Random Acts of Kindness December

Random Acts of Kindness is the monthly event hosted by Book Soulmates. And here the rules from Book Soulmate's blog :

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the sidebar).
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

You can check my wish list here 

Review : Little Women (Little Women #1) by Louisa May Alcott

Author : Louisa May Alcott
Category : Classic
Format : Paperback (392 pages)
Publisher : Bukuné (February 2011)
Language : Indonesian
ISB- 10 : 6028066877
ISB- 13 : 978-6028066877

Book Description :
Perang mengambil kenyamanan hidup dan mengubah kehidupan banyak orang selama-lamanya-termasuk keluarga March.

Tidak mudah bagi keempat putri di keluarga itu menjalani kehidupan remaja mereka di tengah perang. Meg, yang cukup lama mengecap kehidupan mewah layaknya seorang lady, dengan berat hati harus menekan habis-habisan harga dirinya saat mulai bekerja sebagai pengasuh anak. Jo, si anak kedua, merasa memiliki tanggung jawab menggantikan peran ayahnya yang menjadi pendeta di medan perang. Beth bertubuh lemah dan sering sakit-sakitan sehingga nyaris meregang nyawa. Sedangkan Amy, si bungsu yang manja, masih menyimpan harapan bahwa suatu hari nanti kehidupan keluarga mereka akan kembali seperti dulu.

Keempatnya membuktikan, rintangan dan cobaan tak akan cukup tangguh mengalahkan ikatan di antara mereka. Little Women adalah sebuah kisah klasik, tentang empat perempuan muda yang percaya, kegembiraan selalu datang tepat setelah kita mengalami begitu banyak kesedihan.

Little Women adalah novel masterpiece karya Louisa May Alcott, bercerita tentang kasih sayang kakak-beradik. Tentang empat orang bersaudara dengan kepribadian yang berbeda-beda. Tentang keteguhan hati untuk tetap menjalani hidup, sesulit apa pun itu.

My Thought :

Little Women is a story about March sisters and their adventures. Margaret March (Meg), the oldest, is a beautiful girl who want to be a young lady. Josephine March (Jo) is a tomboy girl with free spirit who love to write. Elizabeth March (Beth) is a shy  and lovable girl who love to play piano. Amy March, the youngest, is  an adorable girl but a little bit selfish and spoiled.

After their father leave them to serve in the war, they have to live with their mother and  Hannah, their maid. March family is not rich, so they have to struggle with their finantcal condition.Even if the're not rich, they always try to help other people who need their help. In this story, March sisters, especially Jo, also develop close friendship with their rich and lonely neighbour,Theodore Laurence (Laurie).

I can't believe how much I love the book. It's heartwarming, fun and full of moral message. Just like other people, March sisters was not perfect person. They also did something bad, but I love how their mother teach them how to learn from their mistake to be a better person. Mrs. March also teach them to help other people. Even if they're not rich, March sisters really know how to have fun.

Little Women have strong characters. They're likeable, but my favorite is Jo. I really like her friendship with Laurie. After read the book, I really wish they both would end up together (but it's not gonna happen). Overall, the book is a great book and I know you would enjoy it. I highly recommend Little Women.

I give Little Women 5 out of 5 stars.

Review : Loving Donovan by Bernice L. McFadden

Author : Bernice L. McFadden

Category : Contemporary Fiction

Format: Hardcover (226 pages)

Publisher: Dutton Adult (27 January 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 052594706X

ISBN-13: 978-0525947066

Goodreads description :

Despite being born to a broken-hearted mother and a faithless father, Campbell still believes in the power of love…if she can ever find it. Living in the same neighborhood, but unknown to Campbell until a chance meeting brings them together, is Donovan, the “little man” of a shattered home—a family torn apart by anger and bitterness. In the face of these daunting obstacles, Donovan dreams of someday marrying, raising a family, and playing for the NBA. But, deep inside Campbell and Donovan live the histories that have shaped their lives. What they discover—together and apart—forms the basis of this compelling, sensual, and surprising novel. 

My Thought :
Loving Donovan is written in 3 parts. In part 1 (Her), we can learn about Campbell's childhood. In her childhood, she has to see her parent's dead relationship. Campbell also has to experience teen pregnancy in her teenager year. In this part, we also learn about Rita's (Luscious) life story.


Part 2 (Him) is about Donovan's life. In his childhood, he was molested by Clyde, one of his family. In this part, the author describe how Donovan's parents's marriage fall apart because his grandmother's interference. His grandmother is a  woman who like to controlling other people's life. All of that things affect Donovan's love life in the future.


Part 3 (Them) is about Campbell and Donovan's relationship. In this part, we can see how Campbell and Donovan meet, build their relationship and how their relationship fall apart. 


I like the book. It is well written. It's about love and family. We can learn so many things about relationship from the book. Many women face the same issue with the character in this book. 


This book also has strong character who live with their own problem, and it makes the book more interesting. This book really describe how real life go on.This book is not like a book I usually read. I recommend the book for everyone who want to read a well written book.


I give Loving Donovan 4 out of 5 stars.

Random Acts of Kindness November

Random Acts of Kindness is the monthly event hosted by Book Soulmates. 
Last month, I didn't receive any RAK . So, I hope I would get some RAK this month. And here the rules from Book Soulmate's blog :

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the sidebar).
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

You can check my wish list here 

ARC Review : Glow (Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Author : Amy Kathleen Ryan
Category : Sci-fi, Dystopian
Format : Paperback (307 pages)
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin
Language : English


Goodreads Description:
What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in aWaverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth. husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.


My Thought :
I got the book from a giveaway on The Publication Follies of Alexandra Shostak. At first, I'm not too excited to read the book because it set on outer space, but after reading the book, it turn out really good. It's worth every time I spent to read the book.

Empyrean is one of the spaceship that travelling the galaxy to find New Earth. Kieran and Waverly are the first generation of children who born aboard on Empyrean. One day, New Horizon attack Empyrean. They kidnap all the girls and kill almost all of the adults on Empyrean. Since the attack, Kieran has to lead the Empyrean and save the girls. On the other hand, Waverly tries to save the girls and the adults from Anne Mather, the leader of New Horizon. Follow their journey to save Empyrean in Glow.

Glow is written in fast-paced from 2 point of view (Kieran's and Waverly's POV). It's a wonderful story about love, faith and betrayal. Glow has strong characters. The ending of Glow, left me hanging. As the first book of Sky Chaser series, Glow make me want for more. I highly recommend Glow, especially to a reader who love to read sci-fi and Dystopian.

I give Glow 5 out of 5 stars.

Random Acts of Kindness October

Random Acts of Kindness is the monthly event hosted by Book Soulmates. 
Last month, I didn't receive any RAK . So, I hope I would get some RAK this month. And here the rules from Book Soulmate's blog :


COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the sidebar).
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

This is my wishlist : http://www.bookdepository.com/wishlist/623093/Dinda-Lestarini

Review : Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Author : Stephanie Perkins
Category : Romance
Reading Level : Young Adult
Format: Paperback (375 pages)
Publisher: Speak (4 August 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142419400
ISBN-13: 978-0142419403


Goodreads description :
Anna can't wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home. Will a year of romantic near-misses end in the French kiss Anna awaits?

"Perkins's debut surpasses the usual chick-lit fare with smart dialogue, fresh characters and plenty of tingly interactions." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Very sly. Very funny. Very romantic. You should date this book." - Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author

"Tantalizing pacing, sparkling repartee, vibrant supporting characters . . ." - Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay


My Thought :
Anna Oliphant's father is a famous author. He thinks Anna, just like another rich kid, needs to attend a boarding school in Paris, but Anna doesn't really want to leave her best friend, Bridge, and her younger brother. In France, Anna makes friend with Meredith, Rashmi, Josh, and Etienne St. Clair. Anna and St. Clair are getting closer. They're start to falling for each other. The problem is St. Clair still has a girlfriend.


I love the book. It's fun and romantic. I like how their relationship develop. I like the banter between characters, it make the book more interesting. I also love the characters in the book, especially Anna and Etienne. Etienne is such a sweet guy, even if sometimes he is so stupid and clueless. I highly recommend the book. You really should the book.

I give Anna and the French Kiss 5 out of 5 stars.

Banned Book Week

I can't believe thet some of books I've read is banned in some country. I have no idea that that books is banned because they're not banned in my country. I can't imagine if I can't read them, because they're really good and I love the books. This is some of my favorite banned books :

Harry Potter

Twilight

The Hunger Games

Scars

I love banned books, and I wouldn't stop read the just because someone banned the book. Everyone deserve to choose what they want to read. What do you think about banned books ? What's your favorite banned book ?

Review : Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black

Author : Holly Black
Category : Science Fiction
Format : Hardcover (325 pages)
Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry (5 April 2011)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 144240339X
ISBN-13 : 978-1442403390


Goodreads Description :
Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.


My Thougth :
After the ending of White Cat, Red Glove starts with Cassel and his mom running scams on other people. After what his mom did to Lila, Cassel tries to avoid Lila until the curse fade away. Cassel returns to Wallingford and he's so surprised when Lila also goes to Wallingford because she can't stay away from him.

The things getting more complicated when his oldest brother, Philip, is murdered by someone who wears red glove. The Feds come after him to solve the case. At the same time, Lila's father want him to work for him. With his friend's help, Cassel tries to solve all of the problem.

After read White cat, I really can't wait for read this one. Red Glove is a great book, and the ending is shocking. Red Glove is better than White Cat. Cassel is amazing. I love him even more after read Red Glove. In this book, we can find a perfect mix between crime, mystery, mob, magic and romance. If you like White cat, you would enjoy Red Glove. I highly recommend Red Glove.

I give Red Glove 4 out of 5 stars

Cover Revealed : Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Title : Insurgent (Divergent #2)
Author : Veronica Roth
Expected Publication: May 2012 (HarperCollins)
Language : English


Goodreads Description :
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.


The cover for insurgent was revealed. If the cover for Divergent has Dauntless symbol, in this cover we can see Amity symbol along with the tagline "One choice can destroy you". Based on the interview with Veronica Roth in Entertainment Weekly, we know that the factions there were not featured in Divergent will have a more prominent role in Insurgent. From the interview and the cover, I think Amity would have a big role in Insurgent. Overall, the cover is great. I love it.

I'm so excited to read the book and learn more about the other factions and Four's past. I can't wait for the book to come out. What about you ??? What do you think about the cover ???
the picture, the tagline

Review : Heavenly (Heavenly #1) by Jennifer Laurens

Author : Jennifer Laurens
Reading Level : Young Adult
Format: Paperback (280 pages)
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing ( 15 August 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933963840
ISBN-13: 978-1933963846


Goodreads description :
I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him.

Zoe's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoe lost in her broken life. Zoe escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoe's autistic sister. After Zoe is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.


My Thought :
Heavenly is a beautiful story about a girl who fall in love with an angel. The story not only about relationship between Zoe and Matthias, but also about Zoe's relationship with her friend and family. Zoe feels that her parents abandon her because they have to deal with her autistic sister, Abria. She also finds out that her brother, Luke, is a drug-addicted. To escape from her problem, she is partying and drinking. But when Zoe meets Matthias, Abria's guardian angel, she feels more peaceful. Accidentally, Zoe touchs Matthias and he becomes her guardian angel. And then she realizes that she falls in love with Matthias.

I got a review copy of this book from the author. From all of her book I've ever read, Heavenly is the best. I love how Zoe struggles to be better person and how she tries to save her family and friend. Behind all of the bad thing she do, Zoe is a good and caring person. She is very likeable. And I like how her family stick together to face their problem. I cried when I read the ending of this book. I highly recommend Heavenly.

I give Heavenly 5 out of 5 stars.


Book Trailer :

Review : Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Author : Cat Patrick
Category : Young adult

Format : Hardcover (288 pages)
Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (7 June 2011)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 0316094617
ISBN-13 : 978-0316094610


Goodreads Description :
Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.


My Thougth :
London Lane is a teenage girl who can't remember her past, but can see the future. Even if she can't remember everything from her past, London tries to live a normal life. Every morning, London has to read her notes to remind her of her past because at 4:33 am London’s memory is wiped clean. When she meets Luke Henry, a new boy in her school, she instantly attracted to him. London feels like she know him but she can't see him on the future. London starts to have a weird dream about a funeral. With Luke's help, London tries to discover the mystery about her memory.

I really enjoy this book. Forgotten is written with a good pace. Romance and mystery in this book would keep us interesting. the romance in this book is really sweet. I like how Luke's and London's relationship blossoms. When I read the book, I think London is lucky girl because she can fall in love with Luke, but always feels like it's the first time. And the mystery makes me can't put the book because I can't wait to know the answer of all of the mystery. I highly recommend Forgotten.

I give Forgotten 4 out of 5 stars.


Book Trailer :

Random Acts of Kindness September

Random Acts of Kindness is the monthly event hosted by Book Soulmates.
Last month, I didn't receive any RAK . So, I hope I would get some RAK this month. And here the rules from Book Soulmate's blog :

RULES RE-CAP:
*NEW INFO ADDED*
Sign up each month that you'd like to participate

- Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button :
- Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month
- If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
- *NEW* Please, once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] dedicated to RAK so that the Google Doc can be updated. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS
ADDRESS.
- *NEW* E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble as well.
- At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Review : White Cat (Curse Worker #1) by Holly Black

Author : Holly Black
Category : Science Fiction
Format : Paperback (310 pages)
Publisher : McElderry (8 February 2011)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1416963979
ISBN-13 : 978-1416963974


Goodreads Description :
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love — or death — and your dreams might be more real than your memories.


My Thougth :
Cassel Sharpe comes from "worker" family, but he is the only member of his family who isn't a curse worker. The story starts when Cassel dream about a white cat and find himself wake up on the roof of Wallingford. Because of that, Cassel has to leave his school until he doesn't sleepwalking anymore.

Cassel tries to figure out why he starts to sleepwalking again and why he always dream about the white cat. It leads to Lila's death. Lila is cassel's best friend, and he murders her three years ago. Nobody but his family know about the murder. In his dream, the white cat wants him to break the curse he was placed on her. But he has no idea how to do it because he is not a worker.

Cassel tries to find the truth and he discovers a lot of secrets in his family. He finds out that he is a tranformation worker, the rarest kind of curse worker. His brothers, who he always trust the most, take advantage of him, but he don't know because Barron, one of his brothers, erase some of his memories. Thing gets more complicated and more interesting, because not everything exactly like what he remember.

White Cat is in my TBR list for a while. The book have a good story line. I also like the characters on this story. Cassel is smart, sarcastic and funny, I like him a lot. I must admit that at the beggining of the book, I was bored. But when the story progress, the book getting more interesting. The story is unpredictable and make us want to know what would happen next.

Overall, the book is good. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I recommend this book to everyone. It's worth your time.

I give White Cat 4 out of 5 stars.


Book Trailer :

Review : Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Author : Cheryl Raindfield

Format : Hardcover (250 pages)
Publisher : Westside Books (24 March 2010)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 193481332X
ISBN-13 : 978-1934813324

Goodreads Description :
Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.


My Thougth :
Scars is a story about Kendra, a teenage girl who was sexually abused in her childhood. The problem is she can't remember a man who raped and abused her. With her therapyst's help, she tried to recall her childhood memories and reveal the rapist identity. When she started her therapy, she also started to cut herself to relieve the pain from her childhood memories and the terror from her rapist.

When she met Meghan, Kendra felt that she can trust her. She told Meghan all of her secrets. And then she realized that she love Meghan, and Meghan felt the same way. When Meghan appeared in her life, she felt happier than ever. But the terror from her rapist still continued. The most suprising thing from the story is when the rapist's identity is revealed.

Scars is a powerful book with dark topic. I didn't read so many book like this one. It's a little depressing to read the book. The book is very intense and emotional. In the young age, Kendra had to go trough so many bad and traumatic things. Scars would make the reader can wait to find out about the rest of story. We can feel Kendra's emotion trough the story.

Scars is very educational. We can learn so many things from the book, from sexual abuse, cutting and homosexuality issue. Many people have the same experience with Kendra, but didn't have the courage to tell it to another people. Scars can make us to understand the issues and help the victim to face it. I highly recommend Scars for everyone to read.

I give Scars 4 out of 5 stars.

Review : The Phantom of The Opera by Gaston Leroux

Author : Gaston Leroux
Format : Paperback (376 pages)
Publisher : Gramedia Pustaka Utama (April 2011)
Language : Indonesian
ISBN-13 : 978-9792269512


Goodreads description :
Erik, sang hantu Opera, meneror Opera Paris dengan ancaman pemerasan selama bertahun-tahun. Sosok jenius yang tersiksa dalam keburukrupaannya ini jatuh cinta pada Christine, penyanyi opera yang cantik dan bersuara emas. Kehadiran Raoul, sang viscount yang tampan, membuat Erik sadar bahwa Christine takkan pernah membalas cintanya dan membuat cinta Erik berubah menjadi obsesi yang mematikan.

The Phantom of the Opera adalah novel legendaris dalam sastra gotik dunia sepanjang abad ke-20. Kisah cinta segitiga antara Erik, Christine, dan Raoul sudah diadaptasi ke dalam berbagai bentuk seni teater dan seni visual. Namun karya aslinya yang pertama kali terbit dalam bentuk novel pada tahun 1910 ini jauh lebih gelap dan kompleks dibanding yang ditampilkan dalam film maupun teater musikalnya.

Seratus tahun lebih sejak pertama kali terbit, The Phantom of The Opera yang ber-setting di salah satu gedung termegah dan terindah di Paris ini masih menggugah hati pembacanya dalam kisah yang menyayat hati tentang hasrat manusia, teror, dan cinta.


My Thoughts :
Even if the book is written a long time ago, but the book is really good. The story is about Erik, a phantom who haunted Paris Opera House, who fell in love with Christine Daaé, an Opera singer. The thing get more complicated when Raoul, Christine's childhood friend, appeared in Christine's Life after being apart for a while. Raoul and Christine fell in love with each other, but Erik did everything to make Christine to love him. Erik's love turned into obsession and Raoul tried his hardest to save Christine from Erik. The end of this story made me cry.

I like the characters in this story. Erik is the most intriguing character. He is extremely genius and ugly. Most of people took advantage of him and despise him, it made him felt lonely and unwanted. It was one of the reasons why he did all the terror in the Opera. Beneath it all, I think Erik had something good in him. He just wanted to be loved. So when Christine appeared with her naivety and sincerity, Erik would do everything for her because for the first time he felt that someone love him for who he is.

Overall, The book is worth to read. I love the story and would recommend anyone to read it.

I give The Phantom of the Opera 4 out of 5 stars

Random Acts of Kindness August

This month, I am participating in RAK for the 3rd times. Last month, I didn't receive any book. Hopefully, I'll be lucky this time.

Random Acts of Kindness is the monthly event hosted by Book Soulmates. For this month, they're giving away $20 Amazon gift card. So, what are you waiting for ???

If you're interested, you can find my wishlist here. Good Luck !!!

Cover Revealed : Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano

Title : Fever (The Chemical Garden #2)
Author : Lauren DeStefano
Format : Hardcover (368 pages)
Expected Publication: February 21st 2012 (Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing)
Language : English


Goodreads Description :
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but they’re still in danger. Outside, they find a world even more disquieting than the one they left behind. Determined to get to Manhattan and to find Rhine’s twin brother Rowan, the two press forward, amidst threats of being captured again . . . or worse.

The road they are on is long and perilous—and in a world where young women only live to age 20 and men die at age 25, time is precious. In this sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price—now that she has more to lose than ever.


I don't know what to think about the cover. I don't like the color of this cover. I think it's too pale. Whiter's cover is more beautiful than Fever's cover. I curious what the hidden meaning of the cover. I can't wait for this book. What do you think ???

Review : On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

Author: Ian McEwan
Category : Contemporary Fiction

Format: Hardcover ( 203 pages)
Publisher: Nan A. Talese ( 5 June 2007 )
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385522401
ISBN-13: 978-0385522403

Goodreads description :
A novel of remarkable depth and poignancy from one of the most acclaimed writers of our time.

It is July 1962. Florence is a talented musician who dreams of a career on the concert stage and of the perfect life she will create with Edward, an earnest young history student at University College of London, who unexpectedly wooed and won her heart. Newly married that morning, both virgins, Edward and Florence arrive at a hotel on the Dorset coast. At dinner in their rooms they struggle to suppress their worries about the wedding night to come. Edward, eager for rapture, frets over Florence's response to his advances and nurses a private fear of failure, while Florence's anxieties run deeper: she is overcome by sheer disgust at the idea of physical contact, but dreads disappointing her husband when they finally lie down together in the honeymoon suite.

Ian McEwan has caught with understanding and compassion the innocence of Edward and Florence at a time when marriage was presumed to be the outward sign of maturity and independence. On Chesil Beach is another masterwork from McEwan — a story of lives transformed by a gesture not made or a word not spoken.

My Thought :
On Chesil beach is a short novel by Ian McEwan. It's a story about a wedding night of newly married couple, Edward Mayhew and Florence Ponting. They are young, in love, virgin and inexperience. On their wedding night, Edward is so excited to intimate with his new wife. On the other hand, Florence is scared of the idea of sex. They have their own fear, but never talk about it. The lack of communication make thing getting worse. Finally, Edward and Florence decide to separated. Years later, Edward regret the decision he made. The ending of this book is heartbreaking.

On Chesil Beach is the first novel I've ever read by Ian McEwan. Ian McEwan is an amazing writer. With a simple idea about love, marriage and sex, McEwan can make the whole story is very interesting. This book is written with slow pace and amazing detail. From the ending of this book, we can learn that love is not enough, we have to be patient and learn to communicate to make a relationship work. Everyone have their own fear, so communication is the best way to make a couple to understand each other.

Overall, I really enjoy On Chesil Beach and highly recommend this book to everyone.

I give On Chesil Beach 4 out of 5 stars.

Review : Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens

Author: Jennifer Laurens
Reading Level : Young Adult
Format: Paperback (243 pages)
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing ( 29 April 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 193396300X
ISBN-13: 978-1933963006


Goodreads description :
Ashlyn: A lonely society princess living in New York City.

Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.

Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.

Daddy thought I’d be safe. He thought I’d never fall in love. He thought he could keep me forever.

Charles: obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his, he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with: Colin.

Daddy was wrong


My Thought :
This book is about Ashlyn, a high society teenager, who can't be free in her life since she was kidnapped by her former nanny who was obsessed wit her daddy. Her daddy was obsessed to keep her safe. He always hired a bodyguard to accompany her everywhere, except her bedroom.

Colin, Ashlyn's enemy, was hired by her dad to be her new bodyguard. Ashlyn hate him because he used to torture her when she was child. Her daddy hired him, because he know she would never fall in love with Collin. But he was wrong because they started developing feelings for each other.

After her parent's big fight, Ashlyn was forced to leave her mom and live with her father at the hotel. Ashlyn was kidnapped by Stuart, her former bodyguard, who fall in love with her. After she could escape from her kidnapper, she had to deal her other problem with her parent and Colin.

I can't imagine to live like Ashlyn. As a teenager, she want to have social life and want to do anything on her own. I feel bad for her. But she is such a strong girl. I like the romance in this book. I like Colin, he's so sweet. He's perfect for Ashlyn. He can do a very good job to protect her.

Overall, I enjoy the book and recommend this to everyone who enjoy romance story.

I give Overprotected 4 out of 5 stars.


Book Trailer :

Random Acts of Kindness July

I didn't receive any RAK last month. And this month, I'm participating in July’s Random Acts of Kindness hosted by Book Soulmates.
And here is the information from Book Soulmates's blog

RULES RE-CAP:
- Sign up each month that you'd like to participate.
- Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button :)

- Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.

- If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
- At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You'
to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts. Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Review : KIM : Empty Inside - Buku Harian seorang remaja penderita Anoreksia-Bulimia

Author: Beatrice Sparks
Format: Paperback (184 pages)
Publisher: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama (1 April 2002)
Language: Indonesian
ISBN-10: 9792227016


Goodreads description :

Kimberly, putri seorang dokter yang kaya namun kesepian. Jauh dari kakak-kakak yang disayanginya, jatuh hati pada pemuda yang ternyata seorang gay. Dia merasa tak punya kendali atas hidupnya kecuali kendali atas makanan. Ia pesenam berbakat, dan terobsesi menjadi kurus agar tak didepak dari tim senam. Segala macam cara dilakukannya demi memenuhi obsesinya, namun hidupnya justru kacau balau.

Obsesinya membawanya untuk berpuasa dan memuntahkan makanan, namun sekaligus kelaparan yang menjadikannya melahap makanan secara membabi buta. Pikiran bahwa ia mampu mengendalikan makanan justru membawanya ke bangsal perawatan psikiatri.

My Thought :

It's interesting book in diary form. Kimberly, a teenager with eating disorder, always feels that she is not happy and lonely. She always thinks that she is fat and wants to be thinner. She also think that nobody care about her. But for other people, Kim seems to have a perfect life. She has great parent, two sisters and friends who love her.

In her life, she experiences some traumatic event. But, she always has someone who help her past it. At the end, she can deal with her eating disorder and her other problem.

The story seems so real. I believe many people, especially teenager, experience something like this. And this book can give us information and new perspective about Anorexia and Bulimia.

I give the book 3 out of 5 stars.

Review : A Season of Eden

Author: Jennifer Laurens, J.M. Warwick
Reading Level : Young Adult
Format: Paperback (248 pages)
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing (20 October 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933963905
ISBN-13: 978-1933963907



Goodreads description :

He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible.

I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said.


My Thought :
The first time I saw the cover and read the summary, I know this book would be great.

Eden, the gorgeous and popular girl in her school, seems to have a perfect life. But inside, she is a troubled and lonely girl. When a new music teacher, Mr. James Christian, start to teaching her class, she instantly drawn to him. She want to be with him and she used to get what she want.

A Season of Eden is a beautiful story about forbidden love between student and teacher. The book is well written. I love how Laurens describe the character, especially James. In this story, you can also find conflict between Eden and her friend and conflict between Eden and her father. And the ending make me wonder if Eden and James getting back together.

I love the cover of this book. I think the cover could describe the book very well. Overall, I enjoy this story. If you love to read romance, I highly recommend this book.

I give A Season of Eden 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Trailer :

Paranormal Wasteland : 200 Followers GIVEAWAY!!!

Paranormal Wasteland has been live for 2 months and there is 200 follower. So now, Paranormal Wasteland want to celebrate this milestone. Paranormal Wasteland giving away 5 copies of Blood Mageic. To enter, click here. It's open for international follower and will be open until June 23rd.

Review : Divergent (Divergent #1)

Author: Veronica Roth
ading Level : Young Adult
Format: Hardback (487 pages)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (03 May 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062024027
ISBN-13: 978-0062024022

Goodreads description :
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

My Thought :

Beatrice Prior or Tris is a sixteen years old girl who growing up in Abnegation. In her society, there are 5 faction : Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Erudite (the intelligent) and Dauntless (the brave). At the age of sixteen, all the members of her society is given test (simulation) to know which faction suits them and then they would decide to stay at their faction or join other faction. Once they decide to join a faction, they have to pass the initiation or they would be factionless. At the simulation, Tris learn that she suit more than one faction which make her a Divergent. She didn't allow to tell everyone about the result, because it's dangerous. At the choosing ceremony, she make startling choice. The choice that can change her life forever.

Divergent is one of the greatest dystopian book. Divergent is an amazing book with strong characters that can drawn the readers to read the book. The book is full action, mystery and suspense with a little bit romance. We never know how the book would end because so many twist in it. Roth has a great ability to create tension and suspense. Overall, I loved this book and I can't wait for the next book. I highly recommend Divergent for all the readers.

I give Divergent 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Trailer :

Review : Ordained (The Immortal Archives, #1)

Author: Devon Ashley
Category : Science Fiction
Format: Paperback (332 pages)
Publisher: Createspace(30 March 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1461001528
ISBN-13: 978-1461001522


Goodreads description :

Abby Sorrensten likes to play rough. Ripping the horns off the foreheads of demons, manipulating lightning and setting things on fire with the flick of your wrist can give you a serious rush. So she probably wasn’t the best choice for the Order’s experimental training program. Thirteen years of isolation, lack of affection and a bruised and broken body from horrendous training sessions creates more than just an exceptional fighter. It creates an evil within - an evil responsible for several deaths the night she left.

Two hundred years later Abby resurfaces as the very thing the Order trained her to kill: a vampire. A mythical demon has set his sights on the school and only the ordained hunter has the powers to face it. Unbeknownst to the Order, Abby’s their precious ordained one and their only chance for survival. As much as she would love to leave them hanging, she’s not willing to risk the life of Emily, a fellow friend and hunter also fed up with the organization.

But for Abby, locking herself away in a fortress with angry descendents of those she killed causes suspicions and tensions to run high. Abby must learn the demon’s weaknesses for battle before the Order learns hers.

My Thought :

Abigail Sorrensten was the Order's experimental training program. Abby was treated differently from other hunters. She was beaten, bruised and isolated for 13 years. One night, Abby lost control, killed the people who hurt her and left the Order.

Emily Davis is the first huntress who live past her 25 birthday. The order trained the hunters to kill the vampire, but not trained them to kil the demon. So for years, hunters have died at the age of 25 because Eraticus, a great a demon. She met Abby for the first time at the night of her 25 birthday.

Two hundreds years later, when Abby and Noel, her husband, reappears, the Order is in shock because they think she's already dead a long time ago. Now, the Order need her help to face the Morphus. Only the ordained hunter can fight the Morphus and she is the ordained huntress. She have to find out the Morphus's weakness and try to keep her secret from the order.

Ordained is the first book of Immortal Archives.We can find hunter, vampire, witch and demon in this book. This book have strong characters and full of action. So many mystery in this book that make this book unpredictable. Overall, the book is great.
If you love to read Supernatural stories, you should read this.

I give Ordained 4 out of 5 stars.

Random Acts of Kindness June

Random Acts of Kindness is the monthly event hosted by Book Soulmates. Each month you can sign up with your book wish list. Some months you might get a free book.

Rules
• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)
• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month. {Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

You can find my book wishlist here

Review : Blood of a Werewolf (Blood Series #1)

Author : T. Lynne Tolles
Category : Fantasy
Format : Paperback (196 pages)
Publisher : Createspace(30 May 2010)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1453798021
ISBN-13 : 978-1453798027



Goodreads description :

Darby O'Rielly is not your typical girl next door. She and her sister are ancestral witches, but have never been taught the art of their craft in an attempt to have the girls 'fit in' to their tiny community. When a dark stranger and his brother enter her life, love blooms and havoc ensues. For these two handsome brothers aren't just good looking, they are 'born vampires' of royal blood and they have hunters hot on their trail. When a Van Helsing wanna-be arrives and threatens Devon and Blake's immortal lives, Darby unleashes a deadly magic in order to save them. As vengeance for killing his hunter, our villain kidnaps, Rowan, Darby's sister and injects her with werewolf blood. Darby, Devon and Blake take a redeye to Maine to try and save her. A search then ensues to find a werewolf named Dean who isn't exceptionally friendly or eager to help friends of vampires. Will Rowan survive her transformation or will the werewolf blood wreak havoc on her body and kill her. You'll find out when you read this action packed urban fantasy romance novel yourself.

My Thought :

Darby O'Rielly, the main female character and Rowan, her sister, came from witch family but never taught how to use their power.

Devon Bloomington, the main male character and Blake, his younger brother, are vampires who have just moved into the house next door.

Devon is immediatelly drawn to Darby and Blake is drawn to Rowan. Terrence Paine, a man who kill Devon and Blake's parents, hunted the boys and sent a Van Helsing "type" kill the boys.
Darby use her power to protect the boys, but killed the Van Helsing guy in the process.

After that, they start plan to get back at Terrance Paine and working on darby's power. But, Paine's man kidnapped Rowan and inject her with werewolf's blood. Finally, Darby and the boys can find Rowan. But, there's a new problem because the werewolf's blood would turn Rowan into werewolf and Blake, who isn't correctly informed about the werewolf, is scared of what Rowan has become. If you want to know more about their journey, you have to read Blood of a Werewolf.

I enjoy this first book of blood series. There are many humor and sweet moment in this story. This story is very light on the sex or swearing. The ending would make us curious what would happen to Rowan and Blake in the next book.

If you enjoy books with witches, vampires or werewolves, you should definitely read this book.

I give Blood of a Werewolf 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Trailers :

Locket Stories : May Shower Giveaway

Locket Stories host May Shower Giveaway. To win a book of your choice, you can enter the contest. Contest ends May 31st, 2011 and open internationally.

Gripping into Books : 500 Followers Giveaway!

Gripping into Books host 500 Followers Giveaway. To win your choice of prize, you can enter here. Contest ends June 10th '11 and open internationally.

Ink Scratcher : Birthday Giveaway!

Ink Scratcher host a giveaway to celebrate Jade's birthday. Click here to enter this giveaway. It's open internationally and will end at Midnight (GMT) on Monday 2nd May (Jade's birthday). The more followers, the more winners !!!

Down The Rabit Hole : 1000 Follower Giveaway!

Down The Rabit Hole host an awesome giveaway. You can win a pre-order book. Click here to enter this giveaway. Giveaway will end on May 26, 2011. It's open internationally.

BloodyBookaholic : Spring Cleaning Giveaway! With Over 40 Books?! FTW !!

BloodyBookaholic host Spring Cleaning Giveaway with Over 40 Books. To enter this amazing giveaway, click here. It's open internationally and will end on May 27th at 11:59. Don't miss it !!!

Jennifersmusings : Easter Blog Hop Giveaway

To win the awesome gift on the picture, you can enter here.