Review: Panic

Summer means it's time for Panic.

Every year, the senior class collects one dollar a day/per student to raise a huge prize. This year the winner of Panic will receive 67,000$. For many living in the small town, the money means a ticket out. Heather never thought of leaving. She joined Panic as an impulse after a bad break-up. But with dares like Russian roulette and crossing a highway blindfolded, will this impulse be worth it?

Joining a crazy game like this, made Heather appear immature and foolish just like the rest of gamers who were there for cash or honor. But Oliver gave the story a twist by making it vital for Heather to win. The story was told with two point-of-views, giving us a wide perspective of the game. What I found most difficult was fitting the story into a genre. It appears Oliver managed to create a thriller/contemporary ya. 

Interesting concept!!

Review: The Royal We

Becoming a princess takes more hard work than just being vigilant about a pair of glass slippers.

Bex leaves America, and her twin sister Lacey, to pursue her studies at Oxford University. She wants to find herself and instead finds Nick. A prince. Not just any prince, but the prince of England -- who is unquestionably unobtainable to someone of her status (and nationality). But after years of secret rendez-vous, will Nick ever declare his love for her in public?

The Royal We is divided in several acts: from falling in love, to surviving the pressure from their families, trying to live apart, and of course how the media attempts to damage their relationship. Although I failed to see Bex as an American (dialogue) she did captivate my interest. She had both flaws and qualities, and made several mistakes that many of us would make in her shoes. 

A realistic take of what a royal/normal person relationship might feel like.

Review: Half Bad

What would it be like to be born an abomination?

Poor Nathan gets treated worse than Rosemary's baby due to his bloodline. Everyone expects him to take after his father, and go on a murderous rampage when he grows up. so they deny him a proper education, living conditions, love, and mostly the magical gifts that could lead to his death if not provided before his seventeenth birthday. Should Nathan run off and join the Black Witches -- and if so -- will his heart turn bad? Can he become what everyone feared all along?

Let's be blunt, witches have always been fascinating. I must admit this is the first time I see them set against each other so viciously. White Magic vs Black Magic witches. Sadly, the idea of being discriminated because of who where you come from isn't far fetched. Sally Green used it quite well by providing us with different mindset of characters and a timid love story that will most likely bloom in the sequel. 

Recommended to all witchcraft fans.

Caught my arrow #42

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

Spring is the best time for reading outside. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Here's what I got to keep me busy:

Received from Publisher

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 6 Mai 2015 à 5h40 PDT

The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

as well as The Tapper Twins: Go to war by Geoff Rodkey

Borrowed from library

Betrayed by P.C Cast

The Golden Compass by Pullman

The Storied Life of A.J Firky by Gabrielle Zevin
Falling into Place by Amy Zhang
I'll Give you the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield

Received from Author

Revised Orders & Final Orders by Irene Helenowski

What are you reading this week?

Review: The Tapper Twins go to war

Oh, it's on!

When Claudia eats Reese's pop-tart, he retaliates by making fun of her in the school cafeteria. Since karma just can't wait, Claudia gets her revenge by hiding a dead fish in Reese's backpack, setting off a chain of events that proves how far anyone can go to save their honor. 

Although the book might hint at the topic of bullying, Rodkey handled it with a lot of humor, allowing the character's conscience to eventually set in. To do this, he told the story in a recording format, where the characters and their witnesses talk into a device, and added computer screens and text messages. This technique spared us from background descriptions and made the story less judgmental since we were hearing it from both sides. 

Interesting concept worth looking over.