May 31, 2011

GIVEAWAY Reminder


Hey all!
This is just a reminder to enter the giveway of Patrick Jennings's book GUINEA DOG, SIGNED!!!
enter on this post! It's a great chance to win a copy of a great book!
THE CONTEST ENDS JUNE 1ST SO ENTER SOON!
Thanks and do you really want to miss out on a chance to win THIS BOOK!?


May 29, 2011

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper.
Summary: Twins, Connor and Grace, never dreamed that there was any truth to the Vampirate shanty their father sang to them before he died, but that was before the two were shipwrecked and separated from each other. For Connor, who is taken aboard a pirate ship, there's the chance to learn to swordfight, but for Grace, aboard a mysterious ship of vampire pirates, the danger is great. What will it take for them to find each other?

Okay, so for the past 10 years or so [though the vampire myth has been going on forever] we've seen every kind of vampire imaginable. Vampires that sparkle in the sunlight, vampires that have powers in their breath and spit, vampires that are purple and the list goes on and on. But no one, except for Somper has ever had the idea of vampire pirates, and I love it! I think that combining two characters of lore into one action-packed adventure on the high seas is utter genius! Somper's writing style was really good, it really made you get inside the character's head. The only flaw and it was a small flaw, mind you, was I felt that it took a while for the book to get going. Somper has brought a new twist to the vampire legend.
4.5/5

May 26, 2011

Ocean of Blood

Okay, so if you have ever read my blog before, you know I love Darren Shan, he's a great author so I was super exited when this one came out.
Summary:Before Larten Crepsley was a vampire general...

Before he was Darren Shan's master...

Before the War of Scars...

Larten Crepsley was a teenager. And he was sick of the pomp and circumstance of fusty old vampires telling him what to do. Taking off on his own with his blood brother, Wester, Larten takes off into the world to see what his newly blooded vampire status can get him in the human world. Sucking all he can out of humanity, Larten stumbles into a violent, hedonistic lifestyle, where cheats beckon, power corrupts, and enemies are waiting. This is his story.

Okay so like I've said a million times and I'll say it a million more, I love Darren Shan. He's a great author. This book was an absolute masterpiece, from beginning to end. I really love the new characters, especially Malora, who really livens up the book [literally, she's one of the only non-vampire characters]. Shan's writing style is amazing and very vivid. I liked the way the action was described in a very calm way [just a note, this book is very gruesome].A faced paced, gritty, and epic novel, definitely one of Darren Shan's best books!

5/5

May 23, 2011

The Accidental Hero

I bought this book after receiving a email from author, Matt Myklusch, and after reading the Goodreads summary it looked really good!
Summary: All Jack Blank knows is his bleak, dreary life at St. Barnaby’s Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten, and Lost, an orphanage that sinks further into the swampland of New Jersey with each passing year. His aptitude tests predict that he will spend a long, unhappy career as a toilet brush cleaner. His only chance at escape comes through the comic books donated years ago to the orphanage that he secretly reads in the dark corners of the library. Everything changes one icy gray morning when Jack receives two visitors that alter his life forever. The first is a deadly robot straight out of one of his comic books that tries its best to blow him up. The second is an emissary from a secret country called the Imagine Nation, an astonishing place where all the fantastic and unbelievable things in our world originate - including Jack. Jack soon discovers that he has an amazing ability--one that could make him the savior of the Imagine Nation and the world beyond, or the biggest threat they've ever faced.
This book was amazing... the characters were all had lots of depth, each of them was perfectly depicted. The plot was excellent and you never knew what was going to happen next, just the way I like a book! I think that this book was one of the few books that truly made you care a lot about the hero, something many authors can't pull off. I thought that the description of every moment was it's own small masterpiece. I can't believe that this was Matt Myklusch's first book. I will definitely be reading anything else he writes. This book book was perfect or the closest any book can be to perfect. Possibly the best sci-fi book I've ever read.
5/5
p.s.: I will be doing a interview with Matt Myklusch, soon!

May 17, 2011

Interview with author Tom Angleberger


Hello! I got the pleasure to interview author Tom Angleberger, author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Horton Halfpott. And without further adieu, here goes the interview.

Benji: How do you get the ideas and inspiration for your book?
Tom Angleberger: Well, the idea from Origami Yoda came one day when I saw a picture of an origami Yoda on the Internet. It was the famous one folded by Fumiaki Kawahata.
Since I am a HUGE Star Wars Fan and a long-time origami folder, I was really interested. But it was too hard for me to fold Kawahata's version.
So I created my own very simple Yoda. It turned out to fit on my finger like a finger puppet.... and the idea for the book was born!


Benji: At what age did you start writing? Drawing?
Tom Angleberger: I can't tell you when I started drawing. I've enjoyed drawing for as long as I can remember, though I have often been frustrated by not being able to make a drawing look the way I want it to.
In the 7th grade I started writing a comic strip about cowboys that ride snails. The next year I started a novel, which I never finished. But since then I've almost always been trying to cook up something.


Benji: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Tom Angleberger: For adventure: Lloyd Alexander, John Christopher, Grace Lin, John Claude Bemis.
For comedy: Helen Cresswell and Daniel Pinkwater.
You should be able to find books by most of these authors at your library. (Maybe not Helen Cresswell.)

Benji: Can you tell us anything about your new book, the sequel to Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back?
Tom Angleberger: I'll tell you a secret that is still Top Secret.... Origami Princess Leia will be in the book!!!! (Sort of).
Also, I have to warn you that this story is going to be rough! Harvey has brought Darth Paper to school and has caused serious trouble. Not all of it is funny, either.
The book begins: "It is a dark time at McQuarrie Middle School..."

Benji: Do you have any advice for kids who want to become writers or artists?
Tom Angelberger: Give it a try! It's a great job! But it's a bit tough to make a living at it, so be prepared to take other jobs. I worked as a reporter for many years before selling my first book.

Benji: At what age did you become a Star Wars fan?
Tom Angleberger: Six. That was when the movie first came out. When the toys came out, my first one was C3P0. I still have him and many more.

Benji: Anything Else you would like to tell us about your books, your life or in general?
Tom Anglerberger: Well, I'd love to mention my latest book, Horton Halfpott, which is a wacky mystery set in huge castle. It's got action, thrills, chills, spills, pickles and Shipless Pirates!*
*And a bit of underwear.

Benji: Thank you, Tom! Tom is a great writer, visit his website at www.origamiyoda.wordpress.com


WIN A SIGNED COPY OF GUINEA DOG!

Hi Readers,
Thanks to author Patrick Jennings who donated one signed copy of his book, Guinea Dog! This contest is open to anyone in the world, anyone! From the guy that lives inside a dumpster by a pizza place to the guy that lives in a GIGANTIC Hollywood mansion, yes Brad Pitt, I'm talking to you.
So anyone who wants to enter MUST first FOLLOW my blog, then post a comment in the comment page stating:
Name [first and last]
Email
Your Favorite Book[s] So I can get something to read. [Adult books are fine but I probably won't review them]


I do not need to know your address for you to enter. I will email you if you win and I can get the address then.
Thanks so much and the best of luck. Below is a summary of Guinea Dog:
Rufus has been dreaming of getting a dog. His best friend has one. His worst friend has one. But his dad has a few objections: They whine. They gnaw. They bark. They scratch. They beg. They drool.

Rufus pays no attention when his mom offers her think-outside-the-box suggestion, because she can't be serious. She can't be.

She can be. And she actually comes home with a guinea pig. And if Rufus's dad thinks dogs are a problem, he won't know what hit him when he meets the Guinea Pig that Thinks She's a Dog. She barks. She bites. She'll eat your homework.




WIN A SIGNED COPY OF:

GUINEA DOG BY PATRICK JENNINGS
.
CONTEST BEGINS MAY 17

ENDS JUNE 1ST

WINNER WILL BE PICKED RANDOMLY

May 16, 2011

The Second Circle of Heck: Rapacia

In Dale E. Basye's second book in the otherworldly series. Summary:When Milton escapes from Heck in a soul balloon made of old clothes, Marlo is the only Fauster child left to take the blame. Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness, sends her straight to Rapacia, the circle where greedy kids are tormented by glimpses of a just-out-of-reach, glittering shopper’s paradise called Mallvana. Marlo soon falls under the sway of Rapacia’s assistant principal, a grinning metal rabbit known as the Grabbit that seems to have plans of its own.

Meanwhile, back on the Surface, Milton has his own problems. He is determined to get in touch with Marlo and help her find a way out of Heck. But it’s hard to concentrate when his body and soul don’t seem to hold together the way they used to. Will Milton ever reach Marlo? And if he does, will they both end up as pawns in the Grabbit’s mysterious game?

This book was good, but not as good as the first. I thought the first one was a whole lot funnier, the first book really made me laugh out loud while this one only made be do a small chuckle. The writing style was not as good as the first and this book's plot suffered, it was still good but had some major gapes and didn't make sense in some parts. This book still had lots of good play on words which were rather funny. I liked this book, it was pretty good. This book was a funny, fast-paced and fun. It's not anything special but still worth reading.

4/5

May 12, 2011

The Throne of Fire

In the second book of The Kane Chronicles trilogy by block-buster author Rick Riordan [author of the best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series] Sadie and Carter return in their biggest adventure yet. Summary: Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.

And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?

This book was epic. No other words can describe it! The only problem I had with this book is that it wasn't as epic as the first one, even in the climax of this book it didn't feel as intense as any part of The Red Pyramid. Except, that being said, this was still a near perfect novel. The two narrators- Sadie and Carter combine wisecracking humor with great descriptive words. Riordan has gone so far since his first novel, the plot in this book was so interesting and the characters were amazingly portrayed. This book was a fun, exciting and thrilling ride, one of the best books I've read in a long time!

5/5

May 7, 2011

In My Mailbox (5)


Hi folks! This week I have only two new books to report. Here it goes [from bottom of the stack to top]:
The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan: I have been waiting for this book to come out for SUCH A LONG TIME! I had it pre-ordered on Amazon except I got it a couple of days late because of a problem with Amazon shipping it. But it is finally here and I AM SO EXCITED! I've already started reading it and it is great! Here's a summary:

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.

And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.

To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished.

First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?

Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

The Second Circle of Heck: Rapacia by Dale E. Bayse: After reading the first one and really liking it, I knew I had to read the second, hope it's as good as the first. Here's a summary:

Welcome to Rapacia, where the greedy kids go.

When Milton escapes from Heck in a soul balloon made of old clothes, Marlo is the only Fauster child left to take the blame. Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness, sends her straight to Rapacia, the circle where greedy kids are tormented by glimpses of a just-out-of-reach, glittering shopper’s paradise called Mallvana. Marlo soon falls under the sway of Rapacia’s assistant principal, a grinning metal rabbit known as the Grabbit that seems to have plans of its own.

Meanwhile, back on the Surface, Milton has his own problems. He is determined to get in touch with Marlo and help her find a way out of Heck. But it’s hard to concentrate when his body and soul don’t seem to hold together the way they used to. Will Milton ever reach Marlo? And if he does, will they both end up as pawns in the Grabbit’s mysterious game?

So that's what I've got in the past week or so, hope I enjoy both of them.

Thanks for reading,

Benji

May 4, 2011

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go

Like I said in my last "In My Mailbox," this book was recommended to me by my friend who also told me to read the Fablehaven books so I value his opinion. Dale E. Bayse tackles the question we have all be asking, Is there h**l for children? Summary: When Milton and Marlo Fauster die in a marshmallow-bear explosion, they get sent straight to Heck, an otherworldly reform school. Milton can understand why his kleptomaniac sister is here, but Milton is—or was—a model citizen. Has a mistake been made? Not according to Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness. She doesn’t make mistakes. She personally sees to it that Heck—whether it be home ec class with Lizzie Borden, ethics with Richard Nixon, or gym with Blackbeard the pirate—is especially, well, heckish for the Fausters. Will Milton and Marlo find a way to escape? Or are they stuck here for all eternity, or until they turn eighteen, whichever comes first?.
Okay it is hard to sum this book up in just one review, but I'll give it a shot. As Publishers Weekly said “The author’s umpteen clever allusions . . . make this book truly sparkle.” The characters were all developed and portrayed very well. I think this book is sort of a cross between The Phantom Tollbooth and Alice in Wonderland, except this one was [maybe] even better. Dale E. Basye crafts a fun, unique book.
4/5
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