My Thoughts On books

Badly worded and gramatically incorrect book reviews and my thoughts.

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there. 

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she want's to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever. 

I'm going to discuss the whole trilogy, however i will only have the blurb for the first so i don't ruin anything for people who have not read the series. 

These books are really good- for the first read. They explore an insanely interesting world with wholly different ideals and ideas of perfection to our own. Though they also share some of our traits which lets us- the reader to connect to the characters. 

All of the books in the 'main' series follow the same set of characters who we see change over time due to the situations they are put through. Its definitely interesting and it does draw you in alot. Only if you have an imagination though. 

This is because of the writing style. No offence to the author, Scott Westerfeld, but the style of writing is very pedestrian and simple, it gives simplistic descriptions of locations and items unique to the world he created. Unfortunately, this makes the series hard to get through for some due to the fact that in their imagination the world is not fully created, imagine a blurred photograph of something you have never seen. You then have to put people in the picture whose face you don't really know. Its hard for some, and easy for others. 

This series, because of the above observation, is great for imaginative young teens. And there are a lot of them these days. So it has grown very popular. 

The series is honestly great, if you don't really look into the writing style due to its really interesting themes and the whole world they live in. I'de recommend it to anyone who can create a imagine with little description. 

Now i do want to say it gets abit repetitive, the language is simple ( in a way) and sometimes you loose focus on what is going on. But despite that it is a good light read. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

The Third Day, The Frost 'The Tomorrow Series' - John Marsden

Usually i would start a review, or well a telling of my opinions with the blurb from the back of the book. But there isn't one on this particular copy, and well i don't want to find one on the internet, because it would be inaccurate to what the author would have put etc. (is it the author or the publishing company who do the blurbs?) 

Anyway, i shall just do a brief outline of whats happened so far, and ill try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

The Third Day, The Frost is the third in the Tomorrow Series by John Marsden. It follows the story of a group of Australian teens who are fighting for their lives, country and families after Australia was invaded. They do what they can with the knowledge they have, taking risks which no teenager would be expected to take, and making decisions no one should have to make. They have witnessed death, death of their own and death of the enemy. And they have taken the lives of others. 

They have mainly operated in their town of Wirrawee, acting out of their safe haven of hell, which is a valley full of dense bush land and almost no easy way to get in. They have blown up a few things and along the way caused quite a reputation for themselves. But now they take one of the biggest risks and take on their biggest mission so far. Cobblers Bay. 

As i have said with all the other reviews of the Tomorrow Series, the writing is really good, and it draws you in. You get attached to the characters and you really feel the emotions and the atmosphere. The story is told from the perspective of Ellie, one of the sort of leaders of their little group. She or well John Marsden, really tell the story in a way which isn't too formal, nor is it too informal. So you actually understand whats going on because of how things are explained. The book is an average length and is a pretty quick read, even for someone who reads at below average speed. 

I don't really know if i'd criticize the book at all, because i just think it is wonderful. It tells a great story and it teaches you a lot of things about life, and well death. But one thing i didn't like about it is well, actually its not something about the book that i didn't like, its a certain character who i didn't like, and if you read the book i'm sure you will feel the same way, and at times want to throw the book across the room. 

But, it is a great read, a book you cant put down. You learn a lot of things about life, death and coping with them both. Sometimes its harder to cope with the fact you are alive, then the fact that you could be dead. 

Please read this series, and also if you are doing your HSC in Australia and doing English  i am sure this series ties into belonging  So if you want to have a look into it as reference material please do. But don't spoil the book by looking into it all too much. I know how studying a text can turn something you love into something you cant stand to look at anymore. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Walking Naked - Alyssa Burgman

    Every school has one. They are ugly or fat. They have scars of acne or birthmarks. Or maybe it's just something about them that doesn't quite fit with out cherry-lipgloss, video-hits view of how teenagers should be?     We are mean to them. we ridicule them. we made monsters of them. we don't want to stand near them or sit next to them.     Perdita was one of those.  If you'd asked me how i felt about her, i would have said that i hated her, but i couldn't have told you why.

Megan is one of the leaders of the in-group. She wouldn't dream of talking to  Perdita, 'the freak'. But when they are thrown together in detention, she finds herself drawn into a spiky, challenging almost-friendship. Megan then faces a choice: Perdita or the group?

  This book is amazing, and let me start by saying that anyone who has to do Belonging as  HSC topic, please read this book. There are very strong themes of belonging. And it is an amazing book for anyone to relate to. 

But because it is so relateable it is also a very hard read, because we do not want to accept the fact that we as people actually do act just like the characters introduced within these pages. Also because of the relateability of this book i would like to say that i may reveal some spoilers throughout this review. But i think to fully grasp the concept of this book you need to understand what happens and why it happens. The best way to do this, would be to read the book yourself, and please so, because this is the one book i would recommend above all else. But also because you learn alot from this book, and in this day and age we need to understand the effect our words can have on people. Even if they aren't on the receiving end of the bullying. 

Okay let me get started by saying that yes, perdita does kill herself. Let me also say, that Megan, despite how mean and self centered she is at the beginning of the book, she does grow, she does learn, and she does realize that her only true friend is now gone. But with that, she also learns how to be a friend, and what it actually means, and also that she doesn't need to be popular, that she just needs to be herself. And respect others for doing the same, instead of ridiculing them for their differences.

Despite how is may seem that the book is mainly about Perdita not belonging, it is also about Megan not belonging. And how she grows and realizes that her 'friends' were just using her. That she did not have the same values or morals as them. That they really didn't have so much in common. 

She also realizes that despite how someone may look on the outside or even how they may seems to look on the outside. They really aren't that person that you think they will be. Because who they are on the outside is not them. it is what people think of them. A cover is tainted by those who judge it. 

The writing in the book is really good, and there are alot of poems through out the book. Well the whole book is based around one particular poem. With a lot of others influencing sections of the book. So if you are interested in poetry then i would also recommend this book because it explore a lot of poetic techniques and also meanings behind the words. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

The Recruit 'CHERUB' - Robert Muchamore

A terrorist doesn't let strangers into her flat because they might be undercover police or intelligence agents, but her children bringing their mates home and they run all over the place.

The terrorist doesn't know that one of these kids has bugged every room in her house, made copies of all her computer files and stolen her address book. 

The kid works for CHERUB. 

CHERUB agents are aged between ten and seventeen. They live in a real world, slipping under adult radar and getting information that sends criminals and terrorists to jail. 

CHERUB follows a boy named james and his path into this scary and dangerous world of a CHERUB agent. He first finds out about this organisation after his mother dies, when he is placed in a orphanage called Nebraska House. James has a sister called Lauren. But she isnt meantioned too much in this book. She is carted off to live with her sleezy father. (James isnt carted off too because laurens father isnt his, and well he hates james). 

So, this book is really good for any teens, i would reccomend it to someone between the age of around 10 and well seventeen. But if your older i am sure you will enjoy it too. 

There is alot of action through out the book and by the end of it you are wishing you were there, and that CHRERUB is real. I certainly did. 

The wrighting of the book is really good, and by end of the first few chapters you already have a good feel for the charactors and you can already relate with them. I am pretty sure i cried within the first few chapters (His mum dies , offcourse i am going to cry) But the action with ensues brings your mood back up. 

By the end of the book your going to be wanting more, and well , there is alot more coming, so there is no need to worry. 

The Recruit is the first in a series of 12. But that is not all, there is The Henderson's Boys which is a series of 4 books. 

The Escape 'Henderson's Boys'

Summer, 1940. 

Hitler's army is advancing towards Paris, and millions of French civilians are on the run.

Amidst the chaos, two british children are being hunted by german agents.

British spy Charles Henderson tries to reach them first, but he can only do it with the help of a twelve- year - old French orphan.

The british secret service is about to discover that kids working undercover will help to win the war. 

And there is also the series based after James has left CHERUB. The first book is called 'Peoples Republic' 

The Recruit is a great first book in the CHERUB series and it really draggs you into the story. There are tears but there are also smiles and alot of action which just makes you want to read more and more. 

If you want to get your children into reading then this is a great series to start on. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

The Industry - Rose Foster

Kirra Hayward is an ordinary sixteen year old-smarter than most, but otherwise completely anonymous.When she stumbles across an unusual puzzle on the internet and manages to solve it, she has no idea of what she's letting herself in for. 

Kidnapped by a shadowy organisation known only as The Industry, Kirra soon discovers how valuable her code-breaking skills are. And when she stubbornly refuses to help them, they decide to break her . .  by any means at their disposal.

Kirra knows that to protect herself, she must trust no one, not even her fellow prisoner, Milo. But as time goes by she realises he might be the only person she can rely on. .  

It has been awhile since I've read this book, but when i think back to when i was, i still feel the emotion of the story. The hardship the main character  Kirra has gone though.

When i was flicking through this book before writing this review, i think i had a tear in my eye. Because all the emotions i was feeling while reading this book came flooding back to me.

This book is written by an Australian author. Before reading this book i had never heard of her. But now i feel as though i should read more of her books. Because this one is just so well written and you are dragged into the story so fast. It is a well paced book. And unlike a lot of teen fiction these days, it is not about the super natural and it doesn't revolve around a big love affair. It evolves around Kirra and her ability to crack these codes and what she goes through and how she has to overcome so many things in order to just live. 

I honestly loved this book. 

Now yes, there is a a bit of romance in it. Milo, her fellow prisoner is someone that kirra does some what fall for through out the book. But it doesn't revolve around it. And well honestly, i think it was a needed addition in the book. Because when someone is going through what she is throughout the book, you kinda do need someone to distract you and well help you through it. Milo does that.

But her isn't what he is made out to be. I wont say anymore because i don't want to ruin the story.

This is the first in a series, and i haven't been able to find the next one at any of the local book shops (Australian book shops SUCK) But when i have enough money, i might buy the next one online so i can review it on here. Also because i just really want to know what happens to kirra. 

If you are interested in reading a book written by an Australian author i would definitely recommend this book. It is well written and just really darn good. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Shadow Kiss ' A Vampire Academy Novel' - Richelle Mead

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth’s magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires-the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa’s best friend, makes her a Dhamphir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. 

Rose knows it is forbidden to love another guardian.Her best friend , Lissa- the last Dragomir princesss- must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov,some rules are meant to be broken . . 

Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose's mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love , and the two people who matter most . .  but will her choice mean that only one can survive? 

This book was one of my favorite in the first 3 of the series. But it was also  pretty sad. I cried quite a bit through this book. But i also enjoyed it so much  as well. 

As i say with a lot of these books, it conveys emotion really well. And you just get attached to the characters so much. I am not sure what other series i cried so much in. But they are good tears.

This book was one of the ones which when i put it down i didn't want to pick up the next one. Because you have to go on without  one of your favorite characters  Which is pretty hard after you've spend the last 3 books getting to know them. But you want to know what happens, so you just have to put your chin up, dab your eyes and pick up the next book. 

This book is a bit bigger then the other two and it has ALOT more action in it then the other two. It gives you a taste of what is to come. And it also  introduces you to some more new characters  I will advise that you read the next book straight away. But when i first read this series i read the first 3 and then had to wait awhile to buy the next one because my book shop didn't have it at the time. I re-read the series while i was waiting and it definitely helped me grasp the story and get to know the characters more on my 2nd read. So if you cant read the next one straight away, it doesn't hurt to re-read them all. 

I am probably going to go and re-read them all again soon. If you are reading this wondering if you should read this series i would definitely recommend it. The name of the the series sounds a bit cheesy but it is honestly a really good series. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Frost Bite ' A Vampire Academy Novel' - Richelle Mead

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires-the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa’s best friend, makes her a Dhamphir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. 

Rose has serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor, Dimitri, has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian. 

Then a nearby Strigoi attack put St. Vladimir's on high alert, and the Academy whisks its students away on a mandatory holiday ski trip. But the glittering winter landscape and posh Idaho resort only provides the illusion of safety, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose -and her heart- are in more danger then she ever could have imagined.

  I cried, I didn't cry just alittle. I cried alot. Why? Because of the emotion conveyed in the book. It makes you so sad, because you can feel the love for the character, and then you love them too. But they are just torn away from you. 

I think i still have tear stains on my book. 

But, you dont just cry all the time through this book. There is alot of laughing, and danger, which just pulls you in. And then there is a hot guy. And you have to stop to fan yourself with the book alittle. Before diving back in. 

Despite its size, and the fact that im a slow reader. The book is still a one day, one sitting book. Mainly because of how caught up you get in the characters, and the story. 

One thing which i have noticed, not only about this book, but all of Richelle Mead's work, is how she strings together a sentence. She uses alot of commars. When i did english at school i remember getting yelled at for doing exactly that. I dont think its a bad way of writing. I quite like it actually, but to alot of people they would say it is a very ameture way of writing. I do not agree with that. Just thought i might as well point it out. 

But, over all. This book is amazing, it dragged me through all different sorts of emotion, and i couldn't put it down. You are introduced to new characters and you are torn away from some. I couldnt wait to pick up the next book in the series, and i have read this one quite afew times. Honestly, i am feeling sort of sorry for this book, or well, my copy of it. Because the spine is all bent and pages are bent.

Please, if you start this series, finish it! You wont regret it. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth;s magic. Ahe must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires-the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhamphir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. 

After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be,hidden in the deep forests of Monatanna. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger . . . and the Stigoi are always close by.

Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever. 

This is the first book in the vampire academy series. From the title, It sounds mehh. But it is a really good book. It isn't too lovey, or unrealistic  (cough twilight cough) and well it has action. 

Action is what a lot of teen fiction. Definitely teen fantasy is lacking these days. But vampire academy has that. 

With in the first few chapters you are loving Lissa and rose. And then Dimitri comes in an you melt. A hot, Russia, vampires ass kicking sex demon of awesome. Yes please! 

But. It doesn't just evolve around a girls crush on some hot Russian guy. Hell there isn't much hot Russian in this book honestly. But it gives you enough taste of everyone to know them in some way, and get attached to them. I was dissapointed to put the book down. But when i did. Boy was i excited to pick the next one up. 

I don't think I've ever liked a vampire book as much as i have liked the vampire academy series. And this first book, how ever cheesy and lame the title may sound, is awesome. And well written. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling

Okay, let me start off saying. I know, im a bad person for having never read the harry potter series. And well, Im not even finished the first book yet. But, I thought i might as well say what i think so far. 

Everyone already knows what happens so im just going to skip where i explain the book a bit. 

So, well, I love it so far. I don't know why i didn't start reading it earlier. And despite the fact that im not very far through it, and the fact that i don't really have much time on my hands to read. I am finding it much better then the movies. But it is still making me want to watch the movies. 

I am up to where he is going to get his money from the bank. So im like not even a quarter though the book. I don't really know what to say. 

But, i think i should appolagise for being a bad nerd lol

Having never read harry potter is a bit embarrassing and shameful. Definitely since when it first came out i was probably old enough to read it or well, have it read to me. 

But, i can blame my parents some what. They were the ones who took me to the movies instead of making me read the books first. Lol

Well, When i am finished reading the book, i may or may not give my opinion. Because well, i think it would be a bit obvious as to what i will think about it. I am not even a quarter of the way through and i think it is awesome. 

[kirapeppersthoughts]

The Dead Of The Night - John Marsden

When you've run out of choices, you've only got yourself. 

As war rages, as the enemy closes in, as Ellie and her friends fight for their lives, they are left with nothing.

Nothing but courage, spirit and pride.

So, let me start by saying. 

This is the 2nd book in the 'Tomorrow Series'

I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum. So, In this book they get up to so much more. Ellie, the main character  Is developed so much, and well, so are all the other characters  But i mean. You really do feel for them. SOOO many feelings are felt, and well explored.

I think i cried a few times when i first read the book. But i have read the series a few times. I think i am now on my 5th read of this particular book in the series. But so much happens. There are feelings of love and passion, guilt and regret,and with them,  you feel these feelings too. 

But, you also feel the excitement, the adrenalin rush through your veins when they are on the run. You start to read faster and take everything in. It is like you are there. Even when your not . .  Obviously. But, it makes you wish you were there, so very much. 

In most books where someone dies i cry. And this book is no different. Despite the fact that it is character who you never really get to know, you still cry. You wish you could have done something to have prevented it. You wish you had actually had the opportunity to have gotten to know them better. And maybe then, they wouldn't have taken such risk.

But, i wasn't there. And i honestly don't know what i would have done if i had any of those opportunities. But you still wish you could have at least had the chance to do try. 

Just the way the book is written is fantastic in my point of view. It makes you feel like you are there. But it also gives you insight in how the characters are feeling. What they are thinking. 

But, because of how it is written it gives you that insight from someones else's eyes. It is all written from Ellie's point of view. So we can read how she feels about things, but because of how it is written. We can also make our own opinions.

If you have read the first book, and sill don't know if you want to continue on in the series, please read this one. It lets you get to know characters so much better. It will make you want to keep turning them pages before you go to bed. 

I am pretty sure when i first read the series, i read them at school. During class. 

They were that good.

[kirapeppersthoughts]

Tomorrow When The War Began - John Marsden

Ellie and her friends leave home on quiet morning, wave goodbye to their parents, and head up into the hills to camp out for awhile; seven teenagers filling in time during school holidays. 

The world is about to change forever.

Their lives will never be the same again.

Would you fight? Would you give up everything? Would you sacrifice even life itself?

Tomorrow when the war began is one of my favorite classic Australian book series. 

I don't know exactly why i like it so much. But i am guessing it is because, despite how hard it would to be there, you wish you were. 

Tomorrow when the war began is the first i a 7 book series called "the tomorrow series' Pretty simple name. But the series is far from simple. 

It follows the story of around 7 Australian teens, who, after going camping in the bush for a few days, come out and find that their country has been invaded. They go try desperately to find out what is going on. And when they do they are shocked to find everyone in their town 'wirrawee' has been held up in the show ground. ( the invasion happened on remembrance day ) 

So, they do what they can to well stay safe, and gather information. Through out the book they find out a lot of information. Though, while doing so, they risk their own life to find out more, and to save others. 

It is well written and you really get lost in the series. Wishing you were there, and thinking about what you would have done in the same situation. 

But this is not an in depth analysis of what happens in the book, it is my opinion. 

So, i have loved the first book, I cried, I laughed and well i felt for the characters  and wish that i was there with them in their little group. Even during the tough situations. 

But honestly, i don't know how i would react if it did happen and if i was there. I know that if my town was the basis for this book then well. The likely hood of being able to do anything about it, or the likely hood that our town would get off unharmed would be very low. I live too close to the ocean and large ports. Hell, im sure a lot of people in my town would have died, or been bombed to smithereens. 

But, the book isn't based in my town ( thank god) and well, i wish i live in a small town now, with big farms and wonderful bush land like they describe in the book. It makes me want to go to the country and walk up a mountain and camp under the stars for months on end. Just to see how it feels. 

I don't think any other book has made me want to do that as much as tomorrow when the war began. But, this is only the first in the series. 

So when i re-read them all, there will be more opinions and well. More wishes that i could be dragged into the book. But, since that cant happen, ill just have to appreciate the awesome dreams it creates.