Steelheart

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Fantasy, Futuristic, Intellect, Humor (some of it dry), Romance, Danger, Drama, Action, Adventure

Brandon Sanderson has outdone himself in Steelheart, the first book in the Reckoners series. It is about a teenager named David, who has had his share of problems with the 'Epics'. Epics were created when an explosion in the sky called the 'Calamity' blessed the people it touched with extraordinary powers. That was a while ago. An Epic called Steelheart had killed his father when he shot someone trying to kill Steelheart. His bullet scratched the side of Steelheart's cheek, and it made a scar. He killed the poor, innocent man because of it. David has spent his life trying to find out all of the secrets of the Epics ever since; he wants to someday join the 'Reckoners', a secret group of regular people also trying to find out how to strike the Epics down by learning about them. When David walks in on one of their attempts to take down an Epic, things change unexpectedly. He gets invited to join the team since he knew their hide-outs and understood their patterns. Now David has plans to get revenge on the Epic that killed his father. What will happen to David and the rest of the Reckoners? What is Steelheart planning? And what would happen if Davis lost his humanity in this twisting plan to even the score?
In this fast-passed novel, nothing is as it seems. If you are prepared to travel the unknown, sob inside, and get lost in the twists and turns of this riveting plot, then this is the novel of your dreams.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! It has been a very eventful 3 months for me since I started my blog. And, yes, if it wasn't clear before this blog was only started 3 months ago. Crazy, right? Well, in the spirit of the holiday, I just had to post this:

Enjoy this funny Charlie Brown special. I know I loved this!

The Outsiders

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Intellectual, Drama, Danger, Suspense, Humor (very little, though . . .)

Ponyboy (and yes, that's the name his parents gave him) is an orphan. His brothers Darry and Sodapop are, too. All three of them are 'greasers', the name of the gang they are in and live to. There are two rules to a greaser's life; stick together, and don't get caught. Ponyboy is the youngest of the three (and of the 'gang') and therefore him and his friend Johnny get beaten up a lot by their rival gang, the Socs. They are the 'hoods' of the two and the Socs are the snobby, rich jerks that hit them where it hurts. Ponyboy's life isn't easy. He fights with his oldest brother (Darry), he gets beaten up (a lot), and he's 'smart' but doing poorly in school. If the trio get in trouble, they might be separated and put in home. When Ponyboy, Two-Bit (another friend/gang member), and Johnny meet Cherry and Maria, some Soc girls, their perspectives are turned a little. What makes the two gangs different, if they all share the same town and have the same problems? The same night, Ponyboy and Johnny get jumped by some Soc boys for hanging out with their girls. They try to drown Ponyboy, but Johnny intervenes. Now, on the run from the law and with seemingly nobody who still truly accepts them, the duo stow away. What will happen to these two 'outsiders'?
I really loved this book by S. E. Hinton. It is truly inspiring and makes you think more about the inspiring world around you and the way our society works.

Gregor the Overlander

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Loss, Drama, Danger, Humor, Mystery, Suspense

Gregor's sister falls down the laundry chute. So, naturally, he does what any good older brother would; he ends up going in after her. At the bottom of the chute, the two find a hidden city; one filled with princes and princesses, giant bugs, priceless trinkets, and talking rats. He and his sister are welcomed into the city, for it is very rare that someone coming down the chutes will actually live to tell the tale. The last one was his dad, who happened to disappear years ago. Now they know he fell into the world of the 'underlanders'. As the two grow more and more anxious to find out what happened to their father in this world, they discover he is a prisoner to an evil rodent deep within the heart of this world. Will the two lowly 'overlanders' be able to fins their father and fulfill the ancient prophecy of that of this world?
I really liked this book by Suzanne Collins. It really opens up your eyes to the amazing, whimsical world around us and is destined to be a classic.

Flipped

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Romance, Adventure, Action, Humor, Drama, Intellect

The first time Julie saw Bryce, that was it. She was head over heals. The first time Bryce met Julie, he ran behind his mother's skirts and hoped he would never see her again. He was wrong. He was stuck in every class with her in every grade. It's now middle school, and Julie is still hung up over Bryce, who has been desperately trying to avoid her all these years. This year, though, things are different. All the things that Julie had done over the years, like hatching chickens for the science fair and protesting the chopping of a huge tree, are finally catching up with him, and he suddenly feels differently about her. On the other side of the road is Julie. After all her years of chasing after Bryce, she is starting to realize that Bryce has never done anything with her or for her. He hasn't ever joined her in a game of ball or even stopped to say hello when he saw her outside. Julie is beginning to really look at Bryce . . . and he doesn't seem nearly as much of the selfless, amazing person she thought he was when they were little. Is Bryce falling in love with Julie? And, if so, what will happen if she gives up on him before he does?
I really like this book by Wendelin Van Draanen. It is one that is destined to be a classic, and is for the people who want to curl up in bed, read some 'mush', and sit there until the feelings have long passed.

The Red Pyramid :Book Trailer

Here is the book trailer for the Kane Chronicles book 1, The Red Pyramid. If you haven't read it, please do so! Go to your library and pick up this awesome book.

Life As We Knew It

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, (mild) Humor, (some) Romance, Danger, Drama, Futuristic, Suspense

The world is in chaos. Or, at least Miranda's. It started with the moon getting hit by a meteor. Then the tides began rising, the stores went out of business, and the electricity went out. Now Miranda and her family are trapped in their own house while the people around them slowly starve, move, or kill themselves because they fear they won't make it otherwise. Miranda and her family have 'survived' since they were prepared for the tough, harsh times ahead of them. Miranda is worried, though. As the years pass and the seasons turn, Miranda is afraid that she and the rest of her family may not survive this. Will they all make it out alive together, or will the family be lost like the rest of the world?
This book by Susan Beth Pfeffer is truly inspiring. I loved it, and I know that anyone else looking for a new favorite will, too.