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.