Review: Vanish, by Sophie Jordan

Vanish, by Sophie Jordan
Publish Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780061935107
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 304
Source: ARC for review
Series: Firelight #2

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone. 

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love? 

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

NOTE: This review was written on May 21, 2011, prepared for posting today. This review will most likely contain spoilers to Firelight, so if you haven't read that one, you should probably stop reading now.

My feelings toward Vanish are bittersweet. I love the world Sophie Jordan has created, and I devoured Vanish just as easily as I did Firelight. However, to put it bluntly, the endings piss me off. There is no climax followed up by falling action, in my opinion. It's more like the incredible build to a climax, only to end during said climax. Firelight's cliffhanger was a killer but it was tolerable. Vanish's cliffhanger left me raising my eyebrows.

Jacinda's indecisiveness was another thing that annoyed me in Vanish. She can't seem to figure out where she belongs, and once you think she has it figured out, she changes her mind. She also didn't stand up to some people that I personally think she should have told to suck it. People treat her like shit, and she allows it and even thinks she deserves it. Hell no.

We know how I feel about love triangles. I'm not going to go into that. However, it doesn't really bother me in Firelight. I don't know why, but I feel as though the pride life and the secondary characters provide enough entertainment for me to overlook the love triangle/square. It probably also helps that I absolutely love both Will and Cassian, and though I know who she'll end up with, I really have no idea who I want her to end up with.

You can't help but feel for every character in these books. (Well except for maybe the hunters and the pride leaders. They can go to hell.) But everyone else! Everyone is going through some sort of personal struggle and you can't help but wish there was a way to make a happy ending for everyone involved.

Despite the few times I wanted to reach into the book and slap Jacinda (or better yet, slap someone for Jacinda) I ate. it. up. There is never a dull moment in these books. Words are never wasted and we're never given more or less than we need, with action from beginning to end, you just don't want to put it down. And then it ends.

And then you die.

4.5/5 Stars

Review: Other Words for Love, by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Other Words for Love, by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Published: January 11, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte
ISBN: 9780385739016
Genre: YA Contemporary
Pages: 368
Source: Library
Series: n/a

When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York--and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future. 

When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?

I wanted to like Other Words for Love. No, I wanted to love Other Words for Love.

Ari's story had a rocky start for me, with over a hundred pages passed before we meet the boy she is supposed to fall in an out of love with. This time was filled with family drama; her sister Evelyn's mood swings, Ari's lying down and taking this shit Evelyn dishes out, her lusting for her sister's husband, and a friend who is quite frankly, a shallow selfish bitch. Not to mention a mother whose character felt inconsistent. These characters are written well, so well that I found myself sick at my distaste for them. For me, this shine's a light on Lorraine's writing ability, to make me to have to take a step back and realize that these characters are fiction, and I can't go back in time and tell them they're all full of shit.

Before Ari meets Blake, she's already heavily lusting after two other guys, and it just didn't make me like her character anymore than I already did. Which was, not at all. I just didn't connect with her. Well developed? Yes. Likable? Not for me personally. She was driven purely by hormones, and I suppose that is the point, but I'm not a fan of these situations. When she wasn't worried about one of the various older men in her life, she was complaining about and/or jealous of a toddler. I just didn't like her. I found myself having to force my way through the novel at times, because my disconnect with Ari was so strong. She really wasn't any better than Summer, in my opinion.

I really couldn't connect with a single character, aside from Leigh. And even then, it wasn't a very strong connection and it was most likely the artist in her that I was drawn to. I'm not saying they weren't well-fleshed out characters, because they definitely were. I just didn't really like any of them, and it's not easy to read a story when there isn't a single character you genuinely like.

Other Words for Love is a well written, well plotted story about a girl just trying to find her way. Everything about the story feels painfully real. (Although, I must be honest, I do not understand the point of it being set in the 80's. Sure, AIDS played a small roll in the anxiety of Ari's choices, but those stakes would be just as high today, if not higher. I'm not going to focus much on that, however, because I don't know the true meaning behind the time period.) Even the ending isn't the fairy tale ending everyone is used to and vies for. If Lorraine were to tell me it wasn't fiction, I would probably believe her, because it is that realistic.

I guess at the end of the day, I didn't connect well with it because I didn't like the characters. It truly is beautifully crafted with characters you'll probably either love or hate. Lorraine Zago Rosenthal is one hell of a story teller. If you can connect with the characters, I have no doubts that Other Words for Love would make a fan out of you. This just wasn't the story for me, but I will be watching for Lorraine's next release, because I know with the right story I could easily be a big fan of hers.

3/5 Stars

Review: The Iron Daughter, by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter, by Julie Kagawa.
Published: August 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 9780373210138
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 359
Source: Bought
Series: Iron Fey #2

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Goodness these covers are absolutely gorgeous.

