ARC Review: The Dark World (Dark World #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz

The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Expected publication: May 27th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

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Synopsis:

Paige Kelly is used to weird--in fact, she probably corners the market on weird, considering that her best friend, Dottie, has been dead since the 1950s. But when a fire demon attacks Paige in detention, she has to admit that things have gotten out of her league. 

Luckily, the cute new boy in school, Logan Bradley, is a practiced demon slayer-and he isn't fazed by Paige's propensity to chat with the dead. Suddenly, Paige is smack in the middle of a centuries-old battle between warlocks and demons, learning to fight with a magic sword so that she can defend herself. And if she makes one wrong move, she'll be pulled into the Dark World, an alternate version of our world that's overrun by demons-and she might never make it home

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Review:

Paige sees ghosts. A side affect from a car accident three years ago. She is also the school Pariah and considered a loon and unstable by her school mates who often see her talking to herself. Her best friend is Dottie, a girl who died in the '50's and occupies the 3rd floor bathroom at school.

Logan is the school emo boy who keeps to himself. He only ever talks to Paige when he's asking to borrow a pen.

One day something drastic happens and their worlds collide.

This is a story about Demons and Warlocks.

There is a parallel universe with theirs called Dark World (theirs is Light World to the non-ordinary people)

This book is a character driven romance book which gets very deep and emotional at times, but action packed fighting scenes remind you of the bigger picture.

Pro's

Paige and Logan are young but their romance isn't forced or 'insta'. Their coming together happens naturally over time. Paige is an amazing character, full of quirks and flaws but a naturally honest person.

Paige has a great relationship with her overbearing parents. Even though they almost keep her swaddled in a safety blanket, Paige is very understanding why they do this.

Logan! Much of this book is dialogue between Logan and Paige. A lot of this book is about fighting demons which Logan does very well. He is a 'dreamboat! (a Dottie-ism)'.

Little twists and turns with the characters i.e. if Dottie isn't nearby Paige and Logan know a demon must be in the vicinity. Very clever author work.

Con's

While reading, it's very easy to make comparisons with other demon/warlock/paranormal books.

Parts of the book are slow although the action makes up for it.

Disappointed with the introduction of Ajax and Rego. I almost put the book down fearing a love triangle. Happily, it wasn't so. However, I was disappointed with the drabness of Rego. I was expecting a little more fire or oomph from him.

This isn't a book packed with descriptions. Sometimes the world building could have done with elaboration.

Note: There is a cliffhanger for the next book.


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CB Note to readers: This is a new type of review I'm starting aimed to get to the point and exclude waffle. Points are easier to read. If you prefer this than the usual review please let me know!

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ARC Review: Anything to Have You by Paige Harbison

Anything to Have You by Paige Harbison

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

I usually like Paige Harbison books. They have a realism and edginess that authors can sometimes not quite nail. Unfortunately I didn't connect with this one at all and was still trying to figure out the message the book was trying to convey.

Natalie and Brooke have been BFF's since a young age. When a new, hot guy arrives at school Brooke is the one to take a step out with him, although Natalie told her to put in a good word for herself. Brooke, who is a little jealous of her popular but introvert friend appears to take this as a challenge and soon enough Brooke and Aiden are dating. One year on, Natalie is still popular and quiet, Aiden is the nice, kind boyfriend, but Brooke isn't happy with her life. This is where the book picks up from.

The characters are very real. Brooke is obsessively jealous of her best friend and boyfriends friendship and thinks the only way to try to be more popular than Natalie is to drink and party. She seeks attention, craves it, wants guys to ogle her even though she has a boyfriend. Her jealousy soon gets mixed with antagonism. She hangs out with like-minded people who are not like Natalie. She begins to see how Natalie and Aiden are more suited as a couple but she refuses to give him up.

Natalie however goes to a party, a rarity for her. She wakes up the next day knowing something happened with a guy but is unsure who it was. Eventually, she sees a change in Brooke and keeps her growing feelings for Aiden undercover. After all, you do not get with your best friend's boyfriend, big no no!

The story is told from two POV's, Natalie and Brooke. My honest opinion is that the author wanted readers to warm to Brooke. To understand the whys and wherefores of how she works. Personally it only made me hate her even more.

Topics covered as our two best friends free-fall are drugs, alcohol abuse, pregnancy and cheating. I would say that they were all covered sympathetically, the author could have gone for a far more shocking story than she did.

Two things strike me as I finished. Firstly, the book title was wrong. It should have been Anything to be you. Certainly Natalie didn't do anything to get Aidens attention, she was just herself. And Brooke didn't want Aiden, not really so that doesn't work either. The second thing was that none of the characters talked. Even though they're all supposed to be very best friends and shared a lot of time together they never aired their laundry with each other. I mean, don't teenagers break up and make up all the time, not sit on problems and let them escalate as badly as they did in this book.

I honestly think the author took her finger off the pulse on this one and therefore it just didn't seem quite accurate. But that's just my opinion. :)

- CBx


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ARC Review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa

Publishers: Harlequin Teen

Published Date: Oct 29th 2013

From: NetGalley

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice. 

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. 

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Review:

Everyone who has read my previous reviews on anything by Julie Kagawa will know how much I adored The Iron Fey series. The Lost Prince was also a good story, unique, different than the other storylines. Not so much time spent in Nevernever, more in the our real world.

However, this one didn't really hold my interest as much as it should have. I don't know whether it's because I actually don't find Keirran that interesting, other than he's Meghan and Ash's son. Or if it's Ethan POV that grates a little. Yes, we all know he hates anything to do with Fey but here's the thing. The Iron Traitor is another adventure/journey through New Orleans (which we did already in the past) and then travelling through the Wyldwood (which we also did in the previous stories). Okay, there are new beasties to fight and other interesting fey on the way that get in the way of Ethan's progress. But i just couldn't help feeling that I wasn't really reading anything new.

What held most people interest in the Iron Fey stories was the stunning romance beginning between Meghan and Ash. These characters don't hold the same charm and lack the luster really needed to keep the momentum going.

I gave it a 3 out of 5 because there's no doubting that Julie Kagawa is an extraordinary writer and visionary.

You can reach Julie Kagawa here:
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Review: Sacrifice (Legacy #3) by Cayla Kluver

Sacrifice (Legacy #3) by Cayla Kluver

Publishers: Harlequin Teen 

Published Date: October 23rd 2012 

From: NetGalley 

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

This is not the time for the fight to end. Now is when the fight will begin. This is the time to regain what has been lost.

Alera - Queen of a fallen kingdom, secretly in love with the enemy.

Shaselle - Daughter of a murdered father, rebel with a cause.

One lives behind the former Hytanican palace walls and walks the razor's edge to keep the fragile peace in her beloved homeland. The other slips through the war-torn streets, seeking retribution for her family's tragedy, following whispers of insurgency.

Both face choices that will separate them from those they cannot help but love. As their stories intertwine, a conspiracy ignites that may end in slavery or death—or lead to freedom anew, if only each can face what must be sacrificed.

Review:
I couldn't help being slightly disappointed with Sacrifice. Mostly because Alera reverted back to being idiotic and dense, a little like she was in Legacy and the beginning of Allegiance. I didn't like the way she lost her edge, nicely gained in Allegiance when she cut her hair off, wore trousers and finally acted like a ruler. In Sacrifice she seemed to go backwards and just became queenly without really getting to grips with the major problems of her city with a hands on approach.
I especially didn't like the new POV from Shashelle. I can only think the author added this so we could get more of an idea what Steldor and Cannan were up to. Yes, she was a feisty tomboy who hated the idea of marriage. Especially the suitors her mother was chosing for her, and her bittersweet liaison with the Cokyrian soldier was short-lived.

I think as characters are concerned Steldor showed real growth. I didn't like him in the previous books but he seemed to put aside his arrogance and stand up to the treachery that was happening around him. I actually liked him more in the end.
Narian also seemed to lose his edge. He was still amazingly sweet to Alera and I did feel sad for him that his father turned his back on him, but glad that his mother wanted to be given a chance in his life.
All things considered the story did get wrapped up. There weren't any real wow moments, and the conclusion of the war between Cokyri and Hytanica was a little bit of a let down considering the high paced action of the previous book. It just eased itself out and suddenly Hytanica is okay again. Hmm.
If you've read the series then obviously you've got to read this one to finally put it to bed, but I wasn't as thrilled about this as the other two.
-CB

You can reach Cayla Kluver here: 

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Review: Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

 Publishers: Harlequin Teen

Published Date:  June 25th 2013
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Synopsis:

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive

Review:

It always feels new and exciting when you read a new twist on the paranormal phenomenon that hasn't been used before. 

While Ink is a school based story, the entire setting of Japan with its traditions, ceremonies and even the language was such a refreshing change and, being a lover of all worldwide historical lore, this was a perfect read. 

Katie is our blond haired American at a Japanese school. Her mother passed away recently and she's now living with her (very cool) Aunt Diane. Things start getting weird almost the minute you start reading Ink. Through Katie, we enter a break up scene between a guy and a girl. But Katie can tell somethings off about it. The guy is trying to make his girlfriend jealous but it doesn't come across as quite so real. When a sheet of paper falls at her feet, Katie is compelled to pick it up and view the drawing. But what she see's she can scarcely believe, the drawing of a pregnant girl moves. The girl actually moves her head and looks back at Katie. 

From here on in, Katie is determined to find out what Yuu Tomohiro's secret is. He comes across as cold, rude and clearly hates Gaijin (foreigners) but a chance meeting makes Katie believe its all an act.  

Katie starts falling into Tomo's world and slowly learns his secrets and pretty soon she's in so deep she can't get out. And that goes for her heart too. The dangers of Yakuza (Japanese mobsters) crop up and threaten Tomo's life and who is Takahashi, the Kendo champion? How does Katie think she knows him? 

This is one thrill of a ride book which has us journeying around Shizouka, old and new, and discovering what the actual life of teenage kids in Japan is all about (minus the Kami and all the weird stuff!). I found myself on Wikipedia (again) typing in place names, eager for pictures so I could place the various scenes. Katie and Tomo have a great relationship once they get all the early awkwardness out the way. Their banter is really great and Tomo is most definitely a new heartthrob of mine. The side characters of Yuki and Tanaka were also unique and different, but very likeable and good for Katie, keeping her grounded.

A definite favourite read of the year. And its all about the Ink. The only reasons I marked it down were a few too many pages about the pink blossom, and I still wasn't sure about Katie's link to the Kami in all of this, but other than that I loved it. Can't wait for the next one!

-CBx

You can reach Amanda Sun here:

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Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Publishers: HarperTeen
Published Date: April 23rd 2013
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 3.5 out of 5

  

 My review of The Selection by Keira Cass

Synopsis:

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Review:


The much anticipated sequel to The Selection is almost upon us but is it as good as the first one I hear you ask? Well, it is and it isn't.

Firstly, the story continues pretty much where we left off. Six girls are now left in the competition except now the other girls actually mean to win Prince Maxon. This is no longer a test of the nice girls versus the nasty. It's each for themselves.

America begins still as Prince Maxon's favourite but now that ex-flame Aspen is on the scene whispering promises into her ear she's indecisive in what she actually wants. Maxon has blatantly told her he would call the competition off to announce their engagement, but America shies away. Aspen continues to fight for America in his own way and pretty soon America is all hither and dither about which way her heart lies. Maxons frustration becomes apparent when he chooses to spend more time with one of her competitors.

America could lose it all. The chance to be a Princess, the ability to give her family a better life, what must she do?

The rest of the behind the scenes parts of the story are good. The rebels try a few times to infiltrate the palace to capture the royal family, the King shows America exactly what he thinks of her, and she manages to find a backbone with an important project that goes out live on TV only to have the King almost expel her from the competition. And she discovers a shocking secret about Prince Maxon.

Its nice to continue with a story once you know who everyone is. That feeling when you're in a nice comfy sofa and you want the book to take you away and entertain you. To an extent The Elite did that, but not as much as I would have liked. America was annoying throughout a good part of the book. Her indecision leading to frequent tears didn't go down well with me, however Prince Maxon was the true hero of this book. He saved the day.

Knowing how this ended I have no doubt that the next one will be more in line with a stronger America. Now she knows who to fight for.

-CBx

You can reach Kiera Cass here:

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Book Trailer Reveal for The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The trailer for THE ETERNITY CURE 

by Julie Kagawa has been revealed! 

What do you think? Excited?

 ~~

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Expected publication: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 

Cover Reveal! Unchosen by Michele Vail

COVER REVEAL!
Today we are revealing the Cover for UNCHOSEN! The second book in The Reaper Diaries series from Michele Vail.

It comes to you in November so stay tuned!
What do you think?



Have you read Undeadly?

Let us know what you thought!

Enter to win 1 of 5 finished copies of WICKED KISS by Michelle Rowen

Enter here to win 1 of 5 finished copies of WICKED KISS by author Michelle Rowen, book #2 in her Nightwatchers series.

MY KISS CAN KILL.

I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul...or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't...I hurt myself.

Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop-or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy....

NIGHTWATCHERS

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising... 

Review: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date: February 26th 2013
From: NetGalley
My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity

Review:
I championed and loved the Goddess Series, and devoured all the in-between books also.

This book completes the series with a full on battle right at the end. Some of our favourite characters make it through, some do not.

I was a little disappointed with this book. I thought the storyline wasn't as strong as previous books. Henry just seemed to arrive on a cloud and attempt to rescue Kate as if it was just another day. He had 9 months to do it, why wait until that moment?

Kate and Henry have settled into marriage like any married couple, was I the only one who was expecting a few more fireworks into the blend? They just became ...average. Nothing sparkled, nothing jumped in me when they came into the story together.

Cronos is obviously the main enemy. Kate has an affiliation with him still, he in turn spent time looking after Kate's child, Milo, however I think because of this he wasn't as fearsome an enemy as he'd appeared to be in previous books. Again, we have Hera/Calliope as Queen Bitch. She's throwing all the daggers in Kate's direction again. All of the main characters change roles. We don't know who is on who's side.

Ultimately, this is a good book to finish the series. I wasn't overwhelmed with this one. The strength of the story seemed to fall short a little. But I'm glad it finished how it did.
-CBx

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Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date: May 22nd 2012
From: NetGalley
My rating: 2.5 out of 5

Synopsis:

I don't do dangerous.  

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

Review:
The First 20%
The first 30% were somewhat interesting - minus Sam constantly drooling over Bishop. We learn most of the story in this section.

The Main Characters
Samantha and Carly have been best friends since Kindergarten. A fact that is told to us no less than 3 times. I got it the first time! Once Sam meets Bishop they have this instant 'got to touch/want to touch/shouldn't touch' thing going on. It got a little sickening after a while that she couldn't think straight or coherently in his presence. For someone who claims later in the book to not really want a romance she certainly acts against her character. I thought her 'quirky' comments were a little forced sometimes and didn't get the impression of a 'natural' person underneath. When the Source suddenly declares that she is in fact Sam's Aunt I was surprised (when I shouldn't have been) that out of the blue Sam has all these fears and doubts about Bishop's quest, and decides to believe this 'so called' Aunt. There is a small back up story about her parents but it all seemed a little vague and flaky.

Bishop is supposed to be the swoony-worthy romantic interest. Honestly he just came over as a little annoying. His dialogue with Kraven was a little weak. Nothing original in their brotherly hatred of each other. One line near the end opens up the reason why they dislike one another but again it was vague. Bishop suffers through most of the book with the 'crazy's' thanks to an angel on the opening end that made him 'Fallen' and gave him a soul. And I swear the amount of  'shadows' that pass before or behind his eyes - he should be wearing sunshades permanently.

The Story
If I'm honest I think the story could have been crammed into three chapters max. The story hinges on Samantha and her quest to get her soul back. Bishop searches for the Source. But the Source was a little lame. One woman who was always in the same place, easy to be found, if Bishop had looked more closely. And the Source is also Samantha's Aunt.
I got bored of the same conversations that went round and around the characters in big circles. I also got tired of Sam narrating the same things again and again, and then again in later chapters. Editing maybe?
If you check my 'Angel' category, you'll see that I've read quite a few of the leading Angel books. This didn't really come close.

The End?
The ending is satisfactorily plot-finishing. However it does lead into a neat storyline for the next book.

Overall
I downloaded this book about a year ago on NetGalley but didn't get round to reading it. When the next book Wicked Kiss was available I figured I'd better read the first one. I was a little disappointed with the storyline, I thought it weak in places. Too much emphasis on the 'chemistry' between the two main characters which dragged on. I wanted to like this one but it just didn't gel with me. I hate writing bad reviews, it makes me feel guilty, but I must be honest...

Despite all the negative I will be reading the next book for story continuation...

-CBx

 

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Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date: August 28th 2012
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret.

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast--and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea's has taken a vow of silence--to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting everyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets if hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way. People she never noticed before. A boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.

Review:
The First 20%
Such a good hook straight into the story. Chelsea is part of the in-crowd and gets noticed. Mainly thanks to her best friend, Kristen, who is the IT girl at school. Chelsea knows the others in the crowd only notice her because of her motor mouth, usually divulging some sort of secret or embarrassing gossip about someone else. But she sees something at a New Years Eve party and, being drunk and without her usual sense of decorum, she announces it to the entire room. She has no regard or care about what she says, and no feelings of who she is about to hurt.

The Main Characters
Chelsea showed her first redeeming quality quite soon into the book. Its not often that you read that. Instantly I knew that Chelsea wasn't really as heartless as she appeared. She told her parents EVERYTHING (I cringe because I don't know how she did it but she did) she takes a vow of silence, after reading about a Buddhist monk. For Chelsea this is her way to atone while self punishing herself at the same time. She sees her flaws instantly, she knows what she is and knows that she's hurt people. But how much she's yet to find out. She takes the harsh cruelty of her so called friends, and brushes off the vandalism to her locker and car. She also tries not to let anyone else get involved knowing that this is her fault. Chelsea changes her point of view gradually throughout the book. Its tough for her but necessary.

Asha is the Indian friend who Chelsea meets in detention. They don't instantly hit it off, but Asha also doesn't point the finger. She's a fun character and very quirky. Her easy friendship with Sam and everyone at Rosie's makes her such a likeable person.

Sam is the gallant knight. Though Chelsea doesn't understand and is confused by his friendly attitude towards her, especially as Sam is the best friend of Noah, she is almost disarmed by the fact that he doesn't want to start any fights or blame her. Throughout the book his calming demeanour keeps her levelled.

The Story
A high school is not a high school without scandal. Chelsea and her friends relish in it. Bigging themselves up on others peoples misfortunes or indiscretions. Believing themselves to be better than others. But when Chelsea takes a step back and starts to analyse her lifestyle she doesn't like what she sees. It isn't an instant 'I'm going to make everything right', because that just isn't possible. Chelsea's announcement has repercussions that travel along unexpected lines. She needed a wake up call and now she's dealing with it, and its a tough journey. This is a story about self discovery in the worst possible scenario.

The End?
So not all severed lines can be fixed. Not all friendships can go back to the way they were and for Chelsea she doesn't want that life any more. She has a new life with funny genuine people and the chance of a proper boyfriend who is actually quite amazing. A great ending!!

Overall
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I knew people like Chelsea so I was genuinely interested in what would happen to her. There are no 'stop the story - I'm going to make a speech to everyone' moments. There isn't a great anti-climax where everyone realises how great she really is and they all 'group hug'. But Chelsea's journey is tough and there's some great life lessons to be learned from her indiscretion. The book held my interest all the way to the last page and I was left feeling happy! 

-CBx

 

You can reach Hannah Harrington here:
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Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date: August 28th 2012
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make…1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.

Review:
The First 20%
I don't even remember reading the first 20% because the book drew me in so quickly that I was at 45% and still going. This is a great story and completely believable and addictive. Early on you find out who the good guys and bad guys in Rose's life are. So much that you automatically have feelings good or bad for them too.

The Main Characters
Rose Zarelli is the self-confessed Angry Girl. At no point in this book did I have to question why she was so angry with everyone and every situation that occurred. It all made perfect sense to me too and if I was in the same boat I wouldn't have done much differently. Rose has started her freshman year, she's 14 years old and everyone around her is changing whether it be what friends people choose or what clubs and activities they go for, or what stage they're at with their boyfriends. Rose is certainly not pushing any of the boundaries yet. She's going slowly with everything in her life because she's still dealing with the huge amount of grief after her father’s death three months earlier.

Her best friend is undecided about having sex for the first time and decides to join the cheerleader’s squad. Both of which Rose is against. But when Tracy actually joins the cheerleaders they start dragging her into initiations that again Rose doesn't like. Rose sees her friend change into someone else, someone who's mean and selfish. Rose commits a massive faux pax, but a good one. She almost saves a girls life from alcohol poisoning but this act makes Rose into a social pariah. Soon no one in the 'cool' team want to know her and they ridicule her at school.

Early on Rose develops a crush on Jamie. He's a nice guy but a couple of years older. Jamie does try to keep his distance, aware of the age difference, but its clear that he does like Rose. The only thing is his girlfriend cottons on to the crush and soon Regina starts making Rose's life even more unbearable. Oh, and she's a cheerleader also so manipulates Rose's friendship with Tracy.

The Story
This is a high school story with all the heartache and tragedy that comes with it. As Rose gets through each day and each week we get drawn into all the usual antics such as school dances, who's dating whom, who hates who, who likes you as a friend but wants more, and who's having sex. There is enough angst and bitchiness to keep this book going on forever! Rose also has a difficult home life, and as most teenagers do, believes her mother has no time for her and her brother can no longer be bothered with her.

The End?
I enjoyed Rose's running try-out when she almost flattened Regina. But the consequence left a huge cliff-hanger for the next book. I'm so intrigued now as to what’s going to happen next between Jamie and Rose, and Tracy and Rose, and Regina and Rose.

Overall
I usually try and steer clear of school based YA because I've read so many and they all tend to blur into the same story. Bitchy girls, high school dance let-downs, the hot boy being a jerk. But this book did entice me in and once I got started I couldn't let go. I was completely riveted and even hooted a couple of times for Rose.

-CBx

 

You can reach Louise Rozett here:
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Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date:  July 31st 2012
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again

Review:
The First 20%
The first 20 fills you in on most of the back story. We come straight into Echo's family therapy session and instantly realise why she's acting the way she is. Noah is waiting outside for his own therapy session. We catch up on his own tragic story of how he was once one of the good sporty students but fell through the gaps in the foster family system and decided to let the stereotype stick. Early on we get to learn that these two characters have their own scars - on the outside as well as in - and how a crafty clinical therapist puts them together not realising that they will be each others salvation.

The Main Characters
With an overbearing father who doesn't listen to her opinion and a new step mum - or ex babysitter - who talks of nothing but their unborn baby its no wonder Echo feels like second best to everything in her life right now. A restraining order prevents any contact with her mother and her brother has died in Afghanistan. There is not much more alone that Echo can take. She has horrid and ugly scars on her wrists that have sparked enough rumours around school so she's now unable to appear normal and prefers to keep gloves on and long sleeves down to hide them. Her best friend Lila sticks with her for the most part but the two other best girl-friends have a hard time dealing with their own emotions and feel that Echo brings down their popularity at school and therefore they avoid her and don't discourage the gossip. The worst part of Echo's story is that she has a complete blank on the day and night of her 'accident'. And no matter what she does nothing can bring back her beloved brother.

Noah has seen the rough end of the stick. He lived a normal life with loving parents and two younger brothers but a house fire killed his parents and put him and his two brothers in the care system. His experience in foster families is harrowing. His first 'family' forced him to punch his foster-father who scarred Noah. The second had him defending the natural born son from being parentally attacked. Noah is then treated as a liability. But he seems to have found a small amount of solace when he's placed with another foster kid his age, Isaiah, and the niece of his present foster-family, Beth. The trio keep each other together and defend each other like a proper family, even though the parents only keep them for the monthly checks.

Noah and Echo are an unlikely couple. But pushed together by their therapist they begin to help each other unravel the harshness of their plight. Noah understands Echo's need to keep covered while Echo understands Noah's need to recover his brothers and get his family back at whatever cost. They both need something and they only have each other to help in their task. Echo needs to know the truth of the night of her accident, and Noah needs to find out more information on the carers of his brothers, deeming them incapable from an early encounter.

I liked Echo and understood exactly why she was reticent towards her father and step-mum. The new baby means a replacement to her and her brother. Her father can barely talk to her any more. Echo has a great character though and isn't afraid. She's uncomfortable at school but she still goes every day and gets through it. She needed Noah as much as he needed her.

Noah was a stranger character though. Being as he didn't have a bad upbringing and his desperation to see his brothers, I'm surprised that he sank to a lower expectation of himself. He knows he's a hot guy and can bag any girl he wants - and does frequently - but Noah has built a defence around himself, a wall so strong that he doesn't let anyone in. Until he meets Echo, and soon every reputation he has gets tested. Echo is no pushover, and Noah can't resist her.

The Story
The plot is gripping, compelling and emotionally charged. The pieces of Echo's missing night gradually come back but always at a cost. No matter how much Noah bashes against the walls of the system he doesn't get anywhere until Echo. Without even trying he cleans up his act and begins his arduous task of becoming respectable enough to visit his brothers. Noah and Echo hurt each other, bounce off each other with tears and laughter, trust each other but when things go wrong neither of them have anywhere else to turn.

The End?
The only thing that marred this was that Noah asked Echo a question that was completely left of centre which I didn't really feel was in his character. There were also moments when Echo's characteristics and actions were slightly confusing, as if she was going in too many different directions at the same time. The sporadic-ness was a little unsettling. However we did reach a good satisfying ending.

Overall
A great read. I enjoy books where you realise that even though the characters are flawed in so many ways, it’s really only those characters that can help heal or fix the other person.

-CBx

 

You can reach Katie McGarry here:
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