Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales

Title: Mostly Good Girls
Author: Leila Sales
ISBN: 9781442409996
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page #: 347
Source: ARC from the publisher (little delayed review)

Summary:
"Smart, wryly funny, and likable sixteen-year-old Violet is doing her best to juggle the academic, social, and extracurricular stresses of junior year at an elite prep school. Between snagging the attention of the boy of her dreams, saving her disintegrating friendship with her best friend, Katie, and - oh, yeah - passing her classes, Violet's got her hands full. Her witty, vignette-style narrative will captivate and amuse readers from the first page."
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"Poor Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson is my precalc teacher, and he is also the only male at the Westfield School. Unless you count Mr. Roebeck, the bio teacher, which I don't, because he is approximately two million years old and the only manlike thing about him is that he wears neckties."
Page 3
__________________________________________
Review:

After reading a crazy book a few days ago, Mostly Good Girls was the perfect relief book. A fun, girly story that gave me all the drama I could handle :).

It's a book about two girls that go to an elite private school - they are as close as sisters and do literally everything together. When Katie starts to pull away, our main girl Violet doesn't understand what's going on. The story is mostly about friendship and how people grow apart and can grow together. Very realistic story.

I think this is a theme that just about everyone can relate to. Who doesn't have a good friend from childhood that just took a different path and you miss terribly?! I know I have a few of those. They always seem to be the people you cannot imagine living without - but I suppose growing up happens to the best of us :).

While this is a story we all relate to, Violet is hilarious. There's something about their humor that is just quick and witty and fun. These two girls are ones that I would love to hang out with. Even when they are having fights, they still understand and love each other so much that it's super obvious. Who doesn't want friends like that?

I will be recommending this to girls who are looking for stories about friendship - and the whole chick lit thing. It's the perfect book. There's a little romance, but it's more like obsessing about boys from afar. So that's a bit of it, but more friendship stuff. There's a little bit of language and drug use, but I think this book will be good for 9th grade and up. It's a really cute story and I look forward to seeing more from this author!
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Stiletto Storytime
First Novels Club
Steph Su Reads
Frenetic Reader
The Crooked Shelf
Abby the Librarian
Reading Before Bed
Wicked Awesome Books

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

Title: Slice of Cherry
Author: Dia Reeves
ISBN: 9781416986201
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page #: 505
Source: My own copy (won from a contest, I believe)

Summary:
"Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters of the best kind: best friends, best confidants, and best accomplices. The daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy are used to feeling like outsiders, and that's just the way they like it. But in Portero, where the weird and wild run rampant, the Cordelle sisters are hardly the oddest or most dangerous creatures around.

It's no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire - the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren't killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from their father's mistakes and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities..."
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"Fancy only allowed three people in the whole world to get close to her: Daddy, who was on death row; Madda, who was working the graveyard shift; and Kit, who was dead to the world in the bed next to hers. And so when she awoke to find a prowler hanging over her, violating her personal space, her first instinct was to jab her dream-diary pencil into his eye."
Page 3
__________________________________________
Review:

Wow. This book blows all other horror/thriller out of the water. I don't think any book is creepier.

So, this one is about two sisters who are the kids of a serial killer - and they've taken on many of his attributes. Meaning, they love killing. Like, all the way to the core. It's a crazy premise, right? Well, that's just the base of the story. After that it gets to be about family and relationships. In a very twisted way.

Honestly, I loved the story. I just had to wrap my head around the whole sadistic thing before I could get to the meat of the book. But once you do, it's a very interesting concept. It's about sisters being so close that other relationships were difficult. And finding out how different they are - even though they have seen themselves as the same until that point. Just a very cool story.

There needs to be a warning label on this book :). I kid. I kid. Sort of. It's definitely not for the faint of heart. There's lots of killing, lots of sexual situations, plenty of language. It's just packed with crazy stuff. But all of that puts this book in the upper YA category. I can imagine that this book will be too much for some adults. So, read with care.

But that being said, I thought this book was amazingly written and thought out. It's so unique that I almost don't know how to classify it - other than horror. I will be recommending this book to those who can handle the intense-ness of this book. I loved Bleeding Violet by this same author. I think if you loved that, then you will really get into this book as well.
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Well-Read Reviews
Eve's Fan Garden
Novel Novice
Y.A Reviewz
Steph Su Reads
Dreaming of Books
Edifying and Edgy

Waiting on Wednesday (53)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week:

Texas Gothic
by Rosemary Clement-Moore
To be released: July 12, 2011

Summary from Baker and Taylor:
"Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face."

I haven't read any of Ms. Clement-Moore's books before, but this one sounds wonderful! I love the whole family of witches thing... and that it's set in the South. And did I see a mention of a hot cowboy? I'm all there. I look forward to getting my hands on this one! Looks great :).

Top Ten Tuesday: Mean Girls

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week there is a new list! So fun - especially since I'm addicted to making lists. Here's this week's topic:

Top Ten Mean Girls
These are the bad girls of YA fiction that I've wanted to slap upside the head. How dare you all be so mean to my main characters. Ahem. The list:

1. Dolores Umbridge - Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
Did anyone not hate this woman?! The book she "stars" in is my least favorite HP book (even though it's still pretty high on the faves list). I just wanted to kick her pink-clad ass.

2. Savannah Snow - Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Your typical mean girl and her minions.

3. Monica Morel - Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine
I mean, she seriously throws our main character down a flight of stairs in the first book. Questions? No? Let's move on...

4. Mimi Force - Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz
Hello crazy twin girl. And weirdly attached to her brother... and just straight up crazy.

5. Marcie Millar - Hush, Hush saga by Becca Fitzgerald
Arch nemesis. Period. She's becoming important to the story, but I'm kinda pissed about that. She just seems like a bad chick.

6. Queen Mab - Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
Not nice, missy. She may be a queen, but she's got everyone fearing her - even her equals. Not to mention the vendetta she has against our main girl.

7. Neferet - House of Night series by PC and Kristen Cast
The HoN books and I are going through a rough patch, but Neferet is the ultimate mean girl character. But older... and meaner... and heartless-er. She'll stop at nothing and I'm ready for her to be taken down a peg.

8. Amanda - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Super mean girl to an amazing main character. Rooting for Anna is the easiest thing in the world and Amanda is trying to take her down. Bad mean girl, Bad.

9. Elodie - Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
She's totally mean, but I love that she needs the help of our main girl. That makes her meanness a little more interesting - a little less shallow. But mean, nonetheless.

10. Penelope Hayes - Luxe series by Anna Godbersen
Mean is mean, even in historical novels. Penelope never gets the limelight like she wants - and she's done literally everything to get there. That makes her a mean girl in my book!

So, there's my ten! What did you decide? I had to pull info from other people's lists because I couldn't remember any names. I have a hard time remembering main character names - much less their opposites. But thanks, internet, for supplying me with names :).

Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt... by Crickett Rumley

Title: Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell
Author: Crickett Rumley
ISBN: 9781606841310
Publisher: Egmont
Page #: 296
Source: ARC from the publisher (to be released June 2011)

Summary:
"Expelled from thirteen boarding schools in the past five years, seventeen-year-old Jane Fontaine Ventouras is returning to her Southern roots, and the small town of Bienville, Alabama, where ladies always wear pearls, nothing says hospitality like sweet tea and pimento cheese sandwiches, and competing in the annual Magnolia Maid Pageant is every girl's dream.

But Jane is what you might call an anti-belle - more sarcasm and cynicism than sugar and spice. You can be sure that the last thing on her mind is joining the Magnolia Maid brigade and parading around town in an enormous dress and frilly bonnet. So when she finds herself up to her ears in ruffles and etiquette lessons, she's got one mission: Escape.

What's a girl to so? Will Jane survive Bienville boot camp intact or will they - gasp! - make a Southern belle out of her yet."
_______________________________________
First Lines:

"There's a whole chapter in the Magnolia Court Orientation Handbook titled 'Manners befitting a Maid Upon Announcement of Selection to the Court.' It goes something like this, but not exactly like this because I've added a few flourishes to jack up the entertainment value:"
Page 1
_______________________________________
Review:

This book was given to me by one of my coworkers because he knew I'd love it. Totally right. And it's completely because of the whole Southern thing. Thems my roots! :)

Jane is our leading lady who has had trouble in a ton of boarding schools, so has been sent back to her hometown to be the perfect Southern belle. She's more snark and funny than remotely girly. I loved that about here. All of it was totally a joke - even in times of stress. It just made for a really fun look on the whole thing.

I loved the concept of a belle contest - mostly because it's hilarious and I would have laughed my way through it... even if nothing out of the ordinary happened. It helps that you have a few characters who think the whole thing is bunk. The girls chosen for the court are awesome - I'd love to know Zara. She seems cool as a cucumber, but she's got a lot of depth.

There's also a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. Long lost love stuff. And the other girls have their own guy problems. You don't get a whole ton of information about them, so they are kind of a side story. But I think the smattering of boy stuff gives the story a boost.

I think all of those girls who love chick lit will really get into this one. Especially if you love Southern stuff. I do wonder if I got a few of the jokes more than someone who isn't from there. But I can't judge that. I really do plan on recommending this one to anyone looking for a funny, girly story. I look forward to it coming out in a couple months.
_______________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

YA Book Nerd
Danyelle Leafty
Okay, so the book isn't out yet - so not many reviews. Let me know when you do and I'll link ya :).

Weekly Geeks: A-Z Favorite Authors

I've been reading through some of my overflow of blogs on my feed reader and came across this meme that sounds fun. It was posted on the Weekly Geeks website and copied onto someone's blog. Now I wanna do it! I'm such a sucker for memes. It's sad. But it's the perfect thing to do on this rainy Saturday afternoon (while I'm at work. Don't tell).

From Weekly Geeks:
"You know how when someone asks you who your favorite author is? And you feel a bit crazy coming up with just one? Now is your chance to come up with 26 (at least) favorite authors by making a list of them ABC style. (See my above link from the past for an example.) There are no rules, list a couple per letter if you feel the need. Skip a letter if you draw a blank. Make it be categories if you want to. For instance, a favorite YA author list. A favorite classic author list. A favorite “new to me” author list. A favorite mystery author list.

Or simply an all time favorite author list… from A to Z!"

A- Anderson, Laurie Halse
Armstrong, Kelley
Asher, Jay
B- Benway, Robin
Black, Holly
Bray, Libba
C- Cabot, Meg
Clare, Cassandra
Collins, Suzanne
D- Dagg, Carol Estby
Doctorow, Cory
E- Edge, Harry
F- Fitzpatrick, Becca
G- Gaiman, Neil
George, Jessica Day
Gerber, Linda
Godbersen, Anna
Green, John
H- Harrison, Lisi
Holder, Nancy
I- "IraqiGirl"*
J- Johnson, Maureen
K- Kagawa, Julie
Kogler, Jennifer Anne
L- Levithan, David
Lockhart, E.
Lyga, Barry
M- McMann, Lisa
Mead, Richelle
Myracle, Lauren
N- Napoli, Donna Jo
O- Oliver, Jana
Omololu, CJ
P- Patterson, James
Q- Quigley, Sarah
R- Reeves, Dia
Riordan, Rick
Rowling, J.K.
Ryan, Carrie
S- Scott, Elizabeth
T- Taylor, GP
U-
V- Vande Velde, Vivian
Verday, Jessica
Vivian, Siobhan
W- Wasserman, Robin
Westerfeld, Scott
Wooding, Chris
X-
Y- Yovanoff, Brenna
Z-

*The book written under this screen name was amazing. So, technically she's the author.

Okay, okay. So I had some difficulty with a few letters. I almost stuck in a very popular Z author (Zusak)... but then I remembered that I haven't read his stuff. Alas. Should probably do that.

What does your list look like?

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Title: The Demon Trapper's Daughter
Author: Jana Oliver
ISBN: 9780312614782
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Page #: 340
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Seventeen-year-old, the only daughter of legendary demon trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta's local Trappers Guild needs all the help it can get - even from a girl. When she's not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice Simon, Riley's out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils - Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life's about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley's routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And as if that wasn't bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart - and her life?"
________________________________________
First Lines:
"2018 Atlanta, Georgia Riley Blackthorne rolled her eyes. 'Libraries and demons,' she muttered. 'What is the attraction?'"
Page 1
________________________________________
Review:

Seriously, how could I not love a book with an opening line like that?!

