tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687056685487104562024-02-20T02:57:49.489-08:00Of Paper And WordsJust the truth, and nothing but the truth.Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.comBlogger842125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-87145849454062072602017-06-05T22:14:00.003-07:002017-06-05T22:14:46.766-07:00Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483132546l/33643994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483132546l/33643994.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Fantasy, DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING mixes the supernatural with good ol' piracy. Fans of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (especially the third movie) would absolutely enjoy the first installment of this exciting series. If you are like me, you would remember the little Syrena and Philip plot. Alosa and Riden constantly remind me of their romance, and I absolutely adore the two couples' romantic relationships. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking for action? The plot is a constant adventure, as moving as the waves of the ocean are and as swift as a fired cannon ball. Alosa, the female captain in a male-dominated field, is sent by her father for a mission to find a treasure map. From intrigue to mystery to sword fights to the supernatural to backstabbing to evil plotting, this novel is most certainly out to thrill. There is not a single moment where the story stops moving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alosa is a strong-willed female protagonist. Carrying an aura of mystery, she does do a lot of explanation in her narrative that do not distract from the story itself. Though she knows much about the art of piracy, her somewhat naive nature makes her endearing. With every paragraph and chapter, she grows and evolves to be a bit wiser, more compassionate, and perhaps also a tiny bit funnier. (It would be wonderful if the author expands a bit more on the relationship between Alosa and her crew. There's hints of this to come in the next installment, though.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riden and Alosa's chemistry is off the charts. Their banter gives the book life, and though Riden may be one of Alosa's "captors" (in which, Alosa willingly goes along with Riden and his brother for her mission), Riden is open to Alosa and lets her into his heart. He learns from her just as Alosha learns from him. Snarky and humorous, he's such a lovable (and brave and admiring) character. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves a huge and thrilling opening for the next installment in this series. Leaving a certain piece of the puzzle missing with a dangerous enemy lurking in the shadows, the book leaves quite a lot for Alosa to do and tackle. I can't wait to see where Levenseller takes the story next. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING is an amazing adventure with romance, magic, humor, and a cast of endearing characters. You won't want to miss this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-60689630961230266222016-10-23T20:59:00.003-07:002016-10-23T20:59:33.554-07:00And I Darken by Kiersten White Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1449153532l/27190613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1449153532l/27190613.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't describe how intriguing I found And I Darken to be. From what I've heard, it is not dissimilar to Game of Thrones. However, as someone who is neither fond of pirating or has HBO, I'm a little lost at that allusion at pop culture. But I can see parallels between Lada Dragwlya and Vlad the Impaler. It is not surprising when one considers the fact that the character of Lada is inspired by the author's own imagination of a female Vlad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The story and its plot showcases Lada, her brother (Radu), and Mehmed. The beginning starts off with Lada's childhood and her strained relationship with her father. It's a surprising place to begin, but it is incredibly relevant to Lada's characterization and character growth. In fact, Lada's rough and borderline cruel character contrasts sharply with Radu's softer nature. The contrast and differences between the two siblings is an unusual introduction, but it fits Lada and Radu perfectly and hints at their future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The setting is incredibly complex, and I feel as if I need more historical context, because there are many points in the book where I falter and wonder the "whys" of the background. Why do the Ottomans react a certain way to people from Wallachia? Why are the underclass of the Ottoman treated with a different standard? What are the politics behind the two different places? But the author graciously provides some context, which is more than enough to paint a bright, dark, and colorful picture of the Middle Ages. The author should be given cookies for setting up the story in a country that is not England, France, or Spain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The relationships and interactions between Lada, Radu, and Mehmed are fascinating to watch. The relationship between Mehmed and Lada alone is intensively complex with manipulation, love, and a bundle of other feelings. I can dive into the strange relationship between Radu and Lada, where familial feelings are not always enough to make up for the cruelest and seemingly heartless actions. It is the relationships that are pushed forward in And I Darken and what truly gets me interested in the book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves off at a dramatic point, and I can't wait to see how Lada evolves into a more dark version of herself. I will also look out for Radu and Mehmed interactions, because they truly are some of the high points in this novel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, And I Darken is a dark, fascinating novel. It's the type of book containing a controlled and planned car wreck we rubbernecks can't help but watch. I'll definitely keep my eye out for more of Lada's journey and her rise into power. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-75919711271450357752016-09-22T22:24:00.002-07:002016-09-22T22:24:29.235-07:00The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1423841142l/18602341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1423841142l/18602341.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">"In this dark, high-octane sequel to the </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">New York Times </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">bestselling </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Dorothy Must Die</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?"</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I enjoyed the previous book, Dorothy Must Die, very much. As soon as I had the chance to read the next book, I snapped it up. I freely acknowledge that time and circumstances didn't allow me to read it as soon as I wanted to, but I was totally happy when I was able to dive into The Wicked Will Rise. And I was happy all the way through the book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Fantasy/Retelling with a healthy dose of magic, The Wicked Will Rise is a fast-paced, action-filled novel with romance, mystery, and wonder. It follows along Amy Gumm's journey to find the other wicked witches, kill Dorothy's (evil) friends, uncover the mysteries in Oz, meet up with Nox, and finally, defeat Dorothy for once and for all to save Oz for good. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, it goes spectacularly wrong and hits all of my feelings in the stomach. Thank you, Danielle Paige. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot is increasingly dramatic. With each rising stake (and shocking revelations, I must add), the author and the story has fully managed to capture my attention. Amy is quickly scrambling for a foundation to stand upon, and the rest of the wicked crew/witches is spread wide and thin throughout the bizarre and changed land of Oz. Finding them is a huge challenge that is not without huge, brave, and monstrous obstacles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My favorite parts of this book is the world building. Or specifically when Amy (or Dorothy or the witches or anyone with magic) casts their spells and such. It's really cool, in my opinion. I absolutely love the descriptions of magic (which I also enjoyed in the previous book). The elements from the original books are, of course, wonderful to see. (It's like playing a game of Where's Waldo?) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amy is on a quest to destroy Dorothy, and her character development is absolutely wicked. Drawing parallels to Dorothy's own journey, Amy runs the risk of diving into the dark side. Fighting against her darker urges while facing against those who are happily on the dark side, Amy has to really prevent herself from falling into the deep end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ozma is such a wonderful character, who provides some mystery to the story. She is one of the best characters in the entire book, and it's worthwhile to pay attention to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Wicked Will Rise is a stellar sequel to Dorothy Must Die, bringing a continuation of Amy's magical adventure. The ending brings such a great cliffhanger, leaving Amy's state unclear and the rest of the wicked crew's fate unclear. Third book, here I come! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-37891521498566987602016-09-22T20:59:00.001-07:002016-09-22T20:59:40.199-07:00Light Runner by Philip Brown Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1453156986l/28599400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1453156986l/28599400.jpg" width="210" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Sixteen-year-old Dara Adengard would rather read graphic novels than do her homework and prefers the freedom of skateboarding to the restrictions of life with her military father. Stung by the recent death of her mother, Dara conceals her mom’s picture under a square of grip tape on her skateboard. But no matter how much Dara tries to keep a foothold on the past, she can’t ride away from her own destiny. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">One evening, she discovers a silver and gold armlet with mysterious powers in the shadowy water of the swimming pool. Forged from an ancient meteorite metal, it possesses the power to heal or wound. When Dara holds it, it emits a light that seems to have been ignited by a star’s ray. Moments later, she is stunned to find that someone’s broken into her apartment, her father has vanished, and a dead body lies sprawled in the courtyard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Evading the police, Dara escapes on a perilous quest for her father, begins to uncover her mother’s hidden past, and starts to realize the shocking truth about herself. Accompanied by a stray dog, Dara soars to sudden fame on the wings of a YouTube video that shows her using the Jyotisha to heal the handsome Diego of a gunshot wound. When the video goes viral, a famous TV talk show personality connects with her, and Dara is propelled from homeless runaway to worldwide sensation."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Light Runner surprises me. The story is told in an unexpected way, and it doesn't follow what I thought it would turn out. (My prediction was based on the synopsis, and I admit that I welcome that surprise.) Let's dig in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't exactly describe the genre of the story. It's more of a mixture between YA Contemporary and Fantasy. The fantasy part comes in the form of a mysterious armlet with the strange powers to heal. In possession of Jyotisha (the armlet's name), Dara travels in a quest to find her missing father. Along the way, she picks up a few friends and finds herself in the middle of a media circus. It's truly a fascinating premise, and the author does indeed manage to interest me in the story, despite a somewhat lacking feeling/spark in the writing itself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot sends Dara being chased by various villains and healing people along the way. The armlet's powers seem miraculous and draws the attention of some dangerous characters. But the strongest part of the story isn't in the action. It's in Dara's personal journey, and my favorite part of the novel is when Dara finds Diego. Their relationship is what I remember the most from Light Runner. (Oh, and I can't forget about the dog.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a strong cast of villains in Light Runner. But the one who strikes out the most is the one who is the most manipulative and subtle one with the ability to move pieces around the board without getting the pieces to realize they were being manipulated. I didn't even see that villain until the very end of the book, and she/he is a great one. The planning he/she put into Dara and her path is amazing, and she/he is a worthy contender for the Jyotisha. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I have said once before, Dara's personal journey is perhaps one of the most important part of the novel. Pay particular attention to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves off with a surprise, and I'm curious to see what would happen next and what would Philip Brown would bring to the table. I would love to see the future of characters such as Diego, Dara, and especially, Mercy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-15073380976141002752016-08-22T23:24:00.003-07:002016-08-22T23:24:54.023-07:00A Season for Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1445622909l/26869838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1445622909l/26869838.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="freeText3909501064327384957" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>"A story of second chances from the author of <em>Between Us and the Moon</em>, which Kirkus Reviews called “what first love is meant to be.”</strong><br /><br />A year ago, Penny Berne was the star of her high school’s theater department, surrounded by a group of misfit friends and falling in love for the first time. Now her old friends won’t talk to her, her new best friend is the most popular girl in school, and her first love, Wes, ignores her. Penny is revered and hated. Then, in a flash, a near-fatal lightning strike leaves Penny with no memory of the past year—or how she went from drama nerd to queen bee.<br /><br />As a record number of fireflies light up her town and her life, Penny realizes she may be able to make things right again—and that even if she can’t change the past, she can learn to see the magic where she never could before.<br /><br />This captivating new novel about first love, second chances, and the power of memory is perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver’s <em>Before I Fall</em> and Katie Cotugno’s <em>How to Love</em>."</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really enjoyed reading Between Us and the Moon (written by the same author), which I thought was a really realistic and heartbreaking book. Here's what I thought of her next book, A Season For Fireflies. YA Contemporary (with romance), A Season For Fireflies is a story about second chances... without realizing that you were at fault in the first place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Penny Berne is missing a year's worth of memories. When she goes back to her social life, she finds it amazingly changed in so many ways. She has a new group of friends, she lost her old group of friends, she has abandoned her passion for theater, and she is friends with the most popular girl in the school. She begins to put back the pieces together, and in the process, she manages to find herself again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The story unfolds by starting in sophomore year (late May). It's an awkward entrance, and it doesn't exactly follow the synopsis quite closely. (The synopsis is a tad misleading.) It shows the beginnings of Penny leaving the gang behind, it shows Penny quitting theater, and it shows Penny joining the popular girl. The plot of rediscovery could have been spread out a bit more, however, so it would have more "cushion." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance between Penny and Wes, though a part of the book, takes a larger influence over the story, which isn't unexpected. However, though their romance is terribly sweet, it is Penny's relationships with other characters (and her love for theater) which seems to be written more strongly and have a better effect on the story overall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The relationships are really indeed the best part of the book. I enjoy Penny's dynamic with her new and popular best friend, Kylie. (I must add that I really do love Kylie as a character. That's all I will say about her.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending along is perhaps the best part of the entire book, though. Reading it alone just makes me smile so much, and I absolutely adore it. (But I won't spoil!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, A Season For Fireflies is a great book (though Between Us and the Moon overshadows it, in my opinion). It's great for those who need a book to read, and it's perfect for those who are looking for books about second chances and getting lost and finding the place you're truly meant to be all along. Those who wish for a HEA in Between Us and the Moon will find it in A Season For Fireflies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-66123926880626022992016-08-22T16:42:00.003-07:002016-08-22T16:42:57.799-07:00Bluescreen by Dan Wells Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1435161751l/20499652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1435161751l/20499652.jpg" width="209" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Los Angeles in 2050 is a city of open doors, as long as you have the right connections. One of those connections is a djinni—a smart device implanted right in a person’s head. In a world where virtually everyone is online twenty-four hours a day, this connection is like oxygen—and a world like that presents plenty of opportunities for someone who knows how to manipulate it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Marisa Carneseca is one of those people. She might spend her days in Mirador, the small, vibrant LA neighborhood where her family owns a restaurant, but she lives on the net—going to school, playing games, hanging out, or doing things of more questionable legality with her friends Sahara and Anja. And it’s Anja who first gets her hands on Bluescreen—a virtual drug that plugs right into a person’s djinni and delivers a massive, non-chemical, completely safe high. But in this city, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and Mari and her friends soon find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that is much bigger than they ever suspected."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I may or may not mention how much I love Dan Wells' stories (but now you know that I do love his stories and novels). Partials is one of my favorite Science Fiction novels, and I think I can easily add Bluescreen to the list. YA Sci-Fi with a tiny hint of horror (no, not in a ghostly or supernatural way), Bluescreen is a really enjoyable book that centers around these devices called djinni and a girl named Marisa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bluescreen (the drug) is what really kicks off the conflict in the most dramatic and scariest way possible by having Marisa's friend walking into an almost suicidal situation. Dan Wells starts off the story with suspenseful action, and the creepiness of the program (Bluescreen, the virtual drug) just gets to me and my bones. It reminds me of the day when my Facebook was hacked (back in 2011), and I have no clue to what was going on. All I know was that I was posting weird stuff on my wall at an exponential speed, and I could do literally nothing about it. I could only watch. It's exactly how I feel for these characters who are in way over their heads and are only on a rollercoaster they could hardly get out of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot has a mixture of mystery and action. It involves a future version of the mob, a scary hacker(s), a puzzling world of virtual reality and computers in people's heads, and a possible romance. For me, the mystery is the foremost of my attention. It's a compelling puzzle, which I enjoyed looking over and wondering about as I read along with the story. The drug has an insidious virus within, and the factor/level of horror just sends my skin crawling. Imagine someone controlling every bit of action, seeing what you see, and pulling your strings. That's exactly what that virus does. And oh, that's a darn good virus/horror story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marisa Carneseca (has a very annoying last name, which is hard to type out, and) is the Nancy Drew of this book. She's the one trying to solve the virus' strangeness, and she's the one who is tracing its history. She's a very active character, going to strange places and doing exceptional things (just like Lois Lane). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves such great potential for a sequel. Sign me up for another virtual adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Bluescreen is definitely a worthy read with loads of action, intrigue, and suspense (with a very, very tiny hint of romance). If you love Partials and other virtual reality novels like Insignia, you will surely love this one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-91484789738141442452016-07-10T20:55:00.002-07:002016-07-10T20:55:45.931-07:00The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423573819l/20734002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423573819l/20734002.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"For twenty years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows—the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Lace Paloma may be new to her family’s show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra, black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she's been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it’s a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace’s life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Beautifully written, and richly imaginative, </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">The Weight of Feathers</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> is an utterly captivating young adult novel by a talented new voice."</span></span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Two households, both alike in dignity, in Fair..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh. Whoops. Never mind. Wrong story, wrong work of literature. But let's admit it. The Weight of Feathers and Romeo and Juliet share quite a lot of similarities. Two rivaling families who hate each other, check. A daughter, check. A son, check. They fall in love with each other, check. And if anyone from the family finds out about it, they might die. Check, definitely check.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Magical Realism isn't quite what I've been expecting when I first picked up the book. I was actually expecting YA Contemporary Romance, but at the first mention of magic, I was thrown off and had to reread certain parts of the book. But other than that little bump in the road, I had a pleasant time reading The Weight of Feathers. It's filled with a much more subtle magic that isn't so direct as YA Fantasy, drama (of course; forbidden love demands drama, pain, and angst), and romance (one can't have forbidden love without the actual love). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot sends Lace towards the other household. The enemy household. Branded (unintentionally) by Cluck, she is thrown out of her household and deemed cursed by her own family. Cluck, an outcast in his own family, is surprised by the attraction he feels for this girl, and together, they unleash a whole ton of trouble upon their own heads. The question of whether or not they will get caught is an overarching part of the tale and one of the biggest suspenseful points. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's something sad and bitter about Cluck that simply draws me to him. No. It's not love or a crush or something similar to that. He's an outcast, as I have said before. He is not part of the family, and he has been bullied by the golden boy in the family. Reading about him finding his own happiness (about him finding Lace) is the greatest part in the book. And though Lace is a bit tentative, their romance remains one of the biggest pushes of the plot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is the most dramatic part of the book. And it gives a somewhat bittersweet end to the rivalry and the story. That's all I'm going to say. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Weight of Feathers is a curious story that brings an alternative ending towards the Romeo and Juliet shenanigan. Rival families, two lovers, and a conclusion that doesn't end in death. I recommend this for anyone who loves forbidden romance, magic, and a story a bit out of the ordinary. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-8070773233141915942016-06-30T16:25:00.001-07:002016-06-30T16:25:12.830-07:00Defender by Graham McNamee Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436802304l/25902252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436802304l/25902252.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"They call her Tiny, but Tyne Greer is six foot six, a high school basketball star who is hoping the game will be her ticket out of the slum. She lives in a run-down building called The Zoo, where her father is the superintendent. One day she discovers a crack in the wall of an abandoned basement room. And sealed up in the wall is a girl’s body. Horrified, she runs to get her dad. But after he goes to take a look, he comes back and tells Tyne that nothing’s there. No girl. No body. He tells her she must be seeing things in the dark.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Tyne is sure it was real, though, and when she finds evidence that the body was moved from the hole in the wall, she knows the only one who could have done it is her father. But why? What is he hiding?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Tyne’s search for answers uncovers a conspiracy of secrets and lies in her family. The closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes for her. Because some will do anything to bury the past…and keep her silent."</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NetGalley. Thanks for a copy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This will be a short review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Defender is a decent mystery book. It is one that will keep you interested, but it's not particularly memorable in any way. The mystery is of a dead girl in a wall, whose body disappears when Tiny takes a look at the basement again. Thus, it sets Tiny off to look for the answers. Who is that girl? And what does her father have to do with the dead body?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Show, don't tell. Well, the book is more like "tell, don't show." There's quite a lot of information that is given through this method, and it's probably the reason the book is so short.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tiny is a girl who is accidentally caught up in this mystery. Her name is almost like an oxymoron, she's curious about the dead body, and she's playing a game too close for someone's liking. Still, turning on her inner Nancy Drew has made Tiny a lot more active in regards to the story and plot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Defender is a mystery book that'll keep you interested and entertained. Good for a light read. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Two out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-83947650101119174912016-06-28T17:25:00.000-07:002016-06-28T17:25:11.508-07:00Wanderlost by Jen Malone Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444760820l/26244548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444760820l/26244548.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novel’s whirlwind trip through Europe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On summer break and stuck at home?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, books clearly are your answer. And traveling across Europe (though in a book) is a great idea of a vacation. And Wanderlost contains a group of senior citizens, a case of impersonating another person (who knows all about the scheme), and a romance against the backdrop of Europe. YA Contemporary Romance, Wanderlost is the perfect fit for those stuck indoors for the rest of the (hot!) summer season.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's start with the conflict of the story. Somehow, Aubree's sister, Elizabeth, manages to get Aubree into impersonating her. Pretending to be someone else in another country, Aubree has to dodge all those bullets and prevent anyone from finding out the truly terrible thing Aubree is doing for her sister. Of course, naturally, it all fails spectacularly (and a bit amusingly too). But the dramatic tension of Aubree and the secret's impeding reveal is exactly what gets me into the story and keeps me reading. When will they find out? What will happen? How would they survive the aftermath?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may find it surprising that though the romance is front and center in the story, I'm far more interested in Aubree's relationship with the seniors and especially this: her relationship with her sister, Aubree. They have their severe ups and downs, and their relationship is cluttered with complicity and ambiguousness. Elizabeth's interpretation of Aubree's character is so much different than what Aubree thinks; Aubree and Elizabeth are two far different people yet they are siblings and their dynamic with each other is absolutely fascinating to watch. It's far more interesting than the romance, as I have said before.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aubree is a stellar character. She isn't strong in the typical way, and she is so likable (especially when compared to her sister, Elizabeth, who is quite unique and tough in her own way). In Europe, she discovers herself and comes out of her sister's shadow. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is a bit unrealistic, but for a romantic like me, I absolutely love it. Everything ends cleanly, Elizabeth and Aubree's relationship improves, and well... Aubree does get the guy. (So for those looking for HEA, here's one right here.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Wanderlost is a perfect summer novel that can easily make me forget about California's excessive heat while taking me across Europe with a well-developed cast of characters. For those who love romance, this is a good book to read. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-55333485449103419422016-06-19T16:03:00.002-07:002016-06-19T16:03:32.545-07:00Riders by Veronica Rossi Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1454219875l/23430471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1454219875l/23430471.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Nothing but death can keep eighteen-year-old Gideon Blake from achieving his goal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger. As it turns out, it does.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">While recovering from the accident that most definitely killed him, Gideon finds himself with strange new powers and a bizarre cuff he can’t remove. His death has brought to life his real destiny. He has become War, one of the legendary four horsemen of the apocalypse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Over the coming weeks, he and the other horsemen—Conquest, Famine, and Death—are brought together by a beautiful but frustratingly secretive girl to help save humanity from an ancient evil on the emergence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">They fail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Now—bound, bloodied, and drugged—Gideon is interrogated by the authorities about his role in a battle that has become an international incident. If he stands any chance of saving his friends and the girl he’s fallen for—not to mention all of humankind—he needs to convince the skeptical government officials the world is in imminent danger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But will anyone believe him?"</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always love a good supernatural story about the apocalypse. And from Veronica Rossi? Now that must be a lovely gift from Santa, who is very early in the year. (Or late??? It depends on the way you see it. It could go both ways.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are figures (or rather figures personified) I rarely see in literature. I'm absolutely curious about their mythology and their legends and to see what Rossi has made out of these stories. The horsemen are Pestilence (Conquest), Famine, War, and Death. Each of them have a particular horse that is solely for them, and they obviously possess/rule over a certain domain. In this book, Gideon Blake is the horseman of War, and as the narrator of the novel, he has quite a wild story to tell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gideon narrates the wild adventure he and the horsemen goes on. Spilling his unbelievable tale to the military he's in, he starts from the beginning of when he first died. With an investigation/interview of Gideon as a framing device, he digs back into the past and discusses his newfound powers to the girl he's falling in love with to the mystery only Tess knows. Gideon takes his journey and becomes tougher and tougher. He finds friends, enemies, and love. And he's a rather strong character who manages to tough it out and still keep his head above the water when it's threatening to drown him painfully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot is given from Gideon's mouth. He speaks his unbelievable story to military officials, and from the very moment he died, his tale is exciting, quick, and nimble. Clear enemies, a mystery to protect, and certain relationships drive Gideon forward and towards the ending. I can't look away from these pages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves enough material for a slight cliffhanger but also enough for Riders to be simply a standalone. Still, I would love to see more of the story and its plot. But most of all, I would love to see where the characters go. They have a lot to do, and the adventure of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse isn't over yet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Riders is a greatly engrossing story with great threats and a compelling character (hello, Gideon). I seriously can't wait to see what else Veronica Rossi could bring. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-25632402796203767882016-05-14T21:26:00.000-07:002016-05-14T21:26:02.280-07:00Resurgence by Kerry Wilkinson Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444675449l/26114479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444675449l/26114479.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">""Can I ask you one thing...why does it have to be you?"</strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></strong></span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My throat is dry but I manage to say the words clearly enough: "If I don't do it, who else will?"</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">An entire country has been lied to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Silver Blackthorn was supposed to be one of the privileged few, chosen to serve and help rebuild a shattered nation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Instead, she is a rebel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Tales of her defiance have spread across the land. King Victor and the Minister Prime want her dead, the resistance groups are desperate for her help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But Silver's friends and family are in dire jeopardy; hiding is no longer an option.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">As her travels take her into the far reaches of an unknown land, she is forced to make new friends and hunt for new allegiances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Final battle lines are being drawn. The time has come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Then there's the hardest choice of all: Opie or Imrin."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The adventure and rebellion of Silver Blackthorn ends here. The third and last book in the trilogy, Resurgence starts off with the rebellion still working to overthrow King Victor and the Minister Prime. (Off-topic note: It took me two times to write "Minister Prime" instead of "Prime Minister.") Let's dig into this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Silver Blackthorn is perhaps one of my favorite characters in this book. She's not THE favorite character, but she is high up in the list. Intelligent, smart, and daring, she is the kind of leader the rebellion needs. She's not only the kind of person who reacts but also one who makes the action. She takes the initiative. Have I mentioned smart? Despite the large amount of resources her enemies have, she still can one-up them by skillfully wrangling her way out. Give this girl a round of applause.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imrin, to be honest, is my favorite character of the story. A survivor, he has managed to go through things that make me shudder. It's his moments and his very name I particularly look out for, and though his biggest part is in the Opie/Silver/Imrin love triangle, I like to read the parts where Imrin is just Imrin. Speaking of the romance, I have to admit that I'm a bit lost because of it. The twists in the relationship comes at me with aggression, and I'm really afraid for my vision. Have I missed all the signs or something? (Then again, I'm far more interested in the conflict, the rebellion to be specific, than the actual romance.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The villain has his flaws yet remains compelling throughout this book. Yes, he is loathed by me and almost every character in the story, but he is clever like how Silver is clever. (Though, he does have some help from his advisor, Minister Prime.) He is the kind of villain that is despicable, selfish, and vain. Have I mentioned selfish? And I just love to hate him. Such a glee to despise him and imagine bludgeoning him in the head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot moves quickly, and I'm swept into the story without any hesitation. It's an adventure, and it suddenly ends abruptly. But the ending is not exactly the best part of the book. It definitely has its highs and lows, and I know that I'm feeling like I'm missing something in the story (especially when it comes to the love triangle), but it's nice to see the story end on a rather high note. (I thought it was going to end on something else.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Resurgence is the fast-paced conclusion to the trilogy of Silver Blackthorn. It involves an insurgency and a cruel regime. It's a battle and a struggle, but it's an amazing and worthy one to watch. I dare you to read about Silver Blackthorn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-39879604129296851442016-04-20T12:02:00.001-07:002016-04-20T12:02:45.407-07:00A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445621605l/26074209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445621605l/26074209.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In this <em>Bridges of Madison County</em> for teens, Michelle Zink weaves a magnetic tale about summer love that stays with you long after the seasons change.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Rose Darrow never wanted to spend her life working on her family’s farm. But when her family is rocked by an unexpected tragedy she has no choice but to put her plans for the future—and dreams of escaping her small town—on hold. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Bodhi Lowell left home as a kid and hasn’t looked back. Years of working farm jobs has given him the one thing he wants most: freedom to travel without answering to anyone. He’s already looking past his job at Darrow Farm and plans on leaving in September—until he meets Rose. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Neither Rose nor Bodhi can deny the sparks flying between them, but with the end of summer looming, they must decide if it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all...."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Contemporary, A Walk In the Sun is a sweet story of a girl who is grieving because of her mother's death and a boy trying to escape a haunted past. It's a massively entertaining and engrossing tale that starts with two paths and ends in one. Let's dig in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, I have to point out the setting. My gosh, I have never known such things about living in a very rural area/small town. It's nice to read the descriptions and it's even nicer to be taken to a whole other place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rose Darrow is a girl going through the motions. Nothing is ever the same after her mother's death, and her father is not coping well either. She is empty, cold, and different. Everything seems down and about until she meets Bodhi, who changes the entire dynamic of her home and her life. She lives again, and that is the main point of the story. To begin again and not just survive but also live. It is to believe that good things can happen again even after all the darkness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there is Bodhi Lowell. He is running from his past, and it is a terrible past at that. He's trying to escape, and he finds good in Rose Darrow. Though Rose is the more prominent character of the duo, I find Bodhi much more easier to empathize and understand. He is, at first, an outsider peering into Rose's life until he becomes a much larger part of it. Both characters change because of each other and their experiences, and they cling to each other. (So adorable those two characters are, by the way.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The story unwinds slowly but steadily. The exposition provides a very nice opening to the book, and the tone of it is rather sorrowful (especially on Rose's end but also on Bodhi's). When the two characters meet, everything changes. It is as if a light has been switched on, and happiness, laughter, and all the good things in life comes into the book, and it's a glorious shift in tone to read. Though the two characters go through internal drama, family drama, drama stemming from romance, and drama because of grief, they are stronger because of it. They are hopeful. And the change is well-written and absolutely exciting to read. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance brings together two people who are lost in their own ways. One, in grief. The other, in escapism (by traveling frequently and never looking back but not quite settling in one place). The pair have great chemistry, and I swear that I smile at certain moments and scare other people because of it. ("Why are you smiling at a book?" Because my OTP is adorable. "Wait, what? What's an OTP?" One true pairing. "Huh?")</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is a perfect conclusion to not just the story, the romance, but also the individual character arcs. I can't end the book any better. This ending is so satisfying with all ends tied up and a HEA to boot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, A Walk in the Sun is a character-driven story that starts with melancholy and ends with the most important thing of all: hope. This is for anyone who loves a story of moving on but also never forgetting the ups and downs of life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-72892480177174263502016-04-12T00:12:00.001-07:002016-04-12T00:12:21.383-07:00The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446058438l/25203675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446058438l/25203675.jpg" width="210" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only seventeen?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . .including herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I read this book, I fell in love. It takes the first chapter for me to smile, and I happily devour the book without a single care for the world. Mythology, mythology, and mythology is like catnip for me. I can't resist it, and I will always come after it. Whether or not I like it is another question, but I'm confident enough to say that I like this catnip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA High Fantasy, The Star-Touched Queen has wonderful prose, a beautiful use of words, and a lovely, almost poetic style. It's what draws me into the book in the first place (along with the main character, Maya, whose narration is really enticing). It grabs onto the reader tightly, and it doesn't let go (and I doubt anyone wants to let go). From the very first words and the beginning, I can't help but smiling and admire Maya's personality and strength that is shown through her dialogue and internal thoughts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maya has a cursed horoscope. (I admit that I'm not too into horoscope, but Maya's horoscope is particularly interesting because she is predicted to be in a marriage of death and destruction.) It isn't the only thing about Maya. No, Maya is trapped in a royal life and subjected to be obeying the whims of her husband and brothers and father. She longs for choices, and the second she has a choice, she begins to make her move and become... Well, larger than life itself. A legend, really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance is a vital part of the story, and I absolutely adore it. It's similar to old myths and fairy tales yet also an unique animal of its own. Familiar stories that immediately come to mind are "Beauty and the Beast," "Cupid and Psyche," but especially "Persephone and Hades." It's a strange mix between them all, as if Chokshi has taken bits and parts to make her own story. But nevertheless, the romance will draw you in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The story begins at the very word, and I'm enchanted from the riddles to its compelling mystery to its curious male lead with a certain aura around him. Magic is everywhere and in the very words of this novel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is perfect. It's a nice conclusion that leaves me wishing for a sequel yet also afraid, because I don't want a sequel that might ruin this standalone. But I want more of the flesh-eating horse, the tragic villain, the main character, the prose, the setting of an ancient world with kingdoms clinging close to the fate the stars reveal... And I could go on and on and on, but you get my point, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In conclusion, The Star-Touched Queen is perhaps the best book I've read in 2016 so far. Hands down. With a delicious and spellbinding romance and its beautiful setup and roots in fairy tales, The Star-Touched Queen will leave you satisfied yet also craving for more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Five out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-53256611411513122772016-04-10T00:39:00.003-07:002016-04-10T00:39:41.004-07:00The Storm by Virginia Bergin Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415039702l/22753693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415039702l/22753693.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">""I'll tell you a weird thing about apocalypses - a thing I didn't even know until I was in one: they seem pretty bad, don't they? Well, take it from me: they can always get worse."</em><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Three months after the killer rain first fell, Ruby is beginning to realise her father might be dead . . . and that she cannot survive alone. When a chance encounter lands her back in the army camp, Ruby thinks she is safe - at a price. Being forced to live with Darius Spratt is bad enough, but if Ruby wants to stay she must keep her eyes - and her mouth - shut. It's not going to happen. When she realizes what is going on - the army is trying to find a cure by experimenting on human subjects - Ruby flips out . . . and makes an even more shocking discovery: she's not useless at all. The Storm begins . . ."</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">H2O is a favorite book of mine. I love its thrilling action, its high stakes, and the creepiness that sent me underneath the blankets and shivering for warmth (and fearing the rain that was terrorizing me for the last few days or so). I was so desperate to find out what happened next that I was tempted to put the book on hold at the local library. (But I wasn't that desperate. Not yet.) But one day, the book was in and I checked it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there it was. The Storm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Surprisingly, I find myself to be bored by it all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's start with the story. There is something missing in the book. It isn't the lack of action. It isn't the lack of characters. But I suppose it is the lack of tension and its too obvious foreshadowing. (Of course, that isn't all and I'll explain in the paragraphs below. See what I said about the villain of the novel.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The voice of Ruby doesn't stick as clearly as it used to. Back in H2O, I was happy with her different tone and the writing style present in the book. It's much different than everything else. An unusual tone. Some uniqueness. But after reading The Storm, I find it dull and boring. All the parts are there, but it is missing the spark that is evident in H2O. It's as if the author threw a lot of the good stuff for the first book, and then the second book stalled because of lack of material and twists. (Interesting twists, I mean. There are twists, but they aren't as the first book's stunning, biblical-level revelations.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ruby herself is kicking butts and is still being awesome, but towards the ending, I'm really scratching at my head. I feel like I'm missing a logical step or as if I've been watching a DVD with scratches. Logic fails, and even when I go back, I can't make left or right of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The villain ends up disappointing me. Some hype makes me excited for a little bit until... Wham. (No, I will not spill spoilers.) I expected some big climax, but instead the ending goes by too quickly. (Not enough words!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Storm is a disappointing sequel that doesn't follow through on H2O's heels. It's just not as interesting, and the plot is much more wonky than the previous book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: One out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-6517352726308189622016-04-09T22:30:00.001-07:002016-04-09T22:30:14.224-07:00The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402694775l/17235448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402694775l/17235448.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Kate Quinn’s mom died last year, leaving Kate parentless and reeling. So when the unexpected shows up in her living room, Kate must confront another reality she never thought possible—or thought of at all. Kate does have a father. He’s a powerful politician. And he’s running for U.S. President. Suddenly, Kate’s moving in with a family she never knew she had, joining a campaign in support of a man she hardly knows, and falling for a rebellious boy who may not have the purest motives. This is Kate’s new life. But who is Kate? When what she truly believes flies in the face of the campaign’s talking points, she must decide. Does she turn to the family she barely knows, the boy she knows but doesn’t necessarily trust, or face a third, even scarier option?"</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Honestly, there are a lot of things I love about this book. My favorite thing in this book is "bipartisan relationship," and I love all the politics going on. Republican vs. Democrat. I don't think I have read a fictional book that revels in talking about politics. (Or a teenage narrator who actually knows politics and is actively paying attention to what's going on with the election. I know I am, and it's hard to find narrators who actually care about US politics.) It's really exciting, and I absolutely love the author's incorporation of today's political points into discussion points for the book's political candidates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's talk politics. Well, politics in the book. Those who follow closely with US politics would find this (unfortunately) fictional political race for the Oval Office to be a breath of fresh, beautiful, pure air. With a straightforward candidate from the Republican Party (hello, Kate's father) and the current US President (not Obama) from the Democrats, the presidential election is not without gimmicks but is relatively free of mudslinging that has been plaguing our 2016 election since the announcement of several candidates. (I need to stop! Because if I don't, I'm going to blab about why the current election is a total mess. Though I doubt I do indeed need to explain thanks to how dramatic and infamous this election has been.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kate is a liberal. Of course, she will have to hide her true self in order for her biological father's conservative campaign to work properly without too many hitches. She is skilled in her ways of being a smooth-talker, even though she isn't her father's biggest fan. Though Kate isn't a very funny person, she does have her moments. (The President's son will take the honor of being the most humorous and rebellious person in the entire book.) But the best part of her is her heart, which helps prop the plot forward and keep the story moving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The conflict is absolutely fun. The election, of course, is one of them, and it is not without some (rather polite, I must point out) mudslinging and jabs between the two candidates. Then there is Kate herself who is struggling with her feelings for the President's son, which makes so much delicious content and drama. The story is rather light-hearted, though there are a few serious (and heartwarming) moments when the book touches on real life subjects. (And that is awesome!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves so much potential for the novel as a whole and seals up the plot quite nicely. It gives the book an illusion of a normal Contemporary Romance novel despite its unique plot and its (moderate) take on current day politics. I would love a sequel to see what happens next, because the romance between the President's son and Kate deserves a few more bricks in foundation (and of course, I would love to read a fictional election that isn't a joke). I demand more pages to be added.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Wrong Side of Right is a delightful novel of a girl and her long-lost father. But it isn't just that. It is more. It is about her finding her strength, about finding new love, and about taking a stance. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good old tale of forbidden love set in a political atmosphere. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-90362586458940222332016-04-06T23:07:00.000-07:002016-04-06T23:07:34.801-07:00The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423500857l/24612533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423500857l/24612533.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In this asylum, your mind plays tricks on you all the time…</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Delia’s new house isn’t just a house. Long ago, it was the Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females—an insane asylum nicknamed “Hysteria Hall.” However, many of the inmates were not insane, just defiant and strong willed. Kind of like Delia herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But the house </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">still</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> wants to keep “troubled” girls locked away. So, in the most horrifying way, Delia gets trapped.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">And that’s when she learns that the house is also haunted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Ghost girls wander the halls in their old-fashioned nightgowns. A handsome ghost boy named Theo roams the grounds. Delia finds that all the spirits are unsettled and full of dark secrets. The house, as well, harbors shocking truths within its walls—truths that only Delia can uncover, and that may set her free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But she’ll need to act quickly, before the house’s power overtakes everything she loves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">From master of suspense Katie Alender comes a riveting tale of twisted memories and betrayals, and the meaning of madness."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One. I have to apologize for not reviewing lately. I've been going crazy over schoolwork, and a trip vacation to my dying grandfather in China drove me crazier. (He has cancer.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But back to the review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You want to know something? I'm never reading before bed. Because after reading this book, I saw shadows crawling up my wall and quickly turned on the lights. Obviously, it was nothing, but my nerves were so anxious and it took me a while to fall asleep. Never am I reading a story before bed (and I assure you all that this promise will be broken asap), especially not a ghost story (and this is a lie, because I have another ghost story on my to-reads list).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's dig into this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's another ghost story from supernatural/paranormal author and extraordinaire, Katie Alender. I have loved many of her works, and I think this one proves to be my favorite from her. It seems that she gets better every passing year. I thought Famous Last Words was really good until I read this one. (The same thing happened to Bad Girls Don't Die.) And oh, boy, I was really in for a ride. A horror story. And it was awesome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Delia is a strong-headed girl, who is flawed but also relatable. Was. Is. It doesn't matter. Anyway, she is trapped in a state of ghostly life and there are others like her. Other girls who are just as strong and possesses nerves of steel and never will never become the conventional girl. Furiously protective of her sister and newfound friends, she must defeat an evil spirit while being dead herself and she is awesome. And I have to mention once again the great group of (ghost) girls standing with her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot is fast-paced. From the very start, it begins with a big bang. Or rather, a big death from falling. (Delia's death, to be specific.) She learns the ropes of being a ghost, and the years go by until her sister one day returns to the house. And that is when disaster strikes all over again, because the house is now targeting her baby sister. Delia has to stop it, and it's a dramatic and heartstopping (and scary) fight. I absolutely love it (and I find myself unable to sleep at night because of the darkness of the night; I blame Katie Alender for that). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is stellar, and it seals up the loose ends quite nicely, leaving me satisfied. Though I would love more of each character (but especially more scenes of Delia and her sister), it's a good way of wrapping things up and leaving hope for not just the characters but also the readers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall is the greatest paranormal novel from Katie Alender yet. Action-packed, spooky, and fun. I can't wait to see her top this one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-6591504243244315962016-03-17T18:16:00.004-07:002016-03-17T18:16:48.902-07:00Eerie by C.M. McCoy Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450630592l/28252234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450630592l/28252234.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Hailey’s dreams have always been, well...vivid. As in monsters from her nightmares follow her into her waking life vivid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">When her big sister goes missing, eighteen-year-old Hailey finds the only thing keeping her safe from a murderous 3,000-year-old beast is an equally terrifying creature who has fallen “madly” in love with her. Competing to win her affection, the Dream Creature, Asher, lures her to the one place that offers safety—a ParaScience university in Alaska he calls home. There, she studies the science of the supernatural and must learn to live with a roommate from Hell, survive her ParaScience classes, and hope the only creature who can save her from an evil immortal doesn’t decide to kill her himself."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's dig into Eerie, a YA Paranormal/Supernatural Romance novel. It is centered around a girl named Hailey, whose sister has been found brutally murdered. But that isn't all that's strange about her. She gets dreams at night, and monster hunts her by day. In the beginning, the book has captured my attention and I follow along its plot until I reach the end. And it isn't as much as a roller coaster as I thought it would be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The perspective of the novel is told from third person. The book flips from narrator to narrator, and each one of them provides an unique look of the book's world. Hailey is the outsider, the one who has never really known the world of the supernatural/paranormal and provides the audience surrogate. Asher is an outworldly Envoy, whose motives are clear but actions are not. Finn, a former friend of Hailey's, is pulled by multiple strings, and his path is so muddled by chances, fate, and opportunity but lit up by love. Out of all these heads and perspectives, I prefer Finn the most, who is very complex but also the most human.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The story starts with a mystery and continues with the supernatural. Hailey herself is hunted by an immoral, immortal monster devoid of feelings but desperate enough to kill. The concept, the world building, the setting the book has is intriguing, and I would love the author to dive much deeper into the world. There's so many questions I have in my mind, and I'm unfortunately unable to gather any answers. But the author does a great job of diving into the smaller but also endearing details of the story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's a love triangle in this book. Of course, I have favorites (who doesn't?) and I have already told you who they are (Team Finn). Asher is an Envoy, who is said to be incapable of feeling anything. But he feels something for Hailey. Though Asher and Hailey's relationship remains to be a huge part of the book, I find Finn and Hailey much more fascinating thanks to its flawed, imperfect nature. Besides, the relationship of Fin and Hailey is much more equal when you compared to Asher and Hailey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot largely centers around Hailey. For the exposition, it unfolds steadily as you go through the novel, and everything that the story has built up goes crazy in the climax. I freely admit that the ending is chaotic. Nothing is certain, and the book ends at a sudden, too sudden note. I'm left frantically flipping the pages for the answers once again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Eerie is an unique novel about dreams, monsters, and feelings. Developed on a strange, almost dream-like world, Eerie is for those who enjoy romance with a dash of the forbidden. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-41909547656831126152016-03-16T07:55:00.000-07:002016-03-16T07:55:01.737-07:00The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393267448l/18152063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393267448l/18152063.jpg" width="210" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"In a stunning reimagining of history, debut author Caroline Tung Richmond weaves an incredible story of secrets and honor in a world where Hitler won World War II.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">It's been nearly 80 years since the Allies lost WWII in a crushing defeat against Hitler's genetically engineered super soldiers. America has been carved up by the victors, and 16-year-old Zara lives a life of oppression in the Eastern America Territories. Under the iron rule of the Nazis, the government strives to maintain a master race, controlling everything from jobs to genetics. Despite her mixed heritage and hopeless social standing, Zara dreams of the free America she's only read about in banned books. A revolution is growing, and a rogue rebel group is plotting a deadly coup. Zara might hold the key to taking down the Führer for good, but it also might be the very thing that destroys her. Because what she has to offer the rebels is something she's spent her entire life hiding, under threat of immediate execution by the Nazis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">In this action-packed, heart-stopping novel of a terrifying reality that could have been, Zara must decide just how far she'll go for freedom."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">History has taken an awful twist in The Only Thing To Fear. Hitler and his cronies have taken over the world with the help of Japan. The United States is divided up and destroyed into pieces, and occupation is just nasty for the (former) Americans. Enter Zara, who is very much not part of the new Nazi Empire and our narrator.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, I really love the title. It's a reference to FDR's 1st Inauguration Address in which he stated, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." It's a really touching and powerful quote, and in the context of this story, FDR is executed by the Nazis. Now that's a huge ouch for FDR, but I can't help but muse over the meta-ness of this title and quote and context. It's so worthy of analysis. But moving on...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The world building is intriguing, as always. Alternative history, for me, is a fascinating topic to speculate. There are so many possibilities, and in history, there are a lot of close calls. What if Vasili Arkhipov didn't vote no? (The Cold War would have turned into World War III, and who knows where we will be now?) What if Hitler never left art school and became a paid artist? (Well... We can speculate on that. A lot.) What if, what if, what if? And this book focuses on Hitler discovering the power of super soldiers. It's something out of a Captain America comic book, except for the fact that the Nazis had the superformula first. Because of the shortness of the book, it isn't surprising for the little amount of exposition, but I so want to learn more of this world. The dynamics of the new world are worthy to dig into, and Tung gives it an excellent shot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zara is biracial. She's half and half with foots in different worlds. She will never be the model citizen (and she will never want to be one), but she will also never be normal either. She's a great audience surrogate, who questions the actions and motives of the rebel group against Nazis and fights against Nazis themselves. Her character arc is much more subtle compared to the grand ol' arc with its assassination plots and dictators of world domination and "Viva la revolucion" actions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of the plot, it's so wild and untamed. For a short book, there is a lot of things happening at once. Resistance, Zara's powers, fighting, fighting, and signs of communism (but that's probably plans for the sequel, so let's not focus on that). It's a roller coaster from start to finish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending brings hope for a sequel, and I would love to see a different version of the Cold War and the rebuilding of a nation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Only Thing to Fear is a fast-paced novel with a lot of high stakes. Zara's inner conflicts is truly interesting to read, and she remains dynamic as she struggles to keep up with her changing world. Recommended for those who love alternative history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-78541721289676136882016-03-11T12:59:00.002-08:002016-03-11T12:59:30.364-08:00A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421198469l/22238184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421198469l/22238184.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts..."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A School for Unusual Girls is not exactly what I expected. It's a strange but workable mix of science, espionage, supernatural, and regency. But let's dig in to see what exactly is going on here. As I said before, it's quite a mess when you look at the big picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot starts off slowly with an exposition that says so much yet also says so little. Details are not given out straight away, leaving me greatly frustrated by the lack of information. There are a few words here and there about who Georgiana is working for, but it doesn't specify. I would love for some more details about the dresses, the world at that time (e.g. Napoleon's nefarious plans to take over the world), and the world outside of the unusual school. Instead, Georgiana focuses on the invisible ink, which is interesting but not helpful in developing the big picture conflict. But once the plot begins to move (right around the halfway point), there's a lot of action (but little info).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Georgiana Fitzwilliam is not a normal girl. She doesn't do needlework and prefers to conduct experiments. She can count cards, and she is brighter than her male peers. She is unique, so she's sent away to an unusual school full of girls just like her. Her friendship with the other girls is the best part of the novel, and I enjoy every second of it. There's no backstabbing, and each of these girls are intelligent (and excellent spies). Georgiana herself is likeable and easy to empathize with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance is very focused and developed. Sebastian is, at first, the typical gentleman of the era. And that is to say, he isn't really a gentleman. After all, I don't think gentlemen would act that way and a gentleman doesn't spy and pass information. But their relationship circles around the invention of a powerful invisible ink, and they (somewhat reluctantly) get together. But the wait is agonizing, and the way they dance around each other... Err... But when they do... So worth it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending brings in a lot of potential and material for the author to work with. I would definitely love to see more of the conflict that is mostly implied and mentioned in the passing. I would love to see more the world of A School for Unusual Girls, and I would love to see more development in especially world building. (So much that I'm repeating myself.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, A School for Unusual Girls has great potential and a wonderful foundation for a series. Georgiana is a strong character who has an irresistible attraction to science (say yes to girls in science!). This is for those who are looking for a cute romance, a strong narrator, a world based in the 1810s, and science all wrapped up in one package. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-40965339120839634222016-03-10T16:42:00.002-08:002016-03-10T16:42:30.335-08:00Teen Frankenstein by Chandler Baker Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446743993l/25663529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446743993l/25663529.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"High school meets classic horror in this groundbreaking new series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">It was a dark and stormy night when Tor Frankenstein accidentally hit someone with her car. And killed him. But all is not lost--Tor, being the scientific genius she is, brings him back to life...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Thus begins a twisty, turn-y take on a familiar tale, set in the town of Hollow Pines, Texas, where high school is truly horrifying."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though there are concepts taken from the beloved 1810s novel of a similar title, Teen Frankenstein is a whole different monster. It has a different plot, different set of characters, new set of murders/dead bodies, and a much different setting. But the narrator does bring back a dead body to life and chaos ensues. Plus, there's a monster dancing. And I mean, dancing to what should have been the "Monster Mash" song. Unfortunately, not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tor is a really intriguing narrator/main character, who is also somewhat disturbing (but no less interesting). Obsessed with resurrection and electricity, she is exactly the kind of Dr. Frankenstein the story needs. She is a fascinating character (and specimen, I admit) to analyze. She quickly gets over the fact that she committed (what appears to be) vehicular manslaughter and immediately begins working on a way to resurrect the boy she killed. She is a great parallel to the original Dr. Frankenstein except for the fact that instead of abandoning her monster, she "raises" it. And by raising, I mean by monitoring, experimenting, etc. with little regards to ethics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of parallels, I have to note that this book is a bit tamer than the original novel. There's less violence, and the female characters are stronger than the females of the older novel. Plots turn to different paths, and Frankenstein (the monster) isn't always the worst monster hiding underneath someone's bed. The parallels are truly interesting to look for, and I advise readers to keep track of them (if they have read the original 1810s novel, of course; readers don't have to read Mary Shelley's novel in order to understand this one). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot sends the cast through a high school. The monster goes to high school, and yes, it gets amusing until a murder and disappearances begins to throw everything into doubt. It's fast-paced and full of science and mystery, and the book keeps going at it until everything (and I mean, everything) is revealed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The true villain is perhaps humans. Not the monster who is brought back to life, but humans. Humans who are able to crush another's feelings. Humans who bring destruction to wherever they go. Humans who are selfish... And I can probably ramble on and on, but it's truly an interesting development. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending throws one character into doubt, and I absolutely love it. Unreliableness is practically dessert to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Teen Frankenstein is a fun and modern twist on Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. With a smart and unreliable narrator and a undead, dead monster, the book is best recommended for those who love the old tale and those looking for science fiction without any romances. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-89920528123985313352016-03-06T23:49:00.003-08:002016-03-06T23:49:35.220-08:00This Is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448095815l/26115740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448095815l/26115740.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Addie Emerson doesn’t believe in love. Not for herself anyway. With one year left of high school, she’s more interested in snagging a full scholarship to Harvard than a full-time boyfriend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">That doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to the ways of the heart. Or, rather, the head. Because after months of research, Addie has discovered how to make anyone fall in love. All you need is the secret formula.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But will her discovery be enough to win the coveted Athenian Award and all its perks? (See above, full scholarship to Harvard.) Or will she be undone by Dexter, her backstabbing lab partner, who is determined to deep-six her experiments at their exclusive private school?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Those are the least of her problems now that she’s survived a death-defying flight with a mysterious, dark-haired boy, who has delicious chocolate-brown eyes and a few secrets of his own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">With an experiment to mastermind, an infatuated exchange student on her hands, and at least one great white shark (more on that later), can Addie’s prefrontal cortex outwit her heart? Or will she have to give in to her amygdala and find out, once and for all, if this thing called love is more than just her brain on drugs?"</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Contemporary, This Is My Brain On Boys has caught my attention from the very beginning of the story. It is told from the narrator, Addie Emerson, who is on a plane with a boy. (And yes, I think it's an adorable meet cute that will make rom-com writers and directors proud.) (And for your information, I'm never ever, ever going to get tired of meet cutes. They are too adorable and swoonworthy to give up.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's start with the narrator. Addie Emerson is so similar to Temperance Bones, the title character of the tv show running on Fox. She has a lot of logic and intelligence gained from books and papers, but she lacks emotional intelligence gained from socializing and relationships. But despite all of her setbacks, she is endearing in her social faux pas and she is totally oblivious to anything pertaining to emotions (and more importantly, love). I enjoy reading her voice, but it's hard to empathize with her. (Then again, there are very few people who can empathize with those who understand the complexities of neurology.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The irony... Oh, my gosh. The irony in this book gives me life. I won't read and tell spoilers, but I have to acknowledge the greatest irony in the book. I must give my kudos to the author, and I must point out the absolute and hilarious ignorance of one Addie Emerson and the very experiment she is conducting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot moves steadily along, taking me for a ride. There is some weirdness, a couple of nerds, a shark, a crazy experiment involving gerbils and humans, a backstabbing partner (whose double-sided nature is revealed much later in the novel than I predicted), and a cute guy. But I take it all in, and I keep flipping the pages and finish this book much, much sooner than I should have. (A misfortune, because I would love to read this story much longer and stick around in this fictional world.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is absolutely perfect. Though it's not exactly realistic (but I'll ignore it), it's perfect for this book. It's the kind of closure a reader needs after a "Will they, won't they?" romance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, This Is My Brain On Boys is the kind of story that a science girl could appreciate. It's not without irony, great levels of cuteness rivaling kittens, and a subtle humor. This is it for those who love a romance that isn't so easy but is worth it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Four out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-63601482149920466252016-03-03T23:57:00.002-08:002016-03-03T23:57:56.382-08:00The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) by Amy Spalding Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450302509l/26030737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450302509l/26030737.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"A ridiculously cute, formerly-famous new guy dropping into your life? It's practically every girl's dream. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">But not Jules McCallister-Morgan's. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I realize that on paper I look like your standard type-A, neurotic, overachiever. And maybe I am. But I didn't get to be the editor of my school's long-revered newspaper by just showing up*. I have one main goal for my senior year-early acceptance into my first choice Ivy League college-and I will not be deterred by best friends, moms who think I could stand to "live a little," or boys. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">At least, that was the plan before I knew about Alex Powell**.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">And before Alex Powell betrayed me***.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I know what you're thinking: Calm down, Jules. But you don't understand. This stuff matters. This is my life. And I'm not going down without a fight. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">----</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">* Okay, I sort of did. But it's a sore subject.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">** I mean, I guess everyone knows about Alex Powell? Two years ago, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing about viral video boy band sensation Chaos 4 All. Two years ago, Alex Powell was famous.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">***Some people think I'm overreacting. But this. Means. War."</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YABC. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Contemporary Romance, The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) will be shortened to "The New Guy" for this very review. Let's admit it. The title is a bit long, but it is amusing. Now let's dig into the book. (Enough talk about the title.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The conflict is absolutely delicious and invigorating to read. On top of the he-is-my-enemy/romance plot Jules has with Alex Powell, she also has a fight against the television news station that is seemingly taking over her school. As the editor of her school journal, she is facing off against an ex-journalist and contender for the spot as school's main information source. It's not all fun and games when the little rivalry turns into nasty (but non-fatal) pranks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jules is a really fun narrator. Her perspective is wonderful to read from, and she does care a lot more about journalism and her school's newspaper than anyone else (which totally reminds me of myself; I was like that). She's a very determined girl, who is so concerned with being the best (or at least, good enough to be accepted by universities with her stellar list of extracurricular activities). She's a great character, who totally makes her own actions with its own consequences, and her growth is important to the story. (And personally, I love her character arc.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance isn't as developed as the character arc. Of course, it does have its great moments, but I would love for some more dog walking. Passive-agressive dog walking. With Jules sending little comments about Alex going into her school's television news program. But still, they have a swoony chemistry underneath that passionate rivalry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot dashes quickly through the first meeting, Jules' first meeting with Alex Powell, the rivalry of television versus newspaper, and dog walking. The book goes by quickly for me, but it's enjoyable nevertheless. I could hardly notice time passing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending is adorable. It's practically the equivalent of puppy eyes and rainbows. It will have most people's hearts swooning because of its rom-com-like ending. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The New Guy is a subpar romance with humor yet also enough seriousness to make it work. I recommend this to those who love rom-coms and to those who enjoy romantic gestures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-86086591910987991592016-03-03T22:11:00.002-08:002016-03-03T22:11:47.668-08:00The Jewel by Amy Ewing Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392220609l/16068780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392220609l/16068780.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been passing by this book in the library every time I go there. It sits on the shelf, and I have thought about reading this book for the last year or so, but I'm fully aware that there's a sequel, so I waited. And waited. Until now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I regret yet also don't regret waiting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Jewel starts off its world building slowly. It weaves its explanations with its plot, and it doesn't feel like a rough roller coaster. It does have its ups and downs. The up is that the reader knows what's going on through the inner thoughts of Violet (or the dialogue of another character). The down is that the reader isn't fully aware of the world and that when a new detail is discovered (or announced), there's a huge question mark. But thankfully, those times come very rarely and the author is quick to smooth out any wrinkles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Violet is a young woman who is stuck in her horrible situation. She doesn't have anywhere to go, and she is almost a slave to the rich and wealthy. But that's not the entire truth. (In fact, she's more of a prized breeding cow than an actual slave.) She is thrown into a whole new world of politics and backstabbing, and one wrong move can have her poisoned to death. It's a brutal setting, but Violet is reckless enough to shake apart the establishment and draw too much attention to herself. It's not the smartest thing, but Lady Luck smiles down on her. And Violet begins to understand, her edges becoming much sharper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The setting has a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see more of it. It's a really interesting world the book has here, and I want to know more about the economy, the system, the wealthy, the poor, and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance has high stakes in its forbidden nature. Violet is a surrogate for a future duchess. And her gentleman friend is pretty much a male version of a lady-in-waiting with even less limitations in what he can't do for his mistress, who is not Violet. (Anything is on the list... Seriously. Anything.) Still, it's cute to see it unfold, but I'm not totally invested in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending (and the twisty plot) is perhaps what totally sold me. It's an epic twist, and I admit that I did not see that coming. Epic... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, The Jewel is a wonderful start to a new trilogy. It dives into a daring story of privilege, politics, and danger. I honestly curse myself for not reading it sooner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-70719880849327645932016-02-29T22:38:00.004-08:002016-02-29T22:38:46.227-08:00Kissing in America by Margo Rabb Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413576304l/18478083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413576304l/18478083.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"In the two years since her father died, sixteen-year-old Eva has found comfort in reading romance novels—118 of them, to be exact—to dull the pain of her loss that’s still so present. Her romantic fantasies become a reality when she meets Will, who seems to truly understand Eva’s grief. Unfortunately, after Eva falls head-over-heels for him, he picks up and moves to California without any warning. Not wanting to lose the only person who has been able to pull her out of sadness—and, perhaps, her shot at real love—Eva and her best friend, Annie, concoct a plan to travel to the west coast to see Will again. As they road trip across America, Eva and Annie confront the complex truth about love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">In this honest and emotional journey that National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr calls “gorgeous, funny, and joyous,” readers will experience the highs of infatuation and the lows of heartache as Eva contends with love in all of its forms."</span></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YA Contemporary, Kissing in America explores Eva's adventure/road trip into a lot of things. It has all the makings of a pretty romance novel. Will meets Eva. Boy meets girl. Will disappears and leaves for the opposite coast without a distinctive goodbye, and Eva begins to make her plans to chase him across the map. She cleverly manages to get her best friend into this scheme to get Will back, and in the meantime, she writes letters and letters to Will. But will she get him? That's where it gets interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The story starts off with a stuffed exposition and a heavy explanation of Eva's love for romance novels. We dive into Eva's relationship with her mother, who is a feminist and teaches women's studies. We learn about Eva and what happened to her father, who died in an airplane crash and whose body is lost beneath the waves of the ocean. And then disaster really strikes when Eva meets Will, and the plot truly kicks off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eva has her head in romance novels. And they aren't particularly any good. In fact, they are very embarrassingly horrible (and none of us would be caught dead reading one). But still, I can understand Eva very well and I sympathize for her. She's a dynamic character, who changes and changes to the very end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance is such a fresh breath of air with realistic qualities. It's unique, and it's different than the other romances in contemporary novels I see most of the time. Though the romance seems to be the first and foremost part of the book (remember: chasing the loved one across America), it's really about Eva herself and the message. It's about friendship. It's about family. It's about mother and daughter relationship. Not about romantic love, though the book does dive a little bit into it and dabbles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending satisfies the entire plot and wraps everything up very neatly. It's nice, and it's simple. And it doesn't bother with the loose ends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Kissing in America is the story that tells a much different tale than the one someone might see on the cover. This is definitely for those who are looking for a unique tale that doesn't stake everything on romance and first love. This is for those who are looking for something that talks about grief, first love, and most importantly of all, family and friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868705668548710456.post-16449245479879377212016-02-25T20:34:00.004-08:002016-02-25T20:34:54.834-08:00Powerless by Tera Lynn Childs, Tracy Deebs Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422642026l/23314948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422642026l/23314948.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="freeText17269999245842725099" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Kenna is tired of being "normal". The only thing special about her is that she isn't special at all. Which is frustrating in a world of absolutes. Villains, like the one who killed her father, are bad. Heroes, like her mother and best friend, are good. And Kenna, unlike everyone else around her, is completely ordinary— which she hates.<br /><br />She’s secretly working on an experiment that will land her a place among the Heroes, but when a Villain saves her life during a break-in at her lab, Kenna discovers there’s a whole lot of gray area when it comes to good and evil and who she can trust.. After all…not all strength comes from superpowers."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NetGalley. Thanks for a copy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heroes and villains. Villains and heroes. I admit that I haven't read a lot of superhero comics or books, and reading this is a breath of fresh air from the constant stream of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural books that comes out every single week or so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kenna is "normal." The synopsis absolutely lies. Though she doesn't have a power that is outstanding in any way, she does have the ability of being immune to other superhero's powers. For example, if a superhero or a villain throws a fireball at her head, she's not hurt. But that power comes from a serum. Still, she is special in a sort-of Bane (from Batman) kind of way. But in characterization, Kenna has a strong set of morals with little life experience. And that is where the plot/story comes in. Once she meets a bunch of people and go on the greatest adventure of her life, she forms her own conclusions and opinions. She becomes her own person. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The romance between Kenna and a villain isn't that major as the synopsis makes it sound. It's sweet and adorable, but it is also intense and moody. It's difficult for Kenna to overcome the villain prejudice that plagues her throughout the book, and it is also difficult for the villain to overcome his suspicions of her. It leads to a bunch of drama (as always), and when they make up in the end, it is such a relief. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The conflict is truly, truly engaging to read. I love a good mystery, and Kenna's investigation into what is the truth is really fascinating. She begins digging and digging, and things do indeed go bad. The story is action-packed with metahumans, devious people, and awesome teenagers who just so happen to might break wide open a huge conspiracy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The ending leaves great potential for the sequel. I can't wait to read more of Kenna's story, and I would love for the mystery to be uncovered. The truth must come out, and I have a good feeling about this series...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, Powerless is a fast-paced superhero novel with a mystery, a romance, and a blurred line between the perspection of good and evil. I recommend this to anyone who loves superheroes and enjoys a complex world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rating: Three out of Five</span></div>
Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11874947273358998654noreply@blogger.com0