Review (69): A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns

by Beth Revis

Series: Across the Universe, #2

Other Reviewed Titles: 
Across the Universe
Release Date: January 10, 2012

Publisher: Razor Bill

Pages: 386

Format: Paperback

Source: Library

Challenge: None

Author Website

Book Website

FYI: CONTAINS SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK 1

My Thoughts: 

With Eldest gone, it is up to Elder to lead the the people of Godspeed as they (hopefully) continue their journey to Centauri-Earth. But without Phydus this proves extremely difficult. With everyone finally thinking for themselves, chaos ensues and Elder has to find a way to not only get people back to work to ensure everyone has enough to eat, but he also has to deal with a death count that is swiftly rising and figure out how to stop a mutiny. And if all of that wasn’t difficult enough for a sixteen-year-old to handle, he discovers a startling secret about the engine that has been kept since the Plague. His only hope at fixing this new problem comes in the form of a video message left for Amy by Orion. Orion hints at an even scarier secret and a decision that must be made about it, one he feels only Amy can make. Using clues left by Orion himself, Amy and Elder try to figure out what to do before everyone on board tears the ship apart. 

A Million Suns is the second book in the Across the Universe trilogy by Beth Revis. Since this is a sequel, I won’t go into too much detail because I definitely don’t want to ruin this for anybody. This book was action packed from the beginning and, once again, I could not put it down! I didn’t think there would be too much information we didn’t already know about Godspeed since A LOT was revealed in the first book, but I could not have been more wrong. The secrets that have been kept on that ship for centuries is astonishing. But it’s easy to see how no one ever found out the truth since 90% of the ship was drugged out of their minds for just as long. I love being shocked and this book definitely did that over and over again.

I really liked Amy in the first book, but in this one she got on my last nerve. She is super selfish and bossy and gets mad at Elder if he doesn’t do what she wants. He tries to make decisions that will make everyone on board happy and will help them survive because that is his job and what he has been preparing for his whole life. It’s hard for her to understand these decisions sometimes because she grew up in a completely different environment with different people and a different type of government. Because of this, she feels that his decisions aren’t right for the people of Godspeed even though he knows them better than anyone. Granted he is young and impulsive and may not always know exactly what to do, but she should have trusted and believed in him like she constantly says she does. I think he does the right thing at the end even if Amy thinks he is crazy for letting it happen.

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Review (68): Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed

Written in the Stars

by Aisha Saeed

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Pages: 304

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Author Website 

My Thoughts: 

Naila is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants. She has spent the last seventeen years living a normal American life. Despite their traditions and beliefs, her parents have always allowed her to dress how she pleases, study what she wants, and even go to the college of her choice. The only thing they forbid her to do is chose who she will marry. When they catch her at prom with her boyfriend they are enraged and very disappointed because Saif, although also Pakistani-America, does not come from a “respectable” family. Naila’s parents feel that they have failed her and that the only thing to do now is to spend a month in their homeland so Naila can understand where she comes from and why this is so important to them. 

Her parents use their time in Pakistan to scout for an honorable boy for her to marry. It’s obvious from the beginning what her parents are trying to do and I think deep down Naila knew but she didn’t want to even imagine that option. Everyone tells her that her fate has been sealed, that her destiny has been written in the stars, and that fighting will only make things worse for her. But she refuses to give up on the life her parents are stealing from her. She fights, runs away, and downright refuses but instead of listening to her, they drug her so she complies. I admire her resilience and bravery. She fought and continued to fight despite knowing that doing so could get her killed. I also admired the fact that she didn’t let this break her. She resigned herself to her new life, yes, but she did so on her own terms once she realized that this was a better option than being empty inside for the rest of her life.

At first I was a little apprehensive about the writing style because it was so simple, but I think that is what made it possible for Naila’s emotions to be so well understood and felt. The reader is able to focus on what is happening without being distracted trying to figure out what the author means. 

This was a little hard to read because of the subject matter. It is heartbreaking to know that there are so many young girls (even in 2015) that are forced to endure what Naila goes through, some with fates ten times worse than hers. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to feel that helpless and hopeless. I have never really understood arranged marriages as I do not come from a culture that practices them, but reading this showed me that an arranged marriage is most definitely not the same thing as a forced marriage. This is a fantastic book that brings awareness to this issue. Definitely read the Author’s Note at the end of the book and Saeed’s guest post over at YA Highway for an even better understanding of the different types of arranged marriages. 

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Review (64): Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between by Jennifer E. Smith

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between

by Jennifer E. Smith

Series: N/A

Other Reviewed Titles: N/A
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for YR/Poppy
Pages: 256
Format: eBook
Source: Netgalley
Author Website
Book Website

My Thoughts: 

Claire and Aidan have been avoiding this moment for months, but the time has finally come. They only have 12 hours left before both leave for college and have yet to decide what to do—stay together or break up. They believe that revisiting the places that brought them together will help make the decision easier. Morning comes all too quickly and they must decide if this is a temporary goodbye or if it’s goodbye forever. 

This was such a cute and romantic read which is common of Jennifer E. Smith’s books. I think this is a great end of summer book especially for those also about to leave for college. The entire story takes place within just 12 hours but so much occurs that it does not feel like such a short amount of time. I really love one night or one day stories when they are done right. Everything that happens is important to the story and I didn’t feel like there was a lot of filler which was great. Nothing particularly exciting happens, but that’s okay because this is a story about rediscovering--and possibly letting go of--young love. 

Claire and Aidan are a great couple who have an envious relationship. They are complete opposites but I think that’s why they work so well--Claire is the level-headed bookworm while Aidan is the risk taking jock. You would think these would be qualities that would not attract each other or work well together, but they seem to bring these things out in each other. I felt that they balanced each other out very well and that they were needed influences on each other; Claire is more outgoing and spontaneous with Aidan by her side and Aidan is grounded with Claire. 

What I particularly liked about this book is that both Claire and Aidan (no matter how much they love each other) choose their dream schools over schools that would allow them to be closer to each other. I thought this was a very admirable decision. To me it seems like most other books with this exact premise always have couples where one of the individuals decides to follow the other to college--as if that person's dreams are more important than their own. I never understood this so I’m glad it was a focal point of Aidan and Claire’s story.

Lastly, I just have to say that I LOVE all of Jennifer E. Smith’s book covers. I think it’s super cute that they all have a similar theme despite the fact that they are not directly connected to each other through a series, etc. This makes them very recognizable and uniquely hers. 

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* Thank you to the author and publisher for an eARC in return for my honest review *

Review (57): Along the Way by Jacqueline Kolosov

Along the Way

by Jacqueline Kolosov

Release Date: April 1, 2015

Publisher: Luminis Books, Inc.

Pages: 300

Format: Paperback 

Source: ARC for Review

Author Website

My Thoughts: 

Three lifelong friends have decided to do the famous Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage before they begin college in the fall. They have been preparing for a year and are finally heading out on this once in a lifetime experience. Tessa, entranced by her grandparents love story, is also looking for a fairy tale ending of her own. Piper—dealing with her estranged mother constantly popping in and out of her life—and Dani—struggling with the fact that her mother and her fiancé are pregnant with twins—just want a summer to remember. Despite the fact that the girls have since moved across the country from each other, their friendship and bond has remained constant and is only strengthened by this journey.

I had never heard of this pilgrimage but I am now really interested in doing it myself. Although this is fictional, it still seems like a great experience and like an amazing thing to do before college. I feel like this is not something that most 17 year olds would want to do since it is by no means a vacation—they walk hundreds of kilometers a day, sleep in overcrowded hostels, and even have to endure a rain storm. The walk really allows them to get to know themselves and each other. They each discover who they are and become comfortable in their own skin. They realize that what seemed important or overwhelming at the beginning of the walk really isn’t that big of a deal. Although there were a few major bumps in the road, I was pretty proud and impressed that they were able to fight through and finish.

This is a great read and I think that it would appeal to a large audience. It is told in alternating view points which I know is an issue for a lot of people. I usually don’t mind, but this time it was a little hard for me to keep track of who’s turn it was because it was all in the first-person perspective. But it does allow you to really get to know each girl individually and experience their emotions and feelings throughout the Camino. Tessa was a bit annoying at first because she is used to the finer things in life and has a hard time slumming it on the Camino, but she eventually steps out of her comfort zone. Dani was extremely sweet and really shy at first—out of all the girls I think she is the one that comes into her skin the most and you can really see her gain confidence day by day. Piper comes to terms with her relationship with her mother and even falls for someone with the same illness. What I really liked about the three is their relationship and how open and honest they are with each other; they seemed more like sisters. 

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* Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC in return for my honest review *

Review (45): Hooked by Liz Fichera

Hooked

by Liz Fichera

Series: Hooked, #1

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: January 29, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 368

Format: ebook

Source: NetGalley

Challenge: None

Author Website 

My Thoughts: Fred Oday is basically begged by the coach of her school’s varsity golf team to join. He’s convinced she is his only chance of turning the team into champions. Fred is ecstatic to get the chance to play and hopes it might lead to a scholarship or two so that she doesn’t have to spend the rest of her life waiting tables at a fancy restaurant in Pheonix, Arizona like her mother. The problem, though, is that Lone Butte High School does not have a girl’s golf team, let alone a varsity one, so she is forced to play alongside the boys. Unfortunately, making room for her meant kicking one of the original players off the team. Seth is furious and does everything possible to to get “Pocahontas” thrown off the team. Torn between his best friend and his newfound attraction to his teammate, Ryan tries to stay away from Fred but her pull is too strong.

Ahhh, this was SO CUTE! I’m a sucker for these types of romances. I did have a couple issues with the story though. I felt like Ryan changed his mind about Fred a bit too quickly. It would have been more believable to see a gradual change in both of them, rather than having them all of a sudden be in love with each other. The ending resolution was also problematic for me. The issue was completely swept under the rug because everyone was preoccupied by what was going on with Fred’s father. It was a huge problem to just ignore like that. Ryan does redeem himself in a pretty big way though, so I can see why Fred would just want to let it go and start fresh.

Other than those two things, I really did enjoy Hooked. I like it when authors aren’t afraid to deal with issues like racism, gender inequality, and substance abuse. These things just make the story feel more real. People do have to deal with issues like these everyday, so why not incorporate them into your story? It always makes me feel that much more connected to the characters. I also really liked the Native American and golf aspects of the novel. I don’t think I’ve ever read a YA book that revolved around either.; it was a nice first.

I wouldn’t call this a ‘fun’ read, per se, because there are a few heavy topics and moments, but if you like a main character who fights for what she wants and does not give up even when her own family thinks she can’t do it, this is the book for you. Fans of Simone Elkeles’ Perfect Chemistry trilogy will definitely enjoy this debut novel by Liz Fichera. 

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Review (44): That Time I Joined the Circus by J. J. Howard

That Time I Joined the Circus

by J. J. Howard

Series: None

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: April 1, 2013

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Pages: 273

Format: ebook

Source: NetGalley

Challenge: None

Author Website

FYI: Slight spoilers in last paragraph. Continue at own risk. 

My Thoughts: 
After her father is killed in an accident, Lexi finds out that not only is she broke and homeless, but she can’t continue her last year of high school without a guardian. Lexi hasn’t seen her mother since she ran out on her at the age of eight. Almost a decade later, she still hates the woman who left her, but without any other options, Lexi sets out to find her. Her mother is supposed to be somewhere in Florida traveling with a circus. Unfortunately, she hasn’t worked there for over six months and nobody knows where she’s run off to this time. With no where else to go and with no money for food, Lexi joins Circus Europa.

The circus actually fascinates me for some reason. I haven’t been to one in YEARS which is why I love reading books that revolve around them. And there aren’t that many which makes them extra special. That Time I Joined the Circus is adorable. This is a cute, entertaining read, but it also has depth. It has love and self-discovery, but it also deals with some heavier topics like death, loss, and betrayal. 

Lexi is a lot like I was during my senior year. She is kind of in a slump and spends all her time at home listening to music or reading. She only has two close friends who are dating which makes it that much harder to make plans since she is the constant third wheel. As horrible as the situation is, I feel like it was the best thing that could have happened to her. Being evicted and penniless forces her to go out and do something. Those four months she spends at the circus completely change her and she comes out so much stronger and confident because of them. 

The story is not completely chronological, it bounces around quite a bit from the present to the past and then back. But it wasn’t at all confusing because the date is clearly printed at the beginning of each chapter. I did have a problem with this constant jumping back and forth thing though. I felt like the relationship development lacked a little because of the constant shift. One moment the ring leaders daughter, Lina, is giving Lexi the evil-eye, then we get a ‘flashback’ of Lexi’s life in NY, and then we’re back at the circus and all of a sudden Lexi & Lina are going shopping together and becoming roommates. We never get to see this shift in their friendship, it just kind of happens. This constant back and forth also made the romances in the book problematic for me. I never connected with any of the guys because we never really get to fully know them. First she’s making out with Jamie, then she’s falling in love with Nick, and then Eli pops up and she likes him again. It was just kind of all over the place. I would have liked to see more of Nick because I felt he was the most interesting and the one she truly cared about. I never got the feeling that she actually had any romantic feelings for Eli, it just felt like she went back to him because...well, why not?

Other than the last paragraph, this is a really great debut and I can’t wait to see what else J. J. Howard has in store for us!

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Review (40) - Smile for the Camera: A Memoir by Kelle James

Smile for the Camera: A Memoir

by Kelle James

Series: None

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: November 2, 2010

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 392

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Challenge: None

Author Website

My Thoughts: 

Sick of dealing with an abusive father, Kelle decides it’s time to leave home and heads for the Big Apple. She has dreams of becoming a model and New York City is just the place to make them come true. She is sure she will find fame, fortune, and people who treat her right, but what she gets is definitely not what she expected. Young, beautiful, and naive, she is taken advantage of by the men she encounters, gets herself mixed up in the most famous murder trial of the 70s, and still manages to make a name for herself in the modeling and acting industry. This is the true story of a 16 year-old girl who, with nothing to her name, fights for what she wants and overcomes adversary. 

I actually wasn’t planning on reviewing this since I almost felt like I was going to be reviewing her life, but I liked it so much that I needed to share! I normally shy away from anything that has to do with actual, real people, but this doesn’t even feel like a memoir most of the time--or at all really. I seriously wish my life had been this exciting at 16. She had more adventure in that year and a half then I’ll probably ever see in my entire life! But I wouldn’t have wanted to be in her shoes because she did not have an easy childhood. Throughout the book, she replays memories of her violent and verbally abusive father. I’m glad she had the courage to leave home when she did and that she gave her brother the courage to do the same. Unfortunately though, abuse is all she knows and, because she is extremely naive and new to the big city life, she gets sexually abused and pushed around. 

Kelle during a photoshoot

Luckily she meets and befriends people that show her what love really is. She encounters a lot of kind people her first week in the city, but two make a lasting impression. There is Rayna, also an aspiring model, who becomes Kelle’s best friend. Together they experience being broke and homeless and support each other through their various struggles. And there is Buddy who becomes almost like a father figure to her and is the first person to tell Kelle that he is proud of her. Despite what he is convicted of later in the book, I thought he was an alright guy. He is one of the few men she meets that doesn’t try to sleep with her and he constantly helps the two girls throughout the book. 

I think this is a great book for anyone, even those who, like me, do not normally go for this type of read; the writing is simple and the story is interesting.

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Click here for more pictures of people and places mentioned in the book!

Review (39): Royally Crushed by Niki Burnham

Royally Crushed

by Niki Burnham

Series: Royally Jacked, #1-3

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: March 22, 2011

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 624

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Challenge: None

Author Website

Book Website

My Thoughts:

This is a bind-up of the Royally Jacked series and includes all 3 books; Royally Jacked, Spin Control, and Do-Over. They follow Valerie Winslow who’s parents have just split up. She is given the choice to either stay in Virginia and move in with her mother and her new girlfriend--yes THAT kind--or to move all the way to a tiny European country most people don’t even know exists. Her father has just been reassigned as the King’s new protocol expert in Schwerinborg and invites her to go with him. Neither option seem all that great, but she decides that maybe living in Europe for a year wouldn’t be too bad--especially since she’d be staying at the palace with the royal family. That’s where she meets Georg. He is nice, smart and just gets her. He also happens to be heir to the throne which complicates their relationship. She discovers that dating a prince isn’t anything like what the fairytales describe, but she’s fallen hard for the boy and isn’t about to give him up just yet.

First off, I love bind-ups. They make owning and reading an entire series that much easier. I also love the new covers that come with them because they always seem to be so much better than the originals. Isn’t this one just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?

But anyways, on to the actual books. All 3 are around 200 pages which makes them quick, easy reads. The title kind of makes you think that Valerie is going to get her heart crushed by the prince, but that is totally not the case. These books are sweet, fun and just plain CUTE. I don’t want to go into too much detail about each because I feel like that will spoil it for you, but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed them. The last one, Do-Over, was definitely my favorite. 

As for the characters, they were okay. I did like Val and Georg, but her friends back in the US (Natalie, Jules, and Christie) were kind of annoying. As if moving to an entirely new continent wasn’t bad enough, they made her feel horrible about it. Two of them even stopped speaking to her for like a week when they found out which was just ridiculous. I also felt they were really pushy and didn’t listen to her or what she wanted. But that was also Valerie’s fault because she never really spoke up until about the end of the second book. 

If you’ve already read this series, Niki wrote a bonus short story that follows Jules Jackson and the best part is, it’s FREE! Click here to read Reality Check.

I reviewed a similar book to this last month--A Royal Match by Tyne O’Connell. If you’re interested, click here to read it!

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Review (38): Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Bright Young Things

by Anna Godbersen

Series: Bright Young Things, #1

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: October 12, 2010

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 389

Format: Hardcover 

Source: Purchased

Challenge: None

Author Website

Book Website

My Thoughts: 

Cordelia Grey and Letty Larkspur have always known they don’t belong in the small Midwestern town they grew up in. Together they decide to run away to New York City. Letty dreams of making it big--of seeing her name in lights--but so does every other girl in town. Unfortunately for her, some are willing to do almost anything to make it happen, things she isn’t comfortable with. Cordelia is in search of a father she’s never met. When she finds him, she is thrust into a world of money, glamour...and danger. She befriends Astrid Donal, her half-brothers girlfriend, who becomes her confidante. The three girls experience what the Roaring Twenties had to offer in NYC together, as well as apart. 

I became interested in the Roaring Twenties my junior year of high school when we studied it in history, so I was super excited to read a historical fiction novel based in that decade. I’m not sure how accurate any of the information actually is, but it was still cool to read about. I particularly love how during this time women aren’t expected to be prim and proper at all times. Despite being set in this decade though, it mainly focuses on the three teenage girls and what they are going through which makes this relatable and relevant to teen girls now. 

I also really liked that the chapters alternated between the three girls perspectives. It was nice because each was seeing a completely different side of the city. We get to see what it might have felt like to be a cigarette girl through Letty. Cordelia’s, as well as Astrid’s, perspective gives us a first hand look into the rich, powerful, and dangerous lives of the bootleggers. Each have very distinct personalities and are all very likable. I always end up having a favorite character by the end, but I don’t think that happened this time. They’re all great!

I adored Anna Godbersen’s Luxe series and this one is just as great. If you haven’t had a chance to read either, get to it! They aren’t too heavy on the historical fiction so these are great even if you aren’t into this genre.

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Review (37): The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning

by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Darkest Powers Trilogy, #1

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: July 28, 2008

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 390

Source: Purchased

Challenge: None

Author Website

Book Website

My Review: 

Chloe Saunders is schizophrenic...or so everyone keeps telling her. But when she starts talking to people only she can see, what other explanation is there? Because of her “hallucinations” she is sent to Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens. There she meets Liz, Rae, Tori, Simon and Derek; all are around her age and all have been diagnosed with some type of disorder. But none of them are buying it. Simon and Derek know the truth--that Chloe is a necromancer. With help from the two brothers, Chloe finally comes to terms with the fact that she can indeed contact the dead. Good thing too because a fellow necromancer (now deceased) is eager to warn her about the history and dangers of Lyle House, dangers her and her new friends are about to discover. 

The book is almost fully set at Lyle House--minus the beginning and the end--and spans about a week. So much is jam packed into that week, however, that it feels like Chloe has been there much, much longer. During her time at the house she learns a lot about herself, her family and a world she never even knew existed, one that she is now a part of. The beginning was a bit slow because it was mostly to introduce all the characters and the story. We learn about Chloe’s necromancer power right along with her. The action really picks up in the second half of the book which is when everything important starts to happen. I had trouble putting the book down!

The book also has a very good cast of characters. Chloe is a really great MC. I like that she fought what everyone kept telling her--even when they continually insisted--and that ultimately she followed her gut. She almost gave up a few times along the way, but who hasn’t thought about just quitting when something gets too hard or scary? I know I would have hidden under the covers if I kept seeing dead people everywhere. As for the others, they were all interesting. My favorite of the girls, besides Chloe herself, would probably be Liz. I wish we had seen more of her in this book, but I have a feeling she’ll be very present in the next one. The foster brothers, Simon and Derek, were strange at the beginning but they grew on me as I kept reading. I couldn’t figure out if there was any romance brewing between either of the brothers and Chloe. If anything does happen in the next two books though I’m definitely rooting for Derek--I have a soft spot for brooding “bad” boys. 

I really enjoyed this book and am kind of mad at myself for waiting almost 5 years to finally read it. I honestly have no idea what took me so long. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second because of that darn cliffhanger!

Rating: * * * *

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Review (31): The Fairytale Keeper: Avenging the Queen by Andrea Cefalo

The Fairytale Keeper: Avenging the Queen

by Andrea Cefalo

Series: The Fairytale Keeper series

Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: June 1, 2012

Publisher: Scarlet Primrose Press

Pages: 280

Source: ARC from Author

Challenge: None

Author Website 

My Review: 
Avenging the Queen is book one in the new series by Andrea Cefalo. At first I thought it would only be a retelling of the classic Snow White, but the more I read, the more Grimm characters started to pop up. I don’t want to give away which character is who, but I will say that there are appearances by Snow White (obviously), Cinderella, the Shoemaker from The Elves and the Shoemaker, and a few others. They are woven so well into the story and I loved when new backgrounds were introduced. 

But anyways, on to the actual book. Adelaide, nicknamed ‘Snow White’ by her mother due to her snowy complexion, dark hair and bright red lips, must bury her mother after she passes away from the fever that has upset their home in Cologne. Thousands more have been taken, but few are given the Last Rites they deserve which is why Adelaide’s father must bribe the local parish priest to make sure his wife has a proper burial. However, the ceremony goes horribly wrong which prompts thoughts of revenge in Adelaide’s mind. She gets herself and the people she loves into quite a bit of trouble as the story progresses. The beginning was a little slow for me and it took a while to get into the story, but by the middle I couldn’t seem to put the book down! 

Adelaide has to deal with things normal 15 year olds wouldn’t even dream of and she handles it all extremely well. Considering the time period, she is also very outspoken and refuses to bow down to what people tell her to do when she knows they are wrong. She was smart, clever and very brave which I liked a lot. Ivo, her best friend and love interest, was also a great character. He was so sweet and caring that I couldn’t stop myself from constantly going “awww”. Both had their own set of problems, but together seemed to strengthen each other. 

I love the cover of the book, it would have definitely caught my attention had I seen it on the shelves of my local bookstore. And the fact that it was designed by the author herself just makes it that much better!

I am very excited for the second book in the series. I can’t wait to see what happens next to Adelaide and what prompts her to become the Snow White we know and love today.

Rating: * * * *

Click here to read the 1st chapter!

Click here to read Andrea Cefalo’s author interview!

And thank you to the author for sending me a copy for review.

Review (30): Messy by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Messy

by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Series: Spoiled, Book 2

Other Reviewed Titles: Spoiled, book 1

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Hachette Book Group

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Challenge: None

Author Website
Book Website

My Review:

This is more of a companion than a sequel to Spoiled and does not focus on Molly. Instead her best friend, Max, gets most of the spotlight along with her half-sister, Brooke. The two join forces (a bit reluctantly) to create a blog that will launch Brooke’s acting career. Max, who is basically the brains behind the blog, is hired to pose as Brooke and secretly write all of the blog entries. It was a cute, fun read but it also had some depth to it. It really highlights how important it is to children to have parental approval and attention and shows how far Brooke is willing to go to attain both. Despite taking it a little too far, her plan pays off in the end.

I felt that both girls were very real and relatable. I loved how sarcastic Max was. And despite all her snarky comments, it was obvious by the end how much she actually did care about Brooke. As for Brooke, she once again spends most of the book trying to find ways to get the attention of her self-absorbed movie star father. And although I liked Molly from the first book, I really liked that she wasn’t the main focus of this one. It was a different perspective and a nice change. 

The cover of my ARC is completely different than the one on Goodreads. I have no idea which is the final, but I have to say that I prefer the ARC version better which is why I chose to include it in this post. I like how each letter is a different make-up item instead of all of them being different items of clothing.

I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book. And, once again, fans of The Clique and The A-List will definitely enjoy it as well because it has elements of the two and is sort of in between both.

Rating: * * * *

Click here to read the first 3 chapters!

Review (26): Belles

Belles

by Jen Calonita

Series: Belles Series, book 1

Other Reviewed Titles: None

Release Date: April 10, 2012

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 368

Source: ARC

Challenge: None

Author Website

Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy, privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she’s ever known, and unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous life of Emerald Cover doesn’t go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn’t thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and in, addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates’ Southern charm, Isabelle finds out a secret about her new family that she can’t ignore. 

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Plot:  The plot of ‘Belles’ is very predictable and reminded me of many other books and movies. The twists and turns really weren’t all that exciting and the big secret at the end wasn’t all that shocking, however, I still really enjoyed it. It was just what I expected it to be; cute, quick and fun to read. I was very pleased to find out that this is in fact a new series, I can’t wait to see what happens next with the Belles.

Characters: The characters definitely made up for the plot’s lack of unexpected twists and turns. They were all relatable and likable (except for Savannah and her minions of course). The alternating view points made it really easy to get to know Izzie and Mira. Both girls have misconceptions about each other and by including the alternating view points, we get to actually see who each girl is and not who each girl thinks the other is which was great because both girls are very, very different. Izzie is really down to Earth, knows exactly who she is and won’t take crap from anyone, while her cousin, Mira, has a harder time breaking away from her circle of popular friends and being herself. It frustrated me every time Mira plotted against her own cousin. After all, family first, right?

Cover: The cover is simple, cute and girly and I’m assuming the girl on the cover is supposed to represent Izzie? I like it, I would definitely pick it up if I came across it in stores.

Overall Impression: I absolutely love all of Jen Calonita’s books and this one was no exception!

Rating: * * * *

Click here to read the first 2 chapters!

Review (20): Death by Bikini

Death by Bikini

by Linda Gerber

Series: Death By Mystery, #1
Other Reviewed Titles: None
Release Date: May 15, 2008
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pages: 240
Source: Purchased
Challenge: 2012 OTS
Author Website: http://lindagerber.com/
A bikini can be very dangerous.

Aphra Behn Connolly has the type of life most teenage girls envy. She lives on a tropical island and spends most of her time eavesdropping on the rich and famous. The problem is that her family's secluded luxury resort allows few opportunities for her to make friends -- much less to meet cute boys. So when a smoldering Seth Mulo unexpectedly arrives with his parents, she’s immediately drawn to him. Then a girl turns up dead on the beach -- the strings of her bikini top tight around her neck -- and alarm bells sound. What exactly are Seth and his family hiding? And is it too great a coincidence that they turned up just one day before a murder? As the plot thickens, Aphra finds that danger lurks behind even the most unexpected of faces....

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Plot: This book had mystery, suspense, some espionage, and even a little romance, but as mystery novels go, this one was pretty predictable. I figured out most of what there was to know in the first 20 pages of the book, yet that did not stop me from wanting to continue reading because just as I thought I had everything figured out, there was a new twist to throw me off the trail. What kept my interest the most was the mystery behind the Mulo family which I found more compelling then the actual murder mystery aspect of the plot. It wasn’t too fast paced which was great, but it was a very fast read.

Characters: The characters were great and I really liked both Aphra and Seth. Aphra has this fearlessness to her that is uncommon in 16 year olds, she is willing to endanger herself in order to save the lives of almost complete strangers. Seth was sweet, charming, and also a bit fearless. Aprha and him are constantly saving each other. I feel bad for both of them because all they want is to be normal teenagers which is nearly impossible because one is constantly on the run while the other lives on a secluded island away from everything and everyone. I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes, or if it goes anywhere at all.

Cover: The cover is cute and I really like how the bikini parts are cut out so that the page underneath can be seen. The pictures on the bottom include a gun, fan, sunglasses and palm trees which tie in a lot better than just having a random bikini on the cover.

Overall Impression: When I picked this book up I was looking for a quick, fun read and that is exactly what I got. If you want something short to pass the time on a long flight or car ride, this is the book for you.

Rating: * * * * 

Review (16): Falling for Hamlet

Falling for Hamlet

by Michelle Ray

Series: None

Other Reviewed Titles: None

Release Date: July 5, 2011

Publisher: Poppy

Pages: 368

Source: ARC from publisher

Challenge: 2011 OTS, 2011 DAC

Author Website: www.michelleraybooks.com

Meet Ophelia, high school senior, daughter of the Danish king’s most trusted adviser, and longtime girlfriend of Prince Hamlet. She lives a glamorous life and has a royal social circle, and her beautiful face is splashed across magazines and TV. But it comes with a price -- her life is dominated not only by Hamlet’s fame and his overbearing royal family but also by the paparazzi who hound them wherever they go.

After the sudden and suspicious death of his father, the king, Hamlet spirals dangerously toward madness, and Ophelia finds herself torn between loyalty to her boyfriend, her father, her country, and her true self. 

In this stunning contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet from Ophelia’s point of view, debut author Michelle Ray Brilliantly weaves together old and new. Filled with drama, romance, tragedy, and humor, Falling for Hamlet is a compulsively readable novel. And this time, Ophelia doesn’t die.

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Characters: The book focuses on Ophelia, her family, and the royal family. Ophelia’s father has worked as the King’s advisor for as long as she can remember so she lives at the castle and is close to the family, especially the prince. The poor girl is thrown into the spotlight just because she is the prince’s longtime girlfriend, but she handles it well (for the most part anyways). She is strong, funny, and clever. Her only fault is that she loved Hamlet too much. I don’t really blame her though because he was sweet, handsome, and funny and everyone else in the kingdom probably wanted to date him too. Unfortunately, he became drunk with revenge after the death of his father and that’s when everything started to go from wrong to worse. I could not stand the queen at all; all she cared about were appearances and nothing else. Claudius, the king’s brother and also his murderer, was awful and evil. Horatio, Hamlet and Ophelia’s best friend, was as loyal as anybody could be and he tried to help his two very best friends until the end. 

Plot: I have yet to read the original Hamlet by Shakespeare so I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this modern retelling of the classic, but I actually really enjoyed it. I’m not sure how accurate it is to the original, but it is definitely worth the read. The book is told by Ophelia, who this time does not die. There are 3 parts to each chapter, kind of like a past, present, and future type thing. At the beginning of each chapter Ophelia is being interviewed on a talk show about the events that took place after the king was killed, the middle is the actual story of what happened, and the end is Ophelia being interrogated by the police because they think she was responsible for everything that happened to the royal family after the kings death. I really liked how the chapters were organized and did not find it confusing at all despite everything that was going on. That being said, the action only really starts about half way through the book. There was suspense, mystery, romance, some supernatural, and so much more. It had a sad ending, but that’s the point of a tragedy, right?  

Cover: The cover isn’t really anything special. I don’t know…for me it doesn’t really represent what the book is about I guess. It’s kind of plain and boring, just two teenagers making out with a floating throne next to then…  

Overall Impression: I wish I had read Shakespeare’s version before this so that I knew what the original story was, but it was still a pretty good book. I think that if anyone’s a little apprehensive about reading the original, this could really help push them to want to.

Rating: * * * *

Review (11): The False Princess

The False Princess

by Eilis O’Neal

Series: None

Other Reviewed Titles: None

Release Date: January 25, 2011

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 336

Source: Library

Challenge: 2011 DAC

Book Website: None

Author Website: http://www.eilisoneal.com/

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Why I Read This: Mostly for the 2011 DAC.

Plot: This book has pretty much everything you would want to read about; romance, adventure, magic, fantasy, mystery, etc. There is a lot happening in the story-line, but it is not at all confusing and is really easy to follow along with. There were some parts that were easy to guess, but there were just as many that surprised me. I had a hard time putting this book down because of all the suspense. I needed to know what happened next! The magical aspect of the story seemed to be a bit detached at the beginning and just seemed to be an added detail that wasn't as important as everything else. However, once the story picked up, so did the magic. Sinda had a hard time with it at first and I admired the fact that she never gave up.

Characters: Sinda is the first false Princess and I thought she was a great main character. When she finds out that the first 16 years of her life were a lie and is sent to live with her only surviving relative who she has never met before, she tries to make the best of a pretty bad situation. She does not complain as most people would if they were in the same situation. Instead, she tries her hardest to be the best dyer she can be and to help her aunt with anything she needs. She is not very good at it, but at least she tries. All of this makes her strong and less selfconsious. Kiernan, Sinda's best and only friend, is pretty amazing too. He is extremely loyal, kind and a bit of a prankster who really helps Sinda get out of her comfort zone. He sticks by Sinda's side even after it is revealed that she is not the real princess and it is obvious that he is in love with her from the beginning. Then there is Orianne and Mika. They were both very nice, but my favorite of the two would have to be Mika and her sarcastic personality.

Cover: I tend to pick books based on their covers (which is a no-no, but I still do it anyways) and this one was no acception. I love the purple wallpaper background. I'm not quite sure which of the three girls it is on the cover, but I'm guessing it is Sinda wearing a locket with a picture of Nalia. It reminds me of the old Elle Enchanted cover.

Overall Impression:  For anyone that likes fantasy, magic, wizards, kings, queens and a whole bunch of other things, this is definitely the book for you. This is the first YA fantasy I've picked up in awhile because there aren't that many and I really liked it. I will definitely be looking for more and other books by Eilis O'Neal from now on.

Rating: * * * *