YA Litwit

So... I've Been a Total SUCKISH Blogger of Late...

2013-05-10T12:53:00.001-04:00

So, yeah... I do this about this time every year, and I guess this year was destined to be no different, now that I have a job on top of everything else... I've been grossly neglectful, and I apologize, but if you hang with me, I promise, I have some great reviews coming and even maybe a giveaway or two. I just have to get through the end of the school year (nine school days to go), and through a rather stressful time at work (the other two managers in my department are leaving me), and then we will be back on track. In the meantime, I am reading, and drafting reviews, so stay tuned! Another week, and I'll be golden! Yay for summer!

Ya'll! ALLEGIANT! (That's What It's Called!)

2013-04-18T05:12:00.001-04:00

Check out the title release video from USA Today!

**SQUEE!!**

ARC Review: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

2013-04-17T22:11:00.000-04:00

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: April 23rd, 2013

Abby McDonald gives L.A. the Jane Austen treatment in this contemporary take on Sense and Sensibility.

Hallie and Grace Weston have never exactly seen life eye to eye. So when their father dies and leaves everything to his new wife, forcing the girls to pack up and leave San Francisco for a relative’s house in shiny Beverly Hills, the two sisters take to their changing lot in typically different styles. Shy, responsible Grace manages to make friends with an upbeat, enterprising girl named Palmer but still yearns for her old life — and the maybe-almost-crush she left behind. Meanwhile, drama queen Hallie is throwing herself headlong into life — and love — in L.A., spending every second with gorgeous musician Dakota and warding off the attention of brooding vet Brandon. But is Hallie blinded by the stars in her eyes? And is Grace doomed to forever hug the sidelines?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

It's no secret. I love a good retelling. I love it when an author takes a beloved classic, and puts a modern spin on it. I have only one requirement- they had better do the original work justice. Sometimes I get nervous when an author reimagines an especially loved story, and that was the case here. Sense and Sensibility is one of my favorite Jane Austen novels, and while I was looking forward to reading Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood, I was also a bit apprehensive... Well, I'm not going to go out on a limb like I did when I reviewed The Trouble With Flirting by Claire LaZebnik, a modern retelling of Mansfield Park, and say that it is better than the original (read my review HERE), but it was cute and super-fun, and I was completely charmed by it. I felt like Abby McDonald did a fine job modernizing the much loved classic, while keeping to the general themes of love, loss, and coming of age.

Hallie and Grace move to L.A. after their father dies and everything is left to his new wife, forcing them out of their home, and away from all they know. While L.A. is not rural Devonshire, the setting of the original story, I feel like Grace and Hallie experienced the same kind of loneliness and isolation that Marianne and Elinor did because L.A. is such a superficial place, and in the end status trumped all else in both settings. The ways they dealt with those feelings, as well as the romantic feelings each had toward their respective love interests, were very similar to the girls in Sense and Sensibility. Hallie was as much the drama queen that Marianne was, and Grace and Elinor were similarly stoic and responsible. As far as the other characters are concerned, I loved how Abby McDonald reworked them. The fact that Dakota was a musician was fantastic, and I thought it was great that Theo was the evil stepmother's kid brother. I though Palmer was great, and my only complaint about her was that we didn't see enough of her. Same goes for Amber, who ended up being one of my favorite characters.

As far as the plot is concerned, I thought it flowed really well. It never got boring, and I really liked how everything turned out. I especially liked that the author gave a little "where-are-they-now" page at the end, citing what happened to all of the characters down the road. It gave me a sense of closure, while also making me laugh. In the end, this book was light, funny, sweet, and just what I needed after the sob-fest that was the ending of Clockwork Princess, which I read right before this. Honestly, my only real complaint about Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood was the cover. I think the could have done a lot better... Still, if you are a fan of Jane Austen and enjoy a good retelling, I recommend you give this book a go. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is pretty clean. There's some teen drinking, and sex is alluded to, but otherwise there's nothing that could be considered objectionable. This book is perfect for grades 6 and up (ages 11 and up).

WWW (36) and Waiting on Wednesday (April 17th, 2013): CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas and A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY by Susan Dennard

2013-04-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

I've been a really slow reader lately, so I haven't had much to share. With Spring upon us, I've had loads of work to do in my garden, softball season for my girls, and have had to go to wok on top of it. Reading has, sadly, not been super-high on the priorities list. That said, I've recently read some amazing books, so I had to take the time to do this week's WWW...

What are you currently reading?

The Rules by Stacey Kade~ So far, this one's pretty good. It's intriguing, and there are enough questions that I'm turning the pages at a pretty good clip. Stay tuned. It releases next week, so my review will be up soon.

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden~ This one is shaping up to be quite funny. I've just started it, so I can't give a solid opinion just yet, but I have a good feeling about it.

What did you recently finish reading?

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo~ OMG, ya'll! This book is freaking amazing! If you liked Shadow and Bone, you are in for a serious treat! If you haven't read Shadow and Bone, well, I just feel sorry for you.

The Program by Suzanne Young~ As a fan of her other books, I was really eager to read this one. It was good, but not as good as I had hoped it would be. Look for my review this week or next.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch~ Another win. I was blown away by the range of emotions this book evoked. If you are a fan of issue-driven Contemporary YA, this is a must-read. Check out my review HERE.

Mind Games by Kiersten White~ Again, an author whose prior stuff I've loved. This one, just okay for me. It was good enough that I will read book number two, but I wasn't blown away like I had expected to be. Read my full review HERE.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare~ All I can say is... TEARS! What a beautiful, unexpected, and bittersweet ending. As soon as I can think of it without tearing up, I will post my review.

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald~ A cute, modern retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. An easy, fast day and a half read that was perfect after the tears of Clockwork Princess. Full review to come.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys~ Um. This was a book club pick that I would have otherwise never read. Can I just say? Effing AMAZING! Thank you to whomever chose this for April, because I adored it! Review coming soon.

What do you think you'll read next?

Icons by Margaret Stohl~ I'm so excited to read this. I can't wait to see what she can do without Beautiful Creatures writing partner, Kami Garcia. Plus, she's so amazingly nice, and this book seems pretty dark, so I'm intrigued! It releases May 7th, so look for a review next week or so.

Criminal by Terra Elan McVoy~ I've professed my adoration of Terra's writing before, so I'm, of course, excited to read this. It' a stretch from her standard YA Contemporary fare though, so I'm doubly excited! Stay tuned. It also releases May 7th, and I will probably do a signed giveaway with my review.

I'm giving you not one, but two WoW books today. I will call it The BFFs Edition, since the authors of my two featured books are buds. I had the opportunity to meet both this past summer at DBF, and they were both so great, and since I loved each of their debuts, I am SO waiting on their book number twos! So without further ado...

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.

But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Publication Date: August 27th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I adored the first installment of this series, Throne of Glass, and have eagerly been awaiting the next. I will undoubtedly be begging someone for an advance copy of Crown of Midnight, because August is far too far away for me. I need me some more Celaena NOW. Read my review of Throne of Glass HERE.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: July 23rd, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I really enjoyed book one in this series, Something Strange and Deadly, and expect I will enjoy book number two even more now that all the pesky set-up is done. You just can't go wrong with steampunk, zombies, and mysterious hotties. This one releases on my daughter's birthday so I will have to celebrate by buying myself a finished copy (because I fully intend to beg, borrow, or steal an advance copy), because that cover is absolutely to die for, and I need to have it on my shelf. Read my review of Something Strange and Deadly HERE.

So that was my BFFs Edition of Waiting On Wednesday! What are you Waiting On? Leave your link, so I can check it out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

2013-04-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

Because of my extremely short attention span, my list of books that I recommend is in a constant state of flux. Much of it depends on what I've read recently that has stayed with me, and who I am talking to, but there are definitely a few stand-outs that are always on it!

*In no particular order.*

1. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell~ This is my all-time favorite book, and my most highly recommended classic. Of course, it's not a book that everyone is going to enjoy, but if I'm asked what my favorite book is, this is always my answer.

2. Every Day by David Levithan~ This was my favorite book of 2012, and my second favorite book of all time. It's a book that has stayed with me because it was just THAT beautiful. When I'm asked what the one book I think EVERYONE should read is, this is it. It's perfection. Read my review HERE.

3. Graceling by Kristin Cashore~ Whenever I come across a lover of High Fantasy, I gush about this book. I can't say enough. I liked Fire and Bitterblue too, but Graceling is still my favorite. Some other, more recent HF novels I love and recommend are Shadow and Bone (read my review HERE) and its upcoming sequel, Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (read my review HERE), and Touch of Power (read my review HERE) and Scent of Magic (read my review HERE) by Maria V. Snyder.

4. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin~ Another all-time favorite. This is what I hope the afterlife is like. I love the world and the story, and it's a quick enough read that I feel comfortable suggesting it to even t most reluctant reader.

5. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews~ This is my favorite funny book to recommend. I was so thrilled when it won the 2012 Cybil Award for Young-Adult Fiction! It was well deserved! Read my review HERE.

6. Shine by Lauren Myracle~ This was my favorite book of 2011, and for very good reason. As far as books that deal with the tough stuff go, there is no shortage of great ones. There are so many great authors who write about the issues facing today's teens; You have Ellen Hopkins, who in my opinion, is the reigning Queen of Issues Your Parents Don't Want To Acknowledge, John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Amy Reed, and Jennifer Brown, to name a few. Shine stood out to me because Lauren Myracle is not an author who typically writes the heavy stuff. She's usually witty and funny and light, so Shine took me by surprise, and really stayed with me like few other books have. Read my review HERE.

7. If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman~ I read each of these books in one sitting, and they both made me cry for different reasons. These two books are my go-to books for girls who are looking for Contemporary Romance with an edge. Read my review of Where She Went HERE.

8. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green~ This is my most recommended tearjearker. I, along with a few other people on our committee, fought to keep this on my daughter's middle school's 2013 summer reading list for rising 7th and 8th graders, because it belongs in the hands of kids that age. It is such a beautifully written story, but at the same time full of humor that today's kids can relate to. Another book I think everyone should read. Read my review HERE.

9. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys~ I just finished this one the other day, but I've already been spreading the word. I immediately handed it to my (almost) 12 year old daughter when I finished it, and then sent an email to her middle school media specialist to see if it was too late to get it put on the summer reading list. The funny thing is, I had no intention of reading it because I generally dislike Historical Fiction, but my book club was reading it, so I reluctantly did too. I. LOVED. IT. It was fabulous. If you haven't read it, do it now!

10. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare~ I just finished the final installment, Clockwork Princess, and the tears! If someone wants to dig into a series, this is the one I'm going to suggest. I've enjoyed The Mortal Instruments, so far, but The Infernal Devices is head and shoulders above it. If you are a Paranormal fan, a Historical Fiction fan, a Steampunk Fan, or a fan of epic love stories, these books are must-reads! Read my review of Clockwork Prince HERE, and look for my review of Clockwork Princess in the upcoming days.

So- there are my Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most. It could change tomorrow (although based on what I'm reading right now, that is unlikely), but for now... Do we share any recommendations? Do you have anything to add? What topic did you rewind to? Leave your link with your comment so I can check your Top Ten out!

Operation Teen Book Drop (#rockthedrop) Is Almost Here!!

2013-04-14T16:54:00.003-04:00

Ya'll! It's almost time for my favorite bookish event of the year! This coming Thursday, April 18th, is Operation Teen Book Drop (also known as Rock the Drop), in honor of Support Teen Literature Day! It's super-easy to be a part of it! All you do is print out some of the above book-plates, paste them in YA books, and drop them in places you think teens will pick them up. You can take pics of your dropped books and post them on twitter (@readergirlz #rockthedrop) and Facebook, spreading the word! Trust me, if you do this, you will feel super warm and fuzzy for days to come, knowing that you helped promote teen literacy.

If you want more info, go to the readergirlz website, where you will find everything you need!

ARC Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

2013-04-02T22:09:00.000-04:00

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: February 19th, 2013

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly 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.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I will start this review by saying that I loved Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series, and Mind Games was nothing like it. It is almost like a different author wrote Mind Games. That's not to say that I didn't like it. I did. Just not even close to as much as I did the former. Now, with that out of the way, I can get down to my reasons why I liked Mind Games, but also why I didn't LOVE it... I'm a bad-news-first type of person, so I will start with the things I didn't like.

First off, I really wasn't into the format. There were two points of view, Fia's and Annie's, and the chapters alternate between the two of them. That is something I can deal with, and even like in most cases. What I didn't like was that along with the alternating POVs, the story also jumped between past and present. I found it very confusing. I found it too hard to keep track of both whose POV I was reading and when it was taking place, at the same time. Another thing that bothered me was the fact that it took a good bit of time get into this book. That said, I suspect that had something to do with my getting used to the format. I will say that once the story picked up, it was quite riveting. Finally, I have to say that I thought the ending wasn't great. I felt like there were too many question left unanswered and not enough closure. I know this is the first book in a series, but there were some questions that I felt needed to be answered in this book. Hopefully, book number two proves me wrong, and that there is good reason for my lack of closure, but right now I see it as a flaw. (I will totally retract this statement if I'm given good reason to in book number two!) Now, on to the "likes"...

First and foremost, I LOVED the cover. I always rave about HarperTeen's covers, and this one is no exception. Absolutely stunning. So what about what's between those pretty pieces of cardboard? Well... I loved the premise of this book. A private school for girls with special abilities- seeing the future, reading minds, feeling the emotions of others- to name a few. I loved the secrecy behind who the man funding the school was, and what happens to the girls upon "graduating". I loved that no one could see him, and I loved that no one knew what his motives were. Those questions kept me turning pages. I also liked the characters. I really liked James a lot, right from the beginning, but I especially liked him when we learned more about him toward the end of the book. I think I like Fia, although to be honest, I still have too many questions about who she is to say for sure. We never really find out exactly why she is so important, and that bothered me. Annie was alright. I didn't dislike her, I just thought she was maybe a bit bland. I liked her enough, but she wasn't very exciting. We didn't get to know Adam very well, but I have a good feeling about him. I feel like there is still loads of development left to go on all of the characters, but so far, so good. The pacing went both ways. I mentioned earlier in my review that the story was slow to start, but it really did pick up abut 1/3 of the way through, and when it did, it really did. The action was really well done, and I was on the edge of my seat for most of the 2nd half of the book. Of course, writing action is one of Kiersten's strengths, as evidenced by the Paranormalcy books, so I wasn't expecting anything less.

Overall, I would say that although Mind Games didn't hold a candle to Paranormalcy, I still really enjoyed it. It was a short, quick read that left me wanting more (both in a good way and in a bad way). I will definitely pick up the second book of the series next year because there is no way I am going through life without knowing the answers to all of my questions!

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation: This book was pretty clean. There were a few make-out scenes, and a good bit of violence, but it was pretty benign otherwise. Appropriate for 6th grade and up (ages 11 and up).

ARC Review: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

2013-03-27T16:19:00.000-04:00

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: March 26th, 2013

There are some things you can’t leave behind…A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen-year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Lately I've been in a weird pattern when it comes to books; It seems that almost every book I've picked up recently has been really slow to start. I can't tell you how many books I have on my nightstand that are set aside 1/3 of the way in because I wasn't feeling the pull that I like to feel. (Actually, I can... That number is eight.) Although the slow starters that I have been able to finish have ended up being very good, I think I will always prefer the early hook. I am attentionally challenged, and if there isn't something to grab me early on, I lose patience. I'm sure I miss out on a great number of amazing books because of this, but I also think that gives me an advantage when reviewing books that target the teen audience, because teens are very instant-gratification oriented. But we can save all that for another post. My point here is that I think If You Find Me has gotten me out of that slow-to-start funk. I was drawn into this book from the very first chapter, and it did not let me go until the final page. In fact, If You Find Me still hasn't let me go. It is a story that is as happy as it is heartbreaking, and I found myself experiencing a broader range of emotions in 256 pages than I ever thought possible. Fear, joy, anger, excitement, heartbreak, love, loss, happiness, grief, inspiration, disgust, optimism, melancholy. And that list doesn't even come close to covering them all...

The story begins with Carey and Nessa fending for themselves, living in a camper, deep in the Obed Wild & Scenic River National Park, waiting for their meth-addicted mother to return from a trip to the nearest town to get supplies. Carey is full of worry because it has been over a month since she left, and they are running low on food. It's not their mother who comes to their rescue, though. It's a social worker and Carey's father, the man their mother kidnapped Carey from, ten years prior. Carey has only vague memories of life before the woods, and Nessa knows nothing else. The girls are taken from the only life they know, harsh as it had was, to a modern world, overnight. They go to live with their father, his wife, and her daughter, and although these changes are all for the better, Carey is as fragile as she's ever been. She has deep, painful secrets, physical and emotional scars, and a great deal of internal conflict. She knows the changes she and her sister are going through are best, especially for six year-old Nessa, but she doesn't know how to trust that it isn't all a dream- a rug ready to be pulled out from under them. Her story is an intense emotional rollercoaster, as debut author Emily Murdoch deftly alternates her present situation with her memories of life in the woods- the good ones and the horrifying- in a voice that made Carey seem so real and vulnerable; This book read more like a memoir than it did fiction. If You Find Me touched me deeply, as I felt every one of Carey's emotions to my core.

This was very much Carey's story, but she wasn't the only phenomenally drawn character. Nessa was amazing as well. She was a picture of the resiliency of small children, and it brought me a tremendous amount of joy to see her grow as a result of the love that surrounded her, after having such a harrowing start to her life. It was wonderful to see that growth through Carey's eyes, because in reality, Carey was the the mother that Joelle, their biological mother, never was. I adored Melissa, their stepmother, who went well above and beyond, and as a side note, I thought it was great to see a stepmother portrayed in a positive light. Carey's father was a character that took me some time to warm to. I had a great amount of admiration for him because of the fact that he never treated Nessa any differently than he did Carey, despite the fact that she wasn't his, but otherwise, I was unsure of him because I was viewing him through Carey's eyes, and she only had the lies her mother had told her of him to go on. Initially he was rather closed off, but as he opened himself up, it became clear that he was the way he was was because of the uncertainty he endured for so many years. As a parent, I can't even imagine being in his shoes. What I liked best about his portrayal was that much of what we learned about him came from the snipes and jabs that seemingly self-absorbed stepdaughter Delaney threw out from time to time. And speaking of Delaney... She was such an important character, and although she was so unlikeable much of the time, I thought Emily Murdoch did a flawless job making sure that the reader understood why she was the way she was. In the end, I was almost as sympathetic toward her as I was toward Carey and Nessa, because although her life was a cake-walk compared to theirs, she had to endure her own feelings of inadequacy in the shadow of the kidnapped (and then found) daughter, and that could not have been easy. Finally, there was Ryan. I don't want to spoil, so I won't say much about him, but his character was great, and a perfect addition to Carey's story.

If You Find Me is hands-down, one of the best books of this nature that I have ever read. It is a heartbreaking story that ends with a message of hope. Although I would love to know more about what Carey's future holds, I feel like I got proper closure to this chapter of her life. One thing I know for sure is that I will be on the lookout for more of Emily Murdoch's writing, because she has talent I have a good feeling will endure.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This is a tough one. First I want to say that I think there is great crossover appeal to the adult market, as I know many adults (non-YA readers) who would like this book. There are somewhat graphic descriptions of the sexual abuse, prostitution, and sexual assault of children. Carey endured horrible things, much of the time with the knowledge that if she didn't do them, Nessa would have to. That said, I think that this book has a very positive message of hope and the possibility of overcoming any obstacle. If I had to make a blanket statement, based on content, I would say this book is for ages 15 and older (grades 10 and up), but I would also encourage the evaluation of each reader as an individual, because I feel like many younger students would have the maturity to handle the graphic parts of the story. I am able to say this; This book is not appropriate for anyone younger than 8th or 9th grade.

ARC Review: Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

2013-03-13T13:45:00.000-04:00

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date; March 5th, 2013

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed.

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I will start this review by saying that although I had Spellcaster on my TBR, I wasn't eagerly awaiting it like a lot of bloggers I know. That's not to say I wasn't excited when it came in a random, unexpected package from HarperTeen one day. You see, although I'm not quite a fangirl of Claudia Gray's (yet), I am slightly familiar with her work, having read her werewolves-on-the-Titanic stand-alone, Fateful, which was very good. I've never read her wildly popular Evernight series, but I have to say that after reading Spellcaster and Fateful, I'm inclined to pick it up (if I ever get caught up on my review reading). That statement alone should tell you that I enjoyed Spellcaster; It did have a few problems for me, but overall, I thought it was a great read. So, without further ado...

I guess I will start with the things I didn't like, which are few. First off, I feel like HarperTeen let me down with that cover. I mean, it's okay and it's pretty, but I expect a lot more from them. The first thing I think of when I think of HarperTeen as a publishing house is that they consistently have the best, most eye-catching covers. I have more HarperTeen titles on my shelves for the covers alone, than any other publisher, and I've DEFINITELY read a huge number of their titles that I might not have otherwise read, because of the covers. (Yes. My name is Karis, and I am a cover whore.) The next thing on my list of "things that bothered me" was that I felt like the first third of the book was a bit on the predictable side. There were several things I saw coming a mile away. That said, after the first wildly unpredictable revelation, they really just kept coming, right up until the end. And that leads me to my final gripe, which is the ending. It's a doozie of a cliffhanger, and while I usually enjoy a well-done cliffhanger, I felt like this one was just cruel. I was left with so many unanswered questions, and really, no answers to speak of. So there are my "things I needed to bitch about". Now for the good stuff...

I really enjoyed Claudia's writing style. She writes in a kind of poetic way. I usually don't write down quotes, but I found myself doing just that while reading Spellcaster. My favorite? "Something else looked through the crow's stolen eyes and recorded it all. The crow flew on, unknowing, enslaved, and blind." That line made my skin crawl, and was definitely the one that hooked me. Also, Claudia doesn't dumb things down. She uses big words and in doing so, makes me feel like she believes her readers to be intelligent. That makes me happy. So much YA is written with content for teens and up, but at a 4th grade reading level. I love it when an author gives her readers some credit. They DO read books for FUN, for Heaven's sake. They must be smarter than average, right? I also loved the way this story flowed. For the most part, it moved at a pretty even pace that kept me turning pages well into the night. There were a few slow points, but in hindsight, they were necessary. The buildup really made the big moments stand out.

The characters and the story itself were the highlights of this book for me. The story was equally character driven and plot driven, so I'll start with the characters. I really liked Nadia and Mateo, and I loved Verlaine and Elizabeth. Nadia was interesting because she was so insecure, but so strong-willed at the same time. It was like she was in constant conflict with herself. As for Mateo, I found him a bit whiny at first. "Oh, the curse. Oh, I'm doomed to go crazy." Blah, blah. But it was like, once he found out that the curse was actually a real thing, he manned up, and then I liked him. Verlaine was headstrong and she made things happen, and I love characters like her. That girl had a tough life, but she never let her circumstances undermine her. Elizabeth was just... Well, read the book, and you'll see. The story? Well, it is a witch story, which is my favorite kind of Paranormal. That said, it was very unique (I don't think it is anything like Hex Hall or The Caster Chronicles, both of which I adored, by the way.). I was really intrigued by the idea of the Steadfast, and I thought it was brilliant that the ingredients for each spell were a series of personal memories. Witches could only gain strength as they lived life; That was cool. I also thought the rules of being a witch were interesting, and I am curious to see how they come into play in the next two books. I'm also quite intrigued with the mystery surrounding Nadia's mother, who is also a witch, and who unexpectedly left her family in the middle of Nadia's training. There was a lot of foreshadowing going on in reference to her, but no answers at the end. I predict she will play a huge role in the continuation of this story.

Overall, I thought this was a solid beginning to a trilogy that I am really going to enjoy right up to the end. I have a lot of unanswered questions right now, and although I find that somewhat bothersome, given my impatient nature, it guarantees that I will read book number two, Steadfast (March, 2014).

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book was pretty clean. There was some teen drinking, but other than that, it was pretty mild. There was very innocent romance, no sex (although it was alluded to at one point), and no language. I would say this book is fine for grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

ARC Review: Me, Him, Them, and It by Caela Carter

2013-03-08T20:52:00.001-05:00

Publisher: BloomsburyUSA

Publication Date: February 26th, 2013

ME is Evelyn Jones, 16, a valedictorian hopeful who's been playing bad girl to piss off THEM, her cold, distant parents. HIM is Todd, Evelyn's secret un-boyfriend, who she thought she was just using for sex - until she accidentally fell in love with him. But before Evelyn gets a chance to tell Todd how she feels, something much more important comes up. IT. IT is a fetus. Evelyn is pregnant - and when Todd turns his back on her, Evelyn has no idea who to turn to. Can a cheating father, a stiff, cold mother, a pissed-off BFF, and a (thankfully!) loving aunt with adopted girls of her own help Evelyn make the heart-wrenching decisions that follow?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

If I'm going to read and like YA Contemporary, I'm inclined more toward the issue-based type than the romantic type. There are a lot of "issues" facing teens today, and I like it when they can read about them, and (hopefully) avoid making some of the same mistakes that the characters in the books make. I'm a sucker for teachable moments, and books like this are full of them. That being said, I went into Me, Him, Them, and It looking for a dramatic story about teen pregnancy, but I wanted it to have a subtle message too. Did I get it? Yes and no. It wasn't a super dramatic story because the protagonist, Evelyn, was not a dramatic person. She acted out a lot, hoping to get some kind of rise out of her self-absorbed, disconnected parents, but she was more passive-aggressive about it than she was dramatic... This story actually takes place more inside of Evelyn's head than out, and it was extremely compelling, even without the drama. As for the lesson? Well, it was subtle, and not at all preachy to any side of the debate on whether Evelyn should keep the baby, put it up for adoption, or abort. The decision was entirely hers, and it took the entire 320 page book for her to work it out. I liked that. It made sense that it wasn't an easy decision for her, and the emotional rollercoaster ride she was on was written in a very real, very sincere way. I think everyone has their own opinion when it comes to the pro-choice/pro-life debate, and I thought Caela Carter did a really good job keeping her personal opinion out of the story. What I mean when I say this is that I would not be able to guess her stance from reading this book, and I know I would have a difficult time doing that.

Evelyn is a smart, pretty, upper middle class girl who wants to make her parents pay for the ways that she feels they have wronged her. How does she do this? She parties, quits track, and starts acting slutty (although Todd is the only one she actually sleeps with). When Todd ends up getting her pregnant, she really doesn't know where to turn or what to do. She talks to a counselor at Planned Parenthood, and is given her options, but Evelyn doesn't want to deal with any of it. She doesn't want to tell her best friend, her parents, or Todd. She goes through a range of emotions; Denial, anger, indifference, sadness, guilt. She is unsure what to do or where to turn, and there is only one thing she knows for certain... She just wants it all to be over so that she can go back to living her life the way she was, graduate valedictorian of her class, and go to college. At the same time, she knows that no matter what her choice, she will be forever changed, and THAT is her biggest struggle. Aside from the internal struggles about what to do with "It", I also liked how Evelyn observed the changes she was going through physically. As a parent who wanted her children, I found it interesting to read the account of a girl who had this foreign, unwanted "thing" growing inside her.

Honestly, this book was better than I expected it to be, and I think that has a lot to do with how Caela Carter presented the situation. I have to wonder if she related on a personal level, because the way the situation was written was so heartbreakingly real. I think this book would be a great class discussion book for high school students because boys and girls alike would get something from it. Todd and Evelyn were both changed forever by the situation they found themselves in, and would have been no matter what Evelyn's choice was. For me, the only part that didn't work was the ending. It was just a little too clean and easy. I suppose things could have worked out the way they did, but in the real world, I find it doubtful. Even so, I think Me, Him, Them, and It was a great read, and one that I would recommend to anyone.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: Obviously, there is some mature content in this book, but I think the benefits of reading it far outweigh any content concerns. It think this is a great book for students grades 7 and up to read (ages 12+); Even better if they can discuss what they've read with an adult.

ARC Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

2013-03-07T00:36:00.000-05:00

Publisher: Disney/Hyperion

Publication Date: March 12th, 2013

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

What a breath of fresh air this book was! Seriously. When it came in the mail, I looked at the cover, and immediately (mis)judged it as something that was going to be really silly and juvenile, and I am happy to admit (as long as no one tells my husband) that I was totally wrong. Poison is a really well-written YA Fantasy that will likely have a very broad readership. It's got great characters, a well paced plot, an innocent romance, lots of unexpected twists, and a whole lot more. Also, it is squeaky clean, so it's perfect for those advanced elementary school age readers who want to venture into some more challenging books, without losing their innocence. Poison is one of those all-ages reads that would be great as a read-aloud to kids, but also engaging and smart enough for the most jaded YA readers, myself included.

So you get it... I have much love for this book, and although I briefly mentioned my reasons above, her is where I will elaborate. I thought this book was a lot of fun. The themes weren't heavy, and I didn't go to bed hashing the events I just read out in my head. The story was fast-paced and full of action and adventure, with a lot of funny events along the way. The story went back and forth between adventure and fun, with little twists here and there to keep the reader on her toes, but not so many that it became confusing. It was fresh and original. There was no real love triangles or insta-love, which is almost unheard of in YA. I would like to give you an overview, but there is too much potential for spoilers, so I will leave it at this... You will want to keep turning the pages because you are intrigued by the story and at the same time, having fun.

The characters were also great, and there were many, but I'm only going to talk about a few. Kyra is a pretty kick-ass heroine; Lethal with her poisons, a well trained fighter, and super smart, but she is also kind of awkward and insecure, and I loved that. Over time on the run, she had become a very solitary person, so when Fred comes along, she doesn't quite know what to do with him. And speaking of Fred... Such a cutie. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why she was always trying to get rid of him, because I thought he was just great. He made me laugh, and he got her out of more than one bind. My favorite was Rosie the pig though. I wish I could reach into the book and grab her to keep as my own pet. She provided just what this book needed to keep it light, and fun. I mean, come on, what is there not to like about a tiny, magical pig?

The last thing I must mention is the world in which this story took place. I thought the author did a great job drawing the reader in by really bringing the setting to life with her words. Her descriptions were great, and she really captured not only the physical environment, but the emotional climate. The main characters covered a lot of ground in their travels and adventures in this book, and I always thought the world-building was solid. In the Fantasy genre, worlds are often either way overdone, or not built up enough. This book had a whole lot of "just right" going on.

The only thing that sucks about this book is that it will be the only one. Sadly, the author, Bridget Zinn, passed away shortly after writing Poison. It is such a tragedy that her life was cut short, before she got to share more of her amazing talent.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation: Like I mentioned before, this book is squeaky clean. No cursing, sex, or other inappropriate content. This book is 100% suitable for all ages.

WWW (35) and Waiting On Wednesday (March 7th, 2013): Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

2013-03-06T23:03:00.000-05:00

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

So, this is the first WWW/WoW I've done since going back to work for the first time in 11 years because I am FINALLY learning to manage my time! I've not had as much time for reading, and even less for blogging, but I think I'm beginning to catch up...

What are you currently reading?

Fuse by Julianna Baggott~ I totally loved Pure, the first book in this trilogy (read my full review HERE), but I'm having a difficult time getting into this one. I'm kind of on a hiatus from it right now, so I can read something else...

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray~ I just started this one, and am already really liking it. I love stories about witches, and this one is quite different from the standard fare. Look for a review early next week.

The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories, Book #1) by Chris Colfer~ So, who knew Kurt from Glee could write? I'm reading this one to my eight year old daughter, and really loving it!

What did you recently finish reading?

Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison~ LOVED this one! I wasn't all that impressed with Kate Ellison's debut, The Butterfly Clues, but I thought her second go was amazing! Read my full review HERE.

Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons~ I really enjoyed this one too. I finally read Article 5 in preparation of reading this, and thought it was great. Breaking Point was a fantastic second installment. Read my review HERE.

What do you think you'll read next?

Mind Games by Kiersten White~ I'm kind of behind on my review reading, and this is one of the books that I am dying to read. It looks fabulous, and I've heard wonderful things about it from other bloggers.

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden~ Another one I'm looking forward to. Scott's a funny, funny guy, and I am super excited to read and review his debut!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

I haven't done one of these in ages, but I really wanted to profess my love and excitement for this upcoming book. I had the honor of introducing this wonderful author at the Decatur Book Festival this past summer, and she was just great (very gracious about my fangirling). I loved her first two books, Anna Dressed In Blood (read my review HERE) and Girl of Nightmares (read my review HERE), so it only stands to reason that I would be looking forward to her next book...

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher: TorTeen

Publication Date: September 10th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

What are YOU Waiting On?

ARC Review: Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison

2013-03-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: February 12th, 2013

They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Okay, I'm not going to lie and say that I loved Kate Ellison's debut, The Butterfly Clues, because I didn't. Honestly, I'm not sure I even finished it; Goodreads says that I didn't... I'm certain I started it, and found myself underwhelmed, but that was over a year ago, AND I know it got starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal, plus it has an almost 4-star average rating on Goodreads, so I know other people liked it, so I may go back and give it another go. Why? Because Kate's second novel, Notes From Ghost Town, was UH-MAY-ZING! I really, really loved it. A lot. I just did a giveaway of both books, and the winner of that giveaway is one lucky girl!

So... Why did I love this book so much? Well, for starters, it was a ghost story. I really like ghost stories, and I like romantic ghost stories in particular. This one was better than most, though. You see, this one felt more real to me because even though the ghost boy and the living girl loved each other, there was no continuing the romance from the other side because, are you ready for this? HE. IS. DEAD. And you can't carry on a relationship with someone who is dead. As much as I loved book series' like Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake and Hereafter by Tara Hudson, this one felt more real than fantasy... I also liked that there was the whole schizo, psychotic break thing to add to the drama. Is Olivia really seeing Stern, or is she just as batshit crazy as Mom? I mean, she did also go colorblind when she kissed him right before he was murdered... Because I had to work all of this out, I felt compelled to keep reading this book, and it did not disappoint...

Another reason this book was so awesome had to do with the characters, of which there were many. That said, I'm only going to mention a few. I already mentioned Olivia, the protagonist, a very real picture of a teen girl who is dealing with WAY too much for a girl her age- batshit crazy mom, trying to hide the fact that she might be right there with her, the fact that her mom is going on trial for the murder of her BFF/love-of-her-life, the upcoming nuptials of her dad to someone he met in "My Significant Other is Crazy Support Group", and more. The poor girl. No wonder she's such a mess... There is also Raina, the third in her and Stern's BFF trio, and her only real remaining friend. Raina is a mixed bag of good friend and self absorbed, but much of that has to do with how well Olivia is hiding her possible-crazy. Stern is complicated, mostly because he is a ghost who can't remember details, but who knows he loves Olivia, and also that her mom didn't kill him, but not how to clear her. There's Wynn, the stepmom's little girl, who Olivia adores, and who, more than once, helps Olivia hold it together just by existing. Finally, there's Austin Morse. He is the son of Olivia's dad's boss, way over-privileged, super-hot, and suddenly, inexplicably into Olivia. I loved how well drawn the characters were, but also, how their details were fed to us over the course of the book; Woven into the plot seamlessly.

Finally, I loved the story and the manner in which it was told. Kate Ellison knows how to write a Murder-Mystery! This book would make an excellent movie, because it was thrilling, and the pacing was phenomenal. I loved that the romantic element was there, but not the entire plot. There were familial issues, mental health issues, social issues, and legal issues as well. Everything was rolled up into this story that could have gone so wrong, had just one little thing been off. Fortunately, that was not the case at all. I don't often cry during books, but I must say that the final pages of this book slayed me (and before you rush to back of the book to read them, understand that it was because of the content of the ENTIRE book leading up to them). I actually cried when I read them. I loved the way this book ended, and I am always happy when an author writes a stand-alone that is THIS good.

Overall, I have to say that Notes From Ghost Town has been one of my favorites this year, which is something I never expected considering my experience (or maybe, non-experience) with The Butterfly Clues. Because of this, I think I will go back and give that book another go!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: There's some teen drinking, and Olivia makes some poor choices that are more implied in this book, than outright stated, but I would still say this is a book for upper middle school aged students and over. Grades 7 and up (ages 12+).

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors On My Auto-Buy List

2013-02-26T23:53:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me! This week's topic was a difficult one. On one hand, I have my authors who I would buy and read ANYTHING they've written. They have written enough books that I've loved, that I know this to be true. One the other hand, there are the authors who have only written one or two books, and I think they would be on this list, but I would need to read more to be sure. That said, I am going to cheat a little and have TWO lists...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Authors On My Auto-Buy List

1. Neal Shusterman~ I am a total fangirl, and have read all of his books, and loved them all. He is brilliant, and his books make you think, which I love. If you haven't read his books yet, get on it! (Read my review of Everfound HERE and my Banned Book Showcase featuring Unwind HERE.) Favorite Book/Series: The Skinjacker Trilogy

2. Ellen Hopkins~ I love the way Ellen writes, and I don't just mean her style. Yes, I love that she writes all of her books in verse, but I also love her n0-holds-barred attitude about subject matter. Ellen puts the tough stuff out there, and doesn't apologize for the fact that she makes it so you can't ignore certain issues. (Read my review of Perfect HERE and my Banned Author Showcase, featuring Ellen, HERE.) Favorite Book/Series: Impulse/Perfect

3. David Levithan~ I have SO much love for David Levithan and his books. His wit and humor make it possible for him to write about relationships in a very real way, and his books just stand out because of it. Favorite Book: Every Day (Read my review HERE.)

4. John Green~ This is the guy who made me see contemporary YA as something to love, instead of page after page of angst-ridden, whiny, teenagers. He gets the minds of teens, and manages to show us that they are so much more complex than we realize. (Read my reviews of Paper Towns HERE and The Fault In Our Stars HERE.) Favorite Book: Looking For Alaska

5. Libba Bray~ Such a fantastic writer, and I don't say this lightly. Libba has written several different genres now, and she has done them all exceptionally well. She is imaginative, funny, and witty, and I would read anything by her. Favorite Book: (tie) The Diviners (read my review HERE) and Beauty Queens (Read my review HERE).

6. Cassandra Clare~ I think I would read the phone book if she wrote it! I have not been disappointed in anything she's written. I know she has only written one world so far, but I just have a good feeling in my gut. (Read my reviews of City of Fallen Angels HERE, City of Lost Souls HERE, and Clockwork Prince HERE.) Favorite Book/Series: The Infernal Devices (but don't make me chose which book!)

7. Holly Black~ Holly Black has an impressively warped imagination, and I LOVE it! I love her KidLit and her YA. She is just a dazzling talent in the sea of mediocrity that is publishing! (This, of course, could be said of ANY of the authors on this list. Duh.) I have read The Spiderwick Chronicles with all three of my children, and am eagerly awaiting the day when I can appropriately introduce my 11 year old daughter to her YA. Can't wait to read Doll Bones with the three of them! (Read my reviews of White Cat HERE, Red Glove HERE, Black Heart HERE, and The Poison Eaters HERE.) Favorite Book/Series: The Curse Workers trilogy

8. Gabrielle Zevin~ I have been a tremendous fan of Gabrielle's since I read Elsewhere, one of my all-time favorite books. I don't know why, but that book left an indelible impression on me. I truly wish that Elsewhere is what our afterlife will be like, because the idea of it is perfection. After reading that, I had to put my hands on her other books, and although they are all very different from Elsewhere, and one another, they are still awesome in their own rite. (Read my review of All These Things I've Done HERE.) Favorite Book: Elsewhere

9. Lauren Oliver~ Much like Gabrielle Zevin, Lauren can write any genre. Her debut, Before I Fall, is more of a Contemporary read, while the Delirium trilogy is definitely a Dystopian. The Spindlers and Liesl & Po, her two MG books, are very fantastical. Lauren's intelligence and warm personality shine through in her writing, and make me want to devour everything she puts on a page. She also happens to be my 8 year old son's very close 2nd favorite, behind Roald Dahl (someone who I think is a HUGE honor to be put in the same class with). Favorite Book: The Spindlers (Read my review HERE.)

10. Jackson Pearce~ I have all of Jackson's books proudly displayed on my shelf because I totally love her, but it's not just about the fabulous writing with Jackson; It's about the whole package. She's an Atlantan, for starters. Then there are her hilarious YouTube videos (check out her channel HERE) and tumblr posts (check out her page HERE), in which she talks about books and writing, but also about loads of other stuff. She is the best. Sure, the books are the number one reason she's on this list. I love them. But it's always awesome when there's more. (Read my reviews of Sisters Red HERE, Sweetly HERE, Fathomless HERE, and Purity HERE.) Favorite Book: Purity

Runners Up

(in no particular order; click the title for me review)

~Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door)

~Scott Westerfeld (Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Peeps, Leviathan, Behemoth, etc.)

~Victoria Schwab (The Near Witch, The Archived)

~Claire LaZebnik (Epic Fail, The Trouble With Flirting)

~Maureen Johnson (The Name of the Star, The Madness Underneath, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, The Key to the Golden Firebird, etc.)

~Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed In Blood, Girl of Nightmares)

~Kody Keplinger (DUFF, Shut Out, A Midsummer's Nightmare)

~Terra Elan McVoy (Being Friends With Boys, After the Kiss, Pure, The Summer of Firsts and Lasts)

~Myra McEntire (Hourglass, Timepiece)

~Beth Revis (Across the Universe, A Million Suns, Shades of Earth)

~Maria V. Snyder (Poison Study, Touch of Power, Scent of Magic, Inside Out, etc.)

~Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall, Demonglass, Spell Bound)

~Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight, Blackbringer, etc.)

~Lauren Myracle (Shine, ttyl, ttfn, Bliss, Rhymes with Witches etc.)

Now, I know I have forgotten a BUNCH of authors I love, but I don't want this (already) fangirly post to go on forever and ever. I love books, and that means I love authors... I have WAY too many books that I haven't even read yet, which means I have a ridiculous Auto-Buy list already! Who do you think I left out? Do we share any? Am I a total cheater by having such a long list of runners-up? I ADORE comments, so let me know!

ARC Review: Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons

2013-02-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: February 12th, 2013

The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I waited until right before this book released to read its predecessor, Article 5, and I'm glad I did. Article 5 ended with a serious cliffhanger, and it was awesome to be able to go right into the sequel without having to wait. That said, where has this series been all my life? Frankly, I'm a little over the whole dystopian thing, just as I was over the vampire and werewolf thing in the wake of Twilight. That said, I've really loved the genre since reading 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 a gazillion years ago, and am more apt to give these books a chance than I was the paranormal stuff; I just do so with a wary eye. Well, I went into this series with a good number of reviews in the back of my mind- some great, some scathing, and a bunch in between- and no firm expectations... I ended up really liking Article 5, and although there were a few flaws, I felt like it was a solid start to what I expected to be a really good series. I gave it four stars. Needless to say, that after reading Article 5, my expectations going into Breaking Point were a little higher. I'm happy to say that Kristen Simmons totally delivered!

First off, I enjoyed Ember a lot more in this book. In Article 5 she had her desire to reach her mother driving her actions, helping her to do a lot of the more kick-ass things she did. In Breaking Point that motivation wasn't there, but she continued to be kick-ass. She became strong and independent, with a mind of her own, and she wasn't about to let anyone tell her what to do if it was in compromise with what she thought was right. Not Chase, not Wallace, not the government. And speaking of Chase (*swoons a little*), I'm glad Ember still managed to have a mind of her own when he was around. I'm not sure I would have been that disciplined...

Further on the Chase subject, because his character was, honestly, one of the main things that kept me from giving Breaking Point five stars... I think Chase is great in some ways, don't get me wrong. He is certainly super-hot, and he has his sweet, protective side that makes me go, "Awwww", but he also got on my nerves. A LOT. You see, I really wasn't into his, "Don't touch me, Ember. I'm damaged and I don't want you to get hurt," broody nonsense. Yes. We get it, Chase. You've been through a lot, but guess what? So. Has. Everyone. Else. Get over it, and man up... I actually still really liked Chase for the most part, but I did find him annoying from time to time. Then there was Tucker. Still not sure about him, but I would like to think the changes are legit. I'm hoping that we get a whole lot of Tucker in book number three, because good-guy or bad-guy, he's become one of my favorite characters. Another favorite for me was Sean. I would have never predicted, while reading Article 5, that this would be the case, but he kind of grew on me, without my realizing it, and that is the best...

"Now, what about the plot and pacing and all that stuff?", you ask. Well, you know I can't give spoilers, but I can tell you this. Breaking Point kicked some serious ass in that regard. There was a ton of action, and the story went in a direction that was entirely different from where I thought it would when I finished Article 5. There were a lot of surprises, the biggest of which was that Kristen Simmons is not at all afraid to kill off important characters. I love it when authors kill important people for a couple of reasons, but the most important one is that by doing so, they keep me on my toes. As far as twists go, the only thing I saw coming was who the dishonorably discharged soldier Sean was talking about in the first chapter was. (I only give you even this tiny spoiler, because it was so obvious.) Otherwise, I was taken off guard at several turns throughout the book.

In the end, I think the thing I liked best was the imagining of what this society was like, and what it would be like to be a part of a fringe rebel group. I thought it was an accurate, and rather disturbing one. Of all the dystopian fiction I've read, I felt like this series had the most plausible scenario. No natural disaster or plague caused the crazies to gain control. The horrors of war helped a religious zealot get control of our country and over time, he basically dismantled the structure of our system of checks and balances through fearmongering, and under the guise of morality. The people bought it because he was such a principled, moral guy and they craved structure after so much destruction. I have no doubt that something like this could happen in our future. Let's hope Kristen's writing isn't as prophetic as it is compulsively readable!

I felt like Breaking Point well outdid Article 5. I liked the character development more (although there were a few, who are now dead, who I would have liked to know more about), and as I stated before, I liked that the scenario was so rational. It was action-packed, with lots of death, so I felt like it would have just as much appeal to boys as it would to girls (and we all know books like that are few and far between in YA). There was an underlying romance, which I liked, but it was never overpowering because the characters involved were exceptionally strong individuals, and able to function solo. There were no love triangles either!

Overall, I am super happy that I finally started reading this series. I am eagerly awaiting the third and final book in this series (that as of now, has no title or release date). I can't really imagine where the story will go from here, but I am positive of one thing... It is going to be one hell of a ride!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation: There are a few makeout scenes, but nothing graphic. As far as sexual content is concerned, this book is pretty clean. There is a good bit of violence, some of it graphic in nature, but not overly so. I would say both Article 5 and Breaking Point are appropriate for grades 6 and up (ages 11 and up).

#GIVEAWAY! Win TWO Books by Kate Ellison!

2013-02-22T09:26:00.001-05:00

Up for grabs are two books by Kate Ellison! One lucky follower will receive a hardcover copy of the FABULOUS Notes From Ghost Town and a paperback copy of The Butterfly Clues.

Ya'll, I finished Notes From Ghost Town yesterday, and it was awesome! I will be posting my review in a day or so, but I wanted to get this giveaway up as soon as I could, because I want to share its awesomeness!

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: February 12th, 2013

They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: February 14th, 2012

Penelope (Lo) Marin has always loved to collect beautiful things. Her dad's consulting job means she's grown up moving from one rundown city to the next, and she's learned to cope by collecting (sometimes even stealing) quirky trinkets and souvenirs in each new place--possessions that allow her to feel at least some semblance of home.

But in the year since her brother Oren's death, Lo's hoarding has blossomed into a full-blown, potentially dangerous obsession. She discovers a beautiful, antique butterfly pendant during a routine scour at a weekend flea market, and recognizes it as having been stolen from the home of a recently murdered girl known only as "Sapphire"--a girl just a few years older than Lo. As usual when Lo begins to obsess over something, she can't get the murder out of her mind.

As she attempts to piece together the mysterious "butterfly clues," with the unlikely help of a street artist named Flynt, Lo quickly finds herself caught up in a seedy, violent underworld much closer to home than she ever imagined--a world, she'll ultimately discover, that could hold the key to her brother's tragic death.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

2013-02-20T15:45:00.000-05:00

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: January 29th, 2013

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

If you looked up the definition of "Gothic Novel", you might find a picture of The Madman's Daughter, but while this book may be just that, it is so much more... I will admit that when I decided I was interested in reading this book for review, I had no idea what it was about, or even which genre it fell into. I liked the cover. And I liked the little blurb on the cover, "In the darkest places, even love is deadly." Between those two things I was pretty much sold. It didn't matter that I'm not really into Gothic Thrillers or Historical Fiction. It didn't really matter to me that it was inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, a book I never really liked much. I gave The Madman's Daughter a chance because I liked the cover. That is something HarperCollins does so well; They lure me in with their gorgeous covers, making me want to read books I normally wouldn't pick up, and you know what? I've yet to be disappointed, and this book is no exception. The Madman's Daughter was phenomenal! I could not put it down, and now I am chomping at the bit for the as-of-now unnamed, second book in the trilogy, which will be based upon The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (which I did quite enjoy). So... What did I like so much about The Madman"s Daughter? Let's see...

First off, the characters were great! I really liked Juliet. She was strong and independent, and she had a lot of spunk for a girl living in the era that she did. As for the love interests, I adored everything about Montgomery. It seemed like Megan wanted us to have mixed feelings about him, but I never did. As for Edward, I just always knew there was something off about him, but I never expected him to be the man he turned out to be. Juliet's father, Dr. Moreau was brilliantly written as well. His descent into madness (well, further descent, as it becomes clear that he has always been a bit mad) was an awesome ride. I would have to say that the "natives" of the island were the most interesting characters though. They were so key in the unfolding of the mystery and the pace of the story, that collectively, they were a single character, in addition to their own individual stories. Which brings me to the next reason I loved this book! The story- it was creepy as hell. The world building is so good, that even the parts in London had me feeling like there was something lurking in every shadow, but London was nothing compared to the island. Then there was the fact that Megan Shepherd is really a master at writing suspense. I spent much of the time reading this book with knots in my stomach, ready to jump at the turn of the page. All that aside though, it was the story that made this book. It starts out by painting a picture of what Juliet's life has been like since her father had been run off with accusations that he performed a number of unnamed medical atrocities. First she lived with her mother, who out of necessity, became the mistress of a wealthy man- basically a high-class prostitute. When Juliet's mother died, she was turned out onto the streets to fend for herself, as her extended family wanted nothing to do with the daughter of a madman. She got a job cleaning at the university and a room at a boarding house, but things were far from easy for her. While spending the evening out with some students at the university, she inadvertently comes across one of her father's drawings, and this sparks the hope in her that he is still alive. She traces the drawing back to a pub where she finds not her father, but the now grown house boy from her childhood, Montgomery, who is in town getting supplies to take back to the island inhabited by her long-lost father. After a situation occurs that puts Juliet on the run, Montgomery is forced to take her along with him, to the island in the Pacific, where her father is staying. Well, the island is full of surprises and oddities, with the natives being the only a small fraction of it. The story unfolds with surprising fluidity given the fact that this is Megan's debut, and I found that even the unbelievable ended up appearing completely plausible. There was action, romance, mystery, and intrigue, and I could not stop turning the pages. In the end, I was left, mouth agape, wondering what had just happened. Then I experienced a bit of denial, looking for more pages that HAD to be there. Then I was just heartbroken... I do hope for resolution in book number two, but something tells me it will take a totally different direction than I expect it to, and that I will be singing its praises because of it...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Grade Level Recommendation: I think this book is fine for middle school and up, although I think older readers will appreciate it more. For this reason, I say it's best suited for grades 8 and up (ages 13+).

ARC Review: The Trouble With Flirting by Claire LaZebnik

2013-02-19T15:48:00.001-05:00

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: February 26th, 2013

Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . .

Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady.

When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh, Claire LaZebnik, I so love the way you write! Each time I read one of your books, I come away with a overall feeling that all is right with the universe, and that true love really does exist. Trust me, THAT is a huge accomplishment, because I am possibly one of the most jaded people ever when it comes to love. I absolutely DETEST Valentine's Day, get totally grossed out when my friends express their gushy feelings toward their significant others on Facebook, and believe that the true and everlasting love of a single person is a total myth. Now, a true and everlasting love of cupcakes, well, that is another story... Moving on.

About a year and a half ago, I reviewed Claire's YA debut, Epic Fail, and LOVED it (read my full review HERE). Claire has several other Chick Lit titles under her belt, as well as some non-fiction titles dealing with Autism (check out her Goodreads profile HERE), but I believe that YA is her forte; She has a real knack for understanding the minds of the characters she writes, as well as those of her target audience. Plus, I love that her YA novels have been loose retellings of Jane Austen novels, because I believe that they will open the minds of a new generation to reading those dusty, old, WONDERFUL books!

So, The Trouble With Flirting? All I can say is that I adored it. (Actually, that isn't ALL I can say, but it sounded good.) I just happened to be sick the day after I received it in the mail *coughs*, and read it straight through in one sitting! It is a loosely based, modern retelling of Mansfield Park, and I thought it was near perfect. Mansfield Park isn't my favorite of Jane Austen's books, nor is it my least favorite; Actually it falls right in the middle for me. That meant one very important thing for me while reading The Trouble With Flirting... I had an open mind to the story, because I didn't feel a tremendous urge to compare and nitpick, as it pertained to the original, because this story is very loosely based on the original, and if it had been, say, Emma, I may not have been so okay with liberties. That said, I am not going to do a play-by-play comparison. I'm just going to tell you the reasons I loved it.

Obviously, I was drawn to it because it's a modern retelling, so the story was big for me. I loved it. I loved that the protagonist, Franny, was at this summer theater camp, not as an actress as she would have liked to have been, but as an assistant to the costume designer, her spinster aunt. You see, Franny's family can't afford to send her to college, let alone an expensive summer camp, so she is spending her summer earning money to help fund her education. When Franny arrives at the Mansfield Summer Theater Program, she runs into her old friend from middle school, Julia Braverman. This is when she finds out that Julia's brother, Alex, is also there; Alex, Franny's forever-crush, and the first boy she ever had it bad for... As Franny catches up with Julia and Alex, she meets other students and begins to build an awkward social life (after all, she is "the help", and these teens are all rich, beautiful, and sophisticated). Enter Harry Cartwright, a roguish ladies man, who has the eye of every girl at Mansfield, except Franny, who is firmly pining for the attached Alex. Well, of course, that means Harry sets his sights on the one he can't have, Franny... The story continues in ways that I wouldn't have expected it to, and it left me feeling very satisfied in the end. Honestly, if you had asked me at the beginning, I would have said that, without a doubt, I knew how it would end, and it makes me happy to know that I would have been dead wrong.

Something else I really loved about this book were the characters and character development Claire went out of her way to show us that people aren't always who they appear to be on the surface, and that everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt. I became so caught up in the details of each character, that I found myself thinking of them as friends. The interpersonal relationships between the characters would not have been so key had the characters themselves not been developed so well. Of course, I loved Franny. She was just a great girl. Sure she was insecure and made a few poor choices, but she always owned up to them, and tried to fix any damage she may have caused. Aunt Amelia really surprised me a lot, as did Isabella, and the boys. I only had one character pegged from the beginning, and that was Marie; She was pretty much the very necessary, if cliche, romantic antagonist.

Like I said before, I found this book to be near perfection. It was light, sweet, and so upbeat, I couldn't help but close it with a ginormous smile on my face. It was like the feeling you have when you've just finished an airy, delectable pastry; Satisfied, yet craving more. That is exactly how I feel about Claire's writing, and I can't wait to read what she has coming next!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This is perfectly fine for middle school and up. There are a couple of hot and heavy make-outs, and some mention of a few morally questionable girls, and there are a few characters who smoke and drink, but overall, it it pretty benign stuff. I would say it is fine for grades 6 and up (ages 12+).

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Characters In the Fantasy Genre

2013-02-18T23:35:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me! This week's topic was "Top Ten Characters In X Genre". I picked Fantasy for a couple of reasons. First, I don't read a ton of fantasy, so it would easier to narrow my favorites down to ten, and second, some of the greatest characters ever imagined come from the genre. So, here they are...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite Fantasy Characters

1. Harry Potter~ I adore the Harry Potter books, and I loved being along as Harry grew from this young boy, to the kick-ass man he became. Harry Potter is not only my favorite Fantasy character, he is one of my all-time favorite characters of ANY genre.

2. Sirius Black from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling~ I think Sirius is one sexy wizard! I adored him as a character and role model for Harry. I just wish his time with the series had been longer. I missed Sirius in the final books. :-(

3. Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore~ Katsa is my favorite kick-ass female character ever. She is who I would aspire to be if I lived in a fantasy realm. So powerful, but also principled, and super-smart. She doesn't need anyone to protect her or take care of her, but she allows it because of love.

4. The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo~ Wow! I'm not sure I've ever been so hot for a fictional character, especially a villain, but that Darkling... Oh wow! I sincerely hope we see a lot more of him in future books.

5. Hatter Madigan from The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor~ Another sexy fantasy guy. I imagine that if a movie were to made of this series, that Jude Law would play Hatter, and let me tell you, I LOVE Jude Law. Hatter Madigan isn't only sexy though, he is totally kick-ass too!

6. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling~ So I really wanted to mention Hermione higher up, but I thought it was weird to make this list about my love for Harry Potter. I love Hermione because she reminds me a bit of me as a girl. I too was a kind of a know-it-all (because I did), and was awkward tuned pretty. Hermione is so relatable.

7. Celaena from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas~ Talk about kick-ass! This girl is the most notorious assassin in the world. She's so notorious that people would never even suspect she's a girl. I loved her, and can't wait for more!

8. Karou from Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor~ Karou is one of those characters that it is impossible to find fault with. She just manages to handle everything thrown at her with a sort of grace. Now, I haven't read Days of Blood & Starlight yet, so I don't know if things stay that way, but from what I know of her, I love her!

9. Avry from Touch of Power and Scent of Magic~ Another kick-ass girl who I think rules. This girl puts her life on the line regularly to heal others. She is such a noble person, but she also knows how to use her brain, and she knows how to fight if she needs to.

10. Miri from Princess Academy and Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale~ I loved both of these books and Miri had everything to do with that. She was smart, independent, and resourceful. She knew she could have a life that any girl would dream about, but she chose instead to help those in her village, and surrounding areas have a better life.

So this is my list. What genre did you choose? If you chose Fantasy, did we share any? Do you think I forgot anyone?

ARC Review: Uses For Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

2013-02-18T11:56:00.000-05:00

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: January 15th, 2013

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Uses For Boys came as a total shock for me. I've mentioned before that YA Contemporary is not my favorite genre, and although the genre seems to top my annual "Best of" list every year, and although there are several authors of the genre who I call favorites, I dislike far more YA Contemporaries than I like. It has to be something special for me to love it. When this book arrived in my mailbox unexpectedly, I thought, "Oh! Pretty cover!", but I wasn't sure I would read it. Then I saw it was blurbed by the fantastic Ellen Hopkins, who happens to be one of my favorites in any genre, and I was sold.

Here's the deal. Uses For Boys is ugly. It's raw, gritty, real, and heartbreaking. The protagonist, Anna, is one that just tears you up. She is disconnected and naive. She is so lonely and desperate for love and attention, and she relies heavily on the only guidance she has ever received... The poor example of her self-absorbed, bed-hopping, several times married mother. Her reality is stark, cold, and unforgiving, and although she experiences a small bit of light and hope through her sometimes friendship with Toy, and fledgling relationship with Sam, as the reader, I was left wondering if it would ever be enough. When I picked this book up, my expectations were based on the cover, and the cover told to me expect a YA Romance. Well, nothing could have been more misleading. This book is a coming-of-age story about a girl who is coming of age under the harshest of circumstances. Anna's voice was tragic and and crushingly despondent. I had so many feelings while reading this book, and I have to say, that the good ones were few and far between. I can't say that I enjoyed this book, because much of it was difficult to read, from a subject-matter standpoint, but I found it compelling nonetheless. I thought it was extremely well written in a beautifully simple way that is not often found, especially in YA.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is for high school students and up. There are harsh circumstances, many instances of drug and alcohol abuse, abortion, and many sexual encounters, including sexual assault. I would say this book is best suited for ages 15 and up (grades 10 and up).

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Romances

2013-02-12T13:20:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me! Now, it has been awhile since I've posted any memes because my time has been really stretched since I went back to work for the first time in 11 years, but I'm getting better at the time-management thing, and working back into a groove. That said, I felt like this was a great week to pick 'Top Ten Tuesday' back up, because I just love this week's topic (which is funny because I'm really not the gushy, romantic type, and I absolutely DETEST Valentine's Day), so here goes...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite Literary Romances

1. Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell~ Gone With the Wind is my all-time favorite book. I've read it at least a half dozen times, and will undoubtedly read it many more, and the biggest reason I love it so much is the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett. He is also my #1 book boyfriend.

2. Mia and Adam from If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman~ I have so much love for this couple! The ups and downs, and the way things come full-circle. It was amazing to me how intensely the emotions could be portrayed on paper, and between two people so young. I cried big, ugly tears during both books, for different reasons, but I was always rooting for them to end up together. Read my review of Where She Went HERE.

3. Wanderer (Wanda) and Ian from The Host by Stephenie Meyer~ I know there are a lot of Twilight haters out there, but believe me, The Host is a different book, and if you didn't know better, you would swear it was written by a different author. I loved The Host, and one the main reasons I did was that the relationship between these two characters was built on so much more than the mutual attraction that is the foundation of most YA romances. They really had to get to know one another intimately in order to fall in love, and it took time and patience, and the experience of reading their growth as a couple was that much more rich because of it.

4. Avry and Kerrick from Touch of Power and Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder~ This is a relatively new series, and one that hasn't gotten tons of attention, but let me tell you, it is amazing (especially if you are a Fantasy fan). That said, the romance between these two is great. No insta-love here, and that makes me happy. Plus, Kerrick is sexy as hell. Read my review of Touch of Power HERE and Scent of Magic HERE.

5. Karou and Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor~ It pains me that I haven't gotten a chance to read the sequel to this book, Days of Blood and Starlight, because I loved this book, and Karou and Akiva had so much to do with that. If ever there was a pair of starcrossed lovers! Wow! Will they come back together after the terrible truths that the first book revealed at the end? Some of you know, but please don't tell me.... Read my review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone HERE.

6. Katsa and Po from Graceling and Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore~ Love these books so much (and I know Fire is part of the trilogy, but Katsa and Po aren't much more than mentioned). I adore Katsa, and Po is just... Katsa is one lucky lady, because it is so evident in all that he does, that Po absolutely adores her with all he has. It is also quite clear, although in Katsa's rather cool way, that she feels the same. It's so easy to overdo the romantic element in a story, and Kristin gets it just right.

7. Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, etc. by L.M. Montgomery~ Gilbert Blythe was my very first book boyfriend at the tender age of nine. I thought he was the perfect boy. He accepted Anne for who she was, and was just adorable in my imagination. Add to that the innocence that is so lacking in today's world (and even in the world on nine-year-old me), and I was completely enamored. Anne and Gilbert's relationship is one that created an almost impossible standard for any boy in my real life to live up to. 36 year old me still swoons a little for Gilbert.

8. Lena and Ethan from The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl~ Another starcrossed couple who I adore. How anyone could even dare to compare them to Edward and Bella, I don't know. I only pray that the Beautiful Creatures movie stacks up well to the book, and that the on-screen chemistry between the leads is even close to as electrifying as it was in my imagination. I'm sad that this series is over, but I'm sure both authors have other great romances up their sleeves... Read my reviews of Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness HERE.

9. Tessa and Will and/or Tessa and Jem from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare~ I have never been so conflicted over a love triangle. Usually I LOATHE them, and in a way this one is no exception, but the difference here is that I also love this one. I could see Tessa with either of them, so I guess it will come down to how Clockwork Princess pans out. Read my review of Clockwork Prince HERE.

10. Magnus and Alec from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare~ I think most would feature Clary and Jace on this list, and don't get me wrong, I love them, but Magnus and Alec hold my heart for this series. Cassie Clare can write romance, because I think she gets human emotion, whether it's hetero or not, love is love... I adore this couple and I truly hope they end up together forever. Read my review of City of Fallen Angels HERE, and my review of City of Lost Souls HERE.

Runners-Up

(because I just could NOT leave these ones out)

Izzy and Simon from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Jace and Clary from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Ana and Sam from Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (REVIEW)
Anna and St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Lola and Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (REVIEW)
Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Emerson and Michael from Hourglass (REVIEW) and Timepiece (REVIEW)by Myra McEntire

So... These are my Top Ten (err... 17) Favorite Literary Romances. Are there ones that you believe should be on this list? Do you agree with any (or all) of mine? Do tell!

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy of NOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, by clicking HERE!! Ends Sunday, February 17th. USA/Canada**

GIVEAWAY! Win TWO Books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes!

2013-02-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

I am so pleased to be able to offer up a great little prize pack to one of my lucky followers!

Up for grabs are two great books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes! In case you are unfamiliar with her work, she is the author of more than ten books, including the popular Raised by Wolves trilogy (Raised by Wolves, Trial by Fire, Taken by Storm), and the two books offered up today!

The winner will receive a hardcover copy of her latest release, NOBODY, which is a Sci-Fi/Paranormal unlike anything else I've read (read my review HERE), AND a paperback copy of the fabulous EVERY OTHER DAY, which is a Paranormal Thriller with a truly kick-ass heroine (read my review HERE).

To learn more about Jen, you can visit her BLOG or view some of her videos at EgmontUSA's YouTube Channel.

This giveaway is open to followers with mailing addresses within the US and Canada, and ends Sunday, February 17th.

Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2013-02-07T14:44:00.001-05:00

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: January 22nd, 2013

There are people in this world who are Nobody. No one sees them. No one notices them. They live their lives under the radar, forgotten as soon as you turn away.

That’s why they make the perfect assassins.

The Institute finds these people when they’re young and takes them away for training. But an untrained Nobody is a threat to their organization. And threats must be eliminated.

Sixteen-year-old Claire has been invisible her whole life, missed by the Institute’s monitoring. But now they’ve ID’ed her and send seventeen-year-old Nix to remove her. Yet the moment he lays eyes on her, he can’t make the hit. It’s as if Claire and Nix are the only people in the world for each other. And they are—because no one else ever notices them.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

When I got the review request for Nobody, I was really excited. I had only ever read one of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's books, Every Other Day, and I LOVED it (read my review HERE). I was super-excited when I received it in the mail, and then I went to Goodreads to mark it as a "Currently Reading" book, and stopped dead in my tracks... There were some downright awful reviews on this book, and many were from bloggers I know and respect. That left me torn. Do I read it because I've already committed to it, even though I really don't want to now? Do I just skip it, and read something else? What to do? Clocking in at 400 pages, it was a book I was really reluctant to bother with if I was going to hate it... Well, the conscientious side of me won out- I accepted the review request, and I was going to keep my word, and at the very least, read it... Well, I'm glad I did, because I really liked Nobody (I also affirmed my policy to not post reviews of 2-star and lower books on my blog for fear of turning off someone who might have loved the book I hated). I didn't love it quite as much as I did Every Other Day, but I thought it was a great, entertaining story that was well worth the time spent, even at 400 pages.

I found the premise of Nobody quite intriguing. Basically, Nobodies are people that go through life without the world around them noticing that they are even there. They aren't physically invisible, but they might as well be. They can even commit murder in a crowd of people without anyone even processing that they were present. No witnesses, which makes them perfect assassins... Nix is a Nobody and has been trained his entire life to be just that. He is unparalleled at what he does, until he is sent to take out Claire. Claire is also a Nobody, although she has gone through life without knowing this. All she knows is that people, even her parents, don't seem to notice her. Then one day she gets this feeling that someone is watching her- a feeling utterly foreign to her- and she sees her would-be assassin, and he sees her. They REALLY SEE each other, and that doesn't happen to either, EVER. Because Nix is so thrown by this realization, he botches the attempt, and the story moves forward from there... We learn there are other types of people besides Nobodies; There are Nulls, who are their opposite- larger than life, charismatic, and can bend anyone to their will without any effort at all. Then there are the Sensors, who are the only ones who can see Nobodies and Nulls for who what they are. The Institute has a long history of using Sensors to keep the normal people, the general public, blind to such abnormalities. The Institute, however, is rife with corruption and secrets, and as things unfold in this book, it becomes a very compulsive read, and I found it nearly impossible to put down for a variety of reasons. The plot moved quickly and made sense of what could have come across as nonsensical if it hadn't been so expertly executed. Claire and Nix were great characters, and both grew on me tremendously as the story progressed. Some reviewers complained about their inability to connect with either of them, but I think that was part of the appeal for me. It's hard to connect with a person who has never really experienced any kind of human connection. That person is going to seem somewhat flat to people who have had the joy of human bonding and the myriad of emotions that go along with it. I found myself really absorbed in the growth both characters showed through experiencing a bond with another human for the first time. I enjoyed seeing things through their eyes, feeling how they felt going through life alone and unnoticed, and then finding one another, and for the first time feeling seen, and more importantly, feeling connected. Normally, I detest insta-love or attraction, but in this case it is more than reasonable. This book isn't all romance though. Not even close. It is action, conspiracy, mystery, and a full on story of survival. Anyone who enjoys a fast-paced sci-fi adventure, that really makes you wonder if things aren't always as they seem, will enjoy Nobody. I honestly can't, for the life of me, figure out why the negative reviews...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book was graphically violent at times, and there was some sex, although not graphic in nature, by any stretch. I would say this book is best suited for grades 7 and up (ages 12+), although as a more liberal parent, I would gladly allow my 6th grader to read it.

**Please enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy of NOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY by clicking HERE!! Ends Sunday, February 17th. USA/Canada**

ARC Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab

2013-02-07T11:58:00.000-05:00

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Publication Date: January 22nd, 2013

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I read this book quite awhile ago, but just haven't been able to review it. I've written several versions out longhand, but nothing ever seemed good enough. That said, I am not going to promise a great review, because I honestly don't think I can properly do this amazing story justice. Here is my attempt...

When I finished reading The Archived back in November, my brief Goodreads review read, "Absolute perfection! I know it's only November of 2012, but I predict that this will make my 'Best of 2013' list!". As of now, it is still in the number one spot and holding strong. The Archived just had so much going for it. The writing was superb, the story was fantastic, and the characters were amazing. It was packed with so much emotion, yet still had enough action, adventure, mystery, and intrigue that it never felt heavy, and never, ever stalled.

The thing that I loved the most about this book was its originality. Books, in general, fall into genres because they mostly draw off of the same themes. This applies especially to YA; If something gets a lot of attention, it gets beaten to death (look at all the vampire books that came out in the wake of Twilight's success, dystopians on the heels of The Hunger Games). Sure, authors build on these themes, and make them their own, and I'm not saying that there haven't been amazing books written because of this type of inspiration, because there HAVE been, but I absolutely love it when a TRULY original idea comes along to knock my socks off. Victoria Schwab did this when she wrote The Archived. I loved the idea that when a person dies, the details of who that person was and the life they lead- their history- is archived by Historian, to be read by Librarians. I loved that there is a legacy left behind by each person, whether they knew it or not. As you all know, I am a lover of books (duh). That said, the idea of the history of every person being shelved and possibly read and learned from, like a book, sometime in the future, really appealed to me. I knew from the moment I saw the synopsis that I needed to read it, and I don't think I've ever jumped for joy over receiving an ARC in the mail like I did when I received this one (Thanks SO much, Disney Publishing!).

So this book has a great idea behind it. I read books that start with a great idea, and fail when it comes to execution, all the time. Did this one? No effing way! Here's why...

The Characters: Every single character, no matter how big or small their role was, made a difference in this book. There wasn't one who was inconsequential, and I think that had a tremendous amount to do with Victoria's characterization. She made them count. In fact, some of the characters I went through the book believing to be "minor" turned out to be anything but... That said, I really formed attachments to the two main characters. Mackenzie (Mac), our protagonist, was fabulously drawn. Very human on a very emotional level, but quite kick-ass as well, in her determination to be the best at her job as a Keeper (someone who makes sure Histories who are awoken don't escape the Narrows- an in-between place- into the real world), and eventually make Crew, like her late grandfather. Her job is incredibly dangerous, very lonely, and quite thankless to boot. Add to that the fact that she and her parents are dealing with the sudden death of her younger brother, and she is especially fragile. Then there was Wesley... *swoon* Another Keeper close to Mac's age, Wesley is the perfect person to bring her intensity down a level. She meets him when her family moves to The Coronado, and old hotel with a lot of history, and apparently, a good number of Histories lurking in its Narrows as well. Which brings me to the setting...
The World Building: The Archived is VERY character and plot driven, and honestly, I probably wouldn't have noticed much if Victoria had chosen to neglect the element of world building and setting. That said, the fact that she spent the time to really give us a rich, descriptive world for this story... I love her for it. The Coronado reminded me of a very old woman, who you can tell was once a great beauty, by her grace and the vestiges of charm and elegance that you see in her eyes and smile. I love buildings with history and Victoria did an outstanding job bringing this place to life. The same is true for the Archive itself. The pictures I had in my imagination of this library where the Histories were stored, and the layout of it! I was astounded by the detail her words brought forth in my mind. Finally, the Narrows. A nightmare on paper...
The Plot/Pacing/Story: I will admit that the first couple chapters were slow for me, but after I got through them, it was abundantly clear how necessary those initial chapters and their slow build were. Once the story did pick up, I felt a undeniable compulsion to keep reading. The pacing was great, with just the right amount of information held back, to keep me turning pages, with reveals happening at the perfect times, to never leave me feeling frustrated. As I said early in this review, the story had uniqueness in spades. So brilliantly different from anything I've ever read. It makes me want to take up residence in Victoria Schwab's imagination for a day or two (especially given The Archived's vast departure in genre from her debut, The Near Witch).
The Relationships/Romance: Although part of the story, which I addressed above, I felt like I had to address these elements separately First off, can we say, "Yay!" for no love triangles? Yes, there is a sort-of whisper of one, but it never felt like a true love triangle to me because I don't think it ever felt that way to Mac. Secondly, I loved that there was no insta-love. Mac actually questions her feelings about Wesley more than once, wondering if they weren't more to to with the fact that he could relate to her and what she does, and whether they were more out of loneliness than actual romantic inclinations. I felt like that showed a level of maturity that I wish was present in more YA. That aside, I really enjoyed the relationship between Mac and Wesley and I can't wait to see where it leads in book number two. As for the other relationships, I felt intense emotions as it related to Mac's relationship with her grandfather, Da, from whom she took over her Keeper position. He trained her and vouched for her, even when the powers that be felt she was too young. He wasn't the warm and fuzzy type, but still made her feel loved, but also left her t figure a lot of what she does out on her own, which made things quite complicated. Same was true for her connections to her parents and late brother. Her feelings toward her brother were intense and heartbreaking, and while her feelings toward her parents were strained because of her brother's untimely death and their difficulty coping with it, they were very real. I also wanted to touch on Mac's relationship with Roland, her sort-of mentor at the Archive. Another rather complex one, full of secrets, but very rich for its intricacies. There were some very key twists involving Roland, and I'm glad I paid attention to him from the beginning. Finally, there was Owen. I'm not going to say a whole lot about him, but he is a major player in this story, and the emotions he brings forth are puzzling, at best, which is why I found myself so drawn to his story, as it related to Mac's feelings toward him.

Well- that was exhausting, as I actually ended up writing an entirely different review than the any of the ones I had written out longhand. It turned out to be a conglomerate of all of them... I guess if you get nothing else from this review, get this... YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! It is brilliant and it really is perfection. Victoria Schwab experienced no "sophomore slump" with The Archived! She will forevermore join the ranks of likes of David Levithan, John Green, Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Ellen Hopkins, and Neal Shusterman, as an author whose books I will read without needing to know anything except that she wrote them. (Pretty good for someone with two published books under her belt!)

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★++++

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is perfectly fine for MS readers and up. I would even give it to a lot of 5th graders, because content-wise, it is fine. That said, I think the ideas behind it would be more intriguing to the more mature readers. Ages 10 and up (5th grade+).

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy ofNOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY by clicking HERE!! Ends Sunday, February 17th. USA/Canada**

ARC Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

2013-01-19T17:25:00.000-05:00

Publisher: Abrams/Amulet Books

Publication Date: January 1st, 2013

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book was just... WOW! I am going to try to find words to express how much love and adoration I have for this book, but honestly, there just aren't really any to do it justice. I was blown away for so many reasons...

The initial reason I was drawn to this book was the cover. I don't think they come any more stunning! The art is absolutely eye-popping, and I would have wanted to read this book no matter what it was about; It just happened to be a bonus that it is a retelling of one of the greatest books ever written, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland. I'm always in the market for a great retelling of a much-loved classic book, because I think so many authors have been influenced by these stories, and oftentimes, their perspective is creative genius. The Fairy-tale Retelling has actually become a genre of its own, and it seems that the Classic Retelling is moving in that way. I've recently read some great Jane Austen retellings (The Trouble with Flirting and Epic Fail, both by Claire LaZebnik, and For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund), and several authors have retold the amazing L. Frank Baum's fabulous stories of OZ (most notably, Gregory Maguire's brilliant Wicked, Son of a Witch, etc.), but Alice has been rather untouched (although I have to say that I adore Frank Beddor's The Looking Glass Wars trilogy). I was so excited when I read the synopsis of Splintered because the potential for a great, imaginative story stemming from Alice and her adventures, is limitless...

Well, I'm sure you've gathered from my introduction to this review, A.G. Howard TOTALLY pulled it off. I was completely sucked into this story; It was almost as if I went down the rabbit hole myself... So why was is so brilliant? Since there are so many reasons I loved this book so much, I am going to bullet point them...

Characters- The characters in this story were fantastic! The main character, Alyssa, was very real; A damaged, insecure teen who isn't really sure who she is, or where her life is headed. She grows a lot throughout the story, and it was great to be along for the ride. Two other characters who I was really drawn to were Morpheus and Jeb. Jeb is Alyssa's neighbor, BFF since childhood, protective older brother figure, and secret love interest. He is a major player in this story, and I loved the way his character developed, and the way his relationship with Alyssa grew. Morpheus is an extremely complex character. He has so many facets, that as the reader, you will find it impossible to form a concrete opinion of him until the very end, and maybe not even then, and I love that. Alyssa's mother was also interesting, although I never formed any kind of attachment to her like I did the aforementioned. Some of the best characters were some of the crazy creatures and oddballs of Wonderland. I even loved the baddies...
Story- AMAZING! I was completely enthralled. Like, seriously, for real... I could not put this book down. It pulled me in from page one, and got better and better (I actually tweeted the author about 150 pages in to ask if there would be a book two, because I knew I wouldn't be happy when it ended!). I knew very early on that this would be one of those books that I wanted to slow-read to have it last longer (even though there was no way I could possibly do that), because I was going to be so sad to have to leave the world and the characters behind. The pacing was perfect, and the plot was riveting. I loved how everything unfolded; How each character's closely guarded secrets were revealed, and how those secrets tied so well into the tasks that Alyssa and Jeb had to complete to save her mother and herself. I even enjoyed the love triangle, which is usually something I detest in YA. The romantic element was expertly done. I have to admit that some of my favorite parts of this story were the betrayals (and perceived betrayals), and the profound sacrifices that some of the characters were willing to make for one another. There were also some really epic twists- ones that I never saw coming- that made this story even more fantastic.
World Building- I just can't even. Splintered has some of the best world building I have ever read. The images my mind produced while reading this book were so vividly detailed, so remarkably original, and oftentimes, so disturbingly grotesque, that I still haven't let go of them, and likely won't for a very long time. The landscape of Wonderland that A.G. Howard paints is phenomenal. I dare say that her depiction was even more vibrant than that of the original author, Lewis Carroll, which is saying A LOT.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that even though it is only January, this book will make my top five for 2013 (as of now, it is tied for the number one spot with Victoria Schwab's The Archived). I loved it so much. If you are a fan of the original, you MUST get a hold of Splintered right now. You won't be sorry that you did.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: There are a few scenes in this book where the romance gets a little hot and heavy (no sex though), but otherwise this book is pretty clean. I say it's fine for 5th grade and up (ages 10+).