From Goodreads: Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys, all the ones she doesn’t want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.

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This is one of those books that steals you away from reality, wrapping you up in its enticing story and captivating you long after the very last page.  I can’t believe I didn’t know about this series sooner (I became aware of it one week prior to going to PAYA 2012) and I’m so very glad that I found it.  Kemmerer is a fantastic writer, an epic storyteller with such a vivid imagination.  This story, with the element manipulation, romance, feuds, and life threatening situations is a must read for all!  A. Must. Read.

Chris Merrick is the youngest of his brothers.  He’s the water elemental, just coming into himself and attempting to fully harness his element, while his older brothers, Gabriel (Fire), Nick (Air), and Michael (Earth) all work to hide their abilities from all prying eyes.  As a family of full elementals, considered the most dangerous by partial elementals, the Merrick boys have much at stake—they’re not supposed to be alive, no full elemental is, because they’re too unpredictable and dangerous, even if they don’t mean to be, and the teenage years, with learning to control themselves, are the hardest.

Chris and his brothers are doing the best they can, but with their elements constantly beckoning to them and the partial elementals badgering them from every side, things have a tendency to go from bad to worse, especially when they can’t even get along with each other.

I loved Chris.  I loved all the Merrick boys, but Chris is the main character in this novel and he really steals the show.  He’s extremely well written and I loved watching him grow and mature throughout the novel, especially as he’s got so much to contend with.  It’s not easy being a teenager, and Kemmerer does a phenomenal job fleshing Chris out to the point that the reader really feels like s/he’s a part of the story.  Becca is another phenomenal character and I highly enjoyed watching her slowly figure things out as the story progressed.  I kept wishing I was her… her life, while not all glitz and glamour, is so much more exciting than mine… not to mention she’s hanging around five seriously sexy guys… In terms of all the characters, I really love that not everyone is what they seem in this novel, and while I was able to guess who was behind what on occasion, I was still floored by the revelations Kemmerer sets forth as the story winds down.

Another aspect I love about this series is that each novel (and novella) focuses on a different character, so even though the story is moving forward as it would in any series, we’re seeing it through the perspective of a different character.  While Storm focuses on Chris and Becca, Elemental focuses on Michael, giving the reader his back-story. Fearless focuses on Hunter’s back-story, and Spark focuses on Gabe (who I’m totally enamored with, btw).  I think it’s so cool that we get to know each character on a deeper level and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!  Five stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

From Goodreads: As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn’t have much power. That’s okay—she knows what happens to kids who do.

Like Michael Merrick. He’s an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy. Dangerous. And completely off limits. At least according to Emily’s family.

But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily’s family doesn’t just want her to stay away from him.

They want him dead.

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This is a great intro novella that swept me up and whet my appetite for the full Elemental series that, at the time, I wasn’t certain if I was going to read.  Rest assured, a few pages into Elemental and I was dying for even more, so when this novella ended on a cliffhanger, I immediately bought the rest of the series, in both eBook and paperback format, because it’s a real keeper—something I definitely want gracing the shelves of my bookcase and eReader.

This novella introduces us to the characters of Michael Merrick and Emily Morgan as teenagers… a full five years prior to the first full novel’s opening (I think).  I wasn’t aware of that while I was reading, so I was a little confused when I picked up Storm, but as I began piecing everything together I realized that Elemental is really building up the back story for Michael, giving the reader a glimpse into what his life was like before he became the brooding head of the family.  It also gives insight as one reads Storm because the characters briefly grace over and allude to past events that aren’t fully explained, but having read Elemental I knew the whole back story, which I thought was really cool.

Michael is a very interesting character, the oldest of four, with the power to control the earth to the extent that he’s extremely dangerous.  The fact that he lives in a normal town surrounded by normal people is extremely jarring, but he’s not alone in his abilities.  Other elementals live nearby, but with powers less extensive, which makes Michael and his family a threat, especially as the teenage years are the hardest for a pure elemental when it comes to controlling their immense powers.  And from this stems the entire series… no full elemental should live… Yet there are four Merrick boys…

I loved getting to know Michael and watching his relationship with Emily bud.  I also felt a lot of rage against Emily’s family and friends due to their reactions to Michael and his family, and the circumstances that surrounded the cliffhanger in the end made me automatically side with Michal’s family.  Having done nothing wrong, and being constantly provoked, I thought Michael did a phenomenal job keeping it all in check, whereas I would have blown everyone to smithereens…

Like I said, I really enjoyed this novella, and I highly recommend it, either as a precursor to Storm (as it should be), or as a follow up right after the completion of Storm as, by that time, you’ll have a better grasp of all the key players.  If I had it to do over, I’d probably read Elemental second to Storm as I think it gives readers even more insight having met Michael in the later years and seeing what has been going on in his family.  But either way, it’s definitely a five star read!

I purchased a copy of this novella from Amazon.

From Goodreads: Named Notable Book of 1955 by the American Library Association, this is the very moving story of a peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life was a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loved.

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This is an absolutely beautiful novel that I’ve now read eight times, and I love it more with each reading.  Markandaya really has a way with words, painting a vivid picture of what life is like in rural India, how wealth is decided by the season and weather, and how everything can be lost in an instant.

In this circular novel, Rukmani tells her life story, beginning with a dream, then delving deep into the past, tracing her life from childhood to present, causing the reader to rejoice and cry alongside her as she reveals all in this heartbreaking yet triumphant novel.  Having married young and leaving her family behind, Rukmani learns what it means to be the woman of the house, working the soil alongside her husband, praying for sons, and caring for those around her.  Coming from wealth, her life is not what she expected, but her easy demeanor and good nature cause her never a grumble, making her a lovable character that the reader easily connects with, though we may never experience all the triumphs or tribulations that Ruku does.

The fact that the story is so poignant and easy to follow, let alone interesting and intriguing, makes for a fast read, and though Rukmani’s life is so vastly different from my own, I can’t help but look up to her.  She experiences vast heartache, but always comes back strong, making her twice the woman I am… The truths Markandaya presents in this novel are absolutely amazing and learning about Ruku’s culture, her way of life, her happiness, and her sadness really presses upon me the importance of living each day to the fullest and focusing on the good in life, as Ruku does.  I find that this is a very powerful novel and I strongly believe that all should read it.  Four stars.

I purchased my copy of this novel at Barnes and Nobel.

From Goodreads: Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

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Sarah Rees Brennan did a phenomenal job with this enticing novel; it wrapped me up so tightly in its story that I couldn’t put it aside until the very last page.  Complete with mystery and mayhem, Kami Glass, a reporter for the school newspaper, and her entourage, Angie, Holly, and the Lynburn boys, set off to discover the truth behind the sinister animal killings and, unbeknownst to the Lynburns, the truth about them, as well.

I really enjoyed this novel.  From Kami’s own eccentricity to her best friends love for napping, I was enthralled with both the characters and the storyline itself.  I love Kami’s down to earth banter with her friends, and the revelation behind her “imaginary” friend was really interesting.  I loved trying to figure out the many mysteries throughout the novel, such as who was behind the murders, whether or not Jared could really be trusted, how Jared and Kami could be inside each other’s head, who (or what) the Lynburns really were… it was all around a really fun read, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment, especially as I hated the way Unspoken ended.  I realize that most cliffhangers today always leave the reader wanting more, and while that’s true with this novel as well, I was hoping for a more happy ending.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not tragic, necessarily, but I was not happy with Jared at all.  Not one bit.  But you’ll have to read this riveting story to find out, because while you might think I just gave away too much information, in truth, I didn’t… Four stars.

Random House BFYR has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on September 11, 2012.

From Barnes and Nobel: In a town where appearance means everything, how deep beneath the surface will Clare dig to uncover a murderer?

Summer is the best part of the year in Winston, California, and the Fourth of July is the highlight of the season. People consider themselves lucky to live in the quaint, serene beachside town, and native Clare Knight, now a city girl, feels doubly lucky to be moving back there a week before the July festivities kick off.

But the perfect town Clare remembers has changed, and everyone is praying that this summer will be different from the last two—that this year’s Fourth of July festival won’t see one of their own vanish without a trace, leaving no leads and no suspects. The media are in a frenzy predicting a third disappearance, but the town depends on tourist dollars, so the residents of Winston are trying desperately to pretend nothing’s wrong.

And they’re not the only ones hiding something.

Clare has been blessed—or perhaps cursed—with a gift: she can see people’s pasts when she touches their clothes. And since she’s a seamstress who redesigns vintage clothing, her visions are frequent—and usually unwanted. When she stumbles across a denim jacket that once belonged to Amanda Stavros, last year’s Fourth of July victim, Clare sees her perfect town begin to come apart at the seams.

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This was a really interesting novel that had a great premise, though the beginning was a bit too slow for my tastes.  Once the novel picked up, though, and Clare found the jacket belonging to the missing teen, Amanda, the novel held my attention quite well.  I will say that a lot of the intro chapters were a bit boring for me; I found Clare’s friends to be quite stale and I certainly wasn’t as interested in learning about them and their selfishness as I was about the mystery surrounding Amanda’s disappearance.  In my opinion, it took a bit too long for the novel to get moving in the direction the synopsis states it will go…  it was nearly 60 pages before any mention of the jacket took place, (if my math is correct—I read on my Kindle and it was about 22% into the novel), and even then it wasn’t right away that Clare took stock in what she had or decided to do anything about it.  But it was a start and my interest piqued double time as soon as Clare began using her ability to help track the truth about Amanda.

While I will say that I didn’t connect with most of the characters to any extent, I really did like Clare, though I felt her relationship with her friends, and especially Jack, were a bit pushed.  She goes from liking them to disliking them, to being scared and then in love, and it happens a bit too quickly for it to have validity.  But, it certainly didn’t ruin my reading of the novel.  With the revelations of Amanda’s jacket, the story keeps itself afloat and holds the readers interest with the many twists and turns.  And, in all honesty, I didn’t see the truth coming, which is always a plus in my book, because I like being completely jarred by the revelations.  Thus, overall I liked the novel and wouldn’t mind reading more by this author.  Three and a half stars.

