Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 166
August 22, 2016
Book Review: I'll Be Here by Yesenia Vargas
I'll Be Here (Matters of the Heart #2) by Yesenia Vargas
Blurb:Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one…
Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, her best friend, Adam, is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
My Review:I received a copy of I'll Be Here in exchange for an honest review.
Katia's life is just starting to get back to normal after Brian left with his family to go back to Mexico. Adam is back in school and she's trying to get back her friendship with him. Then Brian returns... again.
Both guys make it clear that they want to be with her and Katia finds herself in the middle of her worst nightmare... a love triangle. How is a girl supposed to figure things out while juggling school, SATs, and college decisions all at the same time?
Can Katia trust Brian again? Or will he end up breaking her heart and leaving again? Is it possible for Katia to feel more than just friendship for Adam? Or will she dash his hopes and hurt him and break their brittle friendship - possibly forever this time?
I wasn't sure what to expect from I'll Be Here but I have mixed emotions about it. Katia spends like the first chapter and a half of the book whining about how much she misses/loves Brian but then when he shows up she doesn't want anything to do with him. Then she spends the rest of the book being kind of wishy-washy and complaining about both guys liking her but at the same time a whole school year passes before she can make a decision. If Katia were a real person instead of a fictional character she seems like the type of girl guys get annoyed with for never just saying what they want.
This played a major factor in me disliking the first half to three-quarters of this book. The end redeemed the story and I'm satisfied with how Katia's story wraps up but it was touch and go there for me for a while.
Overall, I liked this book but because of the way the heroine of the story acted I didn't love it. I do recommend reading this book if you read book one and want to see how things wrap up.
My rating: 3.75 of 5 Stars
Get I'll Be Here for the Special Launch Price of 99¢ on Amazon this week only!
Blurb:Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one… Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, her best friend, Adam, is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
My Review:I received a copy of I'll Be Here in exchange for an honest review.
Katia's life is just starting to get back to normal after Brian left with his family to go back to Mexico. Adam is back in school and she's trying to get back her friendship with him. Then Brian returns... again.
Both guys make it clear that they want to be with her and Katia finds herself in the middle of her worst nightmare... a love triangle. How is a girl supposed to figure things out while juggling school, SATs, and college decisions all at the same time?
Can Katia trust Brian again? Or will he end up breaking her heart and leaving again? Is it possible for Katia to feel more than just friendship for Adam? Or will she dash his hopes and hurt him and break their brittle friendship - possibly forever this time?
I wasn't sure what to expect from I'll Be Here but I have mixed emotions about it. Katia spends like the first chapter and a half of the book whining about how much she misses/loves Brian but then when he shows up she doesn't want anything to do with him. Then she spends the rest of the book being kind of wishy-washy and complaining about both guys liking her but at the same time a whole school year passes before she can make a decision. If Katia were a real person instead of a fictional character she seems like the type of girl guys get annoyed with for never just saying what they want.
This played a major factor in me disliking the first half to three-quarters of this book. The end redeemed the story and I'm satisfied with how Katia's story wraps up but it was touch and go there for me for a while.
Overall, I liked this book but because of the way the heroine of the story acted I didn't love it. I do recommend reading this book if you read book one and want to see how things wrap up.
My rating: 3.75 of 5 Stars
Get I'll Be Here for the Special Launch Price of 99¢ on Amazon this week only!
August 19, 2016
Marquette, Michigan: A Walking Tour Inside Out of Darkness
A couple weeks ago I took a short trip to the setting of Out of Darkness, Marquette, Michigan. Marquette, Michigan is the most populated city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the home of NMU (Northern Michigan University). On my trip, I meant to take pictures of the beautiful scenery as well as a few places mentioned in Out of Darkness to give readers a visual of Lizette's world.
HOTplate Paint-Your-Own-Pottery 153 W. Washington St.Marquette, MichiganA paint your own pottery studio. OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Keiran Madigan works at HOTplate firing pottery after it has been painted.
Babycakes Muffin Company 223 W Washington St Marquette, MichiganA coffee and muffin shop.OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Thierry Sebastian works at Babycakes, which in OUT OF DARKNESS sells cupcakes instead of muffins.
Holy Cross Orphanage 600 Altamont St. Marquette, MichiganAn abandoned orphanage that sits on a hill overlooking U.S. 41. Sadly this awesomely creepy looking building is in the process of being demolished. :(OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: In OUT OF DARKNESS this building is combined with the D.J. Jacobetti Veteran's Home next door and used as the secret hangout spot of Lizette and her friends.
Miner's Castle and Lover's Leap, The Pictured Rocks The Pictured RocksMunising, MichiganI didn't make it to the pictured rocks this trip, so I found these on their website: http://www.picturedrocks.com/ OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Lizette and Thierry go on a date to Munising and drive out to Miner's Castle. Lover's Leap is also mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS. Local legend has is that a couple displayed their love for each other by jumping off the top of the rock arch below together.
