Jojo Moyes is quickly becoming of the many authors that is constantly checked out at my library. Although she has been writing for quite some time, just recently she has appeared in the spotlight in the United States. I think what draws readers to her books are the wonderful relationships that she creates between her characters and the extra care she gives to her female protagonists. Though I didn't enjoy The Girl You Left Behind as much as I did Me Before You, I thought it was a decent read.

Description: In 1916, French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything - her family, reputation and life - in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.
  Nearly a century later and Sophie's portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting's dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened.

Review: The title of Moyes' latest book is the name of a fictional painting that serves as catalyst in linking two loves stories, one set in occupied France during World War I, the other in 21st-century London. In occupied France, Sophie is helping the family while her husband, an artist who studied with Matisse, is off fighting. I liked Sophie right away and admired her tenacity in standing up to the German occupiers and to her suspicious neighbors who believe she is a German sympathizer. Sophie's vibrant personality draws the interest of the new German kommandant in the village. It turns out that the German kommandant is also an art lover and notices the portrait of Sophie, drawn by her husband, which captures her essence and her husband's adoration. Arranging to dine regularly at Sophie's inn with his men, the German kommandant begins a cat-and-mouse courtship trying to lure Sophie in by providing her more food for her family and security, but Sophie resists. In what could be described as emotional blackmail, Sophie learns that her husband is being held in a particularly harsh "reprisal" camp and she must decide what will sacrifice for his freedom: "The Girl You Left Behind" or herself.
  Jumping to 2006, we are faced with a different moral puzzle also entangled in a relationship. Liv is a young widow who has been struggling financially and emotionally since her husband David's sudden death. In an attempt to move on, she meets Paul in a bar after her purse is stolen. The two have chemistry and he is the first man she's been drawn to since she was widowed. They spend time together and their relationship blooms but things turn tumultuous when Paul notices that the "Girl You Left Behind" portrait on Liv's wall and rushes away with no explanation. There is no doubt that Paul is as smitten as Liv, but his career is finding and returning stolen art to the rightful owners specifically Liv's portrait is what threatens them apart. Liv and Paul soon find themselves on opposite sides of a legal battle.
  My issue with this book lies with the under-developed and the off-pace of the story lines. While I found Sophie's story heartbreaking in the depictions of a squalled occupied France and was drawn to the details of this story, I found it to be slow. I couldn't tell if the German kommandant was actually drawn to Sophie as a person or how she was represented in the portrait. I would have liked to have a bit more moments shared between Sophie and her husband which would give the portrait a more prominent role.
 Interestingly enough I found Liv's story line had a better pace and I was able to support the romance between Liv and Paul, who were adorable together, the legal battle went on much longer than needed. I grew restless towards the end and found myself skimming some sections just to see what would happen to Liv and Paul's relationship.
  If you are looking for a book that has a bit more emotional intensity, I would suggest reading Moyes' Me Before You instead of this book. If you're interested in art and World War I history without having your heart ripped out, you might enjoy this one a bit more.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language, allusion to rape, and sexual situations. Recommended for older teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, The Eight by Katherine Neville

 I'm a big fan of the Bard and I am always excited to read a new retelling or adaptation of his plays. Both Anyone But You and Still-Starcrossed touch upon the famous play, Romeo and Juliet. While Anyone But You attempts to retell the famous play, Still Starcrossed is a more interested about the play's aftermath.

Description: These violent delights have violent ends...
Gigi Caputo is fed up. A vicious act of vandalism has dealt another blow to her family's proud pizza heritage, and the Montes--owners of a rival Italian restaurant--are clearly to blame. The hostility goes far beyond bragging rights for best pizza in Chicago. The Montes have been bent on destroying Cap's for four generations. Even if it means putting herself in harm's way, Gigi's determined to get to the bottom of the feud. Instead, in a secret encounter with Roman Monte, the very boy whose relatives have brought her family such grief, she finds both danger and love at first sight. If the daughter and son of these two warring families fall for each other, can it be anything but a recipe for disaster? Slowly, Gigi and Roman learn that their story is fatefully linked to the summer of 1933, when two twelve-year-olds, Benny and Nick, hop the turnstile at the Chicago World's Fair. The most stunning wonder of the fair is Stella, who innocently causes a lasting rift between the two boyhood.

Review: Anything But You is a clunky retelling of Romeo and Juliet that left me wanting more. The story is set Chicago's Little Italy and finds Gigi (nickname for Julietta) Caputo and Roman Monte falling hard for each other despite the generations-old feud between their families. Though the Montes' latest prank threatens to destroy her family's restaurant business and send them packing to Peoria, Gigi can't deny the power of first love. Together, she and Roman set out to uncover the truth behind the war and to heal old wounds so that they can be together.
  The book has a promising premise, but the novel never successfully rises to meet it. The story line of Gigi and Roman lacks chemistry and romance. I didn't believe these characters were so head over heels for each other at all. It only came across as a crush and the characters of Gigi and Roman lack depth. They actually spend little time with each other and their part of the story moves too quickly. I actually found myself skimming their parts and being sucked into the families history of how the feud began. I would rather have preferred if the authors stuck to the families history rather than switching back to present day.
 Alternating between the two story lines and time lines were not very smooth and as a reader it took me a long time to distinguish the two. The book has all of the requisite people and parts, but it ultimately lacks a heart and soul. It has many cliches and the story, while happy compared to the original, feels contrived. Readers looking for a great romance will be disappointed here and would be better off skipping this one.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: Some language and some crude humor. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Romeo's Ex by Lisa Fiedler, Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper


Description: Romeo and Juliet are gone. Will love live on? Despite the glooming peace that's settled on Verona after the recent tragedy, Montagues and Capulets are brawling in the streets. Faced with more bloody battles, Prince Escalus concludes that the only way to truly marry the fortunes of these two families is to literally marry them together. Everyone is skeptical, but none more so than the pair selected, for the most eligible Montague bachelor is Benvolio, Romeo's best friend, still anguished by the loss of his companions, and the chosen Capulet maid is Juliet's older cousin Rosaline, the girl Romeo first loved and whose refusal of Romeo's affection paved the way for bloodshed. Contrary to their late cousins, there's no love lost between Benvolio and Rosaline, yet they forge a bond to end the renewed feud not only to escape their forced betrothal, but to save their lives and the city of Verona itself.

