Review: Fated by Alyson Noël

Fated
By: Alyson Noël
Published: May 22nd, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: ARC from publisher

My review:

I haven't read anything else by Alyson Noël, although I do own a few books by her. After reading this book, I'm definitely going to start on those other books. This book was a magical journey with an original and creative plot that was different from any other fantasy books.

The protagonist of this book is Daire Santos, who is a teen girl who travels the world for her mom's work (makeup artist for Hollywood movies.) But Daire starts seeing horrible, disgusting visions and is traumatized by these episodes. Finally it gets to be too much for her mother, who sends Daire to live with her estranged grandmother, Paloma, in New Mexico. There she finally discovers her gift and embraces her fate.

This book was a refreshing read from the cookie-cutter books that all run along with the same plot. There were many creative aspects about this book, and having a strong female protagonist was just icing on the cake. The YA genre needs more female protagonists that we, the readers, can look up to and in my opinion Daire is one. There were suitors involved, as there always will be, but Daire never had to be the damsel in distress. Other aspects that were very creative are things like the Native American culture, her nature songs and the layers of Earth (Lower, Middle and Upper.) You need to read the book to learn more about them!

As for the characters, every single one of them had a purpose and were really interesting. I loved Xotichl, Cade, Dace, and Lita. Even if some of them are antagonists, they still were portrayed with care that kept the reader involved.

As for the plot, the book did move slowly. The action only started in the last 100 pages. The climax wasn't massive, but the care to details in this book make up for it. Although I don't see why one chapter included a few paragraphs about applying mascara--it didn't hurt the book.

I recommend this book to everyone who has an interest in fantasy. The mix of cultures, fantasy worlds, and the symbolism of life and death are great appeals of this book.

4/5 lightbulbs

In My Mailbox #4

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by the Story Siren. It showcases all the books you have recieved, purchased, or come in any form of contact within this week!

I have a lot of books to show today. I've never gotten this many in one week, so this post is special! Let's just say I have a lot of reading to do!

When I was at the airport, I got these two books.

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Then I ordered these back in March, but they didn't ship until the Thumped was released (which is pretty annoying, not preordering from B&N again.)

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Thumped by Megan McCafferty 

Getting these was actually the best part of my week! I went to a teen galley group at a local bookstore, and there was only me and one other girl. So I got to pick out as many ARCs as I wanted. Then I read them, review them and recommend them (or not) for the bookstore. Then I received Gilt in the mail from the publisher.

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Ten by Gretchen McNeill

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Dead Time by Anne Cassidy

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

A Thunderous Whisper by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

What did you get this week?

Feature & Follow Friday #4

This weekly event is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read, so click here for all the specifics of this week's event! (:

Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then "broke up" with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

I just finished reading Crossed by Ally Condie, the second book in the Matched trilogy. And just letting you know, it totally disappointed me. So that character would probably be Ky. I liked him in Matched but not in this installment. He acted with too much indecision. What about you, do you have a character you've felt this way about?

If you're interested in following, it would be lovely if you are able to do it by GFC! (:

Waiting on Wednesday #3

This is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine.
Have you ever just gone on Goodreads and looked at all the upcoming books? Practically drool over some of them? I have, SO much. That's why this event is one I can really relate to. Here's the book I'm waiting for this week!

The Académie by Susanne Dunlap

Eliza Monroe-daughter of the future president of the United States-is devastated when her mother decides to send her to boarding school outside of Paris. But the young American teen is quickly reconciled to the idea when-ooh, la-la!-she discovers who her fellow pupils will be: Hortense de Beauharnais, daughter of Josephine Bonaparte; and Caroline Bonaparte, youngest sister of the famous French general. It doesn't take long for Eliza to figure out that the two French girls are mortal enemies-and that she's about to get caught in the middle of their schemes.

Okay so this book came out in February, but I haven't seen it in any stores. It looks really interesting; and I can't help but be intrigued by any book that takes place in a boarding school. I hope to get this book soon!

What are you waiting on?

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 284
Published: March 20th, 2007
Publisher: Hyperion

My review:

I originally read Ally Carter's newer series, which is Heist Society. I'm a huge fan of that, which is about Kat, a girl born into a family of thieves. But enough about that book, this one focuses on Cammie, a girl who goes to a spy school, where her mother is headwoman. This book is pretty much a dream to anyone who fantasizes about being a super-cool spy in another life (...me.)

Cammie is a sweet and innocent, (as innocent as a spy who can kill someone with her hands 7 different ways can be) her nickname is the Chameleon because she blends in with her surroundings. She's been at the Gallagher school for girls her whole life, and doesn't know a normal life. So when she meets a regular guy, who thinks she's a regular girl, she's at a loss of how to act.

As a protagonist, Cammie is fine. She starts off seeming unapproachable, but as the book progresses you are exposed to a deeper side of her. All the characters were interesting and different. They all carried the fact that they were at a spy school well, it was very believeable. Bex, Cammie's friend and Josh were the only characters that I never found myself rooting for.

As for the plot, it is rather dull for a spy book. I'd rather read action sequences, not Cammie struggling chapter after chapter to figure out what to wear for her most recent date. I'll forgive this fact though, as I've been told that the coming books get more interesting. In the few scenes with action, I did get lost really quickly. Things would happen, even the character moving just slightly, and it would be only two words and I'd have to read it over again to catch it. Some better explaining doesn't hurt.

I recommend this to fans of any action, spy thrillers, girl-power, and forbidden love. I'll be reading the rest of the series ASAP!

5/5 lightbulbs!

Follow Friday #3

This weekly event is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read, so click here for all the specifics of this week's event! (:

Q: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

Hmm that's tough. I've read so many books with BAMF characters, so it will be hard to choose. . . but I'm going to go with some girl power! It would be really interesting to see Katniss (from the Hunger Games) versus Kat (from Heist Society.) They're both regular people without any superpowers, but a ton of survival skills. I think it would be a really close draw, and it would depend on the setting. But probably Katniss would win!

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Pages: 236 (hardcover)
Published: January 2nd, 2012
Publisher: Poppy
My Source: Library

My review:
This is bordering on 4 stars. . . it's a really cute love story between Oliver and Hadley. It also has its deep moments between the two and their history.

This book is really just a simple romance. The pair begin traveling to London and at the start, do not know each other. This book has a span of 24 hours that takes the couple from oblivion to love. They both dread what they're receiving in London, and bond in their mutual feeling.

I guess the main thing I disliked was the ending of this book. It was dry and left me unsatisfied at where the characters stood. I actually cried during the more emotional parts in this book (I'm a sympathetic crier and it applies to when the characters cry too. . .) but the ending did nothing for me. Hadley and Oliver were likable, but I rooted for their relationship more than the characters themselves.

Besides these points, the book was charming and a quick read. I recommend it to fans of a love story.

3/5 lightbulbs