Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Title: Summer of Sloane
Author: Erin L. Schneider
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: May 3rd 2016
Source: Arc from the publisher. Thank you Disney-Hyperion! 

Summary from Goodreads:

Warm Hawaiian sun. Lazy beach days. Flirty texts with her boyfriend back in Seattle.

These are the things seventeen-year-old Sloane McIntyre pictured when she imagined the summer she’d be spending at her mom’s home in Hawaii with her twin brother, Penn. Instead, after learning an unthinkable secret about her boyfriend, Tyler, and best friend, Mick, all she has is a fractured hand and a completely shattered heart.

Once she arrives in Honolulu, though, Sloane hopes that Hawaii might just be the escape she needs. With beach bonfires, old friends, exotic food, and the wonders of a waterproof cast, there’s no reason Sloane shouldn’t enjoy her summer. And when she meets Finn McAllister, the handsome son of a hotel magnate who doesn’t always play by the rules, she knows he’s the perfect distraction from everything that’s so wrong back home.

But it turns out a measly ocean isn’t nearly enough to stop all the emails, texts, and voicemails from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, desperate to explain away their betrayal. And as her casual connection with Finn grows deeper, Sloane’s carefree summer might not be as easy to find as she’d hoped. Weighing years of history with Mick and Tyler against their deception, and the delicate possibility of new love, Sloane must decide when to forgive, and when to live for herself.

Review

Summer of Sloane was not what I was expecting at all in a surprising way. I was expecting a light summery book with a strong romance element yet instead it was a story of a young girl finding happiness in herself and her surroundings.

Friendship, trust, and starting over are some of the major themes throughout. The friendship aspects were heartfelt and honest, while at times the drama seemed a little much it also seem feasible. Some friendships are hard and Sloane has her fair share of complicated friendships both new and old. She has to face tough decisions and also gets called out for some of her actions. Sloane grows up some during the course of the summer, she learns about choices her family made and choices her friends made that really force her to reevaluate her thoughts.

While I did really enjoy the story line, the character development (specifically Sloane), and the friendship dynamics, Summer of Sloane was not as uplifting and light as I was looking for. It did make me pause and think and really take in the circumstances of the story but I did not finish the book with an overwhelming happy feeling. It was much more along the lines of, ‘Oh, this was pretty good.’ I do recommend it though if you are looking for a character driven plot, believable high school struggles, and a beautiful Hawaii setting.

Sanctuary by Jennifer McKissack

Title: Sanctuary
Author: Jennifer McKissack
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: September 29th 2015
Source: Copy provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thanks Scholastic!)

Summary from Goodreads:

After the untimely death of her aunt, Cecilia Cross is forced to return to Sanctuary, a rambling, old mansion that crowns a remote island off the coast of Maine. Cecilia is both drawn to and repulsed by Sanctuary. The scent of the ocean intoxicates her, but she’s also haunted by the ghosts of her past—of her father and sister who died there, of her mother who was torn away from her and sent to an asylum, and of the vengeful spirit of a woman wronged. Flooding memories leave Cecilia shaken, desperate to run away and forget her terrible family history.

But then a mysterious guest arrives at Sanctuary: Eli Bauer, a professor sent to examine Sanctuary’s library. Cecilia is intrigued by this strange young man who seems so interested in her—even more interested in her than in the books he is meant to be studying. Who is he and what does he want? Can Cecilia possibly trust her growing feelings for him? And can he help her make peace a tragic past and a haunted present?

Luminous and evocative, Sanctuary is a remarkable exploration of love and loss—and the ghosts that come back to haunt us.

Review

Gothic, haunting, and eerie.  Sanctuary immediately draws the reader into the mystery of Cecilia's family mansion, Sanctuary.  Cecilia feels this un-explainable draw to Sanctuary's grounds, the sheer unusual circumstances of her return and the death of her family members peaked my curiosity.

The haunting beginning had me flipping through pages but the plot began to slow and focus on the budding relationship between Eli and Cecilia.  While the reader still slowly learns more about the underlying ghosts of Sanctuary, the details are blended throughout the pages filled with character building, romance, and descriptive imagery. The descriptive imagery paints an eerie yet hauntingly beautiful scene that slightly reminds me of older (not too scary) ghost stories.  Even though there are some evil spirits lurking around the grounds, Sanctuary is not horror story, at its core its a good versus evil story.

My main reservation is the plot pacing, the book started off with a fast paced plot that quickly slowed down until the last 40ish pages.  The last bit is where all the action happen but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. While I did not guess at the couple of plot twists, there was looming sense of deceit throughout the book.  The imaginative writing and haunting story came to a quick abrupt finish leaving me with an unresolved feeling.   Ultimately, Sanctuary is a shorter book with quick chapters, beautifully Gothic writing, and a haunted family ghost story.

There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake

Title:There Will Be Lies
Author: Nick Lake
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date:January 6th 2015
Source: ARC from Publisher

Summary from Goodreads:
In four hours, Shelby Jane Cooper will be struck by a car.

Shortly after, she and her mother will leave the hospital and set out on a winding journey toward the Grand Canyon.

All Shelby knows is that they’re running from dangers only her mother understands. And the further they travel, the more Shelby questions everything about her past—and her current reality. Forced to take advantage of the kindness of unsuspecting travelers, Shelby grapples with what’s real, what isn’t, and who she can trust . . . if anybody.

Award-winning author Nick Lake proves his skills as a master storyteller in this heart-pounding new novel. This emotionally charged thrill ride leads to a shocking ending that will have readers flipping back to the beginning.

Review

There Will Be Lies blends two worlds in a wild mysterious story about self-reflection. The summary and beginning of the book immediately intrigued me, I am always down for a good thriller. The first 100 or so pages had me rather lost, I did not quite understand what The Dreaming was nor did I realize the main character is deaf. The book is written in first person with Shelby as the narrator; when she did could not read another character’s lips the words that she did not get are left out of the sentence. Once I understood why this was happening it did not bother me but before I had an explanation for the missing words I was SO confused.

The Dreaming is a world where Shelby has to battle her inner demons and come to terms with secrets from her past. Conceptually, I really like the idea of the Dreaming yet without a strong introduction to it I felt disconnect from the idea and felt that it interrupted the fast pace thriller plot line. The main reason that I could not give There Will Be Lies a higher rating was due to the confusion in the beginning and overall ambivalence towards the parts of the story that took place in the Dreaming.

I did enjoy the thriller and mystery aspects of Shelby’s real life. There are some twists in the story that took me by complete surprise (in a good way)! I do not want to say much about the twists as to not give it away but I will say that I really appreciated the way the story ended.  Reflecting on the book, I think the constant turns and bends in Shelby’s real life journey really kept me on my toes, kept me flipping through the pages and were my favorite aspect of the book.

There Will Be Lies is a unique book that incorporates folklore with a crazy mystery story to bring you a story so different from others. I had the pleasure of meeting Nick Lake and listening to him read from his book! He was awesome and signed a copy of There Will Be Lies for me to give away today! (Thanks Bloomsbury for providing the giveaway copy!!)

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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.

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.

Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Sinner
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: July 1th 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 368 pages
Source: ARC from Publisher

Summary from Goodreads:
A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy.

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?

Review

When a series ends it is typically a mix of happy and sad feelings; you are hopefully happy with the way things ended but sad to say goodbye to the characters.  There is now another set of feelings, when you think the series is over and you hear the amazing news of a spin off featuring characters you would have loved to know more about.  It is one more chance (besides rereads) to rejoin the story's world and enjoy a fantastic surprise.  Sinner was all that and more!

"I'm a performer, a singer, a werewolf, a sinner." 

Cole St. Clair is the epitome of a rock star.  He lived the famous, drug and sex filled, crazy party lifestyle until it nearly killed him.  He comes back to LA for Isabel and another try in a more subdued rock star role. Cole St. Clair was not someone Isabel was expecting to see walk into her store but one of the only ones she wanted to see.  

" Wait---" Same said.  " Have you seen Isabel yet?"

My fingers still felt the shape of her. "Da. We embraced. Angels sang, Sam.  Those fat ones.  Cherubs.  Cherubim.  I must go."

Maggie Stiefvater's writing will have you laughing at Cole's high speed, no filter raw comments and Isabel's sassy and feisty nature, all while wanting the tension between the characters to break because you just could not handle another page of it.  The narration switches between both Isabel and Cole giving the reader insight into both side of the story and into both character's unguarded feelings.  

" And here was what I was most afraid of: that Cole St. Clair would fall in love with me, and I'd fall in love with him, both of us human weapons, and we'd both end up with broken hearts."

The plot revolves around the dangerous and disastrous relationship between Cole and Isabel, while the action is not the typical fight, life threatening situation, the tension between the characters is more than enough to keep story moving.  Every character in the story has a role, there are no extraneous or unnecessary details; everything played a part in the crazy roller coaster of Cole and Isabel's intense love story.  My only reservation was that with all the tension I wish the end was a bit longer but overall it was a perfect fit for their personalities and characters.  

Bottom Line

Sinner, is more than a reader could ask for in a surprise spin off; the sexual tension radiates off the pages while the dual point of view gives insight into the personal journeys each character is going through in the story.  I was pleasantly surprised, the final book in The Wolves of Mercy Falls was enjoyable but not an all time favorite yet Sinner just was the icing on the cake.  

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Title: The Kiss of Deception
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: July 15, 2014
Pages: 492
Source: ARC, ALAMW

Summary from Goodreads:
In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.

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

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

Review

Hot damn this book was GOOD.

Lia flees her kingdom and duties as princess to escape an arranged marriage. She settles in a distant village and shortly thereafter two strangers arrive - one who is the prince she fled from, the other, an assassin sent to kill her and prevent the alliance her marriage would create. Lia doesn't know the true identity of either, of course, and neither do readers. All we know is that there is a man named Raffe and a man named Kaden, one is the prince, one is the assassin. And Lia's un-princess-like behavior surprises both men, which motivates them to extend their stay and get to know her. Both vie for her attention, and Lia starts to form attachments to each of them, though one more than the other.

I have never read a story told this way and I freaking loved it. Not knowing who was who but knowing that one of them wanted needed to kill her created a whole new layer of suspense and intrigue. The first 300 pages or so take place more or less in the village and are focused on the growing relationship between Lia and these two men. After that, things get even more interesting. I really couldn't read fast enough. I devoured this book.

As great as the plot was, the characters were even better.  I loved Lia - her stubbornness, defiance, willpower, discipline, strength, compassion. She was fierce and intelligent. Everything I could hope for in a female lead. A true warrior. AND THESE MEN! Both of these men were swoon worthy to some degree. Both were handsome, capable, honorable, dangerous, complex, and willing to fight for Lia. There was a bit of healthy competition between them over Lia and I ate it up. The dynamic that Pearson created was irresistible. But don't worry love triangle haters, Lia clearly prefers one over the other. Meanwhile, the secondary characters were just as strong, all with their own stories and admirable qualities. Such a wonderful cast of characters all around.

I can't recommend this book enough. But if I can leave you with a piece of advice, don't try and guess who is who! I thought I was supposed to know but was just dense so I used context clues in the beginning to figure out who was the prince and who was the assassin AND I WAS WRONG. So yeah, I had a bit of a surprise at page 303 and had to realign myself.

Really, I loved this one. It is easily a new favorite!

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.

The Treatment (The Program #2) by Suzanne Young

Title: The Treatment
Series: The Program #2
Author: Suzanne Young
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date:  April 29th 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 352 pages
Source: ARC from ALA Mid-winter

Summary from Goodreads:
Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”

How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?

Review

The Treatment is the second book in a fast paced, action filled, two book series.  I am definitely a fan of the fact that it did not just fall into becoming a trilogy.  Unlike some of the other books and series I have been picking up lately, The Treatment did not make me feel like I was lost in the beginning.  There was no sense of 'What is going on in the story?'; the book did pick up right away while still giving a bit of background to ease the reader back into the crazy lives of Sloane and James.

The weaving story line and the way the characters all had some direct or indirect connection to each other, maked for some interesting surprises along the way.  The overall premise, a suicide epidemic, remained a dark and heavy theme throughout the book which I continued to enjoy.  Even though it is kinda scary to think of something so terrible happening, the author excelled at making the story real and believable.  

