American Gods

The storm was coming..Shadow spent three years in prison, keeping his head down, doing his time. All he wanted was to get back to the loving arms of his wife and to stay out of trouble for the rest of his life. But days before his scheduled release, he learns that his wife has been killed in an accident, and his world becomes a colder place.
On the plane ride home to the funeral, Shadow meets a grizzled man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A self-styled grifter and rogue, Wednesday offers Shadow a job. And Shadow, a man with nothing to lose accepts.
But working for the enigmatic Wednesday is not without its price, and Shadow soon learns that his role in Wednesday's schemes will be far more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. Entangled in a world of secrets, he embarks on a wild road trip and encounters, among others, the murderous Czernobog, the impish Mr. Nancy, and the beautiful Easter-all of whom seem to know more about Shadow than he himself does.
Shadow will learn that the past does not die, that everyone, including his late wife, had secrets, and that the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined.
All around them a storm of epic proportions threatens to break. Soon Shadow and Wednesday will be swept up into a conflict as old as humanity itself. For beneath the placid surface of everyday life a war is being fought-and the prize is the very soul of America.
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Um.
Well, then.
I'll admit I was a LITTLE young to be reading this, but you know, I just skipped over the parts that were...inappropriate. Even if it was fiction, this novel was so TRUE. We do make gods out of the media, and the television, and music, and a bunch of other objects. It was really creative to see a battle between the modern gods and the older gods, such as Odin and Loki. I would never have thought about that. Really creative. Plus, there was a mystery in it, and I would have never thought that the innocent old man was the murderer. And that the method that he used would be his method. It twas GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Neil Gaiman anyway, because Stardust was one of my favorite books/movies (I like the movie better). Well, kudos to you, Neil. Really good.
Plus, a guy in my Spanish I class saw me reading it and had a mini spaz attack. He said that he LOVED that book, and we got into a huge discussion about it. =D!
Although, I knew that Shadow's cell mate, Low-Key, was totally going to end up being Loki. It was kind of obvious.

The Dragon Heir

The covenant that was meant to keep the wizard wars at bay has been stolen, and Trinity must prepare for attack. Everyone is doing their part -- Seph is monitoring the Weirwalls; Jack and Ellen are training their ghostly army; even Anaweir Will and Fitch are setting booby traps around the town's perimeter. But to Jason Haley, it seems like everyone wants to keep him out of the action. He may not be the most powerful wizard in Trinity, but he's prepared to fight for his friends. When Jason finds a powerful talisman --a huge opal called the Dragonheart--buried in a cave, his role takes on new importance. The stone seems to sing to Jason's very soul -- showing him that he is meant for more than anyone guessed. Trinity's guardians take the stone away after they realize that it may be a weapon powerful enough to save them all. Without any significant power of his own, and now without the stone, what can Jason possibly do to help the people he cares about -- and to prove his mettle?
Madison Moss can feel the beating heart of the opal, too. The desire for it surges through her, drawing her to it. But Maddie has other things besides the Dragonheart on her mind. She has a secret. Ever since absorbing the magical blow that was meant to kill Seph, she's been leaking dark powers. Although Maddie herself is immune to magic, what would her friends think if they knew what kind of evil lay within her? Trinity's enemies are as enthusiastic about her powers as she is frightened. They think they can use her to get to the Dragonheart -- and they'll use anyone Maddie cares about to make her steal the stone for them.
Moral compasses spin out of control as a final battle storms through what was once a sanctuary for the gifted. With so much to lose, what will Jason and Maddie be willing to fight for -- and what will they sacrifice? Every man is for himself in this thrilling conclusion to the Heir trilogy.
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As I've said before, whenever I read these books, I'm in character development heaven. I wish I could develop my characters as well as Chima.
But, sadly, this conclusion was somewhat predictable. I guessed the ending, and I was right. I didn't predict that Seph would get addicted to that thing, though. That was a super special awesome plot twist. It was good all the same, though. Shockingly, though, I didn't read this one while I was traveling. I read it at school.
Have I mentioned the amazing library my school has? No? Well, lets just say, its like going to Barnes and Noble, except you don't have to pay for the books (unless you lose them). Its very large.

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover

When Cammie “The Chameleon” Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she’s in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she’s there to watch Macey’s father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world’s best school (for spies), “exciting” and “deadly” are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers’ plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.
As her junior year begins, Cammie can’t shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn’t feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion’s corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?
Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey’s private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth….
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So, want to know where I got this book? The Austin Teen Book Festival.
That's right. I met Ally Carter. And had her sign my book. And got a picture with her. It was epic. The best part was I had just gotten off of a two hour flight, and went straight to see her. It was a great way to start off my Fall Break.
Anyway, I love her books! Spy novels are some of my favorite books (if my obsession with Alex Rider didn't tip you off on that). It was nice to see a good blend of action, romance, espionage, and humor. There aren't many books with all that in them that are actually good. There are a lot of paranormal books, rather than *somewhat* realistic books. Anyway, 10/10 for this one!

The Amulet of Samarkand

Nathaniel is a magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he summons the powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal Lovelace's greatest treasure, the Amulet of Samarkand, he finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, and rebellion.
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Wow. Its been a while since I've posted. Lol.
But, anyway, this wasn't the best book I've ever read. It was really boring, and the plot did not move fast at all. I didn't like it. At. All. I'm not even going to read the second one because its just so BORING.
I remember trying to read this in fifth grade. I read the first couple of chapters, and put it back. Now I know why. So, in short, unless you have absolutely nothing else to read, then don't read this. It was like reading David Copperfield. Only ten times more boring.

Chosen

Bloodlust and dark forces are at work at the House of Night, and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And, oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare, Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. But, as Zoey and her friends find out, things are not always what they seem…
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BLECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did not like this book AT ALL. Totally not recommending it. Social disaster is an understatement. It was horrible the way it ended! Abandonment, all because of......ya. That's another reason I don't like this book (READ BETWEEN THE LINES AND YOU'LL FIGURE IT OUT). Nothing really happened. It was almost what anime fans would call a filler (that's an evil word, right there. I hate fillers.).
Anyway.........ugh. =P.

Betrayed

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.
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If you're following me on Twitter, you have already seen what reactions I've had to this book.
*spoiler alert*
STEVIE RAE DIED?!?!?!?!? AND THEN CAME BACK TO LIFE?!?!?!?!? AND TRIED TO KILL HEATH?!?!?!?!?!?
I think I'm speaking for everybody when I say:
What in the world?
Talk about confusing. Sheesh. But, you know, I kind of subconsciously knew that Stevie Rae would come back. She's a main character, for goodness sakes. Getting rid of her for good would totally put Zoey on a never-ending roller coaster ride of emotions.
Oh, and guess what? She's got THREE boyfriends. Girl, you got issues. Really big issues.
Good book, could do without so much cursing. Good grief.

Catching Fire

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
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I think there was epic music playing the entire time I was reading this. Seriously. An epic book requires epic music. ;)
Anyway.....PEETA AND KATNISS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!
But, anyway, Collins has done it yet again with her amazing storytelling. My grandmother's halfway through it right now (seriously, she actually BOUGHT the first book and stayed up until 1 AM reading it. Its nice to be able to talk to someone about books AND they actually know what you're talking about.
I didn't particularly like the ending, though. I'm not too keen on the fact of.......whoops. Spoiler! Sorry. Not going to tell you ANYTHING!!!! Because it would be best if you read it. So that you can be just as surprised as I was. Seriously. My mouth dropped open and I freaked out when I read the last line. I couldn't believe that- whoops. Another spoiler. Can't have that, now can we?
But, anyway Mockingjay came out this week, so I'm going to get my paws on it ASAP. It looks soooooooooooo good.
(PEETA!!!!!!!!!)