(ARC) Review for Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Tear You Apart (Beau Rivage)
By Sarah Cross
Published by Egmont January 27th 2015
Recieved Ebook from NetGalley
384 pages

"Faced with a possible loophole to her "Snow White" curse, Viv goes underground, literally, to find the prince who's fated to rescue her. But is life safe in the Underworld worth the price of sacrficing the love that might kill her?" ~ Goodreads

Review

Set in the magical town of Beau Rivage Tear You Apart holds so much promise of an exciting adventure, but didn't quite deliver.

I adored Kill Me Softly and being reunited with the characters was awesome. I love how the loose ends from the first book are tied up in this one (specifically Mira's family situation). Viv as a minor character in Kill Me Softly is great, her edginess fit into the Beau Rivage gang. However, a story starring her? Eh, no. I strongly dislike her. Yes, I do have sympathy for her (she get's into some horrid situations) but I really can't excuse her actions. She treats Henley like dirt. She is one of those girls who makes out with another guy to get the guy she actually likes jealous but then pushes the guy she likes away because they can't be together due to her curse but at the same time wants him to always be there for her. Inhale. Exhale. Henley deserves better. His anger issue is a little unnerving, but I admire how loyal, patient, and determined he is. As for Viv's prince and his family, they were developed well. Her stepmother's (the evil queen's) depth of character was surprising. 

 I have so much respect for Cross as she does not shy away from the original Grimm tales, instead she embraces them. Do not expect a fluffy fairytale retelling. There are dark going-ons. It amazes me how intertwined the various stories are and I love the original world Cross creates, it is entirely her own. The mystery was missing and there was quite a bit of lag time. It only really picked up at the end (now that part was very entertaining). Both books boast a solid ending - no need for panic over a cliff hanger.

I'd recommend Tear You Apart to readers who appreciate the Grimm tales and unique twists. Although not enjoying it nearly as much as the first (thanks a lot Viv), I think I will be on the look out for more!

Excerpt

"So." Blue flopped down on the bed. "Haven't seen you in a while. Thought maybe you were in your glass coffin already."

"Can you not tonight? I'm not in the mood."

"Sorry. Habit. You okay?"

......

"I'm just hungry," Viv said. "The food at the party was gross. Pate and caviar licked by a cat."

"That's what happens when you let a boots-wearing cat join your country club."

"He wasn't even wearing his boots."

"Scandalous. What happened to no shirt, no tiny boots, no service?"

Viv laughed. "I don't know. Standards are really falling at Seven Oaks. I'm going to see if I can find some food. I'll be right back."

Stacking the Shelves and Weekly Recap (Jan 10)

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews (all credit goes to Tynga for this meme). It offers a chance to showcases the books we got over the past week. The recap includes a list of reviews and other posts published during the week.

A Week of Books

Books From Local Library

(click on links for Goodreads synopsis')

  Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed Legend - see? - and so I cannot wait to continue the adventure in Prodigy and Champion. I'm so happy my library had the whole series! I haven't read or seen anything regarding Hold Still, so I'm going into it blindly. Which I figure is a good thing... no biased feelings that way.

A Week of Posts

*clears throat* 

Well, let's make that a couple weeks shall we...

Review for The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Review for Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky 

Review for Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Review for Legend by Marie Lu

Review for Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

 Review for The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

Review for My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Take your pick :)

What did you lovelies get? Leave links to your post and I'll visit. Thanks for reading!

Review for My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door

By Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published June 14th 2012 by Dial Books For Young Readers
Borrowed Paperback from Local Library
394 pages

"The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?" ~ Goodreads

Review

My Life Next Door is sure to steal your heart and if you're fortunate, give it back to you at the end. The odds aren't great.

It's been a long time since I've delved into a contemporary. I almost forgot how character driven they are and what an absolute joy it can be to get to know - in depth - a variety of characters. My Life Next Door is the perfect example. I'll only focus on the two main families because the cast is just so widespread (but I would like to give a shout out to Tim - you rule!). I would like to start with the Garrett family. Some would say chaos, mayhem, yada yada yada. I say grounded, loyal, fun, affectionate and in the fullest sense family. A real family. It baffles me how the author made every single one stand out. I loved them to bits - all ten of them! (Okay, George and Pasty have a special place in my heart.) They are just so full of life. It radiates from the pages through hilarious scenes and witty dialogue. In sharp contrast is the Reed family. Controlled, precise, planned. Two very different ways of living.

Sam and Jase. Sam and Jase. There of course is attraction at first, but no insta-love. They start off slow and steady. Progressing into a firm, solid relationship. It was beautiful really and what I hope is realistic (cause that would be aw-some). They made such a cute couple, it melted me. Jase is patient and understanding and Sam is open to being a better version of herself with him. They bring out the best in each other. It is so refreshing that there is no romantic conflict (no bringing in an ex or a new love interest) and that the boy is just all around good (I'm sure others exist out there). No teen aghast, too. My Life Next Door is centred on their growing relationship, their families and friendship.

Since this is a contemporary and one that focuses on day-to-day kinda life it is a slower pace. But I can guarantee you that it will be engaging - after all, it has an eight-kid family in there with a full serving of politics. Yeah. Things get real interesting. I do wish the ending wasn't quite as rushed, but it satisfied me. Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was vicariously living through Samantha. Getting to enjoy the ups and downs of life.

I highly recommend My Life Next Door to readers who enjoy contemporary and sweet romance. But it is so much more. It's like... no, that's not it. There is so much... I already said that. Remember when...gah. You know what? Just go read it!

Excerpt

"Is Jase already going to marry you?"

I start coughing again. "Uh. No. No, George. I'm only seventeen." As if that's the only reason we aren't engaged.

"I'm this many," George holds up four slightly grubby fingers. "But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live in here with him. And have a big family."

Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition. "George. Beat it. Discovery Channel is on."

George backs out of the room, but not before saying, "His bed's really comfortable. And he never pees in it."

The door closes and we both start laughing.

........

"It's okay. I love him," I say. "I think I will marry him."

"You might want to think about that. Or at least be really careful about the bedtime reading."

Review for The Eye of the Minds by James Dashner

The Eye of Minds (The Mortality Doctrine #1)

By James Dashner
Published October 8th 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Borrowed Hardback from Local Library
308 pages

"Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. The VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and it’s addictive. Thanks to technology, anyone with enough money can experience fantasy worlds, risk their life without the chance of death, or just hang around with Virt-friends. And the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?
But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And recent reports claim that one gamer is going beyond what any gamer has done before: he’s holding players hostage inside the VirtNet. The effects are horrific—the hostages have all been declared brain-dead. Yet the gamer’s motives are a mystery.
The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker.
And they’ve been watching Michael. They want him on their team.
But the risk is enormous. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid. There are back alleys and corners in the system human eyes have never seen and predators he can’t even fathom—and there’s the possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever." ~ Goodreads

Review

The Eye of Minds had so much potential - a gamer holding players hostage in a game? yes! - but it felt very underdeveloped.

Was this a bad book? No. Was it really boring? No. However, it just wasn't what I expected... and not in a good way. The characters had personality, but it felt superficial. I couldn't understand why the government would choose Michael and his friends, Bryson and Sarah to try and track down a dangerous criminal in cyber world. I guess it became apparent later on that Bryson and Sarah actually possessed hacking skills, but Michael? Why Michael? They must have been getting desperate. He kept on going, even when things turned nightmarish. I guess that's a good quality to have. Anyway, I did enjoy the relationship between those three. Even though they had never met before in real life, there was a great sense of loyalty in the group. Their banter was cute too. As for the villian Kaine, well, not too much is explained about him (figure that's coming in the second book). He seemed like a formidable foe, though. 

The frustrating part about the plot was that it was in fact intriguing, but underdeveloped. It was like Dashner was trying really hard to make his complex ideas simple. It backfired as I would have liked more details. But at the same time I was getting confused during certain parts. As you can tell, it is hard to please me. The variety of worlds and scenes that the trio visit was amazing and it was very easy to visualize them. It was a crazy set of events they went through. Cra-zy. The pace really picked up by the middle of the book and it totally engaged me. A couple times my butt was even on the edge of my seat. And the twist at the end was surprising! But even when things were explained towards the finish it was hard to comprehend how everything fit together. 