I'm so in love with the world Julie Kagawa has created. The Winter, Summer, and Iron Fey are all so unique in their appearance, actions, and abilities. I can't help but crave more of the world.

I'll warn you now, while I like both Ash and Puck, I am absolutely Team Puck. I simply do not understand the romance between she and Ash. When they aren't making googly eyes at each other, or making out, he's telling her they can never be together. It gets old. Quickly. Maybe because I prefer Puck's character, who is the NICE guy. Dammit, for once, I want the nice guy to get the girl. But we know this isn't going to happen. So I'm wondering, how do you push forward in a series, knowing the protagonist will not end up with the one you want her with?

Speaking of the protagonist. Meghan annoyed the bloody hell out of me this time around. I don't know why, if she changed or if I did, because I adored her in the first book. This time I just wanted to tell her to shut the hell up and focus on what was most important. Because the fate of the fey weren't on the line or anything, so thinking about Ash every damn second definitely made more sense.....

Did I mention I loved the story? Because hotdamn, I love the story. I was drawn in, anxiously flipping pages to find out what happens next, simultaneously fighting the urge to throw the book any time love came into the equation. Whether it was Puck or Ash, I didn't want to read it. Because in the end of a love triangle, someone always gets hurt. I loath a love triangle.

I love the story, so I'll continue reading the series. But dammit I wish there wasn't a love triangle.

4/5 Stars

Review: Enclave, by Ann Aguirre

Enclave, by Ann Aguirre

Published: April 12, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
ISBN: 9780312650087
Genre: YA Dystopian
Pages: 259
Source: Won from author
Series: Razorland #1

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

I will write this review. With words. That make sense.

Enclave was a book that I was pretty much dying to read. It sounded uber intriguing, and then the book bloggers starting getting their hands on it, and everyone was raving, and just, GAH. I had to read it.

Let's start with the cover. It isn't necessarily glamorous, not in the way that my typical favorite book covers are. But there's this subtle raw feeling to it, much like the story itself, and I think it is fantastic. The only thing I disliked, was the fact that it states that this book is "For fans of The Hunger Games." If you're frequenter around here, you probably already know that I was not a fan of The Hunger Games. So when I saw that up close, I thought, great. Another dystopian that everyone falls in love with, and I'll be in the minority with those who didn't like a damn thing about it.


Not the case. Not at all. I loved Enclave from the very beginning, and while I can see why fans of The Hunger Games would be drawn to it, and they are comparable in small ways, I don't think the connection is big enough to make a big deal out of. (Unless you're looking at it from a marketing perspective, of course.)

The world in which Enclave is set, is desolate. Heartbreaking. Fascinating.

Deuce kicked ass. There isn't much I love more than a female protagonist who isn't whiny and emotional all the time. In fact, Deuce is hardly capable of those feelings, which made me love her that much more, and certainly allowed me to connect with her character on a deeper level. I knew from the first encounter with Fade that I would love him as well, and I wasn't wrong about that.

I loved the "Freaks". We would probably refer to them as zombies, though I believe they're quite different from the zombies we are accustomed to. Land of the Dead is one of my favorite zombie movies, for the simple fact that the zombies are actually intelligent, thinking creatures. The Freaks reminded me of them. They aren't completely driven by hunger and instinct, at least not all of them, not anymore. I loved this take, and I'm excited to see where it takes us in the sequel.

The growing relationship between Deuce and Fade is subtle, and gradual. For this, I was relieved. I had hoped going in that this wouldn't be one of those stories where the majority of the plot circulates around the romantic relationship between the characters. While it is definitely there, it isn't being thrown in our faces all the time. Instead, they're genuinely trying to survive in a world where surviving seems impossible.

I do have one complaint. I wanted more. I felt a bit cheated in the end, because it was so abrupt. I was expecting a cliffhanger, but I was still expecting it to end gradually. But instead of feeling like we're hanging onto the cliff, I feel like we tumbled over without ever considering holding on.

Doesn't change the fact that I give it...

5/5 Stars


Language: Extremely mild.
Sexual content: Talks of rape and breeding. Otherwise-just a kiss or two.

Review: Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
Published: October 18, 2010
Publisher: Harcourt
ISBN: 9780547341248
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 177
Source: NetGalley
Series: Horsemen of the Apocalypse #1

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.” 

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? 

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

Hunger was not was I expected. Not in the least. In some ways this is a good thing, in other ways, not so much.

Death was a fascinating character, but unfortunately, he's the only secondary character who really stood out to me. Lisa was a great protagonist, if only because she was so flawed you couldn't help but feel for her. When I first realized that a girl with anorexia was going to be Famine, I found it ironic. (As did some characters in the story) But now that I've finished reading it, it makes perfect sense, and I loved the way Kessler intertwined mythology and real life, serious issues. 

Lisabeth didn't just fall into the role of famine out of a case of back luck, nor was she born into the role. Her actions and her choices in life lead her to that position, and I think that's something that sets Hunger apart from your typical paranormal/fantasy.

My only real issue with the story is the lack of action. Even if I hadn't gone in expecting action out of the apocalypse (I admit, I totally did) there still wasn't much action for a story about anything. It is beautifully written, and well paced, so perhaps the short length is what created this problem for me. 

I don't really understand the apocalypse aspect of the story, either. I assume the world must be in the middle of the apocalypse, but Lisabeth doesn't seem to address this issue in any way, whatsoever. Which I guess is understandable in a way, considering the real issue in Hunger was her struggle with an eating disorder, which I think Kessler captured perfectly. Still, I can't help but feel as though the story was lacking something, plot wise. 

4/5 Stars

Language: Mild
Sexual content: References to sex

Review: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
Published: October 1, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9780439023481
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 374
Source: Bought
Series: The Hunger Games #1

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hype Monster strikes again.

I had attempted to read The Hunger Games numerous times. I'd get through about chapter two and put it down to read something else. This should have been a huge red flag for me. It shouldn't take five chapters for me to start caring about the story, but it did. Even then, I kept reading because everyone said I should keep reading, not because I was particularly interested.

Do I regret that? Yes and no. It wasn't a horrible book. But it was slow paced. I was bored, often.

It left me pissed, to be completely honest. There wasn't much positivity left in me after I finished it, and I can't really think of it in a positive light.

I liked Katniss and Peeta. I liked what we saw of Gale. But. Love triangles. Oh how I loathe thee. I'm Team No One. Katniss played Peeta like a fiddle, and Gale's the long time friend who has been right in front of her all along. But I'd be willing to bet my copy of the book that she ends up with Peeta in the end. These things are predictable. When does the friend ever win? Not that I'm saying I'd be team Gale, if I picked a side. Like I said, Team Peeta-and-Gale-should-find-someone-who-appreciates-them. (Please, PLEASE feel free to tell me if I'm wrong about who she ends up with. And by all means, rub it in.)

It reminds me so much of Death Race, and Death Race is actually one of my favorite movies, so I honestly assumed I would love it. I was wrong. The two may be a lot alike, but there are obvious differences that should have told me not to even bother from the get go.

In Death Race, they are adults. Sure, they're being forced into the arena to kill one another, and many of them are innocent to begin with. However, they aren't children. Children who are being pitted against each other for an eager society just waiting to gobble it up for enjoyment. I found this deeply disturbing.

There's a part in the beginning when Peeta says his mother commented on how "maybe district 12 will actually have a winner." And she meant Katniss. I wanted to close it at that point and just give up. I was disgusted. Absolutely disgusted. There's nothing anyone could say that would make me feel better about that situation. Because if it were my son, they would have had to pry my ass off him before he ever even made it to the stage. The maternal detachment had my head spinning.

There are a few poorly worded sentences that I had to reread numerous times to understand. Hell some of them I still don't understand. This would have me questioning my intelligence if I didn't know with absolute certainty that I am capable of comprehending readings that are much more complex. I'm still baffled by this line in particular: "Don't. Don't let's pretend when there's no one around." Um. Say that again? It's not that I don't understand what she means, I do. But how that line got through editing is beyond me. Is it a typo? Ugh.

It has a compelling plot, I'm not denying that. There were moments when I was able to get absolutely lost in the story and felt as if I was there with Katniss. But then someone would die and I would imagine those sitting at home watching it all go down, and I was disgusted all over again. Or I would get bored because nothing was really happening. And then she would play Peeta and then think about Gale, and just GAH. No. Not for me. I'll just watch the movies.

3.5/5

Review: All About Daisy, by O'Dell Hutchison

All About Daisy, by O'Dell Hutchison
Published: February 3, 2011
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781456516956
Genre: Contemporary YA
Pages: 374
Source: Provided by author for honest review
Series: Daisy Brown #1

High school is NOT for sissies...

Fourteen-year-old Daisy barely made it through middle school. After three years of being constantly taunted and bullied, she's decided it's time for a change. It all begins with a list of things she feels she needs: a best friend, popularity, a boyfriend, a first kiss, a spot on the cheerleading squad, and most importantly, boobs. With list in hand, Daisy just knows she will make a huge splash at Glenmark High, and her days of being miserable will be over.

The splash she makes isn't exactly what she was going for, and after a disastrous first day, she is ready to throw in the towel. It only takes a chance meeting with sophomore Russel Bryan, her grade school crush, to change everything. Soon, Daisy finds herself hanging out with the popular girls, preparing to try out for a spot on the cheerleading squad and looking forward to the homecoming dance.

