Waiting on Wednesday (45): Stay by Deb Caletti

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly awaiting. This week I can't wait for Stay by Deb Caletti whose books I just love especially their beautiful covers! Stay sounds a lot more intense and grown up compared to the others, but it has to be good. Can't wait to read it but unfortunately it's coming out so far away on April 18, 2011!

 

Stay

By: Deb Caletti

Description from Goodreads:
---------------------------------------------
Clarar's relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she's ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it's almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is--and what he's willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city-and Christian-behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won't let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

Dark Flame Mini Review

Title: Dark Flame

Author: Alyson Noel

Pages: 336
 Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: June 22, 2010

My Edition: Hardback

Reading Level: Young Adult

Borrowed from: the Library

Summary from Goodreads: 
At the start of this mesmerizing new installment of the Immortals series, Ever is helping her friend Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and carelessly putting them all at risk, their friendship becomes more and more strained. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into magick in order to get control over her enemy Roman and free Damen from his power. But when the spell she casts on Roman backfires, she’s bound to her deadliest enemy. Frantic to reverse the spell the moment the moon enters a new phase, she finds her efforts are fruitless—there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, one that propels her toward Roman. Desperate to break free of this terrible curse before Damen or the twins can discover what she’s done, she turns to Jude and delves deeper and deeper into dark magick, ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including Damen.

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year,...more  
Review: 

Dark Flame was another great edition to the Immortals Series with a lot more drama and even a major quad love triangle between Ever and her men: Damen, Jude, and Roman. The plot flowed pretty slowly for the most part, but Ever was very dramatic and her trouble & drama were there every step of the way which made the story much more interesting. Between Haven becoming an Immortal & her infatuation with her new powers and Roman and also Ever's many struggles to gain the cure from Roman and to stop her dark side, there was never a dull moment.

The end was super surprising and definitely not at all what I expected. I have become a little bored with the series, but I will continue to read them because I just love Ever and Damen and wish they could finally have their happyily ever after. I hope the last two are better than the last three and as good as the first, so I'm excited to read Night Star when it comes out this November 16th, 2010!

Rating:

Recreate You Wish by Mandy Hubbard Cover Contest!

Princess Bookie is having another recreate a cover contest (yay!) and this time for You Wish by Mandy Hubbard. Here's the original cover and summary:

  
Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteenth sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years.  Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. And a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride… but they MUST STOP. Because when she was 15? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend. 

---------------------------------------------- 

Official Rules:

Open To US Only (unless you have a friend who will ship to you OR your willing to cover shipping via paypal and I will ship to you)
One Entry Per Person
Open Until August 1 unless we hit 20 before that!
First 20 participates In Mr Linky
We will be voting in rounds!
Mandy will comment on top 5!

Here's My Cover!

 

IMM (44)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren. IMM is where I post the books I won, received for review, bought, borrowed, or ect. These are the books and/or swag I received this week!:

RECEIVED FOR REVIEW:

Portal by Imogen Rose (Paperback + bookmark)
Glimpse by Stacey Wallace Benefiel (Paperback)

WON: 
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Paperback)
Tell Me a Secret Sneak Preview + bookmark
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Signed Paperback!)

BOUGHT AT GOODWILL: 
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Hardback)

Have you read any of these? What did you get this week?

Summer ARCs Winners!

Hey everyone, I hope you all have a great weekend : ) I randomly picked the Summer ARCs winners and out of 58 people and 108 entries, these are the winners!

  Winner One ~ who picked The Summer of Skinny Dipping:

          Kailia S. of Reading the Best of the Best        

Winner Two ~ who picked Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots:

                                  Stacey L.                                  

Congrats to the winners...I'll be emailing you both shortly! Please respond back quickly, so I send them out Monday or Tuesday.

Waiting on Wednesday (44) + Summer ARCs Contest Reminder!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly awaiting. This week I can't wait for Delirium by Lauren Oliver which is the second novel by the amazing Lauren who's debut book Before I Fall was beyond good. And Oooh wow the cover is gorgeous, and I love how the face shows through the silver words. Can't wait to read it when it comes out next year on February 1, 2011!

Delirium

By: Lauren Oliver

Description from Goodreads:
---------------------------------------------

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that one love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Summer ARCs Contest with 2 winners: one for Summer of Skinny Dipping & one for Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots ends tomorrow July 22nd! I will select and post the winners late on Thursday night, so just be sure to get your entries in before then. I'll select the winners by random.org and then send each winner an email. If you haven't entered already and want to enter, then go HERE and fill out the form!

Perfect Chemistry Review

Title: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Pages: 360
 Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

My Edition: Bargain Paperback

Reading Level: YA, Ages 14+

Bought from: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads: 
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year,...more A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
 

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

Review: 
Whoa, Perfect Chemistry was so much substantial and amazing than I could have ever imagined. I started it late one night and had to force myself to stop because I had to wake up early in the morning, but when I got home I rushed up to my room to devour more. I finished almost all of it in just a couple of hours and just truly adored the ending as well as the whole book. The story is very like Romeo and Juliet but with a modern twist which was done very nicely. The characters were really easy to relate to, and the Spanish used sporadically made the Latino and Mexican culture very realistic. My favorite part of the book was the alternating chapters between both characters' point-of-views because it was interesting to know what each one was thinking and also to see how different their worlds were compared to one another.

Simone Elkeles didn't downplay and hold back on describing their very complicated lives: Alex's messy gang life or Brittany's screwed up family life. She wrote their story with such beauty and truth and even the sex scene and some steamy moments weren't portrayed as skanky or dumb but as just the true experience between two unexpected lovers. Brittany did get a little annoying at times, but I felt compassion for her as she tries to keep up her perfect persona while inside she's ripping apart trying to take care of her sister while thoughts of Alex keep creeping in. Alex on the other hand has to keep up his tough, bad-boy persona while in the inside he can't stand that his gang life can harm him or his family and also can't stop thinking about untouchable Brittany. Brittany's boyfriend was beyond stupid and irritating, so I couldn't wait for the moment Brittany ditched him and would finally get together with Alex. 

All throughout there was tons of drama, conflict, and romance, and by the ended it all multiplied with some very sad and teary parts. The ending was absolutely the perfect ever after for the couple, and the epilogue was really funny and cute. I absolutely loved the first book that I've read from Elkeles, so I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Rules of Attraction: Perfect Chemistry 2 and to read her other YA novels! If you were like me a week ago (which is a small few since I'm probably one of the last to read it) and haven't read Perfect Chemistry, than you need to pick it up right away and read it now because you will definitely not regret it.

Rating:

Shadow Hills: A 2010 Debut Author Challenge Review

Title: Shadow Hills

Author: Anastasia Hopcus

Pages: 400
 Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: July 13, 2010

My Edition: ARC Paperback

Reading Level: Young Adult
Challenge Read for: 2010 Debut Author Challenge

Received from: Anastasia Hopcus for review

Summary from Amazon: 
After her sister Athena's tragic death, it's obvious that grief-stricken Persephone "Phe" Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister's sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA -- a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died.

Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills' history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach -- the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after -- seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister's untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills.

Review: 
In Shadow Hills, Anastasia Hopcus writes an amazingly, unique story about a young girl Persephone "Phe" who is strangely connected to the town of Shadow Hills. The story has many great elements of romance, mystery, action, and town history which I highly enjoyed reading. The writing, characters, and back story were all very well-developed and unlike anything other YA book. At first, I didn't really get into the story, but when I actually sat down and started reading, I just couldn't stop. Once Phe learns the town's secret, the plot action quickens, and I didn't put the book down til I finished. The ending was one of the best and very satisfying and unexpected.

The beginning starts off with being introduced to Persephone Archer who moves to Shadow Hills to go the Devenish Preparatory School after her sister receives a brochure for the boarding school. Phe's sister just died and her family is very messed up about it, so Phe decides to move away to the town where her and her sister have been having dreams about. While at the school and town, everything starts to reveal itself about the mysterious dreams, the weird townies, and her part in the town's history. The characters were lovable and some very irritable, and I just loved Phe and her friends especially Zach. The relationship between Phe and Zach was complicated, but I loved them together.

I really enjoyed reading Shadow Hills and highly recommend picking up at the library or bookstore right away! Anastasia Hopcus is a debut author this year, and her first book is definitely a success. I can't wait to read her future YA books because they have to be just as fabulous as Shadow Hills. Thanks so much to Anastasia for sending me a review copy several months ago.

Rating:

IMM (43)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren. IMM is where I post the books I won, received for review, bought, borrowed, or ect. These are the books and/or swag I received this week!:

RECEIVED FOR REVIEW:

Passing Strange: A Generation Dead Novel by Daniel Walters (UK Edition Paperback)
Take Me with You: Off-to-College Advice from One Chick to Another by Nikki Roddy (Hardback from LibraryThing Early Reviewers)
FROM THE LIBRARY: 
Dark Flame: Immortals Book 4 by Sara Shepard (Hardback)

Have you read any of these? What did you get this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (43): Night Star

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly awaiting. This week I can't wait for Night Star by Alyson Noel which is the fifth book of the Immortal Series. I just got the fourth book Dark Flame from the library, so I'm excited to start that. Plus, the cover is so pretty and fits in very well with the others in the series. Can't wait to read it when it comes out this November 23, 2010!

Night Star

By: Alyson Noel

Short Description from Goodreads:
----------------------------------------
In this installment, Ever and Damen face down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Night Star is guaranteed to mesmerize fans and leave them breathlessly awaiting the sixth and final book!

Forget You Review

Title: Forget You

Author: Jennifer Echols
Pages: 293

Publisher: MTV

Publication Date: July 20, 2010

My Edition: Signed Galley

Reading Level: YA, Ages 14+

Received from: Jennifer Echols for review

Summary from Goodreads:

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . .  AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER?

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. 

Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug. 

Review:

Forget You told a sweet, romantic story involving many themes of family problems, love and loss, friendship, and trust. It was hard to put down and so good I read it in less than a day. The writing is for mature readers because of a few steamy moments that were actually pretty fun to read plus some swearing and alcohol references. Jennifer Echols definitely knows how to tell such a great, meaningful story that you will not want to put down til you're finished.

The main character Zoey is a swimmer and lifeguard like me, so it was very easy to connect with her character. At times though, Zoey did get on my nerves because she wouldn't get closer to Doug because she thinks her and Brandon are dating. She uses that excuse so often, it got very old to hear. Doug was my favorite character and probably one of the best male characters I've read in a long time. He seemed distant and mean at first but later turns out to be very sweet and sensitive. If I were him, I wouldn't have put up the things Zoey kept doing to him, but in the end it all worked out. Besides some annoyances from Zoey, I loved Zoey and Doug together, and their relationship is what kept me wanting to read just so I could find out what would happen between them. I really couldn't believe some of the sad and dramatic events that occurred in Zoey's life but was very happy with the ending. 

Forget You is the first book I've read by Echols, so I'm very exciting to read many more of her novels in the future! I highly recommend reading especially if you have never read any of her books before. Also, the cover is very cute, and its the perfect cover for such an amazingly, sweet story.

Rating:

IMM (42)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren. IMM is where I post the books I won, received for review, bought, borrowed, or ect. These are the books and/or swag I received this week!:

BOUGHT AT BOOKS-A-MILLION:
(Books were buy 2 get 1 free, so I got all three for $19!) 
----------------------------------
Wicked: Pretty Little Liars Book 5 by Sara Shepard (Paperback)
Killer: Pretty Little Liars Book 6 by Sara Shepard (Paperback)
Heartless: Pretty Little Liars Book 7 by Sara Shepard (Paperback)
 BOUGHT AT TARGET: 
100 Classic Books DS Game, only $20! (Includes books by Austen, Shakespeare, Dickens, and so many more. I'm so excited to start reading books on my DS now!)

 
FOR REVIEW:

Jane by April Lindner (ARC from HipScouts)

The Queen of Secrets by Jenny Meyerhoff (Hardback from Henry Holt InGroup)

Have you read any of these? What did you get this week?

Recreate Tell Me a Secret Cover Contest!

Princess Bookie is having another recreate a cover contest and this time it's recreating Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala. Here's the original cover and summary:

 In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

-----------------------

Official Rules:
Open Until July 15th unless we hit 30 before that!
First 30 participates In Mr Linky
We will be voting in rounds!
Holly will comment on top 5!

Here's My Cover!

 

My Blood Approves: A Debut Author Challenge Book Review

Title: My Blood Approves

Author: Amanda Hocking
Pages: 266

Publisher: lulu.com

Publication Date: May 5, 2010

My Edition: Paperback
Genre: Paranormal

Reading Level: Young Adult

Received from: Amanda Hocking for review

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham's life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack's unlike anyone she's ever met.

Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he's around. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him.

But falling for two very different guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood...

Review:

My Blood Approves tells a unique story of a vampire romance with a twist pretty different than most of the vampire stories I've read. Since the tremendous success of the Twilight saga, the popularity has brought tons of literature and movies that involve immortal and fantasy characters. Since then, every book I read that includes vampire characters seem to be rip offs or very similar to Twilight. Stories about vampires are definitely not at all new  and Twilight is also definitely not the most original either. So with that said, My Blood Approves' vampires had some very unique characteristics but the plot had several similarities to the saga. Besides the similarities, the story was very good and very hard to put down because of the romance, drama, and suspense.

The story is about Alice who's saved by a mysterious, older boy while in a sticky situation who later turns out to be a vampire. He attracts everyone around her except herself until she meets his family and they all start to bond over their unusual situation. With the knowledge of their true selves, her life turns upside down and results in her and the two vampire brothers to be in a very messed up love triangle. The stress of their messy relationship was so much fun to read, and I really enjoyed trying to figure out who Alice would end up with, either Jack who is lovable and kind or the one she is meant for the irritable and confused Peter. I loved Jack because he was so funny and nice, but I rooted for Peter and Alice together because her blood is meant for him.

The writing was good but there were several grammatical mistakes which did take away from the story. Besides that, I highly enjoyed My Blood Approves and really need to read the next two in the series. Unfortunately I don't have an ebook reader to read them on, otherwise I would buy them. The covers of the series are absolutely gorgeous and just love the clouds and trees on the vibrant background colors. Hopefully I can read Fate and Flutter very soon. You can buy the ebook of My Blood Approves for only 99 cents at Amazon, so I would recommend buying it right away. Thanks to Amanda for providing with a copy in exchange for a review!

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday (42)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly awaiting. This week I can't wait for Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen which is the first book in a new series by the author of the Luxe series. I just bought the first three in the Luxe series library, so I'm excited to start those. Can't wait to read it when it comes out this October 26, 2010! 

Bright Young Things

By: Anna Godbersen

Short Description from Goodreads:
----------------------------------------
Bright Young Things is the first in an epic four-book series about three teenage girls finding their way in the glittering metropolis of New York City and the glamorous mansions of Long Island. It’s 1929 and Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey have escaped their small Midwestern town to chase big dreams and even bigger secrets. In New York, they meet Astrid Donal, a flapper who has everything she could ever want, except for the one thing Letty and Cordelia have to offer—true friendship. Set in the dizzying summer before the market crash, against the vast lawns of the East End and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls will find romance, intrigue, and adventure.

Just as The Luxe books brought the Gilded Age to readers of Gossip Girl, Bright Young Things will bring the Jazz Age to bestselling author Anna Godbersen’s devoted fans and to new readers alike.

IMM (41): Amazon Bargain Book Edition + Happy 4th of July!

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren. IMM is where I post the books I won, received for review, bought, borrowed, or ect. These are the books and/or swag I received this week!:

BOUGHT FROM AMAZON:
($10 Gift Card from Swag Bucks and $20 Gift Card from Loves to Read for designing her button - thanks so much! I bought all these for a little under $28, so each book cost about $3.75!) 
--------------------------
The Luxe by Anna Godberson (Bargain Book)
Envy: Luxe Book 3 by Anna Godberson (Bargain Book) 

Rumors: Luxe Book 2 by Anna Godberson (Bargain Book) 

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Bargain Book) 

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley (Bargain Book) 

Graffiti Girl by Kelly Parra (Bargain Book) 

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen (Bargain Book) 

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers (Bargain Book)

FROM RANDOM BUZZERS AND WON

The Lighter Side of Life and Death by C.K. Kelly Martin (ARC won from Random Buzzers)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Paperback redeemed with Buzz Bucks)

Rich Boys: An Island Summer Novel by Jenny O'Connell
(Signed paperback + bookmark won from Teens Read Too Blog) 
 

 
Have you read any of these? What did you get this week?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Entry + Information

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is a week long festival celebrating the community of book bloggers and their contribution to preserving a culture of literacy through book reviews and recommendations, reading reflections, and general bookish chat.  BBAW also includes an awards component.  For more information on the BBAW 2010 Awards and how to participate, please visit the BBAW 2010 Awards Blog.  BBAW events include daily blogging topics, blogger interview swaps, special guest posts, and so much more!

Who:  If you self-identify as a book blogger, this festival is for you!  We have been excited to welcome participants from all over the world for past BBAWs.

When:  September 13-17, 2010.

Where: Right here at the Book Blogger Appreciation Week blog.  You can participate in the comfort of your own home and the convenience of your own time zone. 

Why:  Because book blogging is a fun and time intensive hobby that has created communities around books and played a crucial role in the continuing evolution of what books mean in our society.

How Can I Participate?
You can participate by filling out the registration form for BBAW 2010. Subscribe to the blog’s feed and follow us on Twitter to keep up with all of the developments!

 --------------------------------------------------------

I thought it would be fun to participate this year, so I'm registering. I feel a little weird nominating myself because I don't feel like my blog is the best out there, but why not try : ) Good Luck to everyone else who registers!

Best Written Book Blog—This blog is consistently well-written, clear, and engaging, no matter what the subject. [Note that nominated bloggers for this award are required to submit 3 reviews, recommendations, or analyses of a specific title; 2 are up to the nominated blogger.]

Review 1: Grace by Elizabeth Scott
Review 2: The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells
Review 3: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Review 4: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Review 5: Butterfly by Sony Hartnett

Best Young Adult Book Blog—This blog offers the best consistently excellent reviews, recommendations, analyses, and other content for books written for a young adult audience.

Review 1: Grace by Elizabeth Scott
Review 2: The Summer Of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells
Review 3: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Review 4: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Post 5: Best and Worst of Covers

Grace Review

Title: Grace

Author: Elizabeth Scott
Pages: 208

Publisher: Dutton

Publication Date: September 16, 2010

My Edition: ARC
Genre: Dystopian

Reading Level: Young Adult

Received from: Elizabeth Scott & Dutton

Summary from Goodreads:

A fable of a terrifying near future by critically acclaimed author Elizabeth Scott.

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

Told in spare, powerful prose, this tale of a dystopian near future will haunt readers long after they've reached the final page.

Review:

Grace tells a very powerful and horrifyingly, realistic story of a young girl, in a distant future, born an Angel who must die as a suicide bomber. The story was extremely well written and very hard to resist. It was very short but every word nicely contributed to the amazing story of Grace who's trying to escape her fate. The dystopian setting seemed scary but also very realistic, so I truly hope our world would never come to one dictator ruling the country. The few characters in the story, mainly Grace and Kerr, had very troubled childhoods, and they learn to bond through their illegal train ride escape to the border in order to stay alive.

Grace is a strong and brave girl who's story is very intense. Since she is an Angel, she must die by a suicide bomb but escapes her fate to keep living. Her people of The Hills live to send a message to Keran Berj to let him know there are people fighting against him. From the day she was born Grace knew her propose in life, but when her day comes, she decides to do anything in order to survive. She fails as a Angel and has to live everyday knowing that many people died from her bomb. Grace meets a boy who decides to help her but later we learn he has ulterior motives in agreeing to help. She boards a miserable train crawling with soldiers through the desert, and finally meets Kerr who will act as her brother. They travel together and learn more about themselves and each other in the process.

Grace wasn't sugar coated or fluffed as it describes a world where absolutely no one would dream to be. Elizabeth Scott's novels are all fantastic, and she definitely knows how to write several YA themes including romance, friendship, dystopian, kidnapping, and many more. Grace is the most compelling and thought-provoking YA novel of the year and will leave you craving to know if they will escape. I loved Grace because I had no idea what to expect and was satisfied behind belief by Grace's unexpected, powerful story. The cover is absolutely beautiful and is the perfect cover for such an amazing book! You will not be disappointing by Grace, so it's a definite must read and highly recommended.

Rating: