This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers

For Review: Netgalley

Published: 19 June 2012 (US) & 9 July 2012 (UK)

From Goodreads: It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

To say I was excited to read this would be a massive understatement.  I devoured it the moment it arrived on my ereader and I can honestly say it completely lived up to all my expectations for it.

As many of you have probably worked out I adore Courtney Summer's books.  I have been a huge fan of hers since I first read Cracked Up To Be and the minute I heard the synopsis for This Is Not A Test I knew, just knew, I would love it.  As a big horror fan, the idea of her writing a story based around zombies filled me with glee!  And I loved the way she approached it.

The story is narrated by Sloane Price, someone who has reached rock bottom and decided she no longer wishes to live.  Through her eyes we see the Apocalypse unfold, how she and others are forced to fight to survive, but in Sloane's case, with an internal battle raging inside of her.  She was ready to die.  She still is, but with everything going on she's forced to think of the people she is with.  And to fight, even if she thinks she doesn't want to...

Sloane was such a fascinating character.  I loved her.  She's so broken - with very valid reasons to be that way - and seeing the events unfold through her eyes was really interesting.  For someone convinced they no longer wanted to live she still seemed to have a lot of fight in her and still cared for those around her.  I also really loved Rhys.  From pretty early on you could feel a connection between him and Sloane and I really liked the way their relationship progressed.  Cary was also a very intriguing character - someone forced into making the hard decisions.

The setting in the school gave the story both a safe and claustrophobic atmosphere.  The idea of the all that banging and sounds coming from outside gave me the creeps, and of course,  the idea that they could break in at any minute was terrifying.  But at the same time it gave enough of a feeling of safety that the moments and arguments between the characters felt realistic - and it's interesting how in this kind of situation it becomes less about what is happening outside and more about the dynamics and dangers inside.

I loved the ending too.  I know for some it will be too ambiguous but for me it gave me the answer to Sloane's internal battle.  I felt a decision was made.  Of course, if Courtney Summers decided to write a sequel I would be first in queue - I loved this world and wouldn't hesitate to go back there.  It's the first book that has creeped me out so much in a long time (I'm embarrassed to admit I slept with the light on after finishing it!) and if I ever needed more evidence of Summers brilliance as a writer I found it here.  Seriously fantastic!

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

For Review: Netgalley
Published: 6 September 2011

From Goodreads: Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

As soon as I first heard about this one I was desperate to read it - it just sounded amazing - and something I would love.

The story is centered around Laurel and how her life changes dramatically when her parents and brother are killed in a car crash.  In an instant her life has completely changed..  Everything is now divided into Before and After as she tries to live her life without them..  Trying to process her grief and move on with her life, she finds herself having a strong connection with David.  He's grieving too as he lost his mother in the crash and his father was the one driving the car.  So they both understand what the other is going through. Will they be able to help each other?  And how do you move on from such a devastating loss?

I devoured this book.  It was so good I couldn't pull myself away from it.  I fell in love with all the characters - especially Laurel and David.  Laurel is likeable and honest, and obviously grieving.  She's desperately trying to live her life without the weight of what has happen crippling her but it's obviously a fine line.  She uses everyday things to maintain the balance -  to get her through the days.  David on the other hand spends most of his time running - seemingly unable to stay still.  The connection between the two really comes across - giving both characters something they can hold on to.

I loved Jennifer Castle's writing.  It's so easy to get lost in it.  It felt real - as if I was being given the opportunity to experience a slice of these characters lives. It made me cry and smile - a whole host of emotions.   It's so much more that just a typical story about loss and grieving.  It's a great debut and I highly recommend it.  I can't wait to read more books by this author.

Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy

From Goodreads: When 15-year-old Enid Calhoun follows her boyfriend Wick to Maryland for a party, fearful that he might be intending to cheat on her, she finds herself sneaking on board a houseboat where Wick and his friends plan to have a wild night. But before the boys discover their stowaway, a hurricane strikes, and the teenagers are carried miles from the shore and shipwrecked. What follows is a harrowing, yet heartwarming, story of survival, as the teens battle hypothermia, dehydration, man-eating sharks--and along the way, confront their own deepest secrets, including their catalytic roles in the disaster.

This was different from what I was expecting but I did really enjoy it. I really liked Kristen Tracy's writing and I'll be sure to check out more of her work.

The story begins with Enid and her boyfriend Wick 'taking a break'. Convince he will cheat on her she follows him to a party and sneaks on board the boat. When the boat sinks they all find themselves in a world of trouble...

The main character of Enid is where this book was different than I was expecting. She came across as quite lost - she needed constant reassurance from Wick and other people around her. Although you can understand why this might be the case it doesn't stop her action feeling slightly stalkerish when she follows the boys to the party. Many of us may want to follow our boyfriends (or boyfriends we are on a 'break' with) to make sure they are not with anyone else but many of us have too much self esteem to actually go through with it. Or at least I hope we do!

Once the boat sinks though, the story really kicks into action and I have to say I was completely gripped. It actually became quite terrifying and I had no idea if I would get the outcome I hoped. It becomes a story of survival and introspection. Enid starts to realise that she can't hold all boys to the example her father has set - and we get to see she is a lot stronger than I first thought. The girl I met at the beginning of the story was a very different one at the end - and I enjoyed her subtle journey working out what is important and what is not.

Also, I didn't realise the story was going to be focused around 4 sets of twins! I loved that the characters were twins - I have always has a fascination with what that would be like so I found that aspect of the story really interesting.

As I said -  I really liked Kristen Tracy's writing style and I will definitely be checking out more of her books. I have already been recommended Lost It by a friend so I will have to start there.

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

For review: Netgalley.  Published 15 November

From Goodreads:  Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right.

The goblins are coming

This one really caught my attention. Kersten Hamilton infuses it with Irish mythology and creates a really tense and action-packed story.

The book worked for me on so many levels. It has great mythology and brilliant characters - I think it was here that Hamilton excelled. I loved them all and really liked the family atmosphere she creates. Teagan was interesting as the main character – very easy to like and comes across as intelligent and kind – and of course I loved Finn Mac Cumhaill! At first he’s quite mysterious but as the book progresses more and more is revealed about him. I also adored Aiden and his relationship with his sister - Super sweet! And Abby was great fun – I definitely want more of her in the next book.

The mythology feels fresh and different. I loved everything about it – and it really does have some very tense and scary moments. Cat-sidhes are now forever etched in my brain as rather terrifying! There are also some standout action scenes and moments when I found myself completely gripped by everything that was happening. It’s one of those books that I found hard to put down – I wanted to finish it in one sitting. All of this is grounded by the characters - their banter is fun and the basis for some really witty moments.

There is a time jump about 100 pages in that makes the book feels as if it’s split into two parts. The first ‘half’ concentrates on building the world and characters - which may make the story hard to get into for some. However, I felt this paid off in the second half of the book – and I loved how all the pieces fitted together in the end. Everything we learn in that first half makes all that happens afterwards work – so it’s definitely worth it. And the second ‘half’ really hits the grown running – it really took me by surprise in its change of pace and sense of urgency. This was when I found myself really not wanting to put it down!

My only complaint is I found the slight time jump jarring. Because of what happens in the scene before it I found myself still dealing with that when the characters had already moved on. It made it feel as if the characters were not as upset as they should be – but it does move the story to where it needs to be.

I’m really looking forward to the next installment. I want to get back into the world Hamilton has created – and (unsurprisingly) I really want more time with Finn!

The Clearing by Heather Davis

For review: Netgalley. Published April 12th 2010.
From Goodreads: Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery—Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

This was somewhat different than I expected it to be but in a good way - I really enjoyed it.

Amy was an interesting character. When we first met her we don’t really get a sense of who she is but I think this is because she doesn’t know who she is anymore. Having just come out of an abusive relationship she is not only trying to work out who she should trust she is also trying to work out if she can trust herself. Over the course of the story we get to see her open up – to Mae and Henry - and I found myself really liking her.

I adored Henry. Initially I felt the story would have been better if it had just been from Amy’s point of view to add some mystery to who Henry was but I soon found myself really looking forward to his chapters and his story. He was very kind – a ‘true’ gentleman and just what Amy needed. I definitely felt invested in their romance and looked forward to their scenes together.

Jackson was also a really sweet character and I think he was a great friend to Amy. I really liked him. I wasn’t so sure about Lori but even she had moments. I really loved Mae and thought her relationship with Amy was a high point of the book.

I thought the story ended well – there was just one thing that was left unexplained that I really wanted to know – but other than that I liked how it ended. Having said that I do think it might be the type of ending you are going to either love or hate!

This is definately a book I will be adding to my collection. I really like Davis' writing style and look forward to reading more of her work.