Tag Archive | 4 Stars

Book Review: A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young

“We all want to be remembered. Charlotte’s destiny is to be Forgotten…

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become–her mark on this earth, her very existence–is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny–no matter how dark the consequences.”

What I see: This is an interesting shorter YA. Charlotte’s story focuses on relationships. What begins as a standard YA blossoms into a story of heavenly assistance. As reader you’re torn between wanting Charlotte to have a life. Her childhood was tragic but she raises herself up, has a steady boyfriend, best friend and hopes and dreams for her future. Charlotte has to make a choice to continue on her destiny or reject it and turn to darkness. At the same time you want Charlotte to have her life, you’re always wondering what will come after should be complete her destiny’s task.

There is a lot of heartbreak as Charlotte continues her transition. The ending is smacked with surprises and the final chapter is only a thread. It’s excellently paced, with a continous flow and althought the endings feels completely different from the beginning, I am curious to see how Charlotte’s choice turns out.

Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde

Nov14

“The same day that the villagers of Thornstowe finally hunt down a witch with a reputation for stealing children, a 12-year-old appears in the woods with no memory of her past. Is there a connection between Isabelle, the girl who doesn’t know who she is, and the girl the witch stole six years earlier? One of the few things Isabelle remembers is a chant that keeps running through her head:

Old as dirt,

dirty as dirt.

Ugly as sin,

mean as sin.

Don’t let the old witch catch you!

Could Isabelle have been stolen by the old witch of the woods, or has she lost her memory as the result of an accident? And what about the baby the witch stole right before the villagers attacked? Did either the witch or the baby survive the fire the villagers set?”

What I see: This short middle grade book was thrilling! The author takes the reader on a tale in the past that makes a complete 180 towards the end. It’s stunning, fantastic and I didn’t see the ending coming! For its age range it’s easy to read and engaging enough to keep them turning the pages.

It’s a bit longer than short story length, but I was able to finish it in a day. It’s simple, well executed and I personal feel well written. It doesn’t fit the mould and I liked that. It’s perfect for autumn and I’m so glad my reading challenge helped me come across such a spooky kind of tale!

Book Review: Insignia by S. J. Kincaid

Nov7

“The earth is in the middle of WWIII in Insignia, the first entry in S.J. Kincaid’s fast-paced sci-fi adventure trilogy. The planet’s natural resources are almost gone, and the war is being fought to control the assets of the solar system. The enemy is winning.

The salvation may be Tom Raines. Tom doesn’t seem like a hero. He’s a short fourteen-year-old with bad skin. But he has the virtual-reality gaming skills that make him a phenom behind the controls of the battle drones.

As a new member of the Intrasolar Forces, Tom’s life completely changes. Suddenly, he’s someone important. He has new opportunities, friends, and a shot at having a girlfriend. But there’s a price to pay…”

What I see: This is another fantastic example of why male YA leads get all the fun and interesting stories! From the first page you’re sucked straight into the story and totally on Tom’s side. There is some romance, but I love how Insignia makes practicality of it. It’s like biology attraction. Absolutely fantastic.

Great premise, interesting story, and relevant issues for the future of the world. Is it kind of a knock off of Ender’s Game? I haven’t read it, but all signs point to yes! Nevertheless, since I don’t have firsthand experience, I can only express how wonderfully written Insignia is!

I loved it and can’t wait to read more!

Book Review: Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien

Oct10

Ann Burden has been living on her own for nearly a year when a man tumbles into her valley. This might not seem too unusual, except that the world was desecrated by a nuclear war. This stranger and Ann, may very well be the last people on Earth. As she turns sixteen, a crucial year for any teen, her life revolves instead around her safety.

As the two between comrades of this radiated world, Ann hopes for a positive future. But how much can someone trust a stranger even if they are the last on the planet?

What a great vintage YA! This is a fantastic example of how I wish modern YA would explore with main female leads. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE ROMANCE YEAH? Ann is a brilliant female character, full of thought, logic and bravery. She rocks! Power to girls everywhere for learning how to rework a tractor when electricity doesn’t exist! She is flawed with her caring, but that’s a good thing in the end. Ann just never gives up and is a beacon of hope. Ah, how there needs to be more characters written with strength like Ann Burden!

As this is vintage YA, it’s riddled for discussion. The male character Mr. Loomis is a textbook example on why men in power just end up killing everyone. Just because he’s a man doesn’t mean he actually knows what’s best. I mean seriously, a scientist that believes he knows more about farming than an actual farm girl? Pla-LEASE. I bet this book makes a lot of men uncomfortable. Losing control is not easy for anyone, but as men are usually in that position, seeing his deterioration provides a humbling experience for everyone including myself.

I was on edge with each chapter. Even with the simple plot I didn’t know what was coming next. It’s short and well written and stands as an excellent example of why we as humans should never let science grow out of control. In the end, the Earth will always find a way to be the victor.

Book Review: The Impossibility of Tomorrow by Avery Williams

Sep28

Please note this is the second and final book in the Incarnations series and does contain spoilers.

For my review on the first book, The Alchemy of Forever.

Seraphina continues her story as sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan. She was supposed to finish her life, end everything…until she met Kailey’s next door neighbor Noah. Sera is smitten, but her ex Cyrus is still lurking after her. He’ll do anything to return Sera to the fold, even if it means killing Kailey’s classmates in a man hunt to find Sera…

Sera thought she wanted a final rest, but now her priorities have changed, if Cyrus has taken Noah then his demise is the only answer for her safety. No one can be trusted and Sera lies on edge wondering who is truly who around her. She must find Cyrus before he discovers who she is, and everyone’s life depends on it.

I have to say that I love how this is another two book YA series. They’re really starting to grow on me and I am pleasantly surprised that two is enough. There were a couple of other surprises in this book and I praise Williams for not making her characters cliché.

Sera as a character tries to stay strong, but it’s the lovely bit that is her downfall. I felt her reactions to many plot points were weak and I wish her fiercely willed parts were more prominent. Ironically, I found myself wishing the real Kailey Morgan had more of a voice on the book. I’d be interested to read a prequel of her story as she is quite the fascinating girl that should be written about more in YA.

Overall I enjoyed the series. It hits all the targets for modern day YA with a few more diversity boxes checked, which YA is sorely lacking. For a romance series I am a fan and would recommend this range to anyone looking for a different series to be sucked into for a couple of days.

Book Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGerry

Sep14

Echo Emerson used to be one of the popular girls. Talented in art, with long gorgeous red hair, the tall girl with the interesting name had the quarterback boyfriend and everything it seemed.

Then there was the night her mother tried to kill her. Echo has no memories of the evening, but the scars that grace her arms will never let her forget. Now an outcast, with an even more over bearing father, due to have a new baby with Echo’s former babysitter – yeah- it’s not as if her life could get any worse.

Noah Hutchins is a product of the foster care system. Dark and foreboding, he’s shed his basketball star rep for drugs and looking every evening for a new one night stand. His only pressure for getting on the straight and narrow are his younger brothers, taken from him after his parent’s tragic death.

Brought together but their pesky guidance counsellor, Echo and Noah try to repel each other until they discover how much they’ve lost. Both have secrets, both are so alone. But together they could find the answers that will help them move on from their haunting past.

This is fantastic romance YA! A round of applause for McGarry and Harlequin! I loved how this book was the perfect blend of teenage angst and toned down traditional adult romance novel. Only disclaimer – lots of foul language, so not for tweens.

This is a romance with heart. This is falling in love that isn’t clichéd, cheesy or unrealistic. There is vulnerability with both of the characters and their back-stories are engagingly brilliant! Ridiculous and fantastic – Pushing the Limits is a true romance book that is so much more than just the love of two lead characters. The love of family is stronger and I can’t recommend this book enough for romance junkies!

The rest of the series follows Noah’s best friends lives in separate books. I love the idea and can’t wait for the last book to be published in the fall!