The Chosen One Review

The Chosen Ones by Carol Lynch Williams was a interesting tale to say the least. I found it is most fitted for a middle grade audience; however, that did not mean I did not enjoy it. Overall, it's a 3 out of 5 stars.

Kyra comes from a big family: 3 mothers, 1 father, and tons of siblings. They live in a compound, secluded in the middle of the desert where the prophet rules with a heartless, radically rigorous fist. Kyra has obeyed all of the deeply pious rules implemented by the mighty prophet, but it's until he announces that 13 year-old Kyra will have to marry her 60-something year-old uncle!

Kyra's character stays true to her age. She is not unusually bright for her age, she rebels and has noteworthy persistence. As the narrator of this novel, her opinions and perception are not completely skewed by the absurdities of the religion that she follows and the prophet's crimes against humanity. Despite this, she is not overly unique, she sounds like mostly conventional tween.

The whole aspect of polygamy in this book is presented on its negative type of it. The women have no choice if they want to follow polygamy or not; in addition, they have no choice as to who they can marry. Their sole purpose is to serve their husband, have tons of kids and to raise them. Nothing else. Which, of coarse, leads to the misogyny in the book. Luckily, Kyra resists it passively at first, still believing she's committing sins and thus feels guilt over it, and then it leads to her eventual proactive forms of it despite tremendous, lethal dangers.

The romance in the novel is how it should be: puppy love. They meet at dark in secret places to talk, read, or make out. It's all very innocent in its essence. It's what is expected of a tween-teen romance, not some adult version with explicit actions being done. Again, acceptable for a tween, middle grade demographic.

The novel was mildly entertaining enough to keep me reading; I was not glued to the page. It wasn't until the end that I became more intrigued. Similar books include:  The Color Of Rain (link here) and The Registry (link here). 

Some Quiet Place Review

Title: Some Quiet Place

Author: Kelsey Sutton

Publisher: Flux

Pages: 336

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton is a strange book. Strange in a unique sort of way. It takes a completely original idea and simply runs with it. Because I did have to force myself to read the first 100 pages, I have to give this book a 2.5 out of 5. 

Elizabeth has never been the same since the car accident when she was 4/5. Since then, her family and home life turned abusive and non comforting. Elizabeth simply cannot feel emotions; although, she can see them in their otherworldly humanoid form. This intrigues the emotion Fear. Thus, it makes it a challenge to try to get to the bottom of this circumstance. 

The idea of having a protagonist who doesn't feel anything but physical pain is utterly original and unique. However, this does prove to become utterly boring after the first few scenes. As one can probably imagine, a character that lacks emotion is incredibly boring. The only thing that makes up for it is about mid way through the book is the change of pace that thankfully saves this book from my unfinished pile. 

The love triangle in this book kind of put me off a bit. I just have an issue with it in general, so the who dynamic kind of annoyed me. "Just choose one and stop playing with the other, " is what I wanted to tell Elizabeth for the majority of this book!

The plot was interesting enough to keep me mildly to moderately entertained. Although, I should give it credit for the mild plot twists/surprises at the end. Overall, though, it was just okay. The idea is the only thing that is special. 

So if you have read Some Quiet Place already and disagree with me, then let me suggest The Coldest Girl in Coldtown (Link here) and The Registry (link here). 

Every Day Review

Title: Every Day (Hard Cover)

Author: David Levithan

Publisher: Ember

Pages: 322

Firstly, I must say that this is a phenomenal book that was filled to the brim with lessons and wisdom. When I picked up Every Day by David Levithan, I surely did not expect it to be so absolutely meaningful, so easy to relate to, like seriously! It can connect to all walks of life. Due to the pure awesomeness that Is Every Day, it deserves nothing less than a 4.8 out of 5. 

This is a first person narrative detailing the lives of A during a forty day period. A doesn't have a body of it's own, instead from the day A was born, A enters a body of host for only a day. By midnight, A is ripped from that body and moves on to the next. A has no control over it. So A lives every day by trying not to make a significant impact on the host's lives. However, that's not until he meets Rihannon; she changes everything. 

The thing that stood at the most is most certainly all of the lessons and experiences that are contained within this terrific book. A possesses the body of such diverse people: a suicidal girl, a drug addict, an morbidly obese guy, a transgender teen, and many other kinds of people. Along with these experiences, A gifts the reader with countless wisdom and lessons that is to be received. It's what made this book stand out.

Consequently, this wisdom is what ultimately leads to the conclusion of the book. There is no tragedy, per se, but it's no happily ever after. And I appreciate it for that. Finally a book where the protagonist is realistic, ironically in a very unrealistic book, and is caring enough to let go what it loves the most for the benefit of the loved person.

The only issue I had with this book is the whole love at first sight stuff. I might just be too logical and cold-hearted, but it just doesn't seem right or realistic to me. However, I easily overlooked it as I became intrigued to other parts of this book.

If you haven't gone out and read this book yet, you need to get a copy immediately! It'll stick with you for a while. Here are some similar books: Wanderlove (link here) and Slammed (link here). 

What I Saw and How I Lied Review

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell was not a let down, that I can say for 100% certainty. I found this book while I was browsing around at my local library, looking for something to read. I had given up hope about finding a truly good book, as I have encountered a multitude of duds. This book has given me hope again. I'd say this definitely deserves a four out of five stars. 

Evelyn, her mother, and step-father, decide on a last minute decision to leave their home (well, the step-father's mother's home) and to go on a vacation at the very end of summer to Florida. Upon arrival, they discover that the town is practically deserted. However, they become friendly with some of the few people there. Among them includes Peter, a twenty-three-year-old ex-GI who happens to be visiting for business. 

The expectations that came along with the National Book Award sticker on the book did not wither while reading this book. In fact, it kept me so sucked in, I read it in less than twenty-four hours. Throughout the book, it maintained about the same level of interest, creating a sort of dreamy atmosphere around it. 

The book is filled with mystery in it, as there are events that happen that just don't seem right, even if Evelyn herself fails to recognize it or pushes it away. After several suspicious events, I began trying to piece the story together to find the truth to no avail. It wasn't until the last few chapters that most of the truth was revealed. And it all made complete sense! Some suspicious were confirmed while other precious were proved to be misconceptions. That's what made this book utterly fantastic! 

Evelyn starts out as a insecure young 15-year-old who is dependent on her best friend. She's envious of the other girls and her mother who seem to have all that she doesn't. Through her experiences in Florida and the danger shoved in her face she develops as a strong character. However, it's not all black and white, but overflowing with gray. It's a tale of self-discovery, lessons learned, character growth. 

The romance in this book is twisted over backwards with a hint of suspicious. For instance, Peter is twenty-three and Evelyn is 15, something must be wrong for a man in his twenties to want to be with a mere teenager, right? But, does love know no bounds? And what's with Peter being already acquainted with Eve's step-father and his poorly hidden contempt towards him? Don't even get me started with the mom...

This is a perfect read for this time of the year: summer! Oh, and one last thing: while reading this book, the song Florida Kilos by Lana Del Rey popped into my head. I don't think there is a more perfect song to fit this book. Hear for yourself: Florida Kilos. Anyway, this is a good young adult read. Similar books are: The Bone Season (link here) and Stolen (link here). 

The Assassin's Curse Review

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke was simply a fantastic read. It had senses of adventure, danger, and a hint of romance. It's totally worth a score of 4 bright and shining stars out of 5. 

Ananna is the daughter of the main captain of a pirate clan who is being coerced into an arranged marriage with another pirate clan by her parents. So, what's a girl to do? Well, she decides to throw caution to the wind and to leave everyone behind to gain her freedom. However, this does not happen without consequence. The other pirate clan sends out the infamous assassin who is rumored to have never failed an assassin mission. This is where the main story begins. 

The beginning of the book did not fail to make me interested right off the bat. A girl escaping an arranged marriage? Never fails to keep my eyes glued to the page, all two to three times. I loved the adventure in this book; it takes you numerous places that are filled with magic, mystery, and intrigue. It takes place in an imaginary world filled with permitted, and of coarse some forbidden, magic. 

What I loved the most about this book is the relationship between Ananna and Naji. It's unique in how it was Naji's original intent to murder Ananna, then from there their relationship grows and moves into different stages. I admire that, no love at first sight crap. Of coarse, it does grow eventually. It's not fully realized on both parties in this book, however. They are absolutely great as a pair! Especially, taken into account the struggles they have to go through together. Including, betrayal, sense of hopelessness, being forced together by a curse, and the uncertainty of reciprocated feels, or feelings that lie elsewhere. 

I would recommend this book to those who are within the middle school range to about fifteen or sixteen. The book's main demographic seems to be this age group as it doesn't have too mature themes within it. For similar reads, I suggest: Alice in Zombieland (link here) and Between the Lines (link here). 

Alienated Review

Alienated by Melissa Landers is a spectacular novel that thoroughly entertained me. It is a enjoyable read, especially if you are looking for something a little different from the cliche teenage high school plot. On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd rate it 3.75 out of 5. 

The title of this book has a double meaning when connecting it to the events in this book. Cara, is selected to be the hostess of the very first ever exchange student from L'eihr: Aelyx. Despite being almost completely genetically identical to humans, there are some few key differences and a whole lot of  cultural ones as well. Aelyx has secret plans that could threaten everything on Earth and key relations with his home plant. And let's not forget about the growing tension between him and Cara.

I liked that this was a duel perspective novel; it allowed us to truly understand the mentality and thought process behind the two main characters: Cara and Aelyx. In turn, you actually believe perhaps a little more than a singular perspective in the actual chemistry between the romantic interests.

The sci-fi element made it deviate from the traditional sort of high school drama book; in turn, it spiced it up by formulating different, yet complex conflicts within the plot. Maybe I'm just not too familiar with young adult sci-fi books, but I have to say there are not many with human and alien relations. And it's not some bizarre reptilian alien, or grey alien, however, that could be quite interesting too.... yeah, I'd probably read that >.< haha

Cara's parents and family relationships are not neglectful or just non-existent! Her parents are actually in her life and they have a good, healthy relationship! Although, to me, her mom seemed like a bit of a weak character (no, not because of the crying), while her dad was more of a proactive and useful character (even a couple of times humorous).

I absolutely adored how the author forces you to change your perspective on certain characters. It's really surprising! First you love them, then you are shocked and despise them, and then you love them again!

Some similar reads to this one would be The Color of Rain (link here) or Across the Universe (link here).

Angelfall Review

Angelfall by Susan Ee was a book that I simply picked up on impulse. After spending perhaps about half a hour browsing books, and gradually becoming disheartened as I was not finding anything I liked, I just chose a random book and decided to read it. For an overall rating, I'd rate it as 3 out of 5.

After the angels have descended upon Earth, complete havoc and chaos was unleashed. Destroying the conventional structure of human civilization, humans are now prey for the angels. Penryn, her mentally ill mother, and her disabled younger sister try to merely survive in this dystopian world. Until one night, they witness a fight among the angels, and, unfortunately, are discovered where upon they become their target. It's up to Penryn to save her family with the help of a potentially dangerous, yet otherworldly attractive, angel.

First off, I liked that there was no love at first sight crap! Although, undoubtedly, their sexual attraction cannot be denied, they initially loathed and didn't trust each other. Over time, as they go though mutual experiences together, they begin to learn and trust one another. Subjectively, this gives the notion that  it's more realistic in its nature, since they have to (or should) work through their problems first in order to become anything more. Real couples deal with real problems. Thus, giving more weight to their relationship. With that said, I feel as if I must state that their relationship isn't exactly unique or special, instead, it's comparable to many other relationships from other books. It deviates from the love at first sight crap, but it's certainly no Anna and Etienne (Click Here for my review of Anna and the French Kiss).

The first page hooked me; it took little effort for Susan Ee to capture my attention. It seems that there is a correlation between the more books I read, and the harder it is to start reading a book and being immediately immersed in its unique waters. This book was one of the rare ones. When reading the middle of the book, my interest began to die down a bit. The plot seemed to have simmered down and get a little boring. Despite this, my interest level was peeked again to a whole new level at the conclusion of the book. Oh my, that ending! Never before have I read such a surprising ending with such a sinister twist! I absolutely loved it!

Read this book if you like surprise, sinister endings or dystopian societies. Throughout the book, if you were like me, your feelings toward it will range from interested, bored, surprised and delighted. For similar reads, I suggest The Bone Season (Review Here) or The Immortal Rules (Review Here).