Undead Much? by Stacey Jay

Undead Much? by Stacey Jay
(Spoiler warning: Because this book is part of a series, this review may contain spoilers of earlier books. If you haven’t read the previous books, you may want to skip this review)

author’s website: Stacey Jay
release date: January 21, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Paranormal (Zombies)
length: 304 pages
overall rating: 4 Stars

*the back cover*
Q: How many guys does it take to make your boyfriend wild with jealousy?
A: Only one, if he’s UNDEAD.

Megan Berry had a perfectly average new-sundress-and-boy-obsessed life – until her power to settle the Undead returned. Oh, and then her best friend tried to kill her – and ruin homecoming – with a bunch of black magically raised zombies. At least she got a spot on the pom squad and a smokin’ boyfriend (Ethan). But now Megan is in deep fertilizer all over again. Why? Well, let’s see. . .
* Feral new super-strong zombies? Check
* Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening half time as they know if? Check.
* An Undead psychich hottie (Cliff) who’s predicting a zombie apocalypse – and doing his best to tempt Megan away from Ethan? Yum. I mean, check.
* Earth-shattering secrets that could land Megan in Settler prison for lif? Um. . . it wasn’t me!!!

Everyone thinks Megan’s at fault for the new uber-zombie uprising. Looks like she’ll need the help of both Cliff and Ethan if she’s going to prove her innocence before it’s too late.

*my review*
After reading “You Are So Undead to Me,” I was excited to read the sequel, but this book started out kind of slow and a little confusing. There were Zombies who weren’t acting like normal Zombies, Megan was in trouble but didn’t know why, and Mom and Dad were acting weird. Then there is the introduction of a new character – Cliff – who is another un-normal zombie, but with psychic visions. And, Monica – Megan’s nemesis in the first book - was actually being nice to her.

So even with the slow-ish plot, I was interested in the way that the characters were developing and I was intrigued as to where the story was going, so I kept reading, and boy, am I glad I did!! About half way through the story, the plot really starts to pick up. There is more action, and a lot more suspense, even than the first book. And the story seems to come to a great conclusion – questions are answered, problems are solved, etc. EXCEPT that the last three pages gave me an “are you freaking kidding me? There has to be a sequel!!” attitude!

The interactions with characters in the first half of this book actually added to the intrigue. Cliff was especially interesting. He seemed to like Megan and her attraction to him was kind of weird because (1) she’s supposed to be head-over-heels for Ethan, and (2) he’s dead! We also meet Aaron in this book. He’s the new (and only) male cheerleader, but he is also super creepy. And coming back to Monica, she seemed to be concerned about Megan, but I kept thinking – Jess was nice in the first book and look how that turned out!

Overall, I thought this was a very fun book, and I am VERY hopeful that there will be more to come in the story of Megan Berry!

*short and snappy*
writing: quick and fun in the same style as “You Are So Undead to Me”
plot: slow to start, but it picks up speed about half way through and finishes VERY strong
characters: growing – you learn a lot more about the “supporting” characters (Monica and Ethan mostly) in this story than in the first book
memorable line: “By lunchtime I hated my life and all the people happily chattering in the cafeteria. I hated raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens and all that crap.” (p. 56)
judging by the cover: cute – I love that the characters faces aren’t shown; it lets me put the faces as I imagine them to be in the scene
miscellaneous: I was recently reading Stacey Jay’s blog, and love it. Reading it feels like having a conversation with a friend.

You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay

author’s website: Stacey Jay
release date: January 22, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Fantasy / Zombies
length: 272 pages
overall rating: 3.5 stars

*the back cover*
Q: How many zombies does it take to ruin a social life?
A: Not many.

Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she’s part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you’re trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leav the house, it’s kinda hard to score a date. Let’s just say Megan’s love life could use some major resuscitation.

Megan’s convinced her life can’t get any worse – until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it’s up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life – and more importantly, the homecoming dance – depends on it.

*my review*
I have never really read a “zombie book” so I when I picked this up, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I didn’t have a base of knowledge about zombies to work with, so it was fun to try something new.
The story seems to have two main parts: 1 – Megan the teenager who wants to go to homecoming with the Senior boy, and 2 – Megan the Zombie Settler with incredible power. The play between the two is interesting and provides for an entertaining story. I thought that Megan’s emotional rollercoaster between Josh and Ethan would be a cute and fun story in itself, but adding in the Zombie Settler parts of the plot made the book much more action packed, especially toward the end of the book. The last third of the book is very intense with a lot of twisting plot lines coming together and a few HUGE surprises. There is enough closer to the story that this book could stand alone, but there is a sequel (Undead Much).

The characters in this story were interesting to read about. Megan seems very mature for 15 when she’s doing her Zombie Settler stuff, but she definitely shows that she is 15 when she’s interacting with or even thinking about the boys. Monica is the character to hate. She’s the mean girl, who has control over whether or not Megan will make the pom squad. Ethan and Josh were both interesting, but I preferred Ethan from the start. Josh seems to be the stereotypical “dumb jock” – a point which is supported by the fact that he (a senior) and Megan (a sophomore) have a class together!

Overall, this is a quick, fun read!

*short and snappy*
writing: quick and fun – Jay really captures the voice of the teenagers in the story
plot: fast paced – there are twists and turns – especially at the end – which I love!
characters: interesting – Megan seems pretty well developed, but since the book is from her perspective, it’s easier to learn about her.
judging by the cover: I love the cover! I think it sends a message, but is simply done.
miscellaneous: There are links for “Freebies” on Jay’s website that allow you to download computer wallpapers based on this story.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

author’s website: Lauren Oliver
release date: March 2, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Contemporary Fiction
length: 480 pages
overall rating: 5 Stars

*the inside flap*
What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

*my review*
Before I Fall was an absolutely beautiful story. The writing is phenomenal, the story is amazing, and the main character Samantha is easy to relate to and grows immensely throughout this story.

This book starts with a prologue that sets up the entire story. It kind of felt like the beginning of a “Grey’s Anatomy” episode where one of the characters gives you some background in the form of a voice over while the episode starts. I loved the format, and the last line of the prologue (“If you’re like me, your last day starts like this:”) was a very clever way to lead into the “real” story.

Each chapter in this book was a different “last day” for Samantha, with the first chapter being the original last day. In this first chapter, you meet Samantha’s clique – Elody, Ally, and Lindsay (the leader) – and realize that they are the super-popular girls that everyone wants to be. Samantha’s boyfriend, Rob, is also introduced in this chapter. You can tell from the writing that Samantha thinks Rob is wonderful, but I kind of thought he was a jerk. Actually, the group as a whole is kind of mean. They make fun of other kids, have inside jokes at the expense of others, and generally think they are better than everyone else. As you read the chapter (the whole book actually) there are little italicized comments interspersed from Samantha looking back at the day, which really added to the story because it pointed out how you really don’t know that it is your last day. Even though I knew her death was coming, I kept feeling anxious and curious about the when.

In the next few chapters, Samantha changes, the feel of the chapter/day reflects how she is changing. **SLIGHTLY SPOILERY - For example, in chapter 2 she is confused about reliving the day. In chapter 3, she’s figured it out and tries to change things. In chapter 4, she’s ANGRY! But I think she learns the most about herself in this chapter. END OF SPOILERY STUFF**

After reading Chapter 5, I decided that it was my favorite. It’s the fourth reliving and Samantha has really started to figure out that there is a reason for reliving the day so many times. Samantha stops worrying about the trivial snotty way that she used to do things and has started to become a MUCH nicer person. While I thought it was my favorite chapter, from there on, every chapter was better than the last! The last 200 pages of the story fly by and take you back to the anxiousness of not knowing how Samantha will actually die.

I LOVED this story. I could have read it in one sitting (and nearly did) and would love to read it again. I would recommend it to anyone.

*short and snappy*
writing: fantastic – Lauren Oliver does a brilliant job of capturing the emotion of the characters and the conversations of teenagers
plot: quick moving – even though Samantha is reliving the same day, each reliving is very different!
characters: well developed – it does get frustrating that Sam is growing so much and the others just relive their same attitudes
memorable line: “That’s when I realized that certain moments go on forever...They are everything and everywhere all at once.” (p. 470)
judging by the cover: beautiful cover...simple, but it works
miscellaneous: On her website, Oliver explains that many aspects of the story come from her own experiences.

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

author’s website: Amanda Marrone
release date: September 22, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Paranormal / Fairy Tale twist
length: 304 pages
overall rating: 4 stars

*the back cover*
- There’s always one bad apple. –
Megan has been haunted by the ghost of her twin sister, Remy, since the accident nine years ago. Megan doesn’t want anyone to think she’s crazy, so she keeps this little “talent” to herself. But when she meets Luke at her summer job and discovers he can see ghosts too, she’s thrilled. Finally, someone who can relate . . . and, even better, can possibly help Remy move on. Megan’s not even worried about the fact that Luke’s supercute and nice, because of course she’s totally into her boyfriend (even though he’s been spending way too much time with another girl). And she definitely didn’t mean to kiss Luke (especially since her friend has a thing for him). Messy much?

But when the visions Remy haunts Megan with get crazy violent, Megan must turn to Luke to figure out what her twin is trying to say. Because someone’s definitely in danger . . . she’s just not sure who.

*my review*
This book starts out with a prologue set 500 years ago that basically tells the story of Snow White, so I knew by page 6 that there was going to be some kind of fairy tale tie in, but I didn’t really know how it would all work out until much later in the story. This is the story of Megan, who gets a job working at the Land of Enchantment for the summer. This seemed like a Disney World kind of theme park, but with the more traditional forms of the fairy tales. (In case you are unaware, Disney versions tend to be a little lighter than the originals.)

I enjoyed the characters in the story. Nicki, the best friend, seems like a great best friend. She’s willing to be there for Megan, even when it involves hanging out with her kind-of-enemy, Ari. I thought Ari, the Land of Enchantment owner’s daughter, seemed questionable at first. She was too nice and friendly. Ari’s step-mom, Miss Patty, was intriguing. I didn’t figure her out until about half way through the book. I couldn’t tell if she was actually a wicked step mother, or just caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. And the romance twist of Ryan v. Luke was a fun plot addition too. All along, I was cheering for Luke. Ryan was weirdly protective of his best friend Samantha throughout the story.

But perhaps the most interesting character in the story is Remy, Megan’s twin sister, who is actually a ghost. When I read the back cover, I expected Remy to be the same age as Megan (because of the whole twin thing – it seems obvious right?). But Remy was killed at age seven, so the ghost is still stuck in the seven year old body and mentality. Megan seems to have trouble dealing with Remy sometimes because even though Megan has aged 10 years, Remy doesn’t seem to see that aging. Megan seems to be caught between the twin role and the big sister role, and of course, the “my sister’s a ghost” role doesn’t help the situation.

Overall, I loved the story. There is mystery, romance, a fairy tale twist, ghosts, and it all works together pretty well.

*short and snappy*
writing: characterizing - the writing matches the character who is speaking or narrating. You can read the sarcasm, sweetness, innocence, and anger in the dialogue.
plot: Twisty! The mystery is definitely enhanced by the paranormal aspects of this story, but even then, there are great twists and turns.
characters: well developed, and much of it comes from the dialogue and writing (see *writing* above)
judging by the cover: I actually like the back of the book better than the front. It shows a picture of a green apple with shimmering red “blood” dripping over it. (I can’t find a picture of it online, but this link to Amazon has a “browse inside” option that shows it.)

A Stephenie Meyer Announcement

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: an Eclipse Novella
by Stephenie Meyer

I was checking Stephenie Meyer's website the other day and saw an announcement that she has a new book coming out! I am pretty excited about it, especially because she is offering something a little different. Not only will the book be coming out, but it will be offered for free online for a period of time. In her post, Meyer wrote:

"There was one thing I asked for: since this story had always been an extra for me, and was meant to be released with the Guide, I wanted to be able to offer it to my fans for free. You all have bought a ton of my books, and I wanted to give you this story as a gift. My publisher was awesome and embraced this idea. We still wanted to also produce a physical book with a cool cover (see below) that you can add to your set if you like, but starting at noon on June 7th until July 5th, it will also be available online at http://www.breetanner.com/."

The entire announcement it available here and ordering information is available here.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

author’s website: Rachel Hawkins
release date: March 2, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Fantasy
length: 336 pages
overall rating: 5 stars

*the inside flap*
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

*my review*
Let me start by saying, this is all about a school for witches, shapeshifters, and faeries – obviously, this is a fantasy lover’s paradise! I’ve been reading about witches, faeries, and other fantasy creatures for as long as I can remember, the idea of combining them all into one school a school is pretty fun. Especially since it is written in such a contemporary setting.

Sophie was a wonderfully interesting character. She is very believable and makes the same mistakes you could imagine yourself making. I especially liked the different situations that Sophie finds herself in throughout the novel. She doesn't seem to be able to have her niche quite figured out, but what high school aged person does?! I liked the relationship Sophie began to develop with Archer, and I'm curious to see where that goes in the next book. Overall, this novel was a quick, fun read. There was humor, romance, magic, suspense, and a heck of an ending that left me seriously anticipating the next installment.

*short and snappy*
writing: quick and fun with humor, suspense, and realistic emotion
plot: slightly predictable, but there are twists that I didn’t expect
characters: interesting – Sophie is well thoughtout, but I am intrigued to know more about some of the other characters (especially Archer and Jenna)
judging by the cover: I love the cover. It has a different meaning than I thought it would, which might make it even better!

The Mark by Jen Nadol

The Mark by Jen Nadol

author’s website: Jen Nadol
release date: January 19, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
length: 240 pages
overall rating: 4 Stars

*the inside flap*
Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

*my review*
The Mark had many components: romance, paranormal, Greek mythology, philosophy, and a character with a rough family history. Cassie’s ability to see “the mark” creates a struggle/dilemma for her that is the base line of the plot throughout this book. Do you tell the person or not? As I read, I kept thinking, “would I want to know that today was my last day?” and I couldn’t really decide. So it was easy to relate to Cassie as she struggled with the decision of telling people or not.

I enjoyed the story in this book and appreciated the twists and turns in the plot. I felt like Cassie was a contradiction in terms of her maturity. At some points in the story, she seems wise beyond her years, but then there are times where it is easy to see that she is obviously 16, with limited experiences. Overall, this was a fun book and there is definite potential for a sequel. (However, the ending is closure enough if there isn’t a second book.)

*short and snappy*
writing: clean and easy to read
plot: surprisingly twisty – as soon as you think the plot has become predictable, there is a twist
characters: solidly developed and very believable (I especially loved Nan)
judging by the cover: great cover! The image is wonderful, and I love the tagline - “If you had the power to see death, would you wish it away?” – it really gets you thinking about the story
miscellaneous: this is a 2010 Debut Author

In My Mailbox (#6)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that talks about books that have been bought, swapped, received for review, or borrowed from the library. It is hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren.

This week was Spring Break (!!!) so I decided I could add to my TBR pile, so I took a trip to the library.

I got from the library:

Chasing Tail Lights by Patrick Jones
Hourglass by Claudia Gray
Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith
Fallen by Lauren Kate
You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay
Nothing by Janne Teller

I also got a new bag from my mom - I think it's fantastic!

This is what has been going on for me . . . feel free to leave suggestions for what should move to the top of the stack!

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

author’s website: C. J. Omololu
release date: February 2, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Realistic Fiction
length: 224 pages
overall rating: 4 stars

*summary* (from author’s website)
Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.
For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to—nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal. When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children—they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue. With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

*my review*
“Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.” This first line provides a beautiful starting point to the reality of this story. In Lucy’s reality, the surface looks fine, but beneath that very thin and fragile surface lies a completely chaotic life in which nothing can be thrown away. Lucy’s mother has hoarded every minute thing that has ever played even a minor role in their lives. Their house has piles and piles and piles of junk that Lucy’s mother can’t seem to part with. This reality isn’t something Lucy likes, but she has found ways to live with it, especially since she knows she only has a few years before she can leave it behind

As I read this story, there was a change in my perception of logical responses. Logically, the first thing you do in an emergency is call the police. Except . . . if Lucy had called the police right away, it would have changed the surface picture that everyone knew. It would have changed people’s perceptions and opinions, and it could have changed Lucy’s few friendships. After reading the book and understanding Lucy, her logic seemed to make sense, and even more, you find that she was incredibly brave!

While this book spans less than 24 hours, memories that Lucy has while cleaning up the house paint a picture of her life growing up. There is a lot of depth created in this character because of the things she has had to deal with growing up. This was an intense topic with a genuine feel. It was well written and difficult to put down.

*short and snappy*
writing: smooth – the story is told with flashbacks, memories, and current plots woven together in a way that makes sense
plot: keeps you guessing – just when you think you know what she’ll do, Lucy surprises you!
characters: Lucy has incredible depth. The other characters are developed enough to play their roles, but this is really a story about Lucy.
judging by the cover: great cover! The cover shows the difference in what is inside the window and outside without being too obvious

In My Mailbox (#5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that talks about books that have been bought, swapped, received for review, or borrowed from the library. It is hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren.

This was the week of the Debut Author novels! I put several debut novels on hold at the library, and they all came in this week!
I got from the library:
The Mark by Jan Nadol (read already – review coming soon!)
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu (read already – review coming soon!)

I have also been catching up on reviews! Check them out:
Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard
Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

This is what has been going on for me . . . feel free to leave suggestions for what should move to the top of the stack!

The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

author’s website: Patrick Jones
release date: September 1, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult (high school)
genre: Contemporary/Urban Fantasy
length: 272 pages
overall rating: 4.5 stars

*the inside flap*
Between hookups, makeups, and breakups, there isn’t a day at Lapeer High School without drama turning to trauma turning to tears.
And tears are just as essential as air for Cassandra Gray. She and her family are vampires who thirst for human sorrow, and the energy that they soak in from a good crying jag can keep them fueled up for days.
Anytime a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, Cass is there. Anytime a boyfriend gets too secure, she breaks his heart. Cass’s work as a school peer counselor and hospital volunteer also provides the perfect cover and access to her family’s energy source. But she is getting tired of all the lies and manipulation – especially now that she’s actually fallen in love with a human. Can she bear to betray her family for a chance at happiness and a life lived with joy?

*my review*
I began this book intrigued by the concept of a vampire that feeds on tears instead of blood. And as I read, it made more and more sense to me! In most stories, vampires feed on blood, which is what keeps people alive, but really, aren’t our emotions what make us human? As Cassandra collects tears from her fellow students, you begin to understand that those tears represent so many of the emotions and feelings that actually make people who they are. There is a lot of depth to Cass’s character, mostly because of the conflict she experiences throughout the book. That conflict is fascinating! Cass knows that she has a duty to fulfill for her family, but as you read, you see her start to develop feelings of both love and anger –two very strong emotions for someone who can’t feel empathy. Her relationships with Robyn, Becca, Samantha, and Scott end up teaching Cass a great deal about humanity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It wasn’t your traditional “vampire” novel. Instead, you meet a girl who has only one job – to collect the tears of anyone she can – and you realize that life without feelings and emotions isn’t much of a life. This is definitely a fantasy story with a vampire twist, but even more, this is a story of coming to understand yourself. It is a great read, and has a fantastic ending that leaves an opening for a sequel!

*short and snappy*
writing: engaging – I felt like I was experiencing Cass’s story first hand
plot: twisty – as soon as I thought I had figured everything out, something would change. (The ending is a fabulous twist!!!)
characters: multifaceted – Cass develops in ways she didn’t even know were possible
judging by the cover: love it! I think the cover could draw someone to pick up this book (which of course, is the point of a good cover) and it is directly related to the story too
miscellaneous: I’ve read quite a few negative reviews of this book because they think that the main character is too cold – but (for crying out loud) Cass can’t feel emotion! When you can’t feel emotion, what choice do you have BUT to be cold. I thought it was a fantastic story!

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

author’s website: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
release date: September 7, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Fiction
length: 208 pages
overall rating: 3 stars

*the inside flap*
In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.
Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away;. In fact, they don’t make a difference at all to her.
But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.
Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does.

*my review*
This contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast is the least paralleled fairy tale retelling I’ve read. There are definitely parallels in the story, but you don’t feel like you are reading a fairy tale. Instead, you experience a very interesting story about a boy’s conflicting feelings of guilt, anger, and intrigue and a girl’s feelings of loss, newness, and interest/curiosity in a boy. The perspective alternates between Aurora and Lucius by chapter, which only adds to the telling of the story.
Crazy Beautiful is the story of two very normal teenagers with very realistic issues, problems, and feelings. They are “real” enough to relate to. However, I felt like I needed to know more about Lucius’s accident. It is touched on and implied, but never really explained. I would have liked a better look into the event that changed him so completely.

*short and snappy*
writing: captivating – the writing style in this novel is very engaging and pulls the reader into the story
plot: steady, but with a very sudden ending
characters: deeply developed (but again, I’d have liked a little more back story on Lucius’s accident)
judging by the cover: I loved the cover!

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard
A Debut Author for 2010

author’s website: Jennifer R. Hubbard
release date: January 7, 2010
appeals to: Young Adult
genre: Contemporary Fiction
length: 208 pages
overall rating: 5 stars

*the inside flap*
Colt was with Julia for a year, but nobody else knew about it. Julia lived on Black Mountain Road in a mansion – with servants – and had a country-club boyfriend to complete the package. Cold definitely didn’t come from Black Mountain, and no one would have understood why they were together. But it never mattered to them. Until Julia dies in an accident right before her senior year, and Colt is suddenly the only one who knows their secret. He tries to pretend that his life is the same as ever, but he’s haunted by memories of Julia. Things get worse after the journal she kept about their romance falls into his hands. Colt searches every entry for answers: Did Julia really love him? Was he somehow to blame for her death? But the ultimate question – one nobody can answer – is how he’s supposed to get over someone who was never really his to begin with.

*my review*
As I began this story, I had mixed opinions. I don’t frequently read novels that have a male narrator. I’m not opposed to them, I just don’t gravitate toward them. However, this book was amazing! I thought the writing was very strong. I loved that we got to know Julia through her journal entries. I was fascinated by the raw emotional whirlwind that Cole was experiencing. I enjoyed the unexpected twists in the plot when characters interacted differently than I would have expected. But I felt like there wasn’t enough of a conclusion for me.
In a relatively short novel, Hubbard created realistic and deep characters and sent them through a tremendous amount of experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but would have liked to know a little more at the end. Overall, a fantastic read!

*short and snappy*
writing: fast and raw – you really get a feel for the characters and situations, even though the book itself isn’t very long
plot: twisty – more than I thought it would be!
characters: deep – again, much more than I would have thought possible in such a short novel. There is a lot of description that is implied through the characters conversations or reactions to situation.
judging by the cover: I didn’t expect the story from the cover. After reading the book, I get the cover, but it isn’t what I expected when I picked it up.
miscellaneous: this is a Debut Author novel for 2010

Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber

Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
This book actually contained the first three books in the Vampire Kisses series: (1) Vampire Kisses, (2) Kissing Coffins, and (3) Vampireville

author’s website: Ellen Schreiber
release date: April 21, 2009
appeals to: Young Adult (& Vampire fans)
genre: Fantasy
length: 576 pages (3 books in 1 volume)
overall rating: 3.5 stars

*the back cover*
A new guy in town.
Rumors of vampires.
Dangerous first love.
This is where it all begins. . . .
The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in "Dullsville," is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications—especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall.
The first three books in Ellen Schreiber's bestselling Vampire Kisses series capture the thrill of a most unusual romance. (A short summary of each book is available here.)

*my review*
I began reading this series with no preconceptions. I saw the book, loved the cover, and thought, “Vampire book…excellent!” So far as current vampire books go, this one has the most “traditional” vampires I’ve read. They don’t go out in the sun (or sparkle, or have special rings that protect them), they prefer the night, they turn into bats, and they have fangs. I enjoyed reading about the “traditional” vampire, but I enjoyed even more the “goth” narrator. As a somewhat quirky girl myself, I totally understood Raven’s constant feeling of being on the outside, but being ok with it. She is a strong character and I liked her no-nonsense take on things, especially with her “nemesis,” Trevor.

Overall, this was a clever story and a fun series to read. I actually read all six books, so I’m hesitant to do much more reviewing for fear of being to spoilery. If you pick up the individual books, they are very quick to read. I do think that each book leaves you wanting more, so if you can get more than one at a time, I’d suggest it!

*short and snappy*
writing: down to earth – Schreiber’s writing really captures the teenage emotions, angst, dialogue, and the feelings of first love.
plot: unexpected twists in the plot and connections to prior books keep the series connected & fun to read
characters: even the minor characters are developed! Most characters reappear throughout the series, so you get to feeling like you know them
judging by the cover: the cover of this book (and the vampire genre of course) tempted me to pick it up. I love the image. HOWEVER, I think the individual covers of the first three books are all well done, too, so that is lost in the compilation.
miscellaneous: Books 4 (Dance with a Vampire), 5 (The Coffin Club), and 6 (Royal Blood) in this series are also available. The summaries are available here. And book 7 (Love Bites) is due out May 18th (2010).