Category Archives: Reviews

2014, Book Review, contemporary, death, romance, standalone, YA

[Review] Where You’ll Find Me – Erin Fletcher

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Book Title:                     Where You’ll Find Me (Standalone)
Author:                            Erin Fletcher
Number of pages:     211where you'll find me - erin fletcher (cover)

Synopsis:

When Hanley Helton discovers a boy living in her garage, she knows she should kick him out. But Nate is too charming to be dangerous. He just needs a place to get away, which Hanley understands. Her own escape methods (vodka, black hair dye, and pretending the past didn’t happen) are more traditional, but who is she to judge?

Nate doesn’t tell her why he’s in her garage, and she doesn’t tell him what she’s running from. Soon, Hanley’s trading her late-night escapades for all-night conversations and stolen kisses. But when Nate’s recognized as the missing teen from the news, Hanley isn’t sure which is worse: that she’s harboring a fugitive, or that she’s in love with one.

(re: Goodreads @ Where You’ll Find Me by Erin Fletcher)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– Provides different perspectives in coping with guilt although it is likely that Nate’s story is of greater intrigue than Hanley’s.
– Considers sensitive issues relevant to young adults without extreme depth.
– Written with good pacing but with some skepticism, the plotting twists are underwhelming.

Initial Thoughts

Okay so I picked this up and read it in a few hours while watching the Olympics. The thought train goes like this: Roswell (T.V. series) relating to CW’s Star Crossed (T.V. series) relating to the idea of discovering a kid in your shed/garage (per this books synopsis) minus the alien antics. Perplexing, I know.

I’ll be upfront in saying that this book may be for you and it just wasn’t for me.

Engage the rant mode:

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Where You’ll Find Me – Erin Fletcher →

2014, action, Book Review, comics: superheroes, dystopian, fantasy, mystery, post-apocalyptic, romance, science-fiction, series, YA

[Review] Steelheart – Brandon Sanderson

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Book Title:                     Steelheart (Reckoners Series #01)
Author:                            Brandon Sanderson
Number of pages:     386

steelheart - cover

Synopsis:

There are no heroes.

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics… nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart—the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David’s been studying, and planning—and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He’s seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge,

(re: Goodreads @ Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– Reads like a comic-book-turned-novel with a cinematic feel in the writing.
– An information treasure-hunt in discovering an Epic’s kryptonite (a weakness, if you will).
– Lot’s of quirky metaphors/similes which readers will either love or hate.
– World building is materialized impeccably even during fast-paced action sequences.

steelheart-brandon-sanderson-scorecard-600x300

Initial Thoughts

Basically the “what-if?” situation if superheroes of the Marvel franchise turned baddie and there was a underground organisation of ragtag misfits banding together with dreams bigger than themselves. I gleefully ate this book and it was delectable for the most part – it wasn’t always perfect, nor was it an extremely refreshing idea (when you read and watch enough comics/mangas anyways…) but the writing and pacing drew me in and never let go.

Time to ramble:

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Steelheart – Brandon Sanderson →

2014, action, Book Review, contemporary, mystery, realistic fiction, romance, standalone, YA

[Review] Minders – Michele Jaffe

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Book Title:                      Minders (Standalone)
Author:                             Michele Jaffe
Number of pages:     400

Michele Jaffe - Minders - Cover

Synopsis:

Q: If the boy you love commits a crime, would you turn him in?

Sadie Ames is a type-A teenager from the wealthy suburbs. She’s been accepted to the prestigious Mind Corps Fellowship program, where she’ll spend six weeks as an observer inside the head of Ford, a troubled boy with a passion for the crumbling architecture of the inner city. There’s just one problem: Sadie’s fallen in love with him.

Q: What if the crime is murder?

Ford Winters is haunted by the murder of his older brother, James. As Sadie falls deeper into his world, dazzled by the shimmering pinpricks of color that form images in his mind, she begins to think she knows him. Then Ford does something unthinkable.

Q: What if you saw it happen from inside his mind?

Back in her own body, Sadie is faced with the ultimate dilemma. With Ford’s life in her hands, she must decide what is right and what is wrong. And how well she can really ever know someone, even someone she loves.

 (re: Goodreads @ Minders by Michele Jaffe)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:
  • Enjoy looking through kaleidoscopes? Well, thoughts and emotions are seen in Technicolor. That’s pretty neat.
  • World building takes on contemporary realism with subtle science-fiction elements that aren’t overwhelming for non sci-fi fanatics.
  • The narrative is not anchored by romance in pacing (although I’d imagine you could still ship them); I mean, she’s pretty normal and he exudes the troubled bad boy.

minders-michele-jaffe-scorecard-600x300

Initial Thoughts:

Hmm, neat cover and premise but even neater opening prologue to the story. That’s really all I got for initial thoughts. Ha.

Lettuce explore my mind.

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Minders – Michele Jaffe →