Tag Archive | 5 Stars

Book Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

“Ruby can take care of herself.

She’s used to counting on no one and answering to nobody. But all of that changes when her mother vanishes and Ruby is sent to live with her older sister, Cora. Now Ruby’s got her own room in a fabulous new house, she’s going to private school, and—for the first time—feeling as if she has a future. Plus, there’s the adorable and sweet boy next door, Nate. Everything should be perfect. So why is Ruby so wary? And why is Nate keeping her at a distance? Ruby soon comes to realize that sometimes, in order to save yourself, you’ve got to reach out to someone else.”

I don’t know why I was so hesitant to Dessen’s books. I guess I let the covers fool me? What I thought was going to be a traditional YA romance turned out to be full of heart and struggles. I fell into this book – as literarily as I could, and finished it in three days (if that gives any indication).

Lock and Key is amazing for the fact that it covers abuse, many different kinds at that. Not enough YA books cover these true harsh realities that kids these day face and need resources to help them evolve through. It’s why YA is important. These are outlets for kids to learn (and adults too-YA doesn’t judge it’s just meant to be read), gather strength or take what can from something dark. The rest can go into any number of way, but it’s that beginning, that start that there can be hope and help – THAT is the important message.

I also loved how Ruby was strong the entire time. Her personality wasn’t likeable in the beginning, but then she grows on you the more the reader learns about her. Dessen’s writing style is also strategic, making this book not only engaging but she left me wanting more. It’s not in a thriller kind of sense. There are secrets littered throughout the pages and Dessen patiently leaves breadcrumbs in order for us to keep reading chapter after chapter. It’s a standout skill and I’m impressed with her writing.

I will no longer shy away from Dessen’s book. Now I have seen the light and felt the feels. I can’t wait to read more of her work!

Book Review: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Apr2

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine seems to be living the dream. It’s 1950’s, and Josie works as well as lives in the room above the local bookshop in New Orleans exciting French Quarter. Yet behind her strong appearance she hides many secrets.

Her mother is a prostitute, working at the tough as nails Willie Woodley’s establishment on Conti Street where Josie also cleans every morning. When she makes a contact that could get her out of the Big Easy, tragedy strikes. A traveler is found dead and Josie’s mother is a suspect. Josie will have to fight for her dreams and her life during this quest for the truth.

Sepetys has an amazing ways with words. The imagery, the language, the tone of voice of the characters is stunning! I could feel the heat from the New Orleans sun, smell the spices of the gumbo and taste the saltiness of the vivid characters. The past is alive, breathing, swearing, and beating within every page of this book.

Plus there’s no ‘traditional YA’ romance! Hurray! I find the romance bits true and realistic for the time period. This book couldn’t get any better and I was so sad as I rushed to the end! I wanted more! I wasn’t expecting how it ended was how it would go! All of which makes me love the book more and will cause me to throw it into the hands of others that are looking for a well written historical YA that has a streak of mystery and thrill to it! Out of the Easy should not be missed!

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Mar12

I’m going to use the blurb to describe this book – it’s just the best way to go about this fantastic piece of writing:

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

I adored Fangirl. I saw it trolling on social media for a bit and immediately requested it from my library…which meant I had to wait like five weeks.

Anyways, once I got my hands on it – I did not put it down! I got shivers reading the opening fan fiction piece! (it’s so spot on Harry Potter – it’s just moving.)

However, there is a lot more to this story than just the amazing fan fiction obsession that thankfully the world is embracing. It’s also about twin sisters striking out on their own – forming their own identities – falling in love and growing up during that crucial first year of college. There is also mental illness, abandonment and the struggle of not giving up what you believe in.

This is one powerful book, and there are so many deeper messages that crawl under your skin and sink into your heart. It deserves every bit of it’s hype and I am thrilled to jump on the Rowell bandwagon.

It’s going to be a fun ride.

Book Review: Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George

Dec26

“Whidbey Island may be only a ferry ride from Seattle, but it’s a world apart. When Becca King arrives there, she doesn’t suspect the island will become her home for the next four years. Put at risk by her ability to hear “whispers”–the thoughts of others–Becca is on the run from her stepfather, whose criminal activities she has discovered. Stranded and alone, Becca is soon befriended by Derric, a Ugandon orphan adopted by a local family; Seth, a kindhearted musician and high school dropout; Debbie, a recovering alcoholic who takes her in; and Diana, with whom Becca shares a mysterious psychic connection.

This compelling coming-of-age story, the first of an ongoing sequence of books set on Whidbey Island, has elements of mystery, the paranormal, and romance. Elizabeth George, bestselling author of the Inspector Lynley crime novels, brings her elegant style, intricate plotting, incisive characterization, and top-notch storytelling to her first book for teens.”

What I See: This is FANTASTIC! Well written, expertically executed and an engaging story that isn’t based on romance! No! This girl with spunk is on the run and to see her grow as she starts over on her own on Wimbey Island is standout.

It’s smart; it’s witty and clings the reader through every page. George has constructed a fabulous story line and I have no idea what to expect for the sequel, but look very much forward to it!

Book Review: Sarah with an H by Irwin Hadley

Nov23

“When the new girl at LaMond High School arrives, Marti is instantly envious. Sarah has everything Marti wants, but is also nice, smart and is a terrific basketball player. Sarah is also Jewish, and soon ugly prejudice becomes evident, not only in school, but in their small Iowa community as well.”

What I See: It’s interesting how this book is almost 20 years old, and its message is still relevant to modern issues. Every child should read this book. Marti isn’t perfect and her character is flawed in a fantastic way. Her emotions are written beautifully, in a natural flow as she learns to sort through her racist feelings amongst getting to know Sarah with an H as a sweet and kind person.

It’s the natural state of growing up, being scared of what you don’t understand, but the lesson Marti learns is one that everyone should learn. This is the substance that young adult needs to be covering, and I wish there are more excellent examples for young readers like this out there!

Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Nov21

“For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.”

What I see: I. Loved. THIS. BOOK! I could not. PUT. IT. DOWN!

I am slightly ashamed about that sentence, but there is something about this first in a series. There is a feeling of desperation, for the lower casts in the society. I loved reading about how the ranks of people operated. However, everything about this story, the dystopia setting, the terrible love triangle, the fact it is so like The Bachelor, I shouldn’t have loved this as much as I did. I should hate it, everything about it is so entirely cliche. The love interests are horrible. The Prince is unreliable and Aspen is a child. America knows nothing of love and is a insecure teenager, as one would be during a war and living in poverty.

But I still loved it. Breezed through in two days. The atmosphere about the castle, the stories behind the other girls in the competition. The fact that there is a ridiculous competition at all, there is a spark to this book and I adored it.

I feel the author gave enough details but not all the information to keep me intrigued, which I think is hard to do because it’s pretty obvious how the first book ends. Still, I loved each page except for the ending. I am not blind to the annoying factors in the story too, how it’s flawed with it’s too easy plot points or cliche characters. I saw it all and still loved it. It is a book that has everything I hate about YA, and yet I was eager to get back to each chapter for more.

It’s pure YA fluff and I love it. But that is all it is, there isn’t anything long with standing. I’m hungry for more and can’t wait to get through the second and third book (once it’s published), but I doubt it will have the shiny magical touch the first book captured. Much like The Hunger Games and going to the Capital, The Selection takes one from the bottom and brings them to the top. What it is about books that begin in the dark and move to the light that are so interesting?

Plus the cover is amazing! Beautiful, engaging and full of wonder! For dystopian YA, this is one of my favorites for the year!