Monday, August 19, 2013

ARC Review: Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: August 13th, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 528 pgs
ISBN: 9781442440784
Source: Received from publisher for an honest review



Summary from Goodreads:
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.

For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.

And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.

It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

My Review: 

**As this book is a sequel, there may be some small spoilers in this review.**

When I read Burn for Burn last year I enjoyed it but I had a few issues with it.  I was still looking forward to continuing with the series because the writing is good and it is entertaining.  I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this novel from Simon and Schuster Canada.  For some reason it took me a little while to really get into this book.  I have been on a TV kick lately and I think that may have been a good part of the reason.  I was spending more time watching TV rather than reading.  That being said, once I actually sat down to read this book I couldn't put it down.  I spent the beginning of the book trying to remember each of the characters and what their hang ups were.  I read so much that sometimes the plot lines begin to blue together.  That being said after a few pages I was brought right back into Lillia's, Mary's and Kat's world of revenge.  The three girls had been scorned but Mary most of all.  Most of the novel focuses on Reeve, a boy who was incredibly hurtful to Mary.  At the end of Burn for Burn Reeve is injured due to some shenanigans that the girls orchestrate.  As a result there is some residual guilt and this is taken to a new level when the girls decide that in order to continue with this revenge is to break Reeve's heart.  Lillia is asked to pretend to care for Reeve and then break up with him in a very public way. 
I enjoyed reading about the growing relationships between the girls and not only that but the growth of some of the minor characters.  Some of the behaviour that seemed so ridiculous in the first novel is soon explained and you start to feel a bit for the minor characters.  

I have to say that the ending of this book blew my mind.  I am usually good at picking up twists in movies and novels but this one took me by surprise.  I never would have suspected it in novel one and I didn't figure it out until the very end of novel two.  The ending made this book and for that reason I gave it a 4 out of 5.  At the beginning of the novel, I liked it and it was fun but for me it wasn't exception and it wasn't horrible.  I would have rated it somewhere in the middle. The end of this book makes me very excited for the third installment in this series. If you enjoyed Burn for Burn I would say that Fire with Fire is even better.  

Friday, August 9, 2013

A to Z Bookish Survey



Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-Turner just posted a very cute bookish survey.  Since I have noI thing on the blog today I figured I would also the survey with my own answers.  Several people have already done the same thing and if you'd like to see the posts just pop by Jamie's blog and read the comments. 


Author you've read the most books from.
James Patterson with Jodi Picoult at a close second.

Best sequel ever.
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater.  I just finished this one recently and it is definitely the best 2nd book in a series I have ever read.

Currently Reading.
Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Drink of Choice While Reading. 
If I'm at Starbucks, I love drinking a Passion-Tea Lemonade.  If at home, usually some sort of diet pop or juice.  I'm not much of a tea/coffee drinker.

E-reader of Physical Book? 
I prefer a physical book but I do use my e-reader for traveling and review copies.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated in High School.
Hmm.. this is a tough one.  I was such a confused soul back in high school and dated so many types of boys.  I didn't discriminate that's for sure.  I think though if I had to pick it would be Jase from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.  I would have been attracted to not only him but his family. 

Glad You Gave This Book a Chance. 
Recently I would have to say Wait For You by J. Lynn (a.k.a. Jennifer L. Armentrout).  This book isn't usually what I read but I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. 

Hidden Gem Book. 
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth.  I LOVED this book and I don't feel like it gets enough recognition.

Important Moment in Your Reading Life
Growing up reading was always an escape for me.  I honestly think that it saved my life a few times.  I had a pretty rocky home-life and there were times when I didn't know if it was worth it to stick around.  I remember reading a book where things just went horribly wrong and the way the characters dealt with it made me realize that this was only temporary and that things would eventually get better.

Just Finished. 
 Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley.  If you haven't read this yet, what are you waiting for.  Go get it pronto.

Kinds of Books You Won't Read. 
I'm going to go with 2 extremes here and say erotica and Christian/religious fiction.  They are just not my thing.

Longest Book You've Ever Read. 
Under the Dome by Stephen King at 1,074.  I actually listened to this but it was many, many hours of listening.

Major Book Hangover Because of
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson  This book destroyed me for awhile.  My husband was a little worried that a book could make me cry so much.

Number of Bookcases You Own. 
4.  I have 1 huge one that takes up a whole wall (IKEA Expedit) and then a small version of that one.  I also have a Billy Bookcase with all my mass market paperbacks and a shelf for all my non-fiction books.

One Book You have Read Multiple Times
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  I have read it for school a number of times.  I have to admit I don't re-read very often because there are just too many good stories out there I haven't read yet.

Preferred Place to Read 
I have 3 places.  One is the bathtub. Without fail every night I take a book with me to the bath.  Two is Starbucks. I like going there and people watching and reading.  Three is anywhere by the water.

Quotes that Inspire You/Gives You all the Feels from a Book You've Read. 
If I'm being honest I'm not much a quote person and so I can't really think of any that really stick out.

Reading Regret
Sticking with too many books that I did not enjoy reading.  I used to have to finish a book but now if I'm not enjoying it I just set it aside for another. 

Series You Started and Need to Finish (all books are out in the series). 
 Hmm... there are way too many to count.  Beautiful Creatures series and the Jessica Darling series are ones that stick out in my mind. 

Three of Your All-Time Favourite Books
Hmm.. All-time favourites.  This is too difficult but if I had to choose I would say: 1. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 2. This Much I Know is True by Wally Lamb and 3. The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
Unapologetic Fan-girl for
Marian Keyes, Jodi Picoult and Sarah Ockler.

Very Excited for This Release More Than All the Others
Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Worst Bookish Habit 
I dog ear books.  I know, shocking! I am also pretty rough on my books if I'm being honest.

X Marks the Spot: Start at the Top Left of Your Shelf and Pick the 27th Book
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Your latest book purchase
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Zzz-Snatcher Book (last book that kept you up WAY late)
It was Pretty Girl-13.  I couldn't put this one down and stayed up til 3am reading the other night.  I am glad that I am off work for the summer because it would have been a rough day the next day if not. 

Be sure to visit Jamie's blog and read her answers as well.   Happy Reading!   

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Judy Blume (Want an easy way to figure this out if you have Goodreads and keep good track of your stuff? Go to your account, hit “my books”and on the left hand side under your shelves you will see “most read authors”)

Best Sequel Ever:

Though The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. I LIKED UTNS but TTEN blew me away.

Currently Reading:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (FINALLY..ok people??)

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Tea! I really like all sorts of green and white teas and always down for recommendations of new teas to try!

E-reader or Physical Book?

I’m definitely a physical book girl but love my Kindle for the gym, review copies and for vacation so I can have lots of options with me.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I definitely went for the nice, kind-of-into-dorky-things boys in high school. Also I had a thing with MY boy next door that never blossomed.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Hidden Gem Book:

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering Goodreads. Without Goodreads I would have never started reading again. I was a huge reader but then fell off the map in high school/some of college. Goodreads led me to book blogs and here we are!

Just Finished:

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy  McGinnis

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I’m trying to get better about shutting myself off to some genres (you can help me!) without trying them but I’m certain I won’t ever read any erotica. It’s just not my thing. I don’t mind smutty but not super explicit.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (897 pages)
** easy way to find this out. Go to your Goodreads “read” list, don’t scroll down but where you are on the screen there will be this little tab on the bottom that lets you choose how you want to scroll or how many books you want display. There is also a sort option with a drop down and you can sort by page.

Major book hangover because of:

Number of Bookcases You Own:

4. Two are really tall and then the other two are smaller. I’m out of room so I have piles here PLUS I stored some books on bookshelves at my stepdad’s house.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

The Giver by Lois Lowry — definitely the book I re-read the most ever. I don’t reread often but when I do it’s been just one re-read. The Giver I just kept re-reading over and over again as a kid.

Preferred Place To Read:

In the tub. It really is my favorite place to relax and read. Also, in bed!

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“Or maybe it’s not a miracle. Maybe this is just life. When you open yourself up to it. When you put yourself in the path of it. When you say yes.” — Just One Day by Gayle Forman. That book actually kind of changed my life and made me say YES to things I had been thinking about.

Reading Regret:

I regret not having read Harry Potter when it came out. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT CLUB WHO GREW UP WITH IT! You did see my secret project, yes? I was going to list a book I regretted reading but NOT reading this was a bigger regret.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I have many but I’d say Jessica Darling series. SHOCKING I haven’t finished it considering how much I love it, huh? I’ve read the first three books but just can’t bear to finish it!!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusack, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Pride & Prejudice

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Trish Doller. Her debut, Something Like Normal, is pretty popular in the book blogosphere and one of my favorite contemporaries but Trish deserves so much more praise and I will shout it to everyone who will listen!!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. PLEASE GET IN MY HANDS, book!

Worst Bookish Habit:

Tricky! What I deem as my worst bookish habit or what you all would? haha. I already laid out my book crimes and you guys cringed so I’ll just go with what I deem it to be…overdue library books! ALWAYS. I can never get it there on time!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Your latest book purchase:

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. I loved The Girl of Fire of Thorns and got book three for review and then I saw this one was on sale!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Program by Suzanne Young. I was going to put it down before bed but was like “what’s one more chapter?” and then uh oh…it’s 3am.
- See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/08/some-friday-fun.html#sthash.zXsyEdUD.dpuf

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Judy Blume (Want an easy way to figure this out if you have Goodreads and keep good track of your stuff? Go to your account, hit “my books”and on the left hand side under your shelves you will see “most read authors”)

Best Sequel Ever:

Though The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. I LIKED UTNS but TTEN blew me away.

Currently Reading:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (FINALLY..ok people??)

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Tea! I really like all sorts of green and white teas and always down for recommendations of new teas to try!

E-reader or Physical Book?

I’m definitely a physical book girl but love my Kindle for the gym, review copies and for vacation so I can have lots of options with me.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I definitely went for the nice, kind-of-into-dorky-things boys in high school. Also I had a thing with MY boy next door that never blossomed.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Hidden Gem Book:

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering Goodreads. Without Goodreads I would have never started reading again. I was a huge reader but then fell off the map in high school/some of college. Goodreads led me to book blogs and here we are!

Just Finished:

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy  McGinnis

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I’m trying to get better about shutting myself off to some genres (you can help me!) without trying them but I’m certain I won’t ever read any erotica. It’s just not my thing. I don’t mind smutty but not super explicit.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (897 pages)
** easy way to find this out. Go to your Goodreads “read” list, don’t scroll down but where you are on the screen there will be this little tab on the bottom that lets you choose how you want to scroll or how many books you want display. There is also a sort option with a drop down and you can sort by page.

Major book hangover because of:

Number of Bookcases You Own:

4. Two are really tall and then the other two are smaller. I’m out of room so I have piles here PLUS I stored some books on bookshelves at my stepdad’s house.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

The Giver by Lois Lowry — definitely the book I re-read the most ever. I don’t reread often but when I do it’s been just one re-read. The Giver I just kept re-reading over and over again as a kid.

Preferred Place To Read:

In the tub. It really is my favorite place to relax and read. Also, in bed!

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“Or maybe it’s not a miracle. Maybe this is just life. When you open yourself up to it. When you put yourself in the path of it. When you say yes.” — Just One Day by Gayle Forman. That book actually kind of changed my life and made me say YES to things I had been thinking about.

Reading Regret:

I regret not having read Harry Potter when it came out. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT CLUB WHO GREW UP WITH IT! You did see my secret project, yes? I was going to list a book I regretted reading but NOT reading this was a bigger regret.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I have many but I’d say Jessica Darling series. SHOCKING I haven’t finished it considering how much I love it, huh? I’ve read the first three books but just can’t bear to finish it!!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusack, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Pride & Prejudice

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Trish Doller. Her debut, Something Like Normal, is pretty popular in the book blogosphere and one of my favorite contemporaries but Trish deserves so much more praise and I will shout it to everyone who will listen!!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. PLEASE GET IN MY HANDS, book!

Worst Bookish Habit:

Tricky! What I deem as my worst bookish habit or what you all would? haha. I already laid out my book crimes and you guys cringed so I’ll just go with what I deem it to be…overdue library books! ALWAYS. I can never get it there on time!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Your latest book purchase:

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. I loved The Girl of Fire of Thorns and got book three for review and then I saw this one was on sale!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Program by Suzanne Young. I was going to put it down before bed but was like “what’s one more chapter?” and then uh oh…it’s 3am.
- See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/08/some-friday-fun.html#sthash.zXsyEdUD.dpuf

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Judy Blume (Want an easy way to figure this out if you have Goodreads and keep good track of your stuff? Go to your account, hit “my books”and on the left hand side under your shelves you will see “most read authors”)

Best Sequel Ever:

Though The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. I LIKED UTNS but TTEN blew me away.

Currently Reading:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (FINALLY..ok people??)

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Tea! I really like all sorts of green and white teas and always down for recommendations of new teas to try!

E-reader or Physical Book?

I’m definitely a physical book girl but love my Kindle for the gym, review copies and for vacation so I can have lots of options with me.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I definitely went for the nice, kind-of-into-dorky-things boys in high school. Also I had a thing with MY boy next door that never blossomed.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Hidden Gem Book:

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering Goodreads. Without Goodreads I would have never started reading again. I was a huge reader but then fell off the map in high school/some of college. Goodreads led me to book blogs and here we are!

Just Finished:

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy  McGinnis

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I’m trying to get better about shutting myself off to some genres (you can help me!) without trying them but I’m certain I won’t ever read any erotica. It’s just not my thing. I don’t mind smutty but not super explicit.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (897 pages)
** easy way to find this out. Go to your Goodreads “read” list, don’t scroll down but where you are on the screen there will be this little tab on the bottom that lets you choose how you want to scroll or how many books you want display. There is also a sort option with a drop down and you can sort by page.

Major book hangover because of:

Number of Bookcases You Own:

4. Two are really tall and then the other two are smaller. I’m out of room so I have piles here PLUS I stored some books on bookshelves at my stepdad’s house.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

The Giver by Lois Lowry — definitely the book I re-read the most ever. I don’t reread often but when I do it’s been just one re-read. The Giver I just kept re-reading over and over again as a kid.

Preferred Place To Read:

In the tub. It really is my favorite place to relax and read. Also, in bed!

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“Or maybe it’s not a miracle. Maybe this is just life. When you open yourself up to it. When you put yourself in the path of it. When you say yes.” — Just One Day by Gayle Forman. That book actually kind of changed my life and made me say YES to things I had been thinking about.

Reading Regret:

I regret not having read Harry Potter when it came out. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT CLUB WHO GREW UP WITH IT! You did see my secret project, yes? I was going to list a book I regretted reading but NOT reading this was a bigger regret.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I have many but I’d say Jessica Darling series. SHOCKING I haven’t finished it considering how much I love it, huh? I’ve read the first three books but just can’t bear to finish it!!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusack, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Pride & Prejudice

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Trish Doller. Her debut, Something Like Normal, is pretty popular in the book blogosphere and one of my favorite contemporaries but Trish deserves so much more praise and I will shout it to everyone who will listen!!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. PLEASE GET IN MY HANDS, book!

Worst Bookish Habit:

Tricky! What I deem as my worst bookish habit or what you all would? haha. I already laid out my book crimes and you guys cringed so I’ll just go with what I deem it to be…overdue library books! ALWAYS. I can never get it there on time!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Your latest book purchase:

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. I loved The Girl of Fire of Thorns and got book three for review and then I saw this one was on sale!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Program by Suzanne Young. I was going to put it down before bed but was like “what’s one more chapter?” and then uh oh…it’s 3am.
- See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/08/some-friday-fun.html#sthash.zXsyEdUD.dpuf

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Judy Blume (Want an easy way to figure this out if you have Goodreads and keep good track of your stuff? Go to your account, hit “my books”and on the left hand side under your shelves you will see “most read authors”)

Best Sequel Ever:

Though The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. I LIKED UTNS but TTEN blew me away.

Currently Reading:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (FINALLY..ok people??)

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Tea! I really like all sorts of green and white teas and always down for recommendations of new teas to try!

E-reader or Physical Book?

I’m definitely a physical book girl but love my Kindle for the gym, review copies and for vacation so I can have lots of options with me.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I definitely went for the nice, kind-of-into-dorky-things boys in high school. Also I had a thing with MY boy next door that never blossomed.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Hidden Gem Book:

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering Goodreads. Without Goodreads I would have never started reading again. I was a huge reader but then fell off the map in high school/some of college. Goodreads led me to book blogs and here we are!

Just Finished:

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy  McGinnis

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I’m trying to get better about shutting myself off to some genres (you can help me!) without trying them but I’m certain I won’t ever read any erotica. It’s just not my thing. I don’t mind smutty but not super explicit.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (897 pages)
** easy way to find this out. Go to your Goodreads “read” list, don’t scroll down but where you are on the screen there will be this little tab on the bottom that lets you choose how you want to scroll or how many books you want display. There is also a sort option with a drop down and you can sort by page.

Major book hangover because of:

Number of Bookcases You Own:

4. Two are really tall and then the other two are smaller. I’m out of room so I have piles here PLUS I stored some books on bookshelves at my stepdad’s house.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

The Giver by Lois Lowry — definitely the book I re-read the most ever. I don’t reread often but when I do it’s been just one re-read. The Giver I just kept re-reading over and over again as a kid.

Preferred Place To Read:

In the tub. It really is my favorite place to relax and read. Also, in bed!

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“Or maybe it’s not a miracle. Maybe this is just life. When you open yourself up to it. When you put yourself in the path of it. When you say yes.” — Just One Day by Gayle Forman. That book actually kind of changed my life and made me say YES to things I had been thinking about.

Reading Regret:

I regret not having read Harry Potter when it came out. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT CLUB WHO GREW UP WITH IT! You did see my secret project, yes? I was going to list a book I regretted reading but NOT reading this was a bigger regret.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I have many but I’d say Jessica Darling series. SHOCKING I haven’t finished it considering how much I love it, huh? I’ve read the first three books but just can’t bear to finish it!!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusack, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Pride & Prejudice

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Trish Doller. Her debut, Something Like Normal, is pretty popular in the book blogosphere and one of my favorite contemporaries but Trish deserves so much more praise and I will shout it to everyone who will listen!!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. PLEASE GET IN MY HANDS, book!

Worst Bookish Habit:

Tricky! What I deem as my worst bookish habit or what you all would? haha. I already laid out my book crimes and you guys cringed so I’ll just go with what I deem it to be…overdue library books! ALWAYS. I can never get it there on time!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Your latest book purchase:

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. I loved The Girl of Fire of Thorns and got book three for review and then I saw this one was on sale!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Program by Suzanne Young. I was going to put it down before bed but was like “what’s one more chapter?” and then uh oh…it’s 3am.
- See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/08/some-friday-fun.html#sthash.zXsyEdUD.dpuf

Monday, August 5, 2013

ARC Review: Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Publisher: Random House
Publishing Date: August 20th, 2013
Genre: Adult, Mystery
Pages: 624 pgs
ISBN: 9781400067886
Source: Borrowed from a fellow blogger for an honest review



Summary from Goodreads:
On a damp October night, the body of young, beautiful Ashley Cordova is found in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. By all appearances her death is a suicide--but investigative journalist Scott McGrath suspects otherwise. Though much has been written about the dark and unsettling films of Ashley's father, Stanislas Cordova, very little is known about the man himself. As McGrath pieces together the mystery of Ashley's death, he is drawn deeper and deeper into the dark underbelly of New York City and the twisted world of Stanislas Cordova, and he begins to wonder--is he the next victim? In this novel, the dazzlingly inventive writer Marisha Pessl offers a breathtaking mystery that will hold you in suspense until the last page is turned.

My Review: 

I was very excited when Kathy from A Glass of Wine brought this book back from BEA.  There has been a lot of hype around this novel and I have to say that the hype is warranted.  It is a great story about a journalist named Scott McGrath. McGrath is trying to figure out what happened to Ashley Cordova.  Ashley shows up dead and it is deemed a suicide but what makes this even more interesting is that Ashley is the daughter of a very famous, eccentric horror film director.  As you can imagine things get pretty quirky pretty fast in this novel and the twists just keep on coming.  This is one book that I never had figured out and even at the conclusion of the story I was scratching my head a little.

This book is also very visually pleasing.  It not only has the text but it also contains many different forms of writing.  It has photographs, screen shots from websites, newspaper articles and interviews, and little notes/letters.  I really like when an author goes the extra mile in their work and adds little touches like these.

The writing in this story is exceptional. Pessl really knows how to draw readers in and also keep them questioning things.  One theme throughout this novel is that of belief.  There are some paranormal/occult elements to this novel that are never really answered and I think the reason for this is that Pessl wants the reader to make up his/her mind on whether or not these things happened. It's about what you believe and what the characters believe.  What you believe can be very powerful and it can even determine your actions.  In fact, many of the characters in this novel react very bizarrely based on what they thing is happening. 

The entire time I was reading this book I kept wanting to see the films that they described in the storyline.  I love scary movies and these movies seemed so dark and twisted that I couldn't help but want to see them all.  I think that this would make a good book to movie adaptation as well.  I guess we will wait and see what happens. 

I really enjoyed this novel and I think that most of you will as well.  I would suggest going out to get this as soon as you can or even pre-ordering it.  It will definitely be a bestseller.
 

Friday, August 2, 2013

ARC Review: Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publishing Date: July 16th, 2013
Genre: YA Mystery
Pages:  400 pgs
ISBN: 9781442486591
Source: Received from Simon & Schuster Canada for an honest review



Summary from Goodreads:
Paradise quickly gets gruesome in this thrilling page-turner with a plot that’s ripped from the headlines and a twist that defies the imagination.

It’s Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend’s killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge’s decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone ever imagined...

My Review: 

This book is like candy.  I started this novel and I couldn't put it down until I was done.  I have read a lot of adult mystery novels and I find that there are not too many YA mystery novels that really hold my attention.  I am pretty good and picking out what happened and who did it so sometimes it makes the story a little less intriguing.  With this novel, while I did have a feeling I knew what happened, I was still wrapped up in the story and the characters. 

I like how the story weaves together what happened before the murder and what happens during the course of the trial.  You keep getting little snippets of the characters and their lives.  The little snapshots that you do get do not paint the nicest story.  I found myself hating most of the characters in this novel.  Every single one of them had some sort of character flaws that made them pretty nasty individuals. Usually when this happens, I can't really connect to the story but for this novel it really seemed to work.  You want to keep reading to find out what in the world is going on.  The characters belong to a group of teenage friends but the majority of the time they are looking for ways to bring each other down.  They try to break people down and the minute Anna's innocence is questioned they all turn on each other.  It seems almost as if they were looking for a reason to turn on each other.  I can't imagine being like that towards someone and I think this is the reason I couldn't quite stand any of these characters.

This novel has some mind-fuckery in it as well.  When you think you know what someone's intentions are you find out that it may not be exactly how you think it was.  Overall this is a good story that will leave you wondering what the hell is going on.  

Thursday, August 1, 2013

ARC: Tampa by Alissa Nutting

Publisher: Ecco
Publishing Date: July 2nd, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Pages: 272 pgs
ISBN: 9780062280541
Source: Borrowed ARC from a fellow blogger for an honest review



Summary from Goodreads:
Celeste Price is an eighth-grade English teacher in suburban Tampa. She's undeniably attractive. She drives a red Corvette with tinted windows. Her husband, Ford, is rich, square-jawed, and devoted to her.

But Celeste's devotion lies elsewhere. She has a singular sexual obsession—fourteen-year-old boys. Celeste pursues her craving with sociopathic meticulousness and forethought; her sole purpose in becoming a teacher is to fulfill her passion and provide her access to her compulsion. As the novel opens, fall semester at Jefferson Jr. High is beginning.

In mere weeks, Celeste has chosen and lured the lusciously naive Jack Patrick into her web. Jack is enthralled and in awe of his teacher, and, most important, willing to accept Celeste's terms for a secret relationship—car rides after school; rendezvous at Jack's house while his single father works late; body-slamming encounters in Celeste's empty classroom between periods.

Ever mindful of the danger—the perpetual risk of exposure, Jack's father's own attraction to her, and the ticking clock as Jack leaves innocent boyhood behind—the hyperbolically insatiable Celeste bypasses each hurdle with swift thinking and shameless determination, even when the solutions involve greater misdeeds than the affair itself. In slaking her sexual thirst, Celeste Price is remorseless and deviously free of hesitation, a monstress driven by pure motivation. She deceives everyone, and cares nothing for anyone or anything but her own pleasure.

With crackling, rampantly unadulterated prose, Tampa is a grand, uncompromising, seriocomic examination of want and a scorching literary debut.

My Review: 

Well I am going to start this review by saying that this book is full of explicit adult content.  As a result my review will also be discussing some pretty adult content.  If you are uncomfortable with this I completely understand and please pass this post by.

This novel is a very difficult story to read. It is told in the perspective of a female named Celeste who teaches middle grade. From the very first line in this book it is quite obvious that her intentions in being a teacher are less than angelic. Celeste is a sexual predator looking for a ripe young boy to seduce.  She is hyper-sexual and is not able to control her thoughts or her desires.  During the course of this novel she masturbates constantly, seduces two young boys and proceeds to have sex with them often.  This is all graphically detailed in the novel and it is not an easy thing to read. 

I have to say that while I found this novel disturbing, I really like the way Nutting made me think about things. When males seduce young girls they are called sexual predators and this is definitely a negative thing.  When females seduce their students or younger boys they tend to spin it as love.  It is hard for society to view females in such an aggressive, hunter-type role so it is manipulated to make it seem like love.  Our gender roles dictate that women are ruled by their emotions and so it's hard to envision a woman like this cut off from their emotions and ruled by raw animalistic impulse.  Celeste definitely manipulates everyone in her life.  She has everyone believing that she is a dedicated wife, teacher and friend while in reality she hunts defenseless pre-pubescent boys and lures them to do exactly what she wants. 

Every time I thought that it couldn't get any more horrific a new even more despicable thing happens.  I think I spent the whole novel with my jaw on the floor in disbelief. As a reader, you can't help but feel manipulated by Celeste. There are times when she is humorous (in a dark and twisted way) and you find yourself being entertained by her.  Then you stop and think: Whoa! This is messed up. She is not entertaining.  She is a monster.  The entire time the only thing she thinks about is herself. Everything she does is for her benefit and she has absolutely no remorse for her actions.  She isn't bothered by the slightest that she is destroying people's lives. 

I equate this novel to a car accident on the highway.  As you drive you by you can't help but watch and peak to see what happened even if you're not entirely sure you want to see the outcome of it.  I couldn't put this book down and it stirred up lots of emotions. It is a very good book but it is not for the faint of heart.  If you are squeamish in the least then pass this one up.  If you are willing to be a little disturbed but emotionally and intellectually challenged then this is the book for you.  I can't wait to see what else Nutting puts out in the future.