Night School by C.J. Daugherty - exciting and brings something new to the ya-genre!

                           
            My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Night School

Norwegian Title: -

Written by: C.J Daugherty

Genre: Conspiracy

Written for: Young Adult

Pages: 454
Publisher: Atom

Published: 2012

Published in Norway: -

My copy: 2012 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: - 
I read it: February 27 - March 10, 2012
Source: Gift (Thank you Mari for sending it to me!)

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You can't trust anyone...


After a messy year, the teenage girl Allie is sent to a school she's never heard about. It's the punishment after being arrested three times in a year. She has disapointed her parents too many times. She and her parents has slipped away from each other since her brother suddenly disapeared and her parents is tired of her childish behavior. They only want to do what's best for her and get her back on track. That's why Allie is sent off to a school outside of London. They want her away from bad friends and give her some space to think about her life and the future. Get new friends and do it a lot better at school. But only after a few weeks she feels there's something odd about the school. Strange things happends and her fellow students and teachers is hiding something from her. But what and how will she find out about it without getting into more trouble?

I first heard about the book from a Norwegian book blog and I really wanted to read the book. It sounded very exciting! And since I was having a cold at that time, Mari who owns that blog was nice to send me a copy.  (Thank you so much!) And I couldn't wait to read it.

I had high hopes for this book and luckily I was very pleased about it when I got into the story. And I got into it really fast. I loved the mystery, I loved Allie and her new friends. I wanted to know more about the mysterious school. Many times it felt like I was there with them, trying to solve everything and hoping I wouldn't get caught. I was struggling to put down the book!

It wasn't only the excitement that made me fall in love with the story but without saying too much, Night School gives the typical ya-genre something new. And I truly appreciate it. It's something refreshing about this book. The concept is a bit different and I like it! I'm not sure if Night School is a part of a series or not. I couldn't find out. It doesn't say anything about it on goodreads. I do like stand alone books but this time I would really love a follow up! I want to know more! I'm not ready to leave the concept or the characters yet. Finally a ya book with fresh air!

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Book Trailer
 

Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake - awesome title and cover but I was expecting more!

       My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (5/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Anna dressed in blood

Norwegian Title: -

Written by: Kendare Blake

Genre: Paranormal, Horror

Written for: Young Adult

Pages: 316
Publisher: Don't remember

Published: 2011

Published in Norway: No Norwegian edition

My copy: 2011 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: - 
I read it: November 30. - December 31, 2011
Source: Gift (Thanks Penelope for sending it to me!:)

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 Not all horrorbooks are frightening...

Cas is no ordinary guy. Still he is trying to live a normal life like everyone else even though he is carrying a big secret. He is a ghost killer (or whatever I should call him... His call in life is to kill violent ghosts. But that's easier said than done.


His biggest assignment yet is Anna. He and his mother moves to a new place. The town is known for the urban legend called Anna. About a girl who got murdered in a brutal way several years ago. According to the urban legend she is attached to an empty house and kills everyone who enters it. Cas wants to find a way to get rid of her - but how?

I was lucky to get this book in the mail by Penelope who I got in contact with on twitter. Thank you so much for the gift! It was very nice of you. I really wanted to read this book 'cause I'm a huge horrorfan. I love urban legends and ghost stories. That's why I really, really wanted to read it. And I had heard many promising stuff about this book and I got really high hopes before I started reading it. I was hoping it would give me a lot of scary moments. And the title and cover really made me curious as well!

But unfortunately the book didn't really get to me. I've read a lot of good young adult books lately. And with the thought of this was a horror book I was expecting a lot more. The attention and the scary stuff wasn't really there At least not all through the way. Which was to me a little dissapointing. Of course it had a few good and scary moments but it just didn't captivate me.

What I really liked about this book is that the main character was a guy instead of a girl. It was refreshing. And I really liked the ghost, Anna. She was kind of creepy and I sort of liked some of the atmosphere in the book. But still there was a lot of things I missed. I missed a lot more action and the intense creepy feelings. But all in all it was an okay book to read in boring moments - but I'm afraid it's a book that's easy to forget.

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Booktrailer

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Abby, My Love by Hadley Irwin - a book about a hurtful and difficult subject

 
 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Abby, My Love

Norwegian Title: Abby, min elskede

Written by: Hadley Irwin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 157
Publisher: Margaret K Mcelderry Books

Published: 1985

Published in Norway: 1990

My copy: 1996 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: Aschehoug

I read it: September 29
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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(Goodreads)

In love since junior high, Chip and Abby finally share Abby's secret: her father is sexually abusing her.

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A book everyone should read.

Chip is a young guy who lives with his mom and he has crush on Abby who goes at the same school as him. To get to know Abby isn't the easiest thing in the world. She is smart but very modest. He only gets contact with her through her very outgoing little sister. But after a while Chip finally gets to know Abby a bit and they hang out time to time. They understand each other and join each other's company. But Abby is having a terrible dark secret. And how is her best friend Chip gonna handle it if he finds out about it?

I had completely forgotten about the book when I this summer went through the books that I have had since I was kid and in my youth. I have a room where I save all kinds of stuff, mostly books that I have been saving all my life. (I don't have the heart to throw them away). I was a member in many different book clubs over the years. That's one of the reasons I have a lot of books. And when I was cleaning those shelves I discovered this book and wanted to read it. I also discovered other books that I never had the chance to read but that I am gonna read now. So, I'm glad I went through the collection.

This is a young adult book that brings up a serious and sad subject. Unfortunately there are kids out there who is abused by someone they know really well. What they go through is something I don't want to know about. That's why it's important to write about subjects like this to wake us up and let us know that there is actually terrible things happening in this world. Gruesome stuff happens and what is worse than gruesome stuff happening in your own home where it's suppose to be safe? Can anyone let someone close again after going through such an awful thing? Who can you trust? It's just some of a lot of questions as a reader asks while reading such a book. And I got even more grateful for having a safe and good childhood myself. 'Cause everyone doesn't get the ability to have that.

Abby, My Love is an important and hurtful book that gives a lot of impression. The book is warm and sad. And it gives a different perspective about how important safety really is.

Highlights: The book brings up a subject that no one wants to talk about.

Downhill: I wish the book was thicker 'cause I liked Chip and Abby a lot.

It had to be you by Stephanie Doyon - fun and charming "feel-good" read

 

  My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: It had to be you

Norwegian Title: Den eneste rette

Written by: Stephanie Doyon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 151
Publisher: Bantam Books for Young Readers

Published: June 1, 1996

Published in Norway: Not sure when it was published here for the first time

My copy: 1999 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: Stabenfeldt AS

I read it: September 28 - September 29, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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(Goodreads)

Rebecca Lowe's in love. The only problem is, she's never even met the guy--or has she? After weeks of exchanging love letters by computer, Rebecca's finally going to have a face-to-face date with her cybercrush at the homecoming dance. But when she sees Jordan West--a boy that bugs Rebecca like none other--she doesn't know what to do.

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Can you believe in real love?

Rebecca is a leader of a school band. She dreams about playing at cool places with her band to promote them and get noticed. But how are they gonna do it? Even though her best friend, Leslie, isn't a member of the band they hang out almost all the time. They are both curious about the Internet and mail thing 'cause this book takes place when that stuff was kind of new. They only have access to Internet at school but they finally get to use the Internet for real when Leslie's mom gets a computer with Internet access. Now they can chat and stuff with people from all over the world.

But before using the computer that belongs to Leslie's mom. Rebecca and Leslie has been playing with the Internet at school. There they have posted anonymous stuff that only people at their school can see. For fun, they both have anonymously been posting each others "seeking for love" notes. Will anyone answer them back with mail and if they do, who would that be?

Rebecca receives a mail from Carlos sometime later. Who is he and is he only playing a game with her? Or is he interested in her for real and why?

After writing mail to each other they talk about meeting at the prom to reveal each other. Somehow Rebecca is pretty sure that it's the new student from Spain, Antonio, who hides behind the name, Carlos, but can she be really sure? She has to wait and find it out at the prom.

This book has been standing on my shelf in many years. I got it through a book club I was joining when I was younger but I never read it 'cause I didn't like these sorts of books when I was younger. I was more of a horror and crime novel fan (which I still am). But lately through the years I've been better with trying to read from different genres.

I'm not a fan of "feel-good" books but it's okay to read them sometimes. This was actually a fun and warm read. I loved almost all the characters and I loved Rebecca's sarcastic humour. Her best friend, Leslie is warm and a bit too naive. Jordan is charming. I like the dialog between him and Rebecca. Esp when they are disagree with each other when it comes to the band. More person's are worth to mention but then I will never get done so I chose not to mention them.

It had to be you had many highlights. I got to know the characters a lot and I liked the way they developed. The story is fun and exciting. And there were many lines that made me smile and giggle. It was an easy and nice read. A cozy book. And it was fun and interesting to read a book that took place when Internet,mail and chatting was very new. A lot has changed since then.

The only thing that makes me wonder is the Norwegian cover. It doesn't feel right for the story. First of all the main characters in the book doesn't look like that and that since it doesn't have anything to do with the book at all. The image is too corny and doesn't say anything about the book at all. I can spoil by saying that scene isn't even in the story.

Highlights: Sarcastic lines between Rebecca and Jordan.

Downhill: The cover. It's embarrassing and like I said, it doesn't have anything to do with the book at all.

Die for me by Amy Plum - refreshing!

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Die for me (Revenants #1)

Norwegian Title: Våk over meg

Written by: Amy Plum

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 344
Publisher: Atom

Published: May 10, 2011

Published in Norway: September 23, 2011 (I think...)

My copy: 2011 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Cappelen Damm

I read it: Septemer 18 - September 23, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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Back of the Book

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister Georgia and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with our grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix  appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies … immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I’m fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart – as well as my life and my family’s – in jeopardy for a chance at love?

A stunning novel of life, death and the lengths we go to for love.

 

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Grief is hard to handle ...

The sisters Kate and Georgia movies from USA to France to live with their grandparents after losing their parents in a horrible car accident. The grandparents lives in Paris, known as the most romantic place on earth but that doesn't make Kate feel any better. She is in heavy grief and spends the days in the bedroom while Georgia escapes her own grief by going out to party with friends. After a lot of nagging by Georgia and her grandparents to leave the house a few hours a day to try to make her life go back to "normal". Eventually Kate goes out of the house a few hours each day to spend the time at a cafe to sit alone and read a book. At least she is out of the house. That's when she discovers a few guys. She is especially curious about one of them. And she feels that he got an eye on her as well, but she's not sure. She thinks he is hot and mysterious. But who is he?

It's been a lot of hype about this book in the book blog world. Many of them has been writing about how fantastic this book is. It makes me curious and sceptical at the same start. I got the book in the beginning of June but I've been waiting to read it. 'Cause I almost didn't dare to open a book that has a gorgeous cover and a book that already gotten so many positive reviews. So I just had it on my shelf and I was just looking at it from time to time before it was time to read it. I was scared to open the book 'cause I was nervous about having too high hopes. So, after a lot of hesitation I finally managed to open the book and start reading it. Before I knew it I had read many pages, about halfway through and the pages kept just flying away. I was really enjoying the book 'cause it had suspense, action and romance. The book has a little bit of everything. And even though I was very sceptical about that the setting is in Paris (the most romantic place in the world) and I was afraid that that would make it a little too typical, but I must admit that I got pleasantly surprised that I didn't experienced the story or the setting as typical at all, even though it all took place in Paris. The book is like fresh air in the paranormal romance-genre. It's not about vampires, werewolves, zombies or other creatures we've been reading about lately. This is about creatures I haven't read about before and I like it. It's something new. But I don't want to say too much about what they are 'cause I don't want to spoil anything.

