A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

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Source: Won from Razorbill
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 435 pages
Release Date: March 20, 2012

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

A Temptation of Angels had the potential to be an exciting, heart-pounding battle between good and evil. However, while I was entertained and interested for the opening pages of the book, my enthusiasm lessened as I read further and ultimately ended up rather disappointed.

One of the hardest things for me to enjoy was the characters themselves. Helen, Darius, Griffin, Raum... they were all such typical, clichéd characters that I've come to know a little too well from paranormal YA. The love triangle in this book also made no sense to me whatsoever. I don't want to get too spoiler-y but one of the guys was pretty disturbing to me, despite his more "redeeming" qualities. If I had to choose between the two, the other would be a clear favourite, but even then I couldn't bring myself to fully enjoy the relationship between him and Helen because of the insta love.

I think this novel had some great potential for world-building, considering it's set in an alternative historical London, but we really get no look at that. I was also curious about the Dictata and their role in things but, once again, very little is explained and frankly, very little made sense to me. The last part of the book is exciting, with things finally moving along quickly, but I wish that there could have been more happening in the first chunk of the book as well.

Once again, I really do wish that I'd enjoyed this more. I think the premise is intriguing and I found the writing itself quite strong. There were some flashbacks that were used well and small peeks into cool technology. In the end though, this wasn't enough to save the book for me. There are, however, plenty of other people that have loved this read, so if it sounds interesting to you, give it a shot! I hope your reading experience is much better than mine :)

2 Golden Crowns!

 

Cover Comments: A fairly average cover for me. I like the smoke and the model's expression!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
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This isn't going to be a review, not really. I think pretty much everyone on the Internet (at least those that will wander here!) has read/heard of this book somehow and I don't have the words to properly review it anyhow. What I do want to do is profess my love because if there's anything I like doing with you, it's fangirling.

SO a girl in my Philosophy class was just starting this and I basically pounced on her and went all, "IT'S SO GOOOOOD, YOU'RE GOING TO DIE OF SADNESS!!!" and I think she was a little scared. But us fellow booklovers understand each other so that little soul connection patched things up. But now I am in the mood to talk about The Fault in Our Stars and you, my lucky reader, get to listen.

1. Characters

Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters and other characters but mostly them. My goodness. The ONE THING I need in a book (/movie/TV show/whatever) is to connect to the characters on a deep, personal level and TFiOS hits that so quickly. These characters are flawed and weird and pretentious and I really really really want to hug them. Because they are also so good and kind and normal. And okay YES, Augustus was a little cute. Hazel was a lot cute.

Source

2. My Heart Broke and That is a Good Thing

Because I am a bit of a masochist, I like pain in books and few books hurt like this one (really John Green, A+ on the pain scale). Honestly, it wasn't really the end for me that did it like everyone else but I think that's mostly because I ran out of tears before I could get to that point. I was an emotional MESS while reading this. A MESS. <-- That's going to be the next public selling point for this book, I'm telling 'ya. 'Do you want to cry buckets of tears while enjoying a nice novel? Well then, John Green is for you!'

3. Words and Stories and Depth

Okay, I'm not going to lie and say that I totally recognized all of the symbolism and foreshadowing and whatever else that I read about on John's website after finishing the book (although finding it after was awesome and I soaked it all up). TBH, I probably wouldn't have really cared much at the time because HAZEL AND AUGUSTUS WERE TALKING. But even the passages and expressions, some of them got to me just because they were so beautiful and relatable. This is so much more than a Cancer Book, it is a wonderful story about two teenagers that are really cool human beings living out their lives.

I DON'T KNOW if this made sense or if it was just a lot of run-on sentences and talk about my reader pain. But either way, I HOPE YOU LIKED IT <3

Have you read The Fault in Our Stars? Imagine me chasing you with the book until you do.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire by Kristin Cashore

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Source: Library
Publisher: Dial Books
Format: Hardcover, 461 pages
Release Date: October 5, 2009

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.

This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.

Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.

If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.

With the same excellent plotting and concrete characters as her debut novel Graceling, Kristin Cashore has completely won me over with Fire.

I'm just going to come right out and say it: I loved Fire more than I did Graceling. And if you remember at all my feelings for the latter, that's saying quite a bit. Fire was a novel that I wanted to simultaneously stretch out for as long as possible and devour as quick as I could. It pulled emotions out of me for its characters and set my heart racing with the plot. Just... amazing.

Fire was a beautifully-done character. There was a palpable vulnerability to her that highlighted so many points of her character and I just genuinely liked her. She was an essentially good person fighting so many outside factors outside of her control and watching her journey as she comes to accept herself and her situation is gratifying.

Prince Brigan... ahh. I thought from the beginning of the novel that I knew exactly how the relationship between him and Fire would pan out but as the book carried on, I realized I had no idea the depth it would have. The things they said to each other and the way they treated each other was anything but superficial and I gladly cheered them on!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: fantasy is my favourite genre. The way that Cashore crafts her world is well thought-out and a pleasure to read. Fire is a lengthy read but I didn't feel bored or disinterested at any point. Whether through more physical adventures or just emotional journeys, Kristin Cashore keeps the plot moving at a steady pace.

Highly recommended.

5 Golden Crowns!

Cover Comments: I LOVE this cover! A bow and arrow gets me every time and the cover scheme is great for the story.

(You) Set Me on Fire by Mariko Tamaki

(You) Set Me on Fire by Mariko Tamaki

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Source: Penguin Canada for review
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
Release Date: September 4, 2012

This is a story about college, about fire and also about love.

Allison Lee is seventeen and off to college in the fall. So far, she's been in love once (total catastrophe) and on fire twice (also pretty bad). Both love and fire have left their scars.

Looking a little more burnt chicken and a little less radiant phoenix, Allison takes up residence in Dylan Hall (a.k.a. Dyke Hall) at St. Joseph's College, where she discovers the true gift of freshman year: the opportunity to reinvent yourself. Miles away from the high school she's happy to leave behind, her all-female dorm is a strange new world, home to new social circles and challenges. Allison still feels like the odd girl out ... until Shar appears. Beautiful and blinding, Shar quickly becomes the sun at the centre of Allison's universe, drawing her in with dangerous allure.

Will Allison get burned again? And, if she does, what kind of scars will she earn this time?

I wanted to love this book for a number of reasons. It's a Canadian read. The author seems pretty great. There's girl/girl romance. When I first started the book, I was immediately captured. Personally, I love distinct narration in a voice that actually resembles what goes on in my own head and that's exactly what I found in Allison's. It's dramatic and chaotic, with exclamation points and capitals galore. The narration was easily one of my favourite things about the novel. I really felt it gave me a personal look at Allison's journey and it just felt comfortable, like reading a diary or something.

But while I liked Allison's voice, there was something about her actual character that just didn't click with me. I completely understood where she was coming from for most of the book -- her past experiences in high school and beyond provide a less than solid foundation for college and the struggles that she faces with her new-found freedom are realistic and believable. But I just didn't like her at all. While that's not necessary for me to enjoy a book, I do like to connect with my characters and that didn't happen with Allison.

A large part of that reason was Shar. Allison, for reasons beyond my comprehension, is utterly enchanted by Shar and they quickly form a very dependant relationship with one another. Then when things start getting kind of dangerous and unpredictable, it just keeps going. Allison doesn't seem to change anything she's doing despite the fact that Shar is clearly not who she thought she was and that there are actually (REALLY NICE) people that keep offering their kindness and friendship to Allison. I just felt like Allison had choices and she ignored them.

With some more character development for Allison, I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more. It was definitely an interesting change to read about a college setting and the writing was quite nice. While it wasn't a favourite book of mine, I didn't dislike it, and I hope that anyone giving it a try will find it more to their tastes!

Cover Comments: I think it's an okay cover. It matches the story pretty well but I don't love the look of it.

3 Golden Crowns!

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

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Source: Purchased
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format: Hardcover, 330 pages
Release Date: February 7, 2012

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Witches, witches, witches! I think I had forgotten how much I adore this brand of fiction until recently when I read Born Wicked because it came as a (very pleasant) surprise when I realized how much I was enjoying reading about them! Not that it should be too much of a shock with Harry Potter and all, but I digress.

Cate and her sisters, motherless witches that are forced to hide their powers from everyone they know, were characters that I had no trouble sympathizing with. Jessica Spotswood conveys the deep longing to perform their magic and it’s very apparent that refraining from practicing it is taking a toll on the family. Cate in particular can just join my best friend list. Caring, protective and cautious, Cate just seemed destined for more. And yet, she focuses not on herself but on her younger sisters… Ahh, I was so impressed by her.

But Finn! Step aside YA bad boys, Finn Belastra is here to stay. I’ve said before that I like crying over a book and while that’s true, I’ve always meant it in the only way that I ever cry: because I’m upset. But in this book? Happy tears. Probably in combination with some sleep deprivation, I actually teared up at a scene in this book because I thought Finn was so sweet. I LOVE THIS MAN.

Anticipation and suspense are kept at a constant high and the surprise ending really threw me for a loop. All in all, I am definitely very, very, very excited to see where Jessica Spotswood will take the series in the next book. Can’t wait!

Cover Comments: I LOVE THIS COVER SO MUCH. The flowers and the colours and the angle and I am totally flailing all over the place. Book 2 Cover, don’t let me down! 

 

5 Royal Crowns!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

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Source: Purchased (Chapters)
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover, 418 pages
Release Date: June 12, 2012

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

I don't think there is a single author on this planet that makes me as crazy as Richelle Mead does. I may have breathed like a handful of times while reading this [glorious] book but really, who cares about breathing when Adrian Ivashkov is on the page? Definitely not me. Bloodlines and The Golden Lily follow much the same formula for success as the Vampire Academy series and I have a great feeling that we're only getting started!

Sydney is a wonderful heroine. She's an academic genius but comparatively rather lacking when it comes to the social scene. I laughed myself to near tears as I read through some of her 'adventures' in the dating and socializing world. While I don't believe I've ever met anyone quite as brilliant as Sydney, she feels like a very real character to me and I just find her so, so, so endearing.

Adrian Ivashkov... Be still, my beating heart. Adrian's growth and development was off the charts in The Golden Lily! I can really spot the changes in him from the flippant party boy of Frostbite to the thoughtful and sometimes even responsible person he is now. That's not to say that he doesn't maintain his charm and wit -- they are abundant -- but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Mr. Ivashkov.

Now, okay. Speaking of Sydney and Adrian... MY EMOTIONS. I am desperate to grab hold of Sydney and Adrian and lock them in a closet somewhere because really. The obvious pull between the two of them is so strong that I can't look away for a second. They complement each other so well and really bring about the strengths in each other... quite the contrasting pair.

While I did guess at some of the mystery in this novel early on, there were still a few things left to discover. Some interesting threads have been offered up and I can only imagine where they will lead in the upcoming books. In any case, with such a devastating ending (I think I read it about 6 times) there has to be a light shining in the distance!

To anyone that has not given Richelle Mead a shot: DO IT. Or I will disown you. (okay but seriously, PLEASE)

Cover Comments: For some reason, I feel like this isn't a colour we see very often and I like it! It's definitely a softer tone than the Bloodlines cover but I really like that creamy shade matched with the gold writing. Other than that, it's alright.

5/5

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

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Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover, 421 pages
Release Date: August 23, 2011

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Vampire Academy is one of my all-time favourite series. So why did I wait so long to read Bloodlines? NO IDEA.

Luckily, I have some very convincing friends* that shoved the book into my hands and made me read it (er, figuratively). Once I started, I fell into the familiar Richelle Mead zone where anything and everything outside that story in front of you might as well just be non-existent.

Sydney Sage is definitely not Rose Hathaway and I don't say that as a bad thing. She's very smart and very analytical but on the flip side, her social skills are a little lacking at times. It is utterly fantastic and charming that Sydney could be spouting out obscure historical details one minute and then acting adorably clueless about boys and dates the next. I can already see the ways that Sydney is being challenged to question her previously cemented ideals and beliefs and I think it'll be an adventure to chart her growth.

No one does romance like Richelle Mead. It is maddening to read about characters that are so well-matched as they dance around each other. Just when you think there will be a big development, it all changes around. The tension between Sydney and Adrian is electric and every look, thought, and touch just leaves you wanting more more more.

With this new spin-off series comes a brand new adventure and I love what's brewing with the Alchemists. I don't want to say too much but I am so sure that if you liked what was offered in Vampire Academy, you'll enjoy the mysteries that are appearing and the questions that are starting to pop up.

