ARC Review: Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

Publisher:  Little, Brown BFYR

Publication Date: September 4th, 2012

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I was super-excited when I got word that I was chosen as a stop for the Southern ARC Tours tour of this book.  I'm a huge fan of Jackson's, and I always read her books IMMEDIATELY upon release (if I haven't gotten the opportunity to read them beforehand, that is).  I loved Sisters Red (read my review HERE) and Sweetly (read my review HERE), and I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Fathomless, the third book in Jackson's series of Fairy Tale Retellings (one of my favorite genres), for about a year.  Well, I can tell you that while I didn't love it quite as much as the first two, it was well worth the wait.  I've said before that Jackson Pearce is a master at putting a fresh spin on original fairy tales without losing the dark and twisted context, and I love her for that reason.

Fathomless is a retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, The Little Mermaid.  The original tale is rather dark; it doesn't have that happy ending that most are familiar with, due to Disney's retelling.  In fact, the original tale has our protaginist committing suicide, becoming sea foam...  Jackson does a great job keeping with the dark theme of the original, while making this tale truly her own.  There were some things that I really liked about this book, as well as a couple I didn't, so let's just get down to it.

First off, I have to comment on the cover.  It's a pretty cover, and under normal circumstances, I would probably be singing its praises, but these aren't normal circumstances.  I have to say it.  I'm pissed about the cover change.  Sisters Red and Sweetly both have brilliant covers; two of my all-time favorite covers in YA.  Why did they mess with a great thing?  I was actually really looking forward to the same artist's interpretation of Jackson's Little Mermaid tale, and I am sorely disappointed with Little, Brown's decision to make a change.  So yeah, there's that.

As for what is between the covers?  I have to begin by saying that this book is REALLY hard to review without spoilers, so you're getting my thoughts on how it made me feel more than anything else...  It was kind of an up and down read for me.  It started off kind of slow, and I thought it was really weird, but it picked up, and by the second half, I was loving it.  I think part of my problem was the fact that I didn't feel much of a connection to any of the characters like I have in Jackson's other books.  I felt the closest thing to a connection for Celia.  I did like her, but she grated on my nerves a lot too; she spent a lot of time feeling sorry for herself, and while she definitely had valid reasons to feel that way, I wanted her to be more kick-ass.  I wanted to connect with the others, I just never felt it.  I also spent almost the entire book wondering how it was going to tie to the first two books.  I couldn't figure out how the fenrir from Sisters Red and Sweetly could possibly be a part of this story, as I felt they should be, and I became increasingly frustrated as the story progressed without any sign.  The only tie I was seeing for 3/4 of the book was the fact that Celia, Anne, and Jane were of the Reynolds clan.  That said, when the story finally did connect to the first two books, I was in awe of Jackson and her brilliant mind.  I would have never seen anything like it coming.  Not only did Jackson manage to tie the third book to the first two, she shed a lot of unexpected light on them.  It made me want to go back and re-read them with a different mindset.  I didn't even know I need certain answers until I had them, and then I was like, "WHOA!". 

So what is my overall verdict?  I really ended up loving Fathomless.  I did spend some of the read confused and frustrated, but all was redeemed (and then some) at the end.  If you had asked me at the halfway point of this book what I thought, I would have told you that I wasn't loving it, but the crazy reveals and twists of the second half completely squashed and obliterated those feelings.  If you haven't read the first two books, know that you don't need to in order to enjoy this one.  In fact, if you haven't read them, I would suggest reading this one first.  If you have, understand that this book reads differently going into it, and know that you will be left with your jaw on the floor!

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are swears and some violence, but Fathomless is mostly clean.  5th grade and up (ages 10+).

Review: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  April 3rd, 2012

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could--from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book has been on my radar for awhile.  I remember seeing it in the Hachette catalog last year and thinking, "That looks intense! I need to read that!", and then kind of forgetting about it.  When my *fabulous* book club decided to read it, I was excited because I now had no excuse not to.  Ya'll?  Can someone please explain to me why I waited?  This book is made of morbid awesomeness!  This is something I knew before I even cracked the spine...  How did I know this?  It was blurbed on the back jacket by not one of my favorite authors, but THREE!  Here...

"Something just ain't right about Barry Lyga, and that's good news for all of us.  I Hunt Killers is a dark carnival ride through twisty questions of good and evil, nature and nurture, with a DELICIOUSLY DEMENTED teen as your guide.  Buckle up and keep your hands inside the ride at all times." -Libba Bray, Printz Award-winning author of Going Bovine and the Gemma Doyle trilogy

"I adored this book.  The mystery pulls you in from the first pages, and Jazz is a more CHILLINGLY CHARMING protagonist than Dexter Morgan." -Cassandra Clare, author of the Mortal Instruments series

"Being inside the mind of Jazz is so COMPELLING AND DISTURBING that I no longer want to be left alone with Barry Lyga- but I do want to spend lots more time with Jazz." -Holly Black, author of Tithe and the Curse Workers series

Libba freaking Bray?  Cassie Clare?  Holly Black?  Yeah.  Needless to say, I was sold!  Then I opened the freaking book, and I was blown away! There is no introduction or buildup; we get our first body on page two, and they keep piling up from there.  That in and of itself makes for a great mystery, but what really draws you in is the snippets of Jazz's grotesque childhood that are triggered throughout the book.  You see, Jasper Dent, aka Jazz, was raised by his Dear Old Dad, the notorious serial killer, Billy Dent, and Billy taught him everything he knows.  Billy had grand ideas that Jazz would carry on his legacy, being an even better killer than him.  Billy didn't hold anything back, and he started Jazz's training at a VERY young age.  This book is disturbing, riveting, twisted, and downright horrifying, and I loved it.  I have to say it... Thomas Harris (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon), move over.  There's a new kid in town, and his name is Barry Lyga!

Now, I really want to go into detail about why I loved this book so much, but there is so much potential for spoilers, so I'm not going to.  I will say that the character development was absolutely brilliant.  Being inside of Jazz's head, trying to work out the whole nature vs. nurture thing along with him, was really compelling, and I honestly still don't quite know where I stand, because HE doesn't.  Then there were the supporting characters; his best friend Howie and his Granny, who both add a bit of levity to what would otherwise be an entirely dark and morbid tale; Connie, Jazz's girlfriend, who doesn't take his crap, and tells it like it is; local Sheriff G. William Tanner, the man who brought Billy Dent down, and is now on the new serial killer's case, and the list goes on...  Barry Lyga added an element of human connection to every single character mentioned, no matter how small a role they played, and it really added to the mystery and intrigue of the story.  

I don't think I need to to tell you any more about the plot to make you understand how engaging it is.  You are in the mind of a serial killer, via the the memories and thoughts of his teenage son, who is not sure if he will become like his dad because of his experiences and training from such a young age, while a copycat is committing murders of people he knows, in his back yard.  Um yeah.  So. Moving on.  Pacing... Everyone in my book club said the same thing...  They could NOT put this book down.  It is not at all predictable, and you will be blown away in the end.  I promise.  This book is so well written, so twisty and surprising, with little barbs thrown in here and there that make you say, "What?!?!", so often, that you happily forgo sleep just to find out what happens in the end.  It is one of the most engaging and astonishing books I've read. Finally, I have to comment on the cover.  The jacket is okay for me, but the actual cover is brilliant.  Don't buy the eBook of this one.  Pay the extra couple of bucks for the hardcover.  It is worth it!

Overall, I have to say that this is the best YA Psychological Thriller I have EVER read.  In fact, I'm going to venture and say that it is the best one I've read, YA or Adult.   If you like books like this, RUN out and buy it.  You won't regret it!  I can't wait for the second book in this series, Game (releases April 23, 2013),because while I Hunt Killers does wrap up nicely, there are still some seriously nagging questions in my mind.   I can promise you this... I will not be waiting for book club to read book two!  It will be read on release day, or sooner, if I can get my grubby paws on an advance copy. 

