These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas

Title: These Vicious Masks
Author: Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: February 9th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Jane Austen meets X-­Men in this gripping and adventure-­filled paranormal romance set in Victorian London.

England, 1882. Evelyn is bored with society and its expectations. So when her beloved sister, Rose, mysteriously vanishes, she ignores her parents and travels to London to find her, accompanied by the dashing Mr. Kent. But they’re not the only ones looking for Rose. The reclusive, young gentleman Sebastian Braddock is also searching for her, claiming that both sisters have special healing powers. Evelyn is convinced that Sebastian must be mad, until she discovers that his strange tales of extraordinary people are true—and that her sister is in graver danger than she feared.

Review

I can’t put my finger on the exact issue I have with the writing style but the sentence structure and flow slowed me down. These Vicious Masks was hard to get into, both the writing and slow introduction made for a tedious first couple of chapters. (I almost gave up but I had heard good things so I kept going).

While I think at times These Vicious Masks seemed to have some great innovative plot points other times it felt like a mash-up of popular tropes that feel overused. The setting and world building seemed a tad stereotypical. Along with the world, I did not really care about the characters; there was nothing wrong with them but I just did not care what happened to them. Evelyn is a strong willed female lead that is full of attitude, witty comments, and a fierce love for her sister that made her an entertaining character. (One of the aspects that kept me going throughout).

These Vicious Masks unfortunately fell flat. Conceptually it sounded like a book I would have loved but the writing style, romance, and world building did not work for me.

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Glass Sword
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen #2
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Source: ALA MW

Summary from Goodreads:
Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Review

I am almost too sad to write this review. Last year, Red Queen was one of my favorite reads. I loved it so much and couldn’t wait to read Glass Sword. I even had it pre-ordered which is kind of a rarity for me, reserved for only a few of my most anticipated releases. I fully expected to love it. So what happened?

I was bored, mostly. Glass Sword is 400+ pages of middle book syndrome. There was too little action and too many words. Like, ya know when stuff is going on but it feels like it’s happening at a snail’s pace because you have to read 50 pages of dialogue in between each somewhat significant moment? Or it feels as if too much is happening in the background? That’s kind of what was going on in this book, or at least my best attempt at explaining how it felt to read it. The writing started to feel repetitive and meaningless and I found myself impatient to finish the book so I could move on to something I enjoyed more. And although the ending was good, I didn’t feel like it deserved the 400+ pages it took to get there.

I was also annoyed by Mare. She reminded me a little bit of Juliette from the Shatter Me series and for those who don’t know, I HATE Juliette. She was WAY too self-obsessed and a little too arrogant and I honestly didn’t recognize her at times. In Red Queen she was someone I admired and could easily root for. In Glass Sword, I found myself wanting to wring her neck one too many times just to shut her up. This is obviously not a good feeling to have about your heroine.

But I was more or less OK with everything else to happen. I didn’t mind Mare’s interest in Cal at all. I liked quite a few of the secondary characters. And there were even a couple developments that took me completely by surprise. And again, the ending was strong albeit a little sudden.

I wouldn’t say I disliked this book, but I was disappointed enough by it that I canceled my pre-order. It was not the sequel I had hoped for and I didn’t really enjoy reading it which saddens me like you wouldn’t believe. But I’ve seen some positive reviews on Goodreads so I could turn out to be the black sheep on this one. And I do think the last book has potential, I’ve just lost most of my confidence in this series.

Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith

Title: Dreamstrider
Author: Lindsay Smith
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: October 6th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.

Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.

A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.

Review

Goodness what to say about Dreamstrider.  Dreamstrider was a struggle for me, not because of the actual story but the beginning never captured my attention.  The beginning of the book reminded me immediately of the movie Inception.  I actually read the first 20 pages four different times because I was not feeling it.  I finally pressed on and realized Dreamstrider was not what I was expecting at all, in a good way!

The main character has the ability to go into a dream world and take over a body of another sleeping person.  So even though Livia is a spy and able to penetrate very high level dangerous meetings there is a lot more going on.  The dream world is threatened by a grave danger.  Livia has to continue her missions while dealing with a looming darkness threatening her every mission.  There is a mix of politics, spies, magic, and romance.

Once the world building and plot pace picked up I started getting into the story.  Smith creates an imaginative and high energy world with a strong good versus evil mood.  The romance seemed to be an after though; I never had a strong urge to have the romance come to fruition, I was very indifferent.  Ultimately, I enjoyed the world building and fantasy aspects but lacked any attachments to the characters.  Their development and growth was weak and predictable leaving me with a lackluster feeling in the end.

Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

Title: Ice Like Fire
Author: Sara Raasch
Series: Snow Like Ashes #2
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Source: eARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review (thanks B&B!!)

Summary from Goodreads:

It’s been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring’s king, Angra, disappeared—thanks largely to the help of Cordell.

Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria’s lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity—with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses—the last time the world had access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm’s secrets, Meira plans to use the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and Winter safe—even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?

Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Januari—leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell’s growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter’s security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken kingdom and protect them from new threats?

As the web of power and deception weaves tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom—and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter, but for the world.

Review

Ice Like Fire was not quite the sequel I had hoped it would be after the success that was Snow Like Ashes. I was happy to be back in this world and with these characters but for the size of this book, I think more should have happened. I felt myself getting impatient at times with the lack of development then sudden ease at which things would happen and frustrated by some of the repetition. The beginning and ending were strong and I’m excited for the next installment but the bulk of this book suffered from Middle Book Syndrome.

Of the things that I liked, Meira’s transition from a soldier to a queen was one of them. She struggled to find a balance between the impulsive warrior that she was and the careful queen that she thought she needed to be – not realizing that she could be both. But while I appreciated her journey, this is where I thought the story got a little repetitive. Meira had several of the same conversations with herself, most without any real improvement. But I am happy with who she became in the end. She’s definitely a character that is relatable and easy to root for.

I also really enjoyed the glimpses into the different Seasons and Rhythms. The world is explored in much more detail in this book which I had been waiting for since Raasch introduced us to it. Readers are also introduced to a few new characters – one of which, Ceridwen, whom I loved. Her personality reminded me a little of Celaena/Aelin from the Throne of Glass series.

And as I already mentioned, the ending was fantastic. There were quite a few shocking moments that I did not see coming, some of which broke my heart. The only thing I am really weary of is the love-triangle. I thought I knew which ship I was on but I think my ship might have sunk and now I am a little confused. Meira definitely has an uphill battle ahead of her and I look forward to seeing how she bests her enemies.

But the plot in the middle of the book was a little weak. Much of it was centered around the search for keys which sounds perfect because if anything, I LOVE a good hunt that involves deciphering clues, but perhaps that is why I was so disappointed. There really was no deciphering of clues or hunting. Meira’s first guess pretty much led her straight to what she wanted to find. It was just too easy and lacked thought/suspense/excitement.

This sequel could definitely have been stronger but it didn’t deter me from the series by any means. If you were a fan of Snow Like Ashes, I would definitely continue along with the story, just perhaps lower your expectations a little for Ice Like Fire. I have faith that Sara Raasch will deliver in the end.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Title: The Rest of Us Just Live Here
Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: August 27, 2015
Source: BEA

Summary from Goodreads:
What if you aren’t the Chosen One?

The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshiped by mountain lions.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.

Review

I understand what Patrick Ness was trying to do with this book, and there were things about The Rest of Us Just Live Here that I really appreciated/admired, but at the end of the day it just was not my cup of tea. The weirdness of it all and my periodic confusion overwhelmed the rest of my reading experience.

Mikey and his friends live in a world where unusual things have been known to happen, except that they aren't the ones unusual things happen to. Rather, it's the indie kinds (whatever that's supposed to mean) who are the heroes of this story. The latest threat has to do with a group of Immortals that are seeking to possess humans and inhabit our world. However, this story is in the background - told through a quick, semi-derisive paragraph at the start of each Chapter. The actual story is about Mikey and his friends living their lives on the periphery of it all. It's about their friendship, and their love lives, and their problems and their worries. But if there had been a clearer break between what was Sci Fi and what was Realistic Fiction, I might have taken to it more. But I think Jared, the quarter Cat God (yes you heard me right), threw me for a loop and blurred the lines, making things just a little too wacky.

But I did love Mikey's story. I loved the honest portrayal of his OCD tendencies and how amazing of a support system he had. I loved his character ARC - from someone who was a little too self-absorbed and self-deprecating to well, someone who wasn't. I loved the exploration of teen love and friendship. His relationship with Jared was a particularly strong and heartwarming part. I loved the messy family life that that was given a face lift in the end. Really, the contemporary aspects of this story were quite beautiful (minus a few derailments that I won't go into.) Again, it was just the complete package that didn't quite work for me. And that is totally a "me" thing.

So I would suggest giving this book a try since what didn't work for me was very specific to my reading preferences (unless you have similar reading preferences). Definitely give this a try if you are a fan of Patrick Ness, genre-defying stories, or stories that are a little out there but 100% unique. There were some really really beautifully told parts to this story and if you like the weirdness of it  too then you'll likely love it.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Title: Vivian Apple at the End of the World
Author: Katie Coyle
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January, 6 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.

Review

Vivian Apple at the End of the World was an engaging read, but sadly, not a standout for me.

What I enjoyed most about Vivian Apple at the End of the World was its religious themes and that this book explored the extremes of faith. When the Church of America declares the "Rapture" forthcoming, the world divides into  believers and non-believers and there is a lot of hostility between the two groups.  But when the predicted Rapture actually comes, utter chaos breaks outs, especially since not all believers were saved, and that hostility turns violent. The way some believers acted in the name of faith both before and after the Rapture scared, saddened, disgusted, and intrigued me all at the same time. It was this mix of emotions that kept me turning pages.

It's hard to get specific about what didn't work for me. I wanted to know the truth as much as Vivian Apple did even though I knew what truth was coming. I also wouldn't exactly call the characters boring, even if they weren't my favorite. Perhaps it was the plausibility and ease of some of what happened? But really I think it was just my overall impression of the story after I finished reading it, which was honestly somewhere between "That was OK" and "I liked it."

If you think religious extremes and cult mentality make for interesting reads, then you might consider reading this book. It's not perfect, it's not excellent, but it has its merits and I definitely found myself pulled into the story even if it wasn't "my kind of story". Verdict is still out on the sequel...

Eden West by Pete Hautman

Title:Eden West
Author: Pete Hautman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date:April 14th 2015
Source: ARC received from publisher at ALAMW

Summary from Goodreads:
Tackling faith, doubt, and transformation, National Book Award winner Pete Hautman explores a boy’s unraveling allegiance to an insular cult.

Twelve square miles of paradise, surrounded by an eight-foot-high chain-link fence: this is Nodd, the land of the Grace. It is all seventeen-year-old Jacob knows. Beyond the fence lies the World, a wicked, terrible place, doomed to destruction. When the Archangel Zerachiel descends from Heaven, only the Grace will be spared the horrors of the Apocalypse. But something is rotten in paradise. A wolf invades Nodd, slaughtering the Grace’s sheep. A new boy arrives from outside, and his scorn and disdain threaten to tarnish Jacob’s contentment. Then, while patrolling the borders of Nodd, Jacob meets Lynna, a girl from the adjoining ranch, who tempts him to sample the forbidden Worldly pleasures that lie beyond the fence. Jacob’s faith, his devotion, and his grip on reality are tested as his feelings for Lynna blossom into something greater and the End Days grow ever closer. Eden West is the story of two worlds, two hearts, the power of faith, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Review

For some reason cults fascinate me, so I was excited to dive into Eden West.  This is only the second book I have read where cults are a central focal point of the book.  Unfortunately, it felt like both books shared very similar plots, both books having one of the main characters in a cult and the second main character as the temptation outside the cult.  While it is still an interesting concept/premise I was hoping for something a little different.

Eden West is a strong character driven story.  It is told from the point of view of Jacob, as he grows to doubt the cult teachings the reader gains more insight into the daily rituals and beliefs of the cult. The cult has a very different and extreme set of beliefs which perfectly match the cult's rigid way of life.  This was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

The plot felt slow at times, while it may be in part due to the fact that its focal point is Jacob's doubt and not romance or action, it just seemed to teeter on the edge of losing my interest.  Eden West is focuses on coming to terms with your doubt and moving forward from that point.  The secondary characters are a function of the plot and merely facilitate the main character's personal growth.

Overall, I would say the book is worth picking up if you are in the mood for a male narrator's story on his unique upbringing and how he questions everything he knows.  Eden West has some interesting cult aspects but other than that the book just fell a just a bit flat, not reaching its full potential.

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak by Brian Katcher

Title: The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak
Author: Brian Katcher
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Source: eARC received from Publisher in exchange for an honest review (thanks Harper!)

Summary from Goodreads:
It all begins when Ana Watson's little brother, Clayton, secretly ditches the quiz bowl semifinals to go to the Washingcon sci-fi convention on what should have been a normal, résumé-building school trip.

If slacker Zak Duquette hadn't talked up the geek fan fest so much, maybe Clayton wouldn't have broken nearly every school rule or jeopardized Ana’s last shot at freedom from her uptight parents.

Now, teaming up with Duquette is the only way for Ana to chase down Clayton in the sea of orcs, zombies, bikini-clad princesses, Trekkies, and Smurfs. After all, one does not simply walk into Washingcon.

But in spite of Zak's devil-may-care attitude, he has his own reasons for being as lost as Ana-and Ana may have more in common with him than she thinks. Ana and Zak certainly don’t expect the long crazy night, which begins as a nerdfighter manhunt, to transform into so much more…

Review

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak was a really cute book that takes place over the course of approximately 24 hours at a Sci-FI convention. Ana's brother takes off during an overnight school trip and fearing the wrath of her parents, Ana goes to find him and bring him back before any adults discover that they are gone. Zak, who is slightly crushing on Ana, and practically grew up attending this conference, offers to accompany her. But naturally everything that could possibly go wrong does and they embark on one hell of a (surprisingly dangerous) adventure.

What was interesting to watch was how Ana and Zak slowly break their misconceptions of each other and go from barely acquaintances to something more than friends. Ana is this straight-edge, uptight, and slightly aloof, girl while Zak is this care-free, always-joking, slacker. They couldn't be more different but after they spend more time together, they learn what each person is hiding beneath the surface. And it was a surprising discovery for each of them. I enjoyed this whole "we are more than what we show others" theme and I thought they were adorable together.

There's also a little bit of depth to the story as both Ana and Zak had to confront something that was bothering them. Ana was living her life in fear of making a mistake and being cast out of her family like her older sister, meanwhile, Zak channeled his grief over losing his dad into hate for his new stepfather. The convention was just enough crazy to cause them both to say 'the hell with it' and speak their mind.

Also, being the geek I am, I enjoyed the geekiness of the Sci Fi convention backdrop and all the oddball secondary characters that went with it.

But calling this book 'cute' and 'energetic' and 'genuine' are about the best I can do. It was an easy  and amiable read but at the end of the day it just didn't do a whole lot for me. In my opinion, I think it will be better suited for a younger audience.

The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

Title: The Cure for Dreaming
Author: Cat Winters
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: October 14, 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

Olivia Mead is a headstrong, independent girl—a suffragist—in an age that prefers its girls to be docile. It’s 1900 in Oregon, and Olivia’s father, concerned that she’s headed for trouble, convinces a stage mesmerist to try to hypnotize the rebellion out of her. But the hypnotist, an intriguing young man named Henri Reverie, gives her a terrible gift instead: she’s able to see people’s true natures, manifesting as visions of darkness and goodness, while also unable to speak her true thoughts out loud. These supernatural challenges only make Olivia more determined to speak her mind, and so she’s drawn into a dangerous relationship with the hypnotist and his mysterious motives, all while secretly fighting for the rights of women. Winters breathes new life into history once again with an atmospheric, vividly real story, including archival photos and art from the period throughout.

Review

The Cure for Dreaming was not the book I had hoped it would be. Cat Winter’s debut, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, was full of atmosphere and history and emotion. It was honestly, nothing short of brilliant and I had hoped for the same from The Cure for Dreaming. But The Cure for Dreaming was nothing more than lackluster.

The promise was there – with an eerie but awesome premise - but this, unfortunately, was not capitalized on. I felt like the story only dabbled in the women’s suffrage movement, hypnosis, and Dracula folklore without really embodying any of it, and thus I didn’t feel responsive to any of it. It also wasn’t tied together very well, with tenuous connections at best, that I struggled to find believable. For instance, Olivia was hypnotized to “see the world the way it truly is” and afterwards, people whom she couldn’t trust appeared as vampires, likely because of her infatuation with Dracula?

Moreover, this book read a little young. It wasn’t that Olivia was overtly naïve or anything but the story read very innocently, simplistically and maybe even a little predictably. This, in conjunction with the underdeveloped backdrop, left me feeling a little uninspired at times.

I don’t mean to only point out what didn’t work for me, it is just always easier to do so. Most of my reservations had to do with the fact that this book didn't affect me in any way - which could also have something to do with my mood and timing. So feelings aside, I can appreciate the strong beginning, the fitting end and the overall unique tale. And I was very frustrated on behalf of Olivia at times. Her father was downright awful.

In summary, my expectations were definitely too high for this book. I expected more and was left disappointed. It kills me to write a less than glowing review for a Cat Winters book, but that is just how it is sometimes. I am still a fan of hers - In the Shadow of Blackbirds is one of my absolute favorites - and look forward to her next book. 

Pawn by Aimee Carter

Title: Pawn
Author: Aimee Carter
Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion #1  
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: November 26, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:
YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Review

Overall, I found Pawn to be rather "meh".

The dystopian world was rather "meh". It isn't really anything we haven't seen before. Citizens take a test when they come of age which determines their ranking in society and thus, their quality of life. The system favors the higher numbers and so there are those who wish to disable it. The only thing of note is that the ruling family is at war with themselves and heavily involved in the rebellion, which created an interesting family dynamic.

The plot was also rather "meh". I don't feel like a whole lot happened, really. The masking part was interesting but I feel like most of the book was about Kitty becoming Lila, with very little action until a family feud at the end. I wouldn't say I got bored, this book was too short to feel bored, but I definitely wasn't wholly invested either.

Kitty herself was rather "meh" too. I didn't not like her, but I didn't particularly like her either. She didn't have much of a personality to illicit much of an opinion. If anything, she was a little dull. And the first opportunity she has to make some noise and she balks. But I did really like Benji if that makes any difference at this point.

The fact that I have been reading some amazing books lately probably doesn't do this one any favors. Truthfully, it pales in comparison. But again, it is not that there was anything that I didn't like, it just wasn't very memorable or "wow"-ing. But if dystopian is your genre-of-choice, you may have more love for this one. And I have hope for the sequel, which I've heard good things about!

Trust Me, I'm Lying by Mary Elizabeth Summer

Title: Trust Me, I'm Lying
Author: Mary Elizabeth Summer
Series: Trust Me #1
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 14, 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
Julep Dupree tells lies. A lot of them. She’s a con artist, a master of disguise, and a sophomore at Chicago’s swanky St. Agatha High, where her father, an old-school grifter with a weakness for the ponies, sends her to so she can learn to mingle with the upper crust. For extra spending money Julep doesn’t rely on her dad—she runs petty scams for her classmates while dodging the dean of students and maintaining an A+ (okay, A-) average.

But when she comes home one day to a ransacked apartment and her father gone, Julep’s carefully laid plans for an expenses-paid golden ticket to Yale start to unravel. Even with help from St. Agatha’s resident Prince Charming, Tyler Richland, and her loyal hacker sidekick, Sam, Julep struggles to trace her dad’s trail of clues through a maze of creepy stalkers, hit attempts, family secrets, and worse, the threat of foster care. With everything she has at stake, Julep’s in way over her head . . . but that’s not going to stop her from using every trick in the book to find her dad before his mark finds her. Because that would be criminal.

Review

I wanted to read Trust Me, I'm Lying for a few different reasons. Mostly, because it is about a con artist and that is plotline I'll never tire of reading, but also because I happen to love the title. And while I did have fun reading it, I have to admit that it didn't impress me all that much.

The plot centers around Julep's father's disappearance and a series of clues he left behind that Julep hopes will lead her to some evidence that she can leverage to save his life, if he is even alive to save. The clue-deciphering, endless obstacles, and increasing stakes kept the plot moving so that I never got bored. But Trust Me, I'm Lying doesn't really have anything that sets it apart. It is not delightfully humorous or  manipulative or overly exciting. It is pretty middle-of-the-road on all fronts. And the fact that I did't feel a rush of emotions kept it from being something memorable.

There were also a couple YA tropes present that had me rolling my eyes. Julep looses all sense when it comes to rich, handsome, man-candy Tyler and brings him into her inner circle despite her nagging suspicion of his sudden interest in her. And then Tyler becomes one leg of a glaring love triangle.  Meanwhile, Julep is having a sort of crisis of conscious and wants to be an honest grifter. Those sorts of things.

As for the ending, it had it's moments but ultimately fell victim to the same mediocrity as the rest of the book.

And yet despite all my criticisms, I think I might still read the next book. Like I said, I am a sucker for the con-artist storyline. Make of that what you will.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title:The Jewel
Series: The Lone City #1
Author: Amy Ewing
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date:September 2nd 2014
Pages: ARC, 358 pages
Source: BEA 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Review

The Jewel, I had such I hopes for you.  I thought what a beautiful cover and interesting premise, I could not wait to dive into the book.  Unfortunately, the insta-love and main character were not for me.   Violet started out being a very unique, strong-willed and sometimes stubborn strong female lead.  As the story progressed I felt that her stubborn personality started to overpower her smart, strong-willed, intelligent decisions. By the end of the book, I just wanted to shake her silly.  Her life choices were infuriating at times.

Right along side with Violet's stubborn and just plain not smart decisions was the overwhelming insta-love. On a scale of 1-10 of instalove, one being rather subtle but still insta-love, I would rate the relationship between Violet and Ash about an 8!  I just could not stand behind it; after one encounter that was it, she was full commit.  

Insta-love and Violet aside, I did enjoy the setting and the overall concept. The setting is a bit similar to The Selection, with different levels in society each with their own jobs and roles.  The unique thing about The Jewel was the unique abilities the surrogates possessed and their role within that structured society.  I am still intrigued about how the story will play out, especially after the ending.  The ending took me by surprise in a good way, I was not expecting it; it is one of the main reasons I would consider picking up the next 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.

REVIEW: Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Title: Allegiant

Series: Divergent #3
Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: October 22, 2013

Pages: 526, Hardcover
Source: Library, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.
But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. 

I am struggling to put my thoughts into words so I am not going to break up my review like I have been. 

I started Allegiant with really low expectations. I was prepared to hate it. And when I didn't hate it, it knocked me off kilter. On the surface, I am not as disappointed in this book as I thought I would be. I did not get bored. I was always interested in what was to come. But if I were to be critical, this book has many flaws. It is not a great book, or a great series ender. But it's not terrible either. 

This book was no where near as action packed as Divergent, but was more so than Insurgent. And instead of filling the pages with Tris's relationship woes, Allegiant focuses more on the world 'beyond the fence' and introduces new players. I don't know if I buy all the answers/ explanations given for everything but it definitely kept my attention. 

I like the ending and I don't like the ending. But my reasons for like and dislike are probably opposite those of many readers. My main reason why I didn't like the ending was because it didn't actually end anything. The world is as it was. I don't feel like I have closure. I had a similar problem with Requiem. But the reason why everyone disliked the ending, I didn't mind at all. Call me crazy but it seemed rather fitting. 

I could care less about Tris and Four's relationship now that I think about it. Or, I hate to say it but, even Tris and Four as characters. Tris redeemed herself a little from the Insurgent debacle but Four dimmed significantly. His POV didn't help matters any. But their feelings for each other were so not convincing. 

Ultimately, Divergent was the shinning star in this series. It was a fantastic book but then kind of lost direction in Insurgent and now Allegiant. But Allegiant is definitely a better book than Insurgent and I think it still has some good to offer fans. 

REVIEW: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Title: School Spirits

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: May 14, 2013

Pages: 297, Hardcover
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? 

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• This book kept me guessing. I didn't figure out the culprit and it wasn't for a lack of trying. Even though some of my guesses had some substance, I was more wrong than I was right. So as far as mystery goes, I guess it was pretty good. 


• Izzy's lack of normal teenage experiences and inability to easily fit in made for some pretty entertaining moments. My favorite was when she dislocated a popular boys shoulder with a dodgeball throw. Not sure how realistic that is but it was comical. 


• You can always count on Rachel Hawkins to deliver a light, funny, and entertaining read. The appeal of the Hex Hall series carries over to School Spirits. The world is compelling, the Brannicks are badass BUT... 

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• All of it fell flat. I don't really know what happened - the promise was there but... I wasn't totally buying what Hawkins was selling. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for something on the juvenile side but I finished this book just thinking "meh". 


• I didn't love any of the characters. Even Izzy herself. And I found Dex's character to be somwhat unbelievable. But he's got a lot of fans so excuse me while I run from the death glares you are probably shooting me through the computer. 

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So here is the harsh truth. I found School Spirits to be a less-funny, less-interesting less-convincing version of the original series. It troubles me to say that because I still consider myself a Rachel Hawkins fan but *shrugs*. From the reviews I have seen, I seem to be the black sheep, SO I advise other Hawkins fans to take what I say with a grain of salt. 

REVIEW #168: Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance

Title: Spies and Prejudice
Author: Talia Vance
Publisher: Egmont
Release Date: June 11th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 298 pages
Source: Bought

Summary from Goodreads:
Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

Oh, where to start with this one...  just like the summary says, Spies and Prejudice is 50% love story, 50% spy story.  When I first saw the cover and the blurb I was SO excited, I LOVE spy stories, they are actually one of the only kind of adult books I will read (those very rare occasions I do not read YA).  So I had super high hopes, maybe a little too high.

The first 50 pages were a bit rough, there were a couple of things that just seemed to be a bit of a stretch.  Berry works for her father's company helping out with cases, mainly spying on unfaithful partners, when she glimpses her mother's name in a document that her best friend's father happens to be holding.  So once I got passed the 'random' arrival of a mysterious hot guy and the fact that Berry works as a private investigator while in high school, I was able to enjoy the rest of the book.

The Romance: Predictable Love triangle
The Spy story: A bit random.  Energy drinks mixed with death threats and suicide that may have not been a suicide.
The Characters: Also a bit predictable and easily forgettable.
The Ending : Whattt??? Interesting way to go with the story and the characters.

Spies and Prejudice was hard to rate, I am still a bit torn but have decided that it was a 2.5 star book; the romance was a bit hokey and the spy story was interesting (not exactly in the best of ways).  As long as I did not over think things, I could find it entertaining enough to finish the book. If you enjoy the Gallagher Girls then I would recommend this one with reservations.    

REVIEW #148: The Pirate's Wish (The Assassin's Curse #2) by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Title: The Pirate's Wish
Series: The Assassin's Curse #2

Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke

Publisher: Strange Chemistry

Release Date: June 18, 2013

Pages: 330, Paperback
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword and their wits. But Naji has unseen enemies, and Ananna must face the wrath of the Pirate Confederation.

Together, they must travel afar, defeat their foes and break the mother of all curses. With all this going on, falling in love would be such a bad idea... All of this and much, much more await, in the swashbuckling sequel to The Assassin's Curse.

A sequel is meant to continue a story and further develop what was previously introduced. A conclusion is meant to provide an ending to a story and tie up any loose ends. The Pirate's Wish being both a sequel and a conclusion is required to do both. But I believe it could have done a better job of it. 

The Pirate's Wish continues the story of Ananna and Naji who are bound together by a curse rooted in ancient magic. To break the curse they must complete three impossible tasks. Similar to The Assassin's Curse, in The Pirate's Wish, Ananna and Naji embark on an adventure across land and sea to accomplish their mission. Therefore, readers get to explore more of this rich world introduced in the first book. We get more magic, more pirates and quite a few mythical creatures to mix things up. And it certainly is interesting and unpredictable. I just wish we understood more of it. 

In The Assassin's Curse, it was acceptable if some things were left unexplained because that is often the case with firsts in a series. It adds mystery and suspense and readers expect to get the answers they are looking for later. But after finishing The Pirate's Wish I feel like I have more questions than answers. And now I can't help but attribute some of this to Clarke's writing. What I once saw as a way to add intrigue, I now see as a lack of development. There is a lot to this world but minimal attention is given to each element. Without more detail, much of what I read felt shallow, like it was just a tool to keep my attention. And don't get me wrong, in most cases it did keep my attention. But to me, this marks the difference between an average book and a great one, The Pirate's Wish being the former. 

There was also way more angst than I care for. Ananna spends most of this book pining for Naji, but in a "nobody loves me" kind of way. This was such a big focus that I thought this book was a trilogy suffering from middle book syndrome. I didn't see how they could possibly accomplish all three tasks in the pages remaining. And in fact, the ending did feel rushed. 

Sadly, The Pirate's Wish did not live up to its predecessor The Assassin's Curse in my opinion. But I don't want to completely discredit the story and world that Clarke created. This might not be the most well-developed story or world but it was certainly fresh and fun. Not everyone wants to read a heavy fantasy series laden with details, and if that's the case, these books are perfect for you. Clarke has created some interesting characters and a magical adventure with plenty of obstacles hidden along the way. It's an easy, fast paced and inventive read. 

SERIES REVIEW #119: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen

Cutting straight to the point - I was rooting for the wrong characters. But let me introduce them first:

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Elizabeth Holland -

The proper lady, or so she's got everyone believing. Her heart belongs to the coachmen and societal rules be damned.

Elizabeth was pretty much the victim from the beginning. But regardless I was drawn to her because she was nice and friendly, and didn’t think she was above anyone else. Ultimately, she was trying to do right by her friends and family.  Honestly, she was the only one I liked in the first book.

Diana Holland -

The rebellious one, without a care in the world. Well…until she captures the attention of New York’s most eligible bachelor.

Diana didn’t grow on me until the second book. In the first, she was incredibly selfish and made stupid decisions in the name of insta-love. But by the second book, it felt to me like sides were forming. Elizabeth and Diana versus Penelope and Lina. E and D were on the good side, obviously. P and L, well as for them....

Penelope Hayes -

The ruthless go-getter, who will stop at nothing to get what, or who, she wants. Watch out those who stand in her way!

Penelope was portrayed as the bitch from the start when she talks about only being friends with Elizabeth because she was her greatest competition. She caused a lot of trouble in these books and didn't care who she hurt. But I could respect Penelope to some degree. Even if she was merciless she did what she had to do to get what she wanted. And she never pretended to be anything other than what she was.

Lina Broud -

The social climber, whose love for herself knows no bounds. She believes the world has wronged her and she is out to set it right.

LINA! I don’t think I ever hated a character so much. She blamed everything on others and never took responsibility for anything. She harbored hatred for her once friend because the boy she was in lust with was attracted to her instead. She thought the world of herself but had no redeeming qualities. She expected more than she deserved and she was just plain awful. She was immature and delusional and petty and selfish and GOSH I could go on and on. 

Henry Schoonmaker -

The spoiled heir, with no understanding that actions have consequences. I don’t know what these ladies see in him, but apparently it’s worth fighting over.

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH HENRY. I don't get it. He had the personality of a doorknob and was arrogant and entitled. So what if he’s handsome and rich. There were other boys just as handsome and also rich and TWICE the man Henry is *cough* TEDDY! *cough*. Henry did not deserve all of the fuss and it was kind of irritating that he was the reason everyone was fighting and so many lives were being ruined.

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But back to the story and why it drove me crazy. Basically it was a story about every man for himself. Penelope wanted Henry. Henry and Diana wanted each other. But Henry and Elizabeth were supposed to marry for family reasons. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Will loved each other. But Lina wanted Will until she just wanted money. It was a mess that at some point turned into Penelope and Lina vs Elizabeth and Diana with Henry dangling somewhere in the middle.

And contrary to what you might expect, there was really no back and forth in terms of which parties were favored in this story. Elizabeth and Diana consistently had it much worse than Penelope and Lina. Penelope and Lina were given more lucky breaks and the right circumstances, whereas, Elizabeth and Diana always had something in their way or another bad thing happen to them.

Now I’m not saying everything went right for Penelope and Lina and everything went wrong for Elizabeth and Diana but I definitely didn’t feel like there was a fair balance. And it kind of sucked out all of the fun. I just became more and more enraged with each book. But I kept on reading hoping that the author would make it up in the end. Now while the ending did kind of set some things right, it wasn’t to the extent that I had hoped. Overall, I was still pretty disappointed. Besides it shouldn’t have taken four books to get there. AND there was one decision in particular that made a main plot line feel completely pointless. I just didn’t get it.

But even if I ignored all of my frustrations with the plot, I can’t say that I loved these characters or the setting much. The setting lacked humor and vibrancy and the characters were shallow and dull. Then again, it’s entirely possible that I am spoiled by books written from the likes of Libba Bray. Or that books in the YA genre have just gotten better (this series was written several years ago). Whatever it was, it all just fell very flat for me.

BUT there were some things I did enjoy. The author starts each book with a glimpse at the end. The first book begins with a funeral. The second, a wedding. And so on. She provides just enough detail that you can eliminate some possibilities but not others until you fill in more details as you read. I thought this was a great way to add suspense and give a peek at what’s to come. Another nice detail was the clippings of newspapers, invitations, letters, rules, etc. that were included at the beginning of each chapter. I love details like this and it was a unique way to provide information in a non-obvious way. The writing and attention to detail definitely showed potential.

But overall, this story was not for me. It would be better suited for a younger audience and should be read for just fun and games and not much else.

To wrap up, here is a glimpse at my thoughts while reading:

Luxe: A decent introduction. The story could really go in any direction at this point. Nothing to illicit strong emotion.

Rumors: The Penelope and Lena show through and through. Elizabeth and Diana were just shat on. The ending BROKE my heart.

Envy: The Hollands are back! OH WAIT NVM! *angry face* Anna Godbsersen don't you dare give her that money. DON"T YOU DARE. (She gets the money) I'm done. Really, could things get any worse?

Splendor: *finds out things can get worse* Wait... THAT'S HOW IT ENDS? Unbelievable.