This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Title: This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: September 17. 2013
Received From:  Publisher in return for an honest review

Synopsis:Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.
Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

Review:
I loved Leila Sales' first book Mostly Good Girls which my best friend introduced me to. While I haven't read Sales' second book I was still really excited to read This Song Will Save Your Life. 

I think most people deal with the feeling of wanted to be accepted. Especially in high school or middle school. I know I struggled with it a lot, and still do. But when you find those people who understand you and your weird loves it is a wonderful thing. Elise realizes this throughout this wonderful book of self discovery.

I really enjoyed watching Elise come into her own. She changed so much from the beginning of the book to the ending. While I did not really like her relationship with Char I can see why she would fall for him.

This Song Will Save Your Life is an important book for teen and other people who are suffering with finding thier place in the world. Especially if you have hobbies that are different than the other people who are around you. I found it to be fun but also to have a good message that made me think about my identity and how it was tied to others. Leila Sales has really outdone herself with this new book.

Of Triton by Anna Banks Review

Title: Of Triton   
Author: Anna Banks   
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends  
Release Date: May 28, 2013 
Received: For review in return for a honest review

Summary:  In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Review:  After the ending of the first book Of Poseidon I was dying to read this next installment. And Anna Banks did not let me down.Of Triton takes place not too much later and immediately jumps into the action

Even though it had been a year since I read Of Poseidon I was quickly caught up. I was super excited to fall back into the story. Emma's mom and Grom were in Of Triton a lot more than in the first book and I liked getting to know them. Even though they were rather annoying at times. 

I was glued to this book. I was supposed to be studying for my finals and I was trying to read one chapter at a time in between studying but I kept on reading all the way through. Of Triton is funny, heartbreaking, and tense. 

I really liked reading more about the Syrena kingdom and how it works as well as getting to know a few more characters. With that being said I liked reading more about the existing characters. Especially Reyna and Rachel.

Overall this is a great series with awesome characters and plenty of laughs.

Game. Set. Match by Jennifer Iacopelli

Title: Game. Set. Match
Author:  Jennifer Iacopelli 
Publisher: Coliloquy LLC
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Received: For review for a honest review

Summary:  Nestled along the North Carolina coast, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the world's most elite training facility. In this pressure-cooker environment, futures are forged in blood and sweat, and dreams are shattered in an instant.

Penny Harrison, a rising female star, is determined to win the French Open and beat her archrival, Zina Lutrova. But when her coach imports British bad boy Alex Russell as her new training partner, will Penny be able to keep her laser-like focus?

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. The daughter of two Grand Slam champions, she's hell-bent on extending her family’s legacy and writing her own happily-ever-after...until her chosen Prince Charming gives her the just-friends speech right before the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

With a powerful serve and killer forehand, newcomer Indiana Gaffney is turning heads. She’s thrilled by all of the attention, especially from Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and hot older brother, except he keeps backing off every time things start heating up.

With so much at stake, dreams—and hearts—are bound to break. Welcome to OBX: Where LOVE is a four-letter word, on and off the court.

Review:  I am going to preface this review by saying that I have never been into tennis. I don't hate it or anything but it never made any sense to me, though I would occasionally watch it if it was on even though I had no idea what was happening. I say this so you will know that even though this book is about tennis players you will enjoy it even if you nothing about tennis.

Moving on... I really liked this book! It was the perfect combination of tennis, romantic relationships, and friendships. Speaking of the tennis; I really liked that part! I learned a lot about tennis, so much so that if I were to watch it I might have some idea what was going on. But like I said knowing tennis is not a big deal, it is more a story of girls reaching for their dreams, it just so happens that their dream is tennis.

The romantic relationships were so well written. There were two primary ones and they were written completely differently which I appreciated. The only real thing they had in common was the fact that the male counterparts are HOT. But my personal choice would be Jack but that's just me. ;)

I liked the rivalry between Indiana and Jasmine. It was realistic and I liked how it was worked on. I also liked the friendship between Indiana and Penny, it was nice to see two girls at different stages in their careers being their for each other.

Having each of the three girls narrate their own chapters added depth and understand to their characters that would not have been attained if it was from one POV.

Overall I recommend this book to people who both like, or don't understand tennis. The friendships and romance will keep you captivated till the end! I personally cannot wait till the next book!

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson Review

Title: Strands of Bronze and Gold 
Author: Jane Nickerson 
Publisher: Random House  
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Received: From Netgalley
Summary:  The Bluebeard fairy tale retold. . . .

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale. 

 Review:  I love historical novels so when I heard that Strands of Bronze and Gold was both a historical novel and a retelling I knew I had to read it!

I had never read the story of Bluebeard before reading this book so when I started reading it all I knew was that Bernard was creepy as all get out. I could see how Sophia could find him alluring but I was screaming at her to get away from the first couple chapters.

I think the pre-civil war setting really fit the story. It made Bernard's actions not seem so erratic and more normal for that time. I also adored all the detail that was in the descriptions of the abbey and the grounds. It made me feel as if I was there, which honestly was not always a good thing.

In the beginning I found Sophia to be very vain and silly, but as the novel progressed I came to understand her better and even to admire her for what she had to go through. I also really liked how she felt the needs of others even before her own. I think that showed a lot of growth and courage to do what she did.

I am happy with how the story ended though I am unsure how there would be more books. I will definitely be picking them up though!

Strands of Bronze and Gold is a must read for fans of the classic Bluebeard story and those who like a little creepy with their historical novels.

Also Known As by Robin Benway Review

Title: Also Known As
Author: Robin Benway 
Publisher: Bloomsbury  
Release Date: February 26, 2013 
Received: Netgalley  

Summary:  Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.   

Review:  I am basically convinced that Robin Benway can do no wrong. I liked both Audrey, Wait! and The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June but I have to say that Also Known As is my favorite book by her so far.

If you are a fan of Ally Carter's books then this book is for you! With spies and cute boys what can go wrong? I have to say one of my favorite parts of this book was the secondary characters. Roux and Jesse added so much to the narrative and were so well developed that I missed them when they were absent from the story.

I have moved quite a few times so I could sympathize with Maggie and her trials with going to a new school in the middle of the semester, but I have to say I never had the added pressure of trying not to blow my cover. :)

I really liked how much Maggie's parents were present. In most YA novels the parents are absent and I liked the added dynamic of not just having one hovering parent but two. 

I kind of figured out the twist/villain of the novel but I kept changing my mind about who it was so kudos to Robin Benway for keeping both Maggie and me on our toes.

Basically if you like mystery, spies, awesome friends, hilarity, and cute boys then this book is for you. 

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer Review

Title: Scarlet (Lunar Chroicles #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer   
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends  
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Received: For review in return for a honest review  

Summary:  Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review:  If you have not read Cinder you need to go do that. If the words sci-fi Cinderella retelling don't make you want to read it maybe my review will. Either way if you have not read Cinder I am warning you that this review will contain spoilers for Cinder, not for Scarlet just Cinder. 

 Scarlet was just as good as Cinder. A lot of the time second books tend to drag and not be nearly as good as the first book. But Scarlet does not fall into that trap. Maybe it is the introduction of a new POV or maybe it is the added cast of characters, but Scarlet manages to stay fresh where others fail. 

In case you could not figure it out, Scarlet is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. A retelling that will blow your mind with how different it is from the source material. It takes place in the same world as Cinder just in a different country.  Scarlet is just as sassy as Cinder but they are different she is less insecure and even more kick-ass if you can believe it. If you fell in love with Cinder then you will like Scarlet. She is sassy and I swear I want her red hoodie. 

There are also some other new characters such as Wolf who is not all he seems, and Thorne who I thought was going to be annoying but I really liked getting to know. And don't fret, there are still some of your favorite characters from Cinder such as Iko, Queen Levana (though if you like her *side eye*) and of course Kai. 

 The two stories of Scarlet and Wolf looking for her grandmother and Cinder trying to escape Queen Levana may seem like they would not come together but they fall in place perfectly and are told through alternating chapters interspersed with chapters about Kai. 

Basically if you liked Cinder get ready for even more fun in Scarlet. Also while some questions are answered you will be joined with me in wanting Cress which does not come out till next year. 

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Review + Giveaway

Title: Nobody   
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes 
Publisher: EgmontUSA  
Release Date: January 22, 2013 
Received: For review  

Summary:  There are people in this world who are Nobody. No one sees them. No one notices them. They live their lives under the radar, forgotten as soon as you turn away.

That’s why they make the perfect assassins.

The Institute finds these people when they’re young and takes them away for training. But an untrained Nobody is a threat to their organization. And threats must be eliminated.

Sixteen-year-old Claire has been invisible her whole life, missed by the Institute’s monitoring. But now they’ve ID’ed her and send seventeen-year-old Nix to remove her. Yet the moment he lays eyes on her, he can’t make the hit. It’s as if Claire and Nix are the only people in the world for each other. And they are—because no one else ever notices them. 


Review:  We all feel like nobody every once in a while, but what if you found out you actually were Nobody? That is what Claire must come to terms with in Nobody.

 Claire and Nix are two great main characters. They, as we learn throughout the book, are Nobodies, people who no one really notices. But while Nix has grown up knowing he is a Nobody, Claire is just learning it. I enjoyed Claire's journey into realizing what she is, Nix is so sure of what he thinks and when Claire's existence tears that all apart their resulting journey is both complex and interesting.

I like books that are semi-grounded in reality but have a cool scientific twist ad Nobody definitely has that. I loved learning about the Institute, the Nobodies, and the Nulls. Barnes has painted a picture so real that I was getting shivers thinking about the possibility of Nulls existing and about real people who are basically the real life equivalent of Nulls.

The way the book is written is kind of strange. Instead of alternating between characters each chapter. The chapters are broken up and they go back and forth between Claire and Nix. After a little while I got used to it but it is different when you first pick it up.

Overall I liked Nobody and am looking forward to the next one.

 If you would like to win a copy of Nobody along with Jennifer Lynn Barnes' standalone Every Other Day fill out this Rafflecopter form! 

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Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier Review

Title: Sapphire Blue   
Author: Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell (Translator)  

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 

Release Date: October 30, 2012 

Received: For review from publisher 


Summary:  Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

Review: 
Sapphire Blue is the second book in the Ruby Red trilogy. If you have not read Ruby Red and like time travel or secret societies then get on that. 

Sapphire Blue starts where Ruby Red ends and so this is a series where you really need to read the series in order. In Sapphire Blue we learn even more about the Circle but there is still quite a bit of unanswered questions. I personally wish that a few more questions had been answered rather than things just getting complicated but the intrigue level was definitely raised.

Xemerius was my favorite character! He was awesome and his snark brought some much needed comic relief but he was also very helpful to Gwen and Leslie. Speaking of Leslie I love how she is not jealous of Gwen and is genuinely interested in helping her navigate her new life. I think many other books would not have had Leslie be so supportive. 

Basically all the rest of the main characters were annoying. But they are supposed to be so I guess that's good. Gideon was actually the most aggravating but I can't wait to see what will happen with that in Emerald Green.

The Ruby Red trilogy is definitely one you should check out. I personally cannot wait to find out all the the secrets in the third book Emerald Green. So check out Ruby Red and then read Sapphire Blue when it comes out on October 30!

P.S. I do not like the cover change. The other covers were gorgeous and while the dresses are relevant to the story I absolutely loved the old covers and am sad to see them go.

Dear Teen Me Review

Title: Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves 
Author: Anthology 

Publisher: Zest Books 

Release Date: October 30, 2012 

Received: From publisher for Dear Teen Me Tour 


Summary:  Dear Teen Me includes advice from over 70 YA authors (including Lauren Oliver, Ellen Hopkins, and Nancy Holder, to name a few) to their teenage selves. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including physical abuse, body issues, bullying, friendship, love, and enough insecurities to fill an auditorium. So pick a page, and find out which of your favorite authors had a really bad first kiss? Who found true love at 18? Who wishes he’d had more fun in high school instead of studying so hard? Some authors write diary entries, some write letters, and a few graphic novelists turn their stories into visual art. And whether you hang out with the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the loners, the class presidents, the delinquents, the jocks, or the nerds, you’ll find friends--and a lot of familiar faces--in the course of Dear Teen Me. 


Review:  I have been reading more and more anthology's lately and I am really liking them. Dear Teen Me isn't your typical anthology. It is filled with letters that authors have written to their teen selves. 

Dear Teen Me was awesome. Each story touched me and gave me insight not only to these fabulous authors but into people I come across every day. Especially people I went to high school with that may have been going through similar things as these authors did.

One of the best things about Dear Teen Me is that I think almost everyone can find a story they relate to. Maybe not 100% but finding even a small connection with these letters is easy. The letters are all so varied and deal with a multitude of different topics. Each letter is encouraging and I can see teens getting encouragement from them, because the letters were written to the authors' teen selves so they are personal and real. 

I would definitely recommend this anthology. Because whether you are a teen or have not been a teen for quite some time I think you will be able to connect to at least one of these letters.

Check out the rest of the tour here!

 

Two and Twenty Dark Tales Review

Title: Two and Twenty Dark Tales  
Editors: Georgia McBride and Michelle Zink   
Publisher: Month 9 Books  
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Received: Netgalley  

Summary:  In this anthology, 20 authors explore the dark and hidden meanings behind some of the most beloved Mother Goose nursery rhymes through short story retellings. The dark twists on classic tales range from exploring whether Jack truly fell or if Jill pushed him instead to why Humpty Dumpty, fragile and alone, sat atop so high of a wall. The authors include Nina Berry, Sarwat Chadda, Leigh Fallon, Gretchen McNeil, and Suzanne Young.

Review:   
I love retellings. It is really interesting to see how different authors take classic stories and make them new and different. So I was super excited to read this anthology of Mother Goose nursery rhymes retold to make them darker and expanding them.

I enjoyed all of the stories but some of my favorite were by Leigh Fallon, Leah Cypess, Angie Frazier, Jessie Harrell, Lisa Mantchev, Michelle Zink, and Suzanne Lazear. I loved Leah Cypess' and Jessie Harrell's because when I read them I could totally see the stories as full novels that I would totally read. Leigh Fallon. Angie Frazier, Lisa Mantchev, Michelle Zink, and Suzanne Lazear had great stories as well because while I could not see them as full length novels the short stories were so awesome and expanded on their nursery rhyme so well that I could read them again and again. 

All the stories in Two and Twenty Dark Tales took these nursery rhymes and expanded on them in such varied and interesting ways that I never would have thought of. The authors that I had read books by before I see their styles and it was fun to see their takes on these nursery rhymes. I was also introduced to some authors that I had never heard of before that and I am totally going to pick up their books because I really enjoyed their retellings.

One of the coolest things about this anthology besides the awesome concept is that the proceeds of the first 5,000 books go to YALITCHAT.ORG which fosters the advancement, reading, writing and acceptance of young adult literature worldwide. 

 Two ad Twenty Dark Tales is an awesome anthology that will surprise you and enchant you with each new story.

Check out my interview with Jessie Harrell one of the authors in this anthology and enter to win a copy of Jessie's book.

Crewel by Gennifer Albin Review

Title: Crewel   
Author: Gennifer Albin 
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)  
Release Date: October 16,2012  
Received: For review from publisher

Summary:  Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

Review: 
If you are tired of the distopian genre then Crewel is the book for you. While it is a distopian it is so original and different that it is almost like reading another genre. In fact, I got a fairy-tale like vibe off of it. 

I really liked Adelice as a protagonist. She was awesome and snarky. The supporting characters were also brilliant they were so vibrant and different. Though some of them had prejudices that I did not quite understand and unnerved me I liked how their stories slowly wove into the story.

Gennifer Albin is a great writer. She wove such a beautiful tale which was one of the reasons that it felt like a fantasy. She was also amazing at writing the villains. They were evil and totally a bunch of psychopaths but in some cases you could see why they did the things they did. 

I liked the mythology behind the Spinsters. I loved learning how the world was created and I cannot wait to find out more about it. The government system was so complex and I wish that we had gotten to find out more about it and gotten to understand it better but I am sure that we will learn more in the other books.

If you are a fan of distopian, science fiction, or fantasy Crewel is a book I totally recommend!

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Title: Monstrous Beauty  

Author: Elizabeth Fama 
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux 
Release Date: September 4, 2012 

Received: For review from publisher

Summary:  Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.

Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago. 

Review:  Mermaids are one of my favorite mythical creatures to read about. I love them and I really like seeing all the different ways that authors can take them.

Case in point, I recently read Of Poseidon by Anna Banks and then I read Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama. Now I did not go into these books thinking that they were going to be anything alike but reading them in the span of a few months showed me just how different two mermaid books can be. 

Monstrous Beauty switches from present day to historical times, each chapter (until near the end) switches between Syrenka's story and Hester's story, and while we know they must be intertwined it is slowly shown just how much as you continue reading.

Elizabeth Fama succeeded in writing a mildly scary book, it made me not want to go in the water. I think the reason she was able to achieve all this was because of the vivid and beautiful world she built. I could see the things happening and could imagine it being real.

I liked Hester as a main character. Though I thought her to be stupid quite often and wanted to shake her for some of the decisions she made I could see why she made them. I also thought Peter was a great character and I wish he had been in it more. 

Curses, mermaids, ghosts, and historical towns. What else could you want in a book?

The only thing I had problems with was that the beginning was a little slow and slightly confusing but once I started to be pulled into the story I couldn't look away!

If you are looking for a lighter mermaid book check out my review of Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: Because It Is My Blood (Birthright #2)
Author: Gabrielle Zevin 
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Received: For review from publisher 

Summary:  “Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”- Michael Corleone, The Godfather

Since her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship.But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It’s a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.  

Review:  All The Things I've Done is the first book in this series and really beat up Anya. But it was nothing compared to all that she goes through in Because It Is My Blood. Just when it looked like her life couldn't get any worse she gets pummeled again.

Now that's not saying that Because It Is My Blood is all upsetting drama and death. Natty and Anya's relationship grows and I loved watching Natty come into her own. Learning more about the chocolate business was also very interesting and I liked how Zevin went into it more. 

I also felt that Anya came into her own, I felt by the end she finally discovered what she wanted and was determined to fight for it. I love when there is clear character growth in a series. Gabrielle Zevin really set up the thrid book in the series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Even though I really enjoyed Because it is my Blood, parts of it were kind of dull and I wish the plot had been a little faster, but I definitely recommend this series.

To find out more about All the Things I've done check out my review!

And as you are waiting for the next book be sure to check out Gabrielle's other book Elsewhere!

Wicked Sweet by Mar'ce Merrell

Title: Wicked Sweet
Author: Mar'ce Merrell
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Received: From publisher for review

Summary: 
Chantal is a planner, and her summer-before-senior-year plan requires best friend Jillian, resumé updating, and studying for AP classes. Jillian wants something different and is afraid to leave introverted Chantal in the dust. All that changes, though, when popular classmates Parker and Will suspiciously start hanging out with the girls.

Chantal only sees one thing: Jillian ditching her for Parker—a guy who can’t even be trusted! Chantal hatches a new plan, one that will expose Parker and Will for what they truly are, and along the way, get her best friend back with the littlest lie and a lot of mouthwatering cake. After all, what are best friends for? 

Review: 
I picked up this book because of the cover. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover but we all do it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the cover fit the book perfectly.

One thing I didn't know about Wicked Sweet was that it is told in alternate points of view of not only Chantal and Jillian but also, occasionally, Parker and Will. I liked this because it let me understand the boys' motivation and made them slightly more sympathetic characters.

Chantal's pov was my favorite because it seemed to me that she had the most story to tell. It also could have been because I related with her the best. I found Jillian kind of annoying and I didn't understand some of her decisions. Though her situation was very difficult I found her to be floppy but she grew up towards the end which I appreciated.

My favorite part had to have been when Chantal would bake. I am a baker so I could definitely relate, though it kind of made me hungry. I also enjoyed the scheme she came up with, it was fun to see what she would do next.

Overall this was a really cute and fun book filled with lessons of learning about yourself and not only focusing on other people.

52 Reasons to Hate my Father by Jessica Brody

Title: 52 Reasons to Hate my Father

Author: Jessica Brody

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux

Release Date: July 3, 2012
Received From: Publisher in return for a honest review

Summary:

Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.
Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.
In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.

Review:

52 Reasons to Hate My Father was a really good book. While I was reading it I totally felt like it could be one of the many out of control heiresses that are always on TV. It was really fun to see Lexi’s life change and her finally understand the point of her life.

Watching Lexi navigate her new jobs and learn to have responsibility is really interesting. She has some of the same thoughts that I would have if placed in a similar situation, and she even likes some of the jobs. Though I wish we had gotten to see her in action a little more. I also adored the little transcripts she had to make for Luke regarding her jobs. They were highly entertaining and they were almost my favorite part of the novel. Also Luke added so much to the story and I loved getting to know him.


I also liked getting to know some of her coworkers and i wish we had gotten to see that side of her a little more, but what we got I loved.

 

 

Now Lexi is not just some shallow, spoiled brat. I mean she is but there is also a deeper level to her motivations and psyche. I enjoyed unraveling the motivations behind her behavior along with her. Because ultimately she wants to find out about her father and why he is so distant as well as understand his relationship with her mother.

 

 

So while Jessica Brody has written a fluffy book in 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, she has also written a book that talks about why people shut themselves off when something happens, and the ramifications of those actions.

I enjoyed 52 Reasons to Hate my Father, though I wish there had been more looks into her jobs. I definitely recommend if you want a fluffy, hilarious book with some backbone!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Received: From publisher for review


Summary:
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Review:
Nothing gets me more excited than picking up a fantasy novel and diving right in. I love completely immersing myself in a whole new world. One that I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams. So I was super excited to read Leigh Bardugo's debut Shadow and Bone.

I'm not going to lie, the very beginning of Shadow and Bone was slow, and slightly confusing. But it wasn't a big deal because after a while it all fell back into place.

The Grisha were very interesting. The whole group was shrouded in mystery, and while we got a taste of what they are like in this book, I cannot wait to find out even more in the next book.

Leigh Bardugo was very good at getting me distracted so I would focus on one thing while a whole new thing was unfolding right under my nose. She was very good at showing instead of telling and I really appreciated that.

The Darkling was very appealing to me. I loved learning more about him and he totally surprised me again and again. I also liked Mal. When he first arrived I felt like he popped out of nowhere but I like the way it was revealed that he was woven into the story. Leigh was very good at making most of the characters vital to the plot rather than just statues in the plot.

Overall I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy as well as people who are looking to get into fantasy, just beware of the very beginning!

Also here is the beautiful trailer: