3 stars

Review: Wild Awake

April 5, 2013

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith Title: Wild Awake
Author: Hilary T. Smith
Series: n/a

Summary: Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:

1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.

Things that actually happen:

1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.

My Thoughts: I’ve been finished with Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith for a few hours now, and I still cannot decide what to think – or how to feel – about it. One thing I can think consistently is, “Wild is right …” The book has a strong start, and then there’s a gasp-worthy revelation. And it’s all downhill from there. By the time the book ended, I couldn’t decide if I liked it or hated it. I also couldn’t figure out what the point of this story is. And the end, well, it left me wanting a lot.

Kiri, whom I kept thinking of as Kiki for some reason, is an … interesting(?) character. The phone call mentioned in the summary changes her summer – and likely her life. And I’m not so sure it’s a good change. On one hand, she’s much more WIDE awake than she’d ever been. But that wide certainly is WILD – as the title implies. I want to say more about this, but I really don’t want to risk spoiling anything. Let’s just say I absolutely hate her parents. They make me look like the Mother of the Century. And, honestly, I’m not sure how that situation works. It takes place in Canada, and I’m not aware in any way of what their laws are like. Here in the States, any parents leaving their child home alone for six weeks with zero adult supervision would likely be hearing from DCFS, or whatever various states call their child/family services.

Overall, there were moments I loved the book. Moments I wasn’t too fond of it. Moments of confusion. And the ending was not at all satisfying. Although, in some odd way, it makes sense of the rest of the book. At the end, I did feel I better understood Kiri and the point of the whole book. But, I still wanted a little more of what’s next for her. An epilogue would’ve been nice.

Source: Received through Around the World Tours for review.

Read It: Wild Awake is scheduled for release around May 28, 2013. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

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3 Comments Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 3 stars, ARC, Around the World Tours, Hilary T. Smith, review, YA

Review: The End Games

April 2, 2013

Title: The End Games
Author: T. Michael Martin
Series: n/a

Summary: It happened on Halloween.

The world ended.

And a dangerous Game brought it back to life.

Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in The Game for weeks.

In the rural mountains of West Virginia, armed with only their rifle and their love for each other, the brothers follow Instructions from the mysterious Game Master. They spend their days searching for survivors, their nights fighting endless hordes of “Bellows”—creatures that roam the dark, roaring for flesh. And at this Game, Michael and Patrick are very good.

But The Game is changing.

The Bellows are evolving.

The Game Master is leading Michael and Patrick to other survivors—survivors who don’t play by the rules.

And the brothers will never be the same.

My Thoughts: The End Games by T. Michael Martin reminds me so, so much of The Walking Dead, which happens to be a TV show I like. For some reason, though, this book just wasn’t quite my thing. It’s very, very dark. Almost hopelessly dark. And it’s actually quite gruesome. Yes, I know, it’s not like the TV show is any more hopeful or any less gruesome, but let’s face it: the show isn’t specifically geared for teenagers. I’m sure it’s many teens’ favorites, but most of the main characters are adults. The main characters of the book, not adults. Michael is the central character, Patrick is the other main character. A 17-year-old and a 5-year-old. Let me make it clear that I don’t have a problem with the book. It doesn’t bother me that these characters are so young. I think it just – for some inexplicable reason – made me a bit surprised by just how dark and nasty (in some places) this book could be.

What do I mean by nasty? Well, gruesome, really. The descriptions of these Bellows (which, really, are zombies) are very detailed – and these guys aren’t pretty! Some of the descriptions of things – not just the Bellows – are downright disgusting. Ick. Yes, it paints a clear picture. But, um, eeew!

I felt the ending didn’t provide me enough closure. There were plenty of questions left in my head upon closing the book. Too many for my liking. It makes me wonder, will there be another book? If not, why were these questions (big ones, like whether this problem is throughout the world and/or country; whether others are safe somewhere; whether Michael and Patrick have any living relatives; etc.) left unanswered? I hate, hate, hate having so many unsettled questions at the end, but I can handle it better if I know more is coming.

That said, the book is written very well. It’s easy to read, and the overall plot is rather interesting. But, with the gruesomeness and hopelessness, I’d put this more in the horror genre. And, generally speaking, horror is so not my thing. I suspect others – especially fans of Stephen King and other such writers – might really enjoy this book. Unfortunately, it’s just not for me.

Source: Received through Around the World Tours for review.

Read It: The End Games is scheduled for release around May 7, 2013. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

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2 Comments Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 3 stars, ARC, Around the World Tours, horror, review, sci-fi, T. Michael Martin, YA, zombies

Review: Hating Heidi Foster

January 17, 2013

Title: Hating Heidi Foster
Author: Jeffrey Blount
Series: n/a

Summary: Mae McBride and Heidi Foster were the very best of friends. Tied at the hip from early elementary school, their relationship was the stuff of storybooks, legendary even, in the minds of their high school classmates.

Unshakable.

That is, until Mae’s father died while saving Heidi’s life. When Mae finds out, she blames Heidi. She blames her father for putting Heidi ahead of her. She blames her friends for taking Heidi’s side. She begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable and atypical anger.

At the same time Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly; wasting away physically and emotionally while waiting for Mae to let her back into the friendship she misses so dearly.

Mae, consumed by her hatred of Heidi, the confusion regarding her father’s motives, the perceived desertion of her friends and her mother’s grief, loses more and more of herself.

What could possibly bring these two old friends back to each other? A miracle?

My Thoughts: This is a very fast read, and held my interest throughout. I can’t say I was particularly fond of Mae, but losing one’s father right before entering high school isn’t easy. No doubt it affected her personality in ways one might never expect. I did feel some of the dialogue sounded much too mature for freshmen in high school – even those who had horrible events mature them faster than their peers. And those peers often also spoke a bit more maturely than one would expect. Still, it’s an interesting situation, and I thought Mae made great progress by the end of the book.

Source: Sent by The Cadence Group in exchange for an honest review.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 3 stars, Jeffrey Blount, review, The Cadence Group, YA

Review with Giveaway: Escucha Means Listen

January 16, 2013

Title: Escucha Means Listen
Author: Talia Aikens-Nuñez
Series: n/a

Summary: From the mowing of the lawn to the splish-splashing of rain puddles, Talia Aikens-Nuñez’s bilingual picture book Escucha Means Listen introduces toddlers and babies to the sweet sounds around them.

Take a journey through the world—just listening. Escucha Means Listen helps children discover sounds around them in English and Spanish.

My Thoughts: The illustrations are colorful and absolutely lovely. The story is a cute one about what a child might hear throughout their neighborhood. It gives youngsters – and their parents – a bite-sized introduction to learning Spanish words and phrases. The story is cute and told in a manner that kids will just love. I know this because I read it to my own kiddos (the youngest is 5), and they approve!

The only improvement I can think of would be to have a pronunciation guide so parents get it right when reading to their children. While I took Spanish during my schooling days, there are many out there with no idea of the proper way to say these words. While I don’t need the help, I suspect there are many who might.

Source: Received a PDF as part of a blog tour hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. (Click the button below for more tour stops.)

Read It: You can get your own copy direct through the publisher or through Amazon.

Author photo About the Author: Talia Aikens-Nuñez wanted to be a meteorologist, a politician and a lawyer. She never thought she would be a writer. It was the birth of her daughter that caused her to start writing. Raising a bilingual child inspired Talia to write lyrical children’s books. These ‘first experience’ books introduce Spanish to children and parents too! Talia’s family loves nature so much that she and her husband vowed that they will always try to live close to water. She, her husband and daughter live on a river in Connecticut with their daughter Isabella.

Website | Facebook

Giveaway: Up for grabs is $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.

Ends 1/21/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: blog tour, Reviews Tagged With: 3 stars, blog tour, children's books, giveaway, I Am A Reader Not A Writer, review, Spanish, Talia Aikens-Nuñez

Review: White Lines

December 19, 2012

Title: White Lines
Author: Jennifer Banash
Series: n/a

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Cat is living every teenager’s dream: she has her own apartment on the Lower East Side and at night she’s club kid royalty, guarding the velvet rope at some of the hottest clubs in the city. The night with its crazy, frenetic, high-inducing energy—the pulsing beat of the music, the radiant, joyful people and those seductive white lines that can ease all pain—is when Cat truly lives. But her daytime, when real life occurs, is more nightmare than dream. Having spent years suffering her mother’s emotional and physical abuse, and abandoned by her father, Cat is terrified and alone—unable to connect to anyone or anything. But when someone comes along who makes her want to truly live, she’ll need to summon the courage to confront her demons and take control of a life already spinning dangerously out of control.

My Thoughts: I honestly don’t have much to say about White Lines by Jennifer Banash. The story is heartbreaking in points, cringeworthy in other points, and encouraging in a few spots. Poor Cat has lived a rough life, and things aren’t looking any better now that she’s on her own. Despite knowing she’s safe from her mother’s abuse, it’s clear that she still doesn’t feel completely safe. Especially not when it comes to interpersonal relationships of any sort.

While her lifestyle made me cringe, I found I liked Cat. You could see how hard day-to-day life was for her, and I found myself wanting to hug her. Despite her problems, her voice is actually pretty down-to-earth. She’s no drama queen. Sure, there’s drama in her life, but her voice recounting her experiences is matter-of-fact. Her stories are so sad, but she is clearly much stronger than she realizes.

Understand that this book takes place is the 1980s, otherwise it’ll seem much less plausible. I think society looks out for its children a bit more than they did back then. Cat never would’ve fallen through the cracks the way she did. At the very least, she’d be in a foster home. Anyway, I think it’s important to keep the timeframe in mind, as it was easy for me to forget – until she mentioned things like huge cell phones, cassette tapes, and records.

White Lines is raw, gritty, and likely difficult for sensitive readers. This is another book that I’d honestly say would be more appropriate for older teens, or early 20s – younger kids might get the wrong idea about the partying lifestyle, and her living alone. While I in no way think this glamorizes drugs and such, younger kids might get the wrong idea.

Source: Received through Around the World Tours for review.

