Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Publication: May 9, 2006

(243 pages, paperback)

Summary: Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastian's, a boys' school that pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom.  Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an impossibly dorky accordion player.  The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about. 

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Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling who she really is.  Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.

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My thoughts: Honestly, I was a little skeptical of Saving Francesca. It seems a bit ambitious to combine normal high school stuff and such a serious issue like depression without dragging the story down a lot or making it seem unrealistically light. But Saving Francesca was surprisingly deep and realistic and even somewhat light. It was one of those rare books with a message that doesn't focus too solely on one issue. I really grew to love the characters, of course, especially Francesca. The writing was great--not awe-worthy, but it made me think and it was very fitting. And the plot, while not really fast-paced, was quick enough to keep me interested without rushing too much.

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I really loved Francesca. She was witty and intelligently written, without having to dumb down the rest of the characters to seem smart. Her self-discovery was poignant and I couldn't help but feel every one of her emotions. I liked the way Marchetta wrote her mother, too. She was realistic and Francesca's response to her depression was realistic also. It was a delicate, not easily balanced story line, but it worked really well, and I felt like I was struggling to come to term with all of the changes in Francesca's life right along side her.

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Okay, so, yes, there was a boy, and yes, he was cute, and yes, I inadvertently fell in love with him a little bit. And there was also Will, Francesca's actual love interest. Maybe I was the only one, but I really loved Thomas, who, was totally inappropriate and immature but also adorably hilarious. But I won't get into all of that; I really liked Will's and Francesca's relationship, too. They were cute in that we-hate-each-other-but-secretly-love-each-other way. But without being too over-the-top. I loved that their relationship had lots of bumps in the road too, seeing as how that made them all the more exciting when they were together.

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I think my favorite aspect of the book might have been Francesca and her little brother's relationship. It was sweet and honest. But I also really loved the way Francesca and all of her girlfriends got along. They were some of the most oddly-matched and unlikely groupings of girls, but it worked and I really cared about all of them.

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The writing was interesting in a good way. I liked the simplicity of it, which didn't take away from the story line at all, but added an extra personal touch which made me feel closer to Francesca and allowed me to put myself in her place. The story, which was medium-paced, was great and simple and in the end, it kind of felt like I had just peeked into the lives of a few people living ordinary (or not-so) lives. The book had a melancholic feel and I'll definitely be looking for more by Marchetta. It was a meaningful, fun read.

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Covering the Cover: I really love this cover. It's cute and gives a good feel to the book even before cracking it open.

Characters: 4.5/5

Plot: 4.5/5

Writing: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Tighter by Adele Griffin

Tighter by Adele Griffin

Publication: May 10, 2011 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

(208 pages, hardcover)

Summary: When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.
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Brilliantly plotted, with startling twists, here is a thrilling page-turner from the award-winning Adele Griffin.

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My thoughts: If there was one thing Tighter was, it was suspenseful. And not just oh-my-god-what-is-going-to-happen suspenseful, but staying up late at night, afraid of the dark suspenseful. It was definitely a book that stays with you for a while after you read it. The twists were uncalled-for and I was biting my nails right up to the very end. I'm not always the biggest fan of books with major twists and creepy settings that are freak-out worthy, but I thought the plot was well-written and I really enjoyed scaring myself while reading it.

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So, let's start out with the not-so-good, since I don't like to dwell on the parts of good books that aren't good. Jamie, who I liked fine (most of the time) was a nice girl, who is more than a little freaked out about the fact that she looks like the girl who had her job last year--and happens to now be dead. She's a bit irrational, caring, and average. But just a bit too average for my taste. I didn't ever feel a real connection with her, which probably wasn't Griffin's goal, but it kind of turned me off from the novel at times. At times when I knew I was supposed to be afraid for her, I wasn't really; she was just another character in the story, which isn't great when you're the protagonist.

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As for the rest of the characters, I kind of felt the same way. I liked them (or disliked them if they were obviously bad guys) and I felt like they were real enough. But they never really struck me as more than characters, like a background to what was happening and where they were. Which isn't normally how characters are supposed to work, nor was it something I liked about Tighter.

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Onto the good: the setting was completely creepy and intriguing, as was the story. Ghost stories seem to all be repeats of one another, with one or two little differences that don't really disguise how alike they all are. But Tighter was completely unique, and uneasy to predict. I was sucked into it after the firt few pages, and I couldn't put it down. It'd be hard to say more without ruining it or just repeating myself.

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The plot was extremely well-written, the setting was appropriately interesting and scary, the premise was original, and I just really enjoyed it. I even liked the writing style, which, while simple, was well-executed and kept me hooked. The only downfall, the characters, wasn't one big enough to cause any major complaints. If you're into intense, keep-you-up-at-night thrillers, then this one is definitely for you.

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Covering the Cover: I really love this cover; it was what first drew me in, since it looks creepy and fits so well with the title.

Characters: 2.5/5

Plot: 5/5

Writing: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Stay by Deb Caletti

Stay by Deb Caletti

Publication: April 5, 2011

(320 pages, hardcover)

Summary: Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

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Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

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My thoughts: Stay wasn't a typical young adult contemporary read. For starters, Caletti's writing was deep and emotional from the first page. Second of all, the timeline of the novel was unusual and intriguing. Lastly, the premise of the story was mysterious and creepy. All of those elements combined made for a very unique, mostly satisfying read.

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Even though it quickly becomes apparent where the story is going to go, the twists and turns in the novel are still surprising and suspenseful. I really liked the way the book jumped from present tense and Clara's life now, to the past tense, when Clara was with Christian. It revealed the story in an interesting and thoughtful way. Seeing how Clara's perspective changed, and how her faults affected her life made for an emotional novel, and one that I definitely enjoyed.

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One of the downfalls, for me, was one of the things I was actually looking forward to. The suspense; it was definitely suspenseful sometimes, but during some of the moments where the real action was, it kind of fell flat. I might be being picky, it just didn't get me on the edge of my seat like I could have been if the writing was slightly less, well, flat. I really loved the plot, the writing style just took away from the excitement. Other than that, the plot was original (at least to me; I haven't read many books on this topic) and well-paced.

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Clara as a character was great;  maybe it's totally weird, but my favorite character was Christian. Okay, stop it with the horrified expression, let me explain; I was scared of him, creeped out by him, and found him majorly screwed-up. But he was a believable villain, which is a difficult character to find in young adult literature; also, he was a really fleshed-out character, probably the most fleshed-out after Clara. He was my favorite in how complex he was. Which leads me to another one of the things I loved about Stay: how realistic Clara's response was. I don't want to ruin stuff, so I'll keep it simple and say it just was realistic. 

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Not to end on a bad note, but my last thought is that the ending left me a bit unsatisfied, which is th main reason I really liked but didn't love. Caletti even acknowledges the slight lack of closure, which, while it provided some sense of relief, knowing that it was meant to be that way, still made me wish there was a little bit more. But overall, Stay was an honest, good read.

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Covering the Cover: At first I wasn't a big fan, but in the end, I really like the simplicity and light colors of it.

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Series: Strange Angels, #1
Publication: May 19, 2009 by Penguin
(293 pages, paperback)
Summary: Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)
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Then her dad turns up dead--but still walking--and Dru knows she's next. Even worse, she's got two guys hungry for her affections, and they're not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever--or whoever--is hunting her?
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My thoughts: I wasn't honestly expecting more than a fast-paced, action-packed novel from Strange Angels. But it was actually deep at times, and I felt really connected with Dru. She had self-confidence, and apart from being really hard-headed and stubborn at times, I really liked her. It definitely wasn't predictable, and the writing was good too.
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Despite her major flaws, Dru was everything I ask for in a heroine; she was tough, dependable, and smart. At times she drove me nuts, and I wanted to shake her because of her occasional denseness, she was still a great character. I loved Graves, especially though. He was loyal, intelligent, and honest. I really liked the witty banter between him and Dru, too. I'm not so crazy about Christophe; he seemed all right, but he was a little too cocky. But I did like the element his presence added. It made the book a little bit heavier when it got to dependent on the action.
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Speaking of which, the action was great. I was holding my breath at times. The suspense really was suspenseful, and best of all, I had no problems following it. The language was clear and it was exciting. My problem was that at times Strange Angels seemed a little too soap-opera-y. I like a love triangle and drama just as much as any other teen girl (well, maybe not any) but I also like some meaning. There were times when Dru seemed really girly and not at all like the tough girl I loved.
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The writing was satisfactory, if not fantastic. I liked the way Dru thought. At times the writing was a bit tedious, but I'd blame that more on the story than the actual writing. The information was well-spread out. And thank God for paranormal (er, urban fantasy?) novels that have characters who are aware of the supernatural at work in their worlds. Dru's knowledge of all things paranormal (er, most things?) was made the book far less boring than it could have been. After reading so many books that go over the same vampire/werewolf/faerie rules over and over again, Strange Angels was refreshing.
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So, overall, Strange Angels was a great, exciting read, and a promising start to a series. I'm looking forward to the sequels, and hoping for some improvements. I'd recommend it to anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy/paranormal, with a bit of romance and a bit of substance for a change.
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Covering the Cover: To be frank, I'm not a fan. It's boring and like a lot of other paranormal books. And the slogan isn't true at all, which I find kind of hilarious. "Knife throwing": none. "Night hunting": none. "Heart breaker": not yet at least.
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Writing: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4 stars

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
Series: The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson, #1
Publication: April 5, 2011 by Atheneum
(Hardcover, 304 pages)
Summary: Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!
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My thoughts: I'm not big on reading middle grade books; I'm usually more prone to older teen books (probably since I'm an older teen), but Kat, Incorrigible was a really fantastic book. Kat, whose mother died giving birth to her and whose father is married to a social-ladder-climbing woman, is intelligent, funny, and overall a great character. I thoroughly enjoyed her antics and her whole attitude brought a spark to the novel. It's definitely one to recommend to younger teens, or pre-teens, and can definitely be enjoyed by anyone older who is looking for a lighter read.
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The story starts out pretty quickly, and there were hardly any lulls. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, and the magical twist made it all the more fun to read. Even though the story is pretty light and not dark or deep, it's still got a flair to it that made reading it enjoyable and fast. There were lots of twists and turns and I was never really sure where the story was going. I don't think I could've asked for more from a middle-grade novel, or even a regular YA.
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The characters were great. Wacky and lovable, in just the right way. I was pulling my hair out over Kat's stepmother's superficial acting and laughing about Kat's sister's strange behavior. I especially liked Angeline, who was just as headstrong and stubborn as Kat; Elissa, her other sister, was cute and quirky in her own way too. I liked that the romances that go on with them weren't overdone and how Kat manages to get into them despite her sister's protests.
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The writing style was simple and definitely fitting. I liked how quick-paced everything was; sometimes things felt a little too rushed, which is my only real complaint. But other than that, Kat, Incorrigible was a quick, fun read that I'd recommend to any middle-grader who likes historical fiction with a magical twist.
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Covering the Cover: The cover is really cute and fitting for the story.
Characters: 5/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing: 3/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

I Am Number Four (Movie Review)

Okay, guys, this is my first movie review, so bear with me. I was going to do a normal review, I figured I'd do this instead since I just saw the movie. Today I went to see I Am Number Four, and it was amazing! I had high expectations, considering I really enjoyed the book, and I was happily surprised when it actually surpassed them. Alex Pettyfer was great as Number Four, and I think all of the actors portrayed their characters well. The story was great, and even though I read the book before, I think it was easy to follow if you hadn't read it. And wow, the special effects were great! I was totally drawn into the movie from the beginning.

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I'm going to be honest: Pettyfer definitely added something to the movie that had nothing to do with actual acting. So maybe I'm a tad more impressed because of that fact, but I still thought it was a great movie. It was filled with action and good dialogue, and I actually cared about the characters. One thing i thought was great was how nicely everything was paced. Nothing really suffered in the transformation from book to movie, except maybe a little bit of explaining. But nothing was totally overlooked, and I was overall, really happy with what scenes were kept in and what scenes were looked over and shortened.

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The movie isn't particularly deep, but I don't think anyone went into that theater expecting something deep really. It also had a few rough scenes; I thought the romance between Agron and Pettyfer seemed a little quick and strained, but they didn't affect the movie in a strong way. It was intense and suspenseful, and completely lived up to expectations. My favorite part was probably how great the battle/fight scenes looked. I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a good action-adventure with some, (cough, Alex Pettyfer, cough) great actors in it. I'm looking forward to the sequel (both book and movie).

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Rating: 4 stars

The Iron Witch (Iron Witch #1) by Karen Mahoney

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Series: The Iron Witch, #1
Published: February 8, 2011
Publisher: Flux
(290 pages, paperback)
Summary: Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

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When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

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My thoughts: I've read a lot of harsh reviews of The Iron Witch, and honestly, I'm surprised. I really loved it and I think it was one of the more original urban fantasy novels that I've read in a while. Donna would be your average high school outcast--except the reason she's an outcast is because she has magically, er, "enhanced" hands and arms which cause her to have to wear gloves all the time and have super-strength. I loved that Donna was so strong--physically and mentally--because she was never one for the damsel in distress stereotype that gets on my nerves. The romance and relationship aspect of the book was a little bit stereotypical though, I have to admit. I liked Xan, I really did, but it felt like the writer got a little lazy when it came to his and Donna's connection. The character I really liked and would like to see more of is Navin. I'm convinced he's connected in more ways than just through Donna, and I'm anxious to see where Mahoney goes with that story line.

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This book was kind of a quick read, not only because the writing was simple and to-the-point, but because the plot moved at light speed. Despite the originality of it (I liked the alchemy aspect; you don't hear much of that in YA), the story seemed somewhat lacking in a few of the non-magical aspects. I'm not sure if this counts as a spoiler, but just in case, spoiler alert: For instance, I'm completely confused as to whether Navin sees Donna as more than a friend. I didn't get that feel, but apparently other readers did. If so, I think I'm on Team Navin. end spoiler. Other than a few predictable parts of the story line, it was a really great plot. And while the actual writing aspect wasn't great, Mahoney makes up for a lot of that in descriptions of the faeries and Donna's alchemical world. I always love stories with awe-worthy details.

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The characters were well-written and, besides Donna and Xan's rushed romance, had realistic relationships and actions. Navin, who quickly turned into my favorite character, had a great reaction to learning about the faeries (I won't go on a rant on how important reactions are in YA, but they are important!) and he was a great best friend for Donna. I'm looking forward to the Wood Queen almost solely because of him. Donna, while definitely a strong protagonist, has her weak moments, but they were well placed and seemed real-to-life. Xan, who was also a great character, provided some relief from the heart-pounding adventure, and also, he was funny. Besides being incredibly gorgeous and half-fey, he had a sense of humor (swoon). The other characters weren't focused on much, but they were an okay background to the real action.

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Overall, The Iron Witch was a great read. It had romance (albeit not amazing romance), an original plot, and realistic characters. It was nearly unputdownable at points and I really enjoyed everything from the love scenes to the action scenes to the revelations about Donna's secretive life. It might not have been my favorite read of 2011, but it was a solid read, and I don't think there was much I could improve upon in it. I'm dying to get The Wood Queen and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with the characters from this one. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a fleshed-out urban fantasy.

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Covering the Cover: I think we can all agree this cover is gorgeous. It's just so pretty and symbolic and shows Donna so well.
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Overall Rating: 4 stars

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

Series: Soul Screamers, #1

Published: August 1, 2009

Publisher: Harlequin

(279 pages, paperback)

Summary: She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally. 

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Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

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My thoughts: Being a big fan of Vincent's adult series (albeit I'm only two books in) I was thrilled to find out she had a YA book series. However, I had a few reserves, considering one of my favorite aspects of her adult series is the heat between the main characters. But once I'd started My Soul to Take I realized Vincent has maintained the heat between her new characters in this series as well. Plus, I loved the concept: I mean, seriously teenage banshees! It's so original and I really love the mixture of paranormal/mythology/teen angst. I had a few complaints, but in the end, this was an interesting, well-executed start to the series.

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Kaylee wasn't a great protagonist; in fact, she reminded me a lot of Faythe from Vincent's Shifters series. She was stubborn and strong-willed and a little bit too angst-y for me. She had all of Faythe's good qualities too: she's not afraid to stand up for herself or speak her mind, and she's a quick learner for sure. I liked seeing her struggle to come to terms with the fact that she wasn't human and that she could actually predict others deaths.  She got on my nerves a little with her constant needling and whining about how unfair everything was, but in the end I liked Kaylee and will be looking forward to unravelling the rest of the secrets in her world alongside her.

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Let's face it: the real reason I really liked My Soul to Take was Nash. He was sweet, understanding, and, well, hot. I loved the heat between him and Kaylee and how they weren't always getting along. Although their romance was a little easy, Kaylee has doubts and Nash isn't always the perfect gentleman, but I loved him and more importantly, I loved them together. The other secondary characters were interesting, if not totally fleshed out. The character I found most interesting was Kaylee's father, and I'm hoping to hear more about his background in the next installments in the series.

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The story line was a bit predictable, but I still loved the concept. Despite the foreign subject Vincent still managed to make it believable and interesting without going into information-overload. The bits of pieces we got of information made the story intriguing and didn't deviate from what was actually happening. Vincent's writing is angst ridden and realistic without being overwhelmingly teen-like. It didn't take away from the action or the complicated plot. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequel and hope that it stands up to this great start.

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Covering the Cover: This cover is gorgeous, but I like the UK covers best honestly. It just fits the story better in my opinion.

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 5/5

Writing: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Published. Date: January 11, 2011

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

(368 pages, hardcover)

Summary: When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York--and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future. 

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When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?

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My thoughts: I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of realistic YA romance novels. They usually end with me crying and the protagonists heart broken. That being said, I really loved Other Words for Love. It met my expectations completely, and yeah, I cried a lot throughout the last half of the novel. Rosenthal really knows how to portray the depth of a teenage girl's heart and the struggle to find 'true love.' The novel was completely honest and realistic and I felt every thing that Ari felt.

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This novel took me a while to get into (a lot of my recent reads have had slow starts.. maybe I'm just impatient) but once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading. Ari was such a lifelike character and her emotions were so true to life that it's almost hard to believe she's not a real person. Even without fancy metaphors or beautifully written passages, Rosenthal makes the novel her own and gives Ari life that not many authors can give their characters. Without a doubt Ari Mitchell is unforgettable, and I don't think many authors can make such believable, sweet protagonist with the ease that Rosenthal writes with. The rest of the characters were extremely realistic too, and I loved the depth and growth they underwent during the novel. It felt like I was getting a glimpse into a real girl's life during the 80's.

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The writing was fantastic because of its simplicity and honesty. The descriptions were more than adequate and well-written. It's hard to describe the characters since they grow and change so much, but they were all lifelike and I felt exactly how Ari felt for them. Even though I sometimes disagreed with her reaction to things, they were still exactly how I would imagine her reacting. Blake was a total sweetheart and he sent me on a roller coaster ride of emotions, along with almost every other character in the story.

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The downfall of Other Words for Love was the story, for me. While it was realistic, I have to admit, I'm a total, eternal romantic. I know this probably makes me biased and also kind of cliched, but I couldn't bring myself to feel completely satisfied with the way things ended. Spoiler (highlight to see it): I kind of wanted more resolution for Ari. She ended up basically alone (save her family, who had to be with her) and it made me a little sad, albeit I know it was more realistic that way. In the end, I didn't love the story line, and how saddening parts of it were. Maybe the novel deserves 5 stars, but I can't bring myself to give it more than 4 because of the overbearing sadness of the novel. Other Words for Love was a beautiful, moving tale of a teen girl's love, friendships, and familial relationships that was completely honest and a must-read for teen readers, in my opinion. A stunning debut.

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Covering the Cover: I love this cover. The picture of Brooklyn is gorgeous and the girl's mouth adds a romantic touch, along with the fancy font.

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Specials (Uglies #3) by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Specials
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Uglies #3
Published: April 15, 2006 by Simon Pulse
(372 pages, paperback)
Summary: "Special Circumstances":

The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor — frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.

And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it's easy to tune that out — until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.

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My thoughts: The conclusion to the Uglies trilogy (Extras is really unrelated to the original story arc) is the most action-packed, fast-paced, making-your-heart-beat-faster book of the series. Tally has undergone yet another operation and is now a 'Special'. Along with now having super-advanced abilities, reflexes, and looks, comes a whole new vocabulary. I loved the words and phrases that Specials use ('staying icy' was my favorite) and I think Westerfeld has been outstandingly creative with his new vocabularies and expressions. The Specials are freakishly unfeeling and amazingly powerful (in more ways than one) and I loved the changes. Even though I liked Tally best as an unaffected Ugly, Specials provided a whole new look on the futuristic world set in the series.

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Shay's been on my bad side since she turned into a Pretty; however, I love how Westerfeld has changed her with every book, morphing her from the free-thinking, independent Ugly she once was to a vice for the government. The character development is kind of breathtaking when you look at how these characters started and how they are by the end. I liked the re-introduction to the characters from the Smoke, and even though I thought it was a little forced that there would be a 'New Smoke,' the story line was still original and dangerous in a whole new way. Okay, so, spoiler alert for the rest of this paragraph: I love, love, loved Zane, from the first page he was introduced on. I'm not gonna lie; I cried a lot when he died; I have to admit to having hated Tally for her cold response to him early in the book. Westerfeld, though, did a fine job of showing Tally's remorse at her superficiality and her cold behavior around him. I think the fact that he died made it more thought-provoking to show how their society has caused so much destruction.

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The writing wasn't particularly great, but it served its purpose; I liked the way Tally's narrative changes with her physical changes. It made it more realistic, and it made the changes in her more apparent. Also, its great how her feelings and emotions weren't totally buried under her new personality; her old emotions still showed through in certain parts of the writing. Also, it was written in a fast-paced way that made it quicker reading and cut straight to the chase throughout.

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Tally was still a great protagonist; even when you think she's going to give up, go home, forget all of her rebellions and just let her society get the best of her, she gets back up and rebells some more. The story line was little bit jumbled by the point in the series, but Westerfeld did an alright job of tying up to loose ends from both Uglies and Pretties. Despite the craziness going on and the complicated side stories, the series ended on a manageable, almost hopeful note. Specials wasn't my favorite of the series, but it wasn't a bad novel by any means, and it was still a thought-provoking, frightening look on what society could one day become. It was an action book with a little bit of romance and deepness sprinkled in.

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Covering the Cover: This cover was my favorite of the series. It's simple and breathtaking and displays the Specials perfectly.

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 4.5/5

Writing: 3.5/5

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Title: Identical
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Published: August 26, 2008 by McElderry
(565 pages, paperback)
Summary: Do twins begin in the womb? Or in a better place?
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge and a politician mother, they are an all-American family--on the surface. But behind the facade, each sister has her own dark secret,
Kaeleigh is the misplaced focus of Daddy's love; Raeanne sees Daddy playing a game of favorites, which she is losing. Secrets like the ones the twins harbor are not meant to be kept, from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one must step up to save the other. But the question is--who?
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My thoughts: Identical is another outstanding novel by Hopkins. It perfectly portrayed a fractured family caught in a web of its own lies and its own flaws. Raeanne uses substances and sex to dull the ignorance of her father's affections. Kaeleigh strives for perfection while allowing her father to love her like he can't love their mother anymore. Their mother is running away from the family she no longer loves. And all the while they've got their own personal demons to tackle.
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The writing is beautiful and striking in Identical. It's painful how horrible the twins' lives are and I found myself having to distance myself from their pain at times, it was so intense. The story is so detailed and screwed up in the worst way that I practically found myself gritting my teeth, preparing for the next horrid event. Kaeleigh and Raeanne each had their own distinctive voices, and I felt each of their pain in different ways. Hopkins writes in a gripping, intense, poetic way. The free verse format feels natural and I loved the way it cut out the fluff and kept it more focused on the important ideas.
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While I was screaming for Kaeleigh to get some help, open up to Ian, and realize how disgusting and unjust her father's actions were, I could (partially) understand her fears. She was sweet and shy and Identical was true eye-opener when it comes to sexual abuse because of her demeanor. It made me realize that all really isn't how it always seems. I loved Ian, who stuck by her side through everything, and he was so beautiful inside and out I was wishing Kaeleigh would just let him in. Despite everything, I couldn't help but feel weak in the knees over their passion and love. It just goes to show that Hopkins can write anything and still make it realistic and raw.
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Raeanne uses substances to heal the wounds her father's lack of love for her has created. I didn't agree with many decisions she made, and while I could feel her palpable angst and hurt, I was less connected to her; she seemed too far gone, and if anything, I was angry at her for keeping quiet when her sister was so brutally abused. But Raeanne has her own set of problems that keep her going back to sex and drugs and drink.
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I have to admit, I already knew the twists that occured in Identical. It ruined a bit of the suspense, and I definitely recommend going into this book spoiler-free; from what I've heard from friends who have read this book unknowing, it has more of an impact. As it was, I was still shocked by how Hopkins crafts the story; it was so raw that I still can't help but shut off some of the raging emotions this book drew from me. The plot line is finely written and in an unforgettable voice that takes no shortcuts and neglects no hideous facts. In the end, I loved Identical and hated what it contained. It lacked some of the punch some of Hopkins's titles have, but it was amazing in its own truthful ways.
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Covering the Cover: I really love all of the covers of Hopkins's books have; it's simple and eye-catching and perfect for what's inside.
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall Rating: 4 stars

Rogue (Shifters #2) by Rachel Vincent

Title: Rogue
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Shifters #2
Published: April 1, 2008 by Mira
(394 pages, paperback)
Summary: Okay, so cats don't always land on their feet. 
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I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I've made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I'm working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on- and off-duty.
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But not all of my mistakes are behind me. We re beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...
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My thoughts: The Shifters series is one of my favorites, and Rogue was a great installment. Faythe still gets on my nerves more than a bit and I'm still frustrated with the sexism that goes on in these books, but I'm grateful that both of my major issues with the book are actually addressed in this book. Faythe has just gotten back together with Marc, and while they can't seem to take their eyes (or hands) off one another, they also have to find time to be enforcers for their Alpha (Faythe's father). Rogue could be easily described in two words: hot and intense. The romance is still fiery and the action is still extremely entertaining. The mystery revolving around the murders going on in Rogue is intriguing and VIncent does an excellent job of teasing the readers. This book was nearly impossible to put down, too.
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Faythe is definitely one to speak her mind; that's my favorite of her assets and also the reason I sometimes hate her. Faythe is more than a bit of a hothead and that sometimes makes the reading unbearable; I just wanted to slap her throughout the last half of the book. But I'm also glad that she isn't afraid of speaking up for herself, since a lot of protagonist don't. Occasionally I love the fact that Faythe is stubborn and refuses to bend to the Pride's ridiculous rules. And I'm glad that the sexism the Pride has is a common source of Faythe's frustration, and I can only hope eventually she'll have the power to do something about it. Vincent portrays Faythe realistically (for a werecat, I mean) and even though she has her major flaws, I'll be glad to see her maturing throughout the rest of the series.
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The Pride members aren't all that well introduced, save for Marc, Jace, and Faythe's father, but I think they are well-placed and well-written. Even though most of book centers around Faythe, each of the characters' have their own distinctive personality and traits. I liked how Vincent incorporated more of Faythe's mother into this installment and I hope she's in more of the following books. The Alpha, Faythe's dad, is still one of my favorite characters, because he's so unwavering and Faythe completely takes after him, even if she hates to think that. As always, Marc is a sweetheart and I loved him, even when Faythe was treating him horribly.
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The writing in Rogue isn't anything special, but I like how Faythe's voice is so unique and detailed. Sometimes she gets a little annoying with her constant hard-headed personality, but it was still distinctive and felt real. Vincent describes the werecats and the action in a fast paced, dangerous writing style that adds a lot to the overall story line. A lot happens in this book and it was all well-executed and I loved how action-packed the book was. Overall it was a great sequel and a good novel in general.
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Cover: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Overall rating: 4 stars