Just when things start to look up for her, a betrayal by a new friend shatters everything she had hoped for. With her reputation on the line and the threat of a family secret being revealed, Daisy decides to take things into her own hands. It may not be her destiny to be popular, but she is done being taken advantage of.

Part "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" and part "Mean Girls", "All About Daisy" is a hilarious and touching coming of age story that will have you cheering for the underdog.

I hate writing negative reviews, I really do. And unfortunately, I have a feeling this one will be mostly negative. While it was a fun read, I had some serious issues with it, and not addressing them would mean I wasn't being honest in my review.

I found the protagonist to be a fun character. She doesn't give up, regardless of all that is thrown at her, and I admired that strength. But at the same time, she was incredibly naive and gullible, and it had me rolling my eyes far too often.

I was thoroughly enjoying All About Daisy in the beginning, but problems arose and it wasn't difficult to pinpoint two major issues I had with the book.

My biggest issue with this book is the similarities between it and Mean Girls. All the cattiness, a Halloween party, all over a guy, a certain girl gets hit by a car. Too many similarities for me to ignore, specifically someone getting his by a car. It made it difficult to enjoy from that point on.

Another is the bullying. And not only the obvious bullying, but the bullying that wasn't addressed. Terms like "fag", "homo", "black-ass bitch", "retard"....I realize kids in the real world say things like this. It is a problem. Unfortunately, I don't feel like this book did anything to show that it was a problem. It felt more like it was just, life. And maybe it is. But it was difficult to swallow.

Despite all of this, I wanted to keep reading, and I wanted to find out how it all ended. Overall, I liked the story in All About Daisy, but I had a difficult time enjoying it due to the issues I mentioned. It just wasn't the book for me, but I would recommend it to anyone who likes to see the underdog protagonist grow and kick some mean girl ass. (Figuratively speaking, of course.)

Review: My Sparkling Misfortunate, by Laura Lond

My Sparkling Misfortune, by Laura Lond and Alla Alekseyeva (illustrator)
Published: April 28, 2010
Publisher: Dream Books LLC
ISBN: 9781616580834
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 164
Source: Provided by author for an honest review
Series: The Lakeland Knight Series

Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a sparkling instead a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains plans. Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of best interests is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind.

I almost didn't accept My Sparkling Misfortune for review. Complete with illustrations, this book seemed to lean too far into the MG category for my liking, but the blurb drew me in and I just had to give it a shot. I am so glad I did. Having read it, I would have been missing out on an absolutely adorable story!

This book won me over in the first few pages. I had already smiled numerous times, and let me tell you, it's rare for a book to genuinely make me smile. Lord Arkus is a self-proclaimed villain, but despite his best efforts to stay that way, deep down it just isn't who he is--not completely. We start to see this in these small deeds that he does along the way, though he himself just brushes them off as a rare moment of kindness. Those "rare" moments being to pile up, however, and Lord Arkus' realization and subsequent denial is hilarious.

This book is aimed at younger readers, that much is clear. But it's so much fun, I recommend everyone to give it a try if you're looking for a lighthearted, enjoyable read. Because My Sparkling Misfortune does not disappoint in that regard.

First memorable line: "Hmm...perhaps Korvaleus was right, writing a book is not so easy as it seems, and I shouldn't have, uh....Oh well. He'd deserved it anyway." This was in the second paragraph, and I was already smiling.

My only complaint is that it was too short. Classic MG length, but I'd have loved to have more.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review: Playing Hurt, by Holly Schindler

Playing Hurt, by Holly Schindler
Published: March, 8, 2011
Publisher: Flux
ISBN: 9780738722870
Genre: Contemporary YA
Pages: 312
Source: Bought
Series: N/a

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

I absolutely love the covers of Holly's books. Not only the pictures, but the feel of them. They feel like silk, and I find myself petting the cover more often than I'd like to admit.

I'm a fan of Holly Schindler's, have been since I read A Blue so Dark. Playing Hurt is very different from Blue, but I still loved them both for their own reasons.

Schindler's characters are so real, it almost makes you wonder if they're the kid down the street. Or that girl from high school. I feel like I know them personally, beyond the end of the book.

In all honesty, I wasn't a fan of Chelsea. In fact, she pretty much drove me insane, and I found myself hoping everything would come crashing down around her, and I kind of smiled when it kind of did. I thought she deserved everything the guys said to her. That isn't a nice way to think, but I couldn't help it. She infuriated me, and made poor decisions, not really considering who it would hurt in the long run. If she were the girl down the street, I'd have to slap some sense into her. Alas, such was impossible. My distaste for her is literally the only thing that brings down my rating of this book. And even then, it isn't by much.

Clint was a great character and I enjoyed watching him grow. I didn't harbor any of the resentment toward him, that I had for Chelsea, although a bit of it was on his shoulders, too. So I probably should have. But I just couldn't. I found myself caring about his story much more than Chelsea's, though both are upsetting. I think it was just Chelsea's actions that made it difficult for me to really empathize with her.

