i swim for oceans

Half Lives by Sara Grant Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Half Lives
Author: Sara Grant (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: July 9, 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher

Seventeen-year-old Icie's parents have given her $10,000 in cash, a map of a top-secret bunker, and instructions to get there by any means necessary. They have news of an imminent viral attack and know that the bunker is Icie's only hope for survival. Along with three other teens, she lives locked away for months, not knowing what's happening in the outside world or who has survived. And are they safe in the bunker after all?

Generations in the future, a mysterious cult worships the very mountain where Icie's secret bunker was built. They never leave the mountain, they're ruled by a teenager...and they have surprising ties to Icie.

Icie lives in a world that's confined to the hidden, underground shelter of a bunker, simply to stay alive. Icie and her unlikely group of friends struggle to survive in this shelter that's devoid of news of the outside world, and, hundreds of years in the future, Beckett's life races through a series of unfathomable events as he tries to understand the mysteries of the very mountain in which Icie and her friends hid so many years ago. These two teens live generations apart, but there is an inexplicable link that will eventually, ultimately be realized.

Half Lives presents a unique opportunity for readers, as well as a bit of a challenge, which is often lacking in the YA genre. Sara Grant has created an intriguing premise for two decidedly different storylines unravel and unfold, all the while winding back into a single connection, which brings the story full-circle. With clever and articulate details, a heroine with whom readers can relate and a surprising new twist on the dystopian genre, Half Lives promises readers two very different and exciting journeys.

There was a lot going on in Half Lives, and I'll be completely honest and say that not all of it worked for me. I'll start, however, with what really did succeed. Icie's storyline was brilliant. Written in first-person perspective, I was offered a unique twist into accessing a teen protagonist's mind. I was worried that viewing the world and events from Icie's eyes would limit my investment in her storyline, or would keep me from understand the secondary characters Chaske, Marissa and Tate, but I was surprised to find that I had more investment in their arcs because of this viewpoint. On the other hand though, Beckett's side of the story was written in third-person perspective, which usually really succeeds for me, but I felt as though his own storyline felt shallow and difficult to follow. Perhaps it was the vernacular, or the chants and prayers, but I felt like I couldn't really get into his side of the novel. I will say that it was a clever and appropriate differentiation between Icie and Beckett's journeys, but I almost feel like Half Lives could have succeeded far better if the first book was written from Icie's POV, while the second followed Beckett's journey. That said, there were aspects of Beckett's future generation that I did enjoy. I think it was really unique and fun that the place in which they lived was called "Forreal." I enjoyed some of the tense revelations, which often led me down the wrong path and surprised me. Unfortunately though, a lot of the depth I wanted from Beckett's end was lost, and secondary characters became mere stereotypes, while the gripping drama of Icie's storyline slowly slipped away and got lost.

In the end, I'm honestly not sure how I feel about Half Lives. I give the author a ton of credit for tackling a lot with this novel and really challenging her creative bounds. I'm just not sure how well some of the story will resonate with readers, as it left me wanting a bit more at times. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian and split perspectives.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Don't Turn Around
Author: Michelle Gagnon (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: August 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Pages: 309
Source: Publisher

Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her hacking skills to stay anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in a warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.

Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa’s talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation threatens his life in no uncertain terms. But what Noa and Peter don’t realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who’d stop at nothing to silence her for good.

Noa's never had a single person to trust, and it's been this way since she lost her parents. But life in the system was a far cry from fear she has when she wakes up in an unknown place with no memory of how she arrived there. What Noa doesn't know is that she's an asset, and she holds powerful information that could irreparably change the course of events. Can Peter, Noa's newfound ally, and she discover what this faceless corporation wants from them before it's too late, or will they both lose everything?

I'm a bit of a sucker for thrillers. I always have been, and I always will be, which is odd because they make me fear sleeping for days. I know. I digress. The point is, the synopsis for Don't Turn Around was immediately intriguing to me, and I definitely bought into the idea of a dark and sinister operation and a creepy, mysterious vibe. Author, Michelle Gagnon, has created a powerful heroine with whom the reader is able to go on a spine-tingling journey full of twists, turns and plenty of corruption. With a fast pace and a strong voice, Don't Turn Around is sure to whisk you away in its dark embrace.

Don't Turn Around is one of those novels that had a whole heck of a lot going for it. The writing style is fresh and clean, and we're offered a fast-paced introduction into what promises to be an exciting and tension-filled new series. The strongest suit of this book is simply that the action is non-stop. It's the type of book that I literally felt the need to read in one sitting because each page had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out exactly what would happen next. Even better, Don't Turn Around provided just enough mystery and little enough foreshadowing to keep me on my toes, so I never felt as though I was getting too much of the story too soon. Rather, I was riveted from the get-go. Unfortunately, there's a flip-side to this, as well. Because the book was so heavily plot-driven, some of the other aspects of the novel sacrificed their time in the limelight. For one, I never felt as though I could really access Noa or Peter throughout the book. While I felt as though I got their framework, and it was definitely solid, I didn't really get to see these two otherwise powerful characters transform much from start to finish. In addition, a lot of key elements to this series were introduced but not really elaborated upon, such as the virus, PEMA. I would have loved to learn more about it in the first book, but I can only assume that this was not an oversight on the author, but rather a calculated risk in furthering the series.

All in all, Don't Turn Around might be a book you're tempted to overlook on the shelves, but it's one of those action-packed books that I'm sure I'll pick up again to see if I missed something in my haste to eat it up. I give it a really high 3.5 out of 5, simply because I would have loved more detail on the characters, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy YA, sci-fi and mysteries.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Black City by Elizabeth Richards Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Black City
Author: Elizabeth Richards (Twitter)
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
Publish Date: November 13, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 374
Source: Publisher

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

The world has long since been broken. Natalie has lived a privileged life, in terms of the quality of life afforded most people since the wars. Ash, quite simply, has not. When Natalie's picture-perfect bubble is broken and she's forced to move with her family to Black City and endure public school and the realities of life that most people face, she's thrust headlong into a world that is completely unfamiliar. Ash, however, only knows this world, and their kinds should never, ever fall in love. But the feelings are there, the attraction is undeniable and things can only get worse from here.

I've mentioned a lot recently that I think that dystopian novels are fairly outplayed. I think that this happens for most genres, and it really just goes in cycles. Nevertheless, I was excited to read Black City and learn about this dark, bleak world in which danger, war and strife come standard. Elizabeth Richards truly succeeds in crafting a world ruled by corruption and fear and, in terms of dystopian settings, Black City ranks among the craftiest, most twisted around. Merging a powerful and tumultuous love story, an incredibly atmospheric backdrop and a clever mix of genres, Black City leads the pack.

I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that this book was actually a bit more cross-genre than straight dystopian. Whereas so many novels rely solely on pushing a love story into a darker world, Black City embraces the complexities of racial tension and a broken society, weaving complexities in to what could have easily become a very flat story. I found Natalie to be pretty unlikable from the start, if I'm being honest. She's a brat, and she's never had to work for anything, so seeing her complain about her situation made me resent her. However, we do get to see a good bit of character growth as the novel progresses, and she did begin to grow on me. Ash was a complex character, and I found it easier to empathize with him from the start, simply because he has never been dealt the easiest hand in life. He always made the best of it though, and his internal struggles bleed onto the pages, making him extremely relatable to the reader. Their love was quite well-defined, albeit a bit rushed. I think the tension could have been played up a bit more, but I was definitely intrigued by the time-tested concept of girl and boy from opposite sides of the tracks (or, in this case, the wall). The writing is fluid, and the pace is easy, thrusting us into the Black City from the very start. I'll admit that the lack of background on the backdrop of this foreign world left me confused at first, but I began to enjoy how it was peppered throughout. One thing, however, that continues to bug me is that there seems to be a lot of extremes when we take the actions and reactions of the Darklings into context. I'm not sure it painted them, or Ash, in a very good light, and it made it hard to get invested in their plight.

All in all, I really enjoyed the concept of Black City. While there were some plot holes, and the ending left me grasping at straws, it was definitely a solid and engaging read. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal, dystopian and sci-fi stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk: Dark Books on the YA Market

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What do you think about darker books on the YA market?

Most of you know that I'm a huge fan of issue books. I think there's a brilliant, understated skill to darker novels that have the ability to bare the very essence of brute human nature. I, personally, think these books are incredibly important for the younger generations because it encourages dialogue and discussions. It brings otherwise forbidden issues out into the open and creates a discourse.

However, there are definitely those people that feel that darker issue books have no place on the YA market. Some people believe these books should be catered towards a mature audience, as younger readers might be damaged or scarred by reading these books. I don't discount that darker issue books are challenging to read. In fact, I believe the should be hard to read. If they weren't the subject matter wouldn't have such a hard-hitting impact upon reading audiences.

Some of my favourite books are those that are the most painful to read. They make me think. They challenge me to explore some of the most painful and degrading human emotions and conditions. Most of all though, they make me feel. I also believe that if these books are done well, they are vital to the YA market because they challenge readers to step outside their comfort zones, empathize for others and, in some cases, come to terms with issues of their own. The most successful darker YA books on the market today for me include, but certainly aren't limited to:

What do you think about darker books in the YA market? Do you think they're important? Do you have a list of darker issue books that have done more for you than others? I think these books are important, but I'd love to hear what others thinks, as well!

Catch Rider: Jennifer H. Lyne Interview & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I'm super excited to welcome debut YA author, Jennifer H. Lyne to the blog to promote her brand new book, Catch Rider, which was released by Clarion Books on June 4, 2013. I actually reviewed the book today, too, and you can view the review HERE.

The beautiful thing about Catch Rider is that it's less of a book about horses and more of a book about horse people. Jennifer took some time out of her busy day to answer a few of my questions about the book and some of her inspirations. Plus, be sure to keep reading for a giveaway of this great book!

1. In Catch Rider, you immerse the reader in what might otherwise been an unfamiliar world of horses and horseback riding. What sort of research did you have to do to make the story feel this authentic for the reader?

I grew up around horses, so most of the things I wrote about I already knew, but I did research to confirm them. One is example is Sid pulling the tooth out of the horse’s mouth. My friend Sandi Hooper Melnyk who lives in Ashland, Virginia, pulled a horse’s tooth that way when I was at the barn with her. I don’t remember what tools she used, but I do remember her squirting water from a plastic bike bottle in the horse’s mouth afterward, which still makes me laugh. In other cases, I had to go back and research. I didn’t show in the Maclay competition, so I did some reading on what kinds of courses they use, what the course requirements are, etc. I like doing research a lot, and I didn’t want horse people to read the book and find inaccuracies. I’m sure there are some in there, but I did my best.

2. Sid has a bit of a tough edge to her that can be misconstrued as cockiness. How did you balance her naivety with her resilient personality to ultimately make her likeable for readers?

Sid acts cocky, but people who do that are insecure. That behavior can hide deep uncertainty and fear of abandonment. I took the chance that some readers would not get this, or that they would get it and be turned off anyway. When I was trying to sell this story as a script in Hollywood, I was told that she was not likeable enough, and that I should make her more of an Everygirl protagonist, but I made the calculated decision to reject that advice. At some point, as a writer, you have to decide for yourself why you’re doing it in the first place, and what you want to say. Are you doing it to please people and make money, or are you doing it because you like to deal with reality, which is complicated.

3. What made you decide to use the first person point of view for Catch Rider?

I decided to use the first person after I had written 60 pages in third person, sold the book and was trying to finish it. I was having trouble feeling connected, like it was too forced, and the extra effort was not helping the story. So, I wrote it as though she was doing a long diary entry, and then the writing became really fun.

4. If you could describe Catch Rider in just five words, what would those words be?

Rocky wakes up in Covington.

5. Catch Rider wraps up very quickly and neatly at the end. Can readers hope to hear more from Sid's story? Why, or why not?

I wrapped it up more quickly than my editor would have liked. I like it when a movie ends and I’m staring at the screen thinking, “What?! That’s it?” Did you ever see the movie All the President’s Men? It’s before our time, but everyone should watch it. The director chopped of the entire third act! It’s kind of awesome. To answer your question, I’m not done with Sid, and there are going to be some surprises.

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And now...the giveaway! I'm offering up my ARC of Catch Rider to spread the word (and the fanfare) about this book. This giveaway is open internationally, and will end one week from today. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Catch Rider
Author: Jennifer H. Lyne (Twitter)
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

Tough-as-nails fourteen-year-old Sid may not have expensive boots like the privileged teen riders in Virginia, but she knows her way around horses. Working with her Uncle Wayne since childhood, she’s learned to evaluate horses, break and train them, care for them...and ride like a professional.

Amid turmoil at home, she dreams of becoming a catch rider — a show rider who can ride anything with hooves. In this salty, suspenseful teen novel, an unexpected opportunity to ride a top-notch horse in an equitation show takes the small-town girl all the way to Madison Square Garden.

Sidney doesn't live a rich life. She's not pampered, or spoiled. She's never had more than exactly what she needs, but she does have one thing going for her. Sid knows horses. She understands how they think, how they act and how they work, and most of all, Sid knows how to ride. Having always had to deal with second-best of nearly everything, Sid finally wants something all to herself, and she'll do just about anything to accomplish her dream and become a riveting, sensational and inspiring show rider.

To be entirely honest, when the author contacted me to review her novel, that was the very first time I'd ever heard of Catch Rider, and I was a bit wary because of the younger protagonist. However, Jennifer Lyne has carefully crafted an empowering and emotional story of a girl that, while younger in age, often presents a maturity beyond her years, as well as a strength of spirit and determination that readers of any age can relate to. Blending tense drama, tangible characterization, an emotional plot and a journey to find and succeed at accomplishing one's dreams, Catch Rider is sure to whisk you away into Sid's world.

Sid was somewhat of a tricky protagonist for me - not because of her age, but rather because of her demeanor. The girl has had a rough life, and there is absolutely no denying that. You can sense her inner turmoil and the walls she has put up to shield herself from any more hurt. Her father is gone, her mother cares too much about her deadbeat of a boyfriend and she has no money on a good day. Sid's always been on her own and, therefore, you can understand why she's a bit rough around the edges. The reason, however, that I struggled with her at times is because despite the fact that she's got next to nothing, she doesn't hesitate to demean others, and her bitterness leaves an acrid taste in my mouth. That said, I think there were some definitive strengths to Catch Rider that really worked for a fairly slim novel. For one, we're thrust directly into Sid's life from the start. With little to no introduction whatsoever, the reader is pushed into a sort of sink-or-swim environment where we very quickly learn and understand the world in which Sid lives. Furthermore, there is no lack of action and adventure in the book. From the start, we have the unique ability to become invested in Sid's journey to accomplish her dreams at all costs. We also have the unique opportunity to get an insider's perspective into the world of showing horses. The author has clearly done her homework, as the world is incredibly vivid and detailed, and I could picture the scenes and events as though I were there, myself. The plot, too, is well done. It never lags or slows, but blends the subtle character introductions, touches of sweet romance and engaging action with a great, steady pace. I will say that I wished the ending could have been fleshed out a bit further, as it was a bit abrupt for my liking, but it worked, and it was just wrapped up enough to feel satisfied.

Overall, Catch Rider is a great crossover book for most ages. The author has a way with words, and I definitely look forward to reading more from her. I give it a high 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction. This can also work for an upper MG audience.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Vitro

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Vitro
Author: Jessica Khoury (Twitter)
Publisher: Razorbill
Publish Date: January 14, 2014
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 400

On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings--the Vitros--have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.

Sophie Crue is determined to visit Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. She enlists hunky charter pilot Jim Julien to take her there. But once on the island, Sophie and Jim encounter more than they bargained for, including a charming, brilliant Vitro named Nicholas and an innocent, newly awoken one named Lux.

In a race for their lives, Sophie and Jim are about to discover what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.

So, I've had a bit of a thing for stories of people with powers since, well, forever. Naturally, Vitro fits that bill, and if you've been a follower of this blog for a while, you'll know that yours truly also has a bit of a penchant for sci-fi. Score annnnd double score. In all seriousness though, I like the play on words in the title of this novel, I enjoyed Ms. Khoury's first novel, Origin, and I'm pretty sure I could devour all 400 pages in one sitting. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: The Best Beach Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Beach Reads

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - Why, you ask? Well, it's a beachy read, peoples. It's about a surfer. Granted, it's a bit darker than you might want for your normal beach read, but trust me when I say that this is a book you must read...preferably on the beach...in one sitting. Ready? Go.

2. The Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin - If you haven't read anything by her, you probably should because you're missing out. Plus, it's a sweet, fun, fast-paced and well-written book that will totally brighten a beach day.

3. Purity by Jackson Pearce - It's not my all-time favourite by Ms. Pearce, but it's an engaging and engrossing read that you'll totally devour in one sitting. Plus, it's just quirky enough for you to want to do so.

4. Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar - While you're at it though, read the whole dang series. Personally, I hated the show, but these books are fun, guilty-pleasure reads for me, for sure. I bet you you'll love them if you try them.

5. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - This has been a favourite of mine since my childhood. It's a modern version of the Biblical story of Noah's Arc with just a twist of sci-fi, a touch of romance and a whole lot of drama. It's perfection, in my humble opinion.

6. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - I dare you to ask me to have a list without HP on it. Seriously. I dare you. But really, I've been taking these books with me to the beach since day one. Granted, I've been taking them pretty much everywhere, but that's besides the point. Just do it.

7. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - Summery, sweet, romantic, adorable and just plain fun - this is one of those books that I enjoyed so much I couldn't even put it into words. Seriously though, it's the perfect summery and beachy read.

8. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Okay, this is another that's a bit heavier than your average beach read, but a lot of it actually takes place on the beach, so that has to count for something, right? Plus, it's heartfelt, emotional, sweet, endearing and, well, pretty darn great.

9. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - This is another one of those summer reads that's perfect for a beach day, a road-trip, lying out in the grass...actually, just reading it anywhere. If you haven't read it yet, you probably should.

10. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - I swore off Ms. Dessen's books when I first started blogging, but trust me when I saw I was wrong. This is the type of book you can lie in the sun reading all day. Just bring a cool drink, a wide-brimmed hat, plenty of sunscreen and get lost in the characters' story.

Ink by Amanda Sun Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Ink
Author: Amanda Sun (Twitter)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: June 25, 2013
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 377
Source: Publisher

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Just when Katie is certain that her life can't get any worse...it does. After her mother's death, Katie has no choice but to give up her hometown, her friends, her customs and move in with her aunt, an English teacher in Japan. Not only does Katie need to learn the new customs of this foreign country, but she can't speak the language, the culture is entirely different and her entire life has been turned upside down. But Katie's new life in Japan is just beginning - and she may never be able to leave.

When I first received Ink for review, I wasn't sure if it would be the right sort of fit for me. I've yet to read a surprising paranormal story in a while and, for the most part, the genre seems a bit burned out. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the world that Amanda Sun has created within the pages of this novel. Bringing a vivid country alive through meticulous descriptions, careful research and a very clear and apparent love of the culture, Ink draws you in from the very first page. The prose is as finely-crafted as the artwork of Ink, itself, and you're certain to be mesmerized by this delightful and completely foreign world.

If you look around the blogosphere, the reviews of Ink are kind of a mixed bag. They seem to sway to opposite ends of the spectrum - either really good, or really poor. After reading it though, I can definitely understand why this seems to have happened. Ink is a rich and extremely descriptive novel, and it must be said that the true power of the novel lies within the incredibly detailed world that the author has created. The writing style is fluid and accessible, and Japan almost feels tangible, as the words envelop us in a culture that is so vastly different from our own. I can't tell you how many times I was pleasantly surprised to see that the foods, sights, vernacular and general life of the Japanese culture were so true to real life...and yes, I had to research it myself to see that it did. There was a definitive insta-love vibe to Ink though, and that definitely rubbed me the wrong way at first. Don't get me wrong, I can definitely see why she falls for Tomohiro, as he's a definitive heartthrob, but still - we all know how I feel about insta-love. However, upon further research, Ink seems to follow in the vein of lots of manga and such cultural dramas, in which such love stories are more commonplace. Because of that, I could reconcile myself with it a bit. I'll be honest and say that I was left with a lot of questions at the end of Ink, but they're the sort that make me want to read on, and the author's writing style is wonderful enough for me to want to do so, as well.

Overall, Ink was a refreshing take on the genre. While, yes, it won't work for everyone, and some parts didn't necessarily work for me, I quite enjoyed this book. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and paranormal romance. Fans of Korean and Japanese dramas, as well as manga will probably enjoy this one, as well.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Splintered by A.G. Howard Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Splintered
Author: A.G. Howard (Twitter)
Publisher: Amulet
Publish Date: January 1, 2013
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 371
Source: Publisher

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.

Alyssa's unique gift is probably really a curse, or so those who know her family actually would believe. Everyone has always told her that the whispers she hears aren't real, and acknowledging them will simply bring her to the same messy fate that befell her mother - life at a mental institution. But Alyssa never knew that this Wonderland that her ancestors spoke of was really real, or that it was a place more deadly and vicious than she could ever have imagined. To venture into the world is the only way she can save her family though, and Alyssa is read to do so at all costs.

