Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches. 

The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache. 

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them. 

With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.


Wow. To be honest, this was total let down for me. I love the Blue Bloods series, which is also by Melissa de la Cruz. I didn't really know what I was reading when I first started. When it got halfway, it got a little better. But I'm not a fan of this book, but it still was a good read. It's about three women --- witches. Just... mehh for me.


Witches of East End:
Published: June 21, 2011
Format: US Hardcover
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 
Average Rating: 3.55  stars
Page Count: 272 pages


Upcoming Sequel: ???


Rating: 3/5

The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper

Michelle Cooper combines the drama of pre-War Europe with the romance of debutante balls and gives us another compelling historical page turner.Sophia FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home when the Germans attacked, and now find themselves in the lap of luxury. Sophie's journal fills us in on the social whirl of London's 1937 season, but even a princess in lovely new gowns finds it hard to fit in. Is there no other debutante who reads?!And while the balls and house parties go on, newspaper headlines scream of war in Spain and threats from Germany. No one wants a second world war. Especially not the Montmaravians—with all Europe under attack, who will care about the fate of their tiny island kingdom? Will the FitzOsbornes ever be able to go home again? Could Montmaray be lost forever?


Sophie FitzOsborne. A character who has grown such much more maturer than the first book. I do prefer The FitzOsbornes in Exile over A Brief History of Montmaray. I love the European set, especially since it's set during the war. And what's better than in my opinion the best setting in Europe?!?! I still give it the same rating as I did A Brief History of Montmaray, mainly because some parts I felt weren't into full detail as I thought they should be. Still, a very good read! 


The FitzOsbornes in Exile:
Published: April 5, 2011
Format: US Hardcover
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Average Rating: 4.21 stars
Page Count: 464 pages


Rating: 3.5/5 stars

A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper

“There’s a fine line between gossip and history, when one is talking about kings.”
Sophie Fitzosborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray with her eccentric and impoverished royal family. When she receives a journal for her sixteenth birthday, Sophie decides to chronicle day-to-day life on the island. But this is 1936, and the news that trickles in from the mainland reveals a world on the brink of war. The politics of Europe seem far away from their remote island—until two German officers land a boat on Montmaray. And then suddenly politics become very personal indeed.

A Brief History of Montmaray is a heart-stopping tale of loyalty, love, and loss, and of fighting to hold on to home when the world is exploding all around you.


I was interested in this story because I learned that it takes place in a castle. Also, my local librarian recommended it to me. This wasn't an amazing read, but still a good book. I didn't think that Sophie would act the way she did. I knew that she would either be an amazing character (like Tris from Veronica Roth's "Divergent") or she would be a horrible female protagonist (like Luce from Lauren Kate's "Fallen"). She wasn't a Luce, but she wasn't a Tris either. I think she was a very different and unique character. 
I did enjoy Cooper's writing style. Some authors I hate the way they write. Some authors don't describe things that they should in the book, and other authors describe WAY too much. I think Michelle did very good with balancing it out. 


A Brief History of Montmaray:
Published: October 13, 2009
Format: US Hardcover
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Average Rating: 3.56 stars
Page Count: 304 stars


Sequel: The FitzOsbornes in Exile (April 5, 2011) 

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean

He believed the dog was immortal. 

So begins Susan Orlean’s sweeping, powerfully moving story of Rin Tin Tin’s journey from orphaned puppy to movie star and international icon. From the moment in 1918 when Corporal Lee Duncan discovers Rin Tin Tin on a World War I battlefield, he recognizes something in the pup that he needs to share with the world. Rin Tin Tin’s improbable introduction to Hollywood leads to the dog’s first blockbuster film and over time, the many radio programs, movies, and television shows that follow. The canine hero’s legacy is cemented by Duncan and a small group of others who devote their lives to keeping him and his descendants alive. 

At its heart, Rin Tin Tin is a poignant exploration of the enduring bond between humans and animals. But it is also a richly textured history of twentieth-century entertainment and entrepreneurship and the changing role of dogs in the American family and society. Almost ten years in the making, Susan Orlean’s first original book since The Orchid Thief is a tour de force of history, human interest, and masterful storytelling—the ultimate must-read for anyone who loves great dogs or great yarns.


I won this ARC off of Goodreads! Thank you Simon & Schuester! 


I thought this book was great. I learned so much of the history of Rin Tin Tin and of World War I. I didn't know that they used animals the World Wars. They used dogs for medical attention, helping nurses, delivering cigars, and they even strapped bombs on the back of dogs and sent them out into the battlefield. I just loved learning things about Rin Tin Tin, like how he was born on the battlefield. I loved learning about his rise to fame and him on the big screen. This is a non-fiction novel and it's not what I usually read, but I'm so glad I did! I recommend it!


Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend:
Expected Publication Date: October 4, 2011
Format: Advanced Reader's Copy 
Publisher: Simon & Schuester
Average Rating So Far: 3.88 stars
Pages: 320 pages


Rating: 4/5 stars

Book Series Review: The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter. In my opinion, the best series ever made. I just love the imagination that J.K. Rowling has created for us to experience. Not one time is there a bad moment, or a time that I thought "that shouldn't have had happened". And I never want the series to end. Unfortunately, all good things---let me rephrase that---all GREAT things must come to and end. I went and saw the midnight premiere for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on July 14. Now that the series is over, Harry Potter deserves this review. This will be a different kind of review then how I do my other reviews. I will not put the synopsis of the books, and I will not put the product details of the boos. Now, I will be sharing my thoughts of every book in this amazing series. THERE WILL BE SPOILERS IN THESE REVIEWS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

My brother (who is twenty years old), first read this book back when it was first released in 1998. Back then, I was only one. So I didn't really understand the greatness of Harry Potter. It wasn't until I was eight in second grade when I first read this book. I instantly fell in love. What couldn't you love about this? It has been challenged and banned in many places on Earth for witchcraft, but in my opinion, all that J.K. Rowling has created is the best imagination story ever. It's not asking people to believe in magic or witches or anything like that. It's just a wonderful story and I love it so much. 


5/5 stars

I know that if people have to pick a least favorite in the Harry Potter series, it's usually this one. This one is one of my favorites. Here we are introduced to the first horcrux, which is Tom Riddle's diary. I just love the idea of the Chamber of Secrets, and the basilisk that lives inside it. The moment when the basilisk is blind, and it's trying to find Harry by hearing and it's almost got Harry, my whole body tensed up and I loved it.


5/5 stars

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. My absolute favorite book. I'm not sure why, but I've always preferred this over any other Harry Potter book. I love the hippogriff. It's just an awesome and amazing creature. Here we meet Sirius, a man who is misunderstood and is accused of being a criminal. I'm pretty sure I'll always love this one the most. I love the part when Hermoine punches Draco in the face, and he falls down. I always laugh when I read that. I also loved that Hermoine and Harry go back in time to save the hippogriff from being killed. Just an amazing book, as well as every book in the Harry Potter series!

Please don't hate me, but if I had to choose a least favorite in the Harry Potter series, it would have to be this one. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Goblet of Fire, I just like the other ones just a tiny bit better. I do love the Tri-Wizard Championship. My favorite would have to be the maze. And when Cedric and Harry touch the cup and are transported to Voldemort, that scene took my breath away. My stomach knotted up when Cedric died, and I felt Harry's emotions in that scene. I also like how now, Voldemort has become a human being standing on two legs. I do love this book, I just prefer the others.


5/5 stars

The longest Harry Potter book. But I loved every minute of it. I just love the Order of the Phoenix, and how at one point, all the wizards fly on their brooms to make a "V" shape, like how geese fly. I thought that was very creative and great. Of course, I love the scenes where the wizards duel with the death eaters. I hate to admit it, but I love Bellatrix. Not personality wise, but just the way she talks, walks and that big hair! I laugh every time I think of Bellatrix. Another amazing novel from J.K. Rowling.


5/5 stars

I love the pensive in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. But I have to say, the ending to this is one of the most saddest moments ever. And I really like that cover. Who am I kidding? I love EVERY cover for Harry Potter. I felt Harry's emotions (again) when he was furious with Snape (you know why he was). Amazing!


5/5

My second favorite Harry Potter book. Again, all great things must come to an end. At least Harry Potter ended with an amazing book! The battle at the end was amazing and just every little detail was great. I read this while on vacation in Georgia back in 2007. I'm so glad I got to experience the Harry Potter series.


5/5


My favorite Harry Potter books in order:


1. Prisoner of Azkaban 
2. Deathly Hallows
3. Order of the Phoenix
4. Chamber of Secrets
5. Sorcerer's Stone
6. Half-Blood Prince
7. Goblet of Fire


My favorite film is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.


I'm going to end this review with a special note to all my die-hard Harry Potter fans.


I know that the last film just came out and now the series is now over. But it's not really over. For me, I can re-read the books and enter this magical and wonderful world that J.K. Rowling has created over and over again and not ever get bored. And the magic and experience that we've had with Harry Potter will still always be with us. 


Besides, we still have the Pottermore website to look forward to in October!


Thanks for reading my review of Harry Potter!


Series rating: 5/5 stars

Book Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster's art collection has been stolen, and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat’s father isn’t just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it’s a spectacularly impossible job? She’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s (very crooked) history—and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

This is the fastest book I've ever read. I seriously couldn't put it down. The story is just rich with great ideas. The second fastest book I've ever read would be The Devouring by Simon Holt, which is also an amazing book. 

Our main character here is Katarina, an overall wonderful character. I can understand here wanting out the family business. I felt really connected to her for some reason. Parts of the book were divided up into how long Kat had until the deadline, which was pretty cool to read about. I had never read anything like this, and now I want to read more! I cannot wait to read Uncommon Criminals!

Heist Society:

Published: February 9, 2010

Format: US Hardcover

Publisher: Disney Hyperion 

Average Rating: 4.09 stars

Page Count: 287 pages

Sequel: Uncommon Criminals (June 21, 2011)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme where you tell about a book you are waiting for it to come out. Here is mine! Supernaturally by Kiersten White.

Supernaturally will be released on July 26, 2011