I suggest The Eye of the Minds to readers who enjoy books that center around gaming (obviously) because in that regard it lived up, as well as those who like adventure. There was a lot of that! It's still under debate as to whether I'll be reading the second book.

Excerpt

 Mikethespike: Just meet me back at the deli. One hour. Get Sarah there, too. I gotta go shower. I smell like armpits.

Brystones: Glad we're not meeting in real life, then. Not too fond of the B.O.

Mikethespike: Speaking of that - we need to just do it. Meet for real. You don't live THAT far away.

Brystones: But the Wake is so boring. What's the point?

Mikethespike: Because that's what humans do. They meet each other and shake real hands.

Brystones: I'd rather give you a hug on Mars.

Mikethespike: NO HUGS. See you in an hour. Get Sarah!

Brystones: Will do. Go scrub your nasty pits.

Mikethespike: I said I SMELL like them, not... Never mind. Later.

Brystones: Out. 

Review for Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1)
By Caragh M. O'Brien 
Published October 11th 2011 by Square Fish
Borrowed Paperback from Local Library
384 pages

"In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother's footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve. Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying." ~ Goodreads

Review

Birthmarked is not your average dystopian. Although it has the traits of one (independent, brave female heroine, unjust future society, rebelling etc.) it felt different.

The respect I had for Gaia was unmeasurable. You had to hand it to her... she delivers babies at sixteen years old. Yeah. Plus, she was ostracised her entire life over her appearance (she had a burn scar on her face). This girl was just about ready to do anything for her family. I admired her strong will and resolve. For those who are wondering, yes, there was romance. However, it was a slow build up kind of romance since a great deal of trust had to be built between them. A more realistic version, yeah? The chemistry wasn't a bunch of fireworks for me, but their relationship was endearing. It also was not the centre of the story. I managed to locate another book that puts more emphasis on family. How nice! I found her romantic interest very intriguing. His character was the type of person who fits the phrase "there is more than meets the eye". 

Maybe it was just my lack of concentration or I'm not adept in understanding a more complicated plot, but at times I felt lost on the reasoning behind this futuristic-world-that-I-kept-picturing-as-set-in-medieval-times (fail on my part). I loved the idea of "advancement" (it was new and exciting), but the underlying reason for it all was a bit fuzzy. There were so many needless details, I wish they would have been directed instead to the world building. The pace was rather slow because as I said, details were there. It never became overly dull, though, since there was always that suspense as to what was going to come next. It felt like a long, eventful quest. The ending reminded me of The Giver (read it and see why). 

I recommend Birthmarked to readers who can tolerate a slower pace, who enjoy an on the side sort of romance, and just want to read a different sort of dystopian. 

Excerpt

The solider moved toward the door, and Gaia thought he would open it to say good-bye. When he paused there, she looked up again.

"What happened to your face?" he said.

She felt a familiar kick in her gut, and then a stab of disappointment. Twice in one night,. She had assumed he would be too polite to ask, or that he, with any background knowledge of her family, would already know the story.

"When I was little, my grandmother was making candles and she had a big vat of hot beeswax in the backyard," she said. "I walked into the vat." Usually that ended the conversation. "I don't remember it," she added.

"How old were you?" he asked.

She tilted her face slightly, watching him. "Ten months."

"You were walking at ten months?" he asked.

"Not very well, apparently," she said dryly. 

Review for Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1)
By Marie Lu 
Published November 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile
Borrowed from Local Library
305 pages

"What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets." ~ Goodreads

Review

Filled with determined, sharp minded characters and plenty of action to go around, Legend will be the cause of those piled up dishes and overflowing hampers.  

At the beginning we get to experience two extremes of Lu's dystopian society, namely the elite's lifestyle and the slum's lifestyle through alternating POVs. June lives a very privileged life and over time realizes the flaws in her world. It was great that she wasn't blinded by what she was taught from a young age and had the maturity to properly questions things. It was apparent from the start that June's a genius - she sees every detail and makes conclusions based upon the information she gathers. I had great respect for her. As for Day, he is the male version of June - ability wise. Very intuitive and clever, his character is like an onion (giggle). He has many layers to him. Both June and Day were amiable (Day more so) and easy to root for, but I must say they came off as much older. I kept on picturing them at like eighteen, not fifteen. I would also like to note the relationship between June and Metias. It was so wonderfully sweet and well portrayed I was completely heartbroken for June! Actually, instead of centering the plot on romance, Lu decided to focus more on each one's family. That was very refreshing!

The beginning was a little slow for me but it picked up quickly. It progressed at an excellent pace, always holding my attention. The Republic was explained adequately and the issues beneath the surface were interesting to uncover. Going in directions I wasn't anticipating. Questions were answered and situations were wrapped up, yet it was easy to see there is a lot of adventure still in store for Day and June. Everything is set up nicely for book two! 

I highly recommend Legend to dystopian lovers who enjoy dynamic characters, a family oriented plot, slight romance and of course action. It was a solid dystopian and I can't wait to read the next one!

Excerpt

"When you stand out there," John continues in a hoarse voice, "keep your chin up, all right? Don't let them get to you."

"I won't."

"Make them work for it. Punch someone if you have to."

John gives me a sad, crooked smile. "You're a scary kid. So scare them. Okay? All the way until the end."

For the first time in a long time, I feel like a little brother. I have to swallow hard to keep my eyes dry. "Okay," I whisper.

Review for Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Princess of Glass (Princess #2)
By Jessica Day George
Published May 25th 2010 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Ebook from Library
266 pages

"Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances--and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale--until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way." ~ Goodreads

Review

In a reading slump? Want a book you can pick up and finish in two sittings? One that leaves you feeling uplifted and content? Princess of Glass is the match for you.

I enjoyed this one much more than the first. Probably due to the fact that I loved the main character-Poppy's fiestiness and sass made things entertaining. The royal family she was staying with were sublime. The tender relationship between Poppy and her mother's cousin's daughter (mouthful there) was so sweet. They paired together really well and had each other's back. The visiting prince may not have been the one for me, but he had some very redeemable qualities. He was witty, courageous, and very caring towards Poppy. Plus, he was different from Galen (first book), which I quite liked. The villian didn't have me shaking in my boots, but I was very uncomfortable. As for the person who was the equivilent of Cinderella, she annoyed me at first. As time went on, that changed slightly, but I never came to fully appreciate her character.

Jessica Day George is a master of fairytale spin-offs. She incorporates characteristics from the original, yet twists them to suit her own needs. It's so effortless and smooth. Based around the tale of Cinderella, Princess of Glass may not be what you expect. The originality of it all was fascinating! The ending didn't make a whole lot of sense to me as I felt it was rushed, but I accepted it. As for the pacing, well let's just say I couldn't put it down! There was always something happening.

I highly recommend Princess of Glass to readers who enjoy original fairytale retellings, Jessica Day George ('nuff said there), sweet romance, twists, and simply a smooth, easy read. It makes me so happy to know there is a third book in this series!

Excerpt

"We are equals," she said, "though I am not my father's heir. Why don't you just call me Poppy." She had always thought that "Princess Poppy" sounded too much like a name for a small dog.

"And you must call me Christian," he said, giving her an even warmer smile. Yes, he was terribly handsome.

"Oh, pooh!" Marianne said as she came down the stairs. "I've taken to long and now you're dear friends and I shall be left out."

"That will teach you to spend all day primping," Poppy said, winking at Christian and taking his arm. "Five more minutes, and we would have eloped." 

"I wouldn't put it past you," Marianne said, with a pretend pout. 

Review for Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Awaken (Awaken #1)
By Katie Kacvinsky 
Published May 23rd 2011 by HMH Books for Young Readers
Ebook from Local Library
309 pages

"Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking." ~ Goodreads

Review

Awaken exposes us to a world that may not be so far away and reveals the consequences that come with it.

