Bewitching Review

Bewitching
By: Alex Flinn

Bewitching can be a beast. . . .

Once, I put a curse on a beastly and arrogant high school boy. That one turned out all right. Others didn’t.

I go to a new school now—one where no one knows that I should have graduated long ago. I’m not still here because I’m stupid; I just don’t age.

You see, I’m immortal. And I pretty much know everything after hundreds of years—except for when to take my powers and butt out.

I want to help, but things just go awry in ways I could never predict. Like when I tried to free some children from a gingerbread house and ended up being hanged. After I came back from the dead (immortal, remember?), I tried to play matchmaker for a French prince and ended up banished from France forever. And that little mermaid I found in the Titanic lifeboat? I don’t even want to think about it.

Now a girl named Emma needs me. I probably shouldn’t get involved, but her gorgeous stepsister is conniving to the core. I think I have just the thing to fix that girl—and it isn’t an enchanted pumpkin. Although you never know what will happen when I start . . . bewitching. -quoted from Goodreads

Review:

This was one of Alex Flinns only books I havent enjoyed fully. I hated how it kept cuttin into different stories through her retellin of Cinderella, really did make me wanna skip past certain spots for more of the cinderella story. She did a great job at twisting together The Cinderella storyPrincess & the Pea, Hansel & Gretel, The Little Mermaid, plus adding in some historical events. But at the same time it seemed like Alex Flinn tried way to hard to combine these fairy tales into one book. Plus all the jumping around got quit annoying, literally almost made me put the book down and find something else that was put together in a better fashion.

Ever since Beastly Ive been intrigued with Kendra, learning more about her, hearing more of her stories. She's such an interesting character, especially when you find out how she became a witch, how the evil witch had taught Kendra her ways.

With Emmas story I held a love hate with it, Half the time wanted to yell at the book for all the wrong doings being done to Emma, but then you get towards the end and go what happen to this sweet girl? Why does she try and help? May be stand up for the evil step sister instead of sitting back and watching, knowing fully well she never liked being treated poorly.

All in all if you like fairytale retellings you might wanna pick it up and take it for a test drive. Clearly not everyones opinions are the same, so pick it up and see if its a match for you.

Cloaked review

Cloaked
By: Alex flinn

I’m not your average hero. I actually wasn’t your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.

It all started with the curse. And the frognapping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.

There wasn’t a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I’ve ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades.

Don’t believe me? I didn’t believe it either. But you’ll see. Because I knew it all was true, the  second I got CLOAKED.


Review:
First, I hate the cover!!!!! Its pretty but doesnt fit the story very well.
Now onto positive! I adored this witty combinations of fairytales such as: The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Frog Prince, The Six Swans, The Golden Bird, The Valiant Tailor, The Salad, and The Fisherman and His Wife. It was beautifully written, keeping me on my toes the whole time. Always left me with questions and ended with the perfect fairytale ending.
The characters, the dramatic scenes and amazing scenery was amazing. Couldnt put it down. Ive heard good and bad about this book but personally I adored it.
If you want a fun filled fantasy pick this quick summer read up and indulge into the gorgeous world Alex Flinn has so divinely created through her words.

A Kiss in Time Has me in love!!!

A Kiss in Time

By: Alex Flinn

 

I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic. . . .
I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.
I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger’s soft kiss.
I couldn’t help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn’t know this would happen.
Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!
Now I’m stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels. . . . The good news: My parents will freak!

Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

Review:

In love? I think so, NO I know so. I fell in love with this version of this story!! Yes always been a fan but oh my Alex Flinn did and amazingly clever job at this new ages version of Sleeping Beauty. The combination of two characters from clearly two vastly different backgrounds was done divinely!! Its funny and heart warming. The romance is so real, reminds me of  my teenage days.

The character were to die for, they all worked so well together. I loved the twist on the "evil witch" made my love for her even deeper!!Talia's curiosity for the 21st century was done so perfectly. Shes totally the typical high school girl with all her oh does he love me? He should love me! Im ganna make him love me! And of course Jack, who couldnt love this boy? Oh my hes so stinking sweet!!! His annoyance with Talia is perfect!! The attitude and everything was so well done.

I just love this story, the scenery, characters, and story line was just amazing!! I loved being in Alex Flinns version of this story!

Beastly By: Alex Flinn Review

Beastly
By: Alex Flinn

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly.

Review:
Loved every moment of this book. Took no time to read, but may be thats from the pure fact it reminded me of Disneys Beauty and The Beast so much [Which im totally fine with]. I loved the new age setting, and the characters, and the differences it had. No I didnt read Lindy's Diary yet, but that will be soon to come. I felt happy and completed finishing Beastly alone so ill safe Lindy's Diary for a rainy day.

Its a great re-telling of the famous Beauty and The Beast, of course you wont be surprised by much, everything happens as it should. The rose, the witch, the mirror, the dad trading his daughter, the beast letting her go, and the final fairy tale ending. The change is nice in the new aged setting. But in all honesty i did prefer how they did the beast in the movie rather then in the book. Seemed more new aged not so old and already done. Kyle literally being turned into a beast seemed over the top, He should have just been made "ugly" not an animal like creature. Thats just my opinion. The rest of the book I really enjoyed, devoured in a matter of a few hours. Loved the little chat room IM's that Kyle [or Adrian as he preferred] did with other people who had been transformed into creatures who had to find a way of breaking their curses. Kyle/ Adrian was a little whiny and annoying in some parts, but come on I would be to if I was some fuzzy beast.
Lindy was cute and sweet, everything amazing minus she wasnt considered "pretty". She had a rough life prior to meeting kyle, but worked through her issues like a trooper. She was hard not to adore, and always left me going who in the world wouldnt want to be her friend?
Will of course was amazing. I loved the idea of a blind tutor for this horrid ugly beast. And how hard he worked and how genuine he was as a person. The way he encouraged Kyle to keep trying and giving pointers to this once super selfish boy.
And the witch,Kendra, who turned kyle into a beast never left him all alone, she watched and helped and ended up kind of being his friend. Which was strange but I enjoyed that twist.

The book was engrossing, a total must read for people who like fairy tales or even just plan old fiction. It of course may not be your cup of tea or to close to the original Beauty and The Beast for your liking, but I found this very enjoyable. A light easy read.

Enchanted By: Alethea Kontis

Enchanted By: Alethea Kontis

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?


Review:
A retelling of fairy tales all mushed together beautifully!! The cover drew me in, and then the second I found out it was a fairy tale I had to have it!!

It was exactly how it sounds, magical!! It was a delight to read and try and figure out all the fairy tales that were twisted into this story.
I can say I was kind of bummed at first when I realized only a few of the first chapters involved the prince in his fun frog form. I felt rushed into the rest of the story at first which made me want to set it down, but of course I read on. It hooked me, I No longer felt rushed into the story. Sucks you in with a frog prince, and keeps you going with an evil king, crazy fairy god mothers, some magic beans, loves kiss and so much more!!
Alethea Kontis did an incredible job weaving together so many fairy tales such as,Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Snow White, frog prince, The Red Shoes, and The Little Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe[plus which every fairy tales I missed], and made such a fun and original story for all ages to enjoy.
I say get this book read it, be enchanted, feel the magic for yourself. I feel like if I say to much it'll take the fun away and leave you with some big stinking spoilers!

Clockwork Prince Review

Clockwork Prince

By: Cassandra Clare

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. 


Review:
Wow!! This was amazing, I couldnt put it down!! So excited for the 3rd book to come out!! Cant wait to see the clockwork army, who Tessa will truly pick for her love interest, and what the heck Wills sister is doing!! I adore the witty, yet funny dialogue. I love setting of the 1800's of England, Such a nice change of pace. Learning the characters even further[Learning why Will can be such an a**], yet it isnt just like The Mortal Instruments [yes does have some of the same characters but setting is new, ton of new characters, and of course new plot line and action].  But because of the ending I felt more let down, I wanted a darn cliff hanging that left me craving the next book. All in all I liked the book, and fully would recommend reading the books!! Id read the books in the order they were published in, which is, City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, Clockwork Angel, City of Fallen Angels, Clockwork Prince, and City of Lost Souls. 

Clockwork Angel Review

Clockwork Angel
By: Cassandra Clare

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


Review:
Once again had some issues getting into the first half of this book. BUT! Its amazing, set in a gorgeous, steampunk Victorian England. Which of course had me drawn in! May be its me but being able to read about an era I never lived for is exciting and fun! The clothes, the settings, character speech all had me hooked. Love the sexy bad boy side of Will, but his attitude is horrid! Jem is amazing, has that mysterious guy thing going for him, and of course hes so stinking sweet! Adore the mystery of "what is Tessa", the shape shifting is amazing and crazy. The character are all to die for, the story line and crazy twist make this a book you cant put down!

Thirteen Reasons Why Review

Thirteen Reasons Why 

By: Jay Asher

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:

Amazing!!! I know, I know everyone loves this book . In all honesty what isnt there to love? Personally couldnt set it down, I needed to keep reading, needed to see what Hannah had to say next, see Clays reaction. Yes we've all been told actions have reactions, but do you ever sit back and wonder what you've done that could cause a positive or negative reaction? Even the simplest of acts? This book opened my eyes so much to it, think before speaking or acting on something. I cant stop telling people they need to read this, and every time they ask why all I Can say is "It's amazing, truly amazing and I Love this book."

So you can take my word for it, pick it up and fall into this amazing story, or you can continue reading review after review that tells you this is something you need to read!

The Mortal Instruments Series Review.. UPDATED

By: Cassandra Clare

City of Bones

City of Ashes

City of Glass

City of Fallen Angels

City of Lost Souls

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.

But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.... 

 Review:

 So far I love this series. At first not so much, took reading City of Bones and half of City of Ashes to get into the series and actually enjoy it.  Now that i want to read the series I adore it!! The scenes and characters she has are to die for. Love the idea behind the books, this beautiful world she has painted with words. Now I cant wait for the next book to come out!! Really do love that you get to know some of the other characters better, more in depth the further you read into the series. Along with the new characters that are introduced, you fall in love with these characters! All in all i'd say it's worth checking out. Of course it may not be your thing, or go slow at first for you as it did me. Then again you might open it up and not be able to set it down. 

Revised:
It needs to just stop...  Yes awesome series, But im starting to feel the way I do about House of Night series.. To drawn out and long. Its taking something good and enjoyable and starting to shit all over it because you just dont stop draggin it out. Explore new places and things. Clearly if you can write something so many enjoy, then theres a huge chance you can write something totally new other people will enjoy just as much!