Evil Genius

Evil Genius

ByCatherine Jinks

Synopsis(from back of book):

      Cadel Piggott has a genius IQ and a fascination with systems of all kinds. At seven, he was illegally hacking into computers. Now he's fourteen and studying for his World Domination degree, taking classes like embezzlement, misinformation, forgery, and infiltration at the institute founded by criminal mastermind Dr. Phineas Darkkon. Although Cadel may be advanced beyond his years, at heart he's a lonely kid. When he falls for the mysterious and brilliant Kay-Lee, he begins to question the moral implications of his studies for the first time. But is it too late to stop Dr. Darkkon from carrying out his evil plot? And is he really who he says he is?

      An engrossing thriller with darkness and humor, freaks and geeks, Evil Genius explores the fine line between good and evil in a strange world of manipulations subterfuge and sinister plots that will crack you up as evil never has before.

My review:

      A bit crude for my taste, but a good novel. I disliked the foul mouthing, and honestly it was a major distraction to my enjoyment of the novel. Another thing that bothered me was the changing of Cadel Piggot. He starts out as a unscrupulous hacker and becomes more morally correct than everyone but one person in his life. It simply doesn't happen. Aside from the reality separation and language problem it was a decent book. The story line was well thought out, and she wrote well.

      I think that her characters could use some work, because as I stated before, they are slightly unrealistic. I enjoyed the fact that the villain could have become Cadel, but instead became the much darker Dr. Darkkon, and his college of cronies. If swearing is an issue for you, I would advise you to steer clear of this book. If not, enjoy!

My rating:

      3 1/2 stars(would be higher, but had distracting levels of profanity)
Profanity: Moderate
Sexuality: Mild
Violence: Mild
Drugs and alcohol: Mild

Incarceron

Incarceron

By CatherineFisher

Synopsis(from cover of book):

     Incarceron is a prison unlike any other:its inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities, and unbounded wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man legend says, has ever escaped.

     Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can't remember his childhood and believes he came from outside Incarceron. He's going to escape, even though most inmates don't even believe that Outside even exists. And then finds a crystal key and through it, a girl named Claudia.

     Claudia claims to live Outside-her father is the Warden of Incarceron and she's doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return.

     But they don't realize there is more to Incarceron then meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage, and cost far more than they know.

My review:

      An inventive book with a fresh concept, I enjoyed the variety that it offered. I loved the fact that she didn't let anything limit her. She allowed concepts to flow freely, and while her book is not the best I have ever read, it was well worth my time.

      This book is a clean, enjoyable book, set far off into the future. So far that they pretend to be in the past, so that they can diminish problems. I enjoyed the characters and the lopsided growth or realization of relationship. Her characters were real they were the kind you believe could exist in life. A rebellious teenager, and one tied to his friends and declared brother.

      Creativity is rampant in this novel, combining both future and past to create the opposite of steam-punk. A world full of technology, but those in it have reverted into the past by law. A read that will draw you in, into the very mind of Incarceron.

My rating:

     4 stars
Profanity: None
Sexuality: Very mild
Violence: Mild
Drugs and alcohol: None

The Way of Kings

The Way of Kings

By Brandon Sanderson

Synopsis(from back of book):

     Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.

It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars are fought for them, and won by them.
One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.
     Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by overpowering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.
Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under the eminent scholar and notorious heretic Jasnah Kholin, Dalinar's niece. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan's motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war.
     The result of more than ten years of planning, writing, and worldbuilding, The Way of Kings is but the opening movement of the Stormlight Archive, a bold masterpiece in the making.
Speak again the ancient oaths,

Life before death.
Strength before weakness.
Journey before destination.

and return to men the Shards they once bore.
The Knights Radiant must stand again.

My review:

     This is my all time favorite book. Its world building is incredible(it should be, he spent ten years on it), the characters are all do realistic, and it is incredible how three stories can run simultaneously and still be spectacular. You grow to love each character, and it is hard to let them go when the book finally ends. I love this book. Robert Jordan(Author of the Wheel of Time series) may have a similar writing style to Brandon Sanderson, but it isn't the same. Brandon Sanderson pulls you in deeply he shows great mastery and his writing is far from repetitive.
     In fact, one of the best traits Brandon Sanderson has is his creativity. This book is unlike any other. It has a world far from explored. We learn as the main characters do. Some of what they learn is already known in the world, and some is not, but all is new to the readers. Sanderson masterfully blends together what the characters need to know and what we want to know.
      This is an all around fantastic book that I would recommend to nearly any fantasy lover. It has a wonderful plot, incredible characters, and a world you will never want to leave. Enter this detailed world and open The Way of Kings.

My rating:

      5 stars
Profanity: Mild
Sexuality: Mild
Violence: Moderate(no gore)
Drugs and alcohol: Mild

Matched

Matched is a fantastic book written by Ally Condie I highly recomend this book for boys and girls. Its about a girl named Cassia and she lives in a society where they basically dont have free will and have to live by what the government chooses for them. Its really interesting and got me thinking about our society and world.
5 out of 5 there isnt anything graphic except for the girl gets kissed a couple of times but there isnt any detail about it.

Review for The City Of Fallen Angels, book 4 in the mortal instruments series

This book was so good that I wouldn't put it down, from start to finish it was amazing. It as written by Cassandra Clare. The main characters were mostly Simon and Clary in this one. They each have trials and things that they go through and it had me dreaming about it when I had to go to bed. There wasn't anything I didn't like except the fact that the end is a cliffhanger so if you don't like those beware! 

Violence:3 out of 5 a few people are killed. But not to graphic.

Intimacy: 3 out of 5 Clary and jace have a couple of part were they kiss.

 Over all: 4 out of 5. Very very good, highly recommended for all ages.

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride By William Goldman

Synopsis(from back of book):

      As Florin and Guilder teeter on the verge of war, the reluctant Princess Buttercup is devastated by the loss of her true love, kidnapped by a mercenary and his henchmen, rescued by a pirate, forced to marry Prince Humperdink, and rescued once again by the very crew who absconded her in the first place. In the course of this dazzling adventure, she'll meet Vizzini--the criminal philosopher who'll do anything for a bag of gold; Fezzik--the gentle giant; Inigo--the Spaniard whose steel thirsts for revenge; and Count Rugen--the evil mastermind behind it all. Foiling all their plans and jumping into their stories is Westley, Princess Buttercup's one true love and a very good friend of a very dangerous pirate.

My review:

     "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles." This book was not quite as good as the movie. However, this might because I am well familiarized the movie and made constant comparisons. Despite these unmet expectations, the book was quite good, and included much humor that was not in the movie, and could not have been transferred into the movie.
     Anyways, moving away from movie comparisons, the character development in the book was well done through a series of short flashbacks(in the case of Fezzik and Inigo) or a simple review of family, personality and habits(in the case of Prince Humperdink, and Miracle Max). The characters also developed in the story. Sadness killed all passion, then joy returned it all and more. Desperation grew, finally overflowing into an outburst of anger, once calmed, a decision of taking matters into one's own hands. A rise and a fall, a tragic past, and many mysterious futures.
    This tale is by no means new, in fact, it is nearly thirty years old. But that allows it to have a kind of tone and ideal no longer present in contemporary books. It feels old, and it fits. I love the feel of a story from long ago. I has the feel of a fairy tale with a streak of reality. It simply stands out from other books, and I love it for that.
     This book is from an age already gone. However, it is still a book worth reading, and if you have not watched the movie, read the book first. I hope you enjoy your wonderful adventure, the "good parts" version of S. Morgenstern's classic tale.

My rating:

      4 1/2 stars
Profanity: Mild or none
Sexuality: Mild
Violence: Moderate(no gore)
Drugs and alcohol: Very Mild

Review for paranormalcy

I recently read Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. I enjoyed this book much more then i usually do with other books. It is about Evie, a girl who can see through paranormal glamors. There isn't anyone else who can which is why all of the paranormal agencies want her. The fight over her across the country was so great that eventually they all combined and created IPCA the international paranormal containment agency. She goes on bag and tag missions to retrieve the paranormals that haven't been tagged yet. Her life has stayed almost the same since IPCA first brought her in until a mysterious boy breaks in, not only that but the paranormals start getting killed and no one knows why. Now Evie must find out why it's happening, and time is running out.
I easily give this a 5 I literally had dreams about this book. It flows very well and the authors thought in writing this was very creative. I wasn't able to put it down until i was completely done, and when it was over i wished it hadn't ended. I highly recommend it to all readers.