Book Review: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

SUMMARY: It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?


OPINION: 5 STARS

Completely captivating, enthralling and entrancing, This is Not a Test is the perfect blend of the contemporary and emotional components I love from Courtney Summers, with the upped stakes and risk that comes with a zombie takeover. With an intriguing blend of one character’s mental state of ready to give up and a group of people who want nothing more than to live, This is Not a Test will challenge readers in the most painful but beautiful of ways. There is a guttural rawness to this one that will keep readers turning the pages, marking this as the kind of book that lasts long after the last sentence.

Sloane is broken in the best kind of way, a girl who is so beat down from everything in her life that she’s ready to be done. Finally taking the step on her own to end it all, but not succeeding as she hoped, Sloane finds herself immersed in a life or death situation that she feels like she’s unable to get out of. After pushing through everything and finding shelter and safety, Sloane isn't sure how she can kill herself now. Not so far gone that she’s unable to think of the others, but still so wrapped up in her pain she is determined to find a way, there is something poignant but brutal about being in her mind. Taking the opportunities she can to figure things out for herself, yet having to wreak the consequences of her decisions, Sloane is tested in some new and unexpected ways that will capture readers. She goes through a tremendous amount of growth and change, both in who she is and the way she sees the world and reaching beyond simply finding a reason to want to live.

There is a relatively small but strongly build cast with this one, pitching several different personality types against each other. Tensions are high, and an undercurrent of fear keeps people on their toes and in each other’s faces. While Sloane sticks to the sidelines, she is still a constant presence and has her own impact on each person. Summers does a remarkable job of making each character stand out in a way that keeps readers from getting them confused, and also will make different readers react to and side with different characters, depending on who they are, and never making them feel like they’re siding with the wrong person, nor is the reader’s take on everyone dependent on Sloane’s. The way the situation impacts each character is beautifully portrayed, even though Sloane’s perspective, and each character will leave their own mark.

Having a strong driving force behind it that is more than just a base instinct to survive, and holding a high psychological feel with a strong emotional component, This is Not a Test has a smooth pacing and a style that will draw readers in. With some mystery to it, and a few unexpected and gutting twists thrown in, this one is both a character and plot driven kind of book. The effects of being holed up against the outside world for so long are explored, and the rising emotions and desires that come with it are shown, both outwardly and between the lines. While there is an element of romance to this one, it is far from the main point of the book, and happens in a realistic way, with bursts of intensity and then moments of softness as well.

Written in the same strong and fluid way that defines Summers, and having a vivid voice to it, this is the kind of book that cannot easily be described but is an absolute must read. Even if you don’t care too much for contemporary books, or for zombies, this book is so expertly done and entrancing that it shouldn’t be passed over. This book is a stunning exploration of human drives and desires, of finding your way back from being so far gone there's no hope. Beautifully navigating a sea of desolation, and setting it against a backdrop of strong survival, This is Not a Test clashes the two concepts in the most painful but realistic of ways, leaving readers gutted but better for it.

Details:

Source: TLA

Reading level: Ages 13 and up 

Paperback: 336 pages 

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: June 19, 2012

Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

SUMMARY: A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.


OPINION: 4 STARS

Charming and cute, My Life Next Door is a feel good kind of romance with a few rougher moments thrown in. Pulling in an opposites sides of the tracks type of elements while still twisting it to something specific to this book, and not relying solely on it, this one pitches a softly growing relationship that soon turns passionate and determined. With great chemistry, and some strong characterization, My Life Next Door will leave readers a bit breathless.

Sam has a good head on her shoulders, even if her mother somewhat brainwashes her, particularly in regards to the family next door. Still, Sam sees beyond just what her mom does, and imagines herself over there plenty of times. When that starts to become a reality, Sam is tested against her mother in some surprising and well developed ways. Add in the big event the summary hints at, and Sam most definitely has some pretty big decisions to make. Even when she's seemingly at her worst, her mindset is solid and easy to understand, making her a very sympathetic character and one readers will certainly root for.

Jase makes for a great love interest, even if he was a little bit too perfect and put together for me. Though he does have his moments of weakness or even selfishness, for the most part, I felt like he had to be pushed to almost an extreme for these to show through. Still, there is something solidly endearing about him, a wit and charm and softness that will have readers melting. He is far from the usual broken or even cocky kind of bad boy seen in many YAs, and he definitely proves that being a rebel isn't the only way to get readers drooling. The chemistry between Sam and Jase is powerful, searing at times and completely captivating. Add in the way his own character develops, and the decisions he has to make, and there is more than just romance between these two.

This book is somewhat of a slow burn, building things between Sam and Jase at a steady but not immediately fiery pace, while also pulling in some other story arcs. While to some extent, this one was a little too romance focused for my tastes, having only secondary elements of something deeper, it's still an enjoyable and cute read. Though I did understand for the most part the way things went, there were some aspects that seemed a little too convenient or forced for me. Regardless, I enjoyed the heat between Sam and Jase, and especially love the way Fitzpatrick has blended the two different lifestyles right next door to each other. The secondary characters were all well developed and fun, and Jase's entire family has a starring role and memorable element to them. The writing is beautiful, very fluid and having some great descriptions, and it easily pulls readers in from the start. Both contemporary and romance lovers should definitely add this book to their radar.

Details:

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

Reading level: Ages 12 and up 

Hardcover: 304 pages 

Publisher: Dial

Publication Date: June 14, 2012

Book Review: The Girl in the Park by Mariah Fredericks

SUMMARY: When Wendy Geller's body is found in Central Park after the night of a rager, newspaper headlines scream,"Death in the Park: Party Girl Found Strangled." But shy Rain, once Wendy's best friend, knows there was more to Wendy than just "party girl." As she struggles to separate the friend she knew from the tangle of gossip and headlines, Rain becomes determined to discover the truth about the murder. Written in a voice at once immediate, riveting, and utterly convincing, Mariah Frederick's mystery brilliantly exposes the cracks in this exclusive New York City world and the teenagers that move within it.


OPINION: 4 STARS

A well crafted mystery with a interesting central character, The Girl in the Park pulls in some known elements in a well done way. Though the choppiness of the chapters and scenes, and the rapid switching between past and present, made it hard for me to fully delve into the book, there is still something addicting and intriguing about the book. Pulling in some rough emotional aspects, and having a quick pacing, The Girl in the Park is a fast but thrilling read.

Rain is more than just the shy girl – she’s the girl who’s been bullied enough due to her cleft palate and speech problems that she’s quiet and keeps to herself. When Wendy busted through that, and befriended her despite the physical problem, she definitely left a mark on Rain. Though the girls aren’t really friends now, there is still a quiet sense of kinship that drives Rain to want to find the truth behind Wendy’s death. Pulling in instances from the past and cataloging not only the good times but the bad times between them as well, Rain goes through a tremendous amount of growth that is scripted in a choppy yet well done way. Though she has her moments of weakness, and definitely has a few flaws, she’s a great character with a strong story and drive in her.

Wendy is brash and showy, the kind of girl who goes after other girl’s boyfriends and seems to have no qualms about it. A girl who gets around, and one who is the life of the party even in a bad way, it’s almost no surprise when she turns up dead on the park. Still, despite the in your face way about her, Wendy had a soft side to her, and was a great friend when it counted. Though she was the kind to get hurt easily, and created her own problems, readers will sympathize with her, and not just because she ends up dead.

The mystery around Wendy’s death, and the ensuing investigation, are well executed in a smart and realistic way. With little clues dropped here and there, but keeping the bigger things hidden, readers will make some connections but not all of them, giving them some feeling of control while still eager to find out the truth. Having a strong emotional and sympathetic element to it, and almost painful in the full scope, the actual reasons for everything are both realistic and understandable.

Quietly enthralling, though hard for me to get into due to the style of the writing and scene shifts, The Girl in the Park is a fast and fun read. I love murder mysteries, and this one didn’t disappoint. With a captivating central character, and pulling in some great elements, this one is enjoyable and worthwhile.

Details: 

Source: Netgalley 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 224 pages 

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Author Interview: Gwendolyn Heasley

Dropping in today is Gwendolyn Heasley to talk about her sophomore novel, A Long Way From You. For those of you who've read Gwendolyn's first book, Where I Belong, you'll definitely recognize the main character this time around: Kitsy! So let's get right to it.


While Where I Belong is about a city girl in Broken Spoke, A Long Way From You is dropping a Broken Spoke girl in the city. What was the most interesting part of switching it around for this book?

In 2008, I moved from Columbia, Missouri where I was a student at Missouri University (Mizzou) to Manhattan. In some ways, it was easier to write A LONG WAY FROM YOU because I still was new to New York when I was writing about Kitsy being new to New York.

Just like Kitsy, I know what’s like to move to a place that you mostly knew from movies and TV and how it’s a crazy (but exciting) experience to find out it’s a real place.

Was it difficult to shift from Corrinne's mindset to Kitsy's?

Although I’m sure I don’t always succeed at it, I always try to write my minor characters as full as my main character. When I wrote WHERE I BELONG, Kitsy, although a minor character, was very real and alive to me. Although I didn’t write a lot about her in WHERE I BELONG, I always had a good idea of who she was. Her voice was already in my head so it wasn’t too hard to switch.

What's your favorite thing about Kitsy?

Kitsy is brave. I moved to New York City at 26 and it took me a while to adjust, which makes sense for my personality. I adapt but it takes a while.

Kitsy comes to New York at 17. Of course, she has some misadventures, but I love her courage and her desire to get the most out of her experience. As Nicki Minaj puts it “everybody dies but not everybody lives.” Kitsy is very alive and works very hard for her opportunities but she also makes sure to enjoy them.

When you got your cover for A Long Way From You, what was your reaction, and how well do you think it fits for the book?

The cover of the book is Kitsy and Tad in a rowboat in Central Park. (The building in the background is the famous Eldorado, a residential building that’s home to many famous people including Alec Baldwin and Michael J. Fox.)

There’s a scene in the book where Kitsy and Tad do rent a boat in Central park, so I think the cover is very fitting. I also think the cover reflects how New York is surprising, which is a theme in the book. Even in the middle of a concrete jungle, you can still rent a rowboat and enjoy nature.

I love the cover and hope readers will too!

If you could pair Kitsy and the Art Boy with any character from any book, who would you pick for them? That’s is the hardest question I’ve gotten.

I think I would pair Kitsy with Katniss from Hunger Games. They are both driven by the love of their younger sibling.

I think I would pair Art Boy (Tad) with Shadow from Cath Crowley’s Graffti Moon. He communicates best through his art.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

Well, I’m not sure what kind of dinosaur others would describe me as…but my favorite is the archelon, a giant sea turtle. I think it’s amazing that ancestors of the archelon still swim our oceans and I love how turtles are at home in water and land.


Thanks, Gwendoln, for stopping in and congrats on the new release!

A Long Way From You hits shelves today so make sure you check it out!

Book Review + Author Word Associations: Body and Soul by Stacey Kade

I've got both an author word associations list and a review for you guys today, celebrating the recent release of the final installment in the Ghost and the Goth series! I love this series, it's definitely a favorite of mine, and I'm so excited the conclusion is finally out! Since my review for this one is admittedly shorter, since it's really hard to talk about the reasons I fell into this book without spoiling either it or the previous two books, I'm combining everything into this one post.

First up is a round of Word Associations, where I sent a list of random words/phrases to Stacey, and she had to give me the first thing that came to mind for each!

Vindictive: evil

Cheerleader: red and white (the cheerleading uniforms at my high school were red and white, as, of course, was Alona’s)

Okapi: cute (I’ll admit I had to look this up to find out what it was. So really the first thing that came to mind would have been, “Huh?”)

Persephone: Meg Cabot (her new series is based on that myth and I love her books).

Monkeys: baby orangutans

It's a Dog's Life: A Bug’s Life (the ride at Disney. One of my favorites when we visited a couple of years ago.)

Piglet: red shirt (Piglet wears a red shirt in the Pooh cartoon, right?)

Bug in a Rug: snug

Aloe: green

Bones: safe (I have no idea. Maybe that no further harm can come to whoever that was? Yes, I know. Occasionally, I’m weird and morbid.)

Ocean: waves

Pink: Bright

Penguin: publisher

White Out: mistakes

Laptop: doorway

OPINION: 4 STARS

With the same charm and mix of wit and emotion that was present throughout the first two books, Body and Soul is a well done and engaging finale to a fun series. Picking up not long after book two closed, and keeping a steady pacing to it, this one will definitely have readers enthralled and rooting for both Alona and Will. Kade throws in some great twists, and has an undercurrent of the unknown driving this one, and wraps everything up in a way very fitting of the series.

Will and Alona continue to grow and change, needing each other in some big ways but also relying on themselves. Their little battles and nitpicks with each other continue to build their charm and relationship, while having a few bigger things thrown in that makes them relatable, and understandable. I love these two together, from the way they test the other to how they just really make each other better all around. While their final installment is certainly not an easy one, it’s well worth it.

As with the previous two installments, there is a plot specific to just this book, yet pulling in long running elements as well. Kade does a fabulous job of pacing everything and keeping her readers interested, not to mention leaving them guessing. I truly love the challenges the pair faces, and the decisions then end up having to make. Still switching perspectives in a smooth way and written in an easy to fall into style, and having some rough elements to it, Body and Soul is a great book and a perfect ending to a favorite series.

Details:

Source: Netgalley 

Reading level: Ages 12 and up 

Hardcover: 320 pages 

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Cover Reveal: The Collector by Victoria Scott

I am so excited to take part in the cover reveal for Victoria Scott's YA debut The Collcetor: A Dante Walker Novel! I am so excited for this book - I mean, come on, cocky, sexy, badass male POV? YES Please! Not to mention, Victoria truly is one of the nicest and coolest people you will ever meet.





So let's get to it, and celebrate Victoria... and Dante!

Um. Rawr? This is definitely a cover that I would nab off the shelves. But ignoring the hot form on the cover, I seriously love the entire lay out of it. The background, and then the text overlay. But okay, mostly I just like staring at Dante. So. Again. Rawr.

And in case you've missed the summary of the book, check it:

He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.

Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.

Yep. I want this book so freaking bad. You guys know this is right up my male POV, bad boy loving ally. I mean, the more broken and damaged, the more conflicted and twisty, the better. So bring it, Dante.  




The Collector is coming March 2012 from Entangled Teen. You can add it to your Goodreads shelf here, and don't forget to follow Victoria on twitter!