Review: The End of Our Story by Meg Haston

Title: The End of Our Story

Author: Meg Haston

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: April 4th

Source: ARC received from my employer, Indigo Books & Music, Inc., in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 3.5/5

Meg Haston's romantic and thrilling new YA novel explores a star-crossed high school relationship in a tale rife with deeply buried secrets and shocking revelations.

Bridge and Wil have been entangled in each other’s lives for years. Under the white-hot Florida sun, they went from kids daring each other to swim past the breakers to teenagers stealing kisses between classes. But when Bridge betrayed Wil during their junior year, she shattered his heart and their relationship along with it.

Then Wil’s family suffers a violent loss, and Bridge rushes back to Wil’s side. As they struggle to heal old wounds and start falling for each other all over again, Bridge and Wil discover just how much has changed in the past year. As the fierce current of tragedy threatens to pull them under, they must learn how to swim on their own—or risk drowning together. (Summary from Goodreads)

The first time I heard about The End of Our Story was at the HCC Frenzy Preview. The cover instantly caught my eye, but it was the plot that hooked me. The story of a couple’s break-up, told through flashbacks and present trauma. It sounded right up my alley. When I was offered an ARC through the Teen ARC program at my work, I immediately requested a copy.

I dived head first into this book. I was emotionally invested in the characters from page one. Watching their relationship blossom, deteriorate, and rekindle (slowly, tentatively, and hesitantly) was engrossing. Most books I’ve read start when a relationship is beginning, but The End of Our Story focused on how relationships can break, and the aftermath of that devestation. I loved how thoughtfully this book was plotted. The back and forth between Wil and Bridge, between the present and the past kept me engaged and aching for more.

The writing itself was poignant, beautiful prose. Small sentences would stick out, the smart and heartfelt way Meg Haston would phrase things made it all the more captivating. It was a story where I wanted to read every word on the page, where I wanted to take my time to let myself soak in the prose. It wasn’t flowery or overly descriptive language, but simple direct ways of making the most ordinary phrases into something a little more moving.

I’m going to avoid directly addressing the plot, because I don’t want to spoil it. I still feel, months later, that I’m processing just what happened. I think the problem for me was that I was not anticipating the novel to take such a dark turn. I am usually able to prepare myself, so when the big plot point happened in The End of Our Story (near the beginning of the novel, no less) I was shocked. It took me awhile to process just what was happening, which did pull me out of the story sometimes. It was the characters though, the passionate Bridge and the incredible Wil, that had me sucked back in. Their relationship truly made this novel for me.

I also experienced some nostalgia while reading this book. For make-ups and break-ups. For moving on and growing up. Although Bridge and Wil, their town, their school, their lives overall did not resemble mine, there was something there that reminded me of the past. This is a novel I will look back on with fondness. I’ve only read one book of hers, but Meg Haston will be an author I watch out for.

If you like emotional, character-driven, thoughtful novels, put The End of Our Story on your TBR. You won’t regret it.

- Ciara (at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon.ca | Indigo | Goodreads | HarperCollins | Meg Haston 

Review: Crash by Lisa McMann

Title: Crash

Series: Visions (#1)

Author: Lisa McMann

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: January 8th, 2013

Source: Gifted (Thanks, Katie!)

My Rating: 3.5/5

If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of three books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

In this riveting start to a gripping trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

 

Before I really start my review, let me take a moment to appreciate how marvelous the cover for Crash is. I normally get freaked out by eyes on covers but the color scheme, the detail, the fire in her eye just made me so completely fascinated. It stands out against all the pretty dress and typography covers out there and I love it. The rest of the novels in the series are just as gorgeous too.

Now, onto my thoughts of the book! I had been wanting to read this one for quite some time, but never got around to picking it up. Just last week, the Ottawa Bloggers had a surprise book exchange and I ended up with a copy of Crash thanks to my lovely friend Katie from The Bevy Bibliotheque. I decided to pick it up almost immediately, and I didn't really put it down once I had. This book hooked me. I, just like Jules, didn't know what the heck was going on and I was desperate to find out. I stayed up well past midnight for this one because I just had to see how it would all come to an end. 

