This is goodbye, I suppose...

Hello. I really hate being a quitter, but I figure that I tried the blogging thing for 8 months so I should be let off the hook. I'm kind of done blogging... At least for now and with this particular blog.

This doesn't mean you'll never see me around on the internet; I plan to continue working with Tiffany and Orchid on that project, I'm on twitter practically all the time, and I'm still in existence just in general.

I'm not stopping because it wasn't the most successful thing in the world. I just want to be done with this whole thing because I gots lots of other real-life things to do too.

Don't stop reading, don't stop blogging, and never stop doing what you love!

-Raquel

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

 Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Published April 5, 2011

Paperback: 336 pages

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, Will Grayson crosses paths with . . . Will Grayson. Two teens with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, and culminating in epic turns-of-heart and the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high school stage. Told in alternating voices from two YA superstars, this collaborative novel features a double helping of the heart and humor that have won them both legions of fans.

I thought that Will Grayson, Will Grayson was a really good book that made me want to laugh, cry, and gush over the Pure Awesome.

The first Will (by John Green) was a very real, funny, and slightly- I don't want to say "dark" because that's not what he was; he was kind of pessimistic and gray. I loved Tiny and Jane. They were the perfect "sidekicks" and they added a whole different element to the book. I also really really really love how John Green writes. All of his books rock.

The second Will (by David Levithan) was a wonderfully dark and funny character. I completely liked how everything wasn't capitalized; it really showed his outlook on life. His depression was like a partially smoothed piece of glass. On some edges, it's really rough, and on others, the roughness has been smoothed down. I haven't ever read any of David Levithan's books, but I will definitely look into those.

I loved how everything blended; it was just so perfect. The story was unexpected and just amazing. And even though he only made a brief appearance, can I just say that I am in love with the Gay God. He was perfect.

Spoiler (skip if you want)- I CANNOT BELIEVE how Maura pretended to be Isaac even though she knew it would crush him!!!!! She's just so ridiculous. AH.

Five Stars

P.S. If you're confused as to why I reviewed a book that was published so "long" ago, I've decided to start reviewing Oldies. Not all of the best books in the world are brand new, and I don't want anyone to miss out on the MAGIC!

Chime by Franny Billingsley

 Chime by Franny Billingsley

Hardcover: 361 pages

Published March 17, 2011 by Dial

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.


Chime was a really good book with lots of mystery, wonderful old-fashioned-y-ness, and magic.


The thing I loved most about this book was the writing. It was dark and deep and sophisticated and tart. (Yes, I described something as being "tart" and no, I do not mean my favorite dessert.) I also really loved the characters; Briony especially. Everyone was just so messed up in their own way that I couldn't help but love everyone. Except I didn't love Cecil, he was a deranged little monkey... Rose really annoyed me and yet I loved her like she had become my own sister in a way, and I suppose that was the point. Briony was awesomely creepy and depressed and magical and tough and sarcastic. Eldric was pretty amazing, in his looks and attitude, and Mr. Larkin is just really hard to describe.


Sometimes I'm a fan of historical fiction, but other times it's too dry or the history doesn't seem very real. Chime had absolutely none of those problems. I am a ginormous fan of the late 1800s, so that was good. I am also a ginormous fan of those female characters that want nothing to do with polite society, but conform anyways because they have to.


This book is for those with a taste for historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy.


Four Stars

Welcome to Bordertown by (Check Post for List of Authors)

 Welcome to Bordertown (Borderland) by  Ellen Kushner, Holly Black, Terri Windling, Cory Doctorow, Cassandra Clare, Emma Bull, Charles de Lint, Will Shetterly, Amal El-Mohtar,Steven Brust, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Jane Yolen, Janni Lee Simner,Sara Ryan, Dylan Meconis, Tim Prat, Annette Curtis Klause, Delia Sherman, Nalo Hopkinson, Christopher Barzak, Neil Gaiman, Patricia A. McKillip, and Catherynne M. Valente


Published May 24, 2011 by Random House Books for Young Readers


Hardcover: 544 pages


Bordertown: a city on the border between our human world and the elfin realm. Runaway teens come from both sides of the border to find adventure, to find themselves. Elves play in rock bands and race down the street on spell-powered motorbikes. Human kids recreate themselves in the squats and clubs and artists' studios of Soho. Terri Windling's original Bordertown series was the forerunner of today's urban fantasy, introducing authors that included Charles de Lint, Will Shetterly, Emma Bull, and Ellen Kushner. In this volume of all-new work (including a 15-page graphic story), the original writers are now joined by the generation that grew up dreaming of Bordertown, including acclaimed authors Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Catherynne M. Valente, and many more. They all meet here on the streets of Bordertown in more than twenty new interconnected songs, poems, and stories.


Welcome to Bordertown was a good book, but it took me eternity to read.


Since every chapter was written by a different author (by the way, listing all of the authors and removing all those links took forever so you're welcome) I figured that I would just talk about some of the chapters that I really didn't like, or really did like, or just feel like talking about. Obviously, this is going to be a lengthy review, so prepare yourself. (OHMYGOD I DROPPED MY LAPTOP!!! THANK THE HEAVENS THAT IT'S ALIVE!!!!)


Welcome to Bordertown by Ellen Kushner and Terri Windling was a good chapter, but by the time I got to the middle of it, I was ready for another story. I wasn't too keen on the fact that the first chapter was so long. The actual story part of it was interesting, but I feel like they could have picked something a little better for the beginning.


Crossings by Janni Lee Simner was fun to read. The two girls in the story were really annoying, though. I mean, please stop being so fangirly annoying about vampires and werewolves and come back to reality. I'm not sure that it was the smartest thing to just run away from home in search of creatures that may or may not exist. Also, I was surprised by their stupidity when they went into that elf's house. My favorite part was that they were from Tucson. I enjoyed that a lot. Really.


Fair Trade by Sara Ryan (drawn by Dylan Meconis) was good. The story wasn't AWESOME, but I liked it. Of course, the thing I enjoyed most was that it was a comic. I love comics. I'm such a nerd, I know, but it's true! (Speaking of which, Umbrella Academy still hasn't come yet...)


Elf Blood by Annette Curtis Klause was a little confusing, but it was one of my favorite chapters. At first, I was like "Wait, wait, wait. Is this girl really a vampire, or is she just deranged?" but then I got it. Her plan to drink elf blood so she could live normally or whatever seemed a little crazy to me, but hey, I ain't a vampire. I liked Moss! And you can tell that I liked him a lot because I bothered to remember his name.


A Borderland Jump-Rope Rhyme by Jane Yolen was creepy. Like, psycho-future-serial-killer-elf-children creepy. I don't care if you're an elf, or a halfie, or pure human; who on earth would let their kids sing this? I know that Ring Around the Rosy is also an awful song, but at least the scary was hidden by metaphor! You don't actually say, "She is not dead, dead, dead, Just dressed in red, red, red, With thirteen rounds, rounds, rounds Inside her head, head ,head" Even though it was some creepy-ass craziness, I liked it...


The Rowan Gentleman by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare was one of my favorites. The story was complete, and yet it wasn't. I understand that they had a limited amount of space to create a story, but I would have liked to know why that girl was waiting for Robert and who exactly stabbed her. The plot felt complete though, and because I'm a big fat mush, I loved how that elf guy turned out to be really sweet.


A Tangle of Green Men by Charles de Lint was my FAVORITE chapter. It made me really super happy, and then it grinded my heart to a pulp. I nearly cried when that certain event happened, and that's pretty impressive considering it was only a chapter. The part with the talking dog was... strange, but it fit. *sigh* I just can't... By the end of this chapter, I like to believe that he made Bordertown a better place and then rejoined her. I needed a good ending to this book.


Four Stars

Thirst No. 4 by Christopher Pike

 Thirst No. 4 by Christopher Pike

Published August 9, 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Paperback: 496 pages

Book Number Four in the Last Vampire: Thirst Omnibus Series

Once again, I have returned to life, but it is a suddenly lonely world.


Alisa is a five-thousand-year-old vampire, stronger and more cunning than her adversaries. But now she's trapped in the body of a newborn vampire and at the mercy of a terrible thirst. Worst of all, she's facing enemies whose fierce desire for domination grows ever stronger.
The immortal race the Telar is threatening to release a virus to decimate humanity. But Alisa and her friends can't take down the Telar on their own, and they must turn to the mysterious organization the IIC for help. But the IIC has secrets of it's own and may have ulterior moves.
With two rivals and no one to trust, Alisa must rely on her dark side to defeat them. But it could cost her life, or her soul...


I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this.


This series is definitely one of my favorites. I love Christopher Pike's writing style and how clear it is that he puts a ton of effort and research into his books. I also love how this book isn't only about vampires; there's science, psychology, myths, religion, history, weaponry, and so much more. I just don't even know how I can possibly tell you how much I love this series. This review might end up being me screaming because that is all I know how to do.

I love the characters. I love the scenes. I love the descriptions. I love the action. I love the supernatural stuff. I love how these book are always only in paperback form. I LOVE IT ALL. The only thing I don't love is how they say her name is Alisa on the back cover. Her name is Sita! Sita!


There were so many billion crazy amazing shocking dhfiaosdohweiblnqio AHHHHHHHH twists. Like really, seriously, it was ridiculous. You can't deny that this series went out with a bang. A big, explosive bang.


Also, I really love Sita. She's such a tough, heartfelt bad-ass that I could die. Really, I could.


When I fished this book, there was an enormous grin on my face. Christopher Pike did an awesome job ending the book and the series. It must have been pretty tricky figuring out how to end a series about a vampire who has lived basically forever and has almost died a million times. But, obviously, the man pulled it off because he is a genius.

If you haven't read this series, READ IT AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE COMPLETE AND YOU WILL BE SO MUCH SMARTER. I. Love. It. So. Flippin'. Much.

Five Stars