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

Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon

Title: Don't Turn Around

Author: Michelle Gagnon
ISBN: 9780062227706
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: August 28, 2012
Series: PERSEPH0NE #1
Duration: 8 hours, 31 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her computer-hacking skills to stay safely anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in an empty warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.

Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of the hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa's talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation called AMRF threatens his life in no uncertain terms.

But what Noa and Peter don't realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who'd stop at nothing to silence her for good."
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First Lines:

"When Noa Torson woke up, the first thing she noticed was that her feet were cold. Odd, since she always wore socks to bed. She opened her eyes and immediately winced against the glare."
Page 1
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Review:

Secrets, lies, shady companies, hackers, underground hospitals, dead bodies piling up... what more do you want out of a YA mystery/cyber thriller?

Noa and Peter are both part of an online hacker community. They want to do good in the world by taking down corporations that deal with less-than-savory business. But when they start digging into the wrong corp, bad things start happening. Noa has been changed somehow - she doesn't need food, doesn't get tired, and doesn't really feel the changes in the weather. Not to mention that she is always on the run anyway with no place to call home. Peter is the opposite, until he starts questioning his parent's reactions to him being attacked. It's all very mysterious.

I really think this is a solid mystery/sci fi/thriller. But I'm probably partial to anything dealing with hackers, because I find them fascinating. Especially when you're dealing with a group who makes it their mission to make the world a better place. If only there were actually groups like that (are there?).

I can almost pinpoint the moment that I decided I really liked this book. At first, you're getting these very different stories about Noa and Peter. They are both trying to figure out what's going on, but they don't seem to connect in any way. It's just that they semi-know each other from the online community. But the moment that they realize working together is the way to go, I was hooked. They make a really interesting team and the dynamic is uncomfortably awesome. Both of them have trouble trusting anyone now and their alliance is uneasy. Which makes for some great drama. :)

The whole thing about farming kids who won't be missed is highly disturbing. I'm sure something like this actually does happen in the world - and we wouldn't even know it. Luckily, the adults in charge of that opperation come off looking like super creepers. And sometimes a little stupid in a meathead kinda way. Which makes the whole thing seem a little less horrifying. But the point is for Noa and Peter to find a way to take them down...

This is the first in a series, so you're left with a pretty steep cliffhanger. I'll definitely be checking out the next audiobook from my library in the near future. I just have to know what is going to happen to them! They did a great job with the audio and I'll be making sure to recommend that as an option. If you're a cyber thriller-lover like me, then you'll really dig this story. I'm excited to see where the author takes us next!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Book Nerd
Story Snoops
Stacked
Reading Lark
Fine Print
Sash & Em
A Leisure Moment
Birth of a New Witch
Recaptains
Appraising Pages

Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey

Title: Buzz Kill
Author: Beth Fantaskey
ISBN: 9780547393100
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Released: May 06, 2014
Page #: 360
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"When seventeen-year-old Millie Ostermeyer makes a list of all the people who would want the football team's notorious Coach Killdare dead, she never dreams someone would actually murder him. As if one mystery weren't enough for this Nancy Drew-obsessed school reporter to solve, enter the divinely gorgeous Chase Albright, star quarterback. Who is this mysterious jock who speaks excellent French and likes obscure foreign films? And why is he giving geeky Millie the time of day when the supermodel-pretty cheerleader Vivienne Fitch is clearly throwing herself at him? Mystery and romance collide in this fun, witty murder mystery."

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First Lines: (Quote from the galley - see final version for edits)

 

"Head football coach 'Hollerin' Hank' Killdare was having such a massive meltdown that even from where I was standing in the Booster Club's concession stand, I could see his trademark blue vein popping in his neck and the usual flecks of spittle flying out of his mouth."

Page 1

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Review:

 

Senior Year. Murder. Drama. Love. Nancy Drew Addict. Quirky (read: AWESOME) Librarian. What's not to love?!

 

Millie is a successful reporter for her school's newspaper. She's won awards and is ready to take on the world! But after stumbling upon the body of their notorious football coach, her world is turned upside down. The detective on the case is a joke and she has to be sure her father isn't blamed for this. So Millie sets out to solve the murder... only to find herself paired up with Chase - a quarterback with a mysterious past. She learns a lot about herself and the people around her, but not before she falls hard for the jock.

 

I love stories like this. It's a well-put-together mystery that really keeps you guessing about the ending. There are a few mini-mysteries along the way that are pretty easy to figure out, but that just keeps things fun. The author did a great job unfolding the story in a way that keeps you on your toes.

 

The humor in this story was amazing. I mean, it's not LOL hilarious... it's witty and snarky and wonderful. That alone made me love Millie and wish that I was her librarian. She's got everything figured out in the world, so she isn't exactly welcoming of too much change. But she sure knows how to solve a problem: Research. And interviews. And being an overall great journalist. Not without some help from her favorite librarian. Can I just mention that I'm a HUGE sucker for a quirky librarian beloved by the characters?! Makes me think my profession is doing something right. :)

 

Relationships are always crazy, but I think the one between Millie and Chase is pretty authentic. They both come into things with baggage and become really good friends to each other. There is an understanding about how they are really just trying to solve the murder case and that they each have complementing strengths to do just that. Not to mention Chase's love of artsy films and the French language. Their own quirks are pretty awesome and it's fun to watch them clash at every turn. I think Millie's love of the late coach's dog is probably the most hilarious...

 

Anyway, I really dug this story and I'll definitely be passing it along to teens who love mysteries. I'm excited to have another good one to put in that pile. I've read other things by this author, but this was definitely my favorite.

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Other Blog Reviews:

 

A Lot Like Dreaming

The Book Lover's List

Geeky Chiquitas Book Blog

Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf

Pretty Good Gatsby

The Library Lass Booklikes Blog

Teens Know Best

We clearly need to get more people reading this book... :)

Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson

Title: Confessions of a Murder Suspect
Author: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
ISBN: 9781619695146
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Released: September 25, 2012 
Series: Teen Detective #1
Duration: 6 hours, 4 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"Tandy Angel isn't a normal girl, and she knows it. For one thing, her family is magnificently wealthy and lives in a massive apartment in the famous Dakota building in New York City. Her parents are the head of a prominent hedge fund and the CEO of a large pharmaceutical company. She has been told from a very young age that her detachment from any kind of emotion is a superb trait. In fact, her parents have tried to cultivate a lack of emotion in all four of their children in order to encourage perfection of the highest level. But now the four siblings are tested in a way they never imagined—their parents have been murdered, and the kids are the number one suspect. Tandy decides that she'll have to solve the crime and clear their names, but digging deeper into her parent's affairs is a dangerous—and revealing—game. Spurred by her findings, Tandy begins to remember flashes of past events that were long ago buried in her memory, and she's suddenly unable to trust anyone, not even her siblings to tell her the truth. She might not even be able to trust herself. Who knows what the Angel children are truly capable of?"
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First Lines:

"I have some really bad secrets to share with someone, and it might as well be you - a stranger, a reader of books, but most of all, a person who can't hurt me. So here goes nothing, or maybe everything. I'm not sure if I can tell the difference anymore." 
Page 1
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Review:

This is the story of a crazy family who lives in New York City - their lives aren't normal by far. But when Tandy's parents are discovered dead in their apartment, it is up to her to figure out what happened. She was trained to be emotionless and clinical from a young age, so this is something she should be able to do. Soon, she starts to uncover some secrets that make her rethink everything she knows about her parents. And her family. She just has to solve the mystery and everything can go back to normal.

I've read plenty of other YA books from Patterson (and his team), and they all sort of have the same feel. The main voice in the story is talking directly to the reader, the plot is laid out very cleanly, and things wrap up pretty effectively by the end of the book. I do think it's a pretty good formula, and this book fits in it perfectly. Tandy and her siblings feel a lot like the kids in the Maximum Ride books... in a good way. It's all very formulaic, but it's a recipe that works.

As a mystery, I think they did a really good job. You are truly kept guessing throughout the whole story. I didn't expect the answer that I got, for sure. Tandy goes through the entire family and their staff to attempt to rule them out one by one. It's not a small thing to accuse your brothers of murdering their parents, but this family is anything but normal. They were taught to be cruel and calculating to become the best adults they could be. So it wasn't far-fetched to think they could do something that horrible.

There were some parts of the story that I would have liked to see fleshed out a little bit more. There's a whole saga about her parent's lives and how they have treated their children. I would have loved to find out more about the life before. I'm sure some of that will come in future books. As you can imagine. I'll definitely be looking out for the second one.  

Also: Shout out to the audiobook version - it was really well done. The reader did an awesome job. I'll definitely be listening to #2.

I have thought that true mysteries for teens have been lacking in the past few years, and this book fits perfectly in the genre. It's definitely growing right now and I think this will be a great addition to those collections. Any fans of Patterson's YA stuff will love this book as well. It's an easy read with a satisfying conclusion. I'm also sure this book will be good for middle grade collections as well - which is a plus. Definitely give this one a try if you're looking for an easy mystery.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Candace's Book Blog
Kidz World
We're All Mad Here Book Blog
Willa's Ramblings
Xpresso Reads
Effortlessly Reading
FireStar Books
Booklady's Booknotes
Alluring Reads
The Book Babe's Reads

Loop by Shandy Lawson

Title: Loop
Author: Shandy Lawson
ISBN: 9781423160892
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Page #: 
Released: April 30, 2013
Source: ARC from the publisher:

Summary:

"Ben and Maggie have met, fallen in love, and died together countless times. Over the course of two pivotal day—both the best and worst of their lives—they struggle again and again to resist the pull of fate and the force of time itself. With each failure, they return to the beginning of their end, a wild road trip that brings them to the scene of their own murders and into the hands of the man who is destined to kill them.

As time circles back on itself, events become more deeply ingrained, more inescapable for the two kids trapped inside the loop. The closer they come to breaking out, the tighter fate's clutches seem to grip them. They devise a desperate plan to break free and survive the days ahead, but what if Ben and Maggie's only shot at not dying is surviving apart?"
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First Lines:

"'This is it, Ben.' Maggie's eyes were wide, pupils big and black like puddles of ink. 'This is when it happens.' Her gaze bores into me. 'We can hide, or we can fight.'"
Page 1
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Review:

This book was recommended by one of my colleagues. It's about people who get stuck in time loops and can't figure out how to get out - specifically two teens who start to change things each time they live through these couple of days.

Ben and Maggie are stuck in a loop. They have lived the same few days over and over - enough times that they can't even count them. At first it just felt like de ja vu... now they know it's something very different. The kicker is that they get killed at the end of these days each time. Now they have started changing things. Little things to see if they can change the outcome.

What a creepy idea that you might get stuck in a time loop! And to not realize it for a long time... and to realize that you can't get out! There is something so horrific about that, it gives me chills. And hopeless! Who are we to think we can change fate?! That whole idea is what made this book really hit me. There were things that felt off to me, but in all... it's a gripping story.

One of the things that I found interesting was the perspective switch over halfway through the book. I sort of understand why, but I had to reread through that chapter a couple of times before I realized what had happened. You're now looking through Maggie's eyes... and you're reliving the loop the next time. Which I am glad we didn't rehash every tiny detail. The other issue I had was the ending. So, without spoiling it... there was just something very anticlimactic about it. There is a little burst of excitement and drama, but then nothing. I guess I just wanted more out of it.

There is a chance that I was just analyzing things too carefully. I knew the gist of the story from my colleague, so I was probably analyzing each thing the characters did so carefully - in case I missed something important. But I think this book is written in a way that will have readers really question reality and time. There's something to be said for that. And I think many teens will find this whole concept mind blowing. 

While this book doesn't go in the favorite pile for me, it definitely stands up. It's a short book, so I do feel like some things could have been fleshed out even more. But I think the story packs a punch and will leave you feeling breathless.
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Other Blog Reviews:


Candace's Book Blog
Confessions of a Readaholic
Ruby's Reads
Badass Book Reviews
Girls on YA Books
Write All the Words
It's a Book Life
Blook Girl
Book. Blog. Bake.
The Windy Pages

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials
Author: James Dashner
ISBN: 9780307706621
Publisher: Random House Children's
Released: October 26, 2010
Series: The Maze Runner #2
Duration: 10 Hours, 23 Minutes
Source: eAudio from my public library

Summary:
"Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated--and with it, order--and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder--does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?"
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First Lines: 

"She spoke to him before the world fell apart. 
Hey, are you still asleep?
Thomas shifted in his bed, felt a darkness around him like air turned solid, pressing in."
Page 1
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Review:

I am sort of depressed that they have pushed back the release date for the Maze Runner movie - which is one of the reasons I am making my way through this series. Alas! But it's still worth reading/listening to.

This second book picks up right where The Maze Runner left off. The boys are outside of the maze, but they still aren't sure where they are. They soon realize that this new life isn't any better than the one they just escaped. Then the boys are dropped into a new horror - a desert land that is full of people who will attack them at first sight. But they have to get through it to be taken to safety.

I think one of my favorite things about this series so far is the mystery. There are so many things that the characters are uncovering as they go along - and you can't trust everything they find out! Often they are being lied to, tricked, and forced to deceive each other. You never know what's going to happen! I think Dashner does that masterfully. He keeps you on your toes and I think that's what makes me continue to get excited about this series.

There are some new characters introduced in this second book. They are mostly picked up from this crazy city they have to get through. Those people really add a whole new layer to the relationships between all of the boys. Speaking of the maze group, some of the sideline characters from the first book become more important. They have dwindled down a bit, so I can imagine the next book will pull them even closer together.

As usual, I get worried going into a second book. There's a lot of the sophomore slump syndrome out there. But this series really doesn't have that problem. Not even a little bit. The story just keeps building in a way that makes the reader wonder what in the world could possibly happen next. It's so well done, I pretty much want to give this book to everyone who hasn't read it yet. I know I'm a little slow on the up-take here, but it really is worth it.

And even though it's been pushed back, I still can't wait to see how these books translate to the big screen. I think there is so much meet in these stories that it could be amazing. So... I know I'm not convincing anyone to read these books, but I totally recommend it. Plus, the audio is REALLY well done. Some of the best that I've listened to. The reader does a great job distinguishing between all of the guys. It's a bit impressive. Anyway... read it. Listen to it. Dashner is a master. Obviously. 
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
The Dancing Reader
Nerdfighters
Reading for Sanity
Foil the Plot
Rinn Reads
Literary Getaway
The Reader Lines
Empire of Books
Eve's Fan Garden

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Title: Unbreakable
Author: Kami Garcia
ISBN: 9780316210171
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Released: October 1, 2013
Series: The Legion #1
Page #: 305
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jarad and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy's room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon - a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon - battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels."
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First Lines: (Quoted from the ARC, subject to change.)

"As my bare feet sank into the wet earth, I tried not to think about the dead bodies buried beneath me. I had passed this tiny graveyard a handful of times but never at night, and always outside the boundaries of the peeling iron gates."
Page 1
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Review:

It's been a long time since I've read a book that scared me - like, made me think there were crazy shadows lurking in the darkness. And I liked it. :)

When Kennedy's mother is killed, she is left to her own devices - and she's in more trouble than she could ever imagine. Luckily, the handsome twins show up to save her life. Then they take her under their wing to become part of a secret society that tracks down spirits and uncovers mysteries. It's all very cloak and dagger. Kennedy has to figure out how she fits into this new group and whether she really belongs with them.

I basically enjoyed Beautiful Creatures, so I knew going into a book by one of those authors would be just as good. But this book ended up being way better than I expected. Once Kennedy hooks up with the Legion, I was hooked on this book. I just had to find out what was going to happen. She leaves her entire life behind to find out the reason behind her mother's death. It's so intense!

I do think the formula was a little basic. They go to one place, vanquish the spirit, find the clue for the next one... go to next place, vanquish the spirit... and so on. So it was a little comfortable when you get to the end and realize how things were going to pan out. But it was also kind of nice that way, too. Each little adventure had it's own drama, it's own personality, it's own problems. That definitely made things a little more interesting.

This really is a great book to come out right before Halloween. Would anyone ever buy someone a book for that holiday? I think they should. Because it has that perfect blend of spooky, creepy charm and mysterious, intense action. And there was one part that made me tear up. Go figure. But it was really sweet and unexpected. I think the author did a great job of keeping a reader involved in the story. 

The ending leaves you hanging like nothing else. I'm not sure I realized how much I loved this book until that point. You know it's good when you are pissed that you aren't going to find out what happened next. I will definitely be searching for the next book when it comes out.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Book Kitty Blog
I Swim For Oceans
Bewitched Bookworms
The Fiction Pixie
The Princess of Storyland
Little Miss Trainwreck
That YA Book Makes You Look Hot
Working for the Mandroid

Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel

Title: Palace of Spies
Author: Sarah Zettel
ISBN: 9780544074118
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Released: November 5, 2013
Page #: 362
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Murder. Espionage. Card Games?
Peggy Fitzroy has many talents, but until recently these three were not among them. No, Peggy was merely a lively and charming young lady of the regular sort, until the day she refused to marry the utter cad chosen for her.

Cast out on the street, Peggy has to find a means of support. Though it sounds rather mysterious, she agrees to disguise herself as a lady in waiting in the court of King George I. The real lady in waiting died, supposedly of natural causes.

Life at the palace is grand, until Peggy starts to suspect that something dreadful happened to the girl she is impersonating. Could it have been murder? Unless Peggy can discover what really happened, she might be doomed to the same terrible fate! But in a court filled with shadows and intrigue, anyone could be a spy - perhaps even Matthew, the handsome young artist with whom Peggy is falling in love..."
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First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change)

"I must begin with a frank confession. I became Lady Francesca Wallingham only after I met the man calling himself Tinderflint. This was after my betrothal, but before my uncle threw me into the street and barred the door."
Page 1
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Review:

I was in dire need of a change in genre. There's only so many fantasy/sci fi books I can read in a row. This seemed like the perfect, easy departure from the norm. 

Peggy is expected to live a normal, quiet life. She is to be married off and spend her life having a family. When she meets her betrothed, she realizes there is way she can face this life. Her uncle throws her out because of her decision and she runs to the only person who has promised her a decent life. Little did she know it would include being stationed at the palace and ferreting out the reason for her predecessor's death.

So, I'm really wondering how much of this book is going to change at publication. I was looking at an advanced copy that has a whole different cover and a different title. And there were times when I wondered if the author might change something that happens within the story. And I sort of hope a few things are changed...

As a whole, I thought the story was really good. There were a few little things that annoyed me. One is the way the accents were portrayed... Any time you had the word "behind." it became "b'ind." And any time there was an H-sound, they broke up the word. It just took me out of the story every time. And it really didn't seem necessary. So I hope they changed that. Otherwise, you don't really need an indication about accents... there are a ton of different languages spoken by the characters. It was just a weird addition for me.

There were some truly hilarious moments in this book. Usually it was during our main character describing something - like the outfits they wear, or the craziness of court life. Those little glimmers really helped the story along. And I don't think I was expecting this to be as much of a mystery novel as it is. You realize that Peggy is taking the place of a girl who died, but you don't realize how deeply she is involved in some of the devious plots.

Truly, this book was very middle of the road for me. It's a good story, there's some fun romance and a big mystery, and an interesting view of court life. But I had some trouble at times with names and figuring out who was who... and with Peggy/Fran having a couple of different names, things got confusing. Same with Tinderflint, or whoever he really was.

I do think that teens who are looking for a fun, mysterious, historical book could really get into this. And I think the new cover probably helps in that. It's not a must-read, but it definitely is a solid contribution to the genre.
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Other Blog Reviews:

I Heart YA Fiction
Book Whales
[There aren't many reviews out there yet. I'm sure there will be more once the publication date gets closer. Let me know if you review it and want to be included in this list. Thanks!]

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Sibhan Vivian

Title: Fire with Fire
Author: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
ISBN: 9781442440784
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Released: August 13, 2013
Series: Burn for Burn #2
Page: 518
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary:
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn't exactly go the way they'd hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.
For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it's not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie's meaner than she ever was before.

And then there's sweet little Mary…she knows there's something seriously wrong with her. If she can't control her anger, she's sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it's not just that Reeve bullied her-it's that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They'll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It's the only way he'll learn.
It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn..."
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First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change)


"I couldn't decide what to wear. At first I thought casual, like jeans and a button-down; then I thought no, in case his parents are there I should wear a dress, something somber like my gray scoop neck with the skinny belt."
Page 1
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Review:

So, that quote up there really doesn't give this book justice. It may have changed in the final version... but it sounds sort of vapid. Which is not at all what this book is. In fact, I loved this book. It was a great follow up to an amazing story of revenge.

The plan that Lillia, Mary, and Kat concocted sort of blew up in their faces. They ended up hurting people more than they intended to. They wanted to give them a taste of their own medicine... but ended up physically hurting some people. There is some definite guilt, but then opportunities present themselves to continue the revenge scheme. It's too good to pass up, but will it go too far again?

I really loved this book. It's such a fast paced story that I hardly noticed that it's 500+ pages. You spend the first book getting to know these three girls - and how different they are. They are in totally different cliques in school, but they have grudges against the same people. And this second book, you see how their friendship grows even more. And see how their lives start to really intertwine.

At the end of the first book, you get a hint about the supernatural aspect of Mary's involvement. She is the one that caused the accidental injuries. And you get a lot more of that in this book - and you start to really wonder about her Aunt. She's sort of New Age-y and Mary starts to notice how different she is being treated and starts to become almost scared of her.

I was a little worried about this second book - because of the whole sophomore slump. But really this book is just as good, maybe better, than the first one. There's more romance. More scheming. More drama. More mystery. Just MORE! And it's awesome. There is a huge twist at the end of this book... Obviously I'm not going to talk about it, but it's major. And it makes you rethink the entire course of the story. I really look forward to seeing how it is treated in the next book.

If you're a fan of YA chick lit with an edge, this is definitely the series for you. I love each and every one of our main girls. They are so different, but you really understand where each one is coming from. Which is one of the things that makes this book good for so many different readers. They can see themselves in any of the characters. Anyway. So good. Definitely give this series a try.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Rather Be Reading
Itching for Books
Lose Time Reading
Novel Sounds
The Quiet Concert
I Eat Words
The Social Potato Reviews
Maji Bookshelf
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Page Turners Blog

Crash by Lisa McMann

Title: Crash
Author: Lisa McMann
ISBN: 9781442461680
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Released: January 8, 2013
Page #: 233
Series: Visions #1
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It's not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that. What she can't handle is the vision.

Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode... and nine body bags in the snow.

She has no idea why this is happening to her or if she's going crazy. It hardly matters, because the vision is everywhere - on billboards, television screens, windows - and she's the only one who can see it.

But it's not until the vision starts coming more frequently, and revealing more clues, that Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it's someone she knows.
Someone she's been in love with for as long as she can remember."
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First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change)


"My sophomore psych teacher, Mr. Polselli, says knowledge is crucial to understanding the workings of the human brain, but I swear to dog, I don't want any more knowledge about this."
Page 1
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Review:

It has been a while since I read the Wake trilogy by McMann, but I honestly think she is one of the best authors of YA out there today. Granted, I haven't read a couple of her books, but from what I've read, she's fantastic.

Jules works in the family pizza place. They have a huge rivalry with another family pizzeria across town. And her family isn't exactly normal - they have some pretty big secrets. But Jules has now got something she can't share with anyone. She is seeing a vision - just one... of the same huge crash over and over. It's easy to ignore at first, but finally she gets a chance to see some of the details. And what she sees changes everything - now she has to figure out how to stop it from happening.

I feel like the Wake trilogy had the same sort of premise, but with dreams. Or something close to it. Again, it's been a while, so I don't fully remember. BUT! The thing is, after reading this book, I don't even really care. McMann is just so good at crafting a story that it feels like a whole new idea. She truly doesn't pull any punches and will leave you breathless.

I really loved the whole Romeo and Juliet feel between the two teens and their family restaurants. But I loved even more the resolution in the end when you find out why that rivalry exists so much. There's something so appealing about that unrequited love that you just feel for Jules. She is fearless and loyal almost to a fault. But I loved getting to know her and I cannot wait for the next story.

One of my favorite characters was Trey, Jules' brother. He is always there to back her up and you can feel how much he loves her. Their sister Rowan is also pretty cool and I hope there is more about her in the future books. But Trey really shows what sibling love is all about. I'm not sure how many teen sibling relationships are that great (coming from experience), but it's refreshing to see.

If you haven't read any of McMann's books, I highly suggest you pick this one up. They aren't very long, and the story sucks you in till you finish it in one sitting. Just well crafted romance, thriller, mystery, drama.... and some humor thrown in to taste. Crash is a great book that I plan on recommending around to just about everyone who loves YA lit. Including you. Go find a copy while I weep over the fact that the next book doesn't come out for another three months.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Kaylafultz's Blog
Dazzling Reads
Maji Bookshelf
Pure Imagination
Conversations of a Reading Addict
The Teen Book Guru
Booking It With Hayley G
The Sweet Bookshelf
The Starry-Eyed Revue
Chaotic Reader

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
ISBN: 9780449808764
Publisher: Little, Brown/Listening Library
Released: September 18, 2012
Series: Diviners #1
Duration: 18 hours, 14 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"SOMETHING DARK AND EVIL HAS AWAKENED. . . .
Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries her uncle will discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho is hiding a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened. . . ."
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First Lines:

"In a town house at a fashionable address on Manhattan's Upper West Side, every lamp blazes. There's a party going on - the last of the summer."
Page 1 
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Review:

To be honest, I actually own a paper copy of this book. But it's just. so. huge. So I opted for the audio - in hopes of being able to listen to it more quickly. I'm going to assume that was successful :).

Evie has a special gift for getting into trouble. Well, and an actual special gift that usually goes with the trouble. She's shipped off to live with her uncle to live a glamorous life in NYC. Only, there's a killer on the loose. Her uncle gets called to help with the investigation and she tags along. Before long, she's fully involved and finds her life in grave danger. Plus there are parties, dancing and cute boys.

Everything about this 1920s setting lends itself to wonderful costumes, characters, and craziness. I really enjoyed delving fully into the time period. And it is quite the chilling mystery. I made the mistake a few times of listening right before I went to bed. Man! The author does a great job of the suspense - I had no idea the ending would turn out the way it did. She's a gifted story teller, for sure.

There were a lot of characters to follow. A few times I got a little lost - and it would have probably been worse if I had been reading a paper copy of the book. Luckily, the reader did a great job of keeping voices straight so I was able to figure things out based on that. I got worried every time a new character was introduced. But those characters are what really made this story move - all of the different experiences and perspectives. Not to mention, a few of those characters only existed for a chapter or so. Ahem.   

I cannot review this book without talking about the audio. The reader for this book was fantastic. There were all sorts of crazy voices and songs that she did a wonderful job with. I was very impressed. She made it feel like I was totally transported back to the 20s. The lingo sounded natural and I imagine that she had a lot of practice with the various characters. It was just really well done and I highly recommend it.

If you're a fan of mysteries, then this book is totally for you. There's a bit of stuff about mysticism and the occult - which I have always found very interesting. It was just another part of this book that made me intrigued. So, I think if you can get over the size of the book, this is definitely one to give a shot. Or listen to. That's what worked for me on this one. But I'm a big fan of Libba Bray, so I might be jaded.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Candace's Book Blog
The Midnight Garden
The White Unicorn
Steph Su Reads
Rescue Reads
Words on Paper
The Quiet Concert
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Wild Heart Book Reviews
Supernatural Snark

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Title: Burn for Burn 
Author: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
ISBN: 9781442440753
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Released: September 18, 2012
Series: Burn for Burn trilogy
Page #: 356
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary:

"Postcard-perfect Jar Island is home to charming tourist shops, pristine beaches, amazing oceanfront homes—and three girls secretly plotting revenge.

KAT is sick and tired of being bullied by her former best friend.

LILLIA has always looked out for her little sister, so when she discovers that one of her guy friends has been secretly hooking up with her, she’s going to put a stop to it.

MARY is perpetually haunted by a traumatic event from years past, and the boy who’s responsible has yet to get what’s coming to him.

None of the girls can act on their revenge fantasies alone without being suspected. But together…anything is possible.

With an unlikely alliance in place, there will be no more “I wish I’d said…” or “If I could go back and do things differently...” These girls will show Jar Island that revenge is a dish best enjoyed together."

_______________________________________________

First Lines: (from the ARC, subject to change)

"The morning has painted everything white. It's exactly like one of my rabbit-hole dreams, where I get trapped, suspended in a cloud, and I can't seem to wake myself up. 

Then the foghorn blares, the mist breaks into lace, and I see Jar Island, spread out along the horizon just like in one of Aunt Bette's paintings."

Page 1

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Review:

If you are in need of a high-drama teen girl story, this book is definitely for you. Revenge, boys, friendship, and much more. 

Three girls are looking to take revenge on the people who have done them wrong. Unfortunately, the ones who have done them wrong are in power at their school. But once they secretly team up, nothing can stop them. Except when they see all the havoc they are causing. 

I'm just going to say that I wasn't expecting this book to leave me on a cliffhanger. I mean, you don't even get the conclusion to the second and third acts of revenge! Alas, the first one was almost good enough to keep me happy. I just was hoping for more... I'll definitely pick up the next book when it comes out.

So, the setting for this book is kind of unique - Jar Island. It's a place you can only reach by boat. There's one high school and plenty of drama. But it seems like an interesting place because it is totally a tourist town, Everyone knows everyone else... they all grew up together. Which isn't always a good thing. 

The three girls in this story - Kat, Lillia and Mary come from vastly different worlds. Their lives barely overlap. But when they each find themselves at the end of their ropes, they turn to each other. More because of convenience. Soon they learn they can trust each other and help one another. Even if there might be critical consequences. 

High drama, for sure. They're all going after a popular person. Two football players and the head cheerleader. Friends. Enemies. Frenemies. Family. Relationships. This book has it all. High school drama at its best. You learn to love each of these girls in their own right. And I think that many teen readers will see themselves in the characters of this book. 

I've loved Siobhan Vivan's books in the past, and this one is no exception. But I haven't picked up any of Jenny Han's. I'm pretty sure I have to now. They came up with a great book and I think many will enjoy it. I am waiting on pins and needles for the next one! Hopefully sooner rather than later. If you're a drama lover, this book is perfect for you.

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Other Blog Reviews:

Candace's Book Blog

Bewitched Bookworms

Diary of a Bookworm

Maji Bookshelf

YA Librarian Tales

Emily's Crammed Bookshelf

Katie's Book Blog

Annette's Book Spot

The Book Belles

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Unspoken

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

ISBN: 9780375870415

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Released: September 11, 2012

Series: The Lynburn Legacy #1

Page #: 384

Source: ebook from NetGalley

Summary:

"Kami Glass is in love with someone she's never met—a boy she's talked to in her head since she was born. This has made her an outsider in the sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale, but she has learned ways to turn that to her advantage. Her life seems to be in order, until disturbing events begin to occur.

There has been screaming in the woods and the manor overlooking the town has lit up for the first time in 10 years. . . . The Lynburn family, who ruled the town a generation ago and who all left without warning, have returned. Now Kami can see that the town she has known and loved all her life is hiding a multitude of secrets—and a murderer. The key to it all just might be the boy in her head. The boy she thought was imaginary is real, and definitely and deliciously dangerous."

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First Lines: (quote from ARC - subject to change)

"Every town in England has a story. One day I am going to find out Sorry-in-the-Vale's.
The closest this reporter has come to getting our town's scoop is when I asked Mr. Roger Stern (age seventy-six but young at heart) to tell me a secret about our town."
Page 3
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Review:

This is my first Sarah Rees Brennan book, and I can promise you that it won't be my last. Especially since this is going to be a series - I'm all in.

Kami has a voice in her head. But she didn't expect him to be a real person. When he moves to town, all sorts of crazy things start happening - and not just because he was her invisibile friend. His family is the ruling dynasty in their town. No one crosses them, no one speaks ill of them, no one befriends them. But Kami wants to find out why - her journalism instincts tell her there is more to the story. And she's right.

I wasn't expecting this book to be as witty and funny as it was. Our heroine, Kami, is a smart and sassy reporter who will stop at nothing to get her scoop. Sounds a little like Nancy Drew, huh? She's also got a connection with a boy that she wasn't entirely expecting. You would think that hearing each others thoughts and feelings would bring you closer... not push each other away. But she juggles this and her new friends and her newspaper and her crazy family and some insane happenings around town. Can I just mention how funny her parents are? They probably made this book for me.

I loved that the big mystery in this book was magic-based. But it wasn't hokey like some things are with the whole magic thing. This is dark, scary magic. Magic that can encase you in stone without the person moving. I thought the way all of that was handled was adequately spooky and well done.

Let me just talk about the boys for a moment. Yes, of course, there is a love triangle. With complications (aren't they all complicated?). They're cousins... who have lived in America. I understand that the author is from the UK, but there were a few times where the American boys used entirely British terms. I guess it could be because they were raised by British parents... but it was a little out of character. Other times, they pointed out the fact that it was different (See: Elevator/Lift). So that seemed a little inconsistant, but it may have only bothered me a little.

Because I am reviewing the advanced version, I am sure this has been fixed... but it threw off my reading quite a bit. There was a huge need for more page breaks. You would switch character point of views without even knowing you were doing so. Several times I had to go back and figure out where things changed. But I know this has probably been fixed for the final version, so you guys are not even going to notice :).

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I think anyone who loves magical mysteries will totally get into this book. I know lots of people have found it through NetGalley already, but lucky for you this book was released today. I highly suggest you give it a try. Now I'm highly anticipating the next book (thanks for the cliffhanger, Brennan).
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
Bird Brain(ed) Book Blog
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Realm of Fiction
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The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

Title: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Author: Robin Wasserman
ISBN: 9780375868764
Publisher: Knopf
Released: April 10, 2012
Page #: 432
Source: My Public Library

Summary:
"Nora's best friend, Chris, is dead. His girlfriend, Adriane, is catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, is gone. He is also - according to everyone - a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, wherever it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine. It is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world - and unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life."
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First Lines:

"I should probably start with the blood.
If it bleeds it leads and all that, right? It's all anyone ever wants to know about, anyway. What did it look like? What did it feel like? Why was it all over my hands?"
Page 3
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Review:

Typically I love Robin Wasserman's books. Really, I do. But there was something about this one that I really couldn't get into. There are a few words I've found myself using when describing this book... none of them awesome: Dense. Confusing. Unbelievable (pieces of it).

So, the story is about Nora - who is a Latin scholar to the nth. She begins an independant study of translating an ancient text with two of her friends (one who becomes her boyfriend). But this text they are working on holds secrets that an ancient society in Prague wants to get their hands on. Then things start happening to them. There's a murder. There's a disappearance. There's instructions to go halfway across the world. And there's a guy following them.

This book has a very Da Vinci Code vibe. Mixed with The Historian by Kostova. With teens. There's a lot of knowledge that's thrown at you in the first few chapters. Things about Latin and text translating and the history of certain alchemists... stuff that's dense enough to sort of walk away overwhelmed. The bulk of the action and excitement in this book doesn't start, really, until you're over halfway through it. That's when the clues start coming together and things start to pick up. Unfortunately, the first half of the book is pretty bogged down with setting up characters, locations, and backtracking so you understand why things are about to happen like they do.

I know that may people loved this book - several of the reviews I've read have been wonderful. I guess I just wish the story had started at a different point. I also had a little trouble believing in some of the relationships. Nora and Max seem to be very... cautious. And she never seems so in love with him that she feels the need to go to Prague for him - even though that's what she does. It was a little like they dated for the sake of convenience... which doesn't follow for the intense-ness of the rest of the story.

I'm aware the author has nothing to do with the cover - but I really don't see how it relates to the story at all. I mean, you have the tiny reflection of a city in the eye. Otherwise? It doesn't give me any clues to the nature of the story. And it's a little creepy. I kept a post-it over the face when I had the book sitting out.

It's difficult to recommend a book that I had a really hard time getting into. But I do think that someone who has a real interest in foreign languages and alchemical history will think this book is amazing. Maybe it was just too much for me. I will continue to look into books by this author - because I loved her previous stuff. So... onward and upward! :)
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Other Blog Reviews:

Ladybug Storytime
{Bookish Comforts}
YA Book Queen
Tripping Over Books
Eve's Fan Garden
The Diary of a Bookworm
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