Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Released: April 23, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 323

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Review: 
 To be honest, I expected more out of this book. I thought that a lot of it was unnecessary. And even though most teenage girls do get confused on what boy they really want, I was pretty annoyed with how often America would always be switching between Aspen and Maxon, only to end up changing her mind every other day or so. Also, there were multiple rebel attacks added in just for something to write about, I feel.

I do love the politics, though! I love that we got to read the journal of the country's creator, even if we found out aggravating information. It's interesting to see how everything plays out and how it's so different, especially to see how other countries are when they visit the palace.

I was also upset with how it ended. Throughout the entire 323, only one person was eliminated, so when The One comes out in 2014, it will be the tale of how the five left become just one, which does sound enticing. Especially considering how Maxon and America left off, it will be interesting.

The thing is that I honestly can't say much without spoiling it. But since I just downloaded The Prince, which is an e-novella about Prince Maxon before The Selection happened. Along with The Prince, Cass's next novella The Guard, which comes out February 4, 2014, is about Aspen. What about, I have no idea. The Guard will be printed along with The Prince in The Selection Stories. And then don't forget that The One comes out May 6, 2013. I definitely can't wait.

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
Released: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 359
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her. 

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?
Review:
This book made me really happy. I loved pretty much everything about this book. It reminded me of this dramatic, romantic movie. I could so see this being a movie! Oh, how fabulous would that be?

So let's get to it. Demonglass picks up about six months after Hex Hall ends, which ended with Archer Cross, her crush whom she had just made-out with, is a demon hunter, and Sophie had just been told that she was a demon. And she had just seen her demon-ghost great-grandmother thing kill her best frenemy. So yeah... things kind of suck in the Sophie Mercer world.

So it's May at Hex Hall, and her defense class is working on how to escape being thrown into a pond by Cal, who is this healing warlock who's only a year older than her and works at Hex Hall. Oh, and he's also her betrothed. To be honest, I never liked Sophie and Archer together, so I shipped them automatically. Cal is so stoic and he has this half smile thing going on, so it made me like the idea of them together. I figured that when her father, who's head of the council, wants them to go to Council Headquarters in London (her, Cal, and her best friend Jenna, a vampire), I figured that there would be a lot of heated Cal and Sophie time. But sadly, there wasn't.

NO. Instead she goes out with Jenna and the other two random demons Nick and Daisy and then The Eye (demon hunters) find out that Sophie is out and go hunting for her and Archer is there. Ugh. If only she stayed away from him like her father, and everyone else, told her to. Although it was a good thing that she saw Archer because she found out about some sketchy stuff going on at Hex Hall. 

The only reason I didn't like it as much as I thought I would is because I felt like it was sort of slow. Like, everything was so necessary and I loved learning more about the Prodigium and her learning and what was going on at Hex Hall and all, but I just wanted some romance I guess, or something really big to happen. But when it finally happened, I loved every minute of it. 

Demonglass ends with a bigger cliffhanger than Hex Hall did. But that doesn't matter, since I have the third and final book in the trilogy, Spell Bound, over on my shelf. I'm excited to see who she ends up with, where Jenna is (oh, yeah, she went missing), who stayed alive, and how the war is going on (and The Eye started a war at Council Headquarters, too). I just can't wait whatsoever.

Favorite Friday (#2)

Today's Favorite: Fan Cover Art

When I post reviews on here, I always go and post them on goodreads as well. So, I was on there posting my review of Anna and the French Kiss, right? And then I came across this beauty:

And good lord, I fell in love with it. Why couldn't have this been the original cover? Granted, the font could be a little better and easier to read, but it's just so perfect and amazing and cute and look at Anna and St. Clair kissing I just can't. It's just so perfect.

This girl named Nina posted it, but she said that she found it online somewhere, so I have no idea who actually created this. Probably someone on tumblr, let's be real. So if this is actually yours, feel free to email or comment and I'll give you credit for making it! It's so fabulous and I'm telling you; it's so perfect. Props to you, mystery designer.

Review: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Released: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Sourebooks Fire

Pages: 242

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?

Review: 
 I fell in love with Stealing Parker instantly, just as I did with Catching Jordan. I read it in under five hours, I was so addicted with it. I kept wanting---- no, needing more. This novel keeps you on your toes and keeps you guessing about a lot of things. It's just so... intriguing.

My thing about Kenneally's novels is that I just don't know sports. I mean, write a novel about swimming and I'm your girl. But football and baseball? Nope. But that's not her fault; I'm in the minority of girls that doesn't at least understand those two sports. But I love that she teaches me things about these sports.

I also love that we got to see a little bit of characters from Catching Jordan; Henry is the major one, since he's on the baseball team that Parker manages for a while. You hear about Jordan, and JJ, and a few of the other guys, and even girls. I just love companion novels for this reason.

So let's get to it. Poor Parker. She's had such a hard year, with her parents getting divorced, best friends (well, ex) spreading rumors about her, fighting for valedictorian, and also dealing with her downward-spiraling older brother. She only kisses so many guys because one of the rumors is that she's gay, just like her mother. So, yeah, she became a little boy crazy. And she wasn't getting attention from anyone other than her best friend, Drew, so when Coach Brian Hoffman, the assistant coach of the team she manages (who's only twenty three) pays attention to her, they become friends. And then they become more than friends.

I wasn't sure at first how I felt about it. They definitely did seem to be good friends, which was something Parker needed. But when things heated up, I felt awkward. It reminded me of Aria and Mr. Fitz/Ezra from Pretty Little Liars. But I gotta admit: I couldn't tear my eyes away when there was a scene with them, whether it was just at a game and they were just two people, or when they were making out in his car, sneaking around.

And I couldn't believe how he handled their break up. He could've at least said something. But guys suck, no matter what age they are.

Kenneally has a theme: girl is dating boy, girl has a friend boy that falls for her, girl realizes (while dating original boy) that she loves the friend boy, but girl screws it up somehow. Eventually girl and boyfriend break up and the book ends with girl and friend boy suddenly dating and they're already in love. I've only read two of Kenneally's books as of now, and she writes them really well, making tons of readers happy. People can't live without a romance like that!

I won't tell you anything about the friend boy, not even his name or his significance.

One thing that made me really sad was the fact that Parker's best friend just ignored her and wouldn't even listen to her side of the story when she tried to explain what happened between her and Friend Boy. Like, what kind of friend is that? But everything was okay in the end, so that's what matters.

No matter what, I absolutely adored this book. And it really inspires me, too, so I'm sure it'll make a good impact on most readers somehow.

Bonus! I ordered this book off of Amazon, right? When I cracked open this book for the first time to read it, I noticed that it was previously signed by Miranda Kenneally herself! SURPRISE!

Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Released: June 1, 2009
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 290
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.
Review:
It is safe to say that I loved this book to death. It is also safe to say that I fell in love with a fictitious dead boy. I mean, Matt was going to study Comparative Literature. He loved reading and bookstores, and also loved sea glass and the ocean. And he was pretty romantic, of what we knew. And cared about his family so, so much. 

I'm in love with a dead fictional character. And I'm not afraid or ashamed to admit it.

Alright, so here we go. This was my first Ockler book. That's because when I hear of an author, I always like to start with their debut novel, and go up, and see how they grow as a writer. This was such a perfect debut novel. It had a great plot, interesting back story, perfect writing style, awesome characters, and a number of plot twists that made this perfect.

Like the synopsis says, Anna (the main character) fell in love with Matt, who is Frankie (the best friend)'s older brother. The day before he goes to break the news to Frankie that they're together, he dies. It's a year later, and nobody's still over it. And then Frankie's parents decide to go to the same beach house they had been going to all their life, and bring Anna with them. Anna still hasn't told Frankie about her and Matt. And Frankie, who's been going wild the past few months, decides to make a bet to meet and flirt with twenty boys during the three week duration at the beach.

And then they meet boys. And I was so heartbroken how every time Anna would think something, she'd be talking to Matt in her mind. She even has a journal (one that Matt bought her for her birthday, the one that he kissed her for the first time at) and she writes letters to him every once in a while. That comes very important later on in the book. You could tell how important he was to her just by the fact that she still kept their month-long relationship a secret because he wanted to be the one to tell her. 

I feel like I can't really say much about this book without spoiling it because all I want to do is talk about what I loved about it. Let's just say that you'll just be so surprised in many different places. I couldn't believe what Frankie did to Anna towards the end. I mean, she was drunk, but still. You don't go doing that. But it made for a good plot, and that's what matters. 

There was only one thing I didn't like about Twenty Boy Summer: I felt like it took too long to get them to California, where things started happening. I mean, the first few chapters had to explain the back story, and the one right after that had to bring them to where they were 'now,' a few weeks before going to the beach. We had to find out how everyone was doing. But I felt like it just took too long for something to actually happen. But it went by quick, and fun things happened, and interesting things were found out, so it was completely necessary and I definitely did enjoy it. So I'm really glad that Ockler made everything interesting enough to the point where it didn't turn me off from the book. Yay, Ockler :)

That little thing aside, this book is a great summer read. Great romance (not between her and the dead guy, I promise), you sort of get a small feel like you're in California yourself, and there's some catty girl drama. Who doesn't secretly love catty, fictional girl drama?

I can't wait to read all of Ockler's books! If they're any close to being this addicting, they are all going to be so, so perfect.

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Released: April, 20, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen 

Pages: 327

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Review: 
I had no idea what to expect from this book. It's set in the future, I wouldn't really say post-apocalyptic, but definitely far enough into the future to the point that there had been four World Wars, and The United States had been taken over by China, and (what I think is Russia) turned into a new country, Illéa. (So dystopian). There's a caste system set up in Illéa, and America, the main character, is a five, which is three from the bottom. She's a singer/musician, and her family doesn't have a lot of money. So when the Selection comes up, her parents and current boyfriend Aspen bribe her to enter.

And then, she gets in. (That reminded me of the part in Tron: Legacy when Flynn goes into The Grid and they say pretty much those exact words, hehe, nerd alert.)

So when she gets to the palace, I have no idea what too expect. I didn't see almost anything coming, so I was always on my toes and always surprised when something happened. Not many authors can do that, so props to you, Kiera Cass!

So anyways, back to the review. I absolutely have no complaints whatsoever. Everything was perfect: the characters, setting, description, length, writing style, cover, minor characters... just everything.

 Cass's writing style is different than most authors I read. It's in first person but it's in past tense. She uses said instead of say, pretty much, and most authors I read use say. It was a nice twist, and I thought I was going to not like it, but I didn't even notice after the first ten pages or so.

The characters were all so great. America is so lovely and confident (for the most part) and she's talented (not only has she mastered singing and three instruments, but she's fluent in English, French, and Spanish), and she has red hair. With so fits the fact that her name is America (which is because she was a fighter when her mother was pregnant with her). Aspen seems really nice and so in love with America, until he decides to break up with her because he was too proud to let her pay for dinner.And I couldn't believe that he showed up in the palace as an officer! (Plot twist.) Her mother is okay, she just act like she wants to live her life through America. Marlee seems so sweet and I want to be her best friend, and the entire time I read about her, I kept thinking of Rapunzel from Tangled for some reason. Celeste can just shove it, and I can't believe she's going through to the Elite. And even though I haven't read The Elite yet, I'm going to guess that it'll be Celeste and America going into the final two? If it goes into the final two. I guess we'll find out?

And Prince Maxon. Oh. My. God. I just can't with this guy. I wish he were real. I instantly fell in love with the prince myself, and how much he truly cared about the country he would eventually be leading all on his own. He's so sincere and lovely and strong apparently and he cares so much about America, you can obviously tell. It's just so great.

The entire thing is so great, honestly. When you finish this one, it makes you want to go read the second novel in the trilogy, The Elite, immediately. Luckily for me I actually saw The Elite by itself first and bought it, and then bought The Selection. I just hate that now I have to wait until May 2014 for The One. This will be a fun wait...

Okay, so this is perfect everyone go read this if you haven't already, thank you.

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Released: December 2, 2010
Publisher: Dutton
Pages: 372
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Review:
AH. 

I don't know how to review this because it was literally just so perfect. So, so perfect. 

I literally felt like I was in France, honestly. And I had no idea what as going to happen after each and every page. I didn't call almost anything, besides Anna and St. Clair getting together. 

This is the hardest review I've ever had to write. It shouldn't be this hard to write a review.

Okay. So I obviously adored this book so much. The beginning was okay. I didn't really like Toph at all, and didn't see his significance until the Bridgette thing happened. I looooved the friendship of St. Clair and Anna, especially around Thanksgiving, and even more so at Christmas. I hated that his mother got cancer and I hated his father even more so, for obvious reasons (at least if you've read the book it's obvious). I loved the fact that everyone was in love with St. Clair, including Anna's best friend, Meredith. I didn't like the fact that we only got to see a chapter of the two of them dating.

That is my only complaint, really. I wish that they dated sooner on in the book so that we could get to know their relationship better. Granted, I guess things really didn't change all that much except for the fact that they started making out a lot, but I still wanted to know... you know? I want to know about how the friendship between Bridgette and her is going. How college is. How St. Clair's mother is doing, and don't forget about Anna's little brother, Seany. Kid was adorable with his Star Wars obsession.

Either way, everyone should read this book because it is perfect, perfect, perfect.

Top Three Tuesday (#3)

Although I have yet to review all of the books from my last two Top Three Tuesday's, I have indeed finished all of them! So I am now all caught up. Those reviews (Twenty Boy Summer, Anna and the French Kiss, and The Selection) will be written and posted no later than tonight around ten PM. I have to work later today and still have to get ready, etc. 

This Top Three Tuesday includes three books that are either part of a trilogy or a companion novel. They are all sitting on my bookshelves waiting to be read and reviewed. And I've got to admit; I'm super excited to read them all!

1. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally - Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?

2. The Elite by Kiera Cass - Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

3. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins - Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her. 

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Review: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Released: May 10, 2005

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf 

Pages: 185

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey

Synopsis: This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance. 

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

This is a happy-meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world.

Review: 
This is one of the most original books I've ever read. For starters, this is the first book I've ever read that the main character is gay. It's always the friend, right? There are a ton of gay people. I'd say more gay than straight. And the quarterback also a drag queen and homecoming queen. Paul's known that he's gay since kindergarten when his teacher wrote it on his report card. I want to clarify that I have no problem with any of this. I was in the GSA at my school and I'm an avid supporter for equality. I just found it so original and I loved it so much.

The story was really good, too. Paul and his two friends, Joni and Tony (Tony's gay and his super-religious parents hate it, Joni is straight), are at a bookstore. And then all of the sudden, in comes Noah. I'm jealous because I'm pretty sure every book lovers' dream is to meet someone special at a bookstore. Noah's pretty new into town, and that's why they haven't met yet. They hit it off automatically, obviously.

There's random drama in there between Joni and everyone that I found unnecessary and kind of annoying, honestly. And, of course, right when Paul and Noah start to date, Paul's ex-boyfriend Kyle wants him back. That also irritated me, but I guess there had to be some sort of drama, because it's a book and the couple always break up before the end of the book.

I did like the characters, though. Paul is so confident. Noah is so artistic. Tony is so nervous, but brave and courageous towards the end. Joni is a bitch, to be honest. Infinite Darlene is so sweet. Kyle is confused, with his own rights, poor guy. Paul's family is perfect and so great, honestly. What other parents can make pancakes in the shape of states or countries?

I'm really excited that I loved this book because I really want to get into Levithan's books. So you better be ready for more reviews of his books because I have three other books by him that I'm going to read relatively soon!

Review: How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Released: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 341
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: Jill MacSweeney just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she’s been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends—everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she’s somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it’s like to grow up unwanted—to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she’s sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It’s harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy—or as difficult—as it seems.
Review:
I had such high hopes for this book. I mean, it has a 3.95 average rating on goodreads, and everyone I've talked to said that it was such a good book, oh my god, I have to read it right now. And I just didn't like it at all. I guess I did somewhat, since I did finish reading it, but every time I would look at what page I was on, and find myself wishing that I was closer to the last page so I could just finish the book already. 

