Book Review: Crazy Beautiful

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Releases: September 20, 2009

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Pages: 193

Overall: 3 stars

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away. In fact, they don’t make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he
is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its
suffering.

Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does.

I just adored this book. I read it in one sitting. It was gripping from the beginning to the end.

From first reading the summary, I thought that this was going to be mostly a romantic type of story. But it was more about Lucius learning to recover by accepting what he had done. Also, it’s about the kind of friendship that is meant to be treasured forever.

Her writing was brilliantly done. Loved the way she intertwined some good information that teens and adults could take into consideration. And I felt the overall plot was quite original. You don’t hear to much about characters with hooks for hands (except for Captain Hook off Peter Pan LOL!)

I personally loved Aurora’s character. I can see so much of myself in her. Especially her attitude towards making fun of people who are different before ever getting to know them. I agree with her 100% on that subject – it’s only fair to get to know someone before you judge them.

The only problem I had with this book was that it was too short. Also, I wish there could have been more interaction between Lucius and Aurora. Overall, it was a good read and I do recommend this book to those of you who are looking for something short, simple, and cute to read.

Book Review: Going Too Far

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Released: March 17, 2009

Publisher: MTV Books

Pages: 256

Rating: 4 stars

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from
high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

To be honest, I picked this book up because there was something about the cover. After reading the blurb on the back, it sounded like something I would like. What I didn’t know was how much I was going to enjoy it.

The writing was really good, it just flowed right off the page. I started this book and ended up finishing it in one sitting. I haven’t done that in awhile – if that tells you anything. The plot was also quite original, and also refreshing.

The characters were very well developed, even the minor characters. Meg and John’s characters were more complex then I would have though possible. It was just so…crazy?…unexpected when their story finally unfolded.

This was the first book I’ve read by Jennifer Echols and I will be looking forward to reading more of her books.

In My Mailbox (8)

*In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Dimitri's Heart Has Gone Dark

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters...Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choolse one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa - her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess - or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake - and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend - can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Ash by Malinda Lo

In the wake of her fathers' death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Through their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn't outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don't scare her. They don't keep her away. In fact, they don't make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she's just a girl who needs love just like he does.

Are You Haunted?

Well, you should be!

Get reading for September 1st!

What's Your Reading Personality?

I found this over at Book Chick City.

What's your reading personality? Are you an eclectic, serial, exacting, or involved reader? Well, find out by taking BookBrowse's fun quiz.

I took the quiz and here are my results:

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.

Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you'd like - so you're very particular about the books you choose.

Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.

Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

Now that you've seen my results, why don't you take the quiz at BookBrowse. I'd love to hear what your reading personality is, so feel free to leave a comment.

Awards!!

Lets Be Friends from I was a teenage book geek

Blogs that receive the Lets Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more information to these writers. Deliever this award to eight bloggers.

My nominations:
Kristen from Bookworming in the 21st Century
Andrea from Buried in Books!
Just Blinded Book Reviews
Cheryl and Amber from Just Your Typical Book Blog
Briana from The Book Pixie

The Lemonade Award from Book Chic City

and from Feed Your Imagination

The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Nominate this award to 10 blogs.

My nominations:
Alex and Lauren from A Flight of Minds
Bianca from A Place for Wicked Good Books
Mariah from A Reader's Adventure
Carrie from Carrie's YA Bookshelf
Lindsay from Just Another Book Addict
Page Turners
Paradox from Paradoxical
Chelsea from The Page Flipper

The Zombie Chicken Award from The Obsessive Reader

The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.

My nominations:
Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic
Yan from Books by Their Cover
Lauren from Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
Darcy from Library Lounge Lizard
Alea from Pop Culture Junkie

You Don't Say? Super Comments Award from The Book Pixie

My nominations:

Rachel from The Obsessive Reader

Sab H. from Crystal Reviews

Briana, Arielle, Marisa from B.A.M Book Reviews

Book Chic City

Lenore from Presenting Lenore

New Layout!

Isn't it cute!? I LOVE it!!!

I want to thank Kelsy from Just Blinded Book Reviews for creating the amazing layout and header. She did a FANTASTIC job, so thanks again.

What do you guys think?

Waiting on Wednesday (7)

*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was Faerie royalty, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved New York City from a rampaging Faerie war band. When a terrifying encounter in Central Park sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful - but cut short. For they've been plunged into a game of Faerie deception and wavering allegiances in which the next move could topple a kingdom...or part them forever.

Release Date: December 22, 2009

Let me just say that I am very excited for this book. I LOVED Wondrous Strange, which you can read my review here. And isn't the cover of Darklight just amazing!?

Book Review: Crank

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Released: October 5, 2004

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 537

Series: Crank #1

Rating: 5 stars

Kristina is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. Then she meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild ride turns into a struggle for her mind, her soul - her life.

I’m not sure what I thought Crank was going to be about, but it wasn’t what I expected. The description on the back of the book isn’t too detailed, and I guess you could say that I assumed what “monster” meant. I was wrong though. Crank is about Kristina battling her drug addition and the fight going on within herself.

Kristina was just like any other teenager: good grades, good kid, and followed the rules. Then one day, she just got mixed up with the wrong kind of people, which led to her trying and getting hooked on crystal meth. The more she used it, the more she wanted it.

I love the idea of this being written in verses because it seemed to add more emotion to the story. Not that there isn’t already enough emotion going on when it comes to drugs, because there is. But not only does drugs effect the user, but it also effects the user’s loved ones, just in a different kind of way. I haven’t ever been involved in drugs but I know some people that have, and no one wants to sit back and watch someone they care about slip farther and farther from reality – relying solely on their next high to get them through the day.

Crank is a very raw, and terrifyingly real story. It shows what someone’s life will become like when addicted to drugs. Crank is just an amazing and so full of truth read that I recommend this to both teenagers and adults. Also, there is a sequel, Glass, which I will definitely be reading. And a third book, Fallout, which is due to release in 2010.

Book Review: Wondrous Strange

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Released: December 23, 2008
Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 328

Series: Wondrous Strange #1

Rating: 5 stars

Kelley Winslow is living her dream. Seventeen years old, she has moved to New York City and started work with a theatre company. Sure, she's an understudy for the Avalon Players, a third-tier repertory company so far off-Broadway it might as well be in Hoboken, but things are looking up—the lead has broken her ankle and Kelley's about to step into the role of Titania the Fairy Queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Faeries are far more real than Kelley thinks, though, and a chance encounter in Central Park with a handsome young man will plunge her into an adventure she could never have imagined.

For Sonny Flannery, one of the Janus Guards charged by Auberon, the King of Winter, with watching over the gate into the lands of Faerie that lies within Central Park, the pretty young actress presents an enigma. Strong and willful, she sparks against his senses like a firecracker and he can't get her out of his mind. As Hallowe'en approaches and the Samhain Gate opens, Sonny and Kelley find themselves drawn to each other—and into a terrible plot that could spell disaster for both New York and Faerie alike.

What!? This is a debut novel? Well, I’ve been fooled because never in a million years would I have guessed that. This was a phenomenal read. Just flat out FANTASTIC!!

The writing was incredible. I was instantly hooked from beginning to end, and I just seemed to fly right through the pages. And the plot was so original. I have read fairy books before, but nothing quite like this. Things weren’t what they seemed to be, and I love stories like that because it keeps me guessing and re-guessing throughout the entire novel.

Even the characters were amazing, including the minor ones. I loved Kelly and everything about her. She seemed like someone pulled from real life and put into a story. (If that makes sense) She strived to make her dreams come true, she was honest, and she had reactions of a normal person. More female protagonists should be like that, in my opinion. The best part was when Sonny told her that fairies are real and not just stories. What does she do? Laugh at him and call him crazy. Hilarious! That is exactly what I would have done.

Wondrous Strange is one novel that should not be missed. Even if you don’t like fairy stories, you should still give this a try. It’s Amazing! I am sad that it’s over, but am definitely looking forward to reading the next addition of the trilogy, (Yes, I said trilogy!) Darklight, coming out in December of this year. Yay!

YA Buzz

"YA Buzz" is a collection of a wide variety of news relating to the YA genre. This can include, but not limited to: any news about authors and/or books, new covers, contests around the blogosphere, and so much more.

Have something you would like shared? Email me at apassionforbooks@hotmail.com

______________________________

This is very exciting news to me because I LOVE The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare!There is going to be a 4th book in the series - City of Fallen Angels. This book follows Simon as he adjusts to his new life as a vampire. Right now, it's set to publish in March 2011.

Summary - Love, blood, betrayal and revenge - the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels. Simon Lewis is having some trouble adjusting to his new life as a vampire, especially now that he hardly sees his best friend Clary, who is caught up in training to be a Shadowhunter - and spending time with her new boyfriend Jace. Not to mention that Simon doesn't quite know how to handle the pressure of not-quite-dating two girls at once. What's a daylight-loving vampire to do? Simon decides he needs a break and heads out of the city - only to discover that sinister events are following him. Realizing that the war they thought they'd won might not yet be over, Simon has to call on his Shadowhunter friends to save the day - if they can put their own splintering relationships on hold long enough to rise to the challenge.

And there is going to be a movie for The Mortal Instruments too!!

For more details on the news I've mentioned just now, click here.

Chance to Win The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Check out this contest. Bree Despain is giving away some great prizes over at her blog.

Qualified participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three prizes:

1. A pedicure kit complete with my new THE DARK DIVINE nail polish! + An autographed ARC of THE DARK DIVINE + $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

2. Signed copy of MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS by Sydney Salter + Signed copy of LIFE IN THE PIT by Kristen Landon

3. A $30 gift card to Barnes & Noble

Now go and check it out!

In My Mailbox (7)

*In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren

Intertwined by Gena Showalter

There’s something about the new guy at Crossroads High . . .

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time-travel.
One can raise the dead.
One can tell the future.
And one can possess another human.

With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now, they’re causing him all kinds of trouble.

Like, he’ll blink and suddenly he’s a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he’ll change the future. Or, he’ll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she’s going to die.

He’s so over it. All he wants is peace.

And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, for as long as he’s with her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He’s a loner; she has friends. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it’s too late. . .

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own and a vampire princess Aden can’t resist. Two romances, both forbidden. . . doomed. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger. . . but not everyone will come out alive. . .



Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

In her dreams, sixteen year old Anne Michaelson is somewhere else. She is someone else. The dreams feel as real as her waking life and they terrify her. This is not good for her social life. Aside from that, Anne thinks her life is pretty ordinary - until she runs into handsome, mysterious, and (okay) annoying Ethan on her way to chemistry class. Now Anne has powers she doesn't understand, a history-altering mission she doesn't want, and a growing attraction to a blue-eyed stranger that seems to be stalking her! And when Ethan realizes that Anne is the girl he's been searching for, things start to get a little surreal. Despite her skepticism and reluctance, Anne quickly realizes that you don't need to be imprisoned to be trapped.




Going too Far by Jennifer Echols

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn’t make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won’t soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won’t be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge—and over...



Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.


The ABC’s of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro

Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. But that’s not what happens.This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach.


Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

YA Buzz

"YA Buzz" is a collection of a wide variety of news about anything related to the YA genre. This can include, but not limited to: any news about authors and/or books, new covers, contests around the blogosphere, and so much more.

Have something you would like shared? Email me at apassionforbooks@hotmail.com

___________________________

First:

Check out the new cover for Shadowland by Alyson Noel. For those of you who don't know, this is the 3rd book in the Immortals series.

Expected Release Date: November 24, 2009

Summary:

At the start of this breathtaking novel, Damen and Ever travel to Summerland in search of an antidote to reverse a powerful poison. But instead of the cure they seek, they find something more sinister: the truth about their existence and the fate lying in wait of an immortal's soul.

Now, with Damen fighting to save them from the Shadowland, Ever turns to magick, hoping to break Damen's curse. Along the way Ever encounters the mysterious Jude, finding herself drawn to him in a way that will test her love for Damen like never before..


Second:

Read the first chapter of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa here. This will be released by Harlequin Teen in February 2010.

Book Review: Coffeehouse Angel

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Released: August 21, 2009

Publisher: Walker & Company

Pages: 276

Overall: 5 stars

When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness
by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .

I simply could not put this book down. It was such a cute and fun read. The originality of the plot was refreshing. What would you do if someone wanted to grant you what you most desire?

Katrina is a character I can see myself relating too. She has a great sense of humor, and some of her comments had me laughing throughout the book. Overall, she a down-to-earth kind of girl. I loved her “Closet of Failure” where all the random things she started but never finished was stuffed into a closet.

I actually liked reading about the relationship between Katrina and Vincent, her best friend more than about Katrina and Malcolm. I like Malcolm’s character and there was more to him than I thought. But it was nice to read about friends that loved each other and would do anything for one another, but not end up falling in love by the end of the book.

Coffeehouse Angel was very enjoyable and one of the cutest books I’ve read. I recommend it to those who are looking for a good laugh.

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

*Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Kiss in the Dark by Lauren Henderson

With Dan McAndrews's murder finally behind her, Scarlett has high hopes for a fresh start at Wakefield Hall Collegiate, the elite English boarding school her grandmother runs. Unfortunately, those hopes are dashed when her nemesis, the infamous Plum Saybourne, is transferred to the school. Plum wastes no time turning Scarlett's impressionable classmates against her.

Scarlett has dealt with Plum's nasty schemes before, and she can handle her archenemy very nicely, thank you - until Plum sets her sights on Scarlett's best friend, Taylor, and new boyfriend, Jase. Then Scarlett is more than willing to fight for what's rightfully hers.

Things only get worse after Scarlett becomes entangled in a mysterious death on campus. Scarlett is compelled to investigate because she wants to protect someone close to her. She never imagines that she'll uncover secrets related to her parents' fatal accident so many years ago...


Release Date: April 13, 2010

The Mega Palooza Contest

Check out this HUGE contest at Bloody Bookaholic. There are going to be a bunch of amazing books given away.

Here are the prizes!!

- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies
- Hardback Another Faust
- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters
- ARC The Dark Divine
- ARC Hush Hush
- ARC Give Up The Ghost
- ARC Ash
- ARC Behind Every Illusion
- ARC Shiver
- ARC Eyes Like Stars
- ARC The Demon's Lexicon
- ARC Betraying Season
- ARC Any Given Doomsday
- Dead Until Dark
- Gossip Girl 1st Book
- The Black Tatto + poster
- Vampire Academy
- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.

20 books, now I am going to have 3 winners.

Winner number One gets to pick 7 books out of the bunch.

Winner number Two gets 3 books out of the bunch.

Winner number Three gets 1 book out of the bunch.

Only the first winner gets to choose his or her prize.
For the other two I get to choose what they get.

Tell them Casey from A Passion for Books referred you! Both you and I will get extra entries, and who doesn’t want more chances to win.

Go Check It Out!

In My Mailbox (6)

*In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren

I'm being really lazy this week, so I'm just posting the link instead of a summary. I'm sure most of you have heard of these books anyways.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston











I Don't Want to be Crazy by Samantha Schutz











Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott












Marni by Marni Bates


This is one of the Louder Than Words books.








Now you know what's in my mailbox. What's in yours?

Book Review: After

After by Amy Efaw

Released: August 11, 2009

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Pages: 350

Rating: 5 stars

An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant…

Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made — Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there’s only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.

When I first heard about After and what it was about, I just knew I had to read this book. I have heard a couple of different stories about mothers who have abandoned their newborn babies and I just don’t understand why someone would do something like that? What are their reasons for doing it, or do they even have a reason?

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this review. After was such a powerful story, so raw, but honest and terrifyingly real. It moved me in so many ways; made me think about the larger picture. About life in general.

While reading this, I could see an even bigger message brewing beneath the actual “dumpster baby” story. A message that anyone, teen or adult, could relate to or learn from. For example, you make your own decisions. Yes, you have your parents to guide you along the way – teaching you right from wrong and giving advice. But in the end, you make your own choice. Therefore, taking responsibility for your actions, even if you don’t like the consequences.

The writing was fabulously done. I loved how Amy Efaw chose to have the story told in third person perspective. I think it would have been harder for me to read and understand all that was going on, if I was seeing the world through Devon’s eyes. Especially in the beginning, Devon isn’t exactly in the right state of mind and a little unstable about what is going on. And I liked being able to learn about Devon’s past and what really happened That Night the same time she was remembering it.

I think Amy Efaw did a wonderful job with After. She definitely made me think about some things differently. I can’t wait to read more of her work.