Review-Through to You

Emily is my debut author to interview for the month of October, and seeing as I've been pestering her ever since her book got a cover to read it, I'm sure she's glad I finally found a copy for myself.  It took me a long time to finish the book, but that's because I was sick and didn't feel up to reading.  Once I put my mind to it and I didn't feel as crappy I breezed right through it.  Emily has managed to make a novel that blurs the lines between contemporary and sci-fi/fantasy.  It's not quite sci-fi/fantasy, but you can't call it contemporary either, like Nova Ren Suma's Imaginary Girls.  It's a short book, less then 300 pages, but I think it has a deeper meaning.  I really felt like there was more to the book than just the basic plot line.  It felt like a book about second chances, but also about how maybe things were better the way they ended up, and that a second chance is exactly what you needed to finally see that.  The other thing I loved about this book was that it was written from a Male's POV.  You don't see that very often in YA lit, especially when there's a pretty girl on the cover.  Emily did a great job at getting inside a teenage boy's head.  She did a great job in just getting inside of a teenager's head, as well as one who is grieving.  Everyone could learn a little something from this book, maybe about letting go, maybe about loving, and maybe even about being open to things we can't exactly explain.  Second chances aren't always what a person needs, but sometimes when you learn that a whole new world opens up.  Emily has created a beautiful debut novel that will appeal to contemporary and sci-fi/fantasy fans alike.  When this book comes out in October I suggest you go out and buy it (or better yet pre-order it) so you can read it right away.  I can't wait to see what Emily comes up with next because I'm sure she's going to be one of those authors that is amazing, if a little less known.  But me, I'm here to make sure that last part doesn't happen.

Out October 2, 2012

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Something Like Normal

Trish is my debut author to interview for June so I wanted to read her book before it came out. I think she's the only contemporary author I have in the line-up so far but it really doesn't matter. You know those books that pull you in and make you go "Woah"? This was one of those books, and the more amazing part of it is the fact that Trish is a debut author and she's writing a contemporary novel. Travis was SO great, because he wasn't too over the top. He wasn't extraordinary and he wasn't perfect,but that's what made him all the better. If you've read any of the Perfect Chemistry books then I think you'll really enjoy this one, because it has that same style.  The other part I loved was that it was told entirely from Travis' POV.  There are not enough books out there that are told from a Male POV, and even though this book is a little girly I still think that guys could enjoy it.  I read this book in less then 24 hours, and I was so pleased with it.  Yeah, there were vulgar parts (I mean, we're inside a teenage boy's head [no offense to all the teenage boys out there]), and yeah, there were war parts, and yes there was kissing (squee), but there was also depth to it.  It made me think about all of those teens coming back from the war and how they have so much to cope with.  Part of this book is about love and finding something normal in your world when it's been turned upside down, but the book is also about grief and about being a solider who has to come back to the real world for a while.  The book was so real and so good.  Those last few pages almost made me cry, and I can't wait to see what Trish comes up with next.  I'll be buying myself a finished copy of this book and I suggest that you all do the same.  Trish is yet another debut author I'll have my eye on from now on, and I hope that that book she teases us all with on Tumblr will be her next book on the shelves.

Out June 19, 2012

5/5 dust spirits

Review-The Last Echo

First let me tell you that even though the title of this book has the word "last" in it, it is not the last book in the series.  There will be at least one more book, for which I am thrilled.  Now, onto the review.  I read Kim's first novel, The Body Finder, back when it was out in hardback and Borders was still alive.  I picked it up because of the title and ended up reading and loving it.  When it comes to my subjects of interest serial killers are actually high up there, with crazy diseases that kill people in strange ways, and cannibals (I can't be the only one who finds them fascinating), but unfortunately all of those things are rather...sparse in YA fiction.  Derting, to my great pleasure, doesn't shy away from the first (and maybe in the future the last) and that's what I love about her novels.  That and the fact you get to see into the killers mind.  Her books are like a written version of the show Criminal Minds (on CBS) more geared towards teenagers, with a touch of Medium (that's just an assumption, I've never actually seen that show).  Sometimes when authors write more them one book about something that doesn't exactly have a series feel to it it can seem like they're just trying to make money (can anyone say House M.D.?) but Kim is not one of people.  Yes all these books are about a girl who can find dead people, and yeah, poor Violet usually ends up in some sort of trouble, but it's not boring!  That's the thing that makes those other books bad, is that they're boring because everything happens the same exact way, but when you're an author coming up with ways that people can die the great part is there is no limit to the imagination (well...Final Destination my have gone a LITTLE too far, but as far as killers go there's always another crazy out there that wants to be noticed).  Kim's third Body Finder novel is still as fresh as the first one was (and there's kissing, YAY!) and the way it ends leaves you with a tingly feeling (if you've read the book you'll get the joke) and makes sure there is no doubt about another book on the way.  With heart stopping action, some good kissy scenes, and a few parts that make your heart race The Last Echo is everything I hoped it would be and more.  I'm very excited for the next book, I really loved this book, and if you like creepy things give this series a chance.  I'm almost tempted to re-read the series because I love it so much, but unfortunately I have other books I need to read.  When book four comes out I'll be pining for it just like I was with this one, and pretty much the only thing that could make it better would be cannibals.  Got that Kim, add people eating other people and we're good. 

Out April 17, 2012

5/5 dust spirits

Review-Crossed

I was very excited when a friend of mine sent me an ARC of this book because I just loved the first one.  It was supposed to be the new Hunger Games, and although I've never finished those books I don't think it's anything like them.  I liked Crossed more then Matched but then I also liked Matched more then Crossed. Does that make sense? No, probably not, but I think that when you read it you will understand.  I loved the fact that we got to see half of the book from Ky's point of view.  I know there are some people who hate alternating points of view, but I think that Ky's point of view is such a huge part of this book it wouldn't have worked if it was all from Cassia's point of view.  We learn lots of new secrets, some bigger than others.  Thankfully the ending isn't a HUGE cliffhanger, I mean, yeah, there is some suspense as to what's going to happen next, but it's not one that will leave you tossing and turning in bed trying to figure out what's going to happen.  There was adventure, kissing, and some suspense and Ally wrapped it all up perfectly.  There were just a few things that bugged me, namely the fact that it took over 100 pages for Cassia and Ky to finally find each other.  Yeah, I know, that was a little spoilery, but I mean, really, how many of you seriously thought they wouldn't find each other again?  All of the secrets we learn the answers to in this book are definitely leading up to something bigger that better be explained in the last book.  Again Condie writes a beautiful novel that I think everyone who enjoys a good dystopia should read, and if you read and liked the first one this one won't disappoint.  I also have to comment on the covers, the first one was Green, this one is blue.  I love both covers and Ally has said that they are rather symbolic of the story, and I definitely get that.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the last one will be red, because of the tablet colors. Green to calm down (and calming down helps you figure everything out, which is what Cassia did in the first book), blue to survive (what Ky and Cassia both had to do in the second one), and red to forget (or maybe to prove how different Cassia really is).  But then again I would like it if it were purple.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Daughter of Smoke and Bone

This book, THIS BOOK!!!  People have been raving about this book and NOW I see why.  Laini crafts an AMAZING story that's just so...so...there are really no words to describe this book, but I'll try my best.  Let's start with the beginnings of each section, goodness I could read those over and over again, so beautiful.  The characters? Exotic. No really, their names, I think I pronounced almost all of them wrong, but do I care, NO! Although I will be asking Laini how to ACTUALLY pronounce them, then I'll let you guys know.  Karou, oh Karou, she's amazing.  I mean, there are some great female characters out there, but Karou is right up there with Clary from The Mortal Instruments series.  And THE WRITING!? *dies*. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I LOVE this book.  Did you get that, I LOVE it.  It almost seems lyrical in a way, beautiful and harsh at the same time.  Somehow it just hits you right in the middle of the chest and leaves you speechless.  You think you know how it's gonna end? Yeah, no, think again.  Taylor has crafted such a beautiful world it's almost ugly...I SAID ALMOST!  Think The Mortal Instruments meets Hush, Hush meets The Sky is Everywhere and then you'll have a small idea of what this book is going to be like.  Take my word for it this book is DEFINITELY gonna be the next big thing.  Yes, there are going to be a FEW of you who don't like it, and in my head I'll just be going "yup, can't talk to them anymore, they're crazy." (only not really, don't worry, I'll still talk to you even if I think you're nuts) but I'm pretty sure 99% of you who read this book are gonna look like this at the end O.O .  Personally I can't WAIT for the second one, which Laini said she's working on RIGHT NOW because I'm sure it's gonna be EVEN BETTER, if that's even possible.  Now excuse me while I go out and find Laini's other books, because I must read them ASAP because, well, I mean, they're her books, and she wrote THIS BOOK so they MUST be AMAZING too.  Go read this book!  That is all.

Released September 27, 2011

I need more dust spirits for this book, but I only have five so 5/5

*Please excuse my insanely long rant about how amazing this book was but if you go out and buy it and read it, I think you will see why I sound so crazy.  Now go read!