ARC Review: Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Publisher:  Disney/Hyperion

Publication Date:  January 8th, 2013

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived… and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection with her father and sister, Darcy, leaving their friends and family without so much as a goodbye. 

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children, but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. But just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Shadowlands is one of those books that totally catches you off guard.  Of course, now that you've read that statement, you will think to yourself, "Now I'm looking for it.  You won't get ME! Ha!".  Well, guess what?  You will still be saying, "What the? Really?", at the end of this book, and then, like me, you will be going back in your mind, attempting to put the pieces together, realizing that Kate Brian is just schooled you, and you never saw it coming (even though you were warned)!  Intrigued yet?  You should be.

When I got Shadowlands in the mail, I could not wait to dig in.  It sounded so good.  A thriller about a teenage girl who escaped a certain serial killer- the only one to EVER have managed to do so.  Now he is on the loose and hunting her, wanting to finish the job.  YES, PLEASE!  I was on it like white on rice (whatever that means...).  Anyway, I went into it with gusto, and was immediately drawn in; I could not put this book down.  The story flowed well, the characters were well done, while still managing to have an air of mystery surrounding them, and the way everything was set up was just flawless.  It was creepy, with lots of twists and turns, more questions than answers, and spine-tingling events that made me want to sleep with the lights on if I had been able to sleep.  Fortunately, it never came down to that, because this was a one sitting read.  I could not put it down to save my life, and when I did, at the end, I could not believe what I had just read.  My jaw hit the floor.  A few days later, I was talking to another bookish friend who had also read this, and she informed me that this is the beginning of a series, which I am thrilled about, because if it was a stand-alone, I would have been seriously pissed...  Read this one, people.  It wasn't perfect in every way, but it was awesome in every way that counts.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book was graphic in some ways, but still fine for most middle school readers.  I would say it is fine for 7th grade and up (6th if not easily scared).  Ages 12 and up.

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication Date: September 27th, 2011

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

In short, this book was amazing!  I had really high expectations because it has gotten such rave reviews from bloggers whom I respect, but that can be really dangerous...  Often when I have such high expectations, I'm disappointed, and that disappointment makes me judge the book a little more harshly than I would have.  I was so happy when this book not only met my high expectations, but exceeded them.  It was really awesome!

I didn't have a single complaint of this book; it was perfect!  The writing was very good.  You would never guess that this was written by a debut author.  Michelle Hodkin did a wonderful job with Mara's flashbacks and nightmares, which could have very easily gone wrong.  She also managed to take characters who, if written differently, would have evoked entirely different feelings in me.  Mara is a great heroine who I never felt pity for, even though I felt sad for her great loss and confusion.  She was a strong girl who had a terrible tragedy befall her, but she was aware of what she wanted, and did what she needed to do.  I also adored Noah; with his playboy reputation, he could have easily been someone who, despite his actions, I could never trust, but I do.  I trust him. Implicitly.  

As for the story itself...  So good.  Original, dramatically paced, with just the right amount revealed at just the right times.  I never once thought I had things figured out, but at the same time, I never felt confused.  I was taken aback by a few twists, and even then, I wasn't thinking back on things like I usually do, saying, "Oh, I should have totally seen that coming!".  The twists and revelations were always surprising, and often the type that leave you with your mouth hanging open.

I loved this book.  A LOT.  It is easily one of my top 5 books of 2011 (which is saying loads because so far, I've read 181 books this year).  It was an amazing read, and I highly recommend it for lovers of all genres.  It's got it all; thrills, suspense, mystery, romance, and drama.  Sadly, book #2 doesn't come out until late 2012.  It will be torture to wait considering the ending, but I'm sure the read will be that much more satisfying when the time comes!  Michelle Hodkin has definitely raised the bar for future debut authors, and I have a good feeling that she'll do the same for the Sophomores...

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are some scary moments and a bit of cursing.  There is also some steamy stuff.  I would put this book at 8th grade and up (ages 13+).

**Don't forget to enter my international GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a SIGNED hardcover copy of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins!  Click HERE to enter!**

Review: Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: August 30th, 2011

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh boy!  Someone is getting bumped off of my "Top 10 YA Books of 2011" list, because this book just earned a place high on it!  Wow!  What an awesome read!  This is one of those books that does not let go once it has you in its clutches!  It is really difficult for me to believe that this is Kendare Blake's debut novel because she writes like a seasoned pro.  She did a bang-up job with the character development, world building, plot, and pacing.  I just don't have any complaints.  I am officially a Kendare Blake fangirl!  Now that I've said that, I can delve a little deeper into why...

First off, I'm a sucker for books that are told from a male protagonist's POV; there are not enough books like this, and I usually find myself loving them.  Add to that the fact the male in question is an epic character.  Cas is a ghost hunter- he "kills" the worst of the dead, the ones who kill humans where they haunt- and he's damn good at it.  As you can imagine, a teenage boy with his job might have some morbidity issues.  Compound that with the fact that his occupational predecessor was killed on the job, and also happened to be his father.  Cas is a complicated character; dark, mysterious, sexy, and detached.  All he needs is the right woman to bring out his feelings, right?  But what if that woman happens to be a violently murderous ghost that he is responsible for taking out?

And that brings me to another reason I loved this book- Anna.  She was terrifying, tragic, and absolutely believable.  The mysteries surrounding her were so unpredictable and utterly riveting.  An YA mystery that isn't predictable is a rare, rare thing, and I was so impressed that I never figured her out.  As far as the other characters were concerned, while I didn't like them all, I never felt like anyone was flat.  They all had their stories and reasons why they were who they were.  I think it's important to be able to connect on some level- like, love, or hate- with supporting characters, and Kendare Blake makes sure her readers do.

As far as the story itself is concerned, it was fabulous!  It was gory and mind-bendingly scary much of the time, but at other times, it was tender and full of emotion.  One thing it never was, was dull.  It's pace was quick, but even; I stayed up far too late the first night reading it, starting again the moment I woke the following morning.  In the meantime, I dreamed about it.  It was that good.

Finally, I have to comment on the aesthetics...  Is the cover not to die for?  I love the black and white image, with just the smallest bit of red.  As is the case with a lot of the books I read, I was initially drawn to the cover, and I can tell you that this cover did not let me down!  Another small, but satisfying feature was the dark red type the book was printed in; it was exactly the color of dried blood and it was just perfect.  Small details like this make me happy.

Book #2, The Girl of Nightmares, comes out August 7th, and I cannot wait!  If it is even a fraction as good as Anna Dressed In Blood, it will be worth the long, long wait!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book has a bunch of swears, some teen drinking, and rather graphic violence.  No sex.  I'm not all that bothered by swears, so if you are, you probably want to add a couple of years to my recommendation.  That said, I would recommend this book for grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

**Don't forget to enter my 400 Follower Giveaway for your chance to win a SIGNED hardcover copy of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins!  Click HERE to enter!**

Review: Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication Date: January 4th, 2011

Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria.

Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.

But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Yet another book that I picked up for the cover.  So simple and elegant... You would never guess from looking at it, what this story is about.  NOT that I'm complaining!  For a book that is only 233 pages long, it sure packs a lot punch as far a mystery, action, and intrigue are concerned!  This will not be a very long review because I don't want to give anything away, but I will tell you that this book tops my list called, "Books That Made Me Say "WHAT!?!?" at the End".  

There are only a few characters in this book, but as the reader, you will develop feelings toward all of them, although I found that my feelings flip-flopped a lot as the book progressed.    A run down of the important ones:

• Cara- Our protagonist.  She is pathetic.  I just felt sorry for her for most of the book; socially awkward and a seasoned pro at second guessing herself.  I was happy to see her come out of her shell a bit and have some success socially, but I still felt sorry for her because she never left her awkwardness behind.  
• Zoe is Cara's childhood BFF-  This girl is just a hot mess and so bad for Cara.  She is everything Cara wishes she could be personality-wise, but she's also creepy and manipulative.  The girl scared me... 
• The love interest, Ethan-  The out-of-reach popular jock that also has a soul; the one every dorky girl in coming-of-age novels has the hots for.  Ethan is a decent guy and I felt bad for him throughout this book. 
• Cara's parents- Self-absorbed and detached.  I honestly hated their guts.  The type of parents you look at and wonder why they ever had kids.
• The Mean Girls- There are a few of them.  Their names are not important. Of course, one of them is Ethan's girlfriend.  Cara is their target for torture at school.  One ends up dead, another goes missing.

As for the story, well, I can't say much.  It starts with the incident that earns Cara her unfortunate nickname, and rolls right from there into the arrival of Cara's long-lost best friend Zoe.  After Zoe's arrival, bad things start happening in Cara's town.  I went through the book thinking how predictable it was.  I was wrong.  My advice?  Stick with the story.  Let the creep-factor set in good, and let me know what you think once it's over.  I had goosebumps (literally).  This book is a fast-paced page-turner that will have you saying, "WHAT?!?!?!" at the end.  Read it!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  Probably 8th grade and up.  There are a few mature themes in this book, plus some teen drinking, and language.  Ages 13+

Review: Tighter by Adele Griffin

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 10th, 2011

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Brilliantly plotted, with startling twists, here is a thrilling page-turner from the award-winning Adele Griffin.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I'll readily admit that I picked this book up because of it's creepy cover.  I had never heard of Adele Griffin, and I had no idea- I mean, not even an inkling- what this book was about.  It was a skinny book, clocking in at a mere 216 pages, and it had an awesome cover, so I was going to read it.  What did I think?  Well, whoever said that you should never judge a book by it's cover was wrong in this case.  Wow!

This review will be rather short because I can't really say much without giving the most shocking and spine-tingling parts away.  Throughout the entire book, I thought I was was reading a book about one thing, and then I found out toward the end that I was completely off base.  It was GREAT how I was thrown.  It doesn't happen much and I was thrilled!  I will say that I read this in one night.  I stayed up until dawn because I couldn't put it down.  You see, not only did I have a burning need to know what happened next, but this is not the type of book that you stick a bookmark in and get any sleep (especially if you are kind of scared of the dark like I am).  I don't know if this book is for everyone, but if you like a thriller/mystery that will keep you on your toes, you will love this!

My Rating:   ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:   There is some language, teen drinking, and drug use (the protagonist abused prescription meds).  It is rather scary and the twist at the end is pretty heavy.  I would say this is okay for 8th grade and up (ages 13+).

Review: Trapped by Michael Northrop

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: January 1st, 2011

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....

Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision....

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I grew up exactly between Buffalo and Rochester, NY and when I found out there was a YA book coming out about a bunch of kids stranded at school, with no adults, in an epic blizzard, I knew I HAD to read it. I mean, where else gets more snow? I have first-hand experience going to school in snowstorms that would shut other places down for days; not taking blizzards seriously because "it's just a little snow". I figured that I could easily see if this was a far-fetched thing of something that could happen, and I have to say... I could totally see this happening.

This book was so much better than I expected. I almost didn't read it because it's average rating on Goodreads was a little more than three stars, and I typically don't pick it up if GR has it at fewer than 3.5-4 stars. Well, I am not sure why the lower ratings because I thought this book was very good. It took me two days to get through the first five chapters, but then I had to read the rest in one sitting. I liked the characters (even though a couple weren't really very likable), and I thought they were well-developed enough. In this tale, I really didn't see a need for more character development. The plot was pretty well paced. There were a few places where it was a little slow, but even those were only a couple of pages long. Overall, the story was so good that putting this down was not an option. I just had to know what was going to happen next, which brings me to my only gripe about this book (and the reason it's getting four stars instead of five)... The ending sucked. I'm not going to spoil it, but I will tell you that there were way too many unanswered questions for my liking. Of the seven kids that were trapped in the school, we only find out out the fates of two. The other five? A total mystery.

Overall, I really liked this book. It kept me turning pages, and I think it was just realistic enough. I will definitely read another book by this author.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is clean as far as elements such as sex, language, adult situations, drinking/drug use, and violence are concerned. There is a death of at least one major character and the assumed death of several minor characters. There are some realistic, scary situations but nothing I think a 3rd or 4th grader wouldn't be able to handle. Maybe younger students in the Northeast should wait a little longer. :) Final opinion: 3rd grade+ (ages 8+).

Look for the following reviews later this week.  Happy Reading!