Harry Potter... What I HAD to say about it.

Let me say, I wasn't always the biggest fan of Harry Potter. I thought it was a stupid fad that would blow over. But, after spawning 8 movies, including the upcoming Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and 7 books, I decided that I had to try them.

And I was pleasantly surprised. I read the first four books in a matter of weeks, and became an instant Harry Potter nerd.

For the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone, the plot is simple, and the writing plain, but I have to say that you have to cut JK Rowling some slack: she was a hobo. What did you expect from her as a first novel? Shakespeare? Anyways, I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

The next book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, improved greatly. It was much more exciting than the first, and better written. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Then, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of the Azkaban took a turn for the creepy. I feel this was much needed if the series was supposed to go far. I was less "I'm a wizard" but more "I'm a demon who creates fear when I'm near." I give it a 5 out of 5, and thanks for adding some scare Rowling.

Sadly, I haven't gotten to reading past the fourth book. And, I do have to say that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my favorite. It had a much more complex story line and was written incredibly. I rate the fifth a 5 out of 5 stars. I cannot wait for the time when I can read the fifth book!

Angel by: James Patterson

I recently read the newest addition of the Maximum Ride series, and, let me say, this is returning to the greatness of the original three books. The story follows the flock after Fang has left and created his own flock. Meanwhile, the world is being threatened by a cult group that wants to "destroy all humans". Amongst the madness, Max has to decide how she feels about the new-comer Dylan. This sci-fi is incredible I feel that Patterson is going to make this series very exciting for us. I rate it with a 5 out of 5 stars.

Fang by: James Patterson

In the latest Maximum Ride novel, the striking, growingly frightening character Angel is back! And she has announced that Fang is going to die first... The flock are sent into a panic, and the world is turned upside.

I absolutely loved this new book, and even cried at the end. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Misery by: Stephen King

Very creepy, yet very good! From the very beginning, when author Paul Sheldon is injured in a car wreck and finds out he is being help captive by the insane, scary Annie Wilkes, to the end where it ends with a theme from the beginning.
A great read that deserves a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare

In this amazing second book in the Mortal Instruments series, this book is, if not equal to, better than the first book. Once again, this is one of my favorite books of all time. It has a great thrill-ride of plot, and is very captivating. It deserves a 5 out of 5 stars.

City of Bones by: Cassandra Clare

This is book 1 in the Mortal Instruments series, and I absolutely loved this book! A great plot with twists and turns, that follow an extraordinary journey through a hidden world of angels and demons. With very real characters, like the warlock Magnus Bane, I fell in love with this book. I suggest that anybody (no matter what their preferable genre) reads this book.

Definitely 5 out of 5!

Shutter Island by: Dennis LeHane

This book is an extraordinary thrill ride that I absolutely loved. Just a heads up, this book is an adult book! There is some adult content! If you don't believe me, there is a movie being made of it coming out soon and it IS rated R!

Shutter Island is creepy and amazing and I would definitely say that it's one of my favorites. 5 out of 5 stars all the way!

Graceling by: Kristen Cashore

This incredible story of Katsa is actually the first of Cashore's books. It tells of a medieval place where some people are Graced, or have an ability. Katsa is the niece of one of seven kings that rule the seven kingdoms. She is Graced with killing and is used as a tool to her uncle. Until Prince Po comes along and changes anything.

This story of what happens in the seven kingdoms is amazing and I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A fun and spectacular read, this book is followed by a companion, Fire, with one crossover character. Read them both!

Ender's Game by: Orson Scott Card

This older sci-fi story swept me off my feet. It tells the story of young Andrew (nicknamed Ender) Wiggin. He is taken off to battle school where he is trained to become a soldier so he can fight against buggers, aliens who keep attacking Earth. The story is incredible as it tells of Ender's struggles and how the commanders of battle school use psychotic mind tricks to make Ender a perfect soldier. I would rate this as 5 out of 5 stars.

Kira-Kira by: Cynthia Kadohata

Honestly, I had low expectations for this book once I started it. Although everyone said that it was awesome and it won the Newberry Medal in 2005. I read it though for book club since I had read the other option, The Graveyard Book by: Neil Gaiman. Of course, Kira-Kira is a realistic fiction like most Newberry Medal winners and, as you can tell from my blog, I favor the unrealistic. I have got to admit, it deserves the Newberry Medal. This compelling novel truly isn't a plot-driven story but an emotion-driven story; it just follows the life of a Japanese-American family living in Georgia in the 1950s. You quickly become accustom to their different life-style.

I would DEFINITELY rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
(I admit I cried at the end...)

Unwind by: Neil Shusterman

Unwind is a fast paced, futuristic, thriller about three kids running from being unwound, a frightening process in which you are harvested for your organs. Connor is a trouble maker, so bad that his parents don't want him. Risa is a ward of the state that isn't talented enough to be kept alive. Lev is a tithe, a child raised to be unwound. Their three destinies quickly entwine and the adventure begins.

Unwind is an amazing story of hope, bravery and love that I would give 5 out of 5 stars. I highly reccomend it, especially to fans of sci-fi.