Book Review: Seizure

Seizure (Virals #2)
by Kathy Reichs

Genre: Adventure, Crime-Thriller, Mystery, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Suspense, Young Adult
Publication: Published October 1st 2012 by Young Arrow
Format: Paperback, 491 pages
Website: viraltheseries
Author:  Website, Facebook, Twitter

The second novel in the Virals trilogy from #1 bestselling author and inspiration for the TV series Bones - Kathy Reichs!

Ever since Tory Brennan and her friends rescued Cooper, a kidnapped wolf pup with a rare strain of canine parvovirus, they've turned from regular kids into a crime-solving pack! But now the very place that brought them together - the Loggerhead Island Research Institute - is out of funding and will have to shut down. That is, unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it!

So when Tory learns of an old Charleston legend about a famous she-pirate, Anne Bonney, whose fortune was never found, she can't believe her luck - buried treasure is exactly what she needs to save the Institute on Loggerhead! Trouble is, she and her friends aren't the only ones looking for it. And this time, the Virals' special powers may not be enough to dig them out of trouble . . .

I love Virals! The combination of surprises, suspense, mysteries and adventure goes really well together. I remember how surprise I was after reading Virals since I didn’t expect that I would enjoy the book. Therefore, I am super excited to read Seizure, the sequel to Kathy Reichs’ Virals novels.

 Seizure picks up not long after Virals ended.  Tory and her friends were slowly learning about their powers after they contract a parvovirus in the first book. They learned that the University is shutting down the research facility where their fathers work. The Virals need to safe the research facilities or they’re going to separate from each other. To save the research facilities, they’re going to need a lot of money. This was when Tory learned about a certain pirate called Anne Bonney whose treasure was never found.

Reading Seizures reminds me a bit to Indiana Jones. The treasure hunting and adventures were absolutely heart-pounding. If it was made into a movie, I would totally watch it. Kathy Reichs is really good in writing mystery and suspense. The dialogue/conversation between Tory and her friends are better than the first book. And definitely funnier! I get to see how the Virals tried to figure out how to control their power and how their strength vary from each other’s. I love that there was lots of unexpected twists in the book. I love how I couldn’t predict who the bad guy in the book is.

I can’t wait to read the next book to the series: Code. There are lots of things to be discovered about the Virals and their powers. And I’m interested to know what/how Chance will fit in the later books as I have the feelings that he will make another appearance in later books.

Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

Genre: Contemporary, Humor, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: First published October 26th 2010
Format: Paperback, 260 pages

"I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please."

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a cosmic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

I love this book! Lily, the heroine of the story has left a red moleskin notebook on a bookstore shelf with dares, waiting for the right guy to pick it up until Dash showed up to accept her dares. Now, how many of us dreamed of pulling something like this during our teenage years? I know I did. 

The story is told from Lily and Dash’s POV, alternating with each chapter. I love both Lily and Dash. But I like Lily’s character more. She was very likeable and I guess I can relate to her character a bit more.  

I enjoyed the dares between Lily and Dash. They are very enjoyable, exciting and captivating. There were lots of times when I can’t restrain myself from laughing out loud. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is the kind of book I would label as cute. Very cute book with a perfect ending! It is definitely one of my favorite books!

Book Review: Best Friends Forever

Best Friends Forever
by Jennifer Weiner

Genre: Chick Lit, Friendship
Publication: First published July 2009
Format: Paperback, 359 pages

Some bonds can never be broken...

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie, "and you're the only one who can help."

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

I have never read anything from Jennifer Weiner and decided to give her book a try when I see ‘Best Friends Forever’. I was attracted to the colorful cover and synopsis. I love how the synopsis sounded mysterious with Valerie popping up in Addie’s life, asking for help.

Addie and Valerie was best friend since they’re nine years old. Things began to change during their teenage years when Valerie befriended with the popular kids until fifteen years later, Valerie showed up in front Addie’s door.

My favorite part of the book is the friendship between Addie and Valerie on how they mended their relationship after years of betrayal. Addie and Valerie are perfect for each other for their difference. Addie sounded like a sane one while Valerie is more like the crazy one. There are lots of humorous moments that make me laugh. 

I like Best Friend Forever. It contains a good amount of mystery, friendship and humorous moment with bits of romance. Reading the book makes me wonder what had happen to my childhood friend. It makes me reminisced things I did with my friend when I was a lot younger. 

#27 Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My teaser this week:

He fanned the pages of his book, looking for something. “Now, what does the average person desire? That is the question.”
The Hispanic woman spoke. “I think that it is peace for the world." - 11%, Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors.

It has been quite some times since I last join this meme. I was a bit busy with things. Anyway, my little sister recommends this book to me. She said that this is a good book. The sweetest, fluffiest read she had. And my cousin second that. I decided to give it a try! I'm enjoying the book so far :)

What's your Teaser Tuesday?

Book Review: Sprinkle with Murder

Sprinkle with Murder (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #1)
by Jenn McKinlay

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Romance
Publication: Published March 2nd 2010 by Berkley Prime Crime
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 222 pages

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are finally living out their dream as the proud owners of the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. But their first big client is a nightmare. She's a bridezilla who wants 500 custom cupcakes for her wedding.

When Mel stumbles upon the bride-to-be dead-by-cupcake, she becomes the prime suspect. To save themselves and their business, the ladies need to find the real murderer, before the cupcake killer ices someone else. 

Sprinkle with Murder began with two best friends, Mel and Angie who owned a cupcake bakery. It was when Mel agree to do cupcakes for Tate (Mel and Angie best friend, also business partner) wedding to Christie that things start to go wrong. First of all, Christie is a mad bridezilla who wanted Mel to create custom cupcakes for her wedding. And then, Christie is found dead with Mel’s cupcake in her hand which means Mel has now turned as a murder suspect.

I was really excited to read this one as it combines two of my favorite things—cupcake and mystery! Reading Sprinkle with Murders made me crave for cupcakes. I love the character, Mel, Angie and Tate. They are fun people and I love their old movie lines quoting. The plot was okay. Sadly, I think the mystery is a bit dull. I could guess who the murder is half through the book. It was obvious. But still, Sprinkle with Murder is a fun, cozy mystery.

"Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop!

I'm so excited to join the"Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop! hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. I have a few books that I would like to clear out from my bookshelf and it is time that for me to pass them to someone new!

This time, I'm giving away 3 books! Curses! A F**ked Up Fairytale by J.A. Kazimer, A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix and Millions Of Women Are Waiting To Meet You: A Story Of Life, Love And Internet Dating by Sean Thomas.

• There isn't any specific rule for this giveaway. If you're interested in the book, just simply fill in the form below. But, it would be nice if you follow me via GFC/goodreads/twitter too :)
• You may fill in the form of book(s) you're interested in below.
• This is an International giveaway. Although, I cannot accept participation from Israel.
• Winners will be notified via email.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. 
• Ah, yes... I'm not responsible for any lost package.

Curses! A F**ked Up Fairytale (F***ed-Up Fairytale #1) by J.A. Kazimer

A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix

and

Millions Of Women Are Waiting To Meet You: A Story Of Life, Love And Internet Dating by Sean Thomas

Thank you so much for participating!! The winners for this "Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop! are:

• Auggie (Curses! A F**ked Up Fairytale (F***ed-Up Fairytale #1) by J.A. Kazimer)
• Beth Carbone (A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix)
• Jennifer Mathis (Millions Of Women Are Waiting To Meet You: A Story Of Life, Love And Internet Dating by Sean Thomas)

Don't forget to check out the other giveaway stops on on other blogs! Have fun!.

Book Review: Inkdeath

Inkdeath (Inkworld #3)

by Cornelia Funke

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Young Adult

Publication: June 1st 2009 by Chicken House

Format: Paperback, 699 pages

Life in the Inkworld has been far from easy since the extraordinary events of Inkspell, when the story of Inkheart magically drew Meggie, Mo and Dustfinger back into its pages. With Dustfinger dead, and the evil Adderhead now in control, the story in which they are all caught has taken an unhappy turn. Even Elinor, left alone in the real world, believes her family to be lost - lost between the covers of a book. But as winter comes on there is reason to hope - if only Meggie and Mo can rewrite the wrongs of the past and make a dangerous pact with death.

It is safe to say that Inkheart Series is one of my favorite series of all time. Cornelia Funke has succeeded in delivering the story and put it all together without lose ends.

Inkdeath was a bit darker and slow than the other two books – inkheart and inkspell. There were a lot of death and suffering of people in the Ink World since Inkspell. In previous book, Inskpell, Mo had bind Adderhead a book of immortality and the only way to kill him was to write three words into the same book. And because of this, Adderhead wants Mo dead. 

The characters changed a lot! Mo, the bookbinder for example was tangled with the story when he start playing the character, Bluejay – a character like Robin Hood which Fenoglio created with writing a song about him. Somehow, I get the feeling that Mo become sad and lonely in this book.  The other characters went through a lot of trial that they have become stronger and brave. I love the relationship between Maggie, Mo and Resa. I love how Maggie and Resa are constantly worried about Mo. They showed how important it is to stay as family.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed every bit of adventure the characters went through – like how Mo went to the castle to save the children or the part where he went to see the white woman to save Dust finger.  And the part where Darius read both him and Elinor into the book and Elinor is now reunited with her family!

The world of Inkheart in my opinion is a wonderful one. The writing was beautiful! Reading it makes you want to get into the book along with the other characters. I wanted to see Ombra, fire dancer, the black prince and his bear and so much more. I understood right away how Maggie and the others felt when they wanted to get themselves into the book to experience the world of Inkheart. I would recommend anyone to read this series.