Review: To my delight and surprise, I really enjoyed this fast-paced, captivating, and fascinating homage to the Bard's best-loved plays. Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, Romeo, and Juliet have all perished by the sword or by poison, and yet the houses of Capulet and Montague still rage against each other. Prince Escalus, desperate for peace in his city, determines that the only way to end the bloodshed is for a marriage to take place between the households. Rosaline, niece to Capulet, who once rejected Romeo, and Benvolio, nephew to Lord Montague, are the chosen for the marriage but they have no interested in marrying each other and resolve to end the violence without approaching the altar.
  While Still Star-Crossed uses the same characters, themes, and the back-drop of the original, Taub manages to forge her own story filled with intrigue and romance. Rosalind and Benevolio who are minor characters (especially Rosalind who is only mentioned by Shakespeare) is fully developed as three dimensional characters. I loved watching these two characters bicker with each other about their disgust of the prospect of marriage to each other and slowly develop friendship and mutual admiration turned to love. The progression of their romance was nicely developed and I was thrilled to not find insta-romance.
  The secondary characters in the story are quite good too. Escalus and Friar Lawrence, though less important, are believably complex. The period details of costume and custom greatly enhance the story's realism, and the quick-moving action will keep readers both alert and entranced. Taub does use the Shakespearean language of "thou" and "wherefore" are sprinkled throughout the book might annoy some but I actually liked the anachronistic way the narrative was written. As an added bonus, you will find other Shakespeare characters from other plays star in guest roles. Still Star-Crossed is one of the best Shakespearean retelling I've read and I highly recommend it as a stand alone read or serving as a back-door introduction to the original. I really look forward to reading what Taub writes next.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some violence, crude sexual humor, and a scene of underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: The Prince of Shadows by Rachel Caine, Romeo x Juliet Ombinus by COM (and the anime of the same title is great too!), Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors

  Flora and Ulysses is an original, touching and oh-so-funny story starring an endearingly implausible superhero and a not-so-cynical girl. I would recommend this book for young readers who want a short, quick, and fun read.

Description: Holy unanticipated occurrences! A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo. It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.

Review: Flora and Ulysses is an adorable middle grade read that has plenty of laughs, a tinge of sadness, and some depth for a good book discussion. The story begins unlike any other children's book I've read thus far with a super powerful vacuum cleaner...and a squirrel. To paint a clearer picture, a hungry squirrel en route looking for acorns who gets sucked into a Ulysses Super Suction wielded by Flora’s neighbor, Mrs. Tickham. The rather hairless squirrel that is spit out is not the same one that went in.
  The squirrel is feared dead until the comic book obsessed Flora remembers CPR and rescues the  squirrel, newly named Ulysses, is still hungry, but now he has many thoughts in his head. He can understand Flora talking to him and can communicate with head gestures, which convinces Flora that Ulysses is a superhero like The Amazing Incandesto, whose comic-book adventures Flora read with her father. As we all know every superhero has a super villain to overcome. In the case of Ulysses, the villain is Flora's mother, an author of romance books who loves her career more than her lonely ex-husband or equally lonely precocious daughter.
  Since Flora’s father and mother have split up, Flora has become a confirmed and defiant cynic. She is sequestered in her room by choice and has very few friends. Her cynical heart begins to melt when she forms a bond with Ulysses who can type, compose poems, fly, and adores Flora with all of her quirks and flaws. Flora and Ulysses go on many adventures that is triggered by a chain of events that is sparked by Flora's mother attempts to kill Ulysses. During these adventures we not only see how heroic Ulysses can be, but also Flora's character growth in believing in possibilities and the importance of forgiveness.
  Th text is extremely witty and droll. There are some big vocabulary words sprinkled throughout the story which I liked because it challenges readers to figure out the meaning using inference and context clues. The vocabulary also demonstrates how precocious Flora really is and her love of books. The story is accompanied by comic-book--style black-and-white illustrations perfectly relay the all-too-hilarious adventures of Flora, Ulysses and a cast of eccentric characters that bring this story to life. I wasn't the biggest fan of Because of Winn-Dixie and didn't really understand the appeal of DiCamillo's work until reading this one. I do plan on reading her other books.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution:  None. Recommended for Grades 3 and up.

If you like this book try: Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater, Mr. and Mrs. Bunny: Detectives extraordinaire! by Horvath, Polly

  Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series is going strong in its fourth full length novel, Secret. This series is incredibly addicting, compulsively readable, and well written. Readers who are a bit burnt from the whole paranormal romance genre should consider giving this series about a band of brothers a chance. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of Secret. Secret will be released by on January 28th.

Description: Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point. Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown. Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family. Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner. Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Review: Nick Merrick has a secret. He is terrified that when his brothers find out what he is hiding they will despise him and worse, be very disappointed in him. The stress is tying him in knots, while a potential relationship is making him come undone. How long can Nick separate himself as two people and keep his secret under wraps?
  It's been far too long since I read a book in a sitting. I had to force myself to put Secret down at times because I knew I was going to burn through the pages and be sad that I would have to say goodbye to these terrific characters after I finish the last page. The pace was terrific considering there is more character development than action in Secret, however, there are battle scenes that heightened the suspense enough that I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen.
  Kemmerer deals with a sensitive issues in this fourth installment of The Elementals Series. She handles it with sensitivity, dignity, and seriously without being heavy handed or preachy. Nick's struggle with his own identity is well written and realistic. Like his other brothers, Nick struggles with his own demons. He is terrified of disappointing his brothers. He is known to be reliable, smart, and the level headed one. He knows what is expected of him, but is that the real him? Is he selfish in wanting his own future that involves college, not working in his brother's landscaping business, and a real relationship? Nick's fear is very real and tangible. Readers like me who understand how debilitating it can be to let the people you love down and disappointed, can understand a little of what Nick is going through. His fear consumes and paralyzes him. He represses his own desires and anger until he can't handle the pressure anymore. Kemmerer stays true to the characters her fans have come to know and love. Their strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and failures are laid out for us to see from one chapter to the next.
  If you've read the novella Breathless, you already know Nick's secret, but Kemmerer has other startling plot developments that keep the readers hooked. this novel has many surprises that I did not see coming.
One of the biggest surprises for me was that my opinion of Quinn has changed. I didn't really care for her as a character. Before this book she came across as an obnoxious and reactive drama queen, but we do get to understand her better in Secret as we witness her broken home first hand. Plus there is an unusual ally that the Merricks find in this book who I never thought to sympathize and like.
  Once again The Elemental series proves to be not your ordinary paranormal romance. Characters who could easily be written off as flat and forgettable are transformed into people who tug our heartstrings and make our eyes watery. Secret leaves plenty of questions and I really wish the next book isn't called Sacrifice because it's making me incredibly anxious.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language including slurs, crude sexual humor, some underage drinking, and a few heavy make-out scenes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

   I haven't had a good streak in my reading this week. I hope that turns around soon before the year ends. Here are my mini-reviews for some of the latest YA books: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles, Tandem by Anna Jarzab, and Unthinkable by Nancy Werlin. Please note that these reviews are based on the advanced reader's copies of the book that I received from the publishers via Netgalley.

Description: After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.
   Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Review: Wild Card, the first book in Simone Elkeles, satisfies on a romance level but don't expect much depth to the story. Though both Derek and Ashtyn both have their own share of serious issues to be aired out and sorted, they really aren't addressed and brushed under the rug. I liked Derek as a character, one whom you can't get angry with for a long time due to his charm and charisma. I had a hard time trying to figure out Ashtyn, however, because she came off as uneven- neurotic, confident, and insecure at different parts of the story. I was really surprised that there really isn't much football discussed or shown in the story considering what it means to the characters. Overall, a quick enjoyable read that left me wanting a deeper story. The side characters are fun to be with and I might pick up the next book in the series but it's not on the top of my list.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, crude sexual humor, and sexual situations. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Catching Jordan by Miranda Keneally, Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock


Description: Sasha Lawson has only ever known one small, ordinary life. When she was young, she loved her grandfather's stories of parallel worlds inhabited by girls who looked like her but led totally different lives. Sasha never believed such worlds were real--until now, when she finds herself thrust into one against her will.
  To prevent imminent war, Sasha must slip into the life of an alternate version of herself, a princess who has vanished on the eve of her arranged marriage. If Sasha succeeds in fooling everyone, she will be returned home; if she fails, she'll be trapped in another girl's life forever. As time runs out, Sasha finds herself torn between two worlds, two lives, and two young men vying for her love--one who knows her secret, and one who thinks she's someone she's not.

Review: I was really looking forward to Tandem after reading its exciting premise, but it failed to uphold my interest. Tandem had a promising start in introducing our bookish heroine and her kidnapping to a parallel universe started the story, but then its pacing tapered off. The parallel universe that Sasha finds herself in is unfortunately really bland. I didn't really understand why it is so important for her to pose as the missing princess and what did the opposing faction really want? There is a romance but it is definitely not as dramatic as the description makes it sound.I found myself to be bored and I started to skim the story in hopes that it would pick up and it does-just the last 50 pages or so. I don't plan on continuing this series.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and a scene of underage drinking. Recommended for strong Grade 7 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Pivot Point by Kasie West



Description: Fenella was the first Scarborough girl to be cursed, hundreds of years ago, and she has been trapped in the faerie realm ever since, forced to watch generations of daughters try to break this same faerie curse that has enslaved them all. But now Fenella’s descendant, Lucy, has accomplished the impossible and broken the curse, so why is Fenella still trapped in Faerie?
   In her desperation, Fenella makes a deal with the faerie queen: If she can accomplish three acts of destruction, she will be free, at last, to die.  What she doesn't realize is that these acts must be aimed at her own family and if she fails, the consequences will be dire, for all of the Scarborough girls.
  How can she possibly choose to hurt her own cherished family not to mention the new man whom she’s surprised to find herself falling in love with? But if she doesn’t go through with the tasks, how will she manage to save her dear ones?

 I'm delighted to be part of the Shadows of Asphodel blog tour hosted by CBB book promotions! Today I have a guest post from the author, Karen Kincy, on her top ten favorite words along with my review of Shadows of Asphodel. You can follow the Shadows of Asphodel tour here and be sure to check out the awesome giveaway below my review.

10. Labyrinthine. I wouldn’t want to be trapped in a labyrinth, but this word sounds like a fantasy story waiting to happen.


Description: When Ardis discovers a man bleeding to death on the battlefield, she knows she has to walk away. 1913. In her work as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary, Ardis has killed many men without hesitation. One more man shouldn't matter, even if he manages to be a charming bastard while he stands dying in the snow. But when he raises the dead to fight for him, she realizes she must save his life.

If a necromancer like Wendel dies, he will return as a monster--or so the rumors say. Ardis decides to play it safe and rescues him. What she doesn't expect is Wendel falling to one knee and swearing fealty. Ardis never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer, but it's too late now.
Ardis and Wendel forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Can Ardis stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him?

Review: Shadows of Asphodel is my first dieselpunk romance, which is much like steampunk but the alternative setting is not Victorian but rather pre-World War I and the gadgets are centered on diesel instead of steam. It is clear that the author loved and did her research of this time period really well. The setting is vivid and I can imagine myself on the battlefields where we find Ardis and Wendel, the stars of the novel. Unlike some authors, Kincy doesn't dump large chunks of information on her readers, but gives us little clues as to how the society works- both on a fantasy angle as well as a social structure. Important historical figures of the time such as Francis Ferdinand and Rudolf Diesel were mentioned or even characters themselves in the story. The more I read, the book I was sucked into the world that Kincy created.
  Ardis and Wendel are both very intriguing characters who have hidden scars and haunted pasts. Though they may act as if they are two very different people, they are very similar in many ways. Ardis is afraid of death though she makes no hesitation in killing someone. Wendel is afraid of his necromancy skills but yet is fascinated by it at the same time. I also loved the fact that Ardis is of mixed race, but I wish we got to unravel the mystery of Chun Yi, Ardis's sword and family heirloom and of her father. Wendel is a character that had me curious at the start. For the longest time I was ambivalent towards Wendel. He could be at times sweet and vulnerable while other times I just wasn't sure if I could trust him. I was really surprised how fast Ardis trusted him with they first met.
  The romance between Ardis and Wendel started a bit too quickly for me. While I liked the sexual tension between the characters, I would have liked to see their relationship grow slowly since both have issues with trust, but I did enjoy their banter and their romance is sweet. I really appreciated that the romance of Shadows of Asphodel didn't overshadow the plot but rather enhanced it, showing how Ardis and Wendel came together to overcome their obstacles.
  Besides the rushed romance, the only other problem I had with Shadows of Asphodel is that the dialogue was all in modern American voice even though the characters came a different backgrounds and they should have been a bit different considering their different nationalities. The story's timeline is also a bit inconsistent sometimes such as Ardis can stay up late through one night but really three nights have past and we don't know what happened in those days. Though the action was nonstop in the book, I didn't get my reading groove into the story for about the first 6 chapters or so which is not to say a problem of the book but me trying to wrap my head around the setting and characters. Overall, I enjoyed Shadows of Asphodel and readers looking for a fun read to cleanse their reading palates should really consider picking this one up.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence, some language, and graphic sexual situations. Recommended for older teens and adults.

If you like this book try: The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress, Her Ladyship Curse by Lynn Viehl

  I always look forward to a new release from Miranda Kenneally because her stories are sweet, inspiring, and ring true for teens. Kenneally proves that girls can be strong, complex, and ambitious characters that do not need a love interest to make them complete. Racing Savannah is no exception. If you haven't had a chance yet, be sure to check out Miranda's guest post about Racing Savannah. Many thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to be on this blog tour. 

Description: They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack.

Review: Miranda Kenneally has another winner with Racing Savannah. Unlike the other books in the Hundred Oaks series, Racing Savannah has a mature feeling to it that separates it from other high school centered stories which is not to say that it lacks the honest, charming love stories we've come to expect from Kenneally. The focus of Racing Savannah is that of the unknown future-the struggle to deserve it, envision it, and grasp it.
  I instantly liked Savannah and found her very easy to relate to. She is very pragmatic and down to earth. Her passion for horses is genuine and infectious. She also longs for a future where she can gain more experiences and learn more things though she knows deep inside that she may not afford it financially. Savannah's yearning for 'something more' is what will appeal to readers even if they are not interested in racing horses.
  Like all of Kenneally's books thus far, the sport does not define and limit her characters. I learned a lot about horse racing in this book without feeling as it was dumb down for me, but what I really enjoyed is watching how the sport helped Savannah evolve as a stronger person. Savannah has always seen her poverty as a handicap (unfortunately, it's true), but with the help of those around her she begins to understand that she too can have a future and has a right to one. Though it may not be easy, she sets goals for herself and focuses her attention on saving money for college and training Tennessee Star, a willful thoroughbred who will be sold unless he starts winning races. When she stumbles and falls (sometimes literally) she always wants to get back in the game to prove to herself that she can do it. I admired Savannah's tenacity and her "I don't care what you think" attitude which is what makes her alluring to the secondary characters and Jack, her young handsome and flirtatious boss.
  Like Savannah, Jack also has to overcome his own obstacles. I honestly didn't know what to think of Jack. He seemed to be two people at once: a person who followed and mimicked his father in front of his family and business partners and a sweet charming boy who oozed confidence, charisma and passion. I wasn't convinced if he really liked Savannah or it was the thrill of being rebellious at first, but Jack grew on me as I went further along in the book. I began to see the real Jack, a boy torn between wanting to be his own person but not disappointing his father. He too realizes that he needs to come out of his father's shadows and stand up for what felt was right.
  The romance between Savannah and Jack is cute but not a smooth ride to happily ever after. Their differences in status and social structures are addressed well in the story and only add to the romantic tension between them. While Jack wanted a relationship of the dirty secret kind, Savannah wanted and knew she desired more. I was thrilled to see how Savannah stood her ground, demanded respect, honesty and love from Jack. It is through their separation that I began to see how strongly Jack felt toward Savannah and how she inspired him to do his own self-realization.
  While I liked seeing Savannah and Jack happy, I thought their resolution was bit rushed. I would have liked them to talk about things more and have Jack come to his self-realization before the game. Overall, Racing Savannah is a thoroughly enjoyable read that makes you sad to leave its characters after you finish the last page, but also happily anxious to read the next story.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, sexual content, and underage drinking. Recommended for Grades

If you like this book try: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

  Sorry for the lack of posts last week, I've been out of town for a much needed mini-vacation. I've really enjoyed reading Leila Sale's This Song Will Save Your Life, a novel that is an insightful celebration of individuality. Please note this review is based on an advanced readers copy of the book provided by the publisher via Netgalley. 

Description (from the Publisher): Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski's strong suit. All throughout her life, she's been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Review: There has been a slew of books about bullying written for YA, but Leila Sale's This Song Will Save Your Life stands out for its unflinchingly real and honest portrayal without the contrived makeover mise-en-scène. 
  Being cool has eluded Elise Dembowski for years. She has been socially isolated and relentlessly bullied by her peers for no apparent reason. Her project for sophomore year is to finally fit in. She studies pop culture, noting what is and isn't fashionable in clothing, and all the other so-called important things in a teen's life during summer break. With renewed confidence she goes to school only to realize that all that she studied for was not on the test. Elise fails miserably and another drop falls into the ocean of self doubt, insecurity, and the hurtful truth that no matter how much she tries Elise will still be the same as she's always been. In a rash and heartbreaking moment, she makes a desperate decision--a suicide attempt--that ostracizes her even further. 
    Sales veers her story from doom and gloom by shining a ray of hope in Elise's darkest times, as she strolls alone at night and stumbles across Start, an underground dance party, that changes her life. At Start finally finds solace, her calling as a DJ, and meets a cast of characters who help her begin to see a light at the end of the crushingly dark and seemingly endless tunnel that is high school. Elise begins living a double life, returning each week to Start and learning to DJ. Being a DJ gives Elise confidence, happiness, and assurance that there is indeed nothing wrong with her. What I love most about This Song Will Save Your Life is that the transformation of Elise is not external but internal. Elise is responsible for her own development not a romance fling (which I appreciated for its realistic brief, confusing, exhilarating moments) nor a best friend in the wings. It is this epiphany for Elise and her journey of acceptance, of others and herself, that makes this book stand out for me. 
  Elise is a remarkably self-aware character and a person that I would be friends with in high school. She is unabashedly passionate about music and looks beyond the superfluous crises of high school. I understand why she kept her pain inside though I don't condone it, but I was thrilled when she finally found the courage to open up and speak out especially when the bullying gets even uglier. Like Elise, the supporting characters are equally well-developed, with the strengths and flaws of real people. Sales' narrative is rich with diverse music references and reverberates with resilience. Elise's story pulsates with hope for everyone who is just trying to belong. I really look forward to whatever Sales writes next.  

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, underage drinking, a scene of attempted suicide, and some sexual situations. Recommended for strong Grades 8 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King, I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak,

I thought I would do some mini-reviews of books that were a bit of a mixed bag. Please note that all of these reviews are based on an advanced reader's copy provided by the publishers via Netgalley.

Description: Laura Reid goes to Leningrad for a semester abroad as Cold War paranoia is peaking in 1982. She meets a young Russian artist named Alexei and soon, with Alexei as her guide, Laura immerses herself in the real Russia--a crazy world of wild parties, black-market books and music, and smuggled letters to dissidents. She must keep the relationship secret; associating with Americans is dangerous for Alexei, and if caught, Laura could be sent home and Alexei put under surveillance or worse. At the same time, she's been warned that Soviets often latch onto Americans in hopes of marrying them and thus escaping to the United States. But she knows Alexei loves her. Right?
  As June approaches--when Laura must return to the United States--Alexei asks Laura to marry him. She's only nineteen and doesn't think she's ready to settle down. But what if Alexei is the love of her life? How can she leave him behind? If she has a chance to change his life, to rescue him from misery, shouldn't she take it?

Review: When I read the description of this book, I had expected a similar version of Stephanie Perkin's fabulous Anna and the French Kiss except the story is set in Cold War Russia, but The Boy on the Bridge did not meet my expectation at all. The relationship between Laura and Alexei felt contrived and lacked chemistry. As a result, I thought they were really boring characters.The setting of Russia makes up for a lot of the book, however, I wanted some background to the Cold War. My history lessons of the Cold War a bit fuzzy at best so I was hoping this book would introduce teens to this time period but it does not. We do get the sense of hysteria and the lack of privacy, but we don't get the full impact on why people like Alexei want to leave Russia and immigrant to other countries. Overall The Boy on the Bridge is a very disappointing teen romance that has a lot of potential to become a stronger story.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of underage drinking, and allusions to sexual situations.

If you like this book try: Eva Underground by Dandi Daley Mackall, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, Pardon My French by Cathy Hapka


Description: After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Deveaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance to get back to her friends. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades--the city's secret ghost-fighting police--are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.


Review: I was really disappointed with The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson's first venture into the paranormal/mystery genre after setting up very high expectations but I enjoyed this sequel much more. In this book I got a better understanding of Rory's quirky personality and her witty internal monologues. Her voice, in my opinion, is much stronger in the book and I began to care for her much more. The plot is relatively slow, which is common for a middle book but Johnson does pick it up when she add a new mystery angle in addition to the Jack the Ripper case: Rory is much more than a girl who can see ghosts, but now she has become a human "terminus," meaning that when she touches a ghost, it disappears for good. Hailing from a Louisiana family peppered with eccentric alleged mystics, Rory was, from the beginning, aware of the spirit world. Now she hesitates when her comrades try to persuade her to put her power to civic use, even as other suspicious deaths crop up to suggest that the Ripper's destruction may have simply unleashed more mayhem. The book ends with a lot of questions in the air especially when one of Rory's Shade comrades is in serious condition. I'm definitely hanging on to this series and am really curious to see how everything ends.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of underage drinking and drug use, and mysterious deaths that may be a bit too much for younger readers. Recommended for strong Grade 7 readers and up.

If you like this book try: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington, Past World by Ian Beck, The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade


Description: They Said It Was An Accident...

Sawyer Dodd is a star athlete, a straight-A student, and the envy of every other girl who wants to date Kevin Anderson. When Kevin dies in a tragic car crash, Sawyer is stunned. Then she opens her locker to find a note: You're welcome.

Someone saw what he did to her. Someone knows that Sawyer and Kevin weren't the perfect couple they seemed to be. And that someone—a killer—is now shadowing Sawyer's every move.


Review: Truly, Madly, Deadly is a great premise that grabbed my attention right away, however, the execution of the story was a bit shaky. Jayne has a good sense of creating teasers, but I would have liked a bit more development leading up to suspense. The death of Sawyer's boyfriend isn't used to its full potential. I was confused as to why Sawyer didn't grieve enough for her boyfriend or why she didn't seem to share the same popular opinion of Kevin like her peers. There are hints of a possible abusive relationship but it is rushed and put in the story as a check mark for plot events just like a scene where a teacher takes things too far with a student. There is also a budding romance that I would have liked to see more of in the story.
  You need to suspend a lot of disbelief when reading Truly, Madly, Deadly such the delay in going to police, not sharing important information of a potential stalker with parents, but this is common for teen suspense novels. Overall Truly, Madly, Deadly is a good popcorn book that I would recommend to reluctant readers but I would suggest something more complex to my advanced teen readers.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is language, underage drinking, a scene of sexual advances from a teacher, and PG-13 violence. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Acceleration by Graham McNamee, Killing Mr. Griffin or I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

  I had a very lukewarm reaction to Divergent. For me to enjoy a dystopian novel, I need a book with a strong world-building. I need to be convinced that there is something indeed wrong with the society in order to understand the main character's plights and motivations. The world building, in my opinion, gives the book not only structure but a foundation to a good story. For me the Divergent series has lacked this essential ingredient and it has tried unsuccessfully to incorporate it into the story. What had the potential to be a really good story turned to out to be mediocre at best.

Description: Every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves, and herself, while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Review: Insurgent has a very strong case of middle book syndrome despite a great opening left by the cliffhanger of Divergent. Rocked by the recent simulation war, the five factions engage in increasingly dangerous power plays to pick up the pieces. Instead of filling in some back stories of the characters and the world as I had hoped, Roth fills her 500 pages book with plot that is filled with lots of twists and turns that is suppose to make your heart pump. Unfortunately the plot doesn't move very much nor very quickly as we try to make some sense of who is really pulling the strings in this faction world. I found a lot of the plot twists to be too predictable and I couldn't keep track of all the characters that are virtually exactly alike come and go in this volume. I still can't muster up any emotions for any of these characters including the central characters and couple, Tris and Tobias.
  The relationship between Tris and Tobias was fun to watch as they began to trust one another and grow as a couple in Divergent. In Insurgent the couple has mutated into a bizarre parent-child relationship where one patronizes the other by giving them rules to follow while the other stamps their feet as a petulant child in resistance. Tris's reckless behavior and cry-wolf type of self sacrifice takes out the importance of her role in whatever she is suppose to do in this 'mysterious' world Roth has created. There is a decent commentary about grief and forgiveness, but that quickly veered into preachy mode and eventually tumbled into whine mode a la "I don't want to do this anymore. Wah!" The only thing that kept me from chucking this book across the room was a slither of hope that explanations will come in the final installment as we learn little clues about the outside, but then again I could have just skipped the entire 450 pages of this book and went straight to the ending in order to save time and avoid my frustration.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: The violence in Insurgent is much stronger and there is a large body count and there are some heavy make-out scenes featuring Tris and Tobias. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.


Description: The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.
  But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Review: I really hoped Allegiant would redeem itself after a flimsy middle book, but alas it continues the downward spiral of Insurgent. Though we do finally get answers to why Tris's world is separated into factions, the reasons behind Roth's post-apocalyptic world is a half baked concept of racism that is based on a highly oversimplified examination of human personality and genes. Instead of spending time to explain what it means to have 'pure' genes versus 'defected' genes, we are once again plunged into a boring and rehash plot of Insurgent where Tris and the gang run from one megalomaniac trying to rule the world to another. The grand revealing of the outside was completely anti-climatic and the fact that the setting was post-apocalyptic Chicago was completely irrelevant.
  Once again we are introduced to a new large cast of transient characters that had virtually no impact on the story besides moving a limping plot along, which is completely unlike the pace of Roth's earlier installments that move almost lightening fast. In fact there were many times I had to put the book down because I got so bored and I gave up hope in trying to come to terms with the huge plot holes and the scientific nonsense.
  Tris becomes a bit more tolerable in this one after she let all her angst out in Insurgent, but her recklessness is what mars her reputation as a strong heroine for me. Must she always be right and the only one undergoing dangerous situations? Tobias, in contrast, is stuck on "woe is me" island and though I understand he has been scarred by his rough life, but can we get past that when the end of the world is here? Tris and Tobias have rocky moments in Allegiant, more of the patronizing type though there are a few sweet moments.
  I know there has been many heated discussions about the ending of Allegiant, but for me I saw it coming a long time ago. It was the neon-flashing-in cap letters obvious especially with a lot of the red herrings featured both in Divergent and Insurgent. I can see what type of book that Allegiant was suppose to be-one full of emotion and intensity, but regrettably it completely missed the mark. If this series was not popular with the teens that I work with, I would have definitely taken a pass on this series, but I wanted to make sure that that I knew about the series in order to help them with reader advisory questions.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong violence, an ambiguous scene of sensuality, and some language. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like these book try: Candor by Pam Bachorz, Maze Runner series by James Dashner

  I remember a really bad movie called The Island of Dr Moreau which featured Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer back in the 1990s as a kid and always thought it was so weird, but I didn't realize it was an adaptation of a book. It's not until hearing lots of publicity of Megan Shepherd's debut novel, The Madman's Daughter, a loosely adapted YA retelling of Well's original story did I decide to pick it up. The Island of Dr. Moreau is well worth picking up and reading, especially if you enjoy science fiction and Gothic horror.

Description: In The Island of Dr. Moreau a shipwrecked gentleman named Edward Prendick, stranded on a Pacific island lorded over by the notorious Dr. Moreau, confronts dark secrets, strange creatures, and a reason to run for his life. 

Review: Unsettling, bizarre, and most definitely ahead of his time, H.G. Well's lesser known novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau, is a very slim novel that tackles a variety of themes along with giving its readers a full dose of suspense, horror, and science fiction. Edward Prendick finds himself shipwrecked on an island with Doctors Montgomery and Moreau. Montgomery is the protege and follower of the Moreau, mad scientist and vivisectionist. A vivisectionist is someone who cuts and injures living animals for the purpose of scientific research. Beyond these scientists, Prendick finds himself intensely frightened (that's an understatement) by these creatures roaming around the island. 
  Prendick discovers that Moreau captures the island's animals and painfully turns them into half-men, then forces them to live by strict standards that he believes will overcome their bestial natures. These creatures of treated as subservient slaves, obligated to follow Moreau's commandments much like the Ten Commandments in which the number one rule is to not eat meat. It doesn't take a mad scientist to know that all of this is a recipe for disaster with horrible consequences. I really like how Wells juxtaposed the notion of bestial behavior by pitting the natural craving for meat against the humans conducting so-called 'experiments' just to see if things can be done. 
  Prendick finds himself in a predicament. Though appalled by Moreau's plan, he actually becomes a participant in Moreau's society of vivisection. Prendick is drawn to Moreau's brilliance and is enchanted by  the notion that Moreau could actually be right but that haze of illusion is cleared when the animals inevitably rebel and he becomes the last man on the island, watching the tortured animals return to their natures and throw off Moreau's pseudo-society. The true horror of the book isn't just the creatures no matter how strange they look, but rather the human monster who creates in the name of advancement.
 Though overlooked by other more popular horror novels such as Dracula and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Island of Dr. Moreau is relevant more now than ever with our outstanding and always progressing technology. Genetics, animal experimentation, psychology, colonization, imperialism, patriarchy, scientific chauvinism, religion, and ethical imposition are seriously and intelligently explored within the layers of the story. Wells' implied conclusions may be unsettling at times, but that is the point.

Curriculum Connection: Ethics, Science, and Debate

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: The violence in the novel is quite tame compared to today's books, but I would still recommend this book to older readers due to the book's themes.

If you like this book try: Dr Franklin's Island by Ann Halm, The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

  For those of you who are thinking about dipping your toes in the vast water of the urban fantasy genre, I would suggest starting with the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. The characters and world building are excellent. There are currently 7 books in the series with book 8 coming soon next year. I highly recommended reading the series in order before Frost Burned to really see the character growth arc and prevent any big spoilers.

Description: Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more.…
  After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted. Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

Review: With the entirely forgettable and disappointing, River Marked, Frost Burned returns the action and great characterizations to the Mercy Thompson novels. Mercy is now adjusting to her new life, being the mate of an incredible alpha male in a wolf pack. She is liked, wholly accepted by some and others can't wrap the idea of a coyote being in charge of them. Briggs does an excellent job in creating both main and secondary characters who you care for just like your own family. The absence of the secondary characters was largely and immediately felt in River Marked and though present in Frost Burned they are remote.
  The story starts off with a bang as Adam and virtually his entirely pack are kidnapped and interrogated. The fey have declared a basically all out war and any one who is associate with the fey are in danger. The action is constant which made the pages fly by, however, we didn't get a chance to catch our breaths and really process all the changes that were going on. Mercy has to act the part of second in command, find help from unlikely allies, and move beyond her comfort zone to protect the man she loves and the pack.
  I loved being back with Mercy and company, but I couldn't shake off a nagging feeling that something was missing in this book. I couldn't really pin point it, but the story just seemed a bit too tame and easily solved despite the huge odds that the pack faces. While I like the romance between Adam and Mercy, I just think the couple has lost its spark and chemistry. I hope that spark returns in the next book. I did like, however, the exploration of the significance of being a pack in this book. I also liked that we got a chance to get better acquainted with a special character that we met in Silver Borne, but I really missed Sam in this book. Where was he? Overall, Frost Burned is an enjoyable read and a good addition to the Mercy Thompson series but I think the author could do better.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong violence and language. Recommended for older teens and adults.

If you like this book try: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thomspon #8) due out March 2014, Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs, Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Chicago Vampire series by Chloe Neil

 I have always enjoyed reading books by Lauren Myracle. Her sense of humor and portrayal of adolescence are pertinent in her novels and ring true with young adults. Her latest book, The Infinite Moment of Us, is no exception. This review is based on the advanced reader's copy of the book provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Description: For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?
  Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be. And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them.

Review: The Infinite Moment of Us is a sweet, sizzling, and mature summer love story. Wren and Charlie are just about to graduate from their Atlanta high school and embark on their journey to adulthood. At graduation their eyes lock and bright sparks of chemistry changes everything. I liked how Wren and Charlie knew of each other from their classes and their relationship allows them to gradually become closer and learn more about each other.
  Wren and Charlie are likable characters and come from the opposite side of the tracks. Wren is a single child who is trying to make her own independent decisions from her loving yet smothering parents. Wren's biggest decision is to defer her admission to Emory for a gap year in Guatemala with a service organization. Wren is a rule follower and wants to appease her parents, but realizes that she has to live her life not the life her parents want her to have. I could easily relate to Wren.
  Unlike Wren, Charlie is a foster-child who is also struggling to separate himself from a long-standing toxic relationship, built from his own painful past. He has an incredible supportive foster family who he tries not to become close to in fear of letting them down. Charlie also has plans beyond high school and he's got a scholarship to Georgia Tech. Compared to Wren, Charlie life has not been easy and through little bits of information, we begin to see how his defensive walls were built.
 The story is told in alternating chapters that move between Wren's and Charlie's third-person perspectives as they describe their gorgeous summer romance, from the butterflies of approaching one another, the highs of a beginning relationship as well as the bumps of the road, capturing each as they work to define themselves as individuals and as part of a couple. There are many times where the book could have easily turned into melodrama based on Charlie's past with his biological parents, but Myracle applies a light touch even with the heavy issues. As readers we get to discover the characters even as they get to know each other. The characters and the reader are constantly reminded that the romance has just started and is no where complete.
  Sex plays a large role in book. Though it may be dealt with honestly and frankly, but the focus is more on emotional intimacy as these characters begin to realize what makes a healthy and stable relationship. The steaminess of the relationship doesn't overshadow the depth of the characters nor the themes of the book thus making The Infinite Moment of Us an enjoyable romance. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong sexual context, language, and underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Forever by Judy Blume, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, Love and the Other Four-Letter Words by Carolyn Mackler

   Gated by Amy Christine Parker is a good choice if you are in the mood for a psychological thriller that is somewhat rooted in real life events, the bizarre world of religious cults. This review is based on the advanced reader's copy of the book provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Description: Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?
In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:  Pioneer is her leader. Will is her Intended. The end of the world is near.
   Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.
   Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.

Review: Gated is an absorbing, chilling, and extremely disturbing read that examines a religious cult through the eyes of a teenage girl who begins to doubt their leader. Lyla's little sister was kidnapped in New York City twelve years ago. Her inconsolable parents fell prey to a charismatic man calling himself Pioneer, who promised to keep them safe in the coming apocalypse thanks to knowledge received from aliens. The Pioneer receives messages from up above and delivers them to his followers. He relentlessly shows movies that has the apocalypse as its themes such as The Day After Tomorrow, Terminator, 2012, etc. The members are the community are told how to dress, eat, and socialize. Pioneer controls his people with an iron fists, assigning the adolescents into marriages (Will is Lyla's Intended) and insisting that everyone in the Community learn to shoot to kill, as he's sure Outsiders will eventually attack them. Comprised of about 20 other families in a walled-in agricultural community, they hide a secret: They have dug a five-story-deep silo into the ground in which they intend to live for five years before the aliens come to rescue them.
   Parker convincingly portrays the dynamics of a cult from the inside out, quoting from the Pioneer's bible along with real cult leaders such as Jim Jones and Charles Manson that gave me goosebumps. The contriving events that will allow Lyla to learn the truth about Pioneer fits nicely with Lyla's adolescent rebellion. I only had wished the the author didn't include a flat love interest to let Lyla open her eyes. I think she was on the road to discovery love before the "cute boy" showed up. 
  Though the pacing of the book is quite slow, the suspense increases the further you read. Parker doesn't pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla's complete entrapment in the Community. There are moments that shocked me particularly during the book's climax. The quick chapters and gritty subject matter might attract reluctant readers. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Due to strong violence, including the harm of animals, and the book's subject matter,  I would feel comfortable in recommending this book to teens who are Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano, Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

   Dare You To is a highly anticipated companion novel to Katie McGarry's popular debut novel Pushing the Limits. Readers who like edgy romances with realistic issues should definitely pick up the book. This review is based on the advanced reader's copy of the book provided by the publisher via Netgalley.


Description: If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
   Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
  But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all.

Review: Dare You To follows the same format as Pushing the Limits: A dual narrative from both of the love interest and a wide variety of important and hard hitting topics ranging from sex to violence. For the most part the book works but it does veer into the drawn out and melodrama arena. While I did like the characters, I found myself more interested in Beth than in her straight laced love interest Ryan.
  Beth is a very prickly character, one that does not make a great first impression on you when you first meet her. After witnessing her home situation of being abandoned by her junkie mother, abused at the hand of her mother's abusive boyfriend, and seeking solace from drugs and friends, we see how Beth builds her walls and her thick skin. My heart broke for Beth many times while reading Dare You To and while I understand the need to help her mother, the failed attempts to help her mother became redundant and dragged the plot for me.
  Unlike Beth, Ryan is a boring love interest. Sure he is hot, a jock with a great body but he really didn't hold my interest. What really bothered me was the fact that virtually everything he did was based on a dare. The dare that started the rocky relationship with Beth reminded me a lot of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles which is a book that I hated. Though I did feel bad how his parents made his decisions for him and the predictable mystery about his black sheep brother, Ryan made me miss hearing from Noah and especially Isaiah because I didn't take Ryan's genuine interest with Beth seriously or genuinely.
  The romance between Beth and Ryan is very, very slow. They learn to trust each other with lots of bumps in the road from "Is this another bet?" to "Am I your dirty little secret?" that takes them one step forward but three steps back, which I found frustrating. I also thought there was not enough romance to counterbalance the all the issues the book tackles. While I appreciated how McGarry shows how both teens are similar despite their upbringing, I couldn't connect to Ryan and Beth as a couple and as a result, was a big cheerleader for them. I'm still very excited to read Isaiah's book Crash into You which releases later this year as I do love the characters and McGarry's writing. Teens who like grittier romances will enjoy Dare You To, but readers who were lukewarm towards Pushing the Limits might not enjoy this one as much.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language, sexual crude humor, a small sex scene, and underage drinking and drug usage. Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Crash into You by Katie McGarry, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholt