Wow, where do I begin? Well, I guess I could start with the fact that one of my favorite Youtubers wrote a freaking YA novel and an amazing one at thaWow, where do I begin? Well, I guess I could start with the fact that one of my favorite Youtubers wrote a freaking YA novel and an amazing one at that. I've been a huge fan of Joey Graceffa for some time now. He's not only highly entertaining but super sweet and down to earth. It's always a treat when a movie, TV or Youtube personnel decided to write a book, stepping out from behind the camera/video to do something different, like be an author. I really did have high expectations for Children of Eden and I right to expect Joey to turn out an outstanding story because he most definitely did!
The story takes place in the future in a dystopian setting where the earth is dead, killed off by humans long ago. A visionary/scientist named, Aaron al Baz creates a protected city called Eden where all of the remaining humans live and thrive, for the most part. With a limited amount of resources, Eden has a law that there can only be one child born to each family. If a second child is born it will be put to death. Once the first child is born they are to undergo a surgery to have dull lenses implanted in their eyes to be recognized as a first child.
Rowen was born a twin. Her brother Ash lives the life as the first child while Rowen is hidden away from the world to keep her safe. She is tired of never being able to live a real life and having to be confined indoors always. So one night Rowen decides she's had enough and decides to climb the wall separating her home from the rest of Eden. The unthinkable happens when she slips and falls over the side of the wall. Now stuck on the outside, she has no other choice but to explore this mysterious Eden, all the while hiding her face and eyes so not to be seen or worse, caught. She runs into a friend of her brothers, a girl named Lark. Lark is against everything Eden stands for and helps Rowen get back home safely. The next day her Mother tells her something that will forever change Rowen's world forever. A secret that finally comes out leads to an event that will rock Rowens very existence and that now forces her to be on the run through an unfair new world that is ruled by very bad people.
The people she meets along the way are her only hope in surviving Eden and learning to live as a second child in a world that forbade's people like her. Rowen comes to learn that Eden really isn't as it seems. Someone is hiding a big secret, one that will change her entire world and those around her. Rowen knows what she must do but the truth coming out may very well get her killed.
Children of Eden has the most exquisitely written world-building I've ever read. The landscapes were so vividly real to the imagination. The way the author writes about Eden and explains it in such details gave me a much better look into Rowen's world. I felt like I was standing beside her looking on while her life was turned upside down.
Rowen is one of the characters in a book where you just can't help but love her and feel for her with all she was meant to endure. Throughout the book I had so many different emotions surface while reading. Sadness, anger, understanding, happiness, and even love. I found myself wishing I could tell her that she is worthy of being alive and love. She is such a strong heroine, one that never gives up on what she believes is fair and just. Someone who would do anything to help others and save them from what lies that have been hidden about Eden all along.
The secondary characters all equally played their parts in the story. I even didn't mind the love-triangle that was begging to form between Rowen and two other of the characters. I'm not sure who I'm rooting for because both are amazing characters. The story itself is very unique and entertaining. It's unlike any other Dystopian novel I've read. The concept was brilliant and really well throughout. Joey Graceffa is such a fabulous story-teller and it really shows through his youtube channel. He's thought up and starred in so many youtube "movies". Childen of Eden for me was a wonderful first installment of a book series I know everyone will love. I can't wait to read what happens next! The ending was left on such a huge cliff-hanger! Aaaaahh!!!
I highly recommend Children of Eden to all Dystopian and sci-fi lovers! You're going to love this book! ...more
The Girl I Used to Be is the first book I've read by author April Henry. When starting any new books by an author I've never read before my expectatioThe Girl I Used to Be is the first book I've read by author April Henry. When starting any new books by an author I've never read before my expectations going into it are somewhat natural but this time, I was really hoping I would love it. I've always been a big fan of YA thrillers and mysteries so I wanted this book to be an exciting read and thankfully I was not disappointed in the least. In fact, I was totally mesmerized by it. From page one until the very end. It was one big thrill ride throughout. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, leaving me on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next or who the killer was I shocked to learn it was the exact opposite.
The story takes place in a small town where Oliva, or formally known as Ariel once called home. When she was 3 years old her parents were killed in front of her while out looking for a Christmas tree. Her Mother's body was found but her Father remains missing and presumably was assumed to be the killer, still at large. Ariel then went on to live with her Grandma until she passed away a few years later. After that, Ariel was tossed around in foster homes throughout most of her childhood and by one family she was renamed, Oliva. Tired of living in the foster system, Oliva decides to become an emancipated minor and goes on to find a job and small apartment to call home. One day she gets a knock on her door and opens it to find two police officers standing there with news about her parent's case. She comes to find out her Fathers bones were found miles away from where her Mother's body was found 14 years ago, proving her Dad was not in fact the killer. With this game-changing new evidence, Oliva decided to go back to her hometown to in hopes to find out herself what really happen all those years ago, and who killed her family.
Oliva soon learns the key to unlocking the truth may lie in her own memories.... but sometimes the secrets we want to forget are the ones that are most frightening to remember.
Will she be able to figure out who the killer is in time or will the killer find her first.... Well... you'll have to read the book to find out!
Oh, and you're going to want to! Trust me, this book was outstanding! It truly was. I was quite amazed by how much I really loved this book. Oliva's narration was written perfectly. I really felt her emotions in the words. Her dedication to finding out who killed her family and the reasoning behind it almost became an addiction for her. She never gave up even when things were looking grim and lost. She would do anything to find out the truth, even tapping into her own subconscious.
Every new chapter held a new piece of evidence, a thrilling build up to the very end where the truth becomes revealed. There was never a dull moment, that's for sure. I'm looking forward to reading more books from the author that's for sure!
I highly recommend The Girl I Used to Be! If you're a fan of psychological thriller and mysteries then this book is perfect for you!...more
Arrows combines three of my favorite types of genres in YA fiction, Mythology, retellings, and romance. ThOriginally posted at Bittersweet Enchantment
Arrows combines three of my favorite types of genres in YA fiction, Mythology, retellings, and romance. This fun and unique take on the classic Cupid story set in present-day, was not only magical but EPIC in every way. A breath of fresh air, author Melissa Gorzelanczyk writes from the heart and gives her readers a story they won't soon forget!
Son of the legendary Cupid, Aaryn is in-training to be a "cupid" just like his Dad. Love is never easy to find and Aaryn is destined to help lonely souls on earth find their true love with just a prick of an arrow. Aaryn is about to graduate but need to find one last couple to bring together but notices too late that there is only one arrow left in his bag. In a hurry, he decides to only shoot a girl named Karma with his last arrow, leaving the Danny untouched. Thus hoping it will be enough to spout true love between the two.
Now a full-fledged Cupid, Aaryn tried to forget about that night and move on to helping others in need, but the past is about to catch up with him. Cupid, Aaryn Dad finally learns the truth and forces his son to return to earth as a human to right the wrong he made a year ago. He learns that Karma had gotten pregnant and now has a baby named Nell. Her dreams of being a professional ballet dancer are now on pause but would have been a real if not for being a teen Mom. While Karma is hopelessly in love with Danny, Danny is far from settling down with a family and marriage. It's Aaryn job to help Danny fall in love and marry Karma, to set his wrong right and return to being a God.
As Aaryn tries to pick up the pieces of his mistake, he begins to have feelings for Karma. Feelings he knows he should never have for a human and ones that could get him into a lot of trouble.
Will Aaryn be able to bring Danny and Karma together or will love find its own way, to someone else's heart? Find out by reading ARROWS!
{ Warning: slight spoilers below }
Appropriately the word I use to describe my feeling for this book is: LOVE
I loved this retelling of Cupid. I loved Aaryn. I loved Karma. I loved hated Danny. I loved the setting. I loved Nell. (she is such a cutie) I loved how broken Karma was and how I could feel her sadness through the authors words. I loved how much Aaryn cared so deeply for Karma, more than Danny ever would or could. I loved seeing the slow burn of romance bloom between Karma and Aaryn. And I loved more than anything, that in the end true LOVE conquers all, no arrows needed.
If I could give ARROWS more than 5 stars I would, in a heartbeat. I give mad props to author Melissa Gorzelanczyk for writing such a heartbreakingly beautiful retelling of Cupid. I immensely enjoyed reading this novel. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially those who adore mythology, retellings, and romance in YA fiction. You're going to LOVE to love this book!...more
"The Girl" is back again, with even more challenges to face, boys to crush on and simply trying to learn what it means to be a teenager. With a new ba"The Girl" is back again, with even more challenges to face, boys to crush on and simply trying to learn what it means to be a teenager. With a new baby sister on the way, a new school, and dealing with missing old friends while trying to make new ones, the girl is even more confused than ever. As if being a tween wasn't hard enough!
Like the first book, the story is being told in the form of a diary. Weekly entries all about what it's like to teenage girl. Transitioning from kid to teen is never easy, and for the girl is harder than some. A new baby sister is coming soon and she is not happy about being the older child. Along with moving to a new town and starting a new school, the girl is more stressed out than ever before. If that wasn't enough, life is about to thrown her a curve ball when her body starts changing and growing.
Along with all of these new hardships, the girl is having fun too. She's making new friends, trying new things, but more so finding out who she really wants to be.
- There are so many amazing things I loved about this book. -
How relatable is the story was. I really feel like the book "diary" was in fact written by a teenage girl and not by an adult, which is great because teens who read it will get a better sense of the emotions and maturity of the girl. Everything she went through was things most teens have to deal and struggle with while experiencing this time in their lives.
The girl's personally has really changed since the first book. She is more outgoing, funny and even more so emotionally. At times, I was getting annoyed by her thinking and how she felt about things, but then I thought back to when I was her age and begin to understand why she acted the way she did. Being a teen is downright difficult at time and I loved the way she handled the challenges she faced. The girl's personally while different than when she was younger really made this book quite remarkable.
Being written in a diary format is probably by favorite part simply because I could see how throughout the year, in each entry how her life changed. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. She grew up so much not only physically and mentally but emotionally as well. Each time she wrote in her dairy there was always something new and exciting to read about.
Adults will love it too! I'm in my 30's and I loved reading it. I won't lie, some parts were kind of childish, but that's what made it such a fun read for me. Being able to remember what it was like when I was young was exciting. I remember thinking "Oh yeah, I remember what that felt like". Yes, this book was primarily written to speak to teens but I think adults will love it too. Reading with your children would be even more fun!
I would like to commend, author Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein for writing such a relatable, imaginative, and fun story in which teens everywhere I know will love. I highly recommend Diary of a Gusty Teen (and Tween) to all of my readers and to confused girls everywhere (hehe). This book is one not to miss! ...more
The definition of Superlative is:of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all My review is also posted on my blog, Bittersweet Enchantment.
The definition of Superlative is:of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme.
This series is rightfully named in more ways the one. Author Jennifer Echols has once again written another book I that was not only extremely awesome but one I won't soon forget. Most Likely to Succeed is the third installment in this fun and flirty series. The story takes place within their senior year of high school with all the same characters we have grown to love from book one and two. This book focuses on vice-president of Student Council, Kaye Gordan and the school mascot, ladies man, and cute goofball, Sawyer De Luca.
Kaye is use to order and being the good girl she is brought up to be. Good grades, academics, and a boyfriend of three years....these's are what makes sense. Having a strict and overbearing Mother who always wants Kaye to be perfect is not easy, and is about to get a lot harder. Kaye and her boyfriend Aiden are not getting along and have been growing apart. Aiden has become mean, possessive, and distance. He's decided he wants a "break" from Kaye. Luckily Kaye was happy for the break because she has had a secret crush on Sawyer. Little does Kaye know Sawyer feels the same way. The problem is because they are both so different their relationship is strained. There are things Sawyer is not telling Kaye about his past as well as the issue of her Mother forbidding Kaye to date Sawyer. It's all one big mess, one that will either make or break this newfound romance. Are Kaye and Sawyer ready to fight for love or claim defeat? Read the book to find out!
There was just so much going on in this book, so much. I was cheering for Kaye and Sawyer. I totally ship them. Seeing how hard they fought to be with each other and dealing with their emotions is what really made this book stand out. There was so much conflict between both of them that they had to overcome and still find away to be honest with each other in order to make things work. Both characters grew up a lot during the process of the story. Kaye, seeing her life as her own and not living to please her Mother. Sawyer finally opening his heart to Kaye and allowing her to get close no matter what his past was or where his future lies.
I've said before in past reviews for Jennifer Echols books that she really knows how to make her readers fall in love with the characters and give them a romantic story that's unforgettable. This series keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next! ...more
Perfect Couple is the story of a boy and a girl who never thought twice about each other. Who barely haveReview also found @ myBittersweet Enchantment
Perfect Couple is the story of a boy and a girl who never thought twice about each other. Who barely have even spoken or much less hang out together. Until one day someone elects them for the yearbooks Superlatives, as the "Perfect Couple That Never Was". Now everything's about to change...
Meet Harper! [image] Has a passion for art and photography Parents are separated, lives with her Mom at a B&B they own Dating a boy name Kennedy, who is a total jerk Kind of a nerd, everyone loves her, dresses classy and vintage, accepting and kind Was elected the title "Perfect Couple That Never Was" with star quarterback Brody
Meet Brody! [image] High School jock star quarterback, hopes to play in college Is super hot but no conceited about it Dating "kind of" a cheerleader named Grace. Parents are divorced, lives with his Mom Was elected the title "Perfect Couple That Never Was" with school yearbook photogher, Harper
Harper and Brody seem to come from two different worlds, why they were paired together for this title for the yearbook has Harper totally baffled. She knows Brody is dating Grace. She knows she's dating as well and should not ever be thinking of Brody or how incredibly sexy he is. But more so, she knows Brody would never go for someone like her, glasses and all. Talking to Brody is now a must because Harper is in charge is taking the Superlatives photo's for the yearbook including her's and Brodys. To her surprise Brody is totally cool with the title, in fact he was even caught talking about it with her football friends. Could Brody maybe be into Harper? The more Harper and Brody spend time together because of the title they come to really get to know each other and both begin to feel something, a spark. A new friendship? Blooming romance? Possibly love? Against all odds, can two totally different people fall for each other or is the title "Perfect Couple That Never Was" spot on?!
Throughout the book I had such a mixed bag of feelings for this one. While I adored the first book in the series, Biggest Flirts this one was just not as good as I hoped it to be. I felt disconnected from the characters, I couldn't really form a bond with either Harper of Brody. The story felt rushed at times, and displaces in area's. I guess I just wanted more "POP, FIZZ, YEAAHHH" but I got "POP, FIZZ, Blah! The story itself was really good, the writing as always was beautifully done but there was just is missing element. I'm not sure how to describe it but have you ever watched a really good movie and you're enjoying it a lot but by the ending you're saying "That was it?!" Besides that I felt the book has a definite likability to it and was entertaining for the most part. If you love YA contemporary romance novels I would say give it a chance. Just because I wasn't blown away doesn't mean you won't be. There are a lot of great things about Perfect Couple I did love. Jennifer Echols knows her stuff when it comes to romance and writing steamy scenes between her characters. Although I only fell "in-like" and not "in-love" with Perfect Couple I will continue to read the rest of the series and remain a fan of the author. ...more
At one time or another most of us have dreamt of being a fairy tale character in a book or movie.My review can also be found @ Bittersweet Enchantment
At one time or another most of us have dreamt of being a fairy tale character in a book or movie. Whether you wished to be a princess in a tower awaiting your price to come and rescue you, or a evil queen bent on ruling the world. We all love the idea of having our happily ever after.
In the city of Beau Rivage fairy tales are real. The people of the Beau Rivage all are blessed or rather cused with one fairy tale or another. Vivian has the "Snow White" curse. We all know her story well. But what if the hired huntsman who is suppose to cut out her heart happens to be the love of her life. Hently and Viv have been friends all of their lives and now are in love. Hently knows what his curse says for him to do but is determined to find a way not to, for there is no way he could ever hurt the girl he loves.
Regina, Vivian's stepmother aka "The Evil Queen" is bent on killing Viv so she may be the fairest of the all. She will do whatever it takes to convince or force Hently to do what he is meant for, to cut out Viv's heart. Soon she becomes tired of waiting and decided to hire another huntsman to do the job for Hently. In the course of stopping the other huntsman from killing Viv, Hently disappears and is presumed dead. Viv is beside herself with grief and worry. Soon after an unexpected invitation arrives addressed to Viv to a underworld party which soon after lands her in a whole other world of problems. With turn of events, Viv now finds herself trapped in the underworld, like many others have come to be. Now Viv must find away to escape....but "someone" won't let her leave... To find out who and if she finally has her happily ever after, read the book!
First let me say I adored Kill Me Softly when I read it the beginning of 2012. When I found out that there was going to be another book in the series I was ecstatic! I knew I NEEDED to read it and ASAP. There was without a shadow of a doubt that once again I would adore the next book in the series. It was everything and more that I was expecting it to be. There was romance, mystery, adventure, and good vs evil. Tear you Apart was beautifully breath-taking and oh-so magical! I feel in love with the characters, the storyline and the enchanting world Sarah Cross crafted so perfectly around them. There were twists and turns I never saw coming. I laughed, cried, and cheered on Viv for she most definitely deserved her happy ending.
One other thing I really enjoyed about the book was how the characters from Kill Me Softy all made cameos in this book, and for the most part played much larger roles in Tear Me Apart than I expected them to. I felt they all blended well into the Snow White storyline and how the ending pans out.
Tear You Apart was so far my favorite book of this year. If you're going to read one fairy-tale retelling in 2015, TEAR YOU APART by Sarah Cross is absolutely the way to go. ...more