Eve

Eve by Anna Carey is one of those cheesy teen romance books. I was surprised by some of the material that was involved. The setting is an all girls school set in a post-apocalyptic time. These girls, brought to this school from ages 5 to 18, were taught their whole lives the dangers of men and how evil and mean they are. The teachers are really strict about their health and about rules. Eve soon finds out what happens to the girls when they reach 18. Its very surprising and gross. But I don't want to tell you because I will spoil it for you if you want to read it. She realizes the danger she is put in, and she tries to decide what to do. Until one of her teachers (the nice one) helps her escape her school and she has to leave her friends behind. When she does leave, she is in like a whole different world and of course, she meets a boy. They eventually fall in love, they get in a fight, he leaves, she cries, they make up again and soon realize they cant be together. Its all very tragic.
But there are many moments that I just couldn't put the book down. There was a lot of action and scary parts that were very interesting. The idea of this book was very clever but I think it could be written without the....certain chapters. Some of the chapters didn't make sense to me. But the chapters that I did understand were very good and had really good action. The way the author describes things in the book is very cheesy and weird. There is lots of death, minor blood, and very little swearing. But overall this book is exciting, descriptive but most of all strange and confusing. I would suggest reading this book if your in a strange mood and are willing cheesiness.

Once Upon a Marigold By: Jean Ferris

Once Upon a Marigold was creatively written by Jean Ferris. The book contains a number of genres, romance, fairy tales, princesses, and friendship. It is a story that is filled with good morals and advise.

Edric, is a nice troll that lives in a crystal cave. One fine day, he finds a boy in the bushes who is lost and does not want to go home to his family. After the boy, Christian, refuses to return to his parents, Ed is forced to be Christian's new guardian. Years pass and Christian finds himself looking through a telescope at Princess Marigold more than once a day. He ponders of how he could ever be with her or even speak to her, because he is a commoner and she is a princess. Then out of the blue, he realizes there IS a way to communicate with her... through p-mail. It involves pigeons carrying mail back and forth from one person to another. Christian and Marigold learn more and more about each other through p-mail and become best friends. However, they still can't see each other, at least, not yet. After countless hours thinking, Christian decides to go on an adventure and try to get a job at the castle, just so he can see Marigold. He enjoys his knew life, but ambition gets the best of him. Christian and Marigold end up getting in a heap of trouble.

Once Upon a Marigold was not your usual intense, war fighting book. It is a book that kept me content and happy as long as I was reading it. It did have romance in it and it was a magical fairy tale. However it is a good story and sometimes I found myself laughing at some pretty funny parts.

There are many sayings the Ed says throughout the book that either confuse me or make me actually think about them. One, for example says, (pg. 26) "What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the eager beaver." This one I still don't get and I am STILL confused. On the other hand, I DO understand this one, (pg. 17) "He'd buttered his bread, and now he had to lie in it." The author was clearly trying to say to us that whatever choices we make, we will have a consequence. I definitely agree with the author, because all things come with a consequence, whether it's good or bad. There are many other hidden tricks in this book, that I personally believe the author was trying to tell us.

The book is enchanting and I enjoyed reading it, but I also think that it was a little slow. I'm used to up beat books that make you sit on the edge of your seat, while you feel like your falling off a cliff. With this book, I felt content and patient, which every once in a while, I can handle. Maybe everyone needs a slow book every so often. Overall, it pleased me, because if it had not, then I probably wouldn't have finished reading it.

Once Upon a Marigold is a book for those of you who want a simple romance, friendship, and fairy tale story. It was good for me in the end and I am glad I read it. I rate this book a B+, and am excited to read the sequel.

Catching Fire

WARNING: If you have not yet read The Hunger Games (Book 1 in The Hunger Games trilogy) then DO NOT READ FURTHER.

Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy, begins as Katniss and Peeta return to District 12 from the Hunger Games as victors. The duo sparked controversy by rebelling against the capitol, threatening to kill themselves in the games. Because the games couldn't end without a victor, both Katniss and Peeta made history as the first pair to ever leave the arena alive. Now they must face the challenges that lie ahead. The Capitol, particularly President Snow, felt threatened by this act that overthrew their power over Panem.

