Emily's Reading Room

The Rules by Stacey Kade: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The Rules

by: Stacey Kade

I'm not going to use a lot of the synopsis provided by the publisher for this novel, because I'm not sure that it's a great reflection of the novel. Basically, our dear Ariane is an escaped hybrid alien human science experiment. She's still living a few short miles from where she was grown, raised, and went through awful stuff. Her adopted father is a security guard for said evil science lab, and broke her out when she was young to replace his dying daughter. Ariane (not her real name, but the name of the girl whose identity she's adopted) keeps a low profile, keeping the very strict set of rules made by her father. And then stuff starts to change.

I was pleasantly surprised by The Rules. This is my first introduction to Kade's work, and I thought that it was compelling, interesting, and surprisingly emotional. Having read and not been impressed by other escaped science experiment novels (see Origin), I went into it with relatively low expectations.

There was something about Ariane that I really liked. I loved her motivation to look out for the weak and helpless. I also liked her insights into being an alien masquerading as a human (i.e. setting up a routine, and making small adjustments to appear more human-like). She's obsessed with freedom, and yet isn't much of a risk-taker. Very savvy, which I liked.

But, there is also the dual perspective of Zane Bradshaw, the son of the over-zealous police chief that is dying for a way into spooky science lab. On the surface, he appears to be rich, snotty, hangs out with the A-listers and a jerk. But, by getting his perspective, it reveals a whole new side of him that I really liked. Otherwise, the romance would have been a no-go.

The Rules has a lot of heart. But, it wasn't perfect. First, I am weary of the "scientist are immoral" plot line. So, thankfully, very little had to deal with the actual scientists running the experiment. But, I feel like it should be noted that scientists are actually a very moral bunch for the most part, and it would be nice to see some variety in their portrayal in media. Second, is the very flat character of Rachel. She was just flat out mean. No motivation, and very little deviance from her villainous role.

I'll definitely be checking out the sequel to The Rules and recommend it to anyone looking for a page turner! And, check out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win a copy!

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Eve & Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate: Review

noreply@blogger.com (The How-To Gal) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Eve & Adam
By: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
Review by: Anna Rose Johnson

Dystopia, romance and syfy mix and explode, creating Eve & Adam, a book about love and science. The cover is the immediate hook, tempting you with unexplained phenomenons dating back to biblical times. I felt like the original Eve when I dove into this book…thinking it might be a little blasphemous to read a story where “and girl created boy.” But when I got into the meat of the story, there really wasn’t anything too forbidden about it. The plot lines were littered with so many points of view that I never connected with any one character. I liked the premise, but wasn’t enthralled.

Evening Spiker, Eve, is a likeable enough character in the beginning of the book. She’s very smart, logical and a romantic – a pretty good representation of how I want people to see me – probably why I liked her and hated her. But she’s spoiled. There’s no getting around it. Her mother, Terra Spiker, is an incredibly rich business woman who throws money at Eve like its nothing. Terra comes to Eve’s rescue after a terrible accident, transporting Eve to Spiker Biotech where she recovers at a rapid rate. Come to find out, Eve has been genetically modified to heal as a child. Instead of being mystified or even grateful, all Eve can see is a controlling mother.

Terra allows Eve to play with a new computer program where she can build the “perfect guy” during recovery. Unbeknownst to Eve, the perfect guy, Adam, is actually being created in a lab somewhere with every key stroke and eye color selection. While Eve is creating Adam, a connection forms between Eve and Solo, a mysterious boy living in Spiker Biotech. Solo was my favorite character, mysterious, good-looking, smart – forget Adam, Solo’s the perfect guy! He has an unexplained past that comes out later in the book that rocks each character to the core. Really, Solo’s the saving grace of Eve & Adam.

While I wasn’t completely engrossed in the characters or the plot, it was an enjoyable read. Not too fluffy with an interesting message. Eve & Adam is a story about how the perfect person for you, really isn’t the best person for you.

Sexuality: Mild.
Drugs/Alcohol: Mild.
Profanity: Mild.
Violence: Moderate.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Out of the Easy
By: Ruta Sepetys

Set in the 1950's in New Orleans, Out of the Easy follows the story of Josie Moraine, the daughter of a prostitute that wants a way out. Josie's plans to leave are thwarted by a mysterious death in the French Quarter that may involve her mother and others.

Another great novel from Ruta Sepetys. I was a mega fan of Between Shades of Gray, Sepetys's debut novel, and had high hopes for this one.

There are many things about Out of the Easy that I think showed Sepetys's style. Josie's character is definitely one of these. Much like Lena, Josie is a very sympathetic character. Her situation as the daughter of a really lousy mother is frustrating as a reader. There was nothing I wanted more than for her to just get out!

Having recently read East of Eden by John Steinbeck, I also noticed some parallels between his portrayal of prostitution and Sepetys'. Now, Out of the Easy is not a retelling of East of Eden, and I don't know that there is any intended connection. However, Willie, the owner of the brothel, is very similar to a character in Steinbeck's novel. She's more of a mothering type and creates an environment where the reader feels very sympathetic towards the institutions of prostitution.

Another trademark of Sepetys's style is the ambiguous romance. Josie has interactions with a couple male characters, but I would definitely not go into this novel expecting a swoony romance. It's much more subtle than that, and it isn't completely resolved. But, as a reader, I'm all over the slow burn anyway.

As a whole, Ruta Sepetys ranks up there with other great historical fiction writers that I've love. And I'm eagerly anticipating her next novel.

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My Mountain Home

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Utah is my home. It wasn't always though. While my dad was getting his Ph.D. and doing some post-doctoral work we lived in Pennsylvania and Arizona. We didn't settle in Utah until I was almost 10. We moved to a very small town that you won't find on anything more detailed than a county map, and I felt entirely out of my element. Cliques for friends had been established since before kindergarten and much of my elementary and middle school years felt very lonely.

If you've ever been to Utah or have even seen pictures of Utah you'll notice that there are mountains everywhere. And they are close. When I started 4th grade during my first year in Utah I felt trapped by them. I used to dream of the day that I could drive a car right over them and go back to Arizona. Or anywhere. As long as it was far away from those mountains.

When I was in college, I moved to Hawaii for a few months. When I landed at the airport and took a car to my new house, I felt lonely. I missed my family and my friends. As I handed my debit card to the driver to pay for my ride to my house, he looked at the photo on it, which is a picture of the Wasatch mountains with snow on them. He said, is this where you are from? I said yes. He said, these mountains are beautiful, you are so lucky to call this place home.

That moment was a turning point for me. I could not imagine how this man, who had lived in Hawaii his entire life could call my desert mountain home beautiful. Those mountains, the valley, everything, they were restrictive. Hawaii was beautiful! Their volcanic mountains had trees and vegetation that grew up to the peak! I lived across the street from the beach! Heck, everyone lived across the street from the beach!

Then I looked at the card again. This time with the eyes of an outsider. And suddenly I saw what he saw. They were beautiful. And it wasn't just the mountains, my home was beautiful.

Ever since that moment, I try to take time every day to really look at my surroundings and appreciate them no matter where I am. Because happiness is not about your physical location, but about your attitude and how you respond.

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

This is What Happy Looks Like
by: Jennifer E. Smith

One of my most unexpected favorites from last year was The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, which cemented Jennifer E. Smith as an author whose books are an instant read. I got a copy of This is What Happy Looks Like all the way back in November 2012, and dropped everything to pick it up and read.

Graham Larkin, a teen movie star, mistypes an email and sends it to Ellie O'Neill, a small town girl in Maine, which sparks a conversation between the two a la You've Got Mail. Graham then convinces the director of his next movie to film in Ellie's hometown in the hopes that they can meet.

I knew I was going to like this book when Ellie's story was introduced. See, one of the things that really captured me about Smith's writing is her ability to take a very sensitive issue and frame it in a way that is both light and poignant. And this was the first line that just sunk me:

"She had only been four when she and her mom moved here, and after the long drive up from Washington, D.C.—the car heavy because of all they'd taken with them and silent because of all they had not—they'd stopped in town to ask for directions to the cottage they'd rented for the summer."

From that moment, I knew that I was going to feel protective of Ellie. Her mother has worked so hard to create an environment for Ellie where she can grow up happy and safe from the prying nature of the media and scandal.

But, what I didn't expect was to also feel attached to Graham. His stardom was an accident, a happenstance that has alienated him from his friends and even his family. Because once you become famous as Graham has, everything changes.

So where does this relationship go when you have one that wants to stay away from the fame, and the other that can't escape it? Well, that's the magic. It's funny at times, poignant at others, but always entertaining.

Both Ellie and Graham's journeys separately as well as their relationship together was so well-crafted. And in each chapter there were snippets of such masterful writing that I found myself wishing I had a highlighter so that I could mark every one.

Basically, both The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and This is What Happy Looks Like are definite keepers for me, and I can't wait to see what else comes from Jennifer E. Smith.

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Dark Lord: The Early Years by Jamie Thomson

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Dark Lord: The Early Years
By: Jamie Thomson
Review by: Kylie Comfoltey

What is this confounded planet, who are these puny humans, and why is everyone calling him Dirk Lloyd? The Dark Lord is not amused to find himself cursed to this pathetic world where his powers are useless and the peons don't fear him for his dark and evil ways. It's obvious that he's not a human child. He's the Dark Lord! And he must find his way back to the Darklands to dominate and rule by terror! But some of these humans aren't so bad. Perhaps their servitude--er, assistance, friendship, whatever--can help to return him to his rightful role as Ruler Supreme!

Review:
Please say you're looking for a laugh-out-loud hilarious MG read, because this is it! And you don't even have to be 10 years old to love it. (My 27-year-old husband and my two 17-year-old brothers also read it. All laughed out loud.)

Dark Lord: The Early Years is narrated by The Dark Lord himself, aka Dirk Lloyd. The story is told from the Dark Lord's viewpoint. He is determined to get out of the hideous 13-year-old-boy shell he's been cursed into and make his way back to the Darklands to reclaim his status as ruler supreme--and he'd also like to rule this planet, if possible.

But he is powerless on this planet. He has to go to earthling school with the insufferable humans. And he has to sit through detention. And it is so funny.

Dirk's voice is unique and entertaining, sinister without excessive wrath. His mind overflows with commandeering intentions and nefarious spells, and his journal entries and illustrations are fabulous. Jamie Thomson has created a lovable evil villain, equal parts comic and fiend (though the poor Dark Lord can't understand why his threats and claims of evil cause the humans to giggle with glee).

Thomson's writing is engaging, witty, and laughably clever. The description of Dirk's use of the Sinister Hand spell puts a perfectly mad picture in the reader's mind. So wonderfully British.

I have to point this out: I've never thoroughly enjoyed the acknowledgements page so much as I did in this book. I read every word and laughed out loud! I am a big fan of snarky British humor, I mean humour, and I'm expecting more laughs in book two.

Get your villain-loving hands on this book, and get working on your evil laugh. If you need coaching, Jamie Thomson is here to help. Five stars from me!

Sexuality: Nada.
Drugs/Alcohol: Zip.
Profanity: Only evil curses toward the puny humans (e.g. bow down, puny human!)
Violence: The Sinister Hand has its moment, and accidental arson shows its face. Seriously, this book is fab.

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Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Going Vintage
by: Lindsey Leavitt

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend Jeremy has been cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she takes action. Deleting her friendspace account, and getting rid of all electronics, Mallory goes back to a simpler time. Using the inspiration of a list written by her grandmother at her age, Mallory is set on making this year in high school her best.

