Review: Hide and Seek by Sara Shepard

My friends and I used to play lying games.

Now my twin sister is living one.

When I was alive, my family seemed picture-perfect. My adoptive parents adored me, and my little sister, Laurel, copied my every move. But now that my long-lost twin, Emma, has taken my place to solve my murder, we're both learning just how flawed my family really is.

Laurel is shooting Emma nasty looks and sneaking around with my ex-boyfriend. And it turns out my parents are keeping a huge secret--could it be the reason I'm dead?

How far would they go to keep the truth buried? No one can harm me now, but Emma is still fair game. And if she's not careful, she'll end up buried, too. . . .

Language: Moderate

Violence: Moderate

Sexual: Mild

When I first began this series, I was really enjoying discovering the secrets and killer lies this story brought force, bringing out my inner sleuth along with it. I thought the plot was fairly unique and the writing style smoothly played along the continuous flipping of pages. But I found that as the story continues, it lacked the depth and mysterious thrills that tagged nearby.

I never particularly liked the games Sutton and her friends played on people, that they called “pranks.” What they would consider hilarious jokes, I would consider premature homicidal activities that needed to be watched closely by a therapist or psychiatrist, at best. Nobody seemed to enjoy Sutton’s company after pulling these pranks on her friends, which I don’t understand because, even though hers might have brought out her mental instability I imagine she must’ve had by then, her friends went along with it and pulled out some foolery of their own. But did anyone despise them? Yes, but not like they did Sutton.

There was something that began to get on my last nerve about these books. Through the second book, it felt like nothing was really happening. It was as though nothing had happened from the first book. These novels always leave with a cliffhanger, leaving open your thoughts for the killer, but it never ends with any closure, nor does it pursue our ambitions. The cliffhangers were seemingly for nothing at all, really.

I am not sure if I have such feelings about this series because I watch the TV series before reading the story itself (but I don’t think this is the case, considering the show is completely different than the novels), but I have doubts whether or not to continue reading the last two books. Apparently I am not the only one with feelings about these books, and about the Pretty Little Liars series, that of which I have not previously read but have the same dragging storyline. It makes me feel as though I wasted my money on the books that don’t even continue the story, and I don’t like that about Sara’s writing style.

Cover: Honestly, I like the designs for these covers. Or maybe it’s just the fashionista in me that enjoys the interesting styles the twins have.

Setting: A small town with big fashion, catty teenagers, and deceiving secrets.

Characters: Spiteful and selfish characters were what apparently made up this entire series. Hardly any of them had any good aspects in them, and most were rude and incompetent, even the parents and sister who I had some hope for in the beginning. Despite the fact that Sutton remembers nothing, she is still able to be just as much of a twit as she used to be. Emma is growing into the similar character her twin sister unfortunately was.

Storyline: The search to find Sutton’s murderer continues.

Writing: It had an easy and swift flow to it, but it lacks depth and builds up nothing at all.

Surprises: There were no surprises that made me gasp, but that was probably because I watched the television series beforehand.

Overall: 3.5 stars, because it did not fulfill my ambitions for the series, unfortunately. Although it is a thrilling read, there are just too many things I didn’t care for.

Recommended: If you enjoyed the PLL series, also by Sara Shepard, and you don’t mind basically reading the same story with each sequel to it, then I would recommend this to you.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Description: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Language: Mild

Violence: Heavy

Sexual: Mild

Take a journey through the future, where everyone is able to choose a category they fit best in at age sixteen; a place where you will stay and follow the rules, or else you will be factionless and tossed into the streets, with few to help you get by.

Let me just get this fact out there in the open: I fell in love with Divergent.

Basically we are all Divergent. Our attitudes and actions are mixed together between all the factions. In this time, Divergence is normal. It’s what everyone is. But in this novel, Divergent may as well be a demon sent from hell. It’s unusual and yet not unexpected to not make it into any of the “normal” factions, but you will either be factionless or executed. You can act like you fit in, follow the rules, or you can take charge and fight for what’s right, with the high possibility of making it through the battle.

Many deaths were in this book, a whole lot of action and suspense that’ll make you chew on your nails in nervousness and almost fall right off the edge of your seat, and a romance that wasn’t over the top, which I was happy about. It’s awful when a gushy romance is too much for the story and it coats it in gooey insta-love, which also wasn’t the case here.

This book left me thinking long after I pried my eyes away from the intriguing story. How would you handle being brought up to be someone you aren’t? What would you do if you didn’t fit in any of the factions, if you didn’t want to follow the rules, and if you knew this world you lived in wasn’t fair and you would be willing to follow Tris and risk your life and others’ lives?

Cover: I love the cover! It’s very fitting, in my opinion, and original. Simple covers do not mean the story isn’t amazing.

Setting: A Dystopian world where everything is chosen for you.

Characters: Four: the man who is basically the assistant trainer in Divergent. He’s cruel, stubborn, and will push anyone their hardest. But deep down, he has a kind heart and will do anything to protect those he loves.

-Tris: the willful girl who is strong, fierce, and is still human enough that she is compassionate and tries to protect everyone, no matter the cost. Whether it’s putting her own life on the line or training in battle, Tris will win you over. And hopefully she will win the battle for the truth as well.

-Al: the betrayer. That’s all I have to say.

-Christina and Will: they were some of my favorite characters as well. Even though it seems more time than not that Christina should just shut her mouth and keep quiet, she was a great secondary character and won me over, along with the accompaniment of Will, who actually wasn’t in the book as much, but I loved him just the same and was extremely sad when… well, I can’t say…

-Peter, Molly, and Derek: I hate them. Sure, they’re Dauntless, but I wouldn’t call them brave. Brave people wouldn’t hurt others for the sake of winning the game or for their own benefit. That’s just cruel.

-Eric and others: most others were ones I had a strong dislike for, especially Eric. There were a few others that I do like, whose names have oddly escaped my mind at the moment…

Storyline: The beginning of this novel starts off as the usual Dystopian tale, which made me somewhat hesitant to continue if I hadn’t been sucked right into the story. But rest assured that this book is nothing like the usual ones out there. Just read it and you will understand.

Writing: It was so easy for me to lose myself in Tris’s voice. It’s right between simple and elaborate, but exceptionally enthralling and intriguing. It makes me feel as though I’m actually walking through this Dystopian world, following the rules and then breaking them, going through dangers and risking my life for those I love, right along with Tris, instead of making me feel like I’m just reading it.

Surprises: There were so many things in this book that I never saw coming, but I find I can’t state these surprises unless I want to spoil it for all of you. Which is tempting, but not my thing.

Overall: 5 stars! This book is one of the best that I’ve read in 2012. Even if you’re not a fan of the particular genre, there is everything in here that I can guarantee you will love if you give it a chance.

Recommended: I would recommend this book for years thirteen and over and for all of those who love unique Dystopian stories.

-         -“I might be in love with you.” He smiles a little. “I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though.”

-         -“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”

-         - “Peter would probably throw a party if I stopped breathing.'

“Well,” he says, “I would only go if there was cake.”

-         - “Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” 

-         -“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.” 

-          -“I am selfish. I am brave.” 

Cover Reveal: The Grass is Always Greener by Jen Calonita

How many secrets can one family keep?

Amid preparations for Emerald Cove's extravagant Founders Day celebration and their own shared sweet sixteen, Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe are longing to break free from the tight constraints that come with being the daughters of a prominent public figure. When Izzie's estranged aunt, Zoe, breezes into town, the already uneasy family dynamic is turned on its head.

Izzie's finally found her footing in Emerald Cove by leading the Social Butterflies, her school's prestigious club, and she has no interest in getting to know yet another long-lost family member. But Mira, who's on a mission to try new things and make new friends, is drawn to Izzie's artsy aunt. And when Mira meets a handsome, brooding painter, her entire perspective on life begins to shift.

As tensions mount in Emerald Cove, Zoe's laid-back attitude appeals to both girls. But when she offers Izzie the chance of a lifetime, it's time to make a tough decision. What's more important: family or freedom?

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: April 16th 2013 by Poppy

ISBN

0316091103 (ISBN13: 9780316091107)

series

Belles #3

___
What a lovely cover! Not the fanciest or the most intriguing, but lovely nontheless. Any thoughts?

Cover Reveal: Fracture by D.D. Chant

I've never read anything from D.D. Chant before, but this novel sounds so interesting! It doesn't release until March 2013, but I'm still excited about it.

In a world torn apart by war and divided in to three nations Astra struggles to achieve balance. As a child she experienced a horror that caused her life to fracture around her and change everything she’d ever known in an instant. 
Sixteen years later and Astra has been pressured into a false position by her past taking a stand that enables her to keep her loved ones safe, but the cost is high.
Caught in an intolerable position Astra is loyal to only one thing: the family that loves her. But when a diplomatic mission from the Free Nation arrives for peace talks with the Tula, Astra’s precariously balanced world begins to fracture again.

To receive an alert when this book is published please visit this page:
http://authoralarms.com/

I like the cover because it's simple and, yes, it isn't the usual posing-girl-in-beautiful-dress on the cover, as it seems most every YA books have. Even though this isn't necessarily a YA book, I still appreciate the difference. I'm looking forward to it!

Cover Reveal: Enders by Lissa Price

I've never done a cover reveal before, but I'm just too excited not to do one for Enders by Lissa Price. It looks amazing!

With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn't want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save Callie's life - but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena's memories, too ...and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? This is the thrilling sequel to "Starters."

Don't you just love it? Doesn't it make you wish you're holding it in your hands right now?

The official release date for Enders has been pushed further back, all the way to July 4th, 2013. It feels like such a  long way away! But I suppose we'll wait for the release together.

November Book Haul + Update!

No hard feelings?

I was about to head off to get some sleep after a long day when I realized that it has been way too long since I chatted up with you guys! I'm sorry to leave you hanging, but I have some excuses. Sigh. Excuses, excuses.

1. My thumb broke nearly a month ago, and still hasn't fully healed. Physical therapy has become a big pastime for me. You can't imagine how difficult it is for me to type with one hand! So frustrating. But I digress...

2. NaNoWriMo! I really need to catch up on my story, but just the fact that I'm crazy and awesome enough to write 50k words in one month proves my business point. (NaNo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/loverofliterary)

3. Rehearsals this entire month, most days, plus eighteen performances in a production I'm in starts next week. And I need to get rid of this cold. Like now.

4. I'm in mourning. My beloved dog of twelve years recently passed away. Less than three days ago, actually. He was there when nobody else was (as was books, but you know) and was, in a sense, my best friend. It feels as though I've lost a family member, and I fear I cannot even speak of him without tearing up. 

5. I've grown accustomed to the life of Twitter (https://twitter.com/MusingShadows). And stalking everything Lux-related (http://www.goodreads.com/series/66252-lux).

6. I'm addicted to roleplaying. It's quite fun. (GoodReads rocks!)

7. I've run out of excuses.

Okay, so there are a few more distractions going on, but it'll take too long to type...with one hand. But, as a special treat, I have gotten a few more books. One of them (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11958583-skinny) I won from FirstReads (GR) Giveaway (Screams and runs around the room like a maniac because I rarely win anything)! There are two here yet to arrive, sent to me for review as well.

I've also joined NetGalley, so hopefully I should have a few eBooks to review, if allowed. So exciting!

That's all for now, but I'll give you updates and such further on.

What books have you received recently?

Review: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

Description: What happens when happily ever after... isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

Language: Mild

Violence: Mild

Sexual: Mild

   In Between the Lines, you will read two different stories scattered around in the book: the beginning of the book has the start of the story-in-the-story, which continues on between the POVs of Delilah and Oliver. The characters are very relatable to me, which is something I really like about it, and the overall story is extremely unique. The pacing was nice and not too fast, but not too slow, either.

   After finishing this book, I felt so many different emotions; they weren’t of irritation or annoyance for the story, and it wasn’t even sadness that the book itself had ended, but it was happiness that the characters in the story got what they wanted and lived happily ever after.

   This was the perfect book to get me out of my reading slump, and I’m certainly not sorry I picked this one up. In fact, even though I know this is real life and not some fairy tale, my thoughts for everyone having a happy ending are a little higher than before. And everyone deserves a happily ever after, right?

Cover: I like the cover because it is pretty simple and is relatable to the story.

Setting: The story takes place with the beginning of the story-in-the story, afterwards including Oliver being tired of the same old story played out constantly whenever the book was opened, and Delilah wishing she lived in a fairy tale, where everything was better than her life, or she could meet Oliver in real life.

Characters:

-I have to say, Oliver is my favorite character in this story (surprise, surprise). He’s charming, but has enough faults that he doesn’t bore the readers. He is almost the complete opposite of his role in Between the Lines, the fairy tale where he has the lead role and has to win his courage by rescuing the fair maiden, Seraphima. The way Oliver adores Delilah and pushes aside her faults to see her true beauty was something I liked, and how he was very chivalrous and is much like a prince charming.

-Delilah is another one of my favorite characters, because she is so relatable and interesting. So she likes reading fairy tales better than socializing and trying to be cool, so what? I don’t really understand why her mother is so against her reading fairy tales, because in my opinion, you’re never too old for fairy tales!

-Frump was another character I enjoyed reading about, although he wasn’t necessarily the lead role in this novel.

-Seraphima was the most bubble-head princess I have ever read about, and is Oliver’s true love in the story-in-the-story in which he has to rescue from the villain—damsel in distress, as you could call her. She practically throws herself at Oliver any chance she can get.

Storyline: I love the storyline! It’s very unique. I’ve never thought of the plot of a character being sick of constantly reliving their role in the story and having their own lives and personalities when the book is closed, or wanting to escape their repetitive story. Very interesting and the overall story is a cute one.

Writing: The writing style is fairly simple, nothing elaborate, but strangely addicting. I adore the descriptions of the castle and land in which the story-in-the-story takes place, and the way Delilah and Oliver speak in their POVs is relatable and interesting.

Surprises: There were a few surprises in Between the Lines, but the main surprise is how much I found I enjoyed this book!

Overall: 5 stars. Between the Lines is officially one of my favorite books, and one that I will definitely read again sometime in the near future. My only complaint is that I wish I read more about Oliver and Delilah’s love story, but then again, I love thinking of how their story may end and contemplating this whole novel myself.

Recommended: This book is absolutely recommended! However, it may suit better with the younger teen crowd, rather than the older. This is a cute, clean fairy tale that will leave you thinking long after you’ve completed it.