ARC Review: Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell

Rule One—Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.
Rule Two—Be careful.
Rule Three—Fight using your legs whenever possible, because they’re the strongest part of your body. Your arms are the weakest.
Rule Four—Hit to kill. The first blow should be the last, if at all possible.
Rule Five—The letters are the law.

Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.

But when a letter appears in the mailbox that will have the power to topple Kit’s convictions as perfectly as she commits her murders, she must make a decision: follow the only rules she has ever known, or challenge Rule One, and go from there.

Katherine Ewell’s Dear Killer is a sinister psychological thriller that explores the thin line between good and evil, and the messiness of that inevitable moment when life contradicts everything you believe.

Title: Dear Killer
Author: Katherine Ewell
Series: None
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: April 1st 2014

Rating: 2.5 stars

Thoughts:

I was disappointed in certain aspects of Dear Killer. This is one of those books that is incredibly hard to review, because I just have no idea how to kick this review off and get the words flowing. So I made a little list with the most important parts:

The Characters

Overall, I thought Dear Killer featured solid characters. However, I really failed to connect to Kit. That could of course be logical, since she's a killer, but I felt that it could have been possible to connect to her more emotionally. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, and it really affected my enjoyment of the novel. That is not to say that Kit is an awful character or that I disliked this book, but especially that ending would have been much more emotionally powerful had I connected to Kit. However, the way Ewell makes you root for a serial killer was really well done. All throughout the book, you don't want Kit to get caught, which is strange. After all, she is a serial killer. Still, you don't want her to end up in prison, and that's really interesting for the reader. What does this say about us? That as long as you are in the killer's head you will root for them, no watter what they do? Is there a dark side in us that comes out while reading the book?  It was interesting, and Dear Killer will definitely cause the readers to think about themselves. 

However, aside from the inability to connect with Kit, I had one major complaint about her. This girl is sixteen and she's just about the most succesful serial killer ever. She never leaves traces behind and never gets caught and no-one has a clue. I found this to be quite unbelievable, especially since Kit is a bit sloppy in her kills. Take for example that time where she did know how to kill a person but forgot that she needed a way out as well, or the time she kills someone in an alley next to a busy street. Or the chunks of information she gave away about herself, or befriending a policeman. She makes a couple of kills that would make anyone suspicious of her, and I thought it was incredibly stupid. I get that Kit was slowly changing and even questioning what she did, but even I saw that was stupid. And I'm not the one with the life-long killer training.

The Plot

This was an aspect I really enjoyed. Kit's development was gradual and believable. I really loved how she started questioning things herself, because all too often the love interest makes the main character see things more clearly. Not in Dear Killer. Kit does basically anything mostly on her own: she was very independent, and I loved it. The way she slowly changed was really well done and the ending was pretty powerful (although it would have been way more powerful had I connected to Kit).

There was an aspect of the plot that I didn't quite believe in: the letters. Although I really liked the idea of them, I couldn't believe the things that were written in them. Everbody who asks the "Perfect Killer" to kill for them knows that that letter will end up with  the dead body. So I found it hard to believe that some people wrote "please kill my sister" or "please kill my fiancé" because they were extremely traceable this way. I'm not really sure how the law works in cases like these, but I can imagine that you wouldn't want people to know that you basically hired someone to kill a specific person.

The Romance

There wasn't one. I KNOW. A YA book without romance: it exists! Although Alex may have sort of been a love interest, they never get on with it. There's nothing more than a squirmish feeling and tingles, and even those are few and far between. It was so refreshing! No romance, no angst, no clichés. I loved it.

Overall

This was a really enjoyable story, and Kit was a well-developed character that changed in a slow and believable way. I also really loved that there basically was no romance, even though you can ship Kit and Alex would you want to. It was extremely refreshing because every YA features a romance nowadays! There were a couple of things I didn't really like: how unbelievable certain aspects of the story were, and that I failed to connect to Kit. Unfortunately, I think both things are pretty important and it affected my enjoyment of the novel. This was a solid read, and a very refreshing and original book!

Thank you, Katherine Tegen Books, for the digital review copy! No money or favors were exchanged to alter this review. 

ARC Review: Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas

Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there's only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother's best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek...with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart's interests--even if he wants to share all his feelings?

Heart's simple coin flip has somehow given her the chance to live out both dates. But where her prom night ends up might be the most surprising thing of all...

Title: Ask Again Later
Author: Liz Czukas
Series: none
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: March 11th 2014

Rating: 4 stars

Thoughts:

Fun, fun, fun! Lately I've been reading a lot of heavier/more serious books, and I needed a break. I needed somethinf cutesy and fun and fluffy. Ask Again Later is the perfect book for that. It was just so incredibly FUN to read, and it's been a while since I've felt like that!

Now, I know some people thought this, so let me make this clear: Ask Again Later is NOTHING like Pivot Point. Clear? Good. So, if it's not like Pivot Point, what is it like? It's cute! And funny. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. If you know me, you know how incredibly hard it is to get me to show some emotion while reading. (Before I start sounding like a robot: I do feel emotions while reading. I can be incredibly sad or extremely happy or very angry, I just don't show it. I have also never cried over a book: I simply can't.)

Most characters were nice. I enjoyed Heart's unique, funny and not too serious voice. She's a really likeable protagonist, if a little weird and naive at times. But to be honest, that just added to her personality. If I had to pick a favorite character, though, I'd immediately scream RYAN at you! I don't even know why I love him so much, but I do. I loved reading the 'TAILS' parts (i.e. with Ryan in it) and he was just so cute and awesome. Schroeder/Chase was a character I liked too, although I feel we didn't get to know him very well.

Some characters were absolute jerks, though. I really disliked Troy and Phil. They were pretty much assholes and they only seemed to care about alcohol. And, to be honest, Troy was sort of pathetic. I really did like how Tara, Phil's fabulous girlfriend, turned out though. She could have easily been painted off as the 'perfect' mean girl, but instead she shows signs of depth in the parts we get to see her and she even made Phil apologize for his behaviour. Yay for non-mean girls! She's actually really nice to Heart, even when the latter didn't always fit in with Tara's group of friends.

The romance was cute. I'm not going to tell you who the love interest is, since it might be considered a spoiler. Even though I didn't feel we got to the LI that well, it was obvious that he cared for Heart and he was really nice to her (most of the time). I didn't SHIP IT LIKE CRAZY but I did want them to end up together. Also, no worries, there is no instant love to be found, even though the novel is set during one night

Although the plot isn't exactly brain-shattering or WHOA - no real twists, actually - I didn't mind at all. This story is just so much fun and I feel like there doesn't need to be an OMG-I-never-saw-that-coming twist or mind-blowing plot. As long as the book was going somewhere and stayed being awesomely cute and funny, I was happy.

In all, this was so cute and funny and exactly what I needed. I loved most of the characters and their banter, and the romance was definitely cute. This book was just so. much. fun. Ask Again Later is a delight to read!

ARC Review: All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Title: All That Glows
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series: none
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 11th 2014

Rating: 2 stars

Review:

All That Glows seemed exactly like the fun, amazing read that everybody needs from time to time. With a premise and cover like that, this could only be awesome, right? Unfortunately, Alll That Glows wasn't nearly as fantastic as I wanted it to be, but it was fun to read.

One of the biggest problems is the instant love. A lot of the plot and the characters' decisions hinge on the romance, and that element fell short. Emrys and Richard have had what? Three encounters? and then they start speaking of love. Oh, and don't forget that Richard doesn't even remember one of those encounters because Emrys wiped his memory. But oh no, they absolutely love each other - the kind of soulmate, undying love. Uh, how about no? That's just not how it works. These characters don't even know each other that well and all of a sudden it's love? Later on, Graudin tries to explain this by saying that they had some kind of soulmate-connection thing going on, but I couldn't believe in that. Even soulmates can have a well-developed relationship.

Strangely, I didn't even mind it all that much. While I definitely don't approve of it and while it lowered my rating, I found myself not caring too much that there was instant love. This book is really light and admittedly, fun. I had fun reading this and that definitely helped every flaw this book had. Unfortunately, I thought there were quite a few flaws, aside from the insta-love.

The characters, for example, felt underdeveloped and bland to me. Especially the side characters were in dire need of a personality. While it wasn't so bad that they all felt the same to me - they did have different personalities - the (secondary) characters felt really bland to me, making it hard for me to connect with them. The characters also don't seem to grow throughout the book, with the exception of Richard. But that's only because I consider stopping with drinking and partying growth: personality-wise, not much changed.

What I also found unbelievable - although this isn't a major issue - was that Emrys always wore skirts. She's supposed to be Richard's guardian and has to be able to fight off creatures both with her magic and through a physical fight. I don't think a skirt would be a great choice for that, seeing as most skirts confine your movements. Pants would be a lot better and safer. Seeing as the Fae take their job seriously, I found it a bit unbelievable that Emrys would trot around in a skirt.

I have to say, though, that this book did surprise me. Although I probably should have, I didn't figure out who the evil mastermind was until it was revealed to us. I was totally led on the wrong path, and since I'm usually able to figure out who the culprit is pretty well, this definitely is a compliment for Graudin. In retrospect, I really should have known who it was, but I didn't figure it out while reading.

In all, this book has some serious flaws - like the instant love and the bland characters - but it was also a lot of fun to read. All That Glows did definitely surprise me. If you don't mind the aforementioned flaws or are just looking for a fun read no matter how good it is, I would definitely recommend All That Glows to you.

**Review copy provided by HarperTeen (thank you!). No money or favors were exchanged to alter this review.**

ARC Review: Me Since You by Laura Wiess

Are there any answers when someone you love makes a tragic choice?

Before and After. That’s how Rowan Areno sees her life now. Before: she was a normal sixteen-year-old—a little too sheltered by her police officer father and her mother. After: everything she once believed has been destroyed in the wake of a shattering tragedy, and every day is there to be survived.

If she had known, on that Friday in March when she cut school, that a random stranger’s shocking crime would have traumatic consequences, she never would have left campus. If the crime video never went viral, maybe she could have saved her mother, grandmother — and herself — from the endless replay of heartache and grief.

Finding a soul mate in Eli, a witness to the crime who is haunted by losses of his own, Rowan begins to see there is no simple, straightforward path to healing wounded hearts. Can she learn to trust, hope, and believe in happiness again?

Title: Me Since You
Author: Laura Wiess
Series: None
Publisher: MTV Books
Publication date: February 18th

Rating: Undecided between 4.5 and 5.

Thoughts:

Me Since You is an incredibly sad book. This is not a light and fluffy contemporary, and I think you've got to be in the right mood to read this. If you want to read something light and fun, don't start Me Since You. It's an incredibly emotional and powerful read, and it will make you extremely sad. As I have mentioned before, I am not someone who cries over books. That ugly sobbing that everyone seems to do because of a book? No, not for me. Me Since You brought me closer to tears than any other book. While I did not cry, my sight got blurry a couple of times because tears started welling up in my eyes. It's just about the highest praise I can give a book.

Rowan's pain and misery are described so well, are so tangible. I got swept up in her emotions and it all felt so devastatingly real. I just... I don´t have words to describe this book. I just don't. All you need to know is that it's so emotional and devastating and it will make you cry a thousand times. The pain and emotions are described so honestly, they flow off the pages and straight into your heart.

For those who did read the synopsis and are afraid: do not worry. The romance in this book doesn't take over the plot, nor is the romance that which helps Rowan heal. All too often we see books in which the romance/love interest are what makes the MC want to live on/better her life/etc. Not in Me Since You. The romance is, in fact, a very minor part of the book, purposely kept on the background. No premature 'I love you's are thrown around, there is no controlling and slightly abusive love interest. Only a very sweet boy who understands what Rowan is going through and who goves her space, enough space to let her slowly heal herself.

In all

Highly emotional and powerful, Me Since You will make you cry over and over again as you are swept up in Rowan's journey. It's the saddest book I have ever read, and it will leave you devastated.

Review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice. 

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. 

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Title: The Iron Traitor
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: October 29th 2013

Rating: 3.5 stars

Thoughts:

I'm quite certain that Julie Kagawa is a cruel person. I mean, WHO ends a book like that? Who leaves us hanging like that? I have a feeling that Kagawa enjoys ripping out our hearts and shredding them to pieces. That ending... And how long till book 3? A year? This is pure cruelty ;_;

In all seriousness, though: I did have some problems with The Iron Traitor. I felt that this book was a bit.. too long. I mean, Kagawa only describes the necessary things and I can't think of anything that needn't be there. Still, this book dragged a little and I had trouble getting through it. Especially the middle felt really slow, and, to be honest, didn't exactly have me flipping the pages. In fact, I found that I could lay away this book far too easily, while Kagawa's previous books were really addictive.

A lot of the book feels, in a way, 'low'. Or maybe 'passive' is a better word. Don't get me wrong - the characters do a lot of things and never stand still. But I never really felt that urgency. Also, there was a lot less fun banter. Which is a shame, because Kagawa excels at banter! There is some, especially when Puck shows up, but I felt the book really needed that lighter tone and that there simply was too little of it.

There were a lot of positive things to be found in The Iron Traitor, though. As always, the originality and imagery in the book is great. Kagawa has a really visual way of describing things, and it was really easy to picture everything (especially the Nevernever). And the plot with the Forgotten keeps getting better an better.

The characters were pretty great, too. Their personalities are still well-thought out. Ethan can be a bit of a jerk sometimes, but he recognizes that and tries to tone it down. Kenzie is getting stronger and stronger and still won't take 'no' for an answer. The only 'weak' character (for a lack of a better word) for me is Annwyl. I still don't have a grasp on her personality and she felt a bit bland to me. I don't feel like I really know her, nor could I describe her to someone who hasn't read these books. I really disliked Keirran in this book, but I do understand why he acted the way he did. He was just a bit scary and also a bit of a jerk, and I was never sure where his loyalties lay. (Hence the title: The Iron Traitor.) However, the reason for his actions were clear and while I didn't like him at all, I did understand him.

In all, I did enjoy The Iron Traitor. While I felt that the middle of the dragged a little, Kagawa made up for it with that ending. THAT ENDING. THAT VERY CRUEL ENDING.

**Review copy provided by Harlequin Teen. Thank you! No money or favors were exchanged to alter this review. **

ARC Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Title: Into The Still Blue
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky #3
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: January 28th 2014

Rating: 4 stars

Thoughts:

For some reason, I have always found this series difficult to review. So, instead of doing my review the way I normally do it, I'm making a list of everything.

* The Characters

Aria was a delight! Her growth since the first book is very obvious. The way Rossi introduced the 'Dwellers' and the way they contrasted with Aria was brilliant. Aria was once the same, but she has come a long way since then and it showed. She kicked some serious ass in this book and I could only cheer her on! She isn't a damsel in distress that needs to be saved by Perry, but instead saves herself.

Speaking of Perry, I thought his character didn't grow very much in this book. However, he was still very enjoyable and loveable, so I'll let it slide.

Soren was the biggest surprise in this book and Through the Ever Night. In Under the Never Sky, I HATED him. He was so awful! In TtEN I actually started to like him and in ItSB it was a bit of a mix. I liked him and disliked him both, which I think shows skill on Rossi's part. It's not easy to write a character like that, and she succeeded on every front.

And finally, Roar. Oh Roar. He's been (one of my) favorite character(s) and it killed me to see him so broken in Into the Still Blue. His usual wit and humor faded a little and he seemed pretty miserable. I completely understood where he was coming from and I felt for him, but I couldn't help  but miss the old Roar.

* The Plot

Magnificent! No dull moment in Into the Still Blue. There were so many twists and turns, way more than in the previous books. I loved it. A lot of them I didn't see coming and it made the book that much better! Rossi isn't really kind to any of her characters: they all suffer in different ways, and it was FANTASTIC. I loved loved loved the way the plot progressed and turned out in the end.

* The Writing

Rossi's writing is very stable. It hasn't changed (much) since UtNS and TtEN, and while it isn't very flowerish and dreamy, it's successful. It was so easy to connect with the characters and all that they were going through.

In all, I loved this book. I think it was the best in the series, and I love it when series go out with a bang! The characters were all magnificent, although I did miss the old Roar a bit. The plot was crazy and awesome, and if you have read Through the Ever Night - whether you liked it or not - you should definitely read Into the Still Blue.

Digital ARC was provided by HarperCollins. Thank you so much! No money or favors were exchanged to alter this review.

ARC Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Title: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: None
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: January 28th 2014

Rating: 2 stars

Thoughts:

I was raised to marry a monster.

My feelings for this novel can be summed up in one word: disappointed. The premise sounded fantastic: a Beauty and the Beast retelling! Then the cover was revealed and it was absolutely beautiful. But when I actually read it...

Cruel Beauty has quite a lot of Greek mythology, something I didn't expect. I normally love Greek mythology, but I felt it was out of place in Cruel Beauty. This novel tries to do a lot: a retelling, Greek mythology, the paranormal aspect... It felt a bit messy and didn't resonate with me. I'd have liked this more if it had chosen one or two aspects instead of three.

The biggest letdown, for me, was the romance. The romance is a very important aspect in this book: a lot of the plot and the character's decisions depend on the romance, and unfortunately, it fell short. At the beginning of the book, a slight love triangle is forming, but that is resolved quite early on. Unfortunately, both sides of the triangle contain instant love.

On her first night in the castle (I think), Nyx meets Shade. She suspects he could be an ally and decides to kiss him. While I personally don't know if that's the right way, I could get over that. However, after two conversations and one kiss both characters start speaking of love. 

The air stilled in my lungs. If that was not a confession of love, it was near enough.

and

Last night he had as good as said he loved me, and I thought I loved him in return.

I was really sad this happened, because it's very unrealistic and basically ruined the book for me from the start.

After all that happened, Nyx and Ignifex's relationship blooms. I think there was supposed to be sexual tension between the two, but I didn't feel it at all. The most enjoyable thing about their romance was their banter about the ways Nyx planned to kill him. Their relationship, like Nyx and Shade's, is majorly underdeveloped. She starts seeing good in him and she kisses him at a certain point, and I felt I didn't even know Ignifex yet, let alone start seeing his good side. Their first kiss was awkward too. I think it was supposed to be in an I'll-kiss-you-to-make-you-shut-up manner, but I didn't feel it at all. I was litterally like "Wait... They are kissing now? Why?". Their relationship also progressed way too quick. Once again, she starts speaking of love too soon: I still felt like I didn't know Ignifex all that well and he certainly hadn't deserved anyone's love yet. Their romance was such a key point in this book, and because it failed, the rest of the book seemed strange as well. Some major plot points and decisions depend on this romance, and since I didn't feel it at all, the decisions of the characters just felt strange.

Then there's the plot itself, which was confusing, to be honest. I felt certain things weren't explained enough and it made me confused and I didn't understand everything that was going on.

The only thing that I really did like was the writing. There were certain moments that were described beautifully and the prose really fit the feel of the book.

In all, I am majorly disappointed. The romance fell flat with its instant love, and since a lot of the plot depends on the romance, that fell flat too. Not only that, but the plot was confusing, and I felt the book was trying to do too much with the addition of the Greek mythology. I'm just really, really disappointed. However, I have seen several people who absolutely LOVED this book, so if you think the romance won't bother you, give it a try!

ARC was provided by Balzer + Bray. Thank you! No money or favors were exchanged to alter this review.

ARC Review: Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Life. Death. And...Love?

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

Title: Heartbeat
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Series: None
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: January 28th 2014

Rating: 3.5 or 4 stars (not sure)

Thoughts:

The first thing I want to say when it comes to Heartbeat is: don't let that cover mislead you. This isn't a love story, although there is romance. This isn't sappy and fluffy and cutesy like you might expect it to be when you look at the cover. This is the story of a girl so overcome by grief and anger that she's become little more than a shadow of her old self. This is the story of a girl trying to battle a grief so immense it swallows everything whole. This is the story of a girl with no hope and nothing more than endless emptiness and endless rage. This is the story of a girl finding herself again.

The protagonist, Emma, isn't always likeable. She's grieving so intensely that there's little space left for her personality - at times it's swallowed by the sadness. That doesn't mean she ever seems lifeless or a cardboard cutout. Not at all. Her grief is so intense and painful that you can imagine - and at the same time can't imagine - why she is the way she is. Emma is not only sad, she is bitter. Very bitter. Her stepdad, Dan, made a huge decision without ever asking Emma what she thought of it, and she hates him for it. At the same time, Dan is so sweet and caring and loving that she can't help but love him - and she hates herself for it. Most of the time, I could feel Emma's pain and rage so intensely - I understood why she did things the way she did. On the other hand, there were times when I didn't feel her all that much, and it shows how important that connection is. In the moments when you do not truly feel Emma's pain, she is unlikeable. I get why she behaved like that, but her tendency to walk away time and time again became annoying and I wanted her to talk about it.

Emma's best friend, Olivia, was a delight. She was a bit quirky with her hatred for technology, but otherwise a teenager through and through. She was a realistic best friend, and she supported Emma throughout the story. She's not afraid of opening her mouth when Emma behaves strangely, but she only does so with Emma's best interests in mind. It was obvious that she loved Emma and I loved Scott for making her an actual best friend instead of the stereotyped back-stabbing 'friends' we see so often in YA.

The romance was well done as well. It starts with a few looks - glances - and slowly progresses. By the time Emma had real feelings for Caleb, it was believable. It never went too fast and I could believe in it. The reader's attitude toward Caleb changes as Emma's does, and it shows skill. I wasn't shipping them with everything I have and it's not an epic love story, but the romance fits the book very well. It's small and intricate and takes a backseat to Emma's personal growth.

Speaking of Emma's growth - it was another well executed point of this novel. It progresses slowly, which is good and realistic, but at times it was too slow. There were moments when I felt that Emma was ready to talk, and instead she ran away from the confrontation. It wasn't annoying, but I felt that Emma was at times clinging too much to her feelings of rage and sadness. Maybe it was the point, though, to show the reader that grieving is a slow and hard process, in which case Scott did an amazing job. Because of this slow process, though, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. Because the path toward being happy and hopeful was so slow and painful, I felt that she took that final horde a little too easily, and that she should perhaps have struggled a bit more with it. In the end, though, this was a really likeable story of a girl finding herself again.

ARC Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Title: Uninvited
Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: Uninvited #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: January 28th 2014

Rating: 4.5 stars

Thoughts:

He's never told me what I am. He's just assured me that I'm not anything I don't want to be.

Uninvited was such a pleasant surprise! I wasn't the biggest fan of Jordan's Firelight series, but Uninvited was an original, fun and philosophic novel that showed Jordan's growth.

I really loved the subtle way it responded to the nature/nurture debate. Is the ability to kill in our genes or is it a product of our upbringing? Davy, at the start of the novel, doesn't seem like a killer at all. Instead, she is a sweet girl, a music prodigy, the perfect student. It isn't until it's discovered that she has HTS that she becomes tougher. The way society treats her - like she's worthless, a social pariah - corresponds so well with how the world would react if something like HTS would ever be discovered. People live in fear, and try to cast out everyone who is 'other'. This raises an important question: was Davy always a bit violent and did society just enable her to out it? Or had she never been violent had society not treated her the way it did? Uninvited forces you to think and I don't think this book would be out of place in a philosophy class.

The characters were a delight as well. The slow change in Davy - from a sweet girl to a hardened and tough fighter - was done exceptionally well. She grows in just the right pace, making the transformation believable. It also made sure that we could still sympathize with her, even when she does some awful things. We feel protective of the innoncent girl at the beginning of the book and that feeling stays even when she transforms into a whole other person. The side characters were well developed as well. The different ways everyone reacted to the news that Davy has HTS were believable and showed us the differences in everyone. Some are willing to fight for her, some accept it quietly, some reject her, some try to make her life a living hell. Jordan has also managed to make me love almost every single carrier Davy meets. I loved how Jordan gave each carrier a different personality, and didn't make Davy the only non-violent carrier. Anyone can have the kill gene, whether it be a nerdy boy, a shy girl, a violent boy, a protective boy, or a normal girl with a slight edge underneath. Every single character had a personality instead of being just the mindless killers society expects them to be.

Jordan did a complete hundred-and-eighty with the romance as well. Where the romance in Firelight felt rushed and unbelievable, in Uninvited it was slow, well developed, and so incredibly sweet. Sean was the perfectly flawed love interest: not afraid to bash someone's skull in, but always having a reason to do it. I really liked how Jordan didn't even make them kiss until at the end of the book, although I felt that maybe it would be even better if their first kiss was in the sequel instead of in Uninvited. Either way, it was slow, which is exactly how I want my romances!

I also loved the little snippets of conversations, interviews, articles and text messages before each character. It's a clever way to show how society became the way it was in Uninvited and allowed the reader to see in the minds of other persons than Davy. I really enjoyed reading these little pieces.

The only thing that caught my eye is the writing. It's okay overall, not outstanding, but not bad either. Davy does moisten her lips awfully often, though. For me, she did that a little too much: I feel some 'I moisten my lips'-sentences could be edited out without detracting from the novel.

In all, I really loved Uninvited. Uninvited comes with a great cast of characters, slow-burn romance and gives us thinking material. It managed to respond to the nature/nurture debate in a subtle way while telling an interesting and engaging story. My only complaint? I'm already waiting for the sequel and Uninvited isn't even out yet!

Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.

Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Series: None
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: August 28th 2012

Rating: 4 or 4.5 stars

Thoughts: 

Funny story: I saw this on Edelweiss with a 'request' button. Since I've seen Looking for the Panacea raving over it, I immediately requested this. It was only after requesting that I noticed that this book was actually published in 2012. Oops. I didn't think about it again, until I got an email that said I was approved to read it. Talk about unexpected!

While this book isn't a new favorite of mine, it's most certainly good. Speechless tells the story of a girl falling from her social status, making new friends, falling in love, and, ultimately, growing up. This is very much a story of self-discovery and I thought that aspect of the book was handled particularly well. The gradual change in Chelsea is believable and honest. She slowly starts seeing that not everything was her fault, that she made some bad decisions and some good decisions, that she isn't a bad person. She really did grow up in the story, and it was convincing and beautifully described.

I hadn't expected the gay aspect of the story, but I loved the message Harrington sends out. This book is a little preachy, but it's a message I stand behind. Harrington shows different forms of hate against gay people, and she also shows that that kind of hate is completely unwarranted. She shows the reader that gay people really are just people too. 

Then there's the romance. While it suffered a bit from my recent loss of the ability to ship people, it was a really good romance. Sam has got to be one of the sweetest characters I've ever read about. He truly cares about others and it just shines through. He and Chelsea were the perfect match and I normally would have shipped it like hell. The fact that I didn't really is a personal thing and most certainly isn't because of the book. In fact, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet and heartfelt romance!

I did have some minor issues with the book. Especially in the beginning, Chelsea slut-shames a lot. Every girl's outfit is critized for being too revealing and slutty. In fact, apparently every girl is basically a slut, except for Chelsea and her friend Kristen. Fortunately, the slut-shaming recedes after Chelsea is kicked out of the 'popular gang' and for most of the book doesn't exist anymore. But at the end of the book, a freshman's boobs are described quite extensively, paying no attention to the rest of her appearance. It's a shame that this happened, because all the slut-shaming really needn't be there.

Another tiny issue is the display of vegetarian food. Apparently, Chelsea's mother is really into organic/vegetarian food (which, by the way, aren't the same) and every night's dinner is basically described as 'tofu'. Now this is a personal pet peeve, but I'm getting so sick of the tofu-stereotype. I am not a vegetarian, but I eat vegetarian food regularly, and believe me, it does not consist of just tofu and salad. At all. There are so many great (vegetarian) recipes, and there are so many ways you can make it delicious. Some of my favorite recipes are vegetarian, and believe me, they're unbelievably tasty and plain great. It really was a minor thing, but I can get worked up over this because it's such a missed chance to show everyone that vegetarian food is so much more than tofu.

In all, this really was a good book. Speechless weaves many things, such as romance, life lessons and friends, into a beautiful coming-of-age story. I found this book inspiring and I hope you - whoever you are - will too, when you read it. 

** Thank you, Harlequin Teen, for the review copy! No money or favors were exchanged to alter this review. **

ARC Review: Pawn by Aimée Carter

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Title: Pawn
Author: Aimée Carter
Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: November 26th 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Thoughts:

Pawn was such a welcome surprise! I wasn't really a fan of Carter's The Goddess Test series, but Pawn is nothing like it at all.

I liked our main character, Kitty, from the start. She's spunky, not afraid to say what she thinks and she loves her friends fiercely. Although she says a lot of things without thought, she knows when to keep her mouth shut and she sees through lies and conspiracies. Everyone underestimates her because she only got a III and she can't read, but they are so very wrong - Kitty is smart. The other characters were so well-developed too. Although I'm not a fan of books in which the MC already has a relationship with someone, Benjy easily won me over. He was such a sweetheart! His love for Kitty is obvious, and he is so kind. The other characters all had believable motivations for doing what they did and they didn't act out of character. Although the villain(s) of the story felt a bit flat in the beginning, they have their backstories as well and eventually we find out why they are the way they are.

Pawn was filled with so many twists and turns! It seriously blew my mind. The start of the book is relatively calm, but after we find out what Elsewhere is (which blew my mind as well), every other page seemed to bring a new twist! Carter did not hold back with the surprises and the result is both dazzling and awesome. The twists weren't predictable either - I think I only saw one of them coming. The constant surprises make Pawn a fast, action-packed read. I read this book in one day, even though it has close to 350 pages.

For those who are afraid, there is no love triangle in this book. Maybe one will emerge in the next book, but Pawn is not focused on the romance, and when it does, it's Kitty/Benjy all the way. I really liked how the romance took a backseat to the plot, or rather how it was part of the plot. The romance was actually used to progress the plot, and I loved that! You don't see that oftern nowadays.

Speaking of, Pawn is deliciously original! It might look like your typical 'poor girl gets rich and rebels against the country'-story, but it's anything but that. The wealth of life as a VII is only remarked upon to show the contrast between the lives of those with a IV or lower and those who live like kings. Yes, there is a rebellion, but even that is refreshingly original. Instead of a herione who takes a nose-dive into a rebellion, Kitty thinks things through and is even hesitant to rebel against the Harts. Not only that, but the plot is very much focused on the betrayal and lies within the Hart family as opposed to the rebellion.

In all, Pawn is extremely enjoyable! When the twists and turns start pouring in, you'll hardly have time to catch your breath. A fast-paced and original read with delightful characters and many surpises!

ARC Review: The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. 

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

Title: The Promise of Amazing
Author: Robin Constantine
Series: None
Publisher: Balzer + Bray 
Publication Date: December 31st 2013

Rating: 2.5 or 3 stars (I'm not really sure)

Thoughts: 

The NHS made [being quiet] sound like a character flaw. Something I could improve. That's just not how it worked.

Since I know everyone's going to make some sort of joke with the title, I'll spare you that. When I first saw this awesomely cute and fluffy cover, I knew I had to read it. Sometimes I just really want something fluffy and light and funny. Ultimately, though, I was sort of... disappointed. The Promise of Amazing didn't live up to my expectations.

The Promise of Amazing mainly around the romance and Grayson's past. The romance was the thign that disappointed me most, to be honest. It's not exactly instant love, but it all goes a bit fast and I just didn't feel it. Wren and Grayson were cute, sure, and Grayson's admiration for Wren shines through. However, from the moment Wren saves Grayson's life they both feel this 'connection'. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that connection at all. Honestly, I thought it was a bit insta-lovey. From the moment they meet, pretty much all they do is think about the other. And even though they spend a lot of time together, I didn't feel like they really knew each other. So when they exchange their 'I love you's, I just didn't believe it. It was too much, too fast, and as a result I felt really disconnected from it. Because of that, I couldn't really ship them. I mean, they fit each other fine, but when they kissed my reaction was more towards the 'meh' side of things.

Another point that made me a little angry: Grayson's hotness excuses everything. The things he does (sort of but not really stalking, lying, etc.) were not right. If he had been ugly, Wren and her friends would've thought he was a creep. Now, everything he does is 'kinda hot'. Why? Because of his apparently flawless appearance. Now, I'm not saying that he was Edward Cullen-creepy, but let's just say that was no angel.  And I really wish his hotness didn't 'make up' for that.

Otherwise, Grayson's past was pretty interesting. The things he did were definitely not good, but interesting to read about. Throughout the book, he cares less and less about his old 'business' and his old friends (who are total jerks, by the way. Seriously.). This gradual change in him was executed well: things didn't go too fast, he makes a couple of mistakes and he learns from them. Although Wren sort of inspired this change in him, I did feel like he did it for himself and not for her.

I don't really have much to say about Wren. She was a nice girl, and I thought the change in her was well done. She starts off as silent and shy, but throughout the novel she dares to say more and is a bit more impulsive. Although she didn't necessarily good decisions, she was likeable enough. So were her friends: although they were the outgoing boy-crazy friend and the serious, studious one, they weren't stereotypical. They had a twist to their character that made them believable and different.

In all, this was a bit of a disappointment. Hardly the fluffy novel I was looking for, The Promise of Amazing deals with accepting your past mistakes and moving on. The characters were all likeable (except for Grayson's friends) and well developed. The romance, I felt, was underdeveloped and Wren and Grayson needed to know more about each other before thinking about love. Would I still recommend? Yes, because it wasn't bad at all. I had just expected it to be more.

Early ARC Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Title: Panic
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: None
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: March 4th 2014

Rating: 4.5 stars

Thoughts:

There was no joy left in the game - no lightness or humor at all.

It seems that many people look at Panic's blurb and think that it's a Hunger Games rip-off. It's not. Although the blurb does seem to have similarities to HG, Panic is a completely different sort of game: everyone participates willingly; you can drop out any time you want; you don't fight to the death. Panic is a book of facing and fighting your fear, of becoming stronger than you already are, of finding yourself in a world as big as ours.

Each and every of the characters in Panic has their own problems and motivations and thoughts. Everyone participates in Panic for a reason: for money, for revenge, for showing others what you're made of. I really loved how Oliver displayed that all their motivations were miles apart, yet that they were all, in a way,  fighting for the same thing: survival. Alliances are made, friendships bloom and romances emerge.

The characters were strong and well developed. Although I did not like all of the characters, they were real and true to their characterization. I might not have liked certain actions or decisions, but they were what that charater would have done. Every character we're introduced to has their own problems: Oliver shows us that life is hard for all of us. Although Heather and Dodge's problems were the ones that we saw most of, we get glimpses of the problems of the side characters as well. They were very real problems, too. My only complaint with this style is that we never see if and how the problems of the side characters are resolved. For example, I was quite interested in Nat's 'problem storyline', but we don't see very much of it. It frustrated me a little, but on the other hand: the only way we could have known how it ended was through cheating at narration, which I'm not a fan of either...

There are two romances in this book: one I shipped hard and one I didn't care much for. The first one was between Heather and *someone* (not sure if it's a spoiler, so I won't tell you who), and it was so incredibly sweet! I really shipped it hard and every tiny moment between them made my heart melt a little.
The other romance is between Nat and *someone* (again, not sure if spoiler). This one was mostly 'meh' for me. *Someone* was pretty sweet and his crush on Nat was very clear, but I couldn't care for it much. It could be that I just didn't like Nat all that much, though. Although she was a very fleshed out and real character, I just disliked her. Frankly, I thought she was a bit bitchy and the way she used certain people didn't make me sympathise with her either. Although she made it right later (or tried to), I still was a bit disappointed in her and it saddens me a little that people in real life behave like this too. Basically, what I'm saying is that Oliver shows us life and all its ugly sides. It's sad, but real.

The mystery element of the book surprised me: I thought that it would just be about two teens trying to win a game, but it's much more. Although the book revolves around the game, we see a lot of the lives of the characters and the things people are willing to do in order to win Panic. It was quite suspenseful at times. We're trying to figure out who the judges are (I had one down quite quickly, but I only realized the other was a judge at the exact moment Oliver wants her readers to), there's death, there are tigers and betrayal and gasps. My heart was almost beating out of my chest during the car scene at the end of the book! It was really scary and surprising.

The only element that disappointed me a little was the prose. When I hear the name Lauren Oliver, I basically go "pretty prose!". Because in Before I Fall and the Delirium series, her prose really stood out with its beauty. In Panic, we get glimpses of this beautiful writing, but most of the time the writing is pretty straight to the point. Althought that really disappointed me, it did fit the novel and it still flowed easily. It was still nice to read. I just wanted that 'whoa that was amazing'-writing and I feel like I didn't get that.

The best thing about this novel was, hands down, the portrayal of people and life. It's really crazy what people are willing to do for money and Oliver captured this madness perfectly in Panic. The problems that the characters had were real and serious. Life is hard and crazy. Oliver showed us that perfectly. But she did not only show that: she also showed us how you can learn from those hard times, how they can make you stronger and happier. She showed us that it's not impossible to overcome your fear. She showed us that you can rise above yourself. She showed us that there's always somthing worth fighting for and that there are always persons who love you no matter what you do. She showed us life in all its imperfect perfectness.

Panic is not a novel about a game. Panic is about life and all its facets, about solving your own problems, about overcoming fear. If you are looking for a book with true-to-life characters, suspense and tension, and a deeper message from which we can all learn, Panic is a must-read.

ARC Review: All Our Yesterdays by Christin Terrill

Em is locked in a bare, cold cell with no comforts. Finn is in the cell next door. The Doctor is keeping them there until they tell him what he wants to know. Trouble is, what he wants to know hasn't happened yet. Em and Finn have a shared past, but no future unless they can find a way out. The present is torture - being kept apart, overhearing each other's anguish as the Doctor relentlessly seeks answers. There's no way back from here, to what they used to be, the world they used to know. Then Em finds a note in her cell which changes everything. It's from her future self and contains some simple but very clear instructions. Em must travel back in time to avert a tragedy that's about to unfold. Worse, she has to pursue and kill the boy she loves to change the future.

ARC Review: Secret For A Song by S.K. Falls

Title: Secret For A Song

Author: S.K. Falls

Series: None

Publisher: S. K. Falls

Publication Date: May 31st, 2013

Source: S. K. Falls

Description:

Saylor Grayson makes herself sick. Literally.

She ate her first needle when she was seven. Now, at nineteen, she’s been kicked out of college for poisoning herself with laxatives. The shrinks call it Munchausen Syndrome. All Saylor knows is that when she’s ill, her normally distant mother pays attention and the doctors and nurses make her feel special.

Then she meets Drew Dean, the leader of a local support group for those with terminal diseases. When he mistakes her for a new member, Saylor knows she should correct him. But she can’t bring herself to, not after she’s welcomed into a new circle of friends. Friends who, like Drew, all have illnesses ready to claim their independence or their lives. 

For the first time, Saylor finds out what it feels like to be in love, to have friends who genuinely care about her. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves. What will happen when Saylor’s is out?

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thoughts:

I ate my first needle when I was seven.

Secret For A Song is a book about Saylor, who has Munchausen Syndrome. I'd never heard of it, but apparently it basically means that you make yourself sick. Her family is a bit screwed up, with a father that's almost never home (and when he is, he shows no interest in his daughter) and a mother that doesn't seem to care about anything Saylor does. So Saylor makes herself sick to get attention. 

Then she ends up in a local support group for terminal diseases by accident. She says she has MS -not entirely a lie, but interpret in the wrong way- and makes friends with kids with terminal diseases.

So, I didn't know Munchausen Syndrome existed until I read this book. It's very interesting to see how someone would willingly make herself sick in order to get attention. I really can't imagine doing such a thing to myself (I really hate being sick), but Saylor does and has quite imaginative ways of doing it as well. The scenes where she injects her own saliva into her veins and the abcesses that form were, unfortunately, described very good and detailed, so I was often grossed out. (I think in pictures, so it was all too easy to see it all happening - ew)

The writing was a pleasant surprise - way better than I was expecting. The prose was strong and steady, with good descriptions, but not too flowery. An example:

I believed in my mother's ability to reverse-transubstantiate, to change from one substance to another; her flesh and blood to smoke and shadows when I was near.

I also really loved the secondary characters. Drew was sweet and soft, Zoe so happy and brightening. It was interesting to see how they handled their sicknesses, how they grew weaker in body but stronger in mind. The relationship between Saylor and Drew wasn't overdone: they weren't immediately declaring their love for one another, but build it up slowly, with lots of sweet moments.

But (there's always a but), I didn't really like Saylor. She was very whiny and passive (except when it came to her making herself sick). I also really can't get over how she lied to her friends about having MS. MS is a very serious disease and I think it's a bit improper to use it as a cover for someone whodeliberately makes herself sick. A bit disrespectful, too. Especially if that someone thinks is so awesome to have a serious disease without having to work for it.

At times, I really felt the need to scream at her to stop bloody lying to her friends! If you keep lying, the truth will always backstab you in the end - but the sooner you admit the lie, the softer the stab will be. But Saylor never had the guts to tell her friends the truth, and of course, she paid for it. It was very annoying every time she could have told and didn't. 

This was a very interesting read about Munchausen Syndrome and what it did to a girl. The prose flows easily and most of the characters were very nice. I'd definitely recommend it if you're interested in Munchausen, or if you - like me - had never heard of it before.

Thank you, S.K. Falls, for giving me a galley of this book. No money or favours were exchanged to alter this review.

All Our Pretty Songs

All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Actual rating: 3,5 stars.

Thank you St. Martins Griffin for providing me an ARC of this book! No money or favours were exchanged to affect this review.

All Our Pretty Songs, what a strange animal you are. I can see why a lot of people rated it 2 stars, but I quite liked it.

So, this is about the narrator, who doesn't have a name, apparently. She's best friends with Aurora. They've bot got pretty fucked up families, but they genuinely love each other. Then Jack comes into play. His music is hauntingly beautiful, and he and the narrator fall in love. It's this way for most of the novel, until in the end some really weird stuff happens.

It's hard for me to say what genre this is. This novel does have a very Contemporary feel, but that stuff in the end definitely wasn't contemporary, but rather Paranormal or Greek myth stuff. So I'll say this is a contemporary with a sprinkle of paranormal greek. Sounds legit, right?

So, there are quite some issues with this book, but let's start with the positive. The prose was absolutely stunning. Not Laini Taylor-stunning, but I put this on my 'gorgeous-prose' shelf without hesitation. The prose drew me in right from the start and kept me reading. But (there's always a but) as the lovely Ashleigh Paige from Birth of a New Witch so accurately states: The prose is so determined to take over the novel that it practically drains the life from everything else.

This is very true: the prose is so lush and there's so much of it, that you get distracted by it. It buries the story. This was one of the rare cases where I didn't mind, but I can definitely see why it would annoy others or even make them give up on this book.

Maybe my quite positive opinion of this book is (almost) all thanks to the prose. Because the prose is the main thing in this book instead of the story, there were a lot of things I just looked over. In this book there's insta-love. Normally I hate books with insta-love with a burning passion and they'll get nothing short of a snarky review from me. But really, I could overlook it here. I was just reading, thought: "hey, that's insta-love,", shrugged and kept on reading.

Another possible problem with this book is that it can be extremely boring. Once again, I didn't mind, but normally I get distracted easily if nothing's happening. Because really, for a great part of the book, there is nothing happening. I actually have no idea why I wasn't bored, but I guess it was the prose again. However, if you have a short attention span, I wouldn't recommend this. You're likely to get very bored.

But, as I mentioned, there is a lot of stuff happening in the end. Shit's going down quickly. But because in the rest of the novel there's not really all that much happening, it felt rushed to me. I wish there was more of this in the book and less of the rest. Although rushed, the ending was, in my opinion, very good.

So, all in all the biggest downside of this book was the prose, because it buried the story. The thing that saved this book was also the prose.

Think about that.

Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When I first saw this on Goodreads, I cheered. A new novel from one of my favourite authors!



Then, I saw I could request an ARC of it. I went crazy.



Then, I got approved to read it.



I cozied up and started reading.

And oh, I wanted to love this. I really, really did. But sadly, this just wasn't for me. But, on the bright side, it did inspire me to create a shelf named 'it's not you, it's me'. Because that's how I feel about this. Because there are going to be lots of people who will devour this, cry because it's over, give it five stars and gush about Mastermind Mead.

I am just not one of those people.

So, Gameboard of the Gods is this sci-fi/urban fantasy/dystopian about Justin March, who was exiled but now called back to the RUNA, a futuristic American country. He's supposed to solve a murder mystery, gets a gorgeous guardian named Mae Koskinen and gets involved with gods. Sounds good, no?

Unfortunately, it was boring. And like, really boring. I only kept reading because I was hoping that it would be less boring, that there would be a major surprise, or a mindblowing ending that would earn the book five stars no matter what. I try to always finish a book, but damn, I was close to DNF'ing this.

That doesn't mean there was no action. Oh no, there were plenty of fighting scenes. But still, it was really hard to keep my attention to it. I'd be reading it and then go...
"... Ooh, nice song on the radio!" *starts humming*
"... God, my dog is so cute."
"... Is there food anywhere? I'm getting hungry."
"... Why did it suddenly start raining?"

... Yeah. I had to say to myself "You ARE going to finish it, and NOW at that!" to finish this. And even then, I read it reluctantly. *sigh* I'm just so disappointed, because this should have been my new favourite book of 2013.

One thing that didn't help was the worldbuilding - or rather the lack thereof. At first, I had no idea what was what, which country did what, etc. Don't get me wrong - I like it when an author has guts and throws you into a world with no hand-holding, but I would have liked more information there. I finished this and I still don't know how everything happened.

This doesn't mean that this was an awful book, though. Like I said, many people are going to love this. One thing I really love is how Mead creates real, flawed characters in every book she writes. Justin and Mae were both very readable and and very flawed. That's good, because really, who isn't flawed?

NOBODY.

And while at times Mae reminded me of Rose with her mad fighting skills and battlelust, and Justin reminded me of Adrian, with his drinking and women-addiction, they were also very distinct of the Vampire Academy cast. This shows Mead's skills, because it can be very hard to create a character that is a little like some other character, but is a whole other person (if that makes sense).

Also, Mead's prose is as always steady and very loveable.

Basically, I can some this review up in four words:

Unfortunately, not for me.