Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Weigh in Wednesday (#14)

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*I do ask that if you would like to participate please site me and my blog somewhere in the post.*

Todays topic: light blog background vs dark blog background

My Answer: as a matter of what's easier to see it depends on how tired I am... If i have been up for a long time and my vision is kindof blurry I find that black on white is easier for me to read.  Most of the other times I think white on black stands out better and is easier to read. Because of this I tend to like dark backgrounds because I think the contrast in colors shows up better and really POPS more. 


What about YOU? Do you prefer light blog background vs dark blog background?



Next weeks topic: Jacob vs. Edward (Yes I mean Twilight) 

Please email me with any topics you would like to see here on WiW at Epiloguereview@yahoo.com I would really appreciate any ideas you guys have!!

 If you would like to grab my picture to use here it is:


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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Weigh In Wednesday (#13)



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*I do ask that if you would like to participate please site me and my blog somewhere in the post.*

Todays topic: Adult Fiction vs. Ya Fiction

My Answer:  I adore YA fiction and it is by far my favorite of the two genres. I think the reason I like Ya so much is that it connects to my life so much.  When you read an adult fiction story you have to look pretty hard to find one that fits your life enough for you to enjoy it.  Ya almost always fits my life because most teenagers go through the same things.  Parental angst, school troubles, boy/girl problems... most everyone goes through it.  That's why I prefer Ya Fiction to Adult Fiction


What about YOU? Do you prefer adult fiction or YA fiction? 


Next weeks topic: light blog background vs dark blog background

Please email me with any topics you would like to see here on WiW at Epiloguereview@yahoo.com I would really appreciate any ideas you guys have!!

 If you would like to grab my picture to use here it is:


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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Review: Dark Companion

Title: Dark Companion
Author: Marta Acosta

Book Summary:

“When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true.  She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane?  She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night.  She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets.  Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane.  She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet.  But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries.  What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?”

            Jane Williams suffers an abusive childhood at the hands of her step-dad.  After being removed from the traumatic situation, Jane represses the memories and goes about her life as a troubled orphan.  When she gets the chance to go to Birch Grove on a full scholarship, she doesn’t hesitate to go.  All to soon, Jane will realize that Birch Grove is housing mysterious secrets that will shake everyone’s lives, especially her own.

            I really like the story premise for Dark Companion; it sounds like a gothic novel that I would enjoy.  I really don’t read a lot of “gothic novels” because many books in the genre are too dark for me to enjoy.  I am definitely interested in the mystery that is surrounding Birch Grove, and it goes a long way to draw my attention to the book. 

            When I first meet Jane, I am stunned by the attention to detail and how Acosta has fleshed-out the character.  Jane seems to jump off the pages and come alive while I’m reading.  Her initial attitude at the adoption house makes me wonder if she might be tough to relate to, but I soon come to see just how driven and determined she is to succeed.  I am so glad when Jane gets the scholarship to Birch Grove and has the chance to start over again. 

            This book features two very different boys, who happen to be brothers.  Jack is infuriating and thoughtful, while Lucky is flattering and easygoing.  Jane has no question as to which brother she likes, but it is still fun to watch their antics.  I am disappointed by Jane’s interaction with Lucky.  She allows herself to be put in situations that she wouldn’t want anyone else to be in, and she doesn’t even seem to recognize it.  Personally, I think her character is stronger than that! 

            I am really glad that I took the opportunity to read Dark Companion.  It gave me a fresh new look at the paranormal and introduced gothic literature in a way that didn’t turn me off.  I will definitely read more of this genre in the future.  I am very pleased with the ending and would love it if Acosta ever decides to write a sequel!  Dark Companion is definitely a book that I recommend.

The Cover:

            What can I say about this cover?  It’s a girl in a BEAUTIFUL dress surrounded by a forest.  A dark, bare, lonely looking forest.  The effect it gives is eerily haunting and altogether stunning.  I thought the cover was very fitting to the book!


I give Dark Companion 4.5 out of 5 hearts: Very Highly Recommended

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Weigh in Wednesday (#12)

So sorry for not being around this past week, I took the time to get things done for colleges and to get ahead on reading. Which means some awesome reviews will be coming soon! ;)

waight-1
*I do ask that if you would like to participate please site me and my blog somewhere in the post.*


Todays topic:
Peeta vs. Gale


My Answer:  if I'm being completely honest I have to admit it has been a LONG time since I read The Hunger Games series.  My answer here is from what I remember thinking WHILE reading the books... so it might be a little off what I would think now. I remember when I first read The Hunger Games I really liked Gale and I was really, really annoyed that Peeta was viewed as a love interest. Over the course of the books I remember coming over to Peeta's side because he seemed to make her happiest.  Besides I am more than okay with Gale being left open for me. ;)

What about YOU? Do you prefer Peeta or Gale? 


Next weeks topic: Adult fiction vs. Ya fiction


Please email me with any topics you would like to see here on WiW at Epiloguereview@yahoo.com I would really appreciate any ideas you guys have!!

 If you would like to grab my picture to use here it is:

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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Weigh in Wednesday (#11)

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*I do ask that if you would like to participate please site me and my blog somewhere in the post.*


Todays topic:
fairytale retelling vs. the original fairytale


My Answer:  I am a fairytale fanatic, addict, lover... all these words apply!  I admit it.  I love, love LOVE the original fairytale stories of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty... they are just so magical.  There's a reason those stories are so popular, and that reason is that they resonate with all of us.  They appeal to the little girl inside us all who wishes a prince would fall in love with us. :)  Even though original fairytales will always have a special place in my heart I ADORE fairytale retellings even more.  To take a story that was good to begin with and transform it further into ANOTHER masterpiece is extraordinary to me.  Of course not all retellings are well written and work for me... but when they are done well they are my favorite!

What about YOU? Do you prefer fairytale retelling or the original fairytale? 


Next weeks topic: Peeta vs. Gale


Please email me with any topics you would like to see here on WiW at Epiloguereview@yahoo.com I would really appreciate any ideas you guys have!!

 If you would like to grab my picture to use here it is:


waight-1


Sunday, July 1, 2012

A few of the July releases!

Title: Dark Companion 
"When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?"



 Title: So Close to You
 "Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself."



Title: Insignia
 "More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.

Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him?

Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid’s futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology."


What do YOU think of these new books you can look forward to in July??