I Read YA Book Recommendations

 

 

More About I Read YA Here

 

*Note* If I included only the first in the series in this post, I do recommend the entire series. The series was probably just too long to include all of the books.

Realistic Fiction:

Review Here

Review Here

 

Sci-Fi/Fantasy:

 

Review Here

 

 

 

Review Here

 

 

Review Here

 

 

Straight Up Sci-Fi:

 

Contemporary Romance:

 

 

 

Review Here

Suspense/Mystery:

Comedy:

 

 Fairy Tales/Retellings:

 

 

Fun Reads that Could Be Classified In a Bunch of Different Genres:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Maybe One Day Book Review

Maybe One Day
Melissa Kantor

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published February 18th 2014 by HarperTeen

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say.

Even when Olivia misses months of school.

Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine.

Review:

The best books are the ones that can make you feel sad, and at the same time have parts that will make you laugh.
And this one did both so well.


I think that one of the best things in this book (other than it will make you laugh and cry) is that the story is not a full head on romance. The real story is about two best friends. Zoe and Olivia.
There is only one word that can be used for their friendship. And that is it is beautiful. The way that Zoe stands by Olivia even when things get impossibly hard it wonderful to read about.
And although there is a little romance thrown in, it is not a huge element of the book. And although the book is about friendship, the romance was done very well also.

Zoe and Olivia are (now) two of my favorite characters. I really enjoyed reading in Zoe's point of view, although I think that if it had been switching between Zoe's and Olivia's points of view, it would also have been very good.
There were some points in the story where I thought that Zoe was being a jerk, but those points were worked out. And I am happy to say that I really enjoyed her character.

Overall this is a very emotional read that will have you still thinking about it days afterwards. I haven't read anything else by Melissa Kantor, but after this I will definitely looking out for more!
A definite recommendation, even for those who don't particularly like realistic fiction.

Have you read Maybe One Day? How about any of Melissa Kantor's other books? (I need recommendations) What did you think?

Characterize It (Character From Another World)

Welcome to Characterize It, a meme held every Thursday and hosted by http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/

As usual for memes, link the meme back to the host page so that other can join in!

If you want to know more about Characterize It, go to this page.

Character from another world.

This week I am choosing Ash from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The Iron Fey series is one of my all time favorite young adult fantasy series, and if you love fantasy I would definitely suggest trying it out! Ash is a highly misunderstood character. But that only makes him all the more perfect!



Be sure to link up your Characterize It post below!




What character would you choose for this weeks topic? Have you read the Iron Fey series?

Waiting On Wednesday (17) This Shattered World

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is-

 This Shattered World (Starbound #2) - Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

 

First of all, isn't that cover gorgeous???!!!

I really, really enjoyed These Broken Stars (review here)  and I can't wait to read this next installment!

 

Expected publication: December 23rd 2014 by Disney-Hyperion

 

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

 

 

 

Previous books in series:

 

These Broken Stars

 

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

Going Rogue (Book Review)

Going Rogue (Also Known As #2) Robin Benway Hardcover, 320 pages Published January 14th 2014 by Walker Childrens Synopsis via Goodreads: WARNING! This book synopsis contains spoilers for Also Known As..... Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies   One of my favorite quotes:   "Angelo smiled at me. "It's lovely to have you back" He said. "Oh, I never left. I told him, grinning so wide that I felt it in my cheekbones." Review: This review contains spoilers for Also Known As (AKA #1) But no more than what is already included in this books synopsis. Going Rogue jumps back into Maggie's world. With her best friend Roux and boyfriend Jesse. Along with her awesome spy parents, and Angelo (her lock picking mentor and friend). I love Maggie's character. Somehow amidst all of the spy stuff, lock picking, and people trying to kidnap her....She maintains her realistic quality's. She still has the everyday problems that "normal" t...more This review contains spoilers for Also Known As (AKA #1) But no more than what is already included in this books synopsis. Going Rogue jumps back into Maggie's world. With her best friend Roux and boyfriend Jesse. Along with her awesome spy parents, and Angelo (her lock picking mentor and friend). I love Maggie's character. Somehow amidst all of the spy stuff, lock picking, and people trying to kidnap her....She maintains her realistic quality's. She still has the everyday problems that "normal" teenagers have (even though she is far from being a "normal" teenager) Reading in her point of view is so much fun. And another great thing about the book is the secondary characters. Roux has got to be one of my favorites that I have ever read about. The plot was fun, and moved along quickly. And about 1/2 way through right when I thought that the plot was coming to a stand-still, there turned out to be a ton more action. Another great thing about the plot of Going Rogue, is that it gives you quite a bit of background information on Also Known As. Which means that it is not absolutely necessary to re-read it. Both Going Rogue and Also Known As could probably be read as standalones. As long as you don't mind knowing all the background details about the relationships in Going Rogue. Robin Benway has a really nice way of making everything crystal clear. Reading Going Rogue there was not one moment where I couldn't exactly picture everything. Definite recommendation of Going Rogue. I really enjoyed the quirky fun moments of it....But also loved reading the action bits. If you haven't read Also Known As, do so as soon as possible....And then pick up this great follow up!

The One Book Review

The One (The Selection #3)
Kiera Cass

Published May 6th 2014 by HarperTeen

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.






Review:

There are going to be spoilers for The Selection and The Elite in this review (although probably no more than what you would get spoiled for you by reading the synopsis).
The much anticipated ending to the Selection series, The One picks up again with America wondering who she should pick....Aspen or Maxon.
I was not a huge fan of America throughout The Elite and throughout The One. She was ok in The Selection, but seemed to go downhill from there. She seems kind of fickle in The One. Sometimes coming across as this strong female character, and sometimes coming across as a (and there is no way to put this nicely) whiny brat.
She wants to be able to have both Maxon and Aspen. She goes around being jealous of the girls giving Maxon attention (and him giving them his attention)....And then goes and gives Aspen her attention.

And as for the love interests. I am team no one. I didn't like Maxon or Aspen. There were times when they both could be super sweet, and then they do something and I go back to not liking them.


SPOILER ALERT!!!

<spoiler>The book doesn't actually spend that much time out of the palace, you get a glimpse when America and Maxon (and of course Aspen) go out to talk with the Rebels....But other than that, it was kind of the same old thing. And then ending was super rushed. I felt like nothing was actually solved, other than America's love interest problem. And although that was the point of the book, I would love have liked to see some other things get taken care of also. I felt like the plot was predictable. (And this was probably because I had read lots of those "what is going to happen in The One"....And most of them were right.
And a trilogy wouldn't be complete without a final bloodbath. Ending with lots of characters getting killed off.....Some of which I didn't really care, and other deaths that made me mad.

END SPOILER


This was just an alright series ending for me. I wasn't a fan of the characters and the ending felt rushed.
If you read the first two books, then I would recommend finishing up the series. The One is easy to get through and fast paced.

Faking Normal (Book Review)

Honestly this book will not be for everyone. If you don't like realistic, emotional fiction....Then you most likely will not like this one. I however, love realistic fiction. And knowing that this was realistic fiction was the only thing I knew going into it (I didn't even read the synopsis).... And it turned out to be the best realistic fiction I have EVER read. Alexi is a complex character. She is amazing. Having a character like her on a page is such a beautiful thing to be able to read. And all...more Faking Normal Courtney C Stevens Hardcover, 321 pages Published February 25th 2014 by HarperCollins Children's Books Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does. When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth. Review: This book will not be for everyone. If you don't like realistic, emotional fiction....Then you most likely will not like this one. I however, love realistic fiction. And knowing that this was realistic fiction was the only thing I knew going into it (I didn't even read the synopsis).... And it turned out to be the best realistic fiction I have EVER read. Alexi is a complex character. She is amazing. Having a character like her on a page is such a beautiful thing to be able to read. And all I am going to say about Bodee (aka the "Kool Aid Kid") is that he was just like Alexi. Beautifully written. The plot is written so that it is a bit of a mystery who assaulted Alexi. I made the mistake of reading Courtney's letter at the end of the book before reading the book (and it mentions who did it in that letter) so I knew who did it from the start. I have no idea if I would have figured it out or not. The plot was heartbreakingly perfect. I can honestly think of nothing that would have made this book better. I loved this. A definite re-read. And a definite recommendation if you like realistic fiction. Have you read Faking Normal? What did you think?