Starclimber

Once again Kenneth Oppel takes his reader on a wild ride in his latest and possibly last :( installment in the Matt Cruse, Airborn series.

This book covers the race to reach beyond our Earth's atmosphere. Outer space. There is a new vessel- The Starclimber- that is designed to take people out into space. Kate de Vries has been given an invitation to come aboard, but Matt Cruse has to compete with other men trying for the same position. He has to go through intense training, and every day the men are competing for a spot aboard the ship. Matt is desperate to go, but there are so many other men. The chances of being chosen are very slim.

If he does end up making it on the ship, the types of adventures waiting in space are unknown. Space has not yet been explored before and what is waiting up there is still yet to be discovered.

There is also another conflict. After being able to see each other continually in Paris, Matt and Kate are back home, and having difficulty getting together often with Kate's parents around all the time. As well, Kate's parents won't stop bugging her, telling her it is high-time she went off and got married, but they would never let Kate marry someone like Matt, who is from a completely different social class...

Oh my gosh! This book was amazing! Also what was really cool about this book was how many surprises there were! I am not usually very easy to surprise when it comes to books, but in this book, I was surprised multiple times! It was crazy! Also, the book was just so captivating! I read it all in one sitting, and when I finished I was jumping up and down with joy because of how good the book was. Then I was really sad when I realized this might just be the last book. I really hope this is not the last book, but if it is, it was a phenomenal end to a phenomenal series.

The Last Olympian

Just about one week ago, I read the fifth and **sniffles** final Percy Jackson book. Oh my goodness. I LOVED it! It most definitely did not disappoint! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! I couldn't believe how much action there was in this book, and yet, somehow, Rick Riordan was still able to make me laugh out loud while reading, earning me some strange looks from my family members in the same room. ;) I adored it! I stayed up late in bed reading, all hidden under the covers- it was sooo much fun. I was unable to stop smiling- very hugely I might add- especially when I was reading the last couple chapters, and I think anyone who doesn't is made out of steel or something. Either that, or the fact that they disapprove of what happens... although I can't even imagine disapproving of it.

Anyway, the book revolves mostly around the "great prophecy" and Percy's sixteenth birthday, which is about a week from the beginning of the book. The book kicks off fast, and it never slows down. The main questions the story puts into your head throughout the book are- Is Percy the person in the prophecy? If so, what is the choice he has to make? And, will the choice either destroy or save Olympus?

Located here is most of the first chapter of the book: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Last-Olympian/Rick-Riordan/e/9781423101475#EXC. To read the excerpt you have to press the link that says Read an Excerpt under the picture of the book.

So, I thought it was amazing, and I hope Rick Riordan decides to do another Camp Half-Blood book, because it seems like he might since in the Acknowledgements or something it says something about the "end of the first Camp Half-Blood series", also with the, umm... thing at the end, with Rachel... read the book and you should understand what I am talking about. :D **fingers crossed** Although we all know no one is gonna be able to beat Percy's amazing-ness.
Anyway, it was a spectacular book, and it is an AMAZING series, I HIGHLY recommend reading them and/or it.

Keeping the Moon

Keeping the Moon was a fabulous book. Once again Sarah Dessen out does herself! I have to say that this is one of my all time favorite books. It has romance, friendship, self worth... everything that makes a great book. I would rate this a 9 out of 10 on a scale from 1-10. Even if I make it sound horrific, I would recommend reading it anyway. It's a quick read and you will not regret it!

Keeping the Moon follows the feel good story of Colie, a fifteen-year-old girl who is sent to stay in Colby, North Carolina with her eccentric Aunt Mira. Colie has never fit in much. At first it was because she was considered fat. Then she and her mom lost the weight and it was because she had a reputation she didn't deserve. When she arrived in Colby she had already convinced herself not to expect much. Why would this be anything different from home? She was also not looking forward to staying with her crazy Aunt Mira. In the first few days of her trip Colie lands herself a job at the Last Chance Bar and Grill. Here she meets Isabel and Morgan, two best friends who are about to teach her the meaning of true friendship. In North Carolina Colie finds the strength to appreciate and accept herself, two new friends, and a guy named Norman. What else could she ask for?

Just Listen

Annabel Greene seems to have the perfect life. At least that is what she portrays in her modeling shoots. In her shoots she has it all: friends, a cute boyfriend, a happy life... what else is there? In Annabel's reality there is more than just what lies on the surface. Her friendship with Sophie ended bitterly, her sister's eating disorder is tearing the family apart, and Annabel seems to have gotten pushed aside. What's a girl to do? Being isolated at home and at school Annabel retreats into silence. That is until she meets Owen. Owen Armstrong is somebody Annabel could never have pictured being friends. He is music obsessed and determined to always tell the truth. With Owen's help Annabel learns to just listen to her heart and gains the courage to speak honestly. Is this enough to tell everyone what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends? Read Just Listen to find out!

This book was an amazing read. Sarah Dessen is an outstanding author and all of her books are wonderful! If I were to rate this book on a scale from 1-10 I would have to rate it an 8. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great book. So get out there and read!

The Neverending Story

How would you like a story that never ended? Bastian Balthazar Bux had a passion for books and would love a story that didn't end. In this story, you join Bastian as he reads The Neverending Story in the attic of his school. Fantastica, the world inside the book, is in danger! The Nothing is spreading and the Childlike Empress is sick. A young boy named Atreyu is called upon to go on a quest to save Fantastic. Soon the answer is found. Only a human child can save Fantastica by giving the Childlike Empress a new name. Bastian becomes a part of the story and must partake on a quest of his own. It is a dangerous path, one he may never return from. You can become part of the neverending story too, if you dare to read it.

Many of you have probably seen the movie or a play. The book is just as thrilling, even without the special effects. It really does pull you in. I enjoyed it immensly and wouldn't mind re-reading it. I really recommend this book. I would rate it a 9 out of 10. This book is perfect for anyone who likes adventure mixed with suspense, magic, and even some humor.

*Note: I got a little mad and bored at the middle part of the end, but trust me, it's worth it to finish the book.