This is a short review of Die for me. The reason is I'm terrified to spoil too much. You just have to read the book yourself. This is not typical paranormal romance that we are used to read. It has something new and exciting which made me very happy. To us who read a lot of fantasy probably is getting tired of the same things from that genre. But this book is luckily a little different. It stands out in a way and I'm glad to see that. It's still about a girl who falls for this mysterious guy type of thing but there are other things in the story that is refreshing. I'm glad to see that 'cause there are a lot of fantasy books out there that are a little too similar. So, I'm glad I finally have read this Die for me and that it has given the genre some fresh air. And I really want to read the next book in the series. And to be honest I haven't understood this team thing. I've never been a part of a team but right now I surprise myself by saying: TEAM VINCENT!

Die for me is for you who likes fantasy and that wants to read something new in this genre instead of listening/reading to the same song over and over again!

Highlights: Finally new and different creatures.

Downhill: I wish the book had more pages and there's so much more I want to know. Can't wait for the next book!

Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4) - dark secrets continues ...

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4)

Norwegian Title: Utrolig

Written by: Sara Shepard

Genre: mystery, suspense

Written for: YA

Pages: 335
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: 2008

Published in Norway: 2010

My copy: 2008 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Gyldendal

I read it: July 31 - August 10, 2011
Source: Bought

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Back of the Book

FOUR PRETTY LITTLE
LIARS’ CHARMED LIVES HAVE TURNED INTO
LIVING NIGHTMARES

Emily’s been shipped off to Iowa to live with her überconservative cousins. Aria’s boyfriend is behind bars – because of her. Spencer’s afraid she was involved in Ali’s murder. But Hanna’s fate is far worse: She’s clinging to life in the hospital because she knew too much.
If these girls don’t start listening to me, Hanna’s going to look like the lucky one.

       - A

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Friends comes and goes ...

The girls Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hanna is still being tortured by the mysterious A who gives them the messages and makes sure that they remember that person keeps an eye on them ALL THE TIME! Despite from before the girls are trying to keep more together and try to find out who is behind all this. It can be anyone" And when one of the girls ends up in the hospital, they wonder if they should go to the police or not. They are afraid that A will be up to something worse.

As you probably understand, there's now more action and secrets that both get revealed and hidden. A is getting more drastic when that person finds out that one of those girls knows thinks she knows who A is. Then both big and small secrets comes out. And there were some secrets and stuff I got right about (which made me happy!).

In book number four there is A LOT going on. Emily's parents is trying to accept who she really is. They try to accept her and support her - something they really wasn't doing earlier. And Aria is having a hard time to accept that her dad has found someone else. She doesn't want him to leave her mom. She just want the whole family to stay together - which is easier said than done. Spencer feels guilty for something she has done and now that her parents are really proud of her, she is terrified to tell the whole truth. She just want them to be proud of her. And will Hanna survive after the horrible accident she got involved in?

Unbelievable was exciting even though I spent many days to get through it. I didn't spend days reading this book 'cause it was boring but last week I wasn't really in reading mood and took a little break from books which rarely happens! But now I'm back into reading again!

In Unbelievable I think there was a lot of things going on, especially during the end I got a little worried about what is going to happen in the four next books? But anyway, I look forward to continue this series. I've read all the four books that I have in my PLL collection and I have to get the another four as well, of course! I just don't know when but hopefully soon. I have to know how this series will end and I really look forward to continue these books even though book number four got a little "low" score.

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Perfect (Pretty Little Liars #3) by Sara Shepard - Secrets are fun!

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (7/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Perfect (Pretty Little Liars #3)

Norwegian Title: Perfekt

Written by: Sara Shepard

Genre: mystery, suspense

Written for: YA

Pages: 298
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: 2007

Published in Norway: 2010

My copy: 2008 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Gyldendal

I read it: July 24 - July 31, 2011
Source: Bought

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 Back of the Book

IN ROSEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA,

FOUR PERFECT – LOOKING

GIRLS AREN’T NEARLY AS PERFECT AS THEY SEEM.



Aria can’t resist her forbidden ex.

Hanna is on the verge of losing her BFF. Emily is freaking out over a simple kiss. And Spencer can’t keep her hands off anything that belongs to her sister.

Lucky me. I know these pretty little liars better than they know themselves. But it’s hard keeping all of the their secrets to myself. They better do as I say … or else!

- A

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Secrets will be revealed sooner or later ....

The girls gets more and more confused by the messages from the anonymous person signed A. The cryptic messages comes more often and now it seems it's more threats behind them than before. It feels like each of the girls gets trapped in a spiderweb and doesn't have a chance to get away. A can be anyone and anywhere. And when A begins to get really cruel by sending text messages to other peoples about them as well things gets easily out of control. What has Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hanna has to do to make an end of it all? And these days they also hear a rumour about there is a stalker in Rosewood. Is it the same person who sends them the mysterious messages or is it someone else?

After each book I notice that my shoulders is getting closer and closer up to my ears. For some reason I get very nervous and just expect the worst thing to happen. I can't help it but to feel sorry for these girls who gets creepy and cruel messages from mysterious A and sometimes their problems turns kind of wash over me. Sometimes I have to look over my shoulders to make sure of that no one observes me. If someone do that, I must apologize to that person. If someone spies on me the audience will get very bored 'cause my life is far from exciting. The person won't miss a thing. And I must admit when I sometimes get a text message on my phone I assume it to be from A even though I'm just fooling myself. But that's what the books do. They give you uneasy feelings. I can't help but to wonder: What would I do if I were one of the girls to get out of the mess?

Perfect is the third book in the series and the excitement is still holding up! The first book was kind of a boring start in a way but the books just gets better and better. Other reviewers of the books thought the ending of this book was pretty shocking. I didn't think it was cause I saw it coming and I was pleased that some of my suspicious has been right. And even though I didn't get shocked I was really looking forward to read the next book. I'm already halfway and I have a feeling that I must get the other four books as well! I'm curious about how it all will end!

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Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - a good start of a witty and mysterious book series!

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Pretty little liars

Norwegian Title: Små, søte løgnere

Written by: Sara Shepard

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Written for: YA

Pages: 286
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: 2006

Published in Norway: 2009

My copy: 2007, I think ... (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Gyldendal

I read it: July 12 - July 18, 2011
Source: From my own personal "library"

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 Back of the book

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING
TO HIDE – ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL JUNIORS SPENCER, ARIA, EMILY AND HANNA.

Spencer covets her sister’s boyfriend. Aria fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily’s crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.
But they’ve all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they’ve kept. And guess what? I’m telling.

- A

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Are you telling me that you have nothing to hide? Well ... I don't believe you. I'm sure you have something, doing something or know something you don't want to share with anyone. But what?

There are many different lies. There are big, small, innocent and white lies. Why do we lie? 'Cause sometimes it's necessary. It's easy to lie to to get away from trouble or to protect someone from being hurt. Most of us has probably told some lies during life. It's not very nice but it's a very human thing to do.

The five girls; Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Alison is very good friends until something happens. Together they share a secret that will change each of their lives forever, and their lives turns dramatically upside down in just a few seconds when one of them, Alison, suddenly vanish. The vanishing is big news on TV and news papers. And the rest of the friends automatically split up and keep away from each other. Too much has changes and they also have their own personal secrets to take care of that must not come in spotlight. So, instead they move on with their own lives.

The only thing they get in common is messages on their cells and PCs which makes each one of them feel uneasy. The messages makes the girls feel observed by someone who always ends the messages with -A. The messages is not long, but enough to make them feel uneasy and sure of that someone is watching them all the time. But who is this A person? Is it really Alison who is supposed to be vanished but has faked her own disappearance just to scare her friends a bit or is it someone else behind? If so ... why?

I've been wanting to read this series for a very long time. For me, the television show has been more known than the books and after watching the first two episodes I decided to read the books instead and see the series on DVD later. Maybe have a Pretty Little Liars marathon. But what I saw of the series was really good and I had high hopes for the books. 'Cause the mysterious messages the girls get and the concept was something I really liked a lot. By reading the books I also got to know the characters more and my fave so far is Spencer. She's a clever girl who does it well at school and she knows what she wants and admits her own weakness. My least favorite is Hanna. I feel she gets too anonymous and she isn't not that interesting either. Maybe I'll like her more when I get to know her better? Who knows? We'll see ...

Pretty Little Liars didn't give me the really wow feeling I was hoping for. The beginning was a little slow and it took a little time before things started to happen. But from the middle of the book and towards the end, the pages were just flying away! And even though I knew how it would end I didn't get disappointed. It was a sort of an ending that was right for the book. It's witty and I really wanted to know what would happen next! I was nodding happily at the end and grinning satisfied. It just had to end that way and even though the ending wasn't that surprising, it was enough excitement to make me curious about the next book!

Desperate Housewives fans and readers who likes a good mystery will appreciate Pretty Little Liars. It's a lot of intrigues and uneasy situations along the way. And even though I got a little disappointed of the bit slow paced start in the first book, I'm still very curious about the next one and how the rest of the series will be like!

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A review of a Norwegian fantasybook. I decide not to change the title in English since there are no English copies and I have no clue how to change the title

Original Title: Gravbøygen våkner

English Title: this book does not exist in English

Written by: Sigbjørn Mostue

Genre: Fantasy

Written For: Children/YA

Pages: 279
Publisher: Cappelendamm

Published: 2005

My Copy: 2006 (Paperback)

I read it: May 17 - May 20, 2011

Source: From my own personal "library"

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

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Another school year is over for a boy named Espen and the summer vacation has started. His mother brings him to his grandparents farm. They're gonna stay there the whole summer. His mom is worried about his gonna be bored to death at the farm. And he hasn't invited a single friend to come along. She's worried that her son doesn't have a single friend or lost his friends 'cause he spends too much time playing video games. That's why she invites Eva and her parents to stay at the farm for a while. Eva and Espen goes at the same school and his mom hates the thought of seeing her son spending the summer alone 'cause there's not much fun stuff to do at the farm either. So she thinks that Espen and Eva will become good friends.

Espen and his grandfather are good friends. They can talk about anything and everything. His grandfather is particular obsessed with the woods nearby the far. And over the years, especially lately he has changed. His family thinks that Espens grandfather is slowly changing. He isn't himself anymore and they think that he is getting sick (crazy, or call it whatever you like). Cause Espens grandfather gets angry every time Espens Uncle Svein, talks about chopping down the wood. But the grandfather doesn't want that to happen since the woods means so much to him. He doesn't want the woods to be gone and starts talking about things in the woods that makes his whole family worried.

But his grandson, Espen, is the only one who believes him and one day when Espen is taking a walk in the woods, a sudden lightening happens and he discovers a key. From the moment he takes the key, he understands what his grandfather has been talking about. In the woods, Espen meets talking little santas, talking animals, elves and a lot more. But since the woods is gonna be cut down, the elves are and other creatures in the woods, afraid that they will be in great danger and they give Espen the role to save them and the woods. If not, a scary and evil creature will wake up kill everyone in the woods, especially the elves which is the evil creature's worst enemy. Espen is the elves only hope and a little Santa named Nils will help Espen along the way. Will an ordinary boy who loves playing video games save the woods and the good creatures who lives there?

Fantasy is a genre I haven't read a lot of (but I do want to read more of). I've been reading a bit American urban fantasy (but not as much as I want to but I will do something about it, of course!), but this book by a Sigbjørn Mostue must be my first Norwegian fantasy book. It was a fun experience even though the book wasn't that original as I was hoping for. And not that exciting but still I think it was a fun read of the first book in a Norwegian trilogy in the fantasy genre. And it was also fun to read about typical Norwegian creatures that lives in the Norwegian woods (if you believe in fairy tales then...) I mean, who knows for sure what's really is in the woods, no matter which country.

This book is probably really exciting for those who are younger than me, maybe for the young readers between 10 - 14 years and who's trying to find they're favorite genre.

I think it was more of a cosy book than scary for us who is older. But I'm still curious to know what's gonna happen in the other two books and I'm sure I'll get them someday in the future. But all in all it was a fun and cosy book to read and I loved that the setting took place in the Norwegian nature.

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Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman - interesting consept I want more of!

Original Title: Skeleton Creek
Norwegian Title: Skeleton Creek
Written by: Patrick Carman
Genre: mystery
Written for: YA
Pages: 235
Published: 2009
Published in Norway: 2010 (Hardcover)
My Copy: 2010 (Hardcover)
Publisher: Cappelen Damm (Norwegian Publisher)
I read it: Oct 15Th - Oct 20th 2010

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

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Ryan is staying in bed after an accident. His leg is broken and he needs to rest to make it heal again. The accident happened when he and Sarah were investigating something in the woods. They were investigating a mining dredge. The mining dredge got closed a long time ago and it's too dangerous to play around there 'cause it can collapse anytime. It's simply not safe to be there. But there is something about that dangerous place that makes Ryan and Sarah very curious. They are almost certain that some people from their home place Skeleton Creek knows but doesn't want to talk about it. They're keeping something from them and try to make them stay away from the mining dredge for a reason but why? Is it only because it's not a safe place to be or are they hiding something from them?
After Ryan's accident in the mining dredge where he broke his leg, his parents is begging him to stay away from Sarah, 'cause they think she only leads him in trouble. She's not a good friend who always leads Ryan into the one trouble after the other. But how can Ryan stay away from her? They are best friends. But his parents won't allow him to see or meet her again.

But to solve the mysterious case about the mining dredge, Ryan and Sarah has to stay in touch somehow without his parents to know. To stay in touch they send each other mails and videos on their computers. It's the only way they can communicate since Ryan can't go anywhere with his broken leg. He can't just sneak out. But will they solve the mystery about the place in the woods before they get caught?


I've always loved reading and mystery is a genre which has been close to my heart since I was just a kid. I loved books that involved detectives and I read Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Bobbsey Twins and similar detective books for kids. Later on as I got older, I started reading Agatha Christie and other similar writers. I've always loved detective novels. It's something I don't get tired of. It's just fascinating to guess and try to find out what's really going on who's the guilty ones before we get to know it and find out if I've guess right or not. It's fun!
Skeleton Creek is not one of these bloody detective novels, but very exciting anyway. Even though this is a book for young adult, I think it was exciting for my age as well. I had never heard of this book before I went in a book store and just looking at some book titles and not sure what to get. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for. Just hoping to find something interesting and Skeleton Creek grabbed my attention 'cause I love the title. It sounded scary and interesting at the same time. The concept too.
The book cover was just as interesting as the title. It sounded interesting with the combination of reading the book and watch videos on the net. I've never tried this concept before and I really liked it. You read a few pages, and there's a drawing with a link and a password you have to type in on sarahfinch.com. There you'll get some clues or get to know what Sarah is showing us things she has taped. And it will help us to maybe solve some of the mysteries. I think it was a lot of fun 'cause it makes you feel like you are the main character Ryan. Ryan who is getting these passwords and watching the videos of his friends. And together you guys are trying to find out what's really going on in Skeleton Creek. I was always looking forward to get a new password and watch the videos. And I love the website sarahfinch.com where we're suppose to write in the password. Cause the design reminds me of the great computer games from the 90s. The same kind of atmosphere.

Even though the story itself is not that original and sometimes could guess what was going to happen next I enjoyed this book a lot. I think this kind of concept will make more young adults read more or even get them into reading. 'Cause this book makes you feel like you are in the mystery. Skeleton Creek is a must read if you're into mystery and detective novels! I'm relieved to know that there will be more books from Skeleton Creek and I'm currently enjoying the second book: Ghost in the machine!









Skeleton Creek (Book trailer)

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