The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Title: The Art of Lainey
Author: Paula Stokes
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Pages: 384
Source: eBook

Summary from Goodreads:
Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?

Review

The Art of Lainey definitely had its strengths. The incorporation of Sun Tzu's The Art of War as a guide for Lainey to win back her ex-boyfriend was a pretty brilliant premise. It was fun watching her apply ancient Chinese military strategy to her dating life, I must say. And I feel like I learned some battle strategy along the way. As for Micah, he was a pretty swoon-worthy fake boyfriend. Not only was he hot - I'll take a tattooed, mohawk-sporting, punk-loving male lead any day - but he was also really sweet and did some pretty cute things for Lainey. He was easily my favorite part of the story. I also really appreciated that Lainey was athletic, an attribute that I love seeing in female leads.

But one big thing kept me from really enjoying this book. That is, Jason was an ass, and it took entirely too long for Lainey to realize that.

Seriously, this put a damper on my entire reading experience. Every new thing that I learned about him, and the truth about how poorly he treated Lainey, only made me dislike him more. For Lainey to justify his actions and their relationship up until the very end, and be so very dependent on him, frustrated me beyond belief. I get that she was with him for a long time and wasn’t sure who she was without him. I wasn’t expecting her to get over him immediately. I expected there to be some growth and discovery. I just hoped that she would see the error in her ways much sooner than she did.

Because of her hang up on Jason, I couldn’t like Lainey as much as I think I otherwise would have. If I am being completely honest, I found her to be a little weak-minded. But most unfortunately, I couldn’t feel what was growing between her and Micah. This wasn’t a book overflowing with cutesy moments and lots of obvious feels. It was much more subtle and slow-burning than that. You needed to pay attention. But the fact that Lainey clung to Jason like white on rice, tainted every development that was made with Micah. Le sigh.

Bottom Line

While I did like The Art of Lainey, it didn't wow me as much as it did others. I guess how wow’ed you will be will depend on your tolerance for Lainey’s feelings toward Jason. Her excuses for him, and desperation to be in what appeared to me to be an unhealthy relationship, wore me out and hindered my overall reading experience. But otherwise, this book hit the mark.

Conversion by Katherine Howe

Title: Conversion
Author: Katherine Howe
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 432
Source: BEA 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
It’s senior year at St. Joan’s Academy, and school is a pressure cooker. College applications, the battle for valedictorian, deciphering boys’ texts: Through it all, Colleen Rowley and her friends are expected to keep it together. Until they can’t.

First it’s the school’s queen bee, Clara Rutherford, who suddenly falls into uncontrollable tics in the middle of class. Her mystery illness quickly spreads to her closest clique of friends, then more students and symptoms follow: seizures, hair loss, violent coughing fits. St. Joan’s buzzes with rumor; rumor blossoms into full-blown panic.

Soon the media descends on Danvers, Massachusetts, as everyone scrambles to find something, or someone, to blame. Pollution? Stress? Or are the girls faking? Only Colleen—who’s been reading The Crucible for extra credit—comes to realize what nobody else has: Danvers was once Salem Village, where another group of girls suffered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago . . .

Inspired by true events—from seventeenth-century colonial life to the halls of a modern-day high school—Conversion casts a spell. With her signature wit and passion, New York Times bestselling author Katherine Howe delivers an exciting and suspenseful novel, a chilling mystery that raises the question, what’s really happening to the girls at St. Joan’s?

Review

This book is undeniably well-researched and well-written. Even better, this story was inspired by real events, and I don’t just mean the Salem Witch Trials, but the modern day Mystery Illness too. I loved the in depth glimpse at both and the parallels that Howe made between them. It was really, really interesting.

I think I watched, rather than read, The Crucible back in middle school or high school. I am familiar with the Salem Witch Trials but not well versed on the subject. I’ve forgotten most of what I knew and didn’t have all of the history in the first place. That being said, I loved Howe’s rendering of this time in history. As a bit of a history buff, I loved learning about the events that unfolded and how everything escalated and spun out of control. It’s kind of crazy and sad really…

But the story takes time to build, which made for an ending that was much stronger and more exciting than the beginning. I couldn’t read fast enough when I got to the final 3rd of the book but the first 2/3rds didn’t completely pull me in. I admit that I wanted the book to move faster.

I’d recommend this book to fans of Historical Fiction, individuals interested in the Salem Witch Trials, or those who don’t mine a slower paced book. It really is a compelling story in that regard.

Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green

Title: Truth or Dare
Series: Truth or Dare #1
Author: Jacqueline Green
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 14th 2013
Pages: 389
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:
When a simple round of truth or dare spins out of control, three girls find it’s no longer a party game. It’s do or die.

It all started on a whim: the game was a way for Tenley Reed to reclaim her popularity, a chance for perfect Caitlin “Angel” Thomas to prove she’s more than her Harvard application. Loner Sydney Morgan wasn’t eventhere; she was hiding behind her camera like usual. But when all three start receiving mysterious dares long after the party has ended, they’re forced to play along—or risk exposing their darkest secrets.

How far will Tenley, Caitlin and Sydney go to keep the truth from surfacing? And who’s behind this twisted game?

Review

I have to agree with the masses that this story is very Pretty Little Liars esque, except in Truth or Dare fashion. A group of High School girls start getting mysterious notes that dare them to do one thing or other else a horrible truth about them will be shared. Of course these girls have all kinds of skeletons in their closets – plastic surgery, pyromania, therapy sessions, you name it – so the dares were always less threatening than the truths.

It’s not that I got bored with the story, the premise itself kept the plot moving, but I was hoping for more. I wish the girls would have tried to find out who the darer was, rather than occasionally point fingers based on little to no evidence. Or at least show a little resistance. The darer kept setting these girls up and leaking the truths anyway and yet the girls kept playing along with very little fight or whit. I was just hoping for something more to the story to make it less repetitive.

And despite the dramatic ending, I just feel very ‘meh’ about this one. The girls all read very similarly and lacked much by way of a personality. This was all very stereotypical high school. I think I’m just too old for this one *le sigh*. I would recommend it to a younger audience who like Pretty Little Liars.

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland
Series: The White Rabbit Chronicles #1
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Pages: 404
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:
She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….


I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

Review

Ok, so this book was far-fetched, and a little ludicrous. It even suffered from some of the typical YA tropes, but it was undeniably fun. And I am so not a zombie person.

I don't really see the connection to Alice in Wonderland, at all. And the whole spirit zombie thing was a little weird. So was the out of body fighting with all of the rules that governed it. In fact there were a lot of rules and truths that just got progressively harder to believe as things got "explained". Like I said, the story was a little out there. And I'm not sure how I feel about that.

But it was exciting and boy, did it make me laugh. There pacing was spot on, with a good bit of action throughout. And not only did Ali's best friend Kat provide a steady dose of entertainment but Ali's grandparents were hysterical too! I snort-laughed when her grandmother said 'douche-purse' and when they were grilling the boys Ali took home. There were many moments throughout this book that made me laugh or smile, which is always a plus.

And I finally met the famed Cole Holland!  Although he is not really my type - a little too jerk-y for my tastes - I was swooning for him! Ali was swooning so hard that I really couldn't help myself. Every time I read about his tattooed, muscled chest and gorgeous violet eyes, my breath caught a little. And there were some steam-y moments between them. I do think he will grow on me, but don't worry Betty, he is all yours!

So while this book isn't perfect for me, I did enjoy it and I am glad I read it. If you are a zombie person and don't mind books that are a little wild, I'd recommend this one. If you enjoy an exciting story with a good helping of humor, I recommend this one. And if you like brooding men who happen to be gorgeous, I recommend this one!

Ruin & Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruin & Rising
Series: The Grisha #3
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Pages: 417
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Review

Over the past three years I have completely fallen in love with these characters and this world that Leigh Bardugo has created. I have had so many smiles and laughs and swoons as well as plenty of well-timed fits and anxiety attacks. I am sad that this series has finally come to an end, but I can’t think of a better conclusion for this story. It was wonderful.

When I look back at this series, I'd say Shadow & Bone was more plot-driven, whereas, Siege and Storm was more character-driven. But Ruin & Rising was a nice balance of both. The second half contained much of the action, but I still loved the first half. How could I not when most of it was filled with witty quips from my boyfriend, Nikolai? But really, I love this set of characters so much that I just love spending time with them. They don't have to be battling the Darkling or hunting down one of Morozova's amplifiers to have my attention.

I really think it is a gift when you can love a set of characters so completely as I do with this series.

