Asylum by Madeline Roux

Asylum

Author: Madeleine Roux

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Goodreads Blurb: Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity

Published/ing: August 20th, 2013 Harper Teen

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: 

This was a really interesting book. If you have read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, then you already understand how this book is written.

If not, then be ready to stop reading at night.

Madeleine Roux takes her sci-fi zombie apocalypse writing to the haunted halls of Brookline Dormitory/Asylum.

The book's writing is a bit boring at some points, and less personable, but coupled with the ghoulish pictures, it creates a horror film in your mind.

Dan, the main character, is also less a character, more a detail of the plot. He doesn't have many specific interests and is more the one that opens doors and gets in trouble so that the plot can keep moving.

There were many points in the book that were a bit blurry as well. The plot was well thought out and was left open at the end so that the second book can come in, but some of the details weren't as clearly written.

The setting was interesting too; a college dormitory in a small town in Connecticut. It didn't really affect the plot, but it was an interesting choice of setting.

I don't think this book was great, like other horror books I've read or Madeleine's other books, but it was worth reading.

Future News:

The second and final book in this duology was published on August 26th. 

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went

Author: Gayle Forman

Genre: Contemporary, Angst, Music

Goodreads Blurb: It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life.

And three years he's spent wondering why.

When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night.

Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

Published/ing: April 5, 2011 Dutton Juvenile

Spoiler Alert: You want to have read the book. 
Rating: 4/5

Review:

This book was a lot different than its counterpart. While If I Stay was a tragedy, but still light-hearted, this book was pure angst from the side character in If I Stay, Adam.

We start out the same way we did in If I Stay, in the present. But throughout the book Adam flashes back to after the coma. Mia's adjustments and how she persevered and played cello despite the piggy backing that she could've taken. She eventually goes to Julliard and becomes a huge cellist.

Adam, on the other hand, blew up in fame with his band Shooting Star. They traveled and did tours and produced platinum albums and lived the rock star life.

This book did not show the over-glamorized rock star life though, and that was probably one of my favorite aspects of the book.

Adam went through some serious internal conflict, dealing with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. He didn't know what to do and didn't really want anything to do with life anymore. He didn't want to remember Mia or talk about Mia.

That is, until the night he watches her in Carnegie Hall.

That, in my opinion, was the climax of the book. He finds her, she finds him. She takes him on a journey, they fight, and then they find each other all over again.

And that what makes this duology an amazing story. The fact that they are two separate characters, totally separate people dealing with loss and depression and tragedy, who find each other and help each other through it.

They aren't perfect or happy all the time. They don't break up to break up. They go through their own shit and further help each other through their opposing shit.

Now that I've fully voiced my feelings on that, I'd like to completely spin off that topic and talk about the setting, New York. The spot for great, fantasy adventures and for aliens to destroy the earth and for cheesy briefcase love stories.

What I really enjoyed about this novel was the fact that it looked at New York under the microscope. They ran through the streets and took cabs and stood on a ferry. She minimized the great picture of New York to apply to the feelings of the book. I believe it added to the theme that things can seem so far apart, but still be very close together.

In summary, this book was very cool. It was realistic, without being boring. It continued with the last plot line, while creating a new one. I would definitely not suggest forgetting about this book after you read If I Stay.

Future News:

If I Stay, the first book in the duology, has been recently turned into a major motion picture.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Genre: Contemporary, Tragedy, Romance, Music

Goodreads Blurb: Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

Published/ing: April 2, 2009 Dutton Juvenile

Rating: 5/5

Spoiler Alert: This review does have mild spoils in it. If you've seen the movie trailer, then there are no spoilers. 
Review:

Something rare has occurred. I picked up this book, because the movie trailer looked cool.

Usually I wouldn't do something like that. I'd read reviews, talk to my friends, and then maybe pick up the book.

But no. I took one look at the trailer, almost cried, and bought the ebook.

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning, with the fast moving plot, beautiful writing, and heartbreaking story.

Mia, the main character, is very relate able to young girls. She has a passion, is slightly scared of intimate situations, and has a best friend. I loved that throughout the book, you see this coming-of-age kind of theme going on.

Along with that, the flashbacks show her growth from a young girl, slightly scared of stepping out of her comfort zone and not exactly ready to travel far away from her boyfriend and parents.

After death, she realizes that she has to grow up fast and make a large decision, will she stay or will she go?

Besides the heartbreaking tragedy that is the main plot in this book, overall it is very light-hearted. In the flashbacks, we see happiness and family and friendship.

To use something to compare it to, The Fault in Our Stars was mostly heartbreaking because we knew it was coming and the concept of death was overlying, while in this book, death was instant.

The idea of the after life in this book was also very intriguing. I have read many books with many different perceptions of the after life, but I liked how this one was plain and simple. She had the choice. There was no "ghost-physics" or "alternate-dimensions," just a simple, 'she is here and she has to choose if she'll stay.'

In summary, it is an extremely heart warming and breaking book with music, love, and tragedy. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone for its plain and simple young adult theme and John Green like plot line. I am very excited to see if the movie lives up to my love for this book. 

Future News:

If I Stay was just recently turned into a major motion picture. 

The Testing Trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing Trilogy

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Publication: 2013-2014 HMH Books for Young Readers

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Reviews: 

The Testing

My review for this book can be found here. 

Independent Study

My review for this book can be found here. 

Graduation Day

My review for this book can be found here.

Overall

I was amazed at how fast this series was written. I mean, you have to assume that Joelle completely outlined out all three books before she started writing because of the balanced of writing time and detail. 

These books were an excellent example for what a dystopian book should be; detailed, deep, and well though out. 

The setting of these books were set up so well, that you believed that this happened/could happen. 

Future News

This is the end to the trilogy and so far there is no news on whether or not the author will be continuing with the story.

An Interview with the Author

• Did you plan out the series extensively before writing it? 

I wish!  I never know where a story is going before I start.  I only know who the main character is, what they are hoping to have happen and what the first big event is that will occur in the plot.  After that, I tend to improve my way through the story.  It's a scary way to write--and especially to write a trilogy where I knew the themes of each book, but not the plot-- but I find that I never lack for motivation to sit down and work each day because I am dying to find out what happens next. 

• What was you inspiration or original idea for the story?

I teach private voice lessons and a large number of my students are singers who are interested in pursuing musical theater or voice in college.  The college admittance process is incredibly stressful for any major, but even more so for theater and music major who have to audition for the program in addition to applying to the school.  The stress of taking the college admittance tests and going through the auditions gets more intense every year and I suddenly found myself wonderful what kind of process could be created that would be even worse for college bound students.  And The Testing was born.

• If you were put in Cia's position, do you think you could survive The Testing?

I doubt it, but I think I would give it a really good shot.  I might be able to make it through the first three rounds.  The fourth round would be a crap shoot and depend on how the other candidates around me approached that final tests.  I tend to look for the best in people.  That could totally get me in trouble if I had to go through The Testing.

• What was your favorite part to write?

THE END of each book:)  Actually, that isn't a lie.  I loved writing various characters, but really, for each book I adored writing the end because I was uncertain until the final moments as to what was going to happen and I was so excited to find out what turn the story was going to take.

• If you went to the University, what class would you be in?

Hmmm…I think I would probably end up in Education or Government.  Trust me when I say that no one wants me in biological or mechanical engineering since I tend to break things and my thumb isn't exactly green.

• Would you add anything to the books if you could? A specific scene? A character?

I always feel like I should say yes to this kind of question since there are always parts of the story that are never seen.  And yet, I don't think I will ever wake up one day sad that something is missing because the story is no longer mine to tell.  The story now belongs to the readers.

• Do you have a favorite book/series/author?

I have LOTS of them.  However, if you really pressed me to narrow it down I will say that my favorite series is The Belgariad series by David Eddings and the follow-up series the Mallorean.  If you want me to name the author that I grew up admiring and I still admire to this day I would have to say it's a tie between Stephen King and Lois Lowry.

• Do you plan on continuing Cia's journey in the future?

I can't say that I have plans to continue Cia's journey.  However, if I think of an idea for a new conflict in Cia's life, I would love an excuse to revisit the world of The United Commonwealth.

• Bonus Question: What Hogwarts house do you think Cia would be sorted into?

Cia would be Gryffindor all the way.  Loyalty is her finest trait and her biggest downfall. 

Thank you so much Joelle, and I cannot wait to see what you have for your fans in the future!

~Monty

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Genre: Contemporary, Christmas, Adventure, Romance 

Goodreads Blurb:“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors ofNick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Published/ing: October 26th 2010 Knopf Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4/5

Review:

Okay, I know it's summer. Or at least where I am. 

I bought this book back at Christamas because my friend, Spun With Words, was thoroughly obsessed with it. But strangely enough I didn't get around to reading the two hundred or so page book. 

Seeing it on my shelf while trying to pick out books for summer it made me sad sitting there. So I said, what the hey, and read it. 

The first thing I'd like to point out is the setting of the book; New York at Christmas. The writing of the book was so balanced between having the actual story going on, but at the same time having you picture this beautiful snowy background. It was one of those situations where the setting itself played a character in the story. 

Speaking of characters, let's talk about Dash and Lily. I have not read many books where two people are writing the same story from two POVs (Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green would be one). This is probably my favorite dual POV story so far because of how connected the POVs were. The chapters were chronological and included both characters, but they didn't awkwardly crossover through dialogue or the other character's inner thoughts. They were well thought out and flowed very well together. 

I thought Dash and Lily were such cute characters because of how dorky and teenage-like they were. It wasn't fake or too perfect to be true. 

Okay, wait, it was a bit too perfect to be true. Although the notebook idea was awesome and cute and really quirky, I thought it was all a bit improbable. They left the notebook in places that didn't seem that 'secure' or in places that somebody (janitor, little kid, nosy human being) could've easily picked up. 

That was my only low point in the book. Otherwise it is a very light-hearted, easy read. It is cute and fluffy, with a bit of mystery to it. I would suggest reading this any time of the year. 

Future News:
David Levithan is currently working on the second book for the Every Day series. Rachel Cohn is currently writing the rest of the books in her Annex series. 

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Graduation Day
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Genre: Dystopian, Romance
Goodreads Blurb: In book three of the Testing series, the United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good. Cia is ready to lead the charge, but will her lethal classmates follow her into battle?

She wants to put an end to the Testing
In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor, Cia Vale, vows to fight.

But she can't do it alone.
This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves--and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Who can Cia trust?
The stakes are higher than ever-lives of promise cut short or fulfilled; a future ruled by fear or hope--in the electrifying conclusion to Joelle Charbonneau's epic Testing trilogy. Ready or not…it's Graduation Day.

The Final Test is the Deadliest!
Publishing: June 17th, 2014 HMH Books for Young Readers
Rating: 4/5
Review:

These books have flown by. 

It must've been just yesterday when I received the first one for my birthday, and then dove straight in. 

To see it come to end so quickly is a bit startling. 

To start off my review, let me just say the amount of internal conflict from Cia in this book was enormous. It seemed that everywhere we turned Cia was having a new problem. Whether it was trust or the difference between right and wrong, Cia was having to deal with it. I think that aspect of the book pulled the reader in a bit more, because you yourself are questioning the trustworthiness of these people and whether or not Cia should have to take on her mission. 

This creates a bit of mystery also, because you have no idea who to trust or who will end up stabbing Cia in the back. 

Through Cia's investigation of the characters, we also get a deeper view of the many side characters than we did in the other books. We saw redemption, and never-ending trust, and other characteristics that made these character more realistic and round. 

The ending to this book was absolutely exceptional in my eyes. (Warning, Spoilers) There's that last minute decision that Cia has to make. Dr. Barnes spilled all the stuff he knew about the president right there, and Cia had to decide whether or not to kill him. 

I think that just completely built up the ending and let it slide to the calming end, where Dr. Barnes is gone, Cia gets to go back to her colony, and the Testing has ended. 

My only low point for this book was the slow beginning, but other than that it was amazing. 

One very small thing that I'd like to point out is Cia's overall independence. She doesn't let others influence her decisions; not the president, not her lover, and not her parents. And I thought that was downright awesome. At the end when she told Thomas that she had to go back to University and keep an eye on the president and he accepted it and told her goodbye I was so happy cause yes. That's how it should happened. 

I really want to see more from Cia and Joelle's dystopian writing. This series was one of the best dystopian trilogies I've read.  

Future News: 
There is no news to whether or not the author will continue the trilogy in any way. 

Get Happy by Mary Amato

Get Happy

Author: Mary Amato

Genre:Contemporary, Romance, Music, Coming-of-Age

Goodreads Blurb:In this poignant, realistic, contemporary YA by a state master list star, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman, a young songwriter builds a substitute family with her friends in place of the broken family she grew up with.

A hip high school girl who loves music, writes songs, and is desperate for a ukelele, learns to her shock that her father did not abandon her years ago and has been trying to keep in touch. She begins to investigate him, only to discover that he has a new life with a new family, including the perfect stepdaughter, a girl who Minerva despises.

Publisher/ing: October 28, 2014 EgmontUSA

Rating: 5/5

Review: 

This book filled me with a certain indescribable euphoria that I can't honestly describe in English words.

The main character, Minerva, captured my heart from the beginning with her quirky personality and her desire for her own ukulele. 

I mean, instead of waiting to learn the ukulele on a real uku, she built her own. 

I love her devotion to her friend and her passion for music and life. 

This book had a lot of different themes to it, that makes it the perfect coming-of-age novel. Minerva has a passion for music, that forms her goal to buy the uku, but at the same time, she has issues with jealousy, self esteem, the search for her father and the conflict surrounding that. 

I thought all aspects of this book were very precious and carefully written. The end of this book especially was so heart-breaking, but at the same time happy. The way she stood in front of her father and called him out for abandoning her family. How she called her mother out on lying and being hypocritical. I believe the ability to stand up to your parents if what they are doing/saying is wrong is an important trait that teenagers must have. 

The quirky characters, excellent representation of teenagers, and the thick plot and multiple conflicts morphed this book into an excellent coming-of-age novel about a girl with a love for music. 

Future News:
This book will come out late fall, and after that, I do not know what she has planned after that. 

Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Dangerous Creatures

Author: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Action and Adventure

Goodreads Blurb: A new series returns to the world of Beautiful Creatures. Some loves are cursed...others are dangerous.

Ridley Duchannes will be the first to tell you that she's a bad girl. She's Dark. She's a Siren. You can never trust her, or even yourself when she's around. Lucky for her, Wesley "Link" Lincoln can never seem to remember that; quarter Incubus or not, his heart is Mortal when it comes to Ridley. When Link heads to New York City to start a music career, Ridley goes along for the ride-and she has her own reasons. As if leaving small-town Gatlin for the big city, trying to form a band, and surviving life with a partially reformed Siren isn't hard enough already, Link soon learns he has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay.

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthors of Beautiful Creatures, are back and casting another magical spell. Their signature mixture of mystery, suspense, and romance, along with a dash of fun and danger, will pull fans in and leave them begging for more.

Published/ing: May 20th, 2014 Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4/5

Review:

My favorite part of this whole book was connecting with old characters. I adored the Beautiful Creatures series, and you definitely need to read those before you read this. Seeing my second favorite character, Ridley, come back in crimson lipstick and heels was thrilling. 

I believe one of the big points in this book was the development of Ridley's character. In the other series, we only graced the edge of Ridley's character, but in these books we see character development through emotional trials and life or death situations.

With Ridley's development, I would also really like to see Link develop more as well.

Another thing I really enjoyed, was right off the bat I recognized the writing. It was as if I recognized a voice of a long lost friend. It was so familiar and unique, the mythology and descriptions.

That was probably what really kept me going through this book.

Of course, as I got further into the book, this became less of a problem, but I did not like the overwhelming amount of characters that were thrown right at me. I got them mixed up and confused. Their personalities seemed a bit blurry and too similar.

There were also a lot of large plot points mixed together in the beginning, and that made it very chaotic to keep up with.

This is the first book and it is a whole new story, so I get the need to put all the new characters and conflicts out in the open, but I just thought it was a bit inefficient and busy. 

Future News:

The release date and name for the next book in this trilogy is yet to be released. 

My Author Event

So, a few weeks ago I was graced with the presence of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl at my local library. 

Yes, that is Ridley Pearson, author of the beloved Kingdom Keepers series, wearing the pink hair strip like Ridley herself. 

And that is how my night started. I scored a seat in the front of the room next to a girl who was casually scrolling through tumblr and an empty seat. So, checking the time on my cellular device, I cracked open City of Heavenly Fire and went about reading. Around 7:45, an older looking man sits down in the seat beside me. He begins to ask me what I'm reading and how I like it and my interests. 

Now I recognized this mystery man. I couldn't but my finger on it until he cracked open Dangerous Creatures, pointed at Ridley's name, and said "I rather like that name."

After that I asked if he was Ridley Pearson, and he replied that he was. He went on telling me about writing skills and books. One of the really intriguing things he told me about writing, is have a beginning, middle, and end before you start.

He said once you had that, you knew the destiny of your characters, and that was very important when writing, especially in fantasy. 

Then the event started. 

Kami and Margaret were hilarious and not afraid to answer all questions. 

They talked about the movie, and how little authors get to participate in the making. They talked about their journeys writing separate books, and how they decided that the fans and characters were calling them back to where they originally started. 

Overall, it was an exciting night and I was glad to get a chance to meet them. 

#scandal by Sarah Ockler

#scandal

*ARC obtained from Edelweiss 

Author: Sarah Ockler

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Mystery

Goodreads Blurb: Lucy’s learned some important lessons from tabloid darling Jayla Heart’s all-too-public blunders: Avoid the spotlight, don’t feed the Internet trolls, and keep your secrets secret. The policy has served Lucy well all through high school, so when her best friend Ellie gets sick before prom and begs her to step in as Cole’s date, she accepts with a smile, silencing about ten different reservations. Like the one where she’d rather stay home shredding online zombies. And the one where she hates playing dress-up. And especially the one where she’s been secretly in love with Cole since the dawn of time.