The story is of a girl who is following in her father's footsteps to become a demon trapper. It's not a profession any females typically get into - so she faces a lot of adversity. There's also a huge event that happens in the first 100 pages that totally changes the course of Riley's life forever. It gives her a whole new outlook on her job and how she lives her life.

This is a book about the ultimate strong woman. Though I did notice that there are only two or three female characters. Riley stands alone (mostly) in a world of men. And she excels. That alone makes this story very worthwhile to me. There's something so empowering about reading a story of a woman going above and beyond to prove herself. Love it.

All of the men she encounters are vastly different. You have people from all walks of life. And it shows how Riley has adapted to every possible situation - whether she is alone battling crazy demons or among a group of her superiors. You really find yourself rooting for her and hoping the best happens for her.

This story is absolutely jam-packed with action. I don't think you could have added one more fight scene, really. And it all comes to a huge ending that shakes up the entire story - and leads you into the next book (already ready for that one). You do have a lot to learn about the different demons and what they do, but you learn as Riley learns... so I never felt lost at all.

There's something so awesome about a book set in Atlanta, Georgia. I mean, seriously. What a great place to set this story! It gives the whole thing a different vibe from other big cities that are used for every. other. book. Even that it's in the near future, I love the things that are detailed and changed. Everything just feels so clever - and perfect, really. I shouldn't say perfect, but it sure felt that way.

I fully intend to give this book to every person remotely into urban fantasy books. It's just too good to pass up. Even though the main character is a girl, I think there is enough in the story that everyone can love it. So, I believe this one comes with my highest recommendation. I mentioned it to one of my coworkers when I was only 65 pages in - I told her that I already knew this book was going to be awesome and that she had to read it. I was right. :)
________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Bewitched Bookworms
Proud Book Nerd
Braintasia Books
Forever Young (adult)
Books with Bite
Sophistikatied Reviews
Confessions of a Book Addict

Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Title: Mercy
Author: Rebecca Lim
ISBN: 9781423145172
Publisher: Hyperion
Page #: 269
Source: ARC from the publisher (To be released May 17, 2011 in US)

Summary:
"Mercy is an exile from heaven with shattered memories of who and what she used to be. She's doomed to 'wake' repeatedly on earth in a new body, assuming a new life each time, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct, and at night her dreams are haunted by her lost love, who pleads with her to find him. But her memory refuses to cooperate.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen-year-old reeling from the loss of his twin sister, Lauren, who was kidnapped two years ago. Only Mercy and Ryan believe his sister is still alive. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose: she can help. So she doesn't understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the mystery of Lauren's disappearance, danger looms just one step behind. When another girl goes missing, Mercy knows they must act before time runs out. Will she be able to harness her extraordinary power in time?"
___________________________________________
First Lines:

"There's something very wrong with me.
I can't remember who I am or how old I am, or even how I got here. All I know is that when I wake up, I could be any age and anyone, all over again. It is always this way."
Page 1
___________________________________________
Review:

This book was recommended to me by one of my coworkers. She and I share a very similar taste in books, so I knew this would be one I'd love. I got the ARC a month or two ago, but just got around to reading it. And I'm pretty sure it's already out in Australia - so I feel like I'm behind the times. Alas...

When I picked up the book, I don't think I fully understood the premise. It's about an exiled angel (which isn't fully mentioned in the story) who inhabits humans bodies for unknown reasons. Then she's forced from that person to a new one. Honestly, I'm still not sure I fully understand... but I'm hoping the future books will help explain what is going on - to us and to Mercy.

One thing I really enjoyed about this story was the emphasis on music. I used to do chorus in high school and college - I remember sitting in these massive rehearsals that seemed to never end. I guess that made the setting a bit more real to me. We also used to stay in host family houses, so I get that whole uncomfortable thing. It was also interesting to see Mercy grow because of the music thing - it somehow tapped into her past. Very cool.

I guess I spent a lot of this story trying to figure out what was going on. I got the music thing... I got the finding-the-missing-girl thing... but I had trouble with the whole angel and past-lives thing. There wasn't a lot of explanation for it because the main character isn't supposed to understand either. There's a little clarity toward the end about how things are going to be, but I was definitely wishing for more of that.

I think many teens will love this book - and hopefully the rest of the books in the series. There's a huge sense of empowerment in the ending that gives you hope for the people Mercy has been in contact with. She seems to try to better each person she inhabits... and I hope to see more of the people she's influenced.

