Tag Archive | 2013

Book Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Addison Coleman is an extraordinary teenager. Gifted with the power to see the future outcome when making a decision, she is just your average teenager. Growing up on a compound with others just like her, she has a best friend, crushes on boys and is faced with a difficult choice when her parents announce they are getting a divorce.

Addie must decide to either remain on the compound with mother or she can leave to the normal world with her father. If she remains with her mother, Addie will grab the attention of the hottest guy in school. On the outside Addie learns that not all ‘Norms’ are as ignorant as she’s taught to believe. The choice should be easy. Two different choices like a fork in the road. Which one will she choose?

But Addie’s power comes with a difficult price, for she must choose one of the paths. When each present results with tragic results, she’s got to decide whom she can live with forever, or without.

I really loved this book! Such a great premise and it’s exciting right from the first chapter! Totally TV worthy and the only thing I’m disappointed about is the fact that it’s becoming a book series. I really liked this book as a single, but it’s very impressive so I’m not shocked that more books are on the way.

Anyways, the format is written as every other chapter in the perspective of each path. It’s best not to be reading other books whilst reading this one. There is so much to each story and they’re beautifully interwoven as alternate realities. This book will keep you up reading until the final chapter to see which future Addie chooses. Not heavy on the romance it’s focus is more on being an ‘average’ teenager (somewhat) and I loved how relatable the story was.

If you’ve ever wondered ‘What if?’ in your life, this book will make you think about choices. Now which point will you take?

Book Review: Of Silk and Fire by Allie Brennan

May21

Ella Olsen awakens starved to death and dirty on a moving train car.

She has no memories of how or when she got there.

Something is locked within her mind, a past full of pain.

There is a boy who can read her thoughts.

As Ella struggles to regain her strength and understand this world around her, the more she tried to remember who she is. Her memories were forgotten for a reason, could remembering ruin everything in her present?

This book really isn’t a book; it’s a novella, which Brennan states. However, I felt there was a lot lacking. It was over before it got anywhere and was riddled with clichés.

Nevertheless, there was some promise. Every couple of sentences I would find a glimpse of writing prose that sucked me into the story. I enjoyed the opening of the piece and Ella as a character. The world Brennan created with this short story could have gone places.

If you’re looking for a quick romantic mystery, this is perfect for a bus/train journey. It has enough to hold your attention and it ends before you’re too involved. It’ll make you think (either good or bad). Although I give props for the cover, I am such a sucker for a good cover. Bottom line, this is one of the better self published books I’ve read but I’m still looking for another as good as Angelfall (which has been freshly published in the UK this month!)

Book Review: Hooked: When Addiction Hits Home, edited by Chloe Shantz-Hilkes

May18

I don’t usually cover non-fiction, but I was interested when this title became available on Netgalley.

This is a moving collection from teenagers that grew up with a family member suffering from an addiction. Covering alcoholism, drug abuse and even workaholics, the fearless stories don’t shame their family but show the negatives of their situation. Not every story has a hopeful ending but the truthfulness is courageous.

Much like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books of the ‘90’s, Hooked is an excellent source of comfort for teens of today that need to know they are not alone. Well put together and executed right for its market, Hooked has been well worth the read.

Many thanks to the publisher Annick Press for the copy of the book, Chloe Shantz-Hilkes for doing a great editing job and to the authors that contributed powerful yet difficult stories. It takes a lot of guts to write about something so personal and painful.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review; Hooked was published on March 5^th, 2013.

Book Review: Insomnia by J. R. Johansson

May9

Parker Chipp is not a normal teenage boy. He’s dying. Known as a ‘Watcher’, Parker is unique. He hasn’t slept in over five years. Instead of sleeping, every night he wanders, watching the dreams of whomever he’s last make eye contact with. The lack of rest is starting to take its toll until he meets Mia. New to town, her dreams are unlike anyone else’s.

But as Parker tries to befriend Mia, the more he frightens her. Someone is stalking Mia and posing the harassment as Parker. To make matters worse, Parker discovers that when he ‘sleeps’ sometimes he ventures out in the night doing who knows what.

As Parker tries to find Mia’s stalker he starts hitting walls of shock. With each step to keep Mia safe, he tumbles further into the Darkness. His curse is just that, but he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Mia is safe even if it’s from himself.

Initially I loved the premise of the book. I’ve only got to problems with it. 1. It was too long. 2. The ending is lacking motive. Those two points aside, I really enjoyed learning about Parker’s curse. There is some romance in the book, but it’s not the driving force, which can come as a surprise.

Although the book is too long, the ending is really abrupt. There are plenty of loose ends hanging for the reader to want more, but it was sloppy. Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the next book. There are loads of questions that I hope get answered and I want to know more about being a Watcher!

This book is being published in the USA on June 8^th, 2013. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley for the book, the publisher Flux and to J.R. Johansson for writing it!

Buy your advance copy today or put a hold request at your local library!

Book Review: Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz

Apr16

Rudy is 16, lives with his parents and terminally ill five-year-old brother Dylan. He needs a lung transplant. Their parents learned of an isolated island that grows a miracle fish. It doesn’t spoil, it doesn’t smell and whoever eats it magically becomes well over time.

There are other things that live in the water, and secrets about the people that reside on the island. When Rudy rescues Teeth from a fisherman he embarks on a journey of discovery about human nature and the ethics of power. Alone on this freezing piece of Earth, Rudy must choose between family and what’s right.

What a fantastic read! Although parents – be forewarned there is a lot of swearing in this book. The language aside, this book was interesting, different and held my attention the likes I haven’t come across in a few weeks. Full of inner conflict this book will hook you into debating what you would choose to do in Rudy’s situation.

Can I also say that one of the characters is male and gay? Absolutely fantastic to get some diversity in the genre! You’ll feel the cold wind blow and smell the salty air. Give Rudy’s story a chance and open your heart to Teeth. Everyone deserves to explain their own point of view.

Book Review: The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

Apr9

Angelina (Angie)’s life is instantly changed on Prom night. Her best friend Lizzie is caught sleeping with her boyfriend. Pretty and popular cheerleader Angie – the victim of the biggest scandal at Verity High School. The ultimate betrayal between girlfriends is the only the beginning. After the weekend fun and drama, four little letters appear in black permanent marker on Lizzie’s locker – SLUT. Unable to bring herself to speak to Lizzie, Angie fades into the background as a spectator to witness as this word grows all over her locker. It continues to spread to her backpack, notebooks and etched like wallpaper onto her car.

The fascination was supposed to fade, but Lizzie kills herself leaving only behind her diary for Angie to sort through. The word SUICIDE appears in Lizzie’s handwriting above SLUT. Angie becomes obsessed with discovering who has written these words, the catalyst to her best friend’s death. The truth can be more painful than reality and Angie must live with her choices. In the matters of the heart in high school there is more than just what everyone sees.

The S-Word is brutal, but so brilliant in it’s depiction of modern High School drama. Angie is essentially the popular girl that everyone loves to hate, but through her story readers grow to learn about the insecure girl that rose to be a Princess Bee. She’s real with flaws and passion. Angie’s voice is amazing. She’s harsh and cruel and I loved everything she said. It’s hard to explain unless you give this book a read.

Although this novel deals with sensitive topics, it’s so honest that’ll you’ll be hooked from the first chapter. I loved that this wasn’t about romance and that this also isn’t a series. It’s a breathe of controversial air that will have you reliving those painful high school days but will also be able to shed some light as to why people act the way they do. Everyone has secrets. The S-Word is a brilliant set of words. Well written and realistic to a fault this is a stand out for the Young Adult genre.

This book was provided by the publisher Simon and Schuster from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author Chelsea Pitcher for book! This book will be published May 7^th. Buy your copy in advance today!