Love Letters to the Dead

 Love Letters to the Dead is a book that may not be enjoyed by everyone due to its different, stylistic structure. The book is entirely comprised of letters written to dead celebrities. Personally, I never felt I had a close connection to celebrities so the letters in this book didn't really work for me, but I still felt the emotions the book's protagonist, Laurel, was trying to portray. Please note that this review is based on the advanced reader's copy I received from the publisher via Netgalley. Love Letters to the Dead will be pushed on May 5th, 2014 by Farrar Straus Giroux.

Description: It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more—though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered　while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was—lovely and amazing and deeply flawed—can she begin to discover her own path.

Review: Laurel loved and admired her older sister May. Everything Laurel knows about high school, she learned from her older sister, who tragically died at a very young age. Laurel has to start freshman year on her own. After getting an assignment to write to someone who's died in her English class, Laurel doesn't hand her letter in but keeps going. The book is structured as a journal in letters to famous dead celebrities such as Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, River Phoenix, Judy Garland, and others. Laurel uses the letters to talk about both the past and the unfolding present, confide in her own mixed feelings of anger, hurt, and grief, as well as focusing on the friends she makes, who are also struggling with the problems that played a role in May's life and death.
 Although Dellaria writes beautifully, the letters at first seem a fresh and unique idea, I felt it got repetitive.  Laurel's pervading melancholy feels one-note at times, and the letter format can get wearying, especially when Laurel tells the recipients about their own careers, the epistolary equivalent of expository dialogue. Actually after the fifth or sixth letter, it didn't really matter to whom Laurel addressed her letters to and the letters seemed more like journal entries which dragged the book in the middle for me. I also felt that the secondary characters weren't fleshed out as I would like them to be. There is a second story line featuring a same sex romance, while nicely handled didn't really hold relevance to the story.
  While the book has a strong ending and features an event that is both shocking and heartbreaking as we get to relive the night Amy died, I felt it was too rushed. Overall, Laurel and her friends' struggles and hard-won successes are poignant, and seeing Laurel begin to forgive herself and May is extremely moving. Fans of Perks of Being a Wallflower will be drawn to this frank story about loss, grief, and forgiveness.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language and underage drinking and drug use throughout the novel as well as allusions to sexual abuse and attempted rape. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky, Without Tess by Marcella Pixley, All rivers flow to the sea by Alison McGhee

The Fault in Our Stars

 I am an unabashedly fangirl of John Green. His debut, Looking for Alaska, was my first reintroduction to today's YA literature and I haven't looked back since. Green has an uncanny ability to write about teens for teens. There is not an ounce of condescension and his characters are smart, funny, and adorkable. His latest book, The Fault in Our Stars, have crossed over to adults and it is perhaps an answer to the "What's all this hype about John Green?" question. I haven't seen the movie trailer for The Fault in Our Stars, mostly because I'm afraid I'd start crying and won't stop, but I will definitely be armed with boxes of tissues when I do see it. Here is my lame attempt to review this brilliant, critically acclaimed, and one of my favorite books from 2013.

Description: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Review: It's about a year since I read The Fault in Our Stars and the characters still resonate with me. Like many readers, I was hesitate in reading this book not because it wasn't going to be good but I wasn't emotionally ready to take on this journey. I want to tell you to not be afraid to pick this amazing book up. While, yes it's about teens who have cancer, but it's so much more.
  The Fault in Our Stars has a great combination of light and dark moments. Most of you already know the gist of the story so I'm not going to waste time rehashing it to you. I will say that Hazel and Gus are memorable characters who are incredibly vivid, intelligent, wise beyond their years, and extremely witty. Some reviewers believe that Hazel and Gus don't ring true as teens, but I would disagree. Both are forced to grow up and accept their mortality, which makes them less focused on trivial matters. Hazel and Gus are star-crossed lovers without the melodrama of a paranormal romance. There are no battles to be fought or creatures to defeat, but a race against time to live their lives to the fullest even if it might cause them pain. Their relationship grows slowly from attraction to intelligent conversations to finally making their hearts open to love and accepting the possibility that they can be torn apart if one of them falls ill. Whether intentional or not, but I saw the reflection of my reluctance to pick this book up in their journey.
  The Fault in Our Stars is an achingly beautiful story about life and loss. It will make you laugh, even at dark moments, cry, and make you wish that the world is a "wish-granting factory". Intelligent vocabulary, generous references to literature, and witty cultural commentary make this a delight to read. There are so many quotes that I loved in this book that I'm afraid if I started highlighting them, I'd highlight the entire book.  The next time someone asks me why I read YA, I'll hand them this book and tell them to talk to me afterwards.

Rating: 5 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, a small fade to black sex scene, and mature themes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gaven Extence, The Sky is Everwhere by Jandy Nelson

And We Stay

 There are different ways people grieve. Some clam up and want to be left alone while others use writing as catharsis, trying to articulate what can't be said verbally. Jenny Hubbard's latest novel, And We Stay, is a lyrical story that takes readers on a journey towards healing after a tragedy. Many thanks to the publisher for providing me an advanced reader's copy of this book via Netgalley.

Description: When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.

Review: And We Stay is a beautifully and powerfully written novel about overcoming guilt,and healing after a tragic loss. Emily Beam is a new student at Amherst School for Girls. She enrolled in the school in January of her junior year and no one knows why. There are of course rumors circulating about her, but none of them come close to reality. Only Emily knows the tragic truth and ruminates about it quietly while scribbling away in her secret journal, each time revealing a bit more about the circumstances leading up to the day when her boyfriend entered the school library where she was working with her class, lured her into the stacks to talk, and then shot himself in the head.
  The book has an unique structure that may not work for some readers as it mixes prose and poetry as well as narrative tenses throughout the story. In past-tense flashbacks, readers learn the circumstances of Emily and Paul's relationship, while the poems Emily writes in her present-day environment infuse those same circumstances with newly realized perceptions. The narrative switches to present tense when it relates Emily's current life in boarding school, a fresh and unexplored world with emerging possibilities as well as potential pitfalls. 
  Due to the layered structure of the novel, the story's pacing is uneven though that might be intentional. I found the present to a bit slow to read, but I wanted to know what lead to the devastating events so I continued to read. Once the past is unveiled, I read the book quickly. I loved how Hubbard uses poetry to show Emily's the state of Emily's psyche. Poetry is very personal and Hubbard uses the right amount of words in length and in weight to show Emily's psyche. The poems are not to be skipped as they show Emily's extraordinary growth and talent as well as her connection to her namesake, Emily Dickinson, who lived and wrote just down the street from the boarding school, and draws on her spirit to pour her emotions onto paper. I learned a few interesting tidbits about Dickinson while reading this book too.
  And We Stay is a book that will receive critical acclaim though it may have a small readership. The book addresses hard hitting issues such as teen suicide, depression, and even abortion yet despite the heavy topics, it offers hope of a brighter future. Budding poets may particularly appreciate Emily's story, but there is certainly something for anyone looking for a good read with a strong, believable female lead who is working her hardest to overcome tragedy.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language, discussion and allusion to sex and abortion. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Death, Dickinson, and the demented Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez, You Don't Know Me by David Klass, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Looking For Alaska by John Green

Counting by 7s

 In the tradition of many classic and critically acclaimed middle grade novels, Counting by 7s is a bittersweet novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family.

Description: Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn't kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.
  Suddenly Willow's world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.
Review: Willow Chance is wonder character, extremely precocious and tween genius. Her quirky habits and interests make her endearing to the reader but not to her peers. Though deeply passionate about her interests, she can't fit in with other kids her age. Unlike many of us, Willow isn't all that bothered by being seen as an outcast since she has a stable home and adoptive parents who love her but this sense of security is shattered when her parents die in a car crash. Now without any signs of familiarity, Willow is lost and emotionally numb.
  Counting by 7s is a story of renewal, self discovery, and what defines a family. Instead of solely focusing on Willow's social difficulties and her different stages of grief, we are treated to the various ways Willow makes a great and inspiring impression on everyone around her-whether it's Dell Duke, a lonely and ineffectual school district counselor, or Jairo Hernandez, the taxi driver Willow hires to drive her to her meetings with Dell. Willow even manages to befriend a high schooler named Mai Nguyen who persuades her mother to take Willow in; despite the Nguyens' poverty, their makeshift home and open arms help bring Willow back from the void.
  Counting by 7s is a feel good story, but at times I felt Sloan relied on creating convenient plot points to move her story along and the pacing dragged in the middle. I think the story could be told just as strongly in 200-300 pages instead of the 400. The narration shifts among multiple viewpoints, from Willow's cerebral first-person perspective to third-person chapters that demonstrate how her presence is transformational to those around her, young and old. I appreciated the fact that Sloan chose a diverse cast of characters, but I wish the author would have let the readers come to their own conclusion of the importance of helping one another instead of wrapping things up too tightly. Overall, Counting by 7s is a good pick for book club for older elementary school students.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for strong Grade 4 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Emma-Jean Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

Manga Monday: Black Butler Vol. 10

  Welcome to Manga Monday! Manga Monday is a meme hosted by Alison over at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers.This past weekend I was able to catch up on the super popular Black Butler manga series.

Description: With his royally sanctioned dinner party a shambles and a murderer on the loose, Earl Ciel Phantomhive is a veritable prisoner in his own home, alongside those of his guests who still live. And in the most shocking of turns, the young earl now finds himself without his indispensible manservant, Sebastian. But as the mystery deepens, there arrives upon the young earl's doorstep an odd vicar, wearing an insolent smile and an Inverness cape that flaps and splashes behind him... Is this mysterious thirteenth guest the perpetrator of the crimes that have bloodied the halls of Phantomhive Manor?

Review: Black Butler, Vol. 10 continues with the murder mystery plot set-up from the last volume and paying homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, I found this volume extremely enjoyable. Toboso captures the attention to details and the scientific process that Sherlock uses to solve his mysteries. As we follow the clues and members of the Phantomhive Manor, the suspense and intricate artwork enhances the enjoyment of reading.
  While I was not surprised twist at the end of the story, I'm not convinced on how the mystery was solved. I detect that Ciel has something up his arms. Sebastian is a very complex character. On the one hand, he is terrifying when you know his real identity, but his human characteristics of being a perfectionist at his work as a butler and love for cats always manage to make laugh every time. I'm very excited to see what is the next plot arc for this series.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and some crude sexual humor. Recommended for older teens.

If you like this book try: Black Butler Vol. 11 by Yana Toboso, Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki, Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (Charley Davidson #4)

 I just got my copy of Fifth Grave Past the Light, the fifth book in the highly entertaining Charley Davidson series, from the library and just realized that I didn't put up my review for Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet!

Description: Sometimes being the grim reaper really is, well, grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple of months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above . . . or at least get dressed. It becomes clear something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. But the more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.
  In the meantime, the sexy, sultry Reyes Farrow is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved.

Review: After the big events in the last book, our girl Charley is going through some rough times. She is not sleeping, barely coherent, and spending most of her money buying random stuff from the home shopping network. Thank goodness Cookie, Charley's best friend, and for a new client to come snap Charley out of her funk. 
  Like the other books in the series, there are many story lines happening at the same time. I'm always amazed on how Darynda can keep these events straight when she's writing! Some of the mysteries are easy to solve while the questions surrounding Reyes, the sexy and insufferable love interest, always has me puzzled. I was surprised a few times in this book and was happy to come upon a couple of nice twists too.
 Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet gives us a little more insight to the relationship and personalities of Charley and Reyes. The tension and sexual chemistry is what makes us turn the pages faster. While they do snap, crackle, and pop, the huge cloud of doom that lingers above them when the key of darkness is inserted into the locket of light is pretty frightening. We finally get to know the meaning behind Reyes's nickname for Charley, Dutch, even though it was a bit of a let down.
  Reyes still has me frustrated and confused. He was a major jerk for most of this book, but there are moments when he's sweet and vulnerable. I enjoyed the parts where the green monster reared its ugly head for both Charley and Reyes. It was nice spending time with the secondary characters, but I was a bit sad that we didn't get much time with Swopes and Ubie as much as I would have liked. We also got to meet a new character named Quentin which I liked and am looking forward to more of him in future books. Of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention the special addition of a lovable yet ferocious dog named Artemis. I can't wait to make some time in my busy schedule to revisit Charley and company in her latest adventures.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language, crude humor, some strong violence, and a few sexual situations. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #4), Accidental Friends series by Dakota Cassidy, Peper Martin series by Casey Daniels, Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson, and the Chicagoland Vampire series by Chloe Neill

Will and Whit

  I absolutely loved Laura Lee Gulledges debut and Eisner Award nominee graphic novel Page by Paige and was so excited to see that she had a new graphic novel being released this year. Many thanks to Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, for giving me an advanced copy of the graphic novel to read.

Description (from the Publisher): Wilhelmina “Will" Huxstep is a creative soul struggling to come to terms with a family tragedy. She crafts whimsical lamps, in part to deal with her fear of the dark. As she wraps up another summer in her mountain town, she longs for unplugged adventures with her fellow creative friends, Autumn, Noel, and Reese. Little does she know that she will get her wish in the form of an arts carnival and a blackout, courtesy of a hurricane named Whitney, which forces Will to face her fear of darkness.


Review: Willhemena, Will to her friends and family, is planning on spending a perfectly quiet summer working at her aunt's antiques shop, making lamps and spending time with her friends. She openly admits that she is afraid of the dark though we don't know the reason behind her fear. Is it a phobia or has some big event triggered her panic? Readers don't know for sure until Will slowly starts to break down her walls which is catalyzed by two fateful events quickly steer her plans off course: a chance meeting with a group of teens who are putting together an eclectic carnival and a savage summer storm named Whitney that will plunge her town into a prolonged blackout in its wake.
  Forced to confront her fears of the dark, both literal and figurative, Will finds herself stronger and happier than she could have imagined. Peppered with pop-culture references from Doctor Who to The Hunger Games and supported by Gulledge's stylish and life-like black-and-white illustrations, this sophomore graphic novel is upbeat despite Will's tragedy. The chapters are short and pack a lot of visual metaphors and foreshadowing of the tragedy that haunts Will. Will is an intensely likable character, as are her funky group of friends. I love how this book focuses on trauma and creativity, strength in community, and insightful truths that don't come off sounding too preachy. Quirky, intelligent, and fresh, Will and Whit is another winner from Laura Lee Gulledge and I can't wait to see what she has lined up next.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some PG-13 language. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Page by Paige by Gulledge, Laura Lee, Drama by Raina Telgeimer

Everbound (Everneath #2)

 Everneath by Brodi Ashton was my favorite paranormal romance read and one of my favorite debuts from 2012. While weaving familiar Greek myths into its overall plot arc, it brought a refreshing story to a genre that is usually filled with cookie-cutter character and plots. I have been looking forward to reading Everbound as soon as I finished the last page of Everneath and thankfully, it did not disappoint. Please be aware that Everbound has spoilers from the ending of Everneath but no spoilers from Everbound. Read at your own risk.  

Description (from Goodreads): Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.
   Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.
  Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

Review:  On a very rare occasion the second book in a series, generally a trilogy, surpasses the first book. Everbound is an excellent example of this. The book picks up a short time after Everneath finishes and moves the story to its suspenseful climax. Everbound doges the pitfalls of middle book syndrome effortlessly and reassure its readers that they are in for an enthralling read. Ashton hones her skills as a writer. The story line is more focused and the flashbacks used in the story are integrated and allow to show relationship development while moving the plot along, but most importantly there is significant and evident character growth and relationships are solidified . Although the plot of Everbound is very simple, but it isn't under any circumstances boring. I was sucked in right away from the beginning and could not put the book down.
  Once again I found the incorporation of mythological ideas and metaphors that play a substantial role in the story to be absolutely captivating. Our return to the Everneath is vividly brought to life as we get to visit the actual realms of the Underworld and witness first hand of its dangerous allure. The world-building, albeit still unfinished in places, is completely original and I'm very excited to see it complete in the final installment.
  Nikki proves to be an admirable character. Though wrecked with guilt over Jack's current fate, she allows her time to wallow, but is soon spurred to action to save him rather than mope and circle into a fetal position. Her fidelity and feelings for Jack are true and drives her to take action. I absolutely loved how Ashton took advantage of flashbacks and memories to not only get us glimpses of Jack but further show how Nikki and Jack's relationship developed over time. I thought this approach to be refreshing instead of just telling the reader how much they loved one another.
  As I mentioned, Jack isn't fully present in the story as much as we like, but his absence allows us to see how Cole and Nikki interact with each other. Some readers have mentioned that there is a love triangle in this trilogy but I would argue there really isn't one. Nikki is very much decided on Jack, but it's difficult to ignore Cole’s role in the plot and his apparent feelings for Nikki. Though Jack’s presence is realized in dreams, Everbound essentially gives us an opportunity for Cole and Nikki to draw closer together. Cole is a still a character that is hard to define. Intriguing, enigmatic, alluring, and dangerous, Cole is brilliantly developed. He manipulates emotions, those of Nikki and of us as readers, to make us see him in different lights.
 Everbound nicely plays on the heartstrings. We have several heartbreakingly emotional scenes give the romantic plot some appropriate substance, as do a few cheerier flashbacks. We know that Nikki's goal seems impossible, but we can't help but root for her. Her passion and determination are genuine. Just when we think there may be a happily ever after on the horizon for our hero and heroine, a cliffhanger ending- so perfectly shocking that me wonder how I completely overlooked the steps that lead to it- temporarily closes our story. Without a doubt, I am anxiously waiting for the final book to come out.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, underage drinking, and some disturbing images. Recommended for strong Grades 8 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman, Abandon by Meg Cabot, Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Lost Girl

  Sangu Mandanna's debut novel, The Lost Girl, is a provocative and page-turning thriller/romance that gets at the heart of what it means to be human. Using similar themes of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, the story is wholly original and one that is not easy to forget.
Description (from the publisher):  Eva's life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. She was made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her "other," if she ever died. Eva spends every day studying that girl from far away, learning what Amarra does, what she eats, what it's like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready. But sixteen years of studying never prepared her for this.
  Now she must abandon everything and everyone she's ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she's forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive. What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

Review: Eva doesn't have a right to her own life. She is an echo, a carbon copy of a girl named Amarra who lives halfway across the world. Eva is created as a back-up plan for Amarra's parents in case Amarra dies. Eva mimics Amarra's life, she learns everything that Amarra learns and is even nearly forced to suffer the same physical injuries as her other. Though the concept of clones isn't breaking new ground, what makes The Lost Girl stand out is the exploration of the psychological aspect to Eva's character, since it's not just Eva's organs that are being harvested, but her entire entity and identity.
 The Lost Girl is a novel that sits uneasily along the genre lines of dystopia, science fiction, and speculative fiction. While it contains elements of each of these genres, the world of echoes and their creators called Weavers take on a somewhat mystical and mysterious manner. The book never really delves into how the world came to exist. Like some of Bradbury's stories, we are shown human beings who find themselves in extraordinary futuristic circumstances instead of a technology driven setting that drives humans. I know some readers may be disappointed in not knowing much about Weavers and the utterly creepy setting of the Loom, but this didn't bother me at all. I was thoroughly captivated by the characters of this story and it didn't deter me from enjoying the story. 
  Mandanna's writing is exceptional, thoughtful, and beautifully descriptive, deftly balancing seriousness and humor, just like her characters. Eva is a heroine that I loved from the start. She finds herself in a horrible circumstance, but makes the best of it without losing her dignity and constant persistence. Unlike many heroines that fill our pages with noble self-sacrifice, Eva refuses to give up her inalienable rights to have a life and a place in society regardless of how he kind is perceived. She is rightfully selfish, but also aware of the dangers she puts her loved ones while she goes an incredible journey. 

  Though the plot of The Lost Girl is a bit of a slow starter as it is divided into three sections. The first section introduces us Eva as Eva without any strings attached. In this section,  we see Eva as a reflection of our humanity. Her connection to her family, a collection of people who are not bound to her by blood but by their concern and love for her, and her guardian/best friend/love interest Sean are explored. Each of these members reflect a different aspect of Eva's personality. The pace of the book quickly picks up in the second and third part of the book, where we see Eva on display and acting out her duties as an echo. Our hearts ache with her struggle and we are horrified at all the hurdles she must jump and conquer. I completely admire Eva's tenacity, her drive, and in this very rare instance her impulsiveness to not stay quiet.

  I hadn't expected to enjoy The Lost Girl as much as I did because I've been on a dystopian burn-put lately where all the book seem the same. There are a few aspects that I wish were given more time to develop such as the settings of London and Bangalore as well as further development of some really intriguing secondary characters. The Lost Girl gave me much to think about while being cathartic. The characters and premise asks us unsettling questions, but ultimately it is a story about love, grief, death, and above all what makes us human. I'm very eager to see if Eva's story continues and what else Mandanna plans on writing.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There are some disturbing scenes and a scene of underage drinking. Recommended for strong Grade 8 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Afterschool Charisma manga series by Kumiko Suekane, Unwind series by Neal Shusterman, The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Children of Men by P.D. James

Paper Valentine

  I had been meaning to read a book by Breena Yovanoff for quite some time, but didn't get a chance to do so until now. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, I was able to read an advanced reader's copy of Yovanoff's latest release, Paper Valentine, a subtle book of love and death. I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I was left somewhat unsatisfied.

Description (from Goodreads): The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls. For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.
  With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

Review: The sleepy, small-town community Hannah Wagnor grew up in used to feel safe, but now, during a record-breaking July heat wave, a serial killer is targeting young girls. Like her setting, Hannah use to be a happy go-lucky girl but she has been hiding her depression since her best friend Lillian's death six months earlier. Hannah goes through the motions of daily life with a happy, superficial outlook such as dressing in bright colors and smiling when she's filled with sadness inside. She is constantly haunted by Lillian's ghost at her side and hears Lillian's running commentary of all the choices she makes from her clothes to her classmates. As more bodies are discovered, Hannah begins to see more ghosts-those of the murdered girls and begins to feel responsible to catch the serial killer. Investigating the deaths, she begins to wonder how much she really knows about Finny Boone, the cute bad boy she's has a crush on forever but is only just beginning to understand.
  The narrative tone of Paper Valentine is very detached and numb just like our heroine. Hannah's depression is believable. Her insecurities are tangible and the realizations of how Lillian truly was as a person is startlingly and insightful. The friendship between Hannah and Lillian is what I remember the most from this book. Lillian is the leader, obsessed about finding perfection, and slowly kills herself with anorexia. Hannah is the follower, who blindly trusts Lillian and is afraid to speak openly about her own opinions and desires. With the loss of Lillian,  Hannah has also lost her own self of identity. As the story progresses, we see Hannah thaw but it is inconsistent to her actions. For instance, Hannah has always been the dependable, responsible older sister who keeps her sisters safe, a quality that I greatly admire. When she begins to embrace her emotions, however, she starts a romance with the shady, distant, and mysterious Finny Boone at the cost of leaving her younger sisters alone with a serial killer running around their town. Of course I understood that Finny isn't what he appears to be and has a painful past, but there more than enough warning bells that went off that would make Hannah think twice before running around with him in dark places alone. To say the least, I was a bit perplexed of what to make our heroine and her choices.
  Paper Valentine has an overambitious story that bounces from important and big topics such as guilt, depression, and eating disorders to child abuse, foster families, serial murder, and mean girls. The book takes on so many issues that the characters and plot remain underdeveloped. Though the book seems to be marketed as a supernatural/paranormal murder mystery, the murders just hang in the periphery of the characters. There were quite a few times while reading the book that I forgot the murders even existed. Though there are some creepy moments in the book, the murderer, once revealed, seems random and lacks real motive, and his ultimate confession to Hannah felt underwhelming and anticlimactic. It seems as if the clues to discover the murderer were far more important than any insight into the psychology of a murderer or the fate of the ghosts in the end. Though it is engrossing at times, Paper Valentine moves at a slow pace and leaves too many loose ends, too many questions unanswered.
 Paper Valentine is not my last book by the author and I do look forward to reading her earlier books as well as future releases.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and disturbing images. Recommended for Grades

If you like this book try: Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott, Velveteen by Daniel Marks,  The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

UnWholly (Unwind #2)

  I read Unwind by Neal Shusterman back in 2008. It was one of the most disturbing, thought provoking books that I've ever read. When I heard it was going to be series, I was simultaneously excited yet worried. My expectations for the sequel was very high and I left it unread for several days in fear that I would be greatly disappointed. After being reassured from fellow Unwind fans that I would enjoy it, I took the plunge and I wasn't disappointed.

Description (edited to avoid spoilers): In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives "unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to survive until they turn eighteen. The morality behind unwinding has finally been brought into question. It has now become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but expand, allowing the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished. In this chilling tale of survival, how far are you willing to go to save your own life?

Review: Please note that this review is intentionally vague in order to avoid spoilers for either of the books. In the Unwind series, our current war is in chaos. After a terrible war between the Pro-Life and the Pro-Choice, an amendment called "The Bill of Life" was added to the Constitution. The Bill of Life states that life of any child is protected from conception until the age of 13. Once a child reaches 13 a parent then has the right to unwind their child. Unwinding is a process where the child officially remains alive – but in a “divided state.” Every part of the body is harvested at a Harvest Camp and preserved and later used for people that need replacement parts. For example, if someone is suffering from heart failure – instead of having your traditional bypass surgery you just get a new, live heart that once belonged to a child that was Unwound. A parent or legal guardian can sign the unwinding order for any reason (i.e. they can't financially afford to support their child, don't like their child, etc) for their child until the child reaches 18. With this chilling and horrifying premise, Shusterman plays with all of our darkest fears such as death, abandonment, disappointment, and the fear of being unloved and challenges his readers to think of what lengths they would go to in order to save themselves in this gripping and brilliantly imagined thriller.
  While Unwind focuses on the individual, unwinding experiences of three teens, UnWholly provides its readers with a lot more historical context of how the Bill of Life came to be. Not only do we reconnect with the main cast of characters from the first book, we are also introduced to new characters, some of which you hate with a passion and others that evoke your sympathy yet make you feel uncomfortable with their presence. Each character is fully realized with their flaws and strengths drawn with equal strokes. The story is told through multiple perspectives, which done quite well. 

  UnWholly could have easily been your standard middle book, but thankfully Shusterman gives equal time to  character development and story arc without losing its intense action sequences and incredible pace in his short chapters. There were many times where I thought I knew where the story was headed, but the author threw a curve ball several times and left me unsure. I took a long time, by my standards, to finish UnWholly but that is not a reflection of the book's quality. For me the horror described both metaphorically and literally in the book seeped into my bones and I needed some distance after reading it which is why I read it sections. Still I had to force myself to close the book both in fear of the foreshadowing and ominous tones in the book. 
  If you are looking for an edge of your seat thriller that makes you think and are tired of all the hype of the next dystopian ala "Hunger Games" derivative, definitely pick up this series. This series is sure to get you out of a reading rut and has been proven effective to get reluctant readers motivated. To those I've recommended this book to, I've not heard one disappointment yet. The Unwind series will make you feel wide range of emotions from anger to horror, but it will also show you what it means to be alive. Though UnWholly doesn't end in a cliffhanger, I'm very, very excited and interested to see how the events in this book unfold.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, strong violence, disturbing images, and mature themes. Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, Gone series by Michael Grant, Afterschool Charisma series by Kumiko Suekane, Maze Runner series by James Dashner, Escape from Furnace series by Alexander Gordon Smith

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson #3)

  Charley Davidson was one of my best finds from last year. There are currently four books in the series that are currently out. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Fifth Grave Past the Light, which releases this July. I love spending time with Charley and company.

Description: Part-time Private Investigator and full time Grim Reaper extraordinaire, Charley Davidson, is back and drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Alexander Farrow. Yes, she did royally piss him off the last time they met, but how else is she suppose to solve her cases and deal with all the other kinds of drama in her life?

Review: This third installment of the Charley Davidson series is probably my favorite so far. The writing and the plot structure are a lot stronger. The subplots in this book held my attention throughout, which is a complaint that I had of the first two books as I thought they seem to clutter the mysterious relationship between Charley and her mercurial love interest, Reyes. Each subplot carried the same theme and tone throughout so it never took you out of the story, but rather pushed you to read just another page or chapter when you thought you could take a break.
  Books in a series can become formulaic very quickly, but Jones avoids this as she introduces new characters and carefully places plot twists that I did not see coming. Family drama and relationship issues offers its own interesting and complicating dimensions to the story. We are given some answers as to how Charley and Reyes fit into the little event called the Apocalypse  Like Charley, we are also left in the dark about how powerful she truly is and we very impatient for more answers.
  The series trademark is not in the mysteries that Charley solves, which could easily be solved by readers who pay careful attention to the clues that are sprinkled across the pages, but rather its characters and their irresistible humor. Charley's humor is infectious and within minutes she has me laughing. Her snarky comments and levity to the dark situations that she finds herself. A normal person would throw in the towel and say that can't held it but Charley is not ordinary by any means. Charley's best friend and partner in crime, Cookie, is the epitome of a best friend. She runs with Charley's antics and plays off her off beat humor. I can only imagine all the conversations they would share in the office.
  Reyes still continues to confuse me. Though he is undoubtedly physically attractive, I didn't like him at all in this book. Part of me wonders if he is trying to make Charley hate him on purpose, but he does have some sweet moments that me make hesitate to say he is evil. I know there is a lot about Reyes we don't know and I'm eager to find out more. Readers looking for a funny, fun, and charming book with some doses of paranormal and romance should definitely pick this series up. It'll brighten up anyone's horrible day.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language, crude humor, some strong violence, and a few sexual situations. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Fourth Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #4), Accidental Friends series by Dakota Cassidy, Peper Martin series by Casey Daniels, Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson, and the Chicagoland Vampire series by Chloe Neill

Manga Mondays: Black Butler Vol. 8

  Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. Now that I'm at a stand-still for the Nana manga series, I'm trying to catch up on some of my other ongoing manga series. Thankfully the manga series that I've been reading are from different genres which prevent me from confusing one from the other. Today I'll be reviewing the eighth volume of Black Butler.

Description (from Goodreads): When one curtain falls upon the big top stage, another rises behind the scenes, as young Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his virtuoso butler, Sebastian, face off against the villain behind the missing children. But as Sebastian, under orders from his master, single-handedly draws the gruesome tale to its sad conclusion on one front, battle lines are drawn on another! With the masterless Phantomhive Manor under attack from the Noah's Ark Circus and Sebastian nowhere nearby to protect its inhabitants, is Ciel's home once again headed for the same tragedy that took the lives of the young earl's parents?

Review: Black Butler is a genre bending manga that combines historical fiction  humor, supernatural, and horror. The plot arcs can begin on a bleak note but at its halfway mark turn to a slapstick comedy or in the case of the eighth episode an out and out battle.
   As you may recall, the seventh volume of Black Butler gives us important background information regarding the circus that Ciel and Sebastian have been ordered to investigate by Queen Victoria after many children have been kidnapped. The circus master is completely deranged and has used the children, almost always orphaned and deformed, for various body parts for his own 'plastic surgery' in order to achieve bodily perfection. Volume eight rounds out the circus arc in nonstop action until the very dark and disturbing ending. The Joker and his crew have arrived to Phantomhive to avenge the death of their master. You can't help pity them when it is revealed what they were fighting for and the lies they were told.
  I was surprised quite a few times while reading this volume. Unlike the previous volumes where Sebastian routinely steals the show, it is the servants of the Phantomhive that surprises and delights the readers in unveiling hidden talents. I knew they had to be worthy of something besides being there in the manga for slapstick humor. Another thing that really shocked me is how Ciel handled the problem of the missing children locked in cages. It is very easy to forget that Ciel is merely a boy but Toboso reminds us vividly when Ciel acts upon his emotions, particularly fear and rage, instead of a cool mind when he does the impossible.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong violence throughout this volume. There is also some language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Blue Exorcist series by Kazue Kato, Soul Eater series by Atsushi Ohkubo

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

 Wild is one of my quick picks for an adult nonfiction read. It is a powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir of woman who took herself out of her personal hell by tackling a solo, monumental journey into the wildness which proves that no matter how dark things can get you do have enough strength to carry on.

Description (from Goodreads): At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than “an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise.” But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone. Strayed faces down rattlesnakes and black bears, intense heat and record snowfalls, and both the beauty and loneliness of the trail. Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Review: Wild is an unsentimental memoir of the author's three-month solo hike from California to Washington along the Pacific Crest Trail. Following the death of her mother, Strayed's life quickly disintegrated. Family ties from her siblings and stepfather melted away. Feeling emotionally numb, she dived head first into infidelity and drug use, which resulted in a divorced from her decent husband and best friend. For the next four years, her life quickly spiraled into darkness and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Strayed is very frank about her flaws and her writing is very candid, which is what drew me to her story. Her dark days will resonate with others who shared a similar event(s) in their own lives, but her means to find peace within herself may be a bit far fetched but not impossible.
  While waiting in line at an outdoors store, Strayed read the back cover of a book about the Pacific Crest Trail. Initially, the idea of hiking the trail became an abstract idea, something that might be listed on someone's bucket list, but then it quickly became a goal. With absolutely no backpacking experience whatsoever, being woefully under-prepared for the wilderness, out of shape and carrying a ridiculously overweight pack, the author set out from the small California town of Mojave, toward a bridge crossing the Columbia River at the Oregon-Washington border. Many would call her decision to be idiotic and impulsive and they would be right in many ways as she suffered aches, pains, loneliness, blistered, bloody feet, persistent hunger, and suspicious people along the way. Personally, I cringed when she made several decisions that could have easily been deadly yet I couldn't help but admire the author's tenacity of sticking to her goal when there were several times she could have easily stopped. I found a small part of myself connected to her plight and her conversational tone engaged me throughout her story. Strayed discovered a new found sense of awe; for overcoming her limitations along with gaining her inner and physical strength while hiking the PCT. She is stunned by how the trail both shattered and sheltered her as she released all her emotional baggage along the way.
  Some readers have found that Wild is a book filled with self pity and wallowing, but aren't most memoirs just that? If you're looking for a book talking about the wonders of hiking and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild will surely disappoint you as there is not much discussion to be found. If you are in the mood for a candid and an inspiring narrative, Wild may work for you.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: This book contains strong language, drug use, and frank discussion of sex. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Into the Wild by Jon Krauker, Claiming Ground by Laura Bell, A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple's Trial by Trail by Angela Ballard, Cactus Eaters by Dan White

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3)

  After being disappointed in Hunting Ground and River Marked , both of which I thought were lack luster reads by Patricia Briggs, I was hoping that Fair Game would infuse a bit more oomph to the characters and to the story line. I'm pleased to say that Fair Game delivers and sets up an interesting new direction for Briggs's future releases.

Description (from the publisher): They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.
   Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.
  Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

Review: Fair Game is the third book in the Alpha and Omega series, a spin off to Brigg's popular Mercy Thompson series. Though the two series can be read independently, I would highly recommend that you read the Alpha Omega series in order and begin with the novella On the Prowl which first introduces us to the relationship of Charles and Anna.
  Briggs continues to explore the dynamics between the very alpha, serious and quiet wolf Charles and his stubborn, deceptively demure, and omega wife Anna. While they are still learning about each other and enjoying the early stages of their mating, Charles and Anna have hit a new bump in the road. Charles has a problem and he refuses to open up and let Anna help him.
   For many years, Charles has worked as Bran’s (the alpha of all werewolves in North America and Charles's father) executioner, destroying those who have broken the code of werewolves and have threaten the safety of the werewolf packs. Recent events have led werewolves to come out to the public and now Bran is trying to maintain a positive and safe image for his wolfs.
  Briggs's werewolves manage to keep the carnal aspects of the wolf without losing their humanity. While they can assimilate with the general public, they still pose a volatile and violent threat to those around them as their anger can be triggered very easily. For this reason, Bran sends Charles out to kill those wolves who are unable to keep their wolf in check. Neither Bran nor Charles take pleasure in hunting down fellow werewolves, but a system of balance is needed. Charles's executions are now taking their toll and as a result he is emotionally shutting everyone out, especially Anna.
  Charles's conflict is very complex, which Briggs effectively demonstrates this by showing how it effects many people especially Anna and Bran through their point of views. If we are placed in Anna's shoes, we can't help but wonder if Bran is just using his son to do the dirty work and is completely oblivious to see the ramifications on his son. If we see it through Bran's eyes, he knows he asks a lot from his son and feels guilty about it, but he really can't send out other alphas, fearing they couldn't handle it and it would push the older wolves to go lope. As for Charles, it's just another thing that he has to deal with and sort through himself.
  Readers of this series know that Charles is very introverted. His physically aggressive demeanor is a front and his reputation of a killer doesn't exactly make him approachable. In Fair Game we see Charles at his most vulnerable state. He has the ghosts of his previous kills lurking around him. They talk to him, scare him, and he is terrified if he acknowledges them too much, they will take control of him and eventually harm his wife. So he fights against the spirit's growing strength and keeps this pain and torment hidden from her. For the majority part of the book, Charles resorts to transforming himself to Brother Wolf, the name of Charles’s wolf, in order to deal with people. 

  Brother Wolf is an interesting character. Though completely separate from his human side. He is more forth coming and direct to the point. They both love Anna, but sometimes they disagree with each other. It is fascinating how Briggs is able to create different voices to these two aspects of Charles along with the long and serious struggle for Anna to break through Charles's walls.

  In order to reprieve Charles from his duties to the pack, Bran comes up with a somewhat temporary solution for him. There have been a string of murders in the Boston area involving werewolves. The FBI are desperate to catch this serial killer, and have given into the fact they might need a werewolf to give them some insight. With Adam Hauptmann home helping Mercy recover, Bran sends Anna and Charles to Boston. When a powerful fae’s daughter becomes the next victim, Charles and Anna stick around until they can bring justice. The mystery is probably one of the best plots written by Briggs as it not only matches the inner turmoil of her characters, but it also stays on track. There is no lengthy, long winded explanation of how the murder is solved like they can be in some of her books. There is also enough clues to keep the pages turning. While there is no cliffhanger per se, the ending leaves us with lots of questions about the future the political maneuverings of the various paranormal creatures in Briggs's world. It's too bad that we have to wait until March 2013 to find out what happens next.

 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong violence, language, disturbing images related to mutilations and rape, and a small sex scene. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Mercy Thomspon series by Patricia Briggs, Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, Silver by Rhiannon Held, Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

What She Left Behind

    Suspenseful and chilling are the two words that best describes Tracey Bilen's debut novel, What She Left Behind. Readers looking for a character driven thriller may be disappointed, but those seeking for a page-turning plot What She Left Behind will fit your needs.

Description (from Goodreads): “Don’t even think of leaving… I will find you,” he whispered. “Guaranteed.”

Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it.
  With each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late…for them both

Review: When we begin What She Left Behind, Sara and her mother are plotting to leave their town in a desperate attempt to escape from Sara's abusive father. They both agree to pack their bags with only their necessities and meet at the local Dairy Dream as planned, but her mother never shows up. Although her father claims she's on a business trip, Sara fears that something is terribly wrong. With her own growing anxiety and fears coupled with witnessing her father's increasingly erratic behavior, Sara puts on an exterior that says everything is okay until she can assemble enough clues to find her mother.
 Sara does a decent job in trying to be normal. She allows herself to get a bit sidetracked by getting involved in a budding romance with the high school football star. I was fine with the hint of romance in the book as it wasn't unnecessarily thrown in, but served a purpose. Sara's mother's disappearance follows her like a shadow so the light romance enables her to have just a few moments of lightness in her dark, dreary life. Despite the momentary smiles we witness during these moments of reprieve, we continuously feel Sara's isolation and confinement, which are clearly expressed in her free-writing assignments and internal dialogue.
  I often times wondered why Sara doesn't seek out help from the domestic abuse, but then I chillingly remembered that Sara's abusive father is a well known and liked retired cop in her small rural town, which means there is hardly anyone would either believe her or much worse, report back to her father. With the clock counting down, however, Sara has no choice in letting some people help her.
  Though I thought Sara was pretty likable, her father is repulsive but there is a very small part of me that felt sorry for him. We don't get too much information about her father, but we do know that he was traumatized by an incident on the job. He has also clearly suffers from mental illness which may have been sparked by the sudden death of Matt, Sara's brother. Sara's father has become delusional and acts as if Matt is still alive.  With a suspenseful plot and short chapters, Bilen effectively thrills the reader until the very last page and would be a good choice for high school reluctant readers. The ending reveals a chilling picture of domestic violence.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: The book contains strong violence and some language. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.  

If you like this book try: Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer, Freaks Like Us by Susan Vaught

Await Your Reply

  Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon is not a book I would have probably chosen on my own, but I have seen it on several library's summer reading suggestions. I did pick the book up as it selected by a member of the book club I recently joined.

