Book Review: UGLIES

Title: Uglies; Pretties; Specials; Extras
Author: Scott Westerfeld

Rating:

Good if...You want a new series to fall into.

Summary (Amazon):

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

My thoughts:

I'm basically posting this as an example of a dystopian young adult novel (and series) I loved. It took the world we live in now and morphed certain aspects, such as body image, government ideals, and coming of age expectations. Tally is shallow and contempt in this world. She doesn't want to change. She wants to become pretty and bubbly and fit in. Then her friend Shay runs away and Tally follows--for her own selfish reasons. And she finds a new world, one outside her pretty little box. A world with David, an ugly boy who is so unlike anyone she's ever known. I finished "Uglies" and went straight to Target to buy "Pretties" and then "Specials". Through the novels you watch Tally change from a shallow kid, to the woman who leads a revolution. Pretty amazing stuff.

The Extras is not part of the original trilogy. It's...well, extra. It follows Aya, a 15-year-old girl from what once was Japan (I think.) Here is it's summary (Amazon): Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. "Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules. As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn't care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself. Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for.

I hope you're intrigued.

Book Review: THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH

Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Author: Carrie Ryan
Rating:

Good if...You want some truly dark/horrific, thought-provoking, and that will undoubtedly provoke a reaction in you

Summary (Amazon):
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated (Zombies) and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

My thoughts...
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (That's me screaming right now!) I finished this book about an hour ago and my head is reeling. First off...I will beginning by saying that in some ways this book was beautifully done. I read it all the way through in one sitting. I sat on the edge of my chair, captivated by Carrie's world. You couldn't have pried the book from my cold dead fingers during that time.

But--and this is a super, huge BUT--it's the type of book you will read and either love or hate. I happen to be on the hate side. Let me elaborate. I'm the type of person who needs a happy-go-lucky ending. And that is why I am so angry right now. Because I loved this book. I loved it until it came to the point of no return, the point where I wanted to throw it across the room and quit reading--but I finished with the slight hope that things would get better. Sadly, they didn't. This book didn't have the ending I wanted. No where close to the ending I needed. It wasn't bitter-sweat either. No, it went much further than that--it had the type of the ending that kicks you in the gut, pulls your hair, and laughs in your face.

Book Review: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

Title: The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury, The Dark Reunion
Author: L. J. Smith
Rating:
Good if...You're looking for another Vampire Series after Twilight and the Sookie Stackhouse books.

Summary (http://www.vampirediaries.net/):

During the time of the Italian Renaissance, brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore fell in love with a beautiful young vampire named Katherine. Though Katherine's heart was big enough for both brothers, each of them vied to make her his own. The battle for Katherine's affection led to her eventually death, and left the two boys immortal, heartbroken, and forever quarreling.
Centuries later, Damon and Stefan are destined to repeat the betrayal that led to their vampirism. They descend on the small town of Fell's Church, Virginia, where their paths cross with Elena Gilbert, a beautiful and popular high school student who bears a striking resemblance to Katherine. . . .

My Thoughts...

I wanted to open this up for discussion. (And who will discuss it? Me, myself, and I it seems) I started watching Vampire Diaries--the show--this fall and I've enjoyed it so far. It's the WB-ized version of True Blood. I loved LOVED True Blood...then read all the Sookie Stackhouse books...and loved LOVED them (maybe even more than Twilight---just throwing that one out there). So I thought, hey maybe I'll love these too. These books were written in the 90's and are grouped together in sets. So the first was The Awakening and The Struggle. And the second The Fury and The Dark Reunion. There is a third set out (more recently published) but I didn't get that far.

I liked and disliked these books. The style of writing is different from the books of the 2000's. In reading it, I felt it immediately. In some senses I liked this because of the difference, but in other ways I missed what I've grown accustomed to. Moving on. Elena is blond, popular, and shallow. I found myself uable to relate to her unrelateable qualities. And she falls for Stefan way harder than Bella ever did. I found myself rooting for Demon by the second book. So, Sarah, was there anything AT ALL you liked. I liked the mystery of it. The plot was slightly confusing. But the mystery was creepy and thrilling and overall what kept me reading. The author isn't afraid to kill off characters. Very action packed and dark. I'd recommend these books if you're a vampire book lover.

Book Review: WINGS

Title: WINGS

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Release Date: 05/05/2009

Rating: 5/5--Incredible! Loved it!
Plot in One Word: Faeries

Good if...You are looking for a guaranteed-to-please read--something enjoyable from beginning, middle, and end.

In My Words: 

The story starts when Laurel (only child, oddly unique) moves with Mom and Dad to a new city. She's been home-schooled, sheltered, her whole life. She hates when he mother makes her start public school. It's too loud, she's afraid she won't fit in because--get this--she's prettier than everyone else and she does like clothes tight like the other kids--and most unique she eats nothing but fruits and soda. She doesn't even like food. But soon she makes friends with David--a boy in her bio class--and their relationship builds. The story kicks up a notch when a bump starts to grow on her her back--giving way to the title of this book.

My thoughts...

I loved. Loved! LOVED! This book. Some other people who reviewed it on Amazon said it took them 50 or so pages to get into it. Not me. I was hooked from the moment David smiled at her (Which happened on page 1, second paragraph.) I'm not sure where to start--there was just so much about this book that pleased me. First: The Characters. Laurel was this all around good girl, good soul. Likeable--not annoying. She was beautiful, inside and out and kind and nice. I would love to be her friend. The there's David. He befriends her, no questions asked and soon I'm rooting for him and Laurel to get together. Then--don don don--Tamani--the third corner to the love triangle is revealed.* Second: Plot. The pace to this book was perfect. Things were revealed at exactly the right moment. And it all fit together nicely, and nothing felt too familiar. I mentioned the bio class meeting--that early meeting was the only part that reminded me of Twilight. The rest was unique and refreshing. Last: The Ending. Great. Action packed, romantic, thrilling. I can say no more.

*Different from other books---different because as the reader I couldn't decided which guy I wanted more. I loved this. Usually, it's so obvious who's the one the author wants you to fall for. I liked the unknowing.

I checked this book out from the library--but am putting it on my to-buy list. Rereadable material. And the perfect length--long enough but not long enough to drag. I promise it won't disappoint. 5/5 Rating.

Note: Due out May 4, 2010 "Spells" by Aprilynne Pike the sequel. Can't wait.

Book Review: AS YOU WISH

Title: As You Wish
Author: Jackson Pearce
Rating:
Good if you're...looking for something quick, fun and bubbly

Summary: (Amazon)
Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.
Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

My thoughts...
As you Wish---was fun, bubbly and cute. When I think of Jackson Pearce, I think Disney. It had a Disney movie feel (and not just because it had a genie in it)--it had a sweet, romantic, fairytale quality about it. My favorite part was how it was written from a dual narrative. So, the reader gets to really know both Viola and Jinn. I loved this story and the characters...although, it was kind of juvenile. Not only would I recommended to Young Adult readers but also middle school readers.

I did wish that the romance would have developed a little more. (Not just emotionally but physically too) I kept waiting for the big dramatic kissing scene. And everytime they got close Lawrence was around. I wanted to tell Lawrence to take a hike so they could really kiss already. But I guess he helped to keep it G.

Look out for Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce in 2010. And I love, love, love her blog--she's not annoying and braggy like some other authors are. She also does great YouTube videos on writing advice and book reviews. http://watchmebe.livejournal.com/