The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Title: The Star-Touched Queen
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: April 26th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you’re only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…

But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.

Review

I am still quite bummed out by this review and my reading/listening experience with this book.  I wanted so much to just love and devour this book but unfortunately it did not work for me.  I opted to listen to the audio book version of this book.

Ultimately what did me in was the fact that at about the 50% mark I just still did not care what happened to the characters.  I could not immerse myself into the world and I just was not feeling any emotions towards Maya or any other character.  It was not until the last 75% of the book where I started to feel like I was interested in the plot.

The narrator felt rather monotone and just lacked the spark I felt that was necessary to get me into the Otherworldy realms.  There is a lot going on in this book and I can see why other readers did enjoy it, but for me, it just was rather slow and uneventful.  The fantasy aspects and unique world definitely provided promise and could be enjoyed by other readers.

Everland by Wendy Spinale

Title: Everland
Author: Wendy Spinale
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: May 10th 2016

Source: Audiobook from Scholastic Audio. Thank you Scholastic!

Summary from Goodreads:

Forget the story of Peter Pan you know. Because in Everland, the only way to grow up is to survive.

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders -- the German Army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.

Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return. Until the day they grab Joanna. As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a mysterious boy named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen. And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook?

Review

I listened to the audio book version of Everland, it was fantastic, I love multiple narrators, especially ones with British accents.  The chapters are either told from HOOK or Gwen's point of view, which is a nice change since you do not always get to hear the story from the villain's POV.

Everland is a unique and dark re-telling of Peter Pan just without the fantasy and fairy tale aspects. This story is a darker more post-apocalyptic version of the original fairy tale.  London has been plagued with a disease and there is only one cure that both Pete and Hook are after.  It was fun to pick out all the subtle and some  less subtle traces of the original story in this creative retelling.

Everland is a very plot-driven book with a focus on the search for a cure and hope in saving those that are sick.  Parts of the story line were easily predictable but that never took away from my overall enjoyment of the book.  I definitely recommend Everland if you are look for a fairly romance free but high adventure story!

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: A Night Divided
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: August 25th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a stunning thriller about a girl who must escape to freedom after the Berlin Wall divides her family between east and west.

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family divided overnight. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can't help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city.

But one day, while on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Then, when she receives a mysterious drawing, Gerta puts two and two together and concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?

Review

A Night Divided was a vivid and heart-warming story about a determined girl's mission to bring her family together.  The book can be enjoyed by all ages as it provides a unique perspective on the construction of the Berlin Wall.  That being said, the main character is 12 and the young voice was a bit much for me at times. Even though the narrator is younger, she is true to her age; Gerta is a bit stubborn, sometimes moody, and at times naive but it all fit her personality very well.

The struggles Gerta and her family face and try to overcome really is the central focus of the book. Gerta gives the reader a view of what life would have been like during the West and East Berlin struggles.  This is not a time frame I am quite familiar with so I found the story to be a refreshingly different historical fiction.

The family dynamics between Gerta and her brother Fritz evolve over the course of the story into something wonderful.  The book is mixture of family bonding moments and high stake actions. A Night Divided is a family-oriented, well written, historical fiction that glimpses into the life of a 12 year old girl digging for her freedom.  I recommend this book especially to a younger reader!

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. 

Firefight by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Firefight
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Reckoners #2
Publisher: Delacorte Press/Audible Studios
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Source: Audiobook provided by Audible Studios in exchange for an honest review (thanks Audible!!)

Summary from Goodreads:

They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand. 

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs. 

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

Review

One of the greatest things about this series is its premise, which is EPIC (no pun intended). After a cataclysmic event, certain humans developed powers, but the powers are corruptive and so they are all evil. The world is now in chaos with humans living in fear of the Epics who are waging turf wars and killing people for play. David has dedicated his life to killing Epics. They all have a weakness and David makes a point of finding out what it is and exploiting it. In the first book, David teamed up with the Reckoners - a secret group with a mission the same as his - and took down Steelheart, who was previously thought invincible. Now they have their sights set on Regalia - a High Epic that can control water, who rules the sunken city that used to be Manhattan. But she isn't playing fair and has rallied other Epics to her side.

I love all of the action that comes with The Reckoners facing off with the Epics. Every Epic show down is an adventure in and of itself and I can't get enough. They are unpredictable and that makes this book so much fun to read. The action did lag a little in the middle, but lots of other developments were happening to fill the pages. First is David's research into Epic weaknesses. He is starting to develop a theory - linking weaknesses with an event in an Epic's past - and is on the verge of a revelation. This puzzle really ignited the nerd in me and I was giddy with each new discovery. Then there is David's complicated relationship with Firefight which is leading him to question his previous assumptions about Epics. I really like Firefight so I am completely on board with the direction Sanderson is taking this. And then there was the mission at hand - taking down Regalia. But her actions had David questioning what she was up to and it was fun trying to figure out her true plan.  There was so much going on in this book, I'm not even doing it justice.

I just love David as a character. He can be so awkward, especially when it comes to girls, and he is such a nerd and I just find it so endearing. But by far one of the best things about him is his habit for using terrible metaphors. They are SO BAD it's great. He showed a lot of growth in this installment.

And the ending was just plain AWESOME. I cannot wait for the next book. The twist at the end... I jut can't even.

I shouldn't even have to tell you to read this series because Brandon Sanderson's reputation proceeds himself. But if you do need a little nudge, I am really loving it and highly recommend it.

Audiobook

This audiobook was better than most. Macleod Andrews did such a good job narrating as David and really made his quirky personality come through. And he even acted out some of the action scenes (shortness of breath and that sort of thing). I'm glad I listened to this one. 

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #3 
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 15, 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

Review

I started The Immortal Rules with a  sea of hype surrounding it to which it unfortunately did not live up to. So when I started The Eternity Cure, my expectations were a lot lower but then it blew me away. The Forever Song fell somewhere between the two. Not quite as exciting as TEC, but the ending was great.

The majority of TFS was about the hunt for Sarren.  These travel-dominated type books with engineered moments of action/suspense almost always fall flat to me, so I think that is why this one fell short of 5 stars, but Julie Kagawa still writes it better than most. The not-so-unexpected arrival of a certain someone that was in an unexpected state of mind absolutely crushed me (hah, my attempt at spoiler-free). But that was about the only thing of note until the crew arrives in Eden. But from that moment on, things were all uphill. My only qualm was that Sarren was like a cheesy horror film villain in that he could not be killed. After his like 5th resurrection (I don't know how many, it just felt like a lot), I found myself thinking "Can he just die already?". But the ending was really strong and full of action and I enjoyed it very much so.

Jackal wormed his way into my heart in TEC and remains the highlight of this series for me. His humor was perfect and I found myself smiling or laughing almost everytime he opened his mouth. As for Sarren, he is still one of the creepiest villains I have ever had the displeasure of reading about. *Shudders*. In general this series has a really strong set of characters and a lot of interesting relationship dynamics. But I am afraid to say anything more about anyone else so as not to spoil anything.

This was the first series I read by Julie Kagawa but I can guarantee that it won't be the last. I understand why she has such a strong fan base now. Even in a genre that is so oversaturated, she knows how to set herself apart. I definitely recommend this series.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: March 25, 2008

Summary from Goodreads:
Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14:
Debate Club.
Her father’s “bunny rabbit.”
A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school.

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15:
A knockout figure.
A sharp tongue.
A chip on her shoulder.
And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston.

Frankie Laundau-Banks.
No longer the kind of girl to take “no” for an answer.
Especially when “no” means she’s excluded from her boyfriend’s all-male secret society.
Not when her ex boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places.
Not when she knows she’s smarter than any of them.
When she knows Matthew’s lying to her.
And when there are so many, many pranks to be done.

Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16:
Possibly a criminal mastermind.

This is the story of how she got that way.

Review

There is so much to like about The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. The first thing that stood out to me was the writing - it's that witty clever kind that keeps you entertained and a little in awe. I don't think I've ever not enjoyed a book with this kind of writing but this was the cream of the crop. The concept of neglected positives - like saying maculate for the opposite of immaculate - and the use of them throughout the story was one of my favorite things ever. Like, I love this so much that I want to start using them but I don't think anyone will get it.

The next thing I loved was the storyline. Frankie gets up to all kinds of no good after she discovers The Loyal Order of the Basset Hound, an all-male secret society at her prep school. She highjacks the 'Alpha' position using a well-timed email and starts ordering around the members to execute numerous harmless pranks. And all of the pranks that she comes up with are hilarious and kind of brilliant, my favorite being the bras on all the pompous self-portraits.  I had a great deal of fun with this.

Meanwhile, Frankie is navigating the trials of High School and teenhood. She finds herself in a precarious position with an older boyfriend and popularity by association - both of which she's afraid to lose. I couldn't settle on how I actually felt about Frankie. Most of the time, I thought she was awesome. She was smart, confident, empowered. She wasn't afraid to take risks and stand up for herself. I totally admire that. But on occasion she would act a little young, overly dependent or overly sensitive (as everyone was accusing her of being) and it would bother me because it felt like an entirely different person. But there were only glimpses of this, so it didn't detract a lot from how much I enjoyed this one.

So all in all, this was a great book and I definitely recommend it to others. The secret society mayhem and amazing writing really make this a standout. A big thanks to Kay at It's a Book Life for the recommendation!

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Out of the Easy
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: February 12, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:
It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.

She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

Review

I have to admit that I feel a little let down by this book. I expected to love it and I just didn’t. I only liked it.

What I did absolutely love were the wonderful and diverse cast of characters. Josie practically grows up in a French Quarter brothel but in her mother's absence these people become her true family. And I loved that she had a family by choice, if not by blood. Willie, Cokie and Jesse were my favorite of the bunch. Willie with her tough love and good intentions. Cokie with his big heart and steady presence. And Jessie with his unwavering faith in Josie and endless patience. There was depth to the characters that gave depth to the story. And I did grow to care for them all. They were the best thing about this book for me.

But there were a few times I found myself questioning where the story was going, and not in a good way. It felt like there were too many side plots, that it was hard to distinguish what the point of it all was. Nothing was really in focus - not the investigation surrounding the mysterious death, not Josie's plan to get out of New Orleans, or her history with Cincinnati (a person) and relationship with her mother. I think I was hoping for more of story in any one of these things. And more closure overall. Does that make any sense?

And part of what I love about reading historical fiction is experiencing the time period in which the book is set, but I didn’t really feel like I was in 1950s New Orleans. There was very little attention paid to the setting/time period, that I felt like I could have been anywhere really. The details didn't come off as strongly as I would have liked unfortunately.

But that being said, I still think Out of the Easy is a worthwhile read. The characters were wonderful and many others have enjoyed the story more so than I did. I think, for me, it was a case of too high of expectations.

Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington

Title: Liv, Forever
Author: Amy Talkington
Publisher: Soho Teen
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Format:  Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:
When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it’s her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn’t sure what to make of the school’s weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn’t be happier. For the first time ever, she has her own studio, her own supply of paints. Everything she could want.

Then she meets Malcolm Astor, a legacy student, a fellow artist, and the one person who’s ever been able to melt her defenses. Liv’s only friend at Wickham, fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols, warns her not to get involved, but life is finally going Liv’s way, and all she wants to do is enjoy the ride.

But Liv’s bliss is doomed. Weeks after arriving, she is viciously murdered and, in death, she discovers that she’s the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that has claimed many lives. Cursed with the ability to see the many ghosts on Wickham’s campus, Gabe is now Liv’s only link to the world of the living. To Malcolm.

Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham. But Liv must fight alone to come to grips with the ultimate star-crossed love.

Review

Once every decade since Wickham Hall was founded a girl dies and her ghost is trapped to roam the grounds forever. Liv is the school’s latest victim. But fortunately for her, her friend Gabe can see and hear her. After soliciting the help of Malcolm, the love interest/golden boy, the three of them set out to discover why girls are being murdered, why their deaths are being covered up, and how they can stop it. Meanwhile, Liv must come to accept the fact that she is dead and also that her and Malcolm can never have their happy ending.

The ghosts were my favorite part of this story. Every few chapters we are introduced to a new ghost and are given the story of their death. Every ghost was unique and memorable. And Since they were killed a decade apart, their personal stories had a very period feel to them, which I loved. I think the mystery surrounding their deaths was half decent, although I suspect some of you will guess the end ahead of time and I do still have a few questions. I also think the old boarding school with its history and prestige was the perfect setting. It was a place that I could see being haunted and having such a conspiracy.

But one thing kept me from really enjoying this book and that was the romance. I wasn’t convinced by Liv and Malcolm’s feelings for each other at all. They spent barely any time together while Liv was alive but somehow they “connected”. So much so that they claimed a deep love for each other throughout the book. It just felt a little ridiculous and not at all substantiated. Like, a pretty bad case of instalove which I just couldn’t look past and was constantly reminded of. For this too have worked it needed a lot more attention in the beginning than it was given.

The premise of Liv, Forever was solid but the execution was only half way there. I think if you can overlook the instalove and get behind this ship, and if you enjoy a good ghost mystery or a boarding school setting, then you will like this one.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Eternity Cure
Series: Blood of Eden #2
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Pages: 434
Source: Audible, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:
In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

Review

Oh my god, this sequel was amazing!!

Just days ago I posted my review of The Immortal Rules and was sad to say that I wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped to be. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. But this book. THIS BOOK. This book impressed me. This book I loved.

The Eternity Cure was so much more than The Immortal Rules in so many ways. Most noticeably, the plot moved at a much faster pace and the stakes were MUCH higher. There was never a dull moment in this book. In fact, I was almost in a constant state of nervous excitement. And although that ending left me sobbing and speechless, I have to say that the events in this book were perfectly orchestrated for maximum feels. So so good.

And I feel like the characters really grew into themselves. Allie was challenged a hell of a lot more, both physically and emotionally. She had to make a lot of really difficult decisions and I think that made her strong and compassionate personality come through even more so. And Zeke. *sigh*. I was not swooning Zeke in The Immortal Rules but I am swooning Zeke now. Hard. He was so much more badass this time around but still managed to keep that sweet way of his. And I never thought I'd say this, but Jackal grew on me. I might even care about him a little which makes me feel weird. His commentary was much appreciated. As for Sarren, he might just be the creepiest villain I have ever had the non-pleasure of reading about EVER. My god this guy gave me the chills and will in all likelihood give me nightmares as well. And Kanin was Kanin. He turned into this fatherly figure in my eyes. Rock solid.

Let's just say I now understand what all the fuss is about. This book pulled me in, made my care for these characters, and left me dying to pick up The Forever Song (although to be honest I am a little scared to). It was expertly written and feel-inducing. I am still in awe.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Series: Blood of Eden #2
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Pages: 485
Source: Audible, Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness….

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for… again.

Review

I don't have all the much to say about The Immortal Rules. It didn't impress me as much as I had hoped - there are a lot of fans of this series - but I still enjoyed the story.

The beginning was really strong. I loved that Allie turned into a vampire and thought it made for an interesting twist. Since I have a problem with reading synopses, I forgot this little fact and was pleasantly surprised. I was really into it when Kanin was training her and her internal struggle over becoming this thing that she hated was believable. I liked Allie.

It was when Allie and Kanin separated and Allie joined the group of humans that things started to slow for me. I don't know if it's just me, but I almost always get bored when the characters are traveling, searching, whatever you want to call it. Allie's predicament of having to hide the fact that she was a vampire made for some interesting moments but ultimately my attention wavered. It didn't help that I wasn't swooning over Zeke. The budding romance was just ok for me but I don't know if that was because of my lack of interest in the pilgrimage.

But towards the end things started to pick back up and the book pulled me back in. There was a lot of action and Allie got to be badass on more than one occasion, which I always love. I mean, she's a vampire, let's have fun with that! And we get a lot of helpful background information like how rabids came to be and who the important players are. The book definitely ended on a strong note.

I'm curious to see where this story is going so I've already started The Eternity Cure (so far so good!). I definitely think this series has promise and would recommend it to fans of paranormal/vampire fiction.

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

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

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

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

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

Review

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

I just need to say my piece.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ZZZZZZZZ.

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

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

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Title: The Book of Broken Hearts
Author: Sarah Ockler
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: May 21, 2013
Pages: 352
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

Review

“I was falling in love.
I am losing my father.
With Emilio Vargas.
To smoke and shadow.
My heart fluttered.
My heart aches.
To feel it.
To deny it.
Life.
Death.
Possibilities.
Endings.”

THIS QUOTE RIGHT HERE. This is what this book was about. And it broke me.

What the synopsis doesn't tell you is that Jude's father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. He is deteriorating before her eyes and she is helpless to stop it. Soon he won't even remember her. So that is why she is spending the summer with him, fixing up his old bike. It's in these moments that her father is most alive - recalling the days he rode around South America in his youth. Jude's dedication to her father and watching her cope with his illness was raw emotion. She was so strong, loyal, brave, kind. My heart went out to her. 

All the while Jude is falling in love with a boy she swore she wouldn't have anything to do with because of a pact she made with her sisters as a child. A pact her sisters won't easily let her forget. 

I loved everything about this book. I loved Jude and I rooted for her as she learned to stand up for herself and allowed herself to go after what she wanted. I loved her crazy sisters, even if they were so bossy and unreasonable at times. The family dynamic was honest and full of love. I loved Emilio and his swagger but also his patience and understanding when it came to Jude and her father. I loved the Spanish culture that was very present in this story. Everything was done so well. 

This book was beautiful.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (with San Fran Photos!)

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #2
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton Books
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Pages: 338
Source: Library, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Review

I am completely smitten with this book. Lola and the Boy Next Door is FULL of personality. From Lola's costumes and her profound questions, to Cricket's eccentricities and his endearing awkwardness, to Calliope's ice-skating career and Max's rock band, to Lola's two amazing dads and the San Francisco backdrop, to costars Anna and Etienne! I loved every minute of it and found this book to be incredibly memorable and completely satisfying. 

Lola and Cricket were adorable together and I loved going on this romantic journey with them, even if, admittedly, at times I just wanted them to be together already (!!!!!). But this book was about so much more than just the two of them. Lola and Cricket each had their fair share of family drama going on that we watch unfold - Lola's train wreck of a mom showing back up, Calliope's ice skating prospects taking a huge toll on Cricket's family, and more. And Lola had some boyfriend Max drama as well. But no matter what tough situation Lola and Cricket found themselves in I thought they handled themselves remarkably well and some important lessons can be learned. 

I don't know why I waited so long to read this book and I only finally read it because I was going to San Francisco and wanted to read it before my trip. But don't make the same mistake I did and wait! Lola and the Boy Next Door is one of the most original contemporary books I have ever read and believe it or not, I loved this one more than Anna and the French Kiss. 

And in the spirit of this book, I wanted to share some of my San Francisco pictures, some pictures are of places that Lola visits in the book and others that are just iconic San Francisco pictures. PS, this is my new favorite city in the US. 

Boy Nobody (Boy Nobody #1) by Allen Zadoff

Title: Boy Nobody
Series: Boy Nobody #1

Author: Allen Zadoff
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Pages: 337
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:
They needed the perfect assassin.

Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends, and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die-of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.

But when he's assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter is unlike anyone he has encountered before; the mayor reminds him of his father. And when memories and questions surface, his handlers at The Program are watching. Because somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and parents; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.

In this action-packed series debut, author Allen Zadoff pens a page-turning thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, introducing an utterly original and unforgettable antihero.

Review

Boy Nobody has a somewhat predictable plotline – boy assassin gets too close to his new assignment and starts to question the motives of his higher-ups/deviate from the plan. But Boy Nobody still has its merits. I love assassin stories and so I found this one to be fun. And it excelled to me in the way Ben was so calculating. Ben is very intelligent and controlled, and in almost every situation, before he acted, he analyzed his options and each potential outcome for the best possible course of action. This was very assassin-like and is the kind of stuff I love so I was totally into it.

And the predictability did not extend to the ending. The ending was very surprising and very strong. I didn’t anticipate the plot twists (any of them) and I was blindsided by some of Ben’s actions (in a good way). Boy Nobody definitely ends on a good note which motivates me to read the next book.

The predictability isn't really even what bothered me, it was the dialogue throughout. I am not sure if I noticed it more easily because of the audiobook, but it was very juvenile and fed into popular high school stereotypes – geek, aggressive jock, dumb hot girl. And I couldn't help but feel a little insulted - like like the girls were done a disservice since they were made to seem dumb, easily influenced, clingy, etc. The author did not write a very convincible female character. 

Moving on, I did like this book, but some small things kept me from really loving it. Yet, since I was so impressed by the ending and was entertained while listening, I have every intent to read/listen to the next book. I do recommend this one for readers looking for an assassin story with a strong male lead. 

Horde (Razorland #3) by Ann Aguirre

Title: Horde
Series: Razorland #3
Author: Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Pages: 432
Source: Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:
The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

Review

I am very very impressed by this series ender. I admit that I did not have high expectations, despite all the strong reviews. I really enjoyed Enclave but felt that Outpost was missing much of what I had originally loved in the story. But my fears were unnecessary because I saw in Horde what I loved in Enclave, even more so really. In fact, it was arguably one of the strongest series endings I have read to date.

I thought Deuce was the strongest she’s ever been. She’s grown up so much since coming to the surface and she behaves admirably. She is much more aware, both of herself and of her surroundings. She knows her strengths and weaknesses. She welcomes advice. She leads by example. She is confident, but not cocky. She was badass and powerful and motivating. She was everything I hoped she'd be. 

