The Three Musketeers

The Three Musketeers

By Alexandre Dumas

****1/2

Teaser

Mixing a bit of seventeenth-century French history with a great deal of invention, Alexandre Dumas tells the tale of young D’Artagnan and his musketeer comrades, Porthos, Athos and Aramis. Together they fight to foil the schemes of the brilliant, dangerous Cardinal Richelieu, who pretends to support the king while plotting to advance his ownpower. Bursting with swirling swordplay, swooning romance, and unforgettable figures such as the seductively beautiful but deadly femme fatale, Milady, and D’Artagnan’s equally beautiful love, Madame Bonacieux, The Three Musketeers continues, after a century and a half of continuous publication, to define the genre of swashbuckling romance and historical adventure.
Barbara T. Cooper is Professor of French at the University of New Hampshire. She is a member of the editorial boards of Nineteenth-Century French Studies and the Cahiers Alexandre Dumas and specializes in nineteenth-century French drama and works by Dumas.

Review

I enjoyed this book, mostly because of the lofty feeling Dumas' style creates. Alexandre Dumas has a very wholesome writing style, and it keeps the story satisfactory to read throughout the over 700 pages. The plot itself isn't the only thing that pulls you into the world of swords, wine, and musketeers; Dumas' writing style and the extremely interesting and lovable characters make the book intriguing when the plot is slow. D'Artagnan, the protagonist, is very bold and entertaining and the other characters teach him lessons in humility. The many different components of the Three Musketeers make it a clever story with many wise lessons embedded in Dumas' world of bravery and friendship.

Pretties

Pretties

By Scott Westerfield

Science Fiction, Romance, Adventure.

***

Review

Over all this was a generally good book, though I think it is my least favorite in the series because Tally is a pretty, and that really changes how you perceive the book and story line. What I did like was the insight into New Pretty Town that you never got before, and how the book did have entire different mood. Scott Westerfeld shines in leaving you breathless and waiting for more, and he really makes you think about how life would be under rule of our physical appearances. Over all, it was a good sequel, and it really left me waiting for more action.

Wildwood Dancing

Wildwood Dancing

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by Juliet Marillier

Historical Fiction / Fantasy / Romance

*****

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"I've heard it said that girls can't keep secrets..."

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Teaser

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Five adventurous sisters...

Four dark creatures...

Three magical gifts...

Two forbidden lovers...

One enchanted frog...

Cross the threshold into the Wildwood, and enter a land of magic, daring, betrayal... and true love.

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Review

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It is said that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, however this books cover work is the first thing that drew me to it. Kinoku Craft deserves much praise for this peice. As for the novel, I loved it just as much as the cover art. It had a wonderful story line and I often found myself unable to put it down. It had historical ties, but is mostly based off of legends. This provided for excellently developed and interesting characters as well as an intriguing plot line. I absolutely loved everything about this book. Its a must read for fans of fantasy writing or romance.

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Breaking Dawn (Warning, spoilers)

Breaking Dawn

by Stephanie Meyer

romance/fantasy/adventure

*****

Teaser

"Don't be afraid," I murmured.

"We belong together."I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words.

This moment was so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it.

His arms wrapped around me holding me against him.It felt like every nerve in my body was alive wire.

"Forever," he agreed.

Review

Raechel's Review:

This book blew me away. I couldn't believe it. Everything about Bella and Edward changes, and the way you look at the entire story changes. But I am happy with the way Meyer ended the series. She turned Bella into who she was always meant to be, and the story just takes off. Breaking Dawn is extraordinary, romantic, and keeps you on the edge the whole time. The whole series speaks so much about how love conquers everything, and how you always have a choice. All in all, this book was amazing and belongs on every bookshelf everywhere, along with the rest of the saga.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

By Charlotte Bronte

Romance

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*****

"I must, then, repeat continually that we are sundered; and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him."

"After a season of darkness and struggling, light broke and relief fell."

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Review

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This book blew me away. Jane Eyre is a whirlwind of passion, hate, religion, and every single word strikes closer to the heart until you're sure this book will be the end of you. The beginning of this book and the character of Jane's friend Helen blew me away, I loved her so much, and you could just feel how real she, and everything else is. And not just that, you would really want to learn from and be like Helen. The as Jane's character develops more and more through the book, you feel her pain and love, and you feel the reality of the story. One really nice thing about this book is there are no cliffhangers at the end of chapters. Each chapter is the perfect daily read, and though I could have read it all in one night, it was easier to stop than other books. Not because it was not good, but because the chapters were split so well. This book also covered a wide range of very serious and and diverse topics. This book was definitely not just the cushy woman-only love story it has been called. But one of the things I loved best about this book is that I learned so much. Not just academically, but emotionally. Over all, to read Jane Eyre would be one of the best literary decisions you will ever make.

Uglies

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Uglies

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By Scott Westerfield

Science Fiction/Adventure/Romance

*****

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Teaser

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Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license-for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few week Tally will be there.

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But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk like on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world- one that isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

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Review

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When I first bought this book, I thought it sounded kind of superficial and weird. When people told me about it, I always thought it sounded just kind of like your average future book. But this book ended up being really good. I was amazed that i was instantly pulled into the book once I had read chapter one. What I really liked about this book is it's just not like hearing a story, even though it's in third person. It seems amazingly real, every human part of Tally just hits home with the reader. This book takes you on a wild, futuristic adventure and leaves you gasping, awaiting more. At first I was reluctant to give it five stars, but for the type of book it is, I definitly think Uglies deserves it.

