5 comments about Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3).

1. These books are not what one would call literary masterpieces. However, they are engaging stories that keep you involved and are quite entertaining. I highly recommend them.



2. I bought the 3-book set because the first two books in the series were being passed around by my students so much, they were getting pretty dog-eared--and (verbal) fights were breaking out about who got what book next. (These are high school kids.) As a teacher whose heart goes out to learning-challenged kids, I have to appreciate the fact that Percy Jackson, the protagonist, has ADHD and dyslexia--issues that only enhance his heroics, not detract from them. The books are easy and engrossing, with plenty of sword brandishing and sarcasm, so they keep teens reading. There are, of course, mini lessons on Greek mythology throughout the books (often as the ever-valiant heroes are being attached once again by another fury or hydra or what-have-you), so I appreciate that, too.
   
   I stop just short of a five-star rating here as I have read as far as Book Four and I would have liked to see Riordan be a bit more creative with his plot devices. The fourth book opens with Percy beginning school at yet another new school and this time it's the cheerleaders who are not what they seem to be, but that's only slightly different from how the other books open. Some situations have been used so repeatedly that I've begun to predict how our heroes will be backed into a corner with no way out this time--and who will save them.
   
   Overall, though, I think this is a great series for young folks.



3. Purchased for use in a classroom--Popular series with the children. If you or you child loves this genre, you can't go wrong!!



4. These books are fun and easy to read. It's easy to get caught up in this world of present times with Greek/Roman gods



5. My son is 9 and in 4th grade. He opened the first book and read the entire thing in three days. He loves this series. Just to set the record straight he is not a Harry Potter fan. He usually reads only Star Wars books.But something about this has him glued. He is actually on his way to Baseball training and took the second book with him to read in the car.

5 comments about Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4).

1. When I began reading Twilight I started with the first book and read them all straight through. And, in my opinion, they were written beautifully. Breaking Dawn was no exception. I, too, was surprised by all the bad reviews. I took a moment to read some of them and found that, in my opinion, some of the situations in Breaking Dawn were taken in the wrong context. Too literally almost. First of all, it's a fantasy book about Vampires and Shape Shifters. While Stephanie Meyer makes it incredibly easy for society to wrap their heads around Bella's situation, I don't think it's fair to say the book is morally wrong. For example, Jacob does not fall in love with an infant. He sees Renesmee as his responsibility to protect and nurture until she decides he is her one and only. The only difference is that he already knows the outcome. It's not like Jacob is thinking about Renesmee in a phyisical way. And Meyer makes that very clear. In our society that part of Jacob's CULTURE would be deemed as perverted, but I think we can all agree that Bella is no longer living in a society like ours. Things just operate differently. There are other situations like that in Breaking Dawn that were misconstrued by some. Perhaps if the book was reread with more of an open mind it would make more sense and be a better experiance. I think the book was amazing, and that it was all perfectly tied together. With a happy ending as the icing on the cake.



2. The final instalment to the Twilight Saga is teriffic! In this book Bella and Edward are together for ever and ever. With a cute new character I would reccomend this book for anyone. I don't kno why people gave it such bad reviews.I couldn't put this book down.There isn't anything I can say that is bad about this book.



3. I loved this book!!!! I believe that SM showed extreme genus when writing this book! I loved the Creativeness and imagination that SM has and her passion for the characters. I know there were a lot of people that did not like this book and everyone is entitled to their own opinion! But I enjoyed this book the most out of the whole series! I love the fact that SM went into the detail that she did. I know that a lot of people were upset about a lot of so people say "graphic" detailing in this novel, but in reality there is more "graphic" detailing on television! This book is again creative and very well imagined! The book is about Love, Friendship and most of all Family! The loyalty between people! I give SM 2 thumbs up for this book! Loved it! It was Awesome!!!!



4. I was hesitant to read this series because of it's popularity and didn't think that there was much to it. However, after seeing New Moon in theaters it peaked my interest and I wanted more information, which is why I started reading the second book. Although I had thought that Bella was a fairly weak character, by the end of Breaking Dawn my perception was changed and I realized that she is actually quite strong emotionally. I am definitely glad that I read this series.



5. The action in this story is amazing and compelling while the love story beautiful. You will be on the edge of your seat while reading this and won't be able to put it down. Read it twice once for the action and again for the love and literary quality. A modern day vampire Romeo and Juliette.

5 comments about The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2).

1. I'm still amazed at how the author manages to work in Greek mythology into today's world. And it works wonderfully! These books are just as believable as the Harry Potter series. Although, I see the similarities that I'm sure many people pick at. But, the context is different for me. And, that makes the story different. I find the adventures interesting and the Greek stories and lore work right into the story. These are books that kids can pick up and not realize they are actually learning something while reading it. I like watching Percy grow into accepting who he is and what his future responsibilities may be. I'm very happy that I found this series!
   
   [...]



2. Percy Jackson is attacked by monsters, goes on a quest with two friends, and meets a bunch of characters from Greek mythology. And, if Percy didn't have enough in common with Harry Potter already (see this comparison), in this book there is a dark lord who was destroyed many years previously but whose body is being reconstructed by his followers. Hmmm...
   
   I will grant that, while I found the book mildly entertaining but largely unremarkable, there were a couple of high points. There is a battle scene with some party-hearty centaurs which filled me with - I cannot deny it - glee. And the ending brings a clever surprise (which, upon reflection also has a parallel in Harry Potter, albeit a more subtle one).
   
   Note: The diction of the last line of the book was disappointing. The kids in Riordan's world don't talk like that: the last three words should have been dropped. But who's nitpicking?



3. purchased this one after reading the 1st in the series, very good book, it is fairly easy with it being for kids/teens. I actually bought the entire series and finished all 5 in less then a week. If you read the Harry Potter series you will love this series just as much.



4. After watching the film, I felt like I needed to know more about such a cool transposition of our myths into a (more-)modern time. Out the theatre, I bought the 1st book in a book shop and came home, reading it within a few hours.
   
   I had not expected such a brilliant book so I was left in the middle of the night without the second part... Eason was closed but God bless the Kindle. Within a few seconds, I had the second book on my Kindle.
   
   As good as the first one, shorter by 1/4, it develops the intrigue even further and I have to say Fair play to the author who manages to re-invent the mythology so finely. Loved it and I'm now starting on the Third book.
   
   If they keep being that good, I sure hope he'll write more!



5. The second book to the really awesome series by Rick Riordian. This is a great book. It is filld with adventrue and monster quests just like the first one. A real page turner as well. I love these books because they are simply filled with so much adventure while teaching u about greek mythology. Honestly, i believe theyr great for any age. :D

5 comments about Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.

1. I read the Diary of a Whimpy Kid series because my 10-year old niece told me how funny she found them. She's not big on reading, so I figured they had to be entertaining to hold her attention. I found the first two books to be pretty cute, but the 3rd and 4th were probably among some of the funniest stuff I've read in a long time. In fact, I found myself laughing out loud throughout most of those two books. No, they don't have much "social redeeming value" (as one Amazon reviewer noted), but they sure are entertaining. This is just fun reading with good 'ol fashioned, goofy humor that most of us can related to.



2. In this book, Greg's brother Rodrick, takes charge. I liked it, but it didn't seem as funny as the 1st, 3rd and 4th book. That's why I only gave it 2 stars. I really would have liked it to be funnier. It would have been a 4 or 5 star book instead of a 2 star book. I loved the part when his grandma said the only thing she got from Greg was a sign that said "I hate you grandma", but that was the only part I liked. I don't think it was worth reading. Take my advice, read all the other books before this one. Also, try to luagh as much as you can![I sure didn't!]~APRIL MEADOWBROOK
   
   Gerg Heffley is at it again this time better. Greg jions the swim team. But Greg is not that good at swimming. When he gets back to school everyone screams and runs away Greg has the cheese touch. Greg and his best friend try to talk in a secret languge it dosen't work and he gets sent home from a sleepover and you should read this book it is awesome. It made my laugh out loud. ~ mad dad



3. My 7 year old loves the Wimpy Kid books. I brought all of the series this christmas. My son loves to read and Wimpy Kid will hold his interest for hours, until I have to tell him to put the book down and go to bed. Great book. Children in his class tries to trade books with him, but you can not brive him for the Wimpy Kid. If your children love to read this is a great book to buy.



4. Couldn't beat the price or my son's reaction on Christmas. I also bought a set of these books for my nephew's birthday at the same time as my son's. Two very happy boys!



5. I HATE this book with a passion! If this is what parents and teachers are reduced to in order to get children to read, I'm appalled! The main character doesn't appear to love anyone in his family. Neither does he appear to really care for his best friend, whom he tricks into kicking a dumbbell and breaking his toe. His brother is even worse- locking him in the basement overnight while the brother has an unsanctioned party without parents. Deceitfulness, manipulation, laziness, disrespect of parents,mediocrity, smugness in one's cleverness at getting out of work, it's all there. Mankind used to have heroes and legends that were held up as worthy examples. The knights of the Round Table, Hector, Ivanhoe, Joan D'Arc, Gandhi, Dr. King, Sojourner Truth,- there's so many better examples children could read about. Who are the modern counterparts? Is it Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, John Gosselin and the like? Children today are bombarded with so much junk culture -video games, T.V., even music- that now, more than ever, they need tales that tell moral lessons. Childhood should be a little magical. Books like this steal that magic away, and leave instead, cynicism and defeatism. Do yourself and your child a favor, buy instead a book that has a good message, maybe a Cadbury or Newbury award winner.

5 comments about When You Reach Me.

1. While I applaud this author for using such a brilliant book as a base for her own story, this has too much Wrinkle in it and not enough originality. The child characters aren't as interesting as the adult characters (I found myself wanting to know more about the mother rather than the daughter), and children will probably struggle with the time travel concepts. An interesting, fast read, but it just doesn't measure up to past Newbery medalists.



2. Miranda--the protagonist of the 2010 Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me--is a twelve-year-old latchkey kid living with her single mom in New York City in the 1970s. She's smart, she's funny, and she reads only one book: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Her mother--a would-be lawyer with a keen sense of justice--was forced to drop out of law school when she had Miranda. Now she works unhappily as a paralegal and dreams of winning the game show The $20,000 Pyramid so she can quit her job.
   
   Miranda has lost her best friend, Sal, who lives in her apartment building. One day, while the two of them were walking home from school, a neighborhood kid named Marcus punched Sal, and from that day on Sal just seemed to drift away: he no longer waits to walk with Miranda, and he refuses even to look at her when they bump into each other. In the confusing void left by Sal, Miranda strikes up new friendships with Annemarie--who was recently ditched by her sometimes-snotty best friend Julia--and Colin, "this short kid who seemed to end up in my class every year" (p. 54). The three of them get lunchtime jobs together at the local sandwich shop, Jimmy's, and bond over cheese sandwiches with smelly pickles.
   
   One day Miranda finds her apartment mysteriously unlocked after school, and the spare key missing from its hiding spot, unnerving both her and her mother. Shortly thereafter Miranda receives the following mysterious note:
   
   "This is hard. Harder than I expected, even with your help. But I have been practicing, and my preparations go well. I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter. Second, please remember to mention the location of your house key. The trip is a difficult one. I will not be myself when I reach you" (p. 60).
   
   Miranda continues to receive notes like this--four in all--each as eerie and enigmatic as the first. The notes set her a mystery to unravel: Who is sending the notes? What kind of trip is the sender planning to take? Which of Miranda's friends will be saved? And from what? And what's with that crazy homeless guy on the corner that sleeps with his head under the mailbox? These questions, along with the rift between Miranda and Sal, drive the story forward.
   
   Many things make this book appealing. The first, of course, is the mystery: the reader is as intent on solving it as Miranda is. Stead gives the mystery depth beyond the mere content of the notes by lacing the book with the science fiction theme of time travel. The most obvious way this theme shows up is in conversations Miranda has with certain friends--in particular Marcus, a math and physics prodigy who thinks time travel is theoretically possible. However, time travel is also woven into the book via Miranda's attachment to L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, a book in which the protagonist, Meg, travels through time to save her family members. (Incidentally, Stead says in the acknowledgements that L'Engle's books captivated her as a child.)
   
   Despite the compelling mystery, though, When You Reach Me is most deeply about friendship. Specifically, the novel addresses the question of how to hold on to old friendships without stifling them, and it insightfully brings out the stabilizing effect that new friendships can have in the effort to preserve or reclaim old ones. Though I refrain from specifics here in order not to spoil the plot, the novel's narrative reflections on friendship are extremely thoughtful and resonant. This theme of friendship will speak deeply to tweens navigating the frequently tumultuous social world of middle school.
   
   The book is also just very clever. For example, as I already noted, Miranda's mother wants to win on The $20,000 Pyramid. The final part of the game show is called the "Winner's Circle", in which a set of objects is described to the contestant and she is required to say what category the objects belong to. For example, if the objects were "a tube of toothpaste, someone's hand" the contestant would say "things you squeeze" (p. 39). Stead cleverly titles most of the chapters in the book with categories like that, such as "Things You Keep in a Box," "Things That Go Missing," and "Things You Hide." And sure enough, Stead puts objects in each chapter that fit into these titular categories. After a while, it became a fun extra game to find what the "things that smell" or "things that kick" were in the chapter I was reading!
   
   In addition to these factors that give When You Reach Me subjective appeal, the book is developmentally valuable for young readers. In particular, the book communicates hopeful positive messages about some of life's most important themes. Indeed, it seems to be part of Stead's explicit purpose to lift, for a moment, the "veil" that generally hides from us "the world as it really is," in all its "beauty, and cruelty, and sadness, and love" (p. 71). In other words, part of Stead's aim is to inspire truthful but hopeful reflection on some of the things that matter most in life.
   
   Stead's elevation of the value of friendship is perhaps the most important and striking example of what makes this book good for tweens. Her focus on the deep importance of friendship is a welcome counter-weight to the catty, superficial social culture typical of middle school.
   
   The possibility of redemption is another developmentally valuable theme that Stead explores in the novel. For example, the book builds toward second chances for Miranda's mother--both vocationally, and relationally. Similarly, Miranda has a redemptive conversion in the way she views and treats her classmates Julia and Alice Evans. Whereas before she viewed Julia simply as a competitor for Annemarie's affection, and Alice as the weird kid who waited too long to go to the bathroom, toward the end of the book Miranda's veil is suddenly removed, revealing Julia as Annemarie's faithful friend, and Alice as an insecure outsider. This insight gives Miranda new compassion and kindness toward both of them.
   
   In sum, When You Reach Me is a fantastic book for children aged nine years and up. Not only does it engage interesting themes bundled into a compelling mystery, but it elevates friendship and redemption, and thereby encourages the right sort of values in tweens.



3. This book is the most sensitive book I have read in a long time. The writing is graceful, even poetic at times.
   
   This book deals gently with some difficult topics - class and race differences, safety in a city, a single parent in a relationship - without being an "issue" book. These many things swirl around main character Miranda's life just as they swirl around the lives of children.
   
   The book also deals with the loss of someone's friendship with a true depth of knowing. When reading this book, I was reminded of the profound sense of loss one feels as a young person coexisting in school with someone who used to be a friend.
   
   Yet with all its sensitivity, this book is an action packed, fantasy page turner. Even after I finished, I couldn't put it down - I had to go back and begin all over again.



4. this book really made me think. it reached out and really pulled me in. it was a touching story about friendship and also had a thought-provoking plot. i highly recomend when you reach me.



5. "When You Reach Me" is quite simply a beautifully written young adult novel. The plot focuses on the trials and tribulations of growing up, while keeping a realistic middle-school aged voice throughout. So often characters in kids books sound too adult, but this novel is written in a believably youthful voice. It's a quick read for anyone over the age of 14, but still entertaining even for adults (I'm in my mid-twenties and thoroughly enjoyed it).

5 comments about Sweet Little Lies: An L.A. Candy Novel.

1. This was a very quick and enjoyable read. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the book and picked it up and read through it very quickly. It is very light reading but fun as well. Now I have to wait for the next book.....



2. This second novel in the L.A. CANDY series starts off where the first one left off.
   
   Jane Roberts, star of the hit reality TV show L.A. Candy, finds herself in the middle of a national scandal after a tabloid prints some photos of her in a rather compromising position. Not knowing what to do or where to turn, Jane takes the advice of her castmate, Madison, and takes off to Cabo for some much needed peace and quiet with Madison by her side to comfort and console her.
   
   Jane can't run forever though, and she can't keep ignoring the persistent phone calls of her concerned friends, family, and crew members, either. Facing reality, Jane heads back to L.A. to make things right.
   
   After leaving without as much as a word to let anyone know where she went, everyone is pretty upset with Jane. Her roommate, Scarlett, can't believe that Jane took off with that two-faced master manipulator, Madison. Scarlett tries to explain to Jane that Madison is the one who leaked the photos...but Jane won't listen and this causes a rift in their long-time friendship.
   
   At this point, Jane doesn't know who she can trust anymore. To further complicate things, Jane's heartthrob boyfriend, Jesse, is willing to take her back after she publicly humiliated him by cheating on him with his best friend, Braden. Though Jane loves Jesse (or at least she thinks she does), she really can't deny her feelings for Braden. As Jane and Jesse's relationship becomes more and more turbulent - and abusive - Jane has to decide what she really wants.
   
   Does she really want the cameras altering her life to fit what works for the show? Or does she want her old life back, where she wasn't America's Sweetheart and she didn't have to do things just because the producer wanted her to?
   
   Showing that Hollywood life isn't always so glamorous, this novel really brings the series to another level. Though Jane is extremely naive about everything, it's still a suspenseful and intriguing page-turner. The only question is : Will Jane see the truth before it's too late? You'll have to read on to find out.
   
   Reviewed by: Angela S.



3. I really liked reading this book. It was hard for me to put down this book. Lauren is a great writer for her age, I can't wait until the next book comes out. There is drama, loses of friends and boyfriends, and new love. I could understand the characters in this book more than I could the first. You will remember this book like you remember your favorite episodes of The Hills. I just found out in the March issue of Seventeen with Lauren Conrad on the cover, that L.A. Candy is going to be made into a movie, isn't that great. Overall this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.



4. I read the 1st book, and purchased this one yesterday, due to being snowed in in NYC I was given a full day of relaxing at home. This book is a fun, light hearted read that makes the time fly by. I am in my mid-twenties, and enjoyed this book. The writing isn't complex, but you have to take the book for what it is. If you enjoy fiction, somewhat chick-lit, you will enjoy this book. It keeps you going, and I read the entire book in about 3 hours. Cute interesting story, touching on some subjects that most girls deal with.



5. Lauren Conrad did it again, she wrote an awesome book. I loved reading Sweet Little Lies. I bought this book on Monday and finished it today. It took me 2 days to read the book and I hated having to put it down. I feel that LC knows how to write a book full of suspense, mystery, and entertainment. It's so much fun to read a chpter of this book, finish that chapter and have the urge to continue to read more to find out what happens next. The characters in this book are relatable and realistic. I felt a bond with the characters, I felt happy when good things happened to them and I felt sad when the bad things happened. The way LC writes her books make the reader feel like Jane and Scarlet are our "real" friends. Great Book LC, Keep them coming!

No comments about Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Book 5).

5 comments about Tempted (House of Night Novels).

1. i love the series. i love it it was wicked good i wish burned was out and more books after burned. i recomed this book to lots of ppl.



2. I'm loving this series and could totally read the books cover to cover in one sitting. But there's work and sleep and such.



3. wow! this book made me cry and laugh and just plain angry! i could not believe erik after zoey broke up wth him! (stupid venus) and omigod!, stark is my prince charming(sorry zoey, ur awesome, but starks mine : D) and when darius asked aphrodite to be her warrior? that made me cry mi eyes out! i could not believe at the end when zoey dies! AND... how adorable is damien? overall, this book was IN-CRED-I-BLE! i already pre ordered burn! cannot wait!



4. There is five other books of this series, the House of Night. It is a romance, a
   mystery, and a thriller. I loved everyone of the books for the series. But this one
   is my definite favorite.
   
   
   This book is called Tempted by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast. Zoey Redbird
   used to be a typical seventeen year old girl, her parents didn't understand her,
   they didn't care what she wanted. Zoey got Chosen by Nyx, the leader of all of
   the House of Night's across the world. In this sixth book Zoey is tempted by
   Kalona, a fallen angel, and tested by Neferet, an evil mistress that used to be a
   follower of Nyx, but darkness took over. Zoey has fallen in love with Stark, Erik,
   and Heath. But Erik pulls a fast one on her and ruins everything. Or is it just that,
   that fixed it all?
   
   This book had me ripping through the pages. P.C. Cast is my
   most favorite author, and if you haven't read all of her House of the Night
   books, I highly recommend it.
   
   Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
   Flamingnet Book Reviews
   Teen books reviewed by teen reviewers



5. I think I have a new favorite in this series. I had no idea this book was going to go this direction. The authors dropped some of the horrible "teen talk" that has dominated this series. Plus, the boy issues took a back burner in this book. Zoey grew up in this book and it was such a breath of fresh from the drama that has encased the series so far. I like how Kalona has many faces. I'm not entirely sure which one is the real one. The ending of this book was so dramatic. I did not expect it and I actually had to re-read it to make sure I understood what had just happened!

5 comments about Hunted (House of Night, Book 5).

1. Hunted is the fifth book in the House of Night series, and I found it to have the best ending of the five books I have read so far. While the books are starting to gain some predictability the more I read them, such as where Zoey will get her next tattoo markings and how Zoey will cause good to triumph over evil, I still enjoy them for the typical teenage normalcy amongst mayhem and heroics. What makes Zoey Redbird such a great protagonist is her complete lack of arrogance and ego. Even when everyone around her as unfailing confidence in her ability to save the day, she still keeps a mental tally of all the mistakes she has made and dreads the future mistakes she knows are coming. The little tidbits of popular culture inserted into the text give the plot a realistic feel, as if it could be happening right now in an alternate universe, such as Zoey's recounting her reaction to the movie Titanic, which by the way is exactly how I reacted the first time I saw the movie.
   "It had driven me crazy since the first time I'd seen the movie (and bawled my eyes out - and I do mean one of those shoulder-heaving ugly snot cries). Stupid Rose says she'll never let him go, but then she does. And why couldn't she have scooted over and let Leo/Jack get on that floating board thing with her? There was plenty of room." - pg. 116
   It boggles me that the entire book takes place in the span of less than a week. The series seems to be well-suited to the fast-paced format of a movie, but I still wonder whatever happened to the 4-year format that was introduced into the first novel as the length of time it takes to complete the change and attend the House of Night.
   On the negative side, I am not so crazy about Zoey's multiple boyfriends. At this point, I don't care who she picks, as long as she picks one and sticks with it. Seems like every book she falls in love with a different guy, whether he's on the side of good or bad, and her destiny from Nyx has very little to do with her love life. Seems like Nyx could help her out a little more in this department, or she could ask the other mother figures in her life - her grandma or the nun - for some guidance. Here's hoping the next book resolves this very annoying issue.



2. Hunted is a fifth sequel in the House of Night series and it was a real pleasure to read. I cant wait to read the next one either. I think the sequel to Hunted is called Tempest...



3. My stomach clenched as I started to write a review for the fifth book of The House of Night series. Well, hell, with my brown pop beside me, I can do anything...Anyways.
   I don't think I've ever read a series with characters so obviously forced. Their personalities are augmented with speech instead of actions. The characters are painted with a two dimensional brush, with traits thrust on them awkwardly. Trying to make the characters quirky and endearing with repeated hag from hells, brown pops, and bizarre shared information. A couple hundred pages into a story line, and Zoey is what, only been a fledgling about two months? Going at this rate, it'll be about, oh, 200 books to get through her four years as a fledgling. Not only is it travelling at a snails pace, but now there's a relapse of the human imprint! Just when I think Zoey might be growing as a heroine with some good sense, she turns right around after pining for Eric (AGAIN), and imprints with Heath, now again, not so sure about Eric (..AGAIN). And oh wait, Stark's hot, too, so of course he loves Zoey, regardless of her two other boyfriends. Now there's a gorgeous enemy entering the picture, Kalona, and the hell with it all, he only wants her, too! It's all gratification in this book. Do whatever you want, no consequences (not cheating, or even death is final anymore, folks!). Everything can be fixed. Let's just cast a circle. The author is hell bent against homophobes, but puts the typical gay stereotypes all over her characters, and is crouched like a lion against all entering characters to make sure they're soo not homophobes. Give me a break, what bull poopie (right, Zoey?). I also felt the lack of authenticity in their attempt to let go of the Christian hating themes brought on by the four previous books. A nun friend, woohoo. Aphrodite is the only interesting character, she's basically what made me keep reading. I'm not even sure why. I'm sure the series would have been great, if authors with actual talent would have taken on the story. Maybe authors who didn't repeat everything so often I felt like I was reading a children's book, instead of a book meant for young adults.
   So I can't wait for book six to start on month three. Or maybe just the first week of the third month. Or well, maybe just the first two days, of the first week, of the third month. If we're lucky.



4. [close] It had potential but fell utterly flat. The series started out okay, with a flawed heroine that we felt would progress, and an interesting take on vampyrism. But as the series went on, the books got worse and worse, as you can see because after the third book, they no longer put critic's praise on the cover. Zoey our "heroine" became more and more self-absorbed and slutty. I don't see why she is so darn special, she isn't exactly a nice person. For one, she is kinda slutty, no matter how much she denies it. Having four love interests at the same time, and telling all of them that she loves them just isn't cool. She never learns and just makes the same mistakes over and over. And she brings up her attractions all the time, even when she is in peril. She would be lying there dying and still think "god, he is so hot, but don't tell my other boyfriends I said that". She brags about her powers, which I think are pretty underserved, and is completely shallow. She is immature, as are the other characters and are completely inappropriate. If there is a big bad vampyre coming after you don't you think you should be focused on that, instead of joking around and getting caught up in your own personal drama? Also, about 90 percent of the novel is dialogue, most of it not even relevant, just your average teen banter. The other 5 percent was reserved for Zoey fretting about her problems, without doing anything to solve them. The authors also tried waaayyy to hard to make this story relatable to the modern teen, by putting in so many pop-culture references (Zac Efron, I Am Legend, Project Runway, etc.) that it isn't in the least bit timeless, and will be out of date in the next ten years. The authors must have been held at gun point to put "brown pop" on every page, because I don't know any people in their right mind that would talk about that much otherwise. The time frame was small, probably a couple days, and I just wish it would get on with it. The plot went absolutely nowhere, just added more drama to Zoey's life without any resolution. The authors at this point are just trying to get money, and it is painfully obvious. They even went as far as to issue this one in hardcover, which in my opinion, isn't worthy of it. However, I did get caught up in it, and read it in a matter of a couple of hours, and have a new favorite (Stark). The original concept was good, but the authors got led astray. If you read the rest of the series, read it, but if you haven't started the series yet, don't invest your time in a series that isn't worth it.



5. The book came in great condition with no scratches or tears or anything and arrived in time for Christmas.

5 comments about Eleventh Grade Burns #4: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #4.

1. I just have to say that i love this series. In this book Vlad becomes even more mature and "of all he has been through he has been made a man" ;D I read this book in just a little over two hours.
   Thank you Heather Brewer



2. my best friend has been telling me these books are awesome, but i was never realy a reading person. but holy cow! i love these books!



3. Vlad Tod is finally a junior in high school, which should be a good thing for our favorite teen vampire, right? Unfortunately, he's got a lot on his plate right now: he's broken up with his girlfriend (so what if it's for her own good?), he's got a sort-of relationship with the girl from whom he's been drinking, his uncle is likely to be put on trial for killing another vampire, and oh, yeah, Joss, his former friend-who-is-really-a-vampire-slayer? He's back in town. Things aren't going so well.
   
   At the time when a lot of series start to either tire out or lose steam, Heather Brewer's Vlad Tod vampire series is definitely getting better and better. Vlad's a very conflicted young man, yet he's also a typical teen in many ways. When he watches Meredith, his former girlfriend, become interested in Joss, his heart shreds; when he kisses Snow (the goth girl from whom he's been drinking), he longs for her while knowing he still loves Meredith. And Vlad still thinks there is something good in Joss, even if it seems the slayer is determined to kill him...but it may just take the death of one or the other for Vlad to find out.
   
   Lots and lots of action fills Eleventh Grade Burns, and new vampires are introduced who bring Vlad more information about both his parents and his future as the fabled Pravus. Brewer gives this entry a very dark tone, but it suits the situations well. And that cliffhanger ending? Killer, just killer. This series is just getting better and I'm so glad to be along to see how it all plays out.



4. When I read the description of this book I thought that it would be boring, and that it would be the worst in the series SO WRONG! This book was the -best- in my view, it didn't lead up to events totally randomly, and it makes you want to read more and more.
   
   
   AND THE ENDING, I want to know what happens in the next book so badly!
   
   
   Such a good ending.



5. Loving Eleventh Grade Burns. Just started it last night and I'm hooked. It's great to see Vlad getting older and face the teen challenges along with his vampire issues. Love what's happening with his folks house and Nellie. It's all good so far. Can't wait to finish the book and then wonder about senior year for Vlad.