In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by Kristi at The Story Siren. So here's what I got this week!

From Library:

- Liar by Justine Larbalestier

- The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff

- Untouchable (Private #3) by Kate Brian (I've only got 30 pages left!)

- Confessions (Private #4) by Kate Brian

- Young Warriors: Stories of Strength edited by Tamora Pierce and Josepha Sherman

- L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad

- Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

- Vision in White by Nora Roberts (Already Read)

- The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4) by Melissa de la Cruz (Already Read)

What did you get?

Leave a comment :)

BTW: Sorry, I don't know why there's gaps...

Vision in White (Bride Quartet #1) by Nora Roberts

Title: Vision in White (Bride Quartet #1) 

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 325

Age Group: 15+

From: Public Library

Genre: Romance, Chick Lit

Blurb: After years of throwing make-believe weddings in the backyard, flowers, photography, desserts, and details are what these women do best: a guaranteed perfect, beautiful day full of memories to last the rest of your life.

With bridal magazine covers to her credit, Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera - ready to capture the happy moments she never experienced while growing up. Her father replaced his first family with a second, and now her mother, moving on to yet another man, beg Mac for attention and money. Mac's foundation is jostled again moments before an important wedding planning meeting when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

Carter Maquire is definitely not her type: he's stable, and he's safe. He's even an English teacher at their high school alma mater. There's something about him that makes Mac think a casual fling is just what she needs to take her mind off dealing with bridezillas and screening her mother's phone calls. But a casual fling can turn into something more when you least expect it. And with the help of her three best friends - and business partners - Mac must learn how to make her own happy memories...

Review: First off I may start with saying that I have a massive well, obsession with Weddings in general, not to mention Wedding Planners! It's not just me, my friends and I are planning a movie evening with all wedding based movies!!

This book was serious when it needed to be yet light and fluffy! It's the kind of book that might look long but you can just pick it up and fly through it! 

At times, some little things didn't feel right, but at the end of the book I felt really happy. It's almost like I can feel the friendship between Mac and her friends. I would love to have friends like hers.

I don't really think I can say anything bad about this book!!

  5/5

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4) by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4)

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Pages: 369

Age group: 14+

From: Local Library

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Vampires, Fallen Angels)

Blurb:WARNING IF YOU PLAN TO READ THIS SERIES (Blue Bloods) AND ARE NOT UP TO THIS BOOK I SUGGEST NOT READING THIS BLURB OR REVIEW AS IT MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

 With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.

Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this 
highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series.

Review: I'm here writing this review about a month after reading the book, so forgive me if I get some details wrong.

This book was amazing and yet a let down. Maybe it is because I judge a book, not on only the book but on the authors other works, the characters and also the rest of the series and how this book fits in. 

I felt that in The Van Alen Legacy, some things happened that I didn't want to happen. They just didn't really fit. When I finished this book I thought it was the end of the series because in a way, everything was not perfect, but finished at the end.

The reason I'm giving this book 5 stars is because I would recommend this series, and still enjoyed the book. I have to say though... I think I've just fallen in love.. with Oliver! (I was already in love with Jack, he's my no. 1!)

 5/5

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures

Author(s): Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Pages: 576

Age Group: 15+

From: Public Library

Genre: Fantasy/ Paranormal, Romance

Blurb: There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Review: I loved this book! When I got it from the library I was surprised that it was so thick! Thick books tend to drag on but Beautiful Creatures didn't! It was really interesting, and the storyline kept me reading, as well as the fantastic writing. 

What I also liked about this book was the darkness. Usually I don't like books that give me Dark Aura's but I loved this book. There is (supposedly) a movie about this book coming out in 2011/ 2012. The whole time reading this I could picture it as a movie, with Lena's house like a haunted mansion. 

What I also liked about this book was that it was unpredictable and kept me wrapped to the very end. I hope to read the hopefully-soon-to-come-out-sequel soon!

Recommended for: Everyone!

 5/5

Cupid's Arrow by Isabelle Merlin

Title: Cupid's Arrow

Author: Isabelle Merlin

Pages: 366

Age Group: 14+

From: Public Library

Genre: Romance, Mystery/ Crime

Blurb:  It's been a while since 16-year-old Fleur Griffon has had one of the weird and scary dreams that used to plague her childhood. So she's really creeped out when she starts dreaming of being hunted through a dark forest by an unseen, sinister archer. 

But when her bookseller mother unexpectedly inherits the magnificent library of a famous French author, Fleur forgets all about her fears. Excitedly, mother and daughter travel to Bellerive Manor, near the ancient French town of Avallon, reputedly the last resting place of the 'real' King Arthur. And it is there, in the magical green forest near Bellerive, that Fleur meets a handsome, mysterious boy called Remy Gomert. It seems to be love at first sight, beautiful as a dream.

But Fleur's nightmare is just about to begin . . .

Review: I loved this book! It was amazing! And unpredictable! I mean, really, if you looked at the front cover you expect romance but not crime and mystery! Also I love how it's set in France! And how King Arthur is put into it! It's just so original!  Really, I have nothing bad to say about this book! 

I recommend this to everyone!

 5/5

Never Slow Dance with a Zombie

Title: Never Slow Dance With a Zombie 

Auhor: E. Van Lowe

Pages: 256

Age Group: 12+

From: Public Library

Genre: Paranormal (Zombies), Humor, Romance

Blurb:  Principal Taft's 3 Simple Rules for Surviving a Zombie Uprising:

Rule #1: While in the halls, walk slowly and wear a vacant expression on your face. Zombies won't attack other zombies.

Rule #2: Never travel alone. Move in packs. Follow the crowd. Zombies detest blatant displays of individuality.

Rule #3: If a zombie should attack, do not run. Instead, throw raw steak at to him. Zombies love raw meat. This display of kindness will go a long way.

On the night of her middle school graduation, Margot Jean Johnson wrote a high school manifesto detailing her goals for what she was sure would be a most excellent high school career. She and her best friend, Sybil, would be popular and, most important, have boyfriends. Three years later, they haven't accomplished a thing!

Then Margot and Sybil arrive at school one day to find that most of the student body has been turned into flesh-eating zombies. When kooky Principal Taft asks the girls to coexist with the zombies until the end of the semester, they realize that this is the perfect opportunity to live out their high school dreams. All they have to do is stay alive....

Review: To be honest I didn't really find this book very interesting. It was kind of predictable and the writing wasn't fantastic. I really didn't like the main character Margot. I found her rude, selfish and just annoying. It made me feel so sorry for her friend Sybil. The question is would you really do anything to get the 'popular' boy? For Margot that answer is yes... And really I don't think it should be.

 1/5

Nancy Drew: Model Menace

Title: Nancy Drew: Model Menace

Author: Carolyn Keene

Pages: 160

Age group: 10+

From: Public Library

Genre: Crime/ Mystery

Blurb: I thought I had cracked the case when I found out who was trying to sabotage Sydney's wedding out of jealousy. It's easy to be envious of a gorgeous model betrothed to the hottest reality star on television. But even after I uncovered the villain, things did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. Could Sydney be sabotaging her own wedding due to cold feet?

I know that seems ridiculous, but it also seems ridiculous that someone would want to hurt the kind Sydney in any way. And it seems unlikely that my suspect could have acted alone to ruin the shower. Is it possible that the crook is working with someone else to bring Sydney and her fiancé, Vic, down? I'll need to act fast to catch whoever is up to no good.

Review: I picked up this book from my local library because I used to love Nancy Drew! She's one of the series that got me to like reading! But maybe it's because I didn't read the first book in this trilogy (oops) or maybe it's because I've gotten older but this book wasn't the best Nancy Drew book. 

The writing just didn't seem the same. As you may or not know Carolyn Keene isn't an actual person. It's a group of writers who write Nancy Drew under that name. Maybe it's because this book was only published last year and well I don't know. The story line was okay... And well. Yeah. It was good but not the best.

Recommended for: Nancy Drew and young people who love crime lovers.

 2/5

Dead Girl Dancing by Linda Joy Singleton

Title: Dead Girl Dancing (Dead Girl #2) (Sequel to Dead Girl Walking)

Author: Linda Joy Singleton

Pages: 240

Age Group: 12+

From: Public Library

Genre: Fantasy/ Paranormal (Kind of Spirits?), A little romance, Humor

Blurb: "I can't believe I'm in the wrong body — again!" Apparently, this freaky phenomenon of stepping into someone's life — and their body — has a name: Temp Lifer.
And when my dead grandmother heaped on the praise for a job well done last time, I sort of let it happen again. (Grrr... thanks, Grammy.)
So now I'm hungover and gazing in the mirror at... my boyfriend's older sister, who is getting ready to go wild on spring break — while being pursued 
by a psycho stalker and a Dark Lifer. Help!

Review: I love these books! Though I read the third book before the second and I knew what would happen in Dead Girl Dancing I still loved it! It's the perfect mix of humor and suspense! I didn't know what would happen and I really liked this adventure of Amber's!

I recommend it to people who like a short, easy (to read) and fun book!

 4/5

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by Kristi at The Story Siren.It is here that I will tell you about the books that I got this week...

Bought/ received:

- Hunger by Michael Grant (Sequel to Gone)

- Invitation Only by Kate Brian (Private series #2)

From Library: 

- Such a pretty girl by Laura Weiss

- Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

- Dead Girl Walking by Linda Joy Singleton (Dead girl series #2) (I've already read #3 though)

- The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson

- The Wrecking Ball by Christiana Spens

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

 Title: Demon Princess: Reign or Shine

Author: Michelle Rowen

Pages: 288

Age group: 13+

From: Public Library

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Demons)

Blurb: As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands—the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious—and surprisingly cute—messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her growing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew—what's a teenage demon princess to do?


Review: While I liked this book, I think it was average. I really hate that their is always a new girl. So, this book started off predictable and ended the same way. Some things were really obvious. I'm not going to say what they are because I don't want to ruin it for some people.

The writing was okay, the story line was okay, the characters were okay. I think this is just another book that I'll soon forget about...

2/5

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

 Title: Shiver 

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Pages: 392

Age group: 14+

From: Christmas Present to Moi :)

Genre: Romance, Fantasy (Werewolves)

Blurb: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay
human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review: First of I'll start by saying that this was the last book I read last year. And I was happy to read this book as my last of '09 because Shiver was amazing! This is definitely an example of a 5 star book!

What I loved about Shiver was the characters - though really the names? I mean Sam and Paul (twilight saga), and Shelby (Never Cry Werewolf). Anyway I loved the characters especially of Sam and Grace. The love between them really felt real to me. 

And the way that Maggie wrote - wow! Reading this book, it just reminds me of a poem for some reason. I really think that this story was original, creative and unpredictable. Though both my sister and I were a little confused by the ending. I can't wait for the next book in the series Linger!

I recommend this book to everyone!

5/5

AN: Coloured text is still only working for parts of a post :(

The Queen's Soprano by Carol Dines

Title: The Queen's Soprano

Author: Carol Dines

Pages: 316

Age group: 14+

From: Public Library

Genre: Historical Romance

Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Angelica Voglia has the voice of an angel. But in seventeenth-century Rome, the pope has forbidden women to sing in public. To make matters worse, her controlling mother is determined to marry her off to a wealthy nobleman, even though Angelica is in love with a poor French artist. Angelica's only hope to sing before an audience—and escape a forced marriage—is to flee to Queen Christina's court, where she will become the queen's soprano. But she soon discovers that the palace walls are not completely secure . . . and her freedom will require even greater sacrifice than she imagined.

Review: This book was amazing. The whole way through the book I was thinking to myself that The Queen's Soprano would definitely get 5 stars... 

The reason why I'm giving this book 4 stars, not 5 is because of the ending for two reasons:

a) because it was so sudden!

and b) because really, you don't know what will happen!

I guess you could argue that you didn't know the ending of most books but... if you read this you'll know what I mean. Other than those reasons this book was so good! It made me cry  at the right times, and laugh at other things that Angelica thought or said. Also, the way they talked about her 'Miracle' voice, it felt like I could hear it coming in one ear and out the other.

What I also liked about this book was that it wasn't just focused on romance, it had enough romance to keep you satisfied but it also focused on her relationship with her family an others.

Overall I think this book was great and would recommend it to everyone, especially to people who love historical books.

4/5

AN: For some unknown reason it won't let me change the boldness and colour of my font. Sorry!

My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey

 Title: My Love Lies Bleeding 

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Pages: 248

Age group: 12+

From: Public Library

Genre: Fantasy (Vampires), Humor and a bit of a mystery/adventure.

Blurb: The Drakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen.

Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange’s brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire?

Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father’s killer . . .

Review: What I really enjoyed about My Love Lies Bleeding is that it had humor and that it wasn't all serious. Also, the characters were so enjoyable and easy to relate to! I mean sure, your not a vampire and probably don't have to be a queen, but have you fallen for your best friend's brother that you once disliked? Have you had to go through a change?

Though the story wasn't 100% original, it had some interesting ideas. I liked that it was told from both Solange and Lucy's POV (Point of view). Though I didn't really like the ending, I guess it is passable because of the soon-to-be-released sequel, Blood Feud.

Overall I recommend this book to pre-teens and teens that enjoy a light yet adventurous read that contains vampires. 

4/5

                        

Magic Flutes by Eva Ibbotson

Title: Magic Flutes (Also called The Reluctant Heiress)

Author: Eva Ibbotson

Pages: 354

Age group: 14+

From: School Library

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Blurb: Spring 1922. Tessa is a beautiful, tiny, dark-eyed princess who's given up her duties to follow her heart, working backstage at the Viennese opera. No one there knows who she really is or that a fairy-tale castle is missing its princess - and Tessa is determined to keep it that way.

But secret lives can be complicated. When a wealth handsome Englishman discovers this bewitching urchin backstage, Tessa's two world's collide - and in escaping her inheritance, she finds her destiny...

Review: I really enjoyed this book, though it did take me awhile to get into. In the past I've tried to read it about three times. The reason why I keep picking up this book is because I've read another of Eva's books (The Secret Countess or The Countess Below Stars) and I really enjoyed it!

With both The Secret Countess and Magic Flutes, I think that they drag on a bit in the middle and then the end is rushed! What I really like though, is the way that Eva writes. It's kind of old fashioned but totally enjoyable. 

Overall I recommend this book to people who enjoy historical romance fiction.

3/5