James Patterson - The Witch & Wizard

The Witch&Wizard and The Gift
Also by Gabrielle Charbonnet and Ned Rust
Unlike Patterson's other books, this series is particularly aimed at young teens, with the straight forward language and direct storyline.
                    The first time I had read the first book, I was constantly on the edge and could not wait for what would happen next! The storyline was easy to understand, though still incredibly tense.
                    In order to read the second book, I had re-read the first book. Although it was less exciting, the book appeared to end before I even realised. That especially happened with The Gift. Even though the books are relatively small in literal size and page length, the rate at which my mind goes along with the plot is amazing.
                    It is not really a book I would like to criticize on, but to read for pure joy and relaxation. Unlike other books where I push myself to predict what may happen and I think about all the possibilities that could take place, this book guides you along to what will happen. It doesn't narrate a story and leave you guessing the inevitable end, but it tells you a story worth listening to.

I intend to read the next book and I will update when I do. Hopefully, I will not have to re-read both of these books when I finally get my hands on The Fire.

My Overall Rate: 2.6/5

Laini Taylor - The Daughter of Smoke and Bone

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone
When I first saw this book in a shop full of numerous other books, it stood out to me and intrigued me ... and still does.
                    Beginning the book, the fact that the main female character is an art student from Prague really drew me in, as I am an art student too, so to be studying in Prague would be a dream come true. Anyway, romance was included in the first part, where Karou (a Japanese name too) dealt with her ex-boyfriend.
                    At that point, the writing style had already attracted me and I was only just discovering the storyline. Reading on, I think that at some parts, the story can be a little too slow progressing and too detailed, as all I wanted to know was what was going to happen next. However, the story was in a unique world where magic was used in the form of wishes, unlike other typical teenage/young adult fantasy books of vampires and angels (though this book involves angels as well). It explained the situation with the additional fantasy species well and the twists were difficult to comprehend and catch up with, nonetheless guess! So I guess it ticks the box for unpredictability!
                    The characters are well thought out in a way that was difficult to portray within the complicated storyline, so I would had loved to know more about certain characters. It must have been difficult to fit all that in though, as it was a pretty big book too.
                    Futhermore, I had initially thought it was a one-off book, but it seems like it's the first book in a planned trilogy... I've read online that it may become a film adaptation too, which would be interesting, though inevitably a kill-joy of the book. I cannot wait for the next book to come out to see where the climax of the war will go and where the characters will lead.

It will not be the perfect book for everyone, but I hope you understand how great it is from a different aspect than the typical teenage girl view.

My Overall Rate: 4.5/5
(Personal Rating: 4.98/5)

Lauren Kate - Torment

Torment
I had only bought this book because it was on sale in a shop. Otherwise, I would not had even thought of buying this as it struck me as an incredibly typical story of a girl and a boy and the boy has some supernatural magic power... And I was right. It was slightly strange as the girl did not appear perfect. In fact, she was so "special" that she had to go to a special school where she met her "soul mate".
                   The story was fast progressing, but it was not clever in building tension or setting an atmosphere or knowing where to stretch the moment. The writing style was not special in a way that I really liked or really hated. The storyline was not my cup of tea.
                    This book is one in three and I have bought the second and third before I had even began reading this book, though I am reluctant to carry on finishing the series. However, I dislike leaving a series hanging, so I will finish it, though only when I have finished all the other books I wish to read.

My Overall Rate: 1.5/5

L. J. Smith - The Forbidden Game

The Forbidden Game

I've always had some sort of ... opinion on L. J. Smith, that she could not write well, as I had read the Vampire Diaries and thought it was poorly written, however I have accepted that she can indeed write well. The book is fast progressing in a way that provides enough detail for the imagination to go wild. The storyline is also impressive. It would hold more tension and unpredictable twists, but the storyline is unique and fun in that way.

                   The characters are well portrayed and makes the typical teenage girl excited and gripping her seat for the next move of each person. The rules of magic and the setting of the characters are clear and concise, making the understanding of the situations easy. Although I think some circumstances were a little far fetched, it was well written enough to pull it off without too much trouble.

                   The ending was terrible for me, as I much preferred the character who ultimately lost the battle of love with the main female character. However, if I am not mistaken, I believe a sequel was due to be released, following the continuity of my favourite character, therefore I would recommend this book of L. J. Smith, but none of her other ones.

Instead of Cassandra Clare's books where I needed to concentrate, this book was more relaxing and fun than anything else. It was not a book to be judged on skill or technicalities, but of plot progression. Simply to know what happens next. 

My Overall Rate: 3/5