To All The Boys I've Loved Before by: Jenny Han

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Edition: E-book

Pages: 288

Published: April 15th, 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Purchase: Amazon | Bookdepository

Goodreads Synopsis: 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

My Thoughts:
I literally just finished this book, and I have to say that I am highly impressed.  Going into this boo I thought that it would be pretty interesting to hear about a girl who writes loves stories to the boys that she loved at one point in time. Especially since I knew a lot of people could relate to this topic (being young and having a lot of crushes).  I can say though that this book made me go through so many emotions to the point that I wasn't quite sure if I liked the book, and then other times I was head over heels for it. So, I'll start by saying what I liked about this book...  I think Jenny Han's character's were so realistic and each one had a completely different personality, so it made me feel like I was actually reading about someone else's life.  Kitty, the youngest of the Song girls, had to be my favorite character because she was so mature for her age, and at times would put Lara Jean in her place when she was having one of her moments (If you read the book you will know what I mean). At times I found myself just LOL and asking myself what's with this kid!!! She was amazing. I also liked how this book portrayed school for teens and displayed how mean girls can be to one another because those are the things that girls are having to deal with today.  Lastly, believe it or not I really did like Peter K. I felt that he made Lara Jean's life a bit less predictable and made her live a little, because she was definitely uptight.

Cons:
There are only a few things that I didn't like about this book and the main thing was how Margaret treated Lara Jean. I know that she was just trying to keep her sister in the right direction but I felt like it was too much pressure constantly telling Lara Jean to sign up for this and that, and volunteer at this place, etc.  I am glad that Lara Jean started to become her own person at the end of the book.  Lastly, I didn't like Lara Jean at the start of this book because I felt like she didn't act her age and that she was way to dependent on her sister Margaret. I think that that was the main reason why I struggled to get through the first half of this book.

Overall, I think that this is a great book and would recommend to anyone who likes love stories with a splash of some high school drama in it.  Plus, I felt like there were so many things left unsaid so I will def be reading the next book (I heard there will be a sequel and I sure hope so, I need more!!).

Favorite Quote:
"Josh, you break my heart. And you're a liar. Because you know me, you know me better than almost anybody, and you don't love me."

Final Verdict: 5 stars

Chibi Vampire Vol. 2 By: Yuna Kagesaki

Chibi Vampire by: Yuna Kagesaki

(Volume 2)

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 176

Published: April 8th, 2006

Publisher: Tokyopop

Purchase: Amazon | Bookdepository

Goodreads Synopsis: Kenta sees Karin at work and school, each day serving as a reminder that something about the girl with the oft-bloody nose just isn't right! He's suspicious...and he's not exactly subtle about it. Fearing that he might discover her secret, Karin decides to kill this potential problem--with kindness! She goes out of her way to do all kinds of nice things for him. But when Kenta catches her "feeding" yet again, the gig may be up. So what's a vampire girl to do? Why, take the boy home to meet her parents, of course!

My Review: In my opinion the second volume of this series is so much better than the first volume.  I am not sure if it is because I have gotten use to reading Manga now, or if it is because there is a little more going on in this book.  In this volume Karin struggles to stay away from Kenta (the new boy in her school and the boy who makes her blood react strangely) but he keeps popping up every where.  The importance of staying away from Kenta, is making sure that her "secret" stays a secret.  But this isn't an easy thing to do since he already seen her expel a lot of blood and is really curious as to why she is acting so weird.  With the help of Anju (Karin's little sister), Kenta finds out what he has always wondered...
I thought that this book was so good and had plenty of funny moments.  I just can't get over the cuteness of this manga.  I can't really say much else, except for that I really liked it which I'm sure I have already said.  This manga is very light and sweet, with a few slow moments as well.  Nothing in this manga happens at a fast pace, but I am ok with.  The slow pace doesn't take away from the story line one bit.  I highly recommend this if you want a good light read.

Final Verdict: 5 stars

Vampire Academy by: Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy By: Richelle Mead

(Vampire Academy #1)

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 332

Published: August 16th, 2007

Publisher: Razorbill

Purchased: Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Synopsis: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

My Review:
Rose is like a bodyguard who has been protecting Lissa from something unknown...  She will go through great lengths in order to ensure Lissa's safety, even if that means neglecting her own needs.  Lissa, at times has a strong sense of someone following her but Rose does everything in her power to reassure Lissa that everything will be ok.  This is not a hard task especially sense their bond is so strong.

