6 Hour Reading Challenge

Hey guys!
I am soooooo sorry I haven't been keeping up on my blogging. I have been so intent on reading that I just could not tear myself away! But I did take part in the challenge today so I have a review for ya! I was able to finally finish the 7th Harry potter book which has been taking up most of my time recently, so here is the review:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling

Publisher Scholastic Inc.

$27.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis by barnes and Noble:

It all comes down to this - a final faceoff between good and evil. You plan to pull out all the stops, but every time you solve one mystery, three more evolve. Do you stay the course you started, despite your lack of progress? Do you detour and follow a new lead that may not help? Do youlisten to your instincts, or your friends?Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcruxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end?

My Thoughts:

I am so ashamed of myself for not reading this book sooner. I waited and bought it the day it came out but did not take the time to read it until now. This book was pure amazement. I absolutely loved it. When I finished reading it I was overwhelmed with relief. There was no better way for the book to end. Every loose end was tied up and everything seemed perfect. I was lucky enough not to have had any secrets spilled to me in the two years I postponed reading it, so I was surprised, shocked, and dismayed at many points in the book. Reviewing a book like Harry Potter is very difficult. It is a book that almost everyone has read. We all know and love the characters and tories, so how do I show how I felt about it in a new way. I am not sure how, so I will say I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. I think I actually appreciated it more since I took the time to read it. I don't think I was ready before, so it all felt even more real now. After reading all the books I feel like I know the characters, and many of them grew even closer to my heart in this book. They all grew in ways that I thought unimaginable. I was so proud of them all. The story line was amazing. I believe that J.K. Rowling wrote the best story possible. She knows these chracters inside and it out and was able to form a journey that would try and teach them all. This book was amazing. Perfect ending. Best book I have read in a long time.

Recommendation:

Do I have to make one, everyone should read this.

Grade: A+

Age: A lot of scary things happen in this book but I set the age low knowing that so many kids have read this book, and that Harry Potter is like a right of passage. 12 and up

Never Cry Werewolf

Heather Davis

Harper Collins

$8.99 U.S.

Release Date: September 1, 2009

Synopsis from Heather Davis' Website:

"Moonlight can totally change your life.And it all starts so simply.You. Him. The moon. You’re toast."Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had “borrowed” that Porsche?). But her step-mother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior. Suddenly Shelby’s summer plans are on the shelf, and she’s being packed off to brat camp. It’s good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges, III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn’t be getting tangled up with another bad boy…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good looking one? One thing’s for sure, that pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

My Thoughts:

I was not the biggest fan of this book. It was written for a younger audience. Even though Shelpby is in High School the book seemed geared towards middle schoolers. While the characters were well developed I was not drawn to them. I kept thinking that Shelby was just generally stupid, and had a hard time with the decisions she made. I also found her relationship with Austin to be forced, it seemed to overdone. The setting of the book did catch me because it was set in Oregon. This book was just not something I found enjoyable. I think the story could have used less small events and focused on one big one. I felt like a lot of details were thrown into a little book.

Recommendation:

A younger reader looking for a fantasy book.

Grade: C

Age: 12 and up

Nobody's Princess

Nobody's Princess

Esther Friesner

Random House

$7.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favorite goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Not one to count on the gods—or her looks—to take care of her, Helen sets out to get what she wants with steely determination and a sassy attitude. That same attitude makes Helen a few enemies—such as the self-proclaimed "son of Zeus" Theseus—but it also intrigues, charms, and amuses those who become her friends, from the famed huntress Atalanta to the young priestess who is the Oracle of Delphi.In Nobody's Princess, author Esther Friesner deftly weaves together history and myth as she takes a new look at the girl who will become Helen of Troy. The resulting story offers up adventure, humor, and a fresh and engaging heroine you cannot help but root for.

My Thoughts:

This book took me a bit to get into but it was worth the read. This book was interesting. The character of Helen was an inspiration. This is a definite girl empowerment book. Helen is strong and she defies the guidelines that have been set for her. The plot of this book was intriguing, because we were able to follow Helen as she grew, and as she travelled. I found the history in this book to be informative, as well as entertaining. Friesner does a good job of combining old legend with new twist. I hope this is the lif Helen of Troy lived, because that would show just how amazing she was. This book was different from everything else I had been reading at the time but I loved it.

Recommendation:

A little younger audience with a desire to read

Grade: A-

Age: 12 and up

Bonus: Fpollow Helen in the sequel Nobody's Prize

Wings

Wings

Aprilynne Pike

Harper Teen

$16.99 U.S. (Hard cover)

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

My Thoughts:

Up until I read Wings I hadn't read many fantasy stories that didn't involve Vampires, so I was skeptical. I was blown away when I read this book. It truly brought me into the world of faeries. Aprilynne Pike is an amazing author as well as an amazing person. I was privileged enough to me here and if anyone should wirte about Faeries it is her. There is a grace to the book, as you follow Laurel through her transformation from starnge vegan home-schooled girl, to one who blossoms (literally) into the role destined to fill. The supporting characters were also key in bringing the book to life. David and Tamani both bring different spins to Laurel's life, and teach her new things about herself. I enjoyed this book, and was sad when it ended. There is a twist in the end, and as a reader I was completely shocked in the end.

Recommendation:

I would recommend this book to anyone, Aprilynee writes in a way that cannot classify the book as merely fantasy, or young adult.

Grade: A

Age: 12 and up

Extras:

This is the first in a four book series. When I find out about the second book I will let you guys know. Oh and Disney is in the process of buying the rights to this book... and they plan on using Miley cyrus as Laurel (Gag), but the author says to give her a chance.