Faith, Trust, and a Little Bit of Pixie Dust

"I lived in a glass house full of shattered hearts
and I hadn't even fallen in love yet."

--Alyssa B. Sheinmel, Second Star

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Pages: 256
Publication Date: May 13th, 2014
Source: ARC provided via publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Previous Books in Series: Standalone

Goodreads Description

 A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

The Story. I was so looking forward to this Peter Pan interpretation because I have yet to find a really amazing interpretation. I was intrigued from the beginning and was really excited to keep reading and see how the parallels to Peter Pan were going to come out. I definitely was appreciative of the similarities and it was still its own story on its own. I liked that it seemed more of an inspiration of Peter Pan than an actual re-telling. There are some definite twists to the plot and I really liked it and gah, I can't say more because I can't give anymore away!

The Writing. The writing of the story has a very surreal and visceral feeling to it. I felt like I was feeling and sensing the words rather than reading them. I think the author did an amazing job at description in a very abstract way. It was definitely different in a good way and I liked the style

The Length. The book is short, only 256 pages and I sped through it but I wanted more. How the story plays out and what happens would have impacted me SO much more if I had another 70-80 pages of plot development. I needed more emotional connection to the characters. I liked the book but if it was longer and developed the characters more...it would have been an easy 4 stars!! Ugh, the story was so unique and I loved how it all played out but I would have LOVED it all capital letters had I had more connection to the characters. Sad face.

Standing in Line Outside

Its a quick read so it's not a lot of time to commit to. You might love it, you might be meh about it. I'm pretty meh because I'm disappointed for how good it COULD have been. 

The Truth Is Never A Fairy Tale

"None of us can know what we are capable of
until we are tested."

--Elizabeth Blackwell, While Beauty Slept

Genre: Adult Fantasy, Fairy Tale Re-Telling
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Pages: 435
Publication Date: February 20th, 2014
Source: Borrowed from library
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Goodreads Description

A beautiful princess lies in a sleep so deep it is close to death. Was Sleeping Beauty revived by a prince's kiss? What really happened in that tower so long ago?

While Beauty Slept re-imagines the legend through the lens of historical fiction, telling the story as if it really happened. A Gothic tale of suspense and ambition, love and loss, it interweaves the story of a royal family and the servants who see behind the glamorous facade, following the journey of a young woman as she lives out a destiny that leads her to the brink of death.

The Story This will be a quick mini-review of this book. I loved the idea of this story and how the entire overall plot. I think this Sleeping Beauty re-telling was plotted out extremely well. The narration is given the wisdom of hindsight with a foreshadowing that constantly alludes to evil doing and dark themes. I LOVED how dark this story got. I know that sounds weird but I found it super intriguing how the story progressed. The parallels to the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty were there with a much darker twist. I couldn't wait to see how the story would trace back to the legend we all learned as children.

Rose I loved Rose and her characterization. I feel like she was the most complex character even though we never really get her point of view. I loved her spirit and her desire to be free and her own person. I would have loved a narration from her perspective.

Elise Elise is our narrator and while I empathized with her struggles and her desire to find a place in this world, I found her character lacking the emotional connection I needed to really care about her. That sounds horrible but her inner monologues and point of view felt very superficial and objective in her observations. A lot of good and bad things happen to her and it was discussed in a very matter-of-fact way. I struggled to really connect to her. While I was rooting for her success, it fell just short of me really feeling with her. I would have liked this book A LOT more had I been able to really connect with Elise and feel what she was feeling.

Maybe I think it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it but I wasn't DYING to talk about it when I was done. The story was good but it didn't stay with me or having me rushing to turn the pages. I think it is worth looking into if you like fairy tale re-tellings and maybe you'll connect more to Elise than me because that is really what held this book back from being REALLY good in my opinion.

Through The Looking Glass

"Alis Volat Propriis,
Latin for 'She flies with her own wings."

--A.G. Howard, Unhinged

Genre: YA Fairy Tale Re-Telling, Paranormal, Fantasy
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Pages: 400
Publication Date: January 7th, 2014
Source: Borrowed from library
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Previous Books in Series: Splintered

Goodreads Description

Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

The World While we really didn't get to go down the rabbit hole, I still LOVE this world. The descrpitions, the twists, the plays on words, THE WARDROBE! Oh my gosh, I salivate just thinking about Alyssa's amazing and eccentric fashion choices. Like I said after Splintered, I want to be her friend and start wearing petticoats and crazy skirts and corsets. For realz. I love the otherwordly feel that AG Howard constantly provides us. I feel transported down my own little rabbit hole when I read these books. They are vivid and description and the setting is just palpable. But I would like a little--ok A LOT--more of Wonderland for the final book. K, thanks.

The Discovery I loved EVERYTHING about Alyssa's journey. Especially the end and how she plays the people around her to her benefit. Even if it is subtle, I found her to be just amazing at working her own angle and coming into her own. I loved how she got more memories back from her childhood and the role Morpheus plays in it. I think it was the perfect amount of flashbacks that helped aid her in this chapter of her adventure.

The Reveals I love the slow yet steady and always surprising reveal of secrets the plot gives us. It is never overwhelming but always makes you stop to scratch your head a little bit. In a good way! Because of all the false bottoms and literal word games, it is always fun to try and figure out what rabbit loop hole Morpheus and the rest of Wonderland use to get out of whatever situation they may be in. I love the manipulation of words and the ever-present feel that something else is always underfoot.

The Darkness It should come as no surprise that this world and plot is filled with suspicious characters and haunting images. Alyssa's art continues to represent this gothic horror feel to the story. I think it is SO unique and alluring in its creeptastic way. I loved reading about it and I cannot WAIT for the last book so see where this all leads us.

The Boys Oh my gosh, SO MUCH HAPPENS! I love where this part of the story is going. While I thought Jeb was super annoying in Splintered and while I'm not totally sold as a member of his posse yet, there is something so incredibly endearing about him. There were definitely parts of his story that melted my heart...and then he does something at the end that just ruined it for me. Cheese factor to the max. No bueno. MORPHEUS on the other hand. While he does some things I do not agree with and are a little more than shady, we all know he will always have Alyssa's best interest at heart. There is a MAJOR plot twist involving him and I LOVED IT. We will just have to see if this twist comes to be more than just a twist...muahaha.

The Pacing While I loved reading this book there were some plot points that I felt dragged a bit. I was still excited to read it but I wasn't tearing at the pages like I was in Splintered. Second books are hard and while the plot needed to move forward, and it definitely does, I wanted just a little more excitement to the mix. I wanted to not be able to turn the pages fast enough and it fell just short of that.

Yes This was an amazing follow-up to Splintered. I cannot WAIT to read the final book! Where is the final book?! I can't wait to fall down the rabbit hole and see how the battle to save Wonderland ends...dun dun dun. 

A Fair and Helpless Maiden She Is Not

"We've been fighting more than our fair share, Scar.
Maybe both of us should start fighting for our happy ending."

--Lady Thief, A.C. Gaughen

Genre: YA Historical Fiction. Re-Telling
Publisher: Walker Children's
Pages: 304
Publication Date: February 11th, 2014
Source: eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley--Thank you!!
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Previous Books in Series: Scarlet

Goodreads Description

 Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

Ok, so I read Scarlet and Lady Thief back to back while traveling and I'm much too lazy to do a full review of Scarlet so you've got my thoughts while reading above as well as Lady Thief.

The Belle

Scarlet. OBVIOUSLY! She is awesome!! I loved her in Scarlet but I feel like in Lady Thief her maturity really grows. She sees the bigger picture and doesn't act so rashly. She is even stronger if you can believe it and I LOVE reading about her. I want her to succeed and be happy (and with Robin!!).

The Characters. Robin and his merry men make this story and the first book. They are courageous and strong and look out for the people. I love their schemes and their adventures. Their emotions are real and beautiful and while they are not a family without their small tiffs, they care about each other and their dynamic is amazing.

Robin. Holy freakin' swoon. I mean, c'mon! His valor and courage and strength and heart...I melt. I literally--figuratively--melted...many times. His selflessness and desire to protect his people is inspiring. His interactions and love with Scarlet melts your heart and constantly leaves you wanting more. I LOVED reading about them together. Like, I couldn't get enough!

The Love. Like I touched on above, I can't get enough of Robin and Scarlet but I felt like it deserved it's own large bullet point. :)

The Darkness. The plot is way more dark this time around and while it breaks your heart at times, it brings so much to the story. The plot is twisty and also full of surprises. I can't turn the pages fast enough and was constantly wondering what was going to happen next when I put the book down.

The Beast

The Ending. Because I don't have the next book!!! WHERE ARE YOU!?

Should You RSVP To This Ball?

Yes. Amazing follow-up to an already strong first book. This one will not disappoint. 

A Tale As Old As Time

"I should have known...Why did I ever think that I would get to keep what I loved?"
--Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

Genre: YA Fantasy, Re-Telling

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, 352 pages

Publication Date: January 28th, 2014

Source: eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
Goodreads

Goodreads Description

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

My Thoughts

The Belle

Soooo, I had really high expectations for this book. Beauty and the Beast is my absolute FAVORITE story of all time. Obviously, I have a love for Belle...my blog name and all...so I was SO FREAKIN' EXCITED to read this when I got it from Edelweiss...but maybe my expectations were too high..Ok, let me try to break this down. This is going to be a very mixed review because there were aspects I love but overall, it was the execution that killed it for me.

The World. The world building is impeccable and seriously amazing. The world Rosamund Hodge creates is a fantasy lovers dream. The Greek mythology interweaving with their belief system is unique and so brilliant. I loved how she used that influence in the story and weaved together fantasy and legends.

The Heroine. Nyx is kickass. She's a shoots-then-looks kind of girl. She is quick to fight back and shoot off her mouth. Needless to say, I loved her. She has lived her entire life in defense of her family and her entire being is buils upon the fact that she is to marry and then kill him in order to release the dictatorship hold he has over her town. I love her strength and I found her irrational behavior at times to be very realistic and understandable...however, there were parts of her character that didn't mesh well with me...see below.

The Ending. The ending is amazing. How things happen and what goes down I could not put the book down or read fast enough. The only thing that could have made it better were if I had more emotional attachment to the characters. I loved the ending but it would have been WAY MORE if I was feeling along with them.

The Beast

The Heroine. I did not love most of Nyx's emotional reactions to things. I felt like her emotional attachment to Shade and Ignifex was too quick and transitioned without a lot of emotional foundation. While a lot of time may have passed, there wasn't anything written in order to build up the emotional attachment. They may have been co-existing but this is a book, I need to read about how they are feeling and why I should be attached to them and rooting for them.

The Hero. Overall, I liked Ignifex but I wanted more. I saw his character as so complex and intriguing and I so wanted, no NEEDED, more of him emotionally. More development and into his head juuuust a bit. I wanted to fall in love with these characters individually and then together and it just didn't happen. 

The Emotions. I wanted a sweeping love story that had my heart racing and my chest hurting and unfortunately, I just didn't get that. It fell short.I am quite sad I didn't connect more with these characters. Trust me, I wanted to! I really, really did but it just didn't happen. 

Should You RSVP To This Ball? 

Maybe. If you're looking for a story to take the place of the beloved Beauty and the Beast--look elsewhere. If you want an amazing world with pretty good characters--this is for you. 

Falling Down the Rabbit Hole

"There's so much more to the story than people even know..."

--A.G. Howard, Splintered



Genre: YA Fairy Tale Re-Telling, Fantasy

Publisher: Amulet Books, 371 pages

Publication Date: January 1st, 2013

Source: Library (will probably buy on next Amazon binge)

Goodreads

Goodreads Description

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

My Thoughts

Call me Alice. I feel down the rabbit hole with this book. I've used that phrase with other books and I was so hoping I would fall in love with this book and be able to use it. And I so totally did. How very fitting, right? This book is magical, enchanting, otherwordly and to a point, amazing. I was transported to Howard's Wonderland immediately. Our girl Alyssa Gardner has a voice so unique and distinct that she grabs your attention immediately...might have something to do with the fact she introduces us to her art of dead bugs. Her choice of medium rationale? It is the best way to stop the voices...for real. Wickedly dark and completely mesmerizing.

So Splintered takes us to a version of Alice in Wonderland but our main character, Alyssa, is the great-great-great granddaughter of Alice Lidell, the little girl who told Lewis Carroll about her trip to Wonderland. Thus inspiring his book. I LOVED this take on Carroll's inspiration. That is was based off of a real child's stories, oh my gosh, so freakin' cool. Ever since Alice, all of Alyssa's female relatives have gone insane, including her mother who is currently in a psychiatric hospital. Alyssa is terrified of ending up like her mother because she already hears the bugs and flowers talking, but she is determined to try and live a normal life. Her normal life consists of her next-door neighbor and longtime crush Jeb. Grunged out and reformed bad boy. Read: Sexy and dark with a heart of gold. I'll get on to him in a moment. Back to Alyssa. This girl is strong. She deals with so much darkness in her life and she wants so badly to just rise above it. She has been teased mercilessly her whole life for her family's history and just wants to be left alone and do her own thing. Won't lie. I was never into grunge or hot topic-esque clothes in high school. This girl made me re-think my style choices. Her wardrobe of choice all come from the vintage store she works at and she just seems like such a cool chic. The goth-ish make-up, platform boots, crazy outfits. Love times a million! AND she skateboards. I wanna be this girl's friend and have her do a makeover on me. Just for kicks. She proves herself throughout the entire novel. She is fierce and strong and completely loyal to her cause. She makes mistakes and questions herself along the way but she is relatable in that way. Her characters felt real. Honest and flawed and far from perfect, but that's what made me love her. She is a fantastic heroine in this journey to Wonderland.

SO, back to the story. Some stuff happens and Alyssa decides to try and break her family's curse, go down the rabbit hole...literally...and put things right. She is coaxed there by a familiar voice in her head that she just can't quite place, and down the rabbit hole she goes. Jeb ends up there with her and they set off on their adventure. Wonderland starts off just as Carroll and Disney imagined it. I LOVED that the story had a fluid flow to the original story. Not everything is the same, that's for sure, but the original tale is there. It made me want to go read both of Carroll's books (again!) just so compare stories. So Alyssa and Jeb finds the man behind the voice, Alyssa's guide to Wonderland...Morpheus. Turns out Morpheus is Alyssa's long-lost friend who guided her and taught her all about Wonderland when she was a small child. They grew up together. *tear*

So many trials occur for Alyssa to try and break the curse but Wonderland is never that straight forward. Just like Carroll's Wonderland, nothing is as it seems and nobody is who they say they are. You'll have your head scratched raw with all the plot twists and loop holes. It is absolutely fantastic. As aggravating as Wonderland may be, that is exactly what makes it so charming. Find the road between logical and illogical, right? :)

On to the boys. Jeb. Not gonna lie. Not a Jeb fan off the bat. Clearly Alyssa is in love with him but he's dating Taelor...the queen bee who has made Alyssa's life absolute hell. Who also taunts her just to be mean. Oh I wanted to smack her! What a yatch bag! And Jeb, this supposed best friend and super "nice" guy is dating her? Uh, what?! I could not forgive him for this for the first third of the book. I knew an explanation would be coming but based on my own life experiences I just couldn't justify his actions. It made no sense this guy would date somebody like that (yes we get elaboration but still!). Morpheus. Dark, mysterious, arrogant, sexy. Read: Rebel without a cause and you don't care what it is. Hott. Man oh man did I want Morpheus to swoop in under Jeb and just sweep Alyssa off her feet. The tension is definitely there and, typical in typical Wonderland fashion, ya never know where his head is at. He is a constant contradiction. But I still adored him. He may have been sneaky but ya know what? He adores Alyssa. He has a twisted way of expressing it but he grew up in Wonderland...how is he supposed to know any different? While it sounds like I am stating a negative about the book, I'm going just the opposite. I loved that both these male interests had character flaws. Like Alyssa, it made them real. Made the whole romantic situation seem so much for real life. Nobody is perfect. I liked rooting for both boys at one point or another and having the deciding factors come down to communication between the characters and talking out their issues.

The entire journey through Wonderland was amazing. The writing is fantastic. I feel like the reader takes their own personal journey to Wonderland while reading. The landscape is right there in front of you. The exploration of loyalty and love are beautiful in this story. The idea of undertaking a task to the depths of the Earth and back to save your family is inspiring. And while there are a lot of inspirational passages in this story, it is also dark. Like Alison says, and my chosen opening quote, there is so much more to the story than anyone realizes. Oh the writing of that line gives me chills! I literally read it several times before moving on. It is just so eerie. I love it. The mix of light and dark, good and evil is just blended so well. There are rarely only two sides to one story and the world is made up of shades of gray, nothing is solely black and white.

I loved this book. One of my instant favorites. The story is so fast-paced and the plot is constantly twisitng and turning you don't know what is going to happen until the final pages. Many well-loved and familiar characters make their appearance and I loved every second of my trip back to Wonderland. I can only hope that I can fall down the rabbit hole again...and again and again and again... :)

Favorite Quotes

“Tearing down the rest of the world won't make you happy. Look inside yourself. Because finding who you were meant to be? What you were put into this world to do? That's what fills the emptiness. It's the only things that can.” 

“No one knows what he or she is capable of until things are at their darkest.”

“I harden my glare and my heart.” 

“Sometimes a flame must level a forest to ash before new growth can begin.” 

Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?

""'If you were a gentleman, you would offer to buy me one as well.'

'If you were a lady, you would have waited for me to make the offer.'"

--Marissa Meyer, Scarlet



Genre: YA Fairy Tale Re-Telling, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, 464 pages

Publication Date: February 5th, 2013

Source: Bought

Goodreads

Goodreads Description

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts

Ermagosh. OK, so I thought Cinder was incredible. The futursitic re-telling of Cindrella...and she's a cyborg. SO sci-fi and nerdtastic, right?! Well, if I loved Cinder then there are no words to describe how I feel about Scarlet. Oh. My. Gosh. I went in with high expectations and they were still blown away. Amazing. Really. Oh and sidenote: I love books that are divided up into smaller books or sections. It's just a thing I have. And each book had a Litte Red Riding quote...uh-may-zing! Love love. K, I'm done. So before reading Scarlet, I knew that our main focus would be on our newest reimagined heroine and I came to terms with the fact that in all reality, Cinder probably wouldn't make an appearance until the end, if we were lucky. How wrong I was. Early on we meet up with Cinder (eep!) and her new companion Captain Thorne, also an escaped prisoner. Ok, maybe I'm crazy, and I don't know about you guys but please tell me you thought Throne was swoonworthy because I TOTALLY did. His sarcastic one-liners dripping with sex appeal. And that leather jacket?! I'll be your first mate or co-pilot or whatever the heck is people do on ships. Seriously. Anways. But for real, I was so excited and surprised to find Cinder so quickly. I thought it totally added to the whole of the story having simultenous storylines going. We get our new girl Scarlet and our old friend Cinder all in one shot. Loved this.

Now, on to Scarlet. I LOVED this girl. I have a weak spot for Little Red Riding Hood to begin with. Mostly because I love that darn cape she wear. I want a cape. Somebody find me a cape. So my expectations were really high with this characters, and again, Meyer blew this girl away. She is not one to be messed with. She can fire a shotgun, she stands up for those being persecuted, she risks life and limb for her grand-mere, and she talks back to Wolf...we'll get to him in a moment. One word: Kickass. She is stubborn with a cause and fights for what she believes in. She finds courage when there seems to be no hope left and she really never gives up when it comes to those she loves. Beautifully written character with a lot of depth and emotional complexity.

SPEAKING of her being emotionally complex. One of these complexities comes in the form of Wolf. The street fighter who offers to help her find her missing grandmother. Oh Wolf. Where do I begin with you. I'm gonna totally fangirl for a sec. RAWR! This guy is a hottie. Dark, scarred, rugged, he's a freakin' street fighter. I mean c'mon. I don't condone violence by any means but if it has to be there...okay. Sexy. I am such a weakling for the big, bad and strong man who is shy and slightly awkward. It is just too good. He is a character I definitely needed more of. While I really liked his overall character as well, I don't think we got enough of him. I know, call me crazy and selfish but I wanted more! Thank goodness we have two more books :) I really cannot wait to see what Meyer has in store for us with Wolf. He is so mysterious and messed up that I want to see where his head is at and what decisions he makes in the upcoming story. Eep!

The story itself does not disapoint or slow down in the least. It gets very political and I just loved this. This book doesn't dumb down real life issues going on within the government. This was one of my favorite parts. The instabilty of Earth's safety in regards to the Lunar people. The complexities of treaties and keeping the peace. I loved it. Kai's characters isn't featured a lot but his scenes are hugely important. It was really interesting to see his side of things and how they impacted our other characters. And Queen Levana. I honestly do not think there is another character in literature that I have read about that makes me angrier than Levana. Seriously. Her immaturity and actions make me have palpitations. I can't stand it. I KNOW it's for the story and the plot is so much better for it, so really this is a testament to Meyer's amazing writing that makes me hate (yes, I used that word and I do not use it often) her. Hate. I find this area of the story so real. I feel the Earth people's frustrations and fears because I legit feel them while reading. How infuriating to be dealing with a race of people that can control other people's minds?! And they have no weakness? And Levana wants to attack just because she wants to rule Earth. Why?! UGH! So frustrating because it is like she is unstoppable. No weakness. It is like nothing can bring her down...well, not nothing...maybe something...or somebody...

The 700th other thing that is amazing about this book is we get way more info on Cinder and her past. We know from the first book Cinder that Princess Selene escapes via a doctor. Reading more about this, and that's all I'm saying plot-wise, was so inspiring. I mean, these people involved risked their lives in order to save a very small child. They did so much to ensure her safety and protect her. It just brought a few tears to my eyes. It is just so selfless and inspiring. My heart just melted reading about the lengths people will go for the greater good and to help the innocent and protect justice. Just incredible. Some of my absolute favorite parts of the book.

I loved Scarlet. If you have not read it yet more it up in your TBR pile and if you have not read Cinder, hit yourself in the face and then go pick it up. For real. Ya wanna know what made me realize how much I loved this book? I miss it. I finished it earlier today and I honestly miss the characters. I want more of Cinder and Thorne and their banter. I want waaaay more of Scarlet and Wolf and their story. I want more Earthen history and to see where the fate of the world lies. Really. I miss these guys :( Makes me sad. Happy I have 2 more books coming my way...but sad I have to wait such a long time for it. Until then lovelies, may you all find your Prince Charming...or your big, bad Wolf... :)

Favorite Quotes

“She sighed, annoyed at her restlessness. “So,” she said, disrupting Wolf in another backward glance.
“Who would win in a fight—you or a pack of wolves?”
He frowned at her, all seriousness. “Depends,” he said, slowly, like he was trying to figure out her motive for asking. “How big is the pack?”
“I don’t know, what’s normal? Six?”
“I could win against six,” he said. “Any more than that and it could be a close call.”
Scarlet smirked. “You’re not in danger of low self-esteem, at least.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing at all.” She kicked a stone from their path. “How about you and … a lion?”
“A cat? Don’t insult me.”
She laughed, the sound sharp and surprising. “How about a bear?”
“Why, do you see one out there?”
“Not yet, but I want to be prepared in case I have to rescue you.”
The smile she’d been waiting for warmed his face, a glint of white teeth flashing. “I’m not sure. I’ve never had to fight a bear before.”

"Why is my ship talking back to me?"

"It's me, you idiot!"

Grow Up Already

" 'You love me,' she said. 'That's enough.

We love each other.'

'Yes. Yes, that's true.' He smiled.

'We are a love story.' "

--Jodi Lynn Anderson, Tiger Lily

Genre: YA Fairy Tale Re-Telling

Publisher: Harper Teen, 292 pages

Publication Date: July 3rd, 2012

Find on Goodreads

Goodreads Description

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything--her family, her future--to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

My Thoughts

So I kind of have some mixed feelings about this book. I don't know how to describe it. I feel as if I, myself, am in Neverland. Stuck in limbo between liking and loving this book. I'm still undecided. I think I have to percolate on this one a bit longer. Maybe I had too high of expectations going into it? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know. I definitely think this will be one of those books that I love more after digesting and thinking about it a bit longer. I digress. As always.

So Tiger Lily is a re-telling of Peter Pan, focusing on Tiger Lily, narrated by Tinker Bell. Already all the major players are involved before we even get past the first page. I love that the story is told from Tink's perspective. Because in this world faeries can read minds we get both an objective and subjective view of the situation. I found this to be so cool. Tinker Bell is an outsider but is so central to the story it is a fantastic balance of power of the narrator.

I want to get one reservation out of the way early and it actually leads into a huge compliment I have about the book. Confusing? Yeah, I know, but now you get a little insight into my mind about this. So, the story itself is completely intriguing. I am obsessed with fairy tales, I love re-tellings and this story was a perspective I never would have thought to explore. With that said it moved a little slow for me. This is both a plus and minus in my eyes. The plot moves very leisurely and unravels slowly which I didn't particularly care for BUT because it moves slowly we are able to be completely enveloped in Anderson's beautiful writing. And oh my, is it ever beautiful. This is my favorite aspect of the story. Her prose is just unreal. It is vivid and alive and Neverland seems real right in front of you. I cannot even begin to give justice to her skills with the written word. There are so many quotes I wrote down and took note of that I will highlight at the end of this post because it cannot be ignored. This writer is so talented, it is just amazing. 

Now onto our characters. Tiger Lily is the girl pushed aside in our Disney version, she is not the heroine in Walt's eyes...Wendy is. And if we choose to believe Anderson's view of the story, how wrong Walt was. Team Tiger Lily hands down. This beyotch is stronger, faster, better. She is an outcast in her tribe, the focus of all childhood torment, yet she is so much stronger and the better of it. She is cold and completely ignorant of the ways of human connection for the most part but will be the first one to stick up for somebody else being picked on. It's in her nature. She is a wounded girl who has no idea what to do with love or affection when it is handed to her. This makes her all the more endearing to me. 

