Friday, August 2, 2013

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Series:                             Perfect Chemistry Trilogy
Published By:                   Walker Books for Young Readers
Published On:                   December 23, 2008
Page Count:                     368
Formats I Will Review:     E Book on Kindle, Audio Book


Rating:                            One Star


Synopsis:

     When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

     In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart


My Thoughts:

     The writing was fundamentally solid but the characters where so cliché and the plot so predictable that I wanted to put it down as soon as I picked it up. Don’t get me wrong there where some funny moments but not enough to keep me interested for three hundred some odd pages. There were times I felt like the book was cross between a crewed Dora the Explorer and a lame after school special. Before anyone points it out; yes, I am very well aware that after school specials no longer exist and furthermore that most people reading this review won’t even know what an after school special is. It is for those people that I will explain that an “after school special” were TV shows back in the day that would air; wait for it… after school Now the shows where met to be informative and educational but turned out being dumbed down, cheesy life time movies for kids. Granted the subject matter was not cheesy on the contrary the subjects where very relevant but the means of delivery or execution of message delivery was frustratingly stupid. Much like this book.

     (Audio Book) As for the narrators they were very poorly cast; the female narrator annoyed me and the male just sounds middle aged. The only redeeming factor is that they both spoke Spanish very well. I have a creeping suspicion those where the only requirements needed to get the gig.

     If you’re in the mood good a good contemporary teen book try Pushing the Limits, I laughed, I cried and I loved the characters. I know that tons of people love this book but I cannot in all honesty recommend this book,I will most likely never read or listen to this book again.

You Might Want To Try This Instead:

Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits, #1)
Pushing The Limits
By Katie McGarry
If you have had a chance to read this book or plan on reading it, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Also if you have any book recommendations let me know, I’m always on the lookout for a good book.

So until next time,
Cara (^_^)


You can find me on Goodreads.com and audible.com

Review: Shadow and Bone By Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, #1)

Series:                                       Book #1 in the Grisha Trilogy
Published By:                             Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Published On:                             June 5, 2012
Page Count:                               368
Formats I will Review:                Audio Book, Kindle EBook


Rating:                                        Five Stars


Synopsis:

     Alina Starkov doesn't expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, all she’s ever been able to rely on is her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they've been sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.

     When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. She is torn from everything she knows and whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes that she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the Sun Summoner. Only her power can destroy the Fold.

     Overwhelmed by luxury, envied as the Darkling’s favorite, Alina struggles to keep her wits about her without Mal by her side. But nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her mastery of her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha—and the secrets of her heart.

My Thoughts:

     I picked this book you and I didn’t know anything about it. This is usually a recipe for disaster but not in this case (thank goodness). To be honest this book is one of my favorites.

     Oh man, let me just say that I completely love this book and am very thankful I found it. The world development is top notch, the character development is superb and the story pacing is fantastic. I loved this book so much that I actually found a book signing near me and attended. I think I will post picture separately at a later date. Overall I would say that the audio book like the ebook are remarkable, I would definitely re-read and recommend this book.

     If you have had a chance to read this book or plan on reading it, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Also if you have any book recommendations let me know, I’m always on the lookout for a good book.

So until next time,

Cara (^_^)

Friday, June 14, 2013

Delay



Hey Guys! 

I want to let everyone know what I'm working on and my time line.
  • To be reviewed: 
      • Shadow and Bone By Leigh Bardugo (I hope to post before the NYC book signing, which I am super excited to attend).
  • Currently reading: 

PS
Please feel free to comment on this post or recommend any books you think I would be interested in.

Cara (^_^)
You can also find me on goodreads.com