Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Publication Date: November 1st, 2011

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I will start this review by stating the fact that I loved this book's predecessor, Matched.  I've read it twice, and I liked it even more the 2nd time around.  If you haven't read it now, you really need to do so.  Matched was very reminiscent of The Giver by Lois Lowry; there were a lot of similarities.  In Crossed, this trilogy becomes its own.  I loved Matched, I am IN LOVE with Crossed.  We always hear about authors having sophomore slumps when writing series, especially when the first book is amazing, but worry not with Crossed.  If Matched was good, Crossed was GREAT.  Here's why...

• Cassia goes from Society Girl to independent, self-sufficient, kick-ass heroine.  Sure, she does a few things in Matched to buck the Society's rules, but she goes all out in Crossed. Question is, does she go too far?  I liked Cassia a lot better in this book.  She put her mind to something and she made it happen, against all odds.  Even if her choices weren't always the best, she followed her heart, and she has to be respected for that.
• The love triangle became a TRUE love triangle.  I don't usually like love triangles in books because I think they are usually overdone, but in this trilogy it's really working for me because it's not the center of the story; it's key, but it's not all there is to it.  In Matched I had my mind set on who I wanted Cassia to end up with.  Now I don't know.  I don't think Cassia does either...
• We found out more about Ky's story.  Ky was somewhat of an enigma in Matched and for that reason, I couldn't really wrap my mind around liking him.  I'm still not sure if I like him now, but at least I now understand and respect him.
• We learn the everyone in The Society is not who they pretend to be, and some of these people are very key players.  I was thrown for a loop when I found out certain things...
• Ally Condie does a much better job with world building in this book.  We learn so much about the Outer Provinces and world beyond Cassia's Society bubble.  I was transported into this world that was both beautiful and harsh.
• This book is non-stop action.  Forget about getting anything else done while reading it, because you won't want to stop reading.  It sinks its claws into you and does not let go until the very last page, and then you're still left wanting more.  November of 2012 is so far away...
• There are new characters who are really great in both good ways and bad ways.  That is to say, they aren't always likable, but as supporting characters go, they are well rendered and memorable.
• The Rebellion is still a mystery, but in a good way.  I have a feeling that, like The Society, it is not what it seems...
• The ending will floor you.  It did me.

It was really hard for me to write a review that didn't include spoilers for either Matched or Crossed, and I hope I succeeded.  If you've read Matched, I doubt I have to do any convincing to get you to read Crossed.  All I can do is maybe urge you to move it to the top of your TBR; I think you will be happy that you did!  If you haven't read Matched yet, you need to.  Now.

That's all.  Carry on.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ +

Grade Level Recommendation:  As with Matched, I think this book is fine for well-read 5th graders and even mature 4th graders (ages 9+).  It has some romance, but nothing racy.  Some violence, but nothing extreme.  If the later Harry Potter books are okay for a kid to read, so are these.

Review: Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: July 26th, 2011

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have been putting off writing this review for awhile because I'm having a really hard time articulating my feelings about this book without my words coming off wrong.  I loved the first book in this series, Paranormalcy.  I mean, I LOVED it.  It was one of my favorite books of 2010.  That said, I was anxiously awaiting the release of this book, its sequel.  I had extremely high hopes and expectations; Supernaturally was near the top of my "most anticipated" list for 2011, and I was ready for a out-of-the-park hit.  Maybe that was part of my problem... When a debut author like Kiersten White has a first book that is SO good, like she had with Paranormalcy, I think it can be difficult for the second book to top it, despite the desires and expectations of the readers.  For me, Supernaturally was an excellent book- I enjoyed it enough to read it twice (once for myself, and once as a buddy read with my 10 year old daughter)- it just fell a little short of Paranormalcy...

I did very much enjoy the characters in Supernaturally, particularly Arianna and Jack.  Arianna was just sarcastic/witty enough to add some sly comic relief when Evie was being whiny and needy.  As for Jack, I know I'm in the minority for liking him, but he was funny.  I just picture some kind of imp when I think of him, and he was always good for a few laughs. Of course, Evie is the center of the story, and everyone, myself included, loves Evie.  There were times in this book when she got on nerves though.  I think she mastered being a "normal" teenager a little too well in some ways, and made some really dumb choices that I don't think she would have made in book #1.  That said, I still adore her and I think she was even more kick-ass in this book because she had to compensate for her impulsiveness.

As for the story... This book was action packed, while continuing to explore the Evie and Lend's romance.  The action was awesome.  I love it when Evie takes down the bad guys, and there's some real baddies in this book (and not always who you think they are).  Evie isn't just taking down problematic paranormals on order like she was in Paranormalcy, she is having to rely on her own perceptions and intuitions, while doing it on the sly because the important people in her life don't know that she's back to "work".   As far as the romance is concerned, I know I will gain some haters here, but I don't like Evie and Lend together.  I like Lend, don't get me wrong, I just don't think they're a great fit; there's just something off that I really can't put my finger on.  Lend has his life mapped out; he know what he wants and he knows how he's going to go about getting it. It almost feels like Evie's just expected to go along for the ride, and she is so much more than THAT girl.  I'm kind of leaning toward wanting to see her with Reth...

Overall, I really did love this book, just not as much as I loved Paranormalcy.  I am still anxiously awaiting the release of Endlessly on July 24th (especially with its gorgeous cover- see it HERE), but my expectations aren't quite as high, which in actuality, is probably a good thing!  I gave Paranormalcy 5+ stars, I give Supernaturally a solid 4 ½ stars.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation:  As with Paranormalcy, this book is completely clean.  Of course there's romance, but no sex.  No major swears that I can recall.  I would say this book is entirely appropriate for grades 5 and up (ages 10+).

Review: Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: March 29th, 2011

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams,  Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.”  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason.  As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Okay, so I have to be honest and say that lately I've been totally OVER the whole Paranormal Romance thing.  I loved, loved, loved it for awhile, and then the stories just started to seem regurgitated.  Of course there are some shining stars recently, but mostly I have been left feeling disappointed when reading anything within the genre.  All of that said, I was still kind of looking forward to this book.  The synopsis was such, that it intrigued me; it seemed different enough. I was thinking, Percy Jackson-meets-Twilight?  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, I have to say that I really enjoyed this book.  Perhaps my expectations were low due to a slew of disappointments, but I really don't think so.  I think it was just very well done.  The story was good, the characters great, and the pace was fantastic.  Some questions were answered, but many were left for later books, which can sometimes leave the reader hating the author; not this time.  I felt like Hunter answered just enough of my questions that she will have me eagerly waiting for the next book, without totally pissing me off by leaving me hanging too much,  What I liked best was that nothing was cliche or predictable.  Every time I felt like I had it figured out, I was wrong.  Any author that keeps me guessing gets at least a B+.  Add to that some stellar character development and a very interesting storyline, and I'm hooked!

Book number two in the series, Awake at Dawn, drops October 11th, and I can't wait!  I am so eager to find out more about Kylie, Derek, and Lucas.  I know that,as with this book, there will be unanswered questions (the third book, Taken at Dusk, drops on April 30th, 2012), but in this case, it's part of the allure!

My Rating:   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation:  This was pretty clean.  Minimal mention of sex, minimal language, fair amount of paranormal-type violence.  Messy parental divorce.  I would say it's fine for ages 13+ (8th grade+).

Review: The Caster Chronicles (so far) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I would just like to go on the record to say that I was an idiot to have put off reading these books as long as I have. Seriously. I have had Beautiful Creatures on my nightstand since May of last year, and have been putting it off because I really thought it was just going to be another Twilight re-telling. How wrong I was! After I finished it, I had to move right on to the second book, Beautiful Darkness. Now I have to sit and anxiously await the third book, Beautiful Chaos, until October... With that off my chest, I can now tell you why I loved these books.
 

Beautiful Creatures
By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: December 1st, 2009

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Wow. This book was so much better than I expected it to be. I have absolutely no complaints about it whatsoever. That NEVER happens. I was hooked from the beginning, and did not want to stop reading. The writing was great, the characters well-developed, and the story flawless. What else is there to say? If you like a good paranormal romance, but are sick of seeing Bella Swan in every one you read, then this is the book for you. Bonus? It's told from Ethan's point-of-view.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: The content is pretty clean. I would say wholly appropriate for 5th grade+ (ages 10+).


Beautiful Darkness
By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 12th, 2010 

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.
Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Everything I said about Beautiful Creatures applies here, but more so. I was a little reluctant to read Beautiful Darkness (despite the compelling need to know what happened next) because I didn't think it could top the first book. I am happy to report that it did, and then some. The story got a bit darker (in case you weren't clued in by the title), but it was fitting. I anxiously await book three, Beautiful Chaos. There is so much more story to be told and I just know it's going to be amazing!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: Same as Beautiful Creatures. Ages 10+ (5th grade+).

