Waiting on Wednesday (82)

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

The Whole Story of Half a Girl
by Veera Hiranandani
To be released: January 10, 2012

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
"After her father loses his job, Sonia Nadhamuni, half Indian and half Jewish American, finds herself yanked out of private school and thrown into the unfamiliar world of public education. For the first time, Sonia's mixed heritage makes her classmates ask questions—questions Sonia doesn't always know how to answer—as she navigates between a group of popular girls who want her to try out for the cheerleading squad and other students who aren't part of the "in" crowd.
At the same time that Sonia is trying to make new friends, she's dealing with what it means to have an out-of-work parent—it's hard for her family to adjust to their changed circumstances. And then, one day, Sonia's father goes missing. Now Sonia wonders if she ever really knew him. As she begins to look for answers, she must decide what really matters and who her true friends are—and whether her two halves, no matter how different, can make her a whole."

It's not too often that I get excited about a realistic fiction title. But this story sounds wonderful. Not only does it deal with some of the issues in kids who are looking to find their identity... but also with some of the economic stuff of parents losing jobs. I just think it's going to be a very powerful and awesome story. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What are you waiting for this week?

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Title: Deadly Cool
Author: Gemma Halliday
ISBN: 9780062003317
Publisher: Harper Teen
Released: October 11, 2011
Page #: 303
Source: My public library

Summary:
"First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he's pegged a the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he's depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?

As much as I wouldn't mind watching him squirm, I know that he's innocent. So I'm brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I'm still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what's worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer's next victim.

I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time."
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First Lines:

"There are three things you never want to find in your boyfriend's locker: a sweaty jockstrap, a D minus on last week's history test, and an empty condom wrapper.
Lucky me, I hit the trifecta."
Page 1
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Review:

I'm not ashamed to tell you all that I picked up this book because I thought it was going to be some awesome sci-fi. But instead I got a really fun, girly mystery! So it's all good :). Even if the chick on the cover is dead.

So, it's the story of a girl who just so happens to find a dead body in her boyfriend's bedroom. This kicks off a huge investigation - because she needs to clear his name. Even though he was cheating on her. And he's on the run. And she hates him now. But she has to know who is killing girls in their high school. She teams up with a badboy with serious internet savvy to give them an edge. I'm sure you can imagine that the mystery was solved in the end. Like any good light mystery novel :).

While there are lots of mentions of Nancy Drew throughout the book - and the fact that Hartley is nothing like her. But in reality, it's a lot like one of those books. Which can be a really good thing. It's an easy sell to the people who loved Nancy Drew... new or old. It's very formulaic... very action packed... and we have a girl out to save the town. And she does a better job than the cops... obvs.

I really grew to think Hartley was awesome. She's snarky and funny and intelligent and girly and sneaky... all rolled into one. I can imagine her being just about anyone. She doesn't seem cookie cutter and she has a mind of her own - that speaks out a little too often for her liking. I really thought some of the dialog was hilarious and would love to see more from her!

The mystery itself is a little transparent. I mean, I didn't know who did it until they finally announced it in the end... but there are a lot of very obvious "it must be this guy! or this guy!" stuff. Which is fine, but it's clearly throwing you in different directions so you don't know what's going to happen. I suppose that's a good quality to have as a mystery novel :).

One thing kinda cracked me up... Have you ever known Color Guard members to be popular? I mean, seriously. I was a band nerd 100%. And our color guard was not... at all... popular. In fact, they were just the ones who wanted to be in band but didn't want to play an instrument. Perhaps the situation would have been different in another school, but the whole concept really cracked me up. I mean, seriously?! Popular?!

Well, if you are looking for a wonderful, easy, fun mystery, then I highly recommend this book. It's a lot of fun - with boys and makeup and crazy outfits mixed in with intrigue and murder and suspects. It's a pretty good balance, if you ask me. And if you're reading this, you're asking me :). So I would give this one a shot. It was worth the time for me - and the cover is pretty. What more do you want?
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Other Blog Review:

A Fangirl's View
Ten Cent Notes
So Many Books, So Little Time
IB Book Blogging
Sony the Book Lover
Zoey's Uncreatively Titled Blog
YA Bibliophile

Just Your Average Princess by Kirstina Springer

Title: Just Your Average Princess
Author: Kristina Springer
ISBN: 9780374361501
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Released: October 11, 2011
Page #: 197
Source: My Public Library

Summary:
"Jamie Edwards has loved growing up on a pumpkin patch - the miles of pumpkins, the corn maze, the smiling parents with their eager kids, the apple cider, the hayrides, and even the goats in the petting zoo that have ruined three of her jackets. But ever since her cousin Milan Woods stepped down from Jamie's dad's old red pickup truck and into the pile of rotten pumpkin guts, ruining her two-thousand-dollar shoes, things have really stunk.

Jamie knows she should feel sorry for Milan. She can't imagine it's easy for Milan to leave her friends and family back in Los Angeles and move to Average, Illinois - population 1,000. But it's kind of hard since (a) Milan's drop-dead gorgeous, (b) she's a gazillionaire and the daughter of two of Hollywood's hottest film stars, (c) she's captured the attention of everyone in town, including Danny, the hottie hayride driver who Jamie's been crushing on ever since she was old enough to start working at the Patch, and (d) she's about to steal the title of Pumpkin Princess right out from underneath Jamie!

But Jamie's not going to stoop to Milan's level. She's going to don her overalls and do her job the way she's always done it, pigtails and all. The people of Average will know she's the one who should be crowned Princess. They will pick the right person. Won't they?"
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First Lines:

"Thump.
Thump.
Thump, thump, thump.
'What the -?' The redhead woman standing across from me at the checkout pales and her dark brown eyes widen. She's looking at something over my right shoulder."
Page 3
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Review:

A-dorable. Just darn-tootin' adorable. :) It's always refreshing to have a little farm girl fiction, isn't it?

This is the story of a girl who lives and works on a pumpkin patch in Average, Illinois. Everything is perfect until her snobby, famous cousin rolls into town. Jamie doesn't know why she's there in the middle of the school year, but she can't wait for her to leave! Milan starts ruining everything Jamie loves - enough that she seems to be everyone's favorite. As you can imagine, there's a "moral to the story" in the end.

Okay, so I love books like this sometimes. They really are light and easy... but not fluffy enough to be irritating. Honestly, I loved this book. I think it's because the main girl was so strong, proud and awesome. She is everything I always hope girls will want to be. She's a hard worker... a great friend... and someone who understands what is important in this world. I think she may have made this book much better for me. I just wanted to be her friend :).

There is, of course, a love interest. A farm-boy love interest. Does it get any better than that? It's written in a way that isn't pathetic or anything - which really happens more often than it should. It gives the story a little depth and drive for our main girl, Jamie. Of course, she doesn't know what to do with herself when he's around... but I think it's well done.

Can I say how awesome the setting is? Can you imagine working on a pumpkin patch as a teenager? And having a love interest at work. And having your best friend working with you. And knowing that it's your family's farm and things are going well? It just seems kinda awesome to me. Perhaps because all of my jobs as a teen were drugery work. This just sounds like fun :). That's probably not how everyone feels about it, but it made the setting really fun. I appreciated that.

I really will be recommending this book to anyone who loves girly stories. It's great for any age because the themes really translate to almost anyone. I think it will go over really well. And based on some other reviews I've read, it seems to have done just that. I hope you give this one a shot. It's short and sweet... really!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Small Review
The Fiction Enthusiast
Me, My Shelf and I
I Like These Books
Simply Books
Paper Dreams
Reading Vacation

Waiting on Wednesday (81)

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

Cinder
by Marissa Meyer
To be released: January 03, 2012

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
"Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future."

Hellloooo sci fi! Doesn't this book look and sound amazing? I'm always excited for a sci fi that seems even remotely girly. They always seem to be a bit boyish. But this one sounds super amazing! Not to mention the retelling aspect - yay Cinderella! I think this one is going to be awesome. What say you? :)

What are you waiting on this week?

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Title: Inheritance (Inheritance Cycle #4)
Author: Christopher Paolini
ISBN: 9780375856112
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Released: November 08, 2011
Page #: 860
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Not so very long ago, Eragon - Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider - was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now, the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Rider and his dragon have come farther than anyone dared to imagine. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaesia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini's bestselling Inheritance cycle."
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First Lines:

"The dragon Saphira roared, and the soldiers before her quailed.
'With me!' shouted Eragon. He lifted Brisingr over is head, holding it aloft for all to see. The blue sword flashed bright and iridescent, stark against the wall of black clouds building in the west."
Page 1
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Review:

I have two words for this book (and possibly just the author in general): Long. Winded. Or is that really one word? Whatever. It still applies.

So, if you haven't read the first three books in this "cycle," put down the review and walk away. There is a lot of ground for you to cover before you read this book. A lot. Not to deter you or anything...

This is the last book in the Inheritance Cycle - a very long, drawn out series of four books. This is the one that answers all of the questions and brings everything full circle. It is the conclusion to an epic story of a boy and his dragon taking on the most evil king... ever. Their whole society hangs in the balance and Eragon is feeling the pressure. He is the only one that can defeat Galbatorix and things are starting to look grim.

Inheritance took FOR.E.VER to read. When I got it from the library, I figured 21 days would be plenty to finish it - in fact, I scoffed and said I would be done in a week. I was wrong. It's due in a couple days and I had to do some concentrated reading time to get it done. So, my vote goes to this book for the Longest Book Ever. Okay, enough complaining about the sheer size.

I honestly love the bones of the story in the Inheritance Cycle. I love the story of Eragon and Saphira and all of the obstacles they overcome and how they are changed because of them. I do love many of the side characters - Roran, Arya, Nasuada.... I could go on. I truly think that the base story of these books is wonderful. I think that's why these books have become so popular with just about anyone who loves fantasy.

But... there's a lot of extraneous stuff that I'm not sure helps the story. There seems to be an excess of flowery language and desription of things that don't seem obviously important. I'm sure at some level it helps the story develop so you have a full understanding of the world. But there were times that I would just put the book down after some crazy description thinking it was highly unnecessary. Just as an example... in the last 50 pages, the author introduces a new city altogether. Why? Just because it is shown on the map and no one has talked about it yet?

Don't even get me started on the ending. The final battle was wonderful and more than I could have hoped for. I think it gave the right tone for the last big fight... it was well done. And maybe it ended just a little too abruptly. It's after that when I thought we should have just stopped. Instead, the author takes us on a journey to tie up every possible loose end throughout the story. Do we really have to go say goodbye to everyone? Even though the ending itself is over 100 pages long... it feels rushed compared to the rest of the books.

I have to mention one more thing that drove me crazy. Each time a plan was hatched...usually a battle plan... the reader is kept in the dark exactly the same way. It was all... "So and so described his idea to so and so. So and so thought it was sheer madness!" With lots of flowery language, of course. And then a chapter or two later you finally see what the plan was. I think this happened a couple times with Roran and a few with Eragon. Enough that it was noticably the same tactic all over again. I would have appreciated a little variety in that department.

It looks like I have a lot of negatives about this book, huh? Well, I think perhaps I'm bitter because it took me so darn long to finish it. That and I felt like the story could have been told without being over 800 pages long. Personal opinion, of course. Will I continue to recommend this series? Yes, I definitely will. I've always recommended it with a little piece of caution about the length of the books.

With that being said, I'm going to go read something short and light.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Book Infinity
Fantasy Review
Good Choice Reading
Ink Scrawl
San Diego Reader