Fallen

I will just say this....I am paying a late fee for this book because even though it was due yesterday there was no way I was giving it back without finishing it, I would have had to run straight to the store to buy it and finish it (I stayed up till 3 o'clock this morning reading as far as I could)...and the late fee is much cheaper than buying the book, although I might do that anyways. Okay, so in a nutshell, this book was great...go read it!

Here's a synposis from goodreads.com:

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

The Book of a Thousand Days

Love Shannon Hale! And I really enjoyed this one.


A plucky and resourceful orphan, Dashti comes from a nomad tribe in a place resembling the Asian Steppes, and is brought to the Lady's house in the midst of a crisis. Lady Saren, having refused to marry the powerful but loathsome Lord her father has chosen, faces seven years' imprisonment in an unlit tower. Initially, Dashti believes her worth is tied to her ability to care for her "tower-addled" lady until she can join Khan Tegus, to whom she is secretly betrothed. When the gentle Tegus comes to the tower, Dashti must step in for her traumatized lady, speaking to him as Saren through the one tiny metal door. Hale exploits the diary form to convey Dashti's perspective; despite her self-effacing declaration that "?I draw this from memory so it won't be right," the entries reflect her genuinely spirited inner life. The tension between her unstinting loyalty and patience and burgeoning realization of her own strength and feelings for Tegus feels especially authentic. Readers will be riveted as Dashti and Saren escape and flee to the Khan's realm where, through a series of deceptions, contrivances and a riotously triumphant climax, the tale spins out to a thoroughly satisfying ending.

(As usually, thanks to the B&N website for the pics and storylines)

The Gemma Doyle Series

Again another series of books that I read and was just to lazy to post on here. These were pretty good. It took me a bit to get into the first one, but they get better as they go, so that's a plus. There are three books in it so here they be.
#1- A Great and Terrible Beauty--

It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma’s reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence’s most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?


#2- Rebel Angels--

Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy—spending time with her friends in the city, attending balls in fancy gowns with plunging necklines, and dallying with the handsome Lord Denby. Yet amid these distractions, her visions intensify—visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened that only the realms can explain.


The lure is strong, and soon Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world that Gemma takes them to. To the girls' great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.

But all is not well in the realms—or out. Kartik is back, desperately insisting to Gemma that she must bind the magic, lest colossal disaster befall her. Gemma is willing to comply, for this would bring her face-to-face with her late mother's greatest friend, now Gemma's foe—Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task. . . .

This sumptuous companion to A Great and Terrible Beauty teems with Victorian thrills and chills that play out against the rich backdrop of 1895 London, a place of shadows and light . . . where inside great beauty can lie a rebel angel.

#3- The Sweet Far Thing--

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.


The Order—the mysterious group her mother was once part of—is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

As always, I borrowed everything from Barnes and Noble.

The Actor and the Housewife

So I read this a while ago, but have just been a slacker at posting it. I love Shannon Hale. Every book that I have read of hers I have loved....this one was good too. Here's a synopsis from Barnes and Noble...

This successful sophomore turn at chick lit (after Austenland) from YA and graphic novelist Hale sets up a platonic relationship between a dashing movie star and a Mormon housewife. While in Los Angeles to ink a deal for a script she's written, pregnant Becky Jack holds her own against her big screen crush, Felix Callahan, known the world over for charming his way through romantic comedies. Witty banter draws them together, and though they debate what their fascination with one another could mean, an improbable friendship is born. Their alliance weathers the occasional break, Felix's disinterest in children and his indifference toward Becky's Mormon faith; spousal jealousy and the chasm separating their lifestyles also throw an occasional curveball. Hale keeps the prose crackling with humor and has a sure hand in creating nuanced, believable characters, so when otherwise unlikely plot turns creep up-Becky getting cast opposite Felix-they're, well, likely enough. Though Becky just wants to keep her best friend and her normal life, readers will hope she gets nothing less than a fairy tale ending.

The Kingdom Keepers

These are fun easy reads. They are definitely written for the younger crowd (Barnes and Noble says ages 9-12) but being a Disney lover at heart I had to read them. There are two out right now and I just saw that the third one is due out on April 6th.

Disney after Dark--

 

Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI - which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging - Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park.

The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming?

Finn’s confusion only increases when he encounters Wayne, an elderly Imagineer who tells him that the park is in grave danger. Led by the scheming witch, Maleficent, a mysterious group of characters called the Overtakers is plotting to destroy Disney’s beloved realm, and maybe more.

This gripping high-tech tale will thrill every kid who has ever dreamed of sneaking into Walt Disney World after hours and wondered what happens at night, when the park is closed.

Disney at Dawn--

It’s supposed to be a happy day at the Magic Kingdom – the teenage holographic hosts have returned. But things go very wrong when a sudden lightning storm disrupts the celebration, and Amanda’s mysterious sister, Jez, disappears. The only clue is the sighting of a wild monkey in the Magic Kingdom during the storm.
The mystery deepens as Finn is contacted by Wayne, an old man he hasn’t heard from in months. Wayne tells Finn that there’s trouble at the Animal Kingdom: the evil Overtakers have gained control of one of the computer servers that will be used to operate Daylight Holographic Imaging there. That means if any of the holographic hosts fall asleep, they will go into comas – permanently.

Filled with action and brimming with the same meticulous detail as The Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark (also available in audio from Brilliance Audio), this second audiobook in the series – Disney at Dawn – is the result of hands-on research behind the scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Younger and older listeners alike will get a glimpse into a second Disney kingdom. The wild rides have only just begun, and the clock is ticking. How long can the teens keep themselves awake in their quest to find their friend – and what happens if they fail?

thanks to Barnes and Noble for the pictures and synopsis.

Ranger's Apprentice Series

The Ranger’s Apprentice books are written by the author John Flanagan. He is from Australia and it somewhat shows in the way that he writes his books. If you are a big stickler for grammar then you might have a hard time every now and again. He also uses some language in these books too. The first book in the series had about 13 words but as you read further along in the series he seems to be able to control himself better in that area. The reason that I started to read these books was because my husband was reading them and he really enjoyed them. Looking at the cover I could tell that it was not the type of book that I would pick out myself but I would still give it a try. Now after reading the entire series I can say that I actually liked these books over all, which really surprised me. I have got a picture and a little short about each book but this time I am going to write a little something extra after each brief of the book, my opinion of the book. If you think this is the book for you then don’t read to far but then again you may want to do that anyways so you can get a better feel for what this series holds. Anyhow, enjoy!Ranger’s Apprentice Book 1: The Ruins of Gorlan
The Rangers, with their shadowy ways, have always made him nervous. And now fifteen-year-old Will has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. But what he doesn’t yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom who will fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time he will not be denied.
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(I loved this book the most out of the entire series which is kind of funny since it uses the most language. It is a somewhat slower pace than the other books but it gives you a good background area for the characters before you get into the real adventure.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 2: The Burning Bridge
For years, the Kingdom of Araluen has prospered, with the evil Lord Morgarath safely behind the impassable mountains. But the scheming hand of the dark lord has not been idle. When Will and his friend Horace, an apprentice knight, travel to a neighboring village they discover the unsettling truth. Could it be that Morgarath has finally devised a plan to bring his legions over the mountains? If so, the King’s army is in imminent danger of being crushed. And Will and Horace are the only ones who can save them.
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(This book was also pretty good and it has some unexpected turns to it too. But for the series this is when the battling and things can get a bit descriptive, especially if you have a good imagination.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 3: The Icebound Land
Kidnapped and taken to a frozen land after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives. Halt has sworn to rescue his young apprentice, and he will do anything to keep his promise, even defy his king. Expelled from the Rangers, Halt is joined by Will’s friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged again and again by freelance knights, but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon his skills begin to attract the attention of warlards for miles around. But will he and Halt be in time to rescue Will?
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(Ok, honestly, I did not like this one too much. Parts of it were really sweet and tender and really got you connected to some of the characters more but I don’t like how they introduce certain things, sorry but can’t say more about that. I guess you should just read this on carefully. Don’t get me wrong it is a very important book for the rest of the series because the last three books will refer to what happened in Skandia.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 4: The Battle for Skandia
For Will and Evanlyn, freedom has never felt so fleeting. Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, the Ranger’s apprentice and the princess’s plan to return to Araluen is spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by warmweed’s toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand until old friends make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when they make a horrifying discovery: Skandia’s borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. If two kingdoms are to be saved, the unlikeliest of unions must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?
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(This was really good and actually I think it was probably the funniest book of the lot. A lot of serious things happen in it and I am sure that is why the author put more hummer in it to help lower the tension that is created. In all honesty I think that the author could have ended the series here but I guess he figured that left some loose ends.)
Ranger’s Apprentice Book 5: The Sorcerer of the North
Several years have passed since the apprentice and his master, Will and Halt, led the Skandians to victory against invaders, and Will is finally a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy, boring, even until Lord Syron, master of a castle far in the north, is struck down by a mysterious illness. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is suddenly thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure, investigating fears of sorcery and trying to determine who is loyal to Lord Syron and who is planning to betray him. Will and Alyss must battle growing hysteria, traitors, and most of all, time. Lord Syron is fading, but when Alyss is taken hostage, Will is forced to make a desperate choice between loyalty to his mission and loyalty to his friend.
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(I did not like this book. I do like how things were cleared up but for over half of it the main character, Will, just did not match the personality that he has had all along. Maybe the author was trying to make him seem more grown up but I don’t think it worked. I did like how the new characters were introduced but man it really annoyed me that one of the characters that I liked turned out to be completely different. You know the saying, “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” (funny that it applies here)? Well that totally applies to the characters in this book.)Ranger’s Apprentice Book 6: The Siege of Macindaw
The kingdom is in danger. Renegade knight Sir Keren has succeeded in overtaking Castle Macindaw and now is conspiring with the Scotti. The fate of Araluen rests in the hands of two young adventures: the Ranger Will and his warrior friend, Horace. Yet for Will, the stakes are even higher. For inside Castle Macindaw, held hostage, is someone he loves. For this onetime apprentice, the time to grow up is now.
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(I’m glad that the author went back to his old method in this story and that the characters once again hold the same personality as they did before. I was also impressed with the pretty impossible circumstance that was presented to the characters and how they actually managed to do what they did. My husband says that this is the one book that does seem a little farfetched in that area but he still enjoyed it. But the best part of all for this book was the ending by far. Now I don’t know if more books are to come but don’t worry because I’ll let you all know.)
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(Picture provided by Barns & Noble)