Book Review: Street Pharm by Allison van Diepen

Title: Street Pharm
Author: Allison van Diepen
Pages: 297
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year Published: 2006

" If a brother wanna get ahead, he gotta use every minute to better himself. Everything I did made me better- tougher, stronger, richer, smarter- or I didn't do it.
Take high school. A waste of time. Nobody there taught me what I needed to survive on the streets..."
" Ty Johnson knows survival. Since inheriting his pop's business at sixteen, Ty's developed smarts, skills and mad discipline. . The supply game's in his blood. And life is pretty sweet when you're on top.
But one slip- or one serious competitor- and life turns ugly fast. Suddenly. Ty's got to rethink his whole strategy. And for the #1 dealer on the streets, strategy is not just about staying ahead. It's about survival."

My Rating: 5/5

I found this book an amazing page turner, filled with many harsh realities. The characters are filled with truth and Allison van Diepen isn't afraid to show readers the harsh reality of life for so many people. Although horrible, for many people, drugs are a part of daily life (whether by selling, buying or watching someone use). It is awful to think that all of this happens in our society but it's the truth and by reading this book I've learned how people outside of this situation need to look at it. This book truly put me in another person's shoes which is difficult to do, but when done right well worth it.
THANK YOU ALLISON VAN DIEPEN FOR AN UNEXPECTED POINT OF VIEW!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: Street Pharm by Allison van Diepen

This books main purpose is to inform the reader on how drug dealers operate and how their lives are. I love the way that Allison van Diepen really gets inside Ty's head and uses her experience from teaching at a rough school to help others understand what these teens battle every day. I think that as a society we really don't understand why people deal drugs. Now I feel like I can understand why kids drug deal even after their parents get caught. I have heard that Brooklyn is really rough area multiple times but I think that this book really captures it. The way that the characters talk in this book is almost to stereotypical, I'm not sure if they actually talk this way but if they do it would make this far more real. The "last chance high school" is an interesting idea. A place where you can see so many teens from the bad neighborhood and all their stories. I think that addictions play an obvious major role in this book, especially when we see some characters start to fall and crumble around their need for the drugs. They truly are slaves to their addictions.

Characters:
Ty: I never really though about how a drug dealer feels about what he's doing, but reading from Ty's point of view truly taught me what happens in this business. That is really what it is, or at least how Ty thinks of it. It's just the same as if they owned a pharmacy. Maybe he thinks of it this way to sooth his conscious, or maybe that's what Orlando taught him. I felt horrible when Ty got shot because I realized that he was really not that different than any other teenager. He's just a person who got caught in a bad situation. I was super pumped when he quit the business and chose the right thing for him not his father.

Sonny: I really do think that Sonny was the brother that Ty never had. I was so upset when he died, but it was bound to happen and if he hadn't I doubt that Ty would have quit.

Alyse: I was shocked when she said that she was turning tricks. She seems like such a sweet girl, innocent and uptight. Then when we see that she's a mother it all makes sense. I think she's a good mother from what I read.

Orlando: This man never really cared about Ty the way a father should with his son. He just wanted someone he could rule over and direct. I hope he rots in prison.

K-ron: I wonder what he got paid to rat on Ty and Sonny.

Ty's Mom: She is such a sweet lady and to think she left Orlando just for Ty only for Ty to get caught back up. At least in the end he got away from it all.

Monfrey: I think that he's Ty's best friend. He really owes Ty for putting hi in rehab when Ty was trained just to walk away from that situation. I'm so happy that Monfrey turned out alright in the end.


Moments to Remember:
♥Pg. 18
" 'Chill, Mom, chill. You know it ain't like that. Monday, call the school to see if I showed up.' I put my hand over hers and gave her my best smile. 'Pack me peanut butter and jelly, yo?' "

♥Pg. 41
" Now I ain't saying that young hustler can't ever have a girlfriend. But I say wait until you're twenty-one, get her tested for all the diseases you can think of and some shit you never heard of, and set her up right. "

♥Pg. 205
" 2513 Nostrand Avenue was a redbrick townhouse. When the cab stopped at the curb I saw a curtain pull back in the front room. A little girl stood there and waved.
 A hit man with kids. "

♥Pg. 295
" 'Rob said you quit the business.'
'Yeah. I won't even sell you an Advil.' "

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Circle of Honor by Carol Umberger

Title: Circle of Honor
Author: Carol Umberger
Series: The Scottish Crown (Book #1)
Pages: 292
Publisher: Integrity Publishers
Year Published: 2002

" It is fourteenth century Scotland, and Gwenyth Comyn has  a chance to make: Does she falsely accuse her sworn enemy, Adam Mackintosh, of assaulting her, or does she tell the truth and remain in captivity to her actual attacker? Though telling the truth would ensure bondage for herself, accusing Adam would unjustly dishonor him- and likely secure his death. Gwenyth's decision is complicated by her strong feelings of attraction toward the kindhearted and chivalrous Adam.
 Circle of Honor takes you back to the time of Scotland's war for independence from England. When Robert the Bruce destroyed her family and her home, Gwenyth fled for her life, only to be captured and stripped of her titles and lands. Then a brutal assault by her captor leaver her wonder, Where was God when she needed Him? Does He care about her and her problems? As she struggles to hold on to her faith in God, Gwenyth must confront the battle between her desire for revenge and her growing love for Adam. Her fate, and Adam's, rest in the choice set before her."

My Rating: 4/5

I really didn't expect to like this book, as I haven't read many romances that really caught my attention. I loved the fact that this book took place in the past which lets the reader truly understand a different time. It was fun learning about the struggles of Scotland, perhaps I worded that wrong it was interesting I should say so I don't offend anyone. I liked the characters, but it was I little to simple to figure out who was good and evil. I like a bit of mystery to stuff like that. I also didn't quite enjoy how slow the beginning was. I love to just jump into a story, this wasn't quite like that and that's why I consider this book an eight. I can't wait to read another book in this series as I have heard that it follows different people instead of staying with the same ones consistently. Hopefully, this way I will not get bored.

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: Circle of Honor by Carol Umberger

I really liked this book, and I was shocked. I haven't read many romances that I liked. So when I started reading this book and I liked it I couldn't just share that with the world just yet, I wanted to wait and make sure that I still liked it my the end, I sure did.  I'd like to thank you to  my friend Emily for lending me this book. I love the fact that this book is based in the past and gives off that feeling of old romance. The type that lasts, it definitely gives a girl faith. I also enjoyed the characters, the only thing I didn't like about them was how easy it was to determine good and evil.

Characters:
Gwenyth: I was surprised by how relatable this character was and after she was assaulted I felt like my heart warmed to her. Although she is stubborn and defiant, she can also make a girl believe in true love. She was used as a pawn and when Adam comes along it looks like she won't except him at all but by the end a reader can tell that they will be together.

Adam: What a compassionate man? If I found one like this I would hold on tight and never let him go. He is wise, loving and all together the perfect man. He doesn't seem to have many weaknesses and he can control himself which now a days is rare.

Leod: From the beginning we can tell that this character is the obvious villain. The fact that he continually raped women was disgusting and the way he fought Adam was just as bad. I was so happy when he died.

Angus: I loved this father figure, although he had a temper and an illness he held so much of my interest in this book. I hated that he died, but such is life.

Nathara: I didn't like her from the scene in the spring, she seemed spiteful and rude, was I ever right.

Daron: I hope that he finds love, even if it is with Nathara, I guess everyone deserves someone.


Moments to Remember:
♥Pg. 49
" The thought summoned tears she could not prevent, and they dampened Adam's sark. Her sobs did not go unnoticed, for his large hand stroked her hair and he crooned in soothing Gaelic, abandoning the French of daily discourse. He didn't press her to learn why she cried, and she was grateful for his forbearance and willingness to console."

♥Pg. 71
" 'Enough,' Eva said, raising a hand that stopped them both. "I've heard enough. Two more stubborn men have never graced the earth.' "

♥Pg. 132
" Adam cleared his throat. 'My father wanted me to thank you for saving my life, Gwenyth. 'Twas a brave thing you did, defying Leod that way without knowing me from, well, from Adam.' "

♥Pg. 201
" 'We couldn't either of us find an easy bride, eh?' "

♥Pg. 214
"Aye, he would woo her and risk rejection, for she was worth the gamble."

