Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way

Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way
by Lisi Harrison
Monster High, book three

Always overshadowed by her six brothers and her fab friends, Clawdeen Wolf plans to finally strut her stuff in the spotlight at her upcoming Sweet Sixteen bash. But after The Ghoul Next Door goes viral, it's into the woods for the family Wolf. Clawdeen goes stir crazy lying low at her family's B&B with her annoying brothers until Lala shows up to keep her company. But is the vamp flirting with Claude?! (description from Amazon.com)

I LOVED that Clawdeen was the primary focus of this book. Getting to know more about the wolf behind the designer clothes was awesome. It totally cracked me up that not only did she create a lot of her own outfits, but that she hosted a web DIY show. So much fun!!

Lisi Harrison really does a great job of tackling real teen issues, real life issues (discrimination, bullying, etc.) and still keeping it so fun by changing things up with a little fun - horror movie style! I love each of the girls and their special talents. I cannot wait for the next book featuring Lala.

In My Mailbox - October 9, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

On My Nook:

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Purchased:

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
*You could not imagine how excited I was when this one finally came in the mail...my belated birthday gift!!!*

From the Library:

Working Stiff by Rachel Caine
Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way by Lisi Harrison


Enthralled ed. by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong


Won:

City of Lies by Lian Tanner
*Won from Publisher on Twitter!*

For Review:

Dreamland by Alyson Noel

The Ghoul Next Door

The Ghoul Next Door
by Lisi Harrison
Monster High, book two

Cleo was the queen bee of the RADs, the normies, and everyone in between at Merston High. But now it's "Frankie this" and "Melody that" . . . these new girls sure know how to get her lashes in a tangle. When Cleo lands a golden Teen Vogue photo op for her friends, everything seems to be back on track . . . until they bail to be in some film . . . Frankie and Melody's film! Can't a royal get some loyal?

Frankie lost her head over Brett once and vows never to do it again. Not that she has a choice: Bekka is clinging to her guy like plastic wrap. But when Brett comes up with a plan that could help the RADs live free, sparks fly, and Bekka will stop at nothing to put out the flames . . . even if it means destroying the entire monster community.

The clock is tick-tick-ticking. Melody has a serious deadline to save her boyfriend, Jackson, from being exposed by the vengeance-seeking Bekka. But Cleo is making it royally difficult for the normie while threatening her acceptance into the RADs' exclusive group . . . a group that Melody suspects she has more in common with than she ever thought. (description from Amazon.com)

Aside from being a fun foray into the world of well-known Hollywood famous monsters, Lisi Harrison has created a lighthearted series that manages to bring up tons of real-life issues without being an overwhelming social satire venue. I love the mix of fun and morality that can be found in these books.

The usual social heirarchy could be found at "Monster High" until Melody and Frankie showed up and shook it all up! Two girls who are totally different, yet want exactly the same things. Their plan to help everyone be accepted for just who they are seems to be working just fine, until Frankie literally loses her head over it! Now, the fallout is severe.

Frankie, Cleo, LaLa, Blue, and Clawdeen are all amongst the group whose parents have decreed social lockdown for their safety. They're still better off than Frankie, whose parents have stripped her down to the literal nuts and bolts...

They all have to figure out a way to save their social lives and keep their secrets! Though they long to be "out" and accepted, they also know that they have no desire to be hunted down for their differences. A clever plan here and there never hurt their chances...

With absolute parallels to real teen life, this series manages to be a tongue-in-cheek poke at society. It's fun and thought-provoking all in one. I love all the nods to old monster movies and look forward to reading book three, Where There's a Wolf, There's a way.

In My Mailbox - June 19, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

This was two big weeks' worth of books! I was lucky to get quite a few fantastic books in the mail, to borrow some great reads and to attend the YA spectacular event in Madison, CT.


From the Library:

The Ghoul Next Door by Lisi Harrison

Won:

The Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han
*Thanks to Steph at Steph Su Reads!!*


Sent for Review:

Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
*Thanks to Little, Brown!!*

Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong
*Thanks to Dutton!!*


Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
*Thanks to Zietghost Media!*

Mercy by Sarah L. Thompson
The Break-Up Diaries by Ni-Ni Simone and Kelli London


Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
*Thanks, Tera!!*

Borrowed from Jen at Yabooknerd:

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Crossed by Ally Condie

Bought at R.J. Julia's YA Spectacular Event:

10 Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Do you want to be a Monster?

So, I'm currently listening to the audio book version of Lisi Harrison's Monster High and it's actually a really cute, funny read so far! I'm loving it. This made me want to check out the website again, which I had visited a few months ago when they first started promoting the book, dolls, etc. online. I love the fashionista teen versions of the traditional "monsters!" Anyway, just thought I'd share this fun music video that they posted to YouTube to also help promote the book...