the lake house by james patterson

Title: The Lake House
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 350
Rating: 4/5
Source: Owned

Summary (Goodreads):

Six extraordinary children are trying to lead normal lives in the Rocky Mountain countryside. They live in different homes, with different families, but there is something powerful that connects them. Something that puts them in terrible danger. The only time they've ever felt safe was when they were together in the waterfront cabin they call the Lake House. And the only people they've ever trusted are Frannie and Kit, the couple who rescued them from unimaginable evil once before. When that evil resurfaces, the kids reconnect with Frannie and Kit and set off on an astonishing adventure. They flee to the Lake House, but even that haven may no longer be safe. Dr. Ethan Kane is chief of surgery at Liberty General Hospital, one of the most esteemed hospitals in the nation. It is here that terrible secrets lie, secrets that will change the world for all of us.

My Say:

I never know the book was actually the sequel of When the Wind Blows and a prequel of Maximum Ride Series until I read about it somewhere early this year. I love the series so much and gave a little effort hunting this book in a used bookshop, hoping that I will know a little bit more on the series of how it started. It was a very quick read, plus it's a page turner with short chapters. Although with quite a lot of characters, I don't easily lost track because each character have their own individual character. I really adore these extraordinary kids especially Max. Her leadership brings them safety and she really did her best to protect others. Talking about how science can be that evil and makes human lost the humanity to manipulate others, especially kids! There's a lot of actions and I think it's very cool when it involved flying kids doing it. The story developed really fast from the start and sometimes it's kind of little confusing, but I can assured you that you might enjoy it once you finished reading it.

witch and wizard by james patterson

Title: Witch and Wizard (Witch and Wizard #1)
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 336
Rating: 3.5/5
Source: Personal copy

Summary (Goodreads):

Everything is about to change. The government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now kids are disappearing. For 15 year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside-down when they are hauled out of bed one night, separated from their parents, and thrown into a secret compound for no apparent reason. It's clear that the new government will stop at nothing to suppress Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager.

For the sister and brother, the chaos started when Whit's girlfriend, Celia, was spirited away in a black van, never to be seen or heard from again. Locked inside their cells, the two fear that they have been taken to the very same complex that swallowed Celia and realize that a daring escape is their only hope of survival.

While imprisoned together, Wisty and Whit start exhibiting strange abilities and powers they never knew they possessed. Their new talents lead them to believe that maybe there is a reason they were singled out. Can this newly minted witch and a wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?

My Thought:

I was very excited to read the book at the beginning as this book is like one of my most anticipated book I wanted to read so much this year. As I got it in my hands, and opened the first page, then started to read it, I said, I was going to love this. But I'm not. I love Maximum Ride Series so much that it blinded me about this one. I was over expecting about it. But, don't get me wrong. I don't love it, I just like it. I was thinking the book is a 5 but, in the end I gave it a 3.5.

The idea of witches and wizards really stunned me. I love the combination of magic and kids which Whit and Wisty are very strong characters with great powers. The only thing that buggering me is that, he tried to put a lot of mysteries in there and make it sounds like too forceful and unbelievable. It has a great potential in the story line but it still lack of something like relatable scenes with so many back and forth. It really made me hard to enjoy to read the book. James Patterson's writing style of short chapters interest me the most before, but now in this book, that really doesn't work. I found too much of scenes to gasp and hold my breath to wonder what will happen. I love it before, but like I said, it doesn't work this time. It's like a fake and not really believable.

So, I thought maybe this is not for me. And it is proven when I gave it to my sister, Tasha, aged 13, here's what she said;

"It's superb and I love it! I wish I could be like Wisty and have a brother like Whit! It's like Harry Potter, but with non-stop actions with adventurous life. I love the short chapters and I was fully absorbed with the story. Could you imagine they have the strongest power of magics and could save the world? The story is so BELIEVABLE! I can't wait to read the next sequel! 5 stars for Witch and Wizard!"

Oh dear, I'm right. Whilst I like it so-so, she LOVES it and rooting for the book like it is her best book ever. Even though I might not love it, I would love to read the sequel too. Maybe it will turn out okay and could have change my opinion about it like my sister. Well, it's not so bad after all.

Note: This book review is link up to Book Review Party Wednesday at Cym Lowell Blog. Click HERE for more info.

mary, mary by james patterson

Title: Mary, Mary
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 480
Rating: 4/5

Summary (Goodreads):

FBI agent Alex Cross is on vacation with his family at Disneyland when he gets a call from the Director. A well-known actress was shot outside her home in Beverly Hills. Shortly afterward, an editor for the Los Angeles Times receives an e-mail describing the murder in vivid detail.

Alex quickly learns that this is not an isolated incident. The killer, known as Mary Smith, has done this before and plans to kill again. Right from the beginning, this case is like nothing Alex has ever confronted. Is this the plan of an obsessed fan or a spurned actor, or is it part of something much more frightening? And particularly baffling, how could a woman be capable of these vicious crimes?

Members of Hollywood's A-list fear they're next on Mary's list, and the case grows by blockbuster proportions as the LAPD and FBI scramble to find a pattern before Mary can send one more chilling update.

My Review:

It's been so long since I've read James Patterson's Cross series. But now he is back with a new case, a big one which a big psychopath murderer this time. And can you believe me this is actually his 11th Alex Cross series?

However, it is still a WOW! I love the book so much, in a very engaging storyline. And the title of Mary, Mary really intrigues me. When I picked up the book, I thought, ohh, OK, this will be a crazy woman case. What will you think when every time there's a murder case, an email will be sent by a 'Mary Smith', which full of how she's so flattered to kill hot Hollywood actresses. She kept saying of ''nobody' or 'somebody' instead of why she did the murders. It's not for pleasure either. She love to think herself as a 'storyteller'.

Agent Cross is determined to solve the case, but when he is also having a personal problem with his ex-wife about his youngest child, he is wavered, a bit. After a Mary person is caught, he is not sure that is the one Mary Smith they are looking for. Even when all the proves and evidences are all against this very Mary person.

In the end, Cross succeed to solve the case, and eventually in a hard way style. This thriller and suspense, mysterious murders case came up with a twisted end. Which you will never ever come across your mind. The length of the chapters also makes it a very fast quick read. Imagine this 480 pages book has 121 chapters! Each chapter is hardly 3 or 4 pages long but with the engrossing plots, promise you that it tells more than in 10 pages long.

I love all the twisted stories, psychological criteria, mysteries and not to forget it is a page-turner's book. You'll finish it in one sitting, like a few hours and leaves you wondering how amazing the story is.

I would recommend this to all thriller/mysteries/suspense or James Patterson's fan only =)

Credit: This book review is link up to Book Review Party Wednesday - Thriller Addition at Cym Lowell Blog. Click HERE for more info.

on my wishlist #7

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City, which will be posted every Saturday. It allows us to share the books we haven't bought yet but are waiting to be bought and devoured. If you would like to take part and have your own 'On My Wishlist' post then you can find more info here.

I love James Patterson's novel. Mostly when he writes some kind of thrill and action genre. Yet, I found about this book at one of the bookstores, the end of last year. But I didn't buy it because they only have hardcover's copy. I've read the synopsis from his website and psyched. I've read Daniel X a few years back and like it. The book I'm talking about is a witchcraft and wizardry series from him, entitled Witch and Wizard. It's been so like yesterday since Harry Potter's series end. I bet this one kind of cool, too. Have you read/own this one yet?

Title: Witch and Wizard (#1)
Author: James Patterson
Genre: YA Fantasy, Fiction
Pages: 416
The Summary:

The world is changing--the government has seized control of almost everything and kids are disappearing. For 15 year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside-down when they are hauled out of bed one night, separated from their parents, and thrown into a secret compound for no reason they can comprehend, except that the new government is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Imprisoned together in a decrepit cell, Wisty and Whit cling to the only things they have left--a blank book, a drum stick, and each other. While searching for ways to escape, both begin exhibiting strange abilities. Maybe there is a reason they were singled out!

Can Wisty and Whit, a witch and a wizard, master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?

What's on wish-list this week?

suzanne's diary for nicholas by james patterson

the summary (J. Patterson website):

Katie Wilkinson has found her perfect man at last. He's a writer, a house painter, an original thinker-everything she's imagined she wanted in a partner. But one day, without explanation, he disappears from her life, leaving behind only a diary for her to read.

This diary is a love letter written by a new mother named Suzanne for her baby son, Nicholas. In it she pours out her heart about how she and the boy's father met, about her hopes for marriage and family, and about the unparalleled joy that having a baby has brought into her life. As Katie reads this touching document, it becomes clear that the lover who has just left her is the husband and father in this young family. She reads on, filled with terror and hope, as she struggles to understand what has happened-and whether her new love has a prayer of surviving.

my thought on this:

He's a tear-jerker! Sorry, but I cried a lot last night after spending 4 hours reading the novel..It's totally like 'don't you aver dare to put me down, Darlyn!'. I never thought James Patterson did a love story at all! Well, I read The Lake House and Cat and Mouse a few years back. When most blogger buddies keep warning me I should have to get ready with Kleenex, I thought, is this book that heartbreaking..?'. Well, the book was exactly more than that. It's a heartwreching and heartwarming..

Once I continued reading from page 40, I just couldn't stop myself. I suppose to sleep at least at 1 am, so that at 6 am I'l be ready, off to the lab like every other day. But last night, was an exception. I think my eyes puffy caused by crying, and look also like another panda bear, for not enough sleeping.. (slept at 3.30 am).I just could't bare to stop, I want to know how it ends badly that I think sometime I just hold my breath.

I'm jealous of Suzanne and Katie to be in love deeply with Matt. He wasn't pictured or portrayed as a perfect guy. But that's made him the perfect guy. The one. He love his woman endlessly and
deeply that loosing them will break his heart, and he did. Suzanne was such a poor woman, I feel so so sorry for her. When she thought that she's lucky to have Matt and Nicholas and hopes that they will be together; like forever, it ends rapidly that she can't even finish her diary for Nicholas. Unfortunately, by the time I knew why Nicholas will never read Suzanne's diary, my eyes cannot hold the tears back anymore..I was sobbing! The whole story of Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas is a touching piece that shows people that there are a few things so important in life. Love, is one of it. Though love may break your heart by loosing someone you love most, there is no reason you give up life. It makes you appreciate what you have then, now and in future..and eventually, the second chance to hold happiness at the end.

James Patterson displays the characters' emotions excellently as he slowly reveals the events that led to the beginning of the story and, eventually, to its ending..I know he is an excellent thriller or suspense writer, but never thought he could do this as a romance writer..A few times while I was reading this, I thought as if i read a Nicholas Sparks novel. =) He moves from a mystery/ thriller writer toward more of a romantic writer in this book, and he did it in an excellent way as the writing is great and of course this is a book that you could read over and over again. I really recommend this book =p

p/s: I wonder if the movie as good as the book ;p

my rating: 4.5/5

Christina Applegate (Suzanne) and Johnathan Schaech (Matt)
in Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas movie.