Book Review || The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

Publication Date: June 12th, 2018

Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Source: Library

Summary

Esther Ann Hicks--Essie--is the youngest child on Six for Hicks, a reality television phenomenon. She's grown up in the spotlight, both idolized and despised for her family's fire-and-brimstone brand of faith. When Essie's mother, Celia, discovers that Essie is pregnant, she arranges an emergency meeting with the show's producers: Do they sneak Essie out of the country for an abortion? Do they pass the child off as Celia's? Or do they try to arrange a marriage--and a ratings-blockbuster wedding? Meanwhile, Essie is quietly pairing herself up with Roarke Richards, a senior at her school with a secret of his own to protect. As the newly formed couple attempt to sell their fabricated love story to the media--through exclusive interviews with an infamously conservative reporter named Liberty Bell--Essie finds she has questions of her own: What was the real reason for her older sister leaving home? Who can she trust with the truth about her family? And how much is she willing to sacrifice to win her own freedom?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

I picked up The Book of Essie because of all the hype it's been receiving in the book review community. It seemed like an interesting read -- a story about a teenage girl, but written for a more adult audience. Even from the synopsis, I knew it was going to be a book dealing with some tough topics. Like everyone else, I immediately thought about that TV show about the religious family with all the kids (you know which one I'm talking about) and was expecting something vaguely superficial but got so much more.

Book Review || The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

Publication Date: June 16th, 2015

Publisher: Broadway Books

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Source: Library

Summary

A missing God.
A library with the secrets to the universe. 
A woman too busy to notice her heart slipping away.

Carolyn's not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts. After all, she was a normal American herself once. That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father. 

In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. They've studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God.  

Now, Father is missing—perhaps even dead—and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation. 

As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her, all of them with powers that far exceed her own. But Carolyn has accounted for this. And Carolyn has a plan. The only trouble is that in the war to make a new God, she's forgotten to protect the things that make her human.

Populated by an unforgettable cast of characters and propelled by a plot that will shock you again and again, The Library at Mount Char is at once horrifying and hilarious, mind-blowingly alien and heartbreakingly human, sweepingly visionary and nail-bitingly thrilling—and signals the arrival of a major new voice in fantasy.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

I'm going to start off this review by saying I don't think anything I say can possibly do this book justice. I honestly don't even think the publishers summary on Goodreads does a good job of telling you what this book is about. The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins is one of the strangest, and yet most beautiful stories I've read in a long time. It explores the depths of the human condition without being pretentious (just writing the phrase "the human condition" made me feel pretentious, please don't let that turn you off). I hope this somewhat short review can at least convince you to pick it up, because I don't think you'll regret it.

Book Review || American Panda by Gloria Chao

American Panda by Gloria Chao

Publication Date: February 6th, 2018

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Library

Summary

At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

At first I was skeptical about a book featuring MIT, my alma mater, so prominently. How could someone who never went there accurately depict what life is like at such a unique university? And then I found out the Gloria Chao is an alum, class of 2008, and I was immediately sold. Mei is a  and a year younger than her classmates. She has parents that push her toward a career path she isn't sure she even wants to pursue. While I was blessed to have parents that were happy to support whatever path I chose, I knew too many people that had parents like Mei. I am no a few years removed from my time at MIT, but reading American Panda brought right back to those early days and I could empathize so deeply with Mei. It's been a while since I picked up a YA contemporary, but this one hit so close to home and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Book Review || The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

Publication Date: August 2nd, 2016

Publisher: Arcade Publishing

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Source: Purchased

Summary

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Revolution, and featuring a cast of iconic characters such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette, The Hamilton Affair tells the sweeping, tumultuous, true love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler, from tremulous beginning to bittersweet ending—his at a dueling ground on the shores of the Hudson River, hers more than half a century later after a brave, successful life.

Hamilton was a bastard son, raised on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. He went to America to pursue his education. Along the way he became one of the American Revolution’s most dashing—and unlikely—heroes. Adored by Washington, hated by Jefferson, Hamilton was a lightning rod: the most controversial leader of the American Revolution.

She was the well-to-do daughter of one of New York’s most exalted families—feisty, adventurous, and loyal to a fault. When she met Alexander, she fell head over heels. She pursued him despite his illegitimacy, and loved him despite his infidelity. In 1816 (two centuries ago), she shamed Congress into supporting his seven orphaned children. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton started New York’s first orphanage. The only “founding mother” to truly embrace public service, she raised 160 children in addition to her own.

With its flawless writing, brilliantly drawn characters, and epic scope, The Hamilton Affair will take its place among the greatest novels of American history.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

If there's one thing you need to know about me is that I tend to have an obsessive personality. So when I discovered Hamilton back in 2016 and fell in love, it's safe to say that I pretty much latched onto anything Hamilton-related. That obsession hasn't really died down in those two years since and I'm actually listening to the Hamilton soundtrack while writing this review. The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs was exactly what I was looking for in a historical fiction based on the life of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. I had read others, but they didn't quite reach my expectations. Cobb's blew me away with her narrative, spanning both Alexander and Eliza's life from when they were young up until their deaths.

Book Review || One Day by David Nicholls

One Day by David Nicholls

Publication Date: August 1st, 2009

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Source: Purchased

Summary

It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

I’ve had a copy of One Day by David Nicholls sitting on my shelf for years, always meaning to get to it but for some reason, never picking it up. It wasn’t until I was going through my shelves in an attempt to do some New Years resolution cleaning that I finally decided to start reading it. As some background, I have been in a huge reading slump for the last few months and “One Day” was the book that finally got me out of it.

Audiobook Review || Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Hogwarts Library Book) by Newt Scamander 

Publication Date: March 14th, 2017 (rev. ed.)

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Source: Purchased

Summary

An approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the wizarding world.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them written by Newt Scamander (aka J.K. Rowling) and narrated by Eddie Redmayne. Redmayne’s narration of the book truly brought the book to life. Some of my favorite audiobooks are those that are narrated by the author because it feels more like a conversation than a book and that’s exactly what I felt while listening to this book.

Book Review || Vivian Apple at the End of The World by Katie Coyle

Vivian Apple at the End of the World (Vivian Apple #1) by Katie Coyle

Publication Date: January 6th, 2015

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received a finished copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle is not a book I would have normally picked up but I am glad that I read it. It's a well-written book that offers a lot to think about in terms of religion and belief systems without being pushy or obnoxious. I think it actually handles the whole topic really well and shows multiple, diverse perspectives. There are not that many YA books out there that deal with religion and I think it’s something that is so important that I’m surprised it doesn't come up more often.

ARC Review || Rebellion by Stephanie Diaz

Rebellion (Extraction #2) by Stephanie Diaz

Publication Date: February 10th, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Source: eARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley

Summary

The uprising has begun.

It's been seven days since Clementine and Logan, along with their allies, retreated into hiding on the Surface. The rebels may have won one battle against Commander Charlie, but the fight is far from finished. He has vowed to find a way to win—no matter the cost. Do the rebels have what it takes to defeat him...and put an end to this war?

As Clementine and Logan enter a desperate race against time to defeat Commander Charlie—and attempt to weaken his power within his own ranks—they find themselves in a terrifying endgame that pits them against a brutal enemy, and each other. With every step, Clementine draws closer to losing Logan...and losing control of herself.

Continuing with the mesmerizing saga that started with Extraction, Stephanie Diaz blends science fiction, epic romance, and heart-stopping adventure to create a world that no reader will soon forget.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received and advance readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

I thought Rebellion by Stephanie was a good sequel to Extraction, the first book in the Extraction trilogy. I no longer felt like I was constantly comparing it to other YA series and it felt like the story was coming into its own more. Sometimes, with sequels I feel like they just are extensions of the first book and don’t have their own Story. However, with Rebellion I do feel like it stands well on its own.

[ARC Review] 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Publication Date: April 21, 2015

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Source: eARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss

Summary

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received and advance readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

I've been in a reading slump lately so the fact that I sped through 99 Days by Katie Cotugno in a day is something to applaud. I haven’t found myself able to relate to contemporary YA as much as a used, probably because I’m getting older but I enjoyed 99 Days. One of the reasons I found myself flying through the book was because it read like a soap opera. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I can’t say, but I just had to know what was going to happen next between Molly, Patrick, and Gabe.

[Book Review] Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch

Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Source: eARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss

Summary

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received and advance readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch is a great new book in the young adult fantasy genre. I liked the story and the characters but because it was so hyped up, I had really high expectations going in, which is never good a thing. I had a little trouble getting into the story at first because of the amount of background information. However, the suspense and plot twists kept me reading and I'm glad I did because it turned out to a solid start to what looks to be a fantastic fantasy series.

[Book Review] The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

The Bone Season (The Bone Season #1) by Samantha Shannon

Publication Date: August 20th, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Source: Personal purchase

Summary

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine—a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

What a fantastic book! I've had The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon on my shelf for over a year now and I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it. I think I’d been putting it off for so long because of all the hype surrounding the book. Let me just say that it definitely deserves that hype. Shannon has created this whole alternate history of the world in The Bone Season and done it nearly flawlessly.

[Book Review] Extraction by Stephanie Diaz

Extraction (Extraction #1) by Stephanie Diaz

Publication Date: July 22, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Source: personal purchase

Summary

"Welcome to Extraction testing."

Clementine has spent her whole life preparing for her sixteenth birthday, when she’ll be tested for Extraction in the hopes of being sent from the planet Kiel’s toxic Surface to the much safer Core, where people live without fear or starvation. When she proves promising enough to be “Extracted,” she must leave without Logan, the boy she loves. Torn apart from her only sense of family, Clem promises to come back and save him from brutal Surface life.

What she finds initially in the Core is a utopia compared to the Surface—it’s free of hard labor, gun-wielding officials, and the moon's lethal acid. But life is anything but safe, and Clementine learns that the planet's leaders are planning to exterminate Surface dwellers—and that means Logan, too. 

Trapped by the steel walls of the underground and the lies that keep her safe, Clementine must find a way to escape and rescue Logan and the rest of the planet. But the planet leaders don't want her running—they want her subdued.

With intense action scenes and a cast of unforgettable characters, Extraction is a page-turning, gripping read, sure to entertain lovers of Hunger Games and Ender's Game and leave them breathless for more.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

You wouldn't expect a science fiction book set on another planet with a moon that spits out acid to be described as realistic, but that’s exactly how I would describe Extraction by Stephanie Diaz. She manages to take this completely fiction world and translate into relatable experiences. Everything from her characters to the situations the find themselves in just seems like they could happen to me – you know if I happened to live on the planet of Kiel.

[Book Review] Tunnel Vision by Susan Adrian

Tunnel Vision by Susan Adrian

Publication Date: January 20, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Source: eARC courtesy of St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

Jake Lukin just turned 18. He's decent at tennis and Halo, and waiting to hear on his app to Stanford. But he's also being followed by a creep with a gun, and there's a DARPA agent waiting in his bedroom. His secret is blown.

When Jake holds a personal object, like a pet rock or a ring, he has the ability to "tunnel" into the owner. He can sense where they are, like a human GPS, and can see, hear, and feel what they do. It's an ability the government would do anything to possess: a perfect surveillance unit who could locate fugitives, spies, or terrorists with a single touch.

Jake promised his dad he’d never tell anyone about his ability. But his dad died two years ago, and Jake slipped. If he doesn't agree to help the government, his mother and sister may be in danger. Suddenly he's juggling high school, tennis tryouts, flirting with Rachel Watkins, and work as a government asset, complete with 24-hour bodyguards.

Forced to lie to his friends and family, and then to choose whether to give up everything for their safety, Jake hopes the good he's doing—finding kidnap victims and hostages, and tracking down terrorists—is worth it. But he starts to suspect the good guys may not be so good after all. With Rachel's help, Jake has to try to escape both good guys and bad guys and find a way to live his own life instead of tunneling through others. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received and advance readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

I enjoyed Susan Adrian’s debut, Tunnel Vision. I don’t normally read books with paranormal elements because I’ve been kind of scared away by paranormal romances. However, if more paranormal books were like Tunnel Vision I would pick them up. The main thing I liked was the story itself. Without giving away any spoilers, it was a rollercoaster of a book. There were ups and downs and twists and sometimes I did not know how Jake was going to get himself out of a situation. I loved how the story built on itself effortlessly.

[Book Review] Made for You by Melissa Marr

Made for You by Melissa Marr

Publication Date: September 16, 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Source: ARC courtesy of HarperCollins

Summary

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received and advance readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

I'm not a huge fan of paranormal books and Made for You by Melissa Marr didn't really change that for me. The one thing that kept me reading this book was the thriller aspect of the book . I mean right from the synopsis you can tell it's going to get weird and boy does it ever. However, I can't say I was very invested in the characters and to be honest, there wasn't much to the plot other than the mystery behind who is attempted to kill the protagonist, Eva. The romance felt forced and contrived and the other relationships in the story weren't much better. Overall, it wasn't a fantastic book, but it kept me turning the pages because I just wanted to know how everything was going to turn out in the end.

[Book Review] Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Publication Date: July 8, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Source: ARC from publisher

Summary

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received and advance readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

I am usually hesitant to pick up adult novels, especially ones that are not genre fiction (i.e. fantasy, science fiction, etc), but I knew that with Rainbow Rowell I couldn’t go wrong. And I was so right. I was once again blown away by Rowell’s beautiful writing and her prose that seems to bring out all of my emotions. I read Landline in one day and even stayed up late into the night to finish it because I simply could not put it down. Everything from the characters to the plot to the mystery of the “magical” landline had me hooked from page one. 

[Book Review] Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Publication Date: October 15, 2013

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Source: Library

Summary

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. 

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. 

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

I was sadly disappointed with Never Fade. I had high expectations for the second book in the Darkest Minds trilogy, seeing as I loved the first book. However, the book did not meet my expectations.  At best, it was a slow read with minimal action that mattered and at worst, it was downright boring. I struggled to get through the book and while the ending was exciting and action-packed. It did not make for the 400 pages that could have been condensed. Nevertheless, I will be picking up the sequel, In the Afterlight, because I want to find out what happens to Ruby, Liam, Chubs, Clancy and the rest of the cast of characters.

[Book Review] The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Publication Date: May 21, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Source: Library

Summary

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler is so much more than just a love story. It’s a story about family and friendship and all different kinds of heartbreak, not just the romantic kind. Based just on the title and the summary I was kind of unsure going into the book, but after reading just one page I knew I was going to like it. I loved the characters, especially Jude, and how I could relate to them on a fundamental level. I loved the sweet romance between Jude and Emilio. Most of all, I loved the family aspect of the book. This is a book I want to permanently add to my collection and read again and again.

[Book Review] Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not a Drop to Drink (Not a Drop to Drink #1) by Mindy McGinnis

Publication Date: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Source: Personal Purchase

Summary

Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

If you're looking for a dystopian book that isn't like your typical dystopian you've come to the right place. Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis deals with a man vs. nature rather than man vs. society/government post-apocolypse. I really enjoyed reading about Lynn and her experience, and while occasionally slow, overall the book was well-written and suited the survival story aspect of the plot. While I don't think it necessarily needs a sequel, I will definitely be pickup up the companion novel, In a Handful of Dust, coming out later this year.

[Book Review] The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

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

Publication Date: June 10, 2014

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Source: eARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss

Summary

An action-packed, blood-soaked, futuristic debut thriller set in a world where the murder rate is higher than the birthrate. For fans of Moira Young’s Dust Lands series, La Femme Nikita, and the movie Hanna.

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

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

Action-packed, blood-soaked, and chilling, this is a dark and compelling debut novel by Lindsay Cummings.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received a digital review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

Are you sick and tired of YA dystopian books? Well I'll ask you to reconsider because The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings is a mind-blowing thriller that will make you forget why you were sick of the genre in the first place. Fast paced and suspenseful, I couldn't put this book down and the 400 pages seemed to fly by. Of course no book is perfect and there were certain aspects of the book I wish could have been different. Even so, I don't know how I'm going to wait a year for the sequel, because the ending, while satisfying, left me wanting to dive right back into the world of Meadow and Zephyr.

[Book Review] No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige

No Place Like Oz (Dorothy Must Die #0.5) by Danielle Paige

Publication Date: November 12, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Source: Library

Summary

After returning to Kansas, Dorothy Gale has realized that the dreary fields of Kansas don’t compare to the vibrant landscapes of Oz. And although she’s happy to be reunited with Aunt Em, she misses her friends from the yellow brick road. But most of all, Dorothy misses the fame and the adventure. In Kansas she’s just another prairie girl, but in Oz she was a hero. So Dorothy is willing to do anything to get back, because there really is no place like Oz. But returning to the land she left comes at a price, and after Dorothy is through with it, Oz will never be the same.

Perfect for fans of Alex Flinn, Marissa Meyer, and Gregory Maguire, No Place Like Oz is a dark reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Building off of its rich mythology, Danielle Paige creates an edgy, thrilling story for teens that chronicles the rise and fall of one of the literature’s most beloved characters. This digital original novella is a prequel that sets the stage for the forthcoming novel Dorothy Must Die.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

I had trouble getting into Dorothy Must Die the first time around, but after reading No Place Like Oz I am very excited to pick it up again. This e-novella gives the reader a glimpse into the time between the end of the original tale by L. Frank Baum and where Danielle Paige picks up in her own retelling. Of course the writing style and voice sound different from the original but as some one who has read the original story I could still feel the spirit of each character. After reading this short story I can't wait to pick up Dorothy Must Die again.