I will absolutely be recommending this book to my teens as soon as it comes out in May. I know they will love the themes and concept. I mean, anything angel-related these days seems to be perfect. I think people who loved Halo by Adornetto will really get into this one. I look forward to the next book (I think it's called Exile), but I haven't seen a date yet for a US release. But I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for it! I gotta find out what happens :).
___________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Small Town Book Blog
Face Books, not Facebook
BookieMonster
Mercys World
YA Reads
Wicked Walker

Gone by Lisa McMann

Title: Gone (Wake #3)
Author: Lisa McMann
ISBN: 9781416979180
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page #: 214
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she'd made her peace with it. But she can't handle dragging Cabel down with her.

She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He's amazing. And she's a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves: She has to disappear. And it's going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life - and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she'd ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the less of the two evils. And time is running out..."
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"24/7/365
It's like she can't breathe anymore, no matter what she does.
Like everything is closing in on her, crowding her. Threatening her."
Page 1
__________________________________________
Review:

**I cannot promise this review without spoilers. So please tread lightly!**

This is the third and final book in the Wake series. I was absolutely blown away by the first two books, and this last one was no different. The whole concept still has me contemplating bigger things - not just another story. This last book threw more at me than I was expecting. Enough that I'm still wishing for more.

The trilogy is about a girl named Janie who finds herself dropped into anyone's dream at any given moment. She has to be near them, but it's hard for her to get out of it. The last two books are about her finding out exactly what she's dealing with and how she is going to handle it - and what the consequences are.

This last book shows her a whole other side of her gift - one that I didn't even remotely expect. This new person in her life gives the story a level of intensity and despair that throws Janie into a whirlwind of decisions. Honestly, I need another book to fully get a feel of how she's going to live out her life. And how the consequences are going to catch up with her. There's just so much more to be told!

I know there's not another book coming, but I really finished this book wishing for more. I guess that's a good way to stop a story - keep the reader interested. Alas. I have already and will continue to recommend this series to teens. All of them. Seriously, this book is great for 9th grade and up. There's a little bit with the language and such - so probably not younger than that. But it's such a great book, I almost want to give it to literally everyone :).

I know there are other books by this author out right now. I need to get my hands on that. Definitely give this trilogy a shot - you won't be disappointed.
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Katelyn's Blog
Katie's Book Blog
Wondrous Reads
Bobbie's Cute World
Reading Angel
Confessions of a Bookaholic

The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook

Title: The Education of Hailey Kendrick
Author: Eileen Cook
ISBN: 9781442413252
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page #: 256
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way... and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.

Suddenly Hailey's perfect life, and her reputation, are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy - but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?"
___________________________________________
First Lines:

"There was a matter of life and death to deal with, and instead we were wasting our time discussing Mandy Gallaway's crotch. I kept a neutral smile plastered on my face, but my foot bobbed up and down impatiently. More people have seen Mandy Gallaway's naked crotch than saw last year's Super Bowl."
Page 1
___________________________________________
Review:

There are times that I really love having an easy and light romance. This book fit that category for me perfectly. There's a little more to it than that, but it gave me my fix for sure.

The Education of Hailey Kendrick is about a girl in a boarding school who is used to following every rule and being the perfect friend. The story is of her downfall and figuring out where to go from there. She pretty much figures out who she is and that her past doesn't determine what her future holds.

I thought there was something a little predictable about this book - but that doesn't make it bad at all. It just more fully puts the book in the light realistic fiction category. The characters have a bit more substance than just a simply surface story. So I enjoyed getting to know them. Hailey is mostly focused on her family and the issues she has sometimes with her dad - and how other people don't see the same thing. She also has a few guys in her life sort of vying for her attention.

It's almost more about a girl who has been put under so much pressure that she just explodes. And she doesn't know what to do afterward. That seems like an issue that would be pretty typical in a boarding school setting - or outside of them, even. Just because teens are having a lot of stress issues these days. Hopefully not everyone reacts the same way she did :).

I do think I will be recommending this book to my teen girls. It's a fun realistic book - and the whole boarding school thing is popular lately. I think it will go over really well. The characters are identifiable and I think girls will really love the romance aspect of this book. I'll probably recommend it on as soon as I turn it in. It was a really fun vacation book for me. Enjoy!
___________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

The Divining Wand
Book Labyrinth
Book Talks by the Library Lady
Dreaming of Books
The Secret Life of an Avid Reader
YA Book Nuts

Waiting on Wednesday (52)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week:


The Siren's Cry (The Otherworldlies #2)
by Jennifer Anne Kogler
To be released: June 28, 2011

Summary from Baker and Taylor:
"During a trouble-filled school field trip to Washington, D.C., twelve-year-old Fern finds and tries to rescue fellow Unusual Miles Zapo, who is imprisoned at the National Zoological Park, using her abilities with teleportation and telekinesis."

I remember loving the first book in this series, so I am super excited for this one. I really love the covers - very, uhm, otherworldly. :) I think this one will be fantastic. Cannot wait!

I'm Baaaack!

Hello, Hello... one and all!

I'm sure no one noticed, but I've been gone for the past two and a half weeks. I had this little thing to attend to - also known as getting married. And then a honeymoon cruise to Mexico.

Everything went wonderfully and I'm back to work tomorrow (that'll be eye opening, I'm sure). If anyone is wildly interested, I can post some pictures or something later. I don't have my professional ones yet, of course. But I'll be happy to share.

All that being said, I'm super behind on the whole blogging thing. I only finished two books while I was gone - not many, but it was a busy time. Still, I need to blog those books and catch up on a bunch of emails and such. So if you've emailed me lately, I'm getting to it. Promise. Hopefully I can get things back on track in the next few days.

Thank you all for being understanding. :). I look forward to getting my blogging and my blog reader under control. I hope I didn't miss anything too amazing.
All my love to the blogging world!

Fade by Lisa McMann

Title: Fade (Wake #2)
Author: Lisa McMann
ISBN: 9781416953586
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page #: 248
Source: From my public library

** If you have not read Wake, this summary and review will probably contain spoilers! Proceed with caution!**

Summary: "Some nightmares never end. For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open - but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability - and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared." ____________________________________________
First Lines:

"January 1, 2006, 1:31 a.m.
Janie sprints through the snowy yards from two streets away and slips quietly through the front door of her house.
And then.
Everything goes black."
Page 1
____________________________________________
Review:

There is something so wonderful about this author. I honestly don't think I can put my finger on what it is, but her books are just fantastic. Is it the writing? Probably. It is the story? Also probably. I have decided that only after reading two, I'm hooked. I flew through them both and have already put my hands on the third one. I can't wait to fly through this one as well. I know it's going to be fabulous.

The story in Fade is about Janie's second foray into the detective world. This time she's asked to do something much more intense and it puts her life in jeopardy. You see her grow into much stronger character - physically and somewhat emotionally. She is given more information about who she is and how she is supposed to handle it. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a guide for how our lives were going to turn out?

I do have to say that there seems to be an amazing amount of drama that happens at this high school. First you have cocaine... now you have wayward teachers... what's next?! But it's a really cool mixture of the mystery and the fantasy of dealing with a dream catcher. A dream catcher who is learning who she is and how to deal with her "gift."

As I mentioned in my review of Wake, I'm very intrigued by this whole dream aspect of the book (meaning, the main concept). There's something so mysterious about dreams in general - not just how Janie is using them in the books. Even if there wasn't the whole detective aspect, I would still want to see what people dream and try to analyze what they mean. But that's just me and my curiousity :). I've always wanted to see what's going on in people's heads. Don't we all? I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens.

At the end of Fade, you get a picture of what the future holds for Janie and I am excited to see how it turns out. I'm hoping for good things. Either way, I already have Gone in my possession... I just have to pick the right moment to read it. The moment that I have enough time to sit down and read the whole darn thing :).

I know that so many teens will love this book, I can't even pinpoint the genre reader that will like it most. It's got a little bit of everything and it's just written so well that you can't put it down. Definitely check out Lisa McMann's website. She's got information about her more recent book and how awesome that seems. I'll have to get that one as well.
____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Teenage Fiction for All Ages
Karin's Book Nook
YA Reads Chick Loves Lit
That Chick That Reads
Love to Read for Fun
Teen Book Fanatics
Good Girls Read Books