Novel Girl

Novel Girl Review: The Diviners

2013-03-17T19:29:36Z

Cover Synopses

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he'll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

Review

Name: The Diviners

Author Libba Bray

Ages: 13 and up

Gender: Typically Girls but boys could also enjoy it

Rating: *****

Set is the beautiful city of New York in the roaring time of the 1920's this book was already off to a good start! With a strong female lead and a nice spin on the world of fantasy this book has quickly jumped to the top of my favorite book list already this year!

The main character Evie captured my attention right away because in stead of being just the girl next store with something to hide (like MANY other fantasy books being written today) Evie was the life of the party with a strong sense of confidence and a stubborn drive that always got her into trouble. But her loyalty towards her best friend and her uncle kept her from being too superficial and irritating. Plus the fantasy was intertwined into the story in such a way that it wasn't overly fake! At some points even I forgot the story couldn't possible be real due to the down to earth writing style of the fabulous Libba Bray.

While reading this book I found myself drawn in not only while reading but also when the book was nowhere to be seen! I found myself thinking about it halfway through my math class or hours after I should have been asleep, and I know I must say this every time but I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who asks!

Till Next Time

~Novel Girl.

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Novel Girl Review: Wither

2013-02-15T16:00:00Z

Cover Synopses

In the not-too-distant future, genetic engineering has turned every newborn into a ticking time bomb: Males die at age 25 and females die at age 20. While scientists seek a miracle antidote, young girls are routinely kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When sixteen year old Rhine is taken, she enters a world of wealth and privilege that both entices and terrifies her. She has everything she ever wanted--except freedom.

Soon it becomes clear that not everyone at her new husband's home is how they appear. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to escape . . . before her time runs out.

Review

Name: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Ages: 14 and up
Gender: Girls
Rating: *****

Ok, I don't know about you but I am completely fed up with vampires and werewolves finding a place in nearly every new teen fantasy book getting published these days, so I went hunting in the teen section in Chapters and I found this book. It was so different and so interesting to me that I found myself reading it every possible second and pining over it when i wasn't reading it.

I am a sci-fi fan, which may explain why I was so attracted to it in the first place. but this really was one of those sci-fi books written for people who don't like sci-fi. It was creepy but somehow at the same time the author managed to make it elegant, the oxymoron was brilliant and it was exactly the kind of book I've been craving.

The main character Rhine was so easy to fall in love with and somehow even though we had hardly anything in common I found myself relating to her character, her easy beauty and her kindness she wishes sometimes she didn't have so much of. Her emotions were written so freely and so naturally that what she felt in the story I began feeling in real life. Lauren DeStefano really did a fantastic job, I recommend this book to EVERYONE it has really been a long time since I've loved a book this much.

Till Next Time

~Novel Girl

Novel Girl Review: The HOST

2013-01-15T16:00:00Z

Cover Synopsys:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their body intact. But Wanderer, the invading "soul" who occupies Melanie's body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie-reluctant allies-set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

Review

Name: The HOST

Author: Stephanie Meyer

Ages: 12 and up

Gender: Girls and Boys

Rating: ****1/2

When I heard about this book and people started telling me I had to read it I wasn't completely convinced, but when I heard someone tell me it was "the first love triangle to ever exist with only two bodies" I got curious.

It didn't take me long to get hooked. This book had me fascinated from the very beginning, because the fight between Melanie and Wanderer was like none I had ever read about before. How someone could come up with a story like this one I have no idea, the concept was just so different it was hard to ignore, Stephanie Meyer did a great job letting readers get to know the characters and brought readers deep into their lives.

However, I'm a special case and can enjoy practically anything in book form, so I asked a few of my friends and they said it was a bit dry for the first 100 pages, It takes a bit longer for the story to develop than most, but I say stick with it because the end result is well worth it.

Till next time

~Novel Girl

Novel Girl Review: Best books for BOYS

2012-10-25T22:21:54Z

Do you have any non-readers at home? Im talking boys that flinch at the sight of text on a page. These books will for sure get any guy reading and loving. Oh and don't worry I'm not reserving these books for guys only. As a girl I fell in love with these books too! Honestly these books would be great for anyone looking for a good read.

Name: CHERUB
Author: Robert Muchamore
Rating *****

At the Top of my list is the Cherub series. I thought it was a completely genius book about child spies, it really brings readers into a world where kids are more than just cute and immature, there essential. Stealthily working their ways into highly wanted criminal houses and taking them down from the inside. Extremely dangerous and insanely thrilling these books kept me up way late into the night and had me desperately searching through library's and books stores for the next one in the series.

Synopsys: A terrorist doesn't let strangers into her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligent agents, but her children bring their mates home and they run all over the place. The terrorist doesn't know the kid has bugged every room in the house, cloned the hard drive on her PC, and copied the numbers in her phone book. The kid works for CHERUB. CHERUB agents are aged between ten and seventeen. They live in the real world, slipping under adult radar and getting information that sends criminals and terrorists to jail.

Name: This Darkendeavour
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Rating: ****

A completely refreshing and totally unique story about the early doctor Frankenstein was a brilliant piece of work! A young boy battling to save his brother's life will do anything to keep his twin alive. Even if It means disobeying his father and playing will the dangers of magic.

Synopsys: Victor Frankenstein leads a charmed life, he and his twin brother, Konrad, and his beautiful cousin Elizabeth take lessons at home and spend their spare time fencing and horseback riding. Along with their friend Henry, they have explored all the secret passageways and secret room of the palatal Frankenstein chateau. Except one.

The Dark Library contains ancient tomes written in strange languages, and filled with forbidden knowledge. Their father makes them promise they never visit the library again, but when Konrad becomes deathly ill, Victor knows he must find the book that has the recipe for the Elixir of life.

The Elixir contains only 3 ingredients. But dangerous odds, dangerous alchemy and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn.

Victor knows he must not fail, but his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundries of nature, science and love- and how much he is willing to sacrifice.

Name: I am Number Four
Author : Pittacus lore
Rating: ****

Was an awesome story, but a not so awesome movie. If you have seen the movie don't be deceived! It was a thrilling and captivating book that has earned at least 4 stars from every guy I ask. The author's unique ideas and take on fantasy ideas kept me entertained till the very last page.

Synopsys: Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having . We are stronger an faster than you have ever seen. We are the super heroes you warship in movies and comic books- but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, train and become one, we fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, where people would never look, blending in. We live among you without you knowing.

But THEY know

They caught number one in Malaysia.
Number two in England.
Number three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am number four.

I am next.

Name: The Hunger games
Author: Suzaane Collins
Rating ****

The Hunger Games was my personal favorite but ranks fourth on my list for boys. It was a totally unique take on a futuristic novel filled with intense possibilities, it was perfectly represented by the movie. Character struggles and suspense filled pages keep the reader drawn in and always wanting more.

Synopsys: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps districts in line by forcing them all to send one bot and one girl between ages twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual hunger games, a fight to the death live on TV.

Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps in to take her sisters place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Thanks for reading and let me know if there are any books YOU think should be added to the list!

Till next time

~Novel Girl

Delirium

2012-09-27T03:57:25Z

Ninety five days, then I'll be safe.

I wonder whether the procedure will hurt.

I want to get it over with.

It's Hard to be patient.

It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the

delirium hasn't touched me yet.

Still I worry.

They say in the old days, love drove people to madness.

The deadliest of all deadly things: it kills you both when you have

it, and when you don't.

Review:

Author : Lauren Oliver

Ages : 12 and up

Gender: Girls

Rating ****1/2

You know when you pick up a book and you just can't put it down? No matter how hard you try the book just stays glued to your hand? I have to admit Delirium was one of those amazing books! Set in the future when Love is considered a disease.

The Main Character Lena immediately drew me in and reminded me exactly of my current best friend. She was a total stickler to the rules and aimed to please, she is completely type A, and she couldn't bear the thought of getting in trouble. However, as the book progresses I found

her changing and loosening up as she became infected by the deliria. It began completely innocently almost by mistake; Alex couldn't hurt her, he was cured... wasn't he?

Slowly but surely she began breaking rules, sneaking out after curfew with her best friend Hana, and breaking curfew by herself. She listened to music banned by the city because it encouraged love, and she began to hang out with Alex. Soon she started feeling the symptoms of the disease, she felt light headed, and dizzy when he was around and her heart ached when he wasn't. She should tell someone, get cured early, save herself from the disease, but she can't. No one ever told her how good it felt! There was no danger he was 19 and he was cured....

She was happier than she had ever been before and she didn't think anything could go wrong, until Alex told her he was one of theInvalids. A group of sympathisers that rebel against the government and resist the cure. After that everything Changes, what they're doingis dangerous its against the law, and the penalty is punishment by death.

This is a MUST read, I loved it and read it in 3 days and Lauren Oliver is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. I can't even express how amazing this book is so you just have to find out for yourself.

Tell me what you think!

Till next time

~Novel Girl

Novel Girl Reviews: Before I Fall

2012-09-07T02:24:56Z

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? How far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: The world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson high-from the best table in the cafeteria to the choosiest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven Chances in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death-and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Any Typical high school girl would willingly give up their left kidney to live for a day as Samantha Kingston. Girlfriend of the hottest guy at school, starting trends left right and center, not to mention the fact that she's one of the most popular girls in school. And while this book is all about Sam there's a lot more to it than just that.

Review

Before I Fall

Author : Lauren Oliver

Ages : 12 and up

Gender: Girls

Rating ****1/2

When Sam wakes up on Friday, February 12 the most important thoughts floating through her head are about the amount of roses she would expect to get on cupid day or the fact that tonight's the night she's finally going to "seal the deal" with her boyfriend Rob. But when Sam and her friends end up in a fatal car crash resulting in Sam's death, everything changes, until she gets a second chance...

Sam wakes up again on Friday February 12, and thinks the previous night was just a dream, until everything begins to unfold the same way it did before resulting in the same accident and Sam's death for a second time. Sam soon realises this is happening for a reason and only she has control of what occurs. Through a series of 7 days (well the same day repeated 7 times) Sam slowly pieces together the puzzle and realizes she could save someone else,

someone who before, she never would have said two words to, someone who, in any other circumstance Sam would have pushed over the edge.

I loved this book from start to finish. I have to admit, at first I found it hard to like Sam because she was so self-centered and expectant but, as the book continued I really get to see her character grow and develop into a much stronger respectful girl.

This book was a really good eye opener and if you get nothing else out of this book you will at least be tough to live each day like it's your last :)

Till next time!

~Novel Girl

Novel Girl Reviews : My Top 3 Mother Daughter Books

2012-08-29T14:06:00Z

The secret Life of Bees

By Sue Monk Kidd

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lilly Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lilly's fierce-hearted black "stand-in-mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lilly decided to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina - a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lilly is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

Secret Daughter

By Shilpi Somaya Gowda

On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian Village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favours sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter's life is to give her away. It's a decision that will hurt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son.

Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles.

Interchanging stories of Kavita, Somer and the child that bonds both of their destinies, secret daughter poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood , loss, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families-one Indian, one American and the child that indelibly connects them.

The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who's always taken orders quietly, but lately she's unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college. She's full of ambition, but without a husband, she's considered a failure. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town...

Review

The Secret Life of Bees was at the top of my list because it was a feel good story targeting the power of the human spirit (yes I know that was cheesy but I couldn't think of anything that described it better :p )

Rating ****

Secret Daughter was an amazing story beautify written and completely inspiring. It kept me up reading till late at night. I personally felt a strong connection with the characters but I think that most readers my age would find it difficult to get wrapped up in this book.

Rating ***1/2

The Help has to be one of my favourite books of the year for sure. Everybody loves to cheer for the underdog and the main character, Aibileen, takes us on this incredible journey with her. A Fabulous feel good story laced with humor and determination kept me wishing it wouldn't end.

Rating ****1/2

These three books just scratch the surface of the number of books my mom and I have shared together over the years. Starting from when I was really little sitting on my mom's lap listening to her as she read me some of my favourites likeGuess how much I love you, or Goodnight Moon, to now where we read in different rooms at different times, but our love of books is still shared through everyday conversation and constant casual book recommendations to each other.

Let me know what you think of these and send me some of your favourite mother daughter books!

Till next time,

~Novel Girl

Novel Girl Reviews: The List

2012-08-04T15:01:09Z

An intense look at the rules of high school attraction, and the price that's paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two

Review:

The List

Author: Siobhan Vivian

Gender: Girls

Age: 13 and up

Rating ****

The list is a tremendous and totally truthful look into the life of eight individual high school girls. Each girl woke up one Monday morning to discover something that would link them together for the rest of their high school lives. "The List", posted everywhere all around the school with the names of the prettiest girl and ugliest girls in each grade.

First of all I can't possibly imagine living through high school with one of these titles to bear. Reading the book you get to experience the pressure and the disappointment of each girl and you get to know exactly how they all handle their new-found status on the list. You are given a true understanding of life in high school to both extremes. Vivian does a fabulous job of taking us deep in the lives of all eight girls and explains the struggles found by each individual character. It turns out being pretty isn't all it's cracked up to be and being ugly has a few perks no one could ever imagine, but at the end of the day nobody wins with the list.

Read it and let me know what you think!

Till next time

~Novel Girl

P.S. I'm always looking for suggestions about books I should review :)

Novel Girl Reviews : TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY By Jay Asher

2012-07-17T02:35:36Z

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Review

TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY

Author: Jay Asher

Age: 14 and up

Gender: Boys and Girls

Rating: ****

This is an amazing book written on a terrible subject. It is written about the suicide of a high school girl named Hannah Baker. It does not have happy ending, in fact there are very few moments of happiness found anywhere between the pages.

It's not about saving someone from suicide because in this case Hannah is already dead. Instead it is about a girl who wanted to explain her story without anyone trying to stop her. I found this book very difficult to read but also very difficult to put down.

This story is written in third person by a boy named Clay Jensen, who upon receiving a mysterious box of cassette tapes from classmate and former crush Hannah Baker realizes that he is one of the thirteen reasons why Hannah Baker decided to kill herself. I thought Clay's part in the book was absolutely perfect. His thoughts and actions were always so honest in ways that made me both love him and pity him at the same time. He was just a normal guy like any of my friends until he received the tapes which completely changed his life.

At the beginning of the book I was severely irritated by Hannah's obsession to detail. I felt like she was overanalyzing everything people did or said because she needed an excuse to explain her actions. It took me a while to realise these seemingly insignificant details were part of the point.

In this book Jay Asher makes readers think about how our actions affect others around us and how what we say or how we act, although insignificant at the time may affect the people around us more than we could ever possibly imagine. By the end of the story I was a bit frightened to realise that so many things Hannah spoke about were such ordinary every day actions, but I realize now it really helped me relate to her story.

For sure this is a really heavy topic for only my second review but every time I thought about picking another book I kept thinking about all the things I could say about this one! I really hope you pick up this book because all I can say is that it was completely fantastic.

Read it and let me know what you think!

Till next time,

~Novel Girl

Novel Girl Reviews: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

2012-07-12T14:20:51Z

The Maze Runner -

Everything is going to change...

Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.

But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade--a large, open expanse enclosed by stone walls. 

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they are closed tight. Every 30 days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.  

The Glader's were expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up--the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.   

Something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling he might just have some answers. If only he could unlock the dark secrets that are buried within his mind.

Review

The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Age: 13 and up
Gender: Boys
Rating: ****1/2

Okay, first things first I just want to let everyone know that I am a complete and utter bookaholic as well as a total perfectionist. I literally spent the past few days just trying to decide which book I wanted to do my first review on. It was almost set in stone when my friend gave me the Maze Runner to read. I stayed up till almost two o'clock in the morning two nights in a row desperate to finish the book, only to find myself lying in bed wide awake trying to take in what I had just finished reading and wishing I had taken my time because the worst part of a good book is always when it ends.

Although I only finished this book a few nights ago I know it is already one of my favourites. It was exceptionally written and fast-paced with one heck of a lot of twists and turns I never saw coming, and although the book is clearly written more for teen boys I recommend this to absolutely anyone looking for a great read.

The story begins with the main character, Thomas, being lifted out of the ground in a strange dark elevator called "the box" entering a world he had never seen before full of boys, all teenagers, all trapped in a manmade game with only one objective, to escape. Approximately 50 teenage boys are all trapped in a place called the Glade surrounded in Stone walls surrounded by a maze filled with vicious beasts called Grievers, that has seemingly no solution.

Although hope seems like a waste of energy in the place called the Glade the boys have developed a small society where everyone has a job, there are the Farmers, the Gardeners the Builders and the Runners....Who go out and run through the maze constantly searching for the exit that seems less likely to exist every day. Being tested like lab rats, the best of the best are put together and pushed to their limit. The survivors would be used. But for a purpose no one dared imagine.

I wish I could go into more detail but I'm afraid I'm going to spoil it. I seriously LOVED this book and you should go check it out!

Till next time.

~Novel Girl