Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Title: Jellicoe Road
Author: Melina Marchetta
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Ages: Young Adults
Length: 412
Genera: Fiction
Subjects: Boarding School, Mystery, Two Stories
This book is NOT suitable for all ages. Sex (not explicit), cussing, and drugs (not used directly).

Summary:
When Taylor Markham was eleven, her mother abandoned her at a Seven Eleven, hundreds of miles from home. Now, she is seventeen and the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, Jellicoe School.
The Townies, from the town (duh), The Cadets, city kids doing a six-week outdoor education program, and the Jellicoe School students have engaged in war in the Australian countryside, defending territorial borders, negotiating for assets, and even taking hostages.
Meanwhile, Taylor's confidant and only parental figure goes missing and someone from her past comes back. Taylor must find the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her (and her mysterious disappearance); the boy from her dreams, the five kids who lived here long ago, and Jonah Griggs.

Review:
Rating: A+
My mother once told me that there are three main types of books, and that they can be classified like meats. Hamburger, Sirloin steak, and then Fillet Mignon. Jellicoe Road is fillet Mignon.
About 3/4 through the book, I was going to give this book 4 or 4 ½ (because of the beginning). After finishing it, I knew that I couldn't give it that low of a score.
Jellicoe Road is a beautiful book, but I don't know how I am going to do this review. I cannot express it.
The first 100 pages are extremely slow. I didn't think I would be able to finish it. What took me a while figure out is that there are two interlocking stories. Once the stories start to relate, that's when the story takes off.
Jellicoe Road has some romance (just enough to be delectable). The characters are just amazingly created. The mystery is so good. I did guess some of it though, but a lot of it blew me away. The "war" was a big aspect of the story, but I am glad to say it was not the entire book. The book is not really a mystery either. It is a book about love, loss, death, and acceptance. There word I need to use to describe is: favorite.

In all, I can't recommend it to everyone. Some people just can't appreciate this because it does need a lot of patience to read it. I recommend reading it at least twice.

- Rogue

8th book review

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Title: Cascade

Series: River of Time (bk 2)

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Ages: Young Adults - 14+

Genera: Fiction

Subjects:  Time Travel, Romance, Medieval Times, Sequels

Some romance, cussing, and mature topics. At one point the main character thinks she will be raped, which she won't be.

Summary:

Gabi has left her heart in the fifteenth century, she has to go back. Soon, she convinces Lia to go back - but this time they have a passenger. Their mother comes with them to Italy! When they come back to the fifteenth century, it turns out it has been many weeks since she left and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

Now, Gabi has to decide whether to leave her family behind or leave her heart behind.

Review:
Rating: B+
Actually, I read this book before the first one and loved it. After reading the second one, I can safely say that this sequel does not disappoint. In fact, I think I like this one better than the first.
What are the components of this book? You need to take a sprinkle of history, a quart of action, and a cup of romance.
The only bad thing that I can think of is probably how much Marcello is so... clingy and protective. This is the major reason why I couldn't give it a five star. In this book, it's not as bad as the third book and first. It says:
"...which the plucky heroine doesn’t have to fear a vampire’s bite but must still fight for her life."

- Shelfari

Well, guess what. Edward has changed form - to Marcello. This is definitely a draw back. But at least, Gabi realizes it to an extent. I remember she says something about how she didn't ask for a protective parental figure, but a boy friend. Well, c'est la vie. Luca still is my favorite boy.

Gabi is still awesome and kick butt as ever. She is such a great character.

Over all, this is a great sequel to Waterfall! The final book's review should be ready soon.

- Rogue

7th book review - OMG already seven reviews!

Extra Cover Review:

I love this cover! The girl, probably Gabi, is so pretty! The backround is probably Siena.

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Title: Burned

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Ages: Young Adults - 15+
Genera: Fiction
Subjects: Abuse, Poetry, Sexuality, Religious upbringing
Contains some VERY adult topics

Summary:

Told in verse, the book tells the sad tale of Pattyn Von Stratten, the eldest daughter of a ‘good’ Mormon family. Her journey begins with a simple dream about a boy. With most families, it would not mean anything. But to Pattyn, it could be the first step to hell and eternal damnation.

The dream is the first step, but to what? Will the dream lead to a better life or hell? Pattyn ponders this and other questions. They are questions without any answers – about God, sex, and most of all, love. The readers will find themselves pondering these same questions along with her in this battle of good and evil. Soon enough, Pattyn gets caught with a real boy, and gets shipped to rural Nevada. There she finds something new to her: love and acceptance. And for the first time in her life, she feels worthy of it. But her past demons won’t let her escape. Pattyn goes down a path that will surely lead her to hell.

Review:
Rating: A+
Ellen Hopkins’ books are a work of art. It warns girls and boys alike, about how dangerous the world can be. Dealing with sex, abuse, drugs, and alcohol, it can be quite hard to read at times yet thoroughly worth it. The endings will leave you pondering for the rest of the day, and sometimes more.

From the first pages, you are drawn into Pattyn’s harsh life. The way it is written makes it impossible to quit reading. It is not possible to skip a paragraph – because there are no paragraphs. Most of the book is thoughts and feelings, but the dialogue is very important to read. There are no annoying pages where the dialogue just goes on… and on. I love how you always know what Pattyn is thinking. When she is sad, you are sad; when she is ecstatic, you are too. Her story will leave the readers absorbed until the very end.

This book isn’t an easy read and some scenes could be quite traumatic to younger audiences. I don’t recommend this to kids younger than 15 or 14 (unless their parents permit them to read it). But with this said, it is an amazing book that I think everyone should at some point in their life. Ellen Hopkins’ books should be recommended reading in schools across the country and the world.

- Rogue

6th book review

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Title: Waterfall

Series: River of Time (bk 1)

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Publisher: David C. Cook

Ages: Young Adult

Genera: Fiction

Subjects: Time Travel, Romance, Medieval Times

Some romance, cussing, and mature topics

Summary:
It's not everyday you get to go to Italy! Actually, for Gabi and Lia, it is everyday. Gabi and Lia are the daughters of prominent archaeologist parents. Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds, so they go into one of the tumuli (which are basically burial grounds). Gabi puts her hand on the wall, along with Lia and they are sent through time to the sixteenth century - right between a epic battle between two forces.


Review: 
Rating: B
What can I say? This book has everything I love:
Italy
Medieval History
Strong Heroine
Did I mention Italy? I ♥ Italy.

Gabi it a wonderful heroine. She is similar to Maximum Ride, same sarcastic, witty, character. Luca and Marcello are so fun. Marcello is a bit too protective for my tastes (he just reminds me way to much of Edward Cullen). Luca is Marcello's sidekick; a fun, witty guy. He has to be the best of the two.
Lia doesn't get fleshed much in the book, nor the whole series so that's a bit of a disappointment. She is the little sister character: kind, sort of hesitant, and all around little sister-y. It's kind of a downer.
I do love how kick butt they are, both of the sisters.
The story is great, but slightly rushed in parts. Some times, this is necessary (like in the battle parts). The story leaves a good cliffhanger, so it's good I had all three books. The next book's review will come soon!

In all, though the book is good, it isn't great. I did enjoy it greatly. I would recommend it to an person who loves Italy, history, or/and a good romance.

- Rogue

4th book review

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirky Books

Ages: Young Adult
Length: 352 pages
Genera: Fiction
Subjects: Orphans, Mutants, Photography
Some major cussing.

Summary:
Jacob Portman has an odd grandfather, but to six year old Jacob, Grandpa Portman is the best person in the world. He told wild stories about monsters with tentacles for tongues, war, and more. Only when Jacob grows older does he finally begin to question Grandpa Portman. Now, sixteen year old Jacob knows that Grandpa Portman is just a crazy old coot.
When Jacob and his friend finds his grandfather dying in the forest, he is given Grandpa Portman's last words. They lead him to a seemingly boring island looking for people long dead. What will happen?

Review:
Rating: A
Ransom Riggs is certaionly an brilliant artist. He has crafted a story with words and pictures. Ransom Riggs has compiled vintage pictures to help describe the story. The pictures include a man lifting a heavy "boulder" and a girl standing over a pond - with two reflections. My brother and I loved to look at them. I also enjoyed reading the end where all the origins of the photos.
The story itself was slightly confusing at times, but otherwise a good mystery. The slight romance was entertaining and I enjoyed reading them flirting with each other (I won't mention who they were though). The powers were very different. For example, one of the characters had teeth under the back of her hair. The end was rushed, but I think it needed to be like that. The drama, action, and mystery worked well for Ransom Riggs.
There was very little cursing, and far spaced as well. I actually don't remember anything other than a d@mn here and there. According to Shelfari, there is a bit of major cussing. Don't remember any of it though.

In all, I loved the book! I would recommend it to everyone and would love to read it again.

- Rogue

3rd book review