"Fallen" is Fantastic!

"Fallen"
Lauren Kate


6

Pub. Date: December 2009
Pages: 464

Synopsis: 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.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

I don't usually buy books in Hardcover because I don't have a lot of money and I can borrow them for free at work, but "Fallen" is a book that is worth the money. I could not get enough of this book, it was painful when I was reading during my lunch break and I had to put it down. I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. There are so many mysteries in this book and I just HAD to know all of them. I wanted to know the truth about Cam and Daniel. Even though Daniel was really rude to Luce, there were hints that he had other feelings. Cam was constantly infatuated with her, but there was just something about him that put me off. I also needed to know more about the librarian at Sword and Cross, she just seemed to know more than she was telling Luce.

I thought it was really interesting how the setting of the book was in a reform school filled with teen criminals. The grounds of the school were very creepy, especially since there was a graveyard there. It just added an extra creep factor. The fact that all the students had pasts made them interesting to get to know. It was hard to tell who was genuine and whom Luce had to watch out for. If the dangers of the student body weren't enough, the strange shadows that Luce has seen her whole life seem to becoming more aggressive. These shadows were what got Luce sent to Sword and Cross and she worries about their power.

After reading this book I just wanted more. I wanted for more of the mysteries to be revealed, especially about the characters in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked the book "Hush, Hush" or other paranormal romance books. If you haven't checked out the website yet, it is really cool. There is an archive that shows the school's files about the students at Sword and Cross. It does give some things away about the characters, but nothing too important. There is a trailer for the book as well as an excerpt. Click here to go to the website.

"The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey" is a Brilliant Encore

"The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey"
Trenton Lee Stewart


6

Pub. Date: May 2008
Pages: 448

Synopsis: The fabulous foursome readers embraced as The Mysterious Benedict Society is back with a new mission, significantly closer to home. After reuniting for a celebratory scavenger hunt, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are forced to go on an unexpected search—a search to find Mr. Benedict. It seems that while he was preparing the kids' adventure, he stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain.

With only one week to find a captured Mr. Benedict, the gifted foursome faces their greatest challenge of all—a challenge that will reinforce the reasons they were brought together in the first place and will require them to fight for the very namesake that united them.

I didn't think that the series could get any better, but this book proved me wrong. The characters were more flushed out and Constance became a bigger part of the team. At first Constance was a character I could have done without at the beginning of the first book, but now I can't wait to read about the development of her gifts in the next book. I think that Stewart could do some really interesting things with her character specifically. I am also curious to see where he takes Sticky and PJ. Besides having memorable characters, the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Mr. Curtain's henchmen the Ten Men were frightening and added an extra sense of danger throughout the book.

Another aspect of the book that I really enjoyed is how Stewart continues to allow deeper emotional and psychological issues that the children have enter into the plot. Reynie's habit of assuming the worst of people and Constance's concerns with the slow process of Mr. Benedict adopting her add depth to the plot. I feel like Stewart has a chance to really build upon these in future books if he chooses to do so.

I am so tempted to read the third book right away, but I want to finish at least one book by a debut author before doing so. I don't want to get too far behind on my challenges! If you want to learn more about the series then check out the website here. There are excerpts from the books, games, and descriptions of the characters. I just thought it was really cute and wanted to share it with you guys.

"Aqua" Got Me Hooked On Manga

"Aqua Vol. 1"
Kozue Amano


6

Pub. Date: October 2007
Pages: 184

Synopsis: After 150 years of terraforming, Aqua, the planet formerly known as Mars, Now has more than 90 percent of its surface covered in water. A young girl named Akari Mizunashi arrives at the city of Neo-Venezia, an exact replica of the old Italian city of Venice, hoping to become an Undine, the most coveted job on Aqua. Hold on tight and follow Akari's adventures as she discovers the wonders of Aria in this Prequel to the Aria Anime and Manga Series.

"Aqua Vol. 2"
Kozue Amano


6

Pub. Date: Feb 2008
Pages: 192

Synopsis: On the Beautiful planet of Aqua, Akari Mizunashi has the perfect job: showing tourists the wonders of the city of Neo Venezia by gondola!

Akari has finished the first part of her training, and she is ready to start taking on passengers of her own, but her first customer is going to be a real challenge. Can Akari prove that she's up to the task? And what will happen when the president of Aria sets out on his own to prove the company that he's useful? It's summer in Neo Venezia, and it's going to be a season full of lovely surprises!


I am starting this review with the warning that I have never reviewed manga before and honestly haven't read very much of it. That is my little disclaimer! My brother was amazing enough to buy me some manga for Christmas because I haven't read any for over a year and I missed it! I am really glad he bought me these two prequel books to the series "Aria" because I thought they were fantastic. I found the illustrations to be beautiful, but also a lot of fun. Even though the storyline didn't have a lot of action, I still found it to be fast paced. I love the character Akari and the President of Aria, who is a cat! I wasn't sure how a cat company president would work in the story line, but it was very amusing and adorable.

I immediately ordered the 5 books in the "Aria" series because I enjoyed these books so much. I was able to read both books in less than two hours while watching TV, so they are the perfect quick read. I haven't watched the anime of the series because my brother said that it would give away the rest of the books, but it is something I will look into once I finish "Aria". This series is great for anyone ages 12 and up. There is no sexual content, so you don't have to worry about it if it isn't your thing.

"The Mysterious Benedict Society" is a Must Read

"The Mysterious Benedict Society"
Trenton Lee Stewart


6

Pub. Date: March 2007
Pages: 512

Synopsis:

ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD Looking for special opportunities?

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear listener, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.

As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the mysterious benedict society.


I have been waiting so long to read this book because of all the fantastic reviews and it was worth the wait. Usually I need at least some kind of romantic interest to keep me interested in a book, but I found that I did not care that this book was written for a younger audience. It had me at the edge of my seat and I had trouble putting it down. I was listening to it on audio and reading it so that I could get through it faster. I was just dying to know how it would all end! The characters in the book are really unique. They have these kind of semi-super abilities that allows them to solve problems in different ways. It was really neat to see how their gifts got them through sticky situations. I also thought that the characters had a lot of depth. They were not perfect and Constance wasn't a very likable character, but they all played their part.

Stewart was able to write a book that was clever, funny, and suspenseful. He has a unique voice that captivated me from start to finish. There were a lot of layers to the book and I think Stewart did a wonderful job at balancing them all. Even though the book was primarily an adventure, it still managed to touch on deeper topics like friendship and family. I am definitely going to be finishing up this series soon because I can't wait to see what the characters do next. I think this book is perfect for people who like mysteries and series like "Harry Potter".

2010 Book Challenges

Here is the list of books that I am planning to read in 2010. I am doing the 2010 100+ Book Challenge, so the goal is to at least read 100! If the book has a release date next to it then it is for the 2010 Debut Author Challenge. If it is in bold then I have finished it. If it has a star next to it then it is pat of the 2010 Paranormal Reading Challenge.

1. Bleeding Violet- Dia Reeves (January 5th)*
2. The Secret Year- Jennifer Hubbard (January 7th)
3. The Iron King- Julie Kagawa (February 1st)*
4. Dirty Little Secrets- C.J. Omololu (February 2nd)
5. Forget-Her-Nots- Amy Brecount White (March 2nd)
6. Hex Hall- Rachel Hawkinds (March 3d)*
   
7. The Body Finder- Kimberly Derting (March 16th)
8. Three Rivers Rising- James Richards (April 13th)
9. The Red Umbrella- Christina Gonzalez (May 11th)
10. Sea- Heidi R. Kling (June 10th)
11. A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend- Emily Horner (June 10th)
12. Tell Me a Secret- Holly Cupala (June 22nd)
13. Other- Karen Kincy (July 1st)
14. Paranormalcy- Kiersten White (Fall)
15. Freefall- Mindi Scott (Fall)
16. Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey- Trenton Lee Stewart
17. Ivy- Julia Hearn
    
18. Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma- Trenton Lee Stewart
19. The Lovely Bones- Alice Sebold
20. A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame- Brenda Woods
21. Maid Sama! Volume 1- Fujiwara Hiro
22. Incarceron- Catherine Fisher*
23. Cheat to Lose Diet- Joel Marion
24. NG Life Volume 1- Mizuho Kusanagi
25. NG Life Volume 2- Mizuho Kusanagi
26. NG Life Volume 3- Mizuho Kusanagi
27. My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult
28. The Host Club- Bisco Hatori
29. Shutter Island- Dennis Lehane
30. The Tenth Circle- Jodi Picoult
31. Leviathan- Scott Westerfeld*
32. My Soul to Save- Rachel Vincent*
    
33. Fallen- Lauren Kate*
34. Secret Vampire (Night World book 1)- L.J. Smith*
35. Daughters of Darkness (Night World book 2)- L.J. Smith*
36. Spellbinder (Night World book 3)- L.J. Smith*
37. Dark Angel (Night World book 4)- L.J. Smith*
38. The Chosen (Night World book 5)- L.J. Smith*
39. Soulmates (Night World book 6)- L.J. Smith*
40. Huntress (Night World book 7)- L.J. Smith*
41. Black Dawn (Night World book 8)- L.J. Smith*
42. Witchlight (Night World book 9)- L.J. Smith*
43. Leviathan- Scott Westerfeld
44. The Looking Glass Wars- Frank Beddor*
    
45. My Soul to Save- Rachel Vincent*
46. The Summoning- Kelley Armstrong*
47. Ballads of Suburbia- Stephanie Kuehnert
48. The Black Tattoo- Sam Enthoven
49. Blue Bloods- Melissa de la Cruz*
50. Looking for Alaska- John Green
51. Bedeviled: Daddy's Little Angel- Shani Petroff*