Friday, February 27, 2009

The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie


Directed By: David Silverman
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was alright...


Honestly, I belive that The Simpsons Movie made a mockery of the show. Don't get me wrong, but I love The Simpsons, it is funny, smart and well written (for the most part). Now, the movie is about the environmental problems in Springfield leading to it getting trapped under a large plastic dome. The hero happens to be Homer, and the villian, instead of being Sideshow Bob or Hank Scorpio, it's the power hungry head of the EPA: Russ Cargill. There are things I liked about it, but The Simpsons wasn't meant to be made into a movie; it's brilliant as a show, but 22 minutes is enough, don't make it 90.


Recommended to: anyone

Thursday, February 26, 2009

What Would Dewey Do

What Would Dewey Do


By: Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


What Would Dewey Do is the second volume of Unshelved. Unshelved is a comic strip about a library, it chronicles the madness of the Mallville library through the experiences of Dewey, Tamara, Buddy the Book Beaver, Mel and Colleen. Unshelved is, in my opinion, the greatest comic strip ever; it exhibits the humor found in the day-to-day myriad of random happenings and craziness at the library, and will have you laughing until you can;t breathe. This is the book that got me hooked on Unshelved, and is definitely worth the read. To read Unshelved, you can go to www.overduemedia.com


Recommended to: everybody

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Silver Kiss

Silver Kiss


By: Annette Curtis Klause
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: Hated it!


Silver Kiss is about a mysterious vampire named Simon and a human girl name Zoe.

^ I just couldn't get a better thought of the summary. This book leaves me, with no words.

I literally had to MAKE myself read this book. Oh my goodness, the word I am looking for is BORING, and just blah. I mean seriously. Not only is the plot not good, but also the characters themselves! It was like the author was trying to say more about them, but instead....just made them very vague. And I thought Twilight was the worse vampire books ever- Silver Kiss just joined the list.


Recommended to: No one

Bad

Bad


By: Jean Ferris
Reviewed by: gEEGEE, 15
Rating: Really liked it


dANg tHIS bOOK hAD mE rEADiNG tiL tHEE eND liKE sWRioUSLy aND tELL mE wHY iM aCTUALLy dOIN A rEViEW oN AA boOK tHAT i dONT eVEN rEAD..[likE wAT] hAHA wEll yOU sHOULD rEAD i rEALLy rECCOMMENED it[i thINK i sPEELLED iT riGHT]..sO yUP i liKED iT iT wAS A sITUACiON yOU cOULD bE iN.tHATS iF yOUR f***iN uP iN liFE wHICH hOPEFUlly yoU dNt gOE tHRU wHAT sAM.[tHE mAiN cHARACTER whICH iS A giRL]

uHM iDk wHAT eLSE jUST tELL mE iF yOU liKED iT to.



Recommended to: ANybODy wHO hAS gAWN tO jUVi oR jUST liKES rEADiNg aBOUT tEEN pROBLEMS AND tRYIN tO iMPRESS yOUR fRiEND tyPE.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry


By: Mildred .D. Taylor
Reviewed by: Ariana, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


i like this book because it teaches you about the past and how us black people was leving and i think every one should read this


Recommended to: all the kids in the world

The Tain

The Tain

By: The Decemberists
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: Really liked it


When I listened to The Tain--by the way, The Tain is the only song on the CD--I was like: "Wow!....This....is....loooong!" And it is, it is twenty minutes long. The thing that made me really like this song/CD is howthe parts shift and tell a story. Because, The Tain is a musical cover of a folktale.


Recommended to: listeners who are A) over 10 B) have a long attention span

My Brother Sam is Dead

My Brother Sam is Dead


Directed by: James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
Reviewed by: Henry L., 12
Rating: Really liked it


Tim Meeker, a 14 year old boy, is in the time of the Revolutionary War, with his family torn apart.

His brother, Sam Meeker, is in the Continental army,while Eliphalet Meeker, his father, is loyal to the English king. Now, the Revolutionary War is raging and Tim knows he'll have to make a choice of fighting his father on one side or fighting his brother on the other.

The book is described through the eyes of Tim Meeker. Through Tim, there are a few themes that are shown, foreshadow of what will happen next, and symbols. Now it's your turn to find out what will happen to Tim and his family and what Tim Meeker wants you to see.


Recommended to: people who like historical fiction books or people who are interested about the daily life of someone in the Revolutionary War.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Maus: a Survivor's Tale (vol. 1&2)

Maus: a Survivor's Tale (vol. 1&2)


By: Art Spiegelman
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Maus is utter brilliance, unlike the run-of-the-mill books about survival of the holocaust. Maus exhibits the horrors of Auschwitz, as well as the danger that rose with the antisemitism that went with Hitler's rise to power, as well as the way life was destroyed for the Jews when they were just trying to survive in occupied Poland. Maus also expresses the trauma that lingers after an ordeal like this. Art Spiegelman shows all of this brilliantly with his father's tale. Also, the art is excellent as well as the writing.


Recommended to: readerss age 13 or older

Good News For People Who Love Bad News

Good News For People Who Love Bad News

By: Modest Mouse
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This is just an awesome CD. Among the songs are Float On and The View, which you should listen to immediatly. But beyond the usual Indie Rock style are some songs which incorporate a wind section into melody. But the main thing that makes Good News For People Who Love Bad News is, overall, how interesting Modest Mouse is; from awesome instrumentals to the insanity displayed in some songs in which snippets of crazy laughter. So, check this out it's definetly worth the wait.


Recommended to: listeners ages 12 and up, for language that made my mom recoil no matter how times she'd heard it

A Child Called "It"

A Child Called "It"


By: Dave Pelzer
Reviewed by: Tracy L., 13
Rating: It was amazing!


A Child Called "It" is a story of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California History. When I read this book, I was amazed at the extent of how some child abuse cases have gone. Dave's mother is an alcoholic that is unstable. She has beaten, starved, and even stabbed her son, Dave, making him almost die at times.

Dave is isolated from his family, not being able to eat or watch television with his family at all. His bed is an army cot and he wears the same clothes every single day. He occasionally gets food, but only if he finishes his chores on time, and still then, he only gets scraps of leftovers.

After reading this book, I have opened my eyes to things I never knew existed, and recommend this book to anyone.


Recommended to: Older Teens

Unraveling

Unraveling


By: Michelle Baldini
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: Really liked it


This book is about what some teens go through to have a great prom. In this book, 15 year old Amanda begins to understand her mom, while going through life changes. I would recomend this book to all those teens out there that are feel pressure from their friends, family, or anyone else at their school.


Recommended to: Older Teens

Hollywood Royalty: The A-List

Hollywood Royalty: The A-List


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


This is the first book of the second generation of the A-List series by Zoey Dean. These books are about a rich Beverly Hills life in the glamourous California.
The A-List series:
The A-List
Girls on Film
Blonde Ambition
Tall Cool One
Back in Black
Some Like It Hot
American Beauty
Heart of Glass
Beautiful Stranger
California Dreaming


Recommended to: Teen girls.

Project 17

Project 17


By: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: Really liked it


When six high school students sneak into an abandoned mental institution to make a film about their night there, they do not expect the inexplicable and terrifying events that keep occuring within the crumbling, maze-like building, causing them to question themselves.

Laurie Faria Stolarz has mastered the art of building suspense. Throughout the book, Project 17 has a creepy atmosphere. Maybe it's the fact that the story takes place in an abandoned mental hospital, maybe it's the fact that some of the events described in the book are true. Danvers State Hospital was a real place, it partially demolished in 2007, as in the book. After finishing the book I just had to look up the place.

Project 17 really creeped me out, the author takes full advantage of the creepy setting, using excellent imagery and of course telling the twisted stories of the individuals who resided in the asylum, and still do.

All of the characters are really fascinating and well-developed. Each of them felt like someone who I could relate to, I could almost imagine that they went to my high school. At first, most of them appear to be stereotypes: player, over-acheiver, drama queen, goth girl and class clown, but they're all deeper than that. Some of the romance in the book felt a little bit forced, but it didn't detract from the creepy experience. Project 17 is a real page-turner, it hooks you from the beginning.
I would recommend Project 17 to horror fans, but just don't read it if you're alone at night. I made that mistake.


Recommended to: Horror fans 14+

Bucking the Sarge

Bucking the Sarge


By: Christopher Paul Curtis
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


15 year-old Luther T. Farrell is an ace student who wants to be a philosopher, but his mom (a.k.a the Sarge) has him work in one of her group homes to prepare him to take over her business. Luther is content with this, but events in his life make want to leave...And give the Sarge a piece of his mind. Bucking the Sarge is an excellent, well written and fun-to-read novel of the coming of age of someone who has been unfairly subdued all his life. Between the basic futility presented in his life, is a complexity that will draw readers in. Read it! It's definitely worth your time.


Recommended to: to readers of the age of 12 or older

Twilight

Twilight


By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by: Brit, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


The book twilight was an amazing book, I liked it alot. I enjoyed it alot.. I could just not put the book down at all. I Love Bella the best how in Chapter 11, how she is going to Seattle for looking for some book stores. Edwards goes with her and he said " Seattle is bigger than Port Angles -( Were she almost died). I just think the book is an amazing discovery.

My friends read the book Twilight before me and the all said " That they could not put the book down for nothing." They also said that it gets adivite. I was surpires to see when I got I did the same thing.

This book is about a girl named Bella how has to move to a Phoenix to live with her dad (Charlie) because her mother and real father are Divorced. Bella mom is going on trips with Bella new step dad. Bella remembers that it is always raining in Forks. She finds out that these kids always sit by themselves and people tell her stuff and she believes in, but in the end some was true and some was not. She meets this kid name Edward Cullen, he told her that she should say away from him, because he is Dangerous.


Recommended to: EVERY ONE

Bleach Volume 1

Bleach Volume 1


By: Tite Kubo
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: It was alright...


I probably don't even need to summarize Bleach. Most manga fans have already read it or heard of it, but for those of you who haven't: Ichigo Kurosaki fights evil ghost thingies called Hollows. That's really all you need to know. I have met die-hard Bleach fans and I have met fans disenchanted with the series. I am frequently told that the series starts dragging after a certain volume, though the die-hards will claim it isn't true. I wanted to decide for myself. So I picked up the first volume of Bleach for the first time.

The plot of Bleach isn't overly original, especially for a shonen manga. From the first volume it's evident that the series is probably going to have an episodic, monster-of-the-week formula. I've spotted a pattern. Hollows threaten Ichigo's family/friends and he fights them to send them to the afterlife/soul society thing. I'm not very impressed with the plot, but it does have potential to become more as long as the Hollow fights and their back stories stay interesting.

The art works for the series and is fairly expressive. Battle scenes aren't too confusing and I didn't spot any anatomical errors. Some of the character designs are a little weird, mostly male designs, but very distinctive. The gangsters that constantly harass Ichigo and co. look goofy, but they really couldn't be taken seriously even if they didn't look goofy. The Hollows look pretty good for monsters.
I'd like to see a little less focus on action and more focus on characters in future volumes, but I might be hoping for too much. Rukia is an interesting character so far, but Ichigo resembles a typical shonen hero a little too much. The gags involving Rukia's lack of artistic talent and some of the slightly perverted jokes are pretty funny. Overall, I think's it worth reading more volumes, but nothing to rave about.


Recommended to: Fans of shonen and supernatural manga 13+

The House of Night novels

The House of Night novels


By: P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Reviewed by: Peggy, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


I thought this is a great book to read even after reading the twilight series. It was absolutely amazing. The only part I didn't like in the series is when the characters use baby talk like bullpoopy. Teenagers don't talk like that. Only three year olds talk like that. But it was a absolutely amazing book. I definitely recommend to any young adult to read this series. WARNING: the eff bomb is said quite a bit.


Recommended to: all young adults.....especially if you liked twilight or the uglies series....then you have the same kind of taste as me!!

The Te of Piglet

The Te of Piglet


By: Benjamin Hoff
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This is the second book that changed my life. It's the companion to the Tao of Pooh. It teaches the principle of Te, or the strength of the small. This book teaches through Piglet mostly, it shows how the meek have a strong heart and that's their inner strength. It also teaches of the futilities of predjudices, how the critics and pessimists of our society (in their various forms) are ruining our so-called civilizations. I think that this is the best book ever, and ,like the Tao of Pooh, should be read by everyone.


Recommended to: Readers of all ages

The Tao of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh


By: Benjamin Hoff
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This was one of the two books that changed my life. Thanks to the Tao of Pooh, I became more open minded and ready to accept the differences of others. It's a fairly short book that can be read in a day. This book explains the basic principles of Taoism, and how simplicity is the key understanding it. It's explained through Winnie-the-Pooh, and some of A.A. Milnes other characters. The Tao of Pooh is something that should be read by everyone for it's enlightining lessons; as well as fun to read. It doesn't try to convert you, because this explains the philosophy of Taoism as opposed to the religion which are two very different things.


Recommended to: Readers of all ages

The Hardy Boyz : Exist 2 Inspire

The Hardy Boyz : Exist 2 Inspire


By: Matt & Jeff Hardy with Michael Krugman.
Reviewed by: Sandor S., 13
Rating: It was amazing!


The Hardy Boyz : exist 2 inspire is about the wwe superstars known as the hardy boys.They are matt and jeff hardy.They have held tag team and single titles.This book explores their succsesses and hardships.It is a awesome book!!!!


Recommended to: wwe fans

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Sakura Wars

Sakura Wars


Created By: Ouji Hiroi
Reviewed by: Kit, 19
Rating: It was amazing!


it's about a girl who joins a protection agentcy. in the anime, there are a lot of action, thrills, and kills. there is about four more charaters that comes into the movie and stays as friends, and help the cause the protection.


Recommended to: everyone

Super Smash Bros Brawl

Super Smash Bros Brawl


Developed By: HAL Laboratory
Reviewed by: Phillip, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


Everyone knows this game. Mario Link Kirby Ness, etc. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ask lisa if we could have more tournaments at sonner times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Recommended to: Cool People with a Wii.

Jak 3

Jak 3

Developed By: Naughty Dog
Reviewed by: Phillip, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


THIS GAME are TIGHT!!! I'm finna play it when I get home!!!!!!!!!!! That graphics are tight!!!!! The Story are tight!! Everything are tight about it!!! Shout out to everyone who loves Grand theft auto, it's alomst the same!!!!!!!


Recommended to: Cool people with a PS3

Pastel

Pastel


By: Toshihiko Kobayashi
Reviewed by: Kit, 19
Rating: Really liked it


the manga was really great. it's a about a boy who falls in love with a girl that lives with him, and he tries really hard to tell her be can't. tha main charater tends to have a lot of girls falling for him except the girl he is love with...

and i recremend all the volumes!!

Recommended to: everyone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone


By: J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by: Robert D., 15
Rating: Hated it!


i read it and it was very boring and i thought that it was going to be as fascinating as the movie was, but it was not.


Recommended to: boring readers

Strangers in Paradise (1-3)

Strangers in Paradise


By: Terry Moore
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: Really liked it


Katchoo (Katina Choovanski) and Francine Peters are friends and roommates. Katchoo's life has been hard, few people know about her past, she is an artist and a poet; also she is confused about her sexuality and in love with Francine. Francine has had a good life, and now she is living with Katchoo. But Katchoo's past comes back to haunt her and she finds herself accused of stealing $800,000 from Darcy Parker (an influential person and the boss of an all female mofia)...As Katchoo's life is falling apart, she and Francine (and David, someone she meets at an art show) we have to put it back together.

Strangers in Paradise is an excellent series that shows the complications of life through the tale of Katchoo, Francine, and David. I hope that library system purchases the rest of the series.


Recommended to: anyone 16 or older for brief nudity, sex, alchohol abuse, and topics that are harder to swallow for younger readers

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Persepolis

Persepolis


By: Marjane Satrapi
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!

Persepolis(books 1 and 2,and the movie)is the story of young Marjane Satrapi,and her life in Iran and Austria. Persepolis really opened my mind to the culture of Iran,and that the enemy of all the world are the stereotypes of Western and Eastern media;as well as the troubles caused by the perversion of ideologies and religion. The exploits Marjane Satrapi,and the expressions of her point of view make this an interesting and fun-to-read graphic novel,and an excellent movie. As I said this book counters the stereotypes set by our respective cultures,snd gives thought to tolerance which needs revival in our society. The only troubles to younger readers would be the swearing,drug abuse and lewdness;but it's not a real problem if you overlook trivial details like this for the main point of the story.


Recommended to: anyone over 15(the books) and 14(the movie)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Speaker For the Dead

Speaker For the Dead


By: Orson Scott Card
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


After the book Ender's Game (by Orson Scott Card) there are three other books that follow Ender Wiggin. Speaker For the Dead is the one that come right after it, even thought it's set 3,000 years in the future. This is most definetely one of the five best books I've ever read; if not the best. Speaker For the Dead is about the need for tolerance of other species (or in the human reality, anyone who is different in some way)in a progressive society, just as the proceeding books reinforce this but also give the reader a taste really out-there scientific ideas, philosophies and ethical/moral views beyond the set liberal/conservative spectrum.

Basically, Speaker For the Dead tells the story of the Ribeira family, and there reforming (trust me you'll find out) as well as the story of Ender Wiggin, and his tasks of speaking for Marcao Ribeira, settling the Hive Queen into a place on Lusitania (the colony where the story is set) and his task of understanding the Pequininos (or Piggies, the alien species living on Lusitania). So, I hope you read it as well as the rest of the series.


Recommended to: ages12+ even though it's not the most appropriate book out there, I read it at age 12; so I'm going off my standards

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight


Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Reviewed by: Henry L., 12
Rating: It was amazing!


In The Dark Knight, Batman once again tries to protect Gotham City from new villains.

Christian Bale once again plays the Batman. In this movie, there is a great cast of actors and actresses who take part in an action-packed, suspense film. The most known actor, Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker, does the most amazing job I have ever seen.

The Dark Knight is mostly about the battle between good and evil of the Batman versus the Joker. In addition, it incorporates Bruce Wayne's love for Rachael Dawes. It shows the rise of Harvey Dent to the fall of him, becoming Two-Face. This movie contains many scenes that are action-packed, suspenseful, epic, and heart-pumping.


Recommended to: 12 and older.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry


By: Mildred D. Taylor
Reviewed by: Henry L., 12
Rating: It was alright...


In Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, it is about a African-American family who have to live through the challenges of racism and prejudice in Mississippi during the mid 1930's.

This book uses many similes and metaphors to describe the characters and setting. Also, Roll of Thunder has many themes. The book shows realism by the fact that in this time, nightmen (Caucasian men who strongly hated African-Americans) would tar and feather, kill, or burn houses down, which would happen in real life at this time period.

In the beginning of the story, Cassie, the main character, and her siblings don't know about racism. The Logan family own land, while the rest of the African-American families they know don't. As the plot goes on, there are stories of what the nightmen did to many African-American families. So, Mr. Morrison comes to help out and to protect the family. Eventually, something happens to T.J., Stacy Logan's friend, and it's your job to find out what happens.


Recommended to: people who like historical fiction literature.

Bleach

Bleach

By: Nirvana
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This Nirvana's first CD is not as purely awesome as Nevermind, nor is it as depressing as In Utero; but Bleach deserves equal amount of praise for it's display of Nirvana's early days. But as well as this, the songs: Blew, Love Buzz (originally performed by Shocking Blue, this is only a cover) Floyd the Barber, About A Girl and Mr. Moustache are particularily awesome. Though, this is most definetly not Nirvana's best, it deserves a listen...and the bass line of Love Buzz will probably be stuck your head after a while.


Recommended to: people who like grunge, or just like Nirvana

The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion


By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This book chronicles the events of the little known creation of Middle Earth, and the First Age. The story line mainly concerns the elves, especially the Noldor; and their doings during,before and after the War of the Jewels. If you aren't familiar with the histories of Middle Earth, don't worry; all you need to know is:1) that though Sauron is in this, he is only the second to Morgoth (Melkor) who is much worse, and significantly more powerful.2) That there are these divine beings called the Valar who play an influential role in the beginning and end.3)Although, the elven bloodlines and houses are hard to keep track of, and it's quite a complicated read; once you're about 100 or so pages into it should start to make sense. As well as this, here-in is the story of the fall of Numenor, and a sumary of some of the great events of the third age. The Silmarillion is truly an excellent book, and is also a good way for Tolkien fans to enter into the History of Middle Earth.


Recommended to: any Lord of the Rings fans, or fantasy nerds, geeks or enthusiasts in general

Faeries of Dreamdark : Blackbringer

Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer


By: Laini Taylor
Reviewed by: Ritsuka, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


This book is really good, I'm not quite done yet - but it's the 1st in a trilogy so... OMG!!!! ILOVETHEART!!!!! I. LOVE. IT!! It's creative and worded well... and all around GREAT! ^^ - Jen reccomended it for me... Good taste in books! XD


Recommended to: Fantasy lovers, teens, guys and girls!

Twilight

Twilight


By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by: Bailey, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Twilight was an amazing book. It kept me up reading all night every night with the excitement. I love how Stephanie Meyer leaves you hanging at the end of each chapter to make you want to keep reading on. I just finished the second sequal New Moon and I have nothing but good things to say about Stephanie Meyer's writing styles.

Now, about the book. It really keeps you hanging. Once I finished it I instantly went and got the next one. Now that I'm finished New Moon, I have to go and buy Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. The movie was also amazing. i actually saw the movie before I started reading the books. Once I saw the movie, I swore on my life that I would buy all the books and all the movies once they come out.

My favourite character is obviously Edward Cullen. He is the perfect man (even though he's technically not a man.) I have always enjoyed a good romantic novel and I have also always enjoyed a good thriller; but I never really thought how good a romantic thriller would be and this really impressed me.


Recommended to: It really blows your mind.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Merriweather Post Pavilion

By: Animal collective
Reviewed by: Matt, 14
Rating: It was amazing!


"Merriweather Post Pavilion" is quite possibly animal collective's most depressing and personal album to date, though the album is also their most dance inducing. Every track will make you want to get up and dance at some point.

If you are a already a fan of animal collective, the album may be off-putting at first. It's a little slower, and conventional than their previous efforts. Especially when compared to their album before this, "Strawberry Jam" (my personal favorite of theirs). "Merriweather" relies more so on the interplay of avey tare's (dave portner) and panda bear's (noah lennox) voices than anything else. Every track has both of them singing at one point.

Even though this album is very personal, it's a lot less emotional than their other albums. Avey tare never screams in any of these songs. Which for most will be a plus, but it is a missed attribute to their songs.

In the end, "Merriweather Post Pavillion" is one of the best albums I've ever heard, critics are even already calling it the album of 2009, and of the decade.

Most Notable Tracks: "My Girls", "Summertime Clothes", "Daily Routine", "Lion in a Coma", and "Brothersport"

Track Listing:

1. "In the Flowers" – 5:24
2. "My Girls" – 5:41
3. "Also Frightened" – 5:14
4. "Summertime Clothes" – 4:30
5. "Daily Routine" – 5:46
6. "Bluish" – 5:14
7. "Guys Eyes" – 4:31
8. "Taste" – 3:53
9. "Lion in a Coma" – 4:12
10. "No More Runnin" – 4:23
11. "Brother Sport" – 5:59


Recommended to: Anybody who likes music

Monday, February 9, 2009

Marked: A House of Night Novel

Marked: A House of Night Novel


By: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: It was alright...


"Vampires have always existed. Zoey Redbird enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change, and not all fledgling vampires do. It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampire Goddess. But she is not the only fledgling with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampire friends."

Phew, long summary, but it's necessary that I include it, if I want this review to make sense. Is it just me, or are there too many authors jumping on the vampire bandwagon nowadays? (*cough* It's all Stephenie Meyer's fault *cough*).

House of Night is a fairly new series, Marked, the first book, was only published in 2007 and there are already five books out with a sixth is in development. I question the Casts' writing process if they can crank out five books in less than two years, but I'll put my suspicions about sloppy work to the side for now. Basically, that whole summary paragraph can be summed up in one sentence: An ordinary girl goes to a vampire boarding school that is sort of like Hogwarts, but with vampires. That was the impression I got off of the series. Marked tried to become a mature, vampire version of Harry Potter aimed at a teen audience, but fell short because the story was not very mature. There is mature content, violence, language, drugs and...well...other stuff you wouldn't see in Harry Potter. The series may contain mature content, but it is not mature (in the sophisticated way, like Harry Potter), it is annoying. I hope that my wordplay makes sense. Most of the characters curse like middle school students who think it is cool to add an expletive into every sentence, not all of the time, but a good percentage of the book.

The take on vampires is kind of weird. Vampires can do magic, and they don't have fangs. I like that humans know about vampires in House of Night, it adds a nice twist, but I can't forgive the whole magic thing, I'm afraid. Save that for Harry.

Some characters in House of Night were really annoying. They all talk too much like stereotypical teens (we don't talk like that!). Zoey is inconsistent as a narrator, switching between slightly whiny teenager to sounding like the author. It is obvious that the authors themselves do not really know Zoey, so the readers do not either. Some characters are developed, but usually they are given just one defining personality trait. There were two stereotypical characters that really stood out, Aphrodite and Erik. Aprhodite is like one of those mean girls on Disney Channel, (you remember, right?) spoiled, always gets her way, gets whichever boy she wants, etc., except for the fact that some of her behavior isn't suitable for daytime television. Erik is Mr. Perfect, need I say more? The physical descriptions of characters are pretty good, you can imagine them in your head, but I started to get all of the various blond girls mixed up.

Despite my complaints, there are some pretty funny moments, and the plot moves along quickly, enough to make you forget about all of the annoying characters and enough to make you want to find out what happens next.

Certain groups of people may find this book lacking taste or even offensive. The teenaged narrator insults Goths and Emos on the same page, which bugged me a bit because it was almost as if she was insulting anyone who dresses a little different than normally. On a positive note, there is one male character who is homosexual, and he is portrayed in a positive light.

Overall, it's worth picking up, but nothing to rave about.


Recommended to: Some vampire fans, anyone looking for a page turner. 14+

Beastly

Beastly


By: Alex Flinn
Reviewed by: Lizzie, 17
Rating: It was alright...


Beastly is about a modern male teenager who really dosen't know the importance in life, and becomes a beast because of it.

I REALLY loved this book. It's told from first person point of view. I loved how it was mixed with "Beauty and the Beast". For it being a modern remix of it, I have to say that this book is orginal. It is orginal in the sense that the author followed the sense of Beauty and the Beast, but explored it a little more deeper, and added his/her personiality into the book.

I laughed a lot in this book, and re-read it twice! That's how good it was. Usually when I read books and get to the end, I usually think how they could have made it better. But, with this book, the ending was perfect. It was like the icing of a cake. Yum! =)

I believe this book is the closes thing to "realistic". Meaning, if their was even such things as a beast, and magic. You can also relate to this book, too.


Recommended to: 14 +

Frannie in Pieces

Frannie in Pieces


By: Delia Ephron
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: Really liked it


Just a week before her fifteenth birthday, Frannie's dad dies a strange death. After his death, Frannie finds a beautiful wooden box with her full name ingraved on it with the number, 1000. Inside, she finds 1000 handmade puzzle pieces. When Frannie starts to put the puzzle together, she is thrown into a place back in time where she learns about her father before Frannie. This is a great read for readers who are interested in fantasy.


Recommended to: 12 and up.

A Thousand Shades of Blue

A Thousand Shades of Blue


By: Robin Stevenson
Reviewed by: Tina R., 13
Rating: It was amazing!


Rachel's lives in Ontorio with her Mom, Dad, and brother. She has to take care of her disabled sister who no longer lives with her. Rachel's life isn't what an ordinary teenager's life would be about. When her parents force her to go on a sailboat to the Bahamas for atleat a year, she discovers somethings about her family that might finally destroy her fragile family.


Recommended to: ages 13-16

Rainbow Boys

Rainbow Boys


By: Alex Sanchez
Reviewed by: Missy, 16
Rating: Really liked it


Jason stared at his girlfriend in confusment. He new that he loved her, his heart throbbed for her, but his heart also throbbed for someone else. Someone he wished it didnt. His dreams and feelings confusing and annoying. His dreams of guys instead of girls. He didnt want to admit he was gay or bi, but his heart told him other wise.

Kyle: He looked like an average guy, but everyone suspected that he was gay because he hung out with nelson, one of the gayest of the school. He was afraid to come out, to tell his parents, and most of all, tell Jason, his dream guy, that he loved him.

Nelson: His strange hairstyles, his piercings, his painted nails, showed everyone that he was gay, and proud. he stood up for himself, even though he was always beaten back down. He was confused about his hearts desire until he starts to hear how Kyle, his best friend talk non stop about Jason. Jealousy rising to its highest, but can he do anthing about that? can he win Kyles heart? Or will he be alone forever...

I thought that this story was really good and well wrote with good descriptions. your heart just breaks for Kyle, while your confused wether to congradulate Nelson or feel sorry for him.
It tells about three gay guys, well, two gay guys, one bi, and there love triangle. how they lived through harrasment and abuse. Confessing to there parents and friends, and most of all, not feeling ashamed of who they are.


Recommended to: romance, drama, teenage life