Blood Brothers

Blood Brothers


By: S.A. Harazin
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: Really liked it


Clay couldn't imagine his life without two very important things. First, would be his job at the hospital and secondly, but more importantly, would be his best friend, Joey. But, one night after a hard shift, Clay stumbles upon a naked, confused, and aggressive Joey in the shed. Worried and concerned, Clay calls for an ambulance and has Joey rushed to the hospital. As he tries to solve what happened that night he must face Michelle, his ex-girlfriend and the recent arguments between him and Joey. And throughout it all, he remembers how he and Joey became "Blood Brothers."

I picked up this book expecting an "okay" story. I was pleasantly surprised.

Clay was characterized wonderfully. His love of working in the hospital was strangely likable. And he really was a sweet guy. Joey's scenes in the book were mostly flashbacks but they built him as a good solid figure. His personality came through strong and clear. Even the minor characters had a distinctive personality.

S.A. Harazin's style of writing was entertaining and enjoyable. One quote from the story really struck me. I may be paraphrasing. "She hated me because I breathed." That one line for some reason made me really think about what everybody had said. I don't want to ruin anything so lets leave it at that.

Overall, this was a faced-paced and emotional story. If you're easily brought to tears this book will make you sob. Highly recommended.


Recommended to: 15+ Mentions of drugs. Graphic in details.

Girl Overboard

Girl Overboard


By: Zoey Dean
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: Really liked it


Girl Overboard is a book about a rich teen named Syrah. She has everything but her best friend's girlfriend is ruining their friendship, and her boyfriend is after her only for her money.
She has a snowboarding accident that will change her life forever.
This is a great book to read!


Recommended to: Teens ages 13-15

The Clique Series

The Clique Series


By: Lisi Harrison
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: It was alright...


The first book in the series is The Clique. Its a series about a four girls, Massie, Kristen, Dylan and Alicia. Later on Claire joins there clique. Its a series about friends and the ups and downs of it.
If you are looking for a good series to read in your free time, I suggest these books!


Recommended to: Girls ages 12-14

Black Cat Anime Volume 1

Black Cat Anime Volume 1


By: Ellen Schreiber
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: It was alright...


This series is about an assassin, a bounty hunter, a thief, and a bioweapon. The choice of cast could eventually lead to problems, like a morbidly depressing story line, but surprisingly it can be a little bit heartwarming. Even if Train (aka the assassin) has no personality. The episodes start with a rock opener, which I enjoyed immensely and am still hunting for the mp3. The closer can be mildly irritating when it gets stuck in your head, but it's fun. The animation is good, though I'm not an expert in that department. Each character design is distinct and some of the characters (aside from Train), especially Sven (aka the bouunty hunter) and Eve (aka the bioweapon), have really interesting personalities. The plotline, as I mentioned earlier, is not depressing (most of the time) but there is some comedy that could be timed a little better. For the most part, the voice acting on the English dubbed track is on par with the Japanese, and at times, better. I want to continue watching Black Cat and I would consider buying one of the DVDs.


Recommended to: Fans of action anime with a little bit of heart. It's rated PG, but there is a little blood and suggestive themes, so you may not want younger children watching it

Inkspell

Inkspell


By: Cornelia Funke
Reviewed by: Ritsuka, 13
Rating: It was amazing


THE SEQUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....
If joo read the first book of /course/ you're going to read this!!! I think it's even more entising (or is it '-cing'...??) anyway! I think it's way more 'attention grabbing' (there's another way of saying it) than the first one... and it does have a sum-up in the beginning, so you can read it without reading the first one (don't know why you /would/!) but you /could/~ the plot is involved, and I enjoyed reading it even after the third time!

and also there is another book after this and maybe a movie for the second one, so.... WHOOOO Triligy!!!!


Recommended to: fantasy readers, if you read thwe first book, and ALIENS!!!!

Inkheart

Inkheart


By: Cornelia Funke
Reviewed by: Ritsuka, 13
Rating: It was amazing


The book is a fantasy, about people who can read things into exsistance... The plot is very good, and I, personally, /love/ the characters!!! There is a love story, and adventure, and some comedy, so it's got some'in for everyone! >3< --- and if you care, it is an A.R. book(at Clark at least).


Recommended to: fantasy readers, HUMANS!!!!!... and anyone really

Twilight

Twilight


By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: Hated it!


I really don't get the hype of this book.

First, the plot was nonexistent until 7/8 of the way into the book. A plot-less romance is just unforgivable, especially in such a large novel.

Next, is the romance. For some reason, no one seems to notice there was no reasonable basis for Bella and Edward to fall in love. There was no actual romantic build up. Edward just disliked her and then felt like saving her. Bella pretty much falls for Edward based on looks. Most of the book is just them doing something together or her doing something and thinking about him.

Finally, we have the characters. I absolutely can't stand "Mary Sues" or the male version of it. Every one of the vampires was too perfect. The only vampire I even remotely liked was Alice. She, at least, had a unique personality. Bella's personality is totally dependent on Edward. Without him, she is practically a blank page. Some people might argue "She was meant to be a common girl. A girl who could represent almost anyone." I disagree. As I stated earlier, she is a blank page. Generalizing by using the term "common" is incorrect. In our society today, finding a girl with Bella's personality is almost impossible. Therefore, she is not "common."

In a novel that had potential, these are my opinions. There was barely any plot, development, or conflict. Overall, this book was just boring.


Recommended to: No one.

Minutemen

Minutemen


By: Disney
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: Really liked it


Although time travel isn't exactly the most original idea for a movie [eg. Back to the Future], Minutemen made it work. The movie was hilarious, in my opinion. Having three high schoolers build the machine and then using it to help the unpopular crown seemed realistic. Well, the helping the unpopular crowd is, making a time machine isn't.

The plot was easy to follow but a little predictable. The main part of this story was actually not the technology involved but the interactions between the characters and "popularity." That was what really made this movie enjoyable.

The moral is positive but a overused in many teenager movies.

Its not the best movie ever but it is still fun to watch.

Recommended to: 11-18

Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom

Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom


By: Hisaya Nakajo
Reviewed by: Ritsuka, 13
Rating: Really liked it


This book... I will not deny... is Shojo... for you guys (some guys) I am very sorry... but it is a really cute book...! <333 It's a romantic comedy... and *cough cough* might I say VERY well drawn... A girl dresses up as a guy and goes to an all boys to where she meets her true love.... clishe' I know but very cute... and funny XDDDD!


Recommended to: girls people with a "mushy fetish"

Devil's Footsteps

Devil's Footsteps


By: E.E. Richardson
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: Really liked it


The Dark Man? A myth. Impossible.
The Devil's Footsteps? Just a skipping rhyme. It can't exist.
Right?

Bryan knows all too well the truth of these "myths." How could he not when he lost his brother to the Dark Man?

This book was a chilling thrill ride. Its wording is great and its easy to get emotionally involved, in my opinion. There could've been more character development but Bryan slowly overcoming his loss was satiable.
The character interactions were my favorite part though. It was nice to see how Bryan and his newly acquired friends faced there problems together. None of the characters were too perfect. They all seemed like normal kids you could find anywhere. Well, minus the "I live in a town where kids disappear constantly and nobody notices" thing.

Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.


Recommended to: 13+, Can stand long phrasing and a little horror

Code Geass R2 OST 1

Code Geass R2 OST 1


By: Nakagawa Kotaro, Hitomi Kuroishi
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


When I watch an anime, I listen to the background music. It can add or subtract from the emotion of the current scene. And I have to say that this is one of the times it adds. Many pieces are dramatic orchestra performances like "Madder Sky." Its powerful and I must admit that the last scene that used "Madder Sky" brought me to tears. Some are soft tunes like "If I were a bird." The vocal version is used in the scene of one of the character's death. But the vocal pieces composed and performed by Hitomi are some of the best songs on the CD. She has a beautiful high, soft voice. The innocent sounding quality make a interesting addition to many scenes.

Sadly, this CD is not available in America yet since the dubbed version is still on the first season.

