Need by Carrie Jones Review

Need

Carrie Jones

306 pages

 

               Zara White hasn't been herself since her father died. She has become obsessed with phobias, and shipped off to Maine to live with her grandmother. Zara is convinced someone is following her, and soon after she discovers her suspicions are true-someone is in fact stalking her, leaving behind a trail of gold dust wherever they go. Additionally, teenage boys start to mysteriously dissappear around town. There is something not quite right about this isolated Maine town, and Zara is determined to get to the bottom of it with the help of her friends Izzy, Devon and Nick, despite her grandmother's warnings to stop hunting for clues.

 

 

               I applaud Carrie Jones on her ability to turn a classic fairy tale and twist it around to make a compelling story about the harsh 'reality' of pixies. I loved the main character and how naive she was to her new surroundings. This book reminded me so much of Twilight. A girl from a sunny city moves out to an  isolated town with a family member who happens to be on the police force. She meets a nice boy who is willing to help her, and then proceeds to fall in love with the mysterious one in the novel. Sound familiar? I loved her grandmother. Favourite character, no doubt. She added the bit of humour to the novel to get the ball rolling and making sure the reader stays interested, even throughout the less exciting parts of the book.

 

 

If I was to change one part of the book, it would probably be the grammar. Lines like "His jaw is so straight and his eyes are so deep, like a tree where the bark is all textured." or "He doesn't move his hand off my mouth and his eyes twinkle like he thinks I am so amusing. I am not amusing," had me a little frustrated. If Carrie Jones had  used better dialoge, this book would have been 10x better.

 

 

I would rate this book 4/5 stars. Overall, I loved the plot, but the writing had a few errors that really needed to be fixed. I would suggest this book to young adult readers who enjoy fairy tales in real life situations. I am excited to read the sequels and I will try to post a review when I do.

 

-Claire ♥

The Giver by Lois Lowry Review

The Giver

Lois Lowry

179 pages

 



 

 

                Jonas lives in what seems to be a perfect world. There are no wars. There is no hunger. There is no poverty. There are no choices. When Jonas turns 12 years old, he is specially selected to receive training from The Giver. The Giver's job is to transmit memories to Jonas which he will carry for the rest of his life. Little does Jonas know, there is no turning back.

 

               I read this book for a language class, similar to my review of Never to be Told by Becky Citra . It was really good even from the start, despite being a bit confusing. As you got deeper and deeper into the story, more information was uncovered and the more the story made sense. I loved how the author really made you think and infer a lot of the information in the book. My favourite part of the novel was when The Giver was transferring all the memories to Jonas because of how detailed they were. In my point of view, the more details in the story, the more believable it is! All the minor parts really made the story come alive.

 

              If I had to change one part of the novel, I would definitely have a concrete ending instead of an open ending. I prefer closure to books, and Lois Lowry unquestionably left her readers with a cliff-hanger! The ending to this book played with your heart strings and made you feel the emotions  of the characters in the book, and these are the books I like to read!

 

I would rate this book 4.5/5 stars. I loved this book so much, and the only thing keeping this novel from getting 5 stars was merely opinion. I recommend this book to young adult readers of all genders, maybe looking for a light read, but also looking for a high-drama novel. I really do hope Lois Lowry writes a sequel and finishes off the story.

 

-Claire ♥

 

 

            

Never to Be Told by Becky Citra Review

Never to be Told

Becky Citra

217 pages

Asia, an adopted child, has lived with elderly Ira and Maddy in Cold Creek all her life. When Ira suddenly has a heart attack, Asia's world is turned upside-down, fast. With the possibility of losing the only family she ever loved, Asia notices a  certain ghost, Miranda, that lives in the abandon farmhouse next door. When she moves to Vancouver with her long-lost grandmother, Asia realizes she has more family than she could have imagined, including her annoying cousins, Ben and Sierra. After a certain trip to the library with Sierra, Asia finds a diary that might just unravel the mystery of Miranda in Cold Creek. But what is the diary doing in Vancouver?

I read this book for a literacy class and loved it. I was so happy that this wasn't just another boring literacy book that we were required to read, and I think it was the first required book I actually was mad about the 'no reading ahead' rule. My favourite part was when Asia was in the tree with her cousin and she was talking about all the things she saw. It sounded beautiful and i wanted to go and see Cold Creek.

I don't know what I would have changed if I were to change anything to be honest.

I would rate this book 5/5 stars. I loved the way this book was written and I love the whole story in general.

-Claire ♥



Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver Review

Before I Fall

Lauren Oliver

470 pages

February 12th should just be like any other day for Sam Kingston. But instead, that is the days that she dies. She must then re-live that day 7 times in attempt to unravel the mystery behind her death and save herself, as well as discover the value behind what she could potentially lose.

I really liked this book! It was well written and clear, despite the fact that there were so many ideas swirling around. I don't think I can choose just one favourite part and I don't want to be a spoiler either. I could clearly feel Sam's emotions and I admittedly got a little emotional! I honestly think this was one of the best books I have ever read. It was so sad and the ending was beautifully tragic.

If I were to change one thing about the book, I would change the fact that a couple of the days were almost the same except a few small details. In times it felt a bit repetitive, but I still enjoyed the concept behind the book.

I would rate this book a 4.5/5 stars. A few more details would have made this book a lot better, and I probably would have given it a 5.

-Claire ♥


 

Perception by Kim Harrington Review

Perception (Clarity #2)

Kim Harrington

275 pages

Perception by Kim Harrington is the sequel to Clarity and is about Clarity "Clare" Fern, a girl who comes from a very special family-a gifted family, that is. Clare can see and feel things that other people saw and felt when she touches an object, her mom can see the past, and her brother, Perry, can talk to the deceased. But when the secret admirer notes she had been getting start to get aggressive, she must find out who is sending the messages, as well as solve the mystery of the kidnapping of a local girl.

I enjoyed this book. It was really well written and i think all the ideas that wanted to be presented were clear. I think one of my favourite parts of the book was the love triangle between Clare, Gabreil and Justin. I didn't like Justin as much as Gabriel, and I was feeling Clare's pain because of the choices she had to make.

If I had to change something in the book, it would probably be that it was a little slow at times. There was a huge amount of drama at the end, and i like that, but I wish some of it had happened earlier so that the reader was hanging on to every last word. I also didn't like how i could guess the ending. I was shocked at some points, but I made a lot of connections and figured out the ending.

I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. If Kim Harrinton had tweaked some minor things, I am sure the book would have gotten 5 stars.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hopkins Review

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Michelle Hopkins

452 pages

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is about Mara, a girl who woke up one day in a hospital after an accident that miraculously killed her friends and left her alive. The story follows Mara as she moves in attempt to rid her memory of the awful events that happend before that and deals with her PTSD and hallucinations. Things start to get creepy when people around her start dying, and then the weirdest thing of all happens, a thing that she didn't think in a million year could happen: she falls in love.

I loved this book!!! It was so well put together! The plot was so creepy and had so many twists and turns that made the ending unpredictable. My favourite character was Noah, probably because he was so blunt and he wasn't afraid of being talked about behind his back. He was his own person, and I very much admired him for that.

It was a little bit confusing at times, but the ending explained it all. I don't think there is anything else I would change in the book other than making it just a bit easier to follow.

Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked it. It wasn't the best book I have ever read, but it is definitely very good. I would suggest this to everyone who loves a mysterious romance with a little bit of suspense.

-Claire ♥

Clarity by Kim Harrington Review

Clarity

Kim Harrington

246 pages

Clarity "Clare" Fern can see things normal people can't. When she touches an object, she can see everything that the person who was touching the object did. When a murder occurs in Clare's small hometown and her brother becomes one of the prime suspects, Clare must team up with her cheating jerk of an ex-boyfriend to solve the murder along with deal with her budding romance with the detective's son and keep her family's business from going down the drain.

I loved this book. I totally wish I had Clare and her family's abilities! The whole story was written so well and I loved how everything fit in so nicely. I also liked how Kim Harrington made the story not only a mystery, but a fantasy and a romance too. My favourite part of the book were the twists. I had many "Aha!" moments in the story, but almost all of them turned out to be wrong.

If I had to change something in this book, I probably would have put a sister in the book. It would have made it so cool having Clare have an older/twin sister to deal with as well. Other than that, it was so good!

I would rate this book 4/5 stars. The plot was great and the actual book was so well written. I can't wait to read PERCEPTION! I have it at home, it is the next book I'm reading!

-Claire ♥

Perfect by Sara Shepard Review

Perfect 

Sara Shepard 

298 pages

Spencer is a thief. Hanna's worried her bestie is going to ditch her. Aria is grieving over an ex she  shouldn't have had as a boyfriend in the first place. Emily is freaking out over a kiss. And A will take any chance that he/she can get to tell everyone what these 4 Pretty Little Liars are up to. The girls are back in the third book of the Pretty Little Liars Series by Sara Shepard, and things are going to get nasty.


What can I say about the third PLL book? It was, well, Perfect! The plot was absolutely crazy! I can't believe some of the things that happened in this book! The situations are so unrealistic but Sara Shepard makes the ideas come alive and seem real! My favourite part of the book is whenever the girls find new clues. The moments are so cool because all of the pieces fit together and you have that "Aha!" moment, but then Ms. Shepard turns the story upside-down when she reveals a new twist.


I wouldn't change anyhting about this book. I loved it, inside out. Each page was written so wonderfully, even if something insignifigant to the story was happening. Team Shepard all the way!


I would rate this book 5 stars out of 5, because it was just a great book overall. I highly reccommend it to everyone! Just a note, you MUST read the first two first! Awesome book!


-Claire ♥

Flawless by Sara Shepard Review

Flawless

Sara Shepard

330 pages

A is at it again in the sequel to Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. Spencer is a man stealer. Aria is heartbroken over someone she definetely should not be. Emily likes her new neighbor.... as a lot more than a friend. And Hanna is so obsessed with being perfect that it is making her sick... literally. And A is threatening to tell everyone the girls' secrets.

This book is the best! I L-O-V-E-D the plot and the girls are just as bad as the last book. My, my, when are they ever going to learn? Again, in this novel, A was my favourite character. She is so devious and  whenever I read another text from A, I literally gasp. I love Sara Shepard, and her writing is so good. I devour every last word and I sometimes finish her books in just a couple days. The secrets are so scandalous, and the way that Ms. Shepard leaves the reader wanting more is the best.

There is nothing about this book I didn't like and I don't need to go into detail.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Sara Shepard's work is absolutely amazing and I cannot say enough how much I think you should read this book! Read it!!! I would reccommend this book to people in their teens and I think you will absolutley love it.

-Claire ♥ 

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard Review

Pretty Little Liars

Sara Shepard

286 pages

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard is about Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Emily,  four girls who's best friend Alison went missing three years earlier. They then start to get threatening texts from a mystery sender who goes by the name A. The girls must come together to stop A from spreading their secrets around while dealing with affairs, forbidden relationships, sibling rivavlries and an identity crisis.

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved the plot of this book and I couldn't think of a better idea for a book if my life depended on it! The story was so well thought out and it flowed so smoothly. Everything made so much sense and the book had my gasping when the girls figured out a new clue to finding out who A was. My favourtie character was A, because she was so devious and deliciously evil. I love a good antagonist, and this character was probably one of my all-time favourites!

There is nothing in this book I didn't like. All the characters were relatable and readers could connect with them and feel their pain. I love Sara Shepard and I have read a lot of her work. She is truly one of the best authors ever!

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. You can obviously tell from my review above but the book was just so good.  Words cannot describe how much I loved this book, even though I just wrote a 4 paragraph review about it. Haha, until next time!!!

-Claire ♥

Holes by Louis Sacher Review

Holes

Louis Sacher

233 pages

Holes is about Stanley Yelnats, a boy whose family is not all that wealthy. He was framed for stealing a pair of shoes that belonged to a famous basketball player. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvie camp that punishes the kids going by making the kids dig holes all day. After he runs away to follow his friend Zero, he comes across many obstacles and solves a mystery in the process.

I really liked the character Zero. He tried really hard to learn how to read and he succeeded, even though he had never read before because he was an orphan. My favourite part was the ending because it was so action-packed and interesting. I am trying not to give it away!

If I had to change anything in the book, it would be the beginning because it was a little bit slow. Once it got farther into the book, however, it really got flowing and the story opened up before your eyes.

I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. It definetely wasn't the best book I have ever read, but it was not the worst. I liked the characters, but they didn't connect with me like i think they should have. I do hope the author keeps writing, just this wasn't my favourite book from him.

-Claire ♥

The Clique by Lisi Harrison Review

The Clique

Lisi Harrison

220 pages

The Clique by Lisi Harrison is about Claire, the new girl at Octavian Country Day school, an expensive  private school full of prissy girls who can get anything and everything they want. Claire is having a hard time fitting in already, not putting in accout that she happens to be staying with Massie Block, the queen bee, and Massie is anything but happy to have Claire staying with her. Claire has to work her way to the top of the Popularity Ladder and get on Massie's good side, while also trying to schedule in time for her friend Lanie.

I loved this book. I was looking through a local Goodwill bookstore and though it might be good. I actually ended up finishing the book in a couple hours! My favourite character is probably Massie. She is the super-fabulous queen bee and she isn't afraid to stand up for something to get her way. She is very funny and her attitude is unstoppable. I am actually very surprised I enjoyed this book as much as I did, considering it seemed a little childish when I first picked it out.

I don't know what I would have changed in the book if I could. The plot was funny and well thought out and the characters were relatable. Claire, the new girl trying to fit in and Massie, the popular girl who doesn't want a newbie in the group.

Overall, I would rate this book 4 stars out of 5. I would
definetely read the other books and I reccommend this book to anyone.

-Claire ♥

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Review

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher

288 pages

Thirteen Reasons Why begins when Clay Jensen returns home from school one day to find a package addressed to him on his porch. Clay soon finds out that inside this box there are thirteen cassette tapes, along with a map from Hannah Baker, a classmate and crush that recently committed suicide. On the tapes, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she killed herself, and if you were listening to the tapes, that meant that you were one of them. Clay listens through the tapes and visiting the places on the map that Hannah marked off. The tale is heart wrenching and really plays with your emotion through the intire book.

This was a fantastic book by Jay Asher. He is an amazing author, and I would definetely read more of his books. The story plays with your emotions and keeps you hanging on by every last word. I was reading chapter after chapter and I ended up finishing it within a day or two. My favourite character was Clay because apart from being the main character, he was very sweet and caring. He was so emotional when he found out why he had the tapes and through the book he was mad and sad at himself, trying to figure out what he did to Hannah to make her want to do such and awful thing to herself.

I can't think of a single bad thing to say about his book. All of the characters were so different and unique. The story actually related to what someone might be going through somewhere, and the authors message was really clear.

Overall I rated this book 5/5 stars. The story's plot was fantastic and the story touched you. Jay Asher could not have done a better job creating the story and making it seem real. You were touched by Clay's innocents and you feel awful about what happened to Hannah. I would reccommend this book to everyone that can handle a topic as heavy as this one. It was great, and I am hoping that he writes many more novels.


-Claire ♥

Divergent by Veronica Roth Review

Divergent

Veronica Roth

487 pages

In a future dystoipan Chicago, the state is divided into 5 factions, each with their own personality. Dauntless for the brave, Amity for the peaceful, Candor for the Honest, Erudite for the intellegent, and Abegnation for the kind and selfless. On everyone's 16th birthday, the child must choose what faction that they will live in for the rest of their life. For sixteen year old Beatrice, she made the choice to switch from Abegnation to Dauntless. The story follows Beatrice as she goes through a several stages of elimination to get to the final amount of Dauntless members, leaving the others Factionless.


I really loved this book. My favourite character was Beatrice, even though she was the was the maincharacter. I loved her because she never gave up and she had enough guts to follow her heart and go to Dauntless. My favourite part of the book was when Beatrice decided to break the rules and go on that secret outing. It showed that she was a true Dauntless member to me. I also liked the character Four because he seemed so tough but you could see his sensitive side in the book too.


I can't think of anything I didn't like. Some people said that the ending was a cliff hanger, but I think that's how and ending should be (if there is going to be another book, that is). The plot was well thought out and it was jammed-pack with action. It caught you from the very first word and that's what I like in a book.


I would rate this book 5/5 stars. I loved the book and I can't wait for the sequel to come out in May! I would reccommend this to everyone! It has minor violence and I think any fan of the Hunger Games would devour this!


-Claire ♥

Would You by Marthe Jocelyn Review

Would You

Marthe Jocelyn

165 pages

For Natalie's older sister, Claire, (hehe!) this summer is going to be awesome because she is leaving for collage in the fall. For Natalie, the summer will be good. Hanging out with friends, nothing spectacular. When Claire gets hit by a car at a party, Natalie's world flips upsidedown. While Claire is in the hospital, Natalie gets moral support from her friends and tries to cope with her big sister not being there for her. A sad tale of what an accident can do to a family.

I enjoyed this book. Claire was just an innocent girl, going to a party. Natalie was a typical younger sister, taking things of Claire's and trying to hang out with her. My favourite character inthis book is probably Claire because along with sharing my name, she was innocent. It was the car's fault that Claire got hit, not hers. She was a typical big sister too, not wanting to share her things with Natalie and  always taking care of her. My favourite part in the book was when they got the news about Claire. Not trying to be mean, it was just so suspenseful!

What I didn't like in this book was the ending. I don't want to give it away, but it was a bit of a let-down. I wanted soemthing else to happen but it didn't and I was admittedly a bit dissappointed.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. That's how much I was dissappointed. If the ending had changed, I would have given the book 5 stars in a second. it didn't give me that feeling like, "oh my God, that was so intense," it just gave me a feeling like "Is it honestly finished?! There aren't anymore pages?!" I reccommend this book to people who are looking for a light read but can handle a dissappointing ending.

-Claire ♥

Dear George Clooney by Susin Nielsen Review

Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom

Susin Nielsen

229 pages

Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom is about Violet, an eighth grader whose mom has had more than one too many bad dates. When her mom starts to date nerdy Dudley Wiener, Violet sends a letter to George Clooney asking him to consider her mom for a date. Along with her mom's problems, she has her own: an evil classmate Ashley, her crush, Jean-Paul, her little sister Rosie and her dad, who traded in her mom for super-blonde and pretty Jennica. When Violet's letter comes back without a response, her friend Pheobe and herself take matters into their own hands to snag George Clooney.

This book was fairly good. Violet's sense of humour really makes you laugh and the book relates to a lot of kids whose parents are divorced. Rosie, Violet's little sister, has an attitude and if you don't watch out, she will bite, literally! The book was very well written and kept the reader wanting more most of the time. My favourite part of the book was the beginning, where Ms. Nielsen grabs you in from the first sentence. It made me laugh out loud, and that is the kind of response you want from a reader.

If I was to change one thing in the book, it would probably be the ending. I don't want to give anything away, but it was a tiny bit dissappointing. If that wasn't the end though, I think that the actual ending was a close second.

I think I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I don't know what was missing from that book, it pulled you in from the first word but it just didn't have that wow-factor. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a light read, as it wasn't very challenging for me. I think that it could have been better, but overall it was pretty good.

-Claire ♥

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Review

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

374 pages

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a great book about a future North America called Panem. The country is divided into 12 districts and a Capitol and each district is responsible for one different nessecity that keeps the Capitol's citizens alive and happy. Because of a huge war that rocked the country, the Capitol now hosts the Hunger Games once a year, a brutal reality show that forces kids between the ages of 12-18 to fight to the death as punishment. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12 as she enters the Hunger Games, and tries to survive.

This has to be one of my favourite books. The plot-alothough the idea is sick-is very well planned out. The characters are bold and unique and even though this will not happen in 100 years, the characters are also relatable. Katniss, the protective sister, Prim, the small helpless little girl, and Peeta, the invisible nobody. My favourite character has to be Katniss, by far. I know she is the main character but she is so bold and outspoken. My favourite part of the book is definetely the Reaping. It is so tense and when you hear the name of the tribute going to the Hunger Games, you die inside. The first time I read this, I actually yelled out in surprise.

To be honest, I can't think of anything I didn't like in this book.


Overall I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The book was so well written and the feelings of the character were  always clear, even if they were confused. She is a wonderful writer and I love her work. I would recommend this book to everyone!


-Claire ♥

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsh Review

The Eleventh Plague

Jeff Hirsh

288 pages

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsh is about 15 year old Stephen, one of the few survivors of World War III. He and his Father are something called scavengers: Survivors that move from place to place looking for food and trading with others in a local trade spot. When Stephen's Father slips into a coma, he meets a group of scavengers who take him to their village to take care of his father. After Stephen meets mischevous Jenny, they play a prank that may destroy the civilization forever.


I liked this book overall. The plot was very well thought out and the characters are very edgy and unique. My favourite character was Jenny because she was a tomboy. She was very tough on the outside but as you read on she could be very sensitive. My favourite part of the book was the prank they pulled. I don't want to give it away, but it got your blood pumping and all of these different thoughts flew through your head.


The book, however, moved slowly at the beginning whereas the end was suspenseful and exciting. If  I were Jeff Hirsh, I would spread the events out more evenly so that the book flowed smoothly. If that were to happen, the book would probably get a much higher rating from me. My least favourite part of the book was the beginning because it took a while to get the book started.


Overall, this book was good. It was suspenseful and the chapters almost always had the reader wanting more when the chapter finished. I would rate this book 3 stars out of 10. It was overall fairly good, but some parts need improvement.


-Claire ♥

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers Review

Cracked Up To Be

Courtney Summers

214 pages

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers is a book about Parker Fadley, highschooler who went from the top of the class to the bottom, after she started drinking and getting in trouble with her teachers. Parker must deal with her nosy guidance councellor, the new kid who is seriously crushing on her and flashbacks from her past that she is desperately trying to rid from her memory.


This was a very good book. Parker has a unique sense of humor that really gets you laughing. The plot of the book was very well thoguht out and the chapters and flashbacks ended at just the right time to leave you wanting more. Many times I would find myself saying, "Okay, I will stop after this chapter" and many times I would find myself chapters later, completely unaware of time.


The only thing I didn't like about his book was how much profanity and swearing there was in it. The author swore almost every other page and I don't think it was needed. When it did swear, a lot of the time it wasn't even to bring across a point or show fear.


Other than that, I think it was a fantastic book. The characters seemed at least somewhat relatable, from Parker, the girl who has drinking problems to Jake,the new kid and Parker's concerned parents. The book relates top real problems and I think that is what drew me in. I would rate this book four stars out of five. It was overall a very good book and I would recommend it to girls who can take the truth.


-Claire ♥

Hey Everyone!
Just wanting to say thanks for checking out my blog! A few things about me: I play soccer, volleyball, basketball, I love to hang out with friends, and of course I love to read. I love to read fiction and my favourite series is the Pretty Little Liars Series by Sara Shepard. I hope you like my reviews!
-Claire