Review: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Where the Stars Still Shine 
By Trish Doller
Expected Release Date: Sept. 24, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children
Source: Bloomsbury through NetGalley
Reviewed by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 5 stars out 5 stars

Summary:
Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she'd like to forget completely. But when Callie's mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie's real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love - even with someone who seems an improbably choice - is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

Callie:

- I thought that she was a very strong female character. She has this fight for survival in her.

- Like her mom said, she could have turned out to be a jaded, hard person, but she didn’t.

     -She’s just a really nice person. She could have turn Kat away and she could have been a bitch to Phoebe but she wasn’t.

- I just didn’t like how she continued to lie and lie. I understand she’s not used to trusting people or depending on them, I just wanted her to stop lying.

- Her slow relationship with Greg, her dad. Love. She slowly trusted him and he never pushed. Just waited for her to be ready.

Plot:

- Nicely paced

- So wonderful, and gritty, and well done. I’ve seen some books that have similar storyline but they didn’t pull it off like this one. It seems more real and the characters are redeeming.

- And the wonderful writing definitely helps the book.

Secondary Characters:

- Kat is wonderful best friend. Although pushy at times, she just wants her best friend to be happy, and feel like she’s loved and she has all the qualities that remind me of my own best friend.

- Greg/dad is perfectly written. He gives Callie the space and love that she needs as she gets used to having a family again, as she deals with learning how to have healthy relationships.

- Callie’s grandmother, or Yiayoula, is one kick ass lady and I love how fierce she is towards anyone hurting Callie. And I love that she doesn’t even let Callie get away with thing Greg lets her get away with. While Greg gives her times, she goes straight for Callie and has her deal with things as they happen. And she was very intuitive when noticing how Callie ran away but not because she doesn’t care, but that she was running away to someone.

Alex:

- Oh my. Alex certainly is a unique love interest for me. Callie and Alex didn’t start out as insta-love (and for that I’m forever grateful) but they were attracted to each other.

- I really like how their relationship slowly progressed. It was nicely done and slow that it totally snuck up on me just like Callie. It sort started off with a few hangouts and then a conversation here and there. Telling of secrets and before you know it, Callie was telling Alex her biggest secrets.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be such a good and touching read and I just fell in love with the characters. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a sad but touching story and I can’t wait to get my own copy.

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass 
(Throne of Glass #1) 
By Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Source: Friend's Copy
Reviewer: Jenn

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothein is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of elimination, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her...but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead...quickly followed by another.
Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

4 stars out of 5 stars

When I first heard of this book, I was intrigued. But since it is not something I typically read, I let it release pass me by. After seeing many of my bookish friends go crazy over it, I moved it my TBR list but I still hesitated. It was only when I was heading off to BEA that I decided to give it chance. Stacee told me to be on the lookout for Crown of Midnight and even Daisel, occasional reviewer here and blogger over at Owls Always Be Reading, told me to bring her back a copy of CoM. So, off I went to BEA and I managed to meet Sarah J. Maas (after the most hideously longest line at BEA) and got me two lovely ARCs of CoM. I borrowed Daisel's copy of Throne Of Glass and here we are. I have yet to return her book and I probably won't do so until I get my own copy. 

We are first introduced to Celaena just as she is being summoned to the Crown Prince. She has just endured a year in the slave labor camp of Endovier for the crimes she committed as Arobynn Hamel's protege. The Crown Prince offers her a deal: to act as his champion in a competition that would find the Adarlan empire new royal assassin.

Celaena is such a kick ass heroine and the fact that she is an assassin definitely piqued my interest. That's not something you normally find in Young Adult book. She is smart, sneaky, resourceful and a very complex human being. She has to be one of my favorite female characters ever and I never know what to expect from her. She's the kind of person that I want on my team if the world is going to hell.

There is a love triangle but I don't even care about that and you know how much I hate love triangles. I loved both boys but the romance is not the main focus of the book, the romance is just a bonus. I love that because there doesn't all need to be romance all the time and that's okay with me. Girls can kick ass and rule the world just like boys. If there's love story on the side then fine. I love the fact that Celaena isn't all sighing and giggly about Dorian and Chaol.

I absolutely loved this book. The world building and the story is amazing. This book was not what I was expecting at all. It is completely unique and I am beating myself over for not reading it sooner. I loved it! I can't wait to dive into my signed copy of Crown of Midnight. Now, go read this, I'm telling you.will.love it!

Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Boundless (Unearthly #3) 
By Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 22, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Personal Copy
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:
The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her...even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she's headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he's not the only one... With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won't come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

           When I finally got this book, it felt completely bittersweet. Ever since I read Hallowed, I've been anticipating this release but once the day finally got here, I became hesitant. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Clara, Tucker, Angela, and even Christian, so I took a moment to prepare myself for the end. Now, let it be said that I started reading Boundless in ebook version, then after work I headed to Barnes & Noble to purchase the hardcover only to find out that they didn't have it stock. I even called my local indie bookstore and they didn't have it. Cue freakout. So I tried calming down, went home, ordered it online since it had to be mailed out to Stacee because she was going to a signing Cynthia Hand was a part of and continued reading it on my Nook. 

I feel like I can't say much about this book without giving away spoilers, and even though the book has been out for since January, I won't go into a lot of details. Boundless picks up a few months after Hallowed when Clara is off to Stanford. There we see Clara, Angela and Christian getting accustomed to college life and trying to figure out who they are outside of being angels and following their purpose. 

Now, I'm going to be very vague for a bit so forgive my fangirling. But OHMAHGAH! That whole thing with Angela? I NEVER thoughts it would happened. I'm sorry, let me reiterate, I NEVER thought it would ACTUALLY happen, because I totally saw it coming but still. Surprising! And with Jeffrey?! NOOOO! Nope, did NOT see that happening. And can I just say that I sort of felt a little bit of sympathy for Samjeeza? Because I totally did. Cynthia Hand managed to create villain, that you obviously are not "supposed" to like but she managed to make him so complex that you understand where he is coming from and so you end up feeling bad for him.

Now for the whole triangle bit, you all know that I'm a big Tucker Avery fan, right? If not, let me send you to this post. See? Tucker Avery fan here. But(!) I do have to admit that Christian is no longer on my shit list and he's really a nice guy and I hate that ended up liking him. He totally proved himself to me and Clara that he doesn't just like her because their purpose are entwined together; he really proves to her (and to readers like me) how much he likes her for her all throughout Boundless. And while I still love Tucker, I can see that Christian would be good for Clara. Cynthia Hand managed to sway me in a love triangle which has never happened before. I was even conflicted and didn't know whether or not I minded if Clara picked Christian. Ok, I would have but let's pretend I'm not that indecisive.

There's just something about Cynthia Hand's writing that I just love. She has such a simplistic, and elegant writing style that I become completely immersed in. I finished Boundless at 3am and I was completely drained. Who cared if I had to be up at 6am? I felt as I was emotionally beaten and I didn't know what to do with myself. I had finished a series that I loved and I'm sad I won't be able to read new material on it. At least I'll be able to reread whenever I want. 

The only reason I'm not giving Boundless a solid five stars is because of the ending. For me, it just wrapped up too nicely and conveniently and I don't really like that.

Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

(source)

Mind Games (Mind Games #1) 
By Kiersten White
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Personal eARC
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her - except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways...or risking each other's lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other - no matter the cost.

There is no way for me to fully explains what happens in this book without giving anything away. So I'll be listing what I loved about this book instead. And *beware: there will be some curse words.*

1. There is a lot of mind fuckery and manipulation going on this book. Fia and Annie are both being used against each other in order to kept under control. And holy crap the ways the are being manipulated is insane. I love the whole mind fuckery we have to deal with.

2. Kiersten managed to keep me intrigued right until the end, just trying to see how Annie and Fia were going to get themselves out of the hot mess they were in. I was definitely surprised with all the twists and turns and with how it ended. I saw it coming but I had hope that there was another way for these two sisters.

3. While some people didn't enjoy the dual POVs, I loved it. I found it as a great way to learn about Fia's and Annie's past and how we got to present day. That's not to say that I didn't get confused at times and would have to stop and mentally tally up the date and person the chapter was on.

4. This is the first time in a long time in which I can remember where I don't have a favorite heroine or hero. Not that I don't care about the characters, I just didn't favor one sister over the other. However, I will say this about Fia: she is seriously fucked up. Poor girl has been forced to do a lot of horrible things and it doesn't seem to end for her.

5. One of my favorite part was when we learn of what James is hiding/planning. I loved and hated it because of poor Fia and what she had to do. What she still has to do. Also, how Annie came to terms with what needed to happen and knew that it was the right thing to do in order to set Fia free. I can't wait until Book 2 comes out and we hopefully get all of our unanswered questions answered.

Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver
Release date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Personal Copy
Links: Goodreads / Barnes & Noble / Amazon

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of revolution about to ignite.

          I've put off reading this book ever since it came out. Once I heard that it had a crazy cliffhanger, I decided I could wait a bit to read it. Until this past Friday, when the itch to learn what happened to Lena came and wouldn't leave me alone.

Right away, I was sucked into the story. I was experiencing everything Lena was: every emotion, every trip and stumble, every time she wanted to give up and die, I felt it. Every time she feared or doubted herself or came in contact with something dangerous, I was living it right alongside with her.

As I read, I was wondering about someone's fate and I felt myself freaking out even more and I may or may not have peeked at the last sentence of the book (I so did). However, that backfired because my heart stopped with the shock and I had to read the last paragraph as well. I shouldn't have done that. I hate that I peeked and spoiled the ending to myself. Although, I had no idea what would happened for it to get there.

So as I read on, I started to get anxious, snapping at anyone who dared disturbed me while reading. I soon started hyperventilating and telling Lena, " No, no, no! Don't do it. Don't say it. Don't do what I think you're going to to. You'll regret it." But no! Lena didn't listen to me and as I continued on, I had half of my face covered by my hands. As if that would stop whatever was coming next.

And Oh. My. God. I still can't believe it. I read it and spoiled myself, but I still can't believe what happened. How could Lauren Oliver do this to us?! How could she end it there?! I mean... I... I have no words! I had to go back and reread the last few pages because I couldn't believe it. And now, days later and I still find myself groaning and facepalming myself because how?! How could this have happened? How could it end like that?

I knew I should have waited until it was closer to Requiem's release date to read Pandemonium. However, my stubbornness knows no bounds. Ahhh!!! Lauren Oliver, you got me. You gave me more than I expected and I'll be anxiously awaiting for March 5th, 2013 to get here.

Anyone have any hugs to spare? I'm in need of one.

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

(source)

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
Released date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: "One choice can transform you - or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves - and herself - while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions will become even more irrevocable - and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even is she does not know what she may lose by doing so."

**I'm doing something different and giving more of a rambling review where I will share the emotions I had while reading Insurgent. There just wasn't a way for me to truly review this book without giving away too much and being satisfied with it as well.**

This was one of the most anticipated book/sequel of the year for me. I counted down the days, stalked my mailman, and my mother so she could let me know if I had received my pre-ordered package (It didn't come until the 5th and I died a little each day until I had my hands on it). I completely devoured this book in one day. I was left expecting more and speechless at how it had ended. Ms. Roth did a wonderful in creating a sequel that lived up to its hype and I can't wait until the third book comes out next year.

Review: The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee

Expected publication: July 17, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

*I received this egalley from Bloomsbury USA through NetGalley*

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from author's website: "Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she's Bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.

After a suicide attempt, and now her parent's separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications (again!) and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home and school. She refuses to be daunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom, or that her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless seance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends - yet not to her - Rinn is determined to find out why she can't be 'touched' by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exits.

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky 'farm boy' she is rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about - not mention her own - she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?

Annaliese? Or herself?"

The Unquiet's premise really piqued my interest and I couldn't wait to just pick it up and read. I enjoy stories where there are some sort of mental illness and the fact there was some paranormal in it as well, it just made me super excited when I got this book. See, I have a degree in Psychology and I work in the mental health field, so I have some background information on Bipolar disorder. I see people coming in to the office on a daily basis but I have no idea what it really like for someone living with that illness that it not off a textbook.

I totally enjoyed getting to know Rinn's character. She is this sarcastic, stubborn girl with a lot of sass but who is also vulnerable and distant because she is Bipolar. She's aware that she needs to take her medications but she also misses the 'high' she used to experienced when not on them. However, she is trying to keep her promise in taking them as a promise for her parent. When we first meet Rinn, my first thought was "Oh no. Don't tell me she's a bratty teenager with an attitude and complaining about not getting her way and etc...." But after that initial meeting, I was curious because we were introduced to Rinn, Rinn's mom Monica, Millie and Nate. Rinn and Nate were so cute in the first meeting and exchanging some funny quips about Rinn being a California girl and Nate being a farm boy.

Review: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
Released Date: January 18, 2011
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

From Goodreads: "MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister's murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh - a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turn on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.

Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac herself and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master's penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac's journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world...or destroy it."

     Well, it took 5 books but I finally got the majority of my questions answered. And boy, it was one hell of a ride. I was right up to the last 10% of the book and I was still worried about what was happening and what the outcome was going to be. Not every questions was answered, but the ending was open to all sort of possibilitiies that left the reader, at least me, satisfied and in giving each character their own ending.

     Now, I like to maintain a spoiler-free zone in this blog so I won't say anything that will give too much away (but I will later on) but HOLY CRAP I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT. You know, that part towards the end? In the abbey? Yea. HOLY CRAP. I was so surprised, heck I'm still surprised and I finished the book over a week ago. But yes. WOW.

     I wanted to bookmark some of the passages from the novel on my Nook that I really enjoyed and to share it with you guys but I basically ended up highlighting and bookmarking the whole book. Ok, that a slight exaggeration (a little).

*So for those who wish not to be spoiled, beware. Spoilers ahead*

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

My Rating: 4 out of 5

From Goodreads: "Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland, —known as The Death Shop—, are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’'s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild—, a savage, —and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile, —everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky."

I was going to a book signing for Tahereh Mafi's and Veronica Rossi's Spring Into The Future book tour and I felt horrible that I had only read Tahereh's Shatter Me and didn't know anything about Veronica's Under the Never Sky. I wanted to know, come the discussions, what everyone was talking about and not feeling like I was getting spoilers. So, off to read I went. 

Upcoming Releases part 2

As I was preparing and researching for this post, I realized that there is only five books that are releasing in 2012. The list I originally had, included those for 2013 and 2014  and since I just wanted to discuss the one for 2012, here is the short version of that list.

    Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Now ever since Divergent came out last year, its popularity has grown rapidly so I don't feel the need to try to explain why I love Divergent and why I think you should go out and run (run, not walk) to your nearest bookstore and purchase it, as well as pre-order Insurgent. So I'll just say one word and be done with it: F O U R.  There. I think Four may be one of my favorite male characters ever. The swoons, ZOMG, loved. It wasn't all about Four and the swoons but that one of the reasons I loved Divergent. It is not the main thing in the book. And I know I'm not alone in this. I even got my best friend into the series and now she is currently anxiously waiting for Insurgent's release with me. (I needed more company, you see. Sorry, friend.)  I need to know what will happen next. What will happen to Tris and Four and everyone else and the factions?

    Next on the list is Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy. Now, I have not read any of McVoy's other novels, so I can't really say anything about it. But having read the book's synopsis, it's definitely something right up my alley. Also, there seems to be a lot of good reviews for the novel and I'm looking forward to reading this book. 

*Side note: Both Insurgent and Being Friends with Boys comes out the first of May.*

Review: Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: June 16, 2009
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Review by: Jenn

It's been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents' divorce-or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend."

4 stars out of 5 stars

As my first Sarah Dessen novel to have read, I loved this book. I loved the main character, Auden. She seems like the type of person I would love to have around. She is this super smart girl that somehow ended up just trying to please her parents and forgot to do what she wanted to do and was denied a childhood. She knows she missed out on experiences but she doesn't let it deter her in a way that make her an annoying, obnoxious character. And I like that about her. It makes her a likeable and relateable character.

Auden is set for a prestigious college but before that, she has the whole summer ahead of her. She decides to spend her summer with her dad and his new family. Which includes a newborn, Thisby, her stepsister and Heidi, Auden's new stepmother. Heidi is struggling to deal with a new baby and an absent husband. So Auden volunteers to help Heidi with her clothes boutique and I have to admit I giggled at the awkwardness that was Auden with Maggie and the rest of the girls in the boutique.