Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys
 I've Loved Before #1)

Author: Jenny Han
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Borrowed ARC
First published on Kid Lit Frenzy

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

I just finished this book and I have to say wow, I really liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Though I've heard lots of great things about Jenny Han (I have her Summer series one shelf waiting to be read and have met her and find her think she’s funny and adorable), contemporary YA novels aren't usually my thing and I wasn't sure how I would feel about this. However, the pretty pink cover drew me in and I decided to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I did. To All the Boys is fantastically written, with well developed characters and relationships that make for a standout novel.

It was hard for me to connect with Lara Jean when I first started reading. Her voice is a lot younger and more naive than what I expected of a 16-year-old in a contemporary YA novel. However, as the story progressed and I got into Lara Jean’s head, I found myself really liking her and relating to her in a lot of ways. Lara Jean reminds me a lot of myself at her age. She is quiet and, while not unpopular, is not a part of the cool crowd. She isn't afraid to be herself but she still cares about what people think of her. She's a little naive and is afraid to move outside of her comfort zone. In a landscape littered with cunning teen assassins and snarky mean girls, Lara Jean’s sincerity and earnestness is a refreshing change.

Another thing I loved in the book were the relationships. While I don’t have sisters, the sibling relationship between the Song sisters rang true. No one knows how love you and to hurt you as much as a sibling does. I loved how strong the family ties were and how they supported each other. There is no absentee parenting in this book. I was also happy that there was no insta-love. I am usually pretty wary of love triangles, but it worked here because all of the characters were well developed and I can see why Lara Jean would be drawn to both boys for different reasons.

The book had some good secondary characters as well, the standout for me being Kitty, Lara Jean’s little sister. She reminds me a little bit of Louise Belcher from Bob’s Burgers and I have a feeling that she will be ruling the world one day. It was also nice to see a little diversity in the book with a bi-racial main character.

My only small gripe about this book is that I wish the ending was a longer. It felt a little rushed and wished I’d had a little more resolution. I’ve heard that the finished copy of the book (I read an ARC) has a longer ending though and I am interested in re-reading the ending to see if it provides a little more closure. And good news is that there will be another book! Things were left a little open ended and I am glad to hear that there will be another book in this charming series.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a sweet, quirky coming of age story that will appeal to fans of contemporary YA fiction and romance. Now that I’ve read Jenny Han I can see why her books are so popular and I look forward to reading her backlist.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Review: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under The Never Sky (Under The Never Sky #1)

Author: Veronica Rossi
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: ARC

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered.

This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland--known as The Death Shop--are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild--a savage--and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile--everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Aria lives in Reverie, a world that is protected and sheltered from the outside world. Those who live inside are safe from the Aether, powerful electrical storms that leave destruction in their wake. But their bodies and lives are regulated to the extreme and most of their life is experienced through virtual reality. The conditions outside of the pods are extremely harsh and people live in nomadic tribes to survive. They are considered savages by those who live inside the pods.  These two worlds could not be more different and they clash when Aria is exiled and encounters Perry, who is searching for his little brother.

Though I have had my copy of Under The Never Sky for quite a while, I held off on reading it until recently. I had read a slew of dystopian/post-apocalyptic YA novels and found myself burnt out on them. After a lengthy break though I finally felt it was time to dive into this world. And wow, what a world! I found the story and characters to be original and inventive. The fast paced storyline kept me on the edge of my seat and the romance was refreshingly believable.

Under The Never Sky is told from the alternating POV of Aria and Perry. I don’t usually like multiple points of view but it really gives the reader a lot of insight into Aria and Perry. They each approach life so differently and seeing through their eyes helped me understand them better.  Both have prejudices against the other and I liked seeing how their feelings developed as they got to know each other.

I wasn't sure I was going to like Aria at first but I came to really admire her. She’s very strong-willed and stubborn and is willing to risk her life for what she believes in. Though generally reserved, Perry has a deep capacity to love and the relationship he has with his nephew Talon is really sweet. He is also very loyal and will put the needs of others often before his own.  I liked that both of these characters evolved and grew over the course of the story, each coming into their own. I also liked that their relationship started off as adversarial but developed into deeper feelings once they got to know each other. No insta-love here.

I was a little surprised by how much I liked this book. I was afraid that it would not live up to my expectations. However, Under the Never Sky lived up to the hype and reignited my excitement for the genre.  The solid world building and well developed, nuanced characters make Under the Never Sky stand out in the YA landscape and I can’t wait to read more.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.veronicarossi.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rossibooks

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The Madman's Daughter - Review

The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1) 
by Megan Shepherd

Publication date: 29 Jan 2013 by Balzer + Bray

ISBN 10/13: 0062128027 | 9780062128027
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Keywords: Historical, romance, re-telling, science
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: Library

My Synopsis:

The Madman's Daughter is a re-telling/alternate view of the H.G. Wells classic The Island of Dr. Moreau told from the point of view of Moreau's daughter, Juliet. Accused of performing inhumane and ungodly experiments, Dr. Moreau abandons Juliet and her mother when she is 10 years old. Believed to be dead, Juliet's life is flipped upside down though when she finds out that he is alive and well off on an island in Australia, possibly continuing the work that made him flee England. With no prospects and poverty imminent in London, Juliet takes the treacherous journey to the island to confront her father and learn the truth about the rumors herself.

Review:

Guys, I was so impressed with this book. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, having never read the Island of Dr. Moreau (though I did see that bad Marlon Brando movie in the 90's). I also heard that there was a dreaded love triangle (which we will get to later), which made me a little skeptical. But I was really surprised by how much I liked it. If you like dark, gothic novels and don't mind (or like) a bit of blood, then you will like this book.

The Madman's Daughter throws you into the thick of things right from the start, giving you a taste of the grisly experiments that Dr. Moreau has been accused of. If you're squeamish or don't like descriptions of animal cruelty, do not read this. It's definitely not for the faint of heart and the book does not shy away from the dirt and the dark side of life.

I thought Juliet was a really great character. She's had to take care of herself from a very young age but she doesn't feel sorry for herself. I understood the anger she felt towards her father but also her naive hope that life will be better once she finds him. She's really smart and isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in and I really admired her. Dr. Moreau is cold and arrogant and I hated him for how he treated Juliet, Montgomery, and the islanders. His moods were so mercurial, changing from fatherly affection one minute to rage the next.

There is also a love triangle in this book. I don't know about you, but I am pretty sick of love triangles. How is it that every girl has two men fighting over her? I digress. Juliet had two very different people vying for her affections in The Madman's Daughter. Montgomery is her childhood friend who knows all her secrets and still loves her. But Montgomery has been living on the island with her father for years and Juliet isn't sure that she can trust him or her feelings towards him. Edward Prince, the handsome survivor of a ship wreck, is Juliet's equal in society and shares her horror of her father's experiments. She's drawn to both men but, for me, Montgomery was a much more compelling character. He's not perfect by any means but I felt like they had much more of a connection with their shared past. Edward was too mysterious and I thought he was a bit bland. While I was rolling my eyes at the love triangle throughout the book, it is somewhat justified in the end.

And that ending - wow! What a twist! I knew something big was going to be revealed but I didn't see that coming.

What impressed me the most about this book though was that every page was so rich with atmosphere. I really felt like I was in Gothic London and on the mysterious island. Chilling and intense, The Madman's Daughter is fraught with tension and I could not shake the feeling of impending doom while reading it. If you like dark, disturbing stories with rich characters and surprising plot twists, don't hesitate to pick up The Madman's Daughter. I can't wait to read the next book coming out in Jan 2014.

 

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Visit the author online at meganshepherd.com and follow her on Twitter @megan_shepherd


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Bloodlines - Review

Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead

Publication date: 23 Aug 2011 by Razorbill

ISBN 10/13: 1595143173 | 9781595143174
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Young Adult Paranormal/Mystery
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, Vampire Academy, vampires, alchemy
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis:

Blood doesn't lie...

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning.

Review:

Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy was one of the first series that I really got into when I started to read YA books. I loved the world of the Moroi and Strigoi and the fact that Mead's characters weren't perfect and were fallible. Since then, Mead has become one of my favorite writers. From YA to urban fantasy to romance - if Richelle Mead writes it, I'll read it. However, I was hesitant to read Bloodlines because I was afraid that it would not be as good as VA. Sydney also wasn't my favorite character, which also added to my reluctance to start this series. But I finally decided to take the plunge and I am so glad I did because Bloodlines is so fun and absolutely addicting.

Bloodlines is told from the point of view of Syndney, the alchemist who aided Rose in Vampire Academy. Her actions have put her in hot water with the alchemists, who believe that she may be getting too friendly with the vampires. Sydney must prove her competence and loyalty on her new mission posing as the sister of Jill Mastrano, sister to Moroi queen Lissa Dragomir. Sydney moves to Palm Springs with Jill along with her guardian Eddie, and VA favorite Adrian Ivashkov.

I was never a huge fan of Sydney. While helpful in Vampire Academy, she always came off as sort of snobby and judgmental. In Bloodlines, we get to understand Sydney a little more and what originally came off as snobbishness is more likely attributed to social awkwardness. Living with the alchemists her entire life, she hasn't had much practice interacting with people her own age. She is also very uncomfortable around the vampires, having been told that they are evil and unnatural her whole life. But she isn't narrow minded and must reconcile what's she has been told with her own experiences with them. In many ways, she is the opposite from Rose. In other ways, she is very similar. She is smart, determined, protective, and every bit as fierce as Rose when it really counts. And I love that she doesn't let Adrian get away with things and calls him on his bullshit.

Now we get to Adrian, the partying playboy. While I felt bad for what happened with him in Vampire Academy, I have to admit that I have always been annoyed by his spoiled and self-indulgent attitude. While he hasn't changed in Bloodlines, there's a definite shift in him. I think we're finally starting to see some of Adrian's true potential come through. He and Sydney also have some great chemistry together. Unfortunately there wasn't a ton of romance in this one, just a lot of banter. And you know what that leads to. :) Mead is a master of drawing out the tension though and I am excited to see where their relationship goes.

The plot moved quickly with plenty of action and intrigue to keep things interesting. Even though I figured out the bad guy pretty early on, I still had fun watching it unfold.

I am so glad that I finally decided to read Bloodlines. I loved jumping back into the VA world and learning more about the alchemists and vampires. Richelle Mead has done it again. I am totally hooked on this series and can't wait to read the next installment. Bring on The Golden Lily!

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Visit the author online at www.richellemead.com and follow her on Twitter @RichelleMead

Dark Companion - Review

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Publication date: 03 July 2012 by Tor Teen

ISBN 10/13: 0765329646 | 978-0765329646
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Young Adult Mystery/Romance 
Keywords: Mystery, romance, Gothic, boarding school 
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: ARC received from publisher at ALA

Synopsis:

Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.

They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there.

Review:

Dark Companion starts off with a bang. A young girl battles for her life while a storm rages. Blood flows and she knows that she will die. A spirit takes her high into the trees, where she is safe and warm. When Jane Williams wakes up, she has no memory of the terrible events of that night, or her life before the accident.

Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, the first few pages of Dark Companion are probably the most compelling and I really struggled to finish it. I was never really able to connect with any of the characters and they didn’t feel real to me. The pace of the book was also really slow. Halfway through the book and still felt like I was waiting for something dark, scary, or even interesting to happen. There were definitely hints throughout the book that all was not right in Birch Grove. But Jane wasn’t putting the pieces together quickly enough. By the time she finds out what the Big Secret is, it’s very anticlimactic.

I also had issues with Jane and her friends. I read a lot of YA novels and, while I am no longer a teen, I feel like I have a decent grasp of what teens sound like. But Jane and her friends do not sound like any teens I know or have ever heard. They’d spout utter nonsense and slang one second and then top it off with a Latin phrase the next. And why did everyone and everything have a nickname? MV, JM, Wilde Thang, Ms. McSqueak, etc. etc. I actually got confused a couple of times because of all the nicknames. Perhaps I am not around teens enough but the dialogue seemed really forced and it took me out of the story.

The biggest disappointment for me was Jane herself. She starts off as a cynical, sarcastic, street smart young woman who has studied hard and earned herself an education at a prestigious school. And though she’s a fish out of water at Birch Grove at first, she remains true to herself and makes some good friends along the way. But then the inevitable happens and she falls for Hot Guy. In this case, the impossibly gorgeous and unattainable Hot Guy is Lucky Radcliffe, the town’s golden boy. And like most golden boys he’s smart, charming, and gets whatever he wants. The second that Lucky shows any interest in her, smart, strong Jane disappears and a Jane I don’t recognize takes her place. She ditches her friends and stays at home so that she can be available for him at all times. He proceeds to treat her like crap in public, while telling her how much he trusts and needs her and asks her to agree to a “secret relationship.” It’s never a good sign when a guy doesn’t want to be seen in public with you.

And what’s so great about Lucky? Truly I do not know. I could have understood Jane’s attraction more if he really cared about her or had some kind of redeeming personality traits, but I really did not see what Jane saw in him besides his good looks. He was clearly using her and she was so starved for love that she compromised herself to obtain it. I could kind of understand Jane’s desire for love and a family since she is an orphan, but it seemed very out of character for her to change so much and I started to lose a lot of respect for her.

As you can see, this book just wasn’t for me. It’s clear that Acosta has some writing chops and I did like certain parts of it. She has a knack for creating an atmospheric setting and the birch forest in particular had a real personality. I liked Mary Violet even though she was ridiculous and I didn’t understand half of what she was saying. However, she was sweet, and I enjoyed her rabid enthusiasm. I also thought that Acosta’s premise for the blood play was a really unique take on the vampire myth as genetic disorder. While the whole hierarchy and the traditions of the Family didn’t make sense to me (why do only men get Companions?), the scientific angle was original, and I wish we could have explored it more.

While I enjoyed certain parts of Dark Companion, they could not save the book for me. The various elements never quite came together and the book fell short.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at http://www.martaacosta.com/ and on twitter at @MartaAcosta.