Two Summers by Aimee Friedman

Title: Two Summers
Author: Aimee Friedman
Publisher: Point
Release Date: April 26th 2016
Source: Audio-book from Scholastic Audio. Thank you Scholastic!  

Summary from Goodreads:

ONE SUMMER in the French countryside, among sun-kissed fields of lavender . . .

ANOTHER SUMMER in upstate New York, along familiar roads that lead to surprises . . .

When Summer Everett makes a split-second decision, her summer divides into two parallel worlds. In one, she travels to France, where she’s dreamed of going: a land of chocolate croissants, handsome boys, and art museums. In the other, she remains home, in her ordinary suburb, where she expects her ordinary life to continue — but nothing is as it seems.

In both summers, she will fall in love and discover new sides of herself. What may break her, though, is a terrible family secret, one she can't hide from anywhere. In the end, it may just be the truth she needs the most.

From New York Times bestselling author Aimee Friedman comes an irresistible, inventive novel that takes readers around the world and back again, and asks us what matters more: the journey or the destination.

Review

Two Summer was not the light summer vacation read I was expecting.  Two Summers is really about a young girl experiencing two different journeys  to get to the same place.  These journeys are not easy journeys either.  Summer lives with her mother who is divorced in New York but has plans to visit her father in France for the summer.

The story alternates between the two different journeys.  There are family secrets, new friendships, changed relationships, new loves, and ultimately new experiences.  Two Summers offers the reader a deeper look into one girl's life and how while the journey matters sometimes the destination is the same.

While I did enjoy the audio narration, plot pacing, and the character development, Two Summers was heavier than I was looking for in a summer read.

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!

The Sleeping Prince (The Sin Eater’s Daughter #2) by Melinda Salisbury

Title: The Sleeping Price
Series: The Sin Eater's Daughter #2
Author: Melinda Salisbury
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: May 31st 2016

Source:ARC from the Publisher. Thank you Scholastic!

Summary from Goodreads:

Return to the darkly beautiful world of The Sin Eater's Daughter with a sequel that will leave you awed, terrified . . . and desperate for more.

Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.

When her village is evacuated as part of the war against the Sleeping Prince, Errin is left desperate and homeless. The only person she can turn to is the mysterious Silas, a young man who buys deadly poisons from Errin, but won't reveal why he needs them. Silas promises to help her, but when he vanishes, Errin must journey across a kingdom on the brink of war to seek another way to save her mother and herself. But what she finds shatters everything she believed about her world, and with the Sleeping Prince drawing nearer, Errin must make a heartbreaking choice that could affect the whole kingdom.

Review

Goodness, The Sleeping Prince might be an even stronger book than The Sin Eater's Daughter.  The stakes are higher, the romance is more forbidden, and the war is now upon the kingdoms.  This story is told from Errin's point of view which gives the readers access into a different part of the  story's world and a different view of Lief. It further enriches the vivid setting and add a layer of depth the the overall story.

There is SO much going on in this book, there are appearances from various book one characters and many new characters as well.  Since the stakes are higher and the Sleeping Prince is awake, the tension throughout the book was much higher then the first book.  I felt like I had to get through to know what was going to happen because towns were being pillaged, people were dying, and there was an overall sense of havoc.

There is some hint of a love interest but overall the romance elements take a back seat in this book and let the suspenseful magical war drama ensue.  I was engaged up to the very last page and was kept on my toes with new surprises and unexpected turn of events.  I highly recommend this book and this series if you want to dive into a darker almost fairy-tale-like world full of living stories and old myths.
   

 

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven King
Series: The Raven Cycle #4
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: April 26th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.

For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey…and is certain she is destined to kill him.

Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

Review

There is so much to say about The Raven King yet so much that would spoil it.  The Raven King was an epic conclusion to a truly magical series.  In preparation for The Raven King, I re-listened to all the books on audio.  Will Patton does an amazing job of conveying the suspense, the magical world of Cabeswater, and the always evolving dynamics between all the characters.  The Raven King audio book was no exception; the audio truly transports the reader right into Henrietta, Virginia.

The Raven King is full of magical battles, tense and high stake situations, and a dynamic cast.  Small pieces introduced in previous books come back to play bigger roles in this one.  One of the things that makes The Raven King such a strong conclusion is that it weaves together all the story lines The Raven Cycle has been building upon in the last three books.  There are surprises all the way through the very last pages.  Just when I have an idea of where something might go, it takes a completely different turn.  The relationships, all of them- family, friends, and significant other- are always changing and always growing.  There is so much to the plot, it never slowed down!

I have re-read this series every time a new book comes out and I am still picking up on new things and quotes I missed the previous times.  If you have not started the series I highly recommend it!  The Raven King had all the plot, beautiful writing, and character development that makes a fantastic book.  I have no doubt that I will come back to this series again and again.

Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel (Tyme #1) by Megan Morrison

Title: Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel
Author: Megan Morrison
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Release Date: February 2nd 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

"Think you know Rapunzel's story? Think again, because the tower was only the beginning..." -- Jennifer Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author of THE FALSE PRINCE

In all of Tyme, from the Redlands to the Grey, no one is as lucky as Rapunzel. She lives in a magic tower that obeys her every wish; she reads wonderful books starring herself as the heroine; her hair is the longest, most glorious thing in the world. And she knows this because Witch tells her so---her beloved Witch, who protects her from evil princes, the dangerous ground under the tower, even unhappy thoughts. Rapunzel can't imagine any other life.

Then a thief named Jack climbs into her room to steal one of her enchanted roses. He's the first person Rapunzel's ever met who isn't completely charmed by her (well, the first person she's met at all, really), and he is infuriating-- especially when he hints that Witch isn't telling her the whole truth. Driven by anger at Jack and her own nameless fears, Rapunzel descends to the ground for the first time, and finds a world filled with more peril than Witch promised ... and more beauty, wonder, and adventure than she could have dreamed.

Review

Grounded is a creative blend of the Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tales. Rapunzel lives in a tower and is cared for by Witch who plays a motherly role. Jack is on a mission and needs to get Rapunzel’s help. What I found to be interesting is Rapunzel reads fairy tales and is self-aware of Rapunzel books/stories.

Jack and Rapunzel do not get off to the best start seeing as Jack is the person who tries to explain to her that Witch is bad and attempts to answer all of Rapunzel's other questions.  Rapunzel is full of interesting questions, like: what is a brother or a sister? Being cooped up in the tower for her whole life, Rapunzel is naive and innocent.  She is faced with the harshness and beauty of the whole world all at once and it sometimes overwhelms her.

The book is very plot driven, as the title suggests, it is an adventure story.  While I did enjoy the book, the middle of the story does slow down a bit while Rapunzel learns more and faces challenges on her journey.  There is a cute potentially budding romance but overall Grounded focuses on the adventure and each character's back story rather than romance.  Because of this I do believe this book can be enjoyed by a younger reader as well!

See How They Run by Ally Carter

Title: See How They Run
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: December 22nd 2015
Source: Review copy from publisher (Thank you Scholastic & Scholastic Audio)

Summary from Goodreads:

Inside every secret, there's a world of trouble. Get ready for the second book in this new series of global proportions--from master of intrigue, New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

Grace's past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

The twists get twistier and the turns get even more shocking in the second thrilling installment of Embassy Row.

Review

See How They Run starts off in the same scene that ended book one. (Side note: I reread book one right before picking up See How They Run, I definitely recommend it!) Grace continues to be an unreliable narrator. At times her instability grates on me. While it drives me crazy at times it’s done with purpose, the elements of her life have and continue to make her slightly unstable and the authors does not shy away from that.

I listened to the audio book version of both books are really enjoyed them.. The voices were well done and brought the characters to life.  I also think it highlighted the nervousness, fear and other emotions that Grace was feeling.  As mentioned in the blurb, the stakes get higher and the twists get crazier.

See How They Run does not suffer from second book syndrome, if anything I enjoyed book two even more than book one.  The events were crazier, riskier, and more surprising, granted all events should be taken with a grain of salt.  The events are not the most believable but they are definitely fun and entertaining.    Even though Grace is not my favorite character she suits the story and the mystery; I also liked that she was not a traditional character and does not follow all the same predictable tropes. I look forward to continuing this fun series!

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!

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.

Dead Upon a Time by Elizabeth Paulson

Title: Dead Upon a Time
Author: Elizabeth Paulson
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: August 25th 2015
Source: ARC from Publisher (thanks Scholastic!!)

Summary from Goodreads:

It's a fairy-tale nightmare . . .

One girl is kept in a room where every day the only food she's given is a poisoned apple. Another is kept in a room covered in needles -- and if she pricks her finger, she'll die. Then there are the brother and sister kept in a cell that keeps getting hotter and hotter. . .

A sinister kidnapper is on the loose in Kate's world. She's not involved until one day she heads to her grandmother's house in the woods -- and finds her grandmother has also been taken. Already an outcast, Kate can't get any help from the villagers who hate her. Only Jack, another outsider, will listen to what's happened.

Then a princess is taken, and suddenly the king is paying attention -- even though the girl's stepmother would rather he didn't. It's up to Kate and Jack to track down the victims before an ever after arrives that's far from happy.

Review

Dead Upon a Time is an imaginative, dark, and creepy blend of classic fairy tales in a page-turning thriller.  The main character while like-able is a town outcast.  She is constantly turned away even when truly in need.  The reader quickly feels sympathetic for the young girl.  She is alone with no parents and now has a missing grandmother (**see the hints of Red Riding Hood**).  These small hints and traces of other fairy tales were so fun to pick out and find throughout the book.  Some of the more subtle ones took me much longer to notice.  It was a great addition to the mysterious story line.

The dark mood kept me on my toes, I was surprised all the way up to the end of the book; a trait I look for in my mysteries.  The romance while typically prominent in fairy tales, was not a major factor in Dead Upon of Time.  Speaking of the romance, Jack's character was a welcome addition to the plot.  While there were hints of a developing romance it never overshadowed the suspense of the plot.

This short book is a quick read, weaving a combination of fairy tales to create an unpredictable and enjoyable book.  I definitely wish the story continued; the writing was unique, descriptive, yet concise.  I recommend Dead Upon a Time if you are looking for a creepier blend of fairy tales.  I look forward to reading more from Elizabeth Paulson.  

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

Title: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall
Author: Katie Alender
Publisher: Point/Scholastic
Release Date: August 25th 2015
Source: eARC from Publisher (thanks Scholastic!!)

Summary from Goodreads:

Asylum meets Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, in this riveting tale of ghosts, secrets, and family, from master of suspense Katie Alender.

Delia's new house isn't just a house. It used to be an insane asylum, a place to lock up "troubled" young women long ago. And a restless, wicked spirit is still at play--and it doesn't want defiant girls like Delia to go anywhere.

So the house kills her.

Now Delia is a ghost, trapped in her creepy home forever. As she meets the other ghost girls who haunt the narrow hallways, as well as the handsome ghost boy on the grounds, she learns shocking truths about the house's history. Delia also realizes that her alive and grieving sister might be the house's next target. Can Delia unlock the mystery of the old asylum, save her sister, and free herself?

Review

Wow, I really enjoyed this book, there were so many unexpected twists and turns, it had me flying through the pages. There was such a perfect balance of creepy horror and crazy ghost action. Delia inherits her great aunt’s property but little does she know she has inherited a super haunted abandoned asylum. This asylum was home to many women; women who range from being just opinionated to a tad bit unstable. Back when the site was at full capacity many women were unjustly admitted into the asylum. Now in its vacant state there are lingering spirits both friendly and malicious. Delia has to solve the puzzle through clues from her dead aunt and with the help of her ghostly friends.

Without giving away some twists in the story, friendship and team work is a huge factor in the book. I love each ghost’s quirky personality, their background on what led them to the insane asylum, and their role in the overall plot. Delia is a fighter, she grows throughout the story to care for others and really be a strong leader, a true friend, and loving sister. There is a good bit of lighter horror aspects; nothing too scary to give you nightmares but the writing is descriptive enough for you to picture some pretty intense images. I thought the amount of horror was just right. The plot weighs heavily on the scary mysterious evil presence, if you are looking for some romance blended into it, this is not the book.

Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall is a creepy, haunting, page-turning thriller. I highly recommend this book; the surprising adventure Delia has to embark on is a whirlwind, haunting good versus evil battle. I hands down plan to read more from Kate Alender.

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

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

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

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

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

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

Princess X?

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

Review

What a fun creative book! 

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

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

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

Anything Could Happen by Will Walton

Title: Anything Could Happen
Author: Will Walton
Publisher: Push
Release Date: May 26th 2015
Source: ARC received from publisher.

Summary from Goodreads:
When you’re in love with the wrong person for the right reasons, anything could happen.

Tretch lives in a very small town where everybody's in everybody else's business. Which makes it hard for him to be in love with his straight best friend. For his part, Matt is completely oblivious to the way Tretch feels – and Tretch can’t tell whether that makes it better or worse.

The problem with living a lie is that the lie can slowly become your life. For Tretch, the problem isn’t just with Matt. His family has no idea who he really is and what he’s really thinking. The girl at the local bookstore has no clue how off-base her crush on him is. And the guy at school who’s a thorn in Tretch’s side doesn’t realize how close to the truth he’s hitting.

Tretch has spent a lot of time dancing alone in his room, but now he’s got to step outside his comfort zone and into the wider world. Because like love, a true self can rarely be contained.

ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN is a poignant, hard-hitting exploration of love and friendship, a provocative debut that shows that sometimes we have to let things fall apart before we can make them whole again.

Review

Anything Could Happen is realistic honest read that forced me out of my comfort zone. Contemporaries in general are not typically my book of choice yet this one captured my attention and had me flipping through the pages.  Anything Could Happen is a strong character driven book that tells Tretch's story.  Between the pop culture references and the character's dialogue both inner dialogue and the conversations with his friends, it was easy to immerse myself into the story.  The settings and emotions had enough familiarity of high school yet with enough vagueness that it was easy to imagine the story unfolding as I read.

The secondary characters are on point! Each played a role, not only a part in Tretch's development but the other characters themselves grew throughout the book as well.  I really enjoyed the family dynamics in both Tretch and Matt's lives.  I do not typically run across mentions and relationships with grandparents in YA, it was such a nice addition to this book.  I am close with my grandparents so I found it great when Tretch visits and loves on his grandparents.  Not only are there grandparents in the book, both Matt and Tretch's families play significant roles.

My main reservation when it came to the plot was that I wanted more from the ending. It did end well but I felt that with all the great character development prior to the ending it seemed a bit off balance.
I grew to care for each of the characters, I wanted Tretch to get his happy ending.  Granted in some ways he did, his happy ending was achieved through opening up, feeling free and unashamed of who he truly is.  Anything Could Happen was a well written, self reflective novel that is definitely worth the read.

Lying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger

Title:Lying Out Loud
Author: Kody Keplinger
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date:April 28th 2015
Source: ARC received from publisher.

Summary from Goodreads:
Kody Keplinger returns to the world of The DUFF in this brand-new companion novel!

Sonny Ardmore is an excellent liar. She lies about her dad being in prison. She lies about her mom kicking her out. And she lies about sneaking into her best friend's house every night because she has nowhere else to go.

Amy Rush might be the only person Sonny shares everything with -- secrets, clothes, even a nemesis named Ryder Cross.

Ryder's the new kid at Hamilton High and everything Sonny and Amy can't stand -- a prep-school snob. But Ryder has a weakness: Amy. So when Ryder emails Amy asking her out, the friends see it as a prank opportunity not to be missed.

But without meaning to, Sonny ends up talking to Ryder all night online. And to her horror, she realizes that she might actually like him. Only there's one small catch: he thinks he's been talking to Amy. So Sonny comes up with an elaborate scheme to help Ryder realize that she's the girl he's really wanted all along. Can Sonny lie her way to the truth, or will all her lies end up costing her both Ryder and Amy?

Review

Kody Keplinger's Lying Out Loud is a fantastic companion novel to the DUFF. By no means though, feel like it is necessary to read The DUFF prior to picking up LOL.  The main character, Sonny, has a best friend who happens to be the younger sister of one of the central characters of The DUFF.  LOL has a very similar feel and pace.

Sony has a serious lying problem, she lies about everything to just about everyone.  She lies about the most trivial things to very deep underlying issues she is facing.  She is full of secrets which truly keep all those that care about her at arms length.  The lies she tells weave a complicated web, which is where the heart of the plot lays. Similar to its companion, the story focuses on inner character reflection while also blending in friendships and a well paced romance.  Friendships can go through struggles and complicated situations; I admire Keplinger for not shying away from the ups and downs that can occur in friendships. While the book does tackle some deeper issues, I felt as though there was an excellent balance between serious and entertaining moments.  

LOL is a strong character driven story focusing on the growth and change Sony goes through.  It has strong friendships, honest and believable high school situations, and new romances.  If you enjoyed the DUFF, I urge you to pick up this entertaining and at times tough to read contemporary book. 

Rook by Sharon Cameron

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

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

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

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

Review

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

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

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

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire & Flood
Series: Fire & Flood #1
Author: Victoria Scott
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Pages: 304
Source: ARC, Netgalley/Publisher

Summary from Goodreads:
A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Review

Fire & Flood was a whirlwind of action, humor and cuteness.

Tella enters a mysterious race for the chance at a cure that will save her dying brother. There is only one winner, one cure. But first she must survive four different ecosystems, with a genetically modified animal, or 'Pandora', as her only aid. This is where the action comes in. Surviving the jungle, then the desert, is a feat all by itself, but Tella must also survive the other contenders who wish to eliminate the competition. There was always some obstacle, some danger. Fortunately, she quickly finds some allies to even the playing field. And an interesting lot of characters they are. And can you guess who else she finds? A very capable, very protective, very mysterious, very handsome, young man.

But no, that's not where the cuteness comes in. The cuteness is actually a badass baby fox named Madox, aka Tella's Pandora. I don't want to steal his thunder so you'll have to discover all of the badassery that is packed into this adorable and affectionate little animal by reading this book. But basically I will fight Tella for him. Although, he would kill me if I tried because he is made to protect her. But whatever, I'll figure it out. And if you help me figure it out, we can share him.

The romance in this novel was actually a negative for me. Tella thinks about Guy WAY too much and often forgets that her brother's life is on the line. A little too boy crazy if you ask me, considering she is fighting for her and her brother's life. Truthfully, my opinion of Tella is not all that great. This girl packed nail polish in her survival bag for goodness sake. And she wore flats! Even as helpless as I am, I could pack a better survival bag than that. She was not the brightest crown in the box. But the girl was freaking hysterical, i'll give her that. Her comedic narration definitely added to the level of entertainment Scott delivers.

Fire & Flood is a very fast paced read and packs one hell of an adventure. There are a good number of surprises, many breath-catching moments. It is entertaining for sure. Sure, Tella may make you roll your eyes at times, but her humor will keep you laughing. And Fire & Flood gives us the cutest, most awesome little fox ever. So yes, I recommend this one!

BLOG TOUR {Review & Giveaway}: Neverwas (The Amber House Trilogy #2) by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed

Title: Neverwas

Series: The Amber House Trilogy #2
Author: Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: January 7, 2013

Pages: 320, Hardcover
Source: I received an ARC from the Author in exchange for an honest review

Summary from Goodreads:

"I was sixteen the second time I had my first kiss...."

At the end of AMBER HOUSE, Sarah made a choice that transformed everything--and now she must choose it all again.

Things are very different--better--for Sarah and her family: her Aunt Maggie grew up; her parents are happily married; her grandmother died after a long, productive and respected life. But other things are different too, and not for the better.

After growing up in the free country of the Pacific Northwest, Sarah Parsons has settled in at Amber House, the stately Maryland home that's been in her family for generations. But the world surrounding the House feels deeply wrong to Sarah. It's a place where the colonists lost the 1776 Insurrection, where the American Confederation of States still struggles with segregation, and where Sarah is haunted by echoes of a better world that she knows never existed.

Her friend Jackson shares these visions of a different world--and together, they manage both to remember the way things ought to be, and to plan a daring mission that will reset the universe once again. Sarah must figure out what has changed, and why, and how she can fix it--how she can find her way to another otherwhen.

---

I doubt there is a more perfect series for me than this one. First, I fell in love with Amber House, and then I fell in love with the story.

At the heart of this story is one old, old house....

"The estate was famous — one of the oldest in North America, owned by a single family, my family, since the 1600s. Dormant gardens surrounded the house, which was all white clapboard and pillars, brick and green trim. Not stately so much as solid. Filled with time.

My grandmother used to tell me how three hundred and fifty years of my ancestors had added to Amber House — a wing here, a porch there, a balcony, a turret. Decade after decade. Generation after generation. Century after century."

and one elaborate family history - cruelty, insanity, death. 

And Sarah can relive it all...   

"'Your gramma called them echoes.'

'It's like replaying a piece of the past. A moment played over again. Like a scene from a movie. But only certain people can see them.'"

I love this idea. Liked seriously LOVE this idea. I loved exploring Amber House - its present and, with Sarah's gift,  its past. The house fascinated me. The history fascinated me. And the combination of the two left me mesmerized. The description that was provided was wonderful. And the story was weaved nicely throughout. I could live in this series.

When Sarah comes to Amber House this time around the world is a different place. So different, in fact, that I had a little trouble in the beginning understanding it. The states are still divided, racial segregation still exists, there are even Nazis! At the end of book one, Sarah changed the past, and consequently changed the future. But since her own life was rewritten in the process, she has no memory of doing it. 

Fortunately, Amber House does. 

"'Amber House holds its share of secrets. But those are in the past, aren't they, and the past doesn't give up its secrets easily.'"

This book has a bit of a slow start as the world is established and Sarah rediscovers her gift. But after it gets going there was no slowing down. Once again we are reliving history, waiting for Amber House to reveal its secrets to Sarah so she can fix whatever change she set in motion. But the stakes are much higher this time. The echoes darker. And the future is not so certain. I loved the adventure. The suspense.

Most of the characters from Amber House are present in Neverwas, albeit a little different. Sarah as an MC still falls a little flat for me, maybe more so in this book. And having grown up with an easier life has made her character less... resilient. But I admire that she will go to great lengths for the one's she loves and her relationship with her Autistic brother Sammy continues to pull on my heartstrings. The love and care with which she interacts with her brother is beautiful. Sammy himself is just fantastic. I love how everything he says is exactly what you need to hear, when you know how to listen. 

The love triangle is still present, but not quite the same, since Sarah is more sure of her feelings. Jackson is noticeably less present in this book, and I missed him. But Richard is considerably better and I felt bad that past memories kept Sarah at a distance.

Overall, Neverwas was a strong sequel to Amber House. I didn't love it more than Amber House, but I loved it nonetheless. I think the care with which this house and its history have been written is truly remarkable and sets the stage for a wonderful story, to which the authors use to its fullest potential. I highly highly recommend this series to fellow readers. It's unlike anything else I've read.

---

In NEVERWAS, Sarah must piece together the mystery of her forgotten past with the help of clues left behind by her great-grandmother, Fiona Warren. For readers interested in the chance to win a signed first-edition hardback of NEVERWAS -- with an exclusive hint for what's in store for Sarah in the final book, OTHERWHEN, hidden inside -- visit each blog on the tour for the month of December, collect the various lines from the poem, arrange them in the proper order, and submit the final sonnet by New Year's Day for a chance to win the special copy of NEVERWAS!

---

KELLY MOORE is a New York Times best-selling author, former litigator, and single mother of three. Her latest project, the young adult fiction series THE AMBER HOUSE TRILOGY, co-written with her two daughters and based loosely upon her own family history, examines fourteen generations of Maryland women and their ties to the past, present, and future. The first book in the series was nominated for the 2014 Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award for its realistic portrayal of characters with autism; Moore is outspoken about her inclusion in the autism spectrum, and is dedicated to autism awareness. 

TUCKER REED is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction writer. She has been recognized on the national level for her short stories, essays and poetry. She is also a notable political blogger and has appeared on CNN, CBS, ABC and HuffPost Live, as well as featured in articles published by TIME magazine, Marie Claire magazine, Ms. magazine, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian, among numerous others. 

LARKIN REED is a professional photographer, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in filmmaking. In 2013, Reed established her own multimedia production company, and has subsequently produced and directed several short films.
 

---

Whispering Pretty Stories
Marie Loves Books
Bibliophilic Monologues
Books Take You Places
Annette's Book Spot
Zach's YA Reviews

Next up:  The Musings of ALMYBNENER