Ninja Librarian

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Ghoul Next Door by Lisi Harrison

Title: The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High #2)
Author: Lisi Harrison
ISBN: 9780316099110
Publisher: Poppy
Page #: 241
Released: April 5, 2011
Source: My local public library

Summary:
"Clopatra De Nile
* New pet snake *Has Deuce - the hottest guy in school - all wrapped up *Herve Leger bandage dress, strappy gold platforms
Cleo was the queen bee of the RADs, the normies, and everyone in between at Merston High. But now it's 'Frankie this' and 'Melody that'... these new girls sure know how to get their lashes in a tangle. When Cleo lands a golden Teen Vogue photo op for her friends, everything seems to be back on track... until they bail to be in some film... Frankie and Melody's film! Can't a royal get some loyal?

Frankie Stein
Frankie lost her head over Brett once and vows to never do it again. Not that she has a choice: Bekka is clinging to her guy like plastic wrap. But when Brett comes up with a plan that could help the RADs live free, sparks fly, and Bekka will stop at nothing to put out the flames... even if it means destroying the entire monster community.

Melody Carver
The clock is tick-tick-ticking. Melody has a serious deadline to save her boyfriend, Jackson, from being exposed by the vengeance-seeking Bekka. But Cleo is making it royally difficult for the normie while threatening her acceptance into the RADs' exclusive group... a group that Melody suspects she has more in common with than she ever thought.

Fitting in is out."
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First Lines:

"The amber-infused air snapped with anxiety. It crackled with anticipation. It popped with impatience. Still, Cleo refused to rest until the de Nile Palace was fit for a king, even if the staff thought she was a royal pain in the -"
Page 1
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Review:

If you haven't read the first book in this series, I highly recommend it. Lisi Harrison is quite a fun author - I'm quickly learning that I should just read everything she writes.

This book is the second in the Monster High series. Cleo is our main girl this time and she is kinda pissed that she isn't the head honcho anymore. Well, she is... people have just forgotten it. She has to find her way back to the top by bribing her friends with a photo shoot. It works... but not as well as she'd hoped. You also get a taste for what Frankie's life is like these days. She had a huge slip up in the first book and she is learning how to cope. And not expose all of her new friends. It's quite the twisty road! :)

Seriously, I think the most fun thing about this book is the names and the maladies. I mean, Frankie Stein?! Come on, now. Too fun. The rest are equally awesome. I think that alone makes for a clever story. I also love some of the new characters in this book. One zombie, one fire breather, and much more. It gives the RADs and interesting dynamic, for sure.

Frankie is really good at coming up with plans, but not always great in figuring out how to impliment them. She finds a way to get people to stop "head hunting" the RADs... and in turn making the normies question everything they saw. And then she comes up with another plan on how to get normies to understand that RADs are just people too. That one backfires a little... but I'm not going to spoil it for you. I think I've been friends with a few of those planners before - not that we ever carried out any of the big plans like that. :)

I am also really starting to like the character Melody. She's trying to fit in with the RADs, but she isn't special in any way. But she knows what it is like to be judged by your looks/talents. It pulls in that topic of acceptance and all - from both sides. There is a little hint in the end that she may not be as normal as she thought... but I won't spoil it for you.

I really will be recommending this series to anyone who loves fantasy humor. This book is lighthearted and a very quick read. It's probably time for me to go request the third book in this series now - since it came out recently. I can't wait to see what else this author has up her super-stylish sleeves!
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Other Blog Reviews:

I Read to Relax!
Reading Vacation
The Road Goes Ever Ever On
"YA" Need Books
Braintasia Books
Bibliopunkk
Badass Bookie

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Out This Week Oct 23-29

Here are some books that are coming out this week. I think this is a week of wonderful covers, don't you?!

10.25.11 Destined (House of Night #9) by PC and Kristin Cast

10.25.11 Crave (The Clann #1) by Melissa Darnell

10.25.11 The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

10.25.11 Amplified by Tara Kelly

10.25.11 Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

10.25.11 Desert Angel by Charlie Price

10.25.11 Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

10.25.11 Phantom (Vampire Diaries: The Hunters #1) by L.J. Smith (ghostwriter)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
ISBN: 9781595143174
Publisher: Razorbill
Released: August 29, 2011
Page #: 421
Source: My local public library

Summary:
"Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist - one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of the Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside - and within - the school grounds. Now that they're in hiding, the drama is only just beginning."
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First Lines:

"I couldn't breathe.
There was a hand covering my mouth and another shaking my shoulder, startling me out of a heavy sleep. A thousand frantic thoughts dashed through my mind in the space of a single heartbeat. It was happening. My worst nightmare was coming true."
Page 1
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Review:

I will preface this review by telling you that I absolutely loved the Vampire Academy series. I consider it one of the absolute best vampire series out there. I've recommended it, I've talked it up, I've thought about owning them (a big deal, I promise)... basically I think they're wonderful. All of this to say, I'm probably preconditioned to love Bloodlines. And I did. I'm not sure if it's because I love VA so much... or if it's just that good. I'm gonna say it's just that good.

Bloodlines picks up Sydney's story post-VA. She's gotten into trouble for her involvement with our previous cast of characters and she's looking to redeem herself in the eyes of her father and the larger Alchemist group. She begs to be put on an assignment that takes her far away from things she has known in the past. She fights through her Alchemist training and learns to live with vampires and dhampirs... while her one nearby ally is actually an enemy from the past. In a tough situation, she deals with strange mysteries, teenage love, and learning to protect her charge.

All in all, I thought it was a clever divergence from the Vampire Academy stories. You are still looking at boarding school life - but from a whole different place and perspective. Not to mention that it's actually a human school... but it's a similar setting. The one thing that's not familiar is Sydney's outlook on the world. She was brought up differently and her view of the Moroi and Dhampir's is absolutely the opposite of what I'm used to. I think that's one of the things that makes this book a great companion to the VA books.

One thing that I seriously wonder is if someone who hasn't read VA would get lost in this book. I think the author did a really good job giving you some recap on what the world is like and how things work. I just wonder if it would get confusing for people who aren't into it already. Hopefully all is well. I've already recommended it to someone who hasn't read VA, so I'll let ya know :).

This author officially has my vote for the best endings. She does such a great job of wrapping up the story you're currently following - enough that you have closure to the issue in the book. But then she hits you with a little zing at the end to let you know what's coming and why you should get excited. I know I got excited at the end of this book - the second one is already in my pre-order cart. I just appreciate the author's ability to continue the story without keeping you from having an ending. Bravo!

As I mentioned earlier, I've already recommended this book to at least one person. I'm not done yet! I think it's a great urban fantasy novel - and I'm 100% positive that VA fans are gonna love it (and already do, from what I can tell). I applaud Richelle Mead for another great start to a series and I will be waiting desperately for the second book!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Missy's Reads & Reviews
That Chick That Reads
Bookish
Two Chicks on Books
Moonlight Book Reviews
IB Book Blogging
Feeling Fictional

Waiting on Wednesday (75)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week

Legend
by Marie Lu
To be released: November 29, 2011

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
"What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets."

Doesn't this book sound amazing?! It's another dystopian novel, but I'm definitely a fan of those. I think this story will be thrilling and political and very different. I cannot wait to read this one!

What are you waiting on this week?