Book Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

Best Bits: Can we just talk about how cute the cover is for a second? I love pink, and pearls, and orange, ugh it's awesome. Okay, moving forward. I'm always a bit skeptical when books involve the popular-turned-badass leading lady. Hawkins manages to have Harper maintain her sassiness, while gaining an understanding of herself. I think after five year, people know that I love character growth. I also liked the relationships. There's no insta-love, and probably the best part was watching Harper try to decide if she and her boyfriend, Ryan, really should be together (a common struggle in high school when couples tend to grow apart). 

I actually think that I am going to like this series more than Hawkins' previous Hex Hall books. This could be because I love southern settings (I'm one of like 15 people who watch Hart of Dixie). This could also be because there are funny moments littered throughout the book. Hex Hall was a bit more serious, and the sly humor in Rebel Belle made the book that much more enjoyable.

Nit Picks: I was sad to discover that this is going to be a series. My kingdom for a standalone! There is certainly more to be explored in follow-ups, but I would have liked a little more background on Harper's life. We see her adjusting to her new powers, but we don't see her explore grief due to the death of a family member.

Rebel Belle
By Rachel Hawkins
Published by Putnam Juvenile
245 Pages
Purchased 

 

Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.
 
Best Bits: Digging into a book by Stephanie Perkins is always a delight. It's like snuggling a warm blanket with some tea. You know it's going to be comfortable and enjoyable. Isla did that for me. Perkins brings us back to France, where we see a couple in a different year at the same school where the series began. Can I go to school there?

 What I enjoy most is how accurate these books are to the teen experience. It captures the angst, the self-consciousness, the fear of uncertainty...and I totally would have gone on a romantic weekend trip with my boyfriend if I could have gotten away with it! I wish that I had read these during those years, because I can imagine myself nodding along and feeling totally validated (did I mention swooning over amazing male characters?). This book also had another great theme, friendship. We see how Isla isn't willing to give up her best friend for her relationship. Sure, they spend less time together and both grow, but it's never a question of leaving him behind. Not to mention, hurrah for a book that depicts male/female friendship without having a love triangle!

Nit Picks: I had extremely high expectations for this one, especially because the couples from Anna and Lola were so swoon-worthy. I think this couple is a lot more realistic in that they had a lot more to deal with. They didn't feel as certain at the end, like the couples in the other book did. I'm not sure if that's because I'm older and more skeptical, or because the drama was more intense between the two. So, in a way this isn't really a nitpick...more of an explanation why this couple wasn't my favorite.

I'm sad to see this series go, but I purchased each book because I know I'll be rereading them during those dreary fall/winter days when I need a pick-me-up!

Isla and the Happily Ever After
By Stephanie Perkins
Published by Dutton
339 Pages
Purchased

Review: My Faire Lady by Laura Wettersten

Rowena Duncan is a thoroughly modern girl with big plans for her summer—until she catches her boyfriend making out with another girl. Heartbroken, she applies to an out-of-town job posting and finds herself somewhere she never expected: the Renaissance Faire.

As a face-painter doubling as a serving wench, Ro is thrown headfirst into a vibrant community of artists and performers. She feels like a fish out of water until Will, a quick-witted whip cracker, takes her under his wing. Then there’s Christian, a blue-eyed stunt jouster who makes Ro weak in the knees. Soon, it’s not just her gown that’s tripping her up.

Trading in the internet and electricity for stars and campfires was supposed to make life simpler, but Ro is finding that love is the ultimate complication. Can she let the past make way for her future?

Best Bits: I went in hoping for a cute summer read, and this book met all my expectations. Ro is trying to escape seeing an ex and his new girlfriend, so she finds a job out in the middle of nowhere. What teen girl hasn't wanted to do the same thing? It's a fun setup and it doesn't take her long once she's there to start focusing on herself (and a new guy, but that's sort of the point). While it may seem like the new romance is the focus of the book, there's also a focus on confidence and following your passions. Ro loves art, and as she begins to work her individuality into face painting at the faire she begins to realize that she might not be headed toward the future that's right for her. 

The other characters at the faire make the book even better. You would expect to find some eccentric people working at King Geoffrey's Faire, and you won't be disappointed. Of course there's Christian, the attractive knight, Will, the guy who proves appearances can be deceiving, and my personal favorite, Ramon. Ramon is the grumpy head cook at the tavern, and his interactions with Ro and the gang were great. 

Nit Picks: My only complaint is that I wanted more. We only see a couple weeks in the summer, and as much as I loved the parts we got to read, I would have loved to get to experience more of the faire over the time that Ro was there.

My Faire Lady
By Laura Wettersten
Published by Simon & Schuster
352 Pages

Review: Tsarina by J Nelle Patrick

Natalya knows a secret.
A magical Faberge egg glows within the walls of Russia's Winter Palace.
It holds a power rooted in the land and stolen from the mystics.
A power that promises a life of love for her and Alexei Romanov.
Power, that, in the right hands, can save her way of life.
But it's not in the right hands.

Best Bits: I love a good historical fiction novel, and if it involves any popular writing/film/tv names (The Tudors, The Romanovs, etc) I'm there. When I found out that J. Nelle Patrick was actually the pseudonym for Jackson Pearce, I was even more excited. I can't say that it was a perfect read, but for the most part I really enjoyed it. The fantasy element was an interesting twist throughout the book, and I was kept on the edge of my seat until things were resolved. 

I found it realistic that Natalya didn't really understand the purpose of the revolution. She can't understand why people are targeting those who are rich, and believes that the Romanov's will prevail. I think this is an honest portrayal of someone who is isolated in a lifestyle of wealth. So, while others may be frustrated by her naivety, I think that it provides some uniqueness to her character. It was also contrasted well with her friend, Emilia. She also has the same line of thinking, but is a bit more shallow than Natalya. It was refreshing to see over the course of the book the growth in their understanding of the world and politics.

Nit Picks: Sometimes, I felt like the story was taking place during the communist revolution, but within it's own little bubble.  For example, it's clear that Pearce did her research while she was writing this novel.  She discusses people that were involved with the Romanov family, and particularly with Rasputin, paints an interesting picture of the time. At the same time, however, there have been some changes with Alexi (who was still a young boy when he was killed). Even small changes like that made me question what was changed as a plot device, and what was accurate. 

Tsarina 
By J Nelle Patrick
Published by Razorbill
331 Pages

Book Review: How I Got Skinny, Famous, and Fell Madly in Love by Ken Baker

Thick. Heavy. Big boned. Plump. Full figured. Chunky. Womanly. Large. Curvy. Plus-size. Hefty." To sixteen-year-old Emery Jackson, these are all just euphemisms for the big "F" word—"fat." Living on a Southern California beach with her workout fiend dad, underwear model sister, and former model mother, it is impossible for Emery not to be aware of her weight.

Emery is okay with how things are. That is, until her "momager" signs her up for Fifty Pounds to Freedom, a reality show in which Emery will have to lose fifty pounds in fifty days in order to win the million dollars that will solve her family's financial woes. Emery is skeptical of the process, but when the pounds start to come off and the ratings skyrocket, she finds it hard to resist the adoration of her new figure and the world of fame. Emery knows that things have changed. But is it for the better?

Best Bits: I was a bit worried at the start of this one, because it starts off by throwing the sassy, snarky attitude of the main character, and the references right at you. We learn that Emery feels like an outsider in her fit and perky family. Of course, I always end up being connected to these kinds of characters, and Emery proved to be an interesting one. Her snark is really there to cover up the vulnerability of not feeling accepted at home, or at school. Her boyfriend is also overweight, and she really appreciates that for once someone seems to notice who she is, not what she looks like. The show presented a unique way for Baker to address societies expectations about how people look, and what they should do if they go against what is socially acceptable. Regardless of what any of the other characters think, it was great to see Emery work on self-acceptance. The super awesome part, this reality show included individual counseling. On real-world shows like The Biggest Loser, I'd love to know (but not see, because that's private stuff) that they were involved in some therapy...but now we're getting off topic. 

Emery is still a teen, however. There were moments where she had unexpected outbursts, and where she lashed out at others. Over the last couple months I've learned to accept this, because it's realistic to a teenager's life. Zeus knows how many times I had crazy mood swings and freaked out on people.

Nit Picks: There are a lot of pop culture references. This is to be expected in a book about a reality show. At some points, though, I felt that they weren't necessary. Despite how business-savvy the Kardashians are, I don't need them being discussed in my fiction (although I can see the comparison between the mothers).

How I Got Skinny, Famous, and Fell Madly in Love
By Ken Baker
Published by Running Press Kids
272 Pages
Received for Review

 

Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

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

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

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

 Best Bits: You know, this book was really entertaining. I've heard positive and negative things about it, and I think that's why it's taken me so long to cross it off my to-read list. So, I was pleasantly surprised by how fast it went. I liked the dynamic between the girls (see the nit picks section, though). Sure, some fell into their tropes, but it was nice to see that some girls weren't after love, they were after power.

Sorry, I'm not usually a gif person, but I couldn't resist. I did like the development of Maxon. Despite his out-of-touch upbringing, he's genuinely willing to attempt change for his country. It's the sign of a good ruler (omg, now I'm worried he won't live through the series. Excuse me while I go breathe in a paper bag).

Nit Picks: I can see why this one was hit or miss for people, because it stayed at the surface for most things like character motivations (beyond America), and delving into why the rebels are fighting back against the government. The love triangle seemed a bit wonky, too. I think that's because the book gives us such a positive look at Maxon. I felt ho-hum about Aspen, who I'm sure I'm supposed to feel something for. 

The Selection 
By Kiera Cass
Published by  HarperTeen
336 Pages

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark 1) by Bree Despain

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

Best Bits: I love Greek mythology, so I jumped at the chance to read this one early. It's sort of a spinoff of the Persephone myth, but these characters exist in a world where Hades and Persephone were real...well, Haden does. Haden has grown up in the Underworld, known as the Underrealm, and it isn't pretty. He is driven by duty and regaining his lost honor (Zuko, is that you?). So, when he's sent above to find the girl who can save everyone things don't go as planned. I actually found it nice that he has to work on gaining her trust for most of the book. He basically seems like a creepy stalker/murderer at the start, so if she had fallen for him immediately I would have been bummed. 

Despain also devoted time for Haden to learn what it meant to be human, and what it means to have fun. Seriously, the Underrealm seems like a drag. There's a ridiculous class system, and brothers are pitted against each other. The least they could have is a view of something nice, right? Wrong. Daphne's character is an interesting one, and although I don't really get her motivation at the start of the book, I found myself rooting for her. She had just the right amount of skepticism when she found out the truth about what was really happening at Olympus Hills High. Sounds ominous, right? That skepticism was a breath of fresh air. Usually the dreamy dark and handsome guy says something that sounds totally out of touch with reality, and the girl believes it immediately. I don't know about you, but if some guy came up to me and said, "Hey, I'm from the underrealm and I need you to return with me to save everything and prevent a war" I wouldn't be jumping on the next boat down the river Acheron.

Nit Picks: I totally guessed who the baddie was going to be at the start. It didn't ruin anything for me, because the rest of the book hooked me, but I knew who was walking through the door with their villain monologue.

The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark 1)
By Bree Despain
Published by EgmontUSA
Received for Review 

You can check out a guest post by the author at Two Chicks on Books today, and tomorrow check out
another guest post and giveaway at Jenna Does Books! Thanks to Michelle at Egmont for including me!

Book Review: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars) by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.

Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

In Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas has created a groundbreaking female detective who’s part Phillip Marlowe, part Nancy Drew, and all snark. With its sharp plot and clever twists, The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Best Bits: This month has made my little fangirl heart sing with joy. Not only did we get a movie, but we also get a book that picks up right where it left off. I'll spare you that recap, and instead say that the book was the perfect way for readers to see more of Neptune. Side-characters make more appearances, particularly Wallace and Mac (who, let's be real, were my favorites). Despite the time between the end of the show and the movie these relationships haven't faded. I appreciated that Veronica could pick back up where she left off with them. Personally, I'm also hoping for a bit more Weevil in the next one. His story hasn't wrapped up...so I've got hope!

What made this book work was the set-up. The book gives us a new mystery, and is akin to a long episode. We're given a missing girls, the idiot sheriff who fails at everything, and Veronica jumping into it. Veronica definitely hasn't learned much about avoiding danger (see Seasons 1-3, basically every episode). It always put me on edge during the show, and the book was no different. If I had been watching on-screen I probably would have been peeking through my fingers. The girl gets herself into trouble. Age has seemed to change her just a bit, though. She doesn't recover the same way, and it seems to hit her how much she puts herself in harm's way.It's nice because everyone else has seen that, she just never really accepted it.

Nit Picks: As someone who has watched Veronica Mars (even the third season) a couple different times, I feel pretty confident when I say that the book took a little while to find it's voice. Once the mystery picked up (and it was less of a summary of the movie) it fell into place. The snarky voice of Veronica was back. I also know that some people have been thrown off that the book isn't written in first-person. Quite honestly, I didn't really notice. So, I'm going to chalk that one up to personal preference.

The Thousand Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars 1)
By Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham
Published by Vintage
324 Pages

 

Book Review: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

Best Bits: There's something about good chick lit that lifts my spirits. Maybe it's because winter has gone on so long, but I was really in a rut. This book helped me get through that by laughing hysterically, and face-palming repeatedly. Poppy is a fun character, and she's really likeable. I think it's because she's a little bit of a mess (aka human), and I totally connected with that. When she takes over Sam's phone (sort of, it really used to belong to his PA) she accidentally snoops through his work emails and eventually intervenes in what she views as a helpful way. The romantic aspect was fun, too. I think my favorite romance/romantic comedy reads have lead pairs who round out the other's personality. In this case, Poppy shows Sam how to take himself less seriously. Sam teaches Poppy to really investigate what she's passionate about and to trust herself. There are also a bunch of background characters who are jerks, and seeing them get some sort of comeuppance was totally satisfying. 

Another fun tidbit about this book: it has some great footnotes. When a book can pull this off well, I want to dance for joy. Kinsella manages to make these footnotes a great, hilarious addition. Plus, any book that references QI, one of my favorite British quiz shows, gets a high-five from me.

Nit Picks: This book was predictable, and I knew that Poppy and Sam would end up together, despite the different obstacles getting in their way. I can't say this is a major nitpick, though. In much the same way that I enjoy knowing a couple in a romcom will have a happy ending, I was glad to know it would happen in this book.

I've Got Your Number
By Sophie Kinsella
Published by Dial Press
433 Pages
Borrowed

  
 

ARC Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.

Best Bits: Am I allowed to say that I really didn't like Alice? You might be thinking something along the lines of "wait, why is this in the best bits?" That's a valid question. I think it's pretty brave of an author to make a character that is relatively difficult to like for over half the book. She makes questionable choices, and while she takes down the people who have hurt her in some way, it isn't all that satisfying for the reader. The thing is, I didn't need to like her to understand her. She's basically grieved the life that she had lived, and had accepted that she was going to die. To suddenly be faced with a future that you never believed you would have has got to be jarring and frightening. That's why, every time she pushed Harvey away, or let anger take over, I got it. I wasn't cheering, but it was realistic. 

This also played well when contrasted to Harvey. I felt for him, I really did. He cares for Alice so deeply that he's just along for the ride. He participates in activities that make him feel uncomfortable for the sake of helping Alice with her bucket list (this occasionally includes revenge), and it takes a lot for him to say enough is enough. We get to see the opposite side of things, he hasn't accepted that Alice is dying in the past, and when he finds out that she is going to live he expects her to be happy and relieved (like he is). Murphy managed to juggle both characters pov's in the past and present without it feeling too overwhelming, and that's saying a lot since I don't really like switching back and forth. 

Nit Picks: My nitpick for this one has to do with the romance. I won't spoil it for anyone, so this will be a rather vague and confusing nit pick (this is why we shouldn't write reviews late in the evening). The book ended in a way that leaves it clear to the reader if they're going to be together or not. I think after all that had happened between them it would have been okay with an open-ending, since both characters had a lot of growing to do, and a lot to work out. 

Side Effects May Vary
By Julie Murphy
336 Pages
Published by Balzer + Bray

Book Review: Going Rogue (Also Known As #2) by Robin Benway Blog Tour

Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies.

Best Bits:  Diving into Going Rogue was a bit like visiting family. It was fabulous to read about all the characters, and see what had been going on since the events in the first book, Also Known As. Despite that feeling of familiarity, I really enjoyed how this book felt different than the first. Yes, there is some chasing, some escaping, but the formula felt a bit different this time. Perhaps that's because Maggie doesn't have to hide who she is from her best friend, Roux, or her boyfriend. Sure, she may not always divulge exactly what's going on, but they know that she's a safe-cracking prodigy. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact that The Collective has turned against her family...or that there's a change of scenery toward the end of the book....All of these changes gave the book a fresh feel, while still maintaining the humor and suspense of the first.

Can I just take a second here to gush about my favorite character, Angelo? He is a fabulous yoda-like person filled with wise words. In the first book he's put on a pedestal. For good reason, he's awesome. In this book, however, Benway chooses to show that he isn't infallible. It made him a bit more human, and I love that. I'm also hoping that he becomes a surrogate parent to Roux.

Nit Picks: I wish that we had spent a bit more time in Paris, if I'm completely honest. This portion of the book was quite quick, and if the book had been even a couple chapters longer I would have loved it. Of course, that's probably because I haven't visited it yet and have unrealistic ideas about what it's actually like. Still, I'm going to romanticize it until I actually get there.

Going Rogue
By Robin Benway
Published by Walker Children's
320 Pages

Received for Review (thanks Bridget!)

 The published has been kind enough to offer a US resident the chance to win a copy of both books! I'm also throwing in a gift of my own (a necklace): 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

Best Bits: I have absolutely loved the books by Katie Alender that I've read in the past. Talk about creepy...and somehow I always find myself reading them right before I attempt to sleep (this eventually turns into sleeping with a Disney movie playing). This book is a bit different than her past series, but she still has the ability to write great suspense. I think that these books are a little less intense, but no less fun to read. Things aren't easy for Colette, aside from your typical teen issues she's got some intense family drama...she just didn't realize this drama was connected to Marie Antoinette. Still, I liked the supporting characters a bit more than the main character. I think that's because Colette really didn't seem to grasp what was given to her (i.e. a trip to Paris with her class). We get some pay off for that in the end, but I couldn't help but wondering how long it would last (shame on me, I'm so negative and it's Christmas).

Nit Picks: I think my main issue with this one is probably because I'm old and cranky now. Over the course of the book we see how selfish Colette's friends are. With all this talk lately of "affluenza", all I could think about was how these girls had no idea about what life is like. So, I found it kind of frustrating that Colette worked so hard to maintain these relationships. Sure, there were bright points, but I was still just like "argh, can't you see there are others who would actually support you?!".

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
By Katie Alender
Published by Scholastic 
296 Pages

Author Guest Post & Book Review: Third Lie's A Charm by Lisa and Laura Roecker

New friend into old, the bond of the Sisterhood will never grow cold.

Life at Pemberly Brown is a whirlwind for Kate Lowry. Determined to finally destroy the secret society responsible for her best friend Grace’s death, Kate joins the Sisterhood hoping to go all Trojan Horse on their asses. But the night of her initiation another student at Pemberly Brown dies in what looks like tragic accident.

Kate knows better.

Kate and her faithful ginger, Seth Allen, immediately uncover a connection to the boy’s death and the secret societies that rule Pemberly Brown. But it’s not until Kate begins receiving pages from Grace’s old journal that she begins to piece together what really happened the night she died and how it connects to Pemberly Brown’s most recent tragedy.

Meanwhile, Kate’s ex-boyfriend Liam is following her around like an angry guard dog and she’s falling hard for the mysterious Bradley Farrow. Both boys are tied up in the mystery that surrounds Pemberly Brown, but only one of them can truly be trusted.

In this chilling conclusion to The Liar Society series Kate will fight to save her school from the evil that lurks beneath its hallowed halls. But will her quest destroy her or finally lead her to true love? She can only hope her third lie’s the charm.

Best Bits: What I appreciate most about this series is how consistent it has been. Each book has it's own plot and twists, but the overall goal (Kate taking down the societies) still stands. There's a sense of urgency in this book as well. When members of the now defunct Brotherhood start receiving messages challenging them to impossible and dangerous tasks, Kate has another thing to add to her plate. In this book we get a new perspective on the Sisterhood, because Kate has infiltrated their ranks. This gives the reader some idea why girls would want to be a part of the group. They look out for each other, and in a school where money and boys provide trials, it's nice to have a group to support you. As Kate begins to learn about Grace's motives for joining, I think she's able to begin to process her death (which, let's be real, she hasn't been able to do yet).

I also came to the realization that Seth is the Duckie of this series. He grew on me over the series, so much so that I want him to have his own hacker/conspiracy theory story! He's also the only person who consistently supports Kate. Now, this may not always mean he's supporting her in making good decisions, but he's there for her nevertheless. 

Holy crap! The ending. My brain. What?! How!? I still am processing the big reveals that the Roeckers wrote. I found them to be a completely satisfying way to wrap up Kate's story. 

Nit Picks: Although I really enjoyed the ending, I think it crept up on me really quickly. There were a couple of scenes that were building up to the big reveal that I would have loved to spend more time in. Camp Brown, for example, was a fun way for the the readers to get to see the characters off-campus, but it went by too quickly!

Third Lie's A Charm

By Lisa and Laura Roecker

Published by Sourcebooks Fire

288 Pages

Received for Review

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Thanks to Laura and Lisa for stopping by! You can check them out at their website, or on Twitter! Now, on to the top five books that influenced them:

Before Lisa and I began writing together, I taught sixth grade language arts and would tear through young adult novels during "monitored reading" when I was supposed to be conferencing with students about their books. I always figured that time was better spent finding books they would love! This was when I read SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. I would pass all the best ones along to Lisa who would tear through at an equally fast rate. SPEAK was the first YA book Lisa read as an adult and she couldn't believe what she was missing! Our books are nothing like SPEAK but that book is such an inspiration because it captures a broken, young adult voice so exquisitely.

BEFORE I FALL. We recommend this book to anyone and everyone because it's one we wish we would have read before or during high school. It holds such an important message about the choices we make and the people we impact without even realizing it. Our favorite section by far is when Sam spends the say with her little sister. I will never forget getting to the end of the book on my Kindle and turning on the read aloud feature (which is very digital sounding and sad) to listen to the end while I was driving (possibly more dangerous than texting while driving) because I couldn't wait to finish. I cried despite the computer voice.

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE. This book is achingly beautiful and devastating and hopeful. Jandy Nelson's entire novel is poetic and the journey she takes the reader on is as magical as it is heart-breaking. I read this book with that right-before-you're-going-to-

burst-into-tears-sore-throat  because it's about great love and great loss and how the two dance. We love this book and are inspired by the beautiful writing.

WONDER. I read this book in one sitting. This book has it all. Heart and humor and the absolute perfect middle grade voice. I want to go back to the classroom just so I can read this book aloud and discuss how our differences are what bring us together. I just know my sixth graders would have loved it. I can't wait to share this with my own kids. It's a special, special book.

AHHHH. One more?! This is torture. For me it's a toss up between THE FAULT IN OUR STARS and ELEANOR AND PARK. Both stories capture the young adult voice so incredibly well and are written to perfection. As you can see, we're total suckers for contemporary! By the way, we could name at least 15 more great YAs that have a very special place in our heart.

Book Review: Also Known As by Robin Benway

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

Best Bits: I love a good spy story. This probably has something to do with the prospect of excitement and adventure that I didn't always experience growing up in a small town. Funnily enough, that's sort of how Maggie's story begins, too. She's a safecracking genius, but she's spent the summer in Reykjavik...not doing too much. Of course, when she's sent to New York it means there will be action, and that the Collective (the super secret Robin Hood-type spy group) trusts her to complete a mission. What made the book fun was getting to watch Maggie develop friendships. What starts out as a mission slowly turns into her acknowledgement that she deserves friends (and a romance oh la la). She also experiences some ethical dilemmas. As she learns more about Jesse, she begins to see him less as a mark, and more as a person she can relate to. Her first friend, Roux, was a great character. She's experienced the downside of popularity, and is a social outcast at their prestigious school. I found the situation really realistic. Drama! Should Roux find romance in the follow-up, I hope it's with someone deserving.

Nit Picks: Well, now I'm completely skeptical that Angelo is a killer and not just a forger...but I suppose that's not really a nit pick, that's just a suspicion I will always have. I think my main criticism, which I'm guessing will be focused more on in the second book, is that I wanted to see more of Maggie in action. My favorite scenes in the book involve her spy skills, so I think that a bit more of that would have bumped this one up to five hearts.

Also Known As
By Robin Benway
Published by Bloomsbury
320 Pages

 

Book Review: Relativity by Cristin Bishara

If Ruby Wright could have her way, her dad would never have met and married her stepmother Willow, her best friend George would be more than a friend, and her mom would still be alive. Ruby knows wishes can't come true; some things just can't be undone. Then she discovers a tree in the middle of an Ohio cornfield with a wormhole to nine alternative realities.

Suddenly, Ruby can access completely different realities, each containing variations of her life—if things had gone differently at key moments. The windshield wiper missing her mother’s throat…her big brother surviving his ill-fated birth…her father never having met Willow. Her ideal world—one with everything and everyone she wants most—could be within reach. But is there such a thing as a perfect world? What is Ruby willing to give up to find out?

Best Bits: This book reminded me of the film Sliding Doors. It's based around the concept that even small differences in what happens to us can have a great impact on our lives. I really enjoyed how Bishara crafted a believable story about alternate realities. I never thought I would say that, and at the start of the book I wasn't sure how real Ruby's story would feel. I found that she was easy to relate to (what person hasn't had difficulty adjusting to something new), and I really felt for her as she struggled to say goodbye to her mother and brother. I also liked the way that Bishara explained the existence of the alternate realities. While I read science fiction, I don't always feel like I understand the subject matter. In Relativity I actually was pretty confident that I could explain how it worked.

Nit Picks: I think that the toughest part for me was knowing that Ruby is extremely intelligent, but being unable to see the negative impact that she was having on many of the alternate realities. Granted, she's still a teenager...so I'm sure that trying to find a place she thought was perfect sort of outweighs the concept of the consequences for the Ruby that she's displaced. It did provide me with some interesting philosophical questions about what I would do in that situation.

Relativity
By Cristin Bishara
Published by Walker Children's
288 Pages
Received via Netgalley

Book Review: Slimed by Mathew Klickstein

SLIMED! An Oral History of Nickelodeon's Golden Age tells the surprisingly complex, wonderfully nostalgic, and impressively compelling story of how Nickelodeon -- the First Kids' Network -- began as a DIY startup in the late 70s, and forged ahead through the early eighties with a tiny band of young artists and filmmakers who would go on to change everything about cable television, television in general, animation, and children's entertainment, proving just what can be done if the indie spirit is kept alive in the corporate world of contemporary media... All from those who made it happen!

Best Bits: I'm a 90's kid, and I've got the nostalgia to prove it. When I saw that Slimed! was available on Netgalley I just about cried with joy. The book is compiled of interviews with stars, writers, creators, and producers of the shows that created Nickelodeon, and how they shaped the tone of the channel (a tone which, in my opinion, has since been lost). Each chapter focuses on a different topic and each person adds their input. I particularly liked reading about how thing weren't always perfect behind-the-scenes. For example, Michael Bower from Salute Your Shorts talks about what it was like to be known as 'Donkeylips', and to have that stick as a nickname for him. It made me identify with him a bit more. Amazingly, it didn't break any illusions for me, it just made me appreciate what some of these kids had to go through to create TV shows that made me feel ok about being weird. Even reading about the turmoil behind Rugrats, and how many people in the show had to fight to make Angelica mean (hello, she was the first character that I loved to hate!) was fascinating.

Nit Picks: I think that the setup was a bit difficult to deal with on my Kindle. At times I had to look up who people were if their stories didn't give it away. Sure, I know who Melissa Joan Hart is, but some of the other actors have only been in small roles, or quit completely after their time at Nick, and I needed to Google some of them (the Kindle doesn't have the most convenient system for accessing appendices). I do wish that I had learned a bit more about Hey Arnold!, but I think that's based on personal bias. Technically it's one of the last shows during Nick's animation golden era...but every time I saw Craig Bartlett's name (since he also worked on Rugrats) I hoped there would be some new tidbit of information.

Overall, it made me go back and watch the entirety of Pete & Pete, and appreciate every weird, amazing moment. I'm now re-watching Doug and just enjoyed the Hey Arnold! Halloween episode. Best thing ever.

Slimed!
By Mathew Klickstein
Published by Plume
320 Pages
Received via Netgalley

Book Review: The Art of Disappearing by Elena Perez

Delia can see the future . . . but can she change it?

All Delia wants is to be popular. She has the perfect plan: join the cheerleading squad with her best friend, Ava, and rule the school from the coolest table in the cafeteria. But everything changes the day she watches a boy die—before it actually happens.

After dreaming about a classmate’s demise, she’s shocked when she witnesses his last breath—just like she dreamt it. Ava insists Delia stop acting so strange, but Delia worries her abilities are beyond her control.

Torn between who she is and who she wants to be, Delia wishes she could simply disappear. She doesn’t get her wish, but when someone close to her vanishes, Delia must use her gift to solve the mystery, before it’s too late.

Best Bits: I really liked how this one ended. It was a very understated, non-cliffhanger ending (so refreshing!). Even if this is the start to a series, I'm just so grateful that it didn't feel like 'Book 1 in the ______ series.' How often does that happen these day? It says quite a bit about Perez's style that after everything had basically wrapped itself up I was still interested how Delia is dealing with her abilities. I also liked that the mystery in the book was creepy without being too dramatic. I will say that the book focused more on friendships than it did on supernatural powers, but I didn't mind. It showed how hard it was for Delia when there was an adjustment to the hierarchy of the popular girls in school. Plus, it also has a great depiction about how jealousy and feelings of worthlessness can lead to bad friendships. It just takes Delia some time to figure out who her friends are, and what she really wants from them. 

Nit Picks: The reader doesn't get a lot of background on Delia's powers. I suppose that's realistic, but there were a couple of things that weren't explained enough for me to be fully satisfied. The book also uses the word "retarded." It's only used once, but it's a word that I really detest. So, that pulled me directly out of the story.

The Art of Disappearing
By Elena Perez
Published by Alloy Entertainment
391 Pages
Received for Review

 

Book Review: Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie

Where the art of improvisation meets the art of literature.
Based on the improv game First Line, Last Line, Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame, puts a unique spin on works of classic literature. Taking the first line and last line from classic books and poems, Colin recasts these familiar stories in his own trademark offbeat style:
- A verbose coyote becomes the star of A TALE OF TWO CRITTERS- Ishmael is a struggling actor hunting for a good hair day in MOBY
- A rainy day at home becomes a zombie-killing adventure in THE CAT AND MY DAD
- Mighty Casey strikes out again in CASEY AT THE BAR
These stories, and many more, prove that no literary masterpiece is too big, or too small, for the improvisational comedy treatment.

Best Bits: I'm a huge fan of Whose Line is it Anyway? (so much so that my friends and I have definitely played their games during parties), so I already knew that I appreciated Mochrie's brand of humor. I was pleasantly surprised by what I found written within each story. Each begins and ends with a line from a classic story, some are written in prose, and each equally amazing. A Tale of Two Critters will bring up some familiar characters, and while I was reading it I was freaking out to another friend who is familiar with Mochrie. Could he have possibly written a story about...well, I don't want to spoil it. I found that he has a special ability with the poetry portions. Twas Not Right Before Christmas was probably my favorite thing about the whole book, and I laughed an insane amount. It's definitely going to be one I go back to if I'm having a down day. 

Nit Picks: There were a couple stories that I thought could have been shortened a bit, but as a whole I thought that each story played an important part in the book. I also have a life nitpick, I was hoping to add some of my favorite quotes here, but my Kindle Keyboard tragically died.

I wanted more! There, I said it. Here's hoping that he writes a second book, and the rest of the Whose Line cast decides this is an excellent career decision and write books, too.

Not Quite the Classics
By Colin Mochrie
Published by Diversion Books
256 Pages
Received via Netgalley
Rating: