Belle of the Brawl by Lisi Harrison

Title: Belle of the Brawl (Alphas #3)
Author: Lisi Harrison
ISBN: 9780316035811
Publisher: Poppy
Page #: 206
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"Eccentric billionaire Shira Brazille founded the super-exclusive Alpha Academy to nurture the next generation of exceptional dancers, writers, musicians, and inventors. It's a dream come true for one hundred lucky girls, but those not measuring up will be sent home at any time, for any reason. The one left standing will win worldwide fame. Who will it be?

Skye Hamilton
For Skye, breaking boys' hears is easier than one-two-plie. But if she hurts emo-freak Sydney, Shira will send her packing. Skye's only choice? Make him dump her first! But how can she convince robo-Romeo she's not his Juliet?

Charlie Deery
Charlie's brilliant brain designed most everything on Alpha Island, but her broken heart could never get over Darwin Brazille. Now she has a chance to get him back. But to say hello to true love, she may have to say buh-bye to her friendship with Allie A. ...

Allie A. Abbott
After being exposed as an Allie J imposter, Allie A is as worthless as a five-time markdown on the clearance shoe rack. But the real stain on her suede bootie? She still hasn't found her talent. And with girls leaving faster than you can say 'beta,' will she be the next to go?

If at first you don't succeed, you're not an alpha."
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First Lines:

"'OHHMMMMM.'
As she sat in full lotus position on a silver blue yoga mat, Charlie Deery's Chap Sticked lips formed a perfect circle as she chanted the sacred sound of the universe. But while her mouth was saying om, her mind was screaming ommmhmuhgud."
Page 1
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Review:

I've loved this series from page one. Here are my reviews of the first two books:
Alphas (#1)
Movers and Fakers (#2)
I would absolutely recommend this series to anyone who loves fun chick lit. Harrison is a wonderful author and I'm happy to report that this third book was another great part of the story.

I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but one of my favorite things about this series is the setting. How cool would it be to live in a place that caters to your every possible need. Of course, you have to be the best of the best at whatever it is you're good at. But it would be an amazing place to live.

This story was much more about the boys than any of the other stories. Each of our characters has some sort of boy drama going on that interferes with their studies. There's also an emphasis on Allie A and her finding her specialty. Turning to acting is just a natural fit for her character and it's a lot of fun to follow her on her new journey.

I think this series is awesome for all teen girls - especially if you're into romance stuff. There's a lot about friendship as well which gives this story even more depth. I loved getting to know these girls even more. There friendships formed, lost, and found again. It's a great story.

I'll absolutely continue recommending these books to girls who are looking for the next great chick lit. So fun! The author's website is a lot of fun to look at as well. I'd highly recommend you taking a look at that as well. Enjoy!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Bulldog Bites
Shelfari Reviews
Story Snoops
(Seriously, more people should read this one. Super awesome fun sauce. Promise.)

Z by Michael Thomas Ford

Title: Z
Author: Michael Thomas Ford
ISBN: 9780060737580
Publisher: Harper Teen
Page #: 276
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"The First Rule of Torching:
Cleanse with fire.
Josh is by far the best zombie Torcher around - at least, he is in his virtual-reality zombie-hunting game. Josh has quickly risen through the player ranks, relying on the skill, cunning, and agility of a real Torcher.

The Second Rule of Torching:
Save all humans.
But luckily for Josh, zombies exist only in the virtual world. The real zombie war is now more than fifteen years in the past, and the battle to defeat the deadly epidemic that devastated his family - and millions of others - is the stuff of history lessons.

The Third Rule of Torching:
You can't bring them back.
Charlie is the top-ranked player in the game. Since all the players are shrouded in anonymity, Josh never expects Charlie to be a girl - and he never expects the offer she makes him: to join the underground gaming league that takes the virtual-reality game off the screen and into the streets. Josh is thrilled. But the more involved he gets, the more he realizes that not everything is what it seems. Real blood is spilling, members of the team are disappearing, and the zombies in the game are acting strange. And then there's the matter of a mysterious drug called Z..."
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First Lines:

"The zombie was somewhere ahead of him. Its stench - a combination of blood, dirt, and rotting meat - filled the air. It was close. Josh flipped the safety on his flamethrower and held it out in front of him, his finger on the trigger."
Page 1
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Review:

There are a few reasons why I picked up this book. One is that I'm always up for a good zombie story. Second was the whole gaming aspect. I'm about to marry a gamer, so I get how people get sucked into them. It's a whole other world from what I'm used to. But I thought this book might be something he could relate to (not that he'd read it).

This book is set pretty far into the future - after the zombie wars have happened. There's a very interesting explanation of zombie-ism in the first few chapters. Very scientific - which I thought was a cool idea. That all of it could be explained by a crazy strand of the flu virus. The story is about years later when there are no more zombies and teens across the world are obsessed with a new zombie fighting game that is holographic.

The main character finds out that there is a real player game just like it going on where he lives. There's a whole world of people who play this real life version and the people who watch their progress and gamble on the players. It's an amazing idea - that someone would have the tech and the ability to create a whole world of maps for fighting zombies.

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. I was very sucked in from the beginning. I think it had something to do with how well the characters interacted and the crazy stuff that happened. But also the writing is done really well. You're taken on a journey from boring high school student to zombie slayer. It's pretty fun.

