From Goodreads: To Begin Again is a collection of short stories and narrative essays. Each piece herein focuses on those small decisions that can, often unexpectedly, lead to monumental transitions in a person’s life.

Knox examines the beauty of unexpected and unconventional romance, the connections that keep us near our family despite distance, and the delicate shift between anger and acceptance. This collection is eclectic, but within each story there is a balance of grittiness and inspiration that will stay with a reader long after the last page.

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It’s always difficult to write a review of a book of short stories since it’s not one solid story, but multiple short stories that somehow connect together and it’s up to the reader to make those connections.  Knox’s stories look into the human psyche, showing us our own humanity and depravity as her stories unfold.  I particularly enjoyed “At the Window” as it looks at the phenomena surrounding witness apathy during violence.  A woman is struck in the street by a madman, but those who witness are slow to help, ducking away and hoping not to draw attention to themselves.  Why?  The woman notes this lack of apathy, and years later continues to question it as more cases develop in which it becomes apparent that the more witnesses to violence, the less likely anyone is to help.  This was an astounding piece of writing that made me question what I would do in a situation where many of us witness violence.  While I’d like to say I’d help, Knox has really made me question myself. 

“Like Smoke” is another interesting story about a young woman going through hardships after the death of her father.  It’s difficult not to feel sorry for her as she attempts to pick up more hours at her airport job, but what ends up happening blew me away.  I didn’t see it coming and couldn’t help but cheer for Amira as she makes her final choice.

“Negligence” is the story of a father who takes his daughter to beauty pageants and wants his darling to win.  It grabbed my attention right away because it made me immediately think about Jonbenet Ramsey.  However, nothing as sinister happens to the narrator’s daughter, that we know of, but something does happen to someone.  What I really enjoyed about Knox’s stories is that many of them, such as “Negligence,” end without ending, leaving the interpretation up to the reader.  While the allusions are there, we never truly know what happened, and that’s what makes these stories so enjoyable.  Of course, there are too many short stories to relay in this review; these are just a few of the ones that stood out to me, among many others. Three and a half stars.

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

From Goodreads: A young veteran of the Iraq war drives across America while struggling to find his place in the country he just defended. Confronted with complacent attitudes and narrow minds, he realizes his fellow citizens don’t even understand America is at war, let alone respect his sacrifice. At least he has his fellow Marines from his second tour of duty, along with a mysterious girl who is waiting for him on the East Coast. Or so he thinks. Travel with this veteran through the barren desert of California all the way to New York City as he learns about modern America, as well as himself.

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This is one of those stories where you think you know the answers, you think you know what’s going to happen, only to have the rug pulled out from under you as it all unfolds.  This is a very interesting story about a young veteran crossing the country to meet the girl of his dreams.  It’s a very powerful story, and the ending left me breathless.

Whether or not we support the war, we need to support our troops, who risk their lives for us, whether we want them to or not.  Without their sacrifices, we wouldn’t remain free.  Read this novella; it’s amazing. Four stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Carla the florist is surrounded by the duplicitous and the craven – and that’s just her flowers. The human beings are infinitely worse, especially the men. There’s Gwynne, her oafish and cold hearted brother, Gerald, the suave and sophisticated doctor whose hidden agenda is unspeakable, and finally there’s David, the handsome, dashing lawyer whose deceit hurts most of all. If only God weren’t a fictional character then surely they’d get their just deserts . . . except, it is only through their perfidy that love finds a way into her world.  

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This was hilarious.  It’s a satirical novel about human priorities, and it made me giggle as Carla goes about her life attempting to keep her “humble” little florist shop afloat.  Her brother Gwynne is a buffoon, completely wrapped up in himself and his periphery relationships, offering no help or solace to his struggling sister.  Though, Carla isn’t exactly easy to please, and her want of money soon lands her in a comical situation that leaves her with more than she bargained for.  This is a very well written novella looking deep into the greediness of humanity through the satirical lens, creating a superb read.  Four stars.  

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

From Goodreads: “My family has been protecting dragons for more than a thousand years, and the dragons are in trouble. There’s a group that wants to kill them—they’re really mean people Rhee—and the dragons are losing their invisibility”. Fifteen year old Griff Owen explains to girlfriend Rhianna as they fly dragonback over 1961 London. The ruthless Order of St. George, led by the fanatical Lord Fey, want to destroy the few remaining dragons and their human allies—the scattered Protectors—and recover the Grail. Griff, Rhee and Nick, whose unique ability may help the dragons, together with young dragon Alph (ate-little-pigs-happily), battle the murderous Order—and heartbreaking traitors—to save the last dragons.”

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I was highly impressed when I read this novel.  I’ve always had a love for dragons, and this novel is the perfect read for any dragon lover.  It has multiple elements that make it great for all ages, such as teenage angst, secret societies, daring missions, ulterior worlds, and, of course, dragon lore.  Edlin has created a superb story and his explanations behind dragons are absolutely superb.  It is evident that Edlin possesses an excellent imagination and he’s put it to paper, creating an intense journey that all will love.  Although this novel is relatively long, each aspect of the novel, both big and small, plays key parts in the story’s progression; making it all necessary and exceedingly intricate. 

The characterization alone was enough to draw me in and keep me reading.  However, not only are the human characters extremely well written, but the dragons are as well.  They have amazing personalities all unique to themselves.  I truly enjoyed learning about them, their alternate worlds, their hierarchy, and their different species.  Although this novel has an amazing resolution that basically ends the book, I am hoping for a sequel of sorts.  Five stars.  

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

From Goodreads: Ever since it was published in 1978, the picture-book presentation of Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” has been an enduring favorite. For this special edition with a new design, trim size, and three new spreads, Susan Jeffers has added more detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes. There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his “promises to keep” exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. The handsome new vellum jacket will attract new and old fans as it evokes a frost-covered windowpane. This celebration of a season makes an ideal holiday gift for a child, a teacher, or a host.

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When I was in high school, my English teacher made my class memorize random poems.  I don’t remember why we had to do this, but I do remember analyzing and memorizing “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” which soon became one of my favorite poems of all time.  It stayed with me long after high school, and in my graduate program for education, I made an iMovie of the poem depicting the scenery while also depicting the chain rhyme on screen.  I still have that iMovie and I occasionally show it in classes when I go to teach poetry, so imagine my surprise when I came across this hardcover, illustrated book of my favorite poem!  I stood in the bookstore and read it; absolutely amazed with the illustrations and the interpretation of the poem, which is a bit different from my own interpretation, but alas, I decided not to buy the book, not then anyway.  Of course, I thought about it often and kept thinking of going back to get it, but never did.  Then Christmas came, and my wonderful friend bought it for me!  I was, and am, extremely excited because it’s such a beautiful book!  And, I plan to use it in the classroom as well, making poetry more fun for my students as I read it to them and show them the pictures… and then the real analysis will begin.  I think this is one of the best picture books I’ve ever seen, and I highly recommend it, for both the young and the old.  It’s a fabulous book to add to your library.  Five stars.

From Goodreads: We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run. 

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .

There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it’s his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

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This is a very heavy read.  I originally picked it up because the synopsis was so intriguing, but it’s a lot different than I thought it was going to be.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something I think potential readers need to know.  There are many scenes in this novel that are disturbing.  I wasn’t expecting it to be quite as heavy or twisted as it actually turned out to be, and I had to read it in installments due to its graphic nature and disconcerting images.  And, no, it’s not sexual in the least bit—it’s the fusions and atrocious nature of the characters that I’m talking about here.  I would not classify this as a young adult novel, though the main characters are in their teens.  Instead, the amplified descriptions and atrocities that take place within this novel are, in my opinion, for a much older crowd.  Even in my late twenties, I had difficulty stomaching much of this novel… yet I still really liked it (though I wouldn’t have minded if it was shorter).

Pressia is a survivor of the Detonations, a nuclear explosion that fused people to whatever they were close to—inanimate objects, animals, and even other humans (yes, it seems far- fetched that anyone would survive that, but the explanation as to how they survive makes sense with the storyline).  Everyone who survived on the outside of the Dome is damaged in extremely horrible ways, yet this concept was just as intriguing as it was disturbing.  Pressia’s hand is fused to a baby doll’s head, one of those dolls that is able to open and shut its eyes.  It’s a chilling concept, and in the very beginning of the novel, I didn’t even realize what they were describing, but when I did, my visuals of the fusion brought me up short.  This fusion, as well as those of the other many characters, reminded me of the first Toy Story movie in which Sid, the creepy kid next door, tortured his toys by fusing them together in unnatural ways.  That was an extremely disturbing scene in a children’s movie, but it’s even ten times more troubling in this novel. 

