Book: Edge Of Falling

At first I was very interested in this novel.  As I read the book i realized that while I liked many parts of it, its greatest done fall was how it lack the new and fresh feeling.  It felt almost as though the author was being lazy. " I'm not going to waste my time with details" the book seemed to scream at me. And for me this was the major down side of the book and what had me for so long with holding my review. I like the thing that makes so many books wonderful is the details. It lets the reader enter that word, and makes the book hard to put down. It is also the thing that has us rereading books.
And While I said I loved many other parts of it and it had many wonderful moments, and best of all a very strong ending. Thought I " I do not see myself rereading this book". and While I know that many of my readers will love this book, I could not see myself telling my friends to go out and read it right away.
Over all the book did have some very good parts and if you are interested in go give it a shoot. If not move along to the next review so that you can find something more your style.

( YA -14 and up)
STARS:  * * * 3.3                             LEVEL: JEFF BRIGDES 




I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Fangirl

As some of you may remember I read the book Eleanor & Park and feel head over heels in love with it! So when I found out that Rainbow Rowell had another book out, I did everything in my power to get my hands on it right away. First off this book is very different from Eleanor & Park.  THis book over all is a much happier kinda of love story. And having read ( and even thought about writing ) fanfiction I loved what a big part that played in this story. Though I would like to make it clear that I was not big in the fanfic world I just kinda pasted through it when I found a link on tumblr.  Reading this book shone some new light on it for me. I have always been on the fence about fanfic. Part of me thinking that it's fun to dream and share all the things you would have done differently - because that is how I got into writing in the first place. While the part of me is always thinking how I'm not sure if I would like someone to fanfic about my own stories. That I would not want them touching my characters. My characters who to me are family. But reading this book I saw a whole different side to fanfic. And I'm really grateful for that. 

Now the whole book was not about fanfic that was just a part of it. The book was about so many other things. Like growing up. Like family and what that truly means and the time old battle of knowing when to forgive someone, and knowing when you have been hurt to many times. 

It also dealt with the hard battle of going forward. Facing the future and all of the changes it holds. Of letting go not just of bad of the past but also letting go of good. Knowing when you those memories as joyful as they are, are holding you back. 

 THis book also has a super sweet love story that I felt I could totally relate too. 

Which brings me to Cather. I really feel in love with her because I felt that in so many ways she was like me. Something I'm sure all the readers of fangirl will feel at some point or another. 

I think that the most powerful I could say about this book was that I did not want it to end. I turned the last page and kept looking for the next one.  I did not want it to end. 

  Though very different from Eleanor & Park this book yet again shows us all how truly wonderful Rainbow Rowell is as a storyteller. I can't wait to read whatever she is cooking up next for us. 

( YA - 14 and up) 

Stars:  * * * * 4.0       LEVEL: PLEASE DON'T END

Book: Divergent

I have heard so many wonderful things about this and read so many great reviews about it. But I never felt like it was my kind of book. I thought that like the hunger games I would find it to violent to like it or enjoy it. But when I saw the the movie trailer I knew that I had to read the book.

Reading the book I found myself torn right down the middle. As a reader thought I found it violent and hard to read I still fell in love with the book. As a reviewer I had a hard time looking past how violent the story was. I know that I should not be both reader and reviewer but I feel as a reviewer I can not look past the way that the book seems to justify violence. As a reviewer I always think about how I like the book and how others will like the book. And in doing that I always find myself thinking about how it will affect other people and their lives. A great book should make you want to do good and make you think about something you never have before. 

Where as a reader I'm not thinking about anyone else but myself.  I might think of a friend who would love the book but that's it. I never stop to think if it will change someone for the worsted. 

But as both reader and reviewer I really loved the setting and the world building of the story. I was able to get lost in it fully without every questioning things that the author did ( I only questioned the normal things is what I'm trying to say here).

Tris.I found that I really liked Tris. She was strong but not because she could fight but she was strong because she was willing to give to others. And when she would break she always got right back up again. For me that is what a strong character does. Tris is in many ways the ideal YA main character - female or otherwise. As for the other characters they were all good and added to the story nicely.  But the one character  I did not care for was Jeanine.  There was nothing that made her stand out and I felt like we were never told anything about her. It made a lot of scenes about her and with her fall flat.  

Again as both reader and reviewer I also would have liked the love story to either be cut out or had the timing on it be better. The one of the most important part of the book is happening and all Tris can think about is how hot this one character is! I was like are you joking? If I or anyone I knows was there we would be way to busy thinking about anything but how hot that guy is. It drove me crazy. 

Another think that bothered me as a person was the almost rape/murder scene. Without going in to detail about it pissed me off.  What really got to me was how little was said about it. It was like it was no big deal. No matter if they were only going to kill her. It felt like there was going to happen to her first. This is a really big problem in YA for me. Everyone wants to do a rap scene but they never want to really deal with the problem. People just get over the rap or almost rap the next day like nothing happened.Whatever it is that writer is trying to do is not helping the reader understand what a terrible thing rap really is.   Sorry for the rant there but I feel like this is something that needs to be addressed. 

Over all I really did like the book. It was hard to put down. I got lost in easily, and fell in love with many points to it. I felt like the flaws with this book are never talked about. I know that this review seems like I did not but I wanted to point out the flaws in the book. Because I did feel that those things stopped me from giving it a higher review and from wanting to tell some of friends to read it. 

( YA - 14 and up - for violence) 

Book: * * * 3.8           Level: Read With A Thoughtful Mind

Book: Rock And A Hard Place

Clearly I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. Like I did not know that the name of the book would have more meaning to the story than just of that of an everyday metaphor.
At many times through out reading this book I really did come to love Libby (even if she was a little freaky at points). She had been through a lot of a lot and is going through a lot in the book.  But at times I did find that her story was so much like the other sad young adult romance books.  But at the time when that was not bothering me. And yes, how crazy and silly she was at times did force me to take breaks from reading the book. But on the whole I liked Lily and her story.
As for Peter he was pretty good. Did it sometimes get on my nerves? Yes, but when taking this book for what it is there are many things about it that are good. First of all it's fun. And after your done reading it you feel good about life. You feel hopeful. Which is something that I don't feel a lot of times with poplar young adult books.
Over all not a lot to be said about this book other than I think fans of this book will like and happily ignore it's flaws.

( YA 14 and up)
Stars: * * *  3.0                                          Level: Sweet Summer Love



I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Find Me

This book had a wonderful start giving me much hope that it would be something wonderful and memorable.  The writing drew me in right away. I have never read anything else by  Ms Bernard but her writing was very strong. In moments of action she really pulled you in and knew the timing and pacing of it very well.  It was her story telling that needed work. There is so much to the story that was just... off. Nothing about the story seemed to be coming from the heart.  The forced love story drove me mad! Most people think that you have to have a love story to get YA readers or else your story will be totally unsellable. But in the case of this book I feel that if the love story was cut out all together you would have a much better chance at getting readers.
Also if the book had know felt like a rip off of all the other poplar YA books out there I would have liked it.  If you are going to rip off other poplar books that pretty much everyone has read then you need to at the very least do it with a good character leading the story. I did like somethings about Wicked but the fact that she did not go and get help at some points in this book drove me crazy. And the fact that she stayed pretty much the same person from start to finish. Also though I did love the hacking part of the story it felt pretty weak at times. and I found it hard to believe that Wicked was this great hacker. A lot of what she did seemed to be on the more basic side of hacking.
But what I did like about Wicked was how she was a nice mix of being that strong- kick-butt main character and the softer sweeter main character. In that sense she felt real. And since so many YA authors seem to miss that when writing a main character it was really nice to see that Ms. Bernard got that right.
 But there are many things I did like in the book. Like some of the twist even if I did kinda see them coming. Or Lily. I really liked her.  And the mystery part of the story was great.  The way the diary was worked into the story was awesome.
Over all I think fans of Mysteries or readers who need a break from the fluffy reads ( but who don't want to jump in to really hard heavy stuff ) will like this. Is this book flawed yes - but the flaws do not take away from the points of the book.

( YA - 14 and Up)


Stars: * * *  3.0                            Level: Read At Your Own Risk

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: The Boy On The Bridge

This book got my interest because of the cold war russia setting. And I'm happy to say that as far as the setting went it was a very good book. I have never been to russia and was not around during the cold war but I felt that the book gave me a very realistic and truthful point of view on the time.  I was shocked at how though the book was in third person it felt like it was in first person which was really nice.  Laura I felt could have been more interesting she was a lacking that something that makes her stand out from the other characters in the book and in YA over all. At times the things she did were very.... for lack of a better word stupid. I felt like she could have been a little smarter at times. And it bothered me that when she was weighing why she loved Alyosha the only things that she could think of was how he looked. That really bothered me and made it hard for me to like Laura or the love story.
As for the love story of the book I had a love/hate thing going with it. It did but it didn't work for me. At some points it felt a little weird and it didn't make sense always.
 But I did love reading about the differences about between the americans and the russians. But most of all seeing were there were little to  no differences. But I did like the ending and how things were left.
Over all it was really good. I think  it is one that many of my readers will like more than me. Natalie Standiford's makes the ups and downs of the book feel so heartfelt and real that at times I had to to put the book down and breath for a moment.  Despite the fact that there are many pros and cons to the book.

( YA - 14 and up )
Stars: * * * 3.2

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Under The Never Sky

I have heard many really good things about this book. Things like finally a girl in YA who can hold her own. A love story that did not over power the story.
These to things I am happy to say are very true. Aria was a strong main character that also had a soft side. She was a very well thought out character with many layers.  Her character development was very well done and one of the best that I have seen from a YA author in a long time.
I also  liked how it was not love at first sight. The love story and friendships took a lot of time.  They came from two different worlds and they did not like one other at first. But they slowly had to learn to be open to the other one and their different ways  of life.  And the love story for one had a more natural feel to it. Things went a little fast at the end, but worked with story I felt.
So as far as the characters go the book was really really well done.
As for the story I was much more mixed and let down over all.  The idea and the setting were good. As for the way things played out and how much gore there was I was not happy. Yes, I did say gore. I got every tired of the killing and fighting.  The savage ways that many of  the characters had or gain through out the course of the book. I would have liked it toned down or not as harsh. At times many of the savage actions over powered the characters and at times even seemed a little out of character.
Over all I felt that the book is strong read as far as characters go. As for some of the actions or  choices the characters make, I did't like them. But I feel that fans of Graceling and Breathe will love this Dystopian novel.
Also I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

( YA 14 and up )
Stars: * * * 3.4

Book: Screwed

I really wanted to read this book because its about something that is ripping and has been ripping our world apart. I have known people who would turn their backs on their children if they found out they had had sex before marriage.

As far as the book goes I liked some parts and did not like others. The book for me moved a little to fast. I would have liked it to be a little longer and have it give us a look at Grace's life before it all changed.
But other than that I liked it. I have to say that I did like the way Nick was an ass whole but he was human too. He did think about Grace a little bit and feel for her which I thought was really cool. Though it was not done the best at time I liked the way that we got to see other peoples point of view as well as Grace's. It was a really great use of third person.
As far as Grace's family goes they are pretty crazy and hard to believe yet sadly I know people just like them that would have done the same thing in their place. And that is what I like about this book. I hope that parents will read it and think about what they would do if their child got pregnant. It is also interesting as far as pro-choice and pro-life goes. And I will not get in to my views on that. And I think that best thing that the book taught me is not to judge young girls who are pregnant - not until you know their story and see how hard it is.Sometime we are to harsh on them. So many teens are having sex and even with birth control it does not always work so don't jump to judge.They have it hard enough right now without you. But I think that this book has some good points to it and it well worth the read.  I even think that maybe it might be a good book for children who's parents were teenagers or young when they were born or children who are adopted.Now I make my self clear that not all people would like the book or would want to read it but I think that for most it is worth a try. and if your life story is similar its really worth looking in to.

( YA - 14 and up)
Stars: * * * 3.2


I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Pieces Of My Heart

This book sounded right up my alley. I am a huge fan of books about people trying to live their dreams. and books about fame. As you can guess from a hand full of my reviews.
I have to say that I really liked the start of this book. It did not hit me as something special but just another fun read. And i liked. I might not have been a big fan of Mari. At times she was really cool and it felt like we were getting close to her as a reader. But at other times it felt like I was not getting a clear look at her. Like she was slipping away. Which is not something I think I have ever found in an YA book. But this book did have lots of good points as well. I liked how Mari did feel like a lot other teens trying to live their dreams. She had a lot of tough choices to make and I think that the story did a really good job of showing that. And one thing I have to say I like about it was how she handle her self with Blend.She knew what she was and was not willing to do. I think it was really great to see that in a YA book. I feel that a lot of times the girls fall so fast and are willing to do anything for a guy. After a while I get very tired of reading that.
Another thing that I liked about this was how it was different from a lot of the other fame books ( as I like to call them) it did not really go or do just what you thought it would. And that was really nice.
Over all not the worlds best book but it was fun and if you want to read it I say go for it. Its one that older fans The Daughters and Secrets Of My Hollywood Life will like.

( YA - 14 and up )
Stars: * * * 3.2 

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Beautiful Creatures

(I read this book back in the fall but do to trouble with the blog have been unable to post it till now. I now post it as it was written).
I have heard so many good things about this book for so long and was very happy to finally read it. I had a feeling it would be a lame romance like twilight but darker. almost needless to say I was shocked to find that it was written from Ethan's point of view. something that I my self liked greatly. I love to get it from a guys point of view. And they did a very good job of making it seem like it was a guy telling the story. I found that I really liked Ethan and the way he handles different things in the book. It is nice to read about a strong guy who is also ... human. I liked how he was not some special witch or vampire. Just a normal guy like us. Who can't wait to leave his small town. well until Lena comes a long. And I have to say that I really liked Lena. She was in my eyes a good mix of strong,hero but with a soft side. I mean she is almost 16 I don't care who you are but if you were going through what she is you would want someone to lean on.The ideas in the book might not have been so new but the way that the story is told it has a very fresh new feel to it. Also liked the mix of witches and I guess kinda a witch doctor feel that the book had going for it.
There are many things in here that make me think of twilight but I have to say that I liked this one better in a lot of ways because it reminded me of Beastly. I really have to say that really liked many point in the book. It had a good mix of story,Humor and romance.
And I think the nice thing about it that even though it is romance if the movie is a big hit guys could always read it too.I found this to be a very enjoyable read and can not wait to see the movie and read the rest of the books.

( YA - 14 and Up )
Stars: * * *  3.5

Book:Just Listen

It has been a long time since I have read a Sarah Dessen book. I am not a lover of her books but I tend to really like them. She has this way of bringing them to life in such a beautiful way. Each of her books has a message of some kind.
And this book was no different. I found that I loved this book much more than I thought I would. It was fun to read but it also made me think about how little we truly know about the people we think we know. It shows us that everyone has a lot more going on than you might think. and its a point with things like bullying that I love. I love it when authors point out facts like this. and when they do this good of a job doing it.
I also loved Anabelle. I know that some had a hard time with her. But I understand her. How she kept thinking about who she had been and who she was going to be. I think that is something that a lot of us get lost at in the teen years. Who we were when we were children and who we are becoming as we turn to adult. I think that was really at the heart of the book. When you look at her two sisters and so on.
I also love the just listen part of the book. That there comes a time in life when you need to take a step back and just listen to the world around you.
And I have to say though I did not like him at first I really liked Owen. I really liked how he did not have this whole creepy/sad back story that she was waiting to find out. Owen was just Owen. And thats something I love about Sarah Dessen is that sometimes in her books she writes people just as they are no long " I wonder how they came to be that way". In her books they just sometimes are the way they are like a lot of people. And then she has the other people who have reasons and most of the time good reason for the way that they are just like in life.
Over all a really good book. I would say that any YA reader interested in realish fictions should take a look at it. Because the way that Sarah Dessen makes her world and brings her story to life is wonderful.

( YA - 14 and up. This might be hard read for some as it deals/talks about with things like eating disorders and rape )

Stars: * * * 3.5

Book: The Lucky Ones ( BYT #3)

After waiting a very long time to read this book I got my hands on it and could not have had higher hopes for it.

And in a lot of ways the book met these hopes. It was bright. It was full of the parties and fighting that you feel in love with in the other books. and it was full of drama. But not all the drama was good.Some of it had me asking my self why she would write that. And a lot of the drama had to do with the young pilot. Yes, I found some faults with that story line. I felt that in some ways it brushed over a lot of the problems that racist caused in the 1920s. It made it seem at times like a white rich  girl who went to lots of parties could date who ever she wanted too with out people turning on her at all. Which I think if we look at history we know very well that is not true. Also the whole gang thing got very old very fast for me. and I saw how that storyline was going to play out very early on. Which was a little sad because normally Ms.Godbersen's storylines take the most out there turns. And I was let down by many of the twist in this book. 

On the other hand though I did love the Letty story. It was just what I thought Ms.Godbersen would do. and I liked it very much. And it had the whole 1920s feel the first two books were full of. 

Over all I have to say that I was left with a glass half full over all though I think many might see the glass as half empty.And I can not wait to read what Ms.Godbersen writes next.

(YA-14 up)

Stars: * * * 3.5

Book:The Indigo Notebook

  When I first read the  inside of the book.I thought  I would not like it. but I really  liked it.  there was a lot of good in the book. it really should that just because you might think every one does some thing. does not mean they do. it was great to read about this place. and know that  it is true. that the people do really look that way  she tells you. I like how she thinks she wants the every day life. but than she  thinks about and she does have any every day life for her. But there where some things in there that I did not like. like how she   was up all night with that one boy. but  I liked  almost every thing else. it really tells you   what that world is like over this world. that nothing is the same. I can not wait to read the next book! I really love this book! so if you like a book that will take you to know fun places. this is a must read book for you!

(YA-14 and up)
STARS: * * * * 4.2

Book: Linger(The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2)

Why did I read this book?  Because I do try to be as fair as I can. I know writing a book is very hard and a big undertaking and at times when I have looked back on my review of Shiver I have asked myself if I was being fair. So in the name of trying to be fair and do right by the blog I read this book. Which was pretty long so I had best be getting some points for being fair.
My thoughts one it?  They are a lot like my thoughts on book 1 ( Shiver).  When I read this book I do not feel the love between Sam and Grace. It is not real love to me. I found myself feeling hopeless and like love was out of reach and never going to happen. And that no matter what you do life is going to kick you down so you might as well stay down. At points I found myself thinking that maybe Romeo and Juliet had the right idea in the end. Because if I was Sam or Grace I would have started to feel that way. If you wanted me to tell you a book with a fairy tale paranormal love story that was good I would give Beastly  a try. This book was in someways better than  Shiver. Not much better  . But that does not make this book or Shiver a good book. The new character I felt help add to the story that like I said was all over the place in the first one. And at least the setting of Mercy Falls was still there and that helped me feel better about the time I spent on this book. And one more thing I would like to say before I rap it up is :I do not like how Grace was with her her Mom and Dad. it was like the Writer was saying " teens if you think you are in love, but your mom and dad don't then do not  do what they say". And that is not what we should be telling Teens. I'm sorry but at some point these YA writers have to take a good look at the real world when writing these books.
Was it a wast of time? No, it was not a waste of time for ME.  I got to blog about it and I can say that I have  read it. I was fair and I gave it a chance.! but do I think you should read it?  I would lean with no.  Over all I would say its a pass for me.
( YA- 14 and up)
Stars: *  1.5

Pages:363

Book:Wish

 Well  it was the cover and the name that made me want to read this book. and it was good but not great. as you can guess. it is a very nice book for a first time writer. but there where some things what where and are off. like all the wine. no teen and I mean no teen should have all that wine. and I do not think that it should have been in the book so much. it might give some teens the wrong idea. Its little things like that in her story that don't add up and it really took away from the book.
so over all the book was pretty good. not great. I hope to see more from the writer.
it is a good book for some one  how has lost a brother or sister.  it is not a bad but it is just not great
like beastly. but if you have lost some one you love then this book might help. the end was good. not great but good. I like how the tell you to let go. but in a good nice way. not a mean way. because ever one has a hard time with the death of some one they love.
so over all pretty good.PS. do not hit the cover. you can not look inside. it was the only cover I could find.
( YA- 14 and up)
STARS:  * * 2.4
Pages:323 

Book:Shiver(The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1)

Well the best way to start off the review is by saying that this is one of the biggest let downs I have ever read. A lot of people I know like it.And so many people told me that is would be a better read than Twilight. After reading this I want to read twilight again. And I don't even like twilight ( yes I went through my sad six months of liking it before I finally read something really good). I did not like how Sam and Grace are never really are happy. It seemed like the whole book was just them sitting around waiting for the next worse thing to happen. Which is sad because the book did have some good little points. Like I liked the setting of Mercy Falls. And at first I did like Sam and Grace and they why I got both sides of the story but the more I read the less I cared for that fact. And I'm sorry but I think that there was a lot when it came to wolf way of life that could have been left out and something truly worth reading put in its place. But  NO WAY! And at times I was not sure what story I was even reading. Which was a pain. So I would sit there and be like " yeah its a werewolf love story...and ummm yeah its cold. Which is why its called shiver" In some ways being in love is ever thing. But not the love in this book. I sat there thinking to myself that a love story about two teens dying of cancer would be more hopeful and worth reading than this.  And I might have learned something useful from that book. This on the other hand could have been great and would have been much better if it had not been written by a love sick stay at home mom. I have a stay at home but at least she is not out there trying to sell to young teenagers. I will try to read the next book in hopes that maybe it will pick up on the few good points that were hinted at in this book.
Stars:  * 1.4 
 (YA - 14  and up)