Review: Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits #3) by Katie McGarry

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

From Goodreads

Isaiah got his heart crushed by the one woman he thought he could trust. Having been abandoned by his mother & bounced around the foster system for years, he's a bit prickly. He's got a great family (meaning the people he has chosen as family) who will do anything for him, but that still doesn't make him any less intimidating. In walks the gal with a car he's drooling over & the attitude to go with it. Rachel is the token daughter in a family filled with secrets & lies. To escape the pressures at home, she speeds around in her Mustang. When things go sideways at the street race the night she meets Isaiah, nothing will ever be the same.

You guys know I love me some Katie McGarry books. As I said in my WoW yesterday, I may not be able to wait for the boxed set to buy this book. Isaiah has been my favorite character all along, so to have a book featuring him was almost enough to make me squeal. I couldn't have imagined it would get even better when we get introduced to Rachel.

Both of these teens are stubborn & hard-headed to their own detriment, but the benefit of others. They are loyal & trustworthy despite having shady tendencies. Getting to learn about their vastly different, yet eerily similar backgrounds was a lot of fun and made this a unique read. I don't know a lot about cars, but even I appreciated the muscle displayed during the racing & mechanic shop scenes.

McGarry has an entertaining writing style since we get the story from both perspectives. It would be repetitive if done by almost anyone else, but the lens she uses to show us the interactions is what really drives the story home for me. I adored getting to see the parts of these two characters that almost no one saw & how they allowed each other to see what they couldn't actually face themselves. 

While the romance was a little speedy in my opinion (I'm not a fan of insta-love because for me it's not very realistic) it worked well for how this story played out. There is definitely some language, violence, minor drug scenarios (although little to know actual usage mentioned), these things all served their purpose.

Personally, I am the biggest fan of the fact that Katie isn't afraid to break her characters; both emotionally & physically. You'll just have to read to find out what I mean. :)

ARC graciously provided by Around the World Tours

I sent this video to Katie since a lot of the lyrics remind me of scenes in this book & Isaiah in general. I know it's long, but it is well worth it. Enjoy!

Review: Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

From Goodreads

Knowing that you don't belong with the family that raised you is one thing; choosing another family is a whole other thing entirely. That's essentially the dilemma that Beatrice Prior is faced with on her selection day. By choosing another faction than the one she was raised in, the newly named Tris faces untold perils. If she fails the initiation process for her new faction, she will be factionless & forced to live on the streets. Determined to find out just who and what she really is, Tris forges ahead in her initiation process. With untold perils lurking around every corner, Tris must decide who she trusts, who her enemy is, & just how she really feels about a particular person. Her decisions have consequences she can't even begin to imagine.

Naturally I'm late to the party on reading this book. I fall into one of two categories when it comes to popular books: either I read it before it became popular or I avoid it like the plague until a lot of the hype dies down just so I can say I read it. I'm glad I waited to read this book. While I'm sure it would have been awesome to fangirl with other readers when this was first gaining steam, I am able to basically binge read by reading Divergent, Insurgent, & Allegiant which comes out NEXT WEEK!! :)

I dove in head first during a 13 hour ride home to North Carolina. The beginning of the book was a bit slow since there was a lot of information to cover. The world building is fairly simple since it so closely resembles our present world. Set in a near-future Chicago, the book moves at a quick pace. I think only a few weeks have passed from beginning to end, and considering just how much happens in those few weeks it was amazing.

The writing style was much to my liking as it gave you just enough detail to give you the picture, but still left room for you to imagine some of the details yourself. It was also a good mixture of action & storytelling. While not an action-driven story, Divergent provides you with more than enough interactions to keep your heart-pumping and your mind-racing.

While the premise may seem overdone (girl with something special about her has to navigate her way through several tricky situations) I think this book gives us a different view on strength & self-sacrifice. Tris is not your "average" teenager. She's actually smaller and more often than not extremely underestimated. I think this is a type of character that isn't seen in this kind of role very often and I think that, if nothing else, makes it worth the read. Also, she screws up all the time (like a normal person) but learns from it and moves forward. That's something that I think everyone can learn from Tris.

I'll have my review of Insurgent (Divergent #2) up soon, but for now enjoy the teaser trailer for Divergent, due in theaters in 2014.
 

September Genreflecting: Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 

From Goodreads

So this was a poor choice for this specific use. It's a PERFECT historical fiction representative, but I can't even begin to write a spoiler-free review at the moment because I'm still processing what just happened. Needless to say, I completely understand why this was one of the hottest books of 2012 & that summary above does the storyline justice. What it doesn't do justice for is Wein's writing. Her intricate writing style is impeccable & perfectly suited for this type of story. That's really all I feel I can say at the moment.

As for its historical fiction portrayal, this book was an exceptional example of what good historical fiction can accomplish. Maggie Stiefvater, a history buff who usually has trouble enjoying historical fiction books, adored this book. Check out her analytic & spoiler-free explanation on Goodreads.

While many people may not enjoy the wartime setting or the prisoner of war type books, Code Name Verity is so much more than that. It transcends pigeon-holing because it's not just about the time period or the events facing the characters; this book represents historical fiction's ability to appeal to all reader demographics because of it's meaning & presence. The story being told, about a true and meaningful friendship, is one that can exist in any time period. The uniqueness of this particular situation is what makes it so perfect for a historical fiction piece.

Not only is this book factual, it's also emotive. The locations & information are well-researched and the nationalities portrayed are quite accurate. What makes it work so well in this historical context is the ability to bring all these characters together & have them interact in their specific manners. I'm sure that's all a bit more muddled than I would prefer, but that's the best way I can think of to explain how unique this particular book is and why it was difficult to use as a historical fiction example.

I'll be cutting down my genreflecting posts to three a month due to my school & work load. I may combine the general & details posts or I may only review one book. My determination to finish this series is strong & I hope you'll bear with me during this transitional period.

September Genreflecting: Review: Lyddie by Katherine Paterson

When Lyddie and her younger brother are hired out as servants to help pay off their family farm's debts, Lyddie is determined to find a way to reunite her family once again. When Lyddie hears about the mill jobs in Lowell, Massachusetts, she heads there with the goal of earning enough money to reunite her family. 

Six days a week from dawn to dusk Lyddie and the other girls run weaving looms in the murky dust - and lint-filled factory. Lyddie learns to read - and to handle the menacing overseer. But when the working conditions begin to affect her friends' health, she has to make a choice. Will she speak up for better working conditions and risk her job - and her dream? Or will she stay quiet until it is perhaps too late?

From Goodreads

The industrial revolution in the United States was just as harsh on the population as in Europe. With constant in-fighting among all the companies & factory owners, the workers suffered heinously. Lyddie is no exception. 

When her father runs off in search of better fortunes for his family, leaving behind several young children [of which Lyddie is the eldest] and a mentally unstable wife, Lyddie steps in to manage the family's affairs. It's not long until her mother finally loses it and ships Lyddie and her younger brother off to work out the debts their father incurred while she prays for salvation with the two youngest children.

At first Lyddie dreams of returning to her family's farm & getting things back to the way they used to be. She holds on to the good memories she has while working her way towards a better future. Unfortunately the lights on her dreams are dimming with each bit of news she receives. Will she survive the tumultuous factory setting & thrive or will she just become another casualty in the war of progression?

Lyddie is an incredible read. While at times difficult to comprehend given the vernacular used, it still paints a realistic and accurate portrait of life in the industrializing era of United States history. Lyddie displays so much character & strength as she tries to do what's best for her family. What she sometimes forgets though is that she is still just a child herself and cannot solve every problem.

The setting & social issues represented in this book are spot on. From the Quaker family, to abolition, to hiring help, this book is an impeccable representation of a bygone time. While I do not wish to live it, the history that it represents is very important to the development of today's society. I find it incredibly fascinating that I can pinpoint to certain situations & scenarios that lead to particular events in history. This may be a small, rural area story, but that makes it even more vital to the history component. It shows that the situation was the same all over the place.

There wasn't a finalized resolution to the story & I think I prefer it that way because it allows me to dream up my own ending for Lyddie's life.

What are some of your favorite historical fiction books?

Review: The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

The September Genreflecting post has been moved to Monday. It will resume its Friday position next week. Thank you!

When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola's rambling Victorian house.

Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola's walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola's youth to her last days. 

Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper--the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi.

From Goodreads

Tandi Jo is about as lost as a person can be in life. A former professional horse jumper who grew dependent upon prescription drugs after a career-ending accident, she finds herself recovering from her addiction (and hiding from her soon-to-be-ex husband) with her two children on Hatteras Island. As the tenant in Iola Anne Poole's bungalow, she is the unlucky person to find Miss Poole after her passing. Tasked with cleaning out the house for the church that now owns the property, Tandi Jo finds herself enveloped in walking down Iola Anne's past via the letters to Father in dozens of prayer boxes.

While juggling hiding from her ex, trying to make a budding relationship grow, and wrangling a wild teenager & reserved pre-teen, Tandi Jo finds herself really connecting with Iola Anne in a way that never happened while the older woman was alive. Through the letters Tandi Jo is slowly crawling back to where she ought to be in her life & her children's lives.

This was an incredibly powerful book. Subtle, but tempered just so, The Prayer Box is an uplifting and unique book. The characters are quite memorable and the setting is impeccable. Being a Carolina girl, I'm not ashamed to say I'm a little biased, but the lifestyle of the Outer Banks gave this story a little something extra because of the situations that presented themselves through the book.

While I'm not usually a fan of inspirational/Christian fiction, this book is more affirmation-driven than necessarily religious. Tandi Jo undergoes a personal transformation while reading Iola Anne's letters to God, but the content of those letters isn't preachy. It's just a simple woman ruminating over situations and events in her life. It was fascinating watching the subtle changes in Tandi Jo as the story progressed.

Even more appealing to me though were the relationships. Raising children is difficult, but raising them alone when you've been mostly absent from their lives for the past few years is bound to cause some waves. Seeing how those interactions change over time & examining Tandi Jo's working relationship with the locals gives the story its meter and pacing.

This is a great crossover book because there are lessons to be learned for all age groups. I think there are so many different ways to see what transpires during this novel that everyone can take something away.

August Genreflecting: Review: Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye

The day after Liyana got her first real kiss, her life changed forever. Not because of the kiss, but because it was the day her father announced that the family was moving from St. Louis all the way to Palestine. Though her father grew up there, Liyana knows very little about her family's Arab heritage. Her grandmother and the rest of her relatives who live in the West Bank are strangers, and speak a language she can't understand.

It isn't until she meets Omer that her homesickness fades. But Omer is Jewish, and their friendship is silently forbidden in this land. How can they make their families understand? And how can Liyana ever learn to call this place home?

From Goodreads

Liyana has a valid reason to feel like an outsider in so many ways. An Arab-American who grew up in the very modern & liberal United States is obviously going to have some adjustment issues when moving to a more rural & structured life in Palestine. There are so many expectations to be met and protocols to be followed in a world where your whole life can be in upheaval at any given time. What's most important is how each situation is handled. As she begins to navigate the slippery corridors of social interactions, Liyana begins to find herself and more importantly her position in her new world.

Considering this book's age (originally published in 1997) the story itself is still quite relevant for today's struggling teens. While some things have gotten better, and some worse, in the Palestine/Israel area, one thing remains the same: people must continue to live their lives. Time stops for no man & it certainly doesn't stop for children. This book gives us a small glimpse into a pretty typical experience for people who embark on the adventure of living in a foreign country or culture.

What really has an impact on the reader are the responses to certain situations. It's in those moments that we learn so much about the culture, story, & character(s). Watching Liyana spend time with her grandmother, with whom she can't communicate, is important because her grandmother is trying to impart their heritage onto her. With each passing scenario, we see Liyana wrestle not only with her feelings, but also with her desires. These little interactions really drive the narrative and help to focus the story on Liyana.

This book settles nicely into the subgenre based around one's own culture. While there are several represented in the book (Arab, Jewish, Armenian, and more) what we're really attuned to is Liyana's role within her own culture and how that impacts her interactions with the other groups. 

Be sure to come back next week when I host a giveaway & review Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins!

ARC Review: Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2) by Gena Showalter

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

From Goodreads

Alice Bell has been through a nightmare in the last few months. Coming to grips with the fact that your dad wasn't nearly as crazy as you thought because the monsters he was constantly protecting his family from really are real, losing said family all the same, & discovering your true purpose as a slayer would shake anyone. Ali is resilient though. While still settling into her new surrounds with Grams & working around the clock between school and slaying, Ali is still managing to enjoy time with her friends and most importantly Cole.

But there's always a rabbit hole waiting just around the corner for the smart-mouthed heroine. The zombies are becoming bolder & so the slayers follow suite. Unfortunately that boldness leads to accidents. When Ali begins to have cravings for violence and attacking her friends, they all know something's wrong. The clock is ticking & right when she needs them the most, those most capable of helping her are pulling away, especially Cole. 

This was another wonderful installment in the White Rabbit Chronicles series. You've all read my rants & raves about Gena Showalter's other works, so it comes as no surprise that this book is just as riveting as the rest. Her ability to breathe such life into these complex & mysterious characters is something that has always mesmerized me.

We pick up not long after we left the gang in Alice in Zombieland. That being said, things quickly continue on as we hit the ground running with zombie fights & drama. School does not play nearly as large a roll in this book as the first one because it's no longer needed as the buffer between Ali & the slayers. As a full-fledged slayer, with some awesome abilities, Ali is a force to be reckoned with on the field and off. Her personality squares off regularly with Cole's in a sort of dance. Everyone else seems to play off of their vibe for the most part.

I have to say that the storyline got very interesting this go around. Since we already have the back story and are up to speed, we got to spend a lot more time learning about the characters and their histories in and outside of slaying. With a few new players on the board, things heat up romantically and plotwise quickly. 

The most incredible thing though is the multifaceted way that Gena can write her characters. Everyone has an alter ego in this book, a sort of different front they put up depending on who/what they're dealing with at the moment. It becomes crucial to the reading to pay attention to those clues because they'll lead you to the right answer. Otherwise you might find yourself really surprised by what's going on.

With witty dialogue that keeps you flipping from page to page and just enough steamy romance to qualify as PG-13, Through the Zombie Glass continues down the path of awesomeness! Be sure to check it out when it drops onto shelves September 24!

ARC graciously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

ARC Review: TMI by Patty Blount

Best friends don’t lie.
Best friends don’t ditch you for a guy.
Best friends don’t post your deepest, darkest secrets online.

Bailey’s falling head-over-high-heels for Ryder West, a mysterious gamer she met online. A guy she’s never met in person. Her best friend, Meg, doesn’t trust smooth-talking Ryder. He’s just a picture-less profile.

When Bailey starts blowing Meg off to spend more virtual quality time with her new crush, Meg decides it’s time to prove Ryder’s a phony.

But one stupid little secret posted online turns into a friendship-destroying feud to answer the question:

Who is Ryder West?

From Goodreads

Bailey & Meg are having a rough patch. At some point during every friendship this happens & more often than not it's over another relationship. The twist in this plot is that Meg doesn't trust Bailey's too-perfect boyfriend, who doesn't even exist! That's right, while having never met him in person and spending all her free time with him electronically, Bailey doesn't see that Meg is just trying to protect her from the unknown. 

Coming from similar heartaches rooted in paternal abandonment, these two each have their own obsessions and must learn to trust one another with their advice when it comes to the guys in their lives. But one little slip threatens to destroy the minute progress they've made towards rebuilding their relationship. Can it all be saved or are some things better just left alone?

I have to say that while this one didn't "wow" me, it was passable. I really enjoyed Bailey being a geekier girl with popular girl tendencies. It gave her more personality than I was expecting. Meg was tough to deal with at times. She was very broody & difficult, but her artwork, her passion, really made me give her a chance.

What really didn't work for me where the absentee parents. This is a disturbing trend in YA, and maybe in familial relationships in general, but it just allows way too much to go on and paints parents in a bad light. I know we all rebel against our parents at some point in time, but that isn't even necessary when they're too busy to care. Another thing that bugged at me were the obvious "daddy issues" that these girls have. They fall under the stereotypical paths of behavior in response to that void. It made me respect the girls a little less that they were so hung up on this stuff and ignoring the wider implications.

The dialogue, mannerisms, & behavior were quite engaging through the whole narrative. Even the filler characters helped round out this story a bit more. We learn a lot through observation & these other characters helped with that. Sadly the catty behavior & underwhelming climax left me feeling a bit disjointed. It really felt like there was either something missing or something still to come. While not a must read, it's a good filler if you want a broody, angsty read.

ARC graciously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

ARC Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.

Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.

From Goodreads

ARC graciously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

After 300 years of solitude on a spaceship orbiting Earth, the time has come for an expedition to examine the toxic Earth conditions. Due to strict breeding laws & limited supplies, the laws have been tightened so much that young people are being executed at age 18 for the smallest infraction. Now, to make better use of those already sentenced to death, 100 have been selected to travel "home."

Clarke & Wells are the only ones officially sentenced to this task, Bellamy brazenly joins the trip through a hostage situation to save his sister, & Glass was fortunate enough to escape the trip and rejoin society. Following each character individually, the reader is presented with current events & flashbacks to how they landed in their present predicaments. Love, confusion, hatred, & heroism all play an important role in the survival of those who landed & in their futures. No one has been on Earth in 300 years, so why does it feel like something never left?

This was an at-times thrilling, but mostly tempered, science-fiction that I enjoyed. There was a lot going on in each chapter between the current situation & past experiences to keep you on your toes. But there wasn't necessarily and heart-pounding action to help things flow. This story was more driven in a Lord of the Flies way where we watch these kids struggle to continue their doomed existence.

I thought it was a great plot device to have 3 of the characters planetside while one got to remain in the "lap of luxury." It gave a great contrast that I think would otherwise be lost on the reader since we don't spend much free time on the ship with the other characters. What I didn't expect was to enjoy the relationship dynamics as much as I did. While there was definitely a lot of "wrong side of the ship" action going on, the personalities of these characters really blended well.

While I would have liked this to have a tidy ending, alas it is a series beginner so there is a massive climax that is kind of predictable but unique enough to give the reader pause. It'll make for an interesting intro to the next book.

What I didn't know when I got this book was that it had been tapped as a show premiering this fall on the CW. I think it could work very well as a show since it has so much potential. I'm not much of a fan of the crowd they seem to be running with for the show, but it I think I'll give it a shot. Check it out!

ARC Review: Unthinkable (Impossible #2) by Nancy Werlin

Major Spoilers for Impossible below

This much anticipated sequel to the New York Times Bestseller Impossiblea fantasy full of suspense, mystery, and romance will appeal to fans ofBeautiful Creatures, Raven Boys, and Wicked Lovely.

Fenella was the first Scarborough girl to be cursed, hundreds of years ago, and she has been trapped in the faerie realm ever since, forced to watch generations of daughters try to break this same faerie curse that has enslaved them all. But now Fenella’s descendant, Lucy, has accomplished the impossible and broken the curse, so why is Fenella still trapped in Faerie?
 
In her desperation, Fenella makes a deal with the faerie queen: If she can accomplish three acts of destruction, she will be free, at last, to die.  What she doesn't realize is that these acts must be aimed at her own family and if she fails, the consequences will be dire, for all of the Scarborough girls.
 
How can she possibly choose to hurt her own cherished family not to mention the new man whom she’s surprised to find herself falling in love with? But if she doesn’t go through with the tasks, how will she manage to save her dear ones?

From Goodreads

Fenella Scarborough, the originator of the Scarborough curse broken by Lucy in Impossible, has wanted to die for quite a long time. Four hundred years to be exact. Ever since she was swept into faerie and the curse laid upon her family lineage she has cursed her captor. Now that the family curse is broken, she had hoped that she would be allowed, at long last, to greet death with open arms. Naturally things are not that simple.

Fenella begs the faerie queen to allow her to die. She is given a task: if she completes three acts of destruction, against her own family, she will be able to live out the rest of her days. If she fails, her familial curse is regenerated to be laid upon all new generations of Scarborough girls. Unsure of her abilities, and with the assistance of the faerie queen's brother in animal disguise, Fenella makes her way into the human realm to earn her freedom at long last. More challenges than she could have possibly anticipated arise and force her to question her resolve. Can she really inflict such cruelty on her own family?

I must say that this was a different turn than I was expecting for this sequel. Much darker than its predecessor, Unthinkable strikes a final balance between the determined optimism of the first book and the cruel negativity in this one. When taken into account all that she has suffered and the extent of her situation, it's not hard to understand and even sympathize with Fenella. She really never meant for anything bad to happen when the curse was originally laid, but 400 years of captivity and untold hardships had made her a brutally determined woman.

I can see where some might find themselves annoyed or even furious with her choices, but when taken into account with the reality she was facing, it's not nearly as awful as it could be. Having spent so long with the faeries I believe that Fenella is a master at double speak & slight of tongue when it comes to her own actions. This gives the reader a lot more leeway into understanding her choices.

