Nash (Marked Men #4) by Jay Crownover

Title: Nash
Series: Marked Men #4
Author: Jay Crownover
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: April 29th 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

Will their past determine their future?

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down... and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?

Review

Nash has never been one of the characters I felt drawn to.  I have always thought he seemed like a more distant secondary character.  It was nice to get to learn more about his history and his role in the marked men family. The details and aspects of his life really add to another layer of depth in the overall series.

Nash has some sadder moments than Rome.  Even though there were some steamy scenes and happy moments, this book felt a little less happy than the others.  When I finished the book, I felt that I had enjoyed it but did not leave with the grin on my face that some of the other books evoked.  Saint, the main interest in this book, has some personal demons to overcome.  At times I really could relate or feel for her but then at other times I just found her to kind of bother me.

This one was not my favorite but it was still enjoyable and added to the overall series.  At times I felt like I was merely reading to continue some of the other secondary character's stories, not quite for Nash and Saint's story line.  But I love a lot of those other characters so it all worked out!

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Title:Losing It
Author: Cora Carmack
Series: Losing it #1
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date:October 15th 2012
Pages: Ebook, 204 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, Bliss Edwards decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible - a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

Review

Nicole and I had the pleasure of meeting Cora Carmack at the Baltimore Book Festival. She spoke on a couple panels with other fantastic authors.  After hearing the New Adult panel and listening to Cora describe her books I just knew I needed to give them a chance.

Losing It is a perfectly awkward blend of college life and relationships; I was devouring the pages of this fun, lighthearted book! Bliss was starting her last semester of college as a virgin and decided that she needed to change that.  From the moment the book started I was grinning; Bliss was such a real, quirky, entertaining character.  Here are some of my favorites:

Somewhere between Save by the Bell and Gossip Girl, it became unheard of for a girl to graduate college with her V-card still in hand. 

I was terrified I'd melt into a puddle of arousal and awkwardness if I met his gorgeous eyes again.  

Was he trashing my place because I'd run out and left him there like the biggest jerk this side of Kanye West at the 2009 VMAs?

Not only was Bliss a fantastic character, Garrick the gorgeous main character who happens to have a British accent was equally as fantastic.  The dynamic and chemistry between Bliss and Garrick was radiating off the pages.  The romance was funny, real, and sexy all at the same time.  Bliss would over analyze situations, she is clumsy, she is a nerd, she gets nervous, she is a relate-able honest character.

The secondary characters are primarily Bliss's theater classmates and friends; each friend fills a different role in the story and supplement the fast paced plot.  The ending was satisfying but I was so invested in the characters I just needed more so thank goodness there is a novella!

Overall, I highly recommend Losing It if you are looking for a light-hearted, non-angsty story about an awkward college student that has fabulous inner monologues and funny one liners all while battling the sexual tension she has with her new professor.

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Title: Smart Girls Get What They Want
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Pages: 352
Source: eBook

Summary from Goodreads:
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .

Review

Smart Girls Get What They Want brought me right back to my high school days. I was so much like Gigi/Bea/Neerja and shared their whole mentality – get good grades, follow the rules, sight set on the future. Now, I wouldn’t say no one knew who I was – I think it’s pretty difficult to obtain that level of anonymity – but I could relate to these girls and how they felt like they were missing out on something. So I enjoyed watching the girls start to branch out of their comfort zones and be rewarded for it. I thought they were all great and it was easy to root for them.

I also LOVED the friendship they shared. It was one of those power friendships – like, mess with one and face the wrath of the others - which is the best and most entertaining kind, in my opinion. And because of how much I value friendship, and needed the support of my best friend in High School, it was nice seeing these girls have each other’s backs.

I also think Strohmeyer provided a pretty fair portrayal of High School. I do think some things were exaggerated for the sake of the story (when are they not), but other things were pretty accurate. Like all of the stresses of an overachiever and the smart girl persona. Gigi overthinking her Harvard interview response was SPOT ON. And I would have had a full on melt down if someone wrongfully accused me of cheating and threatened my future prospects. Like, I would have made Gigi look calm. So I appreciated those details. And I don’t think the story read too juvenile or fell victim to any of the typical High School tropes – at least not to the point that it annoyed me.

Oh, and the romance was cute. Although, there was a pseudo love triangle.

Bottom Line

Smart Girls Get What They Want was a fun read. There are some really great characters, a super strong friendship, and even a little romance. I definitely feel like it’s a contemporary that the masses can enjoy. But if you were (are) an overachiever in High School (like I was), then this book is definitely for you. You will relate to it in so many ways, I can guarantee it!

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Title: The Art of Lainey
Author: Paula Stokes
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Pages: 384
Source: eBook

Summary from Goodreads:
Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?

