Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) by Tahereh Mafi (Review)

Series:	Shatter Me (#4)
Genre:	Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance
Publication Date:	March 6th, 2018
Pages:	448 (Hardcover)
Published By:	Harper Teen
Website:	Tahereh Mafi
	Restore Me on Goodreads
My review copy:	Bought

Where to get:

Juliette Ferrars thought she'd won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she's still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she's got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?

(Goodreads)

Idiots are highly flammable, love. Let them all burn in hell.

I cannot let the broken girl inside of me inhale all that I've become. I cannot revert back to another version of myself. I will not shatter, not again, in the wake of an emotional earthquake.

The lies that make up my life. The threats against the innocent people of Sector 45. The certain death that awaits me. The frustration of having so much power, so much power and feeling so utterly, completely powerless. 

Politics, it turns out, is a science I don't yet understand. Killing things, breaking things -- destroying things? That, I understand. Getting angry and going to war, I understand. But patiently playing a confusing game of chess with a bunch of strangers from around the world?
God, I'd so much rather shoot someone.

      So... this was interesting.

     As a huge fan of Shatter Me series (the original trilogy), I was overjoyed when Tahereh Mafi broke the news about additional 3 books being added to the series. I’ve read the trilogy twice, I gobbled it down. I remember suffering from the most epic book hangover afterwards. So, yes, I was totally down for 3 more books and more heart pounding awesomeness.

     If you’re here because you want more of the gloriously intense relationship between Juliette and Warner and you’re hoping for some hot and juicy hanky-panky, well, you’re going to really enjoy Restore Me. Tahereh spent a substantial amount of time on those two, and we got to see how their relationship progressed after Juliette took over Secter 45 and became the Supreme Comander. Between Juliette and Warner’s point of view, we get a ton of insight into what these two are going through, what they’re thinking and feeling. And it’s all executed pretty flawlessly, if you ask me.

     On top of that, we get to see the aftermath of the events of Ignite Me. Juliette, Warmer and Castle might have won the battle, but they’re as far from winning the war as they can be. In fact, there’s so much more to the Establishment than we initially thought. I enjoyed unraveling the secrets and learning more about Juliette, her parents and her past. The tension was building up slowly throughout the book, and with every new information, the plot line grew more intense and exciting. The ending was truly shocking. Pure chaos, total destruction, lots of confusion and the biggest cliffhanger of the century. The wait for the next book is going to be truly painful. Why do I do this to myself? 

     Being reunited with these characters felt fabulous. We got to read more heart wrenching excerpts from Juliette’s diary, we got to hang out with Castle and Kenji again, and we also got to meet some new, interesting characters (including - spoiler alert - Warner’s ex girlfriend). On top of that, we learned more about the twisted world of the Establishment, and boy, were those some revelations! 

     Overall, reading Restore Me felt like coming home after a long absence (if your home is a broken, twisted world, and your family are a bunch of freaks with superpowers). Personally, I had a ton of fun. If you’re a big Shatter Me fan, chances are you’re going to love this new installment just as much as I did. On the other hand, if you weren’t really into the previous books, I honestly see no point of continuing with the series. It’s kind of like the Supernatural situation - hardcore fans are rejoicing at the renewal of the series for the 14th season, while the rest of the world is rolling their eyes. (I’m in the first group, if you’re wondering). So yeah, this book will not make you love the series if you aren’t already a fan.

The Dying Game by Asa Avdic (Review)

Genre:	Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Publication Date:	August 1, 2017
Pages:	288 (Hardcover)
Published By:	Penguin Books
Website:	Asa Avdic
	The Dying Game on Goodreads
My review copy:	Received from the publisher via First to Read program in exchange for my honest review

Where to get:

A masterly locked-room mystery set in a near-future Orwellian state, in which seven people are brought to a remote island to compete in a 48-hour test for a top-secret intelligence position, and one woman must stage her own death.

The year is 2037, and on the tiny island of Isola, seven people have been selected to participate in a 48-hour competition for a top-secret intelligence position with the totalitarian Union of Friendship. One of them is Anna Francis, a workaholic bureaucrat with a nine-year-old daughter she rarely sees and a secret that haunts her.

Anna is not actually a candidate for the position: in fact, she’s the test itself. Her assignment is to stage her own death and then to observe, from her hiding place inside the walls of the house, how the six other candidates react to the news that a murderer is among them: Who will take control? Who will crack under pressure? But then a storm rolls in, the power goes out, and the real game begins….

