I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

Title: I Am Princess X
Author: Cherie Priest
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Release Date: May 26th 2015
Source: ARC received from publisher

Summary from Goodreads:
Best friends, big fans, a mysterious webcomic, and a long-lost girl collide in this riveting novel, perfect for fans of both Cory Doctorow and Sarah Dessen; illustrated throughout with comics.

Once upon a time, two best friends created a princess together. Libby drew the pictures, May wrote the tales, and their heroine, Princess X, slayed all the dragons and scaled all the mountains their imaginations could conjure.

Once upon a few years later, Libby was in the car with her mom, driving across the Ballard Bridge on a rainy night. When the car went over the side, Libby passed away, and Princess X died with her.

Once upon a now: May is sixteen and lonely, wandering the streets of Seattle, when she sees a sticker slapped in a corner window.

Princess X?

When May looks around, she sees the Princess everywhere: Stickers. Patches. Graffiti. There's an entire underground culture, focused around a webcomic at IAmPrincessX.com. The more May explores the webcomic, the more she sees disturbing similarities between Libby's story and Princess X online. And that means that only one person could have started this phenomenon---her best friend, Libby, who lives.

Review

What a fun creative book! 

I was undecided on even rating this one because in the ARC most of the graphics are missing/have place holders.  One of the stand out unique elements of this book is how it is told through both comic form and regular story form. But even with the placeholder notes, I adored I am Princess X.

It reads like a comic or Disney movie, with a clear good vs. evil theme.  The hero and side-kick have great friendly banter while taking on their crazy life saving mission.  While the plot does have a bit more "fiction-superhero-y"  action scenes, the voice of each character felt genuine and honest.  This great character development translated all the way down to the villain who has a well written thought out back story.  Aside from the good versus evil theme, friendship is a huge driving force within the story.  May's loyalty towards her missing friend is admirable, the lengths and dangers she is will to go through to save her friend truly make her awesome.

I Am Princess X took my completely by surprise, this fast pace fairy tale meets superhero book is a refreshingly different kind read! I would say it is geared towards younger YA, though it did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying this light fun read.

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.

Rook by Sharon Cameron

Title:Rook
Author: Sharon Cameron
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date:April 28th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse.

Review

The beginning was such a struggle for me, I even considered not finishing the book.  Rook is told in third person, so at first it took a while to get used to.  One paragraph we would be in one part of town and then the next we would be in a prison learning about a different character.  Aside from the quick switches, the writing style is a bit different.  It forced me to slow down and rereads sentences a couple times to make sure I was understanding what was going on.

There are also a good number of characters and sine the names were harder to pronounce at times it was easy for me to get confused.  The reader is dropped right into this future Paris that has gone back to the 'dark ages' with no real technology.  The setting is dark, mysterious, and unique, it does take time to fully grasp the world Sharon Cameron has built though. Once I had a feel for the characters and understood the world, I really enjoyed the story line.

There was a nice balance between romantic tension and action.  Sophia Bellamy is a strong female lead that often times reminded me of Batman, helping those who need help while remaining unknown.  The romance had a well done gradual build up complemented with plenty of banter. Rook is full of crazy rulers, secret missions, and a ton of romantic tension!

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Title:All the Bright Places
Author: Jennifer Niven
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date:January 6th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Review

I loved this book; the characters, the relationships, and the story are beautifully written.  Finch is a dynamic, charismatic, witty, and at times completely off the wall.  His wild personality is the opposite of Violet yet compliments her at the same time.  Since the accident Violet has become scared, withdrawn, and reserved; Finch is the only one with the power to change her.  All the Bright Places is a heavily character driven plot that focuses on love, adventure, and finding life worth living. It is one of my favorite aspects of the story!

All the Bright Places tackles some tough topics regarding suicide and mental health disorders.  It really leaves you thinking of your perspective on the topics. The chapters alternate point-of-view between Finch and Violet, giving the reader insight into each character.  Some of Finch's chapters are hard to read and understand what is going on; the writing parallels the scattered thoughts and Finch's current mental state.   The ending took me by surprise, and tore me apart. I guess I should have expected some tears based on the book blurb and the authors mentioned.

I commend Jennifer Niven for taking such a serious topic and developing it so well.  As I already mentioned, the characters are exceptional.  They will make you laugh, they will make you cry, and they will want to make you wander your town looking for adventures.  The mini trips and adventures make for such a unique and changing setting.  I highly recommend All The Bright Place if you are in the mood for a more serious yet intriguing  life saving love story.

Boys Don't Knit by T.S.Easton

Title:Boys Don't Knit
Author: T.S. Easton
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date:March 24th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
Knitting is a man’s game.

After an incident regarding a crossing guard and a bottle of Martini & Rossi (and his bonehead friends), 17-year-old worrier Ben Fletcher must develop his sense of social alignment, take up a hobby, and do some community service to avoid any further probation.

He takes a knitting class (it was that or his father’s mechanic class) under the impression that it's taught by the hot teacher all the boys like. Turns out, it’s not. Perfect.

Regardless, he sticks with it and comes to find that he’s a natural knitter, maybe even great. It even helps ease his anxiety and worrying. The only challenge now is to keep it hidden from his friends, his crush, and his soccer-obsessed father. What a tangled web Ben has weaved . . . or knitted.

Review

Boys Don't Knit is a fun book filled with dry humor, witty one-liners, and a boy who knits!  I love the fact that the story centers around Ben breaking gender stereotypes.  While Ben's initial motivation for taking up knitting is purely to be in a class with an attractive teacher it quickly shifts when he really embraces his passion.  The story takes place in England, so the culture and slang are a bit different but I love the change of scenery.

The story is narrated by Ben, so similar to the setting it is a nice change to read a book from a male POV. My main reason for 3 stars is that the plot slows down at parts and lacks a bit of oomph! Some of the knitting terms went over my head but I liked the way Ben could visualize his projects and just jump into the knitting zone. The friendships both new and old are great.  I love the dynamic Ben has with his guy buddies and the new friendships he built with his knitting club.  His family is so unique, Ben has a magician for a mother, crazy toddler for a sister, and soccer fanatic father.  Both the friends and family are unique and entertaining.  I really enjoyed some of the great lines:

'Why don't you pay?' he said, when I suggested this.

'I don't have any money.' I pointed out. 

'What about your allowance?' he said

'Dad, the last time you gave me allowance Britney Spears was happily married.'

Boys Don't Knit is an entertaining feel good story with an interesting rag tag group of characters taking on the challenges of the knitting world!