A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

Release Date: February 24, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 352

Summary: Rhiannon Thomas's dazzling debut novel is a spellbinding reimagining of Sleeping Beauty and what happens after happily ever after.

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.

Her family is long dead. Her "true love" is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept.

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.

Rhiannon Thomas weaves together vivid scenes of action, romance, and gorgeous gowns to reveal a richly imagined world … and Sleeping Beauty as she’s never been seen before.

My Thoughts:  A Wicked Thing was a bit weird for me. I’ve heard the fairy-tale Sleeping Beauty numerous times.  I had a hard time getting into this one. I’m sure it was probably just my reading mood too.

We are introduced to Aurora who has just woken up from a hundred year curse. She was cursed and only a kiss from her true love would wake her. She’s been kissed throughout the years by a lot of princes but none were her true love.

Well, until one day when Prince Rodric kisses her. Aurora wakes up and his thrown into his life. Rodric has a mother, father, and little sister. I really loved his little sister. She was so spunky and cheery. She was one of my favorite characters throughout the novel.

There was also another boy that Aurora meets. His name is Tristan and I enjoyed him a lot. Yes, Rodric is a decent and honorable guy but I really liked Tristan. He was a bit of a wild card and he always had something up his sleeve.  I related to him more and I wanted Aurora to be with him.

There was a bit of action in this one and Aurora must make a lot of painful decisions. And, the part towards the end that was supposed to be Aurora just broke my heart. I teared up a little bit. Just didn’t see it coming.

I did like Aurora but I never really felt like I could relate to her.

Overall:  I liked A Wicked Thing but it had trouble holding my interest. I wasn't that thrilled with most of the plot but I also blame my reading mood a little bit. I’d probably give this one 3.5 cupcakes. I will read the next one to find out what happens!

Cover:  Like it.  Also like when they show these fancy dresses. Cute!

What I’d Give It:

Unleashed (Uninvited #2) by Sophie Jordan

Unleashed (Uninvited #2) by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: February 25, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group:Young Adult

Pages: 368

Summary:  What if the worst thing you ever did was unforgivable?

Davy’s world fell apart after she tested positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome. She was expelled from her school, dumped by her boyfriend, abandoned by friends, and shipped off to a camp that turns HTS carriers into soldiers. Davy may have escaped, but the damage has already been done. The unthinkable has happened. Now, even worse than having everyone else see her as a monster is the knowledge that they may have been right about her all along. Because Davy has killed.

On the run from government agents, Davy is rescued by Caden, the charismatic leader of an underground group of rebels. Despite Caden’s assurances that the Resistance is made up of carriers like her, Davy isn’t sure she can trust them. Then again, she doesn’t even know if she can trust herself . . . or her growing feelings for Caden. But if she doesn’t belong with Caden and his followers, is there anywhere she can call home?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Uninvited last year when I read it, so I was really looking forward to reading Unleashed. And I wasn't disappointed.

We are back with Davy and her boyfriend Sean. They are among a few other friends and are trying to cross into Mexico. They have to get away from everything going on in the US and from what they hear, people are safe in Mexico for the most part.

Well, they try to make it across and events happen and Davy ends up somewhere else.

There she meets a boy named Caden. He’s pretty nice and trusting but Davy knows better to trust so she tries to harm him to protect herself. He just kind of shrugs it off and doesn’t take it personally.

Well Davy ends up meeting a lot more people, Caden’s friends or crew. They are part of The Resistance to an extent. They help people get across the Mexico border. Everyone there has tested for the kill gene. So they know what it is like to be hunted.

Sooooo much happened in this one. People live, people die. I got teary eyed a few times.

Even though I really liked Sean, I also now really like Caden. He’s so much more different than Sean yet he brings out Davy’s qualities. Her strong loyal qualities. I couldn’t help myself falling for him.  In the end I may have ended up liking him more than I did Sean. We do get to see Sean and her friends a few times in the book and Davy thinks about them all the time.

Unleashed was a good one for me. I was in the mood for this when I read it. Even though it was a little slow at times even though a lot did happen, I loved this one.  

I love the character development and I love seeing how Davy is getting stronger by the minute!

Overall: I liked the addition of all the new characters. I loved the plot. I loved Caden and Davy. I loved the ending. Oh, the ending. It was pretty perfect for me!

Cover: Its cute! I think it fits and the girl does fit a good Davy! Pretty cover!

What I’d Give It:

One Of The Guys by Lisa Aldin

One Of The Guys by Lisa Aldin

Release Date:  February 10, 2015

Publisher:  Spencer Hill Contemporary

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 320

Summary:  Tomboy to the core, Toni Valentine understands guys. She'll take horror movies, monster hunts and burping contests over manicures. So Toni is horrified when she's sent to the Winston Academy for Girls, where she has to wear a skirt and learn to be a lady while the guys move on without her.

Then Toni meets Emma Elizabeth, a girl at school with boy troubles, and she volunteers one of her friends as a pretend date. Word spreads of Toni’s connections with boys, and she discovers that her new wealthy female classmates will pay big money for fake dates. Looking for a way to connect her old best friends with her new life at school, Toni and Emma start up Toni Valentine’s Rent-A-Gent Service.

But the business meets a scandal when Toni falls for one of her friends--the same guy who happens to be the most sought-after date. With everything she's built on the line, Toni has to decide if she wants to save the business and her old life, or let go of being one of the guys for a chance at love.

My Thoughts:  Seriously, One Of The Guys was cuteness overload! But in a good way!  I knew this one would be right up my alley, I just knew it!

We are introduced to Tonya, aka Toni. Toni is a major tomboy! She burps, and just hangs out with guys. She has a set of friends who are guys! A few of them actually! She fits right in with them! I want to go on and on on each guy but at the same time, I want you to get this one and read about each guy and get to know them on your own! They are each so unique!

Well, Toni gets into some trouble and has to switch schools. She ends up at an all girl school. I’m glad she meets a friend who's a girl. I’m glad she still gets to keep her guy friends too. But, things are changing fast.  The guys are pulling away from her, and she gets a great idea to get them all back together.  She starts a rent a gent service. The girls at her new school can rent her guys friends for a night. Everybody wins! How awesome! I loved this. I loved seeing the fake dates and I loved seeing Toni set everything up, along with her new girl friend of course!

I loved the monster hunting, and the mountain dew drinking, and her basketball shorts. I just loved it.

But most of all, I loved Micah. Oh Micah! He was such a great character and neighbor (hehe). I loved all the scenes with him the most, rather he was fake dating or just hanging out with Toni. He was sweet yet mysterious, yet I loved everything about him! I liked her other guy friends too but Micah made the story so much better for me.

I really loved the plot of this one and the characters! I also loved how she related to each of her guy friends and they got her.

Overall: Such a cute novel! If you like contemps you must read this one quick! Or if you're doing the debut author challenge, read it! Add it to your list! Such a cute and funny story!

Cover:  Love it! She’s just chillin with her friends! Cute!

What I’d Give It:

My Heart And Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

My Heart And Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Publisher: Balzer And Bray

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 320

Summary:Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner.

Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.

My Thoughts:  My Heart and Other Black Holes was an interesting read! I really liked getting to know both Aysel and Roman. They both have difficult lives for them to cope with. They both have their own tragedies they are trying to get past.

Even though both were so different from one another, they were also a lot alike. They came from families who just didn’t quite understand them.

Aysel and Roman meet each other and decide to be suicide partners. They both want to die and they think they can help one another keep to that goal by doing it together.

This was a heartbreaking story.  So much happened, yet I found myself enjoying reading about them. I wanted to know how their story ended. I wanted to know how it began and how they got to where they were.

I really liked the characters. I also liked the families.  l liked the plot even though it was sad at times. I felt like they made a real difference in each other’s lives.

Overall:  I really liked this one despite its tough subject matter. I thought it was a great look on how suicidal feelings can change you. I really liked the characters and how they looked at things, was very realistic.

Cover:  Like it! I have seen a few different covers for this one and I've liked them all!

What I’d Give It:

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:

Summary:Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?

Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

My Thoughts:  Wow, what a book! I loved The Red Queen!!! What an interesting amazing novel!

We are introduced to Mare who comes from a semi big family. She has a mother, father, a few brothers, and a younger sister. They are classified as poor. She helps them get by by stealing. She also has a boy best friend! Awesome!

Mare lives in a world where you can have two different lifestyles. Those with red blood (Mare) live in terrible conditions, while silver bloods have special powers and live wealthy.

Well, one day Mare ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, or shall I say the right place? I guess it depends on how you look at it.

Mare ends up working in the palace and she ends up getting betrothed to one of the brothers.

I want to go on and on about this one but I feel like even if I tell you a little bit I tell you spoilers and ruin it. I thought about not even reviewing this one because I want to give you none of the amazing parts.

I loved the characters. All of them. Even the ones I hated. I loved the romance. I loved the setting. I loved her brothers. I loved her best friend. I loved Cal. I just loved them all.

I’m not going to say much about this one, just that it is AMAZING!!!! I can’t wait to read more by this author. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.  I just loved the world building, and the character building. Oh my!

Overall:  A must read!! If you don’t read many debuts in 2015, you must read this one!!! PLEASE DO!!! Please let Mare and all the other characters come into your heart!  I highly recommend you get your hands on this as soon as you can!!!

Cover: Like it! It’s kind of plain but I’d still read it! How can I resist?

What I’d Give It:

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Summary:There's death all around us.

We just don't pay attention.

Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

My Thoughts:  Another great novel by Cynthia Hand! I loved her Unearthly series so I was very excited to read this one! This one is contemporary though unlike her other series; paranormal.

We are introduced to Lex. Lex’s brother is gone. He committed suicide. I knew going into this one, it would be heartbreaking and sad and make me have feels. And, I was right.

Lex is just trying to get by. Her days all blend into another. And she doesn’t understand how her brother could just want to die. Sometimes she thinks she saw the signs but she never thought he’d do what he did.

Things are just so hard for Lex. She pretty much dropped all of her friends and her boyfriend. She’s just the girl whose brother died now.  

I liked the little bit of romance sprinkled into this one. It wasn't such a huge topic but it was there. Just waiting to be called upon. Waiting for it to happen and reconnect. I liked how it wasn’t the main focus of the story.

I wanted to cry so many times during this one. I wanted things to be ok for Lex. I wanted to tell her it would be ok even if things were tough.

I loved Lex’s personality even when she was sad. I could tell she was a good person who would do the right thing even if it was difficult. I also liked the few side characters. They made things more interesting.

Overall: I really enjoyed this one even though it was such a hard heartbreaking topic. I’m glad I read it. It was a fast read for me but so damn emotional.

Cover: Love it! It totally fits! Cute!

What I’d Give It:

I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Release Date: February 3, 2015

Publisher: Henry Holt And Co

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Summary:If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

My Thoughts:  I really was anxiously awaiting I’ll Meet You There. It sounded so good! And interesting, and it was! I really loved it a lot!

We are introduced to Skylar who lives  with her mother. She dreams of getting out of their small little town. She wants to go off to college and really start her life.  She’s motivated, she works to save up money, she’s got her head on pretty straight for a teenager.

We are also introduced to Josh. Skylar and Josh have known each other a long time but Josh just came home from the Marines. He’s changed quite a bit. His personality has matured and he also lost a leg. He’s learning to cope with his injury and what happened in battle. He lost one of his friends (well quite a few of them) but one in particular was like a best friend to him.

Josh and Skylar work at a little motel together. They spend a lot of nights just talking in passing and really getting to know one another again.  Josh and Skylar are so different, yet so much alike. I loved all their moments together from going to Subway to sitting by the pool.

I just loved the dynamic of this one. I loved getting to know Josh’s family and Skylars best friends. I loved their workplace environment. It was so laid back, I wish I could work there.

Things were so rough for both of them though. Skylar had to worry about feeding herself even. There were nights where she ate a bag of crackers for dinner. Things were so tough on her. And, then Josh’s problems. He had so many battle wounds and he sometimes took them out on the wrong people.

I just loved this one. I loved the plot, the setting, and the characters. I highly recommend it!

Overall:So much happens, I don’t want to give it all away but I really loved this! It just had this energy that made me want to keep reading into the night. It was a peaceful novel yet so powerful. Oh Josh, Swoon!

Cover: Love Love Love! I knew as soon as I saw this cover, I had to read the summary! This definitely catches the eyes!

What I’d Give It:

Soulprint by Megan Miranda

Soulprint by Megan Miranda

Release Date: February 3, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 368

Summary:A new literary, sci-fi thriller from acclaimed author Megan Miranda.

With the science of soul-fingerprinting a reality, Alina Chase has spent her entire life imprisoned for the crimes her past-self committed. In an attempt to clear her name, Alina unintentionally trades one prison for another when she escapes, aided by a group of teens whose intentions and motivations are a mystery to her. As she gets to know one of the boys, sparks fly, and Alina believes she may finally be able to trust someone. But when she uncovers clues left behind from her past life that only she can decipher, secrets begin to unravel. Alina must figure out whether she’s more than the soul she inherited, or if she’s fated to repeat the past.

This compelling story will leave readers wondering if this fictional world could become a reality.

My Thoughts:  Soulprint was an interesting read for me! It was different than I thought it would be!

We are introduced to Alina who has spent her life raised by a group of people who kept her pretty safe. Safe for whom exactly? Everyone thinks she is destined to have the same thoughts and feelings and actions as another who was reincarnated in her. Basically. Souls go from one person to another when they die. Weird, right?

Alina gets broken out of the place where’s she living and ends up meeting two boys and a girl. Each one has their own personality and their own backstories. Each one has their own reasons for helping Alina.  There are people after Alina, people who want to imprison her, and keep control of her life.

I really liked all the characters. I liked the way they helped her! There was one character I wasn't really fond of though.

This novel was fast paced and really quick. I read through it pretty fast because I was really interested in the plot!

Overall: I liked Alina! I thought the romance was a bit fast but I still liked it.

I think Soulprint had an interesting concept! I would love to see a sequel!

Cover:  Like it! I’d probably pick it up and see what is was about!

What I’d Give It:

Invaded (Alienated #2) by Melissa Landers

Invaded (Alienated #2) by Melissa Landers

Release Date: February 3, 2015

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 368

Summary: The romantic sequel to Alienated takes long-distance relationships to a new level as Cara and Aelyx long for each other from opposite ends of the universe...until a threat to both their worlds reunites them.

Cara always knew life on planet L’eihr would be an adjustment. With Aelyx, her L’eihr boyfriend, back on Earth, working to mend the broken alliance between their two planets, Cara is left to fend for herself at a new school, surrounded by hostile alien clones. Even the weird dorm pet hates her.

Things look up when Cara is appointed as human representative to a panel preparing for a human colony on L’eihr. A society melding their two cultures is a place where Cara and Aelyx could one day make a life together. But with L’eihr leaders balking at granting even the most basic freedoms, Cara begins to wonder if she could ever be happy on this planet, even with Aelyx by her side.

Meanwhile, on Earth, Aelyx, finds himself thrown into a full-scale PR campaign to improve human-L’eihr relations. Humans don’t know that their very survival depends on this alliance: only Aelyx’s people have the technology to fix the deadly contamination in the global water supply that human governments are hiding. Yet despite their upper hand, the leaders of his world suddenly seem desperate to get humans on their side, and hardly bat an eye at extremists’ multiple attempts on Aelyx’s life.

The Way clearly needs humans’ help . . . but with what? And what will they ask for in return?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Alienated last year so I was pumped to read Invaded! And I’m glad I did!

We are back with Aelyx and Cara. This time, Aelyx is living on Earth and Cara is living on L’eihr. I also enjoyed all the side characters this time around! Aelyx is trying his best to stay sane but with people trying to kill him its hard! And Cara has a lot of troubles also. She’s trying to get more rights for the coming humans on L’eihr. She also has to deal with a few new people in her life who aren’t what they seem.

I really enjoyed the plot of this one, and the characters once again. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give spoilers if you haven’t read Alienated yet. If I say too much, then I’ll tell you too much backstory! This is definitely a series you must read!!!

I also still like Cara’s family. And I liked the new guy whose protecting Aelyx! He was a sweetie! But I still like Aelyx more!

I think this series will continue and I’ll continue reading it!

Overall: I enjoyed it! I think I did like Alienated a bit more. Mostly because Cara and Aelyx were around each other more often. But I did enjoy the interactions in Invaded between them!

Cover: Love it! These covers are seriously so beautiful! And they are so bright and cheerful! Love it!

What I’d Give It: