Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Released: October 1st 1998 (first released June 30th 1997)
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Series: Harry Potter, Book One
Page Amount: 309, US Paperback Edition

"Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying in a broomstick. He's never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and the abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in a eleven years.


But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger; a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter. "
-Information from the blurb on the back of the book.

My Thoughts:
I first came across this series when it came out. I was hooked into like everyone else. I haven't read it in years and decided to re-read it. I'm so glad I did I rediscovered my love of this world. I long for a school like Hogwarts. I would love to be a witch.

For those' s that haven't picked up this series I recommend you do so. Yes the books get bigger in the series but it will be worth the reading. I am in love with this world again. I rediscovered events in the novel I forget about.

5/5 stars, LOVE IT!!!! I want to go to Hogwarts, like seriously the 11 year old in me is mad I never got my letter!!
Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley

The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels 
Released: August 13th 2010
Published by: Bokheim Publishing
Series:  Sense Of Truth, Book One
Page Amount: 246 (US Hardcover Edition)



"HATRED NEVER DIES...
Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted. She is about to finish college, has a fiance that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie. But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital.p
 
Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David. Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again. Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey.
For revenge, fifty years is never too long..."
-Information from Goodreads.com



My Thoughts
All I can say is WOW!! I've never in my life been afraid of grandfather clocks in my life than before reading this novel.  Emma Michaels The Thirteenth Chime will have you scared out of your mind. You won't be able to resist finding out more about the story but at the same time wishing the clock just go away. 

With an old mystery sounding not only the clock itself but the house its held in. I believe this novel would be a great horror read for on Halloween. Filled with suspense from beginning to end. You will be left begging for more. 


5/5 stars!!! 


Hope you enjoyed this review, Ashley

4 Book Reviews and Update On What I'm Reading

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 THE HUNGER GAMES NEWS!!

 Attention all The Hunger Games fans, the movie released date as been site its March 23,2012. So excited are all of you? Let me know in the comments. 

Happy Reading, Ashley 

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
Released: April 27th 2010
Published by: Balzar and Bray
Page Amount: 400 (US Hardcover Edition)

"Before Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?

The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. And then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture. Sebastian is a bad boy-older, intriguing, and unpredictable. Carrie falls into the relationship that she was always supposed to have in high school-until a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With her high school days coming to a close, Carrie will realize it's finally time to go after everything she ever wanted.

Rabid fans of Sex and the City will love seeing Carrie Bradshaw evolve from a regular girl into a sharp, insightful writer. They'll learn about her family background -- how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. We'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where the next Carrie Diaries book will take place"
-Information from Goodreads.com .

My Thoughts:
In The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, We learn about Carrie's past, how her high school experience was, and how her writing career began. I can honestly say I loved this book. Some may find Carrie to be whinny and insecure however for me she was trying to figure out who to become. She involves into the Carrie we all know and love. 

In her high school years she had to deal with popular girl cliques, having her boyfriend stolen from her best friend. Her love for fashion was started at a young age. 


In the end Carrie gets to New York City and we meet a familiar face. 


5/5 stars!!  If you're a fan of Sex and The City you have to read this. I don't recommend this for 17 years and under. 


Hope you enjoyed this review, Ashley

The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
Released: June 5th 2010
Published by: Little Brown For Young Readers
Series:  Twilight, Book 3.5
Page Amount:  178 (US Hardcover Edition)


"Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits.

In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.


Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire.

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself and, above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as "her". As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?"
-Information from Goodreads.com 

My Thoughts:
I really loved The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner by Stepehenie Meyer. I thought Bree was a strong character. I felt myself wishing she had a different ending than what happened in book. I also thought it was great learning more about the newborns and how they were acting before the battle with the Cullen's. 


Wish she would have been spared, I truly think the Cullen's could have made her live their way of life. Just proves even the most innocent are killed because of the actions of others. 

I recommend picking this up if you're a fan of the series! 5/5 stars!!! and its only 178 pages a light read!!

Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley  

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
Released:  February 1st 2011 (first released January 7th 2011)
Published by: St. Martin's Griffin
Series: Demon Trapper's, Book One
Page Amount:  340 (USA Paperback Edition)


"Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps.  The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood.  And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?"
-Information from Goodreads.com
My Thoughts:
Before I begin my review I wanted to say I won this book from First Reads on Goodreads back in December 2010. I also was reading other books in between reading this novel. It took me 2 months to finish it.

Once I got into the story though I fall in love with the characters. I found Riley to be a strong character. She sure she had her weak moments we all do. She was strong even when her whole world was falling apart.
I loved learning about the Demon Trapper's world. And even all the demon's names. I will be continuing on with this series. There is a prequel to this called Retro Demonology. Check that out before reading The Demon Trapper's Daughter.


All in all I found this to be an awesome read not 5 star worthy just because of how long it took for me to read it. But it is still worth checking out.

4/5 stars!

Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley 

Awakened by P.C.Cast and Kristin Cast

Awakened by P.C. Cast and Kristin  Cast
Released: January 4th 2011
Published by: St. Martin's Griffin
Serie: A House Of Night Novel, Book Eight
Page Amount: 290 (USA Hardback Edition)



"My love, speak to me.  Tell me everything.”  Neferet went to Kalona, kneeling before him, stroking the soft, dark wings that unfurled loosely around the immortal.
“What would you have me say?”  He didn’t meet her eyes. 
 “Zoey lives.” Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.
“She does.”
“Then you owe me the subservience of your immortal soul.”  She started to walk away from him.
“Where are you going?  What will happen next?”
 “It is quite simple.  I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma.  There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.”
Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey.  Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z.  But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there.  Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it?  Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…
And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim?  The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship?  Does he betray his father or his heart?
In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?"
-Information from Goodreads.com. 


Overall Thoughts: 
For me the House Of Night Series just gets better and better with each installment. Awakened did not disappoint me at all. It picked up where Burned left off. And has me very impatiently waiting for Destined to be out, lucky for us it'll be out in November 2011. I will be definitely picking it up.


If you love this series you should go to the bookstore and get this novel NOW!!!

I gave it a  5/5 stars!! Loved it and cannot wait for Destined to be out.

Hope you enjoyed my review, Ashley

Witch Child by Celia Rees

Witch Child by Celia Rees
Released: April 1st 2002 (first released 2000)
Published by: Candlewick
Series: Witch Child Book One
Page Amount: 304 (USA Hardback edition)


"Mary's grandmother is executed for witchcraft, and Mary is forced to leave her home to avoid the same fate. At first she flees to the English countryside, but when the atmosphere of superstition and suspicion becomes all consuming she leaves on a boat for America in the hope that she can start over and forget her past. But during the journey, she realizes that the past is not so easy to escape."
-Information from Goodreads.com.

My Overall Thoughts:
I really loved Witch Child by Celia Rees. Which is a journal by Mary a young girl living in the 1600's. During the era of fearing of witchcraft. She witnesses the death of her beloved grandmother who is thought to have practiced witchcraft. Her mother comes and as her sent to America. Where Mary thought the past would be in left in England. Sadly however it fold her to America. 

When reading this I felt I was Mary. I loved it. You should check this out. I will be checking out more books from this author. I'll be trying to get the second novel which is called Sorceress. 

Hope you enjoyed my review, 

Ashley!