Teaser Tuesdays [5]

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB.

Rules:

• Grab the book you are currently reading and share teaser sentences.
• Don't include spoilers! 

Today's teaser is from Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole:

"Dante turns his head and his eyes meet mine and for a moment I see something in his, something a little vulnerable and slightly sad and very beautiful all at the same time.
Just for a moment.
And then it is gone."

Feature and Follow [6]

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. This meme is a great way to meet new bloggers, and to likewise know more about them. Follow me and I'll be sure to follow you back!

Q: Summer Reading. What was your favorite book that you were REQUIRED to read when you were in school? 

Definitely Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's dream are close seconds, though!

Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Title: Confessions of an Angry Girl
Author: Louise Rozett
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Published By: HarlequinTEEN
Source: NetGalley

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some CONFESSIONS to make... 

#1: I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

#2: I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who "might" be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

#3: High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry-get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.) (Sorry. That was rude.)

THOUGHTS:

I sort of went into this book blind - I liked the cover, and the blurb intrigued me enough to request a review copy from NetGalley, and that was that. Upon reading, I was definitely surprised to find out that this book's MC was fourteen and had just started high school. I  won't lie - I was tempted to stop reading for one reason and one reason only: I didn't think that a fourteen-year-old MC would be a relatable enough character. Fourteen seemed too young an age for readers into their late teens and twenties to relate to. 

Gosh, I love it when authors prove me wrong and diminish my misgiving into nothingness. 

Rose is a character like no other - she isn't your normal fourteen-year-old. She's snarky and angry all the time, and you can't really hate her for it. Her dad just died, and she felt like she wasn't given the opportunity to properly deal with it. She and her mother seldom talk, and she feels like her brother left her to fend for herself. To top things off, Rose is confused as to where and how she fits in with her peers now that she's in high school. Her best friends are a wee bit too concerned in climbing the rungs of the social ladder and pretty soon, Rose is left behind with nowhere to go. 

I don't know about you guys, but one of the things I learned throughout the last few years is that we never really leave high school behind. Those challenges when it comes to fitting in that we all encountered while in high school? You'll encounter those during college, when you get a job, and in other facets of life. Case and point - you can't expect to keep all the friends you made during one point in life when you move on to the next chapter - this is one of those realizations that you first experience during your first few months in high school. You start to lose contact with some of the friends you had during elementary and middle school; you start to realize that you and one of your closest friend's interests are spiraling away from each other; and you start to make new friends on your own and leave those with whom you grew apart. While nowhere near similar to mine, Rose's journey had me feeling wistful at times past, and sure enough, Rozett had me relating to her fourteen-year-old MC. 

As I previously said, it's rather impossible to hate Rose. She's angry, but hey, she has enough reason to be. Sure, she makes horrible decisions one after another, and she gets herself in the worst situations in the world, but her experiences are nothing but realistic. Aside from being flawed, Rose as a character is just real. I related to her left and right throughout the book, whether be it about her filial situation or how she felt about the changes she was encountering with her friends and life in general. Rose is a remarkable character, and I can say with no qualms so whatsoever that anyone will be able to relate to her. 

The character of Jamie left me mystified. I had no idea what on earth he was thinking at any point of the book, and everything he did surprised me. Hey, I won't lie though - I LOVED his character. What little I knew of Jamie I loved. I loved all of his interactions with Rose. I loved it when I got glimpses into his life and who he truly is. I can't wait to read more about him!

Overall, Confessions of an Angry Girl is a satisfying read and a brilliant beginning to a series. Readers will enjoy journeying with Rose as she slowly starts discovering who she is and where she belongs. I must confess though - I had no idea that this wasn't a stand-alone book, and I ended up mentally screaming in anguish upon its last few pages! 

Rating: 4 Stars

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

I just came home from Afghanistan.
My parents are splitting up.
My brother has stolen my girlfriend.
(He also stole my car.)
And I'm haunted by the ghost of my best friend.
Then I run into Harper.
(Technically, her fist runs into my face.)
She's beautiful, smart, funny...
...and wants nothing to do with
the messed-up Marine who ruined her life.

Sometimes the best you can hope for
is something like normal.

Sometimes what you get
can be even better.

 

THOUGHTS:

It's not everyday that I come across a YA book told from a male's perspective, so I grabbed a copy of Something Like Normal as soon as I could. Add that to the fact that the MC is a war veteran returning home from deployment for the first time, and suffice to say that I was hooked from the blurb alone. However, I would be lying if I said I didn't have any misgivings - I've read a few YA books in the past which were told through male POVs, and they were all horribly inauthentic. It never felt like I was viewing things from the male MC's perspective - rather, it felt like I was reading from the author's perspective, while she desperately attempted to try to sound male. I don't run across that problem while reading Something Like Normal, though. I never felt like I was reading anyone but Travis' thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. His voice was so realistic, and was truly authentic through and through.

What I liked the most about Something Like Normal was the character of Travis - not even once was he painted as someone who was perfect and had no flaws just because he was a Marine and inadvertently an American hero. He was flawed like any other human being, and he had many things to deal with after returning home. He didn't have the best relationship with his father before his deployment, he wasn't able to maintain a good relationship with his mother while deployed, his brother and ex-girlfriend both cheated on him while he was away, and he also had to deal with the fact that his best friend, Charlie, died beside him while on duty.  Furthermore, in the face of all his problems, Travis had to convince himself that life went on despite Charlie's death.

Doller didn't gloss over Travis' problems, or how he dealt with them, upon coming home. I was privy to numerous heart-wrenching scenes as Travis attempted to untangle the mess that was his life through both good and bad decisions, and like any other person, Travis had to suffer the consequences of every decision he made. Every interaction Travis had with the members of his family, his ex-girlfriend, the friends he left behind, Harper, and his fellow marines only had me learn more about Travis as a person, and at the same time realize just how much of a relatable character he is.

I also loved how Travis and Harper's relationship was portrayed - no insta-love of any kind (seriously, insta-love should be banned from all YA books), since Travis had to gain Harper's trust and forgiveness after haphazardly starting a rumor in the past that changed how people perceived Harper. Their relationship was sweet yet cautious on both sides, and I loved how it was through their friendship that romance blossomed. Their relationship wasn't without challenges though, and how both Travis and Harper dealt with their problems was realistic and emotional, to say the least.

Overall, Something Like Normal was an amazing read. I finished it in one sitting, and Travis' character stayed with me well after finishing. The last chapter of this book is one of the most memorable chapters I have ever read, and I applaud Trish Doller for penning a masterpiece.

Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesdays [6]

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW spotlights Julie Kagawa's The Lost Prince:
 

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he's dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

Teaser Tuesdays [4]

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB.

Rules:

• Grab the book you are currently reading and share teaser sentences.
• Don't include spoilers! 

Today's teaser is from Something Like Normal by Trish Doller:

"A wave of anger crashes over me. At myself from being unable to control my reactions. At Harper for just putting on a smile and saying it's all good when it's not all good. I throw my soda cup at the wall. It bursts on impact, splashing Coke everywhere."

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier. 

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

THOUGHTS:

Some years ago, a professor of mine ensued a challenge to the entire class during our first meeting - if any one of us were able to give an example wherein a single action of ours does not affect any other people in one way or another, that person would receive an automatic perfect grade for the entire course. I remember blinking in disbelief and exchanging bewildered glances with my seatmates - it seemed like an easy enough task, and an easy 4.0 at that! For the next hour and thirty minutes, my classmates and I unleashed answer upon answer, all of which were shot down by my professor in quick succession after brief explanations. Soon after, the answers became more far-fetched, as we then realized that the question is not as easy as it initially seemed. By the time the class ended, everyone accepted - albeit reluctantly, of course - that the question posed was one of those questions that had no obvious answers. In a nutshell, as proven by a rambunctious and thought-provoking class discussion, every single thing that we do has the certain capacity to affect other people, despite how minute it may seem.

Upon reading Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, this specific incident immediately came to mind. As proven by the story of Hannah Baker's life, the littlest things - no matter how grossly irrelevant they may seem - possess the power to alter a person's life forever. The entire time I was reading the book, I was mentally screaming at every person Hannah had on her list - it seemed so obvious to me that what they did would contribute to the detriment of Hannah's self-worth as well as her reason of living, and I was perplexed that they had no idea! But then again, that's life, right? No one is omnipotent, no one is all-knowing. We have no idea if something that we have done is the catalyst or the final straw for another person to start considering more drastic means of coping with his or her life. Should we stop there, however?

Ultimately, the statement that this novel poses is that we SHOULD be aware of how our actions can affect other people. We can't make excuses forever - we can't keep whining 'but I had no idea!' when we finally realize that something we had done in the past affected another person even in the littlest of ways. Both actions and words unleash this certain power that has the capability to weaken even the strongest of characters and to strike down the most confident. Make no mistake - I am in no way condoning suicide, but sometimes, when things get too tough, your mind flies to unchartered territories, and an idea, no matter how horrible it may seem, will suddenly make itself known to you through your everyday thoughts. Suddenly, no matter what you do, you can't stop thinking about it. Also, I hate how people often generalize that those who commit suicide are only those who have gone through the most traumatic of situations such as rape or whatnot - who are we to generalize? Who gave us the right to assume that all people's breaking points are one and the same?

Again, I'm not condoning how Hannah pointed fingers at the people she considered responsible for her death, but I truly understand why she did what she did. Hannah wanted those people to know how their actions affected her, and let's face it, if she went up to them and blatantly stated what she felt, would they have listened to her? I'm not setting things in stone, but the likelihood is not very likely. The tapes got Hannah's thoughts and feelings across in a way that she wouldn't have been able to do so personally. To put things in perspective, here's something I wrote in my personal blog last year when it seemed like life would never get better:

"Sometimes, I can’t help but want to do something drastic - something so drastic that I would have ruined my entire life completely by doing it. When that happens, I would look at everyone who made me feel worthless and increasingly pathetic every single day and say, “Are you finally happy? You completely destroyed me now.”

Am I proud of this post? Of course not. Did I want the people I was referring to to see this post? I'd be lying if I said no. Did I have the courage to personally go up to those I was referring to and say my piece? Honestly, no. Like I said, though I don't condone Hannah sending the audiotapes to the people in her list, I truly understand why she did what she did.

What impressed me about this book was how realistically portrayed it was. The novel gave me chills in places and in statements that were chillingly familiar and relatable, truth be told, and I liked how Asher set the pacing of the story. Though the entire story was fast-paced, nothing felt rushed, and I never felt like some certain points of the novel could have been elaborated more. Hannah and Clay's alternating POVs enriched the story and allowed the readers to see the full picture - we got to read through Hannah's innermost thoughts and all those that she went through, and Clay gave us details that Hannah did not touch up on.

Overall, I consider this book one of those books that a person must read in his or her lifetime. I feel like Asher got his point across about how the littlest of actions can change another person's life forever, and I do not think I will stop mulling over this novel any time soon.

Rating: 5 Stars

Feature and Follow Friday [5]

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. This meme is a great way to meet new bloggers, and to likewise know more about them. Follow me and I'll be sure to follow you back!

Q: Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

Hmmm... I guess I'd have to go with Jodi Lynn Anderson's Tiger Lily and Rebecca Serle's When You Were Mine. Both of these books are retellings of stories that we have come to love - Peter Pan and Romeo and Juliet, respectively - only, they are told through other characters' eyes.

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

THOUGHTS:

I love Kody Keplinger, plain and simple. She's what I consider a 'must-buy author' (I really should think of a better term, huh?) because she's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. She knows how to write compelling stories while addressing current teenage issues through her characters, and Whitley Johnson is no exception.

Whitley is complex and messed-up, and honestly, I don't blame her. She experienced a major upheaval in her life at such a young age, and was never given the chance to properly deal with it. If something like that happens to you, what would you do? You escape. As fast as you can. And that's what Whitley did. To make up for the fact that her mother never notices her, or that her dad is part of a brand-new ala Brady Bunch family, she rebels. She pushes everyone away - despite of how well they treat her - because no one was there for her when she needed someone to lean on. Unreasonable? Maybe. Selfish? Maybe. Realistic. MOST DEFINITELY. 

We've all been there. We need attention, and when we don't get it, we act out. Why exactly do we act out? Because it's the only way we get noticed. Keplinger hit the nail on the head. In the end, we do regret acting the way we did and doing all those things that now make us cringe, but then again, we wouldn't have grown - we wouldn't have matured if we never did what we did. Keplinger got that right as well. In this book, we were able to watch Whitley act out, rebel, feel sorry for herself, and likewise, grow, mature, conquer her fears, and ultimately move on with her life. She wasn't the easiest of characters to read about, sure, but that's what made her relatable. That's what made her story resonate. 

Wow. I got pretty emotional there. Oh well, that just goes to show how much I loved the book. Anyway, let's move on to others things I liked about A Midsummer's Nightmare.

I loved, LOVED that we got to see how Bianca and Wesley are one year after the happenings of The DUFF took place. I was positively ecstatic to find out that they are still together, that Bianca is still as sassy and as in-your-face as ever, and that Wesley is still obviously completely enamored with Bianca. I also loved that we finally got to meet Harrison as a supporting character this time around. He was the perfect guy to deal with all of Whitley's craziness and drama, and I just adored their friendship.

Also, you have to hand it to Keplinger - she knows how to make readers squeal and swoon (who doesn't remeber that scene with Wesley and the note, or when the boys of Shut-Out burst into N'Sync's Tearin' Up My Heart), and this time is no different. The chemistry Nathan and Whitley have is positively off-the-charts, and Nathan is just an amazing guy. He's sweet, kind, and he cares for Whitley - a lot. I loved all of Whitley and Nathan's interactions, from the simple conversations to the really steamy scenes, because we really get to delve into their characters through them. Also, we don't really get to see a lot of guys like Nathan in YA books - usually, we have the hot, broody, aloof and mysterious guy - and quite frankly, I really think that we SHOULD get more guys like Nathan. He's open and not afraid to say what he thinks or feels - we really don't get that enough.

Overall, A Midsummer's Nightmare is another Kody Keplinger masterpiece and is debatedly her best novel to date (I'm still partial to The DUFF though!). It's the perfect summer read! 

Rating: 5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday [5]

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW spotlights Colleen Clayton's What Happens Next:

Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader (at the bottom of the pyramid, but still...), a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid—including a lock of her perfect red curls—and she can’t remember any of it.

Back home and unable to relate to her old friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.

Painted Blind by Michelle Hansen

Seventeen years old and agoraphobic, Psyche Middleton vows her dad will never see the risqué photos she took during a summer modeling stint abroad, but one of them ends up on a billboard in her Montana hometown. Now everyone—especially her dad—can see it. And yet, somehow, those are the mundane things in her life because she is about to fall unexpectedly, head-over-heels in love with Erik, a mysterious young man who rescues her from a crowd of admirers, and who she’s never actually seen because…he can make himself invisible.

As strange as this may seem, it’s about to get even stranger. Erik takes her to his palace in an idyllic kingdom, and she is swept into the beauty and culture of his world, but his affection has one condition: she may not see him. Overtaken, intrigued, and still not wholeheartedly believing he’s real, Psyche is going to have to decide if she can love him blindly; because if she can’t, she may lose him forever.

THOUGHTS:

Out of all the mythological retellings I've read over the past year, Painted Blind is my favorite. The world-building is sublime; the plot is relatively fast-paced; and the characters are engaging. The writing is beautiful - the descriptions of Erik's world are intricately detailed - and not a page of this book bored me. Though I pretty much knew how the story will progress since I am well acclimated with the myth of Cupid (Eros) and Psyche, Michelle Hansen threw little plot twists here and there to make this story truly her own.

I love how Hansen portrayed Psyche. Usually, when authors attempt to make a beautiful girl insecure and frightened of all the stares and attention, everything falls flat. They make the girl sound too whiny and ungrateful - and most of the time irritating - but that isn't the case for Psyche. Sure, she may be described as being unearthly beautiful, but like every girl who has to go through life with eyes feasted upon her every move, she quakes under the stares. Like every girl thrust into the public eye for something she's not proud of, she does everything she can to hide herself. The way Hansen talked about Psyche's fear of people and unwarranted attention was definitely believable, and in no way did I even doubt how Psyche felt throughout the book.

What I loved the most about this book was its supporting characters. While I didn't blink my eyes in disbelief at Psyche and Erik's love, I never felt like I actually got to know Erik as opposed to his servant, Aeas, and Psyche's servant, Titus. (Be warned - I'm using the term servant very loosely here.) Yes, I do see that he's very protective and that he does indeed love Psyche very much, but I think that that's all that I got from what I read and nothing else. I really wish that his character could have been explored more, but then again, this book was told from Psyche's point of view. I guess you can't really expect her to paint the man she loves in a bad light. However, as Aeas and Titus were both there for Psyche every step of the way when she had to accomplish the impossible, I really felt like I got to know the both them. Moreover, Psyche described both characters as she saw them - no sugarcoating whatsoever. If they did something that she didn't like, or they wanted her to do something that she won't do, she'd call it as it is. I also loved how Psyche and Titus interacted with each other - their banter was fun to read, and seeing their friendship progress was also entertaining.

Overall, Painted Blind was an entertaining and enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it to readers who love retellings of myths - you won't regret reading this book!

Rating: 4 Stars 

Thank you to Createspace and NetGalley for providing me an e-copy of this book!

Stacking the Shelves [5]

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It's a great way to show other people the books that you've bought or received for the past week! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the respective publishers for providing me with eARCs!

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side. 

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny? 

THOUGHTS:

Color me surprised. This book is not what I expected it would be. Upon checking out the book's blurb, I expected a wimpy, irritating and annoying Mary Sue as a heroine; I expected a sudden ohmygod-I-just-can't-live-without-you romantic relationship between the heroine and the boy of her dreams (quite literally) with the other human boy providing a bit of confusion to our heroine; and finally, I expected that the book would primarily be a love story with hints of angelogy (not really a word, but you get my drift) thrown in.

Obviously, I was wrong.

The blurb REALLY doesn't do this book justice. At all. This is not simply a fluffy romance set in the paranormal world - as a matter of fact, one of the things I liked the most about Unearthly was its world-building. The angel mythology and folklore in this book is amazing! I'm not going to go into detail to avoid spoilers, but trust me, the mythology in this book is unparalleled. The concept that every angel has an individual mission to fulfill is something that makes sense and yet hasn't been explored more, come to think of it. Moreover, the fact that this said mission is not revealed in one go is a great premise - as a result, we are privy to character growth as the book's heroine, Clara, tries to depict just what it is she has to do while simultaneously doing her best to live her life as normal as possible. I also loved the gradual build-up of the relationship between Clara and Tucker. It wasn't rushed, and was completely fleshed out.

Overall, Unearthly is a great read. The writing is beautiful, the plot was well thought out, and the characters are engaging. Oh, and it's pretty much a guarantee that you'll adore Tucker after reading the book! 

Rating: 4 Stars

Feature and Follow Friday [4]

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. This meme is a great way to meet new bloggers, and to likewise know more about them. Follow me and I'll be sure to follow you back!

Q: What drove you to start book blogging in the first place?

It's something that I've been meaning to do for a long time, actually. I love books, I like sharing my opinions, and I love blogging so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm only three weeks in, but the experience has been great so far! I really don't regret starting a book review blog, and the fellow bloggers I've met are all amazing. I think I'm going to be doing this for a long time to come.

Waiting on Wednesday [4]

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW spotlights Tamara Ireland Stone's Time Between Us:

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate—and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

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

THOUGHTS:  

Pushing the Limits introduces us to Noah and Echo - two people as different as night and day, but two people currently going through some of life's toughest challenges. Echo has repressed the memory of a horrifying incident with her mother which left her with horribly scarred arms; meanwhile, Noah, while still grieving the death of his parents two years ago, is under the care of a foster care system that has forced him apart from his younger brothers. Similarly, however, they have no adults in their lives to lean on to - Echo's father is too busy with his new wife; Noah's foster parents don't really pay attention to him. All this changes, however, when both start undergoing counseling under Mrs. Collins, who tasks Echo to tutor Noah. Moreover, amidst all the confusion and chaos both are experiencing, Noah and Echo find reasons to lean on each other and to begin a relationship, while slowly attempting to right their lives.

While Noah and Echo's budding relationship was certainly a highlight, what I liked most about this book was how Noah and Echo were portrayed so realistically. When I say that they're relatable, I'm not lying, nor am I exaggerating. Like Echo, we've all felt what it was like to be shunned by the people who should have cared for us the most one time or another. Like Noah, we've all felt victimized and personally screwed by a system that was supposed to help us to begin with. Like Echo, we've all felt the heaviness of public scrutiny with regards to how we look and our reputations. Maybe, like Noah, there are also those who've succumbed to vices just to deal with the mess that their lives have become. Like Noah and Echo, we've all been let down by adults, and we've all decided at one point or another to stop trusting them. Maybe, like Noah and Echo, there are also those who have found an adult like Mrs. Collins who truly cares and is truly interested in helping. And maybe, like Noah and Echo, there are those who found that one person who shares their pain amidst all the chaos in their lives.

To say that Pushing the Limits is one of the best books I've read this year is a gross understatement - it's one of the best books I've ever read in my life. It's one of those books that will continue to haunt your mind and tug at your heartstrings well after reading it; it's one of those books wherein you feel that you've come such a long way with its characters after a mere four hundred pages or so. Each page grips you emotionally; each of Noah and Echo's internal struggles make your entire being ache with empathy; and the tears shed by both characters break your heart, simply put. Pushing the Limits is a heartwarming story filled with realistic experiences that will blow your mind - three days after reading the book, I still can't stop thinking about it no matter what I do.

Pushing the Limits is engrossing, entertaining, and utterly heartbreaking. It's one of those books that will stay with you forever. Oh, and nope, I'm still not exaggerating.

Rating: 5 Stars

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley providing me an advanced e-copy of this book!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

THOUGHTS:

In true Richelle Mead fashion, The Golden Lily is a tale woven with intriguing plot twists and character development. In this book, Mead delves deeper into Sydney's mindset and her struggle to remain true to her Alchemist roots and the same time to herself; Adrian's desire to be a better person; and ultimately, the progress between the two's relationship. Simultaneously, the readers are also introduced to the existence of vampire hunters and their ties to the Alchemists, and their penultimate plan against the Strigoi and Moroi unfolds. Furthermore, the mystery of the effect of spirit on Strigoi deepens, as a discovery concerning Sydney challenges her previous beliefs and self-notions to the breaking point.

I honestly love how Mead portrays Sydney - cool, sassy and confident when it comes to things she knows, yet horribly awkward as ever during social situations. Her thoughts during her dates with Brayden were incredibly entertaining, and I really can't help but smile whenever Sydney attempted to help Jill and Eddie (sometimes making the situation inadvertently worse). Sydney's naivety was also perfectly portrayed - it wasn't overdone to the point wherein you just want to punch Sydney in the jaw for not noticing what was in front of her, but rather, you can only roll your eyes good-naturedly and just go along for the ride. Everything felt and experienced by Sydney in this books only signals that she still has a lot more to overcome in the next books - with regards to the alchemists and Adrian both - and I can't wait to find out what else Mead has in store for her.

I'm still a bit weary towards Jill, but she has grown on me a little since reading this book. She came upon the realization that she really was no ordinary Moroi, that she had a duty to fulfill, and that not everyone can cater to her whims. She matured a lot, and started being more vocal about her thoughts and feelings, especially regarding Micah and Eddie. I still can't help but wish that at least part of the books were in her point of view though - I'd really love to see more of what Adrian is thinking, and how Jill is dealing with being shadow-kissed.

Oh gosh, Adrian. I don't know where to begin. I've been a huge fan of him since the Vampire Academy series, but it's just impossible to not fall in love with after reading this book! I love how protective he is of Sydney, how he is just doing his utmost best to be a better person, how he seems to be finally moving on from Rose and getting over his hatred of Dimitri, and that soliloquy of his during the last part of the book? OHMYGOD. I literally had to stop myself from squealing out load. His words were just raw, heartfelt... and real. Amongst all the characters, Adrian is definitely the one who has grown a lot since Last Sacrifice, and everything he went through throughout the past seven books (VA included) tore at my heart. Let me get this out - if Adrian doesn't get a happy ending, I will hate Richelle Mead! (Okay, not really, but you get what I mean.)

I can't wait until the next book!

Rating: 5 Stars

Stacking the Shelves [4]

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It's a great way to show other people the books that you've bought or received for the past week! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the respective publishers for providing me with eARCs. Oh, and make sure to look out for my reviews of these titles in the next two weeks!

Feature and Follow [3]

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. This meme is a great way to meet new bloggers, and to likewise know more about them. Follow me and I'll be sure to follow you back!

Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don't like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.

I'm more of a general fiction and YA type of gal so I wasn't really sure what to expect when I picked up Richelle Mead's Georgina Kincaid series - a paranormal series geared towards adults. The prime reason as to why I got the series is because it was written by Richelle, my absolute favorite author, and I make it a point to read all the books that she releases. Anyway, long story short, I ended up loving all the books of the Georgina Kincaid series, and I don't regret trying the series out!

The Summer of No Regrets by Katherine Grace Bond

This was the summer that would change my life.
No more being what everyone expected. No more doing what everyone else wanted.
So when Luke came into my life, I decided to keep him a secret. Maybe he as a dead-ringer for notorious Hollywood bad boy Trent Yves. And it was possible that everything he told me was a lie. And yes, I was probably asking for trouble. But all I saw was Luke--sweet, funny, caring--someone who would let me be the real me.
But which was the real him?

THOUGHTS: 

I tried liking this book, mainly because it was set during summer (you guys ought to know by now how much I love YA books set during summer) and the blurb intrigued me, but when you have to try to like a book, you just know for a fact that you won't like it no matter what you do. It's not that the book is badly written, or the plot is nonsensical and boring - rather, I just didn't feel anything while reading it. It just didn't have that zing I've come to expect when reading books I know I won't be able to stop thinking about well after I've finished reading them. The story just didn't hook me in and I just couldn't fully connect with the characters, though they were definitely interesting in their own little ways. I just wasn't tearing through the pages of the book, eagerly anticipating what came next. As a matter of fact, the only reasons I finished this book were because I was eager to find out whether or not Luke really was Trent Yves, and also because I was torn whether or not I liked Brigitta as a character. 

We've all gone through moments wherein we feel like Brigitta - socially awkward, ashamed of our families for how they act, and just intent on bottling everything in. As much as I relate to her at times, I couldn't possibly fathom just why she was so intent on pushing everyone away, and then later on lament on the fact that she had no nobody to talk to or that nobody was there for her. It was all very... confusing, and it got really tiring to read about as the novel progressed. However, I really liked Brigitta throughout the course of her relationship with Luke - she always let him know how she felt, and she never let him walk all over her. I can't help but laud book heroines who never fail to stand up for themselves against guys (especially ones they like) - reading about them is so refreshing!

This book deals with a lot of aspects other than your typical summer love (though I never got the impression that it was summer while reading the book) - filial relationships, the search for one's identity, and religion amongst others. The book has a lot going on, and I'm sure that most of you will like it - it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

Rating: 3 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday [3]

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW spotlights Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits:

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

Teaser Tuesdays [3]

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB.

Rules:

• Grab the book you are currently reading and share teaser sentences.
• Don't include spoilers! 

Today's teaser is from League of Strays by L.B. Schulman:

"My gaze moved like a pendulum, to the left, to the right, then up and down the stairs. It looked like I'd have to wait longer to get the details of Part One."

p 96

Stacking the Shelves [3]

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It's a great way to show other people the books that you've bought or received for the past week! 

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Read my review of Storm here.

Painted Blind by Michelle Hansen

I thought I'd give requesting ebooks at netgalley a shot, and I was lucky enough to be provided with a copy of Painted Blind!

Jamie as Jace

I'm not sure about you guys, but I wasn't exactly thrilled when I found out that Jamie Campbell Bower was to play Jace in the film adaptation of City of Bones. I've warmed up to him over the last few months, sure, but it was only upon seeing the pictures below that I became absolutely certain that Jamie can play Jace. What do you guys think?