Category: Reviews 2014

• Book Review: “Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour” by Morgan Matson

  Posted at 8:50 am by Laura, on June 8, 2014

  Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson 

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
  Published: May 2011 (paperback), May 2010 (hardcover)
  Genre: young adult, travel
  ISBN: 9781416990666
  Goodreads: 4.07
  Rating: ★★★★

  Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it’s Amy’s responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn’t ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip – and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar – especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory – but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

  Amy’s life turned upside down after her father died in a car accident three months ago. Her brother’s in rehab in North Carolina, her mother’s in Connecticut preparing their new home, and Amy’s alone in their sold house in California. She has to bring their car to Connecticut, but she’s in no shape to get behind the wheel. Roger, an old family friend, offers to join the road trip on his way to visit his father in Philadelphia. Upon noticing the dull route Amy’s mother mapped out for them, the two decide to go on an adventure — hours in the car, nights in parking lots and hotels and friends’ homes, and diner meals across the country are only the beginnings of a blossoming affection and internal discoveries.

  Matson is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA authors — along with Gayle Forman and Sarah Dessen — for writing books that seem like it’ll be a sweet teen romance but end up revolving around the girl’s inner journey and growth. The focus on her development makes the flickering of romance all the more realistic and wholesome. Plus, parallel journeys with the self and literally across the country is absolutely perfect.

  Traveling with someone — friends, family, partner — can make or break a relationship. You notice their habits, you’re with them every waking moment, you make decisions together the can change the course of the trip. What was so beautiful about Amy and Roger (near strangers) was that they both knew the other had a reason for wanting to take a detour, and rather than questioning or pestering, they understood one another and accepted it. They listened to each other’s music, played Twenty Questions, and even worked on Amy’s travelog together. They got to know one another on a deep level rather quickly thanks to the tiny car and vast country.

  I can’t say much more about the characters and their journey without spoiling the book (although you may have already read it at this point), but I loved each stop they took, the people they met, the commentary they had about each state, and the descriptions of the landscape as they drove from one coast to the next. The travelog was neat too — receipts, photos, playlist notes, doodles, and random facts on the states — and gave us an in-depth glimpse of Amy and Roger’s growing affection for one another without the two realizing it was happening. Clever, cute, and wonderful.

  Matson is definitely an author to follow.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: travel, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Rebel Belle” by Rachel Hawkins

  Posted at 4:44 pm by Laura, on May 29, 2014

  

  Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins 

   

  Publisher: Putnam
  Published: April 8, 2014
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780399256936
  Goodreads: 3.97
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper’s destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

  Just when life can’t get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she’s charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper’s least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David’s own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

  With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y’all beg for more.

  Harper Price, Pine Grove’s Queen Bee of Extracurricular Activities, would love nothing more than to continue her perfect life running SGA, preparing for Cotillion, racking up activities to win over colleges, and become Homecoming Queen. But a trip to the ladies’ room during the Homecoming dance proves to be more than she ever bargained for: the school janitor gives her powers as he dies on the floor, and she ninja-destroys her history teacher. Once a Paladin, she discovers she’s charged to protect David Stark, the school’s student journalist who always writes nasty things about Harper. He’s an Oracle, and they are bound together for life — and it seems their lives may be shortened in just a few weeks, as David’s prophecy of impending doom lands on Cotillion night.

  

  Oh, my. This book was hilarious and action-packed and made me want to rewatch all of my favorite Buffy episodes. It’s a similar concept at the core: adorable popular girl is granted superpowers and must protect people (in this case, one person) to the death. Throw in some excellent Southern culture, Harper’s adorable speech patterns, and David’s snarkiness, and you’re in for a treat. Grab a nice cool glass of sweet tea and enjoy.

  What I loved most about Rebel Belle was Harper herself. She’s overloaded with activities, schoolwork, and maintaining her relationship with boyfriend Ryan. She works hard to show her parents that she is still alive, even if her sister is not. And, most importantly, though she is the popular girl in the school, she’s not nasty. Harper is just as friendly as she is intelligent and into fashion. She’s a great blend of girly girl and brains — a bit like Legally Blonde. Even the way she would research her new powers was completely realistic. If you were to discover you suddenly had superhuman fighting skills, what would you do? Research superheroes, of course! What is a Paladin, what are origin stories, when will her coach arrive? She’s so brilliant. Go, Harper!

  I love this book. I want to befriend Harper, but since I can’t, I’ll clutch this book and anxiously wait for the sequel!

   

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Second Chance Summer” by Morgan Matson

  Posted at 11:26 am by Laura, on May 21, 2014

  Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson 

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
  Published: May 7, 2013 (paperback)
  Genre: young adult
  ISBN: 9781416990680
  Goodreads: 4.13
  Rating: ★★★★

  Taylor Edwards has a tendency to run away when things get tough. But when her father is diagnosed with stage four cancer, Taylor knows this is one situation she can’t outrun.

  To have one last summer together, Taylor’s parents decide to take the family back to their old lake house in the Poconos. Even though Taylor was twelve the last time she went to Lake Phoenix, the people she left behind are still there — like her former best friend Lucy, who’s still hurting from a long-ago betrayal, and her first crush Henry, who’s gotten five years cuter.

  With nights full of fireflies and fireworks, the summer holds the possibility of forgiveness, and maybe even love. Taylor wants to hold on to the moment instead of walking away, but she knows the end of the summer is getting closer — and that time is running out to make the most of her second chance.

  Taylor is good at running away. Her brother’s a genius and her sister’s a talented dancer, and even though Taylor feels like the forgotten middle child with no extraordinary abilities, she knows she’s good at running away when things become too difficult. But she can’t do that now, with her father diagnosed with terminal cancer. The Edwards decide to spend one last summer at their lake house, and while Taylor is nervous facing old friend and new coworker Lucy, and tongue-tied around old crush and new neighbor Henry, she will do anything to make her father happy and proud. Morning breakfasts and life questions, star-gazing, movies on the beach, ice cream runs and bike rides — these are the things that number the days as Taylor works hard on second chances.

  The first slip I pulled from my TBR jar was this book, and I’m so glad it was!

  I’ve heard wonderful things about Matson’s work. My first experience with Matson’s writing was actually through her other pen name, Katie Finn, and the premise of the two books seemed too familiar and I was beginning to worry (same pizza preference, weird situation with friends from several years ago, lake house, etc). But I shouldn’t have. This book is miles away from what I expected.

  Second Chance Summer is about self-discovery, overcoming fears, facing reality even in the darkest times, and embracing the happy moments fully. Taylor grows from a scared, insecure teen into a determined young woman. Not only did she work extra hard to quit running away when facing the inevitable, she strived to make amends with Lucy and Henry — who, quite honestly, were very understanding and wonderful characters. Though Lucy and Taylor have changed a lot in the last five years apart, the root of their friendship was very tangible, making it easier to reconcile the past. Henry, too, was a reassuring presence for Taylor, the basis of their relationship built on those years of separation and growth. From shifts at the snack bar to fireworks on the docks, you watch Taylor slowly piece together who she is and what she wants to be.

  But as great of a summer with friends can be, Taylor is never completely unaware of her father’s deterioration. With each passing week — and soon, each passing day — Taylor learns about the man behind the booming lawyer voice and silly puns, and tries to not notice his weight loss, his wincing, his skin. They share ice cream runs after picking up corn and black licorice from the grocery store; a stray dog, with Taylor’s help, becomes his constant companion; they swap placemat questions at a breakfast diner; they laugh at deadpan humor; they share music tastes and watch favorite movies. Every moment was laced with happiness, longing, and sorrow, and by the end there’s no point in wiping the tears from your face because they’ll keep coming anyway.

  Second Chance Summer is deep and powerful in a very understated way. It’s a beautiful and light summer story mixed with the reality of the mortality and inevitability of life. Very few YA books can create such strong, conflicting emotions and weave them seamlessly throughout. For naysayers out there who claim YA is filled with garbage, hand them this book. Sometimes, YA is more than any adult fiction could be.

  Last but not least: Murphy, adorkable love-struck Warren, the slumber party scene, and Casablanca.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 3 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Girls at the Kingfisher Club” by Genevieve Valentine (ARC)

  Posted at 8:44 am by Laura, on May 20, 2014

  The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine 

  Publisher: Atria Books
  Publishing Date: June 3
  Genre: historical fiction, fractured fairy tales
  ISBN: 9781476739083
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  Jo, the firstborn, “The General” to her eleven sisters, is the only thing the Hamilton girls have in place of a mother. She is the one who taught them how to dance, the one who gives the signal each night, as they slip out of the confines of their father’s townhouse to await the cabs that will take them to the speakeasy. Together they elude their distant and controlling father, until the day he decides to marry them all off.

  The girls, meanwhile, continue to dance, from Salon Renaud to the Swan and, finally, the Kingfisher, the club they come to call home. They dance until one night when they are caught in a raid, separated, and Jo is thrust face-to-face with someone from her past: a bootlegger named Tom whom she hasn’t seen in almost ten years. Suddenly Jo must weigh in the balance not only the demands of her father and eleven sisters, but those she must make of herself.

  Trapped in a house by an unfeeling man who is ashamed of fathering twelve daughters and no sons, the Hamilton sisters are desperate for life and freedom. The eldest, Jo, teaches the sisters how to dance, and eventually how to sneak out in the night and experience Manhattan nightclubs. With strict rules to never tell a man her name, her home, or give any promises, each sister relishes the liberation and follows Jo’s orders like little soldiers. But soon their father decides to marry them off like a cattle auction, and Jo’s past — a man named Tom she unwillingly fell in love with years ago — could be the sisters’ only salvation, even if Jo must sacrifice her own future for their safety.

  A roaring twenties Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling, complete with all the best dances — waltz, foxtrot, Charleston — and a smattering of sisters that are surprisingly easy to keep track of! They fear their father’s discovery above anything else, because his knowledge of their dancing at clubs would certainly mean marriage to men only he’d approve of (and his opinion is one to be severely questioned) or an eternity under lock and key. Jo can be just as controlling though, constantly reminding the girls to keep a closed heart and a tight mouth, earning her the name “General” and the sisters “Princesses” from the swooning men.

  Jo makes several calculating decisions and sacrifices for her sisters. Even though she keeps them on a tight leash, she does it out of love rather than for the sake of the Hamilton reputation like their father. Her devotion to their well-being, happiness, and safety is heartbreaking when Mr. Hamilton gets wind of a giant group of girls who dance and travel together at night. As the story progresses, each sister’s voice grows in strength, her individual nature shining through, loosening Jo’s grip and liberating each girl to pursue her own future. I worried I wouldn’t be able to remember each sister’s name, personality, hobby, and favorite dance, but Valentine does a wonderful job of showing the sisters in action without the reminders becoming repetitive.

  This story was intriguing and fun, and is definitely meant for a fan of 1920s Manhattan, dance clubs and the prohibition, and fractured fairy tales. Setting this particular fairy tale in that era is brilliant and fitting, full of scandal and excitement.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Atria Books for review!

  Last but not least…”I like boats.”

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: historical fiction, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Dreams of Gods and Monsters” by Laini Taylor

  Posted at 1:51 pm by Laura, on May 18, 2014

  Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor 

  Publisher: Little, Brown
  Published: April 8
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780316134071
  Goodreads: 4.36
  Rating: ★★★★

  When the brutal angel emperor brings his army to the human world, Karou and Akiva are finally reunited — not in love, but in a tentative alliance against their common enemy. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves.

  In 72 hours, what can Resurrectionist Karou and angel Akiva hope to accomplish? A joined army of gods and monsters? An end to an endless war? A beginning to a seemingly-hopeless love?

  This took forever to read. I don’t know if it was because it was such a long book, because I didn’t want the trilogy to end, or both. I also don’t know how to write a review of this book — my mind is still a jumbled mess, and I’m only barely beginning to pick up the shattered remains from the explosion this book caused.

  Taylor is, without a doubt, one of the best YA fantasy writers out there. Her work is of high fantasy quality. Our world is merely a small blip compared to her creation. It was wonderful to sink back into Eretz, to see the chimera and angels, to discover new aspects of the world along with Zuz and Mik. The lyrical and humorous writing, the multiple point of views from Karou, Akiva, Zuz, Mik, human-originally-not-associated-with-these-characters Eliza, and just…wow. It was as fascinating and overwhelming as the previous two books. The timeline is packed with information, events, training, and battles across the globe and across dimensions — believe it or not, this book takes place in 72 hours. Phenomenal. Oh, and the sexual tension between Karou and Akiva — you could slice it with a knife. By the end, you are anxious for some face smashing.

  No matter how much I enjoyed it, what prevented this book from receiving five stars is the length. The quality was excellent, the story phenomenal, the characters wonderful, the depth of world-building awe-inspiring — but I felt there were too many subplots within the story that were unnecessary. I even imagined some of those subplots taken out, and with them removed it still didn’t change the core of the plot. Honestly, it could have cut 100-200 pages from the book. I hardly ever comment on the length of a book, but in this particular case there may have been too many punches packed in this finale.

  This trilogy is near and dear to my heart, and I bow to Taylor’s magic.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Open Road Summer” by Emery Lord

  Posted at 12:47 pm by Laura, on May 14, 2014

  Open Road Summer by Emery Lord 

  Publisher: Walker/Bloomsbury
  Published: April 15
  Genre: young adult, romance, travel, music
  ISBN: 9780802736109
  Goodreads: 4.07
  Rating: ★★★★★

  After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking.

  Reagan and Delilah have been best friends since elementary school. A pinch of talent and a stroke of luck changed Dee from an adorably awkward girl with a passion for country music into Lilah Montgomery, America’s sweetheart and teen sensation. Her fame and Reagan’s rebellious streak never break their infinite bond, and they are quite happy about that. For her first headline tour, Dee asks Reagan to come along, and Reagan is happy to oblige. Both friends are nursing wounds and lean on one another for strength, happiness, and support. When a tabloid photo threatens to turn the Lilah Montgomery brand upside-down, once-famed star Matt Finch joins the tour to help boost positive publicity. His presence works wonders, and the summer tour turns out to be so much more than either friend expected.

   

  

  Ridiculous disclaimer first: 1) My coworkers teased me for calling this “my Taylor Swift book,” because explaining the plot and themes and beautiful friendship would take too much time when I so desperately wanted to get back to reading. 2) I’ve never understood the concept of people naming their favorite fictional boy and calling him their Book Boyfriend…until now.

  Reagan and Dee’s friendship is raw, true, comfortable, unconditional, and absolutely stunning. They’re sisters, they have the same soul, they share brain waves, whatever you use to describe your dearest and closest friend(s), that’s what these two are. Reagan comes from a broken family and deals with it in rather harmful ways, but her friendship with Dee is pure and unwavering. Dee helps Reagan to her feet 100%, and supports Reagan’s effort to shape herself into something new, admirable, and better. Dee is a sweet, caring, lighthearted spirit, who works so hard to not crack under pressure and attempts to brush off the horrid tabloids and false news reports. Reagan’s known Dee for a long time, and Dee is a very grounded, family-oriented, small-town country girl living the life of famed country stars. It was wonderful to see how the two of them orbit one another, how Dee’s fame doesn’t get to her head, how Reagan doesn’t take advantage of this friendship, how these girls will stick to each other through thick and thin, across distance and time. Thank you, Lord, for writing such a beautiful friendship in this unique circumstance.

  Similarly — and I don’t know how to put this into better words — I loved seeing the side of celebrity normally hidden in the shadows. It’s ridiculous to think celebrities are perfect and wonderful all the time, that they’re gods and superhuman. It’s ridiculous how quickly the public changes opinion of them when one mistake is splashed across the web, magazines, and news. Because really, celebrities are just like us, the “normal” people of “reality.” We know this, but I don’t think we truly comprehend this. Matt’s character and Reagan’s interactions with him truly flesh out this aspect of celebrity life. With Dee and Reagan, their friendship hardly changed when Dee stumbled into fame. There was a Before. Matt Finch was part of a family band as a young teen, fell out of fame, released one solo album, and disappeared. Reagan knows who he is prior to meeting him in person, but it hits her in the face when she witnesses his efforts to maintain a mask for the stage, for the photographers, and then alone with her and Dee. He’s the sweetheart boy-next-door with a talent for guitar and piano and a handsome face. He’s broken inside and communicates through music — just like Reagan communicates through photography. And even though Reagan likes the charming Celebrity Matt Finch, she loves Reality Matt Finch more. And that relationship, too, is beautiful.

  Open Road Summer is a remarkable debut shedding light on the lives of celebrities backstage, when the photographers are gone and the mics are off; a stunning reflection on a healthy, strong friendship through life’s highs and lows; and a heartwarming love between two broken souls attempting to piece themselves back together.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: music, genre: romance, genre: travel, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Lovely and the Lost” by Page Morgan (ARC)

  Posted at 4:41 pm by Laura, on May 11, 2014

  The Lovely and the Lost by Page Morgan 

  Publisher: Delacorte Press
  Publishing Date: May 13
  Genre: young adult, fantasy, gothic
  ISBN: 9780385743136
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  Ingrid and Gabby survived the Underneath. They saved their brother, Grayson, from a future of dark servitude and exposed a plot to undermine the Alliance. But danger still lurks in the streets of Paris, and the Dispossessed, perched on the city’s bridges and rooftops, might not be able to save their human wards this time.

  Two months after surviving the Underneath, Ingrid and Gabby are training hard in their newfound abilities and passions and Grayson attempts to control his shifting. Ingrid works closely with Monsieur Constantine to control her lightning, and Gabby fights demons alongside reluctant Chelle. But disorder erupts upon their father’s arrival and the return of the Alliance. Fallen angel Axia is still plotting to destroy Ingrid, but the Dispossessed, the Alliance, and another secret order have plans for each of the Waverly siblings. There is only so much Luc can manage before things truly begin to tip over the edge.

  Do not continue reading this review if you haven’t read The Beautiful and the Cursed.

  The action, adventure, and fantasy elements are even stronger; stakes even higher; plot even more complicated. What began as a unique spin in paranormal romance (think Mortal Instruments but darker, more dangerous, and with gargoyles) has turned into a lush story for every character involved — so rich in detail, in risk, that I cannot comprehend what the outcome will be in the final book. Side characters like Vander and Nolan are fleshed out further, to the point where the sisters and the reader notice their flaws. In the first book, they made the perfect romantic conquests. The obvious hero of Ingrid and Gabby’s stories. But with this next installment, we learn more about their past, their opinions and values, their future plans. It was a joy to read, because it created a sense of reality in the fantasy.

  The primary narrators — Ingrid, Gabby, Grayson, and Luc — are showcased once again, with their tumultuous emotions and thoughts, their interwoven adventures and separate plots. Gabby struggles with her scars but is strengthened by her drive to become an Alliance member. Ingrid struggles between Vander and Luc in a way that doesn’t come across as a love triangle — it’s complicated to describe, but it’s so very clear which one she loves as a brother and as a lover that it doesn’t feel like a triangle. Her power is more controllable, but with its growth comes extreme danger for everyone involved. Grayson, on the other hand, lacks control in his shifting, but attempts to harness his demon-side and work with the Alliance instead of against them. And poor, poor Luc…he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, and his turmoil just made me want to curl up and cry. So much responsibility weighs him down, and he is forever at odds with his love for Ingrid. It’s heartbreaking.

  Like Morgan’s first book, the final 50-odd pages are just pure action from each point of view. It was like a movie with different camera angles, each new narrator coming into the picture just as another leaves. It’s amazing how she appears to easily weave these sequences together. Well done.

  This is more than a second book in a trilogy. This book could stand on its own. It has its own plot, rather than a link between the first and last books. New secret societies with cruel intentions crop up, new influential characters are introduced, new stakes and struggles and topics. A beautiful and thrilling read. I cannot wait till it hits shelves — and I’m really looking forward to the final book!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Delacorte Press for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: gothic, genre: paranormal, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Unfortunate Case of DNFs

  Posted at 7:03 pm by Laura, on May 6, 2014

  DNF: Did Not Finish.

  We’ve all experienced this in one way or another. The book was too boring. The book was too graphic. The book was a walking cliche. The book was nothing like you expected — none of the characters, the plot twists, the writing.

  Over time, I’ve learned to just stop reading something if I haven’t enjoyed it. I’ve rarely come across this issue, and as you can see from the blog, this is the first DNF post I’ve made since the formation of this blog in December 2011. I always manage to find a reason to keep reading books. But with Life knocking at the door, time constraints on digital ARCs, and the simple fact that one should spend time enjoying life’s pleasures, I’ve had to close books early.

  These two particular books — both ARCs due out this month — met such unfortunate endings.

  Royally Lost by Angie Stanton 
  Publisher: Harper Collins
  Publishing Date: TODAY, May 6
  Genre: young adult, romance, travel
  Goodreads
  Why I DNF: Becca whines and complains quite often – it’s a wonder Nikolai is attracted to her at all. She’s got a very first-world-problems thing going on for not enjoying a trip to Europe, as well (even one with emotionally distant family members and old folks). Nikolai is a good enough character, but Becca was incredibly difficult, and so I cannot finish.

  Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn 
  Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
  Publishing Date: May 13
  Genre: young adult
  Goodreads
  Why I DNF: The premise was enticing, and it seemed like it would be a nice, enjoyable, fun summer read. While the first 100 pages felt promising, the rest of the book came across like a completely different story, with a different voice, purpose, narration, characters…
  The motivation for the characters seemed unrealistic and petty, too. While I can completely understand an 11-year-old girl’s vengeful actions and blinding guilt, I cannot comprehend how a person five years later can plan revenge on the off-chance she’d stumble across the person again — and then execute the plan. 
  Maybe this is how classic villains are made. Maybe this is what’s so entertaining about trashy teen TV shows. Whatever the case may be, the book was not for me. I had to stop reading it entirely and instead skimmed to the end.

  Thank you, Edelweiss and MacKids, for providing these books for review. I’m so sorry that I did not enjoy them and could not finish them.

  Have you received ARCs for these books? What did you think of them? In what scenario would you stop reading a book?

   

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 6 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, dnf, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han

  Posted at 7:34 pm by Laura, on April 23, 2014

  To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han 

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
  Published: April 15
  Genre: young adult
  ISBN: 9781442426702
  Goodreads: 4.22
  Rating: ★★★★★

  What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?
  
  Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

  Lara Jean Song Covey has found a way to get over her loves quickly and efficiently: write them a love letter, seal it in an envelope, and hide it in her mother’s hatbox. By writing to them, she can let out all her feelings without the embarrassment of admitting them. Except when somehow the letters are delivered, and the boys come forward with their questions…

  

  This book was hilarious, awkward, quirky, and touching. While the premise of the book suggests a love story, at the heart it’s about growing up, facing fears, and finding independence. Lara Jean is very close to her sisters Kitty and Margot — it’s just them and their father; their mother passed away several years ago. Margot’s going to college in Scotland, and since she’s been the surrogate mother to Lara Jean and Kitty, Lara Jean is concerned she’ll never live up to Margot’s image and standards. She has difficulty fulfilling the role of Big Sister to Kitty, she’s scared of doing things without Margot and her approval, and she’s always concerned with what Margot would think or say in a situation. As the novel progresses, Lara Jean becomes less concerned on the idea of Margot and simply misses her sister’s companionship. It’s so remarkable, how close and loving this family is, that it warmed my heart.

  Another facet I liked about Lara Jean is her honest narration, her true-to-life insecurities, her racing thoughts, her pounding heart, her fight-or-flight rash decisions when Margot’s ex Josh and Lara Jean’s old friend Peter come forward with their letters. The whole situation with Josh and Peter heightens the hilarity and brings out Lara Jean’s quirks. The interactions they have with her family, their eagerness for her to share Korean food, the ways in which they want to protect her innocence or expose her to new experiences is beautiful to watch.

  Thank goodness Han has a sequel planned! While the ending of this book would allow the reader decide what Lara Jean plans to do with her final letter, I felt her story with her family and the boys she’s loved just wasn’t over yet. I’m so excited to see what’s in store for her!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: fiction, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Prisoner of Night and Fog” by Anne Blankman (ARC)

  Posted at 3:39 pm by Laura, on April 15, 2014

  Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman 

  Publisher: Balzer + Bray
  Publishing Date: April 22
  Genre: young adult, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062278814
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★ 

  In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her “uncle” Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf’s, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

  Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

  And Gretchen follows his every command.

  Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can’t stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can’t help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she’s been taught to believe about Jews.

  As Gretchen investigates the very people she’s always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

  Gretchen Müller’s father is considered a martyr for the National Socialist Party; he darted in front of Hitler and took the bullets. Since then, the Müller family is Hitler’s favorite, and he’s especially fond of Gretchen. She stands by his beliefs and hopes for a better Germany. But when Jewish reporter Daniel suggests her father was murdered, Gretchen’s world is turned upside-down. She watches her brother beat others mercilessly, makes connections between his behavior and Hitler’s, discovers incongruities in her father’s history, and pieces together Hitler’s darkest intentions for the Jews. Gretchen must face her most difficult decision of all: side with the people she’s been molded to hate, or follow a man intent on genocide.

  When I began Prisoner of Night and Fog, I thought I would encounter a I’m-supposed-to-hate-you-but-I-love-you-anyway YA historical love story. That the only interesting thing was that it was set before Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. I was completely wrong. This book is intense, a major psychological page-turner, with mystery, terror, and violence. Yes, there’s a romance, and the way it blooms is stunning — but this is first and foremost a third-party observation and psychological study on Hitler.

  It was oddly thrilling to be in the mind of a young Nazi girl. Gretchen is afraid of her brother, but is most frightened of him when he beats people without guilt. She watches him beat a Jewish man, and is torn between wanting to save this “monster” she’s been trained to dislike, and wanting to turn the other way. She is shocked to find humanity in the Jew. And she’s bothered even more when she meets Daniel and finds that he does not have any tricks in seducing her, does not transfer viruses, does not turn into a monstrous creature. Hitler’s brainwashing went so deep into her mind that when she realizes on her own that the Jews are innocent humans, she feels terrible for believing in such horrors and supporting the Fuhrer. She’s on edge, uncomfortable, tip-toeing around the whole Party. But most of all, she’s iron-willed and determined to find out the truth about her father’s death, even if it means putting her and Daniel on the line.

  There is plenty of fiction available for victims of  WWII. We have the perspectives of the women at home, from the soldiers across the world, from the Jews in the camps and in Siberia. But there are very few perspectives from the Nazi side, and even fewer from before the war when Hitler’s party was one of many attempting to take control of Germany. Gretchen’s independent transformation, coupled with the trust and understanding with Daniel, makes for a fascinating, frightening, and exciting read.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Balzer + Bray for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

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• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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