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is not, I repeat, NOT a YA book that should be read by upper-level reading elementary or middle school age students.  This book is loaded with graphic violence, disturbing images, and horrifying acts of torture inflicted on people and animals.  If you wouldn't let your child read or watch The Silence of the Lambs, don't let him read this book.  I almost question this book's YA classification.  I would have classed it a an Adult novel, with crossover appeal for OLDER teens, like The Lovely Bones.  I think this is most appropriate for TEENS, ages 15 and older (grades 10 and up).

ARC Review: Revived by Cat Patrick

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 8th, 2012

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life. 

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thanks to Kelsey, Amber, Shannon, and Lori over at Southern Book Bloggers/Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to review this amazing book!**

I really enjoyed Cat Patrick's debut novel, Forgotten (read my review HERE), so I was eagerly anticipating her sophomore novel, Revived. There were several reasons I was drawn to this book, and my enjoyment of Cat's first book was only a small one. First off, I find it beyond refreshing when an author writes a stand-alone novel. It seems like every book written now is part of a 3+ book series, and while I enjoy a good series, sometimes it's really nice to have closure at the end of a book, instead of having to wait a year or more for the next installment. Both Forgotten and Revived are stand-alones, and I felt immense satisfaction upon finishing each one; sometimes it's fun to just imagine what happens to the characters in the future. The second reason for my excitement over this book was the synopsis. Did you read it? I was interested immediately, and let me just tell you, the synopsis does not even come close to doing this story justice. Finally, as you may have guessed, I loved the cover, which happens to be even more striking in person. Now, you may be wondering if the book was able to handle the weight of my extremely high expectations, and I can say, without hesitation, that not only did it meet my lofty expectations, it far exceeded them. This book was phenomenal!

Revived was so interesting and original. The story was well-woven, tying together mystery, intrigue, drama, real human emotion, romance, and the typical growing pains every teenager experiences. If not for the mystery and sci-fi conspiracy, it could be classified a YA Contemporary, and pull it off soundly. This book has a little something in it for everyone, which really is a rarity.  Cat Patrick's writing style is so fresh and honest; she manages to write heart-stopping action into a story that has emotional punch, all while making the reader have to stop and consider what they would do if they were in the shoes of not just the protagonist, but many of the other characters as well. I love books that make you think without being preachy or outright telling you to think, and Cat Patrick is a pro at that.

I really loved the character development in this book. There were no hard and fast good guys or bad guys. Each character was complex in his or her own right, and everyone had their reasons for doing the things they did. Some were certainly more noble than others, but I found myself understanding, if not necessarily agreeing with, people and their motivations. Every character was human; they had flaws, triumphs, made mistakes, and had regrets, and as the reader I felt every single emotion right along with them.

I read this book in about a day and a half. I just could not put it down. It was so well paced; the story moved along at a clip, with revelations unfolding at just the right junctures. I would think I had something figured out and then, BAM, a total curveball that I never saw coming. Of course, when that happens, you don't exactly put down the book for later! I wasn't surprised by any of this though, because I felt much the same way about Forgotten to a lesser degree. What surprised me was how much this book stayed with me when I finished it, and how much I wanted to talk about it to other people. I honestly can't wait until it comes out next week so that I can discuss it with more people.

Overall, I think this is one of my favorite books so far this year. While many authors have some difficulty with their 2nd book, Cat Patrick managed to blow her (excellent) first book out of the water. This book really does have a little something for everyone, but never reads like it's trying to. Definitely a must-read!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is fine for middle school and up. There's some mention of sex, teen drinking, and language, but nothing I would consider explicit. I would let my 5th grader read it now, but might not have at the beginning of the school year. Grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

ARC Review: Purity by Jackson Pearce

Publisher:  Little, Brown BFYR

Publication Date: April 24th, 2012

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

**Thanks to Kelsey, Amber, Shannon, and Lori over at Southern Book Bloggers/Southern ARC Tours for the opportunity to review this amazing book!**

I'm a big fan of Jackson Pearce.  I loved her first three books, As You Wish, Sisters Red (read my review HERE), and Sweetly (read my review HERE), and I eagerly await the third in her Fairy Tale Retellings series, Fathomless.  She does modern-day retellings so well (As You Wish is not a fairy tale retelling, but is is a modern take on an old story), so I was surprised last year when I heard about the soon-to-be-released Purity.  Purity falls within the Contemporary genre and is as far from the world of magic and fairy tales as you can get.  To be honest, I wasn't sure I would like it; I thought I would have pre-conceived expectations, based on Jackson's prior books, and that this would not be able to measure up (disclaimer: I'm usually not a big fan of Contemporary YA).  I should have given Jackson more credit...  Not only did she write a really great Contemporary that I enjoyed immensely, but I think it may be my favorite of her books so far.  Purity was funny, touching, and not at all what I expected.  Why?

If you've read anything by Jackson Pearce, you know that she does characters really well.  I always develop strong attachments to them right away, and the characters in this book were no different.  The protagonist, Shelby, was as real as a fictional teenager could be.  I read so many books about teens and they are most often portrayed as stereotypical angsty, rebellious, hormonal, know-it-all, brats.  Yes, they are stereotyped that way for a reason, and yes, Shelby definitely showed some of these traits from time to time, but she was SO much more than that, and not just because of her circumstances.  She was a good kid who was learning the ropes as she went, all while having this promise to her dead mother that she had to live up to.  I liked Shelby a lot.  I also liked her two best friends, Jonas and Ruby.  Jonas had the kind of wit that I love in a boy, and the whole time I was reading the book, I was thinking, "Why aren't you looking to him to be 'the ONE'?".  Then there's Ruby; without Ruby I think Shelby would have had a very difficult time having any fun.  Ruby was the crazy-maker, and her role in Shelby's life was absolutely vital.  As for the supporting characters, they were great as well.  Shelby's dad was spot on  I felt bad for him in so many ways.  I was raised by my dad after my parents divorced, and let me tell you, I feel for ANY dad raising a teenage girl alone; there is no way to relate to her on any level.  I also loved (and hated) Shelby's aunt.  What a character!  Saying she was merely colorful would be like saying Pucci print is colorful.  I could go on and on about the characters, but I think you get the idea...

Now for the story...  When I first read the synopsis, I was thinking, "What? Is cancer the new vampire?".  Not to sound insensitive, but there are a lot of YA books recently that involve people dying of cancer (like maybe there needs to be a new genre called "Cancer").  This book isn't a "Cancer" book though.  It's a book about a girl trying to honor her dying mother's last request under impossible circumstances.  Cancer plays a small role, but this is a coming-of-age book on every level, and it is wonderfully done.  It's also a coming-to-terms-with-God-and-religion book, and that is something I didn't expect, but I felt like Shelby asked the right questions, even if she didn't always get answers.  Jackson's trademark humor (she is one of the funniest YA authors out there) is everywhere in this book, but there is also a tender sensitivity there, providing a beautiful balance.  I laughed, cried, yelled at the characters, and before I knew it, the book was over, and I felt like I had just finished a great meal.  When a book makes he run the emotional gamut, ending in a deep sense of satisfaction, I know it was a great book.

Overall, I would say that if you are a YA Contemporary fan, this is an absolute MUST READ.  Run out on April 24th and buy this book!  That said, even if you aren't generally into the genre, read it anyway.  Quality-wise, it is up there with the likes of John Green and Stephanie Perkins.  It does not disappoint!

One more thing I have to mention for personal reasons...  Jackson is from Atlanta, and I always love her Southern shout-outs, but there was one in this book that was especially close to my heart.  Ruby worked at The Flying Biscuit!!!  The Flying Biscuit is very real and there is one across from the hospital where I delivered my first baby *many* years ago.  I spent a lot of time on bedrest there, and I ate their food, instead of hospital food, almost every day.  Yum.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  Memories!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★    

Grade Level Recommendation:  So, obviously this book involves sex.  It's pretty much centered around a girl deciding to lose her virginity for none of the traditional reasons like love or lust or marriage.  That being true, I am going to place this firmly in the "High School and up" category.  Grades 9 and up.  Ages 14+.

Cover Reveal: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

YA'LL!  LOOK!  It's the cover of the 4th book in The Caster Chronicles series, Beautiful Redemption!!

Can you say, "OOOOOOOH"?

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  October 23rd, 2012

WWW (26) and Waiting on Wednesday (February 8th, 2012): The Diviners by Libba Bray

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?


This has been a super-slow week of reading for me.  Last week I had one kids home sick, then I had a sick puppy, now this week I have another kid home sick.  Add to that the start of the softball season, and I've been BUSY...

What are you currently reading?

Pure by Julianna Baggott~ I like the way she writes, and this book looks really excellent.  It came out today, so I'm a little behind with my ARCs.  I'm hoping it's one of those books I can't put down.  Stay tuned!

Firelight by Sophie Jordan~ Finally!  I've been wanting to read this for ages, but haven't been able to get around to it!  I just got an audio copy, so now I can "read" it while I act as my kids' maid, chauffeur, laundress, and ATM.  :-)

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins~ This is a buddy-read with my daughter.  She loved Hex Hall, so we are on to the next book.  She wants to make sure she is all read up for the release of Spell Bound next month.

What did you recently finish reading?

A Million Suns by Beth Revis~ This may not seem possible, but this book was better than Across the Universe.  I loved it!  Lots of big secrets revealed, with lots of murder and mayhem along the way.  There's also kissing.  Review to come.

The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs, and Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart~ I've been meaning to read this forever!  It was so cute.  I totally get why everyone loved Ruby Oliver so much!  She's great.  Just the type of girl I would be BFFs with in HS.  Review to come.

Paper Towns by John Green~ This was a "re-read" of the audio, and like the text version, I loved it.  Actually, I loved it even more!  Read my full review HERE.



What do you think you'll read next?

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison~ Since I didn't get to this one last week, it will be read next.  The cover is reason alone!  Also, I'm kind of in the mood for a thriller.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally~ I've been meaning to read this one since it came out a couple of months ago.  I've heard such rave reviews about it.  Stay tuned!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.


I have been waiting for a cover for this one FOREVER, just so I could put it in this post!

The Diviners by Libba Bray

A supernatural series set in Manhattan during the 1920s that follows a teen heroine reminiscent of two of the era's most famous literary women—Zelda Fitzgerald and Dorothy Parker. The story will be a wild new ride full of dames and dapper dons, jazz babies and Prohibition-defying parties, conspiracy and prophecy—and all manner of things that go bump in the neon-drenched night.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I LOVE Libba Bray!  I'm a huge fangirl!  As always, I will run right out and buy this book when it comes out.  In fact, I will probably buy two copies, because I whenever I read one of her books, I end up giving my copy away to someone while preaching at them about how they "must read it NOW!".  This book looks amazingly awesome.  I love it when she does Historical Fiction (the Gemma Doyle books are fantastic) and I am eager to read what she does with Prohibition era NY!  Does it suck that we had to wait over a year between books?  Yes.  But it will, no doubt, be totally worth it!

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  November 6th, 2012

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+++++

What are YOU Waiting On this week?

Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR

Publication Date: September 27th, 2012

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

WHY did I wait as long as I did to read this amazing book?  Seriously.  The reviews have been fabulous- everyone who has read this has raved about it- so why did it take me more than three months to get around to reading it?  Two words.  The cover.  I know a lot of people loved the cover of this one, but I didn't.  It looks cheap to me, and being the cover whore that I am, I just couldn't bring myself to put this ahead of prettier books.  Yes, I know what they say, and I know it sounds shallow, but it is what it is.  I totally regret my judgement, because I LOVED this book.  I want more. NOW.

If you're looking for something completely fresh and beyond beautifully written, look no further.  Laini Taylor's writing takes individual threads and weaves them into a tapestry that takes your breath away when you see the final product.  She creates a fantastic world, with characters so bizarre and gorgeous, that they will invade your dreams.  This was one of those books that I wanted to read quickly to know what would happen next, but at the same time, I wanted to slow-read it to savor the exquisiteness of her writing.  It's a gift to be able to create art with words, and Laini Taylor has that gift in spades, but writing alone doesn't make a book.  A book needs a story...

This story grabbed me from the beginning.  I was instantly intrigued and enamored by Karou.  She is such a great character and I only grew to like her and respect her more as her story unfolded.  I found myself becoming fond of Brimstone and Issa despite the fact that they were "monsters".  I was utterly absorbed in the mystery of why the teeth were so important, and completely taken aback when I found out the reason.  Then there was Akiva.  Good?  Bad?  Can angels even be bad?  Is it ever that black and white?  There were so many facets to this story that I cannot even begin to unravel it here.  What I can tell you is that they come together beautifully in ways that are both unpredictable and sensible.  You will come out of this story satisfied, but wanting more, if that makes any sense.

If I had gotten around to reading this book in 2011, it would have, no doubt, made my Top Ten list.  I will be all over book #2, Days of Blood and Starlight, when it releases in September.  If you haven't read this book yet, get on it.  You won't be disappointed.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+++

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a couple of tastefully done, non-graphic sexual encounters, and there's so violence, including a beheading, but otherwise this book is pretty clean.  I would recommend it for grades 7 and up (ages 12+).

Cover Reveal: Purity by Jackson Pearce

If you know me, you know that I am a total Jackson Pearce fangirl!  I've read all of her books, and I just adore them.  Plus, she's a Georgia girl! On April 24th her first Contemporary book, Purity, comes out, and I cannot wait!  Love the synopsis, LOVE the cover!  What do ya'll think?

Publisher:  Little, Brown BFYR

Publication Date:  April 24th, 2012

Hours before her mother died, Shelby promised her three things-- to listen to her father, to live life without restraint, and to love whenever possible.

Those promises were easy to keep when she was younger, but things get tricky when she turns sixteen. Shelby's still-grieving father joins a committee at their church to host a Princess Ball-- a dance where young women pledge their purity (namely, their virginity) to their father's safekeeping until they marry.

But Shelby has a Life List-- things she wants to do, to live without restraint like she promised her mother-- and getting married young isn't on it. Waiting until she's thirty to have her first time isn't on it either. But how is she supposed to keep her promise to listen to her father if she refuses to pledge? By exploiting a loophole- by losing her virginity before the Ball.

She and her best friend Jonas make a list of potential partners, but somewhere in-between failed attempts at losing her virginity, trying to answer some lingering questions about God, and planning the Ball with her Dad, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her PURITY.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Review: How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  October 18th, 2011

Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I really liked this book.  When I first started reading it, I wasn't sure I was going to... It was a little slow to start for me.  The first fifty or so pages didn't really draw me in, but I've had good past experience with Sara Zarr's writing, and this book had gotten such rave reviews, I kept going.  It was well worth it!  This story, told from the POVs of two very different teenage girls, thrown together by circumstance, was really awesome.  I was invested, and by halfway through, I was propping this book up on the vanity so that I could continue reading while I brushed my teeth.  The story wasn't the best part of this book though.  That award goes to the characters.  Sara Zarr has a gift for character development.  She understands the   angsty, volatile minds of teenage girls and she knows how to articulate it so that the reader understands who they are.  A lot of the time I didn't like Jill, but I felt empathy toward her; I understood why she was the way she was and forgave her for the hateful things she did and said.  I liked Mandy better than Jill, but sometimes she was very dim- I wasn't sure if it was act of not, but I definitely wanted to figure her out.  Robin, Jill's mother, was a pretty great character, which is one of the reasons I really didn't care much for Jill; she was so lucky to have her for a mom, and she totally took it for granted. Then there were the boys, Dylan and Ravi; both were great characters, and I honestly didn't know who to root for.  I waffled a lot because they both had so much to offer as both friends and love interests.  This scenario was very believable and the characters were very real.  I understand why it has gotten so much attention from awards judges.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was the same thing I didn't like about the other book I've read by Sara Zarr, Once Was Lost...  The ending was too neat for me.  The book was so real to me, but the ending seemed a little bit too easy, and life doesn't work that way most of the time.  That said, it had a very small impact on how I felt about the book as a whole, because the emotions evoked throughout were really what counted.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  Death of a parent, teen pregnancy, and sexual abuse are all themes in this book.  Still, I don't think that it is inappropriate for a MS aged reader.  These topics were all addressed well, and this story actually has a lot to offer as far as life lessons go.  Grades 7 and up (ages 12+).

WWW (17) and Waiting On Wednesday (October 12th, 2011) Double Feature

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?


Great week this past week for reading.  Hoping this week will be as good!  I haven't had as much time to read as I'd like lately, but at least what I've been reading has been worth it.  So without further ado, my WWW...

What are you currently reading?

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan~ I'm only a couple of chapters in, but so far, I'm really optimistic.  I think this is going to be a really good book.

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan~ I just started this audio this morning.  Stay tuned.  If it's good, I'll be giving a copy away!  :)




What did you recently finish reading?

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins~ As always, pure greatness.  I can't say that this book was enjoyable, but it was beautiful in a sad way.  Look for my review this week.  I need to process a little more...

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs~ I have really enjoyed all of Tera's books, but this one is her best yet.  Loved it!  Check out my review HERE.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson~ I honestly JUST finished this and I still need to process it.  Excellent!




What do you think you'll read next?

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa~ I didn't get to it last week, but it is next on my list.  SOOO looking forward to it!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson~ I have heard so many fabulous things!  I cannot wait to dig into this one!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

The Drowned Cities (Ship Breaker #2) by Paolo Bacigalupi

In this exhilarating companion to Printz Award winner and National Book Award finalist Ship Breaker, Paolo Bacigalupi brilliantly captures a dark future America that has devolved into unending civil wars, driven by demagogues who recruit children to become soulless killing machines. Two refugees of these wars, Mahlia and Mouse, are known as "war maggots": survivors who have barely managed to escape the unspeakable violence plaguing the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities. But their fragile safety is threatened when they discover a wounded half-man--a bioengineered war beast named Tool, who is hunted by a vengeful band of soldiers. When tragedy strikes, Mahlia is faced with an impossible decision: risk everything to save the boy who once saved her, or flee to her own safety.

Drawing upon the brutal truths of current events, The Drowned Cities is a powerful story of loyalty, survival, and heart-pounding adventure.

(Courtesy of Amazon)

Ship Breaker was absolutely phenomenal.  It was one of those books that I put off, and put off, and then mentally kicked myself for waiting so long when I finally got around to reading it.  I usually wholeheartedly disagree with judge's picks for award winners, but in this case, they were so right.  Ship Breaker deserved every award it was nominated for for and/or won.  I expect its companion, Drowned Cities, will be as good, if not better.  I am very, VERY anxiously Waiting On this one!

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 1st, 2012

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++

What are you Waiting On?

**Don't forget to enter my AWESOME giveaway of an audio copy of the AMAZING All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin HERE!**