[Review: Frannie and Tru by Karen Hattrup]

"Frannie and Tru"
Author: Karen Hattrup
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 31st, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

When Frannie Little eavesdrops on her parents fighting she discovers that her cousin Truman is gay, and his parents are so upset they are sending him to live with her family for the summer. At least, that’s what she thinks the story is. . . When he arrives, shy Frannie befriends this older boy, who is everything that she’s not–rich, confident, cynical, sophisticated. Together, they embark on a magical summer marked by slowly unraveling secrets.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is so beautifully written that I found myself highlighting sections in my Kindle. Hattrup has a way with words that turns even the most ordinary moments into something memorable. And trust me she showcases this talent a lot in Frannie and Tru. The plot is a very simple one, and even though a lot of self discovery happens in the pages, not much else does. I'm glad to say that it's not a bad thing here. Somehow Hattrup is able to take the internal workings of a young teen and make it something that you want to keep reading. 

Frannie is a familiar character. The girl who is young. The girl who doesn't know who she is yet. The girl who thinks that the world is a better place than the one she actually lives in. That being said, she feels fresh, and she feels fresh because she's so incredibly honest. I found myself rooting for her instead of shaking my head at her, because I felt like, even though she was learning some tough lessons, she was actually learning them. I'm glad that a character like her exists in teen fiction.

Tru on the other hand, was a hot mess of a character, but his personality mixed with Frannie's kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I have to admit that Tru is a male version of the Manic Pixie trope, but it really works here. I think it has a better impact because the plot doesn't make him the sexual desire of the main character. In fact, aside from one slight romance, he's simply a character, and not a romantic lead. 

Which brings me to the fact that Frannie and Tru is a coming of age story that has more to do with family dynamics than a romance, and I found that really refreshing. Frannie finds herself not because she falls in love, but because she idolizes her older cousin, who in turn drags her into the real world. 

My one complaint with the story is a small one. And that's the fact that the promised "secret" and "suspense" boiled down to really flat conclusion. I wish that the part of the story would have been as good as all the rest of it, but in the end it didn't have much sway over my general like of the novel.

If you're looking for an awesome book about finding yourself, and are also looking for a fun, yet deep, summer read, this is the book for you.

Rating:

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes]

"Girl Against the Universe"
Author: Paula Stokes
Series: None
Pages: 382
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 17th, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

From the author of The Art of Lainey and Liars, Inc. comes a fresh, contemporary story about one girl’s tragic past and a boy who convinces her that maybe her luck is about to change. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen or Jenny Han.

Maguire knows she’s bad luck. No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch. But then on her way out of her therapist’s office, she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star, who wants to help Maguire break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for Jordy is to stay away, but staying away may be harder than she thought.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is straight up huggable. It's cute, but it's also daring. Add in the fact that there is a dark streak that runs through it, and you have a very dynamic book. On top of all of that it's a story about mental illness, sports, and finding a way to help yourself.

I found myself instantly taken in by Maguire's struggles. She believes that she's cursed, because she's lucky. She manages to live and walk away from things that leave the people around her either hurt or dead, and she carries that around in a way that only makes sense to her. She's also a real tough cookie, and she's learned how to live her life in a way that makes sure no one has to know what she's dealing with. It's wonderful to see her walls come down, and to see her realize that her life doesn't have to be what she's been making it into. She's a likeable character, and it's easy to find yourself rooting for her as she deals with her heavy dose of survivors guilt, as well as other mental health issues. 

Stokes handles Maguire's struggles in a real, tangible way, and creates a story that everyone can connect to. And she adds so many light moments into the novel that it never feels too heavy.

I adore that Maguire and Jordy meet at their therapist's office. It makes the book so much more than just a book about tennis. It makes it about the struggles that people have as they try to uncover who they really are, and how they want to live their lives. 

Speaking of which, Jordy is an adorable love interest. He's got so much going on in his life, and yet he still takes time out of his busy, overly controlled, schedule to help Maguire learn how to help herself. He also gets a lot out of it himself. It's the cutest, and I'm so glad that this element is part of the book as well.

Add in the fact that Stokes throws in a bunch of secondary characters that are just as fleshed out as her main characters, and you've got a whole cast of awesome people, usually being awesome.

