REVIEW: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Jen's Review

Before I Fall
by Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: March 2, 2010

Having read this Before I Fall nearly two years ago, I was curious to see what I was going to think after reading it two years later, whether Oliver's book would evoke the same emotions it did for me in the past. While it started out extremely rough, it smoothed out towards the end and overall left me very satisfied with Before I Fall. I loved the book now just as much as I loved it two years ago.

The strongest point in Before I Fall is the character growth. I'm sure many other readers of this book can agree with me. The characters were my main problem for me at the same time though, too. Sam and her buddies started out as cruel, bratty, and just overly conceited girls. The immediate connection of these group of girls was to the movie Mean Girls. They were pretty much exactly like them. They started rumors, were slutty, and went to parties and drank their butts off. I disliked every one of them from the start. I must admit that I was really worried that the characters had ruined the entire book for me. But thank goodness, Sam really starts to grow and change as a character once she begins to learn and relive the same day every day. She becomes insightful and sees the real things in life that make in enjoyable and worth living for. She even begins to understand other people who she never noticed before. It was truly fascinating how Oliver transitioned Sam's character in every "new" day.

The concept, of course, was also entertaining, and also a clever way to go about telling the story. While some areas leave the reader to their own imagination, Oliver still tells us enough that we are not confused in any way. It's just enough that we ponder and make conclusions for ourselves.

To conclude, Lauren Oliver definitely has her own style in telling a unique contemporary story, with absolutely fantastic character growth. Even though this book started out really shaky, I eventually learned to love the main protagonist and fell in love with the story. This thought-provoking story will leave readers pondering for days after flipping the last page.

4 teacups for Before I Fall!

REVIEW: Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Jen's Review

Transparent
by Natalie Whipple
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 21, 2013

After reading the synopsis for Transparent, I was instantly intrigued. A girl who's invisible and works for her evil father? Yes please! Fortunately, Transparent turned out to be a fantastic read that kept me on the tip of my toes. First of all, I loved the plot. It's exciting and full of twists. It has intense moments, but there are a ton of fun scenes for the light-hearted. My one complaint is that some scenes are a bit cheesy, but I shrugged those off easily.

The characters in Transparent were definitely an enjoyable aspect of the novel. Fiona is a girl that readers can understand and connect with, and the feelings that she goes through as an invisible girl feel realistic. Not only did I love Fiona, but I loved her friends and family as well. Full of support and protection, these characters do not fail to put a heart-warming smile on your face. A seriously great cast of characters!

In all, I highly recommend Transparent, it's such a unique novel, and one of those where you can easily fly through. And I'm so glad that it's not a series! It's perfect as a standalone. Check this one out if you're looking for an adorable romance, contemporary/action filled story, and a character who's invisible!

4 teacups for Transparent!

*Much thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy to review!*

REVIEW: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Jen's Review

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
by Jessica Sorensen
Publisher: Self-pubbed
Release Date: December 13, 2012

With the rise in New Adult novels releasing by the second (I swear), every new story has to stand out to become one of my favorites. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden was quite different from some of the other NA books I've read out there. It's emotionally draining, yet beautiful at the same time. The main characters were both broken and needed mending, or they were going to crack soon. Poignant and realistic, The Coincidence was a truly gorgeous read that NA fans will enjoy from start to finish.

The story starts off with an intense, scary scene that sets up the mystery between Callie and Kayden's histories. The reader is left wondering what exactly happened to them, what scarred them for life. I was instantly intrigued and needed to know more. The rest of the plot in The Coincidence is a perfect mix of emotional, happy, steamy, and heart-pounding moments. Sorensen is skilled in the way that at the end of each chapter, she makes the reader want to know what happens next.

The most remarkable feature in The Coincidence has to be the characters themselves. Sorensen is able to pack a punch with these characters! All of the hardships they go through really tugged at my heartstrings. Callie, our female protagonist, is so broken that she needs to take little steps to recover what happened in her past. I loved watching her grow with the help from her best guy friend Seth, who is extremely supportive, loyal, and cute. Our male protagonist Kayden, is also very endearing. Kayden is scarred, but also extremely brave for doing what he feels is right. He is an impossibly patient guy with Callie, and knew his limits well. What's more is that I fell in love with their romance. Sure, Kayden kind of falls for Callie quickly out of lust, but takes his time falling in love by getting to know her deepest, darkest secrets. It was nice to see that they doubted themselves, because they didn’t even trust themselves yet. I absolutely adored the shattered main characters in this story.

And of course, you've got that element in every New Adult book-- those steamy scenes! Yes folks, it's in The Coincidence as well. Thankfully, these scenes didn't occur in the first half, so there is no case of insta-love (or raging new adult hormones in the beginning, at least).

As a whole, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden stood out to me because of it's emotional level it takes the reader to. But I also loved the plot, and more importantly, the well-crafted characters, and the romance. Sorensen definitely left in a cliffhanger at the end, meaning that I will surely be picking up book two. With or without the cliffhanger, I would, without a doubt, pick up the sequel anyway, solely because of my love for the characters. I recommend The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden for anyone who's in the mood for an intense, romantic, and evocative story!

4 teacups for The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden!

Blog Tour: How I Lost You Review + Interview

Jen's Review

 How I Lost You
by Janet Gurtler
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: April 23, 2013

How I Lost You turned out to be a story about friendship, romance, and courage. What I liked about this one is that it's sole focus is the relationship between two friends, which isn't common among YA these days. You typically see romance-heavy issues in these types of contemporaries, but How I Lost You's outcome proved to be different. Even though I had some issues here and there, this one is an enjoyable read, with a good balance of sweet, adoring moments and serious, dark ones as well.

When I was first introduced to the main characters Grace and Kya, I immediately fell in love with Grace's character. I think the best way to describe her is loyal. Her obvious love for her best friend is clear and she didn't stop at anything to help Kya. However, my feelings for Kya were at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. To me, Kya felt like an absolutely shallow, meaningless girl. She's the character that has had a dark past and everything, and I understand that it's hard to deal with it all, but that's no excuse to treat everyone else differently just because you didn't have a good childhood. The entire time, I constantly asked myself, "Why, Grace, WHY are you still friends with this girl?" That's how utterly loyal Grace is-- she sticks with Kya, even through the worst. The characters in this book turned out to be a pro and a con; Grace made the story very touching and admirable, but Kya made it annoying and hair-pulling.

I definitely have to mention the romance, even though it played second to friendship in this story. It's a sweet, sweet romance, and I don't think I can describe it any other way. Levi, the love interest, was patient, kind, and shy. His hesitation and carefulness with Grace was just to die for. Aside from the romantic relationship itself, I really admired the fact that Gurtler did not over-exaggerate the romance, because, as mentioned, the main idea for this book was friendship. In other words, the romance didn't overshadow the friendship between Grace and Kya.

There were definitely times when I thought that the plot-pacing was very sporadic. The first half of the novel was fantastic. We were introduced to this colorful cast of characters, and Grace and Kya's summer had just begun. My instant reaction was: YES, A PERFECT SUMMER READ. However, towards the middle, I just got plain bored. Nothing was happening, and every description triggered a thought similar to this: Why the heck do I care that she went to the bathroom with her toiletries bag? I was definitely frustrated at this point, but luckily, the last quarter of this book was redeeming and my initial love for this book returned. The book ended on a good note that I was satisfied with, fortunately!

I think a main aspect that readers will enjoy in How I Lost You is the inclusion of paintballing. I've never read any books that involved a sport with paintballing. I think it added a nice little spark to it that kind of made it stand out. The integration was smooth and played a good role in the story.

How I Lost You had it's good times and not-so-good times, but overall, it's a read that I recommend. It has its useful life-lessons and friendship morals scattered about that everyone can learn from. I know for a fact that Janet Gurtler is an author that I look forward to reading more books from!

3.5 teacups for How I Lost You!

*Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for providing me with a copy to review!*

Interview with Janet Gurtler

1. How similar or different are these character to you? Did you ever experience the issues that Grace and Kya go through?

Grace has a few of my qualities, loyalty the biggest one. She is however way cooler and braver. I never played paintball or had my goals so clearly defined at that age.  Kya is not really like me.  I had a couple of friends who went to things similar to what Kya went through and the emotional devastation manifests itself in so many different ways. I don’t want to give away what it was for spoilers, but something pretty horrible. 

2. Most contemporaries out there today are centered around romance. What made you want to center your novel around friendship?

I tend to write contemporaries that deal with relationships and/or change. Romance is always present in my books, but not necessarily at the forefront. Although, in this story, I think Levi, the romantic interest,  is kind of the catalyst for the changing relationship with Grace and Kya.  But I choose to write about friendship, because man, teen friendship is SO IMPORTANT. In my experience it’s the girlfriends I remember and cherish, way more than the boys I went out with or had crushes on. Girl friendships or platonic male/female friendships are just as important and often more important than romance. In my opinion. :) And the hurt of a best friend break up. Oh. That’s hurt.

3. Which character did you feel a closer connection with while writing HOW I LOST YOU? Why?

I felt a really strong kinship for Kya. I understood why she was doing the things she was doing.  She didn’t mean to be selfish and horrible has is kind of driven by a dark secret in her past that damaged her. She hasn’t dealt with it yet, and until she does she is going to be unable to deal with people or things or herself in a respectful way. She is a wounded little bird, and I wanted to fix her, but she wasn’t ready to be fixed yet.

4. Do you have a some sort of message or moral that you were trying to reach out to readers through this book? If so, what is it?

My message in this book is that ultimately in life, sometimes you have to make hard decisions in order to look out for own best interests.  Grace is the type of person who wants to fix Kya and help her and I think a lot of girls/women have this quality. But we also have to realize that sometimes relationships become toxic and we have to make a choice to put ourselves first sometimes. It’s a harder than for females to do. It’s the nurturing gene.  I want girls to know it’s okay to be strong and also vulnerable, but also strong.

5. What can we expect from you in the future? (What are you currently working on?)

 I have a book coming out in 2014 called Sixteen Things I Thought Were True.  It’s about a girl who has a video of her dancing in her underwear to “I’m Sexy And I Know It’ go viral online.  Ironically , she’s hiding out from the real world online, but when life throws curves at her,  she ends up on a road trip with a strange girl and her mean boss and finds out things about herself and her life that she never knew.

