Review: Hushed by Kelley York

Title: Hushed

Author: Kelley York site

Format: eARC, 224 pages

Published: 12/6/11

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Source: Netgalley

Challenges: Completely Contemp Challenge (hosted by Chick Loves Lit), Ebook Reading Challenge (hosted by Workaday Reads)

“He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.”

-Goodreads

Characters:

 Archer was kind of brooding and pessimistic, yet also naïve in an endearing way. My heart really went out to him. I love that even though Archer has killed 3 people, I still felt overwhelming sympathy for him. I had to continually remind myself that he was the murderer. Though, I thought that his character waivered on the “lost puppy” side just a little too much, especially when he was with Evan.

I really liked Evan. He was optimistic, compassionate and understanding, kind and caring, and completely loyal. He’s probably the most perfect of all perfect characters ever written. His character is unrealistic, but he just seems so genuine that I really didn’t mind.

Now I have never gotten into the whole “favorite couples from books” thing, but I think that Evan & Archer have to be my favorites I’ve yet read. They are the definition of “opposites attract”.

Plot and Story:

Hushed starts out with a huge attention getter. (A murder made to look like an accident.) After I read the first chapter, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. It was very fast paced, and it didn’t feel rushed at all. Not an easy feat for a 224 page book. (The finished version is 260 pages, and I wasn’t able to get a copy of the book in time for the review, so I’m not sure what changes were made.)

Overall:

I want to recommend this book to everyone I meet! I loved Hushed! It’s one of those books that you’ll never forget. I’m giving 5 of 5 stars to an awesome LGBT thriller. I don’t think that there’s much more to be said. I can’t wait to see what Kelley York writes next. 

Review and Giveaway: Perfected by Girls by Alfred C. Martino

Title: Perfected by Girls

Author: Alfred C. Martino site

Format: Paperback, 310 pages

Published: 11/1/2011

Publisher: Cole Street Publishing

Source: Received from author for review

Challenges: Completely Contemp Challenge (hosted by Chick Loves Lit)

“Navigating high school isn't easy for Melinda Radford.

She's the lone girl on the Ashton High wrestling team, grappling with opponents who refuse to compete against her, a few who want to crush her, and a coach who's less-than-pleased having a female in his practice room. At home, Mel's parents forbid her from seeing her new boyfriend, her grandmother insists she start preparing for her future by taking a dreary office internship, and her infuriating older brother, who's the varsity team captain, flirts with her best friend, Jade.

Just when it seems things can't get any more complicated, an off-handed comment puts Mel at odds with her teammates, her brother, and, worst of all, her coach. But through a twist of tragedy and fate, Mel is given an unexpected opportunity to accomplish something no girl in her school's history has ever done - something that just may redeem herself in the eyes of her detractors. But is she strong enough to handle the pressure?”

-Goodreads

Characters:

I have to say, I was a little skeptical that the author would be able to write a convincing female character. But I can happily say that I feel that Mel was a very believable, and for the most part realistic, female voice. She definitely wasn’t a cookie cutter. And I loved how passionate she was about wrestling. So much so that it got me excited as well, and I’ve never watched a minute of wrestling in my life. I think that’s one of the signs of a good writer, to be able to convey your feelings strongly through your writing and make the reader feel the same.

Plot and Story:

Too often in contemps, the message the writer is trying to get across is obvious in the plot and is so repetitive it makes the reader want to tear their hair out. I have to applaud Alfred Martino for writing a novel partly about girl power, without the story being over wrought with the same monotonous message. The only part of the story that irked me was something that happened at the end. **SPOILER ALERT** (Highlight section to read) Melinda gets back together with her boyfriend. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but it really obvious and somewhat implied that he’s only with her to get into her pants. When they were together he was always pushing her to go further that she was comfortable. It seemed like the author was trying to make them getting back together a positive thing, a happy ending.*

Point of View:

Perfected by Girls is from the point of view of Melinda, nicknamed Mel, an amateur wrestler and the only girl on her high school JV team in Ashton, Michigan.

Overall:

I really enjoyed Perfected by Girls. I absolutely love it when an author is so passionate about something, in this case wrestling, that it shines through and can make the reader feel that passion. I think it’s one of the attributes that make a good writer. If you like contemporary fiction, I’d give this one a try. I’m giving Perfected by Girls 4 of 5 stars. Chick Power!

I know how much you all like giveaways, and the author of Perfected by Girls has kindly offered up two signed copies of his book! 


After I finished Perfected by Girls, I did some snooping on the internet and was happy to discover that Alfred C. Martino, the author, is a big animal lover as well. He helped start Dog Park Publishing , a totally cool organization that specifically help pit bulls.  And even if you don't enter the giveaway, be sure to visit Dog Park Publishing and their Pit Bulls and Itty Pitties Facebook page. You'll be in for some very cute pet pictures.

Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Title: Article 5

Author: Kristen Simmons site

Format: ARC, 362 pages

Published: 1/31/2012

Publisher: Tor Teen

Source: Received from the publisher for review

“New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. 

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.”

-Goodreads

Characters:

Ember is one of the most annoying protagonists I’ve ever encountered. She was very, very dense. She had to have even the most obvious things spelled out for her. And when she made obviously bad decisions, there didn’t seem to be any motive behind it. Needless to say, she wasn’t very likable.

I feel like Chase’s character was really see-through, and had been done a million times before. He is the muscled and attractive boy next door with a tortured past, that comes back into the picture after a long absence. He’s supposed to be kind of mysterious with a hidden secret, but it’s a very easy secret to guess.

In short, I didn’t really care for either of the main characters.

Plot and Story:

For the most part the plot was alright. It progressed enough to keep you reading. But it wasn’t as balanced between romance and dystopia as I would have liked. Although the things happening in the dystopian world get in the way on occasion, it’s really about whether or not Chase and Ember will get back together after both of them have changed so much. This set up can be appealing to some, but it definitely isn’t for me.

And I wish that the author had been clearer in her descriptions throughout the book. A lot of times it would seem as though the two main characters were alone having a conversation when out of nowhere there would be another character. Or it would seem like Chase and Ember were either riding or sitting in the car, but they were actually hiking. These seem like small inconveniences, but they all really add up and make reading the book confusing. 

Point of View:

Article 5 is written in first person from the point of view of Ember.

Overall:

Although the premise/synopsis of the book was intriguing, Article 5 left me disappointed. It was a very hard book to finish, especially with such an unlikeable main character. I don’t think I’ll be pursuing a sequel. I give it 2 of 5 stars. 

Future Release Review: My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan by Seth Rudetsky

Title: My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan

Author: Seth Rudetsky site

Format: Ebook, 220 pages

Release Date: 1/24/2012

Publisher: Random House BYR

Source: Netgalley

Challenge: Ebook Reading Challenge (hosted by Workaday Reads), Standalone Reading Challenge (hosted by Icey Books), and the Completely Contemp Challenge (hosted by Chick Loves Lit)

“Justin has two goals for sophomore year: to date Chuck, the hottest boy in school, and to become the king of Cool U, the table in the cafeteria where the "in" crowd sits. 

Unfortunately, he has the wrong look (short, plump, Brillo-pad curls), he has the wrong interests (Broadway, chorus violin), and he has the wrong friends (Spencer, into Eastern religions, and Mary Ann (who doesn't shave her armpits). And Chuck? Well, he's not gay; he's dating Becky, a girl in chorus with whom Justin is friendly.

But Justin is determined.

In detention one day (because he saw Chuck get it first), Justin comes up with a perfect plan: to allow Becky to continue dating Chuck, whom Becky's dad hates. They will pretend that Becky is dating Justin, whom Becky's dad loves. And when Becky and Justin go out on a fake date, Chuck will meet up with them for a real date with Becky. Chuck's bound to find Justin irresistible, right? What could go wrong?”

-Goodreads

Characters:

The main character and narrator, Justin, is portrayed as the lovable yet totally clueless underdog of the high school hierarchy. The guy that would unfortunately never fit in socially at the top, but whose goal is to be popular. Justin’s superficial-ness is balanced out by his all knowing best friend Spencer, who is also gay and the only person Justin has ever come out to. Becky is the ever so sweet girl who is unfortunately in the way, being girlfriend to Justin’s desire Chuck. Chuck is the guy of Justin’s dreams. He’s model gorgeous and the quarterback of the football team, but of course everyone but Justin can tell that they wouldn’t be a match made in heaven.

Plot:

The plot of this book left a lot to be desired. Things progressed exactly as they appeared early on in the story, **KIND OF A SPOILER ALERT** (Highlight section to read) Boy is at the bottom of the high school food chain and just wants to be popular, by some coincidence he comes up with a scheme to be popular (and get the guy of his dreams), the boy’s plans fail but finds the silver lining (the actually perfect guy that was in front of him the whole time), boy learns life lesson and lives happily ever after, the end. ** There’s no doubt that the plot is clichéd, I just wish that the author would have put some kind of a unique spin on it.

Writing Style:

The narrative is Justin reiterating the more major events of his sophomore year very soon after the fact, almost like sporadic journal entries.  The only thing that really bothered me about the writing was the almost constant reminder that Justin is both Jewish and gay. It was almost as though the author thought the reader would keep forgetting. I heard you the first time!

Overall:

My Awesome /Awful Popularity Plan is exactly as it appears, a fluff book, plain and simple. It’s not a book that will give you a new idea to ponder, or a plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat with a million unthinkable twist and turns. . Although I would have loved a bit more originality, it’s a book that does what it’s supposed to do. It’s meant purely as a fun, and short, story that may put a smile on your face. This type of story isn’t really my cup of tea, but it wasn’t a completely disappointing change from the norm. I’m giving it 3 of 5 stars, though I probably wouldn’t reread it.

Future Release Review: Everneath

Title: Everneath

Author: Brodi Ashton site

Format: ARC, 370 pages

Release Date: 1/24/2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Source: Received from a friend

“Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. 

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. 

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...”

-Goodreads

How it starts:

Cole, an Everliving, has been Feeding off of Nikki for one hundred years in the underworld of Everneath. Instead of becoming a shriveled old woman, as happens to all Forfeits, Nikki survived intact. Nikki could become an Everliving. However, she decides to go back to the Surface and live out her six months before the Tunnels come for her. On the Surface, only six months have gone by in her absence. All Nikki wants to do is live out her remaining time in peace. But Cole has other ideas. He comes back to the Surface to try to convince Nikki to back with him, and rule over Everneath.  

Characters:

Nikki, the protagonists, character was kind of flat. There wasn’t much of a personality there. Nothing that made her seem like a real live human being. And she did one thing I can’t stand characters doing, she continually chastised herself about being too “selfish”, just for interacting with people. Because not doing so would “save them from future grief” or something.  

Jack, the love interest, has some serious *PCD. Even though there are a million times when it seems like he’s walking away, and understandably so, he stays completely faithful and understanding of Nikki, no matter what happens. He seems not to have any flaws, other than being self sacrificing toward Nikki. No one is that perfect.

I’m not really sure how to categorize Cole. He’s kind of posed as a love interest and/or villain. But Nikki makes it clear from the beginning that she’ll never be interested, and he’s not really villainous material. He comes off as just trying to help Nikki make the decision he thinks is right. I liked him best out of the three, though if he’s going to be considered the opposition, he needs to grow a back bone and do something to make the audience dislike him more. Like kicking puppies or something. That would really get some hate mail.  

Plot:

The plot did have a few surprises up it’s sleeve. And it wasn’t as riddled with clichés as many other supernatural romances out there, though Everneath did have it’s moments. The ending however was very disappointing. It was way too predictable, and cliché. (I just noticed I use the term “cliché” a lot. I’ll have to look up some synonyms.)

Point of View:

Just the tried and true First Person.

Overall:

I didn’t get anything special from the characters, and the plot was kind of give and take. What really kept me reading from the get-go was the unique world that was created.  It is for that reason alone that I would recommend reading Everneath. I’m giving it 3 of 5 stars for being very in the middle.

Emma-isms:

*PCD stands for Perfect Character Disorder. I usually use this term when a character is portrayed as unrealistically perfect. (i.e. always understanding, hansome/beautiful, without fault, ect.)

Holiday Break Reading Challenge Day 14 - Collage of All Books Read in 2011

Without further adieu all the books I've read (so far) in 2011. 

Holiday Break Reading Challenge Day 7 - Your Favorite Book Character of 2011 in Pictures

Today's challenge activity was to write a post about your favorite character you read about in 2011. Hands down (or hand and "whiphand"), that would have to be Drake Merwin from the Gone series by Michael Grant. Anyone who has ever met me or read my posts has probably had the pleasure of hearing me gush about the Gone series, which I discovered earlier this year. Out of the many lovable characters in the series, of course, my favorite would have to be the psychopathic, immortal, and whiphanded killer. Here's a collage of some my favorite Drake fan art found through deviantart.com.

Fan art artists from collage, left to right: "Mr. Whiphand" by kangel, "Drake Merwin Fanart" by FallsApart, "Gone -- Drake Merwin" by Zexionluver4ever, "Beware the Whiphand -- Drake Merwin" by Malsavaidity, and "Drake Marker Sketch -Gone-" by TheIronyIsPalpable.

E-Book & Self-Published Reading Challenge

I decided to join the 2012 Ebook Challenge and the 2012 Self-Published Reading Challenge, both hosted by Workday Reads. I have an ereader, but I don't use it as often as I should. And of course I'm always looking for ways to support self-published authors. I'm going with the "DVD level", 25 books, for the ebook challenge. And the "Paragraph level", 10 books, for the self-published challenge. Here's a list of some ebooks (some self-published, some not) that I've already committed to reading.

-Quest of the Demon by M.J. Sawyer

-Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe

-Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer

-Unearthed by Rebecca Bloomer

-Ugly to Start With by John M. Cummings

If you're participating with either challenge, feel free to link-up in the comments section. Clicking on the challenge image will take you to the challenge sign-up page.

Zombie Reading Challenge

I decided to join Book Chick City's Zombie Reading Challenge. I decided to start off with the lowest level, "One Chomp", for reading six zombie themed books.  I love books about zombies, and hopefully this challenge will motivate me to read more zombie fiction. Here are some zombie themed book from my "to-read" list I might read for the challenge. (I fly by the seat of my pants in choosing books. No committing for me.)

-Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
-Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
-My Life As a White Trash Zombie by Dianna Rowland
-Bad Taste In Boys by Carrie Harris
-Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
-Married With Zombies by Jesse Peterson

-Feed by Mira Grant

-World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

If you're participating in the challenge, link up your post page in the comments section so I can check it out. Click on the image at the top of this post to go to the challenges sign-up page.

2012 Stand Alone Reading Challenge

I'm participating in the 2012 Standalone Reading Challenge hosted by Icey Books and I Like These Books. I'm joining lots of other bloggers and challenging myself to read at least 15 standalone YA novels. Perhaps like many of you, it gets tiring having so many YA novels out there being part of a series or trilogy. Let's help spread the word about some great standalones coming soon! Here's a list featuring some standalones' coming out in 2012. Some I'll probably read for the challenge! Each title will take you to the book's Goodreads page.

1. Above by Leah Bobet (released  April 1st 2012 by Arthur A. Levine Books)
2. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth (released May 8th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
3. Trafficked by Kim Purcell (released February 16th 2012 by Viking Juvenile)
4. When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellison (released February 28th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
5. The Other Life by Susan Winnacker (released February 1st 2012 by Usborne)
6. Partials by Dan Wells (released February 28th 2012 by HarperCollins)
7. Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick (released January 28th 2012 by Lerner Publishing Group)
8. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (released January 10th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile)
9. Purity by Jackson Pearce (released April 24th 2012 by Little, Brown)
10. Double by Jenny Valentine (released February 27th 2012 by Hyperion Books)
11. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (released October 2012 by Harlequin Teen)
12. Altered by Jennifer Rush (released unknown, 2012 by Little, Brown)
13. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga (released unknown, 2012 by Little, Brown)
14. Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz (released April 17th 2012 by Simon Pulse)
15. After the Snow by S.D. Crockett (released March 27th 2012 by Feiwel & Friends)

I hope that some of you out there will join in the fun, and participate as well. Happy Reading!