Read It: White Lines is scheduled for release around April 4, 2013. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

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1 Comment Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 3 stars, ARC, Around the World Tours, Jennifer Banash, review, YA

Review: Panic

November 8, 2012

Panic Title: Panic
Author: Sharon M. Draper
Series: n/a

Summary: Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger.

But what if the stranger is well-dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife and daughter? And casting a movie that very night—a movie in need of a star dancer? What then?

Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.

It’s a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes—and now she’s being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.

My Thoughts: First, I must say, isn’t that a beautiful cover? I mean, aside from the pins in the butterfly’s wings. The blue is so vibrant. Love it!

As for inside the cover … Despite the heavy subject, Panic by Sharon M. Draper is actually a pretty quick read. It’s compelling. It’s eye-opening. It reminded me a bit of Want to Go Private? – except that it isn’t quite as good. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not bad. There were just a couple of things that didn’t work for me.

First of all, the plot is quite predictable.

Minor spoiler

For example, when Layla’s posing for photos with her abusive boyfriend, I knew immediately that he’d eventually text them or otherwise share them with others.

I do think, though, that perhaps a young teen might not be as quick to realize what’s coming, simply based on their relative innocence. Especially with the example above.

My other complaint is that conversations felt forced. Or something. In many places, they just didn’t flow naturally. Some were fine, but many just felt awkward. I don’t know that I could explain why, unfortunately.

Still, Panic is an interesting read. Unlike Want to Go Private?, this one shows a different threat. The man in this preys on her hopes, her dreams, and her disappointments. It’s clear from the start that he’s been following her, but later becomes much clearer just how much he’d been stalking her. Crazy! One thing I really appreciate is that we aren’t given details of what Diamond goes through while held captive. We’re told enough to know it was horrible, but not given the gritty details. I appreciate being spared!

Source: Received through Around the World Tours for review.

Read It: Panic is scheduled for release on March 12, 2013. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

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1 Comment Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 3 stars, ARC, Around the World Tours, review, Sharon M. Draper, YA

Review: Virgins

November 1, 2012

Virgins Title: Virgins
Author: Caryl Rivers
Series: n/a

Summary: For the seniors at Immaculate Heart High, hormones jousted with the quest for the State of Grace, and the hormones usually won. The Map of Forbidden Sexual Delights extended its boundaries nightly in the back seats of tail-finned cars. But the girls of Virgins also wanted more. Who could they grow up to be in a word where women were supposed to be seen, but not heard? They were rebels with a cause, before their time.

My Thoughts: I had heard that Virgins by Caryl Rivers was hilarious. But, I just don’t agree. It made me chuckle in a few spots, and made me smile in many more, but I didn’t find it laugh-out-loud funny. And definitely not hilarious. Still, the story is interesting, compelling, and has very interesting characters. I think that, as a teenager, I would have really enjoyed this book. As an adult, though, I think my perspective is just way too different to appreciate it as much.

I don’t really have any real complaints, unless you count my being a bit dissatisfied with the ending.

spoiler

I really wanted to see Sean choose Peggy instead of going off to seminary. They both obviously really love each other, and I wanted them to be together. I guess I’ll just hope that Sean discovers that the priesthood isn’t for him, and he finds her and they live happily ever after.

I should add that I’m not Catholic. Never have been, so I don’t understand much of the Catholic-themed references. Maybe if I had more experience with Catholicism I would have appreciated this much more.

Source: Received as part of a blog tour promotion on TLC Book Tours.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

About the Author: Caryl Rivers has been called “one of the brightest voices in contemporary fiction.” Her novel Virgins was an international critical success, published in the US, UK, Sweden, Germany and Japan. It was on many best seller lists and in paperback (Pocket Books) sold more than a million copies. Her novels deal with American women trying to find a foothold in a rapidly changing world. She was included in the book Feminists Who Changed America from the University of Illinois Press.

She is a nationally known author, journalist, media critic and professor of Journalism at Boston University. In 2007 she was awarded the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for distinguished journalism. She is the author of four novels and nine works of non-fiction, all critically acclaimed. Her books have been selections of the Book of the Month Club, Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club and Troll Book club. The Chicago Tribune says of her, “Few other writers are as funny as she, and none funnier. Yet she is capable of wrenching your heart and soul.” There are film offers in place for the new edition of Virgins.

Her articles have appeared in the New York Times magazine, Daily Beast, Huffington post, Salon, The Nation, Saturday Review, Ms., Mother Jones, Dissent, McCalls, Glamour,Redbook, Rolling Stone, Ladies Home Journal and many others. She writes frequent commentary for the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribuneand Womensenews. Of her book Selling Anxiety: How the News Media Scare Women, Gloria Steinem says it “will save the sanity of media watchers enraged or bewildered by the distance between image and reality.”

She has co-authored four books with Dr. Rosalind Barnett, senior scientist at the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis—the latest (2011) being The Truth About Girls and Boys: Confronting Toxic Stereotypes About Our Children. Articles based on the book won a Casey medal for distinguished journalism about children and families and a special citation from the National Education Writers association.

You can find Caryl online at her website.

Tour Info: For the main page for this blog tour, including more reviews of this book on other blogs, visit TLC’s post.

Challenges: Counts for Free Reads 2012.
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