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!!**

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Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: January 31st, 2012

New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book was such a surprise for me.  Several months ago, when people started buzzing about it (the cover, mostly), my interest was piqued, but this wasn't one of the 2012 debuts that I felt like I HAD to get my hands on without delay.  I thought, "Sure, the cover is really pretty, and the story sound interesting enough, but it's not CALLING to me."  Well, in this case, my instincts were way off.  This book was awesome, one of my favorites so far this year; and now that I know the story behind the cover, I think it is the most beautiful cover of the year.  Ya'll NEED to read this book!

I'll start my review by telling you what I loved best (and I say "loved" because "like" is not a strong enough word to properly express my feelings)... The characters in this book were so multi-dimensional, especially "nosoul" Ana.  I cannot even fathom being in her position- everyone she's ever met has the experience of thousands of years of living- they all intimately know each other, in one way or another, and they can never really die because they will just be reincarnated with all the knowledge and experience of their previous lives.  They don't really care if they die- they will come back soon enough- but Ana?  No one knows what her fate will be when she dies.  That has to be scary!  Add to all of that the fact that most people, her own parents included, hate her for being an aberration.  These feelings are so intense that her father left when she was an infant and her mother kept her hidden away from society as a whole, for her first 18 years of life; physically, mentally, and verbally abusing her the entire time.  Imagine what kind of person you become after that.  Ana has a strong spirit though, and she perseveres, teaching herself life skills that her mother couldn't be bothered with teaching her.  Now she's 18 and she wants answers.  Who is she?  Why was she born?  Is there anyone out there like her?  When she goes on her quest for them, she meets Sam, and I have to say, he is one of the most tender and worthy male characters I've come across in a YA novel.  I found myself rooting for them from the beginning, and one of the things that kept me reading was the need to find out if a romance ever developed between the two, of if their relationship would stay platonic.  Sam and Ana were the main characters, but Jodi Meadows spent a decent amount of time developing the supporting characters as well, and I was so glad for that...

Of course, you can't write a book with characters alone, and that brings me to the story.  It was equally good.  A well rendered world, with an interesting premise behind it.  The originality of this book was amazing.  Imagine the utopian existence that could be built if the people within it had thousands of years of personal experience on which to build it.  Imagine how that might be disrupted if suddenly a beloved friend, who everyone expected to be reborn, was suddenly replaced by a brand new soul who had no experience to draw upon.  Imagine if that person was raised away from society for 18 years, only to return under the protection of a valued member of society.  You would think it would divide the people, and it did.  

If you haven't ascertained this already, I will reiterate...  I LOVED this book.  It was beautifully written, with such a strong sense of humanity- both the good and bad aspects of it.  I couldn't put it down, and I am beyond excited for the release of book #2.  Anyone looking for something fresh and different,   should definitely give this book a try.  You won't be disappointed you did.

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty clean.  There is some romance, and sex is alluded to in one chapter, but never spoken about outright.  Anyone reading this that wouldn't be ready for that type of content, probably wouldn't understand what they were talking about anyway.  I was say this book is more than appropriate for 5th grade and up (ages 10+).

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: January 24th, 2012

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I had really high hopes for this book when I first heard of it, then I saw the cover, and I was in love!  An new take on the Underworld, Hades, Persephone?  Yes, please!  Once the reviews started rolling in, I went from high hopes to high expectations.  Everyone seemed to love this book; it was rave review after rave review.  I wanted to love this book too!  I guess maybe my expectations were too high because I expected A LOT more than I got.   I was expecting "epic" and got "good book"...

These Are the Things I LIKED About Everneath:

• The story was definitely unique.  I thought there was a limit to retelling mythology, but Brodi Ashton has proven that you can make it your own.  I have't read anything else like this.
• The main characters evoked the emotions that they were supposed to evoke.  Cole made my skin crawl, he was so smarmy.  Jack was your imperfect dream guy that you have to love.  Nikki was pathetic, but you could tell she had a spark left in her; I wanted her to win in the end.
• The ending made reading the book worth it.  It doesn't leave you hanging in a way that pisses you off, but it does leave you wanting to read the next book.  The final 25% was 5-star material, and what redeemed this book.
• The cover is fabulous, which could be a bad thing, actually... I mean, what book could live up to that cover?

These Are the Things I DID NOT LIKE About Everneath:

• The pacing was very erratic.  There were times when I have to make myself read this book, and then there were times (mostly toward the end) when I couldn't put it down.  I didn't like the way it went back and forth between present and past.  I don't always feel that way when books do this, but it didn't work for me here.
• There were too many questions that if answered just didn't make sense to me, and then there we the questions that never got answers.  I won't list them all here, but I found myself scratching my head a lot or just saying, "What?!?!".  I know it's the first in a series, and that some of the questions will be answered later, but I was confused a lot.
• While I mostly liked the main characters, I thought the supporting characters were poorly done.  They had no depth, and I often wondered why they were even there.

Overall, I thought this good was pretty good.  It's not one of those debuts that made me say, "Wow!  I can't believe this is her first book!", because I think it is kind of obvious that this was a first book.  That said, I think Brodi Ashton has a beautiful style to her writing, and I think this story holds a lot of promise.  I will definitely read the next book, but I won't have such through-the-roof expectations...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation:  These was only a brief suggestion of sex, no graphic violence, and offensive language.  As far as content, I would say this is pretty clean.  Ages 11+ (Grade 6 and up).

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Publisher:  HarperCollins Children's Books

Publication Date:  January 3rd, 2012

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I had super high expectations of this book.  Not only has it gotten rave reviews from multiple YA bloggers whom I respect, but it has gotten much author love as well.  I went into this book expecting to be blown away and I was!  What an awesome start to what I am quite sure is going to be an excellent series.  Veronica Rossi has raised the bar for post-Hunger Games dystopia authors!

I have to admit that when I first read about this book, I wasn't sure.  The synopsis made the story seem a bit dull and predictable.  Don't get me wrong, I knew I wanted to read this, but it wasn't quite top of my list... It should have been!  The plot and pacing were awesome; never a dull moment, never a time when I said, "I totally saw THAT coming!".  This book was so expertly balanced.  The action was believable and very intense, while the more vulnerable moments were written with such a light touch.  I found myself gritting my teeth during the heart-pounding parts, and tearing up during the emotional parts- often these elements of this story only pages apart.  As for the idea behind the story?  It is unique and well represented.  There were subtle twists and surprises that kept me on my toes and reading until 4am because I had to know what would happen next.

The characters were impressive as well.  At first I thought I wasn't going to like Aria, but she turned out to be one of my favorite characters.  Same with Perry.  My favorite character had to be Roar though.  He has a quality that while difficult to pinpoint, makes you instantly like him.  The characters evolved throughout the story, and I never felt like I was given too much or too little information as the story unfolded.  I was equally impressed with the world building.  Rossi's descriptions of the sky, terrain, and the desolate nature of the environment outside the pods pulled me fully into the story.  I loved the way they the environment was described through those with enhanced senses.; that is what brought this world to life.

If you're looking for a great book to kick off your 2012 Debut Author Challenge, look no further! If you are a fan of Dystopia, Action/Adventure, even Sci-Fi, look no further!  I can't really imagine anyone being disappointed with this book.  Phenomenal!  A great way for me to have kicked off 2012!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is violent at times, and it is implied that Perry is no virgin, but this book is otherwise pretty clean.  I would say that it is appropriate for ages 12 and up (7th grade+).

Interview with Never Eighteen Author, Megan Bostic

I recently reviewed the fantastic novel, Never Eighteen, by Megan Bostic (read my review HERE).  It is a beautiful story about a boy named Austin who is dying of cancer and would never see his 18th birthday.  Austin is an amazing character, and this story really got me thinking about what went into the writing of it.  Megan Bostic has been so gracious, and has agreed to answer a few questions I had, and I wanted to share.  Do yourself a favor and pick up Never Eighteen when it releases on January 17th!

1.  First off, congratulations!  I'm sure you're absolutely ecstatic to see your book in a bound format!  I know that you are a long-time vlogger of the ups and downs of getting published; how does it feel to finally be able to say that you've done it?

Sometimes it still seems surreal, but then I think of all the work I’ve done, and how exhausted I’ve been after a bazillion rewrites, and queries, and marketing, and it all comes back to me. Lol.  But in all seriousness, I feel a real sense of accomplishment, not only for me, but for the people who’ve supported and helped me through this journey.

2.  So my biggest burning question really has nothing to do with the book, but the writing... How the hell do you manage to get so much writing done with kids?  I have to let the TV babysit mine so I can take the time to write these questions.  I can't imagine finding time to write a book...

Well, I was a stay at home mom for many years, and my kids were already in school when I started writing, so I pretty much wrote from the time they left to the time they got home, then I put my “mom hat” on.  It’s actually been a little harder now that they’re older. Now I work a part time job, and when my girls get home from school they may need help with homework, or need to be taken to music lessons, or doctor appointments, or soccer practice.  I try to squeeze it in where I can, which can be very difficult.

3.  Never Eighteen is a NaNoWriMo novel.  When you started NaNo, did you have any idea that it would The One? A gut feeling, perhaps?

It’s funny, because I was rewatching my Chronicle videos and in one I actually say, “this could be the one” (I didn’t remember saying that lol).  So, I guess I felt strongly about this one, probably because it came from the deepest depths of my heart and I think it was a story that needed to be told.

4.  What inspired you to write this story? You went from superheroes to how to get into to heaven/hell to this; that's a broad scope of subject matter.  Did the idea just jump into your head?

The idea came from my then husband.  I called him my “idea man”.  He was always coming up with stories for me to write.  If I only had that much time. Haha.  

We took his mother in and did hospice care for her when she was diagnosed with late stage cancer.  We had firsthand knowledge of the disease’s brutal effects on the body.  When you watch someone die, you think about your own mortality.  If I found out I only had a short time to live, I would want to touch peoples lives in a positive way, even if it was just in a small way.  I really try to live as if each day were my last, but it really isn’t easy.

5.  As a mother, I had a difficult time reading Never Eighteen at times; I kept thinking about my own kids.  How was it writing Austin's story, as a mother of teenagers?  Did you draw from your experiences as a mother? 

I mostly drew from my own experiences as a teenager.  I’ve faced, and known many others who’ve faced the same challenges you’ll read about in the book.  Those life experiences don’t change over time, they just hit the next generation of kids.  Teens are still abused, and addicted.  They’re finding out who they are, trying to fit in.  They self-doubt, self-loathe.  They’re experiencing love and heartbreak for the first time.  They’re bound to see people they love divorce or die.

And yes, I always have my daughters in mind when I write, because I fear for them, as all parents do.  I want their lives to be perfect.  I don’t want them to have to face these issues, but unfortunately, these are problems teens face every day, and it could happen to one of my children.

6.  Austin is a remarkable character.  Is he based on a person or a combination of people you know in real life?

Austin is not really based on a real person.  I based his disease on what I learned through caring for my mother-in-law, otherwise I think he’s a more a representation of the kind of person we should be, not just in tragedy, but every day.  Part of his mission is not just to show people the value of their lives, but it’s more than that.  Make the step to apologize or forgive, learn to trust yourself and others, reach out to someone in need, make a difference.

7.  Never Eighteen started out with the title, Mending Fences.  Who decided to change it?  Are you happy with the change?

My editor liked the original title, but thought it needed more punch.  I agreed.  My dad actually came up with the new title, and he is proud of that. I’m very happy with the change. I think the title alone tells a story.  

8.  Some authors like to read reviews, and others don't.  Which are you?  Never Eighteen has got a really great pre-release average rating on Goodreads right now.  Have you been keeping up with what people are saying?

I’ve been told not to read reviews, but I can’t help myself.  I read them all.  Do I like them all? Of course not, but any author who thinks everyone is going to love their book is living in la-la land.  I am keeping up with what people are saying, and I’m very pleased that the majority get what I was trying to convey with the story.  I’m just sorry I’ve made so many people cry. Lol.

9.  Who are some of your favorite authors? Books?  What was your favorite book of 2011? Which 2012 debut is your favorite so far?

Authors I’ve read a lot of include Judy Blume, S.E. Hinton, Stephen King, Dennis Lehane, and Harlan Coben, so as you can see, I have an eclectic taste in books.  

I have many favorite books, but I’ll only name a few so your readers don’t fall asleep.  To Kill a Mockingbird, The Handmaid’s Tale, Fahrenheit 451, The Stand, Lord of the Flies, A River Runs Through It. I’ll stop there; I could go on and on.

My favorite book of 2011 was Geoff Herbach’s Stupid Fast (I’ve mentioned him so much he probably thinks I’m stalking him).  His main character Felton’s voice is probably the most unique voice I’ve ever read.  The story is funny, heartbreaking, and thoughtful.  I can’t wait to read more from Geoff.

To be honest, I’ve not read a 2012 debut yet, though I’ve begun my first, which is The Wicked and the Just by J Anderson Coats, and I’m liking it very much.  Now, if you ask me which I’m looking most forward to, I will say all my fellow Class of 2k12ers books, Brodi Ashton’s Everneath (which is sitting on my bookshelf right now, squee!), Storybound by Marissa Burt, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally, and once again, I could go on and on, I mean, have you seen how many debuts there are for 2012?

10.  You seem to have a knack for YA.  Do you think it is something you will stick with?  Any "up next" news?

I definitely think I’ll stick with YA, though I have a couple adult projects in the works that I’m attached to.  I prefer writing realistic YA dealing with social issues, and to be honest, I also like writing about death for some morbid reason.

My current work in progress, is titled, Sliced.  It’s about a teen cutter with abandonment issues.  I like to call it a story of  loss, loathing, and lacerations.

So, yeah... I hope my ADD, all over the place questions aren't terribly annoying!  If you have anything to add, please do! 

Your questions were awesome and unique.  Thank you so much for hosting me.

Many thanks to Megan for her awesome, in depth answers. If you want to know more about Megan and her writing, you can visit her on her website, Megan Bostic Books, her blog, The Angsty Writer, and YouTube Channel (my personal favorite of the three). You can also check her out on Facebook and Twitter.

*Don't forget to register for my 25 Days of Jubilation Giveaway!  Three lucky entrants will win their choice of one book off of my Top 25 YA Books of 2011!  Click HERE!*

Review: Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Publisher: Graphia

Publication Date: January 17th, 2011

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.

But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Get out the tissues, because even though you know from the beginning that this book is going to end with the death of the protagonist, it still hits you like a ton of bricks when it happens.  This book is so beautifully written and with such depth that, as the reader, you form intense bonds with the characters.  It will feel like a punch in the gut when Austin dies; you will relate to Kaylee, because you will feel like you lost a good friend.  This book is a difficult read because it makes you face your own mortality, but it is also a very uplifting and inspiring read because it makes you think about the people in your own life- relationships, burned bridges, things that you would not want to go unsaid if something were to happen to you tomorrow.  It gave me a lot of hope as I followed Austin in his quest to make right the wrongs in his life, to try to get through to people that needed a wake-up call, to experience at least a few of the things he wanted to experience before he died.  I found myself wondering if I would want to know if I had only a short time to live, or if I would want death to come instantly.  Is the suffering that a slow death, like that of a cancer patient, worth being able to tie up those loose ends?  I still don't know, but it makes me grateful for the time I have and eager to make sure the people in my life know that I love them.  This book is powerful in that thought-provoking way, but it is more...

Megan Bostic does a fantastic job with the character development in this book.  As I mentioned before, I bonded with Austin and Kaylee.  They became more than characters in a book to me.  The supporting characters were also very well well rendered; Austin's mother made my heart break, his grandmother, his peers; everyone in the story, no matter how small their role, contributed to the emotional roller-coaster ride.  I really love the idea of this story and the way in which it was told.  I'm an adult, and a parent, so I have a different perspective than this book's "target" audience might, but I really feel like Megan did a great job getting her message to younger readers.  Yes, there is some content that some readers would find objectionable; a lot of older reviewers like myself- parents, teachers, librarians- took issue with some of the issues that are touched on in this book (language, teen drinking, abuse, homosexuality, rape, drug use, and sex), and it's recommended age of 12+, but I don't at all.  Twelve year-olds are well aware of all of the above; they all use the language (don't even TRY to tell me that YOUR perfect angel doesn't), they know much more about sex and sexuality than we give them credit for, and are well aware that many teens drink and use drugs.  This story wouldn't be so real and credible if it were cleaned up, and quite frankly, it's really not about any of those things at all, but about Austin's journey.  It's not supposed to be a pretty or easy read, but one that is supposed to stay with you, and I really think it will.  I read this in June, and I'm writing this review in December, and it's still very fresh.  I have a feeling that it always will be.  Thank you NetGalley and HMH Children's/Graphia for the opportunity to review this wonderful novel!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  As I mentioned before, there is some mature content, but I feel the "recommended" age of 12+ is accurate.  I think that it would actually behoove many indestructible 12 year-olds to read this book.  Normally, I would say that a book with themes like these would be more appropriate for HS students because I would be afraid a less mature student would be able to wrap the heads around them, but Austin's voice is such that I think a 7th or 8th grader would be fine.  Grades 7 and up.

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