Bumped (Bumped #1) by Megan McCafferty

Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336


Summary: When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.
Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

My Thoughts: This was a weird one.

We head right into the novel and meet the two main characters. Twin sisters Harmony and Melody. Harmony has grown up with religion while Melody has grew up knowing she would be bumped aka get pregnant and take part in birthing. In this novel, usually by the time everyone is in their late teens, they are unable to continue to have babies, so it is the norm to have multiple babies by the time you are leaving young adulthood.

Harmony was very churchy, she wears a veil, dresses carefully,  while Melody is more outgoing and is used to everyone expecting her to have a baby soon. Melody will get paid to have a baby while it is expected of Harmony sometime soon, with the mate that is picked out for her.

Harmony and Melody are getting to know one another. Melody has a best friend named Zen. I loved Zen, he was probably my favorite character! I just wanted Melody to be with him but since he’s not top notch, it wouldn't be "right" for her to bump with him.

Melody is promised to Jondoe, who is the ultimate male specimen so when Harmony ends up in his graces things couldn't go more wrong... or could they?

That’s all I'm going to say about the plot. I didn't give too much away. Bumped was......weird.... that is definitely one word to describe it. It was kind of interesting but hard to follow more than half the time. The lingo they used sometimes got annoying, though it did have its funny moments.

Harmony and Melody... what can I say about them??? They were so different, yet so alike. It was also hard to keep them straight at first. It switches between their points of view, but at times, I had to remember who I was reading about and who was who.

The male characters were easy to like. I even liked Jondoe to a point, but Zen is still the guy I want!

The plot was definitely unusual. I haven't read anything else quite like this one yet this year. or last.

Overall:  I'd say this was probably a 3.5 for me. I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it enough to want to know what happens and to keep reading.

Bumped was an interesting novel and I will read Thumped soon but it wasn't one of my favorites of the year. It was.......different....... some say different good, some say different bad... I say in the middle.

If you want to read Bumped, go into it with an open mind.

Cover: I love the egg. This is the kind of cover that would attract me in a bookstore. I would be looking at this, and think what is that about?

What I'd Give It:

Partials by Dan Wells

Partials by Dan Wells
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352





Summary:The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out.

Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic in training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws threaten to launch what’s left of humanity into civil war, and she’s not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will discover that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them—connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there.

Dan Wells, acclaimed author of I Am Not a Serial Killer, takes readers on a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question—one where our humanity is both our greatest liability and our only hope for survival.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I absolutely loved this book. It was brilliant.

I love dystopian books, I love books where the world could end, where things are rough, where we can see the unimaginable happen without really experiencing it of course.

I was so excited to dive right into Partials. We are introduced to Kira Walker, and her friends. She has a bunch of them but I just wanted to talk about a few who stood out the most for me.

First there is Madison who is Kira's best friend. Than there is Jayden who is Madison's brother. Next up is Marcus who is Kira's boyfriend. There is also Samm, but we don't meet him for a while. Of course, throughout the novel we meet a lot of interesting characters.

The book starts out telling us about the world and what has happened. Kira works in the maternity ward but soon gets transferred to research. This is a world where a weaponized virus has taken hold and people have died. This is because of the Partials. They created the RM and the deadly virus is everywhere. No baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade.

All girls must give birth by the age of 18 but soon Kira is torn because the age is dropped to 16. She is 16 and she knows she's not ready to have a baby just to have the baby die.

Kira is one smart cookie. She is motivated and she decides she will be the one to cure this virus. She will set things right and make sure babies start to survive. If she doesn't than the world will eventually end because everyone will die. If there is no way to reproduce, all human life will seize to exist.

Big shoes to fill right? Kira sets out to go into unknown territory and capture a Partial. This is where she meets Samm. With the helps of her friends, they bring him back and she gets to study him. He's a partial. He can communicate with other partials, they all are linked together. He seems so much like a human.

Kira starts to really bond with him and thinks of him as more than a monster. But of course the Senate won't have this and they plan to kill him once she's done experimenting on him.

All Kira wants is to find the cure, to make the world go on.

But Samm isn't who she thought he was, and she isn't the person she thought herself to be. Things are changing, and changing fast.  Will Kira live long enough to find the cure? Will she be forced into pregnancy and will her life will change all at once? Will the world end with no cure?

Kira is at a battle with herself, her feelings for Marcus, she loves him but can he really ever love her for the person she is?

Partials was a brilliantly crafted book. I loved it. Never a dull moment, always something going on. I loved all the characters, they added spice to it.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, I'm so pumped up for it. I can't wait until it releases, at least I hope there is another one!  

Overall: Partials was a wonderful novel! I loved the world Wells introduced us too, I loved the plot. I loved the way Samm came off. He was different but in a good way. I loved how smart and dedicated Kira was. She would do anything for her friends, and to find a cure to save Madison's baby.

I loved the relationship with each one of her friends from her boyfriend Marcus to the Partial Samm. Kira was a special girl, caring and secure.

Basically, Partials is definitely a book you should check out soon! I thought it was amazing!

Cover: Love it! It fits so well. I love how we can only see her back and she is looking towards the city. The buildings, the open road, love this cover!

What I'd Give It:

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Walker Chidren’s
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 272

Summary: Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

My Thoughts: One word to sum this novel up? Cute...

We are introduced to Jo who is a photographer. Not just any kind of photographer but basically she is a paparazzi.  She takes pictures of celebrities mostly. Her Dad is also a famous photographer who does the same.

Jo has one big advantage. She's small and looks young. She can easily sneak into a place pretending to be a young kid, people wouldn't give her a second thought thinking she might be filming them.

She gets the ultimate gig. To go on a retreat to take pictures of popular heartthrob Ned Hartnett. This retreat consists of group meetings, individual meetings, and fun things. It's so people can deal with their problems. She makes a few friends and things don't go as planned. She has gotten paid a lot of money (and will get paid the rest when she's done) for these pictures of Ned. It's her job. And she must do her job right and perfectly.

Of course things don't work out that way when she starts to have feelings for her target. With the help of her friend Mannie and her new friend Katrina she must figure out what is right and wrong, what she can do and not do with her guilty conscious.

Let's just say this, its a cute debut. It has a few lessons in the story.  Thing's aren't always cookie cutter perfect for Jo, and she has tough decisions to make.

I also wanted to point out, I did not see that twist coming in regards to Ned. What the heck? That caught me off guard and totally surprised me and that is what reading is all about!

I loved the romance in this one! It was so sweet!

Overall: Shooting Stars is a cute fun read. A perfect book for a late Friday night when your home alone while your parents are out on a date or there is nothing on tv.

Shooting Stars was fun! There isn't a whole lot of depth to it (there is some) so its more of a fun sunny read.  I really enjoyed it.

Cover: It's neat. I love how the girl is holding her camera and all the people are in the background doing the same.

What I'd Give It:

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Fever (Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren Destefano

Release Date: February 21, 2012

Publisher: Simon And Schuster Books For Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 352

Summary: Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than

My Thoughts: In the sequel to Wither, Destefano takes Fever to a whole new level. We are on the road with Rhine and Gabriel who have just escaped Vaughn's estate and the disastrous future that awaited Rhine.  

As soon as the book opens up, Rhine and Gabriel are making their way from the water trying to get to safety. They soon find themselves taken captive by a women and her carnival. The carnival isn't much better than being a sister wife. Rhine still feels as though she's property and the lady who runs it thinks Gabriel is a spy.  This isn't just any old carnival but the kind where girls entertain the guests.

The only positive aspect about this carnival is the Ferris wheel. I was intrigued by the way Rhine views it and how it makes her feel. It's the only halfway magical thing about the whole carnival.

Even though Rhine does make a friend in the carnival, she realizes they must escape and run away. Again.

Rhine and Gabriel find themselves on some tough roads along the way in Fever. They meet new people, Rhine finally finds herself back at her own home and it's not what she quite expected and she soon becomes sick and at the mercy of Vaughn again. What choice does she have but to give in and let other decisions take her over?

Now, let me talk a little more about  Fever. I don't want to give too many spoilers away or actually what happens throughout the book.

I really liked where this book took us. I liked learning more about Rhine's past and how Rhine sees the world. She's such a positive person and we see how she can look at things with such a great attitude. She never gives up and wants to keep moving, even if she's unsure of the destination.

I also still like Rhine and Gabriel's relationship. It's somewhat innocent in a way. He doesn't feel like she belongs to him and he respects her.

I also liked the new characters, especially Maddie. Maddie is just a fun little girl who is deformed and doesn't talk. Even though she is mute, she's quite smart. Than there is her mother, Liliac. Liliac is Rhine's new friend and helps her as much as she can. Than, there is Silas who lives at the orphanage. You can tell he would make a good friend. He's funny and he looks out for Rhine even though he's just met her. There were so many new characters, some of them not mentioned here, that draw us more and more into the story.

Let's not forget about Rhine's twin brother Rowan. I really want to know more about him.  

We also see more of Linden in this book and I still don't know what to think of him. I do like him a little bit, I just wish he was more independent and he stuck up for himself and his girls more against his father.  

Fever was another great book. I didn't like it quite as much as Wither, but it still was a great book.

Another cliffhanger. Not as bad as the first one, but leaves you with a feeling like crap, whats going to happen next?

Overall: Loved it! Loved learning more about the characters. Loved the different places Rhine and Gabriell ended up, the carnival, her house, the orphanage, the bus stops, riding in a truck. They had quite the adventures through this book trying to find the right place to be.  Overall, Fever was another outstanding novel by Destefano, and I can't wait to see where she takes this series next!

Cover: Love it! Think I love it even more than the first one. I love the horse and her dress again! Fabulous cover!

What I'd Give It:

Wings Of The Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton

 Wings Of The Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 528

Summary:  Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

My Thoughts: Wow, and I thought  I loved Angelfire. Wings of the Wicked was ten times better! It was freaking great. I won't say much about this one because I want you to just buy it and experience the awesomeness on our own.

We are back with Ellie and her guardian Will. We also meet and see more of Kate, Nathaniel, Lauren and Marcus. And of course Caden. These side characters are marvelous and I love having them in the story.

Bastien and his crew are out to destroy Ellie for good and most of the book focuses on this, along with Will and Ellie wanting to be together but but being forbidden too.

And of course Ellie is trying to resume a normal life and do teenage things. She also feels more drawn to Caden and I can see why she is.

Wings of The Wicked was great. I'm not going to say much more because I don't want to give away spoilers but this is one hefty book, over 400 pages and it has some sad moments that made me want to cry. If I say much, I'll give away spoilers from Angelfire and than you'll know too much! Do yourself a favor and just pick up this series now!! Things happen you don't want to see coming. And after they do, you feel mad and sad, and wonder, why why why?

Overall: A Great sequel! I can't wait until book 3! I finished this one and said out loud, "I need the next book now!!" I’m so torn between Will and Caden, I like them both.

Cover: Love it! Love how she looks so powerful! I think the cover is pretty neat.

What I'd Give it:

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288


Summary: "The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. "
" "
"If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. "
" "
"And there are no strangers in the town of Near."
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger--a boy who seems to fade like smoke--appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know--about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab's debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won't soon forget.

My Thoughts: I wish I could find a witch story that I truly love, one that I fall in love with and want to keep reading hours out of the day.

The Near Witch took me about four days to read, which is a long time for me to read a book. It's not that it wasn't interesting, it was but it was just not my kind of story... again... I just can't seem to find witchy books that I enjoy. It's ironic because I love the tv shows The Secret Circle and Witches of Eastwick. I wish I could find books that relate to witches where I could get sucked in and not be able to stop reading until I finish the book.

We are introduced to Lexi who lives with her mother and sister Wren. Her uncle Otto lives right next door so he's around a lot. Her dad has been gone a while now, and Lexi still misses him dearly.

A new boy named Cole comes to town and he's a mysterious new stranger so nobody trusts him. It doesn't help that children start to disappear at the same time he arrives. As tensions get higher with the all children missing, the town starts to get suspicious and needs to find out where these children are going. The easiest solution is to blame the new guy Cole.

Lexi believes that The Near Witch is the culprit and she is getting her revenge on the town of Near. The Near Witch is a centuries old story that still makes its way around town and only few know the real story.

While Lexi and Cole are dealing with their own battle on the missing children, the town is also looking for them in all the wrong places.

What happens to the children? What happens to Cole and Lexi? What about the other two witches who live in Near? Read this book now to get answers! 

I hope someday to find a witch story that I truly deeply adore.  
Overall: I didn't go too into detail about this one because if you like witch stories, you’ll probably like it and I don’t want to ruin it. I liked Lexie but I felt like she and Cole fall for each other too fast. She was just infatuated with him because he was the new person in town. I didn't understand that. The Near Witch was a beautiful story, it was told in such a unique perspective, I'll be the first to say it had a certain beauty to it. It just wasn't the right book or story for me. I really do need to find a witch story that I love love love! The Near Witch was just an okay read for me.  I liked it, I finished it, but it won’t make my favorites of the year.

Cover: Love it! It's so plain without a lot of color but still real pretty.

What I'd Give It:

Possession by Elana Johnson

Possession by Elana Johnson
Release Date:  June 7, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 416

Summary: Vi knows the rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even "think" about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Thoughts: Possession was DIFFERENT. I've heard such negative reviews of this one, I was very hesitant going in. We are introduced to Violet aka V who lives in a society where people are supposed to follow the rules, not to think on their own. Basically,   there is a society of Goodies that live on Goodgrounds and Baddies from the Badlands. Another group is also around. They are a group of people called the Special Forces and Association of Directors who are from Freedom.  The thinkers make everyone listen to daily recordings training them to be good.

V lives with her mother. Her father is gone and her sister Ty is dead.

One night, as V is out walking with Zenn; her Goodie match aka boyfriend she gets picked up and taken away. It is against the rules to be out with a boy after dark.

She gets thrown into a cell with a boy Baddie named Jag. How ironic is it she gets put with a boy?

Jag and V become allies and plan to break out before they are forced to be controlled and help out by using their talents.

Jag and V are on the run from the people in control and must make a lot of hard decisions along their journey, including who should be V's real mate; Zenn or Jag? Who does she care about more?

I'm not going to go on and on about the plot. A lot happens and some people really loved this book and some hated it. I won't lie, it was confusing at parts, but I got it. I really liked getting to know Jag and he was probably the most interesting character for me. I liked Zenn but I just wasn’t drawn to him like I was with Jag.   

Violet was a good main character but at times, I felt like she was naive. And the other characters, I enjoyed immensely.

Possession is going to be either a love/hate book for you. For me, it was 4 cupcakes because I liked the plot, and I understood it. It was also fast paced and a lot happened, which could be confusing at times for others.

Overall: I really enjoyed it. I didn't love it as much as other dystopians but I also didn't dislike it as I have others. Some of the lingo could be confusing if you don't pay 100% attention. It was a solid 4 cupcake read for me.

Cover: I like it but its so plain! Such a white cover! But I do like the butterfly.

What I'd Give It:

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
Release Date: January 24, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320

Summary: It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.
And then you're dead.
When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.
Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.
Because how will she go on if there isn't?

My Thoughts: This novel was one crazy depressing story. I know it's supposed to be but it didn't make it any less harder.

We are introduced to Kaelyn who lives with her mother, father, and brother. Her father is a doctor and a well respected one. Kaelyn is just a shy teenager. She doesn't really fit in at school, nobody picks on her, but she's just average. She's invisible to the popular kids and just kind of stays to herself. She does have a few best friends though.

An epidemic, or sickness, starts to break out within their small town on an island and people start to fall ill. Everyone starts to wear face masks, and if you see someone sneeze or cough you better start running. If they start scratching themselves, you get away fast.

While, her father looks for the clues, Kaelyn is trying to find her own answers. Very few are surviving the sickness and as people start to die and the rest start to act crazy, Kaelyn is scared. She's scared they will run out of supplies, she's afraid of people dying.

This novel was basically written in letter entries-diary entries to her best friend who she is trying to make up with. They had a fight and she hasn't talked to him since. She wants to rekindle their friendship.

The Way I Fall was an interesting novel to read. It wasn't my favorite book of the year but it was a good story. I debated between giving this book a 3.5 rating or a 4. But I finally decided on a 4 because I did enjoy reading it a bit more than I would a 3.

Overall: All in all, I really enjoyed it. I liked all the characters and I'm glad there was a bit of romance thrown into the story. I'm also excited for the next book because of course the ending leaves you hanging! I think I may end up liking the next book more as other characters will be mixed in (I think).

Cover: Like it but it's kind of plain. I've seen a few different covers for this one but I do like the yellow the most.

What I'd Give It:

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

The Disenchantments by Nina LeCour
Release Date: February 16, 2012
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304


Summary: Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.
But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?
Morris Award—finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

My Thoughts: Well, when I first read this description for some reason I thought Colby was a girl. No clue why. Maybe because it talked about an all girls band, I just assumed it was a girl.

Thankfully it wasn't because I like having guys in my story! This novel starts out with Colby (who is a boy lol) hitting the roads with his best friend Bev to go on The Disenchantments tour. This is the name of her band. This book takes course over a week. After the week, the original plan was they were going to go to Europe and take a year off college. They were going to explore and do the whole independent thing without parents, rules, and real goals.

This book is so full of art, music, and just plain old fun. The two have been saving to go to Europe for forever and once Bev reveals she isn't going and instead is going to college, Colby is left high and dry since he applied nowhere and has no job prospects. She has ruined his life, at least for a year!

Honestly, I fell right for Colby and didn't like Bev. I never really liked her. I felt like she thought she was better and had stuck up her nose at almost everybody and anybody while Colby is laid back and has a good head on his shoulders.

I loved all the motels they stayed out, all the traveling they did, and all the art/music thrown throughout the story.

The Disenchantments was such a fun and thoughtful book. LaCour really knows how to tell a story and she was so insightful. I also liked Jasper and all the weird people we met throughout the novel. Each one had his own story we could just tell.

I loved Colby!!!!

Overall: I really loved it! Every minute of it. I loved Colby's family. I loved his understanding of things. I loved the side characters. I really liked Meg. I liked all the music and art we got to experience. The Disenchantments was a wonderful novel!

Cover: It's ok but I don't really think it fits the story. It just isn't a great picture. Makes me think of more Hollywood than road trip.

What I'd Give It:

The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

The Rivals (Mockingbirds #2) by Daisy Whitney
Release Date: February 6, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352


Summary: When Alex Patrick was assaulted by another student last year, her elite boarding school wouldn’t do anything about it. This year Alex is head of the Mockingbirds, a secret society of students who police and protect the student body. While she desperately wants to live up to the legacy that’s been given to her, she’s now dealing with a case unlike any the Mockingbirds have seen before.

It isn’t rape. It isn’t bullying. It isn’t hate speech. A far-reaching prescription drug ring has sprung up, and students are using the drugs to cheat. But how do you try a case with no obvious victim? Especially when the facts don’t add up, and each new clue drives a wedge between Alex and the people she loves most: her friends, her boyfriend, and her fellow Mockingbirds.

As Alex unravels the layers of deceit within the school, the administration, and even the student body the Mockingbirds protect, her struggle to navigate the murky waters of vigilante justice may reveal more about herself than she ever expected.

My Thoughts: I was way excited to read this one when I received it. I loved The Mockingbirds so I was excited when I got the chance to read The Rivals.

We are back with Alex Patrick. Remember her? The girl who was date raped in The Mockingbirds. She is now the leader of The Mockingbirds. We are also back with all of her friends and her boyfriend Martin. This book tackles the issue of prescription meds and students supplying them on campus. We don't know who is really doing it or who is behind it all. There are many people who could be the culprit and we don't always like who they might be.

We are also introduced to some new characters throughout the novel which make it more interesting.

I really like Whitney's writing style, I really do. But The Rivals just didn't do it for me this time. As a huge fan of The Mockingbirds, I just didn't feel as connected to this novel as I wanted too. Maybe because for some reason, I didn't love Martin as much anymore. I also didn't get the same vibe from Alex anymore.

The prescription meds was an interesting enough plot but I just didn't connect to this. I did enjoy learning more about Jones though. He was probably my favorite character in this one.

Overall: I liked it, but didn't love it. I just didn't have the same feelings as before. Maybe it was the topic, maybe it was all the finger pointing, maybe I just wasn't in the mood. Either way, I still loved The Mockingbirds and you should read both books and do a comparison. Maybe you'll enjoy this one more than me.

Cover: I like the cover but I still think I prefer the first cover more; The Mockingbirds.

What I'd Give It: