Review-Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly 


Release Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 472, Hardcover
Source: Library
Series: Standalone book

Rating from A+ to F: A+








BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She's angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she's about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights' most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.


PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn't want--and couldn't escape.


Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine's diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There's comfort and distraction for Andi in the journals' antiqued pages--until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine's words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.


Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel, A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls' stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.








Wow, I loved this book. Usually I'm not a fan of historical fiction, but I totally fell in love with this novel, and couldn't stop reading it after I started it. I enjoyed Jennifer Donnelly's writing style and it is very original and creative. I couldn't get enough of this book! This is a book that not many bloggers or young adult readers have read, but they definitely should, because I think they would love it.

Plot- I just loved the idea of this book, I learned a lot about the French Revolution while reading this, things that I never knew. I'm interested in reading more books by Jennifer Donnelly since I loved this one so much. I could feel every emotion in the story, everything Andi was feeling, and everything Alex was feeling. There's nothing slow about this book, I devoured it! I didn't want it to end, I just wanted to keep reading and have the story continue. But it ended, and I loved it all the same. Such a great plot, it is an amazing book! 


Characters- The characters were wonderful, each one that lived in the past and present. I could imagine the people from the eighteenth century: how they looked, how they acted, and how they felt. They were all so believable, and well-developed. Jessica Donnelly did a great job with these characters. 
Favorite Character- Virgil. I loved him, he was so cute!
Least Favorite Character- Arden. She was a rude person, and I don't like rude people!

Writing- I loved Jessica's writing in this, and I'm interested in reading more by her. I loved the diary posts and how she created Andi and all the other characters. There were so many quotes that I loved and were blown away from. This quote was one I just didn't know what to feel, it's so real. 


















Makes you emotional, right? There were so many more that I loved and felt something for, but they would take up too much room. Fabulous writing from Jennifer Donnelly, I loved it.

Cover- The cover is so pretty and goes along with the story well. And, the red ribbon? You'll get it after you read the book. The title fits very well with the plot, I really like it. 


So, I would recommend this to all readers, even if you don't like historical fiction, because you definitely would like this one. I wasn't a big fan of historical fiction, until I read this book, and now I'm willing to read more. This book should get more hype than it does, because it is an amazing book. Everyone should check this story out! 


First Sentence: Those who can, do. Those who can't deejay. 

1. Plot- 20 out of 20 points.
2. Characters- 14 out of 15 points.
3. Writing- 20 out of 20 points.
4. Creativity- 15 out of 15 points.
5. Originality- 10 out of 10 points.
6. Ending- 15 out of 15 points.
7. Cover- 5 out of 5 points.
Equals: 99! 97-100 is an A+










Violence
Mild/Excessive Cursing
Mild/Excessive Sexual Content
Drug/Alcohol Use

Jennifer Donnelly is the author of two adult novels, The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose, as well as the young adult novel A Northern Light, winner of Britain's Carnegie Medal, the L.A. Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature, and a Michael L. Printz Honor Award. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley.

Visit her website: http://jenniferdonnelly.com/

Check out the book at Goodreads
Buy this book at: Amazon | Borders | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Waiting on Wednesday {3}

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. This week I really can't wait for:

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

This book looks great, and I can't wait until it is released! Has anyone read this book yet? If yes, what did you think of it?

Leave your Waiting on Wednesday link in a comment and I will check it out! Have a great day!

Teaser Tuesday (1)

This is my first time doing the meme hosted over at Should Be Reading. I'm currently reading Revolution by Jessica Donnelly, and it is really good so far. I'm hoping I finish it soon, and have a review up!

All you have to do for Teaser Tuesdays are this:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I'm wishing that he could see that music lives. Forever. That it's stronger than death. Stronger than time. And that its strength holds you together when nothing else can."--p. 87 of Revolution

I love that quote from this novel! I'm really enjoying Revolution right now, and I can't wait to finish it! I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July and a good long weekend!

                  

Review- Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers


Release Date: December 21, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 230, Paperback
Source: Library
Series: Standalone book

Rating from A+ to F: A

-Summary-

When Eddie Reeves's father commits suicide, her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father's and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie's vulnerability has weakened her, and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered? 


-Review-

I just started this book a few hours ago, and I knew I needed to finish it today. This is such a touching, heartbreaking, real story which Courtney Summers did a fantastic job writing. Eddie is dealing with the death of her father, and wondering why he would want to kill himself when he has a daughter that loves him so much. This is only one of the many questions she wants answers to, and when she meets Culler Evans she thinks she might get those answers. But, can she really trust Culler? What a surprise, that twist at the end! It was so unexpected and just...wow.

Plot- Excellent plot, I absolutely loved it. I just had to finish this book as soon as I picked it up and started reading it. There were so many emotions in this book, that I felt everything Eddie felt. I wanted to know the explanation of Eddie's father's death as much as she did. I hated Beth as much as she did. I was filled with curiosity about Culler as much as she was. This book is so real, you can just feel the grief. I know I did, my eyes were watering at times! The plot of this book is just amazing, and I loved how there was photography in it, it just made it even more better. 


Characters- The characters were great, you could feel their emotions while reading this book. You felt Eddie and her mother's grief, Milo's kindness, Culler's passion for photography. Courtney did a great job with the characters in this book. 
Favorite Character- Milo. He was such a kind friend, and you can really notice how he feels about Eddie and how much he cares about her. 
Least Favorite Character- Beth. I found her really rude and annoying. From the start I didn't like her, and I didn't witness one ounce of kindness in her. 


Writing- I think Courtney did a great job writing this novel. I haven't read any other books by her, but now I really want to! She really made this book enjoyable for readers, and I can't wait to read more from her. 


Cover- I really like this cover! With the girl and the photographs, I think you catch a glimpse of what the story could be about. I loved the title of the novel, it has such a deeper meaning after you read the book. 


Overall, I really liked this book, and I want to get a copy of my own! This story has such a deep message, and was written very well by Courtney Summers. I recommend this book to readers who liked The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. 


RATING ANALYSIS:


1. Plot- 19 out of 20 points.
2. Characters- 13 out of 15 points.
3. Writing- 20 out of 20 points.
4. Creativity- 15 out of 15 points.
5. Originality- 9 out of 10 points.
6. Ending- 15 out of 15 points.
7. Cover- 5 out of 5 points.
Equals: 96! 94-96 is an A


PARENTAL REVIEW:
Violence- About the suicide of a girl's father
Mild/Excessive Cursing
Mild/Excessive Sexual Content
Drug/Alcohol Use

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: COURTNEY SUMMERS

Courtney Summers can't wait for the zombie apocalypse. Also she is the author of CRACKED UP TO BE and SOME GIRLS ARE (available now) and FALL FOR ANYTHING (out December 21st, 2010), three edgy young adult novels published by St. Martin's Press. 


Visit her website at: http://courtneysummers.ca/


Check out this book at: Goodreads 
Buy this book at: Amazon | Borders | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Review-Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Going Bovine by Libba Bray


Release Date: September 22, 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 480, Hardcover
Source: Library
Series: Standalone book

Rating from A+ to F: A+

-Summary-

All sixteen-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school--and life in general--with a minimum of effort. It's not a lot to ask. But that's before he's given some bad news: he's sick and he's going to die. Which totally sucks. 


Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure--if he's willing to go in search of it. With the help of Gonzo, a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf, and a yard gnome who just might be the Viking god Balder, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America of smoothie-drinking happiness cults, parallel-universe-hopping physicists, mythic New Orleans jazz musicians, whacked-out television game shows, snow-globe vigilantes, and disenfranchised, fame-hungry teens into the heart of what matters most. 


From New York Times bestselling author Libba Bray comes a dark comedic journey that poses the questions: Why are we here? What is real? What makes microwave popcorn so good? Why must we die? And how do we really learn to live? 


-Review-

This is definitely the funniest book I've read all year, Going Bovine is such a hilarious story. I found myself laughing at times in the book, and Libba Bray is such a funny author! I really enjoyed this story, it is such a unique and original book, and I loved it. This story is about Cameron, a young boy who finds out he is sick and could possibly die. Dulcie, a winged punk angel, puts him on an adventure that could save him from death. He meets tons of wacky people along the way, and truly learns how to live, even if he is sick.

Plot- The plot of this book is great, so funny and enjoyable, I don't think anyone could not like it. I didn't find one slow moment in this book, and I was whipping through the pages. The book is crazy, wild, funny, happy, sad, exciting, and so much more. It is so different from books nowadays that you just have to love it. I know I did! 


Characters- I loved all of the characters in this novel. They were all so different that you have such a fun time reading the scenes in the book. Libba developed the characters very well and I enjoyed all of them.
Favorite Character- My favorite character would have to be Balder, the yard gnome. He was so cute! 
Least Favorite Character- I didn't have one, I loved them all! 


Writing- This book has great writing from Libba Bray. I haven't read the Gemma Doyle trilogy, but I really want to, and I really want to read Beauty Queens. I don't know how many times I can say that Libba is hilarious, but I'll say it once more: Libba is hilarious! Amazingly funny writing in this book, and I can't wait to read more from her!


Cover- Even though the cover is simple, I really like it. After you read the book, you will understand this cover. I love the title, it's so funny! 


Can you tell yet that I loved this book and thought it was really funny? Well, hopefully you do and consider giving this book a try! I recommend this to fans of hilarious books that really have you turning the pages quickly!

RATING ANALYSIS:

1. Plot- 20 out of 20 points.
2. Characters- 15 out of 15 points.
3. Writing- 19 out of 20 points.
4. Creativity- 15 out of 15 points.
5. Originality- 10 out of 10 points.
6. Ending- 14 out of 15 points.
7. Cover- 4 out of 5 points.
Equals: 97! 97-100 is an A+


PARENTAL REVIEW:
Violence- Mild
Mild/Excessive Cursing
Mild/Excessive Sexual Content
Drug/Alcohol Use
Recommended for ages 14 & up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: LIBBA BRAY

Libba Bray is the author of the New York Times bestselling Gemma Doyle Trilogy and Beauty Queens. She has written short stories about everything from Cheap Trick concerts to The Rocky Horror Picture Show devotees to meeting Satan worshippers on summer vacation. Libba lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, son, and two cats. Her dream is to stop sucking so badly at drums in Rock Band.

Visit her website: http://libbabray.com/
Go to the book's website: http://goingbovine.com/

Check out the book at: Goodreads | Amazon | Borders | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

In My Mailbox {2}

I got a ton of great books this week, so I am excited to show you them! In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray. I'm currently reading this one, and it is so funny! Libba is such a hilarious author, and I really want to get Beauty Queens soon!

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers. Looks really good, and I can't wait to read it!

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. I can't wait to read this, I love the cover!

Hold Still by Nina LaCour. Don't you just love the cover for this one?











Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. This is a book that I've been wanting to read for so long, so I'm glad I got it!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This has a very cool cover!

She's So Dead To Us by Kieran Scott. I have already read this one, but I didn't have my own copy, so I went out and bought it!
















That's all I got in my mailbox, well technically I didn't get anything in my mailbox, I bought everything! What did you get in your mailbox? Also, I wanted to ask, does any one have any good book suggestions? Thank you! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Friday Blog Hops 7/1!

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee, and this week's question is:

Q: ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

My favorite book/movie characters would have to be either Robert Pattinson, who played Edward Cullen in Twilight, or Taylor Lautner, who played Jacob Black in Twilight.

Their both really cute, and I'd probably scream and jump up and down if I ever saw them. I know, that's a little crazy of me, but really, it's Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted over at Crazy-for-Books. Here's this week's question:

"What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and  what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?"

What keeps me reading beyond the first few pages of a book is if a story plot is exciting and makes me want to read further and find out what happens. Also, when the characters are intriguing and I can relate and connect with them, I am able to keep reading.

When there are boring characters or a really slow start to book that has no captivating events happening, I would probably stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf. This happens very rarely though, since I usually wait out to see what happens further in the story.

TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads! This Friday's question is:

Mr & Mrs: Who are your favorite book couples? 


Hm, this is a really good question since there are so many. I'm going to do a few of the couples that were in books that I recently read that I liked.

1. Lena & Ethan from Beautiful Creatures- They have such a cute connection with one another and they care for eachother a lot.

2. Luce & Daniel from Fallen- Wow, I recently read this book, and the relationship between them is pretty strong!

3. Belly & Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty- I loved their relationship, it was so cute. Belly loved Conrad ever since she could remember, it's just meant to be.

4. Bella & Edward from Twilight- Okay, I'm not being very original because tons of people love them together, but I definitely think this was one of my favorite couples from books. I don't think I need to explain why...

So, those are the first four couples that popped into my head, but there are probably tons more that I'm just not thinking of! Great question, I love a good romance in my books!