Random House Children’s Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel prior to its release on September 11, 2012

From Goodreads: Josh McDonald, a frumpish and somewhat ethically challenged accountant, and his friend Adam Barnes, an ambitious Homeland Security agent, are infected by a highly communicable viral vector of unknown origin containing super-charged DNA that rejuvenates the human genome so as to prevent disease, regenerate damaged or lost tissue and reverse the aging process. Adam sees an opportunity to bolster his career by persuading his superiors that the virus should be treated as a weapon accessible only to society’s elites, who over time will leverage their immortality to assert global political and economic dominance. Josh, prodded by his quirky but kind-hearted girlfriend Belinda, hopes to thwart Adam’s power grab by spreading the contagion to as many people as possible. Adam counters with a disinformation campaign claiming that the virus yields lethal side effects and that Josh and Belinda are terrorists working at the behest of sinister foreign powers. Who wins the ensuing struggle as the virus diffuses rapidly throughout the United States and around the globe? Perhaps neither, as the entire world, wrenched by the competing claims, degenerates into confusion and anarchy–old conflicts, prejudices and jealousies sharpening under the pressure of fast-moving events. THE EDEN FACTOR is an apocalyptic novel that blends the potential of modern genetics with an old-fashioned love story to reach a surprising conclusion about the corrosive effects of immortality in the hands of those who aren’t quite ready for it.

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I really enjoyed this novel.  At the start I wasn’t sure where the novel was headed (I didn’t read the synopsis prior to beginning—I had my Kindle but no computer or phone to look it up), but I definitely started liking it when Josh and Adam met in the park as Josh, a grown man, spends the entire conversation with his “friend” poking a dead fish.  I don’t know, I just thought that was really funny and I could just see it happening in my mind’s eye.  Poor Josh, as if Adam didn’t already have a point about Josh leading a boring, somewhat pointless life… but that aside, this is where all the action begins.  It is with this pointless, mind numbing action that Josh unleashes a communicable virus that cures all illnesses, sending both men into a fervor trying to contain and control its power.

This novel really makes you think.  I’d like to say that, if I discovered this virus, I’d use it on the world to help heal, but then at the same I’d be scared of the powers that be, potentially poking and prodding me, and likewise, Peters brings up some great points through his novel… if no one dies anymore, and everyone can be healed, what’s to stop the world from becoming a destructive force?  If a knife to the back can’t hurt me, or a shot to the head, then why not begin a life of crime instead of working a 9-5 job?  Then, who’s going to figure out how to stop the virus, and who will the test subjects be to see just how extensive the healing power of the virus really is?  Now we have all sorts of problems that my naive self didn’t even think about, and here I was spreading the virus as a do-gooder… These are all aspects that Peter’s discusses throughout his novel as the plot unfolds, and let me tell you, while I originally was like, “that virus is so cool! I wish we could heal everyone,” I quickly changed my mind.  So much good can only bring about so much bad. Josh and Belinda really try to do what’s right, and I think they’re much less greedy, and certainly less sinister, than Adam when it comes to this virus, but in the end, it’s just not something the world is ready for, and both groups are at fault, in my opinion.

I think this is a great philosophical novel that will get your mind flowing, questioning, and even bickering with itself, and I highly recommend it!  Four stars!

I won a copy of this novel from Luna Moth’s Far From Reality Blog.

From Goodreads: When Jason Milwaukee’s best friend Sunshine vanishes, Jason knows that something is terribly wrong, but solving her disappearance will require pushing through all the voices in his head and then getting the world to listen to him. His schizophrenia is stopping him from remembering the events leading up to her disappearance, and often he discounts his own memories, and his own impressions. But his deep knowledge that he would never hurt his friend, plus the faith of his parents and a few others in the town bring him to the point of solving the mystery. In the end, it’s Sunshine’s own love for Jason (Freak) that persuades him of his own strength and goodness.

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This novel is written is such a way that I think it might actually mirror the mind of someone suffering from schizophrenia.  Now, I can’t be 100% certain of that, and I  honestly don’t think anyone can be, but the way Jason interacts with those around him and the way he thinks during this narrative sounds like it might be spot on to me.  Freaks Like Us gives the reader a very in-depth glimpse into Jason’s mind allowing us to see and understand why it’s so difficult for him to explain his feelings, remember the truth, and interact with those around him.  It’s very well written and though the narrative takes off into left field on many an occasion, I found the novel fairly easy to follow, though I completely understand where someone might get confused because Jason’s mind is literally all over the place, and on occasions I found myself lost, just like him.  But in retrospect, I think that’s supposed to happen, in order for us to truly understand what a day in the life of Jason is like.

