ARC Review: Empty by K.M. Walton

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Publication Date:  January 1st, 2013

Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it’s been one let down after another. But no one—not even her best friend—gets all the pain she’s going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles.

Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing spin out of control. But just how far will she go to make all of the heartbreak and name-calling stop?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This review has given me a lot of trouble.  I've had a tremendous amount of difficulty putting my feelings about this book on paper because the feelings are so complicated.  I really hated this book in so many ways.  It left me feeling ugly inside, and I think I sat in my bed for about 20 minutes, hand over my mouth, in shock at how it all ended.  This book does not contain an ounce of good feeling in it.  Everything about it made me feel uncomfortable and really, really sad.  The thing about that is that that was exactly how I was supposed to feel.  This book is raw, and graphic.  It gets right down to the nitty gritty of the effect bullying can have on a young person.  Some people come out on the other side of it, others don't, but nobody comes away unscathed.  The title is absolutely fitting, because it left me feeling just that, empty...

Dell's story is not unique.  Young people face the kinds of abuse Dell faced in Empty every day, most of the time, silently, or worse, like Dell, with a mask of humor to hide their hurt.  Nothing about Dell's, life was easy.  Yes, much of it was of her own doing, but too much of it wasn't, and it was heartbreaking.  I felt sick to my stomach much of the time I was reading this book because Dell didn't just FEEL like she had nobody looking out for her; She really didn't.  She was alone in the world, and dealing with more hurt and ridicule than any one person should ever have to.  Dell never even got her "moment" to show everyone her value as a human being.  Even that was robbed from her.  This book was so truthful and eye-opening, and REAL.  I can't even.  Sometimes there aren't happy endings.  Sometimes people don't ever find joy in their lives.  It is sad, but so heartbreakingly true.  All this being said, I absolutely hated this book.  Yes, it needed to be written, and yes, I think K.M. Walton did an absolutely stellar job writing it, but I can't get past how it made me feel.  It cut me deeply, and I can't forgive it for that.  If you like gripping, gritty, heart-wrenching reads (and I often do- Ellen Hopkins is a personal favorite), then you will probably want to read this, but I can't say that you will enjoy it.  If I could go back in time, would I spend the time reading it again?  Absolutely.  But I still wouldn't like it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation   This book is for high school age readers and up.  It is graphic in many ways.  There is a lot of language, sex, sexual assault, drinking, drug use, and other mature subjects.  That said, I think this should be REQUIRED reading for HS students, just not before. 

Review: Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Publication Date:  February 7th, 2012

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I had been looking forward to this book for a very long time.  I am a fan of Lisa McMann's and when I heard about this book, I was really excited.  As a Contemporary novel, it's something of a departure from what she usually writes (Fantasy and Paranormal), and I was eager to see what she would do with it.  When I purchased it, I was excited, but had a pile of ARCs to get through... When I finally got a little break from that, I immediately picked up Dead to You.  It's a pretty quick read (most people should be able to finish in a day or two), and it's really good.  That said, I still don't know how I feel about it...  I know it's my 2nd favorite of her books (The Unwanteds, her MG Fantasy, is my favorite), and I enjoyed the writing- technically speaking, there was nothing wrong with the book.  I guess I'm just having a difficult time articulating how I feel because it effected me deeply, and I still have an uncomfortable feeling in my gut after reading it.  It's one of those books that makes you think; I mean, REALLY think.  As the parent of a 10 year old and 7 year old twins, this book kind of hit me hard from the beginning, which I expected.  What I didn't expect was that the hits would keep coming and coming and coming, until the very last page.  I really can't delve deep into the story without major spoilers, but I will say that the synopsis doesn't even scratch the surface of what this book is about, or the intensity of the situation.  Honestly, it's a good thing that this book is so short because the kind of emotional turmoil it brings up would be too much if it were longer.  My only (very small) issue was that I kind of saw some of the ending coming from around the middle of the book.  I wasn't prepared to believe it because it was so heartwrenching, so I tried not to, and that made it all the more shocking when she went there, but I did see it.  I kind of wish that there would be a second book, because I wouldn't mind knowing how everything plays out, but at the same time, the way Lisa ended things was pretty perfectly aligned with the entire story.  This book has left me completely conflicted, and I don't think that will change, but I liked it.  Make sense?

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are a bunch of swears, some extremely heavy themes, and some sexual situations.  I would say this book it most appropriate for students grade 9 and up (ages 14+) if they are reading it on their own, however, I think this would be a great discussion book for an 8th grade class or book club.

Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Publication Date: June 7th, 2011

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I wish I could say that I loved this book.  I wish I could give it five stars; it has the potential to be a GREAT story, but I can't.  Will I read book number two?  You bet!  I will be waiting for it anxiously.  How can I make such scattered, mixed remarks about the same book?  Well, because the book is just that.  Scattered.

Let me explain...

I read this book while I was on a super relaxing cruise to Bermuda. I had been well looking forward to this for quite some time and actually waited until vacation time so I could read it without interruption.  I started off reading this with very high hopes and expectations.  After the first 75 pages, I was dreading writing my review because I was thinking it was going to be scathing (it took me several days to get through the 1st few chapters instead of an hour).  I really don't like adding books to my "Hate List" and I was thinking that this one would end up there.  I was having an extremely difficult time connecting with the characters and the story was rather disjointed.  I kept reading, hoping it would get better. (I rarely put down a book because I dislike it.)  After all, things can change...  Well, that's exactly what happened with this book.  By page 100 I was fully invested and reading as fast as possible to get to the next part.  

The pace of the story really picked up to the point of warp-speed; non-stop action right up until the end.  The plot pulled together really nicely as well.  As I gained understanding of the world they lived in, I felt like I better understood  some of the things that didn't add up early on.  I still have a lot of questions, mind you, but I'm much less confused.  The character development improved and I began to connect with the primary characters (although I'm still not sure if I like or trust some of them).  Vi, the protagonist,  especially had the ability to rub me the wrong way.  In some respects, I liked her; she was competent, persistent, and kick-ass.  In other respects, I couldn't stand her; she was very negative and impulsive and quite possibly mentally unstable.  She often reminded me of a sullen, pissed-off little sister that you just want to smack some sense into.  I really liked Jag, although I have a feeling we are going to learn things later in the series that will change that...

By the final chapters, I was sorry to see this book end. I ended up really liking the premise of the story and the way things seemed to be working out.  Yes, the beginning dragged and was very disjointed, which is why I can't give it five stars.  It improved so much after the initial bit, that it well redeemed itself though.  I think now that the groundwork has been put in place, this series will be awesome.  I just hope that people will think twice about putting it down early in.  I'm glad I didn't.  I anxiously await the second book, Surrender, which has an expected drop date sometime in June of 2012.

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This books had some romance, a small amount of language, and a lot of (non-gratuitous) violence.  It would be appropriate for the average 6th grader and up (ages 12+).

In My Mailbox Monday (10)

In My Mailbox (IMM) was started by The Story Siren a few years back, and is a great way for bloggers to give the books they are reading (or are planning to read) a quick mention.

I've been out of town for weeks, so my mailbox has been on hold. Now that we're back, I've got an IMM of epic proportions. That said, I'm not going to comment on ALL of the books since my last IMM (on June 20th), but just highlight the ones I'm most excited about.

The Revenant
By Sonia Gensler
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 14th, 2011
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis 
I almost forgot I was excited about this one, and then one day I got an email that it was waiting for me. Oh, happy surprises!


Don't Stop Now
By Julie Halpern
Publisher: Fiewel & Friends
Publication Date: June 7th, 2011
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis 
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder is one of my favorite Contemporary Fiction books ever. In that, Julie Halpern earned a fan for life. I've been so excited for this. Yay!


My Life Undecided
By Jessica Brody
 Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux
 Publication Date: June 7th, 2011
 Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis 
I've been looking forward to this one. It looks light and fun. A perfect summer read.


Fairy Bad Day
By Amanda Ashby
Publisher: Speak Publication Date: June 9th, 2011
Source: Purchase
Goodreads Synopsis 
I'm a sucker for books about fae, and this cover is great. I'm also a sucker for a good cover...



Haunting Violet
By Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Walker Children's Books
Publication Date: June 21st, 2011
Source: Purchase
Goodreads Synopsis 
This cover is beautiful. That's why I bought it. The story looks like a good one, though. :)


Graveminder
By Melissa Marr
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date:May 17th, 2011
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis 
I've been waiting for this forever. I didn't want to buy it because I didn't love Wicked Lovely, but this looks so good.


Uncommon Criminals
By Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney/Hyperion
Publication Date: June 21st, 2011
Source: Purchase
Goodreads Synopsis 
Loved Heist Society. Heard this is even better.



Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) 
By Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: June 7th, 2011
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis
This looks very cute and funny.



Withering Tights
By Louise Rennison
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication Date: July 8th, 2011
Source: Purchase
Goodreads Synopsis
Loved Georgia Nicholson and her mishaps. This is bound to be as funny.



Texas Gothic
By Rosemary Clement-Moore
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 12th, 20122
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis
I found out about this from someone's WoW post a couple of months ago, and have been excited ever since.


Wolfsbane 
By Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication Date: July 26th, 2011
Source: Purchase
Goodreads Synopsis
LOVED Nightshade. Have been anxiously awaiting this.



The Mephisto Covenant
By Trinity Faegen
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: September 27th, 2011
Source: NetGalley/ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
This looks really good, but more importantly, the cover is amazing!



Tris & Izzie
By Mette Ivie Harrison
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: October 11th, 2011
Source: NetGalley/ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
Gorgeous cover! I hope it measures up!



Ashes
By Ilsa J. Bick
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: September 6th, 2011
Source: NetGalley/ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
The early reviews of this are absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to read it!



Clean
By Amy Reed
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: July 19th, 2011
Source: ARC (Simon Pulse)
Goodreads Synopsis
This looks so gut-wrenching and real. Rehab stories are always compelling...


The Unwanteds
By Lisa McMann
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: August 30th, 2011
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab/ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
I've been looking forward to reading this to my kids. Now they can give the pre-release scoop to their friends.


Witchlanders
By Lena Coakley
Publisher: Antheneum
Publication Date: August 30th, 2011
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab/ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
Again with the covers... I was interested in this one for the story before I saw the cover though. :)


Goliath
By Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: September 20th, 2011
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab/ARC
Goodreads Synopsis
Scott Westerfeld is one of my favorite YA authors. He's awesome!



Supernaturally
By Kiersten White
Publisher:HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 26th, 2011
Source: Purchase
Goodreads Synopsis
YAY!! One of my top most anticipated books of 2011 is finally here! YAY!!