Life Of Pi (Yann Martel)

Piscine Patel, known as Pi, grew up in a Zoo in India which his father owned, but when times got hard, his whole family decided to move to Canada and sell all the animals in the Zoo.

But when the boat they are sailing on sinks, Pi ends up on a small raft with 4 animals; a Zebra, a monkey, a Hyena, and a Tiger named Richard Parker.

Living on a raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is hard enough without a 450 pound Tiger. But Pi cannot kill Richard Parker, even though Richard Parker will probably end up killing him.

Richard Parker and God are the only two things that keep Pi motivated to live, and maybe that's all anyone need.

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"Life of Pi" was an amazing story that makes you think. People can interpret this story to be about two things. Personally, I believe this story is about a Tiger and Pi beating all odds.

This story has lots of symbolism and imagery. Surprisingly, the movie actually captivated the imagery of the story. The movie was exactly what I was seeing when I read the book.

However, this book seemed to go on forever. There comes a point where you get tied of hearing about how hungry or thirsty someone is. I understand that it was needed in the story, but it was still kind of annoying.

It was strange how much I loved Richard Parker just because of how much Pi loves him. Even though R.P almost killed Pi on numerous occasions, Pi always loved him.

I don't totally know how Yann Martel (the author) pull this book off. The plot was so simple; a tiger and a person living in a boat in the Pacific ocean. But somehow, "life of Pi" was about religion, love and survival all at the same time.

4.88 out of 5 stars

Remote (Colin Mackay)

Brenner James is a typical student at Duram University, well, except the whole time- travel thing.

Brenner does not remember much of his life before coming to university. All he knows about his parents is that they died when he was young.

Brenner has been on the "remote" for as long as h can remember. His remote allows him to skip class subconsciously, so he is there in person, but he does not have to sit through his classes. But he still learns things when he is in the "remote" state.

His friends are his whole world, but even they do not know what is going on with Brenner and when there friend Cam goes missing, everybody is afraid.

But when Brenner's relationship with Khlarie's goes beyond friendship, everybody live may be endangered.

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Weird novel, but well written.

This book was extremely confusing. I was  understanding it, then I got lost 'cause I had no clue which character was which, then when I figured that out, the book was almost finished.

It was impossible to make any connections to any character in this story because no one really has a remote that skips though time, a girlfriend who has a bunch of clones walking around that look like her and learns stuff when in a subconscious state. None of the characters were even really human; they hardly beated an eye when they killed someone.

Even though this was a bizarre book, it was still very good because you could not relate to anything, so to understand the plot, you had to transport yourself to Brenner's world. I can completely understand why people could not get into this book because our reality is so much different than Brenner's reality. But for Sci- fi lovers, this book is awesome.

Personally, I liked this book. I think it would have been better if there was imagery. I have no idea what any of the characters look like because it was not explained.

But all in all, a fairly good book.

3.7 out of 5 stars

New Moon (Stephenie Meyer)

When Bella turns eighteen, her world is flipped inside out because her one and only true love leaves her.

Now, Bella's life is completely shattered, but she finds that when she's doing something dumb that could kill her, she can here his voice trying to protect her.

So she tries doing many things that almost get her killed like riding a motorcycle and cliff diving...

When Bella becomes best friends with Jacob, she learns that this world may not just be full of Vampires and humans, but with other super natural beings.

Jacob also makes Bella not feel as empty as she usually feels without Edward, and loves Jacob in a friend way, but could she really love him?

But when Alice returns with some unsettling news, Bella learns that maybe she was wrong about why Edward left, which could change her life forever....

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Every time I read this book, I cry because it is so depressing! But if you ask me, the book is unbelievable if if the protagonist's emotions are passed on to the reader.

New Moon is a lot less then a fairy tale because bad stuff happens; Bella goes crazy because "the guy" leaves. Edward leaving the story line made the book sad, depressing and not as interesting as the first, in my opinion.

People often call this book the boring one in the series because nothing really happens. I agree with that to an extent. Many exciting things happen, but this book is just so full of emotion that you don't really get the full impact of how close Bella gets to dying.

The ending is what makes the book amazing. Nothing too important happens in the rest of this book, but the ending is unbelievable. It's full of suspense and romance.

However, I don't like depressing books, which made me not like this one as much as the first, but this one was very well written and their is not as many grammar/spelling mistakes in this on as in the first

4.8 out of 5 stars

Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)

When Bella Swan moves to Forks to live with her dad, she has very low expectations for her stay. But on her first day of school, that all changes.

The Cullen's have only been living on Forks for two years and they stand out, not because they are adopted, but because they all look like airbrushed models on magazines.

Bella is immediately drawn to the youngest Cullen- Edward- the only one who is not dating anyone, but it does not take her long to realize he is not a normal seventeen year old.

Edward has never been in love, but when he firsts meets her in Biology class, he is instantly drawn to her because of how his "talent" does not work on her.

With everything against them and a secret that will complicated their lives forever, could they ever have a happily ever after?

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This is my favorite book in the entire universe. I can't even guess to how many times I have read it. This was the book that made me love reading, and for that single reason it will always be my favorite book.

The book is a love story and if you don't like romance books you’re not going to like this one. But it’s more than a love story and everyone should read the books before thinking they are dumb. The movies are awesome, but don't due this book its justice, so please at least give Twilight a chance.

Setting and characterization are the main focuses of this book. The setting is the platform, but the characters just leap off the page. Whenever I read this book I always feel like I'm in Forks living in a fairy tale. I never feel quite right and I never feel like I'm in my life, I feel like I am Bella.

Bella is a very average character and there is not much to her. But everyone can relate to one of her traits and then can climb into her world and never let go of it. Nobody can be related to Edward, which makes the story feel like a fairytale.

But this story is not a fairy tale. There is blood and gore and should not be read to children. I believe the supernatural side to this book is the thing making it an amazing, teenager book.

The appellee to this book is the forbidden love, modern fairy tale with a bite of science fiction. There is something in this book for everyone.

5 out of 5 stars

The Secret Life of Bee's (Sue Monk Kidd)

Lily Owens has no mom, but has an amazing black Nannie, Roselynn. But for Lily, it is not enough.

