lei

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

Falling for Hadie is probably one of the most beautiful and saddest books that I have ever read. I was a bit wary about reading it when I first read the summary because it sounded just like every other contemporary book out there. It seemed like that at first; the first few chapters were peppered with a lot of clichés, like Hadie's man-hating tendencies and Lincoln's ‘I like her, but I should stay away' monologues. I was this close to marking this book as ‘did not finish', but i'm really really glad that I gave it a chance.

There are so many things I want to say about Falling for Hadie but I'm so afraid I might not be able to give it justice. This book made my heart ache and my eyes burn with tears. There was just so much emotion in every page that it was so hard not to feel them. The initial peeves I had about the book disappeared as I devoured page after page and I slowly understood the reasons behind the clichés. This isn't your typical Young Adult/New Adult contemporary at all.

I found myself so emotionally invested in Lincoln and Hadie because they were so real. I adored Hadie's authenticity and cheered deep inside when she shed her prejudice towards Lincoln. This girl has been through a lot and continues to go through a lot as the story progressed, but she dealt with it with so much strength and courage. Lincoln is my favorite character; he was so unbelievably sweet and thoughtful and charming and funny and witty and strong and perfect, but still incredibly genuine. The relationship these two had was so pure and made me giggly all over, but the thing I loved most about their relationship was that they understood each other and gave each other strength against all odds.

I have to applaud Komal for writing so many stories within a story without moving too far away from the main plot. Hadie's and Lincoln's past were well established and I understood who they were before they met. The supporting characters weren't left behind and Komal paved the way for their own books. I liked how we clearly see the contrasts between Hadie's family and Lincoln's parents, and how judgemental and hungry for attention people can get. Komal Kant certainly has a gift for breathing authenticity into all of her characters in all kinds of situations.

The plot was painfully slow at first but thankfully evened-out in the middle. I enjoyed reading the two main characters' points of view and they really gave each character a clear voice that echoed their inner thoughts. I wasn't a fan of how the school was depicted in the book because almost the entire student body was against Hadie and Lincoln and I just found that hard to believe. There were also events that were a tad bit too melodramatic, but not to the point that they made me gag.

While I was reading the book, I was constantly begging Lincoln to tell me his secret reason why he wouldn't let himself fall for Hadie. A lot of things were revolving around this big secret of his, like why he didn't want to form any relationships and why his parents and sister were so cold towards him. When Lincoln finally told, I was completely dumbfounded; I didn't see it coming at all and it definitely wasn't in my list of speculations but everything suddenly made sense and I slowly turned into a waterfall.

I don't want to spoil anything and I won't tell you Lincoln's secret- you'll have to read the book to find out. But I will tell you this: sometimes a book will leave a mark on you; not only because it made you cry a waterfall of tears and made you laugh until you couldn't breathe, but because you felt something while you were reading it and that feeling will never leave you-ever. Falling for Hadie isn't a book about heartache and sadness, it is a book about living and loving and everything in between and it has taught me so much about life and gave me the second most beautiful epilogue that I have ever read.

Komal, you have broken my heart into tiny little pieces. And for that I will love you and your books forever. Falling for Hadie has touched me in ways I never thought it could and this just proves how powerful a book can be. This wonderful and emotionally gripping novel filled with life, love, courage, and unwavering hope is something that everyone should fall in love with.

When I first picked up The End Games, I thought I was going to get a fast-paced survival story with zombies along the lines of the third season of The Walking Dead. The End Games was more than that. It tells the story of a young boy's will to survive and the lengths he was willing to go through to protect his brother and reach the safe zone.

I have to be honest and say that I had a hard time reading this book. It wasn't that it was bad or anything, it was just so difficult. The book handles a lot of heavy themes like Patrick's mental and social issues, antagonists that may possibly be insane, and Michael's struggles to stabilize his state of mind. The End Games had themes similar to that of a psychological thriller, and I had to invest a lot into the story and really think because it was so easy to get confused if you didn't pay attention to some minor details.

The writing is really different from what we're used to in the world of YA. It's much more complex and literary, reminiscent of the writing used in well-loved contemporary classics. The main character in the book is a teenager, but the narration treats the reader like an adult. Michael still sticks to his teenage jargon and is known for shouting out internet lingo like the word ‘newb' but there was just something about the writing that made it sound so grown up. The book doesn't scrimp on the gory details and harsh realities either. The unique writing style may have taken a while for me to get used to but I learned to appreciate and enjoy it.

I struggled with the narration a bit because the main character, Michael, had a lot of issues with himself that were dealt with so vividly and I felt like he brought me along for the ride. He didn't understand himself completely, making it hard for me to understand him. I really admired his strength and dedication to his brother Patrick though and I really felt his growth as the story progressed. Patrick, on the other hand, was so hard to bear with. He's just a five year old boy and most of his actions were understandable even though he ruins everything almost every time. He really annoyed me but since I guess that is what the author wanted, I think he's a really well-written character. The supporting characters and antagonists were also very well-rounded and entertaining, and I enjoyed their contributions to the book.

The world that T. Michael Martin created for The End Games was new to me, but I welcomed it with open arms. When I read a post-apocalyptic novel I have to believe in it completely and leave no holes for plot holes and doubts, and that's exactly what this book gave me. Unlike most dystopian books, the story doesn't take place years or centuries after the end but places us just a few weeks after the supposed ‘end of the world'. I also loved the author's fresh new take on zombies and the living dead and how they came to be.

The End Games actually opens up right in the middle of the action and we're immediately thrown into this world of darkness and monsters. The plot was evenly paced and even though a lot of major details were kept a secret early on, they were gradually revealed throughout the book during the perfect times. There was never a time that I had a question that would go unanswered. There were a lot of instances where I thought that it was done and over, but another curveball gets thrown our way and the book kept me on my toes.

At the end of the day, the best aspect of this book is Michael's love for his little brother Patrick. It's the whole reason for this story, actually. The strength they gave each other and their trust in one another confounded me and left me with awe. The array of emotions I felt while reading this book was so real, so breathtaking, and so raw.

