Brad About Books: My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski

Read on March 7, 2013

MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE

Published: November 1, 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 192 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: Fairy Tale Life, #1

You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies. 
I've spent my life as an official adventurer. I travel across enchanted kingdoms saving magical creatures and fighting horrible beasts that most of you think are only myths and legends. I've never had a social life. My friends have all forgotten me. And let's not even talk about trying to do my homework. So -- I'm done!! I'm tired and I want to go back to being a normal girl. But then along comes "Prince Charming" asking for help, and, well, what's a tired girl like me supposed to do? 

My Very UnFairy Tale Life is definitely a fun and light read, but unfortunately, was a bit too juvenile for my tastes. But still, this definitely put some fun into my reading life!

Jenny was such a great protagonist! I loved getting to go on her adventures with her, and the author definitely did a great job at making the adventures epic and interesting for the MG crowd. I'm a big fairy tale fan, so getting to see some fairy tales interwoven throughout the story really appealed to me. Plus, there's a unicorn at the beginning of the book. What's not to love?

But my only complaint is that I didn't connect with the book. I noticed that if an adventure wasn't occurring, I would doze off from the story and get distracted. Not always, but sometimes. I'm not sure why though. Maybe it was too juvenile for me? Maybe I found some things a bit too girly? I'm not sure. 

That still doesn't take away from the fact that you can't read this book and not think that it was awesome. Again, the adventures were excellently crafted and masterfully plotted. Going back, I see lots of foreshadowing that I didn't catch before, and I adore that. Props to the author for doing that!

Overall, My Very UnFairy Tale Life was great; I had just had problems with a few parts in the book. If you're looking for something fun and adventurous, you must pick up this book!

Brad About Books: A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

Read from March 5 to March 6, 2013

A TOUCH MORBID

Published: February 28, 2012

Publisher: Greenwillow (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 299 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: Touch, #2

Eden saved Az.

Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground. Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall? A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.

Talk about an amazing sequel. Leah Clifford's follow-up to A Touch Mortal was absolutely brilliant. Fast-paced and fantastic, A Touch Morbid is a delightful and amazing book. Definitely one of my favorites of the year!

Eden is one my favorite characters of all time. So much that I even featured her in a Top Ten Tuesday post. Clifford did an amazing job at developing her character even more. I absolutely adored seeing Eden grow ever stronger, and believe me, if you thought Eden was tough and fierce in A Touch Mortal, wait 'til you read the sequel! And of course, all the other characters are amazing. Az is just an awesome character, and I really grew to like Kristen in A Touch Morbid! Needless to say, the characters were great.

And the pacing was great as well! Non-stop action was thrown at the reader, and I couldn't believe some things that happened in this novel. Leah Clifford masterfully pulls off plot twists and making very epic things happen in a book. Because a lot of stuff in A Touch Morbid shocked me. And I couldn't get enough of it!

The whole storyline of spreading the Touch is phenomenal and unlike anything I've ever read. The stakes are raised even higher in A Touch Morbid, and the Touch became even more of a problem for our characters. I was constantly rooting for them and cheering them on. A Touch Morbid is definitely on my list for best sequels of all time.

Overall, I absolutely loved, loved, loved A Touch Morbid so much! Leah Clifford did a brilliant job with this sequel. Constantly captivating and engaging, this is easily one of my favorite series.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Selection by Kiera Cass

THE SELECTION
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 327 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: The Selection, #1

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I started reading The Selection the day it came out (which was eleven months ago; gosh, I am horrible about posting reviews. I'm trying to get better, though!). And let me tell you, I was fanboying so hard after I finished it. Definitely fun and lighthearted, The Selection is not a book to miss.

Fun is the word that sums up this book. The Selection is FUN! I watch the Bachelor(ette) on occasions, so when I heard that this was a futuristic Bachelor-esce story, I knew that it had to be on my radar. And after I got done reading, I totally felt happy and full of soul. It just has so much fun between the pages and does almost pan out like an episode of the Bachelor: you've got your romance, you've got your drama (Celeste is the absolute worst), and you've got your secret sabotaging. It was super hard to put this novel down.

America was a really awesome protagonist. I enjoyed reading about her and her backstory, and overall, the author did a great job at crafting her character and her development together. The threads of love interwoven throughout The Selection really blew my mind. I noticed that the author put it parts of romance that I didn't see coming, and I adored that part about this novel.

I have two negative things to say about The Selection though: 1) Aspen? Really? That dude is a jerk. 2) I wanted to see more of the rebel attacks. I was expecting quite a lot of action when the attacks would happen, but I was let down when that never happen. But I have heard that they get super awesome and crazy in The Elite, and I'm definitely looking forward to that part!

So overall, The Selection was definitely a highlight of last year. There is no way that this book shouldn't be on your list. Beautifully and seamlessly-crafted, The Selection is one of the best debuts I've ever read.

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