Paper Towns by John Green Review

Name: Paper Towns

Authors: John Green

Publisher: Speak

Release Date: October 16th, 2008

Format: E-book
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332 pages

Summary:
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life — dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge — he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues — and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

Goodreads

My Review:

Everyone that I know either absolutely loved this book, or absolutely hated it. I, however, found myself somewhere in the middle (albeit more on the "I liked it" side). As always, I was intrigued by John Green's writing. He unfailingly crafts engaging characters and weaves delicious relationships that never fail to keep my attention.

There wasn't any one thing about this book that landed it on the "I liked it" list rather than the "best book ever" one, but rather a mix of a few things. For starters, it reminded a lot of some of Green's other books. Margo, for instance, a captivating and provocative character, was quite similar to Alaska, from his Looking for Alaska. Additionally, Quentin reminded me a bit of Colin from An Abundance of Katherines. On top of those two characters (who I still loved, by the way) the plot didn't seem like anything I hadn't read before. The nerdy boys finding popular girlfriends, the road trip, the false images that people have in their heads of the ones they love. It was a brilliantly crafted story, as John Green never fails to create, and it was a delightful read, but it just didn't have that spark for me.

John Green still remains one of my favorite writers to date. His writing is captivating, his characters are enigmatic, and his intelligence is renowned. While this book didn't strike me as the most original piece of writing I've ever read, it still had many wonderful parts. Even though I found Margo and Alaska quite similar, I nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed reading about such enchanting yet puzzling characters. I never lost interest throughout the plot, and of course Green's dialogue kept me hooked. I do have to admit that Paper Towns was not my favorite of Green's books. However, I still believe that he is a fantastic writer and I highly recommend all of his books.

My Rating:

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern Review

Name: Say What You Will

Authors: Cammie McGovern

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: June 3rd, 2014

Format: E-book
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352 pages

Summary:
John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this beautifully written, incredibly honest, and emotionally poignant novel. Cammie McGovern's insightful young adult debut is a heartfelt and heartbreaking story about how we can all feel lost until we find someone who loves us because of our faults, not in spite of them.

Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.

When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. As they begin to spend time with each other, what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into something neither expected.

Goodreads

My Review:

I had high hopes for this book when I started it, which may have been part of the problem. Don't get me wrong, I liked Say What You Will. I thought it was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested. However, I was still slightly disappointed, if only from all the hype it had previously received. I thought I would love this book. I thought it would be my new favorite book. I thought I would walk around telling everyone about this amazing book I just read, and how they should all read it too. But, that wasn't the case.

It was an interesting book to read. It was about a relationship, really: a troubled relationship, one that had issues on both side. The surprising part was that, at times, the seemingly normal boy with OCD was more difficult than the somewhat well-adjusted girl with cerebral palsy. As the book progressed, it seemed that there were issues at every corner: they misinterpreted each other, they didn't believe each other, they didn't believe themselves. It was a nice attempt at conveying the miscommunication that all teenagers struggle with, but after a while, it just grew old. The high school seniors graduated. They grew older, but their attitudes didn't change. Big things happened to them (bigger than I was expecting for a young adult book), but they still didn't change. After a while, the bickering grew old and the drama simply unnecessary.

Besides that, however, I really did enjoy this book. I thought it covered a broad array of issues, and I was impressed by the author's ability to make the reader forget that the two main characters each suffered debilitating illnesses. Amy, the young woman with cerebral palsy, could only speak with the help of a voice box and dribbled food all over her lap when she ate, but the way Matt loved her, it was almost as if her weaknesses never existed. While the reader did not get to see too much of how others in the school felt about her (besides a sort of indifference that came with her familiarity among the students), it was just wonderful to read how these two troubled teens were able to ignore each other's faults so easily.

While this book did not hit the mark like I hoped it would, I still thought that it was a great read. McGovern did a fantastic job of showing the lives of two kids who were anything but normal, yet she still made the readers love them, faults and all. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who thinks they would find it interesting, yet I would warn them against taking the reviews of other readers too seriously. In the end, reading a book for yourself is the only way to test whether or not it really is the best you've ever read.

My Rating:

Wonder by R.J. Palacio Review

Name: Wonder

Authors: R.J. Palacio

Publisher: Books for Young Readers

Release Date: February 14th, 2012

Format: Hardcover
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315 pages

Summary:
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

Goodreads

My Review:

I saw this book online and in bookstores for quite some time before I actually read it. I thought it looked intriguing, but I had no true interest in reading it, mainly because I haven’t been into most middle-grade fiction lately. However, when it was finally recommended to me by a family friend, I knew I would have to read it. And boy was I glad that I did.

Wonder is just like the title: it’s a wonderful book. Kids can be mean, everyone knows that. Some kids are mean on purpose, and others just don’t know how not to say what they’re thinking. In this fantastic and inspiring book, fifth grader August Pullman has a facial deformity that, he claims, is much worse than you can ever imagine. When he finally goes to a real school, not every kid is nice to him, mostly just because they refuse to get to know him. Obviously, these kids have never heard the phrase “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

This book was told from many different refreshing perspectives: August Pullman, his sister, his two best friends, his sister’s best friend, and his sister’s boyfriend. The reader was able to get a full glimpse into August’s world, both from his point of view and from the point of views of those around him. It was heartbreaking to read how some of his fellow classmates treated poor August, but at the same time, the readers are able to see the good that is inherent in people, even if it’s buried deep under the social norms that constrict them.

In my opinion, the best part of the book was Palacio’s wonderful ability to make one sentence hilariously funny, and the next hauntingly sad. August went through a lot of difficult situations during his first year at a real school, and the readers of this book are able to experience both the happy times and the sad right by his side. It was really wonderful to read. This may be a middle-grade book, but there is really no age limit on who would like this book. Adults and kids alike should read Palacio’s Wonder and experience the uplifting magic that this book contains.

My Rating:

Ruins (Partials Sequence # 3) by Dan Wells Review

Name: Ruins (Partials Sequence # 3)

Authors: Dan Wells

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: March 11th, 2014

Format: ARC copy
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464 pages

Summary:
Kira, Samm, and Marcus fight to prevent a final war between Partials and humans in the gripping final installment in the Partials Sequence, a series that combines the thrilling action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Blade Runner and The Stand.

There is no avoiding it—the war to decide the fate of both humans and Partials is at hand. Both sides hold in their possession a weapon that could destroy the other, and Kira Walker has precious little time to prevent that from happening. She has one chance to save both species and the world with them, but it will only come at great personal cost.

Goodreads

My Review:

The Partials series has always been a solid one for me: none of the books have ever been “the best” or “the worst.” They have simply just been good, and reliably good at that. There are parts with action, parts with dialogue, parts with romance, and parts with character development, and Dan Wells has excelled at writing all of those parts in a manner that genuinely makes you want to keep reading. This last book was no exception.

Kira is one of the most underrated heroines I have ever come into contact with in a YA book. She’s intelligent, she’s quick on her feet, and she knows what she’s capable of. Sure, sometimes she thinks that she alone can save the world, but are her thoughts really so self-involved if she actually can save the world? More importantly, Kira really cares about those around her. Whether she loves them, hates them, or simply sees them as allies, she tries to do whatever she can to keep everyone alive. She was a delight to read about.

This book really focused on the fascinating apocalyptic world that Dan Wells created. There was still a significant amount of character development, especially when it came to Marcus, but for me this book was more about how everyone could possibly survive all the horrific incidents that had happened. All the deaths, all the backstabbing, and all the failures really came to light in this final book. It was interesting to meet some of the original players in the creation of the Partials, especially because they had become so far out of touch with reality by the time they met the main characters. Wells did a particularly wonderful job of creating these three-dimensional characters, though I do wish he would have played them, and their plot lines, up a bit more.

In the end, I really did enjoy this series as a whole. While there was no spark of lightning that I sometimes feel when I know a book is never going to leave my head, at the same time there was no moment that I thought any of these books were too boring and that I would have to put them down. And, to be honest, I would rather be thoroughly engaged in an entire series than feel that amazing spark in the first book, only to find it extinguished in the subsequent books. Wells did a great job of creating such a wonderful world and such engaging characters, and I look forward to reading more books by him in the future.

My Rating:

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs Review

Name: Hollow City

Authors: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Books

Release Date: January 14th, 2014

Format: Hardcover
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396 pages

Summary:
The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London the peculiar capital of the world. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reacting experience.

Goodreads

My Review:

The first book in this series, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, blew me away when I first read it. It was one of the best middle-grade books I have ever read: it was spooky, it was meaningful, it made my skin crawl, and it had such beautifully scary photos. While I found the first book to be a bit more structured and exciting, I still found the sequel to have all of the same wonderful aspects that I loved in the first book.

The photographs were still my favorite part. Not only does Riggs do an excellent job of choosing such bizarre photos, but he also intertwines them wonderfully with the text. The story reads as if it was based on the photos, and while it was a bit strange to read the book as if it were only second to the photos, it was a wonderfully refreshing experience.

I enjoyed reading about the peculiar children in landscapes other than their own loop. In the first book, they were mostly seen with each other, and they didn't have as much experience in the outside world. However, seeing these children with their extraordinary (or should I say peculiar?) powers interact with those in the real world was intriguing to say the least. The character development in this book was well-done, especially with regards to Jacob. He truly morphed into a peculiar child, and no longer seemed as afraid of the world as he was in the beginning of the first book.

Overall, this book was a great read. Riggs has an engaging prose voice, and his story develops fluidly. There was a lot of travelling around in this book, and something new always seemed to happen every few pages. While that is not one of my favorite plot structures to read in a book, I would still recommend Hollow City. I can't wait to read the next book when it comes out.

My Rating:

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

Name: Don't Look Back

Authors: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: April 15th, 2014

Format: ARC copy
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384 pages

Summary:
Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Goodreads

My Review:

I know that summer just started, but I can safely say that this is one of my favorite books of the summer! I usually imagine JLA books as either hardcore New Adult romance (like Wait for You) or paranormal romance (like the Lux series). However, Don't Look Back did not fit into any of those categories; and that was one of my favorite parts about it. For once, the romance aspect of the book was not number one on JLA's to-do list, and while I usually love her romances, I have to say that she can really write a hell of a plot and character driven book that keeps me even more intrigued than her other books have in the past.

I read this book in one sitting; I was completely unable to put it down! I'm not going to say that the plot was predictable, but it wasn't entirely unpredictable, either. I had a few guesses about who-dunnit, and it took some time for me to narrow my predictions down to the one character who actually did do it. That being said, there weren't too many characters in the book to choose from, and so guessing the victim far in advanced wasn't too hard. However, my knowing (or guessing, really) who the real "villain" was took nothing away from my enjoyment of the story. It was a quick paced book and I flipped pages more quickly than I do most books, simply because I genuinely couldn't wait to see what happened next.

Sam post-accident was a truly likable character. Even more impressively, she was a real character: she had faults, obvious ones, but she continually tried to do what she thought was best in every situation possible. I find it a bit hard to believe that post-accident Sam could become so passive and nice when compared with the horrific bully that was pre-accident Sam, but much of her back story as a kid proved that she really did have a nice side to her. In addition to Sam, there were a whole host of characters that I truly enjoyed reading about: Carson, Sam's childhood friend, Del, her rich boyfriend, and Scott, her twin brother. I loved seeing the difference between the interactions of this characters with pre-accident Sam and post-accident Sam, which was mainly shown as Sam recalled old memories and when they first ran into her post-accident.

In general, I thought that this was a really well-crafted story. It reminded me a bit of Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall, if Oliver included a bit more mystery and suspense. I loved the way Armentrout crafted Sam's life before and after the accident, and I truly enjoyed trying to figure out what would happen next. I found that amnesia element was not only helpful for adding the mystery aspect, but also created a more complex and fascinating main character; after all, nobody can trust the mental stability of an amnesiac, especially the amnesiac herself. I absolutely loved Don't Look Back, and I would highly recommend it to any Young Adult, contemporary, or mystery fan out there!

My Rating:

Boundless (Unearthly # 3) by Cynthia Hand Review

Name: Boundless (Unearthly # 3)

Authors: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: January 22nd, 2013

Format: E-book
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448 pages

Summary:

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

Goodreads

My Review:

Boundless was a great read!  It had one of the most interesting plots of the three books, and I loved how it tried to balance Clara having a normal life with her angel life.  Needless to say, it did not work out that well.  The book starts off with Clara, Christian, and Angela at Stanford University.  The three are attempting to live normal, college lives, while still not forgetting about their "purposes."  I wished that this book would have focused more on them trying to live normal lives, but everything quickly went to hell (literally) and soon the lives of the characters at school was forgotten.

I was intrigued by the role that Angela played in this book.  Her character always interested me from the start; she seemed to genuinely like Clara as a friend, but at the same time she was always a little bit strange to me.  She seemed to be full of information that wasn't necessarily good, and I had always wondered where she got this information from.  As for the love triangle aspect, Clara debated for a lot of the book over who to choose.  While listening to her pine for Tucker for the beginning of the novel was not my favorite part of the book, I think that the action and plot-twist at the end eventually outshone that momentary annoyance.

I liked the ending, though I can't say that I absolutely loved it.  The ending was wrapped up like a gift, and I wish that Clara hadn't been handed what she wanted quite so easily, though she did go through a lot of difficult and traumatic events.  Most of this book was a bit grim, but I think it fit very well with what Cynthia Hand was trying to accomplish with this series finale.  I was really hoping that Boundless would tie up some loose ends that had been bugging me throughout the series, but unfortunately some of my pressing questions were left unanswered.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this book, and would definitely recommend this series to anyone interested in YA series about love triangles and fate.

My Rating:

Sentinel (Covenant # 5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

Name: Sentinel (Covenant # 5)

Authors: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Release Date: November 2nd, 2013

Format: Paperback
Buy the book on Amazon
297 pages

Summary:
It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

Goodreads

My Review:

I started reading this series when it first came out three years ago, and no matter how old I've grown, I've always been unable to do anything but love JLA's books, and Sentinel is no exception!  This series started out strong, and finished just as strong.

Every time JLA comes out with a new book, I'm so impressed by the quality of the stories that she is able to craft.  I have been wondering for years how this series would end, and now that it is finally here, I can safely say that I would have never guessed any of it!  While it was wrapped up a bit neatly in the happily-ever-after kind of way, it wasn't done in a way that made me hate the ending.  Instead, I loved the way that it ended; I was hoping for a happily ever after and I got one; yet, at the same time, I didn't feel cheated.  Some hard things happened, and none of the characters ended up with exactly what they wanted, but it was nice to see some of them come pretty close!

As always, the main character Alex was fantastic.  One of the reasons I first started reading this book was because I loved her sassy humor and her headstrong character.  She really grew up in this book; she knew she would have to make some sacrifices, and she did them with the willingness and grace of someone who was much older than her.  I often talk about the progression of characters throughout novels and series, but watching Alex grow up was definitely in my top five favorite characters.  While I have always loved Aiden (seriously, he's perfect), he has always been so steady and unchanging, that it is hard to appreciate how everything around him has really affected him.  However, with Alex, the transformation is clear; she has become an entirely new person.  I cannot help but appreciate novels where the main characters really change by the events that happen around them.

I am so sad to see this series end.  I know JLA will continue to come out with plenty more fantastic books (she's a writing machine!), I will definitely miss all the characters I have met and the world that was created in this series.  I am very interested in Greek mythology and when books use Greek mythology well, I can't help but love them.  Sentinel was a wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series, and while I'm upset that there won't be any more books in this series (though I hear there will be a spin-off about Seth!!), I know that this is one series I will be re-reading in the future!

My Rating:

Ignite Me (Shatter Me # 3) by Tahereh Mafi Review

Name: Ignite Me (Shatter Me # 3)

Authors: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: February 14th, 2014

Format: E-book
Buy the book on Amazon
416 pages

Summary:
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

Goodreads

My Review:

Ignite Me was a wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series!  Although I cannot deny that the first book was by far my favorite, I still thought that this book was a great conclusion that really wrapped up everything that happened in the series, while still having an intriguing plot of its own.

Some of the events that occurred throughout the book were a bit predictable; at times, it seemed that I knew exactly what was going to happen next.  Yet, at the same time, the series as a whole was far from predictable, mainly because the main character, Juliette, completely changed as the books progressed.  The first image we see of Juliette is a broken girl in an insane asylum; she doesn't trust anyone around her, and more importantly she doesn't trust herself.  However, by the end of the third and final book, Juliette really steps up and discovers her true potential.  She becomes a powerful young woman who takes responsibility for her actions and has the ability to make the choices that are best for her, even if not everyone around her agrees.

I am not generally a huge fan of love triangles, and so that was one of the things that I didn't particularly enjoy about this book.  However, I do have to give Tahereh Mafi a great deal of credit for how this triangle turned out to be much less annoying than many of the others I have read.  Throughout this book especially, Juliette really knows what she wants.  While there are definitely two boys who each want to be with her, it is not as if the book centers around her thinking which one should I choose?  Juliette recognizes that there are more important things for her to focus on, and rightfully so.  That being said, the two boys still were clearly fighting over her.

In general, I found Ignite Me to be a great read!  Mafi is a fantastic writer, and every time I found myself growing a bit bored of the story, she would pull be right back in with her beautiful prose.  I would definitely say that the first book, Shatter Me, was my favorite, but I was still impressed with the series as a whole.  I hope that Mafi continues to write many more books in the future; I would love to read anything she writes!

My Rating:

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole Review

Name: Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles # 2)

Authors: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 1st, 2013

Format: Hardcover
Buy the book on Amazon
320 pages

Summary:

Shocking secrets.
Evie has fully come into her powers as the Tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. She now knows that the teens who’ve been reincarnated as the Tarot are in the throes of an epic battle. It’s kill or be killed, and the future of mankind hangs in the balance.

Unexpected allies.
With threats lurking around every corner, Evie is forced to trust her newfound alliance. Together they must fight not only other Arcana, but also Bagmen zombies, post-apocalyptic storms, and cannibals.

Gut-wrenching treachery.
When Evie meets Death, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she’s drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a history, one that Evie can’t remember—but Death can’t forget…

In this seductive follow-up to Poison Princess, #1 New York Timesbestselling author Kresley Cole takes us deeper into the dark world of the Arcana Chronicles.

Goodreads

My Review:

What another fantastic sequel!  Whenever I read books that I love as much as the first one in this series, I am immediately worried when the second one comes out.  I have such high hopes for sequels, but I am thrilled to say that this one did not at all disappoint!

I loved the main character, Evie, in this book.  She transformed so wonderfully from a scared girl who did not know anything about what was happening, to a brave and powerful young woman who was not afraid of anything.  Like most people I am a fan of powerful main characters in YA series, but I am even more impressed with these characters when I get to see them develop.  She knows what she has to do in order to win the game and survive and while she doesn’t always have a strict plan, she is not afraid to take risks and see what happens.  I particularly liked how Evie discovered that her world was surrounded by different shades of gray, rather than just black and white.  She began to learn that there was good hidden in some of her enemies, and she also began to discover the bad that was just beneath the surface inside of her friends and allies.

In this sequel, Evie’s relationships also change.  She develops unsuspecting alliances and trusts them wholeheartedly, even though she knows that in order to survive, all of the others around her will have to die.  As hinted at both by the title and the book’s summary, there is definitely a love triangle in this story.  However, I didn’t mind it as much as I mind love triangles in other books, mostly because it was so much as a Jack versus Death dichotomy.  Rather, Evie discovers what she likes and dislikes about each of them, and then proceeds to spend time with each of them separately.  The two men do not butt heads or fight for her, but instead Evie, as the powerful one, has to decide on her own who to choose.  And, as far as this book goes, she is more focused on who she has to protect and who she needs to protect her, rather than choosing someone to spend the rest of her life with.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book.  I think that Kresley Cole created a fantastic world filled with even more captivating characters.  The story never gets old, and I had trouble putting the book down.  I ended up finishing it in less than a day.  I would definitely recommend this book to YA fans, and if you haven’t read the Poison Princess, it should be first on your to-read list!

My Rating:

The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan Review

Name: The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)

Authors: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Release Date: October 8th, 2013

Format: Hardcover
Buy the book on Amazon
597 pages

Summary:
At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy's instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don't succeed, Gaea's armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

Goodreads

My Review:

Here is yet another wonderful example of a Percy Jackson book by Rick Riordan.  I have been reading these books ever since I was little and every time I decide that I’m too old to be reading middle grade books, I pick up one more of Riordan’s well-constructed and well-written books just to realize that I’m really never too old for them.

This book picked up right after the cliff-hanger at the end of the previous book, The Mark of Athena.  I’ll admit I can’t resist books that start right off the bat with action, and this one was no exception.  Annabeth and Percy find themselves travelling through the depths of Tartarus trying to find the Doors of Death in order to escape, and things down there are pretty grim—much more grim than most things in any of the Percy Jackson books.  While they are stuck, quite literally, in hell, the rest of the demigods on the Argo II are sailing their way to the other side of the Doors of Death, trying to both rescue their two stranded friends as well as seal the doors shut in order to prevent anyone else from escaping Tartarus.  They have their own fair share of troubles that, at times, seem just as difficult and dangerous as Percy and Annabeth’s problems.

One of the most impressive parts of this book was the fact that Riordan managed to write in the point of view of each of the seven members of the Argo II; that includes Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Hazel Levesque, Leo Valdez, Frank Zhang, Jason Grace, and Piper McLean.  The only demigod on the Argo who did not have chapters with his own point of view was Nico di Angelo.  Riordan did a surprisingly wonderful job distinguishing between characters and making each demigod have their own unique voice, which can be difficult when there are only two narrators, let alone seven.  I never once had to check back to see which character was the narrator of that particular chapter; it was always evident just by the tone and even the words and phrases they used.

Overall, I would highly recommend the fourth installment in The Heroes of Olympus series to everyone who has ever read the Percy Jackson books, or anyone who wishes to.  Just remember: you’re never too old for a good old well-written middle grade book!

My Rating:

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken Review

Name: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2)

Authors: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: October 15th, 2013

Format: Hardcover
Buy the book on Amazon
507 pages

Summary:
Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. 

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. 

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

Goodreads

My Review:

Oftentimes I find that sequels don’t live up to their imagined hype—sometimes the characters turn two-dimensional, the plot strays from its potential, the writing goes weak.  However, this was absolutely not the case with Never Fade.  It was just as good as the first book, and I loved every minute of reading it.

The characters grew and changed even more than I had expected.  I love Ruby as a character, not only for her bravery and strength, but also for her resilience.  I feel like Ruby develops and grows almost two or three times every book.  Whenever a big problem occurs, she rises to the occasion.  More importantly, she surprises me.  I also adored the supporting characters, both new and old.  Little Jude always kept me laughing during stressful situations, Vida’s intense personality never failed to keep me entertained, and Cate grew on me much faster than I expected.  And of course, I loved bad-boy Cole.  Some of the highlights of this book were interactions with some of the old characters.  I don’t want to spoil anything, but there were always huge scenes when these characters came back, each of which were wildly entertaining.

The plot was so captivating and developed so quickly, and Bracken’s writing was wonderful as always.  I read this book in one or two sittings, hardly able to put it down even for a meal.  I could never have predicted all of the twists and turns that occurred throughout this book, and books that surprise me are always my favorite.  I would highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of YA dystopian books, and if you have not read the first book in this series, The Darkest Minds, you should definitely pick up a copy.  I can’t wait to read the third book!!

My Rating:

The Collector (Dante Walker # 1) by Victoria Scott Review

Name: The Collector (Dante Walker # 1)

Authors: Victoria Scott

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: April 2nd, 2013

Format: E-book
Buy the book on Amazon
352 pages

Summary:
He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

Goodreads

My Review:

I had been hearing a lot of good things about this book, and about the main character, Dante Walker, before I started reading it, and so I decided to give it a try.  Unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed.  For starters, it was highly, highly predictable.  Bad boy meets ugly nerdy girl; boy dislikes girl but spends time with her because his mom asked him too, or because it's all a bet, or because it's the only way he can get out of hell; boy ends up falling for girl, and finds her beautiful all the same.  Obviously, being paranormal, this book had a few other interesting parts in it that caught my attention, but in the end, it was entirely predictable.

Enter bad boy: Dante Walker.  I have to admit that I did find him amusing at times.  He was funny, and once you read past his sarcastic and rude nature, he was a really sweet guy.  But, that being said, I did not find him to be anything spectacular.  He was no Daemon Black, like people had been comparing him too; I honestly just did not find him that interesting.  He was very entertaining, sure, and some of his remarks definitely had me laughing, but at the same time he just wasn't a character that I had stuck in my head for a while after finishing the book, which often happens after I read books that I love.  Enter good girl: Charlie Cooper.  She was nerdy and also quite funny, but in a different way than Dante.  She was a typical unpopular girl, and I didn't exactly love her as a character, but I didn't hate her either; she just didn't stand out.

The actual plot of the story wasn't too bad, besides the fact that it was predictable.  I actually did like the way that Victoria Scott wrote the book; even though I felt that I could predict almost every aspect of the book, I still wanted to keep reading just to find out what would happen next.  Overall, while I wasn't a huge fan of this book, I still enjoyed reading it, and if I run out of books to read I may check out the second book, just to see what happens next.

My Rating: