Daring the Bad Boy by Monica Murphy

Daring the Bad Boy Book Review

by Monica Murphy

Synopsis:

Truth or Dare was never this much fun…

Annie McFarland is sick of being a shy nobody. A session at summer camp seems like the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself—gain some confidence, kiss a boy, be whoever she wants to be. A few days in, she’s already set her sights on über-hottie Kyle. Too bad her fear of water keeps her away from the lake, where Kyle is always hanging out.

Jacob Fazio is at Camp Pine Ridge after one too many screw-ups. Junior counseling seems like punishment enough, but the rigid no-fraternizing-with-campers rules harsh his chill. When a night of Truth or Dare gets him roped into teaching Annie how to swim, she begs him to also teach her how to snag Kyle.

Late-night swim sessions turn into late-night kissing sessions…but there’s more on the line than just their hearts. If they get caught, Jake’s headed straight to juvie, but Annie’s more than ready to dare him to reveal the truth.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains references to drinking, sexual situations, adult language, and an intense bad boy hero who will melt your heart.

Review:

This book fit perfectly into the type of summer reading that I normally like. It cute, with an adorable bad boy , and the perfect summer camp setting. I liked how the romance between the Annie and Jake started differently than many contemporary romances. Normally the girl is the one that is all fluttery inside and the guy seems aloof but in this book Jake liked Annie before she really realized she liked him. I liked this aspect of the book because it wasn't the complete insta-love that I expected. I liked that their romance didn't go from 0 to 60 in 10 pages. It took its time and developed in more of a slow burn. I thought the scene where they jumped off the cliff and almost kissed in the dark in the pool at the bottom was super cute. The only part of the book that kind of made me mad was how Annie pressured Jake to tell everyone even though  it could get him in trouble. I understand that she really liked him and wanted everyone to know that they were dating but it was wrong of her to go behind his back. It ended up working out in their favor though because Jake's father went through a similar situation when he met Jake's mother. The whole thing worked itself out and Jake and Annie were able to stay together even though they lived far apart. The book is a cute, easy summer read that follows a very familiar but lovable trope.

My Rating: ***.5

Purchase Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30332862-daring-the-bad-boy?ac=1&from_search=true

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daring-the-bad-boy-monica-murphy/1124207006?type=eBook

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Bad-Boy-Monica-Murphy-ebook/dp/B01JGMCCGM

Entangled Teen: http://entangledpublishing.com/daring-the-bad-boy/ 

Romancing the Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Romancing the Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Review

Synopsis: 

Dan Garrett has become exactly what he hates—popular. Until recently, he was just another live-action role-playing nerd on the lowest rung of the social ladder. Cue a massive growth spurt and an uncanny skill at taking three-point shots in basketball and voilà...Mr. Popular. It's definitely weird.
And the biggest drawback? Going from high school zero to basketball hero cost Dan the secret girl of his dorky dreams.
A band geek with an eclectic fashion sense, Zelda Potts's “coolness” stat is about minus forty-two. Dan turning his back on her and the rest of nerd-dom was brutal enough, but when he humiliates her at school, Zelda decides it's time for a little revenge—dork style. Never mind that she used to have a crush on him. Never mind that her plan could backfire big time.
It's time to roll the dice...and hope like freakin' hell she doesn't lose her heart in the process.

Non-Spoilery Thoughts:

First I have to say that this book is as adorkable as the cover, title, and synopsis would suggest. As a book and film lover I have to say that I have a bit of an inner nerd myself, so while I have never LARPed, I'm pretty sure I understood and was able to appreciate all of the other nerdy references. I got all warm and fuzzy while reading this nerd romance and I think many other fellow book nerd will feel the same way. Also, the plot started off as a revenge story that then morphs into a reluctant romance which is a trope that I will never get sick of in the rom-com genre. 

More Specific/Spoiler Details:

Of course in a revenge romance plot, the revenge-er must create a false identity on social media to spy and communicate with the victim. I thought it was adorable how Dan was talking to Zelda's online persona about a girl that he had blew it with and she didn't even realize he was talking about her. She thinks he is talking about some other girl and thinks she is going to get the juicy drama she needs to get revenge on him but really it just proved that he was a great guy and regretted how he had hurt her. The nerdy late night chats just kept me smiling like a goof. The cutest online chat moment had to be when Dan says he actually pets the screen of his computer because he is pretty much swooning over Zelda's nerdy opinion.

It was really frustrating how Dan would open up to Zelda in their chats and she would just try and twist his words to make him seem like a bad person. She kept wanting to think of him as the bad guy even though he wasn't. I felt bad for Dan and the situation with his dad and sports. In high school I also played basketball and enjoyed it for a while but eventually it just became too much for me and I wanted to quit. My parents were angry and opposed the idea because to them being an athlete in high school was the most  important thing I could be doing with my life. I quit and was much happier just being my bookish nerdy self. Despite feeling bad for Daniel I still found it lightly weird and funny that a guy with the nickname Taxidermy Todd cared so much about sports.

Another reason why I really liked Dan (that developed into a boom crush) was because he embraced his nerdy side so well and even had a nerd tattoo! I also really liked his humor and banter with Zelda. When he walked in on her quoting Star Wars while holding the light saber and proceeded to start a light saber fight I had to try so hard to hold back the goofy smile because I was reading in public.

All around a great book that any self proclaimed book nerd or comic lover will enjoy and relate to so well.

MY RATING: ****

Purchasing Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14744489-the-summer-i-became-a-nerd

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/The-Summer-Became-Nerd-ebook/dp/B00R6DRYZI

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-summer-i-became-a-nerd-leah-rae-miller/1113610315

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-summer-i-became-a-nerd/id953078428

Entangled Page: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-summer-i-became-a-nerd/

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

Review

* This book will be released on April 19, 2016.

I think there are two types of thrillers: the type that start out normal and then BAM everything goes to crap or the kind where the insanity has already happened and you are on a journey with the narrator to piece together what happened. This book was the second kind of thriller and was a tad confusing in the beginning trying to figure out names and how they fit with the man character. Even though the book started after the murder had occurred the mystery didn't really pick up for me until about three quarters through the story. The beginning of the book seemed to be a lot like what I had seen of "Making of a Murderer"; the main character was questioning the testimony she gave to put the suspected murderer in jail. Also, the little foreword made me think that this book was based off a true story but I didn't want to look it up and get spoiled. After finishing the book I tried to find out more information on whether or not the story was rooted in fact. I couldn't find anything but I did encounter Kara Thomas's website for the book. I really like how it was set up to look like a local news site that was reporting about the murders. The video-promos on the website for the book were really great and would work really well as a book trailer to encourage people to read the book. 

Despite the slow start the book took an unsuspected turn at this point in the story. I was thrown for a loop trying to figure out how all of the individual crimes fit together. I think the best aspect of this book didn't have to do with the Monster but the mystery of Tessa's missing family. I was a bit worried that the author wouldn't be able to pull it all together in the end but I felt like it was all wrapped up very well. All of the loose ends were closed and all the crimes were solved. The only loose piece that wasn't really explained was the last few lines of the epilogue. I thought that it was really neat that Kara Thomas left that little cliff hanger for the reader. It was pretty obvious how the ending fit in with the rest of the story but that tiny bit of mystery left the haunting feeling at the end of the book.

MY RATING: ***(1/2)

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

by Sandy Hall

I picked this book up because I just wanted a breezy, cute read to read for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, I finished it in one day, and now have to find another awesomely cute read! This book is so fast paced and I got sucked in to the characters' lives so quickly. I was worried that I wouldn't get to know the characters well enough because it wasn't told from either of their perspectives, but I, just like all the narrators of the story got so invested in Lea and Gabe's relationship. I felt like creative writing teacher, Inga, rooting for them so hard, while at the same time cursing Hillary. I think this is a perfect Valentine's Day read or for an everyday pick-me-up.

SPOILERS...

I have to admit that at first I was doubting the author because I found all the different viewpoints confusing. I just didn't understand how I would be able to read about important milestones in Lea and Gabe's relationship if it was told from everyone except them. I quickly grew to like them however. They kept the story fresh and I liked hearing how invested all of the narrators were. I loved how the bus driver Bob, fantasized about stopping short so that Lea would fall into Gabe's arms. I was a bit confused by the bench narrator but I figured the bench would be where Lea and Gabe had an important conversation (and I was right!). My favorite narrator by far though had to be the squirrel. I was reading this book in bed, and I would randomly shout "squirrel" and read passages so my roommate could hear all of the cute things the squirrel said. One of my favorite squirrel lines had to be when he didn't know what a bagel was, but he hoped it was a kind of nut (lol). By the way, I am also a first year college student so I found a ton of the material in this book to be very relate-able. I also really enjoyed the pop-culture references that were sprinkled throughout the book. Great movies and TV shows like Buffy, Mean Girls, and Teen Wolf were mentioned. I did figure out that Gabe had a hearing issue before it was actually stated it but I love figuring out twists and having them be right almost as much as I love being surprised. 

One of my favorite interactions between Gabe and Lea was when they introduced themselves to each other at midnight breakfast after sitting next to each other for an entire semester. Poor Victor was narrating this scene and he broke up some of the second-hand awkwardness by pretending to stab himself with his fork. The most frustrating part of the novel was when Gabe decided to talk to Hillary to get used to talking to girls. I immediately knew that Lea would be offended. She spent so much time and effort trying to get Gabe to talk to her but he was too shy, but he can just walk up to Hillary and chat. He obviously didn't like her, which was why he was able to talk to her but Lea didn't know that and the rift this caused between them was heartbreaking. Gabe finally got up the nerve to talk to her in the coffee shop and she left when he tried. Despite this, they finally worked all their shyness out and the bench had it's big scene with the two of them...

MY RATING: ****1/2

The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet

The Secret to Letting Go

by

Katherine Fleet

Synopsis:

One summer can change everything…

Haunted with guilt after his girlfriend’s death, Daniel Hudson has no interest in committing to anyone. At the end of the summer, he’ll be leaving Florida for a new start in college. If only he could avoid the mysterious new girl in town, who seems every bit as naive and eccentric as she looks. Trouble is, she’s hard to ignore, with her beautiful piercing eyes, pitiful-looking dog, and unsettling tendency of finding trouble.

Clover Scott lived her whole life off the grid and arrives on the Gulf coast in search of her grandparents. She never expected to nearly drown, or get caught in a hurricane, or fall in love with the boy who rescues her. Now, she has a chance to rewrite her life’s story, to finally fit in somewhere, but Daniel wants answers about her past. When the police start asking questions about the disappearance of her parents, she must make a choice: go to jail or confess her secrets—even if they might destroy her chance at a happily-ever-after.

Review:

Before reading this book I only briefly scanned the synopsis; reading about the first paragraph before deciding it was something I was interested in reading. I had the idea that this book would be a romantic story of two people overcoming past struggles. Although this is a good description, I was not expecting the darkness in this book. I think it was good for me to start the book without really knowing what it was about because the sudden shifts in the emotion of the book kept me totally engaged. Also, this book plunged right into the story, I didn't have to wait at all to meet either of the main characters. These were character that were so lovable and I really enjoyed that I didn't have to read for awhile before getting to know them. Clover was so awkwardly cute and innocent seeming, while Daniel was completely understanding and always willing to help her. Both characters had problems from their past but the problems didn't directly present themselves in the story. I loved first getting to know the characters and observe their interactions before diving into their grief. Their problems started to present themselves and the book started to take a darker turn but it still had surprisingly adorable scenes that perfectly balanced the grief. One of my favorite parts in the book is when Daniel takes Clover to see her first movie. The fact that she helped clean up the theater after and Daniel let her was the cutest thing ever. Moments like these really balanced the mystery of Clover and Daniel's past so the reader wasn't overwhelmed. I expected Clover's secret to be bad but not as horrible as it was. I felt really horrible about how she blamed herself. She didn't understand society because her "father" had kept her secluded and she felt she had no one to turn to.I liked how Daniel handled the situation and supported Clover. I was also completely surprised and blown away to find out that Mr. Garret was Clover's dad. It was nice to know that she had family besides her grandpa left and that she would be able to count on them in the future. Finding out that Sam was her brother was also a really nice part to that surprise. I like how quickly Sam stepped into the role as older brother; even defending Clover when he saw Daniel kissing Morgan. I really loved the unexpected nature of this book, as well as the romance. The romance was unique because even though Daniel and Clover helped each other start to heal, they finished their journey on their own. They both really were able to understand themselves and the pasts before they started dating again. 

My Rating: ****

Purchase Links:

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1682810704

Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-to-letting-go-kathleen-fleet/1123170247 

Not Okay Cupid by Heidi R. Kling

Not Okay, Cupid Blog Tour Review

by Heidi R. Kling

Synopsis: 

Her wicked revenge, or his wicked heart…

Hazel McCallister loves her life. Perfect grades. Perfect best friend. Perfect boyfriend. Until her perfect boyfriend cheats on her with her perfect best friend. Now Hazel’s in free fall—until her best friend’s brother, Felix, gives her the perfect idea. Reclaim her power by taking revenge on her cheating ex.

Felix James loves his life. Casual relationships. Loads of surfing. He’s as drama-free as they come. But he can’t stand by when his sister steals her best friend’s boyfriend, and the dude insists it was Hazel’s fault. So Felix vows to help turn Hazel into a girl her ex can’t resist—so then she can break his heart.

With an alliance in place, Hazel’s revenge is all but assured. But with each piece of payback, she feels a stronger attraction to Felix, even though revenge will turn her into a girl Felix could never be with. And soon Hazel has to make an impossible choice: revenge…or Felix, the boy who’s stolen her heart.

WARNING! This book contains betrayal, revenge, and that most tempting vice of all, the bad boy you know you can’t have.

Review:
This book can pretty much be summed up by its cover. It is a cute, bubbly, romantic comedy in book form. It was pretty predictable (true rom-com fashion) but that is exactly what I want when reading these types of books. I can't think of much else non-spoiler things to say besides the fact that it is adorable.

Spoilers...

First off I would like to address Hazel's original relationship with Jay. It was a classic rom-com toxic romance. Jay sounded like a complete tool; counting his calories and only wearing pastel, frat boy outfits. Also both Jay and Hazel were in the relationship because it was easy; Hazel didn't even enjoy kissing Jay. I think that these obvious faults in their relationship made Hazel's quick feelings for Felix more believable. She never truly had any chemistry or feelings for Jay so it was believable that she moved on so quickly.

The romance between Felix and Hazel was also a pretty typical trope for this type of novel but it was still enjoyable. They started their fake relationship in order to get back at Hazel's boyfriend (classic set-up for the girl to fall in love with the fake boyfriend).  Even though Felix is said to be the "bad boy" he never really seemed that way in the book. He was always bantering with Hazel and even though they weren't really dating he opened up to her. He even named his sweet potato dipping sauce after her for the Valentine's day menu at the diner. My favorite scene from the book though is when Hazel is texting Felix and he says he is trying to avoid a collision right before he runs into her. Then they banter and Hazel play punches Felix and he tells her she shouldn't punch him because he isn't a shark. This is obviously an inside joke and I thought it was the cutest conversation they had in the book. I think I smiled throughout this whole book and I might have even giggled once or twice.

MY RATING: ***.75

Purchase Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27840786-not-okay-cupid 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Not-Okay-Cupid-Heidi-Kling-ebook/dp/B01828N3JG 
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-okay-cupid-heidi-r-kling/1122956723

Top 10 Reads of 2015

Hey guys! It's  almost a week into 2016 so I figured I better make my list of the top 10 books I read last year. These really aren't in any particular order because I have a hard time comparing genres because some (like romance) are purely entertaining and others (fantasy) take more time to fall in love with the world.

... DRUM-ROLL...

10. Winter by Marissa Meyer
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. The month before t was released I reread the first three books so that I could essentially marathon the series because I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing any details. I was not dissapointed at all. I pretty much loved how everything wrapped up and I have to say that this is a series finale to rival a Cassandra Clare finale.

9. Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
This is probably one of the best purely romantic books I have read. I loved the interesting point of view that Archer provided being that he is a mute. I had read books from the perspective a a deaf protagonist and I found this equally eye-opening. I also loved the angst (lol). I listened to this on audiobook and I would listen to it in the car on my way to work or school. There were times when I would just sit in my car until the last possible second and then think about it the whole time I was working because something angsty had happened.

8. Confess by Colleen Hoover
As long as Colleen keeps writing books she will probably always have a place in my top ten of the year. She released two books this year and I absolutely loved them both but I chose Confess to be in my top ten because of the unique art she included. I fell in love with Danny O'Connor's work as well as the characters in the novel. Her books always have a "punch in the gut" moment that just makes you want to curl in a ball but keep reading at the same time. Of course I cried while reading this...

7. The Martian by Andy Weir
It may seem odd but despite my love of reading and literature, I am going to school to be an engineer. This book appealed to both sides of me and I really enjoyed how the author merged science with extreme wit and humor. Also the movie was fantastic (one of the best book to movie adaptations).

6. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I really enjoyed the rawness of this novel and the historic accuracy Diana portrayed. I loved the story despite the slow beginning and I really enjoyed the first season of the TV show adaptation. Unfortunately I am intimidated by the size of the rest of the series and I have heard it is still slow moving. Please comment to offer encouragement to continue on.

5. Saga by Brian K. Vaughn
This year was my first venture into graphic novels. This is my favorite I have read so far, although I have only read the first two in the series. I like the art and how the daughter is narrating from the future and the omniscience her perspective provides.

4. Winger by Andrew Smith
This book was one of the most surprising for me this year. I just expected a contemporary novel about a boy at boarding school. I thought that was all it was until the last little bit where I was completely blown away by the ending. I haven't read the companion novel yet but I hope to in 2016.

3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
I was hesitant about this book because of the hype but I really did end up enjoying this debut novel. I am thrilled to hear that it is not a stand alone like it was advertised and I can't wait for the sequel. (Is it going to be a movie too?)

2. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
This was one of the many verrrryyy long fantasy novels I read this year. I loved its uniqueness and the ambiguity of the characters. Also the magic system, is one of the most interesting and powerful of any fantasy novel.

This is the only book that is intentionally ranked because it was hands down my favorite book of the year. And maybe my favorite book of all time.
**1.** All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This year I really developed a liking for historical fiction mostly because of PeruseProject's constant compliment for the genre and because of this book. I LOVED the way this book painted the picture of the historical events and the way I could literally see the story before my eyes. Most of the time I have a vague image and only a movie/TV show solidifies how I see the story but this book painted the picture before me. It had so many character perspectives, narrative styles, and timelines, but it worked so well! It was like watching a movie (I'm pretty sure there was even music playing in my head while I read it) and I really hope it could be turned into an awesome movie.

Naked and Far From Home by J.P. Grider

Naked and Far From Home 

YAReads Blog Tour 

Synopsis:

Tia Mercury was a freshman in high school and had her first serious crush – on a senior who wouldn’t touch her. At least not until she turned eighteen.

Clinton Daniels was not your everyday teenage boy, and because his tougher-than-nails father wouldn’t let him forget it, Clinton became a loner. And learned to distrust everyone.

Until he met Tia.

She was sweet, she was funny, and she knew nothing about good music. It was the nineteen-eighties for goodness sake – time to turn off that AM radio crap. So, while Tia drooled over Clinton, he was busy making her mix-tapes.

She was falling in love. He was ignoring his heart.

See, Clinton had a secret. But sharing it could cost him their friendship, and he was not willing to risk losing the only person he ever loved.

Naked and Far from Home is a serious story that spans a decade. A tale about unconditional love and what two people are willing to look past to prove that love.      

My Review:

This book had the most unusual love story I have ever read. It was very complicated and confusing but I think I understand what the author was trying to get across: love isn't always simple and it isn't as straightforward as we would think. I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe  by Benjamin Alire Saenz. I thought the overall plot was twisted (all over the place) but I found some of the twists to be entertaining or surprising. I also found the love story surprising but I had my issues with that as well. Overall it was a very fast paced read (I finished it in one day) and it kept me reading, though not always for the most positive reasons.

Spoilers...

The twists that I found to be appropriate and believable were her mom's sickness and the reveal of her father's identity. The fact that her "father" that left her wasn't her biological father was probably my favorite twist of the novel. It was surprising but also explained why her dad left her mother. I also really liked the scene where she met her half brother. It was cute and I liked how their relationship changed throughout the book.      

That being said one of the issues I had with Tia and Clinton's relationship stemmed from her half brother. I found it sort of weird that after Tia died Clinton started dating and eventually marrying Tia's half brother. I didn't completely understand Clinton's sexual orientation (which I think is part of the book, the idea that you can't label how he feels) but I still couldn't completely condone his relationship with Tia's brother after she died. I like that her brother helped Clinton through her death and with the child but I know that I wouldn't want my husband marrying any of my siblings after I died. It wasn't the fact that it was her brother, it was just that it was her sibling. 

My last problem with Clinton and Tia's relationship had to do with Clinton's drinking problem. I didn't like it at all that he would drink and then drive Tia home. It is one thing to risk your own life but to risk the life of someone you claim to love is something else. He knew he was drunk but he still made the choice to drive her home multiple times. This was the only part of the book that really made me dislike Clinton.

MY RATING: ***

Interested in buying the book?

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Naked+and+Far+from+Home

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26232441-naked-and-far-from-home         

                              

                                                                                                 

Dreamscape: Saving Alex

**Synopsis**

Sixteen-year-old Alexis Stone is used to getting away from life’s frustration with Dreamscape, a video game she’s loved since childhood. As her family prepares to move, a sleepy night of gaming pulls her into the world like never before. Trapped in Dreamscape’s realm, Alex is about to learn that being a hero has consequences… and this time, the stakes are deadly. Will helping the rebellion cost her everything she knows and loves? Or will she betray them to save her own life?

So today is the day that I review this amazing book! This was the first blog tour that I have ever participated in and I am beyond pumped to be a part of this experience. I am also thrilled that my first blog tour is dealing with a book that I really enjoyed. Since starting college I have read maybe three books... in the three months! I have been in a huge reading slump and have abandoned many books or it has taken me almost a month to finish. This book drew me in right off the bat and I finished it in two days. Every chance I got, in between classes and studying, I found myself going back to this book. I stayed up way too late in order to finish it and went to class the next day a little tired.  I thought this book was quite original and very fast paced. I would probably recommend it to people who enjoy gaming in general or enjoyed reading Ready Player One by Earnest Cline. This review will contain spoilers so if you are interested in reading the book just know that I loved it and go read it yourself before reading this review.

When I started this book I was a bit skeptical because I am not a gamer and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as much as someone who liked video-games would. However, I found the video-game aspects very accessible and I really liked how they were incorporated into Alex's adventure, I liked how the fireworks that went off at the end of every level, were represented by the rebellion celebrating the queen. I also like how the little coin chests the character collects throughout the game, were actually rebellion money hidden to use for supplies. I thought both  of these elements of the game were translated well into the real life fantasy world that Alex was sucked into. One translation that I didn't quite get was the theme song of the game. When Alex was first sucked it it seemed like the music was always playing, with no source of origin. After that it wasn't mentioned except when birds sang the same melody. I just didn't understand how the song came into play and I wish there had been a more definitive representation of the song in the world.

Besides this one minor flaw I really did love the adaptation of the game into the world. The characters were also very interesting. I immediately loved Arrow and his sarcastic banter with Alex. I enjoyed their relationship and was rooting for Alex to just give in the entire book. When Melody was first introduced, I instantly became defensive for Alex until I found out that Melody was Arrow's cousin. I loved how affectionate and adorable Alex and Arrow's relationship became after Alex finally gave in. That being said, I was completely crushed when there wasn't another way for Alex to get back into the Dreamscape realm. It was kind of hinted at in the beginning that the luminescence powder was what brought her to Dreamscape. I was hoping that in the end she would be able to take some powder back with her so she could return to help rebuild the realm and visit Arrow. I'm not sure if this book is written to have a sequel, but I think it should because I am dying for Alex to be reunited with Arrow. They were so cheesy and adorable and I couldn't stop reading this story and I just don't want it to be over!

One last thing that I wish could have been touched on in the end was Pipes and Deakon. I enjoyed their characters when they were first introduced and I was hoping to find out if they survived after helping Alex. Also, after finding out about Melody and Pipes I wanted them to be reunited and have a chance together after the king was killed. Despite those few hiccups in the plot, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I wish there was a sequel because I would buy it today so I could start reading it tomorrow.

As a final note, I would like to thank YaReads BlogTours for including me in this wonderful event and Kirstin Pulioff for sending me a beautiful copy of her book.

MY RATING: ****

**Purchase Links**
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dreamscape-Saving-Alex-Kirstin-Pulioff-ebook/dp/B00W0MRM8E

Mid-Semester Update

So obviously my last post said I would try to review books once I got to college and as you can see that hasn't happened. I haven't read too much since I started school because it has been stressful but I hope to at least do a monthly post recapping what I read that month. Really all I have read so far this semester was A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. I did not like it as much as I liked the first book (3.5 stars) but I hope that the next book will just raise the level of insanity that I felt in the first book. Besides my pathetic reading schedule here at school, I am excited to announce that I will be participating in the Dreamscape: Saving Alex ( by Kirstin Pulioff) Review Tour that is being hosted by YaReads BlogTours. I will be posting my review of the book on November 10th. Be sure to check it out because I am super pumped to read this book!

Summertime Sadness: A Quick Look at the Books I Failed to Review in the Past Months of Summer (Middlesex, Harry Potter, Red Queen, and Game of Thrones)

In the past two months I have of course continued to read books, but I got so caught up in the books that I was reading that I just didn't feel the motivation to review them. As in the past I am only going to recap the books that count towards my 2015 Reading Challenge. I have read many other books, and am very close to my 60 book reading goal (currently 53 books), but I only want to mention the ones that count towards my challenge.

1. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (a Pulitzer Prize winning book)
When I saw this challenge I immediately thought of The Goldfinch, but I chose Middlesex because I wanted to read from a very different and modern perspective. I had never read a book that dealt with the issue of gender indentity and I found this novel very eye-opening. It was interesting to see how Cal reacted to the concept of nature-vs-nurture. I would have liked to see even more of this struggle because that's what I was expecting, but it actually had a lot to do with her family history. The story contained much more about her parents and grandparents than it did Cal. I was dissapointed in the shockingly small part of the book that dealt with Cal's transformation. Despite this, the book was beautifully written and dealt with a few racy issues (gender identity and incest) so I understand why it won the Pulitzer. I personally prefer a  book with a bit more plot though.
MY RATING: ***

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (a book that came out the year I was born)
This was a reread for me, so obviously not much of a challenge or a stretch for me but I wanted something simple to read and something that I knew I would enjoy. A lot of the books I have read this year have been really long or something I wouldn't normally pick up so they have been taking me awhile to read (2+ weeks). I chose this book because I knew I could get through it really fast and because I haven't reread the series since I read them in second grade. Of course I loved it but I couldn't seem to stop comparing the book to the movie or envisioning the characters as their movie actors because I have seen the movies so often.
MY RATING: *****

3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (a book with a color in the title)
Despite many recent reviews that have only criticized the book, I actually think this book lived up to the hype. I was caught up in the action and the plot of the book and I hardly noticed the faults other reviewers found. Sure the book had part in it that have been seen in other YA novels, but with the amount of popular YA it is hard to be 100% original. I thought any similarities with other books were overshadowed by the originality of the book and the way the pieces were weaved together with in the story. I really like dhow strong and independent Mare was, also there was't that much romance with was refreshing. There was a touch but in the end of the book Mare was independent and I was completely okay with that.
MY RATING: ****

4. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (a book that was turned into a TV show)
I finally got into the Song of Ice and Fire series!! I thought the beginning of the book was a little boring because of all the characters and past plots that were being thrown at me but once I got half way though the story I couldn't put it down and I flew threw the ending. I thought it was very unexpected (especially the deaths!) and I loved the way it laid the groundwork for the rest of the series. I can't wait to continue on, although I am intimidated because I heard that even more characters are introduced in the second book. Because this challenge had to do with the TV show, I tried to watch it but I couldn't really get into it. I kept comparing it to the book and the first season was so similar that all the surprising parts didn't phase me because I knew they were coming. I think after I finish the book series I may watch the TV show because I heard that they do have a lot of differences but I want to read the George R.R. Martin version first.
MY RATING: *****

I hope to keep up with me reviews in the upcoming months but I am starting my first semester of college in two weeks so I might have another stretch with no posts. I promise to try my hardest to keep up with them.

The 100 by Kass Morgan (a book with a number in the title)

Although I am not the biggest fan of Sci-Fi books, I really liked how this book was set up; characters both on earth and on on the spaceship colony. I liked reading from all of the characters and realizing how all of them were connected. I thought the story moved very quickly and I cannot wait to watch the TV show because this book was practically written for TV. The format was perfect for a television show because of the almost constant revelation of information and the cliffhangers due to the shifting point of view. All of the characters were very likable even though they were all "criminals". The only character I didn't really like was Bellame. He just seemed rude and did everything in his own self interest. He was reckless and cared for no one but his sister. Clark didn't seem to have a problem with him even though he called her a Pheonix bitch. I think the only reason she ended up liking him was because she was angry with Wells. I also cannot wait to read the second book because this one ended in such a cliffhanger; the group was split up and Walden was in danger.

MY RATING: ****

Penryn and the End of Days by Susan Ee (a trilogy)

 I received a copy of the last book in this trilogy, The End of Days, for review so I decided to reread the first two books to refresh my memory. I remembered really enjoying the first book but not loving the second one. When I reread them I think I liked them more than I did the first time. Maybe it was because I marathoned the series but I didn't have any big issues with the second book when I reread it. I was concerned about the final book because the trilogy had originally been pitched as a five book series but was cut down to three books. I was worried that it would be a rushed ending and that it wouldn't be a satisfied conclusion. However, I was surprised and didn't think it was rushed at all. I do think that if the series had been the original five books that some parts could have been drawn out and developed a bit more but I really enjoyed it as it was. The only thing I thought was rushed was the fact that it was never truly clarified why the angels came to earth in the first place. It can be inferred that the reason they came was because of Uriel and his plan to become the messenger but that was never really confirmed or clarified. I really like how the tension and romance between Penryn and Raffe was explored a bit more in this book. I was frustrated by the second book because they were separated for so long, so I really enjoyed that the two of them were back together, I also really liked the conflict that arose between them because their races were at war. I found it realistic because they might be able to trust eachother with their own life but when it comes to the fate of their race they were conflicted. Their romance wasn't too sugary and it was realistic for the apocalyptic atmosphere. Even though I knew there was a chance that they would choose their race over each other I was really hoping there would be a way to meet in the middle. I liked the way that Susan Ee combined the best of both of their worlds as a resolution to the problem; Raffe gave up his angel wings in order to save the human race but he was still able to keep his demon wings and his ability to fly. The angels also finally left Earth but the Watchers were able to stay behind even though it wasn't the real apocalypse. I also liked how the problem with Penryn's sister was resolved. I would have been skeptical if they had just been able to reverse the things the angels did to Paige. I liked that she was still the person the angels made her into but she was able to adapt to a semi-regular diet. I thought the action in the book was entertaining and bad ass and I really loved the final battle between the angels and the humans, I was a bit worried at first that Raffe was being forced into the blood hunt but he ended up helping Penryn and the humans take down Uriel. I was a bit confused when Penryn said her idea was a talent show but I thought that it played out very well. The actual show was beautiful and moving, especially the ballet scene with the lost troupe members, and I thought it was a good way for Penryn to unify the humans and keep them calm until the battle. Then, like a boss, she turned the talent show stage as a weapon  against the angels which was ingenious. Overall the ending was great and it summed up everything in a realistic way. The only other weak point was that after Raffe lost his wings and Uriel was killed they decided to make Michael the Messenger. If that was an option all along, why didn't Michael return earlier? He never made an appearance in any of the books but he was the solution to the angels' problems. As a whole the series is very unique and is a great read. I highly reccomend the series because it is underrated and despite it being cut back into a trilogy I think the story has a great finish.

MY RATING :*****

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan (a book by a female author)

I figured I use a romance novel for this category even though I have read a lot of other books this year that meet the criteria. Every once and awhile I just need to read a good romance or new adult novel. They always help get me out of reading slumps because they are always very entertaining and they don't require too much thought to enjoy. Every girl needs steamy romance novels to satisfy her book boyfriend needs. This book was exactly what I needed after I had a hard time getting through Redeployment. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful and had just enough sexy times. I loved the main male character Archer because of his innocence and adoration for Bre. I thought the situation of a mute character was unique and not a perspective I am used to reading from.

Spoilers...

Holy shit was this story emotional and heart-wrenching! I don't think I have ever read a romance where the girl is more experienced than the guy and Archer's insecurities were heart breaking. His "guys night out" practically killed me. I was so mad a Travis for manipulating Archer and making feel insecure about his relationship with Bre. I was so upset when he felt forced to go into the back room to "learn" so that he could make Bre happy. Travis knew what he was doing and he played Archer in the hopes of ruining his relationship. I listened to this as an audiobook, and had just gotten to the part where Archer goes to Bre's house after the strip club before I got to work and I had to wait over six hours to get back to listening! It almost killed me having to wait that long to see how they fixed their problems. I was upset with Archer for listening to Travis and I just wanted him to explain the situation to Bre. I was also heart broken when I thought that he had gone through with it with the stripper and felt so bad for Bre. When they talked and Archer admitted that he hadn't had sex with her, I was beyond relieved. I began to hope that their relationship could go on smoothly. Of course that wouldn't make a very good book, so there had to be other bumps in the road. When ARcher was texting Bre and she wasn't responding I was just as worried as he was that she had been in an accident. I was worried that Archer would have to relive the death of his parents and lose the one person that he had finally opened up to. I understood that he had problems showing his love for Bre but I couldn't believe it when he left her. He left for months and never said anything to her and I thought that he wouldn't be coming back and that Bre would find him hurt in a hospital somewhere. I didn't expect him to come back when he did because it was pretty random but I couldn't complain that he finally returned. I liked that he took the time to try and become normal for Bre and conquer his insecurities but I wished he had at least let her know what he was doing. When Bre's father's murderer showed up and shot Archer I seriously thought he was dead. I thought the town meeting they had was a memorial service not Archer claiming his family land. I liked how the book ended with and epilogue five years in the future. I loved seeing his kids learning sign so that they could communicate with their dad. It was so sweet and a perfect ending. The only thing that caught me off guard was the fact that Archer never spoke; the book is called Archer's Voice but he never truly talked. I thought when he left for a few months that he was going to a doctor to see if he could have his vocal chords fixed. I kept expecting a Maybe Someday ending where the mute man finally expresses his love through words. Even though that didn't happen because it was too late to fix the damage I enjoyed the book and thought the title was a good fit.

MY RATING:*****

Redeployment by Phil Klay (a book of short stories)

After reading this book I now understand and solidify my dislike of short stories. I can't connect to the characters, because I never have enough time to actually relate to them; there really isn't a plot or an arc, and there is no definitive end. Most of the stories in this book fit the mold of no plot, unrelated bel characters, and poor endings. The only story I really enjoyed was the first, and the title of the novel, Redeployment. It had a full arc of the realities of war following the soldier home. The only redeeming quality of the collection was the rawness and new perspective it provided on modern war. I don't really enjoy short stories in general, so don't let my poor opinion of the book stop you from reading it. 

MY RATING: **

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (a book published this year)

For once a book that was actually worth all the hype surrounding it! This book was really fast paced and each chapter ended in a great cliff-hanger that was made even more awesome because of the changing perspectives. Yes, this book had a lot of elements found in other YA, like the trials and the dictator society, but the book was unique and interesting. I only have two problems with the book; it didn't really remind me of ancient Rome and that it is a stand alone. The book was pitched as ancient Rome and I didn't see that at all. It isn't a huge deal, I just feel like it was advertised wrong. Also there is no way that this book can be a stand alone. There were so many loose ends and problems that need to be resolved! I am giving this book a five star rating but only on the assumption that there will be a second book (if not the book would get lower ratings because it wasn't wrapped up well enough).

SPOILERS TO FOLLOW...

I have to start off by saying that this book was quite violent for YA. Most YA characters have some sort of trauma in their past but Laia and Elias's pasts are f-ed up. Laia's parents and older sister were arrested and tortured to death, then she watches her grandparents get murdered right in front of her. Elias was abandoned at birth and then forced to attend a school to teach him to kill people when he is six. The school leaves his in the desert to die when he is like eight and makes him watch other kids get beat to death. Also in the third trial he has to kill his friends in order to prove he is strong. Don't get me wrong, I loved the drama but WOW.

I also liked the not so romantic romance. At first I was surprised because it seemed like Laia would end up with Keenan and Elias would be with Helene. It surprised me because normally when there is a male and female characters whose story lines cross they end up together. I liked how there was the conflict with the attraction with people besides Elias and Laia. It was interesting and something you don't normally see in YA. I still am pulling for them to ed up together though because Helene is just to ruthless for Elias.

The main thing I have to say about the book though, is that IT CAN"T BE A STAND-ALONE!! There are so many problems that need to be solved. For one thing, the whole reason Laia went to Blackcliff was to help free her brother, which didn't happen in this book! If it was a stand-alone we could assume that Elias eventually helps her free her brother but come on, I want to know how. Also the Teluman blacksmith tells Laia that he and her brother have a lot of work to do to help overthrow the empire. AND Marcus can not remain emperor. I also want more of the Elias/ Laia romance. We still don't know who the spy is in the resistance, although it could be Maven. We don't know the whole story about Cook. Also, there is a chance that Laia's parents are still alive. She never saw their bodies and someone told her that people can survive for years in Kauf because they are tortured not killed there. I can't believe they would leave all of this unresolved. The author says she has their stories planned out til the end, she just needs someone to publish the next book!

MY RATING: *****

Slammed by Colleen Hoover (a popular author's first book)

This book was a reread for me but after reading all of Colleen's newest books I wanted to go back to the first book she published and fall in love with her writing all over again. I enjoyed going back to read this book because the first time I read it for some reason I skimmed a lot of the poetry, which is what makes this book so unique. I love that Colleen Hoover is constantly changing the experience you have while reading her books. I love how she doesn't just write but she makes the story come alive. I felt that all over again when I read this book and the amazingly captivating poetry that is a part of it. I loved her characters like always and i was in tears a few times while reading. She is one of my favorite authors because of her unique books and her love for her fans. She is so down to earth and a fun loving person. I really like how she donates her books to the free library near where she lives. This book was just as awesome the second time around.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (a book with more than 500 pages)

Aaahhhhhh! I finally read a Brandon Sanderson book and I understand what all the hype is about! This book was so good. It had a great world, magic system, and characters. I loved the politics involved in the plot and the way it was constantly changing into something I wasn't expecting. A great adult fantasy read!

Spoilers Follow!

I have to say that I loved Vin's character and I loved seeing how she grew in the novel. In the beginning she was weak and didn't trust anyone but by the end she was a BOSS! I also liked learning about her background before the crew, even if it wasn't mentioned very often. Her story is one filled with even more pain than Kell's but she was able to overcome it. I was thrilled to find out that her either didn't betray her and even died for her because I think that realization will go a long way in helping her trust others.

The other characters were equally interesting but Kelsier was the hardest to figure out. I wasn't able to discern his true motivations until after his death because I doubted him just like the other members did. I couldn't help but compare his inner dialect to the diary of the "Lord Ruler" and I was concerned that he would be corrupted. The scene where he dies was so abrupt and unexpected that I had to reread the paragraph to make sure he was really dead. I kept thinking that there was a twist and that he would burst into the shop smiling but it never happened. I felt terrible for Vin because he was one of the first people she was able to truly trust. 

The other characters were equally awesome and I can't wait to see how they develope in the next book. I am particularly excited to read about Elend as king and his relationship with Vin. At the end I was a little concerned that she wouldn't go back to him but she did (thank the Lord Ruler). I am curious about their relationship because they haven't even kissed in the first book. I get that it is a fantasy novel, and it's written by a guy, but I can't help but want a little romance to spice things up. I am also eager to learn more about the Deepness and maybe even the man who was supposed to be the Hero of Ages. (BTW I am proud to announce that I figured out that the Lord Ruler Rasheik before it was actually revealed, but I was still surprised).

MY RATING: *****

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver (a book with a love triangle)

In all technicality this book doesn't have a love triangle; people that have read this book will understand what I'm talking about but originally it started out with two sisters liking the same boy. It is getting harder now to just read whatever I want and fit it into a category, so soon I will have to start reading more specific books. But for now I can work to fit this book into the love triangle category.

I didn't really like this book at all. I hated the "twist"; even though I didn't see it coming, it wasn't very original and it seemed like a bit of a stretch for the book. I didn't like how the book was marketed because the synopsis really didn't fit the story. It was a really slow book but I kept reading because I wanted to see what happened at the end but that only disappointed me too. Dara doesn't even disappear until  3/4 of the way through the book. I was expecting the whole thing to be about the missing girls but it wasn't. I also found the characters to be really annoying. Nick seemed to get on my nerves more because she blamed everything that happened to her on her sister even thought her sister was the one that was hurt in the accident. Dara complained a lot too and I just couldn't relate to either one of them.

MEGA SPOILERS TO FOLLOW....

If you read the book and you read the top part and were confused by how I talked about the sisters, I understand. After finding out that they were both Nick the whole time, I struggled to try and think of them as two separate people. After finding our about Nick's personality disorder, I hated to think about how her family and friends had overlooked this for so long. I know that she  was seeing a therapist but her family let her continue to think that her sister was alive. Even Parker enabled her through his relationship with "Dara". When they were kissing in the car and her called her by her real name, he didn't seem surprised when she freaked out and he even tried to defend himself. They all overlooked it while she continued to pretend to be two separate people. They let it get to the point when she could have harmed herself during her breakdown. 

I also didn't like the Madeline Snow story. The synopsis made it seem like Dara and Madeline were related in some way but that wasn't true. Really Madeline wasn't even kidnapped, she just got scared and ran off for ten days! I can't believe that a child could hide for that long and the police wouldn't find her. Also, Madeline's sister's cover story wasn't very convincing. She made up this whole story about being at the ice-cream shop when Madeline was taken, when really she was wasted at a club! When I found that out, I didn't understand how the police wouldn't immediately figure out that was a lie. If she had really been at Big Scoop people would have seen her, she would have been on video, and the police would have verified all of that. Even the neighbor didn't tell the police she was lying until Madeline had been missing for about a week. Overall, i pretty much hated it and was beyond disappointed because I had been so excited to read a YA thriller.

MY RATING: *

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (a mystery or thriller)

I actually finished this book about two weeks ago but I haven't had a chance to review it, so I am going to keep this post short. I enjoyed this book and I would compare it to Gone Girl in the sense that they both have unreliable narrators but I didn't like it as much as I liked Gone Girl. I was frustrated by the main character and her drinking problem and I thought the plot was very slow moving. There were a few plot twists that caught me off guard but ultimately I figured who did the crime about 2/3 through. My main issue was how frustrated I was with the main character, her drinking problem, and her obsession with her ex husband and Scott.

MY RATING: *** 1/2