Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book Name: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series: Book #2

Total Amount of Pages: 391

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian

Blurb: Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Favourite Character: Finnick

Comments: Catching Fire was amazing! I felt like the tributes had a more togetherness feeling. They truly didn't want to be there but knew that their opinions didn't matter. You could really find the hints that a rebellion was coming. I especially liked the part at the interviews where all the tributes held hands together. It will always be the highlight of the series for me.

I thought the arena was more creative this time around, seeing as it was a clock. It was fun to see the different things the game makers had set up and it made the hunger games a more interesting part of the book. There was never a dull moment.

I don't think I really agreed with the fact that Katniss pretended she was pregnant. It just kind of peeved me that they had to do that but, to be fair, it was the best way to convince President Snow that Katniss and Peeta truly were in love and always will be.

I heard this was the make or break book for a lot of people; either you love it or you hate it. I loved it more than the first book and I felt more attached to the new characters introduced. I highly recommend it!

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): Mockingjay


We Must Stand Together
Nickleback

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Book Name: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series: Books #1

Total Amount of Pages: 374

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian

Blurb: Twenty- four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Favourite Character: Gale

Comments: Okay, well, who hasn't read The Hunger Games by now? I mean it was the most talked about book in 2012. Either way, it definitely deserves a review from me!

Most books tend not to get interesting until page fifty, if not higher. The Hunger Games was amazing from start to finish. You were interested from page fifteen. I loved Katniss as a female heroin. She had her flaws (like all characters should) but they were flaws that you could accept and still see her as amazing. She impressed me and was perfect for the novel.

The book was creative. It was unlike books I've read before. It had an interesting plot that was unique and is sure to keep you on your toes. You fall in love with the characters and while reading you find yourself feeling several emotions. You want to pump your fist in the air when Katniss does something amazing and you find yourself wanting to cry when a tribute that you've taken a liking to has fallen.

Also, I found that the movie did a wonderful job of portraying the book as well. I was very impressed and from what I hear many fans were impressed as well. Overall, a wonderful read! I definitely recommend it.

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): Catching Fire and Mockingjay


Fighting 
Yellowcard

Movie Trailer

A Fun Fan Video :) 

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book Name: 13 Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Series: N/A

Total Amount of Pages: 288

Genre: Realistic fiction

Blurb: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Favourite Character: Hannah Baker

Comments: 13 Reasons why was unique. You took tour of this girl's life and tried to understand why she wanted to end her life so badly. It made you think one thing in particular, "The things you do, even the tiniest of things that you don't expect to affect someone, can affect that person in large way." It was sad, happy and frustrating. I definitely liked the ending, because although Clay didn't reach out to Hannah when she needed it, he realized his mistakes and instead of allowing history to repeat itself, he reached out to Skye, who in the end needed his comfort, just like Hannah did.

Overall the book was fine but one thing I didn't like about it was the fact that Clay kept interrupting Hannah to express his emotions; sometimes it was helpful other times it was just annoying. I really got annoyed when Clay said that blaming so and so wasn't fair, because in her mind it was and sometimes I agreed with her. Hannah was trying to get out her feelings and Clay was just disagreeing, which wasn't fair to Hannah because this was her moment to show how she felt about the people who called her a 'friend.'

Some of the reasons were made sense to me, others were just seemed silly to me. It felt as though Jay was running out of reasons that connected with people. Clay also didn't belong on the tapes, Hannah admitted it herself, and so why was he there? Because the author needed a 'good' guy to say he felt for the girl who killed herself and was listening to her tapes. The other reason he was there was because he couldn't figure out why/how he could possibly be a reason Hannah killed herself, thus adding mystery. It was keen but, I felt Clay should have either deserved to be on the tapes or shouldn't have been a part of the story at all.

The book will definitely make you think before you act because the tiniest of things can affect a person in a big way. It was an awesome book!

Rating: * * * *

Sequel (s): N/A

Never Too Late

Three Days Grace

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Book Name: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: Book #1

Total Amount of Pages: 485

Genre: Adventure, Urban Fantasy (Demons)

Blurb: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.

But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Favourite Character: Magnus Bane

Comments: City of Bones was well-planned and a classic fantasy. It was very unique because the plot was simple and easy to understand. What made it different was the fact that it was urban-fantasy, a type of fantasy that not many people read about.

Cassandra spent time in her character designs, and it showed. The leading male role was not your average 'super sweet, protect the girl he loves and would die for her" type of guy. Jace was cocky and arrogant, although he had feeling for Clary he did make it seem as though it was more of a job to protect Clary than anything. He would die for the adrenaline of fighting not for people, necessarily; he fought as though he didn't care in the ending result as long as he enjoyed it, which he did.

The only part I didn't like was the ending, it was surprising but disappointing. Characters you trusted and liked turned out to conceiving and evil. The worst part was that Cassandra threw a curve ball and hit everyone with the fact that two characters were actually siblings completely ruining the romantic chemistry between them. It's up for debate whether or not I will continue the series but I still recommend others to read it. 

Rating: * * * *

Sequel (s): City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of the Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire 

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Holes by Louis Sachar

Book Name: Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Series: Book #1

Total Amount of Pages: 233

Genre: Adventure

Blurb: Stanley Yelnats isn't too surprised to find himself at Camp Green Lake, digging holes in the dried up lake bed, day after scorching day. After all, his family has a history of bad luck.
The boys at Camp Green Lake must dig one hole each day, five feet deep and five feet across. But what are they digging for? Why did Green Lake dry up? And what do onions and lizards have to do with it all? The answers lie in Stanley's own past...

Favourite Character: Kissin’ Kate Barlow

Comments: One of my favorite books from when I was younger. It was well-planned out and all the characters were unique and lovable. It was an easy-going and yet it dealt with problems in a boy's life that was rather serious. I laughed out loud reading this book from some of the things the characters said. The book was short but creative. Louis is definitely thorough with his writing. I felt like I was in the novel.

The characters names were creative and funny. I liked how everyone had a nickname for what they were in Camp Green Lake for. I also loved how the boys called Mr. Pendanskii (their tent manager) mom. Mr. Pendanskii said they did it as a way of feeling comforted but the boys said it was just for the heck of it and they got a good laugh every single time they called him mom.

The book was a good way of getting a look at the laws and showing that sometimes things are judged unfairly. Stanley didn't deserve to go to Camp Green Lake but he had to because of a faulty accusation. Even though he had to go, he was able to make the best of it which is what matters.

Rating: * * * *

Sequel (s): Small Steps

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Book Name: The Outsiders

Author: S.E. Hinton

Series: N/A

Total Amount of Pages: 180

Genre: Realistic fiction

Blurb: Ponyboy can count on his brothers, and on his friends.  But not on much besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up "greasers" like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect- until the night someone takes things too far.

Favourite Character: Dally Winston

Comments: I loved this novel! I usually don't like class novels because we analyze the novel until you realize that it wasn't actually as good as you thought it was, but this book was different, it was utterly amazing. The characters were unique and had interesting names that stuck in your head, like Sodapop and Ponyboy.

S.E Hinton said herself that the reason it's stayed so popular over the years because teens feel like they can't talk to adults, like they wouldn't understand. She said she felt like that when she wrote the novel. The fact that she wrote this at age fifteen still amazes me but it enhances your reading experience because you know she has some real insight on the character's feelings.

The story was sad but happy all at the same time. It was funny but upsetting. The characters loved each other so much; they would do anything to protect each other, even if that meant dying for each other. It was just a cute and enjoyable book!

Rating:  * * * * *

Sequel (s): N/A

If Everyone Cared

Nickleback

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Book Name: Eleanor and Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Series: N/A

Total Amount of Pages: 320

Genre: Realistic fiction, Romance

Blurb: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Favourite Character: Eleanor

Comments: It was absolutely breath-taking. The writing was flawless and relatable. It wasn't a love story where you couldn't understand their emotions. These teens reacted just how I expect anyone else would. They said the things you might catch yourself saying; the cheesy things, the funny things, the embarrassing things; things you would say when you forgot to filter what you said before you spoke.

The book was honest as were the characters. They weren't stereotypical good-looking, jaw-dropping people but that's what made them special. They didn't need to be skinny or have perfect hair or to be tall; they were human.

Everything in the book fit together like a perfectly-crafted puzzle. The ending leaves you speechless and you can't help but wish that there was more because it was so good but happy that there wasn't more because it would taint what was finished.

It will make you laugh, cry and smile. Eleanor and Park will make you wish you had a love that they have and make you look at situations differently.
It will have a lasting effect on you.

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): N/A


Everybody
Ingrid Nelson 

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Book Name: Finale

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Book #4

Total Amount of Pages: 454

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Fallen Angels)

Blurb: Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.

Favourite Character: Patch

Comments: It was amazing! I was really worried how the series would end. I mean to be fair, if you really look there are a lot of similarities between Hush, Hush and Twilight so I was scared that it wouldn't end decently. I wanted a mind-blowing ending and I got it. I practically cried my way through the last ten chapters. One thing I love about this series is that you even love the bad guys, it makes the how thing super fun. Another note on just Nora vs. Bella in general; Nora proves that she can do things on her own, but Patch makes his lovely appearances.

The last line of the epilogue was great! It was so fitting for Patch as a character. I really loved it and I cried for ages. The ending was fabulous and didn't disappoint. It was fitting for the characters and just perfect!All loose ends are tied which was nice to see because nothing is worse than not having a final ending. I guess some things could be predictable if you really thought about it but I read the book so fast that I really didn't have a chance.  It was amazing and will not disappoint. I would write more but I don't want to spoil anything!

Also, my feelings on the cover and title, which isn't that important but I need to let it out. *sigh* WHY! All the title names were great and memorable but Finale? I was horrified when I found that out. Like seriously I am not going to go up to someone and be all “My favorite book is Finale.” That sounds stupid and lame. The cover was also extremely cheesy but I got over it because I've seen worse.

I definitely recommend the series! It's awesome and you're all going to love it! So start reading it now! 

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): N/A

Endlessly

The Cab

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Book Name: Silence

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Book #3

Total Amount of Pages: 438

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Fallen Angels)

Blurb: The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past... bridged two irreconcilable worlds... faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust... and all for love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for-and their love-forever. 

Favourite Character: Patch 

Comments: AMAZING! It was so good. The only part I didn't like was the fact that at the beginning of the book Nora had amnesia. There was good reason for this but; it felt like we went back in time to the first book. There was some really nice fluff (thank you Becca!) that made the book so cute.

This was the book that kind of made the plot deeper. There were so many twists and turns that there are many unanswered questions that will be answered in the following book, Finale. Were beginning to learn about characters we may not have thought would play a part in the novel anymore or very largely. I absolutely loved when Dabria came back. It was rather entertaining when she and Nora met up at the Devil’s Handbag.

This book was so high-action and just wow. The last line of the book just tells us that the final book is going to be intense. I'm looking forward to see how it ends but I'm sure Becca has something crazy up her sleeve. 

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): Finale

Angel with a Shotgun 

The Cab

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Book Name: Crescendo

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Book #2

Total Amount of Pages: 407

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Fallen Angels)

Blurb: Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. 

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadn’t been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something. 

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts

Favorite Character: Patch 

Comments: Just as well planned out as the first book. Everything fit into place in the end, no matter how confused you were actually reading the novel. I did cry in this book, just warning you. I won't spoil it or nothing but, I cried three times, during the whole book. I usually don’t cry but I did, god I feel embarrassed.

This is the always expected break-up book of the series that we all hate and love. Nora and Patch break-up pretty early on in the book which always happens which sucks but you learn to just roll with it. The book was still good and it makes sense for the overall storyline to develop. 

What I really enjoyed in particular about this book was that it explained more on Nora’s father’s death, which I know everyone was very curious about. It’s nice to know it was supernatural and that it fit in with everything! Not a flaw in Becca’s amazing writing.

Talk about a cliffhanger! The last line of the novel was honestly the best line ever. I have never been so excited to read a sequel. Bring it on Becca!

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): Silence and Finale


Go Ahead
FireFlight

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Book Name: Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Book #1

Total Amount of Pages: 391

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Fallen Angels)

Blurb: Romance had not been part of Nora Grey’s plan. She’d never been particularly attracted to any of the guys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen -- and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Favorite Character: Patch

Comments: I loved every minute of Hush Hush. It had me confused the whole way through, trying to figure out what was going on. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I just couldn't stop reading. Becca described everything so amazingly, that I felt like I WAS Nora. Especially near the end, when I was reading in the middle of the night, I had to go pee, and I was scared that someone (not saying the name so I don’t spoil it) was going to come and kill me if I went to the bathroom.

The plot structure was amazing! I loved the series as well as the characters. I was so sad when the book ended but my sadness soon went to excitement when I realized that there was another book that is definitely worth reading!

Her character development was spectacular. Patch was definitely the best but as I had said before I felt like Nora. I was in her shoes, and everything she experienced was what was happening to me. I have barely ever felt this when I read. Feeling the same overwhelming emotions as the character had, made the book come to life for me. No book was ever able to create that sensation for me before. 

Hush, Hush is one of my favorite books of all time. It reminds me a lot of Twilight but was much better. I recommend to everyone! It was amazing!

Rating:  * * * * *

Sequel (s): Crescendo, Silence and Finale

Angels
Within Temptation

***Movie News*** 

The rights for the Hush, Hush movie have been sold to LD Entertainment! Becca Fitzpatrick will not be writing the script and the casting has not happened yet but either way, we're probably getting a movie! 

For more information: Hush, Hush movie announcement 

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Book Name: The Reckoning

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Series: Book #3

Total Amount of Pages: 391

Genre: Horror (minimal), Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Blurb: Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately, Chloe happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. She and her equally gifted (or should that be 'cursed'?) friends are now running for their lives from the evil corporation that created them. 

As if that's not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she's leaning towards the werewolf...
Definitely not normal. 

Favourite Character: Derek

Comments: The Reckoning ended the trilogy and I couldn't have been happier. Chloe and the rest of the gang developed their powers in this book and even had mentors to work with. It had a steady pace so you weren't bored but it wasn't too much information at once. We also got to have a little more insight as to why Chloe doesn't have contact with her mom which answered some questions. 

The ending was good but it didn't feel finished, which I guess what the point. Kelley left it open-ended which hints that there could be more adventures featuring the same characters. Either way, I was happy with the way it finished. 

I highly recommend the Darkest Powers Trilogy. It's an awesome supernatural series and it will keep you glued until you finish it. The books have a good story line that keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): N/A

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

Book Name: The Awakening

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Series: Book #2

Total Amount of Pages: 357

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Blurb: If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I’m as far away from normal as it gets. I’m a living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I can raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever. I’m running for my life with three of my supernatural friends and we have to find someone who can help us gain our freedom back before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

Favorite Character: Derek

Comments: Kelley Armstrong never ceases to impress me with her amazing writing. This book was a particular favorite of mine, mainly because Derek and Chloe got closer as a couple. I could see that that was what everything was leading to and I was excited.

The story develops and you meet new characters and they face new challenges. In this book you learn more about the supernatural side of the characters which is extremely interesting.

The Awakening was a speed read for me and the twists and turns didn't end. The book was in some ways better than the first and the characters become more than just people stuck together but a band of friends. Each character is super unique and I learned to love everyone of them. 

The end of the book makes you curious about what will happen next and make you crave the final book. I read the Awakening in less than a week and I definitely recommend it to all supernatural fans. 

Rating: * * * * *

Sequel (s): The Reckoning and the Summoning