Angel Burn - Review

Angel Burn (Angel, # 1)

By: LA Weatherly

Published: May 24th 2011 by Candlewick Press (MA) (first published January 1st 2010)

449 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula

Rating: 4 Stars

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...

Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from.

But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

My friend Paula wasn't quite finished with the paperback I loaned her, so she let me borrow her Kindle a little longer insisting that I read Angel Burn. And so I did. 3 books finished in one week...that's quite a feat for me what with a full-time job and all. But I managed, and I'm proud of myself. I have unofficially set a goal of finishing at least one book a week for the year, meaning 52 books this year. And so far I'm pretty much right on it. Now...back to Angel Burn.

From the beginning, I was pretty hooked. Obviously I finished it quickly. Alex and Willow had me hooked and I was rooting for them the entire way. Once we got to about the 75% completed mark things were starting to get a little extra cheesy for my taste--and honestly, I'm typically a fan of cheese. It wasn't so much that I was majorly turned off or anything, just one of those things that get noted and then moved past. At about the 85% completed mark, I found that I was okay with putting the book down and didn't exactly feel the burning need to press forward and finish as soon as possible. But I knew I wanted to finish it this weekend so I pushed forward.

Angel Burn is the first in the series and the ending was left wide open for the second book--though there was no real cliffhanger.

I liked the different spin on angels that this book provided. It wasn't the typical angel book that you might see and so I give major points for originality. The characters were somewhat repetitive in what they said to each other...and that was a smidgen annoying, but nothing to be dwelt upon. No major plot twists that were unexpected. But still, quite a solid read and I think you should check it out.

Have you read Angel Burn? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015

Silence - Review

Silence (Hush, Hush, # 3)

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 4th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4 Stars

448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula ( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Amazon Description: The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

When I first started Silence, I felt completely lost. I really couldn’t remember what happened at the end of Crescendo. Has it really been that long since I read it? And that was compounded with the fact that Nora begins the book with absolutely no memory of the last 5 months of her life. But as the book went along, I started remembering things just as Nora did. So it almost made the experience more real. I felt just as confused as she did.

I think the whole amnesia aspect was pretty brilliant. It gives the reader an opportunity to fall in love with Nora and Patch, and to see Nora fall in love with Patch, all over again, which is a major improvement from book 2, Crescendo, in my opinion. And that’s exactly what I did—fell in love with Nora and Patch all over again. If you read my review of Crescendo, then you’ll know that I was pretty frustrated with Nora by the end of that book. Silence brings her back around to good standing. She’s not so whiny and vindictive in this book. She makes some hard choices, but I can tell she’s actually grown over these last couple of months. And it’s always rewarding to see the growth of a character.

As always, Silence leaves off with the setup for the next book, Finale as of today set to release 10/23/12, and I’m looking forward to picking back up where Silence left off. Perhaps Finale is another book that I won’t delay in reading. Seems like I’m having to eat my words lately, not that I was ever intending on not finishing this series. But I suppose that means that I’m learning not to be so hasty in writing an author or story off because I’m not a huge fan of one book in the series. Sometimes that happens. I can’t see myself ever dropping a series without seeing it through until the end (though if House of Night doesn’t get any better over the next book or so, I might just find myself in that exact situation), but I’ve definitely put some books off because of the previous one.

Special thanks to my friend Paula for loaning me her Kindle since Silence is not loanable. Don’t worry, I provided her with a paperback in return to read in the absence of her Kindle. Again, Silence gets 4 stars. Check it out.

Hush, Hush
Crescendo

Have you read Silence? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015

Praying the Names of Jesus - Review

Praying the Names of Jesus: A Daily Guide

By: Ann Spangler

Published: September 25th 2006 by Zondervan Publishing Company

Rating: 4 Stars

374 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, Spiritual, Religious, Christian

Source: Borrowed from my friend Jennifer

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Description via Amazon: Joy, peace, and power---these are only some of the gifts promised to those who trust in the name of the Lord. Praying the Names of Jesus will lead readers into a richer and more rewarding relationship with Christ by helping them to understand and to pray his names on a daily basis. By understanding the biblical context in which these names and titles were revealed, readers will gain a more intimate knowledge of Jesus and of his plan for their lives. They will also begin to see how each of his names holds within it a promise: to be our Teacher, Healer, Friend, and Lord---to be God with Us no matter the circumstances. Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Bread of Life, Yeshua... through his names and titles, we come to understand more fully how Jesus reveals God's heart to us. Praying the Names of Jesus focuses on twenty-six of his most prominent names and titles to provide six-months worth of devotions. Each week provides a unique devotional program designed for personal prayer and study or for use in small groups. Praying the Names of Jesus is the companion volume to the bestselling Praying the Names of God. In ways both surprising and profound it reveals a rich portrait of Jesus that will move readers toward a deeper experience of his love and mercy.

As the description above states, Praying the Names of Jesus takes 26 names/titles of Jesus designed to take one name and reflect on that name over the week. Each chapter starts off with a brief description of the name for the week. Monday's study is called "His Name Revealed" and gives background information and a short study; Tuesday's through Thursday's study is called "Praying the Name" and includes sections for each day on reflection, praise, gratitude, confession, and requests; and Friday's study is called "Promises Associated with His Name" where comforting promises in Scripture are given for your encouragement and continuing growth of your prayer life.

Praying the Names of Jesus was a really effectve and inspiring book. It was recommended to me by my friend Jennifer along with the companion Praying the Names of God. I haven't had the opportunity to begin Praying the Names of God yet, but based on what I've experienced through this book, I'm definitely adding that one to my TBR list. Focusing on an individual name for Jesus gives us a deeper understanding and appreciation for the magnitude of our Savior. He encompasses so many characteristics and all of them amazing and above our complete comprehension. Anytime we can deepend our understanding of God, we realize how big, magnificient, and great (these descriptions just don't do Him justice) He is. And thus in return, we properly view ourselves in relation to Him, which ultimately humbles us. And as a result of increasing our view of God and humbling ourselves, we draw closer to Him.

Any book that can help encourage and increase our view of God while decreasing our view of ourselves, and therefore, draw us closer to our Creator, well that deserves not just a read, but a study. Check it out, I think it'll be worth your time.

Have you read Praying the Names of Jesus? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015

The Hunger Games Movie Review

Alright guys, so I know I'm a week late. I just couldn't make opening weekend happen this time. My friends, Kay, Amanda, Paula, and my huband Russ, went with me to see The Hunger Games the movie last night. And of course, I really enjoyed it. Since it was originally a book, I feel like it is not too far out of the scope of my blog to review it, so that's what I'm going to do.

This might be a hugely small thing, but I was looking in the video they showed at the Reaping from the Capitol for the mockingjay in the corner of the video. Now maybe the one they showed at the Reaping is a different video than the one discussed in the later books, but I was hoping they'd include that.

Next, no cannons went off when Rue died or the other guy that Katniss shot in the same scene. I definitely missed that.

Also, for someone who might not have read the books but went to see the movie, I don't think they would really understand how the relationship between Katniss and Peeta was played up as part of their strategy in the Games. It is true that even Katniss and Peeta don't know how much is real and how much was faked for the benefit of everyone watching the Games, but that just really wasn't portrayed clearly enough. I found myself forgetting while watching the movie and had to keep reminding myself. It would have been nice to see that Katniss had to earn the presents from Haymitch by doing just that--playing up their relationship. The one parachute with the message "you call that a kiss" isn't enough to drive home that point.

They did a good job, in my opinion, showing the bakery scene. Specifically, showing it multiple times. But I don't know that the emotion and desperateness (if that's a word) that Katniss was feeling in that moment really came across. She was starving. She literally didn't think she was going to make it. Peeta throwing her that bread literally saved her life. And Katniss feels an obligation to Peeta because of that. She owes him. He saved her life. She has to return the favor.

I will say that I really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes stuff with the game maker and such. That was a nice added touch. And while alot of the stuff makes sense while reading the books--the way the people of the Capitol dress and such--really comes off as weird in the movie, but that's okay. And I guess, lastly, I'd like to add that my friend, Amanda, was very distraught that Buttercup was a black and white cat. Though that part didn't bother me at all. Overall, I was very impressed with the movie. Looking forward to the others in the future. Go see The Hunger Games movie.

Notes to Self - Review

Notes to Self

By: Avery Sawyer

Published: November 20th 2011

266 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Source: Borrowed from Amazon Kindle Prime Lending Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Two climbed up. Two fell down.

One woke up.

Robin Saunders is a high school sophomore with an awesome best friend, a hard-working single mom, and a complicated relationship with a sweet guy named Reno. She's coasting along, trying to get through yet another tedious year of high school, when Em suggests something daring. They live in Florida-- tourist central--and Emily wants to sneak into a theme park after midnight and see what they're made of.

When things get out of control, Robin wakes up in a hospital bed and Emily doesn't wake up at all. Just getting dressed becomes an ordeal as Robin tries to heal and piece together the details of that terrible night. Racing to remember everything in the hopes of saving Emily, Robin writes a series of notes to herself to discover the truth.

Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer gets 4 stars.

This book is about 15 year old Robin who, along with her best friend Emily, climbs a rollercoaster at a local amusement park. Robin and Emily both fall causing Emily to be in a coma and Robin to have a traumatic brain injury. While Emily remains in the hospital, Robin has to go back to her life. But life isn't so easy for Robin. She feels like she doesn't know who she is, and she's not sure she knew before the accident either. So, she proceeds to write notes to herself about the things she likes, how to get to her classes, how to open her locker, her favorite candy, etc. And thus she begins to figure out who she is.

Notes to Self gave me a new perspective on some things. I suppose you never think about what it would be like to have a traumatic brain injury unless someone you know has had one and you might wish to relate or empathize. But this book does a really good job of showing what someone with such an injury might have to go through. For instance, Robin realizes that she has feelings for a longtime friend, Reno, but Reno doesn't accept her feelings for him. Because she showed no signs of an attraction to him before her accident, he doesn't trust her current feelings--worrying that those feelings might go away with time as her injury heals. I would have never thought about how no one would trust your ability to make decisions because you're "different" than you were before, or because you "can't think correctly" since you have a brain injury.

I found it a smidge hard to believe that everyone at her school would treat her the way they do--horribly. I mean sure teenagers can be awful, mean, and bullying has become a major issue these days. I can imagine that some kids that didn't like Robin before might continue feeling that way towards her, but just random kids....I don't know. She has a brain injury. It's not something that can be helped. HOWEVER, considering the way that children with mental disorders are treated sometimes, I suppose it's really not that far fetched--which is horrible.

Because of her injuries, Robin learns what's really important in life. She appreciates life now that she's been close to death, and since Emily isn't able to live her's anymore. There are lessons here that we could all stand to learn.

I read through this one pretty quickly. The fall happens in either the first or second chapter, so you don't have to wait long for the story to begin. I really enjoyed my 2nd Amazon Prime Kindle Lending Library book, Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer. Check it out. 4 Stars.

Have you read Notes to Self? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 2, 2015