One good thing about waiting so long to read this is that now I only have to wait 3 days for The Golden Lily! I can't wait!

Cover Comments: I don't LOVE it or anything but it's pretty cool. The spine look awesome on my shelf.

*Hi Brodie, Asher and Cait... have I mentioned I like you very much? <3

5/5

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

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Source: Penguin Canada for review
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Format: Hardcover, 375 pages
Release Date: February 21, 2012

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Although the idea of heartbreak is nothing unheard of, the concept of actually having your heart split into two pieces after love goes wrong is a new one. Jess Rothenberg explores exactly this though and manages to pull it off spectacularly.

When I first heard of what The Catastrophic History of You and Me was about, I was mega excited. This is such a crazy, unique idea and I was jumping with anticipation at how it would be executed. Once Brie dies, she has to go through the five stages of grief until she ultimately accepts her fate. The book is basically divided into sections by stage but instead of just having 'stage: anger' and all of a sudden Brie consumed with burning rage, it all connects into a believable, enthralling story line.

The pacing is excellent as Brie explores the afterlife as well as the life she has left behind. And oh, the things she is missing! There is secret after betrayal after shocking revelation thrown out and it really keeps you guessing about what will happen next. The reasons for and the aftermath of Brie's death are not simple and reading to find out about them is a seriously enjoyable experience.

This book is funny and touching and sad and so many other things that are made of win. Reading it is really an emotional rollercoaster that you take with Brie and by the end of the book, I felt a connection to a number of the characters, all of which are so multi-layered and complex.

Take Brie for example. There are all these quirks about her that make her very endearing -- her love for Disney movies, the Your Mom Jokes she passes with Patrick, the sincere affection she has for her little brother. She wasn't a characters whose choices I always agreed with (that thing in the Anger stage - I was kind of ready to smack her!) but I could see where she was coming from and understand her. Then there's PATRICK, who is dreamy in that 80s way of his. He was supportive, helpful and funny and I thought his scenes with Brie were the best. Especially when he made the cheesy cheese nicknames (Cheeto, String Cheese, you get the idea) because tell me, who didn't love them?

Brilliant.

Cover Comments: What an awesome dress. I really like this cover. I think you can see the whole afterlife thing playing a role and it's pulled off in a way that reflects the story. The only thing that bugs me about this cover is the fact that Brie isn't wearing her necklace! It's such a huge symbol in the story to me but then nothing is featured. Oh well :) Still pretty.

4.5 stars

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

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Source: Library
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover, 398 pages
Release Date: January 11, 2011

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.

I can honestly say that Across the Universe is like nothing I've read before. I mean that in the best way possible!

From the first chapter, you are sucked into this fascinating vortex. Amy is being cryogenically frozen along with her parents and the details are vividly horrifying. It's not exactly a pleasant process and every step is explored with excruciating depth - it's frexing awesome!

This novel is told from alternating points of view which I think was done really well. Amy and Elder have two very distinct voices and because of the insanely different lives the two have led, it was always a refreshing change to step into a new perspective. Amy and Elder both have strong personalities - you see them grow, change and evolve. There are things they know, things they think they know, and things that are completely foreign to them. All of it was handled realistically and, in my opinion, with serious skill.

Although I did guess the villain almost immediately, it didn't take too much away from the story. There are still plenty of smaller twists and one particularly gigantic one at the end (DID NOT see that coming - I'm still reeling!) The entire concept of Across the Universe is extraordinary.

Read this for a novel that I can guarantee will leave you thinking for days!

Cover Comments: This cover was such a huge source of confusion for me when I first saw it. All I could think was, "what the heck are those sparkly pink blobs?!" Then I read a comment talking about how cool the positioning of the faces were or something and I was more like, "OHHHHHHHHHH."

I do love it though! The colours are so vibrant and I like how it matches up with the story.

5 stars

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

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Source: Library
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 390 pages

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

After the nail-biting conclusion to Nightshade, readers will be happy to know that Wolfsbane does not delay in picking the story up right where it left off.

Right off the bat, new settings and characters are introduced, all of which make for an exciting read. There is a sense of urgency in the novel even when casual jokes are being made and although I've heard that others found the beginning of the book a bit uneventful, I definitely didn't find that the case. While it's true that the second half is more action-packed, there is still plenty to keep you going for the first.

Now, if you're anything like me, you would have probably wanted more explanation of the history and inner-workings of this fascinating world in the previous book. Thankfully, no such problem exists in Wolfsbane! There is so much rich, detailed history and I loved that we got to learn so much about the Keepers, Guardians and Searchers.

While I did miss Calla's pack a bit, I think the group of Searchers she encounters makes up for it. They were a really dynamic bunch and I enjoyed the friendly way they interacted with one another. Like the wolf pack, some of the Searchers appealed more to me than others - Monroe and Connor, I'm looking at you!

The one problem I had with Wolfsbane is this: Calla.

Look, Cal, I get it. You're super confused about which boy to pick (*cough*REN*cough*) and your life is a total mess. You have the right to be wrong, to make a few bad decisions! Still, I can't help but be annoyed with you. You seem to change your mind every 5 seconds, so much that I would rather you just choose Shay and be done with it. I really wanted to scream and chuck my book at the wall a few times, because I was so appalled by you. Just... try to keep it together? For me? You're still my favourite female Alpha.

Despite the small problems I had with Wolfsbane, I still found it a very enjoyable sequel. I recommend the series to anyone looking for thrilling action and romance set in front of an exquisite historical background.

Cover Comments: I have tried really, really hard to get over the cover change for this series. The first one grew on me a LOT and I really don't mind it now, but I can't get over this book. I find the pose Calla's in very awkward and the colour is so dark that I can barely even see anything. I like dark effects as much as the next person, but not when it takes over the picture!

4 stars

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

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Source: Bought
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 338 pages

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

It's official: Stephanie Perkins has made it on to my list of favourite authors. With the ease and grace of her previous novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door spins a spectacular story. DARE I SAY that I actually enjoyed it more than the first book?!

Lola is a delight to read about. Her character is so fun, with her bright and colourful costumes. She was unique and smart, but also had that vulnerable edge that made her seem all the more real to me. Plus, when she comes with her two dads? Total WIN. I loved how protective and caring they were.

Now, this sounds almost blasphemous to say, but... I think I like Cricket Bell more than Étienne St. Clair. I KNOW! It was a complete shock to me as well. This boy though - wow. He's brilliant, awkward, kind and thoughtful. He talks with his hands and has good fashion sense. He is TALL. I dare you to not fall for him!

Stephanie Perkins has this way of writing that makes you want to stay in the book for as long as possible. Everything feels real and magical. She completely captures those feelings of first love - the awkward and the glamorous. It's more than just that though. There is realness in the friendships, the conflicts, the parental disputes.

If you haven't read any of Perkins' novels, you are missing out, I'm telling you. Do yourself a favour and pick up Anna and the French Kiss as soon as humanly possible. Meanwhile, I will be daydreaming about Isla and the Happily Ever After.

Cover Comments: Fuuuun! I love the houses in the background and Lola's hair and expression. Her clothes could be a bit more costume-like, but I'm happy they at least made her outfit a little quirky.

5 of my most GLITTERY stars!

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

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Source: Library
Publisher: Razorbill Penguin
Release Date: July 21, 2011
Format: Hardcover (260 pages)

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

An intriguing story about love, choices, and killer mermaids.

I've never read a book primarily about sirens before, although they've always fascinated me. Mandy Hubbard had me totally captivated with the parts of her novel that went into the nature and behaviour of sirens... I just wish there was more!

That said, I did have some problems connecting with the characters. On one end, I thought Lexi was very well-developped. The details of her past and how they've affected her are clear, and I really sympathized with her for it. On the other hand, she seemed to change her mind every other page, and I really had a hard time keeping up with what her current frame-of-mind was.

As for the romance, I really liked where it was going! Cole was such a sweet guy and he seemed to genuinely care about Lexi despite her attempts to push him away. I only wish that we could have had more interactions between the two before the "new boy" showed up (was NOT a fan of him!).

Overall, a light story with some more heartfelt portions and an ending you probably won't see coming!

Cover Comments: Seeing this book in person was awesome because, while you probably can't see it very well on screen, Lexi's leg actually has scales on it! Pretty cool, right? I like the rest of the cover too, especially since Cole is wearing the clothes Lexi always complains about LOL.

3/5

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

(Goodreads profile)

Source: Library (Copy also won in giveaway)
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Release Date: Already out (May 10, 2011)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 402

Who is the real McLean?

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combing Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

Sarah Dessen is sort of like royalty in the YA universe - and for good reason, too. I've read all of her books and each of them has been compelling, heartfelt and real.

I liked McLean's character. Although the relationship she has with her mother is strained to say the least, she is very protective of her dad and obviously cares for him a lot. She's turned her whole life into this big game of dress-up, except each new destination her father's job takes them means a whole new personality in addition to the wardrobe change.

Except... now she's not pretending. She's finally giving herself a chance to be herself which, you know, would be great except for the fact that she has no idea who that is. Over the years of re-inventing herself, with names and costumes and clubs, McLean has lost herself.

Luckily, Dessen has equipped her with a great cast of supporting characters: Dave (quirky boy genius), Opal (so full of surprises), Deb (my new hero) and a few more. I loved all of these characters. The relationships between characters are really a huge part of the magic in Dessen's books for me. It was more than the budding romance between McLean and Dave; it was the father-daughter relationship between McLean and her dad and the friendship that is blossoms between McLean and Deb.

Once again, Sarah Dessen has managed to win me over with a story that is fun, comforting and insightful.

Cover Comments: I really love how all of Sarah Dessen's books have that light, colourful vibe going. I can totally picture McLean doing this (I mean moving is such a huge part of her life) and the little details like the bracelets around her wrists are great.

The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

The Book of Awesome: Snow Days, Bakery Air, Finding Money in Your Pocket, and Other Simple, Brilliant Things by Neil Pasricha

Source: Borrowed from a friend
Publisher: Putnam (Penguin)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 393

Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that make us smile. With a 24/7 news cycle reporting that the polar ice caps are melting, hurricanes are swirling in the seas, wars are heating up around the world, and the job market is in a deep freeze, it's tempting to feel that the world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us-sometimes we just need someone to point them out. 

The Book of Awesome reminds us that the best things in life are free (yes, your grandma was right). With laugh-out-loud observations from award- winning comedy writer Neil Pasricha, The Book of Awesome is filled with smile-inducing moments on every page that make you feel like a kid looking at the world for the first time. Read it and you'll remember all the things there are to feel good about.

Ha. Hahahaha. The Book of Awesome is AWESOME! Alright, so, admittedly, that was a really lame joke but it in no way reflects the humour in the book!

Are you feeling down? Are you being bogged down with something in your life? Are you just searching for something to make you smile? Then, you need this book. I realize that I sound like an annoying informercial right now but it really was a delightful book.

It's not the typical kind of book that I read. Each item on the list has up to a few pages of explanation or back story and it really is just essentially a list of awesome things. The feeling I got when reading this book was great. It was impossible to stop a smile from forming and I found myself going "YES! That is totally awesome!" or "I love that, too!" every few pages.

I think it's remarkable for a person to notice all the little things (because really, "fixing electronics by smacking them" is nothing life-changing) in life that can just make you so happy, even if it's only for a few brief moments. So, thank you, Neil Pasricha for being so AWESOME!

Cover Comments: It's... awesome. Simple yet eye-catching. Plus, I'm a sucker for rainbow patterns.

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie

Source: Library
Publisher: Dutton
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 366

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 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.

Oh, dystopians! I don't see myself getting tired of you for a very long time. Matched turned out to be just the read I was hoping for with likeable characters, interesting relationships between them and that crucial focus on how a person chooses to live their life.

Cassia is a character that I easily connected with and although I didn't agree with all of her decisions, I still respected what she tried to accomplish. I really liked the fresh dynamic between the two love interests, Xander and Ky. There is an ocean of love triangles out there right now, but I liked that Xander and Ky weren't friends, per se, but kind of challenged each other in a way that makes you wonder what exactly they are.

Something that stands out for me, especially towards the end, was how much I liked Cassia's family. It's no secret that I like families that stick together and protect each other. Cassia's family does exactly this. They all do what they think is the best for the family and I found it interesting how different that sometimes was.

Ally Condie has a beautiful writing style. It was easy for me to lose myself in the story and just go where it took me. It's not a very action-packed story at all, which is something that may be a problem for other readers. Personally, I didn't mind at all. The story was interesting enough to me even when it wasn't full of high tension, edge-of-your-seat goodness.

To sum it all up, Matched was a story that I really enjoyed. The wait for Crossed is on!

Cover Comments: I really love it. It's simple and pretty, and the symbolism of Cassia trapped in a bubble is glaringly obvious.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Source: Library
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 264

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future–and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Gayle Forman is a literary genius, in every sense of the word.

Where She Went was as beautifully heart-breaking and moving as its predecessor. It is the combination of solid, well-rounded characters, lyrical writing and outpouring of emotion that make this book what it is.

The main character, Adam, is fascinating to read about. He is bitter and angry and has pushed everyone away from him after Mia left. The frustration and grief he feels is palpable and my heart ached for him. Even through all of this, I was still as drawn to him as I was in the previous book.

Gayle Forman's writing is superb. She has the ability to convey truckloads of emotion in a few short sentences and everything just flows so seamlessly. I can't imagine a better person to tell Adam and Mia's story.

The actual timespan of the events in the novel is short but it didn't feel at all rushed to me because of the use of memories from the past. There are parts that made me cry, some that made me smile and a few that made me want to pull out my hair (no worries - my scalp remains unharmed). In the end though, everything was wrapped up nicely and I am completely satisfied with how everything turned out.

If you haven't picked up one of Gayle Forman's novels yet, I hope you do soon! If I Stay and Where She Went are two favourites of mine and I can't recommend them enough.

Cover Comments: I like it a lot more than the paperback of If I Stay for some reason. I actually really love the BACK of the book, where all of the praise for If I Stay is. Oh, the jacket flap on the inside of the book is really pretty, too! It looks like bubbles in different shades of blue. Yeah, so - pretty cover.

My review of If I Stay can be found here.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Source: Library
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 372

Anna was 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. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

So, I know you've seen the raving reviews for Anna and the French Kiss. You've heard how amazingly cute and wonderful it is and, oh, Étienne St.Clair... marry me? Well then what are you waiting for? Why haven't you picked up this book?! The praise is all true and completely justified on this one.

Anna was a fabulous main character. She is a bit of a neat freak, a movie buff, genuine and hilarious. I want this girl as my best friend, please. The characters in Anna and the French Kiss are like real teenagers; quirky and flawed and all completely unique in their own way. It's easy to get wrapped up in their stories because they're all so relatable.

I would be remiss to not mention Étienne in this review. He was wonderful and I totally swooned every time his name appeared on the page. He's more than just a pretty face (although he has that going for him, too). He's sweet, funny and thoughtful... plus, he speaks French. What more can I say?

I've heard people say this book isn't a romance novel - but it is. It's a really, really good romance novel for teens. Stephanie Perkins perfectly captured the attraction between Anna and Étienne and filled the pages of the book with humour and sheer cuteness. Seriously! I could not stop the grin on my face and there were plenty of times I laughed (loudly) out loud.

So, what I'm saying is: you have to read this book, NOW. If you've already read it, you have to let me know so that we can gush about it together.

Cover Comments: It's cute! (I have totally said that word 4938274982734 times in this review.) I like the softer colour scheme and the font is SO PRETTY. I wish Étienne was shorter, though. His shortness delights me.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Source: Library
Publisher: Philomel Books (Penguin Group)
ISBN: 978-0-399-25482-6
Pages: 452

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Nightshade is the kind of story that hooks you from the very first page and doesn't let go until long after you've finished. When I say it jumps straight into the action, I mean it. The first thing I read after opening the book was about a girl attacking a grizzly bear!

This girl is, of course, our lovely main character, Calla. I really admired her strength throughout the novel and the amount of dedication and loyalty she had to her pack. She sacrificed a lot more than others even realized for their safety and there were definitely some moments I just wanted to hug her. That's not to say she couldn't take care of herself because she proved time and time again that she had no qualms about getting her hands dirty!

A love triangle is a large part of this story and incorporates Calla, Ren and Shay. Ren was... amazing. I had a fangirl crush on him for the better part of the story. While he can at times seem like a jerk, it's clear that he genuinely does care for Calla a lot. Add that to the fact that he's unfairly attractive and you have an irresistable alpha male. Shay, on the other hand, is sweeter and more vulnerable. Maybe it's because I was too wrapped up in Ren to give him a chance, but I just didn't connect to Shay as much as Calla obviously did. He seemed more like a brother than boyfriend material to me.

Even though the characters were a huge part of the story for me, the plot was also fascinating. The Keepers, Searchers and Guardians were a really interesting dynamic and clearly well thought-out. A lot of unanswered questions are waiting in my mind upon the completion of the book, particularly in regards to the Searchers. Nightshade left off at an enormous cliffhanger and I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on the next book.

Cover Comments: I love this cover! It's purple (and sparkly!), there's pretty flowers (and it's sparkly!) and on top of that, there are sparkles. How much cooler can you get? As much as I love this cover though, I have to admit it doesn't really reflect the story. I'm sure most of you have seen the paperback version (picture below if not) which admittedly, when I first saw, really disliked. It's kind of growing on me now though, especially after having read the book. The sequel cover, however... that's upsetting. I really love the old version (even if there were no sparkles) and I'm sad they changed it. Oh well. I'm sure the story inside will be utterly amazing.

XVI by Julia Karr

XVI by Julia Karr

Source: Library
Publisher: Speak (Penguin Group)
ISBN: 978-0-14-241771-3
Pages: 325

Then, with one brutal strike, Nina’s normal is shattered; and she discovers that nothing that she believed about her life is true. But there’s one boy who can help – and he just may hold the key to her past.

But with the line between attraction and danger as thin as a whisper, one thing is for sure… for Nina, turning sixteen promises to be anything but sweet.

Some girls can't wait to be sixteen, to be legal. Nina is not one of them. Even though she has no choice in the matter, she knows that so long as her life continues as normal, everything will be okay.

I really liked the vivid setting of this novel. Right from the beginning, Karr sets the scene by highlighting the differences between modern day life and the dystopian setting of the novel. The whole world was just terrifying when I thought about it more. I mean, how far off is it to think that the government could control everything by saying they were just protecting everyone?


The writing, while simple, was effective and Nina was a strong female lead. It was just really nice to read right from the beginning about a character in a sex-crazed world that didn’t want to lose sense of who she was for some random guy. Perhaps it was just more clear when compared with her best friend Sandy, the “ideal” sixteen-year-old but I appreciated her having a mind of her own even with the media infiltrating everything.


The supporting cast of characters were good for the most part as well. I really liked Wei and Derek (although I was a bit wary of him in the beginning) but I wish I could have known Mike a little better. I didn’t love Sal as much as I wanted to. While I sympathized with his situation, I wish he would have been a little more understanding about the fact that Nina didn’t grow up in the same environment as him. I preferred Wei who was fierce, unique and a great friend.


The ending came a little quickly for my taste but I like the way things were left in the end – not too sugary sweet but not in complete despair either.

All in all, XVI was a good, solid debut novel.

Cover Comments: I'm not a huge fan of this cover... I think the idea behind it was good but the XVI over the model's face isn't very clear and the colours are pretty bland.  

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton Books
ISBN: 9780142415436
Pages: 272

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the one decision she has left - the most important decision she'll ever make.   

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.

This book was AMAZING. For starters, the characters were all so fabulous that I feel like they should all have their seperate review. Unfortunately, I really don't have the time or patience for that (and I doubt you do either!) so I'll just gush all at once. I loved just about everyone in the book: Mia, her family, Kim, Willow, the nurses... you name it. However, the one that I especially adored was Adam.


How great is he? Maybe it's just me (doubt that) but I seriously want one. He's sweet, funny, confident, the lead singer and guitarist in a band and just my kind of guy all-around.


Outside of the characters, Forman's writing was just excellent. The novel was highly compelling and the story flowed with a beautiful ease. I really liked the style of the story with the flashbacks where certain characters were showcased because I felt like with each one, we got closer to the character at hand.


Finally, Mia and Adam's story. I know, I know - I said I was done with characters, but I couldn't resist! Although lots of other themes are no doubt explored, I felt as if their love story was the major foundation for the book.

I wish I could pinpoint more exactly what it was that I loved about this book but for now, you'll have to settle for... everything. Wow.

Cover Comments: I like it… I don’t love it but it’s a nice and simple cover. I like the question that they have under the title and the smoky colour scheme. I’m really not loving the review that they chose to blurb on the front about Twilight because the books to me were universes apart. That said, I do understand how great of a marketing tool it is. Overall, not one of my favourites but still likeable.