Across The Universe - Beth Revis #53

Warning: Part of a Trilogy - not sure when the second and third one are due out.

With that being said at least it doesn't end in the middle of a sentence, so thank you Beth. It does leave a lot of questions...but at first, I thought this was for the reader to speculate on...not to be answered at some future time with more books. Moving along.

This book...roughly three hundred years ago a group of people are frozen in cryo tanks, put on a ship and set off into space. They are told that they will awaken in 300 years on a new planet that NASA has found suitable for human life. Amy is on board with her parents who are scientists/military personal.

A few hundred years into the voyage, Amy is accidentally woken up. She is told, fifty years earlier then expected. Her parents, still lay frozen and when they awaken, she will be older then them, if not dead already. She is trying to find out who woke her up, and who is continuing to unthaw the others. She is making friends, and trying to figure out what is wrong with most of the people on the ship. All the while, trying to deal with 'Earth' memories which still feel like they happened days ago instead of hundreds of years.

Elder is the next leader of the ship. Eldest is teaching him they ways, but Elder is having a hard time following, especially after her meets Amy. She is unlike anyone he has ever seen and he knows that she will change everything. Eldest knows it too, and tries to quiet Amy any way he can, in order to keep peace on his ship.

This story is one of lies, built on more lies. It goes so much deeper then you think while reading it. You get to the point in the book where you don't even trust what you are reading. Nothing seems far fetched, and everyone seems like the bad guy.

It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I got into it I was hooked. I look forward to reading the second and third one, though I would have been happier with a thousand page book, but alas what are you going to do?

Bumped - Megan McCafferty

First off let me warn you there will be a sequel...

I liked and I didn't like this book. I enjoyed McCarfferty's writing style. I even enjoyed the idea, a Virus that makes people over a certain again infertile would be pretty grim. However, I had a hard time reading this for many reasons. The first, and most important reason probably, because I have huge issues with teen pregnancy. Huge. So the whole time I am not only reading about girls who are as young as 13 pregnant, but who are doing it for profit. Teenagers having sex just to get pregnant. It was a hard concept to read. By the end of the book though, I was so wrapped up in it, that I didn't...notice as much.

This book is about two sisters, identical twins, who were separated at birth. One, Harmony, grows up in Goodside, where they still have God. It's kind of like an Amish community. Very close knit and very religious.
The other, Melody, grows up on the Otherside and knows since she was little, that it is her destiny to bred, and bred well. To the highest bidder. Her foster parents have done everything to make sure she is perfect.

When the two sisters meet, everything they both planned for falls apart. Now they have to decide which future they want, which one is right, and what it truly means to be family.

This was a great book, like I said. Once you get over the teen pregnancy it becomes an easy read. I look forward to the next one...which is rumored (from McCafferty's page) to be called Thumped and is hopefully due out Spring 2012!

Also she has a series called the Jessica Darling Series, first one in the serious is called Sloppy Firsts. I may check it out...

Before I fall - Lauren Oliver

This is the second book I have read by Lauren Oliver and once again I was not disappointed.

This story starts with the death of Samantha. The book continues while Samantha is forced to relive the day she died for a week.
I will admit, I hated Samantha at first. I wasn't at all sad that she died. In the beginning she was wretched little brat. One of those girls I hated in high school and still can't stand today.

By then end of the book though, is another story. This book is a lot like Groundhogs Day with Bill Murry. (she even mentions it). Every day she wakes up, and is February 12th all over again. The same classes, same party, same drama, same death. By the end of the week, she starts to learn and finally understand, he life, her death and the meaning of it all.

This was a wonderful, heart wrenching book. I think Lauren has a fantastic talent to pull you in and keep you enthralled right up to the last page and beyond. Her characters and stories stay with you, long after you have you put the book away.

I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good fiction novel. 

Passion - Lauren Kate

Book three of the fallen series. So if you haven't read the first two...bugger off till you do then come back.

In this Luce has jumped through an Announcer to travel back through her past lives. She is searching for a reason Daniel loves her, why she loves him. And is there a way to break the curse for good? 

Along the way she travels to some interesting times in human history. Becoming a Princess and a slave and everything in between. The only constant is Daniel and their love for each other.

