Friday, August 20, 2010

Review: Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

My thoughts about Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler:
I wasn't really sure what to expect from a story that was about a 17 year old girl with an eating disorder becoming one of the four horsemen.  I was pleasantly surprised once I started reading.
The characters are well thought out and believable.  The interactions that Lisa has with both her family and friends are realistic and consistent.  I have known girls with eating disorders and I could see them in the characters of this story.   My favorite character is Death, then of course Lisa.  My favorite scene is the battle between Famine and War.
One of my favorite things about the story is that Lisa didn't have to die to become a horseman, therefore gaining the possibility of continuing her life in some capacity.  
Throughout the story we see Lisa dealing with her personal issues and how her new "job" conflicts and reflects her problems with food and self-image.  I love that we get to watch her find herself in so many ways.  The strength that she shows is inspirational.  The symbolism is wonderful and well planned.
I won't add more about the story as I don't want to put spoilers in this review.  I will say though that there are two moments that you will find change Lisa dramatically (the battle with War and her encounter with her mother).
I am impressed with the book as a whole.  It is well written and enjoyable.  I found myself relating on various levels.   I think that Jackie Morse Kessler has captured a subject that is more common than anyone wants to admit, many people fear, most deny, and all are challenged in dealing with.  She has made her story positive, encouraging, realistic, and respectful to those who may or may not deal with the tragedy of an eating disorder.  I feel that it is a must read for teen girls. I would recommend it to anyone.

Back to School ARC Giveaway at Reading Teen!


The Crew at Reading Teen is having an ARC giveaway!  The giveaway ends September 24 and the books up for grabs are:

ARC Giveaway!

Carol at Carol's Prints is having a HUGE ARC giveaway!
This contest is open internationally.
SIGNED Hard Cover of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES SIGNED ARC of BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

beautifulcreatures     Beautiful Darkness


ARC of PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy



ARC of IMMORTAL BELOVED by Cate Tiernan
Immortal Beloved


ARC of DARK WATER by Laura McNeal

Dark Water


TWO ARCs of RADIANCE by Alison Noel 

Radiance


ARC of JANE by April Lindner

Jane


ARC of DARK SONG by Gail Giles

Dark Song


ARC of THE HOUSE OF DEAD MAIDSby Clare B. Dunkle

DeadMaidscover


ARC of KEEPERS SCHOOL: FEAR ITSELF  by Andrew Clements & ARC of THE DIARY OF PIPER DAVIS (DEAR AMERICA): THE FENCES BETWEEN US by Kirby Larson

Fear Itself    DEAR AMERICA


ARC of IF YOU LIVED HERE, YOU’D BE HOME NOW by Claire LaZebnik


If you lived here


DO NOT MISS OUT  - STOP ON OVER AND CHECK THIS OUT!

I have completed the 2010 Summer Romance Challenge!


Book Chick City is hosting the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge
This challenge started on June 1, 2010 and runs through September 1, 2010.
The goal was 8 books - unless you were feeling brave and doubled it, then 16 books in four months!

I was hoping to be able to read the minimum of 8 books - seemed like humble goal considering the time frame - 16 just didn't seem doable!

You can go here to add your reviews to the linky!

These are the books I have read for the challenge:  I will be posting my reviews soon!

Once Bitten by Kalayna Price - 6/11/10
Short Stories from Red Rock by Moira Rogers - 6/21/10
Sanctuary Unbound: Red Rock Pass #4 - 6/22/10
Leader of the Pack by Karen MacInerney - 7/1/10
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione - 7/2/10
Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione - 7/410
Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione - 7/6/10
Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione - 7/7/10
Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts - 7/8/10
Wild Card by Moira Rogers - 8/15/10
Calling the Bluff by Moira Rogers - 8/15/10
Ante Up by Moira Rogers - 8/16/10

I have completed my E Book Challenge!!!

I have completed my EBook Challenge!!!
My goal was to read at least 40 books for my E Book challenge!
These are the E books I have read:

1. Soulless by Gail Carriger
2. Crux: Southern Arcana Book 1 by Moira Rogers
3. Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith
4. Wolf Signs: Granite Lake Wolves Book 1 by Vivian Arend
5. Wolf Flight: Granite Lake Wolves Book 2 by Vivian Arend
6. Wolf Games: Granite Lake Wolves Book 3 by Vivian Arend
7. Into the Mist: Falcon Mercenary Group Book 1 by Maya Banks
8. Into the Lair: Falcon Mercenary Group Book 2 by Maya Banks
9. Skin Deep: Laura Blackstone Book 1 by Mark Del Franco
10. Male Call: Hot Zone Book 1 by Denise A. Agnew
11. Stopping Time, part 1 by Melissa Marr
12. Stopping Time, part 2 by Melissa Marr
13. Must Love Hellhounds by Ilona Andrews
14. Unknown by Rachel Caine
15. Cry Sanctuary: Red Rock Pass Book 1 by Moira Rogers
16. Sanctuary Lost: Red Rock Pass Book 2 by Moira Rogers
17. Sanctuary's Price: Red Rock Pass Book 3 by Moira Rogers
18. Exposure by Brandilyn Collins
19. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
20. Try Me by Parker Blue
21. Elphame's Choice by P.C. Cast
22. Brighid's Quest by P.C. Cast
23. Run, Wolf by Keith Melton
24. Tainted by Julie Kenner
25. Once Bitten by Kalayna Price
26. Alpha Turned by K.B. Alan
27. Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
28. Addiction by Sandra Marshall
29. Turned by Julie Kenner
30. Torn by Julie Kenner
31. Even Money by Dick Francis
32. Sanctuary Unbound: Red Rock Pass #4 by Moira Rogers
33. Short Stories from Red Rock by Moira Rogers
34. Leader of the Pack: Tales of an Urban Werewolf by Karen MacInerney
35. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
36. Crossroads: Southern Arcana Book 2 by Moira Rogers
37. Hidden Queen by Alma Alexander
38. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione
39. Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione
40. Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione
41. The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston
42. The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston
43. The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston
44. The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston
45. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
46. A Safe Harbor by Moira Rogers
47. Hunting Season: The Gathering by Shelly Laurenston
48. Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston
49. Wild Card by Moira Rogers
50. Calling the Bluff by Moira Rogers
51. Ante Up by Moira Rogers
52. Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

I am still going to be reading and posting about my ebooks, but I won't continue to add them here!  Look for individual posts and reviews!