Things I Can’t Forget by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: March 1, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Summary: Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…
This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.
Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn't that easy…
My Thoughts: This one started out a little weird for me. Not in a bad way, I just wasn't sure I was going to like it because it deals with such a touchy subject. But I enjoyed reading about Kate and her life. This one focuses on the choices she helped her best friend make and her summer as a camp counselor.
Kate was a very likable character for me. Granted, she wasn't perfect but I liked getting in her head and understanding her. She has a lot of tough choices about college to make, so when a boy comes along, that makes things even seem harder. She now has to deal with so many different aspects of her life and its confusing!
The boy’s name is Matt and he went from being a geeky kid to a hot lifeguard. Oh baby! As soon as she sees him, she knows he looks familiar but can’t place it, at least for a little while. When it dawns on her who he is, she is amazed at how much he’s changed. And, he was the first boy she kissed, swoon!
A lot of romance in this one, and I liked that.
And, the camp angle was freaking awesome. I loved reading about what was going on, and the different things they had to do at camp. All the challenges they must face, and how they helped the kiddies.
I don’t want to say much else right now but I always love Miranda’s books. As soon as I hear she has a new one coming out, I want it so bad. She’s an automatic read for me. I always enjoy reading these romance young adult novels by her! She’s awesome!
Overall: I loved it and enjoyed it, and would reread. I still think my favorite is Catching Jordan though. Definite 5 cupcake read! Just didn't love it “as much.” But still loved it. But it was just as good but my heart still really belongs to Henry and Corndog. HEHE.
Cover: Yep, its adorable like the others were. Two people on bikes! ROMANTIC. And I love their clothes! And the colors. Love it!
What I’d Give It:
Death And The Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Summary: Darynda Jones, author of The New York Times bestselling series that began with First Grave on the Right, brings us Death and the Girl Next Door, a thrilling Young Adult novel garnering high praise and early buzz from major authors
Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.
High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real? Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones's first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.
My Thoughts: Geez, I thought I would love this one, seriously. Usually I like these kind of novels even though it seems like there are a lot of them. Girl stuck between two boys where the boys are on different sides.
Well, we are introduced to Lorelei who lost her parents a while ago. They went missing and nobody knows why/where. Lorelei lives with her grandparents now.
A new boy comes to town and takes an interest in her. His name is Jared. But this also draws the attention of Cameron whose known her since she was just a kid.
Jared starts stalking Lorelei and Cameron is always right there.
I expected a love triangle, I really did. It even seemed like at first there would be one. But I never really felt like either boy really wanted her. It was more about the boys hatred toward one another. It was them bickering back and forth a lot.
Lorelei was just kind of stuck in the middle, with one trying to kill her while the other tried to stop it.
I don’t know, this just wasn't the novel for me. It was ok, but I just didn't feel the connection to it. I’ll probably continue the series to see where it ends, but it was just ok in my opinion. I never connected to it on a deeper level. I also have not read this author's adult series either so maybe I shall try those as well.
I'm not going to love every story I read and I'm ok with that.
Overall: It was just ok for me. I've read some good reviews, and some ok reviews for it, so it must not just be me. I wanted more of a love triangle when I started I guess and I never really got that.
Cover: I do like the cover! I would pick it up for the cover alone!
What I'd Give It:
Sever by Lauren Destefano
Release Date: February 12, 2012
Publisher: Simon And Schuster Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 384
Summary: Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.
With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.
Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.
In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.
My Thoughts: I really loved Wither, enjoyed Fever, and loved Sever. Fever was a middle book and those are always the ones that just aren't as good. HA! I liked it, but a little less than Wither I think. Sever redeemed this series very quickly.
We are back with Rhine and after those last few pages in Fever, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. She’s back living with Linden and her sister wife Cecily. Cecily is pregnant again and Rhine is just trying to cope with each and every day.
We meet a new character named Reed and we get to see what living with him is like. We also encountered the carnival again, which I’m glad didn't take up half the book. We find out more about the lady behind it all.
Rhine is out to find her brother no matter what the costs. She must let him know she’s still alive. And, the kicker, Linden is going to help her. I really did start to like Linden a lot more in this one. He isn't the jerk (at least as much) as I thought he was. You really start to feel something for him in this one, and you start to believe he could be a decent guy. More than what I always thought.
I’m so glad we get to see more of Rhine's twin, but at times I wanted to smack him. So naive!
So much is revealed, and so much tragedy happens in Sever. Oh man, there were times I did want to shed a few tears. It took all I had to keep reading and not start crying for Rhine and the things she had to go through. Girl could not get a break.
What can I possibly say? I don’t want to spoil the book for you so I don’t want to tell you all the details of the good things or the bad things, or the horrible things, or the crazy intense things. I just can’t do it. Do we see Gabrielle again? Yes, of course.
Sever wraps things up perfectly and gives us clarity and a conclusion to a wonderful series.
Overall: What a great series. I think Destefano wrapped things up perfectly. There were things I didn't really see coming but I think that is what made this one so good. She surprised me, amazed me, and left me with actual feelings on this one!
If you haven’t started this series yet, read it now! If you haven’t read this one yet, don’t forget to go get it and finish!
A satisfying conclusion!!!
Cover: Love it! These covers are awesome. I love how the girl always looks so pretty in her dresses, but I also like all the side things on the cover as well.
What I'd Give It:
Breaking Point (Article 5 #2) by Kristen Simmons
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 400
Summary:The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.
After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.
Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….
Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.
Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.
With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?
My Thoughts: I’m not sure what to say about this one yet. Maybe I didn’t take long enough to digest it. While I loved Article 5, I just didn’t love this one as much. Don’t get me wrong, I did really enjoy it, just not as much as Article 5. It might be because we already know some of what happened, and Chase didn’t come running into the picture as he did in Article 5. HA!
We are back with Ember and her gang of friends. Chase, Sean, etc. They are still on the run and they want to rescue Rebecca. Ember is also believed to be a sniper and everyone wants to catch her even more. Some people support her, some despise her. Its hard for her to know who to trust.
There were a lot of new characters and new plots to follow which is a good thing. It kept me guessing. I did love the scenes between Ember and Chase, and all that cuddling, so cute!
I liked that Tucker was more in this one, and Ember just had to deal with it. I’m glad to see how things went down there. I wanted to know how she’d react if put in his reach again.
This one was action packed and I felt like there was never a dull moment. People die, people live, new people enter, everyone goes haywire! And when Ember runs into her best friend= AWESOME!
And that ending, whoa. Am excited for the next one!
Overall: Liked it alot. Not quite as much as Article 5 but still enjoyed it a lot and will definitely read the next when it hits shelves. I’m so glad to see new characters and to have more going on!
Cover: Like it! These covers really amaze me.
What I’d Give It:
Me And My Invisible Guy by Sarah Jeffrey
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Amazon’s Children Publishing
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 240
Summary: The cheerleader who has everything . . . ? Mallory Dane has a great family (at least on the surface), is popular at school (as long as she doesn’t make waves), and dates an amazing boyfriend, Todd (who happens to be completely made up). Boys—and sex—are something Mallory just can’t deal with, so she created her “invisible guy” to avoid it all. But when Liam Crawford comes along—a real guy, flesh and bones and strumming his guitar—Mallory starts questioning her fictional relationship. Is she really willing to give up Todd for Liam? And can she make amends for the lies she’s told—even to her best friend, Tess? What if your biggest, most embarrassing secret was broadcast to the whole world? Letting go of her secret will be easier said than done, and Mallory will risk everything—her family, Tess, cheerleading, her reputation, and most of all, her heart.
My Thoughts: Another 2013 debut! We are introduced to Mallory who is a cheerleader, somewhat popular, and from a normal family. She has a mom, dad, and an older sister named Darby.
Mallory has went through a lot of things. To deal with some of them, she makes up a fake boyfriend. His name is Todd and he is pretty amazing for a fake boyfriend. She has lied so much about him it almost seems believable at times. She writes details about him in her little notebook so she doesn't ever mess up. She plans trips to go see him, she has pictures of them both (photoshoped of course). Its pretty convincing to the outside eye.
But then she starts to like another boy. A real life boy who goes to her school. His name is Liam! Liam was so nice and adorable. He goes to church, likes music, and is pretty amazing. Mallory isn’t sure what to do but she has to act fast before someone else snags him up!
Mallory’s life isn’t perfect. She has to deal with her sisters issues, her best friend Tess’s issues. She sure does have a lot going on! And then it comes out to the whole school. She is a virgin so that makes things even worst. Everyone finds out and it sucks for her.
This was a cute novel. I liked it I really did but I didn’t love it. The characters felt a little underdeveloped but the issues were pretty deep with everyone and really makes you think.
Overall: I liked certain aspects of it, and felt a little out off about other things. I just felt like it could have been a little shorter and would have been ok with me. Being a virgin is cool Mallory! The relationship between Mallory and Liam was a little too fast. They instantly liked one another and that bugged me a little bit. I guess they didn’t have enough tension for me. HA.
I think this was still a nice read and I liked it enough. It was just ok but I did like certain points of it. This is probably more of a 3.5 for me. It was ok but a little better than ok but I didn’t love it.
Cover: I really like the cover. I like the colors and the way she is touching her hair! I think it fits pretty well.
What I’d Give It:
Scarlet (Cinder #2) by Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel And Friends
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 464
Summary: This is not the fairytale you remember.
But it’s one you won’t forget.
Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.
Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.
As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . .
My Thoughts: I really loved Cinder, so I was beyond excited for Scarlet, and I enjoyed it almost just as much. I still loved it, but not quite as much as I did Cinder!
We are introduced to Scarlet who lives on a farm and helps her grandmother out. She’s lived with her since she was a little girl and its all she really knows. She remembers her dad and living with him but it wasn't the best moments of her life. When her grandma is taken, Scarlet is on a mission to find her. She is one determined girl. She won’t let anyone stand in her way. Not even a boy named Wolf.
She sets off to find her grandmother, and Wolf offers to help. He’s got a lot of secrets of his own, and that makes things more interesting.
On a side note, we are also thrown back into Cinder’s world, and we get to see how she’s doing, how she’s coping, and how things are going. Cinder and Scarlet are pretty tied together, and it was so fun seeing things happening in both of their worlds that would soon collide.
The chapters would switch so one minute we’re reading about Cinder and the next Scarlet. This actually worked! It was fun, entertaining, and I found myself enjoying it!
And of course, there are boys! And friends, and enemies. Oh gosh, this was so amazing.
I don’t want to say much else, because I don’t want to tell you how they are connected, or much of anything. I just want to say this novel was great and I can’t wait to read more from this author! Loved it.
Overall: When reading a novel, its pretty amazing when you say you don’t want it to stop and you're disappointed when you run out of pages to read. That is how I felt about this one. I didn't want to stop. I could have easily read 500 more pages! Man, oh man! I enjoyed this!
Cover: It’s so pretty. I love the colors and its fits perfectly!
What I’d Give It:
City Of A Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368
Summary: An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.
Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.
Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.
My Thoughts: This was so different.
We are introduced to Nisha who lives in a little area called City Of A Thousand Dolls. It’s basically a small community where girls live who can be bought and who are trained in different areas.
Right from the get go, I knew this one would be unique. She can talk to cats. How awesome is that? She understands them, they understand her, how cool!
She is also seeing a young man who just happens to be royalty. She wants him to choose her as his wife.
Girls start dying and Nisha gets curious. She wants to find out what happened to the girls and who did it. She needs to know!
As she finds more and more clues things aren't seeming to go her way and she’s left feeling useless and not as hopeful as she once was.
I loved Jeritt. Oh man, he was so cute! And funny, and quirky.
I actually really enjoyed this one. I can see where some might not but I must have just been in the mood for this because I raced right through it and found myself laughing and smiling quite a bit. And, I liked how it all played out. I’m happy to see how it ended.
Overall: I really enjoyed it. I liked the plot, and the characters, and all the other little weird stuff about this one.
Cover: Like it. A girl standing between those big statues! It would draw my attention right away!
What I’d Give It:
Out Of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Philomel
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Summary: Known amongst locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than The Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan to get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld, New Orleans lures Josie in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as her international bestselling novel, "Between Shades of Gray," Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.
My Thoughts: I’m the girl who doesn’t read much historical. I never find myself very interested in it. It doesn’t hold my attention very well.
But, Out Of The Easy was so good. I actually enjoyed it and finished it real quick. This is the first real historical that I really never got bored and I ate the story right up.
We are introduced to Josie who is the daughter of a prostitute. Josie has lived above a bookstore before she was even a teenager and has pretty much taken care of herself. She works at the bookstore with the owners soon. His name is Patrick. I really liked Patrick and I enjoyed Josie and his friendship. Another boy I want to mention now is Jesse. Oh Jesse, you are so adorable. He was witty and really charming. And that motorcycle! Oh Jesse!!!
One day while Josie is working at the bookstore a man walks in. He has class and Josie automatically admires him because he doesn’t treat her like others do. She wants to go to college and he actually thinks she can do whatever she wants. Its nice to have someone believe in you even if it is only for a little while.
This sets everything in motion and Josie is thrown into a situation where she has to make daily decisions that could affect her life and everyone around her.
Out Of The Easy was a brilliant novel. It had a nice plot and enough romance thrown in to keep me interested. It was also neat seeing Josie’s relationship with all the prostitutes and her close friendships with a few other characters.
Out Of The Easy was beautiful and I loved it!
Overall: So, I don’t read historicals, right? If you're like me, please try this one out and see if you like it or not. And if you already like them, you’ll probably enjoy this as well! Out Of The Easy was a nice novel, a sort of beauty to it. Josie was also very smart and a great heroine!
Cover: Its actually really pretty and artistic. I think it fits perfectly.
What I'd Give It:
Shadow And Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368
Summary: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.
My Thoughts: The Shadow Fold? Oh crap. It’s scary!
We are introduced to Alina who is a mapmaker, and not a very good one. She’s been a orphan a long time and its just been her and her best friend Mal. They have been friends since they were just kids and have always looked out for each other. Both of them are members in the second army.
One day Mal is hurt and Alina goes to protect him unleashing a mysterious power. She didn’t even know she had it! Things get hectic and she is taken away by the Darkling to train as a Grisha. He thinks she is going to be their savior.
Alina doesn’t fit in. She isn’t meant to be a Grisha in her mind. She wants to go home to Mal, that is all she cares about.
Alina doesn’t know what to do. She figures out there is more to the Darkling’s plan than she could have ever imagined and she doesn’t like it. She must stop it.
With the help of Mal, she goes on a journey and things get pretty intense and wild.
I won’t say much else, I don’t want to ruin this one for you. I don’t know why I waited so long to read it! It did take me about 50 pages to really get sucked in though. At first, I had trouble understanding some of it, but once I got into it, I didn’t want to stop reading! It was a wonderful story with wonderful characters.
Overall: I loved it! I loved Alina and Mal together. I loved the Grisha's. I loved how everything was described. And the story kicked butt! A must read!
The ending was crazy! I can’t wait to read the next book! I didn’t know that was going to happen and it was crazy that it did! Wow.
Cover: It’s mysterious. But because its not that colorful I may not have picked it up at a bookstore. It’s cool but not that colorful.
What I’d Give It:
Hysteria by Megan Miranda
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Summary: Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear ...When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Fracture so I was thrilled to get to read this! We are introduced to Mallory who is your average girl. She has a best friend and a family. She goes to school, has a cute lab partner she likes, and everything is good. Until he rejects her and she ends up with his brother.
His brother isn't all she thought he was, and one night she ends up stabbing him. Eek, right? Yes, indeed. It was self defense, or so she claims. She has a hard time remembering what happened. Now everyone talks about her in her town, everybody knows what she did, so her parents ship her off to a boarding school.
Except she already knows a few people at this school and she meets a lot more, who don’t particularly like her. She doesn't make the best first impression.
However, she does stick with it, and ignore everyone's stares. Until another tragedy happens, and she is blamed for it.
This one was kinda creepy. I wasn't sure what to think of it at first. But, I did get sucked into the story and want to know what was going to happen next. I needed to know what really happened to Jason. I needed the details!
And of course potential love interests, even though only one really stuck in my mind. Oh sweet cute interesting Reid, how I adored you.
I got to say it. The plot was pretty awesome, BUT Reid is what did it for me. I wanted all the scenes to involve him even though they couldn't. Loved him.
I really enjoyed Hysteria, and I’ll read whatever this author writes next.
Overall: Really enjoyed it! I didn't love love it, but I loved certain aspects of it, and I did enjoy it a lot! Would I recommend it? Yes! I won’t say much else, please read it yourself. You’ll find yourself rooting for Mallory!
Cover: Like it. It’s definitely creepy and would get me to give it a second look.
What I’d Give It:
This Is So Not Happening by Kieran Scott
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Summary: After their long summer apart, Ally and Jake were hoping for a drama free senior year. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like things will work out that way...again. — It turns out that Chloe is pregnant and says that Jake is the father. Hammond is pissed at his best friend, but mostly can't believe that Ally would stay with Jake. But Ally is tired of being apart from Jake and is willing to make it work. But that is easier said than done when Jake starts blowing Ally off to go to doctor's appointments with Chloe and Ally joins the school play and meets a new cute guy.
But as graduation approaches, things get more complicated as new secrets come out and Ally realizes maybe Jake isn't the guy she thought he was. After everything they've been through can Ally and Jake get out of Orchard Hill with their relationship intact?
My Thoughts: These books are always so crazy, yet so good. After that ending in the last one, I about peed my pants!
We are back with Jake and Ally and things are even crazier for them. They just got some pretty awkward and messy news and neither one is really sure how to deal with it. What are they going to do? Are they going to stay together or not?
This one is full of drama just like the others. I also love all the side characters once again. I love their friends, I love the setting, I love all the details we get! I also love how it switches back and forth.
The plot of this one, well I didn't like it as much as the first two. I think because this story has been done a few times and it just wasn't as thrilling as I thought it was going to be, or maybe because some time had passed from when I read the last book.
I did like the side stories though, such as Ally’s mom getting married, and Ally deciding what college she was going to attend.
I am glad I read this and it was a great finish to the series. I’m happy and delighted with the way it ended.
Overall: Happy with the way this one went. I’m a little sad to see the series end since I really enjoyed it from start to finish. A great set of characters! If you haven’t read this series yet, please pick it up soon!
Cover: Love it! I love these covers! And this one is so cute! They are always so bright and I could see this scene really happening.
What I’d Give It:
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Release Date: January 29, 2012
Publisher: Balzer And Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 432
Summary: London, 1894. Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns her father is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations were true.
Juliet is accompanied by the doctor’s handsome young assistant and an enigmatic castaway, who both attract Juliet for very different reasons. They travel to the island only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: he has created animals that have been vivisected to resemble, speak, and behave as humans. Worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape the island, even though her horror is mixed with her own scientific curiosity. As the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.
My Thoughts: I did not know what to expect going into this one. Since its historical, I was unsure, as I don’t read that many historical books.
We are introduced to Juliet who is basically an orphan. Her mother died recently, and her father died when she was younger, and now she’s left all alone. Her father was a famous doctor, but a scandal went down to make him less popular, a monster, etc. Juliet doesn't like to tell people he’s her father.
Juliet has a job cleaning. It’s either that or work the streets. Juliet does her job quietly most of the time. She keeps to herself and lives day to day.
Until one day, when she stumbles upon a document she knows is her father's. While on her journey to find out how they got it, she finds her family’s former servant who has secrets of his own. She is then thrown into a madness she never knew she could become a part of.
She finds out her father may be alive, and wants to be taken to him. She gets to know a few guys along the way, an old friend, and a new guy. I couldn't figure out who I liked more. Montgomery or Edward. Both had their own perks and downfalls.
Juliet was a very likable person. She was funny, stubborn, and a great heroine. She goes to the island, and gets to know the truth behind everything. It isn't what she thought it would be like that's for sure. And, the ending, whoa. Did not see that coming!
The Madman’s Daughter was interesting! I actually really enjoyed it a lot. Even though it was historical I couldn't really tell.
This book was pretty darn good and I loved the romance aspects! And all the creatures, wow! It was neat finding out more about them.
I hope you will add this to your 2013 debut list!
Overall: Whoa, what an adventure. From the moments on the ship to the moments on the island, I was very intrigued. I found myself picking this book up in the middle of the night to just finish a few more chapters! Lovely story.
Cover: Like it! It does have that historical feel to it though but I still like it.
What I'd Give It:
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