Review: Empty by K.M. Walton

Empty

Author: K.M. Walton

Release Date: January 1, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Summary:

Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it's been one let down after another. but no one-not even her best friend-understands all the pain she's going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles. Then one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing spin out of control. But just how far will she go to make all of heartbreak and the name-calling stop?

Review:

Sometimes you just want to disappear.

Life is bleak, pointless, dark and hopeless. This is how Adele “Dell”, the main character in K.M. Walton’s Empty feels. This is how the reader feels at the end of the book (and I did too). 286 pounds, Dell has only one friend who may or may not care for her. Her father deserted Dell, her mom, and her baby sister Meggie for another woman and became an absent father who tells Dell to ‘get over her grief and be happy for him’. Dell’s mom works two jobs until she gets fired from one of them for stealing prescription drugs. She takes many pills everyday just to get through the day and take care of Meggie and Dell.

Softball is Dell’s favorite sport, but that soon ends when she is cut from the team because of her weight. The kids at school makes fun of Dell and wants her to perform a Sumo wrestler moo-like act for their entertainment, and she happily obliges through forced smiles, and ends up hating herself later. Whatever makes them happy.

Not once do Dell’s best friend, Cara, does anything about it.

When invited to a party, Dell reluctantly goes (by the will and power and whining of Cara), but that soon changes when Brandon, the hottest and popular guy in school, takes her upstairs, away from the party, both of them drunk, and rapes Dell.

Now there’s a rumor going around school that Dell raped Brandon when that’s completely not the case.

Dell finally gets a small break when she is accompanied into the school’s talent show to show off her singing skills (again, by Cara). In the end, she gets humiliated by Brandon and Chase who wants her to do the sumo wrestler moo-thing again. And again, she does.

Dell’s life spins spiral downward on from there, as her life gets darker and darker until she can’t take it anymore.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book, but I will have to say that this book is not as much as disappointing as it is depressing. Throughout the book, I kept hoping that Dell will get some help.

Not once did she.

I felt for Dell, I really did. I get where she is coming from on a personal level. I don’t get why she never had the solution to lose he weight, boost up her self-esteem, all to make herself happy. That’s what I thought would have happened. There is a bunch of bullying within this book, to the point where I had to take a small break just to think. I will admit a few times that I did tear up and almost cried.

A problem I had with this book is that 1) Dell never confessed her rape by Brandon. She expected someone to speak for her, or when she almost had the chance to, she never spoke up. The guidance counselor came to Dell one day, who was there for her because of a student was concerned about Dell. But she declined his help! Why, Dell, why? That was a great opportunity for her!

Cara was another problem that I had. I never thought of her as Dell’s friend because of the way she treated Dell. This Is  because all she (Cara) wanted to do was to be with the popular crowd, leaving Dell behind, not inviting her into conversation and parties, then will get mad at Dell for something she did or said. Um, totally fake much, Cara??? Because of this fakeness and I know that Dell knows that she was being that way. I just wished that she would have stood up to Cara….but she never did.

The main comment themes I picked up in this book are:

Rape

Bullying

Suicide

Peer pressure/abuse

Drugs

Depression

Aggression.

Conclusion:

I will not lie; this book may not suit many people because of what happens within this book. In fact, many people will feel that this book is offensive and insensitive. I, on the other hand, loved the book. Despite what happens in this book, I like this book because of the connection I had with Adele.

But I will say this:

                If you’re going through bullying, depression, suicidal thoughts, or had been raped- tell somebody. Don’t hold it in. it may not feel that no one is there for you or that no one care about you- but there is. I know life sucks. It’s dark, evil, hurtful, and mean, but things will get worse before they get better. Trust me. Instead of thinking about the bad things, think about the good things that you cherish, the goof things that had happen, and the great things that will happen. There is someone who will listen. Please DO NOT hide it from anyone. No one can help you if you do not tell them what is wrong. If there’s an opportunity to vent to that person about that happened to you, and you feel that you’re going to explode from holding in so much inside, you can tell them as long as you trust them and they trust you (and won’t go behind your back and stab it).

There are many things I’ve learned within my life that I would have told tell (like I had mentioned above). My heart goes to Dell, as well as many other people who had experienced the same thing, or had experience the same thing as Dell did.

K.M. Walton’s Empty is amazing. I would recommend this book, but only if you aren’t too disturbed about what goes within his book and can handle it. I am glad to have purchased this book and read it.

Empty by K.M. Walton deserves a 4.7/5

Review: City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

City of a Thousand Dolls
Author: Miriam Forster
Hardcover: 359 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Reading Level: 13+
Summary:The girl with no past, and no future, may be the only one who can save their lives.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a little girl. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. She makes her way as Matron's errand girl, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city's handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls' deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but also her life.


Review:
When I first heard about this book, I knew I had to get it.
The concept of a City of a Thousand Dolls is amazing.

The City of a Thousand Dolls is divide up into six Houses: The House of Beauty, The House of Pleasure, The House of Jade, the House of Combat, The House of Shadows (while being hidden), and the House of Flowers.
In each house has a group of girls trained to that main House while going to other Houses. In each House, the girls all wear the same colored asars (I like to think of them of like Indian dresses).

City of a Thousand Dolls follows a young girl, Nisha Arvi, who is in the House of Combat. She is in a current relationship with nobleman Devan, and they are keeping it a secret. In the middle of them being together, they heard a scream and the result of one of the House girls, named Atiy, dead.

Since then, Nisha has been told to investigate the other current deaths that surrounds the City of a Thousand Dolls because if more girls continue to die, then the City of a Thousand Dolls will fall.


There are many things that I enjoyed about the City of a Thousand Dolls. The first is that this is a City meant only for girls, and that each girl is placed in a House that they are more talented in. They can also join other Houses and take part of their lessons.

What I also liked about this book is the mystery that surrounds on who the killer is. I had a few ideas of who it could be, but then it turned out, in the end, it was someone else completely. Either it's just me and my lack of detective intelligence,  I always tend to get the killer wrong until it smacks me in the face in the end. Now, some readers would have been able to tell who the killer was beforehand. I, on the other hand, was not.


It's one of these things that I don't like about this book, and many other books: the main character does not know who she is, but everyone else does and is keeping it a secret. But then someone comes by and they reveal her secret and main characters is all surprised and angry and scared that everyone knows what she is and  never told her. It's always this response: "I wanted to wait until you were older to understand." Pah!
And with the City of a Thousand Dolls, it happens here. But of course, with this, I was surprised to know what Nisha was actually was.

The cats.
The cats were so adorable in this book. Following, protecting and communicating (telepathically) to Nisha. The cats are like Nisha's own family. My favorite cat is Esmer and Jerrit.


The world building in the City of a Thousand Dolls is amazing. Well-written and structured. Miriam Forster provides enough information about the City of Dolls and it's history without having the reader become too overwhelmed and confused if she just gave us a big info dump on the first few pages. It would seem as if the City of a Thousand Dolls would be a fantastic place to live in. But the thing is-it is a place of all females. The males and females are separated unless they are nobles and royalty.

City of a Thousand Dolls is a very well-written book.

Conclusion:
If I had to chose a House in the City of a Thousand Dolls, I would want the House of Shadows, the House of Music, the House of Jade, and the House of Flowers. Sadly, I cannot chose all of those--so I would out of all of those mentioned: The House of Shadows. I mean, it's not everyday one can train in the shadows and become a ninja (an assassin, really).
City of a Thousand Dolls provides fantasy, murder mystery, family, and a bit of romance. The pacing for me, throughout the story is sort of slow, but it picks up, and slow downs again, and picks back up. It fluctuates throughout the novel.
Miriam Forster made an amazing fantasy novel   albeit her debut. I would recommed this book, definitely.
City of a Thousand Dolls deserves a 4.7/5

Review: Love and other perishable items by Laura Buzo

Love and other perishable items

Author: Laura Buzo
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Hardcover: 243 pages
Summary:
Love is awkward, Amelia should know.

From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, 15, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up.


Review:
This book was amazing. It made me laugh, and squeal at the sudden cuteness and it also made me want to go and leap into the book to punch some characters--sadly, it never happened.

Love and other perishable items follows a young girl named Amelia who is the average fifteen-year old: she has a best friend, goes to work, and has some bad family situations. But, she has a crush on her co-worker, twenty-one  year old Chris.

Now, before anyone says anything, this story takes place in Austrailia (right?), so of course, things are different there than they are here in America.

What the summary says in the book, really does live up to it's expectations (moreso for me it does).

What I liked about this book is the relationship between Amelia and Chris, even though the are six years apart, and they both know that things can't work out for them. But that doesn't stop Amelia from crushing on Chris. She wants him, but it seem as if there are a few obstacles that stands in her way:
* She's-big-and-she's-blond Georgia
*Kathy aka The Kathy Virus
* Jeremy
* Michaela
*Donna
* And others..

But finally, FINALLY, Amelia gets to have her "alone time" with Chris during this party that ends up going bonkers and Amelia flees to the bathroom, and Chris after her.
No, they didn't get it on. But they did KISS. Well, they KISSED drunkily to be more precise. And Amelia says it. She says she--
I'm not going to spoil it for you readers.


What I also like about this book how it switches POVs from Amelia's and Chris (which is more of in a notebook/diary/journal kind of way) so we can get both of an idea of what they are going through, which is a very smart way.


What I didn't like about this story is how Chris and other characters treat Amelia. Sure, she has some social issues (her words, not mine), and she doesn't have many friends (but only 1), she's a good girl. Every since that party, people have been treating her differently (and by other people, i mean her co-workers. Especially Chris).  They will ignore her, smirk and whisper things about her, trying to belitte her. But, she does find the courage to get over it.

The ending.
I both liked and hated it. I liked it because it shows that both characters know that they will never be together because of their age difference, and also they (mostly Amelia) will try to be willing to wait for Chris.
What I didn't like about the ending is that, instead of going their seperate ways, they will try to find alteratives. They can still hang out, be friends, call, go to the movies, do all that fun stuff. Chris still could've tried to wait for Amelia till she turned 16 and older-but, sadly, it is what it is.  But, at least Amelia has her best friend, Penny.


Conclusion:
Love and other perishable items is just like any other YA contemporary love book out there. It has drama, romance, angst, more drama, and a bit of forbidden love, oh, and comedy.
I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend other readers who are into the forbidden love contemporary novels like this one. For her first novel, Laura Buzo did an amazing job and I will look toward more of her books in the future.

Book Mailbox #5

New Purchased Books!

Review: Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco

Beholding Bee

Author: Kimberly Newton Fusco
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Hardcover: 336 pages
Summary:
Bee is an orphan who lives with a carnival and sleeps in the back of a tractor trailer. Every day she endures taunts for the birthmark on her face—though her beloved Pauline, the only person who has ever cared for her, tells her it is a precious diamond. When Pauline is sent to work for another carnival, Bee is lost.

Then a scruffy dog shows up, as unwanted as she, and Bee realizes that she must find a home for them both. She runs off to a house with gingerbread trim that reminds her of frosting. There two mysterious women, Mrs. Swift and Mrs. Potter, take her in. They clothe her, though their clothes are strangely out of date. They feed her, though there is nothing in their house to eat. They help her go to school, though they won't enter the building themselves. And, strangely, only Bee seems able to see them.

Whoever these women are, they matter. They matter to Bee. And they are helping Bee realize that she, too, matters to the world--if only she will let herself be a part of it.

This tender novel beautifully captures the pain of isolation, the healing power of community, and the strength of the human spirit.

Review:
When I first read the blurb of the book, my first thought was The Secret Life of Bee's, which this book, Beholding Bee, reminds me of just a little.
But I had to get this book because it seem as if this book would be a good read. And it was.

Beholding Bee follows the story of Beatrice "Bee" Hockenberry, who is an orphan that lives and works for a traveling show. Her parents died in a car accident when she was four, and she has since lived with this traveling show and a teenager named Pauline.
Bee's job at the traveling show is making hot dogs with Pauline at a hot dog cart. Even though she doesn't like the job, she has to do it.

But there is something special about Bee. She has a diamond shaped birthmark on her face. She doesn't like having it because people tend to make fun of Bee and her disfigured face, so she always has to hide it from people's sight.

Bee befriends a puppy whom she names Peabody. There was a time where these group of guys came onto Bee and teased her around, protecting the puppy. Saved by the owner of the pig races, Bobby, he teachers her how to run.  Besides that, there is a new guy in the traveling show named Arthur and he has his eyes on Pauline.

Despite everything that is happening, Bee continiously see this elderly woman in a orange hat. But no one else can see her, for they say that it's only part of her imagination. But Bee knows that there is something more than that.

I loved all of the characters in Beholding Bee, my favorite of all would have to be Bee's pets, a puppy named Peabody and baby big named Cornedia.  Peabody was just an adorable little puppy. He made me laugh at everything he does. While some people don't have pigs as pets, Cornedia was another pet I would like to have.
But I also liked Bobby

The author's writing is okay, but there are times where I felt the writing and Bee's voice felt flat. But I think that it's just me because Bee is just a tween and just between a kid and a teenager. But there are times where Bee is strong and mature that made me adore her even more.

The constant bullying in this book in Beholding Bee had me worried and Bee would never do anything to stop it. She mostly turned away and ignored them (which sometimes is a good thing), but I also felt that Bee could've told someone about her bullying to make them stop-she never did. But there was a time that she stood up for herself--in revenge.



Conclusion:
This book deals with bullying, coming of age, identity, family, World War II, and acceptance.
It's a book for every age group and for everyone, and I would really recommend reading this book.
4.6/5

Book Mailbox #4

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point
Author: Kasie West
Release Date: 
Publisher: HarperTEEN
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Paranormal
Hardcover: 343 pages
Summary: 

KNOWING THE OUTCOME DOESN'T ALWAYS MAKE A CHOICE EASIER...

Addison Coleman's life is one big "What if?" As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It's the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie's parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pock-who she wants to live with her father, who is leaving the paranormal  compound to live among the "Norms", or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie lives her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it's not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school- but she never wanted to be the quarterbacks  girlfriend. When Addie's father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she's unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she's willing to live through....and who she can't live without.

Review:
As a Searcher, whenever Addison "Addie" has to make a choice, she can look into her *own* future to see the outcome. When her parents announce they are getting a divorce, they are letting her choose who she will be staying with. Will she leave her friends, and safety of the compound to live "Normal" with her dad, or will she stay with her mother who she doesn't really get along with?

The setting and world that Kasie West has created is fresh. In this book, there is a compound where people with supernatural abilities live and train their powers, staying away from the "Norms" or the humans with the non-supernatural abilities  They can live and interact with the norms but they can never tell or reveal them about their abilities or about the compound due to some dire consequences (perhaps).

I liked Addie. She's a likable character, and not so whiny and clingy and lost on what she wants. But in this book, and with this ability she has to Search to see what outcome is her best for her; Mom or Dad, I don't know what I would do in her situation. The ability to Search, choosing a path to see the greater outcome in your life, which is indeed a big "what if?" I think this ability would be both frightening and thrilling at the same time.

Now, there is no real "love triangle" in this book because of the alternate realities that is given. If Addie chose to live with her dad, where she would have to go to a normal school and meet, interact, and adapt with normal people, she would have to refrain from using or talking about her ability. But not only this, but she meets the artistic, sweet, and Southern boy, Trevor. I had always wanted Addie to be with Trevor the first moment they met because nowadays, we always see the main YA character choosing the hot, paranormal Greek god-looking model, instead of the normal, human boy. I like Trevor because he's sweet, and artistic and likes reading graphic novels, oh, and he draws them too. Sure, Trevor his flaws and his secrets, but he's a great guy for Addison in my opinion.

If Addie chose to stay with her mom,  she will be with her friends, still attend Lincoln High, but she will get with, yep, the "hottest guy" in school, Duke Rivers. But not only is he the hottest guy in school, he's also the quarterback in the Para-football team. Para-football is just Paranormal Football where the players use their powers (some and mostly are telekinetic  to swivel the ball around...just without all the tackling one would see in the normal football. Duke. Hmm....In this reality, if Addie chose this path, I can't say what I feel much about him. Despite he's the hottest guy and the quarterback, he's okay. He has his flaws too, and I started to dislike him a bit where he started to get suspicious like Addie was (and me) because of him doing suspicious things. Addison and Duke are a cute couple, but not as cute as Trevor and Addison. Did I mention Duke has the power of Telekinesis?

Laila is Addison's best friend. Unlike some YA novels where the story has the best friend and drops them and we never see them again. This is not the case within Pivot Point, Ms. West includes Laila from beginning to the end, and I admire that because Laila does play a major part in this book too. Like Addie and other characters in this book (except the norms), she's an Eraser- a person with the ability to erase memories. She's funny, fun, loud, sometimes obnoxious and quirky. Laila is one of those friends who drools over and flirts with many guys, but doens't really do anything till she find that "Right one". I think Laila is a great character

There are many different, unique characters with many different and unique abilities. The one character and ability I would be most afraid of is Addison's dad because he's literally a walking, breathing, and talking Lie Detector  But because of that, Dad can't lie, no matter how much he tries to hide it. I would be afraid to lie to him about many things--heh, many teenagers would.


There's a murder going on (of course. What YA book doesn't have murder within it?) and this plays both a major role in both realities between if Addie stays with Mom or Dad.

The ending of the book was amazing. I really wasn't excepting what Addison did and the path she chose within the very last chapter and I'm glad that she did!!

So, is this a standalone or going to be a series?



Conclusion: 
Pivot Point is a unique, fresh-breathing novel from the look-alikes and similar novels out there in the paranormal genre. I really enjoyed this one though at times I did feel confused on which reality is which (between Addie staying with her mom and then with her dad), but it'll get used to. But this book was satisfying and promising from the blurb till I finally closed this book.
I couldn't recommend this book enough.

Review: The Edge of Never- J.A. Redmerski

The Edge of Never
Author: J.A. Redmerski
Release Date: November 16, 2012
Publisher: Self Published by CreateSpace
Paperback: 426 pages
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Summary:
Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart. Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind. With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love. But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

Review:
I was SO happy to read this book! From all the hype from the reviews about how good this book is, I just had to get it! And I'm do glad that I did.
Despite this being a self-published book, J.A. Redmerski is an amazing writer, and I cannot wait to read her future works. This book is really good. This story is set up between Camyrn and Andrew's POV though the book is mostly told from Cam's eyes.

I loved the chemistry between Camryn and Andrew. It's so cute, adorbable, and gushy. But things start to change when they start to get to know more about each other and things start to get passionate. And I mean PASSIONATE!

I understand that some YA and New Adult books don't really have sex scenes in them, but this book does, just a fair warning. I was a little shocked by it, but I eventually got over it, for it is intense.

But that ending. I couldn't help but squeal both in shock and excitement because of what happened. It was powerful, and to me, I didn't see it coming. Not at all. Emotional, shocking....both sad and happy. But I believe that as much as I became attached to the characters, mostly Cam and Andrew, I think that so many other readers will as well.

One thing that I didn't like about this book was the beginning on how Natalie just threw away her and Cam's friendship because of what Nat's boyfriend attempted to do,  calling her a "lying bitch"! Like, what friend does that?! Especially knowing them for like years.
Camryn was just telling the truth than not telling at all, which I think was a good thing to do.

Another thing I didn't like about The Edge of Never was that Cam was first shy, and independent, and cautious, but now because of Andrew, he brings out the "wild and bad side" of her. This is a problem because I see this happening through many of YA and a little bit of New Adult novels. And that, "I can't live/breath/be without you" and "I love you so much, it hurts me." and "I have to be with you forever as long as I live." and the "You're mine. Mine, mine, mine, and mine always."
Submissive much? But I belie Cam was submissive throughout the whole time that before she met Andrew, even though at times she did stick up to and for herself so I won't completely complain about Cam. Another thing is that,


Conclusion:
I couldn't recommend this book enough!
Just for explicit sexual content, this book is of course would be more directed towards 18+.
This book has romance, drama, secrets, angst, humor, and a bunch of stuff.
This book will definitely belong on the Keeper Bookshelf. And there IS  a sequel coming out called The Edge of Always. And here is the link

http://jessicaredmerski.com/2013/02/14/news-announcing-the-sequel-the-edge-of-always/

I CANNOT wait to get the cover reveal for the sequel because it'll show Andrew and it'll be from HIS point of view. I always wanted to know what he looked like...
I love this book, and I would defintely rate it:

4.6/5

Review: Blaze (or Love In The Time of SuperVillains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton

BLAZE


Author: Laurie Boyle Crompton
Release Date: February 1, 2013
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (February 1, 2013)
Language: English

• Summary: 
• Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines.
• All she wants is for Mark the Soccer Stud to notice her. Not as Josh's weird sister who drives a turd-brown minivan. And not as that nerdy girl who draws comics.
  What she gets is her very own arch-nemesis.
  Name: Mark Deninger, aka Mark the Shark
  Occupation: Soccer star and all-around lady killer
  Relationship Status: Serial dater
  Group Affiliation: No loyalty
  Known Superpowers: Anti-girlfriend force field, breaking hearts
  Mark may have humiliated Blaze supervillian-style, but what he doesn't know is how geek girls always get revenge.
  #GeekGrlzRevenge
  
  

Review:

The second I saw this cover and read this summary of the book, I just had to have it! It seem to be a quirky and funny read, and I'm glad I read this book! It surely didn't disappoint! But overall, this book was about a girl who just wants a guy to notice her and then get revenge when he does her wrong. I still loved this book.

Blaze (that's actually her real name) is a complete comic book nerd and a sketchbook artist. I can imagine everything about her from the way she talks, the way she acts, everything. She is fighting to get away from this dreadful life situation where she has to be like a "soccer mom" to her little brother Josh and his friends. This is only because of her parent's divorce and Blaze has to be the one who right everything, even with her absent father and her hard-working mother. But Blaze wants more than that. She wants to live a normal life, like a normal teenage, comic book, sketch artist nerd. She wants to get a life on her own, by starting to get the attention of super sexy coach Mark who coaches her brother's soccer team. 

Everything seems to be going great between Blaze and Mark,  even if they really only had one to two dates s but her brother is constantly trying to warn her, but will Blaze listen to her protective little brother? Nope.

Eventually things go down between Mark and Blaze, who is completely hurt decides to retaliate by making a comic book of the whole situation, calling him Mark the Shark and she (Blaze) as the Blazzing Goddess. She’s hurt, but a little relief comes when she learns that her comic is getting a lot of publicity and everyone loves it, except Mark, of course. As for revenge he gets back at her and then everthing goes crazy and not even Mark can stop what is happening.