Combining suspense, unexpected twists, psychological gamesmanship, and a sinister dystopian future, The Dying Game conjures a world in which one woman is forced to ask, “Can I save my life by staging my death?”

(Goodreads)

     I enjoyed reading this book and thought the ending - while frustratingly open and hazy - was one that fit the story. I would have hoped for a more conclusive and satisfying finish, but at the same time, I feel like the ending of The Dying Game was purposefully constructed this way to enhance the feeling of hopelessness and confusion, and in that it succeeded fully. 

     The action of this book takes place in 2037 Stockholm and on a remote Isola Island. It's a near-future totalitarian state that is part of Union of Friendship, and that brings to mind a dystopian society much like the ones described in Orwell's 1984 (absolute government control, manipulation, top secret projects ran in the background, surveillance, government organizations controlling everyone and everything). It's a scary, but completely realistic vision that is quite unsettling.

     The story revolves mainly around Anna Francis, a former foreign aid worker suffering from PTSD, who is asked to play the role of an observer during a top-secret test designed by the government to select one person for the intelligence position (RAN). It's a stress test for the other competitors. Anna is to fake her own death (it is staged as a murder by strangulation), and she then is hiding away at a secret level of the house, where she can observe the reactions of all of the candidates. 

     What's supposed to be a relatively simple 48-hour task quickly turns out to be a much more complicated and dangerous one when, one after another, all of the other contestants begin to vanish into thin air and Anna begins to suspect that something much more sinister is going on.

     The Dying Game, while set in a dystopian world, was more of a political high-stake thriller and a mystery than it was a typical dystopian novel. I'd go as far as to call it psychological thriller. The action was slow-moving and there was a lot of foreshadowing of Anna's character, but not much in terms of the other characters at all. We didn't get a whole lot of details about the society set up either, just the vague and bone-chilling impression of the government being all-powerful, unstoppable, manipulative and highly dangerous. 

     I enjoyed the plot of this book, the sinister atmosphere and the underlying, ever-present tension. It was a good read overall, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes political thrillers, mysteries and not-so-positive endings.

March TBR Pile Book Club: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Hi guys! Welcome to the March TBR Pile Book Club where we'll discuss The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken! Huge thank you to everyone who will join us to discuss this AMAZING book!

Don't forget that everyone who takes part in our January TBR Pile Book Club is going to get 5 extra entries into the next TBR Pile Reading Challenge giveaway!

About the Book

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds #1
Published: December 18, 2012 by Disney Hyperion
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

Discussion Questions

1) If you contracted IAAN, which category would you want to be in? (Red, Fire;  Orange, Mind Control; Yellow, Electricity;  Blue, Telekinesis; Green, Intelligence)

2) What were you initial impressions? Do you like the writing style? Did the prologue pique your interest?

3) Thoughts on Ruby wiping Liam's mind? Is it for the best?

4) What do you think about the government's way of "dealing" with the kids with special powers? Why did they send them to work camps where they were mistreated and abused, instead of trying to understand/study their abilities, or even training the kids and use their powers?

5) Ruby is very scared, naive and distrustful (which is completely understandable after what she's been through). Do you find her to be a believable character? What did you think about her character development?

6) How did you feel about the relationship between Ruby and Liam? Did you think it was rushed?

7) Do you think the story line is bullet-proof or did you have any issues with the plot-line and the logic behind the world-building?

8) Do you think Chubs is okay? Do you have any predictions for how things will turn out for him?

9) How do you think things will turn out for Zu? Why do you think Clancy approved her group to leave in the first place?

10) What are your opinions of Clancy? Is he redeemable? Do you think he really would have run?

11) How do you imagine things panning out for Ruby and Liam? Will he ever get his memories back? Do you think he'll hold it against Ruby when (or if?) he finds out?

12) How did you react to the end? Did you cry? (Jess BAWLED. For a considerable amount of time. Like, at least half an hour.) Do you plan to read the next book--and if you do, will you jump in soon, or are you going to give some time in between because the end to this one was so traumatizing?

Please leave your answers in the comment section below and don't forget to respond to other comments so we can have an amazing discussion! We'll be checking in and responding as well  :)

Keep in my that if you haven't read The Darkest Minds, we WILL be discussing spoilers! Avoid the comments if you don't want to be spoiled! You've been warned!