Lily's dad, T. Ray, is an abusive, rude man who hates everything and everyone and Lily is tried of it.

One of the few belonging's that Lily has of her mother is a photo of  Mary- who is coloured in the photo- with an address on the back. So Lily goes looking.

The address is to a bee farm, with 3 sisters living on it- May, June and August- who run a bee farm. But living with coloured people might change Lily's life in more ways then one.

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This book was a good book....for adults.

I found this book super boring. I couldn't relate to any part of any of the characters lives. The characters were interesting. Just totally unrateable.

I really did not like all the religious stuff in the book. I don't think anyone would move into a house and practise their religion almost right away. It was weird.

The time line of this book was interesting. Black people had rights, but white people did not like them. I really found it interesting.

Their was lots of conflict, symbolism and imagery, but no suspense. I knew the ending of this book about half way though. It was extremely predictable.

However, the book was still good. It was not a suspenseful book, it was a book about conflict. Personally, I like suspenseful books better, but that's just me.

3.75 out of 5 stars

The Book Thief (Zusak Markus)

Liesel Meminger comes from a small town in Germany. She had a mom and a brother. But now, she does not because her mother is poor and sends her off to foster care and her brother is dead.

Liesel now lives on Himmel Street. She has two extremely poor foster parents and a best friend.

Liesel never learned how to read, but during her brother's funeral, she finds a book, so she struggles though it and reads it- and falls in love with reading. But she can't afford books, so she reverts to sealing them from the mayor’s wife. She is the book thief.

During the Second World War, Germany was not an ideal place to call home. There are raids and everyone is confused about Hitler.

During the First World War, Liesel's foster dad was saved by a Jewish person, but now, he would not even be conceder a person. But when the only reason why your alive is because of "one of them", how can't you try and protect them?

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Saddest book I have ever read.

This book was weird because it was in the point of view of Death, and Death spoiled the book on numerous occasions. Death was an interesting character because Death was not the bad guy. Death felt bad about taking so many lives- human lives.

I think I would have understood this book a lot better if I knew about Nazi Germany, 'cause I was confused! My world war two knowledge probably doubled after reading this book.

"The Book Thief" was an amazing book. The characters all changed. The plot was good. There are tons of conflicts. It was realistic (sort of). I can understand why people think this is a life changing book; it is so different from anything ever written.

However, it is super long and has hard language. This book was written for adults and some of the things Death talks about are depressing, but the Second World War was depressing.

4.88 out of 5 stars

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)

Charlie is extremely nervous about starting high school with no friends, so he starts writing to someone though letters. He uses fake names so the letters stay confidential.

Charlie's AP English teacher, Bill, gets Charlie to read all sorts of books. Bill believes Charlie should be more social around other people.

During a football game, Charlie meets a kid called "Nothing" (whose real name is Patrick) and a nice, beautiful girl named Sam. They seem to be the only people who even notice Charlie's existent.

Charlie is a wallflower; he see's things, but does not judge. He notices everything, but nobody notice's him. But there are perks to being a wallflower.

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This has to be the strangest book I have ever read.

There is no plot what so ever. No climax. No suspense. Only character vs. self- conflicts. There is nothing to hold one's attention.

The one thing that kept me reading was how it is written. I don't even know how to describe it. I think the writing is what gave the most character to Charlie, just because it was written in such a weird, personal way.

Charlie is not a character you rout for. But for some reason, his life is interesting. The whole book I was trying to figure out what was wrong with him. I think the main thing in this book was his illness.

There was absolutely nothing else but characterization in this book. There was only a little bit of symbolism and emotion, but that’s it. Even though there was only characterization, it was still an awesome book.

4 out of 5 stars.

The Rise Of Nine (Pittacus Lore)

Now that Six is in Spain with Seven (Marina) and Ten (Ella), Four (John) and Nine are all alone with no other aliens in America.

Ten's Cepan suspects that Eight is located in India because of things he has read on the internet. But with the charm broken, the Mogadorians (the "bad guys") can kill him.

Even though the whole Lorien race lies on they're shoulders, the last remaining Loric are still just teens (except for Ten). Six still likes Four and "X" (Sam) and Four likes Sara and Six. But Seven is still all alone, but maybe if she meet's another Loric who is available, she can find love too.

When the children boarded the ship, each elder (the super powerful aliens) gave up his or her life to get the children to go to Earth. Each child will have the same powers as one of the elders.

Pittacus Lore was the strongest elder. One of the kids will have his same powers. He is the one person who would even stand a chance against the Mogadorian ruler.

Now, the biggest question is, who is Pittacus Lore?

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It makes me mental when authors add themselves in the book. It makes the book not seem real when they are talking about people who are real. It makes the book not feel like a science fiction book; it makes it feel like a crazy person is writing it.

I think Nine is an awesome character. He is arrogant, rude and selfish, but everything he says is honest.  I don't understand why readers hate Seven and Nine so much. There wouldn’t be any more books if the whole series was just about Six and Four.

I think it's pretty obvious who "Pittacus Lore" is. I would be shocked if it was not the main character in the series, but if it is not the obvious choice, then I hope it's Seven.

The characterization was the focus in this book, which was strange cause of how plot- focused the second book was. I liked the characters in this book a lot more than in the second book. The characters were realistic and different from each other. However, this book was written in three different people's point of view (Four, Six and Seven) and the writing style didn’t change at all. It was like everyone was thinking in the same way, which would not happen because of how different the characters are.

This book also had a lot of plot. But it was not overwhelming and I could keep up what was happening in each person's world. Every event seemed to have something to with the big picture.

If only the author did not add himself in the book...

4.97 out of 5 stars.

The Power Of Six (Pittacus Lore)

With the FBI on their tale, John, Six and Sam are trying to track down the others and avoid the humans and Mogadorians.

Number seven- more commonly none as Marina- has been in a church orphanage for most of her life. Her Cepan has been ignoring their calling and is turning to religion to save her. She is completely ignoring Marina's legacies and pretends the Mogadorians are not out there, watching Marina, waiting until they can kill her.

Marina has had no training with any of her legacies and will probably be useless in a fight because she has not been trained properly.

 Meanwhile, John, Six and Sam are guarding their lives with John chest, full of his inheritance. But for the most part, the rare gems are useless because no one knows how to use any of them.

In the orphanage, a new girl named Ella has come. Instantly, Marina and Ella become friends. But how can Marina have a friend when she knows she is being followed by the Mogadorians? If Ella gets killed by any of them, it will be Marina's fault.

Now that the charm is broken, everyone is fair game and can be killed.

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I think the one bad thing about this book is my favorite character is not in it 'cause he died in the first. It's really bugging me that he is still not alive. I'm really hoping he somehow rises from the dead.

This book had a lot more action to it with a lot less characterization. I still hardly know Six, simply because only half of the book has her in it, and the half that does is in John's point of view, who is distracted by her strength/body, not her personality.

I was really hoping there is one novel out there with no relationship drama. This book is not it. Now they’re a love...pentagon/ square? I really wished Henri was right; Loric only fell in love once.

I'm not impressed with Sarah at all right now. I'm really hoping she was not the one who did "it", but I have gut feeling she did. It she did not do "it" I'm going to be really mad at John for having a crush on *blank*.

The suspense in this book was good, but it would have been better if someone died. Now, it's getting repetitive; someone gets found by the Mogadorains, Six saves them.

However, everything else in the book was amazing! The plot, imagery and, especially the symbolism. I can't pick apart all the literacy devices because they were all used fairly well; it was only what the characters did that sucked.

4.75 out of 5 stars

I Am Number Four (Pittacus Lore)

When the Mogadorians attacked the planet Lorien, everyone died except 18 people- 9 children who will develop Legacies (which are powers) and 9 adults who are meant to protect the children and teach them about their powers.

Now, it is all up to the children to fight for their planet that the Mogadorians stole from them. But the Mogadorians know about them and know that if they kill all of them they can conquer Earth and kill off all of their kind

A spell was casted on the kids so they can only be killed in a certain order. If the Mogadorians try and kill them out of order, then they will die instead.

Each child has a number. Numbers 1, 2 and 3 are dead, so now the Mogadorians are out to find Number 4.

Four- who the humans call John Smith- has just moved to Ohio. He has spent his whole life on the road with his protector (known as a cepen to the people on Loiren) Henri, but now it is even more important that the Mogadorians don't find them- because now he can be killed.

But John is tired of running and wants to stay in Ohio with Henri, his first friend, Sam, his dog and the girl he loves, Sarah.

The whole Lorien race is in the hands of the six remaining gifted children- who are now 15- 16 years old- and they are ready to fight. 

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I love this series! I love how different the plot is from everything I have every read. I love the romance, suspense and almost everything in this book.

But the little things matter too. I can't stand the authors sentence structure. The sentences don't flow and each sentence almost has the same amount of words in it. it makes me mental.

However, the literacy devise make up for it. I can see everything the author is describing, every emotion the author in trying to show and everything in the plot the author is talking about.

The focus in this book is the characterization. How the author writes make the characters come to life. I don't think the characters changed much, but every side of the main characters were shown though the emotional setting. 

The part that makes people keep on reading is the plot. The conflicts changed almost every chapter -which I loved- which made the book feel more realistic, even though it was about bad aliens trying to kill the good aliens who are trying to protect Earth.

These books are my second favorite books- their good enough that I'm reading them again before I read the third one that just came out.

4.98 out of 5 stars!

The Kill Order (James Dashner)

The planet Earth did very well in the future; the people living on it developed technology in 2020 that people only dreamed about 10 years ago. Everything was perfect- until the solar flares hit.

Now, almost everyone is dead.

To make matters even worst for the few people still alive, a group called the PCC is trying to kill the rest of the population with a vires called the flare because, according to them, they can't make humanity  survive when there are so many people left.

Now, this group is sending out Bergs (which are kind of like planes) with people that are shooting people with arrows full of the Flare.

Mark, Alec, Lana and Trina live in a settlement that the PCC decided to send a Berg in to kill everyone. But they don't have the Flare...yet.

But on their journey to find where the Berg came from, they meet a little girl who got struck with one of the arrows full of the vires- but she doesn’t have the Flare.

It seems like maybe the girl has something in her blood that could save the rest of the world from the Flare, but not if she gets killed by people who think she is a demand.

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I think this book created more questions about "The Maze Runner trilogy" then it answered.

I'm trying to figure out who everyone is in the main books. I'm pretty sure the PFC is WICKED. I'm pretty sure they are not the ones who gave the Flare to everyone and they were actually trying to help people.

Which leaves bigger questions; is WICKED good? Was the Glade bad for not listing to them?

I'm confused!

The book itself was awesome! There was a tone of plot and characterization. But at the same time, there is such thing as too- much- action and this book had way way too much going on. I had to give my brain a break from everything going on and I probably forgot some of the major things that happen because there was so much.

However, there was never a dull moment. There was never a lack of excitement. I can 100% understand how this book could be someone’s favorite book.

Everything was in this book- symbolism, suspense, plot, characters, setting, conflict ex.- it was amazing! But at the same time, every single page was full with nothing but important stuff- I almost wish there was fluffy stuff.

People are either going to love this book or hate it, it’s just about how much action one's brain can take. I would have enjoyed it more if it answered some of my questions.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Heartless (Sara Shepard)

With all of the reporters knocking on the Pretty little liars (Spencer, Emily, Hanna and Aria) doors, it's a miracle they are not all mentally insane...well, except maybe Hanna.

The Pretty Little Liars are all trying to figure out who killed Ali and why/how they "saw" her.

Aria believes Ali's ghost is trying to reach them, so she and Noel are talking to mediums.

Spencer is afraid that it could have been someone in her family who killed Ali, so she is learning all of her family's deepest, darkest secrets.

Hanna's evil step sister told Hanna's dad about how crazy Hanna is, so now she is wear all the crazy people go-a mental institute.

Emily is convinced that the girls really did see Ali and she is still alive.

