Tag: advance reading copy

• Book Review: “The Secrets We Keep” by Trisha Leaver (ARC)

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on April 27, 2015

  The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver

  Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
  Publishing Date: April 28
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, mystery
  ISBN: 9780374300463
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy’s shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she’s chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy’s world.

  When—after a heated argument—Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy’s death and everyone’s grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy’s life was full of secrets. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister’s life.

  Ella and Maddy are identical twin sisters, and once best friends. But on the first day of high school, Maddy races to the popular crowd and leaves Ella behind, nearly shoving her to a group of artsy, quiet types. Ella doesn’t mind — she loves her small group of friends — but she wishes Maddy would open up to her again, just like the old days. So when Maddy calls and asks Ella to pick her up from a party, Ella does so at the drop of a hat. After fighting in the car on a rainy night, Ella wakes up to find she’s lost her memory as well as her sister. Everyone — parents, friends, teachers — are convinced Ella is Maddy, and Ella delivers exactly what they’re hoping for. In an effort to become her sister, Ella discovers some dark secrets in Maddy’s past, secrets that may have been her redeeming quality that night of the party and accident.

  This is an emotionally gripping read. I was flying through the pages just to see how Ella would come out to friends and family to admit she’s Ella and not Maddy. It’s also an incredible mind-bender, a perfect psychological study for soon-to-be or current psychology majors. How would you respond to waking up and not knowing who you are? How would you respond to realizing exactly who you are but everyone is convinced you’re dead? How would you go about pretending to be that person for the sake of others without losing your true self in the process? How would you react, if you were the parent or friend, to finding out the person you think is dead is actually alive and well and right in front of you?

  If I were still a teenager, I would’ve enjoyed this even more. I would’ve thrilled in the mystery, the drama (oh, the drama — poor Maddy worked way too hard for all that exhaustive, conniving, high school popularity crap. Ella tok the right path of solitude and calm!), the emotion, the split-second decision. Leaver really knows how to connect to the reader in that regard. That being said, because I do have a psychology degree and I’m (only slightly) older than the targeted audience, I had a difficult time believing Mom and Dad and boyfriend Alex didn’t realize Maddy wasn’t Maddy but Ella. There were snippets here and there — Ella snapping at her parents at the funeral (Maddy never did that), Mom looking at Ella’s face and searching for one visual difference, Dad noticing that Ella’s dog was always hanging around Ella (Maddy hated the dog) — but it baffled me that hair style, tone of voice, walking style, mannerisms, eating habits, none of that clued anyone in on the fact Ella was not Maddy. Only Josh, Ella’s best friend, knew from the start. And those are just the tiniest of loopholes I let slide.

  Twin stories are fascinating, and Leaver certainly hits this on the head. The great mystery behind Maddy is shocking, and it makes you hate her and love her all at once. Ella’s determination to make others happy is both worthy of respect and a sign to stand up for who you are and be proud of that young person. She doesn’t need to be a doormat to realize people love her for exactly the way she is. She learns the hard way, that’s certain, but I love how much she grew by the end of the book.

  Thank you, NetGalley and Mary Van Akin, for providing this book from FSG for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: mystery, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Secrets of Attraction” by Robin Constantine (ARC)

  Posted at 5:45 am by Laura, on April 23, 2015

  The Secrets of Attraction by Robin Constantine

  Publisher: Balzer + Bray
  Publishing Date: April 28
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance
  ISBN: 9780062279514
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  Madison Parker is on fast-forward. Working toward a scholarship for a summer art program, she already has her future figured out. But when a visit from a family friend turns her life upside down, everything she thought she knew becomes blurred. All she wants is to stand still for a moment.

  Jesse McMann is stuck on repeat. Reeling from a breakup that shattered his heart and his band, Jesse divides his time between working as a barista and trying to find the inspiration to write music again. All he wants to do is move forward.

  The night Maddie strolls into Jesse’s coffee shop after yoga class, the last thing on his mind is hooking up, but her smile and witty comebacks are hard to ignore. The spark between them is undeniable, but once-a-week flirting is hardly the stuff of epic romance.

