GEEKY CHIQUITAS: YA books of 2014

Book in Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

2014 books

Title: The Forever Song
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publishing Date: April 15th, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary:
Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

After that HORRIBLE cliffhanger in Book 2, I thought I had seen the worst. How wrong I was.

Oh Julie. You will never make this easy huh.

The Forever Song was an epic, fantastic and excellent conclusion to the Blood of Eden series. I couldn't have wanted anything more for the last book. Wow... it was exciting, action-packed, gory, bloody, absolutely horrific! But at the same time it was awesome and so kickass. I was on the edge of my seat finding something to hold on to, because I was afraid I'd actually lose it. I certainly did not foresee that ending, but I loved how everything becomes full circle in the end.

In this third installment, Allison's struggle is the hardest. For a newbie vampire, she really is going through a lot with all her mixed up emotions of revenge, anger, and sadness. She certainly has her moments in the book, where she almost gives up to the monster within her, but she always, always finds a way to get back. I loved her character development in this last book, and she has gone a long way from that small weak girl dying in the rain. And my god, Allison is a scary killer with that katana. She is a brave and incredible fighter. This girl is practically my hero.

It was interesting to see a different side of Zeke in this book but Julie really pulled it off with her top notch writing. I can't see any other author write a nice guy into something as horrible as what Zeke turned into in this book and still feel like it makes sense. The character development is incredible, and you never for one second think Zeke is out of character or inconsistent. Everything just adds up!

And then Kanin - he is seriously one of the best characters ever. Truly a master vampire. I really really admired him even more in this book. He's a father figure to both Allison and Jackal and is great at leading people. Jackal, with his morbid sense of humor and his outward facade of bloodthirstiness, is actually a really really complex character. I can really say that he actually has a heart and cares about Allison no matter how much he'd deny it. I especially loved their constant bickering and interaction in this book.

As much as I loved all the characters in this book, I loved almost everything else too! I loved the DETAIL and how well developed every scene and plot point was. Every single thing that happens in this book is so descriptive and visual and so intense - I could imagine it happening right under my nose. Julie's writing is as always, excellent and commendable. I LOVED THIS BOOK AND CAN'T BE ANY HAPPIER WITH THE ENDING. It was hard and heartbreaking and we lost so much, but it was so good and was an excellent way to wrap up the series!

This is not a paranormal YA book series with hot shiny, or sparkly vampires. This is a dark, compelling series with scary, crazy and morbid vampires. Consider yourself warned.

8:45 PM
0 Comments

Top 10 of 2014: Best Book Covers of 2014

beautiful book covers

1. A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
2. The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder
3. Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

4. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
5. Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
6. Guy in real Life by Steve Brezenoff

7. Tease by Amanda Maciel

8. Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

9. Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis

10. My True Love Gave To Me by Various Authors

7:47 PM
7 Comments

Top 10 of 2014: Best Books I've Read in 2014

a game of thrones

Top 10 of 2014 is hosted by Jamie of Two Chicks on Books, Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, Nancy of Tales of a Ravenous Reader, and Rachel from Reading YA Rocks. It's a yearly event where bloggers participate and make lists about top 10 things in relation to books.

For today's topic, we have the Best Books of 2014. This does not necessarily mean that these books were published in 2014. The only requirement is that they were READ in 2014. :)

So, without further ado, in NO particular order, we present the BEST BOOKS WE READ IN 2014!

1. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

I cannot stress enough how much I ADORE best friend romances! This was such a light and sweet book but it definitely tugged on my heartstrings. This is the kind of book that I will be rereading many many times, in the near AND distant future.

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Oh God... I can't even begin to describe the perfection that is this book! I honestly do not know what to say, except that it blew me away and tore me apart (in a good way I guess since I am recommending this to you). I loved this book so so much, in ways unimaginable.

3. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

"If you give a girl an orange, her love for you will multiply." This is one of my favorite quotes EVER and it's from this book. This one honestly exceeded my expectations and I didn't anticipate that it would affect me so much. But it did, it did.

4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Not a book published in 2014. A book written by the famous poet/author who stuck her head in an oven. This book was painful, but amazing. Period.

5. Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park was my favorite book of 2013, and of course Landline would make the list! Rainbow is just too talented, it makes me want to cry.

6. Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield

I've actually been debating with myself over putting this book on this list, especially since I only gave this one a 3.5 (whereas all the others had 5 star ratings). However, I just can't seem to take my mind off this book, probably because it is just so unique and different and I loved the concept of it. I really do.

7. The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

I took some time reading this, because it was just too intense! Perfect ending to the trilogy.

8. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

I think I take this as the cue to kick myself for only discovering Colleen Hoover this year. Ugly Love was just.... so painfully good! I couldn't put it down and it made me cry. Like real ugly tears.

9. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Can I just say... I read this for 6 straight hours on an airplane when I was supposed to sleep, thus resulting to me being extremely jetlagged. No regrets whatsoever though. Too addicting. Just like the series.

10. Half Bad by Sally Green

Wow, this one I really did not expect would make this list. At first, I thought this was more like a children's book but it unravels into something more towards the end. Definitely looking forward to the next book!

1. Maze Runner by James Dashner

I'm not sure if I read it for the first time this year or if I just reread it for the movie. Either way, The Maze Runner is one of the best movies I've read this year. I love the action, the plot, and the binding between the people in The Glade.

2. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

I'm still currently reading this but I already know that I'm gonna love it. This book is so cute, sweet, heartwarming, and beautifully crafted. Every single place had a purpose that added more to Amy and Roger's story. I am simply loving it.

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Amazing. Levi and Cath are perfect together. I love the fact that this story isn't just about love. It's also about growing up, acceptance, and supporting one another. It's so mich more than you would expect it to be. Even the tiny snippets from Cath's fic is perfectly added to the story.

4. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

No words. This book sent chills down my spine. It made me want to tell everyone about it but at the same time I couldn't bring myself to because I wanted people to read it themselves and tell me they feel the same way. Just. Perfect.

5. Luna by Julie Anne Peters

I read this book in less than one day which shows just how good it was. I think that the author was very brave and very talented to have taken on such an intimidating topic and actually do it justice. The only thing I wanted to change was the ending, but other than that, I really liked it. It was an eye-opening read.

6. Everyday by David Levithan

I love David Levithan's works. He never fails to give us another unique story that we will surely love. Everyday is just so different. I know that I would never have thought of something this unique in a million years. Another thing that I like about this book was how it was written in the point of view of someone who just didn't judge. It's really refreshing and different in a good way from what I'm used to.

7. Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I admit that I haven't finished it yet, so it shouldn't really count but whatever. I'm loving this book. Rainbow Rowell is so talented and this book just displayed that fact even more. Landline is amazing, just like all Rainbow's other books are.

8. Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Torn Away is a haunting read. The story sticks with you. Sure, you don't think about it everyday, but Jordan's story will remain in your heart for a long, long while. She's a remarkable character, it was remarkable, cry-worthy book, and it truly deserves to be here, on my list.

9. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

It's not as deep as the other books, nor is it as clever, but it's simple, sweet story just made me love it. It's not just about football or Jordan's love life. It's a story that makes you appreciate your friends, your family, everything you have. It sucks you in with its simplistic charm and you'll definitely want to read it over and over again.

10. Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

This is a really nice, clever book that everyone will love. The ending wasn't really what I wanted it to be, but the journey to the end, with all the spectacular people and all the amazing adventures made the book a worthwhile read. You'll laugh, have fun, become smarter in some way, and maybe even learn a thing or two.

1. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

I have proven that Rainbow Rowell books are awesome, every single one of them, I really love the plot of this book since it's not your average love story. Attachments is all about three people in their mid 20s. It's about falling in love with someone who you haven't even met yet. This book will definitely make you smile.

2. Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Another Rainbow Rowell book! I am truly amazed how Rainbow could write books in such different personalities, but still be able to truly feel each one of them. I just currently read this book, and it definitely deserved a 5 out of 5 rating.

3. Forever Layla by Melissa Turner Lee

So this book was sent for us to review, and I actually loved it. It's a mixture of different genres like YA Contemporary, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance and the list goes on. The relationship of David and Layla moved quite fast, but there's the feeling of connection between them. I am looking forward to more books by Melissa.

4. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

I have actually already read this book a long time ago, but I reread it this year, and it's still the cutest book ever. No matter how old you are, you just have to read this one and watch the movie too because both are beautiful. This is probably one of my all-time favorites.

5. Everyday by David Levithan

Wow. That's the best word I could think off that describes this book. How could David Levithan think of a story like this? It's all about A who wakes up everyday in a different body, but loves the same girl everyday. David Levithan books are a must read!

6. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Even though The Lover's Dictionary is a pretty short book, it's the book which seemed to have endless words. It's a love story told in dictionary entries. Though the entries are short, it provides great events and even not so great ones of being within a couple.

7. If I Speak True by Jessica Brooks

I was thrilled to be given the chance to review this book this year. It's a very unique read. Ambrosia was a place that is utterly fascinating and made me wish that it actually existed. This book is full of secrets, and because I like revealing secrets as I read, I enjoyed this book.

8. Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandell

Bethany Crandell showed in this book that people with disabilities aren't so different. It's a book that made me laugh so much that lead me to crying. It's a story about transformation. This is probably the best coming of age book I have read this year.

9. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

I think we have mentioned this book so much in our blog, but that's just because it's reaaally good. It's a sweet book that will make you read it over and over again.

10. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

I listened to this as an audio book, and to be honest audio books are not the best for me because I fell asleep. But, once you really listen to this story, you would completely appreciate it. It's about the loss of a friendship, but it's what made the story beautiful.

I hope you guys enjoyed today's post! Did you do Top 10 of 2014? What are your favorite books of the year? Leave a comment!

8:00 PM
11 Comments

BOOK BLITZ: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid + GIVEAWAY and GUEST POST!!!

adi alsaid

Let's Get Lost

by Adi Alsaid

Release Date: 07/29/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost.

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named LEILA. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most.

There's HUDSON, a small-town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love. And BREE, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way. ELLIOT believes in happy endings…until his own life goes off-script. And SONIA worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love.

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth— sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.

Available Now!
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Indie Bound * Harlequin.com

Early Praise:

“Reminiscent of John Green’s Paper Towns and road trip novels that feature a teen paving the way to adulthood, Alsaid’s debut is a gem among contemporary YA novels.” – School Library Journal

“Five love stories, beautifully woven together by a special girl in search of adventure, hope, and full appreciation of life’s simple pleasures. A do-not-miss. ” – Justine Magazine

“Moving and poignant.” - Glitter Magazine

“An entertaining and romantic road-trip debut.” – Kirkus

"Leila's quest to find the Northern Lights takes readers on a captivating cross-country journey, where four strangers' adventures collide into one riveting tale of finding yourself." ―YABooksCentral.com

“This will likely be a popular summer hit, especially for older teen about to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.” –Booklist

About the Author
Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City, then studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While in class, he mostly read fiction and continuously failed to fill out crossword puzzles, so it's no surprise that after graduating, he did not go into business world but rather packed up his apartment into his car and escaped to the California coastline to become a writer. He's now back in his hometown, where he writes, coaches high school and elementary basketball, and has perfected the art of making every dish he eats or cooks as spicy as possible. In addition to Mexico, he's lived in Tel Aviv, Las Vegas, and Monterey, California. A tingly feeling in his feet tells him more places will eventually be added to the list. Let's Get Lost is his YA debut.
Let's Get Lost Website!

Author Links:

photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png

***GIVEAWAY***

1 signed hard cover copy of Let’s Get Lost

1 Let’s Get Lost luggage tag

1 Harlequin TEEN notebook

1 Let’s Get Lost sachel

1 Harlequin TEEN tote bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

GUEST POST: Adi’s First Trip Alone

My sister likes to say that before I came back from my trip to Israel, she’d never heard me speak. That’s probably an exaggeration, but not an extreme one. When I boarded the plane to Israel on the eve of my eighteenth birthday, I was a shy kid, reserved, talkative only with my closest friends.

My brother puts it a different way: “Before, you couldn’t decide if you cared or not. Then you decided you didn’t.” He said this when we shared an apartment in college, when I was doing things like taking spontaneous road trips to Baker, California just to have lunch, or founding a student organization at UNLV called Students for the Advancement of Silliness. I brought my first girlfriend to the top floor of a library and rained down thirty notecards with book quotations on them. I wrote editorials in the school newspaper about choosing to be happier.

