Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium (Delirium #2)
by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA, Dystopian
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,  
push, 
push, 
push,
like Raven taught me to do. 
The old life is dead. 
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her. 
I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite. (Goodreads)

Delirium was one of my favorite reads of 2011, and I was thrilled to get my hands on Pandemonium! This installment shocked me (in a good way). It’s so different from Delirium in both tone and setting, and nothing like what I was expecting. The story is told from Lena's perspective, but the chapters alternate between "Then" and "Now". It took a few chapters for me to adjust to the flow, but for Lena’s story, I think this format is brilliant.

In Pandemonium, Lena is grieving and angry… she’s no longer the innocent, somewhat naïve girl we came to know in Delirium. She’s defiant and courageous – a fighter. By alternating between her present and past, the reader is able to see, and understand why Lena has so drastically changed.

Pandemonium is much darker, and more intense than Delirium. In comparison, Delirium seems light and romantic! This installment has new characters, and a fantastic plot that grips you and doesn’t let go. Lauren Oliver’s writing is so vivid and beautiful… immersing you in her world, and making you feel each of Lena’s emotions.

This is a must read for fans of Delirium! It will shock you, but you will love it. Pandemonium’s ending left me with my jaw hanging open and dying for Requim (book 3)! I love this series; if you haven’t read Delirium yet, get to it, pronto.

Author Links: website | blog | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Review: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

Torrent (River of Time #3) 
by Lisa T. Bergren

Publisher: David C. Cook
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Format: eGalley
Source: Publicist/Author
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death. (Goodreads)

Torrent is the third book in the River of Time series. If you haven’t read this series yet, you should check out my reviews of Waterfall and Cascade. Torrent picks up right where Cascade left off; and I was immediately captivated and happy to be back with these characters!

It’s evident in Torrent how much Gabi and Lia have grown over the series. You really see how they’ve been changed from their life and death experiences in 14th century Italy. Gabi is brave and strong, but she isn’t perfect and she makes mistakes. Which makes me love her as a heroine even more. Gabi is forced to make difficult decisions and I really liked seeing how she worked through them.

I loved the romance between Marcello and Gabi, but I also loved the conflict with Lord Greco. I really like him as a character… he’s complicated, charming, and tall, dark, and handsome. Sigh… yeah… Greco kind of stole the show for me! I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more of Luca and Lia (not as much as Cascade), but I realize if I got my wish that Torrent would have been forever long!

Torrent is little less intense than Cascade but is full of action scenes that keep you glued to the page. My only complaint with this installment is that some elements were a little too convenient, and the story ties up a little too neatly in the end. However, Bergren’s writing made it easy for me to just go with it and enjoy the story.

Torrent was a wonderful conclusion to the series … but I’m ecstatic that Lisa Bergren wants to continue to write installments! An e-novella, BOURNE, is being released on 2/28/12 and picks up right after Torrent! I really, really hope that Bergren is able to write more installments in the future. The River of Time series is truly an adventure back in time – full of romance, action, family, and history. I highly recommend this series to adults and young adults alike, it does not disappoint!

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

Beautiful. Real. Heart-wrenching.

I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this book! Graffiti Moon spans just one night and is a beautiful story about friendship, trust, and love... and a second chance.

Graffiti Moon follows six teenagers through the night after their graduation from high school (or year 12 as it’s called in Australia). Lucy and her best friends decide to go out for a night of fun to celebrate. However, Lucy is on a mission to find Shadow, the famous graffiti artist that she feels connected to through his art. Even though she has no idea who he is, she feels like he is the only one who can understand her, and she is determined to find him. Instead, thanks to her friends Jazz and Daisy, they end up hanging out with Ed, Dylan, and Leo. Which is awkward since years before she had a disastrous date with Ed that ended with her breaking his nose.

Lucy is disappointed, and trying to figure out how she’s going to get away to search for Shadow… until Ed says he knows him and can help her find him. The night becomes a course of misadventures, as they all search for the graffiti artist team Shadow and Poet.

Graffiti Moon is beautifully written – lyrical with witty dialogue, an excellent plot, and fantastic characters! The story is told by alternating perspectives between Lucy, Ed, and Poet, which I felt was done perfectly. Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

"I liked that he had hair that was growing without a plan. A grin that came out of nowhere and left the same way.” -- Cath Crowley

Reading Graffiti Moon, for me, was like reading a piece of art. Lucy’s passion is glass blowing, while Shadow paints, and Poet writes poetry, so art has a huge role in this novel. Yet, the story remains grounded by their very real life problems that all teenagers can relate to in some way.

Graffiti Moon is easily one of my favorite reads of 2011, and I’m so grateful that it was released in the US! I want to read more from Cath Crowley so I hope Knopf Books continues to publish her work here!

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral (iPhone App Edition)

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony, illustrated by Rodrigo Corral

Publisher: Razorbill/PenguinTeen
Release Date: February 2, 2012
Format: iPhone App
Source: Bought
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Buy: iTunes | Amazon | IndieBound

After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks."
But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along... (Goodreads)

Chopsitcks is a novel where the written story is very much secondary to the format. I read this story via its iPhone app, which is such a unique way to experience a book! The story is told with pictures, notes, letters, music, instant messaging conversations, and YouTube videos laid out scrapbook style. The book app is interactive, but you can simply flip through the pages in order or randomly if you’d like. Or, you can do what I did, and slowly explore each page (in order) – tapping the page to move things to discover what’s underneath, listening to the music, and watching the videos.

Chopsticks is both a love story and a mystery. I think readers could look through it a second time and experience it differently; and it would have a different ending. Glory is a teenage piano prodigy who falls in love with Francisco, the boy who moves in next door. Her father is both her piano teacher and manager, and forces her to go on a European tour – partly for her career, but mostly to separate her and Frank.

While on tour Glory begins to mentally spiral and starts only being able to play chopsticks at all her performances. Frank is the only one who can calm her, but the more intense their relationship becomes, the worse Glory gets… and the lines between real and imagined become blurred.

Chopsticks is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a while. I’ve already gone back through it again, trying to gleam more from all the material. My only complaint with the iPhone app is that not all the videos would play for me. Some worked, some didn’t and I couldn’t figure out why. I emailed the app developers but I haven’t heard back yet. I really don’t believe I missed any part of the story by not being able to view all the videos, but it was an annoyance.

The only reason I didn’t rate this book higher is because though I loved the scrapbook style of the novel, I didn’t feel as emotionally tied to the characters as I usually do with books you read. I could sense Glory’s ups and downs, happiness and sadness, but I didn’t feel connected to her. Instead I felt like a detective, trying to solve her mystery – which was great in its own way.

I really enjoyed exploring this book, and highly recommend both the hardcover and iPad/iPhone app editions, for the experience and the story!

Check out the awesome book trailer:

Review: Eleven Minutes by Megan Miranda

Eleven Minutes (short tie-in story to Fracture)
by Megan Miranda

Publisher: Bloomsbury Teen

Release Date: January 17, 2012

Format: eBook 

Source: Fracture Facebook fan page

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fracture is told from Delaney's perspective, and if you've read the first two chapters, you know that she falls through the ice in chapter one, and she wakes up 6 days later. And what happens in between—well, that's Decker's story.

This is the story of those eleven minutes, and the six days that follow, from his perspective. Because while it must be terrifying to be trapped under the ice, it's a different kind of terror seeing your best friend trapped...

Especially if it's your fault. (Goodreads)

I loved Megan Miranda's debut novel, Fracture, so I was excited to learn of Eleven Minutes: Exclusive Tie-In Story, a 28 page ebook that is currently only available through the Fracture Facebook fan page. This short tie-in story to Fracture is written from Decker's POV and spans the eleven minutes after Delaney falls into the ice and the time she is in a coma. I loved Decker in Fracture, so this was a treat to read. The story is mostly his inner dialogue of regret and guilt, and his desperation/hope for her to wake up... There's also a peak at his memories of growing up with Delaney, and of their friendship.

I always love reading stories from different points of view, and being able to understand things from a different perspective. I don't think it's necessary to read Fracture before this short story, but I would recommend it. I also really enjoyed reading Miranda's note at the end, and why she was drawn to writing this type of story.

If you haven't read Fracture yet, what are you waiting for?!

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Book Links: facebook | excerpt from Fracture - chapters 1 & 2

Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Publisher: Walker & Company

Release Date: January 17, 2012

Format: Advance Reader Copy

Source: Publisher/NetGalley

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine - despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death. (Goodreads)

I pretty much knew before reading Fracture that I would enjoy it, but what I didn’t expect was how much I would love it. I immediately (on page one) connected with Delaney, the protagonist… she was such a real teenage character, and my teenage self could identify with her in so many ways. I was quickly gripped by the story and I had a hard time putting it down!

What starts out as a fun afternoon with friends quickly turns to horror when Delaney slips and falls through the ice, to what everyone thinks is her death. She is trapped under the ice for 11 minutes until her best friend Decker is able to pull her out. She should be dead, but miraculously she survives seemingly fine. There is no explanation for her walking, talking wellness since by all medical standards she should have been brain dead after 8 minutes. However, Delaney doesn’t feel exactly fine, and she slowly realizes that she is drawn to death. She is relieved when she meets mysterious and “dreamy” Troy, who has her same abilities.

My favorite thing about this novel is the relationship between Delaney and Decker. They’re neighbors and grew up together as best friends, the kind that knows each other inside and out. I loved the push and pull between them as they realize their feelings for each other. OK, I admit it. I might have a little huge crush on Decker! Their relationship was complicated, and you didn’t know what would happen to them until the very end… and it was delicious to read!

I truly enjoyed this contemporary that has a bit of mystery/suspense and a paranormal twist. Fracture is well written with fantastic characters, and great pacing. I highly recommend that you pick this up now!

Here's the book trailer... I won't lie, I think the narration is a little funny...

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Book Links: facebook | excerpt - chapters 1 & 2

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) 
by Beth Revis
Publisher: Razorbill/PenguinTeen
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship. (Goodreads)

A Million Suns starts off right where Across the Universe ends, and I was quickly immersed back in the world Beth Revis has created. I swear, thanks to Revis’ descriptions, I can picture Godspeed inside and out – all its different levels, features, and new nooks and crannies we learn about in this book! I love when I can imagine a story’s world so completely without feeling bogged down with details, and I think Revis has found a perfect balance with this series.

In A Million Suns, the pace gradually builds until about halfway through when it becomes a roller coaster of a ride! Seriously, there were so many unexpected plot twists and turns that I never saw coming. At one point I actually exclaimed “Holy Crap” out loud while I was up late reading, which my sleeping husband wasn’t thrilled about. You can’t help but feel a sense of urgency while reading this, because the ship is in chaos. The people are on the brink of mutiny, while Elder, in his new role of leadership struggles to maintain control. Godspeed is truly another character in the story with its own secrets that Elder and Amy must figure out, while also trying to figure out who is responsible for the murders.

I think what I enjoyed most about this installment was watching Elder grow as a character. I was fascinated with how he handled each new situation as issues/problems were thrown at him in rapid fire. I do have to admit, that I wanted more romance… I kept waiting, and waiting. This series is most definitely science fiction and mystery, with very little romance. I’m not sure why I feel so insistent that it should be there. I think I got the idea of the series being a sci-fi romance stuck in my head before reading Across the Universe, and I’m just having a hard time letting it go.

This is a must-read for fans of Across the Universe; it will leave you reeling and desperate for book 3, Shades of Earth! I highly recommend this series to fans of mystery, and to anyone curious about sci-fi. You don’t need to be a sci-fi fan to enjoy this series!

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads | tumblr

Book Links: Across the Universe Website - Ship Navigation | ATU Facts Tumblr

Audiobook Review: Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green, read by Dan John Miller

Publisher: Dutton and Brilliance Audio
Release Date: October 16, 2008
Format: Audiobook (8 hours)
Source: Library
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night-dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows her. Margo's always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she's always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they're for Q. Printz Medalist John Green returns with the trademark brilliant wit and heart-stopping emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers. (Goodreads)

Paper Towns was the first John Green novel I picked up. I have no idea how I missed out on this for so long! I finally understand the awesomeness of Green’s books. His characterizations are right on – his characters realistic and relatable. The writing is clever, with dialogue that’s honest and… real.

There are so many things that I loved about Paper Towns… I loved how insightful Q, the protagonist was and how he observed people around him and analyzed himself. I loved the message about accepting a person for who they really are, not how you think they should be, and being real – finding your own truth.

“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.”

The storyline is witty and realistic (have I said that word enough?), about Q’s quest to find Margo that includes an epic road trip with his crew. Paper Towns is somewhat of a mystery as Margo leaves clues for Q when she up and disappears. I loved the road trip – there’s excitement, adventure, and parts were downright hysterical. It made me feel nostalgic and seriously had me laughing out loud! I also really enjoyed how Green incorporated Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, and referred to The Great Gatsby and Moby Dick.

I listened to the audio version of this book. I felt that the narrator, Dan John Miller, suited Q perfectly… I never doubted that he was the character. I think he did a great job with timing and the voices.

Paper Towns was a great introduction to John Green’s novels, and honestly I think it’s my favorite (I’ve read/listened to 4). Add this one to your TBR list, or better yet, go pick up a copy today! DFTBA.

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads | vlogbrothers

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability 
of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Poppy

Release Date: January 2, 2012

Format: Advance Reader Copy

Source: Borrowed
Age Level: Young Adult
My Rating: 5+ of 5 stars

Buy: Amazon | Indiebound

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. (Goodreads)

I devoured this book in less than 3 hours; I just couldn’t put it down. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight spans 24 hours, and is shock full of lovey goodness. It’s a story about love, family relationships, coincidences, and yes, fate.

The day starts with Hadley dreading being in her father’s wedding to a woman she’s never met. She’s angry with her father and resents his wife-to-be that broke up their family. She misses her flight to London by 4 minutes. Four measly minutes that completely alters her day, and her life… because she meets Oliver while waiting for a later flight.

I feel the need to clarify that though this book entails love at first sight, instant connections, and is a bit predictable… it is beautifully orchestrated. It doesn’t feel like instant love, and it’s not cheesy. Jennifer E. Smith is an amazing storyteller! The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is perfectly paced, and so well written that you are immediately drawn into the story that doesn’t let you go. All the characters are solid, and the chemistry between Hadley and Oliver is fantastic. I was able to relate with Hadley, sympathize with both her parents, fall in love with Oliver, and even like wife-to-be Charlotte.

I absolutely loved this story. The only negative thing I can think of to say is that it's too short! I was sad when it ended; I just wanted it to keep going. If you can’t tell by this review, I highly recommend this book!

Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn’t her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some.

With graceful and honest writing and an electric love story, this is a book about growing into your own skin. For fans of Perfect Chemistry, Sarah Dessen, and John Green. (Goodreads)

Kiss Crush Collide is a light quick read. I read it in a day. When I first read the synopsis and saw the cover many months ago, this instantly became a must read. I was so excited when I received this book for review, and really looked forward to reading it. I was sold as soon as I saw that it was pitched to fans of Perfect Chemistry and John Green… I have no idea how that comparison was made… because in my opinion Kiss Crush Collide cannot be prepared to them in any shape or form. Honestly, I feel like I was cheated with a bait and switch. I realize that I set my expectations too high, and I should know better, but sadly it did impact my opinion.

Leah has a seemingly perfect life… She’s beautiful, popular, has a family approved boyfriend, and a bright future ahead of her. She has two older sisters and everything always magically falls into place for them, yet being in their shadow stifles her. She views her sisters’ lives as a road map, a way to see into her own future. When she meets Porter, a guy that works at the country club, she feels a spark for the first time. She feels woken up, and she doesn’t want to follow the path her sisters blazed; she wants to make her own choices.

Though I enjoyed the storyline, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect with the characters. I didn’t really feel anything for Leah, and I was frustrated by how little Porter was developed. I expected the story to be mostly about Leah and Porter's relationship, but felt it was more about Leah's relationships with her sisters and mother. I kept waiting for more. More dialogue, more of an emotional connection, more… depth.

I really wanted to LOVE this book, but I was left feeling disappointed. If you ignore the comparisons Kiss Crush Collide becomes more likeable. I’d recommend this to fans of YA contemporary looking for a quick fun read.

Author Links: Website | Goodreads

Blog Tour: Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

Publisher: Blue Crown Press
Release Date: October 24, 2011
Format: eARC
Source: Author/Lightning Book Promotions
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future. (Goodreads)

This story was fascinating for me because the protagonist, Alex, is blind, and the story is told from his perspective. Also, the concept of a blind man with psychic abilities to “see” the future intrigued me. Alex is 16 years old and attends a regular public high school where he is constantly picked on and bullied, so I was rooting for Alex from the very beginning. How can you not? He’s the underdog, has a disability, and isolated. When a new girl, Simmi, moves to town they quickly become friends and something more.

I really, really wanted to like Alex… but unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect with him. By 2/3 of the way into the story I realized that I didn’t like him at all. He was rude and downright mean at times, and though a reason was explained, I had a hard time buying into the reasons. I really disliked how he treated both Simmi and especially their friend Shapri.

Shapri was a secondary character, and most definitely my favorite. I loved that she stood up for herself and demanded respect. I really wanted to get to know more about her, her family, and her ability. I liked Simmi too, but I felt that for the importance of her role, her character was underdeveloped.

Farsighted is well written with great pacing. I just wish the characters had more depth, though I’m sure they will grow and develop over the series!

Check out the trailer:

Emlyn Chand

website | twitter | facebook

About the Author (from her website):

From an early age, Emlyn Chand has counted books among her best friends. She loves to hear and tell stories and emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). Her affinity for the written word extends to absolutely every area of her life: she has written two-and-a-half novels, leads a classics book group with over three hundred members, and, of course, runs the whole shebang at Novel Publicity, where she contributes her business and marketing savvy as well as her writing and web design talents.

The book that changed Emlyn’s life is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson. It opened her eyes to the world that could exist if only she was willing to create it—a lesson she has never forgotten. She now reads an average of one book per week. While she enjoys all types of novels, her greatest loves are literary fiction and YA. 

Announcing: The 2012 YA Audiobook Challenge

[UPDATE 1-8-12] Please go to the new YA Audiobook Challenge page for full details, and to sign up!

A Book and a Latte is jumping into the 2012 challenge craze! I decided, um... today, to host a 2012 Young Adult Audiobook Challenge! I haven't seen a YA specific audiobook challenge anywhere, and since I modified one last year for the YA genre, I decided to start my own. 

If you follow this blog, or see me on twitter, you probably know that I adore audiobooks. Listening to a book while doing chores or mundane tasks somehow makes them easier or at least not so bad, and they make hours in the car fly by... If you haven't given audiobooks a try, use this challenge as motivation to do so! 

The Goal:

Listen and review at least 12 audiobooks (released any year) of the YA genre in 2012. 

Requirements:

• Listen to at least 12 YA audiobooks in between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012
• Review the audiobooks on either your blog or goodreads.com, and then link them up here each month!
• Reviews should include the length of the audiobook and name of narrator(s) at minimum, and also include your opinion of the narrator(s)/production.
• There will be a linky open here each month to link up your reviews. You don't have to link a review each month, however to complete the challenge you must link a total of 12 by the end of 2012. 
• Feel free to link more than 12 reviews, as long as they meet the criteria (YA audiobooks).
• Declare yourself a challenge participant (blog post, facebook, and/or twitter) and link your post in the linky below! 
• HAVE FUN :)

I hope you join me with this challenge! I can't wait to see what audiobooks everyone selects, and to read your reviews! Don't forget to declare and sign-up in the linky below!

Prizes:

There will be at least one prize giveaway, hopefully more! Participants will automatically be entered, but each linked review will count as an additional entry.

Authors/Publishers:

If you're interested in donating books/audiobooks or swag to be used in giveaways for this challenge please don't hesitate to contact me!

Review: Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: December 27, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy daydream-worthy
love.

(If only it were that easy)

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls round, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school, where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your 'arents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know until you've lost it? (ARC back cover)

This was such a fun read! I was surprised by how much I loved reading in verse, which I was unsure of going in. I was quickly pulled into the story, and had a hard time putting it down. This is a heart-warming story of a girl navigating life between her parents getting divorced and learning what real love is all about.

This novel is written as Marcie’s private journal, a notebook where she writes about her personal thoughts and experiences. Since she loves writing poetry, it’s all written in verse. This style made it easy to feel emotionally connected to her as a character.

Marcie’s parents are getting divorced after her Dad reveals he’s gay and in a new relationship. Her mother escapes to New Hampshire, with Marcie, to be near family and falls deep into depression. Marcie was forced to leave behind her friends and boyfriend, a group that calls themselves the Leftovers. She’s lonely in a new place, not sure if she’ll be staying or eventually moving back to Idaho. She’s juggling being a teenager while having to take care of her mother. She craves love and affection, and finds it in JD, a boy she meets at her new school in New Hampshire. Meanwhile, she’s trying to keep her relationships with her friends in Idaho.

I have to say that I absolutely loved the Leftovers. I could totally relate, since this is the group I was with in high school, expect I referred to it as being a Floater… I found a bit of my HS friends in each of the characters, and this made the story even more enjoyable for me!

This is a cute, quick read and I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction. Love & Leftovers is a great debut for Sarah Tregay – I can’t wait to read more from her!

Author Links: website | goodreads | facebook

Audiobook Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Silence (Hush, Hush #3) 
by Becca Fitzpatrick, read by Caitlin Greer

Publisher: Simon Audio
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Format: Audiobook (9 hrs 39 min)
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever. (Goodreads)

So, if you’ve seen my reviews for the previous 2 books of the series, you know that I loved Hush, Hush (read my review here)… but unfortunately the rest of the series has not lived up to my expectations. Except for the covers. I do think the covers are gorgeous!

For almost the entire first half of Silence, Nora suffers from amnesia and doesn’t remember months of her life. She doesn’t remember Patch but her mind keeps giving her flashes and bits and pieces. This means that Patch is barely in the book until mid-way through… considering that he is the main attraction to the series (for me) that was disappointing. I did like getting to know Scott better in this installment, and seeing the developing friendship with Nora. Vee was great; I really enjoy her as secondary character. I also liked seeing more of Nora’s relationship with her mother.

Though I enjoyed Silence more than Crescendo, I’m frustrated with how Nora continues to doubt Patch. I may just not be a fan of angel stories. That could very well be the case, but I don’t feel invested in the story outside of Nora and Patch’s relationship. Sadly, the plot had a hard time holding my attention. While listening to the audiobook I’d realize that my mind was wondering and I’d have to go back and make myself re-listen to parts.

After finishing the third book in the series, believing that it was the end, I actually find myself disappointed that there’s going to be a 4th in the series. I’m torn on if I actually want to read it or not… Honestly, I kind of wish Hush, Hush was a standalone book.

Caitlin Greer narrates Silence (she read the other 2 books as well), and she did an overall good job… but the way she over stresses the consonants at the end of sentences tends to annoy me. It distracts me from the story because I catch myself parroting how she pronounces a word (“word-dah”).

Fans of the series, are you looking forward to Hush, Hush #4?

Audiobook Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick, read by Caitlin Greer

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Format: Audiobook (9 hrs 31 min)
Source: Library
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts. (Goodreads)

I loved Hush, Hush (read my review here). I loved the banter and chemistry between Nora and Patch, and was so excited to read/listen to Crescendo! Well… I’ve been struggling with writing this review because I just feel… let down. I’m not typically a fan of angel stories, so I was surprised by how much I loved Hush, Hush, and maybe that’s why I wasn’t as crazy about Crescendo.

Honestly, I was annoyed through the first half of the book. I loved Nora’s character in Hush, Hush, but in this one she was whiny and insecure. Patch was distant and secretive… and I couldn’t understand why. I didn’t get the purpose of his secrets; they just seemed to drive the plot rather than be what he would have done as a character.

I will say that I loved Vee in this one! She drove me nuts in the first book, but she’s definitely grown on me as a character. She’s a great friend – she could be my BFF any day – and at times she seemed more mature than Nora. Scott is a nice addition to the cast of characters. He’s a troublemaker but you see a bit of his vulnerable side.

Caitlin Greer reads the audio version of this book and I thought she performed the voices well. However, her pronunciation grated on me. In my opinion she over pronounces her consonants, especially ones at the end of a sentence. An example would be the word hand pronounced as “hand-dah”. Overall I thought Greer did a good job, but I wouldn’t seek her out as a narrator.

Even though I was disappointed with Crescendo (in comparison to Hush, Hush), I’m looking forward to Silence and more of Patch!

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

[My interview with Courtney Walker]

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

Publisher: Lands Atlantic
Release Date: October 19, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death. (Goodreads)

Creepy. Heart-warming. Suspenseful.

On the Fringe is such a great read; a perfectly creepy, yet romantic book for fall! I’m such a sucker for childhood best friends and crushes, and Ms. Walker hooked me in fast with this aspect of the book. There’s something about friends that have been together for so long that all of their memories are entwined – all the shared adventures, triumphs, and failures – that just makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Two perspectives tell the story: Claire, and her best friend’s older brother Daniel. She’s had a secret crush on him for years, and just when Daniel realizes his feelings toward Claire have changed, he is murdered. When Claire has her own near death experience, she and Daniel are able to connect again, on the fringe. I love when stories are told from the perspectives of the two love interests because you get to see how the feelings develop on each side of the relationship. For me, this makes the relationship seem so much stronger and realistic.

In addition to the friendship and romance part of the story, there is a serious creep factor that rounds out the storyline perfectly. There is an angry, revengeful ghost tied to Daniel’s past that is after Claire… while Daniel struggles to find a way to protect her. I feel that the pacing of the book is just right – creepy and downright suspenseful in moments, yet balanced nicely with character development and romance.

This is a great debut by Courtney King Walker! On the Fringe is a ghost story while also being about friendship and first love. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Walker has in store for us next.

Check out my interview with Courtney, and enter to win On the Fringe here!

Crossroads by Mary Ting

[Mary Ting's Guest Post]

Crossroads by Mary Ting

Publisher: World Castle
Release Date: July 29, 2011
Format: eBook
Source: Author
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.

Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should? (Goodreads)

Ting’s debut novel is a unique story about angels, the fallen, half angels, and demons. Crossroads is a place between Earth and Heaven where Alkin (half angels) reside, and where humans go when they have a near death experience. The protagonist, Claudia, has never had such an experience yet she keeps accidentally ending up there, and no one is sure why.

This isn’t a book I would have normally picked up myself, and I was surprised by how much I liked it! However, I did have a few problems with it overall. I love a good romance but this was a little over the top for me in the mushy romance category… though Michael, Claudia’s guardian angel is definitely swoon-worthy! I really enjoyed the well-rounded cast of characters, but all the new relationships seemed instantaneous, for both friendships and love.

What I enjoyed most about this story was the characters! I really liked the dynamics between Michael, Davin, Vivian, and Caleb. I loved Claudia’s close relationship with her Gamma, it reminded me of mine with my Granny. I also enjoyed her interactions with friends Patty and Kristina.

If you’re a fan of angel stories and romance, I think you’ll enjoy Crossroads. If you’d like to learn more about the story behind Crossroads and the author Mary Ting, or watch the book trailer, check out her guest post from when she visited last month! Also, there's still time left to enter to win Crossroads (contest ends on 10/19/11).

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Format: Advanced Reader Copy
Source: Borrowed
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5+ of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. (Goodreads)

Stephanie Perkins has officially made it onto my “automatic pre-order author list” (so far, a list of one). I waited to post this review in order to tame down my gushiness but I don’t think it’s possible. I absolutely loved – LOVED – this book! It actually gave me stomach butterflies while reading it, no joke.

Lola and the Boy Next Door is a companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss (my review here), and it was fan-freaking-tastic to be with the characters Anna and St. Claire again. They show up quite often in Lola, and it’s a definite treat for fans. Prior to reading this, I had heard some people say that they thought Lola was even better than Anna… but I just didn’t think it could be possible. I’m still not sure I’d say it’s better, but it is definitely just as good fantastic!

I think my favorite thing about Perkins’ writing is her characterization; her characters are all so realistically flawed. I loved the tall geekiness of Cricket, and the spunkiness of Lola and her obsession with costumes. I also loved how honestly Perkins depicted teenage life and alternate lifestyles (Lola has two dads for parents)… it is so refreshing to see this realism in YA. Most of all, I loved all the little moments between Lola and Cricket. I didn't think anyone could unseat Etienne St. Clair from his pedestal, but Cricket did... or at least forced him to share it!

If you can’t tell from my review, I HIGHLY recommend these books! In my opinion, they are the best of YA contemporary. I can’t wait for my pre-ordered finished copy of Lola to arrive (releases 9/29/11) so I can read it again, and I'm already pining for the next companion novel, Isla and the Happily Ever After! Seriously, I would read anything Stephanie Perkins writes.

Stalk the author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins, read by Laura Flanagan, Jeremy Guskin, and Steve Coombs

Publisher: HighBridge Company
Release Date: February 17, 2009
Format: Audiobook (6 hrs 52 min)
Source: Library
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.

Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade. Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills. And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place. (Indiebound)

Brutally honest. Depressing. Hopeful.

Vanessa, Tony, and Conner all attempted suicide and failed, and their paths cross at Aspen Springs where they become friends. I won't lie, this is a tough book. Tough to think that there are kids that actually have these lives. Ellen Hopkins is now another author I applaud for tackling real, difficult issues that teenagers face.

Impulse has great pacing, and is written in beautiful verse. Though I liked listening to the audio version, I'd be interested to read her physical books to experience the verse style of writing. Hopkins did a great job with characterization, I felt like I knew Vanessa, Tony, and Conner. I truly cared about these characters.

The narrators were great, I really appreciated that there were three different narrators. I love when audiobooks have more than one narrator when the book is written from multiple perspectives. Though it did take me a while to distinguish between the voices of Connor and Tony. I would recommend both the audio and physical versions of this book. The audio was great, but the verse style may be overlooked, as it wasn’t obvious (to me).

I want to warn that there are many mature topics in Impulse. Attempted suicide, sexual abuse, cutting, sex, drug use, and mental illness being the main ones. I wouldn’t recommend this to younger readers, but at the same time, I don’t think these issues should be hidden from them either. I sincerely believe that these topics should be openly discussed between kids and their parents… but that is my opinion.

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

[My interview with Jennifer Castle]

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

"Anyone who's had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It's all about Before and After. What I'm talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy."

Sixteen-year-old Laurel's world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel's life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss--a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways. (Amazon) 

Heart-breaking. Honest. Beautiful.

The Beginning of After follows Laurel’s journey of grief and learning to move on after losing her parents and brother in a tragic car wreck. I was gripped from page one. I lost my mother at the age of 16, and though my story is completely different, I could relate with a lot of the aspects of grief in this novel. The Beginning of After is possibly the best depiction of grief I’ve read in YA. I wish I had this book as a teenager.

I felt that Laurel’s emotions and actions were right-on. She moves through shock and denial to out-right anger and sadness. Jennifer Castle did an excellent job of capturing the intricate parts of grief… from the random details and images she remembers of her family and life before, to how her grief impacted her relationships. Also, how she didn’t want to be pitied, but at the same time feared not being pitied.

Laurel’s relationship with David was complicated and realistic in how it developed and changed over the years – from being childhood friends to not friends at all – and how they were brought together again by the tragedy. I absolutely LOVED Masher, David’s dog, and how he was such a source of comfort. Really, I appreciated every character in this novel, and felt they were all well written.

Though the story is sad, I felt a sense of hope at the end, and I’m still wondering about the characters! The Beginning of After is an emotional journey, and an excellent debut for Jennifer Castle.