Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
Release Date: August 30, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Age Group: Young Adult
Summary: Harper’s new boyfriend Logan Townsend is everything she never knew she always wanted—tall, muscular, with tousled brown hair that falls effortlessly around his face. But what’s most exciting about Logan is that he’s exhilaratingly dangerous, and dating him allows Harper to say, “buh bye” to her good-girl past and “hello” to newfound adventure.
There’s only one problem with Harper’s otherwise heart-stopping romance: Logan’s twin brother Daemon. Harper knows he’s a bad seed, but she tries to look past his dark, icy stare and his chilling demeanor. After all, he and Logan are a package deal.
Then cow bones start appearing in people’s mailboxes, a flock of birds show up dead, and all of the cars in the senior parking lot are given flat tires—and covered with blood-red handprints. Logan insists that Daemon isn’t involved—sure, he’s had some trouble in the past, but they moved to Harper’s quiet northwest Washington town so that they could both start over.
Harper desperately wants to believe Logan, but the more he tries to protect his brother, the more she wonders what she isn’t being told. Now, Harper must unearth the hidden secrets of the mysterious Townsend brothers’ history if she and Logan are to have any hope of a future. But learning what brought Logan and Daemon to town won’t put just her heart in jeopardy... She’s playing with her life.
My Thoughts: What can I say about this one? I adore Hubbards books. I'm always thrilled to get my hands on them and I always adore them. I love her writing style, I love her characters, I always love them! I really enjoyed reading Dangerous Boy and I liked how it all ended but there were parts where I was one confused girl.
We are introduced to Harper who is smart but shy. She doesn't like to take risks, and always plays on the safe side. She has a close group of friends and of course a girl she doesn't get along with. She was a pretty likeable character for me. Than we are introduced to Logan. Logan is a new boy at Harper's school that she falls in love with. He moved to her tiny town a few months ago and they have been dating ever since. She doesn't know how he likes her so much, he's so out of her league.
Logan and Harper have a lot in common. They can relate to each other. Both have lost a parent (Logan lost two) and they understand each other.
One day, she meets his twin brother Daemon. Daemon is the complete opposite of Logan. While Logan is sweet, Daemon is ruthless and has gotten in a lot of trouble. He was expelled from his previous school.
Harper starts to get notes from a secret admirer, mean notes, threatening notes. Notes that say someone is watching her.
Other creepy events are happening around town as well which puts everyone on edge. Nobody knows who is doing them or why.
Harper tries to find out more about Daemon from Logan but Logan never wants to talk about. The one thing he does want to talk about is helping Harper get over her fears. She has a list of her deepest fears.
I enjoyed the book but it started to feel a little slow, and I wanted a turn of events, where something outrageous happened. I got my wish towards the end of the book. It was crazy. I won't go into spoilers but I was wondering if this was how it was going to take a turn. Logan and Daemon. It kind of creeped me out a little bit but I'm ok with how it went down and how it ended. Talk about creepy and insane and really "out there."
Dangerous Boy was definitely weird. But an crazy intense weird.
Overall: This book is kind of different when you think about it. I don't think it was as good as You Wish or Prada and Prejudice but it was a pretty good book. Its not really Hubbards main style. I'm giving it 4 cupcakes because I do think it was unique and a step over from her normal books.
Cover: I think the cover is really neat. I love the colors and how the girl is holding hands with one boy while another is in the distance. Also love the clouds and how it looks like its going to storm.
What I'd Give It:
Smashed by Lisa Luedeke
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Summary: A field hockey star grapples with addiction in this riveting debut that will appeal to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’sSpeak.
Stay out of trouble for one more year, and Katie Martin can leave her small town loneliness behind forever. She is a field hockey star on the fast track to a college scholarship, but her relationship with alcohol has always been a little questionable. Then trouble finds her. Alec is the most popular guy in school, and also the biggest bully—with his sights set firmly on Katie. When Alec turns on the charm, Katie thinks she must have been wrong about him.
Except that she wasn’t. On a rain-soaked, alcohol-drenched night, one impulsive decision leaves Katie indebted to Alec in the worst possible way. This debut novel is a fast-paced and compelling story of addiction, heartbreak, and redemption.
