Tangled by Carolyn Mackler

"What the hell am I doing here?"

My Rating: 10/10
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication: 12/2009
ISBN: 9780061731044
Page Count: 3508
Age Range: YA

Carolyn Mackler's Official Website

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler is a flowing story about 4 people's life that got, well, tangled up. The first character to speak was Jena--a normal teenager who has yet fallen in love. Then comes Dakota; Jena's first crush who's a bit messed up in the head. There's Skye, the super popular and beautiful actress who doesn't really want to function anymore and there's Owen, who have never broke any rules before. Jena went to Paradise with Skye--and for the first time Jena has the guy's attention (Dakota). Dakota seemed to be interested in Jena, but when Dakota spotted Skye...He ditched Jena. After all, it was too good to be true. In Paradise, Jena found a suicide note..and Owen--the Loser with Laptop blogger. In Tangled, their stories cross paths.

In Tangled, readers will learn about discovering first love, how to handle societal expectations and getting outside the box--and live it.

What I love about Tangled: It was funny at one page, but it can be really touching in another page. Mackler's writing style regarding controlling the mood can be really powerful in my opinion. It's pretty cool how Mackler can write something that makes the reader ROTFLMAO and cringe between pages.

What I dislike about Tangled: The beginning dragged a bit--Jena seemed to be very quick at changing her mind in the beginning of the story. She seemed to be insecure, while as of at the end of the book, she's like a completely different person. I like that part of the character development, but I felt like it was necessary to know what's going on Jena's mind--the process of changing. I disliked that it didn't show as much as it probably should have.

Flawless by Lara Chapman

"I've just agreed to help my best friend catch the guy of my dreams. And people think I'm the smart one."

My rating: 10/10

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publication Date: 05.10.11
ISBN: 978-I-59990-631-7
Page count: 272 pages
Age: 12 and up (grade 7 and up)

Lara Chapman's Official Website

Every girl has their type of guy. Typically, the guy needs to be tall, handsome and hot. The guy of every girl's dreams, Rock Conway, transferred to Sarah Burke's school and rocked every girl's world.

Sarah is pretty--but there's one big problem. Her nose is just hideous. Kristen, Sarah's best friend on the other hand, is gorgeous. Of course, we all know Rock's going to pick Kristen. Duh.

The twist: Kristen is...not very good with words. She reads Cosmo and Teen Vogue, not poetry or anything sophisticated. Kristen asks Sarah's help to write texts, Facebook messages and anything that includes writing to Rock.

Sarah (just like the rest of us), loves a guy who understands literature. Apparently, there's more to Rock Conway than just his model looks. So what Sarah's writing...is basically Sarah's real feelings...

What I love about this book:
So there's too many dark romance on the bookstore's shelves; here's a fresh high school romance! We all says, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but we do it anyway! The cover grabbed my attention, and well...the title did, really. What is flawless, really, in this world? :D
From the first page, I just couldn't put it down. This is currently my favorite book!

What I dislike about this book:
The book ended. :(

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

"I cried because everything was broken and I didn't know what to do."

My Rating: 10/10

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publication: September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59990-510-5
Page Count: 208 Pages
Age/Grade: 12 and up/7 and up

Avery opened her eyes and she was drenched in blood. Her parents' blood. Avery didn't remember what happened, except that it was silver and it wasn't human--it didn't seem human.

There's the pitying stare from everyone in school and around her. There's Ron--the officer who found Avery in the forest. And Renee, her grandmother who feels like a stranger now.

Everyone backed off when suddenly a part of her hair turned blood red. But not Ben Dusic, the new guy in town.

Ben had silver eyes.

The killer that drenched Avery in her parents blood was silver.

Who was Ben?

Well, Ben turned out to be a werewolf. Despite what Avery knows about the color silver, she still lets herself to be close with Ben. Worse, she wanted Ben like Ben wanted her.

Avery believes Ben. She trusts him.

But what if Ben killed Avery's parents? Or the other families who lived near the forest that were killed?

Read Low Red Moon to understand how in life turning points are bound to happen when you're in love.

What I love about the book: It's sweet and simple, straight to the point but mysterious at the same time. I like how Devlin portrays the conflict in Avery's mind in times Avery has problems. This is a very good book--Twilight fans will enjoy reading this.

What I dislike: A bit cliche about how fast Avery is attracted to Devlin, like Twilight...in a way. But other than that part, I love this book! :D

I'm sure this will be a successful debut for Ivy Devlin!

Ivy Devlin's blog

Ghostgirl: Lovesick by Tonya Hurley

"We all fall down. They call it falling for someone for a reason. ...Either way, you will carry the reminder of it forever. Whether it leaves a tiny scar or a permanent injury, only the future can tell."

My Rating: 9/10

Publisher: Little, Brown Company
Publication: July 2010
ISBN: 0316070262
Page Count: 311 Pages
Age Range: Young Adult

Tonya Hurley had successfully (again) written a philosophical love story that all we non Dead-Ed kids that we can relate with! Read my review of Ghostgirl here and Ghostgirl: Homecoming here!

In Ghostgirl: Lovesick, Charlotte Usher finally gets a boyfriend in her Dead world; Electric Eric (who died when the lightning struck his guitar's amplifier).

Then Mr. Markov decided that they all have to go back to the living world, to do their job again. Only this time, Charlotte wasn't assigned to help Scarlet, her best friend.

In fact, Charlotte was assigned to be with Damen--the guy who Charlotte was dead for--and be his guardian angel.

So off they go--Eric helplessly watching Charlotte with slight jealousy while Charlotte envies Scarlet who is guarded by Eric.

But love blinds everyone--it makes you want to change your self just to be better (even though sometimes it's for worse).

Ghostgirl: Lovesick tells the story that love, in life or death, is always difficult either way.

What I love about this book: In between the chapters there's quotes and Tonya Hurley's original thoughts on love that shadows the coming chapters and it's really beautiful. Ghostgirl: Lovesick is also funny and sweet; always a good read for everyone who's in or out of love. ;)

What I dislike about the book: At the end, it's always "The end?", it kinda...confuses me, makes me guess if there'll be another book or not....

Tonya Hurley's Official Ghostgirl website

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

"'I'm just going to vanish into nothing. Poof.'"

My Rating: 8/10

Publisher: Little, Brown Company
Publication: August 2008
Page Count: 328 Pages
Age Range: Young Adult

Charlotte Usher is dying to be popular. Literally.

When her previous years of school life failed, she promised this time would be different--it would be her year to shine. She tried everything--during the summer she studied Petula Kensington (THE most popular girl in Hawthorne High), stalked Damen (Her ultimate crush) and bought super expensive high heels.

She even tried to sign up to be a cheerleader. Unfortunately, the rest of the school doesn't think so.

Then she was partnered up with Damen in Physics--and they were lab partners!

It was all meant to be (or at least Charlotte seemed to think so) until...well, until Charlotte choked on a gummy bear.

Yep. A gummy bear.

Charlotte's a choker, now.

Turns out? After death, if you haven't finished High School, there's the Dead Ed! Charlotte met Mr. Brain (who spilled his brain slugs each time he laughed), Pru(denc)e who seemed to hate her, Piccolo Pam (who swallowed a Piccolo and died) and a bunch of other Dead kids.

The Dead kids had one mission--To save their house; The Hawthorne Manor.

Charlotte, thinks differently. She thinks being dead is an opportunity to be closer to Damen. Besides, Charlotte's learning to Possess someone...Not just someone, maybe...Petula Kensington?

But when things with Petula doesn't work out well, Charlotte found out that she can be seen by someone--Scarlet. Scarlet Kensington, Petula's little sister (who, by the way, is totally different than Petula) that wears vintage clothes and goth make up. A good come back from the dead, huh?

Read Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley to follow Charlotte's ghostly trail in the story!!!

What I love about the book: That it was philosophical, thoughtful and just really sophisticated. Also? It was very funny at times. Ghostgirl is a good book to learn about your surroundings, how to fit in, and most of all; yourself.

What I dislike about the book: It's just me, I guess, but sometimes Charlotte seemed too..exaggerating. So it's not Tonya's work that I dislike, but it's Charlotte's capricious and whiny personality. But other than that...I'm good! :D

Tonya Hurley's Ghostgirl Official Website

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

"It had the same greasy sheen as oil, casting a rainbow of hues across the plane of the water as it was rippled gently by the waves. But there was something different about it, something she couldn't quite put her finger on."

My Rating: 10/10

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-177981-7
Page Count: 327 pages
Age: Young Adult (940L from Lexile Reading Level)

I am never one for a murder mystery novel, but The Body Finder grabbed readers as soon as the 2nd paragraph was read. "And then there was another sound. Something she couldn't identify. Yet."

Kimberly Derting had successfully written the perfect narrating voice for the perfect mystery story. I was hooked from the first page--perhaps it was the unusual style of writing (to me personally anyway); how it was beautiful and different but also purely intriguing with conflicts.

Violet Ambrose is the main character in The Body Finder. She's in high school, but the prologue started when she was 8, when Violet first discovered a 14-year-old girl's body.

It was always animals' corpse, that Violet found. But she just sense them--it's just there, in the back of her tongue, ringing in her ears. Violet calls them the echoes.

Violet is best friend with Jay, who has been with her ever since 1st grade. They were inseparable ever since. Over the summer, Jay has been idolized because he transformed into a hunk. Violet, who resists her thoughts that she wants to be with Jay more than friends is in deep conflict with herself.

Then one day Violet and Jay (and basically the rest of the school) gathered around the lake for a party. Jay and Violet drove one of the boats until Violet was attracted to something. Violet knows there's a body down there. But is she ready to find out whose it is, knowing the mental-breakdown she's about to face after wards?

Then Violet tries to find the killer. Jay would never let anything bad happen to Violet...

What I love about this book: This book has easily gained its place in my heart as one of my all-time favorites. The voice Kimberly Derting used as an author was exceptional; my words couldn't describe how much I love this book right now. I started reading at 1:34 and I finished a little after 4:30. I seriously couldn't put it down. I like how she actually used the 3rd person perspective and made it work (I usually prefer reading 1st person, really--because what is a story without the character's mind?). I also like how Kimberly wrote the perspective of the killer. It was really a thriller.

What I dislike about the book: Absolutely nothing. I enjoy everything, from the first page to the end. :D

This is highly recommended! Even if you dislike mystery, just try. Because in some aspects, this book has its humor. ;)

Kimberly Derting's Official The Body Finder page

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

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Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

“Why is it so important that you're perceived as a bad boy, huh? Tell me."

My Rating: 10/10

Simone Elkeles has written one of the best book of star-crossed lovers story around. In Perfect Chemistry, it all begins in Chemistry class at Flatiron High.

At the beginning of their senior year, Brittany Ellis, the captain of the pom-pom squad is going to meet her boyfriend who hasn't been with her all summer. Her life is perfect, from the clothes, the matching boyfriend, the kind-of clique she belongs to and her amazing house.

Alejandro Fuentes, is the total opposite. He's in the Latino Blood gang, he's a player and doesn't want to admit that he has goals rather than be a gang-banger.

Lucky, Alex's friend, made a bet that Alex wouldn't be able to sleep with Brittany. Alex loves challenges and he doesn't go down on any bet.

The thing is, though, when Alex is with Brittany, he feels everything else differently than what he felt with other girls. Slowly but surely, they're both falling for each other.

That's when Alex has to choose between saving his family by being in Latino Blood (LB, the gang he's in) or, be with Brittany Ellis.

What I like about the book: Alex's ego and Simone Elkeles' writing style! (For some reason I like people with sarcasm and ego...they're interesting that way!!!)

What I dislike about the book: If there's anything I dislike?? Was that I didn't pay attention in my brief quarter of Spanish in 8th grade that could have made laugh even more while reading the book!!!!

Thank you Bloomsbury USA/Walker Young Readers!!!

Perfect Chemistry Official Website
Simone Elkeles' official website

Heist Society by Ally Carter

"Why are you doing this, Hale?...You could do anything, why are you doing this?"

My Rating: 9/10

Heist Society appears to be the typical Ally Carter's novel; spies and everything else mysterious. This time in Heist Society, she's going for the professional thieves!

Katarina Bishop just wants to be normal and to achieve that, she walked out of The Life.

But since it runs in the family...she has to do this one; her father's in trouble.

All she had to do was steal 5 paintings...it's easy for her, really. She was used to doing it. But who really stole the paintings that her father was accused of?

All clues gives credit to Visily Romani. Thing is, this guy was a legend. A code name, an alias between the best of thieves. So how did the 5 antiques got stolen first place???

Katarina doesn't know the answer, no matter how many good connections she has. Also, her uncle, Eddie, wouldn't really help her in this.

Apparently, Uncle Eddie thinks that Visily Romani couldn't be brought down by a high school girl.

Katarina is confused, along with Hale (her friend/partner) and Gabrielle (her cousin). Katarina clearly doesn't know what to do. But she was sure of one thing; all things that are stolen, can be stolen back. ;)

What I like: The suspense and the puzzling events, I was really thinking hard here and there!!!

What I dislike: I didn't dislike anything!! XD YAY!

Ally Carter's Heist Society Page

Ally Carter is also the author of "I'd Tell You I Love You but then I'd have to Kill You." Check that series out too, it's awesome!

I finished this book yesterday!! (in 6 hours, cause I actually looked up all the word I didn't know..and tried to pronounce the German phrases that were there...LOL)

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

"Vitamins had ruined my life."

My Rating: 8/10

Kate Brown's only best friend, Anna turned pretty over the summer. Before, they were both unpopular and knew how to have fun with just the two of them. That was before.
After the summer that Anna escaped her unpopularity, Kate became the single wallflower who's pretty much clueless.

What's worse is that Kate's father who had a decent job to be able to support the family, had just quit the job. He just came to his office one day and everything on his desk cracked, except a bottle of Perfect You vitamins. Hence started the man's career to sell vitamins.

Seriously.

There's Will (who's not helping either) who always flirts with Kate. Kate's sure that she's just his latest conquest, though. The guy flirts with everyone and although Kate acts like she doesn't care, she actually fantasizes kissing Will.

Ha. So much for acting uninterested...

Best friend gone, helping vitamins-maniac dad and boy problem. Hmm...


Elizabeth Scott's description:

"Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, who Kate pretends she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. And when Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him even though she knows she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures the only way things will ever stop hurting is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen--but only if she lets them."

Elizabeth Scott's website and her book listings.