My Review of: Breaking Free by Winter Page

Breaking Free by Winter Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: Raimi Carter is finally a girl, just like she always knew she was meant to be. At a new school where nobody knows she’s had gender reassignment surgery, she hopes to finally live the normal life she’s longed for, happy in her own skin.

Life is great until she discovers a dangerous bully is blackmailing head cheerleader, Clare Strickland, threatening to reveal her secret: she’s gay. As Raimi fights to free Clare from his clutches, the two girls move beyond friendship. But secrets from their pasts and their own fears of coming out tear them apart—maybe forever. Baring their souls to each other could cost them everything. For two girls trapped and desperately in love, only strength, courage, and trust in each other will help them break free and claim their future.

My Review: I requested this book on netgalley, not really thinking I’d be accepted to review it. But I did. And I am so glad I did. This is an amazing story of Raimi, a transgendered women from texas, and Clare, a girl with an abusive, manipulative boyfriend who blackmails her with her true sexuality. The two girls meet, and work together, and eventually fall in love, all while fighting off everyone else. Once I opened it, I couldn’t put it down. It’s beautifully written, and an amazing story that more people should read. I was mostly surprised though by the ending, not the ending itself, but the author page at the back of the book. Winter Page is so young, but has an amazing insight for writing. I would have expected the author to be older, but they aren’t. I will definitely check out more books by Winter Page, because of their writing skill, and their story ideas. I’m sure I’ll love them too. This book pushes through bullying, through depression, and through people’s problems, in an amazing way. It makes you feel good to read it. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance. (‘: Thanks for reading!

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My Review of: Rules of Survival by Jus Accardo

Rules of Survival by Jus Accardo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: If you want to survive, you have to follow the rules…

Mikayla Morgan is wanted for her mother’s murder. She’s been on the run for almost a year now, avoiding not only the police but the real killer. Tired of running and desperate to clear her name, she breaks one of the most sacred rules: never return to the scene of the crime.

Every bounty hunter on the Eastern Seaboard is after the Morgan girl—but Shaun Denver and his partner snagged her. She’s a piece of work, and Shaun can’t decide if he wants to kiss her or kill her. When things take a sharp turn south, Shaun does the only thing he can think of to keep her close—he handcuffs them together.

As the danger mounts and the killer closes in, the chemistry between them threatens to explode. Shaun and Kayla will need to break all the rules if they hope to get out of this alive.

My Review: I got this book from netgalley, and I don’t regret it one bit. I absolutely loved it. I could not put it down once I opened it. The story kept my attention the entire time, and the characters made me love it. Kayla is an epic character. She’s exactly what I want to be. Aside from the always running part. Shaun is the guy trying to capture her. Well, Shaun and Patrick, Shaun’s almost adopted dad. The police are chasing Kayla, and when Shaun and Patrick break into the cabin and interrupt the last thing she has of her mother’s, she automatically doesn’t like them. So that means she’s really not into them when they kidnap her, and handcuff her to a hotel bed. But that’s when everything changes. See, the police are chasing her because they think she killed her mom. The bounty hunters are chasing her, because someone’s put a price on her head. And Patrick and Shaun are chasing her, because well, Kayla thinks that they want to turn her in. It’s an amazing book, and the story kept me interested ever second. Everything’s changing, and not everyone likes it. The way that the book was written especially made me love it. Definitely check it out if you get the chance! It’s amazing. Thanks for reading!

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My Review of: We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: Nell knows a secret about her perfect, beautiful sister Layla. If she tells, it could blow their world apart.

When Nell and Layla were little, Nell used to call them Nellayla. Because to Nell, there was no difference between where she started and her adored big sister ended. They’re a unit; divorce made them rely on each other early on, so when one pulls away, what is the other to do? But now, Nell’s a freshman in high school and Layla is changing, secretive. And then Nell discovers why. Layla is involved with one of their teachers. And even though Nell tries to support Layla, to understand that she’s happy and in love, Nell struggles with her true feelings: it’s wrong, and she must do something about it.

My Review: I really couldn’t get into this book. It sounded awesome, but the way it was written just couldn’t keep my attention. It confused me. It was like the younger sister was talking to the older sister, but the older sister wasn’t talking back, and the scene’s kept switching. It wasn’t constant, everything was changing all the time. I didn’t always know who was talking and where they were and who they were. I dunno. This book just wasn’t for me. Check it out and see how you like it! Thanks for reading.

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My Review of: Buzz Books 2014: Young Adult by Publishers Lunch

Buzz Books 2014: Young Adult by Publishers Lunch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: This inaugural edition of Buzz Books: Young Adult provides substantial pre-publication excerpts from more than 20 forthcoming young adult and middle grade books. Now everyone can share the same access to the newest YA voices the publishing industry is broadcasting for the fall/winter season. At the end of most excerpts, you will find a link to the full galley on NetGalley!

Excerpts include new work from established giants of the field (Ellen Hopkins; Garth Nix; Scott Westerfeld), authors best-known for their adult books (Carl Hiaasen; Michael Perry; Ben Tripp; Meg Wolitzer), and genuine newsmakers—including the first of James Frey’s attention-getting Endgame trilogy, which will include interactive elements developed in association with Google’s Niantic Labs.

You will find a full range of YA titles previewed here —dystopian, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, humor, literary and more — and you will even find some works for tweens and middle-grade readers (Vivian Apple and the End of the World, Zoo at the Edge of the World, and The Rogue Knight. As always, many are sure to make bestseller and “best of” lists.

We’re especially proud to announce that two of our titles will be featured at this year’s Book Expo America convention on their own YA Editors Buzz panels: Frank Portman’s King Dork Approximately, and Robin Talley’s debut Lies We Tell Ourselves. In addition, a grand total of 15 out of our 21 Buzz Books: Young Adult authors will be in attendance at BEA.

In addition to the excerpts, there’s a great round-up from Publishers Lunch of dozens of noteworthy fall/winter YA books to add to your must-have list.

Start reading some of the best future books right now, and then share the fun by telling your friends and family to download this free edition of Buzz Books for themselves at any major ebookstore or at buzz.publishersmarketplace.com.

My Review: A fun book to read. I’m excited for a lot of these books. I love that there was a link to the netgalley page to request the book after you’ve read the excerpt. Oh my god. I’m extra excited. Reading about the book, reading part of the book, and then getting to read the whole book! Extra, extra excited. There were a bunch of stories that I couldn’t request that I’ll definitely be checking out though, the one by Ellen Hopkins especially. There were tons of excerpts that I liked, and a few that just weren’t for me, and I liked it all. Definitely check it out if you get the chance. Now I know what cool YA books are coming out! Thanks for reading.

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My Review of: Cooper’s Epic Adventure by Cooper Goodson

Cooper’s Epic Adventure by Cooper Goodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: When Cooper’s older brother tells him the location of the End Portal, he has a decision to make. Should he and his friends finish building the most epic structure ever seen in the world of Minecraft, or should they travel to the End in an attempt to slay the Ender Dragon? Cooper’s decision brings him fame and fortune, just not the way he expected it to. This is Cooper’s Epic Adventure.

My Review: I more so downloaded this book so that I could tell my little cousin about it and read it with him, but ended up stealing my phone back and reading it myself. It’s short, so he didn’t mind, and I flew through it. It was a fun read, I mean, as fun as a book about a video game could be. If I had read this book last year when I was actually into Minecraft, I’m sure I would’ve loved this story. I did feel a little old reading this, though, because I thought of the kids in this book to be just that, kids. I’m a little confused on the author, is this book about him? Or did I totally mix that up? Either way, this was a fun read and I’m glad I read it. Check it out if you get the chance!

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My Review of: Minority of One (Farrington Tales #3) by B A Binns

Minority of One by B A Binns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: The brick walls of Farrington High School in Chicago feel like a prison to Sheila and a sanctuary to Neill when they end up in the same class, one taught by Sheila’s mother.

Being black, teenaged, and gay leaves Neill a virtual outcast. His life is controlled by a man who acts more like a parent than a big brother. Neill has many enemies, but he is unprepared for the level of animosity Sheila exhibits when they meet.

Sheila is a former poor little rich girl, now just poor, and facing an unknown future with a mother she barely knows. She gave up hope of a loving family after her father’s suicide. She recognizes Neill as the brother her mother’s former lover and is appalled to find her mother trying to throw her and Neill together.

Invisible ties bind Neill and Sheila together, ropes that tighten when Neill’s brother is arrested for the murder of Sheila’s mother. These two outliers have to work together to uncover the truth and make futures of their own while they uncover the past they share.

My Review: I had no idea that this was the third book in a series when I requested it. Although, that still doesn’t change how I feel about this book. I absolutely loved it as soon as I started reading it. I received it through netgalley, and although I wasn’t totally sure I’d like the book, I’m glad I requested it. I was definitely wrong about my first thought. This book sucked me in and didn’t let go until I was done reading, and then I wanted to read more. The characters were awesome to read about. They seemed like real life people, instead of just some people in a story. The story line kept me interested through the whole book, and the end took me by surprise. I was not expecting any of it. Maybe I would have if I had read the other two books, but I don’t care. I loved this book and I’ll definitely check out the first two if I see them around. I want to get to know more people in the book. I want to know what the first two books were about, if they were about these people, and even if they aren’t, I just want to read them. I was surprised that I loved this book, because usually when I start a series at the end by mistake, I can’t get into them because everything’s already established. That’s not how this book was. It was like reading the first book in the series because the author introduced and set everything up amazingly. Definitely check it out if you see it around. Thanks for reading!

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My Review of: Frozen (Heart of Dread #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston comes this remarkable first book in a spellbinding new series about the dawn of a new kind of magic.

Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she’s heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

My Review: As soon as I saw this book on netgalley I had to request it. I’m not really familiar with Melissa de la Cruz, have only read one of her books before, but had heard good things so I clicked it. Also the cover is pretty cool, it caught my eye. It’s definitely not what I expected. I’m not totally sure if it was supposed to be sometime really in the future, but I imagined it to be so, because most of the things I’d never even heard of. Also the names were the same in the places the characters went were familiar, so that helped a little bit with the scenery. The story was exciting and fun to learn about, I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything, which I shouldn’t, it’s a first book! The characters were interesting to learn about, and they were fun. All in all it was an awesome book that really sucked me in, and I’ll definitely read more Melissa de la Cruz from now on. Thanks for reading!

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My Review of: Archipelago by Mati Raine

Archipelago by Mati Raine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: 14-year old Lilly Douglas is a girl who has been sheltered from the world since the moment she was born. Gifted with avian like wings and strands of lilac hair, she never realizes how different she is. After a terrifying attack on her home, she is forced to run from everything she knew, and find shelter at a place called Charity Academy. Here students have little to worry about beyond homework and classes, and they spend most of their time learning to control their powers, embracing their identities as ‘Strands’: students with extraordinary abilities, united by the lilac hairs they have. But they are not alone in the world.

56 miles south-east, into the Bitterroot Wilderness, is a dark place known as Firestone Institution. Here a 16-year old boy named Cory Trask has made his home with a personality as icy as his powers. Survival driven, Cory works for a man named Dr. Kibbsty and is the leader in the pursuit of Lilly. He thinks of little beyond the orders he is given, and life is nothing more than a game: one where only the strongest survive. As their paths cross, they bring an uncertain future in their wake that will cause all these teens to question what it really means to be Strands.

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My Review: This was an awesome book for me to read. Although I was a little confused reading about the whole strands thing.. Was her hair light purple or was it just a couple chunks? From far away was it bright or did it look like grey hair? Other than that, which I quickly got over, It was a fun read. I liked learning about the young characters, though I did feel a little old reading it, haha. It definitely reminded me of the whole x-men society thing, but that’s just fine because I love x-men! The chapters bounced around a lot, following different people, time passing, it was a little hard to get used to. Definitely check it out if you get the chance. Thanks for reading!

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My Review of: SNEAK PEEK: Atlantia by Ally Condie

SNEAK PEEK: Atlantia by Ally Condie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: The first 42 pages available on NetGalley as a sneak peak.

Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

My Review: I wish this wasn’t just a sneak peak. I wish it wasn’t 42 pages long. I wish it was the whole book I got, and not just a small chunk of it. All I know from reading this now, is that if I come across the full book in the future, I need to get it and read it. Rio and Bay, Twins living in this kind of bubble city under the ocean. They get to choose if they want to stay in the city, or be sent above, to the land. Rio, not thinking anything of it, chooses to stay. And they Bay, who went after her, makes an unexpected decision of being sent upward. Now Rio’s by herself and doesn’t know what to do. How awesome does that sound? Because it was pretty awesome to read. Definitely will read the full version if I find it. And you should too! It’s a cool book. Definitely check it out. Thanks for reading!

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My Review of: Creators (The Lost Souls #3) by Tiffany Truitt

Creators by Tiffany Truitt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: The dramatic conclusion to the Lost Souls trilogy, which answers readers’ questions and finally pits natural Tess against the true enemies of Templeton, the creators

Heartbroken but more determined than ever after a tense showdown in the woods, sixteen-year-old Tess once again returns to the safety of her community of Isolationists. Bolstered by new alliances and desperate to protect those she loves, this time she knows she can return stronger and more powerful than ever to take back what is hers. As she trains in combat and grows more confident, Tess receives beautiful letters penned by her forbidden love, the chosen one James, from his prison in Templeton. He is now serving as a bodyguard to the creators-the team of scientists who created artificial life in the first place. And what he has discovered about the true origin of the illness that halted natural life could change everything. Enemy will become ally and death will bring new hope in this stunning conclusion to Tiffany Truitt’s epic Lost Souls trilogy.

My Review: Okay, there might have been a little bit of a mix up. When I requested this book on netgalley, I was not aware that it was the last book of a trilogy… I think I might have skimmed the book description… Anyways. Whatever. That’s fine. Maybe I’ll get around to reading the other two books one of these days. It was an okay book. It would have been awesome, I’m sure, but because I started at the last book, I couldn’t get into it. I didn’t know the characters, and I didn’t know what the world was like. So that’s my problem with the book. It was a little twitchy for me, though that also may have been because I couldn’t get into it. The story kept progressing so quickly, sometimes I couldn’t keep up because again, I didn’t know the characters. Those are my only problems. It seemed like an awesome book if I knew what was going on, but I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe if I read the whole series one day I’ll re-review this. Thanks for reading!

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