Review: Strange Angels

Strange Angels

By Lili St. Crow

293 pages (of which I read 208)

Published by Penguin group

What its about:

The Real World is a frightening place.  Just ask sixteen-year-old orphan Dru Anderson, a tough girl who has taken down her fair share of bad guys.  She's armed, dangerous and ready to kill first and ask questions later.  So it's gonna take her a while to figure out who she can trust...

Dru Anderson has been "strange" for as long as she can remember, traveling from town to town with her father to hunt the things that go bump in the night.  It's a weird life, but a good one- until it all explodes in an icy, broken-down Dakota town, when a hungry zombie busts through her kitchen door.  Alone, terrified, and trapped, Dru's going to need every inch of her wit and training to stay alive.  The monsters have decided to hunt back- and this time, Dru's on their menu.  Chances of survival? Slim to none.

What I thought:

Well.... I really tried with this book.  I pushed through as much as I could stand before I finally said I can't take it any more.  First of all, the writing in this book is, annoying, for lack of better word.  It has so many cliche's and little kid/wives tales like its everyday life it made my head hurt.  I don't use step on a crack fall and break your back, I don't give a rats patootie, or any other lame term in my everyday life and I don't know why everyone in this book does! Second, there are always way too many conversations going on.  I can't keep up with what is being said between two characters when Dru's inner monologue gets way too far ahead and totally off subject.

I also had an extremely hard time keep up with settings.  It takes far too long to describe a setting and by the time I get caught up they're somewhere else and I have no clue what is going on.  I couldn't relate to the characters because I feel like they all hate themselves too much.  Dru doesn't think very highly of herself and she seems to hate Graves the main male character, which I don't think I'm supposed to get the feeling she can't stand him, I'm pretty sure he is intended as the love interest but I didn't feel it.  I liked when Christophe came around because I like that he kept saying to Dru "you don't listen" because she doesn't! and she can't make up her mind.  One minute she's a tough chick ready to take on the world the next she's insecure and confused.  There is also a lot of repeating in this book, I think I was told about 12 times in the first few chapters that zombies disintegrate fast.  It makes me feel dumb, like I couldn't get it the first time, although I did. 

 I know a lot of people love this book, but I can't stand it.  I couldn't even finish it which says a lot because I don't usually give up on books.  I didn't see any character development, love story development and had no clue where they were or what was going on half the time.

Sorry to everyone who liked this book!  I'm still very open minded and would love to read your reviews of this book, so let me know if you have one! maybe I'm just missing something.  but all in all I'm only giving this book:

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Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire
By Suzanne Collins
391 Pages
Published by Scholastic Inc
17.99 (Hardback)
book 2 of 3




What is it about:

Sparks are Igniting.
Flames Are Spreading.
And the Capitol Wants Revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games.  She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive.  Katniss should be relieved, happy even.  After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale.  Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be.  Gale holds her at an icy distance.  Peeta has turned his back on her completely.  And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop.  And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try.  As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever.  If they can't prove, without a Shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

What I think:

Im Just as obsessed with this as the Hunger Games.  I have to wait for Mockingjay because I had a gift card from amazon, and that's what is always on my mind currently.  Anyway, I love watching how the relationship between Peeta and Katniss grew. I'm still team Peeta. This book had so many twists I felt like I was on the spinning cornicopia.  I couldn't stop reading.  I love the part where Katniss wakes up Haymitch and then jumps out the window.  I feel like this such a great picture of her character, it was like she jumped out that window and into real life.

I loved this book! and I'm patiently awaiting Mockingjay, okay you caught me, I'm entirely jealous of everyone who already has it and I want to go the the local walmart and just stare at it!

Until next time happy reading! 

Writing For Charity Event

I had an Awesome chance to go to a writing conference called Writing For Charity on Saturday August 21st.  This Event was designed to help Utah kids get new books to read.  There was a silent Auction, Author signings, Author panels and Q&A's with Authors.  Some of the great Authors that showed up were: Bree Despain, Jessica Day George, Emily Wing Smith, James Dasher, Shelia A Nielson, Dan Wells, Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, and Brandon Sanderson, Plus many more!

One of the great parts of this event was that writers were able to get their first pages of their novels critiqued by a published author, I had mine critiqued by Bree Despain which I was really nervous about because I love her so much! But it turned out amazing and she gave me a lot to think about with my novel!

Some of the greatest advice I heard there was just keep writing.  First drafts are always horrible and you can't compare them to published works.  Read a ton, and internalize everything you read. Pay attention to things you love but also to things you hate.  Revise, Revise, Revise.  Great books are revised not written.  Don't get super attached to the first book you write, finish it put it away for awhile write something else then go back to it, while you put the new project aside.  Now you have choices!  Don't get too wound up in details for a first a draft if you get stuck just keep writing.

I had so much fun at this and it made me want to find more conferences and really get a critique group going. I only bid on one thing at the Auction I'll post pictures of it, I didn't win but that's okay and all the money went to such a great cause!

Until next time happy reading! or writing!

A few Favorites

I was sitting at work today thinking about scenes in books that are unforgettable, and always stick in my mind so I thought I'd share them today.

1. Jane Eyre- It's been a while since I've read this book, I've had it on my needs to be reread pile for awhile but I have so many new books its taking me a while.  The scene in Jane Eyre that always stuck with me was, After Jane finds out Edward has already been married and she has decided to leave him.  Edward is sitting outside of Jane's room and when she emerges he wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his lap.  I just love the way you can feel Jane's pain and her love for Edward all in that one moment.

2. Succubus Blues- In the end where Georgina is sitting in the car crying to Carter.  I love this scene because its true to Carters nature.  I love his character and its a big part of his development in the story.  I love how much he cares about Georgina and that she has someone to be there for her when she's down.  This was the moment i fell in love with Carter.

3. Catching Fire- There's a Scene where Katniss goes to wake up Haymitch and throws a bucket of water on his face.  I love how she waits in the window when he pulls out a knife.  Tells him if he wanted to babied he should have asked Peeta to wake him. and when Peeta shows up she bolts out the window.  I love this part because there is so much descriptions and feeling in it I could actually picture the whole thing in my head.

That's all I have for right now because I gotta run but I have more so I'll add later!  My readers are my favorite;)

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Review: The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
374 pages
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
$8.99 (paperback)
Book 1 of 3




What is this book about:

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 the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games.  But Katniss has been close to dead 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.

What I think:

I can't believe I waited so long to read this! I was hooked from the very first chapter.  This is one of those books my husband dislikes because it steals all of his time, I couldn't stop.  Every chapter left me wanting more! Suzanne's ability to give detail in her surroundings and descriptions makes you feel like you're apart of these horrible games.  Katniss is such a strong character, I love that she isn't really sure what she wants yet she's careful about choices she makes.   Each Character brings something to the book that leaves a lasting impression.  I'd have to say after book one I'm very team Peeta.  I of coarse always reserve the right to change my mind, but I love his moral fiber and his obvious attachment to Katniss. 

This book matched well with my love of reality TV (Big Brother) and reading.  Not that I could stand this type of reality TV but some days I wonder how far TV is going to end up going.  I hope people have better sense than to do horrible things like this.  But its a very compelling story.  The points where you can't help tears and points where you just want to cheer in happiness.  

I absolutely LOVED this book and I'm very sad I have to wait for Catching Fire to come in the mail.