Review

The Art of Lainey definitely had its strengths. The incorporation of Sun Tzu's The Art of War as a guide for Lainey to win back her ex-boyfriend was a pretty brilliant premise. It was fun watching her apply ancient Chinese military strategy to her dating life, I must say. And I feel like I learned some battle strategy along the way. As for Micah, he was a pretty swoon-worthy fake boyfriend. Not only was he hot - I'll take a tattooed, mohawk-sporting, punk-loving male lead any day - but he was also really sweet and did some pretty cute things for Lainey. He was easily my favorite part of the story. I also really appreciated that Lainey was athletic, an attribute that I love seeing in female leads.

But one big thing kept me from really enjoying this book. That is, Jason was an ass, and it took entirely too long for Lainey to realize that.

Seriously, this put a damper on my entire reading experience. Every new thing that I learned about him, and the truth about how poorly he treated Lainey, only made me dislike him more. For Lainey to justify his actions and their relationship up until the very end, and be so very dependent on him, frustrated me beyond belief. I get that she was with him for a long time and wasn’t sure who she was without him. I wasn’t expecting her to get over him immediately. I expected there to be some growth and discovery. I just hoped that she would see the error in her ways much sooner than she did.

Because of her hang up on Jason, I couldn’t like Lainey as much as I think I otherwise would have. If I am being completely honest, I found her to be a little weak-minded. But most unfortunately, I couldn’t feel what was growing between her and Micah. This wasn’t a book overflowing with cutesy moments and lots of obvious feels. It was much more subtle and slow-burning than that. You needed to pay attention. But the fact that Lainey clung to Jason like white on rice, tainted every development that was made with Micah. Le sigh.

Bottom Line

While I did like The Art of Lainey, it didn't wow me as much as it did others. I guess how wow’ed you will be will depend on your tolerance for Lainey’s feelings toward Jason. Her excuses for him, and desperation to be in what appeared to me to be an unhealthy relationship, wore me out and hindered my overall reading experience. But otherwise, this book hit the mark.

Boomerang by Noelle August

Title: Boomerang
Series: Boomerang #1  
Author: Noelle August
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: July 8, 2014
Pages: 304
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to Boomerang.com, the dating site for the millennial gen with its no-fuss, no-commitments matchups, and where work is steamier than any random hook-up

Mia Galliano is an aspiring filmmaker. Ethan Vance has just played his last game as a collegiate soccer star. They’re sharp, hungry for success, and they share a secret.

Last night, Ethan and Mia met at a bar, and, well . . . one thing led to another, which led to them waking up the next morning—together. Things turned awkward in a hurry when they found themselves sharing a post hookup taxi . . . to the same place: Boomerang headquarters.

What began as a powerful connection between them is treated to a cold shower courtesy of two major complications. First, Boomerang has a strict policy against co-worker dating. And second, they’re now competitors for only one job at the end of summer.

As their internships come to an end, will they manage to keep their eyes on the future and their hands off each other, or will the pull of attraction put them right back where they started?

Review

After reading the synopsis for Boomerang, I just knew I had to read this book. Competing for a job against the guy you just had a one night stand with and still find attractive is right up there on my list of most entertaining premises ever. And this book was every bit as fun as I thought it would be.

The situation Mia and Ethan found themselves in was just the right set up for awkward moments, mixed feelings, office drama, sexual tension, close-calls, healthy competition, witty banter - you name it. All of which made for one hell of an enjoyable reading experience. I had several laughs with this one - the toaster panties being the most noteworthy.

I think Mia and Ethan were the perfect set of characters for this storyline - young, hot, ambitious, funny and interesting enough to make them memorable but not so interesting that they had baggage (if you know what I mean). Their attraction seemed a little superficial, but again, it worked at this point in the story. I would expect their connection to go a little deeper as the story progresses.

And there was lots of other personality outside of Mia and Ethan's romance that added to Boomerang's greatness. There were some pretty amusing secondary characters and a really great friendship between Mia and her best friends. I also loved that Boomerang was a dating website and both Mia and Ethan had to go on some blind dates for "market research". Honestly, everything about this book just worked for me.

I am always a little hesitant reading new adult because they tend to be a hit or miss for me. But Boomerang wasn't too issue-heavy or too sex-heavy or any of the other trends that seem to be common in new adult these days. It was the perfect new adult read for me.

I highly recommend this one if you are in the mood for a rom com (of sorts) or dying to know what toaster panties are. It was highly entertaining.

After the End by Amy Plum

Title:After the End
Author: Amy Plum
Series: After the End #1
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date:May 6th 2014
Pages: Hardback, 322 Pages
Source: BEA 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
"I have no idea what is truth and what is fiction. I'm all I've got now. I can't trust anyone."
World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

Review

After the End took me almost two months to finish.  It was a book I actually thought I was not going to finish; I would put it down for a week then pick it up again and read about 30 pages and just lose interest and put it back down.  It was not until the last 100 or so pages that I powered through until the end.

"One of the first things Whit taught me was how to connect to the Yara.  In order to Read --to make your will known to the Yara and receive an answer, if the Yara decides to grant you one -- you must go through nature."

One of my biggest struggles throughout the story was the 'magic/supernatural' aspects of the story.  I just could not get behind the connection with Nature.  I felt like there was just not enough explanation and when the connection, the Yara, was referenced I wanted to roll my eyes. Not to mention, the main character's name bugged me.   While later in the book there is some explanation about the connection with the Yara, it felt both weak and underdeveloped.

Another major issue I had with the book was the plot.  The plot was slow, about two weeks transpired throughout the book, it felt like it was just going on and on yet nothing was happening.  Along with the dragging plot, the romance between Juneau and Miles was rushed and seemed rather forced.  The POVs alternated between both Miles and Juneau giving the reader both perspectives of the slow moving events.  I am struggling to put into words the actual struggle I had with the book.  Below is an example of the awkward and heavy handed description of the budding romance.

"The touch of our skin sets off a reaction in me.  I am immediately awake... 100 percent present. And it feels like a whirlwind of thorns is whipping around in my chest, stinging me all over from the inside.  That makes it sound painful.  It isn't."

The worst part is that even though it took me about two months to read and I did not like a lot of aspects about the story, I am still curious about what is going to happen in the next book.   

Bottom Line

Unfortunately, After the End is not a book I am jumping to recommend, even though I really enjoyed the Revenants series.  Even with the slow-moving plot, eye-rolling magic, and weak story line, the story had just enough intrigue to keep me from giving up - yet it was a difficult read.  If you are really into being "one with nature," After the End may be for you, but otherwise I would pass on it.  

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Title: The Queen of the Tearling
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #1
Author: Erika Johansen
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: July 8, 2014
Pages: 448
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive.

Review

The Queen of the Tearling is so much and more.

It is political – Kelsea inherits a broken kingdom and must carefully right the wrongs of those who ruled before her; wrestling power away from the greedy and the corrupt.

It is suspenseful – Kelsea is surrounded by enemies who will stop at nothing to see her killed. Even those who are loyal to her, she must prove herself to, or they might turn their back on her.

It is inspiring – Kelsea rises to the occasion and carefully handles herself and those around her. She is one of the bravest and most level-headed young women I know.

It is magical – Kelsea slowly learns that the sapphire around her neck is more than just a simple jewel. It might defeat the dark sorceress in the neighboring kingdom. It might save her own.

It is complex – The characters in this book, as well as the relationships, vary greatly and have many layers. Many bonds are formed, while others are broken.

It is beautiful – The writing was flawless; the pacing, seamless; the emotion, rampant. I was completely captivated by this world, this kingdom, these people.

I loved this book without reservation.

The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Title: The Vanishing Season
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 256
Source: ALA MW

Summary from Goodreads:
Girls started vanishing in the fall, and now winter's come to lay a white sheet over the horror. Door County, it seems, is swallowing the young, right into its very dirt. From beneath the house on Water Street, I've watched the danger swell.

The residents know me as the noises in the house at night, the creaking on the stairs. I'm the reflection behind them in the glass, the feeling of fear in the cellar. I'm tied—it seems—to this house, this street, this town.

I'm tied to Maggie and Pauline, though I don't know why. I think it's because death is coming for one of them, or both.

All I know is that the present and the past are piling up, and I am here to dig.I am looking for the things that are buried.

Review

I found The Vanishing Season to have a certain dream-like quality to it. The story is a delicate one and didn't feel quite grounded in reality. The characters had a storybook way to them - a little young and a lot peculiar. That, and Jodi Lynn Anderson's writing was beautiful, seamless and floating, and wistful too. I feel like this will either work for readers or it won't. For me, I found that I liked this.

I can understand the criticism though too. The synopsis is deceiving. The perspective from which it is told is a small part of the story you will read. An important part, especially as the end nears, but small nonetheless.I wish it had been given more prominence because I loved this part of the story. On the surface, this book is really about a young girl who moved from the big city to the small town of Door County. She's adjusting to her new life and growing closer to her two neighbors, the fragile, childlike Pauline, and the quiet, steady Liam. Meanwhile, young girls are being murdered in a mysterious way and the people of Door County grow more fearful and distant by the day. But this isn't really a mystery, or a horror story. Actually, in reflection, the vanishing girls have very little to do with the story at all except to contribute to the mood.

The Vanishing Season is no Tiger Lily but it had its moments and its good qualities. It wasn't always so engaging but it had me curious and I read it easily. But sadly, I don't think it lived up to its promise. That said, I think this one may be better suited for a younger audience or fans of simple seeming stories with an understated elegance to them.

On the Fence by Kasie West

Title: On The Fence
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 320
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Review

I have developed a theory that Kasie West is superhuman. She must have some superpower related to storytelling that allows her to produce quality novel after quality novel faster than the average human being. There is no other explanation for how she does it.

This story charmed the hell out of me.

Charlie lost her mother at a young age and has since been raised by her father and 3 older brothers (4 if you count her neighbor Braden whose practically family). As a result, she’s a complete tomboy and doesn’t know the first thing about being a girl. So when her new job unwillingly introduces her to fashion and make-up and “girl-talk” she feels way out of her comfort zone, endearingly so. But her insecurities go deep. She worries other girls will be able to tell she is not like them, or that her brothers will make fun of her for wearing make-up and pretty clothes. And above all, she worries that no boy will like her without all that stuff.

I thought Charlie was great. I loved that she was competitive and loved sports and could hang with the best of them. As someone who has always been a bit of a tomboy, and feels more comfortable around guys than girls, I felt like I shared more similarities with Charlie than I do with the typical YA lead. So I could understand and relate to many of Charlie’s insecurities. My heart went out to her. But it made me all the more appreciative of the journey she went on that gave her confidence in herself.

The family dynamic in this book was PERFECT. I loved her brothers and wish I could steal them for myself. All of the teasing, and playful-bickering, and family-competition provided countless smiles and laughs. And I loved how protective they were of her, even if it made me feel a little bad for Charlie. Then there was her dad who was such a good father. He had his own share of moments that warmed my heart.

And the romance, of course, was adorable and left me smitten. Kasie West really knows how to tell a good love story. Just the right amount of suspense, anticipation, tension, and cuteness. I really could go on and on about this book because there is so much to this story that deserves mention. It is wonderful, unique, flawlessly written, emotional, layered, charming.

Like I said, she must have superpowers.

If you haven’t read Kasie West’s work before, you really need to. If you have, you know how talented she is and probably don’t need convincing.

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Ignite Me
Series: Shatter Me #3
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Pages: 416
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

Review

Do not read this if you haven't read Ignite Me. I did not censor myself.

I just need to say my piece.

You cannot reinvent characters in the third and final book of a series.

Juliette went from being this weak, self-pitying girl who spent all of her time with her feelings to this bossy, bigheaded, hardass all in the blink of an eye.

"I’ve had enough.
I came so close to killing Anderson once, and I’ll make sure I have that chance again. But this time, I’ll follow through.
I wasn’t ready last time. I wouldn’t have known what to do even if I’d killed him then. I would’ve handed control over to Castle and I would’ve watched quietly as someone else tried to fix our world again. But I see now that Castle was wrong for this job. He’s too tender. Too anxious to please everyone.
I, on the other hand, am left with no concerns at all.
I will be unapologetic. I will live with no regrets. I will reach into the earth and rip out the injustice and I will crush it in my bare hands. I want Anderson to fear me and I want him to beg for mercy and I want to say no, not for you. Never for you.
And I don’t care if that’s not nice enough."

Who the hell are you and what have you done with Juliette?

The only constant between pre-Ignite Me Juliette and Ignite Me Juliette is that she is still selfish. She had no regard for anyone but herself (and Warner). In fact, she threatened to harm Kenji on multiple occasions for disagreeing with her. Bitch, no.

I think it is normal for you friends to question you a little bit if you become all chummy with the supposed enemy and accept everything he says without question.

And then there is Adam. Pre-Ignite Me Adam was kind, supportive, and level-headed. Ignite Me Adam was a stubborn, jealous hothead. And I don't care what you say, pre-Ignite Me Adam would NEVER have called Juliette stupid once, let alone twice. Never. I don't care the circumstances or how not-Juliette Juliette is being.

Gah. This is just so not ok with me!! Even Kenji didn't feel quite himself at times. It was like I didn't recognize any of the characters. And I can't even say it was for the sake of the plot because HELLO! THERE WAS NO PLOT!

90% of this book was talking and that's probably a generous estimate.

(Not that it would be ok to do for the sake of the plot either).

ZZZZZZZZ.

I'm done. I'M DONE WITH THIS SERIES.

And just for the record, I was Team Warner and I still didn't like this book.

The Murder Complex (The Murder Complex #1) by Lindsay Cummings

Title: The Murder Complex
Series: The Murder Complex #1
Author: Lindsay Cummings
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher, EW

Summary from Goodreads:
Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Review

The Murder Complex is a (very) fast-paced story with lots of action and intrigue that immediately captured and held my attention. The world that Lindsay Cummings created is terrifying and the roles that both Meadow and Zephyr play, with regards to both The Murder Complex and each other, made for a compelling storyline. Meadow was a total badass (my favorite kind of MC) and I loved watching her square off against any threat she faced, including Zephyr. I read in a state of nervous excitement as I rooted for Meadow to survive, but all the while I sympathized with Zephyr and the other MC assassins. 

But what The Murder Complex lacked, and the ultimate reason for my slightly below average rating, was development. This story really could have benefited from more character development and world building in the beginning. I never felt like I really got to know Meadow or Zephyr, so my connection with, and feelings for them, could only go so far. Same goes for the setting in that I needed more. From what information we do get, I could sense that it was a dangerous and horrible place but I never fully grasped what it was like or how things operated so it was all a little lost on me. I never thought I'd say this, but I think the fast pace worked against this story. Don't be deceived by the 400 page count up there, the chapters are very short and this book reads VERY quickly. I flew through it. 

I also had some (minor) problems with the second half of the story. Whether it was insta-love or a really strong connection - something formed between Zephyr and Meadow way too quickly for my liking. And then there was this uncomfortable interaction and exchange of feelings between Meadow and a certain character I cannot name, which I didn't get. And lastly, the ending was a bit info-dumpy and i'm not sure how I feel about the explanation that was given. But I understand readers will take to these things differently. I just wanted to explain what didn't work for me.

I thought The Murder Complex would be the perfect book for me, but what I liked about it was overshadowed by what I found missing. It had my attention while reading, but I finished feeling a little underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high, and in that case, hopefully this review will correct that for you. I can see fans of Sci Fi/Dystopian and lots of action liking this one more than I did. The story has promise, it just hasn't left a lasting impression on me.

Renegade (MILA 2.0 #2) by Debra Driza

Title: Renegade
Series: MILA 2.0 #2
Author: Debra Driza
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Pages: 448
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
There is no one left for Mila to trust. Except for a boy she barely knows.

But Hunter has no idea who—and what—Mila really is. She can’t bear to reveal her secret, even though he’s unwittingly joined her search for Richard Grady, a man who may know more details of Mila’s complicated past.

Yet the road to the truth is more dangerous than ever. With General Holland and the Vita Obscura scouring the earth for her whereabouts, Mila must rely on her newfound android abilities to protect herself and Hunter from imminent harm. Still, embracing her identity as a machine leads her to question the state of her humanity—as well as Hunter’s real motives.Perfect for fans of I Am Number Four and Divergent, this action-packed and heart-wrenching second installment of MILA 2.0 will leave readers breathlessly awaiting the series conclusion.

Review

I really enjoyed Mila 2.0 because of the nonstop action and because of the internal struggle Mila had over finding out she was an android, neither of which are present in this latest installment. This sequel was a total snoozefest. And for a 448 page book, that is a lot of snooze. Talk about middle-book-syndrome. 

The first 300 pages are pretty much uneventful and full of annoying thoughts circulating around  Hunter. If you had a problem with the “relationship” in the first book, you will have a problem with it in this book. I can almost guarantee it. I never want to hear the name Hunter again. Do yourself a favor and start reading at page 305.

The last 133ish pages are where things pick up and why I gave this book two stars. The story from this point forward is more exciting and interesting and reminiscent of the first book. Not quite as good, yet still a vast improvement over the first 2/3 of this book. If only it came sooner.

But then the ending came and the cliffhanger almost undid all the progress that was made. It was SO STUPID. I am so disappointed. I am really not sure if I am going to read the final book because I don't see it being any better than this one. I will most likely wait for others to review it and make my decision then.

Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera

Title: Rebel
Series: Reboot #2
Author: Amy Tintera
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Pages: 352
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
After coming back from death as Reboots and being trained by HARC as soldiers, Wren and Callum have finally escaped north, where they hope to find a life of freedom. But when they arrive at the Reboot Reservation, it isn't what they expected. Under the rule of a bloodthirsty leader, Micah, the Reboots are about to wage an all-out war on the humans. Although Wren's instincts are telling her to set off into the wilderness on their own and leave the battle far behind, Callum is unwilling to let his human family be murdered. When Micah commits the ultimate betrayal, the choice is made for them. But Micah has also made a fatal mistake . . . he's underestimated Wren and Callum.

The explosive finale to the Reboot duology is full of riveting action and steamy love scenes as Wren and Callum become rebels against their own kind.

Review

"'Do you really think you killed her by handing her over to a few humans?' ...
 'There's no way Wren is dead,' ...
'I'd be scared, if i were you.'"

Last year Reboot took me by surprise. It had a unique premise, a badass female lead, a charming male lead, a sweet romance, and a gripping plot. It was funny and exciting. It had great plot development AND character development. Basically, Reboot was everything I could hope to have in a book.

Rebel is very much the same.

This book is non stop action from page one. One of the perks of being a duology is that there is no need to fill the pages with unnecessary drama, angst, sideplots, (you name it) just to stretch the story out. Every moment in this story was relevant and for the good of the plot. This book has rebel movements, rescue attempts, survival stories, revenge plots and more! And there is a whole lot of tension between and  among the reboots, humans and HARC officials to make for one exciting read.

Wren and Callum are as awesome as ever, especially Wren. She can give the best heroines a run for their money.  Their relationship didn't have that newness that it did in Reboot but they were a solid pair and that is something great in and of itself. And there was still character development - just of a different sort. The focus wasn't on Callum feeling too much and Wren too little, but more of Wren accepting herself as a leader and her and Callum wanting the same thing. There are some new character introductions as well - some you will root for, and others that will make your blood boil. 

Rebel is a great follow up to Reboot and if you haven't read either- they make a great pair. I definitely recommend these when in the mood for an action packed, science fiction story with strong characters and plot. I really enjoyed them!

Prisoner of Night and Fog (Prisoner of Night and Fog #1) by Anne Blankman

Title: Prisoner of Night and Fog
Series: Prisoner of Night and Fog #1
Author: Anne Blankman
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Pages: 416
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

Review

Prisoner of Night & Fog isn't your typical WWII story. It takes place in the early 1930s during Hitler's rise to power and is told from the POV of a girl who grew up with "Uncle Dolf" as a loving father figure. Moreover, a fictitious murder is weaved around real events in history, and the primary plot focus. Although I wouldn't know any better, having only a basic knowledge of WWII, Blankman's story felt authentic and well-researched. 

It was really interesting, while also discomforting, to read from the POV of "Hitler's pet". In the beginning of the book, Gretchen shares Hitler's negative opinions of the Jews and her these thoughts and her habit to defend Uncle Dolf are not easy to shed. But while investigating her father's murder Gretchen learns that the Jews are not the enemy she was raised to believe they were and the people she thought she could count on are perhaps the real monsters. She experienced tremendous growth over the course of this book.

Being fascinated with History as I am, Historical Fiction novels always pull me in for the history lesson alone. But I further enjoyed the unique perspective Blankman provides through Gretchen, the mystery surrounding her father's murder, and the focus on the early days of Nazi Germany. However, I felt a little lukewarm over the characters and the romance. The plot and setting was what carried this for me, it was well-paced and transfixing.

If you are a fan of Historical Fiction, murder mysteries and a unique perspective, I'd definitely recommend you give this one a try. 

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Title: Jellicoe Road
Author: Melina Marchetta
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: August 26, 2008
Pages: 419
Source: Audiobook, Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
I'm dreaming of the boy in the tree. I tell him stories. About the Jellicoe School and the Townies and the Cadets from a school in Sydney. I tell him about the war between us for territory. And I tell him about Hannah, who lives in the unfinished house by the river. Hannah, who is too young to be hiding away from the world. Hannah, who found me on the Jellicoe Road six years ago.

Taylor is leader of the boarders at the Jellicoe School. She has to keep the upper hand in the territory wars and deal with Jonah Griggs - the enigmatic leader of the cadets, and someone she thought she would never see again.

And now Hannah, the person Taylor had come to rely on, has disappeared. Taylor's only clue is a manuscript about five kids who lived in Jellicoe eighteen years ago. She needs to find out more, but this means confronting her own story, making sense of her strange, recurring dream, and finding her mother - who abandoned her on the Jellicoe Road.

This was a complicated book. So complicated, in fact, that I think I would benefit from reading it again, maybe even more than once. But it was absolutely lovely, absolutely unique, and absolutely a must read.

Since this book already has so many positive reviews, I am just going to talk about what I liked.

What I Liked

Part of what makes this story so unique is the mystery in it. Taylor's dreams, Hannah's manuscript, the clues all around the town - all tie together to tell a brilliant, if not, heartbreaking tale spanning 18 years on the Jellicoe Road. Every little detail in this story has a purpose. And in the end, that purpose is clear. It all pieces together so well that it is a little awe-inspiring.

To build off of that, I loved the small town vibe. It was like every person, place and thing had its own history, own story to tell. And in some small way or other everyone and everything was connected.

I really liked Taylor and I admired that she was unapologetically herself - flaws and all. She didn't care what anyone thought of her and she didn't let anything or anyone define her. Maybe she could be a little selfish at times, but she was honest and great.

I enjoyed the romance between Jonah and Taylor. They were good for each other. They understood each other. It was sweet.

Really, all of the relationships in this story warmed my heart. Lots of love all around.

The territory wars between the Jellicoe School, Townies and Cadets was so much fun, albeit a little scary at times. But it provoked mostly excitement and laughs.

The writing was beautiful. Occasionally you find those books and you can tell that every word was carefully chosen, deliberate, and meaningful. This was one of those books. I think Melina Marchetta has a true gift for words. The story just flowed seamlessly and effortlessly.

What I Didn't

I didn't dislike anything, but this book was a little difficult to listen to on audio because I couldn't easily go back and reference an earlier part in the story, or reread something a second time around.  I struggled in the beginning to keep all of the people separate and I am not sure if I missed any connections as the book progressed. There was a lot to keep track of.  

  

Bottom Line

This is one heck of a story. It is interesting and emotional and impeccably told. Truthfully, you could never go wrong reading a book by Melina Marchetta, no matter the genre. I highly recommend this one among other contemporaries.

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell

Title: Dear Killer
Author: Katherine Ewell
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Pages: 368
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
Rule One—Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.
Rule Two—Be careful.
Rule Three—Fight using your legs whenever possible, because they’re the strongest part of your body. Your arms are the weakest.
Rule Four—Hit to kill. The first blow should be the last, if at all possible.
Rule Five—The letters are the law.

Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.

But when a letter appears in the mailbox that will have the power to topple Kit’s convictions as perfectly as she commits her murders, she must make a decision: follow the only rules she has ever known, or challenge Rule One, and go from there.

Katherine Ewell’s Dear Killer is a sinister psychological thriller that explores the thin line between good and evil, and the messiness of that inevitable moment when life contradicts everything you believe.

Review

"Rule one. Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.
That is the most important guideline, and the hardest one for most people to understand - but I have understood it my entire life, from the moment I laid my hands on that first victim's neck to this very moment as I think about the blood under my fingernails and the body I have so recently left behind."

To be honest, this book kind of baffled me. I do not mind books in which the MC kills. In fact, I enjoy these kinds of books for their change of pace. But there is always some reason or situation that justifies the killing. Dear Killer is the first book I have read in which the MC kills by choice and likes it. This is the first book I read in which the MC is a moral nihilist.

There were some things I liked about this book and some things I could've done without.

Kit lives by a code. She doesn't pass judgement. She kills who the letters tell her to kill. Until recently. She gets too close to her latest victim and starts breaking her own rules, starts making mistakes. In some ways her mistakes were predictable, a little exasperating. But in other ways, her actions were unexpected, a little surprising. The ending surprised me.

The story itself kept my attention. I was really into the discussion on moral nihilism, that 'nothing is inherently wrong or inherently right, because morality is only a set of rules created by society and not based on any greater truth.' I like exploring beliefs different than my own. And since Kit thought this way her actions were a bit foreign to me. I wasn't always sure who, when or why she would kill. She kept me guessing. And I had fun with the story because of this.

But I didn't connect with the characters in the story quite as much as I would have liked. It was hard for me to connect with Kit because of how she thought and behaved. And I think my lack of connection with Kit kept me from really feeling Kit's connections to the other characters. I didn't really get her relationship with Alex or Maggie. The characters, the relationships, just felt a little bit off to me.

And I can't finish this review without admitting that, yes, a lot of what happens in this book is a little hard to believe. But I was able to look past it and enjoy the story for what it was.

Overall, Dear Killer is an unusual read. I encourage others to read if anything because it is so different.  It's not without flaws, so critical readers beware, but it is thought-provoking and interesting for sure. 

Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) by Danielle Paige

Title: Dorothy Must Die
Series: Dorothy Must Die #1
Author: Danielle Paige
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Pages: 432
Source: ALA Midwinter

Summary from Goodreads:
I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero. But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know? 

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling. 

 What happened? Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe. 

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas. I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. I've been trained to fight. And I have a mission: Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage. Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

Review

This book changed Oz for me forever. The Oz in this story was so vivid and horrifying that the innocence of it is lost to me. But it was epic.

This book is long and descriptive but I was so fascinated by it that I didn't much mind. But rather than me tell you, I think it's better that I show you.

 

Above is the Oz that we all know and love. And below, as shown through quotes, is the new Oz. 

The Tin Woodman:

"This Tin Woodman was not the Tin Woodman I remembered. By now I shouldn't have expected anything different - nothing was the way it was supposed to be in Dorothy's remade Oz. Still, I wasn't prepared for what I was looking at now. He looked more like a machine that had been cobbled together out of spare parts, a hodgepodge of scrap metal and springs and machinery pieces all held together by screws and bolts. His long, spindly legs were a complex construction of rods and springs and joints, and bend backward at his ankles like a horse's legs; his face was pinched and mean, with beady, flashing metal eyes and a thin, cylindrical nose that jutted out several inches from his face and ended in a nasty little point. His oversize jaw jutted out from the rest of his face in a nasty underbite, revealing a mess of little blades where his teeth should have been.
The only thing that was really familiar about him was the funnel-shaped hat he wore. I guess some things never change."

The Scarecrow:

"At Ozma's side stood a tall thin man dressed in a baby-blue, one-size-too-small suit. Beneath a small hat, bits of straw and yarn stuck out in every direction. His was was a skein of tightly pulled burlap with two unnervingly lifelike buttons sewn on in place of eyes. His lips were thin lines of embroidery stitched in pinkish-brown yarn underneath a painted on red triangle for a nose. His buttons were fixed right at me.
A chill shot through my body. It was the Scarecrow. Like the Tin Woodman, he had been twisted and warped into something I hardly recognized." 

Dorothy: 

"She was both exactly and nothing like I could have imagined. This was not the same girl I'd read about. She was wearing the dress, but it wasn't the dress exactly - it was as if someone had cut her familiar blue-checked jumper into a million little pieces and then put it back together again, only better. Better, and, okay, a little bit more revealing. Actually, more than a little bit. Not like I was judging.
Instead of a farm girl cotton it was silk and chiffon. The cut was somewhere between haute couture and French hooker. The bodice nipped, tucked, and lifted. There was cleavage.
Lots of cleavage.
Dorothy's books were out to here, her legs up to there. Her face was smooth and unblemished and perfect: her mouth shelacked in plasticky crimson, her eyes impeccably lined in silver and gold. Her eyelashes were so long and full that they probably created a breeze when she blinked. It was hard to tell how old she was. She looked like she could have been my age or years older. She looked immortal.
She had her hair pulled into two deep chestnut waves that cascaded down her shoulders, each one tied with a red ribbon. Her piercing blue eyes were trained right on me."

The Lion:

"Really, he was barely recognizable as a lion at all. He looked like a monster, like some warped nightmare version of the king of the jungle. He was huge and golden, with bulging, grotesque muscles and a filthy, snarled mane. His lips were curled back, baring a mouth crowded with sharp, long, crooked fangs.

At first, it looked like the Lion and the man were kissing. But they weren't - their mouths were inches apart, not quire touching. The man looked like he was struggling, but then his mouth fell open, too, as his face contorted in pain and something that looked like red smoke came spewing violently out of him. I couldn't tell whether it was vomit, or blood, or something worse. Whatever it was, the Lion lapped it up hungrily.

'What's he doing?' I asked in horror, gripping Nox's arm.

'The Lion eats the fear of others,' Nox explained in a whisper. 'It's how he survives. How he gets stronger.'"

And there is so much more where that came from- about the witches, and the land, and the Wizard and Ozma. This book is a complete re-imagining of Oz that is twisted and evil and fantastic.

The world-building was my favorite part and I think the most noteworthy part of the story. It's really the focus of book one, as the plot is a little slow to develop and only just getting started in the end. But there is the promise of greatness. I think the story that is developing is so much fun. I loved the idea that Dorothy is evil. I loved how Good was Wicked and Wicked was Good. I loved the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked and the plot to assassinate Dorothy. I enjoyed the magic. And the ancillary characters were strong. I felt kind of indifferent towards Amy herself, but I think she showed pretty good development so far, and she is likable. There is room for her to really grow on me as an MC.

I definitely recommend this. This is a standout book.

Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Title: Uninvited
Series: Uninvited #1
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Pages: 384
Source: ARC, ALA Midwinter

Summary from Goodreads:
The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

Review

What if you were told that you were destined to become a murderer? 

Because Davy was told she would be. 

"My lungs swell at the unfairness of it all. I've never even been in a fight. Not even in elementary school. It's ridiculous to imagine me committing one of these infractions he describes. I want to scream: Look at me! I'm not bad! I'm not a monster!"

How long would you hold out hope that your life could stay the same? 

Because Davy's perfect life shattered immediately. She's taken out of school, away from her sheltered life and forced to spend every day in a cage with other HTS carriers. Her hope doesn't last long. 

How long do you think others would keep believing in you, feel safe around you, love you or be your friend? 

Because everyone bails on Davy except for her brother. Her best friend is HORRIBLE. Her (ex) boyfriend almost just as bad. Even her parents avoid her. 

How long would you keep believing in yourself before you started to doubt everything you ever knew?

"I can't hear him say that I'm not like the others...that I'm better than all the rest of them. Not when I don't know if it's true.

To know that, I have to know that what's inside of them, isn't inside of me. And I can't know that for sure."

How long could you hold it together? 

How long before what everyone says is true? 

I loved this book. It was emotional, thought-provoking, suspenseful, exciting. I really sympathized with Davy. She struggles with losing everything she knows and surviving this new life of hers. Being told she's a killer and being thrown in with other killers. Practically defenseless. Can you imagine? Fortunately she has Sean. It's not your typical romance but you want to root for it. He's so supportive and so protective of her. In his own way. 

It wasn't the most fast-paced of books but it was always interesting. And it really packed the feels. Again, I loved it. I can't wait for the next one. 

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Title: Side Effects May Vary
Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: HarperCollins / Balzer + Bray
Release Date: March 18th 2014
Pages: Kindle, 336 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality

What I Liked

• The story telling format.  Side Effects May Vary is told from both Alice and Harvey's perspective in both the present and the past.  So pre-remission and post remission.  The narration style really emphasizes the emotional roller coaster Alice goes through. 
• The characters.  I wanted to hate Alice one chapter then root for her the next.  She thought her life was ending and then in the blink of an eye she is given her life back and doesn't know what to do.  She was so rough around the edges; it was hard not to feel the emotions even the angry confused ones.  Harvey was the good guy; he was the guy I could root for when I could not longer root for Alice.  
• The love story.  It was not rainbow and butterflies instead it was fights and lots of feelings. For example:  "I know what this looked like.  It looked like I was using Harvey.  But here was the reality of the situations: the minute my life went from semi-permanent to most likely temporary, I decided to latch on to everything in my world that had always been permanent, and for me, Harvey was so permanent he was concrete" --Alice.    
  
  "I didn't want the easy kind of love.  I wanted the crazy love, the kind of love that created and destroyed all at the same time"- Alice   
• The risks.  Never have I liked, then disliked, then liked a main character before.  Julie Murphy took risks with the plot, the characters, and even the ending.  

What I Didn't

• Some of the feels.  While I do admire the rawness and beautiful imperfection in the characters, when I finished the book I was not left with warm fuzzies or full closure.  It is hard to describe my feelings after finishing the book. I was left thinking and feeling a range of emotions. This is why I would not recommend this book for everyone.  It is an story the sucks you in and throws you back out and if you are not prepared for some an imperfect ending to parallel the imperfect characters then this is not for you.  

Bottom Line

Side Effects May Vary is not a book for everyone.  It excels in its ability to convey the raw emotion and rather intense period that Alice had to face.  The emotions were harsh and honest; Murphy was able to blend the harshness with the heart warming in a well done story.