Mini Review Monday #3

I decided to start doing some mini reviews to allow me to tell you what I thought of a book, without the full review depth. The reason why I decided to do this is because some books have been out of a while and there are plenty of reviews on Goodreads if anyone wants further details, and the other is that some of the books I've read are actually novellas and I wouldn't be able to write full reviews on something that is generally under 100 or so pages. 
I'm not sure if this will be a weekly, fortnightly or monthly thing. More than likely it will be just when I need to so a short review. 

Title: Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead Series: Vampire Academy #1
Published: August 16th 2007 
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult, Vampires, Fantasy


St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.



My Thoughts

Vampire Academy has been out for some time, and has a lot of 'followers'. I managed to get my hands on the whole series about over 1 year ago but near got around to reading. Lets be honest, the cover does nothing to motivate me to read it. I'm a huge cover lover and will buy books based on their covers. This series was one I purchased due to the reviews and people that rave about the series. With the movie coming out I thought now was a good time to mark it off my TBR (that I it's listed in my 2013 reading challenge!). 

I wasn't completely wrapped up in this book. It was a slowish start, and there were times that I just forced myself to read it just so I could get to the end. Don't get me wrong, there were parts that I loved and really enjoyed - those were the parts where something actually happened! Otherwise the book is just Rose going to class, Rose going to training, Rose "watching" Lissa through their bond, rinse and repeat, and add some mean girl business caused by Mia or Rose in between. 

The ending was more interesting with something other than the academy daily life involved and I liked the characters enough to read the next in the series. That said, I already have the rest of the series so I may as well read them, but I must admit I'm hoping Frostbite has some more momentum. 

★★★ Liked It

Mini Review Monday #2

I have decided to start doing some mini reviews to allow me to tell you what I thought of a book, without the full review depth. The reason why I have decided to do this is because some books have been out of a while and there are plenty of reviews on Goodreads if anyone wants further details already, and the other is that some of the books I've read are actually novellas and I wouldn't be able to write full reviews on something that is generally under 100 or so pages. 
I'm not sure if this will be a weekly, fortnightly or monthly thing. More than likely it will be just when I need to so a short review. I do have a few to do, but I'll space them out of the next few weeks and then take it from there. =)

Title: Crossing The Line

Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing The Limits, #1.5
Published: April 1, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Free for Kindle promo by Harlequin Teen Australia

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

My Thoughts

This was a lovely little (it's 67 pages!) novella about Lila. If you read Pushing The Limits, she was Echo's friend who in the end was the only one to stand by her. 

Lila's relationship with Lincoln is built up through letters, and as with Katie McGarry's stories, both have issues within their lives but have each other to depend on. 

You don't need to have read Pushing the Limits before this one. It's would read fine as a stand alone if you wanted. 

Even though it is a very short story, Katie McGarry managers to make fantastic characters and an emotional read. 

★★★★ Really Liked It

Mini Review Monday #1

I have decided to start doing some mini reviews to allow me to tell you what I thought of a book, without the full review depth. The reason why I have decided to do this is because some books have been out of a while and there are plenty of reviews on Goodreads if anyone wants further details already, and the other is that some of the books I've read are actually novellas and I wouldn't be able to write full reviews on something that is generally under 100 or so pages. 
I'm not sure if this will be a weekly, fortnightly or monthly thing. More than likely it will be just when I need to so a short review. I do have a few to do, but I'll space them out of the next few weeks and then take it from there. =)

Title: 0.4 

Author: Mike A. Lancaster
Series: Point 4, Book #1
Published: January 3rd 2011 
Publisher: Egmont
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Sci Fi 
Source: Borrowed from library 

It's a brave new world. 'My name is Kyle Straker. And I don't exist anymore.' So begins the story of Kyle Straker, recorded on to old audio tapes. You might think these tapes are a hoax. But perhaps they contain the history of a past world...If what the tapes say are true, it means that everything we think we know is a lie. And if everything we know is a lie does that mean that we are, too?

My Thoughts

It's told as a transcript of some audiotapes making it a quick read with an interesting concept. 

Unfortunately I finished the book and didn't really feel for the characters let alone feel like I know them. There were also lots that was unexplained. It felt like a vague idea of the story rather than a whole story. 

There is another book in the series, I did borrow it at one point, but didn't get around to reading it, and I'm not sure I will anytime soon either. This book is enjoyable and a quick read that you could finish in one sitting, and interesting enough that you want to finish it. 

★★★ Liked It

*********

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky

Published: February 1st 1999 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Charlie is a freshman.
And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his year yet socially awkward,he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

My Thoughts

I liked (the most) the format of this book. I loved that the story was told via letters. I love reading letters so this was appealing for me. 

This was an interesting read but at the same time it didn't feel very realistic. I especially found Charlie weird (not a good weird, but an odd weird). It felt like there was something wrong with him. 

This isn't something I would have normally picked up. It got my attention only because of the movie that was being released, so I bought the book after seeing so many good/great reviews on Goodreads. 

Good, not great in my opinion, but read it for yourself as loads of people love this. I think I'll like the movie more.

★★★ Liked It