Book Review: Shooting Stars (Allison Rushby)

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

Shooting stars gave me an insight as to what the photography industry is like. It was a cute and interesting read with an unexpected twist - not one that I expected at all. At first, I saw not so keen in reading it, but curiosity got the better of me and thank god it did!

Jo, the main character is a paparazza with an advantage and the book goes on about the mission she is sent to do. I found 'Zo Jo' - as she is known in the business - a talkative character that goes on and on about a particular subject. And while it was perfectly fine in the beginning, soon, it became almost unbearable, but mind you, it did turn down a bit and it was her constant need to blabber on and on that made it possible for me to relate to her (I myself am quite chatty in person). Jo seems to be an independent character certainly capable of taking care of herself - with all the years of being a paparazza, that is. However, she seems so unsure about herself and what she wants to do that it made her seem weak as well as how she seemed so motivated by money and how she 'needs' it to pay for her photography class. One of the characters I really looked forward to come across in the book was Seth. Rude and nosy, I particularly liked him without knowing why, but I do have a feeling that it may be his funny character.

The plot twist is one I definitely loved! Sure, hints we dropped throughout the book and I may have thought it possible but it was still quite good. But there were some parts in the book where I found it was quite weak.

Shooting Stars might not have drawn me in at the beginning, but it certainly made up for it in the end. It wasn't at all 'fluffy' but instead was funny with a hint of cuteness. It is definitely an eye opener for the world of paparazzi and the stars. (If that is how it is?)

Three Stars

Chain Reaction (Simone Elkeles) Cover and Blurb!

From Simone's Facebook page...

Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn’t live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he’s never known, and just when he thinks he’s got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?

Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys.

CHAIN REACTION will be published by Walker Books on Spring 2011.

No comment. No Comment. NO COMMENT!

They're making out under a shower! *swoon* This is the little boy whose Alex's mama hit on the head because he couldn't keeo his mouth shut and asked Brittany if she's his brother's girlfriend? Wheeeee!

PS. Notice how the girl in the cover is actually pulling at a chain? :)

Book Review: City of Ashes (Cassandra Clare)

A murderer is loose in New York City ...

... and the victims are Downworlder children. Clary Fray and her fellow Shadowhunters have a strong suspicion that Valentine, Clary's father, may be behind the killings. But if he is the murderer, then what's his true motive? To make matters worse, the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, has been stolen, and the mysterious Inquisitor has arrived to investigate, with his eyes vigilantly targeted on Clary's brother, Jace.

Clary will need to face some terrifying demons and even more terrifying family decisions. No one said that the life of a Shadowhunter would be easy.

City of Ashes is a brilliant sequel. Second in the Mortal Instruments series, it is a great follow through of the City of Bones and an even greater predecessor to City of Glass. It cements the epic-ness of the series, it really does!

City of Ashes begins where City of Bones left off. It's a darker continuation to the effects of the events in City of Bones to Clary, Jace and the rest of the Shadow World. In a way, whilst City of Bones is of introductions and discovery, City of Ashes is about understanding and clarification (or should I say Clary-fication?). It goes deeper into the world introduced to the readers in the first book and true to its name, it touches more about the Mortal Instruments and their importance. As a staple part of the series, action is never far away from Clary and the people around her. City of Ashes is more intense and action-packed than City of Bones, but just as satisfying. There is a lot of tension in this book, perhaps more than the previous, as forces intent on re-shaping the world are continually working towards their goal. I personally enjoyed the action, fighting and general conflict scenes. Cassandra Clare is a brilliant writer when it comes to these scenes, and I am one happy reader.

We learn a lot more about the major characters in the series in City of Ashes too. Clary embraces more of her Shadowhunter abilities in this book, as does Jace. We get further insights into Luke, Valentine, the Lightwoods and the ties that connect them all. By doing so, motivations and explained, but there are also questions and suspicions raised. There brand new characters introduced, many of which not only add spice to the plot but are also important to the on-going series. I felt that this book took a heavy emotional toll on all the characters, as being the second book, it delves deeper into what makes them such strong characters. Clary and Jace are heavily tested on their loyalty and love not only to their family, but the people that surround them and most importantly, to each other. There is a lot of emotional upheaval in this book and not all of it is a joy to read. There's pain, longing, even betrayal. I have loved and rooted for this two since City of Bones and each scene between them - forbidden as they are - are bittersweet and sizzling with yearning. I cannot wait to start City of Glass and see what happens with these two.

I enjoyed the unravelling of secrets in this book and the additional mysteries yet to be solved. The twists are epic and jaw-dropping, the action so very gripping. If anything, my one complaint would be the frustration that seems to forever characterise the ending of a Cassandra Clare book. This book ends in a cliff hanger, and while I managed not to pull my hair out of sheer desperation for the next book, I can't quite guarantee everyone the same restraint. Still, doesn't that just prove how much I am attached to this series?

City of Ashes is dark, action-packed, suspenseful and amazing all around read. Definitely recommended!

FOUR STARS.

Book Review: City of Bones (Cassandra Clare)

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

If book can give hang-overs then City of Bones can give the best and worst kind of it. Best, because I'm completely intoxicated with this book; and the worst - because I am utterly and completely going insane over it! This is one hell of a book. It's simply superb!

I think I am one of the remaining few still new to Cassandra Claire's Mortal Instruments series. I regret not reading City of Bones sooner, as it turned out to not only exceed all my expectations, but gave me a thrill that I had not quite experienced since the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books! I will probably inevitably repeat all the gushing reviews given to this book, but there's no way around it. It's just that good.

City of Bones stars Clary Fray, an ordinary girl who discovers a world beyond any she knew existed. In the Shadow world, prominent figures include demons, warlocks, witches, werewolves, vampires, shadowhunters and a certain Jace Wayland. The author's description of this world is impeccable. In rich and with great detail, strong imagery and letter-perfect writing, City of Bones just lures the reader into its world. Clary's adventure I don't often wish I belong to a book world, but I certainly did with this one.

Clary is an amazingly strong heroine. I love her perseverance and her will to fight, her selfless concern for others and even her sarcasm. She's a fiesty heroine, one I totally cheered on. She handles trials with grace and is firm in her stand. Secondary characters are not less note-worthy. They are colourful and their vibrance give this book life. Isabel for instance, is as just as tough as Clary - I really adore her. Alec, Simon, Luke, Hodge - the variety of characters is amazing. All of them are fully-developed and important in their own rights. And of course, I think this review would be incomplete if I don't mention how hot the heroes are. I love both Simon and Jace, but damn. Jace Wayland? Yes please.

City of Bones has the markings of a great classic and so much more. It's exhilarating, intoxicating and every bit gripping. Expect a whole lot of suspense, tension, thrill, drama, you name it! There were twists in every corner, new characters to delight readers, adventures that would give anyone an adrenaline rush and a romance that will leave you gaping. As more secrets are uncovered, more truths laid bare and more of the Shadow World discovered, the more this book hooks you. It was slightly draining to read as it really engages the reader; I felt as if I was in one adventure myself!

And the ending? The bomb. The profanities the flew out of my mouth after I found out the great revelation was unbelievable. Like I can wait a second for City of Ashes?

Five stars.

Book Review: Rules of Attraction (Simone Elkeles)

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.


Sequel to Perfect Chemistry (a personal favourite), Rules of Attraction is every bit as delightful as its predecessor. If there were any doubts of the Fuentes brothers' droolworthiness after Perfect Chemistry, Carlos sealed the deal in Rules of Attraction. I just loved the masculine presence of Carlos in this book. Definitely a Fuentes.

Rules of Attraction is a hell of a lot funnier than Perfect Chemisty. While Alex was resigned to his fate, Carlos is cynical about his life in general. His outlook in life is comparably worse, and this cynicism he easily translates into humour - this, combined with Kiara's boldness and the flair of interesting, hugely entertainting secondary characters, produces humour that had me giggling and laughing while reading. Despite his best efforts, Carlos is immature, wanting to dive head first into a life his brother once left behind. Watching him develop, learn and ultimately mature is perhaps one of the strengths of this book. Like Alex, Carlos has a strong heart, but mind you, is the truer bad boy of the two. And while I could quite easily list Carlos' endless loveable traits, I'll let you know that ultimately he's as hot as older brother Alex.

Unlike Perfect Chemistry - which was equally underscored by Brittany's and Alex's stories -, I found Rules of Attraction to focus more on Carlos and less on Kiara. Bits and pieces of Kiara I found missing, which left her characterisation to be underdeveloped. However, the development of Kiara's family offsets this quite well.

The romance, as with any of Simone's work, is wonderful. Carlos and Kiara's chemistry is fresh and witty, but not as sizzling as Alex's and Brittany's. And, speaking of the two, I looked forward to and was satisfied with the glimpses that Simone has provided into Alex's and Brittany's relationship. It was familiar ground, just from a fresh viewpoint. There were also parts which seems to lay the foundation for the third book in the series. I like!

Overall, Rules of Attraction is a worthy read, twenty times over. There are bits and pieces I did not like, but it was very hard not to love this book in general. It encompasses many motifs, among which is brotherly love, trust and growth. Each of these are impeccably handled. For that alone, this book is worth anyone's time.

Apologies, I seem to compare RoA with PC a lot - while I honestly tried to review RoA in it's own merit, it appeared increasingly difficult not to compare it with PC!

Four Stars.

PS. Tomorrow I'll be posting a review with Simone Elkeles. Watch out for it!