Wanted and an update

 Author: Sara Shepard
 Rating: 5/5 Stars
 Summary: In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .
Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.
Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store. (From Goodreads.com)


Woah. I'm in shock. I mean, woah. I just finished the last book in the Pretty Little Liars series and I loved it and can't believe what just happened. I did not see that one coming. I wanted to mention on here that I'm done with the series and loved the whole thing, but I can't really review it specifically or I'll give everything away and ruin it. Also, my review of the book before this one is up here and pretty much reviews the whole series.
    Also, an update. Since this isn't technically a review I'll just add this in. At my school, they give everyone our own mac laptop to keep from September until June. And now the school year is ending and I'll have to give back my laptop and blog from my crappy home PC. :( Also, In July and August I won't be able to post often because I'll be going on vacation, then as soon as we come back, my family is moving to Tennessee. I don't think I'll have access to my computer until we move into our new house, which will be in mid-august, and that's right when I start school. So that's what's up. What are your summer plans? :)

Bumped

 Author: Megan McCafferty
 Rating: 4/5 Stars
 Summary: When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable. (From Goodreads.com)

     I was soo looking forward to this book, and it was different than I expected. Not bad, just different. I really liked the plot, though. I hope Megan McCafferty writes more of these books. The whole virus-causing-sterility-and-teens-have-to-have-the-babies thing was so cool and so fun to read about. I especially liked it is because I want to be a Physician's Assistant for obstetrics, and I'm a teenager, so it was fun living in that world where all the teenage girls were pregnant, and proud. In fact, it was even considered pretty to be pregnant in that society, and you could buy fake bellies at the mall.
     The two main characters, Harmony and Melody, were also really different. They were identical twins, but they were complete opposites. I really liked Melody, but oh my god was Harmony annoying. I kind of dreaded reading her point of view every other chapter because she got on my nerves so much.
     Wow, this is a really short review, but I can't think of anything else to say about it, as it was a good book, but not a very exciting one, as far as dystopians go. It was more like a contemporary within another world. It only took me a few hours to read this book from start to finish; it was a fun, quick read.

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

WoW is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's for us bloggers to show everyone all the new books we're excited for. This week I'm waiting on:

Author: Kelly Creagh
Summary: While Varen remains a prisoner in the dream-world, Isobel is haunted by his memory. He appears to her in her dreams and soon, even in her waking life. But is she just imagining it? Isobel knows she must find a way back to Varen. She makes plans to go to Baltimore. There, she confronts the figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster—the same dark man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams, calling himself "Reynolds."
Isobel succeeds in interrupting the Toaster's ritual and, in doing so, discovers a way to return to the dream-world. Soon, she finds herself swept up in a realm which not only holds remnants of Poe's presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen's innermost self. It is a dark world comprised of fear, terror, and anger.
When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. With his mind poisoned by the dream world, he becomes a malevolent force, bent on destroying all—even himself. Now Isobel must face a new adversary, one who also happens to be her greatest love. (From Goodreads.com)

 I read and reviewed the first in this series, Nevermore, and you can read my review here. The summary sounds really good, but this cover.... well frankly it's crap. Sorry, but it is. I always hate when there is a full on face on the cover, and the way these are edited together just is not good. Hopefuly they'll change it before the book comes out, but that's not likely. :(

Skunk Girl

 Author: Sheba Karim (Sheba's my dog's name!! haha)
Rating: 4/5 Stars
 Summary: If Nina Khan were to rate herself on the unofficial Pakistani prestige point system – the one she’s sure all the aunties and uncles use to determine the most attractive marriage prospects for their children – her scoring might go something like this:

+2 points for getting excellent grades
–3 points for failing to live up to expectations set by genius older sister
+4 points for dutifully obeying parents and never, ever going to parties, no matter how antisocial that makes her seem to everyone at Deer Hook High
–1 point for harboring secret jealousy of her best friends, who are allowed to date like normal teenagers
+2 points for never drinking an alcoholic beverage
–10 points for obsessing about Asher Richelli, who talks to Nina like she’s not a freak at all, even though he knows that she has a disturbing line of hair running down her back In this wryly funny debut novel, the smart, sassy, and utterly lovable Nina Khan tackles friends, family, and love, and learns that it’s possible to embrace two very different cultures – even if things can get a little bit, well, hairy. (From Goodreads.com)

     So, I thought this book was about a girl who turned into a skunk-like creature. You know, like those books where the character turns into a mermaid or a fairy or something. I thought that this was a really unusual thing to  turn into, so I've been trying to find a copy of this book for forever. But once I got it and started reading it, it turns out it's actually about a Pakistani girl and her conservative Muslim family and their life in a small town. Whatddya know?
     This book really taught me a lot about the Muslim culture and lifestyle. I had no idea they were so traditional! They even still arrange the marriages for the girls! I never knew.  I did enjoy reading about the main character's life because my life in the complete opposite. I've been raised super duper liberal and encouraged to do anything I want to, and Nina and her family were the complete opposite. Although this was not one of those books where the main character wants to rebel and ditch her lifestyle. Nina was loyal to her family and her religion the whole book. Also, Nina's personality was the complete opposite of mine. She was so hesitant to do everything, and she was shy and kind of bitchy to some people some of the time. I was shouting in my head to her "JUST DO IT ALREADY STOP BEING SO TIMID". But I know a lot of people could relate to her because many people are really shy, especially those who read often.
     I really did enjoy reading this book, and I think others should read it too, because the Muslim religion is so misunderstood in these times. Also, it was a cute coming-of-age novel. You should pick this one up if you see it at your library.

Wherever Nina Lies

 Author: Lynn Weingarten
 Rating: 5/5 Stars
 Summary: Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But one day, Nina disappeared. 2 years later, everyone has given up hope that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look. Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she's got a chance - her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn't planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth.(Goodreads.com)



I'm on a book streak where I'm only reading really really good books, and I don't want it to end. Wherever Nina Lies was so refreshing from all the other books I've been reading lately. I've never heard of the author before, but now I'll have to keep a lookout for her new books because I loved her writing in this book. The plot of this book... well it was crazy. At times I felt like I was on an acid trip then in a romance movie then in a horror movie. There was a huge shocker at the end that just makes you say OH MY GOD. I did NOT see that one coming. I thought this was going to be an innocent fluffy little book. But was I wrong. It went all Pretty Little Liars on me.
    If I were to have shared my thoughts on this book when I was halfway through it, I think I would have said the exact same things as I am now. All of the characters did a complete literary 180. Like, it just boggles my mind how surprising it all is. The people who read or watch Pretty Little Liars will get what I'm babbling about. If you like PLL then you will definitely love Wherever Nina Lies. It's pretty much a book everyone will love. Oh, and another really cool thing about this book was that there were pictures in this book that were supposed to be drawn by Nina, and they were really cool. Kind of like the drawings in Cathy's Book by Sean Stuart. So read it and love it. :)

In My Mailbox (8)

IMM is a meme started by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's for us blogger to show everyone all the books we got this week. This week I got:

All of these were from a nearby library.

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Wanted by Sara Shepard

Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

What did you all get in you mailbox this week?

Like Mandarin

Author: Kirsten Hubbard
 Rating: 5/5 Stars
 Summary:

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin. When they're united for a project, they form an un
...moreIt's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin. When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their Badlands town. Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal. (From Goodreads.com)

I wasn't really expecting much from this book because I hadn't heard anything on it before and I've never heard of the author. But surprisingly, I really loved this book. It was set in the badlands of Wyoming, and it was the exact opposite of the part of Wyoming the characters were in in the book Unearthly. Everything was plain and dry and windy. It really reminded me of the town where the book The Anatomy of Wings takes place. Actually, pretty much everything about this book reminds me of The Anatomy of Wings. Beth, the character in The Anatomy of Wings who is the older sister who does drugs and sleeps around is like the exact same person as Mandarin. Mandarin is also older than the main character in this book, and she also smokes and sleeps around with older men. The book also had a really surreal feel to it, like I was seeing the characters through a dream or a fairy tale. The lighting of the picture on the cover completely covers the whole feel. Also like TAOW there is so much symbolism and metaphors in this book. The main character, Grace, also grows and matures during the novel. I really like to watch her grow and connect it with the other parts of the plot that went along with her growth.
      If you liked TAOW or just want a good read, you should pick up Like Mandarin. It's pretty much for everyone. I know some people don't like paranormal or romance novels, and if you are one of those people then you will really like this book.