[Une Petite Revue] Parallel by Lauren Miller (ARC)

Parallel by Lauren Miller
Harper Teen, 432 pages
US Release Date: May 14, 2013
Format/Source: ARC via DAC ARC Tours - thank you!
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge, Stand Alone Challenge

Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.
---------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

"A most likely path," Dr. Mann agrees. "Which isn't to say our fates are sealed. In fact, I believe the very opposite is true. At every moment, each person has the freedom to choose a different path, thereby changing the trajectory of his life. Nothing is set in stone."

The Goods

*The science. It’s nerdy, but I love it and it makes so much sense. I love getting to learn why things are happening, or at least the plausibility factor.
*There are certain passages that just blew me away. Some about love, some about destiny, others about finding order in chaos. They were fantastic and eye-opening and I want to have them pasted around my walls.
*Caitlin. Such a great best friend and anchor throughout all the changes and effects. I love that she offers explanation at the same time as being a casualty, too.

The Bads

The only bad thing, and it was BIG, was the ending. I seriously want to just tear out the last 2-3 pages of the entire novel. I didn’t watch Lost for the entire series run, but I watched enough of it to watch the series finale, and I think Parallel’s ending is on the same plane as that. The whole “It was all a dream” effect.

The Consensus

Save the last 3 pages, Parallel was gripping and fantastic, with brilliant characters and a great intelligence woven through all the pages. I love that it felt like it was told in dual narrative (dual time is probably a little more appropriate).

The Recommendation

READ READ READ this book! There’s great insight into our lives and how we live it, how one choice or situation can change our entire lives. Just…perhaps stop 3 pages before the end. Or if you read it, just disregard them, as I am.

4.5 stars

[Une Petite Revue] Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

Starry Night: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books, 256 Pages
US Release Date: October 8, 2013
Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a mega-bestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.

Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

Filled with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime, Starry Night is a delightful novel of finding happiness in the most surprising places.
-------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

There was no doubt in Carrie’s mind. Finn Dalton owned her heart. He carried it with him, and now the question, the real question, was what he intended to do with it.”

The Goods

Classic Debbie Macomber. Touching and heartfelt with just the right amount of cheeseball.
Finn. Ooooo he is a great mountainman.
Creative gifts! Loved that and the backstory behind each one and why they meant something.
Alaska. I love when her stories are set here.

The Bads

Not too big a fan of Carrie, but she was ok. Strong enough for Finn.
I want more Hennessey!! Dogs are always a great addition to Christmas novels.

The Consensus

Debbie Macomber delivers again. This is everything I’ve come to expect and love when I pick up her Christmas novels.

The Recommendation

For anyone who wants a quick Christmas romance. This won’t disappoint.

3 stars

[Une Petite Revue] Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury Children, 404 Pages
US Release Date: August 7, 2012
Format/Source: Print ARC (via publisher at ALA 2012), and an eARC via NetGalley

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
-------------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

We each survive in our own way.

The Goods

EVERYTHING.
Also, Chaol. Oh, Chaol. *fans self*
Oh, and Celeana's dresses.

The Bads

NOTHING.

The Consensus

I rarely ever (if ever) read high fantasy, but I would seriously read Throne of Glass over and over for the rest of my life. The plot, the characters, the setting, Sarah's writing, absolutely everything is enchanting and brilliant.

The Recommendation

For anyone. Everyone. All. Even if you don't like to read, read it. You'll love it. I swear.

5+ stars

In the interest of full disclosure: (1) I read Throne of Glass last year. Months ago, before it was actually released. But I still wanted to post a "review" because it deserves a little recognition on my blog since I loved it so fucking much. (2) I do know Sarah in real life, we've met on several occasions and she is just as fantastic and amazing as her writing/characters. I adore her. And (3) I know this isn't really a review to contribute anything to her masses of fans, but I had to do it as I gear up to read Crown of Midnight (book 2). Also, I needed Chaol on this blog somewhere.

[Une Petite Revue] Butter by Erin Jade Lange (ARC)

Butter by Erin Jade Lange
Bloomsbury Children, 316 Pages
US Release Date: September 4, 2012
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher, via NetGalley (thank you!)

A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death-live on the Internet-and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn't go through with his plans? With a deft hand, E.J. Lange allows readers to identify with both the bullies and the bullied in this all-consuming look at one teen's battle with himself.
-----------------Goodreads summary

The Goods

Surprisingly emotional. You come to care for Butter and what he's going through.

Love the saxophone element.

The family. They're not perfect, but...there's one scene with the dad that got me.

The Bads

Minorly predictable? I mean...well, no spoilers. But it is. In a way.

Sometimes Butter was just that bitter fat kid, and pretty unlikeable.

The Consensus

A compelling read about so much more than being the fat kid; it's about friendship, and learning to love not only yourself but those around you in any capacity.

The Recommendation

For anyone who feels outside the normal.

4 Stars / 5

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