Review: Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen

Orphan Monster Spy
By Matt Killeen
Publisher: Viking
Format: Print ARC
Source: YALLFest

To Sum It Up: Sarah is a newly orphaned, Jewish fifteen-year-old in Nazi Germany. After encountering a mysterious man who turns out to be a spy working against the Nazis, Sarah undertakes a crucial mission. She must collect information on a lethal weapon created by a Nazi scientist. To complete her mission, Sarah must go undercover at a Nazi boarding school where she will become friendly with the scientist’s daughter. Sarah endeavors to save the Germany that has been turned against her as well as becoming the hero she desperately needs.

Review: Orphan Monster Spy reminded me of some sort of really cool spy movie. The pacing was excellent, making the story feel action movie-esque. The story was thoroughly researched, making the setting feel authentic without feeling too vague. Matt Killeen did an excellent job of balancing the bigger picture of WWII without sacrificing the relatability of his main character.

I absolutely adored Sarah as a character because she was so enjoyably complex. Sarah’s complexity and growth as a character propelled this book into greatness. Sarah was an incredible heroine with a skill set that reminded me of Black Widow. Put into incredibly stressful situations, Sarah’s decisions were always intelligently made. There is absolutely nothing more frustrating than reading a book where you find yourself mentally screaming at the main character for their pathetic decisions. I was constantly in awe of Sarah’s maturity and sense of purpose. Additionally, I was astounded by Sarah’s perceptiveness and her profound interpretations of her experiences. Despite Sarah’s complexity, she remains relatable with thoughts and emotions the reader can empathize with.

The reader is also occasionally reminded that Sarah is indeed still a child. I was really hoping that Sarah would find some sort of paternal comfort in the Captain. I would have really enjoyed seeing him grow into that role. However, I understand that Sarah’s isolation from others forced her to become stronger and better equipped to deal with the challenges she faced. Sarah was able to become her own hero.

All in all: I know a majority of this review is praise for the main character, but I have no regrets. I love it when a character actively becomes the hero they need for themselves. Orphan Monster Spy was a riveting read that retained a profundity suitable for the setting. You should really give this one a try!

Review: Ink by Alice Broadway

Ink (Skin Books #1)
By Alice Broadway
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Print ARC
Source: YALLFest

To Sum It Up: In Saintstone, the marks inked onto a person’s skin tell his or her life story, both the good and the bad. When someone dies, that person’s skin is turned into a book and either deemed worthy of being preserved and remembered or forgotten and burned depending on what kind of life the individual led. Leora Flint has always followed Saintstone’s rules and traditions until her beloved father dies, and questions begin to arise about possible past misdeeds and secrets he might have kept, even from his family.

Lee's Review: Ink is kind of a hard book to describe, even when trying to pinpoint its genre. Because folklore is such an integral part of the novel, Ink sometimes feels like a fantasy. The unquestioning certainty with which the people of Saintstone, the town in which the book is set, must accept these stories as the absolute truth throws some dystopia into the mix.

The life stories of everyone in Saintstone are literally open books because they’re told through the tattoos people acquire—sometimes not voluntarily—throughout their lives. After death, one’s skin is turned into a book, and the books of those judged not worthy of being remembered are burned. It took me a moment to wrap my head around the bit where dead people’s skins become books, but once I got past the initial ewww factor, Ink was an intriguing read. Alice Broadway’s prose is very elegant, even when bringing to life a society ruled by a government that keeps a vigilant watch over its denizens.

Ink is narrated by Leora Flint, who at the book’s open is mourning the loss of her father. In the weeks leading up to the ceremony that will determine whether or not her father deserves to be remembered, Leora becomes increasingly anxious that his book will be thrown into the flames for possibly breaking Saintstone’s laws. Leora herself is not the rebellious type, and it comes across in her narrative voice. That posed a problem for me later in the book, when Leora makes decisions that seem uncharacteristic for her. I felt she needed more development leading up to that point so her actions made more sense for her character.

I also didn’t find the book’s big reveal all that revelatory. Again, I think it’s because Leora’s narration is so steady, it didn’t have the inflection needed to deliver an impact.

While Ink wasn’t quite a page turner for me, I did admire Alice Broadway’s lovely writing and creativity in devising the book’s premise. For me to read the sequel, though, I’d want to see more depth to Leora’s character and the secondary characters as well.

All in All: I really liked the genre mashup here and the prose, but I was looking for a bit more to Leora’s character.

Melissa's Review: In Ink, Alice Broadway crafts an exceptional setting through magnificent world building. She forms a unique culture that propels the plot and her characters successfully throughout the book. Because the society she places her characters within is so complex, the story carries a deeper meaning. The theme of the story becomes one of man (or in this case, woman) against a corrupt government, a theme I find particularly captivating. The theme does, however, cause Leora to be somewhat naïve in the beginning, but the reader does see her make some satisfying progress as the story continues.

Ink is very well written, and Broadway does an excellent job of describing the artistry behind the inking culture, truly showing the reader what these tattoos look like. The pacing of the novel is mostly consistent, keeping the reader interested. Additionally, the characters are likable, but not quite lovable. All of the important aspects of a good book are present, but the characters could not connect with me in a way to take this book to the next level.

The only true problem I had with Ink was that the ending felt slightly rushed. I would have really liked to see Leora develop more as a character while she dealt with the truths she had discovered. I think that growth would have made the resolution feel more complete. I do think the ending scene was quite powerful, but it could have been even better with more insight into Leora’s decisions.

All in All: This was an excellent read, and Broadway’s world building skills are phenomenal. I just wish the main character’s development felt more complete.

Review: One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn

One for Sorrow
By Mary Downing Hahn
Publisher: Clarion Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: YALLFest

To Sum It Up: The year is 1918, and Annie Browne is twelve years old. Having just moved to a new school, Annie is worried about making new friends. But on her first day, Elsie claims Annie as her best friend. In no time at all, Elsie has Annie isolated from and disliked by all their classmates. Annie struggles to extricate herself from Elsie’s clutches and joins her fellow classmates in alienating Elsie. However, as the Spanish Influenza takes hold of the country, Annie and her new friends must face the consequences of their cruelty.

Review: I love my historical fiction! One for Sorrow not only successfully captures the feeling of the setting, but it supplies the reader with a delightful ghost story. Mary Downing Hahn creates an almost Gothic tone within her story, but she also keeps the book from becoming too far removed from younger readers. It is clear that Hahn is a well-seasoned writer. One for Sorrow is well written without becoming unrelatable. That being said, Hahn is well aware of her audience (younger readers), so while I found this book enjoyable, a younger reader would probably take more away from this story.

I thought the pacing was excellent, making this a very quick read. I did, however, find it somewhat predictable. Taking into consideration the intended audience, this wasn’t really a problem, and I found it did not detract from the overall success of the story or my enjoyment of it.

I found all of the characters to be very realistic. Hahn’s knowledge of her intended audience is clearly shown in the portrayal of her characters. The children in the story truly act their age. Therefore, her characters were relatable, but not always likable. I thought Annie and Elsie were particularly selfish and self-centered, but sometimes kids their age can be. As a reader, I think keeping this in mind helps to prevent you from judging the characters too harshly.

All in all: One for Sorrow was an enjoyable read and I think Hahn is a remarkable writer. However, I do think this book is best suited to readers of similar age to the characters (about twelve years old).

ARC Review: S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett

S.T.A.G.S.
By M.A. Bennett
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Print ARC
Source: YALLFest
Publication Date: January 30, 2018

To Sum It Up: Greer MacDonald has become the new scholarship student at a highly prestigious boarding school. However, the excitement of her new school quickly wears off as Greer is treated like an outsider by most of her wealthy classmates. When Greer is invited to Henry de Warlencourt’s estate for the weekend, she eagerly accepts, excited by the prospect of forming connections with her peers. But the weekend takes a turn for the sinister, and Greer must face some shocking truths.

Melissa's Review: The premise of this story was fascinating to me. I mean, who doesn’t love stories about elite boarding schools with a dark twist?! M.A. Bennett does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the setting of her story by providing interesting, but not an excessive amount of detail. I thought the most intriguing part of the book was Bennett’s ability to set such a gripping and continuous pace. I read this book in only two sittings!

I felt as though the characters were not fully developed, and they seemed somewhat one-dimensional. Additionally, the relationships between characters were weak and not quite believable. This lack of development made the characters unrelatable and the reader unsympathetic to their plights. While there certainly was an interesting ideology behind the motives of the antagonists, there was a serious lack of relatability, making it hard for the reader to suspend their disbelief.

The ending was, unfortunately, very dissatisfying. There seemed to be a forced sense of the story coming full circle. It was boring in its predictability. I think if the book had ended a chapter or two sooner, the ending would have been more fitting for the rest of the story.

All in All: S.T.A.G.S. was certainly a quick read, and Bennett has a talent for pace within her writing. The downfall of this book was ultimately a lack of character development. It was enjoyable all the same.