Over the next 12 months, Katniss and Peeta began the tour around Panem. Katniss kept noticing people with the same mocking jay pin that she wore in the arena. Soon after, Katniss came to the realization that the mocking jay pin was a sign of rebellion from Panem citizens. Because of this, the Capitol decided to throw a Quarter Quell Hunger Games, where previous survivors fight to the deaths for the ultimate title. Peeta and Katniss begin their journey again as they re-enter the games.

The tributes for the Quarter Quell games are faced with some of the most challenging obstacles in Hunger Games history, which makes it that much harder to come out alive. Both Peeta and Katniss will both enter the arena again. But this time, only one can survive.

Suzanne Collins, author of Catching Fire, focuses on the insanity of the people at the Capitol. This can very well be related to our society today. Things like violence, drugs, and alcohol are advertised as good things in our modern-day world. T.V. and music producers make these things seem fun and enjoyable. They make something so awful, seem so great. In Catching Fire, the Capitol popularizes the Hunger Games and makes it some sort of crazy entertainment. What if Collins is trying to prove a point? That if we don't stop the direction our media is going now, we never know where we'll end up.

Personally, The Hunger Games still remains at the top of my "favorite books" list. While Catching Fire could possibly come in second. The intensity of the Hunger Games out shined Catching Fire, which was slow-moving at parts. But in the end, I've loved both books and would recommend them to anybody. A

Fire From the Rock by Sharon M. Draper

Before you read this whole book review, let me tell you one thing. If all you ever read is fantasy stories, you might as well stop reading right now. However, if you like to gather background information while being entertained, pay attention. This well written piece of historical fiction written by Sharon M. Draper is about a teen aged girl living in Little Rock, Arkansas during the time in which school integration was being introduced. This was in 1957. Now, obviously, the girl and her family are fiction. However, there are events and actions in the book which are based on true events that transpired back when this takes place. In other words, it tells an educational story in a way that will keep you interested, and not dozing off every time you turn a page.

Sylvia Faye Patterson is an average schoolgirl who gets exceptionally good grades, and, being black, is discriminated by local residents who still have no respect for African Americans. Interestingly, with her dad being a preacher, she turns out to be a really good hearted person who deals with the horrific insults very well. Also, she happens to be really good friends with a white Jewish girl named Rachel. Unfortunately, Rachel is also picked on because of her religion. As expected, these girls go to separate schools because of their race. However, Sylvia is soon asked to be one of the first blacks to integrate to Central High School. She accepts the offer. But after an unexpected series of events, realizations, and discussions, Sylvia decides to withdraw her name from the list.

Later, she finds out it was a good thing she did decide to withdraw her name. This is because the nine that were still going to Central were getting harassed, teased, call names, and flat out denied entrance to the school. After much more drama involving troops, mobs, and police, the nine end up making history by permanently integrating into the school for whites. And although Sylvia was not one of them, she plays many important roles in changing history as well.

Now, as far as writing and theme goes, I thought the author did excellent at giving a good storyline, and keeping you flipping pages. However, I felt that she could have characterized and described people and places a little better. That way, you can visualize the story much better, and it is just a vital key in the process of writing a story. But, as I mentioned before, the author's storyline and themes partially made up for the lack of characterization she gives as the people are introduced. Also, the theme definitely played a vital part in the story for the reader's sake. It teaches you that although you should not give up on something, you need to follow your heart, and let God lead the way. In other words, do what's right, even if it means going in another direction.

Overall, I give this book a B+ for reasons which I stated in the previous paragraph. However, I would still recommend this to most of you out there. It a good educational read, but it keeps you interested throughout the book as well. It's got good characters, good information, a good story, and a great theme. Now, if you are reading this, then you stays entertained throughout the whole book review. In that case, you should go read this book today, it's a very good read, and teaches you a valuable lesson.

Cinderella Man

This is a great book. Not only is it a great story, but it actually happened, it wasn't just some fantasy story some guy made up. All the impossible events actually happened. I love this book, everyone should read it.

This book mainly follows the life of James J. Braddock, since is birth in June 7th 1905, weighing 17 lbs! He boxed his most of his life and started his professional debut int 1926. He was rich, popular, and an amazing boxer. Then the Great Depression hit. He lost a lot of money, but still kept his job as a boxer. He made much less than he did before the Great Depression. In October of 1931, he fought Maxie Rosenbloom. Midway through the fight, he broke his hand, but still went on to finish. The fight was a no contest. His manager was mad and pulled his license. He lost his job and became extremely desperate for money, begging on the streets at times.

James Braddock got the opportunity to fight Corn Griffin. It was just a one time deal, he wouldn't get his license back. Corn Griffin was in third place for the heavyweight champion of the world. His opponent got sick before the game, and no one would fight such a great fighter like Corn Griffin without preparation, except James Braddock. It wasn't even a question who would win, the odds were 5:1 in favor of Corn Griffin. Braddock hadn't boxed in years and Corn was going to destroy him. Huge upset, Braddock mauled him and Corn Griffin was KOed in the 3rd round. Braddock got his licence back, and, out of no where, when on to fight Max Baer for the World Heavyweight Championship.

This is one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. This inspiring story truly shows that nothing is impossible. James Braddock overcame all odds during the Great Depression, to become a boxer again, and put food on his family's table. Braddock was fighting for money to survive, while Corn Griffin was fighting for pride. That is how one of the greatest upsets ever took place. James Braddock had 2 days to prepare for the fight, and he won, which is a god given miracle. This also shows that if you want something bad enough, more so than your competition, then your going to get it. I love how inspiring this story, and would recommend it to anyone because it shows that impossible is nothing.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games is an amazing book, where there is a Capitol, and twelve different districts. Katniss Everdeen is a girl that lives in district twelve and life there pretty much stinks. Almost everyone there is poor and has a hard time living. Katniss basically has to take care of her family because her father died a few years ago. She hunts in the woods, which is illegal but she has to do it to stay alive. She hunts with her friend named Gale. Katniss loves her little sister, Primrose, and will do anything to keep her safe. So on the day of the reaping when two tributes, a boy and a girl, of each district are chosen to be in the Hunger Games, Primrose gets her name drawn, so she is one of the tributes. Katniss decides to volunteer and take her little sisters place in the Games. The boy tribute is Peeta a boy that helped save Katniss's life, Katniss is torn since she knows there can only be one tribute standing at the end of the Games.

Before the Games start all twenty-four of the tributes get to practice for the Games and meet their mentors that will help send them supplies and give them advice. Peeta and Katniss's mentor tells them to pretend to be in love to get more sponsors. Katniss needs to win if she wants to see her little sister again, but at the same time she can't seem to see the boy that saved her life die. She knows it's a life or death matter and puts it in her head that she will fight until the death.

This book is so good it is very entertaining and keeps you reading until you are finished. I think the author might be telling you that no one controls your life except for you because of at the end of the book when Katniss goes to outsmart the Game makers. This book is super good and I would give it an A+. I loved it and I would recommend this book to everyone! Also the Hunger Game movie is coming out soon.

1984 By: George Orwell

Imagine living in a world where free-speech doesn't exist. Where food is rationed and the world is constantly at war. Sounds pretty awful right? It is and that is the society Winston Smith the protagonist of 1984 lives in. Winston is a man who works in the records department of the ministry of truth. This is a place that changes anything political that doesn't support the Party.

The Party is the political power of Oceania. Oceania is one of the worlds three super powers. 1984 is based upon what could have happened if Russia had taken over most of the world. So Oceania is is basically communist Russia.

In Oceania people are kept brainwashed to not oppose the Party. You can be arrested and killed because a child told someone that you were guilty of thought crimes. Thought crimes are talking about the Party in a bad way. Also in Oceania there are public executions. Parents are begged by their children to go watch them.

1984 was a good book for those who enjoy history and enjoy plausibility. It's not a happy book by any means. In fact it's pretty depressing. George Orwell was an amazing writer who made amazing social commentary. In conclusion, 1984 is a great book, a sad book, and a scary book. Not in writing but the premise.