"Switched" by Amanda Hocking

Book Details:
Title: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1)
Author: Amanda Hocking
Published: January 2012- St Martin's Press
ISBN: 978-1-250-00631-8
Pages: 293 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Rating: 5 of 5
Read In: 2 days

My Review:
Most young adult novels follow a similar pattern- girl meets boy, girl falls hopelessly in love with boy, something tears girl and boy apart, girl gets into trouble, boy runs to her rescue, the end. Many very popular series follow this model successfully and become huge hits, like the Twilight Saga and House of Night series. Others miserably miss the mark and land with their face in the mud. Thankfully, Amanda Hocking's Trylle trilogy is off to an amazing start in Switched.

Female readers everywhere will fall in love with girl's main squeeze, the mysterious and hard-to-get Finn. "Girl" is Wendy- she's clumsy and scatterbrained and you can't help but feel for her, especially in her fight for finn and her struggle to remain herself while everyone around her demands she be someone else.

This particular story has one quality I feel really sets it apart from the rest- there are no vampires. I was a little disappointed myself at first, but Trylle are something better than vampires, they're trolls. But not in the living under bridges eating goats sense, but in the magical abilities, lots of money and glam fashion. Now what makes these creatures better than vampires? They don't have to drink blood to maintain their abilities and composure, so aside from the overall waning of abilities among their species, they really have no weaknesses.

I really enjoyed this book, aside from the infuriating ending. I seriously recommend waiting the extra month after publication to buy the second at the same time, because the need for the next book is far too strong! I could not put Switched down for two whole days and it leaves me sad it's over.

I give Switched five out of five stars only because I can't give it six, and I strongly recommend any fan of young adult novels not miss out on this series.

"Fezariu's Epiphany" by David M. Brown

Book Details:
Title: Fezariu's Epiphany
Author: David M. Brown
Published: 2011- Createspace
ISBN: 978-1-456-50059-7
Pages: 379 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 of 5
Read In: 10 days

My Review:
This is the first installment in the Elencheran Chronicles series by David M. Brown. As a fervent fan of the fantasy genre, I found this book to be everything I expected and more. Not only are the characters well-developed and memorable, the reader is taken away to an equally well-developed fantasy world that rivals the worlds of popular, established fantasy writers, such as Robert Jordan and Mercedes Lackey.

Brown features a vast variety of both primary and secondary characters. Some are members of fantasy races the author himself creates, such as a canine-like people and humans with naturally purple hair. The main protagonist of this series is Fezariu, who is followed from birth in this novel. As he grows and enters different stages of his life, other characters enter and leave his life, always leaving a mark on his life. From his mother, a prostitute trying only to do the right thing for her son, to Fezariu's fellow mercenary friends, every character is memorable.

I was greatly disappointed that my copy does not have maps of Brown's fantasy world. He describes in great detail the geography of the various countries and cities, but they are expansive and difficult to follow without visual representations. However, each region has their own well-devised history, much of which the reader learns through the protagonist's travels. It is very clear that this series will be impressively in-depth and the author leaves no aspect of his world to the imagination. He has thought of everything, from the races inhabiting each region, the individual histories of his countries and cities, and even the different governing systems.

I am very excited for further installments of what is sure to be a hit fantasy series. I gave Fezariu's Epiphany five out of five stars and firmly believe it deserves every one. I feel I can be a tough critic of fantasy novels, but I hold this one in high regards and anxiously await the publication of its sequel!

"This Letter to Norman Court" by Pablo D'Stair

Book Details:
Title: This Letter to Norman Court
Author: Pablo D'Stair
Published: 2011- Pigeon Grift Press
ISBN: 978-0-6155-0553-4
Pages: 132 pages
Genre: Crime/Noir Novella
Rating: 1 of 5
Read In: 1 day


My Review:
This first of five novellas about petty crook Trevor English was one of the worst works of literature I have ever read. Not only is the entire thing lacking any kind of sentence or chapter structure, the grammar is painful to read through.

One reason many people enjoy books is the characters and how the author presents them and their personal growth and how much the reader can connect and enjoy the character. This Letter to Norman Court, however, had absolutely no likable characters. Trevor English is a pickpocket living life on the outskirts of society and barely getting by crashing on couches, drinking and smoking profusely, and lifting wallets to fund his habits. When he is offered two thousand dollars to deliver an incriminating letter, he takes advantage of the situation to make even more money by ruining lives of everyone involved in the letter. When his scheme begins crumbling around him, I found myself hoping and praying the cops would get him, because a person like that, even a fictitious one, deserves nothing less. Not only is the main protagonist is a miserable low-life, all the people he meets along his journeys have some hidden agenda or secret to hide.

Although pretty short, it was difficult for me to read through this mind-numbingly ridiculous novella. I give "This Letter to Norman Court" one of five stars, merely for the author's brave attempt at writing something another person may want to read. But that person is not me.

"On Lives Subway Supplement" by Michael J. Parish

Book Detail:
Title: "On Lives Subway Supplement"
Author: Micheal J. Parish
Published: 2009- On Lives Press
ISBN: None
Pages: 21 pages
Genre: Essays
Rating: 3 of 5
Read In: 1 hour


My Review:
Parish's booklet "On Lives Subway Supplement" is a smart collection of ten short essays on some pretty random topics. The author's chosen topics include walking, lawns, aging, and even online dating. Though they're not particularly mind-blowing, the essays are short enough to entertain anyone for long enough to avoid boredom in places such as bus stops, subways, or doctor offices.

"On Walks and Walking" discusses the author's thoughts on leisurely walking. He expresses that it has become a lost art and encourages readers to get up and walk versus leading a more sedentary lifestyle.

"On Lawns" is a funny little essay highlighting the history of the lawn and the extent people go to to keep their lawns looking nice (though usually hiring someone to do it for them!).

"On Aging" was a particular favorite of mine. Parish writes that between the sun damaging our skin and gravity pulling us down to the Earth, aging is aided by the very world we live in. He also explores the happiness and curiosity of children, asking why we can't maintain such attitudes as we grow older.

I found "On Online Dating" to be chuckle-inducing. Parish wonders if people who have such a difficult time finding and keeping a partner that they have to depend on the Internet to help should really reproduce. Survival of the fittest must be keeping these people from finding a sexual partner for a reason. Though he does express that some people are just far too busy to properly date outside the Internet, he stresses that anything as important as finding a partner should be given as much time and energy as we can allot to it.

I found this booklet entertaining for a short time, but was not exactly impressed. My overall reaction was just as so-so as the three of five stars I have given this essay collection.

"The Deal" by Adam Gittlin

Book Details:
Title: The Deal
Author: Adam Gittlin
Published: 2008- Oceanview Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-933515-13-7
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 342
Rating: 5 of 5
Read In: 6 days


My Review:
Adam Gittlin's The Deal is an absolutely amazing thriller! the author uses deeply interesting character, infuses history into the plot, and then sprinkles pop culture on top to create one of the most addicting novels I have had the pleasure of picking up!

His main protagonist is Jonah Gray- a high-end commercial real estate broker in the heart of New York City. Following in his father's foot steps in every facet of his life, from his business ethics to his taste for fine things, Jonah finds himself acquainted with some of the city's highest rollers, the best of the best in business and the luckiest in life. While the reader follows Jonah around in what becomes a life-changing series of events, they get to know all sorts other characters, some of whom show their less-than-desirable sides, while others show that there really are good people still in powerful positions in the world. We become very familiar with Gray's business partners- the tough, successful leader Tommy, Jake, the partner who is rarely serious, but will go for the throat to close a deal, and the hard-headed, subtly alluring Perry. Stan Gray, Jonah's father, is his only remaining family since his mother died when he was young. A top gun in real estate, his father is Jonah's best and worst critic rolled into one, all in the name of helping his son succeed. We meet friends L and Andreu, who seem upon finishing the novel to be the respective angel and devil on Jonah's shoulders. I absolutely loved all of the characters, not just the select few mentioned here. Even the more minor characters, such as his father's chauffeur Mattheau, Angie, the girl Jonah finds to be too good to be true, and Parker, Jonah's doorman, prove to be multi-dimensional and the author allows them their own side stories and lives for the reader to be sidetracked into.

Another amazing aspect of this novel is the author's use of history in the plot. The first major problem the protagonist faces is when a stolen Faberge egg is planted on him at a party. This opens up doors to Russian and art history that is solidly visited throughout the novel and creates the central story line. I had only heard of these Russian treasures in passing, but The Deal explores their whole history, substituting a bit for the sake of the story, and exposes the reader to knowledge they may never have had the pleasure of possessing otherwise. For that, I am grateful to Mr. Gittlin.

Finally, Gittlin sprinkles popular culture all over throughout the novel to draw readers in to something they already are familiar with. This also serves, in my opinion, to show the reader that there is some similarities between them and this larger-than-life lifestyle the characters possess. While the reader may not have millions in the bank and maintain an honorable position in one of the largest and most successful real estate brokerage companies in the country, they can still appreciate the "Everybody Loves Raymond" reference, that the protagonist also listens to Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, and Coldplay, or that he also has read and internalized Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. If the reader can not connect to the characters' lifestyles in no other way, this serves as a great way to remember that they are just as real (as far as the novel is concerned) and the reader.

I am very excited that I got to read this novel. The mystery and suspense kept me from putting it down multiple times. I give it five out of five stars and would absolutely jump at the chance to read another novel by this author.

"Valentino Speaks: The Wisdom of Rudolph Valentino, Cues and Views From the Other Side" by Wayne Vincent Hatford

Book Details:
Title: Valentino Speaks: The Wisdom of Rudolph Valentino, Cues and Views From the Other Side
Author: Wayne Vincent Hatford
Published: 2011- Whitley Heights Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9833436-0-8
Genre: Spiritualism
Pages: 317
Rating: 2 of 5
Read In: 9 days

My Review:
Though a great wealth of practical advice and experiences, I found Valentino Speaks to be painfully dry and difficult to wade through. I was also put back by its premise of being written through a process known as automatic writing. I believe I am very open minded when it comes to spiritualism, but the idea that the long-dead Rudolph Valentino was able to command use of the author's pen and write his thoughts and opinions on such a myriad of topics is difficult for me to accept.

Aside from the supposed way the book was written, some of the topics seemed a little ridiculous to me: bullfighting, clockwise, opera, and portals to name a few. The authors found plenty to say during vignettes such as these, but once I finished them, I felt like I didn't gain anything from them.

I gave this book two of five stars for some pretty deep, thought-provoking vignettes, despite those that did not shine. I could barely finish this book and would not consider re-reading it, but I would recommend it to someone more into self-help, spiritualistic reads.

"Search & Destroy: Why You Can't Trust Google Inc" by Scott Cleland with Ira Brodsky

Book Details:
Title: Search & Destroy: Why You Can't Trust Google Inc
Author: Scott Cleland with Ira Brodsky
Published: 2011- Telescope Books
ISBN: 978-0-9800383-2-3
Genre: Business/Information Technology/Politics
Pages: 247
Rating: 4 of 5
Read In: 6 days


My Review:
Scott Cleland has bravely done what few have the nerve to do: publicly expose the secrets of a tyrant. Google Inc is a multi-billion dollar company extending their tentacles into every possible corner of commerce and the Internet as possible, and effectively taking over. The general public as a whole does not realize the hold this seemingly innocent Internet-based company has over their personal information and the sneaky ways they gather and archive such private details of our daily lives- including, but not limited to, the websites we visit in the comfort of our own homes, the links and ads we are drawn to while Web surfing, and even our medical and health records. Aside from victimizing the general public, Cleland exposes the questionable tactics and politics they utilize to trap and take advantage of companies that purchase advertisement from Google Inc. In three parts, the author runs through the laundry list of crimes against humanity this company gets away with on a daily basis, all in the name of profit and in the effort to monopolize all of the world's information.

The first part of this book explains why Google Inc is not to be trusted. They preach transparency and open information in every area of life, government, and business, and yet remain close-lipped about their own practices. Information such as employment statistics, information-gathering techniques, and even the locations of their servers remains unreachable for anyone outside the company (and even most employed by the company). They also fail to expose the information they steal through their search engine, applications, email service, and Street View vehicles, most of which is taken just through use of sponsored websites. Google was caught accessing personal residential wireless networks through their Street View application mapping, later reluctantly giving up the data (including user names, passwords, and personal files) for review and later stating that though the information was supposedly acquired accidently, the company would not destroy the information unless required by law. Doesn't quite sound like the innocent, trustworthy company they like to pretend to be.

Part two enlightens the reader about why Google Inc is destructive. They pick and choose which sites get displayed in their search results based solely on their own biases and loyalties, causing some to lose business due to becoming buried underneath numerous other, similar businesses. Also, advertisement price hikes on unsuspecting companies hurts business and can force companies to close or downsize to make up for their loss of revenue. Political websites are also selectively displayed, generating more support for the candidates Google supports and hurting the political careers of the rest (over 90% of Google employees are Democrats). Another potentially damaging habit of Google's is their reputation for posting or using copyrighted or patented material without permission and bracing for any backlash that may occur once the rightful owner discovers the theft of their protected material. Google Inc's deliberate, unapologetic approach to helping themselves to another's intellectual property makes the book/video/program/etc available for everyone to use with no reimbursement or credit to the rightful owner. Once discovered, the material has been available long enough to compromise the owner's exclusive rights to it and therefore loses potential revenue to bootleg copies. With no remorse, Google takes their time removing the material, but the damage is already done and irreversible.

Lastly, the author takes you into the future and gives a dim view of what the world could come to if Google gets it's way and is allowed to continue on the path they're on. Tyrants, owning all information the world can produce, a select few elite within the company deciding what information is available to the public and what they feel does not promote their best interest. All of your private information openly available to anyone with Internet access- finances, health records, contact information. Google is a fierce supported of "open" information systems.

I found this book to be very eye-opening and am grateful this information is now available to the general public. Google would like to remain seen as an innovative, trustworthy company that offers no threat to mankind, operating with the best of intentions and striving to better the world. After reading this book, readers can decide Google's level of trustworthiness for themselves. Though the author is quite repetitive with some information, his resources are reputable and from a wide selection of mediums. As Financial Times magazine said about Google Inc: "The world has every reason to applaud Google, but few reasons to trust it." I give Search & Destroy four of five stars and strongly recommend everyone read it and become educated on the issues with this company and hopefully increase their own online security.