Sleepless by Thomas Fahy

SOMEONE ELSE WILL
DIE SOON
she tells herself.

SOMEONE ELSE WILL DIE
AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE.

A few days after the first time you
walk in your sleep, you kill someone.
That's how the end begins.

Emma Montgomery has been having gruesome nightmares. Even worse, when she wakes up, she isn't where she was when she fell asleep. And she's not the only one. One by one the students of Saint Opportuna High start having nightmares, and sleepwalking. And the next morning one of their classmates turns up dead.

Something is making them kill in their sleep. Emma and her friends need to band together, to keep themselves awake until they can figure out what's behind the murders--before anyone else dies.

I had to say, I was very excited to recieve this book to review since I love horror movies, so naturally I`d love horror books and the cover is just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  But the problem with this novel was that it was somewhat...boring.  In the end it seemed like the whole summary had falsely advertised the book it really wasn`t what I excpected.  The book wasn`t completely a disappointment, it was a nice read but the summary didn`t represent what the book really had to offer.  The book was more about insomnia and voodoo than killing and whatnot.  I do admit that Mr. Fahy`s writing skills were pretty great but the character developpement seemed very lacking.

All in all, the book was okay but it dosen`t deserve the moody teenager seal of aproval, since it was only okay.  It just didn`t make the cut.

www.thomasfahy.com

Malice by Chris Wooding

Everyone’s heard of Malice, but hardly anyone has actually seen it: a comic about a horrifying world of tricks and traps, overseen by the sinister master of ceremonies, Tall Jake. The story goes that the kids who go through Tall Jake’s deadly trials are real kids, who’ve disappeared from the real world and turned up in the comic. But it’s just an urban legend, right?

 Teenagers are becoming obsessed with a comic book named Malice.  Malice is rare to atually be seen but the rumour is spreading about the horrible tricks and traps that are being controled by the sinister, Tall Jake.  The kids in the comic books are real kids who have disappeared from the real world, but have somehow ended up in Malice. 

Everyone thinks it's just an urban legend, including Seth and Kady.  But once their friend, Luke goes missing and he mysteriously end up in the cominc Seth takes it upon himself to go to Malice and he ends up going through the most horrifying experience he has ever experienced.  A bonus, the cover has a metal face plate and it's definetly an attention grabber.

So Malice is part comic, but mostly novel.  The book was so hard to put down and it was so different from anything I've ever read in my life.  The book was thrilling and kept me up at night.  I think that the best part of the book was Tall Jake.  Chris Wooding made Tall Jake so believable that I was scared of him!  I'm still too scared to say the chant "Tall Jake come take me away".  This was a great book and I recommend it to anyone who is searching for an adventure novel.  

Of course this book has the Moody seal of approval because Malice is real and you can't escape.

The next book, Havoc comes out in 2010, the books are supposed to be a duology but Chris Wooding says that there may be more.  Heres his site http://www.chriswooding.com

By the time you read this I'll be dead by Julie Anne Peters

From the web: Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for "completers"- www.through-the-light .com. While she's on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk. 
Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she's made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. And it's too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life. Isn't it?National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters shines a light on how bullying can push young people to the very edge. 

For starters, this isn't the average teen fiction novel.  Julie Anne Peters covers some very serious issues and in the progress writes an amazing novel.  Daelyn is not the typical teen, she has been through so much in her life and finnally decides she dosen't want to go on, after a string of suicide attempts.  But then while she waits for her parents to pick her up from school a boy named Santana starts sitting beside her even though she's made it clear that she would rather be left alone.  This happens after Daelyn has made her decision and she dosen't want to let people into her life since it's so close to ending but Santana still manages a way to creep into her life.  Daelyn starts visiting a website named www.through-the-light .com.  (which does not exist, I checked).  While on the site she begins to blog about the reasons why she has made the choice to commit suicide.  The reasons are mostly varied types of bullying that go all the way back to kindergarten.

Once I flipped open the first page and started reading about Daelyn's horrible experiences, I never stopped until the last page.  I think Daelyn's is someone who lives inside each and every one of us, though some of us don't let her control us that much.  I'd also like to say that while I read the book I agreed with what Daelyn was thinking the whole time including killing herself.  Why should she have to endure such a horrible life?  But as the plot thickened and Santana wasn't a small character anymore I found myself hoping that she wouldn't commit sucide.  I'm not going to overanalyze the book and say the chracter developpement was amazing (which it was) and so on because that wouldn't be th point of it.

The story really captivates what so many off us are going through and Daelyn is just an example.  The way Daelyn's kept making jokes (in her thoughts) about her everyday battles even though she was planning to commit sucide made her a realistic character.  It isn't really easy to review such a serious book, so I'll leave you with this: I'm just going to say that this was an amazing book and I might even have to consider it one of my favorites.  It's really something I think each and every one of us should read.  And of course this book deserves the Moody seal of approval.

The book wont be released until 2010 but here is Julie Anne Peter's wesbite for more information:  http://www.julieannepeters.com/

The vampire is just not that into you by Vlad Mezrich

Are you worried that you might not be your vamp's (blood) type?  Well Vlad Mezrich is the ultimate Vampire bachelor.  He takes you through the do's and don't of dating a vampire while giving you tips on how to please his....appetite.  With fun diagrams and laugh-out-loud quizzes after reading this page turner you'll be a magnet to vampires and it WON'T be because of your blood!

If your a Twilight fan or even just a pop culture vampire book fanatic, this book is for you!  It's a funny read and Vlad really does cover everything there is.  If you did in fact read Twilight (which you probably did...) then you'll notice many little inside jokes and Vlad even takes a couple jabs to the reader!

This book really did crack me up and I learned so much.  In this book you can decode your vamp's mood and tell why he isn't really drinking that much of your blood.  You can even understand the difference between an emo kid and an actual vampire.  What a time saver!  Twilight mocker or Twilight over this book is for everybody, the book features activities, testimonials, top 10 lists and charts, as well as quizzes.

Here is a little something you can excpet to read:

Dear Vlad,
If I shove garlic in a vampire's face and nothing happens, is he still a vampire? Or is the garlic thing all a myth? - Samus

Dear Samus,
Excellent question! The undead try to avoid garlic as it overpowers the scent of human blood, but it’s perfectly harmless. However, the “garlic test” is the most accurate way to determine whether or not the vampire is into you.

To gauge his interest, “accidentally” wave a clove of garlic in front of your vampire and then apologize for your “mishap.” If he’s into you, he’ll respond with something along the lines of: “Never fear, my lovely mortal darling. I’m sure it was an accident. I know humans have difficulty controlling those flimsy mass of ligaments you call arms. Oh, how I worship your spastic wrist movements, my adorably fragile love.”

On the other hand, if he screams “NOOOOooo!!! It’s poison. We die instantly. Um, I mean, we die soon . . . Er . . . I can never see you again. Vampire rule. No, I swear. Google it . . . see ya!” then, chances are, the vampire is just not that into you.

 What more can I say about this book, except that it's simply great.  I really recommend reading it when your traveling so that you can snagg yourself a nice vamp!  Of course this book has the moody seal of approval!

(Interview from: http://onourmindsatscholastic.blogspot.com/)

Rules of attraction- the sequel to Perfect chemistry

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Coming to a book store near you April 27th 2010

THE COVER HAS BEEN RELEASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado.

Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

With new characters to fall in love with and the same hot romance found in Perfect Chemistry, Simone Elkeles has crafted another sure-fire hit for teens.
 

Goodreads.com

How to steal a car by Pete Hautman

Kalleigh is just a teenager who has a bit more to deal with then regular teens.  Her family is the super cookie cutter family on the outside, but on the inside everthing is in shambles.  With a boyfriend, who isn't that interesting and a best friend, who isn't that much of a great friend Kalleigh ends up stealing a car.  At first, it's no big deal.  Just a little parade around the neighberhood.  But after a couple incidents, the thrill it gives Kalleigh is hard to give up and she ends up stealing another, then another.  And then another.

Kalleigh is a girl, I think all teenagers can relate to.  She dosen't really depend on her family or friends, just herself.  And her character is actually believably, she deals with many teenager issues.  And though what Kalleigh does sometimes seems wierd you can actually understand why she does it, and not call her an idiot for doing it.  Kalleigh is a loveable character and although this book was a short read it was really fast paced and you always wanted to keep reading, wondering if Kalleigh would finnally be busted.

Of course I have to give this book the Moody stamp of approoval.  Why?  Because it is a simple fresh, read that any teenager can relate to.  Who knew learing how to steal a car could be that simple?

Visit Pete Hautman at http://www.petehautman.com/

Going too far by Jennifer Echols.

Meg McPhereson is a girl who just wants to escape school, her parents, her home-town.  Her life!  But one crazy night that involves her, a dare and a forbidden railroad track changes everything.  She is arrested and as punishment must endure one whole week of partnering with a cop during his night shift, during spring break.  But that one week changes almost everything about her as she falls in love with John After, the cop that put her in her situation.

Meg's character is the basic rebellious teenager, but slightly different.  Her past has changed her outlook in her life and future.  And John is the goody two shoes, who has his laces untied.  Meg and John begin to bond and their two extreme personnalitites (badass and saint) merge as they fall in love.  Though the plot seems like a total cliche the character development makes up for it.  Meg jus isn't a MOODY TEEN (hihi) she has reasons and John digs up each of those reasons as they fall in love and Meg pushes every single one of his buttons.  But the problem in their romance is that once high school is over Meg is ready to spread her wings and fly away to college land but John's plans consist of many dougnuts, and staying where he is.

The book was really exciting to read, mostly because of A) Meg's personnality and B) John's mystery.  Meg's point of view is really fun to read.  I think a little version of Meg lives inside each and every one of us teenage girls, just waiting to escape.  So anyways, enough of my cheesy metaphors and random explanations.  I'll lay it down simply, this was a very pleasant good book.  And I would recoomend this book to any of you searching a nice, light read.  So of course, this book has the moody seal of approovement!  Because this book was a light, fun, smart, sexy romance!

Jennifer Echols' site:   http://www.jennifer-echols.com/goingtoofar.html
Thank you for letting me review your book Ms Echols!