Mini Reviews: The Disenchantments and Wanted

Oh yes, it is indeed that time again... when I gush over some books I've recently read and loved that won't be coming out for awhile. So while you won't get my full review till closer to their release, you will get some of my thoughts now.

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour: This is one that I would have read in one sitting, if I didn't start it at bedtime and have to actually force myself to put it down so I could get at least four hours of sleep. I truly loved basically everything about this book, but especially Colby. He is such a stellar protagonist, that kind of boy who is soft and emotional, who you overlook more often than not but when you realize he's there, holy heck you realize it. Sure, he's a bit of a mess, and he might seem sort of whiny sometimes, but really? He's not. It fits the situation, it fits him, and he's just... an awesome guy. The story has a great mix of things directly focused on and related to Colby, and plenty of pulled back things to focus on the band, on Bev, on them figuring everything out. The road trip angle was a great addition without being a prime factor in the book. There was just such an intensity and emotional air to this entire book, and the writing is fantastic. The voice is absolutely spot on, especially for the kind of boy Colby is and that is actually, in my opinion, a style that is incredibly hard to write and yet Nina nails it. So whether you are a die hard contemp fan or not, whether you aren't so big into male POV or not, read. This. Book.

Wanted by Heidi Ayarbe: I am a total Heidi Ayarbe fangirl, and this book reminds me yet again why. Life is far from perfect. It isn't always cut and dry, tied up in a pretty bow, and Heidi sticks to that in her books, this one being no exception. Honestly, this book got to me in ways I can't explain without giving spoilers, but I was shell shocked and uncomfortable and a host of other emotions. But on top of all that, it's just... an awesome story. A modern day Bonnie and Clyde, while holding on to some elements of how old time Westerns are and just... so very different from so much out there. There is an underlying grit to this book that doesn't drive it, just adds to it, and I think Heidi did a perfect job with the connection between Michal and Josh, and the budding romance between them. And as always, the writing is fantastic, and pulled me in right from the start.