The Year I Turned Sixteen - Diane Schwemm

Rose dreams of becoming a singer, but when her obligations as the oldest sister start to hold her back, she faces an impossible decision.
Sick of being the "good" sister, Daisy is drawn to a boy with a more dangerous edge and pulls away from the people who care about her most.
Laurel must deal with the loss of someone close, but a new love in the wake of tragedy might be just what she needs.
With her sisters all figuring out their futures, Lily feels lost, and for the first time she must figure out who she is all on her own.
With more than cupcakes and candles on their minds, each of the Walker sisters is in for a sweet sixteen that will change everything.

Wow...a 700 page book in two days!

At first I was only reading this book because it's my largest novel, and I wanted to get it 'over with'. After beginning to read however, I was really glad I chose it just because it was a charming book! These four sisters were very real to me and having to deal with real situations. The book is long, but the voices of the girls are so easy that you get right through it.

I thought the writing was great and sometimes was a bit melodramatic, but it was still good. At times you could tell that it was written in the 90's because of some language, but then they'd add something contemporary to make it more updated.

This book was excellent and I think all readers will find something they relate to with each sister, if not all of them, A great read for anyone who is looking for their place in life and embarking on a journey to find your inner self.

*****

Dreaming Anastasia - Joy Preble

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.


In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams...

This novel was quite an unexpected surprise! I wasn't sure what I was hoping to get from this book but by the time I was finished with it, I was actually sad to see it end. The characters were deep and I loved Anne as a heroine. She was really strong but was still vulnerable at the same time.

I loved the spin about Anastasia Romanov and the whole Russian family and royalties fascinate me. The author certainly did her homework with the bloodlines (I'm actually quite obsessed with Russian royalties and Anastasia which is why I got this book to begin with) and she also added an intriguing element of magic with the witch Baba Yaga. The ending was a tiny bit weak, but it didn't affect my overall rating.

The sequel to Dreaming Anastasia is coming in January of 2011 and it is called Haunted. I took a peek at her website and the synopsis of that one s a girl being haunted by a mysterious and malevolent mermaid. I can't wait!


*****

Waiting on Wednesday (7/7/10)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

 

 The Deviners by Libba Bray!

A supernatural fantasy series set in Manhattan during the 1920s that follows a teen heroine reminiscent of two of the era's most famous literary women—Zelda Fitzgerald and Dorothy Parker. The story will be a wild new ride full of dames and dapper dons, jazz babies and Prohibition-defying parties, conspiracy and prophecy—and all manner of things that go bump in the neon-drenched night.

I adore her and her writing so much - she seems like the sweetest person and I can't wait to get my hands on this one. I'm sure it's going to be fabulous because let's face it, she knows how to write! :) It is set to release in 2012.

In My Mailbox (7/6/10)

IMM is a weekly Meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

Wow, it's been way too long, hasn't it?! I had tons of fun in Florida with my sister and was so sad to come home! All good things must come to an end though, and it feels good to be back in the swing of things. I finally have an IMM for you! Yay! I bought three books in Florida.

Jekel Loves Hyde - Beth Fantaskey
Sisters Red - Jackson Pearce
Willow - Julia Hoban

I know it's a little late, but better late than never! :)

Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...


Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Once again, I thought this book was good, but I was anticipating it would be better than it was because of all the hype. The characters were okay, except I found it a bit irritating that Lissa tended to play the martyr sometimes, and Rose was a bit too cocky and presumptuous for my liking. I didn't find many of the characters to be relate-able,and I was thinking that Rose and Lissa need to kiss and just get over the sexual tension already ;).

The plot was genius and made me forget that I didn't like the characters too much and that was what kept me reading through the book. Richelle Mead has a gift for writing and I will consider reading Shadow Kiss for sure.

****