Alive by Chandler Baker

Release Date: 9 June 2015 | Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | Format: Hardcover

Review: .

After years of waiting for a heart transplant, Stella miraculously receives one but it comes with some strange consequences--recurring pain, nightmares, and hallucinations.  Despite these effects, Stella is determined to make the most out of her second change and that includes going after new student and bad boy Levi Zin.  Stella's magnetic attraction to Levi is intense from the beginning and eventually she begins to question the forces pulling them together and why she experiences less pain in his presence.  With the help of her friend, Henry, she begins to investigate and finds that there's much more to Levi than meets the eye. Thrown in brassy BFF, Brynn, and paranormal twists, and you have this creepy, engaging read. The plotline is a bit predictable but with a creepy atmosphere that will appeal to fans of paranormal suspense and horror. 

 



Review: Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

Release Date: 2 July 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Get a copy! Amazon

Goodreads description:

Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin. When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by "an admirer" and printed with two simple words: "You're welcome."

My Thoughts...

(ARC) YA Book Review: Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Release Date: 1 November 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's
Source: Once Upon a Twilight Tours

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Goodreads description:

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

My Thoughts...

Fear--we all experience it at some point in our lives.  The intensity and situation may vary, but it seems to be a universal feeling.  For The Seven, their fears are omnipresent--a force that interrupts their lives, that weeks/months/years of therapy can't seem to fix. However, their shared therapist, Dr. Stevens, offers them hope in the form of Fort Eden, an intense camp that she claims will help them eradicate their fears.  Loaded into a van together, none of them know what to expect, but no one expects to be dumped in the middle of the woods and told to hike to their destination. Upon their arrival, they're greeted by ominous buildings, which only serves to building upon their fears and misgivings.  Our main character will goes so far as to hide out in the building opposite everyone else and watch what happens.

In Dark Eden, Patrick Carman brings to life a vivid potrayal of what it's like to fight intense, life-hindering fears.  The main character, Will Besting, has the upper-hand among the rest of this cohort as he snuck into Dr. Stevens' files and listened to all of theirs. "The Seven" are each subjected to a treatment that appears to work to alleviate their fears.  Each person enters the mysterious chamber and emerges cured with no knowledge of what happened in the chamber--no idea how they were cured.

Dark Eden is a suspenseful, psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  The main character, Will, is intensely suspicious and guarded throughout the beginning.  Like all of the charaters, Carman maintains an air of mystery to Will's fear.  We don't find out until each person is being cured what their fear is, which leaves us wondering about Will's particular fear up until almost the end. It's interesting to be in Will's head as he discovers how the cures really work.  As the reader, you are constantly curious as to what will happen next: Who will get cured? Will Will be discovered? What is really going on at Fort Eden?

Dark Eden is a book that you really have to commit to reading.  The beginning seems a tad slow as things are very deliberately to the reader.  It's also easy to become impatient as you wait to learn about the fears of each of The Seven, especially Will.  Things are, of course, revealed in due course, but the journey to the end is not quick or painless.

Dark Eden is definitely a book that I would recommend without reservations.  The ominous, uncertain atmosphere of the story and the descriptions of fear and "healing" will engage readers of many ages.  I would especially recommend this to many male YA readers (since librarians always seem to be looking for something new to recommend to their reluctant teenage boys).  It's overall a very intense, engaging read.

Thanks to OUaT Book Tours for allowing me to read this book!

YA Book Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington
© 2011 by Point (Scholastic, Inc.)

Goodreads description:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth? 

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift. 

And a curse. 

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Thoughts, Musings, Ramblings...


I liked this book from start to finish.  I mean, really, how can you not like a supernatural murder mystery?! (Maybe that's just me...)  Chapter One pulls you in immediately (super intense first two pages, let me tell you!) and you honestly can't put this one down until you've gotten to the end.

My honest-to-goodness favorite thing about this book was that I did not solve the mystery before the main character.  I'm sure that many readers will figure it out, but I'll readily admit that I was so into the story that I didn't see it coming! I was *completely* convinced the murdered was someone else and had a "NO WAY!" moment when it was revealed.  That's always a good feeling when you're reading a book--like you're learning right alongside the main character.