This book had a very different take on vampires which I was thankful for. The Vampire Academy is a school that young vampires learn things, such as dealing with their powers that they specialize in.  It is also a place where people like Rose go through education and training in order to become a guardian to protect the vampires (Moroi) since their race is dying out.  Rose was a very likable main character and extremely selfless, always being their for Lissa when she most needed it.  Lissa was not a character I liked very much because she did not really stand out to me.  I think the reason she did not stand out was because she seemed very helpless at times always needing someone (Rose) to rescue her.  And then when she did try to take situations in her own hands she would go to deep extremes in order to save her friend, which seemed unnecessary at times.  I did like the concept of Lissa's gift that will truly unravel towards the end of the book.  It seems like a gift most would love to have and yet a curse at the same time. Dimitri was to die for! Something about him just made him seem so adorable even though he hardly said anything and was mostly "statue-like" through this book. The reason I held off from reading this book is because people said that the ending was very predictable.  After reading this all the way through I have to disagree.  I did not see the ending coming the way it did, which turned out to be really weird (weird in a good way). This book is slow paced but I feel that it gives you enough detail about the history of the Moroi and Dhampir's which is something you need to understand, especially sense this book is not about ordinary vampires.
I think this is a great book, that has just enough action to keep you wanting more.

Final Verdict: 5 stars

Burned by: Ellen Hopkins

Burned By: Ellen Hopkins

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 431

Published: April 1st, 2006

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Purchase: Amazon | Bookdepository

Goodreads Synopsis: It all started with a dream. Nothing exceptional, just a typical fantasy about a boy, the kind of dream that most teen girls experience. But Pattyn Von Stratten is not like most teen girls. Raised in a religious -- yet abusive -- family, a simple dream may not be exactly a sin, but it could be the first step toward hell and eternal damnation.

This dream is a first step for Pattyn. But is it to hell or to a better life? For the first time Pattyn starts asking questions. Questions seemingly without answers -- about God, a woman's role, sex, love -- mostly love. What is it? Where is it? Will she ever experience it? Is she deserving of it?

It's with a real boy that Pattyn gets into real trouble. After Pattyn's father catches her in a compromising position, events spiral out of control until Pattyn ends up suspended from school and sent to live with an aunt she doesn't know.

Pattyn is supposed to find salvation and redemption during her exile to the wilds of rural Nevada. Yet what she finds instead is love and acceptance. And for the first time she feels worthy of both -- until she realizes her old demons will not let her go. Pattyn begins down a path that will lead her to a hell -- a hell that may not be the one she learned about in sacrament meetings, but it is hell all the same.

My Review:
Burned, follows a teenage girl named Pattyn who lives a life that no other teenage girl would ever want to be a part of.  She's pressured to live a lifestyle that she isn't quite sure she believes in anymore, which causes her to ask questions.  Eventually, these questions gets her into enough trouble and sent away to Nevada to turn her act around.  Pattyn later finds out that being shipped off to Nevada wasn't so bad after all.
I want to start off by saying that I really enjoyed this book.  It was a very quick read (I read it in one day), that is remarkably written. The characters are truly amazing, at least the ones that are meant to be lovable.  I loved Pattyn's character and was proud of her when she was brave enough to stand up for herself and her sisters even though she would be punished harshly. Ethan was a boy that every girl would fantasize about. I also feel that Ethan was the only one who was able to give Pattyn a since of belonging and grow into a better person.  The only two characters that I truly disliked was Pattyn's mom and dad.  The only thing that I will say about these too is that they should be ashamed of themselves for wreaking havoc on their families lives, and for constantly bringing Pattyn sadness.
The ending of this book was truly unbelievable. I felt a huge sadness as the events that unfolded towards the end. I read that Ellen Hopkins had no intention on writing a sequel to Pattyn's story.  Thankfully she wrote the sequel, Smoke which I am so happy to start because I do not think I could live with myself not knowing what happened to Pattyn.
Overall, this book is amazing which results in me not having anything negative to say.

Final Verdict: 5 stars ---- > A Must Read!

Forbidden by: Tabitha Suzuma

Forbidden by: Tabitha Suzuma

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 454

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Published: June 28th, 2011 (First published February 15th, 2007)

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives--and the way they understand each other so completely--has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

My Review:

I am going to start off by saying that it took a lot of convincing within myself to want to pick this book up.  I have had this book setting on my bookshelf for over a year truly scared of what the story would entail.  After all this book is about incest, between a brother and a sister.

This book is by far one of the most thought provoking books I have read this year.  Even now that I sit back and think over the events that occurred in this book, I can't help but feel a sadness that seems to never go away. Honestly, I thought I would be grossed out but in fact it was just the opposite.  I found myself rooting for Lochan and Maya throughout the whole book.

Lochan....poor Lochan I feel so bad for him in more ways than I can begin to describe.  The burden of taking care of his family fallen on his shoulders, as well as Maya's to keep the social workers at bay.  He was so unhappy for a long time and then when he finally got to a better place everything came crashing down.  The events through out this book did not prepare me for the madness that took place at the end.  I was truly left heartbroken.  I don't know how Tabitha Suzuma was able to make this touchy subject so moving, but she executed it amazingly.

Final Verdict: 5 Stars ---> A Must Read!