Tilt Book Review

Tilt
Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Expected Publishing Date: September 11, 2012
ISBN: 9781416983309
Genre: Young Adult

Book Description:

Love—good and bad—forces three teens’ worlds to tilt in a riveting novel from New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins.

Three teens, three stories—all interconnected through their parents’ family relationships. As the adults pull away, caught up in their own dilemmas, the lives of the teens begin to tilt….

Mikayla, almost eighteen, is over-the-top in love with Dylan, who loves her back jealously. But what happens to that love when Mikayla gets pregnant the summer before their senior year—and decides to keep the baby?

Shane turns sixteen that same summer and falls hard in love with his first boyfriend, Alex, who happens to be HIV positive. Shane has lived for four years with his little sister’s impending death. Can he accept Alex’s love, knowing that his life, too, will be shortened?

Harley is fourteen—a good girl searching for new experiences, especially love from an older boy. She never expects to hurdle toward self-destructive extremes in order to define who she is and who she wants to be.

Love, in all its forms, has crucial consequences in this standalone novel.

My Thoughts:

Hopkins has done it yet again! ‘Tilt’ was an amazing companion piece to ‘Triangles’. Fans that have been loyal to her will eat ‘Tilt’ up and new readers will flock to get her other books after reading ‘Tilt’.

‘Tilt’ follows the lives of the three teenagers from Hopkins Adult Novel, ‘Triangles’. You get to see all the situations that happened in ‘Triangles’ from the teenagers point of view and see how it affected them. One thing I really enjoyed in ‘Tilt’ was that the story went beyond where ‘Triangles’ left off.

I think ‘Triangles’ is an amazing novel, but ‘Tilt’ really raised it up a notch. ‘Tilt’ is a page turner that pulls at the heart strings. It is a companion piece but it can stand on its own with no problem, with the talented, captivating stories it told.

Hopkins stuck to her unique, fast paced, hard hitting, emotional blending verse poetry and it does not disappoint.

Another thing I love about Ellen Hopkins is that she doesn’t play it safe or shy away from the controversy. She really captures the tough life situations and the consequences that’s why her fans cling to her books; I know I do.

‘Tilt’ is a poetic verse masterpiece by Hopkins and I cannot wait for more of her work.

*I recieved this book from the author in exchange for and honest review. All opinions are my own. I did not recieve compensation for this review.

The Bridge of Deaths Book Review

The Bridge Of Deaths
M.C.V Egan
Publisher: AuthorHouse Publishing
Publishing Date: June 14, 2011
ISBN: Historical/ Fiction

Book Description:

Follow Bill and Maggie in London 2010 as they explore the events of August 15th 1939. When at the brink of World War II, an English plane crashed and sunk in Danish waters. Five deaths were reported: two Standard Oil of New Jersey employees, a German Corporate Lawyer, an English member of Parliament, and a crew member for the airline. Bill and Maggie find a conceivable version of the events.

My Thoughts:

‘The Bridge Of Deaths’ is a combination of historical facts and fiction. It takes you on a journey with the author. It’s the story of Egan looking into a plane crash that claimed the life of her grandfather and four others. She always thought the plane crash and circumstances surrounding it did not add up. She believed there was foul play. She retells her all of her thoughts on this in very detailed accounts of all the files upon files she has collected up over the years, with all the research she has done.

She also added in a nice bit of fiction with the characters Bill and Maggie. Bill’s character is a very interesting twist to this story and Maggie is a nice companion to Egan’s character in the story. Being someone she can tell her theories to and share all her information she has collected with.

          Overall I really enjoyed this book. The tale of the plane crash and of her grandfather’s life was intriguing. Even though this is not my typical read I did get really into the storyline. You could tell Egan put a lot of hard work and heart into this book and it shows. I have nothing but admiration for Egan, I think she did a wonderful job with this novel and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

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*I recieved this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

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Triangles Book Review

Triangles Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Atria Books
Publishing Date: October 18, 2011
ISBN: 9781451626339
Genre: Adult Fiction

Book Description:

THREE FEMALE FRIENDS FACE MIDLIFE CRISES IN A NO-HOLDS-BARRED EXPLORATION OF SEX, MARRIAGE, AND THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE.Holly: Filled with regret for being a stay-athome mom, she sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Will it bring the fulfillment she is searching for?Andrea: A single mom and avowed celibate, she watches her friend Holly’s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for—a committed relationship with a decent guy. So what if Andrea picks up Holly’s castaway husband?Marissa: She has more than her fair share of challenges—a gay, rebellious teenage son, a terminally ill daughter, and a husband who buries himself in his work rather than face the facts.As one woman’s marriage unravels, another’s rekindles. As one woman’s family comes apart at the seams, another’s reconfigures into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman’s up is another one’s down, and all of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.Unflinchingly honest, emotionally powerful, surprisingly erotic, Triangles is the ultimate page-turner. Hopkins’s gorgeous, expertly honed poetic verse perfectly captures the inner lives of her characters. Sometimes it happens like that. Sometimes you just get lost.Get lost in the world of Triangles, where the lives of three unforgettable women intersect, and where there are no easy answers.

My Thoughts:              

  ‘Triangles’ is the first adult novel that Ellen Hopkins has written and I think it was absolutely brilliant. ‘Triangles’ was the story of three women whose lives connect in multiple ways, some of those ways being through friendship, tragedy, and family. As these stories unfolded I really got pulled into their worlds and I couldn’t get enough. Each individual story is amazing in its own way.

                Marissa’s story broke my heart but I think it was beautifully written and it touched me on many levels. I couldn’t imagine going through what her family had to and I realize so many families out there do, which is just so devastating. It’s a real eye opener and I hope more people will read this book if simply for that reason.

                 I feel for Andrea, she is a very strong woman who continues to get dealt a bad hand. However throughout it all she knows her daughter is all that matters, even when she stumbles into some really bad habits involving a friend’s husband.

                Holly however is a bit of a wild child still and if I want to be completely honest there was a few times I wanted to smack her but her story was still very entertaining and sometimes bordered on being raunchy.

                Overall this book was brilliant; the writing took some amazing talent and I was addicted to it. I finished it in two days. I literally couldn’t put down. Ellen Hopkins has done it again, if you haven’t read any of her books, you don’t know what you are missing. These will one day be considered classics as far as I am concerned. So if you haven’t read her work, do it now, trust me you won’t be disappointed.

                ‘Triangles’ was an amazing novel and I would recommend it to everyone.

* I purchased this book on my own accord and decided to review it. I was not compensated for this review.

Enslaved In Shadows Book Review

Enslaved In Shadows Tigris Eden
Publisher: Book Rhythm
Expected Publication: June 18, 2012
ISBN: 9780985636
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Suspense

Book Desription:

A man's Past leads to his Future......

Agent Stone of the Shadow Unit's job is simple, most days. Work in the Shadows, police his own Kind.

When an unwanted assignment turns out to be his darkest fantasy from the past, Draven can't help but be conflicted by the memories of the past and his responsibilities in the future. But his decision has been made.
The Heart of a woman is Tested........

Jes can't let the tall dark agent back into her life.
How can she trust any man after what she's endured. Years of abuse have broken her down and she doesn't have room for more. The man she turns to for help hasn't abused her physically but he's tormented her emotionally. A past betrayal left her scarred, but also brought her life.

Can she accept him into her heart and trust him again?
One will survive and adapt, the other will realize hearts can be mended even if it’s a bit too late.

The road to forgiveness sometimes only brings more pain. Unexpected events set their lives on two separate tracks leading to one outcome. Lives will be changed and an emotional battle to save their souls will leave them both trapped and enslaved in their need for one another.

My Thoughts:

                From the moment I opened up ‘Enslaved In Shadows’ I was hooked.  To say this book was steamy is an understatement. The passion and intensity between Jes and Draven is so addicting and woo hoo hot! However that is not the only reason I loved this book, ‘Enslaved in Shadows had a great story line, and gave you an action packed thriller to keep you wanting more. I was a bit skeptical when the story began to unfold and it was vampire, werewolves, and immortals because let’s be honest that has been more than a little overdone lately. With that being said I was proved wrong, this book was fresh and new.

                It had a lot of great action happening and crazy twists and turns that you would never see coming. Draven clearly fought his wolf and was convinced she was not the one for him but when she turns back up in his life it is clear to him it is destiny. Jesminda, or ‘Jes’ thinks the complete opposite she figures he has wronged her once she won’t let it happen again. Especially after all the hell she went through with her ex-husband.

Jesminda and her daughter’s lives are in grave danger and unfortunately Draven is the one assigned to protect her. Can this end well? ‘Enslaved in Shadows was so unbelievably amazing and not to mention a little hot to handle you will not be able to put it down once you begin it. I recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal romances or anyone who needs a good steamy getaway!

*I recieved this book from the author in exchanged for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Perfect Book Review

Perfect Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books
Publishing Date: September 13, 2011
ISBN: 9781416983248
Genre: Young Adult

Book Description:

Everyone has something, someone, somewhere else that they’d rather be. For four high-school seniors, their goals of perfection are just as different as the paths they take to get there.

Cara’s parents’ unrealistic expectations have already sent her twin brother Conner spiraling toward suicide. For her, perfect means rejecting their ideals to take a chance on a new kind of love. Kendra covets the perfect face and body—no matter what surgeries and drugs she needs to get there. To score his perfect home run—on the field and off—Sean will sacrifice more than he can ever win back. And Andre realizes that to follow his heart and achieve his perfect performance, he’ll be living a life his ancestors would never have understood.

Everyone wants to be perfect, but when perfection loses its meaning, how far will you go? What would you give up to be perfect?

A riveting and startling companion to the bestselling Impulse, Ellen Hopkins's Perfect exposes the harsh truths about what it takes to grow up and grow into our own skins, our own selves.

My Thoughts:

                                So as you all know Ellen Hopkins is one of my favorite authors by far and I have finally collected all of her books, therefore be prepared for reviews on all of them.  ‘Perfect’ was absolutely amazing, it touched me in a lot of different ways. ‘Perfect’ showcases four teenagers’ lives as they all do their best to be perfect. Whether that definition is defined by them or their parents they push themselves to extremely dangerous, even life threatening limits to do what it takes to become perfect!

                This book honestly made me so sad, not because it was bad but because it was so brilliantly written. I saw people from my own life in these characters; I know firsthand what it feels like to go to a funeral of someone you loved who committed suicide. That part was really hard for me to read but this book held so many real problems that teenagers face. They don’t want to let anyone down and they feel like they have to be what everyone else expects them to be. Perfect at school, sports, be pretty, skinny, excel at everything. That causes more than a little damage and Ellen Hopkins focused on that. I really like that she addressed eating disorders in this one because that is a huge problem in today’s society. Girls see these women on TV that are so skinny and perfect and they want to be like them. They will hurt themselves, starve themselves, and do anything just to look like that. What most of them don’t understand is the damage it does to their bodies. Same thing when it comes to steroid use that is another thing I am really glad she touched on. Every young adult should read Ellen’s books I think they would help tremendously!

                As I have said before, Ellen’s writing style never ceases to amaze me and I love the way she writes, such talent put into words. I don’t know how she does it but all I know is that I pray she never stops!

* I purchased this book on my own accord and decided to review it. I was not compensated for this review.

Sinful Magic Book Review

Sinful Magic
Jennifer Lyon
ISBN: 978-0345520084
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publishing Date: May 31, 2011
Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Book Description:

Roxanne “Roxy” Banfield refuses to be like her mother, a fertility witch who uses sex as nothing more than a magical weapon. Roxy rejects that life and is determined to become mortal to pursue her dream of real love and a family. All she has to do is avoid meeting the one man whose sensuality can release her powers. But steering clear of this magnetic stranger is easier said than done.

Wing Slayer Hunter Kieran “Key” DeMicca channels the dark violence that lives inside him into a popular comic book series about an ancient dragon named Dyfyr, but only Key knows that Dyfyr is real. Lately he finds himself drawing images of a young woman in peril, and assumes that she’s just a product of his imagination—until he meets Roxy. Struck by her beauty and her resemblance to his sketches, he feels compelled to protect her. As steamy magic, lethal danger, and timeless love collide, Roxy must become what she swore she would never be—and awake a part of Key that will threaten to destroy them both.

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My Thoughts:

                ‘Sinful Magic’ is a delicious intoxicating novel. Once you start it, I promise you will not be able to put it down. Jennifer Lyon creates a world of danger, fantasy, action, and loves so strong it could kill. ‘Sinful Magic’ continues the Wing Slayer novel saga, the fourth novel is the story of Kieran or ‘Key’.

Key has always been the darker, mysterious one in the group. He is famous for the dark comics he creates including his dragon Dyfyr. His way of releasing the dark and evil of the blood lust and the curse was always drawing.

               

Roxy is looking for a comic series to make into a television series. She goes about looking into Key’s comics but that’s when all hell breaks loose. Roxy is a fertility witch but she has no desire to be a witch at all. See she doesn’t believe her mother used her power the right way and she doesn’t want to be like that. So if she doesn’t find her awakening her chakras will die off and she will become human and that is something she wants more than anything.

       

So what happens when Key turns out to be her awakening and he needs her to awaken his dragon?

         

There were so many different elements to this plot; I was in love with it. So many twists and turns happened; this book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Roxy and Key’s love is so unbelievably strong and passionate it just captivates you from the moment they meet.

I love the world Jennifer Lyon creates, these Wing Slayer Hunters grip your attention and don’t let go. These books are romantic, adventurous, with some very well placed humor, and they have a great plot of fantasy. I would recommend ‘Sinful Magic’ to anyone! Trust me you do not want to miss this series, Jennifer Lyon truly created a new level of paranormal excellence I cannot wait for the next installment!

*I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Talented Book Review

Talented
Sophie Davis
Publishing Date: January 11, 2012
ISBN: 9781618429940
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Futuristic

Book Description:

If you always knew what people were really thinking, would you consider it a gift or a curse?

Talia Lyons is Talented. Born after a nuclear spill, she is part of a new generation that possesses special abilities; Talia can read the minds of others and manipulate their thoughts. Whether Morphers, Light Manipulators or Telekinetics, the Talented are taught to control their abilities under the protective eye of the government- to use their Talents for good. But all Talia wants is revenge.

Talia joins the Hunters, an elite group of government operatives, hoping to one day kill Ian Crane - the man who ordered the execution of her parents. Ever since she witnessed their brutal deaths, Talia has spent her life honing her abilities, determined to settle the score. But she still has a lot to learn before she can ease the pain inside. Talia turns to a boy who can mimic her Talents, a boy who truly understands her inner turmoil. But even he can’t help Talia, when she’s forced to choose between saving herself and avenging the lives of her parents.

Talented is an action-packed adventure, about a group of teenagers who aren't afraid to embrace their fears and fight for what they believe in.

My Thoughts:

                When I first picked up ‘Talented’ I wasn’t sure if I could really get into it. From the summary it didn’t entirely sound like my kind of book and I was a bit skeptical to be honest. However I was proven wrong very quickly, ‘Talented’ was a very good book and it pulled my attention in. Talia, is talented, like the rest of the kids that she went to school with and now she is training to become a hunter. She is working very hard to put her special abilities to good. Also on a more personal level she wants to get her revenge on the man that killed her parents, Ian Crane.

           The elements in this book really make you think outside of the box. They have a lot of elements that are very futuristic and it really makes you start thinking what if our world really functioned like that or turns into that. A lot of the things were very cool to read about. Some of the technology that she created in this book is very advanced and would be awesome if they really had, I’m sure it would help the government and Special Forces.

                I really liked the plot in this book, you see a teenager girl trying to find her place in the world without her parents and really trying to find people to trust. Meanwhile she had these talents that she is putting to use and a hunter and fighting hard to become part of the Agency. It was a really nice dynamic and I really enjoyed the book, it had a lot of twists and turns that kept you on your toes.  It was a wonderfully written book and the ending kept you hanging therefore I am dying to read the sequel!

*I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Tricks Book Review

Tricks
Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publishing Date: December 6, 2011
ISBN: 978-1416950080
Genre: Addiction, Non-Fiction

Book Description:

“When all choice is taken from you, life becomes a game of survival.”

Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching . . . for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don’t expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words, “I love you,” are said for all the wrong reasons. These are five moving stories that remain separate at first, then weave together to tell a larger, more powerful story–a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. And figuring out what sex and love are all about.

TRICKS is informed and inspired by living near Las Vegas–a big teen prostitution scene–and by the fact that teen prostitution is not exclusively the result of kids running away from abuse. Kids from “better” families are selling themselves for hefty sums in order to finance addictions or even just to buy jewelry or clothing. In some cases, parents prostitute their children for the same reason. So what happens to the kids who are asking themselves, and asking us, “Can I ever feel OK about myself?”

Highly charged, TRICKS is a gripping experience that turns you on and repels you at the same time.

My Thoughts:

                Ellen Hopkins is by far one of my favorite authors out there, her books are so truly unique and I’m addicted to her books. ‘Tricks’ was the one that I read most recently and I have to say it may be my favorite one so far. ‘Tricks’ touched on such a deeply disturbing issue that affects teens all over the world, teens that comes from all different kinds of backgrounds and you don’t really realize it affects them but it does. Teenage prostitution happens every day all around the world and ‘Tricks’ touches on this subject  in every way possible.

                It takes six different teenagers from very different worlds and shows how every event or tragedies in their lives lead them down the dangerous and slippery slope of prostitution. Ellen’s books are so amazing they share real life drama and sad stories you wouldn’t want to face but many families have.

                I love the way she writes it is so unique and it makes her books stand out against the rest. ‘Tricks’ was such a captivating story with so many twists and turns that it will keep you on the edge of your seat , anxious to turn the page until the very end. I promise you will not be able to put this book down, it will pull you in and not let go. Excellent work by Ellen Hopkins yet again and I cannot wait for another book from her.

* I purchased this book on my own accord and decided to review it. I was not compensated for this review.