I loved Maddie in the first half of the book because even though she was experiencing (in her mind) radicial things she took it in stride with an open mind. Better yet, she allowed her desires and human inclinations to grow. In the second half of the book, this resilient Maddie was still present but completely love sick. She became that girl that can't live without the love of her life. She lost major points with me on that front. It was the same with Justin. In the first half, I loved him to bits - he was mysterious, caring, super cool (he had a wicked car), and had so much passion for what he did it was contagious. But then, he started pushing Maddie away - only to be reeled in again. I know he had good reasons, but still. That whole you-shouldn't-want-me-Maddie-I'm-no-good-for-you stick got old really fast. On one hand I really liked their relationship, but on the other hand it was annoying.

There is no doubt that Katie Kacvinsky knows how to write. At times it was deep and insightful, wonderful. (Certain phrases did repeat themselves quite often though.) I believe she did a great job with the world building and the whole backstory on how DS came into effect was solid. It was thought out. The theme she incorporated is an important one and I know everyone will take something away after reading Awaken. If it wasn't for the push-and-pull (pushing done by boy, pulling done by girl)  kind of romance, I would have enjoyed the ending more. The pace was steady and it wraps up in a decent way. There is definitely room for a sequel/second book.

I recommend Awaken to readers who enjoy dystopias, adventure, books that make you think, and well, who don't mind a romance that at times may be frustrating. The first half was incredible - read it just for that!

Excerpt

"So, why are you really here?" I whispered. "You're not paying any attention to this."

***

Justin looked at me as if the answer was obvious. "To be around people. It's one of the only ways I can."

I creased my eyebrows at him and had to make an effort to whisper. "What? Are you nuts?"

He leaned closer. "I think people are nuts to shut themselves inside all day long. We're cutting ourselves off from each other and it's only going to get worse."

I felt goose bumps rise up on my arms. I grinned at him.

"And you think going to study groups and doodling in your notebook is going to change things?"

Justin smiled back, a plotting smile that held uncountable meanings.

"I have a plan," he said.

The Liar Society (The Liar Society #1) by Lisa and Laura Roecker

The Liar Society (The Liar Society #1) 

By Lisa and Laura Roecker
Published March 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire
Ebook from Library
368 pages

"Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.
To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here...
sort of.
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you. Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder..." ~ Goodreads

Review

The Liar Society featured a smart, high spirited heroine, a spine tingling setting, and one heck of a secret.

Kate Lowry makes an excellent detective because she never gives up even in the face of danger and knows when to accept help. She has the guts to dig deep and uncover the truth. That determination was admirable, but I didn't like how she treated her neighbour Seth. He was like a mistreated puppy who didn't even realize how mistreated he was. It rubbed me the wrong way, but I'm glad that by the end of the book she was showing him more consideration. It was awesome when they teamed up and then a third partner came into the mix too. The trio was great! They all added something different to the mix. Kate's love interest (yes, there is a dash of romance) was cute and I loved their interactions. The Liar Society had a lot of characters and each of them had significant roles to play (seriously, read it and it will amaze you that almost every. single. character. is involved somehow). 

Having the whole mystery unfold at an elite private school instantly shot the coolness factor up ten notches. The setting was perfect as it held almost an ancient vibe. Hidden tunnels, secret crests, so called legends and Latin sayings? Yes, yes, yes and yes. The mystery itself wasn't very pressing until about half way through the book. It was then that I began to feel a sense of urgency. Pieces began clicking together and excitement actually took root. The chapters would randomly alternate between the past and present (past being before, during, and after Grace's death). Those flashbacks so to speak provided insight on the relationship between the girls and the events surrounding the "accident". The ending does tie things up well, but there is no doubt this is a series. It was crazy how everything came together!

I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good mystery, a determined sleuther, and just a touch of romance. It was fun and intriguing and I will be searching for the next in the series!

Excerpt

"Geez, Kate, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" he yelled.

"Get out of there now!" He stared at me blankly, so I tried to speak a language he'd understand. "Code Red! Code Red! Abort! Abort!"

Seth dove up into the backseat, clutching a sheet of paper to his skinny chest, and slid out of the unzipped plastic window. He shoved the paper at me, which I pushed down my uniform shirt, and we both scrambled to re-zip the window. We were casually leaning against Liam's Jeep when he walked to his car looking more confused than ever.

"Um...hi?" He looked from me to Seth and back.

Seth nodded his head, and I said a quick prayer that he'd let me do the talking. No. Such. Luck.

"Oh, hey, there, Liam. Kate was just showing me your sweet set of wheels here."

Seth banged on the side of the car. "What type of gas mileage does this beauty get?"

Oh,  my God. He sounded like a geriatric car enthusiast.

Stacking the Shelves and Weekly Recap (Dec 6)

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews (all credit goes to Tynga for this meme). It offers a chance to showcases the books we got over the past week. The recap includes a list of reviews and other posts published during the week.

A Week of Books

Books From Local Library

(click on links for Goodreads synopsis')

  Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1)  by Caragh M. O'Brien

My Life Next Door (My Life Next Door #1) by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Eye of Minds (The Mortality Doctrine #1) by James Dashner

Thoughts

I'm finally getting around to books that everyone else has read - yay! The reviews for Legend and My Life Next Door promise that these two books are going to be wickedly awesome. However, I will keep an open mind and not pile my expectations a mile high. As for Birthmarked and The Eye of Minds they sound like potentially good reads. I hadn't heard of Birthmarked before, so I'm not sure what to expect. Overall, I'm happy with my trip to the library. 

A Week of Posts

Review for The Elite by Kiera Cass

Waiting On Wednesday: Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca 

Review for Pivot Point by Kasie West

What did you lovelies get? Leave links to your post and I'll visit. Thanks for reading!

Review for Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1)

By Kasie West
Published February 12th 2013 by HarperTeen
Ebook from Library
352 pages

"Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without." ~ Goodreads

Review

Pivot Point is a winning combination of colorful characters, a well executed and intriguing plot, sweet romance, and a touch of the not-so-ordinary.

It's been a long time since I have met a protagonist I love as much as Addie. It felt like I was the main character - her mouthiness and bookworminess fit like a comfy sweater. I became immersed in her life/lives and could completely get behind her. The comments and decisions she made never caused me to roll my eyes or bang my head against a wall. As for the rest of the cast, well, they practically walked off the page. Each individual was equipped with their own personality and somehow in a group setting it all worked like magic. The relationship between Addie and her best friend Laila was perfection. Their witty conversations had me smiling from ear to ear. And get this, parents are present and actually play a part! No joke. 

Now, romance. The unique approach (chapters that alternated between her two options) snuffed out any love triangle business, but still allowed us to see the best of both worlds. To be honest both guys didn't seem that special at first. But it soon became apparent which one I was going to root for - Trevor. Their relationship was wonderful because at first Addie was just looking for a friend - a best friend actually. Trevor fit the bill. They got along really well a friendship resulted. Only after did it grow into more. I like 'em slow budding romances. As for Duke, he was charming and kind to Addie, but he had nothing on Trevor in my opinion.

It all felt so realistic (except for the "mind abilities" of course) because the conversations and situations were natural. The plot was dynamic and never slow. Despite having no trouble putting it down (gasp), my interest was still there. Weird conundrum. I will be one to admit that the world building could have used some work; however, I didn't see this as a bad thing. Instead of information dumps, we got subtle slips. Soon a bigger picture was formed from all those hints. I loved the gradual submersion into the Compound world. Regarding the alternating "options" - do not be scared. It switches smoothly and will not leave you in a cloud of confusion. Amazing, but true. Even when the two seem to intertwine slightly. I am relieved to have the second book standing by - that ending left me wanting more. How heartbreaking her decision turned out to be, but it proved just how well grounded Addie was. She does not shy away from sacrifices.

I highly recommend Pivot Point to everyone - readers who enjoy relatable characters, "super hero powers" (read it and you'll see the inside joke), romance, and exciting plot. Seriously, give it a go - you will not be sorry! 

Excerpt

"I'm an aide in the library during sixth period."

"Nice." That would be my dream class.

***
"Wait, so you're telling me this is like a prison sentence for you?"

"More like a torture chamber."

 I gasp. "I'm deeply offended."

"It's just this place is so quiet and these books all start to look the same after a while."

"Charles Dickens is turning over in his grave right now," I tell him.

He forces a serious expression, straightens up, and nods. "Noted. I will not criticize your personal friends when you are within hearing range." He shifts the books in his hands then looks at one of the spines. "Well, I'd better get back to work. The librarian" - he checks over his shoulder - "is a Nazi."

My eyes go wide. "She is?"

He lowers his brow. "Not literally."

"Oh. Right."

Waiting On Wednesday (34): Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

My Pick This Week Is...

Last Year's Mistake

By Gina Ciocca 

Expected publication: June 9th 2015 by Simon Pulse

 320 pages

"Before: Kelsey and David became best friends the summer before freshman year and were inseparable ever after. Until the night a misunderstanding turned Kelsey into the school joke, and everything around her crumbled—including her friendship with David. So when Kelsey's parents decided to move away, she couldn't wait to start over and leave the past behind. Except, David wasn't ready to let her go...

After: Now it's senior year and Kelsey has a new group of friends, genuine popularity, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is perfect. That is, until David's family moves to town and he shakes up everything. Soon old feelings bubble to the surface and threaten to destroy Kelsey's second chance at happiness. The more time she spends with David, the more she realizes she never truly let him go. And maybe she never wants to."  ~ Goodreads

Why?

This just sounds like a sweet romance. Not terribly original, but it has potential. I will be looking out for it next year!

What are YOU waiting for this Wednesday? Leave links and I'll visit!

Review for The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2)
By Kiera Cass
Published April 23rd 2013 by HarperTeen
Borrowed from Local Library
336 pages

"The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen? America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away." ~ Goodreads

Review

Sadly a mouth drooling cover can be misleading. The Elite has a firm footing in its plot, but the characterization of the main characters was insufferable.

Many have loved this book to pieces, others want to shred it to pieces. I'm in the middle. America as well as her two love interests had me doing serious eye rolling. No joke, I think I sprained my eyes. America was so indecisive and immature it was sickening at times. As soon as one guy did something wrong or wasn't showing her enough affection, she ran to the other and was all like: okay, I'm going to be with this one. Then, her feelings would shift again. Gah! Both Maxon and Aspen are pining away, letting her walk all over their hearts. Poor fellows. They both deserve a girl who can be loyal to them. America does have redeeming qualities which made my feelings towards her so conflicted. One minute I couldn't stand her and the next minute I was cheering her on. Her compassion towards others was endearing and I'll be the first to say she has guts. I liked the complicated nature that surrounds the other girls. Their characterization was done extremely well. 

The plot itself was solid. Without the political situations popping up in between I would have become bored, though. So appreciative of those scenes as well as the projects the girls had to do. That was entertaining. The history of the world America lives in was explored, which I really enjoyed. It added substance to all those wishy-washy thoughts America had. The pace was good, it picked up during the rebel attacks - I was flipping pages faster. It seemed like America had made a decision on what she wanted to do at the end of the book. For that I was grateful.

I would recommend this book to readers who don't mind indecisive characters, enjoy romance, and appreciate beautiful covers. Even though I can't stand America most of the time, I do want to see what comes out of all of this!

Excerpt 

"Do you know when the last time was that I really looked at the stars?" he asked.

I settled closer to him on our blanket, trying to keep warm in the cool Angeles night. "No idea."

"A tutor had me studying astronomy a few years ago. If you look closely, you can tell that the stars are actually different colors."

"Wait, the last time you looked at the stars was to study them? What about for fun?"

He chuckled. "Fun. I'll have to pencil in some between the budget consultations and infrastructure committee meetings. Oh, and war strategizing, which, by the way, I am terrible at."

