Character Interview + Contest: Rollins from Slide

Stopping in today to celebrate a debut release is Rollins, the best friend, hot boy, and potential love interest to Vee, the main the character in Jill Hathaway's Slide! And not only is he bringing himself, he's also got a great contest for you guys, so let's get to it!


Every time you see Vee lose consciousness, what's it like for you?

It’s scary. No matter how many times it happens, I can’t get used to it. We’ll just be sitting there, watching movies, and she’ll suddenly go unconscious. I try to stay close to her in case I need to catch her. I don’t know what I’d do if she got hurt—like, really hurt.

What was the worst part about watching Vee's interest in another guy?

I want her to be happy, but at the same time it’s tough because I always felt like she kind of had some feelings for me. It’s also hard because she’s my best friend, and we’ve grown apart since she met Zane.

What's your favorite part about the zine you put together, and about drawing in general?

When I’m drawing, it’s like a release. I’m not one to really talk about my feelings that much. Instead I put all that energy into my art. Same thing with writing.

What's it like to kiss Vee? 

I’m uncomfortable with this question.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers

What kind of reptile would you describe yourself as?

A reptile? Uh, I don’t know. A turtle, probably. I like to keep to myself mostly.


Thank you, Rollins, for answering my questions, and you would make a very cute turtle.

Congrats, Jill, on the release. I can not wait for more from Vee, and am so excited this book is finally out! You guys definitely do NOT want to miss it!

To celebrate the release, Jill and Rollins are offering up a signed copy of Slide, as well as bookmarks for 10 runner up winners!

To enter, just fill out THIS form!

This contest IS International, and ends April 6.

No entries will be accepting through comments, but you should totally comment anyhow. I mean, come on, we've made the guy uncomfortable. Give him some support.

Book Review: Zero by Tom Leveen

SUMMARY: For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name.


OPINION: 4 STARS

Unconventional compared to a lot of YA, Zero is stunning in it’s scope. Taking a main character who has plenty of confidence and body image issues, and who is far from the usual outgoing, girly girl kind of character, Leveen has crafted a book that will speak to many readers without them really even realizing it. Though slow to start, and the kind of ending that you have to let sink in before it’s really appreciated, Zero is a great romance mixed with coming of age mixed with just living your life.

I love Zero has a character, from the skewed way she sees herself to the awkwardness that surrounds her, to the screw it attitude she takes on sometimes. With only one friend, who she isn't talking to at the start of the book, and a home life that causes a huge amount of stress for her, there are plenty of reasons for Zero to just hole up in her room and hide, spending her times with her paints and charcoals. While this is her fall back at times, she surges forward at other times, and ends up meeting Mike, a boy who goes far to change her outlook on things. She goes through tremendous growth and change in this one, and though she definitely makes mistakes, and is maybe a brat at times, her reasons are so easy to understand, her pain so evident, that it’s impossible to dislike her. One of the things I loved most about Zero, though, was her almost boy-ish sense of humor. Far from perverted, she has her moments, and every one of them had me cracking up. She also has some almost lame and cheesy lines and thoughts, adding to not only her character but the humor as well, and coming off completely natural. Her love of music also incorporates into the book, but even more is her obsession with Dali, and Leveen does a phenomenal job building that in without it being overbearing.

Mike is a great character, and an almost perfect match for Zero. Enamored with her for his own reasons, and frustrated when she makes degrading comments about herself, he forces her to realize she is beautiful, even if not strictly in the fashion model sense. With a quiet intensity about him, just the right amount of awkwardness, and the kind of guy who doesn’t throw smiles around like candy, making each one mean so much and leave you melting just a little, Mike is a realistic and endearing character.

This book is, in a lot of ways, a romance. Sure, there’s other stuff in there too, but the romance was one of the best parts for me, in large part because it is so organic. Zero sees Mike play at a show, and in a moment of just not caring, because she’s so out of sorts from everything else in her life at the time, she talks to him. Awkward and embarrassing, it’s the sort of exchange that every reader will be able to understand, and is the point in the book that really had me engaged. They start to see each other, and things grow from there, and Leveen absolutely nails the building of feeling, desire, love and lust… nails trying to figure all of that, what it means, how to take it and what to do with it. I adore these two as a couple, both for what they can do to help the other, and the growing connection between them. Certainly not without their faults and issues to overcome, but still with a stunning realism in every aspect of it, this is the perfect kind of romance that will leave you with a smile.

While the start of the book did drag a little, it does a great job of showing not only how Zero came to view the world like she does, but the problems she’s dealing with before Mike ever walks into her life. Once things between the pair starts happening, the book keeps a steady pace, and Leveen throws in plenty of smaller plots to keep things interesting. Focused on Zero, but pulling in not only Mike’s band and what’s happening with them, but also the problems with her parents, this book has some rough elements mixed in with the sweeter ones. Well written, with a distinct and fantastically done voice, Zero is an unflinching must read.

Details:

Source: Netgalley 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 304 pages 

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Book Love: Contemps to Not Be Missed

It's no secret to those who really follow my blog, and especially follow my twitter, that contemporary fiction is my favorite. It's what I write, it's what always sucks me in the most, and it's probably 80% of what I read. From time to time, I like to do a post about favorites, and remind people of how awesome these books are. So here's some awesome ones you don't want to miss, both upcoming and already out:

Freefall by Mindi Scott: This is one of my favorite books, ever. It's an amazing male POV, and it's also so well written, with stunning depth and emotions. Also, despite the whole dead best friend thing, there's a lot of sweetness and even humor in it. Really, it's just this teenage boy who isn't in the best place in life, trying to figure things out. Add in the very organize and beautifully done romance, and some stellar side characters, and this book is just wowing.

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala: This book is truly the right mix of romance and grit. Creed and Joy have this softness between them, even on the streets, even when things are going horribly. Joy's motivations for what she does are so well infused into the book, and the writing is fantastic. This book had me from the first page, and I read it straight through, then kept thinking about it for days after. It's that good. I also adored Tell Me a Secret by Holly, but I think this one has always stuck me with just a little bit more.

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller: This one comes out in June, but seriously, do not miss it. Just preorder it now. I read it straight through, then reread it the next day, and read my favorite parts the day after. I couldn't pick up another book for about a week or more after, this book got to me that much. It is absolutely, undeniably extraordinary. This book shattered me, put me back together, then broke me just a little more. Travis is, in a lot of ways, a jerk... but he's also intensely loyal and caring and straightforward. He is a mess in his own right, and wanting to get past that. Watching the changes he goes through in this book are aching and so realistic, and then add in the romance and the way it develops, with this slow yet gripping burn... and this book is just breathtaking.

In Honor by Jessi Kirby: Again, with the hard hitting emotions mixed with the perfect amount of sweetness and humor. Honor is a stellar character, one who is oblivious to a few things from how much pain she's in over losing her brother, and Rusty is the perfect counterpart, full of anger he doesn't really know what to do with. Watching these two relive the history they share, the stories of her brother and his best friend, and also figure out where to go from here... beautiful, and memorable.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour: This is another male POV that is amazing, only not because it is... typical boy, I guess. I haven't yet figured out how to explain the voice in this one, but ultimately, it's like Colby feels so much that there's potentially a feminine quality to his voice at least compared to other male POV books and yet, that is not at all it. I loved his character, his voice, his motivations. The stupid things he does, and the bold things he does. His interactions with Bev, and everything between them, is just so stunningly done, with so much between the lines and not outright said, that this is definitely a book to read over and over.

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz: Also male POV, this one is intense and breaking and, truthfully, left me bawling. There is such poignancy with this one, and even more stellar is watching how Chase grows over four summers, essentially growing up through high school. Though we only see him during the summers, Hannah still nails the gentle shift in his mindset as he ages, growing it more with what's happening. With a very heavy family note, and a few characters who left me with mixed feelings, this one is honest and stunning.

What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen: Intense. Seriously, this book has such a strong undercurrent of foreboding that it's impossible to put down. Tracy drew me in so fully, I was gripping the book and felt like I was right there, in the midst of everything. I love the characters in this one, the mix of fear and determination, and I think the pieces of everything are given to the reader at the perfect times. Tracy also does an amazing job of adding in a soft romance, without it being the focus or taking away from the big things in any way, yet also being completely satisfying to me as a reader.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry: Coming out in Dual POV, and an amazing one. This one mixes romance with issues beyond what most people have to handle, and does it perfectly. There is definitely no insta-love here, and this one is more of, a slow burn at the start before exploding and being filled with intensity, maybe beyond what the characters even know what to do with. Set on the backdrop of what each is going through, and weaving between needing each other and needing to figure their stuff out, this one has an amazing pacing to it, plenty of mystery and plot to keep things going, and is fantastically written.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman: This is one that, honestly, I am bad about recommending, I think because in my head, it is just so amazing that I basically assume everyone has read it. Yeah, I know, silly, but this book... there are no words for how amazing it is. It is truly stunning in every aspect, and some of the most memorable scenes ever, in all the books I've read, come from this one. It will put you through the gauntlet of emotions, testing you in absolutely every way, break you apart, but put you back together as well. Forman is stunning in her execution of this one, and Adam will always be one of my favorite characters ever.



So those are the ones for now, many of which I have been getting more and more tempted to reread.

Book Review: Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

SUMMARY: Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?


