Tempestuous (Twisted Lit #1) by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes review

Recently banished, unfairly, by the school’s popular crowd, former “it girl,” Miranda Prospero, finds herself in a brave new world: holding dominion amongst a rag-tag crew of geeks and misfits where she works at the Hot-Dog Kabob in the food court of her local mall. When the worst winter storm of the season causes mall workers and last-minute shoppers to be snowed-in for the night, Miranda seizes the opportunity to get revenge against the catty clique behind her social exile. With help from her delightfully dweeby coworker, Ariel, and a sullen loner named Caleb who works at the mall’s nearby gaming and magic shop, Miranda uses charm and trickery to set things to right during this spirited take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

From Goodreads

The go-to queen was almost completely dethroned! That is, when Miranda Prospero gets busted for her part in a grades-for-cash scam, she finds herself in a whole new world. Forced to pay restitution in the amount that she earned as ringleader, Miranda finds herself the new go-to queen at the mall. Filled with plenty of people in need of her particular skill set, Miranda finds herself the center of their small world.

Unfortunately, fate has a funny way of messing with everyone's plans. A giant blizzard blows through and shutters the mall. Downside, everyone, including Miranda's former posse, ex-boyfriend, and her new preoccupation, are all stranded there overnight. Soon enough things go from hellish to hilarious as Miranda sets out for retribution with her helpers Ariel and Caleb. Mischief ensues as “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” 

Another amazing retelling from Kim Askew and Amy Helmes! First let me say that, The Tempest has a very special place in my heart. Were it not for my love of Shakespeare (and the need for "production points" in drama class) I may never have worked on my high school's outdoor production of this play. I met my husband on the set the very first day I was there and we've been together ever since.

Back to the awesomeness that is this book! Kim and Amy have captured the essence of this story and breathed contemporary life into it. The characters were spot on representations of their classic forefathers. Even better though were the references that they wove into the story. Not just references to the original story (those were rather expected naturally) but they wove in some awesome pop culture references (like Doctor Who!!). The whole thing was seamless.

I really enjoyed watching Miranda struggle with her identity and who she believes herself to be. It's one thing to know that you're a spoiled brat, it's another thing entirely to know that you were a shallow, base-dwelling, cold-blooded wretch. Miranda has the best intentions, most of the time, but she's beginning to wonder about her plan executions.

A funny, unique, and all together entertaining tale of clashing groups, Temestuous is simply a must read. It takes no time at all and you'll be amazed at how much fun you can have reading a Shakespearean work.

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

The master of prose-written novels has done it again. Ellen Hopkins has delivered yet another amazing novel dealing with difficult, but applicable subject matter.

Usually a taboo subject, Tricks follows five different teens through their decisions regarding sex. Hopkins deals with the reality of what can happen when things go horribly with careful consideration and a thought-provoking situations.

Eden is the sweet, innocent daughter of a hell-fire-and-brimstone pastor. Her mother and father have forbidden her to date until she is ready to marry, so meeting Andrew was definitely not planned. They shared a love that they hoped could withstand anything. That love is tested when she is sent off to a secluded, religious, reform center to have her "demons" excised. Eden holds on to her memories as she is forced to do unthinkable things in the name of escape and freedom.

Seth is a farmer's son who has hidden his true self for far too long. After finding and losing his first love, Loren, Seth is forced into outing himself as gay to his conservative father. Being forced from his home and everything he knows, Seth becomes the kept arm candy of an older gay gentleman, only he's not so gentle.

Whitney really just wanted to fall in love. She thought that Lucas was the one and even gave him her virginity. Sadly, he used her and then threw her away. Hurt and depressed, Whitney reaches out for help to the only person she can think of. Bryn promises to take care of her, she believes him, and he makes good on his promise; at least in the beginning.

Ginger hates her mother Iris but there's not much she can do about that fact. Being the eldest of six children, the responsibility of taking care of those younger than her falls on Ginger. While her mother is out with her new dirtbag boyfriend, turning tricks, or buzzed out of her mind, Ginger and her grandmother work hard to provide for the little family. After one of the youngest children is severely injured in an automobile accident and Ginger has an all-too-familiar encounter with one of Iris's "friends," Ginger decides to skip town with a friend. The two girls didn't really know how much worse things could get for them.

Cody doesn't know how to make things better. His mom and stepdad Jack are quite happy, until the unthinkable happens and his mom is left on her own with Cody and his little, troublemaker brother Cory. Cody retreats into a world of sex and drugs to cope. Unfortunately he can't shake the responsibility he feels for his family. Desperate time call for desperate measures, but even Cody is a little anxious about the lengths he is willing to go for his family.

Spellbinding and captivating, this book will ensnare your sensibilities and leave you breathless. Hopkins has an interesting way of weaving stories together just enough that you can see characters from another character's point of view. It gives a truly insightful glimpse into the truth that we are all interconnected on some level.

Bringing in the Loot

This week I hit the book jackpot between winning a book, receiving my first ARC, my holds came in at the library, and I bought myself some birthday books. Hooray for birthdays!

The top row is loot from the library and when it rains, it pours.

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange, The Immortals: Evermore by Alyson Noel, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Ring of Fire by Pierdomenico Baccalario is an ARC I received.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier I won in a contest over on Book Divas.

So it looks like I will be a busy little blogger for at least the next few weeks. Also, Adriana Trigiani will be in town next Friday to promote her new book Viola in Reel Life so stay tuned for that update!