[Review] Vivian Apple and the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Katie Coyle
Vivian Apple at the End of the World
#1 Vivian Apple [YA dystopia]

You can buy it here:
Vivian Apple at the End of the World (Hardcover)

FTC: I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: (via Netgalley)
Sixteen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.

My thoughts:
I am so torn with this novel! On one hand, I loved the story in general, but on the other hand, there were a few things that still bug me. I have questions about the rapture, about the New Orphans (the group formed after the rapture that opposes the teachings of the Church of America), and Peter... 

In the long run, though, I'm just glad that we have a YA without instant love, without a love triangle, with a kickass heroine who doesn't need a guy to save the day necessarily, and her Indian-American bff Harp, Harpreet! 

This book is also available for the Kindle as Vivian Versus the Apocalypse.
The series also includes:
2) Vivian Apple needs a miracle (paperback)

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Pawn by Aimee Carter

Aimee Carter: Pawn [YA dystopia]

You can buy this here via Amazon:
Hardcover
Paperback
Kindle

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (via Goodreads):
YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.
For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.
If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.
There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

My thoughts:
This first book in the Blackcoat Rebellion series was absolutely thrilling! Kitty has a choice - live as a III as due to her dyslexia, she did not score well, and live in misery at the bottom of society, or be transformed into the Prime Minister's niece and live at the top of society as part of -the most powerful family. Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece died and she needs to be replaced. Due to her physical appearance, Kitty is a good choice to be transformed into Lila. What Kitty does not know is that Lila was at the head of the Blackcoat Rebellion, trying to bring down the class system and toppling her own family off their "throne". Kitty's job as LIla's replacement would not only be to pretend she is Lila, but to also bring down the Blackcoat Rebellion. This novel has some amazing storytelling and character building. The world Aimée Carter built comes to live and Kitty jumps off the pages. Her dilemma is described vividly, and it is wonderful to see how each character changes and reveals their true faces after time. This is certainly a series I need to continue reading. to find out how Kitty and her friends continue on.

Rating:
5/5

[Review] The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Kady Cross
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
[Steampunk YA]

You can buy it here:
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Amazon paperback)
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Amazon eBook)

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: (via Netgalley)
What happens when someone you love becomes a weapon to use against you...

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her “straynge band of mysfits” have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade — the dangerous device Jasper stole from him... for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei’s neck tightens. And tightens.

From the rough streets of lower Manhattan to elegant Fifth Avenue, the motley crew of teens with supernatural abilities is on Jasper’s elusive trail. And they’re about to discover how far they’ll go for friendship.

More than ever, Finley Jayne will rely on powerful English duke Griffin King to balance her dark magic with her good side. Yet Griffin is at war with himself over his secret attraction to Finley...and will risk his life and reputation to save her. Sam, more machine than man, finds his moody heart tested by Irish lass Emily — whose own special abilities are no match for the darkness she discovers on the streets.

Now, to help those she’s come to care for so deeply, Finley Jayne must infiltrate a criminal gang. Only problem is, she might like the dark side a little too much...

My thoughts:
Let me get one thing out of the way: I love this series! I was reading The Girl in the Clockwork Collar on a university day and boy was I annoyed when my Kindle ran out of battery. I did not have all that many pages left and there the battery dies in the middle of a thrilling and suspenseful part. Oh my! I was very anxious to get home that day!

Finley is such a strong heroine, and this feeling did not let up in the least in this second book. She remains amiable, yet she kicks butt. She does not need the male characters to survive in a hard world, but she also does not push them away. In short, Finley rocks!

Seeing the friends in new waters was very interesting as they had to get used to new sets of rules in New York society. The characters' relationships with each other are ever evolving and kept me entertained. Their interactions remain fun in this installment and you will not be disappointed, however, the end may be a tad bit too obvious. This, however is my only complaint. Young Adult novels need stronger female leads and a broader cast, which Kady Cross sure delivered. As for me, I cannot wait to read The Girl with the Iron Touch, the next installment in this series.

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Stronger Than You Know by Jolene Perry

Jolene Perry
Stronger Than You Know
[YA contemporary]

You can buy it here:
Stronger Than You Know (Amazon hardcover)

FTC: I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (via Netgalley):
After police intervention, fifteen-year-old Joy has finally escaped the trailer where she once lived with her mother and survived years of confinement and abuse. Now living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in a comfortable house, she’s sure she’ll never belong. Wracked by panic attacks, afraid to talk to anyone at her new school, Joy’s got a whole list of reasons why she’s crazy. With immense courage, Joy finds friends and grows closer to her new family. But just when hope is taking hold, she learns she must testify in her mother’s trial. Can she face her old life without losing her way in the new one? Will she ever truly belong in a world that seems too normal to be real?

My thoughts:
This was the most heartbreaking, super emotional book I have read in a while! Joy was taken from her mother after years of every kind of abuse you can imagine, after being locked in their home and not being alowed to get out. When the police get her out, she ends up living with her aunt's and her family. I loved everything about the book! Joy slowly learned to trust people again, to feel comfortable around them and to be confident.

I first heard about the book online and a few people mentioned that they felt there was not much happening apart from her healing and dealing with what happened to her. While I see what they are saying, I have to disagree. Her healing and dealing with what happened is important. Everything else would have distracted from the story. Her healing was slow, but I felt the author did a great job of making Joy's transition seem normal, yet it did not drag out.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Joy was such a strong girl. She was brave and she survived so much. I just want to hug her long and tell her what a wonderful person she is. The same goes for her Aunt Diana and Uncle Rob. They took her in and treated her like she was their daughter. They were worried about her, they took care of her and did everything in their power to give her a happy life. They fought for her when Joy could not do it herself. Jolene Perry even portrayed Joy's cousins in a very realistic way. They were close to each other and - being teens - did not always understand why things were so different for Joy, so they acted inconsiderate at times, even rude. Nonetheless, they changed when they learned more. And that leads me to Justin and Daisy. These two are the best friends you can imagine. I loved how they both drew out different aspects of Joy.

It broke my heart to slowly understand what all Joy had to endure for the first fifteen years of her life, but what really, really moved me and brought tears to my eyes over and over again was how strong Joy was. She found joy in her life and learned how to trust people after all that had happened to her. Joy is easily one of my all-time favorite YA characters ever!

Rating:
5/5

[Review] Golden by Jessi Kirby

Jessi Kirby
Golden
[Contemporary YA]

You can buy it here:
Golden (Amazon hardcover)
Golden (Amazon paperback)
Golden (Amazon e-book)

FTC: I bought this myself.

Summary (via Goodreads):
Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

My thoughts:
Now, this book has a history with me. I started reading it when I was about 8 months pregnant and finished it shortly before the boy turned one year old (now 2 weeks ago). Yes, it took me that long to finish it. But this does not mean I did not like it or that it is a slow read or anything. Mostly, I did not manage to finish it before giving birth because the last few weeks were peppered with lastminute tasks (like - moving, getting settled and sleeping) and I also just could not focus on anything. I would bring the book with me for routine checkups and that was about all the time I had to read. After the boy was born, I did not have the time to properly sit down and read for a good part of his first year. He loves having people around and he can be very insisting. So, to make it short, I did not get to read much after he was born and when about a month before his birthday I had some time alone, I brought Golden back out to finally finish it and find out what happened to the town's golden couple along with Parker.

This novel was (and still is) food for thought in my opinion. The theme here is making choices yourself and facing them. Parker is a good girl who always does what her mother tells her to do. Her life is completely directed by her mother, and any thoughts and ideas she may have about her future are instantly shot down. When she starts investigating the disappearence of Julianna and Shane, she slowly learns to make her own decisions and stand up for them in order to live life and not just be a passenger on the trip. I really loved how Parker grew as the story progressed.

The mystery behind the disappearance was really interesting as we learn more about the secondary characters and naturally about Julianna and Shane. I loved how Jessi Kirby wrapped it all up in the end. We may not know everything that happens after Parker figures out the mystery behind the disappearance, but I as the reader know enough to have my own thoughts and ideas.

If you like a mystery and a main character that really grows throughout the story, you will find gold with this book! (The pun is a coincidence, sorry if you don't like them ;) )

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

Annabel Pitcher
Ketchup Clouds
[YA contemporary]

You can buy it here:
Ketchup Clouds (Amazon hardcover)

FTC: I bought this myself.

Summary:
Secrets, romance, murder and lies: Zoe shares a terrible secret in a letter to a stranger on death row in this second novel from the author of the bestselling debut, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece.

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret—a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Harris, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder.

Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can—in letters to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal.

My thoughts:
Sadly, this book fell flat for me. I fell in love with the cover and the blurb sounded like this would be an intriguing story, however, it just did not work for me. There is so much going on, from Zoe's letters to the deathrow inmate confessing she murdered a boy and her feelings of guilt to Zoe's family's problems, to Zoe's love problems and more family problems and secrets and illness. It was really overwhelming and I felt as if none of it was presented to the full extent.

While I usually enjoy letter-style narration, in this case it bothered me. I never got a feeling I could relate to or connect with any of the characters. The idea of writing a series of confessional letters to a deathrow inmate seemed so good, but for me, in the end, it did not work out simply because Zoe writes those letters on the premises that she committed a crime similar to that of the inmate, Mr. Harris, when the facts show something different. I understand that she feels guilty and has no one to talk to about her guilt and her feelings, but I read the book waiting for her crime to be revealed only to experience this letdown (it was not a crime committed or anywhere near a crime).

The two biggest letdowns for me were the actual "murder" and the epilogue, which in my opinion did not much for the book. It was set in another country, and while it was told from one of the main characters' POV, I still fail to see the reason behind this epilogue.

This being said, I think the story would probably appeal to many other readers. Taking into account my backstory - being a 30 year old mom and having studied a few semesters of law - I think this just was not a book for me. I kept waiting for the crime and I just do not see it, I went into this book expecting one thing and came out getting something completely different.

Rating:
2/5

[Review] The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Cassandra Rose Clarke
The Assassin's Curse
[YA fantasy]

You can buy it here:
The Assassin's Curse (Amazon paperback)

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (via Netgalley):
Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. And when Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn't really know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together. To break the curse, Ananna and the assassin must complete three impossible tasks-all while grappling with evil wizards, floating islands, haughty manticores, runaway nobility, strange magic, and the growing romantic tension between them.

My thoughts:
Whew! I was updating my Goodreads status infrequently with this book because - and I quote from the status updates "I'm flying through this book like the world ends tomorrow & knowing the end might save us". This statement (about 70% in the story) is a very accurate description of my reading style with this book and of my feelings.

First, let me say, the cover is a dream! I love it so much, it was the main reason for why I requested it. The story involving a female pirate, an assassin, wizards and magic just added to the positive feeling I had going into it already. And this book just gave me everything. Not just the cover, but the story as well, lived up to my positive feeling and I can only say I am thrilled. I cannot wait to read more about Ananna and Naji (the assassin in the title). Their story is wonderfully written and absolutely riveting. Ananna is a wonderful, strong character who would not obey her parents and marry a boy she just met, so she ran away and ended up being stuck with Naji, an assassin who attempted to kill her. And this is where the action begins!

Cassandra Rose Clark managed to put me under a spell with her writing and her characters. The story did not just flow, it raced and before I knew it, I was on the last pages - and completely in awe, but also upset that I would have to leave Ananna and Naji. This being said, the second book in this series, The Pirate's Wish is already out, so if you start reading the series now, you will not end up in a bind like I did when I finished The Assassin's Curse. And if that is not enough, there are two short stories or novellas out as well: The Witch's Betrayal and The Automaton's Treasure.

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Roomies by Sara Zarr & Tara Altebrando

Sara Zarr & Tara Altebrando
Roomies
[contemporary YA]

You can buy it here:
Roomies (Amazon hardcover)
Roomies (Amazon paperback)

FTC: I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: (via Netgalley)
It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.
As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.
National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

My thoughts:
What happens when two girls who are absolute opposites are placed as roommates in college? Elizabeth - EB - is an only child who lives with her mother only on the East Coast, whereas Lauren is the oldest child in a family of many (eight, I believe) and lives in a house in San Francisco with both her parents. Lauren originally requested a single room, so she is bummed when she gets her roommate assignment. Just once, she wanted to have a room all to herself. EB on the other hand is happy to not be alone. She always hoped to have siblings, so she's excited to meet her new roommate.

Over the summer, the girls write each other emails to get to know each other, but their lives also change. I enjoyed the dual point of view in this novel a lot. Sometimes it can bog down the development of the story, but with Roomies it worked out just perfect.

Now, what would a young adult novel without some love interests? Over the summer, the girls also meet boys that summer and this is a nice addition.The boys seem to complement the girls even, so it was not overdone or set up to cause drama, which happens frequently.

All in all, I am very happy with how this novel turned out and I am glad I got to read it! If you enjoy dual point of view in young adult novels, give this one a try!

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Impostor by Susanne Winnacker

Susanne Winnacker
Impostor
1st Variants
[YA paranormal]

You can buy it here:
Impostor (Amazon hardcover)
Impostor (Amazon paperback)
Impostor (Amazon eBook)

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: (via Netgalley)
X-Men meets Veronica Mars in this thrilling first book in the VARIANTS series

Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she's spent the last two years with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. There she trains with other Variants, such as long-term crush Alec, who each have their own extraordinary ability.

When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again. Tessa hates everything about being an impostor - the stress, the danger, the deceit - but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she'd do anything to keep.

Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.

'Fun and suspenseful' Marissa Meyer, New York Times bestselling author of CINDER

My thoughts:
X-Men meets Veronica Mars? I'm not so sure about that. I did not see much of Veronica Mars' character or abilities in Tessa, to be honest. The X-Men part though, that one I agree with. I have a proposition for a better match of a second show, but we'll come to that at the end.

Tessa does not have her ability completely in check, when she is thrust into her first investigation in order to find a serial killer, so some things go wrong and she does things she knows she should not do even before her assignment - like impersonate a fellow variant in order to get a kiss from a certain hot guy. In some ways, Tessa is still very much a teenager, yet, she is tasked with a job for an adult. In fact, I think even adults might have problems with her task.

Her pining for her colleague, Alec, who has a girlfriend, even though she is portrayed as an evil hag, and Alec's confusing behavior towards Tessa (come hither, stay away) was what annoyed me quite some times. I wanted to tell her "Girl, you will find a better guy, one who does not have a girlfriend, no matter how hot you think he is right now!" multiple times throughout the book.

Now, my first problem was the end. I'm not sure it was the best end the book could have and the way the mystery was resolved was a bit off. While the main idea behind it reminds me of the counterorganization of X-Men, and I believe it would be very likely, if variants existed, something simply felt off to me. Also, in the end I feel incredibly sorry for Madison's family, as they have to deal with the loss of their daughter now.

Secondly, Tessa often seemed unable to really do anything despite two years of training. Granted, two years is not much when it comes to the art of spying and crime solving (want to check how long it takes for people to join any federal crime solving agency?), however, I believe she should have been more capable, whether she has fully mastered her variant or not.

I believe this series has lots of room to grow into something amazing! Like I said before, it really reminds me in X-Men meets Get Smart. You have the heroes with the supernatural abilities, and looking at Tessa, you have the clumsy spy on top of that. Since I love both shows, this worked well for me, despite the issues I had.

Rating:
3.5/5

[Review] The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Naturals 1st The Naturals
[YA mystery]

You can buy it here:
The Naturals (Amazon hardcover)
The Naturals(Amazon paperback)

FTC: I recieved an eARC via Netgalley for review.

Summary: (via Netgalley.com)
Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But, it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there's more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms close. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Think The Mentalist meets Pretty Little Liars—Jennifer Lynn-Barnes’ The Naturals is a gripping psychological thriller with killer appeal, a to-die-for romance, and the bones of a gritty and compelling new series.

My thoughts:
I heard a lot about this book before diving in. Some related it to Criminal Minds, some to The Mentalist - and many said it was like those crime shows, but for young adults. To me, all these comments do have a point, but: I love the book with or without the similarities to shows I admittedly enjoy a lot. To me, The Naturals was a nice entrance to a new series that hopefully will not end after book two or three.

Our main character, Cassie, has been through a lot in her few years. Her mother was brutally murdered (no spoilers here!) and she lived with family until she decided to go off on an adventure on her own, when she is recruited as a sort-of profiler for the FBI. She will be one of a team of young adults with special abilities. Where seasoned agents have to learn the tricks of the trade, these young people have a natural gift and I found the explanation considerably reasonable. They do not have supernatural abilities, they just have natural traits that help them notice things sooner than other people. It only recquired a minimal amout of suspension of disbelief on my part, especially as I have met people who could pinpoint to certain important aspects way before anyone else had noticed.

Cassie stumbles into her new home with her team mates just as a new serial killer is on the loose and the FBI agents responsible for the project are in the midst of it. While the young adults are supposed to stay out of it, we all know what a big "No" does - it entices even more. And thus, the action starts for all of them.

The novel was gripping from the start and would not let go even after I read it. Jennifer Lynn Barnes did a wonderful job working out the different characters. They came to live to me and I had no problems imagining them standing right in front of me, in all their colorful (or dark, in some cases) glory. I thoroughly enjoyed The Naturals and am looking forward to the second book in this series, which will be out later this year!

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Camp Payback by J.K. Rock

J.K. Rock
Camp Payback
2nd Camp Boyfriend
[contemporary YA]

You can buy it here:
Camp Payback (Amazon paperback)
Camp Payback (Amazon eBook)

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley for review.

Summary: (via Netgalley.com)
Alex has big plans for camp this year, starting with making it the best summer ever. Having fun and breaking some rules will get her the payback she wants against her parents and her ex-boyfriend. Because of his disgusting texts, she's headed to a super strict all-girls school in the fall. Then she meets Javier and revenge doesn't seem nearly as important as getting to know the troubled loner determined to keep a low profile at camp. But Alex's trouble-magnet personality and Javier's need to stay in the background don't mix nearly as well as their irresistible chemistry. With her home life eroding under her feet and her last year of summer camp speeding to a close, Alex wants to make her mark on the world and squeeze every bit of fun out of her time with Javier. Too bad her old plans for revenge turn back on her just in time to ruin everything. Will she lose Javier too?

My thoughts:
After reading Camp Boyfriend (my review) I could not wait to read Camp Payback. I knew I would not see Lauren again, as she was off to another kind of summer experience, but her friends would be there still, along with some newcomers. This time around, Alex is the focus of the story. Her family is well-known throughout the United States for her parents' blog on all things parenting and child-rearing. The catch? Alex is the poster child for problematic kids, whereas her brother is the apple of his parents' eye. While she is described as a trouble-magnet, I believe it's more a matter of misunderstanding and of other people's expectations due to how she is described in her parents' blog that really cause the troubles for Alex. I really liked Alex a lot, and this book gave a lot of insight into who she is.

Javier has a vastly different backstory. He grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and led a difficult life. He is working hard on redeeming himself and the camp is his last chance to turn things around. At times he seemed it bit odd how he is on one hand all involved in seizing his chance and then he still risks it for Alex. Taking into account his age, however, I believe this can be explained.

One of the antagonists in this installment were Vijay. He was Alex' former camp boyfriend who significantly changed over the past months. This change ultimately led to the latest fallout Alex had with her parents, and everybody wonders what caused this change. I almost wish there would have been more information on this, but he is not a main character, so the amount of information and background provided by the authors (J.K. Rock is a pseudonym for a writing team) is actually well delivered. The second somewhat-antagonist was Yasemine, the new girl in Alex' bunk. I admit, she did go on my nerves quite a few times. She seemed to be this goody two shoes who always had an answer for Alex' troubles, whether it was asked for or not, which I found extremely annoying.

Some of my favorite scenes in this book were set at a TV set, which may be unlikely, but it gave Alex a break from the camp drama and also helped her figure out what she wanted to do with her life. I enjoyed that for a change Alex seemed to glow and actually knew what she wanted to do, after all those years of being told what to do and still not fitting in.

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Williams
Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous
[contemporary YA]
240 pages
Henry Holt and Company, NY

You can buy it here:
Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous (hardcover)
Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous (Amazon eBook)

FTC: I bought this book with my own money.

Summary: (from the cover flap)
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Nicolaides was practically raised in the kitchen of her family's Italian-Greek Taverna Ristorante. When her best friend, Alex, tries to persuade her to audition for a new reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, Sophie is reluctant - could chopping onions in her family's super-traditional restaurant have prepared her to compete against young chefs from all over the country? On the other hand, she'd get to spend the summer in Napa, California, and the prize includes a full scholarship to an elite culinary school and even national fame.

Once she's on the set, Sophie finds herself surrounded by drama - including a burn book, cutthroat celebrity judges, and a very cute French student. Sophie must figure out how to survive the heat and still stay true to herself. In this fresh and hearty novel, food, friendship, and romance take center stage.

My thoughts:
This is one delicious novel that makes you drool while reading! Not only the recipes that are a nice addition to any food-related book, but also the various dishes prepared by the teen chefs on the fictional show. Just thinking about the book makes me feel hungry again, and it has been worse while I was reading it (luckily, I could easily whip up a microwave cookie or a microwave brownie while reading to keep at least the sweet tooth filled).

The characters were not all new, but nonetheless very loveable. In general, some of the contestants may have been a bit naive, when it came to the ins and outs of reality TV, which was a bit tedious from time to time, but all in all, the story and their interactions were so cute, it is pretty much negligible.

The romance for me was mostly that of food, though there was a tiny love triangle that was resolved without much emphasis on what was going on. To some readers, this may be bothersome, as the resolution seemed to come out of nowhere. Despite that, both boys played their role in the life of our main character, Sophie, and their importance to the plot was obvious, so it can be forgiven.

If you like food, cute young adult novels and some drama, I recommend you pick up a copy of Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous. And maybe try one (or all!) of the recipes. I know I will!

Rating:
3.5/5

[Review] Camp Boyfriend by J.K. Rock

J.K. Rock
Camp Boyfriend
[contemporary YA]

You can buy it here:
Camp Boyfriend (Amazon paperback)
Camp Boyfriend (Amazon eBook)

FTC: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary: (via Netgalley)
The summer of her dreams is about to get a reality check.

They said it couldn't be done, but geeky sophomore Lauren Carlson transformed herself into a popular girl after moving to a new school halfway across the country. Amazing what losing her braces and going out for cheerleading will do. Only trouble is, the popular crowd is wearing on Lauren's nerves and she can't wait to return to summer camp where she's valued for her brain instead of her handsprings. She misses her old friends and most of all, her long time camp-only boyfriend, Seth. This year she intends to upgrade their relationship to year-round status once she's broken up with her new, jock boyfriend, Matt. He doesn't even begin to know the real her, a girl fascinated by the night sky who dreams of discovering new planets and galaxies.

But Matt isn't giving her up without a fight. As he makes his case to stay together, Lauren begins to realize his feelings run deeper than she ever would have guessed. What if the guy she thought she was meant to be with forever isn't really The One? Returning to Camp Juniper Point was supposed to ground her uprooted life, but she's more adrift than ever. Everything feels different and soon Lauren's friends are turning on her and both guys question what she really wants. As summer tensions escalate, Lauren wonders if she's changed more than she thought. Will her first big discovery be herself?

My thoughts:
It has been a long time since I last had the energy to review a book, with the baby and all (he doesn't sleep much during the day, so there's hardly any reading time for me anyway). However, I finished Camp Boyfriend this afternoon and knew I couldn't continue the series without writing a review first. Let's see if I can still manage to write a review then.

The cast in this adorable young adult novel is made up of a wide variety of characters. There are (among others) jocks, cheerleaders, queen bees, nerds - and sometimes, characters are really part of more than one of those groups. Lauren's main difficulty in this book is trying to figure out who she really is after spending the majority of her life as a major nerd, who was just transformed into a popular girl by her mother upon a move her family made. Returning to the camp, she thinks she will be back to her old self, however, things do not go as planned.

J.K. Rock's writing captured me from the start and is so easygoing, it did not take me long to finish the book in a few short sittings. By the way, J.K. Rock is actually a writing team, Joanne and Karen Rock. Joanne RockIndividually, they are be known to readers of romance novels for their Harlequin novels. The Camp Boyfriend series is their first aray into the young adult section, and I believe they did a good job capturing the voice of teenagers and the way they perceive the world.

I had not read the prequel novella, Camp Kiss before I read Camp Boyfriend, because I was not aware of it. I do not feel it hindered my understanding of the cast and how they interacted. Nonetheless, I want to read it soon, to see how the relationship between Lauren and Seth initially developped.

Rating:
4/5

[Review] The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Ashley Elston: The Rules for Disappearing
[YA mystery/thriller]
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 978-1-4231-6897-3
312 pages

You can buy it here:
The Rules for Disappearing

Summary: (from Goodreads.com)
She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

My thoughts:
My thoughts about this book may be quite choppy, but I will try my best.

I have seen various shows and movies and read books about the witness protection system. Usually it is either portrayed as a flawed system that has problems keeping the people brought in safe and you can see the problems the witnesses have with their life, but hardly ever do we get to see a book from the point of view of a minor in the system (off the top of my head, I vaguely remember one other book from long, long ago, but there the premise was entirely different). Ashley Elston instead concentrates on Meg, the minor who is in the witness protection program, and through her eyes shows the trials and tribulations Meg's entire family goes through. It is not easy for either of her family members, and we see it all. Elston does not sugarcoat anything. The many changes of lives in the family due to possibly being found out, the small mistakes that can cause a change of address (and name) for Meg's family - through flashbacks and Meg's memories, we find out what happened in her previous locations.

The one thing we are kept in the dark about is the why. Why is Meg's family in the program? What happened that made them have to disappear, to fear for their lives? Slowly, almost at the same time as Meg do we uncover bits and pieces of what happened, what got them in the situation.

The suspense and tension kept me aboard throughout the book and the more light-hearted moments kept a nice balance. I enjoyed that many of the fun moments included Ethan and that he was a loyal friend to Meg no matter what. In fact, the loyalty the teenagers in this book showed was impressive and I believe it is a step into the right direction, even though they sometimes went a bit overboard.

Nonetheless, I think the suspense could have been kept up a bit longer. My main issue was the quick resolve of the family's place in the witness protection program.

If you are looking for a good young adult novel where the parents are finally not only not absent, but also try to do the best for their children, this book should please you. They have problems of their own and try to deal with them as best as they can, but they are also there for the children in their own way. Not everyone may agree with their ideas of how to deal with certain situations, but the situation is an extreme one and with the issues that are later revealed, I can in part understand and sympathize with the parents' actions.

Rating:
4/5

FTC: I received an e-galley from the publisher through Netgalley and I bought a hardcover copy with my own money.

[Audiobook Review] James Dashner: The Maze Runner

[YA, dystopic fiction]

You can buy it here:
The Maze Runner (Book 1)

Summary (from Goodreads):
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.

But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive at the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

My thoughts:
The Maze Runner was the first book I finished through the last Bout of Books. This book left me with somewhat mixed feelings. At times I wished it progressed faster, the timing did not always work out for me. At times, it just felt too long until something happened. I was never close to not finishing the book, but occasionally it took me a bit to get into the story. It just did not always flow as easily for me. Nonetheless I enjoyed the developments and the story, all things considered. If it were not for the pacing, I would not have much to complain about with The Maze Runner.

As it happens in series, some questions remain unanswered at the end of The Maze Runner and I hope they will all be answered by the time the series is over. The end of The Maze Runner certainly made me curious to find out more about the world the teenagers live in, what happened and what other obstacles they will have to face.

The narrator's voice was pleasant to listen to. Not once did it put me off and I could easily follow. I have sometimes made the experience that I have to be in rather quiet surroundings in order to not misunderstand parts and subsequently have to go back a bit in the story to catch up. Here, Mark Deakins, the narrator, spoke clear and without an Accent (something I do enjoy if it works with the book, like M.C. Beaton's Hamish MacBeth series, which drips with accent and Scottish colloquialisms).

Rating:
3.5/5

FTC: Purchased with 1 credit from my Audible subscription (for which I pay for myself)

[Review] Ally Carter: Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5)

Ally Carter: Out of Sight, Out of Time
[YA spy/mystery]
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 978-1-423-14804-3
320 pages

You can buy it here:
Out of Sight, Out of Time (Amazon, paperback)

Summary:
The last Thing Cammie remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy. After that, there's nothing. She knows she left school in order to protect her friends and family, but what happened in the months she has been missing? With the help of her friends who are still upset with her, Cammie has to find out what happened in the previous months before she resurfaced at a nunery in the Alps.

My thoughts:
So, I do not need to repeat how much I love the Gallagher Girls. The series is amazing as it is and I could not possibly imagine what it will be like when Ally Carter decides to write the last entry in the series. Sadness all over? Certainly! But what else? I'm sure it will be hard for fans like me. But with this fifth installment in the Gallagher Girls series, we come very close to the end of the girls’ senior year, so it is a valid point - one we need to think about. But not right now, as there is no end in sight yet.

Ally Carter lets us jump right into the story of Out of Sight, Out of Time. There is no time left to reacclimatize with the characters and what happened in previous books. While this can sometimes be annoying, Ally Carter seems to have mastered the art of putting us right back into the story, even if it has been a while since the last Gallagher Girl novel (in my case it was even longer than usual because my copy just would not ship and I had to cancel and re-order it). Also, in the case of Out of Sight, Out of Time, there is probably no smooth way to bring us into the story. After all, Cammie has lost her memory!

Ally Carter brings us to a number of settings outside of the school in this installment and while they are mere backdrops, the feeling is always different. The nunery in the Alps feels different from the Italian streets we walk on, and we revisit many old acquaintances from previous books - and there is even a big surprise in it for everyone! In fact, there's even more than one surprise. But you have to read Out of Sight, Out of Time yourself, to find out. I'm not giving anything away here.

Out of Sight, Out of Time is another wonderful installment in a series that shows girls that they can do it too! They do not need men to fight the bad people and they are not less intelligent, a sentiment that is still prevalent in some areas. The language at times may not be suitable for girls under 11 years old (but realistically, chances are they heard it all before).

Rating:
4.5/5

FTC: I bought this book with my own money.

[Review] Bonnie Vanak: The Covert Wolf

Bonnie Vanak: The Covert Wolf
[paranormal romance]
Harlequin
ISBN: 978-0373885510
288 pages

You can buy it here:
The Covert Wolf (Amazon mass market paperback)
The Covert Wolf (Amazon eBook)

Summary: (from the publisher)
Pheonix Force: Elite navy SEALS with paranormal abilities

Loyalties collide, passions ignite and a high-stakes adventure ensues in Bonnie Vanak’s sensual new military series…

When a mission gone wrong kills his best friend, navy SEAL Matthew Parker will stop at nothing to destroy the demons who threaten his team. To do so, Matt must locate a mysterious orb before the demons use it to destroy the world. But the only woman who can help him—Sienna McClare—has her own agenda…and every reason for hating his kind.

A half blood, Sienna hopes returning the orb to her people will gain her acceptance back into the only family she’s known. But working with a Draicon werewolf like Matt comes with a high price—one that could cost Sienna her dreams.

A natural-born leader, her werewolf lover must now teach Sienna to listen to her heart—and go where their allconsuming passion leads them…

My thoughts:
So you know I'm a sucker for good romance novels, and if they have some paranormal aspects, it's all the better! With The Covert Wolf we get paranormal romance with a possible world-ending mystery to solve. This just made me want to sqeal with joy. Throughout the book, you could see how the MC, Matthew Parker was still dealing with the loss of his best friend and the guilt he felt because he couldn't save him. Our heroine Sienna, on the other hand, had to deal with being rejected by her family for her entire life because she was different. These two characters both had their issues, which incidentally overlapped and made them opposing characters to a certain degree, but really, I do not want to spoiler you here! The book is well worth you time, so I recommend you pick it up if you can deal with the minor problems I had (see below).

The plot just keeps you going and makes you wonder where it will all end and how. Will there be a happy end? Will they be able to save the world? Who exactly is behind all the bad things happening? And will Sienna and Matthew be able to solve their issues? All this kept me going and made me hate having to take a break for my classes at university (I read this on a school day).

Now, my only two issues with the book: To me it seemed rather convenient to have Matthew reveal his telepathic abilities at the time he did. In the middle of all the trouble, he can help Sienna out with that on a rather big aspect? I would have prefered to hear about possible telepathy earlier on. And then, we know from the summary that Matthew is a werewolf, so here we go with the transforming: When he transforms there are sparks! And he's shimmering in crimson! Am I the only one who thinks of Twilight Edward when she reads shimmering and sparks? It just distracted me a little bit.

Nonetheless, these few issues did not really diminish the fun I had reading The Covert Wolf. As it is still available, I can only recommend you get your hands on a copy if you like werewolves, paranormal romance and the possible end of the world.

Rating:
3.5/5

FTC: eGalley received from publisher through Netgalley

[Review] Victoria Schwab : The Archived

[YA]

You can buy it here:
The Archived (Amazon)

Rating:
5/5

FTC: eGalley received from publisher through Netgalley

Summary: (from Publisher)
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard won redemption.

My thoughts:
What a ride! Every reader has those few books that grip him and won’t let go right after finishing. These are the best books, and to find them is a search that will never end. For me, the sneak peek of The Archived (Please note, I only read part of the book, I received a sneak peek!) is a book that fits the bill 100%.

In this alternate reality, the dead are stored in an archive, they are histories kept by librarians and sometimes, one of them escapes. This is where our heroine, Mac, comes into play. She is a Keeper, and her job is to return escaped Histories to the Archive and to prevent them from getting out into the real world.

The world Schwab imagined is just wonderful, fantastic and full of the most conflicting feelings. You dive in and there’s no time to catch your breath, you don’t even want to! It’s an amazingly thrilling, sweetly dangerous adventure in a world so very similar to ours.

Now, The Archived is one book I will have to barter with. I was put on a book buying ban, but I absolutely need to read this! It is a craving that is as bad as a craving for chocolate – and if you know me, you know I live and breathe for chocolate!

[Review] Susan Mallery : Summer Days

[romance]

You can buy it here:
Summer Days (Amazon)
Summer Days (Amazon eBook)
These are affiliate links!

Rating:
2.5/5

FTC: eGalley received from Publisher through Netgalley - no money was exchanged and the review is my opinion only

Summary: (from the publisher, as provided on Netgalley
Rafe is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to—the Castle Ranch in Fool’s Gold, California. He made millions facing ruthless adversaries in the boardroom, but nothing could’ve prepared him to go head-to-head against stubborn, beautiful Heidi Simpson. No one is more surprised than Rafe to discover that he’s finding Heidi—and life as a cowboy—much more compelling than he wants to admit.

For Heidi, the Castle Ranch is the home she’s always wanted. After a life on the road, the vivacious blonde has finally put down roots. She won’t give that up without a fight, not even for a man whose late-night kisses make her yearn to be a little less…wholesome.

As the two turn from passionate adversaries to passionate, period, they’ll discover that summer love can last a lifetime.

My thoughts:
Returning to this quirky small town called Fool’s Gold is always enjoyable. The characters usually are a pleasure and for a bigger family, whether they are related or not and even the reader feels included in the events in town. Mallery’s writing style never disappoints me. It may not be comparable to Shakespeare or Chaucer, but readers shouldn’t expect that.
Returning to see how all the old friends are handling their life and the changes they go through – marriage and children being only two examples – is a joy I can never resist.
With this 7th novel set in Fool’s Gold, however, I had one major issue: Rafe, the hero!
He is a pain in my booty and I disliked him for most of the book. His overbearing personality, his knowitall attitude and his unbendable, unchangeable opinions just drove me crazy. I would almost say I hated him for most of the book, not only for how he treated our heroine and her grandfather, but also his own family and everyone around him.

Attention, major spoilers ahead! (Please highlight to read.)

Thanks to Rafe, the ending just felt wrong and almost rushed. It was so anticlimactic I wanted to cry and throw the book across the room – and I might have done it, had it not been on my precious Kindle! Basically, our heroine, Heidi, decides she must tell Rafe that she loves him and follows him to LA, where she finds him in his office with a woman she doesn’t know. She immediately thinks the worst of him, which is no surprise considering his previous behavior, and… Takes it out on the woman! Not on Rafe, but the woman – who later turns out to be the decorator. The happy ending is already there right after they tell each other “I love you”. I feel cheated out of at least two more pages of story. There must have been something missing in my book, because clearly, this is not an ending Susan Mallery would normally write.

[Minireview] Artist Arthur : Manifest

[paranormal YA]

You can buy it here:
Manifest (Amazon paperback)
Manifest (Amazon eBook)

Summary: (from the publisher)
Krystal Bentley is an outsider at her new high school, having just moved to a small Connecticut town. Lately she's been hearing the voice of a teenage boy in her head, and he has become her friend and confidant. The only problem is, he's dead...

Ricky Watson was killed a year ago in the alley behind Krystal's new school. The rumor mill is filled with stories of Ricky and his untimely death. Unfortunately, as a ghost, Ricky is unable to investigate his own murder, so Ricky needs Krystal to find the truth and she needs someone to listen. When Krystal befriends Sasha and Jake, both outcasts at her high school, the threesome soon discover that they have more in common than their outsider status. Each has a unique paranormal ability and an unusual birthmark in the shape of an "M." Jake announces that the M must stand for misfits, and so the three form an unusual clique. They soon realize that solving Ricky's murder can help them understand the mystery behind their powers and may reveal whether there are others like them.

My thoughts:

NOTE: This is mainly a summary of my thoughts as I read this book last year and and I still remember it quite well, but I may not remember all the details.

Krystal was not very happy when her Mom moved her away from her beloved home in order to move back to a small town in Connecticut and she had a hard time making friends. Once she stumbles across a ghost and a mystery, though, she meets Sasha and Jake, who seem to have a similar birthmark as Krystal.

After their initial difficulties, Krystal, Sasha and Jake build a team that works together. They form a connection that goes beyond your average high school friendship and it's obvious that despite their differences, they would pitch in for each other any time. It was this friendship despite the obstacle and odds, that made me enjoy Manifest even more. I enjoyed the mystery and the paranormal aspect of this book a lot. It kept me guessing throughout the book and while the mystery for the first novel was solved neatly, Artist Arthur left enough questions about the teen's paranormal abilities and their destiny to entice any reader to pick up the next book.

Rating:
4.25/5

FTC: I received an eGalley from the publisher via Netgalley.