Sadly the Weatherly house in the woods is just a figment of my imagination. But I think it would look a little like this (but enclosed with more trees)...
Other Beautiful Spots Not Mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS (but may show up in one of the other books in the Eternals Trilogy)
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
PS. I found the Loch Ness Monster... and it's not in Scotland!
Be sure to get your copy of OUT OF DARKNESS before the second book in the ETERNALS TRILOGY, INTO THE LIGHT, hits bookshelves this December!
Available in eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover!Kindle US: http://amzn.com/B01BGDETG0Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BGDETG0Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-darkness-taylor-fenner/1123382993?ean=2940152610543Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/OutOfDSmashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/612853iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/out-of-darkness/id1082039074?mt=11Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1523900334Createspace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5985720Lulu Hardcover: http://www.lulu.com/shop/taylor-fenner/out-of-darkness/hardcover/product-22635242.html
HOTplate Paint-Your-Own-Pottery 153 W. Washington St.Marquette, MichiganA paint your own pottery studio. OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Keiran Madigan works at HOTplate firing pottery after it has been painted.
Babycakes Muffin Company 223 W Washington St Marquette, MichiganA coffee and muffin shop.OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Thierry Sebastian works at Babycakes, which in OUT OF DARKNESS sells cupcakes instead of muffins.
Holy Cross Orphanage 600 Altamont St. Marquette, MichiganAn abandoned orphanage that sits on a hill overlooking U.S. 41. Sadly this awesomely creepy looking building is in the process of being demolished. :(OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: In OUT OF DARKNESS this building is combined with the D.J. Jacobetti Veteran's Home next door and used as the secret hangout spot of Lizette and her friends.
Miner's Castle and Lover's Leap, The Pictured Rocks The Pictured RocksMunising, MichiganI didn't make it to the pictured rocks this trip, so I found these on their website: http://www.picturedrocks.com/ OUT OF DARKNESS Reference: Lizette and Thierry go on a date to Munising and drive out to Miner's Castle. Lover's Leap is also mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS. Local legend has is that a couple displayed their love for each other by jumping off the top of the rock arch below together.
Sadly the Weatherly house in the woods is just a figment of my imagination. But I think it would look a little like this (but enclosed with more trees)...
Other Beautiful Spots Not Mentioned in OUT OF DARKNESS (but may show up in one of the other books in the Eternals Trilogy)
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette, Michigan
PS. I found the Loch Ness Monster... and it's not in Scotland!
Be sure to get your copy of OUT OF DARKNESS before the second book in the ETERNALS TRILOGY, INTO THE LIGHT, hits bookshelves this December!
Available in eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover!Kindle US: http://amzn.com/B01BGDETG0Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BGDETG0Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-darkness-taylor-fenner/1123382993?ean=2940152610543Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/OutOfDSmashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/612853iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/out-of-darkness/id1082039074?mt=11Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1523900334Createspace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5985720Lulu Hardcover: http://www.lulu.com/shop/taylor-fenner/out-of-darkness/hardcover/product-22635242.html
August 18, 2016
"Book Mail" Thursday #1
I love getting book mail... almost as much as I love having a book in my hand right away with no wait time. This Thursday my book mail is...
Wake The Hollow by Gaby Triana
Blurb:
Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.
Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.
This town will suck you in and not let go.
Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.
Find the answers.
Unless, of course, the answers find you first.
Why I Was Drawn To This Book:
I first heard about this book in a newsletter from the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I liked the blurb. I love The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and books set in Sleepy Hollow so I'm hoping I like this book a lot. I have read a book by this author before, Cubanita, and I remember liking the book despite reading it years ago; so I'm really looking forward to reading Wake The Hollow.
Wake The Hollow by Gaby Triana
Blurb:
Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.
This town will suck you in and not let go.
Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.
Find the answers.
Unless, of course, the answers find you first.
Why I Was Drawn To This Book:
I first heard about this book in a newsletter from the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I liked the blurb. I love The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and books set in Sleepy Hollow so I'm hoping I like this book a lot. I have read a book by this author before, Cubanita, and I remember liking the book despite reading it years ago; so I'm really looking forward to reading Wake The Hollow.
August 17, 2016
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #36
This "WIR" Wednesday I'm reading an ARC of a book coming out next week...
I'll Be Here (Matters of The Heart #2) by Yesenia Vargas
Blurb:
Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one…
Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, Adam is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: After reading the beginning of Katia and Bryan's story in When You Came Back I'm eager to see how their story ends in I'll Be Here. I'm just starting the book so I can't give you too deep of an opinion of what I think of this book but it is easy to dive right into after reading book one. And unlike Katia, I love "love triangles"!
I'll Be Here (Matters of The Heart #2) by Yesenia Vargas
Blurb:
Katia hates love triangles. And now she’s in the middle of one…Just when Katia thinks she might be getting over Brian moving away again, he reappears in her life. And as if that wasn’t enough, Adam is also back for senior year.
Adam is determined to show Katia that, unlike Brian, he’ll never let her down. But Brian won’t give up on Katia that easily. He regrets more than ever having left, and now he’s determined to win Katia’s heart back.
Katia is torn between two good guys who have been there for her in the past, and she’s not sure what she feels for either of them anymore.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: After reading the beginning of Katia and Bryan's story in When You Came Back I'm eager to see how their story ends in I'll Be Here. I'm just starting the book so I can't give you too deep of an opinion of what I think of this book but it is easy to dive right into after reading book one. And unlike Katia, I love "love triangles"!
August 16, 2016
Book Review: The Selection (Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, 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, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.
Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
My Review: When Prince Maxon of Illea is ready to find a wife girls country-wide are encouraged to enter "The Selection", a competition that's like a mash-up of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games (minus the whole death part).
America Singer, a five on the scale of Illea's caste system where the lower your number is, the more privileged and easy your life is, wants nothing to do with The Selection. To her, Maxon seems stuck up and shallow. Besides, for the past two years she's been secretly dating Aspen, a six - the servant caste one peg lower than America's 'artists and musicians' caste. But America's parents would never approve the match because sixes are even poorer than fives and starvation is a reality sixes face on a near daily basis.
When Aspen tells America he wants her to enter The Selection because he'd never forgive himself if she had a chance for a better life, America reluctantly agrees while believing there's no chance that she would ever be picked.
Nobody is more shocked than America when her name is announced as one of The Selected. Suddenly America is pulled into a new world full of things she never could have imagined could be hers. She's whisked away to the palace in Angeles where she meets her fellow contestants and has her first taste of privileged life. When she meets Prince Maxon she realizes that her preconceived opinion couldn't be more wrong - but can she forget about the boy she loves back home? The one who broke her heart and she's not sure still loves her at all?
Will America remain in The Selection? Or will the sudden reappearance of the boy she thought she'd lost make her abandon the friendship - and more- that's forming between her and Prince Maxon?
I was very surprised to find that I loved this book as much as I did. Dystopian novels aren't really something I like but the Bachelor-esqe competition almost made me forget the dystopian theme altogether. From the moment America meets Maxon I was hoping that he would win her over and she would forget all about Aspen. There's enough girl-drama between the characters to please anyone who likes watching reality dating competitions and America's first taste of palace life and all of the new experiences she encounters - even with the underlying sense of danger - kept me turning pages late into the night.
I loved Marlee as well as America's maids, Anne, Mary, and Lucy and I can't wait to see more of them in The Elite (The Selection #2). I'm dying to know if America and Marlee's friendship will continue or if some obstacle will tear them apart. Coming into this series late in the game after Maxon and America's story concludes I sort of already know how this Selection will wrap up but I'm eager to follow the journey all the way through.
The only thing I didn't like so much about this novel is that, like many other novels, we find a character that everyone else thinks is beautiful but America doesn't see herself as anything other than plain. I understand that America's humbleness is part of what Maxon likes about her but the whole beautiful-girl-doesn't-know-she's-beautiful plot has been done over and over again in YA novels.
Overall I loved this book so much and I recommend it to anyone who: likes dystopian romance novels, loves watching reality dating competions like The Bachelor, or anyone looking for a great cross between a fairytale love story and danger-filled dystopian novel.
My Rating 5 of 5 Stars
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, 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, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
My Review: When Prince Maxon of Illea is ready to find a wife girls country-wide are encouraged to enter "The Selection", a competition that's like a mash-up of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games (minus the whole death part).
America Singer, a five on the scale of Illea's caste system where the lower your number is, the more privileged and easy your life is, wants nothing to do with The Selection. To her, Maxon seems stuck up and shallow. Besides, for the past two years she's been secretly dating Aspen, a six - the servant caste one peg lower than America's 'artists and musicians' caste. But America's parents would never approve the match because sixes are even poorer than fives and starvation is a reality sixes face on a near daily basis.
When Aspen tells America he wants her to enter The Selection because he'd never forgive himself if she had a chance for a better life, America reluctantly agrees while believing there's no chance that she would ever be picked.
Nobody is more shocked than America when her name is announced as one of The Selected. Suddenly America is pulled into a new world full of things she never could have imagined could be hers. She's whisked away to the palace in Angeles where she meets her fellow contestants and has her first taste of privileged life. When she meets Prince Maxon she realizes that her preconceived opinion couldn't be more wrong - but can she forget about the boy she loves back home? The one who broke her heart and she's not sure still loves her at all?
Will America remain in The Selection? Or will the sudden reappearance of the boy she thought she'd lost make her abandon the friendship - and more- that's forming between her and Prince Maxon?
I was very surprised to find that I loved this book as much as I did. Dystopian novels aren't really something I like but the Bachelor-esqe competition almost made me forget the dystopian theme altogether. From the moment America meets Maxon I was hoping that he would win her over and she would forget all about Aspen. There's enough girl-drama between the characters to please anyone who likes watching reality dating competitions and America's first taste of palace life and all of the new experiences she encounters - even with the underlying sense of danger - kept me turning pages late into the night.
I loved Marlee as well as America's maids, Anne, Mary, and Lucy and I can't wait to see more of them in The Elite (The Selection #2). I'm dying to know if America and Marlee's friendship will continue or if some obstacle will tear them apart. Coming into this series late in the game after Maxon and America's story concludes I sort of already know how this Selection will wrap up but I'm eager to follow the journey all the way through.
The only thing I didn't like so much about this novel is that, like many other novels, we find a character that everyone else thinks is beautiful but America doesn't see herself as anything other than plain. I understand that America's humbleness is part of what Maxon likes about her but the whole beautiful-girl-doesn't-know-she's-beautiful plot has been done over and over again in YA novels.
Overall I loved this book so much and I recommend it to anyone who: likes dystopian romance novels, loves watching reality dating competions like The Bachelor, or anyone looking for a great cross between a fairytale love story and danger-filled dystopian novel.
My Rating 5 of 5 Stars
August 14, 2016
YA Subgenres & How to Tell Them Apart
These days it's not just teenagers reading YA novels - but don't be fooled - there's more to the YA (Young Adult) Section of your local bookstore or online book retailer than just one single genre of books. YA books come in lots of different subgenres and it's up to you to experiment and see what subgenres you like. Here are some of the subgenres that are hot now, or have been hot in the past few years.
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance started out being really big around the time of the Twilight series and has since grown into a really popular genre in YA fiction. Paranormal Romance themes can include much more than ghosts, encompassing a broad spectrum of stories featuring romantic stories ranging from vampires to werewolves to witches and more.
Over the past few years, the popularity of Paranormal Romance has shifted to...
Fantasy I used to think was like Sci-Fi or Dystopian novels so I stayed away from Fantasy novels as a whole. A few months ago that changed as I realized there were different kinds of fantasy novels and it was all about finding which kinds suited me. The two main kinds of Fantasy novels I read are:
Urban Fantasy
Very similar to the Paranormal genre these books usually include some kind of magical creature or creatures in a modern realistic setting.
High Fantasy
High Fantasy is closer to Sci-Fi in that the setting is usually an imaginary land (usually with an unpronounceable name) and can be influenced in part by fairytales or be loosely based on medieval Europe (at least this is how I sort it out in my mind).
Moving on from Fantasy we get the three types of Young Adult novels I don't read regularly due to personal preference...
Sci-Fi
Think Aliens and Space. Yes, there are other offshoots and sub-subgenres of science fiction (sci-fi) but true science fiction usually involves a space theme or alien/unearthly beings.
Dystopian Dystopian novels are usually set in a distorted version of our world in which some great event has caused a massive change - and not for the good. YA dystopian novels usually follow a hero/heroine as they struggle against a harsh, rigid, unfair society. Will the hero/herione of these novels overthrow the leaders of the society and show everyone how wrong they've been living? I'll read some dystopian novels but I personally don't favor them because we live in a depressing enough world without reading books that show even more depressing societies.
Post-Apocalyptic Similar to Dystopian novels (or at least I get them mixed up often) are Post-Apocalyptic novels. A great catastrophe like the apocalypse has occurred and these books are all about how society acts and rebuilds after such an event.
Contemporary Moving away from magic, fantasy, and sci-fi, Contemporary YA novels are all about relating to real teens with real life situations and struggles. No witches, vampires, or aliens here.. but you might find a nasty cheerleader or two.
Last but not least of the major subgenres is...
Horror YA Horror is the answer for all those who love anything scary. Bring on the psycho killers and twisted teens. Will anyone make it to prom night alive? Be warned though: like any good horror novel, these books can get gory. Read at your own risk.
So which YA subgenres do you like best? Do you love all things paranormal or do you wish in a fantasy land. Do you crave a good scare or do you wish to be a game-changer in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic society? Or do you just like to be contemporary?
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance started out being really big around the time of the Twilight series and has since grown into a really popular genre in YA fiction. Paranormal Romance themes can include much more than ghosts, encompassing a broad spectrum of stories featuring romantic stories ranging from vampires to werewolves to witches and more.
Over the past few years, the popularity of Paranormal Romance has shifted to...
Fantasy I used to think was like Sci-Fi or Dystopian novels so I stayed away from Fantasy novels as a whole. A few months ago that changed as I realized there were different kinds of fantasy novels and it was all about finding which kinds suited me. The two main kinds of Fantasy novels I read are:
Urban Fantasy
Very similar to the Paranormal genre these books usually include some kind of magical creature or creatures in a modern realistic setting.
High Fantasy
High Fantasy is closer to Sci-Fi in that the setting is usually an imaginary land (usually with an unpronounceable name) and can be influenced in part by fairytales or be loosely based on medieval Europe (at least this is how I sort it out in my mind).
Moving on from Fantasy we get the three types of Young Adult novels I don't read regularly due to personal preference...
Sci-Fi
Think Aliens and Space. Yes, there are other offshoots and sub-subgenres of science fiction (sci-fi) but true science fiction usually involves a space theme or alien/unearthly beings.
Dystopian Dystopian novels are usually set in a distorted version of our world in which some great event has caused a massive change - and not for the good. YA dystopian novels usually follow a hero/heroine as they struggle against a harsh, rigid, unfair society. Will the hero/herione of these novels overthrow the leaders of the society and show everyone how wrong they've been living? I'll read some dystopian novels but I personally don't favor them because we live in a depressing enough world without reading books that show even more depressing societies.
Post-Apocalyptic Similar to Dystopian novels (or at least I get them mixed up often) are Post-Apocalyptic novels. A great catastrophe like the apocalypse has occurred and these books are all about how society acts and rebuilds after such an event.
Contemporary Moving away from magic, fantasy, and sci-fi, Contemporary YA novels are all about relating to real teens with real life situations and struggles. No witches, vampires, or aliens here.. but you might find a nasty cheerleader or two.
Last but not least of the major subgenres is...
Horror YA Horror is the answer for all those who love anything scary. Bring on the psycho killers and twisted teens. Will anyone make it to prom night alive? Be warned though: like any good horror novel, these books can get gory. Read at your own risk.
So which YA subgenres do you like best? Do you love all things paranormal or do you wish in a fantasy land. Do you crave a good scare or do you wish to be a game-changer in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic society? Or do you just like to be contemporary?
August 10, 2016
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #35
After breezing through Descend, book two of the really fantastic Awakened Fates Series earlier this week now I'm starting a new book and a new series I've heard great things about...
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, 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, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.
Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: Like I said, I've heard great things about this series. Everyone I've talked to seems to love it so I thought I would give it a try. Dystopian-set novels aren't usually my thing but Amazon says that people who liked books like the Divergent books will enjoy this and since I did like that book (until Hollywood got involved and screwed it up by making a movie, not to mention the author completely ruined everything in book three...) I'm hoping I will enjoy The Selection. So far I'm only a few pages in but it's not putting me to sleep so I'll take that as a good sign. On the other hand... a world without Halloween? The best holiday of the whole year? I would never survive in this world. :/
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Blurb:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, 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, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far: Like I said, I've heard great things about this series. Everyone I've talked to seems to love it so I thought I would give it a try. Dystopian-set novels aren't usually my thing but Amazon says that people who liked books like the Divergent books will enjoy this and since I did like that book (until Hollywood got involved and screwed it up by making a movie, not to mention the author completely ruined everything in book three...) I'm hoping I will enjoy The Selection. So far I'm only a few pages in but it's not putting me to sleep so I'll take that as a good sign. On the other hand... a world without Halloween? The best holiday of the whole year? I would never survive in this world. :/
August 9, 2016
Book Review: DESCEND by Skye Malone
Descend (The Awakened Fate Series #2) by Skye Malone
Blurb:
Chloe always dreamed of visiting the ocean, and now the ocean is the only place she has left to go. Trapped in the form of a mermaid and on the run from the Sylphaen, her best chance for safety lies in traveling with Zeke to his underwater home and staying under his protection there.
Leaving isn't easy, however. Her best friend doesn't know where she's gone, and her family doesn't either. She's been forced to abandon Noah, the boy she's liked for years and who she's just discovered likes her too. She only hopes Zeke's people will help her so she can return soon.
But when conspiracies follow her and people start to die, safety becomes harder to find than ever. The Sylphaen are coming. They're more powerful than she could have imagined.
And they're not through with Chloe yet.
My Review: I received a copy of Descend in exchange for an honest review.
After being injected with a strong, modified dose of Neiphiandine by the insane Sylphaen cult, Chloe is forced to remain in mermaid form. Unable to survive on land she travels back to Nyciena with Zeke and his brother Niall.
Her arrival in Nyciena is less than welcoming. Chloe discovers Zeke's father is a king and his eldest brother, Ren, the heir to the throne, is sure that Chloe is a spy. King Torvias allows Chloe to stay in the palace under guard and grants her the medical attention she needs although he doesn't completely believe Zeke's story about Chloe being a target of the supposedly eradicated Sylphaens.
Everyone in the kingdom believe Chloe is Zeke's latest fling and she can tell everyone is gossiping about her as she tries to blend in and make friends with Zeke's twin sister, Ina.
When a deadly attack strikes the palace, suspicion falls on Chloe and Ren takes action against her, playing right into the Sylphaens' hands.
Will Zeke get to her in time? Will any place on land or in the ocean ever be safe for Chloe? Is it possible that there is a Sylphaen hidden in her midst waiting for the right time to strike?
Descend picks up right where Awaken leaves off bringing you right into an amazing underwater fantasy world that will blow your mind. Everything about Yvaria and Nyciena is so well thought out by the author. Details about the palace and the way the dehaians live make them seem so realistic and almost... human.
I loved the storyline, it kept me interested and kept in line with the events of the first book. I also was happy that in this book Skye Malone gives you chapters in Chloe, Zeke, and Noah's perspectives. Noah's perspective really added to the story in my opinion. The characters have so much depth and you fall for each of them in their own way (although I love Zeke - he's awesome!). The end of the book leaves you wanting to get right into the next book as soon as possible. I am so in love with this series and I can't wait to see what awaits Chloe, Zeke, and Noah next!
Overall, the writing is great, this book is easy to get into, and if you loved Awaken you will love this continuation of the Awakened Fate series!
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Blurb:
Chloe always dreamed of visiting the ocean, and now the ocean is the only place she has left to go. Trapped in the form of a mermaid and on the run from the Sylphaen, her best chance for safety lies in traveling with Zeke to his underwater home and staying under his protection there.Leaving isn't easy, however. Her best friend doesn't know where she's gone, and her family doesn't either. She's been forced to abandon Noah, the boy she's liked for years and who she's just discovered likes her too. She only hopes Zeke's people will help her so she can return soon.
But when conspiracies follow her and people start to die, safety becomes harder to find than ever. The Sylphaen are coming. They're more powerful than she could have imagined.
And they're not through with Chloe yet.
My Review: I received a copy of Descend in exchange for an honest review.
After being injected with a strong, modified dose of Neiphiandine by the insane Sylphaen cult, Chloe is forced to remain in mermaid form. Unable to survive on land she travels back to Nyciena with Zeke and his brother Niall.
Her arrival in Nyciena is less than welcoming. Chloe discovers Zeke's father is a king and his eldest brother, Ren, the heir to the throne, is sure that Chloe is a spy. King Torvias allows Chloe to stay in the palace under guard and grants her the medical attention she needs although he doesn't completely believe Zeke's story about Chloe being a target of the supposedly eradicated Sylphaens.
Everyone in the kingdom believe Chloe is Zeke's latest fling and she can tell everyone is gossiping about her as she tries to blend in and make friends with Zeke's twin sister, Ina.
When a deadly attack strikes the palace, suspicion falls on Chloe and Ren takes action against her, playing right into the Sylphaens' hands.
Will Zeke get to her in time? Will any place on land or in the ocean ever be safe for Chloe? Is it possible that there is a Sylphaen hidden in her midst waiting for the right time to strike?
Descend picks up right where Awaken leaves off bringing you right into an amazing underwater fantasy world that will blow your mind. Everything about Yvaria and Nyciena is so well thought out by the author. Details about the palace and the way the dehaians live make them seem so realistic and almost... human.
I loved the storyline, it kept me interested and kept in line with the events of the first book. I also was happy that in this book Skye Malone gives you chapters in Chloe, Zeke, and Noah's perspectives. Noah's perspective really added to the story in my opinion. The characters have so much depth and you fall for each of them in their own way (although I love Zeke - he's awesome!). The end of the book leaves you wanting to get right into the next book as soon as possible. I am so in love with this series and I can't wait to see what awaits Chloe, Zeke, and Noah next!
Overall, the writing is great, this book is easy to get into, and if you loved Awaken you will love this continuation of the Awakened Fate series!
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
August 7, 2016
Book Review: Catacomb by Madeleine Roux
Catacomb (Asylum #3) by Madeleine Roux
Blurb:
Sometimes the past is better off buried.
Senior year is finally over. After all, they've been through, Dan, Abby, and Jordan are excited to take one last road trip together, and they're just not going to think about what will happen when the summer ends. But on their way to visit Jordan's uncle in New Orleans, the three friends notice that they're being followed . . . and photographed. Then Dan starts receiving messages from someone he didn't expect to hear from again—someone who died last Halloween.
When the trio arrives in New Orleans and the strange occurrences only escalate, Dan is forced to accept that everything that has happened to him in the past year may not be a coincidence but fate—a fate that ties Dan to a group called the Bone Artists, who have a sinister fascination with notorious killers of the past.
Now Dan's only hope is that he will make it out of his senior trip alive.
My Review: It was supposed to be a post-senior year road trip. One last hurrah before Abby, Jordan, and Dan go their separate ways for college. Jordan is moving to New Orleans to live with his uncle Steve before he starts Tulane in the fall. Abby is interested in photographing old Americana - small town people and old forgotten places - to prove to her parents she should take a gap year to focus on photography before deciding if and when she'll go to college. Dan just wants to spend time with his friends, especially Abby.
But once again horror and mystery lie in wait for Dan. He has brought along a stolen file containing the only information he has on his parents, not to mention he's still having visions of things that aren't there and he's begun receiving cryptic messages from someone he knows cannot possibly be sending them. Why did his parents give him up? Where are they now? Does it have anything to do with the Brookline's infamous Warden (Dan's great-uncle)?
Something is looming around the corner every step of the journey. Before they left, Jordan took out the spare tire to make room for his Star Wars sleeping bag. Spells for a smooth trip, right?
Wrong. A flat tire causes them to walk to a small Alabama town where they receive help from a mechanic that later vanishes - that nobody has ever heard of, and a stranger on a motorcycle is following the trio and taking pictures of them. Then when they stop for the night in Shreveport after Abby just has to stop at a library there, Dan hears someone outside their tent but when he goes to investigate they run away. Who are they? Do they want to help or harm Dan?
Who is after Dan this time? And what do they want from him? What did his parents uncover about a pharmaceutical company called Trax Corp. that made them have to go into hiding? Will the nightmarish events that have been following him since his first stay at Brookline ever come to an end?
I got about halfway through this book and couldn't finish. I tried, I really did, but somewhere along the way this series has changed so much from what was going on in the first book and a half that it got a little boring. Maybe it was when the author moved the story from Brookline to New Orleans and focused more on Dan's parents than the Warden but suddenly the story didn't seem to jive with the other two books. I also kept wanting more out of Dan. As a character, Dan never really showed the emotion I wanted him to. He never became a hero. The friendship between him, Jordan, and Abby was strange too. I could see Jordan and Abby being friends but Dan never really seemed to fit in with them.
Maybe my inability to get into this book came from it being too long since I read book number two, I'm not really sure. It was alright, but I didn't love it and I'm not even sure I really liked it. Catacomb still has horror elements to it but it seems to delve more into the mystery of Dan's parents so if you like mystery over horror then I think you'll like this book.
My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Blurb:
Sometimes the past is better off buried.Senior year is finally over. After all, they've been through, Dan, Abby, and Jordan are excited to take one last road trip together, and they're just not going to think about what will happen when the summer ends. But on their way to visit Jordan's uncle in New Orleans, the three friends notice that they're being followed . . . and photographed. Then Dan starts receiving messages from someone he didn't expect to hear from again—someone who died last Halloween.
When the trio arrives in New Orleans and the strange occurrences only escalate, Dan is forced to accept that everything that has happened to him in the past year may not be a coincidence but fate—a fate that ties Dan to a group called the Bone Artists, who have a sinister fascination with notorious killers of the past.
Now Dan's only hope is that he will make it out of his senior trip alive.
My Review: It was supposed to be a post-senior year road trip. One last hurrah before Abby, Jordan, and Dan go their separate ways for college. Jordan is moving to New Orleans to live with his uncle Steve before he starts Tulane in the fall. Abby is interested in photographing old Americana - small town people and old forgotten places - to prove to her parents she should take a gap year to focus on photography before deciding if and when she'll go to college. Dan just wants to spend time with his friends, especially Abby.
But once again horror and mystery lie in wait for Dan. He has brought along a stolen file containing the only information he has on his parents, not to mention he's still having visions of things that aren't there and he's begun receiving cryptic messages from someone he knows cannot possibly be sending them. Why did his parents give him up? Where are they now? Does it have anything to do with the Brookline's infamous Warden (Dan's great-uncle)?
Something is looming around the corner every step of the journey. Before they left, Jordan took out the spare tire to make room for his Star Wars sleeping bag. Spells for a smooth trip, right?
Wrong. A flat tire causes them to walk to a small Alabama town where they receive help from a mechanic that later vanishes - that nobody has ever heard of, and a stranger on a motorcycle is following the trio and taking pictures of them. Then when they stop for the night in Shreveport after Abby just has to stop at a library there, Dan hears someone outside their tent but when he goes to investigate they run away. Who are they? Do they want to help or harm Dan?
Who is after Dan this time? And what do they want from him? What did his parents uncover about a pharmaceutical company called Trax Corp. that made them have to go into hiding? Will the nightmarish events that have been following him since his first stay at Brookline ever come to an end?
I got about halfway through this book and couldn't finish. I tried, I really did, but somewhere along the way this series has changed so much from what was going on in the first book and a half that it got a little boring. Maybe it was when the author moved the story from Brookline to New Orleans and focused more on Dan's parents than the Warden but suddenly the story didn't seem to jive with the other two books. I also kept wanting more out of Dan. As a character, Dan never really showed the emotion I wanted him to. He never became a hero. The friendship between him, Jordan, and Abby was strange too. I could see Jordan and Abby being friends but Dan never really seemed to fit in with them.
Maybe my inability to get into this book came from it being too long since I read book number two, I'm not really sure. It was alright, but I didn't love it and I'm not even sure I really liked it. Catacomb still has horror elements to it but it seems to delve more into the mystery of Dan's parents so if you like mystery over horror then I think you'll like this book.
My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
August 5, 2016
Music & Writing
My vacation is winding down and I'm heading home so I think I'll talk about how music helps me write...
As I've mentioned before in an inspiration blog, music can be great for writers. It helps us focus and we can completely get lost in our writing. Some writers listen to classical music others to instrumental but I'm fond of rock music when I write.
Some of my favorite artists to write to are Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, and Evanescence. I need it loud, I need it angry, and I need it powerful. But sometimes I don't even hear the lyrics when I listen to music while writing... sometimes there's just something about the beat that drives me on.
Music is a powerful thing. When I listen to a song for the first time something magical happens: the lyrics paint a picture in my head and that picture tells a story. This isn't a new development. When I was younger before I started any major writing projects I'd listen to a song and my mind would conjure up a story about what the singer was saying. (in my mind I used to think I was "brainstorming" what the music video should look like.)
For example, when I listened to "Gun In My Hand" by DOROTHY I pictured in the literal sense a woman doing away with her cheating boyfriend/husband/lover. In my mind's eye, the era is the 1930s or forties, the woman's black hair is pulled into a tight chignon, and she's wearing a blue cotton knee-length dress with short capped sleeves. She's in a women's prison after killing her significant other and a woman after finding them in bed together. At one point you see her scrubbing blood off her hands then the cops bust the door in and arrest her. She's singing into an old fashioned microphone in a large open area and there are prison cells behind her - it is all very Chicago - Cell Block Tango scene.
How do my weird thoughts about songs translate to writing? All it takes it a phrase in the lyrics to create a scene relevant to whatever I'm working on and I'm off. I can see it all so clearly and words start flowing from the tip of my pen.
Music is my greatest weapon against writer's block, my saving grace when I'm afraid I won't know how to continue. Music is soothing (yes, even loud rock is soothing to me) and it blocks out distractions around me. Music has the ability to convey thoughts and emotions through lyrics and melodies.
What does music do for you? Does it help you create? Are you a writer? What do you like to listen to when you write? Or do you like complete silence?
As I've mentioned before in an inspiration blog, music can be great for writers. It helps us focus and we can completely get lost in our writing. Some writers listen to classical music others to instrumental but I'm fond of rock music when I write.
Some of my favorite artists to write to are Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, and Evanescence. I need it loud, I need it angry, and I need it powerful. But sometimes I don't even hear the lyrics when I listen to music while writing... sometimes there's just something about the beat that drives me on.
Music is a powerful thing. When I listen to a song for the first time something magical happens: the lyrics paint a picture in my head and that picture tells a story. This isn't a new development. When I was younger before I started any major writing projects I'd listen to a song and my mind would conjure up a story about what the singer was saying. (in my mind I used to think I was "brainstorming" what the music video should look like.)
For example, when I listened to "Gun In My Hand" by DOROTHY I pictured in the literal sense a woman doing away with her cheating boyfriend/husband/lover. In my mind's eye, the era is the 1930s or forties, the woman's black hair is pulled into a tight chignon, and she's wearing a blue cotton knee-length dress with short capped sleeves. She's in a women's prison after killing her significant other and a woman after finding them in bed together. At one point you see her scrubbing blood off her hands then the cops bust the door in and arrest her. She's singing into an old fashioned microphone in a large open area and there are prison cells behind her - it is all very Chicago - Cell Block Tango scene.
How do my weird thoughts about songs translate to writing? All it takes it a phrase in the lyrics to create a scene relevant to whatever I'm working on and I'm off. I can see it all so clearly and words start flowing from the tip of my pen. Music is my greatest weapon against writer's block, my saving grace when I'm afraid I won't know how to continue. Music is soothing (yes, even loud rock is soothing to me) and it blocks out distractions around me. Music has the ability to convey thoughts and emotions through lyrics and melodies.
What does music do for you? Does it help you create? Are you a writer? What do you like to listen to when you write? Or do you like complete silence?
