Review: You

Author: Charles Benoit

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: This wasn't the way it was supposed to go. You're just a typical fifteen-year-old sophomore, an average guy named Kyle Chase. This can't be happening to you. But then, how do you explain all the blood How do you explain how you got here in the first place?There had to have been signs, had to have been some clues it was coming. Did you miss them, or ignore them? Maybe if you can figure out where it all went wrong, you can still make it right. Or is it already too late? Think fast, Kyle. Time's running out. How did this happen? 

“You are surprised at all the blood.”

The book hooked me from the very first sentence.  

I had a few reservations about the book. I thought the employment of second person would be “gimmicky” and put me of the story completely. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The second person narrative brought this book to life. It was disturbing and painfully realistic. I’ve never felt so “connected” to the main character.  I felt his pain, anguish and his hopelessness.  There were times I was overwhelmed with this emotional rollercoaster.

“You” are Kyle, a high school sophomore loner who made some bad decisions and is now one of the “hoodies” in his “loser” school.  Kyle biggest regret is been in Odyssey High (the "better, smarter" high school) with his old friends. The constant use of “you” intimately connects you with the plot; you can’t help wondering what you would have done in this situations.

I found most of the other characters to be quite bland and two-dimensional. Zack, however, is a fascinating YA psychopath. When we are first introduced to Zack, I liked him. He was unique, and initially, he almost makes a great 'good guy'. I thought he would be the guy who would “save” Kyle. The guy who would push Kyle. I was in for a little shock. Kyle has a sick obsession to hit everyone’s “spot”. The thing that would drive you mad. This drives the plot forward which inevitably leads to the bloody scene we are introduced to on the first page.

As the book was hurdling towards it climax, I started to feel desperate. I didn’t want to end up down this road.  I felt like I was being pushed towards situations I didn’t want to be a part of.  Situations that Kyle didn’t want to be a part of. But “You” chose this. “You” have to deal with it. 

Daily Dose Monday #003

Daily Dose Monday is hosted by Holly over at Good Golly Miss Holly and features inspiring/magical images that you would like to share with your readers 

Every picture is a story waiting to be told. 

Review: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Publisher:  Razorbill

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Summary: When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. 
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

I read this book and I honestly didn't know how I was going to review it. I sat on my desk with my laptop, thinking about what was I going to say. This was a decent book. It wasn't horrible. Then what was wrong? 

Its utter unoriginality. I felt like I read this book before. It was like...Like De-ju vu. 

The main characters Brittany Ellis and Alejandro Fuentes were just too cliche for me. Brittiany is your typical cheerleader who is obsessed with being "perfect". She kept repeating over and over again how she must remain perfect and it became a bit tedious after a while. Her sister is disabled and her protectiveness and love for her sister was her saving grace. But, this aspect of her character was not handled subtly. I personally preferred Alex's chapters. I could empathise with him more. I wish the book was just written from his point of view. 

The bet aspect of the novel was also cliche and really overdone in YA. Still, the romance was entertaining and I wanted everything to work out for them. The love between the characters and the stakes is what I really liked. 

The ending was a bit flat; and I didn't like the resolutions. The epilogue....What do I say about the epilogue. It was ridiculous. Seriously, the book was realistic and down to earth then I'm hit with this epilogue and I'm expected to believe the main characters found a cure for Alzheimer's. That just killed the little bit of the love I was beginning to feel. 

However, I didn't hate the novel. I just feel somewhat "meh" about it because it didn't really bring anything to the table. Still, the book was somewhat engaging, a fast read and compelling social commentary.

Review: Vampire Academy (Book 1)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher:  Razorbill

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Summary: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever. 

Vampire Academy is a mixture of vicious gossip, the supernatural, and adolescent sexuality thus creating something compulsively readable and fun. The comparision to Twilight is unavoidable, and I have to say that not only is it very unlike Twilight, it is far better. Much better characters, better storyline and a more developed world.

The writing style is free of awkward construction and mistakes. It was easy to read and was definately strong.

I can't begin to tell you how much I love reading about a female lead who is willing - and more than able - to fight for herself and those she loves. Rose, is especially strong; she is tough, quick-tempered, but very clever with a great sense of humor. She is also aggressive and a little reckless. Sometimes I wanted more scenes that highlighted her softer, more emotional sid. Overall, I liked Rose's relationship with Lissa.The link between them is interesting, mainly because the associated mythology opens up the playing field to magical calamities, political movements, and fierce warfare.  As for Dimitri... I am conflicted about him. Yes, he was H-O-T, but he was also flat as a love interest. He had some moments of development but not enough to make him a good leading man.

Though it was entertaining enough to hold my attention and the pages flipped quickly, I found this book diminished by the same genre conventions that make me shun teen flicks: self-conscious cliques and power dynamics. The Mean Girls tactics, and self-destructive behaviors was very off putting because it assumes that there are no mature teenagers in existence, of any species. Also, too much of the plot depended on a thread about girls getting back at each other through rumors

There are some interesting moments: vampire politics, emotional problems, and a bite-size dollop of action. The pacing is agonizingly slow, especially at the beginning. The Vampire mythology was quite interesting however I couldn't help seeing the flaw in the dynamics between the vampires. If I were a stronger, tougher breed of vampire and the weak vampires came and said, "Okay, we'll keep you as our Guardians and have drunken, disrespectful sex with you on occasion as long as you protect us from the Strogoi." I'd probably respond with, "How about I protect you by keeping you in my dank, dark cellar as my slave and use you to further our race?" Or am I just evil? Lol. Overall, on the world building front, VAMPIRE ACADEMY comes through.

 Vampire Academy holds its own by having an assured, kick-butt type of heroine and a story grounded in folklore

Daily Dose Monday #002

Daily Dose Monday is hosted by Holly over at Good Golly Miss Holly and features inspiring/magical images that you would like to share with your readers 

 

Every picture is a story waiting to be told. 

 

Review: Twenty Boy Summer

Author: Sarah Ockler

Publisher:  Little Brown & Co

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Twenty Boy Summer is the debut novel by the extraordinary by Sarah Ockler. Its a tale that effortlessly weaves in love, tragedy, heartbreak, friendship, betrayal and forgiveness. The novel was a roller coaster ride that left me breathless.

The Zanzibar Bay vacation is beautifully described. The descriptions are lusciously vivid. Ockler's writing is almost lyrical. I felt like I can almost taste the salt heavy in the air. Almost feel the breeze against my skin. Almost see the endless sea. And I could feel Anna's emotions as Ockler portrayed it beautifully and conveyed it fantastically. There are beautiful key phrases repeated throughout the course of the novel, my favourite was "I'm not fine, thanks for not asking." Such repetitions can sometimes border on cliche, but Ockler skill really shines through as this comes across poignant and profound in the novel.

Twenty Boy Summer is a character-driven novel, so it was important for all the characters to be developed well. And Ockler is able to characterise wonderfully. I was emotionally attached to Anna’s journey Through Anna's memory flashbacks, the audience even gets a pretty distinct picture of Matt. Her character growth and development was my favourite part of the book. There was a constant internal struggle not to forget Matt and keep his memories close to her, but she recognised the need to move on and actually start living. Francesca’s and Anna’s friendship is one with ups and downs but always remaining strong despite the heated fights. It was a realistic portrayal of the two teenagers handling their grief and trying to find a way around it.

Twenty Boy Summer isn't exactly a light-hearted comedy; but it's not exactly grieving angst either. It's a painful and lovable story where Anna and Frankie transition from kids to young women. The story contained several dimensions that wove a beautiful tale of trying to live a life that is overshadowed by death. By the end of the novel, I felt like the character's growth was inspirational. We will all go (or have gone through) a death of a loved one, and the novel teaches us that even though it doesn't feel like it, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope.

A heart breaking novel of death, friendship, and secrets. I'm definitely hungry for more work from Sarah Ockler!

Review: Wintergirls

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Summary: Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with her best friend's death from bulimia as she struggles with anorexia.

Anderson unflinchingly plunges readers into the mind of Lia, forcing us to count calories with her, punish our bodies for eating too much, cut ourselves to feel control. I won't lie and say it wasn't disturbing, almost scary. Wintergirls has to be one of the most desolate, and traumatic novels I have read.

Anderson's writing is almost hypnotising, she has a way of explaining a situation thoroughly using as few words as possible. Genius. It is lyrical and poetic. It did a wonderful job at magnifying the emotions. Many of the jarring and raw descriptions stayed in my head long after I put the book down. Anderson also used a unique printing style in this novel. Strike through words and sentences, blank pages that create the most thrilling plot seem almost unbearable, different fonts for websites and thoughts

Anderson tackles this difficult subject matter in such an honest and unflinching way. Wintergirls is about Lia's relationship and obsession with food, yes. But it isn't just that. It's about grief. About guilt. About family and control and addiction. It's about not just sinking, but actually diving towards the bottom until you are faced with a decision: to let yourself drown or to start fighting to reach the surface and breath.

Lia's struggles are so in your face that you can't help but become emotionally connected. Her family and loved ones keep reaching out she doesn't want to get better. That's the problem. Cheating on weigh-ins. Pretending to eat food she hasn't. Detesting her own body, although she is nothing but skin and bones. This is a great example where I didn't like the protagonist but I still empathised with her.

Wintergirls is the voice of a generation of females starving for acceptance, love, understanding, and freedom. Wintergirls will  transcend time and genres. 

This is not an easy book to read - nor should it be. Laurie Halse Anderson places the reader deep into the psyche of a girl whose demons are threatening to overwhelm her.