Review of "the Romeo and Juliet Code"

"The Romeo and Juliet Code"

by Phoebe Stone

My Rating:

Pub. Date: January 1st, 2011

Pages: 297

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Source: Borrowed From Library

Edition: Hardcover

Synopsis: Felicity's glamorous parents have a secret. When they leave her with distant relatives in Maine, Felicity hopes they won't leave her long. Her new Uncle Gideon hides things. Her Aunt Miami is star-crossed. And Derek, a kid her age, refuses to leave his room.

But Felicity needs Derek's help. Gideon is getting coded letters from Felicity's parents, and she's sure they're in trouble. Can Felicity crack the code, heal the family and save her parents, all while surviving her first crush? It's a tall order, but - like THE SECRET GARDEN'S Mary Lennox before her - Felicity's up for the challenge.

Don't judge this book by its cover! "The Romeo and Juliet Code" is a historical fiction book about WWII. I really enjoyed this book, but I probably wouldn't have picked it up because it just looked like a cute romance. There was much more to this book than romance. Felicity, the main character, is struggling to understand the events going on around her. Her parents left her to live with an aunt, uncle, grandma, and "cousin" she had never met. She doesn't understand why her parents cannot be with her and what problems exist between the family to keep them apart for so long. Felicity must find a way to make Maine her new home while she waits for her parents to come back.

The characters in this book had unique personalities. I loved seeing how Felicity changed throughout the book. She continued to be inquisitive and bold, but she was able to handle difficult information in a more mature manner. Aunt Minnie and Uncle Gideon were fun to read about. I wish they were my aunt and uncle. They brought Felicity into their home and did there best to make her feel at home. Watching Felicity's relationship with Derek grow was also really enjoyable.

If your interested hasn't been piqued yet then I should mention that there is lot of mysteries to uncover throughout the book. What are with Felicity's parents? Why wont Uncle Gideon play the piano anymore? Why didn't the family communicate until recently?

"The Romeo and Juliet Code" is a great book. Even though I found the book to be a bit predictable, the other elements in the book outweighed the predictability of the plot. I really thought this book was a great balance of historical fiction, mystery, and a bit of a love story.

Review of "Forever"

Forever 

by Maggie Stiefvater

My Rating:

Pub. Date: July 12, 2011

Pages: 400

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc

Source: Purchased

Edition: Hardcover

Synopsis: In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

"Forever" is a great ending to a wonderful series.  I loved the first two books in the "Wolves of Mercy Falls" series and "Forever" left me content even if I was a bit sad.  I liked the new spin on werewolves and the romance between Grace and Sam in the series.  I have to say I was disappointed in the lack of Sam and Grace interaction at the beginning of the book.  I know this was to be expected, but it just went too long without it.  Their connection as wolves almost makes up for the lack of connection between them at the beginning of the book.

The beginning of the book went very slowly for me.  Even though there were things happening, I was kind of wondering when the book would really start.  Luckily, once "Forever" got started it held me until the end.

I did like learning more about Cole.  It was nice to see a different side of him.  He seemed like a bizarre addition to the wolves, but I understood why Beck chose him by the end of "Forever".  He is also a great comic relief in the book and is pretty crush worthy.  He lightens up the mood when Sam starts brooding too much.  I also LOVED seeing him interact with Isabel.

If drool worthy male characters, romance, and werewolves aren't enough to keep your interest then there is also the plan to wipe out the entire pack.  Isabel's father has finally had enough and he is taking out all the stops to destroy these wolves.

"Forever" is a good book, but it has its faults.  Maggie's writing is beautiful as ever and I enjoyed the new text color.  I just really wanted to see more of a connection between Grace and Sam.  I was completely satisfied with the ending and was a bit sad that the series was over.  If highly recommend reading the author's notes at the end of the book!