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: April 26th, 2011

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book got some pretty scathing reviews on Goodreads, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. I was absolutely riveted by this book! I thought it was a great, modern take on the whole Hades/Persephone story. It was a quick (probably because I couldn't put it down) and easy read, filled with suspense and intrigue. The story was perfectly paced so that I wanted to keep turning the pages until the end, and then immediately go to Goodreads to find out when book #2, Underworld, is coming out (sometime in 2012).

Sometimes with re-tellings I get nervous. I wonder how the author can possibly do justice to the original while making the story her own. Meg Cabot managed to do this with ease (although I can't really say how without a major spoiler). This story was truly different from the one it is based on, and I felt like it parts of it were actually an improvement. I was kept wondering until the very end, and while Cabot answered a good number of my questions neatly, she still left enough for me to eagerly anticipate book #2. I hate it when too much is left to the sequel. I like at least some resolution, but not too much.

As far as the characters were concerned, I felt like the character development was good. I would have liked to know a bit more about Uncle Chris and Alex, as well as a bit more about Pierce's parents, but as far as Pierce and John are concerned, I felt like the amount of information we are given (albeit slowly, throughout the book), is sufficient. My favorite character, funny enough, was the cemetery sexton, Richard Smith. At first, I really didn't like him, but he grew on me.

The biggest gripe most of the haters of this book had was that they didn't like Cabot's writing style. Her style is what it is. I like it enough. I think she is a master at drawing you into the story by giving information, a tidbit at a time, through the entire book. Yes, sometimes you go through half the book not really knowing what's happening, but she always pulls everything together nicely. I'll admit that I get frustrated sometimes by the lack of understanding at first, because I'm an impatient person by nature, but I always feel like Cabot redeemed herself (and then some) in the end. This book was no different than her others in that respect.

One of the tings I loved the most was the chapter headers. Each was a stanza from Dante's Inferno, which happened to be one of my favorite reads in college literature. Most of the books I read in the many lit classes I took in college were painfully boring to me. The entire Divine Comedy had me enthralled, but Inferno was, by far and away, my favorite. Reading Abandon made me want to go back 15 years later and read it again, so "Bravo" to Meg Cabot for reminding me of how much I loved Dante! After all, has there ever been a better description of the Underworld than his?

Overall, I really, REALLY enjoyed this book. It left me wanting for more, which is always a good thing. I was invested in the characters, and really want to know more about them and their stories. I will definitely be on the lookout for Underworld in 2012!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation: I would say late Middle School and up because of a teen suicide due to an affair with a teacher. Otherwise, this book is fairly benign. Grade 7+ (ages 12+).

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Publisher: HarperCollins/HarperTeen
Publication Date: June 7th, 2011

I was so excited to get a NetGalley of Hereafter. It's been on my radar for quite some time now, and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was even better than I expected. I think it may be tied with Nightshade as my favorite read by a debut author since I read The Forest of Hands and Teeth many, many books ago...

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book had me from the first page. Tara Hudson manages to draw you in right away and hold your attention to the point that not only can you not put the book down, but you continue to hash it out in your mind once the book ends.

As the synopsis suggests, this book is a paranormal romance, but it's much more than that. It's a ghost story, and most of all, a mystery. The protagonist knows nothing about her past. Not her last name, not what type of person she was, not her age, not how long she's been dead. She doesn't even know what the circumstances surrounding her death were. She is totally clueless. She wanders around, alone, trying to make sense of everything. She doesn't see any other ghosts and living people can't see her. All she knows is that her first name is Amelia and that she died from drowning. How does she know that she died from drowning? She has nightmares of the event often, where she is one place, and then suddenly falls asleep to wake up in the river reliving her death. It is one such nightmare that brings her into the life of Joshua, a living boy. She connects with him while saving his life in the same river she died in. After Joshua dies and is revived with her help, he is able to see , hear, talk to, even feel her; something that hasn't happened to her yet, and she's intrigued...and so the romance begins. Enter those who want to prevent this from happening: Eli, a sinister spirit who has his own designs on Amelia. Joshua's grandmother, who can also see Amelia, thinks she's and abomination, and wants to exorcise her from the living world. While battling against these threats, Joshua and Amelia embark on a quest to find out who she is, what she is all about, and why she drowned. This is where the story gets really interesting, and this is where I'll stop... Trust me, you don't want to know any more because you will want to read it yourself!

This book was fabulous! I enjoyed it from beginning to end, and although I had the same nagging question in my mind ("Just how are they going to make this relationship "real", and exactly how is the whole intimacy thing going to work out when she's a ghost and he's alive?"), I never once felt like this plot lacked plausibility. I am thoroughly entrenched in this story, and will be waiting on pins and needles for the 2nd book in the series (which is so far out that it doesn't have a name or a Goodreads synopsis, let alone a release date). If you like a good ghost story, this book is a MUST read!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+

Grade Level Recommendation: I would let my rising 5th grader read this without a second thought, and I would have a year or more ago. There is no sex or language. There is some teen drinking (there a couple of HS keg parties, both of which have disastrous consequences), benign romantic episodes like kissing, and there are some pretty detailed descriptions of scary events. Otherwise, it is as clean as a whistle. I would say ages 9+ (4th grade and up), as long as the kid doesn't scare easily.

Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Publisher: New American Library

Publication Date: March 1st, 2011

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams. 

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. 

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Eh. That's what I have to say about this book. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. It was engaging, but not anything new and different. Let's see... Shy, out-of-sync-with-normal-high-school-stuff girl meets boy. He's a total jerk to her, yet she is mysteriously drawn to him. He tells her to stay away because he's not good for her. She doesn't listen and they fall in love despite the paranormal obstacles they must overcome. Sound vaguely familiar? Yeah. I liked the Twilight Saga, so I didn't hate this book and there were definite differences that saved it from being a "Twilight re-telling". I even have to respect the author for having the characters openly mock the similarities, but this book kind of fell flat for me. Don't get me wrong, there were parts I liked, but I the things I disliked overshadow them.

Things I did NOT like:
~The writing style. Way too many words!! Descriptive language is a good thing in a novel, but too much description is annoying. At times I felt like the author was having a hard time making the book long enough, so she over-stated everything. Kind of like when I was in HS and had to write a 1,000 word essay, but only had 750 words worth of anything to say...
~Most of the characters bugged me. Theia was SO melodramatic, sullen, and really dumb (especially for a supposedly smart girl) , Haden was a self-absorbed ass, and Theia's dad was so cliche (ridiculously rich, clueless, overprotective-yet-absent daddy) I wanted to puke.
~I detest it when a female "heroine" is a love-sick sap like Theia. I hate the message it sends to young girls that it's okay to sacrifice yourself and everything that makes you who you are for a guy. I would much rather read about a character like Katsa from Graceling or Helen from Nobody's Princess; girls who can fall in love without becoming weak, submissive idiots. (Just sayin'.)
~I mentioned this before, but the basic premise of the book has been done. Over. And Over. And Over.

Things I DID like:
~The story did start to have some original elements toward the last 1/3 of the book. I'm not going to give away the parts that made the book good for those of you that haven't read it.  Just know that it gets much better in the end.
~Donny and Haden's mom rock as far as characters go. In my opinion, they were the only two well-written characters in the book. Donny was strong, smart, independent, and witty. Haden's mom was the perfect villain (I love female villains!).
~The cover is beautiful. I'm a cover whore, and this one is just stunning.
~The Underworld is pretty cool with all the dancing skeletons and demons. The only time I wasn't annoyed with Hayes's writing style was when she was describing the Underworld.
~No love triangle!!! Hallelujah!! I am so sick of love triangles in YA books. Seriously. Even the most gorgeous socially-adept HS girls usually don't have more than one guy vying for their affections at the same time. The socially-awkward yet beautiful-in-a-subtle-way HS girl? She's lucky to have one guy fall in love with her.
~This book was pretty dark as far as paranormal romances go. I like dark, so it worked for me on that level.

Overall impression? I somewhat liked it.
Was it a total waste of time? Not really. There are books out there that I recommend to everyone I know (Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, Unwind by Neal Shusterman), and then there are those that I only mention to certain people. This is one of those. If you like paranormal romance with a dark side and don't mind a loose rehashing of Twilight, this book is for you.
Will I read the next book, Dreaming Awake? Probably not. My TBR list is so overflowing, that I probably won't bother. There's just too much out there that I know I'll like better...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: I would say this is fine for ages 12+ (7th grade+). There is some sexuality in the book, but it's fairly benign. I wouldn't let my (almost) 10 year old read it, but I wouldn't have a problem in a couple of years.