Author: Cynthia Hand
Pages: 435
Publication: January 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary taken from goodreads:
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.
3.5 STARS - I LIKED IT A LOT
MY REVIEW:
This book certainly lived up to all of its hype. And for once, the love triangle didn't make me want to do a facepalm. I'm actually interested in who (and how) she's going to end up with, even though I'm pretty sure I know who it'll be anyway.
Did I mention that I love Tucker? He's awesome. :D
Author: Mayu Sakai
Pages: 196
Publication: February 15, 2008
Publisher: Shueisha
Summary taken from Mangaupdates:
Sawa applies to Heaven’s Wing Academy, thinking she would look cute in the uniform. But she never expected the academy to be a previously all-boys’ school! And the head honcho of the school, the class president himself—Ran—doesn’t seem to like her one bit and takes no pains to hide it. At first, adjusting to life at the academy is tough. Sawa is bullied and teased, and the boys in the class even throw her new shoes in the water. While attempting to retrieve her shoes, she falls into the water and is unexpectedly saved by Ran, who up until this point has made her life hell. The newfound gentleness in Ran intrigues her—and she finds herself falling for him. What will her days be like for the rest of her school life?
3.5 STARS - I LIKE IT
MY REVIEW:
I was wrong. This series isn't your typical shojo manga. The plot manages to diverge from the usual cliches and by now, the side characters are fleshing out, which adds to the plot and gives the manga the potential to become full of gasp-worthy drama-induced tension that would definitely make the series a lot more enjoyable. There was already one twist that had a moment like that, so I can't wait to see how the rest of the series is going to be like.
Author: Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban
Pages: 324
Publication: April 1, 2007
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
Summary taken from goodreads:
In this coming-of-age story set in a medieval kingdom, Andrea is a headstrong princess longing to be a knight who finds her way to modern-day California. But her accidental return to her family's kingdom and a disastrous romance brings war, along with her discovery of some dark family secrets. Readers will love this mix of traditional fantasy elements with unique twists and will identify with Andrea and her difficult choices between duty and desire.
2 STARS - IT WAS OKAY
MY REVIEW:
Skimmed through the majority of the book. Most of the characters irritated me because they were all so self-absorbed.
Author: Jill S. Alexander
Pages: 256
Publication: July 5, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Summary taken from goodreads:
Paisley Tillery is the drummer for a country rock band. If they can make it to the stage at the Texapalooza music fest, then Paisley will be closer to her dream of a career in music and a ticket out of her small Texas town.
Drumming and music are what Paisley has always wanted. Until the band gets a new lead singer, the boy from Paradise, Texas. With Paradise in her life, what Paisley wants, and what she needs, complicate her dreams coming true.
3 STARS - I LIKED IT ENOUGH
MY REVIEW:
The author's writing style was kind of annoying at times since she liked to punctuate sentences with periods rather than commas the majority of the time, which made all of the dependent clauses into sentence fragments.
I liked her multiple use of alliteration though.
This wasn't the perfect book. I felt like the ending left a bit to be desired. I am not a cliff-hanger kind of girl. I like seeing more resolutions than more questions. And, unfortunately, there was a lot that wasn't answered. Also, I felt like there were a few gaps in the story towards the middle. Wendy and Angela go on trips/internships (oh so convenient) and it's like communication with them ceases until they return. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between Clara and her girl friends.
ReplyDeleteBut since this is only the first book in a trilogy, it makes sense that the author would leave the book with many unanswered questions. And as for bonding moments between the girls, I would have liked to see more of that too, but only if it was relevant to the plot. Because I'm kind of tired of pointless fluff and stuff. :P
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