Changed My Rating System

I have slightly changed my rating system because I just need something between liking a book and loving a book.

6- Favorite!
5- Loved It
4- Really Liked It
3- Liked it
2- Take it or leave it
1- Leave it

I am hoping this will reduce the amount of something.5 ratings and help clarify how much I loved a book. I will take me a little while to go back and re-rate my old reviews, but I have been thinking about this for a while and it must be done. I kind of wish I had sucked it up and done this a few months ago... oh well!

I Heart My Nook!

I have always loved my Nook, but I finally figured out how to put borrowed ebooks on it... I simply had to connect my Nook to my computer BEFORE I opened Adobe Digital Editions!
I feel silly that I was making such a simple mistake, this is why it is important to do a few seconds of research when dealing with technology.
Anyway, I am going to do read a bit of "Wildthorn" before passing out. Goodnight all!

Review of "Rampant"

"Rampant"
by Diana Peterfreund

5

Pub. Date: August 29, 2009
Pages: 416

Synopsis: Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

If you haven't read this book or even heard about it, you probably think that it sounds completely weird. I felt the same way when I first heard about the book, but after skimming reviews, I decided to give a chance. I am so glad I did because the book was pretty awesome. Yes it is about killer unicorns and the girls who hunt them, but Peterfreund is able to make it work. The characters' skepticism make it easier to believe that there are bloodthirsty unicorns. Astrid has trouble accepting the truth even after seeing a unicorn maim her boyfriend.

Another thing that makes this story easier to accept is the myths that the characters share. Astrid was raised with horror stories about unicorns, making her freaked out by how the rest of society viewed unicorns as cute and friendly creatures. All the characters have heard different myths about unicorns and where they came from, it kind of reminds me of all the different myths about vampires.

I love Astrid's sense of humor; from the beginning of the book I was hooked on her narrative. This book gets pretty violent, but at the same time there is a lot of humor. Part of this has to do with Astrid cracking jokes about how ridiculous the situations she keeps finding herself in. Astrid's narrative is also very conversational; she seems to be telling the story as if talking to a close friend.

Even though this book is paranormal and has romance, it also is able to discuss virginity in a way that is organic. I'm not sure if Peterfreund had always planned on making a statement about how casual sex has become among teenagers, but she was able to work it into her story without it feeling heavy handed. I like that this and the struggles Astrid has with her mother give more substance to the story.

I am so glad I finished "Rampant" when I did because the second book, "Ascendant", is coming out the 28th. Whether you are looking for a good paranormal book or just a fun read, I would definitely recommend this book. I know it sounds weird, but it is worth the risk!

On My Chair

Here are the books I am currently reading, books I have bought, borrowed or have been sent to me, and books I am planning on starting this week (this post was inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox).

"Wildthorn"
Jane Eagland
September 6, 2010

They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . .

Originally published in the UK, this well-paced, provocative romance pushes on boundaries—both literal and figurative—and, do beware: it will bind you, too.

"Trickster's Girl"
Hilary Bell
January 3, 2011

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

I am also am still reading "The Eternal Ones" by Kristen Miller and the audio of "Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr. What about you?

Review "Before I Die"

"Before I Die"
by Jenny Downham


3

Pub. Date: September 25th, 2007
Pages: 420

Synopsis: It's really going to happen. They said it would, but this is quicker than anyone thought. Everyone has to die. We all know it. With only a few months of life left, sixteen-year-old Tessa knows it better than most. She's made a list, though ten things she wants to do before she dies. Number one is sex. Starting tonight. But getting what you want isn't easy. And getting what you want doesn't always give you what you need. And sometimes the most unexpected things become important. Uplifting, life-affirming, joyous this extraordinary novel celebrates what it is to be alive by confronting what it's really like to die.

I enjoyed this book, but the characters made it hard for me to enjoy the book as much as I would have liked. Tessa kind of bothered me at some points, I understand that she is dying and that isn't something you can just get over, but it seemed like she was taking out her frustrations on everyone around her. Tessa's best friend seemed like she didn't care half the time and her mother was an immature mess. I think my favorite characters were Tessa's dad, her brother, and Adam.

Something I did like about this book was how honest it was; this is not a romanticized story with a happy ending. It is heartbreaking and the end is not what most people probably expected. I am wondering if the characters were maybe a little too honest for me. They all just seemed riddled with flaws, which is a realistic portrayal of how people are. Best friends don't always get along, people who are dying struggle with the cards dealt to them, and mothers aren't always good caretakers. I do appreciate the honesty of this book, but I just wish I could have enjoyed the characters more.

I also really like how Tessa had a list of things she wanted to do before she died. I like the whole idea of her trying to make the most of her time left, even if she had days where she would rather stay in bed and just give up. I didn't agree with everything on Tessa's list, but it is her list and I liked that there were thing on it that other people may not understand.

"Before I Die" is a good book and Jenny Downham gives the reader an honest peak into the final months of a teenager with leukemia's life. Even though I didn't love this book, I still would recommend it; just because I struggled with accepting some of the characters, doesn't mean that everyone will. This is a book that would be great for book groups and I kind of wish I was in one so I could discuss this book