Review: Troubled Waters (Troubled Waters #1)

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Title: Troubled Waters

Author: Sharon Shinn

Series: Troubled Waters, #1

Age Group: adult

Format: hardback

Pages: 391

Release Date: October 5, 2010

Publisher: Ace Books

Source: library

After the death of her father--a former royal advisor who'd fallen out of favor--Zoe Ardelay has little time to grieve before she receives astonishing news: She has been chosen to become the king's fifth wife!
Unable to resist the ambassador sent to fetch her, Zoe accompanies him to the royal city. Once there, she slips away and hides among those who live along the shores of the mighty river. For Zoe is coru: ruled by the elemental sign of water.
Gradually she discovers that she is, in fact, the coru prime. Which means she must return to the palace, not as unwilling bride for the king but as a woman with power in her own right.
But the palace abounds with intrigue and deception as Zoe unlocks more of the mysteries of her blood--and the secrets of the royal family--she must make a decision: How best to use her great power?

This was the perfect book! Lately, most of the books I've been reading have a bad case of insta-love. Basically where it's love at first sight. So, awhile ago I went book hunting through the web, and found Troubled Waters, a book that claimed to be not insta-love. But, it was so much more than that.

I've always loved books where the heroines are able to control a certain element. I don't know why. Maybe it's because when I was little, I was obsessed with Sailor Moon. That obsession probably unconsciously carried on into my love of literature. So, you can imagine my joy when I found out about this book. I mean, Zoe, the main character, is coru, and controls water. How cool is that?!

In kingdom of Troubled Waters, you element is basically like your race/ethnicity. You're usually asked what you are. If I lived here, I would definitely be coru(water & blood).

I just simply loved this book! I could go on and on, but then it would be a 2 page review. So, I'm just going to say a little about my favorite characters. First, definitely Zoe! She was a kick-butt heroine. She didn't care what people thought of here, she was who she was(this was partly due to her being exiled most of her life). I couldn't help but admire her. Plus, she's not just a kick-butt heroine, but she has powers! Now, my other favorite character was Darien. He was so cute! I couldn't help but like him. And Zoe and him made the perfect couple. I'm even going to share my favorite quote by him(it gave me goosebumps).
"If you did leave," he said. If you simply walk out the doors and stroll down the mountain, leaving behind no word of where you were going or why, I would come looking for you. I would never stop looking for you. I would find you, too."
Isn't that just the best? I found him a definite reprieve from the YA boys of late. Sure, he was overprotective, but he was also kind and caring. And trust me, Zoe could hold her own against Darien. She was not weak. And best of all, there was a build up before they actually got together.

You should just go and get your hands on a copy of Troubled Waters! I assure you, you won't regret reading this book.

My Rating:

Review: Dragonfly

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Title: Dragonfly

Author: Julia Golding

Series: None

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Hardback

Pages: 390

Release Date: October 1, 2009

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Source: Library

SWORN ENEMIES...
FORCED TO MARRY...
AND UNITE A DIVIDED LAND.
Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal. And he's not too pleased, either. She is used to a life of discipline, ritual, and splendor. He is used to hunting and carousing. They hate each other on sight. But both of their countries are under threat from a fearsome warlord, and the only chance of peace is to form an alliance.
When Tashi and Ramil are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape--from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure--including a circus strongman, a daring rebel leader, a sinister master of spies, and the best female fighter they have ever seen--help them or betray them to the enemy?
The latest novel from Nestle Prize-winning author Julia Golding, Dragonfly is a thrilling mix of fantasy and adventure.

Dragonfly is a tale of sadness and hope, but mostly one dealing with the strength of a person's faith. Be warned, there is lots of religion in this book in the sense of dealing with a God or Goddess aspect. I am going to give a short description on what I thought of my favorite characters in this book, otherwise I'm going to start acting like a squealing fangirl.

Ramil: In my opinion, Ramil is one of the most perfect male characters out there. He was willing to defend those he loved, at the cost of his life.

Tashi: The same could be said for Tashi. I admired her faith in the Goddess. She was devoted, and so strong-willed. She is a great example of a good person.

Thunder: This was actually Ramil's horse. I couldn't help but fall in love with this loving creature. He stood by Tashi when she needed him most.

Gordoc: This big guy was so loving! His affection for Tashi was amazing! I wish I could have a Gordoc in my life.

That's basically my take on Dragonfly's main characters. Ramil and Tashi make one of the best couples in YA history I have ever seen. They will most definitely remain in my memory a very long time. I urge you to go find a copy of this book and read it. Besides, who doesn't love a tale with princesses and princes?

Review: Enna Burning (The Books of Bayern #2)

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Author: Shannon Hale

Series: The Books of Bayern, #2

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Pages: 317

Published: September 15, 2004

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Original Price: $9.99

ISBN: 978-0-7475-9799-5

Source: Local Library

My Rating: * * * * *(5 stars)

When Enna is given a mysterious piece of vellum that teaches her how to create fire--without a spark, without a fling--Enna cannot decide if this is a power she wants, or something that should be extinguished forever. Then war threatens her country and Enna's judgement becomes irrelevant. But she never imagined that control over the life-giving energy of fire could become something so destructive. It is starting to consume her and everything she loves.

The Cover:
Since I think covers should deserve a mention, I have now added this to. I'm thankful I got this version of Enna Burning. The cover is beautiful! Just look at it. If you look more closely, you'll see the flames coming out of the splatter of orange. It's truly beautiful!


The Good:
Just like The Goose Girl, Enna Burning was a lovely written book. The vocabulary was splendid, the details only adding to the beauty of Bayern. Shannon Hale is an amazing author, who I think deserves more credit and should be more popular. Everyone should read her books!


Now, Enna is just my type of heroine. She's strong-willed and stubborn. Plus, she can control fire! How cool is that?! First, we had Princess Isi with wind, and now we have Enna with fire! If you read until the end, you'll find two nice surprises. First, Isi and Enna learn something. And, something exciting happens to Isi!


The Bad:
There was nothing wrong with this book. It was perfect!


The Guys:
There were two main love interests. First, Finn. I will admit something. When I began the first book in the series, The Goose Girl, I though Finn would like Isi. Boy was I wrong! Finn is handsome, strong, and now, he's even a warrior! He's loyal and a really nice guy.


The second love interest is Sileph. He's the captain of the Tirdan army. Did I mention there's a war going on between Bayern and Tiran? So, Enna is semi-crushing on Sileph. How does she meet him if they are on opposite sides? Who does she end up with? Read and find out!


The Judgement:
This book was amazing! I definitely recommend it, and you should go out and buy/borrow it!


The Author:

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels, including the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, two award-winning books for adults, and the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012). She co-wrote the graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel with husband Dean Hale. They live with their four small children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Review: The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern #1)

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Author: Shannon Hale

Series: The Books of Bayern, #1

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Hardback

Pages: 383

Published: May 13, 2005

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Original Price: $17.95

Source: School Library

My Rating: * * * * *

She was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste. Her name was Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt's stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. When she was older, she watched as a colt was born, and she heard the first word on his tongue, his name, Falada.
From the Grimm's fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.

The Good:
This is my second time reading The Goose Girl, and I still thinks its amazing! I love it when fairy tales are retold, as long as they're retold well. I don't want an author to only put half her/his heart into it. And trust me, Shannon Hale has not put half a heart into this story, she has given one heart and a half. This tale is amazing! Ani/Isi/Crown Princes/goose girl/yellow lady(girl), whatever you wish to call her, is an amazing character. At sixteen, her determination was wonderful. Like all teenage girls, she wanted to give up at times, but she always ended up pursuing her crown. Plus, the writing is magical and wonderful. Always a bonus when a book has excellent vocabulary and writing style.
The Bad:
I don't have much too complain about for The Goose Girl. If I had to say something bad, it would be that at times the book became bland, and it took me awhile to get back to a good part. Otherwise, there was not anything really bad.
The Guy:
The main guy in this story was Geric, the soldier(or is he?). I liked that The Goose Girl, did not necessarily emphasize the romance. It was more a tale of adventure, which is a good change. These days, books revolve around girl x boy, which I enjoy, but like I said before, a change is always welcome. Well, let's describe Geric. He was tall, had broad shoulder, dark hair and eyes. The book was more descriptive but that's basically it. Geric was humorous, gentle, and loving. I admired him. But, I will say that he does not show up much in the book, so you don't really get to know him that well.
The Judgement:
I really enjoyed this book. And trust me, when I re-read a book, it's because I liked it. The characters are wonderful, and Ani has a superpower. Awesome, right? The writing is beautiful. What more could you wish for?
The Author:

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels, including the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, two award-winning books for adults, and the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012). She co-wrote the graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel with husband Dean Hale. They live with their four small children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1)

Author: Caragh M. O'brien
Series: Birthmarked, #1

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenge: None

Format: Hardback

Pages: 361

Published: March 30, 2010

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Source: Local Library

My Rating: * * * * *

IN THE FUTURE, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the wall and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. Gaia has always believed it is her duty, with her mother, to hand over a small quota of babies to the Enclave. But when Gaia's mother and father are arrested by the very people they so dutifully serve, Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught to believe . Gaia's choice is now simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

WARNING: This books does contain childbirth and all that, so if blood and all that stuff makes you quesy, well, be careful with this book. But, don't worry too much, Birthmarked does not go into too much detail with all the whole childbirth thing. It only gives you the basic idea.


