My Thoughts:
I LOVED The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I understand it is an homage to classic vampire stories, and although I never read any of those, I can still appreciate what Holly Black did as it is so different from the other YA vampire stories that I have read. This book is SO good! I thought I was over vampire novels, but not this one. It has an intriguingly and thoroughly built world, a likeable main character, and a vampire who says all the right things. The alternating chapters of present story and flashback history/context added to the depth. The pacing and the suspense…it is cleverly written. It is without a doubt one of my top books of the year.

Title: THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN

Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Number of Pages: 419
Source of Book: ARC requested from publisher

          Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.
          One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.
          The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

Title: INVISIBILITY
Author: Andrea Cremer & David Levithan
Publisher: Philomel (a Penguin imprint)
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Number of Pages: 358
Source of Book: ARC from publisher NCTE

Stephen has been
invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his
grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before
Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment
building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she
can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in
Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive
headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to
figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned,
especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger
out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide
how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become
visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and
death. At least for Elizabeth.

First Thought: Two powerful writers teaming up created a beautifully written narrative
on loneliness, loss, being found, and what we do for love.

New girl and invisible boy meet…and it turns out there’s so much more to it in this astonishingly good story. The alternating POVs wove seamlessly together and gave a complete story of an unexpected first love. That continues as the book morphs into a story of an unseen world of magic and curses that is well-developed and deftly explained as to seem completely natural and real.

I appreciated the relationships in this book. Both the romantic, first
love relationship, some secondary romances, and the family dynamics
relationships. Laurie might just be one of my favorite brother
characters I’ve ever read in a book. I’m a sucker for the good, caring
brothers in books – must come from being the only girl with two brothers
myself. Another “character” was the setting itself, which was described in a way that becomes a bit of a love story to NYC as well. 

Andrea Cremer and David Levithan move the story forward with brilliant pacing. Just as we get complacent, a wrench is thrown in leading to an unavoidable climax. And in true comic-book style, there is a showdown at the end with the master villain.

Final Thoughts: INVISIBILITY left me contemplating what it really means to be alone or to be lonely…and which would be worse.

Title: UNRAVEL ME (sequel to SHATTER ME)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Number of Pages: 480
Source of Book: ARC from publisher at ALA

Juliette’s world is beginning to unravel.
Everything is falling apart changing. 

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point-the headquarters of the rebel resistance. There she discovers other people with abilities. Abilities they have learned to control. And for the first time in her life, Juliette has hope. Hope that she can have a life with Adam. Hope that her touch can be used to save instead of destroy.

But Juliette is only just beginning to understand the depth of her power, and she’s struggling to fight the desire to use it. She’s still haunted by her past, terrified for her future, and too tempted by Warner, who still wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible. 

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart-and Adam’s life.

I am not ok. Reading UNRAVEL ME was an intense experience of emotional upheaval. I was angry I was blown away I was amazed I was hopeful I was hurt I was shocked I was upset I was having to take breaks because the emotion was so intense. I read it 400 pages in one day because I couldn’t leave these characters until the end. The title is appropriate because I felt just as unraveled by this book as many of the characters did throughout.

Quick Take: I LOVE Tahereh Mafi’s unique writing. I’m emotionally invested in her characters. I hate what some (okay, fine, maybe only one thing one) of them did. This book destroyed me (but in a good way)-it tore me up and then mostly stitched me back together. UNRAVEL ME is an intense reading experience.

Writing style: Tahereh Mafi has this incredibly unique (and effective!) writing style. I loved it in SHATTER ME, and I love it even more in UNRAVEL ME. Emotions swirl off the page and into my psyche. There
is so much going on internally in this book with these characters, and I
was sucked right into it because of the way in which it’s written. There is a bit of a stream-of-consciousness to the style and I am drawn to that. It makes for a sense of urgency and confusion and heart-which is what’s happening in the book. It makes the internalness of the conflict for Juliette even stronger because we are so in her head by how it’s written. Mafi also has the most brilliant and effective use of personification I’ve ever read. The way in which she describes things and the figurative language she uses just speaks to me and draws me into this world.

Characters: OK, so the thing is I care a lot about these characters. I feel as if I’ve been through the rough times with them and I want them to come out on the other side more complete. And that really shows the genius of Tahereh Mafi’s writing. That being said, I do NOT agree with all of the decisions that they make (one in particular)! I get that they’ve gone through hell and back and that they’re confused and tortured, but still, there are some things that I just can’t agree with no matter how angst-filled the teenager is. OK. Rant over. Beyond that it is really showing the psychological damage done to Juliette and Adam and Warner because of the situations they’ve been forced into throughout their lives-and things aren’t being made any easier for any of them in this book. UNRAVEL ME seems to really be about Juliette’s ability to figure out how to harness her strength and become a more stable person. She needs to decide who she wants to be and how to get there. She needs to learn to rely on others to help support her, but to find her strength on her own as well. While all of that is going on, we’re also discovering sympathies for some of the other characters as well as we get to know more details about what they went though. I still think Kenji is one of my all-time favorite “sidekick” characters-he brings the much-needed comic relief to the story, but also is the one to put it all in perspective and keep the focus on what it should be. And he’s a good friend.  I’m glad we get so much Kenji in this book and hope we get even more in the next.

Plot: The one thing that UNRAVEL ME has that SHATTER ME didn’t is more outside world building. We get to understand how their world came to be the way it is, and a little bit more about these special powers some people have. There is a battle brewing with the resistance and it’s going to come to a head. But, this book overall seems to be more about the characters to me. There is a major plot point in this book that I really didn’t like. I have to put that out there. It’s alluded to in the synopsis above, and I don’t want to spoil anything too much, but I think it could be kind of controversial to readers and I’ll be interested to hear more thoughts about whether people liked it or not. Personally, I get it-the writing and the emotion and the thoughts and the scenes Mafi used leading up to it help me to intellectually get it, but my heart and emotions and soul are not accepting of it. This book is full of emotion, and I think that is the stronger part of the book even over the plot of what’s happening. However, if a book can make me feel so much, it has to be a strong story and writing (which I think it is).

Teacher/Parental Warning: This book is not so appropriate for middle schoolers in my opinion. There are certain scenes that are pretty intense/descriptive, so this one won’t go in my classroom library. The 14 and up categorization by the publisher is pretty accurate in my mind.

So, yes, if you liked SHATTER ME, you’ll definitely want to read UNRAVEL ME. I recommend setting aside some time come February because this is a book that will likely be hard to put down once you start. Based on the ending and where everyone ends up and the thoughts of Juliette on the last page, it’s going to be a long wait to get my hands on book three!

Title: THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT (sequel to UNDER THE NEVER SKY)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Number of Pages: 352
Source of Book: ARC from the fantastic Harper Collins School & Library reps during the “Day of Awesomeness” at NCTE

It’s been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don’t take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe’s precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

I was absolutely enamored with Veronica Rossi‘s debut book, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, and it stuck with me for a long time, so I was very anxious to get the sequel, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT. I loved this second book too, most especially being back in this world with these characters. THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT has the same beautiful writing and imagery
and unique world-building from the first book, but we find out even
more about how this world came to be and what might be going on as it
disintegrates even further.

So much of this story is about the family relationships and how they affect Aria and Perry and Roar and everyone else that has been dependent on their families to help them survive in this environment. As we begin to delve deeper into these stories and what’s happening with these characters, Rossi also gives us more detail about how this world came to be the way it is and the difficulties the people are truly facing in this environment. There is real life or death at stake here and it makes everything feel that much more urgent and every moment more suspenseful.

Rossi has written a series that is truly a love story at it’s heart, and things are not easy for Aria and Perry, as they are both wanting to look out for each other, and be together, but that may not be what’s actually best for either one of them. Perry is coming into his own as a leader of his tribe, one of what I feel is the strongest elements of the book, which means having an “outsider” at his side may not be beneficial. And, of course, there are other side plots happening that require attention from each of them. I really just want them to get over themselves and stop trying to protect each other
and just be together to protect themselves together. They do support
each other so much though and it’s obvious they’re meant to be, it just might not be easy to get there.

The plot for this story is well done for a second book, with quite a lot going on, while at the end still leaving it clear where it’s headed for the third book, INTO THE STILL BLUE. I know I’ll be anxiously waiting to get my hands on the final book in this trilogy to see where they all end up.

Title: PIVOT POINT
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Number of Pages: 320
Source of Book: ARC from publisher at NCTE

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison
Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is
faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes.
It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought.
When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has
to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the
paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is
staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as
it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the
future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is
adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high
school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands
her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in
school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When
Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s
unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she
holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which
reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live
without.

I loved this book so much. It’s fresh and original and unexpected. It’s an amazing book that was entertaining and engaging. It has characters I wanted to be friends with, lines of text that I read repeatedly because I wanted to soak up and remember them, a uniquely original world built upon a science fiction/supernatural base that reads like a contemporary, a layered storyline being told of two divergent paths that are interrelated, twists that kept me on my reader toes, and a writing voice that I connected with and felt comforted by and made me want to keep spending time enveloped in this prose. PIVOT POINT is the debut novel by Kasie West (who is repped by Michelle Wolfson, the same agent as Kiersten White and Daisy Whitney, whose new books I also love), and it is one that I think teens are going to love. I know I did. This is the kind of book that left me still thinking about it the next day wondering what was happening in those character’s lives next and wanting to go back and reread it again right away.

One of the details Kasie West included that I really loved in PIVOT POINT was the way that Addie loves books so much, and all kinds of books, but real paper books. There are many times throughout the story it comes up, and it made me happy to read it each time. Addison also has the kind of personality that I love in my main characters – a little bit spunky and sassy, with an intelligence and caring behind all she does. Her attitude is great, and there were many moments throughout where I laughed out loud at something she said. In regards to gym class in a new school: “Nobody should be forced to do physical exercise on Mondays.” Him: “My bookcase is all yours.” Her: “I’ve just decided those are my five favorite words in the world.” And many, many more that I wanted to hold onto to remember on another day. *All lines quoted from an uncorrected proof.

Another element that is incredibly strong is the twistedness of the plot and the way the two directions the story goes are interwoven together. The links are there to see how it might go with either choice in the same situations, and the alternating chapters stop at just the right point every time. There is a history to this world that is intriguing and fully thought out, but that still seems to have more to discover. There is also a depth to this story that delves into the true repercussions of choices we make and the path to get to what we may want might not always be easy. It’s about figuring out who is meaningful and necessary in her life, and what she can do to keep them there. And I can’t talk about this book without mentioning the boys. Duke and Trevor both have their charms, and they were written in such a way as to make the reader adore both of them, and not be sure which way you want the story to go yourself. Which is exactly how we should be feeling because that’s how Addie would be feeling. I also claim this book has one of the best first kiss scenes ever, but everything stays clean enough that I could hand it to my middle school students without a concern. In fact, I think they’ll love it, too.

This is the kind of book that leaves you contemplating at the end because either choice has its good sides and its bad, so it’s hard to know which one you’d want the character to choose. It does end with a definite decision and ending; however, I found out there will be a sequel, so I’m very excited to get to spend more time with these characters in this world and read more of this fresh voice in YA. Please go get PIVOT POINT in February, or preorder it now, and read Kasie West’s debut novel. You won’t be sorry.

Title: ENDLESSLY (Book #3 in PARANORMALCY trilogy)
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Number of Pages: 385
Source of Book: ARC from friend

Evie’s paranormal past
keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International
Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters.
The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And
supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can
save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading Kiersten White’s trilogy starting with PARANORMALCY, then SUPERNATURALLY, and now ENDLESSLY. This last book provides a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and allows Evie to truly become the young woman she wants to be in the normal life she craves. The characters are once again entertaining from faeries to water elementals to vampires to werewolves to selkies, and all the others who make this series so fun. But most of all, there is Evie – the pink-loving, girly, take-no-crap, strong, decide-my-own-fate, sassy, tell-them-how-it-is girl at the center of this whole world. She’s torn between two worlds: the normal one she wants to have with her boyfriend Lend, and the paranormal one that needs her special abilities to save all of them.

This is the kind of book that has fun, conflict, romance, sass, and takes everything right to where it needs to be to provide the happy ending we’re hoping for as readers who have taken this journey from IPCA (the International Paranormal Containment Agency) with Evie. We’ve seen her go from being unaware of the outside world beyond what she sees on television to making her own choices and deciding her own fate. She comes into her own in this story, and it’s an entertaining journey for her to get there. The plot provides the necessary and understandable conflict, the world gets explained more deeply than imagined, the characters are fun, the writing is entertaining, and it has a sense of finality to Evie’s story who we’ve spent so much time with and rooted for. if you’re read the first two books, you’ll definitely want to get this final book to complete Evie’s story. I, for one, look forward to seeing what Kiersten White will have in store for her readers next.

Title: THE VICIOUS DEEP
Author: Zoraida Cordova
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Number of Pages: 384
Source of Book: Hardcover from publisher at IRA Convention

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

This was a fun book that I read in a day. It was a unique take on the “I didn’t know I was a special paranormal creature” type of story what with being told from a male point-of-view and the contemporary merfolk spin to it. THE VICIOUS DEEP has aspects of a best friend romance, a war for the sea, high school drama, fights with fantastical sea creatures, family support, newfound royalty, a championship battle for control of the throne, a deadly storm, fantastical creatures, mermaid lore, Coney Island, and a wittily sarcastic main character full of guy humor.

I actually really enjoyed reading this story from Tristan’s point-of-view. There were some literal laugh-out-loud one liners for me and I found myself caught up quite often in his character and come backs. Even if his character was a bit of an, self-admitted, um, let’s say “popular with the ladies” kind of guy. I’m not sure how completely accurate a portrayal it is of what a teen boy would be thinking, but it was definitely entertaining. I will be waiting to have some boys read it and hear what they think though. There are a few mature word choices throughout, so it definitely skews a little more teen, but he’s really funny and it’s not too graphic. I also liked the secondary cast of characters quite a bit on both the high school human side and the merfolk Sea Court side. I loved Tristan’s parents, too – they’re present and understanding and caring and supportive, which I’ve come to appreciate more and more in teen books.

I just really enjoyed THE VICIOUS DEEP. It was a fairly predictable structure for this type of story, but told with an entertaining voice and creative background lore, which made it stand out in the sea of books out there (pun intended!). There were a couple of things in the writing that were a little irksome for me: one was the jumping around in time-sometimes it was hard for me to figure out what had passed, and the second was the use of “go” and “goes” in place of said. Now, I know that is what people use in casual conversation, and it doesn’t bother me there, but reading it in writing was very jarring to me and it was used quite a bit – I could do without it for sure.

I will definitely be waiting for THE SAVAGE BLUE to come out to find out if Tristan will be successful on his mission and to find out if he gets the girl in the end and to learn what ultimate decision he will make on taking over as the Sea King. THE VICIOUS DEEP almost seemed to end in the middle of the story, not in a horribly cliffhangerish way, but just that there is definitely more to the hero’s journey and it would have been too long of a book if it had been included in this one.

Title:  EMBRACE (The Violet Eden Chapters Book 1)
Author:  Jessica Shirvington
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: March 1, 2012
Number of Pages: 367
Source of Book:  ARC from publisher at NCTE Convention

I slowly opened my eyes. The sun speared its first bright rays of golden orange into the sky and I leapt from the cliff, with the sorrowful knowledge that no matter what the outcome, at least part of me would die that day…

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body … and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity…

You know that kind of book…the one when you start reading that book, you’re immediately swept into the fantasy world created? The one where you’re connecting with the characters – laughing and cringing and reacting with them? The one where you stay up too late reading, no matter what you have going on the next day, because you can’t wait to find out where the story is going? The one where you find yourself frantically turning the pages, but then realizing you want to reread sections and slow yourself down so you make sure you actually process the story because you’re going to need to understand it later? The one where you finish it, but just want to read it all over again because it was so, so good and you were so engrossed in it? Yeah…all of that was EMBRACE for me. I should have known, when the Sourcebooks rep told Sarah and I at NCTE that this was her favorite book they had there and we would love it, that I really would, but I was still surprised by how much I liked it. I was completely immersed in this all-consuming read.

I’ve read quite a few angels/fallen angels stories over the last several years, and I’ve liked some of them more than others, but this one blows all the rest of them away for me. The writing of this debut book is in first person, past tense in a straight-forward style and is engaging as it propels the story forward. It’s one of those that’s almost hard to explain what it was the grabbed me because I enjoyed it so much. Let’s start with the characters though. Violet is a teenager with determination and spunk and sass and heart, I mean, this girl can kick some serious butt! She’s a really likeable, believeable character, but she’s also a little lost because she’s been kind of alone her whole life since her mother died at her birth. Her dad has never really recovered, so she relies on her only best friend (who is a trip), and her “trainer” Lincoln to keep her going. She has strength within herself that she has yet to fully realize, and once she turns seventeen and learns about the world she’s destined to be a part of without ever knowing it, everything changes for her. She is a Grigori, but she’s different than all the others. Her inner strength and will is what makes her so powerful in the end, but she has to work to get there. She’s written in a way that I just really connected with, especially her strength and determination to do things her own way on her own terms.

Then there are the boys. Girls are going to be swooning over these two. We have Lincoln, who Violet’s in love with but doesn’t show the same interest back at her, and when she find out why, it changes everything between them. Then there’s Phoenix, who shows up in her life, and has secrets that he’s not willing to reveal, but she is drawn to him and the way that he is there for her and takes care of her. Violet doesn’t know it at first, but she’s going to need both of these guys on her side to help get her through what’s coming next and the decision she has to make of whether to embrace her Grigori side or not. The choice is hers, but she needs the guidance and support from both of these important guys in her life in order to help her make the life-changing decision. And, yes, there are some steamy, heated scenes with both of the guys (but not too graphic), and yes, it’s triangle-ish, but not in the overdone, forced way that I sometimes don’t like in young adult books – it seems realistic for the situation Violet is in and for the way her feelings are swirling. I have a feeling this will definitely spark a “Team” debate among the masses once they get their hands on this book. However, each of the guys seems more layered than they originally appear, and I can only guess we’ll be discovering more and more depth about each of them throughout the rest of the series.

The storyline is fast-paced and full of action and decisions to be made and life or death situations and excitement. The world of the angels and Grigori is well-rounded and fully explained throughout the book, and it’s a fresh take on some of the same backstories that we’ve heard before. I fully enjoyed reading this book and discovering this world that Violet has been destined to be a part of. It’s detailed and complicated and we get to know and understand it just as Violet does as we take this journey to realization with her. She’s not perfect though, and there are things that happen that we, as readers, will probably think she should have realized, but we aren’t living with her demons and secrets and youthful outlook and angst and hope. There is quite a lot going on in this book, but ultimately it’s about Violet learning about this world and figuring out how she feels about being a part of it or not and what’s most important to her in her life. She has to learn to make decisions based on what she needs and wants and what’s right for her, but also how it impacts those around her. It’s about Violet’s journey to self-realization and it’s full of emotion, but also deals with the struggle between light and dark and whether or not it’s a clear line between the two. Light wouldn’t be needed if there was no dark, but are light and dark so clearly identified? This is the stage for the entire story. Because of this, everything is complicated in this book – there are no clear distinctions on what is the right thing to do, and that makes it all the more intriguing.

I’m sure there are going to be people who don’t connect with this book like I did, or who pick apart some things that I overlooked because I was so engaged in it, but that’s how it is with every book. Different ones connect with different people, and I was definitely absorbed in this one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I picked it up at just the right time when I needed to decompress from the last book I had read. I know I’m going to be desperately waiting to get my hands on book 2, ENTICED, and book 3, EMBLAZE, which, thankfully, Sourcebooks will be releasing in six month intervals so we won’t have to wait so long to find out what will happen with Violet’s journey next! Enjoy this read this spring!

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

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

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

I should have heeded the advice of the note from the editor in the beginning of the advanced copy of this book – “Do you have some free time?…you are not going to be able to stop until you’ve finished it.”  Reading this book was a roller-coaster of emotions all in one day. That’s because the way the tension was built and the suspense kept me turning pages until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore-and then picked it right back up again the next morning-finishing it in less than 24 hours. This book made me want to laugh, cry, scream, weep, cheer, yell, cringe, and, most of all, hope. Hope for Delaney to be all right in the end. Hope for Decker to admit to what he felt. Hope for her mom to figure out how to talk to her. Hope for Troy to be a good guy in the end. Hope for lives to be saved. It was a book that dealt with death, but left me with a feeling of hope.

This debut book is written in an approachable, straight-forward style, but in a really engaging way that drew me into the story even more. There is tension and suspense and truth and honesty and realness. There is also a main character who reaches in and grabs you. Delaney’s struggles with how people see her after her traumatic brain injury gave me a sense (even if I hadn’t read it in the author bio later) that the author had close knowledge of what someone who has dealt with that would be feeling and thinking. How does one go back to being normal when the brain no longer is? How does one go back to being normal after living when she should have died?

Delaney is a smart character, and I really liked that about her. There is something really refreshing about her voice and attitude that drew me to her. She’s the type of character who isn’t always completely reliable because she’s so messed up from what happened to her, and she doesn’t know what’s going on with her own head, so she’s freaked. She’s also honest with herself, even if not always with those around her. How can she be honest though, when those around her can’t even be honest with her? And how can she act how she was before, when she doesn’t even recognize some of the things going on in her head? It wasn’t only Delaney who was affected by the accident and her unexpected recovery, but all of those who know her and were involved. And then there’s Decker. I held out hope for him throughout. Interestingly, the very last book I read also dealt with a teen girl figuring out that her lifelong friend, who is a boy, is actually in love with her. Both of them felt true to how they would react and work through these realizations.

My heart broke for Decker throughout this book, but still hoped he would get through to Delaney. But she’s broken after the accident, and it takes many realizations about life and what’s important for her to heal. “What would you do if you had one day left to live?” Don’t wait, go do it because you never know when that last day will be. It’s a hopeful message to go after what you want, do the right thing, and share your feelings with the right people. Delaney starts to come to this realization of what’s most important in the last third of the book, after witnessing another death and figuring some things out about Troy. There were some deep thoughts and ways Delaney was trying to work out what’s right and wrong when it comes to expected and unexpected death that made me think and feel deeply as I read them.

This book is full of suspense and emotion and heartache and fear and sadness and hope. However, it is a short book, and I think more development could have been done with many aspects of it and because I would have enjoyed getting more detail on some things and spending more time with these characters. There are quite a few smaller plotlines within the larger book, and some of them are not as fully realized as they could have been. It left me a little bit lost on some of them feeling like I wasn’t getting the whole story. That being said, I do think because of the brevity of it, I will be able to get many of my students to read it, which is always a good thing. I definitely recommend reading this one on January 17th!

Title:  CLARITY
Author:  Kim Harrington
Publisher:  Point (a Scholastic imprint)
Release Date:  March 1, 2011
Number of Pages:  242
Source of Book:  ARC from my bookseller friend

When you can see things others can’t, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.
Clarity “Clare” Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It’s a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare’s ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case – but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare’s brother – who has supernatural gifts of his own – becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

I had heard so many positive reviews of this book that I was eagerly anticipating reading it, and it didn’t let me down. Once I looked at the first page to see how it sounded – I was gone for the next two days reading it every chance I got. “You don’t want to kill me,” I said. “Of course I don’t, Clare. But I have to.” And a paragraph later, “…On my right was the crumpled body of a guy I hadn’t fully realized the depths of my feelings for until I saw a bullet rip into him.” OK – I was hooked – there was no chance I was putting this book down.

Clarity (Clare) Fern is a psychic from a family of psychics, and not the kind you normally think of as the scammers, but the real kind. She, her mother, and her older brother all have different psychic abilities, and they use them to entertain the tourists in their Cape Cod town. I loved Clare – she is full of snark and sass and wit in a Veronica Mars type way – and I totally want to be her friend. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone, and is fiercely loyal to her family. She’s been hurt, but she still has hope for finding a good guy (and there are a few to go around apparently!) Plus, she’s just really likeable the way she’s written. This book, and her character, reminded me of other favorite mystery books THE LIAR SOCIETY and DEATH BY BIKINI, all with kick butt, tell-it-like-it-is girls who are smart, but vulnerable and whose mysteries are sometimes usurped by their teen relationships with family and boys.

The secondary cast of characters in this book was fun, as many small town novels tend to be, and I enjoyed seeing Clarity struggle with the boys she was surrounded with. Although it was a little predicatble in the end (as I did guess earlier on who might be the culprit), it still kept me guessing throughout and I was never quite sure if my guess would turn out to be right or not. The mystery kept me on my toes, and Clare’s realtionships kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next.

CLARITY was a fun, light read, even though there were some serious elements with the mystery, the murder, and the people trying to figure everything out, and I would definitely recommend it to students who are looking for a mystery, and even to students who maybe need to be exposed to a mystery book. It’s got a great main character, an interesting mystery, and lots of snark and sass and laugh out loud comebacks, with a touch of vulnerability. I also appreciated the underlying story of not judging people before you know them and know the truth, and Clare’s battles to stand up for herself and be confident even when others are doubting her.

I’ll be eagerly waiting on the sequel, PERCEPTION, coming March 1st, to find out what Clare decides to do and what happens to her next.

Title: TIMEPIECE (sequel to HOURGLASS)
Author: Myra McEntire
Publisher: Egmont USA
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Number of Pages: 336
Source of Book: Borrowed ARC from bookseller friend Rani
Author’s Website: myramcentire.blogspot.com

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking…
    
Kaleb Ballard’s relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers,
the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before
disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to
see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the
mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb’s powers expanding, or is
something very wrong?
      Then the Hourglass is
issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he’s stolen
on the time gene, or time will be altered with devestating results. 
    
Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no
choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they
even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough…
    
The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science
fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where
every second counts.

My first recommendation is
that you go back and reread HOURGLASS before starting TIMEPIECE (or at
least the end of the first book with all of the reveals). If I had done
that, I probably wouldn’t have felt as confused by this sequel. The
backstory that Myra has created in this series about time travel is
extensive, which is a great thing to keep me thinking, but it also
requires that I pay attention so I can follow along with what’s
happening. At the end of the first book which Emerson narrates, the
Hourglass organization and the time-travel aspects were explained
clearly, but I read that one awhile ago, so as I was thrown right back
into the middle of it with TIMEPIECE, I was feeling a little bit lost
because there were some specific details I couldn’t remember that were
referenced often in this book as they were the impetus for everything
that happens. So, go reread the end of the first book and then jump
right into the continuing plot in this one.

Since the
second book starts right in the middle of the action, it makes it even
more exciting than the first one because the characters and reader now
know the basics of the time-travel aspects and the “battle” that is
going on with the villains (or are they?). This book is nonstop action
and suspense as the Hourglass kids try to figure out what is really
going on so they can fix the time-space continuum that is a little off
kilter right at the moment. This is all done within the context of the
quaint setting of this small town of Ivy Springs again with some of the
same loveable cast of characters.

However, (and I
didn’t know this going into it) this second book has a narrator switch,
and this time we get to hear Kaleb’s voice talking us through the story.
I loved this change as he is an entertaining (and highly snarky) and deeply layered
character who is often misunderstood. Seeing his empathy abilities from
his perspective created depth to this book that added an emotional core
to the science-fiction story. I loved getting to know him better and
feeling for him and his situations even more. Emerson’s best friend Lily
also plays a larger role in this book which was fun because she’s a
great character too. Myra has a distinct ability to make us fall in love
with her characters and to fall in love with others as they do in the
story. It seems so realistic because we’re enmeshed in the emotion with
them as they struggle with their feelings and we take the journey with
them.

This book has lots of reveals, lots of suspense,
lots of entertainment, and lots of thinking to it, and I enjoyed reading
it. There is a feeling of an ending to this book, but it also sets
things up for the next book really well at the end. Although this is a
second book, it still had action and resolution to things so avoided
that “second book in a trilogy” drudge that some trilogies I’ve read
have. I’m intrigued to see where this story will go, and especially who
might be narrating the next book in the series. Definitely add this one
to your summer reading list.

Title: HALLOWED (sequel to UNEARTHLY)
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Number of Pages: 416
Source of Book: Borrowed ARC from the very kind Heidi at YA Bibliophile
Author’s Website: cynthiahand.blogspot.com

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.
In this
heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming
joy of first love—and the agony of loss.

In this second book in the trilogy, Clara is trying to find her place in the world as a part angel (which she discovered in the first book) while reconciling the fact that she doesn’t think she fulfilled her “purpose” from the first book when she went to save her boyfriend, Tucker, instead of staying with Christian (another part angel). Meanwhile, her brother is being difficult and withdrawn ever since she saw him after the fire and she has no idea why, and her mother is holding back information which is frustrating to Clara because she doesn’t totally understand what is happening. While that all worries her, she is so focused on herself because of the new visions she is having and what they might mean – and which boy is and which boy isn’t there. She is struggling with not only her new angel self, but her non-angel boyfriend who she truly loves, but feeling drawn to Christian and not understanding why he seems to “get” her so well and how they can communicate. So, is it a triangley romance? Yes, but it’s much more than that too.

I don’t want to give too much away because part of the goodness of this book was discovering pieces of information along with Clara. When Clara gets it, we as the reader start to have more pieces fall into place, and we feel along with Clara. I can say that it is heart-breaking toward the end, which the whole book is leading up to, and there were tears for me. However, Clara does learn more about her family – both biological and friend and angel – and I am left with hope that she will have the support she needs to get through anything. This book is about Clara’s struggle with being pulled in two directions, and whether she can find the strength to do what she wants or what she was meant to do. It’s an inner struggle of how much free will does she wants to exert.

I really enjoy the characters in these books, both main and secondary. I also really enjoy the interactions between them. I especially like the introduction of Clara’s father and everything that goes along with him being in her life again. There is a little bit of snark and sass and humor to the writing that keeps me entertained and helps take away from some of the heaviness of the book. I also like the way that there are times where it seems as if Clara is talking right to us as the reader. There were some very snarkily humorous direct references to other very popular teen books and the way in which some of the characters act. Clara’s asides about how she never thought she’d be “that girl” but is anyway make me laugh.

As much as I like Cynthia’s overall writing style, the one thing that throws me off is how time passes in her books. This book takes place over the course of a school year, but some times have many more events and much more detail, and others don’t. But sometimes I would flip to a new chapter and not realize that we had jumped forward in time so much. Because of the transitions not being there, I felt confused at some times right when they chapters started. Overall, I really enjoy this series, and will be anxiously awaiting the third book to find out what will happen with Clara now that high school is over, but I also appreciate that this book didn’t end on a cliffhanger, but just me wanting to stay with Clara a little longer.

Emma and her friend
Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a
hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of
the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it
attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s
heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses
Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New
Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving
his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t
explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about
where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one
another and their feelings.

This book was not what I was expecting, but ohmysweetgoodness
I really enjoyed it. This might actually be the first mermaid story
I’ve read. I picked it up because I thought it might fit into the
mythology books I was pulling together, and it has slight references,
but was more about the world of the Syrena (mermaids/men). It pretty
much pulled me in from the beginning with one of those “girl meets
someone who she’s drawn to but doesn’t know why” kind of starts. But it
doesn’t end up continuing in quite that way because by chapter two,
we’re switched to the boy’s perspective and get a whole new view on who
he is. We also get a romance that builds on it’s own and it’s
insta-attraction, but not insta-love. I appreciated the alternating
perspectives with each chapter, although it did take me a little while
to get used to Emma’s chapters being in first person and Galen’s
chapters being in third person. Because it switched points-of-view so
often, I did feel like each time I started a new chapter it took me a
few sentences to readjust my mindset; however, I did like the way in
which it was written.

The
humorous moments in this book are plenty, and really add to the reader
being engaged with the story. Emma is innocent and has no idea what’s
going on with the world of Syrena in the beginning (and I do love a
feisty and snarky main character) who doesn’t take crap from anyone, and
Galen is flustered and confused and trying to figure it all out – both
the human world and the situation that’s going on. Galen is just such a
good, sweet guy too – the surprise date is one of the sweetest I’ve
read. There is also a little sense of political intrigue with the
backstory of the division between the Triton Syrena and the Poseidon
Syrena and how Emma fits into it all. But it’s the characters that
really make this book as fun and engaging as it is. They are written in a
way that makes me want to go hang out and laugh with them, but also in a
way that makes me totally feel for them as they try to work things out
with each other.

I
did have a couple of things that pulled me out of the story a little
bit, and I’m not sure if it’s because I was reading an advanced reader’s
edition (knowing changes can still be made in copyedits) or just some
terminology that this author uses, but there were a few wordings of
things that threw me off. When I come across something that takes me out
of the story for a minute to try to figure out what it means, it
interrupts the flow for me. My big complaint, though, is the ending. It
happened really fast and made the story feel incomplete to me. I
understand the use of cliffhangers at times, but the way this one was
done it just felt to me like the story stopped at a chapter ending
instead of a story ending. There is too much more to know and find out
and be said, so I’m sure there must be a sequel, but it will feel like a
really long wait for it because of how this one seems to end too
quickly and right in the middle of something.

Overall,
it was a keep-wanting-to-turn-pages to see what happens next kind of
book with engaging and endearing characters (Galen’s sister and best
friend are so entertaining), a touch of humor, a bit of
fantasy/supernatural world, and a sweet romance. These poor characters
are put through a lot in this story, but I enjoyed going through it with
them. I will definitely be reading the next book to find out what
happens next (thank goodness she’s writing a second book)!

Title: BLOODROSE  (Last in the trilogy of NIGHTSHADE (#1) and WOLFSBANE (#2))
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel (a Penguin imprint)
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Number of Pages: 414
Source of Book: ARC sent from Penguin after NCTE (mostly because I was stalking it and drooling over the one copy they had at their booth in the exhibit hall!) Thanks, Penguin Peeps!
Author’s Website: blurredhistory.blogspot.com

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon
her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if
it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been
branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing
unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and
for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If
Calla makes it out alive, that is. 

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times
bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns
that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A
dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

This is a tough one to write without spoiling anything, so let me first say, if you’ve read NIGHTSHADE and WOLFSBANE, you’ll definitely love the ending to this trilogy, but if you haven’t – go read them…no, seriously, go get them now! NIGHTSHADE was my book obsession of 2010 and as soon as BLOODROSE showed up on my doorstep, I dropped all my other books, and things I should have been doing, and read it for a day and a half straight until I finished. I’m bummed my time to spend with Calla and her pack is over, but I’m satisfied with the resolution to this trilogy and thankful to have experienced this journey and world that Andrea Cremer created for us to enjoy.

This final book in the trilogy is really all about Calla’s journey – finding her strength and ability to be in control of her own life/choices/decisions. Calla is a strong character, but I don’t think she realized how strong she can be in fighting against the life that she was born into until the events at the start of this book. She really has to come into her own as an alpha in this book. I enjoyed spending time with Calla during this time of upheaval in her life and struggle to balance both sides of her dreams and wants and personality. However, it was tough for me because although it’s not all about the boys, it still is a little, and my preferred one did not end up being the one in the way I would have wanted, but I also understand why the story couldn’t have ended up that way. It was heartbreaking to me, but I do understand as Andrea tweeted me: she’s “bound by blood and bone to the story.” Unfortunately, I think deep down as I was reading, I knew it would end up that way, and so the whole time as much as I wanted to love it, I felt myself pulling back a little because I didn’t want to read the part I knew was inevitably coming.

This book had quite a bit of suspense as the search is on for the remaining parts of the Scion’s sword and action as the war between the Keepers and the Guardians/Searchers came to it’s battle-filled conclusion. I enjoyed the suspense and action as well as the characters. The way that the pack dynamics were written drew me into all of the characters even more, and some of my favorites were highlighted in this book. Having other couples and friends dealing with real emotions and relationships (family and pack and Searcher, both friendship and romantic) added a juxtaposition to the search and war situations which kept the reason for the war at the heart of the story. And I enjoyed Connor’s comic relief again and the ultimate end to his story. Andrea has an innate intelligence to her writing that I really appreciate. I can tell she knows her history when reading her books and she has created a complex world for us to share for a little while.

I was very satisfied with the ending to this book. In fact, I really loved the very last chapter-it might have been one of my favorites especially because of whose perspective it is told through. There was redemption for many characters and relationships and I felt a sense of a deep breath of satisfaction at the end in knowing everyone was where they should be, living the lives they should be, with the people they could be with. You definitely need to get your hands on this one January 3rd – and make sure to block out some time to read it because once you start, you won’t want to stop until the very last word (and even then, you’ll probably wish it wasn’t over)!

Title: WILDEFIRE
Author: Karsten Knight
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Number of Pages: 400
Source of Book: Bought the hardcover on the release date
Author’s Website: www.karstenknight.com

Goodreads Summary:

Every flame begins with a spark. 

Ashline
Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her
place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated
on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into
her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the
unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in
California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her
fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is
beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the
tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash
discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled
at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has
resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her
own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master
the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one
more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to
be a storm.

I’m a little torn on this book, so this review will be a little different. I’m not sure if this was a situation of high expectations not being met, but I didn’t love it – I liked it though. This book definitely reads like a contemporary at the start, and then leads into some paranormal elements and adds in mythology from different cultures which makes it interesting and fresh. I felt like it read a little long because some parts seemed to have inconsequential details that didn’t need to be there in my mind, but in other parts I wanted more details. I definitely read it quickly because I kept turning pages wanting to know where it was going.

My Positives: 
– The beginning really hooked me. The scene develops in a way that I wasn’t expecting and I really wanted to keep reading.
– There is a unique mythology element taken from various cultures.
– Ashline is a sarcastic, whip-tongued main character who is doing all she can to protect herself.
– Good pacing of the reader getting information as needed to keep tension building.
– Each chapter was really long, but it represented one day in the week of these events occurring. Then there were a few interludes that captured my attention and led to a surprising reveal toward the end.
– The villain was created in such a way that I really did hate her, as I should have.
– I liked the group of friends (the other gods/goddesses) so much and how they all watched out for each other.
– I also liked the headmistress character and wanted to cheer for her a little bit.
– Unexpected ending, not exactly a cliffhanger, but more of a didn’t see that coming at all, now holy cow where are we going next.

My Negatives:
– I didn’t totally connect with Ashline as much as I wanted to.
– Parts were left unexplained and left open for the sequel, but where is it going?
– For some reason I was aware throughout the book that it was a guy author writing a teen girl character, so it didn’t feel totally authentic to me.
– Some parts I noticed the 3rd person point-of-view (which is a pet peeve of mine).
– There was an element of weird creepy-crawly creatures which always bugs me when it comes out of nowhere. I’m sure there’s more of a reason, but I didn’t totally get it.
– Some of the emotions seemed to develop too fast for me. I liked the romantic subplots, but I didn’t get the depth of the feelings developing.
– When I’m pulled out of the world of the story and notice the writing (instances of coarse language), that, to me, is not quite true to life. It’s there to be there, not because it feels totally natural I guess.

So, basically, I’ll read the next book in the series because I’m intrigued by the overall premise and want the explanations for the shocker ending and want to know what happens to Ashline next and hope I’ll connect with her more. But, I didn’t love the execution, so I’m hoping that will improve with the second book in the series, EMBERS & ECHOES coming in 2012, and the third book,  AFTERGLOW coming in 2013.

Title: SHATTER ME
Author: Tahereh
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Number of Pages: 352
Source of Book: Borrowed ARC from Tara @ fictionfolio.com
Author’s Website: http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/

Goodreads Summary:
Juliette hasn’t touched
anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident,
but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why
Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no
one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay
attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population,
food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the
wrong color.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Juliette is alone – and can’t be touched. She is deadly – and lonely and neglected. All she wants is to feel human again and know that she has a choice in what she does and how she’s treated, but with her abilities, it’s not meant to be. Once people realize what she can do, they’re going to try to use here. They’re going to try to sway her to their side. They’re going to try to make her do what they want. Juliette’s journey through this book leads to a growing strength and conviction as she figures out what she really wants and who she wants to be. Along the way she
discovers a strength she never knew she had – in more ways than one.

Tahereh’s writing is really, really unique. It’s a little bit reminiscent of a
Laurie Halse Anderson style with a not completely linear writing
quality-there are poetic parts to it and repeated lines and an
interestingly effective use of the strikeout tool that I’ve never seen
before amazing incredible entrancing. It took me a little while to get used to it, but once I did, I was hooked. Oddly, I noticed the use of the word “shatter” quite a bit
throughout, and I’m not sure if it’s because I knew the title so it
stuck out to me more, or if it was a bit overused, but overall, a slight
quirk in an otherwise extraordinary story.

The first part of the book is really about Juliette and her solitary confinement, but then a boy shows up. Adam was unexpected. Adam turns out to be different than he seems; although, he does have his secrets. I loved Adam though – he is the kind of sweet boy character who has always
been out for good that I like to read about in YA books. He’s probably one of my favorite boy characters I’ve read (he’s kind of in the vein of a Peeta-type of love interest) recently. There are some definite scenes of romance in this book-nothing too graphic, but definitely there.

Once you get to a certain point, it’s a can’t-put-it-down read and the action kicks in. Up
until then, it’s a more subtle kind of book. It’s a dystopian,
but you don’t really get the world building until the last part of the
book; it’s much more character driven up until then. It doesn’t really all come together for the reader to understand what’s actually happening until the last part of the book – and by then you care so much about the characters that your heart is breaking for them. But, we get Kenji then – and oh how I loved Kenji and the comic relief he provides when it’s most needed. I hope we get more of him in book two!

There is an overall feeling of a slow exposition and then a lot of the action happening in the later half of the book. By the end, I was left with a Hunger Games-ish feel. In the last quarter of the book – all of a sudden the game was changing with much bigger stakes and I was even more intrigued by what was going to happen. I very much feel like the ending was left open for a series and can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen next now that Juliette knows what she does. I do think this will be a much talked about book come November!

Title: SUPERNATURALLY (PARANORMALCY #2)
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Number of Pages: 336
Source of Book: Bought hardcover
Author’s Website: http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com

Goodreads Summary:

Evie finally has the
normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that
being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to
long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency,
she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from
all the normalcy, she agrees. 

But as one disastrous mission leads
to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And
when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating
revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing
between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world
into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself. 

So much for normal.

I just love Kiersten White’s writing – it’s so fun and light-hearted and entertaining and did I mention fun! Her writing is very approachable and not intimidating at all. For me, it falls into an easy read category the way that it’s written, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a depth of content that is still enjoyable to read as you follow along with Evie’s journey. If you’ve read Kiersten’s blog at all (and you should be!) you’ve come to know her personality a little – and that totally comes through in her writing as well.

Evie is such a great character – she struggles with wanting to be normal, and finding a place to call home, and figuring out how to be the person she wants to be while trying to keep everyone happy. In book two, she’s trying to balance her regular life and her IPCA live, her love for Lend and her relationships with other boys, her friendships with paranormals and normals, her anger at the faeries and her understanding of them, her feelings of wanting to be someone special and wanting to be normal, her realization of where she came from and what that makes her. I do love Evie’s fashion sense and love of pink, but I don’t envy her difficulties in trying to figure out how to find balance in her life and be happy – while always feeling like she has to keep secrets, oh, and constantly being afraid that paranormals are conspiring against her. She has a strong sense of right and wrong that comes through again in this book, and it’s a piece of what makes her so relateable and what makes me want to root for her. Oh, and there’s some romance – and it feels very real as there are struggles with her relationship with Lend and trying to find the balance that will make it work.

There is a good story arc in this book with new characters and old favorites. And there are definite hints to something bigger going on that do not get resolved at the end of this book, so I think I have an idea of what the third book is going to address. If you liked PARANORMALCY, you definitely won’t be disappointed in this second book of Evie’s adventures as she tries to find her version of “normal” and figure out how to find the balance between her paranormal and normal sides of life. I’ll definitely be looking forward to book 3, ENDLESSLY, in 2012!

Title: DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Number of Pages: 420
Source of Book: ARC borrowed from Tara @ Fiction Folio
Author’s Website: www.lainitaylor.com

Goodreads Summary:

Around the world,
black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged
strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet
Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be
real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks
many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually
grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that
haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the
strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in
an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets
unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent
past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Laini Taylor’s writing is beautiful, but in that way that it doesn’t jump out at you and take you out of the story, it is just woven subtly in as part of the story and you don’t realize how beautiful it is until you get to a stopping point and heave a deep sigh of relaxation from having enjoyed the writing and been lost and wrapped up completely in the world she created. The artistry with which she weaves storylines together between the two different main characters and between the present with flashbacks of backstory is enticing. There is a twist in the plot about two-thirds of the way through that almost changes the books into a different story, but it’s of utmost importance to our understanding and works so well the way Laini has written it.

And the setting…the book mainly takes pace in Prague and in Laini’s deft hand, the mystery, history, and beauty of this city lives and breathes its own life into the novel. There are exotic settings around the world (and in fantasy realms) throughout, and each one is written to evoke its own individual mood for the reader and the characters situations.

Karou is a kick-butt girl, but is struggling with feeling lonely as she discovers that the world with the “monsters” she thought she understood is not what she was led to believe. As she interacts with Akiva, the angel she encounters on one of her errands, it becomes obvious that she has some kind of pull toward him, and he to her. Little does she know that even as he tries to destroy all she holds dear, he might actually hold the key to her figuring out who (or what) she really is – what she’s been seeking to find out for awhile. Toward the end as we discover, along with Karou, what has really happened, it is shocking in the best possible way for a novel.

This is definitely a fantasy book for fans of fantasy. It has a unique take on the angel mythology and the backstory and world Laini has created is entrancing. Pre-order it now so you can escape into Karou’s world in September! I know I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book indicated by the “…to be continued” ending to delve back into the artistry and uniqueness of the story Laini Taylor has created.

Title: FOREVER (Wolves of Mercy Falls #3)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Number of Pages:
Source of Book: Bought the trilogy hardcover boxset when it came out (for going to author signing!)
Author’s Website: http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/

Goodreads Summary:
The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stiefvater
then.
When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from a curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives.
now.
That should have been the end of their story. But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt.
forever.
Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in one pure moment – a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

First I have to talk about the whole series, as I reread the first two books right before starting FOREVER. I fell in love with Maggie Stiefvater’s writing when I read SHIVER, the first book in the trilogy. It was the first book of hers that I read, and I got it because I had received an ARC of LINGER, the second book in the series, at the ALAN Workshop 2009 and it sounded so good that I had to get SHIVER. Of course, the fact that I had heard Maggie speak at the conference, and her personality engaged and entertained me from the start, helped me realize that I needed to read her writing. As soon as I read it, I knew I loved it – and promoted it to all of my students as better than Twilight (and for 8th grade girls, that was a big deal!)

The things that I loved most about the start of the series was the unique mythology of the wolves, the plotting of the building tension of the book, and the beautifully lyrical way in which Maggie writes – along with the sweet honesty of the love between Grace and Sam. However, I’ve now waited a long time for FOREVER because I read both of the first two in the series back in November 2009! (I did bide my time by reading LAMENT and BALLAD, her faerie books, which are also good,) I was even more thrilled about getting FOREVER when I found out that Maggie was doing her road trip book tour, and one of the stops was in Madison, WI. Definitely worth the hour-and-a-half drive to go see one of my favorite (and one of the most entertaining) young adult authors!!! Since my books had been read so many times by my students, they were starting to fall apart, so I had to buy myself a new set to get signed so I could keep a nice set for myself of the signed ones (and because the art of the covers is so beautiful!).

So…enough about my journey to FOREVER, and on to my thoughts about the book (which will be a little bit shorter than normal because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone!):
I feel as if this is a bittersweet review for me because I’ve so loved living in the world of The Wolves of Mercy Falls, so I’m sad to leave them, but I feel good about where things were left in the end. However, I do have to say, the end of the book is a little open-ended. Things are all wrapped up, but it’s not necessarily a happy ending for all, nor is their entire future certain. The overwhelming feeling I had at the end of this final book was one of peace with each main character’s place in the world and satisfaction with the choices they had made to get to where they were. And hope for their futures. There was a sense of each character knowing themselves better by the end – who they wanted to be and who they really were and how they could be happy.

There were twists in this book and with certain characters who acted differently than expected, but in a good way. It’s ultimately a love story – a sweet, tragic, complicated, deep, meant-to-be love between Sam and Grace. It’s a love between Sam and his adoptive father Beck. It’s a love between Cole and his bandmates. It’s about these characters fighting for their loved ones and struggling to find a way out of the mess that is the wolf hunt, in order to save those they love – all written in Maggie’s beautiful, lyrical writing. There is a subtleness to the story, in the everyday descriptions and events taking place within the bigger context of the plot. There is also a ticking clock in the back of the reader’s mind as the hunt gets closer. I have to say that I think Cole is one of my favorite characters, mostly in his interactions with Isabel, but also for the journey he makes to become the person he is at the end. There is a sense of redemption to this story for all of the characters as they face up to their mistakes in the past and figure out a way to face the future head on. The plot keeps moving and kept me turning pages. When I saw Maggie at her signing she said that she started writing in order to make her reader’s cry, and you might just shed a few tears over certain characters, and the ending of this beautiful series. If you haven’t read any of it yet, go get the books now, and if you haven’t read this final one, do so soon!

Title: WOLFSBANE (NIGHTSHADE Book 2)
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel (a Penguin Teen imprint)
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Number of Pages: 400
Source of Book: ARC sent by publisher
Author’s Website:  http://blurredhistory.blogspot.com
Book Series Website: www.nightshadebook.com

Goodreads Summary:

I was beyond excited to get an advanced review copy of this book because NIGHTSHADE was my book obsession of last year (read my review). I love Andrea Cremer’s writing and the characters and world she has created in this series. And now you can get your hands on WOLFSBANE – tomorrow! (I’m trying to be careful about not spoiling anything-there is a lot that happens!) I was instantly drawn back into the world Andrea created for Calla and her pack. Although, all is definitely not how it seemed as Calla learns more from the Searchers and realizes the extent of the lies that created her life, she again has to pull on her strength as an Alpha to do what needs to be done and save those she loves. Calla is a strong, kick-butt girl character and I totally want to be friends with her. Her strength is part of what makes these books so entertaining to read. As she struggles with her feelings for Shay and Ren within the bigger context of the continuing battles between the two sides, she seems to be a genuine character. She’s not infallible, and she struggles, but at her core she has her beliefs of what is right and wrong and she hurts from others’ actions as much as the next person.  She’s trying to find her place and figure out what to do about all she learns.

There are some long stretches of exposition in this one (which highlight again the knowledge Andrea has for the background of The Witches’ War and this history), but we as readers, along with Calla have a lot to learn about the lies we’ve been told. It does feel like a middle novel to a trilogy and ends hopeful, yet resigned and determined, and with me dreading the long wait for the next one-it’s quite a cliffhanger of an ending. However, it still has exciting battles, pack relationships, and heart-wrenching moments. Most of all I loved the new characters who were introduced. The Searchers were like family from the start, especially Connor’s comic relief. Connor is probably my favorite thing about this book – I hope you like him too! The war is just beginning and I know which side I’m on! WOLFSBANE is a story of struggling to be one’s true self and do what is right for those you love. But also, trying to figure out who those people really are at their core and if they are loyal or not. There are some surprising choices made by some characters, and I’m intrigued to find out where the relationships end up in the third book. I will definitely be in line to get BLOODROSE on February 21st! If you read and loved NIGHTSHADE, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on WOLFSBANE tomorrow, and if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?!?

Title: ORIGINAL SIN (PERSONAL DEMONS #2)
Author: Lisa Desrochers
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: July 5, 2011
Number of Pages: 398
Source of Book: Bought it the week it released because I loved the first one
Author’s Website: http://lisadesrochers.blogspot.com

Goodreads Summary:

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.

Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.

Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.

Since reading PERSONAL DEMONS (the first book in the series) back in January, I was really looking forward to the sequel to find out what would happen next with Luc, Frannie, and Gabe. The thing I like most about these books is the way that Lisa Desrochers has built this world with heaven/hell dynamics, rules, and hierarchies and the intriguing characters she’s put in these places. Along with that, she infuses sarcasm and humor through the various characters, language, and situations that leave me smiling to myself throughout the entire book. And she definitely knows how to write steamy romances. There is a bit of a love triangle continuing in this book, but Gabe is absent for most of the book, until something happens and Frannie needs him (but I can’t tell you what it is-you’ll have to read for yourself!).

This time the book is again told through three character’s perspectives, but we get Frannie, Luc, and Matt’s unique voices in this one. Matt is now Frannie’s guardian angel, but since he’s so new to the job, we aren’t sure if he’ll be able to handle it. A new character is introduced in this book, and if you’ve read any other stories with angels/fallen angels mythology, you may figure out who she really is before the character’s in the book do. I actually liked Frannie better in this book than I did in the first one. She had more to do and grew on me.  However, in my personal opinion, these books have always been about Luc. I feel it’s actually about Luc’s journey to find what he really wants after an existence without love or any concrete reason to keep going. He’s the ultimate bad boy figure (hello – he’s a demon!), who has found someone who is worth giving up his immortal being and turning human for in Frannie. Since that happened in the first book, he’s trying to adjust in this book which leads to some entertaining scenes. But in this book again, like in the first, Luc’s internal struggle is the part I responded to the most. Yes, there are bigger plot points going on, and yes, Matt’s story is intriguing in this book, and yes, Frannie has things to deal with and figure out, but it all goes back to Luc for me.

Lisa writes page-turning books with emotion, entertainment, and action all within the constraints of an overarching storyline about Frannie and the heaven vs. hell battle that will guide the entire series. I’m definitely looking forward to the final book to find out where Luc and Frannie and Gabe all end up (and therefore, the worlds of heaven and hell) especially since the ending of ORIGINAL SIN was shocking and gave a twist that could be a major game-changer for the series – my jaw literally dropped at the end, so be prepared!

Goodreads Summary:
Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams,  Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…
*************************
BORN AT MIDNIGHT is a fun, light read – even though it’s a paranormal story. I really enjoyed the story as Kylie goes to camp and it turns out it’s a place for paranormal teens of all types (werewolves, vampires, shape-shifters, faeries, and witches) to get together and learn about each other so they can get along and stop all of the infighting. Kylie is a sassy character with vulnerability and a great voice. This was one of those addicting books that I stayed up way too late reading to find out what would happen next. I so enjoyed spending time with Kylie at Shadow Falls.

Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely some seriousness to this book too. Sixteen-year-old Kylie is dealing with her parents divorce, friends who are growing apart as they make differing choices, an ex boyfriend who isn’t quite out of her mind because of how badly things ended, feeling displaced and lonely and unwanted and left out; however, she really does grow to start deciding things for herself. Kylie becomes stronger throughout this book. She comes into her own as she starts to fight for what she wants and what makes her happy. She starts to discover more of who she is, and if she has special abilities herself, and learns who the people are that she can count on who she would fight to keep in her life. The thing I loved the most about Kylie is the good example that she is when it comes to romantic relationships and not doing anything more than one is comfortable with – it’s a great message for young girls. There is also a really great, but subtle, message about getting along with others and not having preconceived notions or prejudices about those who are different. Of course, it’s all done in a really approachable, non-preachy way which I think will come across well. All of the secondary characters were intriguing as well, which made it easier to get the message because I really liked all of them and wanted them all to get along too.

At times, I did feel it was a little too predictable in the love triangle. I didn’t totally feel the reason for the attraction to one of the guys, but I could appreciate where their storyline went. The other thing that threw me off a little bit was the places the author chose to end the chapters  – sometimes I felt as if it was right in the middle of a scene, so it wasn’t a good ending point to put in my bookmark because I had to know what would happen next.

Overall, this book was quite interactive. I had laugh out loud moments when reading this book. I tried to figure out the mystery of what was going wrong. I felt for Kylie when she was drifting apart from a friend. I smiled when she realized that she had new friends. I melted when the boy was being so sweet to her. I cheered her on when she stood up to others and fought for what she believed in. This book is about friendship and finding oneself and learning to get along and moving on and standing up for oneself and making one’s own path. I’m looking forward to seeing where Kylie’s path takes her next in the Shadow Falls series.

4 STARS for BORN AT MIDNIGHT

Book #2 in the Shadow Falls series, AWAKE AT DAWN, will be released in October. I’m definitely going to be reading it to see what happens in Kylie’s world next!

Book 7 of 12 for DAC 2011

Today, Kiersten White, on her awesomely entertaining blog (which you should be reading!) revealed the continuing beauty of the covers for her trilogy with the cover of the second book, SUPERNATURALLY.  Isn’t it pretty?  It’s also one of My Most Anticipated Books of 2011.

I can’t wait to read it…too bad we’ll have to wait until September to find out what happens to Evie and Lend!

Author: Jenna Black
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: May 25, 2010
Number of Pages: 294
Source of Book: Borrowed the paperback from a student who recommended it
Author’s Website: www.jennablack.com/books_ya.htm

Goodreads Summary:
Normal. It’s all she’s ever wanted to be, but it couldn’t be further from her grasp…

Soon, Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone’s trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she’ll never have a chance with… until she does.  Caught between two worlds, Dana isn’t sure where she’ll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again…
*************************

This book was pretty good, but it took me awhile to really get into it. I just wasn’t that invested in the characters to start with, but by the end of the book, I did really want to know what was going to happen. It’s written well and in a style that kept me interested and turning the pages. Dana really just wants to be normal, but it seems that isn’t ever going to happen. I liked the world that Dana was learning about as she went to live with her dad and entered into the world of the Fae. By the time I got to the point where there are boys, bodyguards, friends, and relatives all fighting to control Dana because of her faeriewalker status leading to Dana needing to take matters into her own hands, I started to really get interested. I liked Dana’s take-charge and sarcastic personality. The characters around her were interesting, too, if a little bit surface-level.

Overall, there’s a definite feeling of this book being a setup for the rest of the series. So, although things were happening to Dana throughout that built suspense, the entirety of the book felt like it was setting up the world of Avalon and the human vs. faerie existence and the Seelie vs. Unseelie fae battles, to prepare for where the story is going next. By the last page, I was very interested to see where the story will go and was more of a fan of Dana and the other characters around her, and I’m expecting to get deeper with all of them in the next book.

3 STARS for GLIMMERGLASS
Book 2, Shadowspell, was released on January 4th. Book 3, Sirensong, is coming July 5, 2011.