Lumatere Chronicles

Finnikin of the Rock ***1/2
by Melina Marchetta
Book Type: YA, Fantasy
Summary: Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive.
Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father.
But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her . . . but in himself.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: This was a fascinating book. I don't usually enjoy this type of story but this one was written very well. It had a similar feel to "Sword of Shanara" (which I only made it a couple chapters into...). It was almost like
"Sword of Shanara" meets "Graceling". It is a story about a young boy as he tries to save a kingdom with the help of his mentor- the King's First Man and a young girl with a mysterious past who claims that she is the only one who can find the missing heir to the throne. The three of them set out on a journey, gain many companions along the way and also develop relationships that seem unlikely early on. It was a lot of fun watching Finnikin's feelings for Evanjalin as they develop. It was fascinating to see all of the prophecies that revolve around Finnikin come true in unexpected ways. I loved how conflicted and confused Finnikin is by his role in the future of Lumatere and how everybody else is so inspired by who he is and what he stands for. I loved the twist at the end, when you finally figure out what the deal is with Evangalin. I loved the character growth that occurs in Finnikin and Froi. I enjoyed all of the adventures that these characters go on before they are able to get to the end of their journey. And I thought the very last chapter of the book was absolutely adorable. I wouldn't have expected this type of book to have such a cute ending. But it pulled together the entire story perfectly. All in all I thought this book was a blast. I'm glad I accidentally stumbled upon it.

I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to regular hot dogs again!

This is a local favorite down here in AZ. It may be something you can find in other hot, deserty, South Western states... But it is definitely popular where we are! It is a tasty twist on your classic hot dog. Seriously fattening, but worth it for sure!

Sonoran Hot Dogs
inspiration: tucsoncitizen.com
Ingredients

• all beef hot dogs
• bacon
• Ranch Style pinto beans
• pico de gallo
• shredded cheese (cheddar, cotijo)
• mayo, mustard, ketchup
• hot dog bun or bolillo roll

Directions

1. Take the hot dogs and wrap them like a mummy with bacon.  Mesquite bacon is good.
2. Fry it on a griddle or BBQ until the bacon gets crisp.  Some people like to fry the bacon a little first and then wrap it around the hot dog and then fry them both in the bacon grease.
3. Take the bun and toast them a little or, in the case of the bolillo roll, steam it for a minute to make it soft. 
4. Put mayo on the bun and insert the bacon-wrapped dog. Squeeze some mustard and ketchup on top.
5. Warm up the pinto beans and put a layer on top of the hot dog. Add cheese and pico de gallo.
6. Serve warm!

World War Z

World War Z ***1/2
Trailer
Well if you are looking for a fun zombie movie this summer, this is it. The zombies are super fast, which is insanely creepy when you think about it. If zombies really were fast we wouldn't stand a chance! This movie wasn't scary, it had some make you jump scenes but overall it was just creepy and suspenseful. Kind of like "I Am Legend". It was a very well done movie. Fast paced, well developed characters, good actors, lots of action, but also a real storyline and a purpose. It was very fun. At least I enjoyed it :).
Now I would like to give a little bit of a heads up, Russ just read the book and told me it was phenomenal... And that the movie really was nothing like the book. Haha. SO remember that when you go to see it. It's nothing like the book. But that doesn't mean you won't like it. Go in looking for an exciting zombie movie and I guarantee you'll enjoy it. But it is different from any zombie movie I've seen in the past... So no slow decomposing monsters in this flick!

Benny Imura Books

Rot and Ruin **1/2
by Jonathan Maberry
Book Type: YA, Sci Fi, Zombie Apocalypse
Summary: In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: Well this book was a disappointment! The main character is a total dork. He is just a stupid, jerky teenager that doesn't care about anyone but himself. He has all the perceptions of the world around him but no real clue about reality. He is nasty to his older brother all the time for no reason except one. He believes that his brother is a coward. Because of the one memory he has of his parents, from when he was 1 years old. Like a memory from that age is truly reliable. Benny is just obnoxious and irritating throughout the entire book. I kept waiting for him to grow up and I'll say that by the end he did, a little bit... But I still wasn't a huge fan of his character. I liked the powerful girls in the story. That was cool. But the zombies? I mean... They humanize the zombies. Which is okay, I mean, I understood where they were going with it but... I don't know. If you want a zombie book, you want a good, action packed, creepy zombie book... This wasn't any of those things. The humans were the monsters in this story, not the zombies... Which really, was a fascinating and probably realistic twist. I just felt that it didn't quite work... The way it was developed. At least for me It didn't quite hit the mark. I don't know. I didn't love it or hate it. This book was fine for a fun summer read, but I was kind of grateful when this book was over... Bad sign? Yeah... 

Room

Room ***1/2
by Emma Donoghue
Book Type: Realistic Fiction
Summary: To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.
Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.
Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: Wow. This book was a fascinating concept for sure. This little boy is 5 years old. He lives with his mom in this very small room. He's been there since he was born. His whole life has been spent in a box. He doesn't know any different. He doesn't know any better. He loves his life. But he finds that his mom is unhappy more often and he doesn't understand why. She is unsatisfied with their life. The life that seems perfect to little Jack. Until one day she tells him a story. A bad story. He doesn't like the story of his mom being taken and forced into this room. He doesn't like that his mom was hurt by the man he calls "Old Nick" and he really doesn't like the plan she makes to change their situation. He would rather stay in Room. The one place he knows. But it's been too long. His mom can't take it anymore. She's getting out or she's going to die trying. Little Jack is a cute little 5 year old. He takes like a child but he is a very intelligent little boy. This story is told strictly from Jack's perspective. It's fascinating to see how his mom worked so hard to give Jack a real life. She does such a great job with what she has. This story takes on a subject that I've never read about in a book before, abduction. This poor 19 year girl's life is thrown upside down when she is abducted and shoved in a room that has been prepared for a prisoner. It impossible to break out of, layered with concrete, insulation, barbed wire fence all the way around. The walls and glass are so thick that it is sound proof. No one knows what happened to this young girl and no one can find her. Can her 5 year old son who doesn't believe their is life outside their little Room save them both? Oh my goodness. This book was gripping. I couldn't imagine what life would be like in his poor mother's shoes. It was a fascinating look at the after affects of life as an abductee. Interesting idea. Interesting story.

Seraphina

Seraphina *****
by Rachel Hartman
Book Type: Fantasy
Summary: Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.
Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs, the captain of the Queen's Guard. While they begin to uncover a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect the secret behind her musical gift--a secret so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: This is the most unique dragon book I have ever read. The main character in this story has a secret... Possibly the biggest secret, something that could mean life or death. At least that's what she's been lead to believe her entire life. She's also been convinced that she is the only one of her kind. A half-dragon. Not human. Not dragon. She doesn't fit in. She doesn't belong. She is an outcast everywhere she goes. No one can truly understand her. No one can love her... Right? Because she's too different? This book deals with insecurity, a fear of what's different, a fear of BEING different. It is much more than just an exciting dragon tale. Although, there is that too. I LOVED Seraphina, she is this incredibly strong, brave, talented, determined young woman. She is so amazing that she stands out and shines even when she tries to hide. There is intrigue and danger lurking around every corner. I will admit that this story takes a couple chapters to get exciting but the first several chapters are full of vital character development for our main character. We also receive a glimpse of several of the characters that affect Seraphina's development and a half dragon. This story is absolutely phenomenal. It is written fantastically well, the character development is deep and engrossing. I absolutely LOVED all of the grotesques in her garden. I thought Lucian Kiggs was a perfect opposite of Seraphina, an inquisitive, intelligent, perceptive young prince with an embarrassing past. And the Princess is absolutely adorable. This story is full of lively, entertaining characters. And the story is just wonderful. It is fantastically intriguing. I can't say enough good things about this book. It's awesome.

Corsets and Clockwork

Corsets and Clockwork: 13 Steampunk Romances ****
edited by Trisha Telep
Book Type: Steampunk, Romance
Summary: Dark, urban fantasies come to life in the newest collection of Steampunk stories, Corsets & Clockwork. Young heroes and heroines battle evils with the help of supernatural or super-technological powers, each individual story perfectly balancing historical and fantastical elements. Throw in epic romances that transcend time, and this trendy, engrossing anthology is sure to become another hit for the fast-growing Steampunk genre!This collection features some of the hottest writers in the teen genre, including: Ann Aguirre, Jaclyn Dolamore, Tessa Gratton, Frewin Jones, Caitlin Kittredge, Adrienne Kress, Lesley Livingston, Dru Pagliassotti, Dia Reeves, Michael Scott, Maria V. Snyder, Tiffany Trent, and Kiersten White.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: I enjoyed almost every story in this book. I would say 12/13, which is pretty awesome really. All of the stories had strong lead characters, exciting adventures, cute love stories, and lots of action. They are fairly short, a couple of chapters max, so they just right into the story and action and don't slow down until they're done! I was impressed with how well the authors were able to develop their characters in such a short story. All of these stories were a ton of fun to read. The second story in this compilation is about a mermaid and was a little weird, but interesting... And the second to last story, the one that constantly repeats the phrase: "What really happened", was the only one I can honestly say I disliked. The rest of the stories had several elements to them that made them entertaining. I would highly suggest this book as a fun summer read. If you don't like the first story, try the next. They're all very different, the characters are all unique, the stories are diverse, and the love affairs are varied. Jump in, give it a go!