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.
 

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.

Waiting on Wednesday: Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Words cannot adequately explain how intrigued I am by Josin L. McQuein's
Premeditated that is set for an October 8 debut! While I prefer the minimalist Goodreads summary, I have also provided the Amazon summary to help you get a better clue as to what will be happening in this story.

• A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.
• Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.
• Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.
• Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.
• Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.
• Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.
• By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

From Goodreads

If you enjoyed Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, you will race through the pages of this YA novel as 17-year old Dinah pieces together the mystery that surrounds the near death of her 14-year old cousin Claire. 

While Claire is holding on her for her life in the hospital, Dinah goes in search of the boy Claire writes about in her journal. The boy who forced her to do something she didn't want to do. The boy who caused her such humiliation that the thought of having to live one more day was just too much. 

Dinah is on a mission for revenge, but as things start to unfold, her plan isn't as simple as it seemed. 

From Amazon

There are so many questions that I don't even know where to begin! While I'm sure we've all had revenge scenarios play out in our minds, I don't think I've ever seen one presented this way. Normally we see the victim avenging themselves, but I think I like the idea of someone doing the avenging for them; especially in the type of scenario that I'm perceiving here. Either way, I seriously can't wait to since into this book! 

Have any of you read it? What are you waiting on this week?

May Genreflecting: Giveaway of The Dante Club & Review of All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

From Goodreads

Carly was a decent young woman who lost her way and paid the ultimate price. A year after her death, despite having a man convicted of her murder in jail, something doesn't fit for Carly's ex-boyfriend Neily and her best friend/cousin Audrey. It doesn't help that Audrey's dad, Carly's uncle, is the one rotting in prison for a crime he swears he didn't commit.

So Audrey and Neily set out together, however difficult it may be for them personally, to uncover the truth. What they find is  more than they bargained for and at times too much for them to handle. Neily is dealing with guilt over not saving her, resentment at her for being dumped, and a very general anger towards almost anyone she associated with prior to her death. Audrey feels responsible for drawing Carly into the crowd that led to her demise and for being too wrapped up in a relationship to see what was going on.

Richly written with well-placed and timed flashbacks, All Unquiet Things is a masterful mystery. What makes it so unique is that we are starting with what is usually the ending and working backwards. A death has occurred and been "solved" before we even enter the story, so now we're seeing things for the first time while the characters are reliving them. That makes for a more compelling story, in my opinion, because instead of being able to anticipate the answers that are given, we must analyze everything that is given to us in order to solve this murder.

These are some seriously damaged characters. It makes sense for this book to be set exactly where it is because of the lifestyle that can be found within elite prep schools. The variety of personalities are simply more pronounced because of their status. The level of mischief these teens can get into is off the charts for most of our considerations because of the socio-economic  differences between this elite group and middle-class families. Parties, drugs, & relationships can be found in all high schools, but the level and intensity increase with more affluent (spoiled) groups.

The mystery part of this book was incredible. I usually stick with detective type mysteries, which this one kind of resembled, but like I said, with a twist. This allowed me to travel outside my preferred historical or paranormal mysteries. The "who dunnit" feeling is very prevalent in this book, but it takes a back seat occasionally so that we can really want the characters process what's going on around them. I really enjoyed that. I have to admit though, that I did not see that ending coming. Way too good to spoil, so be sure to read it if you really want to know! Now on to the giveaway!

You have the chance to win  The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. It's a great mystery with a little bit of thriller thrown in. The giveaway will run until Thursday, June 6. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: PODs by Michelle K. Pickett

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul. 

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters. 

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

From Goodreads

The virus sneaked up on the human population like a predator stalking its prey. Despite the sudden onset on the lethal virus, the US government was prepared to shelter some of the population. Naturally the best and brightest in their fields would be given top priority in the PODs while only 50,000 of the remaining population could be saved. Eva was fortunate. As an only child she only lost her parents & her friends when she reported to the POD that she would call home for the 12 months the scientists believed it would take for the virus to die out.

Being cooped up in a small living space for such an extended period of time has an effect on her. She develops friendships, excels at her pre-determined course of study, & despite being dead-set against it, manages to fall in love with David. After 15 months, the two are separated into different survivor camps. When everything else has been ripped away, just how far are these two willing to go to ensure that they can continue to nurture their romance?

This was a decent zombie-esque book. I've read several great ones in recent months (As the World Dies series, Newsflesh series, & the Razorland series) so the bar is set pretty high. What I liked so much about this one was that the focus wasn't on the virus or really even on the zombies. This was truly about the main couple's experience as the government takes control and plays God with its citizens. This shifted focus allows the reader to really imagine the experiences that the characters are facing throughout the book. 

While I wasn't all that impressed with the character development (they were very stereotypical of the hero & heroine in any given story) I was impressed with the interactions between characters. It's kind of hard to make the idea of 9 people & an infant being enclosed in a small space for 12 months appealing. Yet things kept moving forward. Michelle K. Pickett spent just the right amount of time on every scene. Nothing was too dragged out & nothing felt too rapid. The pace of the book was well timed so that the reader had time to mentally catch up with everything that has taken place in what appears to be such a short window of time.

Something I wasn't expecting going in to this book was the amount of steamy romance scenes. David & Eva are quite hot & bothered for one another and make no attempts at hiding their desire. Lots of making out & heavy petting are detailed with vague words of implied naughtiness without every crossing the finish line. It's actually quite astonishing when you think about the fact that this whole book probably takes place over the course of almost two years and yet our dynamic duo never manages to seal the deal. I'm not quite sure whether to be impressed or confounded by that fact.

What I will say is that it's a pretty good book all things considered. Some of the grammatical flaws & minor plot holes I'm sure will be picked up in the final revision stage. I'm most excited about the fact that the sequel has already been contracted for a November 2014 release, but don't let that scare you off. I would be just as content if the book ended right where it did because you get the sense of completion. It doesn't need to continue, but I'm intrigued to see where it goes from where it left off.

Have you heard about this one? What are some of your favorite zombie-esque books?

ARC generously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

If I Should Die (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum review

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST TWO BOOKS! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

From Goodreads

Trust me folks, a summary doesn't get more spoiler-free than that one right there. I tried, in vain, for quite some time to come up with a summary in my own words, but there is just so much that happens that is delicate or could easily be misconstrued if taken out of context that I'm sticking with the official description.

In short, this was amazing! I don't think I've read such a satisfying resolution to a series as this in quite a while. Amy Plum really does all the plots justice in this final chapter of the Revenants series.

We continue with our core group of characters following on the heels of losing Vincent to numa. Different kinds and intensities of grief can affect certain people in varying ways. Some break down, while others rise up. We see both of these among the revenants and Kate's family. Plum does these emotions justice and really allows the reader to connect with the characters' experiences. This style carries throughout the entire book, which I found to be a necessary component while reading. Emotions are relied on heavily in order to carry the story. While there is plenty of action at the appropriate moments, the emotional decisions and reactions are what binds it all together.

Naturally the setting is sumptuous. France is a natural setting for such an extraordinary story because of the rich history that the area lends to the writer. Plum capitalizes on this fact taking us not just through "recent" history, but all the way back to ancient times. None of the book actually takes place then, but as the reader learns more about revenant history, the farther back into time we glimpse.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much happened in what seemed like such a short time frame. From beginning to end, this series takes a little over a year, but this book took place in maybe two weeks, some days of which are skipped due to loss of consciousness or travel. This was certainly the most action-packed book of the series and rightly so considering all that had to take place in order to achieve the desired resolution.

If you haven't had the immense pleasure of enjoying this series, please visit your local library or book store and remedy the situation as soon as possible. While I am sorry to see these characters and this wonderful world go, I am happy with the results. Congratulations Amy Plum on a job well done!

Louder Than Words by Laurie Plissner review

The debut novel of an American original, Laurie Plissner's is both medical thriller and lyric love story in the tradition of magical realism

Since the snowy night when her family's car slammed into a tree, killing her parents and little sister, Sasha has been unable to speak except through a computer with a robotic voice. Nothing is wrong with her body; that's healed. But, after four years, Sasha's memory, and her spirit, are still broken. Then one day, she's silently cussing out the heavy book she dropped at the library when a gorgeous, dark-haired boy, the kind of boy who considers Sasha a freak or at least invisible, "answers" Sasha's hidden thoughts -- out loud. 

Yes, Ben can read minds; it's no big deal. He's part of a family with a host of unusual, almost-but-not-quite-supernatural talents. Through Ben's love, Sasha makes greater progress than she has with a host of therapists and a prominent psychiatrist. With him to defend her, bullies keep the world from ever understanding Sasha, he pulls away. Determined to win him and prove her courage by facing her past, Sasha confronts her past -- only to learn that her family's death was no accident and that a similar fate may wait for her, in the unlikeliest of disguises.

From Goodreads

I think this is one of those books that I read at the wrong time. I was hyper-sensitive to almost everything that happened in this book and took issue with many items.

First of all, there are 2 very aggressive and more titillating than is necessary sexual assault scenes. As I've stated many times, I am not anti-sex, but there is a time and a place for these kinds of incidents. This book didn't need it and it was far more graphic than the scene required. Another issue I had stemmed from these scenes because the female in question was completely helpless, forcing her would-be love interest into a "white knight" role. Again, not necessary & actually damaging to the character's character. Even worse, her best friend AGREED with her not to get the police involved. Encouraging that kind of behavior is just ridiculous. Sexual assault is something taken far too lightly, especially among teens (that whole "boys will be boys" adage).

Furthermore, the portrayal of psychiatry in this book is abysmal. As if it's not hard enough to convince someone to go to therapy for the help they desperately need, this book twists that relationship into a manipulative, ego-driven way. I also felt like the ending was very immediate. We were following a trail of clues to figure out what really happened the night of the accident and within the space of just a few pages BAM it's all over. It was definitely very abrupt, with a sense of confusion.

Now, all that being said, I did enjoy the mystery elements of the story. Sasha's hysterical mutism is a fascinating medical anomaly that I've never seen used in such a unique way. Even better are the different ways she communicates & how her attitude shows. You'd be amazed at the incredible power of words once you've lost the ability to use them.

I also really enjoyed  Plissner's writing style. The banter among characters and the attention paid to the details was well done. The word and events were quite convincing and helped me to move past the glaring flaws that lurked around every corner.

Overall I'd rate this one a pretty big dud. Fortunately this is the author's first book and she shows some promising talents. I hope that she can tidy up her closure & reevaluate her portrayal of certain instances. While not a "not to be missed" title, it's worth a read if you can move past the issues outlined above.

Anyone else read this one?

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson review

Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist.

Because of envelope 4, Ginny and a playwright/thief/ bloke-about-town called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous-though utterly romantic-results. But will she ever see him again?

Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.

From Goodreads

Ginny wasn't sure of anything when it came to her runaway Aunt Peg. Sure she was quirky and most definitely an artist, but cryptic wasn't usually her MO. But here Ginny is, under direct orders of the first of 13 little blue envelopes on the trip of a lifetime. Having secured her parents' permission, Ginny sets off to London, on her own, with no real idea what she's getting herself into.

Denied any outside, electronic communication and extra funding, Ginny finds herself on a strange Englishman's doorstep where her Aunt apparently lived during her final few months. Did I forget to mention that Aunt Peg was no longer with us? Whatever Ginny is supposed to get out of this adventure she must do it on her own, as instructed.

Some of the instructions are strange, some are outlandish, and some are downright dangerous. Out of all the instructions, one thing never mentioned was what to do if the plan goes awry? What if you fall in love or heaven forbid, what if you just don't want to follow the plan? Ginny learns all of this and more.

This was a fun little book. It takes a little bit to build up as we don't start out with all the information. Even as you read, you're still learning the  basics that you normally pick up in the first chapter or two of any other book. I think that is part of this book's charm. The fact that the reader is just as lost and confused, taking a journey with, the main character.

It was entertaining to watch Ginny traipse all over Europe with no clue as to where or why she would be anywhere at any one time. The instructions in the envelopes were sometimes general and sometimes specific so she really had no idea what to expect each time she got to open one. She had unique experiences that no one could create on their own had they not experienced them themselves. Ginny was being guided by Aunt Peg's own life adventure while being told to find her own.

The plot and all the supporting characters really made this an interesting book. Between starving artists, big wigs at large corporate companies, and American tourist families, there was never a lack of diversity among the interactions. That being said, I found it quite unfortunate that there was a sexual assault mixed into all this, especially since it had to happen in Italy. I think that was a bit over the top and unnecessary, if not a bit presumptuous. I may be a bit sensitive about these types of things, but I am certainly more aware of them after reading Maggie Stiefvater's post about the pervasiveness of literary rape (in all genres).

Other than that this was a fine book. Not my favorite and certainly not the worst. It was a happy medium that satiated my wanderlust-filled heart. I understand there is a sequel called The Last Little Blue Envelope. I haven't decided whether I actually want to read it or not. Thoughts?

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler review

"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

From Goodreads

How do you know when it's okay to say your final goodbye? Anna, Frankie, and Matt were the best of friends. While Matt was technically Frankie's older brother, that just made him all the more cool in their eyes. For years everything was shared equally among them. One kiss later and it was all different. Sworn to secrecy until Matt can explain it to Frankie on their annual Zanzibar Bay vacation, Anna keeps her word. Too bad Matt never made it on that trip and now Anna is left behind with Frankie and a burning secret.

While a year may have passed, Anna still can't let go of him and what they almost were together. Frankie is volatile and beyond Anna's help. With a hole in their trip card, Frankie's family decides to take Anna along with them on their first trip to Zanzibar Bay sans Matt. With a plan of attack on the local boys, 20 to be precise, Anna and Frankie embark on a trip that will give them the truth they so desperately need to hear.

This was such an incredibly moving book. Next to a lost child, which this book also kind of deals with, a tragically lost love is one of the hardest things I can imagine having to face day in and day out. Anna and Matt were just beginning to grow their relationship in a way that would forever change the dynamic of their trio, so it makes sense that they moved forward with trepidation. I must admit that I was truly surprised at how deeply these characters internalized their feelings. They each had their own manifestations that were outward representations of their inner turmoil, but this was on a whole new level because of the intricate relationships.

Sarah Ockler really wanted the reader to understand where the main gals were coming from in how they dealt with their grief. The flashbacks we have via Anna really give us a lot of insight into just how important Matt was to their group and just how very special he was to her. Frankie is harder to pin down, but if you look carefully at the wording and gestures used to describe her actions, you can find the truth behind her bravado.

Deep down this was an undeniably powerful book about love, both platonic and romantic, and  also about truth. People believe and see what they want to believe and see. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes it can cause a chain reaction of events that lead somewhere unwanted. There is some alluded to sexual action, but it is such an important/integral part of such a pivotal scene that I found it a non-issue.

It you like you love a little tragic, but with some hope at the end, then this one is just right for you.

Exposure (Twisted Lit #2) by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes review

Double, double, toil and trouble. Sometimes, the quest for high school royalty can be deadly! 

In this emotionally-charged twist on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a self-conscious shutterbug named Skye Kingston navigates a treacherous school year in Alaska fraught with unspoken secrets and tragic twists of fate. Along the way she encounters three strangely prophetic BFFs; one social-climbing, sociopathic cheerleader; and a heart-stopping hottie named Craig McKenzie: the man who would be Prom King. 

Can Skye save the boy she loves — and herself — before they get caught in the crosshairs?

From Goodreads

Skye has mostly coasted through high school on the fringe of every social group. She knows who to talk to & who to avoid in order to make as few waves as possible. Having spent the majority of her high school years in the art room's darkroom developing photos the "old way" while pining after her could-have-been-her-boyfriend acquaintance Craig, Skye never really got to know much about anything outside of her own little world.

All of that changes when she is suddenly thrust into the middle of a tragic accident. While not directly involved, she knows the truth about what happened that night at the party. Even worse, she knows that she should do something about it, but her paralyzing fear of doing the wrong thing prevents her from not only doing what's right, but doing what could have saved them all.

We all know I am a big fan of retellings. See my previous love of Jackson Pearce or Stacey Jay's work. This one is another great book to add to that list. While it says "Twisted Lit #2" that's just a loose relation for the other books. Kind of like Jackson Pearce's. If you've read the other books, great, you'll have a more in depth understanding of the relationships. If you haven't read the other books, no biggie, it's not necessary at all!

These women have done a fabulous job in updating the story of Macbeth for the new generation. They seamlessly blended the language of Shakespeare with modern vocabulary. This book strikes a fine balance between the story we all know (and some of us love) and the one that they are presently telling.

The characters are terrific updates to the classical characters. My personal favorites are the three native Alaskan girls as the three witches. I also loved how these characters seemed to embody the original characters not just in their behavior, but in their speech and physicality as well.

The tempo of the book is just right so that you can fully appreciate the work that went into creating this multi-faceted dream of a Shakespearean retelling. I never felt like it was too wordy or that not enough was going on, so it was a fairly quick and enjoyable read.

Please give it a shot! I'll have my review of Tempestuous (Twisted Lit #1) up in a few days. I can't wait to tell you about that one too!

Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2) by Rhiannon Frater

Spoilers ahead if you haven't read the first book The First Days!

Picking up where The First Days ends, Fighting to Survive features the further zombie-killing, civilization-saving adventures of a pair of sexy, kick butt heroines and the men who love them. A hundred or so survivors of the zombie plague have found tenuous safety in the walled off center of a small Texas town. Now the hard work of survival begins—finding enough food; creating safe, weather-resistant shelter; establishing laws; and fighting off both the undead who want to eat them and the living bandits who want to rob and kill them.

From Goodreads

Katie & Jenni have made it to safety after a terrifying fight to survive the new zombie-infested world. They've rescued those that they could and are mourning those they have lost along the way. But there is no rest in this uncertain and ever-changing world.

We find our heroines still safely ensconced in the makeshift fort in Ashley Oaks, Texas. While tensions run high among the residents due to strained resources and the constant threat of attack, the women settle into their new roles. Since they have so much real-time experience hunting and fending off zombies, both women are working on the protection detail.

As more survivors are brought in, the leaders decide that they need to expand upon their little territory. By taking over a few neighboring stores and a largely remodeled hotel, they ensure that their community can continue to rebuild. What they can't control are the zombies and the vigilantes out to destroy anything and everything. With so much at stake, the women must push through their personal issues while trying to move toward a better, if uncertain, future.

Fighting to Survive isn't quite as heart-pounding in the same way as The First Days. It was however just as thrilling to struggle alongside the survivors. What could easily become routine & mundane continues to offer exciting and unique scenarios. The best part about this book was watching as the shock value of the zombies wore off and reality started to settle in. People began to move forward with their lives and started to make peace with all that had taken place.

While The First Days really focused on introducing us to the situation from Jenni & Katie's viewpoint, Frater  has given us an uncommon narrator. The majority of the story is told from the two main women's point of view, but other characters creep in little by little. We see more from Juan and Travis, the men in these women's lives, and are even given a glimpse into the point of view of one of the dogs. It all adds up to a richer story with fleshed out details that allow the reader to completely immerse him/herself in the book's events.

There is romance, thrilling heroics, sacrifice, and a lot of bloodshed in this book. Nothing that you wouldn't expect from a zombie book, but in a way, the calm/collectedness of those doing the dispatching can be a might frightening at times. Still totally worth a read if you into this sort of thing or are looking for a strong character base.

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent review

Naturally as this book is the 6th in a series, major spoilers abound. Enjoy at your own risk!

I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life….

From Goodreads

Kaylee is having a difficult time adjusting to her afterlife. As if being a bean sidhe teenager with a hellion out for her soul wasn't awkward enough, after slaying her incubus math teacher (and dying the process) Kaylee has been restored. No she hasn't been brought back to life, she is a restored soul who will spend the rest of her perfectly preserved at 16 and immortal afterlife chasing down bad guys.

Her personal life (beyond the obvious transition) is anything but cleared up. Would you think death would allow most people to forgive & forget, but setting up your ex-boyfriend for your murder while simultaneously hooking up with his reaper brother can put quite a crimp in anyone's social life.

With a serial soul thief on the loose, drama in all of her relationships, and a few new friends, Kaylee is out to finish off what started just short of one year ago. But how many people is she willing to lose in the name of taking down a hellion?

I must admit. I've read all the book in this series. There was a bit around book four I think where I kind of lost interest and that may have been due to the relationship building/not much action dynamic, but Rachel has me back on board in this sixth installment. The next to last book in a delicious series, Before I Wake doesn't stop to even let you catch your breath. We're dropped right back into the story from the ending of If I Die and move full steam ahead into Kaylee's new life. 

Friendships are strained, her triangle with the scrumptious Nash (the ex) & his brother Tod (the reaper) is escalating, and her family is becoming increasing determined to bar her from self-destructing. Death does not really suit Kaylee and while her adjustment can be considered normal, we really get a look at what holds her relationship together. There is a lot of soul-searching taking place & some deep, emotional fragility being displayed throughout the entire book by all the players. This peak behind the curtain puts a lot of past incidents into perspective in a way that begins the process of closure.

One last thought...I want to warn fans. I found myself completely unprepared for some of the heartbreak that takes place in this book. Have tissues on standby if you tend to get attached to characters. Rachel is pulling no punches when it comes to what happens. One might even compare her to Joss Whedon in some ways... I had to send Rachel a tweet about one particular scene and that was when it dawned on me..."Sometimes I forget that as hard as it can be to read it, that it must have been infinitely harder to write it."

So I just want to take a minute to say thank you to all the writers who do what they have to, no matter the pain or the cost, to stay true to the story.

I am truly looking forward to the final installment of the Soul Screamers series in March 2013. As sad as I will be to see the series end, I have a feeling that she has something else coming up in the near future.

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins review

Love—good and bad—forces three teens’ worlds to tilt in a riveting novel from New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins.

Three teens, three stories—all interconnected through their parents’ family relationships. As the adults pull away, caught up in their own dilemmas, the lives of the teens begin to tilt….

Mikayla, almost eighteen, is over-the-top in love with Dylan, who loves her back jealously. But what happens to that love when Mikayla gets pregnant the summer before their senior year—and decides to keep the baby?

Shane turns sixteen that same summer and falls hard in love with his first boyfriend, Alex, who happens to be HIV positive. Shane has lived for four years with his little sister’s impending death. Can he accept Alex’s love, knowing that his life, too, will be shortened?

Harley is fourteen—a good girl searching for new experiences, especially love from an older boy. She never expects to hurdle toward self-destructive extremes in order to define who she is and who she wants to be.

Love, in all its forms, has crucial consequences in this standalone novel.

From Goodreads

Tilt follows the teenagers introduced in her adult novel Triangles. Each of the three teens are facing their own struggles with demons. None of them ever expected to end up in the situations in which they find themselves, but who does? 

Mikayla can't imagine a world without Dylan, so why would he expect her to hurt their baby? Shane has used "light recreational drugs" to help him cope with a dying little sister & the fact that his homosexuality has caused him to be a blight on the family. But how far will he falls when he falls for a doomed lover? Harley is a newly minted high schooler trying to find her own path in a sea of confusion. With no real guiding reference as to what a relationship or proper personal responsibility should look like, she risks losing everything she never knew she'd miss.

As far as the story is concerned, this is a very traditional Ellen Hopkins novel. Told in verse, you're pulled into very hectic situations and tossed in all sorts of directions. Each character has some serious demons to face that they couldn't have really planned for no matter how hard they may have tried. While none of them have perfect parents, I really think their parents' issues cause more damage than the teens are able to cope with at such a fragile time in their lives. 

I'm sure every reader will be able to identify with at least one of the main characters, but I really enjoyed the vignettes from other characters. Between each section of a main character's story is one page from a minor character's point of view. I think this gives the book a different feel than we usually get when reading from just the main characters' views. In a way it breaks down the barrier between how the main characters' perceive events & the reality of the situation.

Unfortunately, this book does not provide the type of closure that I have come to expect from Ellen's books. While her previous books may not have answered every question, I think they still left the reader with some sort of closure or satisfactory ending. The final sections of each character felt very abrupt to me. It's almost as if I was missing a few pages. When I checked, my book was in fact complete. So just a heads up, this one ends messily and in no real way gives the reader or the characters any sort of completion. While that may have been her intention, it didn't really sit that well with me.

Overall though I enjoyed the book, as much as one can say they "enjoyed" such a book. What were your thoughts?

The Raft by S. A. Bodeen review

Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft.

And then . . . she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way.

From Goodreads

Robie knows what to expect out of all the adults around her. None of them really think she is capable of taking care of herself. Despite living on a remote island & being the guardian of her own education and entertainment, that does not make her capable of making her own decisions regarding anything else. When the opportunity presents itself for Robie to finally be free from adult supervision, she pounces on it. But as with most things, the idea and the reality are so far from the same that Robie has a tough time coping. 

Lonely & honestly a bit scared, she decides last minute to hop on the supply flight going to her island. She may not be the biggest fan of open water, but snuggled safely in her plane Robie lets her guard down. When she is jolted awake & thrown into the ocean with a raft while the plane crashes in the ocean nearby she suddenly realizes just how much trouble she's in. What's worse? She was never accounted for, her name is nowhere on the plane's manifest so no one even knows where she is.

Now the real battle begins as she & the co-pilot Max must survive open water with no water, no real food, sharks, storms, & the never ending sun.

This is one of those lightning-fast reads, not just because it is short (only 231 pages with a lot of those being blank) but also because you kind of see where things are going. You know what kind of book it's going to be from the beginning, but what you might not expect are the smaller details about how Robie gets into her predicament with Max. What's not surprising is the reader's ability to pick out what she does wrong that might have saved her time/sanity along the way. I'm sure it's a million times easier to pick it apart when you're reading the story calmly in your warm chair, but maybe not so much in the actual situation.

There are a few twists that give the story some credibility while also allowing just the right amount of darkness. I would honestly be comfortable with younger teens reading this book because I think it's nothing worse than they might witness during Shark Week or Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel.

A book to make you think, The Raft is a quick-paced story that allows you to say "what if...?" 

Blackout (Newsflesh #3) by Mira Grant review

Rise up while you can. -Georgia Mason

The year was 2014. The year we cured cancer. The year we cured the common cold. And the year the dead started to walk. The year of the Rising.

The year was 2039. The world didn't end when the zombies came, it just got worse. Georgia and Shaun Mason set out on the biggest story of their generation. The uncovered the biggest conspiracy since the Rising and realized that to tell the truth, sacrifices have to be made.

Now, the year is 2041, and the investigation that began with the election of President Ryman is much bigger than anyone had assumed. With too much left to do and not much time left to do it in, the surviving staff of After the End Times must face mad scientists, zombie bears, rogue government agencies-and if there's one thing they know is true in post-zombie America, it's this:

Things can always get worse.

From Goodreads

An absolutely smashing finale to one of the best series I have read. Feed hooked me & Deadline kept me reading, but this was masterful! Mira Grant is a skillful craftswoman. Between all the action (zombie hordes!), subterfuge (those darn scientists!), & monologues (do people actually get to make those in survivalist situations?), she still managed to find time for intrigue, mystery, grit, & yes, even romance.

I really wish I knew more Georgia, Shaun, Mahir, Maggie, & even Becks in real life. These amazing people are the core unit that we follow throughout their time with After the End Times, the news blog run by Georgia & Shaun. Following the turbulent campaign of candidate Ryman, and his ultimate succession to the presidency, the team finds themselves still deeply embroiled in the fight against a semi-unknown entity while on the trail of discovering the truth about Kellis-Amberlee, the virus that while curing cancer and the common cold also created zombies.

While Georgia is still technically dead, the news can always be found in the technicalities. The CDC is still public enemy #1 as far as the team is concerned and their news reporting team is dwindling in numbers quickly. After their last mishap they've had to go to ground, hiding out with some rogue scientists while they try to get a handle on the current situation. The truth has never been more important or more difficult to obtain than it is for our team currently. Luckily with a deft sense of humor and a penchant for impeccable timing, they are set to blow the story wide open.

At times this book did feel a little long-winded, almost like we were filling in time, I appreciated the fact that we revisited some old storylines in order to wrap them up while also acknowledging that this team's frontline ways aren't the only resistance around. If you enjoy thrilling heroics, conspiracies, zombies, just plain old mayhem, this series & especially this book are right up your alley. 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice "Please call me Ali" Bell lives under unusual circumstances. Despite being a teenager, she's never been kissed, never been on a date, & can go toe to toe with her dad in a sparring match. Sounds a bit off, no? That's because Ali's dad is convinced that there are monsters that only come out at night to prey off the living, so in order to keep his father safe he has forearmed them with tactical maneuvers,  keeps them locked in their home after nightfall & paces their house until daylight. Ali's always thought her dad was off his rocker, until her birthday. That night changed her world in the time it would have taken her to blow out her candles.

Now an orphan, living with her grandparents, & transferring to her parents' old high school, Ali is just trying to make it through life day by day. Of course life has other plans when it forces her to collide with Cole Holland. A mysterious rebel with a notorious temper, Cole can't seem to keep away from Ali. But his intentions may not be as sinister as Ali fears, but they do involve the monsters.

This was a masterful retelling of a classic book. There are some great elements from Alice in Wonderland incorporated into this book, while still allowing Zombieland to stand on its own. Ali is a unique young woman that I thoroughly enjoyed following around throughout her misadventures. Her tone & emotional reactions to everything she experiences allows a serious look into how a "normal" person might actually respond to such unbelievable circumstances.

Her relationships are quite central to her storyline. The progression of these relationships (family, friends, & lovers) not only helps move the story along, but also highlights Ali's state of mind & perception. While I must admit that Cole & Kat's mood swings nearly gave me whiplash a few times, for the most part they are understandable. There are also quite a few characters to keep up with. While I think the core will remain at about 7, many more are mentioned by name & turn up quite often.

Having only read a few of her adult works (and none of her other YA works) I don't have a lot to compare with this book. Needless to say, I thoroughly devoured it! Gena's ability to manipulate a scene & evoke specific emotions/reactions to certain events creates an uncanny world for the reader to explore. I was especially intrigued by the zombie mythology. It's definitely one of the more unique descriptions I've heard for their existence & I refuse to give it away because the scene in which it is revealed is so fantastic that I would hate for you to miss out on that kind of excitement & bewilderment.

Short version: you need to read this book. Even if you're not a big fan of zombies, they play more of a background role to that of Ali & her friends. Just give it a shot.