Let me be clear about this: I didn’t notice it happening. In Israel, I read a lot. I walked around a lot. Though fluent in Hebrew, I didn’t speak a lot, because outside of my grandmother and some cousins, I didn’t know anyone. I could have made friends on the basketball courts where I played, or the bar full of American expats and travelers from all over the world, but I didn’t. By the end I was having more and more conversations with people there, because I’d learned that if I didn’t I could go days without saying a word. But that didn’t feel like growth; it just felt like loneliness, which wasn’t anything new. I had fun in Israel, and though I’d imagined something life-changing (I brought a notebook, thinking that maybe I’d write a book while there), I left thinking it hadn’t happened. The first day I returned to Mexico and had coffee with a friend, within twenty minutes, she said, “You’ve changed.”

It’s not like I went to Israel and came back a new person. I was simply more myself. The layer of shyness that usually hid parts of me from the world was washed away by the Mediterranean, or burned away from my skin from the suntan I gained on the beaches of Tel Aviv. I broke out of my proverbial shell, deciding, as my brother pointed out, that I no longer cared to reside within it.

Here’s what I’m trying to get at, and why Leila’s travels in Let’s Get Lost serve as the perfect backdrop to five coming-of-age stories: Travel leads to self-discovery. You grow, even if you don’t notice it happening. Especially if you do it at the age I did, the age the characters in the book are, the world seeps into your cracks and pulls you further out.

1:40 PM
0 Comments

Book in Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

2014 ya releases

Title: We Were Liars

Author: E. Lockhart

Publishing Date: May 13th 2014

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Format: Kindle

A beautiful and distinguished family

A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Rating: 10/5 stars

How do you describe a book that gripped you from the very first line, ate away your soul and left your sweet poor little heart shattered into thousands of pieces?

We Were Liars is mesmerizing, intriguing, and so hauntingly real and personal. The writing is crisp, strong and wonderfully messy. The descriptive passages and imagery are praise worthy, and never goes overboard. You've got descriptions like "Sugar, curiosity and rain" and "ambition and strong coffee", a string of simple words that mean so much deeper than face value. The plot starts out slow and cryptic, but quickly picks up as the climax draws closer. The story is sophisticated, smart and unforgettable. It is told from the point of view of a confused and distraught teenager, and the writing is consistently beautiful and emotional and distinctively from her perspective - with it starting as a slow gentle puff of air blowing into your face, then quickly turning into a fast whirlwind as the plot unfolds. The characters are so well-rounded and flawed; each of them are passionate, driven and young, but also imperfect and trying to make things right. They view love and friendship above economic and social stability and try to put justice into a world where money is everything and prejudice is prevalent everywhere.

This book was incredibly painful to read but so unconventionally addicting. There is no Scrabble word that could describe how I feel about this book. This book took my breath away, and I found myself sobbing uncontrollably towards the end of it. I did NOT see that ending coming, and WOW, it tore me apart but it was just brilliant!

Never have I been at a loss of words so drastically over a book. Normally, I tend to blabber on about a book endlessly (even accidentally spoiling it for everyone else) but this is an exception. I just can't seem to say any more. This review may be as vague as the blurb but there is no other way to put this, or you may not truly experience the story when you read it.

It's true what they say that it's better to know absolutely nothing about this book and just go into it blind. Please don't let anyone spoil this book for you, please don't demand spoilers no matter how much you like them, and please do NOT skip to the ending.

My heart is broken beyond repair because of this book, but I have no regrets.

1:24 PM
2 Comments

Waiting on Wednesdays: Talon by Julie Kagawa

blog feature

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Talon
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publishing Date: October 28th, 2014

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

WHY WE'RE WAITING?

Honest reason: We would read ANYTHING written by Julie Kagawa. And dragons? Definitely something new.

What are you waiting for? :) Tell us in the comments below and we'll check out your WoW post!

8:56 PM
6 Comments

Book in Review: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

2014 books

Title: Landline
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Date: July 8th, 2014
Rating: 5/5 stars

WOW. I must say that Rainbow Rowell has done it again!