Now, Clarity, or Clare as she prefers, didn't necessarily pull me in as a character right away.  I'm not sure why but I didn't connect with her at the beginning.  As the story progressed, I did feel like I warmed up to her quite a bit.  I also really thought that the minor characters in this one were well done.  I felt like I knew each of them fairly well...with a lot of room for growth in #2!!   Also, on the character side of things, I actually tliked the love triangle in this one because it wasn't the FOCUS.  It was there, it was minor, and it was a cute romance.

I can't wait to read the sequel when it comes out next March (gah, 2012?!).  The story was really well written and I want more (especially of the romance--this was SO just the tip of the iceberg on that!).  I can't wait to find out what happens between Clarity, Justin, and Gabriel and what adventure is in store next.

Tween Tuesday: Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson

"Tween Tuesday" is a weekly meme hosted over at GreenBeanTeenQueen.  If you're looking for a good middle grade book or have a review to share, be sure to check it out!

Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson
© 15 April 2011 by Little Prince Publishing

Goodreads description:

Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, an organization dead set on turning children into killing machines.

Add an older brother annoyingly obsessed with Christina Aguilera, mischievous baby twin brothers who could scare the sin off of Satan, and parents more puzzling than a Rubik’s cube in the Bermuda triangle and expect a smoking page-turner!

Thoughts, Musings, Ramblings...

What a great tween read! I honestly can say that I really enjoyed this story from start to finish.  The author created an engaging protag and blended together a perfect amount of suspense and action to keep me "turning the pages." (read this as an ebook) 

I loved the fiery (yes, literally and figuratively) narrator, Priscilla (or Priss, as she's called).  She was written in such a way that she comes across as very real and very relateable. Her inner dialogue and, well, her actual dialogue strikes me as very much how I envision (and vaguely remember) that of an actual tween.

The storyline never seemed to drag for me.  You get right into the heat of things from the very beginning when Priss sets towels on fire in a bathroom at a party.  (hahaha, get it..."heat" of things? Yeah, I'm feeling very punny today)  I actually got so frustrated with her dad because he knew what was up and I wanted him to freaking tell me! When she overhears her parents' phone conversation, I wanted her to call him on it so I could find out the truth!

In the hopes of not spoiling any of the fun for you, I'll conclude by saying that there is a lot of action and suspense in this one. A little violence and blood makes its way in, but not in a graphic way at all--just the amount you would expect to move the storyline along. There is just a hint of romance sprinkled in as well--the very innocent first love kind of romance that is fun to read in tween stories.

Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien

When I glanced at this cover on GoodReads, I instantly felt compelled to read it.  I know, I know--don't judge a book by its cover.  But, seriously, how many people can honestly say that they've never picked up a book because it had an awesome cover? No one? That's what I thought.  A lovely professor of mine was kind enough to loan me her copy of this book so I didn't have to place my name on the lengthening list of holds at the local public library.


My judgement: Go find a copy of this book and read it. NOW. No, you don't need to read my review first.  First, you need to go see if your public library has a copy and put your name on the hold list (because I'm sure that all of their copies are check out).  Now, on to the review, which you can read after you have a hold on this book.


From the cover:
IN THE ENCLAVE, YOUR SCARS SET YOU APART, and the newly born will change the future.

Sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone and her mother faithfully deliver their quota of three infants every month. But when Gaia’s mother is brutally taken away by the very people she serves, Gaia must question whether the Enclave deserves such loyalty. A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

This is a novel that you will start and not put down until you have read the last page.  The main character, Gaia, is a sympathetic character from the beginning.  The scar on her face sets her apart, even in the world outside of the Enclave.  She's a strong-willed character with quite the determination when it comes to her family.  When her parents are arrested by the Enclave, Gaia, scorning the advice of those around her, insists upon find a way into the Enclave to rescue her parents.  Her determination, quick-thinking, and (ultimately) love drive her to impossible lengths to save those she loves.  The cast of characters that she meets along the way will surprise the reader.  I don't want to spoil any plot points here, so I'll suffice it to say that O'Brien's debut novel is well-written, suspenseful, and moving.  The world and characters that she has created will leave your mind reeling.  Don't despair: the second book in a three book deal is slated to appear later this fall.