Book Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Series: The 5th Wave #1

Genre: YA Post-Apocalyptic

 Publication Date: May 1, 2013

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

This book was so good! The plot, the characters, the pacing, the writing, all of it! 

I was hooked from the start, from the moment I stepped into this world the action was raging. Not even 20 pages in and you're shown how Cassie's world has been turned upside down - literally - and how instinct has torn her heart apart in a frenzy for survival.

Cassie (short for Cassiopia) is on a lonely stretch of highway, running from the haunting past she has endured with no one to trust. The 4th wave is upon her, smothering her chances of survival while the 5th wave is unknown, but it's coming.

This story was just ghdfyjfhrhtfhj!!!!! It's an alien story, yes, but is it a typical alien tale? No. Hell to the no. This has been so intricately planned and written, it is unique and enthralling. It does remind me (slightly-ish-not-majorly) of another book out on the market but it'd be a spoiler to say which! 

Usually in alien apocalypse books/movies, aliens come down to earth in huge spaceships with large machines buried deep beneath the earth and the aliens are butt ugly baboons BUT The 5th wave puts an end to this. There is literally no confrontation (until the 4th wave - which you learn more about later in the book). Instead, the 1st wave consists of an electromagnetic pulse taking out all electricity/battery operated appliances etc. The 2nd wave is a tsunami, killing thousands and herding survivors. The 3rd wave sends out the pestilence (a deadly disease spread via birds because birds know no boundaries). The 4th wave brings Silencers, forcing survivors to stand alone. And the 5th wave? No one knows, but it's coming.

This fast-paced, action-packed plot is accompanied by some remarkable characters. There's Cassie (our protagonist) who is a head-strong, brave survivor of this otherworldly apocalypse - she's such a legitimate character, all of her actions and emotions are realistic, she's so human. 

Another character is Evan Walker BUT I can't really say anything about him (or any other characters) without slipping out a few spoilers. 

One thing I did love about this book was how you were never quite sure yourself who to trust or where others held their loyalties. You were in Cassie's shoes right up until the moment of truth.

I should have also mentioned that this book is written with alternating POVs between characters - who I cannot say. ;)

I definitely did love this book! It's a must read for everyone - particularly apocalypse/dystopian fans! I will certainly be picking up the sequel!

OH! And a little p.s.

The aliens in this book are called 'The Others'. I only figured this out after misreading the first couple sentences a million times. Oh and make sure you read the page titled "Intrusion 1995" before chapter 1. :)

Check out this awesome book trailer by penguin illustrating all 4 waves, it got me uber hyped up for the book!

Book Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Series: Pushing the Limits #2

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: eARC
Pages: 462
Source: Received from the publisher for review, via NetGalley

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....(Summary from Goodreads.com)

Katie McGarry absolutely blew me away with her stunning debut, Pushing the Limits. Now, after reading Dare You To, she has thoroughly won me over. I don't feel near as strong about this one as I did PtL, but Dare You To is emotionally charged, brimming with tension, and loaded with characters that practically walk off the page.

Narrators: 
It is always hard for me to read a companion novel or spin-off with different narrators than the ones I originally fell in love with. but McGarry has a knack for making characters that are so real and stay with readers for a lonnnnng time. Once again, Beth and Ryan seem like opposites, but is reality, they compliment each other very well. Whereas Beth seems prickly, defiant, and stubborn (with trust issues off the charts), Ryan is the golden boy who everyone adores (with a secret hobby: writing). I was reluctant to get inside both of these characters' heads, but I do not regret jumping in. Both of them are full of secrets and family problems and personal obstacles they need to conquer. Seriously, both characters grow so much. I wasn't swooning hard-core for Ryan, but he was a good guy and I like him. And Beth isn't exactly someone I would want as my best friend, but I loved getting to know what was going on in her mind and understanding her life.

Romance:
The relationship between Beth and Ryan is more than just a fluffy relief from the drama. The romance is used as a tool for growth and self-discovery. Ryan and Beth's relationship is far from perfect--it can get frustrating and repetitive--but the two continuously encourage each other to face fears and make better decisions. At it's foundation, their romance is solid and meaningful. Oh, and sexy. There's lots of kissing, in case you were curious. And then some.

The other people: 

But Beth and Ryan aren't the only characters in this book. Even those that only make brief appearances in the book had an effect on me. Scott (Beth's uncle) provides the parental backbone that Beth has needed her entire life. I really liked him. He kept trying to do the right thing, even when Beth made it difficult. And then there is Isaiah. I was sad when I found out that this book was Beth and Ryan's story, not Beth and Isaiah's. While I realize that Isaiah and Beth are not meant for each other, my heart still broke for Isaiah. He is so sweet and he deserves happiness. Needless to say, I cannot wait for his story, Crash into You. Ryan's friends are also great and I appreciate how supportive they are of Beth. Unlike his family and skankbag of an ex-girlfriend. Blech!

So, yeah...

Honestly, the plot isn't all that spectacular. Not very memorable. I read this book a few months ago and have since forgotten most of the details about the plot. It's the characters that make this book what it is. Still, McGarry demonstrates exceptional writing skills and a story that will envelop readers. It goes to show that McGarry is certainly much more than a one-hit wonder. I pray that we keep seeing LOTS more of her. Even if this isn't my favorite book in the entire world, I still flew through it, eager to see what happens next. Yeah, you want to read this.

Enter for a chance to win this book, or another summer release.
Read my review for Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits.
Read Charlotte's review for Pushing the Limits. 
Read an old interview with Katie McGarry.

Book Review: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Series: School Spirits #1

Genre: YA Paranormal 

Publication Date: May 14, 2013

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Format: eARC

Pages: 304

Source: Received for review from publisher on NetGalley

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance! (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I'll be honest, I had no frackin' idea what to expect going into this book. I really enjoyed Hawkins's Hex Hall series. Though the Brannicks actually made an appearance in Spell Bound, they didn't make an enormous one. Still, I got good vibes from Izzy, so I was incredibly curious what it would be like to see the world from her eyes. I really loved it. School Spirits has an entirely different feel than Hawkins's other series.   It stands on its own, that's fasho! The best way I can think to describe this book is as an adventure. It was a quick read, and a lot of fun!

Protagonist: 
Like I said, I was getting good vibes off of Izzy in Spell Bound, and, about two years later (in book time--in reality...a day later), I get to delve into her head and discover that my vibes were right on! Izzy is great. She's determined, persistent, and sort of socially awkward. It was certainly entertaining to watch a girl used to battling monsters be thrown in to high school, totally clueless how to go about it. I mean, she totally breaks a guy's nose on her first day.

Friendships: 
Despite that awkwardness, she makes friends right away. Anderson, Dex, and Romy are characters to love. They are the "outcasts" in their school. They started a ghost hunting club (named PMS), they don't dress like the others in high school, and people are rude to them. But they are so cool! They're supportive of one another, have hilarious banter, and they just don't give a crap what others think. Izzy may have befriended them for reasons that weren't entirely genuine, but she quickly cares about them and stands eagerly by their sides. The whole dynamic of their group is worthy of countless cheesy grins.

I've read in some reviews that people think it's a little unrealistic that Izzy moves to a new school and makes friends so quickly and captures the attention of one of the "popular" kids. I disagree. As a girl who has had her fair share of being the new kid, I know that it's not too hard to make friends the first day--especially if one is pretty, and especially if one immediately talks to the "outcasts."

Romance: 
There were a few potential romantic interests, but the romance was definitely more of a sub-plot than anything. It did not overwhelm the main story line or action. First there is Adam, who turns out to be a douchenozzle, which is okay because that makes room for Dex. Like, on the real here people, Dex is one of my fave YA boys. He's such an asthmatic goober! He's so funny. No joke, I highlighted my favorite quotes in the e-reader, and the majority were from him:

Satisfied, Dex went back to the salt. After a while, he moved to the foot of the grave, pouring it there.

"This is fun," he said. "Weird and disturbing and possibly illegal, but still fun."

“This is better than our regular PMS meetings,” Dex said once we had our food. “Those are sadly lacking in fries, I’ve found.” He reached past me for the ketchup. “And desecrating graves is a surprisingly fun bonding activity. I only defile the dead with my closest friends.” 

 “Bats live in caves,” I reminded him. “And where there are bats, there’s bat poop. Lots of it. Did you know there’s a cave in Mexico where they have a whole mountain made of guano?”

Dex leveled a fake-sultry gaze at me. “Are you coming on to me?” 

That is just the itsiest bitsiest fragment of all the quotes I loved. Another thing about Dex: he dresses like a total stud. Someone said he was kind of Magnus-y, and that is pretty spot-on. It's all peacoats and scarves for Dex!

However great Dex is, though, I still would have liked more Torin. Ya know, the man in the mirror. There's definitely something sizzlin' there, but it is not nearly as fleshed out as I would like. I actually like Torin a lot.

Plot: 
Okay, so no, this book does not have the most complex, unpredictable, original plot in the world. But who gives a spork? Hawkins is so good at delivering an entertaining read. Who needs something super complex when you have a severely bitchy ghost, a missing sister, and a dark warlock who lives inside a mirror, and a mom who is most definitely hiding something. The pacing is great, of course. It's so easy to just fly through this book.

But here's the thing. This is now a standalone. I think at one point it was supposed to be a series, but that is no longer the case. And it devastates me. No lie. COMPLETELY DEVASTATES. Because I loved this book soooooo much. I was looking forward to more Brannicks, more Torin, more Dex, I was looking forward to more Izzy being awesome. And now, not only do I not get that, but I also do not get to see how some major plot points get resolved. The obvious story was resolved, but what happened to Finley? Will a certain prophecy of Torin's come true? I will never know. It's not like majorly torturous, but I still hate it.

So basically...
Whereas a lot of paranormal books are exhausting nowadays, I thought this book was exciting, entertaining, and certainly a worthy read. I loved the characters and obviously the writing.There is a great big HOWEVER, though. If you think you'd be driven crazy by the loose ends, then this is a serious judgement call. But if you love the Hex Hall series and think you'd be okay with not knowing how every little thing turns out, I recommend this book. To me, it was worth it.

Book Review: Zero by Tom Leveen

Zero by Tom Leveen

Series: StandaloneGenre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Format: eARC
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

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This book shocked me in the best way possible. I don't know what is up with me in artsy contemporary books, but I just fall in love with each one I read. Zero by Tom Leveen is real. It covers the self-deprecating insecurities that come with being a teenage girl, the frightening excitement that comes with all the firsts of falling in love. Add to that a beautiful swirl of art and music, and you have one marvelous novel!

Zero is an artist with some serious insecurities. She thinks she's a cow and her parents are too busy with their constant fighting to help subside those insecurities. She's afraid that her entire summer is going to be wrapped in boredom because she just lost her best friend and she didn't get accepted into her dream college. Mike is the gorgeous-eyed drummer who had a really bad run with his ex-girlfriend. He's more experienced than she is, but the fact that he was previously burned prevents him from really wanting to GO THERE, if ya know what I mean. Actually, if anything, it was the other way around. Zero pressured Mike to do things he wasn't ready for. I could tell from the get-go that, despite his rockerness, Mike is a good guy and that he is going to treat Zero well. He helped her reach for her goals and dreams. He helped her gain confidence and believe in herself. And, not to mention, I'm sort of obsessed with the drums and have a serious thing for drummer dudes.

I loved their relationship. It began with extreme awkwardness, which made it so real and familiar and relatable. And somehow their feelings bloomed into something that manages to transcend that initial awkwardness. There's no instant, "OMG I LOVE THIS GUY SO MUCH AND WE ARE GOING TO GET MARRIED AND MAKE BABIEZZZZZZZ." Their relationship progressed naturally. There are rough spots and there are not-so-rough (soft?) spots. They're not the perfect couple with this unwavering bolt of lightning crackling between them, but they are perfect for each other and each encounter between the two of them made my tummy tumble in a good way. It did annoy me that Zero refused to listen to what Mike really wanted. She was a little self-absorbed in their relationship, not even when it was extremely obvious that something has him down.

There were little things thrown in the pages that I wish would have surfaced more and caused more drama. Instead they just sort of lurked in the background, adding to the overall angst that Zero feels. I really wish that the situation with Jenn, her former best friend, would have come into the light more. It was a great sub-plot and it didn't get enough page time. Also, I feel the whole parent ordeal was elevated just a little more. It was there screwing up Zero's life and whatnot, but maybe just a little more? Is it horrible that I want her life to be just a tad bit more miserable?

The end, though, left me satisfied. The character and plot growth is obvious. The way things turned out was happy, even though there were a lot of little loose threads hanging from the tied ends.

Overall, I loved this book! It has an unflinching, authentic quality that really stayed with me. Some of the content will make younger audiences uncomfortable (except me, because I clearly have no comfort zone). But underneath it all is a novel about branching out and pursuing what seems to be impossible.

Book Review: Touch by Jus Accardo

Touch by Jus Accardo 

Series: Denazen #1
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: October 9, 2011
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Format: Kindle
Pages: 3598 (Location)
Source: Borrowed from Dark Angel Reader

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect. (Summary from goodreads.com)

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I devoured this book. Every single word of it. I absolutely refused to put it down while I was reading it. I had heard excellent things about Touch but I didn't really have any expectations for it. Which, of course, intensified it's fabulousness. Touch is oozing with secrets, action, and of course sexytimes!

Let me tell you, this premise has been done before. Kale can't touch anyone unless he wants to turn them into tiny bits of ash. Anyone, that is, except for Dez. He can touch her all he wants, which he discovers when he tries to kill her because she has many ties to the program that has been using him as a weapon his entire life. Ties she didn't know existed. Then she discovers that there is this whole company dedicated to finding "gifted" people and using them for their own nasty devices. This has been done so many times before, so at first I was put off. But as I kept reading, it became about more than the plot. This book is about the tension, the action, the discoveries, and the characters.

I really loved Dez. She was an adrenalin junkie, tough to the core. She didn't take crap from anyone. Her voice was quickly defined and a whole lot of fun. She definitely feels real. She's got relationship issues of all sorts: dad, friend, romance. I instantly sympathized with her because her dad is such a douche. And Kale...what a hot mess--the good kind! It's impossible not to be entranced by his naivety, which is ironic, considering he has done some pretty unthinkable things like, you know, murder. But he's pretty tortured. Literally and emotionally. He didn't know that what he was doing was wrong, because he had been doing it his entire life. The losers at Denazen locked him up and forced him to do their bidding, along with tons of other Sixes (which is what the people with special gifts are).

The action in this book is super intense. There's some normal fighting, along with some kickass paranormal aspects. It was crazy. The romance is also yummy and made my stomach buzz. It's not insta-love, which is good. I mean, Kale tried to kill Dez. But aside from that it was really interesting to read about Dez teaching Kale how to do things and why people do them--like holding hands. There's a lot of sexual tension between them from the beginning and when they finally kiss the clouds opened up and golden light poured out and all I heard was, "HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!"

The writing was very crisp. It wasn't elaborate or winding with beautiful prose, but sometimes that's good. Accardo's words made me feel everything I talked about above in a deep, gut-punch way. The writing really helps you get immersed in the story and lose your surroundings.

All in all, this book rocked my socks off. If you don't want to read it, then I don't think you're human.

Book Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Series: Nightshade #3

Genre: YA Paranormal

Publication Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Philomel

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 406

Source: Purchased

Calla has always welcomed war. 
But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Andrea Cremer has earned so much frackin respect from me with this book. Not only was it a remarkable ending to a remarkable trilogy, but Cremer never fails to Go There. This book is filled with Andrea Cremer's typical breathtaking action, accompanied by heartbreak, death, and Calla's toughest trials yet. 

In the beginning I was afraid that Bloodrose would not live up to the series ending it deserves, and once I started reading it I wasn't completely pleased. Though there were a lot of exciting things happening, the story seemed to be dragging a little. The gang was retrieving the remaining three parts of the sword. They'd breach enemy territories, get close to the reward, then something really bad would happen and set them back. Granted, Cremer did a fabulous job of constructing fresh and interesting obstacles for her characters, but the pacing felt a bit repetitive until they collected all the goods and seconds ticked down until the Big Battle. That was when this book exploded into a massive tangle of chaos and betrayal and ferocity--the best kind. It was a battle of epic proportions. And though I complain about the pacing, another aspect that earned my respect is the way Cremer managed to fit so many mind-blowing events in one book. She didn't try to draw the series out and I like that. I know of some authors that could really take lessons about that. Also, I loved that she presents a complex plot with several sub-plots, yet lays it out in a manner that is neither confusing nor assuming that the reader is stupid. 

Aside from the epic fight, there are a lot of exciting elements that contributed to the ending. Many people have said that they hated the ending, but I categorize it with the Going There thing I mentioned earlier. It's unflinching, and by the end of the book I was blubbering like the kid who just peed his pants in front of the entire school. There was a big twist that I didn't see coming, and even though I knew what the result would be, I was still reading frantically to find out what would happen. I loved how the entire thing ended. All the loose ends were tied up, but not in a bow. There was room left for a spin-off series. 

One of the main things that bothered me about this book was the romance. WAIT, WHAT!? I'm a complete sucker for romance. I even enjoy love triangles, when they're done well. In Bloodrose, I regret to say that it wasn't done very well. It wasn't unbearable, but it wasn't good, either. It's obvious who Calla wants--it often is in these scenarios--but she keeps leading the other guy on so that he will stay dedicated to the cause.  It bothered me because, hello! Even though they both love her, that doesn't mean they'd just drop out of a WAR! It's like this whole thing couldn't possibly be bigger than her and her relationship issues. So she made out with them both, and got really hot and heavy with both of them, not concerned with how the other one would feel about her actions, only worried that they would walk away from the cause. She also promised both of the guys things that she couldn't see through. I've always believed Calla to be a very strong, dignified character, so her actions in regards to the love triangle peeved me. 

I did absolutely adore the other characters! We are introduced to new people--and new creatures! I love how the whole gang from Nightshade is back and coming together with the new characters we met in Wolfsbane. Mason, Dev, Ethan, Connor--they were each good for a laugh when I really needed it. I'm happy with how everything turned out for all the characters. 

All in all, I am incredibly pleased with Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer. The beginning sagged a bit for me, but the end redeemed itself very effectively. I am sad to think that this is the end for Calla and the gang, but these characters will remain in my heart and mind for a really long time! This has been a trilogy I've been dedicated to since the beginning. Andrea Cremer has extreme talent and I look forward to reading much, much more of her work over the years, starting with Rift, the prequel to the Nightshade series. 

Book Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Series: Iron Fey #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Publisher: Hardcover
Format: Paperback
Pages: 363
Source: Borrowed from teacher

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

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I tried reading this a couple years back, but I couldn't really get into it and I never finished it. But I've seen soooo much hype around this series and swooning for Ash and I had no idea why I was the only person who couldn't get through it. I'd been wanting to retry for a while so when my teacher was like, "You need to read this!" I was like "OKAY!" And I absolutely adored it!! I don't know if my head just wasn't in it last time or what, but The Iron King is a gorgeous novel interwoven with an intricate faerie world, enchanting characters, and a unique twist to your typical faery lore.

Immediately, I could tell Meghan was a character I was going to like. She wants to impress her crush, but she doesn't have anything nice to wear to school, so she decides that she is going to rock what she has, that she is just going to be herself and that she will wow him with her personality. She makes a really good first impression. She was really determined to save her little brother and she is unflinchingly loyal to the people she cares about. Sometimes her raw determination felt a little unbelievable, the way she was literally willing to sacrifice anything to save her little brother, because I didn't really get a strong feel for their relationship in the beginning. But that's just me. The other thing that I didn't like was that Meghan was not a fighter at all, and therefore throughout most of the book, she had to be rescued by Puck or Ash. It's not like she is completely helpless or anything. I mean, she does help out, and she does utilize whatever she can to save herself, but most of the time it was Ash sweeping in and saving her. I am certain that will be different in the next book due to certain events that occurred at the end if The Iron King.

As for Ash and Puck...I love them both. Puck brings humor and fun to every page that he is on, and Ash has that tortured soul thing going for him. I know the masses of Team Ash fans are going to lobotomize me for this, but I realllllly love Puck. He's always been there for Meghan. And he's totally misunderstood, just because a lot of his pranks go...wrong. I mean, I know Ash is the obvious selection for Meghan and that Puck isn't even really a romantic candidate, but I STILL CHOOSE HIM. I also loved Grimalkin. Not as a romantic option, of course. I just thought he was kinda sorta totally awesomesauce.

But my favorite part of the entire book was the world. We are sucked into an elaborate fantasy land, riddled with danger and tricks, and you just never know what to expect. It was so easy to immerse myself into Nevernever, to see all the unique creatures, to feel the tension between the courts. Julia Kagawa takes traditional faery myths and bring them to life, makes them her own. There are so many things Julie has to introduce to us, be it a creature or a concept, without overwhelming or confusing us and she does such a marvelous job! I was completely absorbed and one hundred percent convinced.

The pacing in this book is quick, but not too break-neck, always engaging. The action is literally made my breathing heavier and my heart rate quicker. And the writing absolutely screwed my mind in the best kind of way. And yet, something was missing. I can't identify what, but there is something that is preventing me from giving this a full 5 pawprint rating. I'm not sure, I mean this book obviously BLEW ME OUT OF THE FRICKIN WATER.

This is a book not to be overlooked, my fabulous readers. If you've been burned before by faery books, or you're just a faery skeptic--this is a book I'd recommend to break you out of that funk. If you think this is going to be like Tinker Bell, you got another thing coming. If you think faeries are all pixie dust and fluttering wings, PICK UP THIS DAMN BOOK SO YOU CAN REVEL IN ITS AWESOMENESS. If none of the above apply to you...well, you still want to read this. Trust me. There's a reason this series is wildly popular and I expect even greater things from the next books!

Book Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Series: Shatter Me, #1

Genre: YA paranormal dystopian
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 338
Source: Purchased

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. (Goodreads.com)

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This book is crazy. Absolutely freaking crazy in the best kind of way. This book has everything you could ask for: poignant writing, overflowing tension, and a stunning romance. I know there is a lot of hype surrounding this book, and while it was not as perfect as everyone says (at least, to me it isn't) it is definitely worth the read.

The writing style took a little while to adjust to. It was written in stream of consciousness, so it's a little frantic. A lack of commas, crazy metaphors. But after I got accustomed to it, the writing made the tension in this book more pronounced. It's unique and allowed me to imagine everything very vividly. Especially the fight scenes.

The plot for this book was pretty original. It's a dystopian, but it has paranormal aspects. Juliette is unable to touch anyone, and it's pretty obvious that her touch is dangerous, but it's sort of a mystery why she ended up in a cell, what she did that was so horrible. Once again, you get the gist, but once you figure out the truth, it's more shocking than you could have ever guessed. This book was incredibly intense. That, in my opinion, was the best part. Mafi did a fabulous job of piling on the Bad Times without making it seem overwhelming. She created a very good rise and fall. The book is full of nail-biting action. I also love that there is more than just one person who is immune to her touch, but I won't tell you who they are!

Juliette was really good. It was almost frustrating. But I liked her. And I pitied her. 3 years without human contact? No thanks! Adam was damn sexy. I loooooved him! And I both love and hate how his motives are questionable throughout the first half of the novel. Then there are the other characters like Kenji, who is hilarious. He added a rough sort of humor to a book where all the words and prose are elegant and beautiful. And finally, Warner. HOLY POO. That dude is messed up in so many ways. He makes an excellent villain, but something tells me he was picked on a lot when he was a wittle bitty child. Dude gave me the chills.

I found certain aspects of the romance a little unconvincing, but it wasn't necessarily instalove. It was just that fact that they knew each other beforehand and that they were already in love...it's sort of weird and kind of comes out of nowhere. Aside from that, though, their romance was very steamy and adorable! And it makes sense that Juliette is filled with so much desire, even at the most ridiculous times. Technically, she has lived almost all of her life without touching another person. People were always afraid of her. Now, she's wanted and desired. I can definitely understand why she would want Adam to be touching her at all times.

I loved the ending! It indicated that there was so much to come in the next book. I can tell that lots of answers will be revealed and lots of action will ensue. I wish it came out yesterday.

This book was superbly awesome! I can't get over all the wonderful action and tense scenes. I'm so glad I have it on my shelf because I'm pretty sure I'm going to go back to it multiple times and re-read it for its awesomeness....and force all of my friends to read it.

And check out the AMAZING trailer. This is what made me REALLLLY want to read it.

Frozen by Robin Wasserman (REVIEW)

Frozen by Robin Wasserman

Series: Cold Awakening Trilogy #1
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Publication date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: eBook
Pages: 368
Source: Simon Pulse It

The Download was supposed to change the world. It was supposed to mean the end of aging the end of death, the birth of a new humanity. But it wasn't supposed to happen to someone like Lia Kahn.

And it wasn't supposed to ruin her life.

Lia knows she should be grateful she didn't die in the accident. The Download saved her--but it also changed her, forever. She can deal with being a freak. She can deal with the fear in her parents' eyes and the way her boyfriend flinches at her touch. But she can't deal with what she knows, deep down, every time she forces herself to look in the mirror: She's not the same person she used to be.

Maybe she's not even a person at all. (Goodreads.com - There are a ton of different summaries, so I just chose the one I thought was best :D)

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Scott Westerfeld blurbed this book and I knew I had to read it. I pretty much read any book he blurbs, and he hasn't steered me wrong yet.

I didn't like this book. I LOVED IT. I was hooked from the very beginning. Wasserman has provided the world with a book that has marvelous writing, an original concept, and emotional depth. I was completely sucked into the world of Frozen, and I never wanted to leave!

I love the premise! It's unique and not at all confusing, which is always a plus. When books begin to go too in-depth about the wiring in our brains and whatnot in too little time, I feel like I'm going to explode! But in this, the main character Lia didn't completely understand the "downloading" herself, so as she learned, we learned. I feel like a story like this could go in a lot of negative directions, yet it was executed very well! The pacing was very natural. Nothing happened neither too fast nor too slow. And since the majority of this book is made up of emotions, even when there is not a lot of action, it is still interesting!  

Lia's a bitch. That much is obvious from the get-go. She's selfish, rude, stubborn, and, as one of the other characters likes to point out, she's very good at running away when times get tough. And yet, as the story progressed, I began to really like her. It's hard not to! She's so real. She's very relatable, even if you don't want to be anything like her. The desire to be pretty and popular and loved lurks in the heart of teenage girls everywhere, even if you don't succumb to it. Lia loses everyone she loves and everything she has ever worked for in her life. It's impossible not to feel horrible for her. People want to kill her. She's not even sure if she has a soul. She just wants to find out who she is - what she is. One thing I liked about her, though, is that she has a big heart for the ones she loves. She may not be good at expressing it, but you can tell she'd do anything for them. Even if she doesn't realize she's doing it for them. Needless to say, I felt very connected to Lia. Her narration had a melancholy, yet very determined tone to it.

The other characters I liked, too. Everything about Auden just depressed me. I didn't particularly love him, but there's something pathetic about him that makes me so sad. I loved Jude. Maybe I don't love him in the way I love Jace or Adrian Ivashkov, but I still love him. He's a total jerk who doesn't give a crap about anything or anyone. Nobody really knows anything about his past before the "download" because he refuses to speak about it, and when anyone brings the past up he gets all touchy and tells them it is irrelevant. He's the type of character I can't wait to see cracked open and exposed. I'm definitely hoping that the next book will have more of him!

There's not really any romantic focuses in this book. Romance is mentioned. Some of the characters have crushes, others are hooking up behind every one's back, the is some needy kissing. But none of the story really revolves around any of the romance. And it's a testament to how much I love the book when I say that romance wasn't necessary. This book was a lot more about Lia discovering who she is that who's pants she wants to crawl into.

I seriously loved this book and I need to get my hands on the sequel - PRONTO! It's something fresh and exciting and offers a nice break from paranormal. The F-word is thrown around casually and frequently, and there are references to sex, but nothing too horrible that would make you want to avert your eyes.

This book was originally called Skinned, and was released in 2009. Simon Pulse renamed it, gave it a new cover, and re-released it this year.