Friday, July 8, 2011

Review: By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by: Julie Anne Peters

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be DeadBy The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


WARNING: Do Not Give This Book To People Feeling Suicidal, Have Felt Suicidal, Or Will Hand This Book Off In An Attempt To Bully Someone Into Suicide



A GREAT story about Daelyn Rice and her time as an outcast, bullied so much, abused and attacked with a few attempts under her already.. she finds a website that forces a date upon her, asking her if she will be ready by then, forcing her ask herself certain questions and take a look at the answers. As she is on the site, she purges some pain, has some people reach out, and has she learned anything from Santana a boy fighting Hogkins Lymphoma wanting to live.. unfortuately, ___Spoiler___ the author leaves that up to us. Is that good or bad, after a journey like this book it would have been better for her to finish it, although with the discussion questions within the book, I realize that this was geared for teaching.. no, I would not use this book as a teaching tool, see below ___ Spoiler Done___



This book has a raw voice, rings too true -- I fear though that this can be used as a tool to learn how to kill oneself, to get around from asking/seeking help, I worry about the triggers that this could cause to those that have been hurt and in a classroom setting even that would/could even promote it further. What was the publisher/writer thinking when they thought that this could be taught in a school setting? Anyone that has abuse issues, been abused, been bullied - please don't pick this up, anyone that loves someone that has put this in your library.



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Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

Die for Me (Revenants, #1)Die for Me by Amy Plum

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Kate and her sister have lost their parents, they move to Paris with their grandparents, and it is here that Ms. Plum introduces us to a special group of revenants. Ghosts, Undead, Demi-Gods, whatever they are, they are a group that has a hero complex, and an enemy the Numa. Introduce the story of Kate and Vincent. I know someone the story of boy meets girl, boy shouldn't have girl, but girl is his salvation, but WAIT there's more.. is it possible she is meant for more, to do good, to save others. The characters are developed and secondary and enemy has backgrounds and personalities as a reader for you to make judgement upon, Georgia-Kate's sister for instance. You can see that there will be a series of books one I look forward to reading.

Now a reminder, there is a deja vu quality to this book, but it is so well written it is worth investing in, meeting the characters, and experiencing the author.



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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home For Particular Children by: Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar ChildrenMiss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


An interesting tale that focuses on Jacob and his search of the truth his grandfather left behind. Jacob is told amazing tales by his grandfather of particular people that could levitate, be invisible, have a mouth in the back of the head - all at a school run by a bird. Great stories, until he got older and grandpa started talking of monsters... then one day, a phone call, a search for grandpa, following the signs of a struggle, in the bushes he sees it. No one believes him. Following the clues left behind, he goes to Cairnholm (an isolated, tiny island off the coast of Whales) - there he encounters the "impossible" and learns he wasn't the only one following the clues.

A good read, amazing pictures - that are vintage and found at flea markets/antique malls/yard sales.. but it felt like the story was just for the pictures. I understand they inspired and that the author wished to have them in the book, but the story was forced at times just to add a couple pictures in. I think I would have enjoyed the story by itself (with those changes) and a seperate photo book.



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