Showing posts with label Mini-Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mini-Review. Show all posts

Monday, December 5, 2011

DNF.

DNF: reader code for "did not finish".

I don't really review books that I didn't finish, but I figured I'd share a few of those that I didn't and why they weren't for me. Cause who knows? Maybe you'll enjoy the elements I disliked.

First book:

Possession by Elana Johnson

Where I got it: From Galley Grab for review
How far I got into it: 130 pages
Recommended to: Fans of very romantic dystopias and paranormal.
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.
I went into this one thinking I would love it, because it sounded straight up my alley, and the main character Vi sounded pretty rebellious. Yay. Unfortunately, things went downhill from there for me. The insta-love was some of the most instant that I've read, and if you've read my blog before then you know how much that bugs me. Combine that with some weird plot-holes and over-dramatic and just plain weird characters, and this was just not the book for me. But I've heard it gets better, so who knows?

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Where I got it: For review from publisher
How far I got into it: 150 pages
Who I recommend it to: Readers that aren't as weird about vague-ness as I am and don't mind a slow start.
Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…
I had such high hopes for this one. Everyone seemed to love it, so I had to love it too, right? Well, wrong. I really hate it when people are vague, and the first 150 pages of The Faerie Ring were just that: vague. Also slow. I didn't really connect to any of the characters (I really disliked Tiki, to be honest), so I decided that this one was just not for me. Again, though, I've heard that this one gets better.

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Where I got it: For review from publicist
How far I got into it: About 150
Who I recommend it to: Fans of most dystopias
Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.
Another one that started strong but got worse. Dark Parties starts with a bang but then the main character crushes on her best friend's boyfriend. Who she's never even talked to. Um, no. I will not stand for this. I also just didn't connect to this story like I wanted to, so I couldn't finish this one.
So if these books still sound good to you, give them a try, but personally I wouldn't recommend them.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Magical Girls' Guide To Womanhood Mini-Review



Author: Erin Schmidt
Release Date: March 8, 2010
Pages: 112 (E-book)
Publisher: Fido Publishing
Most Appropriate For Ages: 9+
Where I Got It: For review

What’s a young, magical girl to do when she gets her first period? When should a werewolf start shaving her legs? Whether or not she has magical powers, what’s a girl to do when she--gasp!--has to talk to a boy she likes?

Never fear: The Magical Girl’s Guide to Womanhood answers these and many more questions for preteens and teens. Even grown-up magical women may find helpful reminders in its pages. Your guide on this enchanted quest into the labyrinth of yourself is gifted young witch Violetta Marmalade-Spirit. Violetta starts with the basics of what makes a girl a girl, then progresses to questions of body image, how to stay healthy, and sexuality.

Becoming a young woman is always a magical journey. Join Violetta in uncovering some of the tips, tricks, myths and secrets to making the best journey possible!
Being a 15 year old who has a mother that has always made woman's bodies and what to do with them a very open subject, I knew pretty much everything that was covered in The Magical Girls' Guide To Womanhood. But, I think this would be an excellent and super-informative guide for young girls who are normally too embarrassed to talk or read about their bodies. Not only does it cover everything that goes on with womanhood, but Erin Scmidt also includes what goes on with mythical being's bodies as well, making the book more fun to read.

Moms, I'd recommend giving this one to your girls!

Non-Fictions don't get a rating.

Friday, February 25, 2011

5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin In The Mouth Mini-Review


Author: The Oatmeal
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Pages: 160
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Most Appropriate For Ages: Adult
Where I Got It: For review from Netgalley

In Matthew Inman's 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth (And Other Useful Guides), samurai sword-wielding kittens and hamsters that love .50-caliber machine guns commingle with a cracked out Tyrannosaur that is extremely hard to potty train. Bacon is better than true love and you may awake in the middle of the night to find your nephew nibbling on your toes.
Inman creates these quirky scenes for theoatmeal.com, which launched in July 2009 and already has more than 82 million page views. In fact, every 15 to 30 seconds, someone Googles one of theoatmeal.com's creations. Now, 60 of Inman's comic illustrations and life-bending guides are presented in full-color inside 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth (And Other Useful Guides). Consider such handy advice as:
  • 4 Reasons to Carry a Shovel at All Times
  • 6 Types of Crappy Hugs
  • 8 Ways to Tell if Your Loved One Plans to Eat You
  • 17 Things Worth Knowing About Your Cat
  • 20 Things Worth Knowing About Beer
While possibly offensive to dolphin lovers everywhere, 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin In The Mouth is hilarious. I love theoatmeal.com, and this collection of comics did not disappoint. Loyal fans of the site will recognize a few favorites, as well as some new instant classics. Whenever I wasn't laughing while reading this (which wasn't very often), I was either about to laugh or learning new interesting facts (did you know that vikings thought that when they went to heaven there'd be a goat there waiting to squirt beer into their mouths with his udders?). 5RTPADITM was a quick read that I really enjoyed.


Book Report:
Animation: Good, and it definitely added to the comics.
Writing: Hilarious.
How kid friendly is it? The fact that it's a comic book shouldn't make you forget that this is definitely more aimed at adults.
Should I read it? Yes!
Overall:
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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Winter's Passage Mini Review

Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Pages: 68 (E-book Novella)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Downloaded
Other titles in the series: The Iron King

WINTER'S PASSAGE, a novella in the Iron Fey series, takes place between THE IRON KING and THE IRON DAUGHTER and follows Meghan and Ash on their perilous journey deep into the heart of Winter.

 Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck-Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon-who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter-a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

Although short on size, Julie Kagawa packs action, romance, and suspense all into this delightful novella. It's definitely not necessary to read this before you read The Iron Daughter, but I can't see a reason not to. Except maybe Ash...he really peeved me off. A lot. But anyways, I found this to be a quick gem of a novella that is sure to be enjoyed by fans of The Iron Fae series.

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