Book Review: Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out … and then emails the clips for Ryan to see.

In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts -- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

What i thought: This is the perfect book for the YouTube watching reader. What a great concept, combining the two medias! Before the book was even released there were tons of websites and YouTube videos available to garner interest in the book. Sites with easter eggs and conspiracy theories can be found just by googling "Skeleton Creek". It is quite amazing, really, and funny in some ways.

So, is the book worth all the hype?

If you are looking for a scary, fast-paced, thrilling and entertaining novel that will most likely keep you up at night, yes, Skeleton Creek is most definately worth all of the hype. The unique, one-of-a-kind combination of good-old-fashioned book and new, high-tech vlogs will catch interest and please even the most avid readers.

Carman puts together all of the things the readers are looking for from a novel like this (friendship, ghosts, murder, mystery, etc) and somehow finds a way to help it flow in a way only the greatest of authors can accomplish.

Both the journal entries and vlogs clearly portray the characters, especially Ryan and Sarah. Each and every word had an underlying touch of fear enough to drive the readers insane, and Ryans mysterious accident will leave readers speachless.

A great combination of everything a reader looks for, Skeleton Creek is the perfect scary, nighttime novel.

thanks for the book Pat!

POSTED BY Leah :)

Book Review: The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall by L. J. Smith:

Elena Gilbert is alive—again.

When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.

Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.

Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . .
But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.

What i thought (Review): Told in L.J. Smith's trademark style, this new installment in the Vampire Diaries will have readers gasping for more. Though much more gruesome--and gory--than others, this book truly is a perfect night-time read. The crazy twists and turns will have you turning each and every page eagerly.

Sorry guys, but this book mainly focus's on our bad boy Damon. Stefan is barely even in it--though that may be because he was forced away against his own will . . . well, i'm not going to spoil it. Damon really opens up in this novel. You get to see the side that he really tries to hide, and cant help but feel sorry for him.

The creepy new characters and eerie new plotline will not disapoint. Trust me, this book is absolutely fantastic, but you should be aware of the fact that this is not a book to just be placed on a shelf.

this book is unique in everyway. The gruesome images spelled out before you cannot be repeated in any other way. A haunting story, not without hope, The Return: Nightfall is impossible to ignore.

If you have read this and are looking for more, please visit L.J. at http://www.ljanesmith.net/

POSTED BY Leah :)