I was crazy about Leavitt's Sean Griswold's Head, so when I got this one last November, I set about to reading it immediately even though the publication date was forever away. And I absolutely devoured it.

I will say upfront, however, that you will probably have to suspend some disbelief in Mallory's quest to "go vintage." Because, on the surface, it can seem like a major overreaction on her part. But, what I loved about the story was that it was fun, sweet, but still rang true. Mallory is hurt by her boyfriend's betrayal, and what makes it worse is that it is with someone on the other side of a computer. But, getting past the initial possible overreaction, Mallory's quest to return to a simpler time is charming and funny. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of what I liked about The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg, though instead of swearing off boys, Mallory swears off electronics.

Mallory's interactions with her family are what really makes this novel for me. Her relationship with her parents and their interaction with each other are so real and relatable. And of course, there is a rather sweet romance that develops that is definitely worth reading.

I will admit that I didn't connect with this novel as much as I did Sean Griswold's Head, but I still enjoyed it immensely. All of Leavitt's great wit and charm are present in the dialogue, and I think you'll really grow to love Mallory.

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Sexism in the Workplace

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I'd like to offer disclaimer to this post, because I have a feeling that with a sensitive issue like this, things can get out of hand pretty quickly. This is my own personal story, and I'm giving the facts as I see them. I have particularly left out names and details because this isn't about exacting vengeance on anyone. I've had professional counseling related to this issue and while I'm not happy with the way things happened, I feel comfortable enough to share this with all of you.

What really got me thinking about this post was a recent discussion I had with some male classmates after class one day. We were discussing feminist literary theory in class, and carried the discussion outside the classroom. I was trying to explain to them what sexism in the workplace looks like. Because nowadays it’s much less about your boss coming on to you and more about insensitive remarks and inability to move up in an organization.

I’ve had situations in the not so distant past at work where I have been put in very uncomfortable situations. I’ve been compared to a dairy cow while I was breastfeeding my daughter after I returned from maternity leave. I’ve had jokes made about me and my husband’s private sex life. I’ve even had to listen to jokes that weren’t even about me but had to do with other women and their looks. Sometimes it wasn't even a joke. It would be discussing an item of news and hearing victim blaming in regards to rape. Just overall insensitivity.

One of my classmates said, “Whoa. So what do you do when those types of things happen?” And I was honestly stumped.

See, when these types of things happened, at first I just kind of chuckled along because I was the only woman in an office of men. I wanted to fit into the culture. I never made jokes but I acted like they were okay. I figured if I could play by the rules of the others in the office I could get ahead in my job. And, as a general whole, I liked these people. I hated their comments, but they weren't total jerks and in many instances were really charming overall.

Eventually though, the jokes and comments started to wear on me, and they weren’t funny anymore. They were uncomfortable, insensitive and in some cases made me not want to go to work. I stopped laughing just to go along, and even in some cases asked for them to stop altogether.

Then, one day I reached a tipping point. I made a complaint to a superior. I let him know what was going on and that I wanted to file a complaint with HR. He told me to hold off while he had a chance to try to solve the problem without a complaint. And then nothing happened. When I followed up I was told my complaints were without merit.

Back to the question: what did I do? I found a new job. Did I handle things in the best way? Probably not. But, it comes down to the fact that I didn’t want to lose my job. I COULDN’T lose my job. And I was afraid that if I didn’t go along with what was going on, I’d be seen as a troublemaker, not fun, or a stick in the mud.

I don't know what the right answer is. And that's what makes this situation so crappy. It took counseling and a new job for me to find a place where I'm happy in my work again. But at some point, stuff like this just has to stop.

Pitch Dark Days Tour: Provo!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

p.s. Check out my other Pitch Dark Days stuff like an interview with Dan Wells and a review of Fragments!

If you didn't already know this, Provo City Library hosts the best events. It's awesome to live so close. And I was thrilled that HarperTeen was bringing their Pitch Dark Days tour to Provo!

So, I showed up at the event, and look what was waiting for me.

In case you couldn't tell, that is a reserved seat for me as the "Area Blogger." Which was awesome because it was totally on the front row!

Before the event got started, I had a chance to do a short interview with the authors. I chose to do a speed pitch session with the authors talking about someone else's book! As you can imagine, some hilarity ensued.

There were also some special guests in attendance at the event:

Ah! A King Snarkles clone!

As always, the Provo Library had an AMAZING setup!

Director Gene Nelson began the festivities, and then the author panel began!

Alison Lisnow from HarperTeen led the panel discussion.

The panel was honestly hilarious. Brodi is always a hoot, and began by talking about her sweater and that it was soft. There was a particularly awkward moment when Kiersten began to pet it.

When asked if the authors on the panel ever feel awkward and embarrassed about writing romantic scenes, the general consensus was that it only got awkward when they imagined their parents or other people reading it. Of course, Dan Wells just thinks of Kiersten White's husband to get him going. (Inside joke, totally had to have been there.

After the panel, the signing began! I got to have a chat with every author, but was so scatter-brained as to not get a picture with any of them. Or of Lauren Oliver's totally intense shoes!

Thanks to HarperTeen and the Provo Library for sponsoring and hosting this great event, and to the King's English for selling books!

Want to win a copy of Fragments by Dan Wells? (of course you do!) Check out the rafflecopter below!

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Fragments by Dan Wells: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Fragments
by: Dan Wells
series: Partials

p.s. don't forget to check out my interview with Dan Wells about his series.

p.p.s no spoilers for Fragments here!

Kira has discovered the cure for RM, well sort of. See, even though the last surviving humans know that a cure exists, replicating the cure has proved... difficult. In that they just can't do it. So, Kira is on a mission to figure out exactly what ParaGen was up to, and how they can stop the virus once and for all.

Fragments was a big hit for me last year. I loved the viral/medical take on the apocalypse and couldn't wait to get to the bottom of what in the heck ParaGen was doing.

Fragments isn't as heavily involved in the science of the virus, but there is some seriously ~~cool~~ awful stuff about what has happened to the environment since the humans all but disappeared. On the cover of Fragments is a submerged Chicago, and trust me, you're going to love the scenes out there.

By upping the stakes and taking Kira and... other people.... outside of New York, you get a bigger picture of just how this virus has wiped out the country, and the devastation that's left in the wake of it. There isn't as much action as there was in Partials, and a lot of the story is just piecing together the pieces of the puzzle to ParaGen. But, I loved the complexity of ParaGen's motives and the interaction between Kira and her Partial teammates.

Fragments is a very solid sequel to Partials, and I'm definitely excited for the next book!

author twitter | epic reads | author website | book trailer

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Pitch Dark Days Blog Tour: Interview with Dan Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

As a part of the Pitch Dark Days blog tour, I'm excited to invite Dan Wells to the blog to share some insights into the writing process and some fun facts about Fragments, the sequel to Partials!

Okay, since you blew up everything in Partials, where do Kira and Samm go from here? What can we look forward to in Fragments?

There's an awful lot of post-apocalyptic world out there, and so far we've only seen a very small part of it. One of my favorite things about Fragments was the opportunity to explore that world in more detail: we've seen how New York weathered the apocalypse, but what about other areas? What happened to the mountains, or the Great Plains, or some of the massive cityscapes? The Partials still have hundreds of thousands of people, not to mention electricity--what is their civilization like?

But even as we explore some more of the world, don't think we're going to forget about things in East Meadow. Book one found some very big solutions to humanity's problems, but those solutions still need to be implemented, and that's easier said than done--especially now that the fragile peace between human and Partials has been shattered. Both species are facing extinction, and both have reason to believe that the other side might hold the key to their survival. That's a recipe for big, big trouble.

How has your experience writing Kira differed with writing John Cleaver in your previous series?

Both characters have to make some very difficult decisions, holding other people's lives in their hands in situations where both choices are terrible, and I think that gives them some strong similarities. The way they go about it, though, is very different: John is a primarily tragic character, so his decisions tend to be laced with pathos and more than a little nihilism. He's resigned to the fact that the world is terrible, so he's far more willing to do terrible things. Kira, on the other hand, is an idealist, and never gives up hope for that one amazing solution that will save everybody--though she doesn't always find it. I suppose you could say that Kira's losses hurt her more, but John's victories still feel like losses.

You've mentioned that you enjoy poetry. Can you share a few of your favorite poets and what it is specifically about them that inspire you?

Two of my favorites are John Keats and Emily Bronte, both firmly entrenched in the Romantic era of British literature, but both wildly different. Keats is great because his imagery is so perfect, and often very subtle. Read "To Autumn," arguably his most famous poem, and you get an amazing feel for Autumn that captures all five senses, but you also get a deeper layer of meaning buried in the cadence and the progress of the stanzas; Autumn is a joyful time of ripe apples and harvest festivals, but it's also a time of death and loss, as summer gives way to winter and everything turns cold and barren. His entire body of work captures this blend of light and darkness, and some of his poems are straight-up horror stories.

If Keats' main strength is his subtlety and precision, Emily Bronte is all about unbridled power. She's not as well-trained and her language and form are not nearly as manicured, but you get the sense of enormous emotion roiling under the surface, struggling madly for some way to escape the staid, somber life of a proper British girl in a desolate moor. "High Waving Heather," a thunderous piece about a storm on the moor, is simultaneously terrified of nature's fury and in love with at the same time; wind and rain and lightning crash all around you, thrilling and wonderful and dangerous all at once. Bronte tells stories of death and pain and imprisonment and destruction, and the more you read the more you realize that every one of those things signifies some kind of freedom.

If you could co-author a book with anyone, who would it be? And what would it be about? (I'm going to disqualify Robison from this question.)

Brandon Sanderson and I have talked about a lot of co-author projects, most of them so weird that no one but the two of us would ever want to read them. My favorite is an epic fantasy, complete with annotations, purportedly written by Abraham Lincoln as a fanfic of Herman Melville. This is why it's probably best that we never actually collaborate on anything.

Let's say the zombie/robot takeover apocalypse has begun. Where is the worst place you could be? Where is the best place you could be? And where are you most likely to be?

You do not want to be in any kind of urban center when the world ends: plagues can travel faster, combatants have more reason to attack you (and cause a lot more collateral damage), and resources are far more scarce. Urban centers also have much tighter weapon restrictions, meaning that a zombie or robot uprising (and the looters that arise in the aftermath) would be almost impossible to fight off. Small towns and countryside communities have more food per capita, more guns and ammunition, better visibility for defense, and easier means of travel. Once the world ends, though, and assuming I survive (and assuming there are no zombies to contend with) I'd head straight into the nearest city and live in a library. Pure bliss.

Pivot Point by Kasie West: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Pivot Point
by: Kasie West

Published by: Harper Teen / EpicReads
To Be Released on: 2/12/13
Series: Pivot Point #1
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Add to Goodreads

I have to admit that I did not have high hopes for this novel. Sure, the premise sounded interesting enough, but I feel like I've read a good deal of "kids with superpower" books lately and am feeling a bit burned out. And, I am just going to come out with the fact that I really have no love for the cover.

Addison Coleman, like all of her classmates, has a special ability. Addison can search into the future when she is faced with a choice and see where both decisions will take her. When her parents announce their divorce, she is convinced by her friend to search into the decision to stay in the compound, or leaving to live with the normals with her father. So, basically the story alternates between her life with her mother and her life with her father. In the future.

Truth be told, this story is a pretty ambitious undertaking. As Addison's story unfolds, there are points where the story line converges and had the plot been any less tight, it would have fallen apart. But, the transition between the two stories were nearly flawless and made for an excellent read.

Though the story was heavy on the romance between Addison and the boys in each of her realities, there were plenty of thought provoking moments. Addison's gift causes her to be incredibly cautious about her choices. It's as though you'd never have to make a wrong choice, since you could potentially see any consequence for a particular action. Addison also reacts based on her visions of the future. For instance, though a person may not have physically done something, Addison remembers it and treats them just as though it had actually happened.

Once the story really started to pick up, and Addison nears the end of her search, I was totally invested. And though I did see a few things coming and felt like I knew what her choice would be, that didn't make it any less painful. Which is, of course, just how you want it to be.
The true test is, of course, will I read the next in the series? Absolutely.

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Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

hey! check out my interview with Emily Meehan, editor at Disney Hyperion for more juicy tidbits about the novel.

Cinders and Sapphires
by: Leila Rasheed

Ada Averley is kind of a big deal. She's returning from India with her family, though under less than ideal circumstances. But, she's coming back to a big house, servants, and the upcoming season. But, she's got other things on her mind. Like going to Cambridge, or the dashing young man she met on the boat on the way over...

This book is a big fat worm on a hook dangling in front of Downton Abbey fans. I'll admit it, I took a nibble. And, for the most part, I got what I was expecting. It was a fun kind of gossip girly historical fiction. That section of history, right when the world was on the verge of massive change, heartbreak and despair is so interesting to read about. Even within the novel you get the very real sense that something very massive is bubbling beneath the surface. Not just in reference to WWI, though of course that significantly changed matters in Europe, and the world in general. But, there were changes coming for women, and the British colonies, and rights for workers. And in many way, Rasheed captures that magic in her novel, weaving the lives of upper class and servants together to show some of the sparkle of the time but also the grit.

All of that being said, there were some flaws in the novel that need to be mentioned as well. There were a lot of characters, and I must admit they were a little hard to keep track of at times. A lot of different story lines were crisscrossing, and while it was accurate, it did get confusing. But, I started to sort myself out after about 50 pages or so.

The other one, which I'm sure there will be disagreement with is the romance between Rose and Ravi. I'm sorry guys, I just couldn't get on board. I get what Ravi is supposed to represent, but he didn't really shine as a character. We know a little about him, and he and Rose share a kiss at the beginning of the novel. But, other than that, he really just falls flat. I found myself really liking Lord Fenton. A lot, actually.

Is it worth a read? If you really enjoy Downton Abbey, I think you'll get a kick out of it. Of course, I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to historical fiction. Will I pick up the next in the series? It is highly probable that I will, if not purely for the entertainment value.

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Cinders and Sapphires Blog Tour: Editor Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

So, Downton Abbey. I'm a fan. (Well at least of the first two seasons, I haven't actually seen any of the third season yet and from what I hear, I'm not missing much?). Therefore, seeing the synopsis of Cinders & Sapphires filled me with delight, because it's Downton Abbey for teens! I've got a review of the book coming up in a couple of days, but wanted to bring you an interview with the series editor, Emily Meehan!

What was your first impression of Cinders & Sapphires when it came across your desk? What made you have to have it? This book came about a bit differently. I asked the question, what if we did a teenaged version of Downton Abbey? And then I asked Sarah Davies if she knew anyone who could write it, and she did! When I got the first draft from Leila I was so happy, because she did such a wonderful job with it.

Have you ever edited historical YA fiction before? What research did you have to do to make sure that the book was accurate to the time period? Since both agent and author are British, I relied a lot on them to tell me. I got all of the titles wrong at first. Leila is quite knowledgeable on that time period and she's done a lot of research.

How much input did you have into the cover? Are you happy with the way it turned out? I love the cover. We did a photo shoot for it. I wanted it to look like we had just interrupted a moment. We hired a stylist and went with her to a costume warehouse were we used clothes from the time period. We had a blast.

Leila Rasheed, Author

Was there any scene that was particularly enjoyable to edit? Or one that was difficult? It was hard to lose scenes that we liked. Leila felt at times (rightfully) that there was too much going on in the storyline, so we had to make some cuts. I love Ada and Ravi's romance. And any scene Sebastian is in is going to be wickedly fun and dramatic.

Cinders and Sapphires has been marketed as having appeal to fans of Downton Abbey. Are you a fan of the show? What types of things in the novel do you think will appeal to fans of the show? I love Downton! I think what's appealing is the whole servant/gentry concept. That people actually lived like that, and not too long ago. We liked examining a lot of the social and political taboos of the time as well. I think Leila did a great job of getting deeper into issues like suffrage and racism and that makes for a much more rewarding read.

The Archived by Victoria Schwab: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The Archived
by: Victoria Schwab

There is a place, hidden in cracks and crevices where the dead rest on shelves like books. Their stories available to those who can read them. Librarians watch over the stacks of Histories. The Keepers return the occasionally History that just won't rest. Mackenzie is a Keeper, like her grandfather before her. The job of Keeper has always been dangerous, but when the number of restless histories increases and pieces of the Archived are erased all together, Mackenzie has to figure out what's going on, or risk the crumbling of the entire Archive.

As with almost all novels dealing with the difficult subject of death, The Archived is sad. Mackenzie and her family are dealing with the loss of her little brother. It's the kind of loss that really makes you ache. There isn't any replacing someone that you loved so much, especially when they are taken too soon. And that ache definitely pulses through the pages. So, when Mackenzie spends time sitting by her brother's spot on the shelf, you can't help but wish you were there with her.

I'm always skeptical about novels relating to the afterlife. I haven't found many that have really connected with me. The world shown in The Archived is imaginative, descriptive, and haunting. Because when we die, what are we really besides the memory and history that we leave behind?

There is plenty of action, mystery and just a little pinch of romance. The Archived, even with its sad moments is wonderfully hopeful. Even though the sting of death is real for those who are left behind, the memories of them are still with us. And time lessens the hurt and with time, the bitterness fades and the taste that is left is sweet.

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Glitch by Heather Anastasiu: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Glitch
By: Heather Anastasiu
Review by: Kylie Comfoltey

Synopsis (borrowed from Goodreads):
In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

Review:
A friend of mine wants nothing more in life than to fall in love at first sight. She would love this book.

I liked the concept behind Glitch, but I couldn't really get behind the idea of the Link and the inner workings of the drones. I'm big on details and would have liked more information on how things work for/with the drones. I thought the book had good bones, but would have benefited from more meaty world building.

Zoe is an interesting heroin. She is brave and cares for her family. Bonus: she has cool telekinetic powers! But Zoey is too trusting for someone living in a drone society. I expected her to be more paranoid. I'm going to give her a pass, though, on account of the mind control.

Glitch had a lot of drama happening. Being a very undramatic person myself, I tend to tune out when things get too whiny. At times I was reminded a little of Bella's dramatic voice in New Moon; lots of inner searching and emotional struggle. It was a necessary part of the story, being that Zoe lived emotion-free for most of her life, but it felt long-winded at parts.

There's a wannabe love triangle in Glitch, though I can't imagine anyone siding with Max over Adrien. Don't worry, you won't be torn between two loves! But you might want to slap some sense into Zoe.

Some of the story was predictable, but I'll admit I was surprised a time or two! I do love when a book surprises me. In short, I was entertained and intrigued, but wasn't completely gripped by the story or the characters.

Sexuality: Mild.
Drugs/Alcohol: Mild.
Profanity: Mild. Some made-up curses.
Violence: Moderate.

amazon | goodreads | author twitter | author website

The Darkest Minds Blog Tour: Interview with Emily Meehan

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

hey! don't forget to check out my review of The Darkest Minds that I posted a couple weeks ago.

I've done a fair number of author interviews in my time, and I really enjoy them. But, today is my first opportunity to interview an editor. And, Emily Meehan, editor at Disney Hyperion and more specifically the editor for The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, is my debut! She's going to answer a few questions about the editing of The Darkest Minds.

What was your first impression of The Darkest Minds when it came across your desk? And what made you decide you HAD to have it?

The first sentence, which is still the first sentence in the book (though we reordered things quite a bit and had to make it a prologue): "When the White Noise went off, we were in the Garden, pulling weeds." That is such a good first sentence.

How much input did you have in the cover of The Darkest Minds? And, what do you think the cover shares about the story?

Lots and lots of input; I have a very loud mouth! This cover was very challenging, and it actually led to a title change. The original title was BLACK IS THE COLOR, but we found when we started pairing the title with images for the cover, people began to think of race no matter what image we used, and we thought it could be confusing. I think we ended up with the best possible cover and title, and the really great thing is it's easy to make it a series look.

Was there a scene or character that was particularly fun to edit and work with Alex on? Any that were especially difficult?

The scene that really killed me was the one where Ruby…ugh. I really was just typing something that I feel is a spoiler. Let me see if I can say this without ruining anything. Ruby's grappling with her powers and how she has used them in the past and how she uses them to navigate her life can be excruciatingly emotional. In a good way.

Anything you can share about the sequel?

Hmm. All three book titles will make a complete sentence. The second book is even better than the first, if that's possible. I owe Alex an editorial letter on it, though, so I better go!

About The Darkest Minds

When Ruby awakened on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." Because Ruby might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby knows that she is one of the dangerous ones and, when the truth comes out, she barely escapes Thurmond with her life. On the run and desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her, Ruby joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what she did to her parents.

When they arrive at the safe haven, East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work too, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. And soon Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

The heart-pounding first book a near-future dystopian series, Alexandra Bracken’s The Darkest Minds will leave you begging for the next installment.

Revolution 19 by Greg Rosenblum: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Revolution 19
by: Gregg Rosenblum

Kevin, Nick and Cass have survived with their parents living out in the wilderness; free from the bots that have taken over society. Their village is decimated, and they travel to the nearest city in search of their parents. What they find there isn't quite what they expected...

Just from the premise and the opening scene you get a very strong Terminator vibe. Or at least I did. The bots that were created to fight the war turned on their creators and made the humans the slaves. Or wiped them out all together. Though I get the sense that the bots in Revolution 19 are a bit more altruistic than those in Terminator. (Full disclosure: the only Terminator movie I've seen is the new one with Christian Bale. Because, well, it's Christian Bale. He was awesome in it, though the movie, not so much.)

Anyway, so after the village is wiped out; Kevin, Nick and Cass head into the city to track down their parents. They assume that either their parents have been killed, or they are being educated for reintegration into society. But, before this there is a bit of an opening scene where the bots are culling the people, and Nick gets a nice little scar from his altercation with them. The opening scene was very compelling and held great promise for the book.

But, not too long into the first couple chapters, I started to lose interest. It's hard to put my finger on what exactly went wrong, but I think that it was the introduction of a new character and her parents. Their interaction and dialogue was very forced. And there was also the sense that no one was really ever in real danger. I wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting for the robots to come pick these kids up. It had all the elements of a great story, but unfortunately, the writing just wasn't there.

As far as sci-fi post-apocolyptic robot books go, I think I'll stick with Partials.

goodreads | amazon | bn | king's english

Just One Day by Gayle Forman: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Just One Day
by: Gayle Forman

It all started when follow-all-the-rules Allyson forgoes the previously planned production of Hamlet with her tour group; instead seeing the underground version of Twelfth Night. And him. With a few exchanged glances, and nothing more, Allyson and her bff set off on their last day of the trip, never to see the boy again. But, in a chance (fate?) meeting on the train, Allyson and Willem are reunited. And then goody two shoes Allyson becomes adventurous Lulu and runs off with Willem to spend her final day in Paris. After a whirlwind day (and night), Willem is gone and Allyson is left picking up the pieces.

I've heard much raving about Forman's previous series (If I Stay, Where She Went) and decided to give this new one a shot. I've become rather fond of a good contemporary novel, and in many ways, this one fit the bill. Forman's writing is smooth and comforting. And as a pretty "good girl" myself, I could definitely see a bit of myself in Allyson.

I think where things went a little awry was with Willem. I just didn't really like him. Though I get the whole British charm, I wasn't sold on his bad boy character or why he was worth so much pining.

But, I did appreciate what the Willem experience meant for Allyson. Spending a lifetime following the carefully laid plain that Allyson had laid out for herself, and the Paris trip was just the beginning, a crack in the armor. And when she got back, that crack started to expand and take over. College is a time of great personal introspection and change. Much more so than high school because you are forced to be removed from your routine. So, when Allyson begins to struggle in school, I get that. And I think it's a lot less to do with the experience with Willem and more about realizing that what you planned sometimes isn't the right path for you, and that's okay.

Which is why the ending of the novel didn't really work for me. I know. I'm such a fuddy duddy and I'll have people screaming at me, "BUT TRUE WUV!" I get all that. But, Willem is such a bore. Sorry guys.

In regards to the upcoming sequel Just One Year, I might read it. Just to see if Willem is the jerk I think he is. Who knows? He seems like the kind of guy that just might surprise you.

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Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Paper Valentine
by: Brenna Yovanoff

The summer after Lillian's death, Hannah is trying to figure out how it all fell apart. How Lillian could have died slowly in front of all of them, and why she is still haunting Hannah now. Lillian becomes even more persistent when a rash of murders in Ludlow point to a serial killer on the loose. As Hannah investigates, she comes to terms with Lillian's death, and her own struggles with her identity since her passing. And it all comes down to the Valentine Killer.

Paper Valentine begins with a bang. Lillian's entrance as a ghost and her impact on Hannah is just flat-out creepy. The description of the murder scenes and the feeling that the killer might be just around the corner adds to the suspense.

But, after a few chapters, I found myself a little bored. Serial killer novels involving a teen freelance detective can be very tough. I didn't really understand what Hannah's connection to this serial killer was. Lillian felt very compelled to solve their murders, but Hannah didn't know any of the victims, and there isn't any real brush with the killer that makes it feel like she's in any danger. I felt like the more compelling story was the one dealing with her friend dying of anorexia. Hannah feels grief-stricken and guilty because she watched her friend starve herself to death and she couldn't do anything about it. The serial-killer stuff really just took a backseat to the end.

So, the ending. There was a "don't go in the basement!" moment towards the end that really had me shaking my head. Like I said, it can be very tough in a young adult novel to write a thriller that doesn't involve some measure of going to the cops. And, I get that there has to be a certain suspension of belief. But, for this ending, it just didn't make sense that an adult was not told what was going on, and why Hannah felt like she had to do it on her own.

In the end, I liked a lot of the writing and a few of the subplots that were happening, but it wasn't quite cohesive enough for me to rave about it.

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Shadowlands by Kate Brian: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Shadowlands
by: Kate Brian

Rory Miller escaped the odds. After being attacked in the woods, she escaped. Only to learn that she had escaped the infamous serial killer, Steven Nell, and he never leaves a job unfinished. Her family's only hope for survival is go into the witness protection program, far away from everything they know. So Rory, her sister Darcy and father pack up the car and start driving.

Right from the beginning Shadowlands is dark and deliciously creepy. Rory's narrow escape from her would be murderer is pulse-pounding. As is every segment told from his point of view. There's no other way to put it other than it's just fantastic suspenseful storytelling. Through the entire book I don't think I ever felt like I could take a breath. And I wanted more than anything for Rory and her family to be safe. Not just so that things could go back to normal, but so that an evil person like Nell wouldn't win. Just this once.

Once Rory and her family enter witness protection and go to their safe house, the story changes tone a little. Though you never get the sense that she's truly safe, it seems like there is something else that just isn't right. And though you can't put your finger on it, you know it's significant. Like I said, great storytelling.

So, let's skip to the ending, shall we? I won't give anything away, because that would just be mean. Just understand that this is the first in a planned series. And that the ending is going to kick you right in the face. As soon as I finished the final line I felt like the mirror I'd been looking through was shattered and it turns out it's a window. I was frantically flipping back through pages to see just what I'd missed and how I could have gotten it so wrong. You'll love it.

This novel ranks with some of the great twisted novels I've read lately (see: I Hunt Killers and Beautiful Lies). And seriously, the sequel just can't come fast enough.

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Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Level 2
by: Lenore Appelhans

Felicia is dead. Ever since her death, she has been stuck in Level 2, a stark white world where the dead go to sort out their memories and move on. The only trouble is, people aren't moving on. As Felicia relives her life over and over again, she is in a state of bliss. Until Julian shows up and introduces her to the rebellion that will overthrow the Morati and their hold on Level 2.

I have been reading Lenore's blog for years now. And, we met at BEA in 2011 and 2012. I've been excited about her novel since she announced it. Just thought I'd get all that stuff out of the way.

My first impressions of Level 2 was that it was a dystopian novel. However, it should be made perfectly clear that this is a novel about the afterlife, with a few dystopian elements. Meaning that the society (of souls after death) is supposed to be perfect, but holds some very dark secrets.

Memories are used as currency. Those memories that the dead wish to make public are uploaded into the system. Others are then able to slip into the memories and relive them. They can rate them, and the user who uploaded the video is given credits based on how many times their memories are viewed. Then the uploader can either relive their own memories, or use their credits to relive another soul's memory. There are limitations; for instance, you can't view memories that occurred before you lived.

I hope that explanation helped, because I honestly couldn't figure out what was going on until about page 100. I held on because I really enjoyed Felicia's memories and learning about her life on earth. The world in Level 2 was a little harder for me to connect to and enjoy because I simply couldn't figure out what it was for a good portion of the novel.

But, there were a lot of things to love about Level 2. Learning about Felicia through her memories and even how many times they have been viewed and which ones were private was absolutely fascinating. Her interactions with Julian both on earth and in Level 2 were complex and very twisty. And her romance with Neil (who is shown in her memories), is sweet and lovely. Also, once I got a handle on what was really going on in Level 2, I was very drawn into the seedy underbelly of the afterlife.

Try this one if you're looking for a very unique take on the afterlife. I'll definitely be looking out for the next one in the series!

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A New Year and a Look Back

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 18:11:00 +0000

Happy 2013!

So, let's take a look back at 2012, shall we? I read more books last year than I think I ever have. It's also the first year that I completed my Goodreads reading challenge.

Books Read: 100

Books with 5 star ratings: 35

Books with 4 star ratings: 40

Books with 3 star ratings: 19

Books with 2 star ratings: 6

Total pages read: 34,473 (I think this number may be a little off since it doesn't count my pages on audiobooks)

Now, for a quick list of bests for 2012 (with links to our reviews):

Best Debut

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Most Unexpected Favorite

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Best Middle-Grade

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

Best End of Series

The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima

(honorable mention goes to Reached by Ally Condie)

Best Audiobook

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott (narrated by Amy Rubinate)

(honorable mention to The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater; narrated by Will Patton)

(another honorable mention to Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; narrated by Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell)

Best Start to a New Series

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Kylie's review)

Most Likely to Re-Read in 2013

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Best in Show (the all-around best book I read in 2012)

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

What's up in 2013?

As mentioned in this post, I will be starting school (again) in just one week! I'm still going to be blogging and reading. But, it will mean that my reading is going to get a little more diverse (hopefully).

I'm also starting a new job in 2013 with some new responsibilities. (I'm very excited about this)

I make resolutions every year, but I think that I forgot to record 2012's. (Oops. It's not a goal unless you write it down!) So, here's mine for 2013:

Blogging:

Comment on more your blogs. Yes, yours. You guys leave such thoughtful comments, and I need to stop by and visit more.

Worry less about posting MORE and focus on posting WELL. With the possibility of fewer books being read, reviews won't be as frequent, but I want to make them more valuable.

Personal:

Write in my journal every day. I haven't consistently written in a journal since high school. There is a lot happening in our family that needs to be recorded.

Write a novel. There, I've written it down. I keep saying that I'm going to write a novel, but I never make time for it. This year, I'm going to do it.

Do well in school. I have a goal of this semester to get a 3.5 GPA.

Family:

Do more things with Abigail. We don't get out much because I love being at home when I'm not at work. This year we'll make more visits to friends, go on outings and take more walks.

Spend more time with my husband. See the above mention of not getting out much. We need to go on more dates.

What are your 2013 resolutions or goals?

What books made your 2012 best lists?

Endangered by Eliot Schrefer: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Endangered
by: Eliot Schrefer

When making vacation plans, it's a pretty sure bet that the Democratic Republic of Congo isn't going to be on your list. One of the most dangerous countries in the world, it is in a constant state of civil war. No good guys, all bad guys. And then there are the bonobos. Sophie is on her way to visit her mother, who runs a bonobo refuge. She adopts a bonobo from a poacher on the street and nurses it back to health. When her mother leaves to go on an expedition, war breaks out and Sophie is forced to choose between returning to the United States, or saving the bonobos.

There are a lot of great things about this book. One of them being that I think that different ages of readers will react to this novel very differently. As a young teenager, I would have been able to rationalize Sophie's choices and the path that she chooses. At that age, you have a different sense about the world and your part in it. The massive ego of a teenager lends itself to the idea that you can make a difference. And I swear that I don't mean that in a rude way. It's just that as an adult, the idea of staying in a war-torn country to save a group of apes is just insane. At least it is for me. But, as a teenager, yeah, that's possible.

Also, as an older reader, I must say that I felt myself particularly moved by the descriptions of human suffering. I know that this is a novel about animal conservation, but there is no denying that in a country where war is the norm, everyone suffers.

Animals and people die in this book. So, if that is a deal-breaker for you, then this book isn't a good choice. However, I will say that this book had a similar impact on me that Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys did. It tells a story that is very real, very haunting, and very important. Endangered definitely earned its spot as a National Book Award finalist.

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The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken: Review

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Darkest Minds
by: Alexandra Bracken

Ruby was just 10 years old when her parents locked her in the garage and sent her away. By then, kids in her class were dying, or being sent to rehabilitation camps. Ruby has a gift so dangerous that to reveal it would mean execution. After six years in Camp Thurmond, Ruby is discovered and barely makes it out with her life. She's on the run and trying to get anywhere that will keep her safe from the camps, and keep others safe from her.

I was a huge fan of Bracken's first novel, Brightly Woven. So, it was with great eagerness that I picked up The Darkest Minds. It is, of course, a very different story.

There is a lot about The Darkest Minds that I've read before. Kids in camps separated from their parents. Kids dying at a certain age. And, kids with special powers that keeps them from getting close to others. This proved to be a problem for me at the beginning. I just couldn't quite get the hook. Though the plot was moving at a pretty steady pace, I wasn't engaged in the story. I could see what was lurking around every literary corner. I just wanted more out of the story, expected more.

About 250 pages in, it finally clicked and the reason to stay showed itself. There were some changes in plot, and addition of a romance that I really liked, and Ruby started getting hit with some tougher decisions. And it was all over from there. I was hooked. I tore through the rest of the book in mere hours, and felt like my heart got hollowed out with a melon baller at the end. Honestly. The ending is so wonderfully perfect, you'll need to catch your breath.

This is a very promising start to the series. I can't wait to see what comes next!

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