Recommended to: Code Geass fans, Music Lovers

Vampire Kisses

Vampire Kisses


By: Ellen Schreiber
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: Really liked it


It's official. I'm addicted to vampire romance. And since Twilight was the first vampire romance I picked up, I'm afraid I'll have to compare Vampire Kisses to Twilight. First off, Vampire Kisses can be more entertaining than Twilight because of its sassy goth heroine, Raven. Bella is very sarcastic, but Raven is a lot more interesting. Raven is the only goth girl in a conservative town that she has dubbed "Dullsville." She's a pariah at school and only has one friend, Becky. The leading vampire is Alexander, and he is the typical vampire boyfriend, perfect in every way, which can be a little bit tiring. The vampire romance in the story may feel a bit cliched to some readers. For me the most entertaining aspect of the book was Raven's rebellion against the lifestyle of typical "Dullsvillians" and her unwillingness to conform


Recommended to: Girls 13+ Like Twilight, guys may not enjoy it very much.

Metamo Kiss Volume 1

Metamo Kiss Volume 1


By: Sora Omote
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: It was alright...


Metamo Kiss is about a boy named Kohanamaru Taki. Everytime he kisses his true love, Nanao, he switches bodies with her. At first this sounds sort of wacky. My first thought when I started reading it was: "Oh no. I hope they don't make perverted jokes..." Luckily, very little of the humor is actually crude. The series features a well-used aspect of the shojo genre: the love triangle. Nanao likes Kohanamaru's twin brother Konatsu. Konatsu isn't interested in girls, but Kohanamaru has a small crush on Nanao. The series would be kind of boring and predictable if not for the fact that Konatsu is the key to putting Kohanamaru and Nanao back into their original bodies and I'm wondering who Konatsu's fated partner is going to be. I thought that the art in Metamo Kiss was very cute and the book and chapter covers were adorable. Metamo Kiss isn't a manga I would buy, but it's definetely worth reading. I might want to keep


Recommended to: Teen girls. Boys can enjoy it, too. There aren't too many crude jokes, but it might be best not to let anyone under the age of 12 read it.

Tithe

Tithe


By: Holly Black
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: Really liked it


This book is different from most of the fantasy I've read. Usually fantasy stories feature nice pretty heros or heroines from nice neighborhoods (if they're set in the modern world, that is). Tithe is different because it's set in a not so nice neighborhood in New York. The main character, Kaye, and her friends frequently shop lift. The most amusing part of the whole shoplifting thing is that Kaye has "rules" for shoplifting. For example, "Don't steal from family owned places, steal from the chain stores, they can afford it." The perspective in Tithe is fresh and harshly realistic. The plot was very complicated, and somewhat confusing at times. To fully understand it, you might have to read it twice. Fans of Holly Black's Spiderwick Chronicles will find that certain elements from Spiderwick are reused in Tithe, but Tithe is much more mature than Spiderwick.


Recommended to: Teens 14+. There is violence, drug reference, language and some more mature content.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray


By: Chris Wooding
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: Really liked it


Some Spoilers

The story takes place in an alternate version of London during the turn of the century era. Beings called wych-kin have overrun parts of the city and a serial killer is on the loose. Warning: Do not read this book after sundown. I enjoyed this book a lot. Who doesn't love a good scare every once in a while? The characters were all fascinating, but I think some of them could have been developed a bit more. The writing was very descriptive, and all of the different wych-kin are interesting. I find myself wanting a sequel or a prequel to this book. The story leaves me wanting to know more about Stitch-Face. Why is he a monster?


Recommended to: Teens 14+. Also, fans of supernatural or horror stories.

The A-list

The A-list


By: Zoey Dean
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: It was amazing!


The A-list is the first book in a series by Zoey Dean. THese books are about a group of 4 girls, Cammie, Sam, Anna, and Dee, living a rich Beverly Hills life. These books are very good and if you are looking for a good series to read, you should get these books to read!


Recommended to: Teen girls.

The Host

The Host


By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This book is by the same author as the Twilight series, The Twilight series are better but this book is also great. It will keep you reading it until you finish it.
THe beginning is a bit confusing but then it gets better. I reccomend this book!


Recommended to: Teens and Adults

The Sookie Stackhouse Series

The Sookie Stackhouse Series


By: Charlaine Harris
Reviewed by: Tina R.. 13
Rating: It was amazing!


If you liked the Twilight series you will like these series too. These books are about a girl named Sookie Stackhouse, who can read minds. When she meets some vampires, her life gets complicated and it changes. The first book in the series is Dead Until Dark. I hope you like these books!


Recommended to: Teens and even adults.

I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger


By: Marcus Zusak
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


Ed Kennedy's life is turned upside down when he stops a bank robbery. Soon, he is sent a card in the mail. The first ace.

This is the story of a regular guy who must face who he is to help others. Each "message" is unique and uplifting. You can't help but feel sorry for these people or in some cases, smile.

Ed is the kind of guy you could meet anywhere. Insecure and unmotivated. He is scared and yet he continues sending these "messages."

Mr. Zusak's writing style is very unique. He uses short phrases and sometimes just a word but the impact of that word is so powerful.

My only problem with this book was the ending. I was unsatisfied but the rest of the book makes up for it.

Each message could be read individually and it would still leave a lasting impression.


Recommended to: 15 and older. Violence and Rape. Highly recommended.

Road of the Dead

Road of the Dead


By: Kevin Brooks
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: Really liked it


Ruben has been able to "feel" what his older brother, Cole, feels since they were little. He has never had that sort of connection with his sister until the day she dies. Ruben is "there" with her the night she is raped and murdered.
Her body is not allowed to be returned to the family until the case is solved. So, Cole and Ruben go to the scene of the crime and try to bring their sister home.

Fans of brotherly love have to read this book. The moments between Ruben and Cole are my favorite parts of this book.

Ruben and Cole are well developed. Ruben's reactions are realistic and believable. Cole is a kind of character you hate to love.

The whole time I read this I wondered 'Is this right?' Even after reading this book, that question lingers. Overall, it is wonderful book that you should read.


Recommended to: 15 and older. Violence.

Unwind

Unwind


By: Neal Shusterman
Reviewed by: Cindy, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


In the future, during the Second Civil War, also known as the Heartland War, a decision was made. This decision would appeal to both sides and stop the war. This decision was "Unwinding."

Unwinding is the process of "retroactively aborting" a child.They are "harvested" while technically still kept alive. From the time you are born until the time you reach the age of reason, you are safe. When you are thirteen, your parents can chose to have you unwound. But if you can survive until you are eighteen, you may have a chance.

The three main characters in this story are each unique in their own way. Connor is a hot head who does not think his actions through. Risa is a musician who knows how to take care of herself. Finally, their is Lev, the religious boy who wants to be unwound. The interactions, the responses, and the development are all realistic.

The plot itself feels like a roller coaster. You are always wondering what is going to happen next. Some scenes tore me down and brought me to tears.

This story is NOT for little kids. The moral questions asked in here should not be introduced to young minds yet. There is an attempted rape scene and a description of unwinding. The details of unwinding are not graphic and that is exactly what makes it so powerful. The things they leave out make the passage so much more emotional.

The ending is satisfying but not perfect. Which is exactly why it was a wonderful ending. I would recommend this book to anyone mature enough to handle it.


Recommended to: 15 and older

Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare

Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare


By: Darren Shan
Reviewed by: Allyson F., 14
Rating: Really liked it


I personaly love this series. I've only read up to the fourth volume, but so far I love it. This book is about a spider-loving boy named Darren Shan who go to a circus with freaks(People who were born different then other people. For example, a snake boy, a man with two bellies, a bearded lady, etc.)in it. All because of one mistake, Darren's life changes drastically. I won't say anymore because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. Next time you go to the library check out the Dirque Du Freak saga! I promise you that you won't regret it.


Recommended to: Anybody who likes vampires and wants to read a thrilling book.

Black Sun Silver Moon

Black Sun Silver Moon


By: Tomo Meada
Reviewed by: Ritsuka, 13
Rating: It was amazing


This book is amazing! Yes, It is a manga(Japanese comic book) so if you are a manga hater then... well don't read the book(duh?)... but if not, then please do!! The book has something for everyone, it is so funny! Also it's a little sad... but really cute... but not like Shojo-manga cutsie...-- AND THERE'S DEMONS AND A' PUPPY AND ZOMBIES... and if I were to say anymore I'd ruin it so just read it!-It's good!(The art isn't bad either, so if you're like me then that's not a problem - I don't like it when the art is bad!)

NOTE: The author HAS done a yaoi (boys love) - so it MIGHT be... but if so it doesn't show much and it just MIGHT--MIGHT!! I'm only saying this so some one doesn't end up hating me...


Recommended to: Manga Lovers, or just if you want a good read...