Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is. She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Hardcover: 452 pages
Trailer
Review
Just WOW! I had heard so man awesome things about this book and kept on meaning to pick it up and it just kept getting put off. Let me tell you how much I regret that. This novel was so much more than I had expected even afte reading sparkling reviews everywhere. This says a lot because I normally find myself let down because of high expectations. However with this one there was just so much that I didn't see coming or expect that happened, that I was won right over.
The story is unique and intriguing right from the start. Though you do sometimes feel a little thrown around it's more to help with what is gong on. There is almost a constant struggle to divide reality and what appears to be delusions. I found myself almos constantly second guessing if things were what they seemed, like we're Zmara's seemingly dead friends really haunting her? We're they following her to her new home or was it all just a reaction to the traumatic events she went through while loosing them that caused her to see them.
Mara herself is a beautifully written yet broken character. She can't remember the events that led up to loosing her friends or anything after. She just remembers waking up in the hospital to find out that sh has lost he friends. Doctor say she Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome and she just feels crazy. Though I guess I would feel the same way if I were hearing my ex boyfriend in my new school and things were happening that I couldn't explain. Slowly she does start to put things together but even then she questions her sanity and to be honest I though maybe I was going there with her.
Noah Shaw is nothing short of swoon worthy. Though he did follow several of the typical YA bad boy stereo types. Meaning he has had just about any girl he has ever wanted (or so the rumours say), he is mysterious, British and freakin rich. The last hung isn't something he shares with everyone though, in fact it's something he doesn't care for peopl to know at all. He of course starts chasing Mara relentlessly. Problem was I couldn't decide if he was messing with her or genuinely wanted her because with th reputation he had and the way things were going I was left unsure. Despite his almost too perfect bad boy ways I freakin loved Noah and he has quickly shot to he top of my drool worthy YA guys list!
This is far from a quick read at 452 pages but it doesn't feel like a long one either. There is so much action, emotion and mystery that the pages just flew by. There is so much I wish I could share but it would spoil it for you. There are twists and turn in every page you turn. No to ention a certain element that I'm not sure if I ever really seen coming or not. I know you're wondering how could I be unsure right? Well that's part of the mystery and confusion that this book takes you through while reading.
The intensity of the emotions that run through this book are more than enjoyable and definitely had me addicted right from the start. I still can't believe how it all ended and what was really going on. The hype fom this book was well deserved and I personally can wait to see where The Evolution of Mara Dyer takes us. Michelle Hodkin's writing in this novel is masterfully done and will leave you breathless and wanting more.
Quotes
I stared, letting the light sear my corneas, hoping the tears would come. I should cry. But I couldn't. Everyone else could, though, and did. People she never even spoke to, people she didn't even like.
I half-expected to see woodland creatures burst forth from the buildings and break into song. Everything about the place shrieked WE ARE PERFECT HERE AND YOU WILL BE TOO! No wonder my mother chose it.
And just like that, I made a friend. I mentally patted myself on the back; Daniel would be proud. Mom would be prouder.
Noah shrugged. "I'm a vain bastard, and Mara indulges me." After a pause, he added, "I'm just glad you didn't get your greedy paws on the other sketchbook. That would have been embarrassing."
Without thinking, I took his hand back. "Then I'll put on my big girl panties and deal."
Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head. But all that changes when the Lynburns return. The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Published by: Random House
Hardcover: 370 pages
Trailer
Review
Upon spotting this book months ago I knew I had to have it. The premiss and cover just pulled me right in and so basically it was love at first sight. Needless to say I took me a bit to get my hands on this one (it came in form of a gift from Jessirae @ Words, Pages and Books) but it was well worth the wait. Sarah Rees Brennan did a phenomenal job of filling this book right to the brim with mystery and such a tense romance that you will feel like you can't flip the pages fast enough. The story in this novel is fun, unique and easy to read. Not only that but the world that Sarah Rees Brennan created was easy to see within just a few chapters. Sorry-in-the-Vale was like most small towns quiet but it has its secrets if you look hard enough. I loved all of the little details about the town and its people, however there was always a certain amount of detail left out so that there was still mystery to it. I'm not talking details that kill the story but ones that need to not be there to leave you guessing, leave you wanting more. Most of this has to do with the Lynburn's and both their return and their history with the town. The overall result is a strong and well crafted story that has many different elements to love.
Kami is a wonderful and masterfully written. She aspires to be a journalist and is a little over the top and could be considered even a little odd. Actually people do consider her odd as she has always had a voice in her head that she speaks to. This does not discourage her in any way though. Kami seems content with the way things are and I really love that about her. She doesn't need someone in her life to be complete, although she does care very much bout her family and her best friend Angela. Basically Kami is all things you want to read about in a heroine and doesn't go all needy when it comes to boys. Another big attractant is that she's smart and quick to say what's on her mind! This elicited many smiles and a couple giggles throughout this read. Jared, Ash and Angela are also crucial characters in this book. Angela is Kami's BFF and is frequently the cause of smiles. She is beautiful and knows it, instead of flaunting this she seems like she could care less and actually has a lot of snark when it comes to guys. Actually the girl is all around chalk full of snark and attitude and I love it! Ash is not quite as prominent as Jared and Angela but he kind of puts his foot in the door early on in the book. Though I am never drawn to him and constantly felt that there was something he was hiding, I can see the appeal at times. Jared... Oh Jared how you make us swoon. He is both relaxed and arrogant but there is something attractive about him and I couldn't help but love him. Oh, the romance in this one was something else an in my opinion could seriously rival the tension between Katie and Daemon! I know you are all thinking I'm going a little nuts but the tension between Jared and Kami is undeniable and made me want to shake one or the other on several occasions. They have a very clear attraction but different circumstances always seem to pull them apart and create yet more tension. It is very clear that Jared cares for Kami and even has a bit of a protective thing going on when it comes to her. There are so many times I thought mor would happen or wished that the would just take that step to become more. Overall this book quickly became one of my favourites and for so many good reasons. The ending killed me a little bit though. By this I mean that it is possible that my heart broke a little. I guess it just means that there is more of a reason to look forward to the next book... To fix that heart break. However despite my little upset at the end I loved the rest of this book. The romance is overbearing and the heroine is self sufficient and strong. The witty dialogue, fun story and bits of mystery make for a page turner and a book I highly recommend!
Quotes
Angela slung an arm around Kami's shoulders as they went up stairs. " Your soul is like the souls of a thousand monkeys on crack, all smushed together," she told Kami.
"Kami, I know all the other kids are throwing themselves down wells now, but your mother and I have a firm policy of no danger sports until you're eighteen."
Jared shot a look over his shoulder as she did so. There's a card up in your little sweetshop advertising Pomeranian cross puppies free to a good hoe, he observed.What's your point?I'm not a puppy, said Jared. You can't give me away.
Note:
If you want a good laugh flip to page 141. I laughed like a mad woman.
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spineand spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week I am eagerly awaiting:
After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising--and each other--Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again. In this gripping conclusion to the #1 "New York Times" bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.
Hardcover: 382 pages
Expected Publication: November 13, 2012
Published by: Dutton Childrens Books
Why am I waiting on this one:
1. I loved Matched and have yet to read Crossed but I know I will love it!
2. The cover addict in me is showing with this one! I am attracted to red covers as it is but this one is so attractive all around!
3. I really am a sucker for dystopian novels in general so this is one more to need :)
Well that's what I am waiting on this week. What are you waiting
Jason just wants a date with Harley. Harley just wants a date with Trent. Trent's still getting over Stephanie. When Harley and Jason decide to fake date, they uncover a school of deceptions. Trent's got a secret, but so does Jason. And the more time Harley spends secretly kissing her fake boyfriend, the further she gets from her dreams with Trent. Worst of all, Harley's mom is getting cozy with her hot massage therapy student, and even Harley's Reverend Dad can't fake not being bothered by it. But when the masks finally come off, can everyone handle the real truth?
REVIEW
This was such a cute and realistic contemporary novel. When I received the email about reviewing this one it was an immediate yes! I have had such good luck with Indie contemporary novels and the synopsis for this one sounded so promising I couldn't wait to start it. I got my chance while on holidays and to be honest I didn't put it down! I read it from start to finish without even realizing it. The story just has so much fun, emotion and twists that you don't want to put it down.
The story is both what I had expected and what I didn't. What the description fails to mention is that Harley's dad is a pastor. This frequently brings up the right and wrong issue. Meaning every time something might remotely be looked down in Harley tries to steer clear. Not that there is anything wrong with a character that wants to do the right thing but I didn't expect the religion factor. However I felt it didn't take over the book and was tamed way down by Harley's sexy masseuse mother. She does play more of a part than I realized though and she kind of proves the don't judge a book by it's cover theory. Harley is a great example of a boy crazy teen. Not crazy for every boy but one in particular. Her eyes are set on Trent and she is determined to get him, even if that means using Jason. Though I found Harley quirky and determined, she was a times out right clueless and I couldn't believe that she didn't see what was in front of her. This does make for a believable teen girl though. I mean what teen girl legitimately wants the guy that is best for her. She does learn that what you wan isn't always what it seems but it comes at a cost. The boys in this book come off like night and day. I really loved Jason's up front and kind of in your face personality. He kind of pulls at my heart with some of the things he says and the things that happen to him. He tries so hard and always seems to just fall a little short but he sticks to his guns and keeps trying. This sometimes involves him doing things that I don't quite agree with but hey he's a teenage boy. Trent was a little harder to love but I think that was due to the fact that I always felt that there was something just beneath the surface with him. He wasn't an overly developed character but in the end I think that was because he wasn't really a main character. His secrets proved to be much different than I expected and I ended up respecting him more in the end than I did any other time throughout the book. The other thing that made this such a believable book was Harley's best friend. Shelly is quite... Unique we will say. There are many of her in any given school and most of us were either friends with one or knew one at some point and time. She seems to have good intentions but really when it comes down to it she most often puts herself first. Despite this she is frequently there for Harley when she needs it and Harley does love her despite her many faults. This book was overall a fun and easy read. It really captured much of the teenage romance type scene that I remember. Things aren't always as they seem and Leigh threw the twists at you at the right moments. The biggest thing for me was that I felt something for all of the characters, no matter what their role was in the book. Leigh Talbert has a wonderful and flowing writing style that you can appreciate from start to finish! Pick this one up if you want something on the lighter side of reading.
Quotes
My butterflies just had babies at that thought.
I'm not actually going to skinny dip, but I'm definitely going for a swim. I want to wash all of the bad feelings and broken dreams away and start over as something new.
I try to imagine kissing him, but all I can see is Shelly beating me to it.
