Just In Case By: Meg Rosoff

Rating: 5 stars (OMG!)

Genre: teen, young adult fiction

David Case lives a pretty normal life. But one day his baby brother tries to jump out the window and David Case catches him just in time. That is when he starts believing that Fate has it in for him. So what is the solution for a guy who wants to save himself from fate? He changes. Starting with a change in name, to a change in dress 'Justin' Case does his best to run from Fate. He creates an imaginary greyhound. He falls in love with Agnes Bee, a young woman who loves taking photos of him. As he tries to run from his own fate, Justin winds up in all sorts of places, but he must realize that he can't avoid himself and fate forever.

Wow. This book was fantastic. Meg Rosoff is an unbelievably great writer. Just in Case is spooky yet real, and absolutely amazing. Meg Rosoff switches narrarators in the book between Justin, Fate and Justin's younger brother. Justin's emotions are so real, and his conviction that fate has it in for him so strong that the story was easily believable. Whenever I had to put the book down, I found it hard to tear my eyes away from the page. When I say this was a great book, I mean it. Kudos to Meg Rosoff!

I'll be on the lookout for more of her books.

Bratfest At Tiffany's (Clique #9) By Lisi Harrison

Rating: 4 Stars

Genre: Girly Girl, ya fiction, 9-12 (or me)

Bratfest at Tiffany's is the continuation of the famous Clique series.After a long summer, OCD is becoming BOCD as the Briarwood boys are joining the Octavian girls for a new school year, together. Everyone is thrilled about the merge...that is everyone except Massie. Massie knows the boys will take her spot at the top, and she doesn't want to give it up and become a LBR. So she convinces Alicia, Dylan, Kristen and Claire (or should we say Kuh-laire) that they have to go on a boyfast. That means no boys, no crushes or they are out of the Pretty Commitee. But, is that what they really want?

Lisi Harrison, has of course created another great Clique novel. This is a perfect continuation to this series. When I first started reading this series when it first came out I was closer to the characters ages, and this series was a favorite of mine. But now, I think its a cute and pretty outrageous series (aka easy easy read) but I still love them! I love the problems that they deal with because they can be related to any age. Obviously, this is no hard-core book but a great beach read (yes almost summer!). Cheers to Bratfest at Tiffany's!

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On a sidenote- I heard that this is being made into a straight to dvd movie...not that there is much info about it available, I know its staring Ellen Marlow as Claire and Elizabeth McLaughlin as Massie, as well as everything else on imdb. But not much more info available and I'm curious...anyone know anything??

Uglies By: Scott Westerfeld

Rating: 4/5 stars ( which is high, 5 has to be truly spectacular)
Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Well to be perfectly honest, this book has been on my to be read pile for quite a while, I picked it up a few times and started it but became sidetracked. I only just got around to finishing it now, but I'm glad I did!

In Tally's world, the only things that matter are being Ugly or Pretty. When you turn sixteen, you are changed from an Ugly to a Pretty, and its all that Tally's been waiting for. After her best friend is turned pretty, Tally must wait three long months to join him in his new city. It is at this time, when she makes friends with Shay. Tally can't wait for them to become pretty, and go to parties with all the other pretties. But, Shay doesn't want to be pretty, and when she runs away Tally is told by the Special Circumstances that unless she finds Shay she won't become pretty either.

These are tough choices for a girl of sixteen because whatever she decides will change her life. Along the way, she learns secrets about the past, and lessons about herself.

After the first few pages of Uglies, I was hooked. Although the book at first glance, seems shallow, with all the talk about uglies and pretties and its odd title, I found as I read along I was mistaken. Tally is definetly an interesting character, as I found myself laughing at some of her thoughts, while others were a bit annoying. Yet, the world she lives in is fascinating. Scott Westerfeld vividly creates a world governed by futuristic technologies and a whole new lifestyle, from hoverboards to full body plastic surgery. This was a very cute read, and I hope to lay my hands on the next book in the trilogy, Pretties, pretty soon!

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I'm interested in knowing what others thought of this book...if you read it leave some of your thoughts here :]

Book Review: Blood and Chocolate By: Annette Curtis Klause

I just finished reading Blood and Chocolate. It was pretty short, it only took me part of the day...and I hear there is a movie as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Werewolves...

Vivian is not what you would call an ordinary girl. Or, for that matter, an ordinary human. For generations, Vivian's family has been a family of werewolves. Together, with their pack, they migrate from rural area to rural area to live as they wish. However, after a series of events which leave the pack without a leader and Vivian without a father. It is for this reason that they move to the suburbs.

Tired of hanging with the Five, Vivian begins to feel lonely and craves companionship of others. Then, she meets Aiden and falls in love with him. Aiden likes magic and werewolves and Vivian finds herself wanting to tell him about her. But, there is trouble in the pack as well and Vivian has a part in it. Confused by emotions and what she thinks is right, Vivian must decide her fate.

Blood and Chocolate was an interesting and fast-paced story. Annette Curtis Klause intricately spins a web of feelings of a young woman/werewolve. Although I found some of the other characters bland, the main characters were developed well. While I don't mind a cute romance story, I am not really big on werewolves, so I guess I'm a bit bias when I say this wasn't my favorite book --as there was quite a bit of werewolve action going on. But overall, Blood and Chocolate is a real engrossing story which I would recommend for those who love a good werewolve romance.