The narrator Jules I liked but never found myself loving. Maybe it was the writing style (which I'll address later) or her jittery personality but I didn't connect to her entirely. I liked her, though. I liked her humor and admired her determination. She wasn't going to let anything stop her from preventing her vision and I enjoyed reading her journey. I have a feeling she is going to grow a lot in the series, and really come into her own. I can't wait to see it! 

The real stand out character for me in Crash was Jules' brother Trey. He was hilarious, charismatic and a caring older brother. There was depth to him and quite the personality. I can't wait for more of him in the next two books. And, of course, I couldn't do a review of this book without talking about Sawyer. I can tell he's going to be one heck of a lover interest in the coming books, and I really liked him by the end of this one. I can't wait to see where McMann takes his storyline. I can see so much potential there! I loved the dynamic Sawyer and Jules had, and how balanced they were. They made a solid, adorable pair.

The issue I had with Crash was the same issue I had with the Wake trilogy: the writing style. It's just, simply, not my taste. I'm a huge fan of minimalist writing, but I find McMann's to be minimalist without the impact. Normally, I think minimalist writing packs a punch, with each word so carefully chosen and weighted. I didn't feel that with Crash, but rather felt like the words didn't always flow properly. I found Jules voice to be both entertaining and sporadic. It was like her voice changed between scenes, and it made me not able to completely connect with her. There were moments where I was laughing at her antics, and warming up to her but it never quite got there for me. It's just a personal taste, I know. But the writing did have an impact on my overall enjoyment story. On a positive note though, her writing kept me interested. I did NOT want to put the book down, and just flew through the book. It was a fast-paced style that definitely kept me interested.

As well, and this is just a personal pet peeve beyond anything, the replacement of the word "God" with "dog" drove my crazy. I understood why it was there, but replacement swear words are irritating to me unless they're done properly and consistently. I didn't find this to be the case in the book. I know some people found it endearing, and I honestly get their point of view. I, sadly, just don't share it. But, again, that's just a personal pet peeve of mine. (And, let's be real, I could probably use some replacement swear words in my own vocabulary!)

Overall, I really enjoyed Crash. As soon as I turned the last page, I logged onto the Chapters website to see if we had the second one in stock because I NEED to know what will happen. If you're looking for a fast-paced, intriguing read with fun and sweet characters, you should definitely pick up Crash. I know I'll be checking out the rest of the series really soon!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Chapters/Indigo | The Book Depository | Goodreads | Simon & Schuster's Website

Review: Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington

Title: Liv, Forever

Author: Amy Talkington

Publisher: Soho Teen

Release Date: March 11th, 2014

Source: Finished copy received from publisher for honest review

My Rating: 3.5/5

When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it’s her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn’t sure what to make of the school’s weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn’t be happier. For the first time ever, she has her own studio, her own supply of paints. Everything she could want.

Then she meets Malcolm Astor, a legacy student, a fellow artist, and the one person who’s ever been able to melt her defenses. Liv’s only friend at Wickham, fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols, warns her not to get involved, but life is finally going Liv’s way, and all she wants to do is enjoy the ride.

But Liv’s bliss is doomed. Weeks after arriving, she is viciously murdered and, in death, she discovers that she’s the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that has claimed many lives. Cursed with the ability to see the many ghosts on Wickham’s campus, Gabe is now Liv’s only link to the world of the living. To Malcolm.

Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham. But Liv must fight alone to come to grips with the ultimate star-crossed love. (Summary from Goodreads)

Before I start talking about what's inside the book I have to talk about the stunning case it comes in. The cover of Liv, Forever is one of my absolute favourites. I mean, the scenic landscape, the bold title, and a floating girl?! How could it get any better! It's striking, gorgeous and a stand-out, for sure. 

I hadn't heard anything about this book until I got an email asking if I wanted a copy. And, as soon as I read the description I knew I needed to read it. Because Liv, Forever is narrated by a ghost! A GHOST. How cool is that? It instantly drew me in, but then when I heard it was at a prep school with secret societies I started flailing. Because those are three of my absolute favourite things to read about. The boarding school setting in Liv, Forever was absolutely haunting. The dank passageways, the ornate buildings, and that foreboding forest gave me to chills. As did the perilous issues Liv had to face. It was such a unique idea to have this ghostly narrator, and I really enjoyed getting to read her perspective and the brief perspectives of the other ghostly girls, too. Each chapter added a more and more ominous air to the book until I was at the edge of my seat, waiting for it to all come to a head! Liv, Forever stayed glued to my hands until the very end!
  At the start though, I was slightly put off at the start with the constant art references. I'll be the first to admit I know absolutely nothing about art. It's never really been something that interests me. So, when Liv and Malcolm went into detail about the artists they loved I just kind of stared at the pages in confusion. I had no idea what/who they were talking about, and found myself feeling distanced from their story. That being said, the scenes with Liv physically drawing (especially ON Malcolm) were intriguing, and enjoyable to read.

Speaking of Malcolm, I think if I was a bit younger (back when insta-love made me swoon like nobody's business) I would have been all over him and Liv. But, I think their relationship was a bit too quick for me now. Although, she does die not long after they meet so it's not really their fault either! As characters though, I really liked them both. Liv was an interesting protagonist, not just because of her ghostly status. She was artistic, and caring, and determined, all qualities I admire. Malcolm was thoughtful and angsty, which totally puts him on my swoon list. Together, I really think they clicked. Seriously, those scenes where they were drawing on each other had my heart swelling. I think they were a couple that would definitely work well together, had they had a bit more time to develop their relationship. 

As for the other main character...I really wanted to love Gabe, but I could never bring myself to fully being a fan. He's a misfit, outsider in this blue blood, prep school world, and that combination is usually one of my favourites! But, although there were definitely many moments where I adored the guy, I found him to be a bit too angry and judgmental overall. I totally understand why he was so angry, but it I couldn't help but be a bit put off by it.

I think the reason I couldn't really love this book was just because I felt a sort of disconnect with it. I was never fully committed to the story. Yes, I really wanted to know what happened, and yes, I adored the idea and the setting, but there was always something that held me back from truly loving it. I think it was just a mixture of the writing and the insta-love (which was a pretty big driving force behind Liv and Malcolm's motivations) that diminished my love a bit. That's not to say I didn't like the book, because I really did! 

Overall, Liv, Forever was a haunting, delicious read that I really enjoyed reading. Atmospheric and creepy, diving into this world was an absolute treat!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads | Amy Talkington's Website

Mini-Review: The ACB with Honora Lee by Kate De Goldi

Title: The ACB with Honora Lee

Author: Kate De Goldi

Publisher: Tundra Books

Release Date: April 8th, 2013

Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for 

an honest review (Thanks, Jackie!)

My Rating: 3.5/5

Perry's mother and father are busy people ... they're impatient, they're tired, they get cross easily. And they think that only children, like Perry, should be kept busy. On Saturday mornings Perry and her father visit her gran, Honora Lee, at the Santa Lucia rest home, but Gran never remembers them. 'Who is that man?' Honora Lee asks when Perry's father leaves the room. After movement class is abruptly cancelled, Perry is allowed to go to Santa Lucia on Thursday afternoons. She discovers her Gran has an unconventional interest in the alphabet, so Perry decides to make an alphabet book with the help of Honora and the others. Soon everyone is interested in Perry's book project. The ACB With Honora Lee unfolds with characteristic warmth, quirky, surprising humor and a rich cast of 'residents'. The story is a meditation on kindness and patience and acceptance; that of the very young and the very old. It's a story that will resonate with echoes of recollection for many -- from Perry's endearing perspective on the adult world to the embracing kindness of those who care for the elderly. (Summary from Goodreads)

I have been meaning to take a dive into the wonderful world of Middle Grade for a long while now. Working at a bookstore has made me become fascinated with the magical books covering the shelf in the 9-12 section. Lucky for me, I received a copy of the lovely book The ACB with Honora Lee to get me started!

The ACB with Honora Lee was adorable and funny, and a great book to read in a spring afternoon. I think my favourite thing about this book was Perry. She was so quirky and determined and seemed like the kind of kid I would love to know. I loved how this tiny little girl felt such a connection to all the elderly people in Saint Lucia. I think this type of story often feature the main character learning to appreciate their elders and, although that was definitely there, I think The ACB with Honora Lee explored the connection and friendship these two groups can have. Perry looked up to the residents of Saint Lucia, but also thought of them as her friends. It was great to see the camaraderie between this unconventional little girl and these peculiar residents.     

Perry's grandmother, Honora Lee, was quite the personality. From stealing peppermints to her insistence that Perry was actually a boy, Honora Lee jumped off the page and had me laughing out loud. She was intriguing to read about and her interactions with Perry were delightful. But, one of the most interesting things about her was her frequent memory loss. Although it often led to some funny encounters, it also added some poignant moments to the novel. Perry's father had trouble looking past the memory loss, but Perry really saw Honora Lee for the interesting and wonderful person she has and always will be.

Overall, The ACB with Honora Lee was an entertaining and heart-warming read. The pictures were great and the characters were even better. Honora Lee and Perry were a delightful pair, and one I think lots of kids will love reading about!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads | Random House's Website

Review: Smoke by Ellen Hopkins

Title: Smoke

Series: Burned (#2)

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: September 10th, 2013

Source: ARC received from publisher for an honest review

Rating: 3.5/5

Pattyn Von Stratten’s father is dead, and Pattyn is on the run. After far too many years of abuse at the hands of her father, and after the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace. Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated. Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life, but is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you’ve known has burned to ash and lies seem far safer than the truth?

I read my first Ellen Hopkins book when I was 14-years-old. At that time, I had just gotten back into reading and had never really picked up a book with such heavy subject matter. It was also my first verse book. And I loved it. The verse was stunning and the story was intense. It was unlike anything I'd ever read and it was so good. I haven't read any Ellen Hopkins' books in recent years, but was looking forward to picking up Smoke. Having read Burned almost six years ago, I was happy to finally get to see how Pattyn's story would come to an end.

This book was one heck of an emotional roller-coaster. Smoke starts off intense and it stays that way until the very last page. The story was thick with tension, and coated in fear, and I kept flipping the pages hoping it would all end okay. Pattyn's journey to find hope and Jackie's quest for growth were captivating. There was a lot going on in this story, especially with the dual plot lines. I'm normally not a fan of sequels that suddenly have dual POVs when the first book was only one. I find it jarring and changes the tone of the store. In the case of Smoke though, I thought it was the perfect avenue to tell the story. We got to see how both Pattyn and Jackie dealt with their father's death and how they coped with the aftermath. It also made Smoke kind of well-rounded. We got to really explore the dynamics of this family and how they both learn to heal in different ways. There were heart-warming moments, heart-breaking ones, and a constant urge to make sure these characters found hope. Because after all they had been through, they deserved a happy ending.   

The only issue I had with Smoke, and really with Hopkins' books in general, is the constant need for something bad to happen. Sometimes, it feels like the events of the book are just there for shock factor; to make something intense and painful happen. Her more recent books, Smoke included, felt forced at times to me. I personally loved the parts that were just about Pattyn and Jackie learning to love, live, and how to move on with their lives after all the horror's they had faced. What I didn't love, and what took away from the story for me, was the knowledge that it wouldn't last and that there would be some big event that changed everything (again).

Although I was a bit skeptical about parts of the plot, Ellen Hopkins is definitely a very talented writer. I'm always amazed by her gorgeous poetry, and how it all seems to flow so well. I often worry that there will be something missing with verse work (description or otherwise), but Ellen Hopkins constantly draws me right into the story and makes me feel like I'm there. I never feel confused or lost (which can happen with such sparse language) and I found the writing really got to the heart of the story. 

Overall, I did enjoy Smoke. It was good to get some closure to Pattyn's story and I think it was the follow up she deserved. I was intrigued the whole way through, and very invested in the characters well being. Smoke was just the book I was hoping it would be.

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Review: The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Title: The Infinite Moment of Us

Author: Lauren Myracle

Publisher: Amulet Books

Release Date: August 20th 2013

Source: Borrowed ARC

My Rating: 3.5/5

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them...

Sexy, romantic, and oh-so-true to life, this is an unforgettable look at first love from one of young adult fiction’s greatest writers. (Summary from Goodreads)

After reading and loving Lauren Myracle's novel Shine, I've been on the lookout for her next book. When I found out about The Infinite Moment of Us, I was overjoyed. A coming-of-age love story with gorgeously real characters, I knew it was going to be a stunner. And just like first love, it has its highs and it has it's lows but, overall, it was a joyous read.

This book is completely character driven. It is all about these two young people falling in love, about the ups and downs of relationships, and about learning to embrace who you are. Wren was a shy, compassionate young girl struggling to balance her desires and that of her parents. I loved getting to watch her fight to stand on her own, and to not be defined by the ideas of others. Charlie was in interesting character. He came from a pretty rough beginning and really strives to be a good, caring person. I wish that more of his background could have been delved into, but at the same time I was okay with just learning about him now. This story really emphasized, in a way, who we are now and living in the moment. The relationship between Charlie and Wren was romantic, and loving and I really and truly enjoyed it. I loved watching them learn about each other, watching them share those sweet, soulful moments. It was heart-warming, and often had me a bit teary. 

This book is definitely on the older end of the YA genre, which I think is kind of refreshing. Not that a lot of teen books don't talk about or even describe intimacy in some form or another, because they do. I just felt that the way it came about in Charlie and Wren's relationship was very organic and realistic. It explored all the ways that two people get to know and love each other.

I know a lot of people will not like this novel, and I can completely understand why. We are really thrown into this story, with not a lot of build-up or explanation. There were a bunch of little plots throughout, but they all took a backseat to the romance. I felt at the end that there were a lot of things left up in the air. A lot of questions I had that just simply weren't answered. This book could have had a lot of different layers and aspects and, although there were many, I felt they weren't nurtured enough. Plain and simple: if you don't like the romance, if you don't care about Charlie and Wren, you won't like the book. I did care, so I enjoyed it. I do wish there could have been more plot development and probably would have enjoyed the story more. I just felt like there was something missing that even this sweet relationship couldn't fill. 

One thing that is undeniable is that Lauren Myracle is a gorgeous writer. She really brought me into the story, and had me fascinated by the words on the page. They were magical and wondrous and ripped me to shreds then put me back together. They were amazing words from an amazing writer.

Overall, I enjoyed The Infinite Moment of Us. It wasn't as stunning as I expected, but it was still an interesting read.

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads | Lauren Myracle's Website 

Review: Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike

Title: Earthbound (Earthbound #1)

Author: Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: July 30th, 2013

Source: Received ARC in a goodie bag

My Rating: 3.5/5

Tavia Michaels is the sole survivor of the plane crash that killed her parents. When she starts to see strange visions of a boy she’s never spoken with in real life, she begins to suspect that there’s much about her past that she isn’t being told.

Tavia immediately searches for answers, desperate to determine why she feels so drawn to a boy she hardly knows. But when Tavia discovers that the aunt and uncle who took her in after her parents' death may have actually been responsible for the plane crash that killed them--and that she may have been the true intended victim--she flees for the safety of Camden, Maine, where the boy she sees in her visions instructs her to go.

Now, Tavia is on the run with no one to trust. No one, that is, except for her best friend and longtime crush, Benson.

Tavia feels torn between the boy who mysteriously comes to her at night and the boy who has been by her side every step of the way. But what Tavia doesn't know is that the world is literally falling apart and that to save it she will have to unite with the boy in her visions. Only problem? To do so would mean rejecting Benson's love. And that's the one thing Tavia Michaels swore she'd never do.

I've been looking forward to reading Earthbound for awhile now, and was really excited when I got an ARC of it in a goodie bag! I've only read the first in the Wings series but I keep meaning to read more Aprilynne Pike and was happy to have the oppurtunity to check out her new series. Earthbound has one heck of an awesome concept and some cool characters!

The first few pages of this book had me completely captivated! Aprilynne Pike wrote a great and intriguing opening and I could not wait to unravel this mystery that was presented to me. After the initial interest though, I found myself getting a little confused. There were lots of events happen, lots of conclusions drawn, but there was no real explanation in between. I understand that some stuff is still a mystery to the narrator Tavia, but I feel like the "how" of the story was missing. The story would go from A to B with absolutely no explanation of how it got there. Tavia didn't have a lot of internal monologue showing how she came to certain conclusions and I thought her reactions to some events were unrealistic. She just didn't seem to be very shocked by a lot of the crazy stuff happening. Everything did get explained, and some of her reactions became justified but the confusion definitely brought me out of the story at points.

Despite my confusion, I found myself really interested in finding out what was happening. I wanted to see where the story was going to go, and see Tavia discover all the secrets that were hidden from her. There were so many mysteries and I wanted to unravel them all! When I finally did, wow. I mean wow! What an awesome and fresh concept. The idea itself was so original I was completely fascinated. I wanted to know more about it and cannot wait to see it further developed in the next book. The last fifty pages had me flipping ahead frantically cause I just needed to see what was going to happen! The very last scene was just superb and I am so insanely excited to read the next one. Now that I understand what's going on, this series is going to be crazy awesome!

As for Tavia, I had mixed feelings about her. I admired her determination, and her fight to discover the truth. She wanted to know what was going on and nothing and no one was going to stop her. I thought some of her reactions, though, were a bit unrealistic which kind of had me questioning her. Overall, I liked her and I'm excited to see how she evolves in the next installment! Then there's Benson. Oh man, Benson. Well, he was pretty awesome. A caring library nerd, I was into him from his first words. He was the kind of guy that Tavia needed: strong, supportive, and trusting. I kept getting frustrated with Tavia and her obsession with Quinn (who I personally was NOT a fan of) when she had such a great guy in front of her! Although, again, I didn't always find Benson's reactions believable (and I kind of understand why), I still really enjoyed his character.

In the end, I really did enjoy Earthbound. It has such a cool concept that I simply adore. It was a fun, addicting read and I can't wait for more of it!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads | Aprilynne Pike's Website

Review: Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Spark (Elementals #2)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 3.5/5

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he's not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own...

If you read my review of Storm, you'll know I absolutely loved it. It was addicting, intriguing, and had some seriously hot boys in it. The idea was something I'd always been interested in, and it was really well done. Spark, I sadly have to say, I just didn't enjoy as much as Storm. I really really wanted to love it, and parts of it I did adore. But, there were lots of things I had issues with, and I just couldn't give it five stars.

The concept was still brilliant. Seriously, I have always said the most amazing super power would be being able to control the elements. And Brigid Kemmerer really does well exploring the concept. In Spark, the focus was less on the brothers and being Elementals and more on Gabriel's control and the romance between him and Layne. And I think that's where I found faults.

Oddly enough, the thing I liked least about Spark was the romance. When it started, all I could think about was how cliche it was. I mean, the hot jock guy falls for the shy nerdy girl? It's in countless stories. Sometimes, it works. Other times, it feels a bit forced and I felt like this fell into the "forced" category. I didn't really care for Layne that much. She just made no impression on me whatsoever. The only time I really though "Yes, good job Layne!" was when she threw out a witty one-liner at her bullies (which, seriously rocked). Otherwise, I just simply didn't feel invested in her as a character. I think one of the issues was Becca. I loved Becca. She was so fierce, funny, and such a great and interesting character. I loved her narration and her romance with Chris. In comparison, Layne just felt flat. 

Gabriel, on the other hand, was anything but dull. I have adored all of the Merrick brothers and Gabriel always had me intriguied. What was behind all that anger? How much had his parent's death affected him? I wanted to dive right into this head and Spark did not disappoint there. It was fascinating watching him come into his own, to watch him control such a wild element. There was so much to his character, I just kept wanting to know more. The best part for me (although it wasn't a huge part) was the interactions between the Merrick brothers. In this book, we got to see a lot more of Michael than the previous novel. I loved getting a new outlook on the oldest brother, and watching him open up to Gabriel. All the brothers have gone through so much, and even though they fight (a lot) they're always there for each other. As an only child, I love to see what sibling relationships are like, and I think Brigid Kemmerer really captures the ups and downs of family life.

I feel like this book was setting up for something big. Some epic battle or plot line to come in future books. I hope said books contain lots more brotherly bonding, elemental shenanigans and more character exploration. 

Although I wasn't a fan of Spark, I'm still a lover of the series. It's got so much going for it and I can't wait until Spirit is in my hands! If you haven't read them, I give the series I giant thumbs-up. It's a series to get addicted to, and you will as soon as you read page one!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight) 

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters | Goodreads | Brigid Kemmerer's Website

Beautiful Creatures Series Challenge (1): Beautiful Creatures

Title: Beautiful Creatures (Beautiful Creatures #1)

Authors: Margaret Stohl & Kami Garcia

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Release Date:  December 1st, 2009

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 3.5/5

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

 
The reason I created this challenge was because I had a hard time reading this series. It was odd because I found it intriguing, liked what I was reading, but I would always get to a point and just stop. I'd heard many recommendations so I knew I'd like it, I just needed that extra push to get me there. And once I finally read it, I was glad I did. Yes, I had a few issues with it, but it had a ton of potential and I enjoyed it overall.

That opening couple pages gets me every time. I get goosebumps reading it. It was extremely intriguing and I was so ready to dive right into the book after that. And the next seventy pages didn't disappoint. They were mysterious and ominous and had me desperate to know what was going on in this town and with these two young lovers. There was lots of creativity in this story, both in concept and in certain events. I loved the scene with the pottery wheel, the dreams Ethan was having, and that enchanting song I could practically hear echoing in my head. And the whole concept of Dark and Light and Casters was just awesome. I was so excited about it, and I think it was really well done. Another thing I really enjoyed about Beautiful Creatures is the setting. I haven't read too many books set in the deep south and it really added to the atmosphere of the book. Gothic and foreboding, the town of Gatlin had me on edge.  

Ethan I had mixed feelings about. At first, I really adored him. He was so curious and determined. I couldn't help but admire that about him. But, eventually his voice became monotonous. He kept repeating himself over and over and nothing really changed. I became bored with it, and it wasn't until the end that I actually started enjoying his narration again. But, I really did enjoy his relationship with Lena. Although, at points, I was a bit bored with it, overall they were a very good couple and they brought out the better in each other. I really did like Lena, although her stubbornness made me want to shake her sometimes. I liked her personality, her style (I need to get me one of those charm necklaces) and her passion. But, for me, the stand out character was really Ridley. I loved her. Like, I wish she was in every scene because she was such a complex, trouble-maker! She had me on my toes, and it was fantastic. I really hope there's more Ridley in the next books cause she rocks.

Now, I will say, I found the writing slightly lackluster. It was a bit overdone and some of the sentences I found myself having to re-read because they were oddly phrased. I also found that the breaking and pacing of the story was sometimes a little jumpy and confusing. It really needed to be tightened up and a little bit more editing could have gone a long way. I enjoy long books but there has to be a purpose to them. If not, it can detract from a story and I think that happened with this one. The idea was great, and the characters had potential, but the story dragged on. I kept saying "Wow, I'm not finished yet?" because I had been reading for so long and had gotten no where. I'm hoping that will be changed in the next three books!

So, Beautiful Creatures has an aweome idea but the book itself didn't entirely live up to it. I have faith it will in the next few books though, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this interesting plot line goes!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)