Deadly Pink by Vivian Vande Velde

Grace feels like she has always grown up in her older sister's, Emily's, shadow. Emily works at Rasmussem, where she helps create virtual reality games that are so realistic, you can smell the flowers in the game. All of a sudden Emily traps herself in the game, Grace is the only one left to get her out. What could have possibly happened to force Emily to hide there? There's only so long that Emily can stay safe in this virtual game, that much exposure to Rasmussem's technology can kill Emily. Grace must step into the game to get her sister out but is there any chance that Emily will listen?

I loved that the story immediately stepped into the main conflict, which was that Emily has hidden herself in a little girl's virtual reality game. The story line was very original. Some parts of the story were useless and didn't add to the story but they didn't take away from it either. One of those parts was when Grace only got half of her wish because she only paid half the price of it. The tone of the story was uninteresting but the story was good enough that the tone could be easily forgotten. Even though the end wasn't necessarily "happy" but it was very well-thought out.

I really liked how much Grace and Emily grew by the end of the story. At first both of the sisters seemed really boring but then Grace was supposed to be average and Emily was supposed to be mysterious. I liked the other characters too but they weren't really that important in the story. There was one character that Grace meet when she was in the game. Even though Grace couldn't understand him, it felt that he would be significant to the story but it turned out that he was useless.

 

The Princess and the Pauper by Kate Brian

Julia Johnson is struggling with money. She isn't nearly as rich as the other girls in the school, her mother is on her own to provide for Julia and her cat. Suddenly, Julia gets an amazing and scary opportunity when Carina, the princess of Vineland, comes to school. Who knew they would look so similar? And ten thousand is a lot of money and just might be enough to help her mother. So when Carina proposes that Julia and her switch places, how can she say no? The plan seems great until Carina doesn't come back so they can switch back. How much longer can she keep this up?

The idea behind this story has been used so many times that it's tiring. The author did however bring a new sense of originality into it. The story seemed choppy at times but it made it more suspenseful. It didn't have the happy ending that I was hoping for. I would have liked to see a different one. It was a pretty good book but I wouldn't read it to seriously.

Both Julia and Carina seemed pretty annoying. They also didn't grow much by the end of the story. No character really stood out much. So I can't say much about them. But Carina was too immature and Julia was too serious. Although I did like Carina did gain maturity in the end.

 



Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calontia

Kaitlin Burke has always been known as the famous celebrity from Family Affair. But Kaitlin's had enough of it. She just wants to go to high school without people recognizing who she really. So she comes up with the ultimate plan to disguise herself and go there against the beliefs of her parents and publicist. How long can she keep this up? How will Austin react when he learns the truth about Kaitlin?
At first I loved this book but then the plot started to get cheesy. But I kept reading anyway. This book is probably the worst in the entire series. The writing style was cute and easy to relate to. I also liked how it was pretty easy to follow even though the overall plot was complicated. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a light-hearted book and can wait to read the second book which is much better.
The characters were believable. But Kaitlin didn't seem like the heroine that she was supposed to. Some of the characters were classic. Austin was a great but came off as annoying at times. The Burke family was pretty funny and interesting to read about.

I've reviewed two others of Jen Calonita's novels. Here is a link to her Sleepaway Girls and here is a link to her Belles.
 

She's So Money by Cherry Cheva

Maya and Camden are complete opposites. Maya is a good girl who works in her family's restaurant and works hard to get good grades. Camden is an egoistic jock. But one devastating mistake and suddenly they must join forces. There must be a better way to fix it. But now Camden and Maya have to work together. The worst part, Maya might just be developing feelings for the one person she never thought she would.

The story's tone made you feel as though you were in the story. Although, Maya's decisions were not my favorite which made the story feel unrealistic. My least favorite part was the end which I thought was completely unnecessary. The story's pace was nice but the climax went by on a rather slow pace. Overall, it was fun to read in your free time.

Camden was an interesting character to read about because as the story kept progressing you could tell how different he was from what you first thought he was. Maya was okay. Her character failed to be seen as the important main character that she was supposed to be.

Cherry Cheva has written another book and you can check out my review of it here.
 

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Shelby has lost her stepmother's trust after she is seen kissing an older boy. Her parents choose to send her to brat camp in hope that it will "fix" her. But soon she comes across Austin, the son of a famous rock star, but are his good looks to make Shelby forget about his secret? But when it's threatened to be let out, Shelby maybe the only person who can help him. But with her parent's trust in her wavering, is helping him worth the risk?
At first the book came off as catty and lacking in character. But as it progressed it showed quite some depth. Austin's secret seemed pretty obvious from a reader's point of view. And the love story between Shelby and Austin was both sweet but sometimes felt kind of hopeless. The suspense built by it made the story more interesting.The story felt like a combination of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast without being too obvious.  Overall, it is a good book to read in your free time.
The characters were pretty average. Austin made the most impact on the story. The characters grew throughout the book, Shelby especially. She eventually turned into the main character that most people could look up to.



Belles by Jen Calonita

Sweet and full of drama. Izzie Scott was raised in Harborside, which is looked down upon from those in Emerald Cove. She spends her time taking care of her grandmother and going to the beach to meet a cute surfer. With her grandmother's health decreasing, Izzie is sent to live with her supposed uncle in Emerald Cove. Izzie struggles to fit into this newly introduced and glamorous life. Her cousin Mira is also having a hard time trying to get Izzie to fit into Emerald Prep. Mira's loyalties are being put to the test. But one big secret is threatening to ruin whatever balance they can find.

The climax of the story was unexpected and a complete surprise. The story was overall very charming. It seemed to be very realistic and easy to relate with. There was a sweet blend of romance and the struggles with Mira and her friends showed that even the most glamorous of lives aren't perfect. When the book ended, I was dying to find out what happened next.

Izzie is a stunning and stubborn girl while Mira is a beautiful and doesn't want to lose her status. Both girls are very different but slowly start to connect. Mira's family was very supporting of both girls and were a joy to read about. From the beginning you could tell a lot about the characters which I definitely appreciated.

Jen Calonita has written a few other books so by clicking here you'll see my review of her book Sleepaway Girls and by clicking here you'll see my review of her book Secrets of My Hollywood Life.

 



Jinx by Meg Cabot

Jean also known as Jinx has left her hometown looking for a fresh start. She might have caused a little bit of trouble there so maybe moving in with her aunt and uncle will be better. Everything seems to be getting better until she finds out more about her cousin Tory. Tory is convinced that Jinx is a witch. So much for a new start.

There was a nice sense of mystery revolving around the story. I really wanted to know what the big secret was and Jinx's reactions. The idea behind the story was great. I liked the idea of a modern witch story. But the way that it was carried out wasn't too special. The building of the plot was wonderful but the climax of the story failed to meet the set expectations.

The characters weren't that bad. Jinx's aunt and uncle were nice and fit into the story perfectly. Tory was memorable. Jinx was an amazing main character . The story behind each character was interesting but a lot of the supporting  characters failed to make a significant impact on the story.

Click here to see a review of another one of Meg Cabot's novels.



The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

A lovable and simple book that's great to read during the summer. Alona is now a ghost after being run over by a bus. She needs help but the only person who can is Will and he refuses. Will is struggling himself. He has to somehow keep himself out a hospital but that's almost impossible while what he believes to be his father's ghost is trying to kill him. But the hardest task yet is for the both of them is to work together to put an end to their problems.

At first I couldn't tell when the climax was coming but when it came it was interesting and exciting. Throughout the entire book you could feel Alona and Will's relationship growing. The idea that the book is based off of is very interesting. There are not too many books that you will find that are like this one. It left me wanting to read the next one. I also loved how the book changed from Alona's point of view to Will's.

Alona at first wasn't one of those character's that people immediately fall in love with but she started softening up as the book went on. Will was not really ever hated but he was confusing at times though but in the end you could understand his personality. The other characters were okay but didn't get much emphasize. But the lack of emphasize brought more attention to Alona and Will which is the main part of the story.

 

 

The Diamonds by Ted Michael

An inspiring and very realistic novel. Marni is lucky enough to be part of super popular group in Bennington School. But after she makes the mistake of getting too close to Clarissa's ex-boyfriend, they quickly kick her out. The school's mock-trial system seems like a good idea until people start to get hurt. Marni now must go against her old friends and stand up for the people she once looked down upon.

The story started off slowly and steadily. But after Marni gets kicked out of the Diamonds the story picks up quickly. The overall plot is very easy to connect with. Almost everyone can understand how Marni feels after losing her friends and how she wants the world to know about how awful they really are. The ending is interesting and can be a little bit of a cliffhanger. This is one of the times that the cliffhanger adds to the story and makes you think more about what happens next.

Marni is very easy to connect with and there are many times that I felt sympathy for her. Anderson, the Diamonds and many other made big impacts on the story whether it was good or bad. The people who the Diamonds made fun of turned out to be a lot better than they were described. The fact that the Diamonds treated them so poorly before they got to now them was really an eye opener.

 



The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal

A sweet and rather simple book to read. Sirena spends her summer with her aunt who lives on the beach. There she learns about the strange creatures that are living with her. But who can think about them while there's Pilot stealing her attention? Without a doubt, Pilot has something different about him.
An easy to understand book and easy to connect with. Overall, it was okay. It was hard to tell which was the main story. Was it the strange roomates or the mystery surronding Pilot? I had a hard time telling which was more important. The beginning was horribly slow. I had a hard time making myself read it. But the most exciting part was the end and if it wasn't for it, the book would have been a lot worse.
The characters were not that special. Pilot and his family were interesting to learn about but Sirena just didn't seem too important. The two main characters were kind of easy to connect with but I felt as though they could have been more interesting to the readers. Pilot's and Sirena's love story however was very sweet and fun to read about. 

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

 

Vampire Academy is the beginning for an amazing series. Rose and Lissa have been on the run for quite sometime but after being caught and brought back St. Vladamir's Academy they must adjust to the school again. Rose is being mentored by the gorgeous Dimitri, but he's a teacher. Life at school starts out rough for the two of them. After dealing with bullies, Rose and Lissa learn who is there to help them and who isn't. Lissa learns much more about herself and Rose learns more about the bond she shares with Lissa.
The beginning left me feeling a little bit lost. I had no idea what was going on but after a little while the plot started to clear up. The idea of vampires is very commonly used but something about Vampire Academy made it seem more original than the others. Overall, it was a nice and sweet blend of action and romance. However, the action seemed to be more of the main genre. I love books that tend to be more fast paced and Vampire Academy was perfect in this aspect. It wasn't too slow that it got boring yet it wasn't so fast that you couldn't tell what was happening. All in all, creative and brought a new perspective about vampires.
The characters were easy to love and look up to. Rose and Lissa were interesting and everything about them seemed to suit them. Dimitri was mature and you can tell that Rose and him are made for each other. A lot of characters were not up to the same level as the three but others whether they were evil or not were believable.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Sophie Jordan's Firelight is the amazing start of the trilogy. Jacinda is part of the draki community but her mother and sister don't feel like they belong because they aren't draki. After Jacinda makes a big mistake and risks the safety of the community, her mother forces them to leave the safe area. Jacinda fights to preserve her draki but what if her draki only feels alive when she's with Will? Will is the charming hunter whose family hunts her kind. How much will she sacrifice for love?

The overall plot is overused but the small details made it more original. The ending was a cliff hanger so there was no doubt that I would read the second book. The idea behind this book was well thought. The action was best in the beginning and the end while the middle of the book was mainly romance. The book is overall a great blend of various genres which make a good fit for almost everyone. Easy to follow and hard to put down read.

The characters were interesting but didn't stand out much. Tamra and her mother seemed immature. Jacinda was fairly interesting but Will was more interesting after Jacinda learned that he wasn't much like his family. Cassian was alright but didn't develop much as a character. All characters were fine but failed to make lasting impressions except Jacinda and Will.

 



Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Zoey Redbird has recently discovered that she's a vampyre. She soon learns that she is a vamprye fledgling after she is marked by a Tracker. Nyx, the goddess of night, visits Zoey and appears to have blessed and made her special compared to the others. It is proved that this is true as she is the only vampyre even known to have affinities with all of the five elements. But life still isn't easy for Zoey. Her family practically has abandoned her, she made her first enemy at the House of Night, she Imprinted her ex-boyfriend, and learned that her best friend has betrayed her. Even with her new friends, kind mentor and possible boyfriend, will she become a full-grown vampyre or will she die before?
The world that this book takes place is truly fascinating. Humans are aware of the existent of vampyres. The school is very similar to any normal school but has its own twist. The ending puts you on the edge of your seat. The beginning was slow but once Zoey arrived at the school, things started to get more interesting. The book definitely builds suspense since you never know who will be there one day and not the other if their bodies reject the change into a vampyre. A new take on vampires that is not only original but also entertaining.
Characters are just as interesting as the school they go to is. Nyx, Neferat, and Zoey's grandmother are very supportive and motherly while her own mother isn't; this makes them very likable characters. Zoey's friends are funny yet loyal to her. Aphrodite may seem to be a classic mean girl but there also is the feeling that there is something more to her. Many other characters make lasting impressions and make the reader feel as though they are really a part of the book.

By clicking here, you'll be able to see a quote from the novel.

 

Alphas by Lisi Harrison

Lisi Harrison's series Alphas starts with three girls with different talents attending Alpha Academy created by Shira Brazille. Skye (you might remember her from The Clique) thought that she was talented but after she arrives she soon learns that she might not be as good as she thought she was. After Charlie is forced to break up with her boyfriend Darwin, one of Shira Brazille's son's, she is trying everything she can to get him back. Allie has just been betrayed by her best friend and boyfriend and seeks escape by being someone she's not. All of them want one thing, to be the last Alpha remaining in the Academy.
This book is just the first out of four so the ending wasn't that exciting. But the last book did have that oh my gosh! moment so don't stop the series after the first book. This book does build some suspense and makes you want to find out what's next and who ends up to be the last Alpha standing. Alpha Academy does seem like a glamorous place to attend school. Overall, it wasn't bad, it was just okay.
All the characters were alright for the most part. Allie, Skye and Charlie did come off as annoying once or twice. Allie's choices were a little extreme. Shira came off as mean and flat out evil to me but I guess that only time will tell how she will be like later. The Brazille boys, except Darwin, seemed immature.

This isn't the only Lisi Harrison book I've reviewed so check out my Monster High review by clicking here.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I guess that many people have read Twilight or at least watched the movies. So pretty much everyone has an opinion about it. I just have to say that if you haven't read it, don't judge the book. Bella moves to live with her father up in the Northwest but she soon encounters some surprising people. They seem perfect and pale. She meets Edward, who is not only charming but also saves her life. What secrets could he be hiding? Is Bella getting herself into a mess or out of one?
Most people when they think about Twilight think about romance. This is true but the people who have read it know that there is also a nice bit of action in the climax. The beginning really grabbed the reader's attention and throughout the book, it kept that attention. However, after the climax, the story seemed to get a bit duller. Not awful, but just not as good as the beginning. The tone of the story seemed childish at times; it takes away from the story but not in a way that ruins it.
Some characters were memorable and some were easily forgettable. The characters that were connectible and interesting to read about were Edward, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Esme, and Carlisle. But Bella failed to make a lasting impression. She was immature and her reactions to Edward's secrets were not really believable. She is not horrible, just that other characters far more exciting than she was. Overall, it wasn't bad and is worth reading. It might leave you pleasantly surprised.

To see my post In Defense of the Twilight Series, click here.




Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita

 

I personally am a big fan of Jen Calonita so I had to read this book. Sam escapes from her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend during the summer to become a counselor-in-training. She soon becomes quick friends with a group of girls after she arrives. After meeting a few of the guys Sam has to choose between Hunter, who is beyond hot, or Cole, who is beyond sweet. But her camp isn't so easy as the "queen" of the camp is trying to ruin her life here at Whispering Pines.

A fun book to read. The climax wasn't as interesting as I would have liked but overall the story was entertaining. The tone of the book was fairly lighthearted and not so hard to follow which makes easy to get lost in it. Sam's experiences can relate to quite a lot of people. Whispering Pines seems like an amazing place that I would like to visit. Sleepaway Girls is calming and helps to deduce stress whenever you're reading it.

The characters were like people you could in your everyday life. The girls that Sam meet can easily be the same ones that you know. Guys like Cole, sensitive and sweet, maybe a little harder but they are there. I didn't however like the way that Hunter seemed kind of evil. I don't know if that is what was meant to be implied but Sam made it seem that way. Hunter was not evil, he just wasn't the guy for Sam. Other than that, I loved it and would recommend it to people who want a sweet book to read.

 

Click here to see a review of another one of Jen Calonita's book, Belles.
Click here from a review of Jen Calonita's Secrets of My Hollywood Life.


Evermore by Alyson Noel

Ever Bloom used to be pretty and popular but one day Ever's parents, little sister Riley, and pet dog died in a car accident. She is soon blessed or cursed with physic abilities. One day at school she meets Damen, a guy who grabs her attention. She wonders why she can't read his thoughts and why can't she see his aura. Ever has to deal with her dead sister who refuses to move on, a boy with far too many secrets and his jealous wife who is always trying to kill her.
I loved reading this book. Ever, Drina and Damen's story was fascinating. This book easily hooks readers' attention making it hard to put down. The climax was exciting and full of suspense. It combines romance and action very well and makes you want to believe that people like Damen and places like Summerland exist.
The characters for the most part were lovable such as Miles, Damen, Riley and most of the time Ever. Ever is pretty nice and can be relatable at times. But I'm saying she's likeable only most of the time since I didn't any real growth in her but there are more books in the series so I'm not judging her. Some characters that I could not stand were Drina and Haven. Haven is supposed to be a "good" character but I didn't find her to be easy to connect with. In general, it was pretty nice and made me want to keep reading the series.


Click here to see a review for another one of Alyson Noel's books, Kiss & Blog.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

 

I don't know if you've heard of the ABC Family Original Series Pretty Little Liars but the books are almost as good. Aria, Alison, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer are all best friends. One summer Alison disappears during a sleepover. Alison was one of the only reasons why they were friends, now that she's gone the girls start living their own lives.
Aria just came back from three years in Iceland and soon falls for her English teacher, Ezra Fitz. Emily starts to gain feelings for the new girl. Hanna has her own problems of shoplifting with her new best friend Mona. And Spencer starts liking her older sister's boyfriend, Wren.
But someone knows their secrets and keeps reminding them of it through messages signed with a single "-A". The four girls are left trying to find out who A is and how they know so much about them. Could it actually be Alison?
There are some small differences in the books and the television show. One such difference is Wren's last name which in the book is Kim but is Kingston in the show. Spencer's, Emily's, Aria's and Hanna's hair color are different from their hair colors in the show. Emily is an only child in the show but in the books she does have siblings. There are more differences but for the most part the book and show follow similar guidelines as of now.
There wasn't much that I would change in the book. But Ezra's character was not really likeable in the books. And other characters felt kind of distant at times. Overall, it was mysterious enough to make me want to read the next book.