Book Review - Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Publisher: Bloomsbury Books

Publication Date: 19 June 2012

Genre: YA/New Adult - Contemporary

My Copy: Library - Hardback

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

Review:

I have to mention one thing before I start my review, and for the record, it has no bearing on my review. I recently discovered Trish Doller in a strange way. I had heard the names of the books, and working in a library I saw her books circulate regularly. The thing is, I worked with her husband Captain Phil for several months when I first moved to Fort Myers, FL. It wasn't until after I started my new job at the library and was no longer working with Phil that I found out his wife was Trish. So, there you go, it's a small world. Anyway, once I found that out, I had to read her books because it's exciting even if I've never actually met her. I just finished this one and I'm getting ready to start Where the Stars Still Shine. 

I really enjoyed this story. I wasn't sure going into it that I would like it which made me a little nervous to read it. I don't usually like anything war related in fiction. I know that is weird since my focus for my BA in History was Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, but because of knowing so much about it, fiction just kind of irritates me. I think because this was set in present day and dealt with Afghanistan that it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Travis was an easy character to care about. Usually I don't feel for male characters as much as female, but I really wanted things to work out for Travis. I liked that the writing made his story seem realistic. Sometimes YA/New Adult novels make it seem as though everything is tied up in a pretty bow at the end, like there should be a "and they lived happily ever after" at the end. Without spoilers, the end seems plausible. Hopeful, but plausible. 

I have read a few reviews on this book and a few say that the PTSD isn't as bad as it really is in life; however, I think there are different levels of PTSD. Not to mention, it's great to bring this up in a YA novel because the truth is lots of people join the military right out of high school, but much of the effects of war is not mentioned, particularly to teenagers. Or at least, I never really heard much about it until after I was out of high school for awhile. It's something that shouldn't be shameful. It also shows that it's okay to need help. I think that's a big theme in this book. It's okay to need someone else to help you. Everyone needs someone else to pick up some of the burden, someone who understands you and accepts you without judgment.

Travis goes through a lot in this book and grows up quickly. There were several actions by him that endeared him to me multiple times in the story. I wanted to punch his dad and shake some sense into Ryan. I cheered for his mom, especially at the end. She started out weak and ended strong. I love characters that change within a story, and this one had two. The book gets 4 stars because while I liked the story, characters, and lessons, it didn't quite have that thing that makes it a book I absolutely love. Still, I recommend this book and I did thoroughly enjoy reading it. In fact, I read it all at once.

Favorite Quote:

But here's the thing: the strings are already attached.

Series Spotlight - Captive Hearts Series by Grace Burrowes

The Captive by Grace Burrowes
Series: Captive Hearts #1

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Publication Date: 1 July 2014

Genre: Historical Romance

My Copy: Library - mass market

Captured and tortured by the French, Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, survives by vowing to take revenge on his tormentors. Before the duke can pursue his version of justice, Gillian, Countess of Greendale, reminds him that his small daughter has suffered much in his absence, and needs her papa desperately.

Gilly endured her difficult marriage by avoiding confrontation and keeping peace at any cost. Christian's devotion to his daughter and his kindness toward Gilly give her hope that she could enjoy a future with him, for surely he of all men shares her loathing for violence in any form. Little does Gilly know, the battle for Christian's heart is only beginning.

Review:
I love Grace Burrowes. Seriously. This was such a heart-wrenching novel for me. Mercia is wonderful as a vengeful war veteran. He's just the right amount of hurt, guarded, and angry. Gillian is the perfect soft, betrayed woman for him. She had a horrible marriage and just wants a place to live quietly. Taking care of Mercia's daughter Lucy seems like the perfect way to obtain this goal. However, two wounded people in need of healing become perfect companions and slowly begin to fall in love. Nothing is ever simple in a Burrowes romance, and the story is full of wonderful layers. There's even a cameo from Devlin St. Just (The Soldier). The ending wrapped up nicely, and the story line set up the foundation for the rest of the series perfectly.

The Traitor by Grace Burrowes
Series: Captive Hearts #2
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 5 August 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
My Copy: Library - mass market

As a young boy, British-born Sebastian St. Clair was abandoned in France and forced to join the French army in order to survive. Now that the war is over, he has returned home to his beloved England, and is determined to live a quiet life as a country gentleman. He believes that his wish is about to come true when he begins to fall for his elderly aunt’s lovely companion, Miss Millicent Danforth.

But the French are not quite ready to let him go, and they’ve devised a devious plot that could destroy everything that Sebastian holds dear. He will have to use all of his wits if he plans on escaping this scheme with his life…and his love.

Review:
 This book was a fascinating addition to the series. I was amazed at how Burrowes was able to take a seemingly sadistic St. Clair and turn him into a character I loved. He was actually probably my favorite male character out of the series. Such a tortured, complicated, and misunderstood soul. Millie didn't really impress me as much. Out of desperation, she takes a position in the Traitor Baron's home and begins to learn more about him. She's sweet, but felt a little flat to me. The ending was everything I wanted for St. Clair.

  The Laird by Grace Burrowes
Series: Captive Hearts #3
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 2 September 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
My Copy: Library - mass market

The morning after Michael Brodie marries the lovely Brenna, he marches off to join Wellington’s army, leaving his new wife alone with his unseemly Uncle Angus and an estate to manage.

Ten years later, when Michael finally returns home, he discovers a nest of vicious lies, tales of disloyalty, and most surprising of all, a blossoming love for the woman he left behind.

But his beloved is keeping a dark secret from him. A secret that begins to unfold when Michael’s young sister joins their household, and Uncle Angus’ true nature is revealed.

Review:
  What a heart-wrenching conclusion to the Captive Heart series! The Author's Note in the beginning of the book states that this is darker than any of the books she's done thus far, and it certainly is. That being said, this might be my favorite book by Burrowes, and that's saying something. Michael is a patient and insightful man which is just what Brenna needs from her husband when he returns home from war. Brenna has been through an unimaginable 9 years, and really her story starts before those years. My heart broke for her over and over in this story. I loved the way Michael and Brenna come together. There's just something wonderful about the steadfast relationship they have despite everything they've been through. They just don't give up, and that's admirable. They are both very complex characters set against the unfortunate harsh realities of life. My only (very small) complaint is the handling of Maeve. I feel like Brenna wouldn't let Maeve be alone as much or be someone else's responsibility. That's all I'm going to say on that, so I don't give anything away, but it bothered me. I loved this book despite it's darkness, or maybe because of it.

This was absolutely another fantastic historical romance series. It really shows Grace Burrowes's talent for writing layers within stories that capture your heart. You should definitely add these to your list!

Book Review - Lock In by John Scalzi

Lock In by John Scalzi

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication Date: 26 August 2014

Genre: Science Fiction / Mystery

My Copy: Library - hardback

Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselves “locked in”—fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.

One per cent doesn't seem like a lot. But in the United States, that's 1.7 million people “locked in”...including the President's wife and daughter.

Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, “The Agora,” in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can “ride” these people and use their bodies as if they were their own.

This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse...

Review:
This was a really weird book for me. I've been trying to expand my reading horizons because every once in awhile, I need something different to read. Chris Shane is a Haden, the name for people who are locked in.  He's a famous Haden due to his father's vast collection of accolades as well as being the public face of Hadens as normal people. He wants to be able to live on his own and gets a job as an FBI agent. Hadens live with their bodies in cradles at home while a computer installed in their brains allows them to virtually live inside what are essentially fancy robots. This makes them valuable in the law enforcement field because they can record and scan their surroundings for viewing later. On his first official day on the job, he meets his partner Agent Vann who has her own set of problems. Immediately, they have a murder to solve. At first it seems like a garden variety murder, but then several things start to come to light and nothing seems to add up. Both characters annoyed me at times. Agent Shane acted like a spoiled rich kid a few times, which is actually probably realistic, but annoying none the less. Agent Vann was moody and rude, but again you kind of understand why later in the book.

