Book Review: Arson

Arson by Estevan Vega

Released: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Pages: 318
Rating: 4 stars

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl—who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin—moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Arson was an intriguing and original story. The cover was what initially drew me to this novel. It was so creepy, yet really hard to look away from. The writing was spectacular. The way Vega worded things just blew me away. At times, I felt like I was in Arson’s head, hearing what he hears, seeing what he sees, and thinking what he thinks. I love that aspect in books - makes it a more enjoyable read.

Arson was a strange and complex character. He lived a very unique and lonely life. He lives with his grandma, who mentally isn’t all there, has no friends, and can create fire, which naturally makes him feel like a freak. Then comes Emery, who starts out as some strange, masked girl moving in next door, but soon becomes someone Arson finally can connect with and confide in. I loved Emery’s sassy character and her ability to not let anything or anyone ruin her mood.

Vega did a fantastic job writing this intense and mysterious novel. The plot was creative and the characters were well-developed. I can’t wait to read more from Vega.

Book Review: Candy

Candy by Kevin Brooks

Released: March 1, 2006
Publisher: Push
Pages: 384
Rating: 4

When Joe meets Candy, it seems like a regular boy-meets-girl scenario. They chat over coffee, she gives him her number, and he writes her a song. But then Joe is drawn into Candy's world --- a world of drugs, violence, and desperation. As the dark truth about Candy's life emerges, Joe finds himself facing real danger at every twist and turn. Soon Joe's conflicting emotions begin to mirror Candy's, and he understands that falling in love just might be worth the struggle. This intoxicating tale of heartache, danger, and hope will enthrall teen readers.

Candy is heartbreaking, yet realistic! A wonderfully written and insightful story about the type of lifestyle where the grass ain’t always green - a life involving drugs, prostitution, and more.

Joe is obsessed with Candy after only meeting her once while on his way to the doctor. Candy is a heroin addict and lives a dark life filled with violence, drugs, and prostitution. Even with this knowledge, Joe is still, if not more determined to help her clean herself up. What he doesn’t know, but will soon discover, is that when you take away an addict’s drugs (or whatever they’re addicted too) things can become serious, dangerous, and far from pretty…fast.

Candy was a fantastic read, but should probably be read by mature teens and adults. Throughout the novel, there are some scenes that get quite graphic. Brooks doesn’t hold back any details, but with Candy’s choice of lifestyle, nothing is just peaches and cream. I love Brooks writing style, straight to the point with no sugar coating. I highly recommend reading this!

Book Review: Beautiful Darkness

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Released: October, 12, 2010
Publisher: Little Brown
Pages: 503
Series: The Caster Chronicles #2
Rating: 4 stars

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Beautiful Creatures is one of my favorite novels, so I was excited to continue the series and read more about my favorite characters and the fantastic town of Gatlin. However, I found Beautiful Darkness to be lacking in keeping my attention fully engaged. The book felt dragged out until the last 150 pages or so where things started to pick up. Throughout most of the novel, I just felt bored, annoyed, and even confused at times. But I didn’t let that stop me from reading because I knew it’d be setting something huge up for book 3.

Even though there wasn’t as much action like in the first book, Beautiful Darkness was still as beautifully written with a great set of characters. I just love Link and his spunky attitude. We didn’t get to see much of him in the first book, but that isn’t the case this time around. He has a rather big part to play. Ethan is always a joy to read about. He’s sweet, smart, and realistic. Real emotions and believable choices. He’s cares for his girlfriend deeply and when she holds him at a distant, he doesn’t let that falter his determination to help her. I like Lena in the first book, but I was just really annoyed with her in this book. I understand that she’s going through some tough times, but I wish she would stop feeling sorry for herself and do something about it.

Once the action started to pick up, I found it hard to put down until I knew what was going to happen. The ending was completely satisfying and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds from here.

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Released: December 9, 2003
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 403
Series: Gemma Doyle #1
Rating: 4 stars

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order.

I’m surprised I waited so long to read this novel. After I finished reading, I ran out to get the rest of the series. A Great and Terrible Beauty has the burden of being first in the series. The premise is incredibly interesting, the writing is beautiful and engaging, but there are a lot of loose ends that weren’t fully explored. But I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in the next two installments.

I enjoyed all the characters - each had their own uniqueness to them and some even had a mysterious side to them. Gemma Doyle is not your typical 16 year old. Most girls her age were brought up in London’s society of gossip and lavish balls, but Gemma had an unconventional upbringing in India. She yearns to go to London, which becomes reality after a vision she has of her mother’s death comes true.

Libba Bray’s detailed description of “the realms” allowed me to visualize the place in my mind and I absolutely love that quality in a book. When Gemma and her friends find a doorway the another realm, they start their own club, The Order, and soon find themselves embarking on several adventures.

The storyline kept me hungry for more. I loved Bray’s take on the 19th century’s society, sexuality, and even teen issues that aren’t all that different from the one’s we face today. Yet the supernatural element takes A Great and Terrible Beauty to a whole other level of enjoyment.

Book Review: My Soul to Save

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Released: December 29, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 279
Series: Soul Screamers #2
Rating: 4 stars

“If she were going to die, I’d already be screaming. I’m a banshee. That’s what we do.”

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld — a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...

This is the second installment to Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. Taking place a few weeks after My Soul to Take, Kaylee is finally coming to terms with her bean sidhe abilities. But all to quickly, Kaylee and Nash find themselves involved in another weird adventure.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy My Soul to Save quite as much as I did My Soul to Take. I enjoyed the story itself. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I always enjoy Vincent's writing style - just enough details in all the right places. But while I adored the characters from its predecessor, I couldn't seem to feel the same emotion for them this time, especially Todd. I loved his smart-ass remarks from the first book, but he was more closed off this time around. Also, I think Addison was the majority of my problem with fully enjoying this book. I wasn't a fan of her at all. There was something about her that just didn't sit well with me and I couldn't quite understand why Nash and Kaylee were risking their lives to help her out.

My Soul to Save had more of a in depth look into the Netherworld. Vincent used just the right amount of details for me to visualize it. Its a creepy world that I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing more of - strange creatures and all!

Book Review: Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Released: June 12, 2007
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 328
Series: Wicked Lovely #1
Rating: 4 stars

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.

Aislinn has always followed the rules when it comes to faeries. Don't stare at invisible faeries. Don't speak to invisible faeries. And don't ever attract their attention. Aislinn has always been able to ignore them, even when they go around randomly poking people. But ignoring the faeries just may not keep her safe after all, especially when she is being stalked by two faeries, Keenan and Donia. Kennan is the Summer King who has been searching for his queen for centuries, and those chosen as possible queens can't escape...either they stay Summer Girls or take a chance at being Summer Queen. Only problem is, if they aren't the Summer Queen then they will be filled with winter's chill and become the Winter Girl. Will Aislinn take the risk?

Marr's writing will draw you in until you're reading under your desk at work...like me...just to find out what happens next. Her ability to describe the faerie world in such details it feels so real, was completely stunning and captivating. I just couldn't put this book down. Fey stories are my absolute favorite, and the faeries of Wicked Lovely are beautiful, dark, dangerous, and terrifying all in one. Fantastic!! I'm looking forward to reading Ink Exchange, which I went out and bought as soon as I finished this novel.

Book Review: The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams

The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams by Rhonda Hayter

Releases: April 1, 2010

Publisher: Dial
Pages: 224
Rating: 4 stars

Abbie Adams and her family come from a long line of witches, and she’s having a tough time keeping it a secret from her best friend and the rest of her school, especially the day her little brother morphs into a wolf and tries to eat his teacher. That’s also the day her father brings home a kitten.

But when Abbie looks into the kitten’s eyes, she realizes there’s a boy in there! He’s under a spell and soon the whole family bands together to rescue him.

They are shocked to realize he’s none other than the young Thomas Edison, and if they don’t save him fast, he’ll never change the world with his inventions.

This was a fun and very cute read.

Abbie is a witch in a family full of witches who live in the human world. Being a witch surrounded by humans is difficult on Abbie. She can't tell her best friend, a human, about witchy things and she is always having to rescue her little brother, who is just learning to use his powers, from the crazy situations he gets himself into at school.

One day her father brings home a kitten for Abbie, only it turns out the kitten is more than just a kitten, but instead a person. Abbie and her family spend the majority of the book trying to learn who the mystery person in the form of a cat is and finding a way to help them become themselves again. Only there's someone determined to keep Abbie and her family from learning the truth about what happened.

Funny and with a mystery to solve, The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams, is a great book for middle grade readers. I enjoyed reading about Abbie and her family and even the messes they got themselves into.

Book Review: The Naughty List

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

Released: February 4, 2010

Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 272
Series: The Naughty List #1
Rating: 4 stars

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility!

Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad-turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!

When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?

What a hilarious and adorable debut!

Suzanne Young's creative idea of a cheerleading squad turned cheater investigators was brilliant. I mean, who would ever suspect that a group of cheerleaders are the masterminds behind a secret society focused solely on taking down cheaters. I sure wouldn't have! But it was so entertaining to read the crazy, and sometimes awkward, situations the girls got themselves into during their "investigations".

Each character was unique and their own way. Tess Crimson - head cheerleader of the Smitten Kittens and leader of the SOS (Society of the Smitten Kittens) - was a likable and fierce character and definitely the kind of person I would want to be friends with. I loved all the characters, buy my favorite was Kira. She just made the book so much more fun with the crazy things she said and did.

Another element of The Naughty List I enjoyed were Tessa's adorable phrases like: "sugarplum fairies" and "strawberry smoothie" that she would use instead of bad language. Normally, I would find those phrases to be annoying, but they worked really well in The Naughty List and with Tessa's character.

A great debut and an excellent start to a new series! Can't wait to read more!

Book Review: Shelter Me

Shelter Me by Alex McAulay

Released: January 26, 2009

Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 288
Rating: 4 stars

Maggie Leigh just wants to be a normal teenager, but when German bombs tear apart London during World War II, her ultra-religious mother sees the destruction as divine punishment. She sends Maggie to a remote boarding school in coastal Wales, supposedly to keep her safe, but also to keep her in line. The school is creepy, the headmistress is a lunatic, and the students range from spoiled rich girls to speechless trauma victims. But when a tragic accident happens on the beach, Maggie and three friends are forced to flee the school, plunging into the nightmarish world of Europe during wartime. Now every decision Maggie makes is fraught with danger, and living to see another day depends on how quickly she can think and act...and how far she's willing to go.

Shelter Me is a keep-you-on-your-toes-from-beginning-to-end kind of book. There were numerous moments where I was just totally flabbergasted. This is the first book to completely shock me like that!

Maggie is a very determined girl, but her mom believes she's corrupted, so she sends her off to a boarding school in Wales. But strange things are happening at the school, so Maggie and a couple friends leave to travel somewhere else. Being in the middle of a war, it isn't the best idea for girls to be wandering around alone, especially after dark with no money, no food, and no way to defend themselves. They encounter all kinds of problems, some more dangerous than others, and I was on the edge wondering if that would be the end of the road for them.

McAulay really knows how to write a killer novel - with action and never ending suspense!!

Book Review: Betrayals

Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

Released: November 17, 2009

Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 304
Series: Strange Angels #2
Rating: 4 stars

She’s no angel . . .

Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she’s just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn’t entirely human. (So what else is new?)

Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England School for other teens like her, and there’s a big problem— she’s the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn’t be so bad, but Dru’s killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide. . .

Can Dru survive long enough to find out who has betrayed her trust—and maybe even her heart?

After being left on a cliffhanger at the end of Strange Angels, I couldn't wait to read more of Dru's adventures and near-death escapes. Betrayals picks up with Dru and Graves just arriving at the secret school with others like them. The school was suppose to be a safe place where Dru could learn more about her background, but as it turns out its far from safe. With a traitor on the loose, Dru and her friends escape the school.

Lili St. Crow has written another action packed novel with twists and turns around every corner. Just like the end of Strange Angels, I'm left wondering what will happen next. Can't wait for the 3rd installment, Jealousy, which is set to release June 24, 2010.

Book Review: The Secret Year

The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Released: January 7, 2010

Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pages: 192
Rating: 4 stars

Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

This was a great debut. It was especially nice to read a story from a male's perspective. I loved the idea of Colt learning about how Julia truly felt from reading her diary, which was basically a bunch of letters written to him. And they way Hubbard portrayed Colt and Julia's "relationship" throughout the novel, made it that much more believable for me.

Throughout the book, Colt struggles to make sense of the "relationship" he had with Julia, and whether or not to tell someone about it. But the question was: would anyone even believe him? I think Colt was a strong person - being able to keep such a secret for a year and then even after her death. If it were me in his shoes, I would have thrown it in Austin's, Julia's boyfriend, face just to shut him up!

I definitely recommend reading The Secret Year if you ever get a chance to. It was such a great story.

Book Review: By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Releases: January 5, 2010

Publisher: Hyperion Book

Pages: 200

Rating: 4 stars

Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for "completers"- www.through-the-light .com.

While she's on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk.

Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she's made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. And it's too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life. Isn't it?

Suicide is a serious issue and more people really should be aware of it – you never know who you might meet that is thinking about or has tried to attempt suicide. I think teens and parents both should read this. You’ll get a basis of what a suicidal person thinks like.

Daelyn has attempted suicide several times. Her latest effort left her mute and in a neck brace. She counts down what she feels will be her final days and tells her terrible stories about being bullied because of her weight by using Through the Light, a website dedicated to those who wish to commit suicide. Then one day, while waiting for her mother to pick her up from school, she meets Santana, who seems to be interested in being her friend. Each day, Santana sits with Daelyn while she waits for her mother, but there’s more to Santana than his humor and witty remarks.

This book goes to show you what repeated bulling can do to someone and I do recommend reading it. Although I enjoy the ending, others may not. You are left wondering what happens and it’s up to your imagination to create an ending. By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead had so much truth to it. Daelyn’s voice was captivating and her journey will suck you in.

Book Review: Fallen

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Releases: December 8, 2009

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 452

Source: Publisher
Series: Fallen #1

Rating: 4 stars

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

This was a fantastic story, with a very intriguing and original plot. It was a little slow moving, but there was enough mystery and exciting twists and turns to keep turning the pages. The writing was spectacular. The way Kate describes Sword and Cross, and even some of the events, makes you feel as though your there, seeing the events unfold along side Luce.

The characters were great too. Each character was well-developed and I found myself questioning who some were and whether or not they were good or evil. I can say some characters I was right about, while others had me in shock – wasn’t expecting that.

This was a great start to a new series. I can't wait to read more. The next book, Torment, doesn't come out until September 2010. So far away!

Book Review: Dani Noir

Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma

Releases: September 22, 2009

Publisher: Aladdin

Pages: 272

Rating: 4 stars

If this were a movie, you'd open to the first page of this book and be transported to a whole other world. Everything would be in black and white, except maybe for the girl in pink polka-dot tights, and this really great music would start to swell in the background. All of a sudden, you wouldn't be able to help it -- you'd be a part of the story, you'd be totally sucked in. You'd be in this place, filled with big lies, mysterious secrets, and a tween girl turned sleuth....

Zoom in on thirteen-year-old Dani Callanzano. It's the summer before eighth grade, and Dani is stuck in her nothing-ever-happens town with only her favorite noir mysteries at the Little Art movie theater to keep her company.

But one day, a real-life mystery begins to unravel -- at the Little Art! And it all has something to do with a girl in polka-dot tights.... Armed with a vivid imagination, a flair for the dramatic, and her knowledge of all things Rita Hayworth, Dani sets out to solve the mystery, and she learns more about herself than she ever though she could.

I’ve wanted to read this since I first read the summary, and even more after I saw the cover – which is one of the best covers I’ve seen! I do admit that I was a little nervous because there was a lot of rave going on and I hadn’t read one bad review. But no worries, Dani Noir was awesome and I wasn’t disappointed at all.

This was such an adorable read, with a very spunky narrator, Dani. Her love for noir films was so much fun to read about – really makes me want to go out and rent one of the Rita Hayworth movies she raves about. I love how she could be doing something and then explain what she would do if it was a noir movie. Also, her little smart remarks and creative comebacks had me laughing like crazy.

Dani Noir is a great novel and definitely one that can be enjoyed by all ages. I recommend this book if your looking for something light, fun, and exciting to read.

And because I just LOVE the cover so much, I wanted to share the front and back. Isn't it just gorgeous?

Book Review: Lament

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Released: October 1, 2008

Publisher: Flux

Pages: 325

Overall: 4 stars

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. When a mysterious boy enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of nowhere, Deirdre finds herself infatuated.

Trouble is, the enigmatic and conflicted Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin—and Deirdre is meant to be his next mark. Deirdre has to decide if Luke's feelings towards her are real, or only a way to lure her deeper into the world of Faerie.

I picked this book up multiple times in bookstores and ended up putting it back. After hearing so many great things about it, I decided to just give it a try. I have no idea why I didn’t read this sooner!! Lament was phenomenal. I’m a big fan of fairies, so I’m kind of surprised that I didn’t automatically read this. Maybe it was because of the cover (I know, that’s totally wrong) but I’m not too fond of it.

Maggie Stiefvater did a wonderful job in creating a unique fairy tale. I loved how music was thrown into the mix also – very refreshing and definitely fun to read. Her writing style was brilliant – it gripped me from the beginning and held my attention until the end.

This was a great read and I do recommend others read it. Maggie Stiefvater has just became one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

Book Review: Dreams of the Dead

Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall

Released: September 29, 2009

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Pages: 304

Series: The Waking #1

Rating: 4 stars

Kara’s afraid to go to sleep—until the nightmares come when she’s awake . . .

Sixteen-year-old Kara Foster is an outsider in Japan, but is doing her best to fit at the private school where her father is teachin English for the year. Fortunately she’s befriended by Sakura, a fellow outsider struggling to make sense of her sister’s unsolved murder some months ago. No one seems to care about the beautiful girl who was so brutally murdered, and the other students go on as if nothing has happened.

Unfortunately, the calm doesn’t last for long. Kara begins to have nightmares, and soon other students in the school turn up dead, viciously attacked by someone . . . or something. Is Sakura getting back at those she thinks are responsible for her sister’s death? Or has her dead sister come back to take revenge for herself?

When first hearing about this book, I was automatically intrigued by the setting. I haven’t read, or even know of, many books that are set in Japan. Although I was a little worried (mainly because of the unique setting) and also excited, I was not disappointed. I really liked the way Japanese culture was mixed in too – made the story less boring, plus I learned some new things about Japan’s history along the way.

It was a little slow getting to learning about Kara’s nightmares, but this is the first book in a trilogy, so there is going to be some extra background details. Once the horror and action started, it was very interesting and exciting. I really liked the Japanese legends that were incorporated. It can be quite refreshing for something new and different every now and again.

Dreams of the Dead was a great read and a good start to a new series. I’m looking forward to reading the next books.

Book Review: Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Releases: October 13, 2009

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 391

Series: Hush Hush #1

Rating: 4 stars

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I did enjoy this book, but it wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be. There was so much hype going on and of course my expectations were high because everyone was raving how awesome this book was. I did try to read the negative reviews so that I wouldn’t have such high expectations, but there weren’t a whole lot of those going around. Like I said, I did enjoy Hush, Hush, but not as much as everyone else and I didn’t think it was totally-out-of-this-world amazing.

The description on the back of the book had me thinking that there would be more mystery and secrets then there really was. Also, I figured that because of the forbidden love tagline, there would mostly be scenes of just Patch and Nora, but there wasn’t. That’s one of the things, I think, that bugged me the most. I would have liked to see more interaction between the two. Another thing that was sort of frustrating was that Nora didn’t figure out who the fallen angel was until close to the end of the book. It isn’t that hard to figure out.

This was an easy read and I pretty much zoomed right through it. Once Nora finally figured out what was going on and the good stuff started happening, there were some twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting.

Overall, this was a great debut and because I loved the end, I can’t wait to read the sequel, Crescendo, when it’s released next year in October.

Book Review: Leaving Paradise

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Released: April 1, 2007

Publisher: Flux

Pages: 303

Rating: 4 stars

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 pity 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 tortured journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Leaving Paradise is a tragic, yet beautiful, love story. Day to day, Maggie and Caleb constantly struggle with poor self image and the dirty remarks made by their peers, while deep down try to find a way to accept the horrible past and move on.

Being locked up for a year changed Caleb, and when he goes home, he realizes that it also changed his family. His mother his like a robot (she’s there physically, but not mentally), his father can’t stand up for himself, and his twin sister, formally Maggie’s best friend, has turned Goth – always dressing in black and never leaving her room. But not only has his immediate family changed, his best friend started dating the girlfriend he left behind, and everyone at school and in town, thinks he’s a dangerous criminal.

Things are not any easier for Maggie. Because of the damage done to her leg by the accident, she has been out of school for a year. She can’t play tennis, she has lost all of her friends, and is still trying to deal with the divorce of her parents. But when Caleb comes back to school, Maggie gains an anger problem because she feels Caleb is sliding back into his normal routine and giving no attention to what he did to her.

I love the way Elkeles created this story – a story that could very well happen in real life. But there is so much more to it than just a love story and Elkeles did a great job weaving it all together. One of the great things about this book, is the alternating 1st person POV. Each chapter switches between Maggie and Caleb and I love being able to see how each of them is thinking and feeling.

Although the ending is a little upsetting, I understand that some of the best stories have to be tragedies. That is just the way the world works; accidents happen, and love (no matter how strong and pure) can be lost, but in the end, life does go on. Thankfully, there will be a sequel coming the summer of 2010, so I’m not too worried about the ending of Leaving Paradise…yet. I can’t wait to see what will become of Maggie and Caleb.

Book Review: Give Up the Ghost

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Releases: September 15, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Pages: 256

Rating: 4 stars

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody…and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance….

This is yet another great debut novel. I was really excited to read this and I’m glad I can say I wasn’t disappointed.

The characters were all realistic and that was refreshing to read about, especially Cass. Sometimes I get tired of reading about good girls, so it’s always nice to shake things up. Cass was quite rude to people and for basically the entire book, she tried to alienate herself from those around her (that were living, of course). There were times where I wanted to shake, or slap her because I thought she was being annoying and somewhat of a hypocrite. But once her story unfolded, I understood a little better as to why she acted the way she did.

I still don’t exactly understand how Cass got her powers. For me, I need more of an explanation than she just woke up with them one day. I did enjoy the funny conversations she had with her ghost friends, who were the ones to give Cass all the dirt on people at her school.

Give Up the Ghost was a fun and exciting read. One that I’m sure, many of you would enjoy. I do look forward to reading more of Megan Crewe’s work.

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.