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

Book Review: Slide by Jill Hathaway

SUMMARY: Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.


OPINION: 5 STARS


The Short Version:
A unique twist on body invasion mixed with a great murder mystery, Slide is definitely an intriguing and luring read. A very sympathetic and well rounded central character interacts in a great way with the strong supporting cast of characters. With a fantastic who done it plot, and emotion blended into strong writing, Slide is a great debut for a range of readers.

The Extended Version:
Vee is an average girl in all the ways that count, yet has this stellar internal strength and defensive nature that makes her relatable, sympathetic, and highly likable. Obsessed with 90s music, and holding her past battle wounds close to her heart without letting them completely overrun her, she is a very fleshed out and well rounded character. Though holding a slight rebellious streak with her pink hair and take it as it comes attitude, her love for her father and sister is clear. Struggling with the sliding and the secrets she keeps because of it, the reason she sometimes acts how she does is easy to see yet hard to swallow at times. Though she’s far from a mess, she still goes through great growth and development, facing what’s thrown at her and changing in some stellar ways.

Rollins is charming in a very unconventional sort of way, and is a great friend despite some of the book’s events. Though holding his own secrets, and definitely one to mess up now and then, his friendship with Vee is something that betters them both. While he isn’t a constant presence in the book, and his relationship with Vee is tested in more ways than one, he still will leave a mark on readers and does his own part to drive the book forward. Creative and gentle, Rollins is definitely different from a lot of book boys, but not one to ignore.

The rest of the cast is relatively small, with some fantastically done side characters. From Mattie, Vee’s younger sister who is pretty much the polar opposite of her, to the endearing and swoonworthy Zane, Hathaway has built a solid set of characters who weave into the story perfectly. The bond between Vee and Mattie is a tenuous one, holding a strong note throughout the book and growing and shifting in a way reactive not only to the story and events, but to their varying personalities as well. Zane, too, has a strong role in not only Vee’s development, but the book as well, holding a strong and appealing presence.

The sliding aspect of this book is fantastic, with the confines and causes of it well shown, learned by Vee through experience only. A secret she’s told no one, the guilt Vee feels at knowing Sophie didn’t commit suicide yet being forced to continue to tell no one is crushing and tangible, adding a huge emotional element to her character. The things she sees when she slides into others, and the effects it’s had on her life set her apart from many other characters. Though supernatural in this sense, the rest of the book is strongly grounded in a realistic setting, and the two are laced together smoothly, never letting one take precedence over the other.

Centered heavily around a murder mystery plot, Hathaway keeps things progressing at a smooth pace while still allowing plenty of time for her characters to grow and develop. With plenty of clues dropped along the way, astute readers will be able to piece together the person behind the deaths while still getting the gutting feeling of truth when it’s revealed. Though able to be predicted after a certain point, Hathaway still does her bigger reveal in a very fantastic way, with a bold build up to it and a smooth fall out afterwards.

The writing has an easy flow to it, heavily emotional but fun and engaging as well. Descriptive without being overly done, the reader gets a good sense not only of Vee’s day to day but what it’s like stuck through the eyes of the various people she slides into. Hathaway does a great job keeping the story going, using just enough to let the reader’s mind take over for the rest.

With a fantastic motive behind the deaths and a beautifully scripted overall plot and play out, Slide will be a hit with murder mystery buffs. Holding some great scenes, a uniquely twisted supernatural element, and set against a strong family background, Hathaway’s debut is bold and alluring.

Details:

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

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 256 pages 

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: March 27, 2012

Book Review: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

SUMMARY: Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal


OPINION: 5 STARS


One of my favorite things about Zink’s books will probably always be the mix of stunning writing with rich setting. Her books are addicting and enamoring, pulling me in so completely that I feel, every time, as if I am right there with the characters, in period clothing. A Temptation of Angels is no exception, and with the stunning plot, this one is a total must read.

Helen is, in many ways at the start, a girl typical of her period. Obedient and loving to her parents, and used to the relative oppression of women at the time, she stays within her bounds. Terrified when her mother wakes her in the night, rapidly packing a bag and hiding her away with explicit instructions to get out at all costs, Helen’s entire world is shattered and turned over. Forced rapidly to give up on life she is used to, Zink beautifully navigates the gap between dainty to strong and determined. While her change is forced by circumstance, Helen has it within her the entire time to stand up to everything she is facing, and not let anyone push her around in the process. This isn't a tale of a girl against her time period’s way of life, but rather a girl who simply has such fortitude that she can handle the rapid shift. Still, she has her moments of sorrow and weakness, and she will easily tug readers into her story. Helen goes through excellent growth, from learning about love to the truth of what she is, and handling all of it with a certain grace.

