God's Eye

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: A.J Scudiere
Pages: 419
Format: eBook
My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Summary (from Goodreads): Katharine Geryon is living the life her family name has dictated, and why not? After all, it has given her a good job in the family company and a fine life with all the things she should want. But all that changes as increasingly disturbing events begin to occur: soot stains on the carpet, glimpses of strange black animals, and cryptic messages written on her bathroom mirror. Baffled and afraid, Katharine begins to doubt her own sanity.

At the same time, two charismatic men enter her life: Allistair, her new assistant at work, and Zachary, a well-heeled neighbor who just moved into her building. Katharine soon finds each of them inextricably entangled in her affairs. As her life becomes stranger and her dreams more terrifying, she realizes neither man is what he seems and that she's caught in something far beyond her own comprehension. For the first time, she must reach beyond her own boundaries. There Katharine forges her first true friendship with Margot, a librarian who helps her discover what these men really are, why she's drawn to them, and what they want with her.

The answer places Katharine in the middle of a fierce battle that forces her to decide between the two men fighting for her soul.

In the end, only one can be saved, but all three will be judged.

My take: To be completely honest, I did not think that I would enjoy this book. I thought it would be average, nothing extraordinary. I was so completely and utterly wrong. As soon as I started reading this book, I literally could not put it down. I absolutely loved the writing style, and I felt that the alternating perspectives really worked and enhanced this novel. This is the first book I've read by this author and it will certainly not be my last. I truly enjoyed reading this book. This book was so unique from anything that I've read that I couldn't stop. I would literally spend hours at a time reading this. I brought my laptop to school so I could finish the book whenever I had a moment. Having your mind invaded and your world being completely different from what you once knew was a riveting plot line. The good vs evil trying to steal her soul was original and done tastefully. All in all, A.J Scudiere has created a masterpiece!

Final Thoughts: I seriously recommend this book if you're into the paranormal, suspense genre. This book kept me up until the wee hours in the morning because I had to know what was going to happen next. Don't let this one pass you by!

Sisters Red

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jackson Pearce
Pages: 324
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (From GoodReads): Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

My Take: Let's see...Amazing, great, awesome? I love this book and I love the author even more (Anyone who is willing to post video blogs on youtube twice a week is worth your time). The story is told from two different perspectives but they are clearly stated at the beginning of each chapter. There is no trouble following who is speaking to you. Plus, the prolgoue throws you right into the action which is always present to keep you focused in the story.

The only reason that I couldn't give this novel a 10 out of 10 is that I figured out the ending around the middle of the book, not that that made me want to close the book. I still wanted to finish it and find out how it ended but I knew who it was (NO SPOILERS!!). Sorry Jackson, maybe Sweetly will get a 10 out of 10; it's on my Christmas list!

Final Thoughts: Great book. I would recommend this easy to read and follow book to anyone who likes young adult novels or paranormal fiction. Oh, by the way, read this book!

61 Hours

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Lee Child
Pages: 383
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (From GoodReads): A tour bus crashes in a savage snowstorm and lands Jack Reacher in the middle of a deadly confrontation. In nearby Bolton, South Dakota, one brave woman is standing up for justice in a small town threatened by sinister forces. If she’s going to live long enough to testify, she’ll need help. Because a killer is coming to Bolton, a coldly proficient assassin who never misses.

Reacher’s original plan was to keep on moving. But the next 61 hours will change everything. The secrets are deadlier and his enemies are stronger than he could have guessed—but so is the woman whose life he’ll risk his own to save.
My Take: Okay, so this book... I thought that the plot was mostly well done and I figured out all the characters. It wasn't too complicated. The different points of view (which were few) were very easy to follow compared to some other novels that I have read. The only problems that I truely had with this novel is that I figured the ending out early on in the novel. After I figured it out, it was hard to stick too. I wouldn't say that the 'who done it?' was obvious, maybe I'm just quick. I don't know but it bothered me a little bit.

None of that bothered me as much as the ending did though. No spoilers, because I hate spoilers, but I was not a fan of the ending. You don't actually find out what really happens but things are implied. I felt like it either ended badly or it was unfinished. I don't like unfinished business.

Finaly Thoughts: I HATED THE ENDING. I think that it nearly killed me. I'm not a fan of this kind of ending at all. I wish that I could have given this book a better rating because it was good...until the end...


The Next Door Boys

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jolene B. Perry
Pages: 272
Format: ARC (From NetGalley)
Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (From GoodReads): With her body still recovering from last year's cancer treatments, Leigh Tressman is determined to be independent. Despite the interference from her overprotective brother, physical frustrations, and spiritual dilemmas— not to mention the ever expanding line of young men ready to fall in love with her— Leigh discovers what it actually means to stand on her own and learns that love can be found in unexpected but delightful places.

My Take: This book sounds like it is a bit depressing but trust me, it's no My Sister's Keeper. I'm not one for sad stories and that's good because this isn't one of those kinds of stories, not at all. Actually, it's the opposite. It's about getting better and happier and changing for the better. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a good love story.

The plot was easy to follow and there weren't so many characters that you would get lost of confused alone the way. I was slightly confused at the beginning because there is a big religious component in this novel but I was having a hard time figuring out exactly what was happening with that. I figured it out about half way through so no worries there!

Final Thoughts: I really did enjoy this novel. I would recommend it to people who have a religious or spirtual back ground or at least are able to follow along with it and for people who really love a good love story and all around happy ending.

What Happened to Goodbye

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Sarah Dessen
Pages: 402
Format: Hardcover
My rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (From Goodreads): Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

My Take: Honestly, I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of anything Sarah Dessen. I knew her themes and style. Also, the biggest part of the plot is that she moves around a lot and even though I have never moved in my life, always having gone to the same school and living in the same house, Dessen made it easy for me to follow alone and understand what McLean was going through. Like McLean I also try to change a bit of myself every time I start something new or have the chance to be something different. I really knew what she was going through. The message of the story even managed to speak to someone who had never moved.

The characters were love able and we were given enough background over the course of the story to get into their heads in a way. The setting was clearly described as was McLean's family situation. A plus is that I didn't really see the end coming which doesn't happen all that often. I was ten seconds away from throwing the book across the room, angry at the ending, when it changed in time to end well and make me happy.

Final Thoughts: If you have read other Sarah Dessen books and loved them, read this. I think that this novel might be one of my favourite books that she has written. If you love happy endings, this is for you. Basically, I want to really recommend this book to whomever I can. Loved it.

The Last Song

Reviewer: Kristen 

Author: Nicholas Sparks
Pages: 463

Format: Paperback

My Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary (From GoodReads): Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them. 

My take: As you can probably see, this is one of my favourite novels. I love the characters that Sparks created. What gets me is how realistic he paints this family portrait; the angsty teenage daughter and the innocent younger brother. I felt a connection to the family, particularly the father. This book has been crafted beautifully, and with characters so relate-able you can't help but share the laughter, the heartaches and the tears. Will and Ronnie's romance is raw and real, and you can almost feel how they are feeling. The problems that arise are problems that have/could/would arise in reality. The one thing that took away from this book for me is the alternating perspectives. The chapters being so short, I found it hard to keep up with whose thought process I was navigating. Also, I felt there was a few characters whom I didn't care to read through their perspective. This is one of the major reasons this book isn't a 10 out of 10. To this day, most books can not make me cry, yet this book is tear stained - particularly at the end. This heart-wrenching story made me cry more than once. I would recommend this book for anyone in need of a good cry, or anyone looking for a romance so loving you feel as though you're apart of it and a family strength that is astounding.    

Conclusion: I know a lot of people who won't read this novel simply because Miley Cyrus stared in the movie. Don't let that be the reason you don't read this amazing novel! Nicholas Sparks has created such a master piece, don't let this one slip between your fingertips!  

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

Reviwer: Kelsey
Title:  Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

Author: Betsey St. Amant
Pages: 368
Format: ARC - NetGalley
Rating: 8/10

 

My Summary: She never was really able to break out or break rules. Addison is in a tough place though because she is the preacher’s daughter and that’s all she will ever be. She’s okay with that until it starts getting in the way of her enjoying life. She loses her closest friend, she gets ‘voluntold’ into helping out with a school show, and she is stuck in an interesting triangle. Can she finally find a way to make her own choices without making her father look bad?

 

My Take: I loved this novel. I really did. I think that the reason for this is that I connected so quickly and so easily with Addison. She was exactly like me in so many ways and that made it easy for me get into the story and to fall in love with the characters. As I started getting closer and closer to the end I was practically yelling at some of the characters.

It was easy to read and follow. It was slip up perfectly. The one thing that I did noticed was that there seemed to be three smaller stories that made of the story as a whole. This is a normal thing of course but in this case it made the novel seem stretched out. As one short piece of the story was wrapping up I looked at the page count only to realize that I was in fact nowhere near the end even though that last disaster was resolved. I went through this same feeling three times and by the end was actually quite unsure as to where she was going. Would she get him or not? They only argued a page ago and the book ends in two. It was starting to get to me.

Being fairly religious already I could follow the religion that was basically the whole book. Without any background a person may have a hard time understanding how she is feeling and therefore might not agree with some of her choices. That being said, the religious aspect was done very well. It was not over done and enough background was given

Final Thoughts: I understood the characters and the troubles that they were all facing. I would recommend this book if you are okay reading with religion in mind.

Perfect Chemistry

Reviewer: Kristen 
Author: Simone Elkeles
Pages: 355
Format: Paperback

Rating: 7/10 stars

Summary (From Goodreads): When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.  In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

My take: If you want a cutesy romance, this novel is for you! Personally, I couldn't connect to the character of Alex because he goes through something so different from what I am used to. I thought that Brittany and Alex were your typical young-adult/romance characters. Brittany being the rich girl, and Alex being the tough guy. If the characters hadn't be like that, I feel the book could have been a 10. The story line was cute, Alex was raw and emotional. The writing was easy to follow and obviously written for the teen demographic. The book was paced perfectly. Personally, I thought that the cover could be much more, I didn't think it did justice to the book. At any rate, I thought that this book offered a lot, and was a good easy read. If you're ever bored, pick this up! I read it in a day. It is a trilogy, I believe. Though, I don't think the next two books follow Brittany and Alex. 


Conclusion: If you are a sucker for a romance (and a cute one at that!) this is for you. Brittany kind of reminded me of Bella from Twilight. If you don't like series, this isn't a book that leaves you on a cliffhanger. Overall, I'd recommend this book!

A Great And Terrible Beauty

Reviewer: Kelsey

Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty
Author: Libba Bray
Pages: 403
Format: Paperback
Rating: 7/10 Stars

My Summary: When tragedy hits, Gemma Doyle is sent away to Spence Academy in London. London isn’t like her home in India. Now alone and having to deal with visions of the future, of which most come true, saying that it’s hard would be an understatement. But maybe she isn’t as alone as she thinks she is. A strange young man is following her and warns her not to open herself up to these visions but that might not be up to her. She falls in with the powerful girls in Spence and also discovers a past that she never knew her mother had.

My take: It is very well done. You really want to know what will happen next to poor Gemma. I say “poor Gemma” lightly. She’s pretty tough especially after losing her family how she did not to mention the fact that now she has to try and figure out her visions with little outside help understanding them.  She is a smart girl but she does make some bad choice, who in the “in” crowd doesn’t right?

There is drama, just as there is in any school never mind in a school as proper as Spence Academy, and there is action too. It’s great without even adding in the fact that there is magic and everyone wishes they were magic right? Maybe not…

By the end of the novel you really care a lot about Kartik and Gemma. Libba Bray is very good at making you want to be closer to and really know the characters, even those characters that you love to hate.

Conclusion: I think that anyone who is interested in the magic aspect that can go for a ride with the character will love this book. It has a little bit of everything. Just make sure that you know that once you read this book you’ll want to go out and get the second and third in the series too.

Those are just my thoughts…

~Kelsey