Book Review : If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Posted by Aik at 7:18 PM | Labels: , , ,
book cover of If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Book Details:
  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday & Co Inc. (7 May 2009)
  • ISBN-10: 0385616201
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385616201
Synopsis:

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love— music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind? Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it’s the only one that matters.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman is a bestseller and has received lots of compliments by book critics, bloggers and reviewers. Gayle weaves the past and present nicely, and as the story unfolds, Mia's past memories are being played like a movie. With each piece of memory, we know more about Mia's world before the accident: a happy and loving family, a great boyfriend, a passion for music.

An accident destroys everything, all except her love for music. Now, she can only hear, see and touch, but cannot feel anything. And no one senses her presence. She has a great choice to make - one that has tremendous effects on everyone around her, including herself - to stay and keep on living her life, or to leave and join her family in another world.

I really liked reading about Mia's love for music and her wonderful family. I think her boyfriend Adam is also a great character. He is caring, loving, and he has no intentions to give up on Mia although she is on the brink of life and death.

I'm confused about something, though. When Mia saw her dad lying dead on the road, she didn't feel anything. Wasn't she suppose to feel something? Grief, sadness, shock? And one more thing is that I find it lacking of suspense, and sometimes the story moves on a little bit too slowly.

Although I didn't feel emotionally connected to Mia, sometimes tears still come to my eyes. I'm sure that no one would find it easy to make choices were they in her shoes. If I Stay is moving and thought-provoking, and I'd recommend it to both teenagers and adults.

Rating: 3.685

Many thanks to Random House UK for sending me a review copy of If I Stay! :)

Gayle Forman's Blog :: Gayle Forman's Website
If I Stay Official Website

Buy If I Stay:


US Version:
Friday, December 25, 2009 1 creative remarks

Book Review : Need by Carrie Jones

Posted by Aik at 7:59 PM | Labels: , , , ,


Book Details:
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (December 23, 2008)
  • ISBN-10: 1599903385
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599903385
  • Genre: Paranormal fantasy

Review:

After her stepfather's death, Zara is sent to sleepy, cold Maine to stay with her grandmother in order to be "safe". But it turns out that she isn't safe after all - someone who leaves trails of gold glitter is stalking her. And her stalker is no ordinary human.

Zara is a heroin like no other. She memorizes and chants phobias (which I find quite interesting), is a clever girl, and yes, she sure has the guts. She doesn't seem to enjoy living in Maine because of the cold weather, but she enjoyed her grandmother's company. Her grams is a nice, kind, warm old woman who is quite protective of her granddaughter and I really like her character. Her humorous tone makes me smile sometimes. I also love that this 60-year-old lady actually works as a paramedic!

Zara's best friends Issie and Devyn are always there to help her. But the popular girl, Megan seems to loathe her. And the two boys - Ian and Nick, are always competing for her attention. Whom can she trust and confide in? Is it the always-smiling, helpful Ian, or the handsome, protective Nick?

In this exciting novel, Carrie Jones brings us to a realm where diabolical pixies with sharp teeth and unquenchable needs exist. Full of suspense, danger, surprises, and a suitable amount of romance, I'm sure NEED will capture the hearts of teenagers who have a liking for paranormal fantasy. I highly recommend NEED to all Twilight fans.

Rating: 9/10


Reviewed by Aik
Monday, December 21, 2009 3 creative remarks

Book Review : Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Posted by Aik at 7:57 PM | Labels: , , , ,
I love this cover ~ It's so pretty!

Book Details:
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (July 21, 2009)
  • ISBN-10: 0802798128
  • ISBN-13: 978-0802798121
Synopsis:
When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother's coffee shop, she leaves him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over, never expecting this random act of kindness to turn her life upside down. The adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is actually a guardian angel on a break between missions, and now he won't leave until he can reward Katrina's selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Fame and fortune seem like the obvious requests, but after two botched wishes, Malcolm knows Katrina is hiding something from him. But how can she tell him the truth, when her heart's desire has become Malcolm himself?

Review:

I absolutely adored this book! It holds my attention until the last page! Coffeehouse Angel is narrated by Katrina, the shy and self-conscious girl who lives with her grandmother, Anna, who owns an old-fashioned coffeehouse. Katrina thinks herself as plain and ordinary, being not aware of her talents. When her grandmother falls sick and her business is threatened by their next-door-neighbor, Java Heaven, Katrina's worries starts to double.

Although Malcolm is an angel, his appearance is quite quirky - he wears kilt. This has aroused some small talks among Katrina's friends and family. Suzanne instilled a flash of humor in some of the pages, which makes me laugh. Malcolm wants to grant Katrina's biggest wish/deepest desire. But the problem is, Katrina doesn't even know what is her deepest desire.

Suzanne's writing is really good! I love all the characters, and the flow of the story is excellent! Although the words used are simple, the meaning behind them is huge. Forgiveness is one of the main themes of this story. Katrina learns to forgive the nefarious owner of Java Heaven, Mr. Darling after a conversation with her grandmother in the hospital.

Always remember that to forgive is to set someone free. (pg 217)

I love the ending of the story and wouldn't prefer it another way! If you want to know what happened, please be sure to get yourself a copy of Coffeehouse Angel. Cute, romantic and heart-warming, Coffeehouse Angel is guaranteed to be delicious and entertaining to the last drop!

Rating: 10/10

A great THANK YOU to Suzanne Selfors for sending me a (signed) hardcover copy of Coffeehouse Angel! ♥
1 creative remarks

Book Review : The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby

Posted by Koey at 3:39 PM | Labels: , , ,
Giveaway : The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby on Friends & Family blog. Open to US/Canada, ends Monday, 21st December, 2009.

Book details:
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (March 19, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0525479708
ISBN-13: 978-0525479703

Synopsis:

Life in the court of King Henry VIII is a complex game. When fifteen-year-old Catherine Howard catches the king's eye, she quickly transforms from pawn to queen. But even luxury beyond imagination loses its luster as young Catherine finds her life and her heart threatened by the needs of an aging king and a family hungry for power. Will their agendas deliver Catherine to the same fate as her infamous cousin, Anne Boleyn sacrificed at the altar of family ambition?

My review:


Catherine Howard, King Henry’s 'rose without a thorn' was only fifteen years old when she caught the his lustful eye. Her life changed that very moment. She was introduced to a glamorous and luxurious world which she had not encountered before she became Queen. At first, she found it interesting to pamper herself with gorgeous, specially-tailored gowns and dresses, exquisite, one-of-a-kind jewels and indulge herself in elaborate revelries.

It was not long before she realized the truth that she was merely a pawn of the Howard clan in a game of power and politics. She had to hide her true self and burn her past, for many were out there, waiting for a chance to pull her down into the big, black abyss of no return.

I feel pity for Catherine Howard, because she did not have a choice. In fact, she never had. She was only a teenage girl who had no rule over her own fate. I won't reveal the ending to those who haven't read this book, but I assure you that The King's Rose, a story constructed on accurate historical facts, is exceptionally well-written, highly entertaining, and plausible.

Alisa uses her fascinating style of writing to deliver the story in Catherine’s point of view, which gives me a more exact idea of her feelings, emotions and life. Catherine’s character is portrayed realistically, but somehow, readers will feel that this young girl is very naïve.

Alisa describes the Tudor court brilliantly. Thou shalt not trust anyone in court. The court is a dangerous place full of conspiracies, backstabbers and powerful clans who are hungry for power.The King’s Rose is written for young adults but I think adults will enjoy it as well. Through this novel, you will know more about Catherine's life as the fifth wife of King Henry, relish the grandeur of the Tudor court, and have a real view of what is it like to life in a place where you are all alone and there is nobody you can trust.

Overall, The King's Rose is a great read. If you are a fan of historical fictions, you MUST read this book. I promise you will love it! Lastly, if you think being married to a King means a fairytale with a happy ending, maybe you would want to consider about it again.

Rating : 10/10

A great THANK YOU to Alisa M. Libby for sending me a signed hardcover copy of The King’s Rose!

Don't forget to enter: Giveaway : The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby on Friends & Family blog. Open to US/Canada, ends Monday, 21st December, 2009.

Reviewed by: Aik

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 2 creative remarks
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