I actually was at first bored and the quickly warmed up to this book. I think I was bored because I got so angry at the pair of them. Him for not being honest about...well everything...Angel's are so secretive. And her of course, for running off. But it was interesting to read about her past lives. I did enjoy that. I look forward to the fourth and final one, Rapture which is rumored for Spring 2012.

2030 - The real story of what happens to America - Albert Brooks

2030...doesn't seem that far away anymore. Albert Brooks is better known for his acting, he was in Finding Nemo as Marlin and played in Weeds as Lenny. While I think he did a fantastic job as Marlin, and I never knew him in other roles, I must say he makes one heck of an author.

I found that he wrights much like the late Micheal Crichton. It has the same feel when you are reading his book, as Crichton's do. Of course, I loved Crichton's work so enjoyed Brooks from page one.

This books tells of a story that is completely believable if not a damn near prediction to what may come. In the year 2030 we have cured cancer. People are living longer then ever imagined and living well thanks to all kinds of new longevity drugs on the market. This angers the young kids who are watching their parents struggle, and their grandparent reap the benefits. The kids know that they will never be able to have it as good as the 'olds' and something needs to be done about that.

To make matters worse, the worst natural disaster in history hits California. A 9.1 earthquake and a few 8.9 8.0 aftershocks level LA. Thousands of people injured, homeless, sick. Hundreds dead. The big problem comes when they learn that the country has no means to put it right.

As the nation loses hope, and new deals are made, a more silent war is being fought over the rights of the younger generation, and the rights of the ones 'living beyond their years'.

This is a fantastic book, filled with dark humor and thought provoking ideas.



*As an addendum - I just want to say - Crichton writes medical/political type books. Brooks' book is defiantly a little political and obviously touches on medical issues, but not even close to what Crichton wrote about. I compare their writing styles only. Not subject matter.

The Silent Girl - Tess Gerritsten

I lost count of which Rizzoli and Isles book this is...ten maybe? Anyway, this one does not disappoint.

If you don't know Jane Rizzoli and Isles - then start with The Surgeon, this is where you will first meet Rizzoli - a tough Homicide Detective from Boston. You meet Maura Isles later in the series. Although, I wouldn't consider them a 'team' as the new TV show makes them out to be. They certainly work together to fight crime, one being the detective and the other a medical examiner. There isn't, however, girl bonding and shoe sharing. Anyway, that being said moving on to the book.

IN this we find Jane in the middle of a strange homicide in Boston's Chinatown. At first, the only mystery is the woman, who had a severed hand and almost severed head, and who wanted her dead. Then things get weird. Are they chasing a person or some mythical Chinese legend. One thing is for sure, its a case that isn't easily solved and requires the Boston detective team to look in places they never thought to look.

I enjoyed this, as I do all Gerritsten's books. She has a medical degree, so there is rich detail when she describes anything with the human body. She also does her research. At then end of her books you see countless people she thanks for their advice and knowledge. You can tell she really puts everything into a book, every page you turn because the detail is there. You feel like you a right there with Jane, looking at clues and wondering who done it.

I would recommend, of course, reading all the books from the beginning, but with her books, you don't need to. Its just nice to have the extra background. Then you feel like, one of the guys...or girls.

* The Surgeon - Introduces Jane Rizzoli 
* The Apprentice - Introduces Dr. Maura Isles 
* The Sinner
* Body Double
* Vanish
* The Mephisto Club 
* The Bone Garden
* The Keepsake 
* Ice Cold
* The Silent Girl

Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

The sequel to Hush, Hush. Honestly I didn't think there was a need at the end of, Hush, Hush for a sequel, this book, however, defiantly made me want the third.

In this book, after saving Nora's life, Patch becomes a guardian angel, her guardian angel in fact. Things seem like pretty close to perfect. Its summer, Nora's biggest plans involve hanging out with her best friend and of course, he boyfriends/angel Patch. All this goes awry when Patch decides to start spending time with her Nemesis since grade school, Marci. It is one thing to be replaced, its a whole other thing to be replaced by the one person you truly don't like. To make matters worse, if that we possible, Nora feels like she is slowly losing her mind as well. She keeps "seeing" and "hearing" her father. Making her question his death. Was it really a random shooting? Or was it something more? Add to that, an old childhood friend named Scott comes back into town bringing with him his own secretes and mysteries.

I thought this book was better then the first one, it defiantly had a faster pace and more meat. I am looking forward to, Silence, which comes out in October. Although, to be honest...kind of getting sick of the squeals.

Hereafter - Tara Hudson

 

I enjoyed this book with out really know why. Hudson is a great story teller. I found myself turning and turning each page, never wanting the book to end and when it did, I found myself not disappointed but happy. I enjoyed the ending. Not many books do that for me. I enjoyed the story and was caught up in it, and I liked the ending. 

In this, Amelia is wandering around after her death. She can't remember much of her life, just her name and some small bits and pieces. Then she meets Joshua, when is drowning. She helps save his life, and from then on he can see her. They start this forbidden friendship that is in jeopardy on both ends. 

Its kind of a Romeo/Juliet except, in this story one of them is already dead. Again, I enjoyed it, even if I can't give a good reason why. Its a quick, enjoyable read that stays with you after you turn the last page.

The Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling

I know I wrote in a previous blog about this series and how everyone should read it. However, since I have just re-read them again in their entirety, I feel like I needed to make a post about it. I shall, sum each book and my thoughts. In the interest of not boring the reader or myself, I will try and brief.

Harry Potter and the Sorceress Stone  - 

In this first installment we meet Harry Potter and learn of his mysterious beginnings and  the strange truth about who he is. He goes from being an 'ordinary' boy to a wizard over night. He goes from friendless to meeting some of the best friends anyone could ever hope for. He goes from not knowing his parents, to learning of their heroics. Its a startling beginning to a wonderful, enriching series. 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 
This book brings with it more adventure, more lies and more truth. Harry and his friends must uncover who or what is behind all the strange things going on in Hogwarts, or someone they love will get blamed for and maybe even, the only place that Harry has ever truly felt home, will close for good. 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - 
In this story Harry meets on of the most important people he will meet in their series. He learns more of his fathers amazing past, learns to fight his fears, and save a few lives in the process. He learns that who he thought was enemy is friend and who he thought was friend is foe.

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - 

The four book, while not on of my favorites, is  one of the most important. The thing that must never happen, happens. Also this book marks the first death. Perhaps one of the hardest, since we went four years with out one. Harry faces more tasks, more fears, more challenges, with the help from friends. He enters the final task of the triwizard tournament with ideas of wining, he exits, with terrible news and fallen friend. 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 
Voldermont has arisen, he has grand plans of over taking the wizarding world, killing Harry Potter, and finally ruling over all muggles. But first he needs something, something he didn't have before. He will stop at nothing to retrieve it. Unfortunately, Harry now is linked to Voldy through his scar. He dreams of hallways and doors. He is frustrated that no one will let him fight, he is angry that the ministry doesn't believe him. His temper and his defiance get him into much trouble over the course of the year, but nothing prepares him for the final battle and the loss of another friend. 

Harry Potter and the half blood prince - 
Before I start the analyse, I actually threw this book across the room the first time I read it. Not believing what I was reading. That being said. 
This book finds Harry alone, scared. Finally the wizarding world knows Voldy is back, but at what cost? He feels angry, depressed, guilty. Still there is still fight in him, and because of that he purses his ambitions of being coming an Auror. He also gets special lessons from Dumbledore and digs so much deeper into the history and man known as Tom Riddle. Knowledge that will hopefully help destroy him. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 
The seventh and final installment of Harry Potter, here it all ends. This book is by far the darkest. There are deaths in this book that I couldn't believe. It seem to me that J.K was just finishing off anyone she could. It was hard to read. People you have grown to know through seven books, just dying. All of them senseless. The final battle is fought, as perhaps it was always meant to be fought, at Hogwarts. Here Harry and everyone else make their final stand against evil. 

To say that this is a good series is an understatement. I have said it before and I will say it again. This is a phenomenal series, woven in such rich detail, by a masterful storyteller. Any child say ten or over that is struggling with wanting to read should pick this up. I feel this is a 'gateway' book to other books. It is so wonderful to escape into his world. To live through him, and his friends. I remember reading it the first time and so wishing that something like this did exist. Imagine a world of magic, living right along side us. What an amazing thought. (and I still haven't lost hope that there isn't) I think everyone should read this. I don't think it should be banned (as I know it is in some schools) I don't think any book should be banned but that is another post. 
Enjoy Harry, let him into your life and heart. You won't be disappointed