Dualed (NetGalley Sample)

Title: Dualed
Author: Elsie Chapman
Rating:
NetGalley Review

Description:
The Hunger Games meets Matched in this high-concept thriller where citizens must prove their worth by defeating the other version of themselves—their twin. Two of you exist. Only one will survive. West Grayer is ready. She's trained for years to confront her Alternate, a twin raised by another family. Survival means a good job, marriage—life. But then a tragic misstep leaves West questioning: Is she the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future? If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from herself, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

My Review:
This was a sample of chapter one, so its hard to make an opinion on something that is less than one chapter but so hard I like the book. So I ended up grabbing the whole book at the library so I can read the whole story and then head to the second book which I got to review for NetGalley also. :)

The Eye of Minds

Title: The Eye of Minds
Author: James Dashner
Rating: 5/5

Description:
Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and it’s addictive. Thanks to technology, anyone with enough money can experience fantasy worlds, risk their life without the chance of death, or just hang around with Virt-friends. And the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?

But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And recent reports claim that one gamer is going beyond what any gamer has done before: he’s holding players hostage inside the VirtNet. The effects are horrific—the hostages have all been declared brain-dead. Yet the gamer’s motives are a mystery.

The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker. And they’they've been watching Michael. They want him on their team. But the risk is enormous. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid. There are back alleys and corners in the system human eyes have never seen and predators he can’t even fathom—and there’s the possibility the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.

My Review:
Alright so at first this book was hard to get into but once into the story it moved pretty quick. What an interesting concept that I loved. The ending... nice ending. Now to wait for book 2- which is the worse part of reading- right guys :) So as you can tell I loved this book- I think this series will be better than the Maze Runner books- which says a lot since those were so good too!

American Girls : Meet Kristen

Title: Meet Kristen
Author: Janet Beeler Shaw
Rating: 5/5

Description:
Kirsten, a pioneer girl of strength and spirit who settles on the frontier. Their friends and families, their struggles and successes, their sad times and celebrations, their secrets and adventures.

My Review: This book in this series was a teary-eyed story, but I loved it!

American Girls : Samantha

Titles:  Meet Samantha / Lessons / Surprise / Birthday / Saves / Changes
Author: Susan S. Adler
Rating: 4/5

Description:
Girls can enjoy all six beloved Samantha stories in one keepsake volume. Set in 1904, each story reveals more of this compassionate girl who reaches out to friends in need. The richly illustrated hardcover offers a glimpse into Samantha's world. Inside, this book features even more full-color illustrations and words of inspiration that will delight girls who love Samantha. Samantha is a brave girl who lives with her grandma.

My Review: I still need to read the last book in this series, Changes for Samantha. But read all the rest! I simply love this series... and the movie of course!

American Girls : Julie & Molly

Title: Meet Julie
Author: Megan McDonald
Rating: 3/5

Description:
Julie Albright doesn't want to move away from her San Francisco neighborhood near Chinatown, even if their new apartment is just a few miles away. Moving means leaving her best friend, Ivy, and her pet rabbit, Nutmeg. Worst of all, it means leaving Dad, now that her parents are divorced. Julie tries to make the best of it by joining the school's basketball team, but the coach won't allow girls to play. She learns that it's up to her to make positive changes in her new school--and her new life.

My Review:
I didn't like this book as much as the others, but the story was good. She just wanted to be an equal and play basketball. :)




Title: Meet Molly
Author: Valerie Tripp
Rating: 4/5

Description:
The story of Molly Mcintire is set in the year 1944, at the time of the WW ll. Molly is an average girl living on the homefront during the war. Her father is away fighting, and Molly misses him very much. At home, Molly struggles to get along with her brother, and gets into some mischief with her friends. Being the first book in the series of the American Girl Molly series. Recommended for ages 7+. Wonderful historical fiction, and a great entertainment and learning source for young children.

My Review:
I just Loved this Family!

American Girls : Caroline

Titles: Meet Caroline / Caroline's Secret Message / A Surprise for Caroline / Caroline Takes a Chance / Caroline's Battle /Changes for Caroline
Author: Kathleen Ernst
Rating: 4/5

Description:
Caroline Abbott is doing what she loves most--sailing on Lake Ontario with Papa--when her world turns upside down. A British officer boards their sloop, announces that Britain and America are once again at war, and takes her father prisoner. As Papa is led away, Caroline promises him that she will be brave until he returns. Then the British attack her village, and it looks as if the Americans are in trouble. Can she stay steady enough to help win the day? The illustrated "Looking Back" section explores the beginning of the War of 1812.

My Review:
Brave and Smart girl... making the best out of a horrible thing!

American Girls : Felicity

Titles: Meet Felicity / Felicity Learns a Lesson / Felicity's Surprise / Happy Birthday, Felicity! / Felicity Saves the Day / Changes for Felicity
Author: Valerie Tripp
Rating: 5/5

Description: Meet Felicity Merriman, a spunky, spritely nine-year-old girl who lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1774, just before the Revolutionary War. She grows impatient doing "sitting down kinds of things," like practicing her stitchery or handwriting. She would much rather be riding horses. That's why Felicity is so excited to hear about a new horse in town. But the horse is owned by Jiggy Nye, the cruel tanner who beats his animals. Felicity sneaks off to visit the horse and falls in love with the copper-colored mare, which she names Penny. When Penny's life is in danger, Felicity knows she must help.

My Review:
luv it! This bright girl wants to be more than just a lady, she wants adventures and to live her life how she wants to live it!

Marmalade Boy (Manga) Volume 6- 8

Title: Marmalade Boy (Manga) Volume 6- 8
Author: Wataru Yoshizumi
Rating: 4/5

Description: Miki Koishikawa's ordinary life as a high school sophomore is turned upside down when her parents suddenly announce that they are getting divorced in order to swap partners with a couple they met in Hawaii. They seek her approval of the shocking change, and at a dinner where Miki meets the other couple as well as their son Yuu, who is about her age, she reluctantly agrees to the arrangement. Yuu, while at first a jerk who takes every opportunity to make fun of Miki, turns out to be fun and attractive, and Miki finds herself falling for him. Little by little, she accepts her new family arrangement, and opens up to Yuu as they become friends.

My Review: I truly loved this series :)

Where She Went

Title: Where She Went
Author: Gayle Forman
Rating: 3/5

Description:
It's been three years since Adam's promise made Mia choose to live after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it. It has also been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now both living the life they had dreamed of together but living separately, Mia and Adam meet by fate in New York. Both leaving the next day towards the next chapter in their successful lives they choose to spend one more night together exploring the city. Through tension at first they begin to open up share and explain what has happened to them over the past three years. There is guilt, anger, resentment, shock, and love. He did promise that if she stayed he would let her go. Will she make him keep this promise?

My Review: This one wasn't as good as 'if I stay' that one was amazing. But I loved that ending so that is all that matters :)

Bella Italia

Title: Bella Italia
Author: Suzanne Vermeer
Rating: 3/5

Reviewed for Netgalley

Description: The story of a family camping trip turned deadly When Niels and his parents arrive at the beautiful forest campground in Lake Garda, Italy, they are looking forward to making friends, relaxing, and so much more. But they are not expecting that Niels will be witness to a killing. The ongoing investigation threatens the family’s sense of security. Will Niels have to face the murderer? And more importantly, could he still be in danger? In one of her most enthralling tales, Vermeer makes us all afraid of the dark woods.

My Review: My first mystery/thriller in a long time, I decided to request this book. The story sounded good and I was wondering about the cover. Its a nice dress but that's all its about. This story is about a young boy and other boys and their families . So it doesn't fit the story at all. But let's get on with the story. The characters are intense and real life. And at no point I didn't know who was the killer and I also felt bad for Niels but who wouldn't. At one point I thought it was the boy who killed the other boy and at one point thought the father did it. Suzanne is a very good author and I'll be reading her other books I requested :) Cruise & Bon Bini Beach