The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

The Art of Lainey

Paula Stokes

HarperTeen

Release Date: May 20, 2014

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 9780062238429

Websites:

Paula Stokes - Website

Paula Stokes - Twitter
Paula Stokes - Facebook

Rating: 5 Stars

The Art of Lainey was one of those books that had been on my radar for a long time, but I never had a reason or excuse to read it, as other books always ended up getting in the way. One night, I needed a fun, light-heart, cute read to distract my mind from focusing more serious matters, and Gail over at Ticket to Anywhere suggested Lainey and it was the perfect fit.

The concept of The Art of Lainey is relatively simple, but that simplicity is part of its charm. Lainey Mitchell planned on spending the summer with her perfect boyfriend Jason, until he suddenly dumps her in the middle of her family’s coffee shop. Lainey does what any teenager would do — uses her copy of The Art of War by Sun Tzu to come up with a fool-proof plan to win her boyfriend back. Using her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous, what could possibly go wrong?

Going into this book, you know how it is going to end. The formula of the plot is one that has appeared many times, but it’s the journey of getting to that ending that makes the Art of Lainey so much fun. The slow trajectory of Lainey and Micah’s relationship was perfect. Paula Stokes did a great job building up their feelings; the arc of their relationship really tugged on my heartstrings. Micah and Lainey gave me so many feels. Their banter was perfect and they just worked together. And again, SO MANY FEELS. 

Watching Lainey’s grow through out the story was one of the things that I really enjoyed. When she was with Jason, she was defined by that relationship and this ideal high school romance she built up in her head. Lainey wasn’t all that likable at first, and I really, really hated her friend Kendall. While trying to win her ex back, Lainey realizes that what she had with Jason wasn’t perfect and wasn’t the person she wanted to be. Watching her come to that realization was a lot of fun and I really ended up liking Lainey as a character. 

I have to say this: Micah is my new book boyfriend. He’s a little rough around the edges, but you can’t help but fall for him, as Lainey does. You see past his mohawk and standoffishnish and get to see a genuinely good guy who really ends up caring for Lainey. I would love to see more Micahs in books and real life!

I really loved how The Art of War was the springboard for Lainey’s plan. Most people might not have ever read The Art of War, but this book does a good job showing how Sun Tzu’s ideas are one that can be applied in many, many different situations. I consider this just a fun little bonus to the plot. 

The Art of Lainey is one of those books I know I will go back and reread whenever I’m feeling down. I’ve already read it more than once, and each time I read it, I can’t help but smile. It’s the perfect quick read that will warm your heart — and sometimes that is all you need. 

I'm back!

So I moved back on September 1st and decided to take a short hiatus (that turned into a longer than I expected one) to get situated. Some how two months later, and I'm still not completely set up in the new apartment. I'm still missing a couch and a bunch of book cases. But it is time that I got back into the groove of blogging.

I've been fortunate enough to read a bunch of great books on this break, which is a HUGE positive. Now I just have to go back and review the ones I have read. It might be slow going at first to get back into the swing of things, but I appreciate you standing by me and hope you will stick around as I get this thing back off the ground! 

Short Hiatus

Oy. My plan to get back into blogging has hit a snag already. This month has been a bit crazy, what with a crazy roommate and moving. I move on September 1, so hopefully after that I shall be back once everything is unpacked!

Three Young Adult Authors Walk into a Book Store...and Come Out Managing a Publishing House

That's very nearly what recently happened to young adult authors Shannon Delany, Judith Graves, and Jen Murgia  except there was no book store and they don't live close enough to do much "in real life" together. "That's the great thing about technology and social media," Delany laughs. 

"This all began because I opened my mouth on Facebook and it earned me a phone call. I was toying with the idea of founding my own little publishing house and Judith Graves contacted me. After a few emails and one fateful phone call the ball was rolling!

Graves, a longtime Leap author (and a respected script writer and author with additional houses) suggested she and Delany team up and take over the SHINE e-novella line she was building through established small publisher Leap Books LLC. 

When owner Laurie Edwards heard about it, she suggested they take on the entire company. Not long after, Delany found herself the owner and publisher of the well-loved house with Graves as her very capable co-publisher.

But the duo knew it would take even more people to give Leap's books and authors, both old and new, the attention they needed. Delany contacted author Jennifer Murgia and asked her to come aboard as Marketing Director. With the addition of William Gee as CFO and additional team members to bolster the services they provide authors, the new Leap management team feels certain they can each focus on the things they do best. 

Readers can look forward to edgy and memorable stories filled with characters who leap off the pages. Of special note is the new e-novella line, SHINE, headed up by Graves and specializing in YA and NA. 

Authors of all YA and NA genres can submit through their agents to any of Leap's lines (submission details are HERE). And, this year to celebrate Delany's birthday in mid-October, Leap will open its doors for unagented stories for a brief period.

For now Delany suggests readers and writers alike leap into the contest running until August 8 that http://leapbks.blogspot.ca/ and says if you're serious about writing for a publisher, first give a few of their books a read.

Find Leap Books at all major online retailers and: 
http://leapbks.net
http://twitter.com/Leapbks
http://facebook.com/people/LeapBoks-Owner

Enter our Rafflecopter contest to win three Leap e-books of your choice: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trailer Tuesday: Dororthy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz. Danielle Paige's novel offers a new twist on the classic tale. The graphics in this trailer are really cool, and I really think help to capture the darker, a bit more twisted atmosphere of the book. The voiceover does a great job of summing up the book. I liked Dorothy Must Die and I think this trailer is a good representation of the what the book is about.

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne + SIGNED COPY GIVEAWAY

Midnight Thief

Livia Blackburne

Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: July 8, 2014

Series or Standalone: Midnight Thief #1

ISBN: 9781423176381

Websites:

Livia Blackburne - Website

Livia Blackburne - Blog

Livia Blackburne - Twitter

Rating: 4 Stars

After reading Poison Dance, I couldn’t wait to read Midnight Thief. Midnight Thief did not disappoint. Livia Blackburne’s debut novel is a perfect addition to YA fantasy genre. 

I loved the world that Livia Blackburne created. The world that Kyra, Tristam and James occupy is as important as any character in the story. It’s a richly nuanced world that provides the perfect backdrop for this story. Forge is not a perfect place, its corrupt and has its fair share of issues, which makes it perfect for Kyra’s story. There is complex political atmosphere in Forge, but Blackburne makes it easy to understand everything that is happening in Forge. Blackburne has a much stronger grasp on establishing a detailed fantasy world than some veteran authors. Everything worked and the pieces fell in place perfectly within Forge which helped make the plot twists believable. 

Kyra was a great main character. She was extremely loyal to those she cared about and willing to do what it took to survive and to provide for those around her. She’s an extremely impressive thief and I loved reading about her adventures. While she does get placed in some difficult situations, I enjoyed seeing her struggle to remain true to herself and stick to her morals. I enjoyed that as the book went on, we got to learn more about Kyra and see her struggle to come to terms with who she was. Her background was a mystery to her and the reader at the beginning, but we slowly learn more about who she is. I’m excited to see her character grow even more in the second book in the series. 

Man, how wrong was I about James. He’s the focus of Poison Dance and an integral player in Midnight Thief. He really took me by surprise in this book. I did not expect his character to make the decisions that he did. He’s an extremely talented and charismatic leader of the assassin’s and I felt like he played me as well as he played everyone else. He’s extremely important to helping Kyra’s development as a character, and not because he’s “darkly attractive.” His actions are important to Kyra’s questioning of her own limits and identity. James really was such a great character, I loved the scenes with him in it. He really took me by surprise.

We also have Tristam, another character, who in many ways is the exact opposite of Kyra. Their situations in Forge couldn’t be more different, but when you threw them together, they worked. Their story lines overlapped and blended together perfectly. He’s a good ally for Kyra to have, and a deeply loyal friend and knight. He’s one of the good guys, and I’m excited to see how he deals with the incidents that occurred in this book. 

While there is romance in Midnight Thief, it does not take center stage. Romantic tensions run high in some scenes, and I enjoyed them, but was really glad that they were not the most important thing. I enjoyed that Blackburne let the relationships and the romance build throughout the book, leaving more room for it in the sequel. Sometimes, less is more in the romance department. 

The plot twist in this book was not what I was expecting. I loved every minute of reading this. Everything from the assassins, to the demon riders; it was great. The pacing was perfect, with the action scenes happening at the right times. Their were so many secrets and lies in this book that you did not know who to trust or what to expect next. The second half of the novel flew by as the story really got into its grove. I’m so excited to see what happens next.

Midnight Thief is a must read for anyone who loves fantasy. It’s a story of twists and turns set against a fabulous world. I loved reading about Kyra and her adventures and am hungry for more. I also really love that Midnight Thief is a duo logy (I’m so sick of trilogies). Fans of Kristina Cashore and Tamora Pierce should definitely pick this book up. Livia Blackburne’s debut is a solid YA fantasy that has provided the perfect groundworks for a sequel. I highly recommend you pick this one up sooner rather than later. 

---

GIVEAWAY

Luckily, I was able to attend Livia Blackburne's Boston launch of Midnight Thief. I'm giving away a signed copy to one lucky win. Open to US residents only (sorry!) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars

Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Disney Hyperion

Release Date: December 10, 2013

Series or Standalone: Starbound #1

ISBN: 9781423171027

Websites:

These Broken Stars - Website

Amie Kaufman - Website

Amie Kaufman - Twitter

Amie Kaufman - Facebook

Meagan Spooner - Website

Meagan Spooner - Twitter

Meagan Spooner - Facebook

Meagan Spooner - Tumblr

Rating: 3 Stars

These Broken Stars seems to be a book that people either really loved or really hated. My feelings on this book fell somewhere in the middle. I enjoyed parts of the book, but other parts really lagged for me. This is one book I’m glad I got out of the library to read.

The premise of this book was more promising than its execution. I loved the idea of the spaceship crash that throws together two very different people in an unfamiliar environment. However, the plot dragged throughout the whole middle, and a book that really only has two characters faces its fare amount of challenges in holding the readers attention. 

The beginning and end of this book are the parts I really enjoyed. The story had such potential in the beginning. I loved Lilac and Tarver’s interactions while onboard the Icarus. They both had strong characteristics and good backstories. The crash of the Icarus was heartbreakingly beautiful — in many ways it reminded me of the sinking of the Titanic. I had high hopes with seeing how Tarver and Lilac dealt with being ship wrecked, hoping that it would making them stronger characters. 

However, the whole middle dragged. I did not like how the characters acted. Lilac became very weak and whiny. Even when forced to fend for herself, she still felt like she need Tarvers there to prop her up and support her. Her character during the middle of the book at times really annoyed me. Tarvers was the stronger of the two characters and the one I had a stronger connection with. I wanted to see what happened to his character more than Lilac. There were many times during the middle of the book that I wanted to put the book down because NOTHING was happening. The ending slightly redeemed the middle and was not what I expected. 

The romance between Tarver and Lilac fizzled. In the beginning, I could see the spark and the potential. But, as the story went on, it felt like the romance was their because it had to be there. They were the only two people on the planet, so of course that’s what had to happen. I wish that the same spark from the beginning was able to carry through the whole book. 

I did really like that their were snippets of Tarver’s interrogation from present day before chapters and eventually the storyline of the plot and interrogation overlapped. It was a nice structural device that was really interested to read. I think I liked the interrogation transcript more than the actual plot sometimes. 

Despite this book being written by two people, the two authors voices blend very well. It’s really hard to tell who is writing what parts. There were some really beautifully written scenes, including the ship crash, that I really enjoyed reading. I’m always intrigued by books written by two authors to see how well the two authors blend, and Spooner and Kaufman do an excellent job of that. 

Overall, These Broken Stars just didn’t cut it for me. I enjoyed parts of it, but a dragging plot really pulls the story down. I’m interested in the companion sequel This Shattered World because we will get new characters facing a new set of challenge. I still have some doubts about it, but I do plan on checking it out when it's released. 

Waiting on Wednesday (99) - Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Mortal Danger
(Immortal Game #1)
Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
To be released: August 5, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...

Something about this book's cover is extremely intriguing to me. It's simple, but creepy and captivating, which ties in well with the synopsis. I'm excited to see how this story pans out and hope it lives up to the awesome description.

What book are you Waiting on Wednesday for? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for great new books to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Trailer Tuesday: Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

For this week's Trailer Tuesday, I'm kicking it old school. Okay, not really old school. This week i'm throwing it a few years back with the trailer for the final book in one my favorite series: Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray, the last book in the Gemma Doyle series. It's been 6 years since this book's release and I'm still not over some of the things Libba Bray did that book (re:KARTIK!)

While this book trailer does not fully capture the awesomeness that is this series, it definitely stirred up my desire to reread the entire thing. If you've never read the Gemma Doyle series, I suggest you check it out ASAP.

Waiting on Wednesday (98) - Silver Shadow by Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows
(Bloodlines #5)
Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
To be released: July 29, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

I had to do this as my WoW. I've been dying to read this since Fiery Heart, because hello, that cliffhanger! This book comes out this month, thank goodness! This is by far my most anticipated book coming out this month, and I'm sure it is for a bunch of other people as well. I need more Sydney Sage and Adrian in my life pronto.

What book are you Waiting on Wednesday for? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for great new books to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Trailer Tuesday: Conversion by Katherine Howe

First off, I want to apologize for the lack of posts this week. It's been a busy week for me, so I haven't really had time to sit down and write. ANY WAYS, back to this post. So this week on Trailer Tuesday, I have the trailer for Conversion by Katherine Howe, which came out today! (Yay!)

I only saw this trailer recently and it has made me even more excited for this book. I love that it is set in Danvers, Massachusetts (I've been there!). I really like this trailer, especially with how it starts off as a news reporter. Definitely an interesting lead in! 

Check out the trailer below and check out Conversion available now!

Waiting on Wednesday (97) - Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake

Mortal Gods
(Goddess War #2)

Kendare Blake

Publisher: Orchard Books 

To be release: September 1, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Ares, God of War, is leading the other dying gods into battle. Which is just fine with Athena. She's ready to wage a war of her own, and she's never liked him anyway. If Athena is lucky, the winning gods will have their immortality restored. If not, at least she'll have killed the bloody lot of them, and she and Hermes can die in peace.

Cassandra Weaver is a weapon of fate. The girl who kills gods. But all she wants is for the god she loved and lost to return to life. If she can't have that, then the other gods will burn, starting with his murderer, Aphrodite.

The alliance between Cassandra and Athena is fragile. Cassandra suspects Athena lacks the will to truly kill her own family. And Athena fears that Cassandra's hate will get them ALL killed.

The war takes them across the globe, searching for lost gods, old enemies, and Achilles, the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. As the struggle escalates, Athena and Cassandra must find a way to work together. Because if they can't, fates far worse than death await.

I have been dying to read this book for ages! I loved Antigoddes, the first book in the series. I think it's a great retelling of the Greek myths and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Kendare Blake writing is fantastic and I know she won't disappoint in this sequel. I'll be counting down the days to September 1st.

What book are you Waiting on Wednesday for? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for great new books to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Trailer Tuesday: The Merciless by Danielle Vega

This week's Trailer Tuesday is featuring The Merciless by Danielle Vega. I haven't read this book yet, but based on the description and this awesome trailer, I definitely want to pick it up. I love how eerie this trailer is. I cannot wait to pick up this book to see how well it fits its trailer.

Have you guys seen any book trailers you loved this week? Let me know in the comments!

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better Off Friends

Elizabeth Eulberg

Point

Release Date: February 28, 2014

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 9780545551458

Websites:

Elizabeth Eulberg - Website

Elizabeth Eulberg - Facebook

Elizabeth Eulberg - Twitter

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Elizabeth Eulberg has done it again! Better Off Friends is another great contemporary from Elizabeth Eulberg that left me grinning from ear to ear. 

It’s hard to review a book you liked so much. I’m finding it difficult to start off this review. There is so much I want to say, but I’m having issues figuring out how to say it. 

I loved the structure of the story. Macallan and Levi were recounting the story of their relationship, starting from when they first met in 7th grade. Between each chapters, present day Macallan and Levi would provide commentary on their actions in the past. The chapters alternated point of view between Macallan and Levi, and it was great getting into each of their heads to see how they interpreted the same events. I loved that because the story started in 7th grade, you got to see the full progression of Macallan and Levi’s friendship. You got to relive their relationships’ ups and downs. I loved that their friendship wasn’t perfect, because no friendship ever is. 

I loved both Macallan and Levi. They were extremely well written; they felt like real people. While they sometimes made stupid decisions, I couldn’t help but like them because they felt real. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when it comes to relationships with friends, and it was great to see them tackle the ups and downs of their friendship. Levi and Macallan made the book. Macallan was such a strong character. I loved how protective she was of her family and of those she cared about. Levi was adorable, and it was great seeing him trying to adapt to his new home. 

Their friendship is what drives the story. I loved seeing their relationship develop, from friends to something more. They both care deeply for each other, despite the rough patches their friendship hits. It reminded me a lot of friendship’s I’ve actually had. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but they managed to work through their arguments and road blocks. I loved how we got to see the relationship transform and grow. Levi and Macallan realize at different times that they feel something more than just friends, but something is always getting in the way of them getting together. 

This book was so cute. While the romance is important, it is really a book that focuses on their friendship. It was great to see such a strong and complex friendship between a guy and girl. While the book does have romance, I would have enjoyed it just as much without it. This story would still be great regardless of how their romantic relationships ended up. It was really a story about friends, family and were your heart feels at home. I think this beautiful quote sums up what this book really is about: "But in truth, home isn't necessarily where you sleep at night. It's where you feel like yourself. Where you're most comfortable. Where don't have to pretend where you can just be you." 

Elizabeth Eulberg is an author I know I can turn to for a great contemporary YA novel. Her books never fail to put a smile on my face and improve my mood. The Lonely Hearts Club helped improve my rejection from my number one college, and Better Off Friends had the same effect. Elizabeth Eulberg’s book always lighten my mood; her books remind me of the why YA books are so great. For the few hours of reading Better Off Friends, you can escape from your troubles and just enjoy the story of Levi and Macallan. Their story will lift your heart and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. I would highly recommend this book, along with Elizabeth Eulberg’s other books, to everyone and anyone as they are magical and have the power to leave you grinning from ear to ear. 

Waiting on Wednesday (96) - Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Midnight Thief
(Midnight Thief #1)
Livia Blackburne
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
To be released: July 8, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.

But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

I cannot wait for this book to be released next month. I read the prequel Poison Dance and loved it. I'm super excited that Livia Blackburne will be doing a signing in Cambridge, MA at Porter Square Books on July 24th at 7pm, and hoping that nothing comes up between now and then that would prevent me from going.

What book are you Waiting on Wednesday for? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for great new books to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Trailer Tuesday: Pawn by Aimee Carter

So, I don't know if this a thing or not already, but its something I want to do on my blog. Each Tuesday, I want to share a different book trailer with you guys. A surprising number of books get trailers, and I'm always interested to see what the trailer adds to make me want to read a book. I've definitely been swayed to read a book based on its trailer.

To kick things off, I'm going to share the book trailer for Pawn by Aimée Carter, as that's a book I recently just read and reviewed. This trailer doesn't really add more to the synopsis, but I like that it introduces the society of the world Kitty lives in. I really love the graphic at the end that reveals the book introduction, I think that's very cool.



This is a trailer I didn't see before I read the book, but I feel like if I had seen it, I would have picked up Pawn earlier.

What do you think of this trailer?

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Going Vintage

Lindsey Leavitt

Bloomsbury

Release Date: March 26, 2013

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 9781599907871

Pages: 320

Website:

Lindsey Leavitt - Website

Lindsey Leavitt - Blog

Lindsey Leavitt - Twitter

Lindsey Leavitt - Facebook

Rating: 4 Stars

Seriously, where has this book been my whole life and why haven’t I read it sooner? I’ve read other books by Lindsey Leavitt, but this book was just what I was looking for. Funny, sweet and heartwarming, Going Vintage shows that its hard to be a teen, no matter what era. 

The premise of this book is simple, but makes for a cute read. After Mallory discovers that her boyfriend has been cybercheating on her, Mallory decides it is time for a change. When Mallory discovers a list of goals her grandmother had in 1962, Mallory decides it is time to demodernize.   Going vintage for Mallory has its ups and downs, and along the way Mallory learns a lot about herself and those around her. 

I loved how much Mallory grew throughout the course of the entire novel. In the beginning, Mallory was soley focused on her boyfriend. When she breaks up with him, she does not really know who she is or what to do. While deciding to try to live its the 1960s seems a bit drastic, for Mallory, it fits. She’s a bit different, marching to the beat of her own drum, and sticking to something she believes in. She was sarcastic and funny and I loved her voice. Mallory is obsessed with keeping lists, part of the reason why she becomes fascinated with her grandmother’s own list, and I loved that each chapter would begin with one of her lists. 

The secondary characters really helped to complement Mallory and round out the story. I loved Mallory’s entire family. Her dad and her mom had their own little side story that ended up working nicely into the plot. I loved that her dad’s job was sort of “Storage Wars”-esque, while Mallory’s mom was busy running, and hiding, savings blog. I really liked her parents and their story. Mallory’s sister Ginnie was so cute. She was very different from Mallory, but the pair complemented each other well. Their relationship was spot on. Mallory’s Grandma was the character who surprised me the most. Her list from junior year of high school is what drives Mallory and I loved learning about the women behind it. She’s not exactly what you would expect, and she proves that high school back in the 60s was just as difficult as it is today.

The romance in the book was very cute. Oliver Kendall, who just happens to be Mallory’s ex-boyfriend’s cousin, proves to be a good match for Mallory. The scenes between the two of them were so fun to read; I couldn’t help from grinning. While they have their misunderstandings, their relationships works really well. Going Vintage isn’t primarily a rom-com book, but the romance fits in well with the plot.

Despite the fact that giving up all modern technology to accomplish outdated goals (what is pep club anyways?) is a bit of an outlandish idea, Lindsey Leavitt makes the book work. The book could have easily been very cheesy and full of fluff, but Leavitt manages to expertly weave a tale that tackles the difficulties of being a teenager and finding yourself. This book was heartfelt and showed that high school is never perfect; every teenager, no matter what decade, faces their own unique challenges. 

This is my second book by Lindsey Leavitt that I’ve read, but I will definitely be checking out any of her other books. She has an incredible talent of telling entertaining stories, that also deal with real issues facing teens. Going Vintage is a cute and fun read that delivers a heartfelt story about the difficulties of being a teenager. If you are looking for a quick and enjoyable read this summer, I’d pick this up.

Undeadly by Michele Vail

Undeadly

Michele Vail

Harlequin Teen

Release Date: November 20, 2012

Series: The Reaper Diaries #1

ISBN: 9780373210466

Websites:

Michele Vail - Website 

Michele Vail - Facebook 

Michele Vail - Twitter

The Reaper Diaries - Website

Rating: 3 Stars

This book has been sitting on my TBR list since its release way back in 2012. It was one of those books I wanted to read if I got the chance. Well, I finally got the chance.

My feeling on this book are a bit mixed. I really liked some aspects of it, but others, not so much.  I read this book in one sitting, but there were times when I wanted to put it down. However, I knew if I put this book down, I most likely wouldn’t be picking it up. I was hoping this book would be similar to the Mythos Academy book series or the Covenant series, but it was a bit different than that. I think I might have just been expecting more from this book than it was able to deliver.

I’ll start with what I did like. I really liked the main character, Molly. Michele Vail did a fantastic job writing a character who jumps off the page. Molly voice was one I really liked; she actually sounded like a 16 year old girl. Through her entries in her reaper diaries, you really got to see that Molly was sarcastic and sassy, but also tough and caring. Molly loves her family, despite what she finds out about herself. I was glad that the story was told from Molly’s point of view because she had enough attitude to carry the story. If she wasn’t so strong of a character, I probably would have put this book down and not looked back. 

I really loved the idea of this book. Greek gods and goddesses have been the focus of a lot of retelling recently. It was refreshing to have book focused on the Egypt gods. Personally, I love Egyptian mythology, and was glad to see this book had a focus on Anubis. It is also a zombie book, but not in the way you would expect. Zombies are common place in this world, and they don't want to eat your brains. Ghosts and spirits also are abound in this book. But with the focus on Anubis, God of the Afterlife, that is almost to be expected.

However, there were also things I didn’t like. I felt like most of the secondary characters, with the exception of Molly’s family, were very bland. They lacked depth and were forgettable. I can’t even remember the names of her friends at Nekyia; they ended up blending into the background. And then there is Rick and Rath. I found nothing interesting in either of them. I know that Rath is supposed to be the hot reaper tutor, but I felt like I knew nothing about him. He was just there to serve as love interest. The romance was stale and felt not existent, both with Rick and Rath. Molly’s feelings for Rath came out of no where, and that annoyed me. I really wished that the secondary characters had more substance to them. 

The pacing of this book was a bit off. I was interested in the plot, but things would happen too fast and without a lot of explanation. I would have to accept some plot points without really understanding them. Other parts of the novel dragged, or just didn’t fit with what previously happened. It was a struggle to continue reading when the pacing was all over the place. 

While Undeadly did not meet my expectations, I enjoyed most of it. Molly was a great character who was able to make me laugh and sympathize with her. I definitely want to see what happens next, especially with an ending that is a cliffhanger. The concept of this book was very intriguing, but failed to deliver at sometimes. Despite the issues I had, I do plan on continuing this series to see where Michele Vail takes us. 

Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne

Poison Dance

Livia Blackburne

Publisher: Lion’s Quill Press

Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Series or Standalone: Midnight Thief #0.5

ISBN: 9781940584003

Pages: 86

Website:

Livia Blackburne - Website 

Livia Blackburne - Blog 

Livia Blackburne - Twitter 

Livia Blackburne - Facebook

Rating: 4 Stars

Poison Dance serves as a prequel novella to Livia Blackburne debut novel Midnight Thief. It’s currently available for FREE on Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

I’m going to start off by saying that I’m super excited to read Midnight Thief when it comes out next month. Poison Dance serves as a great introduction into the world of Livia Blackburne’s novel. 

James is an assassin in the crumbling Assassin’s Guild. He meets Thalia, a dancer, who asks James to help her kill a powerful nobleman. While the novella is short, it does a good job setting up the world for Midnight Thief and is a great introduction to Blackburne’s writing. I haven’t read Midnight Thief yet, but if it’s anything like this prequel, I’ll know I’ll love it. 

I really liked James and can’t wait to see more of him in Midnight Thief. While he might be an assassin, he’s a good guy. He’s not corrupt and at first refuses to help Thalia because of the dangers of the job, for him and her. He’s got a good group of friends to whom he is loyal. He makes his decisions for the right reasons. When the Assassin’s Guild new leader starts targeting him, James just wants to get out of Forge, but events make that difficult. I’ll be interested to see more of him in Midnight Thief. 

Thalia was an interesting character. I felt bad for her. Her actions are motivated out of love for her sister. She knows the risks of attempting to kill a powerful nobleman, and is willing to do anything to avenge the death of her sister, including losing her own life. I was hoping she would have a happy ending…but we don’t always get what we wish for. 

While the story is short, the plot is intricate and detailed. Livia Blackburne manages to weave together two story lines into one short novella, an impressive task. The pacing was spot on, with details being revealed at the right time to keep the readers interest. The action is great, and the twists impressive. I cannot wait to see how this ending shapes the world in Midnight Thief.

Short and sweet, Poison Dance introduces us to the world of Forge, a world riddle with corruption. I cannot wait to see more of James and the world Livia Blackburne has created. If possible, I’m even more excited now for Midnight Thief than I was before!

Pawn by Aimee Carter

Pawn

Aimee Carter

Harlequin Teen

November 26, 2013

Series or Standalone: The Blackcoat Rebellion #1

ISBN: 0373210558

Pages: 343 

Websites:

Aimee Carter - Website

Aimee Carter - Twitter 

Aimee Carter - Facebook

Aimee Carter - Blog

Rating: 4 Stars 

From the description of this book, I felt like I wasn’t really going to like it. I put off reading it for a long time, as I was worried it just wouldn’t hold my interest. There is a lot of dystopian in the YA market now a days, and some of it just doesn’t click. However, Pawn clicked for me. 

Aimee Carter did an excellent job establishing the world of Pawn. As it is a dystopian, it takes place in a futuristic United States, one that is a distorted version of our current country. The world building did not drag the beginning of the book down like it does in other books of this genre. The world was fully developed, and I found even a scarily possible future for the United States. Each person in society is assigned a number based on how they score on their test; this number determines a persons future. Kitty scores a III, a lower number than expected, which threatens her entire future plans. When faced with the chance to escape from the ranks of the III and be elevated to a VII, the highest rank in the country, Kitty jumps at the opportunity without understanding the consequences.

The main character, Kitty is forced to become Lila Hart after her death. Little does Kitty realize that becoming Lila, becoming a VII, does not make life easier. The Hart family, the leaders of the United States, are a very screwed up family. Corruption, lies, rebellions and secrets are abound, and Kitty is thrust into the middle of a power struggle. Little does Kitty know just how important she is to the Harts as Lila. This screwed up family and political atmosphere had me hooked. I needed to see how all the pieces were going to fall and wanted all the lies unraveled. 

I really enjoyed that throughout the book, Kitty stayed true to herself despite being forced to assume the identity of someone else. While Kitty could have accepted the fact that her life was no longer her own, but instead she stayed true to who she was. Her determination and strength shone through her new exterior as Lila. Kitty could have been followed the instructions given to her by Daxton, Celia, or Augusta, but instead she took charge; she refused to become a pawn to either side. While her life was no longer her own, she still found ways to make decisions for herself despite her circumstances. She made me root for her. I had a few issues with the characterizations of some secondary characters, but I will be interested to see how all the characters develop and grow as the series continues. The romance in the book also felt a bit stale to me, probably because I did not have any connection to Benjy, a character I wished was a bit more fleshed out. 

Pawn was fast paced, filled with twist and turns. The web of lies and deceptions is a messy one, but one that I wanted to get untangled, and Aimee Carter does a good job with revealing the truth throughout the book. The ending was heart-pounding, leaving Kitty in an even more precarious position than I thought possible. I cannot wait to see what other secrets will be revealed in the coming books. Thoroughly engaging and engrossing, with lies and secrets galore, Pawn is a great start to a new series. I look forward to seeing what Aimee Carter plans to do with the rest of the series. 

After A Long Hiatus

Well! It has certainly been a long time since I have sat down to write for this blog (A WHOLE YEAR!). This last year has been crazy, what with finishing up my last year of college, working three jobs, going to hockey games all over the place, enjoying time with my friends and finally graduating from the most amazing school with two degrees and beginning my transition into the real world. 

I took an unexpected hiatus a year ago to enjoy my last year at college, a decision I do not regret. However, during that time, I did miss blogging. While my schedule was extremely busy, I continued to read tons of great books, but just did not have the time to sit down and write reviews for that. I really missed the YA community and bloggers who I had developed relationships with over the years. It is time for me to get back to that. 

Now that school is out (forever), I’m finally gaining back a lot of free time that I lost. No more homework, no more classes, and a lot less stress is becoming the norm. Sure, I have a full-time job now, but that frees up a lot more time for me to return back to blogging. 

This post is more for me, expressing me desire to get back to writing reviews and get back to the wonderful YA blogging community that I have had to step away from. This is a promise to myself, that I will return back to a task that I really enjoyed. I missed writing reviews and talking about my favorite books with others last year, and I cannot wait to get back into the game. So here’s to a new beginnings and fresh start for me. I can’t wait!