Mirk and Midnight by Jane Nickerson

Pages: 384

Genre: Gothic Literature/Retelling

Series: Strands #2
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Release Date: Mar 11, 2014

Seventeen-year-old Violet Dancey has been left at home in Mississippi with a laudanum-addicted stepmother and love-crazed stepsister while her father fights in the war—a war that has already claimed her twin brother. When she comes across a severely injured Union soldier lying in an abandoned lodge deep in the woods, things begin to change. Thomas is the enemy—one of the men who might have killed her own brother—and yet she's drawn to him. But Violet isn't Thomas's only visitor; someone has been tending to his wounds—keeping him alive—and it becomes chillingly clear that this care hasn't been out of compassion. Against the dangers of war and ominous powers of voodoo, Violet must fight to protect her home and the people she loves.

While I hadn't read Strands of Bronze and Gold prior to this, the synopsis had me wanting and, I mean, it was a companion novel. So I could read it right? And who can pass up a Tam Lin retelling, anyways?

This story takes place during the Civil War, something that fascinated me, especially since it was a retelling of Tam Lin, a story of fairies and magic--what place did the Civil War have in this?
As it turns out, the main plot for most of the story didn't really have much to do with Tam Lin (or Thomas, in this case) as I'd expected. The retelling bit of the book was in maybe the last quarter of the book and we don't even really meet Thomas until halfway into the book. But that didn't really matter to me, by the time I was in that deep.

The story, even without meeting Thomas yet, is exciting or, at the very least, intriguing. It was slow at times and it definitely resembled a plain old historical fiction at times, but it was so much more than that. While I do wish it was more like the last bit of the book, I have to admit, the story was still interesting especially with Violet's rather...well, with all the changes that Violet's family is going through. Sunny and Emily were such contrasting characters and it was interesting to see their personalities start to grow a bit more complex, especially Sunny's. My favorite characters have to be, by far, Miss Ruby (Oliver?), Laney, and Seeley. Nickerson has a knack for secondary characters and I couldn't help but just grow attached to all of them!

The romance was quick and a bit insta lovey, I suppose, but it just seemed to fit the story and made me love it even more. The story really focused on Violet's independence as a woman in this time and how she dealt with all the terrible and wonderful things that were happening in her life at the same time. And I loved that.

There were definitely a few creep factors in this, especially with the voodoo mentioned in it. I definitely wish that there were more scenes like the last, but nevertheless, it was enjoyable and pretty spectacular, for lack of a better word!

The Mirk and Midnight Hour was a completely fascinating read that brought out the Gothic in Gothic Literature and I couldn't help but fall in love with the solemn atmosphere and the supernatural/voodoo forces that pushed the plot on. The historical feel just brought the story alive and the story stands out as something I'd call darkly enticing and hopelessly enchanting. 

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Anthology: Grim

Pages: 480

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: Feb 25, 2014

CLAIRE DE LUNE and NOCTURNE author Christine Johnson, ed.’s GRIM, an anthology of dark fairy tale retellings, featuring stories by New York Times bestselling authors Ellen Hopkins, Amanda Hocking, Claudia Gray, Rachel Hawkins, Julie Kagawa, and others, to Natashya Wilson at HarlequinTeen, in a nice deal, for publication in Winter 2014, by Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (World).

So my first anthology review. This is actually going to be pretty short review (because there's no way I could write a review on each short story.)

The perfect thing about this is that I read it the week of Halloween. The spooky tales fit the mood, and retellings? Oh, I just absolutely adore those! (Who doesn't love fairy tales?)

Out of all the anthologies I've read, I just have to say--this is most definitely the best. I'm a fan of the majority of these authors and they definitely didn't let me down! From haunting and chilling to downright creepy and gruesome (with a sprinkle of humor and sci fi added of course!) these stories just brought to life the fairy tales of old. Something I actually liked was that they don't really tell you which fairy tales are being retold--and having gone through a fairy tale phase (still in that phase actually!) it was unbelievably fun matching fairytale to retelling. Not to mention how creative all the authors were in weaving in their own little twists to the originals.

Is that the end of my review? Guys, I thought you knew better! I always have things to say about fabulous books and, more specifically, retellings! 

I never realized how different writing styles to be, and that's definitely showcased here. And that's not bad at all! While there were some stories written like a true fairy tale or urban legend, some were written like a scene from a YA book while another was written in verse! All were gorgeous stories though that had me absolutely captivated!

Some were heartbreaking, some were hilarious, some were simply sad. But they all managed to just capture you like the fairy tales you grow up with and I definitely recommend this one for a rainy day read. There's a whirlwind of stories in here with fascinating characters, even if we only have them for a few thrilling pages!

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Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

Pages: 336

Genre: Contemporary

Series: Standalone

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books 

Release Date: Feb 25, 2014

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer by her backyard pool. Instead, she hides in her closet, counts the slats in the air vent, and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.When Bodee Lennox—"the Kool-Aid Kid"—moves in with the Littrells after a family tragedy, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in this quiet, awkward boy who has secrets of his own. As their friendship grows, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her summon the courage to find her voice and speak up.

Let me be honest--when I first heard about Faking Normal, I wasn't sure if it was my kind of book. I adore emotional stories--they're definitely my favorite. But there's something about the raw stories (and not my toned down definition of raw--I mean that really heartbreaking, heart aching kind of raw about those issues that always manage to tear away at you.) that sort of wards me off. But I couldn't get the synopsis of Faking Normal out of my head. And I realized I needed to read it. And I tweeted for a contest.

And then I won an ARC. And I read it. And I loved it.

I read this at the perfect time, I think, when I was dying for one of those heart wrenching stories, and I got it. But on a much more higher level than expected.
Faking Normal is, if anything, an honest-to-God raw story, a real story, and one that just makes you love it all. There's something beautiful in the way Stevens writes her novel in a blunt style. There's no flowery writing, no random deep ponderings--it's a straight up story about a girl who's blaming herself and a secret she'd rather keep hidden.

Alexi was such a complex character, and I don't mean that lightly. Her personality was...explored, and she had such a strong voice throughout the story. Or, rather, not a strong voice, but a distinct voice. You could tell that Alexi blamed herself more for what happened than who did it to her. You could see the struggle she went through as she lied to everyone, as she pretended to be the same as she'd always been. And it was just...heartbreaking. Alexi is a character I could relate to though, despite what happened to her. Her wanting to tell someone, to get it out, her wanting to fall in love, to be loved, it was all...so...real.

One of my favorite things about this story, though, was the relationship between Bodee and Alexi. It wasn't romantic, it wasn't attraction, it was so much more than that. It was friendship throughout the book. It was love, but not the romantic kind that happens so often so quickly In fact, throughout almost the entire book, their relationship was pretty platonic. And for a girl who's always said that she needed kissing in her books, I loved it. So, so, so much. It was, I think, because that was what Alexi needed the most. A friend. Not a boyfriend, not a date, just a best friend she could trust and someone who would help her, if not understand her.

Bodee was just as intriguing a character as Alexi. He was layered and he was sweet and he was caring. But he was also protective and he got jealous and he was flawed. And so, in my book, he's one of the best literary guys out there. It's hard, I think, to write a character so imperfectly perfect, and even harder to write a supporting character as such. But Courtney C. Stevens pulled it off and I couldn't be more impressed or more in love with a story.

And then, the thing I loved, possibly the most, about this book: The bad guy...didn't seem like such a bad guy. Bad guys are always the evil ones, the manipulating ones, the one who's so absolutely playing you. But I don't think I've ever really seen a bad guy who wasn't that bad, who was just broken, upset, and alone. A bad guy where their "bad" action was a mistake. And it's just heartbreaking to realize that sometimes the bad guy never meant to be the bad guy.

Faking Normal is a book that'll stick with me for a long time coming and a book I think everyone should read. It's raw and it's heartbreaking and it's something I never thought I would love, but did.  Beautiful and broken and absolutely stunningly real, I don't think I've ever run into a book quite like Faking Normal. It's a read that you won't want to miss, and I mean that with all my heart.

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All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Pages: 368

Genre: Sci-fi

Series: All Our Yesterdays #1

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: Sep 3, 2013

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

My reaction when I first finished--
"OH MY FUCKING GOD
WHAT IN THE FUCKING HELL
I CAN'T 
WHY
I REFUSE
WHAT"

and the like. 

But let's explain what I mean, shall we. Because the ending is the absolute best parts of the book. It's so complicatedly simple. It's so confusing. It's so perfect. It's so heartbreaking. 

The ending is one I never could've expected in my life, it's one that keeps shaking me to the core, every time I read it. It breaks my heart, and it lingers in my mind for days after I read it. There's just something about it. Something that's just 

So

Absolutely

Perfect.

I'm really not sure where to start after that, but let's go for the plot because it was just so...thrilling. It killed me every time I had to put it down, and I just wanted to drop everything and continue reading. It's literally a race against time, and things never get slow. I was always edgy and I ended up snapping at anyone who interrupted me while I read. It's spine-tingling and I just couldn't shake the feeling off after I read even one sentence. 

There were twists. So many twists. The way Terrill writes is magical, giving us hints after hints, and letting us fit the pieces together ourselves. It's truly amazing. 

Characters. Oh my gosh. It's really surprising how contrast the future versions are compared to the "present" ones. Em and Marina couldn't be more different. Em was toughened, hardened by years of betrayal and torture, living in her cell. She was fierce and broken, but you could still see a bit of Marina in her--compassionate, carefree, happy. Em was my favorite of the two, being more mature than her younger, whinier, and spoiled self, but seeing Marina grow as a character--seeing Em remember how she felt, how she was, it hurt. I ached. And I loved it. 

The side characters were just as well written--especially Finn! We didn't really concentrate on the romance much, but I can say that what is there gives your heart a little zap. And makes the ending so much more painful. 

The worldbuilding, the science behind it, is simple. And complicated. I honestly didn't understand it much, but it was decidedly more simple than some of the other time travels I've read. It's well thought out though, and brilliantly told, making it decently understandable! But it does sound plausible and the fact that it was so well researched makes the book infinitely times better. 

This is, by far, the best time travel book I've read in my life, and you can be sure I've read a lot. It talks about how a vision can turn you into a monster, how twisted someone can become, but it's also about second chances, and it's about hope. And all wrapped up in a beautiful packaged with spectacular writing, gorgeous characters we learn to love, and an ending that will rip out our hearts. 

I honestly don't care if you're a sci-fi fan or not--All Our Yesterdays is one you have to read, squeal over, cry over, and scream over. 

***UPDATE*** It seems All Our Yesterdays has a sequel? The ending seemed filled with closure, but I still can't wait to read it! Can I handle the pain though?

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Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Pages: 232

Genre: Action thriller

Series: Mind Games #2

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: Feb 18, 2014

Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.
The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.
But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

After reading Mind Games, I was bordering on desperate to read the sequel--with an ending like that, who wouldn't be? So when I was approved for it on Edelweiss (screw my eBook ban) I pretty much dropped everything and READ.
And oh my God. Perfect Lies was amazing. While it did have a bit of Sequel Syndrome, it nevertheless had that perfect Kiersten snark and style that made me fall in love with the story and our characters all over again!

And so, let's start this off with our lovely sisters will we?
Fia's story absolutely broke my heart at times, her voice so completely bitter and raw. Kiersten White does a brilliant job making Fia sound a bit crazy, a bit murderous, dangerous, and desperate, while still making us love her. Fia's a broken character that touched my heart, though I did sometimes want to slap her for being so dependent on James, who I started to...well, not trust. At all. But her brokenness and her inability to trust anyone made me hurt for her. (On another note, despite it all, Fia managed to maintain her wicked and dry humor, but for some reason that just made me hurt more.)
Like Fia seemed to be the main character the book was centered around, I felt like Annie was the star of the show in Perfect Lies. We learn more about our blind Seer and I sympathized with her so much, her ache for her sister, her longing to be stronger, and her wish for a future that wasn't so bleak. All Annie seemed to want was for her and Fia to make it out alive...whatever "it" was.

Their relationship, while we didn't get to see much of them together, was absolutely beautiful. They did whatever they could, destroyed whoever was in their way, just to protect each other and it's one of the best things about the book--the way White can flawlessly create a sister bond between these two characters. Without even letting them be together for more than a few pages!

For the romance, let's talk about Fia and James for a bit. I really really really (like, really) loved their relationship at first, how they acted around each other, but the more we got into the story...well, the less I trusted him. I wasn't so sure of his motives anymore, or his dedication to Fia. Where did his loyalties lie? Who would he die for? I don't think we ever did find out. 
Like I said, Alice takes the spotlight, and that means she finally finds a romance too! I really loved who she ended up with, even if it was a bit rushed, but their romance was so sweet in one of those hate/love ways.

The plot was just as amazing as Mind Games. It's completely thrilling and unbelievably shocking and, with Annie and Fia, I honestly had no clue what the hell would happen next! It's a roller coaster of twists and turns that I never saw coming and that left me hanging for more! I feel like the ending is absolutely perfect, but honestly--I so wish there was a book three!

There's really no end to how amazing Kiersten White's books can be! I've loved every single one so far, and I can't wait for her next one! Perfect Lies is a perfect companion to Mind Games, and I recommend the series to anyone who's loved her stuff before! (But I do recommend reading these two books back to back because of Reasons.)

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Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Pages: 352

Genre: Fantasy/Retelling

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: Jan 28, 2014

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Oh God, the love I have for this book! As I'm writing this, I literally just finished reading it in one sitting at midnight, so excuse me as I collect my thoroughly gasted flabber off the floor and turn it back into a brain. I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting when I dove into Cruel Beauty, but I know it wasn't this. And for once, that's a good thing!

So I'm a giant fan of retellings. And when I say giant, I mean giant. Add in Beauty and the Beast? It just got better and better! The tale as old as time is one of my favorites and one of the more commonly retold stories--but it's so, so, so hard to get right. But I can say with absolute certainty that Rosamund Hodge is a genius author whose brilliance can not go unheeded.

Hodge is a wonder with words, something that you can easily see through her debut. I fell in love with the first chapter and couldn't let go after until I'd read everything and was clinging to my plush rabbit in agony. The most amazing part, I think, is the worldbuilding, which has it's feet set in the plot, the characters, and pretty much everything.
The world is a mix of high fantasy, paranormal, and Greek mythology, something I found extremely unusual, but undeniably enthralling. It was amazing seeing the world come to life in the pages and being told the world's history and background through snatches of folklore and tale and  absolutely fascinating, how the author pieces together bits of her fantasy world with that of Greece. Who knew demons and gods went together?

The plot, I realize, is actually rather slow, but you don't get bored at all. The tension between Nyx and Ignifex kept me laughing and giggling forever and you can't help but get sucked into the story once they meet. It's more than just the romance, of course. It's Nyx trying to defeat Ignifex, to avenger he mother's sacrifice, and to keep her promise. It's amazing how this goes about and there are still so many plot twists I can't accept. I refuse to accept.

Romance! There are hints of a love triangle, but I can't really say anything beyond the fact that, well, it's not really a love triangle and that I loved Ignifex from the moment we met him, with his snark and wit and charm about him!

Nyx is truly a badass character. She's not quite the assassin I was expecting, but she's tough, she's fierce, she's curious, but beyond all that, she's absolutely and brilliantly flawed. It's even stated in the book that her heart was threaded with darkness, and you can't help but relate to her sometimes. Not to her situations, of course (I don't know about you, but I don't know anyone engaged to a demon prince), but her feelings and her regrets. She's a broken character and it's just something you love about her.

The ending, I have to say, was absolutely perfect. And that's all I have to say about that.

So yes. Cruel Beauty is one of those books you can't help but fall in love with, and one of those books that'll automatically jump to your favorites list. It's gorgeously written with brilliant characters, a cutthroat plot, and a romance that'll set you on fire. It's like reading a fairy tale--there's honestly no choice but to get enthralled. I honestly can't recommend this book enough! So seven out of five stars it is! 

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FICTIOUS FREAKOUTS 2013

Hey guys! So this is my awards type thing (more info in How the Blog Works) and basically highlights my favorite books I've reviewed this year. Which was sort of impossible to choose, but still. Also, I use bad puns.

(Click the covers to go to my review)

Fangirl Fiction

Books that'll turn any girl into a fan! 7/5 (7 books)

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
I don't often read MG, and even then, I rarely love it. But Keeper of the Lost Cities completely blew me away with its worldbuilding and originality! I may have...possibly...read it as a YA book at times, but still! Who knew an MG book was so amazing? Not me. NOW I DO. Keeper of Amazing Books, methinks!






The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis
Guys, this ending was unbelievable and I cried so much throughout this. It's a gorgeous book with absolutely stunning writing and storyline that will just rip your heart into two. I really have no words except READ IT. Antonia Michaelis is a seriously talented Storyteller.







If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
If I Lie just completely and utterly destroyed me and I think I actually had a sort of emotional break down when I finished it. It's just heart rendering and I really wish that the pain in my chest when I think about it would just disappear. I swear, if I lie and you don't love, I'll eat my books.







In the Shadow of Blackbirdsy by Cat Winters
May ghosts haunt me if you don't love this book as much as I did! I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much at first (It didn't sound like my type of book!) but I was quickly sucked into a historical world that's more supernatural that it seems. It has a thrilling element to it that makes it pretty much impossible to put down!






Mind Games by Kiersten White
So maybe this book is a HATE or LOVE kind of book, but I was definitely on the love side! I was a bit wary at first, but oh my gosh! The sisters' relationship warmed my heart and their abilities made everything so much more interesting. James, by the way? LOVE. This book just plays mind games on you and I really had NO CLUE WHAT was going to happen!




Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Ah, yes. My first Gayle Forman book. Oh God, you did not disappoint. It took me just one day to read it and just like that I fell in love with a new author. There's something rather enticing about the storyline, about a character who's off to look for her lost love, and her lost questions.







My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi
So Ashley @ Nose Graze was the one to recommend this to me and I am unbelievably happy that she did! My Life After Now was a truly stunning read that brings a lot into question, questions I've never really thought about before. The issues dealt in it are also pretty new, but I loved how Jessica Verdi wrote about them!

Fab Fiction

Absolutely FABULOUS fiction! 10/5 stars! (6 books most + sequel)

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton
OH GOD. ALL THE FEELS FOR THIS ONE. First of all, the worldbuilding is seriously amazing and the premise is just stunning. The writing is beautiful and so is Fear the book. I was just blown away (get it? The cover? Yeah? No?) by all of it and can NOT wait for Where the Silence Gathers!






Six Months Later by Natalie Richards
Oh my God, one of the best thrillers of the year! I'm a serious sucker for amnesia stories, so a book about a girl who can't remember the last six months of her life? Hell yeah! Plus the romance was unbelievably yummy and the twists absolutely surprising! I still can't believe them six months later. (And the puns just keep on coming.)






This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
I am just stunned by This Song Will Save Your Life. When I first heard of it, it didn't really stand out to me, but when I got the chance to read it...well, I'm so glad I did. It's a story that I think literally everyone can relate with. If you're not one character, you'll be another or another or another. This is possibly the truest version of high school, of a high schooler's life, I've ever read and what can I say but this book will save your life?




The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
OH GOD THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK. The feels I have for this book are not Natural whatsoever. When reading it, I legit clung to a wall in History and cried and bemoaned my existence as my teacher looked on, completely confused over my lack of social life. This book had twists I could never see coming and ACK! THE LOVE INTERESTS.





3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Oh hello again, first Gretchen McNeil book that I absolutely loved and broke my heart at the very end by ripping away my happily ever after dream. It's nice to see you again AFTER YOU COMPLETELY WRECKED ME.
That is all.

Stunning Sequels!

My favorite sequels of the year? (First, 7 stars. Second, 10 stars.)

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
OH GOD NEVER FADE WHY THE CLIFFHANGER WHY ALL THE FEELS WHY ALL THE PLOT TWISTS WHY ALL THE DEATH. Darkest Minds was a decent read, but not my favorite, but oh GOD, Never Fade! You just gutted me and left me for the book vultures to pick on. Well, one thing's for sure, your plot twists and FEELS will never fade from my mind.




Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight? Try Crown of Awesome. This was seriously an AMAZING book that I screamed at, cried at, and giggled at. Even if I am Team Dorian, I will admit that Chaol is pretty damn fine. Also, assassin Celaena is badass Celaena.

Fiction Favorite!

My (very hard to choose) favorite book of the year!

The Program by Suzanne Young
GODDAMMIT, PROGRAM. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO AND BREAK MY SPIRIT LIKE THAT.
When I finished my book I actually wrote down my reaction and sent it to all my friends via twitter. I won't go into detail, but it had a...few expletives. Ahahaha. This book also gave me my first bookish hangover that I had to deal with for over a week, and I actually screamed into my pillow when I was done. I've never been so tempted to throw a book at a wall with all the love in the world.
Guys, I belong in the Program because of The Program.



Honorable Mentions
-The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
-Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young
-How To Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller
-A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

How was your 2013? What were some of your favorite books? What are your most anticipated 2014 reads?

My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi

Goodreads Blurb

Lucy just had the worst week ever. Seriously, mega bad. And suddenly, it's all too much—she wants out. Out of her house, out of her head, out of her life. She wants to be a whole new Lucy. So she does something the old Lucy would never dream of.
And now her life will never be the same. Now, how will she be able to have a boyfriend? What will she tell her friends? How will she face her family?
Now her life is completely different...every moment is a gift. Because now she might not have many moments left.

I'm a contemporary girl and if there's a book that'll make me cry or laugh, I'm going to read it. So when I heard about My Life After Now...well I was intrigued! The synopsis was a bit vague so I was curious--and when Ashley recommended it, I decided to grab a copy. I just didn't know how much I'd fall in love with the story!

The most prominent thing about My Life After Now is that it focuses on HIV, something that hasn't really been done before. Sure, we learn about HIV in health, but it never really stuck. Reading about a character, who we're attached to, go through it? That's a different matter and it was brilliant how Verdi wrote about it, giving us not only a heartbreaking story, but also giving us a warning and a lesson.
You can tell how well researched this is and her portrayal of how quickly everything can change was heartbreaking. Suddenly Lucy isn't just worrying about her absent-no-longer mom, or her tool of a boyfriend--now she's wondering how long she'll live, how she can possibly lead a normal life, and how people will ever love her again knowing her secret.

Lucy was such a strong and real character who didn't try to let anyone hurt her, though she did have her moments. She's been hurt again and again, but she rarely lets it get to her. And when she gets HIV, she's determined to keep it a secret from her parents, her friends, and everyone around her. While it wasn't the best decision, you have to admire her for trying to live out a normal life, despite everything that's happened.
All the characters, minor or major, were so well written and they all seemed to build Lucy up, even if they'd wanted to tear her down. It's beautiful how well Jessica Verdi was able to reflect the situation in My Life After Now and I can't deny that I shed a few tears throughout the book.

Romance takes a backseat in this story and instead we focus more on the relationships--before and after HIV. The relationships, like pretty much everything else in the book, are beautifully written, and I couldn't help but love most of the people around her.
Unlike most books, the parents play a big role in this book. Her mom ran away after giving birth to Lucy, leaving her with her dad and, later on, Papa, her other dad. And then right when things are already going downhill, her mom shows up, adding more stress than needed. Her dads were wonderful parents who supported, cared, and loved Lucy to no end and I loved their heartfelt dynamic.
Her relationships with her school friends become strained, though they don't know about HIV yet, and I hurt for Lucy. Then there was Evan, the love interest in this story--I absolutely loved him. He was sweet and cute, and loved Lucy. And, of course for other reasons. But you'll just have to read it for yourself!

Real, beautiful, and hopeful, My Life After Now gives us a story filled with dreams, tears, and a despair that makes you think about how quickly your life can turn around and how you'd respond to such terrifying news. It's a story of how one mistake can break you, but how it could build you up too. My Life After Now is a must read emotional rollercoaster that gives you a story you'll never forget.

Pages: 287

Genre: Contemporary

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Rating: 7/5 stars

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Pages: 374

Genre: Sci-fi/Romance

Series: Starbound #3

Publisher:Disney Hyperion

Release Date: Dec 10, 2013

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever? Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

I got These Broken Stars a little after release, and by then people were fawning over it, talking about how much they loved it, how amazing it was so suffice to say, I had high expectations. Very high expectations. So high I screwed studyimg for finals and read it instead.

And you know what? I loved it. Right from the start I loved it and it broke my slump of starting 8 books and finishing none of them. That's how amazing These Broken Stars was. Plus, that cover! 

So I actually have no idea how to start this review. It's always hardest to write about a book you loved, I guess? But let's start with characters. 
I adored Lilac as a character. She was brilliant character who was completely amazing throughout the entire book. She was smart, witty, and was willing to do what she could. She pretended to be the flighty heiress everything thought she'd be, but her reasons for doing so was heartbreaking and I actually felt heartbroken by page twenty. She was a character I could sympathize with and it's amazing that Lilac went through some character growth without losing my admiration. 
Tarver was swoony. Can I leave it at that? Fine. He was sweet and swoony and amazing and swoony and I loved him and his swooniness. In all seriousness though, Tarver was just as brilliant as Lilac, though more street smart than book smart, and it showed. I loved how caring he was towards Lilac and how badass he was, though not without his vulnerability. 

The romance was swoon worthy, but I think I've already used that word too much. I'm always a fan of hate/love relationship which is definitely how their relationship seemed when they crashed. I adored how they first met though, although it did seem a bit insta lovey, but the romance after that was entirely amazing. And I actually loved the insta love part of it too, surprisingly. I'm pretty sure there's a meme that's like "True love is when you take care of each other even if you're angry." or something like that and it definitely applies to the book. Also? Let me just say that I couldn't contain my squeals (and screams) at all. 

The worldbuilding and the vivid descriptions were a giant part of the novel and the science part was...mind blowing and just...brilliant. It was amazing, the things behind the whispers, behind the mysterious terraformed planet and it's definitely a creative, if not somewhat original, idea. 

These Broken Stars is, at it's core, a survival story and I loved that. I never knew watching people walk could be so fascinating. Of course, that's not all that happens. There was a mystery on the edges of the book and you couldn't help but get enraptured, wondering, dying to know what was happening, what was causing this or that, whether they were going crazy, or if there really was something...other.
What I think I loved the most was that our characters reached the conclusion before we did, which is actually pretty hard to do. And it wasn't just some wild leap, there was actually evidence to back it up and it was...interesting, seeing where we'd be taken next.

These Broken Stars is, perhaps, one of my favorite sci-fi books out there and I can't wait to read book two, which I'm hoping will at least have a Lilac or Tarver cameo! (It has to guys, it has to.) Heartbreaking and awe inspiring, These Broken Stars is just one that'll have to  make it to the top of your TBR, no matter how towering it already is!

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Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Goodreads Blurb

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.
Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.
Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.
Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.
Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.
Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.
By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

Ever since I read the synopsis oh-so long ago, I've been aching to read this. The short and to the point phrasing makes the synopsis absolutely chilling, dark, and unbelievably intriguing, not to mention revenge stories are always amazing! 
I'm a bit torn up around the ending, so it's still a bit hard to write this review. I'm sort of a wreck right now!

The first few pages were absolutely amazing, but I started worrying that I may not love Premeditated as much as I'd hoped. No matter how realidtic it can make a character seem, I've always hated it when characters seemed flat and obsessed with only one goal, forcing the story to go on. 

But that didn't happen--instead I just sort of fell in love with Dinah's character and her heart. Premeditated focuses on the characters more than the plot, and I can't say I didn't love that! Seeing Dinah grow from hell bent on making Brooks pay to sympathizing and reluctantly starting to like him was one of my favorite parts. I always do love some internal conflict. 

Along with character development, the story also focuses on relationships, and not just romance. I'd been rooting from the start for Brooks and Dinah (and by start I mean when I first discovered this) and I was unbelievably excited to see that my ship was happening--though it wasn't mentioned much throughout the book. Their friendship seemed to be more important, Dinah struggling to find the Brooks in Claire's diary in the person in front of her, and Brooks starting to let down his walls. 
More than that, seeing how much Dinah cared for Claire was heartbreaking and heart warming all at once. It's a touching relationship that I couldn't help but love, but made everything so much more painful. 

I honestly can't say much about the plot since it'll pretty much ruin the entire thing, but I will say that the plot twist was fairly predictable, but it made everything so much more suspenseful!

Filled with suspense and a wide range of quirky and lovable characters, Premeditated is one of the books I've been anticipating all year--that managed to not disappoint me, which is actually pretty impressive!  The relationships are gorgeous and the development throughout the story just warms your heart. The suspense in the novel is brilliant and I was just blown away by the entire story.

Pages: 336

Genre: Thriller/Contemporary

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: Oct 8, 2013
Rating: 4 stars

Pawn by Aimee Carter

Goodreads Blurb

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 
If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 
There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

After reading the synopsis for Pawn, I'll admit--I was intrigued, but a bit wary. I've had my fill of dystopians this year, and seeing another one that sounded a bit...typical? Yeah, I was definitely wary.
But Aimee Carter surprised me in giving me a completely original novel with chilling secrets and the question Which side is the right one haunting our character every page.

Being taken deeply in the government's embrace, Kitty manages to dig up all kinds of secrets and reveals twists that just shocked me one after another. I loved the story from the beginning, but with each surprise, I just fell more and more in love with the story even as Kitty fell more and more into a family filled with grudges and secrets.
I'm always a fan of political stories where strategy and betrayals aren't uncommon and it's possibly why I love this one so much over the Goddess Test series! While I didn't understand all of them, the amount of brainstorming that must've gone into this book is amazing and the number of tricks in each character's sleeve was...astounding.

Speaking of characters, I loved them all. THEM ALL. Antagonist or protagonist, Carter manages to give us a wide range of personalities and tricks that we all fall in love (or fall in hate) with. They were all so strong and weak in their own way, but all of them were so real and I could understand their reasoning for everything, which I don't think has happened that often before.
Kitty is where things were interesting. While I didn't necessarily love her, she was so perfect--book wise. She wasn't a matyr, but she wasn't selfish. She was brave, but she wasn't stupid. She didn't think she could save the world, but she didn't give up on it either. I'm not quite sure what to think of her except that she was so real. If I met her, I may not have become her best friend--but as a character she was absolutely amazing and unbelievably well developed!

Another worry of mine: Love triangles. When we first meet Knox, the original Lila's fiance, along with Kitty's boyfriend, I was on the edge, waiting for a love triangle to pop out. And...it didn't! The romance isn't focused on much in this, but is sweet nevertheless. Kitty's motivation throughout the book was always protecting those she loved--but trying to stay in control of her own life (which is actually pretty different from the sacrificial heroines we see sometimes--who I still love of course!)
I will admit, if it's possible at all, I'm Team Knox.

Definitely my favorite of all her books, Aimee Carter has amazed me with her originality in a genre where I thought originality was gone and her ability to write stunning characters and a chilling take on a secret family feud that went beyond a few spiteful words.
Recommended for sure, especially if you're dying for something new in all these look a like dystopians!

Pages: 346

Genre: Dystopian

Series: Blackcoat Rebellion #1

Publisher: Harelquin Teen

Release Date: Nov 26, 2013

Rating: 4 Stars

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Goodreads Blurb

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.
Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 
Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

There are no words for how much I loved this sequel. In fact, I honestly hadn't planned on writing a review at all...and then I finished it. All. The. Feels.

First of all, Celaena has become my favorite heroine ever. She's complex in a way I've never seen and I love her so absolutely much. Cold, arrogant, and completely badass, she's the kind of heroine we don't run into often. But then there's her softer side, the one that loves books and clothes, and is always in desperate need for a sweet.
And yet, she's always on the edge, waiting for something to tip her over. And, well, when it did, my heart hurt for her. This was the Celaena everyone else had heard about, the ruthless one that crept in the shadows. Was it wrong that I sort of loved this version of her too though?

Much to my chagrin, there's...there's no love triangle in this. Which, I guess, is a good thing, except I was on the wrong side of it. Dorian didn't really pop up as much as I wanted, and I will always be on his side.
Chaol and Celaena's relationship was sweet and it was deeply explored in Crown of Midnight (a little too much perhaps?) and I loved how they were both independent but had a small weakness when it came to each other.
We learn a lot more about Chaol than before and it turns out it's not only Celaena who's deciding where her loyalties lie. Chaol's been loyal to his kingdom for years, but Celaena makes him ask questions he doesn't really know the answers to.

As for the plot, there are no words for how much I loved it. While the main focus seemed to be the romance, there were still so many creepy happenings, more riddles, more clues, and, well, more blood. There were some twists that shocked me to the core, and others that made me giggle hysterically. The giant twist was predictable to me though, but I still sort of loved it. And it explained so much about Celaena. Although, you know, it's making me practically dying for book three.

There are honestly no words for how much I loved Crown of Midnight and it absolutely killed me every time I had to close the book for classes. (School, getting in the way of bookish needs since 1234) It's a brilliant sequel, enthralling from the first page. Maas is practically magical in the way she tells Celaena's story and you can't help but fall in love with all our characters and the world all over again.
I'll just be here, rocking in my corner, waiting for book three.

Pages: 432

Genre: High Fantasy

Series: Throne of Glass #2

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Release Date: Aug 27, 2013

Rating: 10/5 stars

Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Goodreads Blurb

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.
What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.
Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.
Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Oh dear God.

Before I go into this, know that I actually clung to a wall. Literally. I hugged a wall. I also literally rocked back and forth in both history and Math. My friends can attest to this. One of them is probably even reading this. I screamed. I went on a high pitched rant about this book to 4 of my friends. I laughed hysterically.

Obviously you know you should read it.

I ABSOLUTELY COULD NEVER GUESS ANYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING. I’d have on theory, discard it, think of another, take back the old one, discover that the second one was right…it was so very unpredictable. Everything happens quickly, and you never know what to expect next. This is so my kind of thriller! 

I was in shock half the time while I was reading The Naturals! Remember when I said I rocked back and forth? Blame it on the plot. Actually, blame everything on the plot. It was absolutely mind blowing. In my notes (yes, I take notes…shhh), I wrote “Holy Crap” over and over and over. And then I gave up on notes and just wrote Holy Crap over the entire page.

And, every so often, Barnes would delve into the killer's mind, giving us a creepy look on what was happening, and giving hints on who it was. I guessed but was so sure I was wrong!

Seriously. The plot was wild.

Ah, so, I guess we should go on to talk about the other things. Like the romance. Yes, there was a love triangle. No, it wasn’t annoying! It was more of a subplot, and we never really focused on it. Though the attraction was…quick, it wasn’t insta-love. This is so hard to explain: it created more conflicts, though, and I’m all for that. The romance was subtle, really. And fun. TEAM DEAN ALL THE WAY. I always pick Team Bad Boy. Hmm.

While I was expecting something typically paranormal, the Naturals' "abilities" aren't really paranormal at all--they just seem like natural abilities. They picked up on hints, actions, behaviors, etc. and pieced them together. That was all it was! I was definitely surprised by that and, though I would've liked to learn a little more about them, it didn't take away from the book at all! I loved seeing them practice, and I loved how they still had to work to discover things, rather than having it magically appear in front of them.

I loved our characters! They each had their own flaws, and they were all so individual! I loved them all! Michael's cockiness and arrogance, Dean's mystery and quietness, Lia's...complicated personality, Sloane's quirkiness, and Cassie's all-around personality. I loved their interactions, and I loved seeing all of their relationships build! 

The Naturals is a thrilling must-read for fans of YA. Engaging, hypnotizing, and absolutely creepy at times, The Naturals isn't one that you'll want to miss--it'll have you gasping in shock and clutching the edge of your chair. 

Pages: 304
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: Nov 5, 2013
Rating: 10/5 Stars