I think like things ended the way that they should have – for the characters and for Ravka. It was fitting to the story and provided complete closure. Did everything unfold exactly as I would have liked? No, not exactly. I would have preferred Nikolai be in every single scene. But when you love a series so much, a good, strong ending is the best you can ask for. And I was more than satisfied.

I can't recommend this series enough, but I don't think I have to because it's reputation precedes itself. Every book in this series is strong and the story itself is so unique and fun. The characters are perfect. The writing is superb. I really can't say enough positive things about it. If you haven't started this series, or continued with it, I encourage you to do so.

The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Title: The Vanishing Season
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 256
Source: ALA MW

Summary from Goodreads:
Girls started vanishing in the fall, and now winter's come to lay a white sheet over the horror. Door County, it seems, is swallowing the young, right into its very dirt. From beneath the house on Water Street, I've watched the danger swell.

The residents know me as the noises in the house at night, the creaking on the stairs. I'm the reflection behind them in the glass, the feeling of fear in the cellar. I'm tied—it seems—to this house, this street, this town.

I'm tied to Maggie and Pauline, though I don't know why. I think it's because death is coming for one of them, or both.

All I know is that the present and the past are piling up, and I am here to dig.I am looking for the things that are buried.

Review

I found The Vanishing Season to have a certain dream-like quality to it. The story is a delicate one and didn't feel quite grounded in reality. The characters had a storybook way to them - a little young and a lot peculiar. That, and Jodi Lynn Anderson's writing was beautiful, seamless and floating, and wistful too. I feel like this will either work for readers or it won't. For me, I found that I liked this.

I can understand the criticism though too. The synopsis is deceiving. The perspective from which it is told is a small part of the story you will read. An important part, especially as the end nears, but small nonetheless.I wish it had been given more prominence because I loved this part of the story. On the surface, this book is really about a young girl who moved from the big city to the small town of Door County. She's adjusting to her new life and growing closer to her two neighbors, the fragile, childlike Pauline, and the quiet, steady Liam. Meanwhile, young girls are being murdered in a mysterious way and the people of Door County grow more fearful and distant by the day. But this isn't really a mystery, or a horror story. Actually, in reflection, the vanishing girls have very little to do with the story at all except to contribute to the mood.

The Vanishing Season is no Tiger Lily but it had its moments and its good qualities. It wasn't always so engaging but it had me curious and I read it easily. But sadly, I don't think it lived up to its promise. That said, I think this one may be better suited for a younger audience or fans of simple seeming stories with an understated elegance to them.

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.

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Title: The Sea of Tranquility
Author: Katja Millay
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: November 13th 2012
Pages: 426
Source: Audible, Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

Review

I don't typically gravitate towards books involving troubled teens finding, and saving, one another. Of all the issue books that I might be inclined to read, this topic is one of the least motivating to me. Perhaps that is why I have yet to continue with Katie McGarry's books after Pushing the Limits (although I do intend to). It's not that I can't enjoy them (clearly). Honestly, I'm not really sure why I shy away from them.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I often find these types of stories to carry a certain level of  coincidence and unbelievability with them, The Sea of Tranquility included. Or maybe since I can't relate, I never fully connect with the characters. I've connected with other issue books, but maybe because these characters have been through something traumatic, their personalities and behaviors are changed to a point beyond which I could ever understand. I'm just speculating here...

My point is that despite my hesitation with this subject matter, The Sea of Tranquility still captivated me. And although I might not have experienced the same level of emotion or have come to love this book to as great of an extent as many others given my disposition, I can understand why this book has warranted that reaction and I still enjoyed it greatly. There was something about it that was irresistible.

My fascination with Nastya is what ultimately pulled me in. She was a puzzle to me, one that I needed to solve. I wanted to know the details of what happened to her, wanted an explanation for why she stopped speaking and continued to remain silent, and wanted to understand why she behaves the way that she does. Katja Millay doesn't give this information freely and keeps readers desperate to read faster. Whereas Josh was less of a mystery because his story was given more readily.

I also loved the innocence to this story. Nastya and Josh were good people who had bad things happen to them. And they might have been lost and confused and angry and desperate, but they never lost their innocence. Their pasts and their journey's were distinct to this story and pulled at my heartstrings.

I admit that I had started to hope for an ended that didn't come to be, but I am still pleased with the ending that was given. I like when characters end in a good place.

All in all, this book had a certain readability to it. Nastya and Josh are complex characters and their stories are heartbreaking. As far as troubled teens go, Nastya and Josh's story was one of the better ones.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

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

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

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

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

Review

Hot damn this book was GOOD.

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

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

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

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

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

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Title: Stolen Songbird
Series: The Malediction Trilogy #1
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Pages: 469
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.

Review

I am a die-hard fantasy lover, but when I saw that this book was about trolls I mentally cast it aside thinking that trolls weren't my thing. But thanks to quite a few glowing reviews, and the assurance of others who had the same initial reservations that I did, I decided to give it a try. I was still a little weary when starting it, but it was all for naught. Trolls are SO my thing.

Well, and it just so happens that Prince Tristan, is completely dashing and un-troll-like.

This book captivated me. There is adventure and discovery from the very first pages as Cécile is kidnapped and whisked away to a land of legend. Trollus is magical (literally and figuratively) and full of both beauty and danger. I couldn't get enough of this new world that Jensen created. And the trolls were a crucial and wonderful part of Trollus. They fascinated me. And I was swept up in their political struggles; the tyrannical rule by the King and full-bloods and the cruel and unjust treatment of the half-bloods. I was recruited to their cause and I rooted for Cecile and the Prince against their foes. It was an intense and emotional ride.

Cecile and Tristan were quite the team. I loved them both as individual characters and even more so together. They started as enemies but grew to care for each other. But they couldn't show affection for each other when anyone was present because it would ruin Tristan's carefully constructed image and Cecile would be used as a target for the prince. It was a complicated relationship but the rare moments of sweetness that we did get, Cecile's internal dialogue, and the glimpses of Tristan's thoughts were enough to feel the love growing between them.

The story did become a little too romance-heavy in the middle and the pace slowed. This was a negative for me only because I was in love with so much of the story that I needed all of it and I was anxious for what was to come. Romance enthusiasts likely won't be bothered by it.

I loved Cecile's personal transformation. She was a quick learner and soon knew how to play the game as well as the best of them (I am thinking of one glorifying moment in particular). And as the story progressed and Cecile grew up, her concerns became less for herself and more for the people of Trollus. She was an admirable character.

And I loved the role that magic played in this story - within Trollus, within the trolls, and within Cecile. And there is such promise for the role it will play in future books. There is still an air of mystery around Trollus and Cecile that I can't wait to get to the bottom of.

Basically, this book was fantastic and offers a lot by way of a compelling fantasy tale. Don't let the trolls deter you, like they almost did me. It would be a shame to miss out on such a wonderful read.

On the Fence by Kasie West

Title: On The Fence
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 320
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Review

I have developed a theory that Kasie West is superhuman. She must have some superpower related to storytelling that allows her to produce quality novel after quality novel faster than the average human being. There is no other explanation for how she does it.

This story charmed the hell out of me.

Charlie lost her mother at a young age and has since been raised by her father and 3 older brothers (4 if you count her neighbor Braden whose practically family). As a result, she’s a complete tomboy and doesn’t know the first thing about being a girl. So when her new job unwillingly introduces her to fashion and make-up and “girl-talk” she feels way out of her comfort zone, endearingly so. But her insecurities go deep. She worries other girls will be able to tell she is not like them, or that her brothers will make fun of her for wearing make-up and pretty clothes. And above all, she worries that no boy will like her without all that stuff.

I thought Charlie was great. I loved that she was competitive and loved sports and could hang with the best of them. As someone who has always been a bit of a tomboy, and feels more comfortable around guys than girls, I felt like I shared more similarities with Charlie than I do with the typical YA lead. So I could understand and relate to many of Charlie’s insecurities. My heart went out to her. But it made me all the more appreciative of the journey she went on that gave her confidence in herself.

The family dynamic in this book was PERFECT. I loved her brothers and wish I could steal them for myself. All of the teasing, and playful-bickering, and family-competition provided countless smiles and laughs. And I loved how protective they were of her, even if it made me feel a little bad for Charlie. Then there was her dad who was such a good father. He had his own share of moments that warmed my heart.

And the romance, of course, was adorable and left me smitten. Kasie West really knows how to tell a good love story. Just the right amount of suspense, anticipation, tension, and cuteness. I really could go on and on about this book because there is so much to this story that deserves mention. It is wonderful, unique, flawlessly written, emotional, layered, charming.

Like I said, she must have superpowers.

If you haven’t read Kasie West’s work before, you really need to. If you have, you know how talented she is and probably don’t need convincing.

Winger by Andrew Smith

Title: Winger
Series: Winger #1
Author: Andrew Smith
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Pages: 439
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

Review

This book broke my heart in two. Here I am, enjoying 400 pages of Ryan Dean West antics, giggling over the comedic sketches, and wondering what stupid thing he is going to do next that will result in him getting his ass kicked when BAM, Andrew Smith throws a 92mph curveball that hits me square in the chest. There might have been tears.

On the surface, this book is about a 14-year-old boy at prep school, navigating the trials of adolescence, thinking and acting as 14-year-olds do. He also happens to be two years ahead in school, which doesn't make his life any easier. But he vows that this year is going to be different, despite landing himself in the dorm for troublemakers and starting the year with his head in a toilet. He starts making moves on the girl he’s been crushing on, starts standing up for himself and his friends, and starts taking risks that he was too scared to take before. Of course this is cause for all sorts of mayhem and one very entertaining book.

But the ending made me realize that this book was about so much more than I originally thought and is what ultimately made this a 4.5 star read for me. Although it came at a steep price. :(

Although I am not, nor was I ever, a 14-year-old boy, the voice of Ryan Dean West felt very authentic. I really felt like I was in the head of a 14 year old. Andrew Smith's writing is perfect. And it was funny! And there were illustrations (see below)!! I might have rolled my eyes at some of the silliness (in a totally endearing, big-sister kind of way) but I spent most of my time smiling and laughing and eagerly awaiting whatever mess Ryan Dean would find himself in next. Ryan Dean West totally won me over <3

And there was a big emphasis on friendship and team unity that I just loved.

I don't know if I've done this book justice. I struggled to find the right words for this one. But it's a new favorite of mine and I highly recommend it, if you haven't yet read it. This is truly a unique and wonderful story told in a unique and wonderful way. I can't wait to continue Ryan Dean's story in Stand-off.

And below is an example of one of the many illustrations you will find in this book :)

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.

Graduation Day (The Testing #3) by Joelle Charbonneau

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

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

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

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

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

The Final Test is the Deadliest!

Review

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

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

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

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

The Murder Complex (The Murder Complex #1) by Lindsay Cummings

Title: The Murder Complex
Series: The Murder Complex #1
Author: Lindsay Cummings
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher, EW

Summary from Goodreads:
Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Review

The Murder Complex is a (very) fast-paced story with lots of action and intrigue that immediately captured and held my attention. The world that Lindsay Cummings created is terrifying and the roles that both Meadow and Zephyr play, with regards to both The Murder Complex and each other, made for a compelling storyline. Meadow was a total badass (my favorite kind of MC) and I loved watching her square off against any threat she faced, including Zephyr. I read in a state of nervous excitement as I rooted for Meadow to survive, but all the while I sympathized with Zephyr and the other MC assassins. 

But what The Murder Complex lacked, and the ultimate reason for my slightly below average rating, was development. This story really could have benefited from more character development and world building in the beginning. I never felt like I really got to know Meadow or Zephyr, so my connection with, and feelings for them, could only go so far. Same goes for the setting in that I needed more. From what information we do get, I could sense that it was a dangerous and horrible place but I never fully grasped what it was like or how things operated so it was all a little lost on me. I never thought I'd say this, but I think the fast pace worked against this story. Don't be deceived by the 400 page count up there, the chapters are very short and this book reads VERY quickly. I flew through it. 

I also had some (minor) problems with the second half of the story. Whether it was insta-love or a really strong connection - something formed between Zephyr and Meadow way too quickly for my liking. And then there was this uncomfortable interaction and exchange of feelings between Meadow and a certain character I cannot name, which I didn't get. And lastly, the ending was a bit info-dumpy and i'm not sure how I feel about the explanation that was given. But I understand readers will take to these things differently. I just wanted to explain what didn't work for me.

I thought The Murder Complex would be the perfect book for me, but what I liked about it was overshadowed by what I found missing. It had my attention while reading, but I finished feeling a little underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high, and in that case, hopefully this review will correct that for you. I can see fans of Sci Fi/Dystopian and lots of action liking this one more than I did. The story has promise, it just hasn't left a lasting impression on me.

Battle of the Books (1) - Battle of the Captains

Battle of the Books is a (new) periodic feature that will pit two books against each other based on some commonality (characters, settings, relationships, etc.). The competitors will battle each other by way of theme-related standards, and readers (you!) will vote on the winner! This is solely for fun.

This week's battle is....

Battle of the Captains!

My Pick?

It's a close call, but I'm going to have to go with...

STURMHOND!

He's a little bit more exciting and hilarious :)

Your Turn!

Who's your favorite captain?

Let me know who your favorite captain is in the comments!!
And what do you think of this new feature? Any suggestions for future battles? Thanks!

Thorne picture source

Sturmhond picture source

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Laini Taylor

DoSaB on Goodreads

DoBaS on Goodreads

DoGaM on Goodreads

Review

When I realized that Ashley and I had not yet reviewed this series on our blog I knew I needed to remedy that. You see, this is one of my most favorite series ever. And I don't give that distinction out easily.  I am obsessed with every one of these books and this story as a whole. In my eyes, they are perfection.

Laini Taylor tells a beautiful story, and she tells it brilliantly. The story is unlike any I have ever read.  It is not your typical angel story at all. It is not your typical anything. I was captivated by the war between Seraphim and Chimera. I grew to love the Chimera first, and later the Seraphim. I was completely and utterly invested in the hope of peaceful future. I found myself consumed by the connection between Akiva and Karou. Their history fascinated me. And all that they had to overcome to be together pulled on my heartstrings. This story had so many emotions at war with each other - love, hate, hope, despair, action, passivity, comfort, fear - it was a roller coaster of feeling. 

Laini Taylor's writing is impressive. The words just flow together and create something delicate and passionate and purposeful. She leaves me in awe and craving more words. And I love the fullness of the story. Laini Taylor does not sacrifice even the smallest detail and although that adds length to the story and slows the pace, it was right for this. Everything comes full circle in the end. The ending was complete and fulfilling and flawless. 

It is rare that I love a set of characters so completely and I  love these characters to my core (except for the bad guys obviously). I didn't think it was possible to care so deeply for so many. Karou is inspiring. Akiva is passionate. Zuzana is vivacious. Mik is romantic. Ziri is resilient. Liraz is devoted. Brimstone is timeless. I could go on and on. This story has one of the most diverse, complex,  delightful, and spirited set of characters that is sure to win you over. 

I can't say enough positive things about Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. It is magical, captivating, emotional, suspenseful, unpredictable, fulfilling, beautiful, hopeful, romantic, intense. I recommend this one without reservation. I love it to pieces. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

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

PS: These duologies lately are just kicking trilogy ass.

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: What I Thought Was True
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Pages: 416
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:
Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

Review

It is no secret that My Life Next Door is one of my all-time favorite contemporaries. So naturally I was super excited to read Huntley Fitzpatrick’s new book. And while What I Thought Was True had many similar elements to MLND that made me enjoy it, it fell short of that same awe and perfection to garner full blown LOVE.

My primary criticism with this book is that I found it to be mildly confusing. Not only were the flashbacks not in chronological order so that I had a hard time placing events, but also I felt that it took too long to have all of the information. I struggled to understand the source of tension between Gwen and Cass and the why behind their actions, which left me feeling a little detached for a large portion of the story. And I  have to agree with some others that the explanation was not the most sound but I took it as your typical YA lack of communication. Also, there were some small things that I would change if I could - like, I think Gwen objectified herself more than others did, and I would have preferred a certain someone not have made a big mistake with another certain someone - things like that.

But in pretty much every other way I enjoyed this book.This is Huntley Fitzpatrick we are talking about, after all.

One of my favorite things about Huntley’s writing is that she tells so many different stories at once. Her secondary characters are not mere plot accessories, but rather tools that lend diversity and fullness to the story she is telling. By giving them stories as well, she touches on a variety of themes/issues, many of which are relevant to young adults but not often seen in YA. This novel was refreshing in that light. She also manages to keep things real. It’s easy to want everything to work out perfectly but that’s not how life works. Not everyone gets a happy ending but everyone winds up in the place that seems right for them. I respect this.

As is Huntley Fitzpatrick’s way, this book was easy to read, charming in more ways than one, and incredibly well rounded. There is a wonderfully variety of characters that are multidimensional and flawed, yet likably so. There is a strong focus on family, of the non-traditional sort. And the story is full, emotional and thought-provoking

It wasn't perfect but I will always recommend Huntley Fitzpatrick.

And thanks to Pam at [YA] Escape from Reality for hashing this one out with me!