The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna

Sophie Sophia can see things that other people can't. Well, asides from her dad who also has episodes where he travels and comes back with souvenirs. Travels as in sees crazy things. What sort of crazy things? Well, shaman pandas for starters. But her mother thinks Sophie might need to see a psychiatrist and the only other person who can understand what Sophie is going through--her father--is missing.

I feel like The Theory of Everything would make a great movie. There, I said it. Why? Because it's magical realism and if you decide to read it, it'll be hard not to see why this would translate so well to the screen. Sophie is an eccentric main character who is once again the new girl at a new school; she makes friends with Finny, a boy obsessed with science and physics, and he ends up helping her on her journey to better understand what causes her to travel. There's also mix tapes, music video-like episodes, a (music) band of panda bears, and a journey to New York City for answers.

However, I feel like I have to point this out: I feel like I would've liked to have closure when it came to her father. That was probably the one thing that bothered me and when you get to the end of The Theory of Everything, I'm pretty sure you'll understand what I mean. I really don't want to say anymore than that because, well, spoilers.

In all, the plot kept a steady pace and it was fun to see how Sophie handled things. I would point out--again--that this is more magical realism than anything and it does make for a very interesting read. If you've been thinking about giving The Theory of Everything a whirl, definitely go for it!

★★★★

The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna

Publisher: Philomel, an imprint at Penguin Group

Release Date: July 11, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via NetGalley and publisher.

Waiting on Wednesday #58

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

Summary via Goodreads:
A girl does a macabre dance with death in this eerie new novel from New York Times bestselling author Brenna Yovanoff.

The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record.  The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.

For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one.  Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders?  Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.

With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets.  She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

Paper Valentine is a hauntingly poetic tale of love and death by the New York Times bestselling author of The Replacement and The Space Between.

-----

That plot! That cover! Need I say more? 

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff is published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Group, and its expected publication date is January 8, 2013. 
. 

Waiting on Wednesday #52

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Nameless: A Tale of Beauty and Madness by Lili St. Crow

Summary via Goodreads:
A dark and eerie retelling of Snow White from Lili St. Crow,
New York Times bestselling author of the Strange Angels
series.

Sixteen-year-old Camille doesn’t remember her life before she was adopted by the powerful Vultusino family—the missing childhood years that left her scarred and silent. Now she lives a life
of luxury, protected by the supernatural Mafia Vultusinos, specially Nico, her adopted brother.

But Cami knows that she is not really Family. She is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until a mysterious boy approaches her and reveals scars of his own that Cami begins
to uncover the secrets of her past . . . to find out where she comes from and what danger she now finds herself in.

-----

Why am I looking forward to Nameless? Okay, if I'm being completely honest, the cover was what originally drew me to Nameless. However, after reading the summary, I can honestly say that this is something that I'll be looking into once it comes out. 

Nameless: A Tale of Beauty and Madness by Lili St. Crow is published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Group, and its expected publication date is April 4, 2013. 

So, what are you waiting on this week?
.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Samantha Reed, age seventeen, is the daughter of a state senator and you could definitely say that she follows the rules, at least until recently. The Garretts, their next door neighbors, have always been her mother's least favorite people and as such, off limits--although this was more of an unwritten rule. But Samantha has made a point of watching them and when Jase Garrett, the second oldest son of the Garrett household, makes a point of talking to her, well, she'll learn a lot about their house and how different it is from hers.

And the funny thing about the little summary I've just given you is this: that's not even the "big" thing that happens in My Life Next Door. What is it? Well, that I'm not telling you--because I think it's more fun to find out on your own. Let's just say that I didn't see it coming until it happened and that it changes things for both households.

So let's talk about Samantha Reed for a moment, yes? She's exactly the daughter that her mother expects her to be while her older sister, Tracy, is more rebellious. But don't worry, Samantha definitely comes into her own and in doing so, helps her mother come to her senses (in a sense). Then you've got Jase Garrett, who she gets very close with. He's such a sweetheart and I cannot imagine hating him at all. There were several occasions in which he made me smile and I hope that you'll love him as much as I did! While I could get into all of his siblings, I'll resist the urge and just tell you that his little brother, George, is adorable, full of facts, and cannot keep a secret--which, in this case, is simply endearing rather than a pain. There's a pretty awkward scene involving George, Samantha, and Jase--and believe me, you'll understand what I mean when you get there.

As for Samantha's family, her sister doesn't make much of an appearance and her mother is definitely there, but yes, they're a single parent household. As for her mother, well, I'd say that she doesn't exactly excel at being a mother; her campaign is really her focus and that much is evident throughout My Life Next Door. Not only that, but she's letting a man named Clay--who is very, very good at political campaigns--run her life (that's the easiest way to explain it). And Clay? Well, he doesn't seem too bad at first, but as things progress, you'll find out that he's scum and the reason behind why I've just said that will become all to evident.

Oh! But I can't not mention Tim! He started off as a complete jerk and for the longest time I thought that was all that he'd be during My Life Next Door; however, as it turned out, I was wrong! It does take him a while to turn around, but he definitely does! So if you're not thrilled with him at first, rest assured that he does change. As for Nan, well, I won't get into what I thought of her--but that'll make sense when you read My Life Next Door, I promise. In all, I really loved the Garretts and I loved how things played out. Also, I should probably warn you that there is some cursing in My Life Next Door--mainly from Tim--and that there is mention of sex as well (but it's not detailed nor distasteful).

Would I recommend My Life Next Door to you? Yes! This is definitely a contemporary to pick up if you're looking for an adorable romance that has a plot beyond just the romance.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Dial, an imprint of Penguin Group

Release Date: June 14, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Noelle has been relentlessly bullied at school for years and life at home isn't any better. But she'd rather lie than admit just how bad things are; the way that Noelle sees it, she only has to survive until graduation and then everything will be better. But something huge happens during the school year and Noelle will finally take a stand because of it.

I'll be honest, Keep Holding On really made me appreciate the high school I attended--in which there were about two thousand students and to the best of my knowledge, very few cases of bullying during my time there. Granted, of course, that I had my little group and due to it, I was relatively protected. So for me, Keep Holding On was an eye opening book, one that I'd recommend to everyone--both the victims of bullying and those who have--perhaps--been able to remain blissfully ignorant of it. Keep Holding On is definitely a powerful read and I can't imagine not feeling bad for Noelle.

For the record, Noelle's life is anything but easy and her home life? It's horrid. Her mother is so focused on herself that she really doesn't notice--or care--about Noelle (in my opinion). There's rarely ever anything in the fridge, she takes Noelle's money, and she's volatile. On the other hand, Noelle is very defensive--with good reason--and it does take her a while to stand up for herself, but when she does? I couldn't help but cheer her on. And I couldn't not mention Julian--who is indeed Noelle's love interest in Keep Holding On. It does take a while for the romance to get going--and it's definitely not the focus, which is totally fine--but when it finally kicked up, I had to toss my hands in the air and shout, "Finally!"

Other characters that I really enjoyed include Simon--who runs the school's literary magazine and is pretty much Noelle's personal hero for being an individual--and Ms. Scofield--who is nerdy beyond all reason and the school's Physics teacher. The cast of characters is really great and admittedly, if I were to have one problem with Keep Holding On, it'd be a minor one. What am I talking about? Noelle's school really felt like an us versus them mentality--with a few neutral kids. It felt--to me--like almost her entire school bullied her or at least, did nothing about it. I'm completely aware that Keep Holding On doesn't cover all of the students at Noelle's school and well, that's just my opinion.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend Keep Holding On to you if you want to read a story that deals with bullying.

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Publisher: Viking Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin Group

Release Date: May 31, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Kitty Tylney had always shared Catherine (Cat) Howard's dream of living at court and when Cat manages to ensnare King Henry VIII's heart, she makes good on her promise to bring Kitty to court. It's there, amid the glamor of court, that Kitty discovers just how important secrets are and just how deadly some can be.

Kitty is loyal to the bone, that much is definitely true; however, she does come off as a rather weak character for most of the book because of it. You see, she lets Cat walk all over her--although, to be fair, Cat is definitely in a position of power and not being on Cat's good side could ruin everything for Kitty. In that sense, Kitty's loyalty is both asset and flaw and well, don't worry, she definitely gains a backbone towards the end of Gilt. Then there are the boys: Edmund (a yeoman for the King) and William (who is in the employ of the Duke of Norfolk); both of them are definitely interested in Kitty and she seems more interested in one than the other--truth be told, I can definitely see why he's the better choice (despite one being more handsome than the other). I really can't get into why I liked or disliked one more than the other as that would definitely fall into the realm of spoilers, but I think you'll catch on (to who is better for Kitty) pretty quickly. Yes, there is romance in Gilt; however, it's really not the focus of Gilt--in my opinion--nor does it really get resolved (which would be why I'm glad that there will be another book).

Also, I should probably inform you that this book may be better suited to older teens given the time period and the things that went on quite commonly at court at that time--if you know what I mean. There's nothing graphic though, if you'd happen to be concerned by the possibility of that; and as for Katherine Longshore's writing style, well, it sucked me in. I loved the descriptions of the gowns, the jewels, and the occasional tapestry; they're not long winded, but they definitely paint a lovely picture. The order of events is definitely correct and in the author's note, Katherine does say that the only two characters who are more fiction than fact are--if I'm remembering this correctly--Edmund and William.

Overall, Gilt proved to be a wonderful historical read that really captures the era quite well and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where things go in the next book. Admittedly, I feel like this could've almost been a standalone and if that had been the case, I would've been quite happy with it; but as it's just the first book, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what will happen next! (And if you wanted to know, it's written entirely in first person from Kitty's point of view.) If you enjoy historical fiction set in the 15th century (and taking place in Henry VIII's court) as well as a bit of court intrigue, definitely pick up a copy of Gilt! 

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Publisher: Viking Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin Group

Release Date: May 15, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Waiting On Wednesday #45

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George

Summary via Goodreads:
The first young adult book by a #1 New York Times bestselling author

Whidbey Island may be only a ferry ride from Seattle, but it's a world apart. When Becca King arrives there, she doesn't suspect the island will become her home for the next four years. Put at risk by her ability to hear "whispers"--the thoughts of others--Becca is on the run from her stepfather, whose criminal activities she has discovered. Stranded and alone, Becca is soon befriended by Derric, a Ugandon orphan adopted by a local family; Seth, a kindhearted musician and high school dropout; Debbie, a recovering alcoholic who takes her in; and Diana, with whom Becca shares a mysterious psychic connection.

This compelling coming-of-age story, the first of an ongoing sequence of books set on Whidbey Island, has elements of mystery, the paranormal, and romance. Elizabeth George, bestselling author of the Inspector Lynley crime novels, brings her elegant style, intricate plotting, incisive characterization, and top-notch storytelling to her first book for teens.

-----

There's nothing about The Edge of Nowhere that I don't like the sound of. Seriously. But to be honest, I'm a bit skeptical as to how all of the plot will work out--which means that I have my fingers crossed and seriously hope that I'll like it. 

The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George is published by Viking Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin Group, and its expected publication date is September 4, 2012. 

So, what are you looking forward to this week? 
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Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

I'm always a bit cautious when it comes to fantasy novels and admittedly, that's what kept me from picking up Dragonswood initially. Having said that, I finally picked up a copy of Dragonswood last week and much to my surprise, I devoured it!

To keep from spoiling the book for you, I can only tell you so much though. Tess is a young woman who yearns to escape the tyranny of her father and who often goes over the wall into the Dragonswood--which is forbidden. When a witch hunter comes to town, her life is turned upside down as she is forced to flee--along with her two best friends. This is what causes her to run into Garth, the woodsman who saves their lives. But things are far from that simple, for Garth has quite the secret... as does Tess.

In the case of Dragonswood, I'd say that the romance takes a backseat to the actual plot. That's not to say that there isn't romance in Dragonswood, but it's there in such a manner that it supports the plot--if that makes any sense. Although I can't say that I was in love with Garth, I grew to like him quite a lot. My favorite part of Dragonswood? The fae and perhaps more specifically, the Mistress of the Hives and the wonderful gowns that she creates.

Cut into three parts, Dragonswood is quite the adventure and overall I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. If you enjoy fantasy and have been debating over reading Dragonswood, I'd definitely suggest that you give it a try! It's easy to follow and I found it to be an engrossing read!

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Publisher: Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group.

Release Date: January 5, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

This is--in all likelihood--going to be a pretty short review and it's not because I didn't love the book (because I definitely did), but because I don't want to give you any spoilers. However, to give you no spoilers, I'm going to have to limit my review to my overall impressions of the book without going into detail. If you've read Nightshade and Wolfsbane then you're already familiar with where Bloodrose begins and if you haven't read the first two books yet, read on at your own risk.

Things are tense in Bloodrose and although there is a bit of comedic relief, things are pretty somber. There are definitely some romantic scenes between Calla and Shay--and one that I particularly liked with Ren. But yes, she does make her choice in Bloodrose--but I'll let you learn about that on your own. The ending? Well, I'd say that it was pretty darn perfect. Seriously, I couldn't imagine it ending other way and as usual, the pacing was excellent. Andrea Cremer's writing style continues to keep me enthralled and I found myself getting lost in the story.

In short, Andrea Cremer has done it again and Bloodrose proves to be a thrilling conclusion to the Nightshade trilogy.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Publisher: Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Group.

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Legend by Marie Lu

June Iparis is the Republic's golden girl, bound to graduate from high school at age fifteen and headed towards a bright career in the military until an incident takes the life of her older brother, Metias. Now she's dead set on bringing Day--the Republic's most wanted criminal--to justice and she'll do whatever it takes to avenge her brother. But Day isn't the criminal that the Republic makes him out to be and when circumstances bring the two of them together, they'll uncover a few of the Republic's secrets and then? Everything changes.

I've been excited about Legend for quite some time now (due in large part to Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries) and I started reading Legend a little unsure of what to expect. By now, I really should know to trust bloggers with similar tastes; it's really a rare day when I don't enjoy a book that they did. Having said that, I will tell you that I enjoyed Legend immensely and if you've been sitting on the fence about it, I'm going to nudge you towards reading it. Why? Well, let's see if my review can't help convince you, eh?

Think of Day as Robin Hood; he's kind, he's cunning, and his motives are his own--but definitely not bad. The Republic sees him as the enemy and the Colonies see him as a potentially important member--if he'd ever accept their offers, which he hasn't. On the other hand, June is like Sherlock Holmes; she's almost too smart for her own good and states everything like it's common sense. June is also highly observant and I'd say that her heart--and morals--are in the right place. Together, they're even more interesting than they are when apart and I really can't wait to see where the next book will take their relationship.

I'm secretly cursing Marie Lu right now because I really liked Metias' character! Seriously, I was devastated when he was killed off--even though I knew that it was coming. I certainly didn't hate Thomas at first either but as the story advances, you'll see why my opinion of him changed. I'm also not so secretly hoping that we get to see more of Anden in the next book too! I am completely guilty of crushing on him--just a little--after that brief scene with him in it.

If you're potentially concerned by the fact that the points of view alternate between June and Day, I'm letting you know now that it's really not an issue. Everything flows together really nicely and the plot continues to thicken, all the way until the end of Legend. Should you read Legend? Yes! I also happen to think that fans of Divergent by Veronica Roth will really enjoy Legend. So what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy! ;)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Legend by Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin Group

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Crossed by Ally Condie

If you haven't read Matched yet and dislike spoilers, I would suggest that you stop reading now. As much as I dislike giving spoilers, this is the second book in a series and as such, there will--unavoidably--be spoilers for the first book.

Alternating between Cassia and Ky's point of view, Crossed takes you to the Outer Providence and the war that's being fought on the border, where Ky has been placed. Cassia has her heart set on finding Ky again, and she'll do whatever it takes to get back to him. Meanwhile, Ky is nothing more than a decoy, meant to die while in the Outer Providences; but dying isn't in his plans, as long as Cassia is still out there.

I know I'm not letting on about the adventure that the two of them go on in the Outer Providences, but there's a good reason for that and quite frankly, I think it's best that you read about it on your own. With that said though, I will force myself to admit that I did not enjoy Crossed as much as I enjoyed Matched. Why? Because there was a lack of Xander in Crossed and I personally felt that the romance has taken a backseat. It's not that Xander's presence isn't felt, but the romantic tension from Matched seems to have dissipated.

I will admit that I like Indie, a new character brought about in Crossed. She's crafty and smart, but at the same time I have a feeling that she's going to be Cassia's competition. If I didn't like Xander so much, I doubt I'd feel like this is much of a problem--but I really, really like him! There's also Eli, who reminds Ky of Cassia's younger brother and Hunter, a man living in the the Carving.

In Crossed, you'll learn about those who live outside of the Society, the canyon known as the Carving, and a group called the Rising who intend to bring about the end of Society. If you enjoyed Matched, you should probably enjoy Crossed as well--for although I didn't like it quite as much, I will admit that I liked it well enough (I only hope that there will be more romance in the next book).

Crossed by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, a part of Penguin Group

Release Date: November 1, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own. 

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I should probably warn you now, I'm not going to summarize Lola and the Boy Next Door like I would for my "normal" reviews. Why? Because there's no way that I'm going to do it justice, so I'm going to do us all a favor by not trying--seriously, I will sound like a huge fangirl. Let me put it this way, I can't imagine hating a novel that Stephanie Perkins writes and as long as she keeps writing, I will keep buying her books. They're sweet, romantic, and best of all, I can't put them down.

I loved Lola's creative wardrobe--and collection of wigs--as well as her two amazing dads! (Actually, I find myself wondering just what kiwi pie would taste like.) There's also Lindsey, Lola's best friend who has a knack for finding out what she wants to know (she's slightly obsessed with Nancy Drew and detective novels). Of course, there's also the absolutely wonderful Cricket Bell. As Lola puts it, he's a boy that you earn, not one that you deserve. He's just so sweet and well, wonderful! Really, and he's rather nerdy in a wonderful sort of way. And yes, I've probably overused the word "wonderful" but Cricket Bell really is that great! Seriously, I'd love to have a Cricket Bell in my life. Have I mentioned that he's quite tall too? Also, the present that he gives Lola? I couldn't help but squee over it!

If you couldn't tell by now, I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door (and the fact that Anna and St. Clair did make an appearance in it). Although you don't need to read Anna and the French Kiss to understand Lola and the Boy Next Door, I'd recommend reading Anna and the French Kiss first so that you'll better appreciate their story before diving into Lola and the Boy Next Door.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Favorite Quotes:

"And being thin makes me look even taller."
"And your tight pants," I add.
Cricket makes a startled choking noise. -pg. 120

And if I'm the stars, Cricket Bell is entire galaxies.  - pg. 334

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Books (an imprint of Penguin Group)

Release Date: September 29, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Publisher: Razorbill (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: July 21, 2011
Edition: Hardcover
* Purchased on my own.

When Lexi turned sixteen, everything changed. After all, on her sixteenth birthday, her boyfriend drowned. And now? Now she can’t sleep at all. She spends her nights swimming at a secluded lake in the hopes of keeping a similar incident from occurring again. But then she finds Cole Hitchings, Steven’s best friend at the lake and once more, things change for her. Now she has a chance to break her curse and live a normal life, if she can bear to give up the one that she’s falling for. 

Ripple isn’t a terribly large book, but oh my goodness did I enjoy it! I loved the occasional flashback to when Steven was alive, how not swimming for a night affected her, and how sweet Cole ends up being to her when they return to school for their senior year of high school. But as much as I love Cole, I’ll have to admit that I really liked Erik too--he’s got stunning eyes and an extremely sexy voice. I mean, what’s not to love, right? 

I’m doing my best to bite my tongue here; as much as I’d love to gush on and on about Ripple, I’ll have to keep my lips zipped here because otherwise? Spoilers. The boys do play a very big role in Ripple and I honestly couldn’t find anything that I didn’t like about the book. I loved that it touched on the lore behind what Lexi is and that things wrapped up so nicely by the time that things came to a close. Would I recommend Ripple to you? Definitely! However, I would like to reiterate that the romance plays a big part in Ripple and that if you don’t like that sort of thing, it might not be for you—although I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to give Ripple a shot!

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Publisher: Razorbill (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: January 11, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Won/received for review via publisher.

I know I published a mini-review of Across the Universe back before it was released, but then I totally forgot to type up my complete review! Argh. Anyways, a brief disclaimer before you read on, usually I do not care much for science fiction. However, I really did enjoy Across the Universe... a lot.

Amy always assumed that when she woke, it would be on a new planet in the company of her parents. However, she could not have imagined that she'd be waking up on the ship (and nearly dying in the process)... which won't land for (roughly) fifty years. And it's there that she meets Elder, a boy very close to her own age as well as Eldest, the Godspeed's dictator-like leader. While struggling to make sense of life on the ship, Amy will also have to do her best to keep whoever has been killing the cyrogenically frozen passengers from doing so again. In the process, she'll uncover some seriously large secrets about the Godspeed.

Across the Universe was filled with twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Honestly, I'm always thrilled when I find a book that can still surprise me. Beth's writing style was wonderful too and I found Across the Universe very hard to put down simply because I had to know what was going to happen next.

On one hand, you have Amy, a girl from Sol-Earth who is traveling as a non-essential with her parents (who will play a vital roll in forming Centauri-Earth). When she wakes up on the Godspeed, she's beyond out of place as the ship's inhabitants all look alike, share the same strange accent, and wear the same handmade clothes. Then there's Eldest, the leader on board the Godspeed, who believes that she's a threat. He's also less than pleased that Elder spends so much time with her, or that Elder is questioning him constantly. Elder is Eldest's protege and will one day lead the people on the Godspeed; he's definitely not like Eldest and he's most certainly taken with Amy. Oh! And don't forget Harley! I really loved Harley. He's constantly painting and he's Elder's friend. Much more than that, I cannot say--although it did make me incredibly sad!

On top of this, there are some major secrets on board the Godspeed and oh my goodness are they important! But at the same time, they're massive spoilers so if you haven't read Across the Universe just yet, you'll have to read it and see what I mean for yourself! Would I recommend Across the Universe to you? Yes! I honestly enjoyed it and I hope that you will too--if you haven't read it yet.  

Across the Universe comes out in paperback form on November 29, 2011.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Waiting On Wednesday (22)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe

Summary via Goodreads:
What would you do to find your best friend’s killer?

Eve, a runaway, finds a new job at a coffee shop on the outskirts of Tuscon. When she’s approached by two wealthy teens who claim she bears an uncanny resemblance to their missing cousin Aurora, her life takes a turn for the dark and mysterious. Drawn into a scheme to win Aurora’s inheritance, Eve finds herself impersonating the girl, who disappeared three years ago on the night her best friend Elizabeth died. But when Liza’s ghost begins to haunt Eve, doing harm to the people close to her under the guise of “protecting” her, Eve finds herself in a nightmare maze of lies and deception that leads her to question even her own identity. She realizes her only chance is to uncover the truth about what happened the night Liza died, and to find Liza’s killer— before she’s next.

This teen thriller by Michele Jaffe will keep readers turning pages well into the night.

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Why am I looking forward to Ghost Flower? The premise sounds insane! I mean, Eve is impersonating a girl who disappeared three years ago and ends up being haunted by Elizabeth, Aurora's best friend who died on that night three years ago. I adore thrillers and it sounds like Ghost Flower will definitely have me flipping pages!

Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe is published by Razorbill, a part of Penguin Group, and its expected publication date is April 12, 2012.


So, what are you waiting on this week?

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Received for review via publisher.

I'm warning you now that there will be minor spoilers in this review; it's literally impossible to review Wolfsbane without giving spoilers for Nightshade. So if you haven't read Nightshade just yet, now is the time to stop reading my review (and probably borrow or buy a copy of Nightshade to read if paranormal is your thing). 

Where do I even begin? Wolfsbane picks up almost exactly where Nightshade left off, with Calla waking up in an unlikely place, the Roving Academy, home to the Searchers. But the truly crazy thing is, they want to form an alliance of sorts with Calla, one that includes the pack and the alpha that she left behind. In Wolfsbane, Calla will have to learn to trust her enemies or face losing her pack and the war.

I know that my summary seems really short, but it's difficult to say much more than that; after all, for the most part, Wolfsbane focuses on Calla learning more about who the Keepers are, how the Searchers work, and getting her pack back. For the record, she's still pretty torn between Shay and Ren for most of the book; also, if you've seen my review of Nightshade, you know that I'm team Ren and well, Wolfsbane didn't contain a ton of Ren and Calla interaction, but when it does happen in Wolfsbane, it's heartbreaking in its own way. Seriously, if you're team Ren, you'll see what I mean.

Asides from that, you'll get more of the lore behind the Searchers and the Keepers; also, I'd have to say that I wouldn't mind being a Weaver. After all, how awesome would it be to be able to make doorways/portals? Speaking of Weavers, you'll get to meet Adne in Wolfsbane, the Weaver for the Haldis team. She's one of my favorite new minor characters, asides from Connor (a serious flirt), and Silas (a Scribe who has an office that's literally covered in books and he's a bit awkward to boot).

As with Nightshade, Wolfsbane is a page-turner; things continue to build until you come to the last page and then you're left hanging. As I'd been warned earlier in the year by one of the lovely ladies at the Penguin booth at ALA Midwinter, I was left wanting Bloodrose immediately after finishing Wolfsbane and the wait until February 21, 2012 is already feeling extremely long. Honestly, if you haven't read Nightshade just yet, I'd definitely suggest doing so. Yes, it's hyped, but rightly so and Wolfsbane is--in my opinion--a flawless continuation of a great trilogy.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Waiting On Wednesday (16)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Legend by Marie Lu

Summary via Goodreads:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

-----

Why am I looking forward to Legend by Marie Lu? Where do I even begin!? It's a dystopian set in Los Angeles in the future! In case you didn't already know, I live about twenty minutes from Los Angeles (without traffic) so Legend hits pretty close to home; also, by now I'm sure that you know that I'm obsessed with dystopians! Then you've got Brodie from Eleusinian Mysteries posting her review of it which has totally made me want to read it even more. And that, is the short non-repetitive version of why I want to read Legend. :P

Legend by Marie Lu is published by Putnam Juvenile, a part of Penguin Group (Young Readers), and its expected publication date is November 29, 2011.

So, what are you waiting on this week? :D

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Imaginary Girls
Author: Nova Ren Suma
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Picked up at ALA Midwinter.

Summary from Goodreads:
Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.
But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.
With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.



My Thoughts:

You know that I'm a sucker for a gorgeous cover--which Imaginary Girls certainly has--but I wasn't too sure, at first, if I'd love the plot. It's paranormal, yes, but in a way that almost reads like a contemporary. That sounds like it might be a bad thing, but trust me, it's not. If anything, it just means that the world Nova Ren Suma created is just that close to realistic paranormal; so subtle that, at times, you can imagine Ruby and Chloe's world as being real. At least, that's how it was for me.

The reservoir plays a huge role in Imaginary Girls and it's evident from page one, when at age fourteen Chloe tries to swim the length of it. It's colder than it ought to be and just when it's at its coldest, she finds a rowboat to grip onto. And in it? A dead girl. With that discovery, everything changes as Chloe is sent to live with her father after the incident and for two years she has next to no contact with Ruby until three weeks before school lets out. Suddenly Ruby is waiting for her in the trailer that Chloe has been sleeping in and shortly after, Chloe is on her way back to her real home with Ruby. Everything is back to normal, or so it seems. But on her first night back home, Chloe sees her, the dead girl and everyone can see her too. Ruby tells her that she's fixed everything, but just what does Ruby mean?

Seriously, that's a reservoir not to swim in. As Ruby tells Chloe, there's still a town in there called Olive and its residents are still in residence, living in the murky waters that were once their home. But enough about that, I can't say much more without getting all spoiler-tastic on you and you know how I try to avoid that. I think my absolute favorite scene in Imaginary Girls has to be about the balloons. Not the ones at the birthday party, but the ones that Ruby ties with red ribbons. I can't tell you why though, only that you'll hopefully understand why it's my favorite once you get there.

When it comes to the characters in Imaginary Girls, I did like Ruby (and in my head, I see her as Zoey Deschanel, although I'm not entirely sure why) who seems to constantly wear sundresses and motorcycle boots. Maybe it's her attitude that I like; she doesn't care about what other people think--well, asides from her sister Chloe, who she loves very much (as in, would do anything for). Chloe on the other hand, I didn't dislike, but I wasn't in love with her either. She really loves Ruby and idolizes her sister, there's no doubt about that; but at the same time, she's probably the only person who rebels against Ruby. I won't get into the guys in Imaginary Girls, but that's mainly because this isn't a romance. (And for that, I must say, "Poor Pete!")

Imaginary Girls is about the bond between two sisters and as such, what Ruby would do for Chloe. More importantly, it's beautifully written and sucks you in. Not precisely a page turner, but a book that you'll want to savor (like an excellent meal or a fine wine). With that, I think I've said all I can say on Imaginary Girls. If the plot appeals to you, definitely give it a go; I can't imagine that you'll be disappointed.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

Back When You Were Easier to Love
Author: Emily Wing Smith
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: April 28, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Picked up at ALA Midwinter.

Summary from GoodReads:
What's worse than getting dumped? Not even knowing if you've been dumped. Joy got no goodbye, and certainly no explanation when Zan—the love of her life and the only good thing about stifling, backward Haven, Utah—unceremoniously and unexpectedly left for college a year early. Joy needs closure almost as much as she needs Zan, so she heads for California, and Zan, riding shotgun beside Zan's former-best-friend Noah.
Original and insightful, quirky and crushing, Joy's story is told in surprising and artfully shifting flashbacks between her life then and now. Exquisite craft and wry, relatable humor signal the arrival of Emily Wing Smith as a breakout talent.

My Thoughts:

I don't like Zan. Yes, that was my first thought upon finishing Back When You Were Easier to Love. Why? Because there's the version of Zan that Joy fell in love with and then there's the real Zan--who is not a nice person. But it's the idealized Zan that Joy is in love with and when he leaves her in the dust to head to California, she can't come to terms with it. After all, he's left without saying a word to her and he's left her no way to get in contact with him. Joy is sure that if she goes to see him, things will work out and they'll still be together--which is precisely why she decides to go to California on a road trip with Zan's ex-friend Noah.

Your first love really is difficult to lose and I can see how Joy feels that she needs to see Zan again to get "closure" on their relationship. However, she seems a bit extreme to me--having envisioned their reunion and talking about Zan so often that even her friends and Noah want her stop. The thing that I least liked about Joy though, would have to be her judgmental attitude. She thinks that Noah is a stereotypical Soccer Lovin' Kid--her term for the popular kids in Haven--and up until their road trip, she pretty much refuses to get to know him regardless of his efforts to try and get to know her. To me, it came off like Joy was refusing to let Noah redeem himself--having decided that he was the embodiment of the reason why Zan left Haven in the first place. With that said, I did love Noah and as far as I'm concerned, he was the star of Back When You Were Easier to Love simply because he put up with Joy. Not only does he put up with her, but he defends her to Zan--well, saying much more than that would be giving spoilers and you know how I feel about spoilers.

The chapters are short and alternate between when Joy was with Zan and after Zan leaves Haven--which is what leads to the road trip and its various misadventures. Although I cannot claim to be in love with Back When You Were Easier to Love, I'm looking forward to seeing what Emily Wing Smith comes out with next--as I did like her writing style. Overall, if you're interested in Back When You Were Easier to Love, I'd suggest picking up a copy and forming your own opinion on it as personally, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. If I'm honest, I think it was a bit to do with the ending leaving off at the end of their road trip. I would've liked to see things continue a bit further in Haven--and if you read Back When You Were Easier to Love, you'll see what I mean.


Overall Rating: ★★★ and a half. 

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Falling Under
Author: Gwen Hayes
Publisher: New American Library (part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Won through GoodReads First Reads Program.

Summary from GoodReads: Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Thoughts: 

Theia Alderson dreamed of a burning man who fell from the sky onto her father's pristine lawn and soon after that she dreams of a boy near her own age (whom she feels a pull towards) that dresses in Regency finery who tells her that she shouldn't have come to the macabre party. You can only imagine her surprise to find the same boy registering at her school the next day. Who is he? And why has he come to Serendipity Falls?


I really loved Gwen's writing style and Theia as a character--whom pours her soul into her music (she plays the violin) and she tries so hard to confine her "wild" nature as well as her unruly curls. Then there's Haden who wants to protect Theia so badly that he constantly tries to push her away--even though she's the reason why he came to Serendipity Falls. I really did love their relationship and how it advanced throughout Falling Under--as well as what Theia did to save Haden and the end result of that. I thought that it was well paced and the ending really left me hoping that there will be another book--because I really want more of Haden and Theia! 


My favorite minor character? Mara, Haden's mother. She's definitely not a nice woman--although perhaps "woman" is the wrong word as demoness would be more appropriate. She wants Haden to inherit her kingdom and more importantly, she wants him to choose to do so--although she could, of course, force his hand. I'd really love to see more about her and Under as well. What's Under? The realm in which Mara lives--as do other demons--that is both lovely and macabre at the same time. 


Falling Under was easily amongst my favorite reads this year and if it sounds interesting to you I'd highly recommend picking up a copy--besides, how absolutely stunning is that cover? 


Overall Rating: ★★★★★