The Book Scout

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2012-01-26T15:17:00.000-05:00

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review:

I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner, it was brilliant! Shatter Me is Tahereh Mafi's debut novel, and what a debut it was! Shatter Me has an awesome protagonist, a sweet love interest, a devious villain, one hell of plot, and beautiful, beautiful writing. How can I possibly wait a year to read the sequel? I loved Shatter Me!

The writing was what originally captivated me. Some people said it distracted them or felt like too much, but I think it was amazing. Every word seemed to be perfectly placed and the lyrical writing was gorgeous. It had me completely invested in the story and I felt like I was there experiencing things with Juliette.

Juliette was amazing! She was brave and snarky and just plain awesome. Watching her grow over the course of the book was one of my favorite aspects of Shatter Me. In the beginning she was broken and emotional after being locked up, as anyone would be! She hasn't touched anyone in 264 days because of her "problem"- she can't touch anyone. My heart broke for Juliette, what a terrible thing to have to suffer from. It's scary to realize how often you touch other people, even just a brush against their arm when walking by. I can't even begin to imagine how awful that would be! Being in Juliette's head made everything more real and she is definitely one of my new favorite heroines.

The dystopian genre is booming of late, but I can't get enough of it. The world-building in Shatter Me was great and I'm eager to find out more of the background in the sequel. Everything about Shatter Me was unique and fresh and... different. It completely grabbed me and had me gripping the pages from the start.

Shatter Me's plot was action-packed and intense. Everything Juliette had to face made her grow as a person and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. Especially when Warren entered the scene. What a fantastically twisted and evil villain! I know other people have felt the same way, but I have to say there was something about Warren that just made me like him. I hope to see more of him in the sequel!

Adam was...wow. What a guy! He was brave, determined, and sexy. I loved him! His relationship with Juliette was wonderfully developed and I was rooting for them throughout the book. They went through a lot together and even had some steamy scenes ;)

Shatter Me was a spectacular debut that blew me away. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone and anyone I can. Tahereh Mafi is an author to watch and I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the sequel....

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

November 15, 2011/Harper Collins/338 Pages/Young Adult/Book One

Source: Publisher (ARC)

Top Ten Tuesday (5)

2012-01-24T15:50:00.000-05:00

Top Ten YA Standalone Titles

1. Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Moonglass was a fantastic debut that tugged on my heartstrings and made me long for summer. I've recently read Jessi's sophomore novel, In Honor, and loved it as well. If you're looking for a romantic and wonderfully written standalone contemporary- Moonglass is definitely the book for you!

2. Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales

Leila is one of my favorite authors because her books are always hilarious and full of heart. Mostly Good Girls is a wonderfully fun read that shows just how important friends are. Loved it! (Her newest release, Past Perfect, is fantastic as well!)

3. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

This is the only book I have read by Lauren (her others are in my TBR!!), but I loved it. Before I Fall was emotional and intense, but I loved it. I know most of you have probably already read this, but if you haven't please do ASAP!

4. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Beauty Queens is craaaazy- but in the best possible way. Libba Bray is an awesome writer and Beauty Queens did not disappoint. I always recommend this!

5. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Road trip books FTW! Morgan's debut was a fun and overall fantastic read. I loved Amy and Roger and the way the book was told. I can't wait for her next book to come out!

6. The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this was a gem. I didn't know much about this time period before reading The Queen's Daughter and Susan wrote it in an enthralling and entertaining way. If you are a fan of historical fiction or haven't found something in the genre that you've clicked with, definitely give this a shot!

7. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Kody, and her books, are wonderful. I loved The DUFF so much and have made all my friends read it. This is a contemporary book at its best and her newest release, Shut Out, is another one I highly recommend!

8. Anything Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is the queen of contemporary standalones. Her books are always great and some of my personal favorites are This Lullaby and Just Listen.

9. Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Sea is a wonderful, wonderful book. I've never read anything quite like Sea and I really need to reread this soon.

10. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Such an emotional, but amazing, read! I loved this book and it was a truly beautiful story. I wish it got more attention because it was fantastic and Jandy is definitely an author to watch!

What are some of your favorite YA standlones?

Review: Everblue by Brenda Pandos

2012-01-23T15:48:00.000-05:00

Everblue by Brenda Pandos

She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same.

Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.

Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.

Review:

I am a big fan of Brenda's Talisman series and a lover of all things mermaid, so this seemed like it was going to be a winner for me. I definitely liked the story and characters, but Everblue didn't completely live up to my expectations. I first started reading this a few months back, but had a hard time getting into it so I set it aside. In December I picked it back up again and soon was immersed in the story. While Everblue definitely had it's pitfalls, it was a fun read and I am interested in trying out the sequel.

The alternating perspectives worked well for Everblue. It was interesting to see both sides of the story, especially since Ash and Fin were the narrators. Ashlyn has lived next door to twins Fin and Tatchi for a long time. Ash and Tatchi are best friends and Ash has always harbored a secret crush on Fin. Everything seems to be going smoothly until Ashlyn discovers her neighbors have disappeared. She can't contact them and has no idea where they could have gone. Everything for all three of the main characters is about to change in more ways than they could have ever imagined.

Everblue's premise was great and I liked Brenda's take on mermaids. The mystery angle was also something I enjoyed and I was constantly rooting for Fin and Tatchi. There were a lot of interesting characters introduced through Fin's perspective and the new twist Brenda put on the mer was definitely unique. While getting to know the mers was a highlight of the book for me, I also liked Ash's chapters because she was an ordinary and relatable teenager.

On the downside, I wish some of the characters could have been more developed. Tatchi, in particular. She seemed like such an exciting, spitfire character that I would have loved to see more of her. The romance was also a little strange. It seemed so forced and... off to me. I'm hoping to get some resolution in the sequel and to see the characters figure things out for themselves. It's hard to explain my feelings without spoiling anything, so you'll have to read the book to see what I mean!

All in all, Everblue was a promising read that ended up disappointing me on a few accounts. I enjoyed the read, but the romance made me uncomfortable. I will be checking out the sequel in hopes that some of my concerns will be resolved. The dual points of view and mer lore were two pluses and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

July 30, 2011/Obsidian Mountain Publishing/304 Pages/Young Adult/Book One

Source: Author (ARC)

Other books by this author: The Emerald Talisman, The Sapphire Talisman, The Onyx Talisman

In My Mailbox (108)

2012-01-22T10:47:00.001-05:00

I am especially excited about two of the books I received this week: Pandemonium and Tempest. What did you get this week?

For Review:

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Titanic: Voices From the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson

Tempest by Julie Cross

Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Havoc by Jeff Sampson

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

2012-01-20T16:01:00.000-05:00

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine -despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

Review:

Fracture was a unique and captivating debut that will definitely appeal to a variety of readers. The first few chapters had me gripping the book and anxious to read on. I loved the premise of the book and how Megan Miranda was obviously knowledgeable on the subject of brain damage. Delaney was also a likable character. While I did like Fracture, it, unfortunately, did not live up to my expectations. I think I went in with such high hopes, that the few complications I had with the novel made me like it less than I would have if it hadn't been compared to some of my personal favorites like Before I Fall.

Delaney Maxwell should have died after spending eleven minutes under the ice. But she doesn't die. This was such a unique idea for a book and it drew me in right away. I just had to know what was going to happen to Delaney and why she was a medical miracle. Delaney herself doesn't entirely understand what's going on and she is a seemingly new person after waking up from her coma. I did care for Delaney and she was a strong and independent protagonist. Her determination to do what was right was clear from the start and I can't imagine dealing with what she was.

As I mentioned before, the first few chapters were fantastic and gave me such a good feeling about this book- I was certain I was going to love it! The more I read though, the weirder things got. I was confused about several plot points and the introduction of Troy was a little creepy. I knew something was off about him and the more involved Delaney got with him the more I wanted to shake her shoulders! I did like Decker though, and I enjoyed seeing how Delaney and Decker's histories intertwined. They had grown up together and he was a great friend, plus a hero for saving Delaney from the ice.

I had originally thought this was a purely contemporary novel, but there was a paranormal twist, something I wish was explained a little more. Fracture had a lot of intriguing sub-plots that kept me reading and wanting to know what was going to happen. This was a spooky and unique read that will definitely hook readers from the first page.

Although Fracture didn't entirely live up to my expectations, it was a solid debut, and I definitely recommend giving it a shot. While some parts disappointed me and I wish there was more explanation in other areas, I am glad I had the chance to read Fracture! I'm certain Megan Miranda will only grow as a writer and I can't wait to see what unique concept she comes up with for her next book!

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

January 17, 2012/Walker & Company/272 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC)

Waiting on Wednesday (65)

2012-01-18T15:20:00.002-05:00

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.
Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

Release date: August 28, 2012 (Simon Pulse)

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

2012-01-16T12:52:00.000-05:00

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Review:

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight was a breath of fresh air. I love a good contemporary read and this was the perfect holiday read. Jennifer E. Smith's books have been recommended to me before and I definitely wish I had picked one up earlier. If you're a fan of whirlwind love stories, definitely give this book a try.

Hadley was a character I immediately connected with. Although I don't have her family struggles, I felt for her and what she was going through with her dad. Usually, I don't always connect with books written in third person, but Jennifer did it very well. I felt like I was experiencing things right alongside Hadley and it made the book that much more enjoyable.

It was amazing to see how four minutes could change so much. That is all the time it took for Hadley to miss her flight and meet the sweet, funny, and lovable Oliver. Do not worry for one second that this book suffers from "insta-love syndrome". It doesn't. At all. Hadley and Oliver take the time to get to know each other and realize how alike they are. Hadley is smart and independent and someone I could see myself befriending in real life and her and Oliver's bantering was such fun to experience.

This wasn't just the story of Oliver and Hadley's romance, but so much more. Hadley had a lot going on with her family and the reader really got to see this side of her. Oliver also has more to him than meets the eye and I enjoyed getting to know the various characters introduced throughout the book. It's true that you never know who you are going to end up next to on a plane and Jennifer E. Smith made this premise work so well.

I only wish we got to see more of Oliver. He was such a great character and I loved the scenes he was in, but there just wasn't enough of him for me!

This book has been getting tons of buzz and it deserves every bit of it. Contemporary YA is making a comeback and I couldn't be happier. This is one of my favorite genres and Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is not to be missed!

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars

January 2, 2011/Poppy/236 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher

In My Mailbox (107)

2012-01-15T12:56:00.000-05:00

This was a great week. I got two books I am dying to read: Under the Never Sky and Magic Under Stone. What did you get this week?

Bought:

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

For Review:

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore

Traded:

Switched by Amanda Hocking

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

2012-01-14T13:44:00.000-05:00

After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Review:

I am a big fan of Carrie Jones' Need series and have been looking forward to reading more by her. When I heard she had a new book coming out I was beyond excited. After Obsession was co-written with Steven E. Wedel and was told in alternating perspectives. I did enjoy After Obsession, but still felt there was a lot missing to make it the spectacular, heart pounding read I was hoping for. I never truly connected with any of the characters and the "scariness" was never really there for me. Overall, this was an entertaining read that I finished in a few hours, but it still didn't live entirely up to my expectations.

After Obsession was told from two points of view: Aimee and Alan. Aimee is the good girl, always doing well in school and respecting her family, and Alan is the new guy in town. His cousin, Courtney, is Aimee's best friend, and after Courtney's father goes missing, Aimee and Alan are forced to work together. Courtney has become possessed by a demon and it's up to Aimee and Alan to save her before it's too late.

The plot was very original and I can't recall ever reading a young adult book about demon possession before. There were a lot of intense moments and even a few that truly creeped me out. But these moments were few and far between. I wish After Obsession was even scarier! The plot did move at a swift pace and keep me guessing, though, and I was invested in the story. The Native American mythology and the demon mystery were my favorite parts and I loved how Carrie and Steven wove them into the story.

Aimee and Alan were very interesting characters, but I never felt their romantic connection. The alternating chapters worked quite well and always left me eager to continue reading, but I felt the two main characters were not as well developed as they could have been. Although I did adore Aimee's grandfather and little brother, they each played a small role in the book, but I liked them nonetheless.

By the end I was on the edge of my seat a few times and I was rooting for Aimee and Alan to succeed. After Obsession was not as good I was hoping, but it is still worth a read. I love Carrie's Need series, so if Carrie and Steven write another book together I will definitely give it a shot. If you're looking for a scream fest, I wouldn't recommend After Obsession, but if you're looking for an entertaining and, at times, creepy mystery definitely give it a shot.

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

September 13, 2011/Bloomsbury USA Childrens/305 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher/BEA (ARC)

Waiting on Wednesday (64)

2012-01-11T17:26:00.000-05:00

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters...

Release date: May 29, 2012 (HarperCollins)

I've been thinking the vampire trend is waaay over, but this one sounds so unique and spooky. I can't wait to read this one!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

2012-01-10T15:47:00.000-05:00

First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

A startling, wonderful novel about the true meaning of being an alien in an equally alien world.
"We are specks. Pieces of dust in this universe. Big nothings.
"I know what I am."
Mal lives on the fringes of high school. Angry. Misunderstood. Yet loving the world -- or, at least, an idea of the world.
Then he meets Hooper. Who says he's from another planet. And may be going home very soon.

Review:

This is my second read by Cecil Castellucci and most definitely not my last. When this book showed up on my doorstep, I was intrigued, but I put off reading it for a few months because I had no idea what to expect. Was this going to be a hardcore fantasy novel, or something more? Once I picked this up, I couldn't put it down and found myself surprised in so many ways by this unassuming read. First Day on Earth can be finished in an incredibly short amount of time and while I wish it was a tad longer to allow for more character development, I did end up enjoying First Day on Earth and it left me thinking, thinking, thinking.

Mal is a unique character that is dealing with a lot. His pain and emotions are clear right away and the short chapters allowed him to develop quite well. Mal has a lot of ideas about life not only on Earth, but on other planets. For some reason I was thinking this was a middle grade book, but it was far from it. Mal was an intense character, dealing with so many internal struggles. His character is so different from anyone I've ever read about. I felt for him because everyone thought he was this mean kid filled with hate and darkness, but Mal respects life and his love for animals is a great side story.

The book mainly focuses on Mal and his "journey" over the course of the book, but there are some important secondary characters. Hooper, Darwyn, and Posey, in particular. Mal meets Hooper at a group session and is torn between believing Hooper really is an alien and wondering if Hooper is just dealing with a mental illness. Mal himself believes there is life on other planets and that he was even abducted a few years back. All of this makes for an intriguing and thoughtful read.

First Day on Earth is by no means my "usual" read, but I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. The last book of Cecil's I read was Rose Sees Red and I enjoyed this just as much. Cecil Castellucci doesn't shy from tackling unique subject matter and her writing style in First Day on Earth was perfect for this book. Although I wish it could have been a bit longer, the ending was satisfying and I found myself thinking of this book even after I'd turned the last page. I definitely recommend giving this book a shot and wish it was getting more attention!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

November 1, 2011/Scholastic Press/150 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC)

Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

2012-01-09T15:28:00.000-05:00

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Review:

Article 5 was a heart-pounding and intense debut that will surely be flying off the shelves in January. I had heard wonderful things about this book before I started it and was worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations. The dystopian genre is one of my favorites and I loved how original and thrilling Article 5 was. Kristen Simmons presented this futuristic society in a highly believable and frightening way. People's true colors were shown and the characters faced intense circumstances. This is one of the first Tor Teen books I have read and it definitely left a strong impression on me!

Ember Miller is seventeen when her life changes. She lives with her single mother and can still remember the times when people were not arrested for breaking one of the newly enforced Moral Statutes. Those who are taken away by the soldiers usually do not come back and some of America's biggest cities are abandoned. The premise of Article 5 was something different in the dystopian genre and her world building was very well developed. I wish we got to learn more of the background on the war and the Moral Statutes, but hopefully some of that information will be discussed in the sequel.

There was nonstop action in Article 5 and the characters were fantastic. Ember was a strong heroine and her dedication to her mother was inspiring. I was constantly rooting for Ember and I wonder if I could have displayed the courage she showed in some near death experiences. Ember faced so many tough situations and she was an, overall, loyal and brave character that was the perfect narrator for Article 5.

In addition to Ember, there were several more unique characters. Chase was conflicted, but I loved getting to know him over the course of the story and see his romance with Ember emerge. Their journey was filled with danger and Kristen Simmons did not hold back in making this book as gritty and intense as she could. Everything that the characters faced was believable and had me gripping the pages. I was extremely anxious to know what was going to happen to both the main characters and the world as a whole.

Article 5 was a fantastically written debut that will draw in any reader (male or female) and have them glued to the pages until the end. Although there was romance, it wasn't the main focus of the story, which made it that much better. Ember and Chase were extremely well done main characters and I can't wait to see what is going to happen in the sequel.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

January 31, 2012/Tor Teen/368 Pages/Young Adult/Book One

Source: Borrowed from teacher (ARC)

Waiting on Wednesday (63)

2012-01-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Release date: April 24, 2012 (HarperTeen)

Ahhhh this sounds amazing! I am so excited to read The Selection! Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the premise sounds fantastic! April can't get here soon enough.

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Movies I've Watched Recently

2012-01-03T16:05:00.000-05:00

In addition to reading, I have another love: movies! Since this is a book review blog, I usually don't get the chance to talk about films, so I figured I would do a spotlight post discussing some I have watched recently! Let me know in the comments what you've been watching lately! I'm thinking about making this a monthly feature, but we'll see. For now, here are some of the movies I've seen lately, whether in theaters or at home:

1. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Release date: December 21, 2011

Starring: Tom Cruise

Where?: In Theaters

Series: #4, can be seen out of order though

Rating: PG-13

I was a big fan of the first and second MI movies, but the third fell a little flat. I wasn't sure what to expect regarding Ghost Protocol, but I ended up loving it! We went as a family to see this one, and I know both my mom and dad enjoyed it as well. The plot was unique and addicting and the action was endless. I was on the edge of my seat quite a few times and all of the actors were fantastic. Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton all did a wonderful job and I can only hope to see all of them back for a fifth adventure!

2. Monte Carlo

Release date: July 1, 2011

Starring: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy

Where?: Personal DVD

Series: No

Rating: PG

I remember wanting to see this when it was in theaters, but I never had the chance because of other conflicts over the summer. Now that our Blockbuster is going out of business I have been loading up on DVDs and this was one of them! This was just what I was expecting: a cute, frothy love story. I've always liked Selena Gomez's music, but I never connected with her on Wizards of Waverly Place. Luckily, I felt she did a great job in Monte Carlo. The scenery was beautiful and while the plot did seem a tad unrealistic at times (or completely unrealistic), I did enjoy this. If you're looking for a fun and entertaining movie to watch on a rainy day, I definitely recommend this!

3. Thor

Release date: May 6, 2011

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman

Where?: Rented

Series: Yes, #1

Rating: PG-13

When my mom rented this I had no idea what to expect. I'd seen the trailer a few times and it definitely appealed to me, but I didn't know much more about it. I do love Natalie Portman, though, and was eager to see what her role would be. My family and I definitely enjoyed this one! Chris Hemsworth was a terrific Thor and this was a unique action movie that was different from the other Marvel super-hero films. The plot was action-packed, but also entertaining and romantic. Kat Dennings added a lot of the humor and I loved her character. Natalie Portman also did a nice job! Thor 2 doesn't seem to be on the horizon for quite awhile with all the director drama, but at least we'll see Thor in The Avengers and Chris Hemsworth in Snow White and the Huntsman!

4. Easy A

Release date: September 17, 2010

Starring: Emma Stone

Where?: Personal DVD

Series: No

Rating: PG-13

I LOVE THIS MOVIE! This is third time I have seen Easy A and I loved it just as much. It is a fantastic "teen movie" that is perfect to watch with friends. Emma Stone is one of my all-time favorite actresses and she did a fantastic job in Easy A. I can't tell you how much I adore this movie- just go watch it for yourself!

5. The Princess Bride

Release date: September 25, 1987

Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin

Where?: Personal DVD

Series: No

Rating: PG

Another personal favorite! My family and I watched this on Christmas Eve, I just love reliving the magic of this movie over and over again. This is another one of those movies that if you haven't seen already, go see it right now! The action, the mystery, the romance, the adventure, everything is fun and exciting. As a book lover I still can't believe I haven't gotten my hands on a copy of the novel, though!

Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

2012-01-02T21:16:00.000-05:00

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Timesbestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Review:

I loved this book. Wow, Dash and Lily's Book of Dares was fantastic! I've read a couple of books by each of these authors, but Dash and Lily's Book of Dares truly stole my heart. I know it has gotten mixed reviews, but something about Dash and Lily's really connected with me. I definitely couldn't have read it at a better time- on my Christmas break from school. One of the best aspects of this book was the setting- NYC at Christmastime. Who doesn't love the city? Considering I have been to NYC hundreds of times and visited just about every place they mention in the book made me enjoy it that much more. There really need to be more books about the Strand!

The alternate perspectives of Dash and Lily's were great, they allowed me to truly connect with each of the characters and get to know them equally. I admit, at first, I wasn't that into Dash. He seemed a little stuck up, but the more I read of him, the more he stole my heart. Dash is a unique guy and his love of words was very endearing. Lily, on the other hand, was an outgoing and energetic girl with a love for life and animals. I loved her! Seeing how Lily and Dash's lives intertwined was great and I found myself having a hard time putting this down, because I just had to see what would happen to Dash and Lily!

The plot was fantastic. The idea of the notebook was wonderful and it was such a great way for Dash and Lily to get to know each other and reveal themselves to the reader. Each of the dares were exciting and challenged both Dash and Lily.

I found myself highlighting a few passages in Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, which I never do, because they stood out to me so much. I definitely want to read over them again in the future.

While the book mainly focused on Dash and Lily, the secondary characters were all wonderful. Lily's gigantic family was loving and interesting. They were all great and played some part in shaping Lily's life and her experiences with Dash. Dash also had his great group of friends who always had his back. Of these secondary characters, Boomer, Snarly Muppet, and Boris were my personal favorites. (:

This was a love story that stole my heart and left me smiling. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares is the perfect read for the holiday season and it left me eager to go stroll the aisles of the Strand. Dash and Lily are two of my favorite YA characters now and I can't wait to share this book with everyone!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

October 26, 2010/Knopf Books for Young Readers/272 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Bought (at the Strand!!)

Other books by this author duo: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

In My Mailbox (106)

2012-01-01T14:59:00.001-05:00

I got four fantastic sounding books this week! I've already had the chance to read Slide and really enjoyed it, while I'm reading The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight right now! I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year! Happy 2012!

For Review:

The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Partials by Dan Wells

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

2011 Favorites

2011-12-31T10:33:00.001-05:00

Favorite 2011 Reads

Contemporary

Paranormal

Dystopian

Historical Fiction

What were some of the best books you read this year?

Review: Ditched by Robin Mellom

2011-12-30T13:17:00.000-05:00

Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.
Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.
Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.
Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.
And then ditched her.
Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...
But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.
Filled with humor, charm, and romance, Ditched: A Love Story by debut novelist Robin Mellom will have readers dreaming of love on their own prom nights.

Review:

I have heard mixed reviews about Ditched, but I had high hopes for this debut! While it wasn't as fantastic as I would have hoped, I did enjoy Ditched quite a bit and was able to finish it in just a few hours. The way the book was told was my favorite part. I loved how it alternated between the past and the present and how Justina was telling the story. Some people have complained about this aspect of the novel, but I think it worked perfectly and made me enjoy it that much more. Ditched is an utterly sweet and romantic read that is perfect for any teenager, male or female.

Justina's prom does not go the way she expected. Actually, it probably doesn't go the way anyone expected. After her best friend Ian asks her, Justina decides this is going to be the night she tells him how she really feels. Until she wakes up in a ditch and finds herself recounting her story to a pair of ladies in a local 7-Eleven and piecing everything together while she talks. One thing is for sure, anyone who reads this will never look at prom the same way again!

This was certainly a love story, and I especially adored that aspect of the book. I only wish we could have gotten more of Ian! He was such a sweet and truly nice guy, which made him an absolute winner in my book! I felt for Justina as she tried to figure out what was really going on between the two of them. I also couldn't believe how insane her prom was, although at times unbelievable, I enjoyed the ride nonetheless!

Justina is an intriguing character. She doesn't seem like someone I would befriend in real life, yet I somehow connected with her over the course of the story. Her personality was infectious and I really liked her sarcasm and independence. The other characters, especially the Mikes and Serenity, were great. Justina met a variety of people over the course of a few hours and each of them impacted her in some way.

Robin Mellom has written an entertaining and fun story that is the perfect read for a rainy afternoon. The unique way Ditched was told made me like it even more and it was an adventure watching Justina piece together her night and to see how everything came together in the end. Some parts were a tad predictable, but I still found myself smiling at the end. If you're a fan of contemporary YA, this is certainly not one to miss. I'm looking forward to seeing what Robin writes next!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

January 10, 2012/Disney-Hyperion/288 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC)

2012 YA Historical Fiction Challenge

2011-12-29T15:40:00.001-05:00

0/10 books
I adore historical fiction and this is a great excuse to read more of it! I'm going to go for Level Two (10 books).

Possible Reads:

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
The Academie by Susanne Dunlap
Gilt by Katherine Longshore
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Violins of Autumn by Amy McAuley
A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

2012 Debut Author Challenge

2011-12-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

2/12 books

The objective of this challenge is to read and review a minimum of 12 YA or MG debuts which I think will be fairly easy to accomplish! I love debuts!

Books Read:

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

2012 Contemporary YA Challenge

2011-12-29T13:01:00.000-05:00

4/15 books
I am a huge fan of contemporary young adult, so this is the perfect challenge for me! I'm going to go for Level Three (15+ books).

Books Read:

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Fracture by Megan Miranda
The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George
Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

Waiting on Wednesday (62)

2011-12-28T10:46:00.000-05:00

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

It isn’t easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.
When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.
The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers?

Release date: May 8, 2012 (Harcourt Children's Books)

The cover of Enchanted is what originally, well, enchanted me! Now that I have read the summary, I am even more excited!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky

2011-12-26T11:44:00.000-05:00

And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibensky

Keek’s life was totally perfect.
Keek and her boyfriend just had their Worst Fight Ever, her best friend heinously betrayed her, her parents are divorcing, and her mom’s across the country caring for her newborn cousin, who may or may not make it home from the hospital. To top it all off, Keek’s got the plague. (Well, the chicken pox.) Now she’s holed up at her grandmother’s technologically-barren house until further notice. Not quite the summer vacation Keek had in mind.
With only an old typewriter and Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar for solace and guidance, Keek’s alone with her swirling thoughts. But one thing’s clear through her feverish haze—she’s got to figure out why things went wrong so she can put them right.

Review:

And Then Things Fall Apart was a fantastic contemporary novel that reminded me why it was one of my favorite genres of YA. I went to Arlaina's signing a few months back and was very intrigued by the passages she read. It took me awhile to dive in myself but, once I did, it was hard to stop reading! There was something so original and unique about Arlaina's debut. The fact that Keek was writing her story from bed while suffering from chicken pox put an interesting spin on everything. I was worried this would make the story less enjoyable, but it only added to how much I liked it. Keek (short for Karina) was an excellent narrator and although she was younger than me, I still felt a connection with her.

Keek was a very realistic character and I felt for her, but I also rooted for her to overcome her different struggles. Although Keek was only 15, she was very mature and I connected with her love for film and literature. One thing I know I have to do ASAP is read The Bell Jar! This novel played a large role in the story and in Keek's life.

The style of this story was a very unique way to tell it, but it worked perfectly. Keek's voice danced from the pages and I loved how sarcastic and real she was. Everything Keek dealt with was believable and happened for a reason. She had to deal with a lot over the course of the novel and every page allowed me to better understand her and what she was going through.

There were quite a few secondary characters, but none as solid as Keek. Nic and Keek's grandmother were two of my favorites and I only wish we could have seen more of them.

Some people are put off by the set up of And Then Things Fall Apart, but I loved it. Keek is just writing from her sick bed, but we get to see so much more. She talks about past experiences and what happened leading up to this moment. Everything came together extremely well and Keek learned a lot about herself and her friends/family by the end of the book.

If you're looking for a quick and entertaining read, with a unique twist and fantastic narrator, this is the book for you! I loved the way it was told and Keek is one of the most memorable narrators I have ever read about. I'm looking forward to seeing what Arlaina releases next, I'm hoping it's something else contemporary!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

S&S Children's Publishing/July 26, 2011/254 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Bought

In My Mailbox (105)

2011-12-24T14:52:00.001-05:00

All of the books I got this week were purchased, either from Amazon or The Strand. I've already two of them and wanted my own copies, but the others all look fantastic! I wonder which ones I should read first? Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

Frost by Marianna Baer

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa M. Klein (read already; wanted my own copy)

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

The Girl is Murder by Katherine Miller Haines

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin (read already; wanted my own copy)

This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Waiting on Wednesday (61)

2011-12-21T16:43:00.000-05:00

Violins of Autumn by Amy McAuley

Go behind enemy lines during World War II in this tale of romance and espionage...

Betty, an American teenager living in Britain, is determined to contribute to the cause when the Germans begin bombing London in World War II. Instead of collecting scrap metal or running air raid drills like most girls her age, Betty lies about her age and trains to become a spy and member of the Special Operations Executive. Now known by her secret agent persona, Adele Blanchard, she soon finds herself parachuting over German-occupied France in the dark of night to join the secret Resistance movement.

Adele's missions in Paris and throughout the French countryside delivering top-secret messages, lead to several close calls with the Gestapo, but it's when she crosses paths with a young American pilot that Adele fully realizes the brutality of this war and the seriousness of her circumstances. Plus her changing feelings for this pilot are as uncertain as their future. Can Adele elude the Gestapo long enough to enjoy the future they are trying to protect?

Release date: June 19, 2012 (Walker Childrens)

I love, love, love historical fiction! Especially ones filled with romance and adventure! Violins of Autumn certainly sounds like a fantastic read and the author is amazing! I can't wait until June to get my hands on this one.

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

2011-12-20T19:25:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

1. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

I have had my eye on this one for months. I love the sound of the plot and the cover is absolutely gorgeous. I've seen this on the shelf at Barnes and Noble and it's quite long, perfect for curling up by the fire over Christmas break!

2. Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

The first book was fantastic and I've been eager to read this one ever since!

3. Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

I adore Stacey's books and Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite Shakespearean works. I can't wait to see how Stacey interprets the story!

4. Ruthless by Sara Shepard

Ahhh I need to know what happens next! Usually I rush right out and by these books the minute they're released, but since it's Holiday time I don't have as much extra cash. Hopefully this one is under the tree!

5. Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Saving June has gotten so much praise lately and it sounds right up my alley! I can't wait to see if it's as good as everyone says!

6. Surrender by Lee Nichols

The first two books were fantastic and I can't wait to see what happens in the last Haunting Emma book!

7. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

I had an e-galley of this, but it, unfortunately, expired. I've heard mixed thoughts about The Pledge, but am optimistic since I adore her Body Finder series!

8. Faking Faith by Josie Bloss

For some reason this has really caught my eye. I love a good "issues" contemporary and this certainly fits the bill. Plus, I have Josie's previous release on my TBR and this will give me a good sense of her work!

9. Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

I can't believe I haven't read this one yet! It's been on my radar for what feels like years!

10. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Steel Corset sounds like a fabulous book and I'm disappointed I missed the chance to snag one at BEA last year. I also think it's the start of a new series which is always fun!

Review: The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

2011-12-19T15:24:00.000-05:00

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.
A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

Review:

The Probability of Miracles was a bittersweet and inspiring debut novel that had me experiencing a range of emotions from page one. Cam Cooper is one hell of a protagonist and her character was wonderfully developed. I loved her sassy and independent spirit and she is certainly a memorable character. The plot was original and unique; it was a contemporary novel with a twist. Wendy Wunder is certainly an author to watch and I'm anxious to see what's next for her.

Campbell Cooper was a spitfire protagonist, that I adored. Everything about her was unique and real. She was such a believable narrator and I connected with her from the start. Her sarcasm was great and added a lot to her character. Cam wouldn't take crap from anyone and I loved how independent and strong she was. All of the characters in The Probability of Miracles were well done and although there were very few of them, each of them stood out to me.

Everything that happened in The Probability of Miracles either made me smile, cry, gasp, or laugh. Each page, paragraph, line, and word was perfectly crafted and proved how great of a writer Wendy Wunder really is. There were quite a few twists in the plot and I became so invested in Cam's story, I had a hard time putting this book down after I'd finished. And this truly was Cam's story. Watching her struggle with cancer was heartbreaking and it was just as hard to see how it impacted her family and friends.

If you are expecting a teary, Nicholas Sparks-esque read with The Probability of Miracles, think again. This book was romantic, yes, emotional, yes, but it also had so much more to it.

To elaborate, the romance was there, but it wasn't everything. Asher was a great character and he had a real connection with Cam. Watching them spend time together was one of my favorite parts of the book and I'm so glad Cam met Asher in Promise.

Promise was a character in itself and everything that happened there was a miracle. Amazing, unexpected things happened and I can only hope you will give this book a chance to experience them for yourself.

It is hard to put into words my feelings for this book because I loved it. I have found myself wondering about it time and time again after finishing, and remembering that powerful last line. I highly recommend picking this up one day soon, it is an emotional and romantic read, with a sarcastic and strong protagonist that will steal your heart. There were so many small things occurring in The Probability of Miracles and, tied together, it made a masterpiece. I will definitely be purchasing this for a ton of people for Christmas!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

December 8, 2011/Razorbill/336 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher (ARC)

In My Mailbox (104)

2011-12-18T10:52:00.002-05:00

I got lots of exciting reads this week! I can't wait to dive into them. What did you get this week?

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey(thanks Melina!)

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (thanks Melina!)

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Swear by Nina Malkin

Swoon by Nina Malkin

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Fracture by Megan Miranda

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Waiting on Wednesday (60)

2011-12-14T20:14:00.000-05:00

The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications (again!) and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home and school. She refuses to be daunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom, or that her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself?

Release date: July 17, 2012 (Bloomsbury)

This sounds like an intense and spooky read- plus I love the cover. I can't wait to give this a shot and see what happens!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (and Giveaway!)

2011-12-13T16:18:00.000-05:00

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Review:

I have yet to read anything by Maggie before The Scorpio Races, but I was completely blown away by this heartbreaking and intense story of the deadly water horses. The world building was fantastic and I felt like I was transported to Thisby on the very first page. Sean and Puck were also wonderfully developed characters and I felt I really got to know them through the dual points of view. This is one read that is going to stay with me for a long time and I will certainly be recommending it to everyone I can.

The most fantastic part of this book is the mythology. The Scorpio Races are such a fantastic idea and Maggie went above and beyond in making sure the reader felt like they were part of everything that was going on. The concept of the races was pure genius and while I found myself alternatively cringing and gasping whenever the water horses entered a scene, I am so glad I had the chance to read this. Everything about this book proved how in depth Maggie went in her research and it also showed her own imagination and creativity. This was such an original read that captivated me from the start!

Kate Connolly (aka Puck) did not anticipate participating in the races and this event will change her life forever. I don't want to spoil anything, but from the moment Puck decides she wants to join the Scorpio Races nothing will ever be the same. Puck was such a well done protagonist. Her sharp wit, sarcasm, and bravery shown from the pages and I know I would want to have her on my side.

Sean Kendrick, the four time champion of the races, was another great character. He was mysterious and allusive at first, but the more I read the more I felt I truly understood him. I am so glad The Scorpio Races was told from both Puck and Sean's perspectives because it allowed me to get to know both of them equally.

While the races and capaill uisce were the main focus of the book, there was also a slow-growing and sweet romance. I liked watching Puck and Sean get to know each other and learn the motivation behind each of their participation in the races.

The build up to the races was heart pounding and each page presented a new twist or danger. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and I found myself thinking about this book frequently even after I finished reading it.

Maggie Stiefvater is definitely an author to watch and she has proven herself to me with just one book. I know I definitely need to check out her Shiver series now! The Scorpio Races is a fascinating and enthralling read that I highly recommend to anyone!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

October 18, 2011/Scholastic Press/404 Pages/Young Adult

Source: BEA and Publicist (ARC)

GIVEAWAY

I have two copies of The Scorpio Races to giveaway to two lucky winners! This is a fantastic book that you don't want to miss!

Fill out THIS FORM to enter.

US Only. Two Winners. Ends December 20.

In My Mailbox (103)

2011-12-11T10:19:00.001-05:00

I got some very exciting books this week, I am especially excited to read Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler since I adore her books. Let me know what you got!

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter (trade)

Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes (review)

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler (ARC has old title and cover)

Irises by Francisco X. Stork (review)

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2011-12-06T16:04:00.000-05:00

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

Review:

Catching Jordan was a spunky and entertaining debut novel from Miranda Kenneally. The main character was sarcastic and real, I loved Jordan and would definitely like to befriend her in real life. Sports books have never been my favorite, except for Keri Mikulski's Pretty Tough series. Catching Jordan once again proved me wrong and I ended up learning a lot about football. What I liked best about Catching Jordan was that it was much more than a book about football. It dealt with many more issues and there were several sub-plots going on. I'm so glad I took the jump and read Catching Jordan because it was a great contemporary read filled with girl power that will appeal to both male and female readers.

Jordan Woods is not your average high school quarterback. Why? Because she's a girl. I loved the premise of Catching Jordan. It's not very often that you see a female football player and I liked seeing how strong and determined Jordan was. She didn't take crap from anyone and would do anything to make sure she could reach her goals. Jordan was a force to be reckoned with and all she wanted to do was play ball in college. I liked Jordan a lot because she was so brave and snarky. Her personality was great and I was rooting for her from the start.

There were quite a few key characters in Catching Jordan and I only wish we got to see more of them. All of the guys on the football team had Jordan's back and I enjoyed getting to know them. Although I wish Carter, JJ, and the rest were more developed. Henry, Jordan's best friend, was one of my favorite characters in the book. He was such a unique guy and always had Jordan's back. Jordan was lucky she had her friends because she often had a lot of drama at home. I felt for her because her father, an NFL player, didn't always support her dreams, and that was tough. Luckily, her mother was always there for her.

There was romance as well and I was very happy with how things turned out! I don't want to spoil anything, so you'll just have to read the book to find out! ;)

Catching Jordan had a highly original plot that kept me hooked from the first page. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next, and even though some parts stalled, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut. Kenneally truly knows how to get inside the head of a teenager and this made Catching Jordan much more realistic.

I can't wait to read Miranda's next release, Playing Parker, and to start recommending Catching Jordan to my friends. This was a fun and original contemporary read and, while at times predictable, I enjoyed it overall. Go Jordan!

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

December 1, 2011/Sourcebooks Fire/288 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Author (ARC)

Waiting on Wednesday (59)

2011-11-30T16:55:00.000-05:00

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

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

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

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

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

Release date: July 24, 2012 (HarperTeen)

I love the sound of this and romance, action, and mystery are three of my favorite things. I am Team Unicorn, but this might change my mind!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-11-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Review:

Lola and the Boy Next Door was a positively wonderful companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss. While Anna will always have a special place in my heart, I did love Lola and the Boy Next Door almost as much. Filled with quirky characters, an entertaining plot, sweet romance, and cameos from two of my favorite characters- this was a 5 star sophomore novel!

Lola Nolan was a fantastic main character. Her love for costume made her such an interesting person to read about and her personality was great, too. I adore unique characters and Lola certainly fit the bill. Stephanie Perkins made her so real and believable that I couldn't help wishing she really existed! While Lola did frustrate me at times, I ended up really connecting with her by the end.

I especially love when family has a key role in a story and Lola's parents did not disappoint. Her dads were well developed and were not just random, flat parents- they were there for a reason and supported Lola in so many ways. There were many secondary characters that I enjoyed getting to know and not one of them was underdeveloped.

While there were many characters I adored in Lola, the one that stole my heart was Cricket Bell. He was a sweet and dreamy guy and was the perfect match for Lola. His own family had a large part in the book, as well, and I liked getting to know them. Their romance was very real and believable and Lola and Cricket were adorable together.

As I mentioned before, Anna and St. Clair returned in this book! Yay! I wasn't sure what role they were going to play, but it turned out to be a rather large one! I loved getting to see how they were doing and to see them through the eyes of someone else. I am anxious to see what characters from Anna and Lola turn up in Isla and the Happily Ever After.

Contemporary YA is most definitely my favorite genre and Stephanie Perkins has proved herself as one of my favorite contemp authors. Her character development, adorable romances, and unique plots keep me hooked and I am always left with a warm, happy feeling after reading one of her books. Even if you haven't read Anna and the French Kiss, I highly recommend picking this up. Her books are brilliant and lovely and I am anxiously awaiting the release of her next novel!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

September 29, 2011/Dutton/338 Pages/Young Adult/Companion Novel

Source: Bought

Other books in the series: Anna and the French Kiss and Isla and the Happily Ever After (2012)

In My Mailbox (102)

2011-11-27T11:05:00.000-05:00

This was a slow week book-wise, which I am happy about because it gives me time to catch up on my huge TBR pile! I've already read Past Perfect and adored it, so I'm happy to add a signed, finished copy to my collection! What did you get this week?

Finished Copies for Review

Netgalley Books:

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney

2011-11-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney

Lady Mary is a ward of Lord and Lady Macbeth whose life is forever changed when her father, Lord Cawdor, betrays the Scottish king -- and is hanged as a traitor. In an instant, Mary has lost both her father and future. Now she's trapped in a castle with a power-hungry couple who will do anything to get what they want -- and are willing to crush anyone in their way. Including Mary. As the murderous events of Shakespeare's play unfold around her, Mary must struggle to survive -- and do what she can to prevent more deaths. But can a lone girl save lives when a legion of Scottish lords cannot?

Review:

Having seen Macbeth performed live, I was really excited to read the actual play. Remembering I had this in my TBR I started it as soon as I could- and really enjoyed it!

Caroline B. Cooney is a terrific writer. One of my favorite series ever (The Face on the Milk Carton) is written by her so I was beyond excited to start this. Luckily this was another excellent read and is perfect for those who have read Shakespeare's play as well as those who haven't.

To begin with, Enter Three Witches wasn't a retelling of Macbeth, but rather a story of Macbeth. It was pretty much the entire play written into novel format with new characters, dialogue, etc. The novel started with background on the Macbeth's and the main character, Lady Mary. It was interesting to read a side of the story not introduced in the original play and to see things from the perspective of different characters.

Lady Mary was a determined and sweet character who changed a lot over the course of the novel. At first she was more timid and shy, but as the story progressed she realized how important it was to take a stand and be brave as so much turmoil was happening around her. The story was told mainly through Mary's perspective, but also through the perspective of Fleance, Seyton, and two maids.

Of those four, Fleance was the only one who had a role in the original play. Seyton was mentioned in Shakespeare's play, but not by name, and only briefly. The two maids were also of Caroline's own creation. I really liked being able to see the play through the eyes of such a variety of characters. Each of them had their own ideas/opinions of what was happening and the reader could get better involved in the story.

Enter Three Witches was exciting and suspenseful, and watching all the turmoil and death occur surrounding Macbeth kept me on the edge of my seat and I was always wondering: who will be next? There were a lot of characters, so I sometimes had a hard time keeping everyone straight, but the main characters definitely stood out and I liked reading about their trials and triumphs. There are definitely a lot of creepy, even scary, events unfolding, so younger readers might be frightened!

Readers who haven't read the original play will still understand this, and may like it even more. It's another exciting and mysterious novel by Caroline B. Cooney. I definitely recommend checking it out!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

September 1, 2008 (paperback)/Scholastic/288 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Bought (paperback)

Other books by this author: If the Witness Lied

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T12:32:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a fantastic day filled with family, friends, and lots of good food!

Waiting on Wednesday (58)

2011-11-23T16:37:00.000-05:00

Seven Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker

When a humiliating picture of Blythe goes viral, she's instantly the target of ridicule at her new school. To salvage her reputation, Blythe teams up with Luke to win the Senior Scramble scavenger hunt. But Luke is an unlikely ally and potentially can't be trusted.
Perhaps it's his Shakespearean witticisms that reel Blythe in despite her better judgment . . . or maybe she just craves the thrill of the game. But as the hunt progresses, their relationship heats up. Soon their madcap mischief spirals out of control. Blythe is faced with arrest and expulsion, among other catastrophes - until Luke shows her what the Scramble (and love) is really about.

Release date: April 26, 2012 (Penguin Group USA)

I adored Kristin's debut novel, A Match Made in High School, and can't wait to read this one. I love a good contemporary!

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: Supernaturally by Kiersten White

2011-11-21T16:09:00.000-05:00

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees. But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself. So much for normal.

Review:

Supernaturally was a riveting and exciting sequel to the fantastic Paranormalcy. There was endless action and so many plot twists that kept me hooked and I can't believe I have to wait so long for the third book, Endlessly, to be released!

Evie was back and although she has changed a lot from book one, she was still her sweet and independent self. I know we would we great friends in real life and I enjoyed getting to know her even more in Supernaturally. Evie's adventures are always unique and entertaining. Her spunk and fierceness make her such a likable character and Kiersten White did an excellent job of developing Evie even more in this addition to the series.

While I admit I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first book, I still was overjoyed to be back in Evie's world and experiencing all her adventures alongside her. This book did not fall into the sequel slump as there was just as much action and plot twists that I had been hoping for. Evie learns more about herself and those around her in Supernaturally and she experiences the "real" world for the first time. There were new characters introduced, as well, which made the book that much better.

Paranormal encounters abound and Evie is forced to make some difficult choices. Lend played an even bigger role in Supernaturally and I am so glad he had his chance to shine. Although everything between Lend and Evie wasn't sunshine and butterflies, this just made them a much more realistic couple.

There were many surprising things revealed in Supernaturally that kept me hooked. Evie learns more not only about herself, but about those around her. The last few chapters were especially addicting and once I started reading them I couldn't set the book down. There is still one more book in the series to come, Endlessly, and the ending of Supernaturally was a cliffhanger. Not a huge one, but there is still a lot I am anxious to see resolved in the third and final addition to the series!

Overall, Supernaturally was a fantastic addition to the series. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the prequel, but it was still an exciting and entertaining read that proves just how great of a writer Kiersten White really is. Endlessly can't be released soon enough- I need more of Evie and Lend!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

July 26, 2011/HarperTeen/336 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: Bought

Other books in the series: Paranormalcy and Endlessly (2012)

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2011-11-19T13:46:00.000-05:00

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

Review:

Having never read anything by either Jay or Carolyn, I wasn't sure what to expect from The Future of Us. But one thing is for certain after reading The Future of Us- I definitely need to read Jay's previous release and some of Carolyn's, as well! This was a delightfully entertaining and unique novel that I finished in a few hours. It is a very quick read and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The Future of Us takes place in 1996, and while I was only 2 at the time, I still appreciated all the '90s references. Josh and Emma were fantastic main characters and I especially liked the dual narrations, it helped shape both characters and allowed the reader to really get to know both of them. I enjoyed watching Josh and Emma grow over the course of the story and the secondary characters were well developed as well. Each of their families also played a large role in the book.

I loved the premise of The Future of Us. Facebook plays a daily role in many people's lives and it was fascinating to see what it was like for teenagers in the 90's to get a look at the site. While this was mainly a fun read, there was a deeper side about how what you do now can affect your future. By seeing who they were married to and what their life was like, Josh and Emma made some big mistakes and greatly affected what they saw on their Facebook pages (aka their futures).

Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler certainly have a winner on their hands with The Future of Us. It made me rethink a lot of what I say on Facebook, wondering what my past self would think if they could see it. This book greatly put into perspective how much technology can develop in just a few years. Who knows what websites we will be using 15 years from now?

Overall, The Future of Us was an entertaining and fast paced read with fantastic main characters. I liked the premise quite a bit and am anxious to read more by both Jay and Carolyn now!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

November 21, 2011/Razorbill/209 Pages/Young Adult

Source: BEA and Contest Win (ARC)

Waiting on Wednesday (57)

2011-11-16T18:04:00.001-05:00

Body and Soul by Stacey Kade

The Ghost I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily...or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted...by me. Seriously? I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying...

The Goth I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner...

Release date: May 29, 2012 (Disney*Hyperion)

I love this series and can't wait to see what happens in book three! May is such a long wait, unfortunately!

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by: Breaking the Spine

New Blog Layout

2011-11-15T17:10:00.000-05:00

I don't know if all of you have noticed- but I have a new design! It is all thanks to the amazing Katie at KD Creates (http://www.kdcreates.com/).

The new design is fabulous and I love it. Hopefully all of you do, too! I also have a new button that you can grab!

Review: Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

2011-11-14T15:17:00.000-05:00

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Review:

Jaclyn Dolamore has a magical and captivating writing style that I adore. Ever since reading her debut, Magic Under Glass, I have been eager to see what her next project would be and Between the Sea and Sky did not disappoint. The premise of Between the Sea and Sky was one of the first things that intrigued me about this book and I can honestly say that it lived up to my expectations. This is one book that is more than deserving of it's gorgeous cover. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone!

Mermaids, winged people, and humans- oh my! The concept of Between the Sea and Sky was one of the most original and refreshing of any book released this year. Esmerine is a mermaid who has recently become a siren. She has always longed to become one with her older sister and now that dream is coming true. But nothing goes the way Esmerine expected. Dosia runs away and Esmerine must leave her watery home to find her sister and along the way she meets up with one of her best friends from childhood- Alandare. From there Esmerine's life will change in more ways than she could ever have known.

Esmerine was a fabulously developed character and I loved everything about her. Especially her love of books. It was fascinating to see someone experiencing the joy of reading for the first time and it brought back my own memories of first beginning to read. Esmerine was adventurous and brave and she stopped at nothing to help her family. I truly admired Esmerine and even though Between the Sea and Sky was a relatively short book, I got to know all the characters very well. Esmerine's whole family played a large role in the book, particularly her older sister, Dosia. Dosia's own story was an intriguing and unexpected one and I liked getting to know her. Alandare was another fabulous character. He was a member of a winged tribe that was unlike any sort of creature I have ever read about. Alandare's character was very well done and I liked how he and Esmerine didn't fall into the insta-love category.

Dolamore's world building was another plus in Between the Sea and Sky. The setting was extremely realistic and so well done that I felt like I could just step into the book and join Esmerine's world.

This was an overall refreshing and breathtaking sophomore novel that proved just how great an author Jaclyn Dolamore is. I wish Between the Sea and Sky was getting more attention because it is a gem. This was a true winner with a beautiful story to match it's beautiful cover.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

October 25, 2011/Bloomsbury USA/240 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Bought

Other books by this author: Magic Under Glass

In My Mailbox (101)

2011-11-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

I have been busy college touring the last week, but I'm catching up on posting this week! As for the books, I'm very excited to read all of them, especially The Disenchantments and Still Waters. Happy reading!

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff

Still Water by Emma Carlson Berne

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Dark Eyes by William Richter

Ripper by Stefan Petrucha

Rush by Jeremy Iversen

In My Mailbox is hosted by: The Story Siren

Waiting on Wednesday (56)

2011-11-09T14:44:00.000-05:00

Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free...until it isn't any more.When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl...and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he possibly wants to be more than friends with Char...being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

Release date: May 1, 2012 (Simon Pulse)

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by: Breaking the Spine

Review: Zitface by Emily Howse

2011-11-08T13:45:00.000-05:00

Zitface by Emily Howse

Thirteen-year-old Olivia Hughes knows what she wants to do with her life—be an actress. And she’s already on her way. She just landed a national ad campaign that should get her noticed.

But then her luck runs out. A little pimple turns into a full-blown case of acne, with serious side effects for her career, relationships, and budding romance with J.W., the new guy at school.

Now all Olivia wants to do is hide, but she can’t. She goes from being the girl at school everyone wants to be…to Zitface, a girl who is teased, dumped, and even fired.

What do you do when you’ve lost control of everything in your life? Olivia has to find out the hard way. And maybe, what she finds isn’t so bad after all.

Review:

Zitface was a unique and realistic debut that presents acne in a very believable way. At thirteen, Olivia Hughes has never so much as broken out before. She is popular at school, has a great group of friends, and the new guy JW is noticing her. Throw in the fact that she just secured a spot on the national Wacky Water ad campaign and her life is set. But then Olivia gets a pimple. And then another. And suddenly Olivia is suffering from full blown acne. The way people reacted to her and treated her was terrible. She was bullied and teased at school and on top of that her agent and the Wacky Water people didn't want her in the commercial. That was all it took for Olivia to go from the top to the bottom.

My heart broke for Olivia because how many of us haven't suffered from a pimple at least once over the years? It's a normal occurrence for teenagers and Olivia's peers, and even those adults close to her, treated her so terribly. Instead of being there to support her, they chose to tear her down instead. I couldn't believe anyone could be so mean. Olivia was strong though, and luckily she had a few nice people at her side, including some she may never have noticed if she had never lost her acting gigs. Olivia's dream was to become a professional actress, but all of those hopes were shot down when her agent realized she was no longer "perfect". Olivia's struggle was so sad and I just wanted to just go over and give her a hug. She's definitely not alone with her skin problems but she truly felt like she was.

There are a lot of sub plots in Zitface and over the course of the novel Olivia learned a lot about both herself and the people she cared about.

I've never read a book where the main character suffered from acne, or at least none that I can recall, so this was a refreshing and touching look at how someone's life can be completely changed just by one, small pimple. Readers who have suffered from acne can relate to Olivia and those who haven't will be just as moved by her story and may learn something about it in the process.

Zitface is a solid debut that encourages readers to stay true to who they are and never let anyone make you feel inferior. The Author's Note in the back further expands on what Olivia was dealing with and gives some advice from the author and she also talks about her own struggle with acne.

Overall, I recommend picking this up if you get a chance. It is targeted more to the middle grade age group but I think everyone, even adults, can take something from it. I'm looking forward to seeing what Emily Howse writes next.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

April 28, 2011/Marshall Cavendish Children's Books/224 Pages/Young Adult & Middle Grade Appeal

Source: Publisher (ARC)

What I've Been Watching: New TV Version

2011-11-07T17:00:00.002-05:00

I always enjoy seeing what TV shows and movies fellow bloggers are watching and I thought I would showcase some of the new shows I've been watching in 2011. All of these shows are on their first season! I'll hopefully be putting up another post next weekend discussing older shows I enjoy.

Please comment with your thoughts on these new shows and any other suggestions you have! I don't always have time to keep up with all of these, but I try to do my best!

Pan Am (Sundays @ 10 on ABC)

I've heard so many good things about shows like Mad Men and when I heard this was being compared to it, I thought I'd give it a shot. The historical setting it fantastic and I love seeing the different destinations the characters visit. There are a lot of story lines to follow, but I'm enjoying this one a lot so far.

The Secret Circle (Thursdays @ 9 on The CW)

The Secret Circle is a book series by LJ Smith, which I unfortunately haven't read, and the show is very good! I love anything to do with witches and the premise of this series is fantastic. A few episodes have freaked me out, but I highly recommend it!

New Girl (Tuesdays @ 9 on Fox)

Some people don't like New Girl at all, but I think it is hilarious! The more I watch, the more attached I become to the different characters, particularly Jess. Zooey Deschanel is awesome and she adds so much to this show.

Once Upon a Time (Sundays @ 8 on ABC)

I adore this show! There have only been two episodes so far, but I'm really enjoying it. The concept is highly original and it's fun seeing my favorite favorite tale characters come to life. My whole family enjoys this program and we're looking forward to see what happens as the season progresses (I am so glad it has been granted a full season!).

Thank you to Nina from We Adore Happy Endings for the idea for this post!

In My Mailbox (100)

2011-11-06T11:42:00.003-05:00

This is two weeks worth of books and I'm excited to read all of them! I've already read Between the Sea and Sky and loved it- my review should be up soon! What did you get in your mailbox?

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Immortal City by Scott Speer

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

Unison Spark by Andy Marino

Between the Sea and the Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

The Water Wars by Cameron Stratcher

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

In My Mailbox is hosted by: The Story Siren

Blog Tour: Julie Kagawa Interview

2011-11-02T18:42:00.001-04:00

1. Will Puck get a heroine of his own? Are you planning another Iron Fey novel or is it something new for you now?

You never know with Puck. Puck is a legend, more so than Ash or Meghan or even Grimalkin. I have too much respect for the old legends to start changing their stories to fit my expectations. The image of Puck at the end, wild and carefree, suits Shakespeare’s Robin Goodfellow far better than a Puck who settled down with a girl. But again, who knows with Puck? The only predictable thing about him is his unpredictableness.

After The Iron Knight, I have a new series called Blood of Eden, which is a post-apocalyptic vampire story. And after that, the first book of the second Iron Fey series will be released, this time with Ethan, Meghan’s brother, as the protagonist.

2. What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Hmm, is there a difference? I guess a reader is someone who reads and enjoys the story, but a real Book Lover is someone who falls in love with the characters, can’t wait to get home to start reading, thinks of books as treasured possessions, and would rather be engrossed in a story than anything else.

3. What can we expect of The Iron Knight?

Danger, adventure, heartbreak, and sacrifice. And a lot of bickering between Puck and Ash. But you’ll have to read the book to see if Ash gets his happy ending. ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by, Julie! I can't wait to read The Iron Knight. Be sure to check out her website for more information.

Waiting on Wednesday (55)

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special…even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?

Release date: July 2012 (Simon Pulse)

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

2011-11-01T16:50:00.000-04:00

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program--or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan--or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.

Review:

It has taken me months to write this review, simply because I was having a hard time putting into words how much I adored this book. It was entertaining, exciting, romantic, inspiring, and down-right mad. I loved every minute of Libba Bray's Beauty Queens and I know I will be recommending this book for years to come. Whenever I tell someone that I have never read anything by Libba Bray, their jaw drops, and now I can see why. Beauty Queens was absolutely, 100% brilliant and I regret having never read anything of hers before.

Beauty Queens is about a group of Miss Team Dream pageant contenders whose plane crashes on a deserted island. What results is crazy, hilarious, and often unbelievable. These girls are one of a kind and their story is one I will not soon forget.

The characters, what can I say about these girls? At first, I wasn't sure what I was going to think of them, but as the book progressed, I saw different sides of the girls and began to love them all. There were a lot of girls (50 to be exact) and I liked getting to know each of them. The information pages were a big help and the little facts were fun and interesting, plus they helped me get to know the different characters even more. There was so much girl-power in Beauty Queens and I was rooting for these girls to succeed from the start. The satire in Beauty Queens was awesome and I loved seeing how Libba Bray tackled several serious issues and proved that when girls stick together, they are a force to be reckoned with.

What a crazy, wonderful, awesome premise. The plot was non-stop action and I was alternately gripping the sides of the book and laughing out loud. There was so much going on and I enjoyed every minute of it. This book was more than a book, it was an experience. There were a lot of twists that kept the plot moving and I often didn't know what was going to happen next.

Overall, I deeply regret having never read anything by Libba Bray until now. This book was one of my favorite reads of the summer and I am so glad I got the chance to read it. While I know Beauty Queens may not be for everyone, I adored it, and it left me wanting to flip the book over and start reading from page one. I highly recommend this to all readers and I know I will be picking up one of Libba's other titles in the near future- I can only hope it will be as smart and entertaining as Beauty Queens was!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

May 24, 2011/Scholastic Press/390 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher

Other books by this author: A Great and Terrible Beauty, Going Bovine

Where Have I Been?

2011-10-28T16:09:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for disappearing on you! I have some posts written up, but haven't had much time lately for blogging and reading because I'm hosting a German exchange student! She's been here for two weeks already and will, sadly, be leaving on Tuesday. Until then I will be busy spending time with the group and going on short trips to make her stay as fun as possible!

See you guys soon!

Review: Dear Bully edited by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones

2011-10-22T11:54:00.002-04:00

Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories

You are not alone
Discover how Lauren Kate transformed the feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the “funny guy” into the best defense against the bullies in his class.
Today’s top authors for teens come together to share their stories about bullying—as silent observers on the sidelines of high school, as victims, and as perpetrators—in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.

Review:
Dear Bully was a fantastic and heartbreaking anthology that needs to be read by teens everywhere. Bullying is a serious issue and these stories were so personal and intense. The authors who wrote these stories have all had some experience with bullying- either as the victim or the culprit. Each and every one of these short stories touched me in some way and I had a hard time setting this down. Dear Bully sucked me in and didn't let me go until the last page. I cannot begin to explain how important this anthology is and how necessary it is for everyone to pick this up now.
Kiersten White, Lauren Kate, Ellen Hopkins, Michelle Zink.... these are just a few of the authors included in this anthology. It takes a lot of guts to open up about such bad memories and I applaud all seventy of these brave authors. They wrote their stories to make a difference and I know it will, even if Dear Bully stops just one bully, that means it has accomplished something.

It's hard to review an anthology that contained so many fabulous stories, I wish I could discuss all of them. I have never read an anthology before, but now I see that I have been missing out. It's fascinating to see so many different takes on an issue and I know I will never look at bullying the same way again.
Bullying is such a serious issue right now and this book couldn't have come out at a more opportune time. Everyone, no matter your age, needs to give this anthology a chance. It will leave an impact on every reader, as it did on me.
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
September 1, 2011/HarperTeen/352 Pages/Young Adult
Source: Publisher (ARC)

Top Ten Tuesday (3)

2011-10-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Top Ten Books Whose Titles or Covers Made Me Buy It

1. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

I remember picking this up in Barnes and Noble back before I started blogging because the title on the spine intrigued me. Wondrous Strange. That title is so magical and mysterious, I just had to know what the book was about! Plus, once I actually looked at the cover it was love. The cover is gorgeous, as well. Luckily, the book is just as fantastic as I had hoped!

2. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Who wouldn't be intrigued by a book with that kind of crazy title? Love this series and the titles are just perfect!

3. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

I still haven't read this book yet, but I get chills each time I glance at the book on my shelf. The cover is so intriguing and mystical- I can't believe I haven't read it yet!

4. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I read this book a few years before the huge hype broke out and I originally had only picked it up because the cover looked cool. It was something dark and different among the other YA covers in my library at the time and I was inclined to check it out just because of that.

5. Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Even before I saw the cover or summary I was dying to read this simply because of the awesome title. I adored this book and the title suits it perfectly.

6. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

This is the only one in this series that I have read (something I need to change!) and I love, love, love this cover and would want it on my shelf no matter what. The dress the model is wearing is beautiful and the whole cover set-up is fantastic and eye-catching.

7. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

This is another book I have yet to read (and need to ASAP!), but something about the cover is just eerily fantastic. There are so many new YA covers with water on them and I am loving this trend!

8. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

I didn't purchase this one, since I got a finished copy for review. If I hadn't though, I would have bought it because the title and cover made it seem like the perfect Halloween read!

9. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

I first picked this book up because the cover stood out to me- it was very simple, but eye-catching.

10. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

This series is one of my favorites and I originally bought it at Barnes and Noble because the title caught my eye. I love this series and the titles are always perfect!

Review: Past Perfect by Leila Sales

2011-10-17T15:51:00.008-04:00

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.
Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

Review:

After falling in love with Leila Sales’ hilarious and well-written debut novel, Mostly Good Girls, last year, I was beyond excited to get started on Past Perfect. Luckily, it lived up to all my expectations and I adored this sophomore novel 100%! There are definitely not enough young adult characters who have summer jobs and I loved how this book basically centered around Chelsea’s work at the Essex Historical Colonial Village.This was not an ordinary summer job, though.

Chelsea’s summer is already not what she had been expecting. Forone, she is back working as a reenactor at the local colonial village that her parents are also employed at. Luckily, her best friend is also working there which makes things better, until she discovers her ex-boyfriend Ezra has also been hired at the village. Chelsea’s summer is just going to become more and more complicated from there, especially when she falls for the wrong guy and begins to learn a lot more about herself and her friends.

Past Perfect was the humorous and realistic contemporary read I had been craving and I couldn’t have started it at a better time. Chelsea was an extremely likable main character and I liked how large of a role her friends and family played in the book. Plus, anyone who likes ice cream is awesome in my opinion! Chelsea’s best friend, Fiona, played a key role in the book and I adored her dramatic and feisty personality. There were so many characters that I loved in this book,and some that I didn’t, but every one of them was well developed and added something to the story.

The plot was wonderfully inventive and entertaining and I had a hard time putting this down because I just had to know what was going to happen. While there was romance (and an awesome one at that), this wasn’t the main focus of the book, which I liked. Chelsea’s whole life didn’t revolve around guys and I felt this was very realistic andI’m glad we got to see more of her friends and family.

Historical buffs rejoice- there was a lot of intriguing information included in this book, but not enough to scare off non-history lovers. I loved learning more about the time period and what it was like to be a reenactor. There was much more going on with the teen reenactors than met the eye and I loved, loved, loved this aspect of the book. It made for many more humorous events and added to the excitement factor.

Leila Sales’ really knows how to make me laugh, andI thought Past Perfect was just as fun and entertaining as Mostly Good Girls. Thisdefinitely makes the list of my favorite 2011 releases and I am dying to know what Leila will write next!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

October 4, 2011/Simon Pulse/322 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher/Author
Other books by this author: Mostly Good Girls

In My Mailbox (99)

2011-10-16T14:45:00.000-04:00

For Review:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Amplified by Tara Kelly

Desert Angel by Charlie Price

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Bought:

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Nocturne by Christine Johnson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

IMM Is Hosted By; The Story Siren

Leila Sales Top Ten Favorites x 3

2011-10-13T17:16:00.002-04:00

I am excited to have the awesome and funny Leila Sales' stopping by for the latest stop on her blog tour. She is sharing three lists of her favorites, many of which I agree with! Also, be sure to stop by next week for my glowing review of Past Perfect!

Top Ten Favorite Historical Figures

I’m not exactly sure who counts as a “historical figure.” I guess anyone who is dead and is famous enough to have a Wikipedia entry. That’s a lot of options.

1. Buddy Holly. My favorite musician ever, who died tragically young.

2. Audrey Hepburn. She’s so stylish!

3. Robert Catesby. I’ve been fascinated by Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot for years. I wrote my high school thesis on the Gunpowder plot, and now I throw a Guy Fawkes Day party every other year.

4. Norman Rockwell. He was a very talented and funny painter. The Norman Rockwell Museum is close to my mother’s summer home in the Berkshires, so I’ve been there many times to look at his work.

5. Isabel Briggs Myers. I was really into by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator when I was in high school. Isabel Briggs Myers was a game-changing social psychologist at a time when not many women were working in the field.

6. Oscar Wilde. He was an enormously a talented writer and humorist, yet he faced such difficulties in his personal life.

7. Eleanor Roosevelt. A strong, influential woman in politics.

8. William Shakespeare. With so many conflicting stories about his identity and so many movies and books that have re-imagined his character, and with his impact on literature being so expansive, it’s hard not to be a little fascinated by Shakespeare, or at least the idea of him.

9. John Lennon. One of the greatest songwriters of all time.

10. Dorothy Parker. One of my writing role models.

Top Ten Favorite YA Characters

In the interest of space, I’m going to have to leave out some characters whom I love. I hope they don’t mind…

1. Michael Moscovitz from The Princess Diaries, by Meg Cabot. Michael Moscovitz is my boyfriend.

2. Prince Charmont, from Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine. Char is my other boyfriend.

3. Briony from Chime, by Frannie Billingsley. Briony is so complex. I wish more YA characters had her depth.

4. Billy Bloom from Freak Show, by James St. James. Billy’s very funny, and he is unabashedly and inimitably himself.

5. Lyra from Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials trilogy. I mean, obviously. Lyra is badass.

6. Colin Singleton from An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green. I have a soft spot for precocious children.

7. Charles Wallace from A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle. See previous note regarding precocious children.

8. Liam Geller from King of the Screwups, by K. L. Going. How could you not love someone so cool, so well-intentioned, and yet so misunderstood?

9. Liv Weiss-Longo from For Keeps, by Natasha Friend. She is a true original, and a loyal friend.

10. Frankie Landau-Banks, from The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart. This girl is a modern-day YA feminist.

Top Ten Favorite Films

I should preface this list by mentioning that I have terrible, trashy taste in movies, and also that I haven’t updated my “favorite movies” list since roughly 2001. Basically I like any movies about teenagers falling in love and/or listening to music.

1. Clueless

2. Bring It On!

3. Wet Hot American Summer

4. Waking Life

5. 10 Things I Hate About You

6. Empire Records

7. Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion

8. American Graffiti

9. Bottle Rocket

10. Cruel Intentions

Waiting on Wednesday (54)

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world’s past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Release date: March 20, 2012 (Dial Books for Young Readers)

I love Michelle's books and this one sounds just as dark and intriguing. I can't wait to read this!

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Blog Tour: Stasia Ward Kehoe Interview

2011-10-11T15:44:00.001-04:00

I'm excited to have Stasia Ward Kehoe, author of the fabulous AUDITION (see my review here) which releases on Thursday. Read on to find out more about her own ballet experiences and how AUDITION came to be written in verse.

1. What was your publishing experience like?

My publishing experience was both eternal and super-fast. I’ve actually worked in publishing for years, although always on the educational marketing side. All along, I wrote but I never had the guts to submit stuff in any systematic way. Occasionally, I’d get some interest from an editor or something but it never panned out, largely, I think, because I was kind of a chicken-heart. When I finally got down to it and started submitting Audition, I got an agent and a book deal quite quickly. And here I am. Although this is my novel-writing debut, I’ve been a dancer, actress, playwright, and choreographer. I see a lot of similarities in that I’ve kind of spent my life putting my creative self out there for judgment. Hmmm….

2. In what ways do you relate to your main character Sara? Did you ever dance ballet?

I started dancing ballet when I was four years old. I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t dancing. And, I grew up in the country. So, in those ways I am like Sara. Happily (as I’ve been stressing to my dad!), I did not get involved in complicated relationships with choreographers! As a teen, I didn’t drink or stay out late or do anything very interesting. Well, I mean, I started a theater company and did some interesting things creatively but I was the absolute opposite of a party animal.

3. High school is a tough time for many teenagers. What advice would you give to your sixteen year old self if you could go back in time?

If you can believe it, I think I would have told my teenage self to take more risks. For me, “I have to dance” was kind of an excuse not to learn to ski (which I now, as an adult, love) or participate in many school activities—things like that. So, I think if I could go back in time and advise my teenage self, I’d tell her to live a little!

4. Why did you decide to write AUDITION in verse? Was it harder or easier than you expected?

Writing Audition in verse wasn’t really a decision as much as an evolution. Sara began as the character for a monologue assignment in a playwriting class. From there, I wrote a short prose story called Audition, which got some interest and I decided to explore more about Sara’s life. For quite a while, I wasn’t happy with the way the novel was going. Luckily, I had the great fortune to hear Ellen Hopkins speak at a writing conference. After taking her workshop, and reading a LOT of verse novels, it slowly became clear that Audition needed to be written in verse. It was challenging, but I wanted to try to capture the fluidity of ballet through the lyrical use of words.

5. What's next for you writing wise?

I have a really hard time talking about works-in-progress (you should ask my critique group members about this!) because I never really feel sure about how something is going until I write “the end” on the last page of a manuscript. And I am very superstitious! So, I guess I’ll just say that I love writing about the arts and will continue to explore ideas about character, performance, and creativity in my novels.

Thanks so much, Stasia, for stopping by! Everyone, be sure to check out her newest release on Thursday. It's definitely not a book to be missed!

Review: Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent.

Review:

Verse novels hold a special place in my heart and I think Audition was a perfect match for the verse format. Stasia Ward Kehoe’s young adult debut was inspiring and intense, and I had a hard time setting it down once I got into it. The writing style made it a very quick read and after the slow start, I was soon immersed in this poignant tale of love and ballet. Audition was more than a book about a ballet dancer- there were so many sub-plots that combined to make this a refreshing and unique story that most definitely piqued my interest in researching more about ballet.

Sara is just sixteen when she gets a scholarship to a dance school in New Jersey. Leaving behind everything she has ever known, Sara is about to be challenged in so many ways. I think a lot of girls will relate to Sara because she is vulnerable nad very real. Although she is just sixteen, Sara is forced to grow up very fast in the sometimes terrifying world of dance. Gone are the days of scampering around in a tutu and pretending to do splits, Sara’s life is now ballet, ballet, ballet. Her body and mind are stretched to the limits as she works to reach the highest level possible. It was inspiring to see how Sara worked to balance school and dance, and I also felt for her, having to leave her parents behind and move in with a strange host family. She doesn’t connect with anyone until Remington. Twenty-two year old Rem, one of the choreographers at her new dance school, is alluring and passionate- he soon sweeps Sara off her feet.

Sara and Rem soon develop a relationship (mainly physical) and Sara’s life changes once again. Rem was an interesting character and while I never truly understood or cared for him, I can see how he appealed to Sara. In addition to Rem, there were several other characters that impacted Sara’s life in some way. From her ballet friends, to her best friend back home, to the host family that took her in in New Jersey. Although these characters weren’t developed very much, I liked getting to know them, particularly the other girls at her Jersey Ballet School. It was sad to watch the girls struggle to reach the top, even those not yet in their teens.

Even if you have never had an interest in ballet, I think this book will appeal to you. It was much more than a book about ballet, but a tale of Sara’s journey in finding herself and what she wanted with life.

In all, I enjoyed Audition quite a bit. Even though some parts dragged a little and I wished some of the secondary characters were better developed, I am glad I had the chance to read this. Audition was an original and poignant novel that opened my eyes to a world so different from my own. I am looking forward to seeing what Stasia Ward Kehoe writes next!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
October 13, 2011/Viking Juvenile/464 Pages/Young Adult
Source: Publisher/Author (ARC)

In My Mailbox (98)

2011-10-09T10:58:00.000-04:00

I only got a few books this week in my mailbox (two of which I've read already- Firelight and Vanish), but I'm super exited to get started on Clean and On the Fringe. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else got this week!

For Review:

Bought:

In My Mailbox is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

2011-10-06T17:34:00.003-04:00

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials based on the real historical characters, told from the perspective of three young women living in Salem in 1692—Mercy Lewis, Margaret Walcott, and Ann Putnam Jr.
When Ann’s father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann sees an opportunity and starts manifesting the symptoms of affliction. Ann looks up to Mercy, the beautiful servant in her parents' house. She shows Mercy the power that a young girl is capable of in a time when women were completely powerless. Mercy, who suffered abuse at the hands of past masters, seizes her only chance at safety. And Ann’s cousin Margaret, anxious to win the attention of a boy in her sights, follows suit. As the accusations mount against men and women in the community, the girls start to see the deadly ramifications of their actions. Should they finally tell the truth? Or is it too late to save this small New England town?

Review:

The Salem Witch Trials are one of the most interesting, and horrifying, times in history to read about. From The Crucible to Time of the Witches I’ve read a variety of novels about the Trials and the people involved. I started this back in September and had to put it aside because I started The Crucible in English class and didn’t want to mix them up. I finally started this again recently and finished it quickly. Considering it’s written in verse it’s a relatively quick read that you can finish in a few hours. I’m glad I picked this up again because it presented a different, more personal side of the happenings in 1692.

For anyone who doesn’t know this, the gist of things was that a group of young girls got together and began to have “fits” and claimed different people in their community were witches and working for the Devil. Surprisingly, people actually believed them. And soon the accused were facing horrifying trials that usually led to death by hanging. No matter how much I have read about the Trials it still shocks me how easily the people of Salem (and some surrounding towns) succumbed to the actions of these teenagers and actually thought their neighbors could be witches. Salem was a mess during this time and no one was safe from accusation.

Wicked Girls was told in multiple perspectives which at times got confusing and I had to flip back and see who was narrating. Ann Putnam (age 12), Mercy Lewis (age 17) and Margaret Walcott (age 17) were the three narrators, although there were many more girls that were part of their group. Anne was basically the ring leader and led many of the accusations. Their reasoning was that in order to accuse and thus be rid of the bad people in their town some innocent people had to die to or else their reasoning would be questioned. Even though I got to see things from the eyes of the girls and read about their struggles and thoughts on what they were doing I was still horrified by it and could never come to like them. These girls were letting innocent townspeople hang and laying false accusations on them.

It was interesting getting to know each of the girls and to get a look at one of the most famous times in our history in novel form. I enjoy verse novels (especially those of Lisa Schroeder and Ellen Hopkins) and Stephanie can now be added to that list. She made the emotion, tension, and pain believable and real and presented the characters in a new light.

Overall, I recommend Wicked Girls to fans of historical fiction and those looking to find out more about the Salem Witch Trials. If you’ve already read a million books about them I may not recommend this because it doesn’t offer that much more than other books in this “genre”. I did like it though and it had me quivering with anger and nerves throughout. I’m looking forward to seeing what Stephanie releases next.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

June 17, 2010/Balzer + Bray/336 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publicist