Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - Book Review

Title ~ Incarnate
Series ~ Newsoul #1
Author ~ Jodi Meadows
Release Date ~ January 31, 2012
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ HarperTeen

NEWSOUL

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Incarnate has a wonderful uniqueness. While reincarnation is the central focus, there is a special attention paid to what the reincarnated are actually dealing with. There are a million souls that have been reincarnated for thousands of years. Whoa! What is really crazy is that they all remember their past lives. That is a different concept than I have read in other reincarnation stories. Imagine all those memories being carried around. The memories of lives and loves lost. Imagine knowing that you will live forever, but not as the person you are now. Everyone interconnected over time.  No secrets.

There is some weirdness to the reincarnation in that you can be a girl in one lifetime and then return as a guy. And this goes on over and over again. Freakity. Freakity. Freak.  However, the characters aren't phased by it and this adds to the awesome beauty of the story.  They are in synch with the journey they are on and trivial things like gender make no difference.  In a way, they are right.

Ana is a newsoul. This means that she is on her very first life and has not yet been reincarnated. What makes it intriguing is that she is the first newsoul in 5,000 years. Everyone is freaked out and they start thinking she must be evil or a sign of danger.  She is blamed for everything bad that happens.  Considering that everyone else has been around for thousands of years, Ana is a like a child. Her wealth of experiences so trivial compared to the others. Oh, but Ana has a fascination with the reincarnated and she looks at them with respect.  The way Jodi Meadows writes Ana's emotions is mesmerizing and fluid.

Ana’s mother, Li, is an awful and manipulative person. I couldn’t stand her. Li holds Ana like a hostage away from society while she is growing up. I mean, who treats their own child this way? It is no wonder that Ana has a bad attitude sometimes, especially toward Sam.

Who’s Sam? Oh, he is one of the very few who are not afraid of Ana. Sam has a bravery that allows him to go against the norms of his society and stand up for Ana. I really liked this guy and it got frustrating when Ana would lash out at him. My favorite times were when these two played music and enjoyed each other.  It was like they melded into one and became the music.  Aww, the music was just so gorgeous to picture!

Remember how I mentioned that Ana is blamed for everything bad?  Well, when the city comes under attack by sylph and dragons, you can imagine who gets the blame.  Yep, it's Ana.  Detailed descriptions of battles and creatures explode on the page.  Love the action.

Rumor has it that Jodi Meadows already has the next two books written.  Oh my goodness, I have got to have them!  My big question is this -  what happened to the soul that was lost when Ana was born?  I cannot wait to find out.

Tangled by Erica O'Rourke - Book Review

Title ~ Tangled
Series ~ Torn Trilogy #2
Author ~ Erica O’Rourke
Release Date ~ January 31, 2012
Publisher ~ Kensington
Source ~ Kensington

Constance started to keen as the air around us began to thrash and twist, the caustic scent of ozone burning my nose. As I watched, her dark gold hair began to lift and kink into knots.

“I’m here. It’ll be okay.” It was the last thing I said before my best friend’s little sister went supernova in the second-floor girls’ bathroom, taking me with her.

A month ago, Mo Fitzgerald risked her life to stop an ancient prophecy and avenge her best friend's murder. Now, she only wants to keep her loved ones safe. But the magic—and the Chicago Mob—have other plans.

Mysterious, green-eyed Luc is back, asking for help—and a second chance. Colin, her strongest protector, is hiding a shocking secret. And inside Constance, the magic is about to go terribly wrong. Tangled in a web of love and betrayal, Mo must choose between the life she's dreamed of and the one she's destined for.

Tangled is filled with deception. Mo lives the life of a normal teen while also living a secret magical life. She creates a web of lies as she keeps her magical life a secret from those around her. Even Mo’s normal life isn’t really so normal after all. Her uncle is a mobster and her father is finally being released from prison after many years. Mo’s life hasn’t been easy and she is guarded with her heart. I really like that her family became a part of the story.

What’s this about magic? Well, the magic has become way too powerful and it is starting to emerge in small children. The magical community is relying on Mo to save them from the out of control magic like she did before. Umm, and she only has a few days to do it. Pressure much? It’s like a pressure cooker situation for Mo! I loved all the magic and how it became central to the plot.

The romance takes a turn for the love triangle as Mo has feelings for both Colin and Luc. Colin is the human and Luc has the gift of magic. Colin is the nice guy while Luc can be cocky. Colin is focused only on making Mo happy while Luc will do things to get on her nerves. I dunno’. The whole setup is a little too expected for me.

Overall, I had some mixed feelings. I loved the magic but I was disappointed in the romance. I loved how Mo was affected by her family situation and how she used magic, but I didn’t care for how she dealt with the guys. Yeah, it was so-so.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton - Book Review

Title ~ Everneath
Series ~ Everneath #1
Author ~ Brodi Ashton
Release Date ~ January 24, 2012
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ HarperTeen

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..

