Book Review: The Last Thing You Said by Sara Biren

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The Last Thing You Said
Author: Sara Biren
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: April 4th 2017
Review Source: Amulet Books

Last summer, Lucy’s and Ben’s lives changed in an instant. One moment, they were shyly flirting on a lake raft, finally about to admit their feelings to each other after years of yearning. In the next, Trixie—Lucy’s best friend and Ben’s sister—was gone, her heart giving out during a routine swim. And just like that, the idyllic world they knew turned upside down, and the would-be couple drifted apart, swallowed up by their grief. Now it’s a year later in their small lake town, and as the anniversary of Trixie’s death looms, Lucy and Ben’s undeniable connection pulls them back together. They can’t change what happened the day they lost Trixie, but the summer might finally bring them closer to healing—and to each other.

The Last Thing You Said is a heartbreaking tale about two people, one who lost their best friend the other their sister, and their grief of overcoming such loss. It’s about the anger, the guilt, and how to live life after they’re gone. I was surprised how quickly I became mesmerized with this story, one minute I decided I would read a couple of chapters before bed, the next it was two A.M. and I was fighting off tears.

Last summer Lucy and Ben lost someone near and dear to them, Trixie. Trixie was Ben’s sister and Lucy’s best friend and this summer has never been harder for the both of them. Lucy has been in love with Ben for years but something happened after the funeral and they haven't been friends since. It's been hard to avoid each other since they work at the same place and Lucy babysits Ben’s cousin, Emily. After all the hurting, changing, and distance they don't know if they'll ever find their way back to each other.

This story was so utterly beautiful. At first I wasn't sure if this was a story that I was going to get into or even one I would finish in two days but four chapters in and I couldn't put it down. The grief and guilt was so raw, the story was so real. My heart broke for Ben and Lucy, I could never imagine losing someone so close to me, especially at such a young age. Though while it was breaking it was slowly mending, reading about how important and full of life Trixie was. She helped Lucy be brave and bold to live a life she wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for her. And as much as I wanted Ben and Lucy to find their way back to each other I was rooting for their overall happiness, to live life like Trixie would’ve wanted them to.

This book is definitely one you’ll want to throw on your TBR. It was sad and beautiful and just full of hope. I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down once I started. I cried and I smiled, my heart broke and then it slowly mended. I just loved it so much I didn’t want it to end. I still wish I had another chapter, or five.

Blog Tour: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard | Trailer | Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on the Roseblood tour for A.G. Howard. This tour is hosted by Rockstar Book Tour.

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Roseblood
Author: A.G. Howard
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: January 10th 2017
Review Source: Amulet Books

In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera.

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

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A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. She always wondered what would've happened had the subtle creepiness of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland taken center stage, and she hopes her darker and funkier tribute to Carroll will inspire readers to seek out the stories that won her heart as a child.

When she's not writing, A.G.'s pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.

 

5 winners will receive a finished copy of ROSEBLOOD and a Mask, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exclusive Tour Stop Giveaways!

Make sure to stop by each blog below for a chance to win awesome prizes and the giveaways are International!

Stories & Sweeties- INTL Rafflecopter Stop #1: Masquerade Pendant, Eiffel Tower Key Chain, Emoticon Key Chains
Two Chicks on Books- INTL Rafflecopter Stop #2: Metallic "Dream" Bookmark, Phantom of the Opera Tote
Seeing Double In Neverland- INTL Rafflecopter Stop #3: Modern-gothic Angel of Music Print
Dark Faerie Tales- INTL Rafflecopter Stop #4: Signed Panoramic RoseBlood Poster

Bookemoji- INTL Rafflecopter Stop #5: 1 - Signed & Personalized Arc + Mask Set & a Super Secret Phantom-themed Prize. Please Note: On this rafflecopter, participants have to answer a question after reading the last ½ of the chap on Pique to open the other entries.

Tour Schedule:

Tour Schedule:
10/24/2016- Mundie Moms- Spotlight
10/24/2016- Stories & Sweeties- Guest Post

10/24/2016- Adventures of a Book Junkie- Review

10/25/2016- Once Upon a Twilight- Spotlight
10/25/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

10/26/2016- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Spotlight
10/26/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland- Guest Post

10/27/2016- BookHounds YA- Review
10/27/2016- Dark Faerie Tales- Guest Post

10/28/2016- Fiktshun- Review
10/28/2016- Bookemoji- Guest Post

Book Review: Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate

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Seven Ways We Lie
Author: Riley Redgate
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: March 8 2016
Review Source: Amulet Books

Paloma High School is ordinary by anyone’s standards. It’s got the same cliques, the same prejudices, the same suspect cafeteria food. And like every high school, every student has something to hide—whether it’s Kat, the thespian who conceals her trust issues onstage; or Valentine, the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal.

When that scandal bubbles over, and rumors of a teacher-student affair surface, everyone starts hunting for someone to blame. For the unlikely allies at the heart of it all, the collision of their seven ordinary-seeming lives results in extraordinary change.

Following the story of 7 students at Paloma High School, The Seven Ways We Lie, definitely takes on the feel of such movies like Valentine's Day, Love Actually or New Year's Eve. Where you follow many different main characters and in one way or another they all intertwine together.

I loved this way of storytelling for a book. You see it all the times in film. Multiple main characters. Usually in a book you stick with one character, maybe 2. Otherwise things get a little confusing. But I feel like with this story it was good. Especially to give you the sense of high school drama. Of course, we've all been there or will one day be there so we don't necessarily have to relive it. But it does a good job of putting you in that dramatic mindset.

I loved reading Juniper's chapters. Redgate wrote her chapters in - what I can only assume is - pros. It flows like a poem and is broken like a poem. It captures Juniper in her drama, it allows you to realize she's broken and that the lie she's withholding might be the toughest one out of all the characters. Her chapters were short and sweet. To the point, yet sometimes you wouldn't realize how hurt Juniper was until you got to Olivia or Claire's chapter and you realized oh wait, Juniper actually did this during that last chapter?

While the writing was fun, the story was good, it was also a story I've read multiple times. I feel like I mainly just need a break from the high school drama books - because like I said. I've lived it before, at the moment I don't need to relive it.

Book Review: Edgewater by Courtney Sheinmel

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Edgewater
Author: Courtney Sheinmel
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: September 8th 2015
Review Source: Amulet Books
  

Lorrie Hollander used to be a rich girl, but now she’s lost everything because of the secrets and lies of the people around her. It’s been 12 years since Lorrie’s mother skipped town and left Lorrie in the care of her unstable aunt Gigi. Together they live in a neglected, decrepit mansion called Edgewater, the eyesore in a town of extraordinary wealth and privilege.

When Charlie, the son of an esteemed senator, takes an interest in Lorrie, her shame for her family and lifestyle runs deep. But what she doesn’t know is that Charlie’s family is hiding something, too, and that their secrets are inextricably tied. Now Lorrie must confront the truth about her family—and everything she ever thought she knew about herself.

This is not typically the kind of book I’d first go for, to be honest. I am more of a fantasy, supernatural, sci-fi –basically anything unrealistic –kind of gal, but I admit this book caught me by surprise. Probably because I was able to identify so much with the main character, Lorrie, who is a very mature (although sometimes too strict) 17 year-old girl. I was able to identify with her so much because I share her love for organization, cleanliness, and horses –and because I was a little strict and stuck up at her age as well.

Lorrie’s family used to have a lot of money and she, her younger sister Susannah, and their aunt-turned-guardian Gigi live in the mansion called Edgewater left by her grandfather after her mother abandoned them. The problem is that Gigi had her priorities completely wrong and would spend thousands of dollars in Louboutin shoes and birthday parties for her, yet the house was in complete decay (so much so it was considered the eyesore of the very rich town they lived in). I’m surprise child services were never called on her! She wasn’t a bad person; she was just a 13-year-old girl inside the body of an adult, who obviously suffered from Major Depressive Disorder. At least she tried her hardest to be a good aunt! Anyway, when Lorrie realizes they have literally no money left, that’s when everything starts to go wrong for her and she takes the responsibility of the bills on her shoulders, without telling anyone.

This book became a page-turner for me because the author was able to pull me in from the first page and I really wanted to find out what the mystery behind Lorrie’s mother was, along with what the connection between Lorrie’s and her love interest’s (Charlie Copeland) families was. This book is easy to relate to –even if you’ve never been rich like all of the characters in the story are –because the things some of them go through are things many have gone through, and because they’re so real. I know for sure I’ve been in Lorrie’s shoes more than once and have to be the one to help out my family.

Anyway, if you want to read a story in which there’s some mystery, love, and lots of love for animals, then this book is for you. It’s a cute story that could be a light and easy read for anyone.

Book Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genres: Realistic Fiction | Contemporary | Humor
Released: April 21st 2015 (revised edition)
Review Source: Purchased
 

The book that inspired the hit film!

Sundance U.S. Dramatic Audience Award

Sundance Grand Jury Prize

This is the funniest book you’ll ever read about death.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that high school sucks. But on the first day of his senior year, Greg Gaines thinks he’s figured it out. The answer to the basic existential question: How is it possible to exist in a place that sucks so bad? His strategy: remain at the periphery at all times. Keep an insanely low profile. Make mediocre films with the one person who is even sort of his friend, Earl.

This plan works for exactly eight hours. Then Greg’s mom forces him to become friends with a girl who has cancer. This brings about the destruction of Greg’s entire life.

Fiercely funny, honest, heart-breaking—this is an unforgettable novel from a bright talent, now also a film that critics are calling "a touchstone for its generation" and "an instant classic."

Recently, this book has been getting so much buzz due to its movie debut, and after watching the trailer, it seemed like something I would want to read anyway. It did not disappoint. It's witty, sarcastic, hilarious, and purely honest.

Greg S. Gaines is the "Me" in the title and the narrator. I don't know how the author got into such a mindset to write like this character, but it is brilliant. There are no gaps in Greg; this character is so consistent. He carries out this persona of a slightly socially awkward, insecure senior in high school. It's great. You're reading the book and it feels like you're just talking to a friend. A strange, introverted friend, but a friend.

The real meat of the story begins when Rachel, an old friend of Greg's, gets leukemia. Now, Greg makes it very clear from the beginning that this is not a story about a girl who beats the odds and falls madly in love with her new found friend via cancer.

In fact, Rachel has very little dialogue in this story. This story really is about how Greg learns about himself by having this experience with Rachel. Also how Greg and his friend Earl grow together. It's a beautiful story. Even though the topic of death is something that comes up frequently, it's still one of the most hilarious things I have ever read. Greg's lack of confidence mixed with Earl's blunt personality is the best combination of characters I have seen in a long time.

However, due to this book being written as if the narrator were speaking to you, it got a bit rambly in some parts and some part were a bit irrelevant. Even if they still made me laugh out loud.

There's so much more that could be said about this book, but you'll just have to read it for yourself to understand the full gravity of it.

Also, Earl may just be my favorite character of all time.

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Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is the uniquely funny, moving story of Greg (Thomas Mann), a high school senior who is trying to blend in anonymously, avoiding deeper relationships as a survival strategy for navigating the social minefield that is teenage life. He even describes his constant companion Earl (RJ Cyler), with whom he makes short film parodies of classic movies, as more of a 'co-worker’ than a best friend. But when Greg’s mom (Connie Britton) insists he spend time with Rachel (Olivia Cooke) – a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer - he slowly discovers how worthwhile the true bonds of friendship can be.

Book Review: The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

The Peculiars
Author: Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Science Fiction/Steampunk
Released: May 1st 2012
Review Source: Amulet Books
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance. On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

In a dark and gritty world, ones appearance is everything. With the government bearing down on those whom are peculiar, a young lady begins a quest to find out about her mysterious past. The Peculiars is a very intriguing novel that has many great aspects about it. With adventure, mystery, and a little romance, the Peculiars is a entertaining read. The writing of the novel takes you back to a time of Frontier land and a sense of western living. With a witty style of writing, the author easily conveys the characters emotions and thoughts. The plot is very well rounded and there is rarely a dull moment in the entire novel. The novel’s storyline is fresh and unique, that truly shows the imagination that was put forth into the creation of this book.

In an alternate America, Lena has questions about the past. Born with unnaturally long hands and feet, Lena is unsure of who she is. Knowing that her father holds answers, she goes off on a quest. While on her journey she meets a unique array of people that teaches her about many aspects of life. This is a very entertaining novel. It was refreshing and I recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different.