Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Young adult, fantasy, mythology

Read April 2012

4.5 Stars

My Review:
I am rarely a crier in books. I didn't cry when Dumbledore or Dobby died. I didn't cry when Prim died. If I do cry, it is usually when someone is having really familiar emotions to something I've felt before. With that background, I did not cry in this book. However, I can see how many might cry. Everneath has a lot of strong emotions in it. If you tend to be a crier, then get your tissues ready.
I appreciate the nuggets of wisdom that Brodi Ashton included in this book. It was thoughful and mature. I would not call this a fun, teen read. It is not a quick, easy, move on to the "next which is just like it" book.
The only reason I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I like books tied up in a pretty bow. I don't mind the drama, but then give me happy. It is purely an opinion and this book would have been a 5 for me if it were a little bit "happier".

Warnings: Just a few swear words and they weren't the really strong ones.

I would let my 14 year old read this book.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, published 2012

Young Adult, dystopian, sequel to Delirium

Read April 2012

4 Stars

My review:
Spoilers ahead.

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book. After Delirium I think I pictured a book full of Lena living in the woods in the Wilds and her struggles there. Of course, this book gives us some of that. But it also gives so much more.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this book as interesting and at times even better than the first book. The author threw some serious curve balls. I especially enjoyed the developing relationship of Lena and Julian. This was a roll reversal for Lena and I appreciated the growth and perspective that she brought to the relationship. I also found Raven's character to be fascinating. For so long I was thinking, Who is this girl? Where did she come from? I am glad we got glimpses into who she is and what has made her into the person we see in the book. She is strong and yet so flawed. One of my favorite moments is when Lena decides to take her own life into her hands again. She shows great character at this time.

It wasn't all perfect for me though. There was too much swearing. Some may find it benign, but it was too much for me. And, I'm a little mad at the author for leaving us with so many questions. Of course, she is a very smart lady because I will be waiting somewhat patiently for the next installment.

Warnings: The occasional f-word, but a lot of other more common swearing. Some violence.

I would not allow my 14 year old to read this until she is older, maybe 16. I know already that she would be kinda annoyed with the swearing.

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter, GUEST REVIEWER

Hello! I am your guest blogger for this post. The name is Carter. Emily Carter. xDDDD

Anyway, I'm going to be... reviewing Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter. No, there is no relation.

This book is in a series of wonderful stories that I call the Gallagher Girls series. To understand this book, you really have to read the rest of the stories. I recommend it highly.

The blurb says "For the first time in months, my three best friends and I were alone. How many hours had we spent walking those halls together in the early morning or middle of the night? Sneaking. Planning. Testing our limits and ourselves. But standing there, we were all a little too straight-our posture a little too perfect. It was as if we were strangers, trying to make a good impression. 'Stop looking at me like that,' I told them when it finally became too much. 'Like how?' Liz asked. 'Like you didn't think you'd ever see me again,' I said. 'Cam, we-' Liz started, but Bex cut her off. 'You don't get it, do you?' Her voice was more hiss than whisper. 'Until forty-eight hours ago, we didn't.'

So, basically, this book is about Cammie, and how after being missing, found, and forgetting a whole summer by herself, she struggles to remember anything from June to October.

The beginning of the book is a little bit frustrating at first, but after a while you kind of get happier. And I must say, it is my current favorite book.

I GIVE IT 5,000,000,000,000 STARS OUT OF 5.


I highly recommend it.

OH, Uhm... YES, Brooke would let her 14 year old daughter read this. Her daughter read it before her.

Thank you Emily (my daughter) for your review. I would add that I give it 5 Stars as well, with no warnings (other than frustration when things don't go the way I want them to go in the book. I guess that is what makes the book interesting, gives it a plot, and makes me happy when the frustration eases.)