Wow! Everneath is not just a typical mythical retelling set in a modern time. Oh no, it’s way more. It is cleverly presented, has truly realistic characters, and an utterly shocking ending. If you read Everneath, don’t just expect good, expect GREAT!

We’ve all read books with alternating perspectives. Yeah, seen it. Everneath is set up with alternating time frames instead. The time frame alternates between the current time and the time before Nikki went to the underworld. It is so cool. It is not confusing. It answers a lot of the WHY. It is beautifully done. It is unique. It is something I love about this book.

I want to read about characters that I feel attached to. They are characters that I “get” because they have real feelings. Nikki is a mess. When she is in the underworld, she loses her emotions and it is a long and drawn out process for her to regain what she has lost. Nikki is confused and panic-stricken as she searches for a way to avoid returning to the underworld. Jack comes off as the perfect guy. In his grief, he went a little cray cray while Nikki was gone, and now he works hard to prove to her that he loves her. Jack’s love is so deep and real that I could feel it all the way down to my toes. And then there’s Cole. I would like to say that he’s pure evil, but he’s not. The boy has feelings, and they aren’t all bad ones either. Yeah, the characters rock!

I knew exactly how the book was going to end. I had it ALL figured out. NOT!!!! Not in a million years would I have known it was going to end like THIS. And it’s not because it’s some totally weird ending that makes zero sense. Not at all. Instead, it’s an ending that makes perfect sense, I just hadn’t considered it. LOVE!

Read Everneath. You will love it. If you like a good love story. You will love it. Even if you don’t like mythology. You will love it. Especially if you live for brilliant writing. You will love it. Read it!

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe - Book Review

Title ~ The Way We Fall
Series ~ The Way We Fall #1
Author ~ Megan Crewe
Release Date ~ January 24, 2012
Publisher ~ Disney- Hyperion
Source ~ Disney - Hyperion

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Kaelyn’s island is under the attack of a killer virus with no cure. This cruel virus is like no other. While it brings with it fever and the accompanying hallucinations, it also brings a loss of inhibitions. Once infected, people start spilling their secrets to strangers as if they were best friends. The virus causes such an intense mental breakdown, that I wonder if death is welcomed at some point by those who are infected. The descriptions are vivid and realistic and they cut deeply into the chaos that unfolds.

Life is not easy for those who were not infected either. They loot, hoard supplies, and try their best to survive amidst a terrifying situation. It reminded me of the H1N1 scare only this was way Way WAY worse. There is an intense feeling of helplessness that descends into outright madness.  Everyone out for themselves.  Everyone at risk.

Kaelyn tells her story through letters in a journal to her friend Leo who escaped the island to study. I loved this personal account of Kaelyn’s courageous effort to protect her family and herself. She describes what she sees first hand as the virus tears her island apart. Kaelyn teams up with Gav, as they try to help others. One of the things I really enjoyed was the way Kaelyn fought for herself, but for others too. 

The Way We Fall is chilling.  I couldn't get it out of my mind.  I just kept reading.  And reading.  And reading.  And finally. WHAT?  There's a massively surprising ending!  WOW!  The kind of ending that leaves you turning that last page back and forth over and over wanting and hoping for more. OMG, this ending is just....WOW!

Dead to You by Lisa McMann - Book Review

Title ~ Dead to You
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Lisa McMann
Release Date ~ February 7, 2012
Publisher ~ Simon Pulse
Source ~ Reading Writing Breathing

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

I like to think that Dead to You has been McManned. It has been dealt the full Lisa McMann treatment where words are cautiously chosen. They appear sparse and deliberate. Each one carefully placed to bring about the desired emotion. Sometimes that emotion bubbles over and other times it simmers just below the surface. Either way, it is always there, always present.

Dead to You will mess with your mind big time. It is a complicated psychological puzzle. No lie, Ethan has faced some serious stuff. First the abduction, then the resulting abuse, and finally an unexpected return. End result? Ethan loses his memories from before the abduction. And don’t think for a minute that you have this one all figured out, because you will be dead wrong if you do.

Tension with a capital T. When Ethan returns, his family goes numb. They have long ago accepted the fact that they will never see him again. To his family, Ethan is dead. Now, the familiar sadness is shattered by Ethan’s abrupt return. No one, save Ethan’s little sister, knows how to deal. They flounder, as does Ethan. It’s ugly. It’s disturbing. It’s reality. There is no happy ending when so much harm has come before.

With a gripping plot and an uncomfortable subject, Dead to You delivers. Expect your mind to be blown by a very unusual and chilling writing style. You have been warned. Do not underestimate the Power of McMann!

Saving June by Hannah Harrington - Book Review

Title ~ Saving June
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Hannah Harrington
Release Date ~ May 1, 2011
Publisher ~ Harlequin Teen
Source ~ Harlequin Teen

When her older sister commits suicide and her divorcing parents decide to divide the ashes, Harper Scott takes her sister's urn to the one place June always wanted to go: California. On the road with her best friend, plus an intriguing guy with a mysterious connection to June, Harper discovers truths about her sister, herself and life.

