Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

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Source: Finished copy from publisher for review
Publisher: Random House
Format: Hardcover, 370 pages
Release Date: September 11, 2012

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Sarah Rees Brennan was always a favourite author of mine from her Demon's Lexicon series, but now? After this book? I'll read anything she ever writes... period. It was that good.

Kami Glass was a wonderful protagonist. She was so loud and determined, never hesitant to go after what she wanted. Her character leaped off the pages at me and I really felt like we were friends! Jared was amazing as well. I don't normally go for the brooding, gloomy type but something about Jared's character clicked with me. Seeing him from Kami's mind as the 'imaginary friend' gave him another layer and a depth that just resonated with me.

The writing itself is magnificent. The humour is spot-on and it wasn't uncommon to see me laughing my head off (in public places) at it. I wouldn't hesitate to hang out with any of these characters or visit Sorry-in-the-Vale. Such an atmospheric setting!

And then... the plot. Seriously, this book did no wrong in my opinion and the storyline is definitely included in that! There's a balance in the tones of the novel that make it fun, spooky, hilarious and exciting all at once.

So, here's the deal. I love a lot of books. Perhaps I'm just easy to please and uncritical but whatever the case, the fact remains. The books that I honestly and truly adore, the books that I can feel in my soul and reduce me to ripping up paper to calm my emotions* are a bit more rare. Unspoken is one of those books.

Cover Comments: I love this. I really wish that there were more illustrated book covers because it just... works.

* true story. this ending... it buuuuuurns!

5 Golden Crowns!

Red Heart Tattoo by Lurlene McDaniel

Red Heart Tattoo by Lurlene McDaniel

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Source: Bookurious Blog it Forward!
Publisher: Delacorte BFYR
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
Release Date: July 24, 2012

At 7:45 a.m. on the day before Thanksgiving break, a bomb goes off at Edison High. Nine people die instantly. Fifteen are critically injured. Twenty-two suffer less severe injuries. And one is blinded. Those who survive, struggle to cope with the loss and destruction. All must find new meaning for their lives as a result of something they may never understand.

Lurlene McDaniel's signature expertise and finesse in dealing with issues of violence, death, and physical as well as emotional trauma in the lives of teens is immediate and heartrending.
 

While Red Heart Tattoo succeeds in portraying the grief and horror that comes with a tragic event, it ultimately fell flat for me.

The novel opens with regular high school life. For me, this served two purposes. I had the chance to be acquainted with the characters and I also got to know them a little bit before tragedy struck. This way, when it did happen, the full range of emotions was felt. I will say though that at times, the first part of the novel dragged for me. It was interesting to a point but not terribly exciting.

When the book did start moving, in part two, was when I really started liking it. I really liked how the events were shown to affect the characters afterward. It felt very realistic and although it never got to the crying stage, I was emotional reading it. This look on the bombing - the way that people comprehended and coped with it - was probably my favourite aspect of the book.

Red Heart Tattoo features five different perspectives. While I appreciated the insight into the lives of different 'types' of characters, I feel as though it also prevented me from getting as deep into a single one as I wanted to. For this story, I would have preferred fewer points of view and a more in-depth look at just one or two characters to really connect with them on that personal level. By the end of the book, a lot of them still felt cookie-cutter and clichéd to me.

Overall, this is a heartfelt portrayal of a high school hit by destruction but not the book for me. I would have preferred more well-developped characters and a closer, deeper look into them.

Cover Comments: I really, really thought that this was a romance novel just from the cover. But... it's not. I mean, there is a bit of that but it's in no way the main point of the story. Not really a fan of the cover.

2.75/5 

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

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Source: Won
Publisher: Random House
Format: Hardcover, 260 pages
Release Date: February 14, 2012

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.
 

I was raised in a family of artists. My dad is an architect and recently went on a trip to Italy to paint buildings, my sister is a genius with just about any art tool and my mom makes the most beautiful pieces out of nothing. So while I boast no art talent of my one (save for my sock-rocking stick figures) I do like to think I have a healthy appreciation for it.

Cath Crowley writes such a beautiful story in Graffiti Moon. There's this lyrical prose with characters that are easy to love and places that are described so vividly that you’ll feel like you were there. I loved the pieces that Shadow painted and the poems that Poet penned and the glass that Lucy blew. Cath Crowley describes art and it only adds to the enchanting allure of this story.

Lucy and Ed were great characters. They had an easy relationship despite the glaring bump in their road to romance and watching them come together as the events of the night played out was magical. Neither character is without flaws and problems but I loved reading along as they worked through them, especially when it happened together.

Although I didn’t flat-out, completely, 100% love Graffiti Moon like so many others I know, I did really love it. There's something (I have no idea what) that stops me from giving it that 5-star title. I would definitely be up for reading another of Cath Crowley’s works.

Cover Comments: I like this cover so much more than the original Aussie one. The bright colours in the background really pop against the darker tones and I like the pose the cover models are in as well.
 

4.5 Royal Crowns!

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

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Source: Giveaway from Bookurious!
Publisher: Random House
Format: Hardcover, 467 pages
Release Date: July 10, 2012

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

I love dragons. I love fantasy. I love solid world-building. I love strong female leads. I love beautiful prose. I love thought-provoking themes.

I'm pretty in love with Seraphina because it has ALL of that.

Seraphina is a character that I had no trouble falling for. She gets grumpy and annoyed and is very much still trying to find where she fits into this world of dragons versus humans, despite the peace treaty that is currently in place. She's also a talented musician that can muster up plenty of courage and I am stoked to see just what she'll do in the next book.

The dragons in this novel are fantastic. Instead of jewels and treasures, these dragons hoard knowledge and keep their emotions tucked deep within their scaly exteriors. They also have human forms that they can shift into and are very much involved in the political decisions of the kingdom. I LOVED the politics and deep history of the dragons and humans. It's quite a heavy portion of the novel and it was just really fascinating to learn. In addition to that, there are some wonderfully thought-provoking topics such as acceptance and the importance of the arts.

Fantasy is and always has been my favourite genre to read and it's because of books like this. I feel connected, more so emotionally in this case, to Seraphina's world and every time I put down the book, I was scrambling to pick it back up again. There is a lot going on and I think it was one of those novels where you actually might need your thinking cap! Don't go into this book expecting fluffy romance and amusing one-liners. It is engrossing but not what I would call 'light.'

Written with fluid and gorgeous writing, Seraphina is definitely a novel that I hope you'll try!

Cover Comments: I love it to pieces! Man, wish I could sketch like that :)

5/5

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

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Source: Bookurious Blog It Forward program!
Publisher: Doubleday Canada, Hyperion (US)
Format: Hardcover, 339 pages
Release Date: May 15, 2012

Two young women from totally different backgrounds are thrown together during World War II: one a working-class girl from Manchester, the other a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a wireless operator. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted friends.

But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. The story begins in “Verity’s” own words, as she writes her account for her captors.

Code Name Verity is a beautiful, beautiful story.

Captured by the Gestapo and held for information, "Verity" begins the long task of writing out the story of Maddie, a female pilot in the war, in exchange for a bit of extra time before her inevitable death. It sounds morbid. It is.

But also in this novel is friendship and bravery, loyalty and strength. It's the historic tale (although "Verity's" story is fictional) of what people are forced to do in times of war and of how far people will go for what they believe in. Reading this novel was like being pulled through a blender in the best possible way. My emotions were are in tatters and I felt so connected to everything that was happening. For the few days that it took me to read this book, I was there in WWII. I felt so utterly immersed in the Nazi prison and all of the other locations constantly shadowed by the war. This book will transport you to times past -- with emotions and feelings and history -- and it is an amazing thing.

I will say though that this novel was not an easy one for me to get into. I really struggled at the beginning (before getting completely hooked!) with all of the nitty gritty, technical details of aircrafts and flight manoeuvres and war operations. If you find yourself feeling it too, I really hope that you'll power through! The book picked up insanely for me as I got further into it.

"Verity" is such a complex narrator. She is not entirely reliable which adds a nice bit of suspense (ha, as if there wasn't enough) to the book and even as she is confessing everything she knows and therefore betraying her country, she still has these small moments of rebellion and humour and just life.

I did not see the twists in this novel coming at all and each one was equivalent to a train knocking me flat. I so cried while reading Code Name Verity and I felt emotionally drained at the end of it but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Cover Comments: Simple and striking with actual significance to the story -- more so, in my opinion, for the feel of it than the actual event.

4.5/5 because of the beginning!

Changed rating to 5 stars (Sept. 18) because if I can get the urge to yell out "KISS ME, HARDY!" and sob months later... that's sure as hell worthy of all the stars.

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

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Source: Publisher for review
Publisher: Egmont/Random House Canada
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: June 12, 2012

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results. 

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough... 

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Fun and exhilarating, Myra McEntire's second novel definitely lives up to the first.

I remember saying something along the lines of "I hope we get to see more Kaleb in Book 2!" in my Hourglass review so you can imagine my DELIGHT at discovering the entire novel would be told from his point of view. Kaleb is such a complex, multi-layered character - more so than I ever really considered. His perspective is easy to sink into and the pages fly reading through his playful and sensitive inner dialogue.

Reading a different book in the same series from a new point of view is really an enlightening experience (or maybe just in this case). I was surprised at the shift in some of my feelings towards certain characters and I think I have a more well-rounded view on different motivations at this point because of the chance to get into both Emerson and Kaleb's heads.

It's been well established that for me, time travel = awesome, so I'll leave it at that. Timepiece does build on what the previous novel had already started and the fascinating concept of rips and timelines just grows to encompass the speeding plot.

Mystery and romance seamlessly intertwine in this compelling series.

Cover Comments: Ahhh, I love it. The covers for this series are so unique and fabulous. The jacket IRL has this sheen to it, too... the dress is kind of metallic!

4.5/5

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

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Source: Bookurious
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages

Ashlyn Baptiste is falling. One moment she was nothing—no memories, no self—and then suddenly, she's plummeting through a sea of stars. Is she in a coma? She doesn't remember dying, and she has no memories of the life she left behind. All she knows is that she's trapped in a consciousness without a body and she's spending every moment watching a stranger.

Breckon Cody's on the edge. He's being ripped apart by grief so intense it literally hurts to breathe. On the surface, Breckon is trying to hold it together for his family and his girlfriend, but underneath he's barely hanging on.

Even though she didn't know him in life, Ashlyn sees Breckon's pain, and she's determined to find a way help him. As her own distressing memories emerge from the darkness, she struggles to communicate with the boy who can't see her, but whose life is suddenly intertwined with hers. In alternating voices of the main characters, My Beating Teenage Heart paints a devastatingly vivid picture of both the heartbreak and the promise of teenage life—a life Ashlyn would do anything to recover and Breckon seems desperate to destroy—and will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, John Green, and David Levithan.

Fair warning: If you decide to pick up C.K. Kelly Martin's My Beating Teenage Heart (which you totally should if you happen to be into thoughtful, emotional reads) you may be confused at the beginning. That's okay -- just stick with it and all will be revealed.

Perhaps you'll be more like me, though. I was way too preoccupied with this book's gorgeous, gorgeous prose to be curious about what the heck was going on. It is lyrical and sometimes brutal in the way that it treats sensitive issues, but so, so worth it in the end.

Breckon is struggling. He is trying to keep a hold on his life, but ever since the death of a loved family member, it has been spinning wildly out of his control. The way that Martin deals with death, as well as other issues, is heart-achingly realistic. She approaches the subjects and the consequent reactions people have to the events with unflinching honesty. I feel like I should add too that I don't really have much personal experience with death (other than my great-grandmother a few years ago) but could still feel Breckon's pain.

Although the story is very much Breckon's, Ashlyn's narrative takes up approximately half of the book. Ashlyn was essentially helpless in what she could do for the larger portion of the novel. She is forced to watch Breckon's struggles, to see the harm he is doing to himself and to his friends. I wish there had been a bit more of a look into Ashlyn's life before 'meeting' Breckon but that's one of my only complaints. We do get to see a bit of history -- which I loved! -- I just wish there was more.

Raw and powerful, My Beating Teenage Heart is an emotional look at how to live through death.

Cover Comments: Meh. A little too bland for me, I think.

4 stars out of a possible 5

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel 

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Source: Blog it Forward
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 470 pages

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

There are quite a few things that make this book the fantastic read that it is. I mean, a) it's like a combination of past and future, with old-fashioned ideals set years after our time, b) there are zombies and c) the main character, Nora, rocks.

I love zombies. I think they're fascinating creatures, no matter how gruesome, and I love the different ways they're being portrayed now. Lia Habel has definitely put a unique spin on them in Dearly, Departed. While the classic I-will-eat-you-now zombies are still very much apart of it, there is also a seperate sector of more sympathetic zombies. These zombies are very much like the humans they once were, save for a few physical disadvantages. I had such a fun time reading about these zombies and it was nice to be surprised along the way by how much I liked them!

Dearly, Departed is told from 5 perspectives, with 2 that I would say are the main ones. All of these storylines tie in well together and it's refreshing to be able to switch into a different character's mindset. Each voice had a distinct tone to it, which helped it from getting overwhelming. Of course, it helped immensely that I found all of the characters so interesting.

Firstly, we have Nora, the MC of this novel. As I said before, there are some more traditional views on how society should function in this novel. A huge part of this has to do with women and their role (in other words, Nora is expected to be a gentle, soft-spoken lady). This is all fine and dandy except... Nora would rather watch war videos than plan tea parties. Nora is stubborn, brave and determined - I loved her.

Along with Nora, there is Bram (AKA Zombie Love Interest) and a whole bunch of other diverse characters. There is some spark to Bram that I can't quite describe - perhaps it's his refreshingly bright outlook on life? All I'll say besides that is that I really did like him, especially with Nora where the pair form a fabulous team. The other characters are memorable and fun, from Pamela - whom I was iffy about at the beginning but was definitely CHEERING ON by the end - to Ren - that geeky boy you just have to love.

Topped off with magnificent writing and some hilarious one-liners, Dearly, Departed is a zombie novel you won't want to miss.

Cover Comments: I like it! It has that Victorian feel but then I think the colour scheme brings out the futuristic side as well. Plus, as my friend pointed out to me, there is a GRAVEYARD in the background, which is all sorts of cool.

4.5 stars

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Source: Library
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 280

When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor's family, she is forced to move from Los Angeles to New York City to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she has never met. In their historic Fifth Avenue mansion, filled with a century's worth of family secrets, Michele discovers the biggest family secret of all - an ancestor's diary that, amazingly, has the power to send her back in time to 1910, the year it was written. There, at a glamorous high-society masquerade ball, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life. And she finds herself falling for him, and into an otherwordly romance.

Soon Michele is leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves - and to complete a quest that will determine their fate.

Timeless is one of the first time travel stories I have ever read and I must say, I really enjoyed it!

The overall concept of this novel is simply fascinating to me. The idea that a diary can transport a girl between multiple time periods, launching her into a world where her true love is alive... very cool.

Alexandra Monir flawlessly transitioned between the different time periods. There was clearly a lot of thought put into each one of them and it was very easy for me to differentiate between them. For example, a lot of the lingo from the Roaring Twenties? Yeah, I recognized that! New York City was described with vibrancy, making the city seem glamorous and lush. It's crazy - this is the second time in a few days that a book has made me want to go to New York (the other was Dash & Lily's Book of Dares if you're curious).

I liked Michele's character. Even after the tragedy that is mentioned in the summary, she keeps going and tries to stay positive. She is thrown into an unfamiliar, overwhelming environment and I really feel she did a good job adjusting to it the best she could, even if she sometimes had to escape to the past.

The only part that really fell a little flat for me was Michele's friendship with Caissie. It's not a huge part of the overall storyline or anything (at least in this book) but I feel that while there was a lot of potential, Michele only seemed to rely on Caissie to get her out of difficult situations. I mean, I think it's great that they can help each other out and all, but there needs to be some deeper substance to their relationship before it can grow into that. That might just be my opinion, though and it definitely wasn't a hugely distracting portion that took away from the story.

The ending! Woah. Okay, who saw that coming? I sure didn't! I am really excited to see where the story goes from that point in the next book.*

Overall, I would really recommend giving Timeless a try. It is a fresh take on meeting your 'true love' that gracefully tosses together past and present, tied together in a neat bow with a paranormal twist.

Cover Comments: SO PRETTY, SO PRETTY, SO PRETTY. *hugs*

*Sorry. I'm a horrible tease, I know.

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

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

Source: Library
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (Random House)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 260

"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 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.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares was an entertaining ride that allowed me to hop on right from the opening pages.

This novel switches perspectives from Dash and Lily, and I can't think of two more opposite characters. Dash is snarly, Lily is sweet. Dash is cynical, Lily is innocent. Nonetheless, they were such an adorable pair and I delighted in reading through their notebook exchanges. I really loved Dash from the moment I was introduced to him. He's the sarcastic, word nerd that was always up for a challenge and I always read his chapters with a smile (okay, I read the entire book with a smile). Lily, on the other hand, was a little annoying in the beginning because of how utterly innocent and fragile she was but after a while, I was won over by her sweetness and never looked back.

I'm not normally a person to make a huge deal of setting but in this book, New York was just such a prominent feature that I couldn't help but fall in love with it. All of the places described seemed magical and wonderful from Cohn and Levithan's descriptions. One day, I just want to take this book with me and read in all of the places in the book. Also, I need to visit the Strand sometime.

So, does the thought of a modern, bookish fairytale appeal to you? Well then look no further because that's exactly what Dash & Lily's Book of Dares was like to me. Cute, entertaining and creative.

Read it. I dare you.

Cover Comments: I really had no problem with this cover when I first saw it. I mean, it was nothing special, but whatever. Then, I saw this post from Heidi at YA Bibliophile (it's number two on the list) and I will never think of it in the same way again.

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Source: Library
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 377

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.   

Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again.  

But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

The Dark and Hollow Places contains just the right amount of awesome that I've come to expect from Ryan's books. Her writing is gorgeous, her characters are complex and her zombies are creep-tastic. What more could you possibly want?

I've probably talked about this in my reviews for Carrie Ryan's other two books but oh my gosh, the writing. It is so beautiful. There were plenty of times through my reading where I just paused, went back, and re-read passages.

Something that really stood out to me in this novel was how hopeful things could be even when it was a terrible, horrible situation that the characters were in. The zombies weren't really the main villains in this novel. No, this time, it was the humans. It was horrifying and disgusting how vicious and cruel mankind had become in the novel and even scarier because it was portrayed in a perfectly realistic way. Even with all of that, there were always those precious sparkles of hope that keep you from going crazy.

In regards to the main character, Annah, it took me a while to adjust to her. She is very different from her sister, Gabry, the narrator for the previous book, and I have to say that I missed Gabry's voice. Annah is scarred - both physically and emotionally - and is a very hardened character as a result of the life she has been forced to live. By the end of the book though, I really did appreciate her as a character. She perseveres and if there's one thing I learned from her, it's that you have to keep going, even when things get tough.

Speaking of lessons, I liked how much emphasis there was on one that I took away from this book. There was a lot of debating between the characters about what it truly means to be alive. That perhaps there was more to living then breathing, eating and sleeping. You love, you lose, you win, you cry - all of it is what separates us from the zombies.

A fantastic book with a gripping plot - a must-read series!

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Source: Library
Publisher: Doubleday Canada (Random House) 
Format: Paperback
Pages: 391

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.

But normal is one thing I'm not.

To start with, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother - who just happens to be a sorcerer - but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.

Not normal.

My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us - permanently.

Definitely not normal.

And finally, I'm a genetically altered necromancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.

As far away from normal as it gets.

*Spoilers are contained within this book for The Summoning and The Awakening. Read at your own risk!*

I love this series. It's action-packed and exciting with clever dialogue and lovely descriptions and I'm sad to see it end. That being said, I really enjoyed this book, even though it wasn't my favourite of the trilogy.

My wish was fulfilled in that there was some more focus on developing everyone's powers. In this book, Simon, Tori and Chloe all get special training from others that share their talents. To be honest, I spent these scenes (well, one in particular, anyway) ready to throw the book at the wall because of how much the 'tutor' was annoying me. Due to the experiments that were performed on them, the younger characters all have enhanced powers, something the adults are unwilling to understand and accept.

I really have enjoyed seeing Chloe grow through the series. I've seen her transform from the meek, innocent little girl that watched and listened to a stronger one that isn't afraid to speak up for herself. Chloe is a character that I can easily connect to and that I love to cheer on as she makes decisions for herself.

The other characters in this story also evoke strong emotions from me. While I love both Simon and Derek, Derek is definitely my favourite of the two. He is protective and clearly cares for Chloe a lot but doesn't flaunt his love like some sort of lovesick puppy. Tori is someone that has really grown on me. When I first started the series, she made me want to rip out of my hair, but I feel like I understand her better and I like the tentative friendship she and Chloe are building. Most of the newer characters in this book grated on my nerves and are one of the only things I won't mind losing with this series.

There was a lot of focus on this book on the Edison Group and all of the experiments and secrets they've been hiding. While it does make the book a little slower than the previous in the series, this book is by no means boring. There was one scene in particular involving Derek and Chloe that made my heart pound frantically - I love when a book can get that kind of reaction from me.

All in all, a wonderful conclusion to a stellar trilogy! Definitely something that you want to check out if you haven't already.

Cover Comments: It's preeeeetty! All of the covers for this series are beautiful.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Source: Library
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
ISBN: 978-0-385-73684-8 
Pages: 404

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness.

But life after the Return is never safe, and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.

One night beyond the Barrier...

One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery...

 One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.

Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

I had high expectations beginning this novel and, let me tell you, The Dead-Tossed Waves completely and utterly surpassed them.

There's just some quality to Ryan's writing that makes the words flow off the page. There is plenty of despair and desperation in this dystopian, zombie series and it is all described exceptionally well through the text. It's one of those books that just gets to you because of how strong the main character's voice is and I loved that about it.

I had a much easier time connecting to Gabry than I did with Mary, the main character of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, probably because we're a lot more similar than Mary and I are. Gabry is filled with a different kind of strength than Mary and is a lot less reckless. She is less outspoken and more vulnerable but there was a quiet kind of courage nonetheless.

Then we have Elias... Oh, dear, I loved him. Sure, he had some issues, but in a post-apocalyptic world of zombies and death galore, I think it's acceptable. The bottom line is that he was kind and patient and I never once felt like he was trying to push Gabry into something she wasn't ready for or putting her in harm's way.* Can we have some more, please?

I kind of hope that now that this series is over (written and published, that is. I have yet to read the final book), Carrie Ryan will try for a happier novel. I feel like the worse thing that could possibly happen really did occur, over and over again. I will cheerfully concoct a long-winded happy ending for all of these characters if the final book doesn't give me one - I think I'll need it for my sanity!

So, what I hope you take from this review? If you haven't read this series, you're missing out. There is death and infection and killing and grief but sometimes you're rewarded with precious bits of hope that are enough to keep the pages flying. It's a marvellous story and I highly recommend it.

Cover Comments: I love this cover! The position of the cover model, the frothy water... all of it just works. Beautifully done!

*If you've read the book... er, excluding that. I know that statement probably got some raised eyebrows.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 978-0-385-73893-4
Pages: 452

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at Sword & Cross boarding school is Savannah. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are screwups, and security cameras watch every move.

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

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Loved this one! The story was fast-paced and exciting throughout without a single dull moment.

Fallen captured me from the start with its intriguing prologue. I think the thing that really attracted me to it was how we got to know Daniel before the story in the proper timeframe even began. Even with only a few pages, his personality shines through and I found that I kept flipping back throughout the rest of the book to read certain lines again.

Now, to talk about characters! I'm a character lover and these ones didn't disappoint. I found the main character, Luce, easy to relate to even though the trials she experiences are things I've never had to deal with. The two boys vying for Luce's attention, Daniel and Cam, both had their merits but in my mind, Daniel was the clear winner from the start (the prologue might have helped...).

The ending! Oh, the ending. I'll say this: I wasn't expecting that. It came fast and strong and only added to the mysterious aspect of this entire thrilling love story. The book ends on a high note with lots of room left for future books.

Cover Comments: I have a confession: I love pictures of trees. I don't know why, I just always think that the branches are stunning when captured through a lens. Keeping that in mind, it's easy to guess that I loved this cover as well. The dark colour scheme fits the book really well and I like the model they chose for Luce even if I think her hair should definitely be shorter. The dress is beautiful. Excellent cover!
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Other titles from Lauren Kate include: The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, Torment, Passion (June 14, 2011)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 978-0-385-73681-7
Pages: 308

In Mary's world, there are simple truths.

The Sisterhood always knows best.

The Guardians will protect and serve.

The Unconsecrated will never relent.

And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.

Now she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death?

I absolutely adored this novel. The writing was incredibly powerful and the story flowed effortlessly. It is one of the most beautifully crafted books I've read in a long while. The raw emotion was portrayed realistically and hauntingly and was probably one of the biggest reasons I couldn't put the book down once I really got started.

I have to admit, I was hesitant to even pick this book up. The title alone sort of freaked me out and I was worried I would spend the night after reading it worrying I was going to be eaten by mythical monsters. I was partly right - the story definitely did stay with me long after I'd finished reading - but it was so worth it.

The beginning of the story focuses heavily on developing Mary's character. Ryan does a fantastic job of creating a three-dimensional character. She was strong and a dreamer with every feeling described in ultra-high detail. I felt like I was experiencing everything alongside with Mary (a little scary considering the circumstances in which the book takes place...) but at times I found myself very annoyed with her. She was just so selfish sometimes! I mean, I understand why she did certain things (can you see me trying not to give stuff away?) but she was just a little too adventurous for me.

Overall, The Forest of Hands and Teeth turned out to be a magnificent debut from Carrie Ryan.

If there is anything that this book taught me it is that I am not prepared for the zombie apocalypse (which will happen - seriously).

I'm very excited to read the second instalment, The Dead-Tossed Waves, which I am currently waiting on from the library. Hopefully it will be as brilliantly done as its predecessor.
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Other titles from Carrie Ryan include: The Dead-Tossed Waves, The Dark and Hollow Places (March 2011)