Well, let's get started. Birthmarked is set way after 2011. In these futuristic times, people have run out of fuel, electricity, and all the comfortable accomadtions that we have nowadays. But, some people still have running water from faucets. Want to guess who? Those who live inside the wall. The rich and priveleged. Unfair don't you think? Consider the people outside the wall who have greater quatities of people to feed. The residents have to travel to the well to get their water.


Here comes Gaia. She, unfortunately, was burned on one side of her face due to an "accident", and has to live outside the wall because she has an "imperfection." Bad for her, right? But, at least she's happy...until everything changes. Parents kidnapped, yatta yatta. Now, here comes the dark and irresistble blue-eyed Leon. A guard, nonetheless. He turns Gaia's world upside down...in more ways than one.


I would continue narrating the story, but that would be giving away too much. Just get this. Leon is AMAZING! Cold, brooding, but with a sincere motive, he is beautiful(yes, I just described a guy as beautiful)! One more warning, though. He does not do well with children(at least, that's what I got from the book)! But what tortured guy does? YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! Already, this is my second time reading Birthmarked, and I loved it once again. And if you liked Delirium by Lauren Oliver, then this book is definitely for you.


About the Author:

A native of St. Paul, Minessota, Caragh M. O'brien was educated at Williams College and Johns Hopkins University. She has long delighted in codes and languages, especially those that breach the walls that otherwise divide people. Currently, Caragh teaches English at Tolland High School and lives with her family in quiet Storrs, Conneticut. This is her first young adult novel.

Enclave (Razorland #1)

Author: Ann Aguire
Series: Razorland, #1
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: Wish I'd Read That Challenge
Format: Hardback
Pages: 262
Published: April 12, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Local Library
My Rating: * * * * *

IN DUECE'S WORLD, an enclave deep underground, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed "brat" has trained to join on of the three groups--Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Duece has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.


As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading the ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Duece's troubles are just beginning.


Fade doesn't like following orders. Duece has never known a boy like him before., someone as likely to touch her gently as use his knives with feral grace.


As Duece's perception shifts, so does the balance in the battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat due to their sheer numbers, now show signs of cunning and even strategy...but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. No matter how hard she tries, Duece cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she's ever known.

Enclave had me begging for more! If you like the kick-butt type of heroine, then this is definitely the book for you! This was definitely my type of book.
Well, let's see...as I mentioned above, the heroine, Duece was a strong heroine. She was a Huntress. The three scars marked her as one. I loved in parts how the guys looked down on her, and she showed them!
The two love interests were Stalker(???) and Fade. What type of a name is Stalker, sounds kind of creepy. But anyways,lately I've been reading books with a lot of romance, and it's been getting on my nerves. So...this book was a change of pace, since the romance isn't the main focus of the book.
Time passed really quickly in Enclave. Usually it went by in weeks, and sometimes in months. It was just very fast, which I liked, because you didn't dwell so much on a specific time.
Fade was....interesting. I didn't really warm up to him too much. He sounded like the stereotype boy. Dark hair and eyes, mysterious past, etc... I liked that he was sweet, but I didn't like that his "relationship" with Pearl. Bleghh!
Well, one complaint I did have is that as soon as I either hated/loved one specific character(s), they had to go and die on me. Really?! It's fine, but Aguire had an obsession with killing off too many characters. But, oh well! When one specific character died, I did think "Oh yeah, you go Aguire!" I hated the character's guts. I won't say who it is, but you'll find out.
What else to say? Hmm....I think that's it, but this book is definitely recommended by me. Oh wait, it was interesting that Duece didn't know about everyday things like utensils and canned food and the like. Usually, we don't even think twice about these things. Just thought I'd throw that in. Anyways, read and meditate on Enclave! Hasta la vista!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann Aguire is a national bestselling author with a degree in English Literature. Before she began writing full-time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, though not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lievs in sunny Mexico with her husband, two children, two cats, and one very lazy dog. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies, and Dr. Who. This is her first novel for young adults.

Delirium (Delirium #1)

Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium, #1
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: Wish I'd Read That Challenge
Format: Hardback
Pages: 441
Published: February 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Public Library
My Rating: * * * * *

NINETY-FIVE DAYS, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

Opinions & Thoughts:
Delirum was an extremely fascinating book. I had never heard the term "dystopian", until now. I guess you could say this was my first time reading a dystopian book, knowing what the type of book it is called. Probably, my actual first dystopian book was either the Hunger Games trilogy or The Host.


Previously, Lauren Oliver had written another book entitled Before I Fall. Sadly, it's still on my TBR pile, but I am determined to read it soon. Want to know why? Because Delirium was AMAZING! At first it was just like, okay, come on, get on with it Lena. You're boring me to death, what with your goody-two shoes attitude. But, by the end, I was almost crying! Lena, forgive me for criticizing you.


Poor, poor, Alex! I hated what happened to him, but I loved him as a character. He was so sweet and caring!


The book was predictable in a few parts, and it sounded similar in some ways to Birthmarked, another book I had read previously. Not too many similarities, but a few. As for the writing style, I noticed that there were plenty of comparisons. Too many, in fact. But, after the plot distracted me, I forgot all about it[the comparisons]. Ahhh...I loved how Lauren Oliver was able to manipulate my emotions, to the point where I was almost crying. Almost.


Overall, an amazing book. Go get it at your library or bookstore. Borrow Delirium from a friend. I don't care how you manage to get this book, steal for all I care(don't take it seriously, I don't want to be blamed as an accomplice), but you have got to read Delirium. I guarantee I didn't regret reading it, and hopefully, you won't either.


About the Author:
Lauren Oliver is the author of Before I Fall, which ALA Booklist called a "compelling book with a powerful message [that] should not be missed." A graduate of the University of Chicago and the MFA program at New York University, Lauren is now a full-time writer and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Delirium is her second novel.

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1)

Author: James Patterson


Series: Maximum Ride, #1


Pages: 422


Published: April 11, 2005


My Rating: * * * * *


Click here for a look at the Maximum Ride series, and other books by James Patterson.








Summary
WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE.
Do not put this book down. I'm dead serious--your life could depend on it. I'm risking everything by telling you--but you need to know.
STRAP YOURSELF IN
for the thrill ride you'll want to take again and again! From Death Valley, California, to the bowels of the New York City subway system, you're about to take off on a heart-stopping adventure that will blow you away....
YOUR FAITHFUL COMPANIONS:
Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. Six kids who are pretty normal in most ways--except that they're 98 percent human, 2 percent bird. They grew up in a lab, living like rats in cages, but now they're free.  Aside, of course, for Erasers--wicked, wolflike creatures with a taste for flying humans.
THE MISSIONS:
Rescue Angel from malicious mutants.  Infiltrate a secret facility to track down the flock's missing parents.  Scavenge for sustenance.  Get revenge on an evil traitor.  And save the world.  If there's time.
PREPARE FOR LAUNCH: THESE PAGES FLY.
Opinions & Thoughts
AMAZING! I loved these series. Although, when I began this series, I made a terrible mistake. I thought Max was a boy. Sorry, sorry, I know it was a ridiculous mistake, but think about it. Max IS a boy's name, and I was only on the first four chapters. So....I later found out that Max was a girl when Iggy kept calling Max a SHE. Bingo! My first reaction was to slap my forehead, then, I burst out laughing(which earned me strange looks from my parents). For some unknown reason, I found it hilarious. Maybe it was my way of hiding my embarrassment.  Wherever you are James Patterson, I'm very sorry for thinking Max was a boy.
Anyways, let's discuss the characters. Max- my kind of girl, kick butt, strong, smart(unlike Bella from Twilight, but that's another story). Fang- dark(not just moody, but he always wore black), mysterious, quiet, my type of guy. Iggy- one of the most amazing blind guys ever, I mean he could make a bomb! His humor just had me laughing my guts out. Nudge- didn't really like her, but she was tolerable. A total blabbermouth. Angel- the cutest sweetest girl, but I will say that she kind of creeped me out by the end of the book(won't say why, you have to read it to find out).  I still like her a lot, though.
When I was reading the first book, I kept thinking that maybe Patterson had meant to make The Angel Experiment into more than one book, because he was constantly reminding me of their mission, the characters, and the like. Just seemed like it was maybe two or three books blended into one.
Overall, one of my favorite books ever. Certainly something I would read again, and I will definitely continue reading the series, down to the last book. Max was someone I could relate to, she seemed down to earth, yet hardened by her experience, and not some weak helpless girl(it seems like every book I read lately, every girl is like this). I loved how they were all superstrong, and the whole flying concept, I was grinning from ear to ear.(a really cool idea) The characters go from California to New York, so there is a change of scene, and interesting new places. This book deserves its five stars.