Beneath Beautiful by Allison Rushby

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beneath Beautiful is a stunning new adult novel.  Rushby gives us a story full  of introspection, dry humor and awesome characters.  As a somewhat successful author who can't find inspiration for her next book, Cassie is a main character to whom many of us can relate.  Who doesn't have a family member (or two) who thinks every decision should be made for us?  Who doesn't worry that, no matter how much they love us, our best friends might worry for our sanity after making rash decisions?  Who hasn't been torn between doing what we think is right and what might really need to be done? 

Beneath Beautiful is a lovely story of the journey it takes to become an adult.  Excellent writing, wonderfully drawn characters, and a nicely paced plot will leave you wanting more- even after the thoroughly satisfying conclusion. 


Beneath Beautiful by Allison Rushby: 5 out of 5 stars.  Available now from booksellers and libraries. 

The Jewel (Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing

Although an interesting concept, The Jewel is frightfully dull in execution. The descriptions of wasting time and clothing options are almost criminally tedious. The element of magic seems to be unconnected to anything else in the story, other than to indicate who will be able to bear children for the moneyed members of society. There is also the problem of insta-love. Sometimes it works- this time it feels like a forced issue to break up the tedium. Add into the mix characters that are flat and uninteresting, and it's not surprising that I have no desire to read anything after the first in this series.

The Jewel (Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing: 1 out of 5 stars.  Available at booksellers and libraries now.

Just a Little Crush by Renita Pizzitola

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A wonderfully written story of first love.  With strong characters, a nice pace, and a satisfying conclusion, Just a Little Crush is a book you won't want to miss.  This is the first book I've read by Renita Pizzitola, but it won't be the last. 

Just a Little Crush by Renita Pizzitola: 4 out of 5 stars.  Available at libraries and booksellers now.

When by Victoria Laurie

I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


When is a young adult novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat (or wherever it is that you happen to be reading it).  It's an excellent story full of amazingly drawn characters, an engaging plot, a protagonist you'd be proud to call a friend in real life, and a nail-biting conclusion- all with just a slight paranormal twist.

When by Victoria Laurie: 5 out of 5 stars.  Available from booksellers and libraries on January 3, 2015.

The Eternity Key (Into the Dark #2) by Bree Despain

Bree Despain has yet to write a story that I don't like.  I didn't even read the first book in this series, but I didn't feel as if I couldn't read this one without it.  The characters are great, the plotline twists excellent ways, and I'm really looking forward to the next installment.  Despain is a talented writer who can fully immerse you in the drama of her stories and need to know what happens next.

The Eternity Key (Into the Dark #2) by Bree Despain: 4 out of 5 stars.  Available May 12, 2015 at booksellers and libraries.

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

This is an interesting story, generally speaking.  The idea of one semester of potentially having a do-over for an event in your life is intriguing.  However, in execution this book falls flat. 

We get to know each character only through his or her tragedy.  Because of this, we know only the moments they long to change in their lives, and nothing else.  There is almost no development at all, even for Jam, who is our narrator. 

The entire story feels shallow and forced.  The big, massive, huge, twist-y secret isn't even really that impactful.  There are much deeper issues at play in Belzhar, ones that each character needs to resolve,  Until then, this book can only be quantified as okay, and not exceptional- in my opinion, anyway.

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer: 2 out of 5 stars.

The Silence of Six by E. C. Myers

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

An intense thriller of teen hackers on a mission to save the world as we know it.  Max and his merry band of "hacktivists" need to clear the name of their friend and show everyone the evils one corporation is inflicting on a global level. 

The Silence of Six is full of tech-speak, but fear not: everything is explained well and concisely.  There is never a dull moment in this story, which is full of chases, cyber spying, espionage, and excellent writing.  The plot is well-developed with a few twists and the characters are richly drawn- none more so than Evan, who we only come to know through Max's memories.

I've never read anything by E. C. Myers before The Silence of Six, but if anything else is as good as this, I'll be clamoring to get my hands on it, too. 

The Silence of Six by E. C. Myers: 4 out of 5 stars.  Available at booksellers and libraries November 2014. 

Curse Breaker: Guild Assassin by Berley Kerr

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I intensely disliked this book. I didn't finish it for numerous reasons, the foremost being my extreme irritation with Wendy as the narrator and protagonist. While the first chapter of the book is full of action, the majority is rife with boring details leading her up to the action that takes place in that first chapter. I couldn't relate to Wendy at all. She didn't seem to have any narrative emotion and came across as more of a neutral recording of events, even though some pretty traumatic things happened to her throughout the story.

The writing leaves a lot to be desired. There is so much description that I often forgot what was happening around whatever scenery was being discussed. The cover leads one to believe that this will be an steampunk story, but I was surprised to find out that it takes place on several different planets and involves quantum physics in addition to magic.

Overall the premise of this book was good, with an intriguing backdrop. Unfortunately, the narrator and the writing put me off of the story and leave me with no desire to find out what happens at the end of Guild Assassin, let alone what waits in the next installment.

Curse Breaker: Guild Assassin by Berley Kerr: 1 out of 5 stars.        

H2O by Virginia Bergin

The driving force behind H2O is rain that carries a vicious, transferrable virus that devastates the entire world at the same time is a brilliant concept.  Sadly, Ruby, the narrator, makes this book almost impossible to read.  She's incredibly self-centered, shallow, and even though she knows first-hand the perils of the virus-ridden rainfall, she can't seem to think about anything other than getting her cell phone (which no longer works, anyway). 

I know some of you are thinking that it's narrated by a teenager so what did I expect?  Well, I expected her to be a little less concerned with her gadgets and a little more concerned with the fact that, although they don't get along well all the time, her stepfather is the only person left in her world who truly cares about her.

 Her distracted, stream-of-consciousness recap of events is so wildly documented that I often forgot the point of the story while she was on one of her many tangents.
I couldn't finish this book.  Ruby's voice made me want to beat my head against a wall. 

H2O by Virginia Bergin: 1 out of 5 stars

Accession (Sarath Web #1) by Terah Edun

This was a confusing book for me.  There wasn't enough detail of the world in which I found myself immersed- a world of witch queens, magic, giant morphing toads, and drunken vampire-unicorn hybrids.  There was entirely too much information on dancing trolls under bridges and the sibling rivalry between perfect Rose and inadequate Katherine.  There were also a lot of mixed metaphors and a weak plot.

I think Accession has the potential to kick off a good series, but it might have been  better condensed.  Part One of a story, rather than the whole book.  It definitely needed more editing, and the writing style was so messy it was painful at times.  I will most likely read the second in the Sarath Web series, but if I am as disappointed in it as I was in Accession, I will give it up for good. 

Accession (Sarath Web #1) by Terah Edun: 2 out of 5 stars.

Until You Find Me by Amber Hart

I couldn't connect with the characters in this book at all.  Raven annoyed me with her incessant anger and refusal to even try to understand her father.  I admit, it wouldn't be easy to have a dad who seemed to care more about gorillas than his own family, but by the halfway point of Until You Find Me, she still hadn't given any indication of having any feelings other than blind anger.  Jospin also seemed incredibly shallow, with little character development by the halfway point. 

I gave up there because I'd already spent days trying to get into this book.  Neither the characters nor the story had me hooked enough to keep going until the end. 