Saving June is much more than a teen suicide book. It does not scream SUICIDE over and over. Instead, Saving June, shares the effects of a teen suicide on those who are left behind. The mix of emotions felt by those who remain are all over the place and they are constantly changing Like the road trip to California, coming to terms to one’s grief is also a journey.

There are four teens on this road trip to California. Harper has always lived in the shadow of her perfect older sister. Now, she struggles to take care of her mother and she bottles up her feelings about June’s suicide. She is suffering tremendously and every last bit of her pain is spilled out on the pages.

Laney is Harper’s best friend, and she has no idea how to help her friend. So, she just keeps saying “are you okay” over and over. It’s maddening, but it’s also so realistic. Who hasn’t been in a situation where you just did not have the right words? Where you wanted to help, but had no idea what to do. Yeah, that’s Laney.

Jake is the musician who holds an unusual tie to June. He starts off as a complete jerk, but there’s more to his story and maybe he’s not so much of a jerk after all. The backstory on Jake and his transformation is oh so slowly revealed. It’s something to be savored.

Finally, there is June, well June’s ashes anyways. June was always perfect in every way. But, then again, who is really perfect?  Although she’s gone now, it’s like she’s alive because she is brought up in the other characters’ memories. June is the character that brings all the others together and makes the story fluid.

While on the road, these teens have an emotional awakening. In their own way, each one learns to deal with loss. They each lower their guard and share secrets, some that are very difficult to share. In a beautiful way, even June has an awakening as the others finally grow to truly understand where she was coming from.

The most unexpected part of Saving June is the way music is woven into the story. Jake is a huge music fanatic and his passion for it is tangible throughout the road trip. Songs are interwoven into the plot and playlists are shared. The music is present in every aspect of the trip, and it sets the tone for what the characters are feeling. I loved this!

Thank you to Hannah Harrington for such a touching and emotional book.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi - Book Review

Title ~ Ship Breaker
Series ~ Ship Breaker #1
Author ~ Paolo Bacigalupi
Release Date ~ May 1, 2010
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Set initially in a future shanty town in America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being dissembled for parts by a rag tag group of workers, we meet Nailer, a teenage boy working the light crew, searching for copper wiring to make quota and live another day. The harsh realities of this life, from his abusive father, to his hand to mouth existence, echo the worst poverty in the present day third world. When an accident leads Nailer to discover an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, and the lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl, Nailer finds himself at a crossroads. Should he strip the ship and live a life of relative wealth, or rescue the girl, Nita, at great risk to himself and hope she'll lead him to a better life.

This is a novel that illuminates a world where oil has been replaced by necessity, and where the gap between the haves and have-nots is now an abyss. Yet amidst the shadows of degradation, hope lies ahead.

I convinced myself that Ship Breaker was going to be a boy book. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not. The graffiti-looking cover, the summary focusing on Nailer’s harsh life, and a male author did it to me. It turns out that I was sort of right. Boys are going to go crazy for this boy-power book. But, if they give it a chance, girls may find that they enjoy it too.

The world in Ship Breaker has drowned cities, a starving population, and mass poverty. The fortunate children are sent to wrecked ships to look for oil, copper, and other valuables. Nailer is one of these fortunate children. He has a chance to actually find wealth and leave his life of poverty behind. It’s a good thing, because his home life is ruled by an abusive father. What makes Nailer so cool is that, despite the hand he has been dealt, he is positive and strong. Man, I just love Nailer’s attitude so much.

Nailer faces a dilemma when he comes upon a wealthy girl named Nita living in a stranded ship. He could kill her and steal the riches or he could save her and hope he is rewarded. This is where Nailer’s moral strength comes into direct conflict with his struggles. Nailer is convinced that Nita is a spoiled rich girl. Nita is certain that Nailer is a yucky boy who is not very smart. There is so much tension and strain as Nailer makes his decision.  Paolo Bacigalupi makes no effort to hide the distrust between Nailer and Nita.  It's so well done! So different from what it typical in young adult novels.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Ship Breaker. Now I understand why it has won so many awards. Boyish book or not, Ship Breaker is a fantastic novel with a strong main character facing intense struggles and choices.

Fracture by Megan Miranda - Book Review

Title ~ Fracture
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Megan Miranda
Release Date ~ January 17, 2012
Publisher ~ Bloomsbury
Source ~ Bloomsbury

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?

Fracture is daring. It goes full on body slam into brain injuries. There’s a balance between the real-life effects of a brain injury and the mysterious something that is plaguing Delaney. I love this. Some of what happens can be medically or psychologically explained. But some of the other things that happen, well, not so much. Or not at all. And that’s part of what makes Fracture so enticing. You try to explain it all away But. You. Can’t.

Terrifying? YES! Delaney barely survives the frozen lake, but that’s nothing compared to what is to come. Her nightmare continues and it becomes more chilling than that frozen lake could ever hope to be. Confused, Delaney strains to contain the force that threatens to take over her new life. She wanders around in a daze, unsure of how death will, once again, enter her life. Concern and confusion are all about as everyone has their own ideas about what is up with Delaney. This is so how it would be too. Everyone having their own theory based on whatever crazy ideas they have in their own mind.

As if Delaney’s craziness weren’t enough, the plot goes all out super frightening when Troy enters the scene. It is like he’s another Delaney, with the weird post-coma stuff going on. But there’s an extra element of uncertainty with Troy, especially as far as Delaney is concerned. Lemme’ put it this way. You are not going to believe what the heck is really going on. No way, no how, you are going to figure this one out.

The snowy winter setting is perfect and I love how the deathly cold carries so much symbolism. It’s not just about the cold of a dead body. There is also the chill that comes from fearing your fate, from wondering what harm you may cause to others. That freezing feeling just doesn’t quit. It is always present.

Megan Miranda has a stunner of a debut that left me breathless and frozen, much like Delaney. I think I may be in love with Fracture. Make that, I know I am in love with Fracture. Megan is brave with her subject and she chooses her words carefully. I am dying to read her next book. DYING!

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey - Book Review

Title ~ Dragonswood
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Janet Lee Carey
Release Date ~ January 5, 2012
Publisher ~ Penguin
Source ~ The Teen {Book} Scene

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

I love when a book has a setting that becomes an essential character that somehow touches every last bit of the story. The mysterious Dragonswood is key in this book. While it serves as a sanctuary to dragons and fey, others are warned to keep their distance. The wood is heavily guarded and danger lurks within. There’s an uneasiness surrounding Dragonswood, and it creeps into everyone and everything on Wilde Island.

With that backdrop in place, there is unbelievable tension when Tess finds herself drawn to Dragonswood. It all heats up when Tess is accused of being a witch and she must flee or face unbelievable torture. You want more? Well, Tess can see visions. I won’t spill it here, but the WAY she sees these visions is pretty intriguing. When Tess sees a sword wielding guy in her visions, the tension within the dangerous wood multiplies by a billion! See, I told you the setting adds the spice to this one.

I can’t forget the surrounding villages. The villagers are in chaos and in a panic because the king has recently died. You wanna’ talk about some paranoia? They even consider going into Dragonswood to get food. They are willing to risk it all and enter the forbidden wood. There we go again with the awesome setting.

With magical creatures, witch hunters, dragon fights, romance, and a twisty plot, Dragonswood caught my attention and did not let go. I couldn’t stop once I got started.  Yep, read it in one day.  That good!  The fantabulous setting in this fantasy just screams of stunning and it’s the thing that made Dragonswood so special for me.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons - Book Review

Title ~ Article 5
Series ~ Article 5 #1
Author ~ Kristen Simmons
Release Date ~ January 31, 2012
Publisher ~ Tor Teen
Source ~ Tor Teen and The Teen {Book} Scene

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

I love when this happens! When a debut book releases near the very beginning of the year and it is so captivating that it sets the tone for the entire year. For 2012, Article 5 is one of those extra super special books. Lately, it feels as though dystopians are flooding the young adult book choices. I would venture to say that 2011 was the year of the dystopian. At some point, they all start blending together. It’s hard to stand out, but stand out Article 5 does. In a big way!

The crazy stands out. And by crazy, I’m meaning the Moral Statues and the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Sure, on the surface it sounds all sweet and nice that the government demands high morals. But don’t be fooled. These Moral Statutes are insanely strict and enforcement of the statutes is unbelievably cruel as families are broken apart over even trivial infractions. Noncompliance is not an option. Article 5 brings the crazy.

The relationships stand out. When you live in a world that’s crumbling and your sense of trust has been shaken, relationships matter. Ember and her single mother are used to doing things on their own, sort of an us-against-the-world kind of thing. So, when her mother is taken and Ember is sent to a reformatory, Ember is driven to rescue her mother. Things have gotten personal and Ember isn't going to stand by and do nothing.  She doesn’t even flinch as she puts herself in danger to save her mother. Then there’s the complicated relationship between Ember and Chase. These two have a romantic history together that is told in Ember’s flashbacks. But now that Chase has joined the military, the relationship takes on a new slant. It’s tense, passionate, ugly, and strong all rolled into one. The relationships in Article 5 are solid.

The action stands out. It’s so intense, there is no way for it NOT to stand out. Within those first few pages and perfectly placed throughout the book are scenes of heart-stopping action. Sometimes it’s in-your-face “Imma’ gonna’ kill someone action.” Other times it’s more like “we better hurry up and get this done before we run out of time or we’re dead meat action.” And still other times it’s the “everything is just going to explode into a zillion teeny tiny pieces action.” Yeah, Article 5 has action covered.

Kristen Simmons’ writing stands out. Oh my goodness, I am going to want to read more of what Kristen writes. She made me feel as though I were right there in a world governed by Moral Statutes. I felt like I was beside Ember as she fought to rescue her mother. Like I was there with Ember and Chase, years before their world was torn apart. Like I really was a part of the action. Y’all will have to trust me, Article 5 has fantabulous writing that stands out.

Read it! Read It! READ IT!

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler - Book Review

Title ~ Why We Broke Up
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Daniel Handler
Illustrator ~ Maira Kalman
Release Date ~ December 27, 2011
Publisher ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

When I read the summary for this book, I was all over it. A box filled with the remains of a relationship that had ended badly and a letter from Min telling Ed exactly why things went wrong. My attention had been grabbed!

I went into reading this book a little differently than most books because, well, I obviously already knew that Min and Ed were going to break up. In fact, the book starts with Min going to dump the box of things at Ed’s house. From there, Min’s letter gives the blow by blow of their relationship from start to finish. I loved this setup because I was constantly watching for clues to the eventual split. And clues there were!

It's when we get to the actual characters that I had some trouble.

Min’s a little quirky. She is obsessed with old movies and is forever comparing everything to them. Min would give little explanations of why she was making each comparison, but sometimes I just felt lost. I was also turned off by Min’s swearing. I think the book would have been better without it. While I felt badly for Min, I didn’t have as strong of a connection as I would have liked.

Then there’s Ed. He is that young adult guy who goes from being a jerk, to being nice, to being a jerk, to being thoughtful, to being a jerk, to being sweet, to being a jerk. Ahhhhh! Just when there seemed to be hope for Ed, he would do something else annoying.  As much as Ed’s behavior flips and flops back and forth, it is all part of the story of Min and Ed. Love it or hate it, this is all part of the WHY.

My favorite thing about this book? The clever illustrations. There is an illustration for each of the items in the fated box. With no other distractions on the page, each illustration is simply that item, drawn and colored in a cartoonish way. LOVED! The pages themselves are this fabulously thick shiny paper and the book is seriously heavy because of it.

Tempest by Julie Cross - Book Review

Title ~ Tempest
Series ~ Tempest #1
Author ~ Julie Cross
Release Date ~ January 17, 2012
Publisher ~ St. Martin’s Griffin
Source ~ St. Martin’s Griffin

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

Finally, an awesome young adult book told entirely from a guy’s point of view!  There are no alternating perspectives between Jackson and Holly.  No narrator telling us what's going on.  No hormonal bad boy who just moved to town.  None of that.  Instead, every single word is told from the point of view of Jackson, an ordinary guy who happens to be able to jump around in time.  That's right, Jackson is a good guy.  He thinks the way normal guys think. Jackson is one of us!  

Jackson is the kind of guy most girls want to fall in love with her. He is romantic, sensitive, confident, funny and sweetly devoted to Holly. I adore everything about this guy! He cares about Holly and doesn’t take advantage of her, even when he easily could. You see, when Jackson goes back to 2007, he is 19 and Holly is only 17. Instead of taking advantage of the younger Holly, Jackson is patient and he takes his time getting to know her.  Other than loving and caring for Holly, he has no other motives driving his actions toward her.  Jackson is pretty much the definition of a nice guy.  

Holly 2007 and Holly 2009 are as different as they are the same. Holly 2007 is a free-spirited romantic. She is kind to others in a feel-good, girl-next-door kind of way. Holly 2009 has grown in confidence since graduating from high school. She has become more of a leader who knows what she wants and is comfortable with herself. So, Holly grows emotionally from 2007 to 2009, or maybe I should say she grows backwards from 2009 to 20007, but her core values are still there and she is still the same amazing girl.

What about Adam, the sarcastic and extremely nerdy friend to Jackson and Holly? He is hilarious! This guy is so nerdy that I didn’t understand half of what he was talking about – jumps, half-jumps, string theory, alternate universes. This is just how a nerdy guy would talk and it was believable. I know some guys like this at school and well....Adam is them. And the way Adam comes to trust Jackson is genius! What I loved about Adam was that he cared deeply for Holly, but not in a romantic way. It really is possible for girls and guys to just be friends. Thank you Julie Cross for proving it is true!

Tempest is skillfully written so that side characters and conflicts are introduced here and there.  While some of them are minor now, I have a feeling they will play a bigger role as the series continues.  Foreshadowing of what is to come.  Getting that little taste now and waiting for the main course to come later.

There is so much to love about Tempest. Jackson and Holly are one of the most realistic couples in young adult books – EVER. Getting to enjoy their story from Jackson’s point of view makes it even more enticing and addicting.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Book Review

Title ~ Cinder
Series ~ Lunar Chronicles #1
Author ~ Marissa Meyer
Release Date ~ January 3, 2012
Publisher ~ Feiwel & Friends - Macmillan
Source ~ Feiwel & Friends - Macmillan

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Cinder promises a fairy tale retelling, and it delivers the goods with a strong science fiction twist. Think Cinderella with a handsome prince in a dystopian world with cyborgs and aliens. Oh, and there's an Asian element to the setting too.  It may sound a bit all over the place, and I guess it is. But somehow this crazy mash up brings it with unexpected awesomeness.

The fairy tale part of Cinder is so well done by Marissa Meyer.  She's a genius!  At a glance, the story seems to be a very loose retelling with a heroine who is unloved by her stepfamily and then there is a fancy dance where she meets a handsome prince. Ah, but that doesn't even come close to what is in store. There are subtle, and no-so-subtle, glimpses of Cinderella everywhere.  These gems are tucked away and peeking out here and there just waiting to be discovered.  

Mystery surrounds Cinder’s past and she has suffered many losses. Cinder is treated as an outcast by her stepmother and two stepsisters, but she is emotionally stronger than them. She doesn't let them define who she is or what she is capable of doing. Cinder is made of confidence and it does not come off as she is trying to prove anything to anyone. She is simply being the amazing girl that she is, robotic parts and all.  Cinder Rocks!

Relationships are key in this sci-fi fairytale. The relationship between Cinder and her stepfamily, as strained as it is, becomes even tenser when one of the stepsisters catches the plague. Cinder and Prince Kai have a relationship that blossoms bit by beautiful bit. Glancing into Kai’s mind gave me chill bumps because it confirmed he was thinking what I hoped he was. Kai has some majorly huge responsibilities to uphold, and he doesn’t even blink. He knows what he must do, and he faces it without question. Cinder and Kai?  YES!

The Lunars are introduced as people from the moon with amazing powers that I will not spoil for you. They are a devious bunch and there is a complex relationship between the Lunars and the people of Earth. I’m not sure if complex even touches this. There is some outright shocking stuff revealed when it comes to the Lunars. Enough said. You will love it!  Trust me!  YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Cinder will kick off the 2012 young adult book year with a cyborg foot bang! This well played retelling of Cinderella brings new life to a classic story.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare - Book Review

Title ~ Clockwork Prince
Series ~ The Infernal Devices #2
Author ~ Cassandra Clare
Release Date ~ December 6, 2011
Publisher ~ Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source ~ Books a True Story

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Clockwork Prince is one of the most passionate and emotional books ever. Really. Forget about the Shadowhunters and Downworlders. This book is long on affection, empathy, and all out love. And I’m not talking about the superficial, “he’s so cute” or “OhMyGawd I want him” type of attraction that I’ve seen so often. No. This is the real thing. Real characters who have invested in each other and have something to lose. Yeah, that kind of real.

Do not be scared away by Tessa being torn between Jem and Will’s affections. This is no ordinary situation. These two guys are friends. Best friends, in fact. But they aren’t trying to one-up each other when it comes to Tessa. Jem stays true to the considerate and thoughtful guy I met before. Now for the unexpected. Will learns truly shocking secrets from his past. They explain a lot. Maybe he’s not a jerk after all. Or maybe he is. Or maybe he is, but it kinda’ makes sense now. Or maybe I have it all wrong. Anyways, let’s just say it’s a revelation beyond what I could ever dream up in my imagination.

Tessa has decisions to make, a mystery to solve, and powers to master. All the while though, she has romance swirling all around her. The thing is, Tessa knows how to handle herself. She is mature and brave and she is able to make level-headed decisions. Smart and confident, Tessa is perfect in her role as heroine.

I have to mention the setting. Victorian London with a steampunk flair. Come on now, how could that possibly not be awesome? The setting is at times bold, with descriptive passages and fantastic details. Other times, the setting peeks in and flutters about like a butterfly. Girls were taught to be formal and proper, there were so many rules. Just imagine how Tessa felt as a Downworlder, where she had freedom and power.

I love all of Cassandra Clare’s books, and Clockwork Prince is my favorite so far. Can’t go wrong with unpredictable revelations, characters I actually care about, and a wicked cool setting.

My Own Worst Frenemy - Book Review

Title ~ My Own Worst Frenemy
Series ~ Langdon Prep #1
Author ~ Kimberly Reid
Release Date ~ August 30, 2011
Publisher ~ KTeen
Source ~ The Teen {Book} Scene

Straight outta the Mile High City, Chanti Evans is an undercover cop's daughter and an exclusive private school's newest student. But Chanti is learning fast that when it comes to con games, the streets have nothing on Langdon Prep.

With barely a foot in the door, fifteen-year-old Chanti gets on the bad side of school queen bee Lissa and snobbish Headmistress Smythe. They've made it their mission to take Chanti down and she needs to find out why, especially when stuff begins disappearing around campus, making her the most wanted girl in school, and not in a good way. But the last straw comes when she and her Langdon crush, the seriously hot Marco Ruiz, are set up to take the heat for a series of home burglaries--and worse. . . .

I love mysteries and My Own Worst Frenemy brings the goods. At the heart of it all, though, there is something bigger going on behind the mystery. It all has to do with society and how different classes of people treat each other. It’s not pretty.

Langdon Prep is an expensive, private school. Most of the students at Langdon come from wealthy families. There are a few students, however, who attend because they have earned scholarships. Two of these students are Chanti and Marco. Can you guess where this is going?

The book’s summary told me that the rich kids were out to get Chanti, simply because her family did not have a lot of money. What surprised me though was what lengths they went to and just how mean spirited it all was. I know this sort of thing goes on, but does it really go on to this degree? It was so frustrating to read about.  It really bothered me.  Class and money mean nothing.  Nothing!

What I did like was the way the mystery unfolded. I had it mostly figured out before the final reveal, but it was fun to get there. I also liked the friendship between Chanti and Marco. There was a sweet kindness in their friendship. They GOT each other and there was an endearing manner in how Marco made it his mission to help Chanti.

I had some mixed feelings on My Own Worst Frenemy.

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James - Book Review

Title ~ Shattered Dreams
Series ~ Midnight Dragonfly #1
Author ~ Ellie James
Release Date ~ December 6, 2011
Publisher ~ St. Martin’s Griffin
Source ~ St. Martin’s Griffin

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she's seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica's disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica's ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

REVIEW

Trinity has disturbing nightmares filled with blood and death. To make matters even worse, Trinity’s horrific nightmares come true. Imagine having an awful nightmare, only to wake up KNOWING that it will come true. Terrifying with a capital T! Trinity wants to, needs to, understand why she has these powerful dreams. There is a desperate feeling as Trinity longs for an explanation and possibly a way to control her power.

The mystery of Jessica’s disappearance is nicely played out. There are clues, some more obvious than others, and it does all make sense in the end. Along the way though, I found myself confused and wondering who and what to believe. Lies! Lies! Lies! Just when I started to trust a certain theory, something would happen to throw me off that trail. It’s that great kind of confusion that authors hope to stir up in their readers.

A New Orleans setting makes the entire story crawl with spooky. Graveyards, rundown houses, dark alleys, a psychic district, and unusual locals add to the overall dark feeling. I love how New Orleans melds elements of the present and the past to give the plot depth. Nothing happens in a vacuum.

Shattered Dreams brings it with an interesting premise, a fantastic mystery, and a scary setting. You can get all Nancy Drew with Trinity as she solves this confusingly creepy case. I love this book!

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann - Book Review

Title ~ Cryer’s Cross
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Lisa McMann
Release Date ~ February 8, 2011
Publisher ~ Simon Pulse
Source ~ Reading Angel

GOODREADS SUMMARY

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

REVIEW

Cryer’s Cross is all out creepy. Like creep to the creepity creep – CREEPY! I felt as though I were sitting in a movie theater watching a horror movie the entire time I was reading. And hoping nothing was going to jump out from behind and scare me.

The desk. Oh the desk. Both Nico and Tiffany sat at the same desk in their classroom. Now, they have both gone missing. There has got to be a connection to the desk, but what? The creep factor goes into high gear when mysterious messages like “save my soul” and “touch me” appear scrawled on the empty desk. BOO!  I would have been scared out of mind if I were in that classroom!

Speaking of scared, Kendall is terrified by what is going on. Kendall has a serious case of OCD and is literally trapped by her obsessions. She must order, number, organize, and analyze in order to get through her day. It literally drives her insane when things are not just so. But Kendall finds a hint of value in her OCD when she uses her superior ability to focus to help solve the mystery of her missing classmates. Guess what?  It involves that creep-tastic desk!

I adored that Jacian, the guy with a crush on Kendall, has depth. Sure, he’s the bad boy who newly arrived in town. But he has a story of his own to tell. And he’s not just a cute boy who is oh so sweet. Instead, Jacian’s character has layers to his personality and he has a backstory. It took a while for Jacian to grow on me, he's not an easy guy to like, but that was what made him so delicious. 

I am in love with Lisa McMann’s writing style. She has this edgy way of writing that is choppy and jarring. There is absolutely no unnecessary fluff. Every single word has a distinct purpose. It is so different that it grabs your attention and squeezes tightly without letting go. To make things even creepier, Lisa includes dialogue from a mysterious force at the end of every chapter. Your heart will jump out of your chest when the mystery is solved. Beware of an absolutely OHMYGAWD ending!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - Book Review

Title ~ Under the Never Sky
Series ~ Under the Never Sky #1
Author ~ Veronica Rossi
Release Date ~ January 3, 2012
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ HarperTeen

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY

REVIEW

After a fast and furious start, Under the Never Sky is a slow mover. Action takes a back seat to vivid descriptions and characters who take their time getting acquainted. I am a girl who likes her some action, but I also enjoy and appreciate when an author takes their time. I love when the scenes are slowly built and the characters grow just a tiny bit at a time. There's a gentle ease to the words, nothing rushed, nothing forgotten.

Let’s talk about the world Veronica Rossi creates. There are the Realms, where life is grand, and the Outside, where life is a struggle. It’s a typical dystopian setup. The haves vs. the have not’s. Everyone taught to fear and hate the opposition. What struck me was the artificial vibe of the Realm compared with the natural beauty of the Outside. I ended up favoring the realness of the Outside, where you had to fight to survive, over the Realms, where you were given everything you desired. I surprised myself with that one!

How about the relationship between Aria and Perry? They struggle to relate and it is understandable. Aria has been raised in a world where she has everything handed to her. She is naïve and hasn’t had to fight for her survival. Aria, to me, is emotionally like a young child. Perry, however, reminds me of an animal, his life filled with cruelty and danger. Perry is more street-smart and he is not exactly an obvious good match for Aria. Circumstances have brought them together and they aren’t thrilled by it. Love connection? Not so much. At least not right away. They have to work hard to even get along and be near each other, let alone have a relationship.  For Aria and Perry, romance and passion do not come easily.  

What I like the best is that both Aria and Perry are trying to find and save someone that they love. Both situations are different and they each handle their grief in their own way. To me, Aria and Perry’s journey to save their lost family members was much more emotional and engaging than the relationship between the two of them. I loved this part of the story - the fear, the anguish, the longing.

Under the Never Sky brings an unlikely pair together in a world with remarkable descriptions. If you like a plot that very slowly builds, then you will enjoy the subtle changes that take place. I’m anxious to see what happens in the next book!

My Blogger Friends who also reviewed Under the Never Sky

HD at Reading, Writing, Breathing

Hafsah at IceyBooks

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder - Book Review

Title ~ Chasing Brooklyn
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Lisa Schroeder
Release Date ~ January 5, 2010
Publisher ~ Simon and Schuster
Source ~ A Good Addiction

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Restless souls and empty hearts

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

REVIEW

Dealing with a loss brings on a flood of emotions. Sure, they first come crashing in like a tidal wave, only to shrink away with the tide. But they return over and over again. Sometimes with a painful strength that can tear you down. Sometimes with a subtle gentleness that calms and soothes. However they appear, the emotions are relentless, like the waves of the sea. Brooklyn and Nico are deep in the throes of these emotions.

Chasing Brooklyn is written in verse, with alternating perspectives. Brooklyn has suffered two losses – her boyfriend, Lucca, a year ago and now her good friend, Gabe. Nico is also suffering, because Lucca was his older brother. Since the loss of Nico is one they share, a special bond forms between them. Interconnected, they are.

By appearance, Brooklyn is fragile and sad. Inside though, I could sense her strength and passion. Struggling through every day, she sought motivation to keep going. Nico feels anger, and he turns to running to find balance. When he offers a guiding hand to Brooklyn, the two realize how much they need each other.

Lisa Schroeder crafts her verses in such a way that Brooklyn and Lucca’s voices are distinct and clear.  As they come to depend on each other, their raw emotions swirling together, the pair become like one.  Different writing techniques are showcased to transform even the most mundane topics into gorgeous verse. I loved how the story unfolded with perfectly chosen words. 

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand - Book Review

Title ~ Hallowed
Series ~ Unearthly #2
Author ~ Cynthia Hand
Release Date ~ January 1, 2012
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ HarperTeen

GOODREADS SUMMARY

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

REVIEW

Clara’s decision in Unearthly, to go with her heart rather than her purpose, has ramifications beyond what she initially expected. She struggles with the consequences of her action. Did she make a mistake? Can it be undone? And then Clara begins to see frightening visions involving someone close to her. It’s sad. It’s scary. It’s what I love to read!

I am going to address the love triangle.

Y’all know that I do not care for them. I don’t like the whole setup of a girl going back and forth trying to choose between two very different guys. Hallowed falls in this category as Clara finds herself with one guy while she daydreams about the other. I do, however, adore the actual characters and the way Cynthia Hand develops them. Take them out of this triangle, and they ROCK! There is no fake teen-speak, they react in realistic ways, they come off as typical teens in a very non-typical situation. Oh, and there are secondary characters who got under my skin just as they were supposed to.

Let’s move on to the guys.

Tucker and Christian are still in Clara’s life and they are each important to her for different reasons. Tucker is sweet and humble and the cowboy-next-door and all that awesome stuff. He keeps Clara grounded and he is made of pure goodness. Christian is intense and brooding and convinced that he and Clara are meant to be together. Now that probably makes Christian sound obsessive, but he does offer some things that Tucker cannot. He is of angelblood after all. It liked that neither of the guys were bad for Clara and they each gave her something that she needed.

The plot is a slow mover filled with sadness, confusion, and conflict. Clara’s family becomes a bigger part of the story and I was surprised by what was revealed. There is family drama dripping from these pages. Hallowed delivers deep character development and a plot that slowly builds to an ending that made me want more.