Fahrenheit 451 Got Me Thinking...

There's no such thing as a bad book. No matter how you felt about the story the words on the pages were created by someone's unique mind. They didn't just put words onto paper, they put a part of themselves onto them. No book should be wasted. Each is unique... Each needs love.

Code Orange

Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for school and wow I've never liked a school book this much since The Giver. I almost always like school books (with the exception of Project Mulberry) but this was in a whole other category.

The Characters- There isn't very many characters but they were all cool. Mitty, the protagonist is your typical spoiled teenager who only cares about girls and having fun. He has a crush on a classmate named Olivia. She is the opposite of Mitty. She loves to learn and always tries her best. The last somewhat important character is Mitty's best friend (forgot his name). He was funny and always had Mitty's back.

The Romance- This book had a very lighthearted romance. It wasn't supposed to be very serious and the story was great without having it. It was just a sweet little detail that added to the story.

Setting- New York. I liked having him in New York a lot because being at the place 9/11 occurred makes the story even more meaningful.

The Story- Mitty is assigned a project in Biology. He has to research an infectious disease. Usually he wouldn't care about doing his work but if he doesn't he will be taken out of his advanced class. That's the only class he has with Olivia. With one weekend left Mitty knows he has to work but he sadly goes with his parents to their other house in the country. He starts to freak out. He needs to use books but there's no libraries around. He looks around the house and finds books that his mother brought home from work. Just his luck... He found a book on smallpox. Hurray! He opens the book and finds an envelope. He pours the envelope's contents into his hand. There's a bunch a scabs. Mitty then accidentally inhales some scab dust. He puts the scabs back in the envelope and continues with life. From there Mitty researches smallpox like crazy. He learns all the gruesome details. He begins to feel sick... smallpox sick. From here the story gets so intense. There's extreme paranoia and self sacrifice. Scariest of all there is some extremely disturbing bioterrorism.

The Conclusion- I have mixed feelings about this. I think he did the best thing he could given the situation but I didn't like the attitude he had after. It really blew my mind how he felt no empathy or regret whatsoever.

Writing Style- I wasn't a big fan of it at first but as I got used to it I liked it. It wasn't too descriptive and the pacing was good.

Misc.- I'm 14 and I just finished this book. I agree with some other people saying this book is a little too much for younger audiences. I handled it fine but I've read a lot more than most kids and I am more mature. The whole last quarter of it is just a little too much for some people. The ending even got me a little. It's just so dark and serious but it covers it up by making Mitty way to cheerful.

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The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2)

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ahhhhh It got better... MUCH better.

The Characters- This time we have 2 perspectives. John (Number 4) and Marina (Number 7). Lets start with John's perspective and discuss the people he was with. Firstly John himself was enjoying to read about. His crazy but careful personality was always compelling. His best friend, Sam was a little annoying at times to be honest. He was acting way out of character and I felt funny reading about him. It wasn't that bad though, just a little issue I had. John's other travel companion, Six was amazing. She's strong and powerful. You really don't want to mess with her. Oh wait... I forgot the most important character. Bernie Kosar!!! This time he had a much bigger role to play in the story. Now to Marina's perspective. Marina herself was very different and I instantly loved her. She's super smart and realistic. Her cesped (forgot her name) was also very interesting. Yes, she was selfish but I loved it. The drama there is intense. Marina's newfound best friend, weak little Ella, was lovely. She was very anti social and watching her slowly come out of her shell was enjoyable. Mogadorians are as evil as ever so nothing to complain about there.

The Romance- So the romance is really weird. I loved every word of it but it was just everywhere (in a good way). Loyalties are definitely tested. I don't want to spoil anything but there is sort of a love triangle going on... even though it's the most complex scenario I've ever read. You're going to love it.

The Setting- Marina's story is in a small town in Spain. She lives in a girls orphanage. John and friends on the other hand are running all over the U.S. I enjoyed both settings but I still miss Paradise, OH.

The Story- Marina is number 7. When the ship landed she left to hide with her cesped. Sadly they did not have the best of luck and they had to scavenge for the things they need. Eventually they came to a nunnery/orphanage thing. They were taken in. Slowly they adjusted to their new environment. Marina never forgot who she was and what she was destined to do. Her cesped on the other hand forgot about their life on Lorien and became a full fledged Catholic. Marina now has found something to help her through the boring life she has been living. Hope. She's seen a boy on the news. His name is John Smith and she can't shake the feeling that he's like her. In America John, Sam, Six, and Bernie Kosar are on the run. Their plan is to find a secure plan and train. And once they've trained enough they plan to search for the others. Lets just say things get a little crazy. There are so many plot twists that I didn't see coming. Everything just came together so nicely. I did have one issue though. I should have taken a star off for this but I couldn't bring myself to go through with it. So we all know that each of the 6 that are left have developed most if not all of their legacies. We also know that one of will always be telekinesis. My problem is they never use telekinesis when it's needed the most. They can lift people easily so saving a falling person should be nothing... but nooooo. I think it was a mistake to give them telekinesis if they don't use it when it's obviously needed.

The Conclusion- The ending was so action packed (as are most endings). There was new characters that I loved introduced and a lot of characters leave in one way or another. Very, very good ending.

Writing Style- Easy to read and enjoy. No complaints.

Recommend it strongly.

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I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1)

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was awesome... AMAZING writing.

The Characters- The main character's name is a little tricky. His real name is Number Four (weird I know) but he is known as John. He is a very realistic teenage boy, maybe a little too realistic for an alien. He is just an awesome main character. Sam, an alien-obsessed boy that John meets, was surprisingly enjoyable. He added a lot to the story and I can't wait to see how he develops in the rest of the series. Sarah... I loved her. She was an amazing teenage girl that I never stopped loving. Bernie Kosar wins my favorite character award tough. That little dog is so awesome and he is one of the most important characters.

The Romance- So sweet. Whenever this book got a little boring there was a nice relationship that saved the day and kept me reading. Yes is was a little easy but sometimes it happens like that. I wouldn't change a thing.

Setting- Paradise, Ohio. Nice urban town that was a nice place to stay hidden. I felt like I was there and I could see all the action going down.

The Story- The first 3 are dead, John is number 4. He is one of the only people to escape their home planet Loric after a hostile race, the Mogadorians invaded. When the invasion started 9 Lorien children and their Cepan guardians escaped to earth. Leaving the rest of their race and their planet to die in the hands of the Mogadorians. Once on earth each of the children and their guardians go their separate ways. To protect the children they were given a type of protection. As long as they stayed away from each other the children could only be killed in the order of the numbers that they were given. The Mogadorians followed them to earth and they are on the hunt to destroy the last of the Loriens. Number 1, 2, and 3 are dead. Number 4 is next. John and his guardian Henri have been smart. They've managed to stay hidden for a long time, going from town to town changing identities each time. Traveling is hard on John. He knows better than to form relationships with anyone other than Henri. They have to leave a lot. After John knew of 3's death Henri and him moved again. This time to Paradise, Ohio. John feels different here. He loves the urban setting and he meets a girl. Sarah. Sarah makes him feel like the world had stopped and that he was normal. This feeling is short lived once he develops his first legacy. Legacies are abilities that every Lorien is gifted with. From that point on things get crazy...

The Conclusion- Words can't describe how much happened... wait I guess they can. It was so awesome. Another great character was introduced and there is a death. Perfect layout for the next book.

Writing Style- I've read people say that Pittacus Lore's writing style is childish but I disagree. I think it has a nice pace to it.

Misc- I read the about the author then looked him up. This guy is cool. I don't see the problem with putting yourself into your own book and playing the part in real life. I think it's creative and different.

READ THIS BOOK

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Yey

http://theartofnotwriting.tumblr.com/post/58280579445/setting-the-record-straight-allegiant-style

Blue Skies (Atopia)

Blue Skies by Matthew Mather
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That was depressing as hell...

I enjoyed the story and the morals to it but the setting wasn't my favorite. Very cool short read though.

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Volition (Perception, #2)

Volition by Lee Strauss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very different from Perception. Perception felt like a crime sort of book at core while Volition felt like a depressing romance with tons of action and adventure.

The Characters- Zoe and Noah are the main characters (of course) and both of them got an equal amount of POVs this time. Zoe is an emotional mess. She doesn't know how she feels about Noah and he just keeps pushing her away. Noah is a mess as well. He can't pretend to love this girl that he barely knows. That isn't his Zoe anymore. Taylor Blake was a welcomed addition to the team though. He is an arrogant troublemaker who has a lot of secrets. I enjoyed him. Taylor's pacifist "family" was very annoying at first but as i learned more I became more interested. I hated Mary... and not in a good way. She just seemed way too fake and out of place. Her brother was cool though. He was mysterious and broody. I liked him.

The Romance- IMPROVEMENT! Zoe and Noah have a lot of realistic issues and it made me want to cry. Then all these love triangles are thrown in which screws things up even more. Very well thought out but I did have a problem. Thats like all they talked about most times. By just focusing on Zoe's and Noah's relationship it takes away from the wonderful story that Perception setup.

Setting- Same as last book but this time they are on the run which makes things more interesting.

Story- Zoe and Noah are running from Zoe's grandfather and all of his goons. With all the information they know he is willing to do anything to get them back. So their faces are all over the world now. Scared and hidden they both think more about the future. With Zoe being a different person she and Noah in love anymore. This theme lasts through the whole book... It was exhausting. They find refuge in a community of pacifists. There Taylor becomes attracted to Zoe and that really messes up what was left of Noah and her's relationship. From there it is interesting but not amazing.

The Conclusion- The last 3 chapters of the book finally made it more intense and I was not disappointed. I liked the cliffhanger ending but what's the point of a cliffhanger if you can just read an excerpt from the next book. That ruins the surprise.

I'm hoping that this book's slow pacing is a one time thing. Therefore I will read the third book once it is released... I really hope it's better.

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Ambition (Perception, #0.5)

Ambition by Lee Strauss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nice quick story that takes place at the beginning of Perception. This time it's in Noah's POV. It wasn't revolutionary but it was nice.

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Perception (Perception, #1)

Perception by Lee Strauss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Indie books are always fun because I don't know what to expect and the writing style is always a surprise. This story was very well written and I'm very surprised that the author isn't more popular. That aside, the review...

The Characters- The main character in this story is another wonderful strong women. Her name is Zoe and she has no worries whatsoever. Sadly that changes very quickly and her reactions are very realistic. She has a nice personality that keeps me interested. The other main character is Noah... Ahhh good old Noah. Firstly love the name. Secondly I loved the way his character was developed. He was like a rubix cube that had colors chipped off. A nice mystery to solve. Liam, Zoe's brother, seemed cool but we were not able to meet him fully when he went missing. The way Zoe talked about him gave him depth and made his secrets even harder to accept. Jackson is Zoe's boyfriend and he's... a mess. He has a lot of internal issues and is a little obsessive when it comes to Zoe. Those were the main characters and I think each of them played a vital role in the story. The villain in the story (or should I say series) is Zoe's grandfather. He is a very powerful and intimidating man that causes nothing but trouble... I just didn't find him very interesting though.

Romance- It felt a little forced but it wasn't that bad. It was nice to see Zoe happy but I did have one little issue. The book said 15+ so I kind of expected something more. It's not like I wanted them to have sex right away but I just felt like the author didn't want to "risk" it even though it clearly says 15+. It isn't a big issue but it took a little bit away from the romance.

Setting- LOVED the setting. Dystopian. Innovations in technology have made it available for people to double their lifespan. Once these people pay a large sum of money a procedure is done and just like that they can live up to 200. The people who get this done are known as GAPS (Genetically Altered Peoples). The people who choose not to get it done or cannot afford to get it done are referred to as naturals. Eventually GAPS form exclusive cities that naturals are not allowed to enter. These cities take all the resources and everyone there has way more than they need. While GAPS are happy naturals are outside struggling to make a living. Things are only going to get worse for them. Zoe is in a GAP city and is living the good life. Noah is in the outside and is trying his hardest to provide for his family. This is where the story begins.

The Story- Zoe lives in a huge mansion with everything she needs plus tons more. She has a caring boyfriend and a couple of very good friends. She also has a brother who she loves to spend time with. Put simply her life was perfect. That is until her brother Liam goes missing. Thrown into a panic Zoe is willing to do anything to find him. She eventually gets help from her maid's son Noah. He is the perfect man to help her find him. Together they uncover so many dangerous secrets and grow close to each other. All the twists were nice. Very good at keeping me attention.

Conclusion- The end of the book is narrated by Noah for a change. The twist was very heartbreaking and had me teary eyed. The VERY end was not that great though. It was good but there was no sort of cliffhanger or plot twist. Very intense though.

Writing Style- Amazing descriptions that weren't overdone. Very good character development and good pacing. Everything about her writing was good.

Worth the read most definitely (:

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Sorry I Haven't Posted In A Few Days

I've been busy with school stuff but I have 2 (soon to be 3) books to add. They're all part of an underground series.

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So I'm read this book finally. I was supposed to read it back in 3rd grade but I was stubborn. But alas here I am today with Charlotte 's Web complete. Now I know this is a children's book but there are some issues that I just can't ignore.

Spoiler Alert (Even though everyone knows the story by now)

I'm not going to go in depth about the story but I will cover my main like and dislikes.

Things I liked:

-Characters. Each had a unique personality and contributed in some way or another.
-I liked how this book made death into a topic that is appropriate for children. It is important for them to learn about how bacon and such is made. This was a perfect way to do that. Death being addressed so bluntly, especially with Charlotte, surprised me.
-A true story of friendship. This was not forced. It took both Wilbur and Charlotte time to learn and accept one another and once they did they were true friends. Right till the end.

Things I did not like:

- The way Charlotte died. Ok I understand that death can be hard and kids should know that but making her die alone was horrible. They started the book by slowly explaining death and how scary it is. I liked how they did that but you can't change pace like that. I was truly sad after that chapter... sad in a bad way. I don't know what much have been going through those 6 year olds when they read it but I would have cried my eyes out.
-Templeton's story was looking to be interesting but it just went flat. He was obviously a selfish animal. We all knew that. When Charlotte was about to die he had to be bribed to get the sack. Are you kidding me? The movie was so much better in this instance. He should have learned the power of being selfless and comforted Wilbur. This teaches kids nothing but to avoid selfish fat people because they're a lost cause.

Altogether it was ok but the ending was extremely unimpressive.

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Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)

Angelfall by Susan Ee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So I read this book because of many reasons. 1) Everyone was talking about it. 2) I love post-apocalyptic stories. 3) The cover looked amazing... But geeze, I was not expecting all that awesomeness. I'm still not sure how Susan wrote such an interesting story that never got boring. I seriously loved it all which is very rare. Now to explain why I loved it...

The Characters- Penryn, the protagonist of the story, is very unique. She has the same likable qualities as other female leads (Katniss, Tris, ect.) but adds a totally new personality. I loved how strong she is, I was tired of reading books with girls who just whined. She went against the unfair stereotype that so many people have about women these days. I was very impressed. Her vulnerable side, although it was hidden, was a nice addition and gave her depth. Now on to the male lead... Raffe. God there is a lot to say. Firstly I hate the name and still cannot get used to it. This may seem weird but Penryn was easier to remember for me. Now Raffe is an angel. An angel that sadly got his wings cut off. His personality was a puzzle throughout the book. He hides his emotions very well and tries hard not to open up to people. Penryn is determined to break through his wall and find the true him. I just love his character so much... he's definitely my fav. Now onto the few minor characters. Paige, Penryn's little sister, is a 7 year old, wheelchair bound innocent girl. The crippled situation was very interesting and unlike any other book I've read. The bond between her and Penryn is so sweet. Penryn's mother (name not mentioned) was so... so... unique. She suffered from what I believed to be paranoid schizophrenia. This of course causes major issues but that's not the reason I loved it so much. I loved it because I've never read a popular YA book that involved a mental illness so much. I gives people a serious outlook on it, which they should have. Obi was a nice addition. He wasn't in the book much but when he was I loved it. He's a gentleman that is looking to get down to business. The last characters I want to talk about are Tweedledee and Tweedledum. They are identical twins otherwise known as Dee-Dum. They have a Fred and George vibe to them but are still very likable.

Romance- Not cheesy whatsoever. I wanted there to be more so bad... I just loved Penryn and Raffe.

Setting- 6 weeks after Angels have taken over the Earth Penryn is in California trying her best to survive. Very nice place and I'm glad it took place not far after the invasion. I dislike having the 100 years after perspective so this was a welcomed change.

The Story- Penryn is just a girl. Ever since the invasion she had to be the one to support her unstable mother and crippled sister. She has done beautifully if in my opinion. Avoiding all the hostile gangs and searching everywhere for food is tough. Especially while pushing her sister's wheelchair and keeping a close eye on her mother. The story begins with Penryn searching for a new place to stay. She is with her mother and sister. They are carefully running when they see something that they've never seen before. An angel! Shock fills all of them. Angels usually stay away from small town like the one they're in but alas there one is. Hidden behind a truck they watch as an Angel is attacked by 5 other Angels. He puts up a good fight but is eventually pinned down and has his wings cut off. One of the angels spot Penryn and she thinks fast. She throws the fallen angel his sword and he fights them off... but they don't leave empty handed. One takes helpless little Paige and flies away. From here all Penryn thinks about is getting her sister back and she needs the newfound Angel's help. Together the Angel (Raffe) and Penryn journey off.

The Conclusion- C-R-A-Z-Y! So much happened and there are so many questions still unanswered. Amazing ending, better than the rest of the book. It was all good though.

Writing Style- Loved Susan's writing. It was so descriptive and captivating. She is an amazing author that is going to go far in literature. I'm honored that I got to enjoy this work of art.

Cutoos Susan Ee... You kept me entertained and for that I am grateful. I wish you the best with future projects and I'm here to give my honest opinions.

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