  Kismet arrives in the unlikely form of Grayson Barrett. When Jesse discovers that Gray’s girlfriend is also Maddie’s best friend, he invites Gray to join his band as their new drummer, hoping this connection will give him more time around Maddie. Slowly but surely, Jesse and Maddie forge a friendship, but do they have what it takes to make their relationship truly sync?

  Maddie plans to spend her spring semester pulling together a good portfolio for summer architecture programs, amping up her photography spreads for the school yearbook, and practicing yoga with her mother. But when her mom springs some surprising news on her, Maddie can’t help but feel a little shaken. Jesse, meanwhile, is attempting to crawl out from a pit of despair and get back in the game with his band, and desperately needs a drummer if Yellow #5 is going to play a gig. Brought together by music and a conveniently-located cafe near the yoga studio, Maddie and Jesse stumble through a new kind of romance, one of opening up and putting the other first.

  Set in the same world as The Promise of Amazing, I can’t help but feel like I enjoyed this story more! It almost makes me want to re-rate TPoA as 3.5 and this 4 stars, for a comparison. While I felt the conflict (Maddie’s mother’s news) didn’t seem too outrageously conflicting (though I can see why it might be something of a rocky surprise…just not as rocky as this was made out to be), I really liked how authentic Maddie’s struggle to open up to Jesse and Jesse’s struggle to put another person first came across.

  Maddie is easy to love. She’s flirtatious and gregarious, has such a beautiful friendship with Jazz and Wren, thinks inappropriate(ly hilarious!) things about her yoga instructor, works hard on her portfolio, and seems to do fairly well in school. She’s good fun with a little extra rebellion on the side. But her biggest issue is opening up her vulnerable side to others. She and her mother are a team, a la Gilmore Girls, and she and her friends are a tight-knit bunch. Why open up to more people? The book starts of in a fun, casual, physical relationship with another guy from school, very light and swoony with no substance. She knows it, she likes it, and she thinks they’re on the same page. But when Jesse crashes in, she’s frightened of another path she could take, one that entails trust and communication and honesty. Witnessing her reactions to each baby step was a joy — such great character growth.

  Jesse grew on me. At first I found him to be a bit whiny about his breakup — but then I remember what it was like when I was a teen. When you thought you would be together forever, you genuinely believed it. And when it comes crashing down, it is truly the end of the world. Thankfully he’s not in that pit too long, and other aspects of his life begin to take over: his passion for music, his ability to take notice of the people in his life and care for them, his passion in everything he throws himself in. He’s the kind of guy who makes an effort and gives his all. Think stereotype musician without the broodiness, the drama and passion and commitment. A light, happy Adam from If I Stay, if you will.

  If you love architecture, music, beating-around-the-bush relationships, something light and fun and makes you want to dance, you ought to read this book. I’m looking forward to seeing what Constantine has in store for Jazz now!

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

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Silver Witch” by Paula Brackston (ARC)

  Posted at 6:55 am by Laura, on April 20, 2015

  The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

  Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
  Publishing Date: April 21
  Genre: adult fiction, historical, fantasy
  ISBN: 9781250028792
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

  On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

  In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

  Tilda didn’t mean to become a recluse when she moved into the tiny Welsh cottage by the lake. But because she was supposed to share this time with her husband, who died a year ago in a car accident, she’s finding it hard to connect to the new home and people. She stumbles across an archeological dig while out on a run, and is drawn to it by more than simple fascination — she senses a dark power, and strange things begin to happen in her new surroundings. She sees a woman on a boat, a woman as pale and silvery as herself, a woman named Seren who was a shaman of the area around 920 AD, and Seren’s history is Tilda’s future.

  I enjoyed The Winter Witch so much that I wanted to read anything else set in Wales that Brackston wrote. Though magical realism isn’t my thing, I thought I’d give this part-contemporary part-historical novel a try. It’s not what I expected, but I did enjoy it.

  The historical storyline worked for me in some ways and not so much in others. What worked included the pre-Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasion, when Christianity was new and people still embraced aspects of the Old Ways. Magic is a part of life, and people sought shamans for visions, advice, and healing. Seren’s role in the royal court of this small Welsh area is an honorable one. I enjoyed the dynamics and her romantic storyline and her deep love of nature and the connection she had with the water horse in the lake. But aspects of what I just stated I enjoyed were also things that didn’t quite work for me. I liked the romantic storyline, but as a contemporary reader I had difficulty accepting her affair with the prince while he was married to the princess. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the princess and think Seren a little selfish. The water horse was a bit prevalent in this, too, rather than an occasional sighting of a mythical creature. Hold back — the magical realism is showing.

  The contemporary storyline began a bit slowly, and I was quite frustrated with Tilda at first. But she grows on the reader, aspects of her personality waking up and flourishing. It’s as if she’s waking up from her grief, so in the end I enjoyed her character growth immensely. The way she handles coming to terms with her newfangled magical power was amusing and awesome, as well. Her interest in the history of the area, and how she makes logical connections between now and then, was incredibly enjoyable. I loved her interactions with the archeologists, and her time with Dylan made me smile. But again, as her power grew, it stepped beyond what I was expected and entered into magical realism. I have so much difficulty with that.

  Throughout this plot, we’re trying to figure out what happened to Seren, how she’s connected to Tilda, and what exactly is buried in the unearthed grave. The who, what, when, where, and whys of it all drive the story. I had so many guesses from the beginning, but all of them were completely wrong. But by the time it was revealed (about 80% into the book — great timing!), it all made complete sense and clicked into place. Of all the aspects of the story, it was this I was most interested in: connecting the past and present through this grave.

  The Winter Witch was more earth-based magic (it’s all in the plants and winds and animals, no spells or incantations or brews or mythical creatures) with a very realistic historical storyline (a mute marries a drover). I wanted to know more about Seren than Tilda, or at least see this as two separate books rather than two narratives in one. The book was enjoyable, and perfect for someone with a higher tolerance for magical realism.

  Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this book from Thomas Dunne Books for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke” by Anne Blankman (ARC)

  Posted at 7:15 am by Laura, on April 15, 2015

  Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman

  Publisher: Balzer + Bray
  Publishing Date: April 21
  Genre: young adult, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062278845
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  The girl known as Gretchen Whitestone has a secret: She used to be part of Adolf Hitler’s inner circle. More than a year after she made an enemy of her old family friend and fled Munich, she lives with a kindly English family, posing as an ordinary German immigrant, and is preparing to graduate from high school. Her love, Daniel Cohen, is a reporter in town. For the first time in her life, Gretchen is content.

  But then, Daniel gets a telegram that sends him back to Germany, and Gretchen’s world turns upside-down. And when she receives word that Daniel is wanted for murder, she has to face the danger she thought she’d escaped-and return to her homeland.

  Gretchen must do everything she can to avoid capture and recognition, even though saving Daniel will mean consorting with her former friends, the Nazi elite. And as they work to clear Daniel’s name, Gretchen and Daniel discover a deadly conspiracy stretching from the slums of Berlin to the Reichstag itself. Can they dig up the explosive truth and get out in time-or will Hitler discover them first?

  Gretchen and Daniel managed to escape Germany and start new lives in Oxford. She lives with the Whitestones, the family of the doctor who helped her discover Reinhardt and Hitler’s psychological similarities, and attends school and dreams of going to university. Daniel, however, lives a bit unhappily working as a reporter for a society paper. Their newly constructed identities are shattered when Daniel receives a telegram about his family back in Germany. While he’s there, Gretchen hears on the wireless that Daniel’s wanted for murder in Berlin. Knowing he’s trapped, Gretchen races back to Germany to find Daniel, clear his name, and flee before Hitler discovers she’s back. Clearing Daniel’s name takes longer than Gretchen anticipated, and Hitler is days away from finding her. The Reichstag fire is tied to Daniel, and it takes working with mob rings to bring down Hitler and escape unscathed.

  If you haven’t read Prisoner of Night and Fog yet, do so now. This is a duology, very intense and historically revealing.

  While Prisoner exposes the reader to the Nazi state of mind (which is a complete mind-bender of its own, almost like experiencing Stockholm Syndrome) and reveals the psychological aspects of Hitler’s character, Conspiracy exposes the reader to historical events and conspiracies that lead up to Hitler’s dictatorship and WWII. First of all, mob rings? Who knew?! Right — they’re not really mobsters or gangsters, they have a strict code of honor and no-violence policy — but these underground clubs were targeted by Hitler. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The messy links between politics, money, and business work in Gretchen and Daniel’s favor, and Gretchen needs to use what she’s learned about psychology from Dr. Whitestone and what she knows about Hitler in order to stay one step ahead and make it out of Germany (again) alive.

  Gretchen and Daniel run into family and friends — or, in Gretchen’s case, old friends that are now dangerous enemies — and the reaction to their relationship is across the board. Hitler’s propaganda is rooting, and National Socialists (Nazis) are even more dangerous and impulsive while everyone else is either headstrong and determined to fight against it (and eventually die for it) or frightened (so they follow the crowd to blend in, or are so scared they’re blocking it out and pretending it’s not happening). Germany is not a good place, and any one of their friends or foes could turn them in at any time. It’s heart racing, blood pounding, breathless fear from beginning to end. I don’t know how anyone could have lived like that on a daily basis for years on end.

  Because of the tension and the world crumbling to pieces, Gretchen and Daniel try to reconcile their feelings for one another with the reality of their situation. It’s very likely they’ll die at any time, so why discuss the future? Or, if they make it out alive, how can they discuss their future when Gretchen was happy in England and Daniel wasn’t? They’re both young with full lives ahead of them (hopefully), so they’re concerned their love for one another is just emotion without reason. I should note their relationship is not the forefront of the story — it’s not like they sit around and twiddle their thumbs and discuss whether or not to stay together — but their confusion mixed with their without-question race to defend and save one another feels deep and genuine. It’s unconditional. It doesn’t matter what happens after this is over, because here and now they’re fighting for one another, for the other’s safety, for freedom, to expose Hitler and his evil plans. Instinct kicks in, and that’s what drives the story. Again, I don’t know how anyone could have lived like that.

  I’m curious about 1930s Europe now. I want to learn more about pre-WWII Germany. I want to see the chain of events domino from WWI on. It’s dark and fascinating and not really explored in classrooms or in literature. Blankman is a phenomenal writer who gives us such unique perspectives on history. She deserves awards. All of them.

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

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Wondrous and the Wicked” by Page Morgan (ARC)

  Posted at 6:30 am by Laura, on April 8, 2015

  The Wondrous and the Wicked by Page Morgan

  Publisher: Delacorte
  Publishing Date: April 14
  Genre: young adult, fantasy, gothic
  ISBN: 9780385743150
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Since the Waverlys arrived in Paris, the streets have grown more fearsome by the day. As Ingrid learns to master her lectrux gift, she must watch Axia’s power grow strong enough to extend beyond her Underneath hive. By all indications, the fallen angel’s Harvest is near-and the timing couldn’t be worse.

  Targeted by vengeful gargoyles, Gabby has been exiled to London for her own protection. Meanwhile, the gargoyle castes are in disarray, divided between those who want Luc to lead them and those who resent him and his fondness for humans. The Alliance is crumbling from the inside as well, its members turning against one another, and possibly against the Waverlys, too.

  Axia has promised that the world will burn. And now, unable to trust the Alliance, separated from Luc, Gabby, and her twin, Grayson, Ingrid is left to face the demon uprising alone.

  Ingrid is left in Paris with a different gargoyle presiding over her home. Her brother, Grayson, seems to have disappeared, when he’s actually learning more about demon dust with Vander in order to fight off his hellhound instincts. Gabby is trapped in London with Rory, Nolan’s cousin, and she insists on training to become an Alliance member, no matter what Nolan says. Meanwhile, Luc is separated from the Waverly family, and a civil war is approaching the Dispossessed, one that decides whether Luc should become their leader. But Axia’s Harvest could happen any day now, and Ingrid’s life — her blood — is at stake. But who can anyone trust? The Alliance, with their oath to slay demons? The Dispossessed, with their curse to protect humans? Or the Diacrypta, with their newfangled technology that may prove to save them all?

  Okay, so, the publisher summary makes it sound like Ingrid is all alone, the poor dear. What is she to do? And while my summary is a bit jumbled, I can’t say too much without revealing the entire plot. But what is true about both of these summations is that Ingrid, Gabby, Grayson, and Luc all share equal page time with their voices and perspectives, weaving together seemingly dissimilar parts of the story into one complex and epic plot.

  Trust me. It will all make sense.

  That’s the thing about Morgan’s writing. With The Beautiful and the Cursed, we had several perspectives but it was primarily on Ingrid and Luc. As the plot thickened in The Lovely and the Lost, secondary characters had more to tell the Waverlys and Luc. And now, they all work together to bring down Axia and find their way to a happy ending. That’s not to say this ends everything all neat and tidy (for a moment, there, the Dispossessed does have an elder, a leader, but by the end that’s up for debate — plus, Gabby’s future and Vander’s future and basically all of Paris and these fantastical orders), but it certainly leaves you in an expected but very satisfying place.

  I loved every single character in this book, bad and good and somewhere in between. The places the plot takes them matches their personality and decision-making and the way everything came together. Gabby’s stubbornness felt more like bravery and less like snobbery, and that’s a major character growth. Ingrid was always determined to do what she could to save those she loved, and thank goodness she used more thoughtful reasoning behind her actions in this book than in previous — more growth there. Luc point-blank gave up trying to govern himself. By being more human, he’s able to accomplish so much more — and his support from Marco was a welcome sight. Grayson was just an interesting character all around. We only knew him as a brother in book 1, and a struggling half-demon in book 2, so getting into his mind and understanding his thought process, motivation, and emotional turmoil was very interesting and eye-opening. It makes his big moment really hit you in the gut, too.

  Though the historical aspect may appear simply as a backdrop for the story (that maybe this could take place at any time), it’s not. Morgan chose this time frame meticulously. It all comes down to the blood. All those scientific studies Vander worked on in the previous books help shed light to the situation in this one, and blood transfusions is one of them. Blood transfusions were dangerous in this time, yet new and fascinating and gross and taboo. That’s why Dracula was oddly enjoyable for readers when it first came out. Toss in the science versus religion conversation and this book goes well with that. Gargoyles are placed on cathedrals to keep the demons out. In this book, that’s true too, but they keep the humans within holy places and homes safe.

  So who wins this war in science versus religion? Is it even a science versus religion topic? Is it about race or social class? Is it about the human condition?

  I love this trilogy. It’s so unique, and Gothic, and fantastical, and deserves so much attention! Thank you for the wondrous journey, Morgan!

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

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: gothic, genre: historical fiction, genre: paranormal, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Miss Mayhem” by Rachel Hawkins (ARC)

  Posted at 7:10 am by Laura, on April 2, 2015

  Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

  Publisher: Putnam
  Publishing Date: April 7
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780399256943
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.

  Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life.

  After the devastating events of Cotillion last Christmas, Harper Price is ready to get back to her normal lifestyle — even with the added Paladin duties for her boyfriend/Oracle David. But the Ephors have something else in mind, and it involves David not getting killed. Harper has to prove to them she can be the best Paladin by undergoing several life-threatening trials. As the Miss Pine Grove pageant moves ever closer to the final trial, Harper, David, Bee, and Ryan are pulled in different directions, and knowing who to trust is completely up in the air.

  Harper is still controlling, sassy, funny, and smart, but being a Paladin after such devastating events is really taking a toll on her. Ryan, a new Mage, and David, an Oracle, aren’t exactly helping matters. They’re three teens who have absolutely no idea what they’re doing, and all of their training now comes from books and leftover materials from the late Saylor’s home. So when the Ephors show up and tell them they’re not bad people out to kill David, it really is genuinely hard to tell if they’re being honest or if there’s something up their sleeves. Thrown in the fact Bee is alive, well, and also a new Paladin, and things become riotously complicated.

  The trials Harper experiences are meant to be traumatic for her and her alone. The Ephors target the people and places Harper cares about most. It’s meant to test her physical, mental, and emotional strength. Poor thing begins to crack from the pressure, and I kept gripping the book, begging her to keep moving, to keep going on, that she could do this! The scene in which she spills the beans to one of her aunts was quite possibly my favorite. The whole reaction sequence reminded me of Buffy once more. (And, speaking of Buffy, I would say this mirrors the middle seasons of the show, around the time Angel became evil again. You know, still fun and humorous but definitely darker.)

  From everyday teen drama (who is dating again? Who broke up?) to life-threatening scenarios (get OUT of the Fun House, Harper!), Harper and David are tested to the limit, and will leave you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens in the next installment of the Southern Rebel Belle trilogy.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Putnam for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Kissing Ted Callahan” by Amy Spalding (ARC)

  Posted at 8:25 am by Laura, on March 26, 2015

  Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys) by Amy Spalding

  Publisher: Poppy
  Publishing Date: April 7
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance
  ISBN: 9780316371520
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  After catching their bandmates in a compromising position, sixteen-year-old Los Angelenos Riley and Reid become painfully aware of the romance missing from their own lives. And so a pact is formed: they’ll both try to make something happen with their respective crushes and document the experiences in a shared notebook.

  While Reid struggles with the moral dilemma of adopting a dog to win over someone’s heart, Riley tries to make progress with Ted Callahan, who she’s been obsessed with forever-His floppy hair! His undeniable intelligence! But suddenly cute guys are popping up everywhere. How did she never notice them before?! With their love lives going from 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye, Riley and Reid realize the results of their pact may be more than they bargained for.

  Riley and Reid are two members of a four-person band. The band is life. The band is one. The band is now ruined forever, thanks to Lucy and Nathan making out hardcore on the band practice room couch. Riley and Reid decide to take action by making moves and pushing boundaries: they’re going to date someone this year, and they’re going to map it out in their little notebook. But dating — or just making out — proves to be hilariously different for these two, as so many unexpected events block their paths to finding the perfect person to smush faces with.

  Kissing Ted Callahan is fun and quirky and very 90s movie. I couldn’t stop thinking of “Clueless” and “10 Things I Hate About You” (especially “10 Things”) while I read. It’s cheesy, it’s young, it’s ripe with sexual innuendo, and it’s loaded with music. You could build ten full mix CDs with this book based on the music alone. Name dropping and songs everywhere!

  This book is very straightforward. Two bandmates feel awkward about two other bandmates becoming an item. They form a pact to date people (well, Reid wants to date someone, Riley just wants to make out with someone — this gender-switching perception on dating was unexpected and welcomed), and promise to record the events in a notebook. All of a sudden, Reid’s plans go awry and Riley notices guys now (they’re not just guys, but they’re guys). Someone loses the notebook. Reid and Riley panic. More hilarity ensues. And that’s where I’ll leave it.

  Riley’s inner voice is what made me laugh the most (“Ted, come back! Ted, I’ll learn to be normal! Ted, it isn’t fair we sat two feet apart and I didn’t get to touch your hair!”*). If you’re looking for a younger-voice YA for light spring or summer reading, with all the comic trappings you saw in 90s movies — and a kick-ass playlist to boot — then this is the book for you. It’s quick, it’s energetic, and it’s enjoyable.

  Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this book from Poppy for review!

  *Quote taken from uncorrected proof

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: music, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “At the Water’s Edge” by Sara Gruen (ARC)

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on March 17, 2015

  At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen

  Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
  Publishing Date: March 31
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780385523233
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’s father, a former army Colonel who is already embarrassed by his son’s inability to serve in WWII due to his being colorblind. To Maddie’s horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father’s name and return to his father’s good graces (and pocketbook). Joined by their friend Hank, a wealthy socialite, the three make their way to Scotland in the midst of war. Each day the two men go off to hunt the monster, while another monster, Hitler, is devastating Europe. And Maddie, now alone in a foreign country, must begin to figure out who she is and what she wants. The novel tells of Maddie’s social awakening: to the harsh realities of life, to the beauties of nature, to a connection with forces larger than herself, to female friendship, and finally, to love.

  Maddie, Ellis, and Hank just celebrated the stroke of midnight and welcomed in 1945 when the men decided that this year, in two weeks’ time, they’ll finally set off to Scotland and find the Loch Ness monster. Maddie laughs, and doesn’t take them seriously. There’s a war going on, for crying out loud! But when they’re sober once more — and Ellis’s parents toss him and Maddie out the door — Maddie comes to find these two foolish men are serious about this adventure. When they arrive in Scotland, Maddie tries to make the best of their situation by befriending Anna and Meg, the two girls who help run the inn, with their daily tasks and getting to know the town when it’s not ravaged by air raids. But as time passes, and Hank and Ellis are no sooner to gathering evidence of Nessie’s existence, Maddie must make a life-changing decision to save herself or fall victim once more to the men’s plots.

  This blows Water for Elephants out of, well, the water. I think this may be Gruen’s best book yet.

  When I first picked this up, I was expecting a jolly quest for the Loch Ness monster darkened by the war only slightly with punctuated air raids and all that. Oh, no. No no no, this is a very deep, introspective novel, about one woman and her personal awakening while her deceiving husband and his charismatic friend dash off God-knows-where, mindless and heartless about the hardships right in front of their eyes.

  Maddie, though without asking for pity, has had the kind of rough life only a pampered rich girl can receive: a cold father, a narcissistic and hysterical mother, no girl friends, and essentially no money if she doesn’t stay in her father’s good graces. She can’t go to college, her mother insists she gets plastic surgery, or at the least starve herself to be “thin and beautiful,” and so her life is an endless cycle of sleeping till noon, stumble down lavish staircases for dinner, and party all night. A doctor has even diagnosed her with a nervous disorder, and prescribes pills she doesn’t take and encourages her to abstain from physical activity of any kind.

  You can’t help but fall in love with her, because once she sets sail to Scotland with husband Ellis and friend Hank on their ridiculous adventure to prove Nessie is real, she’s awakened to the war, her sham of a marriage, her lack of female friendships, how utterly useless she’s become. Once in Scotland, she notices Ellis’s drug addiction and alcoholism, the way he treats her like she’s someone to be locked up. Hank distracts Ellis by taking him away for longer visits to the Loch, and Maddie finds solace in working with the other women at the inn, Anna and Meg — who, by the way, are absolutely awesome. Maddie, with Meg and Anna’s assistance and the sheer reality of the war above their heads, grows and stretches her legs and becomes who she was meant to be, who she wants to be. It’s beautiful. And it’s written entirely without selfishness. It’s like watching a naive, sheltered child grow into a determined and strong young woman. Amazing what war can do.

  There’s so much in this novel, beyond Maddie and her growth. You get a good peek into early/mid twentieth-century psychology, the effect WWII had on Americans versus Europeans, just how much class systems still mattered then, the effect news on the radio had on the populace, just how important it was to have a gas mask at all times. It’s not another Scotland story, another Loch Ness romp. It’s a very thorough examination of the war just before the end.

  And also, Angus.

  These fantastic men need to stop cropping up in literature and convincing me to move across the pond. And by “these” I mean Jamie, Red, and now Angus.

  This book is astounding. You really get into the mind of the character in her everyday life, and I absolutely adore that. I’m sad it had to end — I enjoyed befriending Maddie.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Spiegel & Grau for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 1 Comment | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Start of Me and You” by Emery Lord (ARC)

  Posted at 6:35 am by Laura, on March 11, 2015

  The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Publishing Date: March 31
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance
  ISBN: 9781619633599
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

  Paige is tired of That Look — the look every gives the Girlfriend of the Boy Who Died. Aaron was messing around with his Boy Scout troop when he jumped off a cliff, inevitably plunging to his death. Even though they only dated a handful of months, That Look and Paige’s heartbreak plagued her throughout sophomore year, and she’s not about to let it affect her junior year. Best friends Tessa, Morgan, and Kayleigh help Paige come up with a list of happy things, a to-do in order to climb out of the grief and seize life without guilt once more. Some of these things, like joining clubs and attending social events, are easy; others, like getting the charismatic Ryan Chase to date her, proves to be more difficult. It takes Ryan’s cousin Max to help Paige understand her grief, work through her struggles, cross off her to-do list, and face what’s really important in her life.

  My attachment to this book is more than “Oooo, another book by Emery Lord! I loved Open Road Summer!” It started with the opening scene (a bookstore), followed by a run-in with Ryan (who reminds me so much of a guy I crushed-from-a-distance in high school), closely followed by the description of the small, wealthy, Indianapolis suburban town near Carmel and Noblesville with the highest test score rankings in the state (um…Lord, that’s my high school). Toss in Paige’s need to create lists and plan ahead for everything, her compassion for her grandmother, her torn feelings towards her parents, her deep friendship with three wonderful girls, and Max Watson, and you know I’m hooked. This is…well, this is me. If I had a boyfriend in high school who died suddenly, everything Paige went through is exactly how I would’ve responded and attempted to wake back up.

  Paige is blind to the growing friendship with Max and the very obvious barrier between her and Ryan. She takes every little Ryan instance — like him paying for a hot dog (gosh that scene cracked me up) — and explodes them into something meaningful in her mind. And yet all the good things, commonalities, and connections with Max go ignored. I spent the majority of the book speed-reading for another Max Moment That May Take Them a Step Further, just like when I read Anna and the French Kiss. And it’s not until an intense scene at Max’s birthday that things finally click into place for Paige. While it was entertaining as well as frustrating, I found the whole journey heartwarming. It was wonderful to watch Paige ease out of her grief and guilt and become herself (a newer self) once more.

  While this book contained many layers, I can’t help but gush over Max. Max Watson has knocked Matt Finch off my Book Boyfriend shelf. He reminded me so much of my type in high school (and now, to be perfectly honest). He goes to school well-dressed, but still comes across slightly dorky rather than clean-cut preppy. He’s a nerd and proud of it without being condescending (he’s all about Firefly and Quiz Bowl, and is fascinated with airplanes), so even though he knows all the answers in class he’s never pushy about it. He’s a great listener and down for conversations and activities with Paige and her friends (with or without her there). Max is just…a good, smart guy. And watching him struggle to come to terms once again that yet another girl has fallen for his charismatic cousin Ryan is so…I wanted to give him a hug. He never once asks for attention or sympathy. Which makes you want to give it to him anyway.

  Can you see I’m in love? Cause I’m in love.

  This is a very introspective novel. From the very beginning you’ll catch on to that. We’re there with Paige during all the important events, laughing and dancing and crying with her friends, standing beside her as she blushes and stumbles around Ryan, sitting next to her as Max drills her for Quiz Bowl matches or shares secrets in the middle of a field. So it’s not like this isn’t an active narration. But Paige always takes a moment to think about the situation, how her life has changed, how she’s grown, what the bond between her friends and family mean, how she’s going to handle her future. She’s a deep thinker, an introvert with excellent observation skills in others’ lives. It was such a relief to read a book with positive female friendships, too, even in the worst of times.

  Snag yourself a copy of this book and join sweet Indiana teens on their year-long growth into their new lives, preparing themselves for hurtling toward a future of possibilities. (And Max. Don’t forget just chilling with Max, watching Firefly and debating which Bennet sister is the best.)

  Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this book from Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 5 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Shadow Scale” by Rachel Hartman (ARC)

  Posted at 6:30 am by Laura, on March 5, 2015

  Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

  Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
  Publishing Date: March 10
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780375866579
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.

  As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?

  Civil war breaks out among dragonkind, and Seraphina, as a half-dragon, is responsible for leading the end to the war. Prince Kiggs and Queen Glisselda ask Seraphina to seek out the other half-dragons from her mind garden, to persuade them to work together and fight off the dragons in a powerful way. But while Seraphina embarks on this quest, her mind — as well as many other half-dragons’ minds — is invaded, manipulated, and twisted with altering propaganda. How can Seraphina save herself, her new family, and her kingdom without accidentally harming anyone in the process?

  Hartman is an excellent writer, and takes YA epic fantasy to the next level. I’m really not a “dragon book” reader at all, so it came as a surprise that I enjoyed Seraphina so much. And yet, when comparing the first book to its new companion, I can see why: I liked Seraphina for the historical feel, the language, the universal search for identity and acceptance, and for music. Shadow Scale took it to the next level, with a deep focus on mind control and other half dragons. This book was far more political too, scheming and deceiving, and mostly focused on the quest, the journey Seraphina embarks.

  I’m very torn about this book. I liked learning even more about this world, I liked being reunited with Seraphina, Glisselda, and Kiggs. I liked meeting the other half-dragons and I liked seeing how they worked (and didn’t work) together to end the civil war and begin true peace. But I found myself, at times, bored. It has nothing to do with Hartman and everything to do with reading too many politically-driven YA fantasies in a row. I’m just world-building(ed) out. That, and the idea that someone could poke into my mind and control me just really freaked me out that I literally shuddered during any of those passages. (Great writing on that, Hartman!)

  Fully plan on revisiting this book once it’s out on the shelves. When I’m mentally prepared for high fantasy again.

  Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this book from Random House Children’s Books for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 3 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, 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 travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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