Book Review : Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

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Claire de Lune, by Christine Johnson

Product Details:
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 18, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416991824
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416991823
Summary:

Torn between two destinies...

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all the sense of normalcy: She's a werewolf. As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love. Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart. she will make a choice that will change her forever...


Review:

When I first saw the cover and the title of this book, I knew that I had to read it. It was about a girl, Claire, whose life was about to change when she reached her sixteenth birthday. She found out that she was actually a werewolf. At first, she resented the idea of being a werewolf. She even tried to shave her fur. But eventually, she accepted her identity and fate and found out the benefits of being a werewolf.

The romance that blossomed between Claire and Matthew started at the beginning of the novel. It felt true and nice, but not overboard. I think that's what teenagers like to read about. I liked Matthew's character; he was such a good guy. I mean, really good guy. He's handsome, nice, kind, supportive and is good in sports. He opposed his dad's idea that all werewolves were evil.

This novel was mainly about Claire's huge transformation: from a normal girl to a werewolf and her attitude concerning the fact. Christine included a bad werewolf who hunted humans to add the suspense element in the story. Actually, I already figured out who the bad wolf is in the first half of the story. But it didn't make the story seemed dull. The story got more and more exciting towards the end of the novel.

Claire de Lune altered our previous concept of werewolves. In this novel, werewolves are all females, and humans are well-aware of their presence. In a nutshell, it is fast-paced, exciting and fun to read. I really enjoyed it. As a debut novel, Claire de Lune is quite promising. I hope to read more books by Christine in the future!

Rating : 8.5/10

I'd like to thank Christine Johnson and the representative of Simon Schuster for sending me a signed ARC for this review. Thank you!

.: Get you own copy of Claire de Lune on Amazon :.

http://www.christinejohnsonbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/christine-johnson-headshot.jpg

About The Author:
Christine Johnson grew up in, moved away from, and finally came home to, Indianapolis, Indiana. She lives there with her husband and two children in a creaky old house with a creaky old dog. Claire de Lune is her first novel.

How to Make Your Own Luminamen

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Luminamen

You have to download the instructions now before you close the page.

It's your only chance.

DOWNLOAD HERE ==> Download How to Make Your Own Luminamen.doc

I'm not sure if you know this, but she wove Fair O'Nelli's luminamen from threads she pulled from the Aurora Borealis (just like she does for all wee hoomin when they're born). It's their soul star, or what it would look like if they could see it for real.

If you ever played "Connect the Dots," you can do this. It's surprisingly easy, if you go step by step.

Included in the download:

  • A template for drawing on
  • A table that shows you where the letters of your name go on the template.

What you'll need:

  • A ruler
  • A pencil (unless you don't think you'll make mistakes.)
  • A pen
  • A flat surface to draw on

You might want colored pencils to color it in to put on your wall when you're done. Math teachers love this as an assignment to give to their students. Tell a teacher about this!

Book Review : Bad Apple by Laura Ruby

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Bad Apple

Product Details:
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 edition (October 6, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061243302
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061243301
Synopsis:

"If I really wanted to open up, I'd confess that I really am the liar everyone believes I am."

High-school junior Tola Riley has green hair, a nose ring, an attitude problem, and a fondness for fairy tales, which are a great escape from real life. Everyone thinks she's crazy; everyone says so. Everyone except Mr. Mymer, her art teacher. He gets her paintings and lets her hang out in the art room during lonely lunch periods.

But then rumors start flying and Tola is suddenly the center of a scandal. The whole town is judging her—even her family. When Mr. Mymer is suspended for what everyone thinks is an affair, she has no choice but to break her silence. Fairy tales won't help her this time . . . so how can she tell the truth? And, more importantly, will anyone believe her?


Synopsis:

A bad apple is often used to describe a troublesome person, coming from the quotation "one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel". It seems, to everyone, that Tola Riley is a bad apple. She has green hair, a great love for fairy tales and art, and is involved in a scandal with her art teacher, Mr. Mymer. Her whole world is turning upside down. Vicious rumors are spreading like wildfire through the school, and an anonymously-created website called thetruthabouttolariley.com is telling lies about her. As anyone could have predicted, no one believes what Tola claimed to be: that Mr. Mymer is innocent and she is not involved in an affair with him.

Tola is weird, but special in a different way - she is quirky and funny. I like the romance that is budding between Seven and her, and I wish that Laura had written more about this. Aside from her grandfather, her best friend June is the only one who is supporting her and keeping her sane throughout the whole "affair" thing. The bad girl in this story - Chelsea Patrick has an inclination towards hurting her ex-friend. She is crazily wicked, but that makes her character more realistic because there really are people like her.

I love the humour this book has offered. It made me laugh and kept me interested. In my opinion, Laura has done a good job on portraying every character in the story, mainly the artistic Tola, her supportive grandfather, and her always-depressed sister. She also included comments by Tola's classmates, school administrators, and family members at the end of each chapter to let us know about their different point of views on her unpleasant situation. However, the ending was a tad bit disappointing. I had wanted something more climatic, something more impressive.

In a nutshell, Bad Apple was a bizarre, humourous and enjoyable read. It is a story about truth, family, friendship and love. If you like reading about fairy tales with good endings, do pick this book up! :)

Rating: 8/10

Many thanks to Laura Ruby for sending me a signed copy of Bad Apple for this review! And thank you so much for your patience!

A little about Laura:
Laura Ruby writes fiction for adults, teens and children. Titles include the Edgar-nominated children's mystery LILY'S GHOSTS (2003), the ALA Quick Pick for teens GOOD GIRLS (2006), and a collection of interconnected short stories about blended families for adults, I'M NOT JULIA ROBERTS (2007). She makes her home in Chicago.


Get your own copy of Bad Apple:

Visit Laura's Website:
www.lauraruby.com

Other books by Laura Ruby:
Play Me :: Good Girls