Until You Find Me by Amber Hart: 1 out of 5 stars. 

The Silver Tower (The Silver Tower Saga #1) by Colee Firman

What started, for me, as a standard tale of a girl who longs to break free of her family's expectations ended up a richly detailed adventurous fantasy that left me wanting the next installment now.  Or sooner, if possible. 

As a protagonist, Sophie was excellent.  She doesn't just accept things as "the way they have to be." There is a lot of development on her part throughout the entire book.  The rest of the cast works well around her, even when people didn't turn out to be what I expected.  There were unlikely friendships made (Maven is a particular favorite of mine), betrayals, alliances, and yes, a romantic entanglement.
 
The Silver Tower kept me turning pages until the very end, and now I kind of regret it.  Mostly because now I have to wait (and wait, and wait) for the next book.  The writing is great, the dialogue is never forced or feels fake, and I'm going to have to find more of Firman's books to read in the meantime. 

The Silver Tower (The Silver Tower Saga #1) by Colee Firman: 4 out of 5 stars.

Handpicked by Dani Oden

As an introduction to college life, Handpicked is fairly accurate and occasionally humorous.  As a mysterious peek into the deep, dark secrets of sorority life where people go missing and someone is stalking the girls of a certain Greek organization, this story leaves a lot to be desired. 

There is a lot of lag time between a girl going missing and a severed hand being left for someone to stumble upon it.  There is even more lag time between the hand being found and the solving of the mystery.  Mostly that time is filled with stale descriptions of classes and parties, and completely inane chatter about the locations of closets, desks, and beds in a sorority house.  By the time the resolution finally rolls around, it feels rushed, disjointed, and frankly, uninspired.

I can't honestly say I'd recommend this, and after reading it I wouldn't buy it for my own collection.  I'm sure someone, somewhere would really love it, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the suspense arena.  The only thing that does recommend it is that the writing style is decent.  Sadly, that just can't override an tepid plotline and a slapdash conclusion.

Handpicked by Dani Oden: 0 out of 5 stars.

Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippert-Martin

Tabula Rasa is quickly paced, full of action, and answers the questions it creates for readers.  Sarah is a strong narrator supported by great writing skills.  Although we're not given deep looks at many of the other characters, they're described so well that they also stand out from the pages.  Sarah's interactions with everyone in this book affect the ultimate outcome of her life after the brainwashing of a clinic. 

One of the aspects I liked most about this book was the fight against those in control without being set in a futuristic dystopian society.  Its current setting makes it slightly easier to relate to, without delving into a huge breakdown of a society that we don't yet understand.

I also like that it can stand alone.  We might want to know more of what happens in Sarah's life after breaking free of the clinic, but there's no cliffhanger that makes a sequel necessary.  There is chaos and confusion from the beginning, but Sarah is forced to plan and take action in a small timeframe.  I've said it before, and I know I'll say it again: not everything has to be dragged out in a series. 

What begins with a girl who is literally a blank slate ends solidly with a protagonist who realizes the lengths to which she would go to reveal the truth, especially when the truth about herself might be the scariest thing she's ever had to face. 

Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippert-Martin: 4 out of 5 stars.

Feuds by Avery Hastings

Although I liked this story, it felt...glossed over, to me.  I got a sense of both Davis and Cole, but was not given a deep look at either.  Just when I felt like I was getting somewhere with one of them, another direction was followed.

Maybe I'm just projecting my feelings about falling in love under duress and in a very short amount of time, but I don't think there was really enough interaction between Davis and Cole for them to really love each other.  Attached, yes.  Deeply crushing on each other, yes.  Love?  I'm not convinced. 

 I also think the title doesn't really go with anything. The FEUDS were discussed a few times, and Davis even sees part of one of the fights, but I don't think they were important enough, plot-wise, to gain the title. 

Overall, though, I did like this story.  Both protagonists are easy to like.  Readers will find themselves attached to Davis and Cole, even though minor objections or questions.  (I certainly was.)  With a little more detail and polish, this could be a riveting YA romantic tragedy.  Perhaps that's what we'll get in the sequel.  I, for one, will definitely be reading it. 

Feuds by Avery Hastings: 3 out of 5 stars.

Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga

Barry Lyga delivered an explosive story with twists I didn't see coming.  This is a truly chilling tale of what humans are capable of- murder, torture, and the haunting truth that one never knows what one will do when pressed into an impossible situation.  Blood of My Blood is the stunning conclusion to the Jasper Dent trilogy. 

Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga: 5 out of 5 stars.

Also, even though I think Jazz might be too young to be familiar with My Chemical Romace, their song "Famous Last Words" is my theme for him.  It ran through my head often during this entire trilogy, and now when I hear it I think of him. 

Midnight Dawn by Jocelyn Adams

This is an action-packed fantasy novel that combines great writing with excellent characters.  Adams presents a world for Addison and company that seems plausible enough to scare you into wondering what would happen if it were true.  Even though I didn't read the first one, I didn't feel like I had missed too much.  All my questions were eventually answered, and the ending was neatly done.  Not everything was perfect, but everyone's fate was included before the final page. 

Midnight Dawn by Jocelyn Adams: 4 out of 5 stars.

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

I just couldn't get into this.  It was really complicated from page one, and there were so many narrators that I couldn't keep track of who was whom.  Overall, I think it was just too difficult for a horror story.  Maybe if it had been from only one point of view it would have been easier to immerse myself in it. 

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz: 2 out of 5 stars.

Game by Barry Lyga

Lyga delivers the second installment of the Jasper Dent trilogy with all the suspense and pulse-pounding action of I Hunt Killers.  Intense to say the least, Game will keep you riveted and eagerly anticipating the finale. 

Game by Barry Lyga: 4 out of 5 stars.

Broken by Lauren Layne

Layne has written a provocative story of two people who think they are damaged beyond redemption.  The dual first-person narration provides insight into the thoughts of both Paul and Olivia, highlighting the struggles and demons of each.  Broken will move you to tears, yes, but in a few places it will also make you laugh.  Ultimately, that is the test of fiction based on real life- if it affects your emotions the same way, it's a good story.  Layne accomplishes what few authors can with modern fiction: she makes you feel like you're part of the story that's unfolding on the pages. 

Broken by Lauren Layne: 5 out of 5 stars.

Stupid Girl by Cindy Miles

Although the story of the college bad boy taking the freshman nerdy girl on as a dare isn't a new concept, Miles weaves a story that is wrenching and beautiful.  Olivia and Brax both have secrets that they don't want anyone else to know.  They both have clear goals for themselves.  They both have people and circumstances they'll do anything to protect.  From their (planned) meet-cute to the last page, readers will keep wanting more.

There are a few issues with this story- ones that are fairly easily overlooked for the sake of the story.  One is lack of character development for any secondary character.  We get snippets of them, but they have no depth at all.  Much in the vein of Katie McGarry's books, there isn't really any room for other people in the telling of this tale.  They enrich it, but they're not really integral to the plot.

My other issue is the occasional chapter narrated by Brax.  He shows up rarely, narrates for a few pages allowing us insight to his thoughts, and that's nice.  But it's not an even split and I wonder at the motivation behind it.  Why include it at all, if it's not going to fully explain things from his point of view.  These segments mostly present a little more mystery to the story rather than providing real answers.  Although I am thankful that their narrations don't overlap, time-wise. 

Issues  aside, the writing is strong.  I laughed aloud in several places.  I think that, more than anything, is indicative of a writer's talent,.  Miles began with a hook in the prologue and kept this reader turning pages until the end- even if it meant I stayed up much later than usual to finish it. 
This is the first book by Miles that I've read, under this name or her pseudonym, and because of it I am planning to read others. 

Stupid Girl by Cindy Miles: 4 out of 5 stars.

Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Cross has presented fans with another fairytale retelling that is replete with wry humor, complex characters and dark, twisted plotlines.  A companion to Kill Me Softly, Tear You Apart details the story of Vivian and Henley, who are under a Snow White curse.  We first met them through Mira and Blue, the main characters from Cross's previous book. 

Though it's hard to be sympathetic to either Vivian or Henley, their story is gripping.  Determined to overcome their feelings for each other, they both do everything they can to cause the other to hate them.  Despite all this, though, they can't seem to stay away from each other, even as they freely acknowledge that they will destroy each other in the end.  Vivian is sarcastic, ungrateful, and demanding of Henley.  He is alternately her doormat and just short of physically restraining himself from hurting her.  None of their friends can fully understand, even if they are under curses themselves. 

Cross's writing is sharp, delivering twists where they are least expected and expertly weaving together modern and antique.  None of the curses follow their fairytale predecessors exactly, and there is an overlap of stories.  The dual narration offers insight into both sides of this Snow White curse, giving readers an intimate view of what Viv and Henley are thinking and feeling.  Cross successfully blends hope, fear, despair, love, and darkness in this story, proving that, much like the originals, fairytale retellings can provide as much horror as beauty. 

Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross: 5 out of 5 stars.

Firebug by Lish McBride

Lish McBride has given readers an amazing protagonist and an excellent cast of characters revolving around her. Ava is fantastically sarcastic, delivering snarky comments to others in the books while directing hilarious thoughts and references to the readers. I laughed out loud several times in the course of this book, and not just because of Ava. 

 Ezra and Lock are her perfect foils, alternately baiting and looking out for her.  They work well as a team, supporting and antagonizing each other.  Readers will find themselves cheering them on with Ava, and wanting to smack them an instant later.  If that's not indicative of best friends, I don't know what is. 

 The rest of this motely crew is also great.  Whether friend or foe, human or otherwise, each person McBride presents to readers impacts the story line.  Although there is clearly going to be another book to go along with Firebug, there aren't many loose ends left flapping in the wind.  Inevitably there are questions, but none that will drive anyone crazy until the next volume. 

I, for one, am greatly looking forward to the next Firebug novel.  McBride is wickedly funny and Ava and company showcase her craftsmanship flawlessly. 

Firebug by Lish McBride: 5 out of 5 stars.

The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling

The adventurous story of Remy, a diamond thief and trapeze artist, will leave you breathless and wanting more.  Her desire to succeed as a thief in order to escape her oppressive life in the circus, and her need to help her friend Claudette make a better life for her daughter, is admirable.  Remy is strong, resourceful, and is willing to sacrifice herself in order to save those she loves- especially Thaddeus, the one person who is supposed to bring her to justice. 

The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling: 3 out of 5 stars, pending the sequel, because it felt a little unfinished to me. 

A Lonely Magic by Sarah Wynde

Wynde has built a world in which those in power struggle against each other, and the natural progression of their lives.  Fen is a sarcastic heroine who does her best to keep up with rapid changes (including an attempt on her own life, being transported into an underwater world, and having a tattoo that speaks to her) and doesn't like to rely too much on anyone but herself. 

A Lonely Magic is a little slow to get off the ground, after its intense opening.  It's worth going through, though, to get to all the chaos and mystery that follow.  Here you will find a diverse cast made up of humans and nonhumans, those grounded in magic and reality, and where no one might be exactly whom they seem. 

The cliffhanger ending guarantees at least one sequel, and I'll be waiting for it. 

A Lonely Magic by Sarah Wynde: 4 out of 5 stars.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

At seventeen, Jasper Dent has seen and heard more horrifying things than any person ever should.  As a result, he's an engaging narrator with a small but trustworthy group of friends (okay, two- his best friend and his girlfriend) who takes care of his grandmother because it's the right thing to do. 

G. William Tanner is also an excellent character.  He looks out for Jazz, trying to make sure someone listens to and understands Jazz.  He's a father-figure without being a father-figure.  He offers guidance and lectures aplenty, sure, but he also gives Jazz the benefit of the doubt, treating him as an equal due to his horrific past.  Jazz knows things a teenager never should, and G. William Tanner respects what he knows. 

This galley copy also includes an interview with Barry Lyga, conducted by Libba Bray, that I hope makes it into the finished version of the novel.  In one of the questions Lyga is presented with a question of the gore and violence in I Hunt Killers, and he is a little surprised about it.  I agree with his assessment that it's actually Jazz's memories of the things his father said and taught him how to do that are far more chilling than any of the murder scenes depicted.  Even though you know they're fake, they can haunt you after you've finished reading. 

I am really looking forward to Game, the sequel to I Hunt Killers. 

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga: 5 out of 5 stars.

Killer Instinct (Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A witty, suspenseful story that will keep you turning pages no matter what else needs to be done.  Cassie is an excellent narrator, giving readers an idea what it's really like to get inside the mind of a crazed killer.  The rest of the cast is just as good, even though the first-person narration prevents you from really knowing them.  Each person is unique and easy to relate to, making this a group you'll want to join for more than one book.

I missed the first book in this series, but Barnes is a great writer with unforeseen plot twists.  Although this is the second book in the series, it didn't lag anywhere as others tend to do.  I really enjoyed Killer Instinct, and I look forward to reading more mysteries involving this group of characters in future books.

Killer Instinct (Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: 4 out of 5 stars.

I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff

Once again we join the nameless assassin on an assignment to end a threat to the nation.  This time, though, he's left hanging by those he trusts the most.  They're not sure he's reliable any more, and he doesn't know if he should blindly follow every directive he's given. 

Zadoff has a talent for writing fast-paced thrillers that delve into politics, activism, and social order.  The most remarkable aspect of this talent lies in creating these awesome stories for the teen set.  I am the Mission is full of action and the reader is taken through every aspect of the adventure by someone who knows what it is to be a modern teen- even if he's partially faking it. 

 Daniel (at least, that's his name for this book) is an excellent narrator and protagonist, voicing doubts and concerns about the program and its leaders.  He is always keeping himself apart, yet finding himself pulled further into the intrigue. 

I am really looking forward to the next installment of the Unknown Assassin.  I'm not sure how Zadoff could possibly make it better than this book, but I do know that I don't want to miss it.

I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff: 5 out of 5 stars.

Playing with Matches by Suri Rosen

In this completely engaging tale, Rain is only trying to make things right with her family and accidently becomes a traditional Jewish matchmaker.  There are a lot of great elements to this story, the first of which is Rain herself.  She is a strong protagonist, a witty and observant narrator, and fumbling through her life, just like the rest of us. 

The rest of the cast is just as good.  Even though you're not sure what the reason is, you can feel Leah's distance and dislike of Rain.  You're absorbed in the humiliation of being singled out by the headmistress and forced into a friendship in order to revive her academic career.  You get lost in the nuances of befriending through age barriers, ranging from mid-twenties to sixties and beyond. 

There is also a lot of information to gather from the narration.  I had no idea that traditional Jewish communities relied on matchmakers in order to form lifelong bonds.  After traveling along Rain's path to happiness (hers and everyone around her), I can see why.  What I liked most of all, I think, is nuance of the title.  Playing with matches is something Rain fell into accidentally, but the sparks she creates could set her entire world on fire.  She just doesn't know if it will bring a new beginning or familial devastation.

Playing With Matches by Suri Rosen: 4 out of 5 stars.

Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig

I really liked this book for several reasons.  I know there are arguments that the characters and plot aren't developed, lack resolution, and fall flat for many reasons.  If you're not looking for something amazingly deep, though, this is a fun read. 

Not many high school students would think to rob the Franklin Mint, but Alice, Jason, Dakota, and Benny do.  They're forced to think everything through to the last minute, drafting and redrafting their plans.  Things go horribly awry (as these things are wont to do), but they all band together to figure out the next steps. 

Things don't end perfectly.  There are issues that haven't even begun to be resolved.  But the narration and writing are strong, the characters are engaging, and the entire concept is fun.  Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig is worth the read.

4 out of 5 stars.

Third Degree by Julie Cross

I ended up really liking this one.  I wasn't expecting to because I found Izzy to be so condescending and annoying from page one.  Surprisingly, she turned out to be human and a teenager after all.  Her character development is gradual, taking place over the course of a school year and is detailed greatly for the reader. 

Marsh makes a great counterpoint to Izzy, providing us with the guy everyone wants to befriend, even if we don't know it yet.  There's depth to him that Izzy isn't aware of at first- which is nice because Izzy seems to think that she knows everything just because she's a textbook genius. 

There's a fair amount of conflict, too.  Izzy's parents aren't perfect, or perfectly happy, which is a stunner to her.  Her career isn't going exactly the way she expected it would, and she's not even finished being a medical intern yet.  Her nemesis seems to know things she doesn't, even though she's clearly smarter than he.  And Izzy just can't seem to escape Marsh, who seems to take great pleasure in letting Izzy know everything she does wrong. 

At times this entire story appears to self-involved.  (Yes, it's narrated in the first person which lends itself to the thought that it would be self-involved.)  For someone who is so incredibly smart Izzy is outright stupid about life.  No one is more surprised by her shortcomings than Izzy and it's her acceptance of them that makes her redeemable, and Third Degree a good book. 

Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

It's hard to know where to begin talking about this book.  There is the driving force of the life-sustaining need for a witch on Prince Island.  There is the tension produced between a the girl who wants to become the witch and the mother who would do anything to keep her from it, and the tension between the same girl who wants to learn from the grandmother who blames her for failing lessons the grandmother never taught.  Then there is, of course, the relationship that develops between Avery and Tane, in spite of everything. 

I had issues with the writing and the story line, but some things can be overlooked for the sake of a good tale and others cannot. The one I can't overlook is the writing.  There is almost no variance in sentence structure- every single one is long, with an overabundance of the word "and."  This does lend itself to the historical aspect of the book.  At times, though, it makes it less engaging and more of a question of unnecessarily dragging things out.

Avery is incredibly strong as a character, never giving up hope that she'll figure out how to unlock her magic.  What that magic is, exactly, is never really explained.  It's protection, I get that, but whaling itself was a dying industry at that point, and the island would never be able to sustain itself on that tack forever.  There's not even a hint that Avery would be able to adapt her magic to help in any other venture that would provide the islanders with their futures beyond whaling.  So what protection could the unlocking of her magic really give? 

Overall, I liked Salt and Storm.  I think it needs some polishing in the writing and some fixing of holes in the story line, but I did read a galley copy and am hopeful that these things are addressed in the final product.  I especially liked that this is a stand-alone book in a YA world chokingly full of series-based stories.  

3 of 5 stars.

Some Fine Day by Kat Ross

Told from the point of view of Jansin, Some Fine Day is a unique portrayal of life after the end of the world.  Jan is all set to be a top performer in the armed services, but her entire perspective (and life) changes after a trip to the Earth's surface ends in her captivity.  Yes, this is another dystopian society-type story, but it does offer a deviation and creativity that others lack
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Jan makes an excellent narrator, illuminating her doubts, fears, and suspicions.  Her perceptions of other characters gives great insight into their development, as well as her own.  The writing is good, the plot is good (although, there are some holes in it, but those can be overlooked easily enough).  While the action sequences are spaced out, there is plenty of conflict and confrontation to be found. 

The ending does leave a little to be desired, which is detrimental to the story.  I don't get the feeling that there will be a sequel- frankly, I don't think there needs to be one.  But it does feel rather rushed and leaves off in an odd place.  I definitely had questions afterward, and I know I'm not the only one.  It does, however, present a unique look at what happens after catastrophic events force humankind to alter lifestyles and adapt quickly to environmental changes. 

Braving the Brontes (Carly Keene,Literary Detective #1) by Katherine Rue

I've read a lot of reviews of Carly Keene and the prevalent feeling is that Carly is that she too often lets her emotions lead the way during her time helping the Brontes.  Yes, Carly shouts to make her feelings known.  Yes, she throws tantrums once or twice in order to get people to listen to her.  More than anything, though, Carly has been transported from 2014 to 1846.  She's a twelve-year-old girl who is stuck in a place that doesn't place much value on being either young or female.  I think that would wear on me, too.  It's hard to go from being important and heard to being ignored and pushed aside. 

Braving the Brontes is excellently written, and is a great step into the literary world.  There is much to be said for a strong protagonist who doubts herself, but finds the courage to fight her way through unexpected situations.  Carly Keene provides a character to aspire to, no matter what the age of the reader- especially because she provides so many examples of literary heroines in her own story.

4 out of 5 stars.

Just One Night by Lauren Layne

Another great love story from  Lauren Layne, Just One Night details the romance between Riley McKenna and Sam Compton.  Not only are these pages full of sizzling scenes, there are also some laugh-out-loud one-liners and moments.  The characters are excellently drawn, the writing is strong, and I had a hard time putting the book aside to do...well, anything else. 

I also enjoyed the unique take on a sex expert who doesn't fondly remember the one and only time she experienced the act.  I haven't read any of the other books in the Sex, Love, and Stiletto series, but if they're anything like Just One Night, I'll have to make sure they're on my list. 

4 out of 5 stars.

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell

Ever wanted to be inside the head of London's most notorious serial killer?  Dear Killer provides readers insight to the mind of Kit, seventeen-year-old hired killer who never backs down after she decides to take a life. 

I found myself thinking oddly during this book.  Mainly because Kit makes everything seem so rational, following her rules to the letter.  I'd find myself thinking, yeah, that makes sense. Then I'd remember she was talking about killing someone without leaving evidence, flawlessly evading capture.

Kit's a very introspective person, frequently wondering about herself and how others would feel or react in different situations.  This does present a problem for the reader, giving the impression that Kit is too self-centered and unfocused to represent a true serial killer.  It can be overlooked, though, as it can be construed as the self-examination of a girl who can't share her thoughts with anyone else at the risk of her own exposure. 

I did have an issue with the ending, but after thinking about it for a while, I feel it was the right way to go.  I can't say any more than that without sharing too much. 

My main problem was the authenticity.  The writing is good, but it doesn't have a British feel.  Yes, it's set in London and Kit mentions some famous landmarks and streets.  But she refers to her mother as "Mom," not "Mum." Her speech patterns also don't match those of other authors who successfully capture all things British.  I was able to push past that, though, and enjoy the story.

I also had trouble with the relationship between Alex and Kit.  For a police officer, he's entirely too trusting of her randomly turning up at crime scenes and offering her input.  Unless someone is a forensic genius, why would a cop listen to the opinion of a teenager wandering through almost every area in which there is a dead body?  Also, why is this same cop meeting said teenager regularly for coffee and lunch when they have had no previous benign relationship?  I'm not sure this could have looked more sketchy under any circumstance. 

After wavering back and forth several times and reading a few things between Dear Killer and writing this review, I have to admit that I liked it.  It was intriguing, it provided a lot to think about, and Kit is a strong character.  I could have been much better with more authenticity, some consistency, and some more revision. 

3 of 5 stars. 

The Battle for Arcanon Major (The Lost Dacome Files #1) by Alexandra May

This novella is excellent.  May imparts the history of Halika Dacome and her fellow rebels, giving insight into the events of Elemental: The First and Elemental: Origins.
 
May's skill at weaving a story is superb. The narrative is immediately engaging, drawing readers in to an alien world filled with war, weary soldiers, and a leader who is becoming torn between what she is supposed to do and what she feels she needs to be done. 

I'm looking forward to reading Elemental: Circle of Fire, but I am just as eagerly awaiting the next installment of The Lost Dacome Files. 

Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

By the end of Billy and Me, I was underwhelmed. Sophie May's secret wasn't really a secret. The relationship between Sophie and Billy seemed to have not progressed at all from when they first met and barely knew each other. Sophie became a character I didn't even like. (How does one relate to a character who seems to do nothing with her life other than be someone's girlfriend?) And what was supposed to be a happy ending felt saccharine and overly sentimental.

The writing is technically correct- too correct, actually. Everything was so formal it felt almost like reading a recitation of facts rather than being told a story by a friend. The use of ellipses drove me absolutely crazy. There was, at a minimum, one per page. Exclamations points were used in even the most mundane of sentences, making me feel as if I were talking to someone who'd indulged in way to many espressos before telling me this (mostly) dull story of a regular girl's love for a famous man. 

It's unlikely that I'll read this again.  I'll give Fletcher's next book a chance, but I don't hold high hopes. 

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine

A fantastic reimagining of the fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses,"  The Girls at the Kingfisher Club takes readers into the speakeasies of New York in the Roaring '20s. 

Although the third-person narration is primarily centered on Jo, the eldest of the Hamilton sisters, the reader is occasionally allowed insight to the other eleven sisters.  Valentine does a wonderful job of distinguishing each of the girls, making each one her own force within the larger group.  The background characters are also distinct and memorable, weaving in and out of the Hamilton sisters but never overshadowing them.

The writing style is also great.  The jargon is authentic- at least according to my grandmother, who remembers the '20s as some of the best years.  The dances  and popular music of the time are also presented accurately, making at least this reader want to try it all.

While the ending can't be described as the perfect romantic closing, it is nonetheless hopeful.  Real life doesn't always work out with full closure and happy endings for all, but this story will leave readers feeling satisfied with leaving the Hamilton sisters, knowing that even if everything isn't how they imagined, they're at least together and happy. 

Six Feet Over It by Jennifer Longo

What begins as the musings of almost sixteen-year-old overworked, severely underpaid, and largely ignored Leigh becomes the beautifully written and narrated story of love- love of family, love of friends, first love, and love of knowing one's purpose in life. 

Leigh's voice is authentic, garners reader sympathy immediately, and gives us insight to everything she observes.  And she observes so much.  She takes care of Kai, her older sister who is in remission from cancer, in any way she can.  She helps her parents by selling grave plots because her dad can't handle it and her mom, for all intents and purposes, is a total flake who is only interested in her painting and getting back to the town they left.  She knows she'd like to be friends with Eleanor, but doesn't know how after losing the only true friend she's ever had.  She helps Dario in any way she can because Dario has helped her to see who she can become if she just lets go and stops overanalyzing everything.

Jennifer Long presents us with a awesome (and awesomely flawed) characters, excellent morbid humor, and a book you won't want to miss. 

We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

I think what intrigued me most about this story is that it's written as if Nell, the narrator, is talking directly to her sister Layla. Nell's need to be involved in every aspect of Layla's life, and her subsequent confusion over why Layla only ever speaks to her when she needs Nell to cover for her with their parents is beautifully illustrated.  The first-person point of view gives a visceral account of what it's like to be so close to someone for so long and then inexplicably pushed away.  Reinhardt's writing style is superb, as is the voice she has found for sixteen-year-old Nell. 

The difficult part for me, though, is the lack of resolution.  It's not even that I am unhappy with how things turned out; it's that I'm frustrated with the story ending before anything can happen.  It was incredibly frustrating to be pulled in to Nell's thoughts so deeply and then be abruptly tossed out before there is any sort of solid ending.  I know real life doesn't always have a happy ending, and I'm okay with that.  It's hard to reconcile that with, what felt like to me, no ending at all.

Scintillate by Tracy Clark

The description of this book, to me, sounded like an Anne Bishop-style YA fantasy involving a girl who can see auras, and has a remarkable one herself.  Unfortunately, the story doesn't hold up, the characters are weak, and the dialogue is so sugary-sweet that I felt a little nauseated.

What drove me absolutely crazy, though, was the occasional phonetic spelling of Finn's accent- most of which were instances of strong cursing.  If some was going to be included that way, all of it should have been.

 I felt a little cheated after reading the entire story. There's not enough explanation of this special power, or the history behind it, for the length of this book. I don't think it needed to be strung out into a trilogy.

Aspen by Rebekah Crane

Aspen is an amazing story of the strength one person can find inside herself.  It is well written, the characters are strong and easily related to, and for many, the ending will come too soon.  Anyone who has ever felt that she won't be accepted if others knew all her truths (and who among us hasn't?) will love this story as much as I did.  A beautiful narration details incredibly hard moments offset by wry humor, Aspen is one story you should definitely read.

I Am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff

 This intense story begins with a nameless boy who excels at his job.  He doesn't try to hide how good he is from readers, and he isn't coy about his skills.  He knows what he has to do, and he does it well.

Because of his training, Ben, as the reader comes to know him, keeps his distance from everyone.  There are multiple background characters essential to the progression of the plot, but just when Ben and readers come to predict those people, things change again.  This not only proves Ben's thoughts that no one can be trusted, but it keeps the true events of the book hidden until the last moment.

Almost as succinct as Hemingway in writing style, I Am the Weapon is full of heart-stopping action, devious plans, and will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Isaura by Ruth Silver

In the third installment of the Aberrant trilogy, Olivia finds herself trying to save Joshua, fending off advances from Henry, and keeping herself from being killed by Isaura.  This could have been so much better in so many ways. 

The writing was truly terrible.  The punctuation errors alone had me confused as to the emotional state of every situation.  The entire narration is awkward- not just the conversation. There are so many "plot twists" that they become tedious- time travel, reproduction experiments, telepathic communication, portals, blah, blah, blah.  Because of these, there are also so many holes in the story that one just gives up hope of anything making sense at all.

 Olivia comes across as a whiny narcissist who wants everyone to listen to her because she's the only woman left who can naturally conceive a child. At every confrontation I expected her to stamp her foot and shout "Because that's the way I want it!"  I was so annoyed with her by the end of the book that I almost didn't even care if she had resolved her internal issues with being able to have a child versus wanting to have a child.

Isaura, the evil villain of the tale, was ludicrous.  This ties directly in to the holes in the story.  I still have no idea what her actual motive was.  She hates Olivia.  Okay, but why?  And what is the purpose to everything?  There isn't one, as far as I could tell.

The ending was also overwhelmingly saccharine. Yes, I like a good, solid ending.  I even like endings that others might not find "happy."   Everyone was so happily wrapped up that I wanted to gag. 
I was disappointed in the conclusion of this trilogy.  It started out so well, and went downhill from there, ending with this pile of poorly put together words.

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

Becky had promise from the first page. She's aware of her own physical shortcomings and she doesn't make any excuses for them.  She is the way she is, and everyone can accept that or keep their opinions to themselves.  When she's offered the chance to be the most beautiful woman in the world, she takes it.  Who wouldn't? My opinion of her didn't last. 

 There were a few problems with this story as a whole, though.  The conversation is stilted quite frequently.  There's also something...off about the entire narration. Maybe because it's written by a man voicing a teenage girl, maybe it's because Becky has a tendency to describe everything to epic proportions.  Becky was okay as a narrator, but I didn't connect with her fully.  She never upheld her promise of being that sarcastic, funny girl who wryly observes the world and subtly changes it to suit her own needs.

The biggest issues with this book are Tom Kelly and his dresses.  He promises to make Becky the most beautiful woman in the world using "magic" but this magic is never explained.  Sure, I was able to glean some of how it works along the way, but I never fully understood what was happening.
 Then there is Tom himself, with the biggest plot twist of all.  This could have been an amazing addition, bringing readers back again and again.  I won't say what it is, in case you want to read the book, but the reveal was pretty huge and then the whole thing just fizzled.  Not everything needs a scientific explanation, but there is no evidentiary support at all.  There's just nothing. 

The entire story came across as shallow and mean.  I think it was supposed to be a cutting social commentary, but Becky never seemed to learn anything from her time as the most beautiful woman in the world other than how to provide better service to the rich.  She had dreams of providing for those who were physically impaired, and for those who didn't have the means to make better lives for themselves.  When her looks returned to normal, though, she seemed to have forgotten her ambitions entirely.  To me, this just says that the only way we can use our assets to help those in need is if we're beautiful enough to make a public spectacle of it all. 

I think with a little bit of effort this could be the scathing commentary it was supposed to be.  As it is, though, Gorgeous doesn't add up to a good read. 

Thief (Scarab Beetle #1) by C. L. Stone

  Kayli is a thief, who makes sure never to steal from those who can spare a little cash, and she never steals from women or children.  All she wants to do is protect her little brother and get him into college so she doesn't have to worry any more.  When she meets some mysterious guys who want her help to stop a guy from his illegal activities, she wants to help make the world a better place.  But will they be able to stop him in time?

This book had a lot of potential.  It was a bitter disappointment.  Kayli may be a thief with morals, but she has no depth and shows no growth or development.  She is the same on page one as she is on page 339. 

I have to question the sanity of a girl who will put herself into a car with guys she just met, even if she is a fictional character.  I would like to think I would have been a little suspicious of their motives, but she just jumps in and doesn't have a clue where they want to take her.  Or do to her. 
She also doesn't hesitate to have intimate encounters with four guys in as many days- including the villain of the story.  She's so distracted by a pretty face, she can't seem to turn any of them down.  She also manages to string along the rest of the male cast for the entirety of the story. 

Her brand of flirting is everything I would hope isn't actually done in real life.  She hits guys, and then complains when they dare attempt to get her back.  She vocally disdains girls who play the coquette, but she masterfully does the same any time she has a chance.  She also hates it when girls are helpless, yet she plays that card several times too.  I particularly detested her ruminations on why physical violence gets her libidinous thoughts flowing. 

She also can't control her temper at all.  She shoots a guy with a nail gun just because he irritated her.  Did he seem to mind?  Not really.  As soon as he was released from the hospital, he was kissing her again.  She ran away from the team of guys who was supposed to be keeping her safe, straight into the lair of the bad guy, to whom she then gave away every single secret of the group working to take him down.

My biggest issue with this story is its lack of just that- story.  There are 300 pages of Kayli flirting, making out, and telling the reader why she's not ready for a relationship.  There are about nine pages of actual story.  When I finally got to the real action of the book, it was so anticlimactic it was almost laughable.  All the sexual tension dragged throughout the entire book made me even forget what was really supposed to be happening. 

I don't even want to know what happens in the next installment. 

Wicked Sense by Fabio Bueno

I was expecting much more from this book.  There was very little that wasn't almost absurd  when it came to the magical elements, and I'm not even remotely making a comparison to actual magical practices. The romantic story line was saccharine at best.  I wasn't very attached to either Skye or Drake, not to mention the background characters.  It wasn't even hard to peg who the Singularity was, from the first time she was mentioned.  I found this to be a cute, not too engaging or absorbing story. I might read the next one just because I invested the time to read this one, but we'll see.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson

Kiss of Deception is a story of fierce determination and fighting for a dream.  Lia, Kaden, and Rafe make intriguing protagonists with revolving points of view who give readers insight to everyone's thoughts, goals, and motivations. 

These three main characters are strong, and the alternation viewpoints illustrate how each one evolves and drives the plot ever forward.  This was an instance when I was sure a sequel was coming and I didn't have any reservations about wanting to read it.  I was mildly confused about the sudden inclusion of Pauline's first person narrative because it only lasted for one chapter, but it had relevance to the plot and I think it will have an effect on the way the story progresses in the next book. The rest of the characters are also strong, no matter how small their roles.  Whether you hate the Chancellor and the Scholar or love Lia's brother's, each person is memorable.  

I will have to say that it drove me absolutely bloody crazy that, even though I knew one guy was the prince from whom Lia was running and one was the assassin sent to kill her in her sleep, I had no idea which one was which until about a third of the way through the story.  I had a good guess as to the identity of each, but I would question myself occasionally.  I will also have to admit that I liked that I didn't know for sure, that Pearson kept me guessing for a while.

I would have also liked to know a little more about Lia's gift.  She's certain she doesn't have one at all because it's never made itself known to her before she's seventeen. Other women in the story have the gift, too, though, and there's not a lot they have to say about it either.  I found this a little frustrating, to be honest, but as the mysteries unraveled, I felt more confident that more information would be provided.  Maybe it wasn't in this book, but I'm okay with waiting for it. 

The Kiss of Deception is definitely one I would purchase and I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment of Lia's story. 

Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

I liked this romance between the nerd turned hottie and the outwardly perfect woman who is supposed to find his perfect match.  It was a decent story, a good way to forget about everything else for a while.

Nate makes a good male protagonist, even given tiny level of understanding about mathematics and aeronautics. He's comfortable with himself, he's honest, and he just wants to find love. He's smart, driven and has that hidden heart of gold- the trifecta of romance heroes. 

I wasn't that attached to Kennedy as the female protagonist, though.  I know that every woman has issues with her own body no matter her age (I certainly do), but she isn't a character I connected with.  She knows she's physically perfect, she knows men find her attractive, and she's a little too restrictive with herself about food.  Maybe it was that disconnection that makes me feel like she didn't suffer anything THAT traumatic during high school, that she should get a grip already, and just accept herself for who she is, no matter if there's a tiny change in her physical appearance.

I think what I found most memorable (and most odd) about the whole book was the scientific sex scenes.  I appreciate honesty and dirty talk as much as the next girl, but goodness, Nate's was so matter-of-fact that I felt like I was reading a manual rather than a novel.  I don't embarrass easily- I am publicly posting a review of a romance novel, after all- but these scenes had me blushing. 

I'm curious to see who Probst chooses as her next subject for a story.  I know I'm not the only one interested in finding out more about Wolfe. 

John Dreamer by Elise Celine

I was expecting a lot more from this book.  I was thinking that this would be a glimpse into the darkest corners of Andy's fears and dreams.  I was thinking that it would do more than gloss over the surface of seven characters.  I was thinking incorrectly.

This is 200 pages of cute.  Cute guy.  Cute girl.  Cute background cast, if a little quirky.  None of the featured people resonate with me, though.  It's hard to relate to anyone when you get only a glimpse of who they really are.  The fears they had to face for the dreams they wanted to achieve had potential.  If there were another 100 pages (at least), delving into the issues behind the surface stories, I might have been rooting for them a little harder. 

With seven people trapped in a room in  a dream world, it's understandable that friendships would form after a while.  There doesn't seem to be a lot of time, though, during which Andy sees everyone else as a close friend when each of them move on from the dream world to the real world.  The insta-love with John included, there's a little too much of an attachment being formed with these people. 

I really don't understand why there is suddenly a chapter written in the first person perspective of someone other than Andy.  None of the other characters spoke for themselves anywhere in the book.  It makes sense when you find out what Roy's fears and dreams really are, but it doesn't make sense to suddenly have another point of view when the others haven't been there. 

I can't say I'll be adding this to my collection.  It was an okay story without a lot of the grammatical corrections it could have used. 

Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

What would you do if you realized you could suddenly read minds?  Would you freak out?  Would you accidently let someone know your freaky new ability?  Would you tell someone, hoping against all hope that you're not alone?  The students in homeroom 10B have a chance to find out in this twist on the repercussions of a flu shot. 

The narrative of this story is an oddly disjointed beast.  When you have twenty-two people telling the tale in both the third person and first person plural.  It does, however, keep the reader wondering what will be coming.

Although it's hard to keep track of each character as an individual, there is growth as a whole.  What started as every teen for himself quickly escalates into a battle to keep the group on equal ground that benefits everyone. 

In this story, the hardest part to process is the large chunks of italicized telepathic conversational snippets.  There's no indication of who is speaking, and frequently there isn't even a fully formed sentence.  I quickly gave up trying to figure out who was speaking to whom and about what during these areas. 

So, what would you do with mind-reading powers?  The answer may not be as clear as you think- especially if you're not the only one who gets to decide. 

Being Hartley by Allison Rushby

Having been dragged around the world for her entire life by her famous mother, Thea Wallis is finally ready for her own taste of stardom.  She doesn't expect it to come at the cost of her cousin's happiness, though, and just when all her wildest dreams are about to come true she has to ask herself if that's what she really wants after all.

I was mildly disappointed in this story.  While there are issues of dissatisfaction with life, possible forays into depression, and plenty of teenage rebellion and first loves, these are only lightly touched upon.  There wasn't enough exploration of the key problems, but there was plenty of whining about why Thea couldn't get what she wanted when she wanted it.

The writing style is authentic as a teenage voice, but there's always a feeling of just skimming the surface of all the emotions that range through the book.  Thea, while realistic, isn't the kind of character that will keep me coming back to her story.

On the flip side, hers is a story for those teens whose parents might not want them absorbing all the details of the darker side of life.  I know, you have an argument all ready that the darker side of life is what makes it real- that we all have emotions, problems, and issues with which to deal from which we cannot hide.  You're right.  I won't argue with that.  But Thea's story is one that could be more of an opening to discuss such things with parents, friends, or teachers rather than just read. 

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

The Here and Now gives us a story of time travel, love, and saving the world. This is a netgalley title and will be honestly reviewed.

 Even though there is no arguing that Brashares writes well, some of the character interactions ring false.  Every conversation is oddly formal, with few contractions and words that today's teens might not necessarily use in everyday language.  This is an excellent element for Prenna, who is from the future where formality reigns supreme and physical affection is held in check.  At the same time, though, it's hard to reconcile with the "time natives," the people from 2014 with whom those from the future must blend.  Although it doesn't quite work, it's not hard to overlook. The overall story is good, and Prenna and Ethan provide strong protagonists. 

Prenna writes letters to her brother Julian, which are presented between chapters.  They're short, chatty letters of a girl who misses her brother and wants him to know about her new life, even though he never will.  These give us excellent glimpses of the future from which Prenna comes, illustrating the effects of global warming, the disappearance of fossil fuels, and the world views the time travel group brings with them to 2014.  All of this lends support and a more firm grasp of the world events Prenna and Ethan want to prevent.

The relationship between Prenna and Ethan is a little odd- and not just because she's seventy years older.  He first sees her when he's fourteen, but they have precious little interaction for the four years between that meeting and their senior year of high school.  It's not exactly the insta-love that everyone so abhors these days, but it does have that feel at times.  Until they begin their clandestine phone calls and meetings, they'd barely spoken to each other at all.  Everyone has to start somewhere, though, so it's rather easy to gloss over this element, too, for the sake of diving further into the story.

I'm not sure if this will end up with a sequel, or as a series.  Brashares gives us a definite conclusion, but it maintains the potential to be expanded.  I don't want to give away the details, but I believe  that even though all issues are resolved on the surface,  many questions remain.  I wouldn't be upset to see a sequel, but I'm not sure there's enough story to spin out into a trilogy or a series.

One Tiny Lie by K A Tucker

I was expecting something more dramatic, with this sequel to Ten Tiny Breaths. It just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its predecessor.

As the protagonist and narrator, I found Livie to be incredibly one-dimensional. Following the advice of her therapist, she engages in behavior that is out of the ordinary for her, but I don't feel like it added anything to her growth. I don't think she actually grew as a character at all. She just started drinking so she wouldn't think about her hang-ups.

Ashton and Connor were equally unimpressive. One automatically assumes that the bad boy will have secrets that make him more attractive and loveable, while the good guy will inevitably make sure the protagonist doesn't really want to be with him. I could see all of these secrets coming with Ashton from a mile away, which made him kind of dull. Connor appeared so infrequently and was so disinterested in getting to know Livie that I forgot he was even a character sometimes.

Raegan and the other guys from the crew team could have been interesting background fillers if they had shown up more often. Even the characters who appeared in Ten Tiny Breaths became flat and less appealing.

The story itself was decent, but would have been better if the cast had been more developed and slightly less predictable. I had no emotional attachment to anything that happened to Live, especially where the guys were concerned.

Given the detachment from everyone in this part of the series, I'm not sure I want to read the next installment.  

The Truth About Letting Go by Leigh Talbert Moore

One of the main reasons I requested this book was because it was a great comparison to Sarah Dessen.  I can't say I agree with that at all.  The Truth About Letting Go was a decent story, but it lacks the depth and strength of Dessen's titles.

Ashley is one-dimensional to me.  Yes, she's rebelling against everything because following the rules didn't save her dad. But she doesn't do anything else, and so the rebellion is marginal at best. It's not exactly shocking that a girl would choose the bad boy over the good one, and it's not surprising that she might not be comfortable with where the relationship she chose is headed.  What is surprising is how predictable she remains, and how uninspired the unfolding of the story is.  Regardless of how long she decides to forgo all previous behavior and habits, there is no growth when Ashley does begin to act like herself again.

The other characters don't stand out, either.  I remember them being there, struggle to remember their names, and then roll them all into one short, forgettable paragraph.

I might give Moore another chance with another book, but I will certainly argue adamantly against anyone who claims that her story-telling skills are in the same league as Sarah Dessen for The Truth About Letting Go.

Precious Thing by Collette McBeth

This is a story of friends- real, true, loyal friends- and what happens when a friend is betrayed. 

I thought, at a couple of points, that I had this book all figured out.  In fact, I was kind of disgusted that the author had made it that predictable.  I stuck with it, thinking, hoping, praying I'd be wrong.  I never imagined where Collette McBeth would take it.

We've all had those friends who are more like family to us than friends.  We've all had that one person who knows every single things about us, even if anyone else would be judgmental of us.  Rachel and Clara were just such friends.  I could picture them so clearly, whispering secrets, getting high for the first time together, sharing everything about themselves and still loving each other.
I could also imagine the depths to which one of them would sink.
 I could see, understand even, why she would do such horrible things to the person she loved most in the world.  I could even (almost, but not quite) imagine carrying out such a depraved plan of action in order to keep my friend. 

This one kept me on my toes, and will faintly keep the idea in my mind that maybe not everyone who loves me is as loving as I think.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Darrow, at sixteen, has been working in the mines of Mars for quite a few years.  He has a wife, he has his family, and he has his goal of winning the Laurel.  He's a complex character, allowing the reader into his innermost thoughts, and making us feel as if we want his dreams for him and for us.  Even though his lot in life is small, he makes us proud of who he is and what he's done.That doesn't change throughout the story, even though Darrow's life takes a path I never would have imagined. 

Brown's entire cast is incredible, full of rich characters who practically jump off the page and into life.  They are all stunning examples that not everything is what it seems, and that even the most simple of matters isn't always easy to understand.  The caste system of colors, and layers within those colors, isn't easy to remember, but it does present an excellent view of what life could be like far in the future- and even on other planets.

One thing I would have liked is a pronunciation guide.  Some of the names are almost impossible to imagine actually saying aloud, and sometimes I found it easier to gloss over those names and insert something easier to say.  That's my only wish to make this a better book.  It's amazing how much is packed in to the amount of pages, and I found it hard to put down.

Pierce Brown has built a richly detailed world, and I can't wait for the next installment.

Rival (Unholy Alliance volume 1.2) by Lacy Yager

This short story that fits into a YA vampire series was a good one.  It will be critiqued by many because it's not the same as all other YA vampire stories.  There is little cursing, and it's incredibly mild.  While it's full of vampire-fighting action, it doesn't have the same dark edge
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I see these as good things.  For those kids whose parents object to these kinds of stories, this is a cleaner, less nightmare-inducing story.  I believe (and I could be wrong here) that some of the author's other books are of the Christian bent, which makes her a good person to provide a vampire story as a way to give teens what they want, and parents what they want. 

The alternate narration is nice, giving the reader insight to the characters as the story progresses.  Emily and Brett face issues that a lot of teens have to deal with: the loss of a parent; juvenile arthritis; whether or not to rebel against a parent's wishes in order to do what they were born to do.

I didn't know when I started this that it was an in-between volume of a series.  I liked it enough that I'll read all the others.  I might even check out some of Lacy Yager's other works. 

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Dead Beautiful in an interesting twist on the teen paranormal romance story.  Renee is a strong protagonist, who isn't afraid to speak her mind, even if she gets into trouble as a result.  Dante Berlin is the ideal candidate for a mysterious suitor- he's cold to the touch, he literally makes Renee go dizzy with contact, and he won't open up too much about his past.

Things are, of course, not entirely what they seem at Gottfried Academy.  I'm still not entirely sure why it took 400 pages to get to the meat of the story, though.  None of the characters are as developed as Renee, and nothing is really revealed about any of the rest of the cast.  Don't get me wrong- I liked Renee and Dante a lot.  I just didn't really get anything from most of the other characters. 

It was nice to have gotten a little time between the meeting of Renee and Dante before they realized they were in love.  Months went by while they spent time together, studying and getting to know each other.  Sure, there was that giant secret that Dante was keeping.  Yes, there was a lot of mystery surrounding some of the other students.  But there also wasn't the gag-worthy effect of being in love without having spent any time together at all.  Too often there is what I've seen referred to as "insta-love," which is kind of a buzzkill for some of us. 

What I really disliked, though, was the lack of explanation.  Even when Renee is discovering what's really going on behind the scenes with Dante and the entire academy, there isn't enough explanation to satisfy my curiosity.  I'd really like to know more about Renee's inherited talents. I'd like to know more about who was causing all the trouble at the school and what happened as a result.  I'd like to know more about how the teachers came to be where they were in the story.  I'd like to know more about Renee's grandfather (and Dustin, for that matter) and what it is that he does when he's away on "business."  There must be a sequel to this book, given the ending, and I intend to read it. 

Defy by Sara B. Larson

I was disappointed with this book.  It had all the makings of the next Graceling, but there was too much focus on which man being the one who actually held Alexa's affection.  Sorcery is a key element in this tale, yet it's mentioned in only the most cursory ways.  No actual plan is outlined past rebelling against the king and staging a coup to put the better man on the throne. 

The writing is stilted and awkward in many places, making character interactions seem to defy logic to the reader.  Even when Alex and Rylan or Alex and Damian are getting along, I would find myself wondering why they were even bothering.  If everything is that uncomfortable, why force the characters together? 

Which brings me to manner of speech.  Although a scene is set for the reader of this being an imaginary world, before electricity and all modern conveniences, the characters have a habit of using more modern phrases when speaking.  This made it harder for me to fully imagine the surroundings and the people.  I'd have a massive stone fortress in my mind, characters looking as if they belonged in Renaissance England, and then it would all shatter when someone said something way too current to fit the picture. 

I wasn't in love with this story or the characters.  I might read the next one- if there is one- but I don't think it'll keep me up at night wondering when I'll get the chance.