My main issue was the terribly abrupt ending.  The ending could have easily used another 25-50 pages.  I felt so unfulfilled.  The epilogue was a nice touch but I felt like so much was left untold. Between the ending and the epilogue I felt like I was left with more questions than when I had started the book.  The only other slight issue was the love triangle; it felt a bit forced at times and just took away from the rest of the suspenseful plot.   

Bottom Line ♥

The Treatment is a book full of high stress, high stakes, and high tension.  I would recommend the series if you are in the mood for a serious, darker read about a terrifying world full of characters who just won't stop fighting.

Avalon (Avalon #1) by Mindee Arnett

Title: Avalon
Series: Avalon #1
Author: Mindee Arnett
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date:  January 21st 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 418 pages
Source: ARC from ALA Mid-winter

Summary from Goodreads:
A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

What I Liked

• The various characters.Jeth's team is composed of various characters with such distinct personalities with an array of talents and skills.  It made it easy to visualize each person and really feel the dynamic between the characters. 
• The narration. It is refreshing to read a book that has a male POV.  The danger and action in the story is seen through a male's eyes giving a different view of things.  Not to mention the backseat romance story is quite entertaining from Jeth's point of view. 
• The ending.  While Avalon is a series, the ending is the perfect amount of resolution.  Arnett satisfied my need for some closure while still leaving open storyline for the next book. 

What I Didn't

• The beginning.  It was rather slow at the beginning, I actually debated a couple times whether I was going to keep going.  The characters were not really capturing my attention and I simply was not invested in the story line.    
• A bit predictable.   Some the the aspects seems un-original, granted I mean that in the nicest way but I felt like I could see traces of other stories within Avalon.  The romance was also easy to predict but then again it typically can be.      

Bottom Line

I can easily see why there is a comparison to Firefly; Avalon is a group of unique young thieves just working to get by in space.  If you can endure the slower beginning, Avalon is a fun, space adventure book worth checking out. 

Graduation Day (The Testing #3) by Joelle Charbonneau

Title: Graduation Day
Series: The Testing #3
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Pages: 304
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
In book three of the Testing series, the United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good. Cia is ready to lead the charge, but will her lethal classmates follow her into battle?

She wants to put an end to the Testing
In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor, Cia Vale, vows to fight.

But she can't do it alone.
This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves--and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Who can Cia trust?
The stakes are higher than ever-lives of promise cut short or fulfilled; a future ruled by fear or hope--in the electrifying conclusion to Joelle Charbonneau's epic Testing trilogy. Ready or not…it's Graduation Day.

The Final Test is the Deadliest!

Review

Graduation Day was the perfect conclusion to the The Testing series. Cia is tested yet again, but this time she isn't just trying to prove herself for the sake of her own life. This time, the future of the Commonwealth and that of future testing candidates, hinge on the decisions that Cia makes.

Exciting, suspenseful, unpredictable - these are just a few of the words I would use to describe this series. I have enjoyed it immensely. As I said in my review of The Testing, I love books with tests in them and I loved rooting for Cia throughout this journey. I think she is great. She is smart and strong, as well as grounded and good. And she is relatable. She questions herself, admits when she needs help, and stays true to her upbringing and true to herself. I loved watching the way her mind works, seeing how she comes to decisions, and watching her grow and rise to the occasion. My only reservation is that Cia can be so logical that sometimes the emotion doesn't come through.

In Graduation Day it is up to Cia to stop the rebellion. And to do that she needs to learn to trust. Cia is tested until the very end, therefore Charbonneau left me guessing until the very end. If you think you've got this book figured out, think again. Graduation Day is not without its share of surprises. You never know quite what the other characters are going to do or why. But things end well for this series, fitting even. And all loose ends are tied up.

Like the two books previous, there was never a dull moment in Graduation Day. I highly recommend this series to fans of dystopians, strong heroines, and gripping plots.

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.

The Rules for Breaking (The Rules for Disappearing #2) by Ashley Elston

Title: The Rules for Breaking
Author: Ashley Elston
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Pages: 320
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
Anna Boyd almost lost her life to get what she wanted most in the world: freedom.

But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.

The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he's using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it's time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.

Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.

Review

I liked The Rules for Disappearing well enough – interesting premise, plot and pacing - but The Rules for Breaking was much more fun, much more engaging, much more my kind of book.

Anna is thrust into the middle of a dangerous power struggle and no matter how hard she tries to take control of the situation, the bad guys always seem to be a step ahead. I love these kind of stories. The stakes are high. People are bound to get hurt. Everyone is trying to out-maneuver everyone else. You can't trust anyone. And just when you think you understand everyone's motives, and have a sense of how things are going to go down, something happens or is revealed that changes everything. I don't know how believable the events in this story were, but this book was undoubtably unpredictable and exciting.

And there were a few other little details to complement all the excitement. This sequel takes place in New Orleans. And although the setting wasn't given a ton of attention, it still added a certain spooky feel to the story. And in their captivity, the girls found letters in the ceiling that belonged to a young girl who was locked away in that same attic many years ago, whose story was a local legend. Not only am I fascinated with old stories and things but this kind of detail is a definite plus for me.

Teeny, and Anna's protectiveness of her, warmed my heart as usual. I found Anna to be quite resourceful in this sequel, which did make me like her more than I had in The Rules for Disappearing. But Anna and Ethan still don't spark any strong emotion in me, individually or together. But I didn't not like them. I wouldn't exactly call this a shortcoming, it just didn't add to the story for me.

The Rules for Breaking was a strong sequel to finish off a welcomely different story. I definitely recommend this duology.

PS: These duologies lately are just kicking trilogy ass.

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Title: The Truth About Alice
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: June 3rd 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 208 pages
Source: NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads:
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.

Review

It was so easy to just inhale this book and fly through the pages to get to the truth.  The entire time I could just feel the drama and hate of high school.  The mean girl nature of the "popular" girls and football players who love to brag; it all just felt so real even though their roles were rather cliche.  The cliche-ness of the high school roles made the plot some what predictable but still suited the story.  

The overall message was an interesting and meaningful one.  A small rumor or lie can spread uncontrollably and just destroy a person.  Each chapter is from a different point of view from the previous chapter; almost all the characters involved in the story have a couple chapters from their point of view.  It took a while to get used the various point of views but the format fit perfectly with the rumor fragments. The various vantage points of each character has a role in the giant game of telephone in which Alice is the victim.  

The ending was similar to Side Effects May Vary.  It was not a warm and fuzzy ending.  It left you thinking about some of the mean spirited actions that happen during high school and even after than can really snowball out of control.  My main reservation about the story was that even with a strong message the overall feel and tone of the story were on the younger side young adult.  

Bottom Line

The Truth About Alice is not a book I would recommend to everyone.  I think the book sends an important message about the toxic nature of a rumor mill.  It is easy to become entranced in the drama and hope for a heart warming ending.
  

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.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Pages: 240
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Review

The writing in We Were Liars is undeniably beautiful. It’s poetic. And it is the greatest thing about this book. I was pulled into the story largely because of the way it was told. I wanted to keep reading because I wanted more of E. Lockhart’s words as much as I wanted to know what happened to Cady. It was mysterious. It was perplexing. It was enthralling.

The ending left me reeling. I was unprepared for it, and my jaw literally dropped. But although the reaction itself was positive, I thought what actually happened was dumb. I am frustrated for the characters in this story. I wish I could explain myself further but it would be a spoiler-y so I’ll leave it at that.

And that is what I think of when it comes to this book - the writing and the ending. I don’t think of the characters. I find them neither exceptionally memorable nor exceptionally likable. I don’t think of the setting, because despite taking place on a private island, it’s not given a lot of attention. And I don’t think of the romance, if you can call it that. It was a little confusing and sporadic. But please do not mistake my lack of love for these parts of the story to mean dislike. These things did not detract from the experience, they just did not enhance it. This was a strong book in every other way.

There are some important themes in this book - mostly associated with a privileged lifestyle, and the deep-seeded closed-mindedness of an old elitist family. If you like books that are thought-provoking, this one has its moments. 

Do I feel this book is a little overhyped? No and yes. No because I do think the story and the writing make for a worthwhile read. I DO recommend this book to you. But yes because it was not ohmygodthisbookistodiefor good (in my opinion). And given all the talk surrounding it, that's kind of what I expected. So my positive, but somewhat average rating, can probably be attributed to the hype machine. 

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Title: Torn Away
Author: Jennifer Brown
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Pages: 276
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
Born and raised in the Midwest, Jersey Cameron knows all about tornadoes. Or so she thinks. When her town is devastated by a twister, Jersey survives -- but loses her mother, her young sister, and her home. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with her only surviving relatives: first her biological father, then her estranged grandparents.

In an unfamiliar place, Jersey faces a reality she's never considered before -- one in which her mother wasn't perfect, and neither were her grandparents, but they all loved her just the same. Together, they create a new definition of family. And that's something no tornado can touch.

Review

Let me start by saying that I am a huge Jennifer Brown fan. I think she has a way with storytelling and dealing with tough subjects that is unparalleled. I will always recommend her work to others. 

The first 100 pages of this book blew me away. I could see and sense the destruction left behind in the wake of the tornado. I could feel the fear, confusion, and pain of  the townspeople. I could understand the waring hope and hopelessness within Jersey as she waited for her family to come home. These 100 pages were spellbinding and the epitome of everything I love about Jennifer Brown's writing. 

But after that I lost my connection with the story. Jersey is sent to live with her biological father and I was shocked over the lack of compassion this family had and furious over how they treated Jersey. Their behavior was so foreign to me that consequently it didn't feel real. 

And then when Jersey is sent to live with her grandparents on her mother's side I got mad at her. She has never met her grandparents before. They disowned her mother when she got pregnant with Jersey and so Jersey was raised believing they were horrible, judgmental people. Yet when they pick her up, they show her nothing but patience and kindness, and still Jersey treats them horribly. Now, I am very sensitive to treating old people unkindly, especially when they don't deserve it, but I understand this is a personal thing. Nevertheless, I was mad that it took Jersey so long to form her own opinion of her grandparents. Especially since, in hindsight, I feel she was blessed to have gotten away from that train wreck of a family on her father's side. 

But I can't imagine losing everything in an instant - my home and my family - and being taken away from whatever normalcy remains without being allowed to grieve. Jersey was overwhelmed with so many different feelings, and just trying to hold it together while her life got turned upside down. In that regard, I think she was incredibly strong. And I think, given the circumstances, she's allowed to act a little erratically. 

This was not my favorite Jennifer Brown book, but like I said, I would recommend any of her books. I had some problems with Torn Away that kept me from loving it, but I don't think everyone will feel the same.

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. 

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Title: The Falconer
Series: The Falconer #1
Author: Elizabeth May
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Release Date: May 6th 2014
Pages: Hardcover, US, 336 pages
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

What I Liked

• Aileana.  One of my absolute favorite things about the book is the main character, Aileana.  She is a fighter, she is full of sass and full of revenge.  Aileana is far from perfect, making her a stronger character - not to mention she is a girl engineer during a era where that is not socially acceptable. **Cheers for smart girls!!!**
• The relationships.  Both the romantic and non-romantic relationships where spot on.  The tension between the Aileana and her love interests was great.  The friendships were also a nice addition.  Aileana had a best friend, Catherine, and a faery Derrick, who lived in her closet.  Each character had a unique role in the story and kept me grinning throughout.  
• The Scottish Lore.  Having recently visited Scotland, I absolutely loved reading about places where I have been, like the Edinburgh Castle. The story takes place in a steampunk Scotland, so picture lots of greenery, castles, Victorian dresses, cool inventions, and fancy parties.  
  

  
• The plot pacing.  I felt instantly captured in the story; the plot was fast paced with plenty of action and fight scenes.  

What I Didn't

• Some of the vocab.  This is probably just a me issue but the story uses both Scottish and faery words that I just cannot pronounce.  When I cannot pronounce a word it makes it harder for me to remember what they mean therefore I had  to refer to the glossary quite frequently. 
• The cliffhanger.  HOLY MOLY!   Although I thoroughly enjoyed the plot pacing once of the least favorite parts of the story was the ending.  Granted I am excited for the next book but I would have loved just a bit more resolution.  

Bottom Line

The Falconer reminded me of why faery books are awesome.  I definitely recommend The Falconer if you want to read an awesome story that has faery fighting and a Scottish 'lady' that must save the city all while attempting to manage society's expectations; you have to be okay with a cliff hanger though!