The Pricker Boy By Reade Scott Whinnem

What is with the woods that go beyond Widow's Stone? Not many know and those who do, usually aren't alive to tell the story. Stucks Cumberland has been living around the woods all his life. He has seen whats been lurking among the trees; he has seen it; a boy with gray skin and thorns growing off of his body. One day, Stucks and his friends find a package, one that is filled with old toys given up to the forest as an offering for the Pricker Boy. An offering given so that he'll forget their scent. After that package is found, Stucks and his summer friends are skeptical. Is there really something out there watching them from the forest. Does Pricker Boy really exist?

I would have to say that this has made it on the list of my favorite books. The thing that really stuck out to me the most was Cricket, and the mystery behind his silence. I kept on reading the book to try and find out why he hadn't talked for all that time. When I started reading the book I honestly could not put it down. Some of the pages did scare me but the author really described detailed settings. I felt like I was actually one of the the characters in the book, reading to venture into the woods. When I first saw the cover I wasnt really interested in what was going to happen. My point of view changed when I began the first couple of pages. I was immediately hooked. Another one of my favorite characters was Stucks. I felt that I could relate to him the most. I felt really bad for him because everyone thought he was basically loosing his mind. The ending my my jaw hang down and it left my mind with much to think about. I think everyone should read this book, no matter what you're into.

Rating: 4 stars

Moon Rise by Marilee Brothers

Alfrieda Varlotta Emerson Purdy or Ally seemed like your regular teenager. She worried about school, boys and her family life. Ally however was not your average teenager, she was one of the chosen ones. After finding her powers, and fighting Trimarks, she finally feels she can take on her destiny. Only problem is that her powers are gone. Her mentor tells her that her mind has to heal itself, she thinks that theyre gone forever. To top it all off, Ally has to deal with the father he neglected her all her life. Now she must fulfill a prophecy that shes not sure she can deal with.

I honestly didn't like that story Moon Rise. One reason why I didn't like it is because the beginning didn't really capture my attention. I didn't know what was going on half the time and the writing didn't seem to appeal to me. I also didn't really have much interest in reading the book because I didn't read the first book. Reading it probably would have helped me understand the problem better. Another reason why I didn't like the book is because the character didn't seem to be written in a professional way. One good thing about this book however is that it followed a good plot. There is some potential behind the series. Overall I would recommend the book to anyone who likes to read teen books. This books has the problems everyone faces, just with a twist.

Blame by Michelle Huneven

 Yayy followerss!!!

The book opens up to Patsy MacLemoore, a professor who starts out as a drunk, and a drug addict. She is immediately thrown into her own self destruction. After waking up, unable to recall anything from the night before, Patsy finds herself facing a life sentencing after two people are found dead in her driveway. Now she must remold herself into a life she was not built to function in. The book follows the story of self enlightenment, forgiveness, and self examination. With AA meetings and the jail walls as her only sight into the future, Patsy must find herself, before she can heal into the person she is supposed to be.

When reading this book, what immediately came off of my mind was the idea that this was just another one of those books with drunk people who try and get sober; the end. This book however did not follow that pattern. When I got into the first couple of pages of the book, I was immediately intrigued by Patsy. I became almost mad at her because these two people ended up dead in her driveway, while she was off getting drunk again. I later however felt bad for her because of the situation she was put into. Everything Patsy thinks of experiences is cloaked by the will of guilt. She spends much of her life in jail blaming herself for the deaths. This blame almost becomes an obsession; a monster that has taken over her life. Because the book got me so emotionally involved, I was immediately sucked into the plot, unlike many of the other books, where I had to read 3 or 4 chapters in to pick up on it. I think this book is good for anyone who is willing to let a book engulf them in an emotional roller coaster or a ride.

Rating: 3 stars 

Witch Child by Celia Rees

Fourteen year old Mary was not your average teenager. Her life wasn't composed of music, school, and boys. Mary was a girl living in the time of the witch hunts in the American colonies. After Mary's grandmother, is dragged off and killed for being a witch, Mary flees to the only place she thinks is safe. Rumors spread and now she is exposed to the new world of living in fear and danger. In this book, it follows the journal of a girl living with the secret that could end her life. She faces new challenges and meets new people, all of which affect the outcome of her life.

The only thing I could think of when I finished reading this book was “Wow.” Not only did it leave you with that chilling realization that this happened in colonial times, it also kept you off the edge of your seat. I found myself screaming at the last few pages of the book, wondering how the author could have left us with what she did. I don't want to give up anything that happens but, if you see it, you should really go out and pick up this book.

I seriously couldn't put down this book. No matter how hard I tried, I also found myself going back to it. The way Mary's journal entries are laid out, it doesn't seem like your reading a book. I felt like I was literally looking into this girls journal and and reading about her every day life.

At first I thought this book would be predictable, but the author quickly changed my opinion on that. I found that everything I predicted was basically proven wrong. I have yet to pick up the sequel of the the book, Sorceress, but its on my list of reads.

Rating- 4 stars

Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann

When Daniel was 12 years old his father was dragged away by Chilean soldiers claiming that he has broken the law. Daniel's father, Marcelo, is put through torture, at time s being beaten until he no longer had use to the right side of  his body. 6 years later, After being relocated into the Americas, Daniel and his mother and sister live a simple and safe life.  When they recieved the call that Marcelo was being released  they couldnt have been happier. A husband and father was finally coming home. All this changed however when he finally came home. There was no longer a fun loving man in what was left of the body. Instead there was a man bitter and cold. Daniel must now help his father cope with this new life. But how can he with a man he doesnt even recognize.

When i first started this book i was amazed by how detailed the chapter was. I actually felt like i was there with Marcelo when he was being interrogated. I absolutly loved how the author was also able to incooperate the chilean culture throughout the whole book. One thing that i didnt like was that the chapters changed with the characters point of view. I found myself becoming confused as to who was talking. I also with they had more of a back story as to why marcelo was arrested. Another thing i really wanted to see was an epilogue or some sort of after story. At the end i was still left with many questions such as what happened when he went back? Did the family ever reunite. I did feel the emotions of the character based on the descriptions provided. I felt scared when he was interrogated. I felt nervous when Daniel was finally meeting his father again. i was sad when Daniel found out his parents were getting a divorce.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is into a book with a really deep back story. Although the author didnt directly say what had happened before the fact, you still got a taste of what it was about.

Rating: 3 Stars

Hello All!!!

Welcome to my brand new book blog.

I am obviously here because i love reading books. I have been one of the many teens plagued with the love of reading. Hopefully this blog actually works out. I always seem to start one but never follow through with it.

Let me introduce myself, i guess:

My name is Lupa. Great name, don't you think? I am a 15 year old book fanatic. I always have my nose buried in some type of book. I have many interests varying from reading to drawing. I love sports but find myself always getting hit in the head with something.

Some of my favorite authors would have to be Stephenie Meyer, Dan Brown, and Shannon Hale. Dont worry, i love all of the rest equally. My favorite book would have to be Searching for David's Heart. I know, its corny but it was the first book that really touched me. i actually did cry in it. It was what really started my love of reading.

Im really looking forward to reading and reviewing for all of you out there. I am always looking for feedback so just leave a comment. =)

-Lupa :D