Pathfinder By: Orson Scott Card

Title: Pathfinder
Author: Orson Scott Card
Pages: 672
Level: Young Adult
Published: November 23, 2010


From the internationally bestselling author who brought us Ender’s Game , a brand-new series that instantly draws readers into the world of Rigg, a teenager who possesses a secret talent that allows him to see the paths of people’s pasts. Rigg’s only confidant is his father, whose sudden death leaves Rigg completely alone, aside from a sister he’s never met. But a chance encounter with Umbo, another teen with a special talent, reveals a startling new aspect to Rigg’s abilities, compelling him to reevaluate everything he’s ever known. Rigg and Umbo join forces and embark on a quest to find Rigg’s sister and discover the true depth and significance of their powers. Because although the pair can change the past, the future is anything but certain….


Review: 


Oh, where to start. When I picked up this book, I thought it sounded interesting and even though it isn't something I would normally go for, I decided  I would try it out anyways. Before I even continue, I'm going to be honest when saying I didn't finish it. I had about a hundred pages left, but it was too much to continue on.


From the first page I was confused. I think that was a major turn off for me and it left me not wanting to continue on, but I managed to defy all odds and continue reading. 


Another thing that I didn't like was the time period, I have a hard time reading anything that isn't in this time period, it's normally really boring (any books that I've read anyways.) I don't want to bash everything though. The characters were really interesting, I didn't have any problems with any of them and they were all fairly likable. 


Another turn-off, probably the biggest, was at the beginning of every chapter there was another story going on. I didn't mind that so much, but the fact that there was so much physics going on. ugh. Not just the stories at the beginning of the chapter but the entire book. I had no idea what they were even talking about and am surprised I even made it through most of the book. 


For example, they had 19 jems, but they had to hide them. So when they went back to retrieve the jems they realized there were only 18. And they just knew that their future selves had went back into the past to steal one, so they had to go back in the past to hide it. I don't even know, but somehow in the end they ended up with 19 again.


I guess if you like weird, confusing, old time books, then you'll have a great time reading this. Personally, and obviously, I did NOT.

Cover: 4/5

Character Rating: 4/5

Style: 1/5

Development: 3/5

Overall:  **

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Title: Tiger's Curse

Author: Colleen Houck

Pages: 448

Level: Young Adult

Published: January 1, 2011

Synopsis:

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Review: Witcha had told me that she liked this book series a lot but she wasn't sure I was going to like it.I decided to read it anyways because I heard a lot of good things about it. Well yeah, I didn't like it. The main character had a very cliched personality- the damsel in distress. The plot, seemingly different, was not different at all. It is the same love triangle that has been retold a thousand times over. Another thing that bothered me was when Ren, the tiger, turned into a human, I couldn't picture him as the hot guy he supposedly was. All I could picture him was like this:

So when there was that little bit of romance between the main character and Ren, I was just like, EW. 

So yeah, I didn't like this book a whole lot. 

Cover: 5/5

Character:1/5

Style: 1/5

Development: 2/5

Overall: *

The Golden Lily By: Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 418
Level: Young Adult
Published: June 12, 2012



Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.
Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.
But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.
When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.
Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?


Review:


The anticipation for this book was absolutely killing me, you have no idea. I ordered this book off some college bookstore website because I could get it personally autographed, see picture below :D

Anyways, it was published the 12th and it was supposed to ship the 12th, well long story short I had to wait an entire week before it finally arrived, which I think is outrageous. I had already read half of it online by the time it arrived. 


The book ended up being beyond my expectations, the first one was really good, but it wasn't like I was absolutely yearning for this one, but it ended up being better than Bloodlines. 


I really didn't like Adrian at all in Vampire Academy I thought he was a creep, and Rose should belong with Dimitri. That being said, I absolutely fell in love with Adrian, he made me swoon so much, like seriously. I think it was because he really cared for Sydney and he noticed all the things that she thought no one did. I shipped Sydrian (Sydney+Adrian) so hard, I cried every time there was a good Sydrian moment.
i.e when Sydney drinks the slush for him, you'll know what I'm talking about when you read the book.


This book could not have been better, it was so amazing, I can't even. Ugh. 


I can't believe that Richelle Mead is making us wait until February 12, 2013 until the third comes out, The Indigo Spell.


If you are even hesitating to read Bloodlines, or this book, you are out of your freaking mind and need to read it ASAP. 

Cover: 4/5

Character Rating: 4/5

Style: 5/5

Development: 5/5

Overall: *****

Ascend By: Amanda Hocking

Title: Ascend
Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 326
Level: Young Adult
Published: April 26, 2012


(Spoilers of you haven't read the previous)



Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself.  If she doesn’t surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe.  But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind…even if it’s the only way to save them?


The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn’t the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice…who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end. 


Everything has been leading to this moment.  The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it.


Review:


This book was just....ugh so dang good. I made the mistake of reading the spoilers and at first I was extremely upset, but after reading the book it just made sense. 


Let me start off by saying that there was finally romance. I was swooning. I fell for Loki as well. He is just an amazing character. And, I know when you hear Loki you think of Avengers, but he's supposed to have blond hair and be really strong so I always imagined him as Thor. 


This book wasn't as fast paced as the others, but was even more enjoyable. I would so much love to be swept up into this novel for a day.


The ending to the series was well thought out, and although I was upset at the beginning, it was perfect because all the loose ends got tied up.


I would love to have more in the series, but it was nice that it was a trilogy. 

Cover: 3/5

Character Rating: 4/5

Style: 4/5

Development: 4/5

Overall: **** 1/2

Torn By: Amanda Hocking

Title: Torn
Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 332
Level: Young Adult
Published: November 2010

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…


She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.


Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.


Review: 


I liked this book more than I liked the last one. Questions were answered! 


It's hard writing a review for it though, because I'm getting the last one and this one mixed up.


The plot line was a lot more fast paced. She does meet another handsome lad, which much to my liking is exactly what the story needed. 


It still fell a little short in the romance department. She was definitely torn. I felt so frustrated because I wanted Finn and Wendy to be together so badly, but it just wasn't in the plot. 


Amanda did write in another guy, Duncan. He isn't a love interest but he's so awkward and lovable and was a great addition to the story. 


Overall, this book was extremely intriguing and made me want to pick up the third all the more.

Cover: 3/5

Character Rating: 4/5

Style: 3/5

Development: 4/5

Overall: ****