Description (from the publisher): The lives of three strangers interconnect in unforeseen ways - and with unexpected consequences - in acclaimed author Dan Chaon's gripping, brilliantly written new novel. Longing to get on with his life, Miles Cheshire nevertheless can't stop searching for his troubled twin brother, Hayden, who has been missing for ten years. Hayden has covered his tracks skillfully, moving stealthily from place to place, managing along the way to hold down various jobs and seem, to the people he meets, entirely normal. But some version of the truth is always concealed. A few days after graduating from high school, Lucy Lattimore sneaks away from the small town of Pompey, Ohio, with her charismatic former history teacher. They arrive in Nebraska, in the middle of nowhere, at a long-deserted motel next to a dried-up reservoir, to figure out the next move on their path to a new life. But soon Lucy begins to feel quietly uneasy. My whole life is a lie, thinks Ryan Schuyler, who has recently learned some shocking news. In response, he walks off the Northwestern University campus, hops on a bus, and breaks loose from his existence, which suddenly seems abstract and tenuous. Presumed dead, Ryan decides to remake himself - through unconventional and precarious means

Review: When I started Await Your Reply, I wasn't sure if I would like it. The disjointed narrative structure took a while to get use to, especially when I found myself rereading certain sections over and over again with a sinking feeling that I must have missed something because the transition to other characters were whiplash fast. It's not until reflecting on the story and having an insightful book discussion did I seem to actually digest the story.
  Await Your Reply may be set up like your ordinary suspense/thriller read, but it was unexpectedly philosophical which was a nice surprise and added a complex layer to the story. The book's central theme of the mutability of identity, which Dan Chaon explores through three seemingly (at first) unrelated narratives is absorbing. To narrow this broad theme a bit further is analyzing the extent of how identity is influenced, reinforced, or even granted to a person by others - especially those others whom we consider authority figures. Can a soul have more than one identity? Don't we all have multiple personalities if we put in different social situations? If so, can the personalities be completely separate?
  In a way the three stories in Await Your Reply are each examining the dangers of relying to heavily on others for one's sense of self. If you define yourself as a function of someone else, what happens when that someone else is not who you think they are? What if they disappear from your life and you have to go back to square one? Ryan, whom we meet in a gruesome introduction, has just met a man claiming to be his real father and so estranges himself from his newly-discovered-to-be-adoptive parents. Lucy is unable to cope with the death of her parents, abandons her sister, and runs away with a high school teacher in hopes of starting a new life full of possibilities  And Miles is lost and struggling to find his metaphorical phantom limb, his missing twin brother, who he's realizing has become insane. The characters, some invoking sympathies while others make us pensive, appalled, are constantly awaiting the reply of the other - the real father, the older lover, the missing twin brother to help make them whole  because they cannot close the loop on their own selves until that feedback is received.
  I enjoyed the deeper aspect of the book, while I wasn't too thrilled with the suspense part of the book. The first have of the book is extremely slow and that's where the philosophical portion takes root. The second half is more plot heavy and moves quickly. Unfortunately, the author doesn't spend much time showing the intimacy of the different relationships posed in the book, which I think could have added more depth to the story. Out of the three story threads presented, the Miles/Hayden tale was the most enjoyable to me, but I couldn't really figure out the timeline of those events as it jumped around quite a lot. The Lucy/George tale had a hint of Lolita in the story, but didn't the relationship didn't really do much as you couldn't really see the chemistry between these two supposed romantic couples. I felt that the Ryan/Jay story suffered a bit from not really have a lot for the characters to do, but kept suspense in the novel as their stories seemed to always end on cliffhangers until we returned to these characters.
  If you're looking for a meaty suspense read, I would give Await Your Reply a try. The plot twist and how these three different story lines converge is interesting though it might take patience to get there. Overall, I enjoyed it much more than I originally thought.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, suggestions of sex, and strong violence. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb, Blame by Michelle Huneven, American Rust by Philipp Meyer 

YA Minireviews: Between and The New Phenomenon

 Today I have two mini-reviews of books that I received from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

Description (from Goodreads): It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent. After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates. Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

Review: Between has a really cool premise about being torn between the afterlife and the present day. Being in the between, a place sandwiched in the middle of earth and heaven where new memories and a second chance of life could be made. I was really looking forward to meeting Aiden, the Scottish hottie grim reaper and curious to see where his and Lindsey's relationship goes. Unfortunately, the book left me unsatisfied and wanting more.
  Readers annoyed by insta-love would be completely frustrated with Between as there is a heavy dose of it in the story. Lindsey dies in a car wreck, is whisked away by Aiden to this "between" place on her way to heaven. After what seems like a brief 5 minute panic, she doesn't seem overly concerned about being dead. She's sad, sure, but not sad enough to miss the fact that Aiden is goregeous and lusts after him. Normally, I could handle insta-love but this was too fast for me. Another thing that annoyed me about Lindsey and Aiden's relationship is the inconsistency of chaste love. One minute Aiden refuses to touch Lindsey because she is still a virgin and in the next few scenes they are skinny dipping and getting hot and heavy. There wasn't really a development of their relationship at all to give us a better groundwork to how they work as a couple.
  Though we are given Aiden's history, which addressed an important and heavy concept that should have added complexity to his character, but unfortunately it came across a bit too heavy handed and preachy for me. I couldn't really feel sorry for Aiden at that point and it bothered me for much of th story.
  Despite these issues, I was still engaged in the book's plot. Just when I thought things were getting interesting, the book ended. It was as if there was a beginning of the story and its end with no middle. Overall, it was a decent read and I would recommend it to those who can't get enough of paranormal romances.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong sensuality in the book and a small non-descriptive sex scene. Recommended for strong Grade 8 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Hell Transporter by Cyndi Tefft, Pinelight by Jillian Perry, Forbidden by Megan Curd


Description (from Goodreads): Every teenager wants to fit in, and Christian Pearson is no different. He is a phenomenon on the athletic field and in the classroom, but a terrifying accident on a fishing trip with his grandfather changes Christian's life forever. As he enters his freshman year of high school, Christian hides a secret that he plans to take to his grave. When the Pearson family moved from the city to the sleepy town of Red Oak, Iowa, before his freshman year of high school, Christian hoped for a smooth transition to small town life. Being the new kid in school has been a blessing and a curse. Most of the boys in Christian's class view him as a threat, so Christian struggles to fit it, but as an outcast, his secret is safe. When three freshmen, all from the same family, start school a week late, Christian senses something different about these new students. He reaches out to "The Three" seeking some semblance of friendship in his new hometown. When "The Three" confront Christian about the secret he hides, Christian is faced with a huge problem. Will this secret cost Christian his friends, his family, his freedom, and even his life?

Review: I loved the concept behind The New Phenomenon, where child phenomenons had special powers that are developed at certain periods of their lifetime. The book, however, only touches on the idea superficially and left me wanting to know more about the kids and how their powers are created.
  For the most part I liked the characters, especially Christian who is a sweet, courteous, smart, and a great football player. Besides these traits and his love for S.E. Hinton's books, I didn't really connect to him. In fact a lot of the characters, who had the strong potential to be fascinating feel one dimension in The New Phenomenon. The book seemed to be more plot driven with some great moments of suspense and tension, however, the Raabe told more of the story rather than show it.   
  Raabe for the most part is successful in blending in the daily trouble of an adolescent (i.e. bullying, peer pressure, girl troubles) with the touch of paranormal/science fiction bent to it. There was a bit of a romance, which I thought was cute and sprung up a bit too quickly for me, but not enough to derail male readers into reading this book. I did find it to be a fast read and for the most part enjoyed it. Raabe has the potential to create a really great story here. If there was a little more attention given to the characters and fleshing out of the concept of superpowers, this book would have soared.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is a teen party where underage drinking takes place.

If you like this book try: Hidden Talents by David Lubar, Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman, Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney

Pushing the Limits

  Pushing the Limits has been all around the blogosphere in the last few months. With a slew of book giveaways, author interviews, and other tidbits, it is hard to not hear about the book. I have to admit that I was skeptical about picking this book up, but after pasing a 50 page test read I eventually finished it and actually really liked it. As a note, this review is based on the advanced reader's copy provided by the publisher, Harlequin Teen, via Netgalley.


Description: Rendered a subject of gossip after a traumatic night that left her with terrible scars on her arms, Echo is dumped by her boyfriend and bonds with bad-boy Noah, whose tough attitude hides an understanding nature and difficult secrets.

Reviews: Pushing the Limits is a very unusual reading experience for me. There were many reasons why I normally would not like this book: an extreme overdose of issues (i.e. death, grief, foster care, mental illness, high school gossip, etc) along with a heavy current of teen angst, insta-attraction turned into love, a fairly predictable plot, and repetitive phrases that you would have fun counting on your fingers. Despite these flaws, I got sucked into Echo and Noah's story.
 McGarry sets up an intense contemporary romance that delves into the psychological difficulties of two teens who fall in love. Echo and Noah are desperately seeking normal, a goal they both feel is unattainable until they meet one another. Echo can't remember the night her mother apparently tried to kill her. She wears long sleeves and gloves to hide the awful scars left on her arms from that night. She has lost her brother and confidant in the Afghan war and lives with her obnoxious, controlling yet emotionally distant father and step-mother who once was her babysitter. I liked Echo right from the start. She has a good mix of flaws and strengths. She is smart but doesn't have the confidence to confront her once so-called friends after that terrible event. She knows what she doesn't want and what isn't good for her, but yet she dreams to be the girl that everyone once remembered.
   Like Echo, Noah is also a troubled teen. Noah lost his parents in a fire but saved his two younger brothers. All three brothers all are in foster care with different families, but Noah has been separated from his brothers and is determined to gain custody of them when he turns 18. Noah is a well known player whose only interactions with girls is regulated to the back seat of a car or a bed. Normally, I would find Noah appalling but I could tell right away that his bad-boy attitude is a front. He is terrified to make connections, build relationships because in his experience they only end in heartache. His character comes to life when he talks about his brothers and his determination to get full custody of them and to become once again a family. Noah reminded me a lot of Will from Good Will Hunting and that's maybe because I pictured him to be a younger version of Matt Damon.
 Echo and Noah meet and are instantly but secretly attracted to each other. Both see Mrs. Collins, an experienced psychologist, as their school counselor, and neither wants to trust her. I applaud McGarry for making Mrs. Collins a fully realized adult who knows what she is doing. She isn't a bumbling ditz nor a clueless adult trying to regain her lost teenage years by working in a high school. She is aware of Echo and Noah's problems. She realizes what makes Echo and Noah tick and slowly works with them even though both teens view her as a hindrance.
 Told in alternating chapters for both Echo and Noah, the story slowly uncovers the teens' secrets and builds to resolutions for both. I have to say that I was more invested in Noah's story and the scenes involving his brothers made me teary eyed several times. I also was very curious to find out what really happened on that terrible night with Echo. The pacing is done quite well and it moves quickly. If it wasn't for my busy work schedule, I could have easily read it in one sitting despite its 400 pages length. I would read recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, but some may not like the issues weighing down the story. I think readers who give Echo and Noah a chance could be easily persuaded just like me. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, drug use, underage drinking, crude humor, and heavy make-out scenes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf, Leaving Paradise by Simon Elkeles, Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1)

 I had a blast in joining the Don't Fear the Reaper read-along where we discussed and read the first book in the Charley Davidson series called First Grave on the Right. I would like to once again thank the awesome blogging hostesses who arranged everything.

Description (from Goodreads): Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

Review: The last few weeks of August are one of the most stressful work days for me as I prepare for school registration for the entire high school. It is those weeks that I come home emotionally, physically exhausted, and so wired up that I can't go to sleep in fears of all the wrong things that could happen the next day. I needed a good distraction to let me escape from my anxieties and place me into another world. Thankfully Charley and company came to my rescue and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
  First Grave on the Right straddles the line between the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres as it contains elements of each. I would definitely recommend picking this book up if you're unsure if paranormal romances may be your cup of tea. The book is hilarious, at times steamy, and extremely fun. One of the reasons why this book clicked for me is because of its leading heroine, Charley Davidson.
  Charley Davidson is someone who I would love to have as a best friend. She is extremely witty, armed with snappy comebacks that I wish I could think of on the spot. She is loyal to her friends and genuinely cares for others. Unlike many heroes and heroines who are gifted with supernatural or paranormal abilities who often lament on their uncalled for responsibilities and their relentless monologue of "Why me?", Charley embraces being a Grim Reaper though she may not exactly know the extent of her powers. While fierce, Charley makes mistakes and gets her butt served back to her, but she is resilient, vulnerable, and human which makes her that much easier to relate to as a reader. Mrs. Jones said Charley is a mash between Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls and Buffy, which is exactly how I would describe her.
  The plot of First Grave on the Right is fairly straight forward. Charley works as a PI and consultant for the Albuquerque, N.Mex., police department in addition to her grim reaper stature. As the grim reaper, she escorts the recently departed "into the light." In her dreams, she's haunted by a "dark, seductive stranger," whose warmth suggests he's something "not dead." In the real world, Charley helps her APD detective uncle, Bob Davidson, investigate the fatal shootings of three lawyers who were representing a client accused of murder. When she’s not helping ghosts with the ultimate closure, Charley is trying to figure out who her sizzling-hot dream lover is. To add to that confusion a person from the past, Reyes Farrow, suddenly reappears at very strange times.
 The romance sizzles though I still can't make heads or tails of my feelings for Reyes. He's definitely a dark, tortured alpha male, but I would like to know more of him. I do, however, really like Garrett, Charley's coworker who unfortunately is the brunt of all of Charley's snarky remarks. While he may at first deserved some snarkiness, I think he's realized how stupid he is and should get a break. He is obviously hot for Charley though she's completely clueless about it.
 Of course the book is not without its flaws. I did find the first half with the lawyers murders a little boring. It's not until the mention of Reyes and the mystery of his character kicked in that I felt drawn into the book. I would have liked more interaction between Charley and her family as well as her best friend named Cookie. I could deal with these flaws and still found the book to be fun and entertaining. I'd definitely recommend this series to take on a vacation. I do plan on continuing the series and hope to catch up by October so I can read the fourth Charley Davidson book when it releases.  

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language, crude humor, some strong violence, and a few sexual situations. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #2), Accidental Friends series by Dakota Cassidy, Peper Martin series by Casey Daniels, Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson