Book Review: Playlist for the Dead

Title: Playlist for the Dead

Author: Michelle Falkoff

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: A teenage boy tries to understand his best friend's suicide by listening to the playlist of songs he left behind in this smart, voice-driven debut novel.

Here's what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, his best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs, and a suicide note: For Sam-- listen and you'll understand.

As he listens to song after song, Sam tries to face up to what happened the night before Hayden killed himself. But it's only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he will finally be able to piece together his best friend's story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.

Part mystery, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale in the vein of Stephen Chbosky's THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER and Tim Tharp's THE SPECTACULAR NOW, PLAYLIST FOR THE DEAD is an honest and gut-wrenching novel about loss, rage, what it feels like to outgrow a friendship that's always defined you-- and the struggle to redefine yourself. But above all, it's about finding hope when hope seems like the hardest thing to find.

I dove into PLAYLIST FOR THE DEAD with high expectations based on the prose. It sounded like a story that would really hilight what it's like being on the other end of suicide; being the one that got left behind. Instead... well... I'm still not sure what I got.

PLAYLIST took a completely different turn from what I thought I was in for. The conflicts that I felt should have been there, weren't and the ones I thought shouldn't have been there, were. I was nearly halfway through the book when I wanted to put it down, but I held out hope that it might get better, and made myself finish it. Once I got to the ending, I realized that the playlist from Hayden really didn't have that big of an influence on the story other than Sam listening to it more times than he could count, and another thing I realized was that this story was very much trying to be in the vein of THIRTEEN REASONS WHY. The last page of this book left me confused, and a bit blindsided by the dramatic change of paths towards the end, when instead of trying to come to terms with Hayden's death, Sam starts making new friends and trying to solve a mystery. It felt too forced, as if those things were supposed to show that Sam HAD moved on, when we knew that he hadn't.

One point five stars from me on this one. I still am not sure what caused the storyline to take such a turn, and it bothers me. So it's a low rating for me on this one. Two thumbs down.

Have any of you read PLAYLIST? What did you think?

(Un)Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: The Vicious Deep

Title: The Vicious Deep

Author: Zoraida Cordova

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods?

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea... and now it wants him back.

I picked up this book way back in 2012, started it, and then put it down. I was going to give it away, but when I rediscovered it on my shelves this year, I decided to give it a second chance. By the time I finished, I wished I'd given it away.

In 2012, my only complaint about this book was a single seen within the first five chapters that was a little bit too much for me on the inappropriate scale. Now, my complaints have piled up: even for a fantasy, the probability of this one was low; the dialogue left something to be desired; the storyline was full of plot holes; and it was extremely predictable. I had a hard time relating to the characters, who stumbled through the story and felt very distant from me, the reader. 

One star for VICIOUS DEEP. For me, the story just wasn't real enough. It didn't pull me in like the waves pulled Tristan. I didn't fall in love with the characters or a piece of the story that would keep me reading and make me want to stick around for the other two books. Unfortunately, I don't recommend it to anyone for this reason

(Un)Happily,

Stephanie 

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Title: Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Format Read: Paperback

Description from Goodreads: Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots-- a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic, but can they trust them or have they become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

It took me a lot longer than four hours to read this one (curse you, responsibilities! *shakes fist at sky*) but I finally got it finished, and was once again pleased with Marie Lu and her story-crafting.

As I read, I texted the friend who loaned me the books, giving him my predictions and perceptions of certain things and characters as I read, and while I won't know the accuracy of some of them until I finish book three, I know that the ones that were answered in PRODIGY were right. Usually, this would bother me, as I hate predicting major reveals and twists, but for some reason I was okay with it on this one and actually enjoyed the fact that I'd been right. 

Day and June's continued activities were great, the story-line well thought out and delivered, and the plot just as tight as the first. I love how Lu uses side characters and ties them in in some important way, versus the way that most authors do-- creating characters to serve their purpose as extra characters without intending them to be part of the book in some big way. So many of the characters introduced as acquaintances with few spoken lines are used in some major way throughout the books, and it's so much fun to see them come in when you least expect it-- whether it's a good or a bad thing.

I give PRODIGY 4.5 stars. I enjoyed this one better than the first because it got more into the meat of the trilogy, as the middle book generally does, and really showed the direction that the story is going, as well as put the end-game into view. Dystopian revolt is the best kind of revolt, and if you enjoy it then you definitely need to get your hands on PRODIGY.

Just be sure to read LEGEND first.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Awake by Natasha Preston

Title: Awake

Author: Natasha Preston

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Format Read: Paperback

Description from Goodreads: Scarlett Garner doesn't remember anything from before the age of four-- but a car accident changes everything. She starts to remember pieces of a past that frighten her. A past her parents hid from her... and a secret that could get her killed.

The Goodreads description for this one keeps it short and sweet. Let me see if i can tell you a bit more about AWAKE without giving it away...

Scarlett has a gap in her memory. She remembers nothing before the age of four, and that's how it's always been. And then one day, a new student arrives in her class, a student that is instantly attracted to her-- and the attraction is mutual. As Scarlett grows closer to this boy, he encourages her to try to remember what she's lost, but then a car accident is the trigger she needs to jumpstart her memory, and what she finds in those memories aren't the pieces of the childhood she had been looking for, but something much more sinister.

Okay so I didn't do that much better, but I'm going to go ahead and move on.

I picked up AWAKE, expecting a decent creepy story, and what I got instead was a thrill ride that I won't be forgetting for quite sometime.

This story is so intricately woven that I don't want to say much about WHY I loved it, because I'm worried that I'll unintentionally spoil it, and with this book, it would be a terrible thing to do. But I did absolutely love this story and will go ahead and say that, as far as thrillers go, this is hands down my favorite. Hands. Down.

It was creepy, it kept my attention from cover to cover, the characters were near-perfect... I read the book in about five hours, which is something I can do pretty easily when something really has my intrigue and attention, so that should say something! 

Five stars. Absolutely. Five stars to this beautiful thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Any fans of psychological thrillers, or stories that border on creep-tastic horror, will sure to be AWAKE when reading this new one from Natasha Preston.

Now, let's see if I can get my hands on THE CELLAR.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Welcome to the Dark House (Dark House #1)

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: July 22, 2014

Format Read: ARC

Description from Goodreads: What's your worst nightmare?

For Ivy Jensen, it's the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it's bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.

And for seven essay contestants, it's their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake's latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn't even link scary movies, but she's ready to face her real-world fears. Parker's sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up... at least for now.

Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It's bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group-- the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; "Mister Sensitive"; and the one who's too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.

Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.

By the time Ivy and Parker realize what's really at stake, it's too late to wake up and run.

I generally can't handle horror, but after reading SHUTTER and loving it, I decided to try another YA horror. I'd seen WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE a few times before at the store, and I had been tempted to grab it, but I never did. So thanks to #booksfortrade, I was able to acquire an ARC and read it in a single day. 

WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE wasn't so much scary as it was downright creepy. I enjoyed the plot to this one, especially as the story went on and things started developing and getting juicier. The multiple POVs from the essay contestants were perfect, giving an inside look to each of them and the way they think, the way they viewed the Dark House. And then there's the Nightmare Elf , which... just... *heebie jeebies*. As of the end of this book, I'm still not sure whether my prediction about who's behind everything is right or not, but I hope to find out.

I give WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE a 3.75 star rating. It was good enough to make me want to read book two, but it wasn't as scary as I was hoping for. If you're a fan of creepy YA, and YA horror, this is for you. Dark, mysterious, and chilling, WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE is a red I'll be recommending.

Book two, here I come.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Title: Vengeance Road

Author: Erin Bowman

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Format Read: ARC

Description from Goodreads: Revenge is worth its weight in gold.

When her father is murdered for a journal revealing the location of a hidden gold mine, eighteen-year-old Kate Thompson disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers-- and justice. What she finds are untrustworthy strangers, endless dust and heat, and a surprising band of allies, among them a young Apache girl and a pair of stubborn brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, a startling truth becomes clear: some men will stop at nothing to get their hands on gold, and Kate's quest for revenge may prove fatal.

Oh my gosh, you guys.

I requested an ARC of VENGEANCE ROAD when I first heard about it, as I was eagerly awaiting the release of this new YA western, and I was over the moon to have received an Advanced Copy from HMH. I read it as soon as I got it, and then became part of the street team (Shout out to my Vengeance Road Posse members!) because I loved it so much.

Now, you may be asking why I have waited so long to review it if I had my hands on it in June.

My review policy is that I post ARC reviews the Monday before their release. That being said, the Monday before the release of VENGEANCE ROAD, I was still on my hiatus. 

Why didn't I post it before now, after coming back?

Here's why:

Today is Thanksgiving. And for this day, I want to post reviews of books that I'm thankful for (Notice, there will be no negative reviews today). Of course, VENGEANCE ROAD is one of the books that I am extremely thankful for.

VENGEANCE ROAD is a YA western (Where can I find more of these? Can someone whip me up a stack?) And I love westerns, so I was super pumped to start this one, and it did not disappoint. This was another 2015 release that had a good amount of hype and actually lived up to it.

First off, Kate. Kate was such an amazing protagonist. I enjoyed every second of her story, hearing her narrate it and seeing how she felt about everything. She had such a true, strong voice, and I found her character to be relatable in so many ways. So I connected with her, and enjoyed her development and taking the VR journey with her. And then there were the brothers, who I loved to pieces from start to finish, and the friendship that grew between them (as well as the romance). AND THE PLOT. Wow. Yes. The plot was uber good and fresh for a western, which is pretty hard to do when you consider all of the western books and movies there are in the world today. I would put VENGEANCE ROAD up there with the greats, and I'm pretty sure The Duke would support my decision.

I think Erin Bowman must have been a cowgirl in another life, because her dialect and descriptions and way of life were so accurate and fluid that it felt like I had stepped back in time. To Arizona Territory in 1877, to be exact. This was one of the things I enjoyed most about the story-- that it made me feel like I was there. Like I was walking and riding alongside Kate, watching everything play out. And to me, that's one of the best feelings you can have when you read a book. That's how you know it's good.

Five gold stars for VENGEANCE ROAD. If you ever read a book because of my reviews, let it be this one. VR has easily galloped its way to the top of my favorites list, and I want it to do the same to yours. For any fans of westerns, books with honest and courageous characters, and true-to-life descriptions, this is for you. Read it. Love it. Cherish it. Pass it on.

Oh, and Miss Bowman? I know this is supposed to be a standalone, but... More? Please?

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

Title: Raised by Wolves (Raised by Wolves #1)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Release Date: June 8, 2010

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders returns. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Earlier this year, when I went to NTTBF, I met Jennifer Lynn Barnes and got to tell her how much I enjoyed RAISED BY WOLVES. As I write this review, I'm seeing the comments of other readers on Goodreads, and I'm noticing that a good few of them are negative. Um, why?

Sure, there are elements to RAISED BY WOLVES that have been used before-- a girl being adopted by a wolf pack, for example-- but Barnes crafted this world in such a unique way, that I didn't mind it. This book gives you more of an insight to the meaning of "pack mentality", which I loved, as well as providing a fresh new way to look at werewolves. It showed the functionality of a pack, and what it means to be part of one, and how each member plays a significant role in keeping things running. 

And then there's the storyline, which was incredibly intriguing. Bryn's obsession with finding her parents' killer, and her fascination with the boy in the basement combine and twist into something that makes for a fantastic read. 

I give RAISED BY WOLVES four stars, and recommend it to lovers of paranormal romance, as well as those who enjoy a good, non-cliche werewolf story. I can't wait to start the rest of the series.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

Title: The Night We Said Yes

Author: Lauren Gibaldi

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: June 16, 2015

Format Read: ARC

Description from Goodreads: A fun, romantic read, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she's lived her entire life.

But Matt- the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town-- was never part of that plan.

And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying "yes" to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella's heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own-- to relive the night that brought them together-- Ella isn't sure whether Matt's worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.

In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and , ultimately, finding out how to be brave.

THE NIGHT WE SAID YES was such a fun read. With each chapter, more and more of Matt and Ella's story is revealed-- the first chapter leaves you with questions, and those questions get answers as the story unfurls. The uniqueness of this story was one of the things that I loved most about it, as well as the friendship between Ella and her best friend. Another thing I enjoyed was reading about the past, while experiencing it in the present as Ella and Matt re-created that night. 

The only negative I found for this story was Matt's reason for leaving. I kept waiting for more-- for him to be lying and then have a completely different excuse. But he didn't and I'm okay with how it turned out, I just find that to be the only low point for the book.

I would give THE NIGHT WE SAID YES four stars, and recommend it to contemporary fans,a s well as lovers of timid romance and out-of-the-box high school fun.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Kissing In America by Margo Rabb

Title: Kissing In America

Author: Margo Rabb

Publisher: Harper

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Format Read: ARC

Description on Goodreads: In the two years since her father died, sixteen-year-old Eva has found comfort in reading romance novels-- 118 of them, to be exact-- to dull the pain of her loss that's still so present. Her romantic fantasies become a reality when she meets Will, who seems to truly understand Eva's grief. Unfortunately, after Eva falls head-over-heels for him, he picks up and moves to California without any warning. Not wanting to lose the only person who has been able to pull her out of sadness-- and, perhaps, her shot at real love-- Eva and her best friend, Annie, concoct a plan to travel to the west coast to see Will again. As they road trip across America, Eva and Annie confront the complex truth about love.

In this honest and emotional journey that National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr calls "Gorgeous, funny, and joyous," readers will experience the highs of infatuation and the lows o heartache as Eva contends with love in all of its forms.

I had the opportunity to read KISSING IN AMERICA as an ARC, and though I was rather interested in it, I didn't fall in love with the story.

Eva is struggling with the accidental death of her dad, and she uses romance novels to fill the void until she meets Will-- a boy from school who she falls fastly and intensely in love with. And then he moves, and Eva becomes obsessed with the idea of following him, convinced that their relationship is strong enough to last from New York to California. In order to do so, she and her best friend become contestants on a teen tv show that is to be filmed in the same city that Will lives in, and head out west.

And I feel like that is such a far-fetched story. 

I realize that this is a book of fiction, but with contemporary I think there's a line, and once you cross it you've gone into iffy territory. To me, that was what happened in KISSING IN AMERICA. What are the odds that Eva would find a tv show that needed two girls, one of which had to be super smart like Annie, that was going to be filmed in the exact same city as where the boy moved? And the fact that they had family to stay with every few hundred miles? It just didn't sit well with me, and KISSING was a bit of a flop in my personal opinion.

I give KISSING IN AMERICA one star. I didn't find anything about it that I could love, and the main character was a bit too naive for my taste.

(Un)Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Joyride by Anna Banks

Title: Joyride

Author: Anna Banks

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are son in over their heads-- with the law and with each other-- in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It's been years since Carly Vega's parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber's dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn't acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they've been living according to others. Carly and Arden's journey toward their true hearts-- and one another-- is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.

I'd been excited for JOYRIDE ever since I saw ARCs start popping up. I was unfamiliar with Banks' previous work, but thanks to seeing so many of her fans getting excited for the standalone, I too got excited. 

I enjoyed this story. Carly is the goody-goody type girl, who never wants to do anything out of line, which I could really relate to (I follow the rules and schedules to a tee), and Arden is the kid who girls like us generally despise. Reckless and carefree and trouble-causing. Watching their friendship grow and develop was a blast, especially as it turns to something deeper, and the conflicts ensue. Arden and Carly both have their demons, and though I wasn't expecting a certain connection between them, it did make for interesting reading. You'll know what I'm referring to once you read it.

JOYRIDE is a 3.5 star review from me. It was good, and I liked it, but it wasn't one of my favorites, and there were some things that I noticed flaw-wise and couldn't help but let bug me. If you like a good friendship-turns-romance, and books with diverse characters with issues that pop up due to their heritage, this is for you.

Happily,
Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: My Heart and Other Black Holes

Title: My Heart and Other Black Holes

Author: Jasmine Warga

Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bay

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There's only one problem: she's not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel's convinced she's found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (Aka Roman) who's haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner.

Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other's broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to life so they can discover the potential of the energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.

This is probably going to be a short review. 

Suicide is a topic that I don't take lightly. It's something that I think too many people are aware of, yet so many people don't care enough about to help, and generally I'm fine with reading books that deal with suicide. But everyone loved MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES, and I didn't care for it.

In MY HEART, Aysel and Roman meet, and you can pretty instantly feel their connection. You know they'll either be more than friends by the end of the book, or that they'll be constantly on this edge of friends-or-not-friends. Aysel was ready for suicide until she met Roman, and then she started having doubts, and that's when things just... went downhill, for me. It was too predictable a storyline from there on out, and the ending was a bit bland in my opinion. I couldn't connect to the characters very well-- I felt like they were page characters and not real-to-me characters-- and I felt emotionally detached from the story.

MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES is a one star read for me, based upon those points, but I know that it received a ton of praise. Did I miss a crucial point to the story?

(Un)Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi

Title: What You Left Behind

Author: Jessica Verdi

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Format Read: Paperback

Description from Goodreads: It's all Ryden's fault. If he hadn't gotten Meg pregnant, she would have never stopped her chemo treatments and would still be alive. Instead, he's failing fatherhood one dirty diaper at a time. And it's not like he's had time to grieve while struggling to care for their infant daughter, start his senior year, and earn the soccer scholarship he needs to go to college.

The one person who makes Ryden feel like his old self is Joni. She's fun and energetic-- and doesn't know he has a baby. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep his two worlds separate. Finding one of Meg's journals only stirs up old emotions, and Ryden's convinced Meg left other notebooks for him to find, some message to help his new life make sense. But how is he going to have a future if he can't let go of the past?

I picked up WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND because there aren't too many book in the YA section that deal with teen pregnancy. Even fewer from the dad's pov. So I was interested in this one from the start and picked it up on release day. It took me a day to read it, and honestly, it was kind of bleh.

First off, Ryden was a terrible father. He took his grief and anger from Meg's death out on the baby, and while that may be accurate to how some people would act, I think Ryden took it a little too far. Also, there was a lot about Meg that didn't feel believable, and the journal idea seemed a bit overdone.  I was expecting a deep and emotional read with that premise, but instead I got a book that felt superficial and trivial, not to mention the language and the inappropriateness of a few scenes. A lot of the characters' actions didn't make sense, and I felt like this one was just kind of spastic. 

I would give WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND a single star, though I can't help but notice that it has almost a complete four stars on Goodreads. Maybe I'm the only one that really didn't like this one, but that's okay. Just wasn't my thing.

(Un)Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Ensnared by A.G. Howard

Title: Ensnared (Splintered #3)

Author: A.G. Howard
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: January 6, 2015

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles... and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world-- a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that's gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after?

ENSNARED was my favorite of the trilogy, hands down. It flipped so many things and turned elements on their heads, and it was a stunningly beautiful conclusion. It even made me change teams... Goodbye #TeamJeb, Hello #TeamMothra. I never thought I'd say that, yet here we are. What have you done to me, ENSNARED? 

Though I have to say that there was something about the book that bugged me, but for spoilery reasons, I cannot explain or tell you why: The ending... I wasn't in love with it. (Poor miss A.G. Howard knows this already, as I tweeted her quite furiously about it and may or may not have accosted her at NTTBF about it... *looks away, whistles*)  The ending did not satisfy me, which is why I'm extremely pumped for UNTAMED, which comes out in a mere ***25 DAYS***

Four stars to ENSNARED, which was beautiful and near perfect and YES. If you read book one, if you read book two, you have to read book three. Even if you didn't like either of them (Is that possible?) you have to read the third one. It tops the first two books and shimmers in all of it's netherling glory, and as far as conclusion books, it definitely makes my Top Five list.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Title: Talon (Talon #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: October 28, 2014 

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humankind nine the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter or perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted buy the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruit in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey; and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence, and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him; and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth bout dragons.

It's not often that I come across a book and can't decide who I ship the main character with the most, but this is what I ran into with TALON. Garret or Cobalt, Garret or Cobalt? I STILL DON'T KNOW. Today I'm leaning towards Garret, but if you ask me again tomorrow... well, you get the picture. I can't tell you my reasons for shipping each of them, but I can tell you that Garret is more of the "safe" type, and Cobalt is more the "dangerous". Which is funny, if you read the book.

TALON was full of action, whether it be a fight-scene, a training scene, or an argument of some sort. Action, and twists, and just enough romance-- so well executed, too. The way that the dragons are able to become human, and mingle with people was so intriguing. It was the reason I picked TALON up in the first place, which ended up being a great choice, as it introduced me to the world of Kagawa and now I can put her faerie books on on my TBR.

I give TALON four stars as I wait for a time where I can go out and get book two. If you like dragons, and action, and books that have you question the governmental powers that be in their world, this is for you. 

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Unhinged by A.G. Howard

Title: Unhinged (Splintered #2)

Author: A.G. Howard

Publisher: Amulet Books

Release Date: January 7, 2014

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn't show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland-- where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus's unsettling presence in her real world with her trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he's forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her at and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns her that Queen Red won't be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps though the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

After reading and loving SPLINTERED, I had to read book two, and I was so pleased with the continuation and the fact that the story didn't go downhill. It's always nice to see that, especially when sequels-- to me-- generally aren't as good as book two. 

UNHINGED was such a fun read. Being thrown back into Alyssa's Wonderland was like leaping into the arms of an old friend, and the adventure that ensued in this book was so much fun to tag along with that the last page left me pining for book three. I think my most favorite thing about UNHINGED was getting to see Morpheus outside of Wonderland-- seeing him navigate high school with his general cockiness, driving Alyssa nuts. I always enjoy the idea of taking a character out of their normal, every-day setting element, and dropping them into another, and that is exactly what happened here. Many thanks to A.G.

I would give this one 4.5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys retellings, especially retellings on the darker side. Also for anyone who loves Alice in Wonderland, this is a fresh, new perspective on the world and story we've come to know, and it's interesting to see the differences and similarities from the original to UNHINGED.

Happily,
Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: Better Off Friends

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Publisher: Point

Release Date: February 25, 2014

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they're best friends-- which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder... are they more than friends, or are they better off without making it more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really just be friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again-- and one kiss away from true love?

Let me just start by saying that the number one reason I was interested in this book is because my best friend is a guy. We're uber close, and I was elated to find a book about a boy-girl relationship that was purely platonic. Except, then I read the book. And while it was not what I expected when i turned to page one, it was a magical read for me and has easily found it's way to the top of my favorites list.

Macallan and Levi have a relationship that is easy for me to relate to, being friends with boys, and their friendship was literally the most heart-warming thing. Between their constant banter, and the romance that comes to play throughout the story, BETTER OFF FRIENDS is definitely a feel-good book. Especially if you love contemporary. If you don't love contemporary, you should still read it because this one just might make you change your mind.

I recommend BETTER OFF FRIENDS to everyone, but most importantly to those who have a best friend of the opposite sex, and are overly familiar with what that entails. The constant assumptions that you're dating, the looks and questions you get from family members when you mention him/her, all of that and more is in this book, and it's so pleasing to see someone else struggle with it. 

Give this one a try. It's a contemporary that will change your standards for the genre.

Happily,

Stephanie

   

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton

Title: The Lost Sun (The United States of Asgard #1)

Author: Tessa Gratton

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Release Date: June 25, 2013

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Fans of Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS and Holly Black's THE CURSE WORKERS will embrace this richly drawn, Norse-mythology-infused alternate world: The United States of Asgard. Seventeen-year-old Soren Bearskin is trying to escape the past. His father, a famed warrior, lost himself in the battle-frenzy and killed thirteen innocent people. Soren cannot deny that berserking is in his blood-- the fevers, insomnia, and occasional feelings of uncontrollable rage haunt him. So he tries to remain calm and detached from everyone and Sanctus Sigurd's Academy. But that's hard to do when a popular, beautiful girl like Astrid Glyn tells Soren she dreams of him. That's not all Astrid dreams of-- the daughter of a renowned prophetess, Astrid is coming into her own inherited abilities.

When Baldur, son of Odin and one of the most popular gods in the country, goes missing, Astrid sees where he is and convinces Soren to join her on a roadtrip that will take them to find not only a lost god, but also who they are beyond the legacy of their parents and everything they've been told they have to be.

The reason I picked up THE LOST SUN is that 1.) She wrote a book with Maggie Stiefvater, and 2.) She was going to be at a book fest I was attending. After having read it, I can safely say that this is one of those books that I will go back and forth with.

There were things in this book that I loved (Baldur's character, the idea of tying Norse into an alternate United States, Soren and his constant attempts at suppressing his berserker blood) and things that I didn't (The love story between Astrid and Soren, the way everything just kind of happened without much explanation about the world, the ending of the book). I see the good, and I see the bad. Even now, writing this, I can't decide whether I liked it or I didn't.

Taking that into consideration, I do intend on reading book two. I'm hoping that will help solidify my feelings, one way or another. Until then, I give THE LOST SUN a two-three star review, because I can't decide but I think it was one of the two.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Lock and Mori by Heather W. Petty

Title: Lock & Mori (Lock & Mori #1)

Author: Heather W. Petty

Publisher: Simon & Schueter Books For Young Readers

Release Date: September 15, 2015

Format Read: Hardback (FC)

Description from Goodreads: In modern-day London, two brilliant high school students-- one Sherlock Holmes and a Miss James "Mori" Moriarty-- meet. a murder will bring them together. The truth very well may drive them apart.

Before they were mortal enemies, they were much more...

FACT: SOmeone has been murdered in London's Regent Park. The police have no leads.

FACT: Miss James "Mori" Moriarty and Sherlock "Lock" Holmes should be hitting the books on a school night. Instead, they are out crashing a crime scene.

FACT: Lock has challenged Mori to solve the case before he does. Challenge accepted.

FACT: Despite agreeing to Lock's one rule-- they most share every clue with each other-- Mori is keeping secrets.

OBSERVATION: Sometimes you can't trust the people closest to you in matters of the heart. And after this case, Mori may never trust Lock again.

Let me just say that I have been mega stoked for LOCK & MORI, and read my copy as soon as I got it. Let me also say that

it

was

worth

the

wait.

I literally have nothing negative to say about this one. Not a single thing. Well... okay, there was one thing, but I can't very well tell you what it was, because it's a spoilery type thing. But anyway, as much as I loved this book, it pained me. Because I know-- I knoooow-- how Sherlock and Moriarty turn out. If you know anything about the two, you know they are nemeses. And.. I ship it just a little too much for that ending. MOCK IS REAL, AND MOCK IS HERE TO STAY. 

Those things aside, I loved the case that they worked on, and while I did guess the culprit, I didn't have a clue about most of the things that went down before the reveal. Petty kept me guessing until the very last page, and I loved every minute of this read. The characters were so well-rounded, the plot and setting so real, so well-thought-out, and the crime was fantastic to follow.

LOCK & MORI was a 4.5 star read for me, and I am eagerly awaiting book two. I am not-so-eagerly awaiting the inevitable ending. I am sure to be going down with this ship. 

Unless the wonderful fantastic Heather Petty wants to make this retelling... not so heart breaking?

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend (Legend #1)

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Format Read: Paperback

Description from 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' 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 to keep its secrets.

I know, that was fast. I just posted about getting this book last Friday. If you think that was fast, then I probably shouldn't tell you that I read it in four and a half hours...

But I did. And now I kinds see what everyone's been talking about-- this book is freaking GOOD. June and Day? Um, yes. Ship. Shipshipship. And the ship is currently sailing, too, as of the end of LEGEND, so I'm just over here singing hallelujahs. Don't mind me.

Moving on!

While the dystopian world that LEGEND placed me in felt familiar, the characters were new, and I easily found myself loving them for their quirks and attitudes. The world was interesting, what with the idea of the Trials and the way at which your future is decided based upon your test scores (But not like in the DIVERGENT world!).  And of course, I absolutely adored Day and his ties to his family and his criminal life being about more than just random acts of defiance.

Four stars, of course, to LEGEND and it's beauty. If you like dystopia and rebel acts against a government force that is much bigger than you, read LEGEND. Don't be slow like me. 

Now onto book two.

Happily,

Stephanie

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Cemetery Boys by Heather Brewer

Title: The Cemetery Boys

Author: Heather Brewer

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: March 10, 2015

Format Read: Hardback (FC)

Description from Goodreads: When Stephen is forced to move back to the nowhere town his father grew up in, he's already sure he's not going to like it. Spencer, Michigan, is like a town straight out of  a Hitchcock movie, with old-fashioned people who see things only in black-and-white. But things start looking up when Stephen meets the mysterious twins Cara and Devon. They're total punks-- hardly the kind of people Stephen's dad wants him hanging out with-- but they're a breath of fresh air in this backward town. The only problem is, Cara and Devon don't always get along, and as Stephen forms a friendship with the charismatic Devon and something more with the troubled Cara, he starts to feel like he's getting caught in the middle of a conflict he doesn't fully understand. And as Devon's group of friends, who hang out in a cemetery they call The Playground, get up to increasingly reckless activities to pass the summer days, Stephen worries he may be in over his head.

Stephen's fears prove well-founded when he learns of Spencer's dark past. It seems the poor factory town has a history of "bad times", and many of the town's oldest residents attribute the bad times to creatures right out of an urban legend. The legend goes that the only way the town will prosper again is if someone makes a sacrifice to these nightmarish creatures. And while Stephen isn't one to believe in old stories, it seems Devon and his gang might put a lot of faith in them. Maybe even enough to kill for them.

Now, Stephen has to decide what he believes, where his allegiances lie, and who will really be his friend in the end.



Being a big fan of THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD and THE SLAYER CHRONICLES, when Brewer released a new book, I had to have it. So I grabbed it at a bookfest and read it on the way home. It made for a slow, slow trip.

CEMETERY BOYS was too... bleh. There was a lot of cliche peer pressure, as well as the typical do-anything-to-fit-in element, and the way it combined into a mystery/thriller/almost-horror seemed fairy tale ish. I didn't feel that the story was meshed very well when it came to integrating the urban legend and everything that came with that, nor did I feel like the climax was much of a climax. In fact, I lost my intrigue about a third of the way through the book, but I read on in hopes that it would get better. In addition, the ending? I had dismissed the end-game "bad guy" at the beginning of the book, thinking it way too obvious, and when the big reveal came about, I felt like I'd been robbed of a good OMG moment. Also for me, I didn't like any of the characters.

What was probably the most important thing to me was that I read Brewer's books because I know they're going to be clean, and while this one wasn't filthy, it definitely crossed a line that Vlad and Joss (VLADIMIR TOD and SLAYER CHRONICLES) never did. This is something that really saddens me, as Brewer's books had always been a bit of a safe place for me when it came to reading-- I knew wouldn't ever come across something inappropriate in those books. Now, I can't say that anymore.

I would give CEMETERY BOYS one star, and I'm sad to say it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Am I the only one that felt this way?

(Un)Happily,
Stephanie