What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Goodreads Blurb

I should not exist. But I do.
Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .
For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

What's Left of Me was...well, it was good, but it was disappointing in a lot of ways, actually.
I think What's Left of Me is one of those 2 way books where either you completely loved it or it was just disappointing. I definitely went down road number two.

What's Left of Me definitely got off to a great start, but it went downhill after the first 2 or 3 chapters, becoming a long, boring introduction. It did show the strength of the bond between Eva and Addie, but I'm more of an action or cry girl where there a) has to be a giant action scene or b) has to be deep enough that I cry. So the first half definitely didn't go into my type of read, though I'm betting there are a lot of people who will enjoy the depth of the relationships between all these characters, and the way you can easily understand Eva's feelings of frustration and longing.

I'm not quite sure what genres to put this in, not really. Technically, it's a dystopia, but we never learn how we got 2 souls in our body--so it could also be a fantasy/sci-fi kind of book as well since this seemed to take place in a different world, still somewhat similar to ours. But, still, we don't learn much about this world. Worldbuilding is obviously not one of the main points in this book, so we never really got a feel for how harmless this world could be compared to others, or how horrible it could be. There are a lot of holes in the fabric of this world and plot so I was disappointed there as well.

Speaking of the hospital, things definitely picked up there. Suddenly it was fast paced and thrilling, escape plans and all. And the TWISTS? I so wasn't expecting that! I mean, the fading of one soul? That...I can't believe how that happens. It was just shocking and I definitely had a hard time getting over that. The cruelness...

Oh hey, I'm rambling.

The concept of this book was truly fascinating and unique and while this was a bit slow, I think it was mainly because it was the first book. No doubt the sequel will be as action packed as the second half of this and as amazing as I'd expected What's Left of Me to be! I'd definitely recommend this for people who love reading about relationships and understand the wanting of something you can never have.

Pages: 343
Genre: Dystopia/Sci-fi/Fantasy
Series: What's Left of Me #1
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: Sep 18, 2012
Rating: 2.5--->3 stars

The Rules For Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Goodreads Blurb

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.
Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.
But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

This was simply amazing! I knew it sounded interesting, but I honestly wasn't sure whether I'd love it or hate it, or have no feelings at all. But I'm  SO glad to say that The Rules of Disappearing had me captivated from start to finish!

I think this is a blend of a Thriller and a Romance. It was adorable, but there was a definite edge to the plot that made you aware that this was also a Thriller in it's own way, but it wasn't quite as Oh-my-gosh what's going to happen? thrilling. It was just it's own style which I loved!

I'm just putting this in now, but we discover the real reason their in the Witness Protection Program a little less than halfway through the book and the rest is...well, you'll have to figure it out!
I loved the pacing in The Rules for Disappearing; it fit the book perfectly and I never got bored and never wanted to put it down! And I didn't. It's a one sit-one read book! But while it was never slow, the action significantly picks up in the second half and that's where the pages turn faster and faster until the end, where helllooooo cliffhanger!

The romance in this was, like I said, completely adorable! I was in love with Ethan from the start and I was cheering them on since page one! Every time Meg would push him away, I wanted to push them closer together--they just fit each other like little pieces of a puzzle, excuse the cliche, and together, they were just wonderful!

Ethan was a mix of sweet golden boy with just a little bad boy and just the type of character I loved as a love interest. He was so nice to Mary and so concerned for Meg and incredibly, incredibly clever. Surprised me for sure! Here's a slight SPOILER: He figures everything out on his own, which is more than I can say for some characters, so there was that!

Meg was a character that's easy to like and easy to connect with. She's hungry for answers and she loves her family, despite all their dysfunctions--she just doesn't always realize it. She tries to do what's best for others and she strives to be indifferent--something that we know firsthand isn't easy. Falling in love, getting comfrotable, making friends--all against her Rules for Disappearing. But then, she can't really help herself!

The Rules for Disappearing is it's own unique book that fans of Chick Lit and Mystery will enjoy, also giving off a type of fantasy vibe without the actual fantasy! If you're looking for an edgy, but light read, this is definitely the one I'd recommend!

Pages: 320
Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Contemporary
Series: Rules for Disappearing #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
If I Stay vs. Shut Out

(This is probably a once in a bloglife thing, but I thought it'd be fun--reviewing a cute fluff at the same time as an apparent emotional rollercoaster!)

These two were honestly completely different, but I found myself giving them a near-same rating--3 and 4 stars. I know I know, If I Stay, only 4 stars? The scandal! But...I think I just had higher hopes for it. I've read Just One Day (hello! You've seen my review!) and it was simply amazing while, If I Stay...paled in comparison. I'm not saying it was bad. I'm just saying I would have loved it a lot more if I'd read it before Just One Day. On the other hand, for Shut Out, I just didn't like have any expectations so it was surprising, though I think I'd more likely give it a 3. It just wasn't...It just wasn't.

The heroines were completely different to. While Mia (IIS) could understand things easily and was a true character with flaws, one I could understand, Lissa (SO) was completely...ugh.She drove me crazy with her COD and her need to control everything. I wanted to slap her a lot and soon she became practically OBSESSED with winning the "war" Also, I found the school society a bit sex-crazed. I mean, I know it happens, but like...not that severely. I hope. The shallowness of some of these characters really annoyed me while the characters in IIS I loved and wanted to cry for at times. They really did twist my heart at times.

I really loved Mia and Adam's slow romance which I found sweet and warm! I honestly sometimes loved the flashbacks more than I did the present because of Adam. I really really really loved Adam and wanted to smother him in hugs sometimes. When I said there were characters I wanted to cry for, I was really just talking about Adam...I just...sigh. Their's seemed like a true love that had me sighing happily throughout the book...well, until the end. On the other hand, Lissa's and Cash's relationship made me feel like a year after the happenings, they'll start growing apart. Basically, I didn't believe their relationship. It seemed more out of convenience to the story line than something that'd actually happen.So there was an *SPOILER* almost kiss...but...it just left me highly unsatisfied.

If I Stay, I think, was supposed to be a highly emotional read, but honestly I felt disappointed by it. I, mostly, had no emotions at all throughout the book and was actually a bit bored. The only times I felt something was whenever Adam was involved or when Mia was looking for answers. It was just...beautifully sad. But I don't think it was as emotional as people claim, which is why it's just a star less than 5. It wasn't strong enough for me. 

Shut Out was definitely a cute fluff that had me reading despite it's many flaws. It was fun and I was excited to see each new plan the girls and guys had to beat each other and the idea was definitely...interesting. I mean, what other book focuses on a sex strike? Yeah...that sounds weird out loud.