I thought the progression of the freaks was so well done. Often times you see side plots like this not fully fleshed out and left open but this became a focal point of the story, was given the appropriate level of detail, and came to a nice finish. I loved the direction Aguirre took with their story. The freaks were a constant source of action, fear, and intrigue. 

I loved the plot development over this last book. I think Deuce's army was such a wonderful touch and I loved the trials she went through and the success that was had. I think it sent an important message. And everything just concluded so nicely, which I can not often say for a series. I was invested in the stories of each and every main character and I think each of their stories ended as well as can be expected. 

Again, I am so impressed by this last installment in the Razorland series and I highly recommend this series to fellow readers looking for a strong dystopian. I was so moved by this story and felt a lot of different emotions while reading, but ultimately finished feeling satisfaction. I loved this story. 

REVIEW: Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

Title: Meant To Be

Author: Lauren Morrill

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Pages: 304, Hardcover
Source: Library, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

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• Meant to Be is such a feel good book.The topic is light and innocent. The setting is fun. But perhaps the most notable thing about this book for me was the writing. It is the sort that is so witty and amusing that I was entertained for the entire reading experience. It is by far my favorite writing style that I've only seen a handful of authors pull off quite as well. I would be inclined to read all of Morrill's books just to experience it again and again.


• Jules was just so endearing. In some ways she reminded me of myself in High School - that smart girl that follows the rules and is slightly awkward, easily flustered. She was so enjoyable to have as an MC. I never knew what situation she would get herself in next and how she would get herself out of it but I knew it would be a spectacle.

---

• In general, I am not a big fan of boy crazy main characters, or girls that over analyze every interaction with boys so naturally I do wish the premise of this story was a little more than just that. It really is about nothing more than Jules finding herself in a love square for the first time in her life and trying to figure out how she feels. But with so many other great qualities, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

---

This book was just so darn amusing that I still enjoyed it immensely even though I don't prefer books with a strong focus on teen relationship drama. The writing style was my favorite and the MC, Julia, was so incredibly likable. Meant to Be is in every way a feel good book and I highly recommend it if you are looking for something light, and entertaining.

REVIEW: Don't Look Now (PERSEFoNE #2) by Michelle Gagnon

Title: Don't Look Now

Series:PERSEFoNE #2
Author: Michelle Gagnon

Publisher: Harpercollins

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Pages: 336, Hardcover
Source: Library, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:

Noa Torsen is on the run. Having outsmarted the sinister corporation Pike & Dolan, Noa and her friend Zeke now move stealthily across the country, protecting runaways before they become test subjects for P&D's horrific experiments. Noa knows all too well what that feels like: Whatever they did to her has left her exhausted and scared.

Back in Boston, Peter anxiously follows Noa's movements from his computer, using his hacker skills to feed her the information she needs to stay alive. But he's desperate to do something more, especially when he learns what P&D has done to his ex-girlfriend Amanda.

Then, in an explosive confrontation, Noa and her team are trapped in the one place they thought was safe. It will take everything Noa and Peter have to bring down the corporation before it gets them first. And with no one to trust and enemies hiding at every turn, they may be the only people alive who can.

---

• Don't Look Now was just as fast-paced and exciting as Don't Turn Around. You still have your evil corporation performing gruesome experiments on kids. Noa and Zeke have managed to save a few of them, and are now raiding other facilities to rescue more. Meanwhile, Peter is trying to bring down Mason and Amanda is suffering from the aftermath of her abduction. Lots of stuff is going on.


• The multiple POVs offer constant action as each MC is in the thick of things in one way or another. In addition to Noa and Peter's POVs, Gagnon adds the perspectives of Amanda and Teo, a new recruit. It was great to get to know Amanda better and hear her story, especially considering what is happening to her. 


• I still really like Noa. She is strong and focused and smart.I like that she trusts her gut feeling, which is usually right. I know she doesn't have the luxury of acting like a normal kid but it would be nice to see some more of her personality outside all of the stress. I think it would make her an even stronger character.


• I thought the ending was pretty exciting, although a little dragged out.

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• Unfortunately this book has a mild case of middle book syndrome. It was a page-turner but in terms of furthering the plot, I don't feel like the story is in a significantly different place than it was at the end of book 1.

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Michelle Gagnon's PERSEFoNE series is a perfect fix for action lovers. It's intriguing and suspenseful and a total page-turner. The second book might not have added to the story as much as I would have liked, but I still had a lot of fun reading it and am looking forward to the next book.