Overflowing!!

I'm definitely not got to run out of books any time soon!! There are over 200 books in here and I'm not even finished filling it!!! I really love this!! ^-^ Short post, but it's 1 A.M. and I was determined to post two tonight!!

-Allie

Book update - The Battle of the Labyrinth - Pg. 270 out of 361! (Chapter 15 out of 20!)

Bookshelf Tour - American Girl

So, since yesterday was a Guest Blogger day, I'm gonna do two posts today! The second one is going to have to wait until a little bit later, but this one I can do now! There were way too many of these to take off the shelf and take pics of, so I just decided to do this! Warning! This list is long!!!!

Bookshelf: Favorites!

Name: American Girl

Series: Definitely!

Author: Multiple

Genre: Preteen

Age range: 8+

Number of books in the series: I honestly have no idea how many books are in the American Girl series all together! XD

Books I own: Meet Kaya and Kaya's Escape! by Janet Shaw (Kaya - Books 1 & 2), Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp (Felicity - Book 1), Very Funny, Elizabeth! by Valerie Tripp (Felicity - Special edition), Josefina's Surprise, Josefina Saves the Day, and Changes for Josefina by Valerie Tripp (Josefina - Books 3, 5, & 6), Kirsten series by Janet Shaw, Addy's Surprise, Happy Birthday, Addy!, and Addy Saves the Day by Connie Porter (Addy - Books 3, 4, & 5), Meet Samantha, Samantha Learns a Lesson, Samantha's Surprise, Happy Birthday, Samantha!, and Changes for Samantha by Valerie Tripp (Samantha - Books 1-4 & 6), Meet Kit by Valerie Tripp (Kit - Book 1), Meet Julie by Megan McDonald (Julie - Book 1), American Girls Short Stories Sets 1, 2, 3, and extras, Lady Margaret's Ghost by Elizabeth McDavid Jones, Danger at the Zoo by Kathleen Ernst, Missing Grace by Elizabeth McDavid Jones, Lindsey by Chryssa Atkinson, Marisol by Gary Soto, Jess by Mary Casanova, Nicki by Ann Howard Creel (Nicki - Book 1), Mia by Laurence Yep (Mia - Book 1), Lanie by Jane Kurtz (Lanie - Book 1), McKenna by Mary Casanova (Mckenna - Book 1), Flying High, Pogo! by Constance M. Foland, Nowhere, Now Here by Ann Howard Creel, Meet the Bitty Twins, The Care and Keeping of Friends, More Help!, The Manners Guide for Girls, School Smarts, Stand Up for Yourself & Your Friends, A Smart Girl's Guide to Boys, A Smart Girl's Guide to Friendship Troubles, A Smart Girl's Guide to Liking Herself, and The Care and Keeping of You

Books I've read: We're just gonna go ahead and say all of them that I own...XD

About the first book: (Meet Kaya) It's hard for Kaya not to boast about her beautiful, spirited Appaloosa mare, Steps High. Kaya wants to be one of the very best horsewomen in the village. But when boasting leads to a daring bareback race, Kaya puts both herself and her horse in danger. And she also endangers her little twin brothers, who've wandered off into the woods during Kaya's race. Although Kaya finds the boys unharmed, she still must face a punishment. All her friends must, too, since one person's actions affect the safety of the whole village. Kaya's mistakes earn her a terrible nickname - will she ever be able to lose it?

Opinion: Okay, so I'm just giving an opinion on all of these put together because I am not going to type out reviews for every single one of these right now! XD As you can probably tell, I really love the American Girl books! The sets like Felicity or Samantha are so short I can read one in less than half an hour usually! I love the story lines for each one and the fact that each one is in a different time!

-Allie

Guest Blogger Day!!!!!

Hello guys! I am really excited to be here today :D My name is Sierra and I am 17 years old! I blog over at 26 Countless Possibilities with my friend Rebecca. Today I am here with a book review! Let's get started:



Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper
 
About the book: The Seven succeeding Elven Lords of Allyra were dead, lost in the Siege of Berinfell as babes. At least that's what everyone thought until tremors from a distant world known as Earth, revealed strange signs that Elven blood lived among its peoples. With a glimmer of hope in their hearts, sentinels are sent to see if the signs are true. But theirs is not a lone errand. The ruling warlord of Allyra, the Spider King, has sent his own scouts to hunt down the Seven and finish the job they failed to complete many ages ago. 

Now 13-year-olds on the brink of the Age of Reckoning when their Elven gifts will be manifest, discover the unthinkable truth that their adoptive families are not their only kin. With mysterious Sentinels revealing breathtaking secrets of the past, and dark strangers haunting their every move, will the young Elf Lords find the way back to the home of their birth? Worlds and races collide as the forces of good and evil battle. Will anyone escape the Curse of the Spider King?

My thoughts:

I loved this book! You would think with many points of view it would get confusing, but the story wasn't confusing at all. I really enjoyed learning about the kids' powers. I fell in love with the characters and am looking forward to the next book by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper, Venom and Song.

Genre: Fantasy.

Romance: NONE! No romance at all! There was talk toward the end where a group of girls mention Timmy as being "cute." But that was the only thing!

Magic: Each of the seven kids has "Powers:" walking on air, reading minds, shooting fire from his hands and telling the near future. The enemy uses Arc Stones, which flash blue. There are creatures called "Wisps" who remind me of shape-shifters, and they can turn into any elf or human form.

Language: None

Violence: If you don't enjoy fighting scenes or mentions of blood this book isn't for you! There is extensive use of swords, bows, and spiders; and mention of blood, death, and killing. The descriptions of the spiders being killed and killing are detailed.

Scripture/Bible stuff: There are many mentions of God. The G in God is capitalized. (In the elven language God is called Ellos.) Several mentions of God being the creator. Romans 8:38-39 is quoted. 

Bookshelf Tour! - 39 Clues

Okay! I'm officially starting my bookshelf tours now that Summer vacation has started!! I've decided that if there are books in a series, I'm going to just show the whole series that I have! That way I don't have to go slowly through the series! So it'll either be one book series a day, or three to four individual books a day! Okay! Here we go!!



Bookshelf: Favorites!

Name: The 39 Clues

Series: Yup!

Author: Multiple

Genre(s): Preteen

Age range: 10+

Number of books in the series: The Clue Hunt - 11 books and 1 special edition, Cahills vs. Vespers - 6 books and 2 special editions, Unstoppable - 4 books, and Doublecross - 4 books

Books I own: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (The Clue Hunt - Book 1), The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis (The Clue Hunt - Book 3), In Too Deep by Jude Watson (The Clue Hunt - Book 6), The Emperor's Code by Gordon Korman (The Clue Hunt - Book 8), The Black Book of Buried Secrets by Rick Riordan (The Clue Hunt - Special edition), and Day of Doom by David Baldacci (Cahills vs. Vespers - Book 6)

Books I've read: All of The Clue Hunt, all of Cahills vs. Vespers except for the special editions, and the first two Unstoppables

About the first book: What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world in the form of 39 clues? What if you were given a choice - take a million dollars and walk away...or get the first clue? If you're Amy and Dan Cahill, you take the clue - and begin a very dangerous race.

 Opinion: So, if you haven't figured it out by now, I read pretty much everything from children's books, to Young Adult, to even some adult occasionally... Anyway, I really like this series! The story line is very good and I love the characters! I love the fact that the series is written by multiple authors and each books fits so perfectly into the next like they're only written by one! The first one is another Rick Riordan book, so I obviously love that one! I have also read multiple other books by Peter Lerangis and multiple books by Gordon Korman other than the ones he's written for the 39 Clues, and I've really enjoyed all of them. Gordon Korman is on my favorite authors list because I've liked every book of his that I've picked up! I plan on reading the first and second series over again soon and then reading the third and fourth ones which I haven't yet!

-Allie

Book Update - The Battle of the Labyrinth - Pg. 171 out of 361! (Chapter 10 out of 20!)

Review! The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicles Crossover - Book 3 - Final book)

About the book: In their first encounter, demigod Percy Jackson and magician Carter Kane had to battle a giant crocodile on Long Island. A month later, Annabeth Chase ran into Carter's sister, Sadie, on the A train to Rockaway, where the pair fought a god named Serapis. Now trouble is brewing again, this time on Governor's Island. An ancient Egyptian magician named Setne has come back from the dead and is experimenting with Egyptian and Greek magic, trying to become a god himself. He's so powerful and tricky that all four - Percy, Annabeth, Carter, and Sadie - have to team up against him. But their usual weapons and spells aren't going to cut it this time. Will the heroes be taken down by a wannabe god who looks like Elvis, or will they rise to the challenge?

Pages: Ebook version so I'm not sure, also a small preview of The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the gods of Asgard - Book 1) that I am super excited for!!

Genre(s): Preteen/Teen, Fantasy

Age range: 12+

POV: First person, Percy - main character, 17

Stars: 4/5

Review: This one honestly didn't meet the high expectations I had for it... It was very good, but out of all three of them my favorite is still The Son of Sobek! I did like the fact that they had to use both Egyptian and Greek magic together! And Percy hosting an Egyptian goddess was pretty entertaining! I'm not entirely sure why I didn't like this one as much, but for some reason parts of it just didn't draw me in... I really hope Rick Riordan makes more crossover stories, but I'm not sure he will...I can still hope though!!! XD

Book Review! The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicles Crossover - Book 2)

About the book: In this adventure, Annabeth encounters more oddities in the subway than usual, including a two-headed monster and a younger blond girl who reminds her a little of herself. This is the story fans have asked for, in which Annabeth Chase teams up with Sadie Kane. The demigod daughter of Athena and the young magician from Brooklyn House take on a larger-than-life foe from the ancient world. Perhaps even more disturbing than the power-hungry god they encounter is the revelation that he is being controlled by someone - someone all too familiar to Sadie.

Pages: Another ebook so there isn't a particular number, also a short preview of The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus - Book 5) which I have yet to read because I haven't finished House of Hades and I hate spoilers!

Genre(s): Preteen/Teen, Fantasy

Age range: 12+

POV: Third person, Annabeth - main character, 17

Stars: 4/5

Review: The story line behind this one was very good and I of course loved the fact that Sadie and Annabeth meet! However, since the other two books are written in the first person point of view, I wish this one had been too. I was also a little surprised that Sadie and Annabeth told each other pretty much everything the second they met. From all of the books I've read that Annabeth has been part of, I can't see her giving up that much information so readily... I did enjoy how close Annabeth and Sadie became, I just wish it had happened at a bit of a slower pace! All together, it's a very good book and anyone who enjoys the Percy Jackson series and Kane Chronicles trilogy should definitely read it!

Book Jar!!!!

Okay, so it's totally two a.m......but I was determined to write more than book reviews today, and I really wanted to introduce my book jar! I saw this idea on Pinterest and loved it, so I found a big jar with a lid that I could fit my hand into, decorated it, and turned it into my book jar! The book jar is pretty much for those of us who have the hardest time trying to decide which book to read next! All you have to do is write the name of a book on a piece of paper, fold it up, and put it in the jar! I'm sure I have at least 100 books in it in this picture, and this is from a couple of months ago! I think I'm going to take them out one day and rewrite them on colors depending on their genres! Now that it's Summer break, I have time for it!! ^-^ Okay! I've officially put two more reviews and my book jar on my blog! I can now go to bed!!! I can't wait to post tomorrow!

-Allie

Book update - The Battle of the Labyrinth - Pg. 117 out of 361! (Chapter 7 out of 20!) : The Lost Kingdom - Pg. 35 out of 348! (Chapter 4 out of 28!) : Resistance - 89%! (Chapter 40 out of 43!)

Review! The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicles Crossover - Book 1)

About the book: Carter Kane is investigating rumored sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn't exactly friendly. . . . 

Pages: Ebook, so I have no idea, but there is a short preview of House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus - Book 4)

Genre(s): Preteen/Teen, Fantasy

Age range: 12+

POV: First person, Carter - main character, 15 

Stars: 5/5

Review: Okay, so my five star rating might be biased for this one since Rick Riordan is pretty much my favorite author and I love both Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles! Plus I've been wishing for a story where the Kane Chronicles meet Percy Jackson for a while and then I found this on my kindle book store! In my opinion, this is the best one out of the three crossover books. I really like the story in this one, and the way that Carter and Percy interact is so fun to read! I honestly don't particularly have anything negative to say about this one! 

Review! The Glitch in Sleep by John Hulme and Michael Wexler (The Seems - Book 1)

About the book: You know the rain we had two weeks ago, or that nightmare you had last night? Becker Drane can tell you exactly who or what was responsible because Becker works as a Fixer for The Seems. From the Department of Weather to the Department of Time, The Seems is the world-behind-our-World, and it keeps everything running smoothly. But every so often, something goes wrong. When a Glitch makes its way into the Department of Sleep, Becker is called in for his very first Fixer assignment and he's got to get it right. But this Mission is tricky, and his regular Tools aren't up to the test. If Becker doesn't find a Fix fast, he just might lose the coolest job ever - and The World will lose a lot more than a good night's sleep.

Pages: 254 plus 25 bonus pages and 6 of the next book, The Split Second


Genre(s): Children, Fantasy/Science Fic.

Age range: 10+

POV: Alternates between third person, Becker - main character, 11 and multiple other side characters

Stars: 3/5

Review: I'm honestly not sure what I think about this one....XD I really liked the story line and the characters were pretty good, but I wasn't used to the set up where they changed the setting of the story in the middle of some of the chapters and it took a chapter or two to understand what was going on. Once I knew though, it was a pretty good book and I'll most likely end up reading the next one! 

Review! Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett (Chasing Vermeer - Book 1)

About the book: When a book of unexplainable occurrences brings Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen: Seemingly unrelated events connect, an eccentric old woman seeks their company, and an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one - neighbors, parents, teachers - is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem-solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has left even the FBI baffled?

Pages: 254 plus 16 bonus pages and 9 of the next book, The Wright 3

Genre(s): Children, Mystery

Age range: 10+

POV: Alternates between third person, Petra - main character, 12 and third person, Calder - main character, 12 

Stars: 3/5 

Review: So, when I first started this book I just couldn't get into it....I'm not sure whether it was just the way it was written or the content, but I honestly almost put it down...I know one thing was that it felt like every little thing that happened was connected to every other little thing and it was very near crossing the line of not being believable. But I hate stopping in the middle of a book, so I did go on to finish it! Surprisingly enough, I actually liked the ending and I like the way there were connections between everything, if only there hadn't been so many! I plan on most likely reading the second one and hopefully I'll be able to get into this one sooner! (And yes, I know it's incredibly late, but I really wanted to finish this one tonight!)

Review! Behind the Gates by Eva Gray (Tomorrow Girls - Book 1)

About the book: Disaster and destruction are all thirteen-year-old Louisa has ever known. But now she and her best friend, Maddie, are among the lucky few being sent to boarding school, far from home. Finally, a taste of freedom! Country Manor School isn't perfect: The girls' roommates are tough to get along with, and the school is hard work. Still, Louisa loves CMS - the survival skills classes, the fresh air. She doesn't even miss not having TV, or the Internet, or any contact with home. It's for their own safety, after all. Or is it? (I just realized how mysterious that last part sounds...XD)

Pages: 211 plus 5 of the next book, Run For Cover

Genre(s): Preteen, Dystopian

Age range: 10+

POV: First person, Louisa - main character, 13

Stars: 4/5

Review: I really liked this book! I do wish it had been bigger, but I don't mind small books that I can finish in a day or two like this! I also really like when books give me a preview of the next book because it usually pulls me in and makes me feel really excited for the next one! I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of the fact that it was written in present tense instead of past tense which is what I'm used to, and it did get a little bit in the way of me being able to focus in the very beginning, but once I got used to it I enjoyed it very much! I can't wait for the next book!

First Book Review!!! The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles - Book 1)

About the book: Since his mother's death six years ago, Carter Kane has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the globe with his father, the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane. But while Carter's been homeschooled, his younger sister, Sadie, has been living with their grandparents in London. Sadie has just what Carter wants - school friends and a chance at a "normal" life. But Carter has just what Sadie longs for - time with their father. After six years of living apart, the siblings have almost nothing in common. Until now. On Christmas eve, Sadie and Carter are reunited when their father brings them to the British Museum, with a promise that he's going to "make things right." But all does not go according to plan: Carter and Sadie watch as Julius summons a mysterious figure, who quickly banishes their father and causes a fiery explosion. Soon Carter and Sadie discover that the gods of Ancient Egypt are waking, and the worst of them - Set - has a frightening scheme. To save their father, they must embark on a dangerous journey - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and its links to the House of Life, a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs. 

Pages: 516

Genre(s): Preteen, Fantasy

Age Range: I would most likely recommend this for ages 10-12+

POV: Alternates between First Person, Carter - main character, 14, and First Person, Sadie - main character, 12. There are a couple of scenes told in third person from the other magicians' point of view.

Stars: 4/5

Review: So, I have to admit that this is probably about the third time I've read this book....Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors and I have loved every single book of his that I've read! I have so many favorite characters and parts in this book that I probably couldn't choose just one if I had to! I really like that the chapters alternate between both Carter and Sadie so that you get to learn both of their personalities and thoughts the further in you read. Plus I enjoyed seeing how they both mature and grow closer as the story progresses. I'm having such a hard time trying to think of something that I didn't really like in this book! I may have to read it again just so I can look for something! ;) If I can think of something I'll update this! If not, it'll just have to stay just like this!!   

I'm Back!!

Okay! I'm really sorry it's been a while since I've posted! I've been really busy with schoolwork and dance!! During that time, I've finished six books! Which means I have six reviews to write! So, starting this Wednesday, my friend Sierra will be doing Guest Blogger posts! :) Once a week, she'll write a book review or something else equally cool to do with books! I can't wait to see what she writes! Finally, I'm currently in the middle of three books! I apparently don't have the ability to read one at a time! Technically, I'm in the middle of reading The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (for the third or fourth time!), The Lost Kingdom by Matthew J. Kirby, and Resistance by Jaye L. Knight! I have a subscription button now that I'm hoping works!! All you have to do is click subscribe to posts, click Atom, and click Live Bookmarks and it will add it to your favorites!!

-Allie

Book update - The Battle of the Labyrinth - Pg. 54 out of 361! (Chapter 3 out of 20!) : The Lost Kingdom - Pg. 35 out of 348! (Chapter 4 out of 28!) : Resistance - 89%! (Chapter 40 out of 43!) I wish I wasn't so close to finishing this one!!! It's really good!!

My Bookshelf!!

So this is my bookshelf for my favorite books!! The amazing little wooden books on my top shelf were gifts that my aunt made me last month! :D I am hopefully going to start my bookshelf tour tomorrow because I've decided to start with this bookshelf! Goodnight!!

-Allie

Book update - The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan - Pg. 475 out of 516! (Chapter 40 out of 41!) Almost done!! Book review coming soon!! :D 

New Books!!!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days!! I couldn't figure out which bookshelf to start my tour with! (I still haven't so I'll probably end up flipping a coin! :D) Anyway, I got three new books from Goodwill yesterday! The first one I got is Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist by Liz Kessler! It's the third book in the Emily Windsnap series and it's about mermaids! I own the first and second ones, The Tail of Emily Windsnap and Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep, and plan on rereading the first one soon! I also got Olympus at War by Kate O'Hearn which is the second book in the Pegasus series and I also own the first one called The Flame of Olympus which I also plan on putting in my book jar so I can read it again because it's about Greek mythology so I obviously love it! The last book I got this time is Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. I'm pretty sure it's the first book in a series, but unfortunately I don't know the name of it. :/ This one is a mystery book and it shall go in my book jar tonight! That's all for now, but I'll try to start my bookshelf tour tonight! Bye for now!

-Allie