Tag Archive | 4 Stars

Book Review: Ink by Amanda Sun

Forced to move to Japan to live with her aunt, there is only so much prep American sixteen-year-old Katie Greene can do.

Learning Japanese, adapting to a new school system culturally and making friends is the least of Katie’s worries. Getting over her mother’s sudden death and wondering about why her father left her only adds to turning her world upside down.

Then there’s Tomohiro. With a bad boy reputation over publicly breaking up with his latest girlfriend, Katie is drawn to this tortured soul. His art is his soul and soon he is Katie’s. Alone no longer the two connect across pages of Ink.

But there lurks a danger in the dark pigments. What Tomohiro can draw is hungry for Katie. As the pair tries to hide Tomo’s talents from exploitation, she wonders if their love can conquer his curse.

I loved the premise of Katie’s adventures in Japan. Can you imagine leaving the country of your birth because the only family you had was abroad? Not only that, but having to learn a completely new language and progress in such a short timeframe made the read fantastic. I love how Sun integrated Japanese words with English ones (she also includes a glossary). Even without the romance the book would have been a hit with me.

Now, the romance bit. It’s a bit clichéd for my liking. Too sudden and not entirely believable. The supernatural elements were enjoyable and have left me questions of wanting to know more about some of the other characters. I just wish the romance parts weren’t so expected.

Other than that, Ink is a refreshingly different YA book. For a debut in a series it has a lot going on and will keep readers wondering what exactly is going on. Plus the illustrations that are littered through the pages bring so much character to the piece. It’s beautiful to own as much as it is to read without being overdone.

Book Review: The Girl with Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossetti

Aug25

What would you do if you believed that love was a weakness?

Frenenqer Paje was created by her father. Everything she does and who she must become is destined by his vision of her.

Yet, she feels the beat of wings under her shoulder blades, aching to burst free from her cage whilst flying away to worlds unknown.

One day when at the markets of the Middle East, Freneqer rescues a cat near death.

This cat is not an ordinary cat at all.

Together, Freneqer and Sangris – a Free Person, a shapeshifter, a boy, journey around the world and inside themselves.

When one has their life cast for them, is it possible to break free?

I really enjoyed this story. It’s definitely off the beaten path and there needs to be more YA like this. Exploring other cultures and creating stories about growing up that teens of all races can relate too.

What a refreshing read with a main character that isn’t Caucasian! Finally a setting where English isn’t the main language! It’s written beautifully and true of the surrounding cultures. At times it can be harsh but this is not America and it’s brilliant to read about how other families function.

It’s such a touching love story, and doesn’t relate at all to traditional YA. The emotions are real and genuine. You feel the characters learning from one another. Not lusting after each other, but developing feelings based on similarities and longing for a true place to call home. As it’s also a standalone and quite short, it’ll make you thirsty and feeling the pulsing sun through your modest clothing.

Book Review: Skin by Donna Jo Napoli

Jul16

Sep, or rather Guiseppia, but don’t call her that, is having a bit of a problem. One morning she wakes up and gets ready for school. As normal high school girls do, they look in the mirror. What does she see? White. Olive skinned, Italian bred Sep, has pure, white, lips.

It’s small thing that makes a huge difference. In short this aspect of young sixteen-year-old Sep, is a metaphor for growing up. Her story pushes further, as she takes to understanding her condition and living her life in ways that teens do. Sep embarks on a journey about her body, about herself and about those around her. True to herself and harsh to others, she must learn how the color white will change her life forever.

This is new adult fiction. If you haven’t yet learned about phrase, my friend over at Pretty Books leads a great discussion on the new genre.

I did feel this piece was a bit long, but once Sep’s condition was well under way I was hooked from chapter to chapter. Sep’s story is honest. True, scary and brave all at the same time. What is hidden as a NA book is a silent protest to the way modern society treats women in this day and age.

Again I do feel the need to state this is new adult fiction. There are adult situations in this book and there is a passage that is very…romance-y…so be aware. It’s not an issue for me, because let’s be honest, it’s something all teenagers do. It’s just no one wants to talk about it.

With understated beauty this book tells the story of a teenager girl unlike most others and her battle against what society perceives of her. My only critics are to stop using repetitive language and vulgar slang (Because I feel that it hinders the message of the book by trying to belittle a word no girl should be called). Other than that, it’s a job well done and needed in this new genre.

This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author Donna Jo Napoli and to the publisher for providing book!

Skin is available for purchase on August 6th! Reserve your copy today!

Book Review: The Breeders by Katie French

Jul2

This is a world where girls are used to breed for the greater good of the remaining population. That is, except for sixteen –year-old Riley Meemick. Capable of being disguised as a ‘Bender’, or mutation of neither boy nor girl, she lives in constant fear of being taken by the Breeders.

When her Mama is taken to Breed, it’s up to Riley to hide her identity from the handsome Clay and get her back with her younger brother Ethan.

The trouble is, who can one trust? When supplies run low or someone gets sick, how can help be found?

I don’t want to give too much away for this book; it truly is an interesting read.

Must get the nitty-gritty out of the way, this book would be fabulous except for the overwriting. Less is more love, and the execution of the story needs a bit of tweaking.

However, overall, despite the flaws (there were also a few misspelling and improper uses of grammar), I felt that this was a great dystopian story and a fantastic premise. With some work this story could go places.

You feel the despair of the characters, their hunger, their thirst and fear of the unknown.

Then the information on how the Breeders work – truly terrifying.

One of my main downsides to the story is that even when girls are highly sought after – they’re still not treated equally or with respect. It’s frustrating that as the creators of life, the human race still treats them as a commodity even though survival is based on their welfare.

I’m not a fan of the romance bit as it’s too forced and obvious, but I enjoyed reading about how far gone the world has become, it’s dystopian done well. If you are looking for a story to make you feel better about your life, The Breeders will help put things in perspective.

Book Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Jun25

Angels. They’re supposed to be something believed in, heavenly creatures that act as guardians. What about those who fall?

Nora Grey is your average sixteen-year-old. With her best friend Vee, they go through the motions of high school. That is, until chemistry class takes a realistic turn when the handsome but mysterious Patch shows up and is paired as Nora’s partner. He’s smoking hot and irritating in all the wrong ways. As Nora tries to push him away he only succeeds in getting closer to her heart.

Then Nora runs into many just of luck chances. She has feelings of being followed and hears voices in her head. Others begin to warn her of Patch, but yet, she can’t stay away. As the danger lurks closer, Nora is going to have to make a choice to trust the voices of others or go with her heart. In the end it’s not just her life that will be on the line.

I’m such a huge fan of the covers. Terrible I know, but I am quite the sucker for a well-marketed book.

For the romance/series readers, this first book won’t disappoint. There’s thrill, sizzling, romance tension and lots of mystery. Nothing is really answered in this book, and as there are three more I’m happy with that. I was engaged and intrigued through every chapter, which is a rarity for me with romance.

I really liked Nora Grey as a character. I mean she’s got a great name. Due to family reasons’ dating wasn’t on her table until other characters come into play. I feel she’s relatively normal and relatable. She’s not blonde with blue eyes but has unruly curly hair and doesn’t wear makeup. I’m so curious to know more. There are nearly 400 pages and still I can’t wait to learn more in the next book!

Even the romance bit didn’t make me gag, which again is hard to do. I’m pleased with the beginning of the series, not overly sucked in, but pleased and happy to continue.

Book Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Jun18

Please note this is the second book in the Delirium Series.

Find my review for the first Delirium.

THEN: Lena has escaped her life. Over the fence she has crawled, leaving Alex behind to trek through the Wilds into the unknown. Now Lena has been born anew. As apart of a group of those that wander the Wilds fighting for survival, Lena tries to move forward, grieving for Alex. The ways of her old life are long forgotten. Her body and mind shift to withstand the harsh reality of living beyond the wall.

NOW: Together with her group Lena tries to gather more information as she lives undetected within society. When she gets caught up in the kidnapping of Julian Fineman, the son of the Mayor and symbol of a Deliria Free America. She’s going to have to use everything she learned out in the Wilds to insure their existence.

Throughout everything, the struggle, tears death and hunger, Lena pushes more. Alex died to give her a real chance at life. But in a world where feeling love is outlawed, what’s the point in living when that love is gone?

I really liked the format of this book. Switching between THEN and NOW, as readers we learn how Lena has evolved as a character and she does not disappoint! Multi layered and tough, I have loved to see how Lena has grown into a strong female character. Her heartbreak is also all too real and relatable. The grief within this book is harsh but realistic. I praise Oliver for taking her world to the limits and not backing down from anything uncomfortable.

I was also pleased to read how much more complex this world became. There are more adult themes present. The more I think about it, it’s a standout sequel that does a 180 from its debut. Lena has woken up from the false reality that her government has been controlling and as it’s weaknesses become more apparent the future for everyone looks bleak. It’s a terrifying reality.

Yet throughout Lena never losses hope nor determination. It made me feel as if this world environment was the starting catalyst for The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Humans always want power and control, but a small group will never win over the population thus chaos is inevitable. This is book has hints on that power and it was a pleasure to read something that speaks lightly about the world around us now. Gritty and well paced this second book is a great revelation.