I think seeing such an in-depth glimpse into Jason’s mind helps endear him to the reader’s heart.  But I had a hard time connecting with the other characters.  I realize that this novel is about Jason and is supposed to focus on him, but I always want to get to know all the characters within a story, and I didn’t feel like I was able to do that in this one. Jason feels very strongly for Sunshine, but she’s not really a part of the story as much as she is the focus.  And Jason’s parents seem to be a bit worthless.  I completely understand the stresses of having a child with a mental disability, and I feel like there are so many novels out there pointing that out, but I feel like it’s rare to have one from the child’s point of view, and here we see that while Jason’s parents think they’re doing what’s best for him, they really don’t seem to have a clue.  That’s really interesting to me, actually, as we’re always so quick to decide what’s best for others when we actually don’t know because we’re not in their shoes…

I think Jason is a very strong, well rounded character and loved getting to know him, though I would have liked to get to know his friends, Drip and Sunshine, a lot more too.  But even so, Freaks Like Us is a very well written story and the ups and downs, along with the mystery behind Sunshine’s disappearance, really made the book appealing.  Three and a half stars.

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release today.

From Goodreads: Hybrids.

If I had to choose one word to sum up all of my problems, this would be it.
Without hybrids, I wouldn’t have to watch my best friend slowly becoming a monster. Without hybrids, I could let go of the mentality “hunt or be hunted.” CHAS wouldn’t be scouring the Earth, intent on slaughtering and using Alex to do it. Without hybrids, I wouldn’t have to be on guard that losing my temper meant losing my shape. There would be no monster inside me, struggling to get out.

Then again, without hybrids, I wouldn’t have Wesley St. John.

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Oh. My. God. This series is absolutely amazing and I’m already jonesing for the next installment… if you haven’t picked it up, then you’re seriously missing out, and I highly suggest you start ASAP, especially as this third installment, Blood Bond, takes the cake! Of course, it always helps that our swoon worthy males, Wes and Alex, are back and feuding more than ever now that Tara’s home from school and the war between Hunters, Weres, and Hybrids is really heating up.  And of course, Hildenbrand has done such a phenomenal job fleshing out the plot that this amazing story seamlessly flows together and holds the reader’s attention until the very end, when a massive, heart pounding cliffhanger drops the bottom out from under him/her.  That’s right… it might kill you, but it’s so worth the read!  All I can say is, one of our very sexy male characters is going to be pissed at the start of book four… royally.

But, back to the story.  Hildenbrand has created some amazing characters that I’ve loved since the very beginning, and watching them grow and change as the story evolves and becomes more intense is possibly one of the most rewarding things for a reader.  I love a good plotline, but I love real, vivid, fleshed out characters even more, and Hildenbrand knows just how to make them.  I have to say that Tara has come very far over the course of the series, and she has had to make some tough decisions, but I think the toughest yet are in this third installment, and I don’t envy her.  While I agree with her wholeheartedly, I don’t think I could do it.  If faced with the same situations, I feel that I would not win out, and I respect Tara all the more for being able to make the difficult decisions, knowing someone’s life might hang in the balance. It’s just amazing!

And the hybrids?  I love the hybrids.  Well, let me rephrase.  I love the idea behind the hybrids, and the mystery they bring to the novel, as well as the fear and heartache they evoke.  A war is coming and I’m dying to know the outcome… pins and needles, people.  Pins and needles.  Five stars.

I receieved a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Click HERE for an exclusive peak into Wes’ and Alex’s thoughts concerning each other… and a chance to WIN Blood Bond!

From Goodreads: Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.

Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

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Finally!  Folks, we have a winner!  This is the first true mermaid book that I’ve read and actually really enjoyed.  While it’s true I’ve read two other’s that I’ve really liked, such as Lies Beneath, I’m not counting it here because that’s about a merman, and that’s one of the main reasons I liked it.  And I’m not counting Of Poseidon either because I feel like that doesn’t count as its more mythological and the character’s don’t even classify themselves as mermaids/mermen, but rather Syrenian’s, Poseidon’s children, and its focus, once again, is on the male faction more than the female.  But here, in Monstrous Beauty, we have a story about a mermaid who fits the true mermaid mold: selfish, murdering, thieving, and in the end, ruining the lives of all those around her, casting a curse down upon her lineage for years to come.  And yet, I didn’t hate her.  I think part of this is due to the fact that while the story stems from her, it actually revolves around her great-great granddaughter, Hester.  And Hester is a good person.  And in the end, Syrenka tried to be one too.  This, I feel, is the difference between all the other true mermaid books out there that I’ve read.  The main characters, who are mermaids, are evil, twisted, and generally want terrible things to happen to others (or at least don’t fight for what’s right), and if I don’t like the main character, well, then it’s over before it began.

One of the things I like so much about this novel is that it is a mystery.  While I was initially confused and found Syrenka an abhorrent character, Fama seamlessly crafts glimpses of the past into her novel, and her scenes between Ezra, Syrenka, and others help piece together what really happened to call down a curse upon Syrenka’s kin, allowing us to understand why Syrenka ultimately did what she did.  Hester’s story is then juxtaposed with that of Syrenka’s, though more prominent throughout the story, and I loved how well Fama intertwined them, brining it all together for a fabulous conclusion.

Hester, along with all the other characters, is greatly fleshed out, and I was easily able to connect with her over the course of the novel.  Fama did a great job creating her characters and making most of them extremely likeable, while at the same time adding that hint on anxiety as the reader knows it can’t end well.  And of course, I just loved how this novel is set up in such a way that it reveals just enough to spur the reader on, not giving away too many clues, but helping the reader understand the connection between the past and present as it all unfolds.  It’s just fabulous.  Four and a half stars.