Griffin and Darius are the pair of brothers who she’s instructed to go see, who take her in, however hesitantly. Though Darius is strong-minded and often rude to her, he is fiercely protectively and intelligent. He will easily grow on readers, and brings his own set of assets to the table. Zink writes him perfectly, the boy trying to take care of his younger brother and protect his own life as well, and the one who has learned the hard way to trust almost no one. He softens to some extent as things progress, and goes through his own sort of changes. Griffin is charming and sweet, a perfect love interest in large part for his ability to understand and see things through others eyes. Loyal to his brother, with a beautiful and strong dynamic between the two, Griffin has such a well rounded personality that readers will have no choice but to melt for him. The budding romance between Griffin and Helena is that quiet kind of steamy that comes with the time period, where even a touch is so meaningful, and I absolutely loved the way these two learn to balance their feelings for each other with what else is happening and what they must do.

Then there’s the plot, with some beautifully woven elements and quite a bit of uniqueness to it. Set in no specified time period, but certainly historical, and hitting slightly into a steampunk type element with some of the tools used, Zink has created a type of story all her own, and done it masterfully. Vivid in setting, with beautifully written scenes and actions, this one will easily play out like a movie in reader’s minds, and setting them right beside Helene the entire time. The writing is stunning, saying so much in few words, and having a lulling air about it while also keeping with the tense and sorrowful emotional atmosphere that comes with the situations Helen finds herself in. This book is easy to get lost in, and memorable in many ways.

Details:

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

  Reading level: Ages 12 and up 

Hardcover: 448 pages 

Publisher: Dial

Publication Date: March 20, 2012

Character Interview: Rowan from Wanderlove

Stopping in today is the hot boy from one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors, and I couldn't be more excited! I introduce to you Rowan, from Kristen Hubbard's Wanderlove!


1. What was your first impression of Bria?

I first saw Bria at the Guatemala City airport, with her tour group. Everyone was twice her age. I remember her white-knuckling the handle of her purple suitcase, and her cheeks were all pink… I just felt really bad for her.

The next time I saw her, it was at the Mayan market in Chichicastenango. I admit, I was impressed she was navigating it all by herself, even if she'd just violated the number one rule: never take your eyes off your stuff. When I asked her to dinner across the lake, I was certain she wouldn't go. Yeah, I'm glad she proved me wrong.

2. What's the worst thing that's happened to you in your travels?

I've had a lot of shitty things happen abroad, thing I don't like to talk about. Mostly, they were my own fault. It took me forever to share them with Bria, so I'd rather not repeat them now. But the worst thing of all… well, I think it was the point when I thought I'd never see Bria again.

3. Boxers or briefs?

What? Seriously? All right, fine—a little of both. Also boxer-briefs in unusual patterns. When you're living in Central America, you take what you can get.

4. What's it like to kiss Bria?

Okay, on THAT one, I'm pleading the fifth!

5. What kind of shoe would you describe yourself as?

An overworn, overloved leather sandal – but with a lot of miles left to go.



Thank you, Rowan, for stopping in, and congrats, Kirsten, on the release!

Trust me, guys, when I say you need to check this out. Not just to get to know Rowan better (though that is likely reason enough... seriously, this boy is SO awesome!), but for the entire story and the drawings. So go!

Character This or That: Andie from Where It Began

Stopping in today is Andie from Ann Redisch Stampler's debut Where It Began, for some This or That fun!


Black or Gray

Gray because I really like rainy days and fog. I love how magical everything looks when it’s foggy out. Especially when I get up in the morning and it’s very soft and foggy, but then it starts to burn off and the day gets all sunny.

Sand or Grass

Grass. Especially barefoot. I think it’s really awful the way Winston re-did the football field in artificial grass. It’s the wrong color, it feels terrible, and isn’t it bad for the environment when you get rid of plants like grass? Also, if you were playing football on that field, what would you rather fall down on, grass or green stuff that feels like spikes?

Stay In or Go Out

This is really a hard one. Nothing against my house, but I like to hang out at Andy’s house. So that’s really going out, but it feels like staying in because I’m there so much. So if Andy’s house counts as going out, then going out, but if it counts as staying in, then staying in.

DVD or Blue Ray

Blue Ray. If you can have a better image, why would you want a worse one? If you’re watching it. If it’s just in the background, I guess it wouldn’t matter.

Shrek or Donkey

I love Shrek. I wish he could be my uncle or something. I wanted him to be happy so much, and then I didn’t want any sequels because I was thinking, “He’s happy, now leave him alone.”

House or Grey's Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy. Better romance, less weirdness.

Zebra or Gazelle

Zebras. They just seem like super-cute ponies to me. Chunky ponies. I know that a friendly zebra would only be friendly because humans messed with it and screwed it up, but if there was such a thing as a friendly zebra, I would definitely go see it and pet it and everything.

Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb

I totally don’t drink that stuff. Nobody should drink that stuff. I’m not exactly a nutrition expert and I eat candy and I drink and everything, but if it’s that bad for you and it doesn’t even taste as good as Coca Cola, which is also not health food, why bother? For the same calories, you could have a cookie. Wouldn’t you rather have a cookie? I totally would.

Dog or Cat

I miss my dog Duchess so much, I’m not even sure I could handle having another dog. So this probably makes me a cat person. After Duchess died, Andy said, did I want a kitten, only I didn’t want any other pet, I was too sad. So he kept the kitten, which is named Happy. I play with her when I’m there. She’s a very sweet cat.

Cats.

Winter or Summer

Winter because I love the holidays. Except for New Years because Andy hates his dad’s party. Did you hear about his dad’s New Years parties? Gross. But Christmas is different. People get so cheerful and nice that time of year.

Cover Reveal + Contest: Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Today, I've got a seriously awesome cover to share with you guys... one for a book that I have been drooling over since I first heard about it, and definitely one that is at the very top of my 2012 Holy Crap WANT list.

But this isn't just any reveal. Nope. We've got some awesome stuff mixed in for you guys, like an ARC giveaway and a chance to win a super special, contents top secret Grab Bag! But since I know you want the cover, at least before you actually read any of this.....

Well, I'm giving you the synopsis first, because honestly, you'll appreciate the cover SO much  more if you look it right after reading it.


Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem. 

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven. It's gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what's really on her mind. 

Bonesaw. 

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days. It'll be brutal . . . and awesome. 

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen's obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she's willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker. 

Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.


And NOW for the seriously awesome cover that I freaking love:

Seriously. Is that not AWESOME? Dark and twisty but a little soft, and very fierce? I mean, okay, so the characters look a little, well, weird... but they are dead. You can't hold that against them. But frankly, I think that girl looks like someone who will kick some serious butt.


And now that we have that amazingness out of the way, I promised you guys a contest, didn't I?

Daniel is not only giving away not just one, but THREE chances to win an ARC of this book, he's also throwing in something special. So here's the details:

Enter here by filling out THIS form, and then hit up The Mod Podge Bookshelf and Novel Thoughts for a chance to win there (Novel Thoughts has the International contest, btw!).

You must comment on the blog you're entering from, so comment and enter on all three for three chances to win. MY Contest is US only, and ALL contests end February 21.


But there's more!

Daniel has given Delacorte three different authors photos of himself. The truth of which one they are using is still a secret, so he's given each of the three blogs one of the photos.

So that extra surprise I mentioned? One winner will be chosen from the blog with the REAL photo to win a Grab Bag. What's in it? I have no clue. But here's a picture, in case you have special powers to figure it out:

So here is my (potentially fake) bio and author photo for you guys:

When DANIEL MARKS isn't attempting to frighten bored puppies, he's writing dark and morbidly comic young adult novels for the bitter and jaded youth of the world (as well as the young at heart). His youtube channel is a front for a slapdash money laundering scheme that has yet to see a dime, so if you've got some dirty bills please send them. He's currently on an expedition to the Arctic as part of a long-standing and completely unhealthy obsession with toy-making elves.


So what do you guys think? Make sure to leave a comment, telling us your thoughts on not only the cover, but the author photo as well. Frankly, I love it. Also... what do YOU think is in The Grab Bag?


And also, CONGRATS to Daniel... now to figure out how to get *my* hands on this book.... since it doesn't actually come out until October 9...

In the mean time, you can also Add it to your Goodreads, Pre-order at Powell's Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble or for pre-orders outside the U.S., The Book Depository.

And find Daniel all over: YouTube, Website, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.