Lots Of Reviews

Ok, I'm going to mini-review lots of books is one entry.

But first, a reminder!

Tonight is the last night of Teens Read Week, and it was NOT a success. Oh well, hopefully the next one will be better.

Send in your short stories by midnight, everyone!**

Alright, today I'll be reviewing the following books,

• Ophelia by Lisa Klein
• Rebel Angels by Libba Bray, and
• Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Ophelia
"Ophelia is young, vivacious, and falling in love with a prince who cannot return her affections without arousing suspicion. And so they meet in secret—embracing in stairwells and castle turrets, reaching passionately for each other under the cover of darkness. His name is Hamlet; her name is Ophelia. And if you think you know this story, think again. Because when bloody deeds turn the court of Elsinore into a place of treachery and madness, Ophelia alone will find the means to escape, with nothing more than the clothes on her back…and one very dangerous secret.

A spellbinding page-turner, this unforgettable novel will hold readers in its grip until the final, heart-rending scene."

This book was completely and utterly amazing (and surprising). Between Hamlet and Ophelia, the latter is the true classic. Ms. Klein's book keeps readers enthralled throughout. Ophelia was a very original character. Do you notice that every author who writes about this time period seems to think that their female protagonist is original just because she disdains the women's roles in society? Wake up and smell the book store, honey, because everyone does that, you're not creative, and your character is recycled and washed up.

But Ophelia is different. No, she doesn't take everything lying down. But she is proper as the "real" Ophelia was and as the real women of that time were. But she had her own mind, even if she didn't act up against everything she did not like.

The emotions were real, the drama was psychotic, and the romance was riveting.* You had better read this!

9 stars of 10, the highest ever achieved!

Rebel Angels
"Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. . . . The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls’ great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship. But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task."

It definitely cleared a lot of unanswered questions I had, but also raised new ones. We got to see lots of romance, lots of Rakshana, and lots of uncertainty which all made for a definite page-turner. I could not put this book down. (Seriously, ask anyone. I was dead to the world for three whole days, reading that 548 page tome.)

Libba Bray is a gifted writer. Every other paragraph seemed quotable, philosophic, and deep. HOW DOES SHE DO THAT? I cannot wait until I can read the next book!

Rebel Angels gets 8.5 out of 10.

Suite Scarlett
"Her new summer job comes with baggage.

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.

When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.

Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off."

Praise:

"This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)." - Libba Bray

First thing I want to say, Libba does not lie! I got curious and licked a margin. I compared it to the taste of another margin from a different book, and it was indeed sweet, like candy! But it had a bad aftertaste.

The book was indeed sweet like sugar, with humor, unique characters and relationships, as well as problems and conflicts.

It was very good, but not as great as expected. Though it kept me interested, it wasn't a "real page-turner," and it was possible to put down.

Oh, and I might marry Spencer.

I really look forward to reading the next book in the series, Scarlett Fever. I thing the the first one is allowed to be very good and not great (just good enough to get us to want to read the sequel) because there are other books that need to follow it up.

I certainly recommend this book.

7.6 out of 10

From Your Frantic Reader,
Nadia

*Nice use of adjectives, I know.
**Look, I'm not going to be mega anal about this. If you send it at 9 am tomorrow, I'm not even going to notice.

P.S. I will soon post a post. It will involve me dissecting the personalities of both real and imagined people. Why? Because I like to play therapist.