Short Reviews: Clockwork Angel, The Gardener, Something Like Fate, and The Red Necklace

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Claire
August 31st 2010 by Margaret K. McElderry

I wanted to love this book, I really did. I am a huge fan of Cassie Clare. I love her style of writing and adore The Mortal Instruments. Clockwork Angel was a more juvenile, watered down version of TMI. The love story was barely there, and I didn't feel the tension like I do with Jace and Clary. I didn't enjoy the steampunk aspects of this book like I wanted to. The mechanisms and magic seemed a little hokey and again, juvenile. I liked hearing familiar names, and this alone will make me stay tuned.

3.75 Stars

The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen
May 25th 2010 by Feiwel & Friends

This is a tough book to review. It's my kind of story - Sci-Fi, but it fell short. I thought the premise was very interesting, and for this novel to totally work it needed to be longer and a little more gruesome to be an excellent YA. I needed more details (almost there), and a more drawn out storyline with more developed characters. I think this story works better as a juvenile fiction, but the premise is almost too gruesome for a younger crowd. Okay for middle school, but I don't see an elementary library picking this one up. It's almost in between, and needed to go one way or the other.

3 Stars

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

May 2010 by Viking Juvenile

Fast-paced, quick read. Voices were true to a teenagers - I was impressed. Only problem was, I hated the way her supposedly BFF Erin treated Lani after her relationship with Jason shifted. Seemed a bit extreme. I don't think a true best friend would be that harsh and downright cruel. Also, the recovery seemed too easy. Why would Lani be desperate for Erin's friendship after the way she was treated?

Also, I was thinking that there would be "real" cheating. (cover art led me to believe there was some double-dipping) I think if Lani and Jason had a torrid affair while Jason was with Erin, that might explain some of the cruel backlash by Erin and classmates. Maybe I just wanted to there to be a torrid love affair full of lies. Hmmm. Still, cute read and would read Colasanti's others!

3.5 Stars

The Red Necklace (audio) by Sally Gardner

Read by Carrington MacDuffie

May 2008 by Listening Library (Audio)

Historical Fiction is not my strong suit. (I'm working on it!) I wanted to listen to this book because of the time period, the underlying story of magic, and because it was on a Lonestar list. Although the actor's voice was fantastic (so many different character voices), I struggled with the story. It was too lengthy for me and during the last two discs...I was ready to just get to the end. The story takes place in France and there was a lot of historical dates and places. I am sad to say I was confused.

2 Stars

250 Follower Giveaway Winner

Congratulations goes to:

Rebecca & The Almost Librarian

You have won an ARC of Matched by Ally Condie, a hardback copy of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and a Vlad bag! An email has been sent to you. You have 72 hours to contact me, or I will pick a new winner. Thank you to everyone who entered! The response was overwhelming - 765 entries - and I am truly grateful!

Reminders:

Gratitude Giveaway ends Sunday, November 28th

Happy Reading!

250/300/350 Follower Giveaway + New Item Added!

UPDATE #2!

Look who passed 300 this wknd! As promised, I am throwing in a little somethin' somethin'. If I get to 350 followers by the end of the contest - Wednesday, November 24th - I will throw in this lovely item (arm not included):

That's right....a Vlad Bag! If you are the lucky 250, 300, make that 350 Follower winner, you will receive an ARC of MATCHED, hardback CLOCKWORK ANGEL, and a Vlad Blag! What are you waiting for....go enter below! (don't forget to comment on this post for that extra entry) Good Luck!

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UPDATE!

Welp, I made it past 250 follower thanks to you all! As promised, I am upping the prize and the contest has turned into a 300 Follower Giveaway. Here is what I have decided to add:

'Dat's right....a hardback copy of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. If you haven't heard of the this book or Cassie's Mortal Instrument series...get out from under your rock and enter to win this book! ;) If I reach 300 followers....the winner will receive Matched and Clockwork Angel. Ohhhh, ahhhhh.

PS, for those of you that want an extra point - you need to comment who your "match" would be on this blog post. Not just on the form. If you already entered and didn't do this...do it now, and I will make it count. I love hearing your answers!

Now.....get to it!

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Awe, sounds precious doesn't it - just 250 followers? To me, that's fantastic! I started this blog for school and since August, I have been able to use I READ BANNED BOOKS for me and my little book addiction. So here we are, almost at 250.

Here is what I have up for grabs when I hit 250:

My coveted ARC of MATCHED by Ally Condie - out November 30th. I read this book and was instantly hooked! Here is a little of my review:

"Personally, I rank this book up there with other wildly popular 

dystopian YA novels - The Giver, The Hunger Games, The Uglies, etc...

 It really is that good and one of my favorite books of the year. "

If I get to 300 while the contest is still going on...I'll add something extra. Something good (book, signed swag, etc..), maybe even put it up for a vote. If I get more than 300 follower...you can pick me up off the floor! 

My full review of Matched HERE

Visit Ally Condie HERE

Contest Rules:

US, CAN, and why not....International!

Must be a follower - it's called "250 Follower Giveaway" for a reason

Contest ends at midnight November 24th - so I can mail before pub date

Winner will be chosen using Random.org

Must fill out form below to be officially be entered

Good luck! 

*Giveaway closed*