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February 25, 2014

Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg - Best friends or more?

Better Off Friends

Title: Better Off Friends
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Publication date: February 25, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 288
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indigo 
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they're best friends -- which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?
Better Off Friends was in my Top 15 Most Anticipated Contemporaries of 2014. I fell in love with the synopsis and the possibility of a guy and girl being best friends or is the inevitable always going to happen? i.e. them developing feelings for each other. I made sure that this is labeled as YA since I know Elizabeth Eulberg's previous books were mostly middle grade. However, Better Off Friends honestly read as a middle grade book and while I had no major problem with that, I was in the mood for something a bit more mature. Still, Better Off Friends brought a smile to my face because it was cute, fun, and the main protagonists were very adorable.
At the end of each chapter, you read a page of a texting/chat (maybe?) conversation between the two main leads, Macallan and Levi. You don't know how they end up but it reads as if they're remembering the occurrences of each chapter and I thought that was a really fun snippet of their future selves to read about. The story spans a very lengthy timeline, from their elementary school years all the way up to their high school years. There is the good and bad in this, the bad being that too long a timeline in such a short book doesn't leave much for delving too much in each situation or revelation. The good is that we get to witness their relationship since they were young little kids to their awkward teenage years. 
Better Off Friends was cute, adorable at times, and was a very fun read. I definitely recommend it more to younger teens over older ones and it was a good break from the usual dark books I've been reading lately. I also think this would also work for fans of contemporary middle grade books! 

February 23, 2014

Review: Before My Eyes by Caroline Bock


Title: Before My Eyes
Author: Caroline Bock
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date: February 11th, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 304
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indigo 
Dreamy, poetic Claire, seventeen, has spent the last few months taking care of her six-year-old sister, Izzy, as their mother lies in a hospital bed recovering from a stroke. Claire believes she has everything under control until she meets “Brent” online. Brent appears to be a kindred spirit, and Claire is initially flattered by his attention. But when she meets Max, the awkward state senator’s son, her feelings become complicated.

Max, also seventeen, has been working the worst summer job ever at the beachside Snack Shack. He’s also been popping painkillers. His parents—more involved in his father’s re-election than in their son’s life—fail to see what’s going on with him.

Working alongside Max is Barkley, twenty-one. Lonely and obsessive, Barkley has been hearing a voice in his head. No one—not his parents, not his co-workers—realizes that Barkley is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Until the voice in his head orders him to take out his gun.
I am a huge fan of realistic fiction, and Before My Eyes definitely seemed like a book that I would definitely enjoy. This book is told from three different point of views. We have Claire, Max, and Barkley. Reading the synopsis, we don't get to understand much about what the story would  be about, and unfortunately, I STILL don't get it. When I started this book, it was weird. The writing was different, it took time to get used to it, but I liked it. I even told my sister "It's weird, but good weird, will probably get better." For me, it didn't. I still don't know why I didn't DNF this book, but for some reason I though there would be an explanation at the end of the book. THERE WAS NOTHING. I was so confused. 
I don't think I liked any of the characters. They were weird, and I just didn't feel like I was able to connect to any of them. My major problem with this book is that it just lacked a plot. The pace of the book was incomprehensible. I just felt like the book was so jumbled up, and nothing ever made sense to me. The book was full of dialogues of stuff that I felt were useless. I tried looking at the bigger picture, I really tried. I just couldn't understand what it was about, and I just couldn't enjoy it. 
My opinion of this book will remain my opinion. I just wished I didn't waste my time reading it till the end, because all I read could have been summarized in about two chapters. Will I recommend this book to a friend? No. Does that mean you shouldn't pick it up? Of course not! If you end up picking it up, and you end up understanding the "message" behind this book, don't hesitate to tell me. 

February 21, 2014

Top Six Most Anticipated Sequels of 2014

I know this post is a bit late.. especially since two books our of the six are already out *facepalm* I tend to make the video ahead of time but just never have the chance to upload it (We film/upload two to three videos per week). But HERE IT IS! Just thought it would be fun to make a blog post out of it too.


 

Check out my reviews of the first/second books in these fantastic series:
Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (written by my friend, Amani)
Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo (written by Farah)


Which ones are you excited about? I know Ignite Me and Split Second are already out. I loved loved loved Ignite Me <3 and I can't wait to pick up Split Second!! Are you anticipating any other sequels of series I need to get onboard for? Let me know in the comments below!

February 19, 2014

Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Title: Uninvited (Uninvited, #1)
Author: Sophie Jordan 
Publisher: Harperteen 
Publication date: January 28th, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)
Source: Edelweiss
Format: ARC
Pages: 384
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indigo 
The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

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

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.
Before anyone reads this review, have you read the synopsis? It sounds amazing doesn't it? I'm so happy to say that the book was not a let down and I really enjoyed every part of it! It really felt like I was reading an authentic dystopian, and I was really fascinated by the "world building". The main protagonist, Davy, used to have the perfect life. She had the boyfriend everyone wanted, she went to this amazing private school, and was very rich. Davy also had a very unique talent. She basically excels at anything that has to do with music. She plays the piano, violin, guitar, flute, and can even sing. That all collapses when her HTS test comes back positive. HTS stands for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome, and it is a test every single person does. People with the HTS gene are known to be "monstrous", and Davy couldn't believe she was a carrier. 
I don't want to say more about this book, because it would be much more interesting to into it knowing as little as possible. Therefore, I will talk about how Sophie Jordan was able to move so many of my emotions. I remember tweeting at how ANGRY I was at some of the characters in this book, and for a legit reason. I can't explain why exactly, but it was the expected reaction and I was just so mad and angry and why isn't there any hope for humanity! *sigh* Anyways, you can see how I was frustrated while reading the beginning of the book. As I read on, I'm going to admit the middle dragged on for a tiny teeny bit. It wasn't bad, but compared to the rest of the book, I'm going to say it was the least fun part of the book. It is so shocking and so amazing, and it was not expected AT ALL. This book was able to shock me countless of times, which is a first I say. The dystopian world was great! I loved the feel to it, and I really just enjoyed the plot very much!
Things go crazy as you read on, and I was just so excited! I have so many questions I need to be answered, which means I will be *non-patiently* waiting for the next book in this series. I haven't read Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy, but if it's as good as this, then I need to get to them fast. I really really think all dystopian fans should buy a copy of this book, because it screams DYSTOPIAN! I'm such a fan, and I'm glad I was able to get a copy!

February 16, 2014

Double Review: Gated by Amy Christine Parker & Countdown by Michelle Rowen

Gated

Title: Gated
Author: Amy Christine Parker
Publisher: Random House Canada
Publication date: August 6, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Cult/thriller)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 352
Appearances can be deceiving.

In the Community, life seems perfect. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited Lyla’s family to join his group and escape the evil in the world. They were happy to be chosen, happy to move away from New York and start over in such an idyllic gated community. Now seventeen, Lyla knows that Pioneer is more than just their charismatic leader, he is their prophet . . . but his visions have grown dark.

Lyla is a loyal member of the Community, but a chance encounter with an outsider boy has her questioning Pioneer, the Community—everything. And if there’s one thing not allowed in the Community, it’s doubt. Her family and friends are certain in their belief. Lyla wishes she could feel the same. As Pioneer begins to manipulate his flock toward disaster, the question remains: Will Lyla follow them over the edge?

From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story of the Community from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. 
Gated gives you a front row seat, or more like the actual insider experience of what it is like to grow up and live in a cult. Initially when I started reading Gated, I just assumed that it is a dystopian book, however it really isn't. The rest of the world, outside Lyla's little community is living its life just like we currently are. However for Lyla, her family, and 20 other families, they live in a closed off, gated community run by Pioneer, the Brethren's prophet (Think psychotic cult leader using religion to brainwash these people). Before, whenever I hear stories about cults and what they do, I always wonder how blind the followers are.. can't they use logic and just SEE that how they're living is just all kinds of crazy? But being put in Lyla's shows.. and hearing what Pioneer says and how he manipulates them, I really can't blame these cult followers anymore. 
The synopsis says so much… but some of it is too much while other things are a bit misleading. I spent more than half of the novel waiting for Lyla to realize that Pioneer is a psycho.. but what I did spend almost half of the novel on is her obsessing over the Sherif's kid who came with his father in the community and went on a quick tour that Lyla got stuck showing. I get that this is the first time she talks to an Outsider, but this felt too insta-love-ish.. He wanted to meet her again, she says no, then tells him she's going to be at Walmart next saturday (once in a couple of months or years, a family goes to buy all the supplies).. then she spends the rest of the novel obsessing over him. I just disliked the direction the book took and wished it was more fast paced and spent more time after she figured out Pioneer doped them all. 
Still, towards the end you do get to witness some action and see Pioneer for who he really is.. and he is one scary sociopath. I personally didn't care much for the characters, not even Lyla, but I did like one person and that is Lyla's best friend, Marie. I wished we got more scenes with her. I would recommend this novel to people who have always wondered about cults. While some parts were boring and I wished the book picked up the pace quicker, I still enjoyed it overall.  


Countdown

Title: Countdown
Author: Michelle Rowen
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: October 1st, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)
Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC
Pages: 336
3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game.

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it.

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape.

GAME OVER
Kira Jordan is a homeless orphan who has survived in the world using her cunning wits and her low level psi, giving her the power to sense people's feelings, but only with skin-to-skin contact. Rogan is a notorious criminal who had gotten out of Juvenile Detention a couple of days before they met. Now, they have both been thrown into a game where you need to survive, time is your enemy, and a clock is always ticking. Having to stay within 90 feet of each other (or both Kira and Rogan's head will explode), Kira and Rogan must find a way to beat each level of a horrible underground game, all with crowds of rich people watching their every move on a private T.V channel. But Rogan knows more about these games then he will let on, and his secrets may lead to a horrible truth...........
This. Book. Is. AMAZEBEANS!!!! I honestly would be hard pressed to find a book like this one (if you're thinking Hunger Games right now, I totally understand, as there are some similarities, I know). I fell in love with Kira and Rogan. Kira is a very sarcastic and witty girl, and sarcasm is my best subject. I love being sarcastic!
The ending was sooooo gooooood!!!! It was so sweetly tied up, and I liked the ending theme (I can't tell you what it was, but it has to do with a certain boy and a certain girl). Countdown is written in first person, in Kira's POV, which makes this book like 10000 times better to me. A great read for teen ages 13+.

 

February 14, 2014

My Dissertation on The Grisha trilogy & Cover Reveal of Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

YES YES YES! IT IS FINALLY HERE (not that I waited long) but IT IS THE COVER REVEAL OF RUIN AND RISING BY LEIGH BARDUGO! 

So I need to talk about my love towards Shadow and Bone as well as Siege and Storm. I read both books in January because I keep hearing how amazing they are and yes they are AMAZING. I never, i mean never read books in the same series back to back but I did that for The Grisha trilogy. 


Shadow and Bone introduced me to this beautiful world of magic. The Grishas fascinate me so much and I loved the hierarchal ruling and the Darkling and how the kingdom is governed and the Darkling as well as Alina.. and.. have I mentioned The Darkling?

I fell instantly in love with Shadow and Bone and it made me really question why I haven't picked up more high fantasy novels. The intricate details in its world as well as its characters, including the main protagonist, Alina. I have so much love for Leigh Bardugo and her imagination for creating such a memorable world.


A big reason for me loving Shadow and Bone is The Darkling. One of my favorite quotes was something he said "You and I are going to change the world." He was such a dark, mysterious, alluring, and attractive character. He really pulls you in and I fell for him hard. However it isn't just the romance that sold the book for me, it is the fantasy that reminded me of why I loved Harry Potter when I was a child. 

Siege and Storm is no exception. However we get more action and plotting and politics, which made me just as happy as I was during Shadow and Bone. I loved the new characters introduced and my love surprisingly emerged for older characters I didn't know I liked (meaning her best friend maybe more than that, Mel). I am always anti best friend romance but Bardugo sure can sell it. 





Alina's character changed so much in Siege and Storm. She toughened up and became so much stronger and I loved her even more for it. I don't want to say anything else because I don't want to spoil anything for you.  A quote that stuck with me from Siege and Storm was "What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men."

I honestly can't wait to find out what happens in Ruin and Rising and I am slightly happy that I read both this January, 2014. I don't know how I would have been able to wait with every new book. Summer, come faster, I need my fix of The Grishas!







So without further ado, here is the beautiful cover of Ruin and Rising! (did we expect anything less?)

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha, #3)

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL????????


February 10, 2014

Review: Three by Kristen Simmons - Ending to a fantastic dystopian trilogy

Three (Article 5, #3)
Title: Three (Article 5, #3)
Author: Kristen Simmons
Publisher: Raincoast
Publication date: February 11, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 384
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indigo 
Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a safe and quiet existence.

And all that’s left is smoking ruins.

Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the only thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors.

With their high profile, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amidst the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he never thought he’d see again.

Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about…a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.

Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance at telling the world her story.

At fighting back.
I am eternally grateful towards Kristen Simmons for writing such a fantastic last book in a dystopian trilogy. I've had my share of bad endings to dystopian trilogies and I was a bit scared for Article 5. I've read Article 5 two years ago when it first came out and I've been a fan since then. I loved the uniqueness of the world Simmons created as well as the road trip twist in the first book. Breaking Point was another fabulous addition but I didn't love it as much as Article 5. However, Three outdid them both. This book was just so freaking good. I honestly can not fault it. I loved every second of every single thing, whether normal conversation with the characters or action scenes that made my heart race. Three did not just meet my expectations, it solidified my love for this trilogy. 
I know I've had issues with how Ember always runs away from her problems in both Article 5 and a bit in Breaking Point. However Ember meets her demons, the corrupt government, and the hopes of millions of people head on in Three. Even with her decision to finally fight the government, she still had her insecurities and worries and even hopeless monologues. I appreciated that.. it showed me that Ember did develop as a character and human but she is still Ember. I also loved Chase here. Often do the love interest in books lose their footing and place in the main protagonist's world. Here, Chase was as strong as ever. They are my second favorite dystopian couple after Aria and Perry from Under the Never sky trilogy. They both were independent but leaned on each other when they needed to. They didn't see their need and want for each other as a sign of weakness but at the same time gave each other the space they need to sort out their own problems. I truly love them and I am so sad that their adventure, well the one I can witness, is over now the trilogy is complete. I would really petition for a novella if Simmons would right one <3
We've also got the memorable secondary characters, especially Sean and Rebecca. I loved that they stuck around to the end of the trilogy and I honestly loved the complicated friendship and relationship they all had with each other. Of course this book is not short on the action; There is action scene after another and the characters are never really given a break. I loved that despite it being 400 pages, the pages flew by. I can't recommend this trilogy enough and even if I did before, I now urge all the readers, especially fans of dystopian novels, to pick it up. I can't wait for Kristen Simmons' new work, I already have her upcoming novel on my tbr! 
Other books by Kristen Simmons: 
Article 5 (Article 5, #1)
Breaking Point (Article 5, #2)