Wake Unto Me

Book Blurb

Caitlyn Monahan knows she belongs somewhere else. It's what her dead mother's note suggested, and it's what her recurring nightmares allude to.

Desperate to flee these terrifying dreams--and her small town--she accepts a spot at a boarding school in France. Only, when she arrives, her nightmares get worse.

But then there are her amazing dreams, so vivid and so real, with visits from an alluring, mysterious, and gorgeous Italian boy from the 1500s. Caitlyn knows they are soul mates, but how can she be in love with someone who exists only in her dreams?

Then, as her reality and dream world collide, Caitlyn searches for the real reason why she was brought to this school. And what she discovers will change her life forever.

My Review

I started and finished this book today (again- YAY SPRING BREAK!).  I was so torn about what I wanted to say, because I don't want to spoil anything.  It had some elements that drove me crazy, but I still think it is worth a read for people who enjoy paranormal/time travel/historical fiction/young adult.

So I'll start with what I liked.  I love the cover- I think it will appeal to young adult readers and get picked up quite a bit in my classroom library.  I loved the history that was woven into the story.  I liked the plot a lot- it kept me hooked and engaged in figuring the mystery out along with the protagonist.  

Now, for some things that drove me crazy (I am going to keep this as general as possible so as not to ruin any of the plot twists).  The characters were all a bit flat to me.  After the first pages I actually thought to myself "Uh-oh, this is going to be painful."  It wasn't really THAT painful- it just isn't as deep as I prefer.  Caitlyn falling in love with the Raphael?  It happened after 10 seconds.  That makes me crazy.  Caitlyn willing to 'give everything up' for him?  It happened after maybe several combined hours with him.  Again, it kills me.  He is not a love interest that inspires any response from me- I feel like I barely have any idea who he is.  I really just had to suspend disbelief and turn off that voice in my head that was going to keep me from enjoying what was a pretty well thought out story despite these issues.

I'm teetering between 3 and 4 stars... but I think I will go with 4 because despite some of the flaws, I actually did enjoy reading it a lot.  

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

I love the covers for this series.  In fact, I love a lot about this series - Sophie, the politics of her magic world, her friends and love interests, and how the author keeps the pace going throughout the book so that it never drags!  One thing I am not loving- the huge cliffhanger at the end of the book that is making me desperate for the next one in the series!  This is another one that is good for middle-school aged kids- I can picture a lot of the girls in my class being sucked in by the cover and then enjoying a fast paced, funny series (like Percy Jackson).  4 Stars

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

I really, really liked this one.  I couldn't wait to pick it up again each night.  I'm not sure what it is, since it could easily fall into the played-out category of supernatural romance- but for some reason the vampire-to-human thing felt really fresh.   I have no idea why I liked it so much-  Lenah acted in ways that were bizarre and confusing, the ending was not entirely lined up with the tenets of the mythology, and I didn't even like the love interest.  Despite all of those flaws, it was addictive.  Lenah was likeable, and the pacing made it so that I was always racing to see what would happen next.  I immediately looked up sequels because the ending was so shocking, and I will be reading the next one.  4 Stars!

Sean Griswold's Head

Here's another one that I solidly enjoyed. The main character was quirky and original, yet still as self-absorbed as our teenage years demand.  The premise of the novel was cute- in order to work through a family issue, the M.C. Payton Gritas is forced to see the school psychologist.  She is given an assignment- find an inanimate 'focus object' to journal about for several weeks.  She chooses Sean's head, as he sits in front of her in classes since grade school.  As she starts to get to know him for 'research', Payton realizes there is a lot more to Sean than his oversized melon, and comes to terms with her issues.  It was cute and touching, and a fun read even for middle-school aged kids as the content is P.G.

4 Stars

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

I love this series and Cat and Bones, and this book was as addictive as the rest.  I don't actually remember too much of it, besides complete enjoyment as I read.  More fluff and less sophistication, which I find myself needing from time to time!

4 Stars

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

I know that the cover is less than enticing- but I truly love Richelle Mead and her books. The Dark Swan series is probably my least favorite, but it's still enjoyable.  Lots of action, some character development, and definitely a set-up for a future book.  I hope Eugenie makes up her mind on some major issues in the next one...

4 Stars

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Book Blurb

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

My Review
As soon as I read this book blurb on Amazon, I wanted to read it immediately.  About 10 months later, I finally did! I read this one immediately after North of Beautiful, and finished within 48 hours (North of Beautiful took me over 3 weeks because I kept putting it down).  I thought A Match Made in High School was cute and funny, and a pleasurable read.  4 Stars!

Characters
Fiona is fun- she is sassy, confident, and completely imperfect.  She has all the narcissism of her teenage years.  I love Fiona because she wasn't a wallflower type in need of a makeover- she had spunk and self-confidence and humor.  She evolved as her senior year progressed in the novel.

Plot
O.K.- so the marriage class is clearly contrived.  Once I swallowed this unrealistic bit down (I had to do so quickly, since it is absolutely essential to the story), the plot is really quite enjoyable.  I loved the pranks and sense of humor in the characters. I loved that none of the characters perfectly fit the archetype they seemed to be set in at the beginning of the story.

Relationship
I can't say anything on this front, as it would spoil the whole novel. You'll have to read to find out! Things aren't as they seem....

North of Beautiful

Book Blurb

As he continued to stare, I wanted to point to my cheek and remind him, But you were the one who wanted this, remember? You're the one who asked-and I repeat-Why not fix your face? 

It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.

She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?

Written in lively, artful prose, award-winning author Justina Chen Headley has woven together a powerful novel about a fractured family, falling in love, travel, and the meaning of true beauty.

My Review

This book is highly-praised and has an almost 5-star rating on Amazon.  I ended up loving it, but I almost gave up on it at some points because it was so painful to experience Terra's life.  I didn't 'enjoy' reading it- it definitely isn't a book to read if you are looking for a fun, pleasurable reading experience.  But, it is thought-provoking, beautifully written, and full of rich symbolism, particularly the metaphor of life as a journey on a map.  The ending had me weeping.  4 Stars.

Characters

Terra lives in fear of her controlling, abusive father, and is shackled by the port-wine stain on her face that she tries desperately to change or hide.  She is insecure and accepts whatever scraps of affection or friendship are offered her way.  It broke my heart, and made me again realize how blessed I was in my own childhood and adolescence. It also gives me more compassion and empathy for my students- just because someone is a child doesn't mean that they don't have real problems or struggles in their lives. 

It is only after Terra meets Jacob and his family that Terra's true self starts to emerge in the story. She slowly starts to express herself, grows in her independence and confidence, and accepts herself as is.  I don't want to spoil the ending- and so much of the resolution of the story is Terra's growth, so I'll just stop here!

Plot

It's a beautiful story that progresses over the course of a year.  The little moments are what makes the story, not any major, dramatic plot events.  I learned to be patient as I read this.  I wanted Terra to transform almost immediately, but the author made me work for it!

Relationship

I loved this relationship because it was healthy!  Jacob isn't a dark, forbidden force that Terra obsesses over a la Twilight or other popular series.  He isn't a crutch for her either- he is the catalyst in Terra's own transformation.  He isn't perfect- Jacob is struggling in his own identity and sense of self.  I thought the author did an exceptional job in writing a teenage romance that didn't make me cringe- this is the type of romance I want my students to read!

Eon by Alison Goodman

 Book Blurb

Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.

My Review

I picked this book up pretty much blind.  I saw the quote from Tamora Pierce, one of my favorite authors, and I decided to give it a shot.  It took me forever to read!  Not only is it long, I was also trying to read several other books at the same time. (Why do I do that when I know it doesn't work?)  Once I put everything else down and focused on this one, I was able to finish it. I am ordering the sequel, Eona, as soon as I finish this post. Eon was 4 Stars for me...

Characters

Eon is a complex and fascinating character.  Goodman really delves into gender identity in this novel, which I enjoyed.  Throughout the book, Eon is in a major battle against herself.  She flip-flops quite a bit.  She loves her master, she hates her master.  She feels hopeful, she falls into despair.  She trusts her friends, she doesn't trust her friends.  While there was a lot of action, I'd say this book was really a character study.  As Eon struggled to figure herself out, I did occasionally struggle with liking her.  For the most part, I thought she was brave, loyal, and fierce.  When she wavered in those qualities, I got a bit frustrated, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW GOOD CHARACTERS MUST BE FLAWED!  Maybe it is the fantasy genre, where I just want my heroes to be perfect.  I don't expect it from other types of books. 

Plot

The world that Eon is set in is very richly described, and unique. Goodman creates a society that I found intriguing and horrifying- I have never read anything like it.  It takes a great deal of intuition and perception to put the pieces together to figure out the world that Eon lives in, so while I think this book would appeal to middle-grade and young-adult children, they would have to be a sophisticated reader to grasp the story.  Also, it is quite violent at times! 

I got a bit impatient with some of the lengthy descriptions, and even found myself skipping pages (Again, why do I do this, when I know that 50% of the time it means I have to go back and re-read to figure out what I missed?). The action happens in small bursts, with loads of description and character development in between.  I would have been totally O.K. if some of the chapters had been edited out of the story, because it did feel to lag at times.  There is a lot of political intrigue in the book that I enjoyed, and I was surprised by some of the plot turns. 

Relationship

The primary relationships that are explored in this book are between Eon and her friends and political allies.  All of the supporting characters feel real and authentic, which I loved.  There may be the hints of a romantic relationship between Eon and someone else, but maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. 

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

Book Blurb

To: You (you)
From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book
Dear Reader,
This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:
-Humor
-Romance
-Cooking tips
-Great Danes
-Heroine in peril
-Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures


If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.
We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?
Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal
Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.
*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********


My Review
This book was recommended to me by my sister Clare.  It was so cute!  It was fun and light-hearted.   I was entertained from start to finish, and really enjoyed how Cabot told the story through e-mails from character to character.


Characters
The characters are all cute- that's the best word I can think of to describe them.  It doesn't deviate too far from what you'd expect from a romantic girl-meets-boy story in terms of characterization.  Mel is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny.  John is family-oriented, loyal, and charming. I rooted for both of them as I read. All of the minor characters are equally likeable.


Plot
Again, I thought the way the story was told through e-mails was clever and enjoyable.  It gave the book a different feel, even though the story falls into a typical romantic novel schema.  I enjoyed the fact that there was no over-written sex scenes- it was light and fun all the way through.  


Relationship
I loved Mel and John, and it was so fun to hear about their developing feelings through emails to family and friends.  They had the normal miscues of a new relationship, and one extremely not-normal identity issue that served as the conflict for the story.


Overall
It was a fun read, easily read in one sitting.  It wouldn't be a book I would ever pick up to re-read, but it was good the first time around.  As I look over the review, the words "light", "cute", and "fun" keep showing up.  So- overall it was light, cute, and fun, and I give it 4 stars! 


  

XVI by Julie Karr

Book Blurb

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world - even the most predatory of men - that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past - one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

My Review

So this is Book #2 for me in the Debut Author Challenge- Yay!  I really enjoyed this one.  I was worried when I started that dystopia would forever be ruined for me by my love of The Hunger Games- what could possibly compare to that?!?!  While this book isn't as haunting as The Hunger Games, it was solidly written and very enjoyable.

Characters

The main character is Nina Oberon, a 15-year old girl coming to age in a society ruled with an iron fist by the government and the media.  Nina is brave, independent-minded, and artistic.  She is thrust into not only caring for her younger sister Dee, but also protecting her.  The story is narrated first-person in her voice.  Nina was likeable- a tad bit bland, but solid.  She made me crazy at a couple points, taking forever to connect the dots.  But, she definitely had the voice of a teenager- loyal to her friends, insecure, expressive, loving.  Our supporting characters were also very solid.  I loved some of Nina's friends, and I really liked her family as well.  

Plot

I really liked the premise of the story and how everything played out.  Sometimes it seemed a bit slow- with lots of attention paid to Nina's coming to terms with the events that occurred, and then at the same time, something major would happen and Nina's reaction would seem underwhelmed to me.  It's hard to put my finger on it, but in all it was a very minor issue.  My only other minor complaint was the ending- it felt a bit anticlimatic to me.  I am assuming this is a part of a series- there is a lot that still needs to be tied up. I can imagine this book being enjoyed by older, reluctant readers.  

I also loved the message and themes of the book.  There were quite a few- gender politics, media influence, government intrusion on freedom of expression, exploitation of youth, abuse, etc.  There was a lot going on, which made Nina's world seem multidimensional and real.  

Relationship

I liked this part a lot.  It doesn't really mention Nina's love interest on the cover, and since this is such a new release I suppose I shouldn't mention names.  But let's just say that He seems to be like a great guy with a lot going on under the surface.  I think the author did a great job exploring Nina's conflict over her sexuality with Him, and with the society in which she lives.  For a book that speaks out against the exploitation of young women, the author handled the romantic relationship perfectly.

Overall

I thought it was a great book, and I hope that there is more to come from Julie Karr in the future.  I'm so glad I decided to purchase this. 4 stars!

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Book Blurb
Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he’s doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.
Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces
 . . . or else.
With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

My Review
I read this one on the cruise one night last week, when I couldn't sleep and my cabinmates were passed out.  It was a very quick read- I read the Kindle version, but I can't imagine the book being too thick.  It pretty much hit the spot of what I was looking for- fun, easy, light book to pass the time.
Characters


Sam is our hero.  As I read it, I realized I don't often read books with a male-as-main-character.  Not sure why, but in any event, I did like Sam.  He was funny, loyal, and snarky.  His point-of-view was my favorite to read in the alternating narrative style of the book.  I thought he was the most developed and credible of all of the characters in the book.

The minor characters are unfortunately, quite flat.  I think Brid is supposed to be the heroine of the book, but I really couldn't get a sense of her as I read.  She doesn't seem to have any flaws, and her narrated chapters were so few I don't really know what purpose they served.  The other minor characters were likeable, but again, not very developed.

Plot
The pacing was pretty quick, but there was a lull in the middle where it seemed like nothing seemed to happen to the hero and heroine, and gave some background information from the minor characters' perspectives.  One thing that was missing was an element of world-building about the mythology of the characters- I'm not sure how all the supernaturals are structured, or how they coexist yet.  Of course, it's the opening book in a series so I'm sure that will come out as Sam learns more about his supernatural world.  Oh, and another thing I liked about the story was that it was funny- I love humor in books.

Relationship
The romantic relationship was a dud for me.  I didn't really get a sense of a strong connection between the characters.  It was very light on romance- definitely not an epic love story.

Overall
I liked it- fun book and a series I will try to keep up with.  I'm interested to see where the story goes.  4 Stars :)

Awakened by P.C. Cast

Book Blurb

“My love, speak to me.  Tell me everything.”  Neferet went to Kalona, kneeling before him, stroking the soft, dark wings that unfurled loosely around the immortal.
“What would you have me say?”  He didn’t meet her eyes. 
 “Zoey lives.” Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.
“She does.”
“Then you owe me the subservience of your immortal soul.”  She started to walk away from him.
“Where are you going?  What will happen next?”
 “It is quite simple.  I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma.  There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.”
Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey.  Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z.  But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there.  Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it?  Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…
And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim?  The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship?  Does he betray his father or his heart?
In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?


My Review
I just love this series.  I read each new installment praying that it won't disappoint (it seems inevitable in a series that one of the books doesn't resonate with you).  This book I really enjoyed.


Characters
This book gives you a taste of most of the characters we have grown to love, with alternating narratives.  I wouldn't say any of the characters make any giant leaps in their development, except possibly Stevie Rae.  I missed some of the characters in this book- I don't want to spoil, so I'll just say some are in the background of the action instead of the forefront like I had hoped. Also, our villain Neferet continues to be pretty flat in terms of being evil incarnate- I wish we could see a more human side of her.


Plot
I continue to be surprised in this series.   I had a vague recollection of the series when I started the book, but within the first few chapters I felt caught up.  I really liked that the female characters made less ridiculous slurs against women (i.e. calling other characters "hoes")- that was one part of the series that never sat well with me.  There is one plot line that I was confused about as it played out- I had no idea where it was going, but then it was dropped in the second half of the book.  I guess we'll see if it gets picked up in the next installment. The book ends on a cliffhanger (of course!), and I am very intrigued to see how it plays out.  


Overall
Even if in my heart I know these aren't the most sophisticated books, I still really enjoy them.  4 Stars, and I'll be waiting for the next one.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Book Blurb

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

My Review

This book made me cry, at the airport, in front of complete strangers.  I had it on my Kindle for awhile, but when I went to read it, I couldn't remember what it was about, so it was a blind read.  For some reason, I thought it was about faeries, but not so much in reality.

Characters

Wow.  The characters in this book felt so real to me.  Tons of character development weaved in throughout the story.  Every character, major and minor, had a story and was unique.  The characters are what made this book great.  Only minor complaint is that sometimes they felt really perfect- not as many obvious character flaws which help lend credibility to the characters.  

Plot

The story is told as Mia recalls memories of her family when she is in an "in between state" of life and death.  Beautiful narratives of her family, friends, and boyfriend.  That's the main plot of the story.  

Relationship

Mia and Adam had a solid relationship.  They weren't the perfect couple, and Mia had some insecurities, but Adam was a good guy throughout the story that she depended on.  It was clear that the two had a love that is rare in high school relationships, but it wasn't over exaggerated to be an EPIC ROMANCE.  It felt very real.

Overall

I enjoyed this book- definitely worth 4 stars.  I'm embarrassed by my public weeping, but it's cathartic.  I looked up the next book in Mia's story, Where She Went, and I can not wait to read it (it comes out April 5th). It'll be told from Adam's perspective, 3 years later.  

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty

Book Blurb
The Ashbury-Brookfield pen pal program was designed to bring together the "lowlife Brooker kids" (as they're known to the Ashburyites) and the "rich Ashbury snobs" (as they're called by the Brookfielders) in a spirit of harmony and the Joy of the Envelope. But things don't go quite as planned. Lydia and Sebastian trade challenges, like setting off the fire alarm at Brookfield. Emily tutors Charlie in How to Go On a Date with a Girl. But it's Cassie and Matthew who both reveal and conceal the most about themselves -- and it's their secrets and lies that set off a war between the two schools.


My Review
I read this a couple months ago, so some of the details are a bit fuzzy.  But what I do recall is absolutely adoring this book.  I loved the characters, the humor, the writing style, all of it!  In fact, I just "lent" this Kindle book out to my little sister.  She has 14 days to read it, and if she wastes my one lend-out, I'm going to be mad!


Characters
I loved all three of the girls, Emily, Lydia, and Cassie.  They are funny, loyal to each other, and completely lovable.  The author did a great job of narrating each character- sometimes characters can blend together in books with multiple narrators.  These girls had distinct personalities and idiosyncrasies.  The boys were also funny and amusing, but I'd say the three most dynamic characters for me were the girls.


Plot
Great pacing for this one- I was never bored and it wasn't totally predictable.  Towards the end the plot gets a bit outrageous and incredible, but at that point I was so hooked on it that I didn't mind.


Relationships
The girls are great friends to each other.  The romantic relationships keep you guessing and on your toes.  Not at all steamy romances, but so sweet and fun.


Overall
I have nothing bad to say about this book!  I pretty much loved it from start to finish!  4 Stars :)

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Book Blurb
Tough guy Alex is primarily known by his classmates as a dangerous member of the Latino Bloods gang. He’s not exactly thrilled when Brittany Ellis, the school’s seemingly perfect beauty queen, is assigned as his lab partner—and the feeling is more than mutual. But Alex’s bravado works against him when he impulsively accepts a bet that he can get Brittany in the sack. The romance that follows will not surprise any reader, yet Elkeles gives it heart by constantly switching point of view from Alex to Brittany to provide dual running commentaries on their minute-by-minute insecurities and urges. Brittany’s controlling parents and sister with cerebral palsy are well drawn, but it is Elkeles’ rendition of Alex and his life that is particularly vivid. Sprinkling his speech with Spanish, his gruff but tender interactions with his family and friends feel completely genuine. An idealized epilogue drains away some of the book’s realism, but if the “romance” angle isn’t pushed too hard, this is a novel that could be embraced by male and female readers in equal measure. Grades 9-12. --Daniel Kraus


My Review
Perfect Chemistry is the first in a series about the Fuentes brothers.  It's a typical high school romance, where the cheerleader falls for the bad boy.  It was well written, with amazing characterization.    


Characters
I loved the characters in this book, and especially loved Alex.  I think the author did an amazing job with these characters.  I don't have a ton to say that isn't complete gushing.  


Plot
I think that the way the story was paced was perfect.  I love that the characters didn't fall in love immediately.  It took time, with both of them getting to know the other's way of life.  My only complaint was that it was predictable at many points, but hey, it's a high school romance.  


Relationship
Brittany and Alex hated each other at first, and slowly started to respect and trust each other.  I rooted for them from the beginning.  It was a great romance story.  


Overall
Loved it!  It was a great book.  4 Stars 

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Book Blurb

After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Kronos, Percy and
friends have rebuilt their beloved Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must now prepare for a chilling prophecy of their own:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Now, in a brand-new series from blockbuster best-selling author Rick Riordan, fans return to the world of Camp Half-Blood. Here, a new group of heroes will inherit a quest. But to survive the journey, they’ll need the help of some familiar demigods.



My Review


I am very partial to Rick Riordan's books, since I teach Ancient Greece in my Social Studies class.  I think that these are great books for reluctant readers.  They are full of action and build tons of background knowledge!  But that's the teacher in me... Here's what I think as a reader.


Characters
The main character, Jason, finds himself plopped on a school bus, with no memory of who he is or where he is.  The story is about him figuring out who he is.  I liked Jason, Piper, and Leo.  They were fun, loyal, with enough flaws and conflict to truly make it interesting.


Plot
The story is in the same vein as the Percy Jackson series.  Tons of action and adventure, which I liked.  I was surprised at a lot of the twists, which was fun because a lot of times it's easy to figure out middle grades/young adult books.    


Relationship
The main romantic relationship occurs when Jason can't remember Piper, who was his girlfriend. They both struggle and have appropriate confusion and conflict over their feelings for each other. If this series follows the same path as Percy Jackson, it will take several books to really get into this relationship.


Overall
A really fun read that I enjoyed.  4 Stars.  

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Book Blurb


WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . .  AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER?  There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.  But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug. 


My Review

I loved this book! I didn't want to put it down!


Characters
The characters pulled at my heartstrings.  Zooey was too dense for me at moments- I figured things out wayyyyyy before she put the pieces together.  Regardless, it didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of the book.  I loved Doug.  He has the bad boy rep, but doesn't feed into the "dark, mysterious, dangerous boy that all good girls pine after" stereotype that I hate.


Plot
I loved it, despite the pacing getting dragged down by Zooey taking awhile to figure things out.   But hey, the girl has amensia.  I guess she deserves a break.   


Relationship
I loved Zooey and Doug.  They had all the tension I was looking for.  Both characters are likeable, and I loved their attraction and relationship, and how it developed.  

Overall
I give this 4 Stars.  I thought it was a great book.