Sunday Weekly Selection

I have decided to post about upcoming young adult books for each week. I will do this every Sunday evening. I will post information about select books that I find interesting. I will also post the Link to Barnes and Nobles teen coming soon as well for more information of books to come.

Week of August 7th releases 

Rift
Andrea Cremer
Good Reads Rating: 4.3
Good Reads Summary: 

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

Sweetly

Jackson Pearce

Good Reads Rating: 3.8

Good Reads Summary:

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past -- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone -- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen its next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Perks of Being a Wallflower (Book)

 

Perks of Being a Wallflower
By: Stephen Chbosky
ISBN: 9780671027346
Length: 213 Pages
Reason: Movie is coming out

I just finished Perks of Being a Wallflower, and let me tell you I loved it. I have always been a fan of books that have been compared to Catcher in the Rye. I guess part of me just loves a good coming of age story. I have been wanting to read this book for some time now, and because of the movie’s release date is slowly creeping up on us I thought now would be a better time than any.

Good Reads Summary:

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 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:

Dear Friend,

I just finished reading Perks of Being a Wallflower. I loved it, even though I am always weary on books that are written in letter format. I loved how the author really developed Charlie, the protagonist, throughout the novel. At the beginning Charlie decides to write letters to a stranger, that he has randomly selected from the phone book. He expects nothing in return but for them to read each letter. I really enjoyed this idea, mostly because it allowed my inner voyeur to surface a bit. Each letter is written about the major events that happen throughout Charlie freshman year of high school.

Charlie is socially awkward and he often finds himself slipping into a dark place. Sam, the main love interest, provides amazing conflict with Charlie. She is that fun free spirited girl from high school; she just wants everyone to be happy. Then there is her brother, Patrick, I was really happy with how the author portray him. Patrick is gay, not flamboyant, just your regular relaxed high schooler waiting to escape small town life.

The main focus of the book is around their interaction together. One of my favorite events that occur weekly in the book is the Rocky Horror Picture Show performances that Patrick (Franken Furter) and Sam (Janet) are in. That is defiantly something original.

The book takes you through almost every possible conflict a teenager could have in high school in one school year. Sex, drugs, violence, abuse, and crying are no stranger in this book. The author had a fantastic way of addressing these items without much detail but still driving the message home.
I really like how the author also progressed Charlie’s writing style to reflect that Charlie was gain knowledge and experience with writing himself. In the beginning i found the book to more like reading someone’s train of thought and towards the end I found it a bit more pieced together, this was a very nice touch.
 

Love Always,

YA Bookends

I rate this book at 4 out of 5

Check out the Movie Preview:



Recommendations:

Wake by Amanda Hocking

 

Wake (Watersong Series #1)
By: Amanda Hocking
ISBN: 9781429956581
Length: 307 Pages
Reason: Received an ARC from work

Good Reads Summary: 

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets

Review:

 

With stories of mermaids and sirens on the rise I dove into the opportunity to read Wake, not to mention the hype Amanda Hocking was getting from her Trylle Trilogy.  I was expecting this book to have the main components of all young adult books; a love triangle with sappy romantics. However, to my surprise, this book lacked them both. Not to say that there was no romance. Gemma, the main protagonist, still has a crush and acts much more like a real teenager, slowly getting involved with another for the first time. Gemma’s sister, Harper, also has a fun surprise romance. I was shocked at how natural the romances seemed and was left cheering for them to work out. 

The characters are easily relatable, and lack some depth. Gemma loves to swim and is training to be in the Olympics. Harper is an overbearing motherly type, from basically raising Gemma and taking care of their father who works long days at the docks. Alex and Daniel are the main love interest to the books leading ladies. Then there are the “Mean Girls”; Penn, Thea, and Lexi. They are the typical popular girls and are perfection in every manner. The boys in the town seem to swoon at every sight of them while the girls hate them.  

The main drama begins after Gemma spends time with these three girls. After the first time they hang out, Gemma wakes up the next morning and strange things begin to happen to her. This is the point in which the story begins to take off. 

I did have some issues with Wake. I found that the authors POV seemed a little conflicted at times. Mid paragraph we would stop following Gemma and switch to Harper. This bothered me a little because the transitions seemed force and at times abrupt and more often than I would have liked. The story also seems to be filled with people who look “perfect”. Everyone seems to be beautiful and sculpted.  Even the geek Alex has a fit body. In my opinion this should not have been. When Gemma goes through her transformation, she is supposed to hit the height of beauty, however because she is already at such attractiveness it is hard for the viewer to see a transition. 

Overall I felt that the story was flat, the characters were clearly taken from a model (maybe not Gemma), and that every move the book took I was able to predict.  Though the book was a fast read I did not find myself clawing to get my hands on it every time I set it down.  With the beach aspect and the overall lightness I think it would make a great beach read.  

I will not be knocking down the doors for the sequels; however, if I come across them I might think twice and give the series a second chance.

The Perks of being a Wallflower

I have read some other books just have not had time to post a review. I am currently reading Perks of being a Wallflower. Thought I would do a book review and than a book to movie review. movie is coming out 9/20.

Spellbound (Hex Hall #3)

Spell Bound (Hex Hall Series #3)
By: Rachel Hawkins
ISBN: 9781423121329
Length: 336 Pages
Reason: Final in the Series 








Reviewing a book that is final in the series is difficult, you must remain vague enough to not spoil the entire series and yet you must also provide details for everyone who is on this book/ or has already read it.


Good Reads Summary:

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Review:

Spell Bound, the final novel in the Hex Hall Series, truly lives up to its companion novels Hex Hall and Demonglass. I always forget exactly how sassy Rachel Hawkins writes until I am reading one of her novels. This trait is most seen in the main character, Sophie Mercer, her one liners really compel the stories forward. This is typically seen through her witty remarks in times of danger or high stress, which this book is full of.

Unlike most sequels this book begins right where we left our main character, Sophie. She has just traveled through a magical portal to the Brannick's compound, leaving London behind. She not only left London but she went through the portal without any knowledge of what has happened to her Father the Prodigium Council Leader, Archer the boy she loves, Cal the boy that loves her, and Jenna her vampire best friend. Right after a quick review chapter action begins very quickly. However, unlike the two novels, the twists and turns happen much faster. Sophie soon finds herself in places she would never expect.

This book was everything I expected. I was sad it ended, however, I was extremely happy with how it did end. I loved how the relationship between Sophie and all of her counterparts continued to develop through out this story. I was, however, a little disappointed in the lack of development of the Brannick's and The Eye. The book does fall short in one other location in my opinion, and that is in the final battle. The events leading up the this battle fell into place very nicely, this was understandable for the story line that Rachel Hawkins was pursuing. I just was hopping with such an easy path to the end, that the battle would have been more grand.

Overall I loved the novel, and I will continue to follow Rachel Hawkins as she continues writing. I cant wait to read her next book Rebel Belle!

I give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Final Fridays

Final Fridays are my book reviews for my current book club read. This month it is happening a little earlier than normal, because of my vacation.

 

 

 

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

By: Mary E. Pearson

Publisher: Square Fish
Isbn: 9780312594411

Length: 265 pages
Book Club Month: June

 It has been awhile since I have had to write a review so bear with me on this one.

Good Reads Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long coma - so she's been told - and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. But what happened before that? She's been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won't anyone in her family talk about the accident? Jenna is becoming more curious. But she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions.

What happened to Jenna Fox? And who is she really?

Review:

I hopped on the dystopian train some time ago, just about as long as this book has been on my reading list. I am thrilled that I finally got around to this book. Again this book is a hard one to review without spoilers. There are none though.

The reader is instantly thrown into the mind of Jenna Fox, a year after the accident. Jenna has no memory of what her life was or currently is. Most of the time Jenna remembers basic information, dates and what words mean, however there are times where she has no recollection on what a basic word that most take for granted; such as time, identity, and odd to name a few. She even at one point calls her grandmother a dickhead because she just doesn't fully understand the meaning. Jenna's attitude is what really makes this character relatable to the reader.

Pearson weaves in pieces of Jenna's memory in the utmost natural way, most of the time items trigger a flash back that reveal a small portion of Jenna's life. The authors amazing use of foreshadowing allows the reader to jump to conclusions, however, leading them just slightly off course by emitting small details. This caused the twists and turns to remain a surprise for myself.

The use of biotechnology address many of societies issues today, from the limitations of science to the use of genetically altered creatures/plants. Pearson also addresses issues about sustaining life longer than nature intended, and how far a life can be taken before it is no longer considered human.

Overall this book was quiet good and reminded me of Neal Shushterman's Unwind with just a dash of Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden Trilogy.

I give this book a 4 out of 5. Can't wait to read the next one.

July's Final Friday

Enchanted

By: Alethea Kontis

Oops...

School got in the way yet again. I will begin posting soon. I am going to turn my selection of reviews away from just books and towards more items. Such as my art, TV shows, Comics, and Movies. Whatever I can really get my hands on. I am going to start that back up starting next week. Not daily, at first, starting it slow and working slowly towards my goals of reviewing and reading more!