26th March, 2007

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

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I finished this book last night and was a little freaked out after that. Well, I was already scared out of my wits many nights before too. I tend to be a little bit afraid and extra-imaginative when I read stories that involve ghosts or dead people coming back to haunt. Pretty creepy, if you ask me.

Anyway, this book was not so bad. It’s an interesting story and I even bought the book that follows it, Rebel Angels. The 3rd book in this trilogy will be released in autumn 2007.

Gemma Doyle is the main character. She’s just turned 16 and lived in India her whole life. On the day of her 16th birthday, her mother took her own life. Gemma saw this in a vision and was shocked to know that her vision came true. She was also shocked that she had such powers, too.

Then, she was sent to Spence Academy in London to learn to become a well-mannered, proper lady, ready to be married to some proper gentleman. At Spence, the new girl was not so welcomed at first. Gemma had to bear with the group of highly stuck-up girls, which included Felicity and Pippa.

But, as things turned out, Gemma finds herself always in the company of Felicity, Pippa, and Ann, her roommate. They also take turns to read the diary of Mary Dowd, a girl who used to be at Spence 20 years ago and who supposedly died in a fire with her best friend, Sarah. Gemma is also very curious to find out more about these two girls who also had the same powers like her.

There is also the mysterious Kartik, whose brother, Amar was killed by the ‘thing’, which was after Gemma. Gemma finds herself attracted to Kartik but is not sure if he feels the same way towards her too. All he ever does is warn her not to have any more visions. He also spies on her to see what she is up to.

Oh, this book is quite different, too because there is a Reader’s Guide. There are Questions For Discussion and also an interview with the author herself, Libba Bray! So, after reading the book, you can ponder over the questions asked.

All the same, I have to say that this book is a well-written one. It is the type of book that is difficult to put down. I can’t wait to get started on Rebel Angels!

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: A High and Hidden Place, Iliana

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Posted in Authors B, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, School Stories, Titles G, Young Adult Fiction at 2:26 pm | Comments (12)



22nd March, 2007

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King

Trisha McFarland is 9 years old. She tries to be cheerful all the time although her family is having problems. However, in her heart, she wished that they would stop hurting one another.

Her parents are divorced. Larry, her father drinks too much beer. Trisha and her father have something in common - both of them are ardent fans of a baseball player, Tom Gordon, who plays for the Red Sox. Quilla, Trisha’s mother, who won custody of her children, never gets tired of taking her two kids out on weekend outings. Pete, Trisha’s older brother, misses his old school at the town where they lived before the divorce.

The story starts when Trisha, her mom, and Pete are out hiking. Trisha’s mom and Pete argue about Pete’s pinings to return to his old school and computer club. They were so caught up in their quarrel that they did not realise Trisha had disappeared for a while to pee. Well, Trisha thought she would catch up with them as long as she could hear their voices. But, she had left the path and was unable to find her mother and brother or anyone else. She strayed deeper into the woods, hoping to find a way out.

I find this book less thrilling than ‘Firestarter’, another splendid novel by Stephen King. But still, this is a story of the determination and optimism of a little girl who lost her way in the woods.

Book read in 2004.

Buy The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

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Posted in Authors K, Horror, Mystery/Thriller, Titles G at 3:18 am | Comments (2)



7th March, 2007

I Like It Like That - A Gossip Girl Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar

I’ve always wondered what the Gossip Girl books are all about. Then, while browsing in eBay, I saw a couple of second-hand Gossip Girl books on sale. So, I bought I Like It Like That - A Gossip Girl Novel, and read it in two days. Well, guess what? The book sucks.

First of all, I can barely imagine any real teenagers behaving like the characters in this book. I mean, they are just so wild and have no self-respect. They respect neither themselves nor other people. And the girls take drugs, smoke incessantly, and sleep around with most boys they meet.

And the boys? They are just as bad as the girls. They also smoke pot, Marlboro cigarettes, and are just plain horny guys.

What kind of book is this? Why is it so hugely popular? Because it’s a ‘bad’ book? Is that it?

I particularly don’t like Georgie. She’s selfish, crazy, and plain wild. Ugh, if I were a boy, I definitely would not want a girlfriend like her. Her boyfriend, Nate, must have been in anguish for not having the chance to spend some quality time with her because she’s always busy soaking in the hot tub with other boys!

This will be the first and last time I’m reading this book. Not recommended to those under 18.

Well, you’re going to get it anyway, so why bother?

Buy I Like It Like That: A Gossip Girl Novel

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Posted in Authors V, Titles G, Young Adult Fiction at 1:14 am | Comments (10)


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