Book Review - The Princess Diaries To The NInes

Title: To The Nines
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: Princess Diaries (book 9)
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 4 Jan 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0330434959

Synopsis
Mia has hit an all-time low. Lilly isn’t speaking to her. Someone is posting horrible things about her on ihatemiathermopolis.com. Grandmere is forcing her to give a speech to two thousand of the most powerful businesswomen in America. And oh yeah: Michael, the love of her life, has dumped her.
But despite what the press seems to think, Mia has more on her mind than recruiting a new Prince Charming. Like solving a 400-year-old mystery that could mean BIG changes for little Genovia. But is Mia really ready to throw away her tiara – especially if it means destroying a dynasty? 

My Review
Mia's life is crashing down around her, Michael has left to work in Japan, Lilly isn't talking to her and her grandmother is trying to give a speech at a bog charity event. School is getting harder and she is behind on nearly every class. Mia has well and truly hit rock bottom.
I really liked this book, Mia seems to be growing up, she still has the witty comments and silly humour but she is more grounded. Lilly isn't in it as much and I actually enjoyed it more. her controlling presence overwhelms the story a bit and Mia blossomed without her. I love that J.P is becoming more permanent, he is such a great character, I love Tina too. I actually found myself gripped to this one, laughing out loud and even crying a little bit. 
I could really feel Mia's heartache and thought it was well written. There seemed to be a firmer plot to this one and so flowed better.

My Rating
I would give this book 8/10, a great book about growing up and facing your first heart-break. with laughter and tears.    

Teaser Tuesday: Quest Of The Demon

TEAser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles!

My Teasers: Quest Of The Demon by M L Sawyer

A noise... something on the edge of her hearing. It seemed like only moments after she had fallen asleep when Darci’s slumber was disturbed.

Page 5

She took another step back but her foot only met with air. For a terrifying second she knew that she was going to fall backwards into the river of lava. Of all the ways to die, burning to death was one of her greatest fears. She let out a terrified yell knowing that she was falling to her doom.

Page 32

What are your teasers?

Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway Ends 5th September at 12pm GMT. International

Book Review - The Princess Diaries After Eight

Title: After Eight
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: Princess Diaries (book 8) 
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 1 Jun 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0330446884

Synopsis
The new school year’s only just begun – and already there have been some big surprises. Not least, Tina’s revelation that Lilly’s probably Done It with J.P.! And what about Mia’s new haircut, which has turned out kind of . . . extreme?
But then Michael drops a bombshell. He has been accepted on a year-long computer science course . . . in Japan! Can Mia’s perfect prince really love her if he can go away for a year? And what would it take to make him stay?


My Review
Just when things start to go right, Michael drops a big shock on Mia - he's been asked to move to Japan for a year to work on a prototype for a mechanical surgical tool that he has created. Can Mia survive without Michael by her side.
I read this in about an hour and a half. There is still the growing love triangle between Michael, J.P and Mia even though J.P is dating Lilly. 
Mia does seem to be maturing in this book, but still has breakdowns (as we all do) I actually started to feel sorry for her in this book, then she would do something stupid and I would be shaking my head going 'oh no mia, why?' lol
This series does seem to be going on for a while but I'm intrigued to see where it will end up. 


My Rating
I would give this book 7/10, a quick funny read.

Book Review - The Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven

Title: Seventh Heaven
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: Princess Diaries (book 7)
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 1 Jun 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0330441551

Synopsis
Poor Mia. Not only has she made a total ass of herself with J.P. (a.k.a. the Guy Who Hates It When They Put Corn in the Chili), trying to prove that she’s a super-chilled party girl. She’s also bankrupted the student council. Way to go, Princess.
Just as Mia’s scared that she’s lost Michael and a ton of money, Grandmere steps in up with a fund-raising plan. She’s going to stage a musical in front of the world’s hottest celebs - and the reluctant star will be none other than Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo!

My Review
I really liked the introduction of J.P - he's a bit of a mystery, talented, clever and a bit of a heart-throb. He added a great new spin to the story, not sure if he is a possible love threat or just a friend to Mia. 
I also really enjoyed the whole musical storyline, it really worked and was so funny. You never know what Clarisse is going to do next.
Michael isn't in it as much which is a shame but you can still feel his presence. 
Over all I enjoyed this one better than the last one.


My Rating
I would give this book 7/10. Funny and clever. 

Birthday Giveaway

Today (29th August) is my Birthday! I turned 23 today and had a blast. I went bowling with my mates, had chocolate cake (essential party food), shopping and then we went on some trampolines. These trampolines are the little ones that have harnesses on, I've always wanted to go on one and today me and two of my friends did it! It is so much harder than it looks, Considering I do trampolining (on big club/professional trampolines) I thought it would be no problem but it was knackering. We turned some somersaults though which seemed to impress the passing shoppers!

Anyway. I got some awesome presents including a Mickey Mouse London t-shirt, a 'We be Jammin' t-shirt designed by David & Goliath. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows part 1 & 2 game for the wii. (i've wanted these for ages!!!) Disney's Tangled on DVD and a necklace. I also got some spending money. My friend also got me an Alice in Wonderland Craft book called - 'Everything Alice' which rocks!

Shockingly though I didn't get a single reading/story book!!!!!! How on earth did that happen??? It's very unusual.

So because I believe books are the perfect gift and I love giving presents - i'm going to offer you the chance to win a book.

I know we all have different tastes in books so I'm not going to specify a book as a prize, instead I am going to offer $10 / £6 to spend at 'The Book Depository'

This should allow you to choose a book you want!

So how to enter?

To enter put your details in the Linky List below, that's it, simple as that.

Here are the rules: 

1) Competition opens Monday 29th August
2) Competition closes on Monday 5th September Midnight GMT
3) Enter your Name, E-mail and Blog Link in the Linky List Below (email will be hidden)

-If you do not have a blog simply enter your facebook or twitter page link in the blog box.
4) You Must be a Follower to enter!
5) One Name will be selected at random from the list.
6) Contest open Internationally (wherever Book Depository ships)
7) Winners will be contacted by e-mail
8) Winners will have 3 days to reply or another winner will be selected.

 

9) +1 extra entry if you tweet about this giveaway (leave link in comments below)

10) +2 extra entries if you do a post on your blog about this giveaway (leave link in comments below)

Spread the word and have fun.

Oriana's Eyes Giveaway Winner Announced

So the Giveaway for a signed copy of 'Oriana's Eyes' by Celeste Simone has come to an end and I would like to thank all of you who entered.
I had 10 entries in total so let's get on with it and announce the winner.

The winner was picked using Random.Org number generator.

The lucky number picked was: 25

 

 This means the Winner is  

Audrey @ The Book Analyst

Audrey has been emailed and has 3 days to respond. Big Congrats and Thanks go to Audrey

She has won a signed copy of 'Oriana's Eyes' provided by the author Celeste Simone.

For those of you who didn't win or missed it entirely don't worry there will be another Giveaways posted today so come back later for more chances to win.

Thanks to everyone who entered.

Happy Blogging. :D

Book Review - The Princess Diaries Sixational

Title: Sixational
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: The Princess Diaries (book 6)
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 1 Oct 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0330415651

Synopsis
How can Mia bear it? Michael, her one true love, has gone away to college, leaving her to face a new school year all alone (well, nearly). With a potential eco-disaster in Genovia, a new English teacher who can't stand her, and a totally transformed Boris to get used to, life for the world's most reluctant royal is looking like it can't get much worse. Until Grandmere and Lilly step in - with a plan to save Genovia and Albert Einstein High. A plan that involves Grandmere showing up at school in her fur cape and tiara! 


My Review
Mia is now in Sophomore year but Michael has moved away to college, he hasn't gone far but it's enough to make it hard to see each other. Lilly nominates Mia for school president, Mia doesn't understand geometry and she may have caused an economic crisis in Genovia. Not only that but the question of moving her relationship with Michael to the next level comes up, and she's not sure she is ready for more.
That is basically all the book is about, Mia's fight to be school president even though she doesn't want to and wondering whether or not Michael will dump her if she doesn't move on or talk to him about it.
Yes her same sarcastic humour was there, but it just felt long for what it was. All the usual characters are there but they seemed to take more of a back seat.
Mia actually annoyed be a bit throughout, she kept whining and asking everyone else what she should do but never stopped to think what it was she really wanted, or if she did she would still follow other people instead.
The plot was a good idea, but could have been part of a book, it just felt like it had been dragged out so it could fill a book.
I will finish the series because I don't like to give up and I'm over halfway, I just hope they get better again.


My Rating
I would give this book 6/10. the series is starting to feel a little slow and drawn out.

Quote Love (23)

Quote Love is a new meme hosted by 'Midnight Twilight'. It's kind of like Teaser Tuesday from Should Be Reading, but with this one you can choose any quote from any book, not just the one you're currently reading. The quote can be thought provoking, or funny, or just really powerful, it's all up to you which kind of quote you choose.


Here is what you have to do to participate:
1) Choose one of your favorite quotes.
2) Post the quote, and write what you like about it.
3) Make sure to put the title and author so if someone else likes the quote they can check out the book.
4) Post your link on Midnight Twilight's Post.

So here is my quote for the week:

"It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."
— Anne Frank (Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl)  

This quote spoke to me. I had my purse stolen on Wednesday and it had everything in it. I was so upset and shocked that someone could do that. I mean I know it happens, but it really hit me, why would someone do that to another human, what had I done to deserve that? But despite that I still believe that people are mostly good. I also believe in Karma and that this will come back to haunt whoever did it. I have had so much support and help from my friends and family to get everything sorted and it reminded me that there is good in this world and it will triumph. So hang on to those ideals and faith in humanity.



- a little moan there, but had to get it out my system. But besides - I can't complain or be miserable - it's my Birthday on Monday woooo!!!!
I'm thinking of holding a giveaway so check back Monday for that!. :D


Enjoy your weekend!

Quote Love (23)

Quote Love is a new meme hosted by 'Midnight Twilight'. It's kind of like Teaser Tuesday from Should Be Reading, but with this one you can choose any quote from any book, not just the one you're currently reading. The quote can be thought provoking, or funny, or just really powerful, it's all up to you which kind of quote you choose.


Here is what you have to do to participate:
1) Choose one of your favorite quotes.
2) Post the quote, and write what you like about it.
3) Make sure to put the title and author so if someone else likes the quote they can check out the book.
4) Post your link on Midnight Twilight's Post.

So here is my quote for the week:

"It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."
— Anne Frank (Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl)  

This quote spoke to me. I had my purse stolen on Wednesday and it had everything in it. I was so upset and shocked that someone could do that. I mean I know it happens, but it really hit me, why would someone do that to another human, what had I done to deserve that? But despite that I still believe that people are mostly good. I also believe in Karma and that this will come back to haunt whoever did it. I have had so much support and help from my friends and family to get everything sorted and it reminded me that there is good in this world and it will triumph. So hang on to those ideals and faith in humanity.


- a little moan there, but had to get it out my system. But besides - I can't complain or be miserable - it's my Birthday on Monday woooo!!!!
I'm thinking of holding a giveaway so check back Monday for that!. :D


Enjoy your weekend!

Book Review - The Princess Diaries Give Me Five

Title: Give Me Five
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: The Princess Diaries (book 5)
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 1 Jun 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0330415514

Synopsis
Mia is about to turn fifteen – and can't wait to dance the night away with Michael at the biggest, most romantic event of her life so far: the senior prom! But nothing's going according to plan. Not only does Mia face a snoozefest summer of sceptre-wielding in Genovia. Even worse is the fact that Michael hasn't even INVITED Mia to the prom at all. Hello, what is going on here? Just as Mia comes up with a perfect plan to change her man's mind, disaster strikes. A disaster that only a genius like Grandmere can overcome. . . 

My Review
Mia is almost fifteen and is looking forward to attending Michael's prom. But first she has to get him to invite her, get through the rest of teh school year, deal with a birthday party, deal with some controversial politics and keep her grandma at bay, oh yeah and deal with her VERY pregnant mother who looks like she will drop anyday.
I enjoyed this one more than book 4, Mia has gotten less whiny and knows what she wants, she's just not sure how to get it. I loved Lilly again, she is causing trouble once more but things go further than you could ever imagine. Tina comes out with random funny comments and Michael is so lovely but so oblivious. 
I laughed out loud to parts of this one and got through it very quickly. The characters are really coming alive and I'm getting a better view of all of them. Can't wait to see what is coming next.

My Rating
I would give this book 8/10. Great fun and laughs.     

Book Blogger Hop: August 26th-29th & FF (32) & TGIF (15)

 
 Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books and is an awesome way to for book bloggers to interact and find each other. Such a wonderful idea! There's a new question every week that all the participating blogs have to answer.

This week's question is:

“Non-book-related this week!! Do you have pets?”

My Answer: I do indeed - I have four gorgeous cats.

  
This is Tasha - she is nearly 10 years old, and is the softest cuddliest cat of the four. She purrs like mad and loves being petted, she will lick you and fall asleep on your lap no problem. She is also quite lazy and loves nothing more than to sleep. Hence she is slightly fat.

 Then it's Max - he is about 9 years old. He can be a real softy when he wants to, he also gets jealous - if he sees you making a fuss of the other cats he will come up and nag for some too.
He can be a bit grumpy when it comes to the younger cats but he's lovely really.
He has odd eyes too - one is blue and the other is green.
He gets on really well with Tasha.

This is Henry - 'Horrid Henry' nicknamed.
He is 100% my baby - he will cuddle and purr and be really affectionate with me but he doesn't take too kindly to anyone else - unless they have food!
He is so fluffy and cuddly I could hug him all day.
He mainly comes home for food then disappears again, but will have his hug moods when he gets really affectionate. He gets on really well with Chrissie but not the other two as much

 Then last but not least we have 'Christmas' we got her on Christmas Eve so the name stuck but we call her Chrissie for short or her other nickname is 'Pixie'
She is still really small and runs like lightning, she can jump like a Kangaroo and is always causing trouble but she is so cute!
She adores Max but doesn't get the response she wants from him. 
She has adopted Henry as her big brother and dotes on him.




That was probably more information than you wanted but I couldn't resist showing off my baby's. :D






Follow Friday

Follow Friday is an opportunity to discover and follow other book related blogs! Want to join? Check it out atParajunkee.

This week's question feature is from Caught in the Pages

Q. In books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?

My Answer: I always wanted to meet a Unicorn - they always seem so magical and gentle and breath-taking. Can you imagine befriending a unicorn? How awesome that would be!!!

I've always loved dragon's too - but it would have to be one of the good - friendly ones. :D

 

TGIF!

This meme is hosted by GReads!

This Friday's Question:

Book Associations: 

Which genre, authors, or particular books do you think 

people associate with your reading style?

My Answer: I mainly read Paranormal/Fantasy or Contemporary. I shamelessly promote loads of authors and those are the ones I mainly go for. And mostly in YA. Most of the books people save me at the library are paranormal - will have a werewolf, vampire, dragon etc on the front. I think it's quite easy to pick up what I like, and there is never a shortage. :D

 

Happy Hopping, have a great weekend everyone!!!   

 

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway for a signed paperback of 'Oriana's Eyes' by Celeste Simone. Closes Sunday 28th August 12pm GMT. Check it out - definitely worth a read - a mix of fantasy and dystopian it will have you hooked. Click here to enter.

 

Book Review - The Princess Diaries Mia Goes Fourth

Title: Mia Goes Fourth
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: Princess Diaries (book 4) 
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Release Date: 1 Jun 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0330415446

Synopsis
Mia and Michael are finally an item, but Grandmere seems to have other plans. Just before the happy couple's first hot date, an unmissable royal engagement turns up. Could it be that Michael doesn't measure up - and that (please not!) Grandmere's got someone else in mind for Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo?
 


My Review
It's been a couple of weeks since Mia and Michael shared their first kiss at the winter dance. Mia is now spending Christmas in Genovia, and missing Michael like mad. Her Grandmother seems determined to keep them apart and keeps Mia busy and introducing them to Princes and other 'respectable men'. Even once Mia is home, her grandma still seems determined to interfere and now Mia must choose between an official first date with Michael or a Royal Ball. 
I still love Mia's feisty wit and sassy attitude, and her grandma is very sneaky - it always has me wondering what she will try next. I am happy Mia and Michael are now together - they make a great couple. 
I love the fact that this book references to and makes some jokes about the movie. It bought the two worlds together and made me think how Mia would think of all the changes they made from book to film. It really made me giggle.
However, Mia has become a little bit whiny in this one - there is quite a bit of the 'what if he doesn't love me love me, maybe he loves me like you love chocolate.' and 'how can I get him to really love me, I don't want to scare him off, I'll have to change x,y,z for him to like me.' I really don't like this sort of thing with female characters. Why do they have to get all whiny and stupid just because they've got a boyfriend. It's like find a boy = lose a brain!
The book was still overall enjoyable, and Lilly is is still Lilly - adding strong beliefs and weird facts into the story.
Another short read, I read it in about 2 hours. Still enjoying the series, just hoping Mia will snap out of the whining.


My Rating
I would give this book 7/10. 

Book Review - No Place For Magic

Title: No Place For Magic
Author: E.D Baker
Series: Frog Princess (book 4)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 4 Feb 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0747587408

Synopsis
When Emma and her beloved frog-turned-prince Eadric travel to Upper Montevista to ask for Eadric's parents' blessing on their marriage, they find his homeland in chaos: Eadric's annoying little brother Bradston has been kidnapped by trolls! Worse, his mother won't let Emma use magic, even to rescue Bradston, and Eadric seems suddenly a bit too fond of the girls from his past. But as they travel through unfriendly lands, battle sea-monsters and vampires, and find allies in unlikely places, Emma just might come to see her Eadric for the strong and loyal young man that he is. 


My Review
Book four in the series, Emma is ready to marry Prince Eadric, but her mother in law to be has other ideas. she hates magic and therefore disapproves of Emma, determined to make it work Emma and Eadric travels to Upper Montevista to ask for their blessing, but when they get there Bradston has been Kidnapped. Emma and Eadric embark on a mission to bring him back, journeying deep into the troll kingdom is dangerous, but now Emma can't use her magic for fear of a trace, things just keep getting worse!
I liked the idea of this one, Emma has become really reliant on her magic and uses it for everything so I was eager to see how she would cope without. I was also thinking 'about time too' when it came to their marriage, it's clear they are perfect for each other.
This book is another short and quick read. I found parts of it funny and I loved the magic by the river- very clever, and the arguing troll heads. But other parts seemed to be quite slow. 
Grassina and her grandmother don't feature very much and they are my favourite characters so that was a shame, I also don't like Eadrics mother - she annoys me, I just wanted to slap her and tell her to get over herself!
As part of the series it does help to move on the story and I am curious as to where it will go, but I'm not sure how much more Baker can draw out in this small kingdom. As Emma and Eadric embark on new journeys together I hope for new twists and adventures. 
This book is good for a lazy day read and if you are reading the series it's worth it. But not as good as the others. 


My Rating
I would give this book 7/10. Short and sweet but a bit slow in places. I love baby Ralf though (he's a dragon! so cute. :D)

Teaser Tuesday: No Place For Magic

TEAser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles!

My Teasers: No Place For Magic (Frog Princess book 4) by E.D Baker

"Something enormous splashed in the middle of the river, sending wavelets over the bank almost to our feet. Torches were held higher, their light reflecting off the water where ripples continued to arrow in our direction."

Page 55

"It was a forbidding-looking castle, not airy and light like my home. Thick-walled, with few windows and four dull gray towers, it was perched on a jagged pinnacle of rock called Castle Peak with only one route to it's gate across a narrow, steep-sided ridge."

Page 87


What are your teasers?


Don't forget to enter my 'Oriana's Eyes Signed Copy' Giveaway Ends 28th Aug) at 12pm GMT. US Only

Book Review - Once Upon A Curse

Title: Once Upon A Curse
Author: E.D Baker
Series: Frog Princess (book 3)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 4 Oct 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0439810883

Synopsis
Many years ago a slighted fairy placed a curse on a beautiful young princess--a curse that caused her and all her female descendants to turn into mean, ugly witches if they ever touched a flower after turning sixteen. Now, Princess Emma, who is about to turn sixteen herself, is determined to break the spell once and for all. Emma travels back in time to the day the curse was placed on her ancestor in the hope of preventing the curse from being cast. Unfortunately she isn't successful in her efforts, but she does learn how to break it. Armed with this knowledge, Emma returns to her own time full of hope. But disaster ensues and Emma is about to give up completely--until true love shows itself in the most unexpected place of all. 


My Review
I'm getting through these really quickly, they are really easy reads. This is book 3 in the series. Emma has been told for years about the family curse, any female over 16 in her family must stay away from flowers. Years ago Princess Hazel insulted a Fairy who cast the curse on her, now Emma's Grandmother is a bad tempered, mean spirited old witch, and has been for a few years, but now it's worse - her fun loving friendly aunt Grassina has been turned bad. Instead of the helpful jolly Aunt she is used to Emma now has to deal with moods, moaning and mean tricks. Everyone thought her gran was bad, but Grassina is much worse.
Determined to find a way to break the curse Emma sets off on an adventure with Prince Eadric and L'il. She travels back in time, hoping to prevent the curse from ever happening. She meets her ancestors and sees time unfold before her. Although she doesn't stop the curse she does find how to break it - but this brings a whole new set of complications. Only weeks away from her 16th Birthday Emma knows time is running out.
Another quick read. I love Prince Eadric's devotion to Emma and his willingness to do anything for her and her Kingdom. A strong bold knight with a sense of justice and a deep love for the Kingdom. I loved the new characters - Emma's ancestors. Millie the princess is lovely and a perfect companion, Hazel is spoilt and ill tempered but the sort of person you love to hate. She's like a combination of all the mean girls you met in school, the ones that got away with everything because they were 'cool', but then got what they deserved in the end - oh sweet justice! hehe
Aunt Grassina turning bad did make for a good storyline but I must admit I missed her warm presence throughout the book, it was like a friend going away. 
I liked this one better than book 2, the pace was better and more exciting, but book 1 is still my favourite.


My Rating
I would give this book 8.5/10. Magical, exciting read.