Wicked Woods By: Kailin Gow

Title: Wicked Woods
Author: Kailin Gow
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 250
Release Date: November 29, 2010
Publisher: The Edge
Geared Towards: Teens/Paranormal Romance Lovers
From: Author (Review Copy)
Extra Info: First book in the Wicked Woods series (List on bottom)

"She was in a town full of vampires, about to be trained up into a vampire slayer by her great aunt, and have already convinced the rest of her school that she was a freak. Normal, Briony suspected, was no longer an option" (P. 45).

Summary (From B.O.B): Briony had to move to Wicked Woods, Massachusetts to live with her Great Aunt Sophie after her family disappears on vacation. The woods at the edge of Aunt Sophie's inn is filled with secrets and inhabitants both seductive and deadly. Among them is a beautfiul boy named Fallon who saves her one night in the woods. As Briony gets closer to Fallon, she learns he has a secret, as do most of the residents of Wicked Woods.

Wdebo's Review: I started this book because I read Bitter Frost [Click HERE for my review] and quite enjoyed it. When I first started, the beginning was slow and as the novel continued the writing became stronger and the storyline was interesting and flowed well. I like the idea of the whole vampire hunting group, I would totally want to join, even though I'm pretty sure I would get my ass kicked, or get bitten, or die before I even fight for like five minutes.

I liked the twists that Kailin would put into the story, the writing would continue and continue then there would be something that changes the course of the story. It kept the novel fresh and left no room for it to be dull.

However, there were a few things that bothered me about the novel. There were incorrect usages of certain phrases and the writing also bluntly states really obvious things, which I guess can be seen as a good and bad thing. Bad because, it just makes the reader want to go, "Yeah, obviously" but also a good thing because sometimes even the most obvious matters are hard to get, for me too sometimes, I'll be reading and suddenly think, wait, is this what the author was trying to say? And with this pointing-out, I am able to know that yes, indeed this is what I am suppose to think. Finally, I also don't like how many of the main characters are described as "perfect" on the outside. I guess that was one of main reasons I wasn't too fond of Briony, she sees people for their looks first, that is how she judges them, and is quite superficial, though it does seem like she matures over the course of the novel.

On the other hand, I do like the male characters. The hostility between the two brothers yet how they want to protect each other is a nice touch to the story ^^ I also enjoyed the whole writing about the relationships between the various groups, humans, werewolves and vampires, it was very well defined.

Cafe Cover Chat: I think the cover is ok...interesting, kind of spooky. (B-)

All in all, a great paranormal romance story for vampire and werewolf lovers.

Grade: B-

Wdebo :)

*****

Books in the Wicked Woods series:

1) Wicked Woods [This one!]
2) Shimmer [Review soon]
3) Silver
4) Silence
5) Sight

Sorry That I Loved You-Anthony Neely

Title: Sorry That I Loved You

Artist: Anthony Neely

Language: English

TTS: None

Wdebo's Notes: So I just started getting into Anthony Neely songs and this is one of my favs by him. So, he is American and Taiwanese mixed so he's quite good looking and I really do like his voice ^^ This song is so addicting and is stuck in my head, can't wait to go back to Taiwan so I can KTV this lol XD

Hope you enjoy! And Please comment!

Wdebo :)

The False Princess By: Eilis O'Neal

Wow, I haven't posted a review in forever, so sorry!! Anywho, enjoy!!

Title: The False Princess
Author: Eilis O'Neal
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 336
Release Date: January 25, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Geared Towards: Teens
From: Publisher (ARC)

"'So what should I call you now?' he said when we had our breath back. 'Savior of Thorvaldor? Soon-to-Be Master Wizard? Chief Councillor of Wise Words? My own love?'"

Summary (From B.O.B):

STRIPPED OF HER CROWN AND HER NAME,

SINDA MUST RACE TO PLACE THE

RIGHTFUL PRINCESS ON THE THRONE.

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia knows her role in life. But everything changes when she learns, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess-a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

While struggling with her new peasant life, Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins-long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control. Returning to the city to seek answers, she isntead uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history forever.

Wdebo's Review: Ever since I was young, I have always liked princess stories, such as those by Gail Carson Levine. So I was very excited to start The False Princess. Though in the beginning, I found the writing to be average and ok, but after a bit, the story line started to pick up and soon adopted a Gail Carson Levine like vibe and the writing was magical and exciting.

The story combined magic, royalty and romance wonderfully. Sinda's story was crafted expertly, I liked her character, except at certain moments I was annoyed by her, she was weak and indecisive and just made stupid mistakes; however, at other times she was strong and a great heronie. Though I thought that her magic would be a central focus of the story but through the writing I would forgete that she had magic, well until sparks started flying out of her, but I really wished she could have added more details to her magic usage. Now, on the topic of characters, I love Keirnan, he was super sweet and just got so gahh lovee!! :DD

Finally, there were many twists and turns in the story which kept the plot fresh and exciting. It was a great read.

Cafe Cover Chat: I like this cover, because it is pretty and I like it a lot more then the cover that was on my ARC. (B+)

All in all, a great story for readers that like Princess stories and fantasy plots, filled with adventure and romance.

Grade: B+/A-

Wdebo :)

For Myself-Alien Huang

-English Subbed-

Chinese Name: 為自己 (Wei Zi Ji)

English Name: For Myself

Artist: Alien Huang (黃鴻升/Huang Hong Sheng)

Language: Chinese (Mandarin)

TTS: HERE

Wdebo's Notes: I love this song so much!! Xiao Gui's voice is so addicting. And yeah, the song is very him ^^ And his tongue length is also very hypnotic. :) lol. But just a really great song and he is super cute here!!

Listen and Love!!

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

Merry Christmas!!

YEAH!! It's CHRISTMAS :D A time for family, presents and for seniors to work their butts off writing college apps. So, to celebrate I want to share some of my favorite Christmas songs, because, Christmas songs are, well, amazing. Enjoy!

I Want a Hippopatamus For Christmas By: Gayla Peevey It's been my favorite song for well ever...and basically, one of the best Christmas songs!!



All I Want for Christmas is You By: Mariah Carey Can you say classic?!



The Most Offensive Christmas Song Ever (South Park)-Mr. Hankey ft. Kenny Please...just blame this darn SP obsession (The lyrics are in the description of the movie...so you'll have to click on the vid to see the actual vid on YouTube :( ) But god...I love SP for the character of Kenny, he basically says EVERYTHING and the censors can't censor anything because, well, they don't understand. Haha. And Kenny's giggles are just so darn adorable!


12 Days of Christmas By: Relient K (I believe-Speed Up) This is my most favorite version of the song and the South Park animations are sooo cute/wonderful...and I love the Style moment in the end...even though I know it's a Star Trek refrence but still STYLE :D



Baby, It's Cold Outside (Glee Version) God...I love Darren Criss, I've really liked him ever since of AVPM and of course Chris is just awesome in this and I just wished that they would kiss already because they are so cute together!!~



I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas By: Bing Crosby Had to end on a classic note...love :)



Merry Christmas everyone!!

Wdebo :)

Bitter Melon By: Cara Chow

Title: Bitter Melon
Author: Cara Chow
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 320
Release Date: December 28, 2010
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Geared Towards: Teens
From: Publisher (ARC)

"I am glad that I have speech, a place where I can be courageous and strong."

Summary (From B.O.B):

What would you do if your mother planned every step
in your life...and demanded you follow?

Frances has one job in life. To get into Berkeley and become a doctor so that her mother's ambitions for her will be realized. And Frances doesn't think there's anything wrong with that-until the day she accidently steps into speech class.

Frances turns out to be a natural at debate and public speaking. But to win in competition, Frances needs to say things she really believes-and to hide what she's doing from her mother. And once Frances steps out beyond her narrowly prescribed life, she begins to question many things about the way she is raised. Frances knows she must be obedient to her mother, who has sacrificed so much for her education. But how much is Frances living out the life her mother wants her to have, instead of the life that's right for Frances?

Wdebo's Review: As I am sure many of you know, I am ABC (American Born Chinese), so I have always been searching for YA books about people of Chinese decent. Therefore, when I was given the chance to review Bitter Melon, I was so excited, it's so hard to find books about Chinese people and especially Chinese Americans in the YA world. I really enjoyed Bitter Melon, a great novel that delves into Chinese traditions and the stress that are put on Chinese children.

I am sure many readers have been pushed by their parents to travel certain roads in life. Frances' mom is just like that, she pushes Frances down the road that she believes in best for her, but instead of just pushing her she takes it much further. It really shows the darker side of a parent pushing their child to succeed.

The novel uses short, choppy sentences to create imagry. In the beginning, the use of these sentences felt awkwardly put together, but as the novel progresses, the sentences are put together more smoothly, and the story flows well together, and the novel becomes addicting until the end. There is also a nice addition of certian Chinese phrases and culture, but it does not dwell on it which was how the story felt, it talked about Frances' Chinese heritage and culture but mainly focused on her growth and finding what she wanted for herself and building her own path in life.

I also loved the romance between her and Derek. It was so cute and innocent. And I think the reason why I loved it so much is because, this might sound really stupid, but because of Frances' faults, how she's not perfect like the rest of us. She isn't the skinniest, she isn't the prettiest, but Derek is able to overlook that and fall for her all the same, it was just really sweet. :) I hate stories in which the main character may be a nerd, or not as popular as they want, but they are still pretty and has this really fantabulous boyfriend that adores them, gah, stick to reality please!

Cafe Cover Chat: I love finally seeing an Asian person on the cover and so I really like this cover, haha, but it's a pretty cover, but she seems too happy. (B+)

All in all, a wonderful book that brings together growing up and finding yourself in a Chinese culture and finding love outside of it.

Grade: A-

Wdebo :)

Drought By: Pam Bachorz

Title: Drought
Author: Pam Bachorz
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 400
Release Date: Jaunary 25, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Geared Towards: Teens/Dystopian Readers
From: Publisher (ARC)
Extra Info: Pam Bachorz is the author of Candor. [Click HERE for review]

"For all of these two hundred years, none of us has seen a drought like this. We suffer more every day, each day worse than the last, all of them endured in the dry woods."

Summary (From B.O.B):

A young girl thirsts for love and

freedom, but at what cost?

Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation. Escape from slaver Darwin West and his cruel Overseers. Escape form the backbreaking work of gathering Water. Escape from living as if it is still 1812, the year they were all enslaved.

When Ruby meets Ford-an irresistible, kind, forbidden new Overseer-she longs to run away with him to the modern world, where she could live a normal teenage life. Escape with Ford would be so simple.

But if Ruby leaves, her communit yis condemned to certian death. She, alone, possesses the secret ingredient that makes the Water so special-her blood-and it's the one thing that the Congregation cannot live without.

Drought is the haunting story of one community's thirst for life, and the dangerous struggle of the only girl who can grant it.

Wdebo's Review: When I saw Drought I knew I wanted to read it. I really enjoyed Candor, though it was not the best book I've ever read, it was def on my top list of dystopian books. From the first paragraph of Drought I was hooked, I absolutely loved the way Pam Bachorz wrote, though I was confused for a bit about them being alive for two hundred years, the rest of the story went smoothly.

The writing was superb, it flowed so well and just keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The story goes one way and when it slowly begins to become too repetitive, it changes course quickly to keep the storyline fresh and addictive. I always loved dystopian novels and Drought is such a wonderful example of a great dystopian story. It was amazing from beginning to satisfying ending.

I found all of the characters to be very strongly defined. I liked Ruby but she was too indecisive but strong in her own way. Ford was awesome, but a bit creepy at the same time. I found Darwin West to be really, I don't know how to put this but childish, he was cruel, but childish at the same time. One example is when he makes Ellie, an old, weakened woman, do the limbo for her water and right when Ruby's mother is going to give it to her, Darwin hits it out of her hand and yells psych. Seriously? Psych? Haha. I laughed because it was so...immature... I was very disappointed in the congregants espeically *spoiler alert* when Darwin dies and they just latch onto the first person that is willing to be their leader. All their hopes for freedom just seem so trivial. *End of spoiler alert*

Cafe Cover Chat: I like the cover it has that mysterious flair that the story has and the blue in the eye is just so gorgeous. (B+)

All in all, a wonderful novel that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Grade: A-

Wdebo :)