indeed one step up from being Lois Lane. However, she may or may not be breaking laws or as Lois Lane puts it, "Committing a felony." And yes, I am a fan of Superman: The Animated Series. I watched that when I was a kid. And I did swoon over Bruce Wayne like what Lois Lane did in World's Finest Part I, II, and III. Big fangirl.
Her Superman? Well, that would be Clark Kent, hiding behind glasses and the whole disguise that shouldn't fool a single person. I don't know how anyone doesn't see the big blue boy behind those round pairs. Anyway, Luke is Clark Kent. And yes, he does wear glasses, which makes this story a bit more cheesy, especially since Bella mentioned Clark Kent. Luke does appear as Superman whenever Bella is in trouble. Though not quite literally. He is perhaps invincible as him, because he still managed to protect Bella in times of her greatest need. It is totally adorable. Except for that little problem with bipolar personality. Oh! And his girlfriend, who goes to Harvard and is one year older than him, but that isn't really the issue here. Nah, it is just the girlfriend who has more confidence and seemingly more smarts than Bella.
Still, they are both wonderful characters. Their chemistry together makes me always wonder if they are ever going to get together and make rabbits.
I'm So Sure is a Christian novel. That means that there are a few characters who are going to pray, but that doesn't bother me very much. Honestly, it makes Bella very adorable. I remember those kids in Sunday School. "Thank you, God, for giving me a mouth. I will take very good care of it. Thank you, Father, for giving me food." It is very adorable, though not adorable as those nine-year olds. I wished she prayed for Luke to be manly.
Overall, I think I'm So Sure is a wonderful, delightful read, especially when you need to relax a little bit. The plot is exciting, and you will be trying to figure out the hitman who is bent to ruin all of the candidates for Prom Queen.
Rating: Four out of Five
I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.
"One Girl. One Boy. And the Masters of Darkness. See the Shadow Creatures. They are everywhere. But you can't run from the shadows or the Masters who control them.
Catherine has been born with a supernatural power called Darkness. The Masters of Darkness have found her and it's just a matter of time before someone claims her.
An Interactive Novel
A QR Code starts the beginning of each chapter connecting the reader to specific art or music that ties into the mood and setting of the novel. Using the quick response code in print and eBook formatting, Darkness incorporates visual and sound to heighten the reading experience."
I'm going to tell you that this is very creepy. Darkness is a horror story about one force trying to find their salvations. However, they walk in gray area. I didn't have a chance to use the interactive parts of the book, but I find the experience of reading this novel without it already fine. Truthfully, I think it doesn't need the interactive parts. It is already creepy without additional creepiness like Paranormal scenes and music.
I'm going to tell you that these Shadow Creatures are very disturbing. Well, they aren't disturbing to me, but from a third POV, it is very disturbing. Kathy's adventures when she was younger reminds me of ghost possession. She is very scary, but when she grows older, she doesn't see things anymore and understands that she lives in a terrible world. The guy, who is keeping her captive, is a creepy guy who is older than her father or anyone on earth. He may say it is for power and hope, but I think there is something wrong with him. Something like demon.
Forgive me for my spoilers. I say so much and reveal too much.
Kathy is a typical teenager. She is scared and frightened, but she tries to hide it. She is lonely for company (doesn't this remind you of something? Say, Shadow and Bone?). When her best friend becomes distant and her mother starts fading away, she is pushed by unseen forces along her path. I say that she is taking it all pretty well for a girl like her. Like what that "demon" said, Kathy has a lot of strength.
The plot goes on strong. There wasn't any moments of failure. It was fast and easy to read despite all that creepiness. Just don't read it at night. The cover will creep you out, and you might mistaken it for a Shadow Creature. The writing isn't too bad, but I think it could improve. Say? Maybe the author can be a bit more interesting? Use more interesting words? Perhaps also use a different font? My eyes can bleed after reading terrible things. Figuratively.
Overall, I think Darkness is a fascinating book about magic. Well, I think it is magic, but it sounds more like forces and dark magic.
I'll be interested in the sequel. The ending of Darkness is interesting, but it doesn't end as strongly as it could had been.
Rating: Four out of Five
"Carl Hobbes may have escaped from Camp Twilight—the most secure military prison in the northern hemisphere—but now he’s being pursued by a ruthless bounty hunter and an Al-Qaeda assassin. Wanted dead by one and alive by the other, he must call upon his skills as a manipulator of both systems and people to survive. With no second chances available, can he play one enemy against the other in his bid to live another day? Packed with action and a plot that doesn’t quit, Goldstrike is a riveting teen thriller in the vein of Anthony Horowitz and James Patterson."
I gave this series a second chance. Honestly, I was quite disappointed by the first book, because there was barely any action. *Thinking back* Yeah, little action.
Goldstrike continues the journey of Carl Hobbes, an infamous computer hacker. It is fun and interesting, especially in the beginning. Carl Hobbes is making trouble for the CIA while pleasing his girlfriend, Cat. I think her name is Cat. (I don't care much about her, after what she did to Carl in this book. She is just like Parker from Leverage). No one should ever break the hearts of nerd boys. They are cute, too.
Carl Hobbes' character is explored even further. After seeing death, he is running from a bunch of people like the CIA and an assassin along with a few people of her party. He is clever, but he is bound to make a mistake. It is quite interesting to see how much he cares for people and how easily he forgives. Plus, he is exactly like the classic hacker. He always wants to break open something, just to figure out what makes it tick. Cleopatra is the name of that system, and she is just like the Steranko from Leverage. Oh, yes. I'm making points by alluding to television shows that are off air. Still doesn't mean I can't use them.
I have to get this out of the way. The last line of Goldstrike is gold. Let me tell you that the CIA is most certainly involved along with Cleopatra and a new friend of Hobbes (whose head is worth twenty million dollars alive). That is my favorite line of the entire book. That is the most favorite line out of this week's batch of books.
The CIA remains as clueless as ever in Goldstrike. I doubt they will be happy by this portrayal of them, but that is all plot.
Overall, I give this series of two books a thumbs up. It is great, and there is a lot of action. When there is a crazy assassin after our main character, you know that it is going to get fairly interesting. When there is also a bounty hunter, you know it has to be interesting. When the CIA is involved, well... That is a bit complicated. I mean, the book is going to get a bit complicated. And exciting! You can't forget about that part.
Second chance well-deserved!
Rating: Four out of Five
