Review: One Night that Changes Everything

Lauren Barnholdt created a perfect blend between YA and Chick-Lit.

Angry and with good reason, Eliza, wrote a nasty post online about her ex-boyfriend and his crew. So when he calls her up to say they stole her purple notebook - containing her deep thoughts and top-list of things to do if she were brave -- she has no choice but to meet him and check a couple of things off the list to get it back before they post it online. 

One Night that Changes Everything is great fun, but there really isn't much of a character growth. The entire book takes place in twenty-four hours, entertaining us with karaoke dares and make out scenes with an Eminem wannabe.  I hope that girls don't get the wrong message reading this book. Because let's face it, hooking up with the most trendy guy in school or posting racy pics of yourself online does not make you brave. Brave is growing up, being honest, and doing the right thing even when you don't want to. 

Just enjoy the good laughs.

Top Ten Tuesday: The Flawless and the Flawed

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BEST/WORST SERIES ENDINGS

Best

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Many beloved characters died and yet I still enjoyed the ending. It helped having a small epilogue. 

Boundless: Every character had his/her moment. And no questions were left unanswered.

Mockingjay: It was no fairy-tale ending where everyone lives happily ever after with all their problems solved. It was realistic. 

Shades of Earth: Exquisite finale with non-stop action. 

Worst 

Requiem: Filled with too much narration, the second point-of-view character had no action or climax whatsoever. And the end was just a big mess.

Rapture: We traveled non-stop in Passion, only to travel once again in Rapture. Although the last few pages did have an interesting twist, it still makes my worst list.

Son of Rosemary: Pretty much the worst ending ever. The rating on Goodreads is 2.46. Enough said. 

Never Too Old for Dolls

It's a day worth celebrating for Hunger Games lovers everywhere, as Mattel just allowed their fans to pre-order the new Catching Fire Barbie Dolls. 

Peeta looks so handsome in his uniform ready to battle next to Katniss Everdeen. But the biggest surprise of all is Effie. 

Dolls available here for $24.95

Review: James Clyde and the Diamonds Orchestra

Children face great danger to protect the memory of the one they loved.

James, an orphan, is always delighted for the opportunity to visit his grandfather. Until, Gramps, is murdered over a diamond, and James put in the middle of the whole fiasco. He is transported into a magical universe called Orchestra. His mission: to protect a wish-granting diamond from the clutches of an evil queen and a man in black. 

Of course, the story wouldn't be as entertaining without some loyal sidekicks. McElwain, did a great job with Ben and Mary. Both of them are brave and witty, encouraging James to strive despite the circumstances. But what really steals the show is the atmosphere of the book. The descriptions were well conceptualized and the text easy to follow for a middle-grader, filled with short chapters. 

Touching and uplifting.

Caught my arrow #24

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

First October Weekend! Hope everyone is having a nice fall (hehe, just noticed the pun).

Received from Scholastic 
(Thank you very much!!)

Inhuman

Spirit Animals

Marie Antoinette, Serial killer

Bought

Star Wars Jedi Academy

Whatever After 4

Borrowed from Library

Shatter me (about time I read this)

What are you reading this week?