Book Review: Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

SUMMARY:

When Tessa's best friend Noelle disappears right before the start of eighth grade, Tessa's life changes completely--she shies away from her other friends and stops eating in the cafeteria. Now, two years later, Noelle has escaped her captivity and is coming home, in one piece but not exactly intact, and definitely different. Tessa's life is about to change again as she tries to revive the best-friendship the two girls had shared before Noelle--now Elle--was kidnapped; puts up a futile resistance to the charming new guy at school; pursues her passion for photography while trying to build the bravado to show her photos to the public; and tries to balance her desire to protect and shelter Elle with the necessity to live her own life and put herself first.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Gripping, painful and emotional sum this book up at its core. A situation no parent or teen ever wants to find themselves in forms the basis of this book, playing out in a very raw way. For two years, Noelle has been held captive by a predator, doing unthinkable things to and with her- many of which the reader never finds out but learns enough to know Noelle never stood a chance of coming away unchanged. Calloused and numb, the reader gets only glimpses of the girl who was taken through her best friend’s memories, instead meeting a brash, bold and unflinching girl named Elle.

Elle is the most defining part of this book for me as the reader learns about her struggles through the eyes of Tessa, giving the outsider’s perspective that drives things. The reader will feel the same frustrations and confusion as Tessa, torn between a grotesque desire to learn the details of her captivity and wanting only to shelter and protect her. An urge to push things back to normalcy will connect the reader with Tessa, forging a strong bond that tugs from the start.

Tessa is written in an almost painful manner, having given up much of her own life after Noelle’s disappearance. Wracked with guilt over Noelle’s unknown fate, Tessa finds herself fading away as much as her best friend did. Hiding behind the lens of a camera, Tessa remains in the background until a new student shows up at school. Compounding this is Noelle’s sudden and unexpected return, only to experience the same wrenching feelings to learn her best friend is nothing like the girl she remembers. This book chronicles Tessa’s internal battles and struggles as much as it does Elle’s, bringing them head to head in a shocking fashion.

Max, the love interest and new guy who tests Tessa, is certainly swoon worthy but underneath his cute personality and curls lies a determined young man who knows what he wants and will go for it. Understanding for the most part, Max begins to fail the same tension and battle as Tessa- except he’s fighting to keep Tessa with him while she struggles to keep Elle. As things progress, the reader will find themselves torn between Max and Tessa, understanding both sides but unable to root whole heartedly for one over the other.

The connections between the characters are strong and taut, weaving them together in many ways- some of which aren’t outwardly visible. Severing one tie does not cut all completely, instead often thrusting another into the light, and the back and forth motion will keep make the reader feel as convoluted as the characters. The title of this book fits brilliantly, having multiple meanings throughout the book and helping to driving the plot.

With raw, intricate writing that is rapt with striking imagery, a wrenching but painfully realistic plot and characters that are too young to be facing these situations yet have been thrust carelessly into them at the hand of one man make this book a worth it though heartrending read. An emotional roller coaster with a few missing sections of track, this is a book that will gut but leave the reader changed. The development of the characters is profound and the final pages are welcomed if only for relief from the world created. This isn’t a book for the fainthearted as it hits on very rough issues but it is, undoubtedly, worth the emotions. This is a very stunning debut highlighting elaborate characters, stunning writing and a mastery of human emotion and turmoil and easily one for the Best Reads shelf.

Details:
Source: ARC received for review from publisher
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA (May 25, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606840851
ISBN-13: 978-1606840856

Author's Website

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick is Matched by Allyson Condie, set to be released November 30, 2010 from Dutton.

Summary: In the novel, a 17-year-old girl, who has waited her entire life to be told by a group known as “the Society” who her soul mate is, has her world upended when she discovers she’s in love with someone other than the group’s pick.

My Thoughts: A simple premise and something that reflects traditions of real places in the current world, Matched looks like it holds a huge amount of potential to be something engaging and an amazing read, while also making some striking points. It brings up the arranged marriages versus yearned marriages and the power of love. Though this is an element that has appeared in other books, it holds a stronger ground in this one since the entire premise is based on the arranged marriage rather than just an aspect of the book. Not to mention, the cover is very eye catching.

Book Review: Caleb + Kate by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

SUMMARY:

As the popular darling of the junior class and heiress to the five-star Monrovi Inn empire, Kate has both everything and nothing. She's bored with school and life...until she locks eyes with Caleb at a school dance.

Caleb is new to Kate's exclusive prep school, and it's clear he doesn't fit in. In fact, he and his dad work in maintenance for Kate's father. And while Caleb knows better than to spend time with the boss's daughter, it seems that every time he tries to back away, something pulls him right back in.

When their parents demand that they are to stay away from each other, they learn of a fight between their families that occurred more than fifty years ago. It's a mystery Kate doesn't understand...but a legacy Caleb has endured his entire life.

With the world stacked against them, Caleb and Kate will have to walk by faith to find the path that God has planned for them.


OPINION: 4 STARS

In a simple form, Caleb + Kate is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet but the “house divided” aspect manifests in a different form. Two separate families from different backgrounds and cultures, holding a common link in the past but now in battle make up the most basic premise for this book. Built on top of that is a relationship formed out of teenage emotion and one sparked on despite each party’s original intent to ignore the other.

Kate is a rich heiress, the daughter of a man who owns a large chain of wealthy hotels. The original hotel- and the one most important to her family- makes up the setting for a large part of this novel. Despite her money and status, Kate is a mostly down to earth girl and aware of how fortunate she is. Though she isn’t sure she could easily give up her life of luxury, she holds no delusions that anyone with less than her is beneath her. Attending a private college prep school completes the rich snob image but the chapters from her perspective get the point across quickly of her worldly and mature mental state. Though she has her moments of weakness and at times slips into the “rich brat” type of mindset, her compassionate nature overrides the rest of the book.

Caleb is from a different background, full blooded Hawaiian and used to spending his days surfing rather than wearing a uniform to a school full of stuck up people. Working alongside his father as part of the landscape and maintenance team for Kate’s family hotel creates some interesting- and opportunistic- situations. Caleb is a genuine guy, devoted to his faith and his family but not so closed minded as to shut everything else or ignore chances and people because they don't immediate fit into the mold set out for him. In many ways, he compliments Kate and though only a teenager, he has a mindset of long term dating rather than someone for now.

There is a strong faith and Christian element in this book but it is brought about in defining the characters. Both Caleb and Kate are mostly unwavering in their faith, thinking of their beliefs even when teenage emotions and situations threaten to take control. Despite this facet, this is certainly a book to be received by a wide range of readers regardless of religious views. It never comes across as preachy or pushy. Caleb and Kate are Christians. Their faith is a part of them and this isn’t glossed over or held back as a method to please the masses.

As the plot progresses, both the reasons these two families are feuding as well as the relationship between Caleb and Kate develop and intertwine. The teenage appeal of first love is strong and the reader will fall into it, wanting more of the budding romance while also wondering what will happen under the pressure of their families. Rarely did the plot drag as there were enough elements and events woven together to keep things fresh and paced.

The teenage main characters come across strongly and develop beautifully, giving a strong backing to teenage first love- and something that very easily could continue to last. Their love is tested increasingly more as the novel progresses, leaving the reader wondering if things will work or if these two will be separated. The intrigue is present throughout before leading to a wonderfully written ending. Clear mental voices, personal struggles, and overall accomplished writing help pull this novel together, making it a must read for anyone looking for a teenage romance.

Details:
Source: Finished paperback copy received for review from author/publisher
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 4, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595546782
ISBN-13: 978-1595546784

Author's Website

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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.


This week's teaser comes from Kristen Tracy's upcoming release A Field Guide for Heartbreakers.

"""No. You make heartbreak sound like hemorrhoids," I said.

"Well it makes sense. Because they both can burn your ass.""-- pg 183 in the ARC which is subject to change

Author Interview: Beth Fantaskey

To celebrate the release last Tuesday of her latest book Jekel Loves Hyde, I have Beth Fantaskey here today for a little Q&A Session.

AGA: Which character did you have more fun writing and developing- Tristen or Jill?

BF: I’d have to say Jill was more fun to develop. I’m very shy, myself, and I had a good time “helping” her become stronger – without losing that integral part of her personality. And it was also fun to live vicariously when she really unleashed her wicked side. I would never act like that!


AGA: How much deliberation went into Tristen's inherent violent side, both in terms of pairing him with Jill and as his core personality?

BF: It was really tricky to show Tristen’s violent side while still making him a sympathetic character. I tried to make it very clear that this was something he battled, and that he vanquished it at tremendous cost to himself. Still, I wanted readers to cringe a little when he nearly loses control with Jill at one point, because there is a part of him that’s very bad. I hope the fact that he ultimately maintains control of – and defeats – his evil nature, primarily for love of Jill, makes him actually noble, in the end.

AGA: In my personal opinion, Jill's character goes through a stronger overall change by the end of the book over the course of the events. Were the personality differences planned or something that happened along the way?

BF: Jill’s evolution was more planned, because I wanted her to stand up for herself by the end of the book, without having to become a completely different person. She’s still shy and quiet, but with more power over her life.

Tristen’s trajectory was much more obvious. His basic personality doesn’t change – he just sheds a part of himself that he never wanted to begin with.

I had both those goals from the outset of the book.

AGA: What was the hardest part about developing the actual formula used in the original Jekyll and Hyde experiment?

BF: Although I remember very little about chemistry, it was fairly easy to develop most of the formula. The hard part was finding the last toxin, which needed to be readily available in 19th century British pharmacies – but which we definitely wouldn’t expect to find in a modern drug store. I did quite a bit of research on that.

AGA: Can you tell us something about Tristen or Jill's past that didn't make it into the book but was still a big part of their life?

BF: Tristen had a good life in England – complete with friends, which he has few of in America. He was actually a popular guy before his grandfather started telling him terrifying stories about their family, at which point he began distancing himself from society. None of that makes it into the book.

As for Jill – she used to have a very tight and traditional relationship with her mother. Her mom was one of her closest confidants, until the murder of Jill’s father and her mother’s subsequent collapse. I hint at their closeness, but by the time the book starts, Jill is more of a caretaker than a friend.

AGA: If you could pair Jill and Tristen with any character from any book (romantically or otherwise, your pick), what would be your choices?

Fantastic question!

Jill would be best friends with Mansfield Park’s Fanny Price. They are both shy but morally strong, and would completely bond - especially over their sometimes brooding boyfriends.

Tristen would be close friends with Athos, of The Three Musketeers. They both share a very private inner turmoil, which they endure quietly – and the slightly older Athos would serve as a kind of father figure for Tristen, just like he did for the Musketeers. And Tristen definitely needs a father figure!

AGA: If Tristen and Jill were to meet Lucius and Jessica, how do you think that would play out?

BF: I think Tristen and Lucius would respect one another. They’d recognize the darkness in each other, and – although they’re guys and would never talk about it – have a shared understanding of how hard it was to control that side of themselves. They’d also share a privileged European sensibility and an appreciation for music. I think they’d be friends, with Tristen being the more serious foil to Lucius’s humor.

Jill and Jessica are more difficult to predict. They’re both academically oriented, but Jess gravitates toward more outgoing people. I think she’d sympathize with Jill, but not really understand her very well. After all, Jess’s best friend is the very bubbly, kind of ditzy, Mindy Stankowicz.

AGA: Were there any habits, secrets, etc you learned in writing/publishing Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side that helped you when starting and working through Jekel Loves Hyde?

BF: Oh, gosh... I learned so much from writing Jessica’s Guide. Most importantly, I think I learned about how important it is to understand not just where you want the plot to go, but how you want your characters to grow over the course of the action.

I also learned that I’m a really goal-oriented writer. I like to finish a chapter, then give myself a reward, like playing a computer game or calling a friend for a minute. Then I start again. I’m like mouse in a lab maze, always headed for that treat!

AGA: If you had one day to step into the shoes of someone else, who's life would you want to experience?

BF: I’d like to live one day as my husband. First of all, I’d like to see how he perceives me – and take note of all the stuff I do that I’m sure drives him insane, although he never lets me know. Aside from that, I’d like to see what his life is like when he’s not with me, because I think he has a whole private world! He’ll walk into the local mini-market and ask the clerk about his band, and I’ll be thinking, “How did you even know that guy’s a musician? Where have I been?”

AGA: What is the most fearless thing you have done to date?

BF: Oddly enough, for me it’s teaching. It’s not the most perilous thing I’ve ever done, but I suffer from a pretty strong fear of public speaking, so it’s really difficult for me to take charge of 30 students for a semester.

AGA: Is there anything else you'd like to say?

BF: Just “thank you” to all the readers I’ve been lucky enough to come to know. I never expected to make so many friends around the world, just by writing a few books, and I really want everybody who’s contacted me to know how grateful I am for the support and friendship.

Thank you Beth and congrats again on your latest release! If you haven't pick this one up yet, I recommend it!

Linger ARC Giveaway!

I've got an ARC of the highly wanted Linger and since this is a book I plan to buy a finished copy of when it comes out, I want to pass my ARC on to someone else. But, yes, there's a catch. I wanted to do more on this one than the standard fill out this form and enter kind of thing.

To enter, you have to answer this question: If Sam were to write a song for you, what would it be called?

I've got five friends on board to help me judge the most creative title after I pick my top ten favorites- winner as chosen by their consensus gets the ARC. Note: This is NOT a contest chosen by random.org. It is based entirely on creativity with the answer to the above question.

Want to increase your number of titles to enter? Tweet about this or post it on your sidebar and you can add one title for each- max of 3.

The contest will run through June 6 and you must have a US mailing address to enter.

Fill out this form to enter! Comment entries will NOT be accepted- but you can still comment about the contest in general.

Want another chance to win? Check out Emilee's blog at Penultimate Page, also running through June 6.