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