Their fling (though I think it can hardly be described as such, it's such a trivial word) was absolutely adorable. Once they started spending time together, I absolutely devoured Playing Hurt. I loved watching their love for each other blossom, and momentarily forgot about **SPOILER ALERT, ONLY KIND OF NOT REALLY** her boyfriend back home. Ah, and here lies the problem. I can forget about her boyfriend, because he isn't my boyfriend. But the fact that she did, disgusted me. That was my whole problem with her character. Cheating turns me off, no matter the situation.

But, cheating and Chelsea aside, I had absolutely no issues with Playing Hurt. Holly proved once again that she has a fantastic way with words. The writing, the cover, the story (minus the boyfriend back home), the characters (minus the selfish one), the pace, the edge....loved it. (And yeah, I kind of realize what taking away the boyfriend back home would have done to the story, but it doesn't make me like it.)

This part may be too spoilerish, so feel free to highlight if you'd like to read about the ending.
I loved the ending. Some people may not be satisfied with it, but I definitely was. I felt as though there was enough left open for me to imagine a happy ending for them, without having wrapped a pretty bow on it. The characters didn't pull a stop on their lives just to be together. They learned to live through each other, and it leaves just enough hope that someday they will live with each other. I loved it.

I'd recommend Playing Hurt to anyone who enjoys contemporary YA. Between Holly's writing and the characters and relationships she creates, I don't think you'd be able to put it down.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: The Goddess Test, by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test, by Aimee Carter
Published: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 9780373210268
Genre: YA fantasy
Pages: 297
Source: NetGalley
Series: Goddess Test #1

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn. 

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. 

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests. 

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess. 

If she fails..

I honestly have no idea how to review The Goddess Test. I enjoyed it, but there were things that annoyed me. I'll start with those things.

Watering down badass creatures. It started with vampires....werewolves....fairies....zombies.....now Greek Gods and Goddesses? I think this is where my biggest problem lies. I imagine all of the gods and goddesses acting like, well...gods. Henry is not only a god, but he's Hades. If I imagine any of them as a monster, it would be him. But he isn't. None of them are, not really. This seems like the thing to do now. Soften the monsters. I want to read a story where a girl falls in love with a monster despite the fact that he acts like the monster he is.

Second, some of the scenes just felt silly. The scene by the river (that's all I'm saying) that gets this all started was kind of laughable.

I don't understand why Kate felt the way she felt about any of them. I'm not sure how she fell in love with Henry, who hardly opened his mouth. I don't understand her friendship with Ava, the girl who started it all. The only loyalty I can understand is the loyalty for her mother.

Despite all of that, I enjoyed the story. I was able to get lost in it and look past the things that annoyed me, fairly easily. I love the story of the gods and goddesses, but if I sit and think about this as a separate story, I loved it. If I completely ignore the fact that Henry is supposed to be the Hades, it was a great read!

I'm afraid I don't know what else to say about The Goddess Test. I enjoyed it, some things annoyed me but regardless, it's still a definite four-star for enjoyment.

4/5 Stars 

Review: Invincible Summer, by Hannah Moskowitz

Invincible Summer, by Hannah Moskowitz
Published: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781442407510
Genre: Contemporary YA
Pages: 336
Source: Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab
Series: n/a

Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss? 

Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart. But some girls are addictive.... 

There's something about a character driven plot that's remarkably refreshing after paranormal after paranormal.

Invincible Summer is not what I expected. (Nothing is ever what I expect, I really have to stop judging books by their cover.) I thought it would be this light, fun read. Light? Definitely not. Fun? Not the word I'd use.

The problem is, I'm not sure what I can really say about it. I loved it, but I can't find the words to tell you why.

Oy.

Another misconception the cover gave me was the point of view. I thought this would be about the girl on the cover, but it's actually from a teen boy's perspective. (Didn't read the blurb before I began reading the novel) I think for the first time, I genuinely felt like a female author nailed the teenage boy mind. (not that I really know what goes through a teenage boy's mind, but I've never read a book from a boy's perspective that felt 100% authentic, until now)

There are so many different themes woven throughout the story, it's hard to pinpoint what I would consider the central theme. There's rape, emotional abuse, fear, disabilities, death, coming of age, divorce, sex, family dynamics. One of these things is something I'm not a fan of reading about, because I feel as though I've dealt with it enough in life. I won't say which it is, because I really don't want to spoil anything. But I will say, it makes me want to hate Invincible Summer. But I don't--I can't. Because the book is written beautifully, with life-like characters, and a story I'm not likely to forget.

I've never read Moskowitz's first novel, Break. Always wanted to, but never did. Now, I kind of think I have to.

5/5 Stars

Review: Unearthly, by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Published: January 4, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780061996160
Genre: YA paranormal/fantasy
Pages: 435
Source: Netgalley
Series: Unearthly #1

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

**This review may contain slight spoilers regarding Tucker Avery. You've been warned!**

I'll start with the first thing we all I notice about a book. That gorgeous cover. It's absolutely stunning, as are many YA paranormal releases this year, and last year. I'm developing an issue with that. The problem is, I need to stop judging a book by its cover, but that's a difficult thing to get over. This cover, along with many others, have given me the impression that the books would be dark, poetic even. While this was a great one (as were the others) it just isn't what I expect going in.

Anyway. I love that Unearthly opened with Clara knowing she was part angel. It isn't something we have to wait for her to discover, and then deal with her reaction before we can get to the gist of the story. She knows from the first page, and that's uncommon. Loved it.

The characters stood out to me above all. The story, her purpose, none of that stood out to me the way the characters did. From the first time we meet Tucker Avery, I was hooked on him. I kept asking myself, "how does she not see the hottie cowboy right in front of her?" (okay so maybe I don't normally find the cowboy thing attractive. Perhaps I make exceptions for fiction.) I loved her friends and brother and mother as well. Even Christian, whom I suspected would give me a reason to detest him at some point down the line. But he didn't. There's really no definitive love triangle in this book. There's a shadow of one, but not really. I liked that because I am so sick of love triangles. For Clara, it was never "I have feelings for them both but who do I love more?" It was more true love vs her angelic predetermination.

In the end, Clara is forced to make a decision. A very, very difficult one, but I do believe she made the right one. Regardless of what the outcome would have been, I think she made the right choice. I was a little annoyed by the ending. The whole cliffhanger thing is getting old. Unearthly is no doubt one of those, but it wasn't really one that leaves me dying for the next book. It was just...okay. (Tucker leaves me dying for the next book, for the record.) The ending aside, I loved Tucker Unearthly. I'll definitely be anticipating the next installment.

4/5 Stars

Review: Bumped, by Megan McCafferty

Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Published: April 26, 2011
ISBN: 9780061962745
Genre: YA dystopian
Pages: 336
Source: NetGalley
Series: Bumped #1

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. 

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job. 

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. 

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

I read the last sentence of Bumped and continued reading into the Acknowledgements before I realized that that was actually the ending. What the hell? *looks around* *crickets* WHAT THE HELL?! Did it really just end that way?! Did I get a bunk galley copy that cutoff before the end was truly there?

No. It totally ended that way.

I loved the world McCafferty built. While I'd never want to imagine a world in which teenagers were the only ones able to have children, there seem to be enough teen pregnancies in today's society for the concept of Bumped to not be too far off. We're fascinated with it, even if we believe we aren't. We must be fascinated with it, because who else is watching Teen Mom? We claim to want to fix this problem, but in reality, we're encouraging it.

The dialogue and futuristic slang was fantastic. I'm a huge fan of the Jessica Darling series, and I had hoped McCafferty would bring that witty edge to Bumped as well. She definitely didn't disappoint.

Bumped is told from alternating perspectives which is something I absolutely love if done correctly. I do think McCafferty pulled it off, and I definitely felt the difference between the two girls, as well as their similarities. But I wish there had been more development for each of them, because at times I felt like the story was moving too quickly for us to get a real feel for each of them. We know their basic characteristics and beliefs, but not much beyond that.

I have so many unanswered questions, and I'm sure they'll be answered in the following installments, but it doesn't erase the frustration I'm left with at this point. What caused the virus? How does Jondoe really feel? Why do they have to actually have sex? Why is artificial insemination no longer a possibility? Where the hell are the parents who still actually care about their children in a way that isn't encouraging premature sex and pregnancies, or in stark contrast, forced marriages. Where's the middle ground?

Basically it all boils down to the fact that I want more. I enjoyed the writing because (duh) it's Megan McCafferty. I'm pretty much dying to know what happens next at this point, and I need to muster up some patience--pronto.

4 Stars

Review: Vampire Crush, by A.M. Robinson

Vampire Crush, by A.M. Robinson
Published: December 28, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780061989711
Genre: Paranormal YA
Pages: 416
Source: Paperback copy provided by author for an honest review.
Series: n/a.

I swear, my life was always totally normal.

Normal house, normal family, normal school. My looks are average, I don't have any superpowers, no one's showing up to tell me I'm a princess—you get the picture. But when my junior year started, something not normal happened. There were new kids at school . . . new kids with a wardrobe straight out of a 19th-century romance novel, and an inexplicable desire to stay at school until sundown.

And on top of that, James Hallowell showed up. James, who stole my sandwiches in fourth grade and teased me mercilessly through middle school. James, who now seems to have the power to make my heart race any time he comes near.

But something weird is going on. Because James rarely goes out during the day. And he seems stronger than your typical guy. And he knows the new kids, all of whom seem to be harboring some kind of deep secret. . . .

I think you would have to be delusional to not see the similarities between the blurb and a certain popular teen vamp story that shall remain unnamed. But ignore those possible similarities, because they hardly exist at all once you start reading Vampire Crush. 

Starting with the cover--I love it. It has a simple beauty, but I will admit that I have no idea how it plays into the story, other than the old fashioned bat&vampire connection. 

I'm beyond over the vampire craze, but since I'll be one of the stops on the Vampire Crush blog tour (keep an eye out for her stop here, on March 16th) I wanted to have an opportunity to read it beforehand. I was pleasantly surprised with Vampire Crush, and so glad it didn't resemble that other vampire series that shall still remain unnamed. 

I believe the majority of the characters were well developed. I liked the heroine, although she irked me from time to time with her editor-in-chief determination when there were far more important things going in her life. James was adorable, and I particularly loved Violet. 

Vampire Crush had an edge to it that was fun and witty. I found myself smiling on numerous occasions, and even laughing out loud a few times. It never once lost my attention, and I devoured it from front to back without feeling the slightest sense of boredom. The only negative thing I would have to say about it is the ending. I wish it had packed a bigger punch, but I'm still pleased with the book as a whole. 

Overall, it was a lot of fun to read, and I'll definitely be looking out for anything else A. M. Robinson writes!

4/5 Stars

Review: Wither, by Lauren DeStefano

Wither, by Lauren DeStefano
Published: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781442409057
Genre: YA Dystopian
Pages: 356
Source: Simon & Schuster's galley grab
Series: Chemical Garden #1

What if you knew exactly when you would die? 

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out. 

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home. 

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

Wither is to blame for my current book hangover. Once I started reading it, it was difficult for me to stop. I know a lot of people are already sick of the sudden increase in YA dystopian, but I am not one of those people. 

It is not for the faint of heart. Don't let the gorgeous (yet, oh so perfectly fitting) cover fool you. I found myself repulsed throughout the majority of the book, but it was just one of those train wrecks you can't pull your eyes away from. It is a lot darker than your typical YA. There was a lot of death, and multiple spots for the reader to get misty eyed.

I have nothing against polygamy. I don't understand how women can share their husband, but I don't judge them for it. Whatever, that's their prerogative. But when it is forced polygamy, it's a different story. These girls had no choice in the matter, and they were so young. I realize they needed to be young because women die at age twenty, but the youngest wife, Cecily, was thirteen. THIRTEEN. I was disgusted by her child-like ways, when she's already sister wife. I was disgusted by her father-in-law's strange affection for her, and I was especially disgusted with the fact that Linden could touch her and live with himself. Which is upsetting, because he was otherwise a great character. This coupled with his naivety seemed to be his only real character flaws, but the Cecily situation is too much for me to overlook, even if this is the world as they know it.

The world was fascinating. North America is the only country left, as the rest of the world was wiped out in a WW3. (I won't talk about how unlikely it is that America would be the only country left standing, that's another discussion for another time.) Women live to be twenty and men twenty-five. The ages confuse me as well, considering women generally live longer than men, not to mention Rhine is a twin, and yet she will still die exactly five years before her brother. I see no logic in the numbers, but I'm not even going to attempt to dissect that. Regardless, I could not imagine living in a world like this. I would not want to know when my time was up. I would not want to live on the lone little island in the world, and live in constant fear of being a victim of human trafficking. Or worse, BE a victim of human trafficking. The idea is haunting.

I really felt like all of the characters were real, but I wasn't particularly fond of all of them. I liked Rhine, though from time to time I felt like she was losing herself. But there is so much going on in her world, so many places in which her loyalty lies, and she is a sixteen year old girl, after all. Her sister wife, Jenna, was one of my favorite characters, but I was not a fan of Cecily in the least. Gabriel was adorable, and probably my other favorite character. Their father-in-law was a creep, and I'm looking forward to whatever lies ahead for him, because I'm sure it won't be good.

Despite all of the things about this store that had me repulsed, it's beautifully written, and a beautiful story. Rhine's determination to get out and get back to her brother was riveting, and I was surprised at some of the lengths she was willing to go to for those around her to trust her. It explores the dynamics of polygamous relationships, a world in which the human race is truly on the verge of extinction, death, loyalty, and whatever else you'd like to throw in the mixing bowl. I loved it, and I am genuinely shocked. Not what I expected--at all. So eager for the sequel.

5/5 Stars 

Review: The Family That Wasn't by Gene Twaronite

The Family That Wasn't, by Gene Twaronite
Published: August 24, 2010
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 9781450245173
Genre: MG/YA Fantasy
Pages: 128
Source: Provided by author for honest review
Series: n/a-?

The Family That Wasn't is a humorous fable of how our families live inside us. It will appeal to both teen and adult readers. The 13-year-old narrator, John Boggle (whose real name is John Bazukas-O'Reilly-Geronimo-Giovanni-Li Choy-Echeverria), finds his family so impossibly crazy that he cannot stand living with them another moment. He invents a new perfect family so convincing that he suddenly finds himself living inside this imaginary world.
But John finds that he too has changed. He sees his too perfect image in the mirror and begins to wonder if it is all some kind of mistake. Only trouble is, now he can't remember who he is. He only knows that he must leave this family at once. His sole clue is the name, John Boggle.
To find his true family he embarks on a cross country quest. Along the way he encounters other characters who have also lost touch with their families. Together they must find a way to reconstruct the connections to bring back the family that once was.

There's such a thin line between middle grade and young adult that I'm not so sure there's a definitive line at all. I realized by the blurb that this was more middle grade than the young adult I typically enjoy, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the chance. However, the concept and the cover drew me in, so I decided to give it a shot.

I'm glad I did. It started off a little slow as we are introduced to how John's crazy family came to be, but it soon picks up and the action doesn't stop from that point on. Each of the characters had these quirks that would drive any child crazy, and a few of them reminded me of people in my life.

While it was geared toward younger readers and I normally don't enjoy such a thing, it definitely drew me. I felt like I was in the middle of a Tim Burton movie. It had that dark humorous feel to it, and I could definitely see it as a movie. A fun read!

Aside from being fun, it makes you think about how fragile families truly are, and the fact that there is usually one person who is the rock of every family. I have many branches of family and have witnessed this myself numerous times; the death of the family rock causes the family to fall apart. It--for lack of a better word--sucks. Nevertheless, it's definitely a reality and a clear parallel in The Family That Wasn't. I encourage you to read this one if you get the chance!

4/5 Stars

Review: So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

So Much Closer, by Susane Colasanti
Published: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Viking
ISBN: 9780670012244
Genre: YA contemp
Pages: 256
Source: ARC provided by Penguin for review.
Series: N/A

When Brooke's crush, Scott, moves from their suburban town to New York City, she decides to follow him there. Living with her formerly estranged dad and adapting to a new school are challenging, and things go from bad to worse when Brooke learns that Scott already has a girlfriend. But as she builds her new life, Brooke begins to discover a side of herself she never knew existed. And as she finds out, in the city that never sleeps, love can appear around any corner...

Oy. I read this book yesterday, and before going to bed, I loved it. But after I've slept on it, there are a few things about it that bug me, though my review will still remain relatively positive.

Let's start with what I didn't like.

First off, Brooke is a genius. Through the roof IQ scores style genius. And yet, the girl has no common sense. It takes her a long time to catch on to what's going on around her.

She follows Scott to New York. What senior in high school would leave everything behind, to follow a boy to another city? To leave her friends, and her mother, to go live with the father who deserted them....all for Scott? No. I don't care how much she wanted to live in the city her entire life, only a heartless little drama queen would be willing to take those steps. All for The Knowing.

Which leads me to problem number three. The Knowing. Enough with this fate business.

And last, there were characters who seemed to serve no purpose. Rhiannon--which I would assume is the same Rhiannon from Colasanti's other novel, Take Me There (haven't read it). What purpose did she serve other than popping in from another novel? If she isn't the same Rhiannon, then she really served no purpose. And there's another, but revealing this one's non-purpose would be spoilerish.

Now, what I did like.

The story. Despite its flaws, Brooke goes through a transformation that was honorable. She morphs into someone who cares about people, and starts to value more important things than a boy. She starts to realize all of her past mistakes, and takes steps towards fixing them. She took drastic steps in the beginning for some boy, but the girl in the end of the book wouldn't have done such foolish things. Though I doubt she would have stayed in Jersey had she been given a do-over, because her decision to move to NY really did turn out to be what was best for her.

I liked both John and Scott. I liked these boys for different reasons. They were very different characters, and despite Brooke's feelings toward them, I believe they both had their redeeming qualities. Neither were perfect, both had flaws, but that's the reality of the world. Which makes So Much Closer feel that much more real.

The city. Brooke's adventure through the city almost makes me want to visit! (Almost.) I imagine a beauty in it that I hadn't ever thought would be there. I'll be completely honest. When I think about NY, I see buildings, taxis, and bustling pedestrians. Through Brooke's eyes, I saw the city differently.

It was quick. This is one thing I absolutely love about Colasanti. She manages to fit a whole story in a short, quick, fun read. And while sometimes I desire more, there are days when I just want to sit down and read a book from front to back, and walk away feeling satisfied. That's something Colasanti delivers.

Final thoughts:

So Much Closer was a fun read, that forces you to see the beauty in simple things. Look up.

B+