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  • I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero. But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know? ...

  • Double, double, toil and trouble. Sometimes, the quest for high school royalty can be deadly! In this emotionally-charged twist ...

  • A runaway slave with a shadowy past, sixteen-year-old Persephone has spent four long years...

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Showing posts with label Contemporary. Show all posts

Saturday, August 30, 2014

0

Review of Street Food and Love by H.A. Enri

Posted in , , , , ,
Synopsis:
Sole Eaby, seventeen, has a few complaints he’d like to lodge against life, the main one being that his dad, Cedro, has recently quit his job and withdrawn his entire life savings, which included Sole’s college fund. Why? To launch a food truck business he knows nothing about.

To cope, Sole uses his knifelike wit to moonlight as a stand-up comedian, and so far, it’s paying off. He’s not only replenishing his college treasury, he’s making people laugh; but it’s one person in particular he performs for. Her name is Ava. When the fated bond of humor joins the two, and they begin a sort of quasi-romance, things begin to seem somewhat bearable. Of course, that’s when an ill-timed event decides to put another spin on things. Just when Sole is ready to move on with his own life and disconnect himself from his father and the family business, he suddenly finds himself in charge of the food truck he desperately loathes. Here is where Sole must realize that the answers to love and life are not to be found apart but, rather, are more like a savory recipe: only by combining the ingredients will the wonderful flavors reveal themselves. When comedy isn’t enough, the future seems ever bleak, and a fledgling love has barely had a chance to bloom, where will Sole turn?
(Taken from Goodreads)


Stars Given:
★★★★☆

Overall View:
This book focused less on the actual title (street food, and love), and focused more on the importance of relationships, either father to son, or girlfriend to boyfriend.  I found this book quite interesting and couldn't put it down.  Although I didn't learn too much about the characters, I enjoyed Sole's story and adventure through his life changing events.  The ending was definitely something I had not expected, and although there were a few grammar mistakes in the book (which I desperately wanted to fix), it did not take away the meaning of the sentences.  If this book had gotten more editors to find the mistakes, and had given the characters more time to allow readers to learn who they really are, I would give this book five stars.  For now, it will sit at four (probably 4.4 at the moment), and may be upgraded when I do have time to read it all over again.  Although I didn't get a chance to read it all in one sitting, the next time I do find time to read it, I believe that I will be able to read it all within a day.  This book is quirky, fun, and sweet when it needs to be.

This book has the type of plot that would draw me back in and make me want to reread it a few times.  I don't think I will ever get tired of the plot, and neither will other readers.

Character:
Sole Eaby -
Description of Character: Sole Eaby is the type of boy who could make anyone laugh.  Whether it is someone who despises him or craves him, he always finds a way to make other laugh.  Because his father suddenly used his college funds in order to pay for his "mid-life crisis", he became a stand up comedian.  His stubbornness has caused problems to grow between him and his own father, Cedro Eaby.  Although many, such as Lana and Ava, try to help them reconnect and end their grudges with each other, his strong personality prevents anyone from coming between him and his grudges against his father.

Review of Character: I did like his character at first, but as the story continued to move on, I found it a little difficult to "like" Sole's character and his personality.  Although I liked how strong headed he was, it bothered me that he could not see from other people's point of views.  Sure, his father may have been selfish, but Sole, himself, was quite selfish so I found him a bit hypocritical when he started to complain about Cedro. As the story started to reach the end, I did find that he had changed his ways (a little too late though...), his redeeming qualities did begin to show.  I began to like him more after that, although, like I said, it was a bit too late because he had only started to realize that Ava was right near the end.

 *Supporting characters not listed

Saturday, August 23, 2014

0

Giveaway: The Betwixt Series, I Know Lucy, Set Me Free by Melissa Pearl

Posted in , , , , , ,
Synopsis:
The Betwixt Series includes Betwixt, Before and Beyond. 
Follow the lives of two teenagers who have to discover that sometimes to find your way, you have to get completely lost. This emotional series deals with the consequences of bad choices, young love... and the ultimate power of redemption. 

Betwixt
Beautiful, wild-child, Nicole Tepper, is hit by a car and left for dead. But when she wakes the next morning, Nicole finds herself in bed without a scratch. Perhaps she was more intoxicated than usual, as her mother is giving her the silent treatment and her friends are ignoring her as well. 

Things take a turn for the weird when Nicole soon discovers she is actually hovering between life and death. Her body is lying in the forest while her spirit is searching for anyone who can hear her. Unfortunately the only person who can is Dale Finnigan, the guy she publicly humiliated with a sharp-tongued insult that has left him branded. 

Desperate, Nicole has no choice but to haunt Dale and convince the freaked-out senior to help her. Will he find her body before it's too late? Or will the guy who tried to kill her with his car, beat him there and finish her off before anyone finds out? 

Before
In this prequel to Betwixt, find out who Dale Finnigan was before he became known as“scar-face”—the unassuming hero everyone underestimates. 

Beyond
In this sequel to Betwixt, find out how Nicole Tepper proves to Dale that she loves him beyond all common sense.


Information (about book):
Author(s): Melissa Pearl
Rating (On Goodreads): 4.19
Rating by EBR: ----
 Release Date (Estimation): December 1, 2013
Link to Review on EBR: ----

Synopsis:
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Lucy Tate is on the run. After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents, she's spent five years in hiding -- taking on different personas and faking her way through life. The authorities can't be trusted, so she remains in the shadows, always one beat ahead of the man who is forever hunting her. That is, until she meets Zach Schultz, a senior at Monte Vista High and the one guy she can’t bear to leave. Suddenly her natural instincts to lie, steal, and run are overshadowed by something else...the desire to stay. It’s her one shot at a normal life.

Curious by nature, Zach is immediately drawn to the new girl at school. How can a person look both confident and vulnerable all in the same moment? Determined to learn more about her, he tries to get close, but is thrown into a world of lies and confusion. The only thing that becomes apparent is that discovering the truth may get him killed.

Information (about book):
Author(s): Melissa Pearl
Rating (On Goodreads): 4.12
Rating by EBR: ----
 Release Date (Estimation): April 20, 2014
Link to Review on EBR: ----



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Synopsis:
Lucy Tate has spent the last 5 years on the run. That is, until she met Zach, the one guy she couldn’t bear to leave even though it could cost both of them their lives.

Hunted by a crooked FBI agent who killed her parents, Lucy has taken on one disguise after the next. But Zach knows exactly who she is and in spite of mounting evidence indicating her guilt in her parents’ death, he knows she’s innocent.

Convinced that it’s time to put her years on the run behind her, Zach and Lucy vow to fight back, clear her name, and take down the real killer. 

With support from Zach’s loyal friends and his uncle, an investigative reporter, they set out on a dangerous mission hoping that the truth...will set them free.




Information (about book):
Author(s): Melissa Pearl
Rating (On Goodreads): 4.16
Rating by EBR: ----
 Release Date (Estimation): May 3, 2014
Link to Review on EBR: ----

Information (about giveaway):
Start date: August 16, 2014
End date: September 6, 2014
Format of Prizes: First price: Hardcover; Second and third prize: ebook
Information need to participate: 
  • mailing address in proper format (if won)
  • Read "Terms and Conditions" before entering

*We are not responsible for the damages, lost prize, etc. We are NOT the ones who mail the prize to you, therefore, Ethereal Book Reviews is solely not responsible for anything.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

0

Review of It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Posted in , , ,
Synopsis:
Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.
But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach. (Taken from Goodreads)

Stars Given: ★★★★★

Overall View:
I started reading this book right after I finished the first book, which of course, I liked.  I ended up finishing this yesterday, the same day I finished The Summer I Turned Pretty.  I liked this book, but for some reason, not as much as the first.  Although Belly did spend time with Jeremiah much more, I still felt that something was missing.  I also thought Conrad was drunk throughout the whole story.  Anyways, the story's plot was really good.  Conrad skipping school in order to protect what he loves and a huge plot twist in the middle and end of the story.  I am guessing that is why I gave it a 5 stars.  If I did not like it, I wouldn't have tried to finish two of the books in a day.  Anyways, I am on to the third one and I am just hoping that it is as good as the first and second.

Characters:

Isabel "Belly" - 
Description of Character: After spending time with Conrad at her prom, it seems that their relationship had fizzled out.  Although it has been a long time since she had seen Conrad, she still had the same exact feelings for him since she liked him.  Will she ever be able to give him up?  Or will they reunite again?


Review of Character: I still feel the same way as her.  Wanna read more of her character, go to the review of the first book.

Conrad/Jeremiah -

Description of Character: Both Conrad and Jeremiah are brothers.  After Conrad goes missing, Jeremiah sets out to find with with Belly.  They seem to develop relationship as the journey moves on.

Review of Character: I feel like I am starting to hate Conrad.  Although he has his reasons for being such a...meanie to Belly, he could have approached the situation is a different way.  He ends up warming up to her near the end, showing a bit of his feelings for her (if you read between the lines), and so I forgive Conrad for all the dumb things he did.  As for Jere, I still feel the same for him, he is an amazing guy (from what I can see) and is the only one that can make Belly happy.  Okay, that could be an overstatement because I have already started the third book while I am writing this and lets just say he does something to piss Belly off.  And it's not pretty.


*Supporting characters not listed

Friday, January 18, 2013

2

Review of The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Posted in , , ,
Synopsis:

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along. (Taken from Goodreads)

Stars Given: ★★★★★

Overall View:
I am actually very impressed with this book.  I had found it in my school library after waiting for my friend.  Since it was one of those magic-free books, I decided to borrow all three since I was tired of the old cliched stuff.  I looked on goodreads to find that not many people were fond of that book.  Anyways, I finished it all in one day.  Yes, that was how good it was.  I had to sneak it into class, squeeze it in when I had free time and I managed to finish it.  I just couldn't put the book down.  The characters had left a huge impression on me.  Why did I give it five stars?  Well first of all, although many people might hate me after writing this part, I LOVED how this had absolutely NOTHING to do with magic.  I am just tired of the same old thing.  The characters were beautifully described, leaving an image in my head that was easy to picture.  The secrets had just made this book even better.  What could be better than a story that has a hundred hushed secrets and a big love story?  Well, maybe free Starbucks, but other than that, this book was amazing.  This book was amazing and to make things better, I was listening to the song "Summer Paradise" by Simple Plan!  So if you ever read this book, listen to that song.  It just sets the mood for you.  Although it's kind of ironic that I'm reading it when it's winter here....(well the ending makes sense).  I am geared and ready with the second and third book.  Maybe Saturday won't be so bad after all!

Characters:

Isabel "Belly" - 
Description of Character: Isabel "Belly" goes to Cousins beach for the summer, like always.  This time, her visit is different.  Different than any other visits that she had made in the past few years.  She finally sees that Not everything can stay the same or perfect.  The changes that she goes through not only overwhelms her, but the others around her.  As she stays in Cousins beach, she finds herself uncovering new secrets and wrapped around a love spell.


Review of Character: Did I like Belly? Yes.  Well, that just makes the book good already.  It's great to like the main character.  I would've already put the book down if I didn't like her.  Although she was a bit whiny, she knew what she wanted and she headed straight for her goals.  If it were some weak little girl in her place, I would have already returned this book to my school library.  Belly is a confident independent girl.  At the beginning of the book, I already got a feel of her...independency? Not a word.  Anyways, she seemed to be the type of girl who sits in the back and just listens.  Yes, she listens.  Although she was assertive and reckless  which is what I HATE in main characters, this just made me love her even more.  

Conrad/Jeremiah -

Description of Character: Conrad and Jeremiah are brothers that go to Cousins beach every summer.  But it's not just them.  Their mother's best friend and daughter and son join them on a memorable summer every year.  But things start to change thins summer.  Drama begins to well up in the house and it may bring the two brothers closer.  Or farther. 

Review of Character: No, they are not two people.  I just happened to be too lazy to type a whole lot.  Yes, I know, that's what blogs are for!  Anyways, lets start with Conrad.  Did I hate him? No.  Did I like? Kinda...maybe not as much as his younger brother though.  He was, like Belly, aggressive but a total loner in the story.  The way he acted towards Belly, Jeremiah and Cam just made me want to slap him across the face.  But as Belly spoke of the past, it was obvious that a huge secret made him change so much.  I still liked him, but I would choose Jeremiah over him.  No offense.  Now them, for the younger brother.  Man I feel completely sorry for him.  Nobody loves him.  And you know what that deserves?  I sad face :( Everyone is completely obsessed with Conrad, like he is god or something.  And then there's poor poor Jeremiah.  Just sitting on the side, smiling and nodding when he needs to.  To me, it felt like he was the most realistic character in the story.  Although things turned bad, okay horrible, near the end, he still held up his face nice and high.  And for that, I applaud him.  He seems like the perfect guy that everyone loves.  Or should love in this case.  Maybe if I wasn't so biased, I would love both characters equally but I just feel so sympathetic for Jeremiah.


*Supporting characters not listed

Saturday, January 5, 2013

0

Review of Exposure by Amy Helmes and Kim Askew

Posted in , , ,
Sypnosis:
Double, double, toil and trouble.  Sometimes, the quest for high school royalty can be deadly!  In this emotionally-charged twist on Shakespeare's Macbeth, a self-conscious shutterbug named Skye Kingston navigates a treacherous school year in Alaska fraught with unspoken secrets and tragic twists of fate.  Along the way she encounters three strangely prophetic BFF's; one social-climbing, sociopathic cheerleader and a heart-stopping hottie named Craig McKenizie: the man who would be Prom King.  Can Skye save the boy she love--and herself--before they get caught in crosshairs? (Taken from Goodreads) 

Stars Given: ★★★★★

Overall Review:
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Double, double, toil and trouble."  Wow!  This twisted modern version of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth uncovered the hidden hierarchy presented in high school.  Who would have thought that it was possible to integrate an everyday high school into one of Shakespeare's tragic plays.  Askew stepped up to the plate and delivered another well written twist to one of the most well known plays.

I was surprised at how well the characters in the book was so closely related to the characters in Macbeth, although some characters took time to develop. Askew took time as she slowly peeled away the secrets and insecurities of the "higher ranking" teenagers. It goes to show that perhaps gaining something like fame and popularity requires a sacrifice. In this case, the sad love story of two friends who obviously loved each other were separated by a cruel twist of faith. Craig was the very personification of Macbeth. The way he was lead astray by Beth and blinded by the power he gained, he soon tried to hide from his guilty deed. The difference between these two stories is that Craig finds his soul and realizes his mistake. 

This book was impossible to put down as soon as I started. I would recommend this book to any lovers of Shakespeare out there.


Characters:

Skye - 
Description of Character: A beautiful girl hiding her beauty behind her insecurities.  Skye is one of those characters who demonstrates the true meaning of loyalty.  She is shunned by her friend whom she trusts yet continues to keep his secret.  As a righteous person, Skye continues to urge Craig to see the evil hidden behind his beautiful and popular girlfriend, Beth.  


Review of Character: Skye is one of the characters I admired in this book.  She truly wanted to help Craig.  I don't think many people would have been able to do this.  Craig was so cold and rude to her yet she was able to see him past his wall.  she understood him like no one else did.  If I was placed in her position, I might have ratted him out in order to get revenge on the way he treated Skye.   Skye is beautiful inside and out.  
Craig -
Description of Character: Craig was once Skye's best friend.  However, he was led astray by Beth.  Even though Craig joins the popular kids, his morals aren't affected.  He feels tremendous guilt when he committed a deed that changed everyone's life.  Craig is a person who listens to his father and hopes to achieve his approval.  This was one of the reason why Craig fell in love with Beth.  He felt that he needed someone to dictate him.

Review of Character: Craig was one of those characters that made me as "Why?".  Why would he be blinded by Beth's beauty?  Why is he leaving his best friend?  Craig is like most teenagers.  He desires the attention and popularity.  Perhaps this is why he fell for Beth.  Being a teenager myself, I can see why Craig would leave Skye.  I mean, no one wants to be alone.  Everyone wants someone to talk to.  I think that he was one of the characters I could relate to.  I was truly relieved when he was able to find his way through the mist and walk on the path of light again.


*Supporting characters not listed

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

0

Review of How I Got Here by Hannah Harvey

Posted in , ,

Synopsis:
How I Got Here is a young adult novel. It takes us through River's story, a young girl who has been in hospital for a long time. She's incredibly withdrawn and lonely. Nobody around her tries to understand her symptoms, choosing instead to brush it aside. Until Oliver, a young doctor who works hard to figure out what's happening with her.Through a series of letters to him, River starts to open up about the painful details of her past, until she's explained the story of how she got to where she is. (Taken from Goodreads)

Stars Given:




Overall View:

I couldn't help but to feel angry and sad at the same time while reading this book. It got me to rethink about my school, to imagine what could really be happening to people behind the scenes. The story that River slowly tells throughout the book was sad, and started with just one party. It got me really angry because of all the people who were turning against her because of one girl. The book was so believable and real that I felt like throwing my phone away after finding out what Kim and the other kids did to her.

The story concept really focuses on bullying and how Oliver got her through the hard times at the beginning. In the middle, a little love starts to burst out of the book, and it all ends with R O M A N C E! (Which I love) This is one of the books that has really focused so much on another important topic, bullying, than love. The balance between the amount of love and serious problems is just right. There were no grammar mistakes so it just makes it even better!

The characters are fully developed and their personalities shine. Although River was still a little depressed when Oliver had approached her, it was still possible to sense her fighting spirit within her. She has a reason to do what she does, which is to protect the people that she loves around her. Without River, everyone's life would've shifted greatly. (An example performed by Oliver later in the story)

Overall, this was one of the best stories that I have read in a long time that did not involve anything...magic like. Actually scratch that, this whole book was hidden with magic behind each page. If you are finding for a nice story to read that's realistic and has nothing to do with paranormal stuff or fantasy things, then this is the right book for you!

Characters:

River - 
Description of Character: River used to be just a girl in high school, until everything changed. Now, she is hospitalized for different reasons like anorexia and isn't speaking to anyone, not even her parents.  The trauma that she had to suffer had changed her forever, making her strong, yet weaker and vulnerable.


Review of Character: River's character has completely inspired me.  She had to suffer through so much to get to this point.  Not many people know about her problems, and so they shake their heads as they made no progress with her whatsoever.  At first, it kind of irked me that River would stand quietly and let people torture her like that.  She was very strong at first, but when her marks were inflated, her confidence started deflating.  Although I thought that she was very naive into believing that she was fat (although she really wasn't), her character made me realize that anorexia is something that is much more serious than most people think.  Her character is very inspirational, along with her quotes.

Oliver -

Description of Character: Oliver is a young inspiring doctor who arrived in New York for a job in the hospital.  He then meets a hospitalized girl named River, who stays silent.  He is caring and puts a lot of effort into his job.  He tries to make the best out of this which gives him his sweet personality.

Review of Character: As for Oliver, well let's just say that he was...genuinely too nice. Maybe that's because I know an Oliver who is the complete opposite but I thought that he was a bit to naive at first. But near the middle, when I got to know him better after reading, he truly cares about River 

(and only treats River 'that way'!). I can't believe that I would actually like Oliver's character, to be honest! The Oliver that I know, who is a brat, has influenced me to hate and judge (too quickly) all Olivers, which I know is wrong but I do it unconsciously. After reading this, it made me fall in love with the book Oliver. He is so nice and tries to do the best for River.
*Supporting characters not listed
0

Review of Tempestuous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

Posted in , ,
Synopsis:
Recently banished, unfairly, by the school’s popular crowd, former “it girl,” Miranda Prospero, finds herself in a brave new world: holding dominion amongst a rag-tag crew of geeks and misfits where she works at the Hot-Dog Kabob in the food court of her local mall. When the worst winter storm of the season causes mall workers and last-minute shoppers to be snowed-in for the night, Miranda seizes the opportunity to get revenge against the catty clique behind her social exile. With help from her delightfully dweeby coworker, Ariel, and a sullen loner named Caleb who works at the mall’s nearby gaming and magic shop, Miranda uses charm and trickery to set things to right during this spirited take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. (Taken from Goodreads)

Stars Given:



Overall View:

Surprisingly this book wasn't as boring as I thought. It started off slow. To be honest I didn't know too much about Shakespeare's Tempest. However, after reading this book it makes me want to read it now.
The book starts off rather slow in my opinion, however as the plot unravels with Miranda and her gang stuck in the mall, things start to grab my attention. The mystery was intriguing and made me want to solve the mystery before Miranda did. The characters were nicely developed and displayed the quality of the society. I love how Miranda didn't choose to go back to Brian,which showed that she changes from who she used to be.  Although Miranda's character was a bit cliched, overall, the characters were realistic and had unique personalities of their own.   I loved the way the story developed to the climax and the ending.  It was funny and enjoyable with a hint of mystery in it, which made it really hard to put down.  

Characters:

Miranda - 
Description of Character: Miranda used to be the "it-girl" in the school.  With the hottest boyfriend and all the friends that she could ever want.  That was before the big incident that involved her.  Now she is working at Hot Dog Kabob to pay off the price that she needs to pay.  A little later in the book, she become handcuffed with Caleb.


Review of Character: Although Miranda was kind of a cliched character, with her former position  as the "it-girl", she still had some qualities that made her different from many other characters.  Although she was usually cold to the people around her, she still cared for her friends, like Ariel, which shows that she has learned and changed throughout the book.  Although she wasn't the perfect character that a book could have, she was still strong and willing to do what it takes to keep her friends safe, which makes her a likable character.  Overall, she is fit to be the main character of this fun filled book.

Caleb -

Description of Character: Caleb is the boy who Miranda meets when Ariel, her friend, introduces them to each other.  He works in the same mall as Miranda at the gaming and magic shop.  Later on in the story, because of an unfortunate incident, he becomes handcuffed with Miranda.

Review of Character: Caleb's character is very realistic.  He doesn't care about anything that has to do with popularity and stays reserved to himself.  His character has a strong personality and doesn't care what others think about him.  His character is probably my favourite character because of his boldness, which makes his character realistic.  Other than Miranda, he was the only other believable character, one that you could find when you walk out the door.


*Supporting characters not listed