I just didn't like any of the characters, really. I didn't like how rude Jill was. I get why she was, but still. She warmed up by the end, because she got a new boyfriend and everything (okay, I liked Ravi a little bit, fine), but in the beginning she was just such a jerk, honestly. I would have to say that I liked Mandy the best, though, but at the same time I didn't. There was just something about her. I guess I just felt bad for her, honestly. She had such a bad life before she left Council Bluffs. Dylan, Jill's original boyfriend thing, just... I just couldn't with him. There was something about him that made me think that he liked Mandy more than Dylan, which is another reason why I didn't like Jill, because she started to like Ravi, but that's beside the point. Dylan also helped Mandy almost leave Robin's (Jill's mother) house, and even gave her all of his savings. I don't understand that. 

The writing style was okay. It was a two person point of view, which was okay and everything. I'm used to it sort of, but I'm not it's biggest fan. I liked getting to be in the mind of both girls, seeing their different but same lives.  That was really the only thing that kept me interested in the book. And the fact that I hate not being able to finish a book. There's only been five books that I've never been able to finish, but that's also beside the point. 

So many people on goodreads say that it's was so emotional, so captivating, that they cried, blah blah blah. Most of the reviews are four and five stars. I don't get how it was that good, honestly. And it makes me really sad, because this was my first Sara Zarr book, and a lot of people say that she's a good writer, too. And I believe it. On my to-read list that I'm going to read before my first classes start, is Sweethearts. So hopefully I'll like that one, at least. 

Favorite Friday

This is going to be another one of those fun little things like my Top Three Tuesdays that I do. For Favorite Fridays, I will going to talk about one of my favorite things about books, or even related to books. For example, I could talk about my favorite cover, plot, title, relationships, characters, series, movie adaptation, fan fiction, fan art, et cetera. Pretty much anything to do with a book. I'll post one every Friday! 

Today's favorite: writing style from Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

This book is sometimes a really hard read, which doesn't surprise me. It's triggering, honestly. But it definitely has something about this book that makes me always want to reread it, and it's because of the writing style. 

The main character Lia struggles with anorexia, and you can see how bad she is actually struggling with it because of how Halse Anderson writes in it. Here's an excerpt:

***

"'Why don't you have one of the muffins? I bought oranges yesterday, or you could have toast or frozen waffles.'

Because I can't let myself want them because I don't need a muffin (410), I don't want an orange (75) or toast (87), and waffles (180) make me gag."

***

I think the way that she strikes through just adds a lot to the story. It's Lia's real thoughts, but she can't be thinking those thoughts as long as she doesn't want to go back to hell on the hill New Seasons, the mental institution she has stayed at twice. She'll add the calorie intake in the parentheses, and the'll right align some text when it talks about how Cassie was found dead, and it'll repeat the news report. When she cuts herself, the text is centered and she calls herself names like stupid, ugly, fat, et cetera. Everything is just so well written, original, and just great, honestly. It brings you through Lia's mind perfectly. It is seriously the best, most well written book I've ever read, which is why it gets the first spot of my Favorite Friday.

Review: All I Need by Susane Colasanti

All I Need by Susane Colasanti

Released: May 21, 2013

Publisher: Viking

Pages: 240

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey

Synopsis: Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?

Teen favorite Susane Colasanti returns to the alternating-voice style of her beloved debut When It Happens in this Serendipity-inspired story about summer, soul mates, and the moments that change our lives forever.

Review: 
Since I'm reviewing All I Need, this means that I finished  rereading all of Colasanti's books. Like I keep saying; I love me some Susane Colasanti. Totally my fave author, and one of my biggest inspirations.

But since I have reviewed all of Colasanti's books, I'm going to make this quick. I love her writing style, I love the quirkiness and little things of each and every character, I love how each character has their own voice, and how past characters make an appearance in newer books,  et cetera. Oh, and I love the roller rink, Wheels in the Skye. It's an 80's themed roller rink and I wish it were real.

So here we go: what I didn't like. I'm not a huge fan of the whole two-person-point-of-view thing. I kind of hated that they had to be separate for a year, but I guess it added to the whole thing about how soul mates will always find each other. Colasanti said multiple times that this story would be so  full of romance, and in reality, it wasn't, at least in my point of view. I hated the random, and what I felt unnecessary, girl drama between Skye's two best friends. I don't know. I guess I was sort of expecting to be a Nicholas Sparks-eqsue sort of novel, and that was the problem.

But the one thing I didn't like definitely doesn't matter as much as the list of things I do love about All I Need.  It's also definitely a summer read, since there is a portion of it set at the beach. So, woo! Perfect timing.

Review: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Released: October 20, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 230
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a breakthrough new voice in YA fiction dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.
Review:
I was pretty disappointed with this book. To be honest, I thought it was lacking. I have this place in my hearts for books about depression or suicide, and I guess I sort of have this expectation and that they're going to be heart-wrenching and depressing and what not.

It started out like that. Caitlin was definitely depressed herself. She didn't care what she looked like, she ate less, she would sit in her car and just fidget with her hands all the time. She was so upset that for some reason, I had this gut feeling that Caitlin was, like, in love with her. And my suspicions rose when she became friends with the new girl Dylan, who also happened to be a lesbian. But she wasn't.

So anyways, she finds Ingrid's journal under her bed, which ends up having her suicide note---the one that nobody knew existed. And it's like all of the sudden everything gets better just because she finds this journal, just after she reads one little entry. Like, she starts building a tree house  she makes other friends, one of the popular boys likes her, she gets back into photography.... Like, I'm happy that Caitlin is getting better and everything, but it just seemed to sudden and rash. It irritated me. That was pretty much what ruined the entire book for me.

What I did like, though, was the principle of it. And LaCour's writing style. And I liked how it had a few illustrations, too. It's not that often YA novels have illustrations in it. Granted, they were Ingrid's journal entries and everything, but I still found it kind of cool. So she gets props for those things, at least.

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Released: March 2, 2010

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 323

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey

Synopsis: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Review:

Let me say this: I never really got into the whole fantasy/paranormal-esque types of books. Sure, I've read Twilight and Harry Potter and everything, but I just can't really get into anything that involves vampires or werewolves or dead people or anything like that. So, I was reluctant to read this book.

Also let me say this: I read this book in maybe five hours. I couldn't put this down. And when I finished it, I immediately bought Hex Hall (this was a book from the library), along with the next two books in the series, Demonglass and Spell Bound, and stalked Rachel Hawkins' website/blog and followed her on twitter and read maybe half of her blog posts. (I was sad to find out that she doesn't updated it anymore. BUT she does have a tumblr and likes Doctor Who, so everything is okay. Obviously, I instantly followed her on there as well.) I considered buying the spin-off novel, School Spirits, but I want to make sure that I like the last two books since I haven't met the character that it's about yet. And there's supposed to be a short story with it,  A Very Hexy Valentine's Day, but I'm not sure where to get it. I'll have to tweet to Hawkins later, hehe. Any excuse to tweet to a new favorite author ;)

So. Yeah. I fell in love with this book. I'm not sure what it was about it; the fact that it's about witches (I do have this weird liking to anything witch-y/psychic-y/things like that that people call me crazy for) probably had something to do with that.  I found everything just so... addicting. And interesting. I loved learning about the past with The Eyes, and finding out that someone Sophie falls for isn't who she thinks she is, and that Sophie herself isn't what she thinks she is. 

Hawkins pulled plot twist after plot twist out of her ass, I am just saying. At least it felt like it to me. And I think that's what made me love it even more. It kept me on my toes and kept me not wanting to put it down. I mean, when two people almost die in a span a few weeks, and someone you're related to is because of it, shit is obviously going to go down. 

And I was also drawn to her writing style. Maybe it's because I'm a writer myself, but I always judge authors based on their writing style. Sorry not sorry.

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. I loved Sophie; I loved the cover; I loved that it was about witches; I loved the romance; I loved how it still had high school problems, even though this sort of reform school has faeries and werewolves and shifters, and a vampire; I loved how there was still some normal-ish family problems; I loved everything single bit of it. I literally cannot think of one thing at all that I didn't like about it. And that's saying something because I love to critique things. So, props to you, Rachel Hawkins. Somehow you have slithered up on my list of favorite authors. You go, girl! 

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Released: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Scourebooks Fire
Pages: 281
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Carey
Synopsis: What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Review:
I. Loved. This. Book.

I could only think of one complaint about this book, one little thing that I didn’t like, and that’s the fact that Tyler Green pissed me off. I get why he’s so controlling. I mean, I would be too if my dad was killed in a car accident, also leaving my mother paralyzed. But he just came into the Hundred Oak’s school and expected everyone to follow his orders, including Jordan. I also thought the relationship between Jordan and Ty was so unnecessary. It’s one thing to be distracted because he’s so hot and everything, but I feel like the relationship was so unnecessary.

What I also didn’t like was that realistic for Jordan to freaking sleep with him the day after kissing him for the first time. And also that three days after that, all of the sudden she’s in love with her best friend, Sam Henry, and it was only because she found out that he loves her. That irritated me, too.

Otherwise, I loved this book. I loved that Jordan, who had always been one of the guys, finally realized that she truly wasn’t one of the guys, but that she also wasn’t going to let anyone, even her dream school, tell her that she can’t play football because she’s a girl.

That’s what I think this book is so great. Kenneally writes about the fact girls shouldn’t let people put them down just because they’re a girl. Nobody should let people put them down because of something like that. It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or a boy, fat or skinny, tall or short, gay or straight, black or white, et cetera. As long as you’re doing something you love, it shouldn’t matter. Don’t let people put you down because of anything.

And that is why this book got 4.5 stars from me. Jordan stood up for herself. She wasn’t going to let Ty tell her what to do, who to hang out with, that she should stop playing ball. She wasn’t even going to let her own father tell her to stop playing. Jordan stood up for herself because she loved what she was doing and it shouldn’t matter that she’s a girl. If only everybody could be like that. It's a great lesson.

PS: I don’t know what it is about the cover, but I just love it so much. Although, I can’t help but wonder who the boy is that is holding Jordan’s hand: Ty or Henry?

PPS: I can’t wait to read Stealing Parker, which is the second book in the Hundred Oaks “series.” Kenneally says that it’s not necessarily a series, but it’s just that all of her books are set in Hundred Oaks, a fictional town in Tennessee, and we can also expect cameos of past characters. The third book to the companion novels, Things I Can’t Forget came out in March 2013. Her fourth one, Racing Savannah, will come out December 3, 2013. And I'm so, so excited.

Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Released: April 1, 2012

Publisher: Push

Pages: 332

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Carey

Synopsis: It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

Review:

I honestly have no idea how I feel about this novel, so this is really hard to review.  I wanted to like this so much. When I saw this book on the shelf, probably a year ago, and read the inside cover, I was so excited to read it. It sounded so good. And I got so excited when I saw that this was at the library when I did.

For starters, Vivian decided to write this in eight point of views. I repeat, eight point of views. The two girls from each grades, one ugly, one pretty. Eight girls. They all have their own problems, despite the list. And let me tell you, Vivian decides to go there. One girl struggles with anorexia, for example. And all of the girls do grow somewhat over the course of the Homecoming week.  But majority of the time, the characters really annoyed me. Even the minor characters, like Andrew (Danielle's boyfriend) and Fern (Abby's older sister). I think the only character that didn't annoy me was Lisa, Abby's best friend. And that's probably only because she literally had maybe seven lines in the entire 332 page novel.

There was a major plot twist in the end, though, which definitely made it worth reading the entire thing. It was so surprising, and I just loved it. And it really explained a lot, too. Not that I can spoil anything for you.

Besides the whole eight point of view thing, I hated the fact that majority of the girls didn't really have an ending. Margo won queen, Jennifer didn't, Abby didn't go to the dance, and Sarah showered. But what about the other girls? Did Bridget's anorexia get better? Did Lauren's mommy (which by the way, what high school sophomore calls her mother 'mommy?') still pull her out of high school? Did Candace's friends accept her again? And what about Danielle? All we know by the end of the book is who won homecoming queen and who made the list, and why that person chose these eight people to be on the list. And that it why it received only three stars.

Carey's Top Three Tuesday (#2)

I know that I still haven't read the three books from my last Top Three Tuesday, but I will before next week. Just like I will with these next three books, and then I will be totally caught up!

1. How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr -- Jill MacSweeney just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she’s been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends—everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she’s somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it’s like to grow up unwanted—to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she’s sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It’s harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy—or as difficult—as it seems.

2. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally -- What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

3. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler -- According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.