First and perhaps foremost, let's take a moment of silence for the unbelievably stunning cover of Splintered. There is a wicked beauty to this novel, and A.G. Howard never once backs off the dark, twisted maze of undertones that whisk away to a familiar, albeit terrifyingly different, world of Wonderland. The author has crafted a brilliant novel that wrenches readers into what we've always considered to be a make-believe world, but manages to spellbind us with subtle treachery into believing that maybe, just maybe, Wonderland could actually be real. Vibrant, colourful and menacingly alive, Splintered will capture you from the start.

I lusted after this novel for months before I ever got my hands on it, and when I did, I was almost so excited that I was too scared to actually read it. But I did, and I'm glad that I did because from the second you open Splintered, you're sucked into a world from which you cannot escape. There's a subtle beauty and innocence to Alyssa's character that I really loved. Above all else, Alyssa wants to save her family, and to do so, she has to embrace this curse that has plagued her family for generations. Along the way, we get to see her discover her own true identity, her self-worth and the fact that she is actually far more powerful than she thinks. There's something magical in and of that, alone, that gets you truly invested in her journey. Wonderland, too, was incredible. Imagine the twisty, colourful and bright world you've always known when reading the classic tale. Now imagine that world on acid. Splintered is every bit the brilliantly macabre version of Wonderland, sucking you into a realm that's alive with twists and turns, terrifying creatures and enough drama to last a lifetime. I will say that I felt the plot diversions were a bit too hasty at times, and other times I felt as though I really wanted to flesh out the current details and plot points more, but I understand the hasty retreats to other aspects of the plot. The secondary characters are where my only real issue with Splintered lies. I felt that Jeb was a stereotype, and I wanted to see more from his character than this shell that we've become accustomed to in books. Morpheus is oddly sexy and he keeps you guessing throughout, but I wanted to know more about where his motivations came from. I can only hope we'll get more from him in the second book. Therein lies the issue though; Morpheus and Jeb were never really concrete characters in my mind, but we're given a love triangle in which we should side with one or the other. I couldn't decide because I don't feel like I ever really got to know them.

Despite these few issues, I loved the world of Splintered, and I can't wait to dive (pun intended) into book two. I give it a very high 3.5 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy the story of Alice in Wonderland, as well as fantasy.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Burning by Elana K. Arnold Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Burning
Author: Elana K. Arnold (Twitter)
Publisher: Random House Children's
Publish Date: June 11, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher

Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It's good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he's headed to San Diego, where he's got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don't have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447.

Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash--especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala's been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben's cards is the day that everything changes for her...and for him.

Ben and Lala should never have met. Their lives are on completely separate paths, they're cultures couldn't be further from one another and yet, there's something that might just make them more like one another than they think. From their first encounter on, Lala sees that Ben was in the cards, and there is a reason he is in her life, but it's not that simple. She supposed to be married. He's supposed to go to college. Together, their relationship can't possibly work...or can it?

Burning is a new twist on the contemporary genre that challenges our own self-imposed notions of a culture vastly different than our own. With great skill this rich novel meshes the stories of two teens in the crux of huge decisions and their resulting decisions, which will ultimately also affect those around them. This is the first novel I've read from Elana Arnold, but it certainly won't be my last. The author has a remarkable gift for appropriate descriptiveness, which brings an otherwise unfamiliar world alive for me through the pages of Burning.

I've been trying to write my review for Burning for a while now, but I've had a difficult time coming up with the appropriate response to the book. On one hand, I absolutely loved this book. On the other hand, I felt as though something was lacking, and that left a bitter note in my mouth. It must be said that the author is an incredible writer. I felt as thought I was actually in Nevada throughout the book, feeling the intense heat of the desert sun and soaking in the Romani culture, of which I was previously unfamiliar. Arnold has definitely done her homework in that respect, and I learned a lot about the culture of the Romani, as well as their traditions and heritage without ever feeling as though the novel was info-dump. Furthermore, I love how very rich and elegant her prose is - when she wants it to be, and she is careful how it is applied. Switching cleanly back and forth between Ben and Lala's viewpoints, the novel transitions seamlessly throughout. However, I did have a few problems with the book, despite how much I wanted to love it without reservations. First and foremost, I felt that the "worlds-colliding" premise was a bit cliche, and that weighed on me as I got know Ben and Lala. I also had a difficult time accessing Lala's true emotions at times because she was so conflicted throughout the story. She was like a trapped animal, and there was a very claustrophobic sense within her chapters that could be viewed as a strength, but it left me feeling more stressed than anything else. Then, I had a very difficult time reconciling myself with the ending for a very long time after reading the book. While I understand why it happened now, I still felt I'd been built up throughout, only to come crashing back to Earth at the end.

All in all, Burning was a good book, and if you're looking for a refreshing twist on contemporary novels, this is for you. Please note that while, yes, this is a love story, you should also know that above all else, it's about finding yourself and becoming true to that person. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary and light romance.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk: Favourite Summer Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What are some of your all-time favourite summer reads?

From the very beginning of this blog, contemporary fiction has been of an iffy topic for me. I'm extremely particular with the contemps that I really want to give a fair shot, and I don't think that's changed too much in 3 years of blogging. However, there's something to be said with contemporary books as summer reads. Is it just me, or are beachy summer days just the perfect time to try those contemps you might otherwise avoid like the plague (~~because of your pesky prejudices...of course~~)?

That said, some of my all-time favourite summer reads encompass all genres and, really, they're those go-to books that I'll put in my beach bag time and time again. For example:

Clockwise from top left:

A. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

B. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

C. Between by Jessica Warman

D. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

E. Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar

F. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

All of these books work perfectly for me as a summer beach-bag read. They're a mix of paranormal, beautiful and powerful contemps and books with great characters with whom I can relate. That, in a nutshell, is what makes a summer read for me. I want to be transported somewhere else, and I want to really feel something. that's what summer's all about, right?! What makes a perfect summer read for you, and why?

Dare You To by Katie McGarry Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Dare You To
Author: Katie McGarry (Twitter)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: May 28, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 462
Source: Publisher

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does...

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

It all started with a dare. Beth's life is always in turmoil. From her home life, which is currently in upheaval, to her life at school, which is far less than perfect, Beth struggles on a daily basis. The last thing she'd ever expect is for the boy that everybody loves to be even remotely interested in her. But, before she knows it, perceptions are changing, and so is Beth as she begins to realize that she might be worth it all, and she might just be able to get what she wants and deserves for a change.

There was a tense, hard-hitting beauty to Dare You To's predecessor, Pushing the Limits, which wound readers like myself up into such a frenzy that we were more than a little frantic to get our paws on the second installment. Author, Katie McGarry, dazzles and definitely doesn't disappoint her devoted fans with this remarkable story of two kids from opposite sides of the tracks that might just have more in common than they think. The novel comes alive with vivid characters and dares us to put aside our preconceived notions and fall in love with the novel as Beth and Ryan navigate the course of their own relationships.

I've seen a lot of less than favourable reviews for Dare You To because, like myself, many readers were expecting this to be Beth and Isaiah's love story. We met Beth before, and we knew that her home life was far less than perfect, and we also knew that Isaiah was the one for her. Or was he? I was dead-set against this novel straying from what I hoped for, but as I began to read further, the author's intricate character arcs and careful development began to unravel the true meaning of this new relationship for me. Beth felt completely alone. On the surface, Ryan looked as though he had it all, but he'd lost himself along the way, as well. These two broken characters are nearly two halves of a whole, completing one another through challenges, commitment and a mutual understanding of what they're rising up from. Dare You To was more of a straightforward teen romance tale than I felt the first book was, but it actually worked for me. The author has this innate ability to create characters with whom we can actually relate. The emotions, the pain, the love and the healing - they're all tangible and entirely accessible because McGarry employs unadulterated emotion to fuel the plot. Through their struggles and triumphs, we find that we're just as invested in the story as Beth and Ryan are invested in their own budding relationship. On the minute downside, I do think that some of the secondary characters needed to be fleshed out more. Beth's aunt, Allison, could have been a remarkable and deeper addition to the storyline if I'd better understood the motivation behind her interactions with Beth.

Overall though, I think that Dare You To was a passionate and fulfilling second installment to this fantastic series. We're treated to excellent writing and delicious prose, all which whet my appetite as a reader. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary and romance.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Black Out

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:36:00 +0000

Title: Black Out
Author: Robison Wells (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 1, 2013
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 352

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists. Jack and Aubrey are high school students.There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Have I ever professed my love of X-Men on this blog before? If I've failed to do so, please allow me to share with you my ~~not so~~ mild obsession with the general concept of people having powers. Add to that the fact that Robison Wells is an author's whose work I admire, praise and slightly worship, and I can honestly say that I'm pretty dang stoked to get my grubby little paws on Black Out. It sounds like we're in for a ride with this one, and any time a book can throw me for a loop, I'm sold. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Some Quiet Place
Author: Kelsey Sutton (Twitter)
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: July 8, 2013
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 350
Source: Publisher

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions...she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one - Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?

Once a normal child, Elizabeth now possesses a very unique gift. Rather than feeling the emotions that people experience from day to day life, she can see them. Carefully guarded though, Elizabeth has always managed to ward off these emotions by keeping them at arm's length. But these emotions are tangible and, as is the case with Fear, they can be relentless. Something wants to know the truth about Elizabeth though, and she's not as safe as she might think. Will she discover the truth about her past in time, or will her past come back to haunt her?

There are very few books that enter the YA market today that truly capture me with the sheer originality of their premise, but Some Quiet Place was definitely one of those few. Author, Kelsey Sutton, has crafted a haunting debut novel in which a girl is lost in the deadly throes of an unimaginable power and emotions are every bit as tangible as you and I. With a deft hand, evocative prose and overflowing originality, Some Quiet Place carves a spot for itself in the YA market, promising readers a powerful journey of self-discovery and rich, heartfelt emotion.

I have to say, I was completely blown away (and, admittedly, somewhat confused) by the premise of Some Quiet Place. Elizabeth sees emotions as personified beings that meddle and tinker with people's lives. Rather than just feelings, the emotions within the story are actual entities, which took me a while to wrap my head around, though I loved the concept. I thought I'd have a very difficult time getting into Elizabeth's head because of her inability to feel, but we're provided a well-rounded, deep and highly accessible character, mostly through her, often times, painful interactions with others, as well as her stark and honest voice. I also really loved how emotions were actually portrayed in the novel. They skulk around in the shadows, only intervening when they want to be felt, and it's both a complex and fascinating idea to ponder. I really, really loved the relationship between Elizabeth and Fear. It wasn't so cut-and-dried as many paranormal romances that I've seen before. Naturally, the two characters have significant hurdles to overcome simply to relate with one another properly. Their interactions are complex and profound, and Fear is an unlikely, but extremely swoon-worthy, love interest. On the flip side though, I was a bit disappointed that Some Quiet Place presented a love triangle, too. Personally, I thought the relationships already established presented enough of a challenge to Elizabeth as it was, and it seemed like a touch of an afterthought to pacify some of the YA romance crowd. I also felt that there was so much put into the illustrative prose and fantastic primary characters that the secondary characters felt like mere stereotypes of what they represented.

Overall though, I really enjoyed the originality that Some Quiet Place brings to the YA market. This book can easily stand alone, which is a treat, however, I think it would also serve as a strong stepping stone to a great series. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and paranormal romance stories.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

When You Were Here Tour: Daisy Whitney Interview & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Guys, I'm insanely excited today because I get to participate in an incredible promotional tour for Daisy Whitney's stellar new young adult contemporary novel, When You Were Here, which releases tomorrow, June 4, from Little, Brown. In case you missed it, check out my review of this awesome book here.

This was such an exceptional read for me and, as someone who has notoriously suffered from a general aversion to the contemporary genre, I think it's safe to say it means something when a book really makes me feel something. So, without further ado, please enjoy Daisy Whitney's awesome interview about the character of Holland, a complex, tricky and, ultimately, heart-winning character.

Q: Holland, though a secondary character, plays an extremely important role in Danny's emotional healing. How did you balance Danny's healing process with that of Holland's?

Her healing process comes in what’s unseen and what she’s gone through over the last year before the story starts. When we meet her, she’s already begun to heal and that’s why she’s able to reach out to Danny many times, even though he’s not ready for her for a long time. But they both need to restitch themselves from the past wounds if they have a chance of being together.

Q: When writing Holland's character, did you know immediately that you wanted her to be a driving force behind Danny's journey to find peace, or did that sort come about along the way?

I always intended When You Were Here as a story about the kind of once-in-a-lifetime love you can find when you’re a teenager, so yes, Holland was always part of the plan, and even though her character changed in revisions, my endgame for her was always the same. (Readers can find out what that endgame is!)

Q: Holland could easily have become a jaded shell of a character after the circumstances she has to endure. How did you manage to keep her relatable, sympathetic and every bit as worthwhile as the protagonist, Danny?

It wasn’t always easy! She was a bit of a flippant, flirty, cold-fish-hot-fish in the first draft! But by diving into the backstory of when they were first together and showing more of those scenes, I was able to get at the heart of her character and why she fell in love with Danny. But since Danny doesn’t always see what’s in front of him, she needs to try harder to connect with him and she does that by going to his house, by offering to cover for him if he wants to skip graduation, by bringing him Chinese takeout, by trying to tell him why she broke up with him (though he cuts her off), and by continuing to reach out while he is in Tokyo.

Q: Holland is actually a very brave and selfless character, but we don't immediately see these traits. What was the meaning behind leading us to believe one thing, then revealing more and more later?

Because that’s how Danny experiences her. Because the truth of why she left is explosive and has been hidden from him intentionally.

Q: Is Holland's persona based on someone in real life, or was she simply the perfect counterpart for our broken protagonist?

Holland started with an idea, an archetype - the girl next door that the boy is madly in love with. She was molded and sharpened from that clay, but at heart, she is the girl who has always cared for Danny ever since they were kids, and the girl who still cares for him.

And, for your viewing pleasure, here is a never-before-seen video of Daisy in Japan!

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Last, but certainly not least, the generous folks at Little, Brown and Daisy Whitney have offered up five finished copies of When You Were Here for my lucky readers. This awesome giveaway is open to all residents of the US (no PO Boxes, please!) Simply fill out the Rafflecopter to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Monument 14
Author: Emmy Laybourne (Twitter)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: June 5, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 294
Source: Publisher

Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.

Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran. Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

Imagine that the day started like any other. Now imagine what happens the minute that day turns to hell, and a superstorm rains down up your town, leaving death and destruction in its wake. This is the world that Dean now lives in. Dean and his surviving busmates take shelter in the store, and they're left to their own devices as the only surviving adult searches for help. But Dean and the others are in a harrowing predicament. The outside world is ravaged, and they must somehow maintain a sense of order to survive inside the store. But can they do so?

I've been complaining for a long time now that I want to read a true post-apocalyptic novel where the world is so immeasurably broken that we, as readers, are forced to pick up the pieces with the characters. When I read the premise for Monument 14, I realized that we're pretty much offered that and much more. Author, Emmy Laybourne, tackles a tricky topic and deftly merges the lives of fourteen unique characters into a tense survival story. In the wake of utter destruction, Monument 14 offers us a chance to view a coming-of-age tale, or a downward spiral, and we're left guessing which will win out in the end.

You know, I'm kind of a mixed bag of emotions on this one because, on one hand, I think the author really succeeded in what she set out to accomplish with this story. On the other hand though, I think I still expected (or at least hoped for) more. The biggest strength of Monument 14 lies within the claustrophobic world within the pages. We get to experience complete devastation from the very start, then we're thrust into this cramped superstore with a mixed spread of characters of all ages, and we're challenged to get to know them and relate to them. It's a tricky task, to be sure, because not all the characters are entirely relatable. Dean was an entirely real main character, but his lack of people skills made it a bit difficult to get in his head sometimes. Niko, however, displayed a depth that really resonated with me, and as he worked to maintain order and care for the younger children, there was a sense of calm and steadiness that really solidified the character arc. For the most part, I think that Monument 14 succeeded if you look at it as a psychological tale. These characters are presented with horrible circumstances, and we're forced to side with them as the try to survive together. I do think that, despite the immediate action, we lacked a lot of danger in the midst of the story, and it felt a bit flat as we got to know the characters and their backstories. However, the pacing did kick up at the end, and the book did finish on a high note, despite its pacing flaws.

Overall, Monument 14 was a pretty good start to a new series. Was it amazing? No, not really. But it was good, and I think that the ending set up a nice premise for the second installment. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Magisterium
Author: Jeff Hirsch (Twitter)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publish Date: October 1, 2012
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 310
Source: Publisher

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project.

Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go.

Glenn and her father live in Colloquium, the side of the planet that survived an apocalyptic event that split the world in two, killing half the planet. It isn't a perfect world, but it's endured, much like Glenn and her father have in their own small way. Ever since her mother left, Glenn's father changed, and she's desperate to escape to a space station far away from the memories she lives with every day. But things aren't bound to be that simple for Glenn. The government is after her father, and she and her friend Kevin have no choice but to escape through the rift to the destroyed other half of the planet...but there might just be more magic and mystery to the other side than she could have ever imagined.

Imagine a world that's broken - literally broken - and that is what the world of Magisterium presents for it's readers. In this brainchild of veteran author, Jeff Hirsch, we're given a story full of wonder, mystery and excitement, plus just a touch of dystopia in the aftermath of an unbelievably cataclysmic event. With a careful hand, readers are transported to a world magic comes standard and the grass really isn't all that green on the other side. Magisterium gives us just a sense of the age-old proverb to be careful what we wish for, then thrusts us into a whirlwind adventure that's unpredictable and enticing.

There's so much about this book that I really enjoyed, but unfortunately, it's also one of those books where quite a bit of it left me feeling a bit blah. The premise of Magisterium is incredible. We're promised dual dimensions, which are extreme opposites of one another, which gives us the opportunity to explore two worlds instead of just one. In Colloquium, there's a sense of regime, and it's a bleak atmosphere that had me longing to see what was in Magisterium. I wasn't disappointed. This other dimension offers magic, battles, adventure and a fascinating history as to its existence. However, therein lies one of my biggest issues with Magisterium, as well. Much of the story teases us with alluring magical details, but then we're given a simple explanation as to events, and we have no real backstory to certain elements of the setup, as well. Events just happen. Things magically appear. We watch characters transform in this world with little or no coaxing at all, which left me, personally, in the lurch. Now, I will say that the author created a solid and empathetic character in Glenn, and I definitely felt as though I got to know her through the story, which was a redeeming factor for me. In the same breath though, Kevin felt very flat to me, and a lot of his actions and motivations felt extremely forced. Most of all though, I think that Magisterium had all the elements of a great story, but it rushed through parts that should have been more drawn out and played up, then it drew out the details I could have easily overlooked.

Overall, I think that Magisterium is a pretty decent read despite its flaws, but it lacked some of the refined plot elements that I seek in books these days. I give it a 3 out of 5, but I'm sure it will work better for others than it did for me. I recommend this book to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy fantasy.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Let's Talk: Books That Intimidate Us

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 31 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What books have intimidated you in the past & what (if anything) made you read them or deterred you from trying?

This is a multi-part question, and I meant it to be that way because I think all of these things go hand-in-hand with one another. There are so many books out there on the shelves these days, it's an impossibility to even consider trying to read them all. So, instead, we find what works for us and what doesn't, and we develop our own relationship with reading and reviewing books. In most cases, this works beautifully. In some cases, however, I know that my preconceived notions have deterred me from reading incredible books.

Take, for example, Raw Blue. From day one of my blog, I made it pretty darn clear to all my followers that contemporary fiction was not my thing. I was firmly under the impression that all contemps were trite, cliche and riddled with stupid romance that is neither realistic, nor in any way beneficial to me as a reader. So, I adamantly stuck to my guns for over a year, and swore off contemps like the plague. Guys, it's not that I hadn't seen absolutely glowing reviews for this book because, trust me, I did. However, I was so stuck in this rut of bad representations of a really strong genre that I couldn't see past it.

It actually took an invitation to a blog tour of this Australian gem for me to actually give it a go. I trusted the blogger who invited me, and I knew that she wouldn't have misled me about the quality of the novel. And, for the record, I was probably the most pleasantly surprised that I've ever been. This book is up there with my favourites of all time. It's meaingful, it's powerful and Kirsty Eagar is a true genius. This one should be on ALL of your lists. Please trust me on this one.

I'm ashamed that I still have prejudices towards the genre to this day though. Would you believe I still haven't read Anna & the French Kiss? I read the second installment and found it cute and fun, but I'm too terrified to be the only person that doesn't like the book to actually give it a go. I know I should read it, but I've yet to find a reason to actually force myself. Would you believe I was late to the game with Harry Potter, and I didn't even read the first book until three books were out? I was convinced that it was a children's novel only, and that it was beneath me. My sister convinced me to at least try it, and I humbly ate my words. That series is genius. GENIUS, I say!

But, for the most part, if bloggers and reviewers I trust make a strong enough case for me to try a novel, I'm willing to give it a go. I think that, more often than not, it's my own internal literary prejudices that, sadly, deter me from reading some great books. It's a disease. I'm working on it. Le sigh.

Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 30 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Rules of Summer
Author: Joanna Philbin (Twitter)
Publisher: Poppy
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Meet two 17 year-old girls living in the same beachfront mansion in East Hampton for the summer, one “upstairs” (the daughter of a very blue-blooded family) and one “downstairs” (the niece of the family’s housekeeper.)

Isabel is the privileged daughter who’s used to having guys fall at her feet. Rory is the no-nonsense girl from a small New Jersey town who’s always been the friend, never the girlfriend. Besides becoming each other’s unlikely allies, both Rory and Isabel have a summer romance that will change their lives.

Isabel and Rory couldn't be more different. If you think about it, their lives are polar opposites. Rory has had to grow up too fast and care for her mother, who is far more concerned with her own dating life than she is for the well-being of her daughter. Isabel is a pampered princess, and she wants for nothing. When Rory accepts a position in the Hamptons for the summer as "the help," she's prepared for the work, and she relishes the chance to get away from her home life. But Isabel and Rory's lives are meant to connect for a reason, and these two girls might just happen right when they need it most.

I'm not a stranger to Joanna Philbin's writing. Her Daughters series was fun, light and intoxicating, and while it's fairly unheard of, I really enjoyed it, which is big for someone with a general aversion to contemporary. Rules of Summer happened upon my reading pile at exactly the right moment. Offering a sweet, summery escape that whisks the reader away to a beach-side town where excitement, first loves and finding oneself is all just a part of vacation, this book is the quintessential summer read. Lighthearted and decidedly fun, Rules of Summer is a breath of fresh air.

After a string of so-so books, I really needed a break from what I consider to be a tired and slightly off paranormal and dystopian market right now. Rules of Summer seemed like the perfect fit...and I was right. There's a beautiful simplicity to this book that honestly speaks to me. When a contemporary novel doesn't push itself to be some awe-inspiring tale, but rather promises you sweet, fun and real-life romance, I think that's when a novel can truly succeed. Rory and Isabel were actually both likable characters, which I was quite surprised about. Rory was a very self-sufficient character, in large part because of her upbringing, or lack thereof. There was a gentle sincerity to her character, and an undeniable toughness that we gradually see slip away as the novel progresses. Isabel was the one I expected to be the trickier of the two, and in some ways she was, but not in the way I thought. She is a carefully-crafted facade, and her passive-aggressive demeanor masked a sort of fragility and vulnerability that was refreshing. The romances both girls experience are tender and progress naturally, though I will say I'd hoped there would be more of a balance, but we got a bit more from Isabel's storyline than we did from Rory's. The writing switches deftly between the characters' viewpoints, and the transitions are seamless, which was a highlight for me, as well. And, well, we get a great, nicely wrapped-up ending, which is perfect for a read like this.

All in all, Rules of Summer was a fun, beachy read for me and, once again, the author has me sold on her writing style. Yes, it's a bit melodramatic and predictable at times, but it's done well, and it's done in a manner that's not at all presumptuous. I give this a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it fans of YA, especially those who enjoy light, summery contemporary books.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Sorrow's Knot

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 29 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Sorrow's Knot
Author: Erin Bow (Twitter)
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine
Publish Date: October 29, 2013
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 368

In the world of Sorrow’s Knot, the dead do not rest easy. Every patch of shadow might be home to something hungry and nearly invisible, something deadly. The dead can only be repelled or destroyed with magically knotted cords and yarns. The women who tie these knots are called binders.

Otter is the daughter of Willow, a binder of great power. She’s a proud and privileged girl who takes it for granted that she will be a binder some day herself. But when Willow’s power begins to turn inward and tear her apart, Otter finds herself trapped with a responsibility she’s not ready for, and a power she no longer wants.

Okay, first and foremost...her name is Otter. Alright, perhaps that's not foremost, but let's be honest; that's awesome! I love how utterly original this one sounds, and I have a morbid fascination with zombie and the undead, so the concept of Sorrow's Knot one speaks to me. If we get what the premise offers, we might just have an incredible MC, a powerful journey of self-discovery and, perhaps, wonderful writing. Here's hoping! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: YA Book Series

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:13:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten YA Book Series

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Seriously. I don't need to explain this one, do I? But, just because I love you all oh-so-dearly, I will. It doesn't really get much better than Harry Potter. I grew up with this series. And, though it began as a fun, adventurous tale of friends, we got more depth, more darkness and more drama as the series progressed. Seriously...it's perfection.

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - When I started blogging, I swore up and down that I'd never read this series. I said that I hated vampires, I hated insta-love and there was absolutely no way I would ever like this series. Then, Jenny told me I had to read it...as did everyone else...so I tried it, and I've been hooked since. Love me some Dmitri.

3. Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan - Okay, technically this is probably leaning more towards MG, but I read YA, and I still loved it. A fellow blogger introduced me to it in my first few months of blogging, and I read every book within a month. They're fast-paced, they're witty, they're funny...and, and, and...I love it.

4. Redwall by Brian Jacques - So, sue me. This is the uber-nerd in me coming out. They're books with lil' cute fuzzy animals as the main characters, but they're every bit as human as you and me. Trust me. I grew up with these books, and I proudly display them on my shelves today!

5. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman - This series is surrounded by controversy because if its supposed anti-religious undertones. Guys, I'm pretty dang religious, myself, but if you read a book for the sheer enjoyment of the prose and the story, it's better than analyzing those hidden messages. Plus, the world within these books is pretty freaking phenomenal.

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth - Usually when a series is this surrounded by hype, I tend to steer clear of it. For some reason though, I really felt the need to read and become invested in this story, and boy did I ever. The author has created one heck of an adventure within these pages, and I'm completely enthralled with every installment.

7. The Last Survivors by Susan Beth Pfeffer - You guys might be surprised to see this one on my list because of how I said the second and third book were definitely not my favourites, while I adored the first book. However, I can't lie...the author has created one seriously bleak world, and it's very real and tangible, despite my feelings. And, let's be honest, I'm invested enough to read the upcoming fourth book despite my feelings toward the third book. That's saying something.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I have mixed feelings on this series. On one hand, I just love it. Is it the best written work out there? No. Is it a fantastic, dark, edgy story? Yes. Despite the fact that the series is now this over-hyped craze out there, I really like this series and I'm glad that, despite my initial reservations, I gave it a go. It's worth it.

9. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - I didn't think I'd like this series when I first started. I didn't think I'd like a book with a male MC because I was pretty positive that I wouldn't be able to access the MCs emotions. I was really, really wrong. I introduced this series to just about anyone who would listen to a single word I had to say, simply because I love it that much.

10. The Jenna Fox Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson - I was late to the game with the first book. In fact, I passed it over many, many times at the bookstore, just because I thought it wouldn't capture me. I was definitely wrong, and I was lucky enough to have read it within about 6 months of the sequel being released, which was equally awesome. Read it and love it. You will.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 27 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Of Poseidon

Author: Anna Banks (Twitter)

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publish Date: May 22, 2012

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Pages: 326

Source: Publisher

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Emma has a power, and she doesn't even know it. Galen has been searching for the girl who can speak with fish, and when he has a chance encounter with Emma, suddenly their lives are on a collision course. While Emma is content to enjoy a leisurely vacation by the beach, while Galen is on a mission. He needs to find her and, coincidentally enough, he does. But nothing is quite that simple, and there are more than a few things that the two have to conquer together before Emma's life changes forever and Galen gets what he's been searching for.

I'm typically a bit wary of mermaid stories these days because, in the past, they've been very hit and miss for me. Some succeed, while others miss the mark by a long shot. Of Poseidon was one of the few that actually really rang true for me, and I ended up absolutely loving it. Anna Banks has accomplished quite the literary feat with this novel, as well. Offering us both a female and a male MC with complex voices and alternating chapter viewpoints and tenses, Of Poseidon tackles this risk with ease, sweeping us into the underwater world of Syrena where nothing is what we expected and everything is new.

Emma's character hooked me from the start with her startlingly honest inner monologue in which we get such a clear view of her persona. She steers us through the world of Of Poseidon with such charisma and wit and, despite her overwhelming clumsiness, she's intelligent, thoughtful and really engaging. Galen, too, got me hook, line and sinker (pun intended). He's sweet and naive, and his ability to make mistakes with simple human interactions made him a lot more personable, and it made the developing connection between the two characters incredibly tangible and believable. The characters definitely drive this story and, as they begin to interact more and more, we begin to see why Galen needed Emma so desperately in the first place. The only thing that I felt was a bit lacking was more in depth descriptions of Syrena. I wanted to understand their customs more, and I really wanted to have that added layer interspersed through Emma and Galen's points of view. I also thought the conclusion was a tad rushed, but it definitely left me wanting more, so I can't fault it too strongly.

Overall, I really enjoyed Of Poseidon. I thought it was a great new addition to the world of fantasy and mermaids. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy fantasy, paranormal and a touch of sweet romance.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Fathomless by Jackson Pearce Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 26 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Fathomless
Author: Jackson Pearce (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: September 4, 2012
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 291
Source: Publisher

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

Celia, Jane and Anne are of the sea. Each sister is armed with their own distinctive power. Celia sees your past, Jane understands your present and Anne can see your future. Celia has always been the least powerful and important of the three, or so she thought. When Lo appears with no recollection of who she once was, Celia can connect her past to her present and might just be able to give Lo the greatest gift of all - one that she might just need. But all gifts and powers come at a price, and Lo's price...is high.

Fathomless is the latest installment in a promising series of fairy tale retellings. This time, readers are treated to an imaginative underwater world filled with mermaids, sea creatures and a dark retelling of the children's classic, The Little Mermaid. Interestingly enough, author Jackson Pearce has given us another novel that is a companion the Sisters Red and Sweetly, giving us little hints as to how these stories are minutely enmeshed with one another. With a cold, swirling underwater world as a backdrop and characters that keep you guessing for days, Fathomless moves swimmingly (pun intended).

I have to admit, guys, that I'm a little bit torn on this installment in the series retellings. I wanted really, really badly to love Fathomless, and while there are elements that I thought were done exceptionally well, there were a lot of things about the book that left me wanting more. The book is told in alternating viewpoints from Lo and Celia, which I thought was done quite well. It can be difficult to keep the pace of a book moving if you don't feel a connection with their voices, or if they're not distinct enough. Fathomless did well in terms of distinguishing between both their voices and, therefore, really allowed me to see deeper into their characters, which was a highlight for me. However, I felt that their attraction to the human boy, Jude was a bit cloying and while, yes, it is that way in the classic tale, let's be honest...don't we all want a real reason? There was also a bit of information overload with Fathomless. We're given a great setup, awesome characters and a winning synopsis, but establishing the connections between the companion novels felt a bit too convenient and too forced at times. It also threw the pacing for a bit and drew me out of the world beneath the waves into a mess of confusion, which kind of pulled me away from my love of the story. Thankfully, a winning element, yet again, is the author's ability to create a rich world with vivid words and fantastic prose throughout.

I'm by no means saying that this is a bad book because it's not, and the author's writing style really does shine, as always. I give Fathomless a 3 out of 5, and I'm sure it will work better for other readers than it did for me. I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy fantasy and fairy tale retellings.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Safekeeping by Karen Hesse Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Safekeeping
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

Radley just wants to get home to her parents in Vermont. While she was volunteering abroad, the American People's Party took power; the new president was assassinated; and the government cracked down on citizens. Travel restrictions are worse than ever, and when her plane finally lands in New Hampshire, Radley’s parents aren’t there.

Exhausted; her phone dead; her credit cards worthless: Radley starts walking.

Radley's life is in upheaval, to say the very least. She returns home from volunteering overseas because she's concerned for her parents' safety in the new American regime, but when she does, her family is nowhere to be found. Everything has changed while Radley was gone and, following the collapse of the American government, Radley is forced to navigate life alone. But where should she go? She has nothing. She has no one, and her only option is to just keep walking until she finds shelter.

I didn't hear much about Safekeeping before I received it for review, and frankly, I thought it was going to be a contemporary novel based on the cover alone. However, I was pleasantly surprised upon reading the synopsis to hear that this was actually a dystopian novel. Author, Karen Hesse, has taken a new approach toward the time-tested dystopian genre. Rather than simply giving us a world ravaged by death, famine and disease, she's given us a very realistic take on what could possibly happen should our government fold in the future. Weaving a textured novel with stark contrasts and brutal simplicity, Safekeeping give us so much more than a sheltered, protected take on a broken future world.

For a while now, I've been a bit burned out on the dystopian genre in general. I felt that something that was once so promising was becoming littered with cliche love stories, unrealistic takes on future worlds and, frankly, watered down versions of what the genre was meant to be. I didn't expect much from Safekeeping because of that and partially because many, many reviews state that that is exactly what the novel did. I have to say, however, that the book pleasantly surprised me in the best possible way. Radley, as a main character, was believable. Rather than being fueled by angst and unrequited love, she was fueled by the desire to reunite with her family and regain a sense of stability. She wanders, lost and alone, until she finds Celia and her dog, Jerry Lee. The two travel together through this barren wasteland of a once-prosperous nation to find peace, safety and comfort together. I can see where a lot of the dystopian critiques come in. People are used to vivid images of blood and violence. Readers have come to expect a looming and faceless entity forcing people into ravaged submission. Safekeeping, however, wanders into a realm of silent tension. It's more thoughtful than horrible, and the lurking tension from the underbelly of the broken America simmers lightly below the surface, fueling the story along. Honestly, the devil is in the shadows of this novel, and while it might not ultimately display the dystopian nature on the surface, it's definitely there.

Personally, I found Safekeeping to be a refreshing take on the genre. It was so different though, that I can understand where the meaning and purpose might have been lost. Despite feeling a bit hurried and, at times, overly introspective, I think there is a definite beauty to this book. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to YA audiences, especially those who enjoy fresh dystopian reads.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.