Lee's Review: Given my ongoing struggle with reading for any extended length of time, it’s pretty amazing that I finished S.T.A.G.S. in a single weekend. That is entirely due to the book’s absolutely brilliant pacing; once I began reading, I could. Not. Stop. S.T.A.G.S. actually brought me back to my Twilight days, when I spent every available minute buried in the book because I needed to know what happened next.

It quickly becomes clear that there’s a “The Most Dangerous Game” type element going on here, but it’s not the “what” that spurs you on reading. It’s the “how” and the “why.” While both are eventually revealed, the motivation behind the actions of the Medievals, a clique of students at St. Aidan the Great School (the titular S.T.A.G.S.), fell short for me. I expected something more complex than what the book offers, and this was quite disappointing considering how solid the build-up was.

I still would have given S.T.A.G.S. at least three stars if the ending hadn’t also fallen flat. It seemed both rushed and anti-climactic, and it even annoyed me a bit because the previous three-quarters of the book had been so compulsively readable. Although the insight into the mindset of the Medievals’ leader, Henry de Warlencourt, wasn’t wholly satisfying, I would’ve been fine with the story ending there instead of trying to set up a possible sequel.

I also wasn’t really impressed with the main character, Greer. She’s named after actress Greer Garson and is a film buff, and she drops a lot of film references, so much so that it feels heavy-handed sometimes. What bothered me most about Greer, though, was how oblivious she could be to what was really going on around her. Overall, Greer’s character development never quite took off, and none of the secondary characters, particularly all of the Medievals except Henry, was especially memorable.

S.T.A.G.S. was an odd read of sorts for me because I tore through it despite having a few big issues with it. If the book had ended as strongly as it started, this would have been a fantastic read.

All in All: S.T.A.G.S. boasts some impressive pacing, but unfortunately, the book loses the momentum it builds up so brilliantly in the beginning and ends without fully delivering on what drives some of the characters to act as they do.

Review: Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Wink Poppy Midnight
By April Genevieve Tucholke
Publisher: Dial Books
Format: Print ARC
Source: YALLFest

To Sum It Up: Wink Poppy Midnight follows the intertwined stories of three very different characters. Midnight, a sensitive and unusual young boy finds himself caught in between two very different girls. Poppy, the beautiful and very mean girl refuses to relinquish her claim on Midnight, but the strange and fairytale obsessed Wink seems to be winning him over. A haunted house in the woods will force the characters to reveal who they really are.

Review: I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I got this ARC while at YALLFest, but the important thing is that I finally got to read it! I have been in a severe book hangover since reading The Raven King, but Wink Poppy Midnight was the perfect book to help me out of the dark depths of depression. It was a quick and enjoyable read with short chapters and fluid transitions that kept the pace moving. That being said, I was able to finish it in a matter of hours. Although the book was nothing like I expected (I thought it was going to be paranormal for some strange reason) it successfully accomplished capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary. The complex characters, the fairytale-esque setting, and the shocking end worked well together to pull the reader into the world of the novel.

I love a good book with a haunted house, and Wink Poppy Midnight truly delivered. Throw in a charming farm and a wooded area and you have the perfect recipe for a place where anything can (and does) happen. While the characters are somewhat ordinary high school students, this setting is an excellent opportunity to do more extraordinary things while away from the routine normality of school.

Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the complexity of the characters. No one is truly what they seem, and I love when characters defy the expectations of the reader. I thought Wink, Poppy, and Midnight were somewhat gray characters, and I think that complexity brought the story to another level. Watching them reveal themselves to each other threw me for quite a loop. Although I did not particularly like any of the characters, I still had a lot of fun reading about them. Yes, I know how very little sense that makes, but it’s true!

Surprise endings can be a hit or miss with me. My golden rule is that above all else, the ending must fit the characters, and I was very pleased to find that this one did just that! The pace of the novel kept the reader moving quickly, so the end is even more of a jolt (but in a very good way!).

All in All: Wink Poppy Midnight was a quick and enjoyable read. It is definitely not what it appears to be, but I thought that was what made it appealing. I didn’t find anything wrong with this book, but for whatever reason this book was not able to work its way into my heart. That being said, you should really give this one a try!

Review: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4)
By Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

To Sum It Up: Gansey’s quest to find a Welsh king has begun to leave more questions than answers, but he has found a set of friends more than willing to help him complete his quest. Finding Glendower is becoming more of an urgent matter as the year begins to slip by and the promise of death and loss looms over the group. Gansey, Blue, Ronan, Adam, and Noah are starting to become desperate as the threats begin to multiply, but their loyalty to each other proves to be a force of great power, perhaps even equal to that of Henrietta's ley line.

Since The Raven King is such a special book, it's getting a bit of special treatment today, with reviews from both Melissa and me! We warn you now: there's not so much reviewing ahead as unabashed fangirling!

Lee's Review: Three years ago, I read a book called The Raven Boys that completely enchanted me with its magical story of a girl, four boys, and a sleeping king. I loved this book immensely, and yet, somehow, each successive novel in the series found still more to love about these characters and everything about them: their lives, their fears, their flaws. Now, four books later, we’ve reached the last chapter for Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah, and what a magnificent swan song it is.

I knew—knew—that The Raven King would crush me heart and soul, but anticipating a thing and experiencing it are very often two different beasts. My mind is a storm of thoughts. My heart still beats irregularly when I reread certain passages. I don’t label books “life-changing” lightly, but this book and this series permanently own a piece of my heart. My brain refuses to compute that I’ve just read the final installment in a series that is perfection defined.

To discuss The Raven King in depth is to spoil it for those who haven’t read it, so please pardon my vagueness. Believe me—I am DYING to talk about EVERYTHING that made this book an absolute feast for anyone who loves words. Maggie Stiefvater’s prose is magic transformed into words on a page. Her Wolves of Mercy Falls series imbued winter with a life of its own. Here she literally gives sentience to the otherworldly forest of Cabeswater; the imagery Stiefvater employs in the Cabeswater scenes never fails to transport you to that magical place where every sight and sound is so real, you can’t help feeling like you, too, are standing in its wondrous midst. And when Cabeswater is threatened, you, too fear for it.

The Raven King finds Blue, Gansey, Ronan, and Adam running out of time to find and wake the legendary sleeping king Owen Glendower, which means that they’re also running out of time to save Gansey’s life. My heart ached and fractured for my beloved Gansey over and over again while reading this because he fully realizes that he may not be able to fight fate, but he wants to live oh so much. He’s devoted most of his life to this quest for his king, and the countless painstaking hours of research and global travel may have all been in vain. Gansey’s search isn’t just about actually locating Glendower and requesting a favor; it’s also about finding validation, that the life he was given back after a deadly hornet attack has had a purpose.

Foreboding and urgency dominate The Raven King; the characters constantly dance on the edge of a precipice, one minute misstep away from tipping over. Dreams and nightmares, which have been important to the series from the beginning, become so entwined with reality here that the distinction between them blurs at times. With ominous happenings and shadowy people descending on Henrietta, Blue and her Raven Boys are hyperaware that their journey together must reach its crescendo very soon. They’re totally conscious of what’s at stake, including the lives of both Gansey and Cabeswater.

Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah are the lifeblood of this series, and observing their character development over the span of four novels has been one of the most incredible reading experiences I’ve ever known. I absolutely savored each of these last precious, exquisite moments with them, these friends whom no force, of this world or a magical one, could ever tear apart. Loyalty, sacrifice and love—so much love—define this group, and God, what I wouldn’t give to be even a tangential part of it.

I think I’ve written more of a sobbing, gushy farewell to the series than an actual review of the final book in said series, but this is all I’m ever going to be capable of. I also believe this marks the first time I’ve ever NOT wanted to finish writing a review, because then that means The Raven Cycle is well and truly complete. But if I must say goodbye, first I’d like to declare once again how much I’m going to miss the following: Blue Sargent, Richard Campbell Gansey III, Ronan Lynch, Adam Parrish, Noah Czerny, Chainsaw, the amazing ladies of 300 Fox Way (Maura, Calla, Persephone, Jimi, Orla), the Gray Man, Matthew Lynch, Henry Cheng and RoboBee, the Pig, the Barns, and the ethereal wonder that will always be Cabeswater.

All in All: Five billion stars and then some. It’s very likely I’ll read additional five star books this year, but The Raven King will still be my favorite book of 2016. Gansey—you will forever be king of this girl’s heart. I miss you and your friends so much already.

Melissa's Review: Finally! It seems like I’ve waited an eternity for the last installment in The Raven Cycle. The Raven King has been a wonderful way to start the summer. I actually picked up my copy of the book at my college bookstore while I was returning my textbooks. Having not read any YA in months, The Raven King was the perfect book to start my summer reading frenzy. I’ll warn you in advance, this is going to be more gushing than actual reviewing.

I hardly even know where to begin! The Raven King was mind-blowing. Pure magic, I tell you! Well, to be honest the entire Raven Cycle series is spectacular, but The Raven King ties everything together beautifully. While readers definitely got the answers they wanted/needed, The Raven King makes it very difficult to let go of the series. (I’ve been in a book depression for over a week. I guess the only solution is to reread the series. Oh darn.)

