Review: Between the Land and the Sea by Derrolyn Anderson

 

Book: Between the Land and the Sea by Derrolyn Anderson
Series: Marina's Tales #1
Pages: 261
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Young Adult 
Buy A Copy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble /
Available Formats: Ebook
Publication Date: March 19th, 2011
First Sentence:  "My father often said that there were times in life when your personal happiness was of little consequence, and you needed to make a sacrifice for the greater good."
How Did I Get This Book:  From Author, For Review
Description: Something extraordinary is lurking in the deep ocean waters off the coast of Aptos, California. In just a few weeks after moving to the small beach town, sixteen year old Marina has nearly drowned twice, enchanted the hottest guy in high school, and discovered a supernatural creature. If she can only manage to survive her increasingly dangerous encounters with unpredictable mermaids, she might just be able to unlock the mystery of her past to learn how to appease the mysterious forces that seem to want something from her...and maybe even find true love along the way.
Between The Land And The Sea is the first book in the series "Marina's Tales". Her story continues on in book two, The Moon And The Tide.

Between the Land and the Sea by Derrolyn Anderson is an exciting and thrilling young adult mermaid story. Surprisingly, I haven’t read that many books on these particular supernatural creatures, so I was looking forward to diving into the story.

Marina is a strong heroine who prides herself on being independent. Sometimes her closed-off nature gets her into trouble, because she doesn’t want to burden others with her problems.  Like all good characters, Marina isn’t perfect. She has flaws, but tries to work through them. I certainly wouldn’t say that she is over her independent streak by the end of Between the Land and the Sea, I expect it is something she will struggle with throughout the whole of the series.

This being a young adult romance book of sorts, Marina’s relationship with Ethan takes up a lot of the book. However, it doesn’t overwhelm the story. There are plenty of other plotlines that keep the romance from taking over things. Plus, their relationship develops at a reasonable pace. Marina doesn’t throw herself at Ethan and Ethan earns her trust over a period of time. They also have ups and downs, which keeps things realistic. After all, these are teenagers – moods swings, hormones and all. 

As far as the secondary characters go, there were some I loved and some that were just so-so.  Abby, Marina’s aunt felt very familiar to me, she reminded me of a lot of my friend’s mother.  She was a bit offbeat and incredibly kind. However, Marina’s cousin and his best friend fell a bit flat for me. I felt like they were one-dimensional and they did not really make a big impression on me. I also felt like at times Cruz’s (Marina’s cousin) storyline pulled the focus off of Marina’s. Cruz’s storyline certainly had a different tone than Marina’s and it disrupted the flow of the book. 

Another element of the story that kind of threw me off was the sheer perfection of Marina’s world. At times things were just too difficult to believe – and I don’t mean her aquatic heritage. Marina was just too perfect – she’s a brilliant, beautiful globetrotting teen who has a wildly successful father (he wins a Nobel peace prize) and an unbelievably rich “Aunt” who lives to dote on her with lavish gifts - I am talking about prada, Gucci and sports cars. Then, her cousin, Cruz, is supposedly this undeniably talented teen fashion designer (who Aunt Evie takes under her wing). I just think that Marina’s real world is too far-fetched. These portions of her life are supposed to be rooted in reality and I just can’t say that I bought it. The unrealistic aspects of her life certainly affected the overall feel of the story and I think that to a point, it hindered it. 

That being said, I did enjoy the fantastic portion of Marina’s life and things that directly pertained to it. I thought that her relationships with and reactions to the mermaids were incredibly intriguing. I don’t want to give plot points away, but things get dark and dangerous and I thought Anderson did a great job with the pacing. That’s why I had a hard time with the “realistic” portions of the book – they created a light, fluffy tone, when I much preferred the darker feel of the mythical side to the story.

Although I had a few issues with the book, I really did enjoy Between the Land and the Sea. Marina was an interesting character who is forced to deal with some very exciting and complicated challenges. Ethan was a decent love interest and I cannot wait to see their relationship develop further. The book had a few pacing errors, but when it was solely focused on Marina’s storyline the pacing was spot on. I am looking forward reading the sequel, I cannot wait to see where Anderson takes things from here. This was definitely a great start to a series!

Favorite Quotes

“I looked pale and fierce, like a Gothic rock and roll vampire. I kinda liked it.”

“Ah, very good match,” said Lue, shrewdly looking between me and Ethan, “Earth and water.”

“It was going to let my freak flag fly.”

“I was a half-mermaid hybrid, but he was only human after all.”

“I hugged him impulsively, and felt his body tense up. I pulled away, feeling awkward, when he gathered me back into him tightly, wrapping his arms around me like a cloak.”

“His face felt rough against mine, and his hair smelled like salt water. I wanted to crawl into bed and wrap myself around him, as if I could somehow protect him.”

“Evie always said that we possess the power to decide whether to simply be victims of fate or masters of our own destiny.”

“I was crying, filled with unbearable sorrow, and it occurred to me that the whole ocean was made up of salty tears.”

“I think crazy runs in the family.”

“He tucked me into bed and turned out the lights. He settled down next to me on top of the covers. “Sleep,” he said, throwing his arm across me, “I won’t let you go.”

“At that moment I knew that he loved me too, and that I had just broken his heart.”

Review: Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

 

Book: Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Pages:  320
Genre: Young Adult  
Buy A Copy: Amazon | Book Depository

Available Formats: Ebook & Paperback
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2011

How Did I Get This Book: From Simon & Schuester Galley Grab

Preview Book: Preview on Google Books

Description: Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love. But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking…

I am not usually one for these summer romance books, but Sixteenth Summer somehow struck a chord with me. The character of Anna, is incredibly easy to relate to; she embodies the image of the "girl next door". She is kind, yet willful and has an easy confidence, but is still unsure of who she is, or who she wants to become. She definitely has her flaws and she has a great deal of growing up to do. Watching her navigate her relationship with Will or the course of the summer is simply refreshing.


Obviously, the center point of this story is the romance between Will and Anna. However, I do not feel like it was overdone; which is often the case in these sort of books. The story is so undeniably realistic that it almost feels like you are reading about your own past. There were a number of parts that I was able to easily place myself inside the character of Anna, having experienced some similar situation.


It is easy to see why Anna falls for Will, because he pretty much embodies every boy I ever crushed on during those years. He is a bit awkward, a tad shy, rather sensitive and undeniably charming. He accepts and loves Anna for her quirks - isn't that what we all want?

The tone of the book presents you with a bit of a conundrum - it is both fluffy and depressing at the same time. Honestly this book embodies the term "bittersweet". It has one of those endings that you don't necessarily want, but yet, it needs to be that way.


Sixteenth Summer isn't a deep thought-provoking work, but it's entertaining, easy to relate to and charming. It's realistic story, one that traps into the bittersweet nature of life. Dalton transports you back to your own sixteenth summer, when possibilities were endless and love was around the corner.

Favorite Quotes

“it was like his was the face I’d always been looking for. It was foreign and familiar, both in the best way.”

“instantly I felt like I had to know what color his eyes were. I wanted to hear what his voice sounded like. I needed to know his name.”

“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. Sometimes I wanted to dance and laugh with my friends until midnight, and sometimes I wanted to screen all calls and hide away with a tragic novel and a bag of candy. Sometimes I spent an hour trying to pretty myself up, and sometimes I could barely be bothered to comb the knots out of my hair before I left the house.”

“he was wearing faded red swim trunks and an almost-transparent gray T-shirt. I wanted to reach over the ice cream case and touch it. Luckily, that would have involved some not-terribly-subtle climbing up on the counter, so it wasn’t too hard to restrain myself.”

“Will looked at me. His expression was something I’d never quite seen before. Call it a meeting of delight and nausea. Which was pretty much exactly how I’d been feeling ever since our date.”

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Book: The Goddess Test by Amiee Carter
Stand Alone or Series: Goddess Test #1
Pages:  304

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Buy A Copy: Amazon | Book Depository

Available Formats: Ebook & Paperback 
Publication Date: April 26th, 2011

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

How Did I Get This Book: From Netgalley for Review

First Line: “I spent my eighteenth birthday riving from New York City to Eden, Michigan, so my mother could die in the town where she was born."

Preview Book: Google Preview

Description: It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

 

Those of us who are familiar with Greek mythology, know that most of the stories involve the gods and goddesses doing what they want they want, no matter the consequences – especially when it comes to humans. I was really looking forward to a modern interpretation, because I thought it would  include a strong, independent heroine. Someone who wouldn’t take kindly to being pushed around, someone who would stand up for herself. Unfortunately, that is not the case with Kate.

Which, made her a very strange character to understand. She was strong enough to deal with what life handed to her, but she wasn’t strong or independent enough to carve her own path – or at least be upset (I  would be livid), that she wasn’t given to option to make her own choices.  I would have been a tad more upset than Kate when the truth finally comes out. I don’t think I would have handled that particular plot twist well. 

Kate is also a very kind character, she has a very giving nature. She spends most of her time and energy caring for others, rather than worrying about herself.

I liked Henry, but I don’t love Henry. At least not yet. He takes  long time to break out of his shell, so readers do not get a lot of time to warm up to him. Hopefully, in the second book he will show us a bit more that will inspire my full-fledged devotion.  He isn’t what I would normally associate with Hades, God of the Underworld, but that is what makes this book fun and unpredictable. In Henry, readers are introduced to the softer side of the infamous God.  While I liked seeing this sensitive side of him, I do wish we would have seen a bit more of his other, darker nature. I mean, we’ve all heard the myths, the gods and goddesses were not nice. Especially, Hades. I would have loved to see him freak out and actually do something. That would have made for a more interesting love story – Kate falling in love with the harsh, somewhat crazed God of the Underworld.

Despite these flaws with the characters, I did enjoy the Goddess Test. I am always down with Greek Mythology and I thought it was a cute story. I am hoping that in the sequel, Kate will begin to develop into her own character. I desperately want her to stand on her own two feet. 

The ending involved a rather large twist; which I can always appreciate. I love when you think you have everything all figured out and then the author throws you for a loop. On a final note, I wanted to clarify something for you guys - this not the story of Hades and Persephone, it’s the story of Hades after Persephone. That minor detail is definitely imperative to the storyline, especially how the character of Henry reacts towards Kate.

 Favorite Quotes

“She might’ve been smiling, but with the way she was leaning against him and clutching his arm, she might as well have peed on him. He was clearly marked territory.”

“He made me happy, and tonight of all nights, I didn’t want to be alone. Most of all, I didn’t want him to be either.”

“It’ll take more than a knife-wielding murderer to make me give you up.”

“There is no way they could make me forget you.” I said. “No matter what they do to me.”

 

Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Book: Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Series or Stand-Alone: Series, #1
Pages:  398
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction
Purchase A Copy: Amazon | The Book Depository
Publication Date: January 11th, 2011

Description: A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Alright, I have to be honest with all of you. I fell victim to all of the hype surrounding Across the Universe and just automatically assumed I would love it. I am a fan of science fiction books, I love teen romances and the cover is beyond stunning. I should have been more cautious going into this, because I feel like my expectations overshadowed my reading and unfortunately, I was left disappointed.

First of all, let’s talk about the characters. I can’t say that I loved any of the characters. I certainly didn’t hate them, but I wasn’t crazy about them either. Neither Amy nor Elder had that spark – that thing that connects you to a character and makes you pull for them. I felt like they were simply characters on a page, I did not feel bonded to them at all – especially Elder. Elder has no backbone whatsoever and I often found this irritating. I get that he was raised to follow Eldest blindly, but my god, the whole point of the book is rebellion. Why can’t he stop acting like an idiot and actually do something.

Also, the romance between Amy and Elder felt off and a bit out of place.  Sadly, there was absolutely zero chemistry between the two of them. After seeing that phenomenal cover, I was expecting these two to knock of socks off. First off, why exactly does Elder like Amy? Yes, I get that she is different looking, and he likes her crazy red hair… but what about her? All she ever says about Amy is that she is different. Um, okay. But why are you suddenly madly in love with her – surely isn’t not simply because she is different.

I was also a bit disappointed with the plot. The mystery was predictable; I figured out the majority of the outcome very early on. I kept thinking, “that cannot possibly be right, it’s too easy!” But alas, it was too easy. Then, to make matters worse, the ending climax is nonexistent. It just sort of explains what happened and then ends. I am the kind of person who loves a big ending and that was not the case with Across the Universe.

I did however, enjoy the “rewriting of history” where all of the previous leaders change Earth’s history to highlight societies without differences.  It’s both interesting and horrifying to see how Revis makes Hitler into someone Elder respects. When I first read that section, I immediately felt like throwing the book away. I felt dirty. But as I got to thinking, I realized that in the Across the Universe world, this was plausible. If you alter history enough and omit certain horrors, you can make people believe anything. Like I said, I was both intriguing and terrified by this concept.

I was also totally creeped out by the idea of the “season”; which, I guess, was the point. When it was first introduced, I was all sorts of disturbed, but still fascinated at the same time. Unfortunately, Revis doesn’t know when it quit and I quickly grew tired of hearing about random people going at it in the background. For the record, I am completely with Amy on this one - if you simply tell people the results of incest, they will be careful of whom they form, relationships with. There is simply no need to have people going at it like rabbits on the streets. Ew. 

Overall, I think that Across the Universe was an entertaining read, but it wasn’t a great read for me. I will probably continue reading the series, but it will not be on the top of my reading list.

Favorite Quotes

"Sorry? Sorry? Sorry isn't enough. Every. Single. Thing. I ever loved is beyond my reach now. Everything I ever wanted. Everything I ever was." 

"I could tell them about the different kinds of rain, pouring rain that's perfect for when you want to stay inside and watch a movie or read, or piercing rain that feels like needles on your skin, or soft summer rain that makes your first kiss with your first love all the sweeter."

"We're the ones who arent normal. People are supposed to be like that: obedient, calm, working together. It's us-who can't focus, who can't work together, who can't do the Feeder or Shipper jobs-we're the ones who aren't normal. We're the ones who have to take the mental meds just so we don't go loons."

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Book: Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Series or Stand-Alone: Series, Delirium Trilogy #1
Pages: 441
Genre: Young Adult / Dystopian
Purchase A Copy: Amazon | Book Depository
Preview: On Google Books
Publication Date: December 1st, 2009
How I Got This Book: Purchased
Description (From Goodreads): Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

 

Holy heart palpitations batman! Delirium by Lauren Oliver was pure insanity. Please forgive me for this gush-fest, but oh my goodness Delirium swept me off my feet.

I am not going to talk about the characters in great detail, because while they were amazing, they are not what kept me flipping pages like a crazy person. Lena is a teenage girl who has always played by the rules. She has always lived in fear of standing out – all she has ever wanted is to be normal. She is terrified of falling in love and wants nothing more than to be “cured”.

Lena expresses her feeling on the subject within the first few pages of the book and this is what initially sucked me in. The idea of a teenage girl being desperately afraid of falling in love was so intriguing to me. I can never remember a time that I did not want to fall in love. It’s something all girls dream about – everyone wants to love and be loved.

The loveless world that Oliver creates is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.  Those who are cured never show any genuine affection and everyone acts like a Stepford wife.  The adults do not even have hobbies they love – Lena is warned that she may not feel the urge to run anymore, something that she has always found comfort it. It is really a chilling concept and you cannot help but feel desperate for Lena to somehow escape.

Like I said before, Lena has always feared deliria, but somehow it sneaks up on her. When Lena meets Alex, she initially avoids him at all costs. She has never been a loud to interact with boys; everyone is segregated until they are “cured”.  Eventually she gives in and is opened up to a whole other world. She begins to see what the world has to offer and she is left questioning her entire existence.

While the plot and the characters were all beautifully written, what really makes this book standout is the emotional reaction it evokes.  I was literally on an emotional roller-coaster as I followed Lena’s progression throughout the story. I particularly enjoyed watching her reactions as she was introduced to real music – the kind that settles deep inside your bones. You have no choice but to feel emotionally invested in the outcome. Lena goes through a number of highs and lows and I was right there with her the entire time. I felt the joyful excitement of first love and the bitter hollowness of disappointment, grief and loss. I swear to you, I am pretty sure I had a few minor heart attacks while reading this one.

Honestly, there is nothing I can say that is going to do this book justice. You simply have to see, read and feel it for yourself. I can tell you this; I am already aching for the next book in the series. I nearly cried when I realized I had finished the last page and now had to wait to see what happens next.

Favorite Quotes

"Hearts are fragile things. That's why you have to be so careful." (pg. 8)

"No wonder the regulators decided on segregation of boys and girls: Otherwise, it would have been a nightmare, this feeling angry and self-conscious and confused and annoyed all the time." (pg. 63)

"I know what the problem is, of course. The disorientation, the distraction, the difficulty focusing - all classic Phase One signs of deliria. But I don't care. If pneumonia felt this good I'd stand out in the snow in the winter with bare feet and no coat, or march into the hospital and kiss pneumonia patients." (pg. 237)

"They told us that love was a disease.  They told us that it would kill us in the end. For the first time I realize that this too, might be a lie." (pg. 280)

"Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the center of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the world falls away on either side." (pg. 301)

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Book: Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)
Series or Stand-Alone: Stand-Alone

Pages: 372
Genre: Young Adult

Purchase A Copy: Amazon | Book Depository

Preview: On GoogleBooks 
Publication Date: December 2nd, 2010

How I Got This Book: Library

Description (From Goodreads): Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Anna and the French Kiss is nothing short of amazing. Honestly, I was a little afraid to read it because nearly  everyone has loved it. I am not usually one for the sugary sweet teen romance books and I was afraid that’s what Anna would be.

While there were definitely those cutesy moments, they were never unrealistic. A lot of teen rom-com books place so much stock in the “romance” portion of the book that the characters suffer. What I loved about this book is that the characters stood for themselves. Anna is incredibly well-rounded and extremely easy to relate to. I saw so much of myself in her character and I think a lot of girls will see themselves in her too. She is in a word – real. Anna is insecure and overwhelmed by the sprawling city of Paris. She doesn’t speak French, so she refuses to order anything complicated at meal time. She is intimidated by her classmates and she feels like she doesn’t belong. She also has so many quirky little traits that really bring her to life. She wants to be a film critic and has a huge passion for old movies. She is a little goofy and is an extremely caring person. which is what really gets her into trouble.

Almost immediately after Anna arrives in Paris she falls for one of her new friends, St. Clair. I mean, who wouldn’t? Perkins went all out with this heartthrob. Our heroine never stood a chance. He’s devastatingly handsome and excruciatingly charming. Oh and did I mention he has a British accent?  He’s also quirky and caring and extremely down-to-earth. I just have one question… where can I find one? 

Anyways, unfortunately for Anna, St. Clair is taken. Because she is a good Southern girl, Anna decides the best plan of action is to hide her feelings for him. As the book and their friendship progress , Anna does a lot of maturing. I love when we see characters grow up throughout the story and Anna really comes into her own. She isn’t perfect by any means – she makes plenty of mistakes along the way. But that’s what makes her so relatable, you cannot help but cheer her on as the story unfolds.

The plot line reminded me a lot of those old romantic comedies where the characters are always misunderstanding one another. I am assuming this was done on purpose, since Anna is obsessed with those old movies.  Much like the romantic comedies, it’s almost painful for the reader because it is obvious how perfect Anna and St. Clair are for one another.

Like I said before, there are a number of “cutesy” moments peppered throughout the novel. Please don’t be put off by this, because they are done so well. Perkins has such a talent for understated charm – all of the Anna/ St. Clair moments are almost downplayed. It’s not a book full of hot make out scenes  and tons of heat; it takes much more of a realistic approach. Because of this the reader is able to see how well the characters actually mesh together. Their relationship is an actual relationship – they have discussions, they tease one another and they take care of one another. 

Anna and the French Kiss was a remarkable debut. Perkins’ set the bar so high with this one – I can only hope that her next book is half as good. Anna's story is honest, heartwarming and endearing.  She is easy to relate to and St. Clair is the perfect match for her. if you haven’t read this book yet, you NEED to. No excuses , go find a copy right now.  I don’t care if you have to beg, borrow or steal it from someone (well, don’t steal) but you simply must read it!

 

 

 Favorite Quotes

 "I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it."(pg.310)

"I'm a little distracted by this English French American Boy Masterpiece."(pg. 173)

"Girl scouts didn't teach me what to do with emotionally unstable drunk boys."(pg. 140)

Review: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Book:  Darkness Becomes Her (Kelly Keaton)
Series or Stand-Alone: Series (Gods & Monsters #1)
Pages: 288
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 22, 2011

Description (From Goodreads): Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

Kelly Keaton’s debut novel, Darkness Becomes Her was such a wonderful surprise. Everything about this exciting story is unbelievably creative and interesting. Personally, I have always loved the old Greek Myths and stories featuring them have always caught my interest.

In today’s young adult market many of the paranormal themes are quickly becoming overdone. First it was vampires, then it was werewolves and angels and 2011 seems to be the year of sirens. Greek mythology is a relatively uncharted territory (besides the Percy Jackson series), which allows Keaton to craft a truly unique story.  However, she doesn’t just stick with the Greek myths; Darkness Becomes Her is sort of a “melting pot” of paranormal characters. There are so many different types of creatures within this book, you honestly don’t know what you are going to find next.

Take for instance, the main character of Ari. Ari has always known she is different and the book begins with her trying to find some answers. She was given up for adoption at the age of four and therefore has no clue about what exactly makes her the way she is. In fact, the reader (as well as Ari) is clueless when it comes to her heritage for the majority of the book. I don’t want to give anything away, but let me say this – Keaton certainly hit a homerun with this one.  I was completely thrown off guard with the answer, I never saw it coming. But, I cannot wait to see where the story goes now that Ari knows her true identity. I have a feeling it is going to be awesome.

I am especially interested to see how her pending romance with the ultra attractive Sebastian develops from here. Sebastian has rather interesting heritage as well (no, I’m not giving it away!), and I think that their relationship is going to be rather exciting. It certainly will be unique!

Like I said before, there is an array of different paranormal/supernatural creatures featured in this book. Ari comes across vampires, harpies, witches, warlocks, shifters, demigods, voodoo priests and a few others that haven’t exactly been identified yet. All of these creatures take solace in New 2 – the city that arose from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

In this slightly futuristic story (about 15 years ahead) New Orleans has become sort of a sanctuary from the outside world. The land was purchased from the United States and became a self-sufficient area for a variety of outsiders.  This setup gives the book a very distinctive feel – it is almost like a dystopian paranormal/supernatural adventure. I really don’t know how to describe it adequately; just that it is incredibly unique and extremely intriguing. 

Darkness Becomes Her was a phenomenal start to a new young adult series. The story is full of action, adventure, suspense and excitement. The plot is packed with surprises - different creatures and monsters greet you around every corner. Honestly, Keaton threw in everything but the kitchen sink into this incredibly debut. I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what becomes of Ari and her band of misfits.

Review: Hush Money by Susan Bischoff

Book:  Hush Money by Susan Bischoff
Series or Stand-Alone: Series (Talent Chronicles #1)
Pages: 192
Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: September 25^th, 2010

Description (From Goodreads): Be normal, invisible. Don’t get close to anyone. Kids with psychic abilities tend to mysteriously disappear when they get noticed. Joss has spent years trying to hide. Now she has an unasked-for best friend, who is the victim of an extortion plot by the school bully, who used to like Joss, who is best friends with her long-time crush, who is actually talking to her. Life just got more complicated.

With Hush Money Susan Bischoff creates a fascinating world where some people are born with superpowers. These people, the ones with “talents” live in fear of being rounded up and taken away from their families. Joss, a quiet teenager is of these individuals.

Joss does her best to go unnoticed. She and her family are afraid that she will be identified as a talent and therefore taken away. She doesn’t have any friends; she avoids contact with anyone and everyone. 

I have to say, I was really disappointed with Joss’s character. I did not particularly take to her; her personality simply did not rub we well. She didn’t have much of a backbone and she never stood up for herself. I really was put off when she stood by idly and watched something terrible happen to another girl. I understand that she did not want to draw attention to herself, but I cannot believe some of the decisions she made.

I also did not like Joss’s love interest – Dylan. Dylan was also a huge pushover, he let his idiotic friend Marco walk all over him. I never was really able to connect with him because he did not get much time as the narrator. This made it difficult to see his motivations, or at least to sympathize with his decisions.

Now, I loved the premise for this book and it started out fabulous. The way that Bischoff introduces the talents immediately draws you in, making you want to see what happens next. The idea of it was reminiscent of the T.V. Heroes, especially with the way the organization was rounding people up.  

My favorite part of the book was when a group of teen “talents” band together and save one of their own. It’s a great action scene and I hope to see more of this kind of thing in the upcoming books. They have the whole “us against the world” thing going on and it gives them an easy bond. I do wish that the rest of characters (those others with talents) were a bit better described. We are given basic descriptions of their talents, but not much else. I was interested to know more about them all, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.

 I did enjoy the plot overall, but parts of it were a little unbelievable for me – especially concerning the book’s main villain, Marco. Marco was incredibly stereotypical, which made him into an extremely flat character.  He was horrible all the time and never really gave much of a reason for being so terrible. I like when you can feel some sympathy for a villain, or at least understand their motivations, but that was not the case with Marco.

Although I had a lot of issues with this book, I did enjoy it. It was a quick, entertaining read that kept me on my toes. I will probably continue with the next book, but I certainly hope some things change. For one, I hope that all of the characters are fleshed out better. I did not connect to anyone in Hush Money, so hopefully that will change in the next book.

Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Book: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Series or Stand-Alone: Stand Alone 
Pages: 260
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 26th, 2010
Description (From Goodreads): “I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

I have never read Cohn & Levithan's prized first novel, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, but like most of the world I am familiar with it. When I first discovered Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, I thought the premise sounded intriguing enough and I thought it sounded cute enough.

I was right on the money, because if I had to describe Dash&Lily in one word it would be “cute”. It is one of those stories that you plow through in a few hours. While it provided some wonderful rom-com moments and a few exquisite moments, I wouldn’t stay it made a great impact on me. Don’t get me wrong, I whole heartedly enjoyed watching Dash & Lily’s story unfold, but nothing in this book was exactly earth shattering. 

The book is written from two POV’s; the narrative switches between both Dash and Lily. I thought this format was perfect for this type of book, especially when there are two different authors. All of Lily’s narratives were written by Cohn, while Dash’s were written by Levithan. That being said, I much preferred Dash’s sections. While I was reading the story I did not know how the writers divided the sections, but I was really drawn to the sections from Dash’s POV. All in all, I just found his narrative to be more entertaining; it was funny, honest and of course – snarky. He had a few different great lines and I was just simply taken with him.

Lily, for her part, was an alright character. She was sweet and quirky, but in my opinion, she did not stand out. I am not sure that I will remember much about her character in a few months – she just wasn’t interesting enough to me. Honestly, I just read the book a few days ago and all I can remember about her now is that she loved Christmas, she had a gay older brother and all of her family called Dash “snarly”. 

However, even though I didn’t like Lily as much as Dash; the two together are a perfect match. Where he is snarky, a bit aloof and distant, Lily is in your face, loving and all consuming with her affection. They balance each other out marvelously – I would have loved to see more of their face to face relationship. At first I thought they were a bit too different, especially with their polar opposite reactions to Christmas. Dash couldn’t hate the holiday more, while it is Lily’s favorite time of the year. I especially loved seeing their different takes on those people who stand outside of stores and ring the charity bell.  

Like I said before, this book to me is best described by the word “cute”.  If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable teen romance then I would definitely give Dash & Lily a try. It was well written, entertaining and charming. Dash was a memorable character and Lily was quirky enough to keep your interest. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is an enjoyable read that will leave you with a smile.

Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Book: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Series or Stand-Alone: Stand Alone

Pages: 280
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Description (From Goodreads): Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face. But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger is one of those rare novels that everyone can relate to. We all feel out of place and outmatched sometimes, it’s what makes us human. With her debut novel, Keplinger creates a heroine that is tough but venerable; innocent but wise beyond her years.

I am not sure how many people are familiar with the term DUFF – I, like Bianca learned of it during high school. I remember hearing a boy I liked in one of my classes joke about an underclassman, calling her the dreaded name. At first I was clueless as to what it meant, so I did what any teenage girl would do – I continued eavesdropping. Soon enough the term was defined; and needless to say, my crush on the said boy deceased immediately. 

Although I was not the one saddled with the term, I began to analyze my own group of friends. I came to the conclusion that I was in fact the DUFF. Like Bianca, I did not find myself repulsive, but I could not compare to my gorgeous pint sized pals. It’s a terrible feeling to have – to have a whole can of insecurities opened up inside your head. 

I think this is why I enjoyed Keplinger’s novel so much. I felt a certain kinship with Bianca and although her character irritated me at times, I felt I understood her. Like every teenager on the planet she was extremely confused by life, but she tried to remain true to herself.  She was extremely snarky and brutally honest at times, which provided an honest and entertaining portrayal. I particularly enjoyed her take on teenage love – I was the same way in high school. She did not think you could love someone at sixteen, she felt that it took years to properly learn to love someone. 

I also adored Bianca’s love interest. At first he comes off as a complete pig, but as the book progresses he does an absolute 180. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say this; there were times when I wanted to crawl inside the book and give that poor boy a hug. He certainly had reasons to be screwed up. 

The DUFF was a charming story that was both believable and intriguing. What makes this a stand out for me was that Keplinger didn’t romanticize anything; she didn’t create a farfetched whirlwind romance, she wrote a believable story about a teenage girl. Yes, there are romantic elements, but they aren’t of the “undying love” persuasion. 

I thoroughly enjoyed The DUFF and am looking forward to reading more of Keplinger’s work. It’s hard to believe that this was a debut novel – it is clearly evident that she is going to be one to watch!

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

 

Book: Matched by Ally Condie
Series or Stand-Alone: Series; Matched #1
Pages: 366
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 30th, 2010
Description:  Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Like many of you, I have been hearing a great deal about Ally Condie's debut novel, Matched. Everyone has been absolutely raving about this book and I was both eager and skeptical before I began reading it. Let me just say, Matched was one heck of a debut. But, I wasn't blown out of the water by it like so many other readers seem to have been.

I was instantly hooked by the concept - a life in which you never have to make decisions. Your spouse and your job are both chosen for you. You are also supposedly spared from pain, heartbreak and loss. There are no diseases and everyone dies on their 80th birthday. Like most dystopian stories, the main character, Cassia begins believing that the "Society" knows best. She only begins to question it when she is given her first choice. She is matched with her best friend Xander, but also with a mysterious boy, Ky, that she also recognizes. Nobody else knows of the second match and the wheels in Cassia's brain begin to turn. When she is given the opportunity to spend more time with Ky they quickly form a connection. Now Cassia has to decide if she should stick to the plan and stay with the safe choice of Xander or if she should throw caution to the wind and see where life takes her with Ky.

While on the surface, Matched seems rather predictable, the meat of the story is anything but. It is, essentially, a love story, but there is much more to it. Cassia's tale is one of personal agency, determination and courage. It is a story about questioning your life and having the nerve to take control of it.

Much of this is represented in Cassia's relationship with Ky, but it is also addressed in her relationship with her late Grandfather. When his 80th birthday arrives (his appointed day of death), he gives Cassia a precious and dangerous gift - a forbidden poem. The society selected a 100 poems (as well as songs) that they deemed to be "the best". The rest were destroyed. The poem that her grandfather gives her is the ever famous, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas. This becomes her anthem and is one of the driving forces behind the life changing decisions that she makes.

While I loved the overall idea of the story, for me, it wasn't without it's flaws. I was not exactly swept away with the Ky/Cassia relationship. I was hoping she would choose him - but there wasn't a whole lot of build up. I know that when something is forbidden, it is all the more exciting, but I still would have liked to see a bit more between them.

Also, the pacing was a bit off for me. There were a number of paragraphs and sometimes, even pages, that I had to resist the urge to skim. I understand that it was the first book in a trilogy, so there is going to be a lot of character introduction and build up; but honestly, that's not an excuse. There are plenty of series that produce action packed, eventful first books. To me, at the end of book one, Matched was still warming up.

Like I said, Matched certainly had its faults, but I feel like the complete work overall, allows you to overlook them. I loved the premise of the book and the characters; even if the romance was somewhat lacking. Plus, Condie gets mad kudos from me for incorporating Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, which just happens to be one of my favorites. This was definitely a great start to the trilogy and a wonderful debut.