ARC Review: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Publisher:  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux BYR

Publication Date:  October 16th, 2012

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.
(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have a tendency to judge books by their covers, or rather, to judge whether I want to read them by their covers.  I often don't read the synopsis until I've made my judgement, and sometimes, I don't even read it then.  That was how things went with Crewel.  It has a stunning, eye-catching cover, so I wanted to read it.  When I started reading it, I hadn't the foggiest idea what it was about, so all my expectations were based on the positive advance buzz I've heard about it.  Lots of people have really loved this book, so I figured I would too, and I was mostly right.  I really liked Crewel.  It wasn't mind-blowingly amazing like some of the books I've read this year (it was rather unfortunate for it that I read it on the heels of The Diviners by Libba Bray), but it was definitely an impressive debut that deserves many accolades.

Crewel takes place at some point in the future, after Earth as we know it, has been wiped out by war.  The world as the characters in this book know it, Arras, is made up entirely of threads woven from time and matter on great looms. Each person's very existence is manipulated by the Spinsters, the women who are able to "see" the "weave", and operate the looms.  The Spinsters are under the control of the Guild, the oppressive, male-dominated governing body of Arras, and are essentially slaves to it. Even so, it is the dream of most girls to become a Spinster, because from the outside, it looks like the most luxurious life imaginable.  The protagonist, Adelice, has always known she has the ability to become a Spinster, but her parents don't want that life for her, and train her from a young age to fail the test that all girls are given at age 16.  Adelice accidentally passes, and her abilities are revealed. She is taken to the Coventry to become a Spinster, against her will, and she finds out a great deal about the world she lives in, the secrets the Guild holds, and the remarkable ability she possesses, that goes far beyond that of an average, or even an above-average Spinster.  

I liked Adelice, even if she was a bit immature.  She never seemed to know when it was in her best interest to keep her mouth shut.  That said, her wit was refreshing.  She was a strong-minded, sharp character, and while she didn't "wow" me at first, she totally grew on me throughout the story.  I also liked the boys, Erik and Jost.  Both were, of course, swoon-worthy, but they were both smart and cunning as well.  I happen to think that they both fell for Adelice a bit too quickly, but what's a YA novel without a love triangle?  I thought Maela and Cormac were perfect villains, and I think Pryana has a lot of potential to be so in future books.  I loved Enora as well.  The only character I had a time forming an opinion of was Loricel, the head Creweler, the woman who essentially held the existence of  Arras in her hands; I felt like she had way to much power to be as submissive as she was... 

As for the plot and pacing, I thought it was very good.  The story moved along well, and I never felt that been-there-read-this feeling that I've been struggling with when reading a lot of post-Hunger Games Dystopia.  There were some well-done big reveals, but a couple fell flat for me because I saw them coming a mile away.  At times, I thought the world building lacked depth, but I think the whole concept of weaving time with matter is just a difficult one to define without giving away later plot twists.  I believe that will improve in later installments.  

Crewel is, no doubt, a unique story.  A Dystopia with a fresh perspective.  I really enjoyed reading it, and although it wasn't perfect, it is definitely a great beginning to what promises to be a fantastic series.  

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  There were a couple of hot make-out scenes, but given that Spinsters had to maintain "purity standards", there was no sex (although there were several mentions of it).  The violence was minimal, and there was no inappropriate language.  I would say that this book is appropriate for 5th grade and up (ages 10+).

** Don't miss my GIVEAWAY of THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! Click HERE for details! International. Ends 11/01/2012 **

Review: The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Publisher:  Abrams Books

Publication Date:  May 1st, 2012

This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance.

On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book was a tough one for me to review, which is probably why I'm reviewing it long after reading it.  I had to let it digest some, before I could truly appreciate it...  I will admit first that I was drawn to this book for one reason- the stunning cover.  I love the clockwork, the wings, the art.  It is a beautiful rendering, and very, very fitting to the story.  When I started reading The Peculiars, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  It was a little slow to start.  When I say "slow" though, I mean that I didn't feel compelled to drop things to read it.  Although there was a good bit of action from the beginning, it seemed irrelevant at the time.  About a third of the way through the book, that all changed though, and things began to fall into place.  Sometimes I really didn't like where the story was going, but things started to make more sense... The story is a unique one, with rich complexities, that require the reader to really stay with the story.  That is this book's strength and its weakness.  Readers who have a hard time keeping track of details are not going to enjoy this book as much, while those who thrive on the intricacies and subtle plot twists will love it.  The characters are all the type who have to grow on you.  There was not one, not even the protagonist, Lena, who I felt a quick connection to, and for most of them, it took me the entire book to work out whether I liked them or not.  As for the pacing, I mentioned before that it was a little slow to start, but it picked up quite well by about halfway through, and kept me turning pages until the end.  I really enjoyed the Steampunk elements of it, and I felt like the whole exile of the Peculiars added an emotional twist it it, that made me think of the prejudices that people who are different endure in our society, even now.  I greatly enjoyed the revelations of what was happening in Mr. Beasley's lab and his role in Lena's finding the answers she was looking for.  As far as the romance was concerned, I found it to be a little lacking.  It seemed forced, like it was added as an afterthought because YA novels MUST (insert sarcastic face here) always have a romance to be relevant.  I liked Jimson, but it just didn't click that way for me.  I would say the best part about this book would be the world building.  The author painted gorgeous pictures in my mind's eye of lush snowy landscapes, dilapidated, yet loved estates, and quaint, if depressed mining towns.  The Victorian era is a favorite of mine, and I think she nailed it.  I felt like I could picture every setting perfectly, just as she saw it when creating the story. 

Overall, I did end up liking The Peculiars more than I initially thought I was going to.  After sitting on it awhile, I feel even better about it.  It was well written, and the story was different from most of the YA Steampunk out there right now.  I can't say I agree with Booklist giving it a Starred Review, but I think it is a solid YA debut for Maureen Doyle McQuerry, and I think she is definitely one to watch in the future.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There is some violence, but nothing graphic or over-the-top, and there's an innocent romance.  It's really very tame compared to most YA.  That being said, this book is rather detailed in its descriptions and plotline, and I think it would be hard for many younger readers to follow, even if the content is benign enough.  I would say this is best suited for readers age 10 and up (5th grade+).

ARC Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Publisher:  BloomsburyUSA

Publication Date: August 7th, 2012

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

With each debut I've read this year, I believe more firmly, that 2012 is THE year of the debut, and this book has been one of my favorites.  Throne of Glass is absolutely PHENOMENAL!!  I really enjoy a good High Fantasy from time to time, with GOOD being the operative word.  Over the past few years, most of the HF novels I've read have fallen really short for me.  Of course, that is partly Kristin Cashore's fault for writing her brilliant Seven Kingdoms Trilogy (Graceling, Fire, Bitterblue), setting the bar so high, but honestly, the stuff that has come out in the genre just hasn't done much for me.  That changed this year.  First there was Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo (read my review HERE), and now this gem, Throne of Glass.  Where to start when reviewing near perfection?

The central character is Celaena Sardothien, otherwise known as Adarlan's Assassin.  Celaena had been toiling away in the prison mines of Endovier, a horrible place where most don't survive a week, for over a year, when she was plucked out by the Crown Prince of Erilea, Dorian, and his loyal Captain of the Guard, Westfall.  Prince Dorian proposes an agreement- Celaena competes in a challenge to become the king's Champion.  If she wins, she will serve as the king's assassin for three years and then be free, if she loses, she will be returned to the mines until she inevitably dies there.  She accepts the challenge, with every expectation of winning.  She is, after all, the most skilled and notorious assassin that anyone has ever seen.  What she doesn't expect is what comes to pass over the course of her training and the challenge period...

Celaena is totally kick-ass.  I have always said that Katsa from Graceling is hands-down, my favorite kick-ass female heroine, and I have to say, Celaena gives Katsa a serious run for her money.  Celaena wasn't born with her abilities like Katsa was, she trained hard and learned everything she knew.  She is smart, witty, cunning, and forward-thinking.  She is beautiful, fit, amazingly strong for her small stature, and tough as nails. She is also very human and extremely emotionally damaged.  Each and every part of her person plays a part in shaping her experience at the king's palace, and I found myself repeatedly surprised at her combination of tenacity, ferocity, and vulnerability; it was a constant subtle reminder that in the end, she was just a young girl with extraordinary abilities.  

Celaena did not carry this story by herself, though.   Captain Westfall really intrigued me with his mysterious, stoic nature.  From time to time, he would slip, and let some of his humanity show, but for much of the book, I was as unsure of what to make of him as Celaena was.  Although, I have some inclinations now that this book is over, I still have a great many questions pertaining to WHO he really is, and those questions are really what have me most looking forward to the next installment in this series.  Another character I really liked, and from the other reviews I've read, I know I'm in the minority here, was Prince Dorian.  At first, I felt the same as Celaena did about him- I thought he was the pompous, over-privileged,  philandering, pawn of his viciously cruel father.  What both I and Celaena learned over the course of the story was that his only true fault was that he didn't have enough of a spine to stand up to his father, but that he had a very kind heart, one not cut out for what was expected of him.  I also really loved Princess Nehemia, and I truly hope we see much, much more of her in subsequent books.  As for the other champions, a few played important roles in the story, but none really had the lasting impact on me like the aforementioned characters; not did the other sponsors.  Even the antagonists, Cain, as revolting as he turned out to be, or Perrington and his girl Kaltain and their evil plots, didn't stay with with me, which is fine.  I prefer to dwell on the others in my mind, as I anticipate future stories taking place in this vividly breathtaking and horrible world.

As far as the story is concerned, I can't go into it much without spoilers, but I will say this... I went into this expecting a standard High Fantasy, and it very much started out that way.  What I didn't expect was the paranormal elements, the tumultuous romance, or the heart-pounding mystery that it evolved into.  Those elements are what set it apart from some of the other High Fantasies I've read, and made it absolutely riveting.  I loved the way the ended too.  Everything about it was unexpected, but at the same time, it didn't feel like a cliffhanger.  I think there is SO much more to this story, and I eagerly await more, but at the same time, I feel content, much like I do after a delectable dessert.  I will definitely jump at the chance to have that dessert again, but I don't feel the need to dive into a vat of it right now, but rather, just settle in and enjoy digesting it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a handful of hot make-out sessions, but no sex.  There is definitely violence.  That said, it is relatively tame compared to much that is out there.  I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade+ (ages 10 and up).

P.S.  Sarah Maas will be at the Decatur Book Festival, and I am super-excited!  Given my great LOVE for this book, I'm thinking of doing a giveaway of a signed finished copy.  What do ya'll think?

ARC Review and Giveaway: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: July 31st, 2012

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

If you've been a follower for awhile, you know that YA Contemporary is not my favorite genre, and I typically like YA Contemporary Romance even less.  This book has changed that for me!  I will now be more open to reading this type of book in the future because Pushing the Limits blew me away!  It was fantastic!  Once in awhile I come across a book that I can use a motivational tool- one that I can bribe myself to do much dreaded household chores with a one chapter reward for each chore done...  I cleaned my entire house, top to bottom, in less than a day because I NEEDED to know what the next chapter would bring. This book was that riveting!  Sooooo.... Would you like to know WHY I thought it was great?  Well, there were many reasons, but before I get to the actual review, I must comment on the cover.  The jacket is good.  I like it.  It's eye-catching, and I think the publisher captured how I imagined the main characters really well.  However, I didn't love it until I removed the jacket!  WHOA!  Do yourself a favor and buy the hardcover (or win it here), because it is awesome!  Now...

First off, I really enjoyed the characters, and their stories.  This story belongs to the two main characters, Echo and Noah, but I'm going to mention first the supporting characters; Aires, Beth, Isaiah, Ashley, Luke, Mrs. Collins, Lila, Grace, Natalie, Mr. Emerson, Jacob, Tyler, the Petersons- they all had rather minor roles in this story, but huge impacts on it.  I'm glad Katie McGarry took the time to develop them the way she did, intertwining their knowledge of who Echo and Noah were, when they weren't really sure themselves.  As for Echo and Noah?  Echo is a seriously damaged girl, who has every reason to feel lost and a little hopeless.  She had a pretty awesome life before the "incident", but is now a scarred, bitter shell of her former self, and she doesn't have an inkling how she got there.  All she knows is that some horrible thing happened to her, that it involved her bi-polar mother, who her father now has a restraining order against, and that she is left with horrible physical and emotional scars because of it.  She knows that whatever happened was so awful that she has repressed the memory, and that during the one attempt to recover the lost memories, her mind almost fractured from the stress.  Add to that the facts that her beloved older brother was killed in Afghanistan, the majority of her "friends" turned on her because of the rumors, and her super-controlling father is remarried to, and having a child with, her former (much younger) babysitter, and you have a recipe for a girl that has SERIOUS issues, through no fault of her own.  Then there is Noah, who is, on the surface, the stereotypical bad-boy product of the foster care system.  He smokes weed, drinks, and is known to be a total one-night-stand guy.  Everyone at school thinks Noah is a loser because of the person he projects, but in reality, he is as damaged as Echo, for very different reasons.  After losing his parents in a house fire, Noah went from foster home to foster home; he had some horrible experiences that turned him from the poster child for "happy" to the person he is today, but the worst was losing access to his two younger brothers.  Through individual counseling with a common therapist, and their growing, yet reluctant, attachment to one another, the layers of both Echo's and Noah's pasts are peeled back, revealing secrets and pain that no person should have to bear alone...  My heart ached for them, but at the same time, soared as they discovered one another in ways that only someone who can relate to your pain could.

I also liked the way the story was set up.  I thought telling this story in Echo's and Noah's alternating POVs really brought it to life.  It made them seem so much more real, and it accomplished the difficult feat of capturing how each one felt about, sometimes shared, sometimes solitary, events in their lives.  It was a great way to be an outsider looking in, and it made me sympathetic to both characters when I could very well have become annoyed with either had it been told from only one POV.

Finally, I have to comment on the ending... I started to get nervous toward the final third of the book.  I was really afraid that they were both going to make HUGE, life-shattering mistakes- mistakes that would effect the people in their lives like ripples on a pond.  I felt like it was going to be either that, or a rushed, cliched, happy ending that didn't fit the story, and in either situation, I would have been unhappy.  What I didn't expect was the satisfying, yet open to interpretation and new possibilities ending that I got.  It was absolutely flawless!

Honestly, I had intentions of reading this book because it was blurbed by Simone Elkeles, a YA Contemporary writer who I happen to really like.  I figured that if it was near as good as Perfect Chemistry, I would like it.  Well, no disrespect to Ms. Elkeles, but Pushing the Limits was BETTER- like, in a class of its own!  If you enjoyed her books, don't walk, RUN to the book store to buy this book, because you will not be disappointed!  I'm still a bit shocked, given my past feelings toward YA Contemporary Romance,  that this has been, to this point, one of my favorite books of 2012.  It's not to be missed!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++++ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are some really heavy themes in this book.  Lots of teen drinking and drug use, some violence, abuse, and sex.  I would say this book is best suited for grades 9 and up (ages 14+).

**NOW... For the giveaway!  Thanks to HarlequinTeen both for providing my review copy of this fabulous book, and for providing a copy for me to give to one of ya'll!  Best of luck!!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Publication Date:  July 24th, 2012

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I finished this book yesterday and am still trying to decide if it's a four-star book or a five-star book.  There were a couple of minor problems for me, but overall, I felt like it was a spectacularly entertaining read, and since that's the reason I read, I am in a bit of a conundrum.  Perhaps I will make up my mind by the time I finish my review...

I guess I'll start with something that I both loved AND hated about this book- the cover.  The cover is stunning!  Once again, I have to hand it to HarperTeen for a gorgeous, eye-catching cover, but here's the thing... The stunning girl on the cover does not reflect the description of Eleanor Fitt, our kick-ass protagonist, AT ALL!  Eleanor is supposed to be somewhat plain and a bit on the chubby side; a girl who can be made to look moderately pretty, with a lot of help.  The girl on the cover is a knockout, and I'm assuming that she is supposed to be Eleanor, given the fact that Eleanor is really the only young female character of consequence in the entire book.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to the story... I had read a few early reviews of Something Strange and Deadly, so I knew not expect the standard zombie novel.  Because I had that heads-up, I was able to go into this novel with different expectations, and I wasn't disappointed like I would have been.  In fact, I found this book to be really good, and exceptionally different.  When I say "different", I mean that I can't really classify it into a single genre- I would call it a "Historical Paranormal Mystery Romance", because it really pulls off every one of those elements well. 

It takes place in post-Civil War era Philadelphia, during the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 (which was the 1st official World's Fair to take place in the United States).  I felt like Susan Dennard really did a nice job with her descriptions of the exhibition and the city itself, as well as the mannerisms, speech, and dress of the people of the era.  I also really enjoyed the characters, and while I wish the author had spent more time developing some of them (Joseph and Jie, in particular), I think she did a great job with the ones she chose to focus on.  Everyone had good and bad qualities, and each character's personality was revealed gradually, as you got to know him/her better.  I find that type of character development very real, and honest.  Eleanor was frustrating at times because she rarely gave much thought before she acted, but she was dedicated and courageous, and I really enjoyed watching her grow as the story progressed.  Clarence was one of my favorite characters, which surprised me as her gradually grew on me.  I found myself rooting for him to end up with Eleanor, even at the times that I wasn't sure I could really trust him.  I think my favorite character was Daniel, though.  He was secretive, brash,  and rather rude at times, but all for good reasons, which come out before the book ends.  As for the plot itself?  Very good.  It was well paced to the point where it never felt like a 400 page novel, and when the end came, I was wanting more.  Because the zombies were such because of a necromancer, and because zombie-ism wasn't infectious like most of the recent zombie-related books I've read, there was an originality to it that was refreshing.  Add to that the fact that there were several other elements of mystery, including that of Elijah, Eleanor's brother, and his disappearance, the fall of the Fitt family business, and the Wilcox family's sudden interest in the Fitt family, and you have a complex and riveting story.  My only problem with the story was that I knew who the villain was before the fact that there WAS a villain had even been established.  Much of the plot was spent of this big reveal at the end, and that kind of fell flat because I knew all along who it was.  Fortunately, the other elements were there to make this book amazing anyway! 

Overall, I think this was a more-than-solid first book for Susan Dennard, and I have a gut feeling that the issues I had with this book will be resolved in the next.  That said, I have to mention that Susan did something that very few authors of series books have competently done; she has written a first-in-series book that could stand alone, which is so refreshing.  Of course, I WILL read the next book in the series, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, but I'm not left frustrated with a horrible gut-wrenching cliffhanger.

So, have I decided if this book gets four stars or five?  Nope.  I guess, it will have to fall in the middle...

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book was pretty clean.  No sex. No major cursing.  There is some graphic violence, but it's pretty tame considering much of the other YA out there.  I would say this is fine for grades 5 and up (ages 10+).

ARC Review: Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: July 10th, 2012

It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning.

A year later, McKinley has descended into chaos. All the students are infected with a virus that makes them deadly to adults. The school is under military quarantine. The teachers are gone. Violent gangs have formed based on high school social cliques. Without a gang, you’re as good as dead. And David has no gang. It’s just him and his little brother, Will, against the whole school. 

In this frighteningly dark and captivating novel, Lex Thomas locks readers inside a school where kids don’t fight to be popular, they fight to stay alive. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have very mixed feelings about this book... The premise is extremely good, and I found the way the story played out very believable, but I struggled a bit with the execution and some of the content.  Let me elaborate...

I will first touch on the brilliant premise.  This book was like a modern-day Lord of the Flies that takes place in a locked down school instead of on a deserted island.  If something like what happened in this book happened in real life (all the grown-ups suddenly die and an entire HS has to be locked down by the government to prevent the spread of a deadly super-virus carried by only teens), I believe that the kids would behave almost exactly as they did here, and it is scary!  Because this book is such an honest prediction, it is violent, gruesome, and utterly horrifying.  While some of the kids cling to their morality, most of the others turn into vicious animals, and sadly, it's the most ruthless of the animals that come out on top most of the time. It's survival of the fittest at its most basic level.  It's a harsh reality, in a fictional format, and this is where I struggle a bit with the content. I think there are a lot of kids who would read this book, expecting the standard YA dystopian fare, and get something far more raw and disturbing.  The Hunger Games has nothing on this book as far as the things kids will do to other kids in the name of survival.  What I found more disturbing than what they would do in the name of survival, is what some of the kids were willing to do in the name of power and control over others, and where books like The Hunger Games and Lord of the Flies leave a lot to imagination, this book does not.  Some of the violence is is described in such detail that several times I had to stop reading for a few minutes in order to get my bearings.

Obviously, you can't have this type of character driven (someone has to commit the violence, right?) story without characters, and I think much of this book's strength is in them.  The physical world they were living in was well built, but it was almost like it didn't matter because the characters were really the heart of it.  I loved how each tribe- Nerds, Geeks, Varsity, Pretty Ones, Sluts, Skaters, Loners- was a character of its own volition.  As far as individual characters go, there were many.  David is a great character; he is very human, and while he does try to cling to his morality, he doesn't let it get in the way of his or his brother's survival.  He wouldn't kill another person for power or control, but if it's kill or be killed, he doesn't hold back.  I really liked him, and I found myself rooting for him the whole way.  His brother, Will, on the other hand, is a total douche.  I just wanted to grab him and shake him.  He was self-absorbed and whiny, not ever really grateful for all his brother was doing to protect him.  As for the many other characters that were part of the story, they all played extremely crucial parts, and I felt like they were all well drawn.  Sam was an intriguing character, and it was interesting to be in his head from time to time, and Lucy was alright, but definitely not worth the many sacrifices made for her.

Now for the things that bothered me... I did not like how the actual story was executed.  It shifted from character to character, most of the time in a 3rd person narrative, but once in awhile, it would shift to 1st person.  It don't know if that was intentional or just poor writing, or perhaps it was just the result of being written by a two person writing team, and my copy being an editorial proof, but I found it confusing and frustrating at times.  I also struggled a bit with the pacing; it was really good in the first third of the book, then it became repetitive and slow in the middle third.  By the final third of the book, it did pick up, but I kind of felt like much of the middle third could have been left out altogether.  

Overall, I would say this is great read for the RIGHT reader, and in the end, that wasn't me.  I enjoyed it, but there were just too many problems that I had a difficult time getting past, for me to give it a stellar rating.  I think HS age boys will devour this book, and be ready for more at the end.  Will I read the next book?  Probably.  I would like to know where the story goes, but if I'm honest, I would say that it won't be at the top of my reading pile.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is a tough one.  The violence is graphic, and horrible things like murder, rape, and torture take place.  This is definitely not a book for someone who is sensitive to that type of thing.  It is also definitely not a book for the younger end of the YA reading audience.  I definitely wouldn't allow my middle schooler to read this, and I'm pretty liberal with her.  I would say this book is for ages 15+ (grades 10 and up).

ARC Review: Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: July 10th, 2012

When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad's whacked-out inventions, she lands in a parallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she's Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father—and she's the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school. 

In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire—if usually absent—father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilarating . . . and illegal. Here she's got a date to lose her V-card with the hottest guy she's ever seen.

But on the inside, Ayla is still Annie.

So when she's offered the chance to leave the dream life and head home to Pittsburgh, will she take it?

The choice isn't as simple as you think.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book shocked the hell out of me!  From the synopsis and cover, I thought I was in for a light, fun, summer read.  I was expecting a Gossip Girl-ish type book; wildly entertaining, but with the depth of a mud puddle.  I was right about it being entertaining, but I couldn't have been more wrong in my assumption that it would shallow!  This is a classic case of, "Don't judge a book by its cover"!  This book was not only well written, but it was intelligently written.  Sometimes I wonder if some of the YA I read is dumbed down, so I absolutely love it when an author gives her readers credit, assuming that they are as smart as she is.  Roxanne St. Claire does this.  There is a lot of talk about physics and parallel universes, and the main characters are smart.  This was such an unexpected surprise for me!  Onward...

The story was great.  It had somewhat of a Freaky Friday vibe, but it was so much better.  It flowed well, and the pieces fit together perfectly.  Because of some of the complex elements of this story, it could have gone very wrong, and become confusing, but Roxanne St. Claire held it all together and it worked so well.  Everything made sense and I enjoyed reading every page.  It was paced well, and it never dragged, and while there were a few tense moments, they were always nicely balanced with just the right amount of levity.  I also liked that it was a stand-alone novel, with a concrete conclusion.  Sometimes it's just nice  when the story ends with one book, and it's even better when the story ends the way this one does...

As for the characters, the ones who were meant to likable were, and the villains were just as they should have been.  I was definitely rooting for Annie/Ayla all the way, and Charlie was as great as they come as far as underdog crushes go.  I loved the side story involving Charlie's sister, Missy; she was spunky and helped to put a lot of things in perspective for not only the characters, but the reader as well.  As far as the villains go, Bliss takes the cake!  What a witch!  Of course, she isn't the only one, but I want you to read the book yourself, so I won't tell you everything...

Finally, I need to touch on the worlds that Roxanne St. Claire builds... She either lived the rags-to-riches thing, or did a lot of research, because she really nails both ends of the demographic spectrum.  The got the designer brands and the Miami socialite lifestyle right, but she also seemed to really nail the Walmart side of things too.  She also really understands the social hierarchies in the teenage bubble called "high school".  It all felt very authentic, even painfully so at times.

Overall, I thought this book was brilliantly done.  I went into it without high expectations, and was so delighted when it turned out to be one of my favorites so far this year.  That feeling when a book truly surprises you is so awesome.  If you want a smart, fun, well written summer read, look no further!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  


Grade Level Recommendation:  Okay, so this book has teen drinking, drug use, sex, shoplifting, and language.  Ayla's friends are not really very good girls.  In fact, they are as vile as teenage girls can possibly be, but at the same time are on top of the social ladder.  That said, I would not want anyone younger that about 9th or 10th grade picking this up.  For example, I wouldn't want my mature-for-her-age, but still immature 6th grader to think these behaviors are the path to social success.  Ages 14 and up.

ARC Review: Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: June 19th, 2012

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have admit, I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book.  I thought I was going to get the standard YA Contemporary Romance; I could not have been more wrong!  This book was so far beyond most of the books it shares a genre with.  First off, it was so very eye opening.  As a civilian, I tend to go about my life not paying an inordinate amount of mind to our servicemen and and women;  I donate supplies for care packages, I buy soldiers drinks in airport bars, I pray for their safety and for their families' peace, but I never really stop to consider how they live when they are overseas, or what they deal with when they come back.  This book puts all of that in your face, and it really sheds a new light on just how grateful we should be for their service.

Another thing that struck me about this book is the way the characters are written.  There is not a perfect one in the bunch, but they are all apologetically human; so real.  Travis, Charlie, Kevlar...those boys could be anyone's brother or son.  I laughed at the crude way the guys spoke to one another, but I also got tears in my eyes when the story told of their bond that was even tighter than blood.  Charlie's memorial service slayed me.  Travis's nightmares, panic attacks, and hallucinations of his dead friend made me want to reach into the book and hug him. Trish Doller  nailed the feelings that go with being through something so awful that you are never quite the same again, but she was able to insert levity in the right places that this book ended up not being a total downer.

As for the romance... It was very, very well done.  Harper is just the kind of girl you want to see a guy like Travis with (and Ryan and Paige TOTALLY deserve each other!).  I liked that Travis and Harper had to kind of grow on one another and that she had to forgive him of past wrongs- and that it didn't happen instantly.  I also loved how understanding and compassionate she was toward him, even when she wasn't exactly pleased with him.  Their romance was sweet and believable, and it warmed my heart to know that they had each other.

Much to my surprise, I truly enjoyed this book.  From now on, I will look at our military personnel with not only respect and admiration, but with compassion and a grateful heart; these people have taken the burden of seeing and doing things that no person would ever want to, so that we civilians can continue living our lives in ignorance.  Travis's story, although fictional, touched me.  This book is a rare gem because it makes the reader look within; I grew as a person because of it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is definitely a high school and up read.  There is lots of sex, drinking, and vulgar language.  There are also some rather graphic descriptions of war violence.  I think this is a "must read for EVERYONE" over a certain age though.  Every American should read it!  Grades 9 and up (ages 14+).

ARC Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 12th, 2012

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.
(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I was really excited when I got the opportunity to review Lies Beneath. I like mermaid stories, I thought the cover was great, and I am a total sucker for books told from a male POV. Win on all accounts, right? Not quite. First I should comment on the cover... Um,the protagonist is a merMAN, so why is a merMAID on the cover? That little discrepancy made me dislike a cover that I initially really, REALLY liked. Now that that's covered (no pun intended), let's move on to the important stuff...

I started out really loving this book...  I plowed through the first half with gusto, not able to put it down, but toward the middle it kind of sputtered for me.  It did redeem itself somewhat in the end, with its unexpected conclusion, but there were 70 or so pages where it dragged somewhat, and that sort of tainted it for me...  That said, I will tell you that if you are into lengthy descriptions of how the bad boy nefariously woos the good girl, accidentally falling in love with her, then the parts of the book that bugged me won't bug you.  You'll love it!  The story was good; quite different from the other mermaid stories I've read.  You see, mermaids are cold-blooded creatures, supposedly incapable of feeling positive emotions on their own.  Feelings like joy, happiness, elation?  Not in their emotional spectrum.  The only way they can feel these much craved emotions are by absorbing them from their "prey", human victims, who they kill by draining, then hide at the bottom of deep water; they are consummate predators.  This all comes into play when Calder, our main character, and his three sisters prepare to collect on an old life-debt, and need pretty Lily Hancock to get close to their target, her father.  Should be a piece of cake for hottie Calder, right?  Not so much...

I like my bad boys, but Calder didn't really do it for me.  He was kind of creepy, if I'm being honest.  When I was reading the book, I couldn't help thinking that he thought more like a girl than a guy.  On the surface he was cocky as they come, but he was actually pretty insecure.  Add to that the fact that he was essentially a stalker, and I just couldn't find him appealing.  He made me think better of him by end of the book, winning me over to a point, but he's just not a "swoon-worthy" leading man by my terms.  Lily, on the hand, was great.  She's the type of girl I wouldn't mind having for a daughter.  Headstrong, but not to a fault, responsible, smart, and principled.  Definitely too good for Calder... The sisters were great too; I actually consider Pavati a favorite character, but I didn't feel like they were used enough in the story (it isn't coincidence that the parts of the story I liked best heavily involved them).  They really added the sinister element to the story that set it apart from other mer-tales I've read.  They were what they were supposed to be- cold-blooded predators- and that is something I can respect, even if I don't necessarily like it.

Lies Beneath is the first book in a series (Deep Betrayal comes out next year), and I will probably read it.  I'm curious as to what Anne Greenwood Brown has in mind since I felt like the story wrapped up quite neatly.  I really did love the ending; it took me by surprise and it was quite well thought out.  If the entire book read as well as the ending, this would have been a five-star book for me, but alas, it didn't.  I enjoyed it, it just wasn't a favorite.  If you're a fan of Paranormal Romance  novels, if you're a fan of the Twilight series, or if you love merpeople, you will love it more than I did.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There was some teen drinking, talk of seduction, and a few swears, but nothing over the top.  This is fine for grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

ARC Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR

Publication Date: June 5th, 2012

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I almost don't even want to post a review of this book; I almost just want to say, "Go. Buy. It. NOW!", and leave it at that.  Shadow and Bone is THAT good, people!  I can honestly put this High Fantasy is the same class as the brilliantly beautiful Graceling by Kristin Cashore.  In fact, when someone asks me (or even when I'm not asked, because, yes, I loved this book enough to rant to strangers!), I say, "OMG!  No words!  It's the best High Fantasy since Graceling!".  Obviously, I've given this book 5+++ stars...  That should be enough of an endorsement, but in case it's not, read on...

Leigh Bardugo is a brilliant storyteller.  She manages to weave a multi-layered tale of magic, love, betrayal, desire, and darkness against a beautifully rendered backdrop of a land both gorgeous and twisted.  Her words flow like honey, allowing the reader to savor each and every one, while becoming completely absorbed into Alina's world, experiencing a full range of emotion that connects and bonds tightly.

And speaking of Alina...  Human to the very core, but a kick-ass female heroine, nonetheless.  Alina differs from some of my favorite heroines in that respect.  I love my strong female leads like Katsa (Graceling), Katniss (The Hunger Games), and Tris (Divergent); we all do, but they are often so very kick-ass that they sometimes lack vulnerability.  Alina is as insecure as any teenage girl, and it shows, but when she needs to be strong, they don't come any stronger.  There were times when I thought her humanity would get her killed, but in the end, it's what saves her, and I love her for that!  As far as the other characters are concerned, there are several really great ones.  They were well developed enough that you understand their importance, but they never take the focus off of the most important characters.  And of course, there is something of a love triangle...  I found Mal endearing and perfect for Alina, but damn, that Darkling is one sexy, if *ahem* dark, dude.

This story was so original, with such depth, I could not put it down.  With every word, I became more invested, and was frequently and pleasantly surprised when it would change direction so seamlessly that my reactions were delayed.  I loved how the betrayals almost didn't feel that way and I loved how perceived betrayals were anything but.  Nothing was easy in this story, but it still left me satisfied, and it doesn't get better than that!  I wish I could tell you more because I SO want to discuss, but I really need each and every one of you to go buy this book.  NOW!  You won't be disappointed!  I can't wait for next year's release of of book number two, Siege and Storm.  Here's to hoping I can say it is the best HF sequel since Fire!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++++ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a few hot and heavy make-out scenes, but nothing graphic.  Otherwise, this book is clean.  I would say it is fine for 5th grade and up+ (ages 10+).

Review: Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company BYR

Publication Date: April 24th, 2012

After years of boredom in her rural South Carolina town, Maria is thrilled when her father finally allows her to visit her estranged artist mother in New York City. She’s ready for adventure, and she soon finds herself immersed in a world of rock music and busy streets, where new people and ideas lie around every concrete corner. This is the freedom she’s always longed for—and she pushes for as much as she can get, skipping school to roam the streets, visit fancy museums, and flirt with the cute clerk at a downtown record store.

But just like her beloved New York City, Maria’s life has a darker side. Behind her mother’s carefree existence are shadowy secrets, and Maria must decide just where—and with whom—her loyalty lies. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I was drawn to this book because the cover and title made me think of my Jr. High days.  Like most girls, my middle school experience was full of ups and downs, and music (especially mixtapes) played a big part.  I didn't know what this book was about, but the fact that it triggered memories (good and bad) from so long ago made me want to read it.  It wasn't at all what I expected, and I had no idea I would connect to it the way I did.  This review is one that has been one of my most challenging to write, and I had to sit on it for over a month before I could properly form my thoughts...

This book takes place in the mid-1990s and I wholeheartedly related to so many of the pop-culture references.  I graduated high school in 1994 and I remember the tears my friends and I shared when Kurt Cobain took his life; I remember the Doc Martens, baggy jnco jeans, flannel shirts, the music, all of it... I grew up in Upstate NY and it was common for us to go down to The City for the weekend to hang out in the Village where all the coolest people hung out.  These are common experiences I shared with many teens my age, at that time.  For that reason, I think there are a lot of readers my age who would relate to, and enjoy this book.  I related to it on that level, but on a deeper level as well.  Maria's mom is a self-absorbed addict; a woman who wants to give a shit about her daughter, loves her daughter unconditionally, but doesn't want to be a PARENT to her because that would require putting another person's needs ahead of her own.  Instead she tries to be a "friend", which is the last thing Maria really wants or needs from her.  We could name Maria's mom "Michelle" and she would be my mom.  Like Maria, I thought I would be happier if I lived with my "cool" mom.  I wanted to know her better, she had fewer rules (actually, she had no rules) than my dad, she had great taste in music and clothes, liked to party, and had a cool, younger musician boyfriend.  She was an artist, she wrote poetry, she was the picture of freedom.  I kid you not, I could have written parts of this book from my own life experiences, so reading it kind of gutted me in a way.  This book made me realize that there are people everywhere who have mothers who should probably never have been mothers.  Those people will get a lot from this book.  Maria is a wonderful, misguided girl; she learns a lot of valuable lessons over the course of this story, and I hope that they carry her on to a happy well-adjusted adulthood despite what she went through.  She is so real- imperfect, impressionable, naive, and eager to please- my heart ached for her as I saw her making many of the same mistakes I made at her age, often blaming herself for her mother's mistakes, always trying to be the responsible adult because her mother wasn't going to be.  It was nice to find a kindred spirit, even all these years later, and even if she is fictional.  This is a touching story that I won't soon forget.

So I gave it five stars, right?  Unfortunately, I couldn't, and here's why... I did love this story, but it was because of my own deeply personal feelings toward it.  When I review books, I try to think of the "typical" YA reader, and this isn't a book that would come to mind.  It will have a niche, but most teens are not going to relate to the protagonist, are not going to understand a lot of the pop-culture references, and are going to be hard pressed to care about what is going on in this story.  Add to that the fact that the object of Maria's affection is not some hottie, but a chubby, rather dorky guy, and I just don't see it.  Honestly, I think this book would be better marketed to 30-somethings who remember being a teen during the time period this story takes place.  It's almost as if the reader needs the benefit of those extra 10-15 years of life experience to GET this book.  If I were reviewing it for them, I would say 5-stars in a heartbeat, but for the YA market, its appeal is way too narrow.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There's language, sex, drug use, and teen rebellion.  There are definitely mature themes here.  I would say this book is for high school aged students and up (grades 9 and up, ages 14+), but as I mentioned before, I really see this as more of an adult novel, not for content, per se, but because I don't think the average teen is going to relate as well.

Review: Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Publisher: Bloomsbury/Walker Children's Books

Publication Date: April 24th, 2012

Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship. 

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This is a 2012 debut that I have had my eye on for awhile. The title, the synopsis, the cover; all of it called to me, saying,"If you have to read something contemporary, this should be it!".  I'm not typically a big fan of the genre, but this book sounded really good to me.  As I began reading it, I started to get an uneasy feeling like my expectations were too high.  The first few chapters were confusing, and to be honest, my high hopes for this book began to falter... Then it clicked.  I spent the rest of the book frantically reading, not wanting to put this book down, needing to know what the deal was.  What I thought was going to be a contemporary read, full of emotion and grief, turned out to be a kick-ass mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Yes, it had some elements of contemporary fiction, and it was definitely heavy on the emotion, but it was so much more!  The story was excellent, the characters were flawed and relatable, and the pacing was dead-on.  I went back and forth between who I thought may have done what and whether or not everything was in Allie's head.  I felt queasy (in a good way) when things would turn out to be entirely different than I could have ever expected.  I was down with strep throat the week that I read this, and I have never been happier to lay in bed sick.  I wish I could share more, but I would hate to spoil any of this book; I want you to be on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, just like I was!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book has some pretty heavy themes, but is very real in how they are dealt with.  There is some language, domestic abuse, teen drinking, etc.  I would say that this is for grades 8 and up (ages 13+).