Book BFF Melissa

{Review} Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

SyFy

Title: Opal

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Number of Pgs. 382 (paperback)

Publication date: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: YA, SyFy

How I got the copy:

From Goodreads:

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

*Series Spoiler Alert* If you haven't read the first two books you may not want to read this review*

My Review

I've been using a new way of reviewing that I saw over at Making the Grade. It breaks the book down and makes it easier to rate. The way it works is each category gets a score out of ten points. Then you add them all up + 50 (50% automatically for each book) and that's your score out of 100.

Plot 9/10: I felt like we had to wait forever for this book to come out so I was excited when Opal starts off right where book 2 ended. The first two books are somewhat light and fun as we're introduced to this new world of aliens. But Opal takes a darker turn. We're suddenly not sure if everything will work out in the end. There is so much Katy and Daemon still don't know. The plot had a few random surprises that I gladly welcomed. Like a new character Luc who made me chuckle. I had read a few reviews where people thought there were too many romantic scenes between Katy and Daemon, but I thought it was just right. When you're first seeing someone you want to be on them allll the time. So I thought it was realistic and lifted some of the darkness from the book. That ending made my jaw hit the floor. I never expected it. Of course now we have to wait until July to find out what happens next.

Characters 9/10: Dawson was not what I expected. Until I understood what he was going through I didn't like his character. And I wasn't sure how Katy could tell him and Daemon apart. Dee was making me angry with her attitude. It was her fault everything happened because she was the one that wanted to be friends with Katy in the first place. Katy was being foolish and putting herself in danger often. I think Daemon was still my favorite. He showed his vulnerable side which was adorable to watch, yet even though he grew as a character he was still his snarky funny self. He was still over protective and caring. I loved that these characters all went through changes though.

Setting 7/10: I wished we had seen more than just the same school, house, etc. There were a few new locations that were fun...a club for one. I also enjoyed the school dance scene.

Pacing 9/10: I never get bored while reading this series. It's pretty fast paced and either Katy and Daemon are doing something romantic or fighting or there's some major action happening with the Arum or bad guys. The ending was so fast paced it was like doing 100 mph into a brick wall.

Style 10/10: I love J.L.A's writing. She always has the perfect ratio of snark, romance, action, etc. Her writing is also really descriptive and just flows so nicely. I'm starting her Covenant series today!

Final Thoughts: I can't stress how much I love this series. I think it's the one book I push on everyone the most. If you haven't tried the Lux Series yet go get it now!

Total: 94/100

Quotes

“I have the feeling we just made a deal with the devil, and he's going to come back and want our first-born child or something."

Daemon waggled his brows. "You want kids? Because you know, practice makes--"

"Shut up." I shook my head and started walking.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Opal

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{Review} Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

4 Stars

Title: Something Like Normal

Author: Trish Doller

Number of Pgs. 214 (Hardcover)

Publication date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre: YA, Contemporary

How I got the copy: Library

From Goodreads:

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

My Review

Plot 5/10: I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but I think based on the hot and heavy cover I thought there would be this passionate romance. Instead of a gushing waterfall it was more a...slowly trickling river. I thought this soldier would come home from war and rekindle a love. Instead Travis was suffering from PTSD. I felt not much really happened during this story and it was kind of predictable.

Characters 6/10: I love male POVs so this one was no exception. Travis has become a man while away at war and realizes his mistakes when he comes home. Yet, I liked that the author didn't make him goody goody right away. After all, he is a guy and if his hot ex was flirting with him...what guy wouldn't go there?

Harper is the girl next door. She is a tomboy, but very pretty. She's shy yet will punch you if you hurt her. I thought her character should have gone through some more conflict. She pretty much trusts Travis right away and he didn't really do anything for her.

I hated Travis' family. I wouldn't have put up with them for that long. His relationship with his mom was very heartwarming though. We always forget to say thank you to our moms, but they're probably the one person who loves us the most in this world.

Setting 7/10: The dreams were in Afghanistan and the rest of the book was in his hometown. I liked learning about how troops are during downtime. It's actually funny because I signed up to be part of a baking group that sends care packages to troops and I didn't know what to send. Travis actually talks about things he liked receiving, like skittles because they don't melt. I don't if that's true or not, but it was cool either way.

Pacing 7/10: I was kind of glad this was a short book. I feel like sometimes authors write 400 pages just to make a bigger book. This was a simple heartwarming book and the length was perfect.

Style 7/10: Even though it seems like I'm complaining a lot in this review, I think the reason I did enjoy it was because the actual writing was well done. I finished the book really quickly because I loved the character's voice.

Final Thoughts: If you're looking for a cute quick read with a heartwarming lesson-- then this is a good place to start.

Total: 82/100

Quotes

“I don't know if my life will ever be completely normal again, but something like normal is a good start.”

― Trish Doller, Something Like Normal

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About the Author

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Stacking the Shelves / Sunday Post #21

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves / Sunday Post #21

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Both are a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and talk about what is coming up for the week on our blog. Link up each week. I will be doing Weekly Recap, What books I got that week, and a sneak peek of what to expect for the next week on my blog.

FROM B&N & giveaway

Undertakers

I won this in a giveaway from The Fake Steph Dot Com 's giveaway!

Mara Dyer Series

I've already read the first book in this series and loved it, but that was awhile ago so I bought it to reread before I start the sequel which I've been waiting for forever!

The Covenant Series

I'm excited to start this series. I made sure to buy all the books at once because I know J.L.A's writing is addictive.

Opal

I reread Obsidian and am in the middle of rereading Onyx today so that I can start my Bout of Books readathon off with Opal! I won the cool bookmarks from Val from Stuckinbooks.com during her #LoveJLA twitter party last week! That one with Daemon is fantastic.

WEEKLY RECAP

I felt like I did more posts than that this week, but I guess not. I was on twitter a lot. I did however do my first post with blogging tips. A few people had been asking the same questions "how'd you do that?" so I decided to make a post on it. And I learned how to take screen shots with my mac!

Who else is excited for Bout of Books?!? I'm ready to go! So glad I had a gift card for B&N because I was able to get so many great books that I'm sure I'll meet my goal this year.

NEXT WEEK

Reviews to come:

*Opal
*Evolution of Mara Dyer
*Covenant Series

Posts:

*Bout of Books 6.0 Updates
*Books are like Bandaids

What goodies did you get this week?

Leave a link and I'll stop by.

12:00 AM
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Baby Bear's Blogging Tips & Tricks #1

blogging tips

A few people have been asking for blogging help lately and I decided to finally start posting how I do my html. This is the first time I'm doing a post like this so if it gets a good reaction I'll do more in the future.

1. Twitter Buttons (Easy Follow)
I know that I personally follow blogs on twitter more if they have this easy twitter button because it doesn't redirect you away from the page you are on. If you are already signed into twitter it'll just follow them from there.

Follow @HarleyBearBooks

2. Blog Rolls: Display your favorite blog buttons The other day someone asked how I did my blog roll. I forget what site I got help from so I just took a screen shot of what I have in my html coding.

The part you should focus on is:

Red Arrow: That will make the scrolling stop when you put your mouse over it. You can play around with how fast you want the scrolling to be. I chose speed 3.

Blue Arrow: This is where you put the blog's web address

Purple Arrow: This is where you put the blog's button image address (You can right click the picture and copy image address).

Remember at the end to put: </center></marquee> or it won't work.
Most of the time you can just copy paste the code someone has on their blog. Just make sure to add <center> before the code and </center> after the code so all the buttons centered.
3. How to make your own blog button:

Make a button in paint. You can copy paste mine and then use that as size reference if you want.

After you have created an image save it. I use photobucket.com to upload my image. After it's uploaded put your mouse over the picture and click direct link.

Blue Arrow: Your blog web address

Red Arrow: This is where you paste the direct link from photobucket.com

Green Arrow: Again copy your blog web address here

Purple Arrow: Again paste direct link from photobucket.com

You can also change the size of your button where it says height="" and width=""

This will display your button and provide a box with the html code for your button for other bloggers to put on their site!

4. Favicon Fun

See the pretty flower up next to my web address? It adds a little flavor to the page and goes with my theme. I remember seeing other people's favicons and could not figure out how to do it. Here's the site I used to do it:

bloggerindraft

5. Decorate a Text Box

I used to have really boring reviews that had no decoration to them. Until one day I found this blog that had a texture in a text box and I really wanted to do that for my reviews to put the book's goodreads summary on. Here's what I use.

Purple Arrow: Save a picture. Upload it in photobucket again. Click direct link.

Blue Arrow: This is where you type whatever you want to be in the box.

If you look at my reviews I put the book cover image on the left hand corner of the box. You can do this by dragging the picture. Or what I do is in the html:

<img align="left" src="image web address here"/>

You can also put "right" if you'd like it to be to the right.

6. HTML color codes

I use this site Color Codes. It has pretty much ever shade of every color I've ever imagined. If you look in the image above where it says #66dd33 (before the purple arrow) that is an example of where you would use these codes. Make sure you always have the # before the number.

1:01 PM
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{Review} I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

4 Stars

Title: I've Got Your Number

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Number of Pgs. 433

Publication date: February 14, 2012
Publisher: The Dial Press
Genre: Adult Fiction, Chick Lit

How I got the copy: Library

From Goodreads:

I’ve lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive :) !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

Plot 6/10: I always enjoy Kinsella's books. They're cute and funny and make me smile. This one did not disappoint. But this is the first time I'm reading one of her books after reading YA for so long so I think my expectations for plot lines have gone up since. Her plots are always very predictable. I guessed what would happen at the end within the first two chapters. But nonetheless, I enjoyed it a lot. It should be a romantic comedy movie someday.

Characters 7/10: Poppy is impulsive which gets her into all sorts of hilarious trouble. She's also a people pleaser which I relate to...doing anything to make people happy and like her. Sam is reserved and the complete opposite of Poppy. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow because it happened in a way that my generation often does these days...through texting. Magnus, Poppy's fiancé, was really annoying and stuck up. I hate when characters make up excuses for their bad boyfriends. It's frustrating. There weren't any really unique characters that stood out to me except Poppy. She was pretty good, but again typical Kinsella smart, but flighty character.

Setting 8/10: I love books set in London. I also liked that this wasn't one of those books set in an office as most chick lit are. Poppy is a type of physical therapist so between that, her future in laws house, sam's office, and lots of other locations this book had many different scenes. It kept it interesting.

Pacing 8/10: Kinsella's books are always pretty fast paced. Something's always happening which I love. I read this in about two days pretty much. It was an easy read even thought it's 433 pages.

Style 9/10: I always love Kinsella's style. Her characters get themselves into some pretty funny messes. I always read all her books without even caring what the back cover says. I know it'll be good.

Final Thoughts: If you like romantic comedies you should definitely try this book.

Total: 88/100

“I've never felt so bereft and panicky. What do I do without my phone? How do I function? My hand keeps automatically reaching for my phone in its usual place in my pocket. Every instinct in me wants to text someone, 'OMG, I've lost my phone! ' but how can do that without a bloody phone?”
― Sophie Kinsella, I've Got Your Number

“I have no idea what to say next. I don't speak Japanese, I don't know anything about Japanese business or Japanese culture. Apart from sushi. But I can't exactly go up to him and say "Sushi!" out of the blue. It would be like going up to a top American businessman and saying "T-bone steak!”
― Sophie Kinsella, I've Got Your Number