Book Review: Some Minis

Allies of the Night is the eighth book in Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak series. For 600 years, the vampires and their bloodthirsty cousins, the vampaneze, have had peace, but now that the Vampaneze Lord has risen, as prophesied, the war has begun.  Darren, Vancha, Crepsley, and Harkat are doing everything they can to kill the Vampaneze Lord and prevent the destruction of both worlds.  Their journey brings them back to Crepsley's hometown where once again a vampaneze is terrorizing the population.

Cirque du Freak entertains, a bit superficially, but still worth it.

Buy  |  Borrow  |  Accept  |  Avoid

Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge, YA Reading Challenge, Hogwarts Reading Challenge,

Beastly by Alex Flinn is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast, set in modern day New York City and told from the Beast's perspective. Our Beast, Kyle, is an arrogant richie rich who finds himself transforming into a hideous, hair covered freak after slighting the wrong witch. The whole set up is a bit cliched, but for some reason, it really worked.  The story was entertaining, the action fast-paced without feeling superficial, and the themes seem highly relevant for today's youth.

A movie version is coming out soon, but from what I hear the casting is a bit off - pretty actresses playing the not-so-pretty characters.

Buy  |  Borrow  |  Accept  |  Avoid

Other Reviews:  The Book Zombie; Books and Movies; You've Gotta Read This; Miss Remmers' Review;

Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge, YA Reading Challenge, Read the Book See the Movie, Once Upon a Time, Hogwarts Reading Challenge,

The Titan's Curse is the third in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympian's series.  I've already reviewed The Lightning Thief, book and film, as well as The Sea of Monsters, and if you've read any of those, you know I love this series.

For a fun YA read without the overly dramatic focus on burning, unrequited, tragic passion, there is nothing better than Percy Jackson.  Fast-paced stories with unique, Greek-god-driven plot lines, this series is my guilty pleasure. I love the mythology present in the book, and I am intrigued by the whole Titans versus Olympians, mysterious prophecies, hero children elements of the stories. While many bemoan the fact these books are written for young adults, I love it.  It makes for quick read for one.  And honestly, I enjoy reading a YA book that actually reads like it was written for young adults.

Buy  |  Borrow  |  Accept  |  Avoid

Other Reviews: Becky's Book Reviews; Bibliofreakblog; Age 30+; The Zen Leaf;

Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge, 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge, YA Reading Challenge, Flashback Challenge, Once Upon a Time, Hogwarts Reading Challenge,