Review: Revival (The Variant Series #1) by Jena Leigh

Title: Revival (#1)
Author: Jena Leigh
Published: November 14, 2012
Pages: 282
Series: The Variant
Source: purchased

Goodreads summary: Possessing the uncanny ability to fry a television set from twenty paces can really wreck a girl’s social life.

If you’re looking for proof, just ask sixteen-year-old Alexandra Parker. After catching her boyfriend in the arms of the prettiest girl in school, she made the journey from social elite to social pariah in a haze of electricity and exploding electronics. But finding herself at the bottom of Bay View High’s social hierarchy was nothing compared to the shock of discovering who—and what—she really is.

After being zapped out of a burning bookstore by the mysterious Declan—a hero nearly as handsome as he is infuriating—Alex finds herself under the protection of the powerful Grayson family. It’s through them that she learns the truth: that the world she’s always known is nothing like it appears to be... and that she has far more in common with them than she might want to believe.

Now, on the run from a fire-wielding hit man and a secretive government organization, Alex must navigate a strange and treacherous new world filled with superhuman mutants known as Variants. As she begins to unravel the many secrets of her family’s past, she uncovers the real reason for her parents’ death twelve years earlier—and finds out that the threat to her family, and to everyone she cares about, is still dangerously real.

**REVIEW**

The first thing about 'Revival' that got my attention was the quality writing - Leigh has a smooth and natural writing style. I liked it a lot. Her point came across easily and the writing just felt very thought-out and uncluttered. The storyline flowed, having the perfect mixture of intrigue, banter, and the supernatural.

I enjoyed the fun parts as much as the serious ones and how Leigh kept the story balanced between the two. 

'Revival' was shortly narrated from different character's third-person point-of-view (but mostly the main character, Alexandra) and I loved it, which I rarely, if ever, do. It gave the story so many layers and I cared to get to know the other characters because they were all so darn likable!

There are many character involved and they're all interesting and substantial in their own way. I was curious of John Grayson's story and enjoyed reading about the Grayson family in general. I even liked the villain because he was so solid.

Although Alexandra and Declan spend some time together and are clearly attracted to each other, there wasn't really more than sweet or suggesting moments, and a pinch of jealousy involving Nathan. It was all innocent and subtle.

As mentioned, I found all characters likable, however, when it came to a potential romance I'm glad Leigh didn't pursue it. The entire book is set over a period of a week. A single week. So it wasn't realistic for any characters to develop feelings for each other.

There were some unexpected twists in the story and intriguing revelations. My only problem was that there wasn't a climax. The whole story just goes evenly. I was sure that no matter how late in the book, something shocking would occur (well, it had to?), but it never did.

The awfully small and short conflict at the very end (regarding the secret government organization) was disappointing, consisting of a conversation, easily resolved by a little talking back and forth. Yes, talking - not exactly what I'd expected.

There are also a lot of unanswered questions when the book ends, threads that's been pulled throughout the story but that still hang loose. I hope the sequel will catch you up and give you more of a conclusive experience when you finish it.

Other than that, 'Revival' was entertaining and enjoyable. Definitely look out for this author.

3.9/5

Review: Branded (A Sinners Series #1) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

Title: Branded (#1)
Author: Abi Ketner, Missy Kalicicki
Published: June 27, 2013
Pages: 320
Series: Sinners
Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. 
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. 
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

**REVIEW**

I was so intrigued by 'Branded' and the premise, and curious how the authors would execute telling a story set in the worst of prisons. All I could see was Lexi locked up in a cell and the occasional conversation with a guard - and somehow they will fall in love.

Well, firstly, the Hole isn't like any other prison; besides the requirement to work, Sinners pretty much roam free to abuse and slaughter each other. Everyone wants a piece of Lexi, guards and inmates alike - not only is she very pretty (as we are reminded) but "Lust" is branded around her neck which makes her an obvious target.

As I was starting to realize, there had to be a really good reason for Lexi even lasting a few pages in the Hole.

There was a convenient one, at least. Not only is she locked up in a cell but she is assigned a personal guard who lives, full-time, in an adjoining room (which is pretty much a studio apartment). The door separating their rooms was never once locked and the guard she gets happens to be one of the only ones that would never think of doing anything horrible to her. So it was somewhere around here (which is in the first couple of chapters) that I started to scrutinize.

I really, really, really wished Cole (guard and love interest) had been more of a believable character.

"They [the guards] are chosen from a young age and trained in combat. They keep the order of society by using violent methods of intimidation. No one befriends a guard. Relationships with them are forbidden inside the Hole."

"I should know the hardest and most proficient guards work in here."

"Guards aren't supposed to be human. They're supposed to suck the life out of sinners and enforce the laws of the commander."

Except for him being snappy, he was never intimidating or outright cold, which is the least I would've expected from a guard, especially since every other guard (with the convenient exception of his best friend) were disgusting, unsympathetic assholes.

Cole and Lexi were instantly way too casual around each other. I was surprised how much they talked the first day they get to the cell, and that Lexi even gets up in the middle of the night to tell him she can't sleep (again, the door between the cell and Cole's room might as well have been a wide open gap in the wall) and asks if she can keep her light on, in which he replies, "Whatever."

Second day in the Hole:

"He offers his hand and pulls me upright with a smug look [after she trips]. I groan as embarrassment crawls up my face in the form of a deep, crimson flush."

Same day when under attack:

"Just leave me," I whisper into his ear..

"Never," he says in a short gasp.

Same day when safe, Lexi thanks Cole for saving her life:

"Uh, yeah." His cheeks turn a shade of pale pink.

Definitely not what I would've expected from a terrified eighteen-year-old girl who's just been thrown in a hellhole where every other person threatens to rape her, and one of the most skilled guards in there. How they behaved towards each other was incredibly unnatural and absolutely nothing had led up to it.

My main issue was that the love happened too fast without any reasonable build-up. They cared for each other before you had the chance to care for either one of them or even really get to know them. I liked the characters but they didn't live up to how they were portrayed.

Other than that, there were several semi-slow, uneventful moments for me. The story dragged a bit in the first half of the book when nothing too significant happened; there was no excitement that had me eagerly turn the pages. There is some action later on but it ended up not being as conflicted as it could've been. If you really enjoy the relationship between Cole and Lexi you probably won't have the same experience as me.

I'm curious how Ketner and Kalicicki will continue this series so if the sequel sounds promising, I might read it.

(3.3/5)

Review: The Defiance (#2) by A.G Henley

Title: The Defiance (#2)
Author: A.G Henley
Published: July 21, 2013
Pages: 207
Series: Brilliant Darkness (first installment, 'The Scourge')
Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: It hasn't been long since Fennel, a Sightless Groundling, and Peree, her Lofty Keeper, fell in love and learned the truth: the Scourge, and their world, are not what they seem.

Fenn and Peree are determined to guide their people to the protected village of Koolkuna, but first they must convince them that everything they believe is a lie. An impossible task, especially when someone seems hell-bent on trying anything--even animal sacrifice and arson--to destroy the couple's new bond and crush the frail truce between the Groundlings and the Lofties. Not everyone wants to uproot their lives in the forest, and those who stay behind will be left terribly vulnerable.

Fenn and Peree's resolve to be together, and the constant threat of the Scourge's return, push both groups to the breaking point. Unable to tell friend from foe, Fenn must again decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to ensure the future of the people of the forest.

Only this time, the price of peace may be too high to bear.

**REVIEW**

(Read my review of the first installment of the Brilliant Darkness series, here, first! Otherwise spoiler alert:)

From chapter one something unsettling occurs and puts the first half of the story in a slightly eerie light. Someone's out to get Fenn and you'll speculate if it's from the inside or the outside. This was where I was most frustrated that Fenn couldn't see and that this person terrorizing her was getting away with it so easily. 

However, I had an inkling that (not only who it was but) that it ultimately wasn't going to leave such a big dent in the storyline. It kept you on your toes and reminded you not to get too comfortable but it didn't really conflict the story the way it could have. By the time everything was revealed it didn't matter anymore (though there will be a little twist in the revelation.)

I had a huge problem with Moray. Who else. If you've read the first installment you'll know this character attempted rape and murder on Fenn. Prior to this, his family had threatened to kill Fenn's little brother and plotted against Fenn's "adoptive" mom, Aloe, whom was one of the Three.

These are quotes from 'The Defiance': "

".. He [Moray] didn't face any other consequences [except for a bitten tongue which Fenn caused him] for attacking me and leaving me to die in the ground.. Neither did his family.."

".. The new Council didn't have the will to really punish Moray's family after all our losses"

Reading this practically made me see red. What the actual what?! Unbelievable and unrealistic that a man capable of such horrid things was free to prance around being obnoxious and disgusting towards the victim and no one thinks twice about it.

Not only this but Moray is the one to get assigned to protect Fenn when she's working alone in the caves. Oh-kay.. clearly the fact that he'd forced himself on her, tied her up, and pushed her into a pit (that later filled with water) to die, means absolutely nothing.

All of this was just impossible for me to get past since Moray is in a lot of the story (even if he tried redeeming himself later on, it could never be enough.)

I actually really felt for Fenn's friendship with Calli and how her best friend had turned into someone she didn't know if she could trust anymore. But I rooted for Calli. And I loved Bear, he was so wonderful. Despite his feelings for Fenn, he was an amazing support and really made an impact on the story and in Fenn's life.

There were some superb character development, for sure.

Speaking of chosen. I'm not short of love for Peree. 'The Defiance' was definitely much more centered around the love between the Groundling and the Lofty and the people working against it. I couldn't help but wanting to scream, "Their love hurts no one!"

Fenn doesn't leave for Koolkuna until more than half of the book. I found that it was a little slow in the beginning because Fenn just kind of hangs around and gets into trouble when you want her to pack her things and just go and be free. However, when she's finally off I needed to read until the very end.

'The Defiance' definitely had some surprising, shocking, emotional, and heartwarming turns. I was satisfied with the ending even though it ended in an intriguing twist and I'll be waiting to read the third installment!

(3.5/5)

Review: Stained by Ella James

Title: Stained (#1)
Author: Ella James
Published: September 14, 2011
Pages: 157
Series: yes (second installment 'Stolen' published April 4, 2012)
Source: grab

Goodreads Summary: After a fire destroys seventeen-year-old Julia’s home and kills her foster parents, she chases the half-demon responsible across the country and back, determined to avenge her family and discover why a host of celestial baddies want her dead. With Julia is enigmatic hottie - Cayne, who has his own score to settle with the half-demon, and who might be just as dangerous as the creature he and Julia hunt.


**REVIEW**
I'm just going to get right into it. 'Stained' started off with Julia coming home to see her home on fire and she flees, refusing to be placed under another foster care. 

Julia finds and sleeps in an old warehouse, under a tarp. She's all alone, with nothing left. It's made pretty clear from the start Suzanne and Harry, her last foster parents, were loving and caring and Julia considered them her parents. But what instantly could not be ignored by me was that Julia wasn't, in any noticeable way, upset or whatever it is that you are when you've witnessed your family burn to death. She didn't cry or hurt. It was all incredibly odd and unrealistic.

And it all just got to me more when Cayne (quite literally) dropped into Julia's life, through the roof of the warehouse, fighting a winged monster.
Julia, apparently perfectly fine from everything that's happened, runs after him and demands that he can't leave her and that he needs to answer her questions. 

When Cayne looked at her after having ignored her nagging, she went, "Ah, he's not catatonic!" and "Dang, you walk fast" - there was a little wit and a little sarcasm thrown in here and there from the girl who lost everything three days prior, the girl who (let's face it) should've been curled up in a corner shaking and crying, traumatized. It just irked me, I couldn't help it.

One minute Cayne is trying to get away and the next he gets an idea and they've agreed to team up and take Samyaza down (the demon that intended to kill Julia and whom stole something from Cayne), this arrangement was settled in the span of fifteen minutes or so it seemed. It was very sudden.

This is where the plot started to launch into action and soon Julia and Cayne finds themselves on a cross-country trip, tracking Samyaza. The story is fast-paced and there's a lot of good action - fighting, shooting, stabbing, and frankly a lot of blood.

There were a few encounters that were bewildering and unclear. I didn't understand why Samyaza would choose to fly away when he could've done more in attempt to kill Cayne or Julia, and it was never clear to me why the Stained ones were being hunted which I'm sure will be explored more in the later installments.

At first I experienced James's writing to be a bit bumpy and curt but I eventually found that I liked her nicely descriptive style. 
'Stained' is dialogue-driven and I did feel I'd wanted more of an emotional, personal depth to the characters. I didn't particularly connect with Cayne or Julia. I didn't feel like I knew them, who they were, or what they were really feeling.

Both of them had some split-personalities going on. Julia begged and pleaded to know Cayne's memories and out of nowhere, practically in the same sentence, told him it was okay if he didn't tell her. Cayne had stood his ground on not telling her and suddenly decided she should know. They were making all kinds of one-eighties. 

Another one of Julia's cases which almost had me laugh:
Julia: ".. why don't you just call André?" (so that she could go with him instead.)
A moment later. Cayne: "I called André.."
Julia: "But why?!" Hm..

Something would occur and when the next chapter came around it'd be unclear if the previous scene had really happened or how much time had passed since.

I hadn't expected the ending at all, only because it was such an out-of-the-blue end to a short book. Unfortunately the cliffhanger did not get to me. I failed to be intrigued by what was to come and I just hadn't been engrossed enough in 'Stained' to feel compelled to purchase the second installment. All-in-all it was a decent, okay read for me.

(3.2/5)

Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark (#1)

Author: Jocelyn Davies

Published: September 27, 2011

Pages: 405

Series: yes (second installment 'A Fractured Light' published September 25, 2012)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events.
Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

**REVIEW**

I went into 'A Beautiful Dark' with ease and fair interest. It was definitely fast-paced, things came about quickly in the beginning and characters were introduced right away.

My first thought was that Asher and Devin were everywhere. There they were from chapter one and then just.. everywhere. I found there was no time to really get to know them and have them grow on you before they were all in your face.

The boys, without a proper get-to-know-each-other conversation whatsoever, spoke to Skye and made constant comments to her as if they knew her after only one day at their new school. Although Asher and Devin were supposed to be complete strangers to Skye, she'd respond in the same manner. It just wasn't natural and felt manufactured.

Asher and Devin seemed to appear every nanosecond, wherever Skye turned, and I didn't understand why she immediately got so incredibly hung up on them.

At first I found that Asher and Devin's differing characteristics were very forced. We have the good guy and the bad boy and it was especially forced how they were clearly pushed to be total opposites with everything that they did.

Later on, you'll be enlightened why this was the case, but despite the gained understanding of it, it was just one of those things that were pretty typical.

Unfortunately both characters were just too obvious. They felt very head-on and decided. Rather than being charming it was as if they were told to be charming, if that makes sense.

I hate it when I don't have anything to say about the protagonist other than that they were all right. Though I think Skye needed to get her reactions checked. When Asher showed Skye his power (way before she knew anything about him or Devin) she hardly had any reaction to it, like what he could do wasn't strange at all. It was the same when she found out about her parents, she isn't bewildered or upset, instead she takes it all very smoothly.

The plot line in 'A Beautiful Dark' wasn't unheard of. Sadly, little made it original or fresh.

The big portion of the book when Skye's trying to find her powers didn't really go anywhere. I didn't get to the point of feeling it was boring but it was repetitive and refrained the story from moving forward.

I was pretty surprised to be closing in on the ending without having anything significant and conflicting occur. And then suddenly the storyline that had been somewhat uneventful until then, stirred up and there was excitement, action, and shock.

I was pleasantly shocked by the twist at the end, and I freaking loved it. Honestly, I didn't think 'A Beautiful Dark' had it in it. Up until then I didn't think I'd read the second installment (which is ironic since it was the description of the sequel that had me read the first book) but I might all because of the ending.

(3.5/5)

Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Title: Twenty Boy Summer

Author: Sarah Ockler

Published: May 1, 2010

Pages: 320

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

**REVIEW**

Finally I got my hands on 'Twenty Boy Summer.' Coming-of-age, growing, learning, coping.. are words that come to mind when I think of the book.

I dislike saying "this book wasn't what I'd anticipated (or expected)" since that isn't really a fair statement, but I can't help myself and I say this regretfully.

There was no doubt that I so badly wanted to love 'Twenty Boy Summer', and I have loved it from afar and through wonderful reviews prior to reading it (maybe that was the problem). 

I wanted to fall hard for Matt and Anna and be wholeheartedly invested in what was lost or never explored, all the things they were and, most importantly, could have been. I wanted to be sad and heartbroken, but I wasn't really.

I think of 'In Honor' by Jessi Kirby where I fell in love with Honor's brother, Finn, who came alive through memories and thoughts, and how he truly captured by heart.

I wish I'd grown more attached to Matt, in whichever way - before he died, after he died. I would've liked to still be able to get to know him, have him grow on me and have my emotions grow for him, though, his death and the mention of him was mostly taboo and the Perino family were still trying to pick up the pieces he left behind - still breaking.

In other words, I had hoped 'Twenty Boy Summer' would've been more uplifting than.. forlorn, I guess, which brings me to the "twenty boys" plot - I hadn't known what to expect since, let's face it, twenty boys is a little excessive but I'd hoped it'd have a purpose of lighting up the story. Unfortunately, it didn't exactly and Frankie's twenty boys idea soon faded out of the picture.

At the end of the day it was Frankie who made an impression on me. I recognized her way of coping with Matt's absence, how it changed her and pushed her. Frankie acted out, yet it was clear how fragile she really was - you tiptoed in her presence as if she would shatter at any time.

I, honestly, had a difficult time putting myself in Anna's shoes, I couldn't really identify her. Anna wasn't there. Her mind was so diffused. And I really didn't comprehend the deal with Sam - he was perfectly sweet but it didn't feel right or somehow appropriate. I couldn't justify his spot in the storyline or if he actually contributed anything to the plot.

I appreciated the rough patch in Anna and Frankie's friendship. It was hugely needed - the girls desperately needed to blow off some steam. It was realistic and I was happy with the way 'Twenty Boy Summer' left off.

(3.2/5)

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Published: June 14, 2012

Pages: 400

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself? 

**REVIEW**

Finally I got to read 'My Life Next Door' which I've been anticipating and practically counting the days to. Coming across this book I instantly liked the idea of it and the beautiful cover. Though it turned out to be  different than I'd imagined which I guess is unavoidable - the book was longer than I felt was necessary for the plot, took some time to warm up, and the ending was too hasty.

Fitzpatrick has a perfectly smooth writing style, nice and flowing. I liked how the chapters were so easily divided and nothing was carrying out for too long (positively on my part), though frankly, little was really happening that grasped your attention; that could've been a deal-breaker having read over half of this nearly 400-pages contemporary. There wasn't really anything that gave the story a push (until the conflict during the latter third half.)

Already from the get-go I was a little disappointed in Jase's entrance. It was so simple. Samantha has been keeping track of her neighbors, the Garretts (despite knowing her high-strung, anti-Garretts mother would strongly disapprove) for several years but never actually met them and suddenly one of them sneaks up her terrace and is talking to her as if nothing. 

It wasn't really realistic and the relationship growing between them was just sudden. The whole part when they're so eager to eventually sleep together took me completely by surprise, it just felt so out of place. There hadn't been enough to bond them emotionally.

There were several times when I felt like I wanted to reach inside the book and give Samantha a push to do something, or say something. It's so easy to trace these situations were the protagonist isn't brave enough to make the right decision or raise her voice and know that it'll eventually backfire on her.

You're presented to many characters in 'My Life Next Door' (mom and boyfriend, sister and boyfriend, best friend and boyfriend and brother, and the whole Garrett clan) and it was a little hard placing the important supporting characters. Instead of reading so much about Samantha's mom's annoying boyfriend, perhaps I would've wanted to get to know the best friend more.

The page before the ending I thought to myself, "I'm sure this isn't the ending," flipped the page and saw that it was. Maybe and most likely if the conflict had occurred sooner in the book, the ending would've had more time to wrap itself up and tie up loose ends.

I really wish I could've given 'My Life Next Door' a better rating, I feel like it was a better-rating kind of book but the dominating lukewarm portion of the story is, well, dominating. I liked the initial idea for the book and the Garretts and really felt for the heartbreaking chapters past the middle!

(3.8)

Review: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Title: The Duff

Author: Kody Keplinger

Published: September 7, 2010

Pages: 300

Source: purchased

Good to know: Explicit language, sexual situations.

Amazon Summary: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

**REVIEW**

I was on the fence about picking this one up. I heard some great things about 'The Duff' a while back but back then it wasn't available for me to purchase and now that I found it was, I read some less excited reviews about it. 

I didn't want to read a story solely about physical activity (see what I did there? But no, there won't be anything graphic) which was what some reviews were stating, although judging from the synopsis I knew I wanted to read the book. I find that hate-love kind of relationship between heroes and heroines to be really entertaining and you just know there'll be a bunch of witty dialogues and hidden tension.

'The Duff' was interesting. 

What stood out the most was, without a doubt, Bianca - our protagonist. I've always been drawn to characters, or people in general, with an outspoken and forward (if not, impudent) attitude and Bianca was just that. There is explicit language on, I want to say, every page so if you're easily offended by curse words, you're warned.

What I liked about Bianca was that she was to portray the underdog among her group of friends. She's the Designated Ugly Fat Friend also known as "The Duff", but she isn't weak or pushed down. Keplinger explained that she, very intentionally, meant for Bianca to - despite being the weak link - not actually being the stereotypical "loser." Bianca was very much intended to be a force of her own and I really enjoyed her strength in that department.

What I liked less about her was that she'd regularly overstep that outspokenness and just be plain rude. She really needed to chill down sometimes and not be in stance for attack all the time. I ultimately felt this girl needed to learn about boundaries, where uncontrollably spitting out unnecessary comments oversteps honesty.

Wesley is the ultimate player and how utterly confident he is about it just makes him get under your skin more. I got why Bianca was so bothered by the guy and even why she hated his guts, but not entirely why she was so purely loathsome of him.

We know those kind of jerks - they're idiots, they're annoying beyond belief - but what caused Wesley to trigger such heated hate with Bianca?

And how on earth she was capable of breaking out of such despise for him and kiss him and start this "enemies-with-benefits" deal, I'll never know. It didn't quite add up, is all. Though that's what the book centers around; how Bianca seeks an escape from the issues in her life and finds that outlet with Wesley.

There wasn't enough character development with Bianca and Wesley - alone or together - to have me wholeheartedly root for them. I felt that there should've been a clearer growth in Bianca's character by the end - I'd loved to have seen her be a softer, more tender version of herself. I needed to fall in love with these characters a bit more.

With more depth in story and characters I could've really, really enjoyed 'The Duff.'

(3.7/5)

Review: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

Title: Unbreak My Heart

Author: Melissa Walker

Published: May 22, 2012

Pages: 241

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: You can't help who you fall in love with. It's a lesson Clementine Williams knows all too well. She's headed into the summer with a broken heart and zero social life. So even though her parents' plan to spend the summer (trapped) on their sailboat should make Clem break out in hives, she doesn't really mind the chance to float away for a while. Even if it means most of her social interaction will be with her nine-year-old sister. 

Then she meets James at one of their stops on the Great Loop-a classic sailing track in the US. He and his dad are sailing the same track and he's just the distraction Clem needs. But will he be able to break down Clem's walls and heal her broken heart?

**REVIEW**

I've mostly been reading lighter and subtler novels lately and 'Unbreak My Heart' was just that. After having, unintentionally, been reading a lot of nearly 500-pages books, it's refreshing reading a story that doesn't necessarily have to be short, but that can simply be told in less (er, I guess it's the same).

'Unbreak My Heart' was a light, sweet, and generally nice read.

I was intrigued by the boat setting and frankly a little disappointed the book was mostly told when anchored. I'd really looked forward to experiencing the boat life and lots of salty breezes and sparkling waters.

Everything about 'Unbreak My Heart' was actually perfectly likable. There's little conflict in the story which obviously make less opinions. It was actually Clementine I needed an extra push to warm up to - only because she started off quite snarly and snappish. Sometimes I'd find it quite annoying how dismissive she'd be of her little sister.

James was perfectly fine - friendly and open - although, not particularly memorable. I think more mystery and roughness to him would've suited, just because I'd like to think of him as a mysterious stranger who intrudes on Clementine's miserable summer.

James and Clementine's growing relationship was definitely on the simpler side and even though there wasn't too much to it, it was fine.

I liked that many, if not, most of the chapters started with a draft of the letter Clementine's trying to write to Amanda, her best friend. I found the plot regarding Amanda to be either underwhelming or disoriented, I haven't made up my mind. Probably a little of both. 

 One part of me would've wanted more out of it, learn more, and get more of a satisfying end. The second part of me felt like it was okay the way it was. It was pretty blurry whether Clementine was at fault or not and I wasn't really sure where the whole thing was headed, therefore I wasn't astonished it left off loosely.

I have to say, my favorite thing about the book was how simple it was. As much as I adore poetic and descriptive writing, it's also really nice reading a cleanly well-written, more compact book.

Clementine will have time figuring things out during the summer - stuck on a boat with her (sweet) family - and she'll ultimately know how to deal and where she stands.

The writing was neat and the story itself had lots of room to breathe and was very easy to follow. 'Unbreak My Heart' was all-in-all a measured and balanced read. It's the kind of book you relax to a Sunday afternoon.

(3.5/5)

Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Title: In Honor

Author: Jessi Kirby

Published: May 8, 2012

Pages: 242

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. 

Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

**REVIEW**

I like road trip novels, I like how characters have a chance of connecting with each other on that special level that couldn't have been explored through a different way other than being trapped in a car together for days straight and only having an endless road ahead of you.

I was drawn to 'In Honor' all due to the part of "the last wish," of going out of your way to grant someone you've lost they're last wish.

I rarely cry when reading, and more often find books about loss to be poignant or serene rather than sad. 'In Honor' wasn't necessarily emotional to me. However, that does not mean I wasn't moved by it, or more correctly and specifically.. by Finn.

I loved Finn. I really did. I loved that he came alive through the pages even though you never got to meet him, and that he was in fact always thought of and never forgotten in the midst of the adventure Honor and Rusty found themselves on.

All that Finn did for Honor was beautiful and powerful and touching. I would even say a part of me fell in love with him which I have Kirby's exceptional skill of making the thought and theory of a character be so real.

Finn's "last wish" wasn't really his last wish. He'd sent Honor a letter that arrived months late with his last words being that he wanted her to tell Kyra Kelly about him. Now, this Kyra Kelly is a singer and Finn had sent two tickets to her last concert to Honor.

Of course Honor interpreted this as a wish of his she needed to grant to honor him. This, you'll find out within the ten pages or so and I was, frankly, disappointed that Kyra wasn't a girl Finn, perhaps, had had a crush on. At the moment I felt like that would've been a beautiful addition.

Now, let's talk about Rusty; he was meant to be this drop-dead gorgeous, bad boy type. I have to say it took a lot for me to warm up to him. It wasn't that I didn't like him, it was more that the impression of him being this rude, drunken mistake, stuck with me. I kept wondering what he was doing on the trip and why Honor would let him join her.

And oh, Wyatt. I want to ask Kirby more about Wyatt. I want to know her purpose of introducing Honor to sweet, adorable Wyatt and then giving the reader too little of him.

'In Honor' was a nicely realistic, sunset-filled read about coping, letting go, and finding that peace after having lost someone. 'In Honor' isn't a romance but I wanted to put it in that category because of all the nice, affectionate aspects in the book.

(3.5/5)

Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Title: Second Chance Summer

Author: Morgan Matson

Published: May 8, 2012

Pages: 482

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

**REVIEW**

'Second Chance Summer' was exactly the subtle summer novel it comes across as. It was a really nice story altogether.

What you'll find out early on is that Taylor's dad is sick and that's why the Edwards have decided to spend the summer at the lake house they haven't visited in five years. Though, five years ago Taylor made decisions that broke her first relationship and friendship with her best friend, and now she'll be back to face everything.

What I mean when I say that 'Second Chance Summer' was a subtle novel is that the speed of the book as well as the plot itself was steady and calm. 

You'll know where things are headed and there won't be any surprises along the way but, as I think most are aware when picking this up, it's the kind of book that's not about any of that - this novel was focused on telling an engaging story about family, second chances, and not being afraid.

I'm a sucker for lakeside scenery, ever since my first lakeside novel exposure in 'The Boys Next Door'. Although, I'm not as much for lakes in real life (maybe I just haven't found the really nice ones) I can't think of a nicer setting in books. If I ever end up living by a lake (at some point in my life) it's all because of these lakeside novels.

What really made 'Second Chance Summer' was truly the little things - Taylor and her dad's secret ice cream and breakfast tradition, Taylor's weird boss, her stage fright, Warren's constant fact sharing, Taylor and Lucy's ways of communicating across the lake, Murphy, the neighbors acting out their script, the licorice. 

Just these little puzzles, even the smallest of them, coming together as a big picture. Most of all it was how close-knit the entire novel was. Somehow it worked.

I liked the characters just fine, but they didn't grow on me. I was especially surprised by how so-so I felt about Henry - I don't know, I just expected his character to make more of a difference.

However, I liked Taylor's relationship to her dad. I liked that they sort of had an understanding just the two of them and how authentic that felt even though they weren't necessarily super-close.

Though Taylor's dad's illness is addressed throughout the book - hard to avoid, to say the least - I do find 'Second Chance Summer' to be more of a nice (for lack of a better word..) story than a heartbreaking one. That's not to say I didn't spill a few tears, I definitely did. The ending was beautiful in a way, I left off feeling good.

(3.5/5)

Review: Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

Title: Being Friends with Boys

Author: Terra Elan McVoy

Published: May 1, 2012

Pages: 370

Source: purchased

Summary: Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl’s perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys’ band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex–best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free…until it isn’t anymore.

When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl…and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he might want to be more than friends with Char…being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

**REVIEW**

I’ve always liked reading about girls who are friends with boys, probably because I’ve always been a girly girl with girly friends and that’s it. I’ve never had a good guy friend so I find that bond to be interesting the more natural it is, therefore ‘Being Friends with Boys’ was made to be read by me!

‘Being Friends with Boys’ I’d say, centered around friendship – old friends, current friends, new friends, lost friends. Charlotte will lose and gain friends and, perhaps,  something more. McVoy shows a true picture of friendship, how you sometimes lose friends without prior warning and how

you sometimes gain friends through unlikely events.

This was a greatly easy-going, flowing kind of read. The writing was clean and simple.

What you know is that Charlotte will eventually end up with someone, whether it be a new boy entering the scene or one of her current friends, McVoy will make sure you won’t figure it out just like that.

The story loops through a snake-like path and there are a bunch of boys involved. Is it Oliver, Abe, Trip, Fabian, Benji? Have I missed anyone? At some point you’ll believe there’s something going on with every one of them.

I liked that Charlotte wasn’t necessarily a tomboy or such, even though she wasn’t either necessarily interested in girly things. I don’t know why most of the time in YA, when a girl is really good friends with boys she’s usually a bit boyish. That’s totally fine, but I’d also like to read about a girl who can be naturally girlish around guy friends. I guess Charlotte was a little in-between.

Out of the guys, I definitely had a thing for Benji. And Trip. And maybe a bit of conflicted feeling for Oliver. It’s clear McVoy has a history of guy friends since these characters were all natural; no one was overdone or easily placed in a specific category.

For me it was very much about the person in mind, their persona and personality that provided attraction towards them, not appearance. I actually have little idea how the boys really looked like from McVoy’s point-of-view and much more from my own imagination.

I enjoyed how McVoy incorporated music as a big part of the book, since Charlotte and the boys are in a band. Also Charlotte’s relationship to her stepsisters and her stepmom was, from my part unexpected, but very nice to read about.

Although, I would’ve survived without Charlotte’s mom (who left to pursue her dream) - she was just.. I didn’t like her or how absent and nonchalant she seemed. It was sad seeing how much Charlotte cared and that not being returned.

One thing, though, was awfully unclear to me: Charlotte and the boys’ age. I had no idea how old they were, only that they were in high school. Was it just me? I felt like their age may have clashed with how they came across. I wanted to believe they were seniors but constantly got the feeling that they were younger – sophomores, juniors? At times, they just seemed quite young.

Why I'm not giving this a full four stars (or roses) is because of two reasons 1) the romance (or lack thereof.) Even though the book indeed focuses on "being friends with boys" I just, with so many choices for one girl, needed some heartwarming or heartbreaking romance! I'm sure you understand. And 2) the ending, there was so much that still needed to be said. It ended a few pages, if not a chapter, too soon.

Overall, I definitely liked it. I’d describe ‘Being Friends with Boys’ as an easy, relaxed, Sunday read.

(3.5/5)

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (#1)

Author: Laini Taylor

Published: September 27, 2011

Pages: 433

Series: yes (second installment 'Days of Blood and Starlight' published November 6, 2012)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

**REVIEW**

This was some real fantasy. I didn't get a clear picture of what I was going to read about at all. The summary is rather confusing, actually. Fortunately 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' happened to be rightly mysterious.

Basically Karou, our blue-haired, otherworldly-language speaking protagonist is part of two entirely different worlds. One of them - the very much less human one - she knows little about, but it's been with her for as long as she can remember, originating in a shop with portals that easily lets her travel the world but that also hides a second door to the place known simply as "Elsewhere" where she's never been allowed.

When Karou's not in school she's going around the globe collecting teeth for he who raised her. Though, she's never known what the teeth are for, only that they are traded for different degrees of wishes in return, and she's not supposed to ask many questions. However, things start to unravel when she meets an enemy, an angel.

It was never clear to me this book was about angels and devils or demons, Taylor has crafted the story with such a refreshing, complex, and utterly original take, without a strict sense of the good or evil sides. I loved how convincing Taylor was when describing the angels, their cold front was very believable.

There was a ton of depth, background, and culture to the story. And there is a major twist, worthy, but definitely causing mixed opinions from my side of it.

Taylor's writing has a nice lyrical quality. The story kept me interested enough, though I would've wished for every important encounter to have occurred earlier.

I found quite a liking in Karou, Issa, and Brimstone (somewhat in that order.) Akiva succeeding with his impenetrable exterior and therefore kept me at a distance. I was uncertain of his motives.

I enjoyed the few times you got to experience things from Akiva's point-of-view but when it came to Madrigal, it was as if someone had chopped off the interest-cord in my brain. It was tedious reading so much about her story, even if it was essential, when you wanted to be reading about Karou.

The latter parts of the book was a bit hard for me to finish but it's evident Taylor has a knack for this, for fantasy, creatures, and story-developing.

I hadn't known this was a series and as of right now I'm not locked in on following it but the end left off perfectly fine and I'd guess most readers will want to know what comes next.

(3.5/5)