BOOK REVIEW: THE IRON KING

Book Details:
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pages: Paperback, 363
Publish Date: February 1st 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 1: Iron Fey
Location: United States, Nevernever

Rating: 3.25 /5 Roses

Book Blurb:
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

First Sentence:
Ten years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.

Verdict:
This has been on my radar for awhile because I one I love fae and two, I heard this was really good. It did start out good. Meghan is turning sixteen. She comes from a poor family. She has a crush on the most popular guy and school. Her best friend Robbie is her only friend. She gets a wake up call when her little half brother is taken into the Nevernever by a fae. The quest to get her brother back starts. We have another love triangle going and just FYI...I'm Team Puck. I know it is a lost cause and she will be all about Ash, a prince of the Winter Court. I didn't care much for him. I read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and I loved it. I enjoyed this and I will read on and hope Ash gets less annoying.

Liked: The fae
Disliked: Dragged some
Book Cover: Pretty
Characters: Good
Favorite Character: Puck
Writing: Great
Plot: Great
Ending: Good

2012 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Picture
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Director
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

Lead Actor
Demian Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Lead Actress
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Supporting Actress
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help

Original Screenplay
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
J.C. Chandor, Margin Call
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Asghar Farhadi, A Separation

Adapted Screenplay
Nat Faxon, Alexander Payne and Jim Rash, The Descendants
John Logan, Hugo
George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon, The Ides of March
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball
Peter Straughan and Bridget O'Connor, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Animated Feature
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Foreign Language Film
Bullhead, Belgium
Footnote, Israel
In Darkness, Poland
Monsieur Lahzar, Canada
A Separation, Iran

Any predictions?

I say Meryl Streep for the win.

Picture? The Descendants. 

BOOK REVIEW BY EVANGELINE: GONE

For 2012 Dystopian Reading Challenge

Book Details:
Author: Michael Grant
Pages: Paperback, 558
Publish Date: July 1st, 2008
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA Dystopian/ Science Fiction
Series: Book 1: Gone Series
Location: United States

Rating: 4/5 Roses

Book Blurb:
Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...


First Sentence:
One minute the teacher was talking about the Civil War, and the next minute he was gone.

Verdict: Michael Grant has a great ability to create a world that takes hold on you and begs you to ask questions after each chapter. I was completely drawn into this book from the first sentence and I stayed up very late to find out what would happen to Sam and his friends. The only problem I had with this book was the constant action. I know what you are thinking. "How can you complain about a book with nonstop action! You could never get bored!" Thats right, I didn't get bored, but I started to get a little overwhelmed when each page was a new battle, and a new problem that arised. I felt like the book could have been that much better if Michael Grant spaced out that action a little bit and gave us more character building. But hey! It's only the first book which is slated to be (I think) a 6 book series. I am very intrigued to keep reading the series, it's just one of those books you can't read the series back to back without your mind blowing up!


Liked: Plot
Disliked: Constant action!
Book Cover: It's OK
Characters: They were awesome
Favorite Character: Astrid
Writing: Great
Plot: Fantastic
Ending: Second book please