[Elixir]

Series: Elixir Series
Elixir by Hilary Duff
My Rating: 4 Of 5 Stars

Not bad! Not bad at all!
I decided to into this blind like I always have with Hilary's music. When her debut album "Metamorphosis," came out, I recall them talking about Lizzie McGuire and I knew they were talking about the show that I tuned into one night because Aaron Carter was making a guest appearance. Gawd! I used to have the hugest crush on Aaron; Anyway, as stated, I decided to go into this blind like I do with her music. I feel it gives me an already unbiased mindset. Sometimes reading reviews kind of gives you a pre-created opinion of whatever 'it' is and I just feel the type of person to just get my own opinion. Basically because when you have a pre-created opinion based on what other people say, it's not really YOUR opinion.

I'm so glad I went into this book blindly. All I knew about this book was that it had to do with an Elixir, hence the title. Hilary always seems to earn my respect with all of her works and when I heard she was becoming a novelist, I admit, my brow furrowed, BUT I thought to myself, "She's stepping out of her comfort zone." Then I was curious to read her book. And at risk of repeating myself; i'm so glad I read this book. Aside from merely perusing ratings of this book, I did watch the interviews of the Author (Duff) and one of them, I felt so bad for her because the interviewer was treating her like a CHILD. I felt like reaching into my computer screen and slapping that guy silly. In those interviews, I heard about the character's: Clea, Ben, Rayna & Sage. I was only worried that they would have Hilary reveal too much about the story line, but to my relief and delight, they did not. So I was able to generate my own opinion without knowing what was going to happen in the book. I really liked it. Not bad for a first novel!

We follow Clea after she just successfully became a homeschooled student for her Senior year in high school (She's 17) and one of her passions is Photography. That truly was one of the things that lead me into this story. During her trip, she takes random photos then after arriving home, she decides to go through them and narrow them down into her faves and the ones she doesn't like so much. Suddenly, she notices a man in several shots and the story begins. Her father's disappearance, a variety of cultures, a surprising event that I NEVER expected in Teen Fiction (but it shows that Hilary knows the common truth. Teenagers already know about certain things LoL) and a hidden compartment that leads to the big revelation of the whole first novel. I truly enjoyed this book. I give this four out of 5 stars because I respect Hilary and 4 stars means I really liked it. What does this all mean (the tidbits I mention after the man in her pictures? hmm...i'm sure you can find the book somewhere ;)...)

[The Evolution Of Ethan Poe]

The Evolution of Ethan Poe by Robin Reardon
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
>

This has to be the best book that I have EVER read!!

I purchased this book after reading the description, which is the following:
In the space of a few months, sixteen-year-old Ethan Poe's life has become a complicated mix of facts, theories and hypotheses. Things he knows beyond doubt; his parents are divorcing, his older brother Kyle is exhibiting alarming behavior, and his best friend is turning into a spiritual fanatic. Then there are the shifting uncertainties--includding his feelings toward his father and his desire to both blend in and stand out in his rural Maine hometown. Most pressing of all, there's his attraction to Max Modine, a boy he wants to know much better than he does. Despite Ethan's initial reluctance, he gets pulled into a heated and sometimes violent conflict about whether to introduce Intelligent Design into Science classrooms. Family and friends are turning against each other, school is a battleground, and Ethan will have to take a stand. Because some facts are irrefutable and some bonds are unbreakable, even when they can't be seen.
And once Ethan finds the courage to become who he was meant to be, the outcome could be absolutely extraordinary... (end of description.)

This book literally blew me away. The drama, the unfortunate events and the description of emotions towards those of the same sex were impeccably right on, without going overboard and without sounding pathetic. This has to be the best book that I have ever read. I loved when it went into depth describing pheromones, and also the description of how the voters really got out of hand during the election. Not that they got out of hand, but how it was described. My favourite part was when Ethan's mother had to retort, or felt compelled to more or less. I just had to add that as a quote. I'll share that here as well:
"The police move around again, and the crowd gets just quiet enough so that we can hear the guy holding the sign calling Pagans Athiests say, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Mom pops up out of her seat, turns in that direction and shouts, "Professing themselves to be Christians, they commit violence."

Along with saying this is the best book I have ever read, I must also say this is the smartest $15 that I have ever spent. 5 out of 5 stars. Robin Reardon is one hell of an author!! Did I mention I couldn't put this book down? :D

[The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eleventh Grade Burns]

Series: The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod
Eleventh Grade Burns by Heather Brewer
My Rating: 5 Of 5 Stars

I finally got my hands on another copy of this book because I have no idea where the devil my original copy went. Anyway, I am not shocked at all to say that this is yet another great installment to the series. I love authors who get better with each book they release.

This book had so many plot twists that I didn't expect. Tonight alone, I think I spent from sundown till now reading the rest of this book.

We continue off from the last time book where Vlad's uncle must stand before the Vampire council. Plus a former friend turned foe returns to the city and Vlad is on edge. On top of that, Vikas, the guy I mentioned that they visited overseas shows up to continue Vlad's training. On top of that, there are now two girls for Vlad to think about. It's enough to make someone explode. Thankfully, Vlad is only half human.

Being half vampire though doesn't really leave him the ability to cope any better. Especially with all the twists and turns in this book. We find ourselves questioning who to trust. Could a friend turned foe turn friend again? Are the slayers or the vampires the bad guys? Guess i'll have to get my hands on the 5th and final book. That one will be the hardest to write a review about because that one is the final one as I said. Writing a review on the last book in a series is always the most difficult because you don't wanna give too much away. This one I was already borderline doing that but I highly suggest you go buy the books in this series and find out what I haven't said! xD

[The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod: Tenth Grade Bleeds]

Series: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod
Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well...I find myself at a loss for words as I close this book after the last page. It is not what I expected so I am totally blown away at the way the story line for this 3rd installment in the series was laid out. Jam packed with chapters that keep you on the edge of your seat, this book delivered an amazing next chapter for Vladimir, a half human-half vampire teenager.

We find that Vladimir's mental list of enemies increases yet again and his very existence continues to be at stake; no pun intended. Nightmares, gruesome and not to mention disturbing in nature, continue to haunt Vlad's every chance for sleeping and Vlad has to try to find a way to make these stop and the only way may be to face his mortal enemy yet again. Meanwhile, his powers continue to grow stronger throughout the book as he meets new friends.

I literally could not put this book down. In my opinion, it's the best in the series so far. The only problem I have right now is I must locate where the 4th book is because i'm intensely curious to see where Heather Brewer took Vlad next. As his powers continue to grow stronger, the emotion described in the story becomes more intense and even though Vlad is a fictional character, I uh think ;), I couldn't help but sense how Vlad was feeling at many points of this book.

Now, when I said at the beginning that I find myself at a loss for words, this is what I mean: I can't think of one thing that I wish could have been described in this book because I don't feel that anything was lef tout, if that makes sense. Aside from Harry Potter, I have never thoroughly enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed this one. Now, naturally, I imagine that after Brewer wrote 'Tenth Grade Bleeds,' she was found with a challenge as how she could possibly build on this book. I guess there's only one way to find out. I must read 'Eleventh Grade Burns.'

[The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod: Ninth Grade Slays]

Series: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod
Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a remarkable sequel to the debut (Eighth Grade Bites), Ninth Grade Slays, as I mentioned in the previous review, brings to the table loads of what I what I was hoping to see in these Chronicles. What I should have probably mentioned in the previous review about Eighth Grade Bites is the basic story line (LoL). Vladimir Tod is your typical boy with the exception that he is a vampire. Within a touching tale, you find that Vlad discovers he is not in fact the only one left and delves into his family heritage and also finds himself amidst a problem. A prophesy and a madman who threatens his very existence (I remember mentioning the last bit of that sentence in the previous blog).

Ninth Grade Slays continues with Vlad delving into his family heritage and despite the saddened state of loss surrounding his parents, he enjoys learning more about the Vampiric ways. This one continues from where the last left off and he finds himself facing more enemies that threaten his existence and he must also face the question is he just a Vampire or so much more? The Author, Heather Brewer, takes the reader on a journey out of his home he's known all his life so he can learn more about his abilities in an absolutely riveting way. To put it another way, I didn't get any sleep last night because I couldn't put the book down (LoL).

The only disappointment I would have is that I felt the heartbreak of a betrayal and found myself saying 'No!! It can't be!!,' but that is not a bad thing. It leaves me thirsty for blood, oh wait, i'll leave that for Vlad. It left me thirsty for the 3rd book, so naturally, as well as the first book, the series keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting to pick up the next book.

The 2nd installment gets a full 5 stars. It's definitely a series you can't put down as the bloodbath continues within Vlad's life.

[The Chronicles Of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites]

Series: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod
Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I remember stepping into a Books & Co. while I was briefly in Beavercreek, Ohio. The most amazing bookstore I have ever seen in my life! Most bookstores i've gone into to peruse the shelves for a title that catches my eye, they're either quite dull (because of lack of selection) and/or they are so small that it's basically equivalent to a book section at Wal-Mart. Basically, I love me a large bookstore, especially like this Books & Co. that I was amazed to find out had a glorious staircase that took you to another floor of books; and this particular one in Beavercreek, OH is where I first met Vladimir Tod.

Vladimir was sitting on an end-cap on the 2nd floor in the Teen Fiction section. I remember being rather bored with a lot of titles. Some ranging from U.S. History (bleh, no thanks), to Religion (no comment), to cooking (you do not want me in your kitchen, even WITH a cookbook. Let's just say: 'Singed eyebrows' :D), to nonfiction and every other kind of random book you could think of...then, as said above, I spotted the Teen Fiction. Vladimir was sitting with a white background, wearing a black hoodie with a circular red skull and what appeared to be jeans. I opened the cover and read how Junior high really sucks for Vladimir and it went on to talk about how he had a secret and he doesn't want it to be exposed. Intrigued, I indulged myself and read the first chapter right there in the bookstore. I was hooked and bought the first two books in the series. There are 5 books in total now.

The positive things I have to say about this book is that Vladimir is both strong and very much with a HEART. There are cute, lighthearted moments as well that just capture your heart and make you smile as you keep reading and in some moments, where you can't help but get swept up in Vladimir's sad moments when he reflects on his parents with longing. And to no surprise, no book that i'm interested in would be complete without a villain, this one threatens Vladimir's very existence, but I shan't give too much away...you'll have to run out and buy the book! :D.

As far as downsides to the book, I don't really have anything to criticize. Anything that kept me wishing for more was fulfilled in the 2nd book. Yes, these are the ramblings of a devoted Vladimir Tod fan, to me, this story is flawless.