Stepping back into Lucy's life after we left her so well-off was a bit saddening, but laid the perfect groundwork for this tale. Since this family already knew Fenella's background & about the faerie world in general, the story could simply pick up practically where it left off. The new interactions between the characters, as they have now settled into a mundane life, are different and allow for new scenarios to play out with Fenella mixed in. Even better, there is a new man in the picture who causes Fenella untold amounts of strain as she wrestles with herself.

This was a long book and it took a bit to get going. Once things started happening though, I really just flew through the pages. The pacing is just right so that things calm down when they need to, sped up at the right parts, & even allow for little side jaunts into romance or humor. I hope some of y'all like it as much as I did!

ARC graciously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

July Genreflecting: Giveaway: Solid by Shelley Workinger & Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

I apologize that this is posting late. I goofed when setting the scheduler. :) Enjoy!

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

From Goodreads

Depression & suicide are very common among teenagers. The tough transitional years seem to have a magnified effect on this population in particular; so much so that a few select states are piloting The Program to combat this terrible affliction. If teens begin exhibiting signs of depression, they can be whisked off to the secluded facility that will assist in their recovery. After a few weeks they can be reintegrated into society with a totally new outlook on life.

Sloane & her group have had a tough few months. It all started when her brother Brady committed suicide. Soon after that others started to be put in The Program. Unfortunately, they person that came out on the other side was barely even a shell of the person they were before treatment. With things crumbling all around her, Sloane wonders if she & boyfriend James can really hold it together. They just have to make it to age 18 & they'll be free. But life isn't very kind and Sloane finds herself fighting her family & friends for her love & her life.

This was an incredible book! Seriously, I don't think I've enjoyed a science-fiction book this much in a while. The story was riveting because you really had no idea what to expect next. There were so many possibilities & so much potential for things to change in a heartbeat that I was constantly on the edge of my seat. 

What stood out the most for me though was the timing of this book. Normally when you enter a story it's either before or after what we consider the "rising action," being the event or person who catapults the story forward. In The Program I felt like we were walking into the middle of the story, but in a good way. We didn't have to read through the uptick in teen suicide & The Program also isn't fully operational. This book is set in the testing phase & is catching on, so this is long before anyone can really analyze the outcomes of The Program. 

Sloane & James are broken people, but in an understandable way. Since any sign of emotion can be grounds for admission for depression, there is no safe outlet. Even sports have been taken away in case the competition was too much to handle. All these things are still being sorted out, so watching teens struggle with their new existence is very moving and relateable.

As a science fiction book it held true to the science portion. We get to see the inner workings of parts of The Program that are based in the neurological control of its victims. This is chemical brainwashing for the betterment of society. I could see this being the stepping stone for a society that eventually tries to control all emotions. It could relate to any number of other books or movies where the governing entity tries to control the responses of the population "for their own safety."

Even better are the "what if" scenarios that dance around in your mind. Would we really do this to our own teenagers? How can Sloane make it out of this situation? Is there any hope of survival? The moral compass is spinning out of control in this book & there is little hope of getting it back on track. Luckily this was the first in a series, so we'll see where the story goes in the next installment.

On to the fun part! This week I'm giving away a copy of Solid by Shelley Workinger. Remember that you must be at least 13 years old & have a US mailing address in order to enter. The giveaway will close on Friday, August 2. Good luck!
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ARC Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

From Goodreads

Simone's book summaries are always so great! They hit all the high points without giving away too much. I'll let this one do the summarizing for me so that I can go ahead and tell you to put this one on your To Be Read list.

Ashtyn is a sweet girl. Having lost everyone in her life either physically or emotionally is bound to take a toll. I was surprised to find that she was a delicate balance of strength & frailty. I really liked how she was struggling to define herself. She was good at something unconventional for a female & could walk that hard road, but she still wanted to be a good girlfriend and "normal" girl. We see her visible struggle with these two sides of herself while still trying to remain honest.

Derek is a a good boy acting out to get attention. Also an abandoned teen, instead of going out of his way to try to fit in, he has done the opposite. By rebelling against everything even remotely structured & filling his time with angst and pranks, he's really exposed his vulnerabilities. By going on the offensive, he believes he is protecting himself when really he's doing more damage.

These two came together under extremely unique circumstances and blew each other's worlds apart. The background and setting played a minor role in getting things hopping; it was really the culmination of past events that pushed the story forward. I think adding sports into the mixture of Simone's normally delinquent-filled books added a little something extra. It gave the characters' bond more depth than I had anticipated.

While there were a few dropped sub-plotlines& minor holes in stroy arc execution, it wasn't anything to get me worked up. I'm sure most people might not even notice them. :) I can't wait to see what she brings out in the next book. While I don't think it'll star the same characters, I do think it'll be just a bit a hit.

ARC Review: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

From Goodreads

Star-crossed doesn't even begin to encompass the magnitude of difference between Lilac & Tarver. These two are from whole different universes! Well, not really, but as far as their personalities and backgrounds go it's essentially true. The only child of multi-billionaire & industrial tycoon, Lilac has lived a life of privilege, that has come with a dear cost. Unable to actually become close with any guy, she has built up a wall of self-sufficiency and snobbery. But Tarver, the boy war hero, is rather impervious to her rebuffs.

When something goes horribly wrong mid-hyperspace, these two find themselves in an escape pod that crash lands on a mysterious planet. Soon enough these two find that while they were the sole survivors of the crash, they didn't take into account what already inhabited the planet. Only & hoping for rescue, these two must work together to ensure that they can be found when help finally arrives. If it ever does...

What an incredible story! I definitely came to this story with a pre-conceived idea of what I thought would happen and how the characters would behave. It pleases me to report that I was wrong on both accounts. I certainly did not see most of that coming at all. We don't really get a lot of back story on either of our protagonists & that suits me just fine. We get enough of the basics with out all the nagging, unnecessary details. I found it fitting that we knew as much about the characters as they knew about one another because it allowed for more freedom in the discovery of those details.

While it seems like an obvious straightforward tale of ship crash & survival until (presumed) rescue, the twist in this tale lies within the secrets of this planet. They crash on a terraformed planet that should be extremely colonized & well-established. All they are confronted with are monstrous creatures & an uneasy feeling that seems to get more severe the closer they get to the downed ship. The writing allows the reader to come to terms with what's happening and builds suspense as we move forward into the unknown with the characters.

My favorite part of this book is the fact that it could be a stand alone novel. I went in believing that it was a stand alone and was not disappointed. There were a few unanswered questions, but nothing that I couldn't accept if it were truly the end. Since it isn't the end, I am greatly looking forward to the next installment were we will presumably learn more about the protagonists' new lives & just what exactly happened on that planet.

Anyone else excited about these prospects?

July Genreflecting: Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

From Goodreads

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy  is one of the most popular humorous science-fiction books ever written. First published in 1979, it has been read by several generations and has remained extremely well-spoken of. Personally, it wasn't all that for me. I enjoyed the jokes I knew were coming & Adams has a unique storytelling ability, but it was a jaunty, jumbled mess as far as I'm concerned. The cast was quirky and fun in ways that I hadn't really expected, but it was a bit wacky. I think that's part of the allure for so many people. The sheer absurdity and outlandishness of the stories is quite enticing.

It follows the adventures of Arthur Dent & Ford Prefect as they hitchhike across the galaxy. Ford, being the alien updating the Guide, got stuck on Earth for 15 years and right as it's getting ready to be demolished, he grabs his mate Arthur and continues on his merry journey. They meet all sorts of aliens, see several planets, and enjoy the shenanigans of other travelers just as weird as themselves. Their antics land them in all manner of troubles, but they always seem to come out for the better on the other side. Personally, I adored Marvin! He's the opposite of what you think of when you think robot and his rapier wit allow for some memorable lines.

It's rather obvious why this one falls under science fiction. Between the inter-galactic travel, robots, & aliens, there are so many check marks on the list that it couldn't possibly go anywhere else. The part that really cements this book's place in science fiction though are the moral dilemmas and explanations throughout. As we meet countless races of non-humanoid life, we are constantly informed of their natures and thought processes. It's not simply a matter of knowing what they're doing, it's also the analyzing of why they do certain things. It makes all the difference in the world understanding someone's intent and background. Also, the scientific possibilities of all the artifacts and mechanics seen within the book allow the reader to imagine that some great things are possible.

Have you read this book or others in the series? What do you think about it? Be sure to check back next week when I giveaway a science fiction book and review The Program by Suzanne Young.

Here is the trailer for the movie version, which I find easier to follow and actually quite close to the book. If you haven't seen it, you should!