Review: Glitter Girl by Stephen Webb, Toni Runkle

Just finished reading a book with so less drama..and here another middle grade novel with drama rating as 5/5.. :)

Original Title: Glitter Girl

Author: Stephen Webb, Toni Runkle

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Release Date: December 3rd 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Middle Grade

True Confessions of a Trendsetter

Hi! I'm Kat. Welcome to my blog. I may be from a small town but I'm also Glitter Girl Cosmetics' newest trendsetter. Thanks to my flair for fashion and my popular style blog, I've been chosen to be an Alpha Girl, which means I get to try out all the Glitter Girl products before they hit the stores.

Forty-eight hours after she blogs about the goodies in the new line, every girl at Kat's school is sporting the gear. Kat's popularity skyrockets, but Jules--Kat's BFF--seems to be the only one who's not buying into the Glitter Girl lifestyle. Is Kat willing to sacrifice her friendship for life in the fab lane?

REVIEW

Kat and Jules are best friends from always..they couldn't have remembered a time when they were not friends.  While Kat is a fashionista, Jules is more of a Shakespeare club member.  But, the girls love each other, until their friendship is tested.  Kat is selected as a Alpha Girl for Glitter Girl product promotions.  And suddenly Kat becomes more popular than she can handle and Jules goes out of her 'inner' circle.  And Kat has a crush on Jules' brother.  Kat and Jules get separated little by little and the story drama takes full swing when Jules' birthday party comes as the same day as Kat's final "Face of the Glitter Girl" contest!

I loved both Kat's and Jules' characters.  And the drama that is woven around them is so great.  Both of the girls are good at heart, although they have different interests.  Kat's so-called friends and the Glitter Girl product manager (I think) Chelsea are so shallow, that I want to avoid such characters in real life at all cost. I loved Kat chose to change her mom's life and taught what she learnt from her experience to her parents.  I loved Jules' family too.

Full of drama and excitement!

The writing is good and kept me rooted to the book.  Although shifting of POVs was a bit difficult to understand at first, I got used to it after some time.

One thing I worried about was that very few people can relate themselves to such drama.  When I completed this book, I felt like *huge sigh* "so much drama".  There is not one place in the book where there is no or less drama.

Do kids only fall under these two category?  I don't think so.. When I was a kid, I don't fall under either of these..  But, this book gives the kids a different impression.

If you just want a fun middle grade read, this book might suit you..

3 STARS!

Review: Third Lie's the Charm by by Lisa Roecker, Laura Roecker

If the author has written a full-on mystery, this would be a hit!

Original Title: Third Lie's the Charm

Series: The Liar Society #3

Author: Lisa & Laura Roecker

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: December 3rd, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Mystery

Kate is studying in Pemberly Broke school, with her best friend Grace.  When Grace dies (in the previous books), Kate thinks this has something to do with the secret societies at her school, the Sisterhood and Brotherhood.  After Kate destroys the Brotherhood in the second book, this novel comes in.  Kate infiltrates the Sisterhood and tried to get revenge for Grace's death.  But, there are a series of events unleashed - students dying one by one and mysterious notes appearing to Kate from Grace's diary.  In addition to this, she pushes away her boyfriend and hangs around with her crush, Bradley.  The mystery follows Kate everywhere she goes.  When she unravels one, two more gets started.  And Kate is on it.

Before reviewing this, first let me tell you I have not read the first two books and I can pretty much understand what's happening.  So, I am not sure about the second book, but the third and final installment to the Liar society series can be read directly if you get hold of it.  But, I suggest you start from the beginning, because I suppose there is a lot of fun in the beginning stages of the novel.

This was a page turner and the mystery part was great.  Every time I think Kate will get hold of something, things gets even more messy.  I loved all the guys in this - Liam, Bradley and Seth.  Each have different personalities and different level of interest on Kate.  Well done on that part, because I can't give up on any of these guys.

While I am excited to read the thriller part of the novel, I am no way a fan of Kate in the romance department.  She seemed very selfish in that area.  And Kate's dialogues are repetitive.  I had to skip those parts to get to the main dialogue.  It's distracting and annoying to see repeats.

The climax dealt everything well.

Recommended for mystery lovers!

3.5 STARS!

Musings:  If you are going to guess this novel based on the title and the cover, please stop now.  I know Kate colors her hair according to her mood and she wears Grace's pearls.  I guess her looking the other way says that she pushes everyone away from her.  Okay, I suppose the cover makes sense now.  But the title - no, can't relate.. 

Diamonds and Toads: A Modern Fairy Tale by K.E. Saxon | Review

Hmm, I am still thinking of what I would rate this novel.  Actually, I am still thinking whether I liked it or not..

Maybe, I will come to a conclusion at the end of this review.

Original Title: Diamonds and Toads: A Modern Fairy Tale

Author: K.E. Saxon

Publisher: Passion Flower Publishing

Release Date: September 23rd 2011

Source:Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Fantasy, Erotica, Fairy-tales

Sugar and spice and everything nice...and, oh yes, naughty—times twice. 

Together, sweet Delilah and wicked Isadora make the perfect woman. But the Perrault family fairy is a troublemaker and imbues diamonds upon one sister and toads upon the other. Now up is down and down is up in a world where no good deed goes unpunished. Leather, blindfolds, and handcuffs purge sweet of all reserve. A few misspoken words of lust gives wicked a whole new meaning. 

Once upon a time, there were two sisters, one cursed and one blessed by fairy magic… 

Bibbidee-bobbidi-boo, They’re naughty. How about you?

REVIEW

Delilah and Isadora are step-sisters in the Perrault family.  While Delilah is innocent and shy, Isadora, with her typical model-like body, is so outgoing, but mean to others.  The fate of these two sisters is decided when the Perrault family fairy blesses Delilah with diamonds and curses Isadora from the power of speech.

Actually, I think both the sisters are blessed, but differently, based on their attitudes.  Because it lead to good things in the end.  The sisters are strong and lovable.  Each have their reasons for being who they are.  And I was able to understand their positions well, because most of us are facing/hearing those issues often.  I enjoyed the way with which the author brought out both the stories in one situation, like during the marriage of Delilah, Isadora is already cursed, and the readers didn't know about it yet.

When I picked up this novel, I seriously didn't expect the plot to be like this.  What I explained above is not the story actually, it's the base.  The main story contains erotic contents as well.  Well, I am not complaining about that.  But, I think the title is the problem for me.  I am reading erotica in a fairy tale.  That statement sounds bad, right?  That's exactly my problem with the book.

Still thinking..

Did I like the book?  Yes
Do I have anything that I don't like?  Yes - the title and the guilty feeling that I have
Do you want to read more about this?  While I enjoyed this novel, I don't think I want to read it again or even read more about it.

The rating is 3.5 stars then.

Review: Redwood Violet by Robin Mahle

I really love cliffhangers..seriously, I do!  They are the one that makes the wait more painful as well as the next read more interesting.  But I definitely don't agree with this type of endings.  Maybe, when they say this is a two-part read, they mean that this is like an episode, not a series.  Anyway, read on to know more!

Author: Robin Mahle

Release Date: March 13th 2013

Source: From Orangeberry blog tours

Genre: Mystery

Katie Reid is living the quintessential Southern California life. A dream job and her college sweetheart Spencer, top it all off. But the nightmares that have been haunting her for months are getting worse.

After seeking help from Dr. Reyes, it becomes apparent that Katie is dealing with something much deeper and much more sinister. Her only solution is to delve into a past that no one wants her to remember.

With the horrific discovery of a secret kept hidden for years, Katie is drawn into a world mired in evil and lost innocence. And only with the help of Detective Marshall Avery will she be able to channel her pain and anger.

But, will he be able to contain Katie’s desire for vengeance that has begun to unravel her perfect life?

The first in a two-part series, Redwood Violet will keep you firmly in its grip and refuse to let go!

REVIEW

Katie Reid, living a great life in Southern California, with a great job and a great boyfriend, Spencer. But all this greatness shatters when Katie is having some bad dreams, which are not just dreams, but something which is going to turn her life 180 degrees. There were things happening and Katie takes a path which makes her perfect life collapse. Is Kate really going to go there deep? Is she going to risk everything to find the cause of her haunting dreams? Or with the help of Detective Avery, will Katie get her life back away from all this mess? In all this "discovering the past" things, is she going to lose her Spencer?

Although the plot in itself is engaging, the writing was not-so-comfortable for me. I kept going only because I want to know what happens next and that thrill that the author has brought in the novel is appreciated. Katie is a strong character and I felt myself shuddering every time something going amiss. Her entire life being a lie, is not something that can be taken easy about. And I think maybe being innocent would have been better, although I know that is the escape route. Sometimes, all this thing about karma sucks.

Well, I felt like the ending was abrupt. I know there is another part to this series. AND series CAN have a cliffhanger. A cliffhanger that makes you read the next book is one thing. But, a cliffhanger/climax of the book, which makes the reading of the first book without reading the second one as useless, is something else entirely. According to me, that's not good.

If this is the debut by Robin, then it is really a good effort!

Mini-Reviews: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver and My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Due to time constraints and piling up review copies, I thought I would post some reviews short.  Because these are the books, which already has many reviews for you to choose from in Goodreads and Amazon.

THE SPINDLERS

Series: (Standalone)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: October 2nd 2012

Source: Review copy from publisher

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.

She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.

To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.

From New York Times best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.

REVIEW

A nice fantasy world which reminded me of Alice's wonderland, although this is more like terror world.  I liked the second half of the novel much better than the first.

I read this long ago, but its like I have nothing to say about it.  I had this "its neither good nor bad" feel.  Don't get me wrong..I like Lauren Oliver's writing, but I am not able to enjoy this one well.  Maybe because its slow, maybe I didn't expect such a plot, maybe its the boring first half..  Well, whatever! 

A simple but a good children's story!  So, I recommend this for children..as for the adults, this would not be 'my' recommendation.  But I still know many who will..  So, give it a try and see for yourself! :)

MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER

Series: My Fair Godmother #2

Author: Janette Rallison

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: April 12th 2011

Source: Bought

Genre: Fairy tale retelling, Fantasy, Young-adult

Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn't exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. Janette Rallison pulls out all the stops in this fresh, fun-filled follow-up to the popular My Fair Godmother.

REVIEW

As its predecessor, this novel is also fun, fairy-tale-ish and adorable.  People need these kind of books once in a while.  It makes reading more light and safe from emotions.

This novel is about Tansy whose life is about messed up in the fairy tales of Robinhood and Rumpelstiltskin.  As much as I liked this novel, I loved "My Fair Godmother" more!

Loved it and recommending both the books in the "My Fair Godmother" series!

So readers, have you read or heard about any of the above two books?  What do you think about them?

Review & $50 Amazon Gift Card giveaway: Road to Tomorrow by Mary Metcalfe

Original Title: Road to Tomorrow
Series: Look to the Future #3
Author: Mary Metcalfe
Publisher: Laskin Publishing
Release Date: September 30th 2012
Source: Novel Publicity Blog Tour
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Andrea Garrett is trying to escape her abusive marriage. Fearing for her life, she leaves behind her two small children and flees Newark the day before her husband is due to arrive back from a tour of duty. After falling asleep at the wheel and landing in a ditch, her life takes on a new direction when strangers step in and introduce her to a life she could only have imagined and one that could save her soul and give her children the future they deserve.

REVIEW

Andrea Garrett, along with her two children - Simon and Emily, has escaped from her abusive husband, which she has done after many failed attempts.  She leaves the children with her brother, Richard, and leaves the town to settle somewhere far far away from her husband.  She lands into an accident and from there, Andrea sees new people and enter a new life.  Carol and Devin, a happy couple help her and adopt Andrea as her own daughter.  The people soon become friendly with Andrea and help her in all ways to settle down in that town. But, Sean, Andrea's husband comes for her..  Will Andrea be able to escape him this time?  Andrea has found new love and life here..will she have to forgo everything again?

What I liked:

Review: Blue Rose in Chelsea by Adriana Devoy

Original Title: Blue Rose in Chelsea
Author: Adriana Devoy
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Source: From the author
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Haley Barrett senses that her life is about to forever change when she spies a blue rose in a Chelsea gateway.

She drops out of Princeton, heeding an intuition that there is something she must find before it is too late, and takes a job as a nanny for an Upper West Side family. In a blues club one night, she falls for the charismatic Evan Candelier, an actor whose star is rising. Evan’s façade of perfection begins to crack when he meets Haley, yet he keeps her at a mystifying distance.

Haley’s dashing rock musician brother conspires to keep them apart and return Haley to the Ivy League. Haley finds a “fairy godmother” in the irrepressible Sinclair Wellington, a costumer and Scottish count. Sinclair sews for Haley an enchanted velvet coat, entangles her in elegant misadventures to win Evan, all the while insisting that in matters of love, nothing is impossible. Until, one snowy day, Sinclair’s lost love from decades past reappears to upend his world.

From brownstones to bookshops, cafes to cathedrals, artist garrets to glittering avenues this circle of bohemians wend their way through late 80s Manhattan. No fairytale is complete without a castle (in Scotland), a ball (at Tavern On The Green), and a revelation, (in a vineyard at twilight) that will surprise and delight.

REVIEW

Haley, the main character in the story, after dropping out of Princeton, comes to stay with her brother, Dylan.  She spots a blue rose there, which she believes is a sign of miracle.  Soon, she meets Evan, Dylan's friend, is trying to get a chance in the acting career.  There is instant attraction between the two.  But, Dylan, being overprotective of her, tries to keep them apart.  Will Haley finally win over Evan and is Evan truly worth all the risk?

Although the character development is not up to the mark, I still loved many of the characters here.  There were many literary references, which covers probably half of the book.  While this may appear as a positive thing for many, it became boring for me after some chapters.  There are more and more of unnecessary discussions, meetings and outings, which just drags on and on.  It would have been nice, just to go on with the story.  Actually, the overall story is good.  But, just the slow pace of the novel took the mood and essence from it.

If there is some speed and if it has been a short story, I would have loved it.  Also, those who are classic and literature fans may enjoy it, but this book is just not for me.

Review: Beguiled (Immortal Essence #2) by RaShelle Workman

Original Title: Beguiled
Series: Immortal Essence #2
Author: RaShelle Workman
Publisher: Polished Pen Press
Release Date: October 19th 2012
Source: From "Orangeberry Book Tours"
Genre: Science Fiction, Young adult, Romance



Worlds divided them. Chance brought them together. Only love will save them.

In book 2 of the Immortal Essence series, Venus must enter her planet's Hell, and complete three trials in order to free her parents, and save her soulmate.

SUMMARY:

Venus has become immortal, just as she always wanted. In the process she hurt Zaren, lost Michael, and destroyed her family.

At least that's what she believed.

Turns out Ramien, the god of her planets' underworld, has her parents, and Michael.

To save them, Venus makes a deal. She must complete three trials. They seem impossible. They certainly won't be easy. Worst of all, someone she loves won't make it out alive.

REVIEW

This is the second book of the Immortal Essence series.  I haven't read the first one, and so for those readers like me, who are starting directly with the first, here are some information:

• Venus is the Princess of the planet, Kelari.
• Venus is sent to Earth, to get Michael, the human, to find his soul mate.  But, Michael confessed his love for her.  This is her task that she must do to attain her immortality.
• Venus chose her guardian, Zaren, over Michael, at the end of the first book.
• At the end of the first book, Venus becomes immortal and comes back to Kelari.
• Cross-species mating is forbidden by the laws of the Universe.
• Humans can't live in Kelari, just as Kelarians can't live in Earth forever.

So, after Venus comes back, she finds that her parents were missing.  She is a emotional mess..always crying and depending on Zaren to sooth her.  Then she meets the human, Michael, in Kelari..alive.  She wonders how he is alive in her planet, as he humans usually can't withstand.  Then Michael reveals that he is not human and he knows her parents' location.  Venus follows him to a place, where souls are caught and kept by the soulless (literally!) Ramien, the god of the planets' underworld.  Ramien says her that her parents are dead and if she needs their souls to be free, she should marry him.  Not only that, Ramien has bigger plans to Venus and gives her three tasks just for entertainment.  If Ramien marries her, he will become equivalent to a Creator.

This book is a fast-paced sci-fi novel.  Although I loved the overall idea of the book, it might be better if the characters are well-developed, and the writing better.  Its always good to know some new world, but I felt the story somewhat rushed.  The major details are missing like why does Venus doesn't have any powers if she is such a high entity and why keep the three tasks if Ramien anyway wishes to marry her.  It doesn't solve any purpose, except kill some more people.

In spite of its flaws, I liked the world building of the novel.   I wish to learn more about this series, and would definitely wish to read more.