If written by any other author, this isn't the kind of book I would have picked up on my own (yes, even despite the covergasm) but since I completely adore Rainbow Rowell, I just HAD to read this.

What I appreciate a lot about Rowell's books is how diverse and different they all are. No two books are similar in its story, theme or even setting, and I wanted to point that out especially in the case of her newest one, Landline. Landline is NOT Young Adult like Eleanor and Park and Fangirl, but it is also not completely New Adult like Attachments. It's a mixture of both with a hint of paranormal in the story, and it's because of how these genres all mesh together into this wonderful book that I was able to appreciate more the careful prose Rainbow puts into every story she writes.

This book is a lot darker, sadder, more realistic and less happily ever after compared to her other books (though there is nothing sunshine and happy about Eleanor & Park). It's about Georgie McCool, a driven TV sitcom writer, who deals with the fact that her marriage is crumbling. She still loves her husband Neal very much, as well has her two children, but when she is forced to stay in Los Angeles for work, while Neal and the kids go to Omaha for the holidays, Georgie thinks that this time she has done it. Neal is visibly upset with her and goes to Omaha with the kids anyway, leaving Georgie alone during Christmas. When Georgie discovers a way to communicate with the Neal in the past, she grabs the opportunity to fix her marriage... but can she do it?

This book is first and foremost a love story, but it's not just that. It's a story about marriage, family, friendship, choices and happiness. I liked that the story does not focus just on Georgie falling in love with Neal, but also with how she falls in love with her career, her relationships with her best friend, her mother, her sister and her children, and finding the balance among your priorities in life. The book is well-paced and every single moment is important and necessary to the story. It was also a very realistic portrayal of married life and family, and I appreciated the honesty of it all. The characters are all so well-rounded, and we have to give it to Rainbow for her impeccable way of crafting amazing characters. Even the secondary characters are so distinct, the bit with the pizza girl and the puppies giving birth is one of the highlights of the book for me and these little tidbits make the book even better. The writing is also very crisp and fresh, nothing less expected from Rainbow's top notch writing and effortless narrative. Georgie and Neal's love story is of course the main focus of the book, and it wasn't difficult to ship them at all. Their story is told through bits of the present and the past intertwined together, and it was certainly a unique way to show their story.

Landline is the type of book you have to go into with open eyes. It's not easy to accept that things change and that life gets in the way, but that's the way it is. Sometimes you just have to hit the pause button and really think and try to remember why you chose to be the person you are now, and remind yourself why you wanted this. This is what Landline is about: making choices - whether it's about marriage, career, kids or whatever it may be. Georgie comes to terms with that realization towards the end, with a little help from the past. Which brings me to my favorite part of this book: the ending. I don't want to reveal much, but it was the story going full circle and it was just perfect!

Love is a choice, and I liked how that shone through in the novel. I loved how it was never perfect between Georgie and Neal, and even the ending does not assure us of the lasting relationship between them - but it was realistic, and I just know that they would continue fighting for each other and choosing to be with each other, even if it's hard. And that's what marriage - that's what love - is about.

So whether married or not, you just HAVE to read this book.

9:13 PM
4 Comments

Book in Review: Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose

2014 ya releases

Title: Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose

Author: Gillian McCain an dLegs McNeil (editors)

Hardcover, 330 pages

Published April 1st 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire

Format: ARC

Rating: 5/5 stars

Honestly, Dear Nobody is one of the most disturbing and triggering books I've ever read - that finishing it and having to write how I feel about it in this review is an incredible feat I have been avoiding for days. I definitely did not enjoy the book and I would never read it again nor do I want to relive it; but it is a book that I felt is so important and powerful that not finishing it would be my loss.

What I loved about the book is how mature Mary rose's perspective on life is. I was vehemently impressed by the way she viewed things and the intricate pattern to her thoughts on her future, dreams and even that of death. It was absolutely difficult to go on with this book starting from page 1, most especially because it reminded me so much of myself - despite our differences in home life and of health. Mary Rose's plead to be accepted and be valued and be loved by people is something that reminds me of how I felt in my younger teenage years and that was why I identified with her so muchh despite our obvious differences.

I think it is also important to note that Mary Rose who was a teenager in the 80's is not so different from teenagers in the 21st century. It pained me to see that this could've easily passed as a diary written by a teenager today, because the many experiences that Mary went through is not stranger to any of us. There were several important issues raised in this book, not just on health, abuse, alcohol, drugs but even feminist ones regarding double standards and yes, rape. It was heartbreaking to hear Mary voice out her feelings about society as a whole and how she felt for Geoff, hating him but also not being able to shake him off - because all of this was so, so true. It was depressing and very relatable to go into Mary's thoughts as she questioned the double standards that continue to persist in society and whatever gender constructs that exist. Mary's downward spiral with her health and how she dealt with being raped 2 times was gut wrenching to read as my heart went out to everyone who is or was sick and to all other girls who have been violated and hurt in the past and up to the present.

Mary was undoubtedly one of the strongest and most brilliant women I've ever had the pleasure to know, een if it was just through her diaries. Her writing resonated into me and I will not forget about her. Mary Rose's writing was so angry, gritty raw and honest. It will be difficult to read and I would suggest a trigger warning, but nevertheless Dear Nobody was a worthy read that would stay with me for years to come.

This isn't just a book about sickness and abuse, it is a book about a teenager who is trying to face the realities of life, questioning society, and finding acceptance and love along the way.

Giving this a 5 star rating because it is a diary and is too personal and honest that it deserves no less than that.

9:34 AM
1 Comments

Book Tour: Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

Arc

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.

Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jaclyn Dolamore was homeschooled in a hippie sort of way and spent her childhood reading as many books as her skinny nerd-body could lug from the library and playing elaborate pretend games with her sister Kate. She skipped college and spent eight years drudging through retail jobs, developing her thrifty cooking skills and pursuing a lifelong writing dream. She has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives with her partner and plot-sounding-board, Dade, and two black tabbies who have ruined her carpeting.

www.jaclyndolamore.com | TWITTER |FACEBOOK

REVIEW

Rating: 3.5 stars

For a dystopian book, this one definitelly stands out. I had my reservations about this book at first but it had just the right amount of mystery and thrill that I found myself glossing over the pages of the book in anticipation of how the story unfolds. I wasn't quite sure where this story is set - on one hand it seems like an alternate reality of the past but on the other, it also has futuristic vibes to it. Overall, I found the world building to be extraordinary and unique as I couldn't seem to connect the setting to any other place I've been to. It was absolutely riveting and the magical and supernatural element to it was subtle yet placed carefully at the right parts of the story.

Dark Metropolis has a great gritty dark and creepy feel, and it did remind me of Metropolis, the film it is based on. I felt like for a Disney book this story is fit for older readers, as there are parts of it that are just downright disturbing and gorey. It didn't hold back at all, and I appreciated that the author is taking all the risks to write this story as honestly as possible. I loved the treatment of necromancy in this book, and I liked how it has lots of underlying themes regarding morality and ethics and body and life ownership.

This book is good, but just not exceptional. The characters are likable, but they are not relatable and I couldn't seem to connect with any of them. I wanted to learn more about their back stories, and I felt like the story of the city is a bit lacking. We never understand about the war, the underground workers, or even the magic. The writing of the book is praise worthy as it has just the right tone and mood and is so vivid and visual, but the history element of the book really could've been explained better. I liked the alternating POVs, which is something I normally hate - but for this book I felt like it is just the right treatment to tell the story.

Overall, the premise and story of this book possesses great potential and though the book isn't perfect at all, it was definitely a memorable read that has me pining for more.

11:03 PM
0 Comments

Waiting on Wednesdays: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

2014 books

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

WHAT WE ARE WAITING FOR:

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton

Expected Publication Date: August 14th, 2014

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

WHY WE'RE WAITING:

Does it need explaining? We completely fell in love with Anna and Etienne and Lola and Cricket and just can't wait to get to know Isla and Josh! Stephanie Perkins has a way of making you swoon; it's just magical. And being the ya contemporary fans we are, Isla is one of those books on top of our anticipated 2014 reads.

What are you waiting for? :)

6:19 PM
3 Comments

Pages