My Thoughts: For some reason, I thought this book was going to be more of a lovefest than a fightfest. HAHA.
We are introduced to Katie who is a star hockey player. She lives with her mother who is never home and her little brother. Katie likes to party and drink. She also has a best friend named Cassie. She is also great friends with her neighbor Matt.
Katie starts to bond with a guy named Alec. I’m not sure how to really describe him. I never liked him from the get go. I thought when I started this novel, I would be drawn to him. For some unknown reason, I thought he was going to be a bad boy, but one who was good and I'd fall right in love with him. I did not. I knew from the start, he was just flat out bad news.
One night, Katie and Alec get into a car accident and things go crazy from there. Alec feels like Katie owes him and he starts to take advantage of that. He is always around and wants Katie to do exactly what he says. He's very abusive towards her.
Yes, this novel had a great message. It's about bullying, consequences, what can really happen, and how to try and fix it. Things aren't great for Katie. She's in a lot of trouble and she doesn't know where to turn or who to turn too.
This novel is a prime example of how things can get out of hand really fast. You can never really predict the future and that is what makes life so hard.
Katie's life changes, and she knows she must admit the truth eventually and go from there.
Smashed was an ok novel, but just not the right one for me. Yes, the message is there and I finished this, but I couldn't really connect with it, maybe because the novel is such a serious message that I wanted something light and didn't require much thought, I don't know.
Overall: Smashed is going to wow some people. Some people will read it, and think about it for days. Smashed will suck some in with the characters but I just didn't feel the connection like I usually do. Is it worth the read? Yes, probably. Will I recommend it? Sure, especially to people who want to read about abuse and how rough life can be. It just wasn't my kind of novel.
Cover: Like it. The cover drew me in and I had to pick it up.
What I'd Give It:
Speechless by Hannah Harrington
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Summary: Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret
Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.
Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.
But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.
My Thoughts: I was a big fan of Saving June so I knew I had to give this one a chance. I had heard some negative reviews about it, so I was a little weary going into it. But I found myself quite enjoying it.
We are introduced to Chelsea who is pretty good at spreading gossip. She says things out loud before she has a chance to think. So, when she walks in on the most amazing gossip, she runs right out and opens her big mouth. BIG MISTAKE. Some of her friends take it into their own hands and do something extremely stupid. I don’t want to tell you because it takes the mystery away.
Chelsea realizes the next day that everyone is mad at her because she came clean and told the cops and her parents the truth. She felt like she had too, there just wasn’t another way. It wasn’t right what happened. And for this, she is tormented so she takes a vow. A vow to keep her mouth shut. If she doesn’t talk, she can’t say anything bad. She can’t ruin anymore lives. However, she does have a nice little whiteboard to write on. I loved this! I loved how she communicated!
She meets a new friend in detention named Asha. I really liked Asha. Asha was a true friend and she was really there for Chelsea. Than, cute sweet Sam. Man, I liked him from the minute I met him. I just knew he was going to hit it off with Chelsea, even if she didn’t.
Speechless was a good novel. I almost didn’t read it, because the description didn’t thrill me. A girl who won’t talk, how much of a story can be in this one?
Let me tell you, A LOT. Chelsea learns some tough lessons but she also learns about forgiveness. The lessons, the secondary characters, and the way this book is played out is what makes the story so great.
Please read this novel if you like contemporary, please give it a chance!!!
Overall: Really liked it! And I fell for Sam. I want more of him now! I want to read more scenes with him in them! I liked this so much more than I thought I would! This is one of those novels you're unsure about and then you read it, and you're like wow, should have read that sooner.
Cover: It’s a big plain. Don’t know if I would pick it up on the cover alone.
What I'd Give It:
Every Day by David Levithan
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Knopf Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Summary: Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.
My Thoughts: My very first Levithan book! I expected something really brilliant and magnificent things from this novel. While it was ok, I never felt the magic others have.
We are introduced to A who gets to change bodies everyday. Everyday is a new day for A. He becomes a new person and gets to live a day in their live. He is never the same person twice. He’s not even technically he, since we never really know what sex he is, but I’m going to refer to A as he so I don’t have to call him or her “this person.”
