The Rising By: Kelly Armstrong

Synopsis from Barnes&Noble.com:
Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they’re quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it’s not like they can just go to the authorities for help.
All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they’re so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.
But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she’ll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can’t keep running forever.
Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong’s New York Times bestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.

I’ve heard so may good things about this final book in the darkness rising trilogy. I have to say I have loved each book in this series so much and I was so excited to dive into this book. It was awesome and I enjoyed every page of it. There were plenty of twists and turns in the plot that were totally unexpected. There was plenty of character development along with the introduction of new characters to the story. The ending was perfect and gave the reader a chance to think more about what events could happen even after the book is finished. Kelly Armstrong has now made it into my top authors ‘list’. I have greatly enjoyed this series and highly highly recommend it! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Two Way Street By: Lauren Barnholdt

Synopsis from Barnes&Noble.com:
This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They’re even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.
Then Jordan dumps Courtney—for a girl he met on the Internet. It’s too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney’s heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days.
La la la—this is Courtney pretending not to care. But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.
Turns out, he’s got a secret or two that he’s not telling Courtney. And his secrets have everything to do with why they broke up, why they can’t get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

I bought this book on a whim because I haven’t heard too much about it and the plot sounded interesting and had that cute, contemporary feel too it. I’m sorry to say that I really didn’t like this book. The characters were interesting but the whole plot was just boring. Nothing really interesting happened to keep you hooked. This was a short book but it took me way longer than it should have to actually finish it. Just as I would pick it up to settle in for a big chunk of reading, I found myself getting way to distracted by so many things while reading it because nothing was really happening in the story. I thought that the idea of the story was great but the author didn’t take that idea and make it even more interesting within the book. Overall I gave this book a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Eleanor and Park By: Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis from Barnes&Noble.com:
Bono met his wife in high school, Park says.
So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers.
I’m not kidding, he says.
You should be, she says, we’re 16.
What about Romeo and Juliet?
Shallow, confused, then dead.
I love you, Park says.
Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers.
I’m not kidding, he says.
You should be.

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love—and just how hard it pulled you under.

I’ve heard so many good things about this book EVERYWHERE! I had some high expectations that I hoped would be met. I started out this book liking it. I liked how quirky Eleanor was and how she and Park clicked but not in the normal insta- love way that you see in tons of contemporary book today. They slowly built up a friendship. Also loved how you got to see how both Eleanor and Park’s lives were so different from one another and how the reader got to peek into that. This beginning was good but the rest of the book was very bland. Nothing much seemed to happen. The chemistry between Eleanor and Park grew only a little bit and although I loved the author’s writing style, I thought that Eleanor and Park’s relationship could have been portrayed in a better way that was more interesting to read. And finally I was really disappointed in the ending. All the high expectations I had for the book being wrapped up in an amazing way came crashing down around me. I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars.