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review 2015-05-23 05:00

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

Take Me Away...

ARC, 375 pages

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Published by: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Stand-alone

Source: ARC received from #RT15

For fans of: Thriller, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, YA, Stand-alones

I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.
In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.
Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.

MY THOUGHTS

This is one of those books that showed me not to judge a book by it's cover. Not that I didn't like the cover, but it has a historical feel to it and I'm just not into them very much. So when I saw this, I kinda strayed away from it. I didn't even add it to my TBR or read the synopsis. But then when I received this one from RT2015, before I decided to trade it away to my mom, I read the synopsis and knew I had messed up. I should've added this months ago.

"They say that the measure of a man isn't in how he faces the expected. It's in how he faces the unexpected."

pg. 36

A luxury cruise ship sank years ago and there are only three people alive to tell the tale. Unfortunately, two of them are not being honest. The other person is still alive but has been keeping quiet for all this time. Until she gets the exact right moment to exact revenge.

"Sometimes the best lies are wrapped in the flavor of truth."

pg. 48

Everyone that has read this says that it reminds them of the show Revenge and if that's true, I need to start watching that show because I loved this. This book forced me to have late nights, headaches for thinking too hard on who it was, and heart aches for being so love sick for her. This book had my emotions everywhere and if the show is anything like that, I need to see it too,

"Luckily, rage is a powerful emotion, strong enough not to just burn away pain but also to sear back the whispering tendrils of fear."

pg. 85

I also loved the plot movement. Everything in this book happened for a reason. Normally when reading books that have things happen specifically for the plot movement, it annoys me, but this one has a specific story-line. Everything happened for a reason because the kick ass heroine made it happen. This of course made for fast plot movement so it was never boring. I found myself on the edge of my seat the entire time.

"And yet pain has found me just the same. It seems as though it's impossible to live a life without it."

pg. 338

Add on to all that the amazing writing style, and I fell in love with this story. If you could see my book now, I have tabbed so many quotes! It was so hard for me to pick the ones that I wanted to go with this review. If nothing else, This was actually my first book by Carrie Ryan and because of her gorgeous writing, it definitely will not be my last.

"It's easier to believe in the cruel hand of nature, than the cruel hand of man."

pg. 370

This book caught me completely by surprise. I almost didn't read it because of a stupid cover mistake, and I'm so glad I decided to do it anyways. If I hadn't picked it up I would've missed out on a thrilling plot, gorgeous writing, and some kick ass characters. I hope everyone enjoys this one as much as I did!

Overall, I give this

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review 2015-05-07 05:00

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Take Me Away...

ARC, 448 pages

Release Date: May 5, 2015

Published by: Viking Juvenile

Stand-alone

Source: Penguin First Reads (A copy of this book was sent to me via Penguin First Reads and the publisher. This in no way shaped my opinion of this book. All words on it written under "My Thoughts" are my own.)

For fans of: Realistic Fiction, Realism, Contemporary, Romance, Chick-lit, Sparkly Covers, YA

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

MY THOUGHTS

After reading books I normally write my reviews right away so I don't forget anything. But with this one I had to wait a few days and sort my feelings out on paper before I turned this review in. It wasn't really what I was expecting, but I say that in the most pleasant way possible. Since I've heard so much about Sarah Dessen being the queen of contemporary romance, I was expecting the swoons to be over the moon. Unfortunately, the romance was swoony, but it wasn't all that I was expecting. What was amazing though, was the realistic nature this story was written.

Parents will always say they don't ignore you, they just tend to help the child that may need them more. (But in this case, Sydney's parents were no different. All they were focused on was Peyton and all his mess ups. But as those mess ups get worse and worse, there's nothing else they can do but let the law handle it. Even then, Sydney isn't the one they're looking at. Until she is. And by then, things are already out of control.

I've only read That Summer by Dessen and that one wasn't too impressing. So when I read "...is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?" I knew it would be good. The romance wasn't really there and at first I was upset about that because I've heard so much about Dessen's swoony boys and it didn't get swoony till super late in the book. But someone told me that Dessen's books are normally about family and other relationships and it made me appreciate the book even more. And as it turns out, that makes a lot more sense because the realism in this book was surreal. It looks like she's become the new Queen of Realistic Fiction. From the food, to the friendships, to the romance, it felt like a movie and not a book.

The romance in this one was ok, but not the best. Mac has his swoony moments, but he won't be one I write home about. But that was because this book focused more on Sydney as a character. Her friendship with the people from both schools, the relationship between her and her family, and last but not least, the relationship between her and her brother. Having not read many books where the main character and her different relationships are the main focus, it was a very welcome change.

Last but not least, the writing in this one was what MADE this book for me. After reading Dessen's very first book and then reading her most recent, I was able to see the difference of her writing styles from the beginning to the most recent. And I can clearly see the difference. Everything in this felt so descriptive and made me feel all the emotions that Sydney felt as if I were her. I was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn't as MG-ish as the first. I can't wait to see what else she has in store.

This book is the the twelfth book by Sarah Dessen but only the second of hers I've read. This one book alone has changed my view on her. It made me want to read everything else by her. If they're all filled with the swoony times, cool families and friendships, and all the realism, like this one, there is about 100% chance that I will read them all.

Penguin review Viking E-galley i m a cover whore

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review 2015-02-02 05:00

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Take Me Away...

e-ARC, 400 pages

Release Date: February 3, 2014

Published by: Henry Holt & Co.

Stand-alone

Source: Netgalley (A huge thank you to both the publisher and Netgalley. This galley was provided to me in exchange for a just and honest review. I received no type of compensation for getting this galley.)

For fans of: Contemporaries, Diversity, Realistic Fiction, Tear Jerkers, YA, Sparkly Covers, DEAR

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.
Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

MY THOUGHTS

I know I loved a book when I have to start and stop a review several times and I'm still unsure I've found the right words for it, This is one of those circumstances. I'll Meet You There is a swoony, funny, sarcastic, and just everything you need from a book.

"Being a Marine isn't the only thing you're good at. Maybe you just don't know your thing yet, you know? I think..." I took a breath "I just think you're selling yourself short.'"

25%

Skylar is not your typical girl from Creek View. She has an actual chance of getting out. (Without becoming pregnant first.) Try as she might to stay out of trouble, it still found her. In the form of a Marine. Josh is back in Creek View after his tour in Afghanistan and and everything is different. Especially him. As the summer goes by, both Skylar and Josh see what's really important to them.

"...it's okay to be proud of yourself, Josh."

32%

I loved all "the feels" this book brought on. I laughed out loud, I cried, I got mad, I felt EVERYTHING while reading this. I was fully immersed in this story. Enough to cry real tears and talk back to the book like Skylar would jump from the pages and do what I told her.

"you can't have the light without the dark, right? Maybe our darkness was necessary for other people to see their light.'"

43%

I also loved the beautiful, lyrical way this story was written. Although the main character of this story is Skylar, there are some chapters from Josh's POV that are super intense and give us a look into his feelings. Though they sometimes hurt to read, I loved that Demetrios gave us that glimpse at Josh. This way we were able to see why he did what he did although we may not have agreed with it. Yes Skylar may have been the MC, but my favorite voice of the story was Josh's.

"What am I supposed to do when I'm bad for the one good thing in my life?'"

65%

As far as Josh and Skylar together there were so many hick-ups but I rooted for them the entire way. Both Josh and Skylar needed someone to be loved by and I wanted them to find it in each other. There were many times I was upset that they didn't do what I wanted them to, but at the same time, I understood. But trust me, the times they finally get it right, it was electrifying. Josh is seriously swoony and he and Skylar together captured my heart.

"Love is medicine and dreams are oxygen.'"

-Acknowledgements

Heather Demetrios is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. She dares to write outside the box, from teens with huge families that make it to television to teen amputated war veterans. Her writing swept me away to the trailer park in Creek View and even though Skylar was so intent on leaving, I didn't want to.

Overall, I give this

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review 2014-10-27 05:00

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Take Me Away...

ARC, 413 pages

Release Date: October 28, 2014

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Talon, #1

Source: ATWT

For fans of: Fantasy, Romance, Shape-Shifters, Dragons, YA

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.
Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.
Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

MY THOUGHTS

Let me start by saying this is my first Kagawa book. I know, I know, she is an author that is huge in the YA community, but I was always put off by fairies and vampires which are the other things she's written about. But now after reading this, I can say, I have completely been turned into a fan girl and I want to read ALL THE THINGS BY HER.

I was completely won over by Kagawa's writing style. It was easy to follow and kept me interested the entire time. I was hanging on to every page and didn't want to put it down. By the end, I wanted to call in to work just to finish it. It was that good you guys. The other thing about the writing style that I loved were the steamy scenes. Let me tell you, she can definitely write those. I swooned so hard so many times. I can't wait for the world to meet Garret! He's such a sweetheart with so many secrets.

Also, the plot flowed really well. With it being filled with twists and turns like that, I'm amazed to see how she could make it flow so easily. And when I say twists and turns, I mean it. I didn't know who to trust the entire book. I had all these feelings swirling in my head, but I couldn't figure out how to put two and two together. I wanted to trust everyone and no one at the same time. In the end, all those secrets are what got to me. There's a bit of a cliff hanger in the actual story and an even bigger one in the Epilogue. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.

This brings me to the characters. For awhile I really didn't like Ember. She was stubborn and she didn't have any regard for authority or anyone else for that matter. It kind of grated on my nerves because that never ends well. But as the book went on and secrets were unveiled, I was starting to agree with her. In the end she turned out to be a strong character that I really felt I got to know. Don't get me wrong, she's still impulsive, but I can understand her reasoning better now. As for Garret, he's about the exact same way. He is just as impulsive but I understood why he made the decision he made.

Buttttt, then there's still some things I didn't like... Like the love triangle. Did it really have to be there? I felt like it was more than that because Garret, Garret, secret, Riley, Riley's secret, and Ember all seem to have their own thing going on. It was just too much and I don't think it HAD to be there. They had an animal attraction yes, but it wasn't the real thing. Well I don't think so.

I don't normally care for fantasy, but I really liked this one. Maybe because there weren't any high fantasy elements besides the dragons, but for whatever reason I really liked this one. If I can find more fantasies like this one to help me ease more into the genre I will read them. Thank you for opening my world to another genre Kagawa! From the plot to the characters, this was one fantasy book I was glad I did not miss!

Overall, I give this

Review I'm a Cover Whore Harlequin

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review 2014-09-22 05:00

In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

Take Me Away...

ARC, 371 pages

Release Date: September 23, 2014

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

Not a Drop to Drink, #2

Source: Around the World ARC Tours

For fans of: Dystopias, Sparkly Covers, YA

The only thing bigger than the world is fear.
Lucy’s life by the pond has always been full. She has water and friends, laughter and the love of her adoptive mother, Lynn, who has made sure that Lucy’s childhood was very different from her own. Yet it seems Lucy’s future is settled already—a house, a man, children, and a water source—and anything beyond their life by the pond is beyond reach.
When disease burns through their community, the once life-saving water of the pond might be the source of what’s killing them now. Rumors of desalinization plants in California have lingered in Lynn’s mind, and the prospect of a “normal” life for Lucy sets the two of them on an epic journey west to face new dangers: hunger, mountains, deserts, betrayal, and the perils of a world so vast that Lucy fears she could be lost forever, only to disappear in a handful of dust.
In this companion to Not a Drop to Drink, Mindy McGinnis thrillingly combines the heart-swelling hope of a journey, the challenges of establishing your own place in the world, and the gripping physical danger of nature in a futuristic frontier.

MY THOUGHTS

Another September release that I was expecting to love, but eh not so much. Sure I finished it, but I thought I would love it, but I didn't. I liked it, but I didn't really love it.

"'he told me once that people like me and him are badly built for times like this, when there's nothing we can do."

pg. 13

When I read Not a Drop to Drink, I was especially interested in the way the Earth would be if there actually was a water shortage but unfortunately saw that there wasn't very much world building. This one was a little better since it had more details, but it still wasn't at 100%. I know there isn't much you can say besides "dry cracked grounds" or "brown brittle grass," but a little more insight to the rest of the world or even why this is still happening even though in almost every scene it's raining.

"Desperate people do stupid things."

pg. 69

Then there's the plot. I was a little upset because as excited as I was about this one, it was just like the first. Really exciting in the beginning, boring Boring BORING in the middle, and then really exciting in the end as well. Plus a lot of things in the middle was really predictable. It was upsetting because the first one was lacking adventure as well.I really thought this one would be a little better. But honestly, if it had been like the beginning or the end, I would've given this book five stars. I'm just a little sad that it wasn't.

"'I'll be really pissed at you if you die."

pg. 126

I did like the fact that it left it open for another book to be written. What happens to Lynn and Lucy leaves an opening to have another book from either POV. I'm excited about this because this time if something happens I won't be so surprised. When I saw this one was coming out, I didn't know what to expect because the first one was such a good stand-alone and there really wasn't any room to make a sequel.

"'This is a hard place we live in."

pg. 356

The characters were still the same though. Lynn was still bad ass and overprotective. She went through great lengths to protect Lucy, who grows up not realizing why Lynn was so hard all the time. She didn't understand that she was that way because she had to grow up so fast. I really Through out this book though, Lucy gets a welcoming awakening. They run into people they want to trust and find out they shouldn't as well as those that they should. The more they find that they shouldn't trust people, Lucy gets older and wiser. Lynn just gets more bad ass lol

"'It stuck with you though. The words meant for us can do that."

pg. 366

Again, this one wasn't my favorite, but because of the hype I just wanted to review it for you all. It wasn't for me, but then again, the first one wasn't my favorite either. Maybe I'm the black sheep of this one. Maybe you all may like it more than me.

Overall, I give this

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