Book Thirty.

Title: New Moan
Author: Stephfordy Mayo
Summary: Heffa Lump is just a typical, pale and interesting seventeen-year-old. But then she moves to Spatula and meets Teddy Kelledy, an impossibly gorgeous boy who eats rare meat, is super-strong and never goes out in the sunlight. Could he - just maybe - be a vampire? (Hint: totally.) A tale of first love, painful longing and even more painful pointy teeth, New Moan is a hilarious parody of the phenomenon that is Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga.
Genre: Romance, Humour, Parody
Time Started: 23rd May, 9:50am (ish)
Time Ended: 23rd May, 2:00pm (ish)
Page Count: 272
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: Mature themes/conversation/topics/etc.
Appeal Rating: 9/10.

I bought this book yesterday, and I can safely say that it was worth the money. I absolutely loved this book. As @loupie said on Twitter, "This book is brilliant. It somehow manages to take everything we all hate about Twilight and make it funny." Side-splittingly so, I'd say. Now, I'm not usually a fan of comedic books/crack!fics/parodies because the writers try too hard to be funny that you end up rolling your eyes instead of laughing. However, as I dislike Twilight so much, I couldn't pass up the oppurtunity and bought it immediately - I do not regret it. The humour in this book is so natural, as if someone who dislikes it was merely talking about Twilight and mimicking the characters.

Speaking of which, the names and places were hilarious, too. Heffa Lump (Bella), Joe Cahontas (Jacob), Justin Case (Michael), Chump Lump (Charlie), Spatula (Forks), Port D'angerous (Port Angeles), Sunnytown (Phoenix) ... you just can't help but laugh.

I love how it connects and changes parts from each of the books, along with including original parts that aren't seen in the books, too. It's a nice combination, proving to the reader that no, the author didn't just copy the scenes and fix them up. S/he worked over this parody, thought about it deeply, considered what parts to include and what not.

I recommend this to everyone over the age of thirteen, whether you're a fan of the books or not. It's really enjoyable (:

Book Twenty-Nine.

Title: Vampire Knight Vol. 3
Author: Matsuri Hino
Summary: Kaname, the pureblood vampire, has kept to his room since learning of Yuki and Zero's forbidden act. However, the arrival of Ichijo's grandfather brings the entire Night Class together to greet one of the oldest vampires on the senate. Ichijo's grandfather says he's there merely to visit his grandson, but he's out for Kaname's blood.
Genre: Romance
Time Started: 23rd May, 9:10am
Time Ended: 23rd May,9:45am.
Page Count: Unknown.
Age Rating: "Older teen." 15+?
Warning: N/A.
Appeal Rating: 8/10.

This book, compared to the last two, is absolutely fantastic. The plot is really going somewhere now, we're finding depth to the characters - seeing more than just their level of authority or social status in the school. I like Yuki in certain respects - her past, her selflessness, her authority - but other parts remind me disgustingly of Bella Swan from Twilight, and she's an awful character. Begging to have her blood sucked, easily accepting vampires, etc. ... it's all very stereotypical human-falls-for-vampire setting. And, yes, Zero and Kaname are amazing characters who deserve her love and acceptance, but I just have to roll my eyes at some of Yuki's lines.

Even so, another book thoroughly enjoyed *thumbs up*

Book Twenty-Eight

Title: Vampire Knight Vol. 2
Author: Matsuri Hino

Summary: Outside the safe boundary of the academy, Yuki is attacked by a vampire. Injured and unable to defend herself, two Night Class students come to her aid and kill the vampire. Yuki asks them why they killed their own kind, and they her to come to the Moon Dormitory at midnight to learn the answer ...
Genre: Romance
Time Started: 20th May, 2:10pm.
Time Ended: 20th May, 2:55pm.
Page Count: Unknown. I don't think MH believes in page numbers...?

Age Rating: "Older teen." 15+?
Warning: N/A.
Appeal Rating:7/10.

I definitely enjoyed this book more, as it stopped re-telling the same things, and the plot has started moving quickly. I was reading this in English, because my Thursday English lesson focuses more on reading than learning, while my Monday/Wednesday lessons focus on learning rather than reading. But, ANYWAY, I had to stop myself from squealing when one of the minor vampire characters cut another minor vampire's hand and drank his blood.

Who knew bloodsucking could be so ... so ... so ... erotic?

Wow.

Book Twenty-Seven

Title: Vampire Knight Vol. 1
Author: Matsuri Hino
Summary: Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires! Yuki Cross has no memory of her past prior to the moment she was saved from a vampire attack ten years ago. She was adopted by the headmaster of Cross Academy, and now works alongside Zero to guard the Academy's secret. Yuki believes that vampires and humans can coexist peacefully, but her partner has different ideas ...
Genre: Romance
Time Started: 19th May, 8:30am
Time Ended: 19th May, 10:35pm
Page Count: Unknown. The last page number I can find is 70, and that's well over a hundred pages before the end.
Age Rating: "Older teen." 15+?
Warning: N/A.
Appeal Rating: 5/10.

I wasn't too keen on this one. Yes, the plot is alright and the art if fantastic, but I quickly got annoyed at how the chapters all start the same... "I'm Yuki, that's Cross. We're the Guardians of the School and the Night Class - ZOMG - they're vampires." Literally, it tells us that they're the Guardians so often, it's completely ridiculous. So, that ruined it, as did the cliché-ness of the vampires (stunning beauty gets old after a while).

Book Twenty-Six

Title: Pita-Ten Vol 8
Author: Koge-Donbo
Summary: Kotarou may finally have to move on! His relationship with Misha is in the shambles and Shia is out of the picture ... so who is left? Kotarou's long-time friend Koboshi, that's who! When she confesses her true feelings for him, with Takashi sit idly by? These matters of the heart may just have to wait for Kotarou's impending middle school entrance exam. Meanwhile, Misha is cramming for her Angelic Examination, but a hard truth is about to be revealed that could spell disaster. Futures will be decided and fates sealed with the outcome of these exams! Don't miss out on any of the tear-jerking drama in the final volume of Pita-Ten!
Genre: Romance
Time Started: 18th May, 11:00pm
Time Ended: 18th May, 11:35pm
Page Count: 192
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: N/A.
Appeal Rating: 10/10.

I actually cried. The ending of this book honestly made me cry. My friend read the series two books behind me, and she's finished it now, and she thinks I'm too emotional. She found it sad, too, but not enough to cry. I think that perhaps, because I'm a writer, I connect with characters more easily than she would, and so I'm more prone to cry. Because honestly, I'm anything but emotional. Still, I found this utterly heartbreaking.

I loved it.

Book Twenty-Five

We've reached the halfway mark! That means I'm ahead of myself. In order to be "on track", I had to have read twenty-five books by the middle of June. And it's only the middle of May. So I'm ahead ^.^

Title: Pita-Ten Vol 7
Author: Koge-Donbo
Summary: Grim times await Kotarou, Shia and Misha as Katorou pays his final respects to his dearly departed grandfather. In this tale of transcendent love, the dark secret that Misha has been harboring - the very reason for her coming to Earth - is finally revealed. Will her frienship with Kotarou be strong enough to withstand the shocking truth?!
Genre: Romance
Time Started: 18th May, 10:20pm
Time Ended: 18th May, 10:55pm
Page Count: 173
Age Rating: 13+
Warning: N/A.
Appeal Rating: 10/10.

Once again, I really enjoyed this volume! And, once again, I've read other books since, so I'm rusty. But this book was so sad. Really. I nearly cried.

Book Twenty-Four.

Title: Pita-Ten Vol6

Author: Koge-Donbo

Summary: As Kotarou tries to uncover the roots of his relationship with Misha and Shia, the journey of discovery turns into a mystery wrapped deep within their history. When the details to the past begin to become exposed, forgotten promises and secret truths are finally revealed. Will it all be enough to bring Kotarou, Misha and Shia together for a happy romance?

Genre: Romance

Time Started: 17th May, 10:25pm

Time Ended: 17th May, 11:00pm

Page Count: 194

Age Rating: 13+

Warning: N/A

Appeal Rating: 10/10.

Sorry, guys, I've been putting this off for a while, so I don't have the usual "OMG-this part was amazing, that character's so annoying." as I usually do, especially since I've read other books since now. Sorryyyy. My fault.

I do remember one thing, though. I loved this volume. The flashbacks were absolutely gripping; I couldn't put it down, even if I wanted to.

Book Twenty-Three

Title: Pita-Ten Vol 5

Author: Koge-Donbo

Summary: Sasha has a message for Kotarou: Back off! The uber-hip angelic diva is dead set on helping Misha ace her angel exam, and she thinks that Kotarou has been clouding Misha's judgement. However, Kotarou has an eye for someone else - Shia, Misha's kind-hearted roommate. Will Cupid's arrow strike Shia and Kotarou? Or will Misha be his angel of the morning?

Genre: Romance

Time Started: 17th May, 1:20pm

Time Ended: 17th May, 2:05pm

Page Count: 195

Age Rating: 13+

Warning: N/A.

Appeal Rating: 8/10.

Sorry, guys, I've been putting this off for a while, so I don't have the usual "OMG-this part was amazing, that character's so annoying." as I usually do, especially since I've read other books since now. Sorryyyy. My fault.

Book Twenty-Two.

Title: Pita-Ten Vol4

Author: Koge-Donbo

Summary: Kotarou and his classmates take the middle-school entrance exams while Misha takes her own angelic test in order to earn her new wings. if she is able to ace the test, she will finally be able to prove to Kotarou that she is indeed an angel. Meanwhile, as Ten-chan makes a play for Shia's affections, he discovers that Kotarou also has the hots for her!

Genre: Romance

Time Started: 14th May, 8:25am

Time Ended: 15th May, 11:30pm.

Page Count: 194

Age Rating: 13+

Warning: Nudity. Once.

Appeal Rating: 8/10.

 

Truthfully, it's not obvious that Kotarou "has the hots" for Shia. If anything, I'd say he was starting to like Misha as more than a friend, especially since she stripped in front of him (that was an eyebrow-raiser, most definitely. Heh). While Ten-chan is gaga over the girl, it seems - to me - that Kotarou sees her as a friend and a carer. Nothing more, nothing less. But, heyho, we all have our own interpretations, don't we? Maybe it'll be less subtle in later books.

This book is probably the most eventful so far, and since I finished it just a few hours ago (it's currently 1:30am, see), it's at the front of my mind. I really enjoyed it, and I definitely recommend it (:

Book Twenty-One.

Title: Pita-Ten Vol.3

Author: Koge-Donbo

Summary: Ever since he was a little boy, Kotarou has been able to see angels. This has certainly come in handy, since he has one named Misha living next door! But when the angel Sasha descends to Earth, she's a bit flustered by Kotaroi's ability to sense her. Sasha also has suspicions about Misha's roommate, Shia. Indeed, what secrets does Shia keep safely tucked inside her raven-topped head? Is she a vampire, a demon, a ghost, or another angel? In the midst of such contemplations, Sasha develops a massive crush on Kotaroi's best friend, Takashi! But wait! Can it be that Takashi actually has feelings for ... Shia?!

Genre: Romance

Time Started: 13th May, 8:30am

Time Ended: 13th May, 10:30pm.

Page Count: 195

Age Rating: 13+

Warning: N/A

Appeal Rating: 8/10.

 

 I've read Volume Four since reading this one, so it's all a little mixed, but I remember that Sasha didn't even play a huge role in the third volume, so I'm not entirely sure why the blurb is like OMGSASHA!!!!1!!!111!! ... Yeah. So, with each book I read, I enjoy it more, and I'm starting to just deal with Misha and her perky, annoying tendancies, even if it still makes me want to punch her lights out. But I'm controlling myself.

And I'm starting to utterly adore Ten-chan. He's so cute and adorable and smart and I love him. Yupyupyup. Hey... stop looking at me like that... we all like manga characters at some point! At least it's not as bad as my friend, who looks at the pictures over my shoulder while I'm reading: he thinks that Misha's fit. Yuck.

Recommended? Yupp(:

Book Twenty

Title: Pita-Ten Vol.2

Author: Koge-Donbo

Summary: When your next-door neighbours are a hyperactive angel and her enigmatic friend, life can be filled with drama - just ask Kotarou. Mayhem magnifies when Kotaroi's best friend, Takashi, sprains his ankle right before the elementary school's new play is set to debut! And now Kotaroi must take on the lead role as the Moon Princess Kaguya! Will Kotarou get stage fright, or just frighten everyone on stage? Send in the clowns - we'll have tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!

Genre: Romance

Time Started: 12th May, 8:30am

Time Ended: 12th May, 4:30pm.

Page Count: 178

Age Rating: 13+

Warning: N/A

Appeal Rating: 7/10.

I undoubtedly enjoyed this more than the last one, though I'm not surprised, because I knew the layout from the start, and I was familiar with the characters. I could look at a picture and think, "Hey, that's Kotarou!" or see "Tee hee hee!" and groan at the arrival of Misha. However, I still get Ten-chan and Ayanokoji-kun hopelessly mixed up. But, either way, they're still great and I enjoyed it.

You know, when Allie requested that I read manga, I was reluctant and doubted I'd like it. When I started reading Pita-Ten, I fully expected to hate it ... and I can tell you, I didn't enjoy much at first. But then I started looking past all the things I don't like about manga - the lack of description, the all-dialogue writing format, and started looking at the plot and things like that, and I was able to get into it. Although I'm still kind of grumblegrumblemangagrumble, I'm more open to it.

But as much as I'm enjoying the series, I still want to punch Misha's lights out whenever she pops up. No teenager can be so preppy and annoying. Buuuut, whatever.

Good book, nonetheless.

Book Nineteen.

Title: Pita-Ten Vol. 1

Author: Koge-Donbo

Summary: It's a hard-knock life for Kotarou. His father is always away on business, and his mother recently passed away. He spends a lot of time alone...and he hates it. Maybe he can make good use of his solitude - his middle school exams are looming ahead, and he needs to buckle to down and study hard. But his concentration - along with his loneliness - is shattered when a zany girl named Misha unexpectedly moves in next door to him. Soon, Misha starts cropping up every Kotarou goes! Although she seems to have a stalker's mentality, MIsha claims she's an angel. Her mission: To make sure Kotaroi is happy and safe. That's a tall order, since Misha seems to know almost nothing about life on Earth!

Genre: Romance

Time Started: 10th May, 8:25am.

Time Ended: 11th May, 5:10pm.

Page Count: 178

Age Rating: 13+

Warning: N/A

Appeal Rating: 5/10.

 

There isn't much I can say about it, really. It's the first manga I've ever read from start to finish. I went through most of the book confused about how to read it, starting in the wrong places all the time and messing up a lot, so I wasn't taking much of it in. What I was taking in, however, was very weird, and even after reading the second book and wanting to read further, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I asked my friend, Allie, who was the one who made me read it, and even she decided it was weird. So, clearly, I chose the wrong manga to start off with, because it's not giving me a great impression on other manga books.

But it's not unbearable. 

Misha-san annoys the hell out of me, I always get Ayanokoji-kun and Ten-chan mixed up because they're both fair-haired, and I still stumble over the layout every now and then, but other than that, I can find no reason to disapprove of it. It was an alright book, and I'm not going to deny it. It was good enough to make me read the next one, so that counts for something, right?

Book Eighteen.

Title: Eagle Strike

Author: Anthony Horowitz

Summary: Relaxing in the South of France reluctant MI6 agent Alex Rider is finally able to feel like any ordinary  fourteen-year-old - until a sudden, ruthless attack on his hosts plunges him back into a world of violence and mystery. And this time, MI6 don't want to know. Alex is determined to track down his friends' attackers, even if he must do it alone. But it's a path that leads to a long-buried secret - and a discovery more terrible than anything he could have imagined.

Genre: Adventure/Action

Time Started: 18th April, 8:25am

Time Ended: 11th May, 11:28pm.

Page Count: 329

Age Rating: 11+

Warning: Violence

Appeal Rating: 9/10

I was close to tears by the end of this book. It is, by far, the most dramatic book yet. Although school started up and I didn't touch it for ages, I really did enjoy it. I read just under half of it last night. Horowitz creates such amazing characters with wonderful backgrounds, and you can tell by the way the books connect that he had the entire series planned out before he put pen to paper. He didn't write the first book, ponder for a few months over the next one, and write it. You can tell he planned them all beforehand, creating backgrounds and pasts for the characters.

I've said this before, but this time I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart ... I love Yassen. I don't care if he's a ruthless contract killer. I love him. He's such an amazing character, and although I already knew about Alex's dad (I kind of accidentally read one of the blurbs for the later books in the series because they were in the wrong order on my shelf ... and I had my suspicions from the first chapter of Eagle Strike - the prologue bit xD), hearing it from Yassen himself just chokes me up. In fact, whenever I think of this quote, I want to cry: "In a way, I loved him. I love you too, Alex. You are so very much like him. I'm glad that you're here with me now." And then, naturally, I wanted to cry even more to the event that happened after that, which I don't want to ruin for you. Sniffle.

And even after that upsetting penultimate chapter, the next one was also filled with a lot of grief. Sabina left for San Fransisco! We all knew it was going to happen eventually, that Sabina would get a taste of Alex's world and run for the hills, but it's not fair. They were so cute together.

Through all that, though, through all the times I got tears in my eyes, I never actually cried. Weird, eh?

And now, Alex is going to go off to find Scorpia, like Yassen told him to.

It might be a little eensie while before I continue reading the series, because I'm working my way through a  manga series at the moment (blame my friend, Allie xD). However, saying that, I've finished the second book and have to spend the rest of the evening book-less, so I'll probably start Scorpia tonight and not finish it for ages. Heh. Now, I need to write up the other reviewy thingies for the manga... Roar. Oh, and also, I'm reading 'Storm Catchers' by Tim Bowler in school with my group of six, so once we've finished that, I'll be adding that to the list. Sorry. Rambling.

Definitely, definitely, definitely recommended. Love you, Yassen.