Briana's Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn

If you are a fan of the classic fairy tales with flair, this novel is a great choice. Beastly, by alex Flinn is a modern day story of Beauty and the Beast. The main character, Kyle Kingsburry, is a boy who has it all. Money, looks, the perfect friends, the perfect girl, and power, but when a strange girl meets him, everything is turned upside down. Kyle is turned into a hideous beast, and must learn to live with himself, and must learn to see beauty from the inside. Even though the story is a romance, there is action and suspense involved! There was also a bunch of symbolism, and it really helped to see the story from the narrator's eyes!

Why I picked the book up: This was one of the TEen Book Club novels, and so I joined the club, and recieved a great book from it! I also enjoy fairy tales with a twist.

Why I finished it: Is was hard to NOT finish it the day I got the book! It was a very quick read!

I'd give this book to: Someone who enjoys the classics, or just Fiction novels. Anyone would enjoy this novel!

My Rating: **** Really liked it!

Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid (Tales from the Crypt Series #8)

The Crypt-Keeper is back once again to share his gruesome tales with teenagers everywhere. This graphic novel includes two parodies, the first of the popular book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney and the second a lesser known series entitled Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. In Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid, Glugg revels what it's like being a dead kid and how he came about being a zombie in the first place. He faces a bullying older brother and guitar hero battles with some of the greatest horror movie film makers of all time. In "Dielight" a teenage girl forced to attend a new high school, starts getting stalked by a creepy vampire who has an obsessive love for her. He is simply unwilling to take a hint. Readers will never guess who she finally ends up with. Narrated by the The Vault-Keeper, the Old Witch, and of course the infamous Crypt-Keeper himself, readers are sure to get some laughs and possibly be slightly disturbed along the way. I personally found the "Dielight" story to be a little too gruesome but what else does one expect from Tales from the Crypt? The artwork itself is enough to impress any reader.

Why I picked up this book: The fact that the cover art was a spoof off of such a popular book grabbed my attention. I also couldn't resist a good Twilight parody. Also Tales of the Crypt isn't likely to disappoint.

Why I finished it: It was a very quick read, as it was just a small graphic novel but the artwork, clever story lines, and witty jokes were enough to keep me entertained.

I'd give this book to: Anyone who loves the horror/comedy genera. Also people who are both fans of parodies or fans of the novels themselves. I personally think that whether you love or despise the Twilight books, you will for sure get a kick out of "Dielight".

**** Really liked it
P:5 Q:4.5

Ranma 1&1/2

Serina

12 grade

Ranma 1&1/2

Rumiko Takahashi

Akane Tendo, a terribly tomboyish girl and the middle child in a strange family thinks her life is odd enough as it is until her father tells her that his old friend is coming for a visit with his son in tow, who one of his three daughters will have to marry. With her 'I hate boys' attitude, Akane wants nothing to do with the new boy. However, her already hectic life is about to get much, much worse. A giant panda comes to town, carrying a kicking and cursing young woman, who claims to be Ranma Saotome, the future 'husband' for one of the Tendo girls. Obviously, none of them want to be betrothed to a girl, so the issue of marriage is dropped for the time being. Akane prides herself on being a martial artist and challenges Ranma to a match as way of being friendly. She is quite surprised to discover that Ranma is probably the best martial artist she's ever seen, and tells her, "At least you're a girl. I would hate to lose to a boy." Ranma is then pressured to use the household bath and Akane walks in to discover that there is a strange boy in the bathtub. After much explanation and yelling on Akane's part, it is discovered that the boy is in fact Ranma, and the giant panda is his father. The terrible tale began when Ranma and his father took a training trip in China and fell into one of the many accursed springs at the Jusenkyo training grounds. Legend has it that whatever drowned in it last, the unfortunate person who fell in will turn into when doused with cold water. As it happens, Ranma fell into the 'spring of drowned girl," and he changes back into a boy when submerged with hot water. Akane's sisters are all too happy to set her up with Ranma since she hates boys and Ranma is half girl. The problem is, Ranma is totally full of himself and thinks Akane is an unattractive tomboy. With tons of love triangles, slapstick comedy, and gender-bending hilarity, Ranma 1&1/2 is always interesting, even though it gets a bit repetitive in the 36 graphic novels it fills.

I picked this book up just because it sounded like so much fun.

I finished this book series because it was always amusing and the art was adorable.

I'd give this book to anyone who likes slapstick comedy (giant hammers and anvils included)

Rating ****

Tangled by: Caroline Mackler

Name: Shelby

Title: Tangled

Author: Carolyn Mackler

Tangled written by Carolyn Mackler is a story of devotion, love, and persuit. Jena, Skye, Owen, and Dakota are all brought together for different reasons to Paradise, but each is left with wanting something more, and changing them forever. Paradise is a week long trip and ties each of this surprisingly different people together. Whether it was family matters, personal issues, or being forced to go the outcomes leave each of these teenagers lives tangled.

Jena, who has always been a nobody for love finally has her first touch of romance and is left to untangle the pieces of her summer romance. Skye a highly crazed aspiring actress realizes that each step she takes leads her closer and closer to who she isn't. Skye is faced with the decision that life is about being who you are, not about who the stage and the actress inside implies. Owen, a super geek who spends most of his time on blogger rather than spending time at the beach or with girls is faced with the choice that life is starting to fade away, things are happening beside and around him, and he must make a choice of whether to let his computer and introvert habits shape his being. Last, a punk named Dakota who has been on the edge and hard to communicate with since tragedy hit his life. He becomes tangled in what he's really to do about life, girls, and his choice, but mostly learn that he doesn't have to pretend to be someone he's not. Travel with each of these teenagers in a roller coaster of a summer and life at Paradise as they discover who they really are, make decisions that leave others in their footsteps, and be noticed and set apart for the first time.

Tangled, has it's ups and downs, but leaves readers wanting to see the lives of teenagers untangled. It can be easily related to the average teenage life, and the way life has it's ups and downs.

Why I picked Tangled up: I picked this novel up because of the cover mainly, and I was in the mood for something springy, which Wyoming seemed to be lacking... its amusing and fun.

I finished Tangled because: I was interested in finding out about the outcomes of Skye, Owen, Dakota, and Jena's lives.

I'd give this book to: teenage boys and girls who want to experience a little bit of teenage life, and want an emotional roller coaster that has it's ups and downs.

Ratings:
***I liked it

Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry Trilogy, #2) Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Carlos Fuentes is rebellious and runs with the wrong crowd. His mother sent him away from Mexico to live with his brother Alex in Colorado, "for his own good".

Kiara Westford likes to work on cars, climb mountains, doesn't care about her appearance, and has recently overcome a stuttering problem. Her father is a professor at the University, which is how she met Alex. When Alex asks Kiara to help Carlos find his way around school, she is more than game. Kiara likes a challenge and Carlos is about to be her biggest one.

Kiara and Carlos are far from similar and they instantly drive each other crazy. But the number one "Rule of Attraction" is that there are no rules.

Why I picked up the book: I loved Perfect Chemistry and was excited for a follow-up.

Why I finished it: Elkeles succeeded in creating another story that was just as interesting. While Alex and Brittany make appearances in this story, Carlos and Kiara are just as endearing.

I'd give it to: fans of Perfect Chemistry. Teens who want a fast-paced love story told from both the male and female perspective.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

View all my Goodreads reviews >>


Take a look @ NCPL's review of Perfect Chemistry.

Also, check out the fan site for the series!

Watch the book trailer for Rules of Attraction