The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Title: The Kiss of Deception
Author: Mary E. Pearson
ISBN: 9780805099232
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Released: July 8, 2014
Page #: 489
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia's life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight - but she doesn't - and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom - to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive - and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself of the brink of unlocking perilous secrets - even as she finds herself falling in love."
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First Lines: (quote from the galley - see final version for edits)

"Today was the day a thousand dreams would die, and a single dream would be born.
The wind knew. It was the first of June but cold gusts bit at the hilltop citadelle as fiercely as deepest winter, shaking the windows with curses and winding through drafty halls with warning whispers."
Page 3
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Review:

It's possible that this book has just claimed the spot for my favorite book ever, right now. This is me... attempting to write a review without gushing. Go!

Princess Lia is about to get married to a prince she has never met before. Her family is trying to create an alliance with a nearby kingdom, so it is her duty to marry this man and move away from everything she knows. She's never been much for royal protocol, so it's not surprising that she doesn't want this life. On the day of her wedding, she runs away. With the help of her friend Pauline, Lia finds a new home and a life she had only imagined. And one thing she wants the most - the possibility of love that is not forced on her.

This book was... in a word... brilliant. I mean, seriously. I love the kickass princess who defies her duty and finds a new life for herself. I love that she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. I love how fiercely Lia protects and takes care of her friend Pauline. I love that family is still important to her - even though she has run away from them. I love her devotion to her brothers and their families. I love how she's not willing to give up - even when she's facing probable death. She's just... amazing. And I want to know everything about her!

So, yes. She's got these two guys who arrive on the same night to the tavern where she is now working. They're very different and she cannot place why they stand out so much. But they both catch her eye. They are our two dashing love interests. Unfortunately, one is an assassin and there to kill her. Then there is the prince she just avoided marrying. She finds herself torn between the two and starts to really fall for one of them.

Honestly, about halfway through the book, I got the biggest shock when I realized that I had the guys figured out all wrong. There isn't a point before then that tells you exactly who is who... just hints as you go along. You can only imagine my shock when I realized which one was which. I think I actually exclaimed out loud and startled some coworkers at lunch. :) That alone made me think this book was brilliant - it had me going down the wrong path, only to turn the tables on me. Loved that!

The whole second half is sort grueling. Things seem dire... life is horrifying... Lia is on the trek of a lifetime - and may not make it much longer. It's seriously intense. Plus, there are still people out there trying to kill her. She's now in a world she doesn't understand in a situation she doesn't know how to get out of. This book ends on a serious cliffhanger. You really don't know whether she's going to make it much longer. I'm totally sucked in by the whole thing and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. In a word, this book is breathless.

I've already recommended this book to many, many people. It was actually recommended to me first by one of my coworkers. I can't believe I put it off as long as I did. I really think lots of people will love this story as much as I did... and I imagine the next book is going to be just as amazing. _________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews: 

Books YA Love
Rainy Day Ramblings
Ink and Paper
There Were Books Involved
Writer of Wrongs
Loving the Language of Literacy
The Lit Bitch
M. Kircher
In Case of Survival
Read. Breathe. Relax.

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You
Author: Claudia Gray
ISBN: 9780062278968
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: November 04, 2014
Series: Firebird #1
Page #: 357
Source: My own copy

Summary:
"Marguerite Caine grew up surrounded by cutting-edge scientific theories, thanks to her brilliant physicist parents. Yet nothing is more astounding than her mother's latest invention - a device called the Firebird, which allows people to leap into alternate dimensions.

When Marguerite's father is murdered, all the evidence points to one person - Paul, her parents' enigmatic star student. Before the law can touch him, Paul escapes into another dimension, having committed what seems like the perfect crime. But he didn't count on Marguerite. She doesn't know if she can kill a man, but she's going to find out.

With the help of another physics student, Theo, Marguerite chases Paul through various dimensions. In each new world Marguerite leaps to, she meets another version of Paul that has her doubting his guilt and questioning her heart. Is she doomed to repeat the same betrayal?

As Marguerite races through these wildly different lives - a grand duchess in a Tsarist Russia, a club-hopping orphan in a futuristic London, a refugee from worldwide flooding on a station in the heart of the ocean - she is swept into an epic love affair as dangerous as it is irresistible."
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First Lines:

"My hand shakes as I brace myself against the brick wall. Rain falls cold and sharp against my skin, from a sky I've never seen before. It's hard to catch my breath, to get any sense of where I am. All I know is that the Firebird worked."
Page 1
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Review:

Dimension jumping to find your dad's murderer? Could you get anything more intense??

Marguerite's parents are scientists. Physicists, to be exact. She's always lived in a home with big thinkers... students of life... and some actual students of her parents. Her mother has found a way to allow a person to jump dimensions, but it's been used for evil. Marguerite's father was just murdered and the man responsible has stolen one of the dimension jumping devices (a Firebird) and he's lost to them now. She teams up with one of her parent's students set out to see if they can find him and bring him to justice.

Everything about this book blew my mind. In the best possible way. The whole concept of alternate dimensions that play out every other possible decision you've made (and everyone else in the world), is just completely mind blowing. There are dimensions where you didn't forgive that one friend and it changed the course of things. There are dimensions where your parents didn't meet - you can't visit those, you don't exist. There are dimensions where your ancestor didn't make it to America, so you're welcome to visit their lives in Russia. I mean, ANYTHING! It's crazy and the possibilities are endless. I think that's what makes this idea really cool for a book - they could literally go anywhere.

In that vein, this book is set in so many places, it was probably really fun to write. An extremely tech savvy London. An extremely backwards Russia. A legit water world. And even one dimension that was so close to her own, Marguerite had some trouble identifying the differences. Can you imagine all of those things happening simultaneously and all you need is one little device to visit them all? It doesn't hurt that her parents are brilliant and they have the ability to open up these possibilities for her.

But it's not just about jumping around to see what's happening. She's searching for the man who murdered her father. A man she trusted. A man her parents trusted. A man that she becomes less and less convinced is guilty. In each new world, they have to find each other to figure things out. There's a larger tech organization that is involved in this whole scandal as well, but how deeply? As soon as one mystery is figured out, another one pops up. This book definitely kept me on my toes.

I'm not sure if this is going to become a series. This book wrapped up nicely and everything was figured out. No real cliffhangers here - which I highly appreciate. But it makes me wonder if there will be more about the Firebird. More about the possibilities. I've seen a few places that this is listed as #1, so I am hoping for more. I honestly think this is the best thing that has been written by Claudia Gray. I'm definitely up for another installment if there is going to be one. I'm highly recommending this one as it is.
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Other Blog Reviews:

That's Normal
Snuggly Oranges
There Were Books Involved
YA Midnight Reads
All Things Urban Fantasy
Alice Marvels
Bookish Broads
The Bookshelf Intruder
The Y.A. Bookworm Blogger
Reading Lark

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Title: Talon
Author: Julie Kagawa
ISBN: 9780373211395
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: October 28, 2014
Series: Talon #1
Page #: 449
Source: My own copy

Summary:
"Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragonslayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey - and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the order has ingrained in him - and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons."
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First Lines:

"'Ember, when did your parents die, and what was the cause of death?'
I stifled a groan and tore my gaze from the car window, where the bright, sunny town of Crescent Beach shimmered beyond the tinted glass."
Page 11
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Review:

Undercover dragons living among humans - researching humans - trying to go undetected? I'm totally in.

Ember and Dante have been given the opportunity to live among humans and learn as much as they can until they are given their official assignments. They've been extremely sheltered until now, so this is a huge change for them. Ember greets the challenge head-on. She makes friends, meets a guy, learns to surf... until she meets a mysterious stranger who seems to know all about her. Not to mention she is trying to avoid being detected by their nemesis - the Order of St. George.

While I know the bones of this story are a little silly... this book was awesome. It's the perfect mix of light-hearted fun and surfing, but serious danger and training. The whole concept of undercover dragons is a total new one for me and I love it. There are some pretty epic battle scenes that will make this book very appealing to action lovers, and I think there's plenty of relationship stuff that will appeal to the romance lovers. Shall we say that this book has something for everyone? Maybe. :)

You get hints about where Ember and Dante have come from, but there's never a clear picture of their home. Their training. Did they have friends there? Did they have family? You get the feeling that they have come from a scientific lab... that they have never interacted with anyone. But I also find their relationship very interesting - especially if they come from that sort of background. They're very protective of each other, as twins often are. But That's not something they were taught and not something their parent organization (Talon) is a fan of. So I found them to be very interesting. I get the feeling that we'll get a lot more of Dante's side of things in the next book.

As you can imagine, there is a definite love triangle going on here. The guys could not be more opposite - one is a rogue dragon that he denounced anything Talon-related and wants Ember to join him, the other is a dragon hunter who doesn't really know who she is, but has his suspicions! I mean, how much more emotionally charged can you get? Why couldn't she just find some cute surfer boy? Alas!

Seriously, though... I totally bought into the story. I wanna know what's going to happen next. I want to see where all of the characters end up. I feel pretty invested. I will say that I don't think this is Kagawa's best book to date. I mean, can you ever live up to the Iron Fey series? I think not. :) But honestly, I think it's an original story that people will love. Especially those fans of paranormal romance. You don't get much more paranormal than dragons, right?
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Other Blog Reviews:

Star-Crossed Book Blog
Bookish Broads
The Irish Banana
Read. Breathe. Relax.
Words Read and Written
Fictional Thoughts
Musings of a YA Reader
Reading Bifrost
Icey Books
Goldilox and the Three Weres

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Breathe, Annie, Breathe
Author: Miranda Kenneally
ISBN: 9781402284793
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Released: July 15, 2014
Page #: 307
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can't escape the guilt that if she hadn't broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to run.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she's at war with her body, her mind - and her heart. With every mile that her training partner, Jeremiah, cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms... and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line."
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First Lines: (Quoted from the galley - see final copy for edits)

"As a kid, I had the worse mile time ever. 
Our gym teacher made us run the mile a few times a year for something called the Presidential Fitness Test. I'd huff and puff and wonder why the hell President Bush cared how fast I could run laps around the playground."
Page 3
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Review:

It's not very often that a book is set in and around Nashville. So, of course, I had to give this one a shot.

After her boyfriend dies, Annie decides that she has to finish the marathon that he was training for. She's not a runner, though, so she has to go through a fairly grueling training process to even think about finishing the marathon. Along the way, she meets lots of amazing people who have their own demons. Not to mention there's a guy she doesn't expect... and he starts some feeling she's not sure she is ready for. It's all a mess and she's worried that she doesn't even have the strength to finish the race.

I'm always a fan of stories about mental toughness overcoming physical pain and heartbreak. Annie has all of this. She's dealing with the death of her long-term boyfriend - a death that she's convinced she could have prevented. As she finished up high school, there are lots of things she never thought she would have to do on her own. She gets stronger both mentally and physically throughout the course of the book - and it's not without its bumps and hurtles.

Of course, I loved all of the Nashville area markers. It's kind of fun to read about a place I know so well. For me, that was almost worth reading the book altogether. There were a few places that I'd never heard of, so I wonder if they were made up for the purpose of the book. But it worked well and I could easily imagine those trails and the places they stopped... This probably just means there need to be more books set here.

The story spans several months because you start with Annie's first training sessions. Throughout that time, she graduates high school and starts college with some unlikely friends. I appreciate that the author didn't cut any corners because of the timing. I imagine training for a marathon takes at least that long. But you do wonder if there are some things missing because you're only getting the highlights from those months. On the other hand, it allows you to imagine what her life is like other times - which is probably pretty normal.

Because the book spans so much time, that really makes it a lot easier to believe the romance that blooms throughout. It's not fast. Annie wants to take it slow because of her past - and because of who the guy is. It's just really sweet and shows what it can be like when two people are totally falling for each other. With it branching into college, you can imagine she's dealing a little bit with more adult situations of living on her own, but it's well done.

I also enjoy that Annie doesn't come from some amazing background or privilege. She has to work for everything she wants - quite literally. She has to spend her time as a waitress so that she can earn enough money for her training sessions and books for college. I really liked reading about someone who has goals and is willing to work hard for them. And I feel like there might be a lot of kids in that sort of situation who might benefit from hearing her voice.

I would recommend this book for upper YA readers because of all the college stuff. It's sort of a sports book with all of the running and extreme sports. And it would probably be more for wanna-be athletes rather than people who are already good at it. :) But it's a good story and I had a fun time reading it. I think some teens will have the same experience.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Teen Librarian Toolbox
Dear Author
A Bookish Escape
Just a Couple More Pages
Effortlessly Reading
Snuggly Oranges
Hey, Library Girl!
The Talking Bookworm
Ficwishes
Smitten Over Books

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

Title: The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone
Author: Adele Griffin
ISBN: 9781616953607
Publisher: Soho Teen
Released: August 12, 2014
Page #: 241
Source: My public library

Summary:
"'From the moment she stepped foot in NYC, Addison Stone's subversive art made her someone to watch. And her violent drowning left her fans and critics craving to know more. I conducted interviews with those who knew her best - including close friends, family, teachers, mentors, art dealers, boyfriends, and critics - and retraced the tumultuous path of Addison's life. I hope I can shed new light on what really happened the night of July 28.'
-Adele Griffin
'Some people wonder if they dare disturb the universe. Other people smash their universe to pieces just to see how it looks the next morning. For those of you who never knew her, take this book. Read her life. Be inspired to be more.'
-Lincoln Reed, Addison Stone's former boyfriend
'I don't believe in magic, but Addy lives right here in these pages - in the memories of all of us who knew her best.'
-Lucy Lim, childhood best friend"
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First Lines:

"I met Addison Stone only once. She had enrolled as a freshman in my creative writing workshop at Pratt Institute. There were only six other students in my class, and as a visiting instructor, I was happy we'd be such a tight group."
Page 3
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Review:

I don't think I can even begin to tell you how fascinated I was by this story.

This is the chronicle of the life of Addison Stone by her nearest and dearest. After her death, everyone has had a chance to really assess their relationship with her and what they think has happened. She was a fabulous portrait artist who was just making a name for herself in the NYC art community. It's a tragedy and these interviews show how her friends and family are dealing with it and all the rumor surrounding Addison's life.

I've never read anything like this before. A coworker told me there are several adult books written this way, but I'm still in awe about the format. I can see things being written in an interview format, but to really let it go on almost like it's a biography instead of fiction is fascinating. I legit had to do some research when I started this book - because I honestly thought I was reading about someone's real life. In that, I think it's a nod to how awesome this author is that it's pulled off perfectly.

Addison's life was certainly troubled, but full of energy and possibility. She's an artist who grew up in a small community until someone realized the potential of her talent. Even before she is discovered, she is literally and figuratively haunted by voices of the past. Unfortunately, she listened to those voices and really bad things came from it. I feel like this is something that is often a part of the artist community - people are a little more manic, a little more intense, and a little more on edge. And that really rings true in this story of Addison and her rise to the top.

There is a really intense focus on mental illness in this book. Addison ends up taking anti-psychotics and having a stint in an institution to help her through a rough patch. I appreciate that it's treated by her family and friends as just a fact of her life. Not something weird or troubling, just that she needs help and is able to get it. I think that's a great look at that sort of instance - and what part it may have played in her death. Her struggles with this is really what brings into question whether it was an accident or not.

Having this little window into the arts world of New York is sort of cool. I mean, you know about people like this, you've read about them in the tabloids. It's just an interesting look into the life of someone in that position and how those things changed her life - both for the better and worse. And to think about all of the tiny things a person owns during their life that might become valuable once they have died. Especially if there is some sort of story behind it... no matter how small. There's a little bit of that sort issue that happens in this story because of Addison's slimy handler.

I guess my only "complaint" about this book is the ending. You effectively know what's going to happen from page one. It's spelled out there. So it almost feels anti-climactic, but only because there are no twists or turns. You do get a little more information about that night and a couple of things that sort of stand out. But of course it doesn't change what happens... and the conclusion is still left in the hands of the reader. All of which is probably intentional.

I think I'm honestly in awe of this book. I've been talking it up to just about everyone I can think of. It will probably cross lots of genres and bring more adults into the YA world. I've read other books by this author and this is definitely the one that is going to stick with me. But I'm forever a fan.
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Flyleaf Review
Justin's Book Blog
Refracted Light Reviews
YAketyYAks
Waking Brain Cells
Paper Cuts
Read. Write. Ramble.
A Nook for Books
The Reading Addict
We Live and Breathe Books

The Young World by Chris Weitz

Title: The Young World
Author: Chris Weitz
ISBN: 9780316226295
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Released: July 29, 2014
Page #: 374
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes. Jefferson, the reluctant leader of the Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos. But when another tribe member discovers a clue that may hold the cure to the Sickness, five teens set out on a life-altering road trip to save humankind.

The tribe exchanges gunfire with enemy gangs, escapes cults and militias, braves the wilds of the subway and Central Park... and discovers truths they could never have imagined."
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First Lines: (Quoted from the galley, please see final version for edits.)

"It's another gorgeous Spring day after the fall of civilization. I'm doing my rounds, following the path that winds through Washington Square park, like a warped infinity sign."
Page 1
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Review:

I was really excited to get my hands on this book - it's so firmly in my wheelhouse, it's freaky.

Jefferson has taken over leadership of the Washington Square tribe. Often the various tribes have to fight over space and resources - and they are no exception. One of their members thinks he knows how to cure the Sickness, but he needs to make it to a different territory to find the research. They get together a group and set out on a mission to save the world. Along the way, they encounter more obstacles than you can even imagine.

As I said, this book is firmly in my wheelhouse. Dystopian, teens are the only ones who don't get the Sickness, making tribes for themselves... learning how survive this new world. I'm down for all of that. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that this book does it the best. I think the concept of having it set in Manhattan - a place that has the potential to be completely cut off from everything else - is kinda cool. Things are sort of sectioned off there already, so it's easy to imagine how things would break down in the event of a disease wiping out most of the people like this.

But here's my big question... If people don't know New York very well, will they be totally lost while reading this story? Luckily, I lived there for a while, so I have a mental map of the island. So I wonder if people who don't know are sort of lost when street names and some visual markers are mentioned. And does it matter? I had a little trouble following their entire time in Central Park because I was picturing different things than what the author was saying. It was a little frustrating because those details seem to make a difference.

Another over-arching theme that had me concerned was the racism aspect. They said that when the sickness took away the adults and tribes were being formed, there were areas that completely decided to exclude certain races. Like... the Upper East & West decided to push people up into Harlem... I just have a hard time swallowing the idea that people would actually do that. I mean, I get it in the context of the story. And, of course, the main crowd we follow treats it all very respectfully. But the entire idea that something like that would happen really bugs me. Yes, there are certain areas of NY that are completely one ethnicity or culture, but it felt almost like it shouldn't have been part of the storyline. Maybe something will come of it in future volumes?

So, all of our main characters are basically brilliant. They've learned how to deal with the Sickness in various ways - some through medicine, some through invention, some through leadership, some through fighting excellence. It's just like cream of the crop. But it's a little like the author uses their brilliance to say things that the average, everyday teen wouldn't. It felt a little like I was listening to the voice of the author, rather than the voice of the characters. The multiple mentions of the 50 Shades of Gray books seemed really out of place.

That being said, I really loved Donna. Her sarcastic take on life was amazing and I wanted to be her best friend. She took everything in stride and really seemed to find the humor in most every dire circumstance. I really liked her and sort of wish her POV was the only one we read. She also seemed to be the most down-to-earth in her way of viewing things... like how I would hope we would all see the world. The book seemed to lose a little steam when we went back to Jefferson's POV - who was dealing with a whole different set of issues.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't care about the awesome role the library played in this story. I mean, the fact that there is an entire cult that worships information? Fascinating! And I love that it became a destination of security and the key to finding the cure. And thank goodness they found the article they were looking for! I mean, could have been a disaster :).

All in all, I think this book is a solid story about teens trying to build their own society, but I don't think it's a go-to for this genre. There are many aspects of this book that are addressed differently and maybe better in other books. And I will say that the end seemed to stop at the spot when it really got interesting. I know you should leave the reader wanting more, but there was something about this ending that seemed to be abrupt.

Okay, so I'm obviously not going to make this as my highly recommended book for people getting into dystopian... but I think it might be good for someone who has read a lot in the genre. There are a few twists and turns to make things interesting and it's possible that the cliffhanger ending will really get people excited to read the next book. I think it's worth reading if your a genre fan, but I'm going to need to think long and hard about reading the next book in the series.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Justin's Book Blog
Book, Tea, and Piracy
Reading Lark
Libby Blog
Book Sp(l)ot Reviews
Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
WhoRuBlog
The Book Bratz
The Founding Fields
Gizzimomo's Book Shelf

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Rebel Belle
Author: Rachel Hawkins
ISBN: 9780399256936
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Released: April 8, 2014
Series: Rebel Belle #1
Page #: 345
Source: Owned copy

Summary:
"Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She's imbued with the powers of a Paladin, a guardian with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. Things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him - and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth."
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First Lines:

"Looking back, none of this would have happened if I'd brought lip gloss the night of the Homecoming Dance.
Bee Franklin was the first person to notice that my lips were all naked and indecent."
Page 1
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Review:

Mages. Oracles. Paladins. Magic. It's a whole world right under everyone's noses!

Harper Price is the queen of her school. Her town, even. Everyone knows her and loves her. Her life could not be more perfect. On the night that she is supposed to be crowned Homecoming Queen, something insane happens. She's attacked and semi-accidentally kills someone with her stiletto. And now she's a ninja. Obviously, nothing makes sense anymore and her world is flipped on its head and her cotillion is going to be ruined.

I am going to agree with many of the reviews I've seen that this book is sort of ridiculous and silly, but it is a fun read. I mean, diving into the brain of a girl who is more concerned about her cotillion dress than anything else is sort of a big ask. She's smart, but is stretched so thin that her priorities get a little skewed sometimes. Luckily, she has the perfect friends to back her up on anything... until she becomes a ninja and can't tell them about it.

Going through the discovery process about this underlying world is a lot of fun. It gets even better when you understand that Harper is meant to protect someone she hates. Their relationship is really hilarious and you can see them butting heads at every turn. I think it's one of those things that you can easily imagine... because who didn't have enemies in high school?!?

One thing drove me really nuts. I haven't seen anything about it in anyone's reviews, so maybe I'm just losing my mind. But there is one moment that the author seems to lose track of one of her characters. I feel like I only noticed because I like to visualize what people are doing and appreciate when an author tells me where they're sitting, standing, looking, etc. But there's one spot in this book where the same character sits four different times without ever standing... I looked at it several times to make sure I wasn't going insane. But it really seems like there's an error there.

With that being said, it didn't keep me from enjoying the book. But it did sort of keep me aware of everyone's whereabouts and hoping it wouldn't happen again. And it didn't seem to. So we're good. :) I loved how explosive the ending was in this book. I didn't see most of that coming and it made me really excited for a second book with these characters. Not to mention the possibility of an awesome love triangle! I can only imagine the many directions this story could go.

I will definitely be recommending this book to anyone who loves their realistic stories with a hint of magic. It's a fun book that I know people will get into and an author that many already love. I'll absolutely be checking out the second book when it comes out and I look forward to seeing where this could go!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Effortlessly Reading
Nick's Book Blog
Books and Swoons
The Obsessive Bookseller
Finding Bliss in Books
hell is cold
Read. Breathe. Relax.
Elizziebooks
Bookcrastinators in Wonderland
deux lectrices

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Title: The Infinite Sea
Author: Rick Yancey
ISBN: 9780399162428
Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons
Released: September 16, 2014
Series: 5th Wave #2
Page #: 300
Source: My public library

Summary:
"How do you rid the earth of seven billion humans?
Rid the humans of their humanity.

Cassie Sullivan and her companions lived through the Others' four waves of destruction. Now, with the human race nearly exterminated and the 5th Wave rolling across the landscape, they face a choice: brace for winter and hope for Evan Walker's return, or set out in search of other survivors before the enemy closes in. Because the next attack is more than possible - it's inevitable.

No one can anticipate the depths to which the Others will sink, nor the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate."
_______________________________________________
First Lines:

"The world is a clock winding down.
I hear it in the wind's icy fingers scratching against the window. I smell it in the mildewed carpeting and the rotting wallpaper of the old hotel. And I feel it in Teacup's chest as she sleeps."
Page 1
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Review:

The 5th Wave books certainly pack a punch. A well-thought-out, jarring, sense of despair punch. Also, if you haven't read the first book, then this will certainly have spoilers. If you haven't read it, then I'm not sure what you're doing with your life. So get on it!!

Cassie has finally fulfilled one promise, but she's made another. And now that she has more people to look out for, things have become even more complicated. There are new threats and enemies that they could have never imagined. Part of their group gets split up and now they aren't even sure who is alive. It's time to make a plan, but every possible road has a horrifying outcome. Things are looking dire with not much chance of survival.

I was absolutely in love with the first book in this series. The entire concept of an alien race coming and slowly chipping away at the human population was sincerely frightening. I mean, that seems like something that could actually happen - and in the most terrifying way. So I was in... hook, line, and sinker. It initially had me confused with some of the varying points of view, but that didn't keep me from falling for that book hard.

The second book here is just as action-packed, just as terrifying, just as intense. It's one of those books that I found myself reading too fast because I wanted to find out what was going to happen. There were several times I had to stop and say, "wait, WHAT?!" I definitely spent some time backtracking to verify things that I couldn't remember. Like... "When did she get a gun back?" or "Did that guy get shot? When?!" and "Who did that? I thought it was... oooohhhh." I don't think it had anything to do with the way the book was written - but entirely in my reading skills. I was just reading too quickly and that sort of shot me in the foot here (get it? shot in the foot... like, there are tons of people getting shot ... Whatever.)

There were a few times that I felt sort of dumb reading this book - not just because of the constant flipping back and forth. There were terms used that I couldn't define and that I couldn't even get with the context clues. I mean, that's a good thing... having to look up words and learning things. But in my hurry to read this book, I kind of felt like an idiot. Basically it made me think this author is brilliant and is down for challenging his readers.

Honestly, this is the perfect second book. No sophomore slump here! I was just trolling the internet about this series and came across the movie news... which I can only imagine could be amazing! You know I'll be first in line to see that! Yeah, I know it's slated for 2016, but I girl can dream! These books really read like an action movie, so I can't wait to see what they do on the big screen.

I have come to the conclusion that this series has no actual main character. There are about four or five of them. This book has more skipping around, but there's a huge part that takes place without Cassie - who I would have considered the main character before this. It's kind of a cool way to tell a story because there are so many varying storylines happening, but it does sometimes get confusing. There's one sort of revelation from Ringer toward the end that I'm still trying to wrap my head around... and if it's true! I'm still shaking my head in admiration.

I've obviously read the first two books too quickly. It looks like the third one doesn't come out for like a year. But I'm still going to recommend them to literally everyone. I have labeled these as sci-fi, but I think it's a great crossover series. People who have been into that whole dystopian thing will probably drool all over these books. I'm sure most people have already read them, but I cannot WAIT to put them in the hands of a few people. Bravo, Mr. Yancey. Anxiously awaiting #3!
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Other Blog Reviews:

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sdavreads

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
ISBN: 9780525425632
Publisher: Dutton Books
Released: August 14, 2014
Page #: 339
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they began their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Etienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love - set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona - is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins's beloved series."
________________________________________________
First Lines:

"It's midnight, it's sweltering, and I might be high on Vicodin, but that guy - that guy right over there - that's him.
The him.
His posture is as familiar as a recurring dream."
Page 1
________________________________________________
Review:

Stephanie Perkins is like a dream author for me. Every book I've read I have thought, "This is my favorite! How is she so good?! When does her next book come out? Why isn't everyone reading this already?" Hopefully they ARE!

Isla and Josh go to school in Paris, but they're both from New York. She's been watching him for years, hoping for him to notice her. Or, at least, more than just some girl in his classes. And when she gets her opening - and she isn't totally herself - she makes a move. It's a clumsy move, but it gets them talking and sets the future on course.

Man. I'm going to try not to gush here. Every step of the way, I was in love with this book. AM in love with this book. It's such a magical, romantic story about two people dealing with the ins and outs of true love. And it's not always pretty. You almost immediately fall in love with both of these characters and I cannot imagine something bad happening to either of them. Of course things fall apart in the middle, but in a way that makes sense.

Perkins is a master at the realistic romance story. And I absolutely adored the way she wove in characters from her previous novels. You don't need to know anything about them, and it's just a nod to the people who have read her other books. It's just so well done! (this is me. not gushing.)

One of the big things that Isla and Josh have to deal with is the college selection process. One of them knows exactly what they want and what it will take to get there. The other has no earthly idea and is contemplating just following the other person on their journey. I think that's an issue that many teens face - especially for those undecided people. It's nice to watch them work through those issues and figure out what it means for the two of them as a couple in the future. Lots of insecurities arise that I distinctly remember feeling as a teen.

There's something so magical about books that are set abroad - especially Paris. They're in this really cool situation there without parents and I think that's what fuels a lot of the story. They are on their own. They have to almost fend for themselves. It's very boarding-school-like, without seeming like an actual boarding school situation. The best of all worlds! And honestly, the immediate set-up had me hooked. The fact that she had just gotten her wisdom teeth out and was on medicine and wandering the streets... it's just so funny and I love the whole damsel in distress - but not really -thing.

Another thing I really enjoyed was Josh's graphic novel that he was working on. I am a person who reads a lot of graphic novels and I thought it was really cool to include that he is an artist who aspires to publish his work. I do think that's an area with growing interest right now - not just reading graphic novels and comics, but to create them. And how you do that effectively. Oh! And the fact that Isla is into comics, too! That was perfect. Thank you for making a girl character who likes things that are sometimes seen as "boy stuff!"

The romantic situations definitely push this book up to older teens, but I think it's fabulous and everyone should read it. Especially adults. I mean, it's just a solid romance that covers so much ground and is extremely well-written. I've said this before, but I'll officially read anything Stephanie Perkins writes. I've drunk the kool-aid. Give. Me. MORE! :)
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Other Blog Reviews:

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Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
ISBN: 9781619630659
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Released: September 02, 2014
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Page #: 562
Source: My public library
 
Summary:
"Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak - but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth... a truth about her heritage that could change her life - and her future - forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength not only to fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about the be unleashed.

The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight."
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First Lines:

"Gods, it was boiling in this useless excuse for a kingdom.
Or maybe it felt that way because Celaena Sardothien had been lounging on the lip of the terra-cotta roof since midmorning, an arm flung over her eyes, slowly baking in the sun like the loaves of flatbread the city's poorest citizens left on their windowsills because they couldn't afford brick ovens."
Page 3
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Review:

If you haven't read Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, please do so. You won't regret it. Epic magical adventure and love story? GO! And I can't promise no spoilers of the first two books.

As the King's Assassin, Celaena has basically been to hell and back. She's fought for her position, her life, her past, her future... and everything in between. Now she's on a quest to get answers from her evil, magic-wielding aunt. But, of course, not without being fully tested and trained to her specifications. And there's larger evils happening back at home - things that Celaena has the ability to fix, but she doesn't know how yet. Training, fighting, and learning are her entire life now.

There is A LOT going on in this book. You've got probably four different storylines with about six or seven different perspectives. It's really a lot to keep up with. And if I am going to say there is any flaw in this book (which is really, really hard to do), I would say that my interest in each of the storylines was varying. Honestly, I could have just stuck with the Celaena/Rowen story the entire book. But I understand how all of the others are going to come into play and be very important as things go along. I just found myself irritated sometimes when I was stuck in another storyline when I really just wanted to know what was happening elsewhere.

So... beyond that, I absolutely loved this book. And have loved this series since the beginning. It's just so well written and you can see that the author does a fabulous job pulling all of the magical concepts together. She's really created a whole new vocabulary and world for you to explore. Things are uncovered at every turn - mysteries start to get solved, other concerns come up. There's so much that has yet to be explored that I look forward to future volumes.

There are a lot of new characters to figure out in this latest book. You've got an entire new city of people who are trying to feel out Celaena and figure out exactly who she is. Then you've got more seedy underworld characters who begin to create drama in another place. There is just a host of new characters! And while that does help keep the story fresh and interesting, there's a lot to keep up with.

I've realized that my only complaints about this book are about its complexity. And that really isn't a problem at all - it may be more of a personal issue because of my current attention span. This book took me a long time to get through, but it was because I wanted to make sure I got all of the details. I made the mistake of flying through the first book and realizing I needed to back up and make sure I understood what was going on. But if you're looking for a story to really dig into, you can't get much better than this.

The ending of this book makes me excited for the next one - which I know is the point. But there is something calming and steady about the way Celaena faces her future and what is going to happen next. And you never know! I was shocked by a few things in this story, so I can only imagine what's going to come next!

I'm absolutly continuing to recommend this series to fantasy lovers. It's a solid story that is very well thought out and you know the author already has a plan for all of these amazing characters. Honestly, I would love to see this as a movie or even as a TV series. It's epic and sometimes spooky and the battles are awesome... there's just a lot to sink your teeth into.
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Perfectly Good White Boy by Carrie Mesrobian

Title: Perfectly Good White Boy
Author: Carrie Mesrobian
ISBN: 9781467734806
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Released: October 28, 2014
Page #: 291
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Sean Norwhalt can read between the lines.
He knows she just dumped him. He was a perfectly good summer boyfriend, but now she's off to college, and he's still got another year to go. Her pep talk about futures and 'possibilities' isn't exactly comforting. Sean's pretty sure he's seen his future and his 'possibilities,' and they all look disposable.

Like the crappy rental his family moved into when his dad left.
Like all the unwanted filthy old clothes he stuffs into the rag baler at his thrift-store job.
Like everything good he's ever known.

The only hopeful possibilities in Sean's life are the Marine Corps, where no one expected he'd go, and Neecie Albertson, whom he never expected to care about."
______________________________________________
First Lines: (quoted from the galley - see finished copy for edits.)

"I stood in the back of the barn, in front of a pile of boxes marked 'Tools,' watching the party go on."
Page 1
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Review:

This is exactly the type of book I what I was hoping "New Adult" would be. Just... real. Exactly what I think teen guys are like, for real. There's something to be said for that. Gritty. Raw. Intense.

Sean spends one summer with a girl who is leaving for school in the fall. But she really changes everything about him... how he sees the world, what his future looks like, everything. He starts to see people differently - even his closest friends and family. When he makes the decision to go into the Marines, there is only one person he trusts with his secret.

Honestly, I've decided that this author has the whole "new adult" thing in the bag. I mean, without it actually being classified that way. Her books are honest and real in a way that I rarely see. She doesn't pull any punches. Because of her first book Sex and Violence, I have decided I need to read anything she does. I'm not sure that this second book hit me as much as her first, but it was still fascinating.

I think Marine Corps angle of this book is one that many teen boys will resonate with. I mean, not that they're all going to do it or anything, but that the military is an option to them. And what little boy hasn't wanted to be a soldier at some point in their lives?! Or girl. I mean, let's be real. So the discussion about the medical tests and the swearing in... plus leaving for boot camp... I think it's all stuff that teens will want to know about. I like the way this author dealt with all of that - positively and non-last-resort-ish.

As I mentioned, this book is probably as close to real teen guy thinking as it gets, you can imagine there are some crude bits. That's the wrong word... Accurate bits. There's sex, there's drugs, there's alcohol, there's naughty thoughts... and so much more. I'd probably only hand this book to 17 year olds and up. So if you're a librarian thinking about this title, be sure to keep all that in mind. It's intense!

I think the way the friendship between Sean and Neecie develops is perfect. They become fast friends and tell each other everything. It's kind of nice to see how they play off of one another without it being some sort of weird sexual thing. I mean, not that those thoughts aren't mentioned, but there is an innocence that seems to connect the two of them.

There is a whole lot of family drama and craziness that I think many people will latch onto. A couple of screwed up families and some that have put themselves back together successfully. There's all sorts of types and I think that helps make this book feel so real. One thing that did throw me off was some of the timing in the beginning of the book. It might be changed by the time the final version is out for purchase, but there were some jumps that I didn't quite follow. Lots of asking myself, "wait, was that in the same day?"

All in all, I think this book was really good. I'd definitely recommend Mesrobian's first book over this, but it's still a great story. She does a wonderful job capturing real life and bringing it out through her words. As always, I'm impressed. And as I said before, I'll probably be reading anything she comes out with in the future. Can't wait to see what that might be!
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Other Blog Reviews:

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There aren't many reviews out there right now, but it looks like there are some decent ones on Goodreads. Check those out.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
ISBN: 9780399162411
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Released: May 07, 2014
Series: Fifth Wave #1
Page #: 457
Source: My public library

Summary:
"After the 1st Wave, only darkness remains.
After the 2nd, only the lucky escape.
And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th Wave, just one rule applies: trust no one.

Now it's the dawn of the 5th Wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother - or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between life and death. To give up or to get up."
_______________________________________________
First Lines:

"Aliens are stupid.
I'm not talking about real aliens. The Others aren't stupid. The Others are so far ahead of us, it's like comparing the dumbest human to the smartest dog. No contest."
Page 1
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Review:

Why it took me so long to get around to this book, I have no idea. I even had an advanced copy that I sat on for too long. I imagine it had something to do with how much publisher pop there was about it - sometimes that's off-putting. But luckily this book was wonderful!! And I wish I had read it earlier.

So, Cassie is living in a world without anything. Literally. No people. Very little stuff. The only objectives are to not die and find her brother. It's a pretty grim existence - especially when she knows that the Others are always looking for her. When she's shot by one of them, the whole game changes. She still has to fulfill her promise to find her little brother, but it seems almost impossible... except that now she has an ally. A reluctant ally, but an ally nonetheless.

I've been gushing about this book to everyone since I finished it yesterday. Like, I think people are sick of me talking about it. It's been a while since I've read a book that I'm this excited about. I'm just really glad I was required to read this book for work - otherwise I may have totally missed out! Or, you know, just waited way too long (as though now isn't too long).

Also, I have been wracking my brain to remember the last time I read an alien book. If ever. I mean, I'm sure I have, but I guess this felt like it was a whole new thing for me. Obviously not new... but thinking about the different ways that an extraterrestrial species could make the human race extinct... well, it was fascinating. And all so valid! It makes me want to buy a farm out in the middle of nowhere in a place that's easily defensible.

Sometimes multiple characters makes me irritated, but the way this book dealt with that was perfect. All of the characters are in vastly different situations and there is a clear line when you've crossed into someone else's storyline. I was a little confused after the first one - didn't realize I was hearing someone else's story, but it smoothed out really quickly. Plus, I love that it's not set characters that you hear from every other chapter. Each switch in character uncovers something new, something unexpected. It's really fabulous.

I'm not going to tell you what happens in the end, but I love books that end this way. The whole thing felt like I was watching a video game unfold. That's the same sort of ending that I've absolutely loved in other books and this one does it well. It may be that I loved it more because I didn't realize that we were building into something that major. It seems like almost a quiet book up until you realize what has been going on... and then people start fighting back! It's awesome. Really.

I did have a couple of questions as I read through the book - like... how is it that everyone is calling things the same terminology when they have no way to communicate it? How did everyone decide how many waves they have really had? I mean, some may not have experienced the Silencers... so they're still on the 3rd Wave, right? I'm hoping the 2nd book addresses some of this. And why middle America can see the space ship in the sky... what if you're in Australia? Is there a different ship? Is it far enough away that everyone can see it (not possible with the other side of the world...). So I guess there were a few things that left me wanting more explanation.

The next book in this series comes out next month and you better believe that I'll be getting it. Stat. I have already (and will continue to so) recommended this book to all of my YA readers around me. I'm really interested to see what they think about it. While it's an alien invasion book overall, I think it carries so many different themes that anyone can get into it. At least, in my opinion. :)
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Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

Title: Dreams of Gods and Monsters
Author: Laini Taylor
ISBN: 9781478900054
Publisher: Blackstone Audio/Little, Brown Books
Released: April 8, 2014
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3
Duration: 18 hours, 8 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva for killing the only family she's ever known.

When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat—and against larger dangers that loom on the horizon. They begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves—maybe even toward love.

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera, and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy."

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First Lines:

"Nerve thrum and screaming blood, wild and churning and chasing and devouring and terrible and terrible and terrible...
'Eliza. Eliza!'
A voice. Bright light, and Eliza fell awake."
Page 1
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Review:

I would like to start out by noting that the audiobook is over 18 hours long. I mean... that's insane. It took me forever to get through it - even though I loved it. Guess I just didn't have enough empty days to do a marathon listen. *Also, this is a review of the third book, so expect some spoilers for the first two in the series!!*

This is the conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, so there's a lot to wrap up. Karou and Akiva are on the brink of an all-out war, but they have to bring unlikely allies together to succeed. Several worlds hang in the balance while they try to save as many people as possible. There are lots of people to bring back from the dead, lots of magic to learn about, lots of relationships hanging in the balance, and lots of enemies butting heads.

As you can imagine, there are tons of loose ends to tie up in this final book. The biggest being the relationship between Karou and Akiva - it starts out really rocky because of what happened in the last book. They really aren't sure about each other throughout the story, lots of second-guessing. But having to work so closely together to save the world(s) really pulls them back. Really, you're left until the acutal epilogue to find out their future.

There is a new character introduced in this book - and is part of the quote above. Eliza... and she changes the tide of the entire story. She's raised as a human in a very strange situation. Her family is part of a cult that believes they are descended from angels. Eliza is the first to actually exhibit some signs that something is different and she is treated like a prophet. She escapes that world, but she still has frightening dreams and can never fully shake it off. Honestly, I think she became my favorite character in the whole trilogy. I wish she had been introduced sooner, but I think the flow worked really well in this final book.

You also get a whole new group of people who are fully invested in the saving of their world. I'm not going to go into them, because they really change the course of the ending. They have an extreme relationship with magic and the ability to quickly dispose of people that are threatening their world.

One other thing that I found very interesting about this book is the treatment of the angels that appear on earth. What do you think would happen if thousands of angels came from the sky and landed in the Vatican City? Thinking about the different groups of people and how they would handle things - the fanatics, the cynics, the world of science... etc.

In the audio version, it's a little crazy with the various viewpoints. Things change quickly - especially in the end when the pace of the whole book kicks up a notch. I'm sure there are clear breaks in the actual text, but it doesn't come across as easily in the audio. But I will say that I have continued listening to this series (instead of getting a print copy) because the reader is so wonderful.

Honestly, if you haven't read this series and you're into urban fantasy, angel stories, otherwordly lurv... then you should really pick up this series. Plus side: it's now complete! You won't be waiting for the next one to come out. The ending does leave a little room for the imagination and there are so many side characters that I wonder if there will be a spinoff. One can only hope!
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Other Blog Reviews:

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Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner

Title: Can't Look Away
Author: Donna Cooner
ISBN: 9780545427654
Publisher: Scholastic
Released: August 26, 2014
Page #: 265
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Torrey Grey is famous. At least, on the Internet. Thousands of people watch her videos on fashion and beauty. But when Torrey's sister is killed in an accident - maybe because of Torrey and her videos - Torrey's perfect world implodes.

Now, strangers online are bashing Torrey. And at her new school, she doesn't know who to trust. Is queen-bee Blair only interested in Torrey's infamy? What about Raylene, who is unpopular, but seems to accept Torrey for who she is? And then there's Luis, with his brooding dark eyes, whose family runs the local funeral home. Torrey finds herself drawn to Luis, and his fascinating stories about el Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.

As the Day of the Dead draws near, Torrey will have to really look at her own feelings about death, and life, and everything in between. Can she learn to mourn her sister out of the public eye?"
________________________________________________
First Lines: (Quoted from galley - see final version for exact quote)

"In September, my parents moved me and my dead sister to Texas. 
Today, just one week after the moving trucks left us here, my parents are going to put her ashes in the ground out in the middle of nowhere. The thought of it makes my stomach churn."
Page 3
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Review:

Torrey is a famous YouTube personality, but can't find it in herself to post anything anymore. After her sister's death, her life has been turned upside down. She and her parents move to Texas to be closer to family and she has to start from scratch with new friends and new problems.

It's no secret that I am obsessed with YouTube. There are lots of people I subscribe to and follow closely online - mostly because it's fascinating and often hilarious. The concept of people becoming famous that way is fairly new and I am very interested to see where that takes us. So to have a story about a girl in that position, I was definitely hooked. The whole concept is one that I'm totally interested in. Especially when real life interferes.

That being said, there were a few things that disappointed me in this story - and it all has to do with the character of Torrey. Upon arriving at her new school, her immediate concern is finding the popular crowd and befriending them. And not just that, but being extremely rude to the people outside of that crowd... just to impress. It made me instantly dislike her and the way she views things. And honestly I just wanted to shake her and scream at her about what it means to start fresh.

As you can imagine, things work themselves out so that I ended up not hating her as much. But there's something so shallow and awful about a person who is only concerned about impressing others. Especially when you get the impression that she's out to set trends with her audiences, not just follow them. Wouldn't she be better off to plot her own course in the new school, rather than try to follow someone else? It just didn't ring very true to me - and that's probably because I hate people like that.

There were several interesting characters beyond Torrey, though. Luis is awesome and she doesn't deserve him at all. Raylene is pretty funny and I would have liked to learn a little more about her - especially considering how things turn out in the end. Torrey's parents were interesting characters as well because of how they are pictured dealing with the grief from the death of their daughter.

There's one other thing I'd like to address about this story. Torrey's father takes her to see a therapist to talk about her sister's death. It's obviously forced on Torrey and she's not happy about it. In fact, through the entire scene, she sits silent while the therapist tries to get her to say something. And I know that sometimes that is how things are. But nothing comes of this... it's never mentioned again. It's as though it didn't happen. Really, Luis becomes Torrey's sounding board for everything. And that's fine... but it seemed like a weird scene to throw in if it's never going to even be acknowledged later.

Also... would a YouTuber with 300K+ subscribers still be filming with their laptop cam and their phone?

Okay, so it looks like I had a lot of complaints about this book. But really, I was just hoping for more from it. The concept is solid and I was interested to see how things turned out - even if it was all in a nice, neat little package. I think for those with a passing interest in realistic fiction and current issues (cyberbullying and such), this is probably a good book for them.
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