The Bar Code Rebellion by Suzanne Weyn

Kayla has resisted getting the bar code tattoo, even though it's meant forfeiting any chance she'd had at having a normal life. Without the tattoo, she's an exile. But when someone very important sets about to bring her back in again -- WITH a tattoo -- Kayla finds herself a part of the resistence, where her unexpected allies and even more unexpected enemies include three clones of hers.

After my STELLAR (sarcasm...) review of The Bar Code Tattoo, I bet you won't be surprised to find next-to-no-review of this one. I don't know why I bothered. It was just more bizarre. Better luck next time.

The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

The bar code tattoo. Everybody's getting it. It will make your life easier, they say. It will hook you in. It will become your identity. But what if you say no? What if you don't want to become a code? For Kayla, this one choice changes everything. She becomes an outcast in her high school. Dangerous things happen to her family. There's no option but to run . . . for her life. Indivuality vs. conformity. Identity vs. access. Freedom vs. control. The bar code tattoo.

I have to start off by saying that I hate, hate, hate this book cover. I think the girl looks a little deformed and it's not how I pictured Kayla at all.

That said, I can't remember how I heard about this book, but the idea of it was so intriguing to me. I guess because it seems like we're really not far off from this becoming the "norm." (Which freaks me out a little, to tell you the truth.)

This book, although not awful, just never really quite "got there" for me. It was a really interesting concept-- until you get to the telepathy and telekenesis stuff. That was a bit too bizarre for me.

If you don't have anything else to read, pick this one up. But only if you REALLY have nothing else to read. :)

An Exciting Giveaway!

Enna Isilee over at Squeaky Books is having a contest giving away Bree Despain's The Dark Divine! Head on over to Ennalee's blog (Click Here) to find out how to win. In the meantime, check out this awesome trailer for the book!





Originally from: http://www.squeakybooks.com/#ixzz0tCdjSJNd
( You may have to copy and paste this link to go to the site. When I tried the "click here", it didn't work. Just an FYI.)
I have been DYING to read this book! Check it out!

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro

Sophomore year, Nicolette Antonovich was dumped two days before prom by the hottest guy at school. As a result, she became the proud owner of one unworn, perfectly magical pink vintage dress. But Nic is determined to put that night behind her for good. She's a junior now— older, wiser, and completely overwhelmed by a new set of problems: (1) The bank's ready to foreclose on her childhood home. (2) Her father's too busy with his "replacement" daughter to care. (3) Her best friend's brother is an eternal thorn in her side. (4) Her best friend isn't exactly the rose attached to that thorn. (5) Rumors are flying around school that could get her kicked off the volleyball team, which would (6) ruin all chances of a college scholarship. (7) She still likes the boy who dumped her in the first place. (8) And what in the world do you do with an unworn prom dress, anyway? Strangely, it's getting to the bottom of this last dilemma that just might hold the answer to all Nic's problems. (Book Description from Good Reads)

Last night around 11, I was laying in bed, unable to sleep. So I picked up this book and started reading. Two hours, a few tissues, and a lot of chuckles later, I finished it. I loved this book. It was the perfect feel-good, fluff book. Sometimes a girl just needs a sappy love story. I don't remember how I heard about this book, but I'm so glad I did.

Poor little Nicolette (and yes, she IS little-- under 5'2" by description) just runs into one problem after another and for every one good deed she does, about 10 bad things follow it. The major thing
I really loved about this book was that it was so real. It reminded me in some ways of my high school experiences- from misunderstandings with friends, to dating and guys, to just trying to make it through every stressful, drama-filled day.

I loved Jared. I loved his role in the book and I loved that while he was fiercely protective, he was spunky and a little hot-headed (for all the perfect reasons). He is constantly described as just a really good guy. Oh yeah, and he's hot, hot, hot. What is a good book without some manly stud?

I had mixed feelings about Alison, Nic's best friend and Jared's younger sister. She wasn't my favorite  character, but let's be real-- I've read about worse. She was a good friend that did some dumb things and occasionally reacted badly. If you try to tell me that you've never been guilty of that, you can add "liar" to your list of faults. ;) I know I've done it a time or two.

Overall another great read... I'm on a roll! Enjoy!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits.

In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire.

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself and, above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as "her". As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth? (Book Description from Good Reads)

Over Independence Day weekend, this novella was available to read for free online, and of course I took advantage of the opportunity. Eclipse being my favorite in the Twilight Saga, how could I not?

I am surprised to say that I mostly really enjoyed this book, even knowing the way the story ends. We all know Bree's fate, but what I really liked was seeing life through her eyes--not as a "vegetarian", but how vampires were meant to be. It was sad to me that, given the chance, she could have been a decent vampire, if she had been taught the REAL rules. She was one of the few that didn't completely lose her mind and her identity when she became a newborn, and it really is too bad that the story couldn't have ended differently.

I really liked Diego, but really disliked where his story went. I felt like their story was building and progressing and then it just ended. I guess the whole book is ultimately like that, but I still didn't like it in this particular instance. I understand why the author did what she did, and why the story took the direction it did--it makes perfect sense to me. It just makes me angry! Bree and Diego's relationship reminded me a lot of Breaking Dawn in that there is so much build-up and then....nothing. They never even had a chance.

I really did like the end of the book for a few reasons. First, I liked that Bree had a little spunk in her. Enough to rat out the Volturi to Edward. You learn a bit about the Volturi-- they're more shady than even the Twilight Saga lets on. The second thing I liked with the ending was that it didn't describe her death. I think the last line was simply, "She closed her eyes." or something similar. I thought it was the perfect way to end it since you know going into the book that it ends badly for her.

Anyway, overall, I would definitely recommend this. It was a fairly clean book so it would be suitable for preteens as well as teenagers. It is also under 200 pages so it's a quick read. A good book for summer that you won't have to invest much time in. If you've liked Stephenie Meyer's other books this one won't disappoint. Other than the dying part, of course.

Happy Reading!

The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

This is a review of the sequel to The Hourglass Door. If you haven't read it yet (You want to read it!), do so before reading this review. Thanks!

His eyes. His touch. His kiss. Dante was unlike anyone Abby had ever met. Now he’s gone, and Abby will do anything to get him back…

The hourglass door has closed behind Dante, sending him back in time to hunt down Zo, Tony, and V. Abby knows that Dante, as a Master of Time, is the only one who can stop them from destroying time itself. She also knows that he will need her help. But almost immediately, things start to change and Abby’s worst fears are realized when Zo begins targeting her past specifically.

With each new change that ripples into her present, Abby’s life continues to spiral out of control. Her relationships with Jason, Natalie, and even her family, are threatened to the breaking point – and beyond. Zo’s power is greater than Abby ever imagined, and as she struggles to free Dante, she receives help from an unexpected – and unlikely – ally.

As Abby’s world fractures around her, she must face a terrible truth: either Dante didn’t make it through the door, or he is lost forever. So with Dante’s blueprints in hand, she begins construction on a new door, a new time machine that will either save Dante – or doom him.

The river of time is running wild, churning up secrets and betrayals, revelations and promises. With each new turn of the river, Abby faces a new challenge. Who can she trust? And how many more changes can she survive?

The bank is eroding, the barriers are thinning. And time is running out.

(Book Description from Good Reads)

I have to let you know, this is the second book in this series, the first being The Hourglass Door. I read The Hourglass Door last fall and enjoyed it. I really liked the beginning, the middle was a bit slow, and the ending-wow. I was bummed that I had to wait so long for this book to come out. Without the ending of book one--the way it was written and the events that happened-- I probably would have skipped this book. I am SO glad that I didn't. I really liked this book. A lot. :)

This entire book was fast paced, which I loved. I hate when books drag on and on... I liked Abby's character even more in this book. She was a lot tougher-- even though she was probably constantly freaking out on the inside, she kind of kicked butt. Everyone who's been following my blog this year knows my feelings on helpless women- "damsels in distress"- and Abby definitely didn't fall into that category.

Dante is just... Dante. I think my crush on him is about as huge as my crush on Edward. I have this picture of him in my mind... I will be so mad if they make this into a movie and cast someone really awful as Dante. Like Zac Efron. With a wig. It would be catastrophic. I'm just putting that out there right now. Please don't do a movie!

Anyways, on to the book now. I loved so much about it. I liked it a million times better than the first one, which for me is rare. Usually books go downhill after the first one. Not in this series. And of course, what is a good series without a major cliffhanger ending? The ending of this book was even better than the first book. Now I am dying to read the final book (I think there will only be three). Thanks a lot, Lisa Mangum. Thanks alot. ;)

P.S. READ THIS!! But read The Hourglass Door first!

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket. In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat. The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist. Because of envelope 4, Ginny and her artist, a playwright/thief/bloke-about-town called Keith, go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous–though utterly romantic–results. Ginny isn’t sure she’ll see Keith again, and definitely doesn’t know what to think about him. Could the answer be in the envelopes? Ginny doesn’t know it, but adventures in Rome and Paris are in envelopes 6 and 8. The rules are that she has to open one at a time, in order, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that she discovers things about her life and love one by one. Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it’s all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.

When I heard about this book, I thought it was such a cute idea. Beloved Aunt Peg gives Ginny an adventure for the summer via 13 little blue envelopes. Ginny becomes a whole new woman in a few short weeks because of said adventure. So, here are my thoughts after reading it...

WTH?!?!?!?!

This is seriously the recurring thought I had. As I am reading about a TEENAGE girl traipsing around Europe BY HERSELF (and occasionally with a strange criminal college kid) with just a wussy little backpack because some nutcase dead aunt tells her to.... really?? I was waiting for it to turn into some rape/murder/body-buried-somewhere-in-some-unknown-location-never-to-be-found psycho novel. It never did, but with the "adventures" she had, it's a wonder it ended somewhat well at all. Maybe it's because I am a mother now, maybe it's simply because I have common sense, but heaven help the girl that reads this and thinks, "What a fabulous idea!!"

Don't read this. It will annoy you too.