The Education of Bet Review

Bet is sixteen, very intelligent, but only knows as much as her limited education will allow. In Victorian England, girls aren't allowed to go to school. Will is also 16, and though not related by blood, he and Bet act like brother and sister. In fact, they even look like brother and sister. And though they're both raised under the same roof, by the same kind uncle, Will has one big advantage over Bet: He's a boy, and being a boy means he isn't stuck in the grand house they call home. He gets to go out into the world--to school. But that's not what Will wishes. He wants to join the military and learn about real life, not what's written in books.

So one night, Bet comes up with a plan. She'll go to school as Will. Will can join the military. And though it seems impossible, they actually manage to pull it off.
But once Bet gets to the school, she begins to realize the education she's going to get isn't exactly the one she was expecting.

I didn't know exactly what I was getting into with The Education of Bet. I'd seen its gorgeous cover on an ARC tour site, read the synopsis, and signed up for it on the spot. I still haven't actually read any reviews, but I know a few other bloggers that were equally as excited about cracking open the cover as I was.

That being said, I wasn't sure if this was going to be hard-core historical fiction. Even though I really love the genre, it's unusual that I'll pick up an HF book, because I feel like you have to have a certain mood and minset. BUT, I was so pleasantly surprised. Bet was light read, it was easy to slip in and out of the story. Although the tale started off slowly, Bet's humor and naivety quickly roped me in. I laughed at her hilarious mishaps and shook my head at her stupidity. I even wanted to punch (or take a punch from) Hamish for her.

And then there was James. Talk about sweet. I just loved this quote Bet used to describe him:

"I'd read about beauty in books. I'd even seen some of it in the world. But I'd never before seen so much of it gathered up into a single human being."

How can you deny that? You can't, my friends. You just can't.

It's amazing the kind of education you can get from a bunch of boys. Read and learn. :)

Rating: 9/10
<3 Cate

The Great Gatsby by Review

>It's also a love story, of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby's quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The pair meet five years before the novel begins, when Daisy is a legendary young Louisville beauty and Gatsby an impoverished officer. They fall in love, but while Gatsby serves overseas, Daisy marries the brutal, bullying, but extremely rich Tom Buchanan. After the war, Gatsby devotes himself blindly to the pursuit of wealth by whatever means--and to the pursuit of Daisy, which amounts to the same thing. "Her voice is full of money," Gatsby says admiringly, in one of the novel's more famous descriptions. His millions made, Gatsby buys a mansion across Long Island Sound from Daisy's patrician East Egg address, throws lavish parties, and waits for her to appear. When she does, events unfold with all the tragic inevitability of a Greek drama, with detached, cynical neighbor Nick Carraway acting as chorus throughout. -Goodreads

Although Gatsby was assigned reading for my English class, but I found that it wasn't like most school reading; I truly enjoyed the story. Fitzgerald wrote in a simple style that was easy to follow, one that I found difficult to put down. The characters intrigued me the most. Nick was relatable, I appreciated having a companion in this strage and hedonistic world. Though Daisy frustrated me, she was probably the character I most enjoyed reading about. Every time I could have sworn her head was filled with fluff, she would say something that was on the fine line of intelligence or depth. I think most of the characters surprised me in one way or another; I enjoyed peeling back their layers one by one.

I stayed up late in the night on several occasions not only to finish the number of chapters we were required to read, but to read it for my own enjoyment. I must say, I was a little saddened by the ending, but I thought it fit the story well. I will no doubt buy a copy for myself soon, so I can reread it, and discover pieces that I missed or can find new meaning in. If The Great Gatsby is not on your bookshelf, don't hesitate to add it.

Rating: 9/10

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev Review

All her world's a stage.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She is not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but has no lines of her own.
Until now.
-Goodreads

This one was so easy to fall in love with.

The characters won it over for me on this one- hook, line, and sinker. The fairies and their witty lines, especially. I loved that each character was so well-developed; it was possible to feel like you 'knew' each one, no matter how small a part. And it was so easy to root for Bertie, who I truly have nothing in common with (she's much braver than I ever could be.) I think that's what made the book for me; even though this magical world was nothing like my own, it was easy to slip into the background.

For me, the intriguing plotline and the sharp diaglouge made up for the little pacing blips. The beginning moved slowly, but when the first of a chain of conflicts began I almost didn't realize it was a conflict at all.

Also...Nate or Ariel? Personally, I'm more inclined to Ariel, but his age worries be slightly. Exactly how much older is he than her? Of course, Nate is obviously the more stable and mature of the two- funny, seeing as he's younger- but Ariel seems more adventurous. :)

Oh, I just can't wait until Perchance to Dream!!

Rating: 9/10

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Review

Fair and long-legged, independent and articulate, Janie Crawford sets out to be her own person — no mean feat for a black woman in the '30s. Janie's quest for identity takes her through three marriages and into a journey back to her roots. -Goodreads

For the past few weeks, I've been reading Their Eyes Were Watching God for my English class. I'd already read an excerpt from another one of Hurston's pieces, and loved it. She has this amazing ability to create the most beautiful imagery; as a reader, it makes the book an experience in itself.

Although it took a few chapters for the book to set up for the real story, it was definitely worth it. I was almost always interested in what would happen to Janie and her relationships. Janie felt real to me. Like someone I could have a conversation with; aren't those the best kind of characters?

I only had one real issue with Their Eyes, which was the dialect. I found the dialouge to be extrememly difficult to understand, especially in the beginning. For instance, words like 'I' would be written as 'Ah.' Although eventually this wasn't a problem for me, the beginning of the book was a little tough for me to understand.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this classic. I haven't seen the movie, but I've heard it's nothing compared to the book. I'm tempted to watch the film, but I'm worried it will ruin the story for me. Have any of you read this one or watched the movie? Thoughts?

Rating: 9/10

<3 Cate

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins Review

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. -Goodreads

Catching Fire begins slowly. Not to the point that the story suffers; there's still a steady plotline. But by the time you hit chapter thirteen, you're glad that you've been hit with a BAM! From there, the story goes quickly, so quickly that it's very difficult to put down.

As for this whole 'Team Peeta' or 'Team Gale' business, I have to say, I'm at a loss for words when it comes to who I like better. Though each are sweet, both have made their downfalls. I have a slight annoyance for Gale, who I feel like missed his chance with Katniss. And Peeta, darling Peeta, seems too good-hearted for her. Katniss is naturally cold, and ruthless to boot. And even though opposites attract, something always seems missing between the two of them. (Honesty perhaps? *ahem*)

I'll admit, despite how incredibly disgusting the idea of children being put in an arena to murder each other, the way Collins creates her little world is engrossing. And, just in case you were worried, you will (of course) be left with a cliffhanger worthy of sulking over until the next installment. Gotta love suspense...

Rating: 9/10

Paper Towns by John Green

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q.

My first John Green novel. Though most would choose Looking for Alaska as their first choice, I decided that I'd go for what I could get most quickly from my library. :) I'm not really regretting this decision, as of yet.

I was incredibly impressed by the sheer wit that is so apparent in Paper Towns. Each character was quirky and funny and memorable; I was reminded of Sarah Dessen's supporting characters. There were only a few moments where I thought that the crude humor had gone a little too far, but I decided to overpass those in light of the fact that this is John Green, and, according to most, he is brilliant. I agree.

The overall story was fun and interesting; I especially loved Margo's night of revenge. There were several points in their little jaunt that I found myself laughing hysterically, and others that everything felt solemn and in slow motion. One other thing that I especially loved about this book was that there was an exceptionally clear voice. Reading was like hearing Q speaking, and that aspect made Paper Towns all the more enjoyable to read.

Rating: 9/10

This post would be incomplete if I did not direct you to John and Hank Green's vlogging webpage, Vlogbrothers. You can find many hours of entertainment on the other end of that link. :D

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting Review

The Body Finder is essentially the story of Violet, a junior in high school, who has a gift. The gift of finding the dead. When a serial killer is on the loose in her small town, she takes on the responsibility of finding him before he hurts anyone else.

Okay, so normally I'm not a fan of books with a paranormal premise. I'm a fairy tale kind of girl. However, I was intrigued by the whole idea of Violet's ability, and her interest in using it for good. And, after I picked it up, I found it nearly impossible to set down. Seriously. Ms. Derting keeps you on the edge of your seat, and throws in some some huge twists (one nearly killed me, I could've sworn...)

Also, I just have to mention Jay. I have decided that he is second only to Wes, of Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever. Sa-woooon. You know what I mean. :)

Definitely pick this up- a quick and enthralling read!

Rating: 9/10

<3 Cate

River Secrets by Shannon Hale Review

Razo has no idea why he was chosen to be a soldier. He can barely swing a sword, and his brothers are forever wrestling him to the ground. Razo is sure it's out of pity that his captain asks him to join an elite mission--escorting the ambassador into Tira, Bayern's great enemy.
But when the Bayern arrive in the strange southern country, Razo discovers the first dead body. He befriends both the high and low born, people who can perhaps provide them with vital information. And Razo is the one who must embrace his own talents in order to get the Bayern soldiers home again, alive. -Goodreads

Thanks for bearing with me through my Shannon Hale phase, everyone! One more to go, and then there'll be a little more diversity in reviews!

River Secrets has never been my favorite of the Bayern Books; I've always been more drawn to The Goose Girl and Enna Burning. This time around, however, my appreciation for Razo's story went up a few notches. I'm not all that sure what happened...but I felt like I could connect with Razo and found him to be such a humorous and lighthearted character.

I'm not going to get too fangirlish now, but if you know me, you know that I adore Shannon Hale's writing style. Each sentence is carefully crafted and incredibly fluid. I can never get over just how beautiful her writing is.

Although you can pick up any one of the books of the Bayern series and understand the plot, I would recommend you start from the first book. Happy Reading!

Rating: 9/10

Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling Review

Claire Voyante has been having strange visions ever since she can remember. But the similarity between her name and her talents is purely coincidental. The name is French, and unlike the psychics on TV, she can't solve crimes or talk to the dead. Whenever Claire follows her hunches, she comes up empty - or ends up in pretty awkward situations. But that all changes on Claire's 15th birthday, when her grandmother, Kiki-former socialite, fashion icon, and permanent fixture at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel - gives her something a little more extraordinary than one of her old cocktail dresses: a strange black-and-white onyx cameo on a gold chain. It's not long before Claire's world becomes a whole lot clearer. And a whole lot more dangerous. -Author's Website

I found Claire Voyante to be a modern day Nancy Drew- with a few quirks. I instantly liked her; she was very relatable (although not in a mystery-solver way, but as a high school student). We follow her journey through high school, France, and her professor-filled apartment complex. And what a light, fun journey it was!

There were only a few points that seemed a little unrealistic, like her school asking to keep braces, retainers, etc. to a minimum because of the metal detectors. Sure, it wasn't exactly true-to-life, but if anything was exaggerated, it was for humorous purposes. Which, to be honest, is one of the main reasons that I enjoyed Lauren Mechling's writing- she was just downright funny.

If you're looking for a bit of light summer reading (you'd better hurry!), then I'd put Dream Girl at the top of the list. Also, look for Lauren's sequel, Dream Life, in 2010!

Rating: 9/10

If I Stay, by Gayle Forman Review

For Mia, a seventeen-year-old cellist with Julliard in sight, life is changing. She anxiously awaits her college acceptance letters, holding tight to both her home and her dreams. She knows what she has to lose and to gain by leaving home, and knows that important decisions need to be made soon.

All too soon. A truck, going sixty miles an hour, hits Mia and her family's car while on a winter drive. Found in a state somewhere between life and death, Mia has to make the greatest and most important decision of her life: does she stay?

I was very interested in reading If I Stay, and rapidly finished my last book in order to pick this one up. It was even more emotionally wrenching than I expected, in a good way. Mia's back-and-forth was heartbreaking for me to read, and heart-healing for me to begin to understand. This was an overwhelmingly sorrowful story, but without a doubt memorable.

There was only one aspect of this read that made me twinge, and that was the grieving process. Although it was plain that Mia's family and friends were very sad, only one person broke down and began to cry. Even her grandparents, who lost so much, were not seen crying. Perhaps that says something of their strength, or that they were in shock, but if I were in a similar situation, I would be bawling. Then again, grief is different for everyone.

Rating: 9/10

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson Review

Who is Jenna Fox?
Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a year-long coma, and she's still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen?

Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions- questions no on wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?

As I was reading the first 100 pages, I became very puzzled. The storyline was good, but I couldn't latch on to the character at all. The only way I could describe Jenna was like slick marble- nothing to hold on to, no matter how you tried. And the puzzling part was that I knew the author wanted it that way. The only other book I've read that was similar to this was Anthem, by Ayn Rand. And that's a classic. And everyone knows that, as a student, you don't argue with the classics. But that's another post.

{A small spoiler in the first sentence of the next paragraph}

And suddenly, click! Jenna starts to feel human, just as you learn that she may not be. From there, the book took a huge turn upward for me. I actually found myself enjoying Pearson's sparse writing style (I'm usually more of a detail girl myself). All the pieces started fitting together, and by the end I was extremely happy with it. I plan on reading more of Mary E. Pearson's books just to see what I've been missing.

Rating: 9/10