Additionally, do NOT post any spoilers regarding Never Fade, In the Afterlife, or any of the novellas. We read all the comments and not only will your comment be deleted in its entirely, but you'll spoil the books for us and that's a dick move.

Our Favorite Quotes

"Let's carpe the hell out of this diem."

"Ruby, give me one reason why we can’t be together, and I’ll give you a hundred why we can. We can go anywhere you want. I’m not your parents. I’m not going to abandon you or send you away, not ever."

"Where did she come from, and where can I find one?"

"Picked this one up at a gas station in West Virginia, bargain price. Last one on the shelf, sorry."

"Where in the world did you get that dress?"

"Present from Zu."

"You look like you want to throw it in a fire."

"I can't promise there won't be an unfortunate accident later on."

But part of surviving is being able to move on.

"We'll just have to try to make better mistakes tomorrow."

"They were never scared of the kids who might die, or the empty spaces they would leave behind. They were afraid of us-the ones who lived."

"The most important thing you ever did was learn how to survive. Do not let anyone make you feel like you shouldn't have."

"I think we should stop for the night," Chubs said. "Are you going to find a park?"

"Relax, buddy; I got this," Liam said.

"You keep saying that," Chubs muttered, sitting back, "and then it's, Oh, sorry team, let's huddle together for warmth, while the bears try to break in and eat our food."

"Yeah...sorry about that," Liam said. "But hey, what's life without a little adversity?"

"And there I was, trying to be all valiant and stuff by catching you?" He chuckled, using the closest tree to help him stand. "Lesson learned! You're falling next time, darlin', because, man, you have a hard head..."

"Maybe nothing will ever change for us," he said. "But don't you want to be around just in case it does?"

As a special treat this month, we're giving away one of Evie's expertly designed mugs! Enter via the rafflecopter below and don't forget to comment on the discussion questions. Beware: we've read the book, so we'll be able to tell if your answers are legit or full of bologna - which gets you disqualified. And Andrea used to be a teacher, she can spot those answers a mile away!

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Head on over to our 2016 TBR Pile Reading Challenge Guidelines and Sign Ups! post to sign up if you haven't already.

Throwback Thursday Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Some of you may know that I originally had my own blog, Beauty but a Funny Girl, prior to joining Bookish (now Bookish Lifestyle). I was thinking the other day about all those reviews I left behind when I transferred and thought they should get some love too - no matter how badly written and newbie they come off! So I present to you: Throwback Thursday Reviews! Every once in a while I'll post an old review from Beauty but a Funny Girl, unedited in terms of content, with the exception of any spelling or grammatical mistakes. It's definitely going to be fun and interesting to see how my tastes and writing style have changed over the years!

Series:	The Selection #1
Genre:	Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian
Publication.Date:	April 24, 2012
Pages:	327 (hardcover)
Published By:	HarperTeen
Website:	Kiera Cass
	The Selection on Goodreads
My review copy:	Borrowed from the local library

Where to get:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

(Goodreads)

Originally posted June 23, 2013 on Beauty but a Funny Girl

I've seen a lot of mixed reviews regarding The Selection. And it seems that those I'm closest to in the blogging world don't seem to be fans. However, that's what makes the world go 'round, isn't it? How boring would be if we all liked the same book?

Anyway, I fell in the middle with Cass's novel. I liked it, but there were things I wasn't a huge fan about. But let's start at the beginning, shall we?

I picked up this novel, that has been hanging out on my TBR list, because it was this month's pick for Young Adult Book Blogger's Book Club. Originally, it was on my list because of the pretty pretty cover. Also, I thought the premise sounded pretty cool. It's a cross between The Bachelor and The Hunger Games. Now before I get murdered for comparing it to The Hunger Games, the connection comes through the fact that these girls are picked "at random," this is (occasionally) taped, people watch it, and Gavril reminds me of Caesar. That's where the connection ends, so breathe.

The romance between America and Aspen is cute and heart wrenching. One of the biggest obstacles they face - before she gets picked for The Selection - is that they are in different castes. America is a Five, while Aspen is a Six. To marry into another caste apparently requires paperwork and months of waiting for the government to approve the marriage/caste change. I thought the dystopian setting was vaguely interesting, but highly unnecessary. We know it takes place in the US, sometime after WWIV, and the US has been through some rough times. It felt kind of like an add-on to the story and it could have easily taken place in a fantasy world and made just as much sense. What also bothered me is that some of the terminology wasn't fully explained. It didn't take away from the story too much, but explanations surely would have enhanced it.

I thought the relationship between America and Maxon was approached quite well. America is brutally honest with Maxon, which he finds it refreshing, and they build a friendship long before the romance comes about. That has to be one of my favorite relationship techniques. Along with America we also learn that Maxon isn't the stuck up prince he appears to be and genuinely cares for others and wants to find a wife and confidant, not just a princess. One of my favorite scenes is when America talks to him about life in the lower castes and he immediately goes into action to give these castes aid.

At the same time, he explains to America why he has kept some of the women around so long: powerful family, favorite of the people, international connections. So he's smart enough to play the game, but keeps his heart and future happiness in mind at the same time. (He'll make a very good king one day.)

Side note: I hate America's name. The story as to why she got it is cute, but I can't get behind it.

One of my favorite aspects of the novels is the girls of The Selection. A majority of them help one another out and just seem like really good girlfriends. Queen Amberly comments that she keeps in touch with some of the girls and America has said that she could see herself keeping in contact with some as well. There are also the super competitive "I will eat your heart" contestants, but for the most part they're friendly. I'm also fond of America consonantly telling the girls to be themselves and not who they think Maxon wants.

Over all, The Selection was pretty good. I read 3/4 of it in a day and I would move on to The Elite immediately if I could. It's an easy and enjoyable read that encompasses both the romantic aspect of a plot as well as a rebelling nation, and a young woman trying to find her place in the world within the eyes of the public. (That sounded a lot deeper and more dramatic than it was meant to, but part of me likes it.)

Throwback Thursday Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

Some of you may know that I originally had my own blog, Beauty but a Funny Girl, prior to joining Bookish (now Bookish Lifestyle). I was thinking the other day about all those reviews I left behind when I transferred and thought they should get some love too - no matter how badly written and newbie they come off! So I present to you: Throwback Thursday Reviews! Every once in a while I'll post an old review from Beauty but a Funny Girl, unedited in terms of content, with the exception of any spelling or grammatical mistakes. It's definitely going to be fun and interesting to see how my tastes and writing style have changed over the years!

Note: I accidentally posted this today, which is a Tuesday and not a Thursday. Should've checked to ensure I had added the date before hitting "Schedule." Oops! Oh well - enjoy this two days early and check back to read my Throwback Thursday review for The Selection on Thursday!  :)

Series:	The Selection #2
Genre:	Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian
Publication.Date:	April 23, 2013
Pages:	323 (hardcover)
Published By:	HarperTeen
Website:	Kiera Cass
	The Elite on Goodreads
My review copy:	Borrowed from the local library

Where to get:

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

(Goodreads)

Originally posted July 29, 2013 on Beauty but a Funny Girl

I don't know why this book is being marketed as a dystopian novel. It's not. It's a romance, plain a simple. The dystopian aspect is so tiny in regards to plot. So very, very small. Which is a shame, because I was really hoping The Elite would touch on it more than The Selection did. I find the rebels to be extremely appealing and want to know more about it/have more interaction with them. Maybe then, the "dystopian" label wouldn't bug me so much.

As for the romance... I was already annoyed by page 8 when America asked both Maxon and Aspen for "time." It didn't stop there either. She spent a majority of the novel going back and forth between the two. Maxon pissed her off, so Aspen was the love of her life. Aspen pissed her off, so Maxon was the love of her life. *sigh* America herself was also prone to temper tantrums. If she didn't get her way she would act extremely immature and do things because she was feeling petty and wronged. This isn't the America from The Selection. That America did things because they needed to be done and they were the right things to say/do. The Elite America is a shadow of this America and it's sad. Remember how much America mentioned her family during The Selection? Not so much here. Mere lines.

Maxon is keeping women around for the wrong reasons and I'm not even going to go into the rant about Celeste that I want to because it was be a spoiler, but those of you who have read this book, I'm sure you know exactly which scene I am talking about. *puke* Not even I can blame America for being livid at that one.

One of my biggest issues is when America saw the reprecutions of what happened if you "hooked up" with somebody while being a part of the Selection. What is her response (aside from being horrified)? She still sneaks around with Aspen. Not. Kidding. She's devastated by what happened to this girl but still risks everything - literally - to hang out with him in secret. On top of that, Aspen still plays a relatively minor role in The Elite. He pops up every now and then, and I know he's a point in our triangle but I'm not seeing the attraction to him. Usually in a love triangle I see enough of both guys to understand, but not here. Probably one of the reasons I'm so Team Maxon. My heart can at least be tugged into the direction of the other guy, but I don't care for Aspen... not even a little bit. This plot element seems almost like a crutch rather than a significant aspect of the story. Something to help fill in plot where it's needed, but not really helping to move it along.

I know I've been completely bashing the book, but regardless of that, it still held my attention. I still read 3/4 of it in a day. I'm rooting for Maxon and America, despite how much I want to occasionally punch both of them in the face. At one point Maxon tells America (why do I keep typing American?) that she can't keep acting the way she is and not expect any consequences, to which she informed him of the same. I was like "Yes, maturity!" So they have their moments.

To give America credit, one of the reasons she's struggling with fully committing to Maxon is she's terrified of the responsibility of becoming princess, then queen. I don't blame her. I'd be scared, too. I don't think this gives her a pass to flit between Apsen and Maxon, but I completely understand this. And, can I say that her father is awesome? When she writes to him her fears and he writes back, aww! He is so supportive and one of the best dad's I've come across in YA. Shame we don't hear more of him...

Despite all these things, I did enjoy the book. I want to continue with The One when it comes out. I want to see how this trilogy ends. I want America to tell Aspen "Sorry, buddy" and end up with Maxon. They're weirdly perfect for each other and together I think they could really turn Illea around. I want The One to focus a little less on relationship drama and the rebels. I want to find out what the Northerners are looking for - because Maxon is right on that point - and why the Southerners are so angry - other than the obvious.

Book Review Backlog: Rooms, Between the Spark and the Burn, The Rose Society, Nowhere But Here

Over the past couple months I've noticed that every few books, despite my feelings toward them, get pushed farther and father back in terms of writing a review - and the farther back from the read date they get pushed back, my notes make less and less sense.

I don't know why it happens, but it does. Maybe I have too much to say and don't know how to pick out the important things or maybe I don't have enough to say. Or maybe the laziness in me just wins out. Who knows.

So without further ado . . . A few of these backlogged reviews  :)

Series:	Standalone
Genre:	Adult, Ghosts, Paranormal
Publication.Date:	January 1, 2014
Pages:	Audiobook
Published By:	Ecco
Website:	Lauren Oliver
	Rooms on Goodreads
My review copy:	Borrowed from my local library

Where to get:

The New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy makes her brilliant adult debut with this mesmerizing story in the tradition of The Lovely Bones, Her Fearful Symmetry, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane—a tale of family, ghosts, secrets, and mystery, in which the lives of the living and the dead intersect in shocking, surprising, and moving ways

Wealthy Richard Walker has just died, leaving behind his country house full of rooms packed with the detritus of a lifetime. His estranged family—bitter ex-wife Caroline, troubled teenage son Trenton, and unforgiving daughter Minna—have arrived for their inheritance.

But the Walkers are not alone. Prim Alice and the cynical Sandra, long dead former residents bound to the house, linger within its claustrophobic walls. Jostling for space, memory, and supremacy, they observe the family, trading barbs and reminiscences about their past lives. Though their voices cannot be heard, Alice and Sandra speak through the house itself—in the hiss of the radiator, a creak in the stairs, the dimming of a light bulb.

The living and dead are each haunted by painful truths that will soon surface with explosive force. When a new ghost appears, and Trenton begins to communicate with her, the spirit and human worlds collide—with cataclysmic results.

Elegantly constructed and brilliantly paced, Rooms is an enticing and imaginative ghost story and a searing family drama that is as haunting as it is resonant.

(Goodreads)

Rooms is an all encompassing story that pull readers into the lives of the Walter family and that of their two resident ghosts. It's a story of family, love, relationships, heartache, grief, secrets . . . life. I was engrossed in each family member's perspective, helped by the fact that they had their own personalities and didn't blend together in to one lump sum. (My favorite was definitely Sandra.)

Lauren drags the story out (in a good way), allowing the reader to get to know each character on their own and through the eyes of others. She keeps the secrets close to her chest and drops knowledge bombs out at just the right moment. This isn't a spooky horror story, but a realistic story that examines the lives (even of the dead), of these characters and brings to light that sometimes life isn't all sunshine and puppy dogs. 

Series:	Between #2
Genre:	Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Horror
Publication.Date:	August 14, 2014
Pages:	320 (paperback)
Published By:	Speak
Website:	April Genevieve Tucholke
	Between the Spark and the Burn on Goodreads
My review copy:	Won / Gifted

Where to get:

The conclusion to Between the Devil and The Deep Blue Sea, this gothic thriller romance with shades of Stephen King and Daphne du Maurier is a must-read for fans of Beautiful Creatures and Anna Dressed in Blood.

Freddie once told me that the Devil created all the fear in the world. But then, the Devil once told me that it's easier to forgive someone for scaring you than for making you cry. The problem with River West Redding was that he'd done both to me.

The crooked-smiling liar River West Redding, who drove into Violet's life one summer day and shook her world to pieces, is gone. Violet and Neely, River's other brother, are left to worry—until they catch a two a.m. radio program about strange events in a distant mountain town. They take off in search of River but are always a step behind, finding instead frenzied towns, witch hunts, and a wind-whipped island with the thrum of something strange and dangerous just under the surface. It isn't long before Violet begins to wonder if Neely, the one Redding brother she thought trustworthy, has been hiding a secret of his own . . .

(Goodreads)

I absolutely love Between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea and I almost wish April had left it at that. I'm not entirely sure what happened during Between the Spark and the Burn, but I felt unfilled, let down, and confused upon finishing. The magic, mystery, and intensity was missing from the second half of this duology.

April's writing style is still excellent and engaging, but plot wise I feel like she lost momentum somewhere around the middle. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it was a lot of . . . nothing. The twist was lackluster - and while I didn't see it coming - it felt as if the character's did. It happened and their reaction was "Oh, well that's interesting" and then they moved on with their lives.

I really wanted to love Between the Spark and the Burn as much as I did Between the Devil and Deep Blue Sea, and there were aspects I enjoyed but overall I wanted more.

Series:	The Young Elites #2
Genre:	Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Publication.Date:	October 13, 2015
Pages:	Audiobook
Published By:	G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Website:	Marie Lu
	The Rose Society on Goodreads
My review copy:	Borrowed from my local library

Where to get:

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness? 

I think I'm giving up on this series. I felt iffy about The Young Elites, but stuck it out until the end in hopes that it would improve. Luckily it did, but I didn't feel the same gumption for The Rose Society. This series is wonderfully written with compelling characters, an engaging and fast moving plot, and enough tensity to make you want to pull your hair out. I just couldn't really get into it.

I finished The Rose Society because of my love for The Young Elites, but by the time I finished it my feelings were "meh." Marie is taking these characters on an intriguing journey full of grey area and I do think you should give this series a chance if you haven't already.

Series:	Thunder Road #1
Genre:	Young Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Publication.Date:	July 14, 2015
Pages:	Audiobook
Published By:	Harlequin Teen
Website:	Katie McGarry
	Nowhere But Here on Goodreads
My review copy:	Borrowed from my local library

Where to get:

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Katie and I started out great - can we just talk about how much I love Pushing the Limits and Dare You To? - but after that we slowly started to drift apart. Things got cliche and stagnant, which is why I was so glad that Nowhere But Here is set in a different world. Well, not really a different world, but one apart from her Pushing the Limits characters.

Oz isn't a bad boy in need of redemption and Emily isn't a troubled girl who needs saving. Not that any of the other girls needed saving, but you know what I mean. However, despite that I didn't feel myself particularly drawn into the story of the characters. I will fully admit though, that they may have been in part of the narrators, which is unfortunate. They were good, but seemed far too old to be voicing 18 and 17 year old individuals, but sounded more like they were in their late 20s.

Narrators aside, I do think Katie has gotten a new gusto with this series. It wasn't about redemption and troubled lives, but about family and what it means to be one, both via blood and water. The romance isn't instalove and it takes Oz and Emily a long time to admit their feelings for one another. I really enjoyed the minor characters and well and I'm interested to see how Katie is going tackle this issue of cyber-bulling in Walk the Edge.