The story was kind of hard for me to get into at first. I didn't really understand what Agent Shane was walking around as which made it really difficult to visualize the story (I was thinking something like R2D2, and it was more like I, Robot). There is apparently a prequel novella that explains some of this, so you might want to read that first. Once I understood a little better (about a quarter of the way through the book), I really got into the book. There is so much going on in it. Scalzi did a great job of connecting all the dots and there are a lot. I was a little worried it would seem rushed at the end since I was really close to the end and there were still way too many loose ends, but it was all wrapped up and surprisingly didn't feel rushed to me. I thought the mystery aspect of this was very well put together.

I am not aware of a sequel planned for this, nor does the ending leave it to where there has to be one, but I would kind of like to see one. There are many more story lines available here and much about the Agora and the new circumstances for the Hadens that could still be evolved further. I did take away a star for it being hard to get into and understand at first. I almost gave up on it, but I'm glad I didn't. I highly recommend this book, but you should probably read the novella first!

Rating Breakdown:

Plot: 5 stars

Pacing: 5 stars

Characters: 4 stars

Ending: 5 stars

Recommend: Yes!

Book Review - Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: 26 February 2013

Genre: YA Contemporary

My Copy: Library - hardback

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Review:

I have to admit I had kind of mixed feelings about this one. Eleanor has crazy curly hair like me, although mine isn't red. She doesn't care what other people think about how she looks, but it's more out of necessity than because she's a rebel. Not to say she doesn't have a little rebel going on as well. She's kind of a hard character to describe, very complex. She's quiet and prefers to keep to herself; however, in her new school, her classmates just won't let her go to class in peace. Park is a different kind of quiet. Whereas Eleanor is quiet so that she isn't noticed, Park is more introspectively quiet. He's kind of your average teenage boy who worries about what his classmates will think of himself and Eleanor, but through the book he gets over that some.

Eleanor and Park begin a relationship on the bus very quietly and almost by accident. He brings comic books to read on the bus, and eventually catches her reading over his shoulder. He starts bringing more onto the bus for her to take home and read, and the relationship slowly develops out of that. There's no insta-love if you're the type of reader who hates that. Everything isn't as it seems with Eleanor though, and through the book more and more of her private life is revealed.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it didn't flow well for me. It constantly changes from Eleanor's point of view to Park's point of view. It doesn't seem to do it with any rhyme or reason. It can be paragraph to paragraph or page to page. During important scenes it seems to do it more frequently, which takes away from the scene to me. Others might like that you see the scenes from both perspectives; it's just not for me. The book was fairly realistic and believable until the very end, which I can't say much about here, but a key point I was thinking, "Really? That wouldn't happen." If you like contemporary YA, then you'll probably love this one!

Quotes:

Holding Eleanor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive.

Disintegrated. Like something had gone wrong beaming her onto the Starship Enterprise. If you've ever wondered what that feels like, it's a lot like melting--but more violent.
...
Maybe Park had paralyzed her with his ninja magic, his Vulcan handhold, and now he was going to eat her.
That would be awesome.

Park rolled over onto his stomach and pressed his face into his pillow. He'd thought he was over caring what people thought about him. He'd thought that loving Eleanor proved that. But he kept finding new pockets of shallow inside himself. He kept finding new ways to betray her.

Sometimes, Park stood at the end of the sidewalk and hated everything the house stood for.

You think that holding someone hard will bring them closer. You think that you can hold them so hard that you'll still feel them, embossed on you, when you pull away. Every time Eleanor pulled away from Park, she felt the gasping loss of him.

Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 5 stars
Pacing: 3 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Ending: 4 stars
Recommend: Yes, particularly if you like YA contemp.

Review - Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark

Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark
Series: Rachel Knight #1
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: 20 April 2011
Genre: Mystery - Procedural
My Copy: for review - publisher

Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.

But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation--and her life--to find the truth.

With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.

Review:
This book, as well as the second, came to me rather unexpectedly from the publisher. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from it. I like the occasional procedural mystery, but I haven't read many. This one coming from the perspective of a DA rather than a detective made me wonder as well. Because of this, I read the sample available for the Kindle before accepting the book for review. I found myself easily hooked by the story, although perhaps not without doubt about whether or not it was for me.

Turns out I didn't need to worry. The book kept at a solid pace and with just enough clues coming up at regular intervals to keep the story moving but without giving away the ending. The plot has several mysteries to keep the reader's mind working. Guilt by Association is full of great side characters from Rachel's friends (Bailey and Toni), to her maybe-future-love-interest (Graden), and even the suspects (Luis!).

Rachel is a stubborn DA who is reluctant to believe ill of her coworker, Jake, even when things begin to look dark. Throughout the book we see her walk a thin line of legality in order to bring justice. The plot gives the reader a view into the seedier side of LA and Hollywood. Some aspects of the book might be too dark for some readers. Bailey compliments Rachel well in the story as the no-nonsense detective. Toni provides a lighter side to Rachel's friends. Graden is a likable guy who doesn't doubt Rachel's abilities at every turn like the men in many cozy mysteries. Luis continually had me snickering. I kind of hope to see him in the second book although I kind of doubt I will.

The ending wraps up the story nicely and leaves no nagging questions at the end. There were a few times where the story seemed a bit repetitive (get a phone call, drive around, meet at a bar to discuss the case, repeat), but overall a great series starter. I look forward to finding out what trouble Rachel and Bailey get into in the next book.

Book Beginning:
"He snapped his cell phone shut and slit it into the pocket of his skin-tight jeans. The last piece was in place; it wouldn't be long now."



Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 4 hearts
Pacing: 4 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Ending: 5 hearts
Recommend: Yes!

Review - Fracture by Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda
*Debut Novel*
Publisher: Walker & Company
Publication Date: 17 January 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary (sorta)
My Copy: received for review from NetGalley - kindle

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine

-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.


Review:
I'm not sure where to start with this review. The book was intense, thought provoking, and enjoyable. I really loved Decker. You can tell from the very beginning just how much he cares for Delaney. The way he waits by her hospital bed and how upset he gets when the car spins out of control later. It's too bad that it took Delaney nearly dying for him to get it. I was annoyed with him and his fling with Tara. I was also annoyed that Delaney couldn't see how he felt when it seemed so clear. The part with Carson towards the middle of the book brought tears to my eyes.

Troy was extremely intimidating and more than a little scary. I didn't like him at all. I kept wanting to yell at the book and tell Delaney to stay away from him. He was very controlling and had a very twisted view of the world and his circumstances. His part in the ending of the book did not surprise me. It fit with what I knew of his character. I actually think that particular part of the ending was well done.

The book brings up questions about surviving near death experiences, humanity, and morality. What should you do if you know someone is dying? Should you save them or help them die peacefully? What if they could survive like Delaney? I have to love Delaney's question to the dying - If you had one day left to live, what would you do?

It seems like Miranda might have left the book open for a sequel. I think that would be ill-advised, but the ending is somewhat ambiguous. The synopsis hints at a dark supernatural cause for her predictions, but there is never anything like that in the book. She never explains why Delaney survived without any complications considering her brain scan. Whether Delaney's "gift" will continue or not is never really determined. The ending of the book feels misplaced somehow.

Book Beginning:

"The first time I died, I didn't see God."

Favorite Quote:

"Funny how everything can change in an instant. From death to life. From empty to full. From darkness to light. Or maybe I just wasn't looking. I hadn't known that a light could be a feeling and a sound could be a color and a kiss could be both a question and an answer. And that heaven could be the ocean or a person or this moment or something else entirely." - Kindle location 2504






Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 4 hearts
Pacing: 4 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 5 hearts
Ending: 3 hearts
Recommend: Yes

Read for these challenges:
YA Contemporary
YA Debut Author
100+ Books

Review - Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke

Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke
Series: Hannah Swenson #3
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: 1 March 2002
Genre: Mystery - Cozy, Amateur Sleuth
My Copy: bought - kindle


Preparations are underway for Lake Eden, Minnesota's annual Winter Carnival - and Hannah Swensen is set to bake up a storm at her popular shop, The Cookie Jar. Too bad the honour of creating the official Winter Carnival cake went to famous lifestyle maven Connie Mac - a half-baked idea, in Hannah's opinion. She suspects Connie Mac is a lot like the confections she whips up on her cable TV cooking show - sweet, light, and scrumptious-looking, but likely to leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Hannah's suspicions are confirmed when Connie Mac's limo rolls into town. Turns out America's 'cooking sweetheart' is a bossy, bad-tempered, and downright domineering. Things finally boil over when Hannah arrives at The Cookie Jar to find the Winter Carnival cake burnt to a crisp - and Connie Mac lying dead in her pantry, struck down while eating one of Hannah's famous blueberry muffins.Next thing Hannah knows, the police have declared The Cookie Jar's kitchen crime scene off-limits. She's a baker without an oven - and the Carnival is right around the corner. Hannah's only alternative is to cook up a plan to save her business - by finding the killer herself.


Review:
This series is full of fun, light-hearted, fast reads. Hannah is such a likable main character. She's very witty and independent. She's sassy. Who doesn't like a sassy MC? Hannah's family is so relateable and entertaining. Through Hannah's intuition we discover that her sister, Andrea, is pregnant with her second child. I have to admit I'm intrigued to see how that plays out in the next few novels. I love how inquisitive and curious Hannah's niece Tracey is about things going on around her. She's very no-nonsense and intuitive about the adults. Andrea's husband Bill rounds out the family with his patience and down-to-earth attitude.

Hannah also has two competing suitors, loveable Norman and protective Mike. I definitely feel like Norman would be the better match for Hannah. Mike seems more like the type to want his significant other to stay home, take care of the kids, make dinner, etc. Norman seems like he would encourage Hannah to go after her dreams regardless of what they were. He definitely feels more supportive.

In this book we are also introduced to Janie, an old friend of Hannah and Andrea. Janie, along with Norman, are both suspects for murdering the cooking sweetheart. Despite being locked out of the Cookie Jar, Hannah still finds a way to make delicious sounding deserts in this installment. Recipes are included, and although I have yet to try any, they sound fantastic! Definitely going to have to try out the grilled cream cheese sandwich.

The murder mystery kept me reading through this book quickly. I hated Connie Mac as much as Hannah. It's no wonder there were so many suspects in this book. Throw in a ghost to haunt Sally's inn, and you're in for some fun and mystery. I'll admit the murderer did surprise me. I wasn't expecting who it was until close to the end of the book.

The pacing in the beginning is a bit slow as Fluke covers the background of the series leading up to the third book. It's a bit repetitive, and in some cases, taken word for word from previous books. The cat Moishe, while cute in the first two books, is also becoming repetitive and not nearly as cute.





Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 4 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

Read for these challenges:
Crusin' Thru The Cozies
Ebook
100+ Books

Review - Haven by Kristi Cook

Haven by Kristi Cook

Series: Haven #1

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: 22 February 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal

My Copy: library - hardback

Violet McKenna isn’t a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She’s had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.

At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic ‘gifts’—as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy’s death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical—and deadly—way.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story even though it wasn't really what I thought it was about. I think the synopsis is a little misleading. I liked that Violet was a fencer. I'm not really sure why that aspect stuck out for me, because I don't know anything about fencing, but I liked it. Maybe because it wasn't a sport most YA characters take up. I loved Violet's friends. Unlike a lot of YA novels, Violet hangs out with her friends throughout the story even though she's all gooey over Aidan. Cece and Sophie were my favorites, and I totally wanted them to be my friends too. It was interesting to have so many characters with special talents. How cool would it be to have some of them? Astral projection, telepathy, telekinetic abilities, empath, being able to tell if someone was injured?! I have to admit that the one I'd want the least would be Violet's ability to see the future, particularly since it's always bad stuff. I can't imagine seeing horrible things happening to people I loved on a regular basis.

I've probably read too many paranormal books because I knew very early on what Aidan was. So that aspect of the mystery was blown. However, I did wonder how they were connected, although his and Violet's relationship was all over the place. I honestly don't have much hope for them to stay together after the big connection is revealed because their relationship didn't really seem to have much of a foundation. Another downside to this story was the similarity to two other well known series. There were moments where I was just like "Eh, okay, I've heard this before." The ending seems a little rushed too. The author also includes a character who isn't really important to the story, Allison. There is only one place where she very briefly alludes to the ending, but it's so quickly passed over and never explained that it seems like it might as well have not been included.





Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 3 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

Read for these challenges:
YA Literature
100+ Books

Review - But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (Mandy Hubbard)
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: 8 May 2011
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Copy: library - paperback

Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn't stop after the first slap.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.

Review:
This is one of those books where I am having a hard time determining if I liked it or not. The story covers exactly one year of a relationship between Ann and Connor. It starts with a piece from the last day, August 30, and then works its way to the beginning of the relationship backwards while interspersing pieces of the last day. The book ends with the first day they meet. I'll be honest, I didn't read the book in the order it was written. I don't mind reading books knowing part of the ending first or in reverse chronological order, but with this book, I wanted to know all of the last day at once. So, first I went through and read all of the chapters that were dated August 30 One Year, then went back and read the rest from the front cover to the back.

The author wanted the reader to understand what it is like in an abusive relationship where the victim often doesn't see what is going on until it's too late. I think she does this well with the reverse order. The highs and lows of being in the relationship are wonderfully done. The uncertainty about how to react or what will set someone off. The devotion of a first love in which you think you can fix all the problems. Having to stay quiet and ride out the anger of the abuser. The abuser can be extremely sweet at times. These things in the book can easily be understood by the reader. Also, Ann seems like an intelligent girl. People always assume that abuse won't happen to them or that the victim must be stupid. But I Love Him shows that anyone can become a part of a bad relationship. Connor doesn't seem like he's a necessarily bad kid either. You can almost sympathize with him at points without condoning his behavior towards Ann.

I found very few things I disliked about the book. It is a little difficult to follow at times. The minor characters relationship to Ann is not really ever explained until later in the book. I felt like even though it makes sense that they wouldn't be in the story line much at the beginning (since it was a controlling/abusive relationship and often you avoid friends and family when you're the victim) that they should have been included more at the end/beginning of relationship. I felt that the ending could have been stronger. Then again, I did read the entire last day first, so I missed one of the major points of the last day when I read it. I can't really explain more than that without giving away the ending.

Book Beginning:
"I lie in pieces on the floor."





Rating Breakdown:
Pacing: 4 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Character relationships: 4 stars
Recommend: Yes

Read for these challenges:
YA Literature
100+ Books

Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #1
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 14 September 2008
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Copy: bought - paperback


In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.


Review:
My first book of the new year! I finally got around to reading this. I got the book for free on my Kindle when Catching Fire came out because it sounded like a book I would enjoy, and it was free for a few days around the release of the second book. I put off reading it, then it became such a huge deal in the book blogging world. Then I avoided reading it because I didn't want to be disappointed. When I was considering what my first read of the year was, I noticed my paperback copy sitting on the top shelf of the bookcase. What a perfect read to start with; some post-apocalyptic dystopian for 2012. I really liked the book. I found the writing style enjoyable. Collins kept me reading the book well into the morning because I just had to finish it. I loved Peeta, Gale, and Rue; however, I found Katniss hard to empathize with. She was a bit of a harsh character. Don't get me wrong, that totally fits within the book and the society, but I just could not make myself fully support her. I sort of waiver between 4 and 5 stars for this book mostly because of Katniss. Perhaps it was also the fact that I instantly liked Peeta, so I felt bad for his own personal torture in the book. I can appreciate that she didn't fall head over heels in love with Peeta as it happens in many YA books.

I think it is different to read it knowing as much as I did going into it. It's supposed to have a lot of suspense, but some of that was ruined by reading it this late in the game so to speak. I already knew it was a trilogy, so at least Katniss had to survive. I knew there would be a love triangle, so Peeta had to survive. I found it was easy to imagine the games themselves. The writing was done, so that I could visualize the battles and challenges easy enough. I can see how this would make for a great movie if done well. I had several favorite quotes, but I can't really share them without giving away possible spoilers!





Rating Breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 4 hearts
Character Relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes!


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TBR Pile
100+ Books

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Review - Blonde With a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson (17)

Blonde With a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Publisher: Signet

Publication Date: 2 February 2010

Genre: Romance - Paranormal

My Copy: bought - Kindle

Sexy witch Anica Revere has one rule: never under any circumstances get involved with a man before telling him she's a witch. Still, what's one silly rule? Especially when the guy in question is as cute as Jasper Danes. But when Anica and Jasper have a spat, she breaks an ever bigger rule of witchcraft and turns him into a cat. Bad news for him. Worse for her...

Review

The book was great. It was a fun, light-hearted, quick read which I desperately needed. I also happen to love the names Anica and Jasper. They are very likeable characters. Anica is a goody-two-shoes, and Jasper is a broker. When Anica finds out Jasper breaks up with girls and then pretends to be brokenhearted when he meets a new girl he likes, she turns him into a cat in a moment of anger and instantly regrets her actions. The story is told in alternating view points as they try to turn Jasper back into a man. Jasper keeps his human awareness and intelligence as a cat. I like how much both grow in the story. The cat thing was a little weird in parts, but the author did a good job of making it believable through most of the novel. Magic is prominent in the story, but there is actually very little spell casting involved. There are some hot scenes in this book which kind of make up for that! The book slows down a bit in the middle, but not so much that I was frustrated with it. The ending seemed entirely too sappy for my liking. I do like a happy ending in my romance novels, but this one was a little much and slightly unbelievable. Anica's sister Lily is a lot of fun, and I look forward to reading about her in the second book. I'm also curious to see if we learn anymore about Anica's neighbor Julie.

 
Rating Breakdown:

Plot: 4 hearts

Pacing: 4 hearts

Characters: 5 hearts

Character relationships: 5 hearts

Recommend: Yes!

Short Reviews - Dough, Shakespeare, and a Guardian (12-14)

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is still learning the ropes at her cousin Vinnie's bail bond office, so when she sets out on the trail of Kenny Mancuso--a suspiciously wealthy, working-class Trenton boy who has just shot his best friend--the stakes are higher than ever. That Mancuso is distantly related to vice cop Joe Morelli--who is trying to beat Stephanie to the punch--only makes the hunt more thrilling...

Taking pointers from her bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and using her pistol-packing Grandma Mazur as a decoy, Stephanie is soon closing in on her mark. But Morelli and his libido are worthy foes. And a more sinister kind of enemy has made his first move...and his next move might be Stephanie's last.

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Series: Stephanie Plum #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 10 January 1996
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
My Copy: bought - mass market paperback

Review:
This is the second book in what has so far been an extremely fun series. It's definitely guaranteed to make you laugh. The trouble Stephanie gets into is very entertaining, especially when Grandma Mazur is involved. I love tough ol' Grandma Mazur. Morelli shows his sweet side in this installment. I just wish the story had a little more Ranger in it. Besides the murder mystery, Stephanie is hired to find a bunch of stolen coffins and as a personal bodyguard. The story moves along at a satisfyingly quick pace.






Review breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 5 hearts
Recommend: Absolutely!

From the author of the Aurora Teagarden novels comes a new series set in Shakespeare, Arkansas, a Southern town brimming with charm and a definite touch of noir. When her landlord is murdered, loner Lily Bard looks like the prime suspect. Uncovering the real killer may be the only way to prove her innocence, and Lily soon focuses on the other residents of tiny Shakespeare in her quest to expose the culprit.

Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
Series: Lily Bard Mystery #1
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Publication Date: 1 May 1996
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
My Copy: library - mass market paperback

Review:
This is the first book in one of Harris's lesser known mystery series. It's kind of dark in places. The story was a little hard to get into at first. Lily is continually hinting about some event in her past without really explaining what it has to do with the present. After awhile, I just found myself frustrated with it. Eventually the reader does learn what happened to Lily, and pieces of the story begin to fall into place. Despite this, I found myself really liking the story by the end. Lily is an extremely strong woman, and I respect her character. I look forward to seeing what happens with Lily and her new friends and clients in the next book.

Memorable quote:
I wasn’t set on gaining some kind of vengeance on all men for what had happened to me. But I certainly wasn’t a trusting person anymore, and I definitely never expected much of people, and I would never be surprised to hear of any perfidy again.

I did not believe in the underlying goodwill of men or the unspoken sisterhood of women.

I did not believe that people everywhere are really the same, or that if you treat people kindly you will get kindness in return.

I did not believe in the sanctity of life.

-pg 79

Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

Four young Highlanders - Connor, Ian, Alex and Duncan - hurry home from France after hearing news of the disastrous Battle of Flodden against Henry VIII's forces. With his father among the dead, Connor must take his place as chieftain. Before he can lead his clan through the perilous times ahead, however, he must first dislodge the usurper who has taken his family's castle and claimed leadership of the clan.

Connor's cousins and best friend, Ian, Alex and Duncan, will stand shoulder to shoulder with him in every fight. They are willing to give their lives for their clan and their new chieftain. But taking wives to serve the clan's interests is a different matter altogether...

The Guardian by Margaret Mallory
Series: Return of the Highlanders #1
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: 1 May 2011
Genre: Historical Romance - Scotland
My Copy: received for review from NetGalley - ebook (Kindle)

Review:
This is the first book by Mallory that I have read, but I've read many historical romances, and most of those were set in Scotland. The synopsis really fits the series better than the book itself. This book focuses on Ian as he returns home to a wife he was forced to marry when he was young, Sileas. A battle has just wiped out a good number of warriors from the clan, and a cruel man has taken control. I finished this book a few days ago, and I'm still not sure what I think of it. I liked nearly all of the characters except Ian. Not liking the main male character makes a romance novel a little harder to enjoy. I kind of felt like he didn't care enough about Sileas in a romantic way to make the novel work. I liked Ian's family though and the other three warriors, especially Alex, and the story line and action were good. I am looking forward to the second book.






Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 4 hearts
Characters: 3 hearts
Character relationships: 2 hearts

*Links go to Goodreads*

Short Reviews - Hunger, Summer, and a Witch (9 - 11)

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

Hunger by Jackie Morse Keller
Series: Horsemen of the Apocalypse #1
Publisher: Graphia
Publication Date: 18 October 2010
Genre: YA fantasy/supernatural
My Copy: library - paperback

Review:
The premise caught my attention awhile back because it sounded interesting. Unfortunately, the book didn't really live up to my expectations. I found it very difficult to connect with the main character. I grew increasingly frustrated with her attitude towards her real best friend, her boyfriend and her parents as well as her near worship of a bulimic girl. Don't get me wrong, I understand why she had the attitude, but it seemed like she should have shown more change in character earlier in the book since that sort of was the point of the story. Instead, everything happened in the end of the book, but by that point I was already too annoyed with Lisabeth. Then there's the ending which felt like it didn't fit with the rest of the story, or really even with the premise. I'm not sure yet if I'll read Rage.






Review breakdown:
Plot: 3 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 2 hearts
Character relationships: 1 heart
Recommend: No

Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.

But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking...

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 3 May 2011
Genre: YA contemporary
My Copy: received for review from publisher - e-book ARC

Review:
I loved this story! The relationship that builds over the course of the summer is so realistic. The book is surrounded in the bittersweet feeling of summer love. I loved Anna. She's very down-to-earth, and I instantly connected with her. Will is so swoon worthy. Plus, I would love to be a part of Anna's family (not to mention live on a beach). Anna's friends remained strong in the story line as well rather than dropping out of it when she meets Will which is an often heard complaint with YA novels. There are so many realistic aspects to this book that make it a perfect contemporary YA story. I laughed and cheered and then found myself crying my eyes out at the ending. This is a must read for your summer lists! Warning: This book will give you a sweet tooth! I'd recommend having ice cream nearby.






Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 5 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 5 hearts
Recommend: Absolutely!

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Series: The Iron Witch #1
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: 8 February 2011
Genre: YA fantasy/supernatural
My Copy: library - paperback

Review:
The book has a slow start, but definitely picks up the pace towards the end (which is why it only gets 4 hearts). Most of the action happens in the last few chapters. The slower parts are interesting though and gives the reader a chance to learn about the world created within the story. Donna is a dynamic character. In the beginning she seems afraid most of the time, but towards the end, she has much more confidence in herself. I was very intrigued by Xan. I want to know more about his history. I also want to know what the Wood Queen was talking about when she speaks with Donna. I will definitely be picking up the second book.






Rating breakdown:
Plot: 5 hearts
Pacing: 3 hearts
Characters: 5 hearts
Character relationships: 4 hearts
Recommend: Yes

*Links and images go to Goodreads*