3 Quick Reviews

Summary:

"When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood."

Thoughts: I enjoyed the book but wasn't in love, which was a disappointment since I have heard Mead's Vampire Academy Series is a MUST read. Which brings me to the part where, maybe I would have loved this book had I read The Vampire Academy Series.  I like the main character Sydney and I appreciate Mead's take on Vampires (I am always up for a twist on the vampires) and I really liked the Alchemist element. I found the setting of Palm Springs a little weird, but understandable to the plot line. And As far and the love interests go I am not emotionally invested in any of the relationships...yet. My final thought is I will read the Vampire Academy Series and see if it changes my feelings.

Summary:

"Like father, like son.
Intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteen-year-old Nick Andreas is pretty much perfect — on the outside, at least. What no one knows — not even his best friend — is the terror that Nick faces every time he is alone with his father. Then he and Caitlin fall in love, and Nick thinks his problems are over. Caitlin is the one person who he can confide in. But when things start to spiral out of control, Nick must face the fact that he's gotten more from his father than green eyes and money."

Thoughts: Ok, I admit it was my fault for thinking that Breathing Underwater would be a fairytale retelling of The Little Mermaid, but I mean, that IS what Alex Flinn is known for writing... However, we follow Nick through is Diary and trips to Anger Management and we see how he is abused and how he becomes the abuser in a romantic relationship and honestly, a little after being half way through I saw where this book was heading and was over it. Nick is a character who is really difficult to like, it is hard to be like "oh poor boy, who was abused". Personally, just skip it.

Summary:

"Coming of age in a hospital bed—a deeply affecting portrait of a teen's journey through a TB sanatorium in the 1940s
On the prairies of Canada during World War II, a girl and her two young siblings begin a war of their own. Stricken with tuberculosis, they are admitted to a nearby sanatorium. Teenager Marie Claire is headstrong, angry, and full of stubborn pride. In a new strange land of TB exiles she must “chase the cure,” seek privacy where there is none, and witness the slow wasting decline of others. But in this moving novel about fighting a way back to normal life, it is the thing that sets back Marie Claire the most—the demise of her little brother—that also connects her with the person who will be instrumental in helping her recover."

Thoughts: Queen of Hearts is a sweet book, but reminds me of something my teacher would assign us to read. This book, is neither bad nor good nor "meh", I just wish it had slightly more depth to it.