The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

      How would you react if you hit puberty and you started to see ghosts? Then got sent to a halfway house diagnosed 'C' for crazy, with people telling you it’s all in your head. That’s exactly what happened to Chloe Saunders. While she's trying to figure out if she's crazy or not, she meets some very interesting kids at Lyle house that just so happens to have a dark mystery surrounding the place. Freaky right? I for one like this chick. She has some of my qualities. Well, the ones I find annoying but everyone else loves, but whatever. I mean, for someone whose life turned completely upside down, she's still her sweet, innocent, nice, movie-loving self. 

     Chloe sees her life as a movie, and it makes me feel less weird because I do the same thing, and all the things heroines usually do to get on someone's nerves, goes through her head and figures out a way to get out of the situation. She has a mind of her own. Like I said, she reminds me of me so you know she's gotta be cool. 

     Check out Kelly Armstrong's 'the Summoning' and tell me what you think.

The Name of the Star

     Holy cheese-nuggets, that was the craziest/creepiest book I have ever read in life. Okay for the record, I'm not easily scared, especially in books. Maureen Johnson's 'The Name of the Star' had me want to keep all the lights on and check under everything before going to bed. I mean, it probably didn't help the fact that I had all the lights off, sitting in my closet reading, but... whatever.                          

     So not only do you the struggle of living in a new place, but you also have a murder on the loose mimicking the Jack the Ripper murders all the way back from 1888.Just like all that long time ago, no one can solve the mystery of who's killing these people. The crazy part is, there are cameras everywhere and the police know where and when these murders will take place. To make the welcome wagon even better for Rory Deveaux (currently from Louisiana, now living in London, England) has spotted the murderer. Who by the way, knows she saw him. The bad thing about that is it’s like she's crying wolf because she's the only one who can see him. 

    

     This book was unbelievable. If you're into chilling, edge of your seat, I'll be late to school/work if I don't put this thing down mysteries this one is for you. I'd give this book 8 out of 5 stars just on the fact alone, Ill still have goose bumps. What more could anyone ask for?

The City of Bones

     Have you ever fallen in love with a series and you know it's true because after years of reading you're now patiently waiting the sixth and (excuse me while I wipe away my tears.)

Final book. My all time favorite series is...the 

Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare! Yahhh!!!   I've read each book about 3 to 6 times if not more. Now some might ask," Isn't that a bit much?" My response, "Absolutely." But I couldn't care less. Like William Gerhardie said," If a book is worth reading at all, it is worth reading more than once."      

     The first book is called 'The City of Bones'. Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray's life changes when she witnesses three teenagers murder someone but soon realizes she's the only one that can see them. They call themselves Shadow Hunters and the thing she witnessed them killing wasn't even human. After meeting these mysterious Shadow Hunters (aka Nephilim), Clary's mother is kidnapped. Trying to rescue her mother, she teams up with these Nephilim, all the while trying to figure out why she can suddenly see creatures ranging from demons to pixies. She comes to find on this search for her mother that her whole life has been a lie.

      I love this book, the reason being… its magical. The way Cassandra Clare writes, it feels like everything that’s written is real. Like there really is a race of Shadow Hunters sworn to rid the world of demons and naughty down worlders. 'City of Bones' draws you in and never lets go. The characters come alive and you can relate to them. There's Simon Lewis who's Clary's best friend and as nerdy and mundane as you can get. There's Clary herself who's shy at times but rises to meet whatever or whoever gets in her way. You cannot forget Alec and Isabel Lightwood, brother and sister and polar opposites but have each other’s backs while protecting the ones they love. Then there's Jace Wayland who every girl can't help but fall for. (There are no words to describe this guy.) 

     This book is so detailed, you feel like you're right there fighting demons or laughing at something Jace or Simon said. I've always wanted to live in a world where all the stories were true and Cassandra Clare makes it possible. She is and will always be my favorite author. I recommend this series because it has something for everyone. Please read it and I would love to hear what you think. I'll have something up for 'The City of Ashes' very soon.

Veronica Roth’s Divergent

     Okay, so everywhere I go, all I ever hear is ‘Divergent ’ this ‘Divergent’ that. All I have to do is turn around and someone at school has this book in their hot little hands. And would you like to know why dear reader? Mmh? Its because… this book is… friggin AMAZETACULAR that’s why. (Yes I did just put the two words amazing and spectacular together, its what I do.)                 

      From the very first paragraph, this book had me intrigued, just because it said that the heroin could only stand in front of a mirror on the second of every third month. It made me laugh thinking about my sisters who spend just about every free moment they have in front of one.

      Like ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘Divergent’ is a dystopian society series. In this book Beatrice, (better known as Tris) learns that even though she’s grown up her whole life learning how to forget herself and help others, there comes a time when you have to ask yourself,” am I happy?” if the answers a no than its okay to turn it into a heck ya! And not feel bad about it. She also learns that, it takes courage to stand up for someone no matter how much it may frighten you.

      ‘Divergent’ takes place in Chicago and it’s closed off from the rest of the world. The thing with that is, no one knows what’s going on outside of their borders or their faction for that matter. This society has broken up into five different factions. Each faction decides your beliefs, jobs friends, and all that good stuff. Until you turn the appropriate age, you stay in the faction you were born into. Once you turn sixteen, you will attend the Choosing Ceremony, where you will choose the faction you want to spend the rest of your life in. your choices are between; Abnegation, the selfless. Candor, the ‘tell it to you strait’ honest. Erudite, the smarty pants. Amity, the hippies. Or my personal favorite, Dauntless, the brave and the bold. Of course you always have the choice of living factionless on the street… But, to each his own.

      ‘Divergent’ is one of those, ‘Oh my gongala I have to read that again and tell the world about it’ sort of books. (Which I did and still do.)

       This book is full of twist and turns and dips, it’s a ride that you never want to get off of (and if you do, its only to read the next book.) it has an amazing heroin who has awe inspiring friends and has adventures to last anyone a life time, full of drama, romance, secrets, betrayal, and what ever else you can think of.  The best part is, this is only the first book in a trilogy. There’s still ‘Insurgent’ and ‘Allegiant’ left to read. Veronica Roth has made me realize things about myself I’ve never even thought of. ‘Divergent’ has emphasized how important it can be to be different. I couldn’t agree more.

Alley Condie’s, Matched Trilogy

     I have to say, the 'Matched' Trilogy is not at all what I expected. I thought it was going to be one of those typical love triangles, you know, the heroin of the story all helpless caught between loving two incredibly hot, amazing guys trying to figure out who she’s really in love with until; A) she finally picks one.

B) One of the guys ends up dead.

Or C) both of the guys finally come to their senses figuring out that no one is worth this much hurt, betrayal, and jealousy, moving on and the chick becoming an old hag living in the deepest part of a forest by a swamp with the occasional campers sitting around a camp fire telling stories about her. (Which I got to admit, does'nt happen often). 

    The amazing part is none of that happened. Sure when the second guy (Ky) came into play she was confused, but who wouldn’t be? But as soon as Cassia realized who she was in love with, there was no uncertainty, no wavering. Cassia is a heroin I can respect. When she wants something and believes in it, she doesn’t give up. I’m going to be completely honest with you, I was not going to read this series. From the sounds of other reviews, this series was a mixture of ‘The Hunger Games’ and Divergent’ since its another dystopian series. I’m so glad I gave it a chance. This trilogy was great and had blown all  of my doubts away. 

   This story line has love, adventure, rebellion, and its about having the courage to not only, believing in your own abilities, but doing the impossible no matter how scary it maybe. I recommend this book to anyone who’s in search of those qualities. Look for ‘Matched’ ‘Crossed’ and ‘Reached’ and tell me what you think.