The Story Siren

Saturday, July 11, 2009

FUN Weekend & IMM

Most likely as you read this I will be on my way, or will be at ALA with my fellow book blog aficionado Chelsea aka The Page Flipper. We are planning on hitting up "the stacks" saturday and sunday, checking out the exhibits and hopefully meeting some FABULOUS authors! I'm hoping to see or at least get a glimpse of:

You know... just a few! :) Since most likely I'll be buying a ton of books and hopefully getting a few too, I will not be hosting an official IMM this sunday, since I won't be in town, and although I might have internet access I don't want to count on it. So, I'll be posting the Mr. Linky here early, so you'll still be able to share your IMM posts.

If you'd like to follow me while I'm at ALA, I'll be posting updates via Twitter. You can follow me @thestorysiren! Hopefully I'll have a few twitpics (if I can figure out how to do that.....) And of course I'll have a wrap up post when I return.

It'll be pretty dead here at TSS, since my scheduled posts at blogger are still not working. (bloggerfail) Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti

Release Date: March, 28, 2008
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 298
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From: Publisher
Interest: n/a

I suddenly see where I'm standing, and that's at the edge of change - really, really big change.

Eighteen-year-old Indigo Skye feels like she has it all - a waitress job she loves, an adorable refrigerator-delivery-guy boyfriend, and a home life that's slightly crazed but rich in love. Until a mysterious man at the restaurant leaves her a 2.5 million-dollar tip, and her life as she knew it is transformed.

At first its amazing: a hot new car, enormous flat-screen TV, and presents for everyone she cares about. She laughs off the warnings that money changes people, that they come to rely on what they have instead of who they are. Because it won't happen...not to her. Or will it? What do you do when you can buy anything your heart desires can't be bought?

This is the story of a girl who gets rich, gets lost, and ultimately finds her way back - if not to where she started, then to where she can start again.

This was my first time reading Caletti. Initially I was a little overwhelmed with the writing style of Caletti, and the sporadic thoughts of Indigo. But eventually I was able to find a comfortable flow and ended up appreciating Calletti’s talent for words.

The pace was very slow. I didn’t really enjoy the story. It was a very interesting premise, but ultimately the story didn’t deliver. I never really felt a connection with any of the characters, especially Indigo. I found her annoying, which stopped me from feeling any sympathy towards her and her problems. I never really understood who Indigo was.I didn’t get Indigo and Trevor’s relationship at all, he seemed like a complete bore. I guess she was interested in him because he had a cute ass, but relationships need a little more basis than that!

I did, however, find the cast of quirky regulars at the restaurant to be the novels redeeming quality.

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

All her world's a stage.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She is not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but has no lines of her own.
Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

An strikingly enchanting debut novel, featuring a quirky cast of characters that not only entertains but enthralls!

Never have I read a novel so uniquely portrayed, so full of magic and awe. Mantchev is exceptional storyteller and I can’t wait to read more. Although most of the characters in the novel have been portrayed in plays of the theater, Mantchev was still able to enhance their characterization into beings as magical as the Theatre Illuminata itself. Not to mention the intrepid Beatrice Shakespeare Smith!

Perfectly intriguing plot line. I will admit that I was a little confused at first, amidst the “scene changes” and whatnot, but I quickly acquired to the theater lingo! I love it when authors create such an appealing world, I find it hard to disengage and put down! Eyes Like Stars is one of those novels.

I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series!

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This novel was also reviewed as a part of the Traveling To Teens Book Tours.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Full Moon: A Dark Guardian Novel by Rachel Hawthorne

Full Moon: A Dark Guardian Novel by Rachel Hawthorne

Release Date: June 30, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 262
Other Titles in the Series: Moonlight
Overall:
From: bought
Interest: genre

Lindsey is wild and reckless, a natural rebel—maybe because her entire life was laid out for her even before she was born. Her parents are among the most powerful members of the Dark Guardians, an ancient tribe of werewolves, and they arranged Lindsey's betrothal to Connor long ago. The next full moon is coming all too soon, and then her commitment to Connor will be final—no turning back. She should be happy . . . so why can't she stop thinking about gorgeous, brooding Rafe?

When a dangerous threat on the pack escalates, so do tensions between Connor and Rafe. A fight over Lindsey is imminent, but will it be to the death?

An awesome, light, fun, romance! Full Moon was even better than Moonlight. Lindsey is a very relatable and interesting character. You’d think it would be every girls dream to have two very cute boys literally fighting over you, but you can see Lindsey’s struggle throughout the entire novel.

Much like Moonlight, the characters are developed but not necessarily deep. The plot is quick and engaging. I like romances, but if you don’t... then I probably wouldn’t recommend this series.

These novels aren’t revelation of great literature, but they’re still genuinely enjoyable. Just like Moonlight, light and fluffy but completely satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Monday, July 6, 2009

Reviews... the short and long... the ins and outs..

Reviews. They are a big part of my blog, obviously, and yet I have all these questions about them, and I wondering if others do to. If it’s just me, humor me here.

Length. Does a longer review, mean a better review? If you’re a reader here at TSS, you know that I don’t usually write long reviews. It happens sometimes, but most of my reviews are two to three short paragraphs. Is that a bad thing? I usually say everything I want to say in those three short paragraphs. I don’t use a lot of fillers, I just get down to business.

Summaries. I usually get my summaries from the back of the novels or the inside jacket flap. I used to write my own summary, but I hated doing it. Is a summary even part of the review? I’m sure you’re interested in what the book is about, but do you really want to know every detail of the book.... isn’t that what you’ll be doing when you read the book?

Ratings. I like ratings. Grades, stars, cupcakes whatever. I like to look at a rating for a generalized idea. But maybe I’m alone in that.

Fangirl/boy reviews. We’ve all done them. I mean, I can’t speak for everyone, but I’ve seen plenty and yes I’m guilty too. Are fangirly/boy reviews a turn-off. What’s wrong with being a little overenthusiastic every once in a while? Nothing... I think.

Reading reviews. I do not read other book reviews for books that I will be reading for review. I don’t look at other people’s GoodReads ratings. I can’t do it. I’m too easily influenced! Seriously though, I do get influenced by other readers, so I try to avoid it at all costs. I know I can’t be the only person that does that.... right?

And I should really be writing reviews, instead of this post!

I leave you with the ultimate question: What’s a good review?