February 20, 2012

Review: Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Goliath (Leviathan #3)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Pages: 543
Source: Hardcover/Library

Alek and Deryn are aboard the Leviathan when the ship is ordered to pick up an unusual passenger. This brilliant, maniacal inventor claims to have a weapon called Goliath. it can end the war. But whose side is the inventor really on? While on their top-secret mission, Alek finally discovers Deryn's deeply kept secret. Not only is Deryn a girl disguised as a boy ... she also has feelings for Alek. The crown, true love with a commoner, and the destruction of a great city all hang on Alek's next and final move. The thunderous conclusion to Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series.

Review: I thought this was a great ending to the series! I read this book in half a day it was so good. I cant believe the passenger they had to pick up. I was like seriously shocked when we found out who they were picking up. I mean s if they hadnt gone through enough with all that happened in the Ottoman Empire and then they have to pick up this specific passenger! I mean if I was one of the people on board the Leviathan when they found out who exactly they were picking up I could definitely seeing the words "are you kidding me" or "wth" running through their minds. Not to mention how because of him they ended up going through a bunch of stuff, like going to America, and getting attacked when they wouldn have had to if they didnt have to pick up that passenger. Who knew one guy could cause so much trouble?!?!

Alek learned Deryn's secret!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!! And he kind of figured it out on his own, with help thanks to a newspaper article. I cant believe how he handled it at first, I mean, ya, she lied about being a girl but other than that she was a great friend and mostly truthful with him. Just because she was a girl shouldnt have changed that. I was very happy closer to the end when he realized that! OMG! There was so much action at the end! Stopping Goliath from being used, stopping the Germans from an attack on Goliath!!! AHHH! Just so much happening. I must say though, I was very satisfied with the ending! Especially with what Alek decided to do about being the heir to the throne and with how things ended for him and Deryn!!

5 Stars!

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February 18, 2012

Review: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Behemoth (Leviathan #2)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 5, 2010
Pages: 485
Source: Hardcover/Own

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

Review: Amazing! I loved this! The action picked up like tons in this book! I read it literally in half the time it took me to read Leviathan. I couldn't put the book down! There was so much action going on that I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was happening. Seriously, I stopped reading to go get some breakfast and had to pick it back up immediately when I got back. Lol. First of all, the secrets, or hidden plans, or things that just weren't told! So many things! I mean it was like you'd learn one thing and then another one bigger than that would be outed and added even more drama and interest to the story. Normally I don't like lots of secrets or secret like things being revealed one after the other but it worked so well in this story. It made you want to read more and more! The way the secrets were revealed just played into the story being that much better! Not to mention, the two biggest secrets, Alek being a Prince, and Deryn being a girl were almost outed a couple of times and it kept me on my toes wondering if one of them was about to be in trouble. Ahhh! This is why Scott Westerfeld is one of my favorite authors! Just when I think his writing couldn't be any better I'm blown away by the latest thing I've read by him! I love writers than can blow you away with their work even when you think they cant get any better than they already have. :D

Now back to the book! Lol. The Ottoman Empire! I didn't know what to expect when the Leviathan got their but it wasn't what actually happened! I definitely wasnt expecting to find the Germans having way more control than people thought. I mean it was made obvious that even though they were supposed to be a neutral power who had more control. The Germans. I mean just with the way people were treating them you could tell that it wasn't as friendly to the Darwinists as they were to the Clankers. I was scared for both Deryn and Alek when they weren't aboard the Leviathan! I mean at least on the Leviathan the crew tried to be friendly with Alek and his people. The people in Istanbul were just rude to them all around! Not to mention it showed what side they were leaning towards at the end with what they had built! I'm so glad Deryn, Alek and their allies we're able to destroy what was built before it could do a lot of harm! If you liked Leviathan then I highly suggest you pick up Behemoth! :)

4 1/2 Stars!

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January 07, 2012

TBR Intervention Challenge [#13]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet. 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules:  

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.

Last weeks TBR books:

Leviathan 

Author: Scott Westerfeld

I really enjoyed this book! Idk what it is with me. I automatically assume I'll hate a steampunk book (idk why) but then end up loving it! It was such a great mix of history and futuristic ideas. So many parts kept me on the edge of my seat.

Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Shift

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

I loved this book!!! I loved it even more than I loved Shade! So many questions I had were answered in this book and I got a lot more Zack (even though some parts werent exactly nice to Aura). 

Review: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

This week I'm committing to read:

Halflings

Author: Heather Burch

Summary from Goodreads:

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

I've had this Galley for probably about a month now and I really need to get to it before it expires. I dont know why I havent got around to it yet cuz I was really interesting in reading this. Lol. 

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January 07, 2012

Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan (Leviathan #1)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Illustrator: Keith Thompson
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 6, 2009
Pages: 440
Source: Paperback/Own

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

Review: Despite thinking I wasn't gonna like this at first it turns out I really enjoyed it. I don't know what it is with me but I always think I'm gonna hate a Steampunk book and then I end up enjoying it. Lol. I thought this was a very well written and really interesting book. Ok, first of all it takes place during the time that is World War I. So they had the Darwinist's (Britain and its allies) against the Clanker's (Germany and its allies). I found the Darwinist's really cool because their airships and other machine were like part machine, part living animal. It made me think about how they could be possibly but hey, it added to how cool he story was. The Clanker's we're all machine so they weren't as interesting. Lol. The book starts out with Alek being on the run after his parents were killed and his own people turning on him. They take off in a Clanker from Austria trying to get to the neutral power in Switzerland. Getting there proves harder than it seems (well duh!!! there walking in lands where a war has been started. I'd assume it'd be hard to get there without trouble). They get attacked multiple times but manage somehow to get away and make it to Switzerland (though not without their Clanker taking damage). Meanwhile Deryn (Dylan) tests to be in the British Air Service. She passes and finds herself aboard the Leviathan as a middie (midshipman). What nobody knows though is that shes hiding a very big secret, shes not a boy like she claims to be (hence the Deryn(girl)/Dylan(boy) names). After picking up cargo in Britian the Leviathan comes under attack and comes crashing down in Switzerland. There, Alek comes to the aid of Deryn and the Leviathan and over a few days Alek's crew and the Leviathans crew work together to repair the Leviathan to get them out of Switzerland before the Germans can get a massive attack underway (since both of them needed to get out before the Germans could get them). 

The whole book was so intense. Alek constantly trying to outrun the people after him and Deryn being in constant alert of being called into the war. You didn't wanna put the book down because you wanted to know if either of them ever make it to safety or if the Germans get to them, especially at the end. Not to mention you wanted to know how each of them progressed in the roles they were throw into. And don't worry, aeromechaniks and war wasn't the only think going on. You also learn about the web of secrets involved with Aleks family. It was so so interesting. After reading this I'm gonna make sure not to automatically think I'm gonna hate Steampunk (because so far of what I read of it I really like it). :) Not to mention many things in this book were based on facts. It was an awesome mix of history and future. I'd definitely recommend this to others!

4 Stars! 

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December 31, 2011

TBR Intervention Challenge [#12]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet. 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules:  

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.

Last weeks TBR book:

Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

I'll be honest, due to the holidays I didnt even come close to finishing Leviathan. Lol. So I'm gonna continue it for this week! But I am still gonna pick another book for this week because I'm super SUPER excited to read it!

The OTHER book I'm committing to read this week is:

Shift

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Summary from Goodreads: 

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift. 

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

Ok, so we all know I really enjoyed Shade and I've been dying to get my hands of Shift since then! So even though I only picked it up today I'm making it my other TBR book because I'm so excited to read it!!!!!!! And I must share my excitement with you guys! :D :D And plus I know many of you guys will love the fact that I'm reading Shift. :)

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December 24, 2011

TBR Intervention [#11]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet. 

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules:  

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.

Last weeks TBR book: 

Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

I enjoyed this book. Sorry I don't have my review posted yet though. I'm kinda behind on posting reviews so I haven't posted the last couple I need to. I'll try to get them up soon for you guys though. Ok? :)

This week I'm committing to read:

Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Summary from Goodreads: 

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

This has been on my shelf since September 2011. It was one of the books my grandma got me for my bday. I wanted it because Scott Westerfeld is one of my favorite authors and the books sounds pretty cool. I just haven't had the time to really get around to it. 

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