Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins (ARC)

Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1) by Rachel Hawkins
Putnam Juvenile (an imprint of Penguin), 345 pages
US Release Date: April 8, 2014
Format/Source: ARC via Around the World Tours - thank you!

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.
-------------------------Goodreads Summary

Notable Quote

I needed my mentor-person right now. I had figured out as much as I possibly could, so it was time for my Giles or my Professor X or whoever to get here and start explaining.

Rebel Belle isn’t something I’d normally gravitate to (honest truth: because of the cover. I seriously hate pink.), but I kind of had a fiending to read about more kick ass girl characters. And if there’s one that sounds like it will fit the bill, it’s Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins.

I always have a habit of reading acknowledgements before I read the book, and I have to say Rachel’s pitch of Legally Blonde meets The Terminator is spot on. This is such a fun, quirky read. This class president, cotillion Queen kickin’ ass and killing people with her shoes?! That’s so awesome.

I liked the general storyline, why David Stark needs protecting and how it all falls on Harper and Saylor. The history is interesting and makes for endless possibilities as they move through the days. The setting was probably something I loved best—I grew up in Europe and southern California. I have absolutely no idea about the South and southern belles, and I loved the houses and buildings; especially the Tea House and Magnolia House. I really felt like I could picture those places, like I was really there drinking tea or sweeping down the steps.

One of my only issues with this book is that I feel like I had to suspend my reality a bit. More than the obvious, I mean. There are certain situations where I just kept thinking of all the ways the assassin/killer person should have done something, or that if so-and-so had simply done this, it would have worked. (This is kind of hard to discuss without giving away a lot of key elements haha.) It’s not that what happened didn’t work, it was just…unnecessarily complicated for the sake of the story, and I couldn’t help feeling like the better solutions were glaringly obvious.

Still, Rebel Belle was a ton of fun to read. It’s quick and light with just enough heaviness and drama and issues to pull you in and keep going. I loved all the various ways Rachel Hawkins was able to get super kickass ninja skills mixed in with shoe shopping and refraining from curse words. If anything, everyone should read this to meet Harper: she's a little bit of you, a little bit of me, a little bit of everyone with some great superhero-like powers to boot.

3.5 stars

Review: Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff (ARC)

Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff
Putnam Juvenile (an imprint of Penguin), 256 pages
US Release Date: October 3, 2013
Format/Source: Print ARC, Around the World Tours - thank you!
Challenges: Contemporary Challenge, Standalone Challenge

Printz Award-winning author Meg Rosoff's latest novel is a gorgeous and unforgettable page-turner about the relationship between parents and children, love and loss.

Mila has an exceptional talent for reading a room—sensing hidden facts and unspoken emotions from clues that others overlook. So when her father’s best friend, Matthew, goes missing from his upstate New York home, Mila and her beloved father travel from London to find him. She collects information about Matthew from his belongings, from his wife and baby, from the dog he left behind and from the ghosts of his past—slowly piecing together the story everyone else has missed. But just when she’s closest to solving the mystery, a shocking betrayal calls into question her trust in the one person she thought she could read best.
------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

And so, perhaps, when I say I long to be a pane of glass, I am lying. I long for partial obscurity at the same time that I long for someone to know me.

It is confusing and difficult being me.

I've only read one other of Meg Rosoff's books (There Is No Dog - click to read my review!), but I'm fairly certain her books are ones that will remain in your memory. There such a unique take to everything; the story, the personalities, the situations...I feel like this book is something I've never really seen together at once, and I love that.

There is a sadness that permeates this entire novel. It weaves itself into all the worlds, all the settings and thoughts. It's not overwhelmingly sad like how I felt while reading Safekeeping by Karen Hesse, but there's a distinct melancholy. Something that makes me feel like I'm searching for a lost cause. And while that's perfect in terms of the actual story and what Mila and Gil are doing, sometimes I had to close the book just to breathe and remember the world is, in fact, ok.

Picture Me Gone isn't so much of a coming-of-age book; but more a losing-your-innocence book. It's having to grow up, of having to face adult decisions and consequences, while learning there is a darkness to people and sides that we try to hide. It's a little heartbreaking to be in Mila's head as she learns to wrap her thoughts around the darkness hidden in people, but at the same time it makes you love her more and want to wrap her in a hug and protect her. There's a sense of pride I have for her, too, that she's able to process all that she and Gil learn about her father's friend, that she understands these are the life lessons she's been told most her life she'll have to understand when she's older.

Seriously up for discussion: what did you think of Meg Rosoff not using quotation marks? Of not making the distinction of dialogue and who exactly was speaking? I personally found it intriguing and a good choice. It feels a little more like being in a 12-year-olds head. Plus, I felt like we followed the story a little better and that we really got into the rhythm of the plot. To know who is speaking to whom, you have to follow closely, and I feel like without the quotes it let us fall into it a little more. But still...anyone hate it? Think it was too weird?

There are so many different personalities in this book, and I found myself being pulled almost equally to all of them. Even when some of the personalities aren't necessarily good ones, there's something distinct, endearing almost, about all of them. I loved that Gil is quiet and spare, his words measured and his thoughts logical. I adore Mila and her ability to read situations, because sometimes I feel just like her: seeing too much from so little and feeling like it's a punishment and a power. Matthew and Suzanne are not made to be positive characters, but there's something to both that you see a bit of people you love in them. They make you clench your fist as you put your arm around their shoulders, you know? And I found the element of Mila's best friend, Catlin, to be interesting. I like how their relationship as children still mirrored adult situations, how a friendship made when they were so young and doing childish things can still teach her lessons about being an adult and growing up. Even though I think Catlin is ultimately a negative in Mila's life, I can appreciate the positives she catalyzes.

I know I've said a lot of things that are dark or sad, but there's actually a lot of love and sweetness throughout this entire book, too. A lot of it is from family - Marieka and Gil especially - and the trust and belief we have in them. There's moments of comfort and happiness. While I don't really like Honey's devotion to Matthew, it's still something that makes you smile amidst the rest of the confusion. It's nice to know that even though there's questions and deception all around, there can also be true loyalty and an unfailing love.

Picture Me Gone is a serious book, with serious lessons and sweet moments (Jake!) interspersed. It is a book meant to make you think, to consider humanity and personality and who we are to others. It is one that makes you think of the darkness you hide, the secrets you keep hidden, and the why to all of it. But there's also enough in here that reminds you of those people you hold close, of the ones who do bring you hope and light the way in darkness.

3.5 Stars

Review: There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff

There Is No Dog by Meg Rosoff
Putnam Juvenile, 256 Pages
US Release Date: January 24, 2012
Challenge: Local Library Challenge

Meet your unforgettable protagonist: God, who, as it turns out, is a 19-year-old boy living in the present-day and sharing an apartment with his long-suffering fifty-something personal assistant. Unfortunately for the planet, God is lazy and, frankly, hopeless. He created all of the world's species in six days because he couldn't summon the energy to work for longer. He gets Africa and America mixed up. And his beleagured assistant has his work cut out for him when God creates a near-apolcalyptic flood, having fallen asleep without turning the bath off. There is No Dog is a darkly funny novel from one of our most delightfully unpredictable writers.
------------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

Perhaps the way to proceed is to think of life on earth as a colossal joke, a creation of such immense stupidity that the only way to live is to laugh until you think your heart will break.

What a bizarre book. In the best way possible! But still bizarre. I hate to quote the blurbs on the back, but it really is this quirky, funny little read.

I absolutely loved the premise: God is actually a 19-year-old impulsive, bratty boy named Bob whose every emotion alters the state of Earth. Floods, earthquakes, beautiful weather, everything is a direct result to his feelings. (Isn't that terrifying?  What if your moods effected the weather??)  The story follows Bob when he falls in love with Human Lucy, and all the other god-like presences behind Bob that make it all work.

Has this book been banned? Because if it hasn't, I'm surprised, and pretty certain it will come. It questions God and the perceptions of God, which only makes sense that some places would ban it. I mean, if we can ban books that talk about burning books or Quidditch-playing wizards, I'm certain we can ban a book that views God as an arrogant, nymphomaniac prick, and Earth as a company-like gambling stake to be made.

There Is No Dog isn't meant to be some anti-Christian book though; in fact, it's almost an advocate for the belief in a higher being.  And I keep mentioning this religion thing like it's a religious book of some sort - it's really NOT. It's just a fun novel that happens to merge the perceptions of a religion with adolescence. Some parts were a bit out-there and confusing, and I was definitely not a fan of Bob; but overall I was laughing and enjoying all the antics, I felt sympathy for Eck (the odd penguin/anteater hybrid pet of Bob) that he was doomed, I really felt everyone's turmoil and questions.  Though it may not seem it, this is definitely a Young Adult book that lingers into the emotions of new love, figuring out who we are and who those are around us, and how it all works together to create our lives.

There's a lot of little sub-stories throughout this book; all of them weave together at points, but it is a lot to keep up with. But each one is unique and interesting, and I was entirely invested in all of it. I think Mr. B was my favourite, in his quiet, steadfast and hopeless way.

Warning, all: it's about to get weird here. Because I'm going to liken my reading this story to reading Kafka's The Castle. ("KAFKA?!" I know. Hear me out.)  I read The Castle for my high school senior final thesis, and like all of Kafka's work, it is rife with symbolism and weirdness and simplicity that's just a metaphor for complexity. And truthfully, I felt that way with this: it's a quirky read, it's funny and flowing--but I also felt like I could read into every character and event and make it something bigger.  Am I supposed to? I have no idea. But I could.  And I felt like it made this book all the better.

I'm not sure if this is for everyone. It's a bit weird to wrap your head around the concept of God not being the all-mighty-all-power-all-knowing benevolence, and even weirder to not quite like him at all. But I think everyone should give it a shot, because they'll probably find a little of their own faith in it.

4 Stars / 5

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend #1 by Marie Lu
Putnam Juvenile, 305 Pages
US Release Date: November 29, 2011
Challenges: Local Library Challenge, Debut Author Challenge

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 keep its secrets.
------------------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

You try to walk in the light.

What is up with all the amazing debut Dystopians this year?? How many times can I be blown away by a book?!

Legend is a brilliant, thrilling novel, filled with delicious tension (of all kinds), a lot of action, and overflowing strength.  The story focuses on June Iparis, a military prodigy, and Day, a criminal slum, as they navigate their lives in a time of war between the Republic and Colonies, and a deadly plague that's taking its toll on the population.

It was shocking how fast I fell in love with Day. Almost from his page 1, you know he's something special, that he's one of those characters who is going to own your heart - and not only that, but he'll earn and deserve that love. He's solid, and it only gets better as the story goes on.  Much, much better.

It was equally as shocking how much I liked June. Female main characters are a gamble with me (I'm fairly judgmental. Seriously), and it took me by surprise how much I liked this one. She's strong in a really vulnerable way, especially when her brother is killed.  Even as the novel progressed and more details came about, lies were revealed in equal measure to truths...June was very much who she'd been established to be. Her evolution is sensible and unpredictable, in a good way.

In fact, every character was done really, really well. It's amazing the sensibility you get from each character from the very beginning, and Marie Lu was a master in maintaining it all. There are some books you read that confuse you as you go on, wondering why a character would do something or what the motivations were; not so with this. You know each one, in a very clear and concise way, and it all works together seamlessly.

Truthfully, I was a bit wary of the story and had avoided it for a bit because I have a lot of weird hangups when it comes to militarism and biowarfare (separate and together).  Anything to do with biology freaks me out (I also have an overactive imagination), and because my life is so intertwined with everything militant, it's a very odd mix to me.  But Legend completely blew all those were hangups out of the water and made me question why I'd even worried. The plot is exciting and original, and there were so many little twists and turns it kept me glued to the pages.  There wasn't really anything that completely threw me off or came out of nowhere, but I actually think it was better that way; you're questioning and thinking right along with the characters.

Something I loved loved LOVED about this novel was the details. It paralleled so well with both Day's and June's personalities, and it added so much more depth to the novel. I'm definitely a details girl, I notice little things in mass quantities, and this satisfied all my wanting.

When I was thinking about how I was going to review this book, the word I kept coming back to was SMART.  It's a smart read - not meaning pretentious or the readers are smart (well...you know.) or that it's got ridiculously big words.  I just mean that there's a certain amount of intelligence worked through the plot, that everything that happens is done with care and cleverness.  The characters are meant to be brilliant, and it shows very well throughout the novel.

Legend felt very different from a lot of books I've read this year, in the best way. It's a Dystopian, yes, but not outlandishly so -- it's almost terrifying how you could see this as a future for the world.  I was delighted to feel elements of all genres in it: some romance, a lot of action, tons of thrill, the biowarfare added just a touch of horror for me...it's truly a phenomenal read.

5 Stars / 5