♥Pg. 290
" 'I couldn't let you do that.'
'You couldn't stop me.'
Her remaining tension melted and she laughed and shook her head. 'You are impossible.'
With a wicked grin, he agreed. 'Aye. Will you marry me anyway?' "

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

Title: Revelations
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Series: Blue Bloods (Book #3)
Pages: 264
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Year Published: 2008

"Schuyler Van Alen's blood legacy has just been called not question: is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.
When an ancient place of power is threatened in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high, the battle is bloody, and through it all, Schuyler is torn between duty and passion, love and freedom."

My Rating: 4/5

Although this book was enjoyable it was fairly predictable. I liked watching as the vampires grew older and acquired more "powers", it was fascinating that they were able to do so many things (very creative La Cruz). In the end though I was able to guess easily who the "criminal" was. I believe I started guessing correctly half way through which made the ending fairly boring. I will continue to read these books as I am addicted, but I hope the next one is not as predictable.
THANK YOU MELISSA DE LA CRUZ FOR IMAGINING SUCH UNIQUE ABILITIES!

Hope you enjoyed,
Love,
Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

As I mentioned in the book review above this was a good book, but not as good as the others. I found that I was able to guess who the Silver Blood was throughout most of the book. I had my suspects from book 2, but the cover gives it all away. Who has read hair and acts oddly? Bliss! Whoever made the cover just pissed me off. I still love how this book is set in New York, but I found that the setting wasn't as highlighted in this book and that was disappointing. I did enjoy exploring Charles Force's house though.

Characters:
Schuyler: We've seen so many changes in Schuyler since the first book. I found it hard to believe that she was hooking up with Jack, but I was cheering her on. Who doesn't want the boy that they aren't supposed to have? I love the idea of them together. I wasn't impressed when she tells Oliver she loves him. I doubt that highly actually. It wasn't even a big emotional break through, it was more of a hey, I love you. I was baffled.

Bliss: As I mentioned above, I knew that Bliss was the Silver Blood through most of this book and this is due to the cover. I loved the way she narrates the story though. I was mad when she didn't realize herself that she was the one causing everyone harm, not Dylan. Is she really Gabrielle's daughter though? That's the question that I can't get out of my head.

Mimi: The same as ever. Selfish and lustful. Mimi has what she does because of the kind of angel she was. I really think that she'll end up turning to the dark side... especially if she loses Jack. She doesn't deserve him anyways, he just doesn't seem to fit with her.

Jack: I really love this character, although I think that he might be playing Schuyler. If there isn't a way to break the bond why would he lie to her? I don't think that him and Mimi should go through with the bonding but I don't see how he can't without undergoing a trial.

Oliver: I feel sorry for Oliver. He's been used and abused by Schuyler so many times. She had to know that he loved her and that making him her familiar would only make it worse. I was even mores surprised when she confessed her love. If I was Oliver I wouldn't believe a word she said.

Dylan: I knew that Dylan was innocent. He doesn't mean to hurt anybody, and he seems like such a sweetheart. I only hope his memory will recover.

Lawrence: I was so sad when Lawrence died. He was such an interesting character, and now that he won't return to the cycle things are just extremely depressing.

Jordan: I'm confused as to what the watcher is, but I"m assuming she's one who is watching Bliss, making sure that she isn't going to live to fulfill evil deeds. Jordan didn't do such a good job though, and she was captured.

Charles: I could hardly believe that Charles was reduced to basically nothing, especially when the Blue Bloods need an Archangel the most.

Kingsley: Seriously thought he was the guilty one. What the heck!?!?!


Moments to Remember:
♥Pg. 75
"Outside of this place, they could be nothing to each other. He would not even allow himself to look at her. He could not afford it. So she wanted him to enjoy himself, to look at her as much as he liked.
'Get over here,' he growled."

♥Pg. 205
"Brazilians wore skimpy bikinis, no matter their shape or size; it was liberating and somewhat appalling at the same time. The American in Bliss believed grandmothers should not wear thongs."

♥Pg. 264
"Love. It's so close to hate, it's almost indistinguishable.
But this is how t was for the two of them.
Love and hate.
Life and death.
Joy and anguish."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Title: Dreamland

Author: Sarah Dessen

Pages: 205

Publisher: Penguin Group

Year Published: 2000

“Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He’s magnetic. He’s compelling. He’s dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else- her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?”

My Rating: 10/10

This is an incredible book. I loved that Sarah Dessen makes the reader feel as though they are the main character. I feel like this book touches on so many teen issues and although twelve years have past since it’s been published they are all relevant. Really in the past decade or so things haven’t changed that much. I have not read a lot about some of these issues and I hope to find a book from the opposite point of view in Caitlin’s relationship. Curiosity makes me wonder what that book would be written like. I hope to read more Sarah Dessen books, but I hope I probably won’t read more back to back.

THANK YOU SARAH DESSEN FOR WALKING THROUGH SO MANY TEEN RELATIONSHIPS!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

I loved this book! It had so many unexpected elements that made reading it entertaining. I wasn’t bored even when something wasn’t popping out of no where. I think that so many teens can relate with Caitlin’s story. At least one element of it.

Drugs are a big thing in this book which isn’t suprising to me really. I live in a small town with a drug problem, so I understand how drugs can be everywhere. I think it’s important that Caitlin actually experiences pot. I do wish that she hadn’t used it so easily but really she does mostly in the book without much of a consequence.

Peer pressure is another thing that I noticed in this book. Rina practically forces Caitlin to join cheerleading. This doesn’t surprise me in the least as this is normal in teenage society. If one friend is doing something the other friend usually joins to fit in.

Caitlin is a very over shadowed child who doesn’t get the attention she deserves. Many younger siblings have the same thing where the older child is a shining star so why even bother to live up to expectations when it doesn’t get them noticed.

Abuse is a huge deal in this novel and I think it’s important that teens learn about this. I was shocked when this first happened in the book, but fascinated to see how it would play out. Would it be a one time thing, or would it happen over and over? Soon it became apparent that this was to become a norm in this relationship. I was practically yelling for someone to see that Caitlin was being hurt so horribly.

Characters:

Caitlin: A superb main character who really helps us walk through so many teen issues (mentioned above). I could hardly believe that a girl would simply let a boy hit her, but she did really love Rogerson so it wasn’t something so out of the blue. I was so happy when they broke up even though it hurt her, being with him would have hurt her more.

Rogerson: I really liked this character in the beginning thinking that he was the misunderstood bad boy, but after he started hitting Caitlin, I lost all respect for him. The fact that it wasn’t just a one time thing, that he said I love you after and that he used it to get sex as well were awful. It really opened my eyes though.

Rina: I think that Rina isn’t really the best friend I hoped that Caitlin would have. I would hope that I would notice if one of my friends was being abused in any way.

Caitlin’s Mom: I don’t think that her mom really even tried to treat her daughter’s fairly. It is obvious throughout the book that Cass is who was her favorite and still is even though she isn’t even in the same state anymore. I’m happy that she finally realized what was going on with Caitlin, because if she hadn’t who would have?

Caitlin’s Dad: I was hoping that her dad would just say she couldn’t go with Rogerson one night and so Caitlin would just start to pull away from Rogerson but he didn’t. If I was her dad I would have kicked Rogerson’s butt.

Boo & Stewart: I wish that my parents had a couple of friends like this. Hippies (I find) are hilarious.

Cass: I wish she hadn’t have left because I feel like this is what changed everything for Caitlin.

Corinna: One of my favorite characters. I thought that her and David had it made, but we don’t really know what happens in their relationship and though it’s obvious they were in love it just didn’t work.

Moments to Remember:

♥Pg. 92

“I’d watch his expression change as he got closer, hearing the strains of one of my baby-baby-oh-please-baby songs.

‘Oh, my God,’ he said to me once as he flopped into the driver’s  seat, pulling the door shut behind him. ‘What is this shit?’”

♥Pg. 115

“‘Which two planets are almost identical in size?’

‘Duh,’ he said, smoothing my hair back, ‘Venus and Earth.’

‘Rogerson,’ I asked him sweetly as we sat watching a video in the pool house, ‘where would I find the pelagic zone?’

‘In the open sea,’ he said. ‘Now shut up and eat your Junior Mints.’”

♥Pg. 124

“Corinna was still crying, even as Dave kissed her forehead and smiled. Taking one of her hands and twirling her around the small, paint-peeling kitchen. ‘Stop,’ she said, half-laughing as he dipped her over the garbage can. ‘David, honestly.’”

Hope you enjoyed,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: The Night I Disappeared by Julie Reece Deaver

Title: The Night I Disappeared
Author: Julie Reece Deaver
Pages: 242
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year Published: 2002

"Held hostage by an inner world..."
"Something scary is happening to seventeen-year-old Jamie Tessman. Ever since she and her mother arrived in Chicago, she's been plagued by freaky mind-slips and vivid daydreams about her sort-of-boyfriend, Webb. When Jamie's inner world start taking her hostage and keeping her imprisoned for longer period of time, she becomes terrified that she is slowly losing her mind.
Jamie's mom doesn't seem to notice anything is wrong. No one does- until Jamie meets Morgan, a new friend who's had her own 'brush with nuttiness.' When Jamie disappears into her inner world one night and can't find her way out, Morgan sees to it that Jamie finally gets help. Morgan's aunt, a psychiatrist, breaks though Jamie's paralyzing fear and helps her unravel a tangle of long-forgotten, horrifying secrets in her past..."

My Rating: 9/10

I really liked this novel because of its theme. This book is mainly about mental illness and how to deal with it. I guess most of us just consider people with something like schizophrenia as crazy, but really is is an illness just like diabetes. There is nothing to be ashamed of, because most of us will eventually deal with a mental illness (ex. depression, bi-polar, anorexia, schizophrenia, etc.) whether it be us ourselves or our loved ones. I really think that our society needs to learn to deal with people who have these illnesses, Our generation needs to learn that all of these things are ok, and need to be taken in stride with every day life. As you can probably tell this book changed my view on things immensely.
THANK YOU JULIE REECE DEAVER FOR PUTTING ME IN A 'CRAZY' PERSON'S SHOES!

Thanks for read,
Love,
Sidny ♥♪♫

Spoiler: The Night I Disappeared by Julie Reece Deaver

I really loved this book, and I found that I could hardly put it down. The way that Julie Reece Deaver wrote from the 'crazy' person's point of view was a lot more insightful than other books I've read involving mental illness. In this book it's like we got to see inside Jamie's head and see what she's feeling about what's happening to her. There is a ton of description I liked used when Jamie goes off into her inner world that makes it more real for the reader, and without it the book wouldn't touch me like it did. I enjoyed how after Jamie got out of the hospital she seemed to take in more of the city. The trials were another interesting idea that really tied the story together. The way that Jamie travels back and forth so frequently and without warning makes me feel like I'm traveling with her, figuring out what's going on with her.

Characters:
Jamie: I felt horrible for her at the beginning of the book when those girls where making fun of her in the bathroom. That's just horrible. She really has had a rough life and when she finds out Webb's not real I don't blame her for grieving, that was her confidant, her only true friend. To have that suddenly gone would be heartbreaking for all of us I'm sure. I could tell that there was something not quite right with her, but I though thta tmaybe it was that she had been molested by her babysitter's boyfriend. I never thought that she was kidnapped and ended up killing someone in self defense. It made the blood on the shirt make a ton more sense. I hope that this character gets better and proves to everyone that this can't hold her back .

Morgan: Morgan is an awesome friend because she doesn't treat Jamie like she's crazy or a freak. She just goes along for the ride and is there to drag Jamie out of her dark space after she's realeased from the hospital. If Morgan hadn't been there to get her out of the house I have no doubt that Jamie would have just imagined another friend.

Webb: Even though he's not real, I think it's important to let him be a character after all he plays a big part in Jamie's life. I can understand why she imagines him as her protector because who doesn't want someone to be there for them, and when her mom wasn't she deserved someone else and so she made him up.

Jamie's Mom: I love that she just leaves her daughter who is having mental problems alone and expects her to deal (sarcasm) . I would probably have had issues to if my mom was never around to talk to me. Jamie's mom doesn't come home for dinner most of the time, and sometimes she doesn't see her for days on end. I hope that she doesn't start to treat Jamie like a freak.

Dr. Hacker (Morgan's Aunt): I really liked her because not only was she nice and not weird, but incredibly funny. She's not afraid to joke or tease and I have the feeling that she could make anyone feel better after a certain matter of time.
Ellis: Why would you ever do such a thing to an innocent 9 year old kid? And then tell her she can't tell? I hope she goes to jail.


Moments to Remember:
♥Pg. 9
" 'You told me not to worry. You told me you'd look after me, remember?'
'I remember. I just didn't know at the time it would end up being my life's work.' "

♥Pg. 132
" 'Which skirt are you getting?'
'The black one. I figure it'll make me look thinner.'
'You know, guys never worry about stuff like that--'
'About how they look in skirts? No, probably not.' "

I hope you enjoyed this spoiler
Love,
Sidny xoxo