Winners!

Sorry for the delay... I've been lazy about tallying entries but I have drawn the winners for the Addicted To Her and Something Like Fate contests and they are.....

Addicted To Her: Shirley H

Something Like Fate: Helen's Book Blog

Congrats to you both and thank you to everyone who entered! As always, you have 48 hours from the time I send the emails to get your addresses to me or I will draw a new winner.

Check out my other contests going on- all the links are at the top of my blog page- and make sure to check back in the coming months for more.

Thanks!

Summer Reading Recommendations (2)

This week's theme is ghosts and the like and I'm bringing you guys four books after much debate on which to use.

Possessions by Nancy Holder: This is a quick but entertaining read dealing with, you guessed it, possession. The set up for it plays out nicely and the background for everything strengthens it. Even better, you can pick up the sequel The Evil Within- with a particularly enticing, creepy cover- June 10 for a double hit.

Dead Connection by Charlie Price: This one is a mix of supernatural and real, coming in with a rough topic. It's a murder mystery of sorts and the events pan out smoothly. The male MC also helps bring more character to it overall.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson: With anorexia being the primary theme of this book, the ghost element is a nice addition. It's woven in smoothly, adding a certain spark without being overpowering.

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender: This book has strong characters and a great ghost/possession plot. The whole evil spirit wanting revenge thing plays out easily and the reason for the haunting is heartbreaking but believable.

Book Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

SUMMARY:

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.


OPINION: 5 STARS

A very distinctive, concise voice, beautifully developed and invigorating characters, and a brilliant plot pull together to make Paranormalcy a very stunning debut. The fluid voice comes off from the first page, slipping the reader into Evie’s mindset instantly and smoothly. Intrigue begins just as swiftly and is maintained throughout, helping to keep the reader both involved and amazed at White's natural writing talent.

Evie is a character most anyone will be able to relate to and appreciate. She has a well defined history which is revealed throughout the book, garnering sympathy and understanding. As the plot moves and her view on things begins to change, Evie’s character grows tremendously. The manner she handles things is incredibly true to her age, despite the childhood she’s had. Her general view of the world shifts according to the events surrounding her, showing maturity but White does a phenomenal job continuing to keep Evie as a teenager- she is still flawed, has her moments of weakness and fear, and doesn’t immediately see and put everything together. She is perceptive but not in a way unbefitting of her age and the times when she shifts into simply being a teenager provide a flowing comedic relief.

Even more notable, White blends the world of a teenage girl with working for a major organization. Even within the Center, Evie behaves like a teen and has her own shining personality. Her substitution of bleep for swear words, her love of pink, and her obsession with a teenage drama show keep the voice strong. As events progress and her circumstances change, this real/fiction, teen/adult blend becomes even more prominent and played out magnificently.

Lend is absolutely adorable and as idiosyncratic as Evie. The two contrast each other fantastically and the way he falls into the story progresses smoothly. His character and history are revealed as effortlessly as Evie’s, sometimes the two coming out concomitantly. He is bashful and awkward, also holding a perfect blend of supernatural and realistic teenager. His responses and motivations are clear to see despite the story being told in Evie’s perspective. The two understand each other in a soft manner, both being similar yet completely different.

The entire world has been weaved together in new, innovative, and surprising ways. New takes on commonly used supernatural creatures and even some additions of not often seen ones help bring out the brilliance and refreshing nature of this book. The creation of an entirely new kind of creature helps spark it to life even more, making many aspects of this book stand out as highly original.

The writing is incredibly strong and well defined. Evie comes to life in a brilliant way and her snark and sass fly from the pages. She is intelligent and witty, both of which are pulled off without a hitch. The banter and dialogue is also well written, as is the narration. White easily writes a young adult voice, making it highly realistic but still pitching it in a way any age group will be able to understand and appreciate. Everything is streamlined, maintaining a rich voice without being overbearing. The descriptions are vivid and the reader is able to imagine the events and settings as they crop up.

The plot is brilliant, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. It will pull the reader in from the start and keep them engaged and involved with each page. Small things come back later to mean something and huge things end up having a simple yet unforeseeable explanation. Minor characters become something extraordinary and the way the reader will view not only these characters but the world in general shifts along with Evie’s take on them. The primarily mystery driving this plot is wrapped up by the end, leaving the reader in a comfortable closing spot while still hinting at what could come and leaving innumerable doors open for the next installment.

The thought and effort White poured into the entire first book is very clear and her mind just might be a little bit of a weapon of mass destruction. White has a very promising and fantastic future as a writer and many great things can be expected from her both with the future of this series and her clear, inherent ability to write young adult. I firmly believe her skills can transfer to other characters and even other genres, both of which will come across as fluidly as in this book.

Overall, this is a masterfully executed debut with a stunning plot that is unlike many other supernatural books. A perfect blend of romance and teenage emotions mix with the pressing events and unknowns that come up throughout to pack a powerful punch. This book is highly memorable and extremely well written, with the exceedingly distinctive voice being one of its most prominent features. White did not simply try to write a teenager- she nailed it. Evie is a lively, original character with some fantastic eccentricities the reader will find endearing and humorous.

A wide range of characters- both revamped and newly original- and some inventive and imaginative settings and events combine to make this book a well deserved five star read. The reader will crave more of these loveable, developed characters and their minds will spur numerous questions about what lies ahead for Evie but this specific plot is predominantly wrapped up, everything tying together beautifully at the end. This is honestly one of the most original, beautifully executed books from the YA supernatural genre I've come across in awhile.

Details:
Source: Signed ARC received from author as part of an auction prize pack
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 21, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061985848
ISBN-13: 978-0061985843

Waiting on Wednesday

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

This week's pick is The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams, set to hit shelves June 16 from Chronicle Books.

Summary: Not your everyday coming-of-age novel

This story was supposed to be about Evie how she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herself but it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth 'Zabet' McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changes and Evie's life is never the same again.

My Thoughts: Not only does the murder mystery aspect really pique my interest but the mix with a coming of age type of novel helps build the hype for me. Evie seems like she will definitely be thrust into some more adult situations and I personally love books that deal with those kind of situations, especially when handled smoothly. Though the cover is simple, it is still mysterious and holds a certain level of intrigue. The title itself fits fantastically in the spaces as well, tying it together.

Book Review: So Many Boys by Suzanne Young

SUMMARY:

After her center-court split with Aiden, Tessa put the SOS behind her. After all, cheaters never prosper! Now she’s busy working on her faux-relationship with Aiden and negotiating the unfamiliar waters of “technically single and pseudo-dating.”

Life can’t get any more dismal for a one-guy kind of girl until an imposter hijacks the SOS, and it’s up to Tessa to save her squad from slander. But with her best boy hot and cold, what’s a kitten to do?

Even worse, Tessa doesn’t realize how much she’s up against—because this copykitten is far more naughty than nice.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Romance, drama, scandal and betrayal make another gritty appearance in So Many Boys, engaging the characters introduced in The Naughty List in another whirlwind plot. Beginning with the questionable memo that wrapped up The Naughty List, this book launches into events swiftly. Young doesn’t waste time reintroducing her characters or the set up, still writing the same strong, developed personalities we met in the first book. The plot moves rapidly, weaving a tale of mystery and tying things up in under 250 pages.

Tessa is the same spitfire, a sometimes ditzy girl but who possess a strong sense of leadership, intelligence, and loyalty. Still refusing to swear, her euphemisms provide constant entertainment throughout, no matter the situation. Some of her views, emotions and actions are comical while others are heartbreaking and endearing. Despite the changes she’s made in her life after the events of The Naughty List, Tessa’s core character and beliefs remain the same and it was a revitalizing part of the book to see her sort through everything.

Aiden, Kira, Leona, Izzie and Chloe all make return appearances in this book, along with the introduction of a new character named Joel who is utterly swoonworthy. Young does a tremendous job with physical descriptions of her characters, right down to one lone crooked tooth Joel has that stands out to Tessa. From his laid back clothing to hair and eye color, Young brings him alive in a reader’s mind in the same way she did the characters in book 1. Joel was a fantastic addition to this book, providing many things needed for both Tessa and the plot.

Despite the same characters, readers will have different views on some by the end. Though a continuation of The Naughty List, So Many Boys is on a new playing field. Characters previously disliked could become appreciated while ones liked could have the tables turned and now be cast in a negative light. Part of the intrigue and brilliance of this book is finding out which characters endure such a shift. Despite this, even the most betraying character has reasons- and Young does a phenomenal job bringing sympathy across the board.

The mental voice rings through strongly, giving the reader the same bold connection to Tessa forged in The Naughty List. Though at times she and the other teenage characters do stupid things, their motivations are always clear. They are the perfect mix of mature and teenage, trying to balance the normal high school stress with the added pressures of the events of this book. As the plot progresses, tensions amp up significantly, coming to a bigger climax than seen in The Naughty List. The outcome, while predictable to an astute reader who is willing to piece things together, is shocking and fantastic. Despite the well placed and often subtle clues, there is enough conflict and questions to keep the reader from knowing positively who the culprit is right until the final, beautifully planned reveal. Young has an emboldened knack for weaving mystery with romance and drama, tying the various elements together into one powerful world.

Incredibly strong writing with a bold, realistic voice, a mysterious and convoluted plot, and characters who’s view by the readers will be challenged tie together to make So Many Boys even more potent than The Naughty List. It will leave readers eager for the final book in the series, particularly with the little snippet given at the end of this book to spark reader’s thoughts for what is to come. Young has most certainly shown her strengths as a writer, holding the ability to cover a range of character types and incorporate them all into one memorable story.

Details:
Source: Finished copy received from author as part of an auction prize pack
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Razorbill (June 10, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595142673
ISBN-13: 978-1595142672

Author's Website

Teaser Tuesday

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


This week's teaser comes from Carol Lynch Williams' The Chosen One.

"But I have read the newspapers that the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels brings me once a week. I know there is more help for pregnant women. Outside of here. Away from here, there is help." -- pg 50

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.