Peter was a whole other story. I was never a real fan of him to begin with in all the movies (with the exception of the stage version with Cathy Rigby because that version is bitchin'). I just never really understood his point of view. Grow up, bro. Face the real world. And Wendy? Get a spine for goodness sakes. Don't wait for a man to always rescue you. Gag me. Unfortunately neither character gets too much sympathy from Anderson in her version of the tale either. Loved this. However, Peter did have some redeeming qualities that I found myself reaching out to. He was clearly a broken spirit and a very wounded and (pardon my pun) lost boy. He was the epitome of mixed signals. Pretending to be brave and strong and innocent and nice when in reality he was these things at some points...but he was also the exact opposite at others. I wanted him to fight more. Have convictions. Be a man! But alas, he is where we coin the term 'Peter Pan' syndrome for men, so what can I expect? Oh well. Lessons learned. 

The character exploration of Smee and Hook were also very interesting additions. Anderson gave these peripheral characters their own background, their own story, their own voice. This was genius to me. Because of this we are able to see the shades of gray that lie between the black and white of good and bad. Not everything is one side or the other unfortunately. 

The themes explored in the novel are what makes this book emotional. Obligation. Loyalty. Love. Determination. Tough choices are made. Good may not always conquer. And love is not as indestructible as one would want to believe. This book is harsh but truthful. I think it helps the reader explore that there can be another side to Happily Ever After.

Ok, so like I said, the more I think about this book and actually, while writing this review, I am loving this story more. The writing is beautiful. The words capture your heart. And the themes of love, heartache, obligation, and loyalty are so real and honest. It is not fast paced so be ready for a leisurely journey into Neverland. Don't forget the way. Second star on the right and straight on 'til morning...

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Had to quote Disney. Sue me. :)

Favorite Quotes

"She was fierce, to be sure, but she had a girl's heart, after all."

"She was the very picture of feminine mystery. All sharp teeth and soft lips."

“Let me tell you something straight off. This is a love story, but not like any you've ever heard. The boy and the girl are far from innocent. Dear lives are lost. And good doesn't win.” 

“Sometimes I think that maybe we are just stories. Like we may as well just be words on a page, because we're only what we've done and what we are going to do.”

Taking Chances on Love

"Well thank heavens for your particular way of panicking. 

Seriously. 

That was some quick thinking. 

I was panicking as well, but in a completely different way. 

Still, never would have thought to yell, 

'Rapunzel, thrown down your hair.'"

--Cindy C. Bennett, Rapunzel Untangled

Genre: YA Fairy Tale Re-Telling

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc., 304 pages

Publication Date: February 12th, 2013

Source: Digital ARC from NetGalley on behalf of publisher

Find on Goodreads 

Goodreads Description

Rapunzel is not your average teenager. 

For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction. But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is. 

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

My Thoughts

I'm such a girl! I love fairy tales! I ador fairy tales! I spent my childhood secretly hoping I was always some sort of long lost princess. *sigh* But seriously. I do love them. Self-proclaimed Disney fanatic. We know this. So I was sooooo excited when I was approved for this book on NetGalley! Like, screamed out loud when I got the e-mail. Eep! Ok, I must calm down. And ya know who else loves fairy tales, Rapunzel specifically, my baby sister Alyssa who turns 23 today!! Yay!!! So I HAD to post the review on her birthday because she loves Rapunzel and this story is too cute. :)

SO! This was definitely a fun read. I whipped though it in a day. Didn't really want to put it down in order to see how this Rapunzel re-telling would play out. To be honest, I've seen Tangled, no joke, about 50 times but I really have no idea what the details of the exact original Rapunzel story is. There is a brief paragraph by the author prior to the beginning that explains the original story and how she based her re-telling off of the original. I really liked that she did this to give a bit of a background on her story.

I found Rapunzel completely endearing. Her character was very believable and her fears and hopes were so evident that I was feeling them right along with her. Her naivety was just too precious. She was completely clueless on just about anything having to do with the real world. Enter Fane. Rapunzel's newest Facebook friend...no, I'm serious, that's how they meet. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but it was too funny. Their repartee is immediately hilarious and witty. The dialogue between these two characters had me giggling to myself and was just too cute. 

Rapunzel starts off, obviously, as completely sheltered and fearful. She has been told by Mother Gothel that she has an immune disease that prohibits her from going outside where the germs could kill her. Why wouldn't she believe this? It's all she knows. Her hesitation to break this is believable and I loved her for it. She had a great combination of being hesitant and brave. Fane was perfect for her. He pushed her to seek out answers but backed off when he knew it might be too much.

The mystery surrounding Mother Gothel was revealed in pieces perfectly. There are hints to it throughout the entire story and you get different parts revealed slowly but surely. I didn't know exactly what to expect her entire story to be, so I was surprised by this element because ya'll know she has ulterior motives and something else is going on...just what that is remains a mystery. The pacing I really liked. It was definitely a story. It moved at a brisk walk pace I would say. Leisurely but kept the story propelling forward and I was never bored while reading it.

The only thing I was really disappointed in was the ending. That should have been the best part but instead was the part I liked least. It felt very jumbled while I was reading, it was a bit hard to follow. Some of the decisions of the characters seem to come out of nowhere. A bit confusing. There was also another area at the end that I thought would have been explored but then was just left open. I don't know. I don't judge this book on the ending. It could have been better. But the rest of the story and build-up I really liked so I'll kind of give this book a past on the no-so-good conclusion.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a very light and fun read to end my work week on so I really enjoyed just kicking back, relaxing and enjoying a really cute story without having to think too hard. Like I said before, I looooove fairy tales, I will read re-telling whenever I can get my hands on them, so if you guys have any other recs for me I'll take them! And I'd check out this book if you are a Disney and fairy tale fan as I am. :)

Freebie! Top Ten Books That Influenced Me While Growing Up

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish gave this week's Top Ten Tuesday a freebie! The topic I chose was Top Ten Books That Influenced Me While Growing Up. Holidays are a time of nostalgia so I thought I would look back pay homage to the books that made me the crazy, voracious reader I am today <3

Childhood Influences

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry
I've gushed about this book countless time during my TTT. This book made me a reader, courted me into falling in love with dystopian stories, and was the initial white rabbit that pulled me down the rabbit hole. 

2. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Clearly Lois Lowry had a big impact on my growing up. While The Giver game me my love for dystopia, Number the Stars gave me my mission to read all I could about WWII and the Holocaust. I could not get enough of Annemarie's courage as somebody so young. She gave me courage through reading about her. 

3. Dr. Seuss
My earliest reading memory is from when I was about 4 and my parents signed up for this book in the mail program. So every few weeks a new set of Dr. Seuss books would arrive and I remember running to the mailbox every.single.day. wishing and hoping I would see my mother pull out a small, brown rectangular box that I knew would contain hours of joy. *sigh*

4. Matilda by Roald Dahl
To discover as a child a book about a child who loves to read...what?! I'm not alone?! I think I destroyed my copy of Matilda growing up. Reading about her taking her wagon the library and coming back with a stack of books made me so happy...plus I always wanted magic powers...and she had both...baller.

Middle School Influences

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Need I say more?...Ok, I will. Ultimate story of good versus evil. It's about sacrifice and courage and strength in conviction, but most of all it's about love. I grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. When they started coming out I was the same age as they were in the book in the successive years they came out. It was fate <3

6. I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson
I have not read this since I was in middle school, maybe high school, but I know how much this book meant to me. This was Number the Stars 2.0 because as a middle schooler, I could now read about the actual horrors that Number the Stars only alluded to. This book broke my heart but left me wanting to know so much more about the Holocaust and its survivors.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Narnia, like Harry Potter, is just the symbol of goodness and doing the right thing. I love the Christian values that are laced throughout the entire series. The last book in particular is so beautiful I remember reading the last chapter over and over again. Couldn't get enough.

8. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
I, like all other adolescent girls, had more questions than an annoying teacher when it came to getting your period and what the hell happened after that. This book was a beacon of light in a time of outlandish confusion and insecurity. Even though the book is dated now, and let's be real it was dated when I read it, it still was a perfect read in regards to what I was going through...I must, I must...well, you know the rest ;)

High School Influences

10. Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews
This book did not so much influence me as give me a healthy appetite for the creepy and totally messed genre of books. I read it because my mother had read it as a teenager and liked it and I think I read this book 5 or 6 times in high school. It is deranged and twisted and weird but oh so fantastic!

10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I feel like every adolescent and human being on this Earth should read this book. It talks about the injustice and horrible treatment that humans do to one another. It made me want to fix it. This book influenced me in so many ways, most obvious in the proper treatment of all people regardless of color. It is just a perfect piece of literature.

Can't wait to see what your freebie topics are! Peace and love!