Recent Reads: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge (The Pledge #1), Kimberly Derting

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Age Group/Genre: Young Adult, Dystopic Fantasy

Publication: 11/15/2011, Margaret K. McElderry

# of Pages: 323

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Source: Books Owned - Hardcover

Synopsis from Goodreads:  In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

My Review:  My first Kimberly Derting book and she goes straight to my list of favorite authors. That should speak volumes. I've never read Kimberly Derting's Body Finder series and now I wish I had. She is a remarkable writer, and in The Pledge, she gives us a fantasy world complete with an evil queen, a stringent class system, and a brewing rebellion. Not to mention an incredibly dreamy love interest for the main character.

Seriously, I'm in love with Max. He doesn't beat Perry from Under the Never Sky, but he's right up there with him. He's uber HOT, with his dark hair and his dark eyes. And the way he leans in when he talks to Charlie. The little touches, the almost kisses. I was seriously dying the entire time I was reading this book. The romantic tension alone would have been enough for me to love this book.

I am a huge fan of the build-up. I love all the little things that finally lead to the first kiss. If the characters are making out ten pages in, it's just not going to work for me. Fortunately, The Pledge played with my emotions and made me wait for that moment.

Note: I'm always going to lean toward the more romantic of the dystopias, because if I can't get behind the love story, if I don't want to see two people survive their awful world and live happily ever after, then there's really no point for me.

Moving right along, Charlie is strong, resilient, and feisty. Exactly my kind of heroine. From the very beginning, you get the sense that she is unhappy with the way of the world, with the fact that she has to hide her gift for fear of execution. She's loyal to her friends and family. She also loves her little sister Angelina and would do anything to protect her. It's something to which almost everyone can relate. We all have those people in our lives for whom we would easily sacrifice everything.

I love pretty much everything about this book. The setting and the characters are all incredible. And I love words. I love the power words have. With the right words, the right tone, you can make another human being feel something: pain, happiness, sympathy. It's why I write. With The Pledge, Kimberly Derting has given us a powerful, suspensful novel that explores the power of language. It's wholly engrossing, mysterious, and romantic. Still, I kind of wish I'd waited until closer to the release date of part 2 as I now have to wait until January 2013 for the sequel. Oh well, I have no doubt the wait will be worth it since The Pledge was fantastic.

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Recent Reads: Fair Coin by E.C. Myers

Fair Coin (Coin #1), E.C. Myers

 5 of 5 Stars

Age Group / Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Expected Publication: 3/27/2012, Pyr

# of Pages: 250 (Hardcover)

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Source:  I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review. This has in no way affected my review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Sixteen-year-old Ephraim Scott is horrified when he comes home from school and finds his mother unconscious at the kitchen table, clutching a bottle of pills. The reason for her suicide attempt is even more disturbing: she thought she’d identified Ephraim’s body at the hospital that day.

Among his dead double’s belongings, Ephraim finds a strange coin—a coin that grants wishes when he flips it. With a flick of his thumb, he can turn his alcoholic mother into a model parent and catch the eye of the girl he’s liked since second grade. But the coin doesn’t always change things for the better. And a bad flip can destroy other people’s lives as easily as it rebuilds his own.

The coin could give Ephraim everything he’s ever wanted—if he learns to control its power before his luck runs out.

My Review:  If you follow my blog there are two things you should know by now:

·         I love a story told from a male point of view

·         I'm hopelessly addicted to all things Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Put these two things together in a Young Adult novel and you get Fair Coin, a story about a teenage boy who finds a magic coin capable of granting his every wish. And, come on, who wouldn't want that?

When Ephraim makes his first wish—that his mother wasn't in the hospital from her suicide attempt—he gets more than he bargained for, returning home to find his mother not only healthy but darn-near perfect. Like a dream come true. Of course not all his wishes go as expected and as it turns out, they each have unintended consequences.

Fair Coin is one of those stories that begs to be read. You think you can stop after a few pages or chapters, but thoughts of it will always be there, tugging at your mind even as you try to sleep. There's a constant air of mystery. I spent a lot of time when I wasn't reading wondering what would happen the next time Ephraim made a wish, where the coin came from, and why it had this inexplicable power to transform his life.

I loved Ephraim, Nathan, and their relationship with one another, at least in the beginning. They're geeky, but in an adorable geeky sort of way. And they're hilarious. For me, there's something genuine and honest about a male/male friendship that I always seem to find lacking in a female/female friendship. Teenage girls can be catty, but teenage boys are usually just fun.

Jena, Ephraim's long-standing crush, is awesome. She's snarky, responsible, and intelligent. She's not the kind of girl who gets all googly-eyed over a boy and forgets she has a brain. Even Ephraim's mother is a very real and relatable character. And when each of Ephraim's wishes alters their personalities or their circumstances, I still had this sense that they were very much the same people, that they still possessed some ingrained characteristic that the new environment could not change.

Fair Coin is a stellar debut. It's witty, adventurous, and thought provoking. It takes the age-old tale of wishes gone wrong and turns it into something new and extraordinary. Bravo to E.C. Myers for not only making complex theories exciting and accessible to a young adult audience, but for refusing to dumb down the science aspect of science fiction. The characters aren't know-it-all brainiacs—they're regular teenagers—but they're intelligent enough to grasp and explain what's going on. And they're funny and interesting enough to keep the reader tearing through the pages.

Highly recommended. This one made it straight to my favorites shelf. The sequel, currently entitled Quantum Coin, should be released sometime in 2013.

Recent Reads: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Incarnate (Newwoul #1), Jodie Meadows

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Age Group / Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Published: 1/31/2012, Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)

# of Pages: 384 (Hardcover)

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Source:  I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review. This has in no way affected my review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

My Review:  I think I benefitted from not having any expectations about this book going in. Yes, I had seen the INCREDIBLE cover and I knew the story involved reincarnation and the introduction of a new soul, but that was about it. I'd avoided reviews and all the hype surrounding its release. There was nothing for it to live up to, so I guess I was simply able to enjoy it.

I will admit that I found it to be a little slow and the writing style a little jerky in the beginning. And while I didn't click instantly with Ana, the story was very romantic and Sam was incredibly dreamy, so I was easily drawn in by the developing love story. I was also unable to tear myself away from the mystery that is Ana. Where did she come from? Will she be reborn? Why was she born in Ciana's place? And what the heck is up with that temple? Why do the dragons attack? Where do the Sylph come from? I felt like I was reading the Lost of books. I had to keep turning pages because there were so many questions and theories swirling around in my head.

Incarnate is unique and deeply intriguing, filled with tons of mystery and romance. And for such a slow-paced, almost laid-back book, I found my pulse accelerating an awful lot. There were just these moments that captured my attention (usually when Sam was on the page) and made me want more. More what? I don't know. I just felt like there should have been more. I don't know, I guess I'll have to wait until the end of the series to be fully satisfied.

The ending felt a bit rushed and a lot is thrown at the reader all at once. It does take some effort to wade through and process, but overall Incarnate is a great read and I highly recommend it to lovers of YA fantasy and romance. The sequel is definitely on my must read list!

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Recent Reads: Drowning Instinct

Drowning Instinct, Ilsa J. Bick

 5 of 5 Stars

Age Group / Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Published: 2/1/2012, Carolrhoda Lab (Lerner Publishing)

# of Pages: 352 (Hardcover)

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Source:  I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review. This has in no way affected my review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)

Jenna Lord's first sixteen years were not exactly a fairytale. Her father is a controlling psycho and her mother is a drunk. She used to count on her older brother—until he shipped off to Afghanistan. And then, of course, there was the time she almost died in a fire.

There are stories where the monster gets the girl, and we all shed tears for his innocent victim. (This is not one of those stories either.)

Mitch Anderson is many things: A dedicated teacher and coach. A caring husband. A man with a certain...magnetism.

And there are stories where it's hard to be sure who's a prince and who's a monster, who is a victim and who should live happily ever after. (These are the most interesting stories of all.)

Drowning Instinct is a novel of pain, deception, desperation, and love against the odds—and the rules.

My Review:  Everybody breaks sooner or later, Bob. Anyone can drown. Sometimes you see it. Most often, you don't because the body protects and the skin hides, so drowning doesn't look like drowning and some people scar so nicely. Take it from an expert.

This is just one of the many insightful passages featured in Drowning Instinct, but it is one that will stick with me forever, as will Jenna's story. I can't get it out of my head.

When we first meet Jenna, she is in the hospital, frozen and wet, having been pulled from the lake. She is questioned by a detective who provides her with a tape recorder and instructs her to tell her story. It is through her recordings that we learn the truth of what happened and how those events led to her near drowning.

When it comes to books, I'm a pretty good judge of what I will and will not like. So, when I requested a copy of Drowning Instinct for review I was fairly certain that I would enjoy the book. I expected it to challenge me, to test the gray areas of my morals. I'd never considered the possibility that I would find a love story as hopeful and as tragic as it was wrong.

Drowning Instinct is an exceptional novel. So perfectly formed. And so filled with pain and heartbreak and love, that I was left breathlessly sobbing and shaking at the end. This novel tore me to shreds and broke my heart. It skewed my perspective to the point that I was hoping for something that I shouldn't have been. Or should I have? I don't know any more. I don't even know what else to say except that I absolutely LOVED it.

I could go on and tell you how much this book has affected me, right down to my bones, but honestly, this is something the reader needs to experience for themselves, in precisely the way Jenna has laid it out for them to understand.

I will tell you that this is a tough book. It's not pretty or optimistic. It's dark and real. But it's also intelligent, intense, and provocative. It will break your heart and no doubt leave you questioning much of what you believe about right and wrong.


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Recent Reads: Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Going Too Far, Jennifer Echols

 4 of 5 Stars

Age Group / Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Publication: 3/17/2009, MTV Books

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Why I Chose It: I received a signed copy from the author with no obligation to read and/or review. This has in no way affected my review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

My Review:  I'm feeling pretty foolish as I type this. The entire time I was reading Going Too Far one thought kept repeating in my head: how have I never read a Jennifer Echols novel before? That and 'damn, I wish I could make out with Officer After'.  The cover of the book doesn't help. Look at his mouth. Totally kissable. Oh, there I go, thinking about it AGAIN.

Moving on, Meg is troubled. She drinks, she engages in casual sex, she decides to engage in said casual sex on a bridge where two kids were hit & killed by an oncoming train. John (Officer After) is the by-the-book police officer that arrests her. Match made in heaven, no?

In her mind, Meg thinks she's living, experiencing all life has to offer by being reckless. And in John's mind he's making the world a safer place by enforcing the rules. In a way, they are, but in a way, they're each going too far. Neither one is really living. They're merely ghosts of the people they would have been but for a tragedy they each suffered in their past. And when their lives converge they find an attraction they can't deny. So they bicker, push, and love in a way that brings out the worst and ultimately the best in each other.

This is one of those books that was a quick read for me, meaning I was unable to put it down until I finished. This may have been because I developed an undying affection for Officer After. More likely it's because I developed an undying affection for Jennifer Echols writing style.

She's like my author soulmate, writing in a way that is perfectly suited to my tastes. I tore through the pages and when I closed the back cover, I had a huge smile on my face. There's really nothing negative to say about it at all. I mean it may have been a tad predictable but that's only a problem for me when the characters lack depth and honestly that's not an issue here. Meg and John are fully formed, compelling characters. Their story is one full of tension, and heartbreak, and romance. If you're like me and you haven't read Going Too Far yet, pick it up. You'll fall in love with these characters.

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Recent Reads: Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin

Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1), Kylie Griffin

 4 of 5 Stars

Age Group/Genre: Adult, Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: 02/07/2012

Pages: 336

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Why I Chose It: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born...

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na'Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father's people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she's gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy...

With the Na'Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na'Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons-and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father's dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council-and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war...

My Review:  Annika is Na'Chi, a half-demon/half-human, and the daughter of the king of the demon world. She has been horribly abused and raised to believe that she is worthless. When Kalen, a Light Blade warrior, is captured and injured by her father's warriors she sees her only opportunity to escape. So, after healing Kalen, she offers to free him in exchange for his promise to lead her to the human world.

Most of the book takes place during their journey to the human world and it is here that Annika and Kalen learn to trust one another and begin to fall in love. I clicked with Annika immediately. Her plight touched my heart and I wanted desperately for her to escape her father and make it to the human world AND for Kalen to fall deeply in love with her. I loved Kalen instantly as well. He is my favorite type of hero: strong, noble, kind, funny. And their relationship developed slowly enough for me to enjoy the transition from tentative trust to love.

If I had a complaint at all, it would be regarding the point of view transition. The story is told from three different perspectives: Annika, Kalen, and another Na'Chi named Varian. Varian's narrative was usually condensed into his own chapter or section but the POV changes between Annika and Kalen would take place mid-scene. It was a little hard to get used to at first, but once I realized the pattern it was easier to follow along. This is of course just my personal preference.

Other than that, I really liked Vengeance Born. Kylie Griffin has created compelling characters and put them in a world that is protected by ultra-powerful Light Blade warriors and is on the brink of war with blood-sucking demons. It's a truly unique blend of paranormal romance and pure fantasy with enough elements of each to delight fans of either genre. I'm definitely hooked and can't wait for the next installment, Alliance Forged, which is due out in July.

Recommended to fans of fantasy and paranormal romance.

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Recent Reads - Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Pieces of Us, Margie Gelbwasser

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 336

Publication:  3/8/2012, Flux

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Why I Chose It:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Two families. Four teens. A summer full of secrets.

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

My Review:  So, um, wow, this one still has me reeling. I haven't read Margie Gelbwasser's debut novel, Inconvenient--I'll have to do that as soon as I can get my hands on a copy--but let me just tell you that she is a phenomenal writer. Amazing. A gift to the Young Adult literary world.

First, I have to tell you that I love books that take place in my geographic area and this one has scenes in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, NJ. Second, I will admit that I wasn't supposed to read this book so early, but I have this habit of reading the first few sentences of every book I receive. Kind of to get a feel for if I'm going to like it or not. With this book, all it took was a few words and I was hooked. I was incapable of putting it down.

It's hard to say that I loved any of the characters because they're all so broken and warped that they're not really loveable--make no mistake, these are some majorly flawed and damaged people we're dealing with--but they're definitely sympathetic. I felt for each of them in a different way. Katie I adored because she was so perfect and happy and it is all ripped apart by a single moment of indiscretion. She was naive but still hopeful. Alex is damaged and abusive. Julia is bitter and selfish. And Kyle may have it worst of all but is the most redemptive character of the four. He's inherently good in a way that the others are not.

To say it was an intense read would be a gross understatement. It was arduous, incredible, emotional. Reading it, I felt as if I was being thrown against a wall and shattered into a million little pieces. The tension will push the reader to a breaking point. I spent the whole time with my stomach in knots, feeling the pain of the four main characters in this book, worrying and praying that everything would work out. That they would survive. By the end, I was so emotionally invested that I felt hollow when I was no longer a part of their story.

Honestly, I loved every second of it, yet it is so completely distressing that I won't recommend it for those who can't handle being torn apart by a book. Or for those who are opposed to swearing or sex in YA because there is plenty of it.

I have no idea why I'm drawn to dark stories with bleak themes, but I am and Pieces of Us gave me exactly what I wanted. So if you're like me, I suggest you get your hands on a copy as soon as it's released.

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Recent Reads - Various Positions by Martha Schabas

Various Positions, Martha Schabas

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 272

Publication: 2/14/2012, Farrar, Straus & Giroux

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Why I Chose It:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Trapped between the hormone-driven world of her friends and the discontent of her dysfunctional family, fourteen-year-old Georgia is only completely at ease when she's dancing. When she is accepted into Canada's preeminent ballet school, Georgia thinks it is the perfect escape. Artistic Director Roderick Allen singles her out as a star, subjecting her to increasingly intensive training, and Georgia obsesses about becoming the perfect, disciplined student.

But as she spends more and more time with Roderick, it's not so clear exactly what their relationship means. Is he her teacher and mentor, or is there something more? These blurred lines will threaten both Roderick's future at the academy and Georgia's ambitions as a ballerina.

My Review:  Various Positions is a gorgeous debut from an exceptional new talent and is written with an authenticity that only a dancer could achieve. It is a deep and powerful story, deftly choreographed. Each word is meaningful, each step purposeful. I could feel the cold Toronto air, see the gray and fading landscape, taste every kiss, experience every embarrassment and stab of guilt. You'll have no choice but to tear through the pages.

Martha Schabas is a wonderful writer and she weaves a tale filled with so much tension, it was at times almost unbearable. Her characterization is flawless. With Various Positions, she has created individuals as real as any living, breathing person I've ever met. I couldn't help but care deeply for each one of them. Especially Georgia. Poor Georgia whose life has revolved so fully around ballet and navigating her dysfunctional family that she's nowhere near as mature as the other kids her age.

And with no one to turn to except a sister who is away at college, a depressed and self-involved mother, and an emotionally unavailable father, it's no wonder the instant she receives positive attention she's confused. Add to this mixed messages she receives from her sex-obsessed classmates and her own mother and she begins to fantasize that the attention means more than it does. She begins to obsess about Roderick. To over-analyze every action. To see in them more than there is.

I will warn you that there is a fair amount of language and sexual innuendo, but it is a fundamental element of the plot, woven throughout the fabric of the story, holding it together. There is nothing gratuitous or disturbing about it. It merely exists, as essential to Georgia's story as her love of ballet. I mention it only as a caution to those who shy away from this type of subject matter.

In the end my love affair with Macmillan and its imprints continues. I definitely NEED a finished copy of this for my bookshelf and you should grab one for yours as well. This is a novel not to be missed. One of those stories that will get under your skin (in a good way), evoking so much passion from its readers that I honestly believe you're either going to love it or hate it.

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The Fairy Tale Trap - Review & Giveaway!!!

The Fairy Tale Trap, Emily Casey

 4 of 5 Stars

Age Group/Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling

Publication Date: 12/16/2011

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Why I Chose It: As part of the blog tour, I received a copy from the author in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Ivy has always been afraid of mirrors, but she never knew why. Then one of them sucks her into the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.

All she wants is to find her way home. But when she tries to escape, Ivy breaks the wrong spell. Now Beast is not so gentle-on-the-inside, Beauty is falling for the wrong prince, and Ivy is no closer to figuring out how to get through the enchanted forest that traps her.

With magic mirrors, dancing fairies, a sadistic pixie, and other random fairy tale twists, Ivy doesn’t know what’s safe or who to trust. Can she escape the fairy tale trap?

My Review: Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale--although I'm only familiar with the Disney version--which is why I was excited to get the opportunity to read this book and participate in the blog tour. With The Fairy Tale Trap, Emily Casey takes the classic tale and injects a sarcastic teenager who is trapped in the tale and desperate to get home.

Ivy is a military brat and has just been carted away to a new house for the umpteenth time and is upset that she had to leave her friends and her life, when she's pulled through the mirror she finds herself in an enchanted forest. There she meets a pixie who tells her she must play out the fairy tale in order to return home.

I liked Casey's take on the fairy tale. As I've told you, I'm only familiar with the Disney version, so for me it was something unique and different and enchanting enough to keep me turning the pages. I also love the fact that there is nothing contained within the pages that would stop me from sharing this tale with my 8yo niece.

If I had one complaint it would be that it moves a little fast in the beginning. Ivy is sucked through the mirror and into the fairy tale world before I had chance to get my bearings and connect with the story. It was just a little jarring.

Other than that, this book is just adorable and incredibly funny. Ivy is snarky and hilarious, and had me laughing aloud.

Final Thoughts: Casey has written a magical tale with a loveable heroine that I recommend to fans of Beauty and the Beast and/or fairy tale retellings. They will love going along with Ivy as she's trapped in a castle far away from her family and discovers the true meaning of home.

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Don't forget to stop by the next leg of the tour tomorrow-- http://michael-haynes.blogspot.com/

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About Emily:




If you want to know more about Emily or The Fairy Tale Trap, feel free to stalk her online!!!

Blog: http://emilycasey.com/
Facebook page: http://facebook.com/emilycaseysmusings
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/emilycasey
Twitter: http://twitter.com/EmilyCaseysMuse
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Trap-Thorn-ebook/dp/B006NBC3PU/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115248

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And now it's time for the giveaway. Thanks to Emily I have an ebook to give to 1 lucky reader. You know the drill--fill in the rafflecopter below:

Recent Reads - Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest (Tempest #1), Julie Cross

  4.5 of 5 Stars

Age Group/Genre: Young Adult, SciFi

Pages: 352

Publication: 1/17/2012, St. Martin's Griffin

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Why I Chose It: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:   The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

My Review:  I am completely in love with this series, not only because the first book Tempest was an action-packed thrill ride, but because the potential for this series is mind-blowing. Oh the things Julie Cross could do.

Moving right along--I will tell you that I'm a sucker for a novel written from a male perspective and Jackson Meyer did not disappoint. His voice grabbed me immediately and I loved the fact that he was a little older than the traditional YA male. He's a jerk sometimes, but he's a guy. It only lends to the authenticity of his character. If he was perfect all the time, I probably wouldn't have loved him nearly as much. As you should all know by now, I like my heroes flawed.

I also enjoyed the fact that there are some kick-ass adult roles in this novel, like Jackson's dad, Chief Marshall, and the super powerful "villains" known as the Enemies of Time or EOTs. I put villains in quotation marks because while they are responsible for a lot of the bad things that happen in this novel, it is unclear if they are truly the bad guys. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to be spoilery. If you want to know, read the book. Which I recommend you all do.

I know a lot of people have been saying that it's too hard to follow, there are too many time travel discrepancies, etc. Here's the thing though, I didn't find this to be the case. If it didn't make sense I figured it was either simply the unknown nature of time travel or because I wasn't meant to understand it yet. This is a series. Not a standalone. There are going to be questions left unanswered. I'm okay with that because this novel has an ENDING. OMG, I cannot tell you how refreshing that is. I was left wanting more but not completely at a loss.

I think in the end whether you love or hate this novel (and there will inevitably be many on either side) will come down to whether or not you felt it necessary to over-analyze it. I however, chose simply to enjoy it.

I'm definitely recommending this one to my readers. Tempest is a clever, twisty, fast-paced science fiction debut that is at its heart a love story. No triangles here. No instalove or unrequited feelings. Just a love torn apart by a tragic moment and Jackson's desperate attempt to make things right.

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Tempest is also available as an audiobook from Macmillan Audio and they've been kind enough to offer a free preview:

From Publisher - Tempest webclip - eSnips

Like what you hear? Buy it from Amazon or Macmillan Audio.

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Recent Reads - A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

A Beautiful Dark, by Jocelyn Davies

 3 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 390

Publication: 09/27/2011, HarperTeen

Buy It:


Why I Chose It:  I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review. I also received a hardback copy as a gift for Christmas.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):   On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites; like fire and ice; Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

My Review:  This is another one that was just wasn't for me. It was okay, I just didn't love it. In fact, it took me 168 pages before I even wanted to continue reading it. It is super sloooooow.

I felt no connection to Skye whatsoever. She was a little bland, a little annoying and I didn't care what happened to her one way or the other. I didn't fall for either of the two boys. They were fine, but not swoon-worthy. I'm not about to declare myself Team Asher or Team Devin. Come to think of it, I don't even think I'm Team Skye.

And it's a shame. The premise of this book seemed like something that I would love. All the ingredients for a fantastic YA paranormal romance are in place--a heroine discovering an unknown origin and the powers that go along with it, and a love triangle involving two smoldering guys--but it failed to hold my attention. It lacked that certain something that grabs the reader by the throat and refuses to let go. And it just wasn't an original enough plot to make up for the lackluster writing and subpar pacing.

Would I recommend this book? Sure. Selectively. It has received tons of rave reviews. Some people absolutely LOVE this book. But in the end, all I can say is that a lot of nothing happens then the climax hits you out of nowhere, leaving you with an incredible cliffhanger and too many unanswered questions.

Personally, I felt the awesome ending was too little payoff for the slow start and I don't appreciate the fact that I have to wait for the sequel to get any sort of satisfying conclusion to the most interesting part of an otherwise boring tale. Still, none of this changes the fact that I will be awaiting the sequel. At this point, I have to know what happens next. 

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Recent Reads - Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook

Unraveling Isobel, Eileen Cook

 5 of 5 Stars

Age Group/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary/Paranormal/Mystery

Pages: 304

Publication: 1/3/2012, Simon Pulse

Buy It:


Why I Chose It: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from S&S Galley Grab (publisher) in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  "Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so very hilarious." --Lisa McMann, bestselling author of the Wake trilogy

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

My Review:  Okay, so I've been on a streak with amazing reads this month and Unraveling Isobel is no exception. In fact, it was kind of awesome. Not in a kick butt/take names way, but in a humorous, creepy, wonderfully written kind of way. I finished the entire thing in one sitting because I didn't want to stop reading. Definitely a page-turner.

I also clicked with Isobel from the very first line. Her voice is funny and snarky and I loved it. She had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions. On top of that, she's just very likeable. She's been thrust into an unenviable situation (her mother has remarried to a man she's known for 3 months, she's being moved away from her friends and her life, she doesn't like her stepfather), but she handles it all with an amazing sense of humor--even after she starts seeing ghosts and believes she may have inherited her father's schizophrenia.

In order to convince herself she isn't sick like her father, she begins to investigate and discovers that the home she's living in has a lot of history. There are all sorts of ghost stories and rumors. Enough to make her question whether she is just she seeing things, falling ill, or if she is actually be experiencing the paranormal.

I loved her relationship with her stepbrother Nate, even though I guess they're kind of related, but whatever. It didn't matter. He was hot and sweet and perfect for her. Their relationship was so cute and romantic, I couldn't help but want to see them together.

Final Thoughts: Unraveling Isobel is an incredibly unique story that I have a hard time classifying into a genre. It's mostly contemporary with a ghost story and a little bit of a mystery. There is a fantastic cast of characters, a creepy setting, and a story line that will keep you guessing. And there are so many dark and amazing scenes in this book. I don't want to elaborate because I think the reader needs to experience it themselves the way that I did, but trust me you are going to love it.

Highly enjoyable and highly recommended.

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Recent Reads - Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1), Veronica Rossi

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, SciFi/Fantasy Dystopian

Pages: 400

Publication: 1/3/2012, HarperCollins

Buy It:


Why I Chose It: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

My Review:   I finished this one in the early morning around 2 am and I awoke hours later feeling very depressed that it was over. I felt like I'd lost a friend. I wasn't prepared for it to end--although it has a much more satisfying ending then some other series I've read recently. That being said, I will admit that it took me a while to get into the story. I found myself stopping and starting a few times, unsure of whether I liked it or not, but once it got going, I was completely enthralled.

Under the Never Sky has so much going for it. The dystopian world Veronica Rossi has created is all kinds of spectacular. You have a government within Reverie trying to cover up the loss of one of its pods and an attack on Aria, so they send her from her cozy little world into the real. Into the Death Shop.

Outside, you have a world scorched and dying from what they call Aether storms. You have tribes who use knives and arrows, and fight for land and barter for food. Not to mention cannibals and people with mutant-like powers they call Senses. This, as the name implies, is the heightened ability of one of the human senses. SO. COOL.

On top of that, you have a quietly strong heroine who is more amazed than anyone by how well she fares in the real world. And Perry. Oh Perry. How I love you. It was weird at first because his full name is Peregrine and I kept thinking about Pippin from Lord of the Rings (which I don't think is a bad thing because I have an uber crush on Billy Boyd who played him in the movie). You can't read or write. But you can hunt and you can kill and you're loyal, and brave, and noble, and oh so many wonderful things. For me, Perry is the best type of hero. Strong and kind, even if a little damaged.

This is not insta-love people. This is the real deal. Starting from a mutual disgust and hatred and building over time into something intense and beautiful.

By far one of the best post-apocalyptic/dystopian reads for me. This one is full of action and romance. I absolutely adore this story and the love between Perry and Aria. I can hardly wait for the next installment. Recommended to everyone.


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Recent Reads - Seranfyll

 

Seranfyll, by Christina Daley

  3.5 of 5 Stars

Genre:   Middle Grade, Fantasy

Pages: 338

Publication:   7/23/2011, Author

Buy It:


Why I Chose It:  I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.

Synopsis (from Good Reads):   For the first time in her life, Rain has a choice to make.

The thirteen-year-old slave girl lives in the country of Yoan, where slaves aren't allowed proper names, let alone anything else. After being sold by a gambler and bought by a thief, she's freed by an eccentric young noble, about whom many rumors abound. Some say his manor is haunted, his horse can fly, and that he's actually a devil.

Now that she's free, Rain must decide what she will do with that new freedom. Her choices will lead her to new friends and many adventures, none of which she could have possibly expected.

Fans of Harry Potter and Howl's Moving Castle will enjoy this magical tale about choices, consequences, and what it really means to be free.

My Review:  I really enjoyed this one, but I have to say that it took me completely by surprise. I wasn't expecting to like it. This isn't because of the book itself, it's simply that I was in a foul mood when I sat down to read it, and, as any reader knows, your mood can greatly influence your reading experience. However by the time I was finished with this story not only was I immensely satisfied, I'd completely forgotten what I was upset about to begin with. Isn't it amazing what a good book can do?

I completely fell in love with the characters from this book. They're engaging and charming, from Rain to Coal to Domrey. Daley certainly does a remarkable job of making you care for her characters. The story itself starts a little slow with Rain being sold and taken from the home she knew and loved, but it picks up once she arrives at Domrey's manor.

The language and subject matter are perfectly suited to a middle grade audience. And while the book is a little on the longish side, it doesn't feel that way when you're reading it, and it's filled with enough magic and action to keep even the younger readers interested.

I really don't have anything negative to say about the book. It was a fun, enchanting debut from a talented writer. One that I would recommend to readers looking for a great MG fantasy novel. I personally can't wait to see what Daley has in store for her fans next.

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Recent Reads - Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1), Marissa Meyer

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, SciFi/Fantasy

Pages: 387

Publication: 1/3/2012, Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)

Buy It:


Why I Chose It: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

My Review:  One word: AMAZING. It's billed as a fairy tale retelling and while I caught the references to Cinderella, Cinder is so much more than that. This one has it all--an engaging and relatable heroine, a unique plot, a prince, an evil queen, magic-like powers, cyborgs (YES, cyborgs), a futuristic setting, and a deadly plague threatening to decimate the population of Earth. Yeah, it doesn't get much better than Cinder.

Add to all this the smooth, easy writing style of Marissa Meyer and you have one of the best debuts of 2012. I'm already counting down the days until the release of part 2 in 2013. Feiwel & Friends seems to be just hitting it out of the park with their releases for the coming year.

Cinder is totally likeable. Her guardian (evil-stepmother) Adri treats her as a servant and as a burden. She has no friends save for her stepsister Peony--who contracts the plague--and a "defective" android. But she's feisty, smart, and confident even though she is trapped in a hopeless situation. I couldn't help but love her.

Kai wasn't ultra swoon-worthy, but he had his moments and I certainly found myself sympathizing with his plight--losing his parents to the plague, the burden of becoming emperor at such a young age, dealing with the demands and the threat of war from the evil Queen Levana.

Speaking of Queen Levana, I have to tell you that she is one of the creepiest villains. She's unfeeling, calculating, manipulative--all while projecting an image of perfect beauty and wearing a painted-on smile. I LOVE her.

The setting is a futuristic society in China, still reeling from the effects of World War 4 and currently suffering from a plague that kills everyone it touches. I liked the fact that while there was a mixed populace, hovercrafts, and androids, there was still a sense of Old World tradition and prejudices that made it familiar and real.

In the end, I was left wanting more. I will warn you that there is a cliffhanger ending. This story won't be resolved in one book, so don't be surprised when it happens. That being said, this is an incredible book that is not yo be missed. Covet, borrow, acquire. Do what you have to do, just get your hands on this book. You won't be disappointed.

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Cinder is also available as an audiobook from Macmillan Audio and they've been kind enough to offer a free preview:

From Publisher - Cinder webclip - eSnips

Like what you hear? Buy It From Amazon or Macmillan Audio

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Recent Reads - Hushed by Kelley York

Hushed, by Kelley York

  5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, Dark Thriller

Pages: 260

Publication: 12/06/2011, Entangled Publishing

Why I Chose It:  I received an ARC as part of the Hushed blog tour.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

My Review:  Everyone lets you down, it's a fact of life, Marissa told him once. The key is to know when they're doing it because they don't care enough to try not to.

I love this line from Kelley York's debut novel, Hushed. The truth within it is undeniable. Add to it this passage--

He remembered back to several weeks ago, when Vivian stood silhouetted by the light against the windows of her apartment...

This was different. Evan was different. The light didn't wrap around him like it did with Vivian. He dominated the place it wanted to occupy, and it crowded against the outline of him, envious of his brightness.

Archer's skin prickled. His body ached to move closer. He was no better than the moonlight, wanting so desperately to share space in any way that he could.

And it's easy to see why this is one of my favorite books of the year. Can you say SWOON?

Kelley York is a brilliant writer. In Hushed she's brought to life characters so flawed, so conflicted, so human, I have trouble believing they're fictional. It's these kinds of characters, these kinds of stories that leave me giddy when I've turned the final page.

Archer and Vivian were the best of friends, but time and circumstance have turned their once innocent friendship into a toxic relationship. Vivian is selfish and manipulative and I found myself screaming at her throughout the book. Yet, everything that Vivian did to Archer that I despised, Archer did to Evan. Still, I found him to be the more likeable of the two.

It's incredible to believe a story can make you root for a murderer--as Evan tells Archer at one point, there's nothing noble about taking a life--but this one did. I found myself praying the entire time that he wouldn't be caught. I didn't want to imagine a world where Evan's love wouldn't be enough to make Archer change. I needed them to end up together. I needed love to be enough.

Hushed is dark and disturbing and definitely for an older, more mature YA audience, but it's also amazing and honest and brutal. At it's heart it's a story about friendship, loyalty, love, and redemption. It explores how far we're willing to go to save another and just how hard it is to save ourselves.


Interested in reading this one? It's on sale now. Buy a copy for yourself.

Recent Reads - The Juliet Spell

The Juliet Spell, by Douglas Rees

 3 of 5 Stars


Genre: Young Adult, Magical Realism

Pages: 304

Publication: 09/27/2011, HarlequinTeen

Why I Chose It:  I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed....

My Review:  Okay, so it wasn't a literary masterpiece, but it wasn't trying to be so I don't feel the need to judge it as such. It wasn't deep or thought-provoking, it was merely what it set out to be--a fun, light, quick read. One which I found enjoyable if a little simplistic.

There were a few things that left me scratching my head, like the fact that everyone seems to so easily accept the fact that there's this boy from Elizabethan England that Miranda magically transported to present day. Fine, I knew this was going to happen but I would've expected a little more shock and disbelief before everyone just started making him feel at home.

Other than that, I really liked it. It reminded me a little of the teen-girl movies I love watching. They make little sense but it doesn't make them any less enjoyable. As long as you're not expecting too much, I think you'll find The Juliet Spell worth your time.





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Recent Reads - The Poisoned House

The Poisoned House, by Michael Ford

 4 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, Horror

Pages: 328

Publication: 08/01/2011, Albert Whitman & Company

Why I Chose It:  I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):   The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness, and with his son Samuel away fighting in the Crimea, the running of Greave Hall is left to Mrs Cotton, the tyrannical housekeeper. The only solace for the beleaguered staff is to frighten Mrs Cotton by pretending the house is haunted.

So when a real ghost makes an appearance - that of her beloved mother - no one is more surprised than Abi. But the spirit has a revelation that threatens to destroy Abi’s already fragile existence: she was murdered, and by someone under their very own roof.

With Samuel returned to England badly wounded, it’s up to Abi to nurse him back to health, while trying to discover the identity of the killer in their midst. As the chilling truth dawns, Abi’s world is turned upside down.

My Review:  This one gets 4 stars for the simple fact that I began reading it right before bedtime and stayed up until after 2am to finish. I really should start rating books based upon how many hours of my precious sleep time I'm willing to sacrifice.

The Poisoned House, had me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning because even though there were enough clues for me to figure out who was responsible, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. And to be honest, I didn't want it to be true so I kept hoping I was wrong.

Still, I have to admit that this one is hard to review because it's not like there was anything about it that was over-the-top ah-Maaaz-ing. It's a simple ghost story. But I loved the fact that I wasn't overburdened with a complex plot, a large cast of characters, or an author trying to change my view of the world. It was just pure, fun, entertainment.

It's fast-paced with a very likeable main character. Abi was endearing-if a little naive-and I couldn't help but find myself invested in her story. The setting is creepy with a few chilling moments where Abi encounters the ghost. Nothing too overtly scary, although there is a particularly disturbing incident involving kittens.

The ending felt a little rushed, but it wrapped everything up nicely. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone in the mood for a good ghost story.

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Recent Reads - Eve by Anna Carey

Eve (Eve #1), by Anna Carey

 3 of 5 Stars

Buy It:  Barnes & Noble  /  Amazon


Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 318

Publication: 10/4/2011, HarperCollins

Why I Chose It:  I received an ARC in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure

My Review:  Let me start by saying that 3 out of 5 stars is not a bad review. It's a good review. And just because a book isn't my favorite, it doesn't mean others won't love it. Other than that, I'm not sure what to say about this one. It wasn't bad, well some of it was bad, but for the most part it was just meh. I don't hate it. It just wasn't extraordinary. And in a year filled with extraordinary reads for me, I was left wanting.

Let's start with what I liked:

1) World Building - I felt some things were left unexplained or grazed over, but I see all sorts of potential and I'm excited to see where it goes in the remainder of the series.

2) Arden - Eve's rival at school, she takes off, fleeing school before Eve discovers the truth about her future. Once Eve escapes, she runs into Arden in the wilderness and they team up to survive. Arden was strong, brave, complex. All the things I want from a heroine. She has a back story that's more than simply her life at the school. It gave her character a depth I failed to find in Eve. I probably would have liked the story more had it centered on Arden.

Some things I found lackluster:

1) Caleb - I didn't fall in love with Caleb. Nothing about his description appealed to me. In fact, I kept thinking how dirty he must have been. Not exactly a guy I want to snuggle up to.

And now for things that really bugged me:

1) Eve - This girl was annoying. She was supposed to be super smart and special, but she made stupid mistakes. She was naive. And not in a cute, isn't-she-so-adorable sort of way. In a dangerous sort of way. She got people killed.

I get it. She is the way she is because of the life she lived and the way she was brought up, but I just couldn't get behind her and root for her. Too often I wanted to smack her.

2) It was slow. I know not everything can be told at a break-neck pace, but I found myself able to put this book down quite a few times. And when I did, I rarely had the desire to return to it. I could leave it sit for days on end without craving another paragraph, just one more chapter. That for me is how I know a book has hooked me.

3) The Ending - Really?! Seriously?! Come on now. If I'd been through all Eve and Caleb had been through, if I'd loved him the way Eve was supposed to, I never would have accepted what happened at the end. No way. I don't want to say too much, because I don't want to spoil it, but really, come on.


I will cautiously recommend this book. It's worth a read. I've seen rave reviews. And while I personally cannot gush about it, I will definitely read the sequel to see where the story is going.

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Recent Reads - You Are My Only

You Are My Only, by Beth Kephart

 4 of 5 Stars

Buy It:   

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Genre:   Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 256

Publication:   10/25/2011, EgmontUSA

Why I Chose It:  I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis (from Good Reads):   Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.

My Review:  This one gets a solid 4 out of 5 stars for the writing style alone. I was so envious of Kephart's skill the entire time I was reading that I almost wanted to put it away and spare my ego, but I couldn't. It's too darn good.

It wasn't the emotional tear-jerker I was expecting, but it is a beautifully written story told from the alternating point of view of two characters that were incredibly unique even if the premise wasn't.  Don't discount this story just because you think it's predictable or something you've read before. It's not.

Emmy is a barely-educated teenager when she marries and has a child. Her husband is an abusive jerk who treats her like garbage. The only bright spot in her life is her baby. So when her child is taken from her she loses it and ends up institutionalized.

Then there's Sophie. Poor, sheltered Sophie who has spent her entire life moving from place to place, avoiding what her mother calls the No Good. She's not allowed to attend school. She's not even allowed outside. But when she sees a boy her age, Joey, playing in the yard next door she finally ventures out and gets a taste of what life should be like. And through friendship and love she learns to stand up to her mother, and to not just accept her fate.

This was one I couldn't put down. It's fast paced, intense, and filled with hope. I kept reading because I had to know if Sophie would escape her sheltered life and find happiness with Joey and if Emmy would ever be reunited with Baby. And because Kephart has a way with words that'll make your heart swell.

I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a Young Adult contemporary novel or not. When I requested it from NetGalley it was listed under the Teen section, however I didn't really get a YA feel from it. Amazon recommends it for ages 12+ and there's nothing in it that would keep me from recommending to a younger audience, but I definitely feel this is suited to lovers of mainstream fiction like that of Jodi Picoult.

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