Don’t even get me started on Stiefvater’s writing. I barely have words for it. I can honestly say that I am incredibly jealous of her ability to craft such wonderful characters and write so cleverly. This is the type of series where you become so invested in the characters, it hurts you when the final book ends. I’m still in awe over how much I have come to love all of these characters and how very real they seem. Although the gang is in pursuit of Glendower, the book revolves more around their relationship with each other than the actual adventure. I don’t know if that sounds weird, but it really works. Since the series is so character driven, it has really become something far beyond what some other YA books could ever hope to be. If I could steal her bitching writing powers, I totally would. If you haven’t read any of her work yet, you are missing out big time.

Again, I’m sorry this isn’t much in the way of a review. I am too worried about saying anything about anything in fear of spoiling something by accident. So much goes down in this book, you really must experience it for yourself. I guess what I’m really trying to say is that The Raven King was so phenomenal that I couldn’t even write a cohesive review for it.

All in All: You must read The Raven Cycle! Hopefully my gushy babbling has convinced you of its awesomeness in lieu of a more traditional review.

Review: The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

The Monstrumologist (The Monstrumologist #1)
By Rick Yancey
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

To Sum It Up: Young Will Henry follows in his father’s footsteps as Dr. Warthrop’s assistant. After a fire leaves him orphaned, the distant and eccentric doctor takes him in. He drags Will into a world of nightmares and horror: the study of monstrumology. One night, a grave robber seeks the expertise of Dr. Warthrop, and the events that follow will be more dangerous than the doctor has ever encountered before.

Review: This is exactly my kind of book! From the Gothic setting to the philosophical depth to the amazing amounts of gore, this book is awesome! Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop are complex characters who share a complicated relationship. Thrown together by tragedy, they are everything to each other, but even though they acknowledge this, I think they still struggle with what this means. Will is very loyal and constantly seeks the praise of Dr. Warthrop, but he also has no trouble outwardly admitting what he hates about the doctor. Although Warthrop seems to be cold and demanding, as the story progresses, it is easy to see that he really does care about the boy. The dynamic between these characters is interesting and realistic. The relationship is so well developed that the reader is able to learn more about each character based on how they treat each other.

As a disclaimer, this book is quite gory, so steer clear if that stuff makes you uncomfortable. It does not bother me in the least; in fact, my philosophy is: the gorier, the better! I think the grossness reveals a kind of sincerity in that our darkest nightmares are not pleasant and by definition, make us squeamish. In a way, I think it makes the story more realistic. That being said, the story is also not unnecessarily grotesque. It is so cleverly written that I was engrossed and appalled at the same time, which I consider a plus.

Additionally, this novel has the sort of depth I really enjoy in a book. Throughout the story, various ethical dilemmas are exposed. Even though the characters choose to do one thing or think a certain way, other characters also present a different perspective on the situation. This really forces the reader to think about what his/her view is on the subject and if he/she would have acted as the characters in the story did. Of course most stories have a sense of right and wrong, but I feel like a lot of this story is in more of a gray area. I felt like I was prompted to look more thoroughly into the characters than in quite a few other books I have read.

All in All: I have not read a book that I have become so attached to in such a long time. I loved this book, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest in the series. I highly suggest that you check this one out. If you have read it, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I have to buy this series!

Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1)
By Melinda Salisbury
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

To Sum It Up: Twylla has always had a destiny. First, she was the Sin Eater’s daughter, who would one day carry on the family tradition of atoning for the sins of the dead so that they may rest in peace. Then, Twylla became daughter of the gods with the ability to kill traitors of the kingdom with one touch. She lives in the castle with a cruel and unforgiving queen. W hen the lines between truth and legend become blurred, Twylla must seek out the truth in order to save the kingdom and herself.

Review: My sister Allison actually tried to pry my hands off this book in the library, and after a silent and intense struggle, I was the champion. My triumph was short-lived. Despite the stunning cover and super alluring blurb, the book did not live up to my expectations. To be fair, my expectations were quite high, but there were issues with this book that I had a hard time getting past. The characters were inconsistent and not very likeable and the plotline was smushed into the last thirty pages of the book.

The biggest issue I had with this book was the characters. Let’s start off with our “heroine” Twylla. She was way too self-pitying, and too much of a coward to do anything to help herself. Twylla spent nearly the entire book letting things just happen, neglecting what she knew to be right in order to stay safe. This was extremely annoying as a reader. Additionally, I thought she was quite dimwitted and too easily manipulated. Next, love triangles often annoy me and this book was no exception. At first, I thought the Prince was okay, and that slowly turned into utter annoyance. I thought he was a melodramatic brat. Then we have Leif, who I grew to like during the duration of the book. The friendship that developed between Leif and Twylla was really nice, but then out of nowhere it turned into something else. The transition between friendship to romance was awkward. And the end. Don’t get me started. I had a moment of extreme outrage. All I can say without completely ruining the whole book is that some things were completely out of character. It seemed like certain things were thrown in for extra drama and to make the love triangle more of a triangle.

As I said earlier, Twylla did absolutely nothing until the last thirty or so pages of the book. This resulted in a rushed feeling to have a climax and resolution despite the lack of action throughout the rest of the book. Also, the end seemed a bit of a stretch and somewhat unrelated to the rest of the book. I felt as though the book was 80% exposition. If the first chunk of the book were condensed to the last chunk of the book and vice versa, I think everything could have worked out a lot better.

All in All: This book was a pretty quick and easy read, but I was far from lovestruck with it. I don’t see myself continuing on with this series.

Review: The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer

The Water Mirror (Dark Reflections #1)
By Kai Meyer
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

To Sum It Up: Venice has been under siege by the Egyptian Empire for many years, and the only thing keeping the mummy warriors at bay is the Flowing Queen. But when the Queen is bested by the clever Egyptians and traitors within her own city, Merle, the young apprentice to the magic mirror maker, is the city's only hope.

Review: The title and the artwork on the cover grabbed my attention and the blurb sealed the deal. Who doesn't love magic and mermaids?!

The setting and plot were innovative and eclectic. You have magic mirrors, Hell, stone lions, mermaids, mummies, and Venice all crammed into one story. It was incredibly original and creative. So, it's quite a surprise that this book really didn't do anything for me.

Usually, this would be exactly my kind of read. However, I couldn't make an emotional connection with the characters or their story line. It's not that I hated the characters, but I found them rather flat and hard to empathize with. Additionally, I felt like it was too predictable. I never found myself surprised or getting really invested in what might happen next. I was waiting for it to get better and it never did. The plot felt like it was moving too quickly without ever really explaining anything fully enough for me to latch onto. I'm a really open and go-with-the-flow reader, but it was a bit hard for me to keep up.

I was disappointed because this book had the potential to be great. The biggest flaw for me was the lack of emotional investment.

All in All: I kind of enjoyed this book, but I won't be reading the sequel.

Review: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #2)
By Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

To Sum It Up: Jacob and his group of peculiar friends are forced to flee the island they once considered their sanctuary. They must now journey all the way to London in order to save Miss Peregrine and possibly the peculiar world.

Review: I suppose the only way to begin is by complaining about how long I have been waiting for the sequel to the phenomenal Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But damn was it worth the wait!!! *excited seal clapping and fangirl squealing* I guess now is as good a time as any to warn you that this review will consist mostly of me gushing about how much I loved this book. For your sake, I will do my best to put my insurmountable love for Hollow City into real words and possibly even sentences.

I am often quite wary of sequels as they all too often disappoint me. Sometimes it's really hard to reattach to the characters and find interest in the new or even continuing story line. I am very happy to say that this was not the case at all here. I was very relieved that we picked up exactly where the first one had left off.

Everything I enjoyed in the first installment was carried into the sequel and improved upon. The photographs were just as creepy and fascinating. The "new" setting was even more exciting than the last, and the story line was phenomenal. The second book added layer upon layer of richness to the story that so masterfully began in the previous book. Also, the character development was very well done and not in any way forced or rushed. With so many intricate characters, it can be hard to give each one his or her fair share of attention. While I was quite aware that there were numerous characters, they were so well written that I never felt overwhelmed by their sheer number.

I will be counting down the days until the next book comes out. I have absolutely no doubt that I will enjoy it as much—if not more than I have this one.

All in All: All I have to say is: YOU MUST READ THIS SERIES!!!

Review: Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

* This review may contain spoilers for the previous book, This Dark Endeavor. *

Such Wicked Intent (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #2)
By Kenneth Oppel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

To Sum It Up: Victor has failed and now Konrad is dead. In a fit of frustration and grief, Victor and his father burn all of the books from the Dark Library and begin to seal up the entrance. Victor spares a single book from the fire, which claims to hold the secret of bringing the dead back to life. Victor sees his second chance and vows that he will not fail his brother again. Soon enough, Victor, Elizabeth, and Henry are on a quest to save Konrad a second time. But, this adventure is far more dangerous than the last, and the stakes are much higher.

Review: I have to say, I think I liked Such Wicked Intent better than This Dark Endeavor. I found the story line to be more gripping and original. The spirit world of the Frankenstein mansion was terrifying and new. The plot is what really made both of these books. I find it hard to communicate how awesome it was, so instead, I'll just keep saying that it was awesome. I also felt like it was a seamless continuation of the first book. The sequel wasn't just an afterthought to continue on with the characters; it was the continuation of a fantastic story.

I did continue to have trouble connecting with Victor, which made me a little sad because it's supposed to be easier to love characters when you keep reading about them, but it was only more difficult. I also really came to dislike Elizabeth. I was upset because I kind of liked her in the previous book. I thought a lot of her actions were very uncharacteristic of the person she was in the first book. Then again, the more I think about it, the more I question whether or not I know who she was/is. She flip-flops all the time, and it’s weird and frustrating. I did continue to like Henry and Konrad.

Once again I was frustrated with the ending. I felt like it wasn't good enough for the end of such a magnificent adventure. However, I can begrudgingly understand how it may be fitting when you take a step back and reevaluate things.

All in All: Although I did enjoy this book more than the first, I felt like it shared the same exact problems. The plot line was sooooo good, but these issues kept it from being half as great as it could have been. It was a very enjoyable read despite my criticism.

Review: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

This Dark Endeavor (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein #1)
By Kenneth Oppel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

To Sum It Up: Twins Victor and Konrad Frankenstein live in the magnificent Frankenstein mansion along with their ultra liberal parents, their two younger brothers, and their distant cousin, Elizabeth. The Frankenstein manor is filled with hidden passages and rooms. Konrad, Victor, Elizabeth, and their best friend, Henry, have found many of its secrets but not all of them. One day, the four adventurers stumble upon a secret library within their own library. The Dark Library is filled with books on magic and alchemy. Victor and Konrad's father finds out and forbids them from returning to the Dark Library, claiming it is all foolishness, but when Konrad falls ill and the doctors cannot help, Victor, Elizabeth, and Henry turn to the Dark Library in order to save Konrad's life.

Review: First off, the Frankenstein mansion is amazing (I want to live there!). Secrets galore! Now to business. The book had a very dark feel to it, and that was something that really appealed to me. My favorite part of the book was, hands down, the story line. The plot was inventive and creative, and that is something I value heavily in a book. And yes, I say it alllll the time, but it’s only because it is absolutely true! There was so much intricate complexity, the book felt like an antique desk with hundreds of secret compartments. It was easy to see how much forethought went into the story. That being said, the story wasn't at all confusing. That also being said, it wasn't at all boring.

I wasn't crazy about the characters. I found that I could not connect with them because I felt some of them lacked a lot personality-wise. I did not hate them, and I felt like they had the potential to be lovable characters. Victor for instance was not a perfect guy, but he did love his brother. I felt like I could have understood Victor a lot better if he hadn't seemed to completely forget about his brother every other chapter. I mean, the things he went through for his brother really were admirable, but it seemed like he was only fully devoted to his brother at irregular intervals. I could identify with the sibling rivalry, but sometimes it felt like he was talking about an acquaintance and not his brother, Konrad. I also felt Elizabeth was rather irregular. At times she was very likable, kind of a tomboy, and very determined. Other times she was practically a completely different character! The inconsistency of these characters is what kept me from becoming attached to them. Konrad and Henry were far more likable, but they were only minor characters.

The end was disappointing to say the least. It vaguely reminded me of how absolutely enraged I was with the ending of The Alchemist. (Note to self: write rant about The Alchemist.) All I can say is, it fit, but it didn't. I have very mixed feelings about it. I wish I could dive into a whole analysis of it, but that would give away everything. So I'll shut up for now, and if I feel especially motivated about it, I may write a rant.

All in All: This was a very clever book. The biggest issue was that the characters were only so-so. Otherwise, I really enjoyed it.

Review: Defiance by C. J. Redwine

Defiance (Defiance #1)
By C. J. Redwine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

To Sum It Up:

When the Cursed One was awoken, it destroyed all civilization. The survivors now live under the cruel protection of the Commander. When Rachel's father, Jared, doesn't return from a courier mission on time, he is pronounced dead. Rachel hasn't given up on him, and neither has Jared's young and handsome apprentice. They know he's not dead, and they are willing to do anything to get him back.

Review:

I actually checked this book out from the school library. It has been on my to-read list for many months, but my public library has yet to purchase it! When I saw it, I snatched it up, so I could be sure to read it before my sister. Haha, Allison! Who gets to read something first for once?! Me!!!

From the beginning, this book really drew me in. Sometimes the exposition seems to take forever in dystopian books, but I thought Defiance was a fantastic attention grabber. I thought the pacing was very fluid.

My favorite character was Logan. I knew I liked him the first time I was introduced to him. He was everything a hero should be: smart, kind, and very likable. Too bad he wasn't the main character. I didn't like Rachel at all. She wasn't particularly horrible or anything; I simply didn't like her as a person. She was always making stupid decisions. I saw a certain plot twist heading Rachel's way, and I was exasperated because I thought Rachel's was going to make a frustratingly cliché mistake. I promised myself that I would stop reading if this were to happen. Good news: it didn't! However, she did do some pretty annoying stuff after that. I don't think everyone will hate Rachel. Sometimes characters are a hit or miss for certain people. Rachel isn't rant-worthy, but I still dislike her.

I did like the plot. I thought the storyline was very inventive and quite interesting. My only complaint is that the Cursed One wasn't more scary. Bring on the horror! I think the author missed out on a lot of drama by not making the beast more terrifying. The potential was certainly there.

All in All:

I really hope it doesn't seem like I had nothing good to say about this book—I really enjoyed it. There were only a few very minor problems I had with it. This book was really worth the wait. I recommend it for a quick and easy read.

Review: Legacy of a Dreamer by Allie Jean

Legacy of a Dreamer
By Allie Jean
Publisher: The Writer’s Coffee Shop

* I received a copy through Goodreads First Reads.

To Sum It Up:

Chantal Breelan is an orphan who can barely remember her past, let alone why she was separated from her parents. All Chantal knows is that she has been plagued with horrific nightmares her entire life. Her only comfort is her imaginary shadow-friend, Nick. When Chantal turns eighteen, she is forced out into the city all on her own. Her new life will reveal the secrets of her past and the future. Her dreams mean so much more than she could have ever imagined, and Nick has become more important to her than ever before.

Review:

This book would have easily been finished in a matter of hours if I had the time. It upsets me that I couldn't just sit down and give this book the attention it deserved. Who needs homework, or passing grades, for that matter?! DAMN YOU, AP CLASSES!!!

This book was wonderfully original; it just pulled me in from the beginning. My big thing about books is uniqueness. Those are naturally the types of books I go for, and those books usually end up being dark and creepy. This book had just the right amount of horror, not too much, but enough to keep you interested. Legacy of a Dreamer had everything—action, horror, awesome characters, and just a hint of romance.

Chantal was a fantastic heroine. She was witty, stubborn, kind, and a total badass. Although everyone kept going on about how important she was, Chantal put everyone's safety above her own, but not in that annoying, “I'm a Martyr, Kill Me Now!” kind of way. Chantal wasn't selfish or annoying or stupid. Oh, and she gets bonus points for being an enemy butt-kicker! Nick was amazing, too! Swoon-worthy, for sure! I really hope I get to learn more about Nick in the next book! He was so sweet, but he didn't steal any of Chantal's spotlight. The two characters complement each other in a way that makes the book soooooo much better.

The book was paced beautifully. It was a complete page turner, but the reader had plenty of time to let everything sink in. How I wish this book was another hundred pages longer! It wasn't incomplete or anything, I simply wanted more! When does the next book come out?!

All in All:

This was a wonderful book! It was so different and so much more than I thought it would be. I can't wait to read more!

Review: The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

The Infects
By Sean Beaudoin
Publisher: Candlewick

To Sum It Up:

Nick/Nero, a regular teenage boy turned delinquent, is sent into the wilderness with a handful of other troubled teens. All is going pleasantly well until the first morning into their hike. Nero and his "friends" wake to find their counselors have turned into contagious flesh eating monsters. Nero and the rest of his group must use their prior zombie survival knowledge to form a plan for survival.

Review:

I have to say, this book was rather . . . twisted. So, me being the deranged person I am, genuinely enjoyed this epic tale of horror. But, it is definitely not for the squeamish. Well, for some reason, I ended up reading a majority of this at night. I'll leave it to your imagination to picture my reaction to reading a surprise-full-on-zombie-attack at 2 in the morning.

The Infects was a really weird book, and I was able to really appreciate it as a horror movie lover. The start of the zombie apocalypse was like my worst nightmare come true. If you've read this already, you know what I'm talking about! But, if you haven't, when you do, you'll understand. All I have to say is, if I'm not immune, I would be in the first batch of zombies.

I thought Nick/Nero and his fellow delinquents had a hilariously sick sense of humor. The dialogue made the entire book for me. I found myself chuckling out loud quite a few times (awkward).

All in All:

The Infects really filled my need for a horror-induced adrenaline rush. It was much better than a cheesy SyFy movie! While this book is not for everyone, if you love twisted horror stories, this book is for you!