If you adore feel good books that deal with some tough issues, and hot tennis players, give this book a go!

Rating:

  4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Ruined by Amy Tintera]

"Ruined"
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Ruined #1
Pages: 368
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Date Published: May 3rd, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

We have new Amy Tintera guys! When I heard that Tintera was stepping into fantasy, I got really excited. I adored her zombie novels Reboot and Rebel, and I've been needing a fix of Tintera's writing. And boy did she deliver. 

Ruined is a fast paced adventure that doesn't play by all the normal fantasy tropes. I found myself being pulled into the story immediately, and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the world and the characters that filled the pages. I'm actually really bummed that I'm going to have to wait for the rest of series. Which is really really good thing.

One thing that I've always loved about Tintera's writing is her ability to write fantastic underdog stories, and Ruined is no different. Em is a girl without magic who's had to overcome so much, though she doesn't make it seem that way. She's had to use the skills and assets that she's been given to make her as strong as the people filled with magic around her. In fact it makes her seem like she has a lot more going for her than anyone else in the story. I found myself instantly pulled into the tale because of Em's strong voice. She's someone anyone can cheer for.

Cas is also a bit of an underdog in his own rite. He may be a prince, but he's not the prince anyone wants him to be. It makes him interesting. It makes him more than eye-candy. And its makes the story between Cas and Em so much more touching, annoying, and beautiful. It will make you feel all those things, and possibly in that order. 

Tintera also doesn't shy away from making her characters fierce. Body count, blood spillage, and gore are not things that she shies away from. It gives this story so much life. Conflicted characters who make tough calls are my favorite, and this book is full of them. 

If you're looking for a fantasy novel that's full of great characters, great world building, and tons of conflict (without being too much drama), this book is perfect. 

Rating:

  5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

Mini Review Batch

"The Great Hunt"
Author: Wendy Higgins
Series: Eurona Duology #1
Pages: 416
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Date Published: March 8th, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

“Aerity…” Her father paused as if the words he was forming pained him. “I must ask you to sacrifice the promise of love for the sake of our kingdom.”

She could only stare back, frozen.

When a strange beast terrorizes the kingdom of Lochlanach, fear stirs revolt. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage.

Princess Aerity knows her duty to the kingdom but cannot bear the idea of marrying a stranger…until a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention. There’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.

Paxton is not the marrying type. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast—but the princess continues to surprise him, and the perilous secrets he’s buried begin to surface.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, and a princess willing to risk all to save her kingdom.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Higgins creates a glistening world in The Great Hunt that I quite enjoyed. In fact, her world building was my favorite thing about the novel. Right out of the gate she hits you with a death, which got the story moving at a fast rate, and I love that. I will say that as the book went on, I felt that there were moments that it dragged a bit. The characters were a lot of fun. And I liked the predicaments that Higgins forced them into. I will say that I found the plot a tad predictable, and even though Aerity is fierce, she also gets a bit too swoony for my taste. I will be on the look out for the sequel, since I'm pretty sure that I'll like this book even more once I've finished the whole story in its entirety.  

My Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had its issues!

"Harmony House"
Author: Nic Sheff
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Horror
Date Published: March 22nd, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Jen Noonan’s father thinks a move to Harmony House is the key to salvation, but to everyone who has lived there before, it is a portal to pure horror.

After Jen’s alcoholic mother’s death, her father cracked. He dragged Jen to this dilapidated old manor on the shore of New Jersey to “start their new lives”—but Harmony House is more than just a creepy old estate. It’s got a chilling past—and the more Jen discovers its secrets, the more the house awakens. Strange visions follow Jen wherever she goes, and her father’s already-fragile sanity disintegrates before her eyes. As the forces in the house join together to terrorize Jen, she must find a way to escape the past she didn’t know was haunting her—and the mysterious and terrible power she didn’t realize she had.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Harmony House reads like an underdeveloped, or weak season of American Horror Story. There is really no better way to put it. It's sold to us as a horror novel, and while it has it's creepy moments, it's so disjointed that it never pulled me in enough to feel freaked out. Disturbed? Sure. But freaked out, nope, I never got to that point. I'm still a little confused about what I read to be honest. And while I liked the atmosphere that Sheff created, and I don't mind unlikable characters, I found that I just didn't connect with much of anything in this book. The characters flip flop in their emotions so quickly that you question if they feel anything at all, and the religious aspect didn't feel original. It just ended up feeling like an overused trope. So while I was interested enough to finish the book, I have to say that I'm not satisfied with my reading experience, though there was hope all along that it would end up being something more than it was.  

My Rating: 

2 Unicorns = It was okay, but something didn't work for me!

[Review: Revenge And The Wild by Michelle Modesto]

"Revenge and the Wild"
Author: Michelle Modesto
Series: None
Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical, Paranormal
Date Published: February 2nd, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Here it is, my first five unicorn read of the year! This book is so good. It's a standalone, it's kind of historical, it's full of fantasy, and it's got one of those heroines that will not soon be forgotten. This book is something really strange and wonderful. 

Clearly I'm already a Mosesto fan, and this is her first book, so I'd say we're off to a good start. Her world building is spectacular. She gives us this setting that is full of historical detail, but is drenched in a fantasy world. She mixes turn of the century California history with vampires, trolls, magic, and a whole slew of other creatures. It makes the book a little kitchy, but the subject matter is really heavy, so there is a balance that's really nice.

Westie is everything you want from a main character. She's so herself that you never doubt her intentions, or her person. She's in your face, has a foul mouth, and ends up in all sorts of situations, but in the end she's super lovable, and would do anything for her family. Basically, I really liked getting to know her, and would have totally been fine with this being more than one book, and that doesn't happen very often.

The rest of the characters are also amazing, and really well crafted. None of them go to waste, and it's fun to see such evenly matched villains and heroes in one novel. Everyone had their part to play, and they all played it well. Even the characters who had bit parts were vital to the novel, and that's saying something.

I also loved that Modesto wasn't afraid to write such a gory story. When you add cannibals to a story it sometimes falls flat, and I can say that that isn't the case for Revenge and the Wild. Modesto makes sure that these flesh eating people are to be feared, and so they are. 

I must admit that while some of the novel was a tad predictable, most of it was really surprising and fantastic plotted. You might think you have things figured out, but then Modesto hits you with something you didn't even know you should be looking for. 

Everyone, read this book! It's like a toned down episode of Penny Dreadful, and what's not to love about that.

Rating:

5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW! 

[Review: Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace]

"Shallow Graves"
Author: Kali Wallace
Series: None
Pages: 368
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Supernatural, Horror
Date Published: January 26th, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

For fans of Holly Black and Nova Ren Suma, a gripping, hauntingly atmospheric novel about murder, revenge, and a world where monsters—human and otherwise—lurk at the fringes.

When seventeen-year-old Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death, she doesn’t remember who killed her or why. All she knows is that she’s somehow conscious—and not only that, she’s able to sense who around her is hiding a murderous past. In life, Breezy was always drawn to the elegance of the universe and the mystery of the stars. Now she must set out to find answers and discover what is to become of her in the gritty, dangerous world to which she now belongs—where killers hide in plain sight and a sinister cult is hunting for strange creatures like her. What she finds is at once empowering, redemptive, and dangerous.

Tense, complex, and wholly engaging, Shallow Graves is a stunning first novel from Kali Wallace.

-Goodreads 

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My Thoughts:

Shallow Graves is such an interesting novel, and it's certainly going to put Kali Wallace on a lot of people's radars. This book is dark, like really really dark. It asks a lot of interesting questions, and it'll give you goosebumps to boot. It's a novel told from the POV of monsters, but it begs the question as to if they're actually evil or not.  It felt like the story could have been an episode of Supernatural, just told from the monster's POV.

I loved Breezy's character. She's an interesting one in the fact that she knows who she was, but has no idea who she is once she wakes up. Wallace makes sure to give us enough flashbacks in the story that we get to know Breezy as she was, and as she is now. She goes from a carefree high schooler to a dead girl walking, and the changes she goes through to be okay with herself are extreme. Wallace uses Breezy to ask the question "what does it mean to be human" over and over again. 

I have to admit that while I enjoyed the plot, and all the characters in the novel, it was Wallace's writing choices that made the book so strong for me. From when she decided to tell us who the killer was, to the fact that there isn't a drop of romance, to the fact that it's really just about characters struggling with the oddities they've been dealt in life. I have to say that these are the things that made Shallow Grave stand out for me. 

There are so many more things that I'd like to talk about, but I feel that the way the book is written limits me to what I can say about it. If I let anything slip, I feel like people won't have the same reading experience that I did, and that would be a total shame.

Read this novel if you enjoy twisted moral questions, lots of gore, and compelling characters.  

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Da Vinci's Tiger by L.M. Elliott]

"Da Vinci's Tiger"
Author: L.M. Elliott
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Romance
Date Published: November 10th, 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Young, beautiful, and witty, Ginevra de’ Benci longs to take part in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence. But as the daughter of a wealthy family in a society dictated by men, she is trapped in an arranged marriage, expected to limit her creativity to domestic duties. Her poetry reveals her deepest feelings, and she aches to share her work, to meet painters and sculptors mentored by the famed Lorenzo de Medici, and to find love.

When the charismatic Venetian ambassador, Bernardo Bembo, arrives in Florence, he introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers—a world of thought and conversation she has yearned for. She is instantly attracted to the handsome newcomer, who admires her mind as well as her beauty. Yet Ginevra remains conflicted about his attentions. Choosing her as his Platonic muse, Bembo commissions a portrait by a young Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them—one Ginevra can only begin to understand. In a rich and enthralling world of exquisite art, elaborate feasts, and exhilarating jousts, she faces many temptations to discover her voice, artistic companionship, and a love that defies categorization. In the end, she and Leonardo are caught up in a dangerous and deadly battle between powerful families.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Da Vinci's Tiger,

Man, I wanted to like you more than I did. Your historical detail was great, you used awesome historical figures, you were so detailed that you could have been fantastic. But then... nothing really happened, and some of the things that happened made me kind of uncomfortable. So while you had so many good things about you, I just can't be a fan, since the story was a whole lot of feelings and not a whole lot of plot. 

-The White Unicorn

I have to start out by saying that I have mad respect for the historical detail that Elliott put into her novel. It's obvious that she made sure that every moment of this book was dripping in rich, historical, moments. I was blown away by the amounts of research that she layered into her work. It's something to be applauded. And if you're a history buff you're going to love the way Elliott wrote this book. 

On the other hand, this book fell really flat for me. I understand that Elliott was trying to write a book about a female liberating herself in world where females were limited, and I applaud her for that, but more needed to happen. Ginevra could have been a wonderful character, and in some ways she was, but she falls flat because the story ends up being about her relationships with all the men in her life. This book is a victim of too much historical detail, and a secondary plot. 

I would have liked to have seen more scenes between Ginevra and Leonardo. But I felt like so much time was spent in Ginevra's head, and I wish more interaction would have happened between the two, because that's were the magic was in this story. 

I also liked that Elliott decided to feature Italy's platonic love history. Though I must say that Bembo was a creep. There is a scene that happens in the book were he tries to take advantage of Ginevra, and I have to say that the way the scene was handled made me squirm. Though Ginevra tells him off, something about it still felt really uncomfortable to me. 

So in the end this book is full of lush historical detail that stands out to me, while also falling really flat from a story line perspective.    

Rating:

 3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!

[Review: Model Misfit by Holly Smale]

"Model Misfit"
Author: Holly Smale
Series: Geek Girl #2
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: July 21st, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by pubisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Harriet knows that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Model Misfit,

I love a funny, fluffy, book to cleanse my pallet every once in awhile. You book, were just what the doctor ordered. You had me doubled over in laughter. Again and again. You're just super cute, and I like your characters, a lot. I thought that you were really similar to the first book in your series, which is why I couldn't give you a higher rating, but that doesn't mean that I didn't like you. We're still friends. Promise.

-The White Unicorn 

Just like Geek Girl this book had me doubling over in laughter. Smale sure knows how to write some geniusly awkward characters, and it shines, once again, in Model Misfit. Harriet is back to her old tricks, only this time she's already a model. Or at least she's still trying to be one. I love that even though this book is 6 months in the future from the last pages of Geek Girl, Harriet still hasn't mastered much of anything. She's just the same girl that we all got to meet in book one. It's refreshing, and hilarious.

Though I loved the fact that not much has changed for Harriet, it was also something that made me feel a bit like I was reading the first book all over again. Sure, the adventures were different, and Smale added a few new characters into the mix, but I felt like it was a bit of a repeat action. I just wish that Harriet would have grown a tad from book one to book two.

The plot was cute, and I was glad that we ended up in such a different location. Japan seems like an interesting place, even though I have no inclination to want to go there myself. It was cool to read about all the photo shoots that Harriet ended up doing, and live through her for a minute.

I have to admit that I adored Rin. She was a great addition to Harriet's model world. Plus, it was nice to see Harriet meeting a few girls other than her BFF. 

The romance was also kind of a repeat of book one. Though Harriet and Nick had a few more issues to hash out this time around. Like a breakup and a makeup and a lot of needless confusion along the way. 

I know that it might seem like I didn't like this book all that much, but in all actuality, I did. I just wish that there would have been a bit more character development in the 6 months that we didn't see the characters. That being said it was still a nice break from all the other kinds of books that I've been reading, and I can't dislike a book that makes me smile.

Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had it's issues!     

[Review: Between The Notes by Sharon Huss Roat]

"Between the Notes"
Author: Sharon Huss Roat
Series: None
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: June 16th, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.

And it isn’t pretty.

Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.

As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.

Debut author Sharon Huss Roat crafts a charming and timely story of what happens when life as you know it flips completely upside down. 

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Between The Notes,

You're super cute, and very darling. I know this sounds like a love note, but it's not all good things. While I found most of you endearing and adorable, there were things that didn't hit the right notes for me. (see what I did there?) There was just a little too much "hiding the truth" in your pages for me to love you as much as I wanted to. That being said, you had some winning things in your pages, and you have Lennie, so there is that!

-The White Unicorn

If you're looking for a cute summer read, this is probably it. Between the Notes is darling debut, and it shows off Roat's writing chops as well. She drops us into a world of high school, mistaken identities, cute boys, and learning how to come into your own. High schoolers are going to eat this book up, that's for sure.

I'm just going to get my issues with this book over with, so I can move on to the good stuff later. Ivy, though she was awesome, also had a hard time owning up to who she was. I'm sure some of my issues with this comes from the fact that I'm not in high school, but I found that her reactions to what was happening in her life, and all the secrets she told, to be slightly obnoxious. I wanted her to own up to things faster than she did. I also wish that the promised influence of music would have been thicker. I feel like we were told that Ivy would have a deeper connection to music than I was given. Sure, it was there, but I found that the book was more about the romance, and less about the tunes.

That being said, I thought that the romance, or rather romances, in the book were darling. Both fellows had a lot going for them, though I will come clean and say that I'm am totally on board the Lennie train. In fact, I found that Lennie was one of my favorite things in the whole book. He's snarky, sweet, and always has some sort of one-liner waiting in the wings to use on the unsuspecting. I probably liked this book three times more than normal just because I could read about Lennie all day, everyday, and I just wanted to see him happy. 

James was okay and Roat made sure to give him some awesome attributes that I enjoyed. I did find him to be a little young acting for an 18 year old though. Which was a tad frustrating. But I liked that both guys had a really good reason to be in Ivy's life, and that both of them helped her get over herself.

Ivy herself was an okay character for me. Once again, I think that a younger audience is going to connect with her on levels that I just couldn't. That being said, I did see myself in a few of the things that she said when she slipped into snark zone, so that was fun. 

So, even though I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to I'm excited to see what teens have to say about it. Plus, Lennie! Seriously, it's all about Lennie!

Rating:

  3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had it's issues!

[Review: Kissing In America by Margo Rabb]

 

"Kissing In America"
Author: Margo Rabb
Series: None
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 26th, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

In the two years since her father died, sixteen-year-old Eva has found comfort in reading romance novels—118 of them, to be exact—to dull the pain of her loss that’s still so present. Her romantic fantasies become a reality when she meets Will, who seems to truly understand Eva’s grief. Unfortunately, after Eva falls head-over-heels for him, he picks up and moves to California without any warning. Not wanting to lose the only person who has been able to pull her out of sadness—and, perhaps, her shot at real love—Eva and her best friend, Annie, concoct a plan to travel to the west coast to see Will again. As they road trip across America, Eva and Annie confront the complex truth about love.

In this honest and emotional journey that National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr calls “gorgeous, funny, and joyous,” readers will experience the highs of infatuation and the lows of heartache as Eva contends with love in all of its forms.

-Goodreads

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 My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Kissing In America,

You're darling! I do have to admit that it was a bit odd to read you while flying on a plane, but what are you gonna do? The ironic thing, of course, read a book that deals with a plane crash while on a plane. I think that Eva and I would get along well is all I'm saying. 

-The White Unicorn

This book is one of the best contemporaries that I've read all year. I'm so excited to read more books by Rabb, that it's not even funny. She has a modern voice that I just connect with. She's snarky and funny and also knows how to pull on all the heartstrings. What more could you want from a contemporary writer? 

This book looks like a romance novel, it sounds like a romance novel, but it's so much more then a romance novel. Sure, the feelings of first love fly off the page and smack you in the face, reminding you of what that first crush felt like, but so much more is going on in Eva's life. The book is really about learning how to live with a deep grief, and trying to see the bright side of life when everything seems to be going wrong. 

I loved Eva. She's a really honest teenage voice. So many female contemporary characters have a similar voice, but I felt like something about Eva was different. In a good way. I'm not sure what it was, and I can't put my finger on it, but I found her to be refreshing in all the right ways. Plus, on top of everything, she's hilarious, and has this dark humor streak that is perfection. Plus, her angst levels were spot on, and not overpowering. 

I also liked that this book, while dealing with grief also touched on complicated mother/daughter relationships. Eva and her mother don't have it easy, and I liked that Rabb decided to write a family dynamic like this one. Because you understood it, and no one was the bad guy, even if things weren't perfect. 

It was also nice that so much of the book dealt with female relationships. Eva and Annie meet so many interesting women on the way to "The Smartest Girl in America". And let's not forget about Eva and Annie's friendship on top of it all. These are the things that stand out in the novel. 

Will, the love interest, plays such a small role in the book, but a much needed one. He's not my favorite, but I get what Eva saw in him. I think we've all been there before. And the romance was real, even though Eva would have preferred for it to play out like one of her romance novels. 

If you want a good road trip book full of girl power then look no further. This is the book for you. And remember to grab some tissues as well, because you'll have tears in your eyes a few times.

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Endangered by Lamar Giles]

"Endangered"
Author: Lamar Giles
Series: None
Pages: 288
Genre: YA, Thriller
Date Published: April 21st, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Endangered is a thrilling page-turner perfect for fans of Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers.

The one secret she cares about keeping—her identity—is about to be exposed. Unless Lauren "Panda" Daniels—an anonymous photoblogger who specializes in busting classmates and teachers in compromising positions—plays along with her blackmailer's little game of Dare or . . . Dare.

But when the game turns deadly, Panda doesn't know what to do. And she may need to step out of the shadows to save herself . . . and everyone else on the Admirer's hit list.

-Goodreads 

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Endangered,

You're cool. You're one of those books that gives us a set of characters, and then dares us to become friends with them. No one is really that wonderful, and yet you make sure that we get the inside look on a whole cast of anti-heroes. Sure these people aren't that great, but they aren't that unfamiliar either. Thanks for being a book that isn't afraid to be different.

-The White Unicorn

I'm not going to say that Endangered didn't have its issues, because, well, it did. There were moments that seemed too easy. Things that lined up with too much ease. Moments where I wanted to scream at the characters to pay more attention. That being said, I feel like Giles really hit the nail on the head in his characterization. And that is why I am giving this novel such a high rating.

As a HUGE fan of a good anti-hero, I have to say that Giles has created a wonderful one in the form of Lauren (Panda). She's not a great person, but she thinks that she is. She almost has you believing that she is at times. You feel for her and what she is trying to do, but when she realizes what she's doing has a different outcome than what she thought, you start to doubt her as a reader. It's a great feeling, it's a conflicted feeling, but it's a feeling that makes this novel work so well. 

This book is a mystery, and like with a lot of YA mysteries, it comes together pretty easily. I do have to say that I wasn't 100% sure who did what until closer to the end, but I did figure it out before the reveal. It was done fairly well, and I think that someone younger, who hasn't read so many of these types of books, will be more surprised than I was. 

Panda and her small group of pals are fun to watch. There is her BFF and her ex in the mix, so that makes things interesting. I enjoyed the fact that Panda is a bit of loner, it makes her vigilante photos even more interesting. I also enjoyed the fact that there isn't a romance in this one. There is chemistry, but there is no time wasted on a relationship. It fit with the story and worked really well.

Overall, I would suggest reading this one for the wonderful, diverse set of characters. The story is entertaining as well, so you can't really loose.

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby]

"Things We Know by Heart"
Author: Jessi Kirby
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: April 21st, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Things We Know By Heart,

Wow, you got me in the feels. The kind of feels that I haven't felt since I last watched "Return to Me." You actually reminded me of that film a lot, which in this case is a really good thing. You're sad, but you're also really happy. There is always a silver lining in all the gloom, and I feel like you really got that point across.

-The White Unicorn

This is the second Kirby book that I've read and I know that I will be picking up more of her books at some point. She has this way of writing about some of the big issues in a way that makes you want to know all of her characters. There always seems to be a main theme about death in her novels, and to be honest, my morbid side loves this fact. My less morbid side appreciates that she always writes about it from a really hopeful angle as well, even though she also knows how to pull at your heart strings. 

If you ever saw the film "Return to Me," you will have some inclination about the events in this book. I'm not saying that they are the same thing, because, they are not, but there are a few similarities. It's the story of a girl (Quinn) who is trying to heal after her boyfriend is killed in an accident. In her healing process she hunts down the young man who ended up getting his heart. It brings Quinn and Colton together in some really beautiful ways as they use their growing friendship to heal. 

Of course there are issues and bumps in both of their healing processes. Colton is dealing with the fact that he has some dead boys heart in his body, and Quinn is dealing with the fact that she is falling for a new guy. Both characters have really strong family relationships as well, which I thought added a much needed groove to the novel. Without that, it could have turned into an exaggerated love story, but the family aspects kept the story grounded. 

I also enjoyed the fact that every chapter (at least in the ARC) started with a quote or medical fact about hearts. Kirby really took her time picking the quotations that would start each chapter and it shows. I found myself learning new things about heart transplants, and also there were times where I copied down some of the quotes as well.

Overall I loved this one. Read it and be ready to get a little weepy eyed!

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Little Peach by Peggy Kern]

"Little Peach"
Author: Peggy Kern
Series: None
Pages: 208
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: March 10th, 2015
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

What do you do if you're in trouble?

When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.

Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.

But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.

This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Little Peach,

It has taken me awhile to put my thoughts into words about you, and still I'm not sure that I can do it correctly. You're not a pretty book. You're a book that made me cringe and feel uncomfortable and wonder what is wrong with the world. That being said, you're also a very important book. You share an honest look into the world of child prostitution and I commend you for that. You're not supposed to be a pretty book, but you are an important one, so thank you.

-The White Unicorn

I have to come out of the gate with a warning for readers on this one. The book is about teen prostitution and everything that goes along with it. The book deals with things like rape, child molestation and abuse, as well as prostitution. So tread carefully with this one. Though I'd suggest this book to anyone who can stand it, because I think that it's an important read.

Kern gives us a 200 page story packed with brutal truths. It's a story that starts out less than ideal and only gets worse from there. The shiny bits distract from what is really going on and soon you realize just what Michelle has gotten herself into. At the age of 14, she only knows that she has nowhere to go and so when Devon steps into her life and promises her a real family, she doesn't say no. 

Soon we are introduced to a slew of seedy characters. Some we come to actually like, such as Kitty, Baby and Michelle, and the rest end up showing off their true colors. I'm still trying to figure out how to feel about the people portrayed in this book. The lies and deception that they all hold are the kinds that make things feel like they are better than they are, but even that can't last forever. 

It's the story at the center of this book that makes it so good. No matter what happens to Michelle there is this feeling of hope and survival. As she peels away the layers that have become her life, she finally sees just what has become of her life, and once again she tries to change her circumstances. She lives through things that people should never have to deal with and yet she never gives up. 

As you can see I'm still struggling to put to words my thoughts on this little novel, but I can say that it touched me and that I think it is a book that needed to be written and that it should also be read.

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas]

"A Wicked Thing"
Author: Rhiannon Thomas
Series: A Wicked Thing #1
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
Date Published: February 24th, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Rhiannon Thomas's dazzling debut novel is a spellbinding reimagining of Sleeping Beauty and what happens after happily ever after.

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.

Her family is long dead. Her "true love" is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept.

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.

Rhiannon Thomas weaves together vivid scenes of action, romance, and gorgeous gowns to reveal a richly imagined world … and Sleeping Beauty as she’s never been seen before.

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To A Wicked Thing,

Hmmmm? I don't love you. I wanted to. I thought you were going to be cool, but you feel really flat for me. I will say that you ended on a bit of a high note, and I'll probably read the next book in your series if I feel so inclined, but I can't be sure. You were just a tad boring, that's all. Too boring for what could have been happening...

-The White Unicorn

We all know how I feel about Fairytale Retellings, so I was stoked when I heard about A Wicked Thing. I love the idea behind the book and a piece of me has always wondered what would happen after Aurora woke up. I think that my middle of the road review comes from the fact that this isn't what I would have picked to happen. I know that that isn't very fair, but I'm just being honest. I do feel like Thomas had some really clever ideas, but her execution of them left me not really caring when I knew that I was supposed to be feeling something substantial. Let's just say that this book did not give me the feels, and that made me sad.

Thomas drops us into the Sleeping Beauty story after Aurora is woken up by the kiss of a Prince. A Prince named Rodric who had the personality of a wet towel... or a door mat. She's instantly pushed into an engagement with the man and she's trying to deal with the fact that 100 years have passed since she took her long nap. I honestly kept being told that Aurora was a bit of a firecracker, but the whole time I was reading I didn't think she was a very strong character.

In fact, maybe that's where my biggest problem with this book happens. The characters just aren't that great. I feel like we're told, over and over again what these character are like, but in the end their actions don't back it up. Finnegan was the only one who kept my attention and even he was fairly boring. And Tristan? I forgot about him more than once. I don't think that should happen.

The story was okay and like I said it got better at the end. Once Aurora was actually let out of her room and what not. Seriously, so much of this book was in her rooms or the castle. 

So sadly, I didn't like this one. It wasn't terrible though and I think that a younger teen would eat it up with a spoon!

Rating:

2 Unicorns = It was okay, but something didn't work for me!

[Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard]

"Red Queen"
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen Trilogy #1
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Date Published: February 10th, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?

Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Red Queen,

You book, are pure crack. I know that you weren't perfect and yet I can't help but love you. I want to tell everyone to read you, cause when you let go and don't look for the weirdness that pops up in you, it's the greatest adventure ever. You seem a bit like other books we've seen before and yet you feel really new at the same time. What can I say: you're crack and I need the next book now.

-The White Unicorn

Everyone read this book. The beginning is messy, but as it goes on it gets so good! Aveyard has built a world, that once you get over a few inconsistencies (that might change in the finished copy) that's full of interesting people and places. Even though Red Queen is the background book of the trilogy, it never slows down. We get handed high action from the very beginning and it only gets more intense as the novel continues on. Aveyard has mastered the twists and turns of novel writing and it's written all over this book. She pulls some plot twists that you can see coming from a mile away, but she uses those things to hide the real plot surprises within them. To be honest, my jaw hit the floor more than once.

The names are weird, but as soon as you get used to the thought that every name is weird, it seems a bit more normal. Our lead Mare is delightful. Well technically she's not, but I found myself relating to her on so many levels that I didn't mind that she wasn't supposed to be likeable. She sees the world for what it is and in the end that doesn't always end up being the best thing for her. 

This book also features a triangle of love (because I'm tired of saying the words love triangle). One girl and two princes. Their doesn't seem to be a clear winner or one that Mare should pick over the other, but lets just say that I picked right for most of the book. Maven and Cal both have issues and good features and I like the fact that Mare acknowledges those things.

The factions of blood were also really interesting. I felt like the novel was part x-men and part royalty. How can you go wrong with that. I'm excited to see what Aveyard does with the blood details and her class divide in the rest of the books. I had a few issues and felt like there were a few holes in her world building on that front, but I'm hoping that they disappear as the series continues.

Yes, this book wasn't the best or most well written book in the world, but I adored it with every fiber of my being and I know that I'll read anything else from Aveyard in the future. 

Rating:

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect (crack book)