Review: Son Of Neptune

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2)

by Rick Riordan

Blurb:

 Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, 

To storm or fire the world must fall. 

An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death. 

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth 

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams. 

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart. 

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven


Source: Borrowed From Friend


My Thoughts:


Rick Riordan is an  EXCELLENT writer! If you haven't read the first book in the spin-off series The Lost Hero, you should pick it up right now! Wait,If you haven't read The Percy Jackson series....you should read that too!

First of all ANYTHING Rick Riordan writes is AMAZING and is in a league of  it's own EPICNESS! So when I saw that this book is not as good as The Lost Hero.... that doesn't mean this book wasn't awesome!


After the initial shock and rants of 

OMG! Percy is BACK!!!

I realized that he didn't play as big a role in this one(I THOUGHT SO... but that could be because I'm used to the entire book being from his point of view). Also,I for one like Jason Grace,Leo and Piper a little more than Frank and Hazel.


One good thing about this book is that IT DOESN'T END IN A KILLER CLIFFHANGER! 


For example: At the end of The Lost Hero ...I was like WHAT?? WHY?? WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME MR. RIORDAN ? WHY? WHY? 

At the end of this book I was like AWW.... Ended just before something I was looking forward to happened :(


One character I really liked in this book was Ella....The Harpy! SHE was awesome!


This book was loads of FUN!

AND cans of worms are opened up!


Overall,if you're looking for a good book ,I'd urge you to pick up any book by Rick Riordan....and this one doesn't disappoint (Ok,I was a little disappointed ...that's why I'm giving it 4 stars)


My Rating:

4/5

Waiting to read more of 

Jason,Leo,Piper and Annabeth!

*All images are from Google

*This book  counts as part of my 2012 TBR challenge!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting! This week I am waiting on....

Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters #1)

by Jessica Shirvington

 I slowly opened my eyes. The sun speared its first bright rays of golden orange into the sky and I leapt from the cliff, with the sorrowful knowledge that no matter what the outcome, at least part of me would die that day... 

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend? 

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner. 

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her. 

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

Expected publication: March 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON?

Don't forget to enter my Tempest Audiobook giveaway .

            

Settling by Shelley Workinger

Settling (Solid #2)

by Shelley Workinger 


*Spoilers if you haven't read Book 1*

blurb: At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids… 

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. 

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…


Links: Amazon,BN,BD,Goodreads


Source: Author 
*This did not affect my review in any way*


My Thoughts:
Clio,Alexis,Garett ,Miranda ,Bliss and Jack are still in school and are trying to help out.Things seem very calm in the beginning but unfortunately,it's just the calm before the storm.....


I always end up devouring the books Ms.Workinger writes even though they might not be amazing ...I just can't stop reading them.I finished this book in one day (I'd finished book one in the same amount of time). This book is definitely much sadder than Solid and it was also much more interesting.


One thing I absolutely love about this book  is the light banter that keeps taking place in the group.I also  liked the fact that the main character started unraveling .I thought she was a little too put together in  Solid .(Yup,I'm evil ...I want the main character to suffer!!) 


*SPOILER*
Clio's sudden interest in Ford seemed very unrealistic and it didn't really settle with me.I felt as if she kind of jumped him out of the blue and suddenly ..they both had feelings for each other?? Where did that come from?


*SPOILER ENDS*


The author also keeps it realistic .There is something about this series that really grabs your attention.You can find flaws in it but you just can't put it down.


I'm very interested  in finding out what happens next as it ends in a way that is quite inconclusive. (Don't worry ,it's not a Cliffhanger )




My Rating: 

3.5/5

Can't wait for the next one!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting! This week I am waiting on....

            

Scarlet

by A.C. Gaughen

 Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. 

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Expected publication: February 14th 2012 by Walker & Co

OMG!! COVER IS SO DIFFERENT!! PLUS....ROBIN HOOD!!

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare

by Melissa Jensen

 Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy 

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

Expected publication: February 16th 2012 by Speak

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON?

Don't forget to enter my Tempest Audiobook giveaway 

Review: Destiny's Fire

Destiny's Fire

by Trisha Wolfe 

 It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven. 

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him. 

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life. 


Source: Publisher

Note:Younger Readers strongly cautioned due to language and some sexual situations

My Thoughts:
This book starts off really well and you're immediately sucked into a unique world created by the author.The world building in this book was different and very unique.I loved reading about the disputes between the Sythe(a.k.a Blue eyed people) and Narcos(a.k.a Red eyed people)

Now let's talk characters

Destiny/Dez
Dez is the protagonist of this tale and I have to say the main reason this book isn't getting 5 stars is because I really didn't like her. I really liked her in the beginning but she made some really stupid decisions which made me want to slam my thickest book on her head! Her insta-connection and love for boy-who-shall-not-be-named really annoyed me. She knows absolutely nothing concrete about this guy and she instantly trusts him and literally jumps into what she calls a "relationship" with him? *SPOILER* I also hated the way she led another guy on.That is not the way you treat ANYONE! *SPOILER ENDS*

Reese
I thought I'd hate this guy but I didn't . This guy is very different and I liked that about him.You can't classify him as a good boy or a bad boy because he constantly surprises you!

Jace
 I liked this guy too! Usually I hate at least one guy in a book(sometimes for no good reason) but Jace was such an awesome character.I thought he would be the hot headed guy who would do anything to get into a fight, but he's much more than that!  I'd love to have this guy on my side.

Usually I have no trouble choosing a Team or Boy in a book but I like both the guys in this one so I'm Team Between (or JaRe ?)




Lana and Nick
I loved these guys.They're like the supporting cast of the book and even though I usually don't remember the minor characters ..these ones left their mark.Lana was an amazing friend to Dez( or Destiny) and I thought she was a really cool girl.Nick had his moments and I  loved his character so much because most of the time he didn't have a clue about what was really going on !


I just wish Dez hadn't frustrated me so much! The main plot was so interesting and good! I literally flew through the last few chapters!

Overall,this book starts off well and ends spectacularly.I absolutely loved the last few chapters of this book.The only problem was the middle.I think this is a splendid effort and I cannot wait to read more from Trisha Wolfe!

My Rating:

3/5

Want to read more of Wolfe's work for sure!

*This book is written by a 2012 Debut Author

Follow the Blog Tour:

Getting Over Garrett Delaney

Getting Over Garrett Delaney

by Abby McDonald 

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up 

her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. The object of her obsession - ahem, affection - is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie's
feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett's constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to '80s indie rock- all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder - until he calls to say he's fallen in love. With some other girl! 
A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she's finally had enough. It's time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelp
guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.


Source:Netgalley (Thank you Candlewick Press!)


Links: Amazon,BD,BN,Flipkart,Goodreads


My thoughts:


I really liked this book! I don't usually read a lot of contemporary fiction but as soon as I read this blurb at  
 Amaterasu Reads ,I knew that I wanted to read this one badly!


I could really relate to Sadie.I think almost every teenager will be able to and I loved how this book dealt with some serious topics and still managed to remain light and fun! Sadie might have come off as a naive girl, but I really liked her.It takes courage to do what she did.Nobody likes admitting the fact that they're obsessed with something but when she realized that what she was doing was pointless and unnecessary she pulled up her socks and tried to do something about it.NO MOPING around forever for this young lady!


I loved her group of friends so much too! LeAnn was amazing and Kayla ...you rock! They agree to become her support group without even blinking an eyelash! I'd love to have friends like hers! (Current Friends ....don't worry I love you !)


Also loved how the author made it into a twelve step program!


The situations are real,the feelings are real and this book doesn't deal with stereotypes! Even though I'm not a huge contemporary fiction junkie ...(So I don't have many books to compare this one to) I liked this one a lot and thought it was very original!


Overall,a fun ,light yet deep read! People who read contemporary fiction pick this one up NOW!


My Rating:

4/5

Such FUN...

I really don't know why I'm not giving 

this one 5 stars!

Top 10 Movies based on Books

So I'm kind of free and am not in the mood to write a review.So I thought it's time for me to write a totally random post.......

My first random post is a LIST!!

Top 10 movies based on BOOKS!

(in no particular order)

• Princess Diaries based on the series by Meg Cabot.The movie was quite different from the book(I liked Grandmere in the movie a LOT!)  Anne Hathaway as Mia was perfection!This movie was sooo good!!

• The Chronicles of Narnia is an amazing series and the screen adaptations are really good too!! Just look at Prince Caspian  guys ... JUST LOOK AT HIM>>>

Ben Barnes is perfection as Prince Caspian!!!

PERFECTION!!!

• Next up.... is The Devil wears Prada. I absolutely love this movie!!! LOVE IT!!! Meryl Streep is so good in this one!

• Social Network. YES it's based on a book.(Wikipedia it..peeps!) I loved Jesse's and Andrew Garfield's acting in this one! MUST WATCH!

• 21.I really enjoyed this one too! Heard about card counting for the first time in this one!

• Sandra Bullock .That's all!

• How to Train your Dragon.This movie was so sweet!!

• The James bond movies! I LOVE THEM!! (based on Ian Flemming's books)

• Sherlock Holmes.I LOVE Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law is not bad as Dr. Watson :)

AND LAST BUT NOT THE Least.....

•  THE HARRY POTTER SERIES!!

my all time favorite!!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES BASED ON BOOKS??

COME ON TELL ME!!!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting! This week I am waiting on....

I've Got Your Number

by Sophie Kinsella

 blurb:

I've lost it. The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It's been in Magnus's family for three generations. And now, the very same day his parents are coming, I've lost it. The very same day. Do not hyperventilate Poppy. Stay positive!! 


Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry the ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her 'happy ever after' begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring but in the panic that followed, she has now lost her phone. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect! 

Well, perfect except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton doesn't agree. He wants his phone back and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life. 

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents... she soon realises that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life

Expected publication: February 14th 2012 by The Dial Press 

Add to Goodreads

This is not a YA book....but it's Sophie Kinsella and I usually love Kinsella!! 

Have you read any book by her??

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON??

Don't forget to enter my Tempest Audiobook giveaway and giveaway of The Dig.

            

Teaser Tuesday: Unearthly

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's teaser is from....

She smiles.She likes Tucker.Everybody in their right mind likes Tucker.

-Pg.341

Another teaser....

"Wait a sec,"I say."When did you get glasses? You have perfect vision."
"It's my costume.
You play the queen.I play the studious straight A student who knows everything there is to know about the Elizabethan age."
-Page. 176

Don't forget to enter my Tempest Audiobook giveaway and giveaway of The Dig.

FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR TEASERS!

Review: Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe

Happy Birthday to Me (Birthday Trilogy #1)

by Brian Rowe

Seventeen-year-old Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day! 

High school is hard enough; imagine rapidly aging from seventeen to seventy in a matter of weeks, with no logical explanation, and with prom, graduation, and the state championship basketball game all on the horizon. That’s what happens to Cameron, a popular pretty boy who's never had to face a day looking anything but perfect. 

All Cameron wants to do is go back to normal, but no one, not even the best doctors, can diagnose his condition. When he finds love with a mysterious young woman, however, he realizes his only hope for survival might be with the one person who started his condition in the first place...

Source:Author 

Links:Amazon,,BN,Goodreads


Note: Not suitable for younger readers

My Thoughts:


I was really fascinated by the blurb of this book.It reminded me a little of The curious case of Benjamen Button and I couldn't wait to start reading it....


The Positives


The concept
The concept of this book is very unique. A book based on an aging disease is something I've never read before and it was written in a very different way!


Realistic

This book was so realistic. Even though it had some unrealistic elements the characters seemed so real and the situations through not very nice were so ... Real .That even when gross things were happening all I could think of was.... This could really happen one day!

The Negatives

Couldn't connect with characters

I just couldn't connect with the characters! Cameron is real but I just couldn't care for him.I guess it could have something to do with the fact that I just thought he deserved what was coming to him!Also Liesel has to be one of the weird character ... I thought she was pretty cool in the start but towards the end she seemed a little too gullible for me!
Also I really hated Cameron's family (except for his sister)

Relationships

The relationship Cameron has with other people are too weird! His father clearly needs to talk to a therapist! And he really needs to ditch his best friend! I wish he would!

*SPOILER*

Also, Liesel ... he tells you that he loves you and he gives you absolutely no good reason for his love(HE's clearly still recovering from a horrible relationship) and you believe him?? Seriously?? *spoiler ends*


Overall,this book had huge potential and a lot of people might really enjoy it but it just wasn't for me!


My Rating:

2/5

People who liked this book

Ambur

Jamie

Kelly