Review: Frost

Title: Frost
Author: Marianna Baer
Pages: 396
Format: Print/Hardcover
Published: September 13th 2011
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Imprint of Harper Collins)


Where do I begin? First, I will say I dove head first into this novel. I was so excited to start reading it, expectations I usually have before starting a book completely disappeared. I read the first sentence wanting nothing more but for it to be a good, thrilling adventure of fun. I like fun.

Frost is about a girl named Leena who, after much convincing, moves into Frost house for her senior year at Barcroft, a boarding school she had been attending since first year (grade 9, I'm assuming). The house is everything she had hoped for, except for Celeste Lazar, a girl she wasn't so thrilled about sharing a room with. Despite Celeste, Leena is drawn to her brother. Leena is also drawn to her enemies closet where she spends much time thinking and feeling at 'home'. Weird things start to happen, though. Vases get broken, pictures are thrown across rooms, hell, poor Celeste wakes up with bruises covering her entire body, head- to- toe. Something weird is happening at Frost house, however poor Leena just doesn't want to believe any of it. Period.

This was a creepy, thrilling and one of the better ghost stories I've read in a while. Well, I haven't read any recent ghost stories. Ah, but this was a good one. We don't ever know for sure if a ghost is involved with all the strange happenings, however, this is what makes this book so mysterious and creepy. It's unbelievably spine chilling. I brought this book everywhere with me, in case I could sneak some reading time.

This book was told in the POV of Leena, the one who had been so drawn to Frost house. I find POV novels to be bothersome, especially when you dislike the main character- *cough* Zoey *cough*. Leena was the better of the POV varieties. I found her easy to relate to. She was like any other teenager. Trying to get through school, apply to colleges, worry about boys, and have family troubles. If you couldn't relate to her in one way you were certain to relate to her in another. She wasn't weak, but strong and independent, she wasn't irrational, but rational and thoughtful. She put a lot of thought into her actions, which was probably why I continued on. You can't enjoy a book without loving the character telling you the story, now can you?

The creativeness of this novel and originality was thrilling and adventurous. Drawing me in just like Leena had been drawn into the closet. Once I was in, there was know going back. I felt so a part of this book. It's words were hypnotizing. Truly, the writing was great. The plot was crafted in a way so that there were sharp turns of surprises that had me gasping and shivering.

One note on characters: They were all great. I already talked about Leena's character, so I will continue on to Celeste, the broken-leg in a cast, weird collecting- roach girl. She is, like I said, weird. But I liked her. She was different and had no care for what people thought of her. From time to time she would piss me off, but in a sisterly way. I'd quickly love her again. David, Celeste's brother, is the boy Leena, obviously, likes. He was great. Different, actually. I can't say I've read a book that featured a boy who was so protective of his sister. They were both weird, but lovable. Leena's friends, Abby and Viv, were just that, friends. They all get into a fight, don't speak to each other, one kind of forgives the other and life goes on. Girl drama, what do you expect?

This review does not do this book justice. I haven't been so drawn into a book for some time now. Is it me, or does whatever roam the halls and walls of Frost house roam the pages of that book? I wonder...

A deserving:
5 curly pig tails

Review: The Virgin Cure

Title: The Virgin Cure
Author: Ami Mckay
Pages: 400
Format: Print/Hardcover
Published: October 25th 2011
Publisher: Knopf Canada

How long has it been, dear Mckay, have I been awaiting the publication of this amzing book? Two years, I tell you, two years. Alas, it has been published, read and now I will review it. The Birth House has been my all time favorite book, Ami Mckay was sure to win my favoritism again with this one.

The Virgin Cure by Ami Mckay was an amazing, beautiful and meaningful book about friendship and the ever undying journey of finding oneself. To begin this journey of self-discovery, we learn of Moth, a twelve year old girl who is sold to be the maid of the cruel and abusive Mrs. Wentworth. After being abondoned by her father, and then her mother, Moth is left alone. First waiting upon Mrs. Wentworth, with the help of Nestor, she is able to escape. But that is only the beginning.

Soon she finds herself at a brothel, owened and operated by Miss Everett, who only uses the girls for her establishment as profit. The men who "bid" on the girls, such as Moth, pay and then "have" the girl, however, who must be "clean." Through this, Moth befriends a physcian, Dr. Sadie, who warns and attemtps to remove Moth from the world Miss. Everett is offering.

This was an extraordinary read I feel so preivileged to have read. It was inspiring and heart breaking. It evidently left me thinking about Moth's life. How scared she must have been, at twelve, alone, introduced into a world full of "whores." Ah, and the writing was just beautiful. The point of view of Moth was refreshing and eye-opening. Ami Mckay is a beautiful writer who really uses descriptive words to interpret the emotions and going-on`s of the time. Historical fiction is about reliving the past, which only a good writer can accomplish. Mckay is amongst them!

Fiction books have that extra special favoritism to me. They can teach you so much about our past, opening our eyes to the changes and advances we have made. Women have come along way since the times of 1871. Ami Mckay does a beautiful job at creating a past world, transporting our minds there, reminding us of the hard and sorrow times our ancestors once lived. Personally, I am thankful for our changing times. To be twelve, alone, living in a house where you are trained to win the affection of men just sickens me.

This was a worthwhile read. If you are a historical fiction lover, as am I, you will love this book.

Prepare to be moved by the story of a little girl named Moth. 

Rating: 5 curly pig tails

November TBR (#1)

The video for this is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyHxlHvqLmQ

TBR's aren't the general reading format I tend to follow during months. That said, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could fully read the books I picked for this month.It takes commitment, right? The stack is a mix between books I've owned either recently or from years ago. All these books will also have reviews attached to them. As I finish them they will get reviewed. I realize some of these books are rather old  *cough* Harry Potter *cough* but I would still like to review them.

*And a series of druming beats can be heard in the background* Here it goes:

First up is The Virgin Cure by Ami Mckay. I started reading this at the end of October and so I decided to carry it over to November. I will either finish it tonight or tomorrow. This review will be up within the next couple of days.

Second is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This has been on my to-read list for a few months, ever since I saw the movie trailer, and so decided it was about time I read it. To the November TBR it goes.

This cover is drawing me in. It some how found its way into my pile. Something about the cover intrigues me. Perhaps it's the boy on the cover or the intricate designs, Reckless by Cornelia Funke was added to the ever growing stack of books.

This month has me in the mood for a good ghost story. Supernatural only plays on Fridays, and seeing lately the episodes have been repeats, I need some other form of creepy entertainment. Frost by Marianne Baer, please do not disappoint.

When your're reading ceepy, thrilling and adventurous books, there comes a time a balance is needed between such books and rommance. Nicholas Sparks never fails and so I hope Dear John lives up to MY expectations. To the TBR pile you go, John.

I've bought this series so might as well read them. Chosen by P.C and Kristin Cast, your're up next. Marked and Betrayed weren't all that bad. Are you going to disappoint? We will have to see.

Oh, Ami Plum, your Die for me cover is surely to die for. It's the most beautiful cover I've ever seen. We have ghosts and rommance, history and adventure, I think we need to add a little zombie-like characters to sum up the supernatural craving this month. Looking forward to our date.

Harrp Potter, come to be read? Yes, indeed. This month I am determined to read you. My fail attempts not once, not twice, nor three or four times, have left me helplessly giving up on you. Perhaps my birthday month will give me some luck? Surely you could work your wizardry magic? Flying cars and screaming plants to you. Off to Hogwarts I go!

A hefty amount of books I'd say. There are only 8 this month, which means approximately 2 books a week. That sould give me enough space to read surprise books, giving you surprise reviews. Oh, I didn't tell you?

Each month I will feature 3-4 books that will not be mentioned. Anywhere. They will be surprises that will pop up from time to time. Books I won't even add to my "curently-reading" list on goodreads. You won't know what books they are or when their review will be up. Think of it like a birthday present. You don't know what you're going to get.

We shall see how this turns out this month.

Lots of reading and blug pigs to you... yes you!

~Angela

Book Haul (#1) + First Youtube video

I uploaded my fist TWO youtube videos so be sure to check them out: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLittleBluePig?feature=mhee

This blog post was supposed to be uploaded yesturday, but trick or treaters were ringing the door bell, and before you know it, it was bed time.

So I was away all weekend, as you could hear in my youtube video, and bought a load of books. I am excited to be reading them all. I probably wont read all of them this month, but will definitely like them all read by the end of December, the latest.

Now, without further a do, here is the mighty book list:

As you can see there is a total of 13 books! Yow-Za! Considering the price for books is slightly cheaper in America, the grand total of these books wasn't entirely much. Expect reviews on all these books as they are being read. My November TBR pile has been created and will be featured in a new blog post. Be sure to watch out for it!

Thanks!

Lots of curly piggy tails and happy reading,

~Angela (The Little Blue Pig)