What upset me about this book was that there was so much bullying going on in schools, that I couldn't help but feel so bad for Blaze that I wished I could go into this book and help her. If this was real life, I don't even think this would even happen because never once did any teachers-not even the Principle! Where was he?- trying to stop the students to put an end to this. If this was a real life situation (and it can), there will be a lot more support than just by the friends. I couldn't get over that. 

She decides to run off to meet her dad, trying to run away from her problems and start fresh but if she would have listened to her brother in the first place she would have realized it was not worth her time and effort. It’s sad to see this realization for her, but it was necessary for her to finally move on and agree with everyone around her that they were right about her father. This is also a really pivotal scene where you can see just how much Josh really does love his sister.  Family is an important part of our lives and we should always respect them, even if we don't completely agree with them.

There were several lessons that I think Blaze and I learned throughout the book. She learned that sometimes looks can be deceiving; she learned that one the hard way and in relation to her father as well, and also with Mark. She also learned the hard way that sometimes retaliation is not worth it, after all look where it got her. She was simply playing fire with fire. And most importantly I believe she shouldn't have rush into things she didn't know anything about or the consequences of her actions until a little too late. And she should always ask for help, when especially like the bullying got bad. I mean, had she not think of that? Or, I understand that she was afraid to tell her mom, but, telling her now than letting her get a call from work later would've saved everything that had happened even if her mom would've been angry, sad, disappointed and among other emotions. 

But this aside, I really like Blaze's voice. She's funny, quirky, witty, and fun. I would love to have Blaze as a friend (best friend!), especially because she likes drawing, like myself. Though a little difference we have is that she's a comic book nerd, and I'm just a avid reading bookworm. 

I also love Josh, Blaze's little brother. He's smart, caring, and dearly love his sister, and protects her and tries to warm her when she wouldn't listen. Of course, like normal brother's and sister's, they get into disagreements, get one each other's nerves, and annoy each other but they are great siblings. I just wished that Blaze's mom would not have been so tied up in her self-loathing for what happened with Blaze's dad because he left them only because he ran off to chase his dream. But the mother did show progress throughout the novel that she really cares for Blaze and her son.

There were so many characters in Blaze that I liked, but the one character I did like at first, then end up disliking was of course, Mark. But Quentin and Blaze is so much better and they have much more in common than Mark and Blaze ever did. 

Conclusion:

Blaze is an amazing book filled with teenage angst, drama, romance, family, fun and love. There is some issues with bullying and sexting and a tiny bit of mention of suicide, but this is a great contemporary novel. Blaze is funny, witty, fresh, and quirky that I think many teen girls would and could relate to her. There are some good funny quotes in Blaze's inner and normal dialogue that I found hilarious and many would too. I would defiantly recommend this book, especially for comic book nerds and artists like Blaze (because I sure can relate!)

I really would like to read Laurie's future books!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: within this book, and as soon as you open the page till you turn that last page, you will see short snippets, drawings and comic strips featuring the Blazzing Goddess, Mark the Shark, and other characters. That was the most artistic and best thing that I have ever seen within a book. I hope to see more of that in the future.

Blaze (or Love In Time of Supervillans) by Laurie Boyle Crompton deserves a 4.8/5

Book Mailbox #3

The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1 ) by Megan Shepard Review

The Madman's Daughter

Author: Megan Shepard
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Horror
Series: The Madman's Daughter Trilogy
Hardcover: 420 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray; Uncorrected Proof Edition edition
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Language: English

Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying
not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father’s handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it’s too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells’s classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman’s Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we’ll do anything to know and the truths we’ll go to any lengths to protect.

Opening Sentence: The basement hallways in King’s College of Medical Research were dark, even in the daytime.


Review:
The Madman's Daughter is retelling of H.G. Wells' The Island of Dr. Moreau, which I have never read. Though a warning: this story is not for the faint of heart.
The only thing that shall be cautious of the animal experiments and deaths that goes on in this novel. Which would be the main big issue in this novel. But now that I really think about it, this book, only because of the animal experiments of vivisection, did turn me off.
But of course, I kept reading.

The main character is Juliet Moreau, who is known as the Madman's daughter. She is surprisingly relatable, for a young maid in a historical London setting. Being forced to fend for herself after her father’s scandalous disappearance and her mother's death makes her an admirable character. We get interesting  glances into her more brutal side – the side that defines her connection to science and her mad father.

After reuniting with a childhood friend and servant named Montgomery  she learns that her father is alive and working away on a remote island far from civilization.
The island is a horrific place, with its deformed inhabitants and constant stormy weather. It is as far from Victorian England as is possible to get, making the historical setting almost irrelevant. There is some modern tone usage in the book in the character's speech. You can find out what Juliet’s father has been experimenting on from the book description, which I had mentioned before, was a bit of a turn off to me since I am a animal-lover of course.

Many fans will be turned off by this book because of the one and only Love Triangle (surprise, surprise). Yes, there is a love triangle between Juliet's childhood friend, Montgomery and a castaway Edward Prince. But despite Juliet's feelings for both boys, Juliet has to figure out the haunting and frightening happenings in the jungle surrounding her father's home.

I liked Juliet, Montogomery, and Edward, but I really really like Balthazar  He's one of the deformed islanders, but he's so sweet. It's pretty sad that we don't get to know much about him and one of my favorite characters. I don't like Dr. Moreau because well, he's mad!

The end… I have to admit the end left me breathless. It was unpredictable and made me regret reading it without the sequels being released. I say that only because it blew my mind. It made me go back, saying, "Wait, WHAT?!" It's a cliffhanger that I defiantly did not see coming in the least. I really couldn't even believe that had happened when I seriously thought that all of the three characters, plus Balthazar, would be happy....

The writing in The Madman's Daughter is full of lyrical prose (in a good way), which makes it a good crafted story.
Shepard did an amazing job with this book.

Conclusion:
 The Mad Man's Daughter is a book that I would sincerely recommend. But just to be safe again, this book WILL turn people off who are sensitive to animal experiemnts and abuse, for this book does include that (not much of hte abuse) but the expierment of vivsection. Vivisection is the action of experiment on live subjects, mostly animals, for scientific research. And this book does have some graphic (though not too explicit) scenes of it that some of Juliet had witnessed.
But that aside, the Madman's daughter does have a love triange, if you're turned off by that too.
But despite the animal/human experiments and the love triangle, this book is a good book.
Personally, I do think that this book will be better if it was just a standalone novel than a trilogy. I don't understand what else could happen if it was a trilogy, but I guess we will have to see when the sequel is released.
Also, this book seems to be a bit more mature than a YA novel even though the main characters (Juliet, Montgomery, and Edward) are between sixteen and seventeen years old.

I would give the Madman's Daughter a 4.4/5.

TBR Pile of February

Author: Megan Shepard
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying
not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father’s handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it’s too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells’s classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman’s Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we’ll do anything to know and the truths we’ll go to any lengths to protect.

Author: Laurie Boyle Crompton 

Release Date: February 1, 2013

Summary:

Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines.

All she wants is for Mark the Soccer Stud to notice her. Not as Josh's weird sister who drives a turd-brown minivan. And not as that nerdy girl who draws comics.

What she gets is her very own arch-nemesis.

Name: Mark Deninger, aka Mark the Shark
Occupation: Soccer star and all-around lady killer
Relationship Status: Serial dater
Group Affiliation: No loyalty
Known Superpowers: Anti-girlfriend force field, breaking hearts

Mark may have humiliated Blaze supervillian-style, but what he doesn't know is how geek girls always get revenge.

#GeekGrlzRevenge

Author: Kimberly Newton Fusco
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Summary:
Bee is an orphan who lives with a carnival and sleeps in the back of a tractor trailer. Every day she endures taunts for the birthmark on her face—though her beloved Pauline, the only person who has ever cared for her, tells her it is a precious diamond. When Pauline is sent to work for another carnival, Bee is lost.

Then a scruffy dog shows up, as unwanted as she, and Bee realizes that she must find a home for them both. She runs off to a house with gingerbread trim that reminds her of frosting. There two mysterious women, Mrs. Swift and Mrs. Potter, take her in. They clothe her, though their clothes are strangely out of date. They feed her, though there is nothing in their house to eat. They help her go to school, though they won't enter the building themselves. And, strangely, only Bee seems able to see them.

Whoever these women are, they matter. They matter to Bee. And they are helping Bee realize that she, too, matters to the world--if only she will let herself be a part of it.

This tender novel beautifully captures the pain of isolation, the healing power of community, and the strength of the human spirit.  

Author:  J.A. Redmerski

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Summary:

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she's ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she'd do. He shows her what it's really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew's dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

Author: Elsie Chapman

Release Date: February 26, 2013

Summary:

Two of you exist. 

Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.

Author: Tammara Webber

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Summary: 

Rescued by a stranger.

Haunted by a secret

Sometimes, love isn't easy...

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior...

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he'd worked so hard to overcome, and the future she'd put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth - and find the unexpected power of  love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

Author: Miriam Forster

Release Date:  February 5, 2013

Summary:

The girl with no past, and no future, may be the only one who can save their lives.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a little girl. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. She makes her way as Matron's errand girl, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city's handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls' deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but also her life.

Author: Kiersten White
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Summary:

Two sisters, bound by impossible choices, are determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

James's frozen face melts into a smile. "Do you want to know the trick to getting in trouble under the watchful eye of a psychic?"

I think of the nailed-shut windows. I think of Clarice. I think of the two, the two, the two who are now zero. Tap tap. "Yes, I absolutely do."

"Don't plan it. Don't even think about it. The second you get an inkling of what you could do, do it then. Never plan anything ahead of time. Always go on pure instinct."

I smile. "I think I can do that."

Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton Book Review

 Everbound

Author: Brodi Ashton
Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (January 22, 2013)
Language: English

Summary:
Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity—a debt that should've been hers. Now she is living a borrowed life, and she doesn't know what to do with the guilt. And every night, Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away. No matter how she tries to reach for his hand, she can never find it.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen—and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to help in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole, along with Cole's bandmate Max, descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they'd anticipated—and more deadly. From a Lake of Blood and Guilt to Sirens' alluring tricks to insurmountable walls of rock and flame, the trio is given every reason to turn back and give up. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack—even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this breathtaking sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we'll go to for the ones we love.


Review:
In the last book, Everneath, we left off with Jack making the ultimate sacrifce of saving Nikki from the Tunnels, taking her place. Nikki, now drowning in her own guilt, is resolved to get him back. She soon realizes that she needs an "escort" through the Everneath and begs, pleads, and finally encourages Cole to help her.

The story takes us through the many rings of the Everneath, where our characters are tested in every way possible. Using her tether to Jack, created through her emotional bond to him, Nikki, Cole, and Max run into Sirens, Wanderers, Shades and eventually, the  Everneath Queen.

They go through three big and complicated obstacles of a maze called The Ring of Water, The Ring of Wind, and the Ring of Fire. They also are running away from Wanderes who are like "zombies with brains," and Sirens who can alter their appearance to take the form of a person's loved ones.

In order to keep track of where Jack is, Nikki has a tether, which is somewhat like a compass, and for Nikki not to loose Jack, she would tell stories about her life with him. This is a good way for readers to get more of a backstory on what Nikki's life was like with Jack in her early highschool years with flashbacks.

What I liked about Everbound was that as soon as you open the book, you are given a map of Everneath, which is awesome. This is a great way to show us where the characters are in the story.

Another thing that I liked about Everneath is Nikki's tether to Jack.
It's like a compass map telling them where to go, instead of just going to the Everneath  blind and clueless (even with Max and Cole).

Despite the love triangle (no more love squares in Everbound!) between Nikki, Cole, and Jack, it's great to know that both guys haven't given up on Nikki. We all know most YA heroes would end up hooking up with the next girl when the heroine is gone, but Cole is always waiting for that moment where Nikki could be all his, even though he knows that may never happen. I think it's sad that Cole genuinely does love Nikki even when Nikki doesn't believe him or lead him on or anything, though, which I think is smart. Cause if she did..well...I wouldn't like her anymore.

We finally get some backstory from Cole! Although, once again, it's very shortened.
And Jack... He's perfect. And by perfect I don't mean in the hot super male model perfect kind of way like in most paranormal YA books, because he's not only perfect looks-wise, but he's so damn sweet! Like, he's seriously every girl's dream, and I can see why Nikki would rather cut her arm off than give up on Jack. Because really, there's no topping Jack Caputo. I do hope that Nikki ends up staying with Jack and Cole can go with someone else, like Jules. Though, I'm not so sure about how everything about the Everneath, Everlings, Tunnels and all that jazz would make sense, I mean, look what Nikki told her dad! They thought she was crazy!

What I didn't like about Everbound was Everneath. I had always imagined that the Everneath was just a dark, cold, evil place. With Wanderers, Shades, and Sires feeding off your emotions, the Tunnels making you suffer until you die. Sort of like hell. But instead, it was the complete opposite.

But that last chapter. That last chapter was so jaw dropping. It was like a "Oh shit" jaw dropping moment because so many things happened that I never thought would.. So, when will the next book will be coming out? I'm ready for it!


Conclusion:
Fans of Everneath will defintely love Everbound. I would recommend this book for it has a lot of Greek myths and romance and action and adventure! And Jack. And Cole. And more Jack and Cole. You will not regret reading Everbound if you truly enjoyed Everneath.
I would like to say I loved this book, even though at first, I couldn't get into the first few pages of the story, everything then started to acclerate with action and suspense.
Everbound deserves 4.7/5.