Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Hello, all readers. I have finished Beauty Queens written by Libba Bray. I woke up at 2 o'clock in the morning so I could start it, I finished at 7 o'clock it was so good. It is a huge 400 pages. I loved every page. It was an interesting book recommended by http://whatsyourstorybookreviews.blogspot.com . It was really good and showed why these girls are in these shows. The characters were completely different which meant you could relate to whichever one. The character were really interesting and different. The only down fall is there are so many characters and they all are called by two names. Read this book..

Here are the characters:

• Mary Lou: Mary Lou, is a religious pageant girl. She is wear's a purity ring.
• Adina Greenberg: Adina is the main character and she is headstrong and very smart. She wants to be lead of the girls
• Taylor: Taylor is a great leader and becomes the leader, to lead these 'no-brained' girls to survival
• Jennifer Huberman: Jennifer came from a tough life. She is lesbian and came from a family who is very religious and is against her sexuality.  
• Nicole: Nicole is the only African-American girl in the 'race'. She believes in herself and that she can do anything
• Petra: Petra is a great girl. She was formally apart of the Boyz will be Boyz band, and was a boy. Petra is the funniest and best character in my opinion. 
• Sinjin St. Sinjin: Sinjin, is a pirate, who has a 'crush' on Petra
• Sosie: Sosie is a deaf girl, who doesn't know who she is. She loves dancing and is really good at it.
• Ladybird Hope: Ladybird Hope is the former Miss Teen Dreamer and all the girls aspire to her
• Duff: Duff and Adina
• Jonesy: is a bodyguard
• Bollywood: Bollywood is the nickname of Shanti. 
• Brittani: Brinttani is one of the girls trying for Miss Teen Dreamer. Not a major character
• Tane: Tane is a mystery boy only Mary Lou knows about. Every girl thinks he is not real and Mary is seeing things.
• Momo B. Chacha: Leader of The Republic of Chacha. He also will do anything for Ladybird Hope is crush.
• J. T. Woodland: Petra boy name. She was formally known as J.T. Woodland
• Tiara: One of the girls, the 'dumbest' of the group. Is a major character.

The blurb:

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island. Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to emall. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

The Book Friend :)

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

You might not have noticed Hush Hush or the other books in the series Crescendo and Silence because they come out when Twilight was booming and Fallen came out. Hush Hush is similar to Fallen in the idea of Fallen Angels but the plot and characters are completely different. The characters are well thought out and the ending of the story is fantastic and thrilling. You want to know what comes next.

Here is the blurb:
Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgement.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closet friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen--and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.






And the Characters:

• Nora Grey: Nora is a student at Coldwater High School (CHS). She is good at biology and had been tutoring her best friend- Vee. After the rearrangement of the seating plan in the biology lab, she is now sitting with Patch. She assumes something is not totally "right" with him and that he is even more dark and mysterious because of her lack of knowledge Patch is giving her about him and his past. She soon meets Elliot and Jules, who are an unlikely duet at something you would not expect. She goes through the book making discoveries that are both need to know and one's she won't like the answers to.
• Patch: Patch is Nora biology partner. He keeps his past under wraps and is accused of more lies than truth from Nora. He can be sly and brooding, and leave Nora tongue-tied. He uses his charms as a way of getting what he wants. Nora soon figures out he is a fallen angel and was set a task he can't decline or put to good use: Patch can either kill Nora--because he is part fallen angel, part human--and become a full human, or save her from death and be her guardian angel. At first meet, he is more inclined to kill Nora because his esteem of "guardian angels" is rather low and, being a fallen angel, he is unable to feel tangibly. Nora's love interest
• Vee Skye: Vee is Nora's best friend. She is funny throughout the book, but can be a bit immature.For reasons unknown, she and Nora have a history of and are often provoked into getting into fights with Marcie Millar
• Elliot Saunders: Met with his friend, Jules, at a shop, Vee and Nora become quick aquaintances with the boys. Nora soon discovers that he killed a girl at his previous school and Nora needs to get to the bottom the case and quick, before time runs out.
• Jules: Accompanied with Elliot, he's dark and more mystique than Patch because, well, he doesn't talk much. He brings many surprises into the novel towards the end-- especially around Nora.
• Whitney: A waitress at Blind Joe's where Nora thinks she might be able to find out about Elliot.
• Detective Holstijic: One of the detectives that respond to Nora's 911 calls.
• Detective Basso: One of the detectives that respond to Nora's 911 calls.
• Homeless Lady: Gives Nora directions when trying to get to a party. She take Nora's coat and hat as payment.
• Blythe Grey: Nora's mother. A widow, she works full-time at an auction house to try to make ends meet. About once a month, she takes a business trip and leaves Nora alone at home, although she calls her every night.
• Coach McConaughy: He is the biology and PE teacher. Nora resents him for making her sit by Patch in class.
• Dabria Greene: Miss Greene is the new psychologist at Nora's school, but is she really there to help kids?!?
• Rixon: Patch's Irish friend with a very heavy Irish accent. They hold special attachment.
• Dorothea: Nora and her mom's housekeeper. Nora thinks that she is also there to watch over her while her mother is out of town working.
• Marcie Millar: The snobby cheerleader that has it out for Vee and Nora. She's always starting fights, she's basically the so-called 'top-dog'.

Thanks again to Shelfari

The Book Friend :)

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Evermore is a fantastic book in a series called The Immortals written by Alyson Noel. It is about a girl who was involved in a car crash. Now she can see auras and read peoples minds. Moving into a new school, Ever is cautionary and doesn't want to make any human contact because if she does she knows everything about their past lives. One reason why I read this book is because one of the minor characters but still a character is called Evangeline (and that is my name). I know not a good reason to chose a book but I was sure glad I did.

So here is the blurb:


After a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom can see people's auras, hear their thoughts, and know a someone’s entire life story by touching them. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities, she has been branded a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste.
Damen is gorgeous, exotic, and wealthy. He's the only one that can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can peer straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. And she has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is that she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.


And the Characters:

• Ever Bloom: Ever since the accident that took the lives of her parents, sister and their dog Buttercup, Ever has been a psychic. She can hear/read minds (esp. through touch) and see auras of mortals. She feels connected with Damen at first sight.
• Damen Auguste Esposito / Damen Auguste: A mysterious boy that likes Ever.
• Riley Bloom: Ever's dead sister who visits Ever often.
• Sabine Bloom: Ever's aunt and legal guardian. She is usually never involved with Ever.
• Stacia Miller: Snotty popular girl who thinks Ever, Miles, and Haven are freaks. She is especially rude to Ever.
• Ms. Machado: Art teacher at the high school.
• Miles: One of Ever's best friends. Because of his homosexuality, Miles is looked upon as a freak. He is an actor in one play.
• Haven Turner: One of Ever's best friends. Haven's in her goth stage and is looked upon as a freak as well. She doesn't have her own style, she take it from others.
• Evangeline: One of Haven's "scene" friends.
• Mr. Robins: The English teacher who is currently going through a divorce and not being able to see his children.
• Drina Auguste / Poverina: Haven's "scene" friend, dislikes Ever.
• Ava: The physic who can see Riley and wants to help Ever. She wants Ever to visit her.
• Brandon: Ever's ex-boyfriend.
• Rachel: Ever's old friend before the accident.
• Buttercup: Ever's yellow Lab. 

Thanks again Shelfari :) 

The Book Friend :)

Special Mention

Hey everyone. I thought I might mention a blog I have been visiting called http://whatisyourstorybookreviews.blogspot.com It is amazing and worth the while to check it out.

And while I have you.Today my year had a workshop by Enlighten Education called the Butterfly Effect. And it has completely change the way I think about everything and I am so grateful. And it has inspired me so much. Thanks can't be expressed in words. Thank you Gorgeous and the Enlighten Education team.

Jasper Jones Written By Craig Silvey

I have nearly finished a book called Jasper Jones. It is written by an Australian writer called Craig Silvey and The Monthly has called it quote 'an Australian, To Kill a Mockingbird' which by the way is a fantastic book as well if you haven't read it. Jasper Jones is a brilliantly written book. The genre put me off though, it is a Mystery and I have never been into any Agatha Christie (except the Mystery of the Blue Train or something along the lines of that) or Nancy Drew but Jasper Jones completely changed my mind on the whole aspect of the Mystery genre. The blurb is long and confusing so I will just give you a summary of what it is about:
Jasper Jones is a boy that the town regards as 'the one you stay away from' (you know the type). But Charlie finds him calling his name during the night. Charlie climbs down his window to find Jasper there and needing his help. Jasper takes him to the hanging corpse of Laura Wishart. The questions you ask are: Who killed Laura? Why did Jasper 'choose' Charlie? and many more.
But before I go on the explain the characters I just need to say that, this book has the most quotable things in it. I am just reading telling myself that this piece of writing is brilliant.
(Warning: this book has swearing and adult themes)

• Charlie Bucktin: A precocious thirteen year old who is looking for ways to avoid being bullied for being too smart. A late night knock at the window from Jasper Jones offers an opportunity to help someone that could be answer to his problems. That is until he discovers Jasper's own problem, and from there his life takes a severe change that has repercussions on his family, his friends and his town.
• Jasper Jones: An outcast in his own town who has had to grow up fast as his father cares more for getting drunk than him. His aboriginal mother was killed in a car accident when he was two and the circumstances surrounding this death have greatly affected his Dad. Jasper is a natural athlete who is feted by the town on the football field, but vilified and accused of everything that goes wrong in the town.
• Jeffrey Lu: Charlie's Vietnamese neighbour who is a proud cricket tragic and Doug Walters worshipper. Crafty spin bowler and handy batsman who is never allowed to play in the town's team due to his race. A quick wit allows his to match intellectual horns with Charlie and they enjoy shooting the breeze when it gets too hot to play cricket.
• Laura Wishart: Laura Wishart is Jasper's true love and the sister of Eliza Wishart. Found dead in the beginnings of what is a excellent book.
• Eliza Wishart: Eliza Wishart is the 'love interest' of Charlie in this book. Proving to be a fun character that is head strong and smart. 
• Jack Lionel: The 'Crazy Man' on the street. He always yells at Jasper Jones, and Jasper is convinced he killed Laura.
• Rosie Jones: Rosie Jones is Jasper's mother who died. (not in the book though)
• Mark Twain: Author of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Not a character in the story but is addressed quite frequently. 
• Doug Walters: Jeffery's hero. A cricket player Jeffery inspires to be like. Again not a character but addressed frequently.
• Gertrude Baniszewski: Charlie is reading in the archive newspapers about a crime that was committed in his town. And Gertrude Baniszewski was the murder and torturer of Sylivia.
• Sylvia: Sylvia was torture and murder by the above.

Thanks again to Shelfari. Check it out

The Book Friend :)