Review: The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

Published in 2011 by Harlequin Teen

This book was fun and great for any Shakespeare fan. The story took place from the eyes of Miranda, a girl desperate to win the part of Juliet in her high school play. When she realizes she isn't going to get it, she does a spell from a book she bought and wishes to be Juliet. Instead of being Juliet, she gets someone from Romeo & Juliet thrust into her kitchen out of no where. And that person is Edmund Shakespeare, William's younger brother.

Warning: I had many conflicting emotions toward this book. I think my main issue with this book was how it was written. Edmund's dialogue was in old English with all 'Ye's, and it does add character, but it is extremely annoying for the reader. I feel like character wise, with all of the characters, we saw barely any development. Miranda is still blind-eyed at the end of the book, Edmund just adapted for survival. Drew and Bobby were good, but I didn't really see a need for them to even be involved in the book as much as they were. There were random science bits, that I'm not ashamed at all to admit confused me. The end of the book left me completely unsatisfied as well. It was obvious that the character was too. *sigh*

Focusing on the bright side, it was really fun to read a book written from this point of view. The reader has the ability to hear about everything in the theater world, from directing, sets, stage cues, and even cast parties. Edmund was very charming and easy to read about (if you ignore his dialogue, which I managed to.) I loved the historic notes and the mysterious Doctor Dee.

I recommend it to Shakespeare fans, theater fans, and to someone looking for a romance novel.

3/5 Stars

Review: Pride & Popularity by Jenni James

Published in 2011 by Inkberry Press -- 240 pg 

This book is a modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's classic, Pride & Prejudice. Seen through the eyes of a 17 yr old, Chloe Elizabeth Hart. Throughout the book her main goal is to not fall in love with the 'local hero' Taylor Anderson. I have not actually read the original. It's on my to-read list, because the only one I've read so far is Northanger Abbey. So please take note in that with my review!


It took me a long time to get into this book. Chloe was a fine enough protagonist, she was very harsh to her surroundings in the most part of the book. My main issue with that was she had no reason. There was no back story to why she distrusted Taylor, other than he was like any other popular guy. Alyssa and Madison were okay as Chloe's best friends, but they seemed like giggling worship robots to Taylor. What I'm trying to say is, there were no backgrounds to any of these characters so I had a hard time connecting. Collin was my favorite, just because he was so nerdy and awkward. The book really picked up near the end, with a climatic run to the park so Chloe could save her sister. 


The writing style of the author was different than others. There was a lot of italicized thoughts, which did get on my nerves. As well as many references to the Bible (don't get me wrong, I have nothing against that.) 'like manna from heaven' But I didn't know it was religious going in. 


I enjoyed the book otherwise. The premise of having a clean book with nothing risque was really refreshing, and definitely a great breather from some other YA books. I recommend this to fans of Jane Austen, or anyone looking for something clean and sweet.

3/5 Stars

Beach Reads

This week is my school-vacation, and I've been visiting my sister at her college. To make this story shorter, her school is located on a beach! This gave me the inspiration to read a few books just bursting with sand (in more ways than one!) 

I finished these following books less than a day ago. Not only are they both my newest favorites, they're filled with emotional depth. Check them out now!

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. 

Published in 2009 by Sarah Ockler (Little Brown)

Amazing. The quote on the front of this book described my ultimate feeling towards it. It cracked my heart into sand multiple times and sent me reeling towards the finish line. 

I know the title is weird to some, but it doesn't even begin to explain the depth in this book. Anna and Frankie are so grief-stricken you can't help but be sympathetic from afar but also at the same time, misty-eyed yourself at the horrors they have been through. Anna was a protagonist to remember, and the story is one I'll never forget. There are so many quotes I'd hate to forget, I need to go write them down somewhere! 

The bottom line is, it was truly a sad story. Throughout it, we were provided hope. I'm being cliché, but it had the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel feel. Matt's tragic death is the base, but it doesn't totally focus on it. We are exposed to the way people respond to such tremendous grief, which is extremely eye-opening to those who haven't been IRL exposed to it. You, the reader, feel the emotions the characters are going through and definitely experience a small fragment of their sadness. The writing is magnificent and 100% percent worth any tissues you may use.





After she's snubbed by her snooty cousins in the Hamptons, 16-year-old Mia Gordon meets next-door-neighbor Simon. And from the very first time he encourages Mia to go skinny dipping, she's caught in a current impossible to resist.


Published in 2010 by Amanda Howells (Sourcebook Fire)





So this book is amazing. I recommend it to anyone, but you should know going in that it is not a light read. I didn't know what to expect, and it hit me pretty hard. The paperback blurb is very vague, and I didn't read any reviews before going into it. 

My main issue with the book was its lack of plot. It was a romance story, armed with two dysfunctional families. The fact it didn't come with a plot was minor in my case, but it's always a personal opinion. I really got into it around the ending. The first half of the book was enjoyable to me, but not compelling until (as I said) the end. Give it a chance, it's so worth it. 

Spotlight on: MTV Publishing

I seriously think MTV books are underrated. The books come in an array of different authors and stories, but they all tackle real problems (especially teen problems.) I've only read a few, but each one just made me want to read more. Sure they aren't the most grand literary work out there, but they are fun to read--and what's wrong with that?! Here's a few I definitely recommend:

(To see a pretty full list of all the books, click away!)

It's Not About the Accent by Caridad Ferrer

I read this a few years ago, and it's a book that has stuck with me. This book deals with a few taboo subjects (at least fairly in the ya world) and has set high expectations with me towards other books.







Life as a Poser by Beth Killian

I just finished this book today, so click to read my review! It was a fun Hollywood-based novel, and a start to a trilogy. While the above book is still my all-time favorite MTV book, this is a close second. To all readers of Secrets of my Hollywood Life, I recommend checking this book out!

To Catch a Prince by Gillian McKnight -- Book Review

2/5 Stars

Helene Masterson and Alexis Worth are stepsisters and best friends. When Helene lands a summer internship in London, Alexis tags along. To make their summer more interesting, the girls make a bet that one of them must hook Prince William by the end of the summer. When the girls meet Simon and Lazlo, they find their perfect matches, but will the boys get discouraged with the girls' royal distraction?
In The Frog Prince, Helene and Alexis are off to Paris after Helene's estranged father invites her to stay for the summer. Helene and Alexis set out to catch the prince of Paris, chasing him all over town, but what if he turns out to be a toad?
<><> <><>

My mom actually read this book before me and liked it. But when I read it, I had a lot of mixed emotions. The characters were extremely unlikeable. They were too spoiled, too ungrateful and too catty to really like and understand. The book synopsis also pleaded their unbreakable friendship. But in these TWO books, they were probably only friends for 7 chapters collectively. Great friendship, huh? While the premise was fun, I couldn't get into it that much. My favorite char... My mom actually read this book before me and liked it. But when I read it, I had a lot of mixed emotions. The characters were extremely unlikeable. They were too spoiled, too ungrateful and too catty to really like and understand. The book synopsis also pleaded their unbreakable friendship. But in these TWO books, they were probably only friends for 7 chapters collectively. Great friendship, huh? While the premise was fun, I couldn't get into it that much. My favorite characters were probably Simon & Laszlo, the former didn't even have a chance in the second book. While I could relate better to Helene, I had no sympathy for Alexis. I do love how Helene & Laszlo's romance played out. Definitely the most, and maybe only satisfying part of the book. This book was actually two books in one. The second one--'The Frog Prince' was the better one in my opinion. I loved the scenery (London & Paris) and the writing was higher than average. I just couldn't get past the unlikeable characters, and how everything was wrapped up in the end. I'm not sure if I'd even recommend it to people who love prince-fiction. They make William look soooo bad! But if you're looking for a thoughtless read, give it a try.

Book Review (by Charlotte) ~ Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

TGIF everyone! Midterms are coming up this week for me, wish me any luck you can spare!

On to the point, this week I read the pretty book on the left. From the start I'd heard some mixed reviews of it. Honestly, I had lowered expectations when I started the vampire novel. I was completely blown away, this book has become somewhat of an obsession. If you are a fan of any vampire books in general, this one is no different. It's a pure obsession kind of series. Some books just have that glimmer than makes you dive into them. This was exactly so.

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

I have to say, this has become one of my favorite books. I can't pinpoint exactly how/when this happened, but I just could never put this book down! I went through love-hate relationships with all the characters, but in the end I just loved them all over again.

If you are a lover of consistency, this may not be the book for you. I found myself willing Jessica to be stronger sometimes (she was a rather Bella-type character) and for Lucius to get a grip on things. The development in all the characters was slight. For a few chapters there was no real change at all, which was rather boring.

Again, these things normally turn me off a book, in this case it kept me reading. The end was a little messy, plot-structure wise. It is not a literature work of art, but definitely give it a chance!
4/5 Stars.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

This book was unlike anything else, to say the least. First off, the actual layout of the book completely reflected the book itself. It was epic. You had old photographs, chapter-markings that looked like old wallpaper, and some flipped upside-down text. If you want to display any book, this is definitely the one.

Getting back to the photographs, the story really did revolve around them. They were so eery and intriguing, it was probably my favorite part of the book.
The story itself was extraordinary. But I felt like everything was packed into the last 50 pages of the book. I was overwhelmed by what happened and how unresolved it was by the end. If I didn't know a second book was coming out, I would be extremely unsatisfied. Since there is a second one scheduled for 2013, it's /okay/.

All the characters were very unique and worthy of your reading. Millard was probably my favorite character. I felt for Jacob and Emma but not enough to care if they got hurt. I'd love to see a little more character development.

As for everything else, it was truly peculiar. (I just had to say that, okay?!)
4/5 Stars