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on Septmeber 4, 2012.

From Goodreads: When the Sudarium of Oviedo—the venerable cloth that once covered Jesus Christ’s face on the cross—is stolen from a cathedral in Spain, it sparks a series of grisly murders. Each victim is killed in a manner resembling the form of execution of one of the Apostles.

Now, with five days until the Sudarium is to be displayed at the start of the Feast of the Cross, and with the blame of the theft pointed at the United States, CIA operative Samuel Tolen, Spanish inspector Pascal Diaz, and British archaeologist Dr. Jade Mollur embark on a journey to reclaim the Sudarium. Their search takes a surprising turn when a 2,000-year-old clue suggests a far greater secret is within reach, a startling discovery that would forever change humanity, but there are others after the treasure. A rogue group called “The True Sons of Light” are determined to destroy the archaeological evidence before they can reach it.

In a deadly race against time spanning four continents, Samuel Tolen’s search for the truth will uncover unspeakable deception…and the chance to answer mankind’s greatest question: Is there life after death?

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The more I read by Williams and Knerly, the more I fall in love with their writing style, genre, characters, and most of all, their solid plotline.  It amazes me how seamlessly everything falls into place in their novels, especially in Indisputable Proof, and it’s obvious that Williams and Knerly put in a great deal of time and effort researching Biblical history while writing this amazing novel.  Not only are the authors historically accurate and able to work in even the smallest of historical details, but they also use historical accounts to their advantage, filling in holes with their own added imaginings that cause the reader to stop and wonder, “what if?”  It’s an age old mystery unfolding before the reader’s eyes, giving a different perspective based on recordings and findings of the past, and the way Williams and Knerly present their novel, pulling the reader into the story and causing them to question all they know, is amazing.

I really enjoyed the character of Samuel Tolen, who I first met in Williams’ and Knerly’s short story “Before the Proof,” and I’m ecstatic to note that he’s going to become a series character! Tolen is extremely bright and well rounded, and his pristine demeanor throughout the novel made him one of my favorite characters out of any Williams and Knerly have created so far.  His ingenuity and sheer willpower endeared him to my heart from the very beginning, and I really loved reading about his exploits.

One of the other things I love about Williams’ and Knerly’s characters is that most are not who or what they seem to be.  I found myself second-guessing many of the characters as I read Indisputable Proof, and I honestly couldn’t pinpoint the true antagonist until it was revealed within the novel.  And, in my opinion, any novel that is able to keep me second guessing all the characters is well worth the read, and let me say, Indisputable Proof is just that! Well.  Worth.  The. Read.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the Dan Brown’s books, or the movies The Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons, then you’ll love Indisputable Proof (and all Williams’ and Knerly’s other novels as well).

I received an ARC of this novel from the authors, prior to its release on September 4, in exchange for an honest review.

Check out Williams’ and Knerly’s other novels:

Death in the Beginning

Three Keys to Murder

“Before the Proof”

From Goodreads: In Colombo, Sri Lanka, CIA operative Samuel Tolen arrives to reconnoiter a meeting between a North Korean illegal arms dealer and the personal assistant of an American millionaire. The meeting is not what Tolen expects when he uncovers a nefarious plot: a murder for hire which will occur that night in Colombo with a $100 million payout. The problem is, he does not know who is being targeted or where the assassination will take place. During a night when clues lead only to questions, Samuel Tolen will learn that nothing is quite as it seems. It is a mission that may require the ultimate sacrifice.
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I have really enjoyed reading Williams’ and Knerly’s novels over the past year, so of course I was excited when I saw they had written a short story as well!  “Before the Proof” introduces us to the new series character, Samuel Tolen, that Williams and Knerly have created and will be featuring in their next novel, Indisputable Proof, which releases early September.  And, although this was only a very short introduction (too short, I need more!), I can already tell that I’m going to really like Tolen.  He is very smart and good at his job, and I’m excited to read more about him.

This is a really well written short story, but it sort of leaves you hanging at the end.  Thank heavens the first novel in the series is almost out, though, because I am dying to know so much more about Tolen.  Rest assured, this is another great, and short, read by Williams and Knerly… I just wish it was a full-length novel—I never feel like I get enough information out of short stories. Three stars.

I received a copy of this short story from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: West is a high school senior who has everything going for him until an accident leaves him paralyzed. Strapped down in his hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness, West is terrified and alone. Until he meets Olivia.

She’s the girl next door—sort of. A patient in the room next to his, only Olivia can tell what West is thinking, and only Olivia seems to know that the terrible dreams he’s been having are not just a result of his medication. Yet as West comes to rely on Olivia—to love her, even—certain questions pull at him: Why has Olivia been in the hospital for so long? And what does it mean that she is at the center of his nightmares? But the biggest question of all comes when West begins to recover and learns that the mysterious girl he’s fallen in love with has a secret he could never have seen coming.

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This was fantastic!  It was exactly what I expected it to be, and then some, throwing in a huge twist near the end that I just ate up—it was too cool and explained away all the questions I had concerning Olivia’s interesting appearances.  To be honest, until the twist was revealed (which I never saw coming), I kept wondering why Busby decided to make Olivia’s appearances a bit clipped, unfinished, even, but once the secret was out, I just about died in my chair.  It’s a fabulous twist and I absolutely loved it, especially as I was able to begin piecing things together that had irked me throughout the novel and left me wondering…

West is a great character, as is Olivia.  I loved their interactions, especially as West has to learn to communicate through blinking and it seems that Olivia is the only one who can truly figure him out.  I’ll admit, I was very angry at West’s parents, girlfriend, and even his best friend as the story unfolded—how they could treat West the way they did while he was in the hospital was really jarring, but again… there’s a twist people, and it’s sooooooooooo good…

Watching West slowly begin to recover was extremely life-like and I felt like I was a fly on the wall, seeing it all first hand.  I can’t imagine waking up in the hospital only to find that weeks have passed and I’m paralyzed, unable to speak or communicate, yet West remains strong, stronger than I ever would, and as he recovers his revelations and choices about how to handle them are astounding.  I truly enjoyed this novel, though on occasion parts of it did seem a bit long winded, but that aside, it was phenomenal and I highly recommend it!  Four and a half stars.

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has been extremely gracious in allowing my to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on September 4, 2012.

From Goodreads: Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make:

…1. I’m livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I’m allowed to be irate, don’t you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged, seeing red and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and “seeing red” means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don’t know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.)

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I love the way this story is told.  Rose is so candid and straight forward that it’s impossible not to fall in love with her character right away.  Her situation, as she tells it, is gut wrenching and humorous at the same time, and the reader is able to instantly make connections with her, because even if we haven’t had the same experiences, we know exactly what she means due to her honest nature.

Rose has it tough.  Her father recently died and she’s looking for someone to blame aside from herself.  Her brother just left for college and is distant, her mom is dealing with her own issues and doesn’t acknowledge Rose’s pain, she just began high school and it’s nothing like middle school, and her best friend wants to be popular to the point she’s willing to sacrifice their friendship.  I don’t know about you, but if all those things were going on at once in my life, I’m pretty sure I’d be in the same boat as Rose.  Angry.  Confused. Lashing out. Clamming up.  But as Rose works through her issues and her character develops, we begin to see the upside of things, and I just loved how it all came together.  Sure, I was angry at tons of the characters myself based on their actions and treatment of Rose, and this reminds me a lot of what my students are going through in high school right now, but on the upside, the constant reminder that everything can and will get better as time heals is amazing, and I really, really enjoyed this novel.  If you enjoy YA novels and great character development, then this novel is definitely for you. Four stars.

Harlequin Teen has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on August 28, 2012.

From Goodreads: Out of sight, out of their minds: It’s a school-trip splatter fest and completely not cool when the other kids in her class go all braindead on new girl Bobby.

The day of the ski trip, when the bus comes to a stop at a roadside restaurant, everyone gets off and heads in for lunch. Everyone, that is, except Bobby, the new girl, who stays behind with rebel-without-a-clue Smitty.

Then hours pass. Snow piles up. Sun goes down. Bobby and Smitty start to flirt. Start to stress. Till finally they see the other kids stumbling back.

But they’ve changed. And not in a good way. Straight up, they’re zombies. So the wheels on the bus better go round and round freakin’ fast, because that’s the only thing keeping Bobby and Smitty from becoming their classmates’ next meal. It’s kill or be killed in these hunger games, heads are gonna roll, and homework is most definitely gonna be late.

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I really like the cover of this novel, and I was truly looking forward to reading this story, especially because I enjoy zombie books and I’m always looking for new books to push on my high school students.  But, while I liked the novel for the most part, I felt like it was a little too fast paced, too convenient, and too middle grade for me, personally.  The novel starts off with Bobby sulking in the back of her school bus, refusing to get off and use the bathroom. She watches students pile into the restaurant and wishes for friends, to be home, etc. Soon after, she finds herself stuck on the bus with a particularly arrogant student who makes too many jokes, and soon after that, all hell breaks loose.

I felt like the novel went from 0 to 60 in a matter of pages, and while some readers may like jumping right into the midst of a story, I felt left behind.  The characters were suddenly running around trying to figure things out, stay away from the zombies, all while trying to get to safety and I just felt like I missed something.  I think it’s because I didn’t have any time to make connections with the characters before they found themselves in peril.  I never did feel anything for the characters as I read—no sadness over deaths, no fear for their safety.  Instead, I found the plot a bit too convenient.  Here the survivors are, surrounded by zombies, driving a school bus through blizzard like conditions, and suddenly they find themselves at a castle that holds all the secrets.  Too perfect for me, but honestly, I think this would be a great read for middle schoolers.  I teach high school, and I don’t see most of my students being enthralled by this novel, but I think it’s perfect for the younger crowd.  The writing, especially, lends itself to youngsters.  Just take a look at the synopsis.  The entire novel is written in the same type of format as the synopsis, and while I knew that was probably the case going in, I didn’t think it would actually affect my reading of the novel.  It did.  Things that would have come across as funny to younger readers just made me roll my eyes, and the characters began to test my nerves after a while.  Of course, having no connection with them could be another reason behind that, but I just found that this novel never really drew me in past enjoying the mayhem.  I liked it, but I wasn’t in love with it, like I sometimes am with MG novels, but that doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy it!  If you like really fast paced novels and the way the synopsis is written (or if your kids do), then I highly suggest checking this one out.  Otherwise, I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it.  Three stars.

Scholastic and Chicken House have been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on September 1, 2012.

From Goodreads: Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
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I’m really drawn to Levithan’s writing due to the fact that his stories are so fresh and original.  It boggles my mind to think how he comes up with such amazing, untraditional plotlines, and this is such a beautiful novel that it left me in Levithan withdrawal as soon as I turned the last page.

A is unique.  S/he resides in a different body every day, and if barely being able to process all the thoughts and feelings of his/her new body each day isn’t hard enough, A also has to live with the thoughts and feelings of all the past lives s/he has lived as well.  I can’t even begin to imagine how hard such a life would be, and yet Levithan takes the reader there, showing us in depth images of how others view life.  He takes the reader across all spectrums: male, female, wealthy, poor, beautiful, unattractive, popular, reclusive, content, suicidal… and these glimpses into these lives have such long lasting effects on both A and the reader that I feel it’s impossible not to feel connected to this book in some way, shape, or form.  I mean, honestly, I found that this was a very powerful read, and I was stuck like Rhiannon—can we love someone destined to change every day?  It’s just so mind boggling, and I loved every minute of this, especially the fact that, though there is a solid conclusion, the door is open for a sequel (and I’m really hoping that Levithan is planning one!).

I thought A’s life was really cool, especially as everything began to unravel and A began to learn s/he wasn’t necessarily alone.  The idea of tracking emails, religious uprisings/cults and all the mystery surrounding A’s dilemma of switching bodies daily was really intriguing, but even more so was the idea of A not knowing love and relationships like Levithan’s readers do.  Hearing how A yearned for those connections that I, as the reader, take for granted seeing as I wake up as the same person every day, was really eye opening, and I loved being able to understand his/her feelings while at the same time wondering how s/he could live a life so devoid of lasting contact.  It just amazes me.

Obviously, I highly recommend this novel.  It was such a great, fun read, and I think readers of all ages will enjoy it, so definitely check it out!  Five stars.

Random House Children’s Books has been extremely gracious is allowing me to read and ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on August 28, 2012.

From Goodreads: “Today is the day it is going to happen. I’m not melancholy or nervous. I just want to get it over with more than anything. Today is the day that I, Lilly Barnes, die.”

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This is a very powerful novel that looks into the life of a teenage girl facing a dark secret that leaves her feeling helpless and alone, choosing death over facing her fears day in and day out.  With such heavy topics at hand, it feels almost wrong to say this is a great novel, but it is; it touches on topics that makes people uncomfortable, it deals with sadness and abuse, love and hate, redemption and, of course, suicide, and I think it’s one of those novels that could do more than just touch a life, but possibly change one too.

Lilly has had it rough, but if you meet her on the street, or sit with her is school, you wouldn’t necessarily know it, because she’s hidden her deep secret, but it’s eating her up inside.  Now, for the reader it’s obvious what’s happening, but those around Lilly don’t see it because it’s not something she alludes to, it’s only the text that does that.  Thankfully, Lilly does have a constant in her life, Buddy and his wonderful family, who have always been there for her and who are able to positively influence her, especially after everything comes to the forefront and the secret is out.  And, while this is a heavy read, full of heartache and sadness, it does have a happy ending, proving that we can get through anything with the right amount of support and love.  Definitely check this one out.  Four stars.

I purchased a copy of this novel from Amazon after receiving a recommendation for it from Disincentive/Feta on Goodreads.

From Goodreads:  No one over the age of 13 is safe. Everyone is junked eventually: made neurotic, insecure, or fanatical. Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends. And they’re the lucky ones: those who resist are terminated in seemingly random accidents and killings.

Thomas Sheepsbane and Edward Wolf are teenage psychopaths. It’s their job to orchestrate these ‘accidents’. When they deviate from their list of sanctioned methods with 17-year-old Red Phoenix, they trigger something so macabre that the world believes it’s witnessing a genuine miracle.

Red is convinced he’s losing his mind … until he gets to know Penny Lane. Penny may be the town freak but she’s the only one who seems to have an inkling into the horrifying ‘event’ that keeps on happening to him. Red and Penny go on the run from the police, the media and supernatural forces that want them both dead. And the future of humanity’s sanity depends upon them surviving long enough to unravel the mystery of Penny’s grandmother Erin Bow. Erin was abducted from Stonehenge in 1969 … leaving only her tambourine behind … through which, Penny alone is able to see…

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I love, love, love this cover!  In fact, the reason I bought this book is because of the cover.  While the premise was intriguing, I couldn’t get over the awesomeness of the artwork and I just had to have it. However, I found that, for me, the story itself was a little difficult to follow—hence the saying, never judge a book by its cover.  And yet… it was definitely interesting, though strange as well.

I found it a bit odd that all the names were basically literally symbolic to the characters, which I feel made some of the plot predictable, but at the same time, it was still intriguing. Penny Lane is our main character, and she has a terrible life.  Surrounded by crazy people she’s termed “junked,” Penny is the lone sane figure in her world, forced to pretend to be neurotic and deemed the craziest of them all.  But then she meets Red and begins to understand what is really happening to her world, and it’s outside the realms of the natural.

I enjoyed the novel, though at times found it to be a bit disorganized.  There were definitely times that I had to re-read sections in order to understand what was happening, and I felt that there were too many shifts between the plot line—as if Brent was trying to keep the story fast paced, but accidentally made parts of it hard to follow, at least for me.

Some of the elements of the novel I really enjoyed, such as the idea of being junked and being controlled by outside beings, but other aspects I wasn’t really a fan of, such as the magical tambourine.  However, since there are evil beings from another world trying to take over and kill all resisters, I guess a magical tambourine makes sense. Overall, I enjoyed this novel, but would have liked it to be a little bit tighter.  Three stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

From Goodreads: For Mina Singer, falling in love with a knight on a white horse was never part of the plan. 

Finding herself catapulted into fairyland she discovers that the Real World is not quite what she thought and fairyland is not quite what she imagined. 

The question is… who will come out alive?

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This was an interesting novel that combines the fairytale world with the “real” world, complete with knights, duels to the death, and evil sorceresses.  I liked the novel, though I am rarely a fan of “instant love” stories.  And, for our characters, Mina and Blake, instant love is a huge portion of this story.  However, I was pleasantly surprised because John does a great job showing all the other characters’ abhorrence to such a quick budding relationship, which I thought was great because I rarely see that in novels.  Usually all the characters are rooting for the new couple that’s “so in love,” but in John’s novel, that isn’t the case at all, mainly due to the fact that, before Blake, there was someone else in Mina’s life… but no spoilers.  I would have liked a lot more character development to show the budding love, but as this is a series, I’m sure we’ll get more of that in the next few installments.

I liked the inner conflict that Mina felt throughout the story as well.  I know that probably sounds strange, but I was 100% with Mina as she contemplated her decisions, and while I was on her side, I was also conflicted myself, and for me, that’s the makings of a great writer—being able to connect the reader to the fictional characters.  This is a novel that I enjoyed and hope to see continue developing.  Three stars.

I won a copy of this novel from Katie M. John through a giveaway sponsored by Angel Haze.

The amazing Tim O’Rourke has just signed a book and movie deal with agent Barry Cunningham (the man who discovered J.K. Rowling), and O’Rourke’s novel, Flashes, should be out next year!! The cover to the right is tentative, but so, so pretty!!!  Once again, I’m in awe of O’Rourke, and I just can’t wait!

So, while we all wait for this next book, definitely check out O’Rourke’s other 13 books that he’s published this past year. They’re inexpensive and I’ve LOVED every single one.

From Goodreads: Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher’s daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman’s son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline.

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

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This novel is a masterpiece.  A beautiful fairytale that is a must read.  It’s so well written, so absorbing, that I had a very hard time disengaging; it permeated my thoughts and dreams for many a day afterward—it’s that good.

I am really glad I read this novel, and equally as glad that the synopsis you see above is the true one that reflects the great writing of the story.  Originally the synopsis on all major book sites (except Netgalley, which is where I first came across this novel) stated this: “Emmeline Thistle has always had a mysterious bond with cows, beginning on the night of her birth, when the local bovines saved the infant cast aside to die in the forest. But Emmeline was unaware that this bond has also given her a magical ability to transform milk into chocolate, a very valuable gift in a kingdom where chocolate is more rare and more precious than gold or jewels…” And that’s as much as I’m going to quote.  Honestly, that synopsis made me not want to read this book—it seemed more of a joke than a true fairytale, and hence, I am very glad it was changed.  If you check out Goodreads, you’ll see some reviews that make fun of this original synopsis, and rightfully so… it just sounds… dumb.  Thus, I am very happy that most major book sites have now gotten the new/real synopsis up on their site, save Barnes and Nobel, which still states the original… So, if you’re one of the ones who saw the original synopsis and laughed, like me, then rest assured, this book is so much better than it was originally made out to be, and the new synopsis now reflects that.

I fell in love with this story almost immediately.  Emmeline is a true heroine; she is an all around great person who looks adversity in the face and refuses to give up.  She’s very strong, even though her foot is curled and people look down on her with extreme disgust.  But not only does this novel have a strong heroine, it is also has a strong hero and some amazing morals.  This novel deals with racism, slavery, self-respect and self-esteem, honesty, forgiveness, understanding, greed, and optimism, to name a few, and it’s such an uplifting read, even though some of what happens within the story isn’t necessarily cheery.  But, like all fairytales, it has a happy ending that truly makes the reader smile, and Emmeline’s influence on those around her, and the world in general, is astounding.  Thus, I think this is a great novel for both young and older generations, and I’d love to see this made into a movie.  It’s such a great book, and a must read.  Five stars.

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has been extremely gracious is allowing me to read and ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on August 21, 2012.