Review: Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza (ARC)

Mila 2.0 (Mila 2.0 #1) by Debra Driza
Katherine Tegan Books (an imprint of HarperTeen/HarperCollins), 480 pages
Expected US Release Date: March 12, 2013
Format: Print ARC
Source: Borrowed from friend (thanks Natasha!)
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past —that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza’s bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity–style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be—and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel.
------------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

I felt that same tiny flare of hope from before...that same rise of breathless anticipation that maybe, just maybe, I'd come to the wrong conclusion, even though I knew better.

"I'm sorry, Mila."

Three words, I realized with a choked sob. That's all it took for hope to die.

Mila 2.0 is one of those books I went into with reservations, because I had wanted it for SO LONG. I had anticipated it so much, had so much hope and expectation, that I was like there is no possible way for it to live up to what I want it to be. I've known Debra for several months at this point (almost a year!) and I adore her, and I was like "can it be possible that this brilliant woman I know in real life translates to the page too!?" It seems impossible.

Oh, but it is not. She does it fantastically, improbably, and so, so amazingly.

If you were to look at my past in books, you'll see one thing in common: contemporary romance. I adore it. I am all about the love stories, the swoon and the emotions and feelings. Something not really there? Action. I don't not like it, I just...I don't gravitate to it at all. Sometimes I think it's hard to read about because I want to see it, sometimes I'm just not feeling it.

Mila 2.0 is 80% action, 20% romance AND I DON'T EVEN GIVE A DAMN I LOVE IT.

This is one action-packed, non-stop book. I swear every other page felt like we were on the run from something, or hiding, or fighting - and the pages that weren't were filled with the delicious tension of waiting for it to happen because you knew it was inevitable. The beginning does start out a little slow (and bitchy - anyone else want to slap Kaylee?!), but power through guys! Trust me that it will pick up, because we have to see the human side to Mila to understand just how difficult it is for her to come to terms that she's actually not one. And even though I do say it's 80% action and movement, the best part is how balanced this entire novel felt. Sure, you're speeding at a million miles a second, but I never felt rushed. I never felt like we were missing important details, and what was given to us is perfect.

I really loved all of Mila's Android capabilities, too - they're so much fun! I loved how she discovered or was told each one, and the part they all played. It was so creative, and her flaw of emotions were brilliant to see. There is one part that I'm not going to spoil, but let's just say we get to see what she's supposed to be versus how she's "too human," and it is fantastic. Such a great additional element to this story.

There's really not much else I can say about Mila 2.0, except this is an amazing debut from an equally amazing writer. You're immediately drawn in, and even though it is a hefty word count (almost 500 pages!), you won't even notice it. You fly through the pages because there's a certain ease to Debra's writing that just connects to you. Seriously, reading this is like watching a movie! There are so many fantastic scenes that have a great tension or emotion or feeling to it, and I can't recommend it enough.

And ok, like I could really do a review without talking about the love interests/boys (even if they are only 20% of the story)! They're not too big of a deal, but the scenes they are in? So good. I can easily fall in love with both of the boys that show up here, especially Lucas. He's got that nerdy scientist hot thing going - at least in my head, anyway haha. Their scenes are short, but meaningful, and I cannot wait to see what part they play in the rest of the trilogy.

5 Stars

Une Petite Revue: Model Spy by Shannon Greenland (e-ARC)

Model Spy (The Specialists #1) by Shannon Greenland
Penguin/Speak, 224 pages
US Release Date: May 10, 2007
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley - thank you JKS Communication!

Teen genius Kelly James is in a lot of hot water. A whiz with computers, she agreed to help her college RA, David, uncover some top-secret information. After all, she doesn't have many friends and David has always been nice to her. it doesn't hurt that he's supercute and irresistible, too. All she has to do is hack into the government's main computer system. but a few hours later, her whole life changes. she is caught and taken in for questioning, only this isn't your run-of-the-mill arrest. rather than serve a juvenile detention sentence, she accepts the option to change her name and enlist in a secret government spy agency that trains teen agents to go undercover. As if that wasn't overwhelming enough, she discovers that David works for this agency as well And before she even begins to understand what is going on, she's sent on her first mission as an undercover model. And who better to partner with than David himself?
-------------------------Goodreads summary

The Goods

Meeting the Team after Kelly gets her first mission. Hilarious.

The action once they leave the compound.

I love the idea of each one being brilliant in their own way.

The Bads

How cliche is it to have a blonde barbie model girl actually being a computer coding nerd?

Kelly kind of annoys me. She's just not very likable.

Predictable. If I tell you the premise, you can probably tell me the entire story.

The Consensus

A fun read, and I hope I can track down the rest of the series somewhere!

The Recommendation

Check it out from the library when you need a fast, light read.

3.5 Stars / 5

Review: The 13th Sign by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb (ARC)

The 13th Sign by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Feiwel and Friends (an imprint of MacMillan), 272 pages
Expected US Release Date: January 8, 2013
Format: Print ARC
Source: Around the World ARC Tours - thank you!

What if there was a 13th zodiac sign?

You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign.

Your personality has changed. So has your mom’s and your best friend’s.

What about the rest of the world?

What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change—and infuriating the other 12 signs?

Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong. Lives, including her own, depend on it.
----------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

Sometimes thinking too much could make you miss something really great. Come to think of it, I don't know that there is such a thing as a good trait or a bad trait. Every aspect of our personalities can be good or bad; it just depends on the situation. Sometimes a help, sometimes a hindrance. No absolutes.

I have a confession: I totally read my horoscope, and I 100% believe I am a token Pisces with a touch of Aries (seeing as how my birthday falls a day before the cusp, it makes sense). While I'm not entirely sure I believe in the zodiac, I can't deny how well the attributes to each sign describe me. While the daily horoscopes seem like a bunch of hooey, the overall descriptions are spot on for me, my family and friends.

Obviously, I know a bit about the zodiac signs - which was one of the reasons I wanted to read The 13th Sign so badly! But at the same time, it also made me totally resistant to the idea of adding a thirteenth sign and shifting everyone. Though I'd still remain a Pisces under the new dates if the 13th Sign did exist, I would be smack in the middle - without all my Aries tendencies. And I reject that idea!

Moving along to an actual review of the book...

Here's the sad truth: I was super excited to read this book, and I was definitely underwhelmed. It was this crazy adventure of accidentally releasing the 13th sign onto the world and changing absolutely everything; so Jalen (the unfortunate unlocker) has to defeat the traditional 12 plus Ophiuchus the 13th in order to restore order and normalcy as we all once knew. Sounds fantastic right?

Eh.

It was a pretty great adventure, and I really enjoyed how Jalen had to meet each sign and how well they seem to represent the core characteristics of the sign. But cramming 13 battles amongst a real plotline into a meager 270-someodd pages left a lot to be desired. I wanted more, I wanted more detail, I wanted more action and less movement. A lot of the resolutions to the battles were abrupt and, honestly, a bit cheesy to me. There was especially one that had me rolling my eyes so hard at the pages it felt like I pulled something. I understand that not all 13 battles can be MIND-BLOWING EARTH-SHATTERING EPIC, but I expect a few of them to be at least!

I was also disappointed in the personality shifts that happen when Jalen accidentally unlocks Ophiuchus. I get why they happen, and I don't have a problem with how everyone shifts. That all makes sense. But it was so convenient what each person around Jalen turned into, and I hated that it felt like everyone else turned into a pretty big wuss. It made Jalen's "sudden" transformation into a sassy, back-talking fighter a little less impressive. They were all incredibly extreme shifts, and it was just a little too much.

I think I just wanted more from the book. So many things were touched upon - Jalen's Nina, Jalen's father abandonment issues, some vague twinges of romance with a few of the guys - but nothing really fleshes out into real plotlines that I invested myself into. The concept, the potential is totally here; but it didn't carry through.

Something I really did like was the message in the end, though. I know I've whined that some of this is cheesy, and the ending is a little bit too - but it fits. It wraps up everything Jalen and her friends have gone through nicely and gives a satisfying purpose to the whole adventure; and I love that that's what the reader gets to leave the story with. It actually made me change my star rating, because originally I was feeling like a lot of this was a waste of a day to read. But then the ending happened, and while yes it is pretty predictable, the message is clear and fantastic: no absolutes.

PS. Did you know that a 13th sign is a real debate in astrology? Here's the wiki page - I heard about it a couple years ago and have been intrigued since...but I definitely reject it!

3 Stars / 5

Review: Double Vision by FT Bradley (MG)

Double Vision (Double Vision #1) by FT Bradley
Harper Children's, 244 Pages
US Release Date: October 16, 2012
Format: finished copy
Source: author for review - thanks Fleur!

One's a Secret Agent, One's Not.

Twelve-year-old Linc is a trouble-maker with a dilemma. His antics on a recent school field trip went way overboard, landing his already poor family with a serious lawsuit. So when two secret agents show up at his house, Linc is eager to take them up on their offer to make the lawsuit disappear. They just need one tiny favor.

Turns out Linc looks exactly like one of their top kid agents—an agent who's vanished during a vitally important mission. But no debriefing can prepare Linc for how dangerous the mission really is. It's too bad he isn't a black belt, a math genius, or a distance runner like his agent double. He'll need all those skills and more if he hopes to make it out of this mission alive. . . .
---------------summary from author

Notable Quote

I'd been trying so hard to be Benjamin Green, only to feel like an utter loser. But I never stopped to think that maybe I had some skills he didn't have. Maybe not knowing the rules of the junior agent handbook was actually a good thing.

When I saw this book pitched as Alex Rider meets the The Da Vinci Code, I knew I had to take it up! I've never actually read the Alex Rider series (though I hear great things!) but I love the idea of adventure in Paris with the Mona Lisa. And meeting Lincoln Baker, he definitely had his fun around the city trying to solve this case! Plus, when I started reading the first few preview pages, the very first lines made me laugh - it was funny AND it referenced Percy Jackson! I knew it would be a winner right there.

And I was right! You guys, this is a fantastically fun adventure novel (with SPIES!) that takes us through the streets of Paris with a sarcastically real boy named Lincoln Baker and a strong, intriguing girl named Francoise as they search for an evil Mona Lisa painting that can hypnotize and control any person who stares at it. The concept is so much fun and refreshingly simple - it feels like often nowadays we try to complicate storylines with tons of various ideas, but this was was straightforward and creative. I loved it.

Lincoln is such a great Middle Grade character. He's a true boy with a streak for trouble and a penchant for mischief, but he's also a young man learning to make tough choices and be kind to others. The entire reason he takes on this mission offered to him was to help out his family. That speaks a ton about his character and how noble he is. As the novel goes through, we really get a feel for who he is; he's so much fun and has this fantastic deadpan-like outlook on what happens. I like that he gets things wrong sometimes, but he also thinks and acts. He's very real, and I know a lot of young readers will love him and relate to him. I even wrote a note how I love all the times Lincoln actually says (is that the right verb when it's writing? Hmmm...) "I'll skip past all the boring parts, but what you need to know..." because it gives such a clear Voice to him.

As a story, Double Vision really delivers! It's a great mystery adventure, filled with some great twists and fun spy elements. My personal favourites were the fun gadgets that Linc got to use (particularly one that can cause a small, distracting explosion) as well as the codes. I can't be the only one who used to make up secret codes with my friends so we could write undercover notes to each other! Usually they weren't as brilliant as we thought, or were so unendingly complicated that we couldn't crack each other's notes -- but the point is, they were so fun to make and a real part of my childhood. FT Bradley has several differing types of codes and cyphers that are incredibly interesting and completely real! I had a ton of fun learning about them, and they were worked so effortlessly into the plot that I barely realized I was learning in the first place!

This is definitely a Middle Grade novel, meaning the characters act young and have young thoughts -- as an older reader, there were a few things I wanted to happen a bit faster or better, but all I had to do was remind myself that it was meant for younger children. I'm already debating if I'm going to give my copy to my 11-year-old cousin, my uncle's middle school classroom, or a friend's 9-year-old daughter - I know all of them would absolutely devour it!

My only "complaint" (which isn't even one really) is that sometimes the plot seemed too simple, and that things were awfully convenient. But that also might be because I read Young Adult, where it's expected to have an innate complexity. There are really no issues with this book at all, all the small things I had about it were because I was the reader.

Probably my favourite element on this story is how much it emphasizes family. As mentioned, Lincoln goes on this mission in the first place to help out his family and protect them; Francoise gets involved because her father was taken and she must guard her family's legacy and the Da Vinci collection gifted to them. There's real love and strength in these relationships, and it would be fantastic for any middle grader to see that on a page.

Double Vision was a book entirely worth reading, and I can't wait to see the next mission Lincoln gets sent on. I had so much fun romping around Paris with him and trying to solve what was going on. If you dig any of Rick Riordan's novels, or just want a fun undercover spy adventure with a skateboarding, hilarious kid, pick this up. You won't be disappointed.

(Also? This would be the PERFECT Christmas gift for your middle grader!)

4.5 stars / 5

**Stay tuned for a fantastic interview with the author! It'll be up in a few hours :)

Review: The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini (ARC)

The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini
Balzar + Bray, 400 Pages
US Release Date: September 25, 2012
Format: ARC
Source: Gift from author - thank you SO much! (read about it here)

Given the chance, fifteen-year-old Peregrine “Perry” Eckert would dedicate every waking moment to Creatures & Caverns, an epic role-playing game rich with magical creatures, spell casting, and deadly weapons. The world of C&C is where he feels most comfortable in his own skin, so when his parents ship him off to summer camp Perry is sure he’s in for the worst summer of his life.

Everything changes, however, when Perry gets to camp and stumbles into the World of the Other Normals. Perry’s new otherworldly friends need his help to save their princess and prevent mass violence. As they embark on their quest together, Perry realizes that his nerdy childhood has uniquely prepared him to be a great warrior in this world, and maybe even a hero.

Bestselling author Ned Vizzini delivers a compulsively readable and wildly original story about the winding and often hilarious path to manhood.
----------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

"That's the number one thing I hear about humans. You have all these choices, so you're confused all the time, and you think so much that you're never happy."

I think the best word for The Other Normals would be quirky. The concept is a bit quirky, the main character Perry is a bit quirky, the World of The Other Normals is a bit quirky, pretty much any way you approach this book...it's odd, and weird, and completely unlike anything I've encountered. And I love that.

Even though it's a fairly hefty book at 400 pages, I flew through it in no time flat: there's something so smooth about the storyline and you go so seamlessly between the worlds, you barely notice (aside from the giant printed words!). Ned Vizzini's writing has always been captivating to me; the descriptions, personifications, every word has a purpose and they work together so well. It's hard to describe, but whenever I'm reading anything of his...it just feels familiar, even if they're words I've never heard before. I feel like I'm coming back to an old friend.

This will sound stupid, but something I didn't take into account when reading this is that it was going to be about an RPG game - which is something I have no interest in. I've never understood games like Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, etc. and even though it's callous of me to say, I don't really want to understand them. I've just never understood the appeal, and while of course everyone is free to like what they will, it's not for me. So when I started reading The Other Normals and realized that oh...I'm going to be reading about a game (called Creatures & Caverns in the book)...it was kind of tough to hold my attention, simply because games like that make my eyes glaze over. So just...be more aware than I was going in!

The other difficulty was with two of the characters. The first was Perry, the main boy. I just didn't like him much. He was awkward and weird, and not really in an endearing way - more in a cover my eyes and ears way, where I get secondhand embarrassment and want to duck my head and hide behind my hair. He made me cringe with some of his actions and thoughts, and while I'm sure those are actually very real things to a teenage boy, it just made me uncomfortable. Perry is self-involved and a bit rude, and there were definite moments I had to just take a deep breathe and remind myself that 1) he's a teenage boy, and 2) he's a character in a book. The second character I had a small issue with was Sam - he was so two-faced with Perry, which bothered me a bit; but mostly, he felt underdeveloped. I couldn't quite figure out why he did some of the things he did, and there were so many more possibilities with him! He could have been a fantastic asset to Perry in the real world, but he just...wasn't.

However! I kind of fell in love with the World of The Other Normals, and especially with the two that Perry falls in with: Mortin Enaw and Ada Ember. They were such a fun bunch, and I loved their outlook on life. I was also fascinated with the existence of The World of The Other Normals, and how it did in relation to the real world - such a weird, fun concept, and I like the idea of there being transition points between the two. It was creative and original, and I enjoyed how the actions in one would effect what happens in the other world. The Other World was so much fun to discover, and even though the world itself wasn't built too much, I enjoyed all the characters that appeared in there. It was fun to read about each one and see what crazy person/hybrid would pop up next.

The story itself was a great adventure, too - I feel like I examine elements of books so often that I forget to look at the book as a whole. Which would be a shame for The Other Normals, because the storyline is the best part! The entire plot is an awesome mix of fantasy geekdom and weapon-wielding adventure and travel with some hilarious shenanigans, odd friendships in even odder places, and an exciting ending that involved a fairly epic showdown in a summer camp mess hall thrown in.

Underlying all the fun are some great lessons and bigger pictures, too. One of my favourite elements of a Vizzini novel is the subtle wisdom that permeates it; you're learning without even realizing, because they're embedded so well in the content. And thankfully, The Other Normals delivers with that, too. Watching Perry kind of grow up, we get to see a boy finally understand what it means to live your life as opposed to wanting to live a different one. And I really enjoyed watching Perry figure out girls (or at least attempt to!) and the dynamics of relationships and friendships; it's meaningful at the same time as being funny.

While I'm not sure if The Other Normals will be for everyone, I hope that everyone at least tries - it's surprising in the weirdest, most creative way.

4 Stars / 5

Review: From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas

From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas
Disney Hyperion, 462 Pages
US Release Date: May 15, 2012
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley (thank you Hyperion!)

KYLIE: Tijuana WHAT? I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY, and is this a wedding band on my finger.

MAX: It all started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics. Okay, it was kind of hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded in Tijuana. With less than twenty-four hours before graduation. Awesome.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border -- but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: I just walked in on my boyfriend, Max Langston, canoodling with Kylie Flores, freak of the century. Still, I can't completely hold it against him. He NEEDS me. It's even clearer now. And I'm not giving him up without a fight
----------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

Maybe life is full of moments like this, fleeting, genius moments that don't bleed into real life. And don't mean much when they're over.

What a fun book! I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this story. It is obvious in the best way that Stacy and Valerie are screenwriters, because it seriously flows like a movie in your head as you're reading. There's just the right amount of action, introspection, romance and humor, perfectly balanced together.

Going into it, I'd had concerns that it was told from four (later to find out five) perspectives, but it was basically a non-worry by three chapters in. Not only are they clearly labeled and defined whose perspective we're in at the time, the writing is done so well and each character's voice is so clear that there was never an issue. I liked that Kylie's brother Jake got his own little part in the story as well, it was a really touching bit that made it just a little more personal.

Will is by far my favourite, though I was surprised to realize Max is a close, close second. Will is that awesome over-the-top gay boy personality, and I loved the reversal that he wears women's clothing but feels weird trying to transition back to men's clothing. (I love me some Tom Ford suits too). His fierce loyalty to Kylie is sweet, and I loved seeing that kind of friendship in a YA novel. Hell, most of the friendships in this book are fantastic, notably Charlie and Max. Theirs was that typical male friendship, but didn't make it any less genuine. Very real writing, and awesome to see. Even Lily is done well, and though I think she is a major bitch, there are parts of her that are endearing, too. I can't talk about her too much without spoiling the story, but I do like how she ended - it felt genuine.

The story itself is fantastic, fast-paced and so much fun. While the general premise of how Max and Kylie end up in Ensenada is a bit of a stretch to me (I'm a daughter of a security officer, crossing borders is a sensitive topic), it didn't lessen how much I enjoyed the entire novel. While sometimes it seems that Max and Kylie's friendship is reminiscent of "insta-love," since the entire novel is really only a span of a day and a half, the development is real and paced just right. The ups and downs are what any relationship would actually go through, shoved into a smaller timeframe. The secondary storylines are just as well developed and meaningful as the main story arc, and I enjoyed how everything linked up together. Each character has their own shit to get through, and it all came together seamlessly. Max is a great male lead too, with definite negatives - but the positives far outweigh them. He really is like a lot of the typical southern california guys I know, a bit douchey but still lovable...especially in the end, where I was totally falling in love with him multiple times.

Something wonderful in the novel as well was the varying family relationships. Family is something I always study in YA novels because the teenage years are a big part to developing a relationship with parents and siblings. It's a tough time in our lives! So it was great to see the different degrees in this novel: some were overbearing, others were dysfunctional, some were strained, others were supportive. Maybe some were a bit of all of those. Whatever each character's family was, I was glad to see it in in the novel, and I thought each was handled great.

So yes, pretty much a perfect book! However...

Did you know that the movie Anchorman has a discrepancy in it? The movie is set in San Diego during the '70s and there's a scene where they do a sky shot of San Diego and pan across the downtown area. In this shot, you can actually spot Petco Park; which didn't break ground until 2000 and was completed in 2004. It's not something anyone would know unless they were from San Diego or some crazy diehard fan of the San Diego Padres (which, let's face it, not even San Diegans are die-hard Padres fans) so it's not really a big deal, but it's definitely something I always think of.

Why do I write that nonsense up there?

That discrepancy didn't stop me from loving that movie, but it bothers me enough to always think of it. And the same goes for From What I Remember: I loved this book...except it's set in San Diego and there are some problems that just stick out and bother me! Nobody would ever know them unless they're from here, but for me it was like constant little ticks as I was reading. I'd be like "it's not 'National' it's 'National City''" or "a school wouldn't have six floors or be indoors here, buildings rarely exceed 3 because it's earthquake country and most schools are outdoor" or "that road is misspelled" or "no way would anyone native to San Diego use 'wicked' as a qualifier"...tiny little things like that. I had a major freak out when Will was driving down the 405 to get to the border, because the 405 doesn't exist in San Diego - what is the 405 in LA and OC turns into the 5 just past Irvine, and that is the freeway that will take you to San Ysidro and the border to get into Mexico. THAT felt like a big mistake, but...again, I'm from here. I'm going to nitpick.

So yes, while I enjoyed the book immensely, I am always going to think of the locational discrepancies. I just can't think about this story and not want to yell about the freeway. BUT! Really, truly, I love this book. I felt like I was on this awesome, non-stop adventure with some great scenes and a fantastic cast. It's a pretty fantastic end-of-high-school story, with an important message of learning to let go just a little bit.

And to end on a high note, you know what was absolutely the cherry on top of a great book? All the movie quotes that began each chapter! So appropriate, so fun, and so fitting to the overall tone. They made me laugh as I remembered movies and want to watch all of them again - except I wasn't about to put this book down until I finished it. Go read this book!

5 Stars / 5

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. Eldenberry (imprint of Simon & Schuster Childrens), 528 Pages
US Release Date: December 6, 2011
Challenges: Local Library Challenge

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.
---------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

I feel myself diminished, parts of me spiraling away into the darkness, that which is good and honest and true-- If you hold it away from yourself long enough, do you lose it entirely? If no one cares for you at all, do you even really exist?

*Because this is Book TWO of a series, there may be spoilers from Book ONE. You've been warned!*

If you would like to read my review of Book 1, Clockwork Angel, please click here.

"...Master Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention--but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest..."

I ended Clockwork Angel not knowing who I loved more: Jem or Will. And now, after Book 2, I can tell you that while my love for both have grown exponentially and past many more depths than I thought they could...I belong to Will. Forever.

"They're not hideous," said Tessa.
Will blinked at her. "What?"
"Gideon and Gabriel," said Tessa. "They're really quite good-looking, not hideous at all."
"I spoke," said Will in sepulchral tones, "of the pitch-black inner depths of their souls."
Tess snorted. "And what color do you suppose the inner depths of your soul are, Will Herondale?"
"Mauve," said Will.

Truthfully, I don't know how to review this book because I enjoyed all of it so much. I feel like Cassandra Clare only gets better with every book of hers I read; and I already think she can do no wrong, so there's few more ways I can express how much I love her books! I was wary going into CP because so many people had told me it was better than Clockwork Angel and that the book broke their heart. I mean, that's expectation and anticipation! How was I to get past that?

But I did. And this one is SO much better. And I am heartbroken. Heartbroken. For Will, because of so many sad reasons, and for Jem, because I feel like he's going to get hurt in the end (aside from his imminent death, of course), and for Jessamine, because she just wanted a normal life, and for Tessa even, because we still don't really know what she is and how she came to be. Even though I wanted to punch Nathaniel at the end of CA, I'm still sad for what happens with him.

I'm a bit stunned to realize that I don't care for Tessa much. I'm trying to figure out if I don't like her, or if she simply pales next to such stunning other characters. I feel like all the others have such a unique set of details and personality -- and Tessa is sorely lacking. She's still got redeemable qualities, and I find her to be a good, strong woman amongst the mess Mortmain has made. She can hold her own, sure; but there were a few passages I just wanted to smack her. Especially when it came to the parts with Jem, because I simply don't believe she has the feelings for him she thinks she does.

Aside from Tessa, everything else was fantastic. I loved the plot line of this book, it was exciting and filled with the action and adventure we come to expect from a Shadowhunter world. I loved the addition of Gideon and Gabriel into the story, and was extremely happy to see Sophie take a bigger role: I love her. I think she's strong and loyal and does right by who she is and is supposed to be. I've never wanted to hug Charlotte and Henry more, especially that one scene...well, I'm sure those who have read it know which one.

I do think this suffers from what I call "Book Two Syndrome" - that unfortunate time in a trilogy/series where a book is simply a bridge, a means to get to an end. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, I always feel like Book Two Syndrome books are a bit...boring? Not quite the right word, but while I'm reading, I can't shake a sense of biding time until something massive hits. A lot of information to prepare for the next book, and not an equal match of action.

Regardless though, I still loved this book. I craved the information it did provide, and I think it was all presented well and necessary. I loved the character development and how much of Will we get to finally see, and I'm more eager than ever to find out what the hell evil Mortmain is up to. Such a tangled web! Clockwork Prince does nothing but spin more to the mess Tessa finds herself in, and it's fantastic. Filled with intrigue and passion and romance, I can't believe now I'm in on the wait for Clockwork Princess. Dear World: Can you make March 2013 come faster? Please?!

PS. Who's the anonymous commenter on my Clockwork Angel review that wrote 'demon pox is real'? Because at the time I got that comment, I had no idea wtf it meant! I'd half considered marking it as Spam. BUT I GET IT NOW AND AHAHAH YOU'RE FUNNY! (seriously.)

PPS. Did we all see the cover reveal last week of the cover for Clockwork Princess? Because ohmahgah IT'S GORGEOUS. I think it's a Herondale on the cover, for some reason. What say you?

5 Stars / 5

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

**Thanks for entering my giveaway, entrants! Winner will be announced Tuesday morning :)

Under the Never Sky (Book 1) by Veronica Rossi
Harper Collins, 374 Pages
US Release Date: January 3, 2012
Challenges: Local Library Challenge, Debut Author Challenge

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
-------------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

“I’ve never felt that way. We don’t have fear like that. But if those two things are different, then there has to be more, right? Other things besides fear and rocks that are different in the real?” 

Perry nodded absently, imagining a world without fear. Was that possible? If there was no fear, how could there be comfort? Or courage?

How did I not read this novel sooner? I feel like I’ve been empty before having this story in my life.

It took me a little time to get into the book, but that wasn’t the fault of the story; I was in a bit of a slump, it’s been busy, I was in the middle of reading 3 other books, and I was feeling really heavy after a string of very dark, depressing books being read…it was basically set up to fail, which makes me appreciate this book so much more for not only bringing me out of that, but also far exceeding every expectation. And trust me when I say I had a lot of them, because all I’d heard was how amazing this was.

I remember thinking from the beginning how smooth the writing is, how easily it was to fold into this post-Unity world and accept it as real. Veronica Rossi’s writing is seamless, flawlessly swirling words around you and giving an easy pathway into Aria and Perry’s lives.

As soon as I hit page 100, I was in this book for the long haul. I was so completely wrapped up in the story the only way I set it down was when I fell asleep (it was 5am, give me a break!) and it fell out of my hand. The world within is captivating, and I felt like I could look up and see the Aether in the sky, and I found myself wishing I was some sort of Scire, hypersensitive and feeling the world in more ways than I can initially see.

For a long time I’ve seen bloggers and reviewers say that Aria and Peregrine are some of their favourite characters, and I completely agree. It’s amazing how personally attached I feel to each of them, how real they feel as people to me. The descriptions of more than just their looks, but their thoughts, actions, struggles, battles (internal and external) just shaped them perfectly. I’ve been a trained journalist for 11 years now, and if ever an example of being shown a story, not told – this is it. I adore them as individuals, and I love them more working together.

Even the characters other than Aria and Perry are fantastically done, filled with such distinction and definition that I could hardly believe when I’d glance up from a page and realize they’re just part of a story. I’m still partly convinced they do exist, in some other Realm. (And yes, I would totally fall for Roar. Right after Peregrine.)

There’s really nothing negative I can find about Under the Never Sky. It’s compelling and original in the most entertaining way, and I just want to devour everything about it. Veronica Rossi is a master at playing you as a reader, having the quiet, intense moments balance so well with the high-intensity, action-packed ones – both of which appear in just the right amounts. I was so glad it left off on a hopeful note as well, because something I can’t stand is leaving a book feeling bleak. Now, if only Book 2 could release like…yesterday. I’d be happiest then.

5 STARS / 5

Review: The Scorpio Races (ebook) by Maggie Stiefvater

Scholastic Press, 409 Pages
Released October 18, 2011

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

--------------------Goodreads.com Summary

Notable Quote

"She is my mare and my best friend, and I keep waiting for something bad to happen to her, because I love her too much."

Rating: 5 / 5

I'm going to admit, I was reluctant to read this. It had been recommended to me, and kept seeing it on lists and blogs and getting rave reviews and when I was given the e-version (averse as I may be to those...) I thought ok, let's give it a shot.  Even though I'd read descriptions, I was still unsure. Horses? Races? Magic and myths and the call of the sea? None of that could at all be described as my cup of tea.

Well, I will drink this all for the REST OF MY LIFE.

I was absolutely captivated by this book, almost from the very beginning. The plight of Puck Connolly with her tragic story was enough to make me feel compelled to hope for her, and the quiet strength of Sean Kendrick popped from the pages. Immediately, I had to know Sean - and it seemed like I never would!

When I first started reading, I was a bit like...ok, this is about these Scorpio Races, why is it so far away in the novel? And I feel dumb admitting that, but finally I realized that it wasn't about this Scorpio Race, but about the Scorpio Races, and it's about them the entire time.  What it means to this beautiful little island of Thisby and the culture, way of life, everything.  It's so much more than just a "horse race" - it's about life, and beauty, and love and caring and home and all the pains and struggles and rewards loving someone means.

Everything about this book is absolutely amazing. The descriptions, the treatments, the plot and settings...Maggie Stiefvater creates a brilliant world and manages to explain the myth in a way that brings it to life and makes me really believe in the magic of the water and the calling of the sea.  I was terrified of the water horses and so in love with them at the same time.  I hated Mutt Malvern with a passion reserved for only the worst people in my life.  I was holding my breath the entire time reading this, a lump in my throat, tears threatening to spill, and hope bursting from my heart.  I sent out this tweet towards the end, and it's so true: I felt so raw and emotional!

So, here's the thing.  This entire book is a love story to me. Not the romance and relationship kind, but a story about love. What it means to love things, items, property, things-treated-as-property, people, family, memories.  It's about happiness and what must be done to attain it, and what must be let go.  The sacrifices and terror we'll put ourselves through for the outcome, how sometimes not being able to bear something can show us exactly what we can.  It is a love story in it's purest definition, and I love that it seems like the main romance was such a small (but still entirely important) part to it all.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Even if it doesn't sound your cup of tea, trust me when I say it will be by the end (and probably earlier).


PS. I'm a huge nerd and freaked out when I saw Maggie Stiefvater had tweeted me back, too.  Love!
PPS. Because I read it on my iPad, I can show you my ridiculous notes. Normally I wouldn't want to bare my crazy to the world, but still, I think it's funny. Plus, now you can see the quotes I appreciated!

Click for bigger size!

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 2)

by Rick Riordan

Hyperion, 544 pages
Released October 4, 2011

Percy is confused. When he awoke after his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain-fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight. Somehow Percy managed to make it to the camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he had to continually kill monsters that, annoyingly, would not stay dead. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. When the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now, because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother claims he is descended from ancient heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery—although not good enough to help the Fifth Cohort win at war games. His big and bulky physique makes him feel like a clumsy ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely—enough, even, to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far north as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all of whom are destined to play a part in the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven.

-------Amazon.com Summary

Notable Quote

"Life is only precious because it ends, kid." - Mars

This is my favourite Rick Riordan YA/MG novel so far - and I have read literally every single one of his and loved all of them, so that's a pretty big statement.  This is signature everything we love: adventure, suspense, mythology lessons cleverly masked, humor, and just the right smidgen of romance.

I particularly enjoyed the bits we got from the other novels, as well as the small tidbits of prophecy that allude to the future novels - I can't be the only one whose breathe caught when she realized the "Wisdom's daughter" who would struggle in Rome was Annabeth!

The characters in this book are also so well developed. Obviously Percy Jackson is, because he's a beloved Half-Blood who's got 5 previous books to his development (6, if we want to count The Lost Hero), and this book did not disappoint in the Percy we love and adore.  But Hazel, Frank, Mars, Frank's curmudgeon old grandmother, Reyna, Arion, even Sammy and Hazel's mother felt very real to me. There was a distinct-ness in each one that really stuck out. My favourite new one is Ella the Harpy (and her romance!), who is valuable and wise.

And, as always, the humor in this book is absolutely spot on. The jokes, the dry humor, the puns and sarcasm, absolutely all of it is fantastic. None of it is forced or uncalled for or even out of place.  When I'm laughing out loud in the middle of a coffee shop, it's good.

Highly recommend! It is a bit necessary to read this in order, but if you haven't been reading Rick Riordan's YA Fantasies anyway, now's a good time to get started! You won't regret it.

4.5/5