Review: Don't Look Back

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format: Paperback
Pages: 368
Rating: 7/10

Summary (look back to Goodreads): What if you had the chance to start again...but only if you promised never to look back? Samantha is popular, rich, and seemed to have it all...until the night she and her best 'frenemy' Cassie disappeared and only Sammy resurfaced, with no recollection of who she is or what happened. Sammy's a stranger in her own life - a life she no longer wants any part of. Losing her memory is a chance to start again. Then Sammy begins receiving mysterious notes warning her about that night, urging her to not look back. But she can't let it go. As she starts poking around in her past she begins to remember...and something sinister begins to surface.

My Thoughts: I really loved this novel, though it wasn't my favourite of Jennifer Armentrout's novels. I wanted to read it just because it was written by her but it turned out to be a pretty wonderful novel. It didn't seem like it was one of her novels (apparently it was written a while ago but just published? I don't know...). I'm so glad I read this novel.

The novel made me consider what it would be like to lose all my memories. Would I be the same person? Would I like the person I had been? Sam needed to relearn so much about herself. I couldn't even imagine what that would be like, never mind the fact that something horrible was involved and that she needed to fight for her memories to help her friend. I've never read a novel with a premise like this and I enjoyed the uniqueness. It was different and it gets bonus points for that.

I really felt for Sam. She really couldn't trust people or what they were telling her all the time. That would have been tough. I would not have been able to make it through this like she did. Points for being strong even when people were beginning to think she was crazy.

The ending has a solid twist. I mean, the person who did it was on my list but it was still a good choice. The ending was rather intense. The action was pretty sudden but it was really good. Kristen was mad, I was not. I might need to reread the novel just to see if it gives any hints as to who did it. I didn't notice too much foreshadowing but I also have a massive headache and cramps right now. If you read this novel and found some interesting foreshadowing moments, let me know without any spoilers for those who haven't read (that will be hard for you, I'm sure). 

It only took me a few hours to read this novel so it's perfect for that upcoming summer trip. I recommend checking this novel out. If you like mysteries and trying to figure them out than this is for you.

Basically: I want to read all of Jennifer Armentrout's novels. She's wonderful. I have a writer's crush on her. This was different than her other novels but I loved it. I'm not sure the category this novel falls under but I liked it. I would consider a reread, definitely. It's a wonderful mystery wrapped up in a good love story with enough high school drama to make you vomit. 

The Longest Ride

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 398
Rating: 10 out of 10

Summary (GoodestReads and longest summary): Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

My Thoughts: Guys...I love this novel. I love it. Also, I loved it. Did I happen to mention that I loved it? I'm sorry but I really, really did.

This novel made me feel all kinds of crazy emotions. It made me cry, laugh, and, worst of all, this novel made me smile. I mean, it really made me smile. I smiled like an idiot while I was reading this novel. I'm sure people were judging me while I read at school. Then there was the crying, urg the crying...

As much as I feel like this novel was perfect (exaggeration), I feel like we didn't learn all that much about Sophia. Looking back, I guess we did but compared to what we learned about Luke, it was nothing. We learned so much more about Luke. We were told what drove him, why he made choices, what he cared about. In this way, it was almost as if he was more of a main character. It was told from three(ish) perspectives. It was complicated though because Ira's point of view was told first person but Sophia's and Luke's parts were both told third person. It's didn't really bother me; I only noticed in passing. 

Also...I'm in love with Luke but he could be really stupid sometimes. I don't understand why he would be so crazy. Didn't he realize that he was hurting his mom more than anything else would have? urg! Boys are so stupid!

Ira and Ruth were like the couple from Up. Cry some more there.

I loved how it all came together in the end. I sort of figured out what was going to happen in the end before it came but I still really enjoyed it when the time came. I was impressed with the planning that must have gone into making this novel. I mean, I'm sure it didn't require more planning than any other novel I've read but, while reading it, it felt like it did. It all tied together perfectly and amazingly and I was so pleased with it all.

This novel was a quick, easy, interesting read. I didn't put it down until I was finished. I already have plans to read it again.

This is definitely one of my favourite novels and, for certain, it is my favourite Nicholas Sparks novel. I think this book was interesting in both the story that was told and the way it was told. 

To whom would I recommend this novel? Everyone. Read it.

Losing Hope (Hopeless #2)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Colleen Hoover
Format: eBook
Pages: 321
Rating: 6 out of 10

A Summary (cause Goodreads loves us): In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

Kelsey's review of HOPELESS

Kristen's review of HOPELESS

What I think about this one: I read Hopeless and loved it. I though I would like this one too and I did but I had a few issues with it.

First, I thought that as a whole the novel went too fast. I understand that, yes, we read Hopeless before this one so it is assumed that we know what is happening. I didn't have a problem with that. I feel like maybe this novel should have been treated more as a separate novel instead of just a bonus extra for Hopeless. There should have been enough material to make this a full book. It would have been a good full book but as it was, I don't know, it wasn't my favourite. I think more could have been done from his point of view.

Also, I wanted to know more about how he felt. Holder went through a lot and some of the emotion was shown but a lot of it was lost in the speed of the rest of the novel. The novel felt like it was only three days not a year and some that it was. I'm okay with the falling in love happening fast because that's the fun of reading novels. 

I don't really like male point of views. I don't relate to them well and I feel like, when they are written by a woman author, they are romanticized. I just want an honest view into the narrators mind.

All of these small problems added together created a big problem for me. Luckily, I still cared about the characters and was able to remember who everyone was. It was a fast and easy read which I enjoyed. It was a cute little book, full of emotion, that won't take too long to fall into. It was alright.

So basically: I liked that it was easy. It helped that I remembered the characters but it went too fast and I don't particularly enjoy male point of views. If you read Hopeless than you should read this novel but you cannot read Losing Hope without first reading Hopeless!

Making Faces

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Amy Harmon
Format: eBook
Pages: 405
Rating: 6 out of 10 (I'm being harsh lately)

Summary (from the face of Goodreads): Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

Thoughts: I heard this was like Beauty and the Beast. I think that however said that lied. I didn't really think that it was much like Beauty and the Beast at all. I mean there were some similarities but none that make it stand out as some kind of story based off of it. The similarities were no more than any random book off the shelf. I was excited then torn down. I feel like my thinking it was Beauty and the Beast made me want to love it. I feel like I tried too hard and I may have even let that thinking get to me and stop me from realizing how good this book really was. It makes me sad.

Don't get me wrong. I did really like this book. I enjoyed that characters enough. It was an easy to read and understand story. It was even kind of cute. It was cute but also horribly predictable. I didn't like that I consistently saw where the story was going but I don't think that's how it should be. I think I should be a little surprised because that's half the fun. Maybe I'm too good at noticing foreshadowing. It's too bad that isn't what being an English major consists of or maybe I would have done a lot better. Alas, I digress...

There is a random love letter in the middle of the story from Jesse...I'm still not really sure where that came in. It just confused me a little bit so I didn't think too much about it.

I felt horrible for Rita but saw Bailey as the predictable, loving, helper, fixer friend. It's kind of an archetype. It made me sad but also really happy at the same time. He was great. He was a great friend and super smart. I love that he was insightful. I love that the other character realized what he was and how important he was. I felt the end to his part of the story-line went way too quickly. I think it maybe should have had a bit more story meat.

I am soooooooo tired of girls who think they are ugly getting the guy of their dreams. I'm tired of girls that don't think they are pretty but are actually beautiful. Just once, can the girl just be ugly? Just once, let her be ugly but let it not matter. Let the guy talk about how much he loved her for her. Don't even mention what she looks like. Don't mention her body images. I understand that it is realistic but please, for the love of God, can we care less about what the main character looks like. I'm not sure how we can accomplish this, I just want it done, okay? Thanks.

I thought that the ending for this novel was sufficient but that's the best I can say about it. That's actually kind of harsh. I think that it fairly wrapped everything up. I do, however, feel like there were two ending and that kind of bothered me. I was reading the last chapter thinking it was the epilogue but then I got to the epilogue and it was just weird. I wasn't sure how to take that. One book should only mean one ending.

So: It was quick, easy, painless ( just kidding, that's a bit of a lie ), and insightful. I love how Fern views the world. I love how good friends they all become. I love how it ended because everything was wrapped up and completed. I could see reading this again. Would recommend to those looking for a love story with some action and emotion. 

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 06

A book that makes you sad

This one is too easy for me. It's the Fault in Our Stars. I cried...in the car...with people present. I feel like Kristen will choose this book also so I'll add a backup. Some Nicholas Sparks books make me sad. One made me cry on an airplane once. That was embarrassing. Apparently a lot of books make me sad...

~ Kelsey

Answer stealer alert answer stealer alert! 

- Kristen 

Angelfall

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Susan Ee
Format: eBook
Pages: 283
Rating: 5 out of 10

Summary (from the wings of Goodreads): It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

So: There is no book on Earth that has taken my longer to finish that I actually finished. I started this novel with great intentions and I was doing really well. I made it about 75% of the way when I just lost interest. I thought losing interest would be like a heart attack but it wasn't. It wasn't fast or sudden. The interest was simply gone. It was horrible sad. At first I thought it was going well, had a good pace and everything but it got suddenly very boring so I quit. I finally picked it up yesterday and finished it in less than thirty minutes. I suppose that if we ignore the five months I put the book down for then it ends up being a rather quick read through.

I did love the main character though. Well, I loved Raffe a great deal more. He was a weird sort of protective. She was kind of really direct and task oriented. Which brings me to how angry I am with the half solution of one of the problems within this novel. How can she be okay with the character changes in one specific character. Ohmygosh spoilers are coming, I can feel them I must be stopped! I feel, to end this discussion, that if I were Penryn I would have been a lot more upset.

Speaking of upset, like ew on the people eating and the wing ripping and tearing and sewing and stuff of the like. It's pretty nast-tastic. I do not like the thing. I wished for it to end. I am not a fan of turning people into gross creatures...grotesque creatures. All I've got is ewy...

The end though. It was some kind of end. It was like an end but not an end? I don't know. It wrapped up but didn't? This is super difficult without spoiling anything. I feel like it could have ended at a better part though I do understand why it ended when it did. I suppose it could have been hard to find a better place to stop. 

I really like the concept of angels but I'm not so sure about the execution. Maybe the next one will be better. I'm sure Kristen will read it and tell me all about how I have to read it. Speaking of Kristen, her review is here.

Closing: It took me too long to read this book because it couldn't hold my interest even with how much I loved the two main characters. I'm not sure if I will be reading the next book in the series. It's kind of a war, dystopian type deal if you are into that.

No Great Mischief

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Alistair MacLeod
Format: Paperback
Pages: 296
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Using Goodreads): Alexander MacDonald guides us through his family’s mythic past as he recollects the heroic stories of his people: loggers, miners, drinkers, adventurers; men forever in exile, forever linked to their clan. There is the legendary patriarch who left the Scottish Highlands in 1779 and resettled in “the land of trees,” where his descendents became a separate Nova Scotia clan. There is the team of brothers and cousins, expert miners in demand around the world for their dangerous skills. And there is Alexander and his twin sister, who have left Cape Breton and prospered, yet are haunted by the past. Elegiac, hypnotic, by turns joyful and sad, No Great Mischief is a spellbinding story of family, loyalty, exile, and of the blood ties that bind us, generations later, to the land from which our ancestors came.

My Thoughts Here: I thought this book was, at times, very hard to follow. It is sometimes a story told within a story. It consists of flashbacks with a reflection on how it affects the present day. I had to really pay attention to make sure that I didn't think the past was the present or vise versa. Some parts of the novel seemed to drag on while others went by in a flash. Focus was necessary for sure. 

The novel was full of great visuals. In fact, the novel starts in a place I am familiar with and I was instantly transported there. I could see what he saw. I love that it takes place in Canada, not many novel do. I love that it started near my home even more. 

There was a problem with names though. Calum is the brother but also the name of the great-great-grandfather or something like that. Plus, there are three Alexanders. There isn't just two, there are three. I understand that it was supposed to build some connection between them and to point to the family relations (we studied this novel in my Canadian Literature class...luckily, I almost failed the essay and feel it's now necessary for you to suffer with me...). Family is a huge part of this novel, I understand but maybe it could have been easier to figure out without all the similar names.

In some parts of this novel, I found it awkwardly inappropriate. Inappropriate is one thing but the phrasing of it and the words chosen made it super awkward to read. I was uncomfortable at parts. I mean nothing is super detailed or horrible or anything, just awkward.

Also, ew on the ripping out of teeth but I love that he became an orthodontist because of it. 

In Conclusion: I was lucky enough to meet the writer who used to teach at my university and came in to talk about this novel. He was pretty entertaining as a person and kind of funny. I even got my copy signed, be jealous. Also, like I said above, I love that this took place in Canada. I think it is similar is ways to perks of being a wallflower (a stretch) and to Looking for Alaska (still a stretch). I'm not sure who to recommend this novel too. Maybe you'll want to look into it though. Then again, had I not been forced to read it for class, I probably would not have read it at all. I'll leave it up to you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Rating: 6 out of 10

So, yeah. Had to read this for class. It was okay, I didn't give up on it so you know, that's a good thing! 

I really liked that I could picture everything because finally, a book from home about home! 

- Kristen 

The Moon and More

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Sarah Dessen
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 435
Rating: 6 out of 10

Summary (Goodreads, you are just too much!): Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

Thoughts: Sooo...the cover is pretty and has a great colour sheme...

Okay, so it wasn't the worst book I've ever read but at times it felt like. I love Sarah Dessen. I have every one of her books. Of all of them, this one is my least favourite. This novel was totally opposite of all her other novels. The others are love stories but this one is more about growing out of the being in love. I was expecting a much cuter story. I was said when I didn't get it. I mean, it makes sense that she doesn't want to write the same story over and over again but I didn't think that it would be like this.

I thought the writing was perfect. I also, oddly, enjoyed learning the big SAT words that she kind of makes fun of at some parts. There was also a lot of wit to be enjoyed. Every once and a while there would be a great and funny moment. It wasn't necessarily laugh out loud funny but it did get a smile out of me. I especially enjoyed when the margarita machine showed up and they had to assemble and move it. It was a funny little scene followed by another that raised the rating for this novel. I live for those scenes. They totally saved this novel for me. Without them, I probably wouldn't have finished reading the book.

I think Sarah Dessen did a good job with the characters too. I wanted to hit Emaline's father, often. I thought Daisy was a great best friend. I loved Luke. Not only do I love that name but he was great. Other than one incident  he was perfect. I would rather Emaline be with Luke than Theo. I wanted to get rid of Theo. I didn't like him one bit. He was kind of annoying and I cannot believe that Emaline didn't see it and get rid of him. Love is stupid, I guess. The parts with Theo in them were really hard to read because, like I said, he was annoying but there was also something about him that made me just want to drive a spike through his head. It would have been the nauseating optimism which I lack but he had in abundance. I don't know what it was really but I didn't like it nor did I like him at all. Benji, on the other hand, I enjoyed a lot. He was a great kid and it totally made sense to me that he would feel the way he did. I'm glad Emaline stood up for him in the end; they were great together. I'm not sure I would have been so helpful with him as Emaline was. She was super nice to do all she did for him.

Thank God the last 35 pages were better than the first 400.

Final Thoughts: It was a pretty easy read but I expected a lot more from this novel. Of all  the Sarah Dessen books, this one is for sure my least favourite one. I wish it had been like the others. I might not read it again but this novel won't stop me from buying Sarah Dessen novels in the future. I still love her.

Fun Quotes: 

"It's a toaster oven," I said, "Not the proletariat."

"Some people would say disappointment is a good thing to learn young."

"True," he agreed, "But some people are assholes."

"I explained that texting means you don't have to talk to people, which turned out to be a concept he could really get behind."

The Richest Man in Babylon

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: George S. Clason
Format: Paperback
Pages: 196 (My edition had 144)
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (te amo Goodreads): Beloved by millions, this timeless classic holds the key to all you desire and everything you wish to accomplish. This is the book that reveals the secret to personal wealth.
 
The Success Secrets of the Ancients—
An Assured Road to Happiness and Prosperity
 
Countless readers have been helped by the famous Babylonian parables,” hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth. In language as simple as that found in the Bible, these fascinating and informative stories set you on a sure path to prosperity and its accompanying joys. Acclaimed as a modern-day classic, this celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of—and a solution to—your personal financial problems that will guide you through a lifetime. This is the book that holds the secrets to keeping your money—and making more.

Hey so: This book is super small and really intelligent  It has useful tips for managing your money and getting rich but it's not boring. It's told in story format with the setting of Babylon. Don't worry, it's not stupid. I already told you it was pretty smart. If you would like to learn to grow your wealth then you should check this book out. It's easy to read and understand as well as implement. I really believe that everyone should give this book a quick once over if nothing else. What have you got to lose? Look more at what you can gain!

Rory (The Ghosts of Palladino #1)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Ciye Cho
Format: ebook (This novel was sent to me for an honest review)
Pages: 660 (on my eReader)
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (with love from Goodreads): Far beyond heaven, earth and hell is a city known as Palladino, a place ruled by ghosts and filled with demons, magic, and all sorts of darkly beautiful things. A city where no one can ever escape.

Eighteen-year-old Rory is a cake decorator who makes stunning confections. But no amount of frosting or miracles can save her when a demon kidnaps her—and carries her to Palladino. Here, Rory ends up in a deadly charm school where young women are forced to become companions for the Ghost Lords. And for her to survive, Rory must become everything that she isn’t: graceful, elegant... and perfect.

But nothing is what it seems in Palladino. Not the magic. Not the ghosts. And definitely not Martin Marius, the bizarre Ghost Lord-slash-inventor who is drawn to Rory. For amid a thousand machines and a hundred cats, Martin holds a secret that could change everything. A secret that could either free Rory... or destroy her.

Thoughts on the matter: A character that's like a real person? No way! You can't find one of those anywhere...or can you? I like Rory. She's sassy and knows what she wants (until a certain part of the story that it but shhhhhhh...no spoilers). Rory has had real hard times and real pain. In fact, thanks to the fact that it apparently doesn't matter where a group of girls is, they are all still jerks to the odd one out, she still suffers a lot when she shouldn't have to. I felt so bad for her and wanted to reach into the story so I could beat some people up for her.

Actually, all the characters really showed and stayed true. Some were sneaky and could hide coming  twists and turns while some you could figure out in a heart beat. Each character was worth their lines, easily. And Martin? What the heck was with that guy? Talk about an enigma. I liked it. Who could forget Cookie? I'd ignore any or my allergies or those of my family for a cat like Cookie.

Sadly, I felt that a lot of time was given to things that may not have been important to the story while not some very important parts seemed to be skimmed over. This bothered me because it meant spending so much time reading over what seems less important but as soon as there is a major conflict, I want more. I wasn't super clear on which part of the story was the most important. This small problem didn't cause me to lose interest or anything, it was just something that I noticed. Okay, okay, it made me kinda sad but at least the writing was clear and didn't require much thought outside of the schemes, plots, and theories that I couldn't stop throwing around in my head.

I was, however, totally distracted from most of the writing style stuff. I'd read novels by this author before (check them out, they are great!) so I knew a bit of what to expect writing wise but I had no idea where the story was going. I was surprised at where it went. The concept for this novel, I thought, was very unique and I love me my unique works. I really didn't know where we would get to by the end of this novel. I didn't see what was coming ahead until it was right there. If I did figure something out before it happened, it wasn't too far ahead of it actually happening. I'm glad it was like that. It kept me focused. 

And we've come to the cover. How gorgeous is that cover? All of the covers for this author match, which I love, and they all look incredible. They are as much of a work of art as the novel itself. I love this cover. Apparently, I'm a sucker for colour it would seem.

Basically: This is an easy and enjoyable read. I've not read another book with the same idea. The characters were perfect for their roles but I did feel that some scenes were a bit lacking. I would definitely consider rereading this novel and I recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal, science-fiction, and magic or doesn't mind not knowing whats coming next.

At least you have the benefit of reading this before decided whether or not to read this novel. I just went for it with no idea of what I was getting myself into. Now I'm just sad that I have to wait for the next one.

See more by this author. Check out Florence.

Switched

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Amanda Hocking
Format: Paperback (Series book)
Pages: 318
Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (via Goodreads): When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

My thoughts: I need to start by saying that I accidentally read the second and third books in this series before reading the first one which kind of confused me. Luckily, they are good enough to pick up on the second and still be able to understand. I don't really recommend this, however, and definitely not for the third book!

I really enjoyed the idea behind this story. Let's say that I'm a fan of awesome, super, magic powers. The characters were relate-able (not all the cool magic stuff but who they were as people and the fact that Wendy was in denial). Finn made me a bit mad but he is better explained towards the end of the first novel and in more detail in the second. Thank God! My favourite part might be that the character, for the most part, had redeeming qualities to make up for their weaknesses. 

What I didn't like was how certain words were too often repeated. Sometimes the same word would be in the paragraph four or five times. You can get past it by putting yourself deep into the novel. After a time you stop noticing them. This is a small error and I just attribute it to the age of the writer. 

Final Insights: I love that the author is younger. Being a young writer myself, it gives me some hope for my own work. This causes me to want to support the writer. Point for self-publishing. 

I really enjoyed all three of these books. This is truly a story that you can get lost in and characters that you can fall in love with. I could even understand the motivation for the bad guys! I would definitely recommend this novel.

<---Book two                                     Book three --->