Requiem For A Dream

"How can someone have the power to shatter you to dust

--and also to make you feel so whole?"

--Lauren Oliver, Requiem

Genre: YA Dystopian

Publisher: HarperTeen, 400 pages

Publication Date: March 5th, 2013
Source: ARC won from Epic Reads

Find on Goodreads

Goodreads Description

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge

My Thoughts

*WARNING* PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU HAVE NOT READ DELIRIUM OR PANDEMONIUM, SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THOSE BOOKS

Oofta. Not gonna lie. I did my re-read of Delirium and Pandemonium in prep for Requiem. I am so happy I did! I absolutely was obsessed with re-living Lena's story and all the emotions were still there if not accentuated. It was lovely. But it also didn't make it any easier. The agony of the heart-wrenching situations were just as poignant and painful the second time around. Call me a masochist but I loved it. Every heart pounding second of it. 

So. Requiem. This book is a beautiful final piece to the Delirium puzzle. I refuse to really delve too much into the plot because I do not want to ruin any moment or aspect of this book to the huge following that these books have. The only thing I will say, which the synopsis says, is that it is told in alternating perspectives of Hana and Lena. This was amazing. It was so clever to give us an insight into the mind of Hana and what was going on since Lena left. That is all. Shortly, I absolutely loved it. It had every single element of a dystopian book that I look for. The heart pounding urgency of the situation at hand. The 'down with the man' attitude of the characters that make them stand up for what they believe in. The sacrifices the characters make in order to give everything they have to rebel against the oppression that they face. The fight. The despair. The hopelessness. But ultimately...the love. This books highlights the ugly truth and the blinding beauty that love encompasses. 

The writing, again, is breathtaking. The inner monologues of the characters always tend to have these deep, profound passages that I find myself reading over and over again. When I find these, it's almost like a little treasure hidden within the text of the book. It makes the journey that much more meaningful. Everything in this book just felt so real. The war is real. The hopelessness of the situations felt so real. The emotions were raw. The actions were honest. The characters get even better if you can even imagine that. The depth and emotions the characters were feeling had me right alongside them the entire time. My chest hurt. My heart pounded. My eyes cried. I was a wreck in such a good way. Brilliant writing does that to you. It takes you away and transfers you right into the story. Their pain is your pain. Their happiness, your happiness. I cannot get enough of books like this. Brilliance. 

The book in it's entirety is amazing. Our characters go through so much. They fight so hard for love and what they believe it, it is inspiring. I know this is a shorter review than normal and I feel like it's not my best work but seeing as it is the final book and is hasn't come out yet, I just cannot talk in more detail because I just could not be okay with myself if I took away any of the story from those who haven't read it. It was an phenomenal end to this breathtaking story...I only wish I had a little more time with these characters. :)

Coming Back From Death

"You can build a future out of anything. 

A scrap, a flicker. 

The desire to go forward, 

slowly, 

one foot at a time."

--Lauren Oliver, Pandemonium

Genre: YA Dystopian

Publisher: HarperTeen, 375 pages

Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Source: Won from Goodreads last year

Find on Goodreads

Goodreads Description

Lena joins the resistance effort against the oppressive government and fights for freedom.
After escaping from Portland, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community. Weak and grieving for Alex, Lena fights to survive. And then she fights her oppressors.
As the viewpoint shifts between Lena's time in the Wilds and the present day, which is set in Brooklyn, Lena transforms into a warrior for the resistance. In New York City, the grass-roots movement for a Deliria-Free America (the DFA) is gathering strength, and its leader, Thomas Fineman, recruits more supporters by the day. His son Julian--as-yet uncured--heads up the DFA's youth organization. Lena is tasked with blending into the DFA's rallies; she seems to be a supporter yet she is really a spy.

My Thoughts

I'm scared. Nervous. Slightly tachycardic. Maybe a little more than anxious. 2 reasons. 1. Again, because writing this review will be difficult to put in words how amazing it truly is. 2. Because I finished Pandemonium, now I have to read Requiem...and I'm scared. In both good and bad ways. I cannot WAIT to find out what happens...but the other part of me wants to live in ignorant bliss a little longer because I have NO idea what is going to happen...Eep! Ok, whatever, who am I kidding? I'm gonna speed write this review, gush about it's amazingness and then spend the next 7 hours binge reading Requiem until it is finished. Let's be honest, here.

Ok, SO! Pandemonium is written Then and Now. It picks up with Lena's story about how she found life in the Wilds and where she is now, which is New York City. Her tale is heart-breaking yet so inspiring all at the same time. This is due, obviously, in all parts to the writing. Hot damn, Lauren Oliver, do you know how to write emotions! Seriously! The heart-wrenching agony I feel while reading Lena's story makes my chest hurt. The prose is beyond beautiful and these novel are truly story-telling. Her words are raw and honest and so emotionally driven you feel like you are right there beside Lena the entire time. Utter skill. No two ways about it. Oliver is a ridiculously talented writer and I read in awe. 

As hard and emotionally draining as it was to read about the horrors of what Lena has had to do and see to survive, these were some of my favorite parts. If I thought Lena transformed in the last book, honey, I ain't seen nothin yet. Lena is a force to be reckoned with. She pushes herself to the brink of destruction every single day not only to grow and become strong again...but also to possibly not have to wake up the next morning. That line in the book broke a part of me because it was filled with so much raw truth and complete agony that I felt what Lena was feeling. Her despair. Her lack of hope. Her whole world fell apart in front of her eyes right when it was supposed to be starting. Sad does not begin to delve into the depth of her emotional psyche. Reading about her journey to become a new Lena was nothing short of brilliant. I loved it. Can't say it any better than that.

Julian was a great addition to the fold. Watching his journey mirror Lena's from Delirium was so clever. Lena became the Alex to Julian and in doing so, Julian did many of the same things Lena did in the first book. His stories and life experiences had my heart breaking for him as well. He was not as clear and cut-out of a character as we were initially introduced to. He has layers. Hopes. Dreams. Fears. While he in no way got into my heart like Alex did, I do really like him as a character. The other periphery characters I also really liked. Raven, Tack, Sarah, Hunter and Blue all had distinct voices and I would love to get a little bit more on their background, but alas, the book can only be so long. 

The ending...oofta. Ripped my heart out much like the first book. I cannot lie though, it wasn't too much of a shocker to me. To be perfectly honest, I was expecting it the entire book, it was more of a when kind of thing for me. Which is fine, I didn't feel ripped off even though I had a feeling of what was going to happen, I wanted it to. 

This book is phenomenal. The writing is beautiful. The characters are real. The ending...I can't even talk about the ending because I need to go read what happens next as to not dwell and start crying again...until Requiem!!!!

Remember, They Cannot Take It

"But it does not tell you this: 

that love will turn the whole world 

into something greater than itself."

--Lauren Oliver, Delirium

Genre: YA Dystopian

Publisher: HarperTeen, 441 pages

Publication Date: February 1st, 2011
Source: Bought

Find on Goodreads

Goodreads Description

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

My Thoughts

...This is gonna be really hard...I'm gonna try to make this make sense and start at the beginning. So, this isn't the first time I've read Delirium. I won an ARC of Requiem (eeeeep!!!!!) from Epic Reads because I was the luckiest human alive that day and because of this I wanted to read the entire series, start to finish, all 3 books, and experience the entire story. I like to remember my original thoughts and feelings while re-reading. I looooove re-reading. AND I like to have all details of the story fresh in my mind before a new installment of the series comes out. ALSO, triple word score on this book, with re-reading that means I get to write a review. I read this before I started blogging so now I get to unleash all my inner thoughts of this amazing piece of work. So, here we go...

Like I said above this is going to be hard...I love this book. Love. Pun intended. I have a full blown case of amor deliria nervosa. Lock me away in the Crypts. I can't help it. It's there. Because of this, I feel like I won't be able to verbalize all my feelings that happened while reading but I'll try. So first off, the entire concept that love is a disease because it doesn't let you think clearly or rationally is so bloody brilliant and clever that I've read this book now twice, and I'm still slack-jawed in awe. It makes so much sense. I'm not saying I want the cure, but how Oliver describes it attributes as being a disease is nothing short of high-class creativity. Amazing.

Know what else is amazing? The characters. Lena is our main girl and she is on the straight and narrow. Her family has had previous run-ins with the regulators and all she wants is to fly under the radar, get cured, and not ever worry about getting sick. But that doesn't happen, does it? Not in the least. Lena falls in love. Her character is one of my hands down favorites in YA literature. She is so real and believable and genuine. She takes a lot of convincing to see the cracks in the way of life around her. Of all the YA dystopian female characters, Lena is the one I can see myself the most in. While in my head I would love to think of myself as badass and rebellious rebel without a cause that knows inherently how to kick major ass...in reality, I'm a lot like Lena. I respect authority. I follow the rules. I like to keep things in order. Do I have a thick head and stubborn streak and always speak my mind? Yes. But when it comes to a dystopian rebellion, I would need some encouragement to change the way I've been thinking for the past 2 and a half decades. I would be very similar to Lena in the respect. Her transformation in this novel is one of the best, if not the best, in all the books I've read. At the beginning she is awkward and unsure and completely against all resistance but by the end she is so strong. And confident. And wants to stand up for what she believes. Oh, it is just beautiful to see her grow so much in one book.

Alex. Where do I even begin with this one? The entire book the first time I read it ripped my soul a little because of how good it was. Second time around...wasn't any easier. Alex is just perfection. His character is so damn adorable. He's kind, caring, sweet, thoughtful and oh so honorable. He loves Lena and sees into who she is inside before she even knew. I found this piece of the story one of my favorites because that is what I think true love should do to you. Help you see the other person's strengths even before they themselves do. Alex and Lena do this for one another. The believe in each other. It is inspiring.

The writing of this novel is too good for words to capture. The emotional draw of her words makes you feel like you're jumping into the pages themselves. I felt surrounded by them. I fell down the rabbit hole without a doubt. My chest ached at certain points because the writing is so poignant and just plain beautiful. The fact that love is central theme of this book is amazing. I love a good dystopia and I found this one refreshing in respect that is dealt a lot on one emotion. Love is so prevalent and powerful; I could not get enough of this theme. The discussion of sacrifice, too, is a beautiful theme in this novel. So many people give up so much in order to fight and stand up for love. It truly is inspiring.

I don't say this about a lot of books, only a select few, but this book is characterized to me as a soul-ripper. So good. So powerful. So emotional that you can feel it inside you. Because of this, I feel like my soul tore a little because of how emotionally invested I was in this book. I had to keep updating my Goodreads and Twitter status because every time I found a good quote, I HAD to share it! So, if you want, I'm adding a few of my favorites down here. If you have not read this yet, please do so, you will not regret it. It is beyond amazing. :) On to Pandemonium!

Favorite Quotes

"You can build walls all the way to the sky and I will find a way to fly above them. You can try to pin me down with a hundred thousand arms, but I will find a way to resist. And there are many of us out there, more than you think. People who refuse to stop believing. People who refuse to come to earth. People who love in a world without walls, people who love into hate, into refusal, against hope, and without fear"

"It's amazing how words can do that, just shred your insides apart. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me - such bullshit.” 

“No guy in his right mind would ever choose me when there are people like Hana in the world...So I'll be happy to receive my neat, printed sheet of 'Approved Matches.' It means I'll end up with somebody. It won't matter if nobody ever thinks I'm pretty (although sometimes I wish, just for a second, that somebody would).” 

“Sometimes I feel as though there are two me's, one coasting directly on top of the other: the superficial me, who nods when she's supposed to nod and says what she's supposed to say, and some other, deeper part, the part that worries and dreams... Most of the time they move along in sync and I hardly notice the split, but sometimes it feels as though I'm two whole different people and I could rip apart at any second.” 

"But it does not tell you this: that love will turn the whole world into something greater than itself.""

"Love, the deadliest of all deadly things: It kill you both when you have it and when you don't...Love: It will kill you and save you, both.""

"Most things, even the greatest movements on earth, have their beginnings in something small.""

Finding Your Inner Animal

"'One day,' she said, 'I'll catch dreams like butterflies.'

'And then what?' he asked.

'Then I'll put them between the pages of big, fat books and press 

them until they're words.'

'Suppose there's someone who never dreams of anything but you?'

'Maybe then we're both words in a book. Two names among all the others.'" 

--Kai Meyer, Arcadia Awakens

Genre: YA Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, 452 pages

Publication Date: February 14th, 2012

Find On Goodreads

Source: ARC won from Epic Reads

Goodreads Description: 

To New Yorker Rosa Alcantara, the exotic world of Sicily, with its network of Mafia families and its reputation for murder and intrigue, is just that—exotic, and wholly unknown. But when tragedy strikes, she must travel there, to her family’s ancestral home, where her sister and aunt have built their lives and where centuries of family secrets await her. Once there, Rosa wastes no time falling head over heels for Alessandro Carnevare, the son of a Sicilian Mafia family, whose handsome looks and savage grace both intrigue and unsettle her. But their families are sworn enemies, and her aunt and sister believe Alessandro is only using Rosa to infiltrate the Alcantara clan. And when Rosa encounters a tiger one night—a tiger with very familiar eyes—she can no longer deny that neither the Carnevares nor the Alcantaras are what they seem.

Ancient myths brought to life in the Sicilian countryside, dangerous beasts roaming the hills, and a long history of familial bloodlust prove to Rosa that she can’t trust anyone—not even her own family. Torn between loyalty to her aunt and love for her family’s mortal enemy, Rosa must make the hardest decision of her life: stay in Sicily with her new love . . . or run as far and as fast as she can.

My Thoughts

Wow. I am so in love with this book. I have never been more excited to write a review! I must premise this entire review by stating that I am Sicilian. My great-grandmother came over from the old country in the early 1900s. My family is steeped in Sicilian tradition, it is something that I identify with completely. I have had since as long as I can remember an intense desire...no, need to go back to the place where my family came from. It feels like a physical part of me and I can feel the fire of it burning inside me. In fact, if I had my way, I would do what Rosa did and just up and move there. I did have the opportunity to go to Italy last year which was AMAZING and it felt like home. I thought that my fire was fed and my soul was sated after going there...but after reading this book and picturing the landscape and reading about the Mafioso and the families...I feel a homesickness for a place I've never even been. I can't explain it, it is what it is, it is a passion that I have that I can give no better words for.

Anyways. Back to the book. We are introduced to Rosa and her odd habits immediately. I love her. She is like a wounded animal that must be approached with caution always. She is tough, unapologetic, fierce, fiery and just a cool chick. She wears metal studded boots, she carries a stapler as a weapon...I want this girl to be my friend...mostly so that if I ever meet her in a dark alley she is my ally not my enemy. Her characterization is beautiful in this book. With all that tough stuff said, there is a very tender side to her as well. She loves her sister and would do absolutely anything for her. Her loyalty to those she loves is unwavering. Very old school Italian. Love. What I like most about her is that she reminds me of myself a little bit. I tend to have this very rough and cynical attitude most of the time, especially about love, but I have moments myself where I find myself wanting to cry for no reason, wanting nothing more than a hand to hold in the dark and to comfort me when I'm sick. Rosa has these moments as well. She erupts with emotion only when she absolutely has to, I'm the same way, I can very easily relate to her on a personal level.

The interconnecting drama and secrets between all the different clans of families was amazingly interesting. The shady business dealings, the feuds between clans and members of their own families, the paranormal element that I will NOT give away. It was all amazing! The slow unraveling of secrets kept the plot going and every time I put the book down I was wondering what was going to happen next.

The landscape descriptions were beautiful. I could see, feel, hear and smell Sicily in my mind's eye (and nose and touch). The ruins fascinated me. The mix of mythology interweaving with current affairs was a fantastic component to add to the mix as well. I want to see it all. I may or may not have been looking up flights to Palermo...it's happening. I'm serious, it has to. I'm going this year. If I have to go by myself I will do it...

I digress...Again...Surprise, surprise. The love story was very exciting. Very Romeo and Juliet, yet another reason why I loved this book. It wasn't instantaneous love, Rosa has a good head on her shoulders, she went into it with eyes wide open. His name is Alessandro and I was mentally drooling...my Nonna hopes with all hope I do find myself a nice Sicilian boy to marry and make babies with. Me too, Nonna, me too :) Alessandro is a very strong character. He is driven, relentless, vengeful but also kind and caring as well. He was a perfect mix of macchisimo and gentle spirit. Loved him.

I cannot wait to see where the rest of this story goes! I got the ARC of Arcadia Burns from Epic Reads and I am sooooo excited to start it!! This book felt like a sort of homecoming to me. I have never found a book that takes place in Sicily (besides The Godfather, of course) so it felt beyond amazing to read about a place I find so special and about family values that felt so familiar. Now you might be wondering if my family, like Rosa's, was part of the Mafia?...Well, like Gossip Girl once said...that's a secret I'll never tell... :)

The Other Woman

"How easily Life can flick us.

Like an idle boy's fingernail against a tiny fly.

We are so fragile, our destinies changed so easily 

by a quarrel, a smile, a death--or marriage."

--Isolde Martyn

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises Australia
Publication Date: February 5th, 2013
Source: eARC provided by NetGalley
Find on Goodreads

Goodreads Description

The day Lord Hastings came into her husband’s store, Elizabeth saw the opportunity she had waited twelve years for — a way to separate herself once and for all from her dull, impotent husband, William Shore. The handsome stranger presented not only the chance to partake in the dance of desire, but legal counsel to annul her 12-year marriage.

She did not, however, foresee her introduction to the King of England, nor her future at his side…and in his bed. From this unlikely alliance, Elizabeth is granted severance from Shore, and finds herself flourishing in the radiance of the King’s admiration. But she soon finds that her new position comes at a terrible price — her family has shunned her, the people of London have labelled her a harlot and the Queen’s family want her to burn in Hell.

So long as King Edward and Lord Hastings stay close, Elizabeth is safe. However, her beloved Ned falls ill and Lord Hastings falls out of favour.Can Elizabeth's wiles keep her out of trouble? Or will they lead her to further trouble...and the hangman's noose?

My Thoughts

Alright. I think I have a problem and it is this. I love historical fiction, we all know this, if you didn't before now you do. Specifically, historical fiction that discusses English history and even moreso than that the Plantagenet and Tudor dynasties. Oh. My. Gosh. I cannot get enough!! Herein lies the problem: It is the same friggin' story every.single.time. History is history. You can't change it. I know the ending before I even crack open the first page. I am well aware who dies, how, and when. But do you think I ever pass up the opportunity to read about the same tale but maybe from a slightly different perspective? The answer?...Hell. Frickin'. No. I love this genre. So much it almost hurts my chest how much I enjoy this era. It's getting a little ridiculous as well as scary.

This version of our story is about Elizabeth Shore, most infamous mistress to Edward IV *swoon*. Oh yeah. Here's another thing. When I read about historical fiction, I do in fact drool over real-life men that existed approximately 600 years ago. Sorry not sorry. So I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Woodville, the Queen and wife of Edward IV, so when I have read other novels mentioning Shore I loathed her. She was the mistress, the whore, the concubine of a historical figure I love and his wife is one of my favs as well. I did not like this woman. Adultery, obvi not okay in my book. 

However, the writing and perspective of this novel is excellent. I found myself sympathizing with her character and really liking her in fact. I know! Nobody is more surprised than me, let me tell you. Elizabeth Shore is perceived as a good person who made poor choices and loved the wrong man...but she did love him. She is written in such a way that makes the reader understand her perspective and respect her for it. Her life was not easy and she did the best she could. What I also loved about her characterization was her fiery attitude. This woman had an attitude to boot and you heard her opinion whether you wanted to or not. Loved this.

My other favorite parts of this novel were the rare appearance of Elizabeth Woodville. There were a few scenes where Shore and Woodville interacted and the tension could have been cut with a knife. Oh man was it uncomfortable. Hilarious. Awkward. Overall, brilliant additions to the story. Had to address that wife that we all knew he had in some way, and the way Martyn does this is quite clever. The dialogue was to die for. 

I am a little biased because I do love this genre but I felt that while I was reading it I was just zooming through it. I didn't want to put it down. I knew the basics of Shore's story but I HAD to know how she got into the situations she did and what did happen to her after Edward's death? I loved it all. The whole novel had a great pace to it. Lingered enough to keep you wanting more but fast enough to keep you turning the pages. I would definitely recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers as well as people like me who are obsessed with the Plantagenet family. 

A Dramatic Kind of History

"We detest that kind of showy, excessive waste. 

Did you know you could feed one hundred families for a year 

on the money spent just on the flowers for one ball?"

--T.J. Brown, Summerset Abbey

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Publisher: Gallery Books, Imprint of Simon & Schuster, 288 pages

Publication Date: January 15th, 2013

Source: eARC received from NetGalley

Find on Goodreads

Goodreads Description:

1913: In a sprawling manor on the outskirts of London, three young women seek to fulfill their destinies and desires amidst the unspoken rules of society and the distant rumblings of war. . . . Rowena Buxton 

Sir Philip Buxton raised three girls into beautiful and capable young women in a bohemian household that defied Edwardian tradition. Eldest sister Rowena was taught to value people, not wealth or status. But everything she believes will be tested when Sir Philip dies, and the girls must live under their uncle’s guardianship at the vast family estate, Summerset Abbey. Standing up for a beloved family member sequestered to the “underclass” in this privileged new world, and drawn into the Cunning Coterie, an exclusive social circle of aristocratic “rebels,” Rowena must decide where her true passions—and loyalties—lie.

Victoria Buxton 
Frail in body but filled with an audacious spirit, Victoria secretly dreams of attending university to become a botanist like her father. But this most unladylike wish is not her only secret—Victoria has stumbled upon a family scandal that, if revealed, has the potential to change lives forever. . . .

Prudence Tate 
Prudence was lovingly brought up alongside Victoria and Rowena, and their bond is as strong as blood. But by birth she is a governess’s daughter, and to the lord of Summerset Abbey, that makes her a commoner who must take her true place in society—as lady’s maid to her beloved “sisters.” But Pru doesn’t belong in the downstairs world of the household staff any more than she belongs upstairs with the Buxton girls. And when a young lord catches her eye, she begins to wonder if she’ll ever truly carve out a place for herself at Summerset Abbey.

My Thoughts

Ok, so that is quite the long descpription, is it not? Wowza, apologies on all that text. Anywho. So Summerset Abbey has that beautiful historical fiction feel that gives me warm fuzzies the entire time I'm reading it. Turn of the century for the most part, aristocracy is on the way out, women are speaking up, old stodgy men with their tumblers are being left speechless due to the "audacity" of the talk of mixing of the classes. *sigh* It's all so brilliant isn't it? I love the the idea of the old British aristocracy system...but after reading this book I've come to the conclusion that all this servant stuff was a bunch of bull. I mean, c'mon, all this talk about duty and honor and loyalty? You people are hired help, servants, the owners of the huge mansion you sleep in don't care about you. It made me sad. Oof, but my thoughts are all jumbled, ok, small rant over, let's get to the meat of the book.

I enjoyed reading Summerset Abbey. It was a lovely historical picture of a time when lots of changes were happening so I loved reading about this. The talk of dinners and tea and changing into multiple gowns a day had me day dreaming about balls and petticoats. The characters for the most part I enjoyed. The main focus of the story is Prudence, the governess' daughter who grew up with Victoria and Rowena as another sister. When their father dies the girls are forced to move in with their Uncle who does not see Prudence as an extended member of the family, but rather another servant. This does not bode well with the girls. Enter the plot thickening.

I loved Prudence. She was a beautifully written character. She was strong, she made the best of her dire circumstances, she held her head high, and she stuck up for herself when necessary. I really, really liked her and I was rooting for her completely the entire novel. Victoria, the younger sister, was amazing as well. Frail in physical stature but fierce in persona. This girl was a fighter. She constantly stuck up for Prudence and fought for her to be by their side and did not give up until she...well, you read it for yourself to find out :) Rowena, on the other hand, I could not stand. Ugh, she was so weak and malleable and just so unlikable. I'm sure she was written this way as to further the plot or we would have no story...but still, I didn't like her. She let her Uncle treat Pru the way he did and her excuse every time in her inner monologue was 'Well, what can I do?' Uh...stand up for your supposed SISTER!? Aggravating. Immature. Useless. I felt so bad for Pru and Victoria because with them being so strong, seeing their sister as such a weak individual was probably heart-breaking.

The plot moved a little bit slower than I would have liked. While I loved reading about the times and the dressings, I could only take so much. There was a mystery involved in the story that was pretty predictable. Not every detail did I have worked out but the big picture I caught on to straight away which had me mentally probing the plot, c'mon, move faster, there ya go now, let's get movin'. The supporting characters were good but forgettable. There were small doses of romance interspersed with the rest of the story. I liked these. I would have liked to see them develop a little bit more but there is a second book coming out in March so we don't have to wait long to see what happens next.

I liked the ending but it was a little abrupt. The story built slowly and then felt like it just dropped off the edge of the cliff. The epilogue was informative but vague at the same time for me. I see how things wrapped up but it didn't go into a lot of detail about it. I wish there would have been a little bit more of an eloquent conclusion. But, like I said, there is a book 2. 

I liked reading about the historical drama of English aristocrats. The descriptions were lovely, the main characters were beautifully written, the only downside was the pacing. I will be reading the next installment of Summerset Abbey mostly because I can't wait to see what is in store for all three sisters...Rowena included :)

Alterations in Code

"'I know some Trekkies who would probably love to go out with you,' 

I say without thinking.

The laughter rings out of her.

'Oh, god,' she says. 'Geeks?'

'Geeks are cool. Anyway, who doesn't want to be a superhero, 

or at least date one?'"

--A.D. Croucher

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Publisher: Darren Croucher, paperback 219 pages

Release Date: July 16th, 2012

Find on Goodreads 

Source: Print copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

I was SO excited to start reading this! The premise sounded really good, and I was not disappointed in the result of the book. Again, I started this book while on my work week and I was still able to finish it in a few days. Altered definitely kept me on my sci-fi swing and I have been feeling geek-tastic for quite awhile.  But I'm getting ahead of myself...as always...:)

So Altered is about a boy named Reese whose story begins in the midst of a car jacking...obviously I was immediately intrigued...but also a little confused. They're stealing a car? Oh wait, 2 cars? Aren't they teenagers....? Who are these delinquints?...Wait, what? They live in Detroit? OH!! Ok, this all makes sense now...totally normal. But seriously, my weirded out threshold did definitely go down after learning they were living in Detroit. Sorry Detroit, no offense, but you've got 8 Mile, I'm not surprised by kids jackin' cars, in fact, I totally enjoyed the entire opening of the novel. So for reasons you will have to read about, Reese flees the scene and when his Dad finds him he tells Reese they have to go back to the doctor who cured Reese of a disease when he was younger. Reese has been experiencing...unique symtpoms as of late, to say the least. They go to this doctor and from there Reese is subjected to tests of various natures and really, from there you've gotta pick it up yourself. :)

Not my best summary but this is one of those books that I think authors love to write and readers hate to love. This reason being that so much is kept in secret. You horribly mean authors you, you are hoarding all the secrets and me as a greedy and impatient reader want to know everything! Why must you toy with my mind and emotions like this!? Because I am a geek, I loooooved the genetic, scientific and medical aspect of the story. All the talk of different diseases and cures was so interesting! Why was Reese sick? How was he cured? What is going on now? ALL of these answers I HAD to know but as good writers do, we only got a little bit piece by piece. Great storytelling, awful for the impatient reader :) I looooved the piece by piece info we did get and I looooved thinking about it and trying to dissect the meaning and medical rationale behind it all. 

I adored Reese's character! His self-deprecating humor had me laughing out loud because it was totally realistic. The dialogue and the internal monologues were great. Humorous yet honest and emotional. The moments of Reese remembering his mother were heartfelt and some of my favorite parts of the book. Erika's characterization felt so real as well. Without ruining the story, Erika is doubtful as first (legit) and doesn't immediately jump to believe the cute boy in front of her. She waits, investigates on her own and makes her own decisions. LOVE this about her. Her loyalty was also completely unquestionable. She stood strong and stuck by those she cared about. I also totally loved the juxtaposition of the fact that Reese's side effects were mental whereas Erika's were physical. It is almost always the opposite. The male is physically strong and the female is mentally superior. I love love loved that it was the opposite in this book!

This book was very fast-paced and definitely a quick read! The sci-fi elements unravel throughout the book and getting little bits of information here and there definitely helps build the momentum and suspense of the story. My only problem was I would have really liked to see the relationship with Erika and Reese build a little bit more but this is the first book in the series and I have a feeling this is just the beginning for them :) Again, this is my problem with being a greedy reader! I am anxious to see what happens next and where Reese's story goes from here! I definitely have a few unanswered questions that I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for our characters!

That's not all! Check back tomorrow for a guest post by A.D. Croucher themselves where they talk about their inspiration for their sci-fi young adult novel that I just talked about :)

You can purchase Altered at
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Find the authors on 
Twitter @darrenwriter
Their Blog Dreaming Between The Lines

You Think You Know...

""'You lost your memory 

but you had time to go bra shopping?'""

--Dan Krokos, False Memory

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Publisher: Disney Hyperion, 327 pages

Release Date: August 14th, 2012

Find On Goodreads

So in order to pay my crack-like addiction known as buying books and reading I work full-time as a Registered Nurse (totally kidding, I love my job...even on the days where I get blood in my hair and face...that actually happened this week FYI...Day in the life of a nurse fun fact :)). K, anyways, so because I work as a nurse I have this crazy work schedule where I work 7 days in a row and then have 7 days off. Clearly, the 7 days I work I am pretty much dead to the world because I work 10 hours days but still try and find some time to read in between the hospital and fighting not to pass out unconscious the minute I get home. I started reading False Memory on Sunday, the day before my 7 day stretch began and let me tell you this...huge mistake. I have to get up at 5:20 am for 7 days in a row and because of this book I was staying up until 11:30 pm for 3 nights in a row in order to read. That's the kind of book this is. It will grab your attention immediately, keep you thinking, scratching your head, and continually make you turn the pages to see what happens next. 

False Memory opens with a girl named Miranda North...yep, that's about it. She knows her name and that she is a girl and that she is currently standing in a mall. From there, we are harpooned into Miranda's quest to find her past, her present and her future. She discovers she is one part of a four person uber-skilled fighting team that have the ability to mentally instill fear into those around them. They are called the Roses...that right there is pretty badass. These people can take out a crowd both mentally and physically yet they are known by the same name as a delicate flower. 'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.' Well I don't know if you could call these kids sweet...actually if you did they might very well kick the shit out of you. Ah, I just love the contradiction of delicate being used to describe something so deadly. So clever!

This book never slows down. Every time I wanted to stop reading after a certain chapter, something happens and I would want to keep going...thus staying up until 1130, oh well, totally worth it. The plot is constantly twisting and turning and throwing you for a loop. I had to read several sections a few times in order to fully wrap my head around every small detail...but I'm a huge nerd that needs to understand and connect absolutely everything so keep that in mind. I looooved the scientific element behind it. Gene therapy, brain manipulation, memory removal, it is beyond geek-tastic amazing. 

While this book has fantastic action scenes and a lot of momentum it is not an empty shell of guns and sword fighting. The characters have depth. They are complex. And even more than that they really care and love each other. It is so very sweet...ok, I lied maybe and you can describe them as sweet...I hope they don't read this and kick my ass...anyways, Miranda is so cool. Nothing eloquent or verbally clever about my description she is a kickass chick. She can fight, she is smart, and she stands her ground. Love this. I also really enjoyed how she didn't dwell on things that happened in the past that she couldn't really remember. I particularly liked the whole Noah interaction. She knew he was her boyfriend prior to her memory loss but she didn't let that cloud her judgement of the current situation. She let herself make her own choices and decisions based on her current life experiences so far. I don't know why but I just really liked this about her. Almost like she didn't rest on her laurels. And Peter! LOVED Peter! I imagined him as one of those guys who is so kind, so thoughtful, and so great but gets overlooked because he is so nice. He seems to always put others before himself and in doing that he lets others step in and make a move for things (or people *wink wink*) he wants. He deserves happiness and to get things he wants too and I was rooting for him the whole time. 

Not only are there lots of fight scenes and tons of action there were several parts of the plot that absolutely wrenched my heart. It was so well written and I felt such empathy for the characters that as twisted as the situation might have been it was also strangely beautiful in a way. The idea of making decisions that affect the greater good and sacrifice for those you love is a theme I fall in love with over and over again. The relationships that Miranda develops with one boy in particular I loved!

The ending is fantastic...slightly head scratching but in a totally amazing way! I love books that make you think and connect plot points and this is definitely one of those books. I cannot WAIT to see what happens in the next book! Is it next August, yet?!?! Argh! :)

A Prophecy of Underwhelming Proportions

"'How I wish I'd had a daughter.'"

--Ellen Oh, Prophecy

Genre: YA Fantasy and Paranormal

Publisher: HarperTeen, 326 pages

Publication Date: January 2nd, 2013

Find on Goodreads

Source: ARC received from EpicReads, thanks ladies!!

Goodreads Description:

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Happy New Year!! Ok, so to be perfectly honest, I really had no idea what to expect when starting this book. I heard it was action-packed (plus) and was about the only female soldier in the King's army (double plus). I love a badass chick as much as the next person so I was definitely intrigued, but then to find out the entire novel is based in Asian culture...oh.my.gosh.excited. I loooooove reading historical fiction about the Asian culture. 

With all that said this book never really fully grabbed my attention. I did love the Asian influence of the novel and the beginning of the book was quite good. After the initial introduction of the demons that lurk underneath human's skin the plot started to drag a little. I felt like the world building outside of the main city was a little lacking. I had a bit of a hard time visualizing what was going on. I also felt that the telling of the plot itself zig-zagged a bit too much for my liking and wasn't as linear as I would have liked. Thinking back on how the book progressed I have a hard time remembering what situation propelled what outcome and what happened first, second, etc.. 

The characterization of Kira I really liked, though. She has lived a life where she has been loathed by most and feared by all. She has a tough exterior in order to survive but the love she has for her family is heart-warming. She may be rough and tough but there is a softness to her that is beyond endearing and Oh really has you rooting for her the entire novel. The other part that I really liked comes from the quote I chose at the top. The Queen comments at one point how she wishes she had a daughter and in every other Asian cultured book I have read sons are absolutely yearned for. A woman's worth is based solely on her production of sons so to hear a woman say this was refreshing.

The story also held the possibility of a romance but never really developed at all. I felt shorted by this. The boy in the story Jaewon obviously liked Kira but she was beyond clueless which also confused me. She would comment on how she knew he would show up  to comfort her yet was confused as to why he said he would follow her and help her. It was a bit too back and forth for me in regards to her emotional state towards him. 

The premise and basis of the story is really interesting. Like I said, I love the Asian culture, the idea of magic, demons and prophecies I really like but after the idea of the story it never really developed for me. The overall plot conclusion of the novel seemed obvious and predictable. 

Overall, I did enjoy reading the book. It didn't completely grab me, I wasn't racing to finish it to see what would happen but it wasn't a chore to read either. I'll probably read the next book but it won't be something I'm running to the bookstore to get. 

Blog Tour Stop Round 2!! The End of the World as We Know It by Iva-Marie Palmer

Yay!! Thanks for stopping back by for even MORE fun stuff about his totally hilarious book! Ms. Palmer herself has dropped by Belle of the Literati for an interview, she tells us her Top Ten Fictional Characters That She Would Want With Her at the End of the World, and A GIVEAWAY of her book!! Ebook format and you will totally love it! :) 
So without further ado, here she is!
Welcome to Belle of the Literati Iva!!

Thank you so much for hosting me, Belle! I loved these questions and hope I did them justice!

What was your inspiration for the idea of The End of the World As We Know It?

I wanted to write something that felt like the John Hughes movies I grew up with -- Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink. Those movies have stuck with me, I think because they so effortlessly blended humor with characters that felt real (but just slightly better than real.) The End of the World As We Know It started as a book where the four main characters were just trapped together for the night, which is a hellacious enough scenario in high school when you're all from different social strata and don't get along. But I needed something bigger. The stakes just weren't high enough. Add a deadly alien attack and -- voila! -- stakes now high enough. 

(LOVE all these movies!)

What 3 other people from your life would you want with you at The End of The World?

Only three? This question makes me nervous! I’m going to put a disclaimer on it for my loved ones and just say that even if you didn’t make it into this list, it doesn’t mean I would not come and find you. (However, I'm crap at finding things so maybe that's terrible of me.) 

That said, I need my husband, because I’m figuratively and literally lost without him. Seriously, I can’t find my way out of the mall without him. Next has to be my son Clark. He’s only two and semi-destructive in his own right but he’s adorable and funny and, come on, fruit of my loins. Plus, I’m a neurotic enough parent that if he weren't with me, I'd be so distracted and preoccupied  I'd walk right into a giant fissure in the earth. Number three would be any of the children’s librarians from my hometown library (in Oak Lawn, Illinois, on the south side of Chicago.)  They were always so willing to help me with anything I needed – librarians rule that way – and how could you not want that at the end of the world?

Which of your 4 main characters do you think you are most like?

I think there are threads of me in all of them. Yes, even Teena. But most like? I've said before I'm like the love child of Sarabeth and Leo, but I definitely lean toward being more a Sarabeth. I was always a good student and a bit of a loner. However, Leo's voice is probably most mine. I think I’m somewhat observant and, more importantly, I, too, like to make jokes at inappropriate intervals. 

If The End of The World As We Know It actually occurred what kind of role do you think you would play post-Earth? (i.e. Leader, thinker, sitting in the corner and crying, etc.  )

Of course I want to say I’d be some amazing badass (Can I say badass? Or is bada** preferred?), with the post-apocalyptic wardrobe to boot. However, I'm a bit of a daydreamer and have a short attention span so it's more likely I'm the person in the corner, not crying but semi-useless. Though I like to think that I'd also be the one who -- when all hope is lost -- says something random like, "Every koala falls from its tree once in a while" that leads the more capable people to latch onto a plan and think I'm brilliant. 

Maybe I can have a badass wardrobe for doing that, too?

I loved how each individual was so uniquely characterized, did you base them off of friends or people you know in real life?

I’m so glad you liked them – I do, too. Weirdly, I know that everyone and thing influences me, but I never knowingly try to use a person I know in real life as the basis for a character.  I think there are all these bits and pieces and thoughts floating in my head and those particles find each other and grow into a character. Certainly, some of those particles must have originated with people I know but I feel lucky that when I’m developing characters it always feels a little magical and not tied to the real world at all. 

Your italicized interludes that spoke directly to the reader were so unique and completely hilarious! How and why did you decide you needed those in the book?

Thank you!!! I wrote the first interlude as an exercise for myself during the early stages of the book, back when it was just about the party and had no aliens. I wanted a sort of omniscient look at the high school social structure and this sort of knowing, insider-y voice. The early versions are all on old files – and they’re much longer and kind of fun outtakes, actually about Teena's invites finding their way across a very clique-y cafeteria. 

Then, as the book developed, I kept writing interludes because I was switching point-of-views, and I wanted at least one voice that talked directly to the reader. And then that voice came in so handy as I wrote.

Fangirl question: If you were at the end of the world, which Facebook group would you join? Leo is hotter or Evan is hotter? :)

Oh boy… I feel like I’m choosing between children – and that’s pretty gross. BUT… I can take a step back and if I distance myself, I’d have to go with Leo. I can’t resist a good sense of humor, plus he knows how to make pizza. 

More importantly, who would you pick, Belle? :)

(Leo...totally Leo, sexy sci-fi geek=Heaven)

And I always like to ask these few questions of any author I get to talk to :)

What books have you read recently that you have absolutely loved?

I confess that this year I feel so lame because I’ve only read 26 books (as of this writing on Dec. 16), unless you count reading the same Richard Scarry book 100 times as individual books. Toddler plus full-time job plus writing means I’m behind. But I think I’ve become better at picking books because time is so tight. I loved Anna and the French Kiss, The Art of Fielding, and oh my gosh, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks is amazing. Everyone should read that book. I read my son bigger-kid books at bedtime, and I’ve been loving everything Roald Dahl ever wrote. He never talked down to kids.

I've also become hooked on all the great books from women comedians, like Tina Fey's Bossypants and Mindy Kaling's Is Everybody Hanging Out without Me? I need more like that.

If you ask me this question next year, I hope to have a bigger list. In the meantime, I encourage people to friend me on GoodReads and recommend books for my ever-growing to-read pile. I have so many I want to get to next year, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop adding to the list. Yes, I'm an addict.

Are there any specific books or authors growing up that inspired you to become a writer?

Well, I wasn’t the kid who knew she wanted to be a writer from a young age, not because I didn’t want to but because I didn’t really know it was something one could just do. But, I have writers from my childhood who I loved and wish I still wish to emulate. Judy Blume, Jerry Spinelli, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine. I devoured everything they ever did. I also was obsessed with joke books and MAD magazine and I think that’s what gave me my taste for comedy. I lived on that stuff. I could pore over MAD magazine for hours. 

I think the biggest influence wasn't books in specific but books and reading in general. I'd see my parents reading a lot -- my mom would read a romance novel in a day or two, even with two kids. When you see an adult read so much, you kind of want to know what the big deal is. Then you start reading and find out. My mom took me to the library a lot and let me roam the shelves freely. To this day, I feel both calmed and excited in the presence of lots of books. 

If you could host a dinner party and invite 5 people dead or alive, who would they be? 

I think, for one, I want them all to be dead, just so no one whips out a cell phone.

Dorothy Parker -- She's hilarious, and I think we could work on an amazing sitcom together.

Alice Roosevelt -- If you haven't read about her, do. She's the daughter of Teddy Roosevelt and just cool. She's famous for having said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit next to me." Can you get a better party guest than that?

Cary Grant – He’s charming, interesting, and multilayered, plus I just know he’d bring a great hostess gift. 

Anne Boleyn – I feel like she and Alice Roosevelt would either really get along or would hate each other so much as to make the night interesting. And with all the royal scandals she weathered or was part of, she’d be chock-full of gossip. 

Kurt Vonnegut -- He had a way of thinking about the world that was unique. I’m really anxious to read his letters. Plus, my husband would love to sit next to him. 

(Oh.My.Gosh.I.Love.Anne.Boleyn. Such an amazing choice!! She would be at my dinner, too!! :) )

Top Ten Fictional Characters That Iva-Marie Palmer 

Would Want With Her at the End of the World

Thank you so much for letting me drop in! I’m so excited to be on Belle of the Literati!

If the world ends tomorrow, I want to hit the books (and one TV show) for my ultimate band of co-survivors. Here are the top ten fictional characters I want by my side in the apocalypse. 

Kristy, of The Babysitters Club (Ann M. Martin) – I know I’m dating myself, but when I read these books starting in 4th grade or so, she was my least favorite character for her type-A bossiness. But when it comes time for the apocalypse, I think I want a type-A boss type around. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog (Norman Bridwell)   -- It’s not that these are my favorite children’s books or anything. I picked Clifford because he’s a giant red dog. How can that not help?

Atticus Finch, of To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) – He’s so principled, so moral. Such an all-around good guy (without seeming annoying, mind you.) With him around, I feel more confident that my survivor clique won’t descend into cannibalism.

(Love Atticus! So noble!)

Mr. Rochester, of Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) – He’s a brooding pessimist and likely the perfect foil to Atticus Finch. Plus, between him and Atticus, I’ve got my love triangle all figured out. (Hint: I’m one side.)

(Swooning over Mr. Rochester)

Harry Potter’s son, James Sirius Potter of The Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling) – Aside from the genetics, you know he has something to prove. Dad’s shadow is BIG.

(I'm in love with anything Harry Potter)

Blair Waldorf, of Gossip Girl (Cecily von Ziegesar) – I feel like Blair has a ritzy apocalypse set-up somewhere and if I make her part of my team, at least the end of the world will have a full, top-shelf bar and some nice party dresses.

(SO true!!)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Joss Whedon) – I know she’s not from a book (though, she kind of is with the spin-off novels and comic books), but she is from my favorite TV show. And, I know she’s an obvious choice, given all her apocalypse experience. But, if the earth cracks open and hell beasties spill out, obvious is exactly what you need. 

Frankie Landau-Banks, of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (E. Lockhart) – Two words: Master. Mind. When I read this brilliant book, part of my review was, “I wish Frankie was a real person so I could either be her best friend or her fiercest rival.” For the apocalypse, I’ll take her as a best friend.

Bella Swann, of the Twilight series (Stephenie Meyer) – I’m probably going to draw some fire for this, but in her pre-vampire state, there’s no question she’s the weakest link. And that means that I would not be. 

(Best.Answer.Ever. Legit cackling out loud. Well played, Iva...well played)

Holden Caulfield, of The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger) – Once in a while, I'll need someone who wants to sit on the apocalypse sidelines, not participating, and complaining that everyone else is jerks. Holden's that someone.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL!! We have a giveaway here at Belle of the Literati!! Enter below for a chance to win a copy of The End Of the World As We Know It by Iva-Marie Palmer! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway




About the Author

Author of The End of the World as We Know It from Alloy Entertainment. It's currently available as a NOOK exclusive from Barnes and Noble. Look for it on Kindle and other e-readers on August 18. 

Palmer lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son and lots of (filled) bookshelves.

For more information, check out her bio on Alloy Entertainment's official site and keep up with her at ivamariepalmer.com.

Find Out More About the Author Iva-Marie Palmer!

On Her Website

Like Her On Facebook

Follow Her On Twitter

Check Her Out On Goodreads

Find Out More About the Book

Goodreads

Purchase on Amazon

Like On Facebook