Book Review: Anatomy of a Single Girl by Daria Snadowsky

With Judy Blume-like honesty and insight, this sequel to Anatomy of a Boyfriend is about life after first love--romance, sex, friendship, family, and the ups and downs of life as a single girl.

After everything that happened—my first boyfriend, my first time, my first breakup—jumping back into the dating game seemed like the least healthy thing I could do. It’s not that I didn’t want to fall in love again, since that’s about the best feeling ever. But as a busy college premed still raw from heartbreak, which is the worst feeling ever, I figured I’d lie low for a while. Of course, as soon as I stopped looking for someone, an impossibly amazing—and devastatingly cute—guy came along, and I learned that having a new boyfriend is the quickest way to recover from losing your old one.

The moment we got together, all my preconceptions about romance and sex were turned upside down. I discovered physical and emotional firsts I never knew existed. I learned to let go of my past by living in the present. It was thrilling. It was hot. It was just what the doctor ordered.

But I couldn’t avoid my future forever.

In Daria Snadowsky’s daring follow-up to Anatomy of a Boyfriend, eighteen-year-old Dominique explores the relationship between love and lust, and the friendships that see us through.

Best Bits: I've heard praise about the first book in this series (although this one can be read as a standalone), and a lot of it revolved around how the book deals with relationships and sex in a realistic and frank way. I have to say that based on this book, I fully expect if I went and read Anatomy of a Boyfriend, I would be in total agreement. I sort of equate this novel to Judy Blume. You know when you were in middle school and you read your first Judy Blume novel? You were simultaneously like "ah ok, I'm normal" and "growing up is a bummer, why is this happening to me?!" I imagine that teens will have similar reactions to this book. Snadowsky tackles tough topics, and she does it in a way that isn't preachy about hook-ups, break-ups, cheating, friendship drama, phew did I remember everything? Any teen who has ever experienced any of those things will have a way to connect with Dom(inique) I think this book does a good job of portraying those teen/young adult years really well.

Nit Picks: I struggled with how to rate this one, because I really loved the best bits, but the things I'm about to write here in the nit picks section made me feel like a frowny-faced grump (seriously, that's the best way to describe it). At times I just got frustrated by Dom's behavior. When she has an argument with Guy it is pretty explosive, but we never really get to see her explore why it happened. I guess that what I really wanted was for her to realize that it's ok to feel crappy after a breakup, and that you don't have to throw yourself back into the dating scene and find a boyfriend right away. Also, it's okay to be unsure of yourself, but when you realize something doesn't feel right you should start talking about it (instead of forcing it down until suddenly you're insanely mad and the other person has no idea what's going on). There was some growth in her character though, and I don't think it's completely fair that I didn't get all the growth I wanted, especially since the character is only 18 (hello, I was totally not in that mindset at 18). I'll just have to wait for another "Anatomy of" book to see what happens.

Anatomy of a Single Girl
By Daria Snadowsky
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
227 Pages
Received for Honest Review
Rating: B/C

Book Review: The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison

Ailsbet loves nothing more than music; tall and red-haired, she's impatient with the artifice and ceremony of her father's court. Marissa adores the world of her island home and feels she has much to offer when she finally inherits the throne from her wise, good-tempered father. The trouble is that neither princess has the power--or the magic--to rule alone, and if the kingdoms can be united, which princess will end up ruling the joint land? For both, the only goal would seem to be a strategic marriage to a man who can bring his own brand of power to the throne. But will either girl be able to marry for love? And can either of these two princesses, rivals though they have never met, afford to let the other live? (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: So what's really interesting about this one is the way that magic is woven into the book and creates a social commentary on gender equality. I don't think that this blurb does the book justice. Yes, there are two princesses, but their rivalry isn't really the main focus of the books. They are both in the same situation, trying to survive in a court ruled by a power-crazed king (Ailsbet's father). There are two types of magic in this book, taweyr (magic typically found in men) and neweyr (typically in women). The role that magic plays is similar to gender roles, women give life and are connected to nature and female elements via their magic, whereas taweyr can be used to enhance strength and give advantage in battle. Things get really interesting when ekhono (those born with magic opposite to their gender) come into play. Ailsbet's father believes they want to destroy his kingdom, so he hunts them and has them killed. Marissa's father is not as biased, and allows them to stay on their island. Honestly, I think that this could apply to any minority group. What is not understood is often feared, at the loss of society as a whole. The thing is, Harrison did a great job pulling that off. I loved pulling out little scenes, sentences, and plot points that I could apply to the world that we live in. 

Nit Picks: So, part of my nitpick is that I think the blurb is a little misleading. The two girls are never really considering whether they can let the other live. Of course, they aren't best friends either. It makes it sound like they're mortal enemies, however, and that isn't what happens. My other nitpick is that the book didn't feel like it had an end. Granted, it is the first book in a series. Still, I expect to have some sort of resolution at the end of a book. In a series, that means that some portion of the plot must be tied up, while allowing me a glimpse of what I can expect in the next book. I didn't really get that in The Rose Throne, and so I finished it feeling unsatisfied.

The Rose Throne
By Mette Ivie Harrison
Published by EgmontUSA
400 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: C

Book Review: The Heiresses by Allison Rushby

In Allison Rushby's Heiresses, three triplets--estranged since birth--are thrust together in glittering 1926 London to fight for their inheritance, only to learn they can’t trust anyone--least of all each other.

When three teenage girls, Thalia, Erato and Clio, are summoned to the excitement of fast-paced London--a frivolous, heady city full of bright young things--by Hestia, an aunt they never knew they had, they are shocked to learn they are triplets and the rightful heiresses to their deceased mother's fortune. All they need to do is find a way to claim the fortune from their greedy half-brother, Charles. But with the odds stacked against them, coming together as sisters may be harder than they think. 
  

      

  Best Bits: I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The setup is great, three girls are brought to London to be reunited with their Aunt who is going to help them regain their rightful fortune. Each girl has a unique personality, and wildly different values. That meant that we got to see some interesting moral dilemmas, and made the plotting and planning rather fun. This book doesn't shy away from the tough subjects. You don't really expect to read about topics like eugenics in a book like this. Rushby did a great job of fitting it in. It's hard now to remember that there was a time that this subject wasn't looked at as unethical, cruel, and illegal. Similar the other book that I reviewed this week, I think that there is some crossover potential for older teens who enjoy historical reads.

Nit Picks: This one had it's ups and downs for me. I think that Rushby could have cut out a chunk of the book just to keep the pace going. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, but about halfway through things began to drag a bit. We got deeper into each character, but it meant we spent an extended amount of time with each girl without much forward movement of the plot. I also thought that the conflict within the sisters (Thalia) didn't hit the right chord for me. In attempting to keep this spoiler free, I think that the revelation that the readers gets at the end of the book came too late. There were a couple of hints at the beginning of the story that something is wrong, but I don't think it's enough to allow the reader to trust her. Her redemption in the story felt like the sisterhood version of insta-love.

The Heiresses
By Allison Rushby
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
352 Pages
Received for Review
Rating: C

Book Review: Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that's so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can't go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The same government has implanted tracking devices in the citizens, limiting and examining everything they do. Taylor and Sheridan have to find a way out of the city before the government discovers their secrets. To complicate matters, the moblike Dakine has interest in getting hold of them too. The only way for the girls to elude their pursuers is to put their trust in Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Full of adrenaline-injected chases and heartbreaking confessions, Erasing Time explores the strength of the bonds between twins, the risks and rewards of trust, and the hard road to finding the courage to fight for what you believe in. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: I absolutely adore Janette Rallison's others books (C.J. Hill is a pseudonym for her), so I had high expectations for this one. Yes, her other books tend to be funny and lighter, but I had a feeling that she could pull off sci-fi elements. She definitely did a good job with the time travel element. The process is believable, but it also doesn't delve too much into the science. Sure, we get a basic understanding of how it works, and that was enough for me...I'm not at the point that I can comprehend grand ideas as it's the end of the semester. There was also quite a twist at the end. I won't reveal it, but I can say that it took me completely by surprise and made me really reflect on what I had read up until that point. When the second book is released in September I will be interested to see what happens. 

Nit Picks: I think that the reason why I didn't rate this one higher was that I didn't connect well with the characters. Typically I'm drawn into Rallison's other characters, and I really care about what happens to them. In this book I just wasn't as interested in this one. I do like the aspect of the main character being a twin, but I guess I was expecting to see more of their relationship and their backstory (there is some of this in the book, but not quite enough for me to really want them to try to find some way to get back home). 

Erasing Time
By C.J. Hill 
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
386 Pages
Rating: C

Book Review: Underworld (Abandon Trilogy 2) by Meg Cabot

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape. (From Goodreads)

*Warning, this review contains some mild spoilers for Abandon.

Best Bits: I still get giddy at this interpretation of the Persephone myth. Honestly, if I ever run into her on the street I'll probably drop down to the ground and bow to her. She will obviously think I'm mentally unhinged and will hurry off. Sadface. In Underworld the reader gets to see how conflicted Pierce is about what's happening to her. On one hand, she's safe with John, but she begins to realize what that means for her family...the ones who aren't out to get her, anyway. The change of scenery also allowed for some interesting information to be discovered. The reader gets to see exactly what John is responsible for in the underworld, and Pierce learns more about his past. There are some interesting supporting characters, too. I'm looking forward to seeing how they come into play during the final book. 

Nit Picks: I often find that the second book in a trilogy just doesn't quite live up to the first book in the series. This is because the characters have been introduced, we grow to understand and anticipate their reactions to certain people and situations, and it often feels like a transition. Alas, that was the case with Underworld. That's not to say that I hated it, because there were portions that I enjoyed. I just didn't feel the urgency of what was happening until the very end of the book. 

Underworld (Abandon Trilogy 2)
By Meg Cabot
Published by Point
336 Pages
Purchased
Rating: C

Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . . 

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed... (From Goodreads)

*This review contains some spoilers regarding relationships, etc.

Best Bits: The premise of this one was really interesting. I love all things ballet (even though I was a tap and jazz girl), so I was eager to read a YA book involving it with some paranormal elements. Vanessa was, for the most part (see Nit Picks), a relatable main character. She has the feet for ballet, but her heart isn't in it. Why would she accept a spot at the prestigious New York Ballet Academy? Vanessa's sister went missing from the same school, and she's determined to find her. At points, the story reminded me a bit of Center Stage (my favorite ballet movie). Vanessa becomes close friends with some dancers, there's the girl who expects the lead who fits the part of the mean girl, and the director is a jerk. Not to mention a bad boy who readers (or viewers, in the case of the movie) are hoping their protagonist doesn't fall for. 

The paranormal/mystery aspect of the book was done well. Although it was clear who some of the baddies were, there were two people who I wasn't quite sure about. I hoped that Vanessa could trust them, but my instincts aren't always correct.

Nit Picks: Please note that my nitpicks are based on the galley, and some things may have changed in the final version. Let me briefly explain my above comment about Vanessa. As a reader I was able to understand her motivation to attend the same dance school as her sister, but beyond that she didn't always make the wisest choices. As she begins to understand there's something sinister happening at her school she should limit who she trusts with information. Instead, she spills everything to a couple different people. That is the book equivalent of when characters in horror movies walk toward the creepy sounds/shadows/etc that ultimately lead to their demise. It just seems to me that as things started getting worse, she would want to guard her secrets. 

There was some insta-love, which brings me to a general nit-pick in the books I've read over the last year or two. Insta-love and blind trust. I think I would have found it more interesting in this book if Zep had befriended Vanessa, and from there she would have had to choose whether to trust him, instead of basing it on a relationship that's inconsistent.   