The End Games is a masterful debut with equal parts innocence and darkness about redemption, second chances, love, and finding yourself in the darkest situations.


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Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

After waiting for so long for Requiem, the final installment of the well-loved Delirium trilogy, I wanted to read it as soon as my hands caressed the smooth cover and didn't mind (or scream at) the slightly scary cover girl at all. Time came that the release date was just around the corner and I finally allowed myself to start reading and transport myself back to The Wilds. Surprisingly though, that didn't happen and I was still lying on the sofa wondering if the book will ever start to get interesting.

Requiem was so painfully slow. The roller coaster journey that I expected was replaced with a railroad track: turtle-paced and straight. I understand that the plot had to build up before it reached it's climax, but the book was filled with a lot of unnecessary scenes and tedious dialogue. There were a lot of times where I found myself getting bored and wanting to skip entire paragraphs.

A lot of conflicts presented in the story were causeless and frustrating to read about. I didn't care too much for the characters, either. They annoyed me to death and it was like they were just using each other. The depth of the relationships in Delirium and Pandemonium were evident but I just couldn't feel them in Delirium. The intense love, regret, thirst for vengeance, and hope that he book was supposed to focus on was near invisible.

Lauren Oliver's writing was masterful as always. Lena's and Hana's point of view were equally well-written and gave voice to the characters. The world-building was magical, believable, raw, and real. I ended up envisioning myself going to places that Lena and Hana went to, and the way the rebellion progressed and how it was planned and executed was well thought of. Lauren's words and sentences were beautiful, fluid, and song-like. She could effortlessly and seamlessly weave and bend words to her liking, making me want to keep on reading despite the slow pace.

Requiem was not a bad conclusion to the trilogy but it just didn't reach my high expectations for it and I am disappointed because of that. The book eventually picked up and got my attention a few chapters before the book ended, though. The climax crept up on me and receded as quickly as it came. Most fans are complaining about the ending because the series was concluded with uncertainty and a lot of questions to be answered but I actually liked it; it was more of a sign of a new beginning than an ending, really. The message it echoed reached me and the last few paragraphs were so raw and truthful; I feel like they would always be a part of me.

I am still hungry for a proper epilogue, though.

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

I don't know how to describe the intense love-hate relationship I had with Nantucket Blue. The plot of the book was so simple, perfect for a quick summer read. The writing style was uncomplicated and the characters were ordinary However, there was something about this book that slowly captured my full attention.

Cricket Thompson is probably the most realistic young adult protagonist that I have ever come across. She had a lot of flaws; she was heavily reliant on other people and thought too much about the opinions of others, and she let other people walk all over her without defending herself. Cricket was overly attached to her friend Jules to the point that she refused to realize the way Jules was mistreating her and made excuses for Jules' actions to reassure herself. She was very stubborn and refused to face the hard truths in life.

The relationships portrayed in Nantucket Blue were also very believable. The bases of old relationships were clearly portrayed and the process of how new relationships were formed was very intricate and gave the readers a play-by-play of it all without being too over detailed. The ‘friendship' between Cricket and Jules was complicated and messy and I think that they just used each other without knowing it. The romance in the book was predictable but still extremely cute and sweet, as how any summer romance should be.

What I liked is that even though Cricket denied her flaws so much, they were so evident in the book because of little tidbits that were seamlessly weaved into the story and the dialogue. It was so easy to get annoyed at Cricket because of the decisions she made but you can really see her growth as the story progresses. The Cricket Thompson who went to Nantucket to chase her summer dreams became a different person at the end of the summer, and that, I think, is what's important.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the supporting characters and the subplots in the book. Nantucket Blue isn't just a story about Cricket's summer, it is about the summer of an incredibly diverse set of people who eventually find themselves connected to one another. Strangers, old friends, and family members played a huge role in Nantucket Blue and helped Cricket discover her capabilities and self-confidence.

The beauty of Nantucket Blue, I think, is in the sheer simplicity of it. The book was written in a beautiful yet unpretentious and simple prose that somehow brought life to every word. A reader could easily visualize the things Cricket was seeing, showing us the true glory of Nantucket through words. The dialogue was, again, so simple, but was incredibly raw and transparent. Every kind of emotion and vulnerability was thrown at me through thoughts and expressions and body languages, and the entire experience was surreal

Leila Howland wrote a beautiful coming of age book that resonated with the allure of a masterful contemporary: bold, honest, real, and speaks to the heart. It did not end on a high part; the book sort of fell flat somewhere towards the ending and a lot of problems were unresolved, but it did not matter. It didn't matter because that's the way life really goes; love, death, drama, fear, and hope. There are some things that we cannot take back, but there is always hope. Cricket started to believe in herself and she started to hope, and she made me believe and hope along with her.

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

My Favorite Mistake gave me one of the best reading experiences in the history of ever. I was giggling and blushing and screaming in my head. This book had me grinning from ear to ear. My friend Jassie was the one who told me that I should read it, and I love love love her forever because of that.

The thing about My Favorite Mistake is that I have absolutely no idea what exactly set it apart from the rest of the New Adult books I had. It had the overly used recipe of ‘girl with a troubled past who didn't want any more trouble + seemingly bad boy with problems of his own but gasp actually develops a soft side because of aforementioned girl = boy chases girl but girl denies her feelings because being with boy is bad for her'. Yeap, it was one of those books. However, I devoured the book and loved it to bits in spite of all that.

Maybe I enjoyed this book because of Taylor. Unlike most of girl protags in books like this, Taylor wasn't some goody goody damsel who constantly needed saving. Something happened to her in the past, and she was determined to keep it a secret. Her past didn't affect her confidence, deadpan humor and her sharp tongue though, and she didn't have to rely on Hunter for everything. The only time she cracked was when her sister told her news she wasn't expecting, but easily overcame that not just because of Hunter, but because of her courage in herself. I had to admit that she had her ice queen moments in the first parts of the book and it annoyed me a bit, but the fire and feist in this girl was evident and infectious.

But maybe I enjoyed this book because of Hunter. You know how in some books with love triangles, there's a guy A and a guy B? Guy A is a ~playah~ bad boy with tattoos and sexual innuendos popping out of his mouth 24/7, and Guy B is the sweet blonde hair and blue eyed boy-next-door who can cook and plays the guitar and does everything a gentleman would do. See, Hunter Zaccadelli is Guy C- all of the above. He had the perfect balance of rush and steady. I also loved that he wasn't needy and overly possessive about Taylor and gave her space when she needed it because he actually understood her. I felt a connection with Hunter because we have the same obsession- we both obsess over luck. Hunter has tons of lucky charms tattooed over his body and caresses them when he needs courage. I really really adored this boy because he was virtually perfect yet undeniably flawed. And yeah, Hunter Zaccadelli can cook, ladies.

Or maybe I enjoyed this book because it was perfectly composed. Yes, it's plot is somewhat overused, but if written correctly and perfectly, it can turn out to be an incredibly good novel. Both of the main characters are perfectly imperfect, but they just don't rely solely on each other. The book also stresses the interactions and relationships of Taylor and Hunter with the other characters and you can sense their growth throughout the book. It also has it's dramatic climaxes, but the author masterfully controlled them and didn't make them over the top and unrealistic. The writing was perfectly paced, easy, and conveyed Taylor's narrative voice in the most honest way possible. My Favorite Mistake had all the components that every great book should have, and Chelsea M. Cameron weaved them all together to create a tale that every person who believes in romance should read.

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)


Nobody's Secret was a nice light read. The writing was fluid and easy to understand, and I especially liked how the dialogue flows between the characters. The historical setting was quite evident in the way the book was written and in how people acted. I enjoyed hearing Emily's opinions about the people and things around her. She was considered “odd” by most people and was depicted in Nobody's Secret as quite a tulip in a bed of roses. I really admired the way she overcome the obstacles blocking her from reaching clues and the bravery she displayed whenever she was threatened to stop sticking her nose into someone else's business.

The plot wasn't exactly what I expected it to be. I thought that it would be based on Emily Dickinson's actual life or one of her poems, but I was wrong. Nobody's Secret is actually a murder mystery based on snippets and lines from the different poems of Emily Dickinson. A specific line from one of her poems is actually written upon starting each chapter, and it was like a clue as to how the story will develop from there. It had the usual factors of a who dun it; it was fast paced and had consistent developments, tackling different relationships but focusing more on the mystery itself.

As a YA murder mystery novel, it was okay and nicely written. The various developments in solving the mystery were masterfully placed in all the perfect circumstances, and Emily and her sister sunk their teeth unto different suspicions while using their brain and never jumping to conclusions. The thing that bothered me was that I never got stumped. I was always a step or two before Emily and I wasn't surprised with the identity of the killer. I don't know if it's just me but I thought that it was extremely predictable, and that, I think, is a bad thing to be when you're a murder mystery book.

I was also a bit disappointed because the blurb described as having “blossoming romance” but I didn't really feel it much. There were hints leading to possible attractions and a bit of flirting, but I wouldn't exactly call it romance. I really shouldn't complain because I guess flirting would be considered steamy in Emily's time where skirts that end above the ankle are considered short, but still. And, in my opinion, Emily didn't want to solve the mystery and give justice to Mr. Nobody because she loved the guy like others are saying, it was more than that. Emily was always under-appreciated and considered odd; boys always preferred flirting with her prettier younger sister and placed Emily in the friendzone. Then here comes Mr. Nobody, someone who understood her and embraced her oddities. Mr. Nobody was the first person to actually accept her for who she is and she owed him so much for that.

All in all, Nobody's Secret was a very enjoyable read. It was well-written, had vivid imagery, and realistic characters. Even though it wasn't based on an actual event in her life, some parts of Emily's life were shown like the actual characteristics of her family and friends, and I appreciate the amount of research made to make the book more realistic. The plot and story was also interesting, albeit a bit too predictable for me. If you're a fan of believable historical fiction and a nice mystery, Nobody's Secret is the book for you.

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

I highly enjoy most of the young adult books that are based on Greek mythology, and My Ex From Hell was one that kept me on my toes. Tellulah writes in an easy and fluid way so the reading experience I had was like reading Sophie Bloom's diary. My Ex From Hell is a nice light read and it is a welcome break from all the heavy and emotionally loaded books in the YA market today.

Sophie Bloom is one sassy sister. She's just like any sixteen year-old girl; she goes to boarding school, has her fair share of family problems, belongs in a tight group of friends, and has a knack for getting into trouble. The thing that I liked the most about Sophie was her voice- she was snarky, sarcastic, and sometimes overly dramatic. This girl is opinionated and she's not afraid to speak her mind. I also enjoyed the sense of humor portrayed in the book because it was natural and wasn't too forced- it all came natural to Sophie and her friends without missing a beat.

I really got a kick out of the world Tellulah created for My Ex From Hell, both the Greek mythology and boarding school aspects of it. Sophie's boarding school life and her relationship with her friends seemed so natural and I enjoyed Tellulah's depictions of various characters and places based on the Greek myths. One thing that set My Ex From Hell apart from other Persephone books that I have heard of is that Tellulah doesn't pair off Persephone/Sophie with Hades but with Hades' son Kai. Tellulah did a really good job of bringing this story to the modern world for younger generations to enjoy.

My Ex From Hell sucked me in during the first few chapters, but i'm sad to say that it lost me somewhere along the middle. Some things felt a bit too forced and rushed, and it just wasn't that much of a believable story anymore. If the characters weren't sixteen, the book felt very much like a middle grade novel. However, the very lovable Sophie Bloom and her unabashedly honest mouth was a redeeming factor for me, and the unexpected ending made me eager to read the next books in the series.

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her riveting and emotional Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it's worth crossing the line for love.

Most of the fans of Pushing The Limits as Echo's best friend who stuck with her even if it meant cutting her ties with other friends. When Echo lost her older brother Aires two and a half years ago, Lila mourned just as much. On that same night, Lila met Lincoln. Lincoln's brother Josh suffered the same fate as Aires, and though he seemed to control his feelings during the funeral, he actually poured his heart out to a girl he just met- Lila.

The two instantly clicked and agreed to become pen pals; talking about nothing and everything through letters sent twice a week for two and a half years. They told each other everything and trusted their secrets to one another. It was all building up to each one accepting the probability of having feelings for the other, something more than friendship. Everything was perfect until Lincoln messes everything up by withholding a tiny detail from Lila; the one thing she depended on the most.

Terrified of the thought of losing Lila and wanting so much to fix things and explain, Lincoln speeds his way to her hometown- to the address he knows by heart. After a series of events, Lincoln ends up staying the night at Lila's house, causing them to completely reassess their plans for the future and their unexpected feelings for each other.

The love between Lila and Lincoln was magical, sweet, and marginally perfect in my point of view. I despise instalove, but I'm a fan of their relationship because even though they only spent 24 hours with each other, the book clearly describes the letters sent between the two and how their relationship grew into something more than that of pen pals. Lincoln made Lila feel safe, secure, confident, and unconditionally loved, and Lila was like a miracle for Lincoln; she helped him get through his grief and problems and understood him more than anyone could. The thing that sold me was that even though they were sure that they were in love with each other, they didn't quite say ‘I love you' yet and went with the simple ‘like', because they both knew that they had all the time in the world to grow and love.

Katie McGarry did it again and did the impossible by packing up so much emotion into a mere 67 pages. She created two characters who I rooted for with all my heart with stories that touched my core. I usually stay away from short stories because they pull you in from the start and end just as easily. That became the case with Crossing The Line. I got so frustrated and angry when it ended because like every McGarry book that I have read, I wanted more. I wished that this wasn't a short story because I truly believe that it had the potential to be a full fledged novel. It wasn't just all about love, either. Crossing the Limits is yet another beautiful story from Katie McGarry about hope, acceptance, moving on, and breaking out of our confines. Lila and Josh's short yet sweet tale teaches us that it's okay to take chances and cross the line.

Fiona McClean hates her family, has had to move to a new school and seems to be completely invisible to the boy she likes. So far so normal, right? But Fiona really is invisible. She doesn't even know what colour her own hair is.

Born into a world where Cold War anti-radiation pills have caused genetic mutations, Fiona is forced to work for her mind-controlling mobster father as the world's most effective thief. When her father announces she must become a murdering assassin, Fiona and her telekinetic mother make a break for freedom. Running to a small Arizonian town, Fiona finds that playing at ‘normal life' with a mother on the edge, a brother she can't trust, and a boy who drives her crazy is as impossible as escaping her father.

I entered Fiona McClean's world the way I would enter a classroom on the first day of school, expectant but slightly hesitant. I really wasn't sure how to react to the blurb because it had so much going on. Family problems? Mutants? Mafia? Heck, it was even advertised as The Godfather meets X-Men. It already packed a heavy punch, and if you roll it all up with the fact that this is a young adult book with high school and boys, you really just don't know what to expect.

Transparent started out slow, introducing us to the mafia syndicate world that Fiona was born into. The author writes in a precise way that slowly made me felt at ease about all the information about syndicates and pills that strengthen mutation that bombarded me at every flip of the page. It was all so easy to read and I soon found myself settling into the plot and the world that Fiona lived in.

Fiona wasn't an easy protagonist to like because she had all these faults about her. I mean, you can't expect her to be a sweet little Mary Sue considering the way that her father brought her up. She spent most of her life performing missions and stealing for a mafia syndicate, so she had all these walls and reservations, always feeling unease whenever someone shows the slightest kindness towards her. Her older brother Graham often abused her by flying her way up into the sky and dropping her to the ground, so the only person she truly trusted was her other brother Miles who had a useless mutation and was considered nothing in the eyes of their father.

When her mother took her to a small town in Arizona and enrolled her in high school, it was like her whole world and everything she was taught changed. Everyone stared at her and poised her as a threat to their peaceful town, but Brady and Bea, mutants like herself, came to her aide and became the first two real friends she ever had. Her world slowly opened up to kindness in the form of a family of mutants, the Navarro family, and Brady's brother Seth. I slowly learned to love Fiona as she went through all these changes and became so much stronger because of the people that she let into her life.

Seth. Can someone please find a pen and add him to my list of book boyfriends? Pretty please? This boy right here is the guy for me. I love Natalie Whipple for creating a character like Seth; someone who everyone relies on to fix things, but is so dreadfully broken himself. Seth and Brody have a really complicated family, and Seth took the reins by becoming the man of the house early on and grew up fast so that Brody didn't have to. Seth tutors math for the extra cash and lives for the subject because as long as you know the process, you'll always have a solution to the problem.

He's really rude to Fiona and is pretty blunt about things, but he has his reasons. Seth is broody, awkward, shy, blunt, geeky, courageous, hesitant, and a complete whirlwind of emotions. I'm guessing that some people will vote for Brody, but I'm Team Seth all the way. He's probably the best thing to happen to Fiona, and her to him. I'm going at a length here by saying that Fiona is basically Scott Summers and Seth is Jean Grey. Yep. Go away, Wolverine! (Yes, I know what happens to Jean and Scott's relationship. Yes, I still stand by my point.)

The plot seemed like a mess to be honest, but it started to clear out along the way and everything fell into it's perfect place. Natalie's writing was so easy to understand and flowed so perfectly, I didn't have to retrace my steps. Her skill for writing characters so incredibly real astounds me to the core and for that reason, I will continue to look forward to her future work. I loved every character in this book, major or not. Transparent in set in a world much like the X-Men universe, where mutants were common but feared upon for no reason. The difference being that Natalie Whipple took all of that and added just the right amount of reality and humanity into it. Each and every one of her characters had a story to them, and these stories are our stories.

And how do you wrap off a story like this, you ask? I'm not giving anything away. Let's just say that it tugged on the seams of my heart and warmed my soul. By the time I read the last sentence, I was smiling from ear to ear.

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I grabbed the chance to read Dare You To simply because of my love for Pushing The Limits. I adored PTL's main characters and the smidget of hope that I had of Noah and Echo making a cameo in Dare You To fueled my desire to read it. I didn't even know anything about Dare You To except for the fact that it was Beth Risk's story. When I finally bothered to read the blurb I was a bit shocked- I really expected Beth to be paired up with Isaiah. I was also a bit worried because it instantly felt like it was going to be one of those cliched books; popular and perfect jock asks the punk rock emo skater chick because of a dare? Doesn't that sound like a scene from Not Another Teen Movie? Thankfully, Katie McGarry's books never fall into that category; they transcend and overcome it because they give you so much more.

I have a complicated history with Beth Risk. I hated her in PTL and thought that she was an annoying bitch and I didn't know anything about her except for the fact that she's one of Noah's best friends. Dare You To introduced me to the real Beth; all her faults, scars and horrifying experiences, and all the things that makes her Beth Risk. Beth always lived in a dark world trying to protect her alcoholic mother with a history of abusive relationships but her uncle saved her from that mess and takes custody of her, taking her back to the small town that Beth grew up in before her life got ugly. Beth doesn't want that though. All she wants is to go back to Isaiah and Noah and her mother, so she deliberately disobeys her uncle and badmouths his aunt. She runs away from a potentially bright future and runs back to her dark life, but she eventually matures enough to learn her mistakes and correct them. Beth starts to get over her trust issues and breaks down her walls by reconnecting with her childhood friend Lacey and developing feelings for a boy she never thought she would have such a connection with- Ryan Stone.

Beth described Ryan as too perfect to be true, and I agree with her, but not in the way you think. Ryan Stone was the golden haired and blue-eyed all-stare baseball jock with an assured ticket to go pro after high school with a perfect future all written out for him and basically set in stone. As expected, his life isn't so perfect after all. Beyond that facade, his parents are having problems and his brother is gay and basically disowned by his father, and Ryan constantly has to choose which side he's on. His English teacher helps him realize that he has an actual talent for writing and can go to a really good college if he wanted to, but his father wants to hear nothing of it and is insistent on him going pro even if Ryan isn't sure anymore. Getting dared to ask out the new girl seemed like another problem to add to his life, but Beth Risk turned out to be anything but that. Because of her, the boy who always played it safe is finally willing to take a risk.

Beth and Ryan both came packaged with heavy baggage that they had to get through, turning Dare You To into one very angst-filled book. Beth and Ryan were the best things to happen to each other and they helped the other get through whatever problem they had on their plate. They accepted each others' faults and loved unconditionally; they fixed each other. I have to admit that the scenes where Beth continuously but unconsciously broke Isaiah's heart wounded me, but I admired Beth for setting things straight with him early on and not leading him on.

I finally learned to love Beth Risk; faults, flaws, and all. I admired her strength, spirit, rebellious demeanor, and undying devotion for her mother. Dare You To gives us a glimpse as to why Beth was taken into foster care and it brings everything full circle, making you understand her right to the core. She is undeniably selfless and brave, but she needs someone to care for her too. Ryan was surprisingly very easy to love because he was such a sweetheart. I usually go for the bad boys and he is anything but that, so this makes him very special in my book. He isn't as complicated as Beth but keeps up with her more than anyone. These two may come from different worlds, but were brought together by hope, love, and trust.

Again, Katie McGarry didn't fail in bringing life to each and every one of her characters. Every single conversation and movement felt so real and packaged up with raw emotion. This was a love story, but it doesn't focus on that alone. Reading about how Beth and Lace's friendship grew was so beautiful every step of the way. It was also such a treat to read about Beth patching up her rocky relationship with her Uncle Scott. Reading Dare You To was like watching someone's life unfold right before my eyes. It was that well-written. It was so much more fluid than Pushing The Limits and I instantly connected with the characters. I think I loved Dare You To more because it gave me an emotional experience that I never knew I could go through.

I really enjoyed Dare You To, but it still had it's flaws. It was filled with cliches and stereotypes, and although I don't necessarily care about those if the book is well written, it was just too much and it bothered me a bit. The pace was more fluid than that of Pushing The Limits, but it was still choppy at some parts and there was a rough transitioning between chapters.

Dare You To is compelling and raw and real. Every word oozes with intense honesty and emotion. McGarry is unmatched when it comes to this book and I will never hesitate to read any of her books ever again. I believe that no one can ever be fully prepared for the intensity, passion, and raw sincerity that is the core of Dare You To, because this book is one hell of an emotional ride. You just have to experience it yourself though- I dare you to.

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This book got me out of my reading slump. I'm back, book whores!

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

Nobody But Us takes us into the lives of Zoe and Will, too extremely troubled teenagers who each had heavy baggage of their own. Sick and tired of their lives, the pair decides to run away from it all and start a new life. I had such goddamned high hopes for this title, purely because it is compared to ‘If I Stay', and for a short while this fact made me pencil the book wayyy on top of the ‘to-read' list.

Zoe is a victim of child abuse. Her mother died when she was young and this cruel circumstance left her in the hands of her alcoholic and extremely violent father. Zoe hid behind heavy makeup and kept her head hung low whenever she went to school and no one even noticed. That is- no one except Will, the newest ‘bad boy' from the orphanage. Will pointed out her masked bruises and refused to turn away. The pair eventually found themselves caring for each other, wanting to change each others' lives.

Zoe and Will hightail it out across the States, escaping the weight of the real world. However, the taste of their freedom was bittersweet; Will's past criminal record and latest law violations keep the FBI on their trail, leaving a lot of tension, drama, hesitation, tears, unhealthy suspicions, forgiven apologies, tears, and unsaid thoughts. Whenever something good happened, a thousand misfortunes was always there to follow.

The book is narrated by Will and Zoe in alternating POVs. Because of this, I felt like I truly understood why the characters were doing what they were doing, even if they were so freakin annoying most of the time. I understood their hesitations, their heartbreak, their cautiousness, and their excitement. I understood them, but I didn't really feel them. I felt like they were, well, fictional. The author bombarded them with supposed characteristics and traits and spoonfed them with a million problems, but I never really felt like those problems were there if I wasn't told beforehand. It was as if Zoe and Will were virtual avatars, just the right features and backstories on the outside but nothing on the inside; almost like a hollow shell.

Upon finishing this book, I find that I actually really enjoyed it. This came as quite a surprise to me since I had a hard time getting into it. I previously complained how I couldn't feel the essence of Zoe and Will, but that didn't stop me from wanting them to get a happy ending. I mean, i'm not that heartless. But Kristin Halbrook is apparently a teeny bit heartless; she gave Nobody But Us one of the saddest and most tragic endings in the history of ever. If I was more attached to the characters, I would have been weeping and wailing. I accepted the ending though, because even if Zoe and Will's great escape came to a close, I know that they won't lose the things they got out of, and the things they got in the process.

My rating says it all – it was OK. Not wonderful. Not terrible. Somewhat thrilling. It wasn't exciting, but it didn't have any tedious moments either. The plot was interesting, the writing was gorgeous, it engages you and wraps you up in the story, but the lack of character depth was really evident to me. It's a book that was aiming for the bullseye but didn't exactly make it. I guess I was just looking, and expecting, something a bit more.

Originally posted on The Selkie Reads Stories (http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com)

Every Day isn't my favorite Levithan book, but it surely will be one of the ones I'll keep close to my heart. It's one of those books that may not be over all as brilliant as others, but it's own essence makes it shine with a unique brilliance.

David Levithan is one of my favorite contemporary YA writers and when I found out about Every Day, I was completely floored. I couldn't grasp the concept of Levithan writing a paranormal/fantasy novel. I'm not sure if this is his first, but i'm more familiar with him as a contemporary kind of guy. I wasn't sure what to expect but I looked forward to reading the book nonetheless. And I am so glad that I did because I loved the reading experience Every Day gave me.

I loved the dialogue, I loved A's inner narrative, I loved A's interaction with the people who are close to the people he becomes. Levithan weaves all the aspects of the narrative so well and the characters he introduces as the book progresses and the descriptions of the things that A goes through to every single day are so overwhelmingly surreal. That's what I loved the most about this book, I guess. Every morning when A wakes up in the body of a different person, Levithan introduced me to that person and that person's life and the people around him/her. The way he embodies the different characters astound me because they were all so uniquely interesting. I will forever be a fan of Levithan's fluidly easygoing writing and his strong voice that emanates honesty.

Rhiannon. The plot basically surrounds her because this book basically is a romance and she's the whole reason why A is doing all these things that he doesn't usually do, but I didn't care much for her. I mean, I was okay with her character, but I strongly feel that the book would be equally as interesting even if she didn't enter the story line. What I did like about Rhiannon was that she was like a real person; ethical and logical and used her brain in every situation, and she took into consideration how her actions would reflect other people.

Most people hated that the love A felt for Rhiannon was like instalove and that he was doing all these things for a girl he barely knew, but imagine yourself in his position for a moment. If you led a life like him and then a girl you can imagine spending every day with enters your life and then everything you lived for suddenly has meaning, wouldn't you jump at every opportunity to be with her? Love isn't always out there as an option for him and when life gave him a chance at it, he did what any person with a right mind would do and took it. And from Rhiannon's point of view, would you be willing to be with someone and love someone who became a different person every day? There's so much more to this book than others let on, because it makes you think and wonder and makes you thankful for every day.

I'm not a big fan of the decisions that A made and the things that he did either, but I understand why he did them. I'm proud that he made a good decision and did the right thing in the end; it's like he opened his eyes and finally faced the truth. And because of that, A and David Levithan and this book tore my heart apart with equal amounts of depression and happiness.

3.5 stars

Review to come~

The thing about Angel Dust is that it isn't your average paranormal romance. We usually have a pseudo-human girl with a supernatural love interest. In Angel Dust, the roles are reversed and Sarah Mussi weaves an incredible witty and thrilling tale that redefines the paranormal romance genre.

The story is told in Seraphina's point of view. Being an angel of death who knows close to nil about the world her beloved Marcus lives in, she is anything but street smart. She doesn't know a thing about human emotions, and yet I found myself marveling at how she described human actions and emotions. Every little thing was fascinating and beautifully strange. The way she readily trusts people often creates problems for her. Her innocence is her Achilles' heel, I think. She has a curious and extremely naive personality, but the author succeeds in not making it come across as whiny or stupid.

Marcus is the gangsta that stole the angel of death's heart. He wasn't in the book as much as I would like him to be and I really didn't get to know him too well, but he is my favorite character. He has this aura that practically screams danger, but there's a reason why he built a bad-boy image around himself. He has incredibly plausible reasons for his actions and I could see why Serpahina didn't want him to be condemned to hell, despite all of the sins he has committed. He is such a tormented character with a beautiful soul- definitely not what you would expect!

Seraphina was entirely convinced that Marcus is her fate and her destiny. She would give up everything for him- her immortality included. She did so many stupid things just to save him and all I could do was shake my head. I didn't really like Seraphina's silly little infatuation at first. I thought it was just a little crush on someone forbidden; a temptation. I mean, who would fall in love with a person who she barely spoke to? But halfway into the book Seraphina didn't even care if Marcus didn't care for her, she just wanted to save his soul no matter what. That was what convinced me that Seraphina's love was real. Her love for him was so strong it stirred heaven and hell.


The book really drew me in and I could not put it down. I constantly wanted to know what happened next, even if the whole story was slightly predictable. The plot line was unique and definitely not what you would expect. It's perfectly paced and it never had a boring moment. The forbidden love between Seraphina and Marcus didn't overtake the book, and I loved that. It was more serious than I expected and started to deal with heavy topics halfway into the book, but I think it needed that heavy does of reality. The characters that surround the protagonists are just as beautiful and perfectly crafted with imperfections. Their growth and struggle with the idea of free will vs fate and all the other painful and yet true to life realities of this universe gave me a reading experience that i would not soon forget.

Angel Dust is a compelling paranormal romance filled with dark romance and urban grit. Sure to be enjoyed by fans of Lauren Kate and Becca Fitzpatrick, this heart-wrenching and fast paced read is surely one of the best books of 2012.

Exiled is J.R. Wagner's debut YA fantasy set in the 19th century and introduces us to a dark new world of magic. Think Harry Potter + Alesana.

Let's start with the bits that bothered me a bit, shall we?

First, the book started too slow and I wanted to skip a few parts just because they dragged on too much. Second, the book constantly switches between time periods, and I wasn't really a fan of that. The time-switching left me hanging a few times and had me confused, since they weren't really in any particular order and was all over the place. It was really a downer on my reading experience as a whole because I would forget details that were mentioned a few chapters back and I would get so frustrated.

And lastly, I felt that the characters were disappointing. Not in the sense that they were terrible, they were just too one-dimensional. They all had their specific roles and purpose, but they took it too seriously; almost in a robotic manner. And I didn't really connect with any of them at all.

I did enjoy this book, though. The story was very strong, and J.R. Wagner created a world full of horror and beauty that surprised me at every corner. It kept me on my toes and I could never guess what was going to happen! The writing style was amazing, and the attention to detail was impeccable. The places mentioned in the book felt so real and I saw them so clearly in my mind's eye. I also liked that even though the book is set in a fictional world, it deals with present real-world problems like political corruption. And I loved that the author had diversity in his characters.

Exiled finds it's strength in it's strong intriguing plot and realistic imagery. It definitely has potential, and has surpassed my expectations. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment!

review coming soon :)

This was a very unassuming yet beautifully written book. I have to admit that I almost gave up on it and that I almost marked it as ‘did not finish' because it started so painfully slow. I gave it a chance and continued reading though, and I am so glad that I did. The slowness of the pace was easily forgiven, because as I continued reading, the pace built up slowly yet surely and continued on to turn into something so brilliant, I can't even explain it with words.

Darwin's world was so vivid and was written with care. The streets of DC and New York came to life in front of my eyes, from the fancy high tech buildings to the underground societies. The author also did a superior job of weaving a story line with so many intriguing characters. She does an excellent job humanizing them and lacing them with depth. The heroine, Darwin, is now one of my favorite fictional characters. She's an intelligent and civilized rebel who doesn't whine and complain. She doesn't let her emotions get the best of her. She's completely harmless though, and not remarkable in any way. But she knows what she needs to do, and she will stop at nothing to do them. I guess that is what makes her special.

The storyline and plot blew my mind. It's not your average dystopian novel where everything seems close to impossible. There's no trace of something paranormal like a zombie infestation or a vampire take-over. Darwin's dystopian world is very very real, and it could really happen to us. The fact that a future like Darwin's is slowly forming around us terrified me to the core. It's not just Darwin's story- it could be our story, yours and mine. (Ever heard of how people rally at Lady Gaga and Screamo concerts because they think it's ‘vulgar'? yeap.)

I love that the author did not try to sugarcoat our society's problems. She wrote about politics, corruption, and greed. She took all the facts and threw them at my face, screaming for me to listen. Darwin and I went through a journey. We found out that everything in this world is in the hands of people pulling the strings. Except, the people pulling the strings are puppets too. There's no bad guy, no man in a bowler hat smoking cigar. Everyone's the big bad wolf. But guess what? Everyone can be the woodsman, too. Everyone can save little Red.

Nadria Tucker's novel is hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful, with a sense of reality, and writing that's just perfection. It has the right nuts and bolts to compete with every other young adult book in the market, it just needs a little greasing. So what if it's not from the big leagues? It can easily compete in the olympics of books. Take note of Darwin's rule #56: the message is more important than the messenger.

Originally posted @ The Selkie Reads Stories

I have to say that this book is slightly better than it's predecessor. The author's writing improved tremendously, and the plot kept me on my toes the entire time. This book would suck you in from the first line.

Like the first book in the series, Fire with Fire is told in alternating POVs between Liora and her demon counterpart Lucky. Again, the author paced it perfectly and the switching of POVs didn't leave me hanging.

In my review for A Demon Made Me Do It, I stated that Lucky was the best character in the book. Fire with Fire changed my mind. I was introduced to another side of the characters who were only props in the first book, and it blew my mind. Layers upon layers were unraveled every time you read a new chapter. Bones is my new favorite, for sure. I'm not telling you why though, you'd have to buy and read the book to find out. wink wink, nudge nudge ;D

One thing that i did not like was that Lucky's badasserry level went down a couple notches. She spent a lot of time pining for Kieron and it got annoying after a while. I know that it was essential for her character growth though, so all's good. I wasn't quite contented with the last chapter either. It felt flat and lacking. The cliffhanger was quite good though. I love hanging off cliffs.

Filled with plot twists and shocking revelations, Fire with Fire surprised me at every corner. This book had me craving for more.

review to come :)

Read full review here

The author gave me this book in exchange for an honest review two weeks ago and I finished it three days ago. I don't usually read books in such a slow pace so that's saying something, I guess.

The whole concept of the book and how the killer uses dream worlds to make his victims suffer even more was really interesting, though. Picking through the killer's head, figuring out how he thinks and what he'll do next was also quite a treat. The story was told in different POVs, but it still flowed naturally and you still have a clear idea of the plot. All the other characters had their own specific purpose and contributed to how the story went; there weren't any annoying prop characters or anything like that, but some characters had more personality than others.

The book was very morbid and haunting, with scenes described with full detail, it's as if you were there. Which, in this case, is slightly bad for the reader but good for the book. This psychological thriller is action packed, but so slow paced and I almost dozed off a few times. Some scenes did give me goosebumps, but it didn't made my skin crawl or anything. I did like that the author added lines from nursery rhymes here and there. It added an extra creep factor to the whole thing. The ending was very unexpected but it was one of the best parts of the book; it really gave me the jeevies.

The story is nicely written, it flows well, and the plot is realistic, but I wasn't really content with the book as a whole. It felt somewhat lacking. I guess I expected that the book would give me sleepless nights and buddy system-ed trips to the bathroom, but that didn't happen. I don't know, I honestly thought that it wasn't that scary. But that's just me.

This book was way better than I expected. I thought it would be a really dark and eerie demon slaying kind of book, but it was actually a tale of acceptance, facing your fears, and coming into terms with who you really are, even the ugly bits that you hate about yourself.

Whenever I read a book with characters with different personalities I always end up loathing at least one of them, but that didn't happen with this book. I loved all the characters, both demons and humans. They all had their own charms. The plot is also well written and unique, although the pacing and switching of POVs ticked me off at times.

It had it's fair share of teen angst, but not enough to make it too annoying, so that's good. Oh, and I have to say, the guys in this book are sizzling hot. I mean, I guess most paranormal young adult books need hot guys to add an extra oomph of, err, paranormal-ness, but the guys in A Demon Made Me Do It had a hotness meter of a burning fury of a thousand suns. And i'm not even exaggerating here. Oh, and I loved Lucky so much, it scared me. She reminded me of Cara Mason from Legend of The Seeker, with her leather outfits, extreme bad-assery, and all that.

It's very easy to relate to the story since all of us have a side of ourselves that we don't really like and all that. It also had a lot of adrenaline filled butt-kicking scenes, which I loved. It wasn't too serious though, with the characters' deadpan humor making me chuckle here and there. All in all it was a pretty good book, and I honestly enjoyed it.

Read full review here
I was never a Team Simmi girl. She was more of a prop character in Farsighted, and I felt she was fake-ish and shallow. I said fake-ish because I wasn't entirely sure, but Open Heart came along and confirmed everything.

——–IGNORE THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ MY RANT————
The deal is, Simmi has thins whole self-loathing problem where she has all these negative thoughts about herself like “omg i'm too fat” and “omg i'm too ugly”. It's not a problem though, since that's perfectly normal. Heck, even I feel like i'm an ugly sea cow most of the time. My problem with Simmi is how she deals with her problem. She has all these eating disorders, she lies to the people who care about her, she manipulates them for all the wrong reasons, she takes comfort in the insecurities of other people, and she wants other people stop judging her but she keeps on judging other people herself and sizes them up and makes mental venn diagrams in order to figure out who's better or who's more handsome LIKE IT'S ALL JUST A HUGE MISS UNIVERSE CONTEST. And honestly, her “he's dangerous and I shouldn't but something's luring me in” monologues sound exactly like a typical Bella pining for her smexy but dangerous Edward.
—————————–END OF MY RANT—————————-

It was extremely hard for me to rate this book. Putting my ‘hatred' for Simmi at bay in order to write a proper review is just too mentally frustrating. I mean, Simmi is definitely not a character you'd easily love. But because Emlyn is such a sweetheart, here is a bullet list (Emlyn likes bullet lists!) of what I liked about this book:

•Alex Kosmitoras. Need I say more? Err I guess i really should explain this further but I can't without spoiling the story, so you need to read the book. wink wink, nudge nudge ;D
•Basically every character in the book except for Simmi. I loved them all. Even the “antagonists” like the popular kids and Dax had redeeming features, and they even had their own little backstory that Emlyn managed to fit in without ruining the whole plot.
•The writing! I mean, it's not exactly grand poetry or anything like that. It's more of an easy, flowy type and it's really easy to read but it worked. I actually felt like I was reading Simmi's journal and everything was so vivid. And I have to say, Emlyn's writing definitely improves since Farsighted.
•It's perfectly paced. It was a really smooth process without any boring bumps in the road, and the build towards the climax was also steady-sailing.
•I got a taste of Indian culture yet again! The story was filled with ideas about chakras and Sikhism, and I'm personally really interested in other religions and all that jazz, so it really made my reading experience exciting! And, learning something new is always a good thing.
•It's not white-washed. Open Heart had all these characters from different races, cultures, and backgrounds. It's really hard to find that in YA novels these days.
•Okay, this definitely deserves the last-but-not-the-least pimp spot. I really really liked how Emlyn tackled Simmi's eating disorders and self-loathing. She didn't sugarcoat it at all. I know that it is a common problem, and that it is a problem that is commonly denied. Most girls don't even realize they have eating disorders, or they don't even consider it as a disorder or a problem. That's what made Simmi real, I think. She may not be a likeable character per se, but she is very very real. There's a little bit of Simmi in all of us, I think.

THE NUB AND GIST:
Mentally and emotionally exhausting, but definitely not in a bad way.

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The author wrote such vivid descriptions, and I found myself wanting to be Alice, to be a part of her world. The storyline is very well-written and it lured me in from the first page. The story will make you guess and guess, but your guesses are hardly ever right. Alice was also very easy to love. She was a bit reluctant and uneasy at first, but then she accepts who she is and becomes strong and determined. Her metamorphosis was also well paced, and it never felt rushed. Alice was very smart, she always thinks before she acts and she shows compassion towards others. She hardly ever complained and she did what had to be done to save the people she cared about.

I never expected much from this book since it is a middle-grade fantasy and I thought it would just be okay. But Nicola Parker proved me wrong! Even though it's a book for middle-age readers, the book is written in a beautiful sophisticated prose that would put adult fiction to shame. Even though the writing is smart, it's still perfectly understandable by all ages. The book reminded me of C.S. Lewis' and J.K. Rowling's works; smart and opinionated without losing a touch of magic. This book was such a breath of fresh air, and it certainly brought out the child in me.