When Cole surprises her at the after party with a kiss under the stars, it’s everything Lucy has ever dreamed of… and the biggest BFF deal-breaker ever. Despite Cole’s lingering sweetness, Lucy knows they’ll have to ’fess up to Ellie. But before they get the chance, Lucy’s own Facebook profile mysteriously explodes with compromising pics of her and Cole, along with tons of other students’ party indiscretions. Tagged. Liked. And furiously viral.

By Monday morning, Lucy’s been branded a slut, a backstabber, and a narc, mired in a tabloid-worthy scandal just weeks before graduation. 

Lucy’s been battling undead masses online long enough to know there’s only one way to survive a disaster of this magnitude: Stand up and fight. Game plan? Uncover and expose the Facebook hacker, win back her best friend’s trust, and graduate with a clean slate.

Published/ing: June 17th, 2014 Simon Pulse

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

I related to Lucy Vacarro, the main character, on a personal level. 

She is a kick ass girl, prepared for the zombie apocalypse, has nerdy, quirky side, and doesn't like going to large social events. 

Through the entire book, there was reference after reference about The Walking Dead, one of my favorite apocalypse shows, Veronica Mars, my favorite detective show featuring the beloved Princess of Arendale Kristen Bell, and a lot more. 

When I first picked up this book, I was bit wary of the title and the beginning. I didn't get too into the whole intertwining of Facebook and hash-tags and all that. I didn't believe that belonged in a book. Low and behold, Sarah Ockler infused it with her contemporary writing like a champ. 

One of best ways to know that a character is developed well, is whether or not you got attached to them. Lucy, from the beginning, really connected with me. I began to understand her problem and want to help figure out who ruined the last few weeks of her high school experience. 

That was also a large reason I enjoyed the book: the mystery. It was straight out of an episode of Veronica Mars. I liked how, with the drama and the investigation to find out who socially murdered Lucy, that Lucy found who her true friends were, and that she had more friends and allies than she originally thought. 

The romance side of this book was a tad bit underdeveloped in my opinion, but because it wasn't to major of a point in the plot itself, I overlooked. 

I also wished that the setting was used a bit more, and at least more developed. That's the only reason the book wasn't a perfect five. 

On the other hand though, the characters were amazing and memorable. The plot line was thick and captivating. The writing was accurate and quirky. 

I also thought that the theme of cyber bullying was an excellent thing to include. This book really showed how human relationships and interaction are being directly affected by social networking it bad ways (although it can be for good also [not to be an (e)VIL]) 

This was my first ever Sarah Ockler book, and by the looks of it, I will be getting into more of her stuff soon if it is as good as this one. 

Future News:

#scandal will be on shelves next week!

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (Non Spoiler Review and Spoiler Review)

City of Heavenly Fire

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: Fantasy, Action and Adventure, Romance, Apocalyptic

Goodreads Blurb: 

ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. 

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance?

Published/ing: May 27th, 2014 Margaret K. McElderry 

Rating: 5/5

Review:

No Spoilers Part:

For those who are wary of reading this book for reasons unknown, don't be. It is a satisfying conclusion to the characters we have grown to adore over the past few years and if I know anything about Cassandra Clare, it's that this is not the last of these characters.

The book itself is fast paced and holds your attention in the sense that there are cliffhangers within the book. Cassandra will build up a scene and then switch the omniscient point of view to another scene, so it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Do not be intimidated by the size. The book will not be boring and uninteresting.

The plot is thick and hole less. She does a great job of leaving a few gaps and lead offs in the end so that the next few series have something to go off of.

This book was as well written, and even better, than the last ones. It is thrilling, witty, and overall outstanding.

Spoilers

I cannot believe this is book six. When I picked it up (with both hands mind you) I could not believe it was actually there, resting in my palms.

Above, I generalized my feelings on the book, but here I plan on going in more detail. Overall, it was exceptional in the fact that the plot was flawless, the characters well developed, the writing seemed effortless, and the world had already been built to the perfect amount.

In the beginning, when I realized that it was in dual character worlds (The Blackthorns and Carstairs to the Lightwoods and Herondales [and friends]) I was bit confused. I didn't think it would work out since the readers weren't familiar with those characters. In the end, the Blackthorns and the Carstairs ended up playing a large part and helped Cassandra set the platform for the The Dark Artifices trilogy that will come out next year.

Sebastian as the almighty in this book was good. I like that Cassandra keeps the villains pretty simple and powerful. I also thought that Sebastian's sleeping with the Seelie Queen was a good way to show betrayal and broken alliances in war.

The whole theme of war in this book was well drawn out. In the beginning when the shadowhunters thought they could save their relatives and lovers from being Endarkened was a good way to illustrate human weakness in shadowhunters. It also was very painful to watch and I could not even begin to think of what fighting your lover or relative would feel like, especially when the one possessed had only one thought in mind and that was to kill you.

Sebastian made the perfect Hitler in this book. He wanted word damnation that would start by wiping out the shadowhunters, forming false alliances, and turning the downworleders against them. I actually kind of admired his strategy, even though, in the end he let his delusional desires to take over and provide the window for Clary to cut away the demon blood in Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern's blood.

That was also an extremely emotional part in the book, when Clary and Jocelyn were weeping over Jonathan's slowly fading body. In that moment I had mercy for the poor boy.

Moving on to a more happier theme, let's talk about relationship drama.

So at the beginning, everyone was kind of everywhere. Clary and Jace couldn't touch each other without burning hand prints into walls, Magnus was still feeling betrayed by Alec and wary of falling in love with a human, and Simon and Isabelle needed some serious DTR time.

It was painful, but kind of hilarious to watch all the puzzle pieces fall in place. Magnus and Alec finally working it out in the end by putting each other's lives on the line to save the other. Simon lost his memory, but slowly began to remember the shadowhunter ways and fall back into love with Isabelle. Clary and Jace kind of planning a future together at the Herondale Manor (OH MY GODS THE HERONDALE MANOR WHICH WE WILL TALK ABOUT LATER).

Everything was very witty and cute. They all acted like total teenagers about their relationships, although they were in the middle of saving the world. One part I do want to point out though was the sex scene.

It was a bit far fetched in my opinion. Although very romantic and steamy, it just seemed totally out their. Jace even had a condom. They were in hell. IN HELL. COULDN'T THEY HAVE WAITED?

The final thing I'd like to talk about is the infinite amount of references in this book.

I started crying at the end when Jem and Tessa were sitting at the table and talking about Will Herondale and Jace's similarities and how Tessa wanted to force Emma Carstairs to play the violin. I didn't know what to do with myself it was so perfect and lovely, especially since I had loved The Infernal Devices so very much. They mentioned so much about the London Institute and Jem's needing to meet Tessa at the bridge.

All of it came together so perfectly that I was just a mess at the end. I loved this book so much and really want to re-read it. Cassandra Clare and her characters will forever have a special place in my heart.

Future News:

Cassandra Clare has many series planned in this universe. That includes the following:

• The Dark Artifices Trilogy (2015)
• The Last Hours Trilogy (2017)
• The Wicked Powers Trilogy (Future)

Cassandra plans on having five main series in the shadowhunter universe in the end. The first two series are The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments.  

5/8/14: The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

The Kane Chronicles

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

My Overall Rating: 5/5
Points for Prequel/Sequel Challenge: 13
*THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE SPOILERS*

So I love Rick Riordan, and if you don't know that by now, now you do. His writing is so influential and light hearted and realistic. Besides the fact that he writes about fantasy worlds. 

I've been reading his books for five years now, and have yet to be disappointment. They pull you in. You get so attached to the story and the characters that you inhale the books (not literally, don't inhale books). It took me longer than expected to read these books just because I didn't have as much time as I would've liked to have to read them (finals week). But when I got to the last book, I busted through it in a day. 

The characters in his books, all his books, are very round, meaning they are realistic and have traits that you would find in real people. Carter is a kid who traveled around with his dad all his life and never got a formal education. Sadie lived with her grandparents, separate from Carter. They led totally different lives and hardly ever saw each other, but they still have this beautiful sibling relationship. When they come together to find their father and discover their family lineage and their Egyptian powers, we see them connect almost immediately. They care for each other. And I believe this is extremely realistic in for sibling relationships today. Usually, siblings stick together in situations where their parents are absent or they develop the ability to channel godly powers. Not that that is truly realistic, but I think you are getting what I'm saying. 

Another thing that really got me was, Rick Riordan is a soon to be fifty year old man with two sons. Yet his first person point of view from a fourteen year old girl is flawless. How? What? I'm not kidding you. I am a girl and the way Sadie thought most of the time, was what I would think in those situations. I am so utterly speechless by the fact that he can so effortlessly write different point of views from Greek teenage boys with different family issues and personal insecurities to Egyptian teenage girls who miss their parents and their crushes join together to become the same person. It is astounding and worth reading just for that aspect. 

I do have to admit that I was wary about reading these books. It took me two years to finally pick them up, but I am so glad that I did. His writing with Egyptian mythology is no different than Greek. It is sarcastic and funny and their is romance and conflict. And my favorite part... YOU LEARN AT THE SAME TIME! I honestly don't think I could ever know so much about Egyptian mythology without reading his books. 

The only thing I have to say against Tío Rick, and this is a selfish thing to complain about, is swearing. At first, in Percy Jackson, it was funny. The "Holy Hades!" and "Oh schist!" but now I don't really know. It is still funny, and I totally get that he writes middle grade books but I just feel like in certain situations (like battling great lords of chaos) I would use stronger wording than "Holy Horus." I know that this probably won't ever change, but I thought it was something to mention. 

The last subject on this matter I will go over is his endings. And this is a very sad topic because I hate endings. As soon as I started getting into the first book, I knew, oh I knew, that this was a finished trilogy. I did not like the idea of an ending. This also frightens the heck out of me for October 7th, 2014 (The Blood of Olympus). I was completely satisfied with the ending though. He, like J. K. Rowling, ends the books to a point where there is still magic. 

"As for you lot out there, listening to this recording— we’re never too busy for new initiates. If you have the blood of the pharaohs, what are you waiting for? Don’t let your magic go to waste. Brooklyn House is open for business."

And that was the last line of the book. He ends it so that the story never truly ends. And although I'm scared to leave Percy Jackson, a story that has shaped me and grown up with me, behind. I don't want the books to stop coming, but I know that with Rick Riordan, the story will never truly end. 

Other Notes:

As I mentioned above, Blood of Olympus, the final installment in the ten book Percy Jackson series, comes out October 7th of this year. The next crossover in the Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover series comes out as a single book on May 20th. It will be called The Staff of Serapis featuring Sadie Kane and Annabeth Chase. 

5/4/14: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Two Boys Kissing

Cover: A perfect representation of what to expect in the book. 

Author: David Levithan

Genre: Romance, Realism, LGBT

Goodreads Blurb: New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. 

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

Published/ing: August 27th 2013 Knopf Books for Young Readers

Rating: 5/5

Review:

This is the first LGBT book I've read in a while, and I have decided that I need more.

So I was a bit lazy at first in getting into David Levithan. I had a lot of other things on my plate (like finally reading the Kane Chronicles) but I still decided to start it. And I am really glad I did.

This book gives you a whole new outlook on the LGBT society and how you can help. It shows different sides of the story. It shows the abstract of their relationships. It shows how they suffer.

What I really enjoyed about this story is how realistic it was. You have all these characters with only a single thing in common, but leading different lives. In the end they all crossed over, but wow. It was so raw. At points I wanted to cry. At points I wanted these characters to come alive so I could just give them all hugs. Especially Cooper, because I believe he struggles the most in this book.

Cooper's character illustrates what it's like to be alone. To have no where to go and no point to life. He shows what it is like to not have someone to lean on; to not have parents, friends, or authoritative figures to go to. I love his bit of redemption in the end though, when he is saved. 

Harry and Craig show the more public view. They were inspiring to do what they did in the book (and the real boys who actually did break the record). Their experience also showed the cruelty in humanity, and I believe that was an important aspect to highlight.

Peter and Neil were the bystanders. They show what its like to live a completely normal life and to be totally in love with your significant other. And then they are there to watch Harry and Craig to break their record. They witnessed the story.

And then Avery and Ryan's relationship is probably my favorite because it shows all these aspects, but how they slowly reveal themselves to each other. They have the same problems of the other characters, but they don't have the same extremities as the others. And they were really cute and quirky and that was great (I loved the blue haired boy and the pink haired boy descriptions).

Overall, this book is extremely inspirational. It is told from the point of view of the Greek Chorus of gay men who died of AIDS, and I didn't know that while reading it, but now that I do know that, this book means so much more to me. I feel like it is something everyone should read just so they know. They get an idea of the LGBT community before they act, whether that be a good action or bad one.

It was amazing. Go read it now. 

Future News:
David Levithan is currently writing a sequel to his book Every Day called Rhiannon. 

4/21/14: Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Frozen

Cover: It is an interesting cover, but it doesn't really hint at too much in the book. It is a bit lacking.

Author: Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance, Adventure

Goodreads Blurb: From New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston comes this remarkable first book in a spellbinding new series about the dawn of a new kind of magic.

Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

Published/ing: September 17th, 2013 Putnam Juvenile

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

So I went into this book not expecting much. But I was extremely wrong by the assumption. 

The way the book starts out, diving straight into the character of Nat and her life and past life. I loved how immediately I knew what was going on. It took the perfect amount of time to explain why she was a fugitive, why the world was Frozen, and why she needed to leave. And gods it caught my attention like that. I was so anxious to learn more and learn why. 

Starting with the setting, I enjoyed it, but it could've been better. The whole idea of the world falling frozen rather than burning up like most dystopian books assume is definitely a new way to look at things. I wish that there was a bit more politics in it and it talked more about the world, but since it was in the point of views of characters with their own problems, I understood why that really couldn't be laced in. 

Another thing that might've enhanced it a bit, would be a map. They talked a lot about new lands and new societies of course, but it also talked about New Pangea, and it made me wonder if the land had shifted. So yeah- map. 

Otherwise, the world itself was so new and interesting and unlike anything I had read before, which excited me. 

So the story itself was 3rd POV, but it was told from the point of two people (like Percy Jackson if you need an example). At some points, it was sort of hard to tell the voices apart, but above all it was a good way to tell the story. It showed the two experiences and the two lives lived in the crushed world. 

Natasha, who I would say is the main character, was an interesting person. A character that you usually don't come across in these things. She isn't trying to save the world or any crap. She just wants to get away and find this mystical land where the Earth is green and the water is clean and it doesn't burn every time she takes a breath. 

And then we have Wes, who is a personal favorite of mind. He is just like "what the hell" on most things, but not in a stupid, idiotic way, but in a "why should I have to care so much about this" way. Like at a point in the book when something important is revealed about Nat's character, he's like "I don't care. You aren't hurting me so why should I care?" 

I just wish there were more humans like him. He also is a great hero for the story, but not the type that saves the girl. The type that saves the people. A loyal, honest, and working man. 

I really fell in love with the characters in this book, if you can't tell. 

Another aspect of this book that I loved a lot was FANTASY. There were elves and dwarves and drakon and yes. Drakon. Not to sound like a ten year old boy, but it was so cool.  

In the end it was bit busy and kind of hard to keep up and a bit cheesy, but overall it was just so cool. That fantasy aspect just blew the book away. 

Overall, it was an awesome book. It was bit shaky at some parts and could have been improved at other parts, but it exceeded my expectations and blew my mind; that, in my book, is a good novel. 

Future News:
The second book in this soon to be trilogy is set to be released November of 2014. 

4/15/14: Veronica Mars and The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Veronica Mars and The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

Cover: Simple, but attention catching, and it fits perfectly. 

Author: Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Genre: Mystery, Detective

Goodreads Blurb: From Rob Thomas, the creator of the television series and movie phenomenon Veronica Mars, comes the first book in a thrilling mystery series that picks up where the feature film left off. 

Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.

Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.

In Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas has created a groundbreaking female detective who’s part Phillip Marlowe, part Nancy Drew, and all snark. With its sharp plot and clever twists, The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Published/ing: March 25th, 2014 Vintage

Rating: 5/5

Review:

I really, REALLY enjoyed this book.

So I started the Veronica Mars television series about two months ago and am currently in the beginning of season three. I also watched the movie. I got hooked on this fandom because of my dad's ultimate obsession (he won't tell me, but I'm pretty sure he donated like $200 something dollars to that Kickstarter program). I am a huge fan of Nancy Drew and other female lead detective series, so getting into this was easy. Kristen Bell is also an exceptional actress.

I have to tell you know that IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE TV SERIES OR MOVIE YOU WILL BE SPOILER AND CONFUSED.

Thank you.

Alright. So Rob Thomas, the creator of Veronica Mars, wrote this book with the help of Jennifer Graham. Being written partially be the creator himself, I had high expectations, and those expectations were reached. Nothing, and I mean nothing, was wrong with the characters or the development or anything. All details were on point.

I also had a great time with the setting, because I knew where it all was. I didn't need a map, because all the authors had to do was mention the Camelot or the Mars Investigation and I knew exactly where Veronica was and what situation she was in.

The plot was also a high point of the story, because it was different. It built itself off the idea that spring breaks in Neptune, California are absolutely insane, and that is completely believable due to the crime, drug, and utter drunkenness in Neptune. Not to mention rich boys and stupid law force.

I liked that throughout the book, you were kept in suspense. Something was going to happen, you didn't know where a character was, someone was about to be killed. It is exactly like the show in the fact that you had your suspects, but you didn't get the real answer till the end, and it was quite the plot twist.

Another warning: If you have not seen the TV series or watched the movie, it will not make sense. You should go watch the tv series because it is worth your time.

Future News:
The next book in the series is scheduled for November of this year.