Dance of Shadows
By Yelena Black
Published by Bloomsbury USA
Received via NetGalley
Rating: C

Book Review: Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore

For star-crossed lovers Nimira and Erris, there can be no happily ever after until Erris is freed from the clockwork form in which his soul is trapped. And so they go in search of the sorcerer Ordorio Valdana, hoping he will know how to grant Erris real life again. When they learn that Valdana has mysteriously vanished, it's not long before Nimira decides to take matters into her own hands—and begins to study the sorcerer's spell books in secret. Yet even as she begins to understand the power and limitations of sorcery, it becomes clear that freeing Erris will bring danger—if not out-and-out war—as factions within the faerie world are prepared to stop at nothing to prevent him from regaining the throne. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: I really enjoyed the previous book, Magic Under Glass, so I knew going in that I was going to enjoy the characters. There was one additional character I really enjoyed, Ifra. He's a jinn, and is sworn to the command of the fairy king. This new perspective added a whole new level to the story (and potentially to the world if ever Dolamore wrote another book in this universe). He was someone who understood what it was like to be different (like Nimira), but also what it was like to see bits and pieces of the world but be unable to fully participate in it (like Violet, another new character who I wasn't very fond of). 

Nit Picks: Unlike Magic Under Glass, this book didn't flow as well for me. Most of the book Nimira was fretting about what to do with Erris, and he wasn't present all that much. Yes, the reader knows that trouble is brewing, but when it actually occurs everything happens extremely quickly. It's a lot of buildup for a short number of pages. It wraps up all of the loose ends, but the relationship between Erris and Nimira is very brief. It was cute, but unfortunately it just didn't click with me. 

Magic Under Stone (Magic Under 2)
By Jaclyn Dolamore
Published by Bloomsbury USA
297 Pages
Purchased
Rating: C

Review: Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.  (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: I absolutely loved the premise of this one. I have certainly had my moments where I'd like to throw my phone away and swear off the internet. Sadly, unlike Mallory, I'm not brave enough to go through with it. This technological ban occurs after she discovers her boyfriend has an online girlfriend in a role-playing game, and declares that she's had it with all the calls/texts/internet drama that comes afterwards. Another favorite: Oliver (Mallory's ex-boyfriend's cousin). He's old-school dreamy. He sings her songs, calls her on the landline, and says criminy. What isn't to love? Ginnie, Mallory's sister, is awesome, too. She has her own things going on in her life, but it's great when she ensures that Mallory sticks to her vintage life by removing certain contraband items from her room.

Nit Picks: The hardest thing for me was getting involved in all the various side-stories. Things are happening with her grandmother, who inspired the vintage lifestyle, and her parents are arguing. Not to mention continued drama with Jeremy at school, a budding romance with Oliver, and completing the list she's created to have an excellent Junior year. It made it a little hard to invest in each story. I wanted to learn more about what was going on with her grandmother, cared less about her parents. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I didn't like Mallory's mother at all. Even after she was redeemed at the end of the book, I had no sympathy for her. 

Going Vintage
By Lindsey Leavitt
Published by Bloomsbury USA
320 Pages
Received via Netgalley for review
Rating: C

Mini-Reviews

 Vanish (Firelight 2) by Sophie Jordan

This was an interesting follow-up to Firelight, although quite a long time had passed between when I read the first book and when I picked this one up. What I really enjoyed was how it altered my perceptions of characters. In the first book we see Cassian as a jerk who Jacinda needs to escape. In Vanish, however, I began to sympathize. Jacinda, I'm sorry to say, became a bit more annoying to me. I still felt for her character, but  Lots of action and excitement, and I couldn't wait to grab the final book in the trilogy, Hidden.

Published by HarperTeen
Rating: B

Hidden (Firelight 3) by Sophie Jordan

I read this directly after finishing Vanish, and I flew through it. I was fairly certain I knew what was going to happen, but Jordan still had quite a few twists thrown in. The love triangle wraps up in a predictable way, but the rest of the story wraps up nicely. I wasn't sure how things could work out (would Jacina stay/leave, what about Cassian, hello...the hunters are stalking them), but everything left me satisfied as a reader.

Published by HarperTeen
Rating: B

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

I've had Bittersweet on my shelf for quite a long time, and now that the winter weather has started in I thought it would be a fun read. I enjoyed the cupcake titles/descriptions at the start of each chapter (although it made me crave sweets) but the story didn't quite live up to my expectations after Twenty Boy Summer. There was a lot going on story-wise that I don't think necessarily needed to be there and being pulled between them made the main character seem self-centered when I should have empathized with having to make tough decisions about where to spend her time. Still, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more from Ockler.
Published by Simon Pulse
Rating: C

Chasing the Skip by Janci Patterson

Ricki’s dad has never been there for her. He’s a bounty hunter who spends his time chasing parole evaders—also known as “skips”—all over the country. But now since Ricki’s mom ran off, Ricki finds herself an unwilling passenger in a front-row seat to her father’s dangerous lifestyle.

Ricki’s feelings get even more confused when her dad starts chasing seventeen-year-old Ian Burnham. She finds herself unavoidably attracted to the dark-eyed felon who seems eager to get acquainted. But Ricki thinks she’s ever in control—the perfect manipulator. Little does she know that Ian isn’t playing their game by her rules. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: Ricki's had it rough. Her father hasn't been a part of her life, and now her mom has gone off to meet some guy she met online. If that's not the setup for abandonment issues I don't know what is. I enjoyed watching the buildup of tension between Ricki and her father, and the confrontation where Ricki finally gets the answers she's looking for. It's clearly difficult for both of them to be in this new situation...and to add skips (people who've missed their court dates) into the mix adds to the trouble. I would say that this book is less about romance, as the synopsis makes it seem, and is more of a contemporary family drama. So, go into it without expectations of true and undying love. 

Nit Picks: There were a lot of ends left open, and I wanted more resolution. This doesn't mean that I found the end of the book unsatisfying, I actually enjoyed it. It just felt like many of the different portions of Ricki's story had a little more to explore than the reader gets to see. Patterson is definitely one to watch, but I feel like this book needed a couple more chapters just to round the story out. 

Chasing the Skip
By Janci Patterson
240 Pages
Published by Henry Holt and Co. 
Received for Review
Rating: C

Mini-Reviews

When Desi Bascomb gets discovered by the elite Facade Agency–royalty surrogates extraordinaire–her life goes from glamour-starved to spectacular in a blink. As her new agent, Meredith, explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula “Royal Rouge,” she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

This one was a cute read, and great for the summer. It is definitely more middle grade than YA, but everyone looking for some warm fuzzies should grab this. It's got a great message! Desi helps princesses share who they are with the rest of the world, and her self-esteem grows as well. Heck yes, girl power. I would have liked a little more character exploration, but I'm planning on checking out the rest of the series. 

Princess for Hire
By Lindsey Leavitt
Published by Disney Hyperion
240 Pages
Rating: C

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

Action-packed for sure, and it starts with a bang! I'd say this one does have some more adult content, but that readers shouldn't shy away from it. There's some violence, and the chaos of children being trapped together in an enclosed space. The story was gripping, but at times I didn't particularly like the main character, Dean. I liked that the book was from a male POV, but at times he felt really self-centered. Of course, by the end he seems to have a handle on that. 

Monument 14
By Emmy Laybourne
Published by Feiwel & Friends
294 Pages
Rating: B

Book Review: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn't, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love-again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi finds herself torn. Against her better judgement, she's opening up again, falling in love with someone new when she knows she shouldn't. But when she's offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up. (From Goodreads)

Best Bits: The concept of sirens is fascinating, and Hubbard does a good job of piquing my interest. Lexi has killed her boyfriend without an inkling of why. I mean, that's rough. She's withdrawn, she has urges to swim/sing, and her dead ex's best friend is chasing her around (okay, that part might not be too horrible). Cole was dreamy, and my favorite part of the book. He was genuinely concerned about Lexi, when I, as the reader, was not. Their romance didn't feel too rushed, and I thought that Hubbard was able to realistically show what it would be like to develop feelings for someone you have to keep a world-changing secret from. Unfortunately that's where the love triangle comes into play, and so do my nit picks.  

Nit Picks: I really wanted to like this one. I've loved everything else I've read by Hubbard, but something about Ripple just didn't work for me. I think that it may have had to do with the way the book was set up. The book begins with Lexi after her first (accidental) kill, and the reader get flashbacks throughout the book that piece together what really happened. Perhaps if the story had started that night I would have been able to understand what was going through her mind as she cut off her friends, and had to come to terms with her terrible power. I'm not sure that the love triangle had enough time to grow. I could really get behind Cole (as I said in Best Bits), but her relationship with Erik was too insta-love for me (although I have a feeling this may have been Hubbard's intention, so take this one as you will). 

Lesson Learned: If you're cursed, make sure you actually tell your kids in case something happens to you.
Ripple 
By Mandy Hubbard
Published by Razorbill
260 Pages
Rating: C

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession. (From Goodreads)

I was told that this would be a creepy read, and it didn't disappoint. Demonic possession, hauntings, and high school drama...What more could I ask for? Aimee's quiet life is turned upside down after her best friend Courtney's father disappears. Things get even more complicated when Courtney's cousin and aunt move to town. I was intrigued by Alan, whose Navajo background plays a big part in the story. This addition to the story was done really well, and I was glad to see Alan embracing his heritage. I have to add, props to Jones and Wedel for crafting a romance that doesn't involve a damsel in distress. That is my biggest YA (and adult romance) pet peeve. So, the fact that Alan and Aimee work together made their romance that much more believable. 

I think that the reason why I can't rate this higher is due to the split chapters and my lack of ability to really get to know Aimee or Alan. In general, I seem to have an issue with books that switch perspective every chapter. It tends to pull me out of a book, and stops me from connecting deeply to the characters. Some people really love getting to see inside the heads of two different characters, so this issue is just a matter of personal taste.

Overall, a spooky read that's worth picking up. I'm hoping there will be a followup book so that some of my questions can be answered. 

After Obsession

By Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel

Published by Bloomsbury USA

320 Pages 

Received for Review

Rating: C

Mini-Reviews

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I'd heard a lot of great things about this one, so I was setting myself up for a bit of disappointment. While I liked most of the characters, I was kind of hoping for a heroine who didn't need to be rescued by her vampire lover. Still, Diana was a strong, stubborn character...so even though there were some portions where she relied on Matthew, she did hold her own when faced with angry witches.

During the first chapters there was more telling than showing. It set up a lot of Diana's past, but I'd rather spend 20 extra pages seeing it happen, rather than being told it. I will say that Harkness must have done an immense amount of research, and it showed in her writing. Things were extremely detailed, and that managed to keep my attention throughout all 500+ pages.

Overall, it didn't meet my high expectations, and fell victim to some vampire cliches. I did appreciate all of the detail Harkness put into it, however.

Rating: C

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I can't really say that I "enjoyed" this book, because it was extremely tough subject matter. I think I'd describe it as a phenomenally written book about the tragedy and aftermath of a school shooting. Valerie and her boyfriend Nick are the outcasts, and they're treated badly by their fellow schoolmates. Together they've created a Hate List, which includes various different people/things that they despise. Still, Valerie doesn't expect Nick to exact revenge by taking a gun to school and shooting classmates, a teacher, and then himself.

I can't say that this book ends happily, that would have been horribly unrealistic. In a way, I wanted things to work out with her father (who I wanted to smack upside the head in basically every scene he was in), but tying everything up nicely would have ruined all of the growth we saw in Valerie. Instead, the book leaves readers with the understanding that the impact of the shooting has altered who Valerie is. She's changed completely from the girl in the flashback scenes, and she's ready to begin a new life.

Rating: A

Book Review: Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

*This review does contain some spoilers for book one: I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You

Cammie Morgan is back, and it's clear that her life hasn't calmed down since the events of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. At first, giddy anticipation is in the air. Gallagher Academy, Cammie's elite spy school, is hosting a visit from the Ethan Frome Academy, a covert training center for boys. Soon after the boys' arrival, though, everything goes dangerously awry when a series of security breaches are discovered at the academy. Worse yet, teenage agent-in-training Cammie is being blamed for the penetration. With the school's top-secret status at risk, the Gallagher Girls have to work quickly to save their beloved school. Girl sleuths with nice asides on youthful crushes. (From Goodreads).

The Gallagher girls are back with another semester of adventure, surveillance, and romance. The book begins right where the first left off, with Cammie, aka the Chameleon, upset about being forced to end things with Josh. She's been debriefed by the CIA, and things seem to be moving back to the normal routine, well as normal as things get in a private school that trains girls to be spies. Unfortunately, the girls at Gallagher Academy are about to face something that they never would have expected...boys. I thought it was a fun addition to the story, and made all of the relationships a bit more complicated. I'm interested to see how Zach, the guy-spy equivalent of Cammie, evolves as a character over the rest of the series.

When comparing Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy with the first book in the series, it didn't quite live up to the first book. I think that's because I was hoping for a bit more growth from Cammie, and to learn more about her father. I didn't deduct much in terms of the rating for this, because I'm sure that these things will be addressed in the remainder of the series.

Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls 2)

By Ally Carter

Published by Hyperion

240 Pages

Received from: Library

Rating: C

Book Review:Geektastic Edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci

Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside)and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on! (From Goodreads)

I'm going to attempt to keep this review short and to the point. As a nerd girl, I grabbed this when I saw it at my local library. I knew that I'd enjoy most of the short stories within the book because the collection of authors was great, and I understood majority of the references (I'd say about 90%).

Perhaps my favorite part of the book were the comics that came after each short story. Illustrated by Bryan Lee O'Malley (of Scott Pilgrim), and Hope Larson, each had me laughing. I have to say that the first short story in the book was my favorite, probably because the entire anthology was developed around it. Written by Black and Castellucci, it was a hilarious look at the shenanigans of cons, and what happens when fandoms attack. I also really enjoyed Nix's story, The Quiet Knight, and wish it had been longer!

There were a couple stories that didn't hold my interest at all. I didn't feel bad skimming through them, which is why the book didn't get a higher rating. It wasn't that I didn't understand the references, it was just that they didn't have characters I found interesting. I've found that I need compelling characters to make me enjoy a short story.

So, if you're a bit of a nerd (and proud of it), this one is worth a read. Plus, I loved all of the references to Doctor Who!

Geektastic
Edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
403 Pages
Rating: C

Book Review:Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate!

She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town . . . and stay hormonally human. (From Goodreads)

I may have drawn this conclusion from the cover, but I was expecting Bad Taste in Boys to be a silly zombie book, where the zombies don't really pose a threat. Yeah, I was incredibly wrong about that. Harris didn't shy away from violence (although, there isn't too much), and it was actually quite scary.

Kate is smart, snarky, and already has a plan for her future. This plan involves working as a trainer for the school football team...it gives her experience before college, and a chance to check out football star Aaron. She's definitely a take charge kind of character, especially after she realizes that she may have played a role in the zombification of a large percent of the football team. The football star wasn't a jerk, hurrah. I was happy that Kate didn't spend her time crushing on a guy who was going to treat her badly. I also think that Jonah, Kate's brother, may have been my favorite character. He tried to protect his family, and was both dorky and awesome.

I don't think it's too spoilery to tell you that not everyone survives. I won't say who/how people perish, but it actually made it an interesting zombie book. I mean, it really isn't that fun to read about a zombie epidemic that doesn't actually have consequences. I feel that I should also mention that the zombies were slow. Personal preference, I hate fast zombies. They scare the living daylights out of me.

I will say that this one was really short. I read it within a few hours, and I wish there had been more. On the other hand, everything fit really well into the story, so adding length would have been unnecessary, and may have altered the flow of the story. Overall, it was a zombie book that was both surprising and entertaining.

Bad Taste in Boys
By Carrie Harris
Published by Delacorte Press more details...
256 pages
Release Date:July 12, 2011
Review from Around the World ARC Tours
Rating: C+

Book Review: Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin

Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the cover...moreFans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile. (From Goodreads)

After having to fake a relationship at the command of their PR reps, it's understandable why Charlie and Fielding (aka Aaron) loathe each other. During an extended vacation taken to hide from the paparazzi, they slowly begin a friendship. Both characters grow to understand each other, and in the process they each learned about themselves, and what they really wanted from their careers. I have to briefly mention my favorite thing about Jenna & Jonah, and that was the Shakespeare! Toward the end of the book, Charlie and Aaron take on parts in the Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing (my personal favorite). So, I was really delighted when I realized that the entire book was much like a mirror of their characters, Beatrice and Benedick. It took me quite some time to pick up on, and it was a nice way to bring in the romance between the two.

I think that my main issue with the book was that it wasn't really long enough to get a little deeper with the characters. Franklin and Halpin seemed to be moving in that direction toward the end of the book, but by that point everything was wrapping up. This wasn't a huge deal breaker for me, but I think it could have taken the book a step above the stereotypical cute YA read.

Overall, it was a fun read that had some funny moments. I did like the characters, the way Much Ado About Nothing was tied in, and thought that the alternating perspectives worked really well with the story. Still, I think that if it had been a little bit longer the authors would have had more time to give more substance to characters.

Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance
By Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin
Published by Walker Books (a division of Bloomsbury)
229 Pages
Rating: C

Book Review:The Darlings Are Forever by Melissa Kantor

Jane, Victoria, and Natalya. Together, they are the Darlings. Best friends forever. They have matching necklaces, their own table at Ga Ga Noodle, and even a shared motto: May you always do what you’re afraid of doing.

When the friends begin freshman year at three different high schools in distant corners of New York City, they promise to live by their motto and stay as close as ever. The Darlings know they can get through anything as long as they have each other. But doing scary new things is a lot easier with your friends beside you. And now that the girls aren’t spending all their time together, everything they took for granted about their friendship starts to feel less certain. They can’t help but wonder, will they really be the Darlings forever? (From Goodreads)

I've found that in many YA books, I tend to have major issues with characters who have unrealistic problems. The Darlings Are Forever is a book which deals with realistic issues, and strong teen characters. Jane, Natalya, and Victoria are all headed to separate high schools, and this strains their friendship. They each have their own individual issues, and those build up until things reach a breaking point in their friendship. Fights/arguments in YA always risk the possibility of seeming silly. Sometimes characters fight for no apparent reason, or the topic of the argument is really minor compared to the drama unleashed. So, it felt refreshing to read a book where an argument between friends was the natural next step in the book.

I think that I would have connected more with the characters had I read this somewhere between eighth grade and senior year of high school. The book felt like it was on the younger side of YA, and while I would definitely suggest the book to girls at that age, I think this may have prevented me from connecting more with the problems of the characters.

I thought this was a cute read, and a nice start to a series. The subject matter isn't dark, and it shows a realistic view of girls determined to maintain their friendship despite their lives moving in different directions.

The Darlings are Forever
By Melissa Kantor
Published by Hyperion
336 Pages
Rating: C

Book Review:Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs… (From Goodreads)

I have very mixed feelings about Born at Midnight. One on hand, I enjoyed the story, and am interested to see how it progresses. On the other hand, I didn't like the main character, and I thought that it went on longer than it needed to. I'm really torn about the rating, and how to effectively review it.

I'll start with what I enjoyed: the plot was interesting. I think that it had something unique to the paranormal YA genre. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I never felt like it was victim to the many cliches of the genre (except for the love triangle). It also set up well for a sequel, without feeling like the first book lacked an ending. I liked Kylie's friends Della (vampire), and Miranda (witch), and am really interested to learn more about them in the sequel. I'm also a fan of ghosts in paranormal YA, so that aspect of the book was nice.

My main concern with this book was that it had too much romance. Kylie goes back and forth between three guys, and it was hard to like her character because of it. It is possible for a teen guy and girl to just be friends, and I would have respected Kylie if she had been able to have a platonic relationship with one of them. It was also hard to be sympathetic to a character who is in complete denial of their true nature. Sure, I felt bad for her when she first discovered what she was...but I think she should have gradually accepted that she was some sort of paranormal.

So, you can see my dilemma. Parts of the book entertained me, while others left me frustrated. I've given numerous books a C rating, and I had more good than bad to say with those. Still, a D seems rather harsh, so it's falls somewhere between. I will say that I'm going to pick up book two, I am interested to see what happens, and hopefully watch Kylie mature.

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1)
By C.C. Hunter
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Rating: C-/D+

*I'm going to be m.i.a for the rest of the week. I'm headed to a retreat for school, and I won't have access to the internet. I've scheduled posts, but I won't be able to return comments until sunday/monday.