Review: Spellbinding by Maya Gold

Author: Maya Gold
Title: Spellbinding
Publication: April 1, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
~Website

Synopsis
Salem is the bewitching backdrop to this lush, fast-paced tale of one girl discovering the source of her powers.

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on. 

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth.

Thoughts:  I was really excited to read this one; the cover is absolutely beautiful and is what initially drew me to this book. However, this wasn't as “spellbinding" as I had hoped. Abby has been on the outskirts of the popular crowd for a while, being virtually a ghost but completely aware of her surroundings. High school hasn’t been easy socially for her, now that her best friend has gone away and they no longer keep in touch. She isn’t completely friendless, she has one friend Rachel but other than that she is unnoticeable, until one class assignment leads to the discovery of her life. 

Abby notices a gap in her family history, while working on a class project. Encouraged by her teacher to delve deeper for additional credit, she decides to conquer her fear of water by traveling to Salem for more information. Abby discovers her family’s secret; she’s a witch. What does she do with the magic she now possesses? She decides to do little dirty magic to get back at some of the people that have been mean to her, one person in particular, Megan Keith. Abby must open her eyes come to understand the desires of her heart and what she thinks wants. In addition to coping with her new powers and her crushes, Abby learns she is the key to exacting revenge on the people of Salem. No longer invisible, Abby must decide to do what’s right or succumb to the fire that seeks to destroy everything.

Okay, the pace of the story is fast but the plot just didn't feel all the way there for me. However, I would recommend this to teens that are reluctant to read because of its length, quick pace and the paranormal aspects in the story. 

Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

Author: Suzanne Young
Title: The Program
Series: Program #1
Publication: April 30, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: AroundtheWorldArcTours

Synopsis

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. 

With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in.

And The Program is coming for them.

Thoughts: Suicide is an epidemic, this is different. I admit at first, I thought this was crazy but as the story unfolds, I became wrapped up in all the details. Sloane and James are few of the last teens not touched by the epidemic. They each have suffered much loss but they don't dare cry, to cry is to show that something is wrong and once that happens, they will lose everything. Slowly it becomes harder to cope with all the emotions, people close to them falter and succumb to the disease. It's spreading, and they are being watched. Sloane and James are on edge waiting to see if they will be the next one to be re-programmed. 

I think the situation is completely unfair to Sloane. How can the parents in this book willingly send their children off to these facilities that make them less of a person, unable to remember someone they once loved or better yet hated. I found this to be quite disturbing and the fact that the people at The Program take away the choice to seek treatment.It's just so weird how they come out of it so odd...it's like they are drones or something. I am curious as to what sparked the epidemic, why is it only being seen in teens? I also want to know The Program's motivations for administering the supposed cure and who came up with it?

The writing is captivating to say the least. I never would've imagined a suicide outbreak could be believable but the writer has woven it in such a way that it comes off as plausible. The characters are emotionally developed and it is easy to identify with their situation. This is a good read about suicide and the affects it has on others. I would recommend this book to readers that are looking for a dystopian book that's emotionally twisted with a hint of mystery and romance.

Review: Reaper by K.D. McEntire

Author: K.D. McEntire
Title: Reaper
Series: Lightbringer #2
Publication: August 24, 2012 
Publisher: PYR
Genre: Paranormal 
Pages: 341
Source: Publisher
Synopsis

Reaper is set in a world a breath away from our own. After the death of her mother, Wendy is attempting to fill her mother's shoes and discovering that the prospect is far more difficult than she ever imagined. Learning that she is part of a powerful and ancient family of Reapers that her mother had forsaken is just the first surprise—Wendy soon discovers that the San Francisco Bay Never is filled with political powers and factions both previously unknown and completely mysterious to Wendy. Since both her mother and Piotr are gone, Wendy must struggle to maneuver between the machinations of the dead and the dark intentions of her living Reaper family.
Eventually betrayed and made sick unto death, the clock is ticking before Wendy will fall—she has only a matter of days to unravel the mysteries her mother left behind and to convince her wary family to accept her as one of their own.

Thoughts: After defeating the White Lady, who happened to be her mother, Wendy finds herself in the middle of a power struggle between the dead and her new found Reaper family. She thinks that her family is trying to help control her abilities but once they learn she is a natural, they try to bind her powers which could potentially kill her. With so many enemies coming at her from all sides, Wendy has no idea where to turn before death comes knocking at her door.

Piotr is really weird in this one. He becomes more aggressive and angry, though circumstances do lead to his change in attitude. I liked that the author gave more details into his history as a Rider and why he seems to be attracted to Lightbringers. Wendy struggles more in this book, she seems more uncertain of what she should do and it doesn't help that so many people are pulling her in different directions. She comes off as less focused and more scattered, I don't really feel like she got anything accomplished. Basically, this book was more Piotr to me. Of course, Wendy does have the task of locating her best friend, Eddie's spirit but every time she attempts to focus on that, something gets in the way. 

The writing is balanced and well written. The characters have levels...they have more going on with them that has been revealed. I would like for Wendy to "ask the right questions" and not let the shadow of her mother make her confidence in her abilities falter. The author has created a great world in this series. I like how she gives such vivid detail of the Never, so much so that I could visualize it in my mind. Though not my favorite in the series it's still a good story about ghosts, and I think anyone interested in ghosts will like it. 

Wake by Amanda Hocking

Author:Amanda Hocking
Title: Wake
Series: Watersong #1
Publication: August 7, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3 out 5
Source: Own

Synopsis

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs.  She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door.  He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back.  Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever.  She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove.  They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price.  And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

Thoughts:  
Gemma is an ambitious teenager with high hopes of someday making it to the Olympics. She is a very talented swimmer, and spends just about every moment she can in the water. Harper, her older sister has looked after Gemma since the car accident that took their mother's memory. So, she worries about her and the late night swims in the bay, as she is the one that has raised her, along with their father. Gemma, doesn't see it that way, she wishes her sister could understand the peace and serenity that she feels when she is out in the water under the stars. Well, Harper's worry is valid because Gemma's affinity for late night swims draws the attention of the three mysterious ladies that seem to pop up unexpectedly around Gemma. Then one night they convince her to do something that changes her life, forever and puts her family in danger. 

This book is okay. The writing is well done and I liked the quick pace of the plot. I'm just not one hundred percent connected to the characters. The mythological aspect of it is pretty cool and I'm wondering how everything will pan out in the end. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Review: A Gift for My Sister by Ann Pearlman

Author: Ann Pearlman

Title: A Gift for My Sister

Publication: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary

Rating: 3 out 5

Source: Author

Synopsis

Ann Pearlman's The Christmas Cookie Club enthralled readers everywhere with a heartwarming and touching story about the power of female friendship. Now, in A Gift for My Sister, she once again explores the depth of the human heart, and this time it’s through the eyes of two sisters. Tara and Sky share a mother, but aside from that they seem to differ in almost every way. When a series of tragedies strikes, they must somehow come together in the face of heartbreak, dashed hopes, and demons of the past. The journey they embark on forces each woman to take a walk in the other’s shoes and examine what sisterhood really means to them. It’s a long road to understanding, and everyone who knows them hopes these two sisters can find a way back to each other.

Thoughts: I liked this story, I don't have any sisters but I can understand the sibling rivalry. Tara and Sky both assume that their mother gives more attention to the other. Tara, the wild child has always forged her own way and no matter what happens to her she is able to make "lemonade" out her situation. Sky is more of a planner, she is detailed about her life should be. She just doesn't understand why life is as cruel and unfair to her as she does everything right. She lost her father at young age and it was always just her and her mother. Things change when her mother decides to re-marry and then she gives birth to, Tara. Thus, the resentment begins. 

I liked the journey that the sisters take to get to each other. It was sad to read how Sky felt about Tara. At one point Tara tells her she loves her but she doesn't say it back. I felt so bad for Tara because wants that love from her sister and she just give the stink eye. Okay, so it's not all sour, they each discover something about themselves. Tara, has a fear of commitment, she feels because her father left her mom, that the same will happen with her relationship with her boyfriend Aaron. She feels that either he will leave her or she will leave him. Sky, suffers so much loss in life that it is no wonder she is so angry. She just needs to learn that life is more than the good but it's how you handle the bad that makes it worthwhile. Both girls must learn a valuable life lesson...things are not always what they seem but once you see how the other side lives, now that is clarity, which leads to love and understanding. The author has done an good job of creating the emotion in this story and this is what I really liked about this book. Overall, a great story about family, sisterhood, loss and most especially, love.

Side Note: At the end of the book, there are recipes of some of things the characters cooked and I really liked this. 

Review: Lucid by Adrienne Stolz & Ron Bass

Author: Adrienne Stolz & Ron Bass

Title: Lucid

Publication: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre: Contemporary

Rating: 3 out 5

Source: Around the World Arc Tours

Synopsis

What if you could dream your way into a different life? What if you could choose to live that life forever?

Sloane and Maggie have never met. Sloane is a straight-A student with a big and loving family. Maggie lives a glamorously independent life as an up-and-coming actress in New York. The two girls couldn't be more different--except for one thing. They share a secret that they can't tell a soul. At night, they dream that they're each other.

The deeper they're pulled into the promise of their own lives, the more their worlds begin to blur dangerously together. Before long, Sloane and Maggie can no longer tell which life is real and which is just a dream. They realize that eventually they will have to choose one life to wake up to, or risk spiraling into insanity. But that means giving up one world, one love, and one self, forever.

Thoughts: Two girls living completely different lives but are connected by their dreams. They have the same name Sloane Margaret Jameson and each have suffered devastating loses in their lives. They have become accustomed to dreaming about the other and are okay with it until each one meets the guy of their dreams. Things are getting fuzzy now and the girls aren't sure which reality exists and which one is the fantasy. But one thing is certain they both stand to lose much more than either is ready to give up.

Maggie: Aspiring actress, loving sister and scared. She is afraid to love or be loved. She's certain of herself but at the same time she has the vulnerability. She lives in a one parent household but her mother is hardly there and she has taken on most of the responsibility for her sister. She comes off as older than she is but at times she seems so young. Then Maggie meets a young man that could be just what she's been waiting for but can he handle the other woman in her life, Sloane. Will he think she is crazy? Will he leave?

Sloane: Normal girl, photographer for the school yearbook and heartbroken. She is fortunate to have both her parents but she holds this anger towards her mother for some reason. She is also afraid to let someone in. Sloane is still grieving the loss of her best friend. She gets along with everyone not really in one particular clique until she meets a boy that changes everything. Can she risk telling him about Maggie? Will he believe her?

I liked both girls, maybe Maggie just a tad more than Sloane but they each are great characters. This book is crazy and I'm still trying to figure out which girl is real because the ending was so confusing. I have an idea which girl but would have liked it spelled out in big letters for me. I'm left wondering if they were schizophrenic or was this an alternate reality where they lived parallel lives and were subconsciously aware of the other. Eh, I don't know. Lucid is a mind game that will suck you in and you won't know which way is out. 

Review:The Nightmare Garden by Caitlin Kittredge

Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Title: The Nightmare Garden
Publication: February 14, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 432 pp.
Audience: 12 and up
Rating: 3 out 5
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Website | Goodreads
Amazon | BN | Book Depository


Thoughts: This was an okay read. There seems to be a theme for taking the fairy world and adding an iron twist. As I was reading, I was reminded of Kagawa's Iron Fey series. However, Kittredge has taken it to another level by implementing a dystopian, steam punk feel to this work. In the previous book, Aoife has destroyed the home that she once knew and now is on the run from those that want to use her for personal gain.  Aoife is a frustrating, stubborn and strong-willed character, who is easily tricked into doing things. Apparently, she didn't learn her lesson from the last book and should think harder before making rash decisions. My favorite character in this story is surprisingly one of the villains, Tremaine, devious and crafty; he is always one step ahead of Aoife. No matter how many times she thinks she has thwarted his plans, he just switches his angle and comes up with a new avenue that is a satisfactory channel to getting closer to what he desires. Have to love a cunning and calculating villain. 


In this book, the major problem that Aoife must face is finding the nightmare clock in order to reverse the mess she has made and to find the mother she left behind. She is willing to do anything to make this happen and this is where she messes up. There is always a consequence and Aoife may just end up paying more than she bargained for. The pace was faster than the first book but still slow. Aoife is a hard to character to connect with as she is so misguided, naive and impulsively focused on the end rather than the individual steps to get to that point. 


The characters and plot are more fleshed out but I still feel like that spark is missing to truly ignite a magical connection for me. It’s a good story, though; Kittredge has done a fantastic job of creating this world, which makes it visually appealing in the minds’ eye. I wasn't prepared for that ending, interesting surprise! This book gives a better understanding of what or better yet who Aoife is but the questions still remains…what is her purpose?