OPINION: 3 STARS


Pretty Crooked had a lot of potential that it didn’t completely live up to. Slow to start, choppy in many of the transitions, with some elements left lingering in a way that felt like it was just to try to ensure readers picked up the next book, this was a book that disappointed in a lot of ways. Still, there was a certain drive behind it that kept me reading, and some of the characters grabbed me. With an interesting twist on the Robin Hood theme, this one definitely has its perks to it, even if some level of suspension of disbelief is required with it.

Willa is a girl who, at least at the end, I really liked it. I was able to get behind her in her determination to help the scholarship students are her rich prep school, and I supported some of the decisions she made, however misguided they may have ultimately been. What bothered me about her was how long it took her to open her eyes to what was real, and the level of superficiality that went with her at the start. Though she seems to be someone who has her style and way of doing things at the start, she almost instantly becomes brainless and fashion/shopping obsessed, in a way that is grating and almost blatantly out of character. While I can appreciate the fact that having money is new to her, and this is a side of life freshly opened to her, she seemed like a completely different person right away, before snapping back to the go getter she was on the first page as soon as very blatant evidence comes out that some of her new friends are, in fact, jerks. Still, her overall development was well done, and I think there is room for some great antics from her in the next book that will have a greater level of depth to them than this one.

There is some romance in this one, though in truth it felt as though it was there just to have romance, rather than being something Willa really wanted. Aiden is the stereotypical rich playboy, the guy who flirts with everyone and is used to getting what he wants. At times, I wondered why he was so interested in Willa apart from she’s new, and more than that, I wondered what Willa really saw in him. Sure, there were times where he was sweeter, but mostly he just seemed shallow and often times bland. Though he redeemed himself towards the end, I much prefer Tre, a boy with a rough past and secrets of his own, but who has this quietness about him that is melting. Tre has some great scenes in the book, and in a lot of ways, his character stands out as much as Willa’s. Rivaling Tre for well done characters is Cherise, the exception to the rule of the mean popular girl. Though she has a few falters of her own, Cherise has a great strength to her that shines even through Willa’s eyes. Unwilling to take part in some of what the other Glitterati do, but also not going so far as to just walk away from them, she straddles her own battle lines and does it well. She is a great friend, and someone who has a huge influence on Willa, and the interactions there are one of the best parts of the book.

My biggest issues in this book are the lingering threads, and the pacing. It takes until about halfway through the book for Willa to actually start figuring out how to steal from her rich friends to give to the poor scholarship students. Before that, the book is mostly shopping, partying, random scenes at school, and more shopping. With choppy transitions between the different scenes that are, overall, really rather unrelated, and a repetitive feeling well before things actually take the new turn, this is a book that can be hard to get through, at least until Willa starts thinking again for herself. As far as lingering issues goes, there is something going on with Willa’s mom that is sort of hinted at, but overall, seems to just be there to try to add drama and mystery, without serving much other purpose. With hardly any big clues, and definitely no closure in this regard, I felt like this was done just to make sure readers keep going, rather than because it actually fits into the story that well, at least at this time. Willa and her mom are laid back and pretty close, at least before this book opens, and I had a hard time believing that this new life and money rips them apart and lets both keep secrets and they’re just okay with that. There was a level of obliviousness that felt convenient rather than real, which is the main thing that left me feeling unfulfilled at the end of this book. Apart from this aspect, Ludwig ties many other things up in a good way, giving herself a steady launching point for the next installment. Despite the problems I had with this one, there is a level of humor and fun in this one that makes for enjoyable reading, and for anyone who likes seeing the gray areas of justice, this is definitely a book to check out.

Details:

Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review 

Reading level: Ages 13 and up 

Hardcover: 368 pages 

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: March 13, 2012

Book Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

SUMMARY: The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.


OPINION: 5 STARS

The Short Version: 
Brilliant, wowing and addicting, Tempest is a fantastic mix of action, emotion and fun. With a very likable and swoonworthy protagonist, and an action packed and mind blowing plot, this one will easily grab readers from page one and not let go even after the final page is done. Masterfully blending the past and present, and easily transitioning between the different time jumps, Tempest is a stellar debut from a talented author.

The Extended Version: 
Jackson is a fantastically well done central character, definitely the kind of guy who makes mistakes and has his immature moments, while still having this fierce internal drive and sense of passion. Charming and witty, and endearing to no end, he is both the kind of character readers will root for and melt over. His character growth and development from start to finish is exceptionally well done, bringing him to life in inexplicable ways and pulling readers in to his story. Even more notable about his development is the way he changes within each time jump, fitting within where he is and changing relevant to the time, yet also have this phenomenal overall growth and range. Though a playboy in some ways, yet sensitive and loyal in others, Jackson is just broken enough without being unredeemable.

The remainder of the cast has a very strong presence and development, and it’s impossible to discuss any single one without giving spoilers to the book. Regardless, the way they crop up and play into the overall plot with each time jump and new twist in the story fleshes them out, and keeps them beautifully in line with whatever specific year they are in. Cross navigates these character changes easily, blending them perfectly into the book without the reader’s immediate notice.

The plot is stellar, mind boggling in its intricacy and detail, and astounding in its magnitude. Cross interweaves the past and present beautifully, using it to build her world and confines without blatantly data dumping on the reader. Taking things far deeper than even a reader might wonder, Cross drizzles clues throughout while still having enough unique and unexpected twists to keep readers from predicting most of the book. Holding a strong romantic element without being a blatant romance, this is definitely a book for readers both male and female.

Writing that is rich in voice, emotion and description show not only Cross’s talent and abilities, but build Jackson in a fantastic way that will set him apart from other characters. Perfectly placing the reader in each new year and setting, and building each individual scene boldly in the reader’s mind, the description is as smoothly woven into the book as everything else. Jackson’s motivations, drives and view of the world are laid out, giving the reader perfect access to him without intentionally holding back any secrets.

A perfect example of talent and brilliance, Tempest pulls in numerous new or uniquely twisted elements to create a stunning and amazing read. Leaving readers desperate for more, yet tying up the bigger events of this book in a very fantastic and endearing way, Cross has laid the groundwork for an unpredictable next installment that is guaranteed to be just as awing. With a phenomenal blend of storyline and characterization, Tempest is a perfectly done time travel mystery that will be a hit with readers of all ages.

Details:

Source: ALA 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 352 pages 

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: January 17, 2012

Audiobook sample can be found here, something you definitely want to check out!

Book Review: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

SUMMARY: From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.


OPINION: 4 STARS

Take a Bow is a great blend of contemporary romance with the cut throat world of arts and performance. Shifting between the perspectives of four teens, each with their own goals and desires, and all at the same school focused on the arts, this one puts a nice twist on going through life and figuring things out. While the voices didn’t always sound distinct enough for me, particularly the two males, and parts of the book lagged for me, there was still an endearing undercurrent that kept me engaged.

Emme is my favorite of the four characters, someone who prefers to stay in the background rather than be in the limelight. A bit of a door mat at times, and blindingly trusting of some people, there are definitely times I wanted to shake sense into her, and yet, Eulberg writes her in such a way that honestly, I couldn’t help but appreciate the way she was. Emme wants to see the good in people, and though she doesn’t throw her trust around, it’s also very hard to lose it once it’s earned. She grows through the most notable growth of the group, and watching her changes was one of my favorite parts of the book. She is deeply caring and truly talented, and the mix set against a backdrop of betrayal is refreshing.

Carter is also a favorite, a guy who has been a star plenty yet resents it in his own way. While he has some misconceptions about things, he is finally at the point of wanting to do things for him, rather than others. Though he’ll stand up for himself, he is far from cocky or arrogant, and he truly is the kind of boy any girl would be lucky to know, even just as friends. Caring and understanding, there is great depth to Carter that shines throughout the book.

Ethan is an interesting character, one who has his own sort of problems and though I didn’t always completely understand what was driving him, the fallout was still brutal at times. A brilliant songwriter with intense natural talent, he is who many people want to be and yet, he throws plenty of it away, or close to. With some not so great crutches, and somewhat of an inability to cope, Ethan is a very relatable character in the ways that count. A bit of a mess, but also one of the best friends anyone could have, Ethan is endearing in all the right ways.

Then there’s Sophie, a character that likely will not leave such a great taste in reader’s mouths. I most definitely wanted to smack her more than once, and at times found her utterly appalling, and yet I understand and can even appreciate who she is and how she got to be that way. She adds a lot to the story, things that readers need to be in her head to really get, and in truth, I fully back the way her character arc played out.

Despite the four characters being so arts focused, be it the music composition that Emme and Ethan are going after, singing and performance that Sophie is craving, or the acting that Carter has known all his life, this book is still completely relatable and easy to get into. In plenty of ways, it’s like these characters are at any high school, and their trials through friendship and love play strongly into the overall story. With a stunning side cast that stands out in plenty of ways, and an easy flow to the writing, Take a Bow is a great read.

My only problems with this book were the few places the plot seemed to lag, and I admit, the ending didn’t satisfy me as much as I would have liked. There was an almost abrupt feel to the way things ended, with no closure in some aspects. While I can appreciate that their high school stories are closed, with plenty left to come for these talented teens, it felt almost forced rather than natural. Apart from this, and a certain lack of variance in the voice and styles of the individual characters, I really enjoyed this read and definitely recommend it.

Details:

Source: ALA

Reading level: Ages 12 and up

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: April 1, 2012