Anti-Drug Reads

No Longer Doing Reviews

2011-10-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

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Frost by Marianna Baer

2011-08-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

Title: Frost
Author: Marianna Baer
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release: 9/13/2011

Format: Advanced Readers Copy
Source: Publisher

Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological . . . well, which answer would let you sleep at night?

Marianna Baer jumps into the YA community with a big splash. Frost is an eerily suspenseful novel that anyone willing to have unyielding creeps that cause them to sleep with a nightlight on, would enjoy reading.

This is first and foremost a haunted house story. Leena and her friends decide to dorm at the Frost House for their senior year at boarding school. An unlikely roommate is forced upon them, but that's only the beginning of their problems. Odd things begin to happen in their timeworn dormitory that cause them to blame each other - knocking noises, missing objects, vandalism, etc. Celeste, the high-strung and unwanted roommate seems to be in the middle of it all. Leena is left to decipher if Celeste is the cause of all the freaky mishappenings, or if it is actually paranormal forces behind it all. The weird thing is, Leena feels an undeniable connection to the house, as if it wants her to live and stay there... forever.

This book is as terrifying as it sounds. Regretfully, I read a majority of this before I went to bed. I turned off my lights at 11 pm and couldn't fall asleep until 2 am. Frost mentally wore me out! Still, the pacing of it was a little off for me. I read the first two chapters, and was hit with anxiety to see where the story would go. That anxiety built up into frustration. Everything leading up to the climax is a bit monotonous and repetitive. Still, an ominous feel is kept throughout. It really does pick up towards the end and mostly every question I was restlessly awaiting an answer for is answered.

Marianna Baer created characters that I easily connected with. Each roommate has their own little personality. Leena, who narrates the story, has a simple personality with a distinct voice. She's your average do-gooder. The absence of obvious complication is quite refreshing for this genre. There is a little romance in Frost, but in no way is it the central focus. If anything, it just adds another obstacle that ultimately has to do with the house.

In all, Frost is quite the worthwhile read. There were times that I just wanted to skip to the end and see what happens, but gladly I didn't. The anticipation and suspense resulted in a jaw dropping conclusion. Fair warning though, the ending is one that leaves you guessing and not knowing what to believe. If you can find satisfaction in that, pick up this thrilling ghost story!

Follow me Friday (3)

2011-08-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

Fun question this week; took a crack at it. (:

Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).

A. As random as this might sound, CLARITY by Kim Harrington has definitely influenced my literary life. I have read it four times and still find joy all the way up until the very last line. It proved to me that YA can be fun and light, yet still work your mind. Because of CLARITY, paranormal crime became my favorite sub-genre. The first time I cracked open the spine, I was really craving a warm story. Kim Harrington's work did it for me then, and it still does it for me until this day.

Other books that were thoroughly influential, are LORD OF THE FLIES, THE HUNGER GAMES, and THE HARRY POTTER SERIES.

Leave a comment saying that you're a new follower, and I'll easily return the favor!

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

2011-07-31T22:17:00.000-07:00

Title: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2)

Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Release: July 26th 2011

Format: Finished Copy
Source: barnesandnoble.com

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind.

Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Right when I began to feel as if werewolves were on the brink of becoming banal, Andrea Cremer comes to flips that mindset completely around. With Wolfsbane, the second installment in the Nightshade Series, greatness is the only word capable of describing my feelings for it. I may have even enjoyed it more then the primary Nightshade itself.

Wolfsbane starts right where Nightshade leaves off. Calla, who tells the story in a first person narrative, just bailed out of an arranged marriage to a fellow Alpha wolf. She does so to save Shay, a forbidden love, and to learn the truth about her world. Now Calla is forced to work with who she always believed to be her enemies (searchers), in order to save the wolf pack pack she left behind. Regrouping her pack and creating a strong relationship with the searchers might even be enough to save the world from the corrupt keepers, those who manipulated her since birth.

Because of recent literary phenomena, most people imagine werewolves as tan and muscular Taylor Laughters. Even though the Nightshade world has a few of those, this story's heroine wolf is pretty and blonde. I love it! Book one focused mainly on Calla's pack; Wolfsbane has a whole different group of characters. Let me tell you, these new searchers really made the book for me. Each one has a very quirky and unique personality. This book provides an extensive history lesson, but the entertaining dialogue will make it worth anyone's while.

For all my Team Ren friends, prepare to be a little disappointed. Ren graces us with his presence for only one scene. None the less, the story is still very enjoyable without him. There is a magical balance of action and world-building. Shay comes off as annoying at the beginning, but he grew on me towards the end. I can sympathize with his unyielding love for Calla.

So what are some highlights of Wolfsbane? Conner and Adne have become two of my favorite characters in the series. The searchers' commodity is just as exciting as the wolf pack's. This whole story brings the Nightshade trilogy to new heights. I recommend everyone to pick up Andrea Cremer's work.

In My Mailbox (3)

2011-07-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. If you haven't already visited her blog, I advice you to do so. She is the epitome of professional blogging. Well IMM is just a simple way of showing others what exciting books we acquire in a good weeks time. It's also a great way for fellow blogs to interact with each other. Follow or comment me, and I'll easily return the favor.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Published October 18th 2007 by Razorbill)
Across The Universe by Beth Revis (Published January 11th 2011 by Razorbill)
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (Published July 26th 2011 by Penguin Young Readers Group)
Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray (7/1/11 by Little brown)

A huge thanks goes out to my friends at Little Brown.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2011-07-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill
Release: October 18th 2007

Format: Finished Copy

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Readers weren't lying when they said that this book can really make a person feel. The thing is, I'm not sure if I enjoyed what I was feeling. The new silver paperback cover and intense publicity intrigued me enough to pick up Jay Asher's award winning novel. My track record shows that raw/emotional reads are a hit or miss with me. Depressingly, no pun intended, this leaned more on the miss spectrum.

Clay receives a box of tapes recorded by Hannah, a girl who has just recently took her own life. These are the two protagonists. In these tapes, Hannah explains to Clay the thirteen reasons that caused her to commit suicide. The dual narrative is definitely something interesting, but maybe because of it, I never found myself completely connected to either of the two. Clay would "press play," Hannah would talk, then Clay would give his reaction. Throughout the whole book I felt underwhelmed. Because the eeriness and suspense wasn't potent enough, the narration of both Clay and Hannah became a bit monotonous.

After finishing Thirteen Reasons Why, I took a look at Hannah Moskowitz's review of it. Even though I don't see eye to eye with everything she said, I agree completely with her on one thing. Suicidal tendencies is a result from a disease of the mind. Jay Asher made the fault of Hannah's suicide seem like a direct fault of her peers. Every teen faces harsh rumors and unfair treatment, especially the things that Hannah explains she goes through. There isn't thirteen reasons why she killed herself. There is only one, and I don't need to spell it out. Long story short, I don't quite agree with how this story was directed.

I do wish that I could jump on the congested train of fans, but I just can't. I had a hard time getting through this one. I couldn't be emotionally moved enough to enjoy such raw subject matter.

Waiting on Wedesday (6)

2011-07-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

Amazing meme brought to all of us through Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where we spotlight upcoming book releases worth being excited about. It's a great way to look and see what other bloggers are waiting on too! Follow or comment me, and I'll easily return the favor.

This weeks choice is...

Slide by Jill Hathaway (releasing March 27th)

"Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again."— (goodreads)

The simplicity of Slide's cover really did draw me in. Also, I love all the imprints of HarperCollins, so I keep up to date with all the books that they will be publishing. This is one of my favorites when compared to the other upcoming releases. Murder mysteries are my favorite, especially when you mix in paranormal aspects!

Interview: Adele Griffin, author of TIGHTER

2011-06-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

My review of TIGHTER: here

Author Website: here

Goodreads of TIGHTER: here

Tighter is definitely not Adele Griffin's first stab at the literary world, but it's the first of her novels that I've had the pleasure to read. This pleasure led me to falling in love with her and her amazing writing style. It takes a mind of great uniqueness to come up with a story/retelling so eerily addictive.

I reached out to her via twitter for an interview. The very next day we were in correspondence, me asking questions and her answering. Griffin is such a lovely and humble person. This can be seen so easily through our little interview. Here we go!

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1. Can you describe TIGHTER in a brief little sentence?
Tighter is a modern reimagining of one of my favorite gothic novellas, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.

2. How much did the story of TIGHTER change from your initial thoughts, to first draft, then finally ready to be printed?
The biggest plot shift would be something of a spoiler, but I would say that Milo wasn't always who he is in the final version-- he was a bit more, um, substantial. And I had a darker end for Jamie than what we decided. I also added more in later drafts to her Little Bly friendships and world-- particularly her charged/twisted relationship with Aidan. Tonally, though, it's the same book as the one in my head three years ago. Maybe because it's so clear to me how James' book influenced it.

3. This novel showcases a few controversial issues, most specifically prescription drugs. What was the deciding factor to add this to the story?
I'd say it takes one to know one. Jamie's story is very real to me. I got terrible headaches in high school, and I would gobble down just about any kind of pain killer I could find. I raided medicine cabinets, and I was pretty irresponsible.

4. Were there any life experiences of your own that influenced the writing of TIGHTER?
Personal loss. The story is about loss-- and I can feel the echo of what I was going through in some of its emotional reach. It was why I picked up The Turn of the Screw. Something in that story's grief and delirium spoke to me.

5. Are there any deeper lessons that you're trying to convey to your teen readers with this novel?
That's been a loaded and much-dissected question of YA lit these days, and well worth asking. When it comes to delivering a novel versus a message, here's what I think. Even if you are writing to a younger audience, you obviously are well within your right as an author to take on any subject you please, any way you want. But I like to make sure that I am on-message with myself-- that I feel perfect clarity about why I've decided to address a theme or dynamic. I want to be able to stand up for my choices with something more cogent than "I just felt like writing it that way." With regard to TIGHTER, I do believe that self-medicating can lead to addiction and drug abuse in the flash of an eye. And if you have a proclivity toward abuse, it's almost too easy. I think Jamie really takes that vulnerability, and the danger of her decisions, all the way to her unraveling.

6. How does TIGHTER differ from other things you've written?
I loved writing this book. It reset my buttons, reminded me of the pure joy of the written word, especially because it's an homage to such a masterful writer, a far better writer than most of us will ever be. But I found that elating, not depressing.

7. Pick only one of these words that you think best describes TIGHTER: Spooky, Mind-bottling, or Thrilling
I am picking spooky because I love the word spooky. It reminds me of old Scooby Doo cartoons. And I think, on its purest level, TIGHTER is not intimidating. You can just jump right into this book as easy as jumping into Fred's Mystery Machine.

8. Being an author from the genre yourself, what are a few of your favorites of the recent YA titles?
I just read Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, and Family by Micol Ostow-- so different, so incredible. And I am looking forward to reading Frost by Marianna Baer and Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. I'm sure there'll be a zillion others, I get a lot of reading done in the summer, with my toes in the grass.
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I hope you all received at least half of the enjoyment I did after reading Griffin's remarkable answers to my questions. I suggest that you move TIGHTER up toward the top of your TBR pile. I mean, that is if you want to have a "spooky" awesome read.