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