The way characters treat one another in this novel is also atrocious. Not only is it despicable how the Dome treats the survivors outside, or the Dome’s plans for them, but it’s also how the scarred, damaged people outside the Dome treat one another.  In a society where all hope is lost and chaos rules the day, the graphic nature of this novel was hard to stomach on many an occasion.  And yet… it’s a good story.  I know it may not seem like that based on everything I’ve said so far, but it really is good.  Is it for everyone?  Definitely not, and I think potential readers of this novel need to know just how truly disconcerting much of it is, yet… I’ve never read anything quite like it, and while the concept of a Dome keeping the lucky in and the unlucky out isn’t a new idea by any means, where Baggott takes the reader is.  This is a story about hope.  About beating the odds and triumphing over evil.  Yes, it’s heavy.  Yes, it’s disturbing.  But, it’s also a wonderful social commentary on where the world seems to be heading, where our priorities lie, and how detrimental our future might be if we don’t start changing it now.  No, I don’t think there will be a nuclear explosion that will fuse us all together, but Baggott’s depiction of the character’s personalities within the novel, and the self-serving attitudes of many really make the reader think. And the disturbing nature of the novel?  It’s needed to get the point across.  Four stars.

Grand Central Publishers has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release tomorrow. 

From Goodreads: He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

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Opening with a murder, this novel grips the reader from the very first page as Archer exacts his revenge against one of the perpetrators of Vivian’s nightmare from so long ago.  This is an amazing tale of love and betrayal.  A twisted tale between right and wrong.  A deliciously dark tale focusing on the psyche of Archer as he battles against himself in hopes of redeeming Vivian.

I found Archer’s character to be extremely interesting.  His need for love is so strong that he’s completely blinded by Vivian’s true nature, believing that he can restore her to her old self through vengeance against those who hurt her.  And, although he is a killer, Archer is not necessarily a bad person.  His heart is in the right place, as twisted as that sounds, but he has been without love for so long that he’s lost himself along the way.  With the entrance of Evan, things begin to change for Archer, and the battle that rages inside him was extremely real and well written.

Authors who are able to make me feel alongside of the characters are ones I cherish, and York is, without a doubt, a fantastic writer.  While Archer struggles with his psyche, Vivian is completely off and she’s that character we love to hate.  I had so many vile thoughts about her as I read, I’m almost ashamed to admit it.  York definitely has characterization down to a tee as I felt like I was there alongside all of the action and my blood boiled on multiple occasions.  It truly takes a phenomenal author to do that.  Four stars.

From Goodreads: The story starts conventionally enough with friends sharing ghost stories ’round the fire on Christmas Eve. One of the guests tells about a governess at a country house plagued by supernatural visitors. But in the hands of Henry James, the master of nuance, this little tale of terror is an exquisite gem of sexual and psychological ambiguity. Only the young governess can see the ghosts; only she suspects that the previous governess and her lover are controlling the two orphaned children (a girl and a boy) for some evil purpose. The household staff don’t know what she’s talking about, the children are evasive when questioned, and the master of the house (the children’s uncle) is absent. Why does the young girl claim not to see a perfectly visible woman standing on the far side of the lake? Are the children being deceptive, or is the governess being paranoid? By leaving the questions unanswered, The Turn of Screw generates spine-tingling anxiety in its mesmerized readers.

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This is one of the assigned readings that I’ve given to my AP 12 students.  It’s a somewhat difficult text to decipher, and though I’ll even admit it’s a bit dry at times, this is a great psychological piece.  Although James states that he wants the text read as if the ghosts really do exist, it is so much more interesting to spark the debate of whether or not the governess is, in fact, out of her mind. James has created a piece that is easy to debate using multiple critical approaches, and therefore lends itself to critical study, but all that aside, it is a ghost story at heart; a haunting piece if read under the right circumstances.

I’ve read it twice now.  The first time I thought it was a good read, I liked it, but I wasn’t in love.  I gave it three stars.  But, because I’m teaching it to my students, I re-read the book, giving it a much closer read.  And, do you know what I found?  I really, really like this novel.  Definitely a four star, now that I’ve read it again and am able to make more connections.  I keep telling my students that they need to read things more than once to get the full meanings of a text and, while twice is great, I know if I read it again I will be able to unlock even more of the story and make more connections. 

For instance, while I knew that there was something wrong with Quint when he was alive, I didn’t make the sexual connections within the novella until reading it the second time.  Certain phrases of the text are coded very well, and without having read the story once in it’s entirety, I don’t think I would have picked up on the many subtle nuances within the novella the second time.  It is such an exceptionally creepy story, and the relationships between the children, Quint, and Jessel are what one could call risqué if they read between the lines.  Is that what causes the children to act out, or is it a complete fabrication brought on by the Governess herself, having her own pent up sexual frustrations eating away at her until she concocts such an intense, creepy story?  One may never know, but it’s a great debate.  Four stars.

From Goodreads: Fifteen-year-old Landon Wicker is psychokinetic, but the tragic unleashing of his abilities forces him to run from everything he knows. Alone, terrified and unable to remember the events that compelled him to flee, Landon fights to survive and understand what’s happening to him. He finds solace, however, in the company of hundreds of psychokinetics like him when he’s brought to the Gymnasium.

Forced into a life where people don’t just see — but control — the world around them and teenagers lift city buses with a thought, Landon struggles to accept his new reality and the guilt over his painful secret. But everything changes when a chance encounter with a mysterious girl propels him on a hunt for answers. Uncovering dark truths the Gymnasium would do anything to keep hidden, Landon must choose where his loyalties lie.

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This is a fantastic novel full of action and intrigue as Landon realizes his full potential in the psychokinetic world.  Alone and confused, the novel opens with Landon running for his life from the men in suits after a tragedy befalls his family.  I was drawn into the series from the very beginning as it sets itself up as a mystery.  Who are these men in suits?  What do they want?  Is Landon really safe at the Gymnasium?  Who is Artemis?  The answer to these questions are the opposite of what is expected, giving this novel the mysterious qualities readers love, and making for an exceptional rollercoaster ride as Landon fights for what is right.  I really enjoyed this story, and the characterization is wonderful.  Landon is an easily likable character; he is an honest, yet naïve young man with a good heart.  Griffith has done a superb job creating a unique and original piece in The Search For Artemis, and I am extremely excited to see where the series goes.  Four stars!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Matt DeMarco is an accomplished Manhattan attorney with more than his share of emotional baggage. His marriage ended disastrously, his ex-wife has pulled their son away from him, and her remarriage to a hugely successful Arab businessman has created complications for Matt on multiple levels. However, his life shifts from troubled to imperiled when two cops – men he’s known for a long time – come into his home and arrest his son as the prime suspect in the murder of the boy’s girlfriend.

Suddenly, the enmity between Matt and his only child is no longer relevant. Matt must do everything he can to clear his son, who he fully believes is innocent. Doing so will require him to quit his job and make enemies of former friends – and it will throw him up against forces he barely knew existed and can only begin to comprehend how to battle.

Gods and Fathers is at once a powerful mystery and a provocative international thriller, all of it presented with LePore’s signature fascinating characters placed in dire circumstances where every choice poses new and potentially fatal challenges.

Nationally bestselling author James LePore has established a reputation as a writer whose vividly drawn characters and morally complex plots have kept readers up to all hours turning pages. His new novel promises more sleepless nights and more nonstop thrills.

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Lepore never ceases to amaze me with his action packed, intricate, carefully planned legal thrillers.  Every detail—from the dates, times, and places, to the characters’ dispositions—is carefully placed and adds to the authenticity of Lepore’s stories, leaving the reader questioning all s/he previously knew upon concluding the novel.  Lepore’s newest release, Gods and Fathers, coincides with recent developments within the United States government and other countries, painting a fictitious, though chilling portrait of what could happen underneath the vast layers of “corrupt” political leaders.  The fact that this novel is one hundred percent plausible adds to the intensity of the story as real situations in our not too distant past are referenced, solidifying feelings of an unmistakable true-to-life drama as the story unfolds.

Struggling with his own demons, Matt DeMarco is a very interesting, intense character.  An extremely well know attorney in New York City, Matt has created multiple enemies in the process of putting criminals behind bars, but not all his personal choices lead to fame and glory.  Lepore begins this epic novel with a prologue that drops the reader into the final summations of Matt’s first court case in 1993, a case in which Matt is prosecuting a young Arab man accused of murdering his sister for defacing his family.  While it is apparent that Matt’s first court case will cast a ominous shadow on his the distant future, Lepore leaves its significance masked in darkness, slowly bringing the story full circle as Matt begins to uncover a vast conspiracy that began when he won his first court case so many years ago.  Lepore’s ability to foreshadow yet keep his readers in sheer suspense is breathtaking, and his characterization is equally beautiful.  Matt is a very real character, with conceivable issues; he’s not a perfect man by any means, and his constant battles against his demons adds immensely to this novel.

While there are multiple characters within this novel, Lepore does a phenomenal job fleshing them all out and presenting them in such a way that they are easy to follow throughout the story.  I highly enjoyed meeting each character and learning how they fit into this intricately woven tale of international betrayals and I recommend it to any readers out there looking for a great mystery suspense novel, though I believe adults ages 20 and above will enjoy it more so than the younger generation due to the political nature of the novel.  Four and a half stars.

I received an ARC of this novel from both the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

To read my reviews of Lepore’s other epic novels, please see the links below (I highly recommend them all):

A World I Never Made

Blood of My Brother

Sons and Princes

Anyone Can Die

From Goodreads: C. wakes from one nightmare only to tumble into another: the crone hacking the train, as if it were a viper, to pieces. Across a lakebed, a figure stumbles in blowing sand. Behind C., in a wash of gray-beer dreams, love, mirages, madness, and post-revolution dread, the fugitive god hunts and hides while mendicants weave spells and roll dice for their pickings.

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This novel is unlike anything I’ve ever read before.  It’s an unusual sort of novel in that the chapters do not follow any particular order, but rather create almost a maze for the reader, where it is up to him/her to piece it all together.  There is a bit of detachment within the novel as well, with the main character going by C (also known as Clerk) and coming off as a bit apathetic. Thus, it’s a little difficult to follow in the beginning, but as time goes on, and the pieces start to come together, it starts to make more sense. Now, I’ve never been good at puzzles; I’m one of those people who craves structure and needs people to tell me exactly how it is.  Therefore, while this novel is completely unique and I believe many will enjoy it, it was difficult for me to understand.  Yet, even though I didn’t understand the novel fully, and found myself confused on multiple occasions, I think that  people who are good at puzzles and enjoy piecing things together will highly enjoy this story.  It just wasn’t for me.  One and a half stars.

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

From Goodreads: Devastated by the loss of his mother, Chase is trying to balance the life he’s been left with, a family he’s still getting to know, and power he never thought he’d have. He doesn’t understand why the Goddess has named him the Protector and granted him two gifts: the Mark, a tattoo that now covers his back, and the ring. But between getting interrogated by the Circle and psychic attacks from Riley, the Mark is the least of his concern. There’s a demon inside Rayna that’s fighting to be released, and it’s not her inner witch. It’s something else–a monster threatening to tear her apart.

As Chase struggles to control his magic, his enemies are closing in. Everyone has staked a claim on his ring, and destroying it may be his only chance to stop Riley. But Chase must decide if stopping him is worth risking the lives of everyone he cares about, or if protecting the ring will be enough to save his world.

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This novel hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very end.  Packed with lots of action and another amazing storyline, Merrick’s sequel to Exiled is a thrill ride for readers of all ages.  I was sucked into the pages as Merrick continues the story of Chase, Rayna, and Willy as they attempt to adjust to the many changes around them.  Picking up a few weeks after the conclusion of the first novel, Merrick drops the reader right into the middle of the action as Rayna fights for her life against a demon inside her.  I was highly intrigued by this development, and as I absolutely love her character, couldn’t help but sit on pins and needles as the scene panned out.

And, on pins and needles is where I sat for the entirety of the novel.  Merrick is a fabulous writer, able to grip the reader in such a way that it’s impossible to set his books down.  His characterization, storyline, and fantastical situations really made me feel like I was there with the characters, fighting alongside them; it’s rare that characters can touch me in such a way, but I really feel a close bond to them.  Their struggles and triumphs are extremely real, and I loved watching them all grow, especially Chase as he struggles with his intense anger over the death of his mother, his father’s betrayal, and anyone else who gets in his way.  Rayna and Willy also have their own struggles to contend with as the story progresses, and watching all the characters grow, unite, and intensify was a real treat.  I also thoroughly enjoyed introduction of the new magical elements, the cat and wolf packs, and the all around intensity of the novel itself; Merrick’s creativity and imagination makes for an amazing read, and I highly suggest picking up this series! Five stars.

To read how M.R. Merrick came up with this phenomenal series, click HERE.

Exiled (#1)

Shift (#2)

Release (#3)

Endure (#4)

I received an ARC of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: They call me ‘New Girl’…

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

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Harlequin Teen has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel prior to its release today, and I must say I am extremely grateful as this is such a great read!!! I love the story Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier, so when I heard Harbison was writing a YA version of the classic, I knew I had to read it stat!!  And, let me tell you,  Harbison did an amazing job keeping close with the classic and, though there are some holes within the story itself, I still really enjoyed it.  The part I liked the most about this retelling is that we actually get to see Becca’s side of the story.  New Girl and Becca intertwine the pages, both past and present being revealed as the story progresses.  I thought it was a really great writing technique to hit upon something happening in the present to New Girl, and then re-direct to the past when it was happening to Becca.  And, although I really hated Becca, it gave me so much insight into her personality, aside from Max’s and the other characters’ versions of her, that I was able to draw my own conclusions about her.  I really liked this addition to the classic retelling.    

While I really did enjoy Max as a character, he is much more of a playboy than I would have liked him to be.  Yes, he’s kind, gentle, and sexy, but he’s also a “bad boy.”  However, as much of a playboy as he turns out to be, I must commend Harbison on how she deals with all the sex within the novel.  I’ve been noticing that more and more YA books are delving into explicit sex scenes, leaving nothing to the imagination, and I was very thankful that Harbison doesn’t follow this tactic.  Instead, she alludes to it without making a huge deal of it, and I think that is much more appropriate in a YA novel than the explicitness that has been creeping up in many books of this genre.  Now, you may ask if any sex is needed in the novel at all, and my belief is that, yes, it is, because it needs to stay in character with the classic Rebecca, so I am very thankful for Harbison’s ability to let us know what is happening while also keeping it clean.

Now, the ending… that wasn’t the same.  I know it’s pretty much impossible for it to be the same seeing as this is the YA version and the ending of Rebecca wouldn’t have fit quite right, but I still would have liked it to be a bit closer to the classic.  However, I believe Harbison did a phenomenal job, regardless, and I really enjoyed this story.  I recommend it to all!  Three and a half stars.

From Goodreads: Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery…until she met a boy with a familiar voice.

Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet’s determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he’s kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.

Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet’s world becomes even more muddled. While she’s instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she’s impossibly drawn to Tristan–and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past…might just be the death of her.

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Fine is a fabulous author weaving together a story so intricate and intriguing that I was unable to put it down.  The storyline alone was enough to draw me in, but the characters… the characters are what sold me on this novel.  Gabriel Archer is to die for, and I’m absolutely smitten with him.  But I’m also smitten with Tristan, Gabriel’s equally beautiful twin.  Yet, their personalities couldn’t be more different, making it impossible for me to pick just one to love, putting me in the same boat as Scarlet.  From the moment we meet Gabriel, it is impossible not to like him; he’s charming, kind, caring, and head over heels in love with Scarlet.  Tristan is harder to like in the beginning.  He’s the brooding type, a murderer even, set on breaking the curse that binds Scarlet, but it is unclear if he’s doing it for her, or for himself, that is… until the end.  This novel is full of mystery, but the truths come to the forefront as Scarlet begins to remember her past, and I found myself really enjoying this aspect of the novel as Fine gives the reader just enough information to tie him/her over until the next mystery is unveiled.

While not all questions are answered in this novel and I felt like there were some holes in the storyline as I read, it’s such a great novel that it was easy to overlook these small discrepancies and see the novel, as a whole, as a wonderful story.  I am eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series!  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Update: The second and third novels in this fabulous series, Awry and Avow,  are now available.

From Goodreads: While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they’ll sit together on Sophie’s front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?

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This is a very powerful story of heartbreak and redemption.  It blew me away from the very first page as Fine takes us into the precarious world of Sophie and Carter, a world I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but know so many teens face on a daily basis.  This novel takes a raw look at two high school students yearning for change, looking to live regular lives, yet they are only free to be themselves within the walls of the educational system, where they can pretend to have a normal life.  And pretend they do, because what awaits them at home is more than any teen should have to deal with. 

Fine tells this amazing story through first person narratives of both Sophie and Carter, and I loved the back and forth glimpses into their world as their fears and triumphs are realized throughout the novel.  I teach high school, and this novel really hit home as I realized that some of my students are probably going through similar situations as Sophie and Carter, and it breaks my heart.  Fine has created a very real, very powerful story centering on the youth of America, and I highly recommend this novel to everyone.  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.