Choker

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Publication Date: January 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Age Group: Young adult
Pages: 233
Source: Barnes and Noble

From the Back Cover: Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria.

Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.

But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?*

My Thoughts: This was a thriller! It was spooky, mysterious, and shocking. I started it today at about 10:00 a.m. and I finished it at about 5:00 p.m. I couldn't put it down. It was short enough, but had much depth. I am super excited about this debut author; Elizabeth Woods, and I can't wait to see what else she produces in the coming future. The character of Cara was a bit annoying at times but in the end, I felt bad for her and it left me on a good note. The narration is 3rd person and I thought that it fit well with the story line. Some books you just can't forget...and this is one of them. It will surely have me lying in bed thinking about it!


Cover: 5
Plot: 4.5
Characters: 5
Style of Writing: 4
Overall: 5

Would I ever read from this author again?: Yes!!! Can't wait.


*Synopsis courtesy of goodreads.com

Numbers

Numbers by Rachel Ward


Publication Date: February 2010
Publisher: Schoolastic, Inc.
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 325
Source: Barnes and Noble

From the Back Cover: Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!

My Thoughts: This was not at all what I expected. That's not to say that i didn't enjoy it, though. From what I read from the back, I thought this story would be oriented around the mystery of the bombing of the London Eye. But it went on to be a story of two teenagers running away and surviving, while trying to hide from the authorities. It was a bit raunchy at times and had more for a more mature teen, than anything else. It was set in England and written by and English author.  Ward has that original British humor that made the book worthwhile, for me.


Cover: 4
Plot: 3.5
Characters: 4
Style of Writing: 4
Overall: 4


Would I read from this author again?: Maybe. I would need to have heard raving reviews about another book by Rachel Ward, for me to consider it.


Oh yeah, Happy Monday!

The Lying Game

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Publication Date: December 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 307
Source: Borders

From the Back Cover:
I had a life anyone would kill for.
Then someone did.
The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.
Now Emma’s desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she’s the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?
From Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting new series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.
Let the lying game begin.

My Thoughts: I loved this book! It was so hard to put down. I couldn't stop reading until the final page was turned and then there was a cliff-hanger! I love that! I loved the way it was narrated and the description was perfect. I am a HUGE fan of the Pretty Little Liars so I thought it was only right to read this...great choice. I think that realistic fiction lovers and mystery lovers will devour this book. I can't wait for the second in the series!

Cover: 5
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Style of writing: 5
Overall: 5

Would I read from this author again?: YES!