But it's "A" who is controlling everything. "A" plans to send the Pretty Little Liars on a wild goose chase trying to figure out who Ali's killer is; but all the girls are on totally different paths and none of them are guessing the same person. So what exactly is "A"'s goal?

But its the reporters who are controlling the girl's social lives and all of their futures, and they seem to think the PLL's are heartless friends who killed Ali.

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If that’s the end to Ali's murder mystery and "A", I'm going to be disappointed.

The person who the author picked to be the suspected killer and maybe the new "A" was so dumb. They had nothing to do with anything! But I know there are lots more books, so it can't be them.

The person they killed off this book was awesome! The person was totally not expended and it's going to make the T.V show way more interesting.

This book did not have hardly any back stories to the characters because all of them were so obsessed with finding Ali's killer, which was really interesting but annoying. 

Instead, the book was all about plot and suspense. It was awesome in that way, but at the same time, this series is a drama and its characterization that drives a drama.

In all the other books, the characters drive the plot. In this one, the plot drove the characters and made them change. It was really good in that sense. One of the reason's that made the plot go was the conflict's, which were almost all character vs. self.

This was the best one so far...except who the suspected killer is.

4.75 out of 5 stars

Killer (Sara Shepard)

With Ian MIA, Aria, Spencer, Emily and Hanna are all on edge. What if he is the new "A"?

New "A" is different from the original one. First, "A" is giving them clues about who Ali's killer is. But why would "A" ever do something nice for them?

Meanwhile, Aria is trying to avoid her mom's boyfriend because he tried to kiss her, Emily is afraid to tell people about her new boyfriend and Hanna has to stay with her soon- to- be stepsister at all times, even though Kate (the stepsister) is the bad one.

But maybe it's Spencer who has the worst life out of all of them. Maybe it's not her fault that her parents hate her. Maybe it's because of the same reason that she doing look like Melissa (her sister). Could she have been lied to for her whole life? Could she be...adopted?

But it does not matter to "A" what any of their problems are. All he/she cares about is getting the girls to figure out who the killer really is.

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Out of all the ways to end this book...

The book it's self was pretty boring. "A" is not mean, there is not much drama and the only exciting thing that happened was in the last 20 pages. 

This book had a very loose plot. There was not really any build up for the very end except for very settle things that were just a sentence long. Then, at the last few pages, it was like the author backpedaled and used the little sentences as build up. You can't do that!!!! No one pays attention the little sentences and somehow creates a climax.

I don't get the notes at the very end of the book from "A". They don't add anything to the book at all. It's like "A" is just writing down all the questions the girls have and none of the answers. I know the author is trying to wrap up the book and it kind of works, but save the energy to write down things we don't already know.

I think that this was the first book that I actually liked all of the characters storylines. The only one that was kind of boring was Aria's. But it seemed like the author knew that and did not write in her point of view as much as the characters who had interesting things happening to them.

The ending was awesome. The last sentence basically made the whole book better. But I really hope the next book doesn’t go a sci- fi route when none of the other books had any sci- fi in them.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Wicked (Sara Shepard)

Now that "A" is gone and Ali’s killer is on trial, Aria, Emily, Spencer and Hanna should be able to get past everything that has happened.

But now that everyone knows that they were getting creepy texts from someone that went by "A", they are all getting annoying texts from people trying to get their attention.

Some of the "A" copycats the girls are getting texts from are creepy and sound like things that the original "A" would say. But who would write them, when they are all going through so much already?

Hanna's step sister, Kate, has now moved to Rosewood and Hanna's dad will kill Hanna if she is not nice to her, even though Kate is mean to Hanna.

Spencer got kicked out of her Grandmothers will, even though all of the other natural grandchildren are getting thousands of dollars.

Emily like's a boy, even though she is gay.

Aria met a nice, hot artist at an art show who is closer to her age then Ezra was. The only problem is, he is dating her mom.

With problems of their own, how will they get Ali's killer in jail and figure out who the "A" copycat is?

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You know when theirs a dumb T.V show and you can't stop watching it? That's what these books are like! Nothing really happened in this book, but I'm still going to read the next one.

Characterization was the vocal point in this book more than the others because nothing really happened in this one, so the characterization had to make up for it, and it did it well. Of course the reader can tell that there was not really a climax, but the little plot this book had from the characters made up for it.

The author used emotional setting really well in the book, especially with Emily. It made the book feel well rounded.

The annoying thing with this book was the lack of imagery. I couldn’t see anything that was going on and I still only know very little of what the characters look like. So I am now imaging them like the actress' who play them on the T.V show (which is very different then the book, but it’s really good).

4 out of 5 stars.

The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Bilbo Baggins (the Hobbit) is an ordinary Baggins- well mattered, polite and in no need of adventure- until a bunch of dwarves knock on his door and tell him he is their burglar.

The dwarves are angry at a dragon, Smaug, for taking all of their wealth. The precious gems are worth more than gold. In order to get their wealth back the must kill the dragon.
  

But traveling to the Lonely Mountain is going to be a pain, 'cause they must travel though a creepy forest, meet trolls and come in close encounters with goblins to get there.

The hobbit, the wizard and 14 dwarves have a long way to go. But what’s an adventure without eagles, goblins or trolls?

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This has to be the longest 263 page book ever.

The book itself was really good. But when I have to fight though each and every page because it is written so weird, I'm not going to like it.

It felt like I couldn’t take a breath because the book is almost written like a poem. Even thought I was reading in head, it made my brain hurt because each paragraph only had like, one period. Now I know how second grade teachers must feel when reading a students work with no periods....

The plot was so heavy. Each chapter had a climax. It was really good, but at the same time, a book is not all about the plot.

I don't think I could say one trait about the Hobbit because the book had no characterization in it. It was very strange. But the author used plot well enough that it wasn’t to noticeable.

I loved the imagery in this book. I could see everything in this book, which made it feel almost real. It was definitely my favorite thing in this book.

I can't stand third person narrative when the book is not a fairytale. I understand that the author was trying to make it into a fairytale by doing this, and it did make feel more like a fairytale, but the book did not need it because the imagery was very well done.

All and all, a fairly good book.


3.75 out of 5 stars.

Unbelievable (Sara Shepard)

Emily, Spencer, Aria and Hanna will always be together though life because they have all suffered loss, beauty and being stalked but "A". But they all have their own issues.

Spencer is dealing with the fact that she could have killed Ali.

Emily is being sent to Iowa- for being a lesbian.

Aria is dealing with her parents divorce.

But Hanna has it worst of all; she's fighting for her life after being hit by a car.

But maybe the most important thing that has happened was learning "don't believe everything you hear".

The only thing that is certain is it is unbelievable who "A" and the killer are.

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Finally! We learn who "A" is. I have no idea what the rest of the series will be about. "A" was not who I thought she was, but "A" was almost too obvious. But I don't think most people would think she was "A".

So now it was Aria whose plot sucked. A divorce is really not that interesting, especially when her storyline was so good in the other books.

The symbolism was key in this book. But it was so hard to find! Which was a good idea and it was rather well executed, but it was weird to neglect symbolism just to add up suspense, and then suddenly ripping up the plot and explaining the symbolism was kind of a fast way to solve who "A" was.

The storyline's intertwined more, making the novel seem less like a bunch of short stories. It was a lot nicer.

Hanna's whole character changed a lot, which made the whole story better. But everything can't revolve around one character when there are 4 main once.

4.4 out of 5 stars

Perfect (Sara Shepard)

In seventh grade, Spencer, Emily, Aria and Hanna were all perfect. Now, keeping their perfection more than skin deep is becoming harder and harder.

Now, there is a stalker loose in there town. The possibilities for who it could be are endless. But there is only one person the ex- best friends think it is- "A"

"A" is getting inpatient with the girls. "A" now is concentrating on destroying their lives. And it's working.

Between "A", Ali's death and a leaked video of the girls, they seem to be stuck together in many of the same situations. But for Hanna, it's worst because her best friend, Mona, hates Spencer, Emily and Aria.

"A" is more determined than ever to make the girls lives as imperfect as "A" can get them.

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Seriously? That's how the book ends? I hate cliff hanger ending, especially when I had no intentions of reading the next one. It's great marketing to make it so you have to read the next one.

Finitely! The antagonist did something evil, not just threaten the protagonists. It made the book a whole lot more interesting and made "A" change a character- even though we still don't know who "A" is. Though I think I know who it.....

In the first two books, Hanna's plot was so boring. It this one, it actually was interesting. But Spencer's is really bad. If only all of the characters had good plots...
 
The suspense was used more for the characterization at not for the plot, which saved the characterization big time. It made the characters seem more real. The book could have used more emotion to make the characters seem more developed, but it made it so every reader had a different idea who the characters were, or what they were feeling. I liked that about the characters because it made you think; what would I be feeling if I went through that, but was this person?

The suspense was just for developing Hanna. The conflict was just for Emily. The emotion was just for Aria. The symbolism was just used for Spencer (but it wasn’t really good). I thought it was cool how many literacy devises the author used, but at the same time, it was like the author was in English class, trying to show everyone how many she could use. But, just like in English class, you’re going to get docked marks for using too much.

4.25 out of 5 stars.

Flawless (Sara Shepard)

After the discovery of the body whom everyone though was the mysterious "A", the four girls are still getting letters, text messages & e-mails from "A". Which means who they all though was "A" cannot be. 

Now, "A" is writing mean messages that could complicate all the girls social lives. Spencer's sister probably will never talk to her again if "A" tells Spencer's secret to her. Emily will probably get made fun of. Hanna's father will never talk to her again. Aria's family will be destroyed if her secret gets out.

Nobody knows any of there secrets, so nobody has any idea who "A" could be. So the only possibilities are stalkers, or each other. They girls will do anything to protect there secrets, because if they don't, none of them would be Flawless.

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So this series is one of those series': where the author attempts to make the books better by not revealing all the information. The kind of book that just irritates you because the characters would think about a small, but important, piece of information.

Like the first book, characterization was the main literacy devise. But in reality, nobody would have that much drama going on in their life; nobody has boy trouble, personal trouble and stalker trouble all at the same time. The author should have picked one, maybe two, major drama's because you can't follow all of the characters life's when there's that much going on.

The suspense in this book worked way better then it did in the first one and this book had a climax! They were not strong, but at least they were both there. 

I think the best part of this series is how many people die. It adds a lot to the plot and create's suspense because it's not obvious if the person is going to live or die. But at the same time, normal teenagers don't have so much death surrounding them.

3.75 out of 5 stars.

Pretty Little Liars (Sara Shepard)

Ali, Spencer, Hanna, Emily and Aria are the popularist girls at school. Their lives are picture perfect. But they have a secret. A big secret.

During the summer leading into the eighth grade, Ali goes missing without a trace. After she goes missing, the other four girls drift apart so much that they don't even wave to each other in the hallways.

Now, Spencer is a floor hockey superstar, Hanna is bulimic, Emily is trying for a diving scholarship and Aria moved to Iceland, but has recently returned to her old town. Their lives are completely different.

But now they are all getting creepy texts or emails from someone who goes by "A". The question is; who is A?

But that’s not the worst part of any of their lives. Spencer likes her sister’s boyfriend. Hanna's boyfriend won't lose the big V, Emily is wondering if she likes her best friend in more ways than just friends and Aria loves an older guy.

Their problems are all big problems, in their mind. But they can't let it get in the way of their secret, because they are all pretty little liars.

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This book was kind of dumb. But it’s really addicting. And before I knew it, I got sucked into it and I could not stop reading.

Characterization was key in this novel. It was very well done and that’s what got me into it. The characters were all completely different, but at the same time, they were all popular snobs and they all did bad things like drinking and marijuana.

The only thing close to plot in this whole book was conflict, and there was plenty of that. The only built up this book had was for the individual characters, which would have been fine if there was a climax. But for each character there was not really a climax, only one small thing that made me gasp.

You would never suspect a novel about plastic girls to be about something so dark. The dark part of the book- the mystery part- was really, really good. The only thing missing was a climax, which is very, very important.

Even though this book was kind of dumb. But the dark parts made it very good.

4 out of 5 stars 

The Catastrophic History Of You And Me (Jess Rothenberg)

Brie is a normal, soon- to -be sixteen year old. She has 3 best friends, a boyfriend she loves, a little brother and parents who are still together. She has everything anyone would possible want.

But now, she is dead. Dead from a broken heart. All because her boyfriend, Jacob said "I don't love you anymore" and maybe because she has a heart problem. But according to her, it was because of Jacob.

Being dead sucks in so many ways. First, she has to read the D&G (dead and gone), a book about afterlife. Second, she has to grieve though her own death and go though denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance. Third, Patrick, another dead kid, is showing her about the afterlife. But he won't tell her anything all at once.

Things have to get worst before they better. But maybe it will all be worth it in the end.

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This book was so funny, sad and depressing all at the time.

The main focus in this book was characterisation, which worked well, given each stage of death was boned to change Brie.

Like many romance books, the ending was incredibly predictable. But it was about Brie, not about the ending of the novel. It was about watching her change and grow up.

The emotional setting in this book was really good. You could feel what she was feeling, even though hardly any emotion was written about.

The author also used symbolism really well, which is strange because usual authors don't use it at all, but this book needed it, for the plot to make sense.

The plot was good. But there was no suspense or surprises, except for very minor ones. The only things that held up the plot was the characters and a little symbolism. It worked really well, even though the plot was not driven at all by suspense.

Conflict was weird in this book because it changed so much. Brie was always battling someone or herself differently because of the emotional setting.

I really liked this book. The only thing that could have been done better is the plot.

4.75 out of 5 stars

Insurgent (Veronica Roth)

The war between Dauntless (the brave people) and the Erudite (the smart people) is in full swing and it is not stopping anytime soon.

All the other factions are being forced to choose sides. Which seems to separate factions. So now the numbers are almost tied.

But people are like onions; everyone as layers and layers of secrets, and ones you un peal all the layers is when you learn who someone is and who they are aliened to.

Divergent means that someone got two ore more test results when they took the faction test. Their brains work different then other people's brains, so they can't be put into 'test' that test ones bravery or how trusting one is.

The only things that the Erudite cannot solve is how to sedate the Divergent; which is making them even angrier.

And making them angry will probably not resolute in a peaceful way.

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I can't believe I am going to have to wait a year and a half for the next one to come out.

The first half of the book was terrible because the setting was always changing and I could not keep track of any characters and the plot was changing, but not really effecting the characters. The plot was moving, but it was just words and no emotion because the protagonist was going though death. I get that it was sad for her, and that developed her character. But a the same time, come on! Their is war going on and your sad about a few people dying? their will be more death if you don't get moving again

But then at chapter 22 it got really, really good.

The plot picked up, the characters got their crap together and then I could not put the book down. My eyes are just being able to focus again 'cause I could not stop.

The ending was so shocking, yet predictable. Everything was adding up to a happily ever after, and then, BAM!!! Everything suddenly changes, your heartbeat picks up, and then you turn the next page, and its the acknowledgement....Then you go to google to order the next book, and you learn you have to wait a year and a half  for the next one.

I'm really, really mad.

But the second half of the book was fantastic. But the first half was crap. I wish it was the opposite so I won't have wait for a year for an exciting book.

4.75 out of 5 stars

Divergent (Veronica Roth)

Society is organised into five different groups, or factions. Each believe humanity is flawed in a different way.
Candor believes its because humans are dishonest.

Abnegation believes its because we are selfish.

Dauntless believes its because we are cowards.

Amity believes its because we are un peaceful.

Erudite believes its because we are unintelligent.

Each group is now trying to make up for the flaws of humanity; Candor are trustworthy, Abnegation are selfless, Dauntless are brave, Amity are peaceful and Erudite are intelligent.

When you are a child, you live with your parents who belong to one of the five factions. When one is sixteen, they get to choose what faction they want to be in. But if you choose a different faction they what one was raised in, they are shunt.

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This book made it extremely hard to do anything- homework, sleep, eat- because the plot and characters were always changing. I am pretty sure in the last two days their was not a two minute span that i was not thinking about the next time I could sneak away and read it.

This boom had no main literacy device. Which was so weird. But somehow, the author had it so everything was balanced by plot, characters, suspense, symbolism and emotional setting.

The only thing that made me mental about this book was the spelling! I am a terrible speller and somehow I even noticed the spelling errors.

I was not a big fan of most of the characters but the two main characters. They were all dynamic and they were all well written, but I did not really like them. None of them felt connected to the main character. I think it would have been better if the main character (Tris) had a best friend or something.

But I'm just being nit picky, 'cause this book was amazing!

4.9 out of 5 stars.


Animal Farm (George Orwell)

The humans have been in charge of the farm forever. But now its the animals turn to rule the farm.

Animal farm is just like the society we- humans- live in. The pigs are the rulers. Everyone else does not matter. In history class, you only remember the Kings names anyways.

Old Major build the principle of animalism, with some help from commander Napoleon and Snowball. The rules are:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

Now, all animals that live on animal farm must follow the rules. No animal would ever go against the laws, because humans are bad, bad, bad, and no one (except maybe Mollie) would ever want to live with humans because all they do is take.

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I did not get the big metaphor until half way though the book. Personally, I found it got boringer when it was not just about talking animals.

The author did a really good job using animals to discribe government. But it got really confusing who was pig and who was not.

The English the author used was hard to understand. But that was mostly because it was written in the forties.

my favorite character was definetly Mollie (the one who left) and Boxer (the houres who says "I will work harder") because I knew who they represented. Obviously, I knew who the pigs represented, but they were mean.

I was really disapointed that the animals did not take down the pigs. But, just like in goverment, the other animals just listed to what they said.

Good book, but it was a little boring.

3 out of 5 stars.

Fifty Shades of Gray (E.L James)

Anastasia Steel is in the last stretch of university. She lives in a house with her best friend, Kate, who is going to become a journalist.

Christian Gray is one of the most successful people in Seattle, so Kate has been trying to get him into an interview for mounts. However, she gets a cold so Ana must go.

Ana has never been in love, but after meeting Mr. Gray, she finds herself thinking about him lots....

Mr. Gray is a bachelor and does not want a girlfriend, but he is always on the market for girls. But with Ana, its different, 'cause she has never been in love, or even kissed a boy.

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OMG I think I am scared for life! I could not even finish it because of how grossed out I am!

I hatted how they talked about Ana being "The Submissive" and Mr. Gray being "The Dominant". This book seemed to have so many things that were so controversial. I'm surprised the author has not been arrested; 'cause you can't talk like that anymore. I'm surprised someone would even publish it.

This book is for people at least 18-19 years old because it will being going smoothly, and then, with only a little warning, it becomes porn! Tip of advise: if your writing for tanagers, don't talk about you- know- what in detail.

There is no plot or suspence in this book either. I read a quarter of it and I have absolutely no idea what this book was about. Their is also hardly any imagery, plot, emotion or symbolism.

Characterization was the focus, and even their was little of that! Nobody was changing, and you can't have a good book that has nothing changing in it.

However, it was decently written. But even the best writers can't make a horrible storyline into a good book.

.75 out of 5 stars.

Ape House (Sara Gruen)

John and his wife, Amanda,would do almost anything to get higher in their writing carriers, which is why Amanda wants to move to LA to write a reality TV show.

But when John meets Isabel- a woman who's whole life is about baboons- both of their lives will come crashing down, 'cause Isabel learns that her fiancee is not who she though and John learns that Amanda wants a baby.

John works at the Ink, but his boss gives all of the critic- and fame- to one of his colleges, even when he is the one who does all of the work

Isabel's baboon's mean everything to her, so much that she puts them over everything- including human friends. But when something horrible happens to her baboon's, she has to learn how to trust humans.

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The author put all of her focus on characterization and somehow, she pulled it off.

Usually, when I read a book and it only uses one literacy device, I plan on writing a bad review. I am so glad I was wrong! This book was driven by the characters and with nothing to help it go. She managed to change the characters enough that the book had a plot. The plot was not strong and their was not really a climax, but it did not matter. Their was some suspense but it was not about the plot. It was just about the characters.

I don't know why, but I really like books that have a character that is a journalist. I find that job adds character and plot. I loved how Isabel loved animals and would do anything for her "family".

This book had long chapters. I don't stop reading until I reach the next chapter, so I found myself reading for 20 minuets when I only planned to read for 10. Beware, perfectionists, you will be reading fora while.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 

I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Nine's Legacy (Pittacus Lore)

In Chicago, life is fairly boring for number Nine. He lives in a penthouse with his "uncle" in one of the expensive apartments and he is training for the war that is sure to come.

Nine- or Stanley- lives a very lonely life because he does not go to school. His Cepan is a nerd who loves building things and meeting lady friends, but is also fairly lonely. Neither of them are rather close, though, because they don't really have anything in common.

Nine’s Cepan- Sandor- has signed Stanley up for a community gym so he can meet new friends, but he found someone he likes too much to just be friends with...

Ladies are one of the main things Sandor is good at getting. With his help, could Stanley have a girlfriend?

Well, things probably won't go as planned do to the fact that is an alien from a planet called Lorien, but if he can hide that, it should go as planned.

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I don't really know why I fined alien novels so interesting, but I really do like them; if they are not too weird.

All of the "Lost Files" books focus on characterization because the main books in this seires just focus on plot. Personally, I love these little side stories because they make the main books make more sense and the characters come to life.

I also really like how the author wrights because none of the characters are forced and all of them have different reactions to death. They all center around killing whoever killed their loved once, but none of them react to it exactly alike.

If you have read "The power of six" you will know the ending to Nine's life alone, which takes away all of the suspense, but we still don't know how the side charters stories will get tied up, so there is a little suspense.

I loved how the plot tied in with the characterization because every time a character changed the plot changed with it, so there was never a dull moment in either characterization or plot.

All in all, a good book to keep you waiting for the next main book

4.76 out of 5 stars

Mockingjay (Suzanne Collins)

The whole country of Panem is in chaos after the Quarter Quelle. Now, all of the districts are at war with the capital and it does not seem to be ending anytime soon until someone wins.
                    

The rebels (the people fighting the capital) need a mockingjay; someone to look up too and to empower them. But the Mockingjay can only stand so many camera’s, make- up and death before she goes crazy from being on the sidelines.

Things are going as planned for the rebels in the physical fighting process, but everyday some sort of explosion happens (courtesy of the capital) and hundreds of people die.

But the alternative to death may even be worst 'cause if one gets kidnaped by the capital, the capital can destroy one's memories and put in other memories- which is worst then death, in the Mockingjay and her friends eyes.

Only one side can win- but at what cost will they go to win? How many lives will be lost?

Let the 76th Hunger Games begin, because that is what the uprising is becoming

May the odds be ever in your favor

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What on earth was the author doing when she wrote this book? She completely ruined everything she wrote in the first two books.

The author seemed to try to use characterization, but really she ruined the strength of the characters; they all seemed to have different personalities at the end of the book, and not in a good way.

I hated what she did to the protagonist and how the plot changed her. Everytime someone close to her died, she got stronger, but this time when someone close to her died, she became sad and depressing. It was so dumb because she never has had the personality to become depressing. She is a tough girl who has been through hell and back, you can't suddenly make her turn 180 degrees.

Then she ended a really well written love triangle in three pages! Seriously? Why in the universe did the author do something like that? She ruined a huge background storyline.

The theme of this book was also horrible. It basically is showing people if one does something wrong to you, you can do it back to them.

The only thing good about this book was the suspense and imagery. But you need a lot more than two strong literacy terms when the main ones are horrible.

2 out of 5 stars.

Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)

After the 74th Hunger Games, one of the most remarkable games ever, there is an uprising in District eight.

An uprising is when a district try's to fight against the Capital for forcing it to do things, like participate in the Hunger Games. One other district did this, District 13, which got destroyed by the capital, proving that the Capital has all the power.

Meanwhile, things get complicated for the victors (winners of the 74th Hunger Games) because now they have to prove to the president of the Capital that they are in love, which involves getting married, when they are not truly in love.

The Capital seems to be angry at the Districts because they are being even cruller to them as usual. The Peacekeeps (who try to prevent uprisings) are being forced to be cruel to the people who live in the districts or they will become Avox's (slaves to the Capital who get their tongs ripped out).

Every 25 years' of the Hunger Games a Quelf is held. A Quelf makes the Hunger Games have a twist to it. The 1st Quelf (25th anniversary of the Hunger Games) had it so a draw was held to see who the tributes were. The 2nd Quelf (the 50th anniversary of the Hunger Games) had twice as many Tributes. The 3nd Quelf is this year, and this twist may change everything about the Hunger Games forever.

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The first half of this book is so dumb and pointless! But then there is a major twisted in the plot and then it gets really good.

The ending is really confusing, I had to read the last 2 pages twice before I figured out what it means...Let’s just say, the last book is already loaded on my kindle and is ready to be read.

I really liked the last half of this book because I had no idea how it was going to end- the first one, you could figure out the ending after the second part- you could not for this one. I thought I knew how it would end, but I was wrong.

However, the first half was totally pointless! Nothing exciting happened! It had hardly anything to do with the last part of the novel. It seemed like the author was trying to add characterization, but failed.

The suspense it this novel was even better then it the first book, but the emotional setting was very week. Personally, I did not mind too much, but I can understand why someone would not like this book because of it.

It is a good thing the last half was so good, or else it would have been a bad book.

4.6 out of 5 stars.

The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

The Hunger games are death sentence for all but one person. But why would the rich people care about how many useless, poor people die? They only care about watching 24 tributes- 12 boys, 12 girls, from 12 districts- fight `till one is standing.

District 12 has not won a hunger game for at least 30 years, so when Katniss` younger sister, Prim, get chosen, She automatically volunteers so her sister won`t die a violent death.

Katniss and her best friend Gale have been hunting animals for years and she is fairly good with a bow- and- arrow, but nothing like the boys and girls from the first few districts who have been training for the hunger games for years. Almost every year one of them wins.

If one wins the Hunger Games, they have money and fame forever. But most of all they will always have enough to eat, unlike most of the people in the higher- numbered districts.

And food and family is the one thing Katniss is willing to kill for.
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The concept of this book is extremely violent and atrocious. But because the plot was mostly about death, it was very suspenseful and concentrated a lot on plot, imagery and conflict.

I did not like the concept at all, but the conflict and characters held my attention so I got used to someone dying in almost every chapter. As soon as this happened, I could not turn my attention away from this book for more than one hour at a time.

The author also used imagery in a way that made this book so visual it was gross at times. This is going to be a weird but amazing movie when it comes out. There was only one way to see this book because the author gave so many details. Personally, I loved that about this book.

The characterization was fairly week, in my opinion throughout a lot of this book because of the plot. This seemed to add to the suspense because I could not guess most of the main events of this book because I did not know the characters. This also seemed to make it less sad when people died.

I am still kind of mad that the author killed off my favorite character. For warning to anyone who wants to read this book: Don`t get too attached to any characters, because most have to die to keep the plot rolling.

Even though the plot is full of expiry and the imagery puts it into context in a way that is very brutal, it will not make anyone throw up or anything. I am very squeamish, but even I was not 100% repulsed.

This book was an very good book, even though it was gross and the concept was about death because the suspense was so rich.

4.65 out of 5 stars

Swim The Fly (Don Calame)

It has been tradition for years' that Matt, Sean and Coop make a goal at the begging of summer that must be completed by the end of summer. This year, their goal is to see a real life naked girl.

Matt and his friends have been doing a summer swim team for as long as they can remember. This year, to impress a girl, Matt volunteered to swim the hardest stroke none on planet earth- the Butterfly.

There is a new girl on the swim team that Matt has a crush on. But things with her are not going well, thanks to the boy who has always won the 100- yard butterfly. It seems like the only way he can get her attention is by winning the race.

The only thing wrong with that is he can't do the butterfly- at all. he can't even do one lap- let alone four. But if he does not place, there is no chance his team can win. But he has the rest of the summer to practice, so what's the worst thing that can happen?
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This was probably as realistic someone could get while writing a fiction book.

The characters did not seem forced. Their personalities all worked together well. It was nice not reading a book with 3 friends who have opposite personalities. insted they all had similar personalities and interests.

However, this book seemed to only use characterization, plot and symbolism. I think it would have been better if the ending was not as predictable as it was. But even tought the author only used 3 literacy terms, he used them all so well that the book did not seem off balanced.

This book was one of the funniest things I have ever read. It definitely had its stupid parts that only teenaged boys will understand, but most of them had me laughing too. It was worth the read.

4 out of 5 stars.

Katie Be Quiet (Darcy Tamayose)

Katie has a lot going on in her life right now- her dad just died and she just moved to a new town. She does not have enough time to worry about her Mom's French co- workers and a school bully.

When her dad dies, she begins to hear a voice telling her Katie be quiet. What she does not know about this voice could kill her...
In school, Katie is starting a new English project about the deaths of people, so she is doing one on her dad. Her new friends are doing projects on un -solved police mystery too.

The strangest thing about Katie and her friends projects are all of the people's deaths always include tea, but none of them have anything in common besides that...So they think...

Katie’s' father was a piano composer. Because of this, Katie's mom does not like her playing her father’s piano, so she find's away to practice without her mother’s knowledge...
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This book was a very, very bad mystery book.

I get what the author was trying to do- use all of the literacy devises. But she did not connect them well, which made the plot not really make any sense.

In my opinion, all books should have one vocal point- characterization, conflict, suspense, emotional setting, or another literacy devise- and all the others should support the main one. The vocal point should also be done very well and should have some kind of conclusion to it.

This book seemed to try and have all of them an equal amount, and, for the most part, they were all done decently. But none of them had a conclusion or something to make your heart go racing or have some emotional effect to the characters. This book had none.

However, it was still fairly ok because it had a good, strong, idea for a plot, it just was not developed.

2.5 out of 5 stars