Friday, January 16, 2009

my blog is being funky...


So, um, just scroll down to find my review of Sara Zarr's "Sweethearts." Or click here. Thank you. And, uh, I guess I should use this time to personally thank the twenty-four people who follow my blog and all those who comment regularly. If you're not following All Five Stars, but would like to, check out my "Followers" sidebar.

With Love,

Gabbi!

(P.S. Claire and Charlie from Lost say "Hello!")

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Book Trailer: Parties & Potions by Sarah Mlynowski

Thought I'd pop by and leave you with this book trailer for the latest book in Sarah Mlynowski's popular "Magic in Manhattan," series about a teenage witch name Rachel who's ten times sassier (can't believe I just used that word. I feel like a sixty-year-old with back pains. At least I didn't use "hip!") and more real than Sabrina ever was.

Just watch it!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Review: Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Total: Four point five stars

{Summary from Fantastic Fiction}

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another's only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she's lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she's popular, happy, and dating, everything "Jennifer" couldn't be---but she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.

Sweethearts is a story about the power of memory, the bond of friendship, and the quiet resilience of our childhood hearts.

Behind the Grade:

After all the "beach reads" (loathe this term, but that was the nicest I could come up with) I've been reading, picking up Sweethearts is comparable to taking a plunge into the dark, salty depths and loving every minute of it.

Even though it was in first person, which I'm not all that fond of, Zarr made me love it. Our main character, Jenna is always pretending, hiding her real self. Or is it her "former" self? When Jenna was a child, she was mercilessly teased by her peers, only making one real friend: a boy named Cameron.

Then, something happened. (I would totally tell you, because it was not what I was expecting at all, and, honestly, a little anti-climatic, but the rest of it seems to justify this and, somehow, it makes Jenna a better person.)

I love how Jenna is constantly trying to be the girl people want her to be. I think everyone feels this way, or has felt that way at one point in their lifetime or another. Especially if you're in high school, like Jenna.

Some of the minor characters were expanded upon and none of them relied on stereotypes, which I loved. Don't you just hate it when you read a book about a popular girl who is surrounded by people who fit into neat, little stereotypes? I.e. "Smart Susan," "Kind Kathy," "Sporty Sara" etc. Well, none of Jenna's friends were like that. They all had their own personalities and their relationships with Jenna differed. I always found it strange how some books made it out that someone loved or hated their friends the same way. I've found this to be completely unrealistic. It's naturally that there are some people you are closer too or not as close too. It's human nature.

ANYWAY. Back to the review.

I loved it. It was great. I thought the ending was just perfect, too. I'm sure it's no spoiler to say that Cameron and Jenna don't have a happily ever after. The only thing keeping this from another five-star review is that the pace was just too slow to start. And, really, the whole book kept that pace. Regardless, go read it!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Asdfg.

Way late. I know. Sorry. I got sidetracked by shiny Poppy books. :D

Total: Four Stars

{Summary From Jacket Flap}

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries?

If Clary left the world of Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go - especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil - and also her father.

Behind The Grade:

Um. So, seriously, I shouldn't be doing this now...I have homework and whanot, but this book gave me insomnia last night so I figured it deserved a quick* post.

I wasn't quite so engrossed in this one. (You'll notice by how long the book cover sat on my sidebar.) Clary's Mary Sue-ness is epic-ly worse, but, you know what? It was fun. Her life isn't totally perfect - if it was she would have both Simon and Jace - and so what if she has magic powers and everyone's always in awe of her? I still love the books and Clary hasn't given me a migraine. Yet...

Was it just me or was the plot a lot slower? I remember loving how fast paced City of Bones was.

I usually have a pretty good memory, but, honestly? The only thing I can remember from this is, like, the very end. Can this be accredited to my cold? (I hate Canadian winters!) Or was it just not that memorable?

Moving on...

I do love the supporting cast. Alec and Isabelle, a brother-sister Shadowhunter duo, are too awesome for words. Isabelle is kind of Rosalie-y and Alec is just...I don't know. A realm all to himself.

Overall, the dialogue is often laugh-out-loud funny and the story is just as good as the first book. Hopefully, Clare's whiplash-inducing plot speed will be back in the threequel, City of Glass, which is out March 24th, 2009.

(*EPIC FORESHADOWING. AND ALSO A LIE.)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Review: Hollywood Royalty by Zoey Dean

Total: Three and a half stars (3.5)

SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH IT.

Meet the newest crop of A-Listers:

Amelie, the good girl who's struggling to shed her perfect image.

Myla and Ash, the perfect duo who seem to be headed for break-up land.

Jacob, the resident nerd who's gone from not-to-hot, but still can't break into the a-list.

&

Jojo, the new kid. Fresh from Sacramento, this outsider's very DNA is a backstage pass to cool: she's just discovered she's the only biological progeny of Brangelina-esque supercouple, BarBar.

Behind The Grade:

Can I just say how much more I loved this than the original series? I usually have a problem, because spin-offs aren't often as good as the originals, but HR was leaps and bounds better than The A-List.

The characters are so much more likable, the writing even seems to be quite a bit better. If there was some more plot movement, I would've given this a four. I can understand why it's so character-heavy though: it is the first in a new series, after all.

Even if you (like myself) didn't enjoy Dean's original series, I'd suggest you at least try this one.

The 'golden couple' Myla and Ash are too cute for words and even boring Amelie and Jojo were starting to grow on me by the end. Ash is definitely my favourite, although I like Jojo's story better. What kid doesn't want to find out that their real parents are the most famous, richest, gorgeous couple in the world?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Teaser Tuesday

(ON AN ACTUAL TUESDAY - AWESOMESAUCE!)

~rules & regs~
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

The A-List: Hollywood Royalty by Zoey Dean



"Morning," Myla said, half-opening her green eyes.

"Morning, you."

- page thirty-nine.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

What I'll Be Reading This Week (instead of working on that project*...)

This blog has been pretty review-heavy as of late, so I thought I might as well spice it up. Here's what I've gotten in the last week. Comment with the title of the book(s) you most want to see reviewed here.



Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
{Summary From FantasticFiction}

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another's only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she's lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she's popular, happy, and dating, everything "Jennifer" couldn't be---but she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.



American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield {Summary From Author's Website}

On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband’s presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House–and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, “almost in opposition to itself.”





City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments Book Two) by Cassandra Clare {Summary From Jacket Flap}

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go - especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil - and also her father.



Dirty Laundry by Daniel Ehrenhaft {Summary From Author's Website}

the school:

The Winchester School of the Arts, nicknamed "The Laundromat" because it's where better schools send their "dirty laundry." Get kicked out of Exeter, Hotchkiss, or Choate? End up at Winchester.

the girl:

Carli, a gorgeous pigtailed Hollywood actress going undercover at Winchester to research her role.

the boy:

Fun (short for Fellini Udall Newport), an embittered senior and graffiti artist who was almost expelled—until his dad (and a lot of money) convinced the headmaster to let him work off his crime as Carli's assistant.

the problem:

Beautiful, talented senior Darcy Novak, one of the least screwed-up people at Winchester, has disappeared.

As Carli and Fun discover each other's hidden talents, there's a villain setting them up. Can they save Darcy—and themselves—or will they wash out?

The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard {Summary From FantasticFiction}

Meredith and Mallory Brynn, are mirror twins born on either side of midnight one New Year's Eve. They have always been inseparable. But after they are nearly killed in a mysterious fire on their thirteenth birthday, the bond that has always joined them unravels. They begin to have visions and dreams that reveal the deep secrets kept by the people around them.

Meredith and Mallory realize they have each been given a gift: Mallory can see deep into the past, Meredith can see the future. But when they discover that one boy is not what they imagined, their lives will be changed forever. If they can survive...


Next Summer (Summer Boys, Book Two) by Hailey Abbott {Summary From Back Cover}

Three girls. Too many boys. One tempting summer.

Beth: I know I love George. And everyone thinks we're perfect together. So why does that sexy new lifeguard keep flirting with me? And why do I like it so much?

Ella
: Bye-bye, bad girl. I'm trying to change my wild ways. But there are so many yummy boys around this summer. How can I resist them?

Kelsi: Tim is totally not my type. Besides, after last summer, I need a break from boys. If only I could get him out of my head...


Swimming With The Sharks by Debbie Reed Fischer {Summary From Back Cover}

Remember the Pact. Or else.

Five-foot eleven. Freckled. Flat as a surfboard. Peyton Grady sees her role on the varsity cheer squad as the only thing keeping her off the social sidelines at wealthy Beachwood Preparatory Academy. It's her umbilical cord to cool - and it's constantly in danger of getting cut.

As a base, it's Peyton's duty to be stepped on - literally - by cheer queen Lexie Court. So when Lexie hatches a fierce hazing campaign against the frumpy new girl, Peyton has no choice but to support her flier. Soon the pranks become sadistically cruel, even criminal. Suddenly, Peyton had more to lose than her new-found Alpha celebrity. Will she gamble her entire future for "the good of the squad"?

And lastly...


The A-List: Hollywood Royalty by Zoey Dean {Summary From Back Cover}

SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH IT.

Meet the new Hollywood Royalty: Amelie, the not-so-innocent starlet; Myla and Ash, the golden couple; Jacob, the geek turned hottie; and Jojo, the outsider who'll do anything to get on the A-List.

*Note To Self: Work on that project! It's due soon, n00b, and you've barely started!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

So, uh, after reading this

"BUY THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS (City of Bones/City of Ashes) SERIES. BUY THEM. BUY THEEEEEEEEM.

They are AMAAAAAZING."

I kind of had no choice but to run around the GTA to find these books. There were surprisingly hard to find. I had to go to this old people's mall where I used to sell Girl Guide cookies (it's a real crappy mall in the middle of nowhereland) and found it in the tiniest bookstore ever.

Anyways.

Review time.

Total: Somewhere around Four Stars.

{Summary from Back Cover}

Their hidden world is about to be revealed...

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tatoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

(Note: That summary has been nicely sliced and diced by me. It's painful long. Walk over to your local bookstore and read the rest if you want to. Or take a bus. Or walk. Or carpool. Save the environment, people.)

Behind The Grade:

I was expecting this to be bad. Really, painfully, terribly, cringe-inducingly bad. On Amazon, most of the reviews of this book ripped it apart. I mean, I don't give out glowing reviews easily, but I know there's a line between reviewing a book and hating on it.

All the reviews noted that Clare got her start on fanfiction sites and that her work took from her experience there and yadda, yadda, yadda. I was staring, bleary-eyed, at my laptop screen going, "Why do I care?" I don't. I don't care where an author got their start. Really. I don't. All I care about is, with all their experience, what kind of lovely, terrifying, horrifying, beautiful story they managed to come up with.

So, I'll start the review saying that you should absolutely disregard all the negative reviews for this book (hell, even disregard the one I'm writing right now) and go read the excerpt on her official site and see what you think.

Continuing on.

Clary is verging on Mary Sue territory. For those of you who don't know, a Mary Sue (or in the case of a guy coughEDWARDCULLENcough - Gary Stu) is a character who is flawless, perfect, always beautiful, talent, and gets her way. Clary is kind of like this. She has guys falling for her, is modest about her looks, etc, etc, etc. So, yeah, that bugged me terribly.

The good points? The description, all the little details about fairies and werewolves and whatnot, was lovely. Spot-on. Sometimes it went off on a tangent, but it was great to peek into this magical world surrounding our own. Urban fantasy is just great in this way. It all seems so real, yet so... (uh, stupid word use here, I know) unreal.

On the cover, in fairly large font, Holly Black blurbs this as being "sexy." It wasn't sexy. When my mom read the cover quote, she was like, "'Sexy'? Are you sure you should be reading this?" And I was like, "There's no sex! Two hundred-plus pages and not even a kiss. It's as dry as Harry Potter." (The kisses did come. Eventually. There were two.)

So, it wasn't sexy. But it was funny (often times, I really did laugh out loud) and dark at times, too, as Miss Black said.

I quite liked it. Up until the very end.

I loathed the end. Why was the romance between Clary and gorgeous, cocky, (Inner Fangirl squeals: 'And wonderful!') demon-hunter, Jace, murdered so brutally? Why? I pray to the gods of urban fantasy this is cleared up in the next book. *fingers crossed* If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I'll drop a (probably spoiler-free) major geek reference for you:

Their romantic possibilities were ruined in the most Star Wars-ian of ways.

If you're interested in Scott Westerfeld, Stephenie Meyer, Libba Bray or Holly Black's stuff, you'll definitely be salivating over The Mortal Instruments series.

Until next time...