Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

 Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

It was a beautiful, warm summer day, the day Danny died.

Suddenly Wren was alone and shattered. In a heartbroken fury, armed with dark incantations and a secret power, Wren decides that what she wants—what she must do—is to bring Danny back.

But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy Wren fell in love with. His touch is icy; his skin, smooth and stiff as marble; his chest, cruelly silent when Wren rests her head against it.

Wren must keep Danny a secret, hiding him away, visiting him at night, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school, and Wren realizes that somehow, inexplicably, he can sense the powers that lie within her—and that he knows what she has done. And now Gabriel wants to help make things right.

But Wren alone has to undo what she has wrought—even if it means breaking her heart all over again.

Review:

Ever since I first heard about Cold Kiss, I’ve been dying to read it. The premise sounded fresh and unique, and in the months before its release, I heard many good things about it. However, Cold Kiss turned out to be something I wasn’t quite expecting. I liked it, but there were a few things in I didn’t enjoy as much as I wanted to and thought I would.

There’s often a before and after to people, and the Wren, the main character in Cold Kiss, is one of them. Before the death of her boyfriend Danny, Wren was living the high life so to say. She had a fabulous boyfriend in Danny, great friends, and a supportive family. However, everything changes when Danny goes out one day and doesn’t return. Wren becomes a mess in many ways. Withdrawing herself from her life, she obsesses and morns over Danny until she comes up with a way to bring him back. The Danny that comes back, though, isn’t the Danny she knew and loved. He’s needy, obsessive, and a bit possessive of Wren as well. Moreover, he keeps asking questions, ones that Wren isn’t quite ready to answer. Everything changes though when a Gabriel DeMarnes arrives at Wren’s school. Sweet and charming, Gabriel is someone Wren feels an odd connection to, but there’s one tiny little problem: he’s on to Wren’s dirty little secret….and he wants to help. Will Wren let him, or will everything soon become one hot (or more accurately zombie) mess? Only time and more pages can tell in this interesting read that puts quite a new spin on the zombie trend.

The main way in which this book died in my eyes was development or the lack therefor. From the characters to the plot to the main romance, everything just fell a bit short development wise and it ended up hurting Cold Kiss in many ways to say the least.

Let’s start with the plot. The premise of this was one of the first things that drew me to this book. It sounded fresh and exciting, something that I truly hadn’t seen before, and while it was that way in some ways, in others it feel flat. I never really understood exactly what Wren’s powers were. Was she a witch? Alternatively, was she some sort of zombie riser? The same went for Gabriel and his sisters as well as Wren’s family. Moreover, another plot line that never really worked out was the family plot line. Throughout the book, something is hinted about the father and his disappearance as well as the Wren’s aunt and mother’s dilemmas with the other, but by the end, nothing was really explained about it all. It just kind of all drifted off, which only made me guess there will probably be a sequel. What did work well was seeing Wren’s qualms over the whole Danny situation. I honestly could feel her pain and suffering over letting Danny go as well as keeping him. It was a winless situation, especially in the beginning, but by the end, I was happy with Wren’s ultimate decision as well as the growth in character that came with it.

Talking about Wren, I have to add that I did like the characters in Cold Kiss overall. As mentioned above, given Wren’s feelings and actions, I felt she was realistic character. In addition, I really enjoyed the addition of Gabriel, even though I felt his relationship with Wren was little too underrated. Wren’s family unit (especially her sister) and friends also provided an interesting addition and sometimes comic relief. Lastly, it was also interesting to see Wren’s flashbacks about how Danny used to be compared to how he now was.

In all, while Cold Kiss did have its faults development wise, it's still a solid debut as well as one that I’m sure many paranormal fans will eagerly devour, especially if they are fans of the more sensitive-zombie type. 

Grade: C+

Cold Kiss (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley- thanks HarperTeen!

You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.

Review:

A couple of years ago a little book astounded me with its writing, characters, and plot events. Its name was Nothing but Ghosts and it was written by the magnificent Beth Kephart. So when the chance arose to read Beth’s newest release You Are My Only, I jumped at the chance, eager to get another taste of a Kephart book, and I’m so glad I did, as not only is You Are My Only beautifully written but also it contains the heart and emotions I’m coming to expect with Kephart’s books.

You Are My Only tells the story of Sophie. Homeschooled by her mother and constantly on the move from the “no good” in life, Sophie has been left with little time for establishing friendships or relationships with others. However, everything changes when she meets Joey, a young teen boy who lives next door to her, and his two aunts. Suddenly, Sophie begins to see a side to life she hadn’t before: one filled with sweets, laughter, and love. With her new friends, though, come questions, like why her mother has never told Sophie more about her father or their past. At the same time, You Are My Only divulges into another point of view as well, one of Emmy, a young girl whose life is turned inside out when her precious Baby is taken from her in daylight. Left with nothing but an accusing husband, she’s left to find her Baby. Will she be able to? Getting back to Sophie, what is her mother hiding from her exactly? More importantly, how do these two stories combine? Only time and more pages can tell in this intricate and lyrical novel of family, love, and letting go as well as secrets people hide and the ways they’ll go to keep them that way.

Just like Nothing but Ghosts, You Are My Only is more character heavy then plot heavy, and I have to say, that ended up being one of the best aspects of it. Not only because I adored the characters of Emmy and Sophie, but also because I loved the way in which Beth presented their voices and viewpoints. Best of all, their viewpoints blended seamlessly into one another throughout, allowing the reader to be able to be switched back and forth easily. With Emmy and Sophie also came some more fascinating characters such as Joey and his two aunts as well as the man who saved Emmy in many ways. I truly enjoyed seeing these characters and the ways they affected each other’s lives.

While the plot in this was basic and predictable, I was still spellbound throughout simply because of the way Beth presented everything with her writing. Moreover, given the alternating point of views, I was constantly on the edge of my seat, dying to know just how everything connected.

The only real complaint I have about this book is the fact that I felt it could have been a bit more developed. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I really would have loved to seen what happened after the big revelation came out.

Other than that, You Are My Only is a magnificent book, one that I highly suggest you pick come its release in October!

Grade: A+ 

You Are My Only (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) will be released October 25, 2011!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

To find out more about Beth and her books, head on over to her website. 

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

(in no particular order)

1) Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt: I read this book a couple of years ago and absolutely adored it, so I would love to revisit the characters in this one, and given the news Lauren announced last week, it would probably be in my best interest to. :) 

2) Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols: I've read nearly every book by Jennifer but Going Too Far still remains my favorite. There's just something so fabulous about its characters....and the romance in this one? Totally swoon worthy! 

3) Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: I've included this one in another Top Ten Tuesday before, but I couldn't not include it in this one... Anyhow, as I've said before and as I'll say time and time again, I LOVE this book, and if for some reason you haven't read this one yet, shame on you! It's seriously one of the beset contemporaries I've read. 

4) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: I read this one back when it was first released, but sadly enough I haven't had the chance to read them yet. I own them both (I actually have two copies of the second one for some reason) but I still haven't read them. However, I plan to change that soon, and with that, I probably should read this one again as well. Plus it doesn't hurt that it's a fantastic book! :)

5) Impossible by Nancy Werlin: Ah, I seriously can't deny my love for this book, yet I haven't reread it yet...I think I'll have to change that sometime soon.

6) Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver: I keep meaning to reread this one as well because of the fact I adored it but I haven't gotten around to it yet either. 

7) Liar by Justine Larbalestier: This book is without a doubt one of the craziest and twistiest books I've ever read, and because of that I would love to revisit all the crazy sometime soon.

8) The first seven books in the Private Series by Kate Brian: Okay, I know this is more than one book, but I had to include it. You see, I started the Private series back when the first book was released way back when and I ADORED it. It was full of secrets and it took place at a BOARDING SCHOOL, so after reading it, I eagerly gobbled up the following additions, yet I just drifted away from it after a while. So one of my reading resolutions for this year? Reread the ones I've already read and read the rest, as the last book in the series just came out this month.

9) Shadowland by Meg Cabot: Shadowland is the first book in one of my series by Meg Cabot, so it's a given to say I would love to revisit it sometime soon. Plus it involves ghosts and who doesn't love ghosts?!

10) This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen: One word: Dexter. That's a good enough reason right?! :) 

What are some books you would like to reread? Any of the ones I listed above? Let me know in the comments, or join in the fun and create your own Top Ten Tuesday list!

After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel (Review & Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Move over, pixies-bestselling author Carrie Jones is exorcising ghosts in a new paranormal romance

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.

Review:

I had been looking forward to reading After Obsession for a while. I adored the cover and the premise sounded delightfully creepy. Plus I’m always game for a book told in alternating prospective. Thankfully, After Obsession turned out to be a decent and quick read, even though I will admit I had a few problems with it.

Aimee has always been the “good” girl: she has perfect grades, great friends, and she never ever asks questions about neither her mother’s surprising death nor the horrid nightmares she constantly faces when she sleeps. However, everything changes when her best friend Courtney’s dad dies. Suddenly, Courtney is acting strange. Gone is the sweet and bubbly personality Aimee knew, instead it’s replaced with a cunning, secretive one, one that suggests one thing and one thing only: her best friend is being possessed by a demon, one that may have been involved in Aimee’s mother’s death. Teaming up with Alan, Courtney’s swoon worthy cousin, Aimee is ready to fight this demon off for the last time. However, is there enough time, or will she, Alan, and Courtney be gone before the show’s already over? Only time and more pages can tell in this supernaturally laced tale.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the alternating perspectives, because not only did they show two sides two the story (Alan and Aimee) but they also blended together perfectly: never going so far as to sound alike but still being able to transition with ease. Moreover, it didn’t hurt that they Aimee and Alan were both very likable. Aimee was the typical good girl. However, what separated her from the rest was the fierceness she showed throughout the novel. All I can say is she certainly is someone you want on your side if a demon possession with involved. Alan was the same way, but the thing I liked most about him was the addition of Native American heritage. It’s something you don’t see too much in YA books (or at least the ones I read) but it certainly was something I enjoyed seeing and reading.

The plot in this was decent as well. From the first page, everything was set to reveal around Courtney’s dealing with the demon as well as Alan and Aimee’s budding romance. I really enjoyed the Courtney plot. I felt it was well done, and even though I had most of it figured out from the beginning, I managed to be surprised and even creped out once or twice. On other hand, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about Alan and Aimee’s relationship. I never really saw the chemistry between them, nor was it developed that fully, and to be honest, for most of the book it seemed like they were friends more than anything else.

The writing in this was good though. As mentioned above, Carrie and Steven were able to create great alternating perspectives as well as a decent plot overall. However, the only aspect I wasn’t too wild about was the lack of development in some sub plots, such as the weirdness surrounding Aimee’s original boyfriend as well as Aimee’s mother and family unit all together.

However, After Obsession is still a read I’m sure paranormal and supernatural fans will enjoy. Lastly, only one question remains: will I be reading more Steven and Carrie books? Yes, because while this book did have its faults, I can still see a high level of potential in this writing duo.

Grade: C+

After Obsession (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Thanks to Bloomsbury/Walker Books, I also have ONE copy of After Obsession to giveaway.

To enter, please fill out the following form.

Official Giveaway Rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older
~ Must have a US mailing address
~ This giveaway will close on October 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm EST


*This giveaway is now closed.*

In My Mailbox (139)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

For Review:

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall (I've heard so many good things about this one!) 

Mercy Lily by Lisa Albert (Same goes for this! Plus did you know Kristi from The Story Siren is quoted on the back of it? Isn't that awesome?) 

Wolf Mark by Joseph Bruchac (Looks good!) 

Tankborn by Karen Sandler (As does this one!) 

Much thanks goes to Elizabeth at Lee & Low Books and Flux! 

In all, a pretty great week book wise! Though, enough about me, what did YOU get this week? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to link to your IMM post. 

Have a great week everyone! :) 

The Iron Knight: Book Trailer Sneak Peak

As part of the The Iron Knight Sneak Peek Circle, I have an exclusive sneak peak for the upcoming Iron Knight trailer. So without a further ado... 

About the Book:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The Iron Knight will be released on October 25, 2011.

But until then, visit Harlequin Teen's Facebook page to find out where else you can find The Iron Knight trailer sneak peak & don't forget to visit them on September 28th to see the entire trailer!!

Waiting on Wednesday (116)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm "waiting" on...

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

It isn’t easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers?

Okay, I have to admit that I added this one to my wishlist based on the cover alone, but after reading the synopsis it ended up being an especially good idea. The premise sounds unique and fresh so I can't wait to see how Alethea Kontis presents it!

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

Matchmaking gets mixed up in this all-original eBook addition to The Romantic Comedies series! Gemma and Addison are high school juniors, best friends, and majorettes in the marching band. Max and Carter are best friends too, and they’re starters for the football team. When Max and Carter start flirting with Gemma and Addison after football practice, the girls can’t believe their luck. But which guy wants which girl? Gemma is into Max, so she’s secretly crushed when he asks out Addison—but then Carter asks her out (making for a double date). Better to spend any time with Max than not at all, right? When it starts to seem that Max may have deeper feelings for her, Gemma must decide who is more important: her best friend or her crush?

I love Jennifer Echols' books, especially her romantic comedies, and because of that The One That I Want is very high on my wishlist. Plus the pretty cover and interesting premise don't hurt one bit either!

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

“Once upon a time there was a girl who was special. This is not her story. Unless you count the part where I killed her.”

Sixteen-year-old Alison wakes up in a mental institution. As she pieces her memory back together, she realizes she’s confessed to murdering Tori Beaugrand, the most perfect girl at school. But the case is a mystery. Tori’s body has not been found, and Alison can't explain what happened. One minute she was fighting with Tori. The next moment Tori disintegrated—into nothing.

But that's impossible. No one is capable of making someone vanish. Right? Alison must be losing her mind—like her mother always feared she would.

For years Alison has tried to keep her weird sensory abilities a secret. No one ever understood—until a mysterious visiting scientist takes an interest in Alison’s case. Suddenly, Alison discovers that the world is wrong about her—and that she’s capable of far more than anyone else would believe.

Review:

When I first heard about Ultraviolet I was instantly intrigued. The premise sounded fresh and exciting, and I had read a book by R.J. Anderson before and really enjoyed it. Therefore, when the chance came up to review Ultraviolet I jumped at the chance. Luckily, while Ultraviolet did take a little while to warm up, it ended up being quite the book to say the least.

First, Allison was incredibly interesting character. From the start, I never really knew what to think of her. Was she crazy? On the other hand, was she wrongly blamed? There were many possibilities, and based on the slow yet fun way R.J. Anderson brought her story to light, nearly every theory of mine had different details to support it and to rebut it. However, what I liked most about Allison was seeing how she evolved over the course of the book from someone who didn't really voice her opinion to a girl who wasn't afraid to ask for what she wanted. Another character that I also enjoyed reading about was Sebastian Faraday. He had nearly as many secrets buzzing around him as Alison did- maybe even more at times- which always made me curious to find out more about him.

As mentioned before the premise of Ultraviolet was one of the originally things that got me interested in this book, and as it turns out, the execution of the said idea was even better. In some ways, this book was like nothing I've read before. It constantly flipped flopped genres but in a fantastic kind of way. In addition, Ultraviolet also possessed the ability to constantly surprise me. I never knew exactly where I everything was going to go next, and when something was reveled, it continually lead to another fun development. Lastly, I enjoyed seeing how R.J. used the Allison's friendships and relationships with others to further plot development as well as well as character development. From Allison's friendship with Faraday to the one she had with her best friend to her relationship with Tori, the girl she supposedly killed, to even how she interaction with the people at the mental institution, they mostly all ended up providing a two-for-one deal: they furthered the plot in fun and new ways and also introduced another intriguing character.

Last but not least, R.J.'s writing was decent in this as well. I truly feel she captured Allison's voice perfectly, because of the way she delicately described Allison's condition and allowed Allison and her world to jump of the page from page one. However, I have to say, I liked the ending the most. It contained the perfect little zing to make you wonder: "Was this real or just part of Allison's imagination?"

Combining multiple genres, a new type of paranormal ability, and a unique voice, Ultraviolet is book I highly suggest you pick up this fall!

Grade: A+

Ultraviolet is now out!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

In My Mailbox (138)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

For Review:

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst (I'm in the midst of reading this one now and I'm really enjoying it so far. The main character's voice is the kind of snarky I tend to adore!) 

Slayers by C.J. Hill (This one looks really good!) 

From Netgalley:

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler (I've heard so many good things about Janet's books!) 

eBooks for Review:

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle (I adore the cover of this one!)
June of Rock by Elisa Ludwing (Elise Ludwing has a debut coming out in '12 but she decided to self publish a book before that. Can't wait to read both!)

Bridger by Megan Curd (For an upcoming blog tour)

Silver and Stone (Bloodlines, #1) by by J.D. Thompson (Looks really good!)

Relatively Honest by Molly Ringle (Not the biggest fan of the cover but the premise sounds interesting!)

Much thanks goes to Sarah Beth Durst/Simon and Schuster, C.J. Hill/FSG books, Sourcebooks/Netgalley,  P.T. Michelle, Elisa Ludwing, Megan Curd, J.D. Thompson, and Molly Ringle.

Have a great week everyone! :) 

Mini-Reviews: The Beast Call & If Sons, Then Heirs

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The Beast Call by Anne Tibbets

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

Seventeen year old Dray is no ordinary human. But possessing a magical capability to talk to animals in a land where magic is feared, is dangerous. When Dray's adventure hungry brother leaves the family farm to join a rebel militia, Dray follows him, but as Dray discovers her natural warrior capabilities, and word of her magical talents are discovered by the rebel General, Dray becomes an intricate part of the revolution, and the evil King Nuro would like nothing more than to see her destroyed.

Review:  

When I was first offered the chance to review The Beast Call, I jumped at the chance. I'm always on the lookout for good fantasy, something reminiscent of the Kristin Cashore's spectacular Graceling and equally thrilling Fire, so a book about evil kings, superhuman powers, and extraordinary main characters sounded like just my kind of book. Sadly enough, I didn't end up enjoying The Beast Call nearly as much as I thought and hoped I would.

One of the main reasons this occurred was because of the main characters. The characters presented were interesting, ones I would have loved to know more about. However, due to the lack of character development and a constant switch of narrators, I barely was able to keep track of who everyone was let alone whom they were deep down inside.

However, the premise of this one was very intriguing and unique, and I did enjoy learning more about the kingdom and its problems as well as the main character's special abilities. The whole understanding and talking to animals never ceased to further the plot in interesting ways. The only thing I didn't like about the plot, though, was once again the lack of development once again. A lot occurred that was never explained or developed fully, and the plot sometimes manage to jump from one topic to another with little to no resolution, like the whole thing with Dray's brother as well as the insta-love connection she felt with one of the army's men. I don't know if it was because of the book's short length (my eBook version was around 80 pages long) or the because it's the first in a series, but whatever the reason, I do hope Anne furthers the development in this series as more books are produced because the premise of this one is very promising. 

While The Beast Call wasn't my kind of book due to the lack of development, I still recommend this one to fans of fast-paced stories that are on the shorter length.

Grade: C

The Beast Call is now out!

Source: Author- thanks Anne!

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If Sons, Then Heirs by Lorene Cary

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

The critically acclaimed author of Black Ice, Pride, and The Price of a Child offers this deeply moving story of a family's challenge to reunite, understand the truth about its past, and secure its legacy. 

If Sons, Then Heirs sheds light on a uniquely American, largely untold story of African American land ownership, the outmigration from the South, racial violence, and the consequences of past decisions on present realities.

After World War II, Needham family members migrated north to Philadelphia from South Carolina, leaving behind the tragic injustice surrounding the violent death of their patriarch, King. His devoted widow, Selma, remains on the old home place. Over the years, she raises King's children, including his great-grandson.

Rayne, on whom falls the responsibility to bring the family together to save the family land and mend the rift between him and his mother. Rayne and the other vividly drawn characters face challenges big and small that mirror the experiences of families everywhere. But in the masterful storytelling of Lorene Cary, so distinct and unique are their voices that they will live in the minds of readers long after the last page is read. If Sons, Then Heirs is a tour de force that explores the power of family secrets, bonds, and love. This gripping novel is certain to be on the must-read lists of all who enjoy brilliantly rendered stories of family, love, and American history.

Review:

If Sons, Then Heirs is a very different kind of book compared to the ones I usually read. It divulges into African-American history throughout the last hundred or so years as well as some universal themes: love, family, and the ties that bring people together in the end. However, while I managed to learn quite a bit from this book and its characters, I still had a few little problems with it.

One thing I did enjoy, though, was the characters. The main front-runners (Rayne, Selma, and Jewell) were three-dimensional as well as thoroughly well developed. I especially enjoyed how Lorene switched between their POVs because it gave me a look into three very different yet interesting viewpoints: a widow who still trying to bring her family together after all these years, a mother's last chance to reconnect with the son she gave away all those years ago, and a young man who's left up to pick of the pieces his family left behind. All three were presented in the kind of way I love to see characters: likable and easy to root for yet still flawed. The other characters involved, such as Rayne's girlfriend and the rest of the Needham family, were just as interesting, but I have to say I would have loved to see a bit more development into each.

The plot in this one was based on lots of secrets, drama, and introspection.What I enjoyed most about it, though, was the different pieces of history I learned throughout the book through flashbacks and the characters own experiences. It ended up creating an interesting atmosphere to say the least.

However, as I mentioned above, I did have a few small problems with If Sons, Then Heirs. For one, I felt that even with the interesting characters and plot lines, this book tended to move at snail like speed at times. I love a book that's thoroughly developed, but sometimes less is more, and in this book's case, I think that would have rung true. I also didn't like how everything towards the end was wrapped up so quickly and nicely so to say. In relation to the rest of the book's speed, it was very quick, even though this was the part of the book I felt should have been a bit slower.

In all, If Sons, Then Heirs was still an interesting novel regardless, one that even leaves the reader with a bit too think about it, and even though the speed of the book did bring it down a few points, it's still worth a read for any person who enjoys a bit of history and character introspection in their books.

Grade: C+

If Sons, Then Heirs is now out!

Source: Publicist at Simon and Schuster- thanks Cristina!

Vanish and Sweet Venom Blog Tour (Guest Post)

As part of the Vanish and Sweet Venom blog tour, Tera Lynn Childs (author of Sweet Venom) and Sophie Jordan (author of Vanish) are their favorite romantic moment in each other's books. So without a further ado...

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Favorite Romantic Moment in Vanish by Tera Lynn Childs

I’m a sucker for those desperate, private moments when a character is facing a powerful emotion. When the character alone and dealing with the aftermath of a major event or revelation. That’s exactly what my favorite romantic moment in Vanish is like.

It’s a very short scene, when Jacinda is in bed, staring up at her star-filled ceiling. Her mind drifts and she thinks about Will. Everything that they spent all of Firelight building together has been taken away. Jacinda is facing the reality that she might never see Will again. And even if she does, that things might never be the same.

There is so much longing in Jacinda, a desperate hope that somehow things will work out, even though she’s convinced they never can. As a reader, I can’t help but be moved by her pain. I can’t help but sympathize.

Maybe the thing I love most about this moment—what we all love about those moments—is that I’ve been there. Haven’t we all? Lying there in the dark worrying or wishing or longing for something or someone so hard that it makes your heart hurt. Sophie is a genius at drawing on those universal emotions and making us relive them through her characters. That’s what makes this scene so heart-achingly romantic.

Favorite Romantic Moment in Sweet Venom by Sophie Jordan

I was lucky enough to get an early peek at Sweet Venom. There’s just so much to love about this book – namely following three intersecting storylines. Not just one great story – but three! Yes, three times the fun! Three times the romance.

Now Tera Lynn Childs only gives you a taste of the boy/girl relationships developing in the series. But those teasers promise good things to come. You can expect a lot more in books 2 and 3. In Sweet Venom we’re just getting out feet wet with our heroines (Gretchen, Grace, Greer), and that means we’re easing into their prospective romances as well. But believe me, Tera knows how to deliver chemistry and romantic tension with only a few words.

For example, here’s a sneak peek at a scene between monster-hunting Gretchen and the mysterious Nick. The sparring is light, but sexy, too.

“I thought cell phones were off limits at school.”

Nick falls into step beside me.

Are you kidding me? What kind of guy follows a girl after the face-flat rejection I just served him? He should be running away to the nearest cheerleader for consolation. With a face like his, he’d have no problem scoring the queen bee.

Not exactly sure how to react to his pursuit, I say, “They are.”

“I get it,” he says with a gut-tugging laugh. “You're that kind of girl.”

Stopping in my tracks, I know I shouldn't rise to the bait. But I can't help demanding, “What kind of girl?”

He steps ahead of me, pushes open the door to the cafeteria, and nods me inside. I move forward because I’m hungry, not because he’s holding the door like a real gentleman. I could care less if he’s got manners.

As I pass by he whispers, “The kind that ignores the rules.”

The hair on the back of my neck stands up at that display of arrogance. Easy as that, he thinks he can read me. Thinks he can put me in a little box as a certain type of girl. Well, guess what? He has no idea. No idea.

Stopping and spinning so fast he almost runs into me, I say, “I don't ignore all the rules. Only the ridiculous ones.” Then, as a smiles starts to spread across his face, I add, “But I do ignore all the boys who think they can figure me out in under five seconds.”

As I turn and blend into the crowded lunchroom, I think I hear him say, “Oh, it's been more than five seconds.”

Love that interaction!! I predict things are going to get very interesting between these two. I’m more than intrigued. What about you?

~~~

About Sweet Venom:

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster. Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though. Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they’re triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

About Vanish:

An Impossible Romance. Bitter Rivalries. Deadly Choices.



Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

About Their Authors:

Tera Lynn Childs (Authora neo) is a newly discovered species of author fish who always dreamed of being a mermaid, but never got closer than a career as a competitive swimmer. She loves to spend as much time as possible in and around water (right up until her fingertips turn all pruney) in the vain hope that one day her legs will magically turn into fins. When stuck on land, Authora neo can be found writing in coffee shops across the country, prowling for cool mermaid gear on Etsy, and spending way too much time online. Visit her at http://teralynnchilds.com.

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler. Visit her at www.sophiejordan.net.

Sophie and Tera Lynn’s upcoming appearance:

October 1 at Austin Teen Book Festival in Austin, Texas

The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird

Summary/Cover Image from Goodreads:

In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment—or worse.

Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door.

Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the king’s men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process.

Originally published in the UK, this book has a powerful blend of heart-stopping action and thought-provoking themes.

Review:

The Betrayal of Maggie Blair has been sitting in my TBR pile for much longer than I liked to admit. I'm not really sure why exactly. Perhaps it was the long and somewhat intimidating length, or the mixed things I had been hearing from others regarding it. Either way, it sat unread for a while. Recently, though, I decided to give a try, and....much to my surprise, I ended up really enjoying it! Combining a historical setting, a strong, dedicated main character, and descriptive writing, this one had nearly everything I want in a good historical YA and much, much more!

With both her mother and father long gone, Maggie Blair has always lived with her unruly and headstrong grandmother. It's always been a simple life. They live in a little tiny cottage by the beach, and most times than none, they have very little to go around. However, everything changes for both of them when they are accused of being witches by their fellow townspeople. Knowing that she has no choice other than running, she   quickly finds her way to her estranged uncle's door, hoping for shelter and maybe the family she has always desired.  Not everything is as it seems, though, and when a surprising guest appears, everything will begin to crumble once again, but this time Maggie's not backing down. She's going to save everyone, even if it may be the last thing she does....

There were many things I adored about this one, but one of the biggest factors was Elizabeth Laird's writing. She has such a knack for fully capturing so much beauty yet so much sadness and horror in one scene. I especially loved how easily she transported me to seventeenth-century Scotland with her descriptions alone. More times than one, I felt like I was there with Maggie while she fought for the future she deserved. I also give her credit for not shying away from the grit and toughness people encountered during this time, espically when I ended up learning something new because of it.

Another high point was the characters. Maggie alone was someone I adored reading about simply based on how she evolved from a timid, diffident girl into a brave and nearly fearless person who fought for what she believed was right. I have to admit at the beginning I was a bit put off by her lack of fight, but as the book continued, I realized that Maggie had a lot more inside waiting to come out. Adding to this, I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well such as Tam and Maggie's grandmother. Both of which ended up surprising me in more ways than one. Even the villains in this one where created in an intriguing way to say the least!

The plot at this one moved at steady pace, and while it relied more on the characters and the writing to move it along, I still was simply spellbound by it all. Plus, at times it even ended up throwing a surprise twist at me, one that I didn't see coming at all. I also really enjoyed the ending Elizabeth provided. It wasn't exactly how I wanted it to end, but still I was happy with it nonetheless.

Well written and nothing short of amazing, The Betrayal of Maggie Blair ended up being just what I was looking for: a thoughtful and engaging read. Therefor, if you love a historical fiction, pick this one up ASAP, and even if you don't, I seriously suggest you give it a try.

One thing's for sure though: Elizabeth has certainly gained a dedicated reader with me based on this book alone.

Grade: B+

The Betrayal of Maggie Blair is now available!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

From the author of the critically acclaimed Elsewhere comes this brilliant novel about an impossible romance, a family living outside of the law, and the ties that forever bind us.

Chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is increasingly scarce, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city’s most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine—going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until someone in her inner circle ends up poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she’s to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight—at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafiya family.

Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I’ve Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and fantastic.

Review:

A couple of months ago a small package arrived on my doorstep. To my amazement, it included not only a copy of the high anticipated All These Things I’ve Done, the newest book by the lovely Gabrielle Zevin, but also some chocolate covered espresso beans. The espresso beans ended up being delicious but the book was even better! Enchanting and engaging, All These Things I’ve Done has to be one of the best books I’ve read so far this year, and given the fact that it’s the first in series, I also think that this may just be the next HUGE series. Mark my words!

All These Things I’ve Done dives right into the year of 2083 with the viewpoint of Anya Balanchine, the daughter of the New York City’s infamous crime boss. Anya’s world hasn’t exactly been easy in the past few years. Not only are both of her parents now dead, but her beloved grandmother’s health is rapidly declining and she’s quickly becoming the prime caretaker of her younger sister and her older brother. That’s not even adding in the fact that some suspicious things have been occurring in her family’s manufacturing business- the one thing Anya would like nothing more than to get away from unscathed. However, everything soon takes a sudden turn when Anya’s ex-boyfriend is poisoned by a chocolate bar from her family’s company…one that she gave him. Now dealing with the police as well as her mysterious and sometimes deadly family, Anya’s life is quickly unraveling, especially when she becomes involved with the son of the new assistant district attorney. Will Anya clear her name, save her family, and get the guy before it’s too late? Or will her life be the next one taken? Only time and more pages can tell in this deliciously creepy and imaginative new dystopian!

Anya is without a doubt one of my new favorite protagonists. Dauntless and fierce yet flawed, Anya was not only easy to root for but extremely likable. I enjoyed seeing her interact with her siblings and grandmother, all of whom she loved to pieces, as well as her friends and foes. Every different relationship showed a different side to her character- the vulnerable side to the fearless side to the innocent one.

However, the best part of this story had to be plot. Fast paced and full of twists and turns, every point to it was fully developed in a fabulously fun way. It was so hard to put this book down at times, and even when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. One of the points I enjoyed the most was the setting. I felt Gabrielle Zevin did a great job of making it come to life through Anya’s descriptions as well as seeing how the characters interacted with it. Plus, this review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t address the romance between Anya and Win. Win was swoon worthy and just as head strong as Anya, if not more, so when they were together sparks flew in more ways than one!

Romantic and spellbinding, All These Things I’ve Done is one of those books I highly suggest you pick up! Seriously, it’s one of the dystopians I’ve read this year.

Grade: A+ 

All These Things I've Done (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publicist at FSG- thanks Ksenia!

Book Trailer:

In My Mailbox (137)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

For Review:

Damage by Anya Parrish (Really looking forward to this one! It looks delightfully creepy!) 

On the Volcano by James Nelson (Yay for historical fiction! I can't wait to get started on this!) 

My Teenage Werewolf by Lauren Kessler (Looks interesting! I'm starting to really like memoirs.) 

Primacy by J.E. Fishman (Not my usual type of book but it still looks really good!) 

From Library:

Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard (Loved The Lying Game!)

Much thanks goes to Bethany at Flux, Karma, Yen at Penguin Books, and Paul at Planned Television Arts.

Have a great week everyone! :) 

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Review:

I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to read this one, because even though I thought the premise sounded amazing and the cover was stunning as well, I hadn't been the biggest fan of Shadowed Summer, Saundra's first book. However, The Vespertine ended up surprising me in some pretty big ways, as not only was the writing gorgeous and almost lyrical but the overall premise was certainly fascinating as well.

Amelia has been sent from Maine to Baltimore, Maryland to live with her cousins for the summer. She's expected to be introduced into society and hopefully find a husband in the process. However, Amelia ends up getting more in Baltimore than she could have ever imagined. Within her cousin Zara, she gains a best friend, one who quickly introduces her to the fun side of Baltimore. Gaining a few new friends and possible husband candidates in the process, Amelia quickly begins to feel at home in Baltimore, especially when she uses her ability to see glimpses of the future to her advantage. Then she meets the intriguing and fascinating Nathaniel, a starving artist, and she's instantly taken to him. However, there's one tiny problem: Nathaniel isn't even close to the type of boy she should be bringing home with her. That's not even adding in the fact that her visions have suddenly turned dark and omniscient, and as they slowly begin to come true, Amelia begins to worry for own life as well as her new friends...

From the very first page, I was instantly charmed by how beautifully Saundra  told the story. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't too verbose or flowery but just the right amount to perfectly be able to capture the tone of the book and easily be able to bring the story and characters off the page and to life.

Another aspect of this book I enjoyed was the characters. Amelia was fun to read about based on her visions alone. Plus her personality often times was sarcastic and witty. Her friendship with Zara was a key point to the book as well, which made the fact that I enjoyed reading about Zara even better. Sweet yet mischievous, Zara was often one to speak her mind, so when her and Amelia were together, chaos and fun often enthused.

The plot of this also provided lots of fun, secrets, and drama. From the first page, I was instantly drawn into the book because it begins in Autumn of 1889 with Amelia remorseful about the summer and what had occurred and then switches to the beginning of summer. With that starting point, I couldn't wait to see what would happen, especially when at first everything seemed excellent for Amelia and her friends. I also enjoyed the addition of Amelia's visions and what they meant for the characters.

However, I had one little problem with this book that brought it down a notch or two, in my opinion. The problem was Nathaniel. Throughout the book Nathaniel is constantly described secretive and mysterious, which is where the problem laid, because besides those two things I really didn't know much about him. Even when Nathaniel and Amelia begin to start something up, little was divulged about him besides for one little thing that was never fully explained much to my dismay.

Even with that, Saundra Mitchell's The Vespertine was still a great book, and with the shocking ending it contained, I'm eager to see the next two companion books, starting with The Springsweet which comes out early next year.

Grade: B+

The Vespertine is now out!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Since the gripping conclusion of Once a Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother’s prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady’s maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

Review:

Just a little over two years ago a little book named Once a Witch rocked my world in more ways than one. Combining witches, time travel, and family secrets, there was a lot to love about that one. So when I heard about Always a Witch, the sequel that has been two years in the making, I couldn't wait to read it. I was eager to get back to Tasmin's world. However, while Always a Witch certainly did provide an interesting story, it wasn't nearly as great as its predecessor. Sadly enough, in some small ways, I even wish the main story ark in this one had been combined into Once a Witch somehow, because by itself, it didn't stand nearly as strong as it should have, in my opinion.

Always a Witch opens a little while after Once a Witch left off. Tamsin and her family are preparing for Rowena's upcoming wedding, and because of that Tamsin has moved back home for the meantime. However, even though Tamsin is enjoying being home in some ways, nothing is nearly as peachy as it should be. Tamsin is still silently fretting about her grandmother's prophecy that has bothered her in more ways than one, and after a surprise attack on the Greene family, everything is thrown into chaos yet again.  Her family's enemy Alistair Knight has a new sinister plan in the works, one that just may ruin everything for the Greene family. Knowing she has no choice but to go after him, Tamsin slips back through time, hoping to bring down Alistair once and for all. What she's doesn't know, though, is that this trip will change her in more ways than one. Will she be able to survive the burn so to say? Only time and more pages can tell!

The one thing I always enjoy about sequels is seeing the characters I've come to adore come back to life on the page, and that was just the case with Always a Witch. Tamsin especially was such a joy to see. I loved seeing how she continued to grow as a character as the book continued. Plus, I enjoyed seeing Gabriel once again. Just as sweet and adorable as ever, he managed to steal the show when he made an appearance, which made the fact that he had so little page time, all the more frustrating, in my opinion.

Even though I enjoyed seeing the characters in this one, the plot made Always a Witch fail in more ways than one. What I loved about the first one in this series was how exciting the plot had been, but with Always a Witch I felt everything had been watered down. The main storyline didn't hold the intrigue I was looking for, and for the most part, I knew how everything was going to go down form the beginning. Plus, Alistair, the villain who had been so cunning and manipulative before, even appeared watered down at times. Sometimes it was even hard to truly see him as anything but a non-essential character, one who was weak and even pathetic at times. However, I will admit that I enjoyed the storyline of  La Spider and her family. Now those people were wicked to say the least!

Carolyn's writing was good overall though. She did a great job with descriptions of the time period Tamsin was in and with furthering character development.

Lacking the spark and flair Once a Witch contained, Always a Witch wasn't really the sequel I had been hoping for. However, I still suggest it to fans who adored Once a Witch, as seeing the characters in this is more than enough reason to read it, but to others who were iffy about Once a Witch, I recommend ending the series with that one.

Grade: B

Always a Witch is now available!

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all, there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss, a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Fans of emotionally true and heartfelt stories, such as Sarah Dessen's THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER and IF I STAY by Gayle Forman, will fall in love with Jennifer Castle’s incandescent debut novel...a heart wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

Review:

Hopeful, beautifully written, and nothing short of spectacular, The Beginning of After wraps the reader in for a long and amazing journey full of laughs and tears and smiles as Laurel and David make their trip to the after from the beginning. I simply could not have asked for a better contemporary read and I am sure many will agree.

They say everything can change in one quick second, but Laurel never realized this until that fateful day when everything fell apart. Before that day, Laurel was the average girl: smart, shy, and pleasant. She had a picture perfect family life, a best friend who she could count on, and the promise of an amazing future. However, everything changes when a police offer arrives at the front door bringing with him sad news: Laurel’s parents and brothers have been involved in a car accident and are now dead. Filled with grief and anger, Laurel does not know what to do, or who to blame. Should it her neighbor Mr. Kaufman because he drove the car, or should it be herself for not being there to save the day? Either way, Laurel does know one thing; she should not be feeling strange and new things for David, the local bad boy and Mr. Kaufman’s son. Nevertheless, she cannot stop herself, because with David she can relate. He understands where she is coming from, and best of all, he is not tiptoeing around her like everyone else is. Though, are they meant to be, or this one big mess in the making? Moreover, will she ever be able to move on? Only time and more pages can tell in this fantastic story of grief, loss, and moving on.

To begin with, I loved the characters in this, especially Laurel and David. Charming and sweet, Laurel was relatable and likable from the start. There wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t cheering her on from the sidelines. However, what I liked best about her was the fact that I feel anyone would be able to resonate with her feelings over death and loss. David, on the other hand, was the perfect example of the “bad boy.” Misunderstood yet charismatic in his own right, David was the type of boy a reader cannot help but love. I particularly adored his relationship with Laurel, not only because of the way it was developed slowly (finally a YA relationship that takes time to develop!), but it was based on so much more than just attraction, instead feelings and actions played a big role, and I loved that. The side characters in this were also a breath of fresh air, as each one had their own distinctive personality that added an extra flavor to the story.

Moving on, while The Beginning of After basic premise is the basic death cliché, Jennifer Castle fully brought it alive once again and made it her own. From the plot lines, to the characters, and finally the writing, each played such a huge part in making this story simply fantastic! I particularly enjoyed seeing Laurel deal with day-to-day life such as her volunteer work and school because they added layers and charm. Best of all, I loved that The Beginning of After was so much more than just a “death” book, instead it was more about moving on and coming to peace with the past while keeping part of it close.

As mentioned before, Castle’s writing was also fabulous. She truly knows how to write an emotional read, which makes me truly think she’s going to be the next big gem in YA.

So, pick up some tissues and prepare for a long night, as Jennifer Castle’s spectacular debut is one you will not be able to put down once you start, not even for a second.

Grade: A+

The Beginning of After is now out!

Source: Author/Publicist- thanks Jennifer/HarperTeen!