Rumble by Ellen Hopkins
Pub: 8/26/2014
Pg. 560
ARC Received by Edelweiss
"Some say death is a doorway, belief the key. Others claim you only have to stumble across the threshold to glimpse a hundred billion universes in the blink of single silver shard."
I really enjoyed Hopkins' Rumble, purely because of the nature of her writing. I found myself not able to put the book down, but also found myself questioning my beliefs, morals, and opinions. Matt is going through some serious soul searching. His family is messed up, his brother committed suicide a few months back, and frankly Matt has given up on faith. Instead he is determined to "go big, or go home." Even his highly devote and highly good looking Christian girlfriend, Hayden, couldn't sway him. Matt was a likeable character with a bit of narcissism, self deprecation, and reflection he made it easy to relate.
4 out of 5 stars.
Feral by Holly Schindler
Pub: 8/26/2014
Pg. 432
ARC received by Edelweiss
"It made it seem like Claire's entire life had been tainted by violence, right from the start. she wondered if violence didn't follow some people, the same way bad luck trailed after others."
Claire Cain is a survivor. She survived being beaten brutally out in an alley a few months back, and everyday she survives another day of PTSD. With a chance move, Claire thinks she will be able to heal better some where else; however, the town of Peculiar, Missouri isn't as quiet as she might have hoped. Within her first couple of weeks in Peculiar a student from Claire's new high school is found murdered, beaten to death/perhaps strangled. All Claire can focus on are the similarities between herself and Serena. There is also the sinister way feral cats have been appearing: first at the murder scene, then following Claire around. Claire must figure out what's going on soon, or else she will lose everything she's been holding on to. This was an intriguing psychological thriller. It had me think that it was a supernatural/paranormal book and all of a sudden it became very real.
3 out of 5 stars.
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Pub: 9/2/2014
Pg: 565
ARC received by NetGalley
In Maas' third installment in her Throne of Glass series, we find Celaena traveling back to her birth place, both under orders of the King she hates and also under the advisement of the one who truly loves her, Chaol, for her safety. There she finds her aunt Maeve, the Queen, and Rowan, a Prince in Maeve's court. Celaena must go back, to before she was Celaena, and remember who she was, who she was meant to be, and who is suppose to lead the people of her land. She's not the only one that needs to make these discoveries, back in Adarlan both Prince Dorian and Choal must decide where their loyalties lie, and fully accept themselves and each other for who and what they are. The action is just as enticing as the past two books; the book continues to demonstrate the dark of the story, as other characters and monsters are introduced to the story line. The romance kills me, because Choal's regret but acceptance is palpable and Celaena's heart break is as well. Will she be able to forgive him? Will she find her self mated to Rowan, as the Fae do for eternity? And will Celaena, Choal, and Dorian be able to bring down the tyranny and restore hope to all? Loved, loved, loved this book and I love this series even more. Please don't let there be a love triangle... please!
5 stars.
Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson
Pub: 9/2/2014
Pg: 432
ARC Received by Edelweiss
"Touch another person's skin and Dad will never come home. The danger feels even bigger than that. Touch another person's skin and Dad will evaporate."
Caddie has rules. She never touches anyone's skin, for fear that her father will not come back home. This isn't the first time she's made rules for herself, since she was little Caddie has lived by rules to ensure her safety, the world's safety, and ultimately keep her from shattering. But what if the one thing you can't do, that you're afraid to do, is the one thing you need? After Caddie transfers to an Art high school, where she reconnects with old friends, she begins to want things. She most definitely wants to be Ophelia in the upcoming school production of Hamlet, and she wants to go unnoticed (especially her strangeness). Enter Peter, he is everything Caddie isn't. He's impulsive, in your face, and there's this life in his eyes that makes Caddie's heart race. The problem is that she still cannot touch anyone. How is Caddie suppose to be in a play, friends with people, and foster a crush on Peter when the thought of touching anyone sends her into a panic attack? A very true issue that isn't spoken about enough is given voice in Rachel M. Wilson's novel Don't Touch.
4 out of 5 stars.
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Pub: 9/2/2014
Pg: 358
ARC received by Edelweiss
"These are perks to being a surrogate. We get to dress how we want, eat what we want, sleep late on the weekends. We get an education. A good education. We get fresh food and water, we always have electricity, and we never have to work. We never have to know poverty--and the caretakers tell us we'll have more once we start living in the Jewel. Except freedom. They never seem to mention that."
Violet is a surrogate, one of many that are auctioned off into servitude for the aristocratic women. She lives in an era where women cannot have children, and so surrogates, who come from a more diluted background, are used to carry the royal children. At the auction Violet will lose her identity, become lot 197, and become the property of a well to-do lady. But soon she realizes that within the city limits of The Jewel lies betrayal, heartbreak, games, and death, and the surrogates are usually the victims. The head of the houses are cruel with each other, some are sinister, and others use their property like play things parading them along the town square on leashes. Violet must get out, but soon she falls in love with a companion, another group that is placed in servitude in a sexual manner within The Jewel. All this can lead to is death, no matter how much a surrogate is valued, they are still property. Will she be able to escape with the help of a "lady-in-waiting" Lucien? How can she keep her love for Ash a secret after he confirms his feelings for her? And is there a rebellion slowly growing within The Jewel? A YA Handmaid's Tale, with lushes scenery and caustic revelry.
3 out of 5 stars.
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