Eclipse

Eclipse

By Stephanie Meyer

Romance/Science Fiction/Fantasy

*****

" 'What would you do if she changed her mind?' Jacob asked.

'I don't know that either.'

Jacob chuckled quietly. 'Would you try to kill me?'. Sarcastic again, as if doubting Edward's ability to do it.

'No.'

'Why not?' Jacob's tone was still jeering.

'Do you really think I would hurt her that way?'

Jacob hesitated for a second, and then sighed. 'Yeah, you're right. I know that's right. But sometimes...'

'Sometimes it's an intriguing idea.'"

Teaser

In the dead silence, all the details suddenly fell into place for me with a burst of intuition. Something Edward didn't want me to know. Something that Jacob wouldn't have kept from me. Something that had the Cullens and the wolves both in the woods, moving in hazardous proximity to each other....

Something I'd been waiting for anyway.

Something I knew would happen again,

as much as I wish it never would.

Review

I was so excited for the release of Eclipse. My favorite part of the book is a conversation between Edward and Jacob. I felt Meyer created a true image of what it means to choose your destiny. Bella is struggling with many choices in her life, and in the end, Meyer leaves you waiting for more. The book starts out simple and in a happy mood, Btu it quickly changes to adventure and love. Eclipse made me look at the whole series in a new way. This book is exhilarating, interesting, and makes me wish there were more pages to turn. If you have read Twilight and New Moon, you simply have to read this book. The whole series is great for anyone, even the guys. So regardless who you are, go out and read Eclipse!

I Am the Messenger

I AM THE MESSENGER

By Markus Zusak
Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Romance

****

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"Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of."

Teaser

Meet Ed Kennedy—underage cabdriver, pathetic cardplayer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack with his coffee-addicted dog, the Doorman, and he’s hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That’s when the first Ace arrives. That’s when Ed becomes the messenger. . . .Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary), until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission?

Review
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When I first picked this book up, I thought it sounded really strange. But, I was interested because I had heard many good things about this author. I was actually bought this book on a trip to New York, and so I started it on the way home. I read the book in two days, because once I started it, I was very curious. Zusak really made me want to know what happens next. I liked the character of Ed very much, because he's always very calm, and he's definitely a realist. I Am the Messenger made me think about the way humans react to what happens to them, and it also makes the startling realization that things don't just happen to us, we make our future. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Markus Zusak, and also anyone who liked Wicked, because I saw a few similarities there. I Am the Messenger is good, and meant to be read. I hope you read it, and I hope you get the message.

New Moon

New Moon

By Stephanie Myer

Fiction/Romance/Fantasy

*****

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" Once you cared about a person, it was impossible to be logical about them anymore."

"'NO! This is about my soul, isn't it?' I shouted furious, the words exploding out of me-somehow it still sounded like a plea. 'Carlisle told me about that, and I don't care, Edward. I don't care! You can have my soul. I don't want it without you-it's yours already!"

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Teaser

I knew we were both in mortal danger.

Still, in that instant, I felt well. Whole.

I could feel my heart beating in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again.

My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin.

It was like there had never been any hole in my chest.

I was perfect-not healed, but as if

there had never been a wound in the first place.

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Review

You know, I've heard most Twilight fans say that New Moon was their least favorite book in the series. Some say it was because there wasn't enough Edward, some say the middle was really boring, but New Moon was actually my favorite book in this saga. I loved the different mood that separates the book from the rest of the series. I think that this book only strengthens our knowledge of the characters, and of the story of Twilight. This book shows how important love truly is, and also the reality that things don't always work out for everyone. The reader feels Bella's pain, shares her joy, and so much more. The book helps us see that despite what we tell ourselves, true love always comes first. This book is really good, and I think if you really liked Twilight, and you liked the story, not just Edward, then you will like New Moon.

Twilight

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer

Fiction / Romance

*****

""Bella." His fingers lightly traced the shape of my lips. "I will stay with you - isn't that enough?" I smiled under his fingertips. "Enough for now."

He frowned at my tenacity. No one was going to surrender tonight. He exhaled, and the sound was practically a growl.

I touched his face. "Look," I said. "I love you more than everything else in the world combined. Isn't that enough?"

"Yes, it is enough," he answered smiling. "Enough for forever." And he leaned down to press his cold lips once more to my throat.

Teaser

About three things I was absolutely positve.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how potent that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him...

Review

Let me start out by saying that this is the best book ever written. Actually, no... I enjoyed Eclipse (the third novel in the series) even more, but thats beside the point. Twilight is perfect combination of action, romance, and fiction. The characters are so amazingly well developed that I found myself lost in their emotions every time I picked this book up. Many people are turned off of this book because of it's steryotype as a "vampire-love-story", but these are no regular vampires. These ones have morals. They care enough for humanity to curve their malicious appetites and live a more "vegatarian lifestyle", as they put it.

Yes. This book is about an age-less vampire who is desperately smitten with a human. But this book is also a beautifully woven tale of true love and the struggles we are willing to endure to make sure that it lasts... in this case, quite literally... Forever.

I highly recommend this book for people of all ages. It's an incredible page turner. I finished it in a day.