Mini Reviews: Six Impossible Things + Wildlife by Fiona Wood

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood
August 1st, 2010 · Pan Macmillan Australia
Source: Swapped
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 263

What’s it about?
Fourteen-year-old nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a reversal of family fortune, moving house, new school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and an impossible crush on the girl next door.

His life is a mess, but for now he's narrowed it down to just six impossible things...

My thoughts:

Once I got through the first few chapters (which brought back bad memories of a terrible reading slump last year, when I first picked this up), I finally understood why I’ve heard such great things about this from other Aussie readers, over the past few years. It’s so unbelievably GOOD. The kind of good that you want to savour, yet read in a few sittings. I didn't want it to end and tried to put it off as long as long possible. Of course, that lasted all of about 20 minutes...

One of the things I love about Aussie YA are the underdog characters, who you can’t help but cheer for; Dan is just that. He’s loveable and awkward; his voice authentic and fresh. This book has great character development (definitely a strong point!) and features a gang of friends that’ll slowly, but surely, weave their way into your heart – I loved Estelle, Fred and Lou <3

This book is a gem; it’s funny and sharp; sweet and heartfelt. I don’t say this often, but I can definitely see myself reading this again in the future. Until then, it will sit proudly on my shelf, along with other Aussie favourites.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you’re a fan of Aussie YA or you're anticipating the US release of Wildlife (it's already out in Oz). It’s a companion, so not necessary, but I really advise it!

4.5/5

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

June 1st, 2013 · Pan Macmillan Australia

Source: Library

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 384

What’s it about?

Life? It’s simple: be true to yourself.
The tricky part is finding out exactly who you are…

In the holidays before the dreaded term at Crowthorne Grammar’s outdoor education camp two things out of the ordinary happened.
A picture of me was plastered all over a twenty-metre billboard.
And I kissed Ben Capaldi.

Boarding for a term in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sibylla expects the gruesome outdoor education program – but friendship complications, and love that goes wrong? They’re extra-curricula.

Enter Lou from Six Impossible Things – the reluctant new girl for this term in the great outdoors. Fragile behind an implacable mask, she is grieving a death that occurred almost a year ago. Despite herself, Lou becomes intrigued by the unfolding drama between her housemates Sibylla and Holly, and has to decide whether to end her self-imposed detachment and join the fray.

And as Sibylla confronts a tangle of betrayal, she needs to renegotiate everything she thought she knew about surviving in the wild.

A story about first love, friendship and NOT fitting in.

My thoughts:

Straight after finishing Six Impossible Things, my goal in life became getting my hands on this book. It took a week, but as you can see, I succeeded. While I didn’t love it like I wanted to or the way everyone else seems to have, I did like it.

There’s great character growth from both girls; Lou’s dealing with grief, loss and how to fill her gaping heart, while Sib is navigating sex for the first time, love and a sticky friendship. Though both girls are dealing with their own problems, it was nice to watch them come together and eventually form a friendship. Everyone needs a good, true, reliable friend by their side and I’m glad these two found each other.

Set in the wilderness, I enjoyed the change of setting and the different opportunities that arose because of this. Expect hiking, camping, crappy food (except for the redskins which left with a craving and sage advice: snap before you buy!) pranks, talent shows and mischief.

Wildlife is honest and not afraid to tell it like it is, whether it’s addressing sex or death (these are the two biggies), and it’s one of the many reasons why I can’t wait to read Wood’s next book. Whatever it’s about you can count me in.

Do I recommend it? If you're after an authentic, raw story, I think you'll enjoy it. So, yes.

3/5

Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
March 18th, 2014 · Penguin
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Page Count: 366

What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you? 

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most? 

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.

Side Effects May Vary was a book that sounded good, but what really made me want to read it were the early rave reviews I kept reading. Unfortunately, I can’t say I ended up loving this.

You might have heard Alice is an unlikeable MC and its true - she has many flaws and was incredibly selfish at times. The thing is, not every character is meant to be liked and I get that; some are written to frustrate you and get under your skin - Alice falls under that category. It’s a balancing act with these types of characters; some work, others don’t, and for me, Alice didn't. As for Harvey, he is a much more likeable character and I liked that he brought some sweetness to the story, balancing out Alice. But in the end, he started to annoy me, too. He was so hung up on Alice and it was hard to see why, plus he made some poor choices that ended up hurting people's feelings. Having said that, this made them feel very realistic and human, which is a plus. When it comes down to it, I'd much rather the unlikeable character with faults, who feels real and true and frustrates, than the most candy sweet character, who are flat, boring and two dimensional. With four point of views on the go - Alice and Harvey, both with Now and Then POVs - it took me quite some time to get into, but I did eventually warm up to it.

There were parts that I liked and then were some parts I really loved, that completely drew me in (looking back, these tended to be mostly set ‘then’). I really wish they had been more of the latter moments for me because the parts I loved, I loved.

I must commend Julie on doing her research about cancer and all the things that follow – for me, this was my favourite aspect. It wasn't just facts and bits of information thrown together in a messy attempt to show you she’d done her bit. You could really, truly see how much work and effort had gone into making sure the information was accurate as can be. I don't know the extent she went to – from the acknowledgments, a lot - but you could tell she’d done her homework and I really appreciated that. I think this made Alice come off the page even more because what she was going through - past and present - was not only tangibly real, but written well.

Though Side Effects May Vary wasn't my cup of tea, Julie Murphy has a rich, creative style of writing and I'll keep my eye out for her next title. Hopefully we'll get along better than we did the first time round.

2/5

{Blog Tour} Review: Solving for Ex by Leigh Ann Kopans

Solving for Ex by Leigh Ann Kopans
February 11th, 2014 · Self-published 
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 300

1 crush on your best friend +
1 gorgeous, scheming new girl +
1 Mathletics competition =
1 big mess

SIMPLIFY.

Ashley Price doesn’t have much in life after being bullied so hard she had to leave her old school to live with her aunt and uncle in Pittsburgh. But the camera she borrowed from her best friend and secret crush Brendan, and her off the charts math abilities, make things a lot more bearable. Plus, since Brendan is the captain, making the school Mathletes team should be easy.

But when gorgeous new girl Sofia rolls in and steals Brendan, Ashley's place on the team, and her fragile foothold on the Mansfield Park Prep social totem pole, it’s on. Sofia is everything Ashley left her old school to escape. The only thing Ashley didn’t count on is Sofia’s sexy twin brother Vincent.

Vincent is not only the hottest boy in school, he’s charming, sweet, and he’s got his eye on Ashley. He’s also not taking no for an answer. There's no real reason Ashley shouldn't like Vincent, but with the
battle lines being drawn between her and Sofia, Ashley’s not sure which side he’s on. Or which side she wants him to be on.

She does know Sofia is trouble with a capital T, and she’s determined to make Brendan see it.

SOLVING FOR EX is a YA contemporary romance that remixes Mansfield Park as Clueless meets Mean Girls in a crazy mix of high school society, mathletic competition, and teenage romance.

After reading One, I was looking forward to Solving for Ex, especially since contemporary is my favourite. I’m glad to say I liked this one even more.

First, let’s chat characters: I quite liked Ashely, the MC of the story. I wasn't that big a fan of the cast of One so I was glad that I had a better experience with this new set of characters. To me, they felt a little more fleshed out. Minor or main, good or bad, each character added something to the story; I enjoyed getting to watch it all play out and see whether certain predictions of mine regarding characters came true.

Solving for Ex is light and a lot of fun yet lightly touches on the aspect of bullying, without weighing the book down or turning it into an “issue” book. Not that there’s anything wrong with issue books, just that this isn't one of them.

The cute math illustrations at the end of each chapter was a cute addition to the story and I enjoyed (trying to read) them. I must say though, most of them went right over my head... You see, maths is not my subject. I’m more of an English/words/literary type girl, hence my love for books. Despite Mathletes playing such a big role, you don’t have to be a whiz with numbers to enjoy Kopans' latest. Sometimes predicable but always entertaining, Solving for Ex was a cute, light and quick read.

3/5

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Review: Altered by Jennifer Rush

Altered (Altered #1) by Jennifer Rush
January 1st, 2013 · Little Brown
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 323

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Upon finding out about Altered, I was so excited to read it and while my initial expectations weren’t met, it was nonetheless a fun story and start to a new series.

I loved the boys and in a way they reminded me of the Merrick brothers (from the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer), with their playful banter and the fact that they have each other’s backs like brothers. Considering everything they’ve been through together, it’s no wonder they share such a close bond and have become like a family. They were my favourite aspect of the story but having said that, I really wish they could have made me swoon, made an impact on my heart and left me in a pickle over which guy was my favourite. I mean, take advantage of the hotness; don’t waste it!

Cas stood out a bit like a sore thumb; you have Sam, the love interest, Trev, the best friend and Nick who hates Anna’s guts so the fact that he wasn’t ‘labeled’ felt a bit odd. Nonetheless, I liked his character and by the end I’d started to see him less as the unlabelled one and just Cas.

I didn’t feel the relationship between Anna and Sam as it felt forced and for an action-packed novel, my heart just wasn’t in it. However, the good news is that as the story progressed, I started to warm to their relationship and enjoy the action more so all in all, while a few aspects started out on shaky ground, things eventually picked up, especially as the ending drew closer.

Altered is not without its flaws and while I’m still on the fence whether I’ll be reading the sequel Erased or not, for the most part, this is a pretty entertaining, enjoyable read, just don’t go in expecting too much.

3/5

Review: One by Leigh Ann Kopans

One by Leigh Ann Kopans
June 11th, 2013 · Self-Published
Source: Author, for review
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 374

When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak.

It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover.

If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances.

Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.

It wasn't too long ago I first stumbled upon Leigh Ann’s author blog and saw what she was working on. Her stories caught my attention and One stood out to me in particular. So fast forward a few months later to the news that One would soon be published - you can imagine I was pretty excited.

It took me a little while to get into but that might have to do with me and the fact that I’m still slowly getting out of a book slump and not so much to do with the actual book itself. Once I settled down and dedicated some time to it, I started to enjoy it.

Leigh Ann writes realistic, teenage scenes well, with just the right amount of awkward, cute and funny.  Sometimes you stumble upon scenes in YA that are just too perfect to be real and though it’s easy to be swept up in the moment and swoon your heart out, let’s be honest, real life isn't like the movies *weeps* and the author brought a sense of realism that made the book realistic.

When were first introduced to Merrin, she’s descried as petite and small, neither Super or Normal, her One is that she can hover. I happen to have a pretty good memory so I can remember books and details even if they were read several years ago. I mention this up because when I met Merrin and started forming a picture of her in my head, like you do, she reminded me of a…fairy. A spunky fairy but none the less, a fairy. (Wait? Did I just openly confess to having read a (make that multiple) fairy book? Again, it took place many years ago in a kingdom far, far away…)

In non-fairy related news, I wouldn't say I have strong feelings for the characters but I liked them enough. I related with Merrin here and there, thought Elias was sweet and together they made a cute couple. The highlight for me was probably Merrin’s Super twin brothers – they were pretty adorable and I wish they could have played a larger role.

Unfortunately, self-published books don’t have the best rep and I find that a shame, especially since when a good One (pun! get it?) comes along and it gets dismissed because of that factor. I might not have much experience with self-published titles but you can see how much effort and love Leigh Ann has put into her debut - that much is obvious. Sure, there were some weak spots that could have been more polished but I think Kopans shows real potential and if she keeps on honing those skills like all good artists should, I’m looking forward to her future work.

More times than I’d like, I’m largely disappointed by books I had been looking forward to so I’m glad to say that this wasn't the case. Superhero fan or not, supporter of the self-published or one to hesitate, I have three words for you: superhero geekiness galore!

3/5

Review: Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

February 1st, 2013 · Hardie Grant Egmont
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 316

Sam Kinnison is a geek, and he’s totally fine with that. He has his horror movies, his nerdy friends, World of Warcraft – and until Princess Leia turns up in his bedroom, he doesn’t have to worry about girls.

Then Sam meets Camilla. She’s beautiful, friendly and completely irrelevant to his life. Sam is determined to ignore her, except that Camilla has a life of her own – and she’s decided that he’s going to be part of it.

Sam believes that everything he needs to know he can learn from the movies ... but now it looks like he’s been watching the wrong ones.

Since stumbling across Life in Outer Space, I knew I was going to enjoy it for many reasons; from its awesome title, to the cute, light sounding premise, simple cover and the fact it’s an Aussie YA. So while those smaller details pleased me, did the inside? Why yes, it did. With characters you’ll wish were real, a great set of TV/movie references, Sam’s list making skills and more, Keils’ debut is a refreshing one at that.

Sam and his group of fellow geeks make an awesome bunch. I liked them all but for me it was Camilla Carter who absolutely stole the show. Right from when she steps onto the scene until the very end, Camilla leaps right off the page and without even trying, grabs your attention and makes it impossible for you to not like her. As I was reading, one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous quotes kept leaping out at me: be yourself; everyone else is already taken. It just screams Camilla and if I had to sum her up in just one quote, it would be that one without question. With her Princess Leia buns, op-shop dresses and mega-sized headphones, she truly is one of a kind and where others would fail miserably if they tried (and they do), Camilla pulls off the cute-quirky look and makes it look effortless. She’s a character I wish existed in reality rather than just amongst the pages and in Melissa’s imagination just so we could be friends. Also, she has a British accent. *insert squeal* Seriously, can the girl get anymore awesome? I think not (though knowing her, it’s highly possible).

Life in Outer Space is described as a ‘YA romantic comedy’ and I’m pleased to report that it delivers with the laughs. Just like I thought I would, I enjoyed Life in Outer Space in all its geeky glory and I’m looking forward to seeing what Melissa Keil, along with the Ampersand Project do next.

3/5

Review: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
March 20th, 2012 · Dial Books for Young Readers
Source: Author (Thank you!)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 435

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance.

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Review:

Sometimes authors can overload the reader all in one go but Michelle Zink knows exactly what she’s doing and takes her time unravelling the story; slowly easing you into the breathtaking world she has created.  Although it is quite lengthy - 435 pages in total – after being bitten by the reading bug, I moved through it quickly and read it in under 24 hours. The pacing is good and keep me intrigued, wondering what was going to happen next.

I didn’t connect with Helen as much as I might have liked but she was still a good character. I especially loved how even though she was facing a whole new world which she was still adjusting to and hadn’t known long, she handled the situation well and was always brave in the face of danger.

As with the love triangle, I was neither team. I didn't have a strong pull towards any of the guys but the funny thing is, if I had to choose who my favourite was, I would choose, Darius, the non-contender.

Zink’s prose is lovely – rich, detailed and picture perfect to imagine. She certainly has a knack for writing historical fantasy, especially when it comes to angels, which you can tell she has a passion for. With its original and unique storyline, I can honestly say I’ve never read anything like this before; which with all the similar, repetitive storylines on the YA market, is a breath of fresh air!

3/5

Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

January 1st, 1999 · Pocket Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 231

Standing on the fringes of life... offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Review:

Since joining the book blogging community I’ve heard endless and amazing things about The Perks of Being a Wallflower and with the movie release finally upon us, the compliments just keep on coming.

Chbosky deals with real, impending teen issues such as sexuality, drugs abuse, suicide and teen pregnancy, just to name a few, and though he handled them reasonably well, I just felt that he was trying to cram too much into the book. The short sentences were annoying and resulted in a choppy reading experience but that wasn’t even my main problem.

I could not for the life of me, connect with our protagonist, Charlie. He grated on my nerves, plain and simple. At one point in the story, Charlie’s English teacher tells him he's the smartest person he's ever known and though Charlie has an interesting, very pure way of looking at things and seeing the world, I didn’t agree. For a supposedly super smart 15 year old, his letters were filled with the simplest language possible. There’s also the fact that he felt far too innocent for his age. Altogether, his character and voice just seemed unrealistic.

There were some really beautiful passages and quotes and I love how it got me thinking about things such as my first memory. In fact, I couldn’t wait to get back to it and read more. But Charlie? He irritated me to the extremes. But then *insert sound effects* DUN DUN DUN. I don’t why but after such a long time struggling, things with Charlie started to improve at about the half-way mark. Now, don’t go jumping to conclusions, Charlie and I aren’t friends but we’ve finally come to some sort of an understanding; a truce (or maybe it was just due to the fact that he started to grow on me?).

Despite my problem with Charlie, I liked The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I’m even looking forward to the movie, especially since the trailer looks so awesome; whether I see it in the cinemas or wait for it come out on DVD, I’ll definitely give it a watch.

3/5

Have you read Perks? Excited for the movie? Share your thoughts!

Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter
October 1st, 2012 · Harlequin TEEN Australia
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Page Count: 404

She won't rest until she's sent every walking corpse back to its grave.

Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that's all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real.

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn't careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

Review:

Everything about Alice in Zombieland drew me in; from its intriguing blurb, to the gorgeous cover, to it being loosely based upon Alice in Wonderland, a classic everyone loves. I wasn’t expecting a retelling, so much as a few similarities and whilst I feel that the premise is a bit misleading, I’m not too fussed because honestly, I was having too much fun to notice!

Ali led the story beautifully; strong, determined and brave, she had me cheering her on each step of the way; I can’t wait to meet up with her again. Cole is definite bad boy material. He’s dark, brooding, rough around the edges, but as the story moves along, you start to see a sweet, softer side of him start to show, especially when he’s with Ali. My favourite aspect was definitely the relationship between Cole and Ali. One minute they were bantering, the next they were disagreeing and the next they were kissing like there was no tomorrow – see what I mean? Fun times!

Ali’s new best friend, Kat, is funky, funny and full of energy. Not only she is an amazing friend to Ali but she brightens up the story with her energetic, bubbly, personality making the story even more enjoyable. Let it be known, that when Kat’s around, there is never a dull moment in sight.

Gena Showalter has revamped the old zombie tale and made it her own. This was my first zombie experience and I am happy to say, it didn’t disappoint! This is the start of a great series and with all the action that went down during Alice in Zombieland, this is only the tip of the iceberg; Ali’s story has only just begun.

3/5

Review: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

April 1st, 2012 · Point
Source: Won
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 278

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Review:

Juggling four different POV’s might be tricky for some people but have no fear, Elizabeth Eulberg is here! Right from the get go, the author establishes and carefully introduces each character, with their own short introduction, before throwing the reader into the present time of senior year.

It can be hard to distinguish one character from another when there are multiple POV’s to consider, however Elizabeth has carefully thought this out and given each character a unique voice, personality and aspiration. I’ll let you meet the gang for yourself but I’ll just give a quick mention to a few of the characters that made an impression on me, whether good or bad. Emme, whilst quiet and shy, really shines throughout the story and steals the show. She’s talented, sweet, caring, and considerate, not to mention a great friend, so to see her do well was great. I’ve met plenty of spoilt, mean girl types of characters over the years but I haven’t had much experience reading from their POV… Introducing: Sophie. She’s got a goal, which is great, wise and healthy even, but she’s just a little too eager to achieve it. Sophie’s dream is to win a Grammy before she turns 20, even if it means having to step on others to get there. She thoroughly frustrated me and had me wishing that I could crawl through the pages, give her a slap and the wakeup call she so clearly needed.

The arts, along with the acting and music business interests me, so to be able to get a greater insight and experience it, even if through fiction, was enjoyable and eye-opening.  The way the author captured the energy when Teenage Kicks were performing on stage was accurate and simply captivating.

Take A Bow is a fun, short read that I enjoyed getting lost in. This is my first experience with Elizabeth Eulberg but it sure won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to checking out The Lonely Hearts Club, along with the author’s future work.

3/5

Review: Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

Pretty Crooked (Pretty Crooked #1) by Elisa Ludwig
March 13th, 2012 ∙ Katherine Tegen Books

Source: (Author - thank you!)
Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 368

Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?

Review:

Though it took me a while until I fully immersed into the world of Pretty Crooked, once I did I couldn’t stop reading!

I loved Willa’s voice, style and her big heart and though I didn’t connect with her as much as I would have liked, none the less she is a great character! I didn’t fall head-over-heels for Aiden, which works out well because he is a perfect match for Willa. Tre was an interesting character that I enjoyed getting to know; I hope he reappears in the sequel, Pretty Sly!

Elisa Ludwig has written a splendid debut that I recommend to those looking for a modern, revamped re-telling of Robin Hood or younger YA readers. If you’re on the prowl for a cute, fun, lively read and don’t mind some fluff, this one is sure to hit the spot!

After reading Pretty Crooked (and that intriguing ending) I’m looking forward to see what happens on Willa’s next adventure.

3/5

Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda

17 January, 2012 ∙ Bloomsbury

Source: Publisher

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 262

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. 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.

Review:

Fracture wastes no time, jumping straight into the story and action!

During school I’m not a very fast reader because I’m usually busy however this book was so unputdownable it had me in a craze to finish which I did in less than 24 hours!

Unfortunately I didn’t connect with the characters. Sure, I felt for them and wished that the outcome for them would be good, but apart from that nothing else. However the story was completely hooking and exciting, I let it slide because the story was so enjoyable! Delaney was frustrating at times, whilst Troy was unstable and both mentally and physically unwell; even though I understood his motives, it didn’t make up for the fact what he was doing was wrong. Out of all the characters Decker was my favourite.

Lots of twists and turns which keeps the reader on edge. One minute you think you have the story straight and the next minute your mouth is agape at what just happened. 

If your looking for a story that will hook you from start to finish and have you in the palm of your hand eager for more, Fracture is for you!

A lively, short read that I read in a flash; once I started I couldn’t stop. Emotionally provoking and completely addictive, give it a go!

3/5

Review: Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom

January 10th, 2012 ∙ Disney-Hyperion

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 288

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat, handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together -- stain by stain on her thrift-store dress -- exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...

But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

Review:

I was excited for, Ditched, because it sounded like a fun contemporary and a prom story gone terribly wrong. And it was definitely both those things!

A great bunch of unique characters, I especially loved Gilda and Donna – the 7-eleven ladies! Justina - the queen of jumping to conclusions, was an okay character, I just wish she had of slowed down and considered things for a minute. But then I guess if she had of done that, the story wouldn’t of been what it was.

There was never a dull moment in this book, making for a quick read. So if your looking for a story that’s fun and light hearted, pick this up!

3/5

Review: Friendship On Fire by Danielle Weiler

Friendship on Fire by Danielle Weiler

March 1st, 2011 ∙ Sid Harta Publishers

Source: Author

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 471

Daisy Brooks’s senior year is not off to a great start. Her first assembly as school captain is slightly ruined by her new bright orange hairdo – thanks to her father’s inability to choose correct permanent hair dye. The local Blonde Brigade is already giving her a hard time (and affectionately dubbed her ‘ranga’) and her teachers have done the unthinkable and handed out assignments on the first day back.

The one bright spot in Daisy’s first day back is the appearance of a private school boy hottie. Oh, and her best friend and vice-captain, Roman, who she can count on to hold her temper and have her back.

But the winds of change are sweeping through Daisy’s small town of Twin Rocks. Turns out the private school hottie is new in town and fast friends with her brothers. His name is Nate and he turns Daisy’s legs to jelly. But her totally platonic best friend, always reliable Roman, is starting to act strange.

This is Daisy’s senior year. She’ll learn hard truths and lose small battles on the path to adulthood . . . but, hey, nobody said it was going to be easy.

Review:
When I heard about this book, I couldn’t wait to read it. Firstly, because it sounded like an awesome contemporary and secondly because the author, Danielle Weiler is from Perth, Western Australia, where I live.

Fifteen pages in and I was already craving snakes and redskins! I really recommend you stock up, because trust me, when your reading this book you will get a craving!

The start of the novel was great, as it grabbed my attention and pulled me into the story.

I liked the way the author described high school, it was spot on. The cliques, the mean girls, the rare teacher who is actually nice.  I enjoyed the swimming carnival event as it brought me back to my own high school memories, where it was compulsory to attend and everyone took part.

I didn’t like Daisy at the start as she was hot headed, and tended to act before thinking among other things. But at the end, I changed my opinion of her as I ended up liking the person she had become and how much she had grown.

Nearly 500 pages in length, this is huge for a YA contemp. I did find that it dragged in the middle, but was glad that it finally picked up in the end and made for an interesting finish.

Danielle has done a great job on her debut that focuses on the transition between teenage and adulthood.

Rating 3/5

Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Covenant #1)

October 18th, 2011 ∙ Spencer Hill Press

Source: Brought

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 281

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Review:

When I heard about this book and great reviews that followed I decided to give it a shot. Even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would of liked it was still a pretty good read.

As soon as I started reading this book, there’s no wasting time as your thrown right into the action. The beginning isn’t very clearly as your thrust straight into the story, but it was a great way for the author to introduce the daimons and what they could do and were capable of.

My favourite thing about Half-Blood was Aiden. At the start he didn’t let anyone in but as the story went on and his shell started to crack, you see just how great a guy he is and how much he cares for Alex.

Alex the heroine of the novel of the novel is your average teenage girl (except not really…she’s a Half-Blood). She feisty, strong, snarky, stubborn and has the tendency to not think her actions through. Even though I like Seth, I would definitely choose Aiden over him.

Even though I didn’t love it, I would still be interested in picking up the following book, Pure, as I’d like to know if anything happens between Alex and Aiden (yep, that’s me always the dreamer).

Rating 3/5

Review: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty (Jessica Darling #1)

August 28th, 2011 ∙ Three Rivers Press

Source: Brought

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 298

“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

Review:

After reading some heavier type books, I was in need of a fun, light contemporary and that’s exactly what I got.

Even though this was written a while ago, in 2001, you’d think it would be dated, but surprisingly it isn’t. It feels like it could have been written yesterday.

Jessica is darn funny. The things that come out of her mouth are funny and completely original. Trust me, you won’t be able to suppress a smile. I can totally relate to Jessica, I think everyone can, as she’s your average teenager. She’s that type of character you can’t help but like and wish only the best for. The thing I love is that she’s written like a true teen– nothing fake and phony here!

There are quite a few reasons why I enjoyed Sloppy Firsts, but the main reason is that it’s realistic. It’s not sugar coated, the author tells it like it is.

It’s got the perfect blend of everything: relatable characters, high school drama, boys, wit and humour.

After reading Sloppy Firsts, I would be interested in checking out more books in the Jessica Darling series, but for now there’s no rush.

Rating 3/5

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush Series - Book #2)

October 19th, 2010 ∙ Simon & Schuster

Source: Brought

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.

Review:

When I started this book, even though I really wanted to read this, I just wasn’t in the mood to read. But never fear Becca Fitzpatrick is here.

In Crescendo, Vee’s was just as crazy and fun as she was in Hush, Hush, which I loved! I can’t wait to read about more of her and Nora’s antics! Nora was a bit annoying at times, but with the events at hand, I think she is forgiven. As for Patch, well he’s just as swoony as ever!

The end of each chapter is horrible, as it ends grippingly, forcing you to read on, which is not very good when your trying to stop reading and pull it in for the night.

Throughout the novel this book is very suspenseful and will keep you on the edge of your seat, but as I neared the ending the book turned up notches on the action scale.  And just when I thought it was wrapping up, something happens leaving you with a dreaded cliff hanger!

I can’t wait for Silence after reading the ending of book two! I might just have to weasel it out of mum from under the tree as an early Christmas present? Hmm, I hope so!

If you enjoyed Hush, Hush, I don’t think you’ll want to miss all the action that is Crescendo!

Rating 3/5

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

First there is a Before, and then there is an After. . . .

The lives of three teens—Claire, Jasper, and Peter—are altered forever on September 11, 2001. Claire, a high school junior, has to get to her younger brother in his classroom. Jasper, a college sophomore from Brooklyn, wakes to his parents’ frantic calls from Korea, wondering if he’s okay. Peter, a classmate of Claire’s, has to make his way back to school as everything happens around him.

Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.

David Levithan has written a novel of loss and grief, but also one of hope and redemption as his characters slowly learn to move forward in their lives, despite being changed forever.

Review:

This book is small – only 167 pages in length – but the story Levithan has produced about the tragic 9/11 incident will get under your skin and really get you thinking.

When I started this book, the beginning was quite hard to read – tears pricked my eyes, goosebumps formed on my skin – but luckily the actual event and description was only at the very start. The rest of the story follows three teenagers, Claire, Jasper and Peter, during the aftermath of the event and how they come to terms to deal.

The story is told in alternating chapters between the three teens about them coming to terms with their lives After the event and them trying to move forward in their lives.

During the tragic time, even though what was happening was horrific, it was heart-warming to see everybody coming together and helping each other out.

Rating 3/5

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

Here Comes the Bride — If She Can Pass Chemistry.

Eighteen-year-old Bronwen Oliver has a secret: She's really Phoebe, the lost daughter of the loving Lilywhite family. That's the only way to explain her image-obsessed mother; a kind but distant stepfather; and a brother with a small personality complex. Bronwen knows she must have been switched at birth, and she can't wait to get away from her "family" for good.

Then she meets Jared Sondervan. He's sweet, funny, everything she wants — and he has the family Bronwen has always wanted too. She falls head over heels in love, and when he proposes marriage, she joyfully accepts. But is Jared truly what she needs? And if he's not, she has to ask: What would Phoebe Lilywhite do?

Review:

When I started, I Now Pronounce You Someone Else, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The blurb intrigued me and sounded like something right up my alley. And after reading it, I’m glad to say I enjoyed it. If your looking for a coming of age story – which I found to be different from others I’ve read – why not give this a go!

I found I connected with Bronwen some, but not a heap. I think it would be impossible not to have some connection, just because of the story and everything that’s going on. Moving on, let’s get to Jared...what do I think about him? Definite swoon material! :)

Throughout the whole book, the story kept me interested. I didn’t want to put it down and wanted to power through to the end, to find out what was going to happen.  

The author’s writng was good; not GREAT!, but not bad. It was simple, clean and easy to read.

I read a few reviews before deciding to pick this book up and read in one of my friends reviews(who calls herself a romantic sap) and I quote “one of the most beautiful first kisses I have ever read”. I didn’t really think anything of it, until I came upon it... and I absolutely agree with her! Trust me it was worth the wait! After reading the kiss scene, I had to put the book down, but when  I reopened it I couldn’t help but revisit it again. ;)

The ending was perfect, I can’t emphasise that enough! Don’t get me wrong, it was sad – even brought tears to my eyes – but in the end it worked out! I liked that the author summed the story up, tied all the loose ends and didn’t leave the reader in the lurch, waiting for a ‘never gonna happen sequel’.

Rating 3/5

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out — and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they’ve met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The
kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.

Review:

The concept of the story was intriguing and kept me on my toes, but I got a bit frustrated at times, when I first dived into this book. I found that the author put too many words around what she was actually trying to say and get across to the reader. Sometimes I found myself digging to find out what she was getting at...but then I came to a certain page and things started looking up!

After hitting page 29, it turned from being an O.K read to me not wanting to put it down. The intensity, heat, interest turned right up and left me wanting more; more story and Lily + Ryder moments!

Sometimes I got a bit confused, due to everything that was going. But to tell you the truth, it was that good, I just kept powering through!

Don’t know about you guys, but throughout the whole story, I was always rooting for Team Ryder! The main character, Lily was likeable and interesting to read about, I’m sure everyone only wanted a good outcome for her.

The past and present in this story was entwined together seamlessly, giving you just the right amount of what's going on to help you understand what needs to happen in the story. Twists and turns are weaved throughout the whole story and will leave you wondering with curiosity, trying to figure out what’s around the corner.

Don’t be fooled by this girly, pink cover. The pages of this book are filled with suspense, action and mystery!

Rating: 3/5