Monday, April 30, 2012

Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

Summary:(from goodreads) David and Charlie are opposites. David has a million friends, online and off. Charlie is a soulful outsider, off the grid completely. But neither feels close to anybody. When David’s parents present him with a hot Companion bot designed to encourage healthy bonds and treat his “dissociative disorder,” he can’t get enough of luscious redheaded Rose — and he can’t get it soon. Companions come with strict intimacy protocols, and whenever he tries anything, David gets an electric shock. Parted from the boy she was built to love, Rose turns to Charlie, who finds he can open up, knowing Rose isn’t real. With Charlie’s help, the ideal “companion” is about to become her own best friend. In a stunning and hilarious debut, John Cusick takes rollicking aim at internet culture and our craving for meaningful connection in an uberconnected world.
Review: This book has a really unique premise and I have to say it was a pretty interesting read. Although, the plot was a little slow especially in the beginning, the message about what can happen from being to wrapped up in technology came through and made me think about things. I didn't really connect with David or Charlie all that much, but maybe that part of the idea of this story. Personally, I thought Rose was the most interesting to get to know as the story progressed. I thought this society was well thought out and some aspects of it are not to different from our own. I thought some parts of the story were kind of weird, I can't say more without spoiling, but the turn it took was kind of unexpected. I also thought the ending was a little bit unsatisfying, I was still left with questions at the end. Overall, this was a fairly good read and I would be interested if there is going to be a sequel, which I'm not sure about.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Fixing Delilah By Sarah Ockler

Summary:(from back of book) Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have tendency to fall apart. She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition. Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complete bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced back together again?
Review: I really liked this book. The premise was interesting and suspenseful. The plot twists were very surprising and kept the story going. Some aspects of the ending were a little bit predictable, but I still really enjoyed it. Delilah and her family were very realistic characters. Patrick is also a really cool character. I wish there was going to be a sequel so i could find out what happened to these chaaracters after this book ended.  The emotions were very nicely portrayed and it made the story and characters relate able and believable. I love character driven stories that make me think about the world. This is a story about, love, loss and hope that will resonate with readers long after they finsih reading. Anyone who likes a good family story will enjoy this one.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Summary:(from book jacket) Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"
According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

 Review: I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I thought it was pretty good. The characters emotions were well written and believable. The plot was well paced, although this is a very character driven story rather than having extreme plot twists. I really enjoyed the fact that the majority of this book took place at the beach. The setting really added a lot of excitement and fun to the storyline. I liked both Anna and Frankie as characters. Although, they both had their faults this story is written in a way that makes it so you can't help but want them to be happy and able to move on and leave the past behind. The character development that slowly happened throughout the book made me really love these characters. This book is a fun summer read but it also has a serious side to it. I m very interested to see what else Sarah Ockler has to offer.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Summary:(from book jacket) Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, a lost her beloved brother in the process. Desperate to find Jude, grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the to grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger- in more ways than one. Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside her- not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.
Review: I liked this book more than I thought I would. The plot was well paced and entertaining This book picks up ten months after the last one ended. The climax was well played out and the cliffhanger ending made me really excited to read the sequel. I thought Grace was kind of annoying for most of the book. She kept insisting on doing stupid things and then was mad when no one would trust her. I didn't really think any of the characters were all that great. They were OK, but I didn't really feel a connection to any of them. I thought the werewolf mythology behind this story was interesting and somewhat unique. This book definitely explained more about the werewolf history than the last one and I thought it added a lot to the story. Anyone who likes werewolf stories should start with this series. It is one i have been pleasently surprised by.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Summary: (from book jacket) Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her... beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing...it's taken away. All of it. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest. But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.
Review: This book is different than a lot of things I usually read. The plot was really slow at first and although the setting was interesting it took me while to get into the story. The magic aspect was exciting despite being a little bit predictable towards the ending. The climax towards the end was by far the best part of the book. This book is worth not sticking with for that reason alone. I liked all the characters. Azalea is a great main character. I enjoyed getting to know her and all her sisters as the story went on. I do think that because there were so many characters readers don't really get to know each individually that much, but still enjoyed them. I thought the way the girls acted about dancing was a little bit ridiculous sometimes. Overall, this book was just ok in my opinion.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Summary:It was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful field. Except for the body. Jazz is a likable teenager. A charmer, some might say. but he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, "Take Your Son to Work Day" was year round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could- from the criminals point of view. And now, even though Dad has been in jail for years, bodies are piling up in the sleepy town of Lobo's Nod. Again. In a effort to prove murder doesn't run in the family, Jazz joins the police in the hunt for this new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret- could he be more like his father than anyone knows?
Review: This sounded like a really interesting premise so I was excited to read it. I have to say it did not disappoint. The plot was well paced and entertaining throughout. Jazz's internal struggle was a huge part of this book and was, in my opinion, one of the best parts. Jazz is such a well written character. His emotions are very believable and it made it impossible not to be rooting for him the entire time. The supporting characters were just as memorable, especially Howie. The ending was really great. Everything was concluded nicely but still left open for the possibility of a sequel.  This is the first book by Lyga I have read, but it made me want to go out and buy everything else he's ever written. This book is a little gory at times but anyone who enjoys this sype of story will enjoy it.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Summary:(from book jacket) It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long- up until last November, when everything changed. Things have been awkward ever since, but when Josh's family gets and America Online CD-ROM in the mail, his mom makes him bring it over so Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto Facebook... but Facebook hasn't been invented yet. Josh and Emma are looking at their profiles fifteen years in the future. Their spouses, careers, homes, and status updates- it's all there. But it's not what they expected. And every time they refresh their page, their futures change. As they grapple with the ups and downs of what their lives hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right- and wrong- in the present.
Review: I picked this book up for two reasons. One, I have read and enjoyed other books by both of these authors. Second, this premise sounded really interesting. That aspect of the story was really good. The ripple effect of current actions affecting the future is a big part of the plot. This aspect was probably the best part of the book. The alternation of chapters between both characters perspectives made it easy to get to know both characters. I liked the way the book ended. I think it showed how the characters had changed by the end, which I liked. Honestly, I thought Josh and Emma were both annoying throughout the book. I didn't really connect with either of them and there were times when I wanted to yell at both of them. There was a certain element that I wish wasn't there. it would have made me like them  both a lot more. I would recommend this book just because of the unique premise and ideas. it makes for an entertaining read.

Friday, April 6, 2012

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Summary:(from goodreads) When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest. Because how will she go on if there isn’t?
Review: I thought this book was a pretty good portrayal of this type of situation. Although I did think there were a few things that were kind of annoying. I was really annoyed by how things happened with Drew. I wish more was said about his part in the story. I really liked Kaelyn as a character. Her thoughts and feelings about everything that was going on were really realistic. She tried to be strong even though she was scared of what was happening. I didn't really understand what happened with Leo though. The fact that the story was told through diary entries was awesome. I always like stories that are told in that format. It really leads to a good connection with the main character. Overall, this is a good apocolypse type story.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary:(from goodreads) In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.
Review: I really liked this book. The premise was interesting and everything was well paced. There were many plot twists that kept me reading. Even though this book is close to 500 pages I flew through it pretty quickly. I thought the world building was believable and unique. I would like to know a little bit about how and why this society was formed but other than that I really liked it. Tris is also a really great main character.  She was a strong character, and I liked that she was determined and tough even when she was afraid. Her friends and family were also really well written characters. I had high expectaions for this books going into it because I had read so many positive reviews and I was not dissapointed. I can't wait to read the sequel.