This sounds pretty cool, right? And the concept really is.
He then wakes up in a body of a boy named Justin. Justin is a douchebag. He doesn’t appreciate what he has, kind of a slacker. He has a girlfriend named Rhiannon. A likes Rhiannon from the moment he meets her. He enjoys the day with her.
Than, the next day he contacts her again as someone else. And this becomes the plot of the story. A falls more and more in love with her and she has feelings for him as well, no matter who he is.
Everyday was an interesting concept, it really was. I just didn’t love this story. I don’t know. I appreciated it for what it was, but I didn’t love it. And, the ending, ouch. Wasn’t what I was expecting.
Everyday was interesting to say the least. I can see where some people will absolutely adore it, while others will finish it (like me) and then think to themselves, thats it? And then what?
Overall: Yes, I can see the bigger picture of this novel. I really can. But I just don’t love it as much as everyone else. You should give the novel a chance anyway and see what you think of it. Thought I would love this one, but a bit let down. I’ll give another Levithan novel a try and see if I like something else better.
Cover: Its okay. Kind of plain.
What I'd Give It:
Over You by Emma McLaughlin And Nicola Kraus
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Summary: After the grand explosion of her relationship, seventeen-year-old Max Scott developed what every girl in the history of the world has been waiting for: a way to get over being dumped. Now Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when her ex unexpectedly shows up in her neighborhood, Max’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients’ hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over him once and for all.
Brilliant at bringing humor to the trials and tribulations of the lovestruck, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have crafted a tale that will resonate with any girl who has ever been in love or had her heart broken. It brims with smart observations, features a pitch-perfect teen voice, and will attract fans of Jenny Han, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Barnholdt. Readers are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp spin on breaking up, making up, and getting even.
My Thoughts: We’ve all been dumped and if you haven’t, lucky you! It makes us stronger, eventually, it makes us open our eyes to want we want in a relationship.
We are introduced to Max who was in love with Hugo. Perfect Hugo in her eyes. He noticed her, he made her feel good, he appreciated her, until he didn’t anymore. Max got dumped. She couldn’t handle it, so she moved to a new city, dropped out of school, and started her own business.
She helps girls get over their ex’s. Simple enough, right? Sure she has her own problems but she puts them aside to help these poor girls. Her latest client is Bridgett. Bridgett’s ex lives across the street from her. And he’s friends with a boy named Ben. Of course Max ends up meeting this Ben, and things go haywire from there.
She starts to feel something special for one guy, but then her ex Hugo enters the picture again. Max has a lot of decisions to make, and quickly. She can’t let her guard down, and she can’t lose her business.
I don’t even know what to say about Over You. Was it fluff? Yeah, kinda. Did it also have important messages? Sure, in a way. Did I like Hugo? Uh No!! What about Ben? Yes, he was really funny! Did I like her techniques used to get over guys? Yep! Most of them are things I’d do. Get rid of his belongings, make sure to have your “moment.” A lot of the ideas Max has, I can see myself doing.
I did like all the characters from Max’s clients to Max best friend to her non existent family.
Overall: Over You was a cute fun read. I wouldn’t say it will make everyone's favorites of the year but it will probably really appeal to some, which includes me. This would be a perfect book to read after a breakup. I had a hard time actually starting this one though, I picked it up 2-3 times, read the first few pages, then put it down and did it again. Finally, I told myself to just read it already and see if you like it! Over You was an entertaining read and I’m glad I read it!
Cover: Like it! Totally love the picture slide! I think this cover looks fun!
What I'd Give It:
The Raft by S.A. Bodeen
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel And Friends
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 240
Summary: Robie, 16, lives with her family on the Midway atoll, a group of islands in the middle of the Pacific. Her parents are scientists; it’s an isolated life. Robie enjoys visiting her aunt in Hawaii – she gets back and forth on a cargo plane that brings supplies to Midway.
During a visit, her aunt is called to the mainland for a work emergency, leaving Robie to get home on her own. On her flight back to Midway the cargo plane hits nasty weather, and goes down. It’s just Robie, the pilot, and Max, a co-pilot she’s never met till this flight, on board. Robie is pulled aboard a raft by Max, who is injured and slipping in and out of consciousness. They have a bag of candy and very little water between them. When they finally reach an island that seems abandoned, Robie hopes they’ll be found quickly. But she’s not sure she was even on the flight manifest. Her parents must be looking for her…aren’t they?
In THE RAFT, S.A. Bodeen creates a hair-raising suspense story that will have readers agonizing over the same question as Robie -- how long can they survive?
My Thoughts: This isn't a bad novel, its just not my kind of novel that I would usually read. I'm more into young adult romance or paranormal novels. I don't read many about survival.
The Raft starts off with Robie visiting her aunt. Robie is only 15 years old. Her aunt gets called away so Robie is left alone for a few days. She gets bored and decides to go on home so she books a flight and starts on her journey home.
She doesn't make it very far because the plan goes down and she's thrown out the window on a raft by Co-pilot Max. Max also gets out and spends most of the novel in a dream like state. He does wake up a few times but mostly this novel is about Robie surviving on her own and coping with what that entails. The raft leaks, she's starving, she's cold, she's dehydrated.
Does Robie and Max get saved? How does this one end? Read the book to find out.
Overall: This was just ok for me. Like I said, not something I would normally give a chance so to get 3 cupcakes out of me was decent. It might even rate up there with a 3.5 rating. If you like books based on survival or based solely out on the water, you'll probably like this one a lot more than me. It was an ok novel, just not one of my favorites of the year. I did read the whole thing and it kept my attention enough, just won't go on my favorite shelf. I’m anxious to see other’s reviews on this one, as I’m sure some will adore it!
Cover: Like it. Represents the book accurately since most of the novel is spent on a raft.
What I'd Give It:
Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352
Summary: I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school... Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life...
My Thoughts: No Spoilers right, please? I thought Vincent couldn’t outdo herself from her last novel. Boy, was I wrong!
In Before I Wake, we are back with Kaylee and her crew. Things are insane. Things have changed a lot for Kaylee. She isn’t dating Nash anymore and she’s finally with the one I wanted her with. Yay.
Kaylee is dead, can’t get much worse than that, right? Think again.
An old friend (not) is back and Kaylee has a new set of problems to deal with. Not to mention, she doesn’t really need to eat or sleep anymore. Gosh, that sure does take a lot of out life. With this new person back in town, she is just a pawn in his evil game.
Lets just say this, Kaylee has so much to deal with it could really make a girl go crazy. The plot ,wow, just wow. I can’t really say much. I don’t want to ruin this novel or any of the other ones with crazy details.
Lets talk about Tod and Nash for a second. I still like them both, I really do, but I still love Tod’s wicked sense of humor. I love how he always knows the right things to say and Before I Wake is no different. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s awesome.
I was happy to be back with all my favorite characters. I’m happy to have read this novel!
Its probably one of my favorites of the series so far even though I loved them all!!! And the ending, oh Vincent, why do you do this to us? Why do you make us get all into it, and just end it like that? Its so freaking devastating!!!
Lets leave it at this, Before I Wake was AWESOME!!! So freaking AWESOME!!
Overall: Please read this series if you haven’t already! You will fall in love with it! Team Tod! I’m so excited for the next in the series, I just want to jump up and down!!! Be warned, this novel might make you cry! I did a few times!!!! But I was also laughing at times! Geez, Vincent you done it again!!!
Cover: Love it! This series has the prettiest covers ever!!!
What I'd Give It:
Purity by Jackson Pearce
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 224
Summary: A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.
Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.
Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.
My Thoughts: We are introduced to Shelby who lost her mother at a young age. It’s just been her and her father for a long time, most of her life. They have never been very close but close enough because they live together. Her mom left her with 3 promises she must always follow. She must love and listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Shelby faces a very important challenge when her father informs her they are going to the father daughter Princess Ball.
This means Shelby must swear her purity! No sex, drugs, drinking, etc. Shelby has to find a loophole. She doesn’t want to be a virgin when she’s 30! So with the help of her friends Jonas and Ruby, she makes a plan to lose her virginity. It doesn’t have to be special, she just has to do it quick and the easiest way possible so she picks out a few guys and goes from there.
Purity was a light and fast read for me. I did enjoy it a lot but I felt like it had too much of a religious undertone. Regardless, I still enjoyed reading it. And Shelby kind of just let things fly by and go along with them. She didn’t really have too much of a backbone I guess I’m saying. I really liked Jonas, I loved how he always came to her rescue and I thought he was sweet. And Ruby was a riot. I always found myself laughing at things she said.
Purity was a serious novel with some funny moments thrown in. It had a serious message but I at least liked the way Shelby finally opened her eyes and how the ending played out. I also liked how her relationship with her father changed for the better. I’m glad they are finally starting to really see each other.
Overall: I did really like it. It wasn’t one of my ultimate favorites of the year but I think it’s worth the read and definitely a novel you should read this year as long as you can get past the religious tone of it. I can see why some people won’t like it because of that but if you just enjoy it for what it is, I think you’ll enjoy it enough to justify it!
Cover: Like it! It’s not real eye catching but sparks your attention enough to want to pick it up! I do love the idea of the lock though!
What I'd Give It:
Throne Of Glass by Sarah J Mass
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 416
Summary: After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
My Thoughts: Oh man, what can I even say about this one? I loved it so much! It reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games but also completely different. Wow.
We are introduced to Celaena who is just 18 years old. She is known all over as the best assassin in the world. Everyone fears her name, everyone knows her name, Celaena has been in a prison of sorts for the past year. She has done what she had to do to survive. She’s dirty, hungry, skinny, and looks just like a normal girl. She gets picked by the King to be in a contest basically. Whoever wins this contest will be his assassin, who will be at his beck and call to do his biddings. Among the others, there are people from all over, with their own talents. Every person is out for himself. But nobody really knows who she is. To them, she is Lillian.
Celaena, at this point, doesn’t care what she has to do. She’ll do anything in order to be granted her freedom. She shows up and starts competing. She also has to train to get back in shape.
Of course, there are also love interests. Captain Chaol Westfall and Prince Dorian Havilliard. Gosh, between those two boys, who could pick? Each one had their own distinct personality, and I loved the scenes with both of them. Yum. At this point, I’m not sure who I want her to end up, all I know is I love them both!
Celaena also meets a friend who just happens to have a higher rank than most. And an ally named Nox. I just laughed and laughed at the scene towards the end where he hears her true name. Oh man. I hope we see him in future novels.
Don’t think the romance and the fights are all that's in this novel. Nope, there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes too. Celaena has to figure out what or who is killing all the other competitors, she has to figure out what her real task is, a lot of minor storylines to keep you entertained.
The pacing is good, the characters are wonderful, the plot was pretty freaking amazing. I can see Throne of Glass becoming the next big thing in Young Adult books. I can see it happening. When I started this, I knew it wouldn’t be the novel for everyone but it was totally the novel for me! I was truly amazed at how much I enjoyed this novel.
Overall: Loved it! Man, between those choices of guys! I want them both! Celaena was such a sweet girl even though she was an assassin. She did have a soul and a big heart! I really loved this one, and I can’t wait to read the next novel! If you get a chance, be sure to pick this one up! It won't be the novel for everyone, but at least go into it with an open mind!
Cover: Pretty!!! The girl totally fits. She has that unique look about her. Like the cover!
Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Summary: Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .
ANGEL EYES
Brielle’s a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.
Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.
Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.
A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive.
My Thoughts: We are introduced to Brielle who just moved home from the big city. She had been attending school there for dancing. She was quite the gifted student. She suffered the loss of her best friend so she moved back home to her father. Her best friend was murdered by the boyfriend (so the story goes). Brielle kind of blames herself, she should have seen the signs more and done something about them.
Brielle is grief shaken and feels guilty. She meets a new boy named Jake. He’s new to town and lives with his guardian.
Angel Eyes includes angels, duh Cindy. It just wasn’t the novel for me. I made it to about page 200 then I stopped. I just couldn’t get into the story. Maybe it was my reading mood, I’m not sure. I didn’t like the religious aspect to it and I just couldn’t accept the way things were going. I almost stopped at page 100 but I figured I’d go a little bit farther to see if I got more interested. Honestly, I didn’t. I could have stopped before this and been ok.
I read a lot of YA books so there are bound to be a few I’m not really interested in and Angel Eyes was one of those. Angel Eyes was ok up to the point that I read, but I just didn’t feel myself enthralled enough. Usually Angel novels are either a hit or miss with me. I either love them or I can’t finish them.
Angel Eyes was a DNF for me.
Overall: I do like Dittemore’s overall writing style, I think she can write, for example the other point of views, they were thought out!
I’m not giving this novel one cupcake because I never actually finished it. Those are made for books I totally hate and read all the way through. Two cupcakes are for books I might not finish or really dislike. I wouldn’t say I totally disliked this novel, I just didn’t find myself able to finish it.
I just never really felt a connection to Jake or Brielle. I also didn’t like how it switched points of views to some of the other characters.
Angel Eyes just wasn’t the right novel for me. If you like Angel novels, you can at least try this one. You may end up loving it!
Cover: I do like the cover. I think it’s very pretty!
What I'd Give It:
Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Summary: In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.
My Thoughts: This was a weird book. Not a bad weird, just different weird. We are introduced to Zoe who lives in the Community. Order is taken seriously and you must obey the order to the core. Zoe starts glitching and she has to hide it. She doesn’t want to be de-activated. She also meets two other glitchers named Adrian and Max. Adrian and Max were unique in their own special way, and each boy wanted to be with Zoe and discover what they could be. They could experience anger, pleasure, and love and all the other things that make us human.
Zoe and the boys, along with others want to break out and join the Resistance. The Resistance basically lives on the surface and they get to have their own thoughts and opinions and live life the way they want too.
As Zoe struggles for her feelings and tries to keep her glitches hidden, she has a lot of tough decisions to make.
Glitch was a neat book. I liked it a lot but it wasn’t the easiest book to get into. It took some time to really learn the lingo and to go with it. I can see how this book might turn some people off. It was difficult to really relate with at times.
I did enjoy the characters and learning more about each one. I liked seeing what each power was and how they could use it.
The plot was neat too. It won’t be everyone’s favorite book of the year but I’m sure it will please some readers.
Overall: Glitch was a weird debut, not in a super great way but not in a bad way either. It was unique to say the least.
Cover: Like it! It’s beautiful! The colors are outstanding.
What I'd Give It:
One For The Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Release Date: May 10, 2012
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Summary: A moving debut novel about a foster child learning to open her heart to a family's love
Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have opened up a new future.
My Thoughts: Man, oh man I usually do not read books that have no romance whatsoever but One For The Murphys was a wonderful debut even without any!!!
We are introduced to 12 year old Carley. Carley lived with her mother and her mothers new husband. Her life hasn’t been perfect but it is what it is. One night, her mother’s husband attacks her and her mother. Her mother ends up in the hospital and she ends up in foster care. With a family with a mother, father and three boys. No girls at all!
Carley gets to the foster family and she must adapt quickly but she can’t. She does act up at first. She doesn’t know how to act in a “real” family. Her mother was never that affectionate and just seeing this family interact stuns Carley. Carley starts school and meets a new friend. This friend is basically the complete opposite of Carley (but really she isn’t all that much different).
As the weeks go on, Carley gets to really know and like the Murphys. She finally feels like she has a home. But then her mother wants her back.
Man, I enjoyed this one. It was such a fast and quick read but it was heartwrenching. The struggles she faced but she was so darn brave through it all.
This novel made me want to cry but I also wanted good things for Carley. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to be at home. I loved the relationship she developed with the family. I loved how she played heroes and helped with basketball. I loved it.
One For The Murphys is a wonderful debut and everyone should read it. I usually read YA romance but this one was out of my comfort zone and I still enjoyed it so very much.
Overall: Wonderful. Great. Sad. Heartbreaking. But so worth every single tear!
Cover: Love the cover. When I first saw the cover, I was intrigued. I just had to read this one.
What I'd Give It:
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