Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pages: 299

Received: Purchased

Rating: 4 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don't kill him first, that is.

THE GOOD:

Ms. Armentrout is a phenomenal storyteller! The narrator of the book, Katy, is great, and keeps a fresh feeling sense of being a teenager throughout the book. I really enjoyed the relationships that were built throughout the book, and I loved Dee. She kind of reminded me of Alice from Twilight, but that isn't a bad thing...I think Alice was one of my favorite characters from that series! BUT! Obsidian is NOTHING like Twilight, so don't be scared if you didn't like it, and don't be bummed if you start reading this, looking for a Twilight-esque book. Armentrout is a strong writer and gives so much life to her characters, that you want to root for them all throughout the book. There are plenty of one-liners throughout that make you laugh at the wittiness of her characters, but it isn't over the top. Her world-building is fun and I enjoyed every twist and turn of this ride. You'll more than likely but up late into the night reading this. I know I was!

THE BAD:

I didn't like that in a few places Armentrout just expected her readers to accept that things "just were." I marked four different places where Daemon or Dee expressed that the bad guys (the Arum) "didn't need a reason" or that their own abilities were "just because we can." Once even Daemon says, "Matthew explained it to me once. Honestly, I wasn't paying attention." If you have abilities, wouldn't you know how they worked? Why would Katy just accept this cop-out of an explanation? I wasn't necessarily left out of anything that was detrimental, I don't think, but I really feel like Armentrout could have done a little bit better with her explanations on why things in her world were the way they were. She also used the phrase "Sweet Baby Jesus" at least five times, and while it was funny the first two or three, I got tired of reading it over and over. Just my opinion. :)

OVERALL:

Armentrout's voice was great and I loved reading from Katy's POV. She was an excellent narrator and held my attention. The sexual tension was great between her and Daemon, and I enjoyed waiting on that big kiss to happen. I think she lightly touched on what will become the crux of book two, and I wish she would have given me more, but I totally get why she ended where she did. She's got me hooked for the second installment for sure!! :) I had to take away a star for what I explained in "the bad" section, but this was a very entertaining read that you won't want to put down! Armentrout is an excellent storyteller and now I'm going to have to go get Half-Blood and see what that series is all about.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Beautiful face. Beautiful Body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys."

* * *

"It was either him or me and my friends. That alien asshat had to go."

RATING: 4 of 5 Books

Review: Insanity by Lauren Hammond

Insanity by Lauren Hammond

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Publisher: S.B. Addison Books

Pages: 190

Received: Provided ARC by author in exchange for a fair review

Rating: 5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:
Sometimes love...can drive you crazy. Adelaide Carmichael and Damien Allen couldn't be more opposite. Adelaide's mother abandoned her when she was ten years old, leaving her to be raised by her abusive and alcoholic father. Damien on the other hand came from a wealthy family, was a local celebrity, and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him. Despite their differences, Adelaide and Damien were young, wild, and fiercely in love. And they had a plan. They were going to run away. Be together forever. And their plan was set in motion, until tragedy struck and for some reason, Adelaide wound up in The Oakhill Institution for the insane. Adelaide has no idea what she did to wind up at Oakhill, but she knows one thing for sure... She wants out. And after Damien follows her there to aid her in escaping, Adelaide slowly begins putting together the pieces of her memory that are missing. And it doesn't take Adelaide long to figure out that sometimes... That one true love never dies.

THE GOOD:
Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. I don't think there was a moment in this book that I could justify putting it down. Ms. Hammond has a way of sucking you in and refusing to let you come up for air. My husband thought I was crazy because I just *had* to read and find out what was going to happen to Adelaide and Damien. Hammond's main character, Adelaide, is instantly understandable and easy to empathize with. You root for her throughout the book, and personally, I was making guesses as to what the next twist was going to be the entire book! I kept guessing, each idea more harebrained than the one before, because I was desperate to unravel Addy's world. It's that chilling, and that emotional of a roller coaster.

THE BAD:

Please remember, this was an ARC, and I have the utmost confidence that my one beef - tense in *very* few spots - has been fixed. It wasn't enough to bother me; it was just a minor blip where I took a second look to make sure I was following the right point of view. Other than that, not one darn thing was there for me to complain about. :)

OVERALL:

This book really is a chilling read that you will want to devour in one sitting. I will say that it is definitely an adult book - something I don't usually read. However, this isn't a bad thing. It is more me giving a heads up to any parents who might read my reviews and assume all my books are for YA. :) Hammond has a way with building the characters and making it feel like you're standing right next to them, sharing in their sorrows and triumphs alongside them. You'll want to hug Addy and punch a couple other characters that you'll meet along the way. :) This is a quick read that will leave you stunned at the end, but in an awesomely good way. I highly recommend it!

RATING: 5 of 5 Books

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 525

Received: Purchased

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

 
THE GOOD: 
Oh my goodness! Roth seriously knows how to make you turn pages. She has perfectly woven another tale that makes you race to the finish. The ending...wow. That's all I have to say. As for characters, I loved Tris. She wasn't perfect by any means, but that's what made me able to relate with her. The character arc and growth of Christina was probably the one I enjoyed the most. So many characters grow in this book, but Christina really displayed forgiveness and I think that's something that needs to happen more often. Marcus, well, I'm still not sure I like him, but I'm glad that things worked out the way they did with him. :) Roth's world building is exceptional. You see everything she's creating, and it's such a breath of fresh air because it's not overdone. For her, it just seems like a natural affinity. It's great!

THE BAD:

Personally, I didn't like the way that Tobias acted in a good portion of the book, but that could just be me. I thought he acted a bit erratic, but like I said, that's just my personal opinion. It may sound fickle to take a half star for that, but it just really bothered me. Other than that, I loved the book!

OVERALL:

You can't go wrong with Roth's Divergent and Insurgent. They're books that are impossible to put down, so I hope you have the time to sit and read! This has been a series that has captivated me the same way that Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and Twilight did. That's not to say that Divergent & Insurgent are *like* those books (but if you were going to compare, Hunger Games is definitely a logical choice to read if you haven't!), but just that her writing is as powerful and commands attention. I love it, and I think you will, too!

FAVORITE QUOTE:

I clear my throat. "So, this plan. It's kind of stupid, right?"
"It's not...stupid."
"Oh, come on. Trusting Marcus is stupid. Trying to get past the Dauntless at the fence is stupid. Going against the Dauntless and factionless is stupid. All three combined is...a different kind of stupid formerly unheard of by humankind."

* * *

People, I have discovered, are layers and layers of secrets. You believe you know them, that you understand them, but their motives are always hidden from you, buried in their own hearts. You will never know them, but sometimes you decide to trust them.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Books

Review: Partials by Dan Wells

Partials by Dan Wells

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 468

Received: Purchased

Rating: 3 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

 

THE GOOD:

Dan's descriptions are vivid, and his pacing is great. There's not really any slow part to this book, as he keeps plowing forward with a great combination of information, plot, and action. He leaves enough to keep you ready for a second book, but wraps up enough to not make you feel like, "Well, what the heck?" In that instance, I really liked it. He definitely has great world-building skills and you feel for Kira as she reveals each layer behind the secrets she never knew existed. Marcus was great and I absolutely loved Xochi. She was definitely my favorite character of the bunch, and also displayed the most true emotion, in my opinion.

THE BAD:

This is Mr. Wells' first foray into YA, and for me, it definitely shows. I felt as though this was an adult novel written with teenage characters. It wasn't bad, it just didn't feel as genuine YA as others I've read. There is a LOT of science behind his plot, so you need to be ready to truly pay attention to different parts of a virus, etc. to really understand what's going on. Also, the core of the story is that the human race is dying out. Every baby that is born, dies within days from a virus. For me, it just hit a little close to home, because I have a young son, so that part made me a little sad to read and imagine the loss I would have felt personally. Although, that can be a good thing, since Wells is illiciting emotion in his readers. Another issue I had was that I really didn't feel attached to many of the characters. At one point, Kira calls two soldiers "Skinny" and "Scruffy," and a lot of the characters felt like that to me - Medic #1, Senator #2, etc. I wanted to feel emotionally attached to characters. Kira says she loves Marcus, but I never really felt like she did, and then Samm...well, I wondered if anything would happen for a second, but then it didn't. Kira doesn't strike me as a girl that will stop for anyone, and I won't give spoilers, but I just felt like Kira didn't have too many hormones, and neither did anyone else. Perhaps it's because these teens had to grow up so quickly, and that would definitely attribute to it. I just didn't feel like this was a YA, and that's okay, but if that was his target audience, I felt like it missed the mark a little.

OVERALL:

It's not that this book was bad, so don't get me wrong there. It was a good read, and I enjoyed it. It just...wasn't what I was expecting. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my favorite book, either. I'll read the sequel, which I'm assuming there will be one, but it won't be one that I run out to get, either. Maybe you'll have different feelings and you'll love it. It just wasn't my favorite I've read.

FAVORITE QUOTE:
"I've never been a real traditional guy," said Marcus. "Besides, I'm not saying I know a bright side, I just think this would be a good time to look at one."

Jayden raised his fist, and the group stopped walking.

"Jayden just heard a bright side," whispered Marcus. "There's an uplifting metaphor creeping through those bushes."

RATING: 3 of 5 Books

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Release Date: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 487

Received: Purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:
In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Oh my goodness. I LOVED Divergent!!

THE GOOD:

Ohmigosh. Seriously. I cannot begin to explain how impossible it was to put this book down. Wow. Wow. Wow. I'd been on a kick were I enjoyed the books, but I didn't need to tear through the pages. Divergent is different. It makes you turn the pages. You have no choice but to throw yourself into the book and come up for air only when you're finished. Really, it's that good. Roth's ability to command a scene is breathtaking. The action is constant. It really is a breathtaking book. You root for Tris from the beginning and you loathe her enemies. You understand she's not perfect, but that's what makes her an even better character. You can understand her struggle to understand who she is, because I think within all of us is the desire to learn oneself. Roth plays on innate emotions and she does it well. Her descriptions are great and there's no lag in the plot at all. This book isn't short, but I ripped through it. Wow, wow, wow. That's all I have to say.

THE BAD:

I NEED MORE...NOW! That's the bad. That's it. :)

OVERALL:

Wow. This may very well be my favorite book I've read so far this year. It's just amazing. It reminds me of The Hunger Games in its own respect, but Divergent is in no way a spin off. It is truly unique, but for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games, this is a logical next book to put on your TBR. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment. Roth is definitely one of my favorite authors now. This book was just that great!

RATING: 5 of 5 Books

Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Pages: 418

Received: Purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Oh my gosh, I can't explain how much I loved this book! I couldn't stop reading it, so it even went to the gym with me so I could read while I worked out! Now THAT'S a good book! :)

THE GOOD:

Taylor's characters are SO MUCH FUN to enjoy and root for! I loved Karou. I could imagine her expressions and person, all the way to her crazy blue hair. She is the type of person I'd love to be friends with. Speaking of friends...Zuzana! Ohhh, I love Zuzana. The texts between them were so realistic and fun. They reminded me of texts my own friends send. Can I have them both as friends? And Brimstone. Oh man. He was so awesome. And Akiva...ahhhh. Okay.

I could go on and on about the characters, but I'll move on. :) The setting - Prague. Wow. At first I was thrown off, because I was just assuming it'd be in America. BUT. This was so much better. I enjoyed the foreign lands and Taylor did an excellent job of making me feel as though I was walking the streets right beside Karou.

As for the plot - it was SO unique! I really enjoyed the twist, but I won't say more than that. Let's just say I need the next book NOW!

THE BAD:

When the story switches to share the background of certain characters, the change is abrupt and made me have to re-read for a second, just to make sure I didn't miss something. It wasn't hard to jump back in, though, and it was just a minor hiccup. It wasn't even that bad, it was more of a "Oh, wait, what?" and then it was over. :) Other than that, I LOVED this book!

OVERALL:

If you haven't read this book, please do yourself the immense favor of grabbing it right this minute. It is so good, I really can't even explain how great it was! GO GET IT! :)

RATING: 5 of 5 Books

 

Review: Destined by Jessie Harrell

Destined by Jessie Harrell

Release Date: March 27, 2007

Publisher: Mae Day Publishing

Pages: 260

Received: Purchased

Rating: 4 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:
When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

OVERALL:

Destined is a fast, fun read that anyone who is a fan of mythological retellings will enjoy. Like paranormal romance? This one's for you, too. :) I really enjoyed this book, and Jessie did a great job of keeping me wanting to turn the pages.

THE GOOD:

Harrell's writing is easy, fun, and contemporary. You never have to worry about not understanding her writing - she put this book it a teen's voice from today and it was great! I've read some reviews that scoff at the non-traditional Greek dialogue, but here's the thing - Harrell made this HERS, and I liked it. If it would have been all old language and what not, I probably would have given up on it. I liked her twist on things and I never felt that her personal touches took away from the story. Instead, I feel it made the book that much better. Her characters were fun and I enjoyed embracing them. Psyche was so much fun to watch, and Eros - gods love him - was a typical guy. I love that while they're gods and demi-gods, Harrell made them feel very real and very human. Hopefully I don't get struck down for saying that. :)

THE BAD:

There were times that I felt details or comparisons were forced, but it was only once or twice. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book.

OVERALL:

This was a fun read! I have a son that takes up most of my attention, but this book diverted me a bit. :) It was definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone, and I can't wait to read more from Harrell. I have a feeling we've only scratched the surface of her abilities!

RATING: 4 of 5 Books

 

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: March 27, 2007

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 485

Received: Purchased

Rating: 3 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

I'm coming away from this one a little disappointed, but I didn't dislike the book...

THE GOOD:

This was Clare's debut into the Shadowhunter world, and she did it was great finesse. Her world planning was well thought out and she delivered an excellent array of characters. Her writing was great - not as good as it has obviously developed into with the newest of her installments, but still very, very good. I enjoyed the ride and I will certainly be reading the rest of the series

THE BAD:

This book wasn't bad, it's just it took me a lot longer to read than her others I've read thus far. I kept thinking to myself that she has a bit of a formula: girl who doesn't know what she is, snarky & sarcastic boy, and a gentle soul boy. Not to say it isn't a good combo, but I guess I just wished that the main character roles weren't quite so similar. The twists were a bit more in plain sight than in her other books too, but I believe that is something that again she's honed after all of the great books she's put out. So the bad isn't bad, it's just not my taste. Still, it's a good book.

OVERALL:

Clare is still by far one of my favorite authors. This just wasn't my favorite book from her. I think I'm going to give Clare a rest for a bit and come back to her Mortal Devices series after having read a couple different books, just so it's fresh again. I still recommend her books vehemently, I just think it might be time for a change in palate for me. :)

RATING: 3 of 5 Books

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 359

Received: Purchased

Rating: 4 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood.

In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.

Oh, Cassandra Clare, how you tease me!!! Gosh! Once again Clare delivers an astounding book, pulling me full-force into Victorian London and refusing to let me up for air. While I wasn't as completely enamored with this book like its predecessor, it's still a great book, and a great lead-in to the upcoming book in the trilogy.

THE GOOD:

Again, Clare manages to make everything feel as though you're standing on the cobbled streets with Tessa, Jem, and Will. You want to reach out and touch the dresses and wipe the soot from your shoulders as it rains down from the factories. I love that! The emotions she makes you feel for the characters, and the fact that you invest in them is evidence to her ability to paint with words. Everyone was in their element, and I loved getting to know Magnus Bane more. I enjoyed seeing more Downworlders, and I'm sure there are even more amazing characters to come in the third book.

THE BAD:

While it may just be me, I just didn't enjoy the love triangle as much as I did in other books. I felt like Tessa should have known better, I don't know. Plus, she was alternating between kissing the guys on every other page. It just didn't seem like she would do that if she truly cared about either one of them. I also felt like there wasn't as much action in this one as the first, and while it doesn't have to be a constant demon-slaying fest, I felt like there should have been a better culmination of good and evil, if you will.

OVERALL:

Clare is a genius. You can tell the dedication and care she puts into the books before she even puts a letter down by the research and thought she puts into the plot line. I can appreciate that immensely, because it makes her settings that much believable. I LOVE that she gives me so much to see and I know that the remainder of her books will not let me down. The only problem now is that I have to wait so long for the third book in this series! Now I'm going to have to go to the Mortal Instruments series to keep me from going crazy. :)

RATING: 4 of 5 Books

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: August 31, 2010

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Pages: 476

Received: Purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Cassandra Clare may be one of the most visual writers I have ever experienced. Her ability to completely infuse Victorian London and make me see what Tessa could see was a wonderful, vivid ride, and I can't wait to move onto Clockwork Prince!!

THE GOOD:

Clare's writing is pure visuals. She leaves no stone unturned or its color, texture, and the shadows that it may cast to question. You're thrown into a movie in your head, and it's amazing. It's truly breathtaking. Few authors I've read can truly make me feel like I'm "there"...honestly I think of J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown, but even Dam Brown isn't as vivid. Clare is incredible. Will is amazing. Jem is perfectly imperfect. Both have flaws, but that's what leaves you wanting more. There's no wonderful, amazing, perfect character, and I enjoy that. Embracing the imperfections makes me appreciate the characterizations even more, and Clare excels at it. The twists she sets you on are completely out in left field, but yet they make perfect sense. She sets you up, and you almost want to smack your head because you think, "Holy cow!" and that's a completely, completely good thing. There's nothing that she could have done to make this book more impressive.

THE BAD:

There is none. Truly. It took me a moment to get into the story, but only because I'm usually not a reader of world building stories. Clare has given me a new take on what it means to truly "show" and not "tell" as a writer, and I enjoyed every minute of the lesson. And this shouldn't even be in the "bad" section, so I digress. :)

CONCLUSION:

If you haven't read this book, go get it now! Clare has woven a world and tale so rich that I doubt she could run out of things to tell if she wanted to. I don't think I will ever get tired of her writing style, and I'm diving into Clockwork Prince right NOW! :)

RATING: 5 of 5 Books

Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Release Date: March 22, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 358

Received: Purchased

Rating: 3 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:
Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

What did I think of Wither. Hmm...that's a tough one. :-/

THE GOOD:

DeStefano can write. Her prose is flawless and it's an easy read. You can definitely tell she has a degree in English. Gabriel is simply one of the sweetest guys I've read about, and it makes me sad we didn't really get to know him. Hopefully in the second book his character is more fleshed out.

THE BAD:

This book was bad, not at all. It's just the idea of this being a YA book and the context of it war with me. The Hunger Games was much more violent, much darker, but it still felt YA. This felt very adult, and it was hard for me to envision the world the way she painted it. I could see it, sure, I just couldn't swallow it...and that's totally me, not the book. So, I guess really I didn't find the book bad, it just wasn't what I'd imagined it'd be when I picked it up...and that's totally okay, too.

CONCLUSION:

It's not that I didn't enjoy Wither...it's just...it didn't feel YA. The tones and the storyline felt much more adult. The fact that Linden impregnates a 13-year-old and there is no feeling of shame or loss of childhood, save for Rhine's inner thoughts, feels off. I hate to even imagine a world where that would be necessary makes me kind of ill. The fact that the wives talk about sexual positions in order to find a way to become pregnant seems much more of an adult book than YA. It's not that sex doesn't belong in YA. I'm pretty sure YA can be just about anything, including sex. It's just this didn't feel YA. Polygamy, especially at the age of 13, 16, and 18 seems a bit stretched. The fact that Linden was completely oblivious to everything made me annoyed, but not as much as the fact that Rhine felt it was okay to not inform him. She chastised him internally and felt bad for him not having the knowledge, but didn't make any attempt to make him aware. I guess I just kept questioning the characters. I identified the most with Jenna, and she was sadly, one of the shortest-lived characters in the book.

Overall, I didn't not like the book, it just didn't feel right. And that's okay. Actually, that's great, because not every book is for everyone. I will definitely read the second to see what DeStefano brings to the plate in the future, I just wouldn't jump up and down and write home about this book, either. DeStefano is a strong writer and I look forward to reading her subsequent books.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"And then there's another voice, and my eyes fly open so fast that the room spins. 'Rhine?' Gabriel's voice can reach me anywhere. Even in a hurricane."
~*~
"I always knew I was an excellent liar; I just didn't know I had it in me to fool myself."

RATING: 3 Books

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Pages: 390

Received: Purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 Books

GOODREADS BLURB:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Three words: READ. THIS. NOW.

This book is SO much fun! Oh my gosh, I cannot express how much fun this was to read. Seriously, I loved it. I totally devoured it, and I have a 5-month old son to take care of, too. Thank goodness he decided to be good today, because I could NOT put this book down! :)

Seriously, why are you still sitting here, reading this review? GO GET THIS BOOK!

THE GOOD:
Where to begin. Wow. This was just a fantastic read. I loved Cinder, but I really hope that Meyer brings back Iko in the second installment. By ten pages in, I was hooked. This could have gone either way, being an idea of Cinderella, but Meyer made this into such a fantastical ride! I am rooting for Cinder, and I really hop that Emperor Kai gets his act together and ends up going after Cinder to be with her...because HE SHOULD!!! Swoon...Kai. I want more of him. :) Actually, I want more of every bit of this book! Thinking that it could be a year or more before the second one is released makes my heart hurt a little. Or a lot.

THE BAD:
Seriously, there's nothing bad about this book. Yes, it's a spinoff of Cinderella, therefore I could kind of see the plot twists before they came, but the tradeoff of that is the fact that Meyer made this so effortless to read and so DANG fun to read...I'm willing to take that. Gosh, I loved this book. See? I'm saying I loved it in the "bad" section, does that tell you anything? Lol.

CONCLUSION:
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go get this book. This is a stellar debut from Meyer and I cannot wait to get my hands on more of her books. If this is any indication of what's to come, the sky is the limit for her. Now, go write the second, third, fourth books, and give them to us for public consumption! :)




FAVORITE QUOTES:
"All those sticky buns," Iko said as they passed a close-up of the blackened booth.
* * *
"I don't know. I don't actually remember anything from before the surgery."
His eyebrows rose, his blue eyes sucking in all the light of the room. "The cybernetic operation?"
"No, the sex change."
The doctor's smile faltered.
"I'm joking."

RATING: 5 Books

 

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

GOODREADS BLURB:
"You can't touch me," I whisper.

I'm lying, is what I don't tell him.

He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him.

But things happen when people touch me.

Strange things.

Bad things.

No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.

But Juliette has plans on her own.

After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.

Okay, wow. Where to start...

This book started off arduous difficult tough to read. The prose was complicated complicated complicated and hard to follow at times.

I really wanted to put the book down.

BUT.

Wow. Once it got going, dialogue picked up, and Adam showed up, I changed my tune. Mafi has TALENT. TALENT TALENT TALENT (and I mean that with no pun alluding to the book at all!) :) I can't wait to read more books from her!

THE GOOD:
I felt everything that Juliette felt. Saw everything she saw. There was no detail that was left out from her emotions, or even how they were processed in her mind. I don't think I've ever felt like I knew a character as intimately as I felt I got to know Juliette. I really was rooting for her the entire time, because she was simply transparent and honest in her thoughts and emotions. Adam is genuinely a good guy. Mafi leaves the book at a sensible point, yet leaves me invested enough to go "I need more pages!" at the end. That's a good thing. :)

THE BAD:
Like I said, I was really struggling to enjoy this book for the first 25%. I only kept going because two good book reviewing buddies told me I needed to and I hate to put a book down, so I did. The prose feels overdone and the constant strikethrough of words is taxing. While I totally understand her point and goal with this idea, I think someone should have put a leash on it at the same time. It works, it really does, it just was a bit overboard in the beginning. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book!

CONCLUSION:
WOW. That's all I've to got to say. This author has a lot of talent, and if you enjoyed Hunger Games, this is definitely the next book you should pick up. The writing is hard to get used to at first, but I promise it's totally worth it to get through the first bit and get to the meat of the story. You won't regret an adventure into this book, and it will definitely leave you wanting more.

FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Hope is a pocket of possibility."
* * *
"I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction. They want to delete every point of punctuation in my life from this earth and I don't think I can let that happen."

RATING: 4 Books