heavenly by jennifer laurens

Title: Heavenly
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Pages: 296
Series: Heavenly #1
Published: August 15th, 2009
Rating: 4.5/5
Source: Receive from author
Buy at: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Summary (Website):

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 Say:

It's a totally a book that I love to love. It has a simple plot and the synopsis already stated that Zoe fall in love with her guardian angel, Matthias. I would say that I can predict the ending; too easy, they will be together like most of the stories in the end. But the fascinating part was how excellent the story was developed. The story might seem so typical with other fantasy stories of guardian angels but not divinely written like this one. Why? There might be lots of twist and turns to achieve the need; to be happily together with each other, ignoring the fact that it's so interconnected with heaven's business. Matthias could make a chaos and conflict which would lead to series of sequels. However, Jennifer made it so true and divine. I really love the ending. She lets Zoe overcome her difficulties with family and her personal life and gave her a peaceful ending. That is something that could be real and logic as well, which seldom happen in fictions.

Despite of divinely plot, I was impressed with details of story plot line. It was beautifully written like how Abria autism positively and accurately portrayed, even though there's quite of some moral issue as well; her brother's addition to drug and her personal problem with drinking. Other than that, I applauded Jennifer for her effort, putting so many scenes focused on Zoe and her family, especially her mom and dad. I cried when I read a scene where her mother said she was sorry for the difficulties she puts if Zoe and Luke ever felt ignored. And says thank you to Zoe for her so many sacrifices for Abria's sake. It's maybe sound nothing but I love the part more than I love Zoe and Mathhias's part. But it doesn't mean I don't get blushed when she wants Matthias embrace and kiss her!

This was a great story of struggles. Struggle to be loved, to be understand, not to be ignored, struggle to be together, struggle to be happy, and struggle to have a happy ending. It's also a well-mixed story of happiness, romances, hardship, family altogether. Totally recommended!

the emperor's tomb by steve berry

Title: The Emperor's Tomb
Author: Steve Berry
Pages: 480
Series: Cotton Malone #6
Published: November 16th, 2010
Rating: 4.5/5
Source: Receive for review
Buy at: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Summary (Publisher):

The tomb of China’s First Emperor, guarded by an underground army of terra-cotta warriors, has remained sealed for more than 2,000 years. Though it’s regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, the Chinese government won’t allow anyone to open it. Why?

That question is at the heart of a dilemma faced by former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone, whose life is shattered when he receives an anonymous note carrying an unfamiliar Web address. Logging on, he sees Cassiopeia Vitt, a woman who’s saved his life more than once, being tortured at the hands of a mysterious man who has a single demand: Bring me the artifact she’s asked you to keep safe. The only problem is, Malone doesn’t have a clue what the man is talking about, since Cassiopeia has left nothing with him. So begins Malone’s most harrowing adventure to date—one that offers up astounding historical revelations, pits him against a ruthless ancient brotherhood, and sends him from Denmark to Belgium to Vietnam then on to China, a vast and mysterious land where danger lurks at every turn.

My Say:

I read Steve Berry's book a few years ago and how I forget how great writer he is. Reading The Emperor's Tomb (the 6th book in Cotton Malone series) is very easy to understand without reading the previous books. The story is brilliantly told and well-mixed with Chinese history which I found it very amusing. It started with an incident that will bring readers curiosity, a fair length and details of history with also great characters. I personally love Chinese history and mythology which really intrigued my interest to learn how Berry will craft and blend it to make a good fiction. Berry succeeded in both plotting the story line together with the history and archaeology, producing an extraordinary story. Even though some details of history might bring boredom, but don't worry because it is entertaining with this book, and very knowledgeable too. He also provided his note on separate chapter about his writing process, a time line of Chinese Dynasty and maps. I believe that readers will quickly drawn into the story as the character's quest and obstacles to solve the political conflict that involved the sake of the future. There will be too many characters but I don't give it a big deal because you'll love the story more than you need to know the secondary characters. There's quite a few of action packed scenes which is very engaging and filled with suspense. Of course, there is twist and turns at the end of the story which I am truly glad with the ending. In addition a little bit of romance which I found it quite essential and bring excitement in the story. I love the book and would be happy to recommend this book to all thriller readers.

About the Author:

Steve Berry is the New York Times bestselling author of The Emperor's Tomb, The Balkan Escape, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. He has 11 million books in print, which have been translated into 37 languages and sold in 50 countries. Steve's road to publishing was long and arduous, spanning 12 years (1990 - 2002) and 85 rejections over 5 separate manuscripts. He's also an accomplished instructor, having taught the concepts of writing to audiences across the globe. For more information visit his website at http://www.steveberry.org/

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. for an exchange of fair review. Receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review and these are my honest review.

black bird by kanoko sakurakoji

Title: Black Bird

Author: Kanoko Sakurakoji

Series status: On going

Vol(s) reviewing: Vol. 1, 2 and 3

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Rating: 4/5

Source: Read for free HERE

Summary

Vol. 1

There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. All that changes one day when Misao is attacked by a demon. Her childhood friend Kyo suddenly returns to save her and tend to her cuts--with his tongue! It turns out Misao is the bride of prophecy, whose blood gives power to the demon clan who claims her. But most demons want to keep her power for themselves--by eating her! Now Misao is just trying to stay alive...and decide if she likes it when Kyo licks her wounds.

Vol. 2

Kyo, the head of the Tengu demon clan, is Misao's only chance for survival. But even though she has sweet memories of him as a childhood friend, she has trouble reconciling them with the man he has become. Despite the strange attraction, can she trust her life, let alone her heart, to a man who only cares about the promise of her blood? There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magic realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. But she is the bride of demon prophecy, and her blood grants incredible powers, her flesh immortality. Now the demon realm is fighting over the right to her hand?or her life!

Vol. 3

He loves her blood, but does her love her?! Misao is starting to trust her heart where Kyo is involved, especially after he gives her one of his primary feathers. It isn't just her first present from him, it's a magic talisman that will keep her safe when he's not nearby!Misao is elated to be able to go to school without the fear of being eaten, just like a normal teenage girl. But as her feelings for Kyo deepen, she starts to realize that as his bride she will have to leave her human life behind--including her family!

My Two Cents:

Even if I tried to find some flaws in Shoujo Manga, I can't. I just love everything I read and could look at the drawings/graphic without tiresome. The graphic is neat to the eyes, beautiful costumes, beautiful girls and handsome boys, well-crafted story and everything is just perfect. Same goes with this latest manga I've read. The first 3 volumes is quite an introduction of Misao to Kyou. It has conflicts which intrigues the readers how Misao will accept that she is the coveted bride of prophecy as well as to learn whether her feeling to Kyou is just a one-sided love.

I think the story was outlined very good, well plotted and gets hold my interest from the start. A history elements were one of the reason that I love to read, since these line of heritage bring out the best fiction from it. To see drawings of kimonos and other traditional attire, hairstyles, is really heavenly. However, there were parts are quite mature but kind of a bit decent at least, which makes this manga suitable for readers aged 16 and above.