This is a perfect book for boys looking for that bit of thriller and mystery and action and gaming. :) It combines all of those seamlessly and I will absolutely be recommending it. Girls will be able to get into this one too - especially gaming girls. But there's a hint of romance thrown in, but it really doesn't distract from the story. The main story is about our main character finding out what this real player game is all about - and how it is much more than he ever expected.

I'm wondering if there will be a second book to this one - it could easily have more story left to tell. It doesn't really leave you on a cliffhanger, but it also doesn't give you a final conclusion. It's pretty masterful, actually. I was really surprised in the last few chapters. I wasn't expecting quite what happened. Definitely recommended and I look forward to reading more reviews about this one.

Go check out the author's website. He's written other books as well that I might need to track down.
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Other Blog Reviews:

There's a Book
Jawa's Read Too
Las Vegas Review Journal
The Lateiner Gang Book Review Spot
The Fringe
SciFiChick.com

Friday Fill-In (26)

Friday Fill-Ins is a fun meme that's hosted by Janet at the Friday Fill-In blog. Just fill in your answers!

1. Three things I must have on my Thanksgiving table: Turkey (obvs), homemade rolls, and mashed potatoes.

2. I spent most of yesterday sacked out on the couch.

3. This is going to be a long day.

4. We have decided not to decorate for Christmas this year because we'll be spending it out of town.

5. Oh, man, thankfully it's almost December.

6. I haven't gotten down perfect the art of cooking in a tiny kitchen.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making my husband-to-be happy by going to a wrestling event, tomorrow my plans include working and Sunday, I want to have a nice calm day, but I know I have chores to do!

Suspect by Kristin Wolden Nitz

Title: Suspect
Author: Kristin Wolden Nitz
ISBN: 9781561455430
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Page #: 199
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"Seventeen-year-old Jen is resigned to a less-than-thrilling summer helping her grandmother run the Schoenhaus, a Victorian bed-and-breakfast in the vineyards of eastern Missouri. But Grandma Kay's plans include more than housekeeping. She intends to solve a mystery from the past involving a beautiful and accomplished young woman: Jen's own mother, Ellen.

Ellen disappeared without a trace when Jen was very young. For years, she sent Jen gifts and letters in the mail. But then the communication abruptly stopped. Now Grandma Kay is convinced that the letters were forged - and that Ellen was murdered.

The stage is set for an elaborate Mystery Weekend at the Schoenhaus. Family members and friends - including Jen's very recent ex-boyfriend, her handsome 'uncousin,' and his annoying girlfriend - assemble and are assigned roles to play. But as the drama unfolds, Jen makes a startling off-stage discovery that arouses her worst suspicions. Could the person responsible for her mother's disappearance be someone she has loved and trusted her entire life?"
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First Lines:

"'Really, Jen, is it too much to ask?'
I pressed my lips together. I hated that question. Dad only used it when my answering 'yes' would make me look selfish, inconsiderate, and completely unreasonable."
Page 1
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Review:

I've been known to say that there are not enough mysteries in YA lit. This is a book that is helping us get rid of this problem. It's a great mystery that has several levels - you have the Mystery Weekend that our main character plays a role in, and you have the real-life mystery of her missing mother. It's also the perfect size and topic for younger readers, but is good for older teens as well.

One thing I liked about this book was the setting - winery country has a lot of personality without much trying. I can imagine easily the Victorian bed and breakfast where people come for a mystery weekend. It sounds like a wonderful place. And it's better because you're seeing it through the eyes of a girl who has known the place her whole life.

You do have to watch out int he beginning because there are tons of names to learn really quickly. There are a lot of people called Aunt or Uncle, but are some other relation... it gets a little confusing. It also doesn't help that the names are all older (Dorothy, Beverly, etc). There are also lots of friends names and things that you only see for a second, but you're expected to remember who they are from an earlier mention. I had a little difficulty with all of that, apparently.

I did end up liking the main character. I love that she's super athletic and a bit more tomboyish. It's refreshing from all of the girly girls in many books. Now... there are a few things about her that kind of bothered me. Any time someone started discussing her missing mother, she has some sort of fainting spell or getting dizzy. No explanation. I do realize that it would be a big topic, but her mother disappeared when she was little - this story is years later. I would expect a different reaction instead of getting dizzy or fainting. That doesn't seem to be the reaction of a hard-core tomboy chick who can take anything. Just my opinion, of course.

Through all of those things, I still think this is a solid mystery that I never figured out the ending. I was surprised how it ended, but it made some sense. The ending did feel a little rushed, but for such a short book it felt fully finished. It's a good book for that middle grade reader looking for an almost chick lit mystery. Older mystery lovers will probably get a kick out of it. There's also a taste of romance as well to give you a little more depth. It's a good book.

I haven't read anything else by this author, but here is her website. It looks like she's written other books for children and has been really successful at it. :)
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Other Blog Reviews:

Presenting Lenore
DJ's Life in Fiction
Sonder Books

Waiting on Wednesday (35)

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

The Iron Queen
by Julie Kagawa
To be released: January 25, 2011

Summary from Baker and Taylor:
"Meghan Chase, who is half faery, half human, knows that the struggle against the Iron Fey is not yet over and that they will tear her away from the banished prince she loves and force her into battles she may not survive."

I know this summary doesn't tell you a whole lot, but I really loved the first two books by this author. She is wonderful and I can't wait to get my hands on this one. I just know it will be awesome.