"What else are you terrible at?" I asked. 

***

"Why would you want to know that?" he asked in mock irritation.

"Because I still know so little about you. And you seem perfect all the time. It's nice to have proof you're not."

He propped himself up on an elbow, focusing on my face. "You know I'm not."

Stacking the Shelves and Weekly Recap (Nov 29)

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews (all credit goes to Tynga for this meme). It offers a chance to showcases the books we got over the past week. The recap includes a list of reviews and other posts published during the week.

This Week's Books

Ebooks from Library

(click on covers to see their Goodread's synopsis)

  

   

Thoughts

Can I do a happy dance now? I'm impatient to read The Liar Society (I've waited an incredibly long time and I love a good mystery)! Princess of Glass will no doubt be a solid read as I adore re-tellings by Jessica Day George. As for Awaken, I remember seeing it around years ago. So, it is definitely time to give it a try. , A Fool's Errand is the second book in The Gypsy King series. I don't recall what happened in the first book, so I'm a bit worried this one won't make much sense. I'll have to see if I can find a summary somewhere. Lastly, Split Second has been moved up on my TBR list because I absolutely fell in love with Pivot Point (stay tuned for review) and I. Must. Find. Out. What. Happens!

This Week's Posts

Review for Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand 

Waiting On Wednesday: When by Victoria Laurie

Review for Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman 

What did you lovelies get? Leave links to your post and I'll visit. Thanks for reading!

Review for Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Babe in Boyland
By Jody Gehrman 
Published February 17th 2011 by Dial
Bought from Local Bookstore
292 pages

"When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?" ~ Goodreads

Review

WARNING: Do not read in public spaces. WARNING: Side effects of reading this book include, but are not limited to: giggling, uncontrollably laughing, shrieking, face-palming, sighing, and squealing. 

Have you watched the movie "She's The Man"? If you answered yes, you will have a perfect idea of what to expect. Swap the soccer ball for a pen and paper and you have Natalie. A budding actress and journalist wannabe. Natalie was awesome. Despite her experience in the acting showbiz, she made blunders here and there and everywhere in her role of Nat. Misplaced giggles, delayed reactions, and too much enthusiasm. She had strengths as well as weaknesses and had a lot of learning to do about relationships. I could totally relate to her. Natalie's two besties were there from the start to the end and their involvement was priceless. They made a great trio. As for Emilio, he was cute. However, he wasn't swoony. The chemistry between him and Natalie was obviously hindered (the whole being a dude thing messed it up), but I thought the connection between them could have been stronger. The conversations between them were great and I really did like him. It just was lacking a spark or something. 

The way it was written could not have been better. The voice of Natalie was perfect. Perfect. Not annoyingly girly, but very much a teenage girl. The plot itself wasn't all that original, predictable even, but I don't think that's a downside. I picked up the book expecting just that, so I wasn't disappointed. It was hilarious and just what the doctor ordered to lighten my mood. The pace was steady, the whole story very engaging, and the message that came in at the end made it more than a fluff kind of read. 

I highly recommend Babe in Boyland to readers who enjoy a hearty laugh, a sweet romance, a totally relatable protagonist, and a good time. I assure you, at the very least, you will be left with a smile on your face!

Excerpt

I stop painting my nails and look up. "That's it!"

Darcy pauses in her makeup application. "What?"
"That's my Story of the Year. It's perfect."
Chloe grabs a bottle of hairspray and squirts some on her bangs. "Rob's thought process is your story? Sounds like a short one."
"No, guys - how they think, what they really want, all the shit they do that makes no sense finally decoded and demystified. What girl wouldn't want to read that?" I'm getting so excited I knock the nail polish over and have to scramble to right it before it stains the tub. "It's socially relevant, right? Haven't women throughout the ages worried about this stuff?"
Darcy nods, thinking it over. "That is a good idea."
I scramble for my bag, grab a notebook and pen, and start scribbling. "We'll call it 'A Girl's Guide to Guys: Their Top Secrets Revealed."
"Ooh, I like it," Darcy says. "Very catchy!"