Thanks so much for your time, Janet!

Happy reading, 
Jen xx

REVIEW: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Jen's Review

Sweet Evil
by Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 1, 2012

Why. WHY.

Seeing Sweet Evil land in multiple lists of 2012 favorites, I knew I had to pick it up. I'd heard only countless things about the amazing Kaidan Rowe (the HOTTIE.), and creativity of the angel and demon aspect. And yes, I can agree to those things. I loved the characters in Sweet Evil, as well as the twist on Nephilim, sure. The start of the story was addicting and I knew I was going to fall in love with it. I thought, "So THIS is what I've been missing out on! You guys were so right about this book." Well, turns out, I was kind of wrong. By the last quarter of the novel, I was bored to death. Because of this, I was left disappointed by Sweet Evil, but at the same time, I still enjoyed it.

But before I start ranting about this book, I'd like to rave about it for a little bit. The characters were one of my favorite qualities in Sweet Evil. I immediately loved Anna Whitt because she was innocent and new how to make the right decisions. She was a little too innocent at times, but it wasn't bothersome for me. I loved her relationship with her surrogate mother, Patti. It was really sweet and genuine and just really touching overall. Of course, I have to talk about Kaidan Rowe, the infamous British bad-boy that everyone seems to rave about. Um, can you say MAJOR SWOON? There was some definite fan-girling and sighs involved while reading the steamy scenes. Not only were the main characters fabulous, a lot of the side characters were just as significantly likeable. Jay, for example. Jay is Anna's music-loving best friend, and he was so supportive, he made me want to have a guy best-friend. He was super friendly and just an overall happy character. Also, previously mentioned before, Patti Whitt. As Anna's "mother", she was really lenient and protective at the same time. Her genuine concern really hit it home for me. The characters had to be one of my favorite attributes of Sweet Evil.

I also have to appreciate the angel and demon world that Higgins has created! It's unlike any other angel story I've read, since she brings in Dukes and Legionnares and it's just a bunch of awesome. The creativity of the demons was able to bring about conflict and little bumps along the way, which I thought was a very smart way to create plot tension.

However, my enjoyment for this book pretty much ends here. Let the ranting begin.

While I do say that I love Anna and Kaidan as characters, I didn't necessarily like them together. Their relationship didn't really seem real to me. I never fully understood why Kaidan liked Anna, as he IS the son of the Duke of Lust, and kind of easily falls for a girl's physical features. Similarly, Anna seemed to fall for Kaidan for the same reason. Because he was cute. Yeah, that makes a strong relationship, right? Their relationship was on-again, off-again for the ENTIRE time, and I just. *face palm* MAKE UP YOUR MINDS, HORMONE-LOADED TEENAGERS. Goodness.

I also got bored with the plot in the last quarter of the novel. Nothing was happening, and most importantly, nothing was being resolved. *Insert bored gif here* And you know how usually, novels end with a fast-paced, action scene? Well, Sweet Evil had one of those, but it certainly wasn't exciting or a page-flipper. Needless to say, the ending wasn't even able to satisfy me. There was no craving for more. I didn't even want to know what happens next for Anna and Kaidan. Yeah, super depressing.

This concludes my mixed-feeling review for Sweet Evil. I had every intention of picking this book up in the first place and devouring it, but no intention at all to pick up the sequel. While the characters and the concept of angels and demons were highly fascinating, I couldn't look past the romantic relationship or the plot in the end. However, there are so many other readers out there who enjoyed this book, so I do still recommend it!

3.5 teacups for Sweet Evil!

Blog Tour: The Rules for Disappearing Review + Giveaway!

Today is my stop for The Rules for Disappearing blog tour, hosted by Shane at Itching For Books! I have a review to share with you all, as well as a giveaway! To check out the rest of the tour, click here.

Jen's Review

The Rules for Disappearing
by Ashley Elston
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 14, 2013

The one thing that stands out for me when I first heard about The Rules for Disappearing was the fact that it's about the Witness Protection Program. I had never read anything like it before, so I was instantly curious and itching to read it. This book, more than ever, is a mystery. But more importantly, I felt that it was stronger as a romance, and a self-realization type of story. While this book was an entertaining read, it's not the most memorable.

One of the main factors that slowed down this book for me was that the overall plot of the story is interesting, but the pace gets slower as the reader gets closer and closer to the end. You'd expect the opposite: a mystery leading up to a fast-paced climax of the story, but personally for me, I was getting sleepier by each page. I loved the concept of the Witness Protection Program, but the mystery wasn't all that amazing. We got introduced to the story behind it all, and it was one of those "Okay, nodding my head, I'll go along with it, but I don't NEED to know what's happening" type of situations. It was fun to read about, but not gripping or heart-racing in any way. And the ending? So disappointed. It ended so abruptly, and the mystery was solved way too easily, leaving the reader wanting more of a mind-blowing resolution.

What's more strange, is that I absolutely LOVED the romance-- it's the strongest point in the whole novel-- but I didn't like the main character, Meg, independently. Meg alone is a sullen character, and she literally has no self-control. Sure, I understand that she's tired of moving so much and that she should keep to herself, but just because meeting a cute boy in a new town does NOT mean you can lose all control and fall in love with him, especially when you're under strict WPP rules. However, I'm glad this romance happened because it's seriously so sweet; I could taste the sugar on my tongue whenever they were together! Ethan, the love interest, doesn't hesitate to help and find out about Meg, and he was just the kindest, most endearing male specimen ever. SWOON, much?

In all, while the plot and mystery were pretty slow-going, the romance did it all for me. The romance was what kept me reading, and it's really something you don't want to miss out on if you're a romance junkie (like me). The Rules for Disappearing doesn't have the most memorable plot, but it is still a fun, quick mystery.

3 teacups for The Rules for Disappearing!

*Thanks to Disney Hyperion, Netgalley, and Shane for providing me with a review copy!*

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading!
Jen xx

Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue Review + Giveaway!

I'm so excited to be a part of the Nantucket Blue blog tour, hosted by the lovely Shane at Itching For Books! Today I have my review of Nantucket Blue and a giveaway! To see the rest of the tour, click here.

Jen's Review

Nantucket Blue
by Leila Howland
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Summer. When the sun's rays are shining down on your bare shoulders, when your ice cold glass of lemonade is freezing your hand off, even though the rest of your body is on fire. Summer, when your life is carefree. Summer, when sometimes, you discover who you are and who you're meant to be with. Summer, when you maybe find your summer romance.

Nantucket Blue was very much all of these things. It's quite the enjoyable perfect summer read, with it's distinct setting on an island off the coast, friendship problems, family problems, and of course, the boy problems. Although I had a few problems with it here and there, Nantucket Blue definitely prepped and got me excited for summer.

My favorite aspect of Nantucket Blue for sure was the setting. Leila Howland did a fabulous job creating the mood and picture of the story-- the island with its boat docks, little shops, sandy beaches, and bikes everywhere instead of cars. The picture was very clear and was accessibly easy to settle into the story. Perhaps it was the setting that I wanted to return to every time I wasn't reading this book, but I don't think Howland could have down a better job with it. It seriously makes me crave summer so much more!

And you know those contemporary novels that have a bunch of little mini problems that pop up here and there in the story, and they just somehow intertwine together to make an interesting story? Leila Howland was able to perfect that. The original plot with Cricket and her best friend Jules moving to Nantucket for the summer slowly turns into a whirlwind of problems amongst themselves, their parents, drama with boys, and more. All of these elements combined formed an intriguing plot line that I couldn't stay away from. I always wanted to know what happened next!

However, I did have some minor issues with the main character, Cricket, and the romance. Cricket was an okay character for me, but I never really felt a closeness or connection with her. Her obsession with her ex-best friend's family was a little intense and weird. The romance starts off as pure lust. Then, the love interest shifts into something that was uncomfortable to read about, but later on I grew more comfortable with it. I just have really mixed feelings about it, and I think it could have been done differently.

Aside from some minor problems with the main protagonist and the summer romance, I really enjoyed Nantucket Blue for its wonderfully vivid setting and well-thought out plot line. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a quick summer read for reading on the beach!

3.75 teacups for Nantucket Blue!

*Thanks to IFB, Disney Hyperion, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review!*

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy reading, 

Jen xx

REVIEW: The Last Academy by Anne Applegate

Jen's Review

The Last Academy
by Anne Applegate
April 30, 2013
Point
320 pages, Hardcover

Honestly, I just don't even know.

The only way that I can describe this book, is weird. HOLY. Like, I can't even describe. To be honest, after reading the last word in this book, my only thought was, "I'm glad that's over." The Last Academy by Anne Applegate is a book that I was highly anticipating for 2013, and all I got was a bunch of uncomfortable weirdness. Y'all might be thinking: is that the only way Jen can describe this book? And the answer is yes! Throughout the entire novel I was constantly thinking how strange and utterly freaky this book was, and not necessarily in the good way. So many things went wrong for me in this book, and I have to admit, it was frustrating. The Last Academy is a curious book with its odd characteristics here and there (and everywhere).

One of my main problems (among many..) in this book is the plot. There's not much going for it, which makes it really confusing. At first, I kind of just went along with it, but by the midway point, I was completely befuddled as to where the story was going. I wasn't even sure if the genre of this book was contemporary, thriller, mystery, or supernatural? It's all over the place. It's not until 90% that the reader finds out the answers in this book. Ninety percent. That's a long time; usually, it's the halfway point or a little after that, not right before the very end. Sadly, only the last ten percent of this novel was redeemable and actually slightly enjoyable. So that's how the plot went. As you can tell, not very well…

I also had issues with the characters in The Last Academy. The main character, Camden, is one of those characters that's just kind of there. I have no feelings for her, none at all. I felt no connection during my time with this book whatsoever. She is flat, and a bit boring at that. Camden goes through a lot of problems, and not one of them made me empathize with her. And the other characters in the book? Nawwwt much better. I have to mention the staff in The Last Academy. UUUMM, creepers! They are all totally pedos and spine-tinglingly uncomfortable!

So, clearly, this book didn't work out for me. However, it did make me curious enough to read the whole thing, and not DNF it. It's like those things that are so gross but you just can't look away, you know? It's a weird feeling. I honestly expected so much more out of this book because I love boarding school books (lately, I've noticed that boarding school books haven't been working out for me..), but The Last Academy was not my cup of tea. Hopefully some readers out there will enjoy this novel, but I can't really recommend it, unless you want to be completely weirded out!

2 teacups for The Last Academy!

*Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for providing me with a copy to review!*

REVIEW: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Jen's Review

Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: November 15, 2011

FINALLY. I READ SHATTER ME. Before this, I was definitely one of the few bloggers who hadn't read Shatter Me yet. Don't get me wrong, I'd been dying to read this book for forever, but just haven't gotten the time to pick up a non-review book. But thanks to Willa (Willa's Ramblings) and Vy (Vy's Blog), I finally caved and picked it up. However, since so many of y'all have read it and have seen so many reviews for this book, I thought I'd do something a wee bit different for this particular review.

For all you CRAZY people who haven't read Shatter Me yet, I'll be writing a brief, general review, so you know what I loved about this novel and why you should pick it up. But for all you people who have read Shatter Me, I'll be sharing with you guys a longer review.. With spoilers, so we can all fangirl together. *wiggles eyebrows* So if you don't want to be spoiled, just read the section that says "My Overall Thoughts". As for the Shatter Me alumni, feel free to read both! Enjoy!

My Overall Thoughts:

Shatter Me was a very addicting read, to say the least. It's everything that I wanted it to be, and more. I'd heard that Tahereh Mafi's writing style was different and that you either loved it or you hated it, but I didn't expect to fall in love with it. It's absolutely stunning, gorgeous, out-of-this-world different. I will read a biology textbook if she wrote one. Not kidding. And that's not the only thing I loved about Shatter Me.

I also fell in love with the characters and the growth between them. Juliette, our main protagonist, starts out as a very introverted-- even a bit crazy-- character from being isolated for so long. But as the story progresses, she really comes out of her shell and learns to work with others and become comfortable. I have to say that the main factor that I adored is of course, the romance. You people don't understand how tender, endearing, and heart-warming the romance is in Shatter Me. Just. No words. Lastly, the dystopian world and powers that were described in this book were really truly fascinating to learn about. I'm definitely looking forward to learning more about this post-apocalyptic world Mafi has created! In all, Shatter Me is definitely a new favorite for 2013, and it's book you NEED TO PICK UP. Like, yesterday.

The SPOILER REVIEW:

I think I covered my main points in "My Overall Thoughts", but let's get down to the real business. Please take note that this spoiler review is going to be more of… a gushy review. With lots of caps-lock.

adam. adam adam adam adam. This guy. CAN WE JUST. *breathes* When I first met this Adam character, I was like, "Well, he doesn't seem very different from the usual YA guys out there." Brown hair, endless blue eyes, tats... (tats!!!) Boy was I WRONG. Mafi was able to make his plain features sound like they're extraterrestrial and something totally different. Not only are his looks just drool-worthy, so is his personality. CAN I HAVE HIM? PLEASE? His care, gentleness, love for Juliette makes me want to go cry in a corner because of the fact that there seems to be no one this amazing in the real world (I WISH). And the fact that Adam and Juliette have known each other since elementary school just proved that they have history together, and a special one at that. *sighs* I need more Adam, ASAP.

OMG OMG. And I just have to talk about the most mind-blowing moment in Shatter Me. When Warner. Freaking. Touches Juliette. Without dying. I PRETTY MUCH PULLED OUT ALL OF MY HURR. Like, oh my goodness, but sh*t just got reaaaaal. I could tell from then on that the rest of the story was going to be VERY fast-paced and intense. I was right. (oh and by the way, I HATE WARNER. I'm so so curious how it's all going to change in Unravel Me…)

The last half is full of running, blood, hiding, and all of the heart-racing scenes you could ask for. But I also LOVE the new characters that are introduced. James (<3), Kenji (whom I hated at first, like, get your own girl!), Winston, Castle, and the staff at Omega Point. I cannot wait to get to know these characters more in the sequel!

Okay. I think I'm done. There you have it, my fangirly thoughts for Shatter Me. Tahereh Mafi = one of my new favoritest authors ever. EVER. *bows down*

5 teacups for Shatter Me! 

Blog Tour: Chantress Review + Giveaway!

Hey y'all! I'm so excited to be a part of the Chantress Blog Tour, hosted by Shane at Itching For Books. I'm going to be sharing my review and a giveaway! Thank you Shane for allowing me to be a part of this tour. Check out the rest of the tour here!

Jen's Review

Chantress
by Amy Butler Greenfield
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Ever since I laid eyes on the cover for Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield, I knew I had to read it. Without a doubt. But this cover isn't just pretty on the outside. Between the flaps of this gorgeous book is a magical tale with beautiful prose, a creative plot line, and endearing characters that I loved from the start. Chantress is a historical fantasty that you won't want to miss.

First off, I'd like to mention the concept of this book that's intriguing and definitely something that's not typical out there in the YA fantasy world. Chantresses, the fantasy element in this book, are kind of like witches/fairies, but not at all in any way at the same time. Greenfield spices things up by adding little sprinkles of her own imagination and creativity here and there. I really enjoy how she introduces the topic mildly and not in any confusing way. Thankfully there's no info-dump, which is the worst. Greenfield skillfully weaves in Chantress information in a sneaky way that helps the reader learn about the idea along with the main character Lucy, since she starts out in the beginning of the story not knowing that she is a Chantress. What's more, Chantress is set in a historical time period (mid 1600s, which is what I'm studying in History class!), and it's surprisingly interesting to read about (usually I'm like, "History? SNOOORE). Set in London, I think that Greenfield was able to capture the dialogue of the time fabulously. The tone of the era was executed well, and I couldn't have asked for better.

Probably one of my favorite aspects of all in this novel is the characters. Lucy, the young woman who learns that she is Chantress, is easily lovable, as well as a hard-working character. There's something about her curiosity to learn more and to try her very best to use magic appropriately that is just admirable. In the middle of the book, it's evident that she works persistently to use magic, since her mentor scolds her endlessly, and she never gives up. Additionally, Nat is also a character I learned to fall in love with. Starting off as a cold, rude character, his heart opens up for Lucy and their very subtle romance is heart warming. I have no complaints for any of the characters in Chantress. They are all simply amazing and realistic.

Finally, the plot line is very well paced in this novel. It starts off with a bang (not literally), and I knew from the start that I was going to love this book. Chantress held my attention until the very end, and even then I didn't want to let go of this world and characters that Greenfield has created for us. It's not always fast-paced, but it's just enough to keep the readers engaged and interested in the story. It also helps that Greefield's writing is lush and flowy.

Chantress is definitely a book that every reader needs to pick up. I'm not a big historical or fantasy YA fan, but look who loved it? I DID. That's right, this book has it all: an enchanting concept that stands out, extremely delightful characters, and an absorbing plot. Go pick this up, you won't regret it!

4.5 teacups for Chantress!

*Thank you Amy, the publisher, and Edelweiss for providing me with a review copy!*

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Happy reading,
Jen xx

REVIEW: Bruised by Sarah Skilton

Jen's Review

Bruised
by Sarah Skilton
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Release Date: March 5th, 2013

When I first found out about Bruised by Sarah Skilton, it didn't catch my attention very much, at all. It was only when I saw rave reviews for this book by some of my most trusted blogger friends (ehem, Keertana and Maja) that I knew I had to read it. And thank goodness for their accurate opinions on this book, because after finishing Bruised, I've come to the conclusion that this book is a new favorite for 2013. Honestly, if you look at my status updates on Goodreads for this book, pretty much every single one says, "I love this book. SO MUCH." Because in all seriousness, Bruised is a traumatizing story about a girl who witnesses the shooting of a gunman-- and blames it on herself for not preventing it. A gritty yet heartwarming contemporary, Bruised hit me in all the right places.

Firstly, I just need to mention that this book reminded me a lot of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Why? It's similar in the ways of a girl who endures a traumatizing experience in which she needs to go through the healing process by forcing herself to remember. But there is that difference between these two books; what made me love Bruised so much more was the addition of Tae Kwan Do. It makes it infinitely more fascinating to read about. Not only does our main character Imogen struggle to recover from the witness of the shooting, she also comes to terms with her Tae Kwan Do training, and it plays a huge part in the story. First of all, I've never read a book that's remotely related to martial arts, and second, Skilton makes it sound freaking bad-ass. This unique sport that's been weaved into the story kept me on my toes for sure.

Another quality of this book that I fell in love with was Imogen, and the strong character development. Imogen's voice is darkly humorous and sarcastic-- and she's not very likable at first. But it's the little things that go through her mind that I learned to love and empathize with. Her bravery, courage, and her acceptance towards other people is just amazing. She grows as a character, too, and it's like watching a new door open, ready for possibilities. Aside from Imogen herself though, we have Imogen's family, who play a huge role in the story. Hunter, the man-whore of a brother was hilarious, but also deeply caring. The way that Imogen's issues affect Hunter and his reactions are completely realistic. Imogen's family and Imogen herself are endearing characters that I learned to admire by the end of the book.

And of course, there's the romance. Oh goodness. Can we just take a moment to applaud Skilton's skills to write a completely.. Beautifully violent romance? Ricky Alvarez, the love interest, happens to also be an eye-witness of the shooting that Imogen was at, and their bonding over the experience is intense and intricate at the same time. And by violent romance, I mean that Imogen constantly wants to fight someone because of the event she had to witness (this will make more sense once you read it, I promise!), and it's really memorable, to say the least. But Ricky's understanding nature and tender feelings were just. I can't-- I FELT ALL THE FEELS. That is all.

My final message to you all: pick up this book. I'M BEGGING YOU. Bruised is without a doubt, a page-turner with strands of emotion, love, growth, and acceptance braided throughout the pages. I couldn't have asked for a better-written debut from Sarah Skilton, and I am glad to say that this surprising story that touched my heart will surely touch yours as well.

5 teacups for Bruised!

REVIEW: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Name: Meant to Be

Author: Lauren Morrill

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: November 13, 2012 (US)

Pages: 304, Hardcover

Source: Online Library

Rating: 5 Teacups

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 
It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").
But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

[summary taken from Goodreads]

Jen's Review

I was first attracted to this book because of it's gorgeous cover. But what's between the exterior shell is even more beautiful. Inside these pages contains a delightful story about a girl finding her MTB (meant to be) in London with a not-so-perfect immature boy. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill fortunately reminds me of Anna and the French Kiss, which, if you know me, you know that it's my favorite contemporary romance ever. Meant to Be isn't far behind and I will definitely recommend this to anyone who also loves Anna.

One of the many things I love about Meant to Be is the main character Julia, as well as her school trip buddy, Jason. Julia is a smart, nerdy, hilarious girl that I was laughing out loud with from page one. Her personality resonates off the pages and she is easily lovable. Her voice is snarky and clever, and I couldn't get enough of it, it seems. Jason is really quite similar to Julia; he also has that same smart-ass personality that I love. He's also aggravating, but in a good way. The way he and Julia banter back in forth is comical and entertaining to read about. While the characters in Meant to Be are absolutely amusing and witty, they aren't the only thing that I adore in the story.

The setting and plot in Meant to Be also have to be the major contributing factors for my undying love for this book! The story is set in London, which is a place I absolutely love reading about, causing my enjoyment levels to rise exponentially. Every day of their field trip is adventurous and exciting. All of the different scenarios in London pretty much just makes me jealous of their wonderful experiences, which is a good thing. And the plot! The plot is very well crafted and that twist in the end! It's quite obvious who Julia is going to end up with from the start, but there's still that twist that I totally was not expecting.

To conclude, I sincerely adore Meant to Be because of it's witty characters, excellent choice in setting, exciting plot, and overall cuteness factor. The entire feeling of happiness is sure to engulf the reader after they have turned the last page. I couldn't have asked for a better debut novel from Lauren Morrill, and will surely be reading her future works. Highly recommended, this one!

5 Teacups for Meant to Be!

REVIEW: Wait For You by J. Lynn

Jen's Review

Wait For You
by J. Lynn
February 26, 2013
Self-Published
332 pages, Kindle Edition

You all know that New Adult is a genre that I tend to get immersed in. It's addicting, it usually involves a hot guy, and some type of issue that the girl went through in the past. Wait For You isn't far off from that; however, the story is able to deem itself as memorable and beautiful. For fans of New Adult, Wait For You is a must.

There are definitely a few flaws that I need to point out before I praise this novel. First: there are so many conventional errors and typos! Now, this doesn't detract my enjoyment for this novel, but it's one of those things that are just annoyances. The other quality that irked me is the plot pacing. The problem isn't resolved until the very end of the story. Now, I like how the story was stretched in the middle section because it proves to be a strong character development area, but things are settled too quickly in the end. It would have been perfect if the book was longer or something.

Other than that, Wait For You is a spectacular novel with very endearing and relate-able characters, which is what stood out for me the most. Avery, the scarred, shut-out character, starts out to be a timid character, but also proves to be a bit snarky. Her voice is like-able, instantly from page one. As of her growth in character, it was slow, but sure. I felt at times that she should've been stronger and braver, but by the end, she showed the readers just that. 

The real star in this novel is Cam Hamilton. Yes, he's the love interest. Yes, he's a hottie. But his amazingness doesn't end there. He proves to be compassionate, loving, and most importantly, patient. His patience that he gives to Avery is unbelievable, even after her confession, and the amount of time that took her to trust him. His brutal honesty, persistence, and sassy characteristic were also traits that I love about him. All of this wraps up to a nice bundle of boy perfection. His darn good looks are a plus, of course. ;)

To conclude, Wait For You is a novel that is heart-melting with the love the reader feels between the characters. Although this novel had a few minor errors here in there, Wait For You is still an above-average New Adult story that I can't help but fall in love with.

4 teacups for Wait For You!

REVIEW: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Jen's Review

Where She Went
by Gayle Forman
Dutton Juvenile (HC) // Speak (PB)
April 5, 2011

Gah.

Arghh.

Meerrghhbleh.

[my incoherent thoughts]

I don't think any book has evoked so much emotion out of me before. If I Stay, the predecessor to this (wonderful, beautiful) book, wasn't even close to how amazing this one was. I liked If I Stay, and after finishing that one, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to know what happened afterwards. I thought the ending to that was satisfying and heartbreakingly stunning already, but so many of you guys MADE me read Where She Went. So of course, I had to see what all of the fuss was about.

And I need to say, I LOVE YOU GUYS FOR PUSHING THIS BOOK ON ME. I couldn't have been happier. Where She Went is phenomenal, tender, so, so tender, and I'm actually mind-blown that I managed not to cry. I know so many other people who have read this book time and time again, and I'm happy to say that I'll be joining into that circle of Gayle Forman fans. Everything was just spot on perfect in this book--from the male POV, the storytelling, to the downright lyrics from Adam's band. Everything.

I was definitely a little hesitant to read from Adam's point of view, because I understood Mia's character so well in If I Stay, that I didn't think it was possible for a better narration. But of course, I was wrong. Adam's voice is fresh, scarred, honest, and wistful, if anything. His hope and undying love for Mia was so breathtakingly gorgeous, it HURTS MY HEART, still. I don't even have words to express Adam's thoughts. It's like, the reader gets so involved and you just know the character so well afterwards. Brava, Forman, for writing through a 21 year-old man's point of view, perfectly.

We all know that Forman's writing was influential and moving in If I Stay, but Forman takes it to a whole 'nother level in Where She Went. Where She Went had definitely a different quality to it; it was undoubtedly still recognizable as Forman's, but it was much more dream-like and metaphorical, which I adored like no other. Gayle Forman's storytelling is truly special and one of a kind.

I also think that it's a rarity that I enjoyed this book so much, since it's kind of about music. Usually, books that rant on about music and bands and famous music people bore me. To death. Needless to say, the music aspect actually harmonized the story extremely well, and the lyrics at the beginning of every other chapter certainly addedto the story. Seriously, Forman should be a songwriter too, hehe.

So if you were hesitant like me, and can't decide whether or not to pick up Where She Went (or, if you're crazy, hesitant to pick up If I Stay), don't be. Just pick it up, and READ THEM. You won't regret it, like seriously. I can honestly say that I'll be rereading Where She Went again, soon, just to feel those achingly raw and delicate feelings that Forman was able to bring out of me. Where She Went turned out to be one of the best sequels I have ever read, and, surprise-surprise, Forman is now an author I can refer to as a favorite.

5 teacups for Where She Went!

REVIEW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Jen's Review

Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo
Henry Holt and Co. (HC)
June 5, 2012

WOAH GUYS.

I totally did not expect to like this book so much! High fantasy is usually way out of my comfort zone, as I don't read much of it. However, I had high hopes for this one because a) I loved Throne of Glass, and that was high fantasy, and b) there is not enough rave reviews for this book out there, it seems! Literally, every review of this book is 4 stars or higher, and pretty much all of my trusted blogger buddies all LOVE this book to death. I'm so happy to say that I am far from disappointed! Shadow and Bone is a high-paced, magical fantasy with crazy in-depth characters, fantastic creativity, and action-packed plot.

I was so worried in the beginning of this book, solely because the overload with the names, cities, and types of clothing they wore in the Grisha world. And they're not ordinary names, either. They're names like kefta and Os Kervo and oprichniki. You can imagine my panic. I absolutely hate, hate, HATE getting confused during a book, because then I usually end up flipping back and forth to un-confuse myself by referring to previous pages. While I was puzzled for a little while, Bardugo was able to refer to the names frequently, and before I knew it, I was immersed in the world without anymore confusion. This was the only minor problem I had with the book, fortunately.

One of the many things I loved about Shadow and Bone was the dark and beautifully magical world that Bardugo has created. It's so memorable and different, and, like Veronica Roth says, it's "Unlike anything I've ever read". The world of the Fold and the kingdom with the oh so mysterious Darkling ruling over the Grishas and with the different ranks and powers of the Grishas was just FASCINATING. Trust me, this is NOT a world you'll want to miss out on.

Of course, I have to mention my love for the characters! Alina Starkov is the protagonist and I loved her from the start. I'm still not sure what drew me to her in the beginning, but I think it's the fact that she never really knew her background of where she came from that drew my curiosity towards her. Later on, I learned that she is incredibly smart: she learns from her mistakes and is able to rationalize the best solutions. I also have to mention the other characters, duh. [OKAY. WAIT. So I totally thought there was going to be a love triangle in this book, and then I kept reading and AHH I was a tad disappointed, but SURPRISED by the twisty and turnies.] All right, so the Darkling. I don't know what made me like him so much, but he is dark, powerful, and I was drawn to him like Alina was. In fact, he's kind of smexy. Yeah. But then, we have MAL. I kept picturing him as Josh Hutcherson/Peeta in my head for some reason. Mal is kind of like him though, in a way: mellow, friendly, protective… He was just adorable. And let's not forget about Alina's servant (ish), Genya! She was so girly and fun and she really lightened up this book a bit. The characters in Shadow and Bone were absolutely sensational and definitely memorable.

Like I mentioned above in the brackets, there are twisty and turnies. The plot pacing was simply fantastic! It moved at a steady-pace in the beginning of the novel as characters and the world of the Grisha are introduced, but I think the middle section of the book was my favorite. The story got exciting as Alina moves to new, unfamiliar territory (things even got a little... steamy). The last section of the novel was kind of back to it's steady pace, but there was a lot of information that the author surprises the reader with and the not-so-fast-pace was made up for.

So what I thought was going to be a composed, calm review, kind of turned out to be a spazzy, excited, gushy review for Shadow and Bone. I guess I'm just trying to tell everyone that they need to read this book if they haven't already! I can't believe I have to wait 6 months until I can read the next installment, Siege and Storm. Shadow and Bone will take readers on a wild, vivid, engrossingly enigmatic ride with Leigh Bardugo's innovative world of the Grisha.

4.5 teacups for Shadow and Bone!