Saturday, January 22, 2011

Beastly: by Alex Flinn

Description:
This is a twist on the story of the Beauty and the Beast.  I initially read the story after seeing the movie trailer for the movie coming out in March.  It look very intreging.I have to say, however, that the movie is not the same in the book in that the Beast is truly a beast in the book and is a tattoed guy in the movie. 
If you know the story from the disney movie, then you basically know the story.  Although this is an updated version taking place in New York with teens dealing with parent issues.

My thoughts:
Even though I was familiar with the story and knew what was going to happen, in general, throughout the story...I still couldn't put it down!  I liked the way the story flowed and felt vested with the characters. 


My rating:
4 stars

Hate List: By Jennifer Brown

Description:
This is the story of the aftermath of a school shooting.  Told by Valerie, the shooters girlfriend.  It takes the reader through the mixed feelings students have as they deal with guilt for surviving and guilt for not knowing it was going to happen and stopping it.

My thoughts:
I really liked this book.  I thought it took an unique take with the character being the shooters girlfriend.  the book takes the reader through the process of healing, from accusing Valerie of being a part of the shooting to recognixing her as a hero for stopping it.  It is a thought provoking novel.


My rating: 
5 stars

Saturday, January 8, 2011

DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Well here we go on my first review.  I know it isn't a debut author but I had to finish it before I could start the contest!
DUFF stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend: 
It is the friend that is the ugliest of a group of friends.  I remember that the concept was around when I was younger, just didn't have the term.
I really liked the book.  I especially liked the relationship that grew between Bianca and Wesley, the lead characters.  That relationship is what made the book hard to put down.  I think young people will especially enjoy this book because it touches on so many issues that face kids today.  The only draw back I had was that at times the author wrote as if she was directly talking to the reader.  It only happened a few times in the book and felt a bit unnatural.  I also wondered as I was reading it if the curse words were really necessary.  I know a few of them were but at times it seemed that it was overdone.  There is pretty explicet sex in the book and is a theme throughout, I felt it was an important part of the story and it didn't bother me.
So over all I would definitly recommend this book.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Here's where you can find out more info!

Here is the link to The Story Siren for more information about the Debut Authors Challenge
http://www.thestorysiren.com/2010/11/sign-up-for-2011-debut-author-challenge.html

Very Excited!

I am very excited to be signing up for the challenge!  I will be participating the in the Debut Author Challenge this year!