Review: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Book: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Published: March 2010 (Dial)
Format: Physical copy from library
Summary: Meet Lennie Walker - sisterless, clarinet player, lasagna maker, Heathcliff obsessed and hopelessly in love... Adrift after her sister Bailey's sudden death, Lennie finds herself torn between quiet seductive Toby - Bailey's boyfriend who shares her grief - and Joe, the new boy in town who bursts with life and musical genius. Each offers Lennie something she desperately needs...though she knows if the two of them collide her whole world will explode.

My Review: I was randomly browsing the YA section of my library when I came across this book. The cover was different than the one I'd seen before, and I did not recognize the title. Although I'm not always crazy about the torn-between-two-boys storyline, it sounded good enough, so I picked it up with pretty much no expectations. Little did I know just how amazing this book was going to be!

I loved everything about this book. The writing was incredible. It was very flowy and lyrical with an almost stream of consciousness feel to it, yet it totally matched the voice of a 17-year-old girl. I loved the originality of the characters. They were all so unique, and everyone lent something to the story. No one was superfluous. There was not an abundance of unnecessary secondary characters. Just the right amount for the story.

This book gave me ALL THE FEELS. I giggled, I cried, I swooned. I was completely caught up on Lennie's predicament with the two boys. Her feelings and emotions and thoughts were so clearly conveyed that I felt like I was living inside her head. I was confused when she was confused. I never yelled at her internally for being an idiot, because I could see where she was coming from with everything. The boys were SO DIFFERENT - and I loved them both - but she was drawn to each for different reasons, too. (Also, this really is not a love triangle book, despite how it might sound.)

I tend to dislike random poetry thrown in between chapters, which has become a "thing" with YA in the recent years. Honestly, it's usually super lame. But there were lots of poems and random notes strewn throughout this book, and they were actually good. I felt like I got to know Lennie better through them. And the best part is that it made perfect sense with the story for them to be there.

Also, random point, but I love that Lennie was obsessed with Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights. Girl after my own heart. I have not read it twenty-three times, but I have read it four times. And this book made me feel like a re-read may need to be imminent because I miss it.

Basically, if I had to describe this book, it would just be a long string of adjectives because I am not capable of fully explaining the awesomeness. Heart-breaking. Addicting. Enthralling, beautiful, real. Knock-you-off-your-chair fantastic. While I was reading this book, I felt like it moved quickly and that I was flying through it. But in reality, it actually took me my average reading time, if not slightly more, because I kept re-reading little sections that were particularly beautiful. Reading this book was a great experience, and I will definitely be re-reading in the future. Loved it!

How do others do it? People die all the time. Every day. Every hour. There are families all over the world staring at beds that are no longer slept in, shoes that are no longer worn. Families that no longer have to buy a particular cereal, a kind of shampoo. There are people everywhere standing in line at the movies, buying curtains, walking dogs, while inside, their hearts are ripping to shreds. For years. For their whole lives. I don’t believe time heals. I don’t want it to. If I heal, doesn’t that mean I’ve accepted the world without her? I liked love safe between the covers of my novel... Joe is practically singing my name, he sounds so elated, probably still riding high from that kiss, that sublime kiss that could make stars fall into your open hands, a kiss like Cathy and Heathcliff must have had on the moors with the sun beating on their backs and the world streaming with wind and possibility. Who knew all this time I was one kiss away from being Cathy and Juliet and Elizabeth Bennet and Lady Chatterley!?

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Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Book: Defiance by C.J. Redwine (Defiance #1)
Published: August 28, 2012 (Balzer + Bray)
Format: Digital ARC from publisher via Edelweiss
Summary: Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

My Review: I had never heard of Defiance until a few weeks ago, when I ran across a review of it over at Bewitched Bookworms.  The synopsis sounded very interesting, and the review made me even more eager to read it!  I quickly acquired a copy and absolutely flew through it.  There was almost nothing I didn't like about this book.  From the sparse yet imaginative world of Baalboden and the surrounding Wasteland, to the writing style, to the alternating points of view so I could see the stories of both protagonists, I enjoyed Defiance immensely.

The two main characters were Rachel and Logan, both of whom were freaking awesome.  Rachel was dedicated, loyal, and independent.  Not to mention that she could take on three fully-grown guys at once with her super fighting skills, courtesy of her father's rule-defying instruction.  Logan could kick your butt, make you swoon, and invent some immensely useful contraption at the same time.  Alas, though, your swooning would be for naught, because Logan totally only had eyes for Rachel, even though he fought it for a while.  The build-up between these two was spectacular, and the chemistry between them was blatant from page one.  Speaking of chemistry, there was sparring!  Romantically charged sparring/fighting is totally one of my favorite things ever in books, and Rachel and Logan pulled it off wonderfully.

The world of Defiance was engrossing and very easy to get lost in, and the characters were a very big part of that.  It had quite the cast of secondary characters, and many played very important roles.  There was the old family friend Oliver, the barbarous Commander, the helpful yet mysterious sibling duo, and several others. 

Defiance was not a light read; there were many dark elements to it.  Rachel and Logan's journey was anything but easy, with obstacles ranging everywhere from the Commander to the malevolent Cursed One that could set you ablaze almost before you could get a chance to run away.  In addition to this, there were many internal struggles both - especially Rachel - had to deal with throughout the course of the story.

I think you would be hard-pressed to not enjoy this book.  It had a little bit of something for everyone: strong heroine, brilliant-but-gorgeous hero, heart-pounding romance, adventure, suspense, villains, paranormal/fantasy elements, and a very dystopian setting.  Defiance was a winner all the way around, and I can't wait to read the sequel!   

The words are inadequate, but if I open my mouth again, I’m afraid of what I’ll say. Instead, I quietly follow him to Oliver’s tent, the imprint of his palm on mine lingering long after the heat of his skin fades away.    There are much more important qualities to have than a docile disposition.    I clench my teeth and tell myself pain is just a state of mind. I can rise above it. My body doesn’t agree with my theory, so I force myself to recite the Periodic Table to give myself something productive to focus on.    A laugh bubbles up, even as tears sting my eyes. I reach up to clasp...the symbol of his promise to me, and hold the tender, vibrant thought of him close as the stars chase each other across the sky.

P.S. As if you don't want to read it enough already, take a look at this fantastic trailer!


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Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Published: July 31, 2012 (Harlequin Teen)
Format: Egalley from publisher via NetGalley (Thanks!)
Summary: No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

My Review: I wanted to read Pushing the Limits the second I stumbled across it on Goodreads, and thanks to NetGalley and HarlequinTeen, I even got to read it early. This is one book I am happy to promote. From the intriguing synopsis to the steamy cover, it elicited high expectations on my end, and it did not disappoint!

I knew when I was going into this book that there were going to be "issues." What I did not expect was how much these two really were going through. Echo with her amnesia regarding an event that led to the scars on her arms, her insecurities, and her family; Noah with his brothers and the foster system. This book is told in alternating points of view, and it works very well for the story. I got nearly equal parts Noah and Echo's story (though there was a little more of Echo's, I think). There was also an unexpected side story with Noah's friends Isaiah and Beth, and I'm so excited that Beth is going to get her own book (Dare You To, coming sometime in 2013)! I definitely want to know the whole story there.

I loved the romance between these two. They were not looking for real romance at this point in their lives, and they especially did not expect it of each other. Yet they both found how much they needed each other, especially in the middle of the chaos of their respective lives. The chemistry between the two was spectacular, and the relationship that developed was believable and beautiful (despite the annoying number of times they called each other "baby").

One thing I appreciated about this book was the true emphasis it placed on family. Noah's love, devotion, and sacrifice for his brothers brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Echo also had to learn how to deal with everything that was happening with her family, and to realize that maybe things were not how they had seemed to her. Both Noah and Echo had even more growing up to do than they already had in their difficult lives, and I rooted for them, watching them progress every step of the way.

Pushing the Limits was a realistic, but ultimately encouraging, read. Even though there was a lot of heavy stuff going on, the book was never difficult to read as a result. Katie McGarry kept up a great balance of reality, romance, and, on occasion, humor, which made the book immensely readable despite the heavy subject matter being addressed. It also had a more grown-up feel to it than a lot of YA, so I would recommend it to readers of YA as well as adult fiction.

Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls. [Best. Quote. Ever.] My father spoke with the air of a deity. He might as well have added the phrase so let it be written, so let it be done. Trust. Why not ask me to do something easier, like prove the existence of God? Sometimes when you see the line, you think it’s a good idea to cross it – until you do.

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Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily (Bloodlines, #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Published: June 2012 (Razorbill)
Format: Physical copy, borrowed from the library
Summary: Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

My Review (Warning: Contains spoilers for Bloodlines and the Vampire Academy series.): The Golden Lily kept me up until 2 AM. Literally. I started it a little after 7 PM while I was working out at the gym, and I didn't stop for more than the tiniest of breaks until I finished it in the middle of the night. Even though I had to work in the morning. It simply grabbed a hold of me, and I was powerless to resist! Which I obviously didn't want to do, anyway.

You would think that with me being unable to tear myself away from the book, it would be because of the incredibly gripping plot, right? WRONG. The main plot was somewhat intriguing and mildly suspenseful, yes, but honestly I really do think that was the book's main weakness. I found the plot twists not so twisty, and I wasn't all that invested in it. Which may be because every time it would cut to something that was actually relevant to the plot, I would pretty much "NO, I NEED MORE ADRIAN/SYDNEY TIME. D:" Even without this factor, though, I thought the plot could have been a little stronger.

Mead really has a knack for writing interesting characters. I loved Eddie and Jill and all the others. Sydney was kind of different for me, because we are incredibly similar in a lot of ways. But at the same time, some things about her were not relatable at all. She had serious self-esteem issues, particularly related to her "too big" size 4 body. These were finally addressed to an extent in this book, though, which I definitely appreciated. She was also seriously oblivious to things even when they progressed to obvious levels. I still really liked her as a character, though.

Of course, not surprisingly, the romantic aspect of the Bloodlines series is the thing I love the most. You have absolutely no idea how happy I was when nothing happened between Adrian and Sydney in the first book. Even though it had been forever and five days for us, it was only a very short time since the end of VA for them. So it really would have made no sense. Not to mention the fact that I prefer my fictional romances to progress at the speed of a turtle on depressants, and to have loads of chemistry while they do so. Adrian and Sydney? Have this in spades. Their explosive chemistry continued in The Golden Lily, and may have actually even grown even MORE intense. I don't know how Mead concocted such an brilliantly explosive and beautiful couple for me to root for, but I love her for it.

Another thing I love about Mead. No matter the series, no matter the characters, she's not afraid to rip out your heart and tear it into a million tiny pieces. But she still makes you love her, even as she does it. Because you know that it will all work out in the end. At least, you're losing feeling in your fingers and toes from crossing them so hard HOPING that it will.

The Golden Lily was a great read! It had a decent plot, and some interesting developments were made on the continuing story arc. The interaction between Adrian and Sydney was smoldering. It made me laugh, cry, roll my eyes, curl my toes in anticipation, and have just about every reaction possible. I am already geared up for the long wait until #3. Although, currently, Goodreads is saying that #3 is coming out in February, which means we won't have to wait all the way until summer. Score!

Also, I want to marry Adrian Ivashkov and have since the VA series. Just saying. I can't write my first review of a book with him in it and not mention that. So, there you have it. Good day.

❝...I made sure to sigh heavily and let her know in a passive aggressive way how inconvenient this was for me.❞

❝You made your own jean shorts...with a butter knife?❞

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Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Title: In Honor
Author: Jessi Kirby
Published: May 2012 (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers)
Format: Physical copy from the library
Summary: Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it. Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

My Review: In Honor was, without a doubt, one of my most awaited books of the summer. I waited on it for months, my expectations climbing higher and higher with every pre-publication (and post-publication, too, since it took my library FIVE BAZILLION YEARS to get it in) review I came across. I really loved the whole idea behind the book, and the cover was overflowing with cuteness.

In Honor had me crying in under twenty pages. Although I do tend to have ridiculously overactive flowerpot tendencies, I usually need to be at least attached to the characters in a book first before I start welling up. But I felt an almost immediate connection with Honor, and her situation was heartbreaking. However, this is not to say that the book was all depressing; that was not the case at all. Honor was dealing with a huge loss, but she was not defeated. There were also touches of humor throughout the book, not to mention the excellent romantic build-up between Honor and Rusty.

I love that this story took place over the course of a road trip. It made a great metaphor for the personal progress both Honor and Rusty were making in their grief and other things, as well as for the relationship between the two of them. They had known each other since childhood, as he was her older brother's best friend. But during this book, they grew to have the potential for more, and I loved the two of them because they felt real to me. One of my favorite parts of the book was where Rusty harassed Honor about how terrible her feet smelled after she took off her boots. This might seem like an odd choice, but I liked it because it was a sign of how well they knew each other, that they were comfortable enough to give each other a hard time. There was no infatuated disillusionment here.

I enjoyed Kirby's writing in In Honor; she had a great way with words, particularly when it came to describing things. She also had a unique approach wherein she actually changed to the present tense in two specific scenes. At first I thought it was a mistake, but it actually worked to heighten the things happening in those particular scenes. The only drawback was that it initially drew me out of the story because I was confused as to why the tense had changed.

There were some aspects of In Honor that were not what I expected. I was hesitant about this at first, but I think the book was stronger for it. To put it the way I did when talking to Racquel from The Book Barbies earlier today, it was something I appreciated the day AFTER I read the book. All in all, In Honor is a lot of things. Sugar-coated, it is not. But it is realistic, refreshing, and romantic. If you are looking for a great summer read with a road trip and the potential to make you shed a few tears, check this one out.

❝He always told me to look strong, even if I didn’t feel it, because sometimes that’s all you can do.❞

❝Denial’s a stubborn thing. And necessary, at first, so the world doesn’t come crashing down on you all at once.❞

❝...the thought of actually meeting her brought back my little fangirl urge to jump up and down and squeal about it.❞

❝And Rusty, he was always the kind of reckless you either admired or shook your head at.❞

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Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent (Divergent #2)
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: May 2012 (HarperTeen)
Summary: One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

My Review: I had less than a month between the time I (finally!) read Divergent and when I got Insurgent, and that time felt incredibly long! I have no idea how you people held out for a whole year. I would have gone insane! But anyway. This book was definitely worth the, for me, albeit-realistically-rather-short-but-felt-way-too-long wait.

One aspect of Insurgent made me very happy there was so little time in between them for me: the lack of "infodump" in the book. A lot of times in series, authors will stick in little paragraphs or sentences here and there to remind the reader of things they've already learned from reading the previous book(s). I'd seen some adverse reactions about the fact that Roth was purposefully not doing this, but I personally felt like it was a great choice. Admittedly, the information of Divergent was still fresh in my head, but Roth also made a huge post to remind everyone of necessary information from Divergent, which was pretty darn awesome of her. I think that Insurgent was spared the unnecessary clutter of the infodump, and I definitely appreciated this.

Another thing I liked about the book is that I feel like we got a better look at the other factions besides Dauntless and Abnegation. I really got a feel for them, instead of just being told some facts about them and meeting some people originally from them. However, there are still lots of questions in my mind waiting to be answered! I am anxious to read #3, which is, as yet, untitled and uncover-fied. Alas. 2013 never felt so far away. Well, except when I think about the other books that won't be coming out until then. But I don't like to do that. Oh! And I just now discovered that Free Four exists! So, I'll probably wait and read it at some point when I feel in desperate need of a Four fix. Because it'll happen. I'm calling it now.

While Insurgent wasn't quite as riveting as Divergent, it was still a great book. I really enjoyed the continuation of the story. Insurgent really had a little bit (or more) of everything! Adventure was constant throughout the story. There were several things that made me laugh out loud. There were intensely romantic moments. I was utterly shocked a couple of times, and that doesn't happen to me a lot. All-in-all, I was definitely happy with Insurgent, and I have high hopes for #3.

❝Just the thought of saying the words out loud makes me feel so heavy I could break through the floorboards.❞

❝His breaths, my breaths, his body, my body, we are so close there is no difference.❞

❝I know that I am birdlike, made narrow and small as if for taking flight, built straight-waisted and fragile. But when he touches me like he can’t bear to take his hand away, I don’t wish I was any different.❞

❝We both have war inside of us. Sometimes it keeps us alive. Sometimes it threatens to destroy us.❞

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Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Title: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, #3)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Published: May 2012 (Dial)
Summary: Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past. Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

My Review: Bitterblue was definitely one of my most-awaited books of the year. I absolutely fell in love with Graceling when I read it last year, and I loved Fire nearly as much. I couldn't wait for the next (and final, as far as I know *sob*) book in the story! But along with this anticipation came the fear it wouldn't live up to my expectations, as well as the desire for the story of the Graceling Realm to never, ever end. Therefore, I let it sit on my library pile for weeks before I finally picked it up. Once I finally did, though, I never wanted to set it back down!

Writing this review is going to be difficult because I have some conflicted feelings about Bitterblue. I've taken a couple days to sort them out, though, and I think I'm finally able to articulate them without writing down my reaction to EVERYTHING, which would include some massive spoilers. There will still be some minor spoilers for the earlier books in the series, though, so be warned!

It was great to see Bitterblue grown up. I really felt for her and all her problems as an 18-year-old queen who knew very little about her own country, limited only to what her advisers saw fit to tell her. I found her an interesting character. I didn't think she'd be as fierce as Katsa or Fire, but Bitterblue was fierce in her own way: intelligence. She could do crazy hard math problems, all in her head. She purposefully wrote in ciphers. Bitterblue was also a very genuine person; she stayed true to herself and did her best to act on what she felt was best, if possible.

I loved so much about this book. One of the main things I loved - and didn't expect at all - was that Katsa and Po were in it, and not just brief mentions! That made me supremely happy. The secondary characters including Teddy, Raffin, Bann, and others were wonderful. I even grew to appreciate some I didn't think I would like in the beginning. I vaguely remembered Giddon from Graceling, but more his name than anything else. Over the course of Bitterblue, I totally fell for him. I would love to read a book all about him! I am intrigued by his past, but I really want to know what came next for him. Another factor I loved about the book was how personal it was; unfailingly, every time I took a break then came back to the book, I felt a mild shock when I remembered it was written in third person. It just felt so intensely personal that I expected to be reading from Bitterblue's first person POV. I just thought that was something that was interesting and warranted a mention.

Now, onto Saf. I don't really know where to start. Saf was a thief. But an honorable thief who was fiercely loyal to those he cared about. His relationship with Bitterblue was messed up from the beginning. As a queen and a commoner, there was no possibility of a normal romance for them, ever. It was interesting to see how their story was handled, even though there were some things about it that didn't quite sit right with me. I really felt the beautiful connection between the two of them.

The plot for Bitterblue was interesting and complicated and, at times, difficult to read. From his first introduction in Graceling, you know that Leck was one messed up, evil guy. You get a little more of him in Fire. But until you read Bitterblue, you don't even know the half of it. Bitterblue really had a challenge in front of her, trying to rectify damage done to an entire kingdom over the course of a 35-year-long reign of a madman.

The main thing I didn't like about Bitterblue was the lack of closure on several fronts. That's all I will say about the matter, because it would be impossible to get into without going spoiler crazy. I can appreciate it on one hand, because it added a dash of realism. There were obviously some things that simply couldn't be resolved unless the book went on for years and years. But some things I felt could have been handled better.

Supposedly, Bitterblue can be read as a standalone. I suppose this is true, but I would highly discourage anyone from attempting this. For one, it would probably be confusing. For another, you would not get anything near the full impact of the story, especially regarding several of the characters. Last, but not least, Bitterblue would spoil several things about both Graceling and Fire that would lessen your enjoyment of those books should you want to read them later.

I could probably say more, but I have rambled on long enough. I have no idea how the review got this long already! Overall, even though I was disappointed in some aspects of it, Bitterblue was an addicting (though I was reading under a library deadline, which may have heightened the addicting effect), solid, and enjoyable addition to the Graceling Realm.

❝Bacon improved things dramatically.❞

❝She was trying to come up with a casual way to broach an unapproachable topic. How is everyone feeling today? Did you all sleep well? Anyone missing any gargoyles?❞

❝The more I see and hear, the more I realize how much I don’t know. I want to know everything.❞

❝Think how satisfying it’ll be to attack me with a sword.❞

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Reviews: FRIENDS Style {01: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick}

Reviews: FRIENDS Style is a new feature. Basically, I wanted a way to express my love for Friends, my all-time favorite television show, along with my love of books. Thus, this feature was born. It probably won't be super regular, maybe a couple times a month. But I had a blast putting this one together! I hope you enjoy it. Warning: Image Heavy.

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published: June 2012 (Dial Books For Young Readers)
Summary: A boy. A secret. A summer. The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

My Review: I mentioned My Life Next Door in a Waiting on Wednesday back in April. At that point, I had already been waiting on it for a while, and I talked about how I'd felt that instant connection with it and knew I had to read it ASAP. Well, the day finally arrived. Allow me to escort you through my journey with My Life Next Door.

The UPS Guy Drops Off the Package

Yes, sadly, this is pretty much exactly what I looked like, except for the fact that I was alone. Well, Little Cousinette (my 4-year-old cousin with whom I am living for the summer) was there, too. But she was just sitting on the couch, looking at me like I was insane while I flailed and jumped around in a circle.

Review: Leaving Paradise & Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Title: Leaving Paradise / Return to Paradise
Author: Simone Elkeles
Published: April 2007 / September 2010 (Flux)
Summary: Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares — has been canceled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers. Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

My Review: I was very intrigued by the premise of this duo; there was so much you could do with this unique storyline. I started Leaving Paradise with some pretty high expectations. After all, I had been impressed by Elkeles before (particularly with Perfect Chemistry. SO MUCH LOVE.). My sister raved about these books. They both had a 4+ Goodreads rating. Everything pointed toward them being pretty darn great. I did enjoy them, but unfortunately, they both fell short of my expectations.

Like I said, I was super interested in the premise of these. I'd never seen a book address this subject before. I couldn't wait to see how the dynamic would be handled. It would definitely be a difficult subject to tackle, and I think Elkeles did well with it. It may have been that I wasn't in the mood for it that day, but the books were a little too much of a downer for me. It wasn't your typical teenage angst with the additional problems of the whole he-went-to-prison-for-hitting-her-with-a-car thing, because believe me, I enjoy a good angst-fest; it was that everything sucked for these two. There was barely a shred of light or optimism to be found. This can be a fantastic mechanism for writing, if used well (see: Forbidden, When He Was Wicked, several hundred fanfics I've read, and more), but in these, it just felt depressing. The books were too underwhelming; they didn't grab me quite enough to have the desired effect. I didn't like how the first one ended, although I understood why it ended the way it did. I was also extremely appreciative of the fact that I had the second readily available, as opposed to having to wait 3 years for it to come out. I read both of these books in one day, which is partially why I'm reviewing them together. Because, in my mind, they were just one longer book.

One thing that I definitely loved was the wonderful build-up to Caleb and Maggie's relationship. Build-up is, quite typically, a huge factor in how much I enjoy a relationship in a book, television series, or anything else. Just because, quite honestly, the majority of the time, it's just nowhere near as good once the relationship actually happens. They get boring, or the characters start acting like a cookie-cutter couple, and lose their individuality. It happens. Anyway. Behold tangent #783; stay tuned for more in the future.

Another thing I appreciated in these books was the realistic approach to things. Elkeles is extremely talented in giving all her books a definite sense of authenticity. The Paradise duo was no exception. These circumstances could have happened in real life, and nothing was glossed over. Elkeles did a great job with this. Overall, although they did not meet my expectations by any means, the Paradise books were still worth the read. I liked watching how Maggie and Caleb grew up as individuals and together as a couple.

❝I can’t believe I’m seventeen and thinking about the good old days.❞

❝Thinking too hard and too long is dangerous for anyone with demons they’re trying to fight off.❞

❝According to Vanessa, my limp and scars don’t matter. I’m a cool chick. I just have to start believing it.❞

Purchase Leaving Paradise at: Amazon || Barnes & Noble || The Book Depository

Purchase Return to Paradise at: Amazon || Barnes & Noble || The Book Depository

Author Interview: Gwendolyn Heasley & Review: A Long Way from You

Q. Welcome to Fictionally Inclined! We'll go ahead and dive right into the questions. First of all, how (and how much) does A Long Way from You connect to Where I Belong?

❝WHERE I BELONG and A LONG WAY FROM YOU are companion novels. WHERE I BELONG is narrated by Corrinne Corcoran and takes place mostly in Texas. A LONG WAY FROM YOU is narrated by Kitsy Kidd (Corrinne’s Texan friend from WHERE I BELONG). A LONG WAY FROM YOU is primarily set in New York. And while Corrinne appears in the second novel, it’s truly Kitsy’s book.❞

Q. How do you name your characters?

❝Each character is different.

I have a good friend Corrinne (who goes by Corrie) and I love that name, so I put it in a book although the character is nothing like my friend.

While researching rodeos, I saw the name Kitsy on a list of rodeo queens. I fell in love with it. I’m almost sad I used it in a book because I would love to name a daughter Kitsy. But I can't imagine my character as anyone but Kitsy, so I'm glad that's my character's name.

For other characters, I just picked the names out of mind and for other ones I looked through baby name websites. All the names in my books are fairly unique and I think that’s because I have a unique name too!❞

Q. What is your writing process like?

❝I try to outline first and then I write a first sloppy draft. Then I have to do a LOT of work editing because the first draft was sloppy…but for me, I have to let the story tell itself first before I get micro on it❞

Q. What do you do when you're not writing?

❝I also teach college at Kean University and I’m earning a MFA through Vermont College of Fine Arts. And I’m a planning a wedding, so I keep pretty busy.❞

Q. Favorite childhood book?

❝The Baby-Sitters Club. Love those books. I could talk BSC for hours.❞

Q. Favorite recent reading discovery?

❝Sara Pennypacker’s middle grade novel, Summer of the Gyspy Moths. It’s a great story of self-discovery and friendship…and it’s set in Cape Cod. It’s a must read for summer. I don’t want to give a lot away, but I loved it.❞

Q. Do you have anything currently in the works?

❝I’m writing my third novel for HarperTeen. It won’t be related to the first two and I’m excited for a challenge.❞

Q. Is there anything you would like to share with your readers and fans?

❝Thank you for reading…. By the way, I love hearing from my readers. Please email me or visit my website and share your opinions, both the good and the bad. I learn a lot from my readers feedback, so I read every review that I find online. I think it's helpful to know what your readers did and did not like. ❞

My Review

Title: A Long Way from You
Author: Gwendolyn Heasley
Published: June, 2012 (HarperTeen)
Disclosure: Received for review from Little Bird Publicity.
Summary: For too long, Kitsy has had to satisfy her dreams of becoming a real artist by giving her friends makeovers before prom. So when her best friend Corrinne's family offers to sponsor her for a summer art course in New York City, Kitsy bids a temporary good-bye to Texas to say hello to the West Village. Between navigating the subway and the New Yorkers—namely, the Art Boy who has a nice trick of getting under her skin—Kitsy knows that this summer is going to be about a lot more than figure drawing.

My Review: I was very excited to read A Long Way from You after reading Heasley's debut and this book's companion novel, Where I Belong. Kitsy was my favorite character in that book, so I could not wait to hear her story! A Long Way from You was a very good book that I definitely enjoyed reading.

One of the best things about A Long Way from You was the emphasis on family. Kitsy loved her little brother, Kiki, fiercely, and it showed. The relationship between the two was so very touching; I often smiled and was occasionally moved to the brink of tears. Kitsy's family dynamic was messed up because her father was out of the picture, and her mother had a drinking problem. Kitsy had practically been acting as Kiki's mother for years. However, over the course of the book, the dynamic shifted in some ways, and it was interesting to see this progression.

This story was about Kitsy and her coming-of-age, getting-to-know-herself journey. Kitsy, a teenager from small town Texas, had no idea how New York City worked. In finding her way through this new adventure, Kitsy truly got to know herself for what was perhaps the first time. I really loved watching her develop through her interactions with others and her journey through her art. Kitsy's view of and passion for art was thought-provoking and moving.

Again, there were two boys in the picture in A Long Way from You. One was Kitsy's long-time boyfriend, Hands, and the other was a musician from New York, Tad, whom Kitsy met early on in the story. They were both good guys, but there were also negatives to both of them, as well. For the longest time, I was not sure which of the two I wanted Kitsy to wind up with at the end! I won't give it away, obviously, but I was satisfied with how it ended. One thing I loved was that we got to see Corrinne again! I really loved her friendship with Kitsy in Where I Belong, so it was nice to see a continuation of that. I was not a huge fan of Corrinne's story in this book, but now I am just crossing my fingers for another Heasley novel that will give me even more!

Also, as an endnote, because at the end of the day, I'll admit to being totally shallow when it comes to covers: May I address the fact that the cover for this book is absolutely gorgeous? Again! If all of Heasley's books continue to have covers like this, I don't think I'll ever be able to resist one. So lovely.

❝He’s like inspiration in a can.❞

❝You can feel naked in a lot of different ways. With each line of my pencil, I feel as if I too am disrobing.❞

❝Who you are depends on where you are.❞

❝I realize why everybody falls in love with New York City as I approach Union Square. On one block alone, there’s a cupcake and two Mister Softee ice cream trucks.❞

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Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Published: May 2011 (Jamie McGuire, LLC)
Summary: The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand. Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis's apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Review: I have struggled with how to go about this review. I had pretty much planned on simply not reviewing if a book was anything less than "okay" for me. BUT. I have decided this book is an exception, if only because I, personally, felt incredibly misled about it. I want to do a review so others don't go into it expecting something else like I did. I saw a couple glowing reviews and the high Goodreads rating, read the summary, thought "Older young adult romance! They're actually in college! SCORE!" and marked it as to-read. Then I (eventually) read it. There are very few books I disliked so much by the end that I wanted to throw them across the room. This was one of them.

If you get nothing else from this review, get this: Beautiful Disaster is NOT a romance. I really want to stress this point. I have seen it portrayed as a twisted but passionate and beautiful love story. That's even how it tries to present itself. And trust me, I love a good twisted love story. You want romance? I can give you romance. I can give you Good Girl/Bad Boy romance. This book? Not romance. The "love story" in Beautiful Disaster is a hot mess of dysfunction, codependency, and psychological, emotional, and borderline physical abuse.

You may have noticed (especially if reading this on Goodreads) that I rated this book 2 stars. If I hated it so much, why not 1 star? Honestly, there were parts in the beginning that I did enjoy, before the red flags started popping up all over the place. And even with that, the story was interesting in its own way. I really think I would have enjoyed Beautiful Disaster a lot more if I had gone into it knowing what it actually was. Perhaps "enjoyed" is not quite the right word...maybe "appreciated." I would have been in the right mindset. I wouldn't have felt tricked and cheated. I've read very good books about unhealthy relationships in the past (Stay by Deb Caletti and Dreamland by Sarah Dessen, among others). I would not put this among them, but I certainly could view it as a much better book if looking from the perspective of a cautionary tale about what to avoid in relationships, rather than a portrayal of a swoon-worthy romance for which you should long.

On the technical side, there were also quite a few grammatical mistakes; a more intense editing process was definitely needed before publishing.

❝The more he smiled, the more I wanted to hate him, and yet it was the very thing that made hating him impossible.❞

❝I had died and woken up in High School Musical.❞

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Review: Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Title: Where I Belong
Author: Gwendolyn Heasley
Published: February 2011 (HarperTeen)
Summary: Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems...

My Review: When I saw the cover of Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley, I wanted to read it immediately. I mean, just look at it! It is the epitome of cuteness. Also, I want her dress. And hair. And shoes. Cuteness of the cover aside, it sounded like it could be a fun read. Spoiled, rich city girl is sent off to live with her less-than-wealthy relatives in small-town Texas, and she begins to see the error(s) of her ways. That's exactly what it was.

I had a complicated relationship with this book. Honestly, I was not all that crazy about it at first. It had some funny lines, but the Spoiled Rich Girl, Corrinne, was just too spoiled. Think Blair Waldorf, but without the awesomeness. For the first third of the book or so, I was very annoyed with her as a narrator. One example of why: She referred to a size 4 as fat. Seriously? Um, no. After a while, though, I got to know her better and could begin to understand why she was the way she was. The annoyance lessened, and I could appreciate her even if I could not relate to her. As the story progressed, it was great to watch Corrinne come to terms with her situation and grow and learn from it.

The setting of the small town was just perfect. The characters were colorful and completely fitting for the atmosphere. I loved Corrinne's grandparents, her brother, and the new friends she made in Texas. Kitsy Kidd, one of Corrinne's new friends, was my favorite character in the whole book by far. Loved her! I can't wait to read her story in Heasley's companion book, A Long Way from You. I really loved Bubby, the local football hero, too, even though I have issues with his name. There was also Rider, Corrinne's super sexy, musical barn buddy. Another interesting facet to this book was Corrinne's relationship with her best friend from back in New York, Waverly. I won't say a lot so as to avoid spoilers, but I liked the way their story was handled.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. The last two thirds definitely redeemed the first third. I also liked that while Corrinne most definitely did make a lot of progress as a character, it felt completely realistic. She did not turn into some crazily unselfish let's-save-trees-and-volunteer-at-nursing-homes-and-kiss-babies do-gooder. She simply began to see life and her actions from a different perspective. Where I Belong was a very cute read. I'm super excited about Kitsy's book! Look for a review of A Long Way from You, as well as an interview with Gwendolyn Heasley, on the blog June 5.

❝There are times to diet, and then there are times for ice cream.❞

❝No one told me that I would need a translator in Texas. Maybe there’s an iPhone app on how to speak Texan.❞

❝My parents will have to pay for my hypnosis; I can’t live life with these memories.❞

❝Of course, this isn’t how I imagined meeting my soul mate. I definitely didn’t think I’d be wearing denim and cowboy boots.❞

❝Even though I’ve never been to a séance or a human sacrifice, I am pretty sure this would be the type of music that’d be played.❞

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Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent (Divergent #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: May 2011 (Katherine Tegen Books)
Summary: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

My Review: Quick back story (and, thanks to Phineas and Ferb, I now always think of Doofenshmirtz any time I hear that term, LOL). A couple weeks ago, I had one of those moments when I finished an incredible book - Outlander in this case - and I had no idea what to read next. I knew my next book would have to be amazing, too, but I couldn't decide what I wanted to read because nothing seemed quite right. But then my roommate had a horse show, and I went to support her. However, she only rode for the total of about an hour in the course of a 5-hour show. Thankfully, I'd had the foresight to bring along a book (because, well, that's just what I do). It was Divergent. OH MY GOSH. I read about fifteen pages before she started, and after that, the second she was done in any of her sections, I made a dive-bomb back to my book. I could barely tear myself away. I attempted to read it while I was walking back to the room after the show, but it was raining and I didn't want to mess up the pages. I finished it quickly, wrote down the quotes I'd noted, and handed it off to Lynne, who then proceeded to read it all that night as well. We frequently pass books back and forth, but we haven't both read the same copy of the same book on the same day since The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. (For the record, Divergent was even better and just as addicting!)

There were so many things I loved about Divergent. The first was the creativity behind the world itself. There were five factions, kind of like the Harry Potter houses, each focusing strongly on one trait. However, the people were crazy strict about it. The reasoning behind the forming of the factions was interesting and made sense as to which traits were chosen. I also liked the names of the factions; they fit really well with their connected traits. The details of the world were incredible, particularly in the faction Beatrice chose. The descriptions really sparked my imagination, and I could see all these incredible things. Roth did a great job with that.

The second thing I loved was how incredibly riveting it was! The characters, chemistry, and circumstances all combined and begged you to stay in the story. I liked the unpredictability of it. Sure, there were foreseeable moments, but there were some interesting twists I was not expecting. A couple of those broke my heart a little bit, but it's still something I can appreciate in a story.

As for the characters, the cast of characters in Divergent was large, yet not. The "main" secondary characters were fairly easy to keep straight after they were all introduced, especially because they were all so different. Tris was interesting, and I liked her! And then there was Four. Excuse me while I swoon. Loved him! The chemistry between the two of them was great (and it produced some great quotes, which you will see momentarily). Their relationship progressed a little too quickly and didn't have enough subtleties for my taste, and I feel like they suffered a little for it. But then, I'm weird and like my fictional relationships to have some crazy long build-up. I still loved them, though.

I felt like I was the very last person in the YA-reading world to read Divergent, but I'm actually not! I've seen several people "currently reading" it, and a couple people mentioned they haven't read it yet, either. If you fit into that category, I would encourage you to read it! After all, what are you waiting for? The second book is officially here! Or, in my case, will either be here after 105 people from the library finish reading it, or I cave and buy it. Whichever comes first.

(Apparently, EVERY SINGLE quote I saved was about Tris's reaction to Four. Whoops! Guess you can tell where my mind was... Honestly, though, who's actually surprised?)

❝When he stops in front of me, my insides twist like someone’s stirring them with a fork.❞

❝Something about him makes me feel like I am about to fall. Or turn to liquid. Or burst into flames.❞

❝I feel my heartbeat everywhere, even